At this time, it looked as if several invisible hands were pulling it in multiple directions, causing it to grow spikes and looking as if it was getting ripped apart!
DRUUUUUUM!
A loud but incredibly deep noise rumbled through the entire control room!
The floor shook, causing Ves' body to shake as well as his footing grew less stable.
He had the sense that an important mechanism of a device buried underneath his teeth had just turned.
It could be the release of a giant mechanical lock. It could be the breakdown of an ancient computer system. It could be the activation of a hidden contingency system.
Whatever the case, Ves had the premonition that the control interface that he had been trying to access had become a lot more active after this profound but unknown change!
The projection fizzled out all of a sudden. No matter whether it was the white ball or the purple ball, the crystals no longer projected any image to Ves anymore.
Helena became more alert. "What is the matter? Did you manage to unlock it, Ves?"
"I did… well… I am not so sure." Ves frowned. "I basically overloaded the security systems and employed a lot of advanced exploits that could get me through the security checks one way or another. Just as I was about to approach the final security measure, I think I tripped an emergency mechanism. Right now, I get the feeling that it is trying to communicate with a second control room that is located on the upper floors."
"Wait, that does not sound good."
"Relax. A connection can't be established because the communication channels between the two have already decayed over the years. It is clear that this place is only a secondary control room, and that everything it does is subordinate to the primary control room. In the event that communication between the two cannot be established, this control room will assume an emergency posture and operate in a more restricted but expedient fashion. At least, that is what is supposed to happen. So many variables have changed that I don't entirely know what will happen next."
Eventually, the control system finally projected a new image.
A purple sixteen-sided orb produced an aggressive alien sound.
[WWHUUGHH WWWWWUUVVV.]
"What is it saying this time, Ves?"
His expression grew more serious. "I've reached the final identity verification check. If I cannot prove I am an authorized prison official, the security system will self-destruct and I will lose access to it entirely."
Helena grew alarmed. "Unless you can hack this system further, it will be impossible for you to overcome this test. All your work will be in vain."
"Who said anything about that? I have anticipated this outcome as well." He told her before lifting the skull in his armored hand. "Thank you, Illustrious One. I will take it from here."
The luminar design spirit cut off his connection to Ves' mind and David's skull, causing the room to lose a lot of light.
Ves did not care. Blinky immediately appeared from his head and dove right into the skull that had become a lot emptier than before!
Mrow!
As Blinky took up residence in the primordial human skull, it began to exude a lot of vitality as the Star Cat brought a strong amount of vitality!
As the skull seemingly came to life, Ves lifted it forward and barked an alien phrase with the help of the Phase King.
"RHUUUGH WUWWUZURRRRUUZ."
The room rumbled again, though not as much as before. The many-sided purple construct buzzed like it was trying to parse information that it couldn't properly process.
It suddenly disappeared, only for an elaborate projection to appear in its place.
Helena looked with astonishment as a cat of all creatures appeared!
The electronic blue cat looked familiar to her. She had occasionally seen it around Ves and other mech designers when they were engrossed in their work.
[Reporting, sir. Connections established. Crystal processors are engaging. 12.9 percent of all registered systems have been restored. Connection to the primary mainframe remains offline and is currently blocked from this end according to your instructions. Attempting to restore more systems but permissions are insufficient. In the process of subverting access. Will take 27.6 seconds to produce additional results.]
"Is that… Bygul?"
"No. He's just a pale copy of the AI avatar of my flagship." Ves shook his head. "This is a poor and inferior imitation of that advanced AI that I have stuffed in my memory banks. It is not as versatile as my original intelligent assistant, but it will do for the moment."
"What did you do, Ves?"
He grinned. "Isn't it obvious? I ripped out whatever AI system regulates and controls these systems and replaced it with my own! Modern human technology will always beat ancient and outdated alien tech! This is the power of progress, hahaha!"