DT1 - License and Registration, Please

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:46 pm

"I can certainly empathize with that. And we have plenty of technology at our disposal to turn you into an extraordinary jeep. Especially since you decided to join the teams that gives me a lot more freedom to invest resources."

by **Will Stanton** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:53 pm

"Well, if it can help me look good to S...my teammates, then we should pull out all the stops."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 10:58 pm

"There are plenty of things we can do. Structural reinforcements, a new engine, maybe a self-driving mechanism."

by **Will Stanton** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:01 pm

"It's not really a self-driving mechanism though, right? I mean, at the end of the day, someone has to enter the data, right?"

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:03 pm

"I don't see a reason why that someone couldn't be you. At least I don't see a reason yet, I reserve the right to adjust my opinion as I work." she says, pulling back onto the University grounds and driving along the backroads towards the Point.

by **Will Stanton** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:11 pm

"Ooof, they should really pave these things," Will complained, his voice warbling on the radio.

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:14 pm

"I will add better suspensions and shock absorbers to the list."

by **Will Stanton** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:57 pm

"Excellent! The last time I had a major overhaul, it was adding the on-board computer system. I had to hide in the vehicle pool for that one."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:08 am

"Well, you don't have to sneak your way into that anymore. All you have to do is ask." she says as she pulls up in front of the Point.

"It's probably simpler to just walk in." she says as she climbs out of the vehicle.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:09 am

"Then you're going to need to shut off the engine."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:24 am

"You have some sort of failsafe to prevent shifting when you are left running?" she asks as she reaches in to turn off the engine and then, out of curiosity, takes out the key as well.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:37 am

With the key out...the car sat there. Quietly.

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:44 am

"I'm not sure if I should be envious about your instinctual context processing or not." she says, leaning into the car to put the key back into the ignition.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 1:36 am

"....t operate the radio without the engine on oh that's better," Will said, as the radio clicked back in.

With they key back in the ignition, but the engine off, Will was able to shift back into his training uniform.

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 4:57 am

"I apologize. I didn't realize it would trap you without the key. Were you still conscious?" she asks as she leads Will into the Point and towards the workshops.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 4:59 am

"Oh, yes, very much so."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:06 am

"Are you capable of shutting yourself down and re-initializing?"

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:06 am

"Pardon?" Will said, confused.

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:11 am

"If whatever object you are imitating is turned off, is your stream of consciousness interrupted?"

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 5:15 pm

"Oh. No, I'm conscious through the whole thing."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 5:47 pm

"Okay, good. I don't have to worry about accidentally deactivating you then." she says as they walk into the workshop and the various projects sitting around.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:26 pm

"I don't think I ~CAN~ be deactivated, so don't feel the need to be overly gentle with me."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:40 pm

"Excellent. Go ahead and find a spot to turn into a car then."

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:48 pm

Will walked over into the garage, between two of the other campus vehicles, in an unused parking stall.

He got down on all fours again and then, faster this time, bamf! A car.

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:53 pm

"Let's get to work then." Ashlie says, turning on the radio and popping the hood of the car. She starts rooting around int he engine, disconnecting things here and there as she starts pulling out fuel intake valves and other engine-related things, ultimately disconnecting the engine and lifting it out with the help of two of the robotic ceiling arms.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:27 pm

It was...well, an old engine for sure. Certainly replaced by more modern things, but then, I don't suppose the military really made sure their latest and greatest went to antarctic research stations in the middle of nowhere. It was in good nick--someone had clearly spent time oiling and repairing this thing over the years. It probably had some resale value, at any rate.

The engine came out without too much trouble.

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:36 pm

Ordering a replacement engine sems like a waste of time, but building one from scratch takes a lot of unique molds and materials. Maybe just upgrading this one might do. Ashlie starts taking apart the engine, pulling out pistons and crankshafts and such. She discards half of the things she pulls out, taking measurements and setting the 3D-printers in the other room to work. It takes a while but eventually she's replaced all the pistons, increased the engine volume by 20% and settled a much more efficient air-intake on top of the engine-block.

"Will, would you mind if I optimized the computer's setting? It's not as tight as it could be but I won't inject new code into you without asking for permission." she asks as she works on placing the overhauled engine back into the car.

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:41 pm

Fortunately, Ashley had reconnected enough electronics to keep Will's radio running at this point.

With the engine not fully in, however, Will's voice came out a bit...odd. Slower, and more deep than normal.

"Op-ti-mize? What you op-ti-mize...how? What you do?"

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:51 pm

"Just the setting for fuel injection and piston movement. My work is accurate enough that there is no need for as much leeway as regular engines, so I could more finely tune your engine."

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:55 pm

"Tune. Fine. Good for run-ning."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:58 pm

"Hang on." Ashlie finishes reattaching the engine and starts the car before hooking the car's computer up to the workbench so she can start adjusting engine parameters.

"Can you tell if this is making things run smoother?"

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:10 pm

"Woah, that DOES feel different. Like...wow. What did you do? That feels...woah, bit of a headrush."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:15 pm

"Just an extensive engine overhaul. These trucks are built to be tough and run forever, but they're also designed to be mass-produced and cheap. Now you have an engine that's custom-fitted with about twice the amount of horse-power and much less wasted energy."

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:29 pm

"I feel like I could punch a cliff into submission!"

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:31 pm

"I'm not sure that would be advisable. Although you might be able to ramp off a cliff and across a ravine now."

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:50 pm

"Oh man, that would be WICKED sweet."

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:52 pm

"I should probably put in some structural reinforcements then. I'm not sure if you can hurt yourself, but it would be good for any potential passengers."

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:58 pm

"Oh, yeah. I've got onboard airbags and crumple zones, but it's no good if I survive the jump and everyone else slams their head. We gotta toughen me up!"

by **Ashlie Minamida** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 10:07 pm

"This is going to be a little trickier. Unless you're okay with welding a cage to the outside of the chassis."

by **Will Stanton** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 10:11 pm

"Oooh, that would mess with my sleek lines."

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