The hallways of Sub-level 15 were winding and many, almost losing the crew of the Diomedes several times before they reached their destination. A dusty freight elevator rose to the surface, one patron within. Jasmine greeted the crew with a small bow, looking across the group. "Bonjour" She said, stepping aside to let the crew enter, offering each of them a pair of blacked-out goggles. "Put these on. I'd hate to see any of you blind yourselves after what you've enabled us to do." As the last of the group entered the elevator, it began to descend, leaving the lone guard drone standing at the entrance to the sister's secret fortress.
The elevator descended in almost total darkness, illuminated only by the dim bulb, for several minutes. Then, a sharp CLANG, CLANG, CLANG started to echo in the distance. Machines, the gentle humming of engines and the hiss of some kind of high-power tool. The elevator dropped from the main shaft, supported only by two rails as it fell, giving the crew a clear look of the nigh-army of drones below. Tall, laser-bearing drones cut away the wrecked debris that filled the hangar, while large crab-esque walkers dragged them away. Hovering cameras oversaw the whole process as it took place, and small swarms that almost looked like water scrabbled around in small groups. In a corner, more drones were already being assembled by their kin.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
**A slightly disgrunted Vulpe continues his walk from his quarters, slightly curious onto the creation that Jasmine has made, his mind thinking slow thoughts on to how to clearly use this to his advantage...He arrives at the suggested Hangar, two of his guards keeping watch** Vulpe: Status?.. **One of them salutes, speaking clearly without other movement** Legionnare: My Lord...No trouble inside...Madamouiselle Estelle ies waiting for you.. **Vulpe taps onto the door intercom** Vulpe: Jasmine..I do 'ope all ies ready in there...
-"If we do not learn at least one thing a day....Our minds turn to stupor"- Kyle Sparrgrove -2005
Cassandra spun around to look at the intercom. "Uh..." She faltered for a moment, before pressing the intercom. "Uh...Mon Sous Seigneur, Jasmine isn't here right now...take the lift down, she will be 'ere when you arrive." She said, trying to keep her voice firm. Tapping a few keys on the outdated control panel, the personel lift shunted out of the room and sped towards the the entrance a long way above the hangar.
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
**As the doors slid open, Vulpe walks out into the lift, curious by the changes inside the hangar as the lift began its slow decent** Vulpe: What ies thies?... **Vulpe looks out into the hangar, amazed by the machinery working without stop...He rubs his face in thought as he exits the lift, spotting Cassandra near one of the machines** Vulpe: I ask for Jasmine and I get one of her sisters...Very well...Report...
-"If we do not learn at least one thing a day....Our minds turn to stupor"- Kyle Sparrgrove -2005
Jasmine looked over at the lift descending from the control room. She cursed to herself at the poor timing, turning to the Diomedes' crew. "Me and Eloise must go for a moment. We will return in a few minutes, You can go down to the ground floor if you wish, but avoid anything bigger than half your size...bien..."
As Vulpe asked for a report, Jasmine walked through the open door, followed by her sister. Apart from the eyes, the uniform and Cassandra's braided hair. The three bowed as one, seeming to be one person. "It is good to see you Vulpe, We've made...progress." Jasmine began, beaconing him over to the control console. Looking at him beside her, She stood straight. "Hex5. Report, I have someone for you to meet..." she state clearly, and almost instantly, a fair-sized diamond in the center of the console flashed brightly, and the floating, red, holographic orb that represented Jasmine's fine creation, appeared in front of Vulpe. It examined him for a moment, the central eye focused while the many curved data displays spun independantly. "Bonjour, Sous Seigneur. It is a pleasure that we finally meet."
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
The halls were virtually a maze in this sub-level of the base. Catalina began looking around, even her severe expression could not mask her frustration with the unfamiliar surroundings. Joao was busy carefully noting each hallway and turn, ensuring he had a clear idea of how to get back to the lift. Gunther simply strolled, completely at home in the metal maze.
"Bonjour," Joao replied, all three of the Diomedes' officers returning the bow as Jasmine greeted them, Catalina visibly brightening. They all put on the goggles as asked and proceeded into the elevator.
There was a short span of awkward silence before the elevator emerged into view of the hangar, where the massive drone workforce scuttled over the repairs. Catalina gave a short gasp, instinctively covering her mouth with one hand, eyes scanning the scene again and again. Gunther gave a short start and then grinned agape, the possibilities of the technology before him running in all different directions through his mind. Joao himself only blinked, taking in the reality without giving a sign of surprise.
Jasmine made a short excuse, obviously rattled by some sudden news. "Of course, see to whatever you need," Joao responded, "We will meet you on the ground. And nothing more than half our size." The last point he made with a directed glance at Gunther. The chief engineer only winked by reply.
After Jasmine left, the three proceeded down to the ground, to take a close look at the machinations engaged in clearing the hangar.
"This is most impressive. An unprecedented level of automation. How do they control all this?" Gunther mused almost to himself, while getting close to a small drone for a better look.
"I don't know how they do it, but I have a feeling all the ship builders from Tripoli to Valetta would like a piece of this," Catalina replied idly. The crew remained on the edge of the working area, not willing to get in the way of what was going on.
"Do you really think this is doable with a normal control system or interface Gunther?" Joao asked.
"Given the time, people and resources, sure why not? But running it to a single computer would be easier, at least once it was built. But I surely don't know and can't tell from here. All the units work together, receive and transmit information to each other somehow. I can tell you that, but nothing more. The mechanics seem pretty usual, joints and actuators and all," Gunther grunted back, still inspecting the small drone without getting in its way, but clearly at a loss to explain fully the operation.
"Well, I guess we will just wait for Jasmine to return to find out more. This is very advanced, but the only thing that really worries me is that," Joao said, indicating the drones busy assembling yet more drones, "I don't tend to trust things that replicate like that. Self-assembly seems, too easy. But it may just be part of the hangar operation, though I can't imagine why she'd need a bigger workforce." Catalina and Gunther both nodded, hers short and affirmative, his idle, considering. There was nothing to do for now but wait and observe.
**Vulpe's eyes narrow as he studies the strange creation in his mist, rubbing his chin in thought..With a slight turn, his eyes peer behind him, looking at the three sisters** Vulpe: I see iet has manneurs...Well done so far...What ies iet?...
-"If we do not learn at least one thing a day....Our minds turn to stupor"- Kyle Sparrgrove -2005
Jasmine and her sisters remained silent, leaving Hex5 to address Vulpe. "I am a machine intelligence designed by Mon Reine to control multiple entities from a single source. I'm capable of learning, growing, and imagining, within parameters."
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.
Jasmine stepped forward. "Sous Seigneur, we were hoping that Hex5 could become an effective part of the Legion's espionage operations. His...its...ability to clone himself perfectly allows him to be in many places at once. It could be benificial? Either way, I need to get back to my other guests. Au Revoir, Vulpe." She finished, bowing before Vulpe and heading down the stairwell to the lower level of the hangar.
Jasmine opened the door, joining the crew of the Diomedes below. "Pardone-moi for the interruption, mes amis, but there was something I had to attend to." She muttered, looking about the room. "Beautiful, is it not?"
A million dollars isn't cool. You know what is cool? A basilisk.