Bisbos.com

Roughly the equivalent of our own Mule, the K 34 is a general purpose service vehicle which can be found operating in a wide variety of roles and situations. In terms of usual applications the Mule is generally considered to be the superior piece of equipment, but the Bee does have certain individual advantages. It is larger than its Terran equivalent and is equipped with an extremely sophisticated computerized control system which allows a fine degree of remote guidance. This suits it for use in environments which are too hostile for organic lifeforms such as those with excessive temperature ranges or high radiation levels.

The Proximans are somewhat more advanced in terms of electrical engineering than we are, and the K 34 is representative of their proficiency in this field. Apart from providing energy for the craft's equipment, the highly efficient solar collector /transducers in the distinctive dishlike receptors are able to generate an arc of sufficient strength for a lowoutput plasma drive engine. This enables the Bee to operate almost indefinitely, having to return only for the servicing and replacement of its mechanical components.

There are, of course, deficiencies. In the case of the Bee one major weakness is the limit of the power that can be developed by this means. Although adequate in terms of its mechanical functioning, the thrust potential of its drive system sometimes proves to be insufficient for many tasks. As a result there are occasions when three or four craft have to be used where one conventionally powered ship would suffice.

This method of power generation also automatically excludes them from working for any useful period of time in 'dark' environments such as the blind side of planets or satellites. But this is only the case if there is no light source within easy reach as recharging time is remarkably swift. The Proximans themselves have used Bees in most situations simply by employing enough of them to work in relays, but this is becoming rarer. We have been supplying the Proximans with an increasing number of Mules for these jobs as the latter are cheaper to manufacture than the more complex Bees. In return we have been purchasing their equipment for use in a number of areas such as the orbiting industrial regions round Jupiter where the high level of radiation makes conditions difficult for manned working ships.

The Alpha Centaurians also operate a larger number of these machines, particularly in their mining operations near Barnards Star, and they can often be seen working in conjunction with the Alpha's Stag Beetle processors.

Although prototypes were being tested as early as 2042, Proxima's military shipbuilding programme was given priority in the years immediately preceding the war and no production line was established until after hostilities had ceased. Clearance was given to manufacture almost immediately as part of the Proximans' recovery programme, and the Bee made a significant contribution in terms of both export earnings and the redevelopment of domestic industries.