//------------------------------// // 3 Meeting the Duo // Story: Finding Paradise: an EqG Tale // by The Wandering Wind //------------------------------// Neil Watts stood facing a window, looking out on the snow below. It had been cold the last week, and his bones ached from the chill even in the heated interior of his office in Sigmund Corp.’s head office. “How did I get saddled with off-duty time again, Eva?” Neil regarded his colleague with a scowl, gazing at her reflection in the window’s tinted glass. Eva Rosalene, for her part, didn’t even flinch. “Neil, you’re a pest. We should be grateful for the off hours after what you pulled with Colin and Faye. Not only was making the documentation for a supposed A.I. that in reality was someone’s imaginary friend difficult, but we still managed to get collared for unprofessionalism. Just be glad that Faye’s copy isn’t pissed with us making her. After all, she’s still the same person, construct, whatever.” “I know, Eva, but it turned out alright in the end, eh? We managed to give the patient his wish, and got vital information for my project. I just wish you hadn’t discovered it so soon.” Neil winced. At least she hasn’t discovered my other secret. I’m not ready to tell her yet. I need more time! Still, languishing in his boredom and convoluted thoughts, Neil was startled as Eva’s phone rang, signaling a call from the higher-ups. “Eva here…… Oh? Alright, we’ll head on up. Give us five minutes.” Hanging up her phone, she turned to Neil as she sighed, “We’ve got a big one, apparently. Director wants us briefed in person. Evidently someone’s pulling strings that they want their best team on. No idea why they want it, but they asked specifically for the both of us.” Neil turned, a spring in his step, saying, “Well then let’s not keep the boss-man waiting! We’re his best team, and we need to get moving!” With that, the two headed out of Neil’s office, entering the elevator that would take them to the Director’s office. --------------------------------------------------------- “Eva, Neil, right on time. Have a seat” The Director was an imposing figure; while old, his mein was that of a seasoned warrior, taking no guff from anyone. “As you already have surmised, we have a new patient. However, the nature of this case is such that it was requested that you two personally see its resolution, especially considering the difficulty of this assignment.” The Director placed a file in from of them, Neil picking it up and browsing its contents, “Hmm, tumor, inoperable, days left, wanting a fulfilling life, age… WHAT!?” Eva was flabbergasted, “What is it? What’s wrong?” The young technician raged, “She’s barely fifteen! She’s not even old enough for the program! The hell are you trying to pull?” He was livid. There was a reason that Sigmund refused to take younger clientele. The procedure was unalterably fatal, and the only thing standing in between Sigmund and a lawsuit would be the parents’ goodwill. “This has to be a mistake!” “Unfortunately Mr. Watts, it is not. We have our patient, and we know the request. She wants to have a future. She wants to be able to live out her life as if she weren’t dying. I only agreed due to the influence our contact had.” The Director looked as if he had a headache coming on, probably due to the stress this was causing him. “Not to mention the girl is apparently an orphan, and her guardians have signed agreements not to seek damages after the fact.”  “Then there is the girl who called us. She’s an Everton alumnus, where you two took some of your early education that led you here. The chairman threatened to never send us another student if we didn’t help. Evidently Canterlot has quite a few high ranking officials that owe Twilight Sparkle a debt, and she called on it. We can’t refuse. Wheels up in two hours.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deplaning at Canterlot Airport eight hours later, Neil was getting tired of lugging the 130-pound case holding the memory generation equipment. Seriously, couldn’t they have wheels? “Eva, where are we going again? I really need a rest” Eva just groaned. “For God’s sake Neil, just get it in the car. We’re taking the cab to Canterlot General. They’ve got her set up in a private room. We’ll have plenty of time to rest when we get in.” Neil just groaned, not liking the sound of private room at all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As it turned out, the room was at the end of the hall on the third floor, and of course the elevator was being serviced that day. Sixty-four steps later, Neil was happy to see the sign for the room. Scootaloo - Patient Code A7 As if anticipating their arrival, the door was opened by none other than their contact, Twilight Sparkle. “Oh, good! I heard you would be here, but I wasn’t sure when exactly you would arrive. Come in!” The young girl gestured inside, moving out of their way. “She’s already up, so we can discuss the whole procedure with her.” Neil’s eyes widened in shock as he looked in on the young girl whose mind they would be entering soon. Her hair lay flat on her head, her eyes murky and sightless. She looked the very picture of death. “Scootaloo? I’m Eva, and this is my partner Neil, we’re from Sigmund Corporation. Do you know why we’re here?” Eva was very cautious, not knowing what she had been told prior to their arrival. Smiling, Scootaloo said, “You’re here to make my dream come true, aren’t you? You’ll help me live a full life, even if it’s just a dream. I want a good life.” She moved her head toward their direction, as if trying to see them, “This is my wish: to find Paradise and live in peace.” And so their journey began.