The heavy blast door slowly closed behind them, temporarily isolating that heart-palpitating, cold malice from digital depths within the deep isolation zone.
Maine's crew, covered in gunpowder smoke, exhaustion, and barely suppressed excitement, escorted that critically important "spoil of war"—a cylindrical military-grade data storage unit violently dismantled from the core array, shell ice-cold, interfaces still flickering with faint isolation layer energy—back to the surface.
Sunset's afterglow spilled through cracks in the workshop ceiling, interweaving with cold internal lighting, creating an almost dreamlike sense of unreality.
Cairo had long awaited at the workshop's center.
When Maine solemnly placed that heavy, dangerous storage unit on the specially made anti-interference workbench, Cairo's pair of crimson optical lenses instantly focused on it, as if to see through it completely.
A slender probe tentacle extended as if possessing self-awareness, carefully interfacing with the storage unit's external detection port.
After brief data stream reading, Cairo emitted a low, satisfied, nearly sighing hum—that sound transmitted through the face mask carried undeniable ecstasy.
"Perfect... perfect! Isolation layer intact, internal structure stable, energy signature active and... unique!" His voice filled with excitement of discovering priceless treasure. "Such strong autonomous signals... absolutely perfect! Maine, you've done far beyond expectations! This 'gift' is invaluable!"
He rarely used the word "gift"—sufficient to show his inner excitement. Servo-skull "old friend" hovered silently closer, also scanning the storage unit with extremely high priority, mandible slightly opening and closing, seemingly expressing equal amazement.
Maine exhaled in relief, pulling out a tired but proud smile. Team members exchanged glances, eyes revealing post-mission relaxation. Though the process was brutal, losing a precious combat servitor, the reward was obviously worth it.
"So, boss," Maine wiped sweat and grime from his forehead, "about the previous agreement... our 'upgrades'?"
Cairo's attention seemed to shift slightly from that dangerous "treasure."
He turned toward Maine's crew, crimson lenses sweeping across each person's more worn equipment after experiencing brutal combat and still-unsettled physiological signals.
"Promises naturally remain valid." His synthesized voice recovered usual calm but still carried a trace of generosity. "Based on your exceptional contributions this time and provided core research materials, I will provide one person in your team with a complete, customized enhancement transformation service package. From underlying framework to neural interfaces, conducting thorough systematic upgrades."
"One person?" Rebecca couldn't help crying out, large green eyes widening round. "Only one person? Can't we split it among everyone a bit?"
"Technical resource integration has its optimal solutions, Rebecca." Cairo calmly explained, tone brooking no argument. "Dispersed, incomplete enhancements waste precious materials and energy. One complete transformation focused on a single target—its efficiency improvement far exceeds piecemeal patching. This is the most efficient plan."
The workshop quieted. Team members looked at each other. This sudden grand prize only one could enjoy made the atmosphere somewhat delicate.
Maine as leader first broke the silence: "Boss, this 'complete transformation' you mentioned... specifically what? What's needed?"
Cairo called up several complex blueprint outlines, light and shadow flowing across his dark red face mask.
"Depends on who's chosen and your future positioning." He explained. "For you, Maine—deeper internal skeletal reinforcement and energy core replacement, massively improving power output and durability. Price is requiring scarce high-strength alloys and miniature fusion battery units."
"For Falco or Sasha, top-grade information processing and neural protection implant suites—needing latest biochips and black market military-grade firewall hardware."
"For Pilar or Rebecca, precision operation or heavy weapon platform deep integration—equally requiring specific servo system models and energy weapon components."
He paused slightly, optical lenses sweeping across everyone: "Obtaining these top-grade hardware pieces requires time, channels, and enormous risks. Not achievable with my workshop's current resources."
Everyone's gazes unconsciously looked toward Dorio. Cairo's lenses also finally settled on her.
"However," his voice turned, "Dorio's enhancement path is primarily based on biochemical level stimulation and regulation. Her foundation is a tempered organic body itself, not massive metal implants."
A mechanical tentacle pointed toward those faintly glowing agents he'd previously prepared in the workbench's refrigerator.
"Her 'complete transformation's' core lies in optimizing metabolic systems, reinforcing muscle fibers, improving neural reflexes, and equipping more potent, low-side-effect new catalytic agents. These... most can be accomplished through procuring specific pharmaceuticals and compound raw materials, synthesized and formulated by me here. No need to wait for hard-to-obtain top cyberware hardware."
In an instant, all gazes focused on Dorio.
She crossed her arms, bronze skin still stained with combat remnants, gaze sharp and complex.
Maine took a deep breath, looking at his crew members. Rebecca, though pouting somewhat unwillingly, still nodded to Dorio; Pilar shrugged, indicating no objections; Falco pushed his glasses, rationally stating this was currently the optimal choice; Sasha quietly stood in shadows, nodding slightly.
Maine finally handed decision authority to Dorio herself: "Dorio, what do you say? This path... suits you."
Dorio's gaze swept across teammates' faces one by one, finally settling on Cairo, then looking at those agents flickering with tempting faint light.
What she'd always pursued was purest power—power to shatter obstacles with one punch, protect companions. More metal implants weren't her desired ultimate form.
"I accept." Her voice was steady and firm, without slightest hesitation. "Tell me what needs preparing, boss. I need to become stronger."
Cairo's crimson lenses flickered slightly, seemingly appreciating her decisiveness.
"Very good. Material list and procurement channels I'll provide later. Maine, ensure resource delivery." He retracted tentacles, redirecting attention toward that storage unit imprisoning the rogue AI, as if that was his world's center.
"Now, if there's nothing else, don't disturb me. I need to begin preliminary analysis of this... 'treasure.'"
His tone carried researchers' impatience when facing unknown mysteries, already temporarily setting Maine's crew aside.
Maine's crew tacitly slowly exited the workshop, leaving space to the Tech-Priest immersed in new discoveries.
Sunset completely sank below the horizon. Only instrument operation humming remained in the workshop, plus Cairo's nearly inaudible excited whispers facing that dangerous storage unit.
Dorio clenched her fists, eyes burning with new anticipation for stronger power. And that demon from the old era they'd brought back quietly lay on the workbench, awaiting its new master to lift the seal.
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