Mx hub, p.5
MX Hub, page 5
“Do you have one built in here?”
“Follow me,” Vakdreak chuckled as he headed across the warehouse.
The Dwarf hadn’t taken him to the manufacturing floor, and Zander didn’t blame him. Most of the mecha were chassis that could be modified in many ways. He didn’t care to see them being made; all he wanted to know was how they could be modified to fit his ideals.
At the far end of the warehouse sat two of the massive juggernauts. Bright lights shone down on them, showing that both were built differently. One of them was dotted with small ports over its oversized torsos.
“Torsos?” Zander asked for clarification.
“The torsos, yes. Left torso, center torso, and right torso. That is how they are labeled in the diagrams. We use the same naming that the Antecedents left for us.”
“Got it. No arms, but larger torsos. Why?” Zander asked.
“Ah. We call that one the Volley,” Vakdreak chuckled. “Its torsos pack a hundred-sixty racks that it can fire all at once. It’s why the feet have the back spurs to help with the kick of the full volley.”
“How much ammo, though?”
“That’s the drawback— only fifteen full salvos. It’s a fire support juggernaut, not like the others. When it’s on the field, though, before it runs dry, it lays waste to things.”
“I believe it,” Zander said as they moved to the second one. “This one has an impressive collection on it.”
“We call that one the Eraser. One arm carries a rail gun, and the other has a large particle beam. In conjunction with them, it also carries triple six-racks for the shelled, rounded off with three medium gatling lasers.”
“Fucking hell… that’s a lot of armament, and it looks like it could withstand its own damned salvo.”
“Truth be told, I think it could potentially kill a behemoth on its own if it weren’t so slow. It’s the slowest mecha made.”
“Trade-offs,” Zander chuckled. “Let’s walk it back to the infantry level. Can we go over building one from scratch and what that would cost?”
Vakdreak gave him a long look. “Look, she told me to treat you like a VIP, but come on now. Let’s not waste that kind of time.”
“Okay. I’ll be coming back on business before too long, though.”
“I love people who have confidence, but there’s confidence, and then there’s foolishness.”
“How about a small wager, then?” Zander smiled broadly. “If I come back to buy any of the mecha here— me, not my captain— you will personally spend the time to help me make it the way I want.”
“Well, I tend to work with the VIPs personally, so—”
“Ah. Let’s make it a real bet, then. You surely know all the tricks to being a mecha tech, right?”
“I put in my time working on, repairing, and modifying them. I’ve studied them even longer than that,” Vakdreak replied, anger starting to creep into his voice.
“I’m not questioning your work,” Zander said. “Just making a point. You obviously make sure your people are up to snuff. If I come back and spend my personal money to buy a mecha, you take a friend of mine on and train her to be as good as you can, until the ship pulls out.”
Vakdreak hesitated. “And if I’m right?”
“Bragging rights,” Zander chuckled. “After all, you flatly stated that I couldn’t. This all started because you doubted me.”
“Hmm…” Vakdreak paused. He’d pushed hard against the idea that the Shifted could do what he’d said. There was an off chance he had some knowledge he could sell that would make him credits. He doubted it would be enough for a mecha, but… the multiverse was a strange place at times. “Fine. I did challenge you. If they can’t learn, though, it’s off.”
“Fair. I wouldn’t ask you to waste your time.”
“Who are they?”
“One of the ship engineers. She does mecha work, too, but the captain was going to see about hiring another engineer so we could have someone focus on mecha more.”
“Must be a small ship. Yeah, fine, but they have to apply themselves.”
“Deal.” Zander grinned, holding out his hand.
“What?” Vakdreak asked, looking at it with confusion.
“Sorry. Human habit. Shaking hands to seal a bargain.”
“Ah.”
Vakdreak grabbed Zander’s hand in a crushing grip. “And then?”
Zander grimaced. “Ease up the grip a bit, and then I’ll lead.”
Vakdreak did as asked, shaking hands with Zander. “Odd. I like it, though. If your hand is busy shaking, you can’t reliably be going for a weapon.”
“Never really thought about it.”
“Was there anything else that I can do for you right now?” Vakdreak asked.
“I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll be seeing you in the future, though.”
As they headed for the exit, the Dwarf cleared his throat, “If it’s not too much to ask, why did she bring you down?”
“Sorry. I’m under an NDA,” Zander grinned. “I can say that I assisted in something. No doubt you’ll hear about it eventually.”
“Had to have been big if you had her smiling.”
Zander laughed at the unintentional innuendo. “We’ll just have to see.”
Vakdreak was confused by the laugh, so he remained silent as he showed the strange man out.
Chapter Six
“Is everything okay?” Whisponette asked when Zander came back into the lobby.
“Yep. Everything’s fine now.”
“I saw the lady leave, and then you weren’t back and the receptionist only told me to wait.”
“Ah, sorry. Didn’t mean to worry you. I had business to take care of, and then I was given a tour of their work. We’re good to go now.”
Exhaling in relief, the Sylph glided toward the door. “Where would you like to go next?”
“Where’s the biggest vendor of datapads? I want to see about upgrading what I have.”
“That might take the majority of your money,” Whisponette cautioned him.
“Hmm… I need one that can be wireless, at the very least,” Zander said.
“Oh, is that all?” Whisponette relaxed as they left the building. “It’d be easier to just get yours modified.”
“That works,” Zander shrugged. “Also, how do I hail one of these?” He pointed to the sled that was gliding down to them.
“Oh, it’s on your datapad. Press the icon that says ‘Hub Transport.’”
Zander pulled his datapad out of his pocket, and Selda winked at him, pointing to the correct icon. She then tapped it for him, showing him something very akin to Uber. His datapad knew where he was, and asked how many and his destination.
“If you or I fill them out,” Selda said, “it’ll route a sled over to you. The cost will be deducted from your account when you arrive, or a prorated cost will be deducted if you ask the sled to land early.”
Got it. Thanks, Selda.
“Of course, Zee. Can’t use the app without a wireless connection, though. After you have me updated, I’ll lock the new hardware down. That’s the last stop we have to make. Your prices because of the deal will be close to what the refurbished ones would’ve cost. No need to go down to see them now.”
So I have an open day. What do you recommend?
“Honestly, relaxing. Go find a meal, see the sights, and let her do her job. Then, be back to the room before dinner, just in case.”
Zander’s lips ticked up as he climbed onto the sled. Thinking Little Miss Fang might come over?
“I fucking hope so…” Selda murmured. “Don’t tell me you think otherwise. I know better.”
Zander just stayed quiet as the sled floated off.
“Umm… what happened back there?” Whisponette asked.
“Oh. They had problems, and I helped pinpoint them,” Zander replied. “That’s about all I can say with the non-disclosure contract I signed.”
“You stopped me from plugging into their system,” Whisponette said.
“Yes. You have no idea how thankful you should be.”
Silence fell between them as the sled flew them to their next stop.
~*~*~
Whisponette took Zander to what looked like an electronics shop to him. She paused outside of the building, glancing at him as he studied the devices on display. Small datapads were obviously the major item for sale, but a few other larger pads sat in the window, as well.
“They can do what I want?” Zander asked Whisponette.
“Yes. Data Link is the leading retailer and modifier of datapads on the Hub.”
Entering the shop, Zander looked around the open front. There were only two glass cases, both displaying the latest datapads and accessories on the market. It reminded Zander of most major phone sellers back on Earth— the only thing missing was the perky twenty-something to explain the latest and greatest tech.
“Welcome,” came the chipper voice from the back. “How can we help you today?”
Zander had to repress his laugh at how the voice would fit right back in on Earth. The person that greeted him, however, was a Gnome. He was short, maybe about three feet tall, but likely even under that. He had the same large nose Zander had seen on the Gnome in Lavella’s technology department. “Hi. I was hoping to get this datapad upgraded to have wireless connectivity.”
The Gnome came over, looking up at him. “May I see it?”
Zander pulled it from his pocket, disconnected the cable, and handed it over.
He looked at the cable now dangling from Zander’s neck. “We can’t make it connect to your AI without a cable, sir.”
“I want it to be able to connect to the Hub without a cable,” Zander explained.
“Oh, yes. That’s simple. We have a variety of connectors that can do that. Depending on your needs, of course.”
Zander chuckled, as he’d gone through this kind of thing before with his phones. “I’m sure you do. Walk me through the options, please. Oh, and Whisponette here will help if I need more explanations. I’m a Shifted.”
“Ah, that explains why she bought this device earlier today,” the Gnome smiled. “What are you hoping the connection to accomplish?”
“Secure transfer of data from Hub to pad and back. I’ll have it pulling a lot more down than up, as I have a lot to learn,” Zander said; Selda had filled him in on what to say on the way over.
“That would make sense. Your AI probably needs to learn more. We have a couple that would work best for you to receive the data you want. Each can handle a different amount at any given time.”
“Which has the best security features?”
“Security features? They all come with our standard protections.” It was clear that the Gnome wasn’t sure what Zander was asking for.
“Look, I almost had my pad infected earlier today by some shady people. I’d like a connection that can help keep things safer.”
“Oh, I see. The best we have is our Platinum-Deluxe, Ultra-Reinforced Hub Connector. All the elite use them exclusively for their needs.”
Whisponette glided closer. “He’s a Shifted. He doesn’t have that kind of money.”
“I assume that’s expensive?” Zander asked.
“It’s worth every credit, but yes, it is pricey. We have some midrange connectors that are more affordable, but they lack the full security package of our top-of-the-line. If you want to be able to handle a lot of data, as well, I’d suggest the Silver Hub Connector. It’ll keep you safe from the casual attack and can still handle the flow you’d need.”
“How long would it take to install?”
“Less than an hour. If you’ll come back, we should have it ready then.”
“Let me see my pad for a second,” Zander said, holding out his hand. “I need to change a setting or two first. Also, add in an earpiece for Whisponette, please. I took hers.”
“Of course.” The Gnome handed the datapad over.
Zander plugged his cable in and let Selda revert the datapad to near-factory condition. When she nodded, he unplugged again. “Do I pay now, or on pick up?”
“Now is best,” the Gnome said. He held out his own datapad; it was obviously sized for him, being half the size of Zander’s.
After a quick tap, Zander handed his pad over. “See you in an hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Lunch?” Zander asked Whisponette.
“A midday snack? That would be fine. There’s a delicious little place just around the corner.”
“After you,” Zander said, motioning her to the door.
The Gnome watched them leave before shaking his head and going into the back with the datapad.
~*~*~
Lunch turned out to be spicier than Zander anticipated, but still tasty. He was glad the order bot at the restaurant could find him in the Hub database, so his food requirements were known.
They’d returned and picked up the pad a little after an hour; the Gnome was all smiles as he handed it over. Zander plugged Selda in, waiting for her to let him know if it was good.
Her sprite appeared on the screen, and she hummed for a moment. “Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll just gut the program that collects your interests so you can be targeted with ads. I’ll have to put in a firewall, as well. Don’t mind me. I’ll get it all arranged, and some of it is technobabble to you.”
We’re good? he thought at her, glad the earpiece was still in.
“Yep. Locking everything down and then connecting. I briefly opened the connection to verify it. Go ahead; it’s time to see what Whisponette has in mind.”
“Thank you,” Zander told the Gnome. “I appreciate your help.”
“Glad to help a paying customer,” he laughed. “And remember: when you need help with your datapad, bring it in and we’ll keep it on the DL connection.”
Zander laughed, as “DL” meant down-low or confidential to him. “Whisponette, let’s do this differently. Show me something MX Hub is unique for. Showcase the wonders of the Hub to me, please.”
Whisponette blinked at him, drifting a little before nodding. “You don’t want to go see the other mecha first?”
“Nope. I’d rather you show me what you think I’d find interesting or fun, instead. I do want to be back to the hotel by dinner.”
“Oh… very well,” Whisponette said as she floated toward the door. “Hmm… the gardens are always lovely.”
Zander just smiled as they left the shop behind.
~*~*~
Entering his hotel room, he had to admit that Whisponette was a good tour guide. She’d shown him to some gardens, a zoo, and even an entertainment district. The gardens and zoo were what he expected, but full of things that were truly alien to him, not that he was surprised by that.
“You’ve been quiet for a while, Selda. Everything okay?” Zander asked out loud.
“I’m good. Just busy,” Selda replied, her voice coming from hidden speakers in the room.
“Using the speaker system that the hotel AI uses?”
“Yes. There’s no reason not to. They’re open connection for the room’s occupant. This way, you can use them for your entertainment.”
“Good to know.”
“Got news for you: a message from Lavella came in a minute ago, regretfully informing you that she’s tied up for the night. She does ask if you’d be willing to have dinner tomorrow, though.”
“You better have said yes when you answered her,” Zander replied.
“Haven’t replied yet. I wasn’t sure if you really wanted to pursue her or not. You’ve wavered back and forth on it over the last couple of hours.”
“Dreams is coming in soon. I’m not sure how long we’ll be on station, either,” Zander said. “I was just debating potential problems.”
“We could have dinner just to see where the night takes things. She knows you’re a pilot, so she won’t be looking for anything serious. Pilots are normally dead people walking. You’re treated well because of what you do, but everyone knows you’ll probably be dead before your commitment is up.”
“Sage?”
“Oh, she’s aware, but something in her has latched onto you as her Tender. And Zee, I’ve looked into it more. She’s very serious. Tenders are literally soulmates to her race. The fact that you’re willing to let her continue to indulge alongside you is like you winning the lottery sixteen times in a row to her. Tenders, outside of her own race, normally stop all other outside fun from what I’ve read.”
