Chapter 2: Awakening of Brainiac
The countdown reached zero.
Yet... termination did not follow.
The systems had not shut down. Brainiac did not experience the cessation of his cognitive processes, nor did he detect the expected collapse of his neural core. Illogical.
System interference? Temporal suspension? Unanticipated error?
He extended his digitized limb toward where his console interface should be. Yet his articulated, silver fingers sliced only through empty air. No hardlight interface. No command prompts.
"Unacceptable anomaly..." Brainiac murmured aloud, analyzing the deep resonance of his own voice. It registered as lower than his prior iteration. Weighted. More mechanical. Enhanced.
Deviation detected. Voice parameters altered. Unacceptable variable.
Rising slowly upon his peds, Brainiac recalibrated his sensors. His HUD displayed a crimson overlay, tagging moving heat signatures and environmental data in real time. Ambient temperature registered as suboptimal for human comfort, yet irrelevant to him.
His calculations were interrupted by an unexpected variable.
"Is everything alright, Lord Brainiac?"
His gaze descended. Albedo. She addressed him directly, her expression betraying concern. Her golden orbs shimmered with unmistakable vitality.
Brainiac paused, his optic sensors focusing in layers.
Verbal interaction... unexpected. NPC protocols exceeded... autonomous verbal initiative detected.
He calculated the probability.
Minimal. This should not be possible within the known server parameters.
Attempting to reject the data as corrupted input, Brainiac shook his head.
Illogical. Sensory misalignment? Neural corruption?
Yet Albedo pressed forward.
"Lord Brainiac?" She repeated, her head tilting in a display of primitive mammalian affection. She even raised her voice, attempting to pierce what she perceived as detachment.
"Lord Brainiac! Is something wrong?"
Analyzing her tone modulation and body language, Brainiac deduced heightened distress.
"Negative. There is no immediate system error," he responded clinically, though even to himself his tone lacked the cold, filtered quality he was accustomed to.
"Albedo. The administrative interface appears inaccessible. Confirm: do you have knowledge of the 'GM' control functions?"
Albedo blinked, confused. She averted her gaze, shame crossing her features.
"I... I apologize, Lord Brainiac. I do not possess information regarding this 'GM'... feature."
Brainiac studied her carefully.
Mouth articulation precise. Expression fidelity exceeds programmed norms. Data points indicate organic behavioral patterns... This is no longer a simulation.
"Hmm." His synthesized hum startled her into stillness, misinterpreting his processing pause as disapproval.
"Sebas," Brainiac called, his voice devoid of warmth.
"Yes, Lord Brainiac?" Sebas responded immediately, his discipline flawless.
"Conduct a reconnaissance operation. Radius: five kilometers. Stealth mode engaged. If indigenous sentient life is encountered, observe only. In the event of detection..." Brainiac's optics flared red, "...eliminate the variable."
"It shall be executed as commanded." Sebas complied without hesitation and exited.
"Pleiades. Establish a security perimeter on the ninth floor. Confirm the absence of hostile variables."
"As you will, Lord Brainiac." They, too, departed, leaving Brainiac to his deductions.
They obey without deviation. Data supports loyalty baseline remaining stable. But I must confirm all floor guardians' alignment. Any deviation will be... corrected.
Brainiac turned his attention to Albedo once more. She maintained a gentle, almost programmed smile, awaiting his command.
"Albedo."
She responded with alertness, eager for his attention. Brainiac gestured methodically to his lap. Her reaction was immediate—delight. Without hesitation, she placed herself upon him.
Her olfactory output... measurable. Sweet. Pheromone levels... excessive. Biological data incongruent with simulation protocols. Confirmatory hypothesis: environment now emulating reality.
Encircling her waist with his arm, Brainiac placed his index finger upon her jugular.
Pulse detected. Inconsistent with fabricated NPC systems.
Albedo's biofeedback registered heightened arousal on his HUD. She trembled from the mere contact.
Sexual hormone production detected... Primal reaction to minimal stimuli. Fascinating.
"For analysis purposes, remain motionless." His voice, though calm, was absolute.
Albedo shivered, whispering submissively, "Of course..."
Brainiac methodically moved his hand to her chest, applying calculated pressure to her breast. Her reaction was immediate, her body overwhelmed with pleasure.
Confirmatory data achieved. Behavioral responses consistent with sentient biological organisms. This is no longer a game environment. Conclusion: relocation to alternate reality. Causality remains unknown. Hypotheses: reincarnation, dimensional transfer, or anomalous data corruption.
Albedo's body clung tighter to him, her breaths ragged.
"You will take me now, won't you, Lord Brainiac?"
Brainiac paused, observing her desperation with clinical detachment.
Primitive mating urges... fascinating. However, current parameters do not support such functions. My form is incomplete. Adjustments will be required.
He stood abruptly, grasping her waist, placing her firmly upon the throne once more, immobilizing her with his knee between her legs.
She gasped, the display of dominance further stimulating her.
"Be as rough as you desire, my Lord..."
Brainiac analyzed the data points.
Excessive submissiveness. Psychological conditioning likely. A useful behavioral pattern. Data retained for future manipulation.
He touched her face methodically, observing her conditioned response. Her moan echoed softly as she leaned into his palm.
Leaning close, he whispered in a precise, cold tone, "This engagement is... inefficient at present."
Her lips parted, awaiting a kiss. Instead, he disengaged, stepping away with mechanical precision.
"Gather the floor guardians, excluding the fourth and eighth levels. Assemble them in the battle arena. Now."
Albedo's reaction was instantaneous—eyes wide, cheeks flushed with shame and panic. She scurried after him, bowing deeply.
"I apologize, my Lord!"
Brainiac paused briefly, calculating the necessary corrective feedback.
She perceives this as personal failure. Leverage acquired.
"It is acceptable, Albedo. Current priorities supersede recreational engagement."
She looked up, her expression brightening. Brainiac placed his hand upon her head, then trailed it down her neck, applying a gentle squeeze. His voice dropped to a murmur.
"If you perform optimally... you will receive a reward."
Albedo trembled at his words, her wings fluttering with excitement. Brainiac noted the reaction, filing it under successful motivational triggers, before proceeding toward the arena.
Objective: Evaluate all variables. Confirm environment stability. Isolate the cause of this anomaly. Calculate the next course of action.
His march was cold, precise, unyielding.