Chapter 8

Sophia turned to the workers, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Great job everyone, the printer is finished. We can start setting up the solar panels now."

She turned to Jacob, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "I have a design that's popping into my head for a graphene-based motor, using the two printers to make certain parts. I think it could be helpful for a fun project! Oh, and for things that we would need to use motors in!"

Jacob nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "That sounds amazing. We'll need some heavy machinery to get everything up and running. I can't imagine life without cars and forklifts. The sooner the better."

Sophia paused for a moment. "There's one issue we'll have to consider going forward. Producing things like iron and copper is relatively easy, but producing pure graphene is still a challenge. Until we produce it ourselves, we should focus on using the other elements where we can."

Jacob nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. We can always buy some graphene in emergencies, but I think we should focus on using it for the wiring and solar cells as much as possible."

She nodded and turned to the workers, who were now resting on their machines, drinking some of their water rations from the black 4L square jugs they came in. Because of this, lots of water would spill down their cheeks. And some people had a hard time lifting it at all, needing someone to tilt it while they drank.

Clapping her hands like a schoolteacher. "Alright everyone, let's start setting up the solar panels. We'll need to connect them to the battery packs and get them charging as soon as possible."

The volunteers didn't enjoy her attitude, but a few of them knew who she was from earth. And like Jacob, were more fans than anything. So, the group sprang into action, pulling the panels and battery packs from the printer and beginning the setup process, guided by each of their AI's using the blueprint she had made.

Just before Sophia was about to start, she stopped with a red face. "I forgot again ... We need something to connect these wires. A source of heat."

Another store purchase later, this time a welder to connect the wiring and parts in the correct places. So, Sophia found a handheld laser welder that came pre charged for an extra 5 points, costing them 40 points total. Jacob couldn't help but think that the laser welder was quite dangerous. While, the laser would rapidly decay as the range increased due to air friction. The welder could still burn skin up to 4 meters away when pointed directly at it. Only getting more intense as the gap was closed.

They worked alongside the others, Sophia carefully connecting the wires and ensuring everything was running smoothly. While Jacob would ask questions and try his best to learn what she was doing.

For Jacob, this was a fever dream. He was doing things that felt impossible on earth. Even learning how to connect wires to batteries for power generation. You would have to spend thousands on courses and lots of time. Plus, it wouldn't even be the best solar panels humans have ever touched! And doing it alongside someone who was adored by millions on earth. He couldn't ask for more. He felt happy doing this. For once, he felt like he could contribute to society impactful.

It took them 1 hour and 35 minutes to get all the connections made.

The time soon passed noon (or so they thought based on the sun), the solar panels were finally up and running, their panels soaking up the rays of the day. With one last burst of her welder, they heard a beep and Sophia then turned to Jacob, a proud smile on her face. "We did it. The solar panels are officially online!"

Sophia's AI Silver suddenly announced, "Congratulations Sophia, for successfully developing and implementing your design to provide power to your colony has rewarded you with 200 points of your own to use in the store."

They heard each of the helpers AI chime in as well, giving them points based on their effort, ranging from 3 to 8 points.

"So that's how that works! This is great news; we can use this to encourage others to help!" Sophia was clearly excited for her points and the doors they opened.

"Your amazing Sophia! I can't believe how lucky we are to have you here. I'm not sure how long it would have taken anyone to do what you just did." Jacob congratulated her, with all the other workers nodding their heads in agreement.

Sophia blushed, ducking her head. "It was nothing, really. I just wanted to make an invention! And it was soooo worth it, however I'm already seeing issues with my design. If I could change this piece here and learn how the graphene interacts with itself better, then we could remove copper wiring entirely and replace it with graphene! The loads these wires could carry could light up a city on earth just with those that we used for the solar panels." She looked up at Jacob, her eyes suddenly serious. "But we're not done yet. We still have so much work to do!"

With that, the batteries had begun to restore their charge. However, at this rate, it would take at least 1 and a half days of sunlight to fill them up if they simply let them charge. But this is not what they would do, they would use the power to produce more panels.

"Alright, guys. I think you can go get your rations now. I'll see if we can set up the basic metal alloy printer to make some basic items," Jacob said as he let the volunteers go rest.

They shuffled out of the storage building, all yawning and stretching. Having not eaten yet that day.

He turned to Sophia. "I think we should hook up the printer to one of the battery packs, as well as the manual machines. That way, people who want to make utensils and other necessities can come in when needed. It would be too troublesome for us to keep track of how many forks each colony member needs. But we should restrict the use of the printer to survival-related goods and basic needs. I'd rather not see anyone making toys right now..."

"That's a great idea!" Sophia replied.

While they were working on setting up the 'public' printer, the graphene printer had already begun printing solar panels. Sophia added a graphene brick to the machine each time it ran low on material. Meanwhile, she was tinkering with her AI and original designs.

When Jacob asked her what she was doing, Sophia showed him an electric motor made from metal and graphene parts. "It's going to be the most efficient motor I've ever made! And it's the lightest too!"

"This would have killed in the EV market on Earth," Jacob said.

Sophia looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "Are you kidding? This would change every industry. With slight modifications, these motors are capable of high torque or high torsion. They could replace every single motor used on Earth, in every single industry! Not just the EV market."

Jacob's eyes widened as he understood part of why Sophia's companies had been so successful.

They were becoming more familiar with the wires, it only took them a couple of minutes to get the other printer set up properly in a separate connection with its own battery, as to allow the graphene printer to get the most power using all the solar panels.

"Genesis, could you send a message to the colony members that a basic metal printer is ready. Ensure they know that they or others must power the machine while it makes them their items. As well as the item restrictions."

"Yes, sir. I have sent them the requested message."

With that, Sophia was mainly working on adding new panels to the system as the printer made them. Slowly increasing its production speed, as it had to operate on efficiency parameters to ensure the batteries didn't die instantly from the massive power drain of regular operation. "This is elementary work for me. You go take a break and check out the rest of your 'colony'." She used her fingers to emphasize the colony, clearly poking fun at him.

Jacob laughed, "This isn't my colony, it's all of ours. I'm just the totalitarian leader." He winked as he poked fun at the situation, too.

Sophia laughed. "Don't make me start a coo!" she joked, then quickly became focused on her designs again.

Stretching himself, finally, Jacob walked around and get a good look at the facility.

He used the staircase in the centre to check out each floor, which was identical to the last except for the fact that they contained no materials or technology. There were also elevator lifts that could travel to each floor from any other and carry heavy loads.

There was not much aside from all the resources on the first floor. This made Jacobs walk rather boring and creepy. Considering the facility itself did not have power yet, most of it was dark.

He walked back down to the main floor, looking at Sophia still engaged in her work. Also, noticing the reduced traffic of those coming in to grab food for the food drive.

So far, nothing bad has happened, nobody was hurt, everyone was getting along, and they had begun to produce things they needed. Jacob couldn't help but smile at the thought. They had taken their first steps to actually surviving in this new world.

Or so that's what Jacob thought, until he heard Genesis speak while flashing red, "Sir, a user's AI has reported that an assault is in progress." Alongside a blood-curdling scream and the chaotic shouts of anger outside.