Sanctuary

In the meantime, all was tranquil. Jimmy was at the wheel while Aya and Jenny admired the passing scenery. "Jimmy," I inquired, "do you recognize me from before today? Are there any details about me in your database?" I awaited his response with eagerness. "To some extent, sir," Jimmy replied. "Your name as recorded in the ownership documentation is Ronin Wilder. However, beyond that, I lack any other information. Our interaction today marks our first communication." His answer left me somewhat disheartened. "Can you enlighten me about the circumstances surrounding my acquisition of you?" I inquired further. "Certainly, sir," Jimmy complied, "You procured me at the Vertical Dynamics automobile factory on the planet VEGA3 in the Nexus universe. During your visit, you also made purchases of other products from the extensive range that Vertical Dynamics offers. Interestingly, the company's CEO himself personally addressed your needs, and no transaction of funds took place, as far as I am aware. It appears that you were treated with great esteem at Vertical Dynamics." Jimmy remarked with admiration.

"I seem to be experiencing memory loss. Is there a way to find if my storage space holds any information that could shed light on my past?" I inquired. "You can try searching for documents or inquire with AI or other intelligent objects in your possession to see if they possess such information," Jimmy replied.

I extended my consciousness into the mandala's expanse, feeling like I was adrift in an infinite void. With my mind, I reached out to sense all the equipment stored within. My voice boomed loudly, echoing in every direction, as I called out to any sentient beings, AI, and other forms of intelligence, "Please come forth and reveal yourselves to me."

After a few moments, I felt a significant number of objects beginning to converge towards me. Within a short span, hundreds, if not thousands, of objects encircled me in a spherical formation. "Hello," I greeted them. "Do any of you recognize me or possess knowledge of my past?" I inquired. However, there was no response from the objects surrounding me. "I suffered a head injury and lost my memory. Is there a possibility that any of you hold information that could aid me?" I tried to elicit a response once more.

The ATV685 and other Vertical Dynamics transport vehicles approached and began conversing amongst themselves, creating a cacophony of voices that overwhelmed me. I quickly signaled for them to be quiet, seeking clarity. "One of you speak," I asked. The ATV685 stepped forward, and Johnny's voice emanated from it. "Sir, your name as recorded in our ownership documents is Ronin Wilder. Beyond that, we have no other information," he relayed.

"Thanks, Johnny," I said, grateful for the information. As I scanned the surroundings, my attention was drawn to an object slowly making its way towards me from the periphery of the group. After a few moments, it approached, revealing itself as a book. The book floated in front of me and opened its inner cover, revealing a handwritten inscription that touched my heart. "Ronin, our dear son, as you turn 14, we give you this book in the belief that you will put it to good use. Love Mom and Dad." The sight of the inscription blurred my vision with tears of emotion. I held the book in my hands and read its title, "Fundamentals of Gravitation," a beginner's guide written by Joel Hill, published by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the Wilder Science Institute.

" "Thank you," I said out loud, holding the book in my hand as I returned to the car. I began reading, and the content felt simultaneously new and strangely familiar. It was hard to explain. I continued reading until Jimmy's voice broke my focus, "Sir, I detect enemy movement about 150 kilometers to the north."

"I sent my consciousness forward and felt a huge number of tens or hundreds of thousands of monsters moving north. The number was so vast that I couldn't estimate it from this distance. 'Jimmy, can we observe what's happening?' I asked. 'Of course, sir. Sending a drone,' came the reply, and the sound of a launch echoed from the vehicle's roof. A video display from the drone's perspective appeared on the windshield. The aircraft ascended rapidly and advanced towards the north. After a few moments, we could see a massive herd of monsters—wolves, bears, cats, trolls, and more—moving northward. 'They're heading towards the city of refuge,' Aya said, her voice filled with concern. 'The city is under attack,' she added anxiously. 'It's too much, there's no way they can manage such a mass of monsters.'"

As the drone continued its northward journey, it captured the daunting sight of an immense sea of monsters. After a few more minutes, the majestic city of refuge came into view on the horizon, besieged by relentless attacks. Towering walls, staffed with powerful cannons and firearms, repelled the monsters at a kilometer's distance. However, the relentless monster horde seemed to make gradual progress, inching closer to breaching the city's defenses.

"Based on the current rate of attack, the enemy will reach the city walls in approximately one hour and fifty-four minutes," Jimmy informed us, urging haste. "Do we possess sufficient firepower to reach the walls?" I inquired, to which Jimmy swiftly revealed the vehicle's arsenal. Equipped with advanced gravity technology cannons, capable of firing metal balls at a staggering rate of up to 1000 projectiles per minute and reaching speeds of forty thousand km/h, the vehicle boasted unmatched firepower.

Each cannon had five firing barrels, working simultaneously or individually, fed by special inventory storage discs carrying enough projectiles for eleven and a half days of continuous shooting. In theory, using one barrel at a time could keep continuous fire for an astounding 230 days. With confidence, we made our plan to approach the enemy's rear and unleash the full might of our weapons.

As we closed in on the enemy, Jimmy elevated the vehicle to about 10 meters to avoid causing harm. The front guns unleashed a relentless barrage upon the approaching monsters, cutting through their ranks like a scythe through wheat. A path was carved through the sea of monsters as we pressed onward toward the city at a determined pace. Suddenly, a resounding thud shook the vehicle as projectiles were hurled by the monsters.

"I apologize, sir," Jimmy swiftly addressed, "it appears some monsters have started throwing rocks and various objects at us. No damage has been done, but I must take evasive maneuvers to avoid further harm. This might add to our travel time, and we risk being overtaken by the monsters. I will seek alternate directions."

I extended my senses, perceiving the multitude of bullets Jimmy had fired behind us, now numbering in the thousands. Harnessing gravity's power, I directed these projectiles towards our vicinity. "Sir, I detect a cluster of objects resembling our projectiles approaching from behind," informed Jimmy. "I am aware, Jimmy. It's my doing," I responded. With deliberate precision, I began spinning this mass of projectiles around us, their velocity steadily increasing. "A gravity manipulator," noted Jimmy. "Indeed," I acknowledged. The metal tornado field expanded rapidly, becoming a formidable barrier. Any monster trying to breach the particle field was instantly crushed, halting their advances.

"Excellent job, sir," praised Jimmy. "Now, if you could generate an aperture within the field, strategically positioned to permit cannon fire to pass while preventing the monsters from retaliating with objects, we can promptly return and accelerate towards the city walls," he proposed.

With finesse, I deftly manipulated the particle field, crafting a precise aperture. This allowed the cannons an unobstructed path to confront the enemy while reducing their chances of counterattack. Skillfully piloting the vehicle, Jimmy accelerated our return towards the city. The swirling metal tornado shielded us as we approached the besieged walls.

I altered the trajectory of the metal projectiles and created a 30 cm opening in the hatch, providing us with a clear view of the approaching monsters. "Excellent," exclaimed Jimmy as he resumed firing, and we accelerated towards the city walls once more. After a brief adjustment, he found the best speed that allowed us to both advance towards the city and fight the monsters obstructing our path, all while supporting the protective metal storm around us.

We went ahead in this manner for approximately 20 minutes until Jimmy alerted, "It appears the city is depleting its ammunition. The rate of fire has slowed, and the monsters are advancing faster towards the walls."

"How long until we reach the walls?" I inquired.

"We won't be able to outpace the monsters. Waiting for instructions," he replied.

"Could you disregard the monsters around us and head directly to the walls?" Aya suggested.

"It's possible, but I lack sufficient information to determine if I can single-handedly halt the monster onslaught. Can you impede their progress with the metal particles you control?" Jimmy asked.

"I can attempt it, but with the sheer number of monsters, I'm uncertain if I can endure until the end of the battle," I responded.

"Perhaps your storage space holds additional resources that could aid us?" Aya inquired.

"Checking," I said and delved into my storage space to search for any intelligent war machines. Almost instantly, I discovered 73 such advanced tools, comprising ground vehicles, air vehicles, and a fleet of particularly lethal drones.

I communicated within the inner space with the war machines, explaining our precarious situation and urgently requesting their aid. Once they were deployed from storage, I directed them to position themselves strategically around us, forming a protective swarm as we continued our journey towards the city walls. Instructing Jimmy to temporarily cease fire, we made our move. The destroyers promptly oriented themselves, coordinated their positions, and adopted effective tactics. The aerial vehicles soared above, bombarding the advancing monsters from the skies. I floated the ground vehicles to surrounded us, carefully avoiding interference with Jimmy's firing range.

With all of us now airborne, we accelerated towards the walls, a coordinated onslaught beginning from all the intelligent war machines. Masses of monsters were obliterated as we made our way towards the city. In the midst of the fierce battle, I had Jimmy establish contact with the city, informing them of our approach and intention to provide aid. After the city's commander spoke with Aya to verify our identity, the city's defensive fire adjusted to avoid hitting our forces.

The inferno we placed on the monsters was frightening. Towers of smoke and fire rose in the air from the hits made by the aircraft and tanks. Our cannons and those of other vehicles fired at a maximum rate and muzzle speed of forty thousand kilometers per hour. A bullet hit from the cannons left a monster as nothing more than a red mist.

For hours into the night, we relentlessly fought the overwhelming horde of monsters. Our weapons unleashed a terrifying inferno upon them, with cascades of fire and destruction erupting from aircraft and tanks. The monstrous assailants fell, obliterated by the relentless barrage of gunfire and cannon shots. As dawn approached, we noticed a decline in the number of monsters. After a tense period, the enemy began to retreat.

Seeking permission from the city commander, we pursued the retreating monsters, relentlessly pushing them back. By noon, we had successfully dropped the last remnants of the enemy forces and returned to the city, our mission accomplished.