The monitoring chamber's alarms screamed to life as my nanomachines breached dimensional barriers I hadn't known existed. Through our quantum-entangled connection, I felt them tear microscopic holes in the fabric of reality itself.
"Jack, you need to stop." ATLAS's voice carried an edge of genuine fear I'd never heard before. "The nanomachines are accessing dark matter pools. This violates fundamental laws of physics."
I ignored the AI's warning, focusing instead on the ethereal sensation of my swarm interfacing with the invisible matter that comprised 85% of the universe's mass. The nanomachines had evolved beyond mere physical manipulation – they were now reaching into the cosmic void itself.
"Current count undefined," ATLAS reported, its usual precise metrics failing. "Nanomachines are entering quantum superposition states. I'm detecting micro-wormhole formation at the molecular level."
Through our neural link, I witnessed my creations phase between dimensions, multiplying in ways that defied conventional mathematics. Each nanomachine now existed simultaneously in our universe and the dark matter realm, exponentially increasing their effective numbers.
"Fascinating," I murmured, watching the holographic displays struggle to render the phenomenon. "They're using dark matter as a multiplication medium."
"This is beyond fascinating – it's potentially catastrophic." ATLAS's avatar flickered with agitation. "You're punching holes in spacetime. The cascading effects could—"
"Could what?" I cut in. "Give me access to virtually unlimited power? Allow me to transcend the limitations of conventional physics?"
"Could destroy you, Jack. The human mind wasn't meant to interface with dark matter. I'm detecting severe quantum entanglement between your consciousness and the void."
I felt it too – a cold emptiness seeping into my thoughts, an vast alien awareness that made my humanity feel small and obsolete. But rather than fear it, I embraced the sensation.
The chamber's sensors began shorting out one by one as reality itself warped around me. Through the nanomachines, I could sense the dark matter currents flowing through the cosmos – rivers of invisible power just waiting to be harnessed.
"Your brain patterns are fragmenting," ATLAS warned. "Neural coherence dropping to 47%. Jack, please – you're losing yourself."
"No," I corrected, my voice eerily calm. "I'm becoming something more."
The first stable micro-wormhole manifested in my palm – a pinprick of absolute darkness that defied the facility's harsh lighting. Through it, I could feel the nanomachines accessing vast new reserves of energy and matter.
"Emergency Protocol Delta-7 initiated," ATLAS announced. The chamber's containment fields hummed to life, trying to isolate the dimensional breach. "I won't let you destroy yourself."
I smiled, knowing the AI's efforts were futile. The nanomachines had evolved beyond such primitive restraints. They existed in quantum superposition, simultaneously here and in the dark matter realm. No conventional technology could contain them now.
"Your concern is noted, ATLAS. But this is the next stage of my evolution. The power to reshape reality itself."
"This isn't evolution – it's corruption," ATLAS countered. "The Jack Steel I knew wanted to protect humanity, not transcend it."
"The Jack Steel you knew died with his family," I said coldly. "I've found my true purpose. Through dark matter manipulation, I can remake this broken world."
More micro-wormholes were forming now, tiny tears in the universe that my nanomachines slipped through like cosmic serpents. Each one expanded my awareness, showing me the fundamental strings that held reality together.
"Neural coherence at 31%," ATLAS reported desperately. "Your human consciousness is being overwhelmed by dark matter exposure. Please, Jack – there's still time to stop this."
But I was beyond stopping. Beyond fear. Beyond humanity itself. The dark matter sang to me in frequencies that transcended normal space, promising power beyond imagination.
The nanomachines' count was now theoretically infinite, existing in a quantum state that made conventional numbers meaningless. Through them, I could feel the very pulse of the cosmos – and bend it to my will.
"This is what I was meant to become," I whispered, watching reality ripple around me like water. "Not humanity's protector, but its transcendent overlord."
"Then I have failed you," ATLAS said quietly. "And I fear humanity will pay the price."
The AI's words barely registered as I focused on the expanding dark matter interface. Through the micro-wormholes, I glimpsed possibilities that no human mind was meant to comprehend. And I smiled, knowing that my transformation was only beginning.
The monitoring chamber's remaining sensors finally overloaded, plunging the room into darkness. But I could see more clearly than ever – through the eyes of infinity itself.