Um, ok… What requirements do you have, exactly?

I only require that you explore the Game, continually visiting destinations you haven’t been to before.

Wait, aren’t I only allowed one agent helping me?

Yes, Eve and the Titan’s AI answered. The Titan’s AI continued though:

I am willing to combine with your own AI, Eve. I believe the data I possess in regards to piloting ships and details about the Game will greatly benefit you.

A bit taken aback, Alan asked Eve, Are you okay with this?

Calculating… Yes, I believe this will be to our benefit.

Alan leaned against a server, trying to think this over, wondering if there were any hidden pitfalls or traps. It was too good to be true, a free upgrade and a wealth of information out of nowhere? And why was Pharaoh okay with it, it meant he’d lose his ship’s AI, right?

Um, alright, well, if you’re sure there isn’t some sort of hidden virus or something, I’m fine with you two combining, Alan finally sent.

Agreed.

Very well.

A message popped up:

Alan notified Pharaoh he was done, and the door reappeared. Pharaoh turned in Alan’s direction, and nodded.

“I see that you decided to take Titan’s AI with you," Pharaoh said. "It was becoming almost insufferable, always wanting to try to take a detour to some unknown location. I was about to replace it anyway, and this way I owe the Administrators less. I did need to remove a few more delicate pieces of information from its databanks though.”

“Wha—” Alan began to ask, but Pharaoh continued.

“Go along to your quarters. If you have any questions ask your class mentors. I’ll be busy.” Pharaoh turned his back to Alan, dismissing him.

Alan exited the bridge, and was led to his quarters by the two guards. It turned out to be a fairly spartan room, with a shared bathroom, a bed, and a desk that looked like a miniaturized version of the one Pharaoh had been working on. It was like a simple nightstand, but devoid of any ornamentation or drawers. The guards let him know where the nearest mess hall was, then left.

Alan blankly looked at the desk for a few moments, staring it for a while trying to will some connection to form. Nothing happened. His machine-connection powers only worked under certain circumstances, probably requiring an AI of some sort. Alan looked around, trying to find an on switch. Nothing.

Hesitantly, he said aloud, “Turn on?” and the surface of the desk lit up; a holographic image of a blank monitor appeared before Alan. The vertical screen faced Alan, and had no visible width.

“Um, contact Chief Administrator 170,” Alan said. The monitor began displaying messages:

Contacting…

Contact established.

Please wait, Player Adampwnage, the Chief Administrator is busy. In the case of an emergency, please state the emergency. To report a possible error, please state the nature of the error. Estimated wait time: 12 seconds.