OOC + IC: 7.1B - Entrepreneurs

Trade Era 1235, Day 165. 07:20 UTC
Underworld, Zyronis
After an hour of navigating the underways, the oppressive chemical fumes began to take their toll on the team's atmofilters. Peter checked the filter status on his mask, noting the flashing indicator that signaled it was time for a replacement. "Alright, everyone, let's take a moment to swap out our filters. We don’t want to risk any exposure down here."

The team came to a halt, parking their hovercycles against the tunnel walls. The faint hum of the machines faded, leaving only the eerie silence of the underways. Each member methodically removed their old filters, the smell of chemicals momentarily intensifying before they secured the fresh ones.

Lucia handed Peter a new filter. "Here you go. These should last us a few more hours, at least."

Peter nodded, inserting the new filter into his mask and taking a deep breath. The fresh filter made a noticeable difference, the air suddenly feeling cleaner, though the underlying scent of chemicals still lingered. "Much better. How's everyone doing?" - he said, through comms.

Mercer, finishing with his own filter replacement, gave a thumbs-up. "All good here. Let's just hope we don’t run into anything that requires more than these filters can handle."

Song secured his mask and checked his gear. "Ready to move when you are."

With the filters replaced, the team remounted their hovercycles. The brief pause had been necessary, but they couldn’t afford to linger too long. The underways were unpredictable, and every moment spent in their depths increased the risk of encountering hostile creatures or environmental hazards.
Remaining filters: 18 14

Trade Era 1235, Day 165. 07:35 UTC
Underworld, Zyronis
Time to replace the filters: 08:20 UTC
With their new filters, Mercer and Song moved deeper into the lush intersection, Mercer's eyes caught a faint blue glow emanating from behind a thick cluster of vines. He stop the hovercyle and carefully parted the foliage, revealing a cylindrical device embedded in the moss-covered wall.

"Guys, I think we’ve found something," Song said, through comms, his voice tinged with excitement.

The device was about the size of a human forearm, with intricate patterns that shimmered and shifted across its surface. It emitted a faint blue glow and was cold to the touch, the residual energy making the surrounding vegetation unusually lush and vibrant.

Mercer’s eyes widened as he recognized the device. "That’s a Quantum Catalyzer Core. It's one of the refinery parts we need." He them carefully extracted the core from its resting place, the coldness seeping through his gloves. "First part down," he said, holding it up for Song to see. "Three more to go."

Moreover, Mercer’s keen eyes caught something unusual. Ahead, to the north, there was a faint, flickering light. It was out of place in the otherwise dark and foreboding tunnels. There's a light source up ahead. Could be an undocumented exit, but he would need to move north and search there to be sure.

Getting ahold of Peter through Comms, We were right and we have the Quantum Catalyzer Core secured." With just a small pause, Mercer will continue, "There may be an undocumemted passage near E1. Going to check it out. I don't want any surprises "
It may be long inert, but the kinds of things and places making secret passages are often the kind you don't want to be surprised by.

Mercer finds another entrance (or exit) from the underways in E1, while Peter keeps moving.

Now it's Peter that sees an unusual light source in the south tunnel (B20). Are you going to search there? It's a dead end otherwise.

Peter will search the light he sees, then he will make his way back to the right searching also that little entrance to C20.

Mercer will keep searching along the East since Peter found the Plasma Infusion Module.
We're halfway through finding what we need to.

Peter will get into the comms and tell Mercer.

"Mercer, just found the Plasma Infusion Module here at F17, will continue heading east"

And as promised he will continue heading east

Peter will hand the found piece to Lucia since she has the most available space

"Please hold on to this for us"

Trade Era 1235, Day 165. 09:20 UTC
Underways, Zyronis
Remaining filters: 10 6

Trade Era 1235, Day 165. 09:50 UTC
Underways, Zyronis
Lucia grabs the Plasma Infusion Module but her chemical filters are about to finish. Both Lucia and Song will have to head to the exit soon otherwise they will suffocate.

After almost another hour of navigating the labyrinthine passages, Peter stumbled upon a different section. In G19 the walls were smoother, more polished, suggesting a more advanced and controlled environment. He noticed signs of advanced machinery and technology, half-buried under years of dust and debris. There was also a partially obscured device. It was an advanced 3D printer, its sleek, metallic surface glinting under the faint light.

The device was active, its robotic arms moving with precise, deliberate motions as it constructed something large and mechanical. Inside the printer, a robotic creature was taking shape, its form eerily resembling a crocodile. The machine's arms moved with incredible precision, assembling each part of the robotic beast with meticulous care.

"We just found the Nano-Assembler Array here, i think we each need to send someone to grab more, that would also be a good time to take back some of the parts we already found, you know, keep the packs lighter."

Peter will rush to the machine and see if the croc is already moving or not 100% complete yet.

He will turn to Lucia and ask.
In your resume it said you had experience as engineer, do you think you would be able to turn this thing off?