Sam stayed in the command module, chatting with John. In an atmosphere filled with unspoken tensions, he tried to keep the conversation light even though his face still bore the sting of Kaya’s unexpected slap. The mark on his cheek, a blend of surprise and indignation, served as a lasting reminder of the strain simmering beneath the crew’s surface. His tone shifted from playful humor to genuine exasperation as he described the sharp ache and the throb that followed. There was a subtle mix of pain and reluctant pride in his words, as if he were trying to come to terms with the ups and downs of their daily challenges. John listened quietly, nodding slowly in understanding as his eyes revealed a silent acknowledgement that even in these difficult times, no one was immune to sudden shocks that force hidden emotions to the surface.
Before long, Luke joined them at the table, drawn by the warmth of friends who had shared many trying moments. His arrival brought a sense of ease to the room as he moved toward the seat with his usual relaxed smile and a sparkle of quiet confidence in his eyes. Once seated, he offered a thoughtful and wry remark that softened the lingering tension. “I would not worry, Sam,” he said in a calm yet friendly tone. “Kaya chose you because you are a natural leader. Slapping you was simply her method of ensuring everyone paid attention; she clearly made her point. I wager that by the end of the day she will apologize on multiple times. Violence is not her style. After all, she also slapped me, and all I did was answer the question she posed. Do not overthink these events and let it disturb your mood.”
Luke’s gentle humor and sincere observations created a brief respite from their harsh realities. His words reminded everyone that even in troubled moments, a touch of levity and honest understanding could help ease the pressure of their uncertain world.
Sam mulled over Luke's words. Slowly, the rigid set of his frown began to soften as he considered that perhaps Kaya's actions, though startling, were part of her unorthodox leadership style. There was an unusual humor in the way the situation had unfolded, yet it served as a clear reminder of the balance of power and expectation among them.
After a brief pause, Sam's tone turned more serious and reflective. "You know," he began, his voice lowering, "while many are quick to lash out at Chase, the moment anyone else gives him a sideways glance, you all become fiercely defensive and loyal. It seems you are in awe of his cleverness. I cannot shake the feeling that he has become something like a legend among you. I’m sure you all faced your fair share of difficult moments, and yet now all I hear is praise for his intelligence. It almost seems too much. I would very much like to see what he can do firsthand. I am thinking of finding him and putting his skills to the test. The problem is that I am only skilled with equipment and building things; challenging him to a game of chess simply does not suit me." His words lingered in the air, mixing a challenge with skepticism and genuine curiosity.
Luke leaned forward, considering Sam’s remark with a thoughtful nod. “Actually, that seems like an excellent idea,” he replied, his steady voice edged with anticipation. “There is heaps of equipment here that still needs to be constructed, test him where you are comfortable. Challenge him to build something, a project that proves his skills in a way that matters to you. And, honestly, we should head out soon. The kid’s been holed up alone for nearly an hour now, and you know he rarely rests without a good reason. He’s will definitely be tinkering with something by now, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect for a little hands-on examination of his genius.”
They soon found Chase in a module bursting with equipment. Some modules stood empty and ready, while others held stored gear awaiting assembly. In one corner, Chase struggled to pull a box from a high stack, his efforts visibly uncoordinated when they interrupted.
“Commander?” called Sam as he took the lead. Chase turned, surprised to see nine crew members gathered.
Calmly, Chase asked, “Are you here to lynch me?”
Sam, stepping forward as the group’s spokesperson, replied, “No, nothing like that. But I do have two things to verify. First, your crew claims you’re clever. Second, they’re unwaveringly loyal. Two promising traits, if they weren’t coming someone with a let’s say questionable background, who happens to be my commander on another planet.” He let silence hang for a moment, then counted to five before continuing. “To test your abilities, I’d like to set you a small challenge. In module 1, there is a vehicle currently disassembled for transport. I want you to construct it.”
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Chase paused, his expression thoughtful as he carefully weighed each word before speaking. “I understand the challenge. Given the circumstances, and as you have pointed out, I am just a child with childlike hands. I will need assistance moving and assembling these parts. And since we are in negotiation, I expect something in return. If we manage to set up the vehicle within a reasonable time, you, and anyone you choose, must complete three modules exactly to my specifications. Is that a suitable arrangement?”
Sam’s brow furrowed as he regarded Chase with confusion. He had not expected such swift acquiescence. Yet even if Chase managed to pull together the vehicle, his willingness to collaborate betrayed an underlying vulnerability, a weakness that might eventually be his undoing. Sam could not see how the kid’s strategy would lead him to victory in this challenge.
-----
In hindsight, Sam counted that it took eighteen hours to assemble the advanced vehicle. Even more puzzling, Chase hadn’t built it on his own. The process had begun when Chase returned to the command module and asked the AI to display the construction instructions for the Rover ZX01. After about twenty minutes of reading and asking questions, almost all of his old crew in attendance, laughing at the sight of their commander poring over a manual.
Soon, the crew moved to module 1, where Chase began unloading the pre-packed vehicle parts. After he had requested help, about four people joined him in moving the heavy equipment. At that moment, Sam’s challenge lost its sting, Chase had politely asked for assistance with a heavy component, a mere request that hinted at teamwork rather than weakness. Chase then called for another part, clearly knowing exactly where each piece belonged. Some crew members unpacked the parts, others carried them, while a few searched for additional components. Every person was assigned a small task. A couple of hours later, Chase had asked Julie, the chef, to bring food, and soon they were alternating shifts to eat while work carried on.
Technical discussions soon bubbled up. They debated the vehicle’s capabilities and potential uses. Although originally designed as a mining vehicle, the Rover ZX01 proved to be a general-purpose machine with an interchangeable front attachment. The crew even engaged in a lengthy discussion about torque and mechanical efficiency.
Martin and Fara teamed up on the technical side, poring over tablet computers to analyze the underlying code. Meanwhile, Jacky and Pascal examined the equipment to scope out spare parts, and Sam worked on troubleshooting assembly issues. At some point, Sam forgot about the challenge altogether, caught up in the pleasure of collaborating with the team. Later, when dinner was served, Kaya moved among the group, distributing food. She even offered Sam a quiet apology for slapping him, squeezing his arm in a silent gesture of remorse, before immersing herself in the electronics, a field in which she clearly excelled.
Not once did Chase refer to the instruction manual again. Instead, Chase asked the AI several guiding questions, which then displayed detailed parts and their configurations. With that information, the crew pieced together the assembly. Despite the state-of-the-art electronics coming partially pre-assembled, it was still a challenge to construct, especially in the limited room of the module. Chase explained each task so that every group understood their role before moving on, leaving four or five teams to complete various assembly tasks independently.
Sam looked up and noted that, despite the apparent chaos, no one seemed overly worried about survival. He glanced at Chase and observed that the commander’s hands were pristine; he wasn’t lugging heavy tools but was instead casually moving among small groups, offering clear instructions. Catching Chase’s eye, Sam remarked quietly so as not to disturb anyone’s work, “You won't get any blisters if you just watch the rest of us work.” Chase gave him a small smile and walked over. “How about I check with Julie to see if there are any beers in the fridge? Nothing like a beer to help put a car together,” Chase suggested.
Sam couldn’t agree more. Though no beer was found, however they did discovered over fifty liters of vodka stored in a drum. Chase requested a couple of liters, and soon the group was sharing small cups of vodka. The spirited drink lifted their mood and transformed the atmosphere into that of a small, lively party.
As the night wore on, relaxation settled over the crew. Around 7 p.m., when Jacky and Pascal encountered a problem with the drive system, they called for Janette. Along with Kaya, they dove into the code to troubleshoot the issue. Even the reclusive Janette stayed with the group, quietly contributing despite her admitted lack of vehicular expertise.
By approximately 2 a.m., they had finished assembling the rover. True, they never managed to test drive it, as the confines of the facility left little room for a proper trial run. Nevertheless, cheers erupted when every indicator turned green, and Jannette became the evening’s unsung hero by pinpointing the final sensor blockage.
After draining their final shared cup of vodka, the crew made their way back to the command module. There, Julie lounged with her feet propped up as she instructed others on coffee-making. With a wry smile, she suggested that they learn how to grow coffee beans soon, she half-joked that she’d start “killing people” the day the coffee ran out. Finally, around 4 am, the crew went to bed. Chase reminded everyone not to be late for the next meeting, but due to the late hour, it would be starting at 10 am.
