58: The Search for Droids

After a week of grinding through small repair jobs, the routine began to settle in. Alex worked in near silence as the AI handled most of the repairs, his mind often wandering as he sat on the energy-absorbing mat, letting the repetitive motions take over. The work was keeping them afloat, providing just enough Energy Credits to buy food and other necessities, but it wasn't enough to make any real progress toward their goals.

He could feel the frustration building. The system had denied him the chance to take on larger, more profitable jobs, and now they were effectively trapped in the outpost. Alex's thoughts kept circling back to the same problem: they needed more resources. More Energy Credits. But the way things were going, it felt like they'd be stuck in this endless cycle of small repairs forever.

One night, after another mundane day of fixing faulty communication devices and malfunctioning storage units, Alex sat alone at the console. The glow of the screen illuminated the dark room, the soft hum of the machine providing a constant background noise.

There has to be another way, Alex thought, leaning forward and resting his chin on his hand.

The AI was incredibly efficient at repairs, but it could only work through him. The limitations of his human body—his need to eat, sleep, and rest—meant that the number of repairs he could complete in a day was finite. But what if that wasn't the case? What if there was a way to bypass those limits?

An idea began to form in his mind, something that could free him from the constant grind of manual repairs.

Droids.

If he could find the right designs for repair droids—machines that could operate independently, day and night—then he could multiply their efficiency tenfold. He wouldn't be limited by his physical capabilities anymore. The droids could do the work while he focused on more important tasks, like planning their escape from the outpost.

Alex's heart raced with excitement at the thought. He hadn't considered it before, but now the possibilities seemed endless.

AI, initiate a search for repair droid designs, Alex thought, his eyes narrowing in determination.

"Searching for repair droid blueprints," the AI responded, and the console's display shifted as it began pulling data from the global network.

The search results flooded the screen almost immediately. Dozens of designs, schematics, and blueprints for various types of droids appeared before Alex's eyes. Some were simple machines, built for basic tasks like cleaning or maintenance. Others were far more complex—advanced repair droids designed for specialized tasks in harsh environments.

Alex scrolled through the listings, his excitement growing as he clicked through each one.

Model R3-CX Utility Droid: A versatile, multi-purpose droid commonly used for basic repairs and maintenance. It was durable, lightweight, and could operate in extreme temperatures. However, its capabilities were limited to simple tasks.

HX-90 Mechanic Droid: A more advanced model, this droid was specifically designed for mechanical repairs. It had several built-in tools, including precision welders and energy analyzers, making it ideal for complex repairs on machines and vehicles.

Sentry-12 Defense Droid: Not quite what Alex was looking for, but interesting nonetheless. The Sentry-12 was a combat droid, designed to patrol and protect high-priority locations. While it wasn't suited for repairs, its robust design and self-sufficiency made it appealing for another reason—security.

Alex paused, considering the range of options. The utility droids were cheap and easy to acquire, but they wouldn't help him much in the long run. The mechanic droids, while more advanced, were expensive and required more resources to maintain. Then there were the defense droids—powerful but unnecessary for his current situation.

What I need is a balance, Alex thought. Something versatile, but capable of handling complex repairs. I need something that can learn.

He leaned forward, scrolling through more pages of designs. Most of the droids he found were pre-programmed for specific tasks, their capabilities locked in by their initial design. But there had to be something more adaptable.

"AI," Alex said aloud, "focus the search on adaptive repair droids—machines that can learn and evolve with new tasks."

"Refining search parameters," the AI responded, and the list of results began to shift.

The new list of results was much smaller, but the designs were far more promising. These droids weren't just tools—they were intelligent machines, capable of learning from their environment and improving over time. They had built-in AI modules that allowed them to analyze problems, make decisions, and even upgrade themselves as needed.

One design in particular caught Alex's eye.

Model X1-A Adaptive Repair Droid: A cutting-edge droid designed for high-level repairs in hostile environments. The X1-A was equipped with an AI core that allowed it to learn from its surroundings, making it highly efficient at troubleshooting and fixing complex issues. It had a modular design, meaning it could be upgraded with additional tools or functions as needed. Most importantly, it could operate autonomously, freeing up its owner to focus on other tasks.

Alex clicked on the design, bringing up the full schematics. The X1-A was exactly what he needed. It wasn't just a droid—it was a partner. A machine that could take over the bulk of the repairs while he worked on more important things. With a few of these droids, he could run multiple repair jobs at once, earning far more Energy Credits than he ever could by himself.

He scrolled through the detailed specs, his eyes widening as he read more about its capabilities. The droid was equipped with high-precision tools, advanced sensors, and even an energy absorption system similar to the mat Alex used to recharge while working. It could operate in extreme cold, making it perfect for the icy wastelands surrounding the outpost.

But then he saw the price.

Cost: 60,000 Energy Credits

Alex's excitement deflated in an instant. 60,000 credits was an astronomical amount, far beyond what they had saved. Even after hacking the dormant accounts, he had barely scratched the surface of what they would need to afford something like this.

He sat back, staring at the number in frustration. It was exactly what he needed, but it was out of reach.

There's got to be another way, Alex thought. I can't give up on this.

He continued searching, digging deeper into the designs. Most of the adaptive droids were just as expensive as the X1-A, their prices reflecting their advanced capabilities. But then, something caught his eye—a smaller, more affordable design.

Model M2-Scout Droid: A compact, low-cost droid with basic repair functions. While not as advanced as the X1-A, the M2 was modular, meaning it could be upgraded with additional tools and software. It had limited autonomy, but with the right modifications, it could be made more efficient.

Cost: 15,000 Energy Credits

It wasn't perfect, but it was doable. With a bit of work, Alex could afford to buy the M2-Scout and start upgrading it over time. It wouldn't be as fast or as capable as the higher-end models, but it was a start. The M2 was small and relatively simple, but with the AI's help, Alex could modify its programming to handle more complex tasks.

This could work, Alex thought, feeling a flicker of hope.

He bookmarked the M2 design, pulling up a detailed list of its features and potential upgrades. The droid came with basic repair tools, but he could add more advanced functions like energy analysis, welding, and even AI-driven decision-making modules. It would take time to fully upgrade it, but once it was operational, it could make a huge difference.

Alex leaned back in his chair, his mind buzzing with possibilities. The M2-Scout droid wasn't ideal, but it was within reach. If he continued taking on small repair jobs for a few more weeks, he could save up enough to buy the droid and begin upgrading it. Once the droid was operational, he could take on more jobs, increasing their income exponentially.

The routine of small repairs had worn him down, but now he had a new goal. A way to break free from the grind. The droid would allow him to work smarter, not harder, and eventually, they would earn enough to escape the outpost for good.

Alex stood up, stretching as he glanced over at the sleeping forms of Serena, Elara, and Nia. They had all grown used to the stability of their current situation, but Alex knew it wasn't enough. They needed more than just survival—they needed a future.

And if that future meant building a droid army to do their work for them, then so be it.

He walked back to the console and placed the M2-Scout on his wishlist, the plan already forming in his mind. The next few weeks would be about saving every credit, maximizing their efficiency, and preparing for the next step.

Alex stared at the screen, a determined look on his face.

This is how we win.