Zane Kross never expected to be trapped in a quantum vault with a haunted toaster, a sarcastic AI, and a six-armed robot named Cheryl. But here he was, soul fragment glitching, sweat beading, and toaster blinking like it had Wi-Fi and unresolved trauma.
Alarms blared overhead.
> [Security Protocols Engaged] [WARNING: Bio-signature recognized – Subject KROSS.Z_00] [Lockdown Status: Perma-screwed]
"System!" Zane shouted over the noise. "Ideas?"
> "Try screaming louder. I hear it works in horror movies."
"Super helpful, thanks."
The toaster on the floor buzzed, shook, then projected another hologram—this time, not a child's face. It was…him. A younger, cleaner version of himself, like Zane pre-instant noodles diet and stress wrinkles.
"Zane Kross. You were not supposed to wake up this way," the projection said.
"Cool. Just once, I'd like to wake up with waffles and no existential crisis."
Cheryl the six-armed bot waved one claw. "This facility is unstable. Might want to run or ascend to enlightenment. Up to you."
The hologram continued unfazed.
"You were built as a failsafe. Project OBELISK was humanity's last shot at surviving the neural chain collapse. You're more than just a drifter with a toaster problem."
"I'm also broke. Let's not forget that part."
Suddenly, the floor rumbled. A nearby server exploded in a shower of sparks.
> [Warning: Vault breach imminent] [Security Response ETA: 3 minutes – Suggest: Not being here]
"I'm open to ideas," Zane muttered, grabbing the toaster and hoisting it under one arm. "Hey, Cheryl, what's the fastest way out?"
Cheryl pointed a wrench-finger toward a vent labeled ABSOLUTELY DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOU'RE COOL.
"I hate that I qualify," Zane sighed.
---
Scene Shift – Air Ducts of Regret
The vent led to a maze of ducts filled with dust, sparking cables, and the overwhelming smell of betrayal-flavored air freshener.
"System," Zane grunted, crawling with the toaster wedged under his chest, "anything useful in this death tunnel?"
> "Just a motivational quote: 'Sometimes life closes a door to open a maintenance shaft.'"
"Beautiful."
After ten grueling minutes and one very awkward sneeze that almost killed them both, Zane dropped out into a supply room stacked with old mod kits, recharge packs, and a vending machine labeled EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SNACKS.
He hit the button for "mystery chips." It gave him a wrench.
"I guess that's fair."
Suddenly, the toaster chirped and projected a new file.
> [Encrypted File: 'Sera'] [Access Granted – Project Link Confirmed: Sibling Contingency]
Zane froze.
"Sera…?"
It was her. A hologram of a young woman with silver eyes and a half-smile. His sister. Lost for years. Presumed dead after the network collapse.
"Zane," her voice said softly, "if you're seeing this… you've been activated. I'm sorry. This isn't how it was supposed to happen."
Zane blinked hard. His throat tightened.
The System went silent. For once, it had nothing sarcastic to say.
> [Emotion Buffer Overload – Recommend: Cry in a cool way]
"Okay," Zane muttered, wiping his face. "New rule. No dying until I find her."
The toaster beeped in what felt like agreement.
Then the door blew open.
---
Scene Climax – Corporate Peacekeeping Squad Arrives
Three armored figures stormed in, weapons drawn. Their uniforms bore the logo of NEUREX, one of the big five AI governance corps. Translation: They don't knock, and they don't ask questions.
Zane raised his hands, toaster still cradled like a baby with attitude.
"Look, I was just borrowing a quantum server and maybe hijacking my destiny, but in a non-illegal way."
The lead trooper stepped forward. "Subject ZK_OBSIDIAN. You are in breach of your soul-license. Prepare for acquisition."
"Soul-license?" Zane blinked. "Are you guys serious or did you lose a bet?"
> [Incoming Combat Scenario – System activating Emergency Loadout]
Zane's wrist implant flared. A glowing interface materialized and slapped together a crude weapon mod: Wrench + Electrical Tape + Pure Desperation = Stun Baton (Probably)
He lunged left, using a crate of nano-snacks as cover. The toaster launched itself onto a trooper's helmet and started playing elevator jazz at max volume.
It was chaos. Beautiful, electrified chaos.
Zane managed to take out two guards, though one of them tripped on an "Emotional Support" plushie.
As the last trooper raised their gun, the vault door behind Zane imploded.
Standing in the smoke… was an old man in a white exo-suit with glowing veins of circuitry. His eyes locked onto Zane.
"You've finally awakened, Kross."
"Okay, I'm gonna need everyone to stop saying that like I'm some discount messiah."
The old man smirked.
"Call me Prophet. You have questions. I have answers."
"I also have a toaster."
"I know," Prophet said. "I programmed it."
---