The question on what her new "powers" could do was an interesting one. Could she get the nanites to do rapid construction and replication in the same manner that the spirit had when fighting Solarel?

She waves her hand at the floor, tracing a circle. Nothing happens, of course. This isn't magic, it's [i]technology[/i] - the idea of incantations and gestures being the prompt for something to happen was laughable and silly and Isabelle should really stop reading those stupid books because they are full of brain-rotting ideas.

She gestures once more at the wall just to be sure.

Okay, well, in any case, a spare mecha - one that is combat ready - is a definite invitation. Or rather, it was a gigantic neon sign that lit up "your Way Out" in flashing bright orange lights. Okay, so maybe "combat" ready was a stretch, given it had no weapons, but when you're in a ten-meter tall suit of superdense alloys and metal and your main opponents are only carrying pistols, the need for a gun is pretty moot.

[i]Tate? Can you please provide an outline of the rapid-construction and effect abilities that the nanites in this area have? Could they, for instance, make a hole in the floor down to the next level where the mecha bays are? Or create a barrier to protect me?

Second query: Will the nanites respond to any of my instructions, or is there a limit to what I can ask them to do?

Third query: What range can I ask them to make an effect? Is it possible to - for instance - fuse the landing gear of the pirate's shuttle to the tarmac?[/i]

Isabelle stares at her hand for a minute, inspecting the now-healed cut.

[i]Fourth query: Can the nanites be made to respond to my gestures and other verbal cues?[/i]