"Okay, Asha. You said it needs 'precise manipulation'?" He looked toward the panel highlighted on his internal HUD. Exposed sparking wires peeked from behind a cracked transparent plate.
"The panel's structural health is compromised, Jin. Evidence of electrical discharge detected." Asha's voice was clinical. "However, it provides manual access to the geothermal energy regulators. This is our most viable short-term solution to supplement the failing primary power core and maintain the life of the dormant cryo-units."
Jin's eyes widened at the technical jargon. His instincts screamed a simpler message: that thing sparks, don't break it more.
"The primary lever, designated 'Geo-Flow Regulator A', requires a sustained pull of approximately 200 newtons while you simultaneously rotate the secondary dial, 'Thermal Distribution Modulator B', precisely 27 degrees counterclockwise."
Jin nodded slowly, processing.
"Any deviation greater than 3 degrees on the modulator, or inconsistent pressure on the regulator, may sever the already unstable connection entirely."
"So I pull the lever, and turn the dial left—at the same time?" He demonstrated his actions in the air, movements uncertain.
"A simple but functional interpretation, Jin. The key is synchronicity and controlled force. Your Phoenix Core is attempting to project optimal force and rotation parameters onto your HUD. Attempt to align your actions with the visual guides."
Jin focused on the faint, glowing green lines and arcs now overlaid on the lever and dial in his vision. He took a deep breath, planting his feet on the metal floor. His hands were surprisingly steady despite the knot in his stomach. One hand grasped the thick lever; the other, hesitantly, touched the cool metal dial.
"Okay, Asha. On your mark… or, uh, my mark?"
"Commence when ready, Jin. I will monitor the energy flow in real-time."
He pulled harder. The lever resisted, stiff and stubborn, unused for over a century. Jin gritted his teeth, veins standing out on his arms. The green line on his HUD indicating force turned red.
[WARNING: EXCESSIVE FORCE DETECTED. RISK OF LEVER DAMAGE: 47%] flashed briefly in his vision.
"Adjust your pull, Jin! You are exceeding structural tolerance!"
Jin eased back. Sweat stung his eyes. He tried again, focusing on a smooth, sustained pull, matching the glowing green indicator. The lever began to move. Now for the dial. He pulled it counterclockwise, straining to keep pressure on the lever through the resistance.
"It's… stuck… Asha! The roundy one is… really stiff!" He said through gritted teeth.
"Corrosion is likely disrupting its mechanism. Apply gradual, increasing torque. The geothermal conduit is highly pressurized, Jin."
Jin poured all his concentration into pulling the lever. The countdown timer on his HUD showed [00:09:47].
As he pulled, sparks from behind the cracked panel made him flinch. With his effort, the dial finally gave, moving much more smoothly. The HUD's rotation arc clicked into alignment.
Then a jolt shot through the panel. A crackle of electricity ran through the system. The control room lights flickered, plunging into near-darkness for a second before the red emergency lamps surged back. The lever in Jin's sweaty hand kicked back hard.
"Whoa!" He faltered, almost losing his grip.
"Power surges from the failing primary core, Jin! It's trying to compensate for the geothermal draw! Stay steady! You're losing position on the modulator!"
According to his HUD, the dial had shifted. His arm muscles burned. His body screamed with exhaustion. Pain and fear vanished as he concentrated on those glowing green lines. His breath came in gasps. The whole world narrowed to this one panel, this one desperate act.
With one final clunk, the lever locked into its new position. The dial clicked into its holding notch. The flickering behind the panel settled into a calmer crackling. A clearer, steadier sound now resounded through the floor.
[GEOTHERMAL CONDUIT SUCCESSFULLY DIVERTED]
[AUXILIARY POWER FEED TO CRYO-BAY ALPHA STASIS MAINTENANCE: ONLINE]
[PROJECTED STASIS FIELD INTEGRITY EXTENSION: +37:00]
[TOTAL TIME REMAINING: 49:00]
Underneath that:
[STRENGTH ATTRIBUTE +0.05 (EXTREME EXERTION OVERRIDE)]
[DEXTERITY ATTRIBUTE -0.03 (FINE MOTOR CONTROL FAILURE)]
[NEW STATUS: MINOR LACERATIONS-LEFT HAND (ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE)]
Jin slid down the console. Electrical sparks had burned his left hand; it throbbed with sharp pain.
He panted, "Did… did we do it, Asha?"
"Surprisingly enough, Jin, your non-standard force application appears to have worked to some degree. Stasis field integrity has indeed been raised. You have given us a measure of time."
A pause followed. "The diagnosis following the technique implies that whereas your raw power output is commendable for your current development, your 'Dexterity' in manipulating delicate systems has... a considerable amount of room for improvement. Perhaps we should avoid tasks requiring surgeon-level precision for the immediate future?"
Jin forced out a weak grin. He had no clue what surgeon-like precision was, but he looked at his throbbing hand, then back at the panel. To hell with it: he was still alive.
He leaned against the console, holding his injured left hand. Red welts were already forming where the sparks had made contact with his skin.
"What now? We move." He forced a laugh and scrubbed a hand over his face, refusing to let panic settle.
"Negative, Jin. Waiting is a really bad plan with the current increase in system failures. The extra thirty-seven minutes should give you an opportunity to understand better what it is you currently possess—the Phoenix Core AI—and to develop a more sustainable plan with us."
The comment made Jin straighten up. He was totally confused about what this 'Phoenix Core' was, other than Asha's voice and the controls having shape forms associated with his visuals in his mind.
"You mean... you? And this... head-up display thingy?" He gestured vaguely at his own face.
"Precisely. I am more than a mere voice or sound, Jin. Phoenix Core is a comprehensive bio-integrated system, designed to analyze, guide, and maximize the value of your natural human potential. This was the life's work of your parents; their last gamble with everything dear to them."
His parents. The mention brought an instant warm smile that he quickly crushed. There wasn't time for that.
"So, what can you... we... do? Besides stare at sparky wires?" He gestured around the room.
"My potential is vast; however, your current level has only limited access to first-call protocols. Consider these primary functions for now."
As Asha spoke, Jin's HUD glimmered; clear icons appeared in his vision, each associated with what she was saying.
"One: Information Archive. Think of this enormous library as having pre-disaster knowledge of humankind, Jin—science, engineering, history, and completed conditions of human existence. Ask a question when you need understanding regarding the old world or the new one we now face, and I will try to present the information in a way which feels best to you."
Jin's eyes widened. An internet browser in his mind. That sounded... useful.
"With the abilities of my analytical subsystems to assess biological and chemical compositions on visual data and environmental factors, I can provide a probability assessment as to toxicity. Yet, direct empirical testing via consumption is not, I strongly suggest."
"Okay. No eating strange looking mushrooms. Got it." He made a mental note. Probably.
"Two: Environmental Analysis. I can continually scan the space around yourself—analyze air quality, find structural weaknesses within these ruins, assess areas of radiation, and identify resources or dangers."
He surveyed the control room. Sure enough, a section of the wall farthest away from him flickered red briefly on his HUD, a little note reading: [STRUCTURAL INSTABILITY DETECTED. AVOID PROXIMITY.] Instinctively, he stepped back from it.
"Three: Biometric Monitoring and Enhancement Guidance. I am fundamentally linked into your physiology, Jin. I monitor vital signs, physical activity, and caloric needs. Most importantly, Phoenix Protocol channels the effort you put in. You exercise your body beyond its limits, and this system will optimize and accelerate your natural human growth capacity—make you stronger, faster, or more resilient. Your body is the engine, Jin. Your will is the fuel."
Jin flexed his uninjured hand, beginning to understand.
"So if I keep working out, I'll get stronger?... to help everyone?" The image of the other sleeping figures in the cryo-bay flashed in his mind.
"That is, indeed, the general framework, Jin. With effort, concentrated training will yield measurable results. The potential for a great deal of change lies within you; both improvements in body and mind will be substantial."
He nodded.
"Four: Threat Assessment. I can identify entities that pose danger to you or group members, analyze their probable behaviors, highlight vulnerabilities, and suggest tactical responses—my expectation is you will often have instincts about what precedes my formal recommendations."
Jin frowned. "Like those... things you mentioned... you know, from the... the plague?"
"Correct. These infected by VHNDS will be of primary concern. However, this Vault, in its deteriorated condition, might contain some other immediate dangers. Every step you make demands vigilance."
Jin straightened his shoulders. He stared at his HUD where the objective [INVESTIGATE SUB-LEVEL ENGINEERING. LOCATE AUXILIARY FUSION CORE.] remained lit bright green. Forty-nine minutes was already feeling short.
"Alright, Asha. But I suppose it leads to the fusion core place we're going to be for the longer power stay?"
"That is the logical imperative, Jin. The auxiliary fusion core, upon bringing it to a stable functional state, could indefinitely power this section of the Vault. However, Sub-Level Engineering has not been operational for almost ninety years; current conditions and potential hazards are unknown."
"Then let's go find what's down there."
A new resolve came to Jin's voice. The way to Sub-Level Engineering, according to the glowing arrow on his HUD, was a separate path from the control room and into the deeper, silent, ancient corridors of the Vault.
"Jin, before we head to Sub-Level Engineering, we have developed an important objective due to the recent power fluctuations that you... initiated. One of the medical bays for this sector, Med Bay Gamma-7, contains an important power relay that stabilizes a specific block of cryo-pods, some of which are carrying 'Priority Genetic Stock.' My scans indicate that this relay is presently offline from what looks like a localized trip of a circuit breaker. That relay will need to be reset."
Jin kept his hand on the frame of the opened doors leading from the control room. "The power we got earlier… that didn't fix it?"
"This is a localized failure requiring manual intervention. Med Bay Gamma-7 is also projected to have usable, though outdated, basic medical supplies and nutrition that you might need. Given your recent minor lacerations and the hazards ahead we don't yet know about, getting those supplies would serve as a secondary objective."
Jin looked down at his stinging left hand. His HUD updated:
[HUD OBJECTIVES UPDATED]
► PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
• RESET POWER RELAY – MED BAY GAMMA-7
► SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:
• SCAVENGE BASIC MEDICAL SUPPLIES
[NAVIGATION MARKER SET: SUB-LEVEL ENGINEERING]
→ NEW PATH DETECTED: SLIGHT DEVIATION REQUIRED
→ ROUTE STATUS: UNSECURED
A fainter, newer arrow pointed them slightly off to the side of the route for Sub-Level Engineering.
"Okay. Fix those cold beds power, get stuff for my hand... makes sense." He much preferred simple objectives he could understand in one go. "Which way to… Med bay thing?"
"Med Bay Gamma-7 is three corridors west from here, then one level down through the emergency Stairwell Beta. I am providing the updated HUD with the fastest route. Be careful. These auxiliary corridors have not been used for more than decades."
The journey toward Stairwell Beta proved even more dangerous. Emergency light poles were few and far between, casting great shadows that Jin's eyes tried in vain to penetrate. The air was colder, and there was a faint sound of dripping somewhere.
Jin approached a big hydraulic door, but it appeared to be sealed. "Uh, Asha? This one looks... closed. And not really friendly toward the whole 'opening' idea."
"My records indicate this door, 'Section Divider 3.4,' had a hydraulic seizure approximately 63 years ago during a seismic tremor. The electronic lock is also presently non-functional due to this segment power outage. It needs manual override. Or what you call physical force."
The door seemed incredibly thick. "Physical force, huh?" He remembered Asha's small note of Strength of +0.05. If he were to grow stronger, he'd need to make the effort. He positioned himself and found a handhold sticking out, then pulled.
The screeching of the door against the metal was unbearable, but it did not budge.
"Your current Strength attribute is 4.75, Jin. Sustained force must be exerted with a minimum of 5.2 Strength to overcome the seized hydraulics. Focus all your strength and use your legs for leverage."
Jin gritted his teeth and repositioned himself, ducking down as much as possible and putting his whole body into it. He gave another pull, roaring loudly. His neck strained with veins showing on the surface.
The screech of metal against metal filled the corridor. Jin sensed his muscles bursting, with probable micro-traumas that Asha had mentioned, probably having a party now in his biceps.
And then, quite suddenly, a loud crack. The door shook and opened a few inches. But still not enough for him to pass.
[STRENGTH ATTRIBUTE +0.02 (SUSTAINED MUSCLE STRAIN)]
[SKILL INITIALIZED: ATHLETICS - BASIC FEATS OF STRENGTH (0.5%)]
Jin panted, smiling through the pain. "It… it moved, Asha! … the…strength-number went up!"
"Indeed. But the gap is still insufficient. Perhaps if you…" Before Asha could finish whatever nightmarish suggestion she was about to give, Jin rammed his shoulder in and heaved. Pure adrenaline rushed through his body. With another roar, the door moved enough for him to squeeze through.
He stumbled into the corridor beyond, wincing as pain throbbed in his shoulder. The new section was dark. Then he heard it—a faint, quickly repeated scratching, like tiny claws on metal. The hairs on the nape of his neck stood on end.
Jin whispered, barely above a breath, "Asha… what was that?"
"My auditory sensors are picking up multiple instances of rapid, light footfalls. Scans indicate mutant organism signatures, Jin. They're fast… and numerous. They do not correspond to any known terrestrial fauna documented within this Vault's initial ecological survey." A new icon flashed across Jin's HUD:
[ALERT – THREAT DETECTED]
SOURCE: ASHA TACTICAL ADVISORY SUBSYSTEM
STATUS: NON-CONFIRMED HOSTILE PRESENCE
SUMMARY:
• MULTIPLE FAST-MOVING BIO-SIGNATURES DETECTED NEARBY
• UNCLASSIFIED MUTANT ORGANISMS – NO MATCH IN VAULT ECOLOGICAL DATABASE
• MOVEMENT PATTERN: UNPREDICTABLE, QUADRUPEDAL BURSTS
RECOMMENDATION:
→ HEIGHTENED AWARENESS MODE ENGAGED
→ PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION
[ICON ADDED TO HUD: UNKNOWN THREAT – ACTIVE MONITORING ENABLED]
Jin's heart hammered against his ribs. That sounded like a recipe for a bad day. He spotted a sturdy metal pipe lying in the rubble near the wall, probably fallen from a damaged conduit. Better than nothing.
His aches fell away, replaced by focused resolve. There were still people he needed to protect, even if they were still asleep.