The dunes of this planet stretched far and wide under blistering heat, with temperatures easily rising to a hundred and forty degrees as the planet's rotation brought it closer to the hot star. Today was banking on a hundred and fifteen degrees, but they wouldn't be dealing too much with the weather.
Darl loved this rover.. or more rather something like a snow hauler. But re-purposed into a more multi-biome rover. It had an interior large enough to hold up to eight people, yet was compact enough for ample storage and all the parts needed to run the machine. Darl was a short man, standing at 4'9". Built like an angry bull, he had a temper that could pop off at the most random times. Sparrow thought he was bipolar. Maybe he was or a few screws came undone in that noggin of his and his pet peeves were to blame. Who really knows but Darl and his doctor?
Lowering his binoculars, he rubbed his eyes from the long hours of watching the distant crashed vessel. Getting a full view of the machine was challenging as they observed from afar. It was simply way too big to get a full profile of. Too much going on like foliage, but metallic. During the day, they used normal binoculars to spot anything of use or any sign of life. They had already confirmed that this machine was certainly not online. Its heavily damaged hull and depowered lights made it clear that it was beyond powering up.
At night, they used thermals, but the ship's sheer mass and centuries of sun exposure made it glow brightly even in the cool of night.
They found plenty of ways in, no signs of life, no power, and plenty of potential profits. Unfortunately, they couldn't find its tags or model information. Well it is old but so is the empire so they though mayhap this is some old enemy? Or race or really anything. Maybe they could have gone researching history if they did find those tags. But atlas no luck.
In the second phase of their mission, they easily found worthy scraps to grab, including unknown weapons and possible systems to salvage. To pass the time, they played cards, dice, and good ol' blackjack. Games that were as universal as they were old. They only had spare time when it took the scouts a while of looking. Strange as it may sound but a lot of the tech here. They can't even make heads or tails of. The inner plating assumed to have wiring, had a different structure. Crystalline lattice that seemed like wiring and modules that seemed similar or what not. The scientist determined it was not a good idea touching these relays. At least for now. Maybe in the far future when they made sure this ship wasn't going to 'oh so suddenly' kick on because of some tech that happens to alert the whole vessel. Sounds ludicrous. Really does, but it happened before to them.. and frankly more than it should have. So they really only grab what's actually loose or looks viable to take. All based on the lovely process of judgement.
When the third phase came, they loaded up enough gear to deal with any threats and to study the vessel and its innards. They rode the rover up to the massive ship before dismounting. The colossal ship made them look like atoms in comparison. As a human space explorer ship and crew, they knew the technology behind such vast structures would be vital to their interstellar empire or any other who wanted that information. The black market was another contender.
With that in mind, they made their way into the vessel's damaged layers of exterior plating.
Inside the vessel, another force was at work. Synthesis, the AI, oversaw repairs. The fixed ribbed piping and the soon-to-be-repaired exterior casing were signs that things were looking up. Synthesis had been taking its time directing and grabbing supplies. Although the work had been mundane and boring, it was necessary. If they didn't get this up and running, what could happen if anyone found out he was still online? It would be an unhealthy discovery for his continued survival.
Synthesis stood before, what remained of the warehouses of resources. By its calculations, the resources available would be enough to start basic resource production, mining and repair. Meanwhile, forty percent of the mountainous vessel, instead of repairing it, Synthesis would scrap it, using the interior as the basis of its planned superfortress/factory.
The current resources would be put towards more efficient crafts, such as stations, mining drones, defenses, and deep space scanners. Only when it was confident in the need to expand to external sources like space would it do so. For now, that was a 'pipe dream.' Setting that aside, its body unleashed a torrent of nanites. The silvery swarm consumed the resources up to one percent of the warehouses total remains.
One percent may sound small, but with a mountain as a basis, it equaled half the size of a standard cliff, give or take.
Upon collection, the machine began to make its way back towards the reactor.
Based on the current deadline, they had nearly a day left before the reactor should be able to start. However, another issue was in its startup. The solar panels would not be enough to kick-start the reactor. It was likely that additional panels would be needed, or assistance in the kick-starting process. The power needed was only 250 units of energy, and three panels could supply nearly a quarter of that. It estimated thirteen or fourteen solar panels would be needed to start the reactor.
While it took steps to walk from corridor to corridor, descending plenty of stairs before nearly reaching the reactor, it sketched up countless plans for short-term and long-term projects. Until it heard footsteps, its mechanical senses locked down on the noise before a notification appeared within the HUD of Synthesis's sight.
[Organic Life Detected!]
The system alerted with a red box and warning of yellows and scarlet.
Synthesis slowly turned toward the sound before a red flash appeared in his sight. His body suddenly took a step toward the sound. Blue energy veins warped into a near blood red, causing the semi-liquid skin of Synthesis to react. Quickly breaking off into silvery dust before reforming over the energy veins, a deathly hum rumbled in its body, barely causing more than a tremor throughout the entire vessel.
[New Directive: Eradicate Lifeforms!]
His faceless expression shifted to a deep red as it understood its task.