This choice: Blue sky, with an option for wings..! • Go Back...Chapter #2Blue sky, with an option for wings..! by: Authrox   Karen gazed through the multiple security cameras. Ever watchful of her enviornment. Her desire for gain demanded a certain price be paid. Thankfully, her Sabron compatriot Vika-Mang knew how to alter her, post transformation to allow her a greater range of abilities than the standard drone OS, like most other mages of the Vilrakiin, who had been assigned Re-Assembler duty. This left her super computer mind to watch and analyze everything connected into her. She didn't know how the Sabrons did it, like an internal clock. Vika-Mang ceased her tinkering on the chariot Tim and cleaned herself up enroute to the loading bay. The assigned courier was making their return with the new employee in tow. Vika-Mang accepted the cylander and its flat-cell contents, paid the courier, chatted unsuccessfully for a moment before letting the courier return to their duties.
Karen smiled internally. Vika-Mang, thanks to the law, may of been her owner. But both of them agreed she lacked an understanding of business. Leaving the upgraded Karen to play boss. Still, there was the matter of decision on new employees. Every new flat-cell undergoes its transformation under Karen. But it was Vika-Mang who pushed the final button that started the procedure. Thankfully that was a decision Vika-Mang shared with Karen. The security camera caught Vika-Mang about to enter their shared office. Karen turned on the holographic display atop Vika-Mang's desk.
"Look's like we have our new employee." Chimed Vika-Mang happily.
Karen returned a holographic smile. "I'm looking forward to meeting them."
"So, can we attempt my prototype chariot design?"
"Next time." Stated Karen apologetically. "First theres an idea I want to run past you."
"We're in need of chariots since we upgraded Thompson into a turbo. We also have discussed expanding into goods transportation and are looking towards acquisitioning our first dolly team truck. Which I have a modification idea for."
"I'm looking forward to that." Stated Karen, excitedly. "Your modifications truly define our company."
"Thankyou." Accepted Vika-Mang. "But its common sense to restrict new employees from turbo duty until they can pay for it. Cuts down on employment of undesireables. Which begs the question?"
"My idea." Stated Karen. "I've queried laws and have decided we should make use of that spare hopper thruster you have."
"A limited thrust chariot seems a waste for such an engine. Then theirs the matter of the liscence for Thadrinium usage as well as a number of other concerns."
"I know about the whole blood of the Imperium and how dangerous that stuff can be in the wrong hands but you do have a liscence."
"Every Sabron gets a liscence." Laughed Vika-Mang. "We consider Thadriniums use to be birth right, of course we don't go making warheads out of the stuff either. Bad karma."
"Still, I was thinking of experimenting with a jump jet courier prototype."
"Say no more." Stated Vika-Mang in agreement. "You just said a Sabron's favorite word. Experiment and prototype..."
A knock came from the doorway. The young cheerleader frame blond Amber looked confused. "Sorry to interupt." She stated with a pile of paperwork in her hands.
Vika-Mang traded the cylander for the stack of paperwork. She quickly proceeded through it. "Re-negotiate, re-negotiate, tell Winston I'm calling a meeting about his contract. Reinhard appears to be paying to much. While these last three are argueing our services are too expensive and have paid to little. Contractual dodgers. They'll never get far dealing with Sabron."
"So then what. You black mail them or something?" Inquired Amber.
Vika-Mang had to laugh. "Nah, if they don't pay up then I tell my friends. At which point its kind of our social contract not to deal with anyone unwilling to pay fairly for our services rendered. Even if it costs us more. We're united in our unwillingness to accept less."
"Could of fooled me." Joked Karen. "What with how little you ask for trading."
"Fair trade, fair value. Decision is based against understanding of materials in circulation and desireable proportionment of storage until goods mature in value."
"Right." Stated Amber.
Vika-Mang shot her a glance. "Request is doable. Will need to draw up schematics then program data for use in conversion."
"Shouldn't you of ordered the new hiree in say five days then?" Asked Amber.
"You don't understand Sabron names do you?" Asked Karen.
"Whats to understand, non gender specific names that don't make alot of sense. Expanded with house, community, and finally Klan names."
Vika-Mang had to laugh. "My name is actually my job specialty. I'm a computer software engineer, or Vika-Mang."
"I didn't realise Sabron had those." Stated Amber astonished.
"It's a rarety to find those capable. Given how our minds process languages in standard context, engieneered design, or numerical vaules. Most can't seem to decypher digital causing confusion."
"A Sabron confused?" Laughed Amber. "I'd love to see that."
"Maybe someday." Stated Vika-Mang handing the paper work back to Amber in exchange for the cylander.
"So?" Asked Karen.
"Consider it done." Stated Vika-Mang. Setting to work on her drafting table in the corner. She quickly went over several design concerns before committing her rough draft onto her terminal as a hard copy. Printing up a final copy to ensure consistantcy and a fail safe record. She sent her schematics to Karen several hours after having received the request.
Karen had been eager. Wasting no time to convert herself into a Re-Assembler of appropriate size. "Talk to you when it's finished." Stated Karen briefly before Vika-Mang pulled her mainframe out of the Re-Assembler and disconnected it. The safety was a result of resonance energies creating static feedback in unshielded electronic equipement. Wouldn't want to fry Karen's brain. One downloaded schematic later. The immersion of the flat-cell into the magic bath. Vika-Mang manned the Terminal as she triggered the final conversion process. It took only moments for the flat-cell and its occupant to become transformed into a three wheeled robot mounted into a jet pack. Minus the jet. The packs robotic eyes followed Vika-Mang's actions as it was removed to her workshop where the Hopper thruster was finally attached. Amber made sure to restore Karen's functionality once the bath had drained.
"Not what I was expecting." Stated Karen in observation.
"A little paint, and fine tuning, will act like compact courier bird. Had to alter design to create added thrust thru engine flux differential so it should be faster. Three wheel base for ground navigation and rapid take off ability, which is also retractable into frame." Stated Vika-Mang as she lifted out and placed back the third wheel. "Add staps, and will double as serviceable jump jet."
"Will it perform?" Asked Amber.
Vika-Mang looked into the robots eyes and smiled. "Will perform, is given great gift. Maybe need to work harder due to speed difference. Other option is extended employment as someones pet toy."
"Which just leaves reception." Stated Karen's holograph.
"I'll show him around." Stated Amber. I don't think Tim will be happy that he's been down for so long."
"Shouldn't matter." Stated Vika-Mang. "Is pay without work."
Karen and Amber had to give each other an eye.
"Back to work." Stated Karen after a minute...  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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