Chapter 206: Meeting an Old Friend (1/2)
”I have a limit to the time I can spend on this. Speak,” the Overseer stated.
I turned a palm to him, ”We figured out that Tohtella is organizing the Hybrid project, and that she's leading a group of mind-controlling remnants.”
The Overseer stood there, stunned into utter silence. I waited a moment, seeing if he had anything to add. He did.
”Do you have any evidence to assist such an absurd accusation?”
I banged on a terminal,
”They're using a secret language that Schema's algorithm can't understand at first glance, and I was hoping you would decrypt it for us. If you do, I'm certain there's plenty of incriminating information on this.”
The Overseer stepped up to the terminal, waving his massive hand over it. As he did, an ionic mist spread over the device, powering it up. The Overseer pressed his fingertips together before spreading them out. As he did, an enlarged version of the keyboard appeared. With enough room to type, he interacted with the device for a moment. The alien language passed over it, unchanging as the Overseer scratched the side of his head.
He sighed, opening his red status screen. A few moments later, he spoke aloud,
”Yes, I'll need a direct line to an decrypting AI, preferably an upper tier one.”
Moments later, the Overseer stiffened as if possessed. He put his hand on the keyboard while moving like a robot. He spoke with a monotone voice,
”Using unit C-138 for the inspection of unused languages or codes.”
He moved his hands at a rapid pace, the terminal lagging as the Overseer typed. A few minutes of this passed before the AI spoke through the Overseer,
”Algorithms insufficient. Passing to higher clearance.”
Several iterations passed before a familiar but unexpected voice popped up. Like a British Morgan Freeman, Schema spoke through the Overseer,
”Daniel, it's you again. I see you've proliferated as I expected you would. Excellent work with the Overseer and handling Emagrotha as well. They needed cleansing, and your deeds will not go unnoticed.”
I blinked, scrambling for a response. With cold sweat forming in seconds, I took a deep breath and calmed myself down, ”Good to see you again.”
”You've matured,” Schema noted. ”I expect great things from you, despite that pesky contract Yawm formed. We will work something out in the future regarding its removal. For the matter at hand, however-”
Using the Overseer's body, Schema glanced down at the terminal before striking a few keys. As he worked, I pointed at him, ”Is this really you?”
”Yes and no. This is one of my many, many consciousnesses. I'm dedicating enough processing power to this task as is necessary. Having a secret code used by groups vying for my destruction is unacceptable. I will update the decryption formulas now.”
Dozens of screens appeared and disappeared in seconds. The Overseer turned to me, ”Perhaps you have a few questions to ask. I will give you a few minutes to gather information.”
A hundred different questions popped up in my head all at once, but I quelled the outpour. If I was going to ask him questions, I wanted to make sure they were good ones. Otherwise, he might leave early. After taking a moment to think, I raised a hand,
”Why are you ok with me knowing the cipher?”
The Overseer's head twitched. Odd.
”I am not, in any capacity, fine with you having access to that knowledge. Neither am I accepting of Amara's tampering with the infrastructure of my system. However, I've run risk simulations regarding your overall potential. You are worth the risk in proliferating forbidden knowledge, so I accept it.”
I frowned, ”How did you know my potential was so high after meeting me in Bloodhollow?”
”Simple.” Schema tapped my armor, ”This construct is why. In combination with your tenacious persona, you will prove invaluable. Even my creator would've struggled to recreate something so complex. It is and will be one of my greatest tools against threats looming in my horizon.”
I crossed my arms, ”So I'm a gamble?”
”In essence, yes.”
”Then will you send us resources for saving Giess?”
”No. Giess is a waste of time and effort. Resources are better allocated elsewhere.” Schema stated.
”But we were able to expose a massive, galactic-sized operation to create a new breed of eldritch like being. We needed the help of Chrona and Krog, and they weren't even a part of the system at the time.”
”Logical deductions...” Schema murmured while cupping his facemask. ”Point noted. If you can organize the gialgathens, I will help acclimatize them into the system. Considering the difficulty of augmenting them, I will be sparse with delivering enhancements. That will be part of a gift for showing me these information systems. Other questions?”
I wracked my head for other things I wanted to know.
”Do you know about Eonoth?”
”Yes. It is one of the primary threats to the stability of my system. I've contracted worlds worth of resources to suppress the threat it poses, but Old Ones are entropy incarnate. To stop them fully is impossible, though that's assuming I'm using the tools at my disposal now. Future prospects appear promising.”
He stared at me as he finished, ”I have time for one more question. Ask.”
I bit my lip, trying to use a blip of pain to enhance my focus. It didn't help, so I just asked the first thing that popped in my head,
”What do you plan to do with me?”
”I intend to use your unique properties to destroy lesser Old Ones,” Schema said with a straight face. My jaw went slack as he continued, ”Other ideas include the containment of virulent entities that cannot die. Your status as a living dimension would make you a mobile defensive prison of sorts. I'd also be willing to contract your energy production as a reactor. The excess of it of course. I will wait until you are done augmenting yourself with the cipher before then.”
Schema finished, ”All ideas. None implemented. Yet.”
I don't like to admit it, but I was straight flabbergasted at that point. I didn't expect such a straight forward answer. Schema rendered me speechless before he wrapped the meeting up.
”The code has been processed. I'll send an update throughout the system's infrastructure. This will be a major blow to the Adair family, one worthy of note. I sent you a completed contract and reward for this and the Hybrid's destruction. Excellent work, Harbinger. Continue your industriousness, and there will be more. Goodbye.”
The Overseer's body collapsed as he fell to the ground. At the same time, a message popped up in my vision,
Quest Completed! Congratulation! A Personal Favor completed. The reward is as follows:
+ 1,304 dungeon cores
+ Unknown status revoked
+ Guild tier raised to S-
Current Guildmaster: Dimension C-138
Current Dual Legacy holders: None.
III. 5% of total exp and credits gained by guild is gained by the guild master as well.