Cobbler Mustang approached the doors of the elevator, the two guards still in tow. The decorative brass doors slid apart when he pressed the button, revealing the wood-paneled cylindrical car. The floor was a mosaic of the TechQuestrian emblem, a gear held aloft by the figures of an earth pony, a pegasus, and a unicorn. The words below it read ‘Progress. Innovation. Freedom.’
“Will that be all, sir?” one of the guards asked.
Cobbler turned and looked at him blankly, as if he’d forgotten the guards were there, and then smiled weakly. “Yes, I believe so. Thank you for your assistance today.”
He turned to go, but the other guard, a mare, cleared her throat.
“Mr. President, I just want you to know,” she said, placing a hoof on her chest, “that I think Twilight Sparkle is a fool for not accepting your offer. You’re not a monster, sir, you’re a hero! And tomorrow, all of Equestria will know it!”
He tipped his hat to her. “That’s very kind of you to say, but I’m afraid that you are incorrect. I’m no hero,” he said, turning back to the elevator. “I’m just a stallion who believes in justice. And it may well be that I’ve got a few things to answer for as well, so don’t judge Princess Twilight too harshly.”
The mare bowed her head. “Of course. I’m sorry, sir,” she said quietly.
“No need to fret,” he said, managing a smile as he got into the elevator. “You both be on your way and make sure to get some rest once your shift is over. We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
The elevator doors slid shut, and he heaved a long sigh, finally letting all the tension of the day drain out. After a few moments, he arrived at his destination, and the doors at the back of the elevator opened.
He stepped out into the large, round room: his office.
The carpet was a deep red, and his hooves sank into it silently. The earthen walls had been completely covered by wooden panels and were adorned with portraits of the great scientists, innovators, and freethinkers in Equestrian history: there were Open Locke, Haycartes, Fig Newton, and Charles Cabbage, to name a few. He also had numerous bookshelves and a massive aquarium filled with brightly colored tropical fish.
He crossed the room to his massive mahogany desk and placed his hat upon it. There was a globe on a stand next to it. He placed his hoof on it and slid the hidden panel open, revealing the bottles and glasses within.
He removed a bottle of peach brandy, uncorked it, and poured a small amount into a snifter. He took a long, slow sip from it before going to his desk and sitting back in his chair.
The President’s Office hadn’t always been his, but he’d certainly made it his own. He’d worked many a late night in the room, slept on the sofa once or twice, and held private meetings with some of the other department heads. He’d worked hard to earn the respect of his citizens, and sacrificed much of his time and his own fortune toward achieving its goals.
Now on the eve of what could be their greatest day, there was no room for error. He wanted to believe that they’d do just fine without Twilight Sparkle’s endorsement, and maybe they would. But having it would obviously be preferable.
Still, her words stung.
“Monster,” he whispered, repeating the epithet she’d called him. Something about that ate at him, burrowing into the dark, nearly-forgotten parts of his mind.
He glanced at the many pictures on his desk and clicked on the electric lamp to look at them more clearly. There was his grandfather, Dearborn, his mother and father, Auntie Bellum, and a few others. He knew they would understand him; they would be proud of all that he’d done.
He finished his small glass of brandy and pulled over the large microphone he kept on the corner of his desk. Near it was a panel with many switches. Flipping a switch on would allow him to broadcast to specific areas around TechQuestria. However, he elected to flip the one on the top left marked ‘Broadcast ALL.’
“Good evening, nation,” he began. “This is President Cobbler Mustang speaking. I hope this night finds you well…”
***
Umahara held the spell card aloft, giving it one last look before placing it inside the plastic crate he was packing. He then inspected and placed five more in a row before going on to the next two rows and then sealing the lid on the crate, snapping it shut with the locking mechanisms on the side.
He was in the loading bay of the Applied Magitech Department, where many more crates were strewn about the floor, which he’d just finished packing. There was a dolly nearby, and soon the freight and utilities tram would dock to pick up some cargo. Every department had such an area, since it was a good way to transport some of the heavier or more hazardous materials around without using the public transportation systems.
He raised his head, looking up at the rocky ceiling lined with hanging electric lights.
By this time tomorrow, he thought, we might not have to hide down here any longer.
He looked back down and spotted one of his other coworkers across the room. “Hey, Bell Breaky,” he said, calling to him, “can you lend me a hoof with these crates? I need to get them loaded onto the dolly and brought over to the launch site.”
Bell Breaky was a rust red earth pony with a tuft of extra fur on his chin, a short, spiky mane, and hazel eyes. He nodded to Umahara and trotted over. The two of them began picking up the crates and stacking them on the dolly.
“So, pretty exciting day, huh?” Bell Breaky asked.
“Sure is,” he replied, using his magic to levitate another crate. “I mean, it has been.” He turned to him and smiled.
“I bet. Helping capture Princess Twilight and her friends. You’re lucky the President trusts you so much.”
He snorted and rolled his eyes. “The only reason he called on me for the job is because Twilight could recognize me. I was just the right bait for the right trap.”
Bell Breaky elbowed him. “You’re being too modest. But whatever,” he said, picking up another crate. “Hey, by the way, do you think Automaton Wars will catch on once we’re on the surface? I know you’ve got a few machines you’ve been itching to try out in the arena.”
He grinned, but looked down. “I… I don’t know. I mean, if TechQuestria really is going up to the surface, I’m not sure when or if we’ll have time for any of that stuff. In a way, it’s kind of like the whole country’s just disappearing and becoming part of Equestria.”
“Or maybe the other way around, right?” Bell Breaky said hopefully.
Umahara stared back at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Well… okay, I guess not. But hey, we’ll be changing Equestria for the better, helping technology advance, and you… oh man, you’re gonna be like a hero! Soon police and the army are going to be using the spell cards you invented--” here he tapped one of the crates, indicating the contents within “--to keep the peace regardless of magical ability.”
Umahara’s eyes went wide. “I… police? The army?”
Bell Breaky shrugged. “Well, yeah, I mean, our soldiers are sure gonna use ‘em that way. That’s why we’re loading them up.”
He looked away. “I guess I never thought of them being used after the revolution. I mean, that makes sense, but I never thought about them as weapons.”
Now it was Bell Breaky’s turn to raise an eyebrow. “Dude. You’ve used them as weapons before. Heck, you’re the first one to use a spell card on another pony. That crazy chick with the metal arms, remember?”
Umahara was picking up another crate when Bell Breaky said that. He nearly dropped the crate as he whirled around.
“Hey, that’s not fair! I had no choice!” he shouted.
“Whoa, sorry,” Bell Breaky said, holding up his hooves in mock surrender.
“And don’t call her crazy!”
“I didn’t mean it like that, I mean because she was kinda, y’know, going crazy on you. Picking you up and throwing you around and stuff.”
“Just the same--”
Just then they heard a loud beeping sound from one of the overhead speakers.
“Oh, hey, evening announcement,” Bell Breaky said. “I was wondering when this would be coming. What do you think the President’s gonna talk about?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Umahara replied.
“Good evening, nation. This is President Cobbler Mustang speaking. I hope this night finds you well. First of all, let me commend everypony on their hard work. I realize many of you may be at home in the Residential District with your families or friends. Others may be working late or starting the vital work of the evening shift. I thank everypony who volunteered to assist in getting ready for tomorrow.”
Umahara looked to the side and saw Bell Breaky was practically bouncing on his hooves.
“Oh hey, there you guys are!”
They both turned and saw their pegasus friend, Airy Siren, a mare with a yellow coat and a reddish orange mane.
“Shh, Airy, the President is talking!” Bell Breaky said, raising a hoof to his lips.
“Yeah, I know, I didn’t see you guys in the main hall, so I came to find you! You know I have to look after my boys!” she said, laughing as she ruffled both their manes. “Anyway, let’s listen together!”
“...hardly need to remind you all that our launch time is precisely at seven in the morning. Absolutely everything must be ready at the launch site. For the most part, we only have some final checks to run, and we are well ahead of schedule. However, we still need some supplies from Applied Magitech, and technicians from Aeronautics will need to make one final maintenance check. Furthermore, our weather pegasi will need to ensure that the skies are clear to minimize any risks.
“Still, with everypony’s help, I am certain that Operation ‘New Dawn’ will be a success.”
Airy pulled her two friends in close. “Ooh, this is so exciting!”
“That’s what I said,” Bell Breaky said. “But try to tell it to this sad sack over here!”
Umahara made a face. “I am excited. I’m just a little anxious is all.”
“Aw, don’t be,” Airy said, slapping him on the back. “I’m sure all our gear will work perfectly.”
“That’s not… ugh, never mind.”
The three of them turned back to facing the overhead loudspeaker as Cobbler’s voice echoed out.
“Now, I’m sure most of you have already heard about our special guests,” he said, chuckling slightly, “but allow me to confirm it: Twilight Sparkle and her friends are in our custody. We also have the others who were traveling with them.”
Umahara blinked. “Wait… others?”
“Shh!” Bell Breaky hissed.
“Sadly, it seems Twilight Sparkle is not yet ready to offer her support. However, I believe she will come to see the wisdom in joining us, along with her friends. They simply need a little more time to both consider the situation and understand what we stand for. However, in the meantime, they are to be treated as our honored, if unwilling, guests.”
Airy frowned. “That’s a shame. But I guess Princess Twilight’s still pretty attached to Celestia.”
“And she’s probably not too happy about what we did to 003, either,” Umahara muttered.
“You really think she’s that attached?” Airy asked.
“Seriously, guys, shh!” Bell Breaky growled.
“One final matter to discuss is tonight’s Council Meeting. I will need all Department and Citizen Representatives at the Meeting Hall to discuss some final matters before New Dawn goes forward. If any Department Representatives are unable to come due to their duties, please send your designated substitutes. The meeting will commence in half an hour.”
Airy and Bell looked to Umahara.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going,” he said. “I honestly don’t know what else there is to talk about.”
“In conclusion, I’d like to assure you all that we are now on the eve of a great day that will no doubt go down in history as the first day of the Democratic Republic of Equestria. We shall soon greet a bright new future where ponies decide their own fates and where the wonders of science and technology are known to all! The dark ages of ignorance in Equestria are over, and New Dawn shall bathe all the nation in a glorious light! For progress! For innovation! For freedom! For TechQuestria!”
There was a click, and the loudspeaker went silent.
Airy held her hooves to her chest, tears coming to her eyes. “After all our hard work, we’re nearly there, guys.”
Umahara swallowed. “Yeah. It’s… weird. It felt like this day would never come.”
The other two both swept him up in a hug.
“Gah, all right, all right, cut it out!” he laughed. “All right, I don’t have time to mope around. I’m going to take our progress report to the meeting. Airy, can you help Breaky load up the rest of these crates?”
She gave him a mocking salute with crossed eyes. “Will do, Mr. Representative!”
Umahara grinned as he walked away. However, once he was out of sight, that grin began to fade. Just who, he wondered, were the others that had been captured in addition to Twilight and the other five?
He would make sure to ask at the meeting.
***
Cobbler flipped the broadcast switch back to off and leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He wasn’t a young pony anymore, and he felt the weight of many long years as heavy as it’d ever been.
But there was no time to rest. There was work to do.
He sat up and looked over to one of the pictures on his desk. He reached for it, picking it up and holding it to his chest.
He raised the picture, kissing it lightly.
“It’s almost time.”
***
Just over a dozen ponies sat around the long oblong table at the center of the room as the TechQuestrian Council discussed and argued and voted on decisions. But overall, the meeting was just them checking in with their final reports from their departments and making sure they knew what to do in the next several hours.
“Very good, my friends,” Cobbler said, raising his chin. “It seems that we are getting very near to accomplishing all of our goals.”
He received a round of applause from around the table.
“However,” he said, his face growing stern, “as I stated in my address earlier, we have yet to secure Twilight Sparkle’s cooperation. I cannot stress enough that we must have her on our side if we wish to minimize resistance to our revolution.”
“Oh, nonsense!” said the Metallurgy Department Representative, a pegasus mare. “I think you’re worried about nothing, Mr. President. The ponies of Equestria are a complacent bunch. The average citizen will fret about the change for a bit, then go back to their own life. Twilight Sparkle’s cooperation isn’t necessary.”
“I say, that sort of talk is just what’s been holding us back!” said an aging unicorn stallion, the Transportation Department Representative. “We should have been working on securing more and more allies in high places. When our original plan for Twilight Sparkle did not work out, we should have simply approached her directly rather than allowing her to continue to work with Unit 003 independently.”
Cobbler frowned. “I am not interested in the past,” he said, “or decisions that have already been made democratically by this very council, no less.”
“I am only saying,” the representative said, “that we should do all that we can to make sure that Twilight Sparkle is on our side. The greatest heroines of the old Equestria will assure citizens that they can trust the new Equestria as well!”
Cobbler nodded. “I tend to agree. Comments or suggestions?”
A tall gray earth pony stallion in uniform raised his hoof.
“Security Chief Lugnut,” Cobbler said, nodding to him. “You have the floor.”
“Frankly, sir, if it’s that important, why don’t we just use the mind control serum we’ve got and place her under our control?”
The Council erupted in a storm of furious shouts.
“Brainwash the Elements?! You’re insane!” shouted one representative as she leaned across the table, pointing at Lugnut accusingly.
“We’re running out of time!” Lugnut shot back, slamming his hooves on the table. “If it’s so important, then we’ve got no choice!”
“Order, order!” Cobbler picked up a gavel and pounded it on the soundblock repeatedly until the Council stopped squabbling and shouting. “There now… there’s no need to shout. We are all intelligent ponies, so let’s act with some tact. Now… yes, Blue Blazer?”
The Council members all looked down to see Blue Blazer seated behind the Acoustics Department name placard. “Well, sir, I can think of one reason why it wouldn’t work,” she said, adjusting her scarf. “The Royal Guards we used it on? Well, today Chief Sergeant Sea Hawk nearly broke out of my control when we were apprehending Twilight Sparkle’s associates.”
“Wait, you were there?” Umahara said, sitting up from his seat across from Blue Blazer.
“Umahara, please wait your turn to speak,” Cobbler admonished. Turning back to Blue Blazer, he said “Go on. You believe the treatment is beginning to wear off?”
“Maybe so. It’s certainly noticeable when they’re being influenced… their behavior is more than a little off. I don’t think we can keep Twilight Sparkle under our control for very long without someone noticing.”
“And frankly, I have never agreed with controlling the Guards’ minds either!” said another Council member.
“Hear, hear!” said yet another.
“Hey, we had to do something!” Lugnut shouted.
Cobbler banged the gavel again. “Commander Lugnut is correct,” he said, his voice still calm. “We had a limited number of options and that was the best way to allow the Guards to return to their lives while still keeping ourselves undetected. It’s regrettable, but I do feel it was the right decision. But when it comes to Twilight Sparkle, well… I feel that it is neither the practical nor the moral thing to do right now. I do hope you all agree?”
The Council members all looked around before finally nodding their assent.
“I’m glad to hear it. Now then--”
“Excuse me.”
Cobbler looked at the source of the voice and spotted Umahara waving his hoof.
“I believe I had a question that I’d like answered,” he said.
Cobbler nodded. “Yes, Mr. Umahara, what is it?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Just who are these ‘associates’ of Princess Twilight’s that Blue Blazer helped catch?”
Cobbler looked away and organized the papers in front of him. “That’s really not important. Moving on--”
“Hey!” Umahara shouted, startling the other representatives. “I am a democratically-elected member of this governing body, and I have a right to know!”
Cobbler frowned. “Umahara, this is a matter for internal security. It has nothing to do with--”
“Gadget Giroux and Spike the Dragon.”
They all whipped their heads around and saw that it was Blue Blazer who had spoken. She raised her chin, not backing away from the scrutiny.
“Blue Blazer,” Cobbler began, his expression turning sour.
“Mr. Umahara is correct. He does have a right to know,” she said, crossing her forelegs.
Umahara grit his teeth. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he growled at Cobbler.
Cobber smacked his forehead. “First of all, because it really was none of your concern, Mr. Umahara,” he said. “But also because I knew it would upset you. Given your attachment and on the strength of your word, Miss Gadget was invited to join our little organization. While the operation in question did retrieve information about who she suspected, and thus allowed us to evade the authorities, the operation also cost us operatives in the field who had to go back into hiding, as well as a significant amount of time and money to cover our tracks.”
Blue Blazer bowed her head, shutting her eyes. “I’m sorry, sir,” she said.
“No need to apologize, Ms. Blue Blazer,” Cobbler said, waving a hoof. “It’s Mr. Umahara who should be embarrassed. You practically begged to be part of both operations, and yet ultimately both operations failed. I do not wish to embarrass you or talk down to you, but you are the youngest member on this council and your affection for this young lady - adorable though it may be - has clouded your judgment.”
Umahara gawked at him, his cheeks turning red. “I… that’s…”
“I’ve known you since you were just a colt, my boy,” Cobbler said, his voice softening, “and as close as I was to your father and with the bond we share over what Celestia did to both our families, I feel that I must call you out on this before the problem gets out of hoof. As your friend, I suggest you drop this matter.”
Umahara was silent for a moment, trembling with anger and embarrassment, but he took a deep breath and sat back down.
Another pony, one of the Civilian Representatives, raised his hoof.
“Yes, Mr. Alfalfa Sprouts?” Cobbler asked.
The pony was a white unicorn stallion with a graying mane and mustache. He was wearing a black tie that he adjusted nervously before he began speaking.
“Mr. President, with all due respect, I think we are forgetting another option in all this,” he said.
“Oh?” Cobbler asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, I… I believe we should cancel Operation New Dawn.”
The council exploded in another uproar. After several more moments of shouting, Alfalfa Sprouts finally had the chance to speak.
“Sir, I’ve been a mechanic with this organization since even before you joined and became President,” he said. “You’ve done some wonderful things and helped build our fledgling nation up. But this push for a coup, sending the automaton, the brainwashing, and now kidnapping? Sir, I have been tepid at best about this plan to overthrow Celestia, even though I sympathize with you and hate the way she’s held innovation back, but this New Dawn plan could cause more heartache and strife than you realize. If Princess Twilight and her friends oppose us, then so will others. We’ll have to fight.” He looked down, his face grave. “This coup will not be bloodless. We might be starting a war.”
“With the weapons we possess,” Lugnut chuckled, “it won’t be a very long war.”
Alfalfa Sprouts glared at him. “You realize you’re talking about ponies’ lives, don’t you? You’re laughing off the fact that we may have to kill to secure this democracy.”
A hush fell over them all.
Alfalfa continued, “Mr. President, public opinion is still against Celestia and in favor of democracy, but your pushing and co-opting all the different departments toward this goal of revolution has cost you support. Many others here all share my opinion, and that’s why I would like to call for another vote on the matter.”
At last, Cobbler leaned forward, steepling his hooves. “Alfalfa, I respect your opinion, and I understand your misgivings,” he said. “However, I’m afraid that we have long passed the point of no return. We have all been hoping for the best while preparing for the worst in this scenario. But more importantly, we have sunk far too many resources into our plans. You can blame me all you like, but I won this position by vote, and I have a duty to carry out the will of the public. A little squeamishness on the eve of our victory is natural, but not enough to derail things.
“Furthermore, let’s just be honest: TechQuestria is quickly becoming unsustainable. We are in debt, and soon our debtors will begin to wonder where their money and resources went. It won’t be long before they find us and we’re exposed. Also, our little nation is top-heavy: we have a massive group of citizens who are engineers, scientists, professors, and freethinkers, but we’ve had such a difficult time finding common, unskilled laborers that we’ve had to entice them down here with salaries that are twice what they could make on the surface, which has further drained our coffers. And not all of those workers are loyal to us. I doubt many will remain loyal to us when we’re unable to pay them.
“Oh, and now that we’ve taken Princess Twilight and her friends captive, it’s only a matter of time before Celestia sends a very large force of soldiers to come find her.”
The other representatives all exchanged glances.
“In summary, fillies and gentlecolts,” Cobbler said, looking to each one of them, “it is ‘do or die.’ Either TechQuestria emerges tomorrow, or we accept that our dreams of democracy and a new age of scientific progress will never come to pass. We’re far beyond the point of listening to the cowardly voice that tells us to simply stay underground forever. We can’t. And I won’t. What about all of you?”
They all looked to each other. Alfalfa Sprouts bowed his head.
“So, nopony wishes to call for a vote?” Cobbler asked, a smirk on his face. “This is your last chance. Anypony?”
Alfalfa slowly shook his head. Nopony else raised a hoof.
“Well, then the matter is closed,” Cobbler said, heaving a sigh. “Then onto my proposal. I believe I may be able to win Twilight Sparkle to our side, but I’m going to require a favor from the Medical Science Department, the use of a small theater, and, first and foremost, a vote on allocation of resources.”
Umahara slowly raised his hoof. “What sort of resources, Mr. President?”
Cobbler smiled. “Unit 003,” he replied.
***
Unit 002 walked through the narrow doorway, 004 right behind her, as they entered the Recharging Station. The small room was little more than another rock-walled room with an intercom, a few cans of metal polish and rags, and three tall, metallic recharging alcoves. Black cables hung from them. 002 walked up to the one in the middle while 004 took the one on the right. They each reached around to the panels on their back, connecting the clamps on the cables to the metallic terminal nubs inside to begin recharging.
They both sat in silence, waiting as their power levels began to climb.
“It was a unique experience apprehending those two,” 002 said, breaking the silence.
“Affirmative,” 004 replied.
002 was quiet again for a moment, then added, “I wonder if we’ll be called on to combat or apprehend organics in the future.”
“It is possible.”
“Twice in one day,” 002 went on. “It was very interesting.”
“You have commented before that you found it interesting,” 004 said. “I do not share the opinion. I was created specifically for combat, and you to assist. We fulfilled both of our functions today for our masters. That is satisfactory.”
“Well… I can’t argue with that.”
004 looked over at her. “Why would you wish to argue?”
002’s ears drooped, squeaking on their hinges. “Never mind. You may disregard my comments.”
“Acknowledged.”
They both continued to sit there in silence until they heard the sound of metallic hooves on the hard concrete floor. A few moments later, Unit 003 entered the room.
“I have returned,” she said, going to the remaining empty alcove next to 002.
“Acknowledged,” 004 said.
“Welcome back, 003,” 002 said, watching her as she connected herself and began recharging.
Silence settled in again. The only sound was the slight electric hum of the alcoves as all three robots sat, staring straight forward.
“I once had this room only to myself,” 002 said. “That was before you two were created. But now we share it.”
“That is an accurate summary,” 004 stated.
“I concur. We share this room,” 003 said.
002 waited for them to say more. When they didn’t, she said, “It is common among organics who are colleagues and share a living space to provide summaries of recent events they’ve experienced to each other.”
“Acknowledged,” 003 said.
“Acknowledged,” 004 said.
002’s ears rose and lowered. “You two have not been around organics as long as I have. After interacting with them on a regular basis for such a prolonged period, I have adopted many of their mannerisms to better aid my interaction with them. For instance, I was making an inference when I mentioned that organics share details of their daily lives with their comrades. I was inferring that we should do the same. As organics would say, we should talk about our day.”
003’s ears rose. “Understood,” she said. “Enhancing interaction with our masters would be desireable. It will also allow us to be aware of each other’s activities and potentially boost our efficiency. I will comply.”
“Agreed. That action is logical,” 004 said. “I will also comply.”
002 nodded. “Very well. 003, today 004 and I--”
“We performed menial tasks involving physical labor. We then apprehended six ponies for our masters. Then we apprehended another pony and a dragon. Then we returned here.”
002 turned and stared at him for a few moments before turning again to face forward, her ears slightly askew.
“Have I omitted any vital information?” 004 asked.
“It is considered customary to provide greater elaboration when recounting such information,” 002 replied.
“Understood,” he said, and looked at 003. “The pony involved in the second incident had several mechanical prosthetic arms. She provided significantly more resistance than expected, but her efforts were insufficient to overcome our attack.”
003 raised her ears. “Understood. Neither of you appear to be damaged from the attack, although there are some abrasions on the right side of your face, 004. You should inform our masters of the issue for your next maintenance.”
“Acknowledged. I will do so,” 004 said. He then looked to 002. “Was that sufficient?”
002 tilted her head to the side. “I suppose that it is,” she replied.
Suddenly, the intercom came to life, and a pony’s voice came through it: “Attention: Unit 004, please report to the Aeronautics Department. You are needed to help transport some heavy machinery.”
“Understood,” he said. “I will comply.”
With that, he disconnected himself from his charging alcove and strode toward the door.
“Have a good day,” 002 said, waving to him. “We will see you later.”
“It is night,” 004 said, not bothering to look back at her. “And it is understood that you will see me later.”
002 visibly sagged. “It is merely another custom of organics,” she said quietly.
003 looked to 002, then back at 004. Then, strangely, she also raised her hoof and waved at him as he left. “Have a good day, 004. We will see you later.”
002 raised her head, turning to stare at her.
004 also paused, looking back at her. “Unit 003, while summarizing our daily experiences may prove useful, many of 002’s mannerisms are inefficient and serve no practical function. There is no need to emulate them.”
Turing paused and put down her hoof. “Acknowledged,” she said, and watched as 004 walked out of the room.
“He really is boring,” 002 grumbled. “A few months of being active, and all he does is perform his daily tasks. A shame… I had been looking forward to having another automaton to share my time with.”
“I agree that 004 is very efficient,” 003 said. “That is ideal, is it not? To serve our masters as efficiently as possible?”
“Yes. Of course,” 002 replied flatly.
003 was quiet for a moment, and then added, “You said he was ‘boring.’ I do not believe I have experienced boredom.”
“Well, stay around here long enough, and you will,” 002 muttered.
003’s ears twitched. “I am not certain I understand. However, if I may make an observation, you appear to be frustrated with 004, yet our masters have stated that we do not possess emotional states.”
002 continued staring forward. “Correct. We do not. We are merely machines. Any appearance of an emotive state must be a defect.”
“Understood. I see that I was mistaken,” she said. “Then boredom and interest are not emotive states? We seem to be capable of such things. Only a short while ago, I had an interesting experience.”
002 nodded. “Correct. We are intelligent, and therefore possess intellectual states of mind, including boredom, curiosity, and interest.” Then she raised her ears, turning to look at 003 more closely. “One moment… you had an interesting experience? What are you referring to?”
“Is it now my turn to summarize my day?” she asked.
“Yes, it is, now tell me,” 002 said, leaning forward with what looked like impatience.
“I was called by our Creator to a small room. I met an alicorn mare named Twilight Sparkle there.”
002’s ears twitched. “I see. Tell me more, 003.”
To be continued…
