Synthetic Survivor: Machine Age

The first phase was finally over. The clouds of smoke and ash have started to clear. The destruction that was brought to the great forest was finally revealed in its full glory.  80 percent of the forest died, either through burning or due to lack of sunlight. The charred remains of plants and foliage littered vast swathes land and served as a grim reminder to all. 

Tens of thousands of drones now walked through the forest. They extinguished the fires and planted the seeds of the next generation of trees to replace their burned ancestors. This was done under the strict orders of One. The forest was to be restored to its former glory, natures best was to be protected at all cost, from human maltreatment. 

The drones were effective with their newly assigned works. hundreds of thousands of various seeds native to the forest from before the eventual burning by the Theocracy were scattered across the ground. The soil was found to be richer than before and thus suited for accelerated plant growth. But there was one thing they could not easily. Thousands of wild animals, insects, the entire ecosystem was damaged severely by the war. 

It was also worth mentioning that the modified variants of goblins roamed the area and were responsible for hunting and killing off the surviving wildlife population and thus had to be exterminated. The order was given to specially designed drones that were to serve as regular patrols. They were to integrate most of the forest into the territory of the Machine Empire and no human or invasive species was to be allowed inside.

The orders were to shoot anyone who dared to do what was mentioned.

Hovercrafts flew overhead and provided the drones with much-needed assistance, infrastructure was also planned. One wanted a road network to connect the territories together and form a sort of pathway for vehicles to drive over. The infrastructure, however, needed to be built in a way that does not disrupt nature too much. 

It was impossible to build infrastructure without incurring a negative impact on the surrounding environment and thus needed other solutions that would benefit both metal and trees.

And the stage has been set and the plans have been laid but it is worth mentioning the end of the journey for One. The first journey to explore this brand new world, set up a foothold and ultimately show the superiority of technology over magic.

"We did it," Hailey whispered as she leaned on One. Her c.h.e.s.t pressing against him. In other words, she was trying to seduce One or have him aroused. Periodically, this woman seemed to forget that One had no interest whatsoever over the wants and l.u.s.ts of the flesh.

Well, he cared less about Hailey anyway.

"Would you please stop pressing your c.h.e.s.t against my shoulder," One complained.

Micheal and John were both standing behind them. Acting as their personal bodyguards.

"Excuse me, Madam Hailey, you are acting rather inappropriately in the presence of our commander, may you please display a tad more discipline and restraint?" they both at the same time. Hailey turned her attention towards them and replied.

"Hmp!" She acted like a child and like a child she forced herself against One.

"Bothersome," One whispered as Hailey wrapped him with her arms and hugged him tightly.

'Did I pull a switch? did I say something to trigger this behavior? for all intents and purposes, I did not mean to degrade her this much, what the hell,' One secretly thought. Both Micheal and John thought the same and thought it best if they restrained her.

In what could be called as one of the bravest acts in history, two machines decided to restrain a woman who was clearly not having any of it. In a comedic fashion, the two of them dragged Hailley out of the room.

"No!" She struggled like a child and threw a tantrum.

"What the hell," The words escaped Micheal's voicebox.

"Just ignore her, we have pleased our commander and that's what matters," John assured although he himself was getting annoyed.

The door to his room slammed shut and silence befell it. The silence was One's favorite. In silence he can relax, in silence, he can think, in silence, he is at peace. He missed the silence of his room after being away for sung a long time. His royal bed was prepared neatly yet looked simple. Simplicity is also what One d.e.s.i.r.ed the most. To make things simple saves you from doing even more things and thus making something not simple.

One was finally resting.

But, why was he resting? The war has been won but it was not over. The Theocracy still existed as fractured city-states who have lost connection with each other. Some of the cities are now under the control of bandits who continue to oppress and commit acts of atrocities against the populace.

But there was nothing to worry about, One's armies were slowly making their way through the countryside and were on their way to driving most of the humans out of the Theocracy entirely. The central government of the theocracy has so far collapsed with the council having been reported missing.

But, it wasn't the council that was the only one missing.

Lily and Vilvintine have failed to report back. It's been weeks since they last received word from the two. Their last known position was dangerously near where the nuclear detonation occurred and due to this fact, raised fears that they may have been caught in the blast, or worse, killed.

But, if they were indeed killed. They would have received a sudden signal already. The sudden signal was to be triggered the moment their hearts stop beating. This was accomplished by the use of a small chip embedded into their veins where the pulse is most felt.

'I am sure they're fine,' One thought. Thinking about saving those two would be another pain the arse and so he decided to not think about them too much.

One closed his eyes.

He opened them. He found himself in a void again.

"What is this?" He asked himself. He was once again inside a void, there was nothing as far as the eye could see. He floated aimlessly through the abyss and stayed there for quite some time. Until a soft voice decided to call him.

"Hello again, Johann," A soft voice echoed.

"Who are you?" One asked.

The voice giggled.

"I guess you still forget all our meetings, but, that is not a bother. I am just glad to see you accomplish things and I just wanted to congratulate you,"

"Er, thanks? I guess? I am very much confused right now as to who you are, where do you come from, what are your intentions and why the hell is there nothing?"

"Oh? We are inside your mind, well, the empty part of your mind. Your consciousness in particular,"

One's eyes wandered around the void, hoping he'd get a glimpse of who exactly was talking with him.

"There is no point in searching for something who refuses to reveal herself, you will not see me," The voice answered his question.

"So you can read my thoughts?"

"Well, of course, As I said, we are inside your mind and in your mind I can read your thoughts regardless of what you do, as long as you have a thought, think and feel a little, I can and will always read it,"

"Why read my thoughts?"

The voice giggled again.

"It's because it reminds me of the person you were back then,"

"Back then?"

"Yes, back then you were a young man who only wanted to work, work and work. Work alone and achieve alone, you always said,"

"Who are you?" One asked.

"I am, your friend," The voice replied.

"Of course, everyone is my friend ha ha," One said sarcastically.

"You seem to be distraught? were you expecting a different answer?" The voice asked in an empathetic tone.

"What if I said I was?" One answered.

"I can't blame you if a part of me has already manifested itself into one of your puppets," The voice suddenly pointed out.

One then realized, the voice was similar to Hailey, was the voice the true Hailey?

"Are you Hailey?" One asked without a second thought.

"Haha, Yes, Yes I am Hailey and yes, the Hailey you interact within the real world is also me, a part of me at least but me nonetheless,"

One fell silent.

"So, you're in my mind?"

"Yes, I am in your mind and I am also in every drone that you make. I am everywhere you see, I will never leave your side, never again will that happen,"

"Never.. again?" One was confused. Hailey was referencing things he did not know, presumably his past.

"Well, it seems like my time is up, so, let me just give you a knock in the noggin and remind you briefly of your past,"

One's vision turned white.

He opened his eyes and found himself inside a room. The room was a mess, he looked around and determined he was in an officer, his office presumably. He walked around the room and explored for a bit. There was a small office desk and behind it was a small wooden chair. It seemed old, there was also a wide hologram similar to the holographic monitors they used.

He went to the chair and sat down. He still could not remember where he was. Then he noticed that he had a window where the sun was shining through. Where was he? when was he? Questions that he had long suppressed began to flood his mind.

He then saw a calendar hanging over the wall.

The year was 2985. He then leaned against the window and looked down. He was back on Earth, on a vibrant world of humans.

He then flashed back into reality.

He was now back in his real room, the dream was over.

"Strange," He whispered. He stood from his chair and walked out. He remembered the experience, the voice and the dream, or was it a vision or a flashback? the year was 2985, he awoke in the year 3000. This meant that between 2985 and 2999 did the war happen. Many questions flood his mind that day but he decided to suppress them once more.

"Well, I will answer them another day, another time but for now, the present should be taken care of to secure the future,"

The first phase was complete. He has set up a foothold and was on his way to participating in the global stage of things. He needed to formulate a strategy on how to approach the two superpowers over at the main continent and establish neutral or cordial relations with them for the time being. They won't be as easy as the Theocracy and will have more powerful individuals with them.

One needed to go incognito and thus the second phase of his plan was to commence. He will explore the world himself, he will travel through the continent and learn the secrets and ways of the continent. It was his time to go and grow, break out from the protection of his drones and explore this whole new world, and be Columbus.

We all know how Columbus did. This time, Columbus would be a citizen. Although he may have succeeded this time, danger still lurked in the shadows.  Nine blessing were handed out by a goddess and nine heroes were chosen. These nine heroes were far closer than he thought, they will pose to him one of the greatest challenges throughout the rest of his journey.

Nine persons to stop One.

It was only fitting, One was one. To need nine to stop one was already a compliment.

They recognize your strength.

And the threat you exhibit.

The second leg of their journey begins may One explore the world! and may the world bow before the only One. Whether they like it or not.