Once the last of the mechs was inside, I rolled over the controls of the console, sealing us against the outside elements and threats alike. The knights spread out, checking the place against any other possible means of egress, and soon we were safe but for the sound coming from everywhere.
Outside, the storm continued, but we were in luck because the mech bays were in astounding shape. No leaks dripped from the cavernous ceiling or through any of the metallic walls. There were no gaping holes, or rusty parts in any of the walls that would give with a single push.
And it was enormous, large enough to house a dozen mechs, with ample space for maintenance and repairs. The walls were lined with racks for tools and equipment, some of them still present and functional, at least to a cursory glance. The air was humid with the storm, but not overwhelmingly so, and it was comfortable, like a public bathhouse.
Of vehicles, we found one extraordinary relic. The soldiers or whoever had abandoned the place so long back, had left a tiny mech. Something we’d check out as soon as everything else was situated.
But first, we had to set things up for Sir Conrad. Soon he lay resting and bandaged in the Toxotai mech, his leg elevated and secured, the rest of us began our search through the expansive mech bay. The sound of rain falling against the metal roof echoed through the space, but was slowly dulling, falling into a more soothing, rhythmic backdrop. We moved about methodically, checking each nook and cranny for anything useful.
“Over here,” Sir Alain called out, his voice echoing against the walls. He stood before a heavy metal door, its paint chipped and rusted with age. A faded label above the handle read “Storage.”
Elli and I hurried over, our boots clanking against the concrete floor. Sir Alain grabbed the door latch, giving it a firm twist and pull before the door gave, wailing in protest. Light spilled into the small room, revealing a dimly lit storage closet. Inside, the air was musty, and the large, racked spaces were full of ancient goods. Above, a row of hanging bulbs flickered as they cast their light, old but still reliably lighting the room for us to search through.
“Look at this,” Elli murmured, her eyes widening as she stepped forward.
She reached for a stack of neatly folded cots, all cloth with hollow metal poles for legs and frame. I came to her side, poking at the canvas, surprised to see it still intact despite the centuries.
It was strong, probably as strong as when it had been woven. I shook my head. “The ancients really were something,” I said. “Come on, let’s get these out of here. They’ll be perfect for setting up camp.”
“Over here, too,” Sir Oswald added, pointing to a corner where a sturdy, rectangular object stood on the concrete floor. It was about two feet tall and one foot wide, black, and its apparent front was dominated by a metal grille.
“What is that?” I asked.
“What is that?” CD mocked over our now-crackling TUNI connection, though I doubted the delay caused by the weather and distance had allowed him to see what it was.
“That’s a heater,” he said proudly. “We have a few artisans skilled enough to create them back home, but those are all coal blowers compared to these. Electric heat. If the batteries are intact, we flick a switch, then these metal coils inside will warm up orange-hot and cast that heat out to us as if it were a bonfire.”
“Sounds hot,” Elli said, staring at it. “Would anyone mind if I took it apart? I’d love to see how it all ticks.”
“Only if it is broken,” Sir Alain said, striding forward and picking the device up with both hands. Held up in the dim light, I could now see that the top of the device hosted a control panel with a large, circular dial for adjusting the temperature, as well as several smaller buttons and switches, each marked with faded labels. Slits like gills ran along the sides and back, probably to help vent heat in every direction, I guessed. Its bottom had stubbed rubber or black plastic stubs that were definitely meant to situate it and keep it balanced.
I couldn’t wait to see it in action.
“We’ll get this set up and see if we can get the heater running. It might not be chilly yet, but it will be soon enough. And with the shape that Sir Conrad is in, we’ll need to make him as comfortable as we can,” Sir Alain said, a worried expression etched on his face.
“Need us on anything special?” I asked.
He seemed to think for a moment, and then nodded.
“You two are the techs and scavengers. Dig through the rest of this mess and see if there is anything we can use for the camp or bring back as loot. Not much you can do now.”
Elli and I nodded, and the knight and auxiliaries filed out.
We worked through the supply room, exploring the rest of it with rough and fast actions, moving this item or that out of the way of the next until we had the entirety of it cataloged. It was good stuff, and I found it strange that it had been left behind. We sorted it into piles of loot, now, and maybe later. In the now pile, we stuffed starchy green blankets for the night's rest as well as plastic bags of a substance called MRE.
“Mreh?” I asked as we found a box of them underneath some white, cottony sheets.
“Probably more food. Let’s take one for everyone and give it a go around the heater.”
On the farthest wall was a white box, bolted into the metal, on which was painted a red addition sign. Inside of that, we found vials, small packs of bandages, pills, and even a large metal syringe filled with red blood-like fluid.
It freaked me out the way that the fluids in that cabinet swirled about and hadn’t dried out, but Elli shook them all and grinned her satisfaction.
“The ancients,” she beamed, collected it all together for transport to the bay.
The white sheets went in the loot pile, and a variety of other knick-knacks met their fate in the maybe later pile. After we’d finished our search, we returned back to the others.
Heading out the door, we saw the cots set up in a circle around the heater, creating a makeshift camp. The heater hummed rather loudly, casting a powerful orange glow, and I could feel its waves even before I came close.
The knights were laying Sir Conrad into the cot in front of the heater, his face a mask of pain as they carefully lowered him within. The machine’s glow glittered off the cold sweat that beaded on his forehead.
Sir Alain glanced over at us as we brought our supplies, and I could see worry etched over his face.
We set down our goods, and Elli knelt beside Conrad, her eyes filled with concern.
“We need to support his leg before we do anything else,” she said, her voice soft with worry. “Is there anything we can use as a splint?”
“These cots might be useful,” Sir Alain said, examining one of the sturdy metal frames. “We could use the poles as splints.”
“Good idea,” I replied, drawing my saber. “Let's get to it.”
I carefully positioned my saber and began to cut through the fabric, releasing the poles of one of the cots. The canvas was tough, but the blade easily sliced through, and after a few moments, the poles came free. We collected enough to create sturdy splints for Sir Conrad's leg.
Elli found some cloth strips in the closet, and we used them to secure the splints. We worked quickly and efficiently, each of us contributing to the task.
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Once the splints were set, Elli wrapped them tightly with old tech bandages. The material adhered smoothly, creating a firm but flexible support around Sir Conrad’s leg.
“Okay, now what?” I asked.
Sir Alain moved ahead, taking some of the pills we found at the supermarket and feeding them to Sir Conrad. His face soured and he spat once as he crunched through the obviously awful-tasting pills, but he soon relaxed as Sir Alain followed it up with some GlowGoo from the supermarket.
I watched him with suspicion as he drank down the cleaning solution, waiting for him to throw it up.
Instead, Sir Conrad’s breathing began to steady. His face relaxed slightly, the lines of pain easing, and he quickly drifted off into slumber.
“We need to keep the leg elevated,” Elli instructed, arranging the cot so that Sir Conrad’s leg was propped up on a stack of supplies. “And he should avoid putting any weight on it for a while.”
“Where did you learn to do all that?” I asked Elli.
She frowned.
“First aid training is part of the guild, though the supplies are never better than new tech. A lot of people get hurt working on full mechs.”
Sir Alain nodded, his expression serious.
“I’ve seen enough of them to know they are true. Us knights learn it as well. You should too, Alaric. It’ll be useful if we continue to quest together.”
“Yeah, I’ll make sure to pay attention. I’m guessing this place will give me a chance to work on you all. One at a time, probably.”
Sir Oswald barked a laugh.
“Not a doubt!”
“Alright,” Alain said. “You two know more about tech, mech work, and salvage than the rest of us combined. We’ll take the Mrehs and see if they’re any good, then cook up something for everyone. Why don’t you go over and check out the mech. See if it works and what it does.”
“I’ve already scanned it for specs. It took a while due to the distance and storm, but I now have it thoroughly mapped and have generated a report calibrated for simple simian minds,” CD explained. “I’ll have to read it out, so try and keep a small portion of those tiny brains open to remember it.”
We listened as we walked, the knights and auxiliaries busy behind us.
Mech Unit “Unknown”– Codename: Tin Can
Class: Training Mech
Tech Level: Old Tech
Armor Rating: 200
Core Power Source: Mini Fusion Reactor (Level 1, 50% functionality)
Estimated Pilot Synchronization Rate: No Sync needed – All Manual Function
Estimated Abilities:
Basic Agility: Standard movement capabilities with moderate stability on flat terrain. Limited performance on uneven terrain.
Training Lasers: Low-powered energy beams designed for target practice. Reusable once every 30 seconds.
Basic Scan: Can identify large objects and terrain features within a 200-yard radius.
Core Surge: Temporarily boosts mech's energy output by 30% for 15 seconds. Limited to two uses before requiring a cooldown. Each use may disable the Reactor unless extensive repairs are initiated.
Customizations:
Basic Plating
Training Simulation Modules
Estimated Weaknesses:
Vulnerable to EMP and high-frequency sound attacks.
Core surge overuse can lead to temporary shutdown even when at maximum operational capacity.
Possible Scavenge:
Fusion Reactor Components
Training Laser Modules
Basic Alloy Plates
Processed Description: This old tech trainer mech, codename “Tin Can,” is designed primarily for pilot training and basic operational drills. Its simplistic design and minimal armament make it suitable for non-combat scenarios. The mini fusion reactor provides adequate power for training exercises, while the basic plating offers minimal protection. Despite its limitations, the “Tin Can” will offer unarmored apes a good deal of protection when investigating dangerous ruins, and with proper work, crude melee weapons can be fashioned from debris to give it real combat capability. Additionally, closer and more extensive scanning may prompt possible redesigns that could potentially turn it into a real fighting vehicle. Or to help harvest bananas, if apes get hungry.
“Har har,” I muttered.
Elli giggled.
RATING: I give this design a “Basic Pass.” It is well designed for what humans wanted it to be—a trash can with arms and legs that would die in the first instance of Torian attack.
Elli and I reached the trainer mech, our curiosity piqued.
“It's incredible that this thing has survived for so long,” I said, tentatively touching the smooth metal of the chassis.
Elli stuck out her tongue.
“You say that about all the old tech. I bet that you’d be one of the archaeotechs if you could.”
I laughed.
“Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t mind.” I glanced about, saw a step ladder leaning against a nearby wall, and raised an eyebrow at her. “Wanna take it for a spin?”
She frowned.
“This is old tech. No sync. Just get in and drive. I don’t think so. This is your mech, Al. Hop to it.”
I smiled and grabbed the ladder, setting it up and using it to get into the cockpit. There was a lever at the top that, when I pulled it, opened the plasti-glass dome that sealed it, and I was in the fake leather seat of the pilot’s chair in no time.
“Well, you got it figured out yet?” Elli called from outside.
I looked around, finding a button that said start and pushing it. The bot began to rumble and shake, as lights flickered on inside. When the L Laser and R Laser lit up, I pushed the right one, eager to see the flash of non-dangerous light that it would make.
When I pushed the R Laser button, the cockpit's controls lit up, illuminating the surroundings with a faint blue glow. A slight hum reverberated through the mech as the system engaged. Moments later, a small beam of blue light shot out from the right arm of the mech, hitting the far wall of the bay with a bright, harmless flash. The light beam left a faint, glowing trail on the wall, quickly dissipating.
“Whoa!” I exclaimed, marveling at the precision and brightness of the beam.
Elli laughed from outside.
“Looks like the training lasers still work! Try the left one now.”
Feeling more confident, I pressed the L Laser button next and the left arm of the mech responded immediately. A similar blue beam of light shot out, this time striking a different spot on the far wall. The two points of light glowed for a moment before fading away, leaving no permanent mark.
“Both lasers are operational,” I announced, my voice filled with excitement. “This old tech still has some life in it!”
Elli grinned.
“That's amazing. Imagine what we could do if we managed to get some of the other systems running.”
I nodded in agreement and decided to test the movement next. I reached for the control sticks and gently pushed them forward.
The trainer mech responded smoothly, taking a few tentative steps. Its movements were a bit clunky, but it managed to walk to the bay wall without issue. I maneuvered it back and forth, getting a feel for its handling. Despite its age, the mech was surprisingly responsive.
“How's it feel?” Elli called out.
“Not bad,” I replied, navigating the mech in a small circle. “Kinda like walking home after a night of heavy drinking.”
“Don’t use the core surge,” CD commanded, his voice crackling over TUNI. “We can fix the core later, then try it out.”
From the camp site, the knights hooted and hollered at the moving mech. It was well tinier and much less dangerous than their own, but something about the little mech just seemed to enliven them.
I put up a celebratory fist, then maneuvered it back to where I’d gotten it and powered down the mech, the lights dimming as the systems went offline. I climbed out of the cockpit, grinning ear to ear.
“We've got ourselves a functional training mech,” I said, beaming at Elli. “This could be really useful.”
Elli smiled back.
“Nice work, Alaric. CD said we should make some real weapons for it. Let's see what else we can find in this place. There might be more old tech we can salvage.”
We continued to explore the mech bay, searching for useful items while catching the exotic smell of the Mrehs as the knights cooked them using pots and the heater. We found several of the spears used by the mutants, their shafts made of that dark, resilient material that was unfamiliar to us. There were also a few of their shields, which we gathered in a pile with the spears for our own use.
There wasn’t much else except the pristine wrenches and screwdrivers that had been left in their racks. We put those all in the sack, and moved over to have our meal.
We gathered around the heater, the soft hum of its warming coils providing a comforting backdrop to the sound of the storm raging outside. The knights had managed to heat up the Mrehs, and the air was filled with an unfamiliar yet tantalizing aroma. The rectangular, vacuum-sealed packages were handed out, each containing a variety of foods that looked strange but smelled delicious.
We arrived to find that the Mreh’s were actually an assortment of foods and goods. One pot contained a thick beef stew, another a pasty mess of mashed potatoes, while all of us had packets of crackers labeled ‘Freedom Friends’, with the small black outline of an eagle on its brown wrapper.
There was also a pouch of mixed fruit, one for each of us, as well as a pot of murky chocolate pudding. Elli audibly gasped as she tried a bite of it, her eyes nearly rolling up in her head.
Besides that, I got my first ever taste of coffee. It was bitter until I added that small packet of sugar to it. Then it was decent, and the energy that soared to my brain was amazing.
I wondered if it, too, wasn’t another field potion of its own sort.
“Not bad,” Sir Alain remarked, examining his own meal. “Looks like the people used to know a thing or two about field rations.”
“Definitely beats the crap we carry,” Sir Oswald agreed, already digging into his mashed potatoes.
Sir Conrad, resting on his cot, had woken up and he managed a weak smile. “Not a bad time to be on the mend; not with stuff like this laying around.”
I chuckled.
“Yeah, could do worse for R and R. We all get to go die in the ruins, and you get to stay here eating stew and chocolate.”
We all ate and chatted blissfully, until every little bit was gone. The chill of night had set in, but with our heater casting its golden light, no one went cold.
And soon we were all asleep, quite secure in our new found basecamp.