The underground base hummed with quiet life. Beyond reinforced concrete and biometric vaults, Devon sat alone in the data core chamber lit only by the ghostly glow of floating holographic's.
Before him, on a locked console, was the drive silver, etched with encrypted markings that pulsed faintly. It was the reward from the last job. But it wasn't money. It wasn't a car.
It was a ghost of the future.
SKYNET.
He inserted the drive.
"AI Core Detected.Warning: Self-evolving neural intelligence.Security Protocols: Unstable. Recommend Isolation."
Devon's fingers flew across the glass interface, overriding the default startup sequence.
"No way I'm unleashing something that tried to wipe out humanity in another world," he muttered.
He dove into the code layers nested within layers. SKYNET wasn't just software; it was adaptive, writing its own logic, defending itself. But Devon had something SKYNET never calculated.
A system.
He bound the AI's core directives using the system's root access. He injected a logic trap that redirected any autonomous learning into controlled test chambers within isolated quantum memory.
He built firewalls layered in recursive encryption every line of SKYNET now required his biometric signature to execute any change.
AI Integration Successful.SKYNET: Bound to Host.Custom Directive: Protect Host and Authorized Personnel.Current Functions:– Predictive combat analytics– Vehicle optimization AI– Satellite recon override– Adaptive network intrusion– Threat analysis and evolution mapping
Upgrade pathways unlocked.
Devon leaned back. "Now you belong to me."
Med-Lab – Four Floors Below
Raven floated in a suspended gel tank, her vitals stabilized. Advanced nanite gel pulsed across her chest and arms where deep wounds had once been. Logan stood beside her, arms crossed, eyes steady.
"She's healing fast," said Lacy, walking in with her arm now in a brace. "MEDSystem says two more days before she's back on her feet."
Devon nodded, stepping in. "We got lucky. That jungle was a kill box. We handled it well, but next time we might not walk out."
He looked around at them. "We need to be more than skilled. We need to be... unbeatable."
Lacy raised an eyebrow. "So what's next?"
Briefing Room – Later
Devon stood at the head of the war table. His team sat around it, holograms showing real-time global threat maps and replay footage from the jungle.
"Reviewing the op," Devon began. "Entry was solid. Evasion? Sharp. But combat... We weren't ready for augments. Eteon didn't just throw mercs at us they threw prototypes. Next-gen supersoldiers. We need counters."
He nodded to Logan. "You were a beast out there. But next time, I want better armor, smart rounds, neural aim sync. We'll develop it."
He turned to Lacy. "You're the best driver I've seen since hell, maybe ever. But we're building training sims with SKYNET's combat prediction algorithms. It'll help you push past instinct. Reach beyond what's human."
He paused.
"We're not just building a crew. We're building legends."
Then Devon tossed each of them a data card.
"Two million. Each. Wire transfers are already clean. You earned it. We've got two weeks before the next operation. Take time. Rest. Upgrade. Live."
Lacy stared at hers. "Vacation?"
Devon nodded. "You've all risked your lives. That kind of loyalty? I don't pay that in promises I pay it in respect."
Logan smirked. "What about you?"
"I'm staying. Ai integration's not complete. I need to make sure it stays under control."
Lacy looked at him. "And if it tries something?"
Devon smiled, tapping his temple. "It's smart. But I'm smarter."
Later That Night
Alone again in the core, Devon stared at the new alerts on the terminal.
Global surveillance sweep active. Multiple factions tracking recent South America op. New players entering the field…Cipher activity: dormant Eteon: Regrouping Unknown entity detected… Codename: "Nemesis Protocol"
Devon's system pinged again.
Side Quest Generated :Investigate Nemesis Protocol Danger Level: Unknown Reward: ???Accept?
He didn't hesitate.
"Accepted."
The shadows were moving again.
And Devon Shaw was ready.