Daniel took a deep breath, crouched inside the hatch. The raiders were still outside, their shadows flickering over the rubble, but the AI's calm voice gave him a sliver of confidence.
"Operator," the AI said, "first functions available. Proceed with caution."
Daniel nodded, uncertain but curious. He reached out and touched a panel, and the AI responded immediately. A soft light illuminated a small drone, folded neatly in the corner.
"Observation drone online," it said. "Capabilities: scouting, environmental analysis. Operator control required."
Daniel's heart raced. A drone… he could send it out to explore without putting himself in danger. Slowly, he guided it through a crack in the hatch, watching as its sensors scanned the ruined streets. The AI's soft hum accompanied the drone's movements, almost like a reassuring presence.
Next, Daniel tried environmental analysis. Panels shifted, projecting schematics of nearby buildings, hidden tunnels, and energy caches. He realized that with this AI, he could map parts of the city he'd never dared to explore before.
He paused, taking it all in. Every corner revealed another piece of Aridia's past—a collapsed market, a half-buried library, the skeletal remains of machines long dead. The AI's voice cut through the quiet.
"Operator," it said softly, "restricted area detected. Unknown risk level. Proceed with caution."
Daniel's pulse quickened. Danger was everywhere, but so was opportunity. He took notes, studying the AI's capabilities, imagining how this technology could change his survival—and maybe even help others.
For the first time in years, hope flickered in his chest. But he knew it came with a price: curiosity could be deadly.