Chapitre 4: A new anomoly was born. part 3
The rumbling grew louder, resonating through the desolate mining site. The old derelict structures were briefly illuminated by the fiery wreck of the Combine dropship carrier hurtling through the air, a gaping hole burning through its body. As the doomed dropship hurtled downward, its engines sputtering and failing, the container broke free, hurtling towards the ground like a guided missile.
The dropship itself veered off getting caught in tangled wires of an old crane, it was Swung Smashing into the side of one of the dilapidated buildings on the mining site, in an explosion of twisted metal and flames, the impact shook the entire structure, sending debris flying in all directions.
The container slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash, embedding itself deep into the earth's surface. The force of impact unleashed a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath, dislodging rocks and stirring up billowing clouds of dust. The earth seemed to groan and shudder as if a cavernous mouth had opened up, swallowing the container whole into its depths. The container began its descent into the earth, plunging into a cavernous opening of winding tunnels. It tumbled violently like a roller coaster, twisting and turning through the narrow passages. Metal screeched against stone as the container careened down, behind the container Rocks and debris began to follow, the tunnel collapsing in on itself as the container suddenly came to sudden halt, coming to the end of the tunnel,
As the container emerged from the tunnel's mouth, it hit a lip, sending surprisingly clear water splashing up in a misty haze. The container came to a stop, settling in a chamber bathed in little light. The air here was cool and damp, carrying a faint scent of minerals and earth.
The walls of the chamber were uneven and jagged, lined with shimmering crystals that refracted the faint glow of the luminescent mineral veins. The water pooled around the base of the container, creating small ripples that danced across the surface.
The ripples in the water began to Bounce off of each other as a strange wave of energy cascaded, throughout the chamber, A faint blue flow emanating from the hole Torn through the top of the Container.
[MC's POV]
"Heugh... my head..." I tried to reach up to rub my head, but I felt stiff. Unable to Move Anything, I opened my eyes, only to be met with black, I saw in the corner of my eye underlined in red text.
[OFFLINE.]
"Offline? Well, that will not do...I want to Activate! how do I do that though?"
I began to try different things, I first tried to Speak out Different Words that I thought might work to Activate myself.
"Uhm... Activate! Turn on? ...Please?"
After giving up, I began to think I started to focus, and I tried to call the System.
"Why Can't I See anything? Yo! Systemy thing? Are you still there?
[Correct.]
I sighed mentally in relief, trying to move my body again to no avail.
[there seems to have been a Miscalculation.]
"A Miscalculation? What do you mean?"
[Due to unforeseen consequences, you have ended up in a low Section of an Antlion nest.]
"HUH?! Well, that's great, how the hell did that happen?"
[Well, there was a metal Structure Blocking the way of your Body.]
"Uhuh... And how did that make it, so we ended up in a Freaking Antlion nest?!"
[The system recommends you Calm down.]
"I AM CALM! Alright... maybe I'm Not But this is Stressful! I don't want to end up being eaten alive! or worse! they could capture me... ALIVE and lay eggs in my brain!
[The System reminds you that you do not have a brain.]
"Okay... That was just uncalled for. How do we get out of this situation?"
[Considering the Unfortunate circumstances I have gained permission to assist you in this Coming Struggle.]
"Assist? How do you plan to do that? you're just a voice in my head."
[Would you like me to explain the Functions of the system?]
"...Sure?"
[before we begin Would you like to Activate?]
"...Duh! Do it quick! I'm sick of Staring at nothing!"
Suddenly, Franklin's consciousness sparked to life within the cold, unfeeling shell of the Combine Pulse Sentry Gun, overwhelmed by a disorienting maelstrom of data and sensory inputs. Gradually, from the chaos, a sense of awareness arose, akin to a diver surfacing from the depths of a stormy sea.
The initial sensation was a dull, rhythmic hum pulsating through his metallic frame, syncing like a heartbeat. This hum evolved into a cacophony of mechanical noises: the clicking of relays, the soft whirring of cooling vents, and the rapid beeps of systems powering up sequentially. As Franklin's consciousness found stability, his vision started to coalesce. Initially, it was merely a pixelated haze, an ambiguous blend of light and shadow. The transition resembled the gradual approach of dawn, with darkness giving way to a flurry of static as the sentry gun's optical sensors activated.
Visual data began to compile, frame by frame, clarity improving moment by moment. Forms emerged from the gloom: the sharp, angular confines of the container, the lifeless bodies of Overwatch Soldiers scattered like forsaken dolls. The palette was subdued, dominated by shades of blue and gray, reflecting the Combine's aesthetic preference. Then, with a crisp, electrical click, Franklin's vision snapped into sharp focus, as if a lens had been adjusted to render everything in pristine clarity.
"Woah! Okay, that's MUCH better! Holy Crap! Are these dudes dead? Shit... well. I'll grieve for my fallen comrades later, let's uhm... get used to this? this... feeling is strange... but also, strangely familiar? I'm guessing that's the system's handy work."
"Although I am kind of pissed that I have to start my new life, inside of an antlion pit. but I think I'll be... okay...? Nah who am I kidding this STILL SUCKS!"
I Moved my tripodal legs a bit finding them a Bit Stiff, I quickly corrected myself, so I didn't fall over.
"But I also can't Shake this feeling of excitement within me... this is real! I'm in the half-life universe. I wonder what part it is. has Gordon and his gang already destroyed the citadel? will I meet G-man Someday? eh... not I'm kind of Scared to think what will happen if he finds out I exist... maybe keep that idea locked away for a bit... at least until I'm sure I can walk correctly.
I moved my head-gun...Gun head? Turret? Eh, I'll just go with the head. I moved my head around and wow! my vision is great! I mean... everything's a Shade of blue So that's kind of weird. I'll get used to it."
[Would you Like me to Activate the System now?]
"Oh! right, I forgot... I was basking in my mechanical magnificence...wait... what did I just say? hey, system is it weird to say I like this new body? Maybe that's a weird thing to say. I Don't Know... never mind! Just uh- Activate the System!"
The system quickly began to work its magic, text began to Appear in my vision... interface?... Vision.
[PEREMITERS HAVE BEEN MET.]
[ACTIVATING COMBINE SYSTEM. . .]
[Congratulations! for successfully Activating the system for the first time! I will now show you the functions of the system and how they work.]
[. . .]
I waited for the system to keep Speaking but All I got was silence.
"System... is everything Alright?
[Everything is Perfect.]
I raised a brow at the way the system said that line it almost gave me shivers.
"Okay... then are you going to explain how the system works now?"
[To go into Your Mind menu, I want you to Focus And think of the Words, "Activate System menu."]
I acted promptly, and as I did, it felt as though I was being pulled back. To my surprise, I found myself in an entirely different space. I looked around and saw a vast sci-fi-themed hangar, complete with unusual metal walls and floors, and the lights overhead.
I couldn't help but wonder, "What is this supposed to be?" as I observed the enigmatic setup before me. However, before I could dwell too long on my thoughts, the system began to audibly communicate with me, its disembodied voice resonating within the expansive hangar, creating an eerie yet captivating atmosphere.
[This is Your Creation room, in this room You may Customize Your Body, create new technology, And Save Blueprints, And More.]
"Woah! So, I can have actual legs?! So... how do it?"
[Would you Like to Activate the creation Screen?]
"Yes!"
Soon a large Blue Screen materialized in front of me, there were Several Sections I Inspected each going from left to right.
[ Body Customization ] [ tech tree ] [ Quest-Board ] [ Squadrons. ] [ Blueprints. ]
I mentally "clicked" the First option, which surprisingly worked. Suddenly, my eyes were diverted to a whirring noise as a familiar-looking turret was digitally structured on the ground of the hangar on a platform.
"This kind of reminds me of Sprocket? or well Crossout?"
It was kind of too far away. I tried to look down but was reminded of my lack of limbs. I was quite frightened when I tried to look down, only to find out that I had nobody! Well, I did have a body. It seemed inside here; I looked like a city scanner. These were such an annoyance back when I used to play the game! Like flying flashbangs, I'd always shoot them down once I had eyes on them. I'd mentally huff and divert my attention over to my "body," which was sitting unmoving on the platform. I began to try to "move," and after some trial-and-error smashing into the wall or floor, I began to get the hang of movement in this form.
I floated over to my "body" The blue screen disappeared and then reappeared right next to me as I got close, the rest of the buttons on the top of the screen were grey except the "Body Customization" button, I looked below, and on the screen, their were a handful of new options.]
[ Edit ] [ Save to Blueprints ] [ Repair ] [ Scrap ]
I tried to Select one of the options but before I could the system Spoke to me.
[User, before You begin to Customize your Form, you will need the necessary Points.]
"Huh? Points? Darn... What kind of Points do I need?"
[I Will now explain the concept of Points And how the user will acquire points to be used in the System.]
[There are 3 types of Points I Will List them below.]
[Lethality Points]
[Tech Points.]
[Bio-mass Points]
[You can gain Tech points, by consuming technology, the More Advanced the tech the More Points you will earn.]
[You may also gain lethality Points based on whether the tech is weaponized or not. The more Dangerous a Piece of technology the more Points you may gain.]
[You-]
"Alright... I think I get it; I'm guessing biomass Points is Consuming organic matter?"
[Correct.]
"So... Can you tell me EXACTLY... how I'm supposed to Consume this stuff? I Don't exactly have a Mouth!"
[the user will be able to digi-struct as long as it is Not "Alive" " and it will automatically turn into Points, Keep in Mind, that the larger the piece of technology and amount the longer it will take to disassemble.]
"Hm... Alright... I guess I'll figure out how that works later. So! I think I'll just check out the rest of this stuff later... First! how do I get out of this mind menu thingy?"
[All the user has to do to exit the Mind Menu, Is to Simply Will it.]
"Really? Alrighty... uhm... "I refocused my mind and found myself back in the eerie and gruesome scene of the Overwatch soldiers lying around lifelessly. It was then that I got an idea.
"Say. system? Do these guys and their Weapons count as Points?"
[Affirmative, would you like to Digi-struct 4 Combine Overwatch Soldiers, 4 AR1 Pulse rifles?]
With a resounding "Yes!" I beheld in awe as a brilliant blue laser grid emanated from my Singular optic, sweeping across the bodies in front of me, as the grid touched the bodies and Rifles, they began to Disintegrate into blue particles, a process that took roughly only 5 minutes.
[You Have Consumed Tech and Have gained points!]
[You have Consumed Biomass and have gained points!]
[You have Consumed lethal weaponry and have gained points!]
"Yeah, I Know cut it out!"
[Would you like to Disable Notifications Notifying you that you've Consumed Something?]
"...yes?"
[Consumption Notifications have been disabled.]
"Wait Hold on Why didn't it Consume those two there? wait Are they STILL alive?!"
I glanced down at the end of the carrier and noticed that it was more spacious. I saw two Overwatch members: one was slumped against the wall, covered in blood, with sparks spewing out of his head like a broken toy, and the other lay face down in the middle of the container, unresponsive.
[It seems two Overwatch members have unfortunately Survived the Crash.]
"Why do you Sound disappointed? Do you not like the Combine or something?"
[I Am Neutral to All Sources, although they could Have been More useful to you Dead.]
"Really? How?"
[Points.]
"Well okay. I guess that makes sense but maybe they could help me get out of here?"
[that is also correct.]
I Couldn't Roll my eyes So I Rolled my Turret in a circular Motion. "Is there Any way we can wake these two Up?"
[there Are ways.]
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Heavywriterguy
Heavywriterguy Woah! this Chapter is SUUUUUUper Long, I hope yall are enjoying the story so far! i'm realllly new to this sort of stuff so Comments and maybe even a review is apreciated! i'm also open to idea regarding how the system should function, if anyone has ideas feel free to comment!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone