High above Mars, nestled within the intricate latticework of the L1 station, the administrative offices of the Solar System United Mechanics (SSUM) hummed with activity. The main conference room, a circular chamber with panoramic views of the crimson planet below, was filled with the holographic projections of senior SSUM officials, their faces a mixture of relief and anticipation.
“Finally,” Chief Engineer Anya Petrova announced, her voice crisp and efficient, “we have our final roster. Thirty-seven new apprentices, just exceeding our quota. Excellent work, everyone.”
A holographic spreadsheet, listing the names, scores, and qualifications of the new recruits, shimmered in the center of the room. Two names, highlighted in green, caught Anya’s attention. “D’Cia and Kael,” she said, her gaze sweeping across the assembled officials. “Both showing exceptional potential. Especially D'Cia, considering the… unconventional circumstances of her practical exam."
A ripple of murmurs went through the room. The incident with the falling hovercraft and D’Cia’s quick thinking at the crash site had already become a legend within the SSUM ranks.
“The question is,” Anya continued, “who will mentor these two? They require someone with… experience. Someone who can temper their raw talent with wisdom and guidance. Someone who understands the importance of caution and careful consideration.”
A holographic projection of a man with greying temples and kind eyes cleared his throat. “I nominate Silas Vance,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “He’s worked on the L1 shield for over fifty years. He’s seen it all, done it all. And,” he added with a knowing smile, “he’s learned a thing or two about humility along the way.”
Anya nodded in agreement. “Silas is an excellent choice. He has the experience and the patience to deal with… challenging personalities.” She looked at the other officials. “Any objections?” Silence met her query. “Excellent. Silas, the apprentices are yours. Mold them well.”
The holographic image of Silas Vance nodded, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “A careful hand guides the strongest steel,” he thought, his personal tenet echoing in his mind. He had learned that lesson the hard way, a lesson etched in the scars on his soul and the memory of a sacrifice that haunted his dreams. He looked at the names of his new apprentices, Euri D’Cia and Kael. He had a feeling these two would test his patience, but he also sensed a spark of greatness within them, a potential waiting to be unlocked. He would guide them, challenge them, and help them forge their own paths, even if those paths led them down a road far more perilous than they could imagine.
—
On Mars, news of the successful SSUM recruitment drive reached the headquarters of the Martian Magnetic Core Project. The conference room, a stark, minimalist space that reflected the pragmatic culture of the red planet, buzzed with a palpable sense of relief.
“Finally,” Project Director Marcus Reyes announced, “we can start to reinforce the L1 shield. With the new apprentices on board, we should be able to implement the Phase Three upgrades within the next six months.”
A holographic projection of a woman in a crisp white lab coat spoke up. “Director, I propose we also send a team of student observers from the Biogenesis Institute. It would be a valuable learning opportunity for them, and they could provide additional support to the SSUM mechanics.” The woman, Dr. Aris Thorne, represented the Institute and had a vested interest in sending her most promising students, Zaggie Khan in particular, to gain practical experience in a real-world setting.
Reyes considered the suggestion. “It’s not a bad idea, Dr. Thorne,” he said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “It would give the students a chance to see firsthand how their research is applied in the field. And with the increased workload, the extra hands would be welcome. Alright, I approve. Coordinate with the SSUM and select your best students for the observation team.”
—
The insistent chirping of her alarm pulled Euri from a deep, dreamless sleep. She groaned, her head throbbing, her mouth dry and sticky. The memories of the previous night’s celebration, a blur of laughter, cheering, and copious amounts of potent spirits, flooded her mind. She vaguely recalled a spirited drinking competition with a group of boisterous NuGen students, a challenge she had apparently won with embarrassing ease, and a slightly blurry image of herself being carried back to her quarters by a solicitous service bot, Lin trailing behind, shaking her head in mock disapproval.
“Ugh,” she muttered, fumbling for the off switch on her alarm. “Note to self: Nucleogenesis-grade alcohol and human physiology do not mix.” A holographic to-do list shimmered into existence above her bed, a gentle reminder of the day’s planned activities.
* 08:00 - Physical Training (Mandatory)
* 09:30 - Academy Tour (Mandatory)
* 11:00 - Visit NuGen Department (Prize Collection)
* 13:00 - Red Devil Maintenance (Personal) – *Note: Collect NuGen tool module.*
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* 18:30 - Dinner with Lin (Optional)
A new notification flashed on her HUD:
Welcome to the Central Military Academy, Euri D’Cia. Your student ID is now active. Facility access granted: Shops, Gym, Cafeteria, Ship Ports, Library.
Euri grinned. Official at last.
After a quick sonic shower and a nutrient-rich protein, Euri headed towards the academy gym, the throbbing in her head slowly subsiding. As she entered the sprawling fitness center, a chorus of cheers and whistles erupted from a small group of students near the weightlifting platform. Euri blushed, recognizing the familiar faces of her self-proclaimed “fan club.” She offered a shy wave, a mix of amusement and embarrassment warming her cheeks. Guess my reputation precedes me.
Finding the usual machines, grip strength training and cardio, she resumes her classical playlist before starting her workout.
---
The academy tour was a whirlwind of gleaming corridors, state-of-the-art training facilities, and dizzyingly high observation decks offering breathtaking views of the surrounding archipelago. The guide, a chirpy, overly enthusiastic AI drone in the shape of a monk seal, rattled off facts and figures about the academy’s history, its curriculum, and its impressive array of technological marvels, while Euri’s mind wandered, her thoughts still preoccupied with the mysterious “D’Cia Relic” and the ominous presence of the Obsidian Hand.
"Next up, the NuGen Department, previously the EMC Department."
Finally, she found herself standing outside the Nucleogenesis Department, a imposing structure of polished steel and shimmering glass, humming with the barely contained energy of controlled nuclear reactions. As she entered the main lab, a raucous cheer erupted from the assembled students, the same group she had out-drunk the previous night. They greeted her like a returning hero, their faces flushed with a mix of admiration and good-natured ribbing. The guide, however, waves them off as it gives a final introduction to the facility.
"Established at the turn of the Millenia, the research and development of Energy-Matter Conversion has recently made major breakthroughs, such as their Hard light Printer modules for interstellar Arc-Tier ships capable of converting excess fission energy and other materials into light beams that form objects based on pre-established blueprints. As I see the team behind the technology is nearby, let us take a 20 minute break." The seal finishes speaking before sliding towards a terminal with a 20 minute countdown floating above it in the shape of an hourglass.
“Euri! The champion returns!” one of the team shouted, raising a beaker of what looked suspiciously like glowing green liquid.
“We weren’t sure you’d make it,” another added, a mischievous grin on her face. “Thought you might have dissolved into a puddle of pure alcohol.”
Euri laughed, shaking her head. “You guys almost did,” she returned. Being presented with a package, she accepted the prize they presented her – a sleek, wrist-mounted NuGen module, humming with latent energy. It was a personal fabrication unit, capable of generating a variety of tools and devices using hard light technology. “This is… incredible,” she said, turning the module over in her hands, examining its intricate design.
“Just insert a fission cell," one of the students explained, “and you can create almost any tool you can imagine. Perfect for a mechanic on the go. Each cell should be able to generate 6 or so tools.”
Euri’s eyes lit up. "This is incredible!" She thanked as she slide the fabricator vambraces onto her arm, the lines of light pulsing along the trim as it resized itself to suit her arm specifically. She had been planning to work on the Red Devil that afternoon. This would be the perfect opportunity to test her new toy. "How about I come around again and we have another match?" She suggested, with an evil grin. However, an awkward look appeared on the team's face.
"Unfortunately, we won't be able to afford the consequences of such a match." A blond-haired man with a beard replied as he reached out his hand. "Leindel. Juan Leindel, supervisor of the NuGen R&D Team 4."
Realizing who she's facing, Euri returned with her own hand into a firm handshake. "Apologies for rendering your team unconscious." She apologized before quickly bowing and rejoining the tour group.
---
A few hours later, after the end of the tour, Euri made her way to the hangar, a vast, cathedral-like space filled with the rhythmic clang of maintenance bots and the low hum of charging engines; it was a mechanic’s paradise.
Euri found her trusty craft, the Red Devil gleaming under the bright lights, its crimson hull a vibrant splash of color against the metallic grey of the hangar floor.
"Now, if I remember correctly, I need a fission cell." Euri mumbles as she retrieves one from her ship storage and slides it into her new fabricator. With a click, the battery compartment slid closed, once again flush. The previously dim power indicator at the base of her pinky lit up to display a full bar. After some menu navigation, she connected the device to her HUD and pulled up the available schematics.
[Available Schematics: 5/10]
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Welding Torch
- Hammer
- Pliers
Additional Schematics may be designed at the terminal or downloaded.
"Looks like it can only hold 10 schematics, let's give it a try." She says to herself as she picks the Screwdriver from the list. As she holds out her left arm in front of her, beams of light began shooting out of several little arms, heat blurring the air in front of her as the shape of a screwdriver took shape. At the same time, she notices little silver motes of light swirling around her arm as well. After about a minute, as the last beam of light, the last arm still protruding from the vambraces is the one holding up the tool. Grabbing it with my right hand, the arm returned to the vambrace.
Upon closer inspection, the screwdriver is made of a uniform material, probably some kind of aluminium alloy, with an ergonomic grip. The base of the handle had several holes with interchangeable heads within. Well, at least that's convenient. She commented, satisfied with the result.
After a thorough checkup of the Red Devil and noticing nothing out of place, Euri picked up her luggage from the storage compartment intending to return to her dorm, however, the screwdriving, which was in her open toolbox, began dissolving into a myriad of silver motes of light. So... Is the fabricator manipulating these motes of light and binding them? Euri wondered. She'll have to experiment more later.
