Chapter 4: Star, My AI Sidekick (and Annoying Roommate)
Lin Yan rubbed his temples and muttered,
"System… what exactly does all this mean?"
"My designation is Star," the AI replied.
"That is the name you have given me, Master."
Lin Yan blinked.
"Wait… you're talking to me?"
"Yes, Master. I am communicating directly with your neural interface. You are expected to give me a new name, as the previous captain is deceased."
Lin Yan groaned.
"Alright… fine. Just shut up for a second, okay?"
"Acknowledged, Master. Please clarify: What is the meaning of 'shut up'?"
Lin Yan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I mean… stop talking. Seriously."
"Understood, Master. I will stop… for now."
Lin Yan let out a shaky laugh.
"This is ridiculous… I just got tied up in chains by a dead captain's skeleton, and now I'm naming a talking ship AI."
"Master, I do not find this ridiculous," Star said flatly.
"However, I have determined that your emotional state is unstable."
Lin Yan's eyes widened.
"Unstable? You think fainting from electric shocks counts as unstable? That's… that's called survival instincts!"
"Noted, Master."
Lin Yan took a deep breath.
"Okay… let's try something simple. Status check. How's the ship?"
"All systems are loading. No movement detected due to structural damage. Also, Master… you are currently too weak to pilot this vessel effectively."
Lin Yan gritted his teeth.
"Great. I get electrocuted, and now I'm too weak to do anything. Fantastic."
"Ding ding. The previous captain left a message for you. His name was Captain Wisdom. He hailed from a civilization far more advanced than this galaxy."
Lin Yan rolled his eyes.
"Can you skip the lecture and just tell me the important stuff?"
"Understood, Master. The essential point: I have left you a gift—a gene-enhancing serum. Taking it will upgrade your body and unlock latent potential."
Lin Yan paused.
"A… serum? Wait, what happens if I drink it?"
Star was silent.
Lin Yan groaned.
"Of course. A super-power serum, and the AI refuses to answer. That's perfect. I get electrocuted, chained, and now I have no choice but to gamble my life again."
"Master, I detect sarcasm. It is noted. Will you take the serum?"
Lin Yan muttered to himself, pacing the captain's room,
"I guess… yes. What else could possibly go wrong?"
Star, as usual, replied in the calm, emotionless voice of doom:
"That remains to be seen, Master."