The Alien Within

Chapter 232: The Machinery Prodigy

Tessa sat regally atop a sleek, floating chair of her own design, an invention inspired by the endless fragments of knowledge ingrained in her mind. The chair's shimmering, metallic frame gleamed under the workshop lights, its retractable arm seamlessly maneuvering to adjust motion and height. It wasn't just a seat—it was a testament to her brilliance.

Her gaze was fixed on the massive construction site below, where the skeletal structure of a transportation device was taking shape. The hum of machinery and the rhythmic clanging of tools filled the air, accompanied by the low murmur of mechanics exchanging quick words. Tessa's lips curved into a satisfied smile. It was progressing even better than she had envisioned.

"Raise the tail wing!" Nzak Deri's sharp voice cut through the din. The seasoned foreman commanded the workers with precision, his authoritative tone driving them into swift action. The team of mechanics moved as one, positioning a pulley system to lift the massive tail wing into place. Sweat glistened on their brows as they worked in unison, their movements deliberate and efficient.

Once the tail wing was secured, Nzak turned toward Tessa, his expression a blend of respect and deference. Despite his years of expertise, he had come to regard her as the mastermind behind their success.

Tessa's instructions often defied conventional logic, challenging everything the team thought they knew. At first, they had resisted, questioning her methods with doubt-laden voices. But time and again, her unconventional steps had yielded results so astounding that they had no choice but to trust her completely. To them, she wasn't just a leader—she was a goddess of mechanics, a prodigy whose understanding of machinery bordered on the divine.

"What's next, Miss Tessa?" Nzak Deri asked, his voice steady but laced with awe, as he wiped his hands on a grease-stained rag. His sharp eyes met hers, full of expectation and trust.

Tessa leaned forward slightly, her floating chair humming softly as it descended closer to the workshop floor. Her gaze swept over the skeletal frame of the vessel. It was immense and majestic, a testament to their labor and her vision. They had come so far, but the heart of the machine—the very soul of its operation—was yet to be installed.

"Assemble the engine," she commanded, her voice carrying a quiet authority that sent ripples of determination through the team.

The mechanics exchanged knowing glances, their faces lighting up with anticipation. They understood the gravity of her words. The engine wasn't just another component; it was the centerpiece, the pulse that would bring the entire structure to life.

With a flurry of motion, the team got to work. Gears, wires, and plates of intricate metal designs were brought together like pieces of a cosmic puzzle. Each mechanic focused on their specific role—vulcanizers molded and fused the necessary elements, galvanizers coated critical parts with energy-conducting materials, and electricians deftly wove circuitry into the framework.

Bit by bit, the engine began to take form, its shape evocative of a human heart. Cables stretched out like arteries, and glowing energy cores pulsed faintly as they were installed. When it was done, the device hummed softly, as though alive.

Without waiting for instruction, the team carefully maneuvered the engine toward the vessel's core. Using cranes and guided pulleys, they lowered it into the heart of the structure until it locked into place with a resounding click.

The moment it connected, a surge of power rippled through the vessel. The faint hum turned into a deep, resonating vibration, and the assembled mechanics and onlookers froze in awe. For a heartbeat, there was silence, followed by an eruption of wild jubilation.

The Deri-Legu people celebrated as though they had accomplished the impossible. In truth, they had. They weren't just assembling a machine—they were crafting the first god vessel of its kind in the universe. To them, this was more than mechanics; it was innovation, a leap into uncharted territories.

Tessa remained seated on her floating chair, her smile wide as she observed their reaction. She could see the engine pulsing with energy, brimming with life like a panther ready to roar and leap into the skies. This was a creation of strength, precision, and boundless potential.

Nzak Deri turned to her once more, his expression a mixture of pride and reverence. "What next, Miss Tessa?"

Tessa straightened slightly, her floating chair elevating just enough to assert her commanding presence. Her voice, steady yet brimming with anticipation, filled the workshop. "Fix the body parts and the inner seating chambers. Also…" She paused, letting the weight of her next words settle, "include the miscellaneous equipment for space travel and maneuvering."

A cheer erupted from the workers, their voices echoing off the metallic walls of the workshop. Their enthusiasm was infectious, their faith in her vision absolute. Tessa, however, remained focused, her sharp eyes already darting over the framework of the god vessel, her mind weaving together the intricate details still needed to complete the masterpiece.

The Zubo aboriginals, specialists in creating synthetic materials, had already begun assembling the spacecraft's interior. Their expertise shone through in every piece they produced. The seats, crafted from an advanced synthetic foam, were designed to absorb impact while adapting seamlessly to the body's pressure. Each seat came equipped with adjustable safety belts, tailored to fit various body types, and was reinforced with trigger helmets for head protection.

At both sides of the seats, sleek metal guards provided leg protection, designed to withstand intense gravitational shifts. Beneath each seat, retractable tables slid effortlessly into place, adjustable to multiple heights for convenience. Attached to the base were leg massaging machines, engineered to provide both relaxation and therapeutic stimulation during prolonged journeys.

The floor of the vessel was a marvel in itself, covered in a unique material that felt soft yet firm underfoot, offering comfort without sacrificing durability. Every detail had been carefully considered, from the touch-sensitive panels embedded in the walls to the strategically placed control buttons at the sides of each seat. These controls included emergency passenger ejection mechanisms, which activated pre-programmed spacesuits for survival in the harsh vacuum of space.

Outside, the vessel's body gleamed as it was coated with a mixture of Beri-metal and green clay. The Beri-metal provided unmatched durability, while the green clay, an enigmatic element in its liquid state, had been painstakingly collected and stored in drums containing solution XCA. The workers were unaware of its true purpose, following Tessa's instructions without question. She had yet to reveal that this green clay would also serve as the ship's primary fuel, powering it with an efficiency far beyond their understanding.

As the finishing touches were applied, Nzak Deri stepped back, his eyes widening in awe. The vessel now stood in its full, imposing glory, towering over the workshop like a sentinel of the future. Its sleek curves and precise edges exuded both elegance and power, a perfect fusion of artistry and engineering.

"This…" Nzak's voice trembled as he tried to find the right words. "Is this the true design of a god vessel?"

He glanced at Tessa, his expression a mixture of disbelief and wonder. The ship before him felt otherworldly, almost as if it had been conjured from the dreams of a deity rather than built by mortal hands.

Tessa smiled faintly, her confidence unwavering. "Yes," she said simply, her voice carrying a certainty that silenced any remaining doubts.

Nzak looked back at the vessel, his hands trembling slightly as he reached out to touch the smooth surface. "Did we truly build this?" he asked, almost to himself. "Or is this still a dream?"

"It's real," Tessa replied, her voice calm but filled with pride. "And this is just the beginning."

The workshop fell silent for a moment as everyone stood in awe of what they had achieved. For the Deri-Legu and the Zubo alike, this was more than just a transportation device—it was a symbol of innovation, a testament to their collaboration, and a glimpse into the boundless future they were now a part of.

Tessa's mind, however, was already moving forward, calculating the next step, envisioning her transit to the wormhole, leading to the universal tree sap and back. The vessel was reaching a near perfect state.