<< That is your status screen, Sir. >>
"I can see that. What I'm talking about is this..."
I emphasized my point by gesturing with my hands in front of the holographic display, which shimmered with an ethereal quality. It was a translucent screen that only I could perceive, casting a soft, azure glow in the otherwise natural surroundings. To an observer from this planet, my gestures might have appeared as if I were conjuring mysterious spells or simply acting like a lunatic.
I still didn't have any inkling of whether civilizations thrived on this planet, but the lush, vibrant environment that enveloped me hinted at the possibility.
"I'm pretty sure this is not how the contents of the status screen should look like. Did the system get an upgrade from the federal government?"
<
I see. I was no stranger to system upgrades; such occurrences were common even during my time in the military and government. The Federation routinely carried out these upgrades under the guise of improving human life through enhanced services. But to hear that an A.I. like Michael was unaware of such changes... This was quite concerning.
Ping!
Just as a sudden sound echoed through my ears, a dialog box appeared right in front of my eyes.
「The || World || welcomes you, dear citizen.」
"Michael?"
<
"What do you mean by countermeasures? Are you saying this is not your doing?"
Instinct kicked in, and my body adopted a defensive stance. My eyes scanned my surroundings, seeking any potential hostile elements lurking behind the forest's dense thicket. The nanites within my body began to mobilize, microscopic machines so minuscule that they were imperceptible to the naked eye.
They interacted with the ambient photons in the atmosphere, meticulously loading specific data to transmute the physical aspects of the environment. An invisible force field rippled into existence, enveloping me like a protective cocoon. This barrier was meticulously distributed around my body, rendering me impervious to cyber-attacks and psychological assaults.
As this awe-inspiring transformation unfolded, the enigmatic holographic window continued its execution, persisting despite my initial wariness.
「 For you to start your new life in this new "star," the || World || would like to give you a mandatory quest.
Quest: First Contact
Quest Tier: Rare
Quest Duration: None
Details: In consideration of your feats during your previous life, you are required to establish contact with 1 or 2 natives of an existing civilization of this world in this new life that was granted to you by the || World ||.
Note: This is a || Unique Quest ||.
Note: This is a || Mandatory Quest ||. The option to decline is unavailable.
Quest Rewards: ???」
My face contorted in bewilderment as I finished reading the contents of the message.
New life? Mandatory quest? World?
The puzzle pieces did not yet form a coherent picture. I gathered my thoughts, clearing my mind of this perplexing situation. Through our shared link via the nanomachines within my body, I inquired about Michael's current tasks.
"Any updates?"
<< I detect no anomalies. Unauthorized cybernetic access is non-existent. >>
"Say what now?"
<< There are no signs of hacking in the neural link system, Admiral. >>
Hearing Michael's reassuring reply, I allowed that new information to settle in. The A.I. Michael never lied. The Federation had mandated that all artificial intelligence remain subservient to humanity's goals, especially in our quest to explore the cosmos.
I turned my gaze back to the holographic screen, which still floated before me. If that was the case, then what was unfolding here? Was this a novel scientific anomaly? Was I standing on the precipice of the unknown, a realm yet to be discovered?
As these musings filled my mind, a considerable amount of the uneasiness I had felt began to ebb away. Somewhat relaxed, I perused the contents of the dialog box for a second time.
"Hmm..."
I stroked my chin thoughtfully as I assessed the situation at hand. The screen bore a striking resemblance to the immersive VR MMORPGs that had captivated the imaginations of both teenagers and adults in the Federation. After all, virtual gaming has been an integral cultural aspect of our society, offering entertainment and leisure on a grand scale.
I'm well aware of this fact because during my teenage years, I immersed myself wholeheartedly in the captivating world of virtual reality games. This passion for virtual experiences wasn't unique to me; in fact, it was a common pastime among the cadets at Space Academy, who eagerly engaged in these recreational activities during their precious moments of leisure.
Returning to the quest, it seemed there was no way for me to decline it, which meant it had already been decided beforehand. But I had to wonder, what is the purpose of this quest aside from the contents that it entails?
And the phrases "start your new life" and "previous life" that I just read. This might sound ridiculous but perhaps I got whisked away to a parallel world. I mean not too long ago, I just died, and the next thing I knew... I am already in this place with nanomachines inside me, which should be not the case, and talking with a ship's A.I. in my head.
Which also should be impossible.
The more I pondered for answers, the more questions began to surface. Knowing that continuing such an act would lead me nowhere, I decided to follow the quest demanded of me for the time being.
Who knows, in this unfamiliar world I might stumble upon something new or exotic. Might even find an answer or two.
"Alright, let us fulfill this quest then."
As soon as I said those words, the holographic screen vanished immediately into thin air.
That's interesting. It reacted in less than a nanosecond after mentally accepting it, pretty similar to the neural link system that we're using within the Federation.
"We need to track this unknown system one way or another."
<< Additional data is needed before the system can procure a safety countermeasure on the anomaly. >>
"Agreed. It won't be the last time that we'll encounter it. Just remain on alert if ever that foreign network shows up again."
<< Affirmative. >>
The A.I. couldn't detect any form of malicious activity on the neural link system's root directories, let alone trace it. Even if it is a bit risky for my part, I have no choice but to let that thing contact me for the time being. The idea of being hacked by something unknown doesn't sit well with me but for now, I need to endure this slight uneasiness and move forward.
With that in mind, I directed my attention to the world around me, where I observed azure skies reminiscent of my home planet, adorned with wisps of white strato clouds gently scattered across the celestial canvas.
Hmm, it seems that today's weather will be good.
The forest on the other hand, burgeons with an abundance of lush, vibrant vegetation, forming a dense tapestry of emerald-green foliage that stretches as far as the eye can see. Tall, ancient trees rise majestically, their gnarled trunks adorned with cascading vines, while beneath them, ferns unfurl their delicate fronds, and wildflowers paint the forest floor in a riot of colors. The air is thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and the symphony of rustling leaves. I could also hear chirping of some avian life forms around me.
At that instant, I was convinced that this planet indeed have animal life.
"Should we get moving then?"
I rolled my right shoulder in a deliberate motion, savoring the sensation as a surge of youthful vitality coursed through my body. In that moment, I was acutely aware of the boundless energy that currently defined my existence, a vibrant force that seemed to ripple through every fiber of my being, infusing me with a sense of invincibility and zest for life.
But before anything else, I need to change my current outfit.
The Stellar Federation Force uniform I'm currently wearing is a striking embodiment of authority and sophistication. Predominantly adorned in a deep shade of celestial blue, it exudes an aura of professionalism and competence. The tailored jacket boasts a high, stiff collar adorned with intricate silver braiding, symbolizing the my distinguished rank as an officer.
Upon the shoulders, epaulettes carry a series of polished golden stars, each representing a milestone in my illustrious career. A row of meticulously crafted silver buttons adorns the front of the jacket, emphasizing a sense of precision and attention to detail.
The uniform's trousers maintain the same rich blue hue, impeccably tailored to a crisp and dignified fit. Running down the sides, a subtle white stripe adds a touch of contrast and elegance.
Completing the ensemble, a pristine white dress shirt peeks out from beneath the jacket, offering a stark yet harmonious contrast to the commanding blue. A silver tie, impeccably knotted, adds a final touch of refinement.
This uniform, resplendent in its blue and white elegance, is not only a testament to my high rank status but also a symbol of my unwavering commitment to safeguarding the realms of outer space.
Despite its elegance, I need something that is appropriate for the occasion. I require something more robust and can protect my physique from any physical hazards. I let the nanomachines within me do their work as I conjured an image of my intentions in my head.
Bzzt! Bzzt! Clank! Clank!
In the blink of an eye, a cascade of nanites unfurled, draping my entire form in a protective cocoon. Within mere seconds, the liquid metal cloak underwent a mesmerizing metamorphosis, coalescing into a resplendent powered armor resplendent in a striking combination of azure blue and pristine white. This magnificent transformation imbued me with both the strength of a fortress and the elegance of advanced technology, encasing me in the epitome of futuristic defense.
As vital metrics, environmental sensors, navigation, and other vital systems of the suit sprung to life within the confines of my helmet, my preparation was now complete.
Now then, should we explore this uncharted territory and complete that quest?
<< Environmental scanning has been completed. Acquired data through environment's Information Network will be displayed on the HUD. >>
A bird's eye view topographic map appeared in my HUD. There were several white blinking dots indicating some form of lifeform movement.
With the accumulated data compiled by Michael, I embarked on a journey of discovery, ready to unravel the mysteries of this captivating world.