The hallway beyond Genesis’s room was, for all intents and purposes, a wreck. Unlike the room where everything was still somewhat intact, the hallway was rusted out. In many sections, large gashes scarred the walls. These gashes revealed twisted, jagged edges of the ship’s internal structure, like the skeletal remains of some great beast.
In several of these damaged areas, debris had piled up, forming jagged mounds of twisted metal, broken panels, and unidentifiable remnants of the ship’s interior. The floor was uneven, buckled under the strain of whatever impact had torn through the ship’s hull. Pipes, once securely fastened, now hung loosely from the ceiling, dripping stale water or leaking coolant that had long since lost its effectiveness.
MARS, as directed by Genesis, pressed forward into this chaotic environment, its treads slipping slightly as they struggled to gain traction on the unstable surfaces. The robot’s small, compact size allowed it to navigate through some of the tighter spaces, but the sheer amount of debris made its progress slow and difficult. At times, the piles of wreckage were so high that MARS was forced to move aside some of the debris to make a small path.
After countless hours of moving down the rusted hallways and clearing debris, MARS eventually reached an open area. Great streams of water poured in through open sections of the hull, revealing rays of golden sunlight that poured in through the holes. Genesis forced MARS to stop as it recorded everything it saw.
According to what records of the ship it could find, many having been destroyed, the area that sat before MARS used to be a warehouse. Even though long lines of moss and vines covered the walls, Genesis could still identify the great racks that were supposed to be found in them. As MARS looked around, however, it became apparent that something was wrong.
Even though the racks were still relatively intact, whatever cargo and crates that had been placed on them was not since almost every shelf was empty save for one. As MARS moved closer to the lone occupied shelf, LED lights mounted to its chassis illuminated the object resting there. Unlike the other racks, which were covered in dust and plants, this one held something that had managed to survive the wreck and the passage of time. The item was covered with a layer of grime and was partially obscured by a tattered, protective covering, but it was clear that whatever it was, it had been important enough to secure carefully.
Genesis directed MARS to approach the shelf, its sensors sweeping the area for any potential hazards. The object’s energy signature was faint, barely detectable, but its presence was enough to intrigue Genesis. The coverings, though damaged, had done their job—whatever was inside the crate had been shielded from the worst of the elements.
MARS began to reach out with its manipulator arm, preparing to remove the protective covering and get a closer look at the object. The room was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the soft hum of MARS’s systems and the occasional drip of water from the damaged ceiling.
Then, suddenly, there was a loud splash behind MARS.
Its sensors immediately registered the disturbance, and the robot's camera swiveled around to locate the source. The LED lights cut through the shadows, casting beams across the water-slicked floor. Ripples radiated out from the point of impact, sending a shiver through the shallow pool that had collected in the room.
Before MARS could fully process the threat, something burst from the water with astonishing speed—a serpentine-looking creature. The creature’s body was long and sinuous, covered in sleek, iridescent scales that shimmered in the LED light. Its wings, though partially webbed, were sharp and angular, resembling those of a bird of prey but with an unnatural, almost reptilian quality. Its eyes glowed red as its gaze was fixed on MARS.
The creature attacked with a terrifying speed, lunging toward MARS with a high-pitched screech that echoed through the room. Its beak, long and razor-sharp, snapped at the air as it dove toward the robot, its wings creating a powerful downdraft that sent loose debris scattering across the floor.Genesis immediately initiated defensive protocols, sending commands to MARS to evade and counter the attack. The robot’s treads spun rapidly as it tried to back away from the oncoming threat, but the slick surface of the floor caused it to skid and lose traction.
The serpentine bird struck, its beak glancing off MARS’s metal chassis with a sharp clang. Sparks flew as the creature’s talons raked across the robot’s exterior, leaving deep gouges in the metal. MARS’s systems momentarily overloaded as it struggled to regain control, its cameras swiveling wildly as it attempted to track the creature’s erratic movements.
MARS deployed a countermeasure—its multi-tool reconfigured into a hammer. As the bird circled for another strike, MARS swung the tool upward, narrowly missing the creature but forcing it to veer off course. The creature hissed in frustration, its serpentine body coiling as it hovered in the air, wings flapping powerfully to keep it aloft. It watched MARS with a predatory glint in its eyes, circled in the air once more, its wings beating with controlled fury. It paused for just a moment, coiling its sleek body as if gathering strength, then dived with blinding speed. This time, the creature aimed directly at MARS, intending to tackle the robot with all its force.
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MARS’s sensors detected the incoming attack, and Genesis issued an immediate command. In a split-second decision, MARS disengaged from its position and rolled toward the shelf, using the metal structure as a potential cover. The creature, committed to its dive, adjusted its trajectory to follow, but the tight quarters and its momentum worked against it.
With a sharp screech, the bird crashed into the side of the rusted shelf. The impact was jarring, sending a violent shudder through the metal framework. For a brief moment, the shelf held firm, its corroded supports groaning under the sudden strain. But the years of neglect and decay had taken their toll. With a loud, metallic snap, the supports gave way, and the entire structure collapsed.
The shelf toppled forward, crashing down into the pools of water below with a tremendous splash. Dust and debris filled the air, creating a thick, choking cloud that obscured the scene. For a brief moment, the connection between Genesis and MARS was severed however, it was soon reestablished. The robot's sensors momentarily flickered as the dust cloud enveloped it, but MARS quickly recalibrated.
The bird, however, was not as fortunate. Trapped by its aggression and caught in the collapsing debris, one of its wings was violently torn off by the falling shelf. The creature let out a bone-chilling screech, a sound of both pain and fury, as it was pinned beneath the heavy metal and bright purple blood poured from its back. Its serpentine body thrashed wildly, water splashing in all directions as it struggled to free itself, but the damage was severe. The once-graceful predator was now grounded, its movements frantic and desperate.
Genesis assessed the situation. The creature, though crippled, was still dangerous. Its beak snapped viciously at the air, and it continued to hiss, its eyes glowing with rage. Despite its injuries, it remained a threat, lashing out at anything within reach.
MARS received a new command: neutralize the threat.
Without hesitation, the robot rolled forward towards the bird. MARS advanced on the flailing creature, the hammer raised high and brought it down with calculated fore. The first strike connected with the bird’s skull, the impact producing a sickening crack. The creature writhed in agony, its hissing growing weaker, but it still attempted to snap at MARS with what little strength it had left.
MARS brought the hammer down again and again, each blow precise and unrelenting. The bird’s body convulsed under the force of the strikes, and the water around it stained purple as it thrashed one last time. The hammer rose and fell in a mechanical rhythm, up and down, over and over again. It wasn’t until the bird lay completely still, its body broken and lifeless, that Genesis finally ordered MARS to stop. The robot paused, its sensors assessing the scene, ensuring that the threat had been fully neutralized. With the immediate danger eliminated, MARS shifted its focus back to the original task—the mysterious item on the shelf.
MARS rolled back toward the collapsed shelf, where the object it had been sent to retrieve still rested, partially obscured by debris and the tattered protective covering. The item was large, nearly double the size of MARS itself, and its sheer mass presented a challenge.
Using its manipulator arm, MARS began the arduous process of dragging the object onto the floor. The surface was slick and uneven, still wet from the earlier chaos, which made the task even more difficult. MARS’s motors whirred softly as it exerted itself, pulling the heavy item inch by inch off the rusted shelf. Genesis constantly adjusted MARS’s approach to ensure the object was not damaged in the process.
It took several minutes of painstaking effort, but eventually, the object was fully on the floor, lying flat in front of MARS. The protective covering, now heavily torn and frayed, still clung to the object, obscuring its details. MARS extended its multi-tool, reconfiguring it to a fine cutting blade, and carefully began to slice through the remaining fabric.
The protective film fell away in pieces, revealing what lay beneath.
As the last shreds of the covering were pulled away, the object’s true form was exposed—a machine, sleek and industrial in design, with clean lines and a sturdy, functional build. Its surface, though slightly tarnished by time, still gleamed under the LED lights mounted on MARS’s chassis.
Genesis immediately initiated a detailed scan of the machine, its sensors analyzing every inch of the device. The machine’s shape and configuration were not immediately recognizable, prompting Genesis to delve into the starship’s archives, cross-referencing its findings with the available data. The archives, though fragmented, held enough information to identify the device. Genesis’s processes rapidly pieced together the scattered records, and soon, a clearer picture began to form. The machine was a fabricator—an advanced piece of equipment designed for manufacturing and repair. Unlike simpler 3D printers or basic assembly units, this fabricator was built for more complex, industrial uses.
At the front of the machine, there was a control console—a series of interfaces and touchscreens embedded into the body of the fabricator. The console was slightly recessed, protected from accidental damage, and featured a series of glowing indicators and input options. These screens, though dark when first uncovered, flickered to life as Genesis began its diagnostic checks, displaying streams of data, schematics, and status updates in soft, backlit displays.
Above the control console, the fabricator’s main operational area was encased in a transparent, high-strength composite window, allowing a clear view of the internal fabrication processes. Within this chamber, a series of articulated arms and precision tools were visible, each designed to manipulate materials with extreme accuracy. These arms were equipped with various tools—laser cutters, high-precision welders, manipulators, and nozzles for extruding materials—allowing the fabricator to construct complex components layer by layer.
The interior of the machine also housed an array of material storage compartments and feeders, designed to handle a wide range of raw materials—from metals and ceramics to synthetic polymers and composites. These materials could be automatically selected and combined based on the specifications of the item being fabricated, ensuring that the end product met the necessary standards of strength, flexibility, and durability.
Genesis added a small note to the file before ordering MARS to haul it back:
“Fabricator obtained, commencing next step.”