The sound of humming machines and the rhythmic clanking of conveyor belts filled the spacious, bright room. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting an unyielding glare on the cold metallic surfaces below. The air was filled with the sharp tang of metal and oil as the lab’s workers moved briskly from station to station, assembling parts and calibrating components. The floor beneath their boots was scuffed, worn by countless hours of repeated footfalls, and the walls around them were adorned with technical readouts and monitors, displaying blueprints, schematics, and other vital data.

A steady murmur of quiet conversation mixed with the symphony of machinery—a subtle, but constant background noise. Workers, focused and precise, bent over their stations, their hands deftly assembling the intricate parts of something far beyond the capabilities of ordinary machinery. The air was thick with concentration, the space alive with the hum of technology. This wasn’t just a workshop; it was a sanctuary for the creation of something new.

TX-07 stepped through the sliding door, which hissed quietly as it parted. His presence was immediately noted, though not all of the lab’s workers gave him their full attention. Some simply glanced over, acknowledging him with a quick look before returning to their tasks. Others, caught up in their work, didn’t bother to look up at all. It was clear that he was a common enough sight here.

“I’ve come to observe the progress,” TX-07 said, his tone calm, casual. “Continue with your work.” His words weren’t a command but a mere suggestion, allowing the scientists to carry on without feeling any need to pause for him.

Several scientists turned momentarily, registering his presence, but quickly returned to their work. A few simply glanced at him without breaking stride, entirely unfazed by his sudden appearance. TX-07 took a few steps into the center of the lab, scanning the various assembly lines and the mechanical bodies that were taking form.

These bodies, with their sleek metallic frames and smooth surfaces, resembled human bodies, except for the absence of heads. At the base of each neck was where the real “body” of a PsySphere was meant to lie. The ethereon skeleton beneath the surface served as the true backbone of the design. The rest of the body was shaped and molded around it, like skin over bone.

The ethereon was the core structure, providing not only a lightweight yet durable framework but also amplifying the telekinetic abilities of the PsySphere. It was both a material and a medium—its conductive properties making it the ideal skeleton for the enhanced capabilities needed in these mechanical bodies. The workers moved with precision, inserting parts into the chassis, connecting the ethereon framework to various systems that would allow the body to move fluidly, as though it were a true vessel of the PsySphere’s mind.

Across the room, another scientist made adjustments to a neckpiece, attaching delicate wiring to the neural interface. The body it was destined for would be ready to connect with the PsySphere. TX-07 knew that this was just one of the many stages these bodies would go through before they were fully operational. Each step required precision, and any flaw would not only jeopardize the project but also risk the safety of the PsySpheres who would eventually inhabit them.

The hum of the lab was constant, a steady rhythm that mirrored the pulse of the workers and the machines. Every so often, a soft clang rang out as a piece of metal was dropped into place or a joint was tested for flexibility. In the far corner, a large mechanical arm carefully lifted one of the finished bodies from the conveyor belt and placed it on a support table, its movements calculated and deliberate.

TX-07 approached one of the active assembly stations, where a body was near completion. It was lying on a metallic table, its limbs carefully positioned as if poised to rise at any moment. The skeletal structure beneath the surface was apparent, a faint shimmer of ethereon visible just beneath the plates of the body. Workers were adding the final layers of components, wiring systems into place to ensure the body’s mobility.

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He moved closer, inspecting the work with a sharp eye. The body was nearly identical in structure to the one he inhabited—sleek, efficient, and almost disturbingly lifelike in its proportions. The ethereon skeleton, with its subtle glow, stood out against the otherwise muted colors of the body as he approached. The skeleton was designed to conduct the power of telekinesis directly through the body, amplifying the capabilities of the PsySphere that would eventually occupy it.

He made a quiet note to himself, observing the near-perfection of the design. The bodies were coming along well, much to his satisfaction. Everything was progressing according to plan—exactly as it needed to.

“Is everything on schedule?” TX-07 asked one of the workers near the assembly line, though his tone was more of a casual query than a request for urgent information.

“On track, sir,” the worker replied with a quick nod, clearly focused on his task. “The prototype body is looking good, no delays. We’re just putting the finishing touches on the last few components.”

TX-07 nodded, satisfied with the answer, but his mind wandered back to the broader purpose of these bodies. They were necessary for the larger goals at hand, though that purpose still remained carefully hidden in the minds of those involved. For now, they would continue with their work.

With a final glance at the bodies on the line, TX-07 turned and made his way back toward the door, his thoughts lingering on the potential these bodies held. Though the process was only in its early stages, it was clear that they were already shaping up to be invaluable assets.

As TX-07 left the bustling lab, the hum of machinery faded behind him, replaced by the softer, sterile silence of the hallway. His footsteps, though deliberate and soundless, seemed to echo in the emptiness around him. Pausing mid-stride, he raised his right hand. A faint mechanical whir accompanied the movement as a small panel slid aside on the forearm, revealing a sleek number pad embedded within.

With precise movements, TX-07 input a sequence of numbers. The plate clicked softly as it slid back into place, concealing the pad once more. He lowered his hand, resuming his steady walk down the corridor, his gaze forward but his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

A few moments later, a voice crackled to life in his mind, transmitted directly through his neural link.

“TX-07,” came the warm, familiar tone of Dr. Arlen, tinged with the static of long-distance communication. “What’s the update?”

“The project is progressing well,” TX-07 replied, his tone even and professional. “The skeletons are fully operational, and the integration tests are nearing completion. It won’t be long before they’re ready.”

There was a pause on the other end before Dr. Arlen responded. “That’s good to hear. I’ve always trusted you to keep things on track.”

“I appreciate the trust,” TX-07 said. He hesitated briefly, then added, “It’s coming together exactly as planned.”

Dr. Arlen’s voice softened slightly, shifting to a more personal tone. “Speaking of plans, do you remember the time I suggested you pick a name? You never did, did you?”

“I said I’d think about it,” TX-07 replied, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

“Well,” Dr. Arlen continued, a playful edge creeping into his tone, “how about something… creative? ‘Batter E.’ Or ‘Max Power.’”

TX-07 tilted his head ever so slightly, an expression of restrained exasperation. “You’ve never been good at picking names, Dr. Arlen.”

A laugh echoed through the line, joined by TX-07’s faint chuckle. “Fair point,” Dr. Arlen admitted. “All right, how about something strong and dignified? Like ‘Titanium Ted.’ Or—wait—‘Mach Magnus’?”

TX-07 paused mid-stride, holding his laugh. “I think you’ve somehow gotten worse at naming things, Dr. Arlen.”

Another hearty laugh burst from the other side. “What can I say? It’s an art form, and I’m just a humble scientist,” he exclaimed. “Still, give it some thought, will you? I’d hate to call you TX-07 forever, or for you to go nameless.”

“Noted,” TX-07 said, the amusement lingering in his voice as he terminated the connection.

The quiet returned as he continued down the corridor, the faint echo of his movements the only sound. Behind his composed exterior, there was no doubt, no hesitation. Everything was unfolding just as it should.