Chapter 31

Jacob awoke to Genesis.

"Good morning, Sir. You have received your daily points and you now have 3535 points."

Jacob realized they spent all their points on the drones and guns last night. "Well, most will go to batteries today and the rest will go to guns. We need so many more guns... I wish we could make them, but we have no gunpowder..." Jacob realized he was now talking to himself out loud.

"Genesis. Send a message to Sophia ask her to see if she can add solar panels to the LED lamps. Would be great if we can reuse them without changing the batteries out each night."

"Yes, Sir."

"Send a message to the entire colony. Say that tomorrow is the day we declare our colony's name. We will get through this coming fight and live to make a new future for humanity!"

Jacob had decided to encourage people to want to make a new home here. Last night, talking to that group made him realize that they all had a part to play in making a new life here. Which means that as a leader, he had to give people hope and change their views. Instead of wondering when they will get home, he will help them make a new hope while they study what happened to the old one.

"How long until the new colonists arrive?"

"Sir, based on the past days, they will arrive in approximately 14 minutes and 12 seconds."

"Ok, let's hope nobody causes issues. Tell Akiko to be extra cautious that nothing happens today with local riots or violence. I will also have her escort me through the colony while people work so she can explain how public relations work."

"Yes, Sir."

Jacob stepped outside and let the warm sun heat himself up. He realized as he took a deep breath how bad he must have smelled. His hair was greasy, and he had not showered since arriving here.

"Just another problem to the list," he said to nobody in particular.

Jacob then walked over to Akiko, who was standing near the stage for new colonists.

"How's it going in new colonists' square? Jacob said."

"Uh, what?" Akiko looked at him oddly.

He scratched his head. "I figured we should start naming things. I mean as a leader I guess that's my right unless people vote to change the name. Genesis allows people to vote for names for areas and points of interest."

"Yes, Sir."

"Anyway, I know I sent you a message already, but I hope you can double down on any issues today. Have you seen any problems?"

"Well, few. Mostly people are afraid of dying and being killed. Some are also asking for the right to not work, simply because they never had to on earth." Akiko shook her head at the last part.

"Well, I don't want to sound like a dictator, but ... sucks to be them. We can worry about doing the bare minimum once we get past this hurdle. Today I'm having most people cut trees down. I also am getting the carpenters to make bathrooms and such in the storage facility. You know we are staying tonight, of course. Keep that in mind when you greet the new colonists." Jacob stated, trying to cover all of Akiko's responsibilities for the day.

"Yes, that sounds like a good plan. I will do my best." She said with a smile and a slight bow.

"Genesis, can we buy items and spawn them near other people's AI. Say, if I got weapons, could I send them to Adewales AI to put down?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's good to know." He nodded to Akiko. "Ill talk to you later to see how things are doing. Will see how you interact with people. I need to learn some people's skills. I know it won't be perfect. But at least starting somewhere will be helpful."

"That is a good plan as well. Looks like you are taking your role seriously. It is very honorable of you." Akiko smiled again, bowing once more, as she turned around to speak to a few guards helping her.

Jacob turned and walked inside the storage facility. As he did, he saw chaos, wood, and construction everywhere. It turns out that Ingred was not only making bathrooms but beds as well. Very basic and tiny, you would have no room for doubles. Just with boards across the base, built in a way for preparation that could have cushions added in.

The printers were working at full speed, mainly creating the parts for the construction and the graphene filters. However, that would end soon as the boxes were a fast construction time. Only taking the welders a few minutes for each one. Some of them already had their own laser welders as well.

Jacob observed that some of the more dedicated workers had custom tools or items that were not of their own making. Some had special drills, some had hammers that looked like from earth. Some were even wearing a very basic grey uniform that seemed to be from the store as well.

Jacob nodded. This helped him decide that going forward, he would build the economy around these points and basic resources. He would make a currency around those pillars.

He found Sophia and Akiko working on the final LEDs. "Jacob, we need 145 lights to illuminate the basic area needed around the camp. If placed near the tree line, these should help reduce the darkness and allow for more shots to get fired." Mei said as she saw him approach.

"Well, Genesis purchase 145 charged iron batteries please." He said.

"Yes, sir."

Jacob couldn't wait to get an iron printer that would make this much less painful. The number of solar panels they produced was already worth thousands of points. It was these manufacturing items which were worth gold.

A blue light appeared and a few of the regular black crates appeared, heavier than one would think. They were basically solid iron bricks.

"Well, I won't be assisting with this today. I need to help the colony in other ways. We need rules, systems, plans. So many things, including the attack tonight. But I hope to visit often since I do love technology! When things slow down, I want to learn as much as I can. Maybe even make my own blueprints!" Jacob was trying to be enthusiastic around others. He did like this, so he tried to just be open and show it. Uncaring if others would judge him. On earth, he only did this with close friends.

Sometimes the uncomfortable things are those that we need to face to grow, Jacob thought to himself. As the response from the surrounding others were smiles and those of approval.

"I really want to be the best leader possible. And I hope to make a system where people can vote for their own leaders as well. I'll explain more in the future." He spoke that part louder so most people in the area could hear if listening.

"You are already doing a better job than any manager I have had!" Sophia said as she patted him on the back.

"The situation is not ideal, however you are doing a good job, so far at least..." Mei said with a straight face.

"Well, I will head out. I want to see Akiko interact with the new colonists. Really need to learn some people skills." Jacob turned around and headed out to the square.

He saw her standing on the podium with ten guards with batons. Jacob got close but not on the stage, deciding to merely stand behind the stage, observing.

After a few minutes, a blue light appeared. And suddenly a bunch of people appeared. Each was as confused as the last.

This time, most people were silent. Nobody speaking up yet, like a deer in the headlights as they took things in.

Interesting, Jacob thought to himself. It's strange how one individual can change an entire crowd's demeanor. Noting that in the past, they had a woman cause a riot, and other times people would speak up or yell.

Akiko began her normal speech. This time a man spoke up, though.

"Why are you in charge? How can I get back to home? I will report you for a kidnapping!"

Akiko remained calm. "Sir, you are no longer on earth. We have no ability to return you. As we came in the same situation as you have. Just a few days earlier. If you cannot believe me, use your own senses to confirm my words, feel free to explore the camp and ask everyone about the situation. The AI orbs can help you as well. Just ask them for information about the colony's current public posts ... Welcome to the planet of New Eden."

Akiko stepped down from her podium. Leaving behind many stunned individuals. Some walked towards the gate exits and others talked amongst each other and their Ais.

"I still don't understand why they don't go crazy like the first time…" Jacob said to Akiko.

"It's all about giving them something to think about, their brains move from panic to calm much faster. The moment they arrive it can flip either way. Simply by giving them a calm voice and a focus for a few moments. Their bodies adjust and begin slowing the adrenaline production. It's simply how human chemistry works."

"So, do you think I could manage this? Or is it a hard skill to pull off like surgery?" Jacob asked.

"Anyone can influence another person. That is how humans work. We desire a connection, our brains look for stimulus and react to it. If the environment is aggressive, then people are as such. You simply have to talk to the people and don't fight back to their confusion. Simply answer the questions calmly."

Jacob nodded, giving things a thought. Always being an introvert he never wanted to talk to people. But now he had to do the one thing he hated. "Tomorrow I'll try it. As well as after we beat those swiftstalkers a@@es!" Jacob said the last part so all the guards could hear. Some of the new colonists looked over in confusion as well.