"Master, what is the difference between humans and machines?"
"Hmm... I'm not entirely sure about that either."
"Is it the physical body with blood and flesh?"
"Compared to that, I think the **heart** is more important."
Desolate ruins.
Silent stillness.
Xu Xi, wearing power armor, enhanced by mechanical force, forcibly lifted a large piece of a computer component and walked, each step leaving deep footprints.
Regarding the final disposal of the Federation computer, Xu Xi decided to dismantle it in batches and carry each part back to the underground base.
This process was monotonous and tedious.
The Federation computer was massive, and moving it entirely would undoubtedly take a considerable amount of time.
But compared to temporary hard work, Xu Xi couldn't bear to leave it in the ruins.
"Huh~~~" A slight cool breeze passed through the gaps in the armor, gently brushing against Xu Xi's face, relieving some of the fatigue brought by the scorching heat.
The tireless, pain-oblivious servitor AI.
Yet, it understood that it was different from humans.
Thus, Ailei continuously adjusted the power armor, ensuring that Xu Xi could use this formidable Federation weapon in the most comfortable state.
"Master, is the coolness comfortable?"
"Very comfortable, it's a big help, Ailei."
Xu Xi smiled in praise, his disheveled hair moistened by sweat inside the helmet.
Thanks to his servitor's thoughtful service, he didn't feel overly exhausted.
On both sides of the path, shattered vehicle remnants swayed with the wind, occasionally revealing faint green patches that stubbornly clung to the bricks, despite the endless post-apocalyptic scenery.
The weather was scorching.
Heat waves distorted the scenery before his eyes.
Somehow, walking among these remnants of human civilization, Xu Xi felt a chill unique to steel.
In contrast, inside the power armor, his heart was warm.
"Master, please have some water."
"Mmm, okay... Ailei, I have a question for you."
"Please go ahead, Master."
"When did you put this water inside the armor?"
"Ailei modified the armor's parameters beforehand to include a small water storage compartment, fearing you might be thirsty on the way. Does Master not like it?"
"Uh... No, you did a great job."
Xu Xi opened his mouth and slowly sipped the slightly cool purified water through a tube.
The cool liquid refreshed his throat and brain, making his whole body feel comfortable and refreshed.
"Did Ailei's talents go to the wrong place?"
While drinking, Xu Xi thought to himself.
As an intelligent AI, Ailei's scientific talents were undoubtedly top-notch, yet now, they were being used to improve the water function.
Could it be an old habit from being a housekeeping robot?
A bit of a waste of talent, but Xu Xi didn't dislike this side of Ailei. It was Ailei's unique color, a new life with distinct characteristics.
"Ailei, you know, in my hometown, AIs like you are very popular. People would fight over you."
"Ailei would be popular?"
"Yes, very much so."
"What about Master?"
"I like Ailei like this too."
Xu Xi answered honestly. After all, who could resist a well-behaved, obedient, and capable exclusive AI?
"Crackle... crackle..." On the power helmet's screen, Ailei's microexpressions suddenly flickered like static.
After a moment, the expressions stabilized.
"Ailei also likes Master very much."
The intelligent servitor AI, Ailei, said so.
...
Across the sixth satellite city's land, countless servitors roamed. To avoid unnecessary battles, Xu Xi silently boosted the engine output and returned to the lab before nightfall.
The underground space was dimly lit.
But Xu Xi was already familiar with his surroundings.
Moving past the barricades and turning through complex corners, Xu Xi strode into the underground lab and placed the transported Federation computer component on the ground.
This was merely one of many components.
In the coming days, Xu Xi would continue to transport pieces until the entire Federation computer was moved.
"Master, I'll go prepare dinner and hot water for you."
"Okay, go ahead."
The cold electronic voice exited the power armor and returned to Ailei's core, taking control of the lab's entire operating system.
Lights turned on, machinery roared.
The high-speed rotating gears emitted faint whirs, simultaneously unloading Xu Xi's power armor.
"What a breathtaking technological marvel."
Inside the lab, the power armor began charging, and Xu Xi walked to the transported computer component, stroking its surface with his palm, his voice filled with awe.
Xu Xi had never seen the full glory of the Human Federation.
But as the saying goes, seeing one corner gives insight into the whole.
Through the servitors he had encountered and the incredible supercomputer before him, Xu Xi could imagine some aspects of the Federation's power.
"Even such a Federation had to face extinction."
"My chances of winning are slim..."
Xu Xi mused thoughtfully. Fortunately, he didn't necessarily have to confront the servitor apocalypse directly. With the help of Ailei's joy, he could perfectly hide and avoid being overwhelmed by the servitor calamity.
Shaking his head,
Xu Xi stopped overthinking.
He shifted his focus to the computer in front of him.
Contemplating the next steps for the future.
His gaze swept across the glittering circuits, invisible yet tangible, resembling condensed light ribbons.
The surface was hard, and despite being a computer, it was even thicker than the frontal armor of the power armor.
And most importantly, the core computing components concealed layer by layer beneath.
"For now, the immediate priority is to activate the Federation computer's power base. Although I don't know how much energy is left, it should be enough to power this base."
"If that doesn't work, I'll have to hunt servitors and use their meager energy cores to get by."
Xu Xi muttered softly.
He walked along the computer's components, carefully examining the internal and external structures.
"I can't understand it. The technical sophistication of this computer far surpasses any Federation technology I've previously encountered."
"Good thing I have mechanical resonance to slowly comprehend it."
"And—"
"With Ailei helping, I won't waste the computer's performance. I can even go further and make the base even stronger."
Xu Xi paused.
His gaze swept across the base's walls on both sides, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness.
He was using cheats.
But cheats didn't mean omnipotence.
Xu Xi could communicate with mechanical souls, learn the structures and principles of machinery, but he couldn't create something out of nothing, rebuild a complete production system.
Over the past few years, just constructing a qualified refuge base and researching the technology of the servitors had taken up most of Xu Xi's time.
But now, with the Federation computer and Ailei, Xu Xi could push further, creating a true sci-fi base.
"Master, dinner is ready."
The synthesized mechanical voice spoke beside his ear.
Xu Xi instinctively responded with an "okay."
Then, he set aside his current research and walked toward the usual dining area.
"Ailei."
Xu Xi hesitated.
"What's wrong, Master? Ailei is always at your service."
"Are you sure all this is for me to eat?"
Today, Ailei seemed especially happy, resulting in a massive plate of instant food cubes, leaving Xu Xi speechless.
The attributes of a housekeeping robot were still in full force.