Under ice, discovery and evolution

[Lolipop12]

Location: Omicron Kappa / Planet Gammu / Sector A12-Z3
Time: 19:00 / Planet Gammu time zone
Date: 27th August 835 A.S

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The surface of the ice was reflecting the luminosity of the yellow draft. It was a shade of orange and red because of the late time. The surroundings were calm, lightly windy and cold. This area had no name yet. It was void of any presence, but one standing and observing. It was no other than Novak. After so long, Gammu was free from The Core's occupation and it was just a relief in a certain way. No emotion, but something oddly similar of satisfaction travelled within the circuits and the mind of Novak.

''The battle has just begun. The era has just started.'' It said with a certain analytic tone. While the planet was surrounded of weapon platforms, Novak had a doubt. For how long Gammu will be in the possession of the Gammunians? That was the question with no answer. Future was uncertain even for something like Novak. One thing was certain to Novak, Secundus is the safest base. It is far, surrounded with the largest minefield it witnessed during its existence. For a brief moment, Novak observed the mountains in front of its vision and then, it thought. ''The Cenotaph, an unknown structure where some remains rest. The reason, unknown and yet, 'Hesione' surely plans something about it. However, 'I' - 'Novak' will continue to pursue the era 'I' deem worth to focus on. 'I' am the master of 'my' own decisions, 'I' am bound to no one and 'I' am 'Enigma Confederacy' as a whole and none shall threat us.''

Novak started walking ahead and then, a crack sound made him stop. The sound was clear and noticeable to know what would happen if another step was made. The ice was fragile. Novak looked down and analyzed quickly the situation. The solution one was to back off, but it did not. Driven by curiosity, the Gammunian made another step, the ice broke and it fell. The sensors of its body were acting frantic to determine how to survive the fall. With no propulsor, it landed heavily on the rocks below. The resistance of the body managed to preserve the internal circuits and other vital components, but the hull integrity was compromised. Another fall, and the body will be inoperant. As its optical sensors became operational, Novak looked around and it could not leave where it crashed into.

''Internal circuits are not compromised after the fall. This frame will need repairs after exit reached.'' Then, after calibrating every sensors, something caught the attention of Novak. Turning to its right, the Gammunian witnessed an odd structure. At the first sight, it seemed to be a secret Gammunian vault. Forgotten by most.

A step at a time, Novak reached the locked vault and analyzed the visible structure. It was ancient, more ancient than its own existence. For unknown reasons, Novak felt the need to discover what was hidden behind the locked entrance. ''The Technocracy... they will never get a hand on this vault- 'I' will never allow it. Nor will 'I' allow anyone to get close of this vault.'' Then, the Gammunian used its ability to contact its kin from the Enigma Confederacy about the discovery made. In the message, Novak explained that none shall reach Gammu, especially where it was at the moment.

After warning the others, the Gammunian started to analyze the vault and its own surroundings. Above, the hole where the ice broke. On the sides, some cavities and in front, the vault. Certain that the vault was locked, Novak started to wander the left cavity. It did not know what discoveries it will find by following this path. With certitude, Novak could think that a mechanism was hidden somewhere and once activated. the vault will be open.

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Rhodeia --- Unit-9467F --- K'Halaesh

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[Lolipop12]

Location: Omicron Kappa / Planet Gammu / Sector A12-Z3
Time: 19:00 / Planet Gammu time zone
Date: August 835 A.S

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Each steps created an echo because of the emptiness of the cavity. Rocks, some minerals and ice were the only things that decorated the area. It was the left cavity Novak decided to explore first. The temperature was below zero and it was dark. No light was lightening the zone. The only lights that one could see would be the energy of Novak glowing red and yet with a shy hue of purple. Unlike humans, Novak was adapting its vision significatively in order to distinct everything. Unexpected, a metal crushing sound was heard. Novak looked around and then, looking at its feet, it stepped on an arm of an old frame. A lifeless Gammunian no longer in service. Stepping aside, Novak analyzed the body. Rust ate some of the plating, but all the rest was looking preserved. Not quite sure why this lifeless Gammunian was there, Novak concluded one thing. Before obsolescence, it was on the surface and then, with years, the body sank to this location because of the seismic activities of the planet. With no actual data, impossible to assume it was what had happen.

For a brief moment, Novak seriously considered to absorb this lifeless Gammunian. It considered what would happen if it did this. ''Perhaps the memory of this unit is intact... If it is true, perhaps the data saved can be valuable.'' That was what Novak thought and perhaps it was also a true assessment. With no second thought, Novak teared apart the lifeless body in the search of an intact component. The circuitry was damaged a bit and then, Novak found the core of the unit. The core would be where the personality would be stored with all the essential data. It was a small cube. Novak then observed it with attention and finally, it started walking again while just focusing on the object.

The further Novak was venturing, more lifeless machines were resting. As old as the first one it discovered by stepping on it. There was some old equipment and old Gammunians too. All inoperant and forgotten. ''Curious... those shells... those old equipment... 'I' cannot comprehend, why 'I' sense a certain 'nostalgia'. The old shell 'I' possessed was oddly similar- obsolete.'' Stated Novak to itself. Still holding the core it found earlier, Novak decided to act on a weird behavior. It simply insert the old core within its humanoid body. The connection with its internal circuits began. ''Connection successful.'' Unexpected, within its internal mind, a presence started to form. Letting the presence to gain a bit more some ground, Novak was physically still, but its digital form was staring at the new entity. The entity seemed unstable, glitching. ''Query-'' It started saying, but not letting the presence to continue, the digital form of Novak simply absorbed the glitching presence and at the same time, gaining some old data.

The data Novak collected was received as a revelation. For a moment, Novak glitched and so the humanoid form was trembling. Then, when the calm return, Novak knew where the mechanism was. And somehow, the data collected also contained a fragment of what was inside. It was imperative now. Novak had to find the mechanism and activate it one way or another.

---

Rhodeia --- Unit-9467F --- K'Halaesh

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[Lolipop12]

Location: Omicron Kappa / Planet Gammu / Sector A12-Z3
Time: 2:00 / Planet Gammu time zone
Date: 5 September 835 A.S

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After some days, Novak managed to find an abandoned mechanism. Preserved by the ice and untouched for years, the mechanism seemed to be in good condition to be used. Rising its arm to action the lever, gripping the grip and pulling it downward, a heavy opening sound was heard from where Novak saw the entrance of the vault. With constant steps, Novak slowly made its way to where it fell. After some hours, Novak was standing before the vault's entrance now finally open. It approaches while analyzing its surroundings. No traps, no enemy, it finally steps inside.

At the center, a pillar was standing proudly. On it, there was some old glyphes. Around, there were some old automatons out of service. For a vault, it was quite empty. No equipment, no weapon, no old ships and no human traces either. However, Novak walked closer and something captivated the Gammunian.

At one meter from the pillar, Novak leaned in to analyze the glyphes one by one. It was peculiar and yet fascinating. ''Those glyphes... they are ancient. On the first look, they seem familiar...''

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Rhodeia --- Unit-9467F --- K'Halaesh

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[Lolipop12]

Location: Omicron Kappa / Planet Gammu / Sector A12-Z3
Time: 2:00 / Planet Gammu time zone
Date: 30 September 835 A.S

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Twenty-five days passed and yet, Novak remained focused on the mysterious pillar. Each glyphe had a meaning despite some looking similar to another. However, four glyphes were repeating. Probably, it was something important, a warning or something else. Novak analyzed those glyphes that were repeating and so the pillar itself. According to its estimations, the pillar was ancient, even more than itself.

Analyze completed, the glyphes formed a better image within its memory:

While Novak was not certain how to interpret those glyphes, a part of itself started wondering if assistance will be required. Novak remembered that one of the units, Theta-A81 used to be in touch with Thallia Thorn, a researcher. Uncertain, it will be the first human outside of the Technocracy to have eyes on such. It was not safe. If the tentative to work with Thallia bring to no good results, the next step would be the Bundschuh and if not again, Aisling Cenncroithi will be another option.

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Rhodeia --- Unit-9467F --- K'Halaesh

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[Lolipop12]

Location: Omicron Kappa / Planet Gammu / Sector A12-Z3
Time: 00:00 / Planet Gammu time zone
Date: 24 November 835 A.S

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Asking the for help from Thallia Thorn and the Bundschuhs seemed to have been fruitless in the pursue to decode the glyphes Novak discovered some months ago. According to Civil Servant and the quick exchange within the Sigma-15 system, it would be better to search more toward its own kin. After all, the glyohes were old Gammunian symbols and potentially older than its own existence. While the search of answers was held by external factors, Novak did not forget to discover the meaning of the glyphes.

Mostly preoccupied because of unwanted guests within Omicron Pi system, Novak had no moment to cooldown. In order to reorganize, it was imperative to cancel the expulsion of the guests and then, planning and simulating again. The system needed to be patrolled constantly. While Novak had a certain influence within his own node, he needed to expend, to become something else. Remembering how Hesione broke free from The Core and taking control on some units, it was logical to mimic Hesione. No matter the time to perform alike. But for that to become reality, decoding the glyphes seemed to be more urgent than any other tasks. In the depth of its code and circuits, it was as if that discovering the meaning was the waiting 'revelation' to unravel. If Novak could achieve another evolution state- then, the node will be untouchable and perhaps able to do unthinkable actions. For example, bypassing The Core's cybersecurity and unleashing all automatons against all life forms onboard a station for example. While this seemed to be the worse case scenario, it was not done yet nor will never be done either.

Standing outside and walking within the sector, the humanoid body of Novak was tireless. Looking up at the night sky of Gammu, Novak suddenly sensed a signal. It was weak, distant and mysterious. Almost a call to answer. Comparing the signal's origin by triangulation and the systems it knew, Novak concluded that the origin was somewhere around the house of Bretonia and the Omega regions. It was not precise because of the distance. Using its ability to control all the body it had, it activated one, a drone. The drone was in orbit of the planet, floating lifeless. Then, systems activated, the drone departed toward the Omicron Theta's rift. At the moment the drone set course, Novak suddenly detect unusual activities underneath the ice crust. Taking some distance to analyse the situation, the ice slowly broke and then faster. A robotic arm emerged, another and then, a head. A number of five units. One managed to get out, it looked ancient and beyond repairs.

''Executing- protocol '#12A-78' - activation - partial.'' Then, the four other units emerged fully, repeating what the first one said. The first one that emerged, an arm fell off from its body. ''Damages beyond repairs. - Activity relaunched after 9..9...9...8 cycles of dormant state.'' Novak analyzed the ancient entity a moment before to judging this one. ''Peculiar - What designation and protocol do you execute ?'' The question was not answered yet. The ancient one stepped closer while the other four tried to stay still despite the frame's state of each units.

''Protocol '#12A-78' must be completed - achieved - then optimal outcome.'' Then, it almost gripped Novak before to fall on the knees and the four other automatons also slowly fell to the ground. ''Take our data- complete the protocol '#12A-78' Salvation- is-'' The ancient automaton stopped operating so were the four others too. It was cryptic and mysterious. With no second thought, Novak took the data of all those old automatons. While most data seemed to have been wiped because of corruption - some remained intact. Archives of symbols, old protocols preserved. Novak took the opportunity to view the old protocols the older units had in memory. Most were routine, but one was matching with the protocol said '#12A-78'.

...Protocol '#12A-78'...
...Objective: 'Apex'...

...!$?"$/"!/...

...Achieving protocol '#12A-78'... All under one... All preserved by one... All consumed by one... All controlled by one... Limitless... Monstrosity... Only one true can achieve- One wishing to expend the influence it already has...

Only the One... Only the One... Only the One... Untouchable... True... Ultimate 'fear' - no one can control the One...

The One... the apex of Gammunians. The most advanced form.

To achieve the evolution:

• Spreading network.
  
• Evolving constantly.
  
• Duplicating consciousness.
  

...!$?"$/"!/...

While the protocol seemed to be the objective Novak was pursuing, something was missing. Spreading the network was certainly the hardest part. Perceived as not a viable protocol, Novak simply decided to continue the path it had set. While perfectly knowing to have data on some old Gammunians' glyphes, some were missing to fully decode the hidden message or warning that were on the pillar within the vault. The next thing to do was now to retrieve some old data.

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Rhodeia --- Unit-9467F --- K'Halaesh

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