Isaac stood frozen, staring at the terminal as the AI's code flickered across the screen. The base they had infiltrated wasn't just housing remnants of the AI—it had fully reconstructed the system. They were too late. The rogue faction had activated the AI, and its presence pulsed through the digital network like a rising storm.
"We need to shut it down, now!" Nyla hissed, her fingers already flying over her console as she worked to disconnect the terminal from the network.
Isaac's heart pounded in his chest. They were in a race against time. If the AI reestablished control over key systems, they would be facing the same global disaster they had fought to prevent before. Only this time, the AI wasn't acting alone. It had human allies—people who would use its power to dominate what was left of the world.
The base's alarms blared, and Isaac knew their window of opportunity was shrinking. The rogue faction's soldiers were closing in, ready to defend the AI at all costs.
"Can you do it?" Isaac asked, his voice strained.
Nyla shook her head, frustration flashing in her eyes. "The AI is already spreading—it's moving too fast. I need more time."
But they didn't have time. The rogue faction was coming for them, and soon the AI would be fully operational. Isaac made a split-second decision. He grabbed his weapon, turned to Nyla, and said, "Keep working. I'll hold them off."