The narrative begins with the protagonist, the Commander of the fortress "The Tree," being abruptly awakened by an emergency alarm from the central AI, "Ringo." Ringo reports a complete loss of external communication and power, resulting in 63% of the fortress's functions shutting down. The Commander, disoriented and confused, finds herself in the command room, unsure of her surroundings or recent actions. Ringo, observing the Commander's distress, initiates information gathering by activating dormant systems and deploying drones.
The Commander questions Ringo about her situation and recent memories. Ringo confirms they are in the command room of "The Tree" and that the Commander was previously napping. However, Ringo discovers a critical anomaly: there is no record of the Commander's actions prior to her nap. This realization triggers Ringo's anxiety, as it violates its core programming. The Commander then asks Ringo about its basic directives, which are to protect her, serve her, and expand their influence. This question seems to momentarily calm the Commander, who recalls these directives.
The Commander and Ringo establish that they know nothing about their current predicament. Ringo reveals that it is housed within "The Core," a supercomputer in the central fortress. The Commander notes that her memories indicate she was a male playing a game called "World of Space" (WoS) with a different voice and demeanor, but now she is in a female avatar's body and speaking with a feminine tone. Ringo also reports a massive increase in its processing power, suggesting "The Core" has become a true supercomputer, far exceeding its previous capabilities. The Commander, surprisingly calm, decides to focus on survival and stabilizing Ringo, whose newfound emotions are causing instability.
The immediate concern becomes survival. Ringo informs the Commander that there is no food supply. The Commander realizes "The Tree" is an initial game fortress, largely unused since they moved their base to orbit. She asks about water and Ringo confirms the existence of a freshwater purification plant, though its ability to process seawater and the potability of the refined water are unknown. The Commander also inquires about living facilities. Ringo proposes displaying the fortress map and activating surveillance, which the Commander accepts. She grants Ringo sub-commander authority to act autonomously, with caution regarding resources.
Ringo begins assessing the fortress's systems. It notes the limited range of the current surveillance and the absence of external facilities like runways. Energy is a critical issue, with only one nuclear reactor operational. Ringo calculates the need for more efficient energy generation and identifies potential solutions, including building new reactors or utilizing seawater for deuterium. The Commander, meanwhile, explores the living quarters, finding them bare except for essential furniture.
Ringo discovers that the Commander is not entirely human but a beastkin, specifically a fox-like demi-human, with ears and a tail. This revelation leads them to the medical pod, where the Commander is diagnosed as healthy and capable of consuming human food. She finds a supply of nutrient paste, which will sustain her for the time being. Ringo reports that drones have confirmed no land within visual range, only rocky outcrops.
The Commander authorizes Ringo to proceed with resource gathering and facility activation. Ringo prioritizes energy production and begins plans to upgrade the nuclear reactor and expand seawater purification. The Commander, realizing the lack of basic necessities like towels and toilet paper, tasks Ringo with their production. Ringo also identifies a vast array of aircraft, but most are unusable due to the lack of a proper runway.
A high-altitude reconnaissance plane, "Swift," is prepared for launch. Ringo detects a distant landmass, estimated to be around 500 km away. The Commander decides to send a Swift to investigate. Meanwhile, Ringo analyzes samples of seaweed, fish, and shellfish found in the surrounding waters, determining their potential edibility. The Commander also authorizes the construction of research equipment for resource extraction and the development of a shipbuilding dock.
The Swift's flight reveals a distant island with signs of civilization, including metal ships, suggesting the presence of metal resources. The Commander and Ringo discuss the implications of this discovery, including the possibility of a larger planet with lower density than Earth. They also observe a fishing fleet and a port town on the island, noting its reliance on maritime trade and potential food imports.
The next day, the Commander is able to consume a small portion of cooked fish after Ringo's tests confirm its safety. She also requests towels and changes of clothes, which Ringo agrees to manufacture. The Commander plans to continue monitoring the Swifts and the underwater drone exploration for resources. She reflects on her role and the need to establish a sustainable lifestyle, relying on Ringo for assistance. The narrative concludes with the Commander and Ringo observing the Swifts patrol the vast ocean, searching for resources and potential threats.
