8 Chapter 7

Sophia's eyes shone with excitement as she pulled Jacob over to a group of oddly shaped crates. "Look at this!" she exclaimed, gesturing towards the contents within. Jacob peered inside to see a collection of impressive technology, including 5 batteries that weighed a staggering 3 kilograms each. According to the accompanying descriptions, these batteries could charge up to 9000 watt-hours, a feat that would have been impossible back on Earth.

Jacob remembered reading about the limitations of current battery technology and the search for more efficient materials. He knew that scientists on Earth believed it was impossible to use iron as the main chemical ingredient in a battery cell. However, this universe had different rules. The iron used in these batteries was a special alloy with unique particle numbers, arranged in a hexagonal pattern that enabled the trapping of electrons, a phenomenon that was previously thought to be impossible.

Besides the batteries, Jacob and Sophia also received 10 filters–5 for water filtration and 5 for oxygen–as well as 10 solar panels, each measuring 1 square meter.

The filters were thin, almost transparent screens that were flexible yet incredibly strong, resistant to even Jacob's attempts to break them. These technologies were clearly advanced beyond anything Jacob had ever encountered, and he couldn't help but wonder how the aliens had created such marvels.

Despite their generosity, Jacob couldn't shake the feeling that there must be a catch. Perhaps these technologies came with a hidden cost or were simply meant to be used to study the technology; for humans to learn from and replicate. Regardless, he couldn't wait to learn how to use these tools and see what they were capable of.

As a lifelong fan of science fiction and technology, Jacob couldn't help but feel like a kid in a candy shop as he examined the advanced technologies in front of him. Back on Earth, he had always enjoyed exploring the latest gadgets and innovations, and he had spent countless hours watching online videos about current and emerging technologies. Now, far from home, Jacob found solace in the opportunity to dive into these new technologies and forget about the dire circumstances for a while. It was the perfect way to take his mind off of the situation and indulge in something he loved.

Jacob asked, smiling, "So, what do you think of all this technology?"

Sophia's eyes shone with excitement as she replied, "I can't believe it! These batteries are unlike anything we've ever seen before. The way they trap electrons using that special hexagonal pattern is just incredible. And the filters, have you tried breaking one? They're practically indestructible!"

Jacob nodded, still in awe of the advanced technology. "Yeah, I tried, but I couldn't even make a dent. It's amazing what all this is, and what we can do with it! It's why I choose these items. I figured they would be the best options to help us expand our energy and production capacity."

She couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "I know, right! I can't wait to get my hands on these tools and see what they can do. I have so many ideas for how we could use them."

Jacob nodded thoughtfully. "But we have to be careful. We don't know what kind of hidden costs or consequences there might be to using this technology. We have to make sure we understand how it works before we tinker with it."

Nodding in agreement. "Of course, you're right. We don't want to cause any damage or accidentally create any problems. But, we can't pass up this opportunity to learn and grow. This is a once in a lifetime chance to study technology that's far beyond anything we've ever encountered before."

Jacob nodded determinedly. "Absolutely. We should make the most of it. And who knows, maybe we'll even be able to replicate some of these technologies ourselves."

Sophia grinned at the prospect. "That would be amazing. Imagine the possibilities. We could revolutionize the way we live and work with these tools!! It's going to be an exciting experiment!"

Jacob smiled back. "Yeah, it definitely will be."

"I think can design us a solar converter and the wiring needed to hook it all together into the building's grid. But I do not have the tools I would need to make them ... So, let's buy some. What's in this shop?!"

"Yes Sophia, I can show you here." Her AI chimed in and flashed a blue holographic circle in front of her.

Sophia's eyes lit up at the possibilities. Then she squinted at them. "THAT ONE! I have always wanted to do that!".

Jacob looked at the options as well, deciding to see if Genesis knew what they needed.

"Genesis, please show us the items relevant to our current needs, 3D printers that can produce the items we need to connect the panels to the grid."

Jacob remembered going through the list, overwhelmed by the sheer selection he was given. There was an invention for almost every need in this store. From UV teeth cleaners to satellite power transmitters.

"Yes, sir."

A square list appeared in front of him.

Basic metal alloy printer - capable of creating any materials with requirements of accuracy ranging around 1 micron. While slow, it is a printer to get your basic needs met! 200 points

Universal graphene alloy printer - capable of turning graphene into a multitude of structures and shapes. Allowing for the material to show off its unique properties as the strongest and most versatile compound in earth's natural world. 1500 points

Plastic polymer printer - capable of creating a multitude of polymers with the only limits being the user's knowledge of chemistry. 500 points

High-precision alloy printer, capable of making some of the most precise alloys with perfect structure. Capable of accuracies down to the angstrom scale. Passing the limits of what was possible under earth physics, this machine makes your old printers look like rocks stacking rocks. 3000 points

Iron metamaterial printer–This printer can arrange the particles in the iron to the specifics required for electrical entrapment and other special traits. Such as room temperature superconductors, - 5000 points.

Sophia walked beside Jacob and pointed to a machine, almost smacking him in her excitement. "That one! The Universal Graphene Printer! So many of my patents were stopped by how hard it was to manipulate that stuff. I could make us a low resistance converter with it. It will last, well, let's just say forever for us. The wire is easy, just get the cheap alloy printer. It can make copper for us, and then we can run it through the graphene printer for a flexible sleeve. I'm telling you now, that stuff is magical!"

Jacob and Sophia purchased the Universal Graphene Alloy Printer.

Genesis projected a blue highlight of the item, asking where it should be placed. Sophia quickly pointed to a spot close to one of the exterior touching walls in the corner.

Jacob also purchased rifles and ammo, asking Genesis to spawn them beside Adewale, which caused all three of them to jump in surprise. "Sorry! I guess we know how the store works now. I never thought to ask how it would appear," Jacob yelled, laughing.

Adewale smiled as he opened the black crate to see shiny, black, metallic rifles. His eyes sparkled in excitement, much like Sophia's when she saw the samples.

Diego approached, saying "Buenas noticias, consultando a mi AI...," which was translated by Jacob's AI as "Good news, consulting my AI, we have some room to find supplies before people start going hungry. Show them the list with estimates, Pepe." The orb, which apparently was named Pepe, showed them all a list.

The 2,000 kg of grains could last the group for about 133 days (assuming they are eating 200 grams of grains per day per person).

The 500 kg of legumes could last the group for about 33 days (assuming they are eating 50 grams of legumes per day per person).

The 50,000 litres of water could last the group for about 56 days (assuming they are drinking 5 litres of water per day per person).

"We can't afford to be complacent," Jacob said, nodding in agreement with Diego's assessment of their supplies. "We need to make sure we're using our resources wisely and sustaining ourselves in the long term."

"Already done. I am just waiting for volunteers to help move things to the proper area in the square." With that, Diego turned around and began struggling to move a crate with Akiko. She had clearly never done this kind of work before, however, she was still doing her best to help him.

Adewale added. "And a forklift would definitely be a big help in getting everything organized and moved around efficiently."

Jacob and Sophia laughed, while Akiko and Diego were too busy with the dense package to hear them.

"Hey, Silver! Yeah, that's what ill call you. Diego gave me the idea. Anyway, could you project a display for me to design on?" the AI activated with a flash of blue light. A holographic display flickered to life in front of her, displaying a menu of options and specifications. With a cry of excitement, Sophia began scrolling through the options, drawing and highlighting various parts while discussing them with the AI.

"This is going to be amazing," Jacob said, gazing at the holographic display with wonder.

The AI listened attentively, its advanced algorithms quickly calculating and processing the data. In a matter of moments, it could generate a 3D file for printing, ready to be brought to life by the advanced technology at their disposal. As Sophia watched the holographic blueprints swirl and shift in front of her, she knew the possibilities were endless, limited only by their own imaginations and the capabilities of the AI.

"Sir, your recruits have arrived at the requested destination." Adewale's AI suddenly said.

"Time to get some basic training started." Adewale left for the square, his first recruits showing up.

As they approached the printer, Sophia realized that they still needed power to get it running. "Oops, I got ahead of myself there," she laughed, blushing.

"It's fine. I'm sure we can find something in the store," Jacob reassured her. "Genesis, does the store have any cheap manual power generators that we could use to charge the batteries?"

"Yes, sir, there are several options. However, I recommend this one as the most cost-effective for your current needs," Genesis replied, displaying a machine that would cost 5 points. The machine looked like an expensive workout machine, with users able to generate power through pedaling with their hands or feet.

Jacob and Sophia purchased five of the machines, which they placed next to the printer and batteries, within range of the built-in plugs. They invited volunteers to come help pedal, offering them first pick of items from the printer once it was open for public use. Ten people who were already in the area for the food drive quickly agreed to help.

Jacob showed the volunteers to the sleek, metallic machines, which stood tall in the room's corner next to the printer and batteries. As users pedaled, the machine's advanced technology would convert the motion into electricity, lighting up the display screen and powering connected devices. Users could choose to generate power with their hands or feet, using the built-in grips or pedals to produce energy at their own pace. The machine's highly efficient design meant that it could generate electricity with minimal effort, making it a convenient and eco-friendly way to power homes or businesses. Plus, the bonus of a low-impact workout made it a popular choice among those looking to stay active and reduce their carbon footprint.

As if that last part even matters now... Jacob thought it odd the description would include this.

Once Sophia had worked with the printer through her AI, they discovered that the graphene printer was capable of far more than anything possible on Earth. It could create entire pure beams up to 2 meters, width, and height in just 90 seconds at full power. Like everything else the aliens had provided, this would be a game changer for the group, revolutionizing the way they lived and worked. Manual labour in factories would be a thing of the past, as machines that once produced toys could now create weapons on demand.

The printer could produce solar panels from the blueprint, as well as many other things, including the graphene filters Jacob had purchased. Sophia could also use the AI to design a solar converter for the panels, as well as graphene-sleeved copper wires.

This would significantly increase efficiency, reducing heat loss and eliminating the risk of overheating. In fact, the graphene used in the wires was so strong that it could be used in place of the cables on the Golden Gate Bridge, despite being just 2 cm in diameter. The only way the wires would fail would be if the voltage was too high and caused the copper to melt.

The people who volunteered quickly began pedaling away. 2 per machine. After 20 minutes, the printer would turn on and began printing out the converter and the wires. It would take it 10 minute to finish up because of the low power input. But it got the job done.

Once the panels were set up, they could have fully charged batteries and make more panels faster. Creating a loop effect, eventually getting rid of the manual power.

While this work was going on, Jacob realized he had nothing to do until the items finished. He finally had time to stand and think. He couldn't believe the day he was having.

It started out normal, then suddenly nuclear Armageddon was imminent. And here he was, 3 hours later, on an alien planet called New Eden. Working in a colony that he was leading. From watching anime to having the lives of others on your shoulders. It can throw anyone through a loop.

He had to walk in a secluded part of the storage facility. Thankfully, it was very large and mostly devoid of people.

He turned around, just to lean back against the wall and take a deep breath. Feeling the emotions and stresses go through his body. So much so, a tear dropped from his cheeks. He worried about his family, his friends, even all the things people had accomplished. Will they just turn to dust? Will humanity simply disappear with nothing to remember them by? Just another failed race into the trash bin, their accomplishments and histories to be forgotten.

Jacob pulled himself back from the spiral of negative thoughts.

He didn't want that, not now, not ever. We are each worth something and each worth being remembered, and he would prove it!

While Jacob still feeling many conflicting feelings. He also felt a burning desire to build up inside him. This was his chance to make something of himself. His chance to make the world he always wished people could live in. The closest thing possible to a utopia.

Today was insane, tomorrow will probably be just as crazy.

"That's going to be my life from now on if I want to keep alive. And it's my responsibility to make sure everyone else gets the best chance at a good life as well."

Jacob stood up, realizing he had slid and sat down against the cold metal. Smacked his cheeks, wiped his eyes, and walked back to the work area.