"Building schematics unavailable. If-not-then not applicable. Follow mode engaged." The Droids speakers went off in Tandem once the designated parcels were in their hands.
"Sorry, one moment." Erel said as he opened up the Quill Droid Management software in his interface and tapped each Droid. A door opened and four more Quillbots marched out and started emptying the transport, scanning their particular payload and marching out the door. "I cannot get over how neat these workers are. The construction and remodelling was completed so quickly." Erel smiled. "Combat training is more difficult. Since they do not move like us. It dislocated my arm during a throw." Erel said with a laugh.
"That is Kai's fault," Talan said with a snort. "He should have told you to lower the power on the arms. He forgets and ends up breaking their limbs off in anger. Good thing they self repair, right?" Talan said. He turned to Ceile. "The power and strength modes were developed by me. Do you think I should program an amount of force for the subjects' estimated weight or reported weight from their own bio data?" Talan asked.
"I would go with bio data. You can consider health issues or reported mental health with the type of restraining the Droids will do." Ceile answered.
"I did not consider that. Thank you." Talan said.
"Hey Uncle Erel, the Droids can more accurately kick your ass if you want." Ishil teased his uncle.
"Pfft." Seriff laughed.
"Uncle Kehye has no problem defeating one." Ceile said to Talan quietly. "So, do we turn off any strength safety measures for anyone that might have the training to do so by using data from the interface?" Ceile discussed it with his brother. Ceile really came alive when he started talking about programming. He loved the atmosphere at Setton, but he was like Talan at heart. He, too, had learned to hide under the benches and workstations of the same people that had taught Talan. Setton had started teaching him in other matters.
"Yes, what a brilliant idea." Talan smiled. Ceile smiled back. "Can we discuss it over the meal later?" Ceile asked.
"It might be very loud, but I know Nora wants to stay for an extended amount of time. We will have time to work together again," Talan said excitedly. Kadir plodded back into the room and looked at the empty transports pleased.
"Shit." Kadir said, annoyed. He was picking up cursing from Nora.
"They forgot to close the doors before leaving. Damn it." Kadir said with a grunt as he tapped each of the transports. There were groups waiting outside to disembark. The doors hissed closed, and they were quickly carried off by the track to the garage. Sedai's transport arrived, followed by the Halid. "Sorry, the Droids did not hit the mechanism to close the shuttle doors. My fault." Kadir said, not blaming the brothers at all for not noticing. He had come in half way when they were talking about working out the hand-to-hand combat and physical restraining protocols that the Droids would need for dangerous Peacekeeping situations.
'The Setton have been doing us a huge favor by teaching them defensive combat, gentle take-downs and injury-free arrests. I am not about to criticize them for my lack of foresight.' Kadir thought.
They would soon need Law Enforcement and Nora wanted it done right. He was more thankful. "Kadir, you look nervous son. Is there something wrong?" Amrita said as she disembarked. He had a bit of sweat on his brow and he looked tired.
"No, I just wanted to be here to meet you and guide you to your rooms before the banquet," Kadir said.
"Rooms, will we be staying overnight?" Saeri asked.
"The Setton like to ensure comfort at their banquets. Plus, we have a very special event happening tonight. There might be a lot of inquiries. You are here to witness that event. It is safe and secure here." Kadir said as he put a hand on his now adult sister's shoulder. She seemed to have matured a great deal since he last saw her. That was on his last trip home three years ago. She seemed to have a calmer bearing.
"Why does it feel like you have huge news?" Saeri narrowed her eyes at Kadir.
"That is because I do," Kadir said and patted her on the head. Droids quickly came out and started to scan the cargo and quickly carried it off and to the respective room. It was worrisome that the Sedai packed light.
The Halid had two full cargo transports waiting behind her and others unloading at the front of the building. Kadir tapped the Sedai Transports, closing the doors. The transports were pulled by the docking track and guided to the garage. Half of the queue filled the room. The doors quickly opened and Vida and the core members of Clan Halid disembarked the transport. Droids rolled in the room and started to quickly unpack the first transport. Vida, being used to the Droids, tapped her transport and the second cargo transport pulled into the room efficiently. Her spouse closed the door of the transport. The second one had crates of food and gifts. Cerez and Kai walked in to greet the Halid party.
"Son, I was wondering if you would come greet me." Vida said and excitedly ran to her son.
"Of course. The girls are waiting to see you. You brought a lot of gifts," Cerez said.
"I saw many things that I wanted to give to the children and yourself. I even made some of my own handcrafted toys. I made farm animals." Vida said excitedly. Cerez raised his eyebrows. Stuffed animal creation had become a trend on Feather recently since the 'Great Toy Creation' series aired. Monil and Nora had created an on-air competition with judges. There were designer positions up for grabs and cash prizes. It was very popular. Cerez smiled, Vida had obviously watched the last season of the series.
"Do you want me to send the toys to the children or do you want to surprise them?" Cerez asked.
"I will surprise them. I know you, son. There is a reason why we are in the Setton Compound and not at your home," Vida said. She could tell immediately that something life-altering would be happening here when she got the invitation a half cycle ago and Solina started regularly contacting her. Solina might have a secure facility, it seemed that she had realized the might of the Halid. Solina might have armies, but she could starve them and stop their supplies from moving. "The shipments are being held at all depots currently. Whether they burn or not depends on how things unfold. How much food do you think these large families store in the capital? None." Vida said and cackled.
"Now, shall we go see the children?" Vida said happily.
"Yes," Cerez said, straightening his back with pride. Vida did not need to be a politician or a Matriarch Prime. The Halid made themselves indispensable and quietly took real power. It took longer to train and grow an army than the mere cycle it would take the army to perish from hunger. No one would risk aiding the enemies of Halid, because they too would suffer the same fate.
"You should probably follow them." Kadir eyed Saeri. Saeri bit her lip and looked at the Droids rumbling around. Her brother was obviously not going to say anything to her. It had been difficult for him to open up lately to him. It did not bother her before, he had changed in the past few years. He used to be very quiet and shy. Now he was this genius that was popular around the Capital. The Droids were groundbreaking, especially the fact that they could learn to do tasks.
"Are you not going to show us in? The Setton workers should be able to handle this," Saeri asked. Kadir sighed.
"I have to teach the Droids to return and close the transports or there will be others stuck waiting. Go with Mother." Kadir barked. Saeri jumped. He was tense, it was a very big day, and he needed to ensure all the supplies were loaded. Two large cargo transports soon made their way into the dock. Others were being unloaded at the front of the building. It was not uncommon for Setton to receive large deliveries and go through massive amounts of supplies. It was all food, clothing and Droids that would, once they interfaced with the building, upload all the training Setton had completed thus far. The building was prepared to withstand attacks and siege and supplied enough to last through months of unrest without needing to be resupplied.
"Look, I am sorry. If you want to stick around while everything is unloaded and all the guests come through. There is no harm," Kadir said. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Astra was, however, mentioning that she wanted to see you before the event. Can I call her to come and get you? How does that sound?" Kadir asked in a softer tone. Saeri watched her brother go from his old self to this sweeter version.
"I do miss her as much as I missed you." Saeri said. Kadir's face registered surprise and his lips curled in a soft smile. She was shocked. Kadir opened his tools and sent Astra a message. "I did miss you." Saeri said. Kadir gave her a pat on the back. It was the same as when she was younger. Saeri smiled. Astra ran out and hugged her hips. She was followed by Ceile.
"Greetings Aunt. I missed you." Astra said happily. She looked up at the aunt who sent her clothing and art supplies and toys. "I made you a present for your hair with Mommy. Do you want to come and see it? Uncle Ceile will take us to the playroom. It has a pit of soft balls, swings, a big slide. It is so fun." Astra happily chattered. Saeri's eyes drifted to the young man in front of her that had brought her niece in. He had dark hair, a chiseled face, light violet eyes and a golden complexion. She found him very handsome. Saeri felt her face heat up with a blush. Astra took her hand.
"Yes, I would love to play. Ceile, will you be around?" Saeri asked. The young man's face blushed. He nodded. "Great, let's go. Your Aunt can do tricks on the swing." Saeri said in a happy tone. She grabbed Astra's hands. Kadir smiled at the trio. Droids marched their way into the room in an abrupt manner that made Astra jump. He would have to work on them sounding so imposing. Ceile gave his daughter a kind look.
"I will show you the way then, Young Matriarch." Ceile said in a shy but respectful tone. He had noticed the little one's fear, and he knew more Droids would be on the way soon. The trio left the room quickly. Kadir opened up his tool and paused the Droids. He unscrewed the Cap, opened the hatch and left the doors open on the transport.
"Initiate the addition to the current task at the end of the command chain when at the former completion of the task. Add Close Transport Hatch, Door or Cap when contents and life forms do not exist. Observe: Code Seven-Six -Six-Three-Blue." Kadir instructed. The facial displays turned solid green and followed his every movement, he closed each of the openings. "Save physical action. Add a software interface alternative. Add command: Close Door. Add command: Close Hatch. End of Alteration. Confirm. " Kadir commanded the Droids. The screens on the Droids pulsed green.
"Confirmation. The task chain has been altered successfully both with Physical and Alternate Software commands. Initiating Test Sequence. Please Examine and confirm with the Presenting Droid." The Automated voice rang out in unison from the Droids, the Droids' faces' screens illuminated white as they performed their actions on the second transport. It went into the garage automatically afterward.
"Confirm. Save actions Code Seven-Six -Six-Three-Blue- Sedai." Kadir ordered. He resumed their regular programming and watched them work seamlessly. He smiled in satisfaction.