That's a computer!

A few days ago, when Rome and Rei arrived at Darwin Base, Rei had proposed that they split up and each search a hangar alone . Rome protested stating that "Because I am not totally familiar with your culture. I might encounter something important and not know what it is." Rei conceded and agreed to search together. Here you will see that Rome was completely correct in her original assessment of why they should stick together:

     “You’re right,” Rome said with a hint of sadness in her voice. “It’s clear that the Vuduri need to develop a sense of suspicion when it comes to dealing with the Essessoni.”
     “Hey,” Rei said. “I’m Essessoni. It was just these jerks you have to worry about. And now they’re gone. The rest of us are OK.”
     Rome said, “I don’t think there is anything like we seek here. This building seems fully dedicated to the construction of these starships.”
     “You’re right,” Rei said. He pointed to the western wall. “There’s a door that leads to the next building. Let’s check it out.”
     With MINIMCOM leading the way, they entered a much smaller building. It was a well-stocked metallurgical lab with the converted particle beam drillers and smelters. There were racks and racks of raw metal planchets and shelving with assorted parts and electronic gear. There was one shelf piled high with what looked like silver ingots. There were a couple of gold bars, too. Rei thought to himself how his people would have to let go of some of their old habits. Of course, things like valuing material wealth would be hard to give up.
     On the main floor, there were lathes and saws and drill presses. Pasted on the walls were charts and lists, some of them drooped over. From the lack of footprints, it was clear they were the first visitors since the Darwin group had been exiled.
     Rei inspected the equipment and the storage racks. “This is where they were building and machining the parts, I guess for the spaceships next door,” Rei offered finally. “Probably nothing here, either.”
     “I agree,” Rome said. Let us try the next building.”
     The building they were in had no door on the far wall so they had to go out through the front door and enter the next building the same way. This building looked more like a research lab with tubing and vats and burners. There were canisters and barrels with raw materials. The door to this hut had been opened to the outside and the layer of dust and dirt was thicker than in the previous two buildings. There were two desks sitting side by side in the near corner. Rome went over to them and rifled through the papers and equipment lying there. She moved aside a translucent slab, standing upright within two black t-shaped clips. The slab had a thin white border.
     “I don’t see anything,” she said.
     “Uh, you know that is a computer in your hands,” Rei said, pointing to the slab.

Bazinga! Rome was holding one of the Erklirte computers in her hand. Remember, they are trying to find the original crew manifest for the Ark II so finding a computer has got to be a good thing. Let's see what they do with it tomorrow.