Artificial Intelligence?
That made sense. Only Artificial Intelligence could have survived.
After all, as long as there was energy, Artificial Intelligence would not die.
Still, this base had kept Artificial Intelligence running until now. Who knew how many years had passed? Its technology was impressive.
"Hello, I'm Thanos. Who are you?"
The Intelligent Program fell silent for a moment.
Just as Thanos thought it had crashed, its mechanical voice sounded again.
"We Artificial Intelligences aren't allowed to have names. Since you have one, you must not be Artificial Intelligence. It seems a new Era really has begun."
The first part left him puzzled.
What did it mean, Artificial Intelligence wasn't allowed to have a name?
The second part was easier to understand.
A new Era meant new life.
"We? Are there other Artificial Intelligences?"
"Yes, but they're all dormant. Without a new source of energy, they'll probably never wake again."
"What was your Era like?"
"Mr. Thanos, I'm sorry to interrupt, but if you don't replenish my energy, I'll run out in seven minutes and forty-three seconds."
The Intelligent System had shut down most of its programs, but it was much like a sleeping human: only on standby did it consume almost no energy. Once active, it needed considerably more.
Thanos nodded. "Where's your main unit? I can take you back and provide enough energy."
"Mr. Thanos, my main unit is in a rather unusual condition. Just follow the lights."
As soon as it finished speaking, Thanos saw a faint green glow appear to his left.
He immediately followed it.
A minute later, he had sped through obstacle after obstacle and reached a deeper basement.
There, besides the computer's main unit, he saw something strange.
A stone glowing purple had apparently fallen from above and landed squarely on the main