Cherreads

Chapter 52 - Chapter 50: Element-M

Arthur leaned back in the commander's throne, its sleek design conforming perfectly to his form as though the chair itself was alive and adjusting to his presence. The walls of the command center glowed faintly with those runic language. These runes were like codes in a computer program, holding secrets that would take time for Arthur to figure out.

Holographic projections surrounded him, displaying streams of data about the Spear of Heaven. The Guardian AI spoke with a calm, resonant voice, providing updates on the ship's technologies, resources, and capabilities.

[The Spear of Heaven has a total energy output equivalent to that of a hypernova. It is equipped with weapons capable of disrupting quantum fields, defensive systems that can easily withstand supernova-level blasts, and a fully autonomous repair system powered by molecular reconstruction.]

[A/N: Quantum destabilizer can be used as a powerful weapon that disrupts the molecular structure of matter by manipulating quantum phenomena, thus disintegrating any matter.]

Arthur rubbed his temples. A hypernova worth of energy? Quantum disruption weapons? It was difficult to comprehend. Yet, here he was, sitting in command of what could only be described as a cosmic juggernaut. As the AI continued its report, Arthur's thoughts drifted to his team.

"Guardian," Arthur interrupted, his tone laced with concern. "Show me the current status of every human and Chimerian on this ship."

The holograms flickered for a moment before displaying various feeds. Arthur's eyes scanned them quickly. He spotted Elena and Leo navigating another corridor, their weapons drawn but their path clear. A separate feed showed Lt. Nakamura and Samir tending to minor injuries after their skirmish. His teammates appeared tired but safe. As for the Chimerians, the footage revealed them spread out, cautiously exploring their surroundings.

Arthur sighed in relief, his shoulders relaxing. "At least they're safe for now," he muttered under his breath.

[Would you like me to engage defensive protocols to secure your team further?] the AI asked.

Arthur shook his head. "No, not yet. If the Chimerians attack them, we'll step in. But I don't want to alert anyone to this battleship's presence just yet. Let them move naturally for now."

He paused, looking at the metallic sheen of the walls around him. Something had been nagging at the back of his mind since he first stepped foot here. "Guardian," he began thoughtfully, "this ship, what exactly is it made of?"

Arthur had used 'Analyze' on some part and all he got was its composition was some unknown alloy, he figured it was extremely durable, 10^9 times more than Magmatter, which is crazy as there are no metals or alloys with that durability present with humanity.

The AI paused, as if considering how to explain. Finally, it responded. [Commander. The Spear of Heaven is constructed from a material vastly superior to any alloy known to humanity. It is composed of what my creators termed Alloy-X. It is 10^9 times more durable than magmatter.]

[A/N: Magmatter is 10^32 times more durable than normal matter. They are used in building mega structures by advanced civilizations.]

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Alloy-X? How was it created?"

[To explain, we must first discuss its origin. Millions of years ago, my creators, the Krozonites, discovered a rare crystalline-like metal they named Element-M. It possessed the unique ability to mimic the properties of other elements or materials it came into contact with.]

Arthur sat up straighter in his chair, intrigued. "Mimic? You mean it could copy properties like conductivity or density?"

[Precisely. However, its abilities extended far beyond basic mimicry. Through extensive research, the Krozonites discovered that Element-M could simultaneously replicate the properties of up to five different elements, all under the control of one's mind. Its versatility made it the most valuable discovery in our history. And, if that was its limit was unknown.]

Arthur leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "Wait… if it's so powerful, why isn't the Spear of Heaven made out of it?"

[Because regrettably my creators were only able to find a handful of these crystalline metals and because of their limitations,] the AI replied. [Despite their advancements, my creators could not fully uncover all of Element-M's secrets. Its origin remained a mystery, and its quantity was scarce, as it was impossible to detect Element-M using any technology. However, they did manage to replicate one of its remarkable properties; its extraordinary durability. By synthesizing this property, they created Alloy-X. The Spear of Heaven is entirely constructed from this material.]

Arthur exhaled, leaning back on the throne. "And you're saying it's more durable than magmatter?"

[Indeed. Unlike magmatter, which increases in weight proportionally to its durability, Alloy-X retains a remarkably low mass. This allows the Spear of Heaven to possess unparalleled resilience without sacrificing mobility or energy efficiency.]

Arthur's mind raced with possibilities. A material that durable, yet lightweight, could revolutionize human technology. But one question lingered in Arthur's mind. "Guardian, can you show me what this Element-M looks like?"

The AI paused briefly before generating a holographic image. Arthur's eyes widened as he saw the representation. The metal resembled a translucent, crystalline structure with a soft, ethereal purple glow.

Arthur froze, his breath catching in his throat. He recognized it.

"No way," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "I've seen this before."

[Please elaborate, Commander,] the AI asked Arthur in confusion.

Arthur stood up from the throne, pacing. His memories flashed back to the planet where he had first arrived after his transmigration. In the depths of a cave, he had stumbled upon a strange crystalline deposit. It had caught his attention immediately because of how it seemed to pulse faintly with purple glow, almost as if it contained vast amounts of energy. At the time, he had dismissed it as some unique mineral, just surprised at its durability.

After typing in some coordinates, "I have seen something similar on this planet," Arthur said aloud. "I didn't think much of it then, but now… you're telling me that was Element-M?" The Guardian AI said its creator only got some handful of Element-M, but the deposit he encountered had at least tens of millions of tons of it.

[It is highly probable, Commander. The Krozonites discovered Element-M on remote celestial bodies scattered across the galaxy. Its presence on that planet aligns with what we know.]

Arthur ran a hand through his hair, his mind spinning. If that deposit was truly Element-M, and if he could somehow acquire it… The implications were staggering.

[Caution, Commander,] the AI interrupted. [The power of Element-M is not without its dangers. Many civilizations have sought to exploit its properties, only to destroy themselves in the process. Prolonged use of Element-M erodes the mind of the user.]

Arthur nodded, understanding the warning. "Still… we can't ignore its potential. We just have to use it carefully." Though Arthur thought with his ability it won't be a problem to use the metal.

The holograms around him flickered, displaying a detailed map of the battleship and its systems. The AI's voice softened slightly. [The Spear of Heaven is yours to command, Commander. Its legacy, its power, and its secrets are now in your hands.]

Arthur stared at the map. Now, he held the key to a power beyond anything humanity had ever known.

Arthur remained seated at the commander's throne, immersed in the detailed explanations provided by the Guardian AI.

[The battleship's central energy core,] the AI explained, [It has operated for millions of Earth years without maintenance, as the Krozonites designed it to be entirely self-sufficient.]

Arthur let out a low whistle. "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of this thing."

[Indeed,] the AI replied. [The Spear of Heaven was designed not merely as a warship. Its primary purpose was to safeguard their knowledge, culture, and technologies during their transition to other universes. So, it can be said its defensive capabilities are even greater than its offensive capabilities.]

Arthur nodded, appreciating the gravity of the battleship's role. As the projections shifted to display resource stockpiles, Arthur noticed the vast reserves of unknown metals, rare elements, and advanced nanomaterials stored onboard. The Krozonites had left nothing to chance.

As he pondered the possibilities, another thought struck him. "Guardian, what about the ruins and the Obelisk that brought us here? What's their significance?"

The AI paused briefly before responding, as if accessing ancient files. [The ruins are what remains of a once-thriving Krozonite central hub. This region served as a nexus of their activities within this galaxy. The structure you refer to as the Obelisk was, in fact, a gateway, a device capable of opening stable pathways to other universes.]

Arthur's eyes widened. "A gateway to other universes? You're telling me that thing can create portals to entirely different dimensions?"

[Correct. The Obelisk was part of the Krozonites' 'Interdimensional Bridge' initiative, a project that enabled them to traverse to parallel realities and expand their understanding of existence. However, after their departure, the gateway was decommissioned and left dormant. Over time, its systems likely deteriorated due to neglect.]

Arthur frowned. "So, it's not functional anymore?"

[Its functionality has likely been compromised, but it can be repaired. The Krozonites designed their structures to be resilient and adaptable. With the technology aboard the Spear of Heaven, restoring the gateway to its full capacity would be a relatively simple task.]

Arthur leaned forward, his mind racing. If the Obelisk could be repaired, the implications were enormous. It could provide him with the ability to explore other universes.

"Couldn't humans and the Chimerians just repair it themselves?" Arthur asked.

[The Krozonites ensured that only those attuned to their technology could interact with their advanced systems. Your technopathy makes you uniquely qualified to serve as the Inheritor. Without such abilities, the Chimerians or the humans would be unable to fully interface with the Obelisk.]

Arthur leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So, the Chimerians came here looking for something they can't even use."

[Not entirely,] the AI corrected. [While they may not be able to activate the Obelisk, they could still attempt to salvage something other than it. There are lot of damaged technology in the ruins, which they can reverse engineer and get something valuable out of them.]

Arthur clenched his fists. "I can't let that happen. We've already seen what they're capable of with just a fraction of their resources. If they gain access to Krozonite technology…" He trailed off.

The AI's voice softened. [You hold the power to protect this legacy, Commander. The Krozonites entrusted their creations to one who could wield them wisely. That responsibility now falls to you.]

Arthur stood, the throne adjusting as he moved. "Then I need to secure this place and find a way to repair the Obelisk. If it's a gateway to other universes, it's too valuable to fall into the wrong hands."

The AI projected a glowing map of the ruins. [Understood, Commander. I will assist you in securing the Obelisk and initiating repairs.]

As he prepared to leave the command center, Arthur's mind was filled with questions about the Krozonites and their mysterious departure. Yet, for now, one thing was certain, the Obelisk, and the Spear of Heaven can become his trump cards.

***

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