“Sam! It’s time to wake up! Come on!” I wasn’t sure how long the voice had been going for but it reminded me that I actually had stuff to do. I basically leaped out of bed when I remembered.
“We’re there?!”
“Yeah, almost.”
I am excited honestly, I’d be able to find out more about where I was and if I had any hope of finding my way back to civilisation. If I was being realistic, I had no clue how I would, but with Wire on my side I assumed that this was just a small step of the way in a long journey ahead.
“What do you know about the base?” Wire hadn’t really spoken much about it, only that it was the nearest man-made object.
“I really don’t know much. It’s listed as a mining base that mined for rare metals such as platinum and osmium. That’s about it.”
“Interesting…” This base sounded like it might contain useful materials and machinery that I could use for our benefit. I wasn’t too sure what it would have but anything would help.
“Are you going to be able to monitor me inside the base? I’m not too sure I want to go in alone. It might be dangerous.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about. The spacesuits have built it sensors and a communications channel.” I was a bit confused. Why hadn’t she said anything to me while I was mining the asteroid earlier? It was like she was amused by my suffering. I wasn’t too sure what to think of this.
“Alright. How far away are we?”
“A few minutes. Do you need to do anything first?” Her question caught me off guard. I didn’t realise I’d have anything to do, I thought I completed nearly all the jobs she had given me earlier.
“What do you mean?”
“Hydrate yourself? Have a meal? Anything really, I can’t guarantee that there is anything in the base at all. It’d be a pain to have to come all the the way back to the ship half way through exploring.”
“Ahh, I’m so clueless sometimes. You’re right.”
I head off to prepare for the… could I call it a mission? I hope I could. It’d be awesome.
******
I could feel that Sam had become distant lately. I wonder if he noticed that I haven't been telling him everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did, he seemed quite intelligent but I wasn’t sure what kind of effect it would have.
I stopped my train of thought and went to more pressing matters. My body that I was currently working on had been greatly reinforced and I had redesigned many different parts of it.
The entire framework had been laid out and perfected to the best of my current abilities, becoming a shiny sleek futuristic-looking robot. Although I had finished the frame along with all the joints, I still had a long way to go. I needed to add servomechanisms to allow movement and also the actual electronic hardware. As it was, it was just a fancy piece of metal.
After all that was completed I’d need to write up some software that would allow me to take control of the body and have fine tuned movement, so I could be precise and accurate with everything I did.
Scanning through the pile of electronic components I find several items of interest, I first confirm that Sam is indeed distracted before I bring them over to the robot’s body. I have the printer pick up a few pieces and connect them.
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It took a few minutes, but I had hooked up a several different parts. A CPU for independent actions, I wouldn’t need to be controlling the body for it to do stuff or basic calculations. I connected storage space so that information could be stored and recalled with ease rather than using wireless networks which had slow transfer speeds. I had added a power core. It was nuclear-based but I had a feeling uranium wouldn’t be too hard to find out here. I also installed a backup battery which could easily be charged but I wasn’t too sure if it would prove to be useful. Uranium was quite efficient after all. Lastly, I gave it a wireless adapter so I could communicate with it. I made sure to give my account full permissions so I could access and change everything as I saw fit.
Although I had connected some parts, it was basically still just skin and bones. Hardly fleshed out at all. I could give it basic commands wirelessly but I wouldn’t be able to actually occupy the body. It just wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t actually experience it.
Why watch someone play a game when you can play yourself? It was obvious that this small piece of technology would still be a great help from now on, seeing as I could actually move stuff exactly like I wanted. This was much better than relying on a conveyor belt to get the job done.
I noticed that Sam was starting to finish up so I turned my full attention back to him.
“Are you almost ready Sam, we’re here.”
“Yeah. Let’s do this.”
******
Although the spacesuit was protecting me from the extreme thermal temperature, I could still feel the chill permeate through my bones. It was unpleasant but I wasn’t going to drop dead any time soon. I was absolutely fine after mining the asteroid for a few hours. I can handle this, besides, I’m going to be inside.
Floating towards the asteroid base, I establish a connection with Wire.
"So what exactly are we likely to find in there?"
"I'm not sure Sam, but I can say with a roughly 99.99% certainty there won't be any lifeforms inside."
I figuratively wipe away the bead of sweat I didn't know I had dripping down my forehead. Venturing closer I arrive on to a flat area in front of the torn asunder airlock. Moving past the shredded and twisted iron fragments, I step inside the base.
Boxes, lots and lots of boxes, I see various odds and ends and even some expensive looking components. It almost looks like the base was abandoned in a rush. I head towards the hallway adjacent to the entrance. Several doorways branch off on the left and the right.
"Where should I head to?"
"I don't believe you'll be able to get through any of the closed doors. Not without power at the very least, due to a locking mechanism."
"True, true."
I can't argue with her. I pick the nearest door that's somewhat ajar and squeeze through the gap. What's this? More boxes but it's far more interesting this time. Fleshy coloured panels, likely designed for cyborgs or androids, strewn roughly through many of the boxes.
"Guess what I found, Wire!"
My voice quivers in excitement at the future prospects of this find.
"Very good Sam, I wonder what we will use this stuff for."
I almost feel like she is hiding something, maybe patronising me. Thoughts of her calling me a good little human flash through my mind. I shake my head to clear the ridiculous scene forming. Time and a place, Sam. Next room I guess.
Taking the nearest open door, I head inside, easily this time. The room has many complex consoles and buttons, likely used to control the bases functions or something.
I wipe some dust off a random panel and read the word 'Communications'. This would probably come in handy, if I could get this place some power.
"Wire, can you remind me to come back here later, in case I forget?"
"Absolutely, Sam."
Wouldn't hurt for her to chime in occasionally without me calling on her, right? Never mind, I have lots to still inspect and search.
I head back out into the hallway, very slightly opening the door wider as I squeeze through the gap forcefully. I look around before moving down the hallway into a recreational area.
Observing my surrounds, I spot an old billiards table. Neat, not sure why you'd want something so immovable though. However, other than that, a small bar off to the side and a few recliners around, the room was very scarce of useful resources.
I wonder if they even had good alcohol here? Is space alcohol different? Can you brew a nice drink in space? I definitely need to find out.
Once again, disappointed at the previous room, yet excited for maybe getting drunk in space, I head towards a door that is slightly cracked open. I could probably pry this open, yeah?
Placing my fingers in the gap, holding onto a metal bar nearby and yanking as hard as I can, I barely manage to open it enough to squeeze through. I peek through the gap and feel my blood freeze. What the fuck is that?! An ominous face stares back at me, silently without a word.
"Ahhh, Wire!"