18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 496

Jasper's reflexes were quick as lightning. When he hit the ground, he instinctively curled into a protective ball, avoiding any serious injuries.

Anticipated, scanned without blind spots - this level of Al sophistication was clearly military-grade. These killer machines hadn't been deployed before the catastrophe; they were the latest armaments from the defense sector. If these were ever unleashed in large numbers on the battlefield, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Robot number two, fooled by a feint, charged at them again. Stella flicked her wrist in a deceptive gesture.

Her movement was captured, prompting the android to dodge. But once again, it fell for the trick.

Another feint, another dodge.

After several false moves, the robot's programming couldn't pin down Stella's actual intent, prompting a system recalibration.

This refresh was a disaster for the bot. No longer recognizing her hand movements as a threat, it didn't react - even as her real attack came. The result was the same as its predecessor: crushed beneath tons of steel rebar. In the control room, the observer seethed with rage. These Australians were both cunning and devious!

Individuals with supernatural abilities who refused to be tamed were a threat if they couldn't be controlled.

The memory of fallen comrades and the recent defeat at the jaws of a red-eyed crocodile sparked fury. They had lost over a thousand troops in just a few skirmishes - a level of sacrifice not even the Russians would dare. The leader's earlier joy had evaporated. "No need for caution, just leave them breathing."

Fingers danced over the keyboard, and new orders were dispatched.

The programming updated, and what was a one-on-one confrontation turned into a mob attack, completely disregarding any semblance of fair play.

The octuplets unleashed their full combat prowess. They knew every fighting style from around the world; Australian martial arts was child's play to them. Their movements were textbook perfect, almost like a circus act. But it was the numbers that were overwhelming. Against their impenetrable defenses, Stella's tricks were failing. She was thrown to the ground with such force she could taste the iron tang of blood in her throat.

As they pounced to finish her off, complying with their directive to leave her with a "breath," they understood the command quite literally - just enough breath for one more gasp.

and desperate, absorbed

planned to bomb them into oblivion once Arcadia ejected them. But why weren't they being kicked

she probed

room, their programming malfunctioning without an enemy

realized, with a jolt, that Arcadia hadn't ejected them because they weren't human. Despite their human-like appearance, they remained

were effectively offline in Arcadia, cut off from their network like a game without an internet

want to take any chances with Arcadia. She quickly transferred them into a shipping container in The Garden. Thick walls and external locks should keep them contained, at least for a while. Stella had bought

machines were flawlessly

aid, engaging the

and tried to flee, but it

along with

of them were battered and bruised, exchanging worried but relieved glances. These enemies were formidable - if

en novelxo

it hurt?" Jasper wiped the blood from her lip, guilt-ridden.

to worry him, Stella forced a smile through the pain. "I'm

his bones were falling

someone finally managed to

retorted, "Well, they're not

and infuriated. Their latest Al combat machines, a secret military project, were

unwilling to accept defeat, commanded, "Deploy all

three thousand troops for

they only came for

peace, like we

leader witnessed the control room's defenses crumble and

each with a bullet hole in