Chapter 2: Lockdown

“Initializing procedure.” Said Hal

Increasing Ego integration

Suddenly I felt knowledge surging into my head. It was a weird feeling, but it wasn't painful instead it was similar to a feeling when you suddenly remember something.

Ego integration at 5%

With each passing second my control over nanites grew. Now I could subconsciously activate and deactivate some functions like [Strength Boost] or [Thought Acceleration].

Ego integration at 10%

As the numbers grew I realized something. The higher Ego integration is the less human I become. I understood that every time ego integration increases, my body is becoming more and more mechanical.

Ego integration at 12%

Process complete

After process ended I finally understood that my consciousness was no longer residing in my brain, it was spread throughout the nanites.

*tap* *tap* *tap*

I heard someone getting closer

It's time to test the disguise. Hal I'll leave it to you.

After a silver mist surrounded my body, it persisted for 3 seconds before finally disappearing. I must say the results were quite… shocking.

Hal! Why am I naked?!

“It is not advised to activate a disguise while wearing clothes.” Hal answered.

Before I could ask why a silver liquid started flowing through every pore on my skin covering my whole body with a thin silver layer. After I became a living silver statue the liquid changed its shape to resemble clothes and then it actually turned into a full set of lab clothes.

Ok, I understand now.

*tap* *tap* *tap*

The sound of footsteps indicated that the person is about to come from around the corner.

Act natural, I just have to walk past that person.

I started walking towards the corner when a young man emerged from behind the corner. He was wearing a lab coat and was at most 20 years old. He had no distinct features except for a thunder shaped scar on his left cheek.

“Excuse me, have we met somewhere?” He asked, when I tried to walk past him.

Don't worry he doesn't know anything yet. You can still fool him.

“It may be possible, but I doubt it.” I replied while maintaining my poker face.

“Are you perhaps Dr. Rayburn’s new assistant?“ He asked.

I thought he noticed something, but either way I have to end this conversation before I get exposed.

“Excuse me, but I don't have time to talk, I'm already late for an appointment. “ I lied and quickly walked away.

“Gah. Turned down again.” I heard a whisper from behind.

I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

Few minutes later I finally reached the end of the green line. It led me to a really big room with a ceiling so high that even trees were planted there, but strangely this room was almost empty. There were 4 people in total 3 of them were women, but I didn't came here to talk. What I needed was some sort of map.

I steeled myself and walked in hoping that nobody will notice me.

Hal can you see anything that resembles map in this room?

“Scan complete. There is no such object in our field of view.” Hal answered.

I hoped there would be at least some sort of map at the end of that line, but instead I only got some sort of chillout room. How am I going to find a way out of this facility now?

I was about to lose hope of getting out of this seemingly huge research facility when I noticed something like a hologram projector next to the tree. Hopefully no one was using it nor was looking at it.

Hal do you know how to operate this thing?

“Negative, but there is an alternative solution. We can hack the terminal and redirect control to us.” Hal answered.

Ok. Let's try this alternate solution.

“Hacking terminal. Hacking complete. Downloading necessary data.” Hal informed me.

What Hal has downloaded was data required to control terminal, after he downloaded it I gained an ability to operate it with my thought.

Let's check if there is some sort of facility map.

The hologram showcasing the facility appeared. According to map 86% of the facility was located underground, it was big enough to have its surface measured in kilometers. The red dot showed us the place where I was located. According to the hologram I was currently in a room called “UnderGarden”, but what was depressing about the room is that it was located almost 1km underground.

Hal can you save map data for the future use?

“Downloading. Integration complete.” I heard the notice.

Hal how can I escape this facility?

“Calculating path. Initializing guide.” Said Hal.

After calculation was completed. I noticed something like a wisp hovering 1 meter above the ground. When I moved towards the wisp, It maintained a constant distance from me. When it moved, it left a trail of light that quickly faded away. I understood that I had to follow it to find an exit.

“Warning! Warning! Facility lockdown initialized. Code 3436: Sentient Nanites are on the loose. Threat level: S If not neutralized within 8 hours the facility will self-destruct.” An alarm went off suddenly."

Sorry for short chapter and bad English.