1262: Cubed

Cubed

Hao Xuan was left speechless as he tried to wrap his mind around the implications of what he was seeing. And even though he knew the answer, he still asked Baracus for a confirmation. 2

"That was the metal alloy that you created before we left, right? How long do you think it would have taken for it to rust to that degree?"

*Beep*

"Approximately 1,384 standard years, given a complete lack of proper upkeep."

"Meaning from the moment we left, at least 1400 years have passed until now...right?"

"Affirmative."

Hao Xuan stepped back from the statue to examine the surrounding buildings in more detail. Each one was around three stories tall and made from red bricks. There were some vines and other plants growing on the sides unchecked but the buildings themselves were all in one piece.

They even had electronic locks on all the doors and windows that were still functioning from what he could see. There were no signs of fighting, no skeletal remains, or anything else that would indicate what had happened.

"Baracus, reach out to Altron and see if you can find a signal."

While Baracus was searching for a signal Hao Xuan continued walking through the streets but after only a few minutes he came across a five-meter-tall wall that was blocking the way forward. He followed it for a minute or so but couldn't find any opening because it was going all the way around encircling the entire area he was in.

Hao Xuan reached out and gently touched the wall, feeling a faint flow of energy inside it. And as he did Baracus spoke up.

*Beep*

"Signal located."

"From the wall?"

"Affirmative."

"Where does it lead?"

The mini-map popped up again to show the exact location, which was where he had come from. Hao Xuan made his way back until once again, he was standing in front of the shattered statue.

"It's here?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes, the signal is coming from under the metal base."

Hao Xuan got to work without wasting any time, ripping the metal base to pieces until a metal door revealed itself underneath.

It looked like it had been installed just a few days ago because, unlike the statue, it was brand spanking new.

When Hao Xuan tried to touch it his hand was flung back by an invisible force field. The shockwave was strong enough that he had to take a couple of steps back to stabilize himself.

"What the hell?! Can you disable it or do I have to force my way in?"

"Negative. There is a sensor on the bottom left side. Insert genetic material there."

Hao Xuan looked again and there was indeed a 1.5 cm long slit at the bottom of the door poking out from under the force field.

"What kind of genetic material?"

"Any."

He rubbed his hand clean on his shirt before swapping the inside of his mouth with the index finger to brush the 'sensor' with some spit.

It took a couple of seconds but he could hear the sound of gears turning from the other side before the force field abruptly shut down and the door retracted into the ground.

There was a staircase leading down.

"Should I expect any surprises down there? Traps?"

"Negative. They should have been disabled."

"Should? I'll keep an eye out just in case."

Hao Xuan went down the stairs one measured step at a time, taking note of even the smallest details in the surroundings until he stepped onto a long hallway.

He sent threads of spiritual sense to scout ahead and found countless little contraptions and devices hidden within the walls...but they were all disabled just like Baracus had said.

There was only one way forward so Hao Xuan had no choice but to follow along if he wanted the answers.

The entire hallway was made from the same metal alloy that his hammer was made from with the only difference being in size. The hallway was at least 50 meters long with countless small compartments at every step.

It turned right twice and once to the left before a light could be seen at the end. Hao Xuan picked up his pace and exited the hallway with wide strides.

It opened up into a circular room that was a little over 10 meters in diameter. It was surrounded by countless mechanical contraptions on all sides.

In the middle was a giant glass tube which was also the source of the light. It was filled with some sort of blue liquid with a 3.14-meter wide perfect square object floating in the middle.

This 'cube' was exuding rays of white light. It was mechanical in nature but the metal it was made from was unlike anything that Hao Xuan had seen before.

pqdm.com