welly.ai

Chapter 1: Desperate Search

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the barren landscape of the dying desert planet. The wind howled, kicking up stinging clouds of sand that whipped against the team's skin and obscured the towering ruins of once-great cities in the distance where the towering skyscrapers now loomed like twisted metal skeletons, casting long shadows over the desolate streets.

The four-person team pushed into the camp itself, little more than a collection of battered tents and makeshift shelters cobbled together from salvaged materials, barely protecting the team from the unforgiving desert elements. They huddled around a flickering holographic map in the dimly lit interior.

"We're close," Mike declared, his deep and commanding voice cutting through the howling winds outside. He clenched his fists, his cybernetic eye scanning the holographic map for any hint of their elusive goal. "The stockpile has to be around here somewhere."

Zara Flux, her hair streaked with neon blue, frowned as she studied the data with her strikingly bright green eyes. "We've been dodging Dorgath's goons for weeks now, and they're getting too close for comfort."

In the dystopian world of Cyberius, resources were scarce, and the people were suffering. The once-bustling metropolis now stood as a grim reminder of better days, with its towering skyscrapers casting long shadows over the desolate streets. The gaunt and weary citizens moved about with a sense of resignation, their eyes reflecting the daily hardship they faced. Mike shook his head as though about his home city, disgusted. Once lush and green, the planet was now a desolate wasteland, its resources plundered by the ruthless CEO Dorgath Sjah.

Mike clenched his fists. "We can't let that happen. Our people are counting on us."

Dorgath was calculating and ruthless. Born a technical prodigy, he amassed vast wealth and power, then quickly turned his aims to controlling the dwindling resources of the desert planet. Their rivalry ran deeper than just resources; Mike suspected Dorgath of orchestrating the murder of his family, which led to the end of the royal rule on Cyberius. Plus Dorgath consistently outmaneuvered Mike at the annual chess tournament as a kid.

"Mike, snap out of it," Zara said with a sigh, nudging his arm. "We need a plan, not a staring contest."

"Shit," Mike came back to life, "We aren't going to find the Beef Wellington stockpile this way."

The legendary Beef Wellington Stockpile was allegedly the last remaining source of meat on Cyberius. This delicacy was once enjoyed by the ruling class and turns out, has a perfect balance of nutrition to survive on the planet. If Mike and his team could secure it, they could use it in the duplicator to feed everyone, breaking Dorgaths monopolistic control of the food supply that is killing the planet. And hopefully, get Mike back onto his family's throne.

"We need to take some risks," Mike said, determination flaring in his eyes. "It's time for a big one."

Mike had always been a charismatic and ambitious prince, fiercely determined to achieve his goals. Being the firstborn son of a monarch tends to create a tendency to be risk-averse. Luckily Mike was the 8th-born son; He's never been afraid to take risks, often throwing caution to the wind in his pursuit of success.

He drew his lips into a straight line and opened his outstretched hand to show the crystal circuitry of an advanced AI. "We're going to activate Nemexis."

Luna Striker, the team's talented mechanic and cybernetics expert, shifted uneasily as she chimed in, her tone skeptical. "I don't know about this. Activating Nemexis could be incredibly dangerous, Mike. What if it backfires?" Though Luna's familiar with a wide range of technological devices and systems, Luna's knowledge of ancient AI is limited.

Mike squared his shoulders, eyes gleaming with determination. "We don't have any other options. We have to try."

The AI, known as Nemexis, was a relic from a bygone era, created during the zenith of technological advancements on Cyberius. It was designed as a powerful and versatile guardian, capable of protecting and maintaining the vast underground facilities that once housed the planet's most valuable resources. However, when the planet's decline began, many people blamed Nemexis. It was deemed too dangerous and unpredictable, locked away and left to slumber in the depths of the royal palace stronghold. Somehow Mike had got his hands on it before being forced out.

Zara muttered. "You're calling that a risk? You're insane."

Zara objected on principal, but she knew he had been thinking about it for weeks. She had always been a bit of a technophobe, shying away from the advanced gadgets and cybernetic enhancements that had become so prevalent in their world. Despite her aversion to technology, she was a hell of a survivalist, mastering the art of navigating treacherous landscapes and adapting to harsh environments. Her uncanny ability to read the land and predict weather patterns made her an invaluable asset to the team, especially in the unforgiving, sandy expanse that now stretched before them.

"Probably," Mike replied, "but I don't hear any other options; this feels like our last chance."

Kaiden Vex's grey-eye's gleamed with excitement. "I'm with Mike," he said eagerly. "Let's activate that AI and see what it can do. I'm ready for some real action." He patted his weapon, a sleek plasma sniper rifle, as if to emphasize his point. "We've been sitting around here for too long. It's time to take the fight to Dorgath."

Mike looked each of them in the eyes and watched them nod one by one. As he prepared to activate Nemexis, the makeshift camp suddenly plunged into darkness, the holographic map and their communication devices flickering out in unison. A tense silence enveloped the group as they exchanged nervous glances, their breaths shallow and hearts pounding.

"What's going on?" Luna whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

The AI crystal that Mike held in his hand began to glow with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and unsettling. The intricate circuitry within the crystal pulsed with energy, the once-dormant artifact now radiating a brilliant light that seemed to mimic the final moments of a dying star. The team watched in awe and apprehension as tendrils of electric blue light danced around the crystal, illuminating the complex network of circuits at the heart of the ancient AI, casting eerie shadows on their faces and the surrounding walls of the camp.

Then, as abruptly as it had come to life, the crystal's light dimmed to a low, pulsating hum. "Welcome, Mike Whitney," a chilling mechanical voice resonated through the darkness, dripping with malice. "I've been expecting you."

To be continued...