"What the…"
As Aaron descended the stairs, the scene before him was utterly unexpected. Confusion and shock washed over him as he took in the underground room that lay ahead. Apart from photos of his mom and dad, the space was filled with an array of modern technology, numerous computers, and various machines. It resembled a high-tech command center.
"Looking at this room, it certainly doesn't seem like it's been locked for 15 years. Has someone been here recently? But how could anyone access it when the key to this chamber is the star locket that I possess? And yet, as I survey the dusty surroundings once more, it's clear that no one has set foot in here for a long time. So how did all this equipment get here? Fifteen years ago, we were just getting acquainted with technology, and these machines are cutting-edge—some even far beyond what I remember."
He looked around, his mind swirling with questions. Had these machines truly stood here for 15 years? As he focused his gaze forward, he noticed the thick layer of dust cloaking each device, a testament to their abandonment. Then, something caught his eye—a resilient plant thriving from within the confines of a computer. Eron hurriedly approached, intrigued, and began to examine it closely. He could see how the plant had intertwined with the computer, its roots burrowing deep into the ground; unmistakably, it was a living organism.
Having studied various plants extensively, Aaron recognized this species immediately. He began calculating its length and thickness, meticulously assessing its growth. After careful consideration, he deduced that the plant had likely been here for around 10 to 12 years.
"Judging by its length, it must be about 10 years old," he muttered, "and it probably reached this computer 7 to 8 years ago. That means!"
As Aaron pondered these thoughts, his gaze fell on the books displayed before him. Intrigued, he quickly approached the shelf, discovering an array of titles focused on machines and technical knowledge.
"What is all this?" he wondered aloud, eyeing the computers and books. "How could this be possible? This place has been closed for 15 years, yet these items have remained untouched, even though such technology didn't exist on our planet back then. Did another civilization provide it, and if so, why only to my father? What kind of work was he involved in?"
Aaron started reading one of the books openly among his questions. When Aaron got that book and opened it, he saw that it had many types of articles about different machines and together with the pictures of many devices and their internal structure was printed. The machines ranged from simple gadgets to complex contraptions, and the intricate details of their mechanisms fascinated him. He couldn't stop himself from reading the second book, and when he read the second book, it contained more than one perplexing device, but now Aaron wasn't as surprised by it all. In that book, there were pictures of many weapons and information about their structure, and above all, there was also a structure of High-tech Robotic Armor, which was still only a prototype, but it was the best thing because the scientists of Rock Light were still working on it, and they hadn't got any success yet.
The Robotic Armor, in particular, caught his attention, with its advanced artificial intelligence, enhanced strength, and agility, it was like something out of a dream. After reading those books, he started feeling a confusion in his mind, he wanted to learn about those machines, understand how they worked, and maybe even figure out how to combine his magical abilities with the technology.
"I wish I had a way to learn my magic and also learn more about all these machines and other tech," he thought to himself, imagining the possibilities of what he could achieve if he could merge his magical powers with the advanced technology he had seen. He felt a surge of excitement and curiosity, his mind racing with questions and ideas, and he knew that he had to find a way to pursue this newfound passion.
"Let's set this aside for now. This is the place where my father used to work, and I need to find something related to him and his career."
With determination, he began scouring the room for any clues that might shed light on his father's life. After what felt like an eternity of searching, he came across various items, yet none revealed anything significant about his father.
"Nothing? There has to be something here. He never invited me to see this room or the technology within it. Wait—maybe that's precisely why he called me."
Aron quickly approached a nearby computer and powered it on, eagerly sifting through its files one by one. Disappointment engulfed him as he found nothing of value. Undeterred, he moved to another computer, hoping for better luck. As he turned it on, he methodically examined its contents, but again, he was met with only basic technological information.
When he attempted to power on yet another computer, it booted up successfully, but just as he was about to dive into its files, a message appeared on the screen, leaving him both intrigued and perplexed.
(Sorry, the main computer system has not been used for many years, and consequently, this computer is connected to the main computer. Due to the prolonged period of inactivity, the system has now closed itself off. Please verify your identity by visiting the computer room. Without completing the necessary identity verification, all the files within the system will be destroyed at the moment an attempt is made to open any file from the computer.)
"Now what is this? It seems there is another room hidden inside this room, but how on earth am I supposed to confirm my identity? I've never been here before, but something absolutely must be done because I am certain there is something valuable within it."
After that thought, he began scanning the room meticulously, yet he could not locate any sign of another room. He examined the walls, the floor, and the furniture, searching for the mark of that star that had been mentioned, but he found nothing. Frustrated, he continued to look closely at the wall, hoping to uncover a hidden entrance to another compartment. As he started knocking on the floor, it suddenly dawned on Aaron that there might be a passageway leading to another room directly beneath him. Upon realizing this possibility, his expression shifted dramatically, a mix of surprise and frustration washing over him.
"No, not another underground room. Father has really gone all out to land us in jail. The construction contract for this house only allowed for a structure up to one level below ground, yet here we are—discovering an illegal basement. What on earth does Father do that requires building something like this? And where is he? If anyone finds out about this, we're headed straight for jail. Sure, we might be safe there, but that doesn't mean we should be sitting behind bars like this!"
With a sigh of frustration, Aaron pushed aside a nearby table, opened a wooden gate, and began descending the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom, he took in the dimly lit room. It was sparse, filled with only a few pieces of equipment and a large computer. He glanced at the computer, then down at the ground, and after a moment's hesitation, he started knocking on the floor to check if there was another hidden space below. After a while, he stopped, the sound echoing in the stillness around him.
"Thank God, at least there isn't another illegal room here," Aaron thought, eyeing the main computer. "But what should I do now? I don't have any identity on this machine. What can I even confirm? I hope my father can think of a way out for me. Otherwise, I'll have to leave empty-handed, and that cannot happen. Alright, let's get to it. But wait... what do I do?"
Approaching the main computer, Aaron began to inspect it. After several frustrating attempts to power it on, he finally grew weary. Resting his hand on the glass panel in front of him, he was surprised to find that the surface transformed into a keyboard and the main computer miraculously booted up.
"I've tried everything to turn it on, and it only responds when I place my hand on this glass board. Now that it's started, what next?"
Aaron looked at the computer with a mix of confusion and curiosity. He could not understand what he should do next, feeling a strange sense of urgency pressing upon him. Just as he was about to try to type something on the keyboard, an unexpected sound emitted from the computer, causing Aaron to jump back and stare at it with a shocked expression. In that moment, something sharp pricked his arm, and a small needle quickly withdrew.
(Gene scanning completed, identity confirmed. Aaron Elrod, Son of Alan Elrod.
Age - 16 years.
Sex - male
Main computer restart. Authorization control is being transferred to Aaron Elrod. Transfer completed. Hello Aaron, how can I help you today?)
"Hi, I mean, hello," Aaron stammered, still grappling with what had just occurred.
As he absorbed the sight before him, his mouth hung open in astonishment, struggling to fully comprehend the implications of this newfound revelation. He realized that he had become the newly authorized user of this highly advanced computer system, which was evidently tied to a larger operation.
"OK, so tell me everything about this base, my father, his work, and where he is now." His voice was both wavering and firm, showcasing his desperation for answers as he faced the digital presence before him. Aaron's heart raced as he prepared for what could be a life-altering exchange, filled with secrets he'd never imagined could affect him personally.