Layla left to get our lunch and saw horses.
While she was gone I decided to put the panel pieces into the fabrication machine one at a time and set it to paint and rust removal.
The laser glowed to life and started to remove the paint and rust spots. The laser was slower than expected.
The machine was big enough to hold 1 panel piece at a time and each panel needed to have both sides lasered. So, it was definitely taking a longer time than I had expected, but that wasn't too much of a problem.
…
It had been 2 hours and I was starting to get worried because Layla had not returned.
I had already upgraded the fabrication machine, which increased its precision and efficiency.
Layla showed shortly after the 2 hour mark.
She got out of the car and said, "Sorry that it took so long there was crazy traffic."
"No, it's alright. I'm just glad that you're ok."
"Yeah. I'm ok? I got the sandwiches and saw horses."
"Sweet! I'm really hungry now. I went ahead and used the laser to remove the paint and rust. I recorded it so don't worry. Also I left one panel piece so you could record yourself putting the piece in."
"Oh, really? Thanks, that helps a lot. I was afraid I was going to be doing that tonight."
"Tonight? How long do you plan on staying?"
"I don't know? I do my best work in the middle of the night when no one can bother me."
"So, I take it, you want me to hit the road already?"
"What? No! Not like that. I was talking about my family."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know what, take your sandwich and beat it."
"Sigh. I'm never wanted anywhere."
"Wait!"
"Yes!?"
"Leave the saw horses, I need those."
"Gee."
I got the saw horses out of the car and asked, "How much were these?"
"$40"
"These are nice. Metal and collapsible."
"Yeah, I figured those were the best for the money."
I set up the saw horses while Layla recorded herself putting the panel into the machine and starting the laser removal process.
Once we were both done we sat in the truck with no doors or any other panels and ate our sandwiches.
I said after swallowing a bite, "We really need to get some seats."
"Yep. Those would definitely help."
"What do you think all the traffic was about?"
"I don't know, but there were a lot of cops. I think I also saw a military truck."
"Really? I wonder what happened."
"Yeah, I don't know. It could just be training, there is a military base somewhere nearby."
"Nearby? It's like a few hours away."
"Well, I know that they do training in the mountains nearby."
"The mountains are also a few hours away."
"Yeah, they are also in the opposite direction of the base. So, if they go all the way over there for training. Why not here?"
"I guess you're right."
"Yeah. I know I am. Now let me eat this sandwich in peace."
Once we finished our sandwiches Layla said, "Man, that was good. I feel way better. Let's get to work."
…
A few hours later Layla was still crushing it, taking the engine out and taking it apart.
I had spent the last few hours making calls and emails to people to get the other buildings made as well as getting the metal 3D printer and scanners.
It seems like getting a metal 3D printer is harder than it seems. Especially since the one I'm trying to get is used in making plane parts and other places that are more confidential.
But, it was time for me to go home, I had plans to get on and play games with Alex tonight.
Before leaving I secretly ordered a pizza. I made sure the pizza had a lot of different toppings, each quarter had a different topping or topping combination.
I left feeling a little anticipation at Layla being surprised by the pizza delivery. I smiled to myself for a while on the drive home.
Once I got home I played games with Alex for 2 hours before going to sleep.
…
The next day. It was a rainy Wednesday morning. I was awake at the usual 6:00, I saw that Layla had texted me at some point last night thanking me for the pizza.
I got ready and was out the door by 6:30 heading to the warehouse. When I got there, Layla's car was still sitting in the same place as it was yesterday.
When I went inside I found Layla sleeping in the bed of the truck on a moving blanket.
I decided to be quiet and let her sleep, so I loaded up the computer and downloaded an AI video editor.
I already upgraded the two car AI yesterday which made them more intuitive and receptive to new data.
The new video editor AI should help Layla save time. So, I got the AI editor open and moved the video files into place for the AI and hit enter.
I limited the computation power so it would take a long time. I did this on purpose just to try and level it up quickly.
Over the course of 2 hours I had the AI make a few different versions of the current video so that Layla could choose which version she liked the best.
Once the AI was upgraded it functioned more smoothly and created higher quality videos. Not to mention it understood what the user wanted to a higher degree.
It still wasn't perfect, but it was a good start.
A few hours later I ordered food to be delivered along with some nice coffee. I figured Layla would wake up once she smelled the coffee.
Not that I was going to force her to wake up, but I had been here just about six hours. It was only a matter of time before she woke up.