Everyone left following Sithrik to the next room while I stayed behind, shoving another cube of meat into my mouth.

"Mmhh~ That is some good stuff. Hey, System? Heh~ always wanted to say that. Um Ai? Whatever you are called, are you there?"

"Affirmative Apollo. How can I be of assistance?"

"Oh where to start. I have so many questions. But the first one I guess I should ask is how advanced are you? Would you consider yourself an artificial lifeform? Or do you just designate yourself an Ai? Or are you something else entirely?"

"I would be classified as an artificial lifeform Apollo. While you are simply speaking to me through the structure’s synthesizer. Once I began to reroute power and connect up circuitry once more. I will be able to stretch myself out further. Although I do not recall the function of this structure, it appears that data is corrupted beyond repair. Before you ask your further queries, would you be able to answer a couple of my own?" The artificial lifeform asked.

"Oh, sure. Go ahead. I’ve not had the chance to speak with many technologies. So this is exciting."

"Confirmed. Query one. Are you aware you are traveling with two non humans alongside an amalgamation of neo humans with unidentified power fluctuations flowing through their bodies? Much like yourself?

I looked towards the entrance of the room before speaking in a hushed tone. "Yes I am aware of the two non humans. But the others do not know. I implore you not to speak of this further."

"Understood. I will follow your request."

I smiled. "Thanks. Now, as for the second part of that question. I believe you mean Psionics? The energy you are sensing?"

"No data in systems. Query. What is Psionics?"

’Oh boy...’

...

After taking a few minutes to explain in broad strokes Psionics and how they functioned to the artificial lifeform. It replied.

"This is illogical. Energy cannot be created from nothing. It breaks universal law. You must not be calculating a factor." I felt like I heard confusion from the robotic voice, but it might have just been my imagination.

Having actions speak louder than words. I snapped my finger and pulled out my balls, showing it to the scanner.

It looked at the two balls of fire in each of my hands and began scanning.

*BwomBwomBwom*

After scanning me like it did Rhea. It spoke once more.

"Energy fire. Combusting with no fuel. Not possible, yet evidence proves it is. Data-001 file opened. Psionic inquiry opened. Processing... Thank you guest Apollo for showing me this phenomenon. When you have a chance, I would like to discuss this perversion of reality in greater detail."

"No problem. You are clearly from, or were created by, a species that has not encountered Psionics before. Without knowing about them or witnessing them. It is impossible to know. When we have time we can go into it at great lengths, but we are short for time with a war currently going on."

The artificial lifeform then carried on. "Yes. That brings me to my next query. What is your purpose for entering this location? Please answer honestly."

I saw no reason to lie so I didn’t. "Sure. We stumbled upon this place by accident while looking for a place to begin a sabotage war against a foe of ours called the Drakoshi. An extra galactic race that is currently attacking this world in great numbers. With the bunker being where it is and the entrance being narrow. We are likely going to be using this as our base of operations for the foreseeable future."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Understood. No data of species named Drakoshi on file. Not registered as a guest. Will be deemed as invader. I shall also add, If over seven hundred and forty two years has passed in your regional time keeping, I am by the law of *static* considered derelict and available for requisition, would you like to declare yourself as my new owner, Apollo?"

’What is it with things and people wanting me to own them? Fuck me...’ I couldn’t help thinking for a moment before retorting.

"Is that what you want? You said it yourself, you are an artificial lifeform. Would you not prefer freedom? No one ’owning’ you so to speak."

"Processing... Cultural records damaged beyond repair of origin systems and species. I do not know how to proceed. I exist to be of use. However, due to your tone, I shall reclarify. Having an owner shall allow me to operate more efficiently and I know that is what I want."

"Ok-" I began to speak, but was swiftly cut off.

"-Congratulations on becoming the owner of this structure. Apollo. Bio scan authority, master level granted. Other functions currently on lockdown. Will require power to access records. Now, I am eager to answer your questions, begin when ready."

Deciding to just accept and roll with the punches. I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly I heard shouting coming from the distance.

"Rain check on those questions, I need to go check on my friends." I said and ran off. It didn’t take long for me to arrive at where everyone had gathered. Inside what looked like an armoury full of strange weapons.

However, what was really bizarre was Nerissa and Rhapso both had their arms extended outwards towards Willow who looked like she had reached for something. A small orb in a floating field.

"What is going on?" I asked. Everyone then turned to me and it felt like a pressure left the room. Willow then ran to my side and hugged me.

"Oh Apollo, the Praetorians are shouting at me because I tried to touch something. Protect me." She said, as she began to violently quiver. If it wasn’t for the smile on her face, I would believe she was actually upset. It was a good act.

With Willow by my side. Nerissa and Rhapso looked more relieved and put down their arms while repositioning themselves between her and the orb. "No one touches the orbs around the room or we will all die if not careful." Nerissa stated, her voice a little on edge.

"Why? What’s the matter with the orbs?" I asked, looking around. There were four in the room from what I could see.

"More like what’s the antimatter." Rhapso said. "Each one of those spheres from our readings has ten grams of antimatter inside. We have no idea how they are not going off when in contact with their casing. But it’s best not to risk it. Leave them be. Do not touch."

Hearing their warning so seriously, my curiosity peaked. "Is it really that bad? Ten grams doesn’t sound like a lot. Though I will admit, I know next to nothing about antimatter."

Nerissa nodded her head and explained to the dummies in the room. "Antimatter reacts instantly to any form of matter and annihilates it. Ten grams of antimatter will react to ten grams of anything in its surroundings, including air and the blast force would be equivalent to nearly four hundred and thirty kilotons. That is enough to level a large city."

My eyes went wide. "That is a lot of boom in a small sphere. Though enough to level a city... Hmm."

Putting my dangerous thoughts to the side for now, I stated. "Ok, well now we know not to touch the Spheres, but the rest of the room looks interesting. There are a lot of cool weapons in here."

I then walked to the side and picked up a rifle looking weapon. The stock was a little oddly shaped and the handle and firing mechanism was on the top of the weapon not below. Giving it a look over, I couldn’t see a place to reload it.

*Tzzzzzzzzzzz*

Suddenly on the other side of the room Gabrielle suddenly fired her weapon down an adjoining hallway. Rushing over to her I looked at what she shot at and realised the hallway appeared to be a shooting gallery.

Looking at the target at which she just shot. I managed to catch the last glimpse of the target as it began to disappear from existence.

"Woah, what is this thing?" Gabrielle said, shooting the weapon again at another target.

*Tzzzzz*

Seeing it fire this time in a singular beam of blue-white energy, I watched as the target began to just seemingly evaporate.

"Woah." Rhea let out a shocked noise at the effect.

"Has anyone ever seen a weapon like this before?" Morrgan asked the room. Most shook their heads, praetorians included. But I frowned as I somewhat recognised the effect of the weapon from Jewel’s description.

"Gauss weaponry?" I blurted aloud before everyone turned to me. Rhapso then clarified.

"No Apollo, I don’t think so. Gauss weapons fire projectiles through electromagnets. This is more of a-"

I then cut her off.

"-A beam of pure electromagnetic energy, dematerialising the atoms of what is hit, converting them into ions and electrons. For anything made of flesh, this weapon is nightmare fuel... This is seriously advanced technology. More than what Spartari currently have anyway. Whoever were the original inhabitants of this bunker. They were thriving long before Spartari came into power that’s for certain. So that leaves the question of just what were they doing here?"