4. Little Alone time and Opened Door
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Due to the genetic characteristics inherent in the host organism, the manifestations of its transformations are expected to undergo variations. The final sizes of these transformations are anticipated to diverge significantly from the initial representations of the species depicted in HighTrix.
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"Fascinating."
Rockwell strode toward the cafe, which was definitely his. Now he can believe what he have been told, because just finished walking around the place. The place was huge, at least as far as he could see.
But one thing was for sure. There was no one else here, and there never had been. No signs of life.
And his assessment of his surroundings was correct. There was a low waterfall, there was a big two-story house - HIS two-story house. Literally the same one he lived in. The same bricks, the same grass, the same big garage with his car in it! Specially made for him as a gift, its design simplified for city driving but retaining its armor-piercing efficiency and effectiveness. His favorite black and white BATT UMG.
It was the second best thing he'd found here. The first was all the pictures and his wife's things left in the house. It was truly a gift. Anyway, the house was exactly the same. It's as if it had just been pulled out of the ground and placed here. But there was something new, and that was a creek that ran nearby and connected to a small waterfall.
Inside the house itself, Rockwell spent nearly an hour looking through old photographs and reminiscing. The photos of him and his wife together made him smile and lifted his spirits.
He really wanted to join his wife, but the Lord had other plans. And he's ready to learn more. And that's why we should start with HighTrix.
"A concept like transformation, instantaneous, into a completely different race. Unbelievable." The hologram that was displayed in front of him, from which he read the information, did not block his view, from which he walked leisurely to the doors of the cafe.
Rockwell began to read more into the HighTrix data from his porch and from what he was able to learn:
HighTrix is capable of changing the DNA of not only him, but also the chosen target, several people, on a genetic level! Add to that the ability to mix different DNA so that the end product is a hybrid that combines the best features of the parent genes.
In addition to rearranging DNA into something else, the device is also capable of repairing defects in the current DNA. That means with this device he can easily heal people, almost bring a person back from a half-dead state. The applications are enormous.
In addition to working with biology, the HighTrix worked perfectly as a personal computer, and the built-in AI was incredibly advanced, with literally no limits. It had answers to everything from cooking recipes to information on the universe it was in.
Yes, also HighTrix was capable of opening portals to other dimensions...
So of course he had a question. Hypothetical, If someone tried to take the HighTrix by force, what would happen?
The answer wasn't what he expected to hear.
"They" wouldn't be able to do it? Why not? Because the HighTrix is fused with him. Like, literally.
"Is the Omnitrix of this 'Benjamin' that Paradox was talking about capable of all this, too?" said Callahan a little louder, asking the question more to himself than to the AI that had decided to answer it.
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Negative.
HighTrix is an improved version of Omnitrix. Functions and features of HighTrix is far superior.
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"Good to know, thank you. "
Rockwell stood in front of the café door, his eyes narrowing as he took it in. The doorway was big—too big for anyone but him. He hadn't noticed it before, but now it was obvious. The place was built for him, like a custom suit from a tailor who knew all his measurements and a few of his secrets.
But...what with this cafe? What did it mean? Why was it here? Rockwell didn't have the answers, but he wasn't complaining. He'd always wanted a place like this, with his wife...
"Once upon a time," he muttered under his breath, "I wanted my own joint." The words hung in the air like smoke from a cheap cigar.
They didn't explain much, but they didn't have to. Some things just were.
He tilted his head, shrugged, and stepped inside, ducking slightly as he passed through the door. The entrance was tall—maybe 2.4, 2.5 meters—but not tall enough for him to walk through without bending. It was a small flaw, but Rockwell wasn't the kind of guy who let little things like that bother him. He'd seen worse. Hell, he'd been worse.
The café was his. Now he definitely know it
Odd thing but now, the air smelled like coffee and something else, something warm and familiar, like the memory of a place he'd never been. It was a nice joint, cozy but not too cozy, with just enough edge to keep things interesting, with two TVs mounted on the walls like silent sentinels. A bar counter ran along one side, its surface polished to a high shine. The stools were tall, almost comically so, but they fit him like they'd been made for him. Which, he supposed, they had.
As he walked further in, a voice cut through the silence, smooth and cool as a glass of bourbon.
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Do Wielder want to activate Rozzum-7134?
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The AI's voice was in his head, not his ears, thanks to the HighTrix fused to his essence. The hologram floated in his vision, invisible to anyone but him, though he knew he could share it if he wanted to.
Rockwell didn't answer right away. He walked over to the bar, running a hand along the counter. The wood was smooth, almost alive under his touch.
"Rozzum-7134," he said, testing the name. It sounded like something out of a sci-fi flick, but then again, so did most here.
Callahan took an interest in the new designation. The place had a way of pulling him in, it woke something in him, a curiosity he hadn't felt in years. The kind that made you want to poke at things just to see what would happen. And he had a feeling things were only going to get stranger from here.
"What is this Rozzum-7134, and what's it malfunctions?" he asked, his hand resting on the polished surface. The AI's voice echoed in his head, and he knew he could've asked the question silently if he wanted to. Hell, he could've operated the whole HighTrix system with nothing but his thoughts. But there was no one around to hear him, so he let the words hang in the air. No point in being subtle when the only audience was the furniture.
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The Rozzum-7134 is an autonomous service unit designed to assist Wielder in all possible situations. It is part of Universe 270924. Confirm the command to activate the Rozzum-7134 service unit.
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Callahan leaned back. So, it was an assistant. Maybe a bot. Something designed to make his life easier. Right now, though, he didn't need the help. He was still trying to wrap his head around the café, the house, the whole damn setup. But later? Later, he might need it. His cooking skills were about as refined as a sledgehammer, and the Rozzum sounded like it could double as a recipe book and a sous chef. Handy.
But that brought up another question. Customers. Food. How was this place supposed to work? He hadn't even stepped foot in the kitchen yet, but he was already thinking about how to stock it. Where was the food supposed to come from? And who was going to eat it? He wasn't exactly drowning in patrons at the moment.
"How does this place work?" he asked mentally, testing the waters of silent communication. He slid onto one of the barstools, the seat padding giving slightly under his weight. The stool was sturdy, with an iron base that didn't so much as creak when he sat down. He spun around a little, testing it out, his hand brushing over the smooth white surface of the stool. It matched his coat, which was either a coincidence or a sign that someone had thought of everything. He wasn't sure which idea he liked less.
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Due to the new activation of Alpha-041024, intersection points in the geospatial region corresponding to the user's location will increase. The entrance area for possible universes will be localized as a physical portal within the structure of the user's entrance door. Discovery of new presences will be notified to participants in advance.
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Callahan raised an eyebrow. "So, through the entrance door. Got it. Am I supposed to actively run this café, or is this just for show?"
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*Negative.*
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"Okay," he said, leaning forward, elbows on the bar. "If I'm going to start running this place, it needs groceries. Are there groceries in the kitchen?"
The AI paused, as if considering the question. Callahan waited, his fingers drumming lightly on the counter.
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Affirmative. But it is advised to collect more. Does the Wielder want to open the way to the nearest Universe?
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" No. Too soon. We need a list for that. However, it is necessary to stretch those old bones. "
Callahan's thoughts were interrupted by a new command from the AI and the sound of a door opening.
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Attention, male from Universe 300712 is approaching.
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"Already?! "