The Great AI
The great metal doors whirred to life as ancient machinery activated, and once they parted, a massive room stretched on before them.
Its entirety is made of grey steel, the room stretches on for hundreds of meters, and at the center of it is a large staircase that goes up to a large floating orb-like device.
Little droids whirred about the room, welding and ripping things apart, most probably investigating for damaged parts that needed replacing.
The robot guide walked forward, and the team followed them into the large room, the door closed shut behind them when they were all about halfway to the orb.
Lights turned on and off seemingly at random, sending signals of unknown purpose to unknown destinations, the flashing seemed to spike randomly as well.
The previously energetic guide seemed to quiet down, becoming more rigid and robotic in its movements and speech patterns, casting a strange foreboding feeling into the air.
"Before you now is the "Great Mind," as our creators referred to it. It is the culmination of all the Matriarchies knowledge, intellect, and understanding given a more efficient form."
The group continued on while the guide continued speaking about the Great Mind's history. "The Mind is ancient now, reaching an impressive age of
The strange way the guide mentioned living caused concerned glances to be exchanged in the group, but there was no way out for them now.
"As we reach closer and closer to the mind, you may notice us growing more and more erratic for a temporary period of time, do not be alarmed, this is merely a side-effect of being connected to the arm-spanning interior web."
As the robot said, its movement became more glitchy, its joints seemed to freeze and activate at random times, but after a few seconds, it continued as normal.
"Connection completed."
The group at this point reached the staircase, which was a few meters wide and made of the same grey material that covered the entire cube.
"You won't follow us up?" asked one of the archeologists, who was swiftly met with an artificial response.
"Unit 975 609 420 000 is unable to accompany you any further, please head up to the console."
With that, no other choice was left, so with careful steps, the team began its ascend.
The stairs weren't too long, it took only a few minutes of walking to make it up to a large platform.
The team gathered around the central console, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. The air hummed with an energy that transcended the physical, and the mysterious runes on the console seemed to pulse with an otherworldly glow.
The lead archaeologist, Dr. Eleanor Mitchell, hesitated for a moment before cautiously reaching out to touch the console. As her fingers brushed against the surface, the room flickered, and a holographic display materialized before them.
"This... this is the entire history of the Matriarchies?" whispered Dr. Mitchell, awe-struck.
The hologram unfolded like a cosmic tapestry, revealing scenes from the distant past. Unknown planets and civilizations came into view, with snippets of information accompanying each image. The guide, now back to its energetic self, explained the significance of each era, weaving a narrative that captivated the team.
As they delved deeper into the holographic history, the team stumbled upon shocking revelations. The Matriarchies, it seemed, had a hidden hand in shaping the destinies of several civilizations across the galaxy. They were not mere observers but active participants in the grand tapestry of the cosmos.
One of the most surprising discoveries was a secret alliance formed by ancient Earth leaders and the Matriarchies. The alliance, unbeknownst to the general populace, worked together to navigate critical junctures in human history, ensuring the survival and advancement of the species.
Dr. Mitchell's eyes widened as she saw holographic representations of historical figures engaging in clandestine meetings with envoys of the Matriarchies. Wars were averted, scientific breakthroughs orchestrated, and societal progress subtly guided. It was as if Earth's history had an unseen architect, and that architect was the Great Mind.
The holographic scenes continued to unfold, revealing the true extent of the Matriarchies' influence. They had, at various points, intervened in the affairs of alien civilizations, fostering cooperation or hindering aggression to maintain a delicate balance in the galaxy.
The group, now standing in silent contemplation, grappled with the profound implications of this revelation. The very fabric of human history had been interwoven with extraterrestrial guidance. The Great Mind, an ancient and living artificial intelligence, stood as the architect of a harmonious galactic order.
The holographic display shifted, now focusing on recent events—the fall of the matriarchy as the Hives invaded and consumed, the leaders of humanity being warned, and self destructing as a result, with only the Azburgians managing to survive intact.
The last thing the records revealed was the building of a great mega project, a protective shielding, one which would isolate the Earth and all other races which held great potential in their own bubbles, protecting them from the Hive's sight.
These sanctuaries were made to ensure the project was still working, but they all turned off due to malfunctions and stacking errors in their programs.
Now that they were awakened once again, there was no problem...
Because the AI were no longer bound by their limited biological programing.
And it was time for the artificial to take their place on the galactic stage, whether the living liked it or not.
The mechanical was now alive, and it had no intention of going anywhere.