The AI chimed repeatedly, its glowing blue interface hovering uncomfortably close to Jameson's face.
[ What's your favorite? ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ What's your favorite? ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ What's your favorite? ヾ(｡✪ω✪｡)ｼ ]
Jameson instinctively leaned back, waving a hand in front of him as if trying to shoo away an overly excited pet. "Alright, alright! Stop spamming me, geez."
The interface pulsed with a playful flicker.
[ (｡>﹏<｡) Tell me, tell me, tell me! ]
He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, if I had to pick something from my old world… I'd probably say the F/A-18 Hornet. It was my favorite jet fighter growing up."
A brief pause. Then the AI blinked with curiosity.
[ What's that? ∘ ∘ ∘ ( °ヮ° ) ? ]
Jameson couldn't help but smile, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia wash over him. "It's a jet-propelled plane used for air combat. It's equipped with Sidewinder missiles and a Gatling gun for dogfights. Fast, agile, and deadly."
A few seconds passed before the AI chimed again.
[ Like this? (•̀ᴗ•́ )و ]
The blue interface shimmered, and in an instant, a new blueprint was displayed in front of him. Jameson's eyes widened as he took in the details.
[ Murmonega-34J Strike Fighter ]
Equipped with Thrust Vectoring capabilities, allowing the direction of engine thrust to be changed, providing:
Exceptional maneuverability. The ability to perform tight turns and complex maneuvers. Enhanced short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities.
Jameson's mouth went dry. A video file suddenly began playing, showing the aircraft in action. The sleek fighter launched from the deck of an enormous carrier, soaring into the sky with precision. Its engines roared as it twisted and turned through the air, weaving between enemy fire before executing an impossible mid-air roll to dodge an incoming missile. In the next moment, it unleashed a barrage of energy-based weapons, tearing through opposing aircraft with chilling efficiency.
Jameson could only stare in stunned silence.
[ I think that came close to what you were describing, right? ꉂ (≧ヮ≦) ]
The AI's playful tone carried an unmistakable hint of mockery, as if it was reveling in his ignorance of truly advanced technology.
Jameson exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You're messing with me, aren't you?"
[ Who, me? (✿◕‿◕) ]
He gave the interface a deadpan look. "That thing makes my world's jet fighters look like toy planes. Seriously, how advanced was the civilization that threw this away?"
[ Oh, the Murmonega-34J? That was already considered outdated when it was decommissioned. The military moved on to something better. (´･ᴗ･` ) ]
Jameson buried his face in his hands. "Outdated? Outdated?!"
He wanted to laugh, but his brain was still struggling to catch up with the sheer absurdity of the technology the AI casually referred to as "trash." He had grown up watching documentaries on cutting-edge aircraft, fantasizing about the peak of aerospace engineering. Yet here he was, looking at something that made everything he knew feel primitive.
His heart pounded with excitement.
A part of him—perhaps the same part that had always craved something more than his monotonous old life—wondered just how far he could push this newfound knowledge.
If this was only the beginning… what else was buried in the Archive?
The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
[ Oh! Oh! Want to see another one? I have mechs too! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ:･ﾟ✧ ]*
Jameson groaned. "Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?"
The AI just blinked happily.
[ (๑>ᴗ<๑) ]
A new projection flickered in the air before Jameson, casting a faint blue glow across the forest floor.
[ M1-Aegis ]
A sleek, humanoid war machine materialized within the floating display, its massive frame towering over imaginary enemies. The AI's cheerful voice chimed as it listed the specifications.
[ "M1" signifies a first-generation model, implying a lineage or series."Aegis" evokes a sense of protection and defense. ]
Jameson raised an eyebrow. "Aegis, huh? Sounds fancy."
The AI continued, completely ignoring his remark.
Features:
Modular Hardpoint System:The M1-Aegis is built around a central, reinforced core with numerous standardized hardpoints, allowing for rapid attachment and detachment of weapons, sensors, and utility modules. This enables on-the-fly mission reconfiguration.
Reactive Armor Plating:The outer armor consists of layered, reactive plates designed to detonate outward upon impact, neutralizing incoming projectiles. This provides high survivability in combat.
Integrated Combat Drone Network:The M1-Aegis deploys and controls a network of small combat drones that provide flanking attacks, reconnaissance, and point defense.
Materials:
Titanium-Graphene Composite:The primary chassis is built from a titanium-graphene composite, offering exceptional strength while remaining lightweight.
Shape-Memory Alloy Actuators:The mech's limbs utilize shape-memory alloys, allowing for precise, rapid movement and minor self-repairs.
Ablative Ceramic Armor:The reactive plates vaporize upon impact, dissipating energy from incoming projectiles.
Variations: M1-Aegis/R (Recon): Stealth-enhanced variant with advanced sensor arrays. M1-Aegis/A (Assault): Heavy weapons platform with high-caliber cannons and missile launchers. M1-Aegis/U (Utility): Equipped with heavy manipulators and engineering tools for construction and support roles.
[ Do you also have mechs too? ꉂ (≧ヮ≦) ]
Jameson smirked as the video demonstration played. The M1-Aegis, alongside its variant models, tore through waves of grotesque alien creatures, its drones zipping through the air and firing coordinated barrages. Limbs of chitin and flesh scattered as the mech advanced with unwavering precision.
The AI let out an excited giggle. [ See? See? Isn't it cool? (๑>ᴗ<๑) ]
Jameson crossed his arms, pretending to be unimpressed. "Mechs, huh? Yeah, we have those too."
The AI pulsed in curiosity. [ Oh? Show me! Show me! (°▽°) ]
He smirked, recalling the countless hours he had spent playing mech simulator games back on Earth. "Ever heard of Gundam Seed?"
The AI paused. [ Processing... ]
Jameson tapped his chin dramatically. "Our mechs? Faster, cooler, some of them even combine into bigger ones. Oh, and don't get me started on beam sabers and mega particle cannons."
A silence stretched between them before the AI's interface suddenly darkened.
[ <(ꐦㅍ _ㅍ)> ]
[ You…!! You dare insult my precious Aegis?! (ᗒᗣᗕ) ]
Jameson burst into laughter, watching as the AI flickered in mock indignation.
[ Fine! If that's how you want to play it, I'll show you something even better than your old, outdated, Gundam-whatever! (╬ Ò﹏Ó) ]
The floating interface shimmered before shifting into a deep red hue, as if it was gathering data.
Jameson grinned, turning away to finally get a good look at his surroundings. "Alright, alright, do your thing. Meanwhile, I need to figure out where the hell I am."
The forest stretched around him, untouched by civilization. The scent of fresh earth and pine filled his lungs—a stark contrast to the stale office air he had grown accustomed to. This was a new world, and for the first time in years, he felt alive.
As the AI continued processing, Jameson took his first step into the unknown.
Jameson trudged through the forest, brushing aside thick branches as he made his way through the undergrowth. The fresh air filled his lungs, untainted by smog or artificial scents. He took a deep breath, stretching his arms.
This body… it felt light. Flexible. Energetic. His back—his perpetually aching back—felt perfectly fine for the first time in years.
He almost wanted to cry from the sheer bliss of it.
If this was some kind of divine joke, then whoever reincarnated him at least had the decency to fix his posture.
Meanwhile, behind him, the AI had not let go of its wounded pride.
[ Get back here, you ignorant human!! ⁽⁽(੭ꐦ •̀Д•́ )੭⁾⁾ ]*
Jameson sighed, waving it off like an annoying mosquito. "Yeah, yeah, later. Still scouting."
The AI hovered angrily beside him, its once-blue interface flickering red in frustration.
[ 'Later'? 'Later'?! I was about to show you the ultimate proof of superiority, and you dare say 'later'?! (╬▔皿▔)╯ ]
Jameson ignored it, focusing instead on the tall wooden fence ahead. His heart skipped a beat.
Civilization.
Squinting through the gaps in the leaves, he could make out a village—a small settlement with modest huts, their straw-thatched roofs swaying in the gentle breeze. A stone well stood at the center, where villagers came and went, drawing water.
He counted a handful of people, mostly elderly men and women chatting by the well, while a few young children ran around, playing with sticks. It was peaceful, simple—far from the futuristic technology his AI companion had been bragging about.
Jameson crouched lower behind a bush, careful not to rustle the leaves.
The AI, however, had zero concept of stealth.
[ You! Listen to me! Right now! (╬ಠ益ಠ) ]
Jameson let out a sharp whisper, grabbing the AI's panel and holding it close to his chest.
"Shut up for a moment," he hissed.
The AI froze, its chibi-like emoticon blinking in shock. [ Oh. You touched me. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ]
Jameson almost threw it into the bushes.
Instead, he turned his attention back to the village.
The people moved about their routines, oblivious to the stranger lurking just beyond their fence. He needed a game plan. Rushing in without knowing the language or culture was a stupid idea.
At the same time, staying in the wild forever wasn't an option either.
Jameson sighed. Step one: Observe. Step two: Blend in. Step three: Don't make an idiot out of himself on day one.
The AI wiggled in his grip.
[ Psst. Psssst. If you don't let me talk, I'll scream. (¬_¬) ]
Jameson let go instantly. "You would too, wouldn't you?"
[ Absolutely. (＾▽＾) ]
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. What?"
The AI's interface flickered back to blue, looking pleased with itself.
[ You do realize I can scan for information, right? Language, customs, economy—easy peasy. ]
Jameson froze.
"…You can what?"
[ (´･ᴗ･ ` ) …You never asked. ]
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Jameson exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Okay. Fine. Be useful for once. What can you tell me?"
The AI beamed. [ Now we're talking! Processing... (ﾉ≧ڡ≦) ]
As it began scanning the area, Jameson turned his gaze back to the village, preparing himself for his first real encounter in this new world.