Chapter 639: Temporary Accommodations
"This is amazing." Taylor Hielo pointed out from her position near the medical table as she looked over the hologram blueprint design of the modified gravitational shielding. He had changed the design slightly to be more energy efficient and cause less side effects. They were simple changes but would have an astronomical change. "But, even I do not understand some of the information on this."
"Some of it is Hex based electromagnetic wiring that has unique effects." Jace declared as an AI powered robot zipped around him and checked over his body. He could see the confusion on the genius engineers face so he decided to simplify it. "It is like an enchantment in fantasy stories."
The confusion on her face persisted and Jace raised an eyebrow. "I will... research that subject and concept later." Taylor declared before turning her attention back to the hologram. "But we do heavily utilize dimensional and space technologies. You would need astronomical amounts of energy to operate this place, even with the energy efficiency upgrades... I just do not see how it is possible."
"It just needs a jumpstart and then it will be self-sustaining with the entire structure drawing power from the black hole that will operate at its center." Jace began explaining. "Although we will still need a backup and that is where the- once theoretical, now physical- energy source comes in."
"I still cannot believe you found one." Taylor shook her head. "Well we are still short on some of the rarer materials."
"I know." Jace grunted out as the robot waved him off. Indicating he could leave. The others were all in the room as well. They were still in the midst of their checkups. Jace’s checkup was less complicated because his evolution was already on record. "That is why we are going to collect them as we do our counter attack. Now then tell me a bit about the enemies in our area."
"We have a single daemon settlement nearby. Then the rest of the nearby enemies consist of the foreign galactic nations that have come together to form a fleet to oppose us. But most of them are what remains of the massive original fleets that came to invade and fight each other." Taylor began explaining. "But as you can imagine, all they really had going for them were numbers, decent transwarp drives, and their short range ballistic weaponry."
"Transwarp drives?" Jace asked in surprise as they walked out of the infirmary. The massive structure that made up the gravitational shielding device had plenty of rooms and space even while it was still being built.
"Yes..." Taylor slowed down and nodded. "It is a variation of a warp drive that punches through space and makes it unstable." Taylor briefly explained. "It is not really a concept we as a galaxy have ever dived into since until recently when the gravitational anomaly that was hiding our system, was preventing it from working."
"Because it would just collapse." Jace nodded in understanding. "Have we adapted that concept to our own wave rider, warp, and FTL drives?"
"We have and unlike brute forcing it with power like you have. We think we found a method of travel that is as fast and more energy efficient. But we can fix Lance of Thanatos with that." Taylor began explaining. "We can also completely refurbish the spacecraft. Because there are plenty of weapons it needs. Do you want to continue captaining it?"
"Yes." Jace nodded. "I need people for the artillery rooms and specialized equipment so they can still live. I am sure you already noticed but Gorund’s ears burst. Apparently the artillery units are a bit too powerful on their own."
"Hearing and pressure. So... something full body?" Taylor was clearly talking to herself as she closed the hologram blueprint of the modifications to the facility and instead opened a new one on her communication device and began designing an external suit.
Jace hummed as he followed along. Giving her silence from him since he could tell she was thinking. They moved through several hallways and areas of the facility until they arrived at the most well protected area where civilians and the families of the others were living. He could sense the various lives inside of the place.
When they walked in, Taylor actually hesitated for a moment before closing the hologram design she was working on. "Come on, the only ones on station currently are Cho and Jordan. The rest are down on the planet and safe with Vana and Nina."
"Nina?" Jace asked in surprise.
"Nina never went back to the others. She joined the Cerberus Unit while Ulin took her place with the spec ops." Taylor began explaining as they moved into the large area and past what was undoubtedly a school. Jace could sense the children inside focusing while an adult stood in front of them. "When they came to the Underworld System she immediately took exploration of the planet seriously. She has been cataloging wildlife and making the paradise area livable."
"Paradise area?" Jace asked in surprise. He thought the main and largest planet was unlivable. Figuring they would build underground shelters to survive.
"Yeah, I thought you knew?" Taylor responded in surprise.
"I didn’t. I just knew it would be the perfect place to raise children because of the high gravity." Jace explained. "How survivable is the planet?"
"Very, it actually has its own complex system." Taylor declared with a chuckle. "I was planet side and Nina is finding some complex things. Including a range of mutated creatures that if they leave the planet will unleash hell in the galaxy as a whole. A bit like the kitinol."
Jace hummed as they moved to a large apartment complex. When they arrived outside of it Jace froze for a moment as he sensed a fluctuation of power before a massive white tiger with green stripes flew through the wall and tackled him to the ground. Jace flinched in pain as it actually hurt. Then frowned as he was unwillingly pinned to the ground as she licked his face. "Hey Cho," he mumbled between being licked.
"Cho, we talked about showing your affection in public." Taylor reminded her. "The only reason Cho and Jordan are up here is because they need an education and there are not enough people down on the planet to spare some as teachers. By that I mean there are the kids, Vana, Nina, and a few dozen AIs that have sworn loyalty."
"Okay," Jace nodded as Cho climbed off him.
"What’s that smell?" Cho suddenly asked in her tiger form as she sniffed at him. Making what he could only describe as a disgusted face while looking him over. "It smells like one of my kind... but wrong."
"Well I met another astral beast in the Milky Way Galaxy. But I assume you are smelling Gaz. He is currently getting tested in the hangar of the Lance of Thanatos along with a genetically modified horse called Colonel." Jace began explaining as he stood up and Taylor led them back into the apartment block. It looked like she lived here with only Cho and Jordan. "Gaz is some type of genetic cross between an astral beast and a lizard. None of the people I brought aside from the wraith could tell you anything about it." Jace quickly explained as Cho’s face seemed to get angry for a moment.
"Okay, I will look later." Cho mumbled. She then jumped in excitement. "Jordan is going to be so excited to see you. She has trained so much. She wants to join the Cerberus Unit and work with you." They walked into the building and up some stairs.
"That sounds like an awful idea." Jace pointed out with a sigh as he could sense Jordan peeking out of a door at the top of the stairs.
"It does but it isn’t." Taylor pointed out as she elbowed him in the side. "Remember to be a supportive father. Even if it puts her in danger we could just make her a better mech to protect her. It is not like we lack the resources."
Jace grunted as they reached the top floor. "Jordan, do you want to pilot a mech?" Jace asked as he looked at the closed door. A moment later Jordan slowly peaked through the door as it opened a crack.
"Mhmm..." Jordan nodded before disappearing further into the apartment. Taylor sent a chilling glare his way before following her in. Jace blinked before Cho hopped into the room. Sending a mischievous glare his way.
Jace stepped into the apartment and closed the door behind him. He walked through the short hall and into a living room with a view of the rest of the living area. It looked like this apartment was located in the center of the living area. "So, Jordan wants to be a mech pilot. But what about you Cho?"
"I will learn how to pilot a mech. But I want to explore. Like Mother Ulin wants to do." Cho joyfully claimed. "Maybe you and Mother Hielo can make me a specialized mech!"
Jace ruffled her hair as they all sat at a table and Cho switched back into the form of a young girl.
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