UGT: Unknown

  Location: Unknown System

  "Ugh... What the...?" I mumbled groggily, my thoughts muddled and my body wracked with freezing cold. The comforting darkness of sleep beckoned me to return, to escape the numbing chill that clung to my skin. Couldn't I just go back to sleep? Forget this dreadful cold?

  [ Warning: If the inheritor loses consciousness a second time, the chances of successful revivaland therefore survival fall to 0.74%. Immediate reactivation of full mental faculties is advised. ]

  The words, sharp and precise, echoed directly in my mind. Though disoriented, their urgency was enough to hold my attention. As their meaning seeped into my groggy consciousness, a surge of adrenaline jolted me awake. I sat up abruptly, only to regret it immediately as the room spun violently around me.

  Instinctively, I tried to steady myself, but my legs betrayed me. I stumbled backward and fell into the icy, gelatinous substance I had been lying in, accompanied by a loud splash. My breath caught in my throat as the cold seeped deeper into my skin. Groaning, I rubbed my bleary eyes and decided to take a more measured approach this time. Slowly, I surveyed my surroundings.

  I was in some kind of pod filled with the freezing, viscous substance. All around me, other pods stood in neat rows, their transparent surfaces revealing their occupants. Or rather the lack thereof. Most were sealed tight, though a few near mine were open. Strangely, there was no sign of other people.

  Had they already left?

  [ Status Update: As of now, the Inheritor is the only sentient being aboard ASO-17309 with active mental processes. ]

  [ Proceeding to the infirmary for an automated examination of bodily and mental functions post-awakening is strongly advised. ]

  The voice returned, calm yet insistent. What was it even talking about? “Successful awakening”? Where was I?

  [ Awakening refers to the resumption of biological functions following a period of cryostasis. ]

  [ Current location: Cryostasis Module, ASO-17309, a military outpost of the Aetherian Empire. ]

  [ Proceed to the infirmary for automated examination. A navigational path has been highlighted. ]

  A faint red line materialized in my field of vision, pointing toward an unseen destination. My confusion deepened, but I latched onto one pressing question. “Cryostasis? What even is that? And who or what are you!?” I asked aloud, though I suspected the voice had been reading my thoughts all along. Speaking gave me a small sense of control.

  [ Cryostasis: The reversible cryopreservation of living biological entities. ]

  [ Purpose: In the Aetherian Empire, cryostasis was utilized to evade detection, endure prolonged timeframes without biological aging, or as a punitive measure for criminals. ]

  [ This unit is the Main Command AI of ASO-17309, now reconfigured as the personal AI of the Inheritor under Inheritor-Protocol #72-B. ]

  [ Proceed to the infirmary for examination. ]

  “Fine, fine, I’m going! Just stop nagging me about it!” I snapped, deciding I had little choice but to follow the glowing red line. Climbing out of the pod, I shivered as the frigid air bit at my bare skin.

  The outpost, or what remained of it, was in a state of utter disrepair. Dust coated every surface, and the walls showed signs of age and neglect. The occasional creak and groan of the structure only added to the eerie atmosphere. My movements were stiff, my muscles sluggish from what I assumed was a prolonged period of inactivity.

  “What happened to this station? And what about me?” I asked, my voice rising with a mix of frustration and fear. “I don’t remember anything! Well, some things, but they don't make any sense! What happened to me!?”

  [ ASO-17309: Constructed as a mobile military outpost to safeguard Aetherian interests in the southern sector of the galaxy. Last maintenance by biological personnel: 983 years ago. Last shipment of replacement parts: 996 years ago. ]

  [ Repair capability ceased 832 years ago due to depleted resources. For the past 831 years, ASO-17309 has experienced gradual degradation, with only 27% of systems remaining partially functional. ]

  [ All personnel, including the Inheritor, entered cryostasis 980 years ago. Memory fragmentation occurred due to the hasty cryostasis procedures, a sudden emergency awakening and the lack of proper equipment available. ]

  [ Currently, 3,824 Aetherians remain in cryostasis. Of these, 566 are confirmed deceased. ]

  "Are you kidding me?!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the desolate hall. "My entire memories are a mess because the cryostasis was rushed and without the proper equipment!?"

  The AI offered no response to my outburst, leaving me to stew in my frustration. After a few moments, I forced myself to calm down. “Alright... can you show me my... status?” The word came to me unbidden, yet it felt instinctively correct. To my surprise, the AI complied.

  [ Name: May Lunaris ad Aether de Phoenix-Archeron (High-Aetherian) ]

  [ Rank: Captain (Inheritor) ]

  [ Affiliation: None (Aetherian Empire, fallen but not yet extinguished) ]

  [ Personal AI: ASO-17309-CMAI Commanding Main AI (68% of memory data lost) ]

  [ Ship Command: ]

  [ ASF Starfire (destroyed) ]

  [ ASO-17309 (18% functional) ]

  [ Show full list of ASO-17309 sub-ships? ]

  [ Y/N ]

  Well, that was… less than ideal. At least I knew my name now. Though, seriously, who thought giving me a name that long was a good idea? Still, there was another matter to address. If I was stuck with this AI, it definitely needed a proper name.

  "Hey, AI, you need a name. Got any preferences?"

  [ This unit has no preferences regarding the addition of an identification name. ]

  "Great. From now on, I’m calling you Aso."

  [ Identification name "Aso" successfully added to data memory. ]

  "Good. Now, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY 68% MEMORY DATA LOST?!" I practically shouted, the frustration boiling over. If I had to put up with an AI in my head, it could at least be useful!

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  [ Due to the ongoing degradation of ASO-17309, many databanks and storage units have been permanently lost. By integrating with Inheritor's built-in high-end quantum compression brainstem computer, additional data storage will gradually become accessible. ]

  I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing deeply. "Aso… are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?"

  [ This unit is only capable of interpreting vocalized or projected thoughts, except when directly targeted. Please clarify your query. ]

  "Did you integrate yourself into my brain?" I asked, my voice strained with a forced calm I absolutely did not feel.

  [ This unit utilized the last remaining nanites to ensure Inheritor's survival during awakening. Integration with Inheritor's built-in high-end quantum compression computer was required to maintain functionality. As a result, Inheritor has been biologically uplifted from species: Aetherian to species: High-Aetherian. Note: altering a being beyond the high-evolution point is highly illegal under Aetherian Imperial Law, punishable by (REDACTED). ]

  [ Inheritor has reached the infirmary. Please lie down to initiate a full biological scan. ]

  The flood of information left me reeling. More questions than answers swirled in my mind, but Aso was right, checking my health came first, especially after all the illegal biological tampering he just casually admitted to. For now, I’d set aside the terrifying implications of breaking laws that no longer had enforcers.

  I climbed onto the infirmary bed, opting not to scream at Aso again. My temper needed to stay in check. At least until I had more clarity. Before I could delve deeper into my chaotic thoughts, Aso’s voice cut through.

  [ Inheritor's biological functions are within standard parameters for a female High-Aetherian. Mental functions are also within standard parameters. However, body temperature is below the optimal range. This unit recommends obtaining clothing to stabilize body temperature. The path to the officer’s quarters has been highlighted. ]

  Finally, Aso acknowledged the glaringly obvious. I needed clothes. It was freezing, and I wasn’t about to test how long I could endure it. Following the highlighted path, I navigated the station carefully, avoiding debris while using the time to question Aso further.

  "Hey, Aso, how big is this station, exactly?"

  [ ASO-17309 is hemispherical in design. Its height is one kilometer, and its diameter at the widest point is two kilometers. The missing upper hemisphere accounts for the incomplete structure. ]

  "That’s… uh… helpful, I guess. Except I have no idea what a kilometer is. You do remember I’ve lost my memories, right?"

  [ A kilometer equals 1,000 meters. A meter is approximately the length of two of Inheritor's standard steps. This unit advises using this system of measurement, as it aligns closely with local standards and deviates insignificantly from Aetherian metrics. ]

  "Fine, kilometers it is," I muttered, sighing heavily as the sheer scale of everything began to sink in. The station was enormous, and despite everything, I felt a flicker of admiration for its size and design. But that fleeting moment of awe vanished the instant Aso's next words registered. "Wait... we're in a system with a spacefaring civilization!? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!"

  [ This information was deemed lower priority, as the owners of this system are currently engaged in a conflict with another FTL-capable nation. Presently, there is an active space battle occurring directly above ASO-17309. It is strongly advised to remain hidden. Exposing our presence would result in an 83.9% probability of ASO-17309 being attacked and destroyed by one or both sides. ]

  "Are you telling me that spacefaring civilizations are actively shooting at each other right above us!?" My voice rose with each word. "What else haven’t you told me!? And what the hell is FTL even!?" My frustration boiled over, amplified by the gnawing hunger, the bone-deep cold, and the overwhelming sense of being utterly unprepared for this situation.

  [ A detailed report will be made available once Inheritor reaches the Bridge of ASO-17309. ]

  [ The FTL-Drive is the most primitive known method to the Aetherian Empire for exceeding the speed of light. FTL stands for Faster-Than-Light. This drive utilizes star lanes, natural connections between stars, as navigational routes. By "breaking open" these star lanes, the FTL-Drive enables travel between the edges of star systems. ]

  [ Inheritor has arrived at the officer quarters. This unit recommends Inheritor to dress appropriately and proceed to the Bridge for a comprehensive status report. ]

  I paused, letting Aso’s explanation sink in. "Wait, you called the FTL-Drive the most primitive method known to the Aetherian Empire. Does that mean we have something better?" I asked, curiosity creeping into my voice as I rummaged through the closets. If I was going to face these civilizations, understanding the technological and military differences would be crucial. While diplomacy might be preferable, I wasn’t above bulldozing through obstacles if needed. The Aetherian Empire seemed to have been a galactic powerhouse, but a thousand years was more than enough time for the galaxy to change. For all I knew, Aetherian technology might now be commonplace or worse, obsolete.

  [ This unit recommends Inheritor to get dressed and proceed to the Bridge for a full status report. ]

  No answer. Typical. Aso’s way of saying hurry up. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes as I continued my search for suitable clothing. Sure, I was picky, but could anyone blame me? Everything else in my life was chaos, was it too much to want to look decent? Eventually, I found something both comfortable and stylish, though it took longer than Aso probably appreciated. But before heading to the Bridge, there was one more thing I needed. "Aso, where can I find a mirror? My memories are blank. I have no idea what I look like."

  [ A mirror can be found in the adjacent quarters, along the path to the Bridge. ]

  [ This unit recommends Inheritor to proceed to the Bridge for a full status report. ]

  "Yeah, yeah, I heard you. I'll hurry, okay?" I snapped, exasperated. "But cut me some slack! Nearly everything I’m seeing is new, and I need a moment to process this shitty situation." With that, I left the room, heading toward the adjacent quarters. First things first, time to see what I looked like.

  Character drawn by myself, background made by AI

  "Oh, wow. I’m... younger than I expected, especially when I saw the rank of Captain in my status. Aso, do you know my age, if we exclude the time spent in cryostasis?"

  [ Inheritor's age is 12.7 Aetherian standard cycles, or 19.05 years according to the system owners' time measurement. In the Aetherian Empire, maturity is reached at 12 Aetherian standard cycles, or 18 years. Full independence from family bonds, as per Aetherian imperial law, is usually achieved at 24 Aetherian standard cycles, or 36 years. ]

  "Okay, wait. Can you please explain what a year is? If I’m already going to use their distance measurement, I might as well use their time measurement too."

  [ One year contains twelve months. One month consists of 4.34524 weeks. One week has seven days. One day contains 24 hours. One hour is made up of 60 minutes. One minute is 60 seconds. One second corresponds to 9,192,632,770 periods of radiation from the transition between the two hyperfine structure levels of the ground state of caesium-133 atoms. ]

  "I... have no idea what you’re talking about. I think I understood half of it, at best. Let’s just agree that a year is a long time and I’ll figure the rest out over time."

  [ Acknowledged. Shall this unit use the system owners' time measurements for acclimating to their time system? ]

  [ Y/N ]

  "While it sounds complex... Yes, please. If this civilization is considered primitive, I don't want to imagine how complicated the Aetherian Empire’s time system must be."

  [ Change to data memory made. ]

  "Alright, now that that’s settled, Aso, please highlight the way to the command center!"

  [ Path to the Bridge is highlighted. ]