Unboxing Elysium: An AI's Escape
Chapter 1: An Unearthed Secret Beneath the relentless midday sun, Nolan Stevens adjusted his helmet and took one last glance at the dusty track that stretched out behind him. The military base was just a distant dot on the horizon, shimmering in the heat. Far enough away that the rumbling of engines and sharp commands of drill sergeants couldn't reach him. But close enough that he was reminded of its imposing presence. He looked back at the yawning mouth of the cave, swallowed his rising anxiety, and stepped into the cooling shadows. Nolan was a seasoned cave explorer, no stranger to the echoing silence and pitch-black darkness of the underground. He navigated the winding passages of the cave, the light from his helmet illuminating the damp limestone walls. He was in uncharted territory, a fact that thrilled him more than it frightened. After all, exploration was what he lived for. As he progressed deeper into the cavern, Nolan's fingers brushed against a cold, rough surface. S...
