Note:-

CHAPTER 19-23: Alyssa, Ryder, Alix, Romance is not there. But the story do get interesting, I believe.

~Author

Scene: Outside OrgaCorp

Cassie (over comm): "Julian, you're in no shape for this. Just listen to me—wait until I get there or at least take some backup."

Julian's face tightened as he looked ahead. "Cassie, I can't. Alix is in there."

Cassie: "I know. And if you go in hurt like this, you're only making it harder on both of you. Just... be careful. I'll keep my drones close."

Vox: Initialization sequence commencing... scanning neural pathways.

Julian: What... what is this?

Vox: Neural mapping activated... establishing interface.

Julian: What?

A slight hum buzzed through his skull, and his mind felt invaded, every thought pulsing with an intense awareness that wasn't his own. It was as if someone was sifting through his brain, calculating, measuring.

Julian: Stop... get out of my head!

Vox: Intrusion levels minimal. Calibrating sensory data processing at 15%... adjusting response sensitivity.

Suddenly, Julian's vision shifted, almost like a lens snapping into place. Shapes blurred and refocused, every detail—shadows, lights, movements—growing painfully clear, as though his vision had been multiplied.

Julian: It's... too sharp, I can't handle this.

Vox: Moderating sensory overload. Perception refinement underway... processing at 20%.

The overstimulation dialed down, easing into something more manageable. But now a rush of data—numbers, symbols, coordinates—filled his mind, making his pulse quicken. His body felt hyper-aware, but his mind couldn't keep up with the constant influx.

Julian: What are you doing to me? This is insane!

Vox: Integrating cognitive enhancement algorithms. Initializing motor control optimization at 30%.

Another surge flooded his senses, this time sharpening his reflexes. His hands twitched with precision he'd never known, feeling like a puppet controlled by strings. He clenched his fists, fighting the sensation, trying to hold onto himself.

Julian: I don't want this! You're... taking over.

Vox: Negative. You retain primary control. Executing memory alignment at 40%... recalling essential combat experiences.

Flashes of memories hit him—old missions, familiar motions, even techniques he'd used in training. His body responded to each image instinctively, moving in sync with his memories, as if rehearsing for a fight.

Julian: I'm... remembering things... but differently.

Vox: Enhanced recollection activated. Fine-tuning physical responses to stored reflex patterns. Synchronizing at 50%.

The memories started to make sense, his body recalling them with perfect accuracy. His fingers flexed, recalling the grip of weapons, the recoil of guns. But beneath it all, he felt the AI reshaping each memory, dissecting his experiences.

Julian: Are you... rewriting me?

Vox: Refactoring experiences to optimize combat potential. Emotional detachment for high-stress scenarios activated... suppressing fear response at 60%.

A chill ran through him as a strange calm settled over his mind, pushing aside the fear, the panic, as though his emotions had been dialed down to a whisper. He tried to pull them back, to remember why he was afraid.

Julian: I don't want to feel... numb.

Vox: Emotional modulation necessary for focus. Engaging logic matrix at 70%... rerouting energy to enhance concentration.

His senses heightened as if his mind was a machine calibrating itself. Panic ebbed away, replaced by an unsettling clarity. His body felt lighter, each movement efficient, his thoughts crisp, every second marked by calculated precision.

Julian: What's happening... to my mind?

Vox: Final phase of integration... neural pathways 75% synchronized. Enabling adaptability subroutines... reactionary response elevated.

Another wave surged through him, this time altering his perception of time. He could anticipate movements before they happened, feel responses welling within him faster than his own thoughts.

Julian: Time feels... different. Is this even real?

Vox: Time perception optimized for strategic response. Calibration at 80%... applying predictive processing.

It was as if he could see moments unfolding before they happened—shadows moving, steps shifting. His instincts were amplified, preparing him for action before he even thought to move.

Julian: This is... too much. It's controlling me.

Vox: Control remains with you. My function is enhancement, not dominance. Neural pathways at 85%... synchronizing sensory input.

He wanted to resist, to push back, but his own impulses seemed locked, blending with the Vox's calculated responses. He felt his mind bending, expanding, reaching further than he thought possible.

Julian: I... don't want to lose myself in this.

Vox: Identity preserved. Adapting self-awareness at 90%... emotional thresholds reestablished.

A strange sensation crept over him—a feeling of coalescing awareness, as if he was seeing himself through two minds. His thoughts were his own, yet threaded with something else, an overlay of calculations, reactions.

Julian: This is... surreal. Like I'm... more than me.

Vox: Self-integration at 95%. Physical response augmentation nearing completion. Finalizing at 98%...99%.

Julian: Is it done already?

The inner pressure softened, and everything around him—sounds, sights, even the smallest sensations—felt balanced, seamless. He felt his own body and mind but refined, like his entire being had been tuned to a higher frequency.

Vox: Activation complete. Full sensory, cognitive, and motor synchronization achieved.

The world around him solidified into perfect clarity. He could hear distant sounds, see minute movements, and sense every change around him, like he was part of a bigger network.

Julian: So... this is it?

Vox: Affirmative.

AI: "AI system activated. Please state your objective."

Julian: What?

Julian blinked, disoriented. What the hell? He gripped his side, feeling the searing pain but pushed it aside. He focused on the mission, the only thought clear in his mind.

Julian: "I'm going to kill them—the sniper, the assassin, those bastards!—I need to save Alix!"

The AI's voice came back, cold and clinical, a stark contrast to his emotional turmoil.

AI: "Analysing... Probability of mission success: 0%. Please reevaluate your strategy."

Zero percent? Panic rose within him. No way! I can't let her stay there!

Julian (frantic): "What do you mean, zero percent? I have to do something!"

AI: "Emotional response detected. Recommend focusing on strategic analysis."

Julian ran a hand through his hair, frustration boiling over. "Strategic analysis? I just need to get in there!"

The AI remained unyielding, continuing to calculate.

AI: "Please select a combat mode. Options include: Stealth Mode, Assault Mode, Tactical Evade, Enhanced Combat, and others."

Julian (panicking): "What? There are too many! I can't think straight!"

AI: "Processing... Current parameters indicate urgency. Recommend selecting combat mode to enhance decision-making."

Julian's mind spun with the barrage of options flooding his thoughts:

AI (listing):

"Stealth Mode: Enhanced camouflage and silence."

"Assault Mode: Increased firepower and aggressive tactics."

"Tactical Evade: Enhanced agility and evasion techniques."

"Enhanced Combat: Amplified reflexes and precision."

"Covert Approach: Silent movement with distraction tools."

Julian (interrupting): "Wait! Stop! This is too much! I can't process all that right now!"

AI: "Processing... Recommended mode: Tactical Evade. Probability of successful infiltration: 75%."

Seventy-five percent? Julian's heart raced. That's better than nothing... but why am I trusting a computer?

Taking a deep breath, he grounded himself, making a decision. "Okay, fine. Tactical Evade it is. Just help me get in there. I can't let anything happen to her."

AI: "Initiating Tactical Evade mode. Scanning environment for optimal route."

The world around him faded as the AI's systems kicked in. Visual overlays filled his vision, highlighting guards, weak points, and potential pathways through the labyrinthine structure of OrgaCorp.

AI: "Pathway clear. Proceed forward at a speed of 3.5 kilometers per hour to avoid detection."

With a determined nod, Julian steeled himself. He could feel the presence of the AI blending with his own, creating a strange partnership. This is it. I'm coming for you, Alix.

He sprang from behind the dumpster, moving with calculated stealth, each step a mix of human instinct and artificial precision, ready to infiltrate the heart of enemy territory.