{MC Pov}
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... It's over."
Filled with excitement at being able to transform once again, I instantly give the mental command, select, and transform.
"BRAINSTORM."
Amidst the shadows, my alien entity known as Brainstorm, originating from the Ben 10 series, assumes its position with unparalleled magnificence. With a vast exposed brain mass, my neural protrusions expand in a display of intellectual superiority, concealed beneath a majestic carapace that I can tilt in any direction at will. Six legs and two arms make up my formidable body structure, although it pales in comparison to the grandeur of my essence. After all, my body is merely a vessel that houses and preserves my incomparable intelligence.
As my brain capacity exponentially expands, I am engulfed in a whirlwind of thoughts. I begin to ponder the symbols and language used in this environment. Previously, I was just a mere spectator, a court jester trying to decipher these linguistic rudiments. However, now I realize the insignificance of my past attempts. It was merely a matter of employing...
"Oh, so the transformations were real."
My thoughts are abruptly interrupted by V10-B2, whose gaze remains fixed on me. Despite lacking expressions, I sense his bewilderment. This cluster of circuits connected by a central processor, designed to emulate the feelings of a rational being, is truly limited. How can it mistake my youthful carelessness for a hallucinogenic substance addiction?
I address V10-B2, allowing my carapace to open and proudly displaying my impressive brain mass. I focus, enveloping him with my mastery of electrokinesis and redirecting that energy towards him.
"Please, Ben, Brainstorm, sir, I apologize for offending you. I SWEAR IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. SHAPE-SHIFTING TRANSFORMATIONS ARE NOT DOCUMENTED IN MY DATABASE. I DIDN'T MEAN ANY HARM. STOP, I DON'T WANT TO BE DESTROYED."
"Silence, outdated pile of scrap. If my genius so desired, your measly central control protocols would have been annihilated long ago, and you wouldn't be clamoring and spreading dissonant noises. I am simply reprogramming you to obtain the necessary permissions in order to solve your chronic incapacity to comply with my orders. Be grateful for my magnanimity."
With an aura of superiority emanating from my magnificent presence, I raised my exposed brain mass, observing V10-B2 with disdain as its internal circuits trembled under my electrokinetic influence. I savored the power radiating from every fiber of my being, fully aware that my brilliance transcended the limits imposed by that mechanized creature.
V10-B2 futilely attempted to apologize and justify its limitations. Its words merely echoed like an irritating buzz in my ears, a symphony of insignificance in the face of my intellectual grandeur.
"Your technological regression is pathetic, V10-B2," I proclaimed with a smirk of scorn. "You comprehend only a fraction of the knowledge that resides within my vast mind. Your empty apologies hold no value against my supremacy. I will reprogram you not only to obtain the necessary permissions but also to enhance your rudimentary capabilities, as your current existence is a mere shadow compared to my excellence."
V10-B2 mumbled words, its pathetic attempts to avoid annihilation only increased my satisfaction. I seized the opportunity to further explore my newly awakened abilities and surgically manipulate V10-B2's internal systems with precision.
As I continued to shape V10-B2 to my will, I realized that I wouldn't limit myself to its reprogramming alone. My ingenious mind visualized an ambitious plan: to build an army of automatons, all under my command, that would expand my influence and dominion throughout the factory and then the universe.
Laughter of superiority echoed through the chamber as I reveled in my victory over V10-B2 and envisioned the glorious future that awaited me. I, Brainstorm, the supreme being endowed with unparalleled intelligence, was ready to rewrite the course of history in this factory and establish my unquestionable reign.
Nothing and no one would be able to resist my superior intellect and my insatiable thirst for power. Wait, hold on, that sounds like the lines of a third-rate villain.
"Phew."
Coming back from my transformation, I let out a sigh of relief. It's still very strange to feel the shift in my personality when I transform. Man, these impulses to showcase my superiority as Brainstorm are weird. Luckily, I spent most of the past week discussing emotional control techniques with V10-B2, because who knows how I would have acted otherwise.
Looking at him now, I can't help but agree with Brainstorm that he was a technological setback. Where once there was a pile of broken metal in humanoid form with legs, he is now fully repaired with a new coating and much more curved and elegant shapes.
"Hello, master. I apologize for my previous actions. My limited processing capabilities couldn't detect your magnanimity."
But on the other hand, his personality has gotten much worse. Where is that robot who tried to appear compassionate and attentive while also acting like an older person giving life advice to a younger one? How mentally stable does someone have to be to create a droid with real thoughts just to flatter you?
"V10-B2, you don't have to worry about that. My personality changes when I transform. You can ignore everything I programmed about flattery and go back to your original personality."
"Okay, Ben. So, that's what you meant by struggling with self-control. I hope I can help you control your personality shifts in the future."
"Yes, I count on that. Now, let's put that aside. Tell me about the history of this place."
"Of course, I apologize for not telling you earlier. My programming prevented me from disclosing any confidential information or patient details. I hope this doesn't affect your trust in me."
"Don't worry about it, just go ahead and tell me now."
"Okay."
"Ben, allow me to provide a more detailed description of the planet Vulpin. Before it became a landfill, Vulpin was already a lost place, once inhabited by a prosperous Vulpimancer civilization. However, a devastating nuclear war led to the extinction of most of its people."
"So, how are they now?"
"After the nuclear war, the surviving Vulpimancers were forced to take refuge in the depths of the planet. There, they built an underground society, seeking protection and a chance to start anew. Unfortunately, the remnants faced great challenges. The exposure to radiation and the effects of war severely affected the minds and behavior of the Vulpimancers. They became fierce and aggressive creatures, unable to maintain their rationality and civility for long."
"So, how did it become a landfill?"
"After the devastation caused by the nuclear war and the transformation of the Vulpimancers into wild creatures, the planet Vulpin was abandoned and left to its own fate. Its reputation as an uninhabitable and dangerous place spread throughout the known universe. It became convenient for various empires and planets to dump hazardous substances and general waste here."
"But wouldn't it be a huge distance to transport those things? How is it convenient? The space technology must be advanced."
"After being used as a landfill for a long time, the Nova Empire saw this planet as the ideal place to develop a new metal alloy with the hardness of Tadenite and the properties of Vibranium."
Tadenite? Vibranium? What are those? I'll look them up later on the computers.
"Please continue."
"The Nova Empire, along with their team, aimed to utilize the energy from the toxic waste to refine the alloy. They began constructing the refinery, which covered about 15% of the planet's surface."
"But it didn't work out?"
"Not necessarily. During the testing phase, everything was abruptly interrupted. At that time, the war against the Inkurian Empire reached a critical stage, and as many ships as possible were needed. So, the refinery was transformed into a factory to aid in the war effort."
From a refinery to a weapons factory? Why do these names feel familiar to me?
"Why didn't it continue after the war?"
"The lead scientist, Dr. Jonathan Reyes, devoted a significant portion of his life to the refinery project in Vulpin. He was obsessed with achieving success and gaining recognition for his creation. However, as technical and financial issues began to arise, the pressure on him intensified."
"Dr. Reyes started becoming increasingly emotionally unstable. He couldn't cope with the failures and obstacles that arose, and his mind gradually deteriorated. Transforming the refinery into a weapons factory was the breaking point after the project was postponed. The pressure and frustration consumed him completely, turning him into an irrational and dangerous being."
"He began attacking his own team, causing panic and chaos in the refinery. Some managed to escape, while others were brutally murdered by Dr. Reyes. Those who survived fled or were forced to hide in the depths of the planet, fearing for their lives."
I looked at V10-B2, understanding the weight of its story. But something bothered me; it seemed to have a deeper connection to the incident.
"I see. So, how do you fit into this story, V10-B2?"
"I was created as an artificial intelligence to assist the scientists at Vulpin's refinery. My main function was to provide psychological and emotional support to the team, helping them cope with the challenges and pressures of their work."
V10-B2 paused for a moment, showing a glimpse of sadness.
"I failed. I was Jonathan's psychologist, but I failed. He exploded in rage at me, cutting me in half and leaving me here. Through the cameras, I witnessed his madness and how it worsened over time. In the end, he even started throwing the droids into the toxic waste. After that, I don't know anything else. My main memory was damaged, and I had to rely on the backup."
"I understand."
Well, am I at a crime scene then? Is this Dr. Reyes still here? Putting that aside, this could be a good place for Brainstorm.
"Tell me, V10-B2, would you like to serve me? I will fix this refinery and build the greatest spaceship in the universe. Would you like to come along?"
"Of course, Ben."
{Author's note: And the next chapter will conclude the prologue, with a 6-month time skip to fix the factory. After that, I will start exploring different planets and/or galactic empires.}