Tatehan returned to the spaceship sooner than expected because he had sprinted back instead of walking. Whenever he took a wrong turn, his system would alert him to the mistake and he would retrace his steps. In less than thirty minutes, he was back at the vessel.
At the entrance, he placed his hand on the wall section as before and was granted access. The door opened, a ramp extended, and he walked inside the spaceship, the red glowing rock still clenched in his palm.
The spaceship remained exactly as he had left it— a scattered interior dimly lit by flickering bulbs and emergency lights.
"[Welcome back, Tatehan. Congratulations on completing your first task]" the AI announced.
Tatehan smiled, the expression growing into a grin. "A terrifying experience, but I managed it and found this glowing rock."
"[Yes]" the AI replied, as if it had known all along. "[That will help repair the spaceship and restore some functionality to this vessel.]"
Tatehan looked around the damaged interior. "How exactly do we do that?"
"[The spaceship has multiple operational modes: battle mode, flight mode, casual mode, training mode, and others. It was operating in flight mode when it crashed.]"
Tatehan glanced at the pilot's seat, noting that made sense given the ship's configuration.
"[One monster core from carapace creatures can unlock a single mode. The more cores you provide to the ship's systems, the more modes become available, gradually restoring the vessel to full operational capacity.]"
Tatehan's eyes went across the sophisticated interior. The concept of different modes was fascinating, though he realized how lonely this journey might become.
"[Restoring the spaceship to full potential will eventually require meeting other enhanced humans on Mars to acquire specialized tools and materials for complete repairs.]"
The implications hit him with unexpected excitement. Meeting other humans like himself sounded intriguing, but what captivated him most was imagining what Martian cities might look like. How would civilization appear on this world? What would other enhanced humans look like? What abilities might they possess?
He suddenly felt a bit concerned. "How can the system be certain the ship won't be discovered here?"
"[The Red Space Dragon concealed it here for a specific reason]" the AI began, then paused, as if accessing deeper memories. "[The location was chosen for its isolation and natural camouflage. Additionally, the ship's external appearance mimics crashed debris, making it appear worthless to casual observation.]"
Tatehan nodded, satisfied with the explanation. He held up the glowing core. "So how do I actually use this to unlock a mode?"
"[Place the core in the central console's receptacle. The ship will integrate its energy and activate the most essential mode first.]"
Walking to the pilot area, Tatehan found a small, circular depression in the main control panel that seemed designed for the core. He placed the red stone inside, and immediately the ship hummed with new energy as systems began activating around him.
The lights flickered, then stabilized into a brighter, more focused illumination. A deep vibration ran through the floor beneath his feet.
"[TRAINING MODE RESTORED]"
Tatehan looked puzzled. He was exhausted and hungry, he'd hoped for a casual mode where he could rest before tackling whatever came next. But perhaps he should have expected this. He wasn't here for comfort; he had work to do.
Without warning, the walls began retracting with smooth mechanical precision. Tatehan watched in amazement as the cramped interior expanded into a spacious chamber. The cold metal flooring transformed. Then sections slid away to reveal padded training surfaces that emerged from hidden compartments.
A panel opened near his shoulder, extending a mechanical arm that held a steaming mug of coffee. Tatehan stared at it skeptically until the AI's voice returned.
"[Drink this. Your body needs energy for training.]"
Tatehan examined the stylish mug as if it might contain poison, then took a cautious sip. The coffee was surprisingly good, better than anything he'd tasted on Earth. He drained it quickly and returned the cup to the mechanical arm, which retracted smoothly into the wall.
Despite his fatigue, he realized the AI was right. The drink seemed to sharpen his focus, making him feel ready for whatever was about to come.
Six holographic figures materialized in the center of the transformed space. They were humanoid shapes that flickered with translucent blue energy, standing motionless, awaiting commands.
"[The primary function of training mode is combat assessment]" the AI explained. "[These simulations will test your natural fighting ability without relying on your enhanced physiology. We need to measure your reaction time, combat instincts, and tactical awareness before we can design an improvement program.]"
Tatehan looked up at the ceiling, trying to pinpoint where the voice originated. Something about the AI's manner felt strange, as if he were speaking to someone—or something—far more complex than a simple computer program.
"[Is there a problem, host?]"
Tatehan shrugged, offering a wry smile. "Nothing serious. I just wonder sometimes who you really are."
"[As I told you before, I am the vessel's artificial intelligence, the system that maintains all ship functions and guides your development.]"
"Right." Tatehan's expression grew thoughtful. "It's just... adjusting to this new life feels surreal. I should be at home with my dog and girlfriend, not training in an alien spaceship." He paused. "Though I suppose they're gone now, aren't they? We're all gone."
For a second there, he felt a bit sad.
"[You are not working for me, Tatehan]" the AI said, its tone somehow gentler. "[I exist to support your growth and survival. Every task serves your development. Without the bruteneck encounter, you wouldn't have learned to use your abilities or acquired the core that activated this mode. Each challenge builds toward your ultimate potential.]"
Tatehan stood silent, reconsidering his assumptions. He'd felt manipulated, controlled, but perhaps that wasn't accurate.
"[Training mode also provides facilities for independent physical conditioning— strength training, endurance work, skill refinement. You will need all of these capabilities for what lies ahead.]"
Tatehan rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, feeling tension release. He was now much more at ease than before.
The AI was right about preparation. "Alright then. Let's see what these dummies can teach me."
With a soft thud, the lighting dimmed to create dramatic contrast, leaving only the glowing holographic figures visible in the darkness.
The real training was about to begin.