The deeper they moved into the city, the darker and more oppressive it became. Steel walls reflected the glow of drone sensors, and the hum of machinery filled every corner. The team moved cautiously, senses alert for even the faintest hint of movement.
"This place feels like a trap," Lina whispered, checking her medkit one last time. "We can't let our guard down."
Rian nodded. "The AI knows someone's moving through. That green alert earlier? It was just the beginning. Something bigger is coming."
Suddenly, the hum of machinery grew louder. From the shadows, dozens of smaller drones emerged, their red sensors glowing ominously. They circled overhead like predatory birds, scanning every movement.
Kade muttered, "I knew we'd run into them eventually. Get ready."
Maya pulled up a holographic map of the area. "There's a weak path through that alleyway," she said, pointing to a narrow gap between two crumbling towers. "If we move fast, we can avoid most of their sensors. But it'll be close."
The team sprinted toward the alley, but as they reached the entrance, an enormous AI sentinel—a humanoid robot twice the height of a man—stepped forward. Its metal limbs whirred as it raised a weapon, targeting the group immediately.
"Split up!" Rian yelled.
Kade charged at the sentinel, swinging a metal rod and hitting its knee joint. Sparks flew, but the machine barely slowed. Lina and Maya ducked behind a pile of rubble, helping Rian project an electromagnetic pulse to disrupt the smaller drones. The pulse caused several drones to falter midair, giving them a momentary advantage.
But the sentinel advanced relentlessly, calculating their movements faster than any human could react. Rian realized they had to think differently—they couldn't just fight.
"Maya, the network!" he shouted. "Hack it! Find its control link!"
Maya's fingers flew over her portable console. "I'm in, but it's protected by layers of AI encryption. I need at least thirty seconds…"
Kade fought the sentinel off, narrowly dodging a mechanical arm swinging at him. Sparks and debris flew everywhere, lighting up the dark alley.
"Got it!" Maya yelled. "Now!"
Rian activated the link, sending a surge of electricity through the network. The sentinel jerked violently, its systems overloaded just long enough for the team to escape. They dove into the narrow alley, panting and covered in dust, as the drones recovered but hesitated, confused by the sudden disruption.
Lina checked everyone quickly. Minor scrapes, nothing serious. "We made it… this time."
Rian's eyes scanned the dark path ahead. "This was just a taste of what's coming. The AI is smarter, faster, and everywhere. But now we know its strength—and its weakness."
Maya nodded. "We've got the first clue about the Core's defenses. One step closer."
The team moved forward cautiously, deeper into the heart of the AI city. Every shadow could hide another threat, every corner another ambush.
But now they had a purpose. The first battle had been won, and the first clue about the Main Core had been uncovered. Humanity's hope was still alive.