Despite being docked at the usual shipyard in Cayman, the Ingenuus was still quite busy. People walking across the vessel to access some of the labs specially for them, others doing checks on the power-source, making sure it was operating smoothly.
Rachel Winterton specifically was sitting quietly in one of the lounges, reading information from a data-pad quietly, perhaps mumbling to herself now and then about something working at lower capacity than it could. To her right was a screen, which displayed the interface of the vessels Communication systems, seeming to be expecting someone.
"I suppose it's sorta amusing how McCool merely dumps visitors over to the nearest employee." Chuckling quietly, speaking to herself without a second thought. It was a bad habit she thought. "Ah well. Can't be that bad.."
Returning to her data-pad, studying her material as she awaits the arrival of the 'guest' the Ingenuus was expecting.
The decrepit, old nephilim slowly made its way into the mooring position. The small pieces stuck just within the gravity shield being dragged alongside. As it sidled up, the mooring arms extended, locking onto the airlocks, the clamps lowering into position before a slight hiss could be heard. To those awaiting by the door, they found three men step out.
One, tall and built fairly large. "Worked out" could have been an understatement, yet looking into his eyes could show instantly that he cared for his own, and for those around him. The smile lines at the corners of his mouth and around his temples showed a warm, welcoming face, but it also appeared wisened, battle hardened. This, was Joseph Wolf. A battle hardened man, with the respect of his peers, standing in a type of advanced marine battle armour, with a type of "cape" draped from his shoulders. The armour looked more of an extension than a weapon or defence of any kind. Perhaps something he became accustomed to in his past.
Beside him sat a man in a wheelchair. His legs sat limply in the chair, but his hands where busy. Whilst they tinkered with different items, along with a rag and a trusty wrench, his eyes darted around, taking in every detail. It showed signs of a brilliant mind, proven to those few who knew him well.
Merely a few feet away was a Kusarian man, leaning lazily against the wall. Both of his hands in his pockets, while his gaze lazily wanders around the room. Not seeming to be in a hury. One may notice a pen in his right hand which he was spinning between his fingers, seeming to take comfort in any sort of movement. The expression perhaps pointing out that he'd rather be doing something else, rather than appearing and appealing to a group which he knew almost nothing about.
After checking all though, you notice the data-pad in Joseph's hand. from it is projected a pure black box, darker than the expanses of space itself, with a slight blue glow seen along the edges. It has six plain faces, all indifferent to each other. Slight parts of the conversation overheard would reveal its brilliance as an AI, but also the sarcasm that would break up such a tight knit crew, providing comic relief, bringing them all ever closer.
This was the crew of the Ares, and the gentlemen that had come for the help of Finn McCool, or perhaps his young assitant, Ms Rachael Winterton, who had been assigned to assist them.
He grabbed a deckhand:
Joseph: I'm here to speak to Miss Winterton, and please, have a beer ready for myself and McCool.. We have one hell of a lot of catching up to do...
A figure walks in from the hall, instead of wearing the stereotypical white lab-coat, instead however was a female wearing a loose sweatshirt, and what appeared to be baggy jeans.
"No need, I figured you weren't going to be that long. Hello, and.." Pausing, noting the Kusarian. "Konnichiwa. Isamu, I heard you had work. So you're tied up around the Zoners as well? Glad to see you alive. Wasn't so sure after last encounter."
Shrugging slightly, approaching the group. She was holding a mug of what appeared to be coffee. "So i'm to show you around the systems. McCool is upstairs most likely pretending to do busy work, we'll stop by his office afterwards. I know he usually keeps a few drinks hidden up there, you two can catchup, or do whatever guys do when they see each other again."
Turning to the deckhand, waving him back to his duties.
"Well. Do you wish to get started with the tour? Or would you like to catch up with McCool first. Whatever you prefer, it's not like i'm going anywhere. Questions, Comments, Concerns, all that good stuff just.. letme know."
Joseph looks at her, "sizing her up". He comes to the conclusion she's smart enough to work around his usual tactics, so instead prefers the direct option over the flirtatious one.
Ms Winterton, a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I'm Councilman Wolf, but for the love of god call me Joe. Wheels here is my brother Max, the other Councilman Wolf. I see you already know Isamu, and the disco ball coming from my data pad is Black Box. My personal AI, and a tool I'm sure Isamu can attest to
the box turns, one of its faces stopping to "look at" her. The projection forms a red ribbon just beneath the black box, it moving up, wrapping around, and tiring into a meat little bow on top
And now I'm a present. Aren't I just wonderful? Don't answer, I know your already thinking it. But look, I look so good now she might be more inclined to let you place me in the system?
Thank you BlackBox. BB.. Sarcasm... Yeah.. But yes. I need him plugged into the system to take readings whilst we perform different tests please, if you could allow that. I guess it also answers your question, work first, play later Ms Winterton.
Rachel looked quite amused at the AI which was loaded onto the tablet for a few moments, before looking at each of them once more. Nodding slightly with a quiet sigh.
"Right to work, I see you have the complete opposite mentality than I do. Sorta disappointing if I may say so myself. No matter I suppose, right this way then."
Setting off down one of the hallways."If that's how you'd like to be with things, we'll start with the main attraction then. I'm afraid I can't allow you to upload or at least allow any sort of link to the Artificial Intelligence, although we'll provide some data dumps of our own to you to look over afterwards. If you're thinking that you should do it yourself since we may be missing something, I will personally let out another sigh for you if you ever do so please. We've worked on the thing since we've got it. I'm quite sure we know what we're into."
Arriving at a lift, stepping inside of it promptly, tapping a button near the top as she waits for everyone to enter.
"You're in luck. Today happens to be a day that my newest work is to be tested. Couldn't have done it without Dr. Fasenmier, although he's off-facility for the time being. That's later though, much later. We'll be done with this little showing before then."
Joseph steps in to the lift, the other two filing in beside him. The small space enhancing his height. He leans back against the wall, listening
Then a congratulations is in order. If you wouldn't mind, I would love to see it at some point. That kind of thing, new inventions and discoveries that is, has always fascinated me. But, one project at a time. I must request once more access for BB. I do not ask this request of you because I believe you to be incompetent at your job, I helped you guys here a little remember, rather because I doubt anyone would dream of performing this type of check. I am looking for a very specific set of results, under very specific conditions. Please do not take this as an insult to your own intelligence, in fact, you can look through the current core data if you want. Sato, would you kindly forward the Ares core data, and any cam feeds you think are relevant to aid Ms Wintertons understanding, I trust your judgment.
he attaches the data pad to his belt, the hologram flickering off
I will also ask you pass my request on to Finn, along with a message, that I have a gift, for him or all at Ingenuus, depending on how he sees fit to assign it. He will gain the details in due course.
He pauses slightly
I am relying upon you here at Ingenuus Ms Winterton... Rachel... You see, I need to complete this task, to fix my vessel, starting with this, so that I can protect my people, those Solar Runners I vowed to protect. It is my job to rediscover our home
He and Max look down at the floor. They clearly share an impossible burden. A burden that upsets them everyday
Rachel leans back against the lift for a few seconds as it ascends up a few floors. Giving him a slight shrug. "Sorry, i'll forward your request over to McCool, although in matters like these I have as much say as he does. I understand that this seems to be something you really want to get at. I can't allow you to plug any sort of data recorder. That includes an Artificial Intelligence. As I said earlier, i'll provide you with some basic data-dumps."
As they walk through the hallway above, they pass by a few labs, and one of the major meeting rooms of the vessel.
Coming to the end of the hallway, she swipes her ID card and punches in a twelve digit number, the doors sliding open to reveal the main attraction that the Ingenuus has to offer. The Power Core Fixture holding the behemoth itself.
Leaning against a railing, motioning over to a computer monitor. "Take a look. I designed the interface a while back differently than normal, although it is readable enough i'd imagine to someone like you. If you're still interested in sending by your core details even after hearing my reply to your own question, Isamu, send it over to my 'other' account. I'll look at it then."
Stretching out her arms slightly before relaxing once more.
"We'll take a look at your ship. I'm sure McCool was willing to see what we could do about it, although that's something between you and him. Not neccisarily me."
Joseph looks up at the powercore. He had worked on it before, but it had been a while since he lasted played around with that thing.. Max made his way over to the monitor, pointing it down so he could read it easier.
Well... It's certainly as I remember it... but... Max, just go through that for me, look for anything. Isamu, make sure she sees that before we leave this room. I want her to visualise the problem. I doubt it'll sway her mind, it doesn't really affect her that much, but we have to try. Ms Winterton, I'm heading in there for a closer look. You don't mind do you? Of course you don't.
It wasn't so much a question, more a notification. Before she could open her mouth, he already had a helmet on, and had passed through the door
Max, get what you can from my suit. Keep an eye on whats happening in here. I don't want any surprises...
Max looked up at Rachel, indicating she come closer. As she moved over, he began to speak
Apologies for me brother. When he gets caught up in his work, there's not much we can do to change his mind. Still, he's a good worker, dedicated. Can't really knock him for that. But if there is anything you can do, just to make things a little easier, it would be greatly appreciated. And before you start, yes i know protocol is protocol. Doesn't mean you can't do the right thing.
He pauses
Then again, I guess we can have different definitions of what's right. I guess what I'm really asking, is you help us help our people. In return, we will assist you at the drop of a hat, no questions asked. You have my word Ms Winterton.
Her face screams in protest, but her lips remain sealed, for now at least
No AI. That's fair enough. Keeping your trade secrets is your decision, but please allow us to at least run our own tests. You wouldn't accept someone else's work would you, you'd want more. Want to discover those results yourself, I'm sure. Any true scientist feels that urge.
Rachel watches curiously as the man enters the room. Not able to prevent herself from quietly sighing, shaking her head slightly.
Reaching forward, prodding the man in front of her gently. "I expected nothing less for people working for my silly cousin, crafty as always. You sure seem to have a sense of desperation, if you put that to good use, you may be able to replicate what we have running here eventually. For now sadly however, I can't let you run your own tests. We'll give you some readings of our own, although I really can't let you take more than what we're willing to give."
Taking a step back, watching the man inside the core room through the window. "Of course, we were planning to give you anything that you could have gotten through being close to it, we never intended to leave you empty handed. This is a tour after all, although any of the detailed stuff is our little secret for the time being. Right now, that baby is one of a kind. We would like to keep it that way as long as we can until someone else finally figures out the methods which took us quite a long time to figure out."
Putting a hand on a hip, she leans forward and activates a microphone. "I'd back out while you can" Motioning to a timer on the inside, as well as the outside. "The venting procedure starts soon. After-all, the direction mechanism is physical and designed to superheat."
Taking another step back. "I can't give you much more, McCool will be a pain in the rear if I decided to talk in-depth about it. Although have faith in yourself, you seem smart enough. You'll come up with something eventually. People always do. That's just how things work really."
Wolf stops in his tracks as the microphone shuts off. He bangs his hands against the front of the helmet, throwing them out wide. He spins on his heel, sprinting at the door. Throwing himself into the "airlock" or sorts, he wrenched off the helmet, coming through the inner door
My god I got it Max! You..
He looks at Rachel, walking forward grabing the sides of her head in his hands. For a moment, she is shocked, but he leans in, kissing her loudly on the forhead
MMWWAHH! You, are brilliant Ms Winterton. A genius!
Doing a 360 spin on his heel as he speaks
Oh she has just given me an answer! Max, Isamu. We are using batteries of sorts
He stops, leaning towards them, his hands before him
We're working too small on the output, and too large on the input! What if a secondary core was installed. Lord knows the Ares has room for it. IT can be fueled by the output from the power core, feeding off to this secondary reactor, but we could use more than just one. What if we was to dedicate a secondary reactor to each of the systems. It could, theoretically, increase the power we currently have...
...Allowing us to further the goal we are trying to reach. That's smart Joe. Good plan. Isamu, your opinion? Your a deciding vote on this now too, as much as the Councilmen. I'd like to hear your thoughts and concerns too Ms Winterton.
He motioned Isamu speak first, as a closer worker to the Runners and what they worked for