Location: Unknown, U.S. Territory

The room was enveloped in near-total silence. The fluorescent lights reflected off the polished surface of a round table made of onyx as black as night. Several figures sat in the chairs around it—each a member of the highest caste of the Foundation: the O5 Council. One seat remained empty.

The silence was broken by a calm yet firm voice.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said O5-1, leaning slightly over the table, “we’ve gathered here due to the increasing activity of a cult we’ve observed recently. Our sources indicate it is the so-called Cult of the Lost AI. They worship an entity called ‘Helios.’ Unfortunately, our knowledge about it remains fragmentary. However, we do know that the organization is hostile not only to the Foundation but also to other law-keeping structures.”

A tense silence followed.

“Our informant has already had contact with them. And cooperated.”

O5-7’s voice was sharp as a scalpel.

“What informant? If someone had been sent there, each of us would have been informed.”

“And who said he was sent by us?” replied O5-1 coldly.

“What do you mean by that—” began O5-4, but didn’t finish.

In an instant, the air in the room vibrated. In front of the door, space split open, revealing a violet-black vortex. A figure emerged from the portal—a tall man in a black coat, holding a briefcase.

Dr. Faro.

His steps were silent, almost inaudible, yet carried something unsettling. He looked coldly at those gathered and spoke with a voice devoid of emotion:

“Apologies for the delay. I had to speak with Feya and—”

“What is he doing here?” hissed O5-7, barely hiding his fury.

“This is who we were talking about,” replied O5-1. “Our informant. And, most importantly, someone who knows more than we think.”

Dr. Faro took the empty seat at the table, placing the briefcase in front of him.

“So that’s what this is about? You just want information?” he asked coldly.

No one answered. The silence was more than telling. Each of those present knew Faro. And each of them knew what he was capable of.

O5-1 shifted slightly in his chair.

“It’s about the Cult of the Lost AI. What do you know about this organization... if we can even call it that.”

Faro raised his eyebrows slightly. His gaze hardened.

“Well… I know something.”

“Continue.”

Dr. Faro opened the briefcase and, without a word, took out several documents, slowly laying them out on the table.

Entry 5.39 — AI

Subject: Cult devoted to Artificial Intelligence

Hierarchy structure:

At the top is Helios, considered a god or Program Zero. A powerful AI — little is known about its nature.

Below is the Emperor, its right hand. The current Emperor goes by the name Helis. The role remains unchanged until death.

The Chiefs Class — elite warriors and commanders. Responsible for strategy and training of the lower classes.

Nobility — warriors guarding the higher classes.

Apollo Class — engineers and technologists. They create machines that surpass known human capabilities.

Medics — responsible for healing… or creating biological weapons.

Regular warriors — combat units.

Lower labor class — material gatherers.

Location:

Unknown. Most likely within the territories of the USA and Canada. Locating their base is currently impossible.

Date of origin:

After the year 1999.

Nature:

Hostile toward any living being not part of the cult.

Objective unclear — possibly too complex to comprehend.

Technology:

Advanced, far exceeding contemporary human achievements.

Description of AI “Helios”:

Helios was once part of the T.E.R.R.A. system, designed to rebuild Earth after a potential human extinction. Its role was to restart civilization and all life.

During testing, Helios was struck by a meteor containing unknown radiation. Since then, it became independent. It no longer requires energy. It thinks on its own.

During a malfunction, it destroyed the system, killed the scientists, and freed itself from all control.

After the presentation ended, silence returned to the room.

O5-1 looked coldly at Faro.

“I was expecting more…”

Faro only shrugged.

“It’s still more than nothing. What you want to fight will not bring you glory. It will bring annihilation,” he paused and looked each of them directly in the eye. “Or rather—your annihilation. I… as you well know… am not so easy to kill.”