On the isolated J-005 deck, sixteen Space Apes were dispersed, spaced ten meters apart from one another.
They stood with their arms hanging at their sides, like statues.
After resting, the now-energized Malena, Wojciech, and Jurjur stood on either side of Nimrod, curiously sizing up the strange creatures before them.
"Place the scrap in front of them."
After Nimrod gave the order, sixteen technical workers immediately pushed garbage carts loaded with scrap up before the Space Apes.
Before they could retreat, the statue-like Space Apes began to move. The Manufacturing Gene implanted by the Old Ones drove them into action.
The Space Apes' fingers and toes extended and contracted nonstop, transforming the trash before them—including the carts—into scattered parts at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Orange figures rose and fell amid the garbage. Wojciech's eyes widened, and his mouth opened unconsciously.
He saw that the ape-like creatures' hands and feet were like mechanical tentacles controlled by a Magos, dancing a mechanical dance.
Scrap material with no value whatsoever except to be smelted down changed shape in their hands and feet within seconds, then became item after item.
Sheets of iron turned into rings in an instant, ceramic shards became round balls, copper chunks became metal flies...
Nimrod saw that there were also steel wires stretched into coils and tin ingots turned into halos, and he could not help feeling glad that he had ordered them to use garbage materials.
Even if they made something useless, there would be no loss.
Jurjur's brown eyes shone as he cried out in surprise.
"How amazing! How do they do it?"
"They seem to be driven by instinct."
The Biomancy Psyker spoke thoughtfully.
"That's right."
Just as Nimrod confirmed Malena's judgment, the communicator beeped.
After he connected, Bukayo's voice came from within.