Jan 09 01:57:29 110 PA - A New Mechanic and Jet Pack Request

From Chronicles

Jan 09 01:57:29 110 PA.

QUANTUM CONCEPTS

Bob is visible in the middle of what used to be Uncommon Mechanics. There is a large pile of random detritus near to him and he appears to be throwing things from the corners into a large pile in the middle of the floor. Apparently, he is cleaning up by the looks of it.

Alex is present too. Who could miss the sound of hoverjets going in an enclosed space. They make the signs warning for ear protection in the shop environment so much more appropriate. The robot is also cleaning, sorting collected piles of scrap accordingly.

It's not long for Gabriel to move inside, the noise of the jets apparently not going far to bother him. Or he's already deaf. A look is given to the duo of robot-people before he calls, "I guess Tek cleared out?"

Specifically it is early afternoon today. Bob sort of shrugs at Gabriel. "Hi, there." He says; voice cheerful enough. His forearms are stained by grease and dirt from the various mechanical bits they have been cleaning up. "I have no idea. All I know was apparently the place was for sale by creditors or something and I'm not about to let myself out of a job, so we decided it'd be of mutual benefit to buy it. How are you?"

"I know I won't miss his disassembling gaze." Alex adds with a chuckle. "What brings you here Gabriel? Diplodicus not running so great?" The robot asks. A logical question given the setting. "Don’t let the sights full you. We're still fully operational and offering all the latest in automotive care. We're also making room for the future of automotive care."

Gabriel's surprised eyes pop open to Bob. "How the hell could you afford to buy it?! Or do you mean a loan?" His own clothing is probably the opposite of Bob's - neat uniform, crisp and clean. "No, the truck's fine. I actually came looking for a more detailed part. Special modification to my 'pack. You still working on that stuff, or just shuffling aside psychic tech stuff right now?" Though he's far from grumpy, the old man does have less of his normal smiling spark to him today. But, days can be like that.

Bob gives Gabriel a conspiratorial smile. "Let's say it was a combination of events and the facility not being nearly as expensive as I thought it was. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. Alex and I are co-owners, fifty-fifty in the business." Then, apparently a bit more businesslike he steps towards Gabriel so that Alex's hoverjets drown him out a little less. He really does need to get some earplugs or something. "Psychic tech?" He wonders. "Did you mean physical tech? Anyway, we can probably help, depends on what you want done to it."

"Between us we can handle most any repair or modification you might need. No psychics required." Alex notes with a shrug before nodding to Bob's assertion. "All depends on what you hope us to accomplish."

Loud noise? No, Gabriel's forty-something ears don't seem to mind, even though he has to yell to be heard. "Okay, if you say so. Another shop that can do anything and everything? Interesting." He raises an eyebrow to Alex, and asks, "I need an accurate and fast stabilizing unit installed on a Falcon 300 that would allow it to be used as a superior aerial gun platform than what it already is."

Bob looks like he has to think about that. "That isn't as easy as it sounds. To my knowledge, there isn't any easily available tech that can handle that. You'd need some sort of auto tracking and a gyroscopic stabilizing unit." He touches his chin in thought. "I'm not saying it can't be done -- I've long pondered something like it, but. It probably won't come cheap and will have to just about all custom work."

"It may be cheaper and more effective to purchase a weapon platform with independent tracking." Alex notes alternatively. "The CTT-M20 Missile rifle for example. Payload of 20 mini-missiles that will home in on your target. Fires volleys of 1, 2 , or 4."

Gabriel nods to Bob, and shakes his head to Alex. "No, no. I like what I have, no reason to blow money on missiles. I've been told that it can be done, Bob. Just needed someone with a better grasp on it. Hell, they make cyber gyro-compasses that keep orientation. Shouldn't be impossible to tie into something like that with thrusters or something. Not that I know, just kind of throwing out words."

Bob nods a touch while he listens. "To be truthful, I've been considering starting a project along those lines. If I can get it working, it would be the sort of thing that would be ideal for your application. It can absolutely be done, just the current technology is mainly geared towards . . " He pauses, thinking. "Did you know that where I come from, there are Glitter Boys as you call them as well? It is strange, but the design has been copied many times. Be that as it may . . something like that, with how it handles recoil perhaps. I will get started on design drafting soon and see what I come up with?"

Alex shrugs. "We use a lot of gyros in robotics to make the units balanced and nimble for combat. A Skelebot has a dozen or so. So yes it could be done. But it might be pricey. Why don’t you bring the pack over and we'll look into exactly what would be required. Then give you a price." The robot offers. Indeed it itself must have the same sort of modifications given how it can whirl around on the battlefield.

"I will," Gabriel confirms. "Ideally it would hold me steady enough that I could still split an ace from a mile away. At the very least it needs to be able to quickly hover and allow me to fire off accurate shots of a more common combat nature before zipping off again. If it loses mobility beyond what it has, it's not much good to me, but I can do without the super-accuracy if that would make for a common ground." As Alex's jets continue to roar, he adds, "It's an electric drive model, just so you know what you're dealing with before I lug it over. You guys spend your Minnesota money on this place?" He does his best to pick up and be more upbeat in tone.

"A fair bit of it." Bob admits to Gabriel. "It really boils down to, I'm not going home and there's no sense in trying to go home. I'd rather put down some roots here and start making a new life for myself and having this place instead of working for someone else seemed to be a good part of that." He scratches his head -- a very human gesture. "Do you want a specific weapon fitted to it, or do you want like an arm extending from it that you can mount something on?"

"And a bit of savings. But its worth it considering what this place will make us in the coming months. We've both got some really big ideas for innovations. And this place gives us the capability of making them reality." Alex notes with a nod.

Gabriel smirks pleasantly and pulls his head back when Bob asks his question. "Mounted weapon? Oh, no! I want it just like it is, just able to hold me steady enough to use whatever I'd have been using in the first place. Nothing more. Simplicity is perfection, as they say."

"I think I mistook what you meant." Bob says, pleasantly. "I understand now. You want something to automatically compensate for your movements and such and keep the pack level. That makes more sense." He grins. "I thought you were telling me you wanted to attach a weapon to it and have it stabilize you and that weapon." He shrugs his shoulders again. "If that's the case, it should be a bit easier, though I might need your help to get it right completely." test

Alex nods and seeing as things seem to be arranged returns to the task of sorting out the scraps while Gabe and Bob finish up.

Gabriel looks around, giving both metal-folk a nod. "Okay. Well... I guess that's it for me, I should leave you to your tasks. I don't suppose you need some good security to protect your expensive investment?"

Bob actually stops to consider that at the moment. "I'll be living here full time . ." He says. "And he . . " He points his thumb at Alex. "Doesn't sleep. So, I think we're actually good for the moment." He pauses, then hesitates. " . . I do have something on the go though, that if it pans out, I want to talk to you about. But not for now."

"Who do you think would be stupid enough to try and rob a place that employs a giant killer robot?" Alex asks with a turn of its head. If it had eyebrow one would clearly be raised. "We'll mention you to anyone who gets all the latest added to their cars though. There's a sure target."

Gabriel smiles, and continues to yell over the jets. "Thanks, but that's not necessary. And if I wanted your stuff, I'd put together an attack on a building that employs a giant killer robot." He wiggles his brow, and then turns neatly toward the door. "You try to keep the grease off, Bob!"

Bob gives Gabriel a very human middle finger gesture as he moves out the door. But a look of humor in his face indicates that he knows it's kidding.

Alex shrugs absently. "Your funeral. Have fun Gabe." It says to the parting soldier. Then it looks to Bob as it carts the last of the refuse out of the way. "Ok then, slate's clean. Where do we want to get started?"