The core technology powering Inhabit is the ability of kids to psychically operate robotic Drones. This aptitude is only present during childhood; somewhere between sixteen and twenty it just goes away, meaning no adult can operate a Drone. Thus, kids are in a position of responsibility and power unimagined before Drones were developed, for only they can make this key technology work.
All sorts of Drones exist, filling roles at each level of the interstellar Terran Coalition. They can be as small as mice and as big as battleships, with everything in between. Here are just a few Drones that will appear in the stories of Inhabit:
![[The Spider]](InhabitSpider.jpg)
The Spider - This small Drone is used for confined spaces and jobs that require a lot of hands (literally!). Able to walk on land and maneuver in space, the Spider is an ideal general utility Drone.
![[The Worker]](InhabitWorker.jpg)
The Worker - The size of an adult human, workers often fill in for people in dangerous jobs where it's still handy to have something more or less like a person. Workers have their own maneuver jets, but can fit into clothes, space suits or exoskeletons if they need to. Workers are common across known space.
![[The Ox]](InhabitOx.jpg)
The Ox - A beast of a Drone, the Ox is a heavy rescue and exploration unit. Its massive arms can dislodge wreckage or carry great weights, and cargo and utility pods can be latched to its metal sides. The Ox has a variety of tools at its disposal, with the ability to attach many more, depending on the mission.
![[The Sparrow]](InhabitSparrow.jpg)
The Sparrow - About a foot long, the Sparrow is compact and light enough to carry. Buzzing around on its thruster fans or walking, the Sparrow is a fine little scout, whether the job is finding people trapped in wreckage or watching out for dangerous alien monsters.
![[The Spasa]](InhabitSpasa.jpg)
The heart of AREC operations, the Spasa is a faster-than-light spacecraft carrying a crew of four adults and up to eight Pilots. Drones of all types fill the bulk of the Spasa's space, in the ship's substantial Drone storage and repair deck. Sleek and fast, the Spasa represents the cutting edge of exploration ship design.
On the third and final page, we'll take a look at some story ideas for this series, as well as a sample page and a sample script for a single, four-page story.
Click here to move on to page three.
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Contents of all pages copyright Alexander Shearer and James Nguyen.