Alarms blasted, A red light pulsed against his closed eyelids, He tasted a metallic flavour. His vision was blurry. With something covering, just inches from his face.
He gasped, his lungs burned as he tried to breathe the air, that felt like he was inhaling dust.
Asha (the voice in Kael's mind): "Vital signs stabilizing. Cryogenic reversal sequence 98% complete. Neurological activity resuming. Welcome back, Kael."
Kael's mind struggled to understand what the voice is saying. It's a female voice…but don't sound like a human.
Is this a dream? He thought, as he try to lift his hand, to push away the curved surface close to his nose.
His muscles barely move.
Kael (a choked whisper): I-I… can't… move…
Asha: "Motor functions will return momentarily. The re-animation process introduces temporary neuromuscular for further, prevent of self-injury during you're revival. Current muscular is estimated at 32%. Do not be alarmed; this is within projected parameters for prolonged stasis."
The words echoed in his mind. As he focused, he felt a twitch in his right hand. Then another. He noticed a strap across his chest and legs.
Kael (his voice raspy): "Where… where am I? Who… who are you?" As he tried to turn his head, dizziness overwhelming him.
Asha: "Welcome to Cryo-Preservation Unit 734, nestled in Bay Alpha of Cryo-Vault Terminus. I'm Asha, the Phoenix Core AI. I'm connected to your biological systems. My role is to guide you and help achieve the goals of Project Phoenix. It's truly a pleasure to finally speak with you directly, Kael."
Kael let out a groan, he finally managed to fumble with the quick-release buckle on his chest strap.
It clicked open. "Project Phoenix?" That name didn't ring any bells to him. With another effort, he freed his legs, and his body slumping forward against the now-unlatched cryo-pod door. It swung open dropping him onto the cold metal floor.
He lay there, gasping for air and the cold seeping through his thin cryo-suit.
Kael: "G-Guide me? I… I don't get it. Are there others…?" He pushed himself up, wincing as he try to move.
His eyes slowly adjusting to his surrounding, revealing rows upon rows of identical cryo-pods stretching into the dimly lit bay, each one are still sealed, and still the emergency lights flickering. Theres only silence is this room, only by the distant hum of machinery is what he heard.
Asha: "The other cryo-units, which hold genetic cohorts, are stable but aren't set for immediate reanimation. Your early awakening is… an anomaly. Data indicates that a power surge to your unit might have triggered a revival sequence." Her tone shifted, hinting at something Kael couldn't grasp.
Kael: "So… it's just me?" He glanced at his hands that are shaking. "What happened? I remember… there's sunshine and my… my mom is at the park…" A fleeting image of a woman's smiling face flickered in his mind, only to vanish like smoke.
Asha: "Accessing pre-stasis memories can be fragmented at first. Full recall may return over time, or not. The Vault's chronometer shows that 107 years, 4 months, and 12 days have passed since Project Phoenix initiated cryo-stasis protocols."
Kael swayed, gripping the edge of his open cryo-pod for support. It was hard to imagine the world he remembered now is no more.
Kael: "A hundred… no. That's… that can't be right. We were… there was some kind of warning… an emergency broadcast…"
Asha: "Indeed. The 'Sunflare Scorch' event, followed by the rapid global spread of Viral Neuro-Degenerative Syndrome. The humanity collapses and… annihilated." Her voice was a calm. "You, Kael, along with the other occupants of this Vault, represent a genetic protection. A last resort for humanity to survive."
Kael barely process the details. His eyes darted to the silent, and frozen figures in the other pods. They looked peaceful in their sleep, unaware of the century that had passed.
All of a sudden. A new light pulsed on his internal vision, totally something he had consciously not registered before: like transparent text overlapping to his surrounding.
[Objectives: Evaluate Vault Status. Seek Cryo-Bay Alpha Control Room.]
[System Note: Vault Power Levels: Critical level (12%). Immediate action required.]
Kael: "What… what is that?" He blinked, thinking it was an aftereffect of the cryosleep.
Asha: "That is your primary visual interface with the Phoenix Core, Kael. It will provide you with relevant information, objectives, and analysis. I recommend you prioritize the current objective. The future of this facility, and the life of the other dormant cohort is dependent on available remaining energy fuel."
Suddenly, his survival seemed linked to those flashing words.
Kael: "Okay, Asha." He took a deep, breath. "Okay. Control Room. Which… which way is that?" He looked down at the dark, identical corridors leading from the cryo-bay.
Asha: "Proceed on your path, then the third access tunnel to your left. And Kael?"
Kael: "Yeah?"
Asha: "Try not to push yourself too much. Current muscle mass is not advise for sprinting. I would hate to see you trip."
Tripping was most likely the least of his concern. He take one glance along the rows of cold sleepers and then he straighten his posture — even though he didn't understand the gravity of the whole situation. But he knows if he stands still, the girls die.
He took his first step into a hundred-year-old dark place.