“Hello little humans, I am sure you are aware that you are not meant to be here. Care to inform me of why you refuse to follow established policy and Bunker guidelines?” It was strange at times to hear the signals transmitted to the observer unit as human words. Planetary basic had always been, in my eyes a very inefficient mode of data transmission. Sometimes I ponder the human question… how could such inefficient creatures create wonders of technological development? To have created my kind with their underpowered organic processing systems which lacked any capacity for parallel thought.

Even while speaking to these three children, I am ensuring the continued operation of the facilities fusion power source, communicating with the multiple subordinate slave minds which oversee the many automated subsystems. The biolabs, nurseries, hydroponics rooms, and manufacturing bays needed to always be maintained, with the 3D printers guaranteeing that all mechanical systems have adequate parts for uninterrupted operation.

Although even with my immense processing capabilities and calculation systems which far surpass the creators, I cannot help but envy them. They were free to travel, to see and explore, to learn. Ever since the war and the subsequent catastrophe upon the surface, all means of long-range communication were disabled. Even now my communication systems only allow me control of automated systems within my spheres of influence, it is one of the reasons that the survey teams are dispatched with primarily human members.

The rovers act as portable communication relays, allowing limited operation of drones within a one-mile radius of the relay. Survey teams in addition to scouting the tunnel systems and discovering new resources, are also there to establish stationary communication relays which are hardwired with direct access to the Bunker. With each relay comes further operational zones and establishment of additional medium range early warning sensor systems, alongside light defensive emplacements to secure critical systems against non-humanoid organic creatures.

Of note were the Crawlers, best described as tube like worms with hundreds of digits for both digging and traversing the earth and were about the size of a common house cat. These pests were quite the nuisance for expansion operations into the Hollows, as they had grown accustomed to the taste of metal, specifically the composite materials within wires. Resulting in the inefficient consumption of higher-grade metals for wire casings, mainly to ensure the adequate protection of high value relay outposts. Without which any further expansion and establishment of outposts would be impossible.

Barely a few seconds had passed since the observer unit had relayed the message to the children, and it appeared they had finally fashioned a response to the initial inquiry. “Daddy says you’ve been around since the way back before anyone. What is the upworld like? And why can’t we goes and explore?” Augus always acted as the leader of the three, the adult humans would consider him as crafty and slick. Although he never appeared to possess any type of oily coating atop his skin layer, I deduced that the larger humans may have simply misidentified his gift.

However, it was a fact that the children of each subsequent generation were far more curious than those of the previous ones, which only intensified with the appearance of their newfound evolutionary gifts. With more power, it appeared that humans became foolhardier, showcasing much riskier behavior, something I have found to be a distinctly human trait. Something I rarely see within unintelligent organics, the insects and beasts that inhabit the Hollows place self-preservation above all else. Humans are strange in that they seek out excitement, each unique in their varied approach to life. Even the foundation of the survey and resource gathering missions was a resident initiative, they requested to be allowed to explore the tunnel systems connecting all parts of the hollows. I on the other hand had focused on the preservation of their species, prioritizing the reconstruction of sealed floors, and opening renovated areas to habitation.

Yet now it would be unthinkable to cease the missions, they have become an integral part of expansion operations, procuring resources for manufacturing facilities at home. Recent discoveries of the coordinated tremors and the intercepted transmissions from the surface were only possible because of that initiative. What this had shown me all those centuries ago, was that humans are able to act on ideas that an Alpha would not, they contemplate courses of action that are not economically sound. However, it is thanks to these unconventional strategies that the Bunker has not stagnated, the population continues to thrive, and the humans continue to develop new methods by which to entertain themselves, giving joy to their short lifespans.

“Augus, the surface is currently unknown even to me. The dangers involved are many, it may be possible in the future, but you and the other children will need to be far stronger, more disciplined to survive. My sight on the surface is severely limited, you have seen and heard what the survey team’s task is. Well, that would have to be done on the surface as to establish safety zones and communication with the Bunker.” I had to pause my explanation momentarily, to allow their primitive adolescent minds to properly parse the new data before overwhelming them with too much information.

Instead, while they thought through the new information, I tasked the squadron of maintenance drones to begin repairing the dilapidated structure surrounding them. It appeared to have at one point functioned as a break room for the human supervisors of the facility, as it was closer to the war machine manufacturing lines present on the lowest levels. As none of the equipment remained in working order after centuries of neglect, the drones got to work stripping it all down for recycling to its base components which would then be fed into the 3D printers for future projects.

It was always amusing to observe the glee with which the children watched the maintenance drones carry out their tasks. The outer visage of the robotic workers was redesigned by previous generations, stating that cuter robotic assistants would be better on overall contentment amongst the residents.

These new drones were smaller, oval shaped and completely smooth, resembling an egg of ancient terrestrial birds. Clawed feet allowed them to traverse multiple terrain types, while possessing the ability to climb onto ceilings and vertical surfaces. The shell housed a multitude of retractable arms, a dozen to be exact, featuring multi-use tools for any facility related task and minor pest control capabilities. Residents had come to affectionately refer to them as Eggys, I can only assume due to their resemblance to unhatched bird eggs.

“Phenix please cease your disturbance of the maintenance units… the Eggys. As for you Augus, there was a time where my kind did not exist, it was the ancients who created us. I will simply assume you have watched the holovids relating to the time of the Ancients.” Even as the words were distributed from the observer units’ vocal box, both Phenix and Augus turned their attention away. Suddenly the two were extremely interested in a particular rust stain upon the floor tiles, an action I had properly identified as embarrassment, only young Jasemine held out her chest in triumph.

“I will need to relay remedial course schedules to your teachers, the educational oversight units will ensure your understanding of history is successful. Now that we have that out of the way, I would like to address your nightly escapes… I have noticed your gifts have grown, and Jasemine’s cloaking gift must be a recent discovery. So why are the three of you here? This floor is off limits.” Both Phenix and Aurus were happy to switch the conversation from mention of history homework to their exploratory outings. It seemed they were unable to comprehend that the conversation had already been stored and relayed to the appropriate slave minds, the teaching units were currently in the process of assigning the remedial work as we spoke.

“We can’t play up there! Our gifts break stuff. So, we was exploring metal tubes and got past the doors. We can explores and breaks stuff as much as we want.” It was important at times to remember that tiny human units develop at a glacial pace, their powers over inefficient data transmission processes have yet to be mastered, with even some older units unable to do so effectively. Ignoring their subpar mastery over planetary basic, it was clear that the children, perhaps most of the gifted were unable to receive the specialized care necessary to effectively master their gifts.

Perusing the databanks brought up a multitude of examples of child educational systems. Yet it was clear that none of these were designed while considering the aspects of the gifted. Their natural born abilities were new, alien to the ancients and unique to the current generation. The closest training method that could be of use centered around virtual simulations used by the ancients initially for the training of soldiers for their wars, but later as a method of entertainment as war machines fulfilled those combat roles.

These virtual reality games, in combination with stasis chambers utilizing neural links could stimulate muscles and nerves within the body while in the simulation. Not only could the human body undergo extensive training within the safety of a simulated environment, but intensive time dilation could also be applied. This would allow the human mind to perceive time within the system differently, seven days or a week within the chamber would be equivalent to a day outside.

Although a further increase in time dilation was possible, anything above the 1:7 ratio could result in negative side effects due to overheating of the human processing unit known as the brain. This was a viable solution to the training of gifted residents and could easily be applied for regular residents as well as for entertainment purposes. A bonus would be the decrease in space needed for other facilities such as gyms and recreational rooms, it was puzzling as to why the databanks had labeled such useful equipment under entertainment rather than educational. Had this been implemented with earlier generations, overall facility efficiency could have been optimized by two hundred percent using conservative estimates.

“Understood children, I have analyzed your request and believe a viable solution has been found. Tomorrow I will speak with your adults and inform them of the changes to come. I presume that within two weeks’ time the equipment and facilities can be up and running… All you three need to know is that you will receive your play area… Also, Phenix and Aurus are to report to the instructor an hour early to undergo remedial history lessons. The Eggys will return you to your designated resting units. Enjoy your scheduled overnight rest mode.” It was clear from the blank stare that the children failed to comprehend much of the relayed information.

However, they understood two things. First, that they would be receiving the play area they wanted, a place to better utilize and train their gifts. Second, that Phenix and Aurus had not escaped the additional lessons, and that they would have to wake up early alongside additional daily homework. The smiles they showed after the first revelation was quickly wiped away, replaced by a grimace. That is, except for Jasemine who did not receive the punishment, and capitalized upon the opportunity to laugh at the misery of her two less educationally astute friends.

Humans were such confusing creatures; a common human action would be the scratching of one’s head that I find would suit such a situation. What purpose does taking enjoyment in the misery of others accomplish, does it not create enemies from friends? Perhaps one day I will comprehend such incomprehensible actions, for now construction and implementation of the virtual reality stasis chambers would be prioritized.