18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel 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 AI 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.

Stella, cornered and desperate, absorbed them into Arcadia.

She planned to bomb them into oblivion once Arcadia ejected them. But why weren’t they being kicked out?

Confused, she probed with her consciousness.

They were sitting in her living room, their programming malfunctioning without an enemy to target – they were completely baffled.

Stella realized, with a jolt, that Arcadia hadn’t ejected them because they weren’t human. Despite their human-like appearance, they remained AI-driven robots.

Needing program control, they were effectively offline in Arcadia, cut off from their network like a game without an internet connection.

But considering their advanced AI, Stella didn’t 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 herself some time, but Jasper was still in grave danger.

These machines were flawlessly designed.

She dashed to his aid, engaging the robots in combat while simultaneously capturing them.

The last two robots sensed the trap and tried to flee, but it was too late.