When using the Basic Creature Identifier, Kraynnor observed this strange creature with interest.
He did not expect it to feed on energy, something nonexistent on Earth. According to his knowledge and human records spanning thousands of years, every being in the Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera kingdoms inevitably fed on organic matter or performed photosynthesis.
This was a truly shocking discovery...
Kraynnor examined other bioluminescent beings, noting that, although their appearances were diverse, they practically shared the same advantages and disadvantages.
"Oh?"
Suddenly, the transparent material surrounding the platform disappeared, but instead of falling, the platform smoothly glided through the air until landing on a crystalline surface. This same aerial dance occurred with other platforms floating around the android. An even more intriguing scene unfolded as other platforms loaded with Verdantia crystals entered the tower in a coordinated manner.
Kraynnor was indecisive, pondering the force that allowed the suspension of these platforms. Whether it was magnetic levitation, a reversed gravity field, or any other form of levitation technology.
However, he abruptly interrupted those thoughts when his attention shifted to another point.
Around him spread a wide and bright hall, marking the end of this alien mining tower. Silence took hold, interrupted only by the gentle sound of bubbling water. Kraynnor made the android leave the platform and, as it walked toward a white surface covering the hall, ordered its hand to touch it.
Crunch!
To his amazement, the hand easily passed through the surface, but in an instant, it succumbed to overwhelming pressure and extreme temperatures, resulting in its almost instant crushing!
Even the high-pressure underwater suit proved powerless, disintegrating in milliseconds.
"..."
Kraynnor silently observed. Although it took him only a couple of seconds to understand what had happened.
If he wasn't mistaken, this hall was protected by some kind of energy barrier that created a vacuum in the middle of that infernal underwater environment. Somehow, neither the terrifying pressure nor the high temperatures could penetrate this barrier.
However, it was configured to release anything and possibly allow the entry of specific elements. In general terms, it was fascinating technology.
Swoosh!
"That thing got in!?" he exclaimed unexpectedly, seeing how one of those mutated creatures penetrated the barrier effortlessly.
He was sure his android would be destroyed, but the creature's skin began to distort, and surprisingly, it disappeared, revealing a black device several meters long with a compartment full of purple crystals.
The appearance of this bioluminescent creature turned out to be a hologram!
With this knowledge, he ordered the android to observe the creatures outside and instantly noticed something peculiar: one of them was shooting a red plasma laser beam at a Verdantia crystal.
When the crystal detached from the wall, the creature swallowed it without hesitation. This went unnoticed by the other mutated creatures around.
"Ha, these aliens were quite clever in devising this," Kraynnor reflected.
He understood that it was necessary, as bioluminescent creatures were probably very territorial and extremely violent. He even suspected that this hall was completely invisible from the outside; perhaps the tower had technology that prevented detection by non-intelligent living beings, similar to its anti-detection system.
Putting aside what was happening outside, he focused on the center of the hall, where the creator of the barrier and all the elements of this place resided.
In the heart of the hall stood a pedestal holding a blue triangular crystal, emitting flashes of energy. Around it, several holographic screens floated in the air, displaying data and statistics in a language incomprehensible to him.
He tried to have the android discover more, but found nothing else.
The only thing that really interested him was the numerous extraction robots carefully placing the crystals on the platforms. These moved automatically toward the vertical shaft of the tower, illuminated by the soft purple glow of the crystals.
"These crystals can confer immortality, albeit in a somewhat flawed way..." Unexpectedly, this form of immortality did not appeal to him. Relying on crystals charged with that strange energy to stay alive was too problematic; accidents would be inevitable.
Nevertheless, he knew the crystal was very valuable.
To confirm it, he searched for the name in the store system, and, to his surprise, although he found the image and price of the crystal, it was sold out.
Upon seeing the price, a new goal emerged: acquire as many of these crystals as possible. After all, each crystal, measuring thirty centimeters in length and width, cost a hundred million Stellar Coins!
"Can you control these robots?" Kraynnor asked Cognitron X-12.
[I can try, but it will depend on their security systems and control protocols. Some systems are highly protected and could detect intrusions, while others might be more accessible. The biggest risk would be alerting the Astrylite race. Still, do you want me to try?]
He thought for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. He mentally simulated the possible consequences if the Astrylites arrived. At most, he could deactivate the DataNexo nanobots and wipe his system to prevent them from finding traces of him. Like the explosion of a supernova, an idea suddenly emerged as he watched the mutated creatures, the robots, and remembered the terrifying pressure along with the infernal heat.
A malicious smile formed on his lips, and without hesitation, he said, "Yes, do it. Although if you notice anything wrong, abort immediately."
[Understood, starting infiltration.]
With his friend's voice echoing in the ship's control room, Kraynnor watched as the android stealthily approached a black extraction robot depositing crystals on a platform.
Its metallic hand, covered by the high-pressure underwater suit, gathered a group of nanobots in its palm, designed to act as Trojan horses!
This small contingent began to slide into the openings of the robot.
The nanobots, tiny entities barely a nanometer in size, like microscopic shadows, adhered to the ducts and neural points of the system, avoiding detection by advanced security protocols.
Upon reaching their destination, they deployed small filamentous extensions that wrapped around the crucial circuits of the robot with surgical precision. This microscopic embrace allowed the nanobots to establish a forced connection with the internal systems, creating a clandestine bridge between Cognitron X-12 and the robot's programming.
[Initiating elimination process... 1%... 2%... 3%...]
What Cognitron X-12 sought to achieve was the eradication of the artificial intelligence intrusion controlling the fundamental functions of this advanced android.
Kraynnor watched with confidence as the progress unfolded, convinced that the robot's AI was relatively simple, as it did not present any evident issues. However, as if his words were the trigger or as if someone wanted to contradict him, red lights began to flash frantically throughout the ship.
[Infiltration detected in the systems. Attempting defense... Failure in the attempt. Disconnection of the ship in progress... Unable to carry it out. Loss of control in all systems.]
Neither of them anticipated that, just as the elimination of the AI in the robot was about to finish, an unexpected counterattack challenged their expectations, unleashing a digital battle in which Cognitron X-12 was at a disadvantage. Kraynnor, in his supporting role, typed tirelessly on the holographic keyboard, trying to create various defense systems, but all fell instantly.
Practically all the meticulously prepared systems from a few minutes ago crumbled without offering the slightest resistance!
With an unmoving gaze on the cube guarding the core of the his artificial intelligence, Kraynnor reached the painful realization that only by annihilating that source could he end the invasion and restore absolute control of the ship. However, facing that decision was like condemning his best friend; a choice that, for the sake of the ship, he resisted making. He could never commit such an act.
While Kraynnor continued to delay the assault on the other end, weaving in his mind a tangle of possible solutions, Cognitron X-12 plunged into a digital battle.
In this tedious confrontation, where only cold lines of code unfolded, from a simpler and more understandable perspective, it was as if a relentless red beast tore relentlessly into Cognitron X-12's system, resembling a knight in silver armor with an imposing shield. However, its once brilliantly reflecting armor, now riddled with holes and missing fragments, exposed the flesh beneath. Blood spilled, transforming its figure into a leaner version.
At the precise moment when the fearsome creature was about to devour its head, a radiant golden shield emerged around it.
This shield not only healed its wounds but also granted it golden armor, now several times more resistant. The shield transformed into a terrifying greatsword that, when used to cut the creature, effortlessly split it in two!
This caused the environment to be adorned with a splendid golden light, and the remnants of the creature vanished into nothingness, leaving no trace.
From Cognitron X-12's perspective, just as its system was on the verge of being invaded and its programming threatened with elimination, somehow, its code, recently enhanced by Kraynnor, experienced a new series of astonishing improvements. This resulted in the invading AI becoming incredibly easy to eliminate.
It was as if its programming, which lay in an infantile state, had undergone enough improvements to give way to adolescence.
The improvement was simply overwhelming!
"Huh?" Kraynnor, who was typing tirelessly, stopped as everything suddenly fixed itself. Even with all his vast knowledge, he couldn't comprehend what had just happened...
[Complete elimination of the enemy AI. Systems have returned to normal; all dangers have disappeared.]