Chapter 22

Akiko looked out, her eyes opening in surprise at all the colonists that appeared in a sudden blue light. Many already had panicked faces before they finished materializing. Akiko couldn't believe the technology these aliens controlled.

"Where am I?"

"What's going on! Where are the nukes!"

"My dog! Where's my dog!!!"

Akiko walked up to the fence line and stepped on a little stool built into the fence. "Hello, please try to calm down. Nuclear missiles are no longer a threat. Many things have changed for you, there will be confusion. But we are here to answer questions and help you get up to speed with the situation." Her voice was amplified by the AI and translated by all the new AIs for their users who did not speak the language.

"Who the F$%$ are you!?" a tall man yelled out.

Akiko did not falter. "My name is Akiko. I am here to help with public issues and any human rights violations that occur. We are currently on a planet called New Eden. You can confirm this with logic, as if you look around you. Everyone has a silver floating orb, and the sky has a few extra moons. Try to remember the last things you heard before coming here."

This made the man stop and look up. His eyes opening wide in surprise.

The other people looked around at each other and some at their AI orbs with eyes of surprise. Some looked up. Many calmed down, however they were still confused and extremely concerned.

"Where's my dog! And my mother, my family?" Another man asked.

"I am sorry to say that I cannot tell you, as we do not know ourselves. As for the dog, honestly. We have seen none yet arrive. They may have been left back on earth." Akiko said in a sad tone.

"Anyway, we have rations being handed out. And ask your AI about the events that have happened here so far. But be warned, some things can be graphic and disturbing. We are not entirely safe yet here. But rest assured, we have guards and guns. Anyone willing to join the guards, with relevant experience, is also encouraged."

Those words made the fear come back to some of the people's faces.

Some people started breaking down and crying. Having suddenly faced the potential loss of their loved ones and pets.

Akiko sighed. This was going to be a long process ...

***

Jacob stood and watched from an open door in the facility. He couldn't believe how much better the situation was today compared to yesterday. It likely helped there was no crazy person starting riots. He also was curious what happened to the animal's humans domesticated. Did they all simply die off? At least Akiko seemed to have a handle on the situation.

Akiko was a natural at these things. Her voice was one that created a calmness and ease. Something you were born with, not something you can learn.

This got Jacob thinking back to his talk with Xandros. There are some things you just can't be taught.

After seeing how the two groups of refugee colonists reacted and how Jacob felt by seeing a few of them. He figured Akiko's theory from the other day was right. Everyone from the first day had interesting talents and skills, some that are born talents. How much could Xandros influence their starting population? Did they have any rules against favouritism?

Did he pick out the perfect group of humans who would just 'Get along'? Out of 7 billion people, how could he get a genius like Sophia, and special forces like Li or Adewale?

"Genesis, was our first 3000 colonists specially picked out based on talents?"

"Sir, according to my data, your sponsor has limited ability to choose, aside from the individual who they will sponsor."

He figured from that response, he couldn't prove these things unless he could speak to Xandros again.

Getting back into the present, Jacob walked back inside the facility. He needed to buy more things today for production and hoped he could save points to get the printer tomorrow for batteries.

"Show me my points for now."

"Yes, Sir."

A holo showing 3705 points appeared.

"Ok, let's buy some things!"

The holo expanded to a full screen and Jacob got to work.

Jacob couldn't stop thinking about the Swiftstalker's. Deciding that they needed even more guns.

There were 3 last night. One on the first night.

Jacob couldn't be sure, but he wouldn't be surprised. So far it increased by a multiple of 3. Tonight, it could be up to 9 if the pattern exists. This made him realize they needed more guns. A lot more guns.

"Show me the rifles and bullets. Let me figure out how many more to buy."

Thinking about it, he purchased 20 rifles and 1000 more bullets. That way, they could focus more on guards around the colony. Allowing them to be within sight of each other. Which would improve their ability to kill the lizards before the guards themselves were killed.

Jacob spawned the weapons near their work area. Not concerned anyone will mess with them. There was a guard stationed now near the printers. Adewale knew how important Sophia and production were, so he ensured that some form of protection was always present.

Looking around at the facility, he bought some more batteries. If they could not purchase the printer, it would be prudent to get some more batteries. And he wanted to get the facility set up to their power grid as well.

"Let's purchase those graphene batteries we unlocked. Let's purchase 10." He walked over to Sophia. "I know you're busy, but when we have time, I purchased some more batteries. We could hopefully get the facility prepped for electricity. What else would we need?"

"Well, if you want this place to have electricity, we need lights! Silver is great, but I would like a normal overhead LED."

Rubbing his chin, Jacob wanted to search the store. But he realized he didn't know how LEDs were made. "Do we have the resources we need?"

"No, LED's need gallium. We don't have any supply yet. So, unless we find another way to produce light, we have to hold off with lighting I guess..." Sophia cut herself off, realizing she recommended something they could not make.

"Well, let's see how much gallium is! Remember, you can purchase raw materials in the store. It will help us with defence and keeping the colony lit during the night!" Jacob said with a big smile.

"Genesis, how much is gallium and how much do we get?"

"Sir, it will cost you 235 points per ton of gallium."

"Do we need another printer?" He asked Sophia, again unsure if they could make the items.

"Actually, no. We can make the gallium diodes with the alloy printer, the anode and cover with the graphene printer. It won't have the best transparency because of graphene's nature. But we can make a lot at once."

Jacob nodded in understanding, then did some math in his head. "Well! That screws the budget, down to 1770 points. We will have to hold off for another day on the iron battery printer. We need that to store energy if we want to make even more solar panels. Right now we will hit a bottleneck fast. Don't you think so?"

"You're catching on fast! I like how you think Jacob. I'm glad we got to meet! Dealing with you is much easier than those pesky senators back home."

Sophia was back to her normal, giddy self. Forgetting minor details but understanding the most complex theories. This made Jacob rather happy. The events were not getting to her, and she was staying strong. Just like Akiko, Adewale, and Diego. As well as everyone else he had met so far.

"Well, you like me now ... Just wait until I make regulations!" Jacob joked.

"Pfft, whatever, see who's running the science team, then!" She continued to play around.

They both laughed. Jacob stopped playing around, however, because some workers began shuffling in to help with production.

This included the still mad colonists who were in the riot.

"Well, let's get to work than shall we?" Sophia said to Jacob with a smile.

Jacob nodded.

"Genesis, spawn the 10 batteries over beside the printer area. Let's go find out where we should put the gallium ... Sophia, how much space does 1 ton of gallium take?"

"Oh, it's pretty small! A meter cubed or so. Depending on how they packaged it. Won't take up more space than some crates already here!"

"Ok, let's spawn that beside the printer area then!" Jacob got excited. Making things to help people's lives tickled his fancy.

A large rectangular black crate appeared. When opened they found it was full of smaller glass gallium tubes. Clearly designed for the gallium because of its low melting point. The tubes also had a black opening, which could twist onto the alloy printer.

It should be mentioned that the printers all had slots for inserting materials, there were 4 slots for gas and liquids, and 2 slots for solid alloys on the alloy printer. The graphene printer simply had 2 slots for graphene bricks and powder.

Jacob hoped he could live up to everyone's efforts. So far, it seemed like they were doing well on the science front, at least. He couldn't wait to light up the colony!