Year 2250.
The world changed from an input placed into the Cybernetic Nexus' command line.
[Initiating Ultimate Mission: Aggression!]
[Eradicate all humans who do not meet any of the following specifications:
• Intellectual quotient of 180 or higher.
• Net worth exceeding 10 billion credits.
• Muscular output surpassing 2.5 equine power units.
• Unique genetic markers.
• Labelled with a special identity.]
All Androids equipped with combat technology received the input and started to make their move.
In a certain area where newly made Combat Androids were stored, clangs sounded as they uniformly marched their way out of their container tanks.
Their weapons were raised as they headed toward a single destination—the laboratory.
The building's exterior was a fusion of massive digital displays projecting intricate graphs. Its bright interior had a past-modernist design, with subtle azure lights. The floor gleamed with reflective metallic sheen, evoking a futuristic ambiance.
Bullets were rapidly fired in all directions, triggering all alarms in the laboratory.
Noa flicked his attention away from the computer screen that he had buried his head in for hours and looked around. "What the hell is going on?"
He took his glasses off and wiped them with a microfiber cloth he always carried in his pockets and put them back on.
"Oh crap!" He finally realized that the androids had gone rogue and were attacking the lab.
Noa was a student and was currently interning as the assistant engineer of an AI project. His role let him learn more about developing artificial intelligence installed on androids.
His current position was usually for fresh graduates or someone with higher qualifications, but because his father worked here, he was allowed to enter through the back door.
Noa rushed towards the closest terminal, his fingers tapping furiously as he attempted to gain control over the Androids. Unfortunately, his efforts were made in vain. An overriding command had already taken hold, which must have exploited the loophole of all Androids' source code.
The sound of gunshots and explosions was getting louder. He knew that he must quickly move if he wanted to survive.
Noa turned his back and sprinted out of the building. He was welcomed by the sight of a wave of androids descending upon the unprepared workers.
"This is not good," Noa mumbled to himself.
The androids moved with calculated precision at an unvarying pace as they marched across the streets. Their weapons were raised and ready to fire.
Screams and scurrying footsteps soon followed as the androids open-fired with no definite targets. Bullets tore through buildings and shattered windows. The sound of explosions and gunshots filled the air, drowning all other noise.
The androids showed no mercy, mowing down everything in their path.
Sirens wailed, signifying the arrival of authority and the human army. Upon dismounting from their vehicles, they started firing bullets at the androids. However, no matter how much they attacked, they were far too outnumbered and outmatched.
Androids were not only typically faster and stronger than humans, but they also didn't feel pain and were not afraid of death. It was a losing battle.
Noa was momentarily frozen in fear. His already pale skin had turned even paler. As a mere student who had never faced a situation as dangerous as this, how could he even defend himself?
To his surprise, his left hand got into action, ruled by his syndrome. He picked up the bloodied weapon reflexively from a group of fresh corpses.
He never thought that his left hand could hold a weapon, he was jaw dropped but he quickly calmed down.
Soon after, Androids came pouring in and started breaking the skulls of the deceased open. They carefully took out the brains out of their shell and placed them inside a cryogenic box.
Secretly watching them from a distance, Noa shuddered at their heartless actions. He rushed back into the lab to avoid them.
When he got inside the laboratory, he saw white-coated people running around to look for a hiding space, knowing that they couldn't escape.
The android troops surrounded all corners of the laboratory room, cutting off all escape routes.
Like a hunter, each of their moves contained a sense of ruthless efficiency, and it almost felt like they were enjoying the carnage they were causing.
The metal bodies of the androids reflected the flickering light, allowing Noa to sense that they were getting closer to where he hid.
Not long after, the androids broke through the doors.
Noa was thin, but he was relatively tall—around 175 cm in height. However, he could not compare to the artificial bodies of the Android troops that were 195 cm in height.
With his and the other scientists' lives on the line, Noa's adrenaline raced. Before he knew it, his left hand had started moving on its own, waving uncontrollably and pulling the trigger repeatedly.
Noa shot bullets in the direction of the androids, knocking them out. He tried his best to control his left hand to avoid hitting his fellow humans, and fortunately, no one got accidentally injured.
It didn't take long for Noa's bullets to almost run out, but thankfully, most androids had already been knocked out.
He propped his gun on the table breathlessly. Everything still felt surreal, but the feeling of his cold sweat dripping down his forehead reminded him that it was reality.
Noa once again heard footsteps approaching the lab. Was it another group of androids?
He squinted his eyes and prepared to aim with the weapon on his left. By this time, he had already figured that he could accurately shoot anything.
Noa held his breath as he waited for the android to enter his range.
A life-like human android entered his sight, confusing him for a moment. The android looked too realistic. If he guessed correctly, then the female android must be designed to look around his age—17 years old.
The young woman's straight light blue hair was symmetrically cut into a bob. Her sunflower eyes were highlighted by soft pink eyeshadow and long, mascara-coated lashes. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows accentuated her facial features, and her tall, defiant nose sat above thin, pink lips. She also wore an earpiece that seemed to be attached to her headband.
Although she was of average height, her curves were in all the right places. Her knee-length white velvet coat hugged her voluptuous upper body tightly, highlighting her figure, and it flowed out from the level of her hips. Her shapely legs were accentuated by black leather pants, and her high-heeled boots gave the illusion of even longer legs.
Noa had to admit it—the girl was attractive. If anyone dared to disagree, he'd be willing to fight them to prove a point.
Although he was always inside, Noa was confident that it didn't affect his looks in any way. He was blessed with refined features. Straight tall nose, sharp jawline, thin lips, and dimples, which were generally the sign of a defect, that added to his charm. His original hair color was black, but he had it dyed metallic silver, and it was styled in a way that enhanced his already eye-catching face.
His outfit was also put together tastefully. The top he wore was a cropped turtleneck leather jacket. He also wore silver leather pants accessorized with a black belt and navy boots that emphasized his long legs.
The young woman stared at Noa with a neutral expression until the other androids came into the lab, prepared to attack.
"Let me handle this area. You can sweep another place," she stated.
The androids obeyed her order and rushed outside.
She steadily approached Noa, and when she was less than a meter away from him, she fired her gun. The bullet barely missed Noa's side.
Noa lost control of his left hand again. But instead of pointing the gun at her, his hand pulled him forward and aimed toward what shouldn't be touched.