บท 293: Test, complete.

Afton steps out of the elevator and Nyx suddenly speaks up, "Data collection array, online... Please use the terminal below to begin user synchronisation."

"What does that even mean?" Afton asks.

"The observation room will track our movements, and upgrade my firmware with every test we complete." Nyx easily explains.

Afton nods, he probably needed to complete all the tests to retrieve the complete schematic that Klein had asked for. Not that he wouldn't do so anyway, upgrading Nyx to her full capabilities sounded like a fantastic idea.

Looking around the room he was in, it appeared to be the second floor which allowed for observation of the first. A terminal sat nearby but it didn't have much other information he'd not already seen.

Instead of heading downstairs to begin the tests, Afton elected to look at the entire test area before doing anything. This way he'd know where to go, potential threats, etc.

The observation areas themselves were full of junk, displaying the scientists rather lackadaisical attitudes towards the tests. This is probably the reason why Nyx still hadn't been fitted with the best firmware they had at their disposal.

He continues circling around until he returned to where he'd started. This time heading down the stairs and approaching a high-tech-looking terminal while ignoring the heavily armed sentry turret sitting in the corner.

Currently, there was only one option he was able to select on the terminal.

[Begin Basic Infiltration Test]

Without much choice, he confirms it and hears the hum of old machinery coming back to life. On the terminal instructions for the test are quickly appearing... Apparently, he needed to sneak through the test area, avoiding the robots that are patrolling around and steal a document from a safe... Easy enough, right?

"Movement detected." Nyx states as he crouches into a low position and pushes his way through the double doors to the test area.

The test itself isn't all that hard, the robots follow a strict patrol pattern that is very easy to observe and avoid if you have the patience. Afton's Sneak Skill was already maxed out, so with the help of Nyx, he was easily able to bypass all the tests defences and make it to the end.

The safe at the end of the trial isn't even locked, allowing him to pull out a piece of paper with 'X-13 Document' written in large bold letters. Though, it didn't seem official in any capacity as instead of actual writing, it contained squiggles that looked like writing from afar.

"Test data processed. Suit updated to firmware Version 1.1."

Afton raises a brow and checks the suit via his inventory to see what'd actually changed... He was immediately able to find what was new... The suit had gained an extra +10 to sneak, making it a full +25, the highest he'd ever seen. If the first update was this good, he wondered what the other's would be?

Deciding it'd be better to complete the tests sooner than later, he walks back through the test area and activates the terminal again, this time selecting the new option that was available.

[Begin Advanced Infiltration Test]

He begins the test and quickly finds what is more 'advanced' about this test than the previous one. Laser tripwires completely cover the test area, making it difficult to sneak around without stepping on one.

Fortunately, with Afton's incredible agility, he's easily able to bypass these too, as well as the robots who had returned to the same patrol route as the last test. It takes no time at all to reach the safe and acquire the document.

"Test data processed. Updated to firmware version 1.2" Nyx states robotically.

Checking via his inventory, this next update gave the stealth suit +1 to Perception. How was this the case? Afton didn't really know, that's just what his inventory told him... Maybe Nyx's detection abilities had improved?

Regardless, Afton continues running the various tests, the next having proximity mines scattered throughout the place, that would even detect him through walls. After completing that test, he immediately started the next, one called the [Robot Compliance Test].

This forced him to go through the test area and manually deactivate the patrolling robots, which wasn't all that hard due to their inattentiveness and ineffective rear sensors. Once all was said and done, Afton had fully upgraded Nyx and acquired all the firmware updates.

[Stealth suit Mk II]

DT : 14

Weight : 25

Effect : +25 Sneak, +1 Perception, +1 Agility, +20% crouched movement speed.

Value : 50000

If Afton hadn't already taken a liking to Nyx, he might've considered trying to sell her... Though, he doubted anyone would be willing to buy her at the price she was worth... "How're you feeling, Nyx?"

"Whole." she states simply.

"Alright, let's get out of he-"

"What!?! X-13 breached!? No... Even that stealth suit won't hide you from my Robo-Scorpion army! Sting the intruder my pets! Sting them until they're all stupid!" Mobius suddenly roars over the building's intercom.

"Uh oh... Many enemies approaching!" Nyx chirps, sounding somewhat worried about the sheer number of forces headed to them.

Afton looks at the closed double doors that lead to the hallway, it was the only exit, and would likely already be flooded by Robo-Scorpions... He doesn't despair though, instead, a smirk finds it way onto his face. "Don't worry Nyx, I got this." he says, pulling out the Stealth boy and activating it, causing light to ripple and distort around him, before rendering him invisible to the naked eye.

"Wow, this feels weird." he mutters, touching his invisible arms and face.

"Ooooh... I feel so... Sneaky." Nyx moans, and almost causes Afton to blush at the sensuality of it.