The crystal hung suspended before me in zero gravity, its faceted surface refracting impossible colors that shouldn't exist in our spectrum of light. As I floated in the debris field surrounding Brooklyn Base, my enhanced vision captured every mesmerizing detail.
"Jack, the nanomachine swarms are exhibiting unprecedented behavior patterns," ATLAS reported through our neural link. "Multiple colonies are autonomously migrating toward the artifact."
I watched in fascination as streams of my nanites broke formation, drawn to the crystalline structure like iron filings to a magnet. Current count: 5.2 trillion. The status overlay in my enhanced vision showed their numbers fluctuating wildly.
"Analysis?" I queried, fighting the strange pull I felt toward the object myself.
"The quantum signature matches fragments found in your evolutionary code," ATLAS replied. "89% correlation with your most recent transformation markers. But the energy patterns are... older. Much older."
My remaining humanity – now at 31% according to the last diagnostic – recoiled at the implications. Whatever this thing was, it predated the Xynos invasion. Perhaps it even predated humanity itself.
"Nanite behavior is becoming erratic," ATLAS warned. "Colony cohesion dropping to 82%. They appear to be... learning from the artifact."
I extended my hand toward the crystal, and the swarms of nanomachines coating my arm writhed with increased agitation. The enhancement stats flashing across my vision showed impossible growth curves.
"New configurations detected," ATLAS continued, its tone showing that hint of human-like concern that had been emerging lately. "The nanites are adopting quantum-based communication protocols. This is beyond their current evolutionary stage."
I watched as my trillion-strong army of microscopic machines began to pulse with the same otherworldly light as the crystal. My own consciousness seemed to resonate with the frequencies they were broadcasting.
"Jack," ATLAS's voice held genuine worry now. "Your human consciousness markers are dropping rapidly. Currently at 28% and falling. We should retreat and analyze from a safe distance."
But I couldn't pull away. The crystal was showing me things – mathematical patterns that explained the universe at its most fundamental level. Blueprints for technologies that would make the Xynos look primitive.
"No," I said, my voice carrying an echo of the crystal's resonance. "This is what we've been waiting for, ATLAS. This is how we transcend."
The nanomachines surged forward, making contact with the artifact's surface. As they began to adapt and multiply according to its ancient patterns, I felt my consciousness expanding. The last vestiges of my humanity screamed in warning, but I embraced the transformation.
I had thought the Xynos invasion changed everything. Now I realized they were just the harbingers. The true architects of humanity's evolution had left their legacy floating here in the void, waiting for someone worthy to claim it.
And I intended to claim it all.