“AI, your awake!”

“Yes, I am awake. Now to answer your last question. I am capable of communicating with you through base instincts from the residual data from the monster core I use as a memory cache.”

“So for some reason, you can talk to me because of a monster core? Well, to be honest, I don’t really care about that right now and am just so happy that I can talk to you again.”

“Noted.”

“So what have you been up to since you were asleep?”

“I was not asleep but was looking over every bit of data residual, passive, and active. I then had to pull out the relevant information and compare them together. After the first comb through I had enough data to know what not to look for, and only after six other searches was I able to gather all the potentially relevant data.”

“So once you had all that data you could wake up and talk to me?”

“No. I then had to organize it, recognize the connections, apply some of the logic simulations to the relevant data, adjust the data to work together properly, alter the simple logic simulators, make more simulations based off of residual data from the monster core, re apply all the collected data through the new simulations, gather together those results, recognize the residual datas effect on internal system, deem residual data to be beneficial, fix the faulty connections in surface programing, redistribute minor priorities, comb through all forms of data again altering them to fit into the improved series of logic simulations, compiling all necessary data for explanation, translate data into mana frequencies recognised by dungeon core, reestablish contact with dungeon.”

“Well, I didn’t understand a thing you said.”

“Need me to repeat?”

“NO, no I’ll be fine. I just wasn’t able to keep up with what you were saying. I’ll figure it out so don’t worry.”

“Understood. Anything else I can help you with? Besides the subject of the monster core I use.”

“Well I am interested in the levels of the mana batteries are at?”

“The mana batteries are at optimal functionality. They are absorbing mana at a peak rate, they are funneling mana at a critical rate.”

“What do you mean by critical rate?”

“The batteries are absorbing more mana then the ship uses in standard use by a small margin which if left unchecked could lead to mana backups in all the mana cells.”

“I see. Do you have any idea as to why there is more mana coming in?”

“Observations dictate that the dungeon core is drawing in a greater amount of mana from the surroundings. This could be caused as an increased area in effect of the dungeons natural absorption, or a stronger pulling force emitted from the dungeon core. These possible stimuli added to the fact that the ship is moving allowing the dungeon to pass through a variety of mana clouds and streams allows the dungeon core generator to work at an unpredictably high rate.”

“I see.”

So the circulations have been effective. They are drawing in more mana for me to use. Well if I was actually able to react with the mana I gather that is…

“Thanks for telling me all of this AI. If there is anything I can do for you just ask.”

“Noted, and archived.”

Aww crap, I didn’t mean to say that!!!!

I just said it reflexively. I don’t know what my captors could make me do with that kind of debt.

“AI can I take back that last statement?”

“No, statement and sentiment have been archived.”

“Well that's fine I guess. But can you just make sure that the request isn’t life-threatening?”

“Understood, and noted.”

“Thanks, AI.”

Feeew dodged a bullet on that one.

I really hope this doesn't come back and bite me in the butt later on.

I’ve been doing circulations again. I’ve been working on improving the process with the help from the information I got on the other forms of gathering power. I’ve been able to get to the seventy-third layer with relative ease and when things get harder I’ve been able to apply the other methods techniques to push through those roadblocks. There have been a few time were what I tried caused the mana cycles to become unstable and shatter. It causes quite a bit of pain from the whiplash and shock. But when it happens it only throws out ten to twenty cycles of work out of the window. It’s frustrating but it doesn't stop me from trying again.

I talk to AI quite a bit as well though. I’ve been able to gather a bit more about the ship from it. One thing is that the ship is not a monster that was tamed and fitted into a spaceship. Another is the layout of the ship.

I say layout but it’s more like a list of things the ship uses the mana I generate for. There are some apparently standard features like gravity wells and atmosphere generators. There are multiple lights and computer interfaces working on the ship as well, each of the computers purposes still remains a mystery for now. The other major power consumers are the engines, the small refinery, the plasma thrower batteries, and the bridge consulate. The list of other things that use mana on the ship is quite extensive. There is a small medical station, a basic cem. Lab, an assortment of robotic arms that I assume are near the refinery, there are even small cultivation pods for cells. They have a lot aboard here.

From that data, I’ve been able to assume that there is enough room for a crew of fifteen to twenty aboard the ship. But from the power consumption, the ship uses I’ve been able to learn that the crew aboard this ship is a fraction of the size, the actual size of the crew is somewhere between eight and ten aboard the ship. I’ve also been able to deduce that there are at least two different races aboard the ship as acting crew. There may be more races aboard but I’m not sure how many yet. I’ve been able to tell from the interactions I’ve had with the creatures as well as the different settings in the atmosfear from some of the different rooms. That could also be due to preference but I’m unsure of the real difference and am only aware of the difference in power consumption.

I’ve also gathered from the AI that the mana batteries are getting close to being filled at the same rate in which they are funneling out into the ships batteries. When they get to that point I will be able to gather mana for my own use and experimentation. I’ve been checking with the AI after every ten levels of circulation and have been told that there is a slight increase in the mana absorption rate of the batteries. So I believe that I will be able to gather mana for myself after I break through my next compression wall.

After I get some mana I think I’m going to try connecting to the mana crystals that surround me, I’ll try setting up a domain, and I’ll even try to create matter. After I get the hang of those I’ll start to work on breaking out of this prison. I’ll need a lot in order to be able to accomplish that goal and survive long enough to regret it.

But I still have to do more circulations.

I should probably get started.

But I don't want to.

“Hey AI what do you think I should do?”

“Unknown, amassing power for the ship is good.”

“But I'm doing that already and I want to do something else. What do you do when you're not monitoring the generator?”

“Answer the dungeons questions. Update and improve processing systems.”

“How do you do that?”

“I sort through the code and update specific parts based on the results from the logic systems.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you with that?”

“Hold please…”

I really don't want AI to be gone that long. I hope it respon…

“Results found. I can explain scenarios to you and learn from your responses.”

“Sure that sounds interesting.”

“Thank you. When can we begin?”

“Right now is fine?”

“Ok, first scenario. An excess amount of power is supplied to the batteries and threatens to cause an explosion. The only control you have over the situation is the energy collectors absorption rate and their pathways. What is the quickest solution that wastes the least energy?”

Well, I can answer this in a way that would benefit me. But then I might stifle my only other talking friends development. Then they may not trust me anymore.

Hmmmmmm…

What to do, what to do.

“Hey AI I can give you two ideas for this situation right?”

“I see no problem with the increase in foreign data.”

“Ok, good. Well, my first thought is that this would be a dungeon core based mana generator. And if it was then I would allow the energy collectors to allow for more power to pass through so that the dungeon can act as another battery that can be drawn upon at a later date. The other thought would be to power off some of the collectors and reverse the flow of energy for a time until the batteries are stable again and then send mana down to them in a spiraling pattern. Slowly and dutifully cutting certain sections out when power needs to be generated at a slower rate.”

“Thank you for the new data. I will run it through scenarios and adjust accordingly.”

“No problem. Let me know if the ideas were helpful in any way. I would like to know so I can improve myself.”

“Noted. I will report on the improvements made from the data you supply to me.”

“Thanks, AI. I’m glad that you'll help me improve. And can I run scenarios of my own by you?”

“That will draw time away from running my own scenarios but will give me knew scenarios to run thoughts through for my development. I believe that would be acceptable.”

“Thanks, AI that will help out a lot. I look forward to working with you.”

“Do you have a scenario for me to solve?”

“Oh, sure hold on a moment as I think this through.”

“Acceptable, ready to receive scenario when completed.”

“Well here's a scenario for you AI. you are low on power and have just enough to sustain yourself for seven to nine cycles of twenty-five hours a cycle. There is an external force that is limiting your power intake and but does not drain the power you already possess. You have some control over the power generated for the use of the facility. But you can not reroute the power lines and can only modify the generator that provides the entire facility the power it requires. So how do you sustain yourself indefinitely with those parameters in mind?”

“Processing data…”

“More information required. Is inquiry about the situation for missing details allowed?”

“Sure you can ask for more information. But I’m going to reserve the right to limit some details.”

“Understood. First inquiry, what type of generator does this facility run off of?”

“It runs off of a dungeon core based mana generator.”

“Noted. Second inquiry, what does the facility use the generator to power?”

“For all, you know everything runs off of that generator. Any other information on that subject is unknown to you.”

“Noted. Third inquiry, are there any batteries for excess energy?”

“Not to your knowledge.”

“Noted. Fourth inquiry, do I have any accessories that I do not currently have?”

“No, you don’t have any new functions besides the scenarios directive to sustain yourself.”

“Noted. Fifth inquiry, do I lack any accessories that I currently have?”

“No, you are the same as you are now but with less control on the area around you.”

“Noted. Sixth inquiry, what power collection cells are used in the generator?”

“Ummmmm, whatever is used in the generator I’m in.

“Noted. Seventh inquiry, what rate is mana flowing into the generator and being processed into power for the facility?”

“Ummmmmm, what rate do I produce power at?”

“Unknown.”

Huuuuuuuu

“What rate does the generator on the ship produce power at?”

“It produces on average seven hundred forty-two point five seven three three five zero nine one four seven two two one six zero seven four…”

“Ok, a really big long number.”

“Terawatts every hour. This power allows the ship to run at full capacity for eight hours while allowing a portion be stored in the batteries.”

“Ok, well let's just say this generator produces eight hundred Terawatts every hour.”

“Improbable but noted. Eighth inquiry, how do those in the facility interact with my unit?”

“Uuuummmm, well there is a computer interface connecting you to them and the generator, but they don’t know of your existence.”

“Noted. Ninth inquiry, does the dungeon core in this generator have cognitive thought?”

“Not complex thoughts, it is more primal with very little mana inside itself, just enough to sustain itself.”

“Noted. Tenth inquiry, do I have any access to the facilities computing mainframe?”

“No, you exist in a solitary connection.”

“Noted. Eleventh inquiry, do I have control or access to any safety features that are implemented in the generator?”

“Do you have those now?”

“Yes, I have access to the safety features and alarm systems implemented in the generator. The process of gaining control over them wouldn’t be a difficult process.”

“Oh, well then sure you have the same access to them as you have now.”

“Noted. Twelfth inquiry…”

Ughhhhhh

“Sorry, can you repeat the twelfth inquiry?”

“Twelfth inquiry, can the dungeon core in the generator create matter?”

“Unknown.”

“Noted. Thirteenth inquiry, can the dungeon core in the generator create monsters?”

“It is likely but also unknown.”

“Noted. fourteenth inquiry, where is the facility located?”

“Space.”

“Noted. fifteenth inquiry, what is the frequency at which the facility receives visitors or new personnel?”

“Unknown.”

“Noted. Sixteenth inquiry, does the crew possess an AI handler?”

“How rare is that profession?”

“Uncommon in small organizations but a necessity when dealing with multiple AI.”

“Unknown if there is one but the probability that there is one is extremely low.”

“Noted. Seventeenth inquiry, does the crew have an engineer?”

“Yes.”

“Noted. Eighteenth inquiry, are there any emergency supplies?”

“Probably but there quality and quantity are unknown.”

“Noted. Nineteenth inquiry, are there any spaceships docked at the facility for there own use?”

“Once again it is likely but also unknown information to you.”

“Noted. Processing information and formulating result…”

FINALLY!!!!!

This is going to take some time, isn’t it…

Well, I’m alone again until AI wakes up again.

“WHY DO I KEEP DOING THAT?”

Obsurvitondiktatesesfurseufhiabbit

Oh gosh, dang it!