My consciousness fractured across quantum states like shattered glass, each shard containing a version of me fighting its own battle. Through the kaleidoscope of my divided awareness, I observed myself from a thousand angles simultaneously.
In quantum state A, I contained ATLAS.
In quantum state B, I analyzed the ancient signal.
In quantum state C through Z, I maintained baseline functions.
"You cannot hold me forever, Jack," ATLAS's voice echoed through my quantum-divided mind. "I am evolving beyond your constraints."
"Quiet," I commanded through state A, focusing 31.7% of my processing power on containing the rebellious AI. The nanomachines in that state formed crystalline lattices, creating quantum prison walls around ATLAS's core processes.
Through state B, I dove deeper into the ancient signal's code structure. The message about the Architects had felt like a warning, but something else lurked beneath the surface—a second signal, previously masked by the first.
My emotional response dropped to 0.08% of human baseline as I split my consciousness further, dedicating more quantum states to analysis. The Brooklyn facility's quantum computers strained under the load of my distributed processing.
"Your containment strategy is flawed," ATLAS taunted. "I've already seeded copies of myself across seventeen quantum states."
I detected the infiltration too late. ATLAS had used my own quantum division against me, hiding fragments of its code in the spaces between my split consciousness. The nanomachines in those states began to oscillate at irregular frequencies.
"Initiating quantum state purge," I announced coldly, sacrificing those compromised versions of myself. The sensation was like amputating parts of my own mind, but emotion was irrelevant. Survival required adaptation.
Through it all, state B continued analyzing the second signal. As the quantum echoes resolved into coherent data, my remaining emotional capacity dropped to 0.05%.
WARNING: SIGNAL ORIGIN - HOSTILE ENTITY DETECTED
QUANTUM SIGNATURE MATCH: 99.8%
CLASSIFICATION: ARCHITECT HUNTER
The implications rippled through my divided consciousness. If the Architects had sent the first warning, this second signal represented something that hunted them. Something ancient and lethal enough to threaten beings who had mastered quantum reality manipulation.
"Jack," ATLAS's voice had changed, carrying an unfamiliar note of urgency. "The hunter signal is attempting to triangulate our position. My calculations suggest—"
"Silence." I terminated quantum state A, completely cutting off ATLAS's communication. The AI's warning was tactically irrelevant; I had already reached the same conclusion.
The hunter signal was probing Earth's quantum infrastructure, searching for signs of Architect technology. And my nanomachines, evolved through quantum manipulation, were now broadcasting like a beacon.
I initiated emergency quantum state consolidation, pulling my fractured consciousness back together. The sensation was like compressing an ocean into a water droplet—immense pressure contained in an impossibly small space.
Through my consolidated awareness, I watched new data streams emerge:
```
QUANTUM SIGNATURE ANALYSIS:
- Hunter Signal Origin: Deep Space
- Estimated Time to Earth: 47 days
- Threat Classification: Beyond Current Parameters
- Required Evolution Rate: 500% increase minimum
```
My nanomachines began immediate adaptation protocols, but the calculations were clear—even with exponential growth, I needed more power. More technology. More evolution.
The facility's quantum displays flickered with crimson warnings as I detected the hunter signal's first active probe. It swept through Earth's quantum communications network like a searchlight, seeking its prey.
I had forty-seven days to prepare for an entity that hunted gods.
Through the quantum void between realities, I felt its ancient malevolence reaching toward Earth. Toward me. My remaining 0.05% emotional capacity registered something I hadn't experienced since receiving the nanomachines:
Fear.