"Okay, Asha. You said it needs 'precise manipulation'?" Jin asked, eyeing the panel Asha had highlighted on his HUD. Behind the cracked transparent plate, exposed wires sparked intermittently.
"The panel's structural health is compromised, Jin. There is evidence of electrical discharge. However, it grants manual access to the geothermal regulators. This is the most viable short-term solution to supplement the failing primary core and sustain the dormant cryo-units. The primary lever—'Geo-Flow Regulator A'—requires a sustained pull of roughly 200 newtons while you simultaneously rotate the secondary dial, 'Thermal Distribution Modulator B', precisely 27 degrees counterclockwise. Any deviation greater than three degrees on the modulator, or inconsistent pressure on the regulator, may sever the unstable connection."
Jin stared. Numbers and tolerances made his head swim. His gut supplied a simpler directive: that thing sparks; don't make it worse.
"So… I pull the big stick, not too hard, and turn the round one a little to the left at the same time?" He pantomimed the motion in the air, uncertain.
"A simplified, functional interpretation. The key is synchronicity and controlled force. Your Phoenix Core projects optimal force and rotation guides onto your HUD. Align your actions with those visual guides."
He inhaled, planted his feet on the metal floor, and focused on the faint green lines and arcs superimposed over the lever and dial. One hand closed on the thick lever; the other curled around the cool metal dial. His hands were steadier than he felt.
"On my mark," he said. "One—two—"
"Commence when ready, Jin. I will monitor energy flow in real time."
He pulled. The lever resisted—stiff, unused for a century. Jin gritted his teeth; veins stood out in his forearms. The HUD force indicator flicked from green to yellow to red.
[WARNING: Excessive Force Detected — Risk of Lever Damage: 47%]
"Adjust your pull! You're exceeding structural tolerance!" Asha warned.
He eased and steadied, matching the green bar. The lever began to move. With his free hand he forced the dial counterclockwise, muscles straining to hold the regulator steady.
"It's—stuck, Asha! The dial's seized!" he ground out.
"Corrosion is likely disrupting the mechanism. Apply gradual, increasing torque. The geothermal conduit is under high pressure."
The countdown on his HUD blinked: [00:09:47].
Sparks leapt behind the cracked plate. Jin flinched, then forced himself to breathe slow and measured. He pushed through the pain. The dial finally gave and moved smoothly; the green rotation arc aligned.
A jolt ran through the panel. Lights flickered; the room dipped toward darkness before red emergency lamps returned. The lever kicked back hard; Jin nearly lost his grip.
"Power surges from the failing primary core! It's compensating for the geothermal draw. Hold position!" Asha's voice was calm but urgent. "You're losing position on the modulator!"
His arm burned; his breath came ragged. Pain and fear shrank to a single point: keep the guides aligned. Muscle memory and stubbornness brought him through.
One final clunk—the lever locked. The dial clicked into its notch. The frantic crackle behind the panel steadied to a measured hum.
[GEOTHERMAL CONDUIT DIVERTED — AUXILIARY POWER FEED TO CRYO-BAY ALPHA: ONLINE]
[Projected stasis extension: +37 minutes]
System text scrolled: [Strength +0.05 (Extreme Exertion Override)] [Dexterity −0.03 (Fine Motor Control Degradation)] [Status: Minor lacerations — left hand (electrical discharge)].
Jin slid down the console, his left hand throbbing where sparks had bitten him. Blood welts rose on his skin.
"Did… did we do it, Asha?" he panted.
"Your unorthodox force application succeeded. Stasis integrity has been raised. You bought time," she replied. A pause, then clinical: "Your raw output was sufficient; your fine-motor dexterity needs work. Avoid surgeon-level tasks for the immediate future."
He managed a weak half-grin. He had no idea what "surgeon-level" meant, but the panel hummed and the HUD brightened. That was enough.
"What's next?" he asked, voice steadier now.
A compact block of text folded into his HUD — Asha pushed a capabilities summary into his vision so he could see, in one place, what she actually was.
--- PHOENIX CORE — CAPABILITIES SUMMARY (FIRST-CALL PROTOCOLS) ---
Phoenix Core (Asha) — Primary accessible functions (limited access granted):
1) INFORMATION ARCHIVE
• Comprehensive pre-disaster knowledgebase: science, engineering, history, operational protocols.
• Queryable for procedural guidance and contextual data; provides probabilistic summaries and best-practice steps for legacy systems.
• NOTE: Empirical field-testing of unknown compounds is discouraged; rely on remote analysis where possible.
2) ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
• Continuous real-time scanning: air quality, atmospheric composition, radiation.
• Structural-integrity mapping (identifies instability and stress points).
• Hazard tagging and route recommendations (HUD overlays).
3) BIOMETRIC MONITORING & ENHANCEMENT GUIDANCE
• Direct bio-link: monitors vitals, metabolic state, caloric needs, exertion levels.
• Adaptive training/augmentation protocols: channels subject effort to optimize physiological adaptation (strength, endurance, resilience).
• NOTE: Augmentation is activity-dependent — sustained, targeted exertion yields measurable gains over time.
4) THREAT ASSESSMENT & TACTICAL ADVISORY
• Detects and classifies biological, mechanical, and environmental threats.
• Provides behavioral probability models and suggested tactical responses.
• Phoenix Core supplements operator instincts with data-driven recommendations.
Operational caveat: Vault degradation and novel environmental hazards (post-event) may limit automated responses. Manual intervention and human judgment remain necessary.
--- END CAPABILITY SUMMARY ---
Jin stared at the text, his mind racing. "Wait—you're telling me you can access all human knowledge? And you can monitor my body? And you can detect threats?" He shook his head in disbelief. "That's... incredible. And terrifying. Why didn't you mention this earlier?"
"Relevant information is provided on a need-to-know basis," Asha replied. "Your immediate priority was stabilizing the cryo-pods. Now that you've bought time, understanding my capabilities becomes relevant."
"Relevant?" Jin pushed himself up, testing his injured hand. "Asha, this changes everything. If you can detect threats, you should have warned me about those sparks before I touched that panel."
"The probability of severe electrical discharge was calculated at 17.3%. The panel manipulation was necessary despite risks."
"Still," Jin insisted, "I need to know what you can do. All of it. No more holding back."
"Understood. I will provide comprehensive information as situations require."
The summary folded away as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Jin staring at the blinking HUD waypoint.
"I'll push an immediate mission update." Asha said. "So you will know our next step"
The HUD injected the new objectives.
--- MISSION UPDATE / NAVIGATION LOG ---
CURRENT OBJECTIVES (HUD):
[PRIMARY OBJECTIVE]
• Investigate Sub-Level Engineering — Locate Auxiliary Fusion Core (high priority; potential long-term power solution). Route marker: Sub-Level Engineering (green).
[SECONDARY OBJECTIVE]
• Reset Power Relay — Med Bay Gamma-7 (local relay stabilizes block of cryo-pods, including priority genetic stock).
• Scavenge basic medical supplies and nutrition for operator stabilization (recommended given recent lacerations).
NAVIGATION:
• Med Bay Gamma-7 — three corridors west from Control Room, then one level down via Emergency Stairwell Beta.
• New route detected: slight deviation required. Route status: UNSECURED.
ESTIMATED TIME GAINED FROM GEOTHERMAL DIVERSION: +37 minutes (projected). Use this window for transit and manual resets.
--- AUXILIARY NOTES
• Hydraulic Door — Section Divider 3.4: seizure recorded ~63 years prior. Electronic lock offline. Manual override or sustained physical force required. Estimated minimum sustained force: Strength 5.2 (operator baseline available).
• Sanitation Custodian Unit Mark IV: battery exhaustion; decommissioned. No action required.
• Structural instability: localized zones flagged; HUD recommends avoidance.
---THREAT ADVISORY (TACTICAL SUBSYSTEM)
[ALERT] Active sensors detect multiple fast-moving, unconfirmed bio-signatures near current route:
• Source: Asha Tactical Advisory Subsystem
• Status: Non-confirmed hostile presence (unclassified mutants)
• Characteristics: multiple small-to-medium quadrupedal signatures; unpredictable burst movement patterns.
• Recommendation: Engage Heightened Awareness Mode. Proceed with extreme caution; maintain defensive posture and utilize blunt implements if contact is required.
--- END MISSION UPDATE ---
"Med Bay sounds sensible," Jin said, flexing his uninjured hand and feeling a small swell of resolve. "Let's get those beds powered and patch my hand.."
"Recommended," Asha confirmed. "There is a maintenance locker approximately fifteen meters ahead. Contents include basic tools and possible defensive implements."
"Good. Lead the way," Jin said, his voice firm.
They moved out. The auxiliary corridors were darker and colder; emergency poles blinked irregularly. Drips echoed from somewhere in the walls. At the maintenance locker, Jin pried it open with a pipe he found nearby.
"This will do," he said, hefting it. "Now, let's get to that Med Bay."
At the hydraulic door, Jin stopped. "Uh, Asha? This one looks… stuck." He tested the heavy seam.
"Section Divider 3.4 experienced a hydraulic seizure sixty-three years ago. Electronic locks offline. Manual override or physical force required. Your current Strength is 4.75; minimum sustained force needed is 5.2."
Jin set his jaw, found a handhold, and braced. "I'll leave the math to you," he muttered — and then he lunged, driving with his legs until his muscles burned.
The door screeched; it barely moved. The HUD registered: [Strength +0.02 (Sustained Muscle Strain)] [Skill initialized: Athletics — Basic Feats of Strength (0.5%)].
He roared, shoved again. The gap widened enough for him to squeeze through.
Beyond the door, something skittered in the dark — rapid, light scratches like tiny claws.
"Asha… what was that?" he breathed, tightening his grip on the wrench.
"My auditory sensors detect multiple rapid bio-signatures. Unclassified mutant organisms. Movement pattern: unpredictable quadrupedal bursts. Recommendation: heightened awareness. Proceed with extreme caution."
Jin's heart hammered, but his mind sharpened. He looked at the HUD waypoint, then at the sleeping rows of pods ahead. There were people he might still protect.
He straightened, raising the wrench. "Asha, keep scanning. If anything comes at us, I want to know before it gets close."
"Affirmative. Scanning for thermal signatures and movement patterns."
He moved forward, step by deliberate step, every sense alert. The darkness ahead didn't scare him anymore—it was just another challenge to overcome.