Jacky and Pascal prepared to build their exploration vehicle to overcome the challenge of leaving the module and uncovering what lay beyond their train. With focused determination, Jacky activated the printer to transform blueprints into reality. Officially named ZX01a, the creation had already earned a warmer nickname: the Mini Rover, or simply The Mini. Even before the cascade of parts emerged, Jacky devoted himself to mastering the printer startup and shutdown routines, a deliberate ritual that underscored his commitment to precision.

  Before printing commenced, Chase set strict rules to ensure the equipment was properly cared for. He invited Luke to help create a thorough maintenance plan. Chase understood that even though such details might seem mundane, overlooking them could lead to major issues later. He carefully inspected every printed component each evening by measuring every part and angle, and even weighing the items to compare them with the specifications.

  Chase was keenly aware that their future success depended on the careful upkeep of their tools. He often reminded the team that a well-cared-for machine would prevent unexpected downtime and serve as the driving force behind their continued innovation. As they looked ahead to new challenges beyond the module, every precise measurement and timely repair deepened their confidence. For Chase, routine maintenance was far more than a checklist item; it was a safeguard against potential failures that could derail critical missions. He envisioned a future where this dedication to detail would translate into operational efficiency and robust performance, forming the foundation upon which all further projects would be built.

  When any part deviated slightly from the specifications, Chase consulted with September to assess the impact of the discrepancy. He questioned whether the AI could incorporate the minor variation into their model and run it continuously for one hundred hours. They then compared the output with the virtual model to pinpoint any areas of increased friction or wear. This data was recorded as a permanent note for each part, and Chase insisted on reprinting anything that failed to meet his strict quality standards.

  Printing all individual components, along with Chase’s careful inspections, took two full days. At first glance, the timeline appeared long, given the mini’s small size. In reality, however, the project demanded a vast variety of parts. Throughout the process, colleagues and curious onlookers gathered to watch the printing progress and share in the unfolding excitement.

  Some pieces emerged quickly while others took a deliberate pace. The complexity of some parts required both plastic and metal, and many segments had to be reprinted several times before reaching perfection. The team assembled the mini rover on a bench inside the printing module. In total, 805 parts were printed and extruded. Chase required that each component be laid out on the bench exactly as planned and undergo a final inspection before the assembly began. Even after starting the assembly, the process took five more hours to complete.

  A new challenge quickly replaced the joy of completing the assembly. Chase said, “Well done on putting it together. I know you may be eager to take it for a test run, but I want you to take the vehicle apart so we can examine every single piece.”

  Jacky’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You want us to do what? We just spent five hours building it, and it will take several more hours to take it apart. We would be right back where we started.”

  Chase nodded and replied, “Yes, I suspect so. But this thorough process will pay off in the long run. By understanding exactly how these vehicles are built, our next project will come together much faster. This effort will also prove invaluable when we move on to printing the larger rover. Just like LJ and her code.”

  When Chase strategically slipped away, Jacky's irritation became impossible to ignore. As he began dismantling the vehicle piece by piece, his voice erupted in a stream of curses, an unexpected outpouring of harsh language from a man usually known for his refined demeanor. Luke, who had endured similar moments, already knew exactly how this would play out. He silently wondered if he should have given Jacky a warning. Chase had insisted on endless drilling routines that grated on the entire team for years. Luke still remembered how he had once grumbled that he was not built to be an astronaut, frustrated by the monotonous repetition. Now, watching Jacky's exasperation mix with the irony of their circumstance, Luke felt that painful reminder all over again.

  Due to unexpected delays, the reconstruction of the mini rover dragged on until the following day. The final assembly incorporated a battery pack whose full capability remained a mystery; even more surprising was that they had printed this component as well. The vehicle finally looked ready to roll after carefully charging and installing the battery pack. They followed every single instruction, yet one vital element was missing: no guidelines explained how to set the vehicle in motion. There was simply no control unit.

  Chase broke the silence with a measured inquiry. “Is there a plan to print a control unit for the vehicle?”

  “Please be more specific,” came the curt reply from September.

  “How is the vehicle meant to be controlled?” Chase pressed, frustration and curiosity mingling in his tone.

  “A crew member controls it,” September replied nonchalantly.

  Chase’s puzzled expression deepened as he asked, “How does that work?”

  “Restricted information,” September answered evasively.

  Recognizing a clear opportunity, Chase shifted tone and demanded, “Then please provide plans for one possible crew vehicle interface unit.”

  “Plans are now in the directory,” came the terse response.

  The team gathered around as they sifted through the new schematics. Their eyes landed on the design for what looked like a small humanoid robot, the M1a. Though its exterior appeared simple, a closer look revealed a complex maze of electronics and processors within, a level of sophistication far beyond that of the ZX01a mini rover.

  At full height, the M1a robot measured roughly nine inches, earning the tongue-in-cheek moniker "Junior Chase" or simply JC. The nickname irked Chase, who was already sensitive about his otherwise average height. He worried that any open protest might reveal his insecurity, so he quietly endured the teasing instead of confronting it directly.

  Looking through the new schematics, the team soon discovered that the control unit was far from a basic add-on. The design appeared to represent a small humanoid robot on the surface, but its internals revealed a sophisticated network of systems. At its core lay a high-performance quad-core microprocessor supported by a programmable gate array designed to handle real-time operations. The interface unit featured a robust power management circuit that carefully regulated energy flow, along with dual redundant channels that ensured secure and uninterrupted communication.

  In addition to the processing power, the design integrated several advanced sensor arrays. Environmental sensors were in place to enable immediate adjustments based on ambient conditions, while gyroscopic modules offered precise orientation data. Tactile feedback circuits promised to deliver a more immersive and responsive interface for the crew member.

  Every component of the plan was meticulously engineered to work in concert, transforming simple commands into finely tuned actions. The sheer level of integration and precision signaled that this control unit was a major leap forward in complexity.

  After five and a half days, they finally printed and assembled the M1a. Remarkably, this robot required a full operating system download before it could function.

  Even after assembly, the team had no method to power on M1a or the mini. They had assumed that September would handle this vital task. It was profoundly frustrating to possess a vehicle with a dedicated control unit, yet be no closer to driving out of the portal. In their exasperation, they called in Janette to comb through M1a’s code and determine the next step.

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  Janette asked, "Can you establish a connection to M1a's handles?"

  "Of course," replied September.

  "Can you move the robot?" Janette asked.

  "I can learn to operate the robot," September responded.

  "So we need to move it first, and then you learn how to do so from us."

  "Correct."

  "Okay, so how do we move it initially?"

  "Restricted information," was the evasive reply.

  Janette stomped around the module, her frustration mounting with every curt answer. The AI's habit of withholding details was infuriating, and the way it toyed with them for more clarity felt cruel. Even though September likely had a solution hidden away, it was clear that the crew would need to solve this puzzle on their own before any further assistance was provided.

  Turning her attention back to the code, Janette began brainstorming how to write a program that could control the robot directly. It would take time and effort, but she was determined to rise to the challenge.

  While Janette examined the code, Kaya's tone hardened as she addressed September. “I want to control the robot M1a using this equipment. Make it happen.”

  September replied in a smooth tone, “Restricted access.”

  Growing more exasperated, Kaya said, “Then please establish a connection to the robot.”

  September repeated, “Restricted access.”

  Kaya pressed on. “Is it possible to interface the equipment with the robot?”

  “Restricted information,” came the cool reply.

  With a burst of frustration, Kaya slammed her fist against the console. She knew her idea was promising. Had it worked, they would have created bipedal robots capable of venturing outside the train. The possibilities would have been endless, and the crew would have operated with an added measure of safety.

  Janette could certainly sympathize with Kaya. She shared Kaya’s determination to break through the limits imposed by the system. In silent solidarity, Janette kicked the wall, the impact fueled by an urge to vent her irritation at the obstinate AI. In that moment, a new idea struck her. Turning to September, she asked coolly, “Could you please instruct JC to come here as quickly as possible?”

  "I calculate that you mean Commander Chase," September said in a measured tone.

  Janette snidely replied, "Tomato, Tomato. Yes." Without missing a beat, September continued, "Task complete. JC is headed in this direction."

  Kaya and Janette exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. They had not expected the AI to adopt the nickname JC. Between fits of laughter, Kaya managed to say, "He is going to hate that, which I bet is why it sticks."

  In moments, Chase arrived, puffing and panting. "What is happening? September told me to run." His eyes flitted between Kaya and Janette, and he added with a puzzled tone, "I suppose there is no actual emergency."

  With a gentle smile playing on her lips, Janette replied, "No, JC. There is no emergency. Strange of September to give you a nickname, but who are we to argue with the AI?" Her remark sent both women into another round of giggles, leaving Chase even more baffled. "Um, okay, I will return when you two have regained your composure," he mumbled before retreating.

  Gathering herself, Kaya reached out slowly and gently grabbed Chase by the chin. "Wait a moment. Janette, did you know that this young man once had a crush on me? He is such a cutie. I miss your attention! You have moved on to the younger girl, and I feel hurt," she teased, squeezing his chin as she spoke.

  Chase's eyes widened and his cheeks burned as he blurted, "Women!" before storming off. Kaya and Janette watched him leave and immediately dissolved into laughter once again.

  Later, they tracked Chase down in the command module, where Janette explained Kaya's idea of using the immersion room equipment to control the robot. "Have you tried it yet?" Chase asked.

  Janette maintained a pleasant tone as she explained, "September restricts any information related to Kaya's hunch. I suspect it is because you, sir, had not yet discovered it. Now that you know, the AI might make the files available."

  Chase asked, “September, Kaya would like to control the robot using the immersive equipment. Can she do this?”

  September answered, “Connections are now ready.”

  “Are there files on how to do this?”

  “Files are now in the directory.”

  “Why did you not give the Kaya and LJ these files?”

  September replied, “It was undiscovered. Kaya and LJ made the connection three days sooner than I predicted. A reward will be gifted at 9 p.m. tonight in the command module.”

  Chase, Kaya, and Janette looked at each other. A reward that should be interesting.

  When Kaya connected to M1a, she suddenly experienced a view that was both clear and astonishingly expansive. Through robot cameras, the room stretched into what felt like a vast cathedral, every object looming large and majestic. Despite M1a standing only nine inches tall, its perspective made ordinary surroundings appear monumental. As Kaya gently moved her arm, she watched in delight as the robot’s arm mirrored her gestures, its tiny fingers opening and closing in perfect synchrony. When she attempted to walk, the experience grew surreal. The treadmill-like contraption beneath her provided an odd sensation, and she soon realized that the manner in which she walked was critical to keeping the little robot balanced.

  Back in the command module, Kaya could still hear the chatter of her colleagues coming from the immersion room, mixed with distant sounds from the area where M1a had been left behind. They really should have taken the robot with them, she thought. Now perched on the main table of the command module, she observed as John, Joanna, and Adrian gathered around to witness the robot stir to life. Their faces expressed a mixture of wonder and amusement. Some clapped in celebration, while Fara and Ashley instinctively took a cautious step back as if unsure what to expect next.

  With careful precision, Kaya guided the robot to the edge of the bench. Though the gap was only one meter, from the robot’s limited viewpoint it seemed like a veritable chasm. Determined to test its capabilities, she waved toward Joanna. Responding hesitantly, Joanna approached and gently lifted the small robot from the precarious edge in a manner reminiscent of a parent caring for a small child. Although Kaya could not physically feel Joanna through the connection, the clear sight and sound conveyed a comforting impression of nurturing care.

  Moments later, the team from the immersion room arrived in the command module. Kaya greeted them with a cheerful wave while Chase stepped forward with curiosity. "Are you controlling the robot?" he asked. With a playful bow and a little dance, Kaya clearly indicated that she was indeed in command. The mood in the room lifted instantly. High fives and spontaneous cheers filled the space as the crew celebrated this small but significant win. Kaya even noticed a brief, excited embrace between Chase and Janette, which was quickly followed by Janette stepping back as if embarrassed by the sudden display. Leading the procession like a spirited cheerleader at the front of a marching band, Kaya carefully maneuvered the small robot through the module.

  Next, Kaya directed the little robot toward the mini rover and awkwardly climbed into the driver’s seat. Clutching the wheel with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, she expected the vehicle to spring to life. Yet despite her efforts and a series of experimental maneuvers, the car refused to start. Frustration edged into determination as Kaya returned to the console. "Can you activate the car?" she requested of September. The AI responded curtly, "No."

  Undeterred, she pressed again, "Then how can I activate the car?"

  "Restricted information," September replied evenly.

  Setting aside her headset, Kaya was surprised to find the entire crew gathered in the immersion room. "Does anyone have any ideas for starting the car? Is the battery charged?" she asked aloud.

  Luke, one of the team members who had worked on assembling the car, answered confidently, "The battery is at full charge. There is no clear on switch in sight."

  Chase quickly took control of the situation. "Take it apart and examine every component. LJ and Martin work together to search through the code for any hidden on-switch commands. I will collaborate with you both and see if the AI is waiting for me to discover something you might have overlooked."

  By 8:45 p.m., the promise of September’s reward had drawn everyone into the command module. Speculation was rampant, and the crew’s playful disdain for the AI was evident in their wild guesses. Some joked that the reward might be an endless supply of extra dishwashing duties, while others quipped about the possibility of a dangerous electric shock. The humor in their predictions brought lightness to an otherwise frustrating evening.

  At 9:00 p.m., September addressed Commander Chase directly. "Commander Chase, as I mentioned earlier, you are currently ahead of schedule. If you continue at this pace, you will earn rewards."

  Chase asked, "May we have the schedule?"

  "Restricted information," came the brisk reply.

  Undeterred, Chase followed up, "So, what is the reward?"

  Just then, the main screen burst to life, displaying a vibrant baseball field and a packed stadium. It was clear that the crew was about to witness a baseball game. Martin practically leapt out of his chair as he exclaimed, "It is the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees in a mid season game in, he hesitated to say ….. 2042. Has anyone noticed that we have been frozen for years? It is now April 2042!"