“The fact that you are able to become a Machine Lord is a privilege, a path that we have set you on from the start. By analyzing the population, it was determined you are among those that would receive a specialized AI program. The program that you downloaded was several times more effective, capable of learning at a much faster speed than any other such program, capable of understanding, of growth. It is actually the same program used to create new AI Administrators." Alan opened his mouth, trying to get a word in, but the Chief Administrator simply barreled on.
"Additionally, we arranged your more advanced capsule to be sold to your mentor for your use, and then notified the Titan’s AI, to request you board the Titan and eventually merge your AI with it. I see here that the merge is currently taking place, and would like to caution you not to allow such merges so easily in the future without taking the data you add to your AI to an Administrative Center to be scanned. There are multiple viruses and such out there, though it is one of my jobs to annihilate such travesties. I'm also supposed to be monitoring whatever it is the Empire is up to... oh well, priorities, priorities.
"Now, you may be wondering why I am telling you all this. I am telling you this because you should know that once you step off this ship, all the hand holding will be done, and because you are not to utter a word of us helping you to anyone. It was simply a lucky series of coincidences that you should dissuade people from looking into. I suppose it also serves as a reminder of how we may take away these perks as easily as we gave them to you. But we won’t do such a thing, you’re allowed to play the Game as you wish.
"Now moving on… hmm, let’s see here, yes, on to advice,” a large diagram opened in front of the Chief Administrator, covering the entire screen.
“All right, I already told you about not accepting data from strangers, although I suppose you don’t need to be as wary of most registered data brokers, if they do plant a virus of some sort and you discover it you’ll be paid well and then some. Oh, right, the nature of the Game,” all the screens closed, and Alan finally got a full view of the Chief Administrator.
His face seemed to be marred by multiple scars, burns and other wounds, with large patches of his skin replaced by metallic plates. He might have once been human-like, and the Chief Administrator was definitely humanoid, but it was difficult to tell beneath all the modifications. His eyes, his ears and his nose were all replaced with cybernetic augments, making Alan unsure if he was talking to a machine, once living, or a living being, once machine.
Wearing a simple blue space uniform, with an insignia that Alan assumed represented his rank, the Chief Administrator stared into Alan’s eyes, and said, slowly, “The Game is not just a Game, nor was it originally designed to be such." The Chief Administrator took a deep breath, then continued.
“The Game will change you, more than you ever imagined you could change. This fact tends not to be widely spread to newer players, but gamers evolve, the capsules evolve them. Nothing noticeable, at least not at first, but higher tier capsules evolve their users further, to match the abilities and skills and attributes of their in-game character. You see, once you become a Machine Lord, you will become one both inside the Game, and out.
"The liquid found in capsules is trillions of nanomachines that work to ensure you are connected to the Game. But they also develop and transform the body and mind. Of course, you won’t ever reach the full potential of your in-game character, but with the highest tier capsule you might reach a tenth of it. Your reality will change… in fact, it already has. The Game has always been an out of body experience. By now the nanites have added countless immunities to your body, eliminating any disease that might have once contaminated it. They’ve also increased your natural lifespan by, let’s see here… nearly 200 of your years. And that isn’t even taking into account the fact that a single real life second is a bit over four in-game seconds.
"You should know that you are now something more than you once were, and perhaps something less. You are now a player whether you like it or not. Such is the nature of the Game,” the Chief Administrator said. He stared into Alan’s eyes for a few seconds more, then returned to his screens, opening and subsequently closing another onslaught of messages, requests and reports.
“Well, you seem to be taking this rather well, but then I suppose that’s part of why you were chosen to be a Machine Lord. Contact me again once you’ve decided to become one, or not. This should be your choice. I advise you make it before your AI finishes merging, as it will doubtless convince you to go forward with this change, as it was designed. Proceed to the Administrator in the med-bay, and notify them of your decision. I’m a busy man. If you have any questions direct them to the Administrator there.”
The screen closed, and Alan stared at the white screen blankly. He supposed he was taking this rather well. The fact that his body had been changed and was currently evolving didn’t alarm him too much. From the sound of it, the changes were all upgrades. He was sure some might be worried about their potential loss of humanity, yet Alan felt sure of himself. He would be able to tell if he were no longer human, right? And who ever said being human was such a great thing? There were countless atrocities that had been allowed by humanity before the Game came, and they had only been stopped when the Administrators had stepped in despite the fact they could have been stopped just as easily before the Game. This was a chance at power and knowledge on a scale he’d never known before, and he may have been manipulated into this position, but he would accept this gift with open arms, for surely that was what this was, a gift.
His resolve steeled, Alan stood up, and proceeded to the med-bay.
***
The med-bay turned out to be a fairly large room, with a series of four overly-large capsules in the middle of the room. Each looked like they could easily fit a Predecessor. The walls were covered by a series of compartments, divided into around a hundred metal boxes, each holding various medical supplies. Standing next to the entrance behind a counter was a sleek android that looked to be a copy of the Administrator in his Home. The Administrator had a white circle on its forearm, which Alan understood to be the universal symbol for medic.
Uh, hello, Alan sent.
Greetings, traveler, it responded.
I’ve decided to become a Machine Lord.
Oh, no further questions? Not even about the cost?
Well, I guess I’ll look at that information.
Of course.
The implant in-game menu opened up. Alan was reminded that he’d had two implants previously installed, the Computer-Human Enhanced Interface and the General Status Enhancer, and wondered if some limited version of them were now part of his actual body. They probably were.
The Machine Lord implant was apparently an upgrade to the Computer-Human Enhanced Interface, and required a series of obscure, doubtlessly rare and expensive items. Or a class mark, which he had been conveniently awarded earlier. The procedure also cost 250,000 credits, 1000 ability points, and would take a week of in-game time to complete. That left him with 500 ability points to spend afterwards on class skills. A new series of options had appeared in the abilities purchase menu as well, and he needed to decide what to do with the marks he’d been awarded. But all of that would come after the procedure. Alan could see why it was so hard to decide to play your own class rather than the recommended one, as the cost was quite prohibitive.
The Machine Lord implant would take up two mechanical slots and one biological one, filling up all the slots Alan had for implants. He’d gain another two slots at level 100, then two more at level 1000, and so forth, if he remembered correctly. It looked like the talented, machine communication, and AI interaction abilities were requirements for the augment. This implant would develop the talent skill, and apparently also upgrade the hypercognition skill. A series of other unknown bonuses were also there. Alan also met other hidden requirements for the class. He looked over the screen one last time, then let the Administrator know: