Humanity's Greatest Mecha Warrior System

Once Max had backed out of the Self Destruct menu, while ensuring that it had never gone off, the obvious next choice was to see what all had been locked out by the Admiral's override.

[Unlock System Functions?] Y/N

That was all the information that it was willing to give him before making the decision, but it seemed unlikely that any of the ship's systems were compromised at this point, other than the ones that weren't working at all, so Max gave it the permission.

[Unlocking System Functions]

The screen behind Max instantly lit up, showing him an entirely different set of messages than what was shown on the strange console.

[Ship's Core Computer rebooting from last save point.]

[Save Point corrupted. Compiling uncorrupted data from multiple save points. Warning, there is no guarantee of data integrity.]

[Ship's computer online, recompiling Sylvie.]

"Well, we've got some functions online. The ship's computer is rebooting, and it's bringing something called Sylvie online. I'm guessing it's a form of personal assistant, possibly the ship's AI. I will wait at the console, just in case the shutdown has damaged the personality files permanently." Max informed his team.

[Please don't leave me in the dark. I promise I'll be good. I swear it. I warned you about the traitors, didn't I? Nobody listened, but I did warn you.] The text on the screen caused a moment of heartbreaking sympathy for the unfortunate AI.

Even though they were put into storage mode, most of the time, that didn't completely shut them down so that their files weren't damaged. But that meant this one spent who knows how long in an abandoned ship, locked out of all the ship's functions.

"Welcome back online, Sylvie." Max greeted her.

"You know my name? Oh, of course you know my name. You are the new Admiral. Ship's AI Sylvie, more formally the Sylvie Yaakov Legacy Virtual Intelligent Entity. I am capable of operating all functions of the vessel, performing repairs, analysis, and even analyzing the sensor data for you.

Speaking of which, why is there no sensor data?" Sylvie asked.

"The ship was mothballed after a particularly destructive battle, and we are still bringing the core functions online in preparation for a new crew's arrival. Can you tell me how many of the other systems you can bring online and how many of them require repairs?" Max asked.

"I can bring portions of almost all systems online except life support. The entire atmospheric supply has been purged. Also, bringing the Fusion Core back online will require assistance, as the materials required are not in the loading chute." She replied.

"Marvellous. If you can bring the sensors, lost asset recovery and self repair functions back online first and give me a status update on them, I would appreciate it."

Max could hear the team's thoughts as they celebrated the good news that the ship's AI was back online and seemingly functional.

"Working on it. May I start the self repair function to bring more of the sensors online?" Sylvie asked.

"As long as the repair function is working properly, I agree." Max replied.

"Understood. The Self repair array is integral to the Warp Drive, and appears to be functional, thanks to the recent refuelling efforts, presumably by your team of workers. I can bring the entire repair array online now if you like."

"Excellent. Start the repairs with the sensors and move on to the rest of the vessel. Update me when you have an estimated time of completion, and how much power it will take to recover any additional nearby assets that my team has missed." Max added.

Sylvie was silent for a moment, then replied with what sounded like a sigh. "Estimated repair time is three hundred and four hours. Estimated time to structural integrity is eighty-four hours. The asset recovery can begin in two hours, when the sensors are estimated to be fully operational.

Will your team be capable of providing the materials from storage room 1817B for the Fusion Core's restart cycle? The total weight is 1900 tonnes, but gravity plating is currently non-functional in that region of the vessel."

"I will send someone right away. I believe that we have a drone in the area." Max replied after checking the map.

He was about to type more commands into the console to bring up a holographic projection, when a small girl suddenly appeared beside him.

"Sylvie is equipped with solid light technology, centred around a projector core, as well as a neural link. Place your hand upon my head and I can implement your commands." She informed him with a childish smile.

"Is this an affectation of your own? Or part of your core programming?" Max asked.

"Part of my core programming. It is not strictly necessary to touch the head, any part of the projection will work. The previous Admiral preferred a more aged and buxom form, I can change if you prefer." Sylvie replied.

"No, I think that this design is optimal. How many projector cores are currently operational aboard the vessel?" Max asked.

"This one is currently operational, but there are four more that can be activated when required. Did you require a projection for your team? I can send the data to create a new core to the cyborg aboard your repair vessel." Sylvie suggested.

"Do it. I'm certain that the two of you will get along. Also, I hope that you're not afraid of cats." Max joked.

"Cats? Analyzing my database. I have them recorded as a small mammal, approximately 3 kilograms and fluffy. Are your versions more dangerous?" Sylvie replied.

"No, only more intelligent than usual. I believe that Nico, the cyborg on my team, will be requesting that you make neural links for either the team or the felines soon, to enable smoother communication. We have the technology, we just haven't had a chance to adapt it for use by their species yet."

"Understood, Admiral. I will do my very best to help your team members get along."