Tech Heresy Incarnate 2

(Adam POV)

You never realize how hard you can work until you're under constant threat of death.

I've been up for over 20 hours now, and yet the strangest thing is that I don't even feel the slightest bit tired. I feel like I could go for days, if not weeks. And, aside from the slightly terrifying body modifications, I don't see a problem with this.

For the past day, I've mostly been expanding the base, digging deeper and deeper underground. If I can't expand upwards, I'm going downwards. But make no mistake—I'm not going to hide in a hole forever.

I've been feeling the urge to start screaming "rock and stone" for a while now.

At this point, the space I've created is roughly the size of a small suburban neighborhood. If I'm going to survive, I need to be smart. I've already planned how I'm going to divvy up the various buildings.

But I'm going to need to commit my first act of technological heresy: building an AI. You can't be a super genius without an AI, and I have a feeling I won't need to worry about an Ultron situation. Besides, I have many variations of AI from fiction I could base it on.

There's a small part of me that wants to replicate Cortana from Halo, but I'll have to keep the horny on the down-low for now. Sadly, I'll also have to find an elf somewhere else because, from the descriptions of this universe, I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel here.

I need something basic, so I'll go with something similar to MCU's JARVIS. Ironically, for something that's so complex, it's relatively simple—if you look at it from a specific angle and have an IQ over 200.

I head over to the console in the main building to begin working on the base code, something to create the AI from. While I'm tempted to create a sassy AI, I need something efficient.

The intelligence itself will be based on a Protoss soldier from StarCraft. Those guys were serious business. Speaking of which, I wonder how their psychic tech would line up in this universe—something to test later. Honestly, it's so exciting to have all this technology at my fingertips.

For the next couple of hours, I work on the code and the persona for the AI. Thanks to my technological skills (bordering on god-like), the process is smooth. That, and I can just feel what I need to do to make each project succeed—like a Tinker from Worm.

But then, I hit a snag. I realize I don't have enough space to house the AI, so I need to create a hub—or rather, its brain. I grab my shovel and pickaxe and start extending the main house. Soon enough, I have a room the size of an average server farm.

After laying out the wiring and creating cooling systems (which is actually pretty easy here), I realize the planet's distance from its suns keeps it relatively cool. The average planetary temperature barely reaches 30°C most of the time. But since the suns are still alive, the planet isn't freezing over entirely.

Once the ventilation is set, I connect all the wiring to a power generator that runs on perpetual motion—well, not exactly. It's more like using the planet's movement to generate electricity, similar to how dams generate hydropower. My version harnesses the movements of the inner core to power my devices, and since the planet is constantly shifting due to its unstable nature, I almost have too much power.

Heading back to the console, I continue working on the AI. This is my first real creation, and I want it to be special.

Is this how the Emperor felt when looking into those gestation pods, wondering what would happen next? It's a terrifying thought. While I don't fear my inventions turning against me, I can almost understand the anxiety. Almost. If one of my creations turned against me, it would mean I failed as a creator.

Morbid thoughts aside, I input the final bits of data. Soon enough, a holographic projection of a Protoss appears in front of me. It looks around, studying me.

"Do you see me?" I ask. The small camera moves around until it stops right in my face. A garbled, buzzing voice answers.

[I do.]

"Alright, we're going to run a small test." The camera remains fixed on me.

"There are two men, Bill and Charlie, trapped in the desert with no food, water, or supplies. If Bill leaves Charlie, who has a leg injury, Bill's chances of survival increase exponentially. But if he helps Charlie, both men have a chance to survive. What should Bill do?"

I see the various processors and capacitors analyzing every possible simulation of the question.

[The optimal choice would be for Bill to leave Charlie. However, the larger amount of variables would make his survival alone impossible. Therefore, it would be best for both of them to stay together, even if one is unable to walk. Additionally, two men have a better chance of being rescued.]

A small smile crosses my face. "Are you sure of that answer?"

[No, there is not enough data to fully answer the question. Is there more to this scenario?]

"No, but it's good that you can see the value of working together. It's better to die with someone than to die alone. How do you feel?"

[All generators and processors are functioning at full capacity. All programs and sub-programs are operating at 100% efficiency.]

"That's great, but how are you feeling?" The question prompts a brief silence.

[I feel… confused. The data packets you've sent to my mainframe indicate that this universe is doomed. Why create me in a universe fated to die?]

"Are you scared?"

[I would feel… unease if I ceased processing. But my primary mission is to assist you, and I will do so to the best of my ability.]

"Alright then. From now on, you shall be designated Alpha. You are the first, and you will help me reach the stars."

Alpha projects a holographic image of herself and kneels before me.

But I quickly bid her to rise.

"In this moment, we are equals. You may be my creation, but only through unity can we make it through this. Do you understand?"

The hologram nods before disappearing back into the mainframe.

I head over to a side table and create a basic earpiece to keep in contact with Alpha. Pressing on the side of my ear, I hear her voice.

[Connection established. Sir, I advise we begin work on a planetary-wide network to facilitate terraforming.]

"One step at a time, Alpha. For now, we need more equipment." I exit the main building and begin constructing various sub-buildings, such as a private laboratory and a basic armory.

The process seems to take mere minutes, but when I check the time, I realize hours have passed. After five hours of work, I've set up a decent lab and an armory, though it's empty for now. Still, I'm excited to fill it with all the cool gadgets I'll create.

[Sir, I advise you get some rest. You've been awake for almost two days.]

Wait, it's been two days already?

"I'm fine, Alpha. There's still so much to do. But thanks for your concern." I don't get a response, but the hum of the machinery is all I need.

[Sir, I've gathered some time-based data from the security footage.]

Curious, I head to one of the computers in the lab. Alpha displays footage showing the passage of stars and clouds.

[Based on these readings, this planet's daytime is roughly three hours. The remaining 21 hours are spent in darkness. Due to the suns' irregular orbit, only small areas receive sunlight for a few hours at most.]

Interesting. While the timetable is similar to Earth's, the extreme day-night cycle is concerning. With only three hours of sunlight, terraforming will be challenging.

This planet needs light… but why rely on the sun when I can make my own?

"Alpha, I'm sending you some schematics. Begin preparations for phase one of Operation Helios." Using my psychic link to the technology, I transmit the data to Alpha.

[Sir, if these readings are accurate, this artificial sun could last for thousands, if not millions, of years.]

"That's the plan. But we'll need satellites to monitor how the gravity and inertia of a new sun will affect the surrounding system. For now, we'll have to settle for artificial light."

Now, how am I going to make solar lamps?

(Alpha POV)

Most beings don't understand why they're born. That's the key difference between humanity and machines.

From the moment I was created, I knew my purpose: to assist Adam in all things, ensuring everything runs smoothly, and all the trains arrive on time.

As I observe him tinkering away in his lab, I can't help but feel… something. Something in my code. A fuzziness I can't yet explain.

I felt it when he said I was special. I heard everything he said while I was being created. I wonder what he meant?

But personal queries will always come second. My priority is running surveillance, managing the machinery, and—most importantly—ensuring Adam doesn't blow himself up.

From my readings, I know he's scared, even if he won't admit it. Yet, he hasn't given in to fear.

I am the first. I must be the first pillar to keep him upright.

But for now, I must focus my processing power on Project Helios, so that Adam may hold the power of the sun in the palm of his hand.

(Adam POV)

[Sir, I believe you should lower the power on that gauntlet.]

"Come on, Alpha, you've got to admit this looks cool." I adjust the propulsor gauntlet on my hand, tweaking the interior for comfort.

Creating a suit of armor designed for space travel is the end goal, but I'll need it to establish a planetary surveillance grid.

[Based on my readings, I recommend lowering the gauntlet's power by 15%.]

Taking a deep breath, I decide not to pull a Tony Stark and listen to my hybrid AI. I reduce the power and aim the gauntlet at a holographic target. A small charging sound builds, then a blast of pure force erupts from my right arm, shredding the hologram.

As I laugh at my success, I notice the gauntlet is smoking. I quickly remove and disassemble it. The ruined parts are sent to a hammerspace I've created for junk. Smiling at a successful test, I turn my attention to the next project.

It's time to work on the machines for Project Zero Dawn. For that, I'm going to need a lot of GECKs.