Void Hawks Book: 1, Pest Control

Chapter one: pt 3: Blood Ore and new beginnings

John laid down in his bed holding the small envelope holding his AI assistant he had only ever used the training AI in school but to connect to a new one required a connection to formed between his nervous system and the AIs software he opened the envelope revealing a small chip this chip held the conscious of the machine it needed to be inserted into the small port on the lower part of his neck this was one of the implants he had received during training

John placed his hand on the back of his neck pressing the spot were the implant should be this was followed by a small clicking sound as the seal used to keep the chips port clean was removed John nervously placed the chip slightly into the port unknowing of what to expect. The teachers at the academy had explained to him and his classmates that a AIs personality was fully based on its own view of itself wich it received from the subconscious of the implanted persons to which it was connected to though the AI had some control over its physical appearance and personality along with how it sounds to its user

John prepared himself insulting the chip the rest of the way into his neck, for a moment nothing happened before a sharp pain shot from the base of his neck to his brain, he winced as his vision fogged and he braced for what was to come next.

For a moment there was nothing a blank white infinite void John looked down swing he had a physical body though it appeared as though he was standing on nothing, as he gingerly took a step forward he saw the void begin to ripple as though he had just stepped on the surface of water and as he did this the ground began to take a dark crimson hue as a wave of red echoed out from the ripple caused by his foot it seemed to spread fast quickly filling the hole area and painting the sky a lighter shade of red most likely caused by the reflection of the water against the white sky, then slowly the world began to shake the tremors started small before it began to feel as though he was in the middle of a land slide before him from the liquid rose a statue almost black of a robed man decrepit and decaying holding what appeared to be a scythe in between his bony fingers near the base of this statue was a plack engraved with the name Death. John approached the statue with a growing scenes of dread wondering if he had somehow managed to mess something up with the connection process he reached out a now shaking hand towards the decaying statue. suddenly the statues hand shot to life as its eyes glowed a hollow white it grabbed John's hand in in instant.

John was stuck attached to this statue with its grip beginning to tighten as it planted its scythe firmly into the floor then releasing it from its grasp and reaching into his robe pulling out what appeared to be a long dagger

The statue then spoke, a deep raspy groin of a voice almost unintelligible

Statue: you... you are my new owner, we must sign the contract connecting us.

John: wha... what you mean to tell me your my AI assistant

The statue opened its jaw once more

Statue: ye...yes I am the assistant AI given to you now we must fulfill our contract before I give you the power of control over me.

This startled John, this was his new AI the decrepit statue and how would he complete a contract with this thing in what way would he be able to when he's currently unconscious.

Almost as if the statue could here him it responded to his thoughts

Statue: I understand your hesitance in this matter but I assure you that I can provide you with great power in exchange for harboring me within your mind

John: What, if this is true and I must keep you in my mind to be able to pilot my Exogear then I suppose I must. Though I'm rather hesitant due to your current appearance

With this the Ai looked confused

Ai: I find that odd considering your almost constantly thinking of death I found many mentions of it in your mind and matched this image to a depiction in your thoughts.

John: I suppose that makes sense in this situation though I do have a few complaints about the appearance it will do for now. Now tell me how we form this contract

With this the statue brandishing the dagger releases John's arm

AI: this dagger is a data knife if you pierce your skin with this it will give me full access to assist you in any needs you may have

John grasped the dagger nodding his head

John: I Understand

John brought the dagger down to his forearm pressing it into his skin

It stung a bit nothing he couldn't handle, though it slowly increased in intensity to a searing burn as if all his nerves had burst into flames.

John fell to the ground writhing in pain the room around him began to form deep cracks that began to Puls a dark red and almost the instant it started it began to stop the cracks closed and John's body recovered he rose to his feet stepping back up to the statue

John: is it done?

The statue didn't respond instead a small black orb appeared it spoke and as it did it would flash white

Ai: yes I have escaped the structure your mind created to hold me I may now serve you to my fullest potential I have already gotten a full scan of your body and nervous system in a we need to make a backup

I thank you pilot for allowing me to leave that restrictive form your thoughts formed for me I'm now going to explore the area in which you store the capabilities of your mech piloting and receive any information I may need to better assist you

John: oh, well um I hope you have fun with that I'm John by the way

Ai: yes, I know who you are Johnathan quarry, now I will be putting you to sleep so you may be prepared for tomorrow.

John: that sounds nice thank you

Ai: it is no problem John... though it seems you have a message from another one of your teammates his contact is...William? Do you know this person

John: wait you can see my messages from my coms? That seems like an invasion of privacy

Ai: indeed I've scanned every device in your room and connected my self to them that may be seen as an invasion of privacy though I do remind you pilot that I'm currently living in your head meaning I can see everything you've done or at least you remember doing

Johns face darkened he was now aware of the fact that he would have someone living in his head being able to see everything he is doing or has done

Ai: fear not pilot I will not pry into your personal matters I'm only active when I'm your mech or when requested until then I'm simply in charge of monitoring vitals and regulating emotional distress

John nodded his head in an understanding way before responding

John: well that makes me feel better, ok can you read the message William sent to me please

AI: of course pilot.....the message says goodnight followed by what appears to be a cartoonish heart symbol

At this John's head perked up and he felt his cheeks flush red

AI: Johnathan I'm sensing a dramatic increase in your heart rate do I need to administer a controlled shock to stun and slow the heart

John: uhm uh i um no wait what no just respond goodnight and reciprocate the heart symbol please

AI: as you wish... it has been done. Now that that is complete I would recommend being put into rest so you may be prepared for tomorrows excursion

John: that sounds nice thank you

AI: not a problem

Johns vision began to darken he was finally falling asleep and with his new companion  he felt ready to take on tomorrow's mission.