Rubin’s Trail Research Facility:
An intern rushed through the lab holding a silver metal sphere. It was large enough for her cupped hands to barely grip its bottom quarter. It was rather heavy for its size. She had no idea what it was or what it could be used for, but she had an idea how to learn.
Deep groves formed strange linear patterns across what everyone considered its top. The bottom was completely smooth except for a small circular grove. This sphere had to be important. It was found clutched and protected by another droid.
Tosca Shi was one of the dozens of select interns researching the Mech Fortress’ defeated droids. The metal sphere was considered a droid though no one knew what it did. It was impossible to unlock and never moved on its own. The mystery baffled everyone. And by now, everyone had moved on to other more profitable projects; except Tosca.
While the others quit, the puzzle of the “sphere droid” became an obsession for her. She needed to know what it did. It was important. It had to be. There were many replicas of the other droids, but there was only one sphere droid.
Her supervisors were a little concerned for her obsession but admired her zeal. Many times breakthroughs came after years of stubborn focus. It was a lesson only learned after going through such an experience personally.
Tosca desperately wanted that breakthrough and she had a crazy idea on how to get it. After AD7 entered the facility, the other devices did more. They moved a bit more, beeped a bit louder. After working with intelligent robotics for so long, Tosca knew that things don’t just happen.
There had to be a connection. It only made sense. AD7 had made them and knew everything there was to know about them. Something else in the Mech Fortress must have controlled them during the war. She kept referring to a guide whose orders she followed. Still, she was polite enough to tell them about their use. Even with this distance, Doctor Yu felt it best to keep her away from the droids for now, just in case there was a reaction.
Usually, projects were tested by facility teams lead by a licensed researcher. However, after working so long on the sphere droid project alone, Tosca claimed the whole project as hers. The possibility of a breakthrough after her yearlong obsession drove her to speak directly with the head of the facility.
After the last of many security check points, she reached Dr. Yu as they were conducting another test with AD7. They had taken her chain and spherical weight weapon from the museum and asked her to use it on a grouping of brick targets. Once again, they were astonished.
AD7 was far stronger and faster than they ever thought. She had perfect control of her swings. She used the chain to swing the metal weights at the targets and hit them again and again shattering most targets on contact. At times, the chain seemed to lengthen in her hands. Even with all that was going on, AD7 looked as cool and calm as she did while explaining something to the researchers.
Doctor Yu saw the intern approaching and had a good idea what she wanted to say. “Tosca,” she greeted with no surprise in her voice, “I was wondering when I’d see you.” She looked at the strain in her face and then down at the sphere droid. Confirmed of her suspicion, she turned back to AD7 as she obliterated another target, “Any breakthroughs?”
“No Ma’am,” she said bending over breathing heavily. After the long jog she forgot how heavy the droid was becoming. She sat the sphere on the ground and held it with her feet to make sure it didn’t roll off. After catching her breath, she continued, “I think…, I think that AD7 is affecting the droids,” she stopped to catch her breath again, “Maybe this droid could be affected too.”
Doctor Yu bent down, grabbing the sphere from the floor. She forgot how heavy the thing was. Not as heavy as a solid metal sphere but it definitely was not hollow. “I know what this means to you,” she said looking at Tosca, “But we have no idea what it does. It’s even resistant to our scans.” She saw Tosca’s disappointed face but was quite sure the risk was not worth the reward. Handing the sphere back to Tosca, she said, “Get a hand cart and take it back to your station. They have some in storage. You’re not trying to increase your strength are you?”
Tosca giggled at the humor and walked off towards the storage rooms. It was a long shot to ask permission from the Boss Lady. Adrianne was always understanding and sympathetic. She would not have denied the request unless she was sure there was a danger. Besides, she did feel a little stronger after the trip.
As she walked neither of them noticed AD7 had turned an ear to them. She was watching, even listening to them.