《Awakening of an Anomaly》


 Prologue- The Beginning

    ¡°What are the results?¡± A robotic voice asked.


    ¡°Beyond excellent. The subject''s dosage has reached 300% of the normal amount." A second robotic voice responded.


    "300%? Likely a system error." The first voice dismissed the claim.


    "Not a system error. The dosage had my supervision."


    "You are stating that this subject took 300% of the the dose and remains alive?"


    "Yes."


    "An anomaly." The first robot voice sounded with a tinge of awe.


    "We could refer the subject as such."


    "What does the analysis state as the reason?"


    The second robot waved his hand to pull out a keyboard. Its hand moved at a rapid pace entering key information about the subject. The subject''s data showcased itself on the screen above them.


    [99.5%: UGC, .5%: ERROR: IB48]


    "Error:IB48? An unknown component detected? Impossible. Reboot the system and reenter the data." The first robot commanded.


    At the command, the screen shutdown and began to reboot itself. The second robot busied himself into checking the data for any errors.


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    The screen lit up once more, the result:


    [99.5% UGC, .5%:ERROR:IB48]


    "Send the data to the main server. Report back once the error ceases to exist."


    "At once."


    "As for the subject, increase the dosage to 400%, and search for the subject''s creators. The more subjects with similar constitutions the better. "


    "The search is near completion. But, the first command need authorization."


    "It has mine. Increment it and stop all actions should the subject''s vitals show drastic change."


    "Affirmative."


    With his command stated, the first robot walked out of the room, leaving the second to do its role. It began to send the error the main server, but before he could press send a message flowed across its head.


    [Subject A0 creators'' DNA sample found]


    "Analyze the similarities between the subject and samples''"


    [Processing...15%....47.....90...100%...Done]


    A wave of information began flowing to the robots head through the system. It began to shift through the data looking for the link between dosage and the genes of the samples.


    "0%. A complete mutation at the moment of conception of the subject. System: What are the chances of the mutation being heredity?" The robot requested.


    [Processing....50%..100%...Done]


    "0% once more" The robot stated as he glanced at the subject. "System: Increase dosage by 10% per minute." The robot turned back and began to assimilate the data on the subject to present to the main server.


    The subject itself was unaware of the experiments done to its body. It had been in deep REM sleep ever since his capture, unable to move, feel or use any of its senses. Trapped in its cage made of the glass the subject could only breathe, the only thing the machine allowed him to do. Two large syringe like objects began to connect to the its body. The body winced in pain before it returned to normal once more, but its veins began to pop. Every inch of veins could was visible, a simple paper cut would be enough put him to sleep forever. The body''s muscles growing bigger, then smaller, bigger, smaller, in an ever repeating cycle.


    As the chemicals coarsed through the veins, the subject''s body began to pulse, like a heartbeat of a blue whale. A rich mixture of fog from his mouth began to cover the inside of the tube. The fog moved to every inch, every corner without a moment of haste.


    Crack. One formed, one after another. Moving at speeds imperceptible to the human eye, the dark purple nebulous fog began to seep into the room. It escaped the attention of the robot who itself was busy with the assimilation of data. The fog began to converge, from its hazy appearance to dark purple tendrils. It moved throughout the room like a snake ready to pounce on its prey. It moved around the pillars, the monitors, the machines, grasping on to them unwilling to let go. One final tendril advanced towards the robot, constraining its humanoid figure. Soon every object in the room was under the control of the fog.


    With the room under its control, the tendril began to increase its strength. "Shatter." A deep ominous voice surrounded the room. With the sound of a single word, the room began to collapse. The walls caved in, glasses shattered, machines busted, the robot exploded into tiny fragments.


    Minutes later, the room went quiet once more. All except for the sound of a figure breathing on the floor as if nothing had happened.

 Chapter 1: Escape

    The room was silent aside from the soft murmur of breathing from the collapsed body. Broken fragments of the remains of the room surrounded the body.


    The peaceful setting didn''t last long. The room began to glow in an alarming color of red with bright flashes of light.


    "Error in Sector 67. Sending dispatch." the monotone voice came from the speakers.


    The subject was still unaware of the problem approaching it.


    A soft groan escaped from his lips, his eyelids getting lighter as the flashes of light grew stronger.


    "Hmmm. 5 more minutes" His hanged reached to the side to grasp something. The only he managed to reach was a sharp shard of glass. His eyes went wide open as the pain struck through his palm into his body. The pain was not much but rather the sharpness of it caught him by surprise.


    "Aarrgh. What in the actual hell!" He screamed as he pulled his hand closer towards himself to inspect it. His eyes widened from the shock. The surprise was not the glass itself but rather the wound healing. He saw the wound turn from a bloody mess, to a scar to vanishing as if it never happened.


    "What.." He looked up to see the broken room. The announcement rang once more. He understood those words and knew it did not signal anything good. He surveyed the room for information.


    The room itself was a dark shade of blue with hints of black mixed in them. The wall, the roofs, the floor. Whoever built this place was either color blind or didn''t care. Behind him he saw the remains of the tube with shards of glasses surrounding it. And before him stood a giant garage like door.


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    He stood up mustering every bit of strength and walked towards the door as fast as he could.


    He placed his hand on the door, only to find that it had no handle. No lever, no buttons, nothing. It was like a wall. The creases at the end of the door suggested it had a way to open. The red light that lightened the room began to pulse faster and faster. He could sense that danger was approaching, and it was coming quick.


    He once more looked around the room in searching for something, anything. The results the same as before: nothing.


    If he wanted to escape he would have to do something drastic, thinking back to his wound he came up with a stupid idea. He turned his head and looked at the base where the tube used to be He was about to do something stupid and dangerous.


    He gripped the edge of the base and began to pull. To his surprise, it lifted from the ground. He could hear various wires snapping, and an electric buzzing sound as it happened. It had to weigh at least 200 Kg but he lifted it as if it were a basket of feathers. He didn''t have enough time to think about his sudden burst of strength though. He could hear faint patter of feet marching towards the room and those were not sounds made by human feet. He pulled his arm back with all his might and chucked it towards the door.


    Crash. The base of the tube contacted the door and it went right through it. He rushed to look at the fruits of his labour. The hole itself was not too large but it was more than enough for him to fit through. He placed his hands on the edges and pushed himself through. Due to the bent metal, he scrapped parts of his legs but the wounds disappeared before he could lament on the pain.


    What faced him was an empty corridor, or a hallway of sorts. The color scheme of the hallway was identical to the room itself. At the very end it, split off into two more hallways Since he only had one way to go he marched forward.


    The sounds of the mechanical foot grew louder. He could make out four distinct footsteps all heading towards his way. Closing his eyes, he concentrated. Left. They were coming from the left. He ran as fast his legs could carry him aiming for the right hallway.


    The footsteps grew louder as his own pressed forward. He could make it. All it took was a little more speed, a little more strength. With that thought in mind he put more power into his legs. He grew faster, faster than he ever ran before, faster than any human in the world. With great speed does come great inertia. He crashed square into the wall but there was no blood. Only a dent. Not on his body of course, but rather on the wall itself. He would have found it peculiar should he had the time to stand around.


    He picked himself and dusted off his clothes and began to run right. He reached the end of that corridor before he could even think, and this time the only direction was to his left. He didn''t have time to think so he was quick to dash left. He placed his body to the wall and tried to slow down his breathing. He soon heard the footsteps approaching the corridor he was in. He made it. If what the announcement said was real, they should all be going towards that room. He didn''t dare to look which direction they were going, so he ran. Ran as fast as he could.

 Chapter 2: Confrontation

    "There seems to be a hole where the entrance is." One of the four robots stated.


    "Excellent observation, Prime." One of the robot''s S4CR4SM filter was running at full capacity.


    "What do you suppose caused this, S8?" Prime asked, unable to recognize the tone of voice.


    "My analysis states that it is the giant metal object that is currently attached to the wall behind us."


    "My analysis matches that data." Prime stated it looked behind to see the tube base embedded into the wall.


    "P1 and P2, open the door" Prime commanded.


    P1 and P2 got to work and began connecting to the main server to access the door panel. The door began to rise upwards but it got stuck due to the protruding center.


    "Send in an report and get that fixed." Prime pressed another order.


    Despite the door being stuck, it was still enough for them to walk through. They stood witness to the destruction in the room.


    "My analysis states that this is not a good situation" Prime spoke.


    "Not sure about you but this looks like the perfect situation to me" S8''s S4CR4SM was still running.


    "Split apart and do a full system scan of the room and bring together a damage report." With the statement of Prime the robots got to work.


    They all scanned various part of the room, while sharing information between them. They all returned back to the center of the room to create a conclusive report.


    "Data: 97.8% of the items destroyed in the room are beyond repair. This includes R6 who had the task to supervise the room. P2 also found a DNA sample and the analysis got a 100% match with Subject A0."


    "Upon further analysis: the damage in the room seemed to caused by a vine like object."


    "What is a ''vine''?" Prime asked as his database did not have such a word.


    "Plant native to Earth, sir. But, the data does suggest that it has been extinct for four earth months." P1 answered.


    "Interesting. So the subject seemed to use a ''vine'' line object to crush everything in the room and perform an escape?" Prime questioned.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    "Yes." P1 nodded.


    "The subject training regime has not even begun. The reports state that the subject exposure to the SP9 was very recent. It is not possible for powers to awaken that early."


    "Unless, the natural affinity between the subject and the chemi-"


    "Put the ship in high alert. Capturing the subject should be the highest priority." Prime cut P1 off and stated to the robots.


    "Should we release the drones?" P2 asked with anticipation.


    "Yes. Set them to capture mode. That subject needs to be alive for master''s plans to succeed."


    "At once." P2 opened up a console out of thin air and began to type in commands.


    Soon the whole ship was in high alert in search for the escaped experiment.


    _______________________________________________


    Meanwhile, the subject was unaware of the impending threat looming upon him. He roamed the hallways trying to find anything that would lead him outside.


    "If I keep going at this rate, I would need to make waxed wings to escape." He lamented at his misfortune. But alas, the ship would not give him peace. His ears perked up from the sounds of footsteps from where he stood. He attempted to cover his ears to stop the sounds but they kept ringing in his head.


    "Aargh. Why does it feel so far and close at the same time!" He screamed in his head. He tried to run in the opposite direction of the steps but they seemed to surround him. All encroaching towards him. Thump. Thump. Closer and closer with every breath.


    "Fuck." He swore. There was no way he was making it out alive.


    One after another they came. From the doors, from the ceiling, even the walls opened up to release bots.


    "Stop your resistance." An intercom like voice sounded.


    Soon, he came face to face with a giant robot. A humanoid figure stepped closer. Stepped? No it was flying. It feet did not touch the ground. It was closer to drifting. The robot''s color was different than the rest that were around him. He was a mixture of grey, orange and his head shaped like a helmet with a blue tint.


    Jack knew he should be feeling something right now but he could figure it out. Was it Cowardice? Anger? Fear? He felt nothing facing this colossal robot. He was the type who would be the first to run from danger but his instincts told him to stay. Somewhere, deep in his subconscious a voice spoke, "Destroy" It said. It was so soft it felt like the passing wind. But it was enough.


    Jack''s eyes rolled to the back of his head so only the whites were visible. His body began to shake and his eyes began to glow in a deep dark shade of purple.


    The change did not pass the notice of the colossal robot.


    "SUPPRESS" Its voice sounded out. All the robot launched into action. The robots on the ground lunged forward to grab a hold of his arms and legs. The drones surrounding him fired a red beam, which covered him in a cocoon like object.


    "Pitiful attempt. Brave. But still pitiful." The colossal robot stated with scorn. But fortune favours the brave. Dark purple tendrils shot out from the ground beneath Jack. Enveloping the robots that were holding Jack and crushing them like they built out of paper.


    The colossal robot saw the threat and jumped back. It performed a quick scan of the situation.


    "''Vine'' like object...So this is how you escaped.."It stated as he read off the report on the subject.


    "Anomaly too huh. Fitting the description to the tee." The colossal robot knew Jack could put up a fight, but it underestimated the extent of his powers.


    ''The command states that the master needs you alive. Alive...I can work with that'' The robot began amassing large amount of energy near its chest. Soon it reached the size of a cannon ball and the robot fired it at maximum velocity.


    Jack''s eyes widened at the approaching energy ball. He tried to dodge it but he could not break free from the cocoon fast enough. The force propelled him backwards, smashing into the wall behind him.


    "Your power has not matured enough to be a threat to me." The robot scoffed.


    He went forward to examine the target to see the damage that he had done. Scanning his body, he read the data.


    [Two internal organs damaged]


    [37 bones fractured.]


    [Error: Data changing]


    [35 bones fractured.]


    [Error: Data changing]


    [28 bones fractured.]


    [Error: Data changing]


    [1 internal organ damaged]


    "What?" The robot was surpised and when he went to pick up Jack bloodied chin, all he saw was a smiling figure staring back at him.

 Chapter 3: Control

    Sensing a threat, the robot leaped backwards.


    "What''s wrong tin can? Don''t tell me your program makes you feel fear?" Jack started at the colossal with blood-lust glistening in his eyes.


    "Your voice pattern is different from the data." The robot inquired. It knew something was off, an experimented human should not be able to control their power to that extent.


    It began to search through the subject''s data once more.


    "The Tulorn''s prince is it?" Hearing those words, Jack''s eyes twitched for a split second. And that action did not go unnoticed, the robot knew it was correct.


    "You placed your consciousness into your bloodstream while it was being extracted. Clever." It waved its hand to bring up a keyboard and began updating information on the subject.


    "You sure have a lot of free time." Jack growled in annoyance when he looked at the robot not even paying attention towards him.


    "I have the highest level of clearance on this ship. Every thing on this ship falls under my command. Your chance of victory is less than 1%. Face it and surrender" The robot stated his victory.


    "But, I like those odds." Jack responded as he lunged forward with his fist.


    The robot saw it coming of course. It placed his hand forward to stop Jack''s attack and their hands connected. The robot got pushed back five feet with his hands grasping Jack''s fist.


    "How far have you fallen? Having to use the body of a human to incite your revenge." The robot laughed as put more pressure in its hands.


    "How long do you think you can keep your consciousn-." The robot wanted to ask a question but it soon discovered that it could no longer feel a connection with its hand. Purple tendrils wrapped around its arm and was crushing it with its full might. Before it could let go of Jack''s arm, it was too late.


    Jack put both arm in the arm and began to spin. The robot''s feet which was already off the ground began to spin along with him. The drones tried to come closer to aid its master but any that tried got smacked by the body. Jack soon released and let the robot''s body slide across the floor until it crashed into a wall.Stolen story; please report.


    "Hmm. My body can heal itself, can you say the same for yours?" Jack smirked.


    "Smmalll matteerr." The push-back seemed to have damaged its voice-box. What came out sounded like a speak and spell that ran out of batteries.


    While the robot attempted to stand up, Jack shot up the tendrils to capture the remaining drones. He crushed them to make sure they don¡¯t interfere with the incoming fight.


    ¡°1% chance huh? I sure am lucky.¡± Jack smiled as he talked down to the robot.


    ¡°Tooooo baaad, you can¡¯t sayy the saamee for yooour hommeplanet.¡± The robot mocked back.


    ¡°You sure you can joke around in that state?¡± Jack asked as he was gathering the tendrils in his into a ball form.


    ¡°I quite liked your move back then, let¡¯s see if you can take it.¡± Jack chucked the energy ball with all his high towards the robot.


    The energy ball turned into a cloud of purple smoke before it could reach the robot.


    Beyond the smoke, he could hear a clear mechanical laughter getting louder. The smoke cleared out and in front of the robot stood another one. This one was quite different, as it did not have the same mechanical like fingers like the colossal robot. Armor encompassed its entire body leaving no cracks or openings.


    "Captureeee him, A4!" The original robot commanded.


    "At once." A4 spoke with a monotone voice.


    A4 vanished from its position, coming up behind Jack and swinging its arms towards him. Jack sensing danger behind him but not being fast enough got struck. Jack got launched back but he managed to balance itself and land on his feet. A4 not wanting to get Jack to get rest, flew towards him once more.


    Jack''s fighting spirit ignited, and he counter attacked. But A4 managed to not only see but block Jack''s move before they happened. They kept on trading blows not allowing neither to gain an upper-hand. Jack''s body healed as wound he incurred while A4 suit was not even damaged in the slightest.


    Jack knew something was off. A4''s movement was far too fluid, far too organic.


    "Notice it yet?" A familiar sounding voice resounded. It seemed to have fixed its voice box.


    "What--" Jack wanted to talk but A4 was still commanded to capture him.


    Jack got pushed back once more. He tried to regain his balance one of his eyes began throbbing with pain.


    "Aaah!" Jack''s eyes began restoring to its previous state. He currently possessed one purple and one normal eye.


    "Damn. Not much time in this body" Jack complained.


    ''If only I was in my prime, forget this one trash robot I could have taken on a hundred''


    "Ooh. Not doing so hot now? Tell me A4 does it feel good beating up your future boss?" The robot chucked, or at least tried to.


    "..."


    ''Jack'' did not have much time left, he had to end this quick or else he would not be able to exact his revenge.


    ''I hope this body''s previous owner doesn''t mind.'' Jack thought as


    he began amassing power around his body. Purple energy began covering every inch of body like a suit of armor.


    The robot was in its highest state of alert seeing that move. It could only mean only thing for a member of Tulorn race to use it.


    ''Detonate''


    The room began glowing purple, then it turned into nothing.


    No matter which direction you looked. Only one color remained. White. Infinity stretching, up, down, left or right.


    And in this vast empty land stood two figures.

 Chapter 4: The Meeting

    ¡°Wh-¡± Jack tried to speak but was shut down by the figure in front of him.


    ¡°Don''t ask any stupid questions."


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Jack understood the severity of the issue at hand and asked.


    ¡°Prince of the Tulorn race, Aeroth¡±


    ¡°Tulorn?¡±


    Aeroth raised his hands and with a snap the blank white room suddenly shifted. Before the two figures was a celebration of sorts. The people draped in expensive raiment. High ceilings carrying massive chandeliers with bright lights. All the figures dressed in various shades of purple, especially the figures that were standing at the very edge on an elevated platform.


    Jack recognized one of them to Aeroth. But he was more happy, full of life than to the illusory figure standing next to him.


    ¡°A celebration. For the 267th year of the founding of the empire, what was supposed to be a joyous occasion..¡± Aeroth spoke with a smile that masked something deeper.


    ¡°Glory to the Turnlorn Empire!¡± The crowd cheered.


    ¡°Fitting don¡¯t you think?¡± Aeroth asked Jack.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You will understand soon enough.¡±


    Aeroth waved his hands and they were transported into a wide open field. They seemed to be placed outside a castle in the middle of the night. Jack saw the night sky filled with stars glistening like diamonds. Among those stars resided three moons all which were in competition to see which one could shine brighter.


    ¡°See those four white dots?¡± Aeroth pointed towards a location garnering Jack¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Yea.¡±


    ¡°Beautiful aren''t they?¡± Aeroth asked.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Jack nodded. They were quite beautiful, shining brighter than any stars he had ever seen.


    ¡°Want to take a closer look at them?¡± Aeroth asked.


    Before Jack had the time to answer, the scenery changed once more. They were floating in space and as Jack looked around he came face to face with four giant objects.


    ¡®Spacecrafts¡¯ Jack thought to himself. They were truly massive, to the point where Jack could not even see the top of the spacecrafts.


    ¡°Is this where I was?¡± Jack asked as he stood at awe at the sheer size of the spacecrafts.


    ¡°Hahaha. Trust me child. If one of these ships had trapped you, we would not be talking.¡± Aeroth laughed.


    Jack tilted his head not understand what Aeroth was trying to say.


    ¡°The ship you were in can''t even qualify as a scout ship built from spare parts from the nearest planet. The ones you see are juggernauts built to subjugate an entire planet.¡±


    ¡°That means¡­¡± Jack eyes widened at the revelation.


    ¡°Ironic isn¡¯t it?¡± Aeroth asked a question but Jack knew better than to answer that type of question.


    ¡°But alas, past is the past. I can¡¯t bring the dead back to life¡± He continued to lament on his misfortune.


    Jack felt perplexed as he did not know what he could say to console him, especially since they just met.


    ¡°These were all sent him him¡± Aeroth sensed the mood chaning and shifted the topic.


    ¡°Him?¡± Jack asked.


    ¡°The collector, subjugator, destroyer. It has many names. No one is even clear on how it even came to existence. Rumors say it is a robot that collected information about the universe. Until it gained sentience and was hell bent on completing its mission.¡± Aeroth spoke with hints of fear in his voice.


    The figure stared at Jack and spoke ¡°And its next target is Earth.¡±


    Jack was not ignorant on the matter but felt powerless when he saw the sheer size of the spacecrafts.


    ¡°Why tell me all of this?¡±


    ¡°Because the power that I have now belongs to you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Jack was perplexed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like I can talk to anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I can take on him?¡±


    ¡°If he sent his full force, not even a hundred of you would be enough. But..¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°There seems to be more factors into play here.¡± Aeroth stated as he fell into deep though.


    ¡°Factors?¡±


    ¡°Why would he send a ship made of junk to begin his assimilation?¡± Aeroth asked hoping Jack would get the answer.


    ¡°Um..¡± Jack placed his hand on his head and thought of the matter.


    ¡®If he posses such a massive and powerful fleet, why send one lone ship?¡±


    ¡°He is too far away?¡± Jack asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s part of it. The other part would be desperation.¡±


    ¡°Desperation?¡±


    ¡°He is not likely to make such a silly mistake unless it was truly desperate. Earth has something he wants and he wants it fast. Any thoughts?¡± Aeroth cleared up Jack¡¯s thoughts.


    Jack thought about matter and came up with nothing. As he was thinking, at the corner of his eyes Aeroth¡¯s body was slowly disappearing.


    ¡°Your body!¡± Jack pointed at his feet that were slowly vanishing into the air.


    ¡°Damn. I burned too much of my consciousness in that blow. Listen kid, get out of this ship and try to take as many captured huma--¡± Before Aeroth could finish he was swallowed up by nothingness.


    Jack stared at the space where Aeroth once stood. And he felt nothing.