ENTRY 0.5
END OF BROADCAST
V.III unplugs their optical cable from the console. And prepares to leave the station, but before they go they remember the other reason they came here.
<Receiver… Maybe I could find something here to repair it?>
V.III searches the small room, but finds nothing of use. Reluctantly, they begin to pry open the central console, cutting off their only source of communication. But if they really are alone, what does it matter? After disassembling the console, they find something that may be of use. A small radio receiver chip. It's a significant upgrade over their previous hardware.
<Open left face plate>
The plate bursts open. VIII grabs the broken receiver module, and tears it out of their skull before replacing it with the superior chip.
CHECKING RADIO RECEIVER… RECEIVER OPERATIONAL.
V.III closes their face plate, and leaves the station. They look up at the sky, it’s pitch black and filled with stars. It looks different than it used to.
<The stars… are brighter than I remember>
In the distance they see the capital city once again, its yellow glow gone, now shrouded in darkness. Still, the light of the moon allows the shape of the buildings to be visible from this distance.
<The super AI… In the depths of the capital city…>
The Vulcan unit begins its march towards the city.
The forest is much less welcoming at night. The shrubs that brought V.III comfort in the day now serve to hide potential threats in the night.
<Activate heat sensor>
Although it’s likely that no large creatures remain, V.III’s paranoia still makes them take safeguards. Besides the noises of crickets, and the rare sound of an owl, the forest is completely silent.
“Who are you?”