El Hermosa, Southern Norlin, Nepleslia
The small warehouse complex set roughly in the middle-skirts of the sprawling sub-tropical metropolis of El Hermosa wasn't exactly was Yoko was used to. It's squat industrial appearance on the outside, lit by floodlights against the dark of late night, was only partially mollified by the high tech equipment on the inside. Cranes that shuffled around the ceiling were pulling objects that looked like eggshells on their sides, pointy end resting on a platform underneath while the round end merged into a perspex covered block showing an array of circuit boards and other processing equipment.
Like ants the cranes worked pulling the eggshells one by one off of a truck trailer, workers like ants pulling back shrouds and packing to protect the cargo as though lifting the remains of a larger animal from its bones and carrying it away.
The warehouse floorspace was dominated by the arrays of five to six of these eggshell pods, their backs together in the centre of each array with their points radiating out like spokes on a wheel. A much smaller area had been set up for the rest of the time the operators were expected to stay here, an open theatre made briefing room with folding chairs was in one corner, while a small cafeteria and lounger were next to it, and in the other corner were a series of capsule bunks for the operators to sleep in. The beds inside being familiar to most in shipboard life and insulated from sound, comfortable for most.
Yoko's heels clicked on the false floor and onto a duckboard set up over a wide gap as a worker was running cables through the area, walking towards a foreman with a cybernetic arm talking on his phone. Seeing Yoko's approach he hastily cut the call off and put the phone away, turning to face her.
His hardhat, glasses and high-vis clothing contrasted markedly her short heels, and pencil skirt matching her suit blazer but she made sure she gave the impression of having every right to be here and more as she looked up at the tall engineer.
"Miss Yosuta, this is the last batch. We'll finish setting up tonight and then we'll go over to management mode as the tests get underway. There should no delays tomorrow." The engineer reported, scars over his face detailing a hard life around industrial machines that did not always play nice.
Yoko tried not to stare, it was hard. Nekovalkrja often saw injury, but permanent scars were foreign to them. She focused on her reflection in his glasses instead. Nodding to acknowledge the engineers report.
"Carry on, mister Vas." She said, continuing once more her walk through the warehouse, taking a meandering path through the pods towards the upper walkway and offices closer to the roof, and the dark, opaque glass of the Upper Management. Always open like a dark eye watching the proceedings below.
Making her way up the metal stairs and onto the catwalks she pressed a hand to the door of the Upper Management office, the edges of the door glowed red, then green as it recognized her. With a click the entire door slid to the side and allowed her entry, closing quickly behind her.
She didn't relay the situation, her employer probably already knew. At the very least, they could watch it all happening.
"Have you screened the latest candidates?" A suggestively male voice asked from the darkness,a vague shape sitting on a lounge-suite in the dark room.
"Yes, I've vetted all of them and selected the most desirable ones for selection. We have also kept a list of back-up candidates should any of our first selections drop-out. Hopefully tomorrow isn't too traumatic for them. We're hoping the ones with leadership talents will help regulate the others." Yoko replied, keeping her tone respectful and her eyes down on a volumetric pad in front of her.
"Good. Go get some sleep, I'll need you at the top of your game tomorrow."
====================================
The next morning.
They arrived by private cars, aircraft, shuttle and coach from the spaceport or local hotels. However they came, they all arrived the the complex by late morning before noon. Slightly bedraggled men in high-vis clothing directing the candidates to drop off their baggage and head inside, taking the bags towards the largest warehouse in the complex in a small trickle or hauling and sweating as the sun beat down on the light concrete.
Fortunately the shade of the trees around the property kept the small crowd cool while they checked in at a reception table and let into the warehouse after their identities were confirmed. Gathering in the downstairs lounge and waiting. The rowdier ones chatted, the quieter ones might sit in the corners with their arms crossed. But they all waited together until the lines were done.
At least the beverages and snacks were complimentary.
The small warehouse complex set roughly in the middle-skirts of the sprawling sub-tropical metropolis of El Hermosa wasn't exactly was Yoko was used to. It's squat industrial appearance on the outside, lit by floodlights against the dark of late night, was only partially mollified by the high tech equipment on the inside. Cranes that shuffled around the ceiling were pulling objects that looked like eggshells on their sides, pointy end resting on a platform underneath while the round end merged into a perspex covered block showing an array of circuit boards and other processing equipment.
Like ants the cranes worked pulling the eggshells one by one off of a truck trailer, workers like ants pulling back shrouds and packing to protect the cargo as though lifting the remains of a larger animal from its bones and carrying it away.
The warehouse floorspace was dominated by the arrays of five to six of these eggshell pods, their backs together in the centre of each array with their points radiating out like spokes on a wheel. A much smaller area had been set up for the rest of the time the operators were expected to stay here, an open theatre made briefing room with folding chairs was in one corner, while a small cafeteria and lounger were next to it, and in the other corner were a series of capsule bunks for the operators to sleep in. The beds inside being familiar to most in shipboard life and insulated from sound, comfortable for most.
Yoko's heels clicked on the false floor and onto a duckboard set up over a wide gap as a worker was running cables through the area, walking towards a foreman with a cybernetic arm talking on his phone. Seeing Yoko's approach he hastily cut the call off and put the phone away, turning to face her.
His hardhat, glasses and high-vis clothing contrasted markedly her short heels, and pencil skirt matching her suit blazer but she made sure she gave the impression of having every right to be here and more as she looked up at the tall engineer.
"Miss Yosuta, this is the last batch. We'll finish setting up tonight and then we'll go over to management mode as the tests get underway. There should no delays tomorrow." The engineer reported, scars over his face detailing a hard life around industrial machines that did not always play nice.
Yoko tried not to stare, it was hard. Nekovalkrja often saw injury, but permanent scars were foreign to them. She focused on her reflection in his glasses instead. Nodding to acknowledge the engineers report.
"Carry on, mister Vas." She said, continuing once more her walk through the warehouse, taking a meandering path through the pods towards the upper walkway and offices closer to the roof, and the dark, opaque glass of the Upper Management. Always open like a dark eye watching the proceedings below.
Making her way up the metal stairs and onto the catwalks she pressed a hand to the door of the Upper Management office, the edges of the door glowed red, then green as it recognized her. With a click the entire door slid to the side and allowed her entry, closing quickly behind her.
She didn't relay the situation, her employer probably already knew. At the very least, they could watch it all happening.
"Have you screened the latest candidates?" A suggestively male voice asked from the darkness,a vague shape sitting on a lounge-suite in the dark room.
"Yes, I've vetted all of them and selected the most desirable ones for selection. We have also kept a list of back-up candidates should any of our first selections drop-out. Hopefully tomorrow isn't too traumatic for them. We're hoping the ones with leadership talents will help regulate the others." Yoko replied, keeping her tone respectful and her eyes down on a volumetric pad in front of her.
"Good. Go get some sleep, I'll need you at the top of your game tomorrow."
====================================
The next morning.
They arrived by private cars, aircraft, shuttle and coach from the spaceport or local hotels. However they came, they all arrived the the complex by late morning before noon. Slightly bedraggled men in high-vis clothing directing the candidates to drop off their baggage and head inside, taking the bags towards the largest warehouse in the complex in a small trickle or hauling and sweating as the sun beat down on the light concrete.
Fortunately the shade of the trees around the property kept the small crowd cool while they checked in at a reception table and let into the warehouse after their identities were confirmed. Gathering in the downstairs lounge and waiting. The rowdier ones chatted, the quieter ones might sit in the corners with their arms crossed. But they all waited together until the lines were done.
At least the beverages and snacks were complimentary.
