Coding to Conquer the Universe

Julio had no idea where he was.

A moment ago, he had been in the Congress chamber, surrounded by thousands of powerful people deciding his fate. Then, Zylo had snapped his fingers, and now he was standing in a completely different part of the galaxy.

He stumbled slightly, still adjusting to the sudden shift.

[initiate_teleport.exe]

[coordinates: Machinist Mate Academy]

[status: SUCCESS]

The place was unlike anything he had seen before. Massive towers loomed over him, glowing with neon blue circuits. Mechanical arms moved in synchronized precision, repairing ships that hovered in place, supported by anti-gravity fields. Sparks rained down from a dozen scaffolds, where workers in exo-rigs welded and adjusted complex machinery.

Zylo, standing beside him, clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome, kid, to the Machinist Mate Academy. If Technomancers are the brains, this place makes sure they don't turn into idiots. Well—" He shot Julio a grin. "Bigger idiots than they already are."

Julio looked around, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the place. He squinted up at the nearest building, where a holographic sign read: "Precision, Adaptation, Mastery."

"This is where I'm training?" Julio asked, still taking it in.

"Yep," Zylo said. "This is where you're gonna learn how to keep up with a Technomancer. 'Cause trust me, kid, the moment you start working with one, you're gonna realize something real fast—they do a lot of really, really stupid things."

Julio crossed his arms. "And what, you guys just have normal people follow you around and make sure you don't trip over your own robes?"

"Not normal people," Zylo said. "Smart people. Which is why I'm a little worried about you."

Julio scoffed. "Wow. Thanks. Real motivational."

"Look, you should be flattered," Zylo said, grinning. "A Machinist Mate is just as important as a Technomancer. Sometimes more. You keep their tech running, repair their gear, and make sure they don't blow themselves up rewriting reality. Hell, most fights between high-level Technomancers aren't even about power—it's about who has the better Machinist Mate backing them up."

Julio raised an eyebrow. "Okay, so… do I get powers too?"

Zylo threw his head back and laughed.

A full, belly-aching laugh.

It went on for an uncomfortably long time.

Julio frowned. "Uh. Dude?"

Zylo wiped a tear from his eye. "Powers? Oh, that's adorable. No, kid. You get tools. Maybe a cool suit if you work hard. But powers?" He grinned. "You don't have the processing power for that."

Julio scowled. "I'm not dumb."

"I know," Zylo said, still smirking. "I just like seeing you mad." He patted Julio on the back. "Now get going. You've got an orientation, and I've got an idiot to watch get torn apart."

Before Julio could respond, Zylo teleported away, leaving him standing there, staring up at his new home.

***

Jewels barely had time to process what was happening before the world shifted around her.

One moment, she was in the Congress chamber. The next, she was standing in the center of a vast, circular arena.

[initiate_teleport.exe]

[coordinates: Technomancer Academy, Trial Grounds]

[status: SUCCESS]

The ground beneath her was metal, humming with energy. High above, massive monitors displayed unreadable lines of code, shifting and changing like a living thing. Towering pylons crackled with electricity, casting eerie shadows across the vast training facility.

Dunce stood beside her, hands clasped behind his back. Unlike Zylo, he had wasted no time with introductions or explanations.

Jewels exhaled sharply. "Alright, let's hear it. What's the test?"

Dunce turned to her, his mechanical eyes unreadable. "Survival."

Jewels frowned. "Could you be more specific?"

"No."

Jewels scowled. "Great. Love the clarity."

Dunce lifted his hand.

[activate_trial.exe]

[parameters: survival]

[status: INITIATED]

The ground shifted beneath her feet. Panels in the walls slid open, revealing humanoid figures—tall, sleek, and made entirely of chrome. Their featureless faces reflected the harsh lighting, and their bodies moved with unsettling precision.

Jewels took a step back. "Oh. Yeah. That looks safe."

Dunce said nothing.

Jewels tensed as the constructs activated, their glowing eyes locking onto her.

She had no weapons. No gear. Just herself.

And a rapidly growing sense of regret.

The first construct lunged.

Jewels barely dodged, rolling to the side as its metallic fist slammed into the ground where she had been standing. The impact cracked the metal floor, sending a sharp vibration through the arena.

Her heart pounded. She had no idea how to fight these things.

Another one attacked, and she ducked, barely avoiding a strike that could have crushed her skull.

She needed to think.

Fast.

[access_system.exe]

[target: combat_construct_01]

[override_attempt: manual]

[status: PENDING]

Jewels focused, trying to force her way into the construct's system.

[manual_override.exe]

[status: ERROR]

The construct swung at her. She barely managed to leap back in time.

"Come on," she muttered, trying again.

[insert_corrupt_data.exe]

[target: combat_construct_01]

[status: PROCESSING…]

The construct stuttered for a split second.

Jewels' eyes widened.

It worked.

Sort of.

She tried again, forcing an error into the code.

The construct twitched, its movements becoming erratic.

Jewels grinned. "Okay. I can work with this."

The other constructs started closing in.

Jewels had no time to think. She sprinted forward, sliding beneath the first construct just as it rebooted. She reached out, fingers twitching in the air.

[override_system.exe]

[target: all_combat_constructs]

[status: IN PROGRESS]

The constructs hesitated.

Jewels pushed harder.

[status: ERROR]

Her heart dropped.

The constructs rebooted.

And they were pissed.

The closest one swung, catching her off guard. She barely raised her arms in time as the impact sent her skidding backward.

Dunce, watching from a distance, tilted his head. "Disappointing."

Jewels growled. "Shut up."

Dunce made a small gesture. The constructs suddenly stopped.

Jewels panted, staring at them in confusion. "What the hell?"

Dunce turned to her. "You failed."

Jewels gritted her teeth. "You didn't even let me finish!"

"You had ample time," Dunce said. "Your instincts are promising, but your execution is lacking. You rely on instinctual code manipulation, but you lack control. If this were a real battle, you would be dead."

Jewels glared at him. "Gee. Thanks for the confidence boost."

Dunce ignored her sarcasm. "Tomorrow, we will test you again. You will continue until you succeed."

Jewels exhaled sharply. "And if I don't?"

Dunce finally looked at her, his mechanical eyes glowing faintly. "Then you do not become a Technomancer."

Jewels' stomach twisted.

Dunce turned away. "Your room is ready. You have until morning to prepare."

Before Jewels could argue, the world shifted again.