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.

cornered and desperate, absorbed them

to bomb them into oblivion once Arcadia ejected

she probed

were sitting in her living room, their programming malfunctioning without an enemy

because they weren't human.

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

a shipping container in The Garden. Thick walls and external locks should keep them contained, at least for a while. Stella had

were

aid, engaging the robots in combat while simultaneously capturing

robots sensed the trap and tried

her net, scooping up the robots along with the rebar, and chucked them into the

These enemies were formidable - if not for their

en novelxo

the blood from her lip, guilt-ridden. "I

him, Stella forced a smile through

as though his bones

teased him. "Looks like someone

retorted, "Well,

were shocked and infuriated. Their latest Al

to accept defeat, commanded, "Deploy

all three thousand troops for just two individuals seemed insane to

And they only came for

peace, like we would with

control room's defenses crumble and his bioengineered bats outmaneuvered, his patience snapped. "Bang!

dissidents fell, each with a bullet hole in