Chapter No. 59 New Phoenix

From the seeds of life comes might.

It turns out that the Helios Station contained the equipment to build structures in space. The bottom hub dock contained two asteroid mining robotic devices that could fit inside our shuttle bay. They also had robotic construction machines that could maneuver in space and easily help in constructing a new space vessel.

We assigned the Black-haired androids the task of mining asteroids in the asteroid belt that orbited between Mars and Jupiter. Many of the asteroids in that belt are rich in metals and other useful materials. All that was required was the right equipment and people who could operate them in space. The mining robots could rip up material from an asteroid, melt it to extract the metals and then separate them as to their elementary composition.

In the meantime, I prepared the androids for the task of actually constructing the new vessel. I decided to build it from the inside out by first assembling the engines, the antimatter converter and the anti-gravity and environmental equipment as well as the weapon generators. I added double the number of weapons to the new vessel and increased their range and power. Much of the machines that made the ship go and protect it were already available as spares in our vessel and the other two vessels. After we obtained enough elemental material, these would be replaced.

But, all of this took time, time in which we would be vulnerable to attack. I kept our vessel on watch to make sure that we wouldn't be faced with a surprise.

Molly and Margaret kept busy with searching for new habitable star systems. They also worked on designing better astronomy gear for the new vessel.

Marie and Alexa concentrated on improving the weapons systems and the shielding and stealth systems.

As usual, we gathered in my living area after supper to discuss the day's progress.

"We'll be starting with the framing work tomorrow. All of the main systems are in place," I informed them.

"I am impressed with the progress so far," Alexa said. "I would never have imagined that a vessel that complicated could be assembled in space."

"I'm sure that's the way they built the three vessels we currently have," I said. "However, I had no knowledge of that happening. I did study the engineering drawings for the Explorer-1 and I understood how its main systems functioned, but I was not involved in the actual construction."

"I find it outrageous how they were able to assemble the Phoenix Project without anyone knowing about it," Molly said.

"Oh, there were a select few who were well aware of it," I said.

"I suppose we could call what we're doing the New Phoenix Project."

I smiled. "Yeah, that's probably a good title for it. We've established a new population of humans on Earth and have begun to pacify our galaxy. It wasn't quite the way they planed to do it, but it's still happening."

"Except that they wanted to kill off most of the Earth's human population," Molly said. "We didn't do that."

"No, we didn't. That was an insane idea that got out of hand."

"I think I might have found out how the Scath spy on us," Margaret said.

We all turned to look at her.

"I think they have a spy in the coalition headquarters."

"How did you determine that?" I asked.

"I did a full scan of the last video feed with them. It contained some code that leaked into our vessel's control system. With it they were able to listen in on us and trace our location."

"Were you able to purge it?"

"Yes. I also bolstered the control system's anti-attack code."

"That's just great!" Molly exclaimed. "They're supposed to be helping us but they allowed a spy to penetrate our control system."

I rubbed my face. "The question is; who is the spy?"

"I'm not surprised that this happened," Molly said. "The fact that we were sent out in Explorer-1 to attack and destroy the reptilians, makes one question why we're now aligned with them now."

"It seems that we were confused by the Scath. We have no idea why they're attacking intelligent species in our galaxy."

"Shouldn't we alert Fist that his coalition might have a spy?" Marie asked.

"How could we do that without alerting the spy?" Margaret asked.

"That's the main problem," I said. "Let's wait until we have the new vessel on line before we stir up the conspiracy pot."

Everyone agreed to that suggestion.

"Are we going to have the same kind of quarters?" Alexa asked.

"Pretty much . . . unless you have suggestions for change."

"I think we should have charging stations inside our quarters, perhaps in a separate room. That way our android assistants wouldn't have to go out to the ones in the corridor."

"How come we don't have to stand in those things?" Margaret asked.

"We derive energy from the food we imbibe, unlike the true androids who don't eat. Our digestive processes are much more efficient and are able to convert matter into energy by a quantum conversion process."

"I'd like to have extra assistants," Molly said. "They're very friendly and like to groom me. Perhaps that would require more room."

"All of the quarters' rooms will be enlarged with much better bathrooms and kitchen and dining areas," I told her.

"I think we should have recreational facilities so that we could play games like tennis and racket ball," Alexa said.

"That's definitely on the list," I said.

"We would like to have direct access to the swimming pool from our quarters," Molly said.

"I hadn't considered that, but I think I can incorporate it into the new design."

That seemed to appease them. I was surprised that they were more concerned about personal comfort than the power and safety functions of the new vessel.