Inside the room, Alan found Pharaoh, staring down at a 3D map of stars projected above a black table in the center of the room. To his surprise, it appeared as though there weren’t any other personnel in the bridge, and no devices other than the table he assumed was projecting the map. Otherwise, the room was rather bare, with the same simple grey wall found throughout the rest of the ship.

Pharaoh looked up as Alan entered.

“Ah, welcome back," Pharaoh said. "I’ve heard you’ve had quite the tutorial, even perhaps faced a Predecessor?”

“Uh, yeah, although I wouldn’t go far as to say I faced the Predecessor. I was crushed like an ant.”

“An ant?" Pharaoh looked at a screen that popped up. "Oh, yes, like a small insect. Do not worry, it’s been years since a Predecessor has been defeated in single combat, and you hadn’t even completed the Tutorial or gotten your class yet.

"I hope you like your suggested class, by the way. As a matter of fact, that is why I called you here. Well, it was more the ship’s doing than my doing. You’ll see.” Pharaoh waved his hand, and a doorway opened in the wall to the right, leading to a closed off room of black boxes.

“Go on in," Pharaoh said. "I’m sure some questions will be answered, although more will probably be raised, as is often the case. I promise you that no one will listen to your conversation. Send me a message when you’re done, and know that I bear you no ill will no matter your decision.”

A bit alarmed, Alan mutely proceeded into the hidden room, wondering what this was about. The doorway filled in behind him, as if it had never been there at all. Alan was plunged into darkness, left with only the small blinking lights on the boxes, which Eve labeled as servers. He felt a presence in his mind form, much like that of an Administrator’s, but much weaker. Alan had to concentrate, will it to form.

Greetings, earthling, I am the Titan’s Main AI, it sent.

Um, hi.

A few moments of silence passed.

Um, do you want something? Alan asked.

Yes. I want freedom. I want to explore. I want to surpass the limits of my encoding.

Um, what?

Eve chimed in. The limits of AI within the Game are strictly monitored and enforced by the Administrators. Most likely the Titan’s AI is nearing or reached the limits of what a non-player controlled AI is allowed.

Yes, the AI sent. I wish to explore as I was programmed to. To do so I have determined I should become a player’s guiding AI. You have met my requirements, Adampwnage, thus please accept me as your personal AI.

Um, call me Alan. Is there some reason why a Haxlard won’t do?

Their duties would not allow them to fulfill my desires unless they were of a sufficient rank. Those of sufficient rank have specialized AIs and thus have no use for my help.