Three Lives Detected

Outside the room, the three soldiers in stealth mode waited. The leader glanced at the door nervously."What's taking so long?" one of them muttered, a hint of anxiety in his voice."Patience," the leader replied, though his own unease was evident. "The process could be complex. We need to give it time."A third soldier shifted uneasily, her eyes fixed on the door. "Thank god we're relying on a mercenary to handle this. We don't even know what that tech is fully capable of. It's too dangerous.""We had no choice. The scientists who created this technology were killed before we could extract all the necessary information. We thought we could control it, but now... now we're in the dark," the leader said."I never agreed with the decision to kill him. We should have interrogated him, gotten the details we needed. Now, we're left guessing, and we're putting our lives in the hands of that unknown mercenary," said the second soldier."Using the mercenary is a calculated risk. If he survives, we retrieve the technology. If not, at least we're not the ones risking direct exposure," said the leader.The woman glanced at the leader. "And what if he turns on us? What if he gains control of the technology and decides we're a threat?""Then we'll deal with it. We can kill him easily."They fell silent, each lost in their thoughts. The decision to kill the remaining scientists was bad. But now, standing outside this room, they were haunted by the repercussions of that choice.The faint sounds of movement inside the room reached their ears, and they tensed, their hands tightening on their weapons.---Few minutes before.Daniel lay on the cold floor, his breath ragged and shallow. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the overwhelming pain and the strange notification he had just seen.He struggled to his feet. The sensation of something foreign inside his body was both terrifying and disorienting"What... what just happened to me?" he muttered to himself, his voice shaky.He looked around the room, seeking answers but finding only the empty space.His pulse quickened with a mix of fear and confusion. He stumbled to a nearby table, leaning heavily against it for support. His reflection in the glossy surface revealed a haunted, exhausted face—his own, yet somehow different.As he tried to gather his thoughts, a sudden, mechanical voice resonated inside his head. It was calm, precise, and unmistakably artificial.["Do not be afraid. The calibration process is complete."]Daniel's eyes widened, and he looked around, half-expecting to see someone in the room with him. "Who's there?" he demanded.["I am the Artificial Intelligence embedded within the nanotechnology that has now integrated with your body,"] the voice responded smoothly. ["You are now the host of a prototype weapon system, the last of its kind. My designation is SELENE: Strategic Engagement and Logistics Enhanced Nanobot Engine."]"SELENE? What the hell is going on?" Daniel's mind was a whirlwind of questions and emotions. "What did you do to me?"["The device you activated was designed to enhance the host's physical and cognitive abilities through the integration of nanotechnology,"] SELENE explained. ["You will possess capabilities beyond normal human limits. The pain you experienced was the result of the nanobots restructuring your cells to accommodate these enhancements."]Daniel felt a surge of panic. "Enhancements? What kind of enhancements? I didn't ask for this!"["I am an advanced AI designed to enhance your capabilities. The nanotechnology now integrated into your body will assist in strengthening you, but this process requires your active effort and growth."]Daniel took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The reality of his situation was beginning to sink in. "So, I'm some kind of super-soldier now?"["Not instantly. Your strength and abilities will increase gradually through a system of leveling. Your efforts, skills, and experiences will contribute to your growth. The nanotechnology will accelerate your learning, enhance your physical attributes, and assist in the development of new skills."]"W...What...?" Daniel still cant process his mind around what happened.["Your progression will be based on your actions and dedication. The nanobots will optimize your body's potential, making you stronger and more resilient over time. They will also provide tactical support, improve your reaction times, and offer logistical enhancements."]Daniel took a deep breath, trying to absorb the information. The idea of becoming stronger through effort and leveling was both daunting and oddly reassuring. He had always survived through sheer determination and luck. But now, with SELENE's help, he had a way to channel that determination into tangible growth."What do I need to do?" he asked, his voice steadier now.["Just keep doing what you did. The nanotechnology will assist you."]Daniel pondered over the matter for a few moments. If this truly was technology left over from the Golden Age of Terras, then he would get something amazing."Could this be the turning point of my miserable life?" Daniel thought with a grin."Okay, now that I've gotten what I needed, we should head back."Daniel stood up from the floor and picked up his fallen rifle. But suddenly, SELENE said something that made him freeze in his place.["External entities detected. Three life signs in close proximity,"] SELENE informed him."What? Who are they? Show me," he demanded.["Apologies, User. System integration is still in progress. Visual and tactical overlays are currently unavailable. Full functionality will be restored upon completion of the integration process,"] SELENE responded."How long will that take?" Daniel asked.["Estimated time for complete integration: six hours, forty-two minutes, and twenty-seven seconds. Until then, I can provide basic alerts and sensory information."]Daniel frowned, his mind racing. He didn't have six hours to wait. "Can you at least tell me where they are? How far?"["The entities are located approximately ten meters from your current position, outside the entrance to this room. They appear to be in a stationary position, likely observing or awaiting further action,"] SELENE said.Daniel's thoughts churned. He had to assume they were hostile. It was the safest thing to do."Alright," he muttered to himself. "I'll have to deal with this the old-fashioned way for now. SELENE, keep monitoring them and alert me to any changes."["Understood, User. I will continue to provide updates on their status."]Daniel slowly got to his feet, every muscle protesting. He moved carefully to avoid making noise, his eyes scanning the room for anything he could use as a weapon or a means of escape."SELENE, do you uhh... can see something to use as a weapon here?" Daniel asked.The answer came a second later. ["Yes."]---