POV: Steam Gear
Here I was now. The two hours were up and, with that, my time to prepare myself mentally for this new challenge. I’m going to meet a lot of new ponies after all. Not to mention that some are going to be my subordinates. A really frightening thought. Not that complaining could change that, I had to face the music, and that’s exactly what I did.
I stood ready at the doors to greet Kruger and the new recruits. Fetch wanted to finish a draft first. Said it would only take a minute, so I’m alone right now.
Not very reassuring.
Maybe I could short circuit the doors to prolong the inevitable?
My attention was brought from my thoughts back to the doors, as I heard the telltale whirr of the doors sliding open.
It was too late now.
I quickly turned my gaze to the doors, slightly queasy. However, what stepped through it left me slightly in awe.
Well, more like completely stunned in an awe-induced coma.
“I died and this is heaven,” I muttered in awe at the wing sporting staff that stood proudly before me. There were two thestrals, one pegasus pony and even one gryphon.
If there is a Santa Hooves, he decided that I was a very good colt this year.
Time to unwrap my presents!
Uh…I mean welcome the new recruits!
Just at that moment Fetch rounded the corner. He did a double take as he took a look at the new recruits and then eyed me warily.
“Steam, I know you like wings, but is there a good reason for why the R&D is basically an aviary?”
I was about to retort when I heard a chuckle. I turned my head to see it was Cruger standing behind the new recruits.
Huh, didn’t see him there, standing directly next to the new recruits in plain sight…I guess there is a reason why I’m not a patrol trooper. Attentive wise, mind you, I could easily build myself a weapon for self-defense. Of course a long range one. I’m not a fighter, so short range would bring me a huge disadvantage. Not that I ever would get in a fight here though. I’m just a simple engineer after all.
Cruger then stepped up to address us, “It is indeed a rather big coincidence that the selection consisted of them. I expected more unicorns to apply for the positions, but these four here were the best out of the applications for the more senior positions in the R&D department. But first let me introduce your new team.”
This got my attention. It was time to see which two I got. My giddiness ebbed away and was replaced with nervousness. I started a silent chant in hope to raise my chances to get my preferred subordinates. “Please let me have the pegasus and gryphon, please let me have the pegasus and gryphon, please let me have the Pegasus and gryphon.”
“First let me introduce Midnight steel.”
A female thestral stepped forward. She has a dark midnight-blue coat, piercing amber eyes and a tuft of fur on each ear, which I honestly found cute. I have a liking towards fluffy things after all. They don’t always have to be feathers.
“This is Midnight Steel. She is going to fill the place of the Maintenance Engineer as a Ranger Specialist, that means that she’ll be in charge of the stuff that the Rangers use in the field other than the Zords.”
She nervously raised a hand in greeting as she stepped towards me. “Hello. I hope for a good working relationship.”
I nodded and shook her hand in greeting.
I was maybe a little disappointed about not getting feathery wings appointed, but beggars can’t be choosers. And I sure won’t be rude towards my subordinate because of personal preferences.
“Next up is Manual Control,” said Cruger as a shy pegasus pony stepped forward.
He has a dark red-brownish coat, with red eyes and a two toned mane of yellow and orange. He was wearing green glasses and a Stetson. An odd combination in my opinion, since he was giving of a country feel on the one hand, and on the other the one of a pony you would see in a lab. Not that lab ponies couldn’t be country folks, it is just something you didn’t see that often, and it made me quite curious.
“He is appointed for the position Research Specialist: Design, he’ll be turning the concepts you boys and girls come up with into schematics for you to put together.”
My spirits fell slightly at that, but I got it under control pretty fast. I mean, he would be still in the same department, so there was really no point in complaining since we would still work together, just not as close as I had hoped.
“And this here is Flare Blast,” said Cruger as he motioned the gryphon forwards.
He had black feathers and dark gray fur with red yellow and orange highlights near the tips of the wings and orange eyes.
He seemed a little shy, just like me when I first encountered Cruger for the job interview. I mentally snickered at the memory. I got hot tea all over him by accident. At that moment I was sure I was done for, and I didn’t just mean my application. But he simply shrugged it off like it was nothing and calmed my panicking mind. I wonder how he did in his interview? Probably better than me. I guess he just needs time to adjust to this new situation too.
I sighed as I hung my head. I would really love a gryphon as my subordinate, but I doubt I have that much luck.
Just in that moment the gryphon stepped up to me and held out his talon, I blinked.
“Uh, yes?” I asked hesitantly.
Cruger just shook his head. “You need to pay attention, Steam Gear. You can’t always have your head in the clouds.”
Fetch had an amused smile on his face, as I looked around noting that I was the center of attention. I rapidly and nervously nodded, hoping to get on with whatever happened, to shove the attention off me. Thankfully Cruger had mercy on my poor soul.
He cleared his throat. “Like I said, Flare Blast is taking the position of Maintenance Engineer: Runner Specialist, he’s the one who’ll actually be working on the Zords.”
This instantly filled my whole being with giddy excitement and a toothy grin appeared on my face, as I eagerly reached for his talon and shook it vigorously.
“Nice to make your acquaintance!” I blurted out a little too loudly and eager, as Flare slightly flinched back at my outburst.
Cruger just shook his head again. “I should have known,” he said, before drawing all attention towards him again to introduce the last team member.
A thestral stepped forward.
“This is Lunar Fang. He is going to take on the role of the Research Assistant, he’ll come in handy, just don’t break him.”
The thestral stepped eagerly forward. He has a dark purple coat with a dark yellow mane and electric blue highlights. His sea green eyes stared eagerly into the round. And as eager as he was, he immediately stepped towards Fetch and greeted him just as eager. He seemed to be quite the motivated one.
With the round now complete Cruger decided to leave us to our devices. He told us to give them a tour of our department. I agreed to lead the tour. This would be so much fun!