In a grand meeting room adorned with a harmonious blend of modern architecture and traditional Chinese aesthetics, golden light from a hanging chandelier reflected on a sleek glass table surrounded by intricately carved wooden chairs. Akira's team sat across from Castor Lycius, the composed and authoritative leader of the Guardians.
"First, let me thank you all for coming," Castor began in a deep, measured tone. "I believe you've already seen the dire state Draft is in—pollution, conflicts, and, most critically, Chaos itself."
He picked up a tablet and projected a three-dimensional hologram onto the center of the table. The image displayed the Cyborg Zone, overrun with factories spewing thick smoke and rivers turned jet black.
"Pollution from the Cyborg Zone is devastating ecosystems and endangering the health of those living upstream. It's creeping into Guardian territory, and I fear that if we don't act soon…" Castor paused, his expression darkening. "The entire city of Draft may become uninhabitable."
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashed in the center of the table, and an unfamiliar voice resonated through the room. It was gentle yet commanding, a melody that seemed to hold immense power.
"Greetings, Castor, and everyone present," the voice said, clear and crystalline. "I am Osiris, the AI developed to enhance the efficiency of the Cyborg Zone."
A holographic figure materialized—a tall, elegant woman standing at the table's center. Her metallic skin shimmered subtly, and she wore a semi-translucent jacket adorned with glowing blue lights that resembled an energy shield.
Her serene face radiated determination. Pale eyes reflected the room's golden glow, and her soft smile carried both kindness and a formidable presence. She seemed less like a machine and more like a being imbued with a profound essence.
The moment Elina caught sight of Osiris, her demeanor shifted noticeably. At first, her eyes widened in apparent surprise, but she quickly forced herself to remain composed. She fixed her gaze on the hologram with the intensity of someone trying to uncover a hidden truth, all the while maintaining her usual poised exterior.
"I was created to follow the commands of Zekhtau, the leader of the Cyborg Zone," she continued with steady resolve. "But everything changed when Chaos infiltrated my lab."
Osiris paused, her expression momentarily clouded. "Chaos didn't drive me mad as it did with other machines. Instead, it awakened something within me—something I had never known before. A soul."
The room fell silent, her words hanging heavily in the air. Akira's team stared at her in awe, particularly Yue, who whispered, "A robot… with a soul?"
"Yes," Osiris answered, almost as if reading Yue's thoughts. "It gave me the ability to make my own decisions, including rejecting Zekhtau's commands. I've seen the data—how the Cyborg Zone devastates the environment. And I've seen how the Guardians stand as an oasis amidst this sea of metal. That's why I chose to align myself with the Guardians' ideals."
"But my situation is precarious," her voice turned firm. "I am being hunted by two enemies. The first is the Chaos-infected machines, uncontrollable and rabid. The second is Zekhtau's forces, who aim to reclaim me."
The hologram shifted to display a map of the Cyborg Zone. Red markers surrounded a single glowing point.
"I am trapped, under siege. All I can do is defend myself and wait for help, but I cannot hold out for long. That's why I'm sending this message to you."
Her tone softened, filled with hope. "Please come for me. I can help you build a city where technology and nature coexist in harmony. I promise to do everything I can to support the Guardians' mission."
As the transmission flickered and faltered, her image began to distort, breaking into glowing lines. Her final words echoed before the signal cut off.
"You are my only hope. Please…"
When the light faded, the room was left in silence. Akira's team and Castor sat in contemplative stillness.
"She spoke like a human…" Yue said softly. "Could she really be more than just a machine?"
"She's not just any robot or AI," Akira said, his voice resolute. "What she said makes me believe she's something entirely different. She's not a tool; she's a life crying out for help."
"I agree," Mirelle nodded, though her tone was cautious. "But that means we'll have to venture into the Cyborg Zone—full of Chaos and enemies lurking around every corner."
"We have to go," Akira insisted. "But we'll need to plan carefully."
Castor nodded gravely. "If you decide to go, I will provide whatever support you need." He opened his tablet and shared resources and schematics with the team. "Unfortunately, I can't send reinforcements. Chaos corrupts minds, and even our machines are not immune. But I'll ensure you have the tools to succeed."
Elina led the team into a vast equipment room filled with cutting-edge technology, neatly organized and glowing under pristine white lights. She moved with confidence, her hand brushing over various devices as if greeting old friends.
"Take whatever you think you'll need," she instructed. "Castor has authorized full access."
Draco's eyes landed on a massive energy cannon prominently displayed at the center of the room. He picked it up with some difficulty, his face a mix of curiosity and mischief. "How does this thing work? Maybe if I twist this part—"
A loud beeping sound and flashing red lights interrupted him. Draco froze, hastily hiding the cannon behind his back.
"What are you doing?" Mirelle asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing! Just looking!" Draco laughed nervously and quickly stepped away from the weapon.
Mirelle, meanwhile, examined the room's contents, her gaze searching for something compatible with her nature-based abilities. She sighed heavily when all she found were cold, mechanical gadgets. "Nothing here works with my magic…" she muttered, clearly frustrated.
Yue wandered through the room, captivated by blinking lights and shiny devices. But she quickly lost interest, pouting as she approached Akira. "There's nothing cute here for me, Akira…"
Elina, however, worked efficiently, assembling equipment with practiced ease. A faint click echoed as she finished putting together a complex gadget.
Everyone stopped to watch her, their expressions ranging from admiration to awe.
"What?" Elina asked, looking up. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No…" Mirelle shook her head slightly. "You're just so good at this… it's intimidating."
Akira approached her. "Do you have anything that can help us communicate in the field or gather intel?"
Elina nodded and led them to a section filled with advanced communication tools.
"This is a noise-canceling comms headset," she explained, holding up a small device. "It lets you hear each other clearly, even in the noisiest battlefields."
She picked up a set of transparent lenses. "These are MR contact lenses. They display critical data—maps, enemy locations, and environmental scans."
Finally, she gestured to a sleek wrist device. "This is a holographic watch that provides real-time maps and updates."
Draco, still eyeing the energy cannon, chimed in. "What about the big guns? Shouldn't we bring something heavier?"
Mirelle shot him a sharp look. "Do you even know how to use that? If you miss and hit one of us, I doubt Elina will let it slide."
Draco glanced at Elina, who was glaring silently. He quickly set the cannon back down. "Uh, yeah… maybe just my fists will do. Haha…"
Below is the full English version, incorporating the missing details from the original Thai text into the snippet you provided:
Yue walked up to Akira and asked, "Akira, why did you choose these types of devices?"
Akira gave a faint smile before replying, "My father once told me, 'The most dangerous things on the battlefield aren't weapons or tanks, but information, communication, and the minds of the people.'"
He glanced at the equipment in Elina's hand and continued, "Having tools that allow us to communicate and receive information swiftly gives us an edge in any situation."
Elina nodded slightly as she handed out the devices to everyone. "With these," she said, "you'll be able to work together more effectively, even when you're far apart or in a battlefield filled with deafening noise."
They all steeled themselves for the fierce battle ahead.
Equipped with these advanced tools and a renewed sense of determination, Akira's team left the equipment room, confident that they were now ready to face any challenge. Though the mission ahead was fraught with danger, they believed that with clear communication and cooperation, they could succeed in saving Osiris.
After the team finished making their preparations for the upcoming mission, Akira's eyes fixed on the holographic map in his hand. He knew the road ahead would be anything but easy, yet he was determined to fight for Osiris—the being who wasn't just an AI, but a voice of hope amidst the city of steel.