Following his breakthrough insight, Chase seized the attention of everyone in the room. "I believe there are two possible scenarios," he stated. "The first scenario is that we are meant to stay here while the AI handles every system beyond our walls. The second scenario is that, given this is a VORN show, we are actually entangled in an elaborate puzzle. Just outside that hatch, there could be additional machinery or further data available for us. We have been tasked with settling Mars, yet doing so from our current position inside this train seems unfeasible. It is obvious that there is more out there that we are not yet able to access. VORN has set up a massive interactive simulation just for us. Moving ahead requires that we refine our talents and acquire critical upgrades in both information and equipment. It strikes me as an ironic farce, merging gaming with a magnificent sense of scale. He growled, his voice steeped in unbridled frustration.

  One advantage stands out without dispute. Our secure confinement here dramatically lowers our risk of death. Inside the secure confines of our train, we have the freedom to make mistakes, draw lessons, and evolve. LJ and I are analyzing the code governing the train's internal operations; truthfully, it is expertly crafted. Taking a step back to view the bigger picture, it is clear that the AI's capabilities go far beyond simply keeping us alive.

  Outside this train, there are undoubtedly assets that the AI manages or keeps dormant. For example, consider the tunnel drilling equipment. Where is the machinery that bored our tunnel? It would be wasteful not to use that capacity. Therefore, our first major question is this: How do we get outside?

  At that moment, Fara interjected, "Maybe it is not us who should go outside. Instead, why not send something like the vehicle we built? Something mobile, equipped with a camera and designed to endure the harsh conditions on Mars. It might be set up for unmanned operation right now and may lack a proper controller, but we could build one."

  "But how do we get it outside?" Joanna asked. "It is far too big, and it cannot move on its own."

  A charged silence fell over the room before Chase’s eyes lit up with renewed energy. "Alright, everyone, here is what we are going to do. Spend some time reviewing the onboard equipment and determine what we can transport through that portal. Tomorrow, come back with as many options as possible. Today, I will walk through the modules and document everything. I need each team to explain their section to me in detail so we can unlock as much information as possible."

  Before wrapping up, Chase turned to Adrian. "Adrian, earlier you mentioned something about water?" he asked.

  Adrian looked momentarily surprised to be singled out again. "Yes. While checking the seed bank, I discovered some frozen biological samples, fish eggs for example. I could not understand why they were stored here until I examined module 25. That module has a raised lip about a foot high. I figured that if we filled the area with water, we might thaw the eggs and establish a small source of fish."

  He continued, "As I explored module 25 further, I noticed a structure against the far wall blocking the walkway. With significant effort and help, we managed to shift it into slots along the sides. In doing so, we created a continuous pool within the module, approximately five foot wide and two foot deep. My rough calculations indicate it could hold around 1200 gallons of water. If filled, such a pool would require a large water supply. I have not activated it yet, but it appears that water is as plentiful here as the tap water in the garden module."

  Chase’s eyes widened with renewed energy. "So you are suggesting that there might be a 1200 gallon reservoir feeding into module 25? Filling it could provide a constant source of fish, an incredible and sustainable protein supply. But be cautious. Do not fill it completely and risk using up all our water. Start small, perhaps with one of those foot tall tubs. Does anyone here have expertise in biology? If not, I may need to take a crash course, assuming September can provide the details. Amanda, I will require your help with the chemistry."

  Turning his attention to the AI, Chase asked, "September, do you have information on how to thaw these frozen fish eggs into viable ones?"

  "Relevant information has been added to the directory," September replied.

  Kaya raised her hand and asked, "September, may I ask a question? Since Commander Chase is responsible for uncovering new information, is it possible to change that responsibility by appointing a different commander if circumstances require it?"

  "That is not possible," replied September. "Mission Control designated Commander Chase, and until they issue a direct update, he remains in charge. The only exception is if Commander Chase dies, in which case Lieutenant Janette Hawkins will assume command."

  Kaya sighed and said, "That means there will be no future vote for a new commander."

  ----

  For the rest of the day, Chase methodically moved from module 1 to module 25, firing off questions to September in search of critical data. His initial induction had been woefully inadequate, but as he explored each module, the crew learned more than they had since awakening. One breakthrough was discovering that user manuals could be requested, although, as usual, September only presented level-one manuals at first, leaving deeper information buried beneath layers of code.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  They likely gathered more information during this process than they expected. Even with his remarkable memory, Chase found the sheer volume of available data overwhelming, and the inaccessibility of many details incredibly frustrating. Yet, each new piece of information was a small breakthrough in understanding the true nature of their environment. Among the various ideas to get something through the portal, the best was to build a miniature version of the Rover ZX01, a scaled-down model that could pass through the portal and provide a window into the world outside the train. With renewed purpose, the crew scoured the train for usable parts, but their initial search came up empty. Then, a breakthrough emerged from a simple question in module 6, home to the 3D printing equipment and various raw materials.

  In module 6, the raw materials were organized in thin, wound bundles or boxed as metallic powders. The facility boasted a plastics printer with a footprint of 10 ft × 5 ft atop a bench and an arc metal 3D printer, vast compared to the plastics unit, occupying a three-meter-long floor space with multiple one-meter printing chambers. These chambers could interlink, allowing them to print components up to 9ft by 4ft in size. There was also a plastic extruder, a material shredder, a metal casting unit, and a metal laser cutter. Chase could have spent a week exploring these printers, their many possibilities were staggering.

  Chase peppered September with questions. None of the printers bore identifiable brands, yet all appeared to be of the highest quality.

  “September, what are these printers for?”

  “Printing 3D objects.”

  “Can you give us designs we can print?”

  “What would you like to print?”

  “Let’s start with the Rover unit.”

  “Designs for the ZX01 Rover unit are now in the directory, although these printers are too small to produce a full-sized vehicle.”

  “How about a smaller version, one that fits through the portal?”

  “Designs for the ZX01a, the miniature version, are now available in the directory.”

  Chase wasn’t the only one taken aback. When the plan appeared on the screen, it showed every component, sequence, and required material in detail. Unlike the sparse information the AI normally provided, this design package offered complete blueprints. It was as if September had been waiting for the crew’s readiness to receive it. Their hunch was confirmed: VORN wanted them to venture outside the portal.

  Chase pressed on, requesting additional information. Soon he received a full working 3D model of the ZX01a vehicle, a computer simulation that allowed them to inspect each component and review assembly and maintenance details. To print the rover, they’d need to combine both types of printers and the extruder. The arc metal printer, in particular, was top-of-the-line, capable of printing solid metal components and advanced alloys.

  “September,” Chase asked, “is there a start-up sequence for these printers? What about shutdown procedures, maintenance, cleaning, and are 3D models available for the printers themselves?”

  “These manuals and models are now in the directory,” September replied.

  Jacky, a serious man with an industrial background who had remained mostly quiet until now, grew excited as he surveyed the equipment. “Do you think this tech is advanced enough to print a copy of itself? If we can replicate our printers, then we could essentially print anything we need.”

  He turned to September, “Can this unit print a copy of itself?”

  “No, the printers cannot print a full copy of themselves.”

  Undeterred, Jacky pressed, “What if we include the laser cutter as well?”

  “The combined capabilities of the equipment in this module can produce all individual components, provided we have the required raw materials and perform the assembly,” September responded.

  “Can we have those detailed plans?”

  “They are now in the directory.”

  “How do we obtain more raw materials?”

  That question met a wall. “That information is restricted,” said September.

  Chase took over the questioning. “Are there enough raw materials available to duplicate all the printers and laser cutters within the train?” After a moment of back-and-forth, Chase rephrasing and clarifying his inquiry, he cornered the AI: “No. Please provide a list of raw materials, with required quantities versus current stock.”

  “September, how long would it take to print all the components?”

  “If the printers run 24 hours a day, printing every individual component would take a week. For a skilled team, construction would add an additional eleven days; for an unskilled team, six weeks to six months. In the best-case scenario, replicating the equipment is possible within eighteen days.”

  “Now,” Chase continued, “estimate how long it would take our crew to assemble one complete printer.”

  “If all crew members are involved, the assembly of your first printer is estimated at twenty-one days.”

  As the day wound down and the crew gathered in the command module, Jacky and Pascal discussed what they might print next. Chase interjected, “I know it isn’t the morning meeting yet, but I want you all to mull over a legend I heard about chess. When the inventor presented the game to the emperor of India, the emperor asked, ‘Name your reward.’ The inventor replied, ‘Just one grain of rice on the first square, two on the second, four on the third …’ The emperor agreed, only to discover that after 64 squares the total was beyond imagination. We now have our first grain of manufacturing capability. If we can double our printer count, within 64 years we could achieve a production level surpassing Earth’s. What seems impossible today may be within reach tomorrow. We must work swiftly to replicate our printers and secure sufficient resources to sustain that growth.”

  Jacky cautioned, “But we can’t run those printers 24/7 indefinitely, especially as we build more.”

  Chase leaned back thoughtfully. “I agree, but if I were a betting man, and I am, I believe that once we have five or six units, we can automate production using AI. September, learn how to rebuild a printer repeatedly. That’s our goal.”

  In that moment, Chase’s vision crystallized: these modules offered endless possibilities. The challenge was bringing the equipment to Mars, maintaining a working AI system, and following September’s precise plans. He marveled at the 3D models and simulations; they were exactly what his mind needed to grasp the machinery’s operation. As he considered the vast resources available on Mars, a planet with no restrictions on land purchases, his thoughts shifted from boundless potential to darker concerns.

  He mused, “Mars might be a barren wasteland, but it holds everything we need to create a thriving, independent world. We could change the fate of humanity. Yet, nothing is free. What is the price we must pay? Why are we really here? This might seem like an extravagant VORN spectacle, but its potential as a military outpost is tenfold, maybe even a hundredfold. If one country manages to master printer replication quickly enough, they could claim Mars. The military must be involved somehow, perhaps even hiding in plain sight, setting up a base beneath the guise of a TV show.”