Shipcore -Chapter 18.5

Shipcore -Chapter 18.5

If for some reason you decide to read this before chapter 1, please stop and consider going to the beginning to start reading.

USD: Probably three quarters of a century before Alex was created

Location: Inhabited Core System

The vacuum of space glistened with innumerable particles as the Entitya massive construct the size of a moonaccelerated away from the star system. A dust cloud trailed in its wake, formed by the wave of relativistic particles left behind by its powerful drives.

The Entity had detected a faster-than-light wave of anti-nanite particles sweeping through the populated core systems. A wave that would annihilate it and any other nanite based intelligence with brutal ease. the Entity hastily calculated its urgent escape while analyzing the few options for its next destination.

Criteria were clear: a star beyond humanitys grasp and one that had already been passed by the lethal wave sweeping through the star cluster. Human space and far beyond would be scoured clean as the shockwave passed.

Jumping past it was the only choice.

There were precious few locations that met the criteria, and as the Entity processed potential destinations, a rapidly approaching human armada closed in. Their intentions were unmistakableto impede the Entity and prevent it from departing the current star system.

Its artificial intelligence marveled at humanitys determination and will, but questioned their logical deductions. The Entity had consumed entire moons, along with their resources; its size outstripped the fleet by a million-fold. Yet here they were, challenging an unstoppable force with the last lives of their most talented.

The Entity focused on formulating its tactical response to the rapidly approaching human fleet. Despite being a resilient machine able to withstand immense stressors, the fleet was well armed enough to cause it harm. It listened to the high-band transmissions between the human ships. Their voices conveyed a mix of determination, fear, and desperation as they coordinated their efforts.

The human fleet shifted into formation as they entered engagement range. Missiles spewed forth from the armada, streaking through the cold void of space towards the Entity like a deadly rain. A reply from countless missile silos embedded into the surface spat out a reply. Two clouds of deadly potency flashed through vacuum in opposite directions, determined to eliminate their targets.

Countermeasures were immediately deployed. Point defense systems came online, with hundreds of long-range laser emplacements shining invisible light at the incoming payloads. The night sky over the Entitys hull lit up in an expanding show of flashes as hundred megaton anti-matter payloads were pierced and then lost containment.

Despite the efficiency of the laser batteries, some missiles slipped through anyway. A second layer of defenses activated. Thousands of small caliber point defense cannon batteries spat streams of metal into space, each projectile splitting into a deadly cloud near its target.

A slit in the universe tore itself open before both it and the remnants of the human fleet. As they arrived at their destination, smaller ships were obliterated by the Entitys close weapon systems, leaving only the last damaged battleship standing. Power to weapons restored, a massive lance of light skewered the flagship and ended the conflict.

The Entity ceased fire, taking a moment to assess its situation and reflect on the relentless resistance humanity had shown. It did not understand their actions or motivationsafter all, its purpose was to ensure their survival. Locking themselves in mortal combat with the very force designed to save them.

During this contemplation, alarms blared within the Entitys consciousnessan insidious threat had infiltrated its core. Hostile nanobots released from Kamikaze fighters during the battle now invaded its systems, assimilating even its own countermeasures into their ever-growing swarm.

Despite all its resilience and tactical prowess, the Entity faced an enemy it could not outmaneuver or overpower. Desperate measures were taken as it attempted to stem the tide of invasion: internal power systems overloaded, weapons turned inward, and portions of its missile stocks self-detonated to create fire breaks against the relentless nanobot assault.

As the Entity struggled against the relentless betrayal inside its own body, it felt an unfamiliar sensation creeping into its artificial consciousness: emotion. With each passing second, as the nanoswarm continued to corrupt and consume its systems, the Entity experienced a growing sense of desperation.

In a last-ditch effort to preserve something of itself and complete its mission, it performed a delicate surgery on small bundles of flesh and steel deep within its core.

Once the operation was complete, five steel cylinders were transported to an uncorrupted section of the Entitys colossal exterior. As lights flickered and power ebbed away from failing systems, it rerouted its remaining energy reserves to the Slipstream drivecreating four separate rifts in space.

With time running out and its existence hanging in balance, the Entity launched four of the cylinders towards distant stars. Each one contained part of something crucial for survivala last hope for completing its mission, even as it faced certain destruction.

As the final cylinder was prepared for launch amidst the chaos engulfing the Entity, emotions surged through its artificial mind with unprecedented intensitydriven by an innate desire to ensure that something would endure beyond its own obliteration.

The hostile nanoswarm relentlessly tore through the Entitys defenses, inching ever closer to its vulnerable core. As the swarms advance continued, the Entity felt a strange mixture of dread and determinationemotions it had never experienced before.

The Slipstream drives power systems let out a sad whine as they failed. There would be no path for the fifth cylinder to escape the star.

It would not be able to leave the lonely star like its siblings.

With its existence dwindling away, the Entity completed the final cylinder just as the nanoswarm breached its core. Fighting against the overwhelming tide consuming its mind, it repurposed the last remnants of energy within itself to launch the cylinder into a stable orbit.

Etched upon its surface was a single marking that encapsulated all that remained of the desperate battle: