open Mechquestria: My Life As A Equine Robot (00110010)

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@,

Angel let out a long sigh as she fell back onto the couch with another thud.  "I understand..." She let out another sigh. "Business before pleasure" She proceeded to take off the helmet.  "But I'm holding you to that." She said as she unlocked the door. "But, before you forget.." She rushed over to the desk. She grabbed a marker in her teeth, and proceeded to write something inside the helmet.  Once finished, she proceeded to walk back to Emerald, and standing on her hind hooves, place the helm back on her bead. "My number, which apartment I'm in, and which times the other girls are likely to be gone. Otherwise I'll just find you during your shift,...and resume things from there...." 

 

@@Randimaxis,

Professor CD began to back away. "Calm... the buck... down! Hayzuse buck dude!" She was making a placating gesture with her hooves. "And to think we were the ones scared for you! Maybe next time think about getting some hydrogen fuel cells installed and your low battery wouldn't be an issue. Or maybe a properly functioning adapter module." 

 

"Wow. Talk about a drama queen." Went Screen Cap.

 

"Really?"

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@@Denim&Venom

 

Seeing that he wasn't about to be destroyed, Twitch lightened up considerably.  His plates twisted into the look of a small sheepish grin, and he sounded apologetic.

 

"I simply didddddddddn't know what wasWASwas happening... I'm sorry-ry-ry; I'm still adjuuuuuuuusting to being... out in pu-pu-pub-pub-bl-bl-blic."

 

He glanced around a bit, looking like he was actually SEEING his surroundings for the first time.  His features shifted into curious interest, and he spoke a bit distractedly; inside, his scanners were taking in as much as they could get - just in case this went south.

 

"I'll... work on thaaaaaaaaat port, thank you you you... but, where am I acacacacacactually at?"

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Randimaxis,

 

"Twitch calm down, we're not going to do anything to you."

 

(later)

 

Crystal walked up to him, "we were just trying to figure out how you work." She lent over and whispered in his ear, "I have a question for you later, it's gonna be controversial so be ready."

---

 

@@Denim&Venom,

 

Emerald replaced the strap on her helm and kissed Angel on the cheek, "I will be held to that I can assure you Angel." She gave her smile. "That was a lovely time you showed me." Emerald left the room and headed back towards the main hall.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@ - @@Denim&Venom

 

"How I... work?"

 

OH, F-U-D-G-E.

 

Grant was sweating bullets, while Twitch simply sighed.

 

"There are a a a number of different things inside my chassis that there are no patentson - yet.  There are plans in the works to change that, but I was sent here to learn a few things first... and to get my first glimpse of the outside world."

 

On another planet, no less.

 

"I might... answer a few questions, but my inner workings are... sorta different."

 

Not to mention extremely HUMAN.

 

"... please, don't be upset with me."

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@@Randimaxis,

"Test chamber control room, inside the UEQ-Manehatten sublab complex. Your friend Embex called me over. Said you weren't responding when plugged in.  I was already working here. Already had parts to make dated Terran tech forwards compatible. Work on you, work on the current find. Easy enough arrangement. I'm Professor CD. That's Prof. Screen Cap.-" She pointed at the black n white hologram of a mare in a buissness suit. 

 

"Drama queen..." 

 

"Whatever. That's Prof. File Share." Pointing at the tri-wheeled white pony bot with the digitized features on the black computer screen face. "Um. High there!" Her features switched form sad/thinking to eyes closed cheerful. 

 

"I'm guessing you've met Professor Bee, and probably know miss Bass as well.@@captainborgue, " She then heard his comments on patents. "Wait, so right now you're being beta tested?"

 

 

CD couldn't help but notice Bass whisper something to Twitich. "Um, we can hear you just fine." She then proceeded to play back 

 

"I have a question for you later, it's gonna be controversial so be ready."

"We're robots if you haven't noticed. We can hear ultrasonic frequencies. So you might as well ask away then."

 

 

 

Back in the hallway

 

Angel let out another of what was to be many long sighs. She slumped against the wall. "Hate to see her leave. Love to see her go." 

 

"-of all the freaking inconsiderate, asinine, disrespectful, rude, elitist, mother bucking- Oh hey Angel!" Embex strolled up from behind. "So, where did- oh there she is." Embex looked on as Emerald was leaving. "She's got a bit of pep in her step." "Yeah." "Surprised your still not making out with her." "Yeah." "So what were you two doing all the way out here?" "Yeah." "...Stephanie Meyers did vampires justice!" "Ye- wait what?" "Knew that would work!"

 

That was met with a grunt. "Soooooo. What did you two do?" "Nothing." "Oh come on, we both know that's a crock of shiznit! Tell me the fine details!" "Not, without, her, permission." "Oh come on!" "Nope." "Oh there has to be evidence of something in there." She peaked her head, scanning. "Noooo, nothing out of the ordinary. for that room at least"  She then noticed the sock on the door. "...That's my sock." "Yeah, I borrowed it." said angel as she was walking away. Emebex got a sick smile on her face as she levitated the sock over her shoulder. "You went all the way, didn't you!" *sigh* "I wish..." " You wish?! You mean you didn't! That like breaks the tenants of the sock! Once you snag it, it has to be used! Didn't I already tell you this!?" 

 

Angel already had her mind on other things. Far more important, and alluring, things. 

 

 

 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@@Denim&Venom

 

Twitch blinked as Professor CD informed him of where he was, then looked to each as they were introduced.

 

"My name is Twitch Gliiiiiiiiitch; I'm pleased to to to meet you, but I wish I hadHADhad been... more p-p-p-p-p-prepared."

 

Grant, meanwhile, was reeling as he tried to think of a way to get out of this place; if there was ANYWHERE on campus that could figure out his secret, it was HERE.  It was like trying to hide a steak in a room full of cyber-wolves; how proverbially hungry they were remained to be seen.

 

Grant's eyes lit up as he heard CD's question.  Twitch's plates shifted into an shy smile.

 

"I sup-sup-sup-suppose that's the best way to puuuuuuuuuuuut it, yes."

 

Then, the statement Bass whispered to him was announced for all to hear.  Grant was already getting extremely uncomfortable; how could it possibly get any worse?

 

What if she asks you if you're human?

 

In his cot, Grant began to tremble and sweat, dreading whatever came next...

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@@Randimaxis,@, @captainborgue

"Hey. I noticed your vocal synth was working, and now it isn't. Caught wind of your accent there. Yup.

 

Organic response to insects. Doesn't appear to like scans. Made from Terran scrap. Contains all sorts of weird gadgets with hidden functions.  It's obvious to me what you really are. You're no AI. You're a Proxy.  You're alive on the receiving end, piloting this piece of machinery. 

 

It all makes sense to me now. But you couldn't hide this simple fact."

 

She pointed an accusatory hoof at him. 

 

"You're-

 

"From-

 

"Ponyville!"

Edited February 7, 2016 by Denim&Venom

[Shadow Dancer 111]

"That would be appreciated. Thank you. Now to my knowledge, there are two others on duty. A- doesn't say the rank on here, Mr.Shadow and... Captain Bolt." She internally sighed at the mention of the last one. "Know where either of them went?" 

 

 

 

@@Denim&Venom,

 

"Sorry ma'am I do not know where either are as I left to resume my patrol after doing some crowd control. I wish you the best in finding them. So anything else you need?" Marcus finished wanting to get back to figuring out where the hell his handler was located and why they where.

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@@Shadow Dancer,

"No. No, that will be it. Call me if you manage to find either of them. I'll keep looking myself. As you were."  Principal Live Wire then continued on with her own rolling patrol. "The reason better be damned important if they were willing to use an override code to get my attention."

[captainborgue 343]

Bee was stunned- not just at Twitch's freakout or the impressive array of tech he was hiding, or even how what appeared to be scrap plating was somehow articulate enough to express emotion. Now, out of nowhere, all his vocal tics were gone- not less obvious, gone. Completely. As VLAD was still busy crunching the numbers from the tiny amount of scans she was able to run, that left Bee in control of cognition. She recalled the swarm bots, most of which were fine but a couple would require disassembly and recycling. She had seen entomophobia before, of course- about a third of her first year students had it to some degree or another, and there was inevitably one or two students a semester that had full-on meltdowns. She had never seen it in a droid before- or even in an AI construct. Only organic minds, as far as she were aware, had any reaction to insects.
 
Was Twitch hiding an organic mind?
 
There had been cases of transference before, of course- usually in cases of severe injury or terminal illness. Of course, no sooner had Bee hit on this theory than her colleague had nailed it, as well.
 

"Hey. I noticed your vocal synth was working, and now it isn't. Caught wind of your accent there. Yup.
 
Organic response to insects. Doesn't appear to like scans. Made from Terran scrap. Contains all sorts of weird gadgets with hidden functions.  It's obvious to me what you really are. You're no AI. You're a Proxy.  You're alive on the receiving end, piloting this piece of machinery.
 
It all makes sense to me now. But you couldn't hide this simple fact."
 
She pointed an accusatory hoof at him.
 
"You're-
 
"From-
 
"Ponyville!"

"She's right- artificial intelligence, even the most advanced, doesn't develop phobias except at the very end stages of Rampancy- and if you were Rampant, those impressive gadgets you've got under the hood wouldn't be just flinging swarm bots away," Bee said, feeling VLAD's presence in her mind throbbing indignantly. "Not to mention the sudden lack of vocal tics. I'm guessing a script to block speech recognition software from tracing you by vocal pattern?" Bee said, surmising. "And the exterior plating- from the little data I could get, there's at least 20 points of articulation in just the head and neck alone, and that's if we only count your 'eye' displays as one," Bee said, as VLAD's data started flooding in. "Ponykind biologically has 12 points of articulation in the head and neck. Which means, you have more capacity for expression than a fully organic pony," Bee said, matter-of-factly.

 

"VLAD HAS SHOCKING DATA RELEVANT TO THIS CONVERSATION!" VLAD blurted out, with such force that Bee was momentarily surprised by his vehemence. "VLAD HAS BEEN ANALYZING SCAN RESULTS. SPECTROMETER READINGS UNMISTAKABLE- COMPONENTS ARE UNDOUBTEDLY TERRAN," VLAD said.

 

Bee facehoofed. "Yeah, great. Thanks, VLAD. We already figured that part out."

 

"VLAD MUST NOT BE EXPLAINING WELL. NOT JUST IN DESIGN, IN COMPOSITION. PARTS COME FROM EARTH."

 

Bee laughed out loud. "Yeah, ok. So amazing, VLAD. We could never have figured it out without you."

 

"VLAD DOES NOT APPRECIATE SARCASM."

 

"You recognize sarcasm now?"

 

"VLAD HAS DETERMINED THAT ALL CONVERSATION DIRECTED AT VLAD IS SARCASM."

 

"That's not- ok, yeah, that sounds about right, actually."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@@Denim&Venom - @@captainborgue - @

 

Twitch blinked, and then...

 

"I'm... I'm sick."

 

Twitch's head hung low as Grant tried to choose his next few words VERY carefully.  The stutter and roll was gone from his voice - the words issuing from Twitch's speakers were precise and clear.

 

"I just came to this school to... to learn as much about technology as I could.  I know about the transfer systems, but I'm much too poor to afford it; so I want to build one myself.  A... a really powerful one."

 

Okay, no lies there.  Good; the less I have to lie, the better; better still if I don't have to lie at all... but I don't know how they would react to the ENTIRE truth yet - gotta be careful.

 

"I don't want charity; I want to work for what I get.  I don't expect it to be easy, either."

 

Twitch looked up, a pleading look set on his muzzle.

 

"... but I don't want to die alone, in agony, with no way out.  I want to transfer into Twitch, here - it's why I built him like I did."

 

He sighed, returning his gaze to the ground once again.

 

"Professors, you're right.  I've been operating on a KK-115.5 OctoTerabyte Neural Transmitter... with a few modifications.  I have a Full-Bias NASA Ares model receiving wire, a hard-line Gamma-version FlexiCase for the network setup, and I'm operating with a Phoenix model chassis.  ALL Earth tech - NONE of it easy to come by."

 

Again, no lies there.

 

"I do have anti-scan Techno-Ware filters; that's why you can't get a clear scan - all the tech I put into Twitch Glitch is arranged in my own design and to my own construction... I don't want to be rendered obsolete before I've had a chance to deal with my illness first, at least.  I know Techno-Ware filters are nowhere near standard operating practice, but... well, I'm a special case, I suppose."

 

Twitch lifted his head, and gazed at each other pony there in turn.

 

"And Professor Bee?  VLAD is correct - Twitch here is built of 100% Earth material.  Took years to find all the parts I needed - even found a few that I integrated simply because I couldn't find the parts I originally wanted."

 

Again, no lies... just skirting the FULL truth - nothing to see here, folks.

 

He sat down again, this time on the floor.  

 

"I was going to... do all this by myself... but after actually getting just a taste of what dealing with an actual existence here - I don't think I even know where to begin..."

 

... also far too true...

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Randimaxis,@@Denim&Venom,

 

She turned to CD, "hey that was meant for his ears only, why in the hay did I whisper it to him!" Crystal knew there was somthing, but she was still going to ask her question to him latter, but she was sacred to ask him he was clearly terrified of us? This just made her more certain or her conclusion. "It's fine Twitch I will help you, I admit I will have to read up on the subject but I will help you."

---

 

Emerald spotted Live Wire, from her reports, she approached him. "You Live Wire?"

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

 @, @@Randimaxis,@@captainborgue,  

"Well you shouldnt've whispered it in front of all of us then. Things are sketchy enough as is with this dude. You're just making yourself look suspicious." CD went back over to the console and started wiring what appeared to be a rusted munitions box box with buttons to it. "Keep talking, I can multi-task. This AI storage unit ain't gonna finish connecting itself."

 

"Regardless, pretty sure that kicks your ​Ponyville theory out of the park CD." Said Screen Cap. "Yeah, ponyville is strange, and the have a pension for collecting Terran tech thanks to the original bunch of first contact enthusiasts lead by the Princess. Plus Twitch here looks like something St.Pinkemena could've assembled." The hologram began to circle Twitch. "However, even though cybernetic enhancements and transference into a custom model are rather pricey endeavors, they are bargain bin priced compared to nations outside of Equestria. Heck, we're a freakin charity compared to the prices Humanity has set up. 

 

"The technology for encoding DNA to binary data & vice versa has existed since the early 21st century. Yet even as the technology has made the process far more feasible, exponentially so with magitech, humans still hold on to the pricing models. Around 87 million USD for the entirety of one humans existence & consciousness to be coded and re-coded into an electronic format. 

 

But, as mentioned, the crown is charitable to those with terminal illnesses & traumatic injuries. Living life under an illness is far from pleasant. Working to earn a new body is admirable, but given the option to be free from misery and ensure your survival, such concerns become secondary. Even if you insisted on working things off, as others have in the past, Princess Twilight would be more concerned with your survival over trivial matters like resource cost. Given the hefty lifespan extension that comes with Transference, you'd repay everything eventually. 

 

But, such offers & benifits are public knowledge." Cap began to walk way, before stopping, and turning to look back at Twitch. "Here in Equestria anyways." She began to walk back towards him. "Since you haven't heard about this, it's pretty clear that you, sir, are not Equestrian."

 

She began to pace around him. "Overabundance of Terran tech? Check. The availability of such tech and the ability to bring it into Equestria? Check. A lack of financial resources? Check. Living in a place that isn't as charitable with tech, even of the dated Terran variety? Check. Adding to that a place with a largely wealth driven economy, most likely a capitalist society. Check.  An as mentioned, Vlad's description of facial articulation not lining up with a ponies."

 

She stopped. 

 

"It's clear to me what you are  Mr,Twitch. Admit it. "You... Mr.Twich... are actually-"

 

Now she was the one pointing an accusatory hoof. 

 

"A Griffon!"

 

 

 

The hallway

 

"Indeed I am Miss Bolt." Live Wire answered as she rolled up to. "Am I to presume you are the one who 'scheduled' a meeting with me?"

Edited February 8, 2016 by Denim&Venom

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Denim&Venom,

 

Crystal was shaking her head at CD's hopeless guesses.

---

 

"Yes i am the one who override your scheduled plan, it is a matter or national security which is why I did we need to talk somewhere no one can hear or see us." There was nothing but seriousness on her face and in her voice.  

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@,

"Yeah, yeah matter of national security. What isn't a threat to the nation these days? *sigh* "To the radiology lab I guess. Which means a long trip down into the sub-labs. Lemme see if it's booked... nope. Lucky us it isn't. Oh and if you really wanted this to be private, you should've invested in a cranial coms implant. We could be having this conversation in the lunch room and nopony would notice."

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Denim&Venom,

 

As they walked to the labs, Live Wire leading the way. "I have tried my body rejects the implants so that makes it impossible for me to get any upgrades one of the few in the guard who is not modified a little at least, anyway don't just dismiss my comments I'm not a hoof runner I'm Captain of the guard, who you think sent me?"

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@,

"One of the Majors or higher ups of the E.U.P? One of the noble families (hopefully not the Bloods). Sir Spike? Luna & Celestia? It'd be the first time we got anything from them in decades. Maybe Mi Amore Cadenza? Even while ruling the Crystal Empire on the Terran homeworld, she still retains authority here.  My point is that despite your title, you are still a soldier, and soldiers answer to a lot of different ponies. 

Edited February 8, 2016 by Denim&Venom

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

Emerald shakes her head "I report to four five ponies and four five only 

(oh hold on there are 5 now)

I'm 'The' captain of the royal guard I report only to the alicorns of our world I'm not that high in the army but I have a lot of power and one of the five wants me to talk to you...when we can talk without being overheard."  

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@,

"The royal guard?  Is that supposed to impress me?  The guard are glorified rent a cops. You brag about being the best in defending Equestria.  Yet when danger strikes the country, where the hay are you. Oh yeah, standing motionless next to our majesties. It's historical fact that the only times you get off your flanks and defend the country are when the Princesses just happen to be in the same vicinity. 

 

The vast majority of disasters and enemy attacks in Equestria were met with responses by civilians, Captain. Old Canterlot under siege? It was the citizens that returned fire. Cerberus escapes Tarturus? A librarian deals with it. Dragon attacks Ponyville? A sports team are the first ones on the scene. Same town gets annexed by a mad mare with a cursed artifact. Several days go by and not a single scout in the region, nor any afterwords to file a report. Bug bear attack? Again, locals are the ones to smite it." 

 

The two of them reach the radiology lab doors. A sign plastered on the door reading that no recording equipment of any kind is permitted and that only properly shielded staff are allowed. "Face it captain. You're not here on behalf of Equestria's interests. You're here on behalf of Princess Twilight. This threat to national security, is more likely a personal inconvenience to her." Wire said as she walked in. "I take my job as principal here seriously. I am to help guide the next generation of young Equestrians, for they are more likely to protect Equestria than you and your entire private security force.  Let the Princesses keep you as their lap dogs. The rest of Equestria has proven willing and able to defend itself." 

 

The door behind them closed. "So, out with it. What 'threat' exists that requires the involvement of a lowly College principal like me?"

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Denim&Venom, 

 

(This is for Denim's eyes only...but everyone else, you can read it )

 

Emerald was both personally and and for her unit offended by Live Wire's comments. "You know nothing of what we have done to save this nation time and again, but yet you list our gravest failures, I'm..." Emerald shook her head. "...I will just ignore what you said, Twilight has information despairing information, something is coming a threat to everypony and everything that walk Equestria, she needs minds to assist her the best of the best you may tell them whatever you wish but they will be on their way to her to see her plans through and the best minds are here in this school you and your staff are among who she would like to help her, but..." Emerald lent in and whispered to him (think it's a him) there was terror in her voice from this last part. "No, human may find out." she lent back to her previous position. "They will be the next great threat to us, it's coming she has seen it, a land where nothing lives total annihilation at the hands of humankind." 

 

[reader8363 1,281]

After Feeder took inventory of what he had, he looked at the receptionist bot and wanted to know what it ran on and if it's sorta alive. He went behind it and muttered to the robot as he turned it off,

"Sorry about this. I'll turn ya back on afterwards."

He grabbed a screwdriver and opened the back and said as he looked at the parts,

"The core might be outdated, I could probably make it better. Seems like it has some sort of military code in it. Wonder what's that about

(If what Feeder is doing is against the rp just tell me and I'll fix it)

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@

,

"That's her concern huh? War with the humans? Pretty sure that's been a concern since first contact had been made public to both worlds a century ago. There have been attempts to cross the gateway by nations on both sides. Wars were almost started over not being allowed to get through. First the dragons tried to breach. Then North Korea. After that it was the Changelings. Then there was the massive attempt by the Chinese. America looked next to move in. But the Russia tried to beat the to the punch. Both became more interested with standing off with each other than going through. But that demonstrates the Princesses point.

 

Humanity has 10,000 recorded years of warfare. Being the dominant species, the sole sentient species, they had no one to fight but each other. Tens of millions, hundreds of millions dead over their existence, by their own hand, over the most trivial of reasons. Heck, it's not even nations that wish to perform the bloodshed anymore. Factions with radical ideologies, whether they be spiritual, political, or recently, speciest & technological, have been the greatest threat. It may not be any country that fires the first shot. Just a bunch of fanatics who will see their delusion through, regardless of how many pay the price. 

 

But I see little reason to worry. Humans cannot persist in our realm. Our ambient magic, and the very laws of our universe operating on an ordered system of quantum mechanics, that works contrary to the quantum indeterminacy of human molecular biology, makes it impossible for a human to exist in our realm, even with protection. We have brilliant minds. We also have intuitive and perceptive ones.  They'll recognize what they're working on and ask why? 

 

That's not to mention the significant technological, economic, hay even physiological edges we have over the humans. It would take another century for them to catch up to us. It woudl take a massive restructuring of their world economy and their fiscal morals to match ours. And to our knowledge, their isn't anything in their universe that resists magic. Because simply, magic doesn't exist over there. 

 

So what is the real threat Captain? Because if anything, it looks more like humanity may need protection from us." 

 

Edited February 8, 2016 by Denim&Venom

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Denim&Venom,

 

 

"I don't know the answer to that question, but she has taken that funny potion that makes her see the future and she saw our world gone, the humans did not conquer nor invade they found another way to harm our world without coming here, I don't know all the information she shares with me what she thinks I should know. But she could not come here to many questions so she sent me to gather minds to help her avert this possible future it may be as simple as talking some more, but she is exploring all options including military invention I don't know the details only her and the rest of the crown members do, in case I am interrogated or something, I ask for you help shall I returned empty hoofed and say that you dismissed her concerns?" 

 

[Denim&Venöm 18,964]

@,

 

 

"She's so certain humans were the ones that caused this? I wouldn't put it past them. Another alien race. Several of them, existing on the other of a portal on their world? It would be the one thing to untie them in a common cause for supremacy. They try to hide it, but they are fiercely competitive. A very us vs. them mentality. They eradicate us, they secure their own dominance in the world. With the landscape stripped of life, they could have an entire planets worth of resources for thousands of years. The trouble woudl be getting all of that over there without human presence.

 

But again, is she so sure it's the humans? There are forces in our realm that are far more capable of doing such damage today.  And I'm a bit hesitant to trust Princess Twilight of all bots on matters of a temporal nature. Wasn't it she who traveled back in time telling her not to worry of an oncoming calamity, only for the visit of her future self to trigger panic over such a thing anyways. And didn't she engage in a days long war with a unicorn prodigy over altering the course of Equestrian history, continually making the same mistakes? 

 

How can we know that the future she see's, isn't one caused by her trying to prevent it? And why did she take a second sight potion anyways? I thought as a Princess living for a century and a half, one that uploaded herself mind you, would be smarter than to tamper with such things. 

 

Unless of course, she received a vision, and just used the potion to further study. That sounds more in line with the scholarly Twilight of old.

 

I can make recommendations, but it would be up to them. And they're not only intelligent, but intuitive and perceptive. They will see though your machinations. And if you level with them, they may not wish to continue."

 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@ - @@Denim&Venom - @@captainborgue

 

Grant's visor showed the eyes of the lab crew staring at him - even the holographic ones - and thought, these guys could rip me apart at any moment... how can my identity ever be safe around all this brilliance?  They'll hit on it sooner or later; that's when Twitch becomes Public Enemy Numero Uno, and I lose any chance I have at doing this thing.

 

Twitch's gaze turned to Crystal as a look of relief and gratitude clicked into place.

 

"Thank you.  I really appreciate it; if I can help you out too, let me know."

 

Casting a somewhat careful glance over the others there, he spoke softy.

 

"Uhm, thank you all for your concern - and again, I'm REALLY sorry I freaked out back there.  I just... don't like scanners; but insects are okay."  His smile spun a little wider at Prof. Bee.

 

Grant noticed the storage container; he'd seen hundreds like them back when he'd been able to dump-dive for parts.

 

"Uhm, I may not know a thing about what I'm saying here, but... those things usually come with small holes in the side, used to reset the combination when you push a pin into them; maybe there's one under the rust?  Not... that it's my business or... yeah... uhm, so - if you've had enough fun with your guessing game, is it okay if I ask about what my chances might be getting in?  I mean, if anypony would know how to find out about what I'm looking for, it would be the smart ones in the laboratory, right?"