The light was not blinding, but it was sharp.
It filled the chamber with the strange clarity of something ancient waking up, like a god pulling itself out of sleep. The flickering blue stabilised into clean lines across the console. Symbols floated, rearranged, clicked into grids.
Toren's hand hovered just above the surface. He wasn't sure if it was still him that moved—or the dream of him that lingered.
The voice continued, steady and emotionless, but… not unfriendly.
"Core architecture rebooted. Local AI system online. Adjusting interface to cognitive familiarity… complete."
A blink of light sparked in the air above the console—then a shape. A faintly glowing circle, ringed with rotating icons. Letters he didn't recognise phased into words he did.
KINGDOM SYSTEM ACTIVE
User: Toren Vale
Class: Reclaimer
Territory: Unclaimed
Assets: 0
Population: 17 (Unregistered)
Threat Index: Low Foundational
Task Protocol: Engaged
"Would you like to begin?" the voice asked, almost gently.
Toren opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then nodded.
A sound like wind through hollow tubes passed through the chamber as the interface zoomed in. A 3D map of the local terrain appeared—a crude topographical sketch showing the crash site, the settlement, and the surrounding jungle.
The voice said:
"First Task Assigned: Stabilize the Foundations."
—Establish permanent shelter for 80% of local population.—Secure sustainable food supply.
Reward: Solar Grid (Tier I Blueprint)
Toren stared at it.
"Wait," he said out loud, "I don't know how to build—"
The voice spoke over him:
"Resources may be gathered. Design schematics included upon completion. Optional hint: consider collaboration. Leadership does not equal isolation."
A pause.
Toren blinked.
"Did you just sass me?"
"Clarification: encouragement."
He exhaled, chest tight with the swirl of fear and wonder. This wasn't just a ship AI. It was something bigger—something tailored to him.
He looked at the map again. The settlement was just a crude blotch of huts and half-walls, all jumbled together. No walls. No order. Just people surviving.
And now... it was his.
A system. A task. A goal.
"Okay," he whispered, a slow grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Game on."