Project Epsilon

[Diomedes]

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.

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