The clanking of metallic boots was heard through the corridors of an as of yet incomplete vessel, the figure inside it moving with a purpose. All around him, the sounds of whirring machines, hover engines, and moving ball rollers could be heard as the various worker robots he had running about the place set up all of the mechanical components of the ship. "ELFI, status on the Cross-Dimensional Database System," the figure commands.

"All physical components are fully assembled and awaiting activation," a synthetic, disembodied voice replies through the person's helmet. "However, the central network Cortex is still awaiting enchantment and arcane activation."

"Alright, tell the Haros in the Datacore that I'm on my way, and prep the elevator there."

"At once, Captain." ELFI replies as she cuts the link.

The Electronic Logistics and Forgemaster Intelligence, or ELFI, was the onboard AI of the vessel this person was creating: a self-sustaining factory ship capable of crossing the dimensional barrier through a combination of science and sorcery. Dubbed the TDMF-X01A Hephaestus, the ship itself drew much of its design inspiration from the CBS-68 Euclides factory ship from Mobile Suit Gundam 00F. As such, the vessel was largely cylindrical in design, with a modified docking ring that, after the time needed to fully construct and crew them after the ship itself was operational, could fit up to 4 Cornelius-Class tender ships from Gundam SEED, each one modified to the same extent as the Junk Guild's ReHOME.

The tenders were a concern for another time, though. After reaching the datacore, the figure approached the large, almost sphere-like device sitting at the core of the area. This was the central component of the Hephaestus' Cross-Dimensional Database System: a supercomputer that would be able to access databases from across entire dimensions in order to obtain specific blueprints and data from the world(s) in question, and also acted as a sort of search engine for locating who or what he wanted/needed at any given point in time. He'd used a prototype version of this system before: how else was he supposed to acquire blueprints for the Euclides, the Cornelius-class tender, the Celestial Being-issue Haros (the best Haros, in his personal opinion), and the Karols in order to build the Hephaestus in the first place? He'd used the Karol as a springboard for his own workbot for the Haros called the Tenor. It worked like a Karol, but was a work loader on ball rollers instead of a repair and welding unit that hovered.

Shaking his head of these distracting thoughts, the man returned his attention to the Cortex for the Hephaestus' Cross-Dimensional Database System and puts his hand on it. After running his hand along the surface, inspecting the focusing runes he'd engraved into the machine, he closes his eyes and focuses. The air around him surges with light as runic sigils begin to form around him. In the light being emitted by the enchantment, one of the Haros turned and looked at the captain of the vessel.

He was clearly a human male, wearing what appeared to be some form of magitek power armor, overtop which was a greatcoat. The armor itself was rather sparse, and consisted only of a cuirass that supported a steam engine, greaves, boots, and a set of combination gauntlet/vambraces with clawed fingers, with various tubes and pistons connecting it all into one piece, underneath which were a simple t-shirt and cargo jeans. The greatcoat itself was a leather Duster with armored pauldrons and other piece of metal strips placed to offer maximum protection and mobility. Covering his head was a more modern/futuristic helmet with an integrated headset that included a wireless uplink to the ship's central computer.

The Cortex for the Database System lights with runic energy as the power surging around the figure transfers to the device. After a few moments, the Cortex, and the entire datacore room as a result, turn on, filling the room with the hum of cooling fans and arcane power.

"Datacore active, Cross-Dimensional Database System will be online and fully synchronized in t-minus 3 hours," ELFI reports.

"Put a timer up on my HUD, and give me a reminder when the activation and sychronization is done" The figure orders as he turns around to head to the elevator. "I'll be in Engineering working on the Trans-Dimensional Distortion Field Drive. It's the most delicate part of the ship, so I want to be working on it personally to make sure it's set up and enchanted within proper functional parameters."

-3 hours later-

"Captain, the Cross-Dimensional Database System is online and working within stable operational parameters," ELFI announces over the figure's comm-link.

"Thank you, ELFI, just saw the timer hit zero," he says as he puts down some tools. "That should be enough work on the T-D.D.F.D. for now. Startup the Database System and begin searching the original Fire Emblem realms, specifically those with a female Corrin. Also, you know you can just call me Spice, right?"

"I am aware, Captain, I simply choose to refer to you by your proper title as Captain of this vessel," ELFI replies. "Also, is there any particular reason you want the realms with a female Corrin?"

"Yeah, talked with Phoenix, and we'll be setting up a Reading for his latest tale," the now-named Spice explains, "and he wants the royal families of Hoshido, Nohr, and Valla from prior to the start of Fire Emblem Fates' story. Female! Corrin, Ryoma, Hikona, Takumi, Sakura, Xander, Camilla, Leo, Elise, and Azura, specifically."

"Very well, Captain," ELFI replies. "Do you require anything specific?"

"Info, for starters," Spice replies. "Never seen the original Fates realms before, so I want to know everything I can of the world prior to the start of Corrin's tale, especially with regards to the individuals in question. Beyond that, coordinates for the Warp Bridge. Since we know it works thanks to your… eagerness… to warp in the reading group for Xanothos' gamer story, I want to know where they are when the time comes to summon them for the reading."

"Very well, Captain," ELFI says as she begins gathering intel. "Also, I'm not apologizing."

"Not surprised by that, if I'm being honest. I programmed you to make sure everything runs smoothly, so technically speaking, you were just doing your job."