Coming Together

While Mina went back to void simulation, Sy was escorted by Niel and another man named Thales into the cargo bay.

The Pioneer felt intimidated at the sight of the Straggler's skeletal frame with some armor platings partially installed. It was one thing to design a mech in simulation, but the real deal - there were real dangers. The collosal war machine could easily squash them like ants if it toppled over them.

A couple of mech fusion reactors were lined up on the left side of the cargo bay, as well as failed components that were freshly fabricated - piled together in a hurry. The sight of a Fabricator IV given ample of space on the right side of the cargo bay brightened Sy's mood.

As soon as the trio dropped down from their hover pads, they marched straight to a series of computers where the newcomer was given access to the resources that the ship carried.

Sy sat down and skimmed through the list. There was an abundance of black titanium and circuitry materials, faithfully meant for the creation of the Straggler S1-2, but lacked the needed supply for the new components he recently designed. Nonetheless, it will still suffice if he was resourceful enough to makeup for the missing ingredients.

However, there was one slight problem: exotic gas. In the list, there was only one unit of exotic gas and he needed to calculate its capacity to propel the mech into orbital exit all the while finishing the new flight module based on it.

He glanced at the two older men behind him and found that they were eagerly waiting in anticipation for his next instructions. Chuckling at their childish faces, Sy retrieved one of the data chips in his pocket and plugged it in the computer. He moved aside for the two older men to take over while he mulled over his options.

"This is a complete database for the Straggler S1-2..." Niel uttered after inspecting the content of the data chip.

"INCREDIBLE!!" Thales exclaimed with eyes widened.

"It should help you understand the Straggler." Sy momentarily broke away from his thought.

"Microtape...?" Niel mumbled as he and Thales thoroughly studied every piece of advance technology that composed the mech. "So this is why the reason the Straggler does not possess a complex circuitry!"

Half an hour later, Niel downloaded the data into a tablet for another attempt to fabricate the components of the mech well within his abilities while Thales transported a fusion reactor into a secured area in order to create a fusion plant. Both men were armed with the new knowledge that Sy brought, and with their current comprehension - they should be able to craft a few components.

Sy had also finished his planning and began to complete the design of the flight module.

The crew of the IO designated in the cargo bay attentively spectated the three men, as they whispered quietly amongst themselves.

About a dozen minutes later, Sy stood up from the computer he was operating - turning his gaze toward the framework of the Straggler. He activated his Molecular Data Imaging Simulator and realized that there were a few red spots in the skeletal frame. There was no need to rush the fabrication of the Straggler so he decided to grab a tool pack and hung it over his shoulder. He will have to correct the methods that Niel and Thales had implemented in order to install a few parts such as conventional welding and screws.

Something was at stake here, and he will have to be wary of any failures. It was not a simulation but the real deal - anything could go wrong.

Just as he boarded a hover platform, dozens of eyes darted at him.

---

Five hours later, two figures made their way to the cargo bay: they were Cia and Fei. It took them some time to draft an agreement and a contract for a potential employee of the guild. Just as they approached the hangar bay which was the only place where they could access their destination, the duo found out that the crew had ceased their works and decided to spectate something.

Curiously, the two directors approached the direction of the only activity in the vicinity. The cargo bay.

Cia almost dropped the documents that she was carefully carrying around her arm when the sight of the Straggler's framework - which she had been laboriously trying to put together - came to her sight. Most of the mech's head was already installed, but it was still missing its left eye. Nonetheless, it was all coming together. The right arm was removed and on the process of receiving its weapons systems and armor platings. In just a matter of hours, the Straggler S1-2 that she had witnessed in simulation will come to reality.

"My goodness!" Fei gasp, but didn't failed to react. She snapped her fingers and motioned for a random crew who was spectating the whole time and stated, "Tell me exactly what happened here."

The two women were expecting Niel and Thales to tour the guest around the ship, or have a breakfast with long talks to buy time for their arrival. Instead, they found that they had already started working on the mech.

The crew dog scratched his cheek with a greasy nail before narrating, "From what I heard, the guest insisted that they start fabricating the mech, director Fei."

"No need to learn the small details, Fei." Cia waved a hand and led the way to the area of operation. She found a nearby desk and dropped the documents she was carrying, strapping her long black hair into a ponytail afterward. She was readying to join in the operation. After all, she and Fei were both mech specialists as well.

Thales was not within sight while Niel was constantly looking over the computers. Cia abruptly halted on her steps when she saw a young man - only a couple years younger than her - pacing around the skeletal frame and inspecting every angle. Her heart began to beat rapidly in anticipation. It was the man she had been searching for ever since Thales brought the Straggler's case. She had also seen him perform in a tournament and had been hearing much about from Niel.

There was an admiration on Cia's face before she gathered her thoughts and approached Niel, "How can we help?"

"You're here!" Niel was momentarily shocked, glancing at the director. He hesitated to tell Cia about the database of the Straggler that the computers were currently displaying. In the end, he came up with something else to occupy the director, "We'll be hoisting some heavy parts and in need of a few hands. Scratch that. Sy will soon fabricate the flight module. We will need all the help we can get."

"I'll tell old Jim and his veteran crews to man the apparatuses. In the meantime, I want to be part of this, Niel." Cia firmly stated.

As the two discussed, Fei had other plans on her own, making a beeline toward the Straggler. She tapped the huge skeletal foot of the mech and praised, "This is a bad boy you created here."

Sy stopped walking around and glanced at the woman leaning on the metallic foot. The orange head made no attempt in evading his gaze, clearly portraying that she was not shy. A personality which rivaled that of Mina. Judging by her looks and intelligent eyes assessing him, he correctly guessed that she was one of his hosts.

On the other hand, Fei utterly studied the man. He was perfect in every angle, not even the richest people could rival his image. She was more than impressed. This brought her to a question: who exactly is he?

"We've been looking for you." She said after the brief silence. Although Cia did all the digging, she couldn't help but consider herself part of that equation.

"Well, here I am." Sy pocketed both hands, and introduced himself, "I'm Sy Verdin."

"Director Fei." The orange head introduced back, not losing the staring the contest.

A chuckle escaped Sy lips as he broke away from her gaze. He turned around and headed to the Fabricator. He motioned with a hand, "Come, Director Fei. I want you to assist me in fabricating a new component for the Straggler S1-2. I am sure you will learn much from this certain endeavor."

Fei was shocked of how easily the young man had issued something from her. However, with the hint of a new component and something to learn, she only raised a brow and followed the guest.

Located at the series of computers, Niel was observing Sy and Fei since they started conversing. He was stunned at how effortlessly the two kicked together. But his concern turned to the other director just standing a few meters before him. Cia was also spectating the commotion, and at the mention of fabricating a new component, Niel could see a surge of interest in her eyes.

"I think I should go and help." Cia avoided Niel's gaze and hurriedly excused herself from the vicinity.

Niel scratched his head. He had never seen someone attract people that way, certainly not the directors.