Chapter Eight: Space Fighter

The artificial intelligence stationed at the base has also entered a dormant state. Currently, everything in the base operates according to preset programs. Even with Fang Xu's arrival, the main entrance of the base opened and mechanical guards welcomed him—all of this was part of a pre-established protocol.

Once the condition of human arrival is triggered, the program responds automatically to conduct a welcoming ceremony. Now, Fang Xu's primary task is to awaken the artificial intelligence within the base.

Fortunately, the base guards the Dyson Sphere, so energy has always been abundant. Fang Xu only needs to enter the main control room deep within the base to awaken the AI.

Upon entering the base, the temperature around him gradually increased, prompting Fang Xu to deactivate his powered armor. With a mechanical sound, the armor transformed back into a wheelchair. Nurse Nan Yi pushed him onto the maglev transport vehicle within the base, racing towards its depths.

At the same time, Nan Yi leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "Mr. Fang Xu, the mechanical guards have discovered six Rhine people in the abandoned parts disposal area. How should we handle this?"

"Rhine people? What are they doing there?" Fang Xu asked, surprised.

"According to the base's records, Rhine people often avoid the patrol routes of the mechanical guards and come to the disposal area to pick up some parts."

"What do they need the parts for? Are they repairing something?" Fang Xu inquired, puzzled.

"The existing data is insufficient to deduce their intentions," Nan Yi replied.

"What was done in the past when Rhine people were discovered?"

As Nan Yi pushed the wheelchair off the maglev transport vehicle, they approached a long corridor leading to the main control room, where soft lights illuminated the path. Once heavily fortified, the doors now opened wide for Fang Xu.

Various mechanical arms, previously armed, were all offline. To indicate that Fang Xu posed no threat, they extended from hidden openings, lowering themselves to the ground. In a sense, this was also a display of submission to humanity.

Thus, Fang Xu made his way into the main control room and manually activated the AI main control program, which normally would awaken only in the event of significant damage to the base.

"Energy collection star No. SH100079, base AI initiating self-check.

"Number of online guard machines: 108,932. This is below the alert threshold. Backup units insufficient, backup parts insufficient.

"Remaining energy: 7%, below the alert line.

"Self-check complete.

"Welcome, human Fang Xu."

The AI main control program completed its self-check with a series of flickering lights. Although Fang Xu only caught a glimpse of part of the self-check report, it was clear that the state of the base was not good.

However, these issues were not Fang Xu's primary concern.

"Is the base's energy below the alert line? Isn’t there energy from the Dyson Sphere that can be used?" Fang Xu asked.

"All three hundred energy reception stations are offline. The stellar energy collected from the Dyson Sphere cannot be transmitted," the main control program replied.

"So, you mean I need to restart these energy reception stations to transfer the energy to Earth?" Fang Xu asked anxiously.

If he couldn't transfer the energy to Earth, he wouldn’t be able to restart the medical industry, and that would be the end for him.

"Yes," the main control program confirmed.

"How do I restart them?" Fang Xu quickly followed up.

"The base does not have the authority to restart the energy reception stations; that authority belongs to the Dyson Sphere's main control room."

The main control program continued, "The Dyson Sphere's main control room? Where is it?" Fang Xu began to have a bad feeling.

"The Dyson Sphere's main control room is located on the Dyson Sphere. You can retrieve the specific location map from the database," the main control program replied.

Fang Xu was stunned.

"So, to restore the energy supply, I have to go to the Dyson Sphere?"

"I am not familiar with the Dyson Sphere's situation. For safety, it is best for you to go there in person; only your authority can ensure everything goes smoothly," the main control program added.

"I would like to go, but do you have any usable spacecraft here?" Fang Xu chuckled wryly.

After all, he hadn’t found any usable spacecraft on Earth.

Maybe somewhere on Earth a well-maintained spacecraft was hidden, but the publicly available database indicated that all recorded locations had long been neglected and were completely out of commission.

Otherwise, he might have gone to Mars or Mercury to search for energy left in the entire solar industrial zone.

Of course, if there really was a spacecraft, Fang Xu might not want to wander aimlessly around the solar system for energy.

Given his limited time and the vastness of the solar system, it was more practical to try his luck at the clearly documented energy collection star.

However, it seemed that luck was not on his side.

Since all the spacecraft on Earth were essentially scrap, Fang Xu doubted that the spacecraft on this colony star would still be in good condition.

"Searching the hangar, a usable space fighter has been found. You can take the space fighter to the space station, then transfer to a shuttle to reach the Dyson Sphere," the main control program replied.

"Is there really one?" Fang Xu exclaimed in surprise.