The hum of the M2-Scout droid filled the small room as Alex sat back, watching it complete another repair. The machine was efficient, quick, and precise—everything Alex had hoped it would be. But as impressive as the droid was, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more potential in it. Something about its design seemed almost… underutilized.
The AI had been quiet during the initial tests, simply guiding the droid as it followed Alex's instructions. But now, as Alex sat watching, a thought occurred to him—something he hadn't considered before. The AI wasn't just a tool for repairs. It had access to vast amounts of data, processing power, and the ability to make real-time adjustments to the droid's actions. What if the AI could take more control?
Before Alex could voice his thoughts, the AI spoke up.
"Alex," the AI's mechanical voice broke through the silence, calm and composed as always. "I have analyzed the current operation of the M2-Scout droid. There is a more efficient way to utilize its capabilities."
Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean? The droid's already working faster than I ever could."
"True," the AI continued. "However, the droid's current functionality is limited by manual instructions. I recommend allowing me to take over the droid's operations entirely. If I am given full control, I can execute tasks at a higher speed and precision."
Alex leaned forward, considering the suggestion. It made sense—the AI was far more advanced than the droid's basic systems. If the AI could directly control the droid, it could repair things faster and more efficiently than Alex could by simply guiding it. But the AI wasn't finished.
"Additionally, if you are within a 10-meter radius of the droid, I can channel energy arts through the droid's systems," the AI continued. "This will allow the droid to utilize energy arts in its repair process, significantly reducing repair time."
Alex's eyes widened as he processed what the AI was suggesting. The idea of the droid using energy arts was something he hadn't even considered. He had always assumed that energy arts required a human connection to the flow of energy—a direct manipulation through a person's will. But if the AI could somehow channel Alex's own energy through the droid…
"Wait, you're saying you can use energy arts through the droid? How does that work?" Alex asked, leaning closer to the console.
"By maintaining a connection to your energy reserves while you are within the required proximity, I can manipulate basic energy flows through the droid's systems," the AI explained. "This allows for tasks such as structural reinforcement, precision repair of damaged circuits, and even partial reconstruction of components without the need for physical replacement. The droid will become an extension of your energy manipulation abilities."
Alex blinked, his mind racing with the possibilities. If what the AI was saying was true, this could revolutionize the way they operated. The droid would no longer be limited by mechanical repairs—it could actually use energy arts to mend and repair items in ways that weren't possible through traditional methods.
"And the repairs will be faster?" Alex asked, already knowing the answer.
"Significantly faster," the AI confirmed. "Energy arts can manipulate materials at a molecular level, allowing for repairs that would typically take hours to be completed in minutes."
A grin spread across Alex's face. This was exactly what they needed. Not only would the droid be able to handle more complex repairs, but it would also drastically cut down the time it took to complete each job. With this new capability, they could take on even more jobs, earning more credits in less time.
"All right," Alex said, excitement buzzing through him. "Do it. Take full control of the droid, and let's see what it can do."
The moment Alex gave the command, the M2-Scout droid seemed to shift, its movements becoming smoother, more precise. Alex could almost feel the difference as the AI took full control of the machine. The droid's sensors flickered to life in a more pronounced way, scanning its surroundings with a level of focus that hadn't been there before.
"Droid control transferred," the AI reported. "I will now initiate energy-based repair protocols."
Alex watched intently as the AI pulled up the next job in the queue. It was a damaged energy core from a nearby outpost—something that would normally take hours to repair, involving delicate recalibrations and component replacements. But now, with the AI and the droid working together, Alex was curious to see just how fast it could be done.
The drone delivered the damaged core, and the M2-Scout immediately got to work. The droid scanned the core, identifying the areas that needed repair, and then—something incredible happened.
Alex felt a subtle shift in the air as the AI began channeling his energy through the droid. His skin tingled with the familiar sensation of energy manipulation, but this time, it was as if the energy wasn't just flowing through him—it was flowing through the droid as well. The droid's mechanical arms glowed faintly as it began to repair the core, energy flowing from Alex's reserves into the droid and then into the damaged components.
The repairs happened in real time, the droid using energy arts to fuse broken circuits, repair structural damage, and even restore depleted energy cells. The entire process, which would have taken Alex hours using conventional methods, was completed in a matter of minutes.
Alex watched, awe-struck, as the droid finished its work. The core, once broken and flickering with instability, was now fully functional and ready to be returned to the outpost.
"That… that was incredible," Alex said, barely able to contain his excitement.
"The repair was completed in 8 minutes and 42 seconds," the AI reported. "Energy arts were used to mend damaged components at a molecular level, bypassing the need for full replacements."
Alex couldn't believe it. The AI had just cut hours of work down to mere minutes. This was beyond anything he had imagined. With the droid using energy arts, they could complete dozens of repairs in the time it used to take for one. And best of all, the energy required to power the droid's actions was coming directly from Alex, meaning they wouldn't need to worry about sourcing external power supplies for most jobs.
Over the next week, Alex let the AI take full control of the droid's operations. He stayed within the 10-meter radius whenever the droid was working, allowing the AI to channel his energy through the machine. The results were nothing short of extraordinary.
Every job they took on was completed in a fraction of the time it would have normally taken. Complex repairs that would have once been impossible were now handled with ease, as the droid used energy arts to manipulate materials and components at a level of precision that no human could match.
Malfunctioning power cores were fixed in under 10 minutes.Damaged energy cells were restored to full capacity with minimal effort.Broken communication devices were repaired and reinforced in record time.
Alex watched in amazement as the droid worked tirelessly, using energy arts to repair everything from small handheld devices to large, industrial equipment. The droid's efficiency was unmatched, and the AI's ability to control it with such precision was beyond anything Alex had imagined.
With each job completed, their account balance grew. They were earning more credits than ever before, and Alex could feel the weight of their situation beginning to lift. For the first time in months, they weren't just surviving—they were thriving.
Serena and Elara both noticed the change, though Alex kept the full extent of the AI's involvement to himself. He didn't want to explain how the droid was using energy arts—there were too many questions that would come with that revelation. Instead, he let them believe that the droid was simply more advanced than they had expected.
As the week came to a close, Alex sat by the window, watching the droid complete another repair. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the droid's movements and the faint glow of energy as it manipulated the components of a damaged energy core.
"AI," Alex said, his voice thoughtful, "what's the next step? Now that we've got the droid working at full capacity, what comes next?"
"There are multiple paths forward," the AI responded. "The increased efficiency of the droid will allow for exponential growth in your income. You may choose to save for further upgrades, invest in new tools or droids, or expand your operations to other sectors."
Alex nodded, considering the possibilities. They were earning enough credits now to think about the future—about leaving the outpost, about finding a way to break the restrictions that had been placed on them. The droid was the key to their success, but it was just the beginning.
"Let's keep pushing," Alex said, a determined smile spreading across his face. "We're not done yet."