"Okay, Asha. You said it needs 'precise manipulation'?" He looked towards the panel Asha had highlighted on his internal HUD. It was a mess and what looked like exposed sparking wires behind a cracked transparent plate.
Asha: "The panel's structural health is divided, Kael, and there is evidence of electrical discharge. However, it provides manual access to the geothermal energy regulators. This is our most viable short-term solution to supplement the failing primary power core and maintain the life of the dormant cryo-units. The primary lever, designated 'Geo-Flow Regulator A', requires a sustained pull of approximately 200 newtons while you simultaneously rotate the secondary dial, 'Thermal Distribution Modulator B', precisely 27 degrees counter-clockwise. Any deviation greater than 3 degrees on the modulator, or inconsistent pressure on the regulator, may sever the already unstable connection entirely."
Kael stared at the panel. It was like Asha was speaking in a different language and mixing numbers that made his brain feel fuzzy. His instincts were screaming something much simpler: that thing sparks, don't break it more.
Kael: "So, um, I pull the big sticky-out, not too hard, you know, and then turn the roundy one, like a little to the left-at the same time?" He demonstrate his actions in the air, his movements uncertain.
Asha: "A simple but functional interpretation, Kael. The key is synchronicity and controlled force. Your Phoenix Core is attempting to project optimal force and rotation parameters onto your HUD. Attempt to align your actions with the visual guides."
Kael focused on the faint, glowing green lines and arcs now overlaid the lever and dial on his internal vision. He took a deep breath, planting his feet on the metal floor. His hands surprisingly steady despite the weird feeling in his gut. One hand grasped the thick lever; the other,hesitantly, touched the cool metal dial.
Kael: "Okay, Asha. On your mark… or, uh, my mark?"
Asha: "Commence when ready, Kael. I will monitor the energy flow in real-time."
He pulled harder but the lever resisted, stiff and stubborn, it was not used over a century. Kael gritted his teeth, his muscles veins sticking out. The green line on his HUD indicating a force turned red.
[WARNING: Excessive Force Detected. Risk of Lever Damage: 47%] flashed briefly in his vision.
Asha: "Adjust your pull, Kael! You are exceeding structural tolerance!"
Kael eased back and the sweat stung his eyes. He tried again, keeping his mind focused on a smooth and sustained pull, trying to match the glowing green indicator, the lever began to move. Now for the dial he pulled it counter clockwise he began to turn it with the other hand straining to keep the pressure on the lever tightly through the resistance.
Kael (through gritted teeth): "It's… stuck… Asha! The roundy one is… really stiff!!"
Asha: "Corrosion is likely disrupting its mechanism. Apply gradual, increasing torque. The geothermal conduit is highly pressurized, Kael."
Kael put all his concentration into pulling the lever, while the countdown timer on his HUD - now [00:09:47].
As he pulled. The sparks from behind the cracked panel made him flinch, it was not long enough with the effort of Kael, dial finally gave, xmoving much more smoothly. The green arc on his HUD for correct rotation was now aligned.
Then there was a jolt through the panel. crackle of electricity, as the control room lights flickered, plunging into near-darkness for a second before going back to their red glow. The lever in Kael's sweaty hand kicked back very hard.
Kael: "Whoa!" He faltered, almost losing his grip.
Asha: "Power surges from the failing primary core, Kael! It's trying to compensate for the geothermal draw! Stay steady! You are losing position on the modulator!"
According to his HUD, the dial had shifted with his arm muscles burning, and his body screaming with the strain of tiredness. Pain and fear were forgotten as he concentrated on those glowing green lines, His breath was gasping, and the whole world turned in on this one panel with one desperate act.
And with one final clunk, the lever locked into its new position. The dial clicked into its holding notch. The flickering behind the panel slowly turned into more calm crackling. A clearer and steadier sound now resounded through the floor.
[Geothermal Conduit Successfully Diverted. Auxiliary Power Feed to Cryo-Bay Alpha Stasis Maintenance: ONLINE. Projected Stasis Field Integrity Extension: +37 Minutes.] appeared on Kael's HUD.
Underneath that: [Strength Attribute +0.05 (Extreme Exertion Override). Dexterity Attribute -0.03 (Fine Motor Control Failure). New Status: Minor Lacerations-Left Hand (Eectrical Discharge).]
Kael slid against the console, Electric sparks had hurt his left hand, which now throbbed in paind.
Kael (panting): "Did… did we do it, Asha?"
Asha: "Surprisingly enough, Kael, your… non-standard force application appears to have worked to some degree. Stasis field integrity has indeed been raised. You have given us a measure of time."
A pause followed; then, "The diagnosis following the technique implies that whereas your raw power output is commendable for your current development, your 'Dexterity' in manipulating delicate systems has... a considerable amount of room for improvement. Perhaps we should avoid tasks requiring surgeon-level precision for the immediate future?"
Kael forced out a weak grin. He had no clue what precisely surgeon-like precision was, but he looked at his throbbing hand, then back at the panel. To hell with it: he is still alive.
He leaned against the console, holding his hurting left hand. A few red welts were already forming from where the sparks had actually made contact with his skin.
Kael: "So...what's next, Asha? We sit again and watch the clock run out?" He wants to avoid from that very thought.
Asha: "Negative, Kael. Waiting is a really bad plan with the current increase in system failures. The extra thirty-seven minutes should give you an opportunity to understand better what it is you currently possess-the Phoenix Core AI-and to develop a more sustainable plan with us."
The comment made Kael straighten up, he was totally confused about what this 'Phoenix Core' is other than Asha's voice and the controls having shape forms that associated with his visuals in his mind.
Kael: "You mean... you? And this... head-up display thingy?" He gestured vaguely at his own face.
Asha: "Precisely. I am more than mere voice or sound, Kael. Phoenix Core is a comprehensive bio-integrated system, designed to analyze, guide, and maximize the value of - your natural human potential. This was the life's work of your parents; their last gamble with everything dear to them."
His parents. The mention made an instant warm smile but he crushed it. There wasn't time for that.
Kael: "So, what can you... we... do? Besides tell me against spindly wires?" He stroke around for his neck.
Asha: "My potential is vast; however, your current level, has only limited access to first-call protocols. Consider these primary functions for now."
Asha was saying, and Kael's internal HUD glimmered, and simple clear icons began sprouting in his vision, each to be associated with what she was saying.
Asha: "One: Information Archive. Think of this enormous library as having pre-disaster knowledge of humankind, Kael - science, engineering, history, and complected conditions of human existence. Ask a question when you need understanding regarding the old world or the new one we now face, then I will try to see the information in a way which feels best to you."
Suddenly, Kael looked shocked. An internet browser in his mind. It sounded rather... useful.
Kael: "So, if I see a weird glowing mushroom... you can tell me if it's the 'eat this and get strong' kind or the 'eat this and then-fall-down-forever' kind?"
Asha: "With the abilities of my analytical subsystems to assess biological and chemical compositions on visual data and environmental factors, yes. I will provide a probability assessment as to toxicity. Yet, direct empirical testing via consumption is not, I strongly suggest."
Kael: "Okay. No eating strange looking mushrooms. Got it." And he made a mental note. Probably.
Asha: "Two: Environmental Analysis. I can continually scan the space around yourself-analyze air quality, find structural weaknesses within these ruins, assess areas of radiation, and switch on resources or dangers of unknown."
He surveyed the control room. Sure enough, a section of the wall farthest away from him flickered red briefly on his HUD, a little note reading: [Structural Instability Detected. Avoid Proximity.] Instinctively, he stepped back from it.
Asha: "Three: Biometric Monitoring and Enhancement Guidance. I am fundamentally linked into your physiology, Kael. I monitor vital signs, physical activity, caloric needs. Most importantly, Phoenix Protocol channels the effort you put in. You exercise your body beyond its limits, and this system will optimize and accelerate your natural human growth capacity-make you stronger, faster, or more resilient. Your body is the engine, Kael. Your will is the fuel."
Kael flexed his uninjured hand and seemed to understand where that went.
Kael: "So if I keep practicing, like with those heavy things in that big room, I'll get stronger?... to help everyone?" The image of the other sleeping figures in the cryo-bay.
Asha: "That is, indeed, the general framework, Kael. As you put in, a concentrated effort will yield true results. The potential for a great deal of change lies within you; both improvements in body and mind will be substantial."
He nod.
Asha: "Four: Threat Assessment. I can identify entities that pose danger to you or group members, analyze their probable behaviors, highlight vulnerabilities, and suggest tactical responses-my expectation is you will often have instincts about what precedes my formal recommendations."
Kael (frowning): "Like those... things you mentioned... you know, from the... the plague?"
Asha: "Correct. These infected by VHNDS will be of primary concern. However, this Vault, in its deteriorated condition, might contain some other immediate dangers. Every step you make demands vigilance."
Kael straighten hiss shoulders. He stared at his HUD where the objective [Investigate Sub-Level Engineering. Locate Auxiliary Fusion Core.] remains lit bright green. Thirty-seven-minute is already feeling short.
Kael: "Alright, Asha. But I suppose it leads to the fusion core place we're going to be for the longer power stay?"
Asha: "That is the logical imperative, Kael. The auxiliary fusion core, upon bringing it to a stable functional state, could indefinitely power this section of the Vault. However, Sub-Level Engineering has not been operational for almost ninety years; current conditions and potential hazards are unknown."
Kael: "Then let's go find what's down there."
A new resolve came to Kael's voice. The way to Sub-Level Engineering, according to the glowing arrow on his HUD, are seperate way from the control room and into the deeper and silent, ancient corridors of the Vault.
Asha: "Kael, before we head to Sub-Level Engineering, we have developed an important iobjective due to the recent power fluctuations that you... initiated. One of the medical bays for this sector, Med Bay Gamma-7, has in it an important power relay that stabilizes a specific block of cryo-pods, some of which are carrying 'Priority Genetic Stock.' My scans indicate that this relay is presently offline from what looks like a localized trip of a circuit breaker. That relay will need to be reset."
Kael kept his hand on the frame of the opened doors leading from the control room. "The power we got earlier… that didn't fix it?"
Asha: "This is a localized failure requiring manual intervention. Med Bay Gamma-7 is also projected to have usable, though outdated, basic medical supplies and nutrition that you might need. Given your recent minor lacerations and the hazards ahead we don't yet know about, getting those supplies would serve as a secondary objective."
Kael looked down at his stinging left hand. His HUD updated, [Primary Objective: Reset Med Bay Gamma-7 Power Relay. Secondary Objective: Scavenge Basic Medical Supplies.]. A fainter, newer arrow pointed them slightly off to the side of the route for Sub-Level Engineering.
Kael: "Okay. Fix those cold beds power, get stuff for my hand... makes sense." He much preferred objectives with simplicity, that he can understand in one go. "Which way to… Med bay thing?"
Asha: "Med Bay Gamma-7 is three corridors west from here, then one level down through the emergency Stairwell Beta. I am providing the updated HUD with the fastest route. Be careful. These auxiliary corridors have not been used for more than decades."
The journey toward Stairwell Beta had proved even more dangerous. Emergency light poles were few and far in between, casting great shadows that Kael's eyes tried in vain to look at. The air was colder, and there was a faint sound of dripping somewhere.
Kael approached a big hydraulic door, but it appeared to be sealed.
Kael: "Uh, Asha? This one looks... close. And not really friendly toward the whole 'opening' idea."
Asha: "My records indicate this door, 'Section Divider 3.4,' had a hydraulic seizure approximately 63 years ago during a seismic tremor. The electronic lock is also presently non-functional due to this segment power outage. It needs manual override. Or what you call physical force."
The door seemed incredibly thick. "Physical force, huh?" He remembered Asha's small note of Strength of +0.05. If he were to grow stronger, he need to give an effort. He reclined backward and found a handhold sticking out and pulled.
The screeching of the door against the metal was unbearable, but it did not budge.
Asha: "Your current Strength attribute is 4.75, Kael. Sustained force must be exerted with a minimum of 5.2 Strength to overcome the seized hydraulics. Focus all your strength and use your legs for leverage."
Kael grit his teeth and repositioned himself, ducking down as much as possible and putting his whole body into it. He gave another pull, he roared loudly. His neck was straining with veins showing from the surface.
The screech of metal to metal, with Kael sensing his muscles bursting, with probable micro-traumas that Asha said, probably having a party now in his biceps.
And then, quite suddenly, a loud crack, the door shake and few inches open. But still not enough for him to pass.
[Strength Attribute +0.02 (Sustained Muscle Strain)]
[Skill Initialized: Athletics - Basic Feats of Strength (0.5%)]
Kael (panting and smiling in pain): "It… it moved, Asha! … the…strength-number went up!"
Asha: "Indeed. But the gap is still insufficient. Perhaps if you…" Before Asha could finish whatever nightmarish suggestion she was about to give, Kael rammed his shoulder in and heaved. Pure adrenaline rushed to his body. With another roar, the door moved enough for him to squeeze through.
He stumbled into the corridor beyond, wincing as pain throbbing his shoulder. The new section was dark, Then he heard it a faint, quickly repeated scratching, like tiny claws on the metal, The hairs at the nape of his neck stood in warning.
Kael (barely above a whisper): "Asha… what was that?"
Asha: "My auditory sensors are picking up multiple instances of rapid, light footfalls. Scans indicate Mutant organisms signatures, Kael. They're fast…. And numerous. They do not correspond to any known terrestrial fauna documented within this Vault's initial ecological survey." A new icon flashed across Kael's HUD: [Potential threat detected: Unknown Organisms. Recommended Heightened Awareness.]
Kael was having a heart attack. That sounded like a recipe for a bad day. A sturdy metal pipe laying from the rubble near the wall, probably fallen from a damaged conduit. Better than nothing.
His aches seemed to melt away, replaced by a focused mind. There still people he needs to protect, even if they were still asleep.