《Flesh and Metal》Ch 10: Mobile Platform is Online

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Hey everyone I'm going to be really busy Friday and Saturday so expect just this chapter today and one tomorrow.

Thanks and have a great day.

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Everything settled down over the next few days as people became more accustomed to their assigned duties aboard the ship as well as came to terms with the work schedule.

The work schedule had three work shifts that rotated like this; 2 days of 8 hour shifts 1 day of two 12 hour shifts and a rest day for one shift and repeat. Of course I was always working but I had set it up so that any mundane tasks were handled by the ship brain whilst I did other things. This allowed me to be in multiple places at once while talking/doing things simultaneously.

I suppose the journey must be dreadfully boring to most people as I’ve said before everything on the ship is controlled by me. I can even change the structure around as the ship was made of nanites but I refrained from doing or telling anyone about this. Wouldn’t want them to freak out about how much control over their life I had.

I think the thing that would save people from going insane was the vr room where they could experience being outside of these bleak hallways. Some people had even taken to the hydroponic section to tend to the greens that were sprouting up.

Oh, Cpt Johnson had taken to calling out battle, evacuation, fire and repair drills with a frequency that made some people grumble but ultimately they knew it was for the best. No one knew what we would find out there and the drills gave them a sense of being more prepared to face whatever we found.

Vahlen had asked Dave about building me a body and he had nonchalantly suggested incorporating an organic portion into it. The answer was so simple I felt a little silly for not coming up with it myself. Even with the new approach Vahlen said it would take a while as she had to grow the same organic substance I was made up of from scratch.

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Other than that Cpt Green had approached me to ask if I could create simulations for his men to train in. He had also mentioned that he wanted them to be hellish, but not impossible, so the men could be challenged.

It took me longer than usual to create the simulations as a lot of processing power was still needed for the maintenance of the warp bubble. When I was done I showed them to Cpt Green for his approval. His only response was to chuckle darkly and tell me the men will curse my name forever.

I had to wonder at that as a standard marine was outfitted with a personal power suit enabling them to lift up to half a ton with ease. The suit also came with a rechargeable shield that could withstand enemy fire for a few seconds before needing to recharge. Finally they had a standard issue pulse rifle along with several grenades and a nano knife.

If anything I thought they would curb stomp on my simulations however not 10 minutes after starting everyone was confirmed KIA. It would seem that they have come to rely too much on their power suits and if you took them away the floundered. Oh well not my problem.

~ 6 months later ~

Vahlen says the organic tissue is finished growing so we can begin making my body. I suggested a layered design that I believed would be able to keep up with my processing power i.e. move super-fast.

The design would have a base layer of nanites that would resemble a human skeleton. Then the organic tissue would cover the skeleton, hopefully housing my conscious within it. There would be more nanites running throughout the tissue acting as relays for commands to the rest of the body. Finally the exterior would be covered in a thick layer of nanites, around 10cms, that would afford me protection as well as giving me a base that I could manipulate.

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It took another 2 weeks to complete as Vahlen had trouble running nanites through the tissue but she got it done. Well there it is my new body. All that’s left is seeing if it rejects me like the purely mechanicals one did.

I probably shouldn’t do this within the warp bubble but my ship brain can hopefully handle it if something comes up. I begin the process of transferring myself into the body. It takes a while but finally the process is complete.

I open my eyes for the first time in a new body. Vahlen is standing over me looking anxious but I smile to reassure her. I try connecting with my ship brain and detect the smallest delay in its response. That could be a problem if there is a bigger delay the farther I get away from the ship, I’ll need to fix that sooner rather than later.

“Vahlen you really outdid yourself here. This body feels entirely natural to me,” as I say this I change the metallic sheen of my skin to skin color and cover most of my body in a form fitting jumpsuit. I feel like a lean, mean, fighting machine.

Vahlen starts at the sudden change but then smiles and hugs me. “I told you I would make you a body.” I hug her back as I reply, “Yes you did. Thank you Vahlen.”

I step out of the embrace but keep my hands on her shoulders. “I would love to celebrate more with you but I really want to test the capacity of this new body at the gym.” She seems happy with my enthusiasm and nods her assent.

“I really can’t thank you enough but I’m off to cause some mischief,” and with that parting line I dash out the door before she can respond.

As I run down the corridor, laughing, one random thought intrudes into my head.

‘Why hello ladies and yes before you ask it does vibrate.’

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