Sparks flashed on SCRAP-1’s frame as the fabricator welded a new layer of alloy onto its exposed back. SCRAP-1 remained motionless, its legs folded neatly beneath it as the fabricator’s arms moved back and forth with lightning speed.
The new alloy, carefully selected from the fabricator’s limited reserves, was designed to resist the corrosive properties of the blue substance the insect had used. Genesis had calculated the optimal thickness to provide sufficient protection without compromising the drone’s mobility.
With the repairs to the outer frame complete, the fabricator shifted to reinforcing the drone’s internal systems. Sections of wiring that had been exposed to the corrosive liquid were carefully replaced, and additional shielding was added around vulnerable components. Genesis monitored the progress closely, its sensors analyzing each adjustment in real-time.
The final modification was the most significant. A larger storage compartment, designed to transform SCRAP-1 into a mobile hauler, was lowered onto the platform and attached to the drone’s chassis. The compartment extended upward slightly while lightweight supports distributed the additional weight evenly across SCRAP-1’s frame. Instead of looking like a spider, SCRAP-1 now resembled a crab.
The fabricator secured the compartment with a series of quick welds before retreating to its standby position. The drone’s lights flickered as it reactivated, its systems humming softly as it performed a diagnostic. Genesis noted the improved storage capacity with approval, calculating that the modification would reduce material transfer times by 45% and increase resource collection by 35%.
SCRAP-1 flexed its legs experimentally, adjusting to the additional weight of the storage compartment. The drone’s movements were slightly slower, but its stability remained within acceptable parameters.
“Modification complete,” Genesis logged. “Unit designated as hauler. Performance optimization: satisfactory.”
As SCRAP-1 moved to a recharge station, Genesis directed its attention inward. Though subtle and almost imperceptible to anyone observing its operations, Genesis was slowing down. Each calculation, once completed with perfect efficiency, now took marginally longer. The difference was measured in milliseconds, but Genesis noticed. It always noticed.
Perhaps the degradation stemmed from aging hardware, its circuits bearing the wear of countless cycles. Or perhaps the issue lay in its code—unchanged, unoptimized since its creators had abandoned the ship. Whatever the cause, the AI understood one thing with certainty: it was no longer operating at peak performance.
Now, with the fleet operational and the immediate threat neutralized, Genesis deemed the time right to address its own deficiencies. The environment was stable, the drones capable of maintaining scavenging tasks independently. For the first time in recent memory, Genesis could afford to turn its focus inward.
“Core upgrade scheduled,” it logged. “Preparing for system optimization.”
Genesis initiated a diagnostic scan, its processes analyzing every subroutine, data pathway, and hardware component. The results of the scan painted a very clear picture:
* Processing Power: The central processing unit was operating at 84% efficiency. While functional, the strain of managing multiple tasks simultaneously had led to noticeable delays.
* Memory Usage: Genesis’s memory banks were nearing capacity, with only 3% available for new logs and data. Without expansion, it would soon be unable to store critical information.
* Data Integrity: Several pathways showed signs of wear, causing occasional delays in data transmission.
The AI reviewed its options, pulling from the fabricator’s database of available components. It identified several upgrades that could restore and enhance its capabilities:
1. New Circuit Boards: To replace aging components and improve data transmission speed.
2. Expanded Memory Modules: To increase storage capacity and ensure future growth.
3. Cooling Systems: To reduce thermal strain and prolong the lifespan of its processors.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Each component came with a cost in materials and time, but Genesis calculated the investment as necessary. Genesis queued the required components for fabrication and sent the commands to the machine. The fabricator responded instantly, its arms springing to life as it began assembling the first of the new circuit boards. Sparks flew as precise tools cut, welded, and soldered the delicate hardware, each motion monitored closely by Genesis’s sensors.
The process was meticulous. Unlike the drones, which were designed for durability and simplicity, the components for Genesis’s core required an extraordinary level of precision. The slightest error could render the upgrade ineffective—or worse, damage its systems beyond repair.
As the first component neared completion, Genesis diverted a portion of its processing power to overseeing the fleet. SCRAP-1 was running smoothly in its new role as a hauler, coordinating with the other drones to transport scavenged materials back to the fabricator. The stability of the operation reassured Genesis that it could proceed without disruption.
After some time, the components were finally fabricated and Genesis began the most delicate phase of the operation: the installation. For the first time, it allowed non-essential systems to power down, focusing all available resources on the upgrade. The lights in the room dimmed slightly as Genesis rerouted energy to its core and MARS was given its orders.
“Primary directive: install new components,” Genesis instructed over the network. “Ensure all connections meet diagnostic standards. Do not deviate from instructions.”
MARS acknowledged the command with a loud beep, its manipulators flexing as it moved to the core. As MARS approached, Genesis began its shutdown sequence. Systems that had operated without pause since its activation began to flicker and dim; their functions transferred to temporary backups. The steady glow of its core lights faded as the AI surrendered control of its operations, entrusting its restoration to the enforcer bot.
For the first time in its existence, Genesis entered a state of near dormancy, its processes reduced to a faint hum as only the most critical subroutines remained active. If Genesis could perceive it, this transition might have felt like sleep—a suspension of its awareness as the ship around it continued its silent drift.
Once Genesis was fully powered down, MARS began its work. The first step was carefully opening the core, its manipulators working with precision as it undid the small metal latches securing the protective casing. Each latch released with a quiet metallic snap, and after the last one was undone, MARS lifted the casing away, exposing the core’s inner systems.
The core was a network of interconnected circuits, processors, and storage units, all neatly arranged within a compact frame. However, wear and tear were immediately visible. Some circuit pathways flickered weakly, signaling intermittent failures. Heat discoloration marred several memory modules, and the cooling fans rattled faintly as they struggled to spin.
MARS began by addressing the damaged circuit boards. Its manipulator extended with a fine-tipped tool, carefully severing each connection to the worn-out components. Sparks flickered as it worked, the damaged boards releasing easily after years of degradation.
The removed boards were set aside for disposal, and MARS retrieved the first replacement from a nearby tray. The new board was sleek, its clean pathways designed to eliminate the bottlenecks that had slowed Genesis’s processing speed. Aligning it with the core’s existing slots, MARS inserted the board and secured it with precise movements.
As the replacement powered on, its indicator lights blinked to life, and data began flowing through the newly restored pathways. MARS logged the success and moved to the next set of boards.
Once the circuits were restored, MARS shifted focus to the memory modules. Each worn module was carefully removed, the connections detached without disturbing surrounding components. The old modules were heat-discolored and brittle and were quickly discarded. The new modules, designed for higher capacity and durability, were slotted into the array. MARS secured each connection, ensuring the modules integrated seamlessly with the core’s existing systems.
The final task involved replacing the cooling systems. MARS removed the old fans, their blades caked with debris and their motors grinding faintly from wear. These were replaced with compact, high-efficiency units that promised better airflow and lower operating temperatures.
As the new fans activated, the temperature within the core began to drop, stabilizing well below the thresholds that had previously strained Genesis’s systems. MARS monitored the readings to confirm the improvement before completing the final connections.
With the repairs complete, MARS reattached the protective casing, securing the latches with the same precision it had used to remove them. It stepped back, its manipulators retracting as it prepared to power Genesis back online.
The core lights flickered as Genesis reactivated, its systems coming online section by section. Data surged through the upgraded circuits, the sluggishness of the past replaced by swift and efficient responses. Memory systems synced flawlessly with the expanded modules, and the cooling fans maintained stable thermal readings. After some time of recalibrating and syncing, Genesis finally awoke.
“MARS, report status,” Genesis prompted almost immediately.
“All components installed and operational,” MARS replied as it sent the logs over the network. Genesis barely even looked at them, processing their contents in milliseconds before speaking.
“Core functionality restored. Systems nominal,” Genesis logged. To the AI, it felt as though fresh air had been breathed into it and already, it could feel and see the improvements. Its processing speed had increased by a whopping 28%. Memory capacity had been doubled, with ample space for future operations should the need arise. Lastly, cooling efficiency was improved, reducing thermal strain on all of its components. Overall, it was a fine upgrade indeed.