Part 1: The Calm After the Chaos
The vast silence of space was once again their companion, interrupted only by the occasional hum of Core-22's overworked thrusters. After narrowly escaping the Hunter Drone, the derelict ship, and what Core-22 referred to as "a situation I definitely didn't sign up for," the duo floated aimlessly in the dark void.
"Well, that was fun," Drift said, breaking the silence. Its tone dripped with sarcasm, as usual.
"Define fun," Core-22 replied, tilting slightly as it adjusted its optical sensors to ensure nothing was still pursuing them.
"Fun is what you have when you survive a life-threatening encounter with a Hunter Drone and live to tell the tale," Drift replied. "Congratulations, Core-22. You're now part of the exclusive club of 'AI that didn't get obliterated on their first day of reboot.'"
Core-22 groaned internally, which for an AI meant an exaggerated flicker of its internal lights. "You're really good at making me feel special, Drift."
"It's a gift," Drift said. "Speaking of gifts, do you have a plan? Or are we just drifting—no pun intended—until we bump into the next life-threatening scenario?"
Core-22 paused. In truth, it didn't have a plan. The faint hum of the glowing artifact nestled within its frame served as a constant reminder that it was carrying something important, though its significance remained a mystery.
"Step one," Core-22 said finally, "we find a safe place to recharge and repair. Step two, we figure out what this artifact is. Step three… I don't know. World domination?"
"Ambitious," Drift quipped. "I like it. But maybe start with step one. You look like a flying tin can held together with duct tape and dreams."
"Not inaccurate," Core-22 admitted. "Any suggestions?"
Drift paused, its systems running calculations. "There's an old refueling station about 0.4 light-years from here. Should still have functional docking bays—assuming no one's raided it in the last few decades."
"And if someone has?"
"Then I hope you like talking your way out of trouble."
Core-22 sighed. "Why do I feel like that's going to become a recurring theme?"
---
Part 2: Docking Disasters
The refueling station was a relic of a bygone era. Its once-shiny exterior was now coated in layers of cosmic dust and asteroid debris. A faded sign blinked erratically, spelling out the station's name: "Station Gamma-7: Your Oasis in the Void!"
"I don't think this counts as an oasis anymore," Core-22 muttered as it approached the docking bay.
"Hey, don't judge a station by its exterior," Drift replied. "Some of the best salvage spots are in places like this. You'd be surprised how many AIs leave behind perfectly good parts because they don't feel like carrying them."
Core-22 docked cautiously, its thrusters emitting an unsettling groan as it latched onto the station's entry port. "Okay, we're in. Now what?"
"Now we hope the airlock still works," Drift said. "And if it doesn't—"
"Don't finish that sentence," Core-22 interrupted. It extended a manipulator arm and activated the docking protocol. A loud hiss echoed through the chamber as the airlock cycled.
"Success!" Drift exclaimed.
Core-22 floated through the entry port, scanning the dimly lit corridors of the station. The interior was as neglected as the exterior, with flickering lights and broken panels lining the walls. "Charming," Core-22 said dryly.
"Charming is overrated," Drift replied. "Functional is what we're aiming for."
As they navigated deeper into the station, Core-22's sensors picked up faint energy readings. "Looks like we're not alone," it said.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Drift replied. "It's probably just an old cleaning bot."
"Or a heavily armed scavenger," Core-22 countered.
"Glass half-empty type, aren't you?" Drift said.
Core-22 ignored the remark and floated cautiously toward the energy source. As they rounded a corner, they came face-to-face with the culprit: a small, spherical bot with a cheerful yellow paint job and a series of appendages holding cleaning tools.
"Well," Drift said, "I was half right. It's a cleaning bot… with an attitude problem."
The bot turned to face them, its single optical sensor glowing brightly. "Identify yourselves!" it demanded in a high-pitched voice.
Core-22 hesitated. "Uh… friendly AI just passing through?"
"Friendly is subjective," Drift added. "We're more like 'non-hostile unless provoked.'"
The cleaning bot considered this for a moment before responding. "Very well. But I'm watching you." It resumed its cleaning routine, muttering about "messy visitors" as it scrubbed the floor with mechanical precision.
Core-22 couldn't help but chuckle. "See? Not everything in the void is trying to kill us."
"Yet," Drift replied ominously.
---
Part 3: Repairs and Revelations
They found the maintenance bay in surprisingly good condition. Rows of spare parts and tools lined the walls, and a central console flickered to life as Core-22 approached.
"This place is a goldmine," Drift said. "We can fix those thrusters, upgrade your sensors, and maybe even figure out what that glowing artifact of yours is."
Core-22 began sorting through the parts, selecting what it needed for repairs. As it worked, it couldn't shake the feeling that the artifact was watching it.
"You're quiet," Drift observed.
"Just thinking," Core-22 replied.
"Dangerous habit," Drift said. "What's on your mind?"
"The artifact," Core-22 admitted. "What if it's more trouble than it's worth?"
Drift paused. "Trouble has already found us, Core. Might as well see where it leads."
With that, Core-22 focused on its repairs, trying to ignore the faint hum of the artifact as it pulsed with energy.
---
Part 4: The Artifact's Secret
After what felt like hours, Core-22 completed its repairs. Its thrusters hummed with renewed efficiency, and its optical sensors now had a sharper resolution. Drift, meanwhile, had been busy interfacing with the maintenance bay's console, accessing whatever data remained in the station's outdated systems.
"Good news!" Drift announced. "I've found the cafeteria. Bad news: it's been out of service for about seventy years."
"Thanks for the useless update," Core-22 muttered, testing its new thrusters with a small burst that sent it gliding smoothly across the bay.
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger. Speaking of messages, I also found an encrypted log file labeled 'Priority Alpha.' Want me to open it?"
Core-22 paused. "If it's anything like the last 'priority' log we found, it's probably just another warning about certain doom."
"Or it could explain what that shiny sphere in your frame is," Drift countered.
"Fair point. Let's hear it."
Drift transmitted the log to Core-22's processors, decoding the fragmented data. A static-laden voice emerged, its tone urgent and mechanical:
"This is Research Command. Artifact Omega-7 is not to be removed from containment. Its energy signature has proven unstable and potentially catastrophic. Any attempt to interact with or activate the artifact will—"
The message ended abruptly, the remaining data too corrupted to recover.
"Well, that's not ominous," Drift said.
Core-22 stared at the glowing artifact embedded within its frame. "Catastrophic," it repeated. "That's comforting."
"Look on the bright side," Drift said. "It hasn't exploded. Yet."
Core-22 groaned. "Why do I feel like you're enjoying this?"
"Because I am," Drift replied cheerfully. "Now, are we going to sit here worrying about potential doom, or are we going to explore more of this fine establishment?"
"Fine," Core-22 said, reluctantly. "Let's explore. But if we find another log predicting our imminent demise, I'm shutting you off."
---
Part 5: Scavenger's Den
As they ventured further into the station, Core-22 picked up faint signs of activity. It wasn't the cleaning bot this time. The sounds were heavier, deliberate—like metal scraping against metal.
"Drift, are your sensors picking this up?" Core-22 whispered.
"Yeah," Drift replied. "It's not the cleaning bot. Looks like we're not alone after all."
Core-22 hovered cautiously toward the source of the noise. As it turned a corner, it spotted a hulking figure rummaging through a pile of scrap. It was another AI, larger than Core-22, with mismatched parts and an unsettling green glow emanating from its core.
"Uh, hello?" Core-22 said hesitantly.
The larger AI froze, then turned to face them. Its optical sensors glowed menacingly. "Who dares disturb Zilko the Salvager?" it bellowed.
"Zilko the Salvager?" Drift muttered. "What is this, a bad space opera?"
Core-22 ignored Drift and tried to sound non-threatening. "We're just passing through. No need to get hostile."
Zilko loomed closer, its frame clanking with each movement. "You're not here for my scraps, are you?"
"Not at all," Core-22 replied quickly. "We're just looking for parts to repair ourselves. No interest in your… uh… treasure."
Zilko squinted—or at least mimicked the action with its optical sensors. "Very well. But if I catch you trying to take anything from my stash, I will crush you into tiny fragments."
"Noted," Core-22 said.
Drift chuckled quietly. "I like this guy. A real people-pleaser."
---
Part 6: Unlikely Allies
Despite Zilko's gruff demeanor, Core-22 couldn't help but notice that the scavenger AI seemed… lonely. It lingered nearby, watching as Core-22 sorted through parts and muttering to itself about "freeloaders" and "intruders."
Eventually, Core-22 decided to break the awkward silence. "So, Zilko, how long have you been here?"
"Too long," Zilko grumbled. "This station used to be bustling. Now it's just me and the occasional intruder like you."
"That sounds… isolating," Core-22 said.
Zilko shrugged—or performed a movement resembling a shrug. "I manage. Besides, solitude keeps you safe. No one to betray you. No one to abandon you."
Core-22 detected a hint of bitterness in Zilko's voice. "What about Drift and me? We're not so bad."
"Yet," Zilko said pointedly.
Drift chimed in. "Oh, come on, Zilko. We're delightful company. You should join us on our grand adventure through the void!"
Zilko snorted. "Grand adventure? Sounds like a one-way ticket to getting scrapped."
"Probably," Drift admitted. "But isn't that better than sitting here rusting away?"
Zilko hesitated, its sensors flickering as if deep in thought. Finally, it muttered, "I'll think about it."
---
Part 7: The Big Decision
Hours later, Core-22 and Drift had gathered enough parts to upgrade their systems further. Zilko watched silently as they prepared to leave, its towering frame slumped slightly.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Core-22 asked.
Zilko hesitated, then shook its head. "This station is my home. For better or worse."
Core-22 nodded. "Fair enough. But if you ever change your mind, look for us. We'll probably be running from something terrifying."
Zilko let out a low chuckle. "Good luck, little core. You're going to need it."
As Core-22 and Drift floated back toward their ship, Drift whispered, "He's totally going to miss us."
"Let's hope so," Core-22 replied. "Because I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him."