Personnel Files Of An Engineer

Chapters

Chapter 1: Meet The Engineer
Chapter 3: R&D Introductions
Chapter 4: R&D Team Building
Chapter 5: BBQ, R&D Style
Chapter 6: Toast Gone Wrong
Chapter 2: The Wing And Nobility Discussion

Chapter 1: Meet The Engineer

POV: Steam Gear

The Delta Base. Home of the most advanced technology you could ever hope to find in Equestria or any other country for that matter. Home to a strange being that had a strange resemblance with a dog. Not that I would call Cruger that. He probably would be offended by the comparison. I could only imagine how many times he got called a dog, and I was definitely sensitive enough not to hurt his feelings.

And also, I didn’t want to get smashed into a bloody pulp like Tirek. I heard he was quite the mess, so I will admit, that I was a little afraid of him. Not that my fear was the main incentive to stay quiet about this, I really am sensitive! I mean sure, I’m also a curious one, but I can control these urges!

Well, I should probably introduce myself. My name is Steam Gear. I have a green coat with a darker green mane and golden eyes. The most obvious trait is probably my brown top hat that I’m always wearing. Oh, and I’m a Unicorn so that I have to cut a hole so I could even wear it. I’m also wearing a brown vest, white blouse and black trousers. You probably are not that interested in it, so I better get back to where I started my talk. The Delta Base.

It took some time for me to get settled in. You have to know, I’m always in a state of unrest when I encounter a new workplace, or anything new for that matter, as long as it wasn’t technology or wing related. It was nothing I could control. So you can probably figure out that getting acquainted with new ponies was also not my strong suit. Kind of a wonder why that was different with Fetch. I hit it off with him from the start. He wasn’t one of the pushy kinds and he often gave me the space to work and think, while still having some conversation from time to time.

My job here at the base is supervising and helping in the construction of new devices, as well as maintenance. So you could say that I keep things running around here, while making sure to realize all the necessary devices. Fetch was the one for the research and planning, I was helping him with the planning and build the devices then. So you could say we had a close work relationship.

Only downside on this job was that Cruger wouldn’t let me disassemble his ATV, no matter how much I tried to convince him, which probably sounded like begging to most other ponies. But still! Why wouldn’t he let me! I don’t understand his hesitation, I would piece them back together exactly as they were! Honest!

At this exact moment RIC, a robot dog in laypony terms decided to pounce on Cruger. I chuckled as I saw my boss get licked to death, "He seems to like you sir," I remarked.

It was moments like this that made me warm up around Cruger more. He looked strange and the stories about his great feasts might intimidate ponies like me, but inside he seemed to be a normal pony, uh, dog bipedal hybrid? Argh! Now it is bugging me again!

I was so focused on my thoughts that I almost missed his response. This happens too often for my comfort. I should learn to focus more.

"Came with the house, though I'd never send him to the pound." Cruger turned to his assistant, Sorrow Song a pure white mare, "Anything else scheduled for today?"

She then proceeded to check her daytimer. "You have a scheduled inspection of the new recruits in 2 hours, but other than that, nothing."

"Good, call me half an hour before then. If anyone asks, I'll be at home."

New recruits? Right the R&D needed more helping hoofs as well as some other departments. Fetch and I couldn’t run it on our own. Not to mention the other vacancies in the different departments.

I excused myself and made my way outside for a break, as my mind wandered back to RIC. I wonder if he will allow me to disassemble him?

The sky was a heavenly blue. A nice slight breeze could be felt at this time of day, and a sky blue pegasus pony was flying in the distance.

I love that this base is so close to Ponyville.

With haste I took out my spyglasses as I ~~spied~~ admired the pegasus from afar. This was by far my favorite pass time. She was quite a talented and daring flyer. She, the self-proclaimed fastest flyer in Equestria! Just look at these wing muscles. How soft one of her feathers might be? Maybe I should look for one in her trash cans?

No, I wouldn’t even reach her house in the skies. Maybe with a flying device? Fetch sure could help me build it.

…

Ok, just joking, that would be too creepy and I don’t want another charge.

At least that’s one thing we agree on, you creeper! said a harsh voice in my head. I just sighed at that.

Oh, you are there? I almost thought I was rid of you, I answered the voice in my head.

Many would probably say I was crazy at this point, but this brash voice formed itself over time to keep me in line and even help me to assert myself if need be. It does so in an insulting and annoying way, but it still holds some merit.

You wish! Oh, and by the way, you are drooling again.

This brought me out of my ~~spying~~ admiring. I wiped my muzzle with my hand, but then proceeded to watch her fly, only glad that no one was around at the time.

Can’t you go and play hide and seek in my head, while I’m trying to figure out the properties of pegasus wings?

Pffft! As if! You should better concentrate on your work! You still have to create the badges and spandex suits with Fetch.

I cringed at that.

You know how sensitive Fetch is about the suits, so don’t call them that! Oh, and by the way, we still have a lot of time for that. The A-Squad is not even arranged yet. Not to forget the new recruits Fetch and I have to introduce to their workplace.

I was starting to feel queasy.

By Celestia, meeting new ponies is just not my forte. I hope I can adapt to that quickly.

You wouldn’t have problems with that if you weren’t such a shut-in in the first place.

I’m not a shut-in! I protested, I merely like the peace and quiet. It is really relaxing.

Whatever you say, shut-in, he teased, Just get your rump back to work.

I sighed. Fine, I will do so in a minute, just let me enjoy this for one moment.

Just as I proceeded watching the rainbow maned pegasus again she flew right past the base. I let out a dreamy sigh. This really was the best location for my actions.

Normal actions. Not creepy ones.

I then held my breath as I saw something slowly gliding down.

A blue feather.

An honest to Celestia blue feather!

I instantly took it carefully in my magical aura and floated it towards me. I reached out with my hand and touched it.

It was soooooooooo soft and feathery! Oh, what would I give for a bed of these feathers! I could happily die then!

I wouldn’t mind if you did, taunted the voice again.

I ignored him. He couldn’t take this away from me.

With a bounce in my step I returned inside the base and walked to my quarters to bring my treasure to my quarters, before returning to work.

This was really the best location.

“Fetch? I’m back from the Vet,” I called out from the doorstep. An automatic door by the way. Wondrous technology. First thing I did was see how the mechanism worked. Cruger took it in stride, despite telling me to ask him next time.

He didn’t take too kindly to me disassembling things in the bathrooms though…something about exploding toilettes? In my defense, they had a self-cleaning lavatory seat system which was unheard of in Equestria! I just wanted to take a teensy little look at it. Yeah sure, I might have forgotten to return a screw or two as I assembled it back, but you can’t really blame me for that, right? …Right?

I sighed. Better not think about such small accidents and sacrifices for the greater good. Things like that happened from time to time after all. Exploding toilets weren’t THAT strange.

I had a plate with a grilled ham and cheese sandwich in hand, as well as a soda in the other. I casually walked into the research lab as suddenly the alarm rang.

"All patrol troopers be advised, robbery at First National Bank. Suspects have commandeered a train, heading south on track 5. Suspects have hostages,” boomed the voice of Blue Rush.

I tensed slightly at the alarm, but calmed as soon as it ended. It was nothing that concerned me, since I was not a patrol trooper. I was simply a gear in a well-oiled machine to support them and their mission. Only thing I had to do with this mission was the equipment check to make sure it worked once they were back. So simple maintenance work.

My walk continued and I soon found the unicorn with a dark yellow coat and his two toned mane, one strip black the other cyan. A pair of glasses sat on top of his muzzle and he seemed to be absorbed in his work at a table he sat on.

I sighed softly, as I sat the plate directly in front of him. He blinked owlishly at it, trying to comprehend what obscured his view.

“A grilled ham and cheese sandwich?” he asked, before suddenly his stomach grumbled.

I smiled at his antics. “Thought you might be hungry.”

I received a slight pat on my shoulder, which made me jump. “I agree! Even Fetch has to take nourishment to himself once in a while! He is going to starve himself to death otherwise!”

“Pony physiology can work at least three weeks without any solid food, so it is no big deal if I miss one meal, Princess.”

“You are missing meals on more than one occasion if Steam’s behavior is any indication. And on a long term base this simply isn’t healthy.”

I meanwhile stared at the creature behind me. She was a changeling, and none other than Princess Heart, daughter of Queen Chrysalis. I was not such a big fan of her to be honest. For me she was an alicorn, and I hated alicorn’s. And to top it all off she didn’t even have feathery wings! That alone was a crime in itself!

…Even though I was curious how they function.

Chapter 3: R&D Introductions

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!

Chapter 4: R&D Team Building

POV: Steam Gear

“This is the beverage dispenser. You can get any kind of beverages free of charge here. No matter if you are looking for Dr Pony, Red Minotaur, cider or a simple iced tea,” I exclaimed proudly at my next stop. It was a rather fascinating topic after all.

“It may not look like it but it has a rather complex distribution system. If the stock reaches the reorder level, or at the end of the day, it will refill itself. Like magic! Just that it is technology. The computers always know the amount of available stock, so that they send out an order for the items that need to be refilled. The order goes directly into our storage room, where machines pick and arrange the items that have to be transported. After the arranging they get settled into the transport mechanism, which is a pneumatic tube system. This system then transports the cans directly into the dispenser. You can find these beverage dispensers spread over the whole base. And that my little ponies is the gist of how the dispensers work!” I exclaimed cheerily as I was in my element just now.

“Next up is the coffee machine!” I boomed with a happy smile on my face. “Would you believe that we have a cow extra employed for that one?”

I almost didn’t see the rising hand from my little tour group. With a wave of my hand I gestured for him to speak up.

“Sir, do we really need to get over every single device that has nothing to do with our job?” Lunar Fang asked.

“Why not?” I asked slightly confused. I mean these are rather interesting topics after all! We started with the door mechanism, to the automatic lights which turn off when the R&D is empty, to the self-cleaning lavatory seats and to the point we are now with the dispenser. What’s not to like about it?

I then looked around and noticed the slightly bored looks on the faces of most of my tour group.

“My bad,” I said slightly sheepish and coughed into my hand. “Well…what to do now…” I mumbled.

“Maybe you should show them the four different bays,” came Fetch’s voice from behind me.

I hummed slightly at that. This sounds like a good idea actually.

“That might be a possibility. Let’s start with the Runner Bay!”

“Just remember. No exploding toilets this time.”

“It only happened once! ONCE!”

Fetch snickered. “Yeah, with toilets. I don’t want to think about the other ‘incidents’. You would probably build a beverage dispenser that tries to take over the base!”

I snorted at that. “Yeah, right. The time that happens is the time I have a cozy brunch with Queen Chrysalis herself!”

POV: Flare Blast

“Excuse me, Steam Gear, could you lend me that loppy?” I asked in the middle of construction.

“Sure, catch!” Steam Gear said, as he threw it in an arc towards me. I catched it midair without a problem and continued my work immediately.

“How is the welding going?” asked Steam Gear the thestral whose name I believe was Midnight Steel.

“Almost done!” she replied cheerfully.

Cheerfully. The word that described our situation the best. I never would have expected we would end up doing what we are doing now as we stepped into the SWAT Bay.

“What are we doing again?” asked a slightly confused Manual Control from the sidelines.

A rather good question to be honest.

“Less questions, more BBQ sauce!” I heard Lunar Fang say.

I smiled slightly. A rather interesting outcome.

One Hour Prior

We stepped from the R&D department into the elevator. It was rather spacious, so it could hold us all without a problem and still had some room to spare. Probably because it led to the bays.

Steam Gear and Fetch decided to introduce us first to the Runner Bay. My future working place, since I’m the one responsible for the maintenance of the Zords. Rather interesting vehicles. And extremely complicate looking. It probably would take a while to get worked in. I will gather a lot of knowledge in this place, I’m sure of it. And this in turn will help me to help others. Enough in fact to build another and improved prosthetic leg for Midnight!

I smiled at the thought. The little bundle of energy definitely needs a more durable prosthetic to keep up with her.

“Can we use the turbines to grill?”

This question formed a huge question mark over my head and I turned my head to look at Lunar Fang. Every other pair of eyes was on him too.

“What? I’m just curious since I saw that one movie,” he stated slightly excited.

Fetch hummed at that. “I say that the thruster nozzles from the Fliers at the SWAT Bay might be the better choice for the task of grilling.”

Steam Gear got a pensive look as well.

“Problem is that it gets roasted in a charred sense of the word. And holding every single grillable up from a distance can get pretty tiring. I mean we would like to have some vegetables like potatoes and peppers into the mix too, right? To hold a metal bowl of the ingredients up might be a problem when it comes to the burning finger department.”

“So a grill maybe to distribute the heat equally and to grill more than a few grillables at once?” asked Fetch next.

Steam Gear lay a hand on his chin while getting even more pensive. “What about the danger that it still might get charred if we are too slow to retrieve it?”

“An assembly line then inside the grill?”

“To automate the process? Grillables in on the one side and grilled goods out on the other? Sounds rather reasonable. I saw a pizza store once use this technique. It might work.” Steam suddenly balked. “What about the tour? We probably have not the time for such an experiment.”

“I’m more worried about the time limit we have for the order from Cruger. Problem is we need to work our team in. Maybe we could use today as a team building activity to ensure our efficiency for the future?”

“I guess,” answered Steam Gear a little unsure as he relented.

Lunar Fang seemed to beam at the news. “So, BBQ?” he asked.

“BBQ,” Fetch nodded.

I, as well as most of the others, stared at the events rather dumbfounded. Still from the drool on the snouts of some of us I could tell that they approved of this idea. But probably none could exceed the starry-eyed Lunar Fang in the point of motivation who squeed at the thought of a BBQ, R&D Style.

Which brings us back to the present. I will admit that I’m looking forward to it, and I’m also having my share of fun in this little impromptu project.

Probably a little bit of an understatement with the wide smile plastered on my beak. I honestly expected my first day to be more…dull. Just like then Steam Gear explained the beverage dispenser actually. But then suddenly all seems to turn rather cheerful and crazy!

Still, I wonder if I fit in. I mean, I don’t think I have that special brand of crazy that Steam Gear and Fetch seem to share, or Lunar Fang for that matter. But I guess I shouldn’t think too much about it. It’s the first day after all, and Steam Gear seems to be pleased with my work.

He also seems to be extremely hungry, if the excessive drooling is anything to go by. I’m only wondering why he looks at me like that. Do I have something on my wing?

And now he seems to be a bit panicky and his head jerks from left to right, as if he was in an internal argument? He really is an odd one.

Other than Midnight Steel. She is just like me rather quiet, but a lot more cheerful like the rest of us since this team activity started.

Apropos project. Seems like we are finished.

We all stepped back a few steps to admire our work. The Research staff did a good job to deliver us the plans for this grill…monster? You probably could call it that. I mean, it is rather big and can hold quite a few grillables.

Now I wonder if this thing isn’t a bit excessive for our small round. I mean, it gets fired by one of the Fliers for Griffin’s sake!

Midnight Steel seemed to have read my mind as she spoke out exactly what I thought, “Excessive much?”

Lunar Fang simply shook his head. “No. This is glorious.”

“Still…we are not that many,” said Manual Control as he threw his own two bits into the discussion.

“Let’s just get this party started!” exclaimed Lunar Fang.

From the moment he took this words into his mouth, things really started to go crazy.

POV: Steam Gear

“Let’s just get this party started!”

I hummed at that in agreement. Why discuss over such trivialities? Even though I will admit that I didn’t like the word ‘party’. Maybe more like a little get together?

I shook my head. It doesn’t matter. The grill really was something. And in my opinion, you could NEVER be too excessive. Experimentation is healthy, and this grill seemed still little compared to things we could have done additionally. I mean, what about the possibility to build a machine who turns meat into burger and sausages? I think, I’m going to talk with Fetch about this later. Might be worth to talk about.

I was just about to test the grill out, as suddenly a pink blur appeared, or more precisely jumped out of the hatch of the grill.

“DID SOMEPONY MENTION A PARTY!”

My brain stopped for a short moment as I questioned how Pinkie could possibly get into the grill, since we just finished constructing it. I just shook my head. Better not think about it. I want to keep my sanity after all.

“In a sense, this could probably be called one,” answered Fetch before I could get out of my stupor.

“But there are no streamers and balloons and party games and there are a lot of party guests missing!” said the pink mare slightly disappointed at the lack of party supplies and guests.

“The reason we are so few is that this was rather spontaneous,” said Fetch.

“Ooh! We could gather all the ponies in the base!”

My alarm bells shrilled exactly in that moment and I immediately intervened.

“I don’t think that this is such a good idea.”

“Why not?” asked Pinkie innocently.

“Just look around you. None of them seems to be overly skilled in the art of socializing, and neither am I. Filling the place with people will only make us all uncomfortable. It would be better if we keep to ourselves with this. It is a R&D introduction party after all, and even then it is more a simple BBQ than a party.”

Pinkie suddenly took a notebook out of her mane, as well as a pencil…because why should she make sense and use her trouser pockets like normal ponies do? Better not think about how she holds the stuff in her mane or what else she might have hidden in that huge pink mob. Well, it’s not like she could hide a pony in there, so at least she follows some sense of logic by pulling things out of her mane that fit inside it.

She nodded as she scribbled in a serious fashion a few notes down. The seriousness made me slightly nervous. It was slight the contrast to her normal cheerful self.

“Okie dokie lokie. A small introduction party coming right up! It might be small, but she can help with a small party too!”

I was about to question her who she meant, when she suddenly pulled…HEART out of her mane...

...

I don’t even! How is that possible?! You know what? I’m not even going to question it. Nope. I’m just drawing a blank. Not even thinking about it.

So I just turned around back to the grill. The simplest thing in this entire hangar. The one that made perfect consistent sense.

Yes, sense. Just what I need now. I could only hope that Pinkie isn’t going overboard with her party planning, but as I know her this hope might be in vain. Well, I should best not think about it and concentrate on the BBQ. We had some empty stomachs to fill after all.

Chapter 5: BBQ, R&D Style

POV: Steam Gear

Portals! Yes, that has to be it! She is doing it with portals!

Despite me vowing that I would not think about Pinkie’s crazy mane that seemed to even accommodate changelings, I couldn’t quite let it go. If I don’t understand something, it just bugs me! Be it lavatory cleaning system, coffee machine or the mystery that is Pinkie’s mane.

I hummed satisfactorily at the thought that I might have a solution for the mane mystery.

Portals. Dimensional magic I think Cruger called it. It would make sense considering that Cruger is not a unicorn and can form portals. So thinking that Pinkie has a portal in her mane would make…sense. Even though I will admit that it might seem ridiculous to use the word ‘sense’ on her. But still…it might be the only possible explanation. An explanation that is crazy and logical enough at the same time. So Pinkie Pie logic. I mean, she is taking heavy artillery out of her mane! Cruger could probably make her a trooper with that useful ability.

I was brought out of my thoughts by a slight tapping on my shoulder. I turned around to look at Fetch.

“I guess Pinkie is too hyper for you too if you go and hide in a corner?”

I blinked at that. “Wait. So you don’t like Pinkie either? I thought I was the only one!”

“I wouldn’t go that far, let’s just say I like to relax and her sugary smell makes me queasy.”

“I know what you mean. Dislike is probably too strong of a word. It’s just that she is…pink and sugary and I doubt she ever heard of the word personal space before.”

“Pink?” Fetch asked raising an amused eyebrow.

“Ugh, don’t ask. I’m not a fan of that color. I can’t say I have any good memories connecting to it.”

Some things better stay in the dark, I thought as I frowned.

Fetch seemed to catch on my morose mood and quickly changed the topic. “So are you ready to give our grill a test run?”

I nodded at that. We had already a table with the grillables placed next to the grill, on the side where they would have to go in to get grilled. On the other side we had placed a container for the grilled goods to fall into where the assembly line ended.

And that’s pretty much how we started the grilling. Pinkie was meanwhile decorating with HEART. I slightly jolted at the realization. I never asked why she was pulled out of her mane. And maybe she can prove my portal theory?

“Are you not going to eat something?” asked Fetch.

“I am, but I was just thinking about something.”

“And what were you thinking about?”

“Just why HEART is here at the moment. It seems strange to me that she is helping Pinkie with the party, out of the blue.”

“Oh, that. I haven’t talked to her yet about it, seeing how she is busy with setting everything up. But I’m positive that there is an interesting story behind it.”

I chuckled slightly. “If Pinkie is involved that is probably guaranteed.”

I mean, you could say what you want about her, even if you were not a fan of her, but she still could make the days more interesting. Not that we needed that here at R&D. Our days were interesting enough as it is and I enjoy peace every now and then.

Too bad I’m not going to find my peace today.

POV: PRINCESS HEART

Perfect, I thought as I looked around.

The party was set up pretty quickly as Pinkie explained to me that it was only planned to be a small one for the R&D. It was the perfect opportunity to befriend Steam Gear!

Sure I hadn’t planned for it to happen on the same day, but Pinkie was unpredictable like this. I still remember when I met her this morning…

This Morning

I sighed as I was sitting on an outside bench at the base. How exactly do you befriend a pony who is rather skeptical about you? I do not have enough data to form a plan with a high success rate. So what do I do?

Just in that moment my world turned pink.

I was startled by the pink pony that completely obscured my vision. A big smile split her face.

“Let’s turn this frown upside down!” she exclaimed.

I recognized the mare. She was one of the Elements of Harmony. I certainly wasn’t ready to befriend her! I wanted to start small, one pony at a time!

Before I could say anything she shoved a cupcake in my mouth. I was still in a daze, but instincts worked for me as I slightly munched on it. Chocolate with cherries. It was pretty good.

Focus! I admonished myself, completely forgetting until now about my abilities to sense emotions.

This was always the first step. See what they feel and then develop several action alternatives, assess these, pick the best course of action and then act. All in a matter of seconds of course. Every good changeling had to be able to do that.

Her feelings were…surprising to say the least. Normally while exposed in our real form we get a range of negative emotions but hers seemed to be so innocent, pure and friendly. There was no disgust, no fear, not even anger, even though she was in the first row then it came to fighting our race at the Canterlot wedding fiasco.

“So?” she asked inquisitively as she cocked her head. The smile never leaving her face.

It took me a second to get what she was asking.

“It is rather good,” I admitted.

“See! Some days might seem dark and lonely, but your Aunt Pinkie will be there to show you that it isn’t that bad!” she exclaimed as she patted my head.

This brought a smile to my lips. This childish and carefree attitude was exactly what I adored. This was who I wanted to be in a way. Just to be able to do the right thing with a smile on my face.

But that smile soon vanished as I remembered my predicament.

Pinkie seemed to catch up on my mood immediately. “What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about this one pony. I was planning to befriend him, but have no idea how.”

It was rather interesting how I acted here. I mean, I completely forgot about who she was and talked to her like I would do to Fetch or any other pony or changeling I knew. She just brought me to open up to her with the warmth of her comforting feelings she sent towards me.

“Silly, the best way to befriend ponies is to make them happy!”

I looked up at that. “That sounds…reasonable. But how do I even start?”

“Everypony loves parties, duh! If you throw this pony one he might turn his frown upside down!”

I cocked slightly my head at that. “He? I never mentioned anything gender-specific, so how did you know?”

Pinkie blinked for a bit upon hearing the question with a blank look on her face. Only seconds later she started to take some cardboard cards out of her mane and looked at one before tossing it to the side, where I could see that on it was a picture of my own face with a speech bubble asking a question and then a picture of Pinkie answering the question. She kept on tossing the cards left and right, littering the floor with at least twenty of them, yet the stack in her hands never seemed to actually deplete. Then she suddenly exclaimed "AHA!" pointing at a specific cardboard card before putting all the cards away in her mane and somehow causing all the other cards on the floor to disappear as well before not actually answering my question.

"I believe you asked, But I know nothing about parties. How do I throw one?"

"But-" I tried to protest.

"You asked this," she told me with narrowed eyes. It was clear to me that this was not a question, this was a command.

I audibly gulped. "Yes Ma'am"

She nodded approvingly before she answered the ‘question’ I was supposedly asked. “I could take you as an apprentice and teach you the Art of Parties!” she shouted out in glee as she threw her hands up in the air.

My head hurt a little from her strange behavior, albeit I found it amusing at the same time.

I soon mulled her proposal over. If I learn the Art of Parties I might befriend Steam Gear, and even more, I might have an easier time befriending anyone else! It seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up! And I knew that she was sincere with it, her feelings told me so.

“I will accept. I only want to ask one thing in return.”

Pinkie nodded enthusiastically at that.

“Well I’m still a bit surprised and confused by your behavior and wanted to ask you: Why do you treat me like anyone else. You were fighting against changelings at the Canterlot wedding. You saw us at our darkest hour, so why did you cheer me up? And why do you want to teach me?”

She nodded sagely. “A frown is a frown, no matter which race it belongs. A smile is a smile, and heartwarming it is, no matter which race it belongs. None judge you should upon a single act, especially an entire race. Open your mind you must to fulfil the role you set as a party planner. As for the second… Always pass on what you have learned.”

I nodded, giggling slightly at her strange language and teacher like tone. “Then I accept.”

“Oh, accept it you will and I knew. Learning you do best by doing. Summon you I will if a party is ahead.”

And with that she dived into a conveniently placed flower pot next to the bench and disappeared.

This is going to be interesting.

I looked over to my teacher with a smile on my face. “Do you think he will accept my friendship today?”

“Patience you must have, my padawan.”

“…And I have no idea what that means.”

“Then much to learn you have.”

“…I better get going now. I have to see if Steam Gear is enjoying himself,” I told her.

As much as I would have loved to hang out with her some more, I had a mission to accomplish. And that was the only thing that was important.

“Oh, but focus you must on more than one!” she exclaimed in a chipper tone. She might have dropped the teacher tone there, but it still sounded funny enough. However I couldn’t help but wonder why she would suddenly build her sentences like that. It felt like I was missing out on some inside joke.

But that didn’t matter now. What mattered was that I disagreed with her. Best thing was to concentrate on my main objective, even though I was a little curious about these new recruits of the R&D. Fetch and Steam Gear mentioned the new staff beforehand, so them being here is not surprising. For the most part they didn’t seem to feel all that much fear towards me. Mostly some were nervous, while some others seemed to put more trust in me. Probably because of me helping Pinkie Pie out. If the Element of Laughter trusts me, it helps the population to trust me in return. Rather practical in fact. I might look into this as soon as I get Steam Gear around.

One step at a time.

I was just about to go on my own merry way to look for Steam Gear when my wrist was grabbed by somebody. I turned around to see my mentor with a huge grin splitting her face, which somehow made me shudder.

I have a bad feeling about this, were my last thoughts before she dragged me towards a small stage we build up.

“Time has come,” was her simple explanation that didn’t really explain anything. This mare was a real mystery.

Soon I was standing on the stage and Pinkie put a microphone in my hand and music started to play.

POV: Flare Blast

“So your main incentive is to help others?” asked Lunar Fang inquisitively.

I nodded. “You could say that. When I started engineering I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do exactly. One could build many things, but when I saw this disabled gryphon, I thought that I could use my abilities to help the ones who need it. And since Cruger is rather generous when it comes about the private use of this facility I could help others on a larger scale with this level of technology. Not to mention that alone working here is helping others as well. Probably not the most direct way, but like I said, I can still achieve that off work.”

The conversation that Lunar Fang started with me was pleasant to say the least. I was at the beginning a little hesitant, but that soon vanished with drink and food that helped to loosen up the mood.

“I fully agree. That is a nice incentive to have. I personally live by the motto: Evil wins when good people do nothing. Injustice is something we have to fight, no matter how small and petty it might seem, since even a small contribution can make a difference.”

I was about to reply as suddenly the lights went out. I was worried that we had a short circuit, but then headlights turned up on the stage and bathed the changeling princess HEART in a cone of light.

She looked rather nervous as the music started, but I could see Pinkie Pie trying to give her reassurances from the sidelines.

Suddenly music played out of the boxes on stage and PRINCESS HEART started to sing.

“Because this is a special day
A day for you alone
You can get away with anything you want to
So today is your birthday
And every little thing's gonna go your way
Happy, happy birthday, baby
You know I only have one wish for you
That on your happy birthday, baby
That all your dreams they will come true
Happy, happy birthday, baby
Happy, happy birthday, baby.“

I was left speechless. How did they know? I only told Midnight about this.

“They remembered my birthday!” I cheered.

Lunar Fang turned towards me a smile on his face. “Then happy birthday,” he said.

My smile only widened. This really is a perfect first day of work.

POV: PRINCESS HEART

The song ended, and truth be told I was rather surprised as a gryphon suddenly cheered that I was thinking about his birthday. I really only did what was natural and sang this song Pinkie set up for me.

She meanwhile was carrying in a birthday cake.

I knew it was rather silly to ask her about it, but I decided to do it anyway.

“How did you know it was somebodys birthday?”

“Birthday it is always for somepony,” she answered in her usual teacher tone.

I sighed in playful exaggeration. “And here for an explanation I had hoped!” I mimed her tone.

Pinkie giggled at that, dropping her teacher tone. “It’s my Pinkie Sense! It was telling me somepony here needed a birthday party!”

I looked back to the birthday gryphon. Not exactly a pony, but I guess the explanation was fair enough.

“Do you see it now, HEART? It might be super-duper fun to try and gain one friend, but it might be a whole phenomantastically more fun to make lots of friends! And you might have missed the chance if you would have only mingled with a single pony!”

“So you were teaching me a lesson? Not to be too fixated and observe my surroundings?”

“That I was,” she nodded sagely, causing me to giggle.

“I will remember that,” I said as the gryphon neared. A smile already formed on my face.

POV: Steam Gear

Things seem to have gone a little crazy. But a tolerable kind of crazy. Sure, I never expected HEART to sing, or to get here with Pinkie in the first place, but she didn’t bother me until now, so I didn’t mind all that much.

It was rather interesting to find out that it was Flare Blast’s birthday. He didn’t seem to be one who would mention things like that and keep it for himself, so that wasn’t surprising in a way.

There was cake delivered by Pinkie, as well as party games. Flare Blast also seemed to put some cake aside. I suppose he wanted to have some for later too, and you probably couldn’t blame him. Many people couldn’t get enough of cake after all. Not a sentiment I share though, since I was more into non-sugary treats.

The real problem started when Pinkie finished up playing party games…

“I think you’ve had enough!” I told the pink menace in a scolding and stern tone.

She only seemed to pout at that, pulling a puppy dog eyes trick at me. I never thought a grown-up mare could pull this foal trick off.

I steeled myself to avoid giving in to the gluttonous mare. Those eyes however turned out to be quite the hindrance. In the end I focused my eyes just on her chin, preventing direct eye contact.

Seeing as her technique failed this time, she tried a different approach.

“But I have to taste test the goods to make sure they are fanTASTEtic!”

“There won’t be anything left to eat for them if you stuff it down like that. Your flanks are already pudgy enough!”

“Hey! My flanks are that toned because they are filled with my reserves of manifested joy and laughter!”

“No matter, I will bring an end to this,” I said as I neared the site of the machine.

Pinkie meanwhile shrugged it off as she was still at the end of the assembly line, where she devoured mercilessly every treat that fell off the assembly line.

With a pull of the lever I turned the grill off. The pink mare didn’t take long to find out, as she shouted indignantly, “Hey! What happened?!”

She noticed me and narrowed her eyes at me. Her mane slightly deflating, making me a little nervous. Suddenly this didn’t seem like a good idea anymore.

The pink mare trotted up to me and instantly turned the lever down, activating the grill again.

I fought through my nervousness and pulled the lever up again, challenging the mare in a way.

She didn’t wait long to accept it and with a harrumph pulled the lever again.

My own nervousness melted as I started to get annoyed by her insistence and pulled it up again.

Her mane deflated some more and she of course pulled the lever again, a snarl adorning her face.

And so it continued.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

Up.

Down.

Until we both grabbed onto the lever at the same time. We were both determined. You could see it at the look in our eyes as we tried to stare each other down. Her mane has gone completely flat in the meantime, and I would have probably tried to hide under my bed at her sight, weren’t it for the fact that I was quite annoyed at the moment and didn’t seem to register her look correctly. From what I have been told afterwards the R&D was cowering in fear of the pink menace.

Even as push comes to shove none of us were backing down. The metal of the lever seemed to creak and crack under our combined powers until it broke off completely.

The grill seemed to have completely lost it from there. No longer able to hold back as it couldn’t process the commands we tried to give it. The assembly line accelerated, smoke was rising from the grill itself, and I could see screws loosening as it shook violently.

“Well, I changed my mind you can have the lever!” I said as I pressed the now broken lever into her hands and took cover.

“EH?!” Was all she said as she did the same.

And then the grill exploded, accelerating the grilled goods at terminal velocity. Everyone tried to get down in time, but sadly a lone gryphon didn’t see this coming in time. The projectiles found their mark and he was knocked off his talons.

I cringed at the sight. He would still feel that in the morning. I could only hope the blame wasn’t pinned completely on me this time. I mean, the grill worked after all and didn’t explode because of a mistake I committed while building it.

Wait, I should probably call a Medic first, before trying to think of a way to appease the situation with Cruger.

But not everything looked bleak. I mean at least Flare Blast got some of the grilled goods! So mission accomplished, right?

I didn’t congratulate him yet, did I?

“…Well, happy birthday?”

POV: Blood Rush (At The Infirmary)

“Ok, what do we have here?” I asked as I looked at the X-ray picture of the gryphon that was rushed into the medical wing a short while ago.

He seemed to be stable, even though he was rather out of it. The description about the incident was rather…vague I suppose? We needed confirmation to see just how bad his condition was. An x-ray seemed like the best solution in this particular case.

I was just clipping the picture on the assigned wall as I noticed something strange.

There were three lumps to see in the stomach area.

I blinked owlishly as it slowly dawned on me what these three lumps were.

Grilled chicken.

“How?” I asked dumbfounded.

A question that went unanswered until I took a closer look at the file of the gryphon.

Department: R&D
Direct Superior: Steam Gear

So there was only one possibility for this now…

I threw my head back and screamed: „STEAM GEAAAAR!!!”

POV: Steam Gear

Suddenly a cold shiver run down my spine.

“Hey, Fetch?”

“Yes, Steam Gear?”

“Can you maybe look for me after Flare Blast? I’m not really on good terms with the medical staff at the moment.”

“Is this about the pieces of porcelain they had to extricate out of the flank of one of the B-Squad members after the toilet incident, or was it the ice machine incident when you froze one of the medical staff?”

“…Maybe a bit of both.”

Chapter 6: Toast Gone Wrong

POV: PRINCESS HEART

I trotted happily through the corridors this fine morning. Today I would start my mission to befriend Steam Gear and show him all the wonders of the changeling race.

I already knew how to do it.

After the party was over yesterday and I was visiting Flare Blast on the Medical Wing I met Fetch. I told him about my plan to use the Art of Parties to befriend Steam Gear. He only laughed at that and explained that Steam Gear is not even a fan of parties, which kind of shattered this plan completely, meaning I needed a new one. And for a plan I needed intel. It was probably a stupid idea to trust blindly that parties would solve this problem. To succeed I needed intel. Luckily for me, Fetch was more than happy to provide it.

From what I gathered from him, Steam could be a rather curious fellow, so information might be the key to bring him to my side of things. Other than that I would try to act as less superior as possible, since he seems to dislike a superior attitude. Not that hard for me though, since I’m not at all boastful. I just have to show him that I am just like all the other ponies and non-ponies around here.

But now to get to the first step. That mainly being a greeting and trying to have a friendly chat with him in his home. I might even find some clues that might further advance my mission there too. It couldn’t harm to gather further intel after all. I couldn’t help but smile.

This day is going to be perfect.

With that thought I made it to his quarters inside the base. It was rather practical that we were provided such since not all of us had homes in Ponyville or the bits to just buy us a home there. Of course renting a home was always an option, but getting quarters here at the workplace without having to pay any rent beat living in Ponyville.

I just knocked on his door and it creaked open. Curiously I took a small peek inside. This place was a downright mess. Tools and loose parts of metal and cables littered the tables. But what really got my attention was the display with a timer that counted continually down. It looked just like…

…a bomb!

I didn’t waste any time as I threw the door open concentrating my magic at the bomb.

“Blizzard!” I roared as the dangerous contraption turned to ice, the timer stopping just before reaching zero.

I breathed a sigh of relief and cheered at that. Seems like I just saved Steam Gear’s life, or at least his quarters if he is not here.

That’s what I call neighborly help!

But I think he should be more careful in the future. Exploding toilets are one thing, but to build a bomb on accident? That really takes the cake! He can be glad that I was here and found it just in time! However all that mattered now was that it was over. The day was saved and Steam Gear would be grateful for my help! I’m sure he would like to be my friend now!

This day was really going to be perfect!

POV: Steam Gear (A Few Minutes Prior)

I hummed happily as I tightened the last few screws. It was done! A toaster with integrated timer! A masterpiece if I do say so myself!

Admittedly it was quite the bother to get my hands on the display but in the end it was worth it.

Now I could finally toast my toast without fearing of it getting cold! It always was a bother never to know when the toast was ready, so that it could easily get cold while I was making myself a coffee for example.

But fear no more my delicious toast! Never again will you get cold!

You really should think about getting yourself a new hobby, taunted the voice in my head.

I just shrugged at this. You profit from this invention too, you know? I can’t imagine that you are enjoying cold toast.

That might be, but I doubt your crafting was worth the time you invested in building that little object.

I just shrugged again. Inventions are never a bad thing. You can only learn new things through trial and error after all.

Now that we talk about error, you were rather harsh to HEART yesterday.

This instantly threw me for a loop.

Wait, and that’s coming from you? You are normally the harsh one of us, you know?

That’s why I can see it better than you.

The message I delivered was not meant to be harsh, and I think it wasn’t. I just don’t trust her is all. Especially after she was flaunting her wings like that. I just can’t stand such bragging about superiority.

You never minded ‘her’ doing it, and she was quite the braggart if I recall it right.

She wasn’t THAT bad.

Oh, really? In which case does ‘Eat my dust and just accept your utter inferiority, you wimps!’ count not as bragging?

I huffed slightly at this. Stupid voice. Irritating since the first minute of the morning. I simply went to ignore it and placed some toast into the toaster before I adjusted it to give my toast a slightly golden brown color before switching it on.

Ninty seconds. Seems fair enough.

I then walked to the kitchen. The toaster would alarm me with a beep when it was ready.

I was walking to my kitchen counter to see if the coffee was ready. I took a whiff of the heavenly aroma and with a nod of approval set it back down. I then added some milk to it. I stirred my drink with a small spoon and took another whiff and nodded again in approval.

This day is going to be perfect. I just know it.

In exactly that moment I could hear my door burst open, as well as the telltale sign of magic humming from my living room. To say I was scared would probably be appropriate, so I slowly walked to the living room in a slightly crouched manner. I peeked through the door and immediately rushed outside at what I saw.

My toaster was completely frozen, as well as part of my living room. Also in the room was HEART. She was just sitting there on my half frozen couch! With a smile no less! Her tail wagging like a dogs who was expecting a treat after doing a trick.

I could easily assemble the pieces but needed clarification, just in case.

“What did you do?!” I yelled at her as I got closer to my now completely ruined toaster. I threw my hands up in despair.

“I stopped this bomb from destroying your quarters!” she said confidently, although I could see that it was more played confidence than real one.

“This is my toaster!” I yelled again as I looked it over, wondering if I could salvage it.

“Wait, toaster?” she asked confused.

“Yes! My toaster! I just finished building it no less!” I didn’t even try to hide my sadness and anger at this point. Well, I probably didn’t even from the moment I saw the popsicle of a toaster. I was really sensitive when it came to my inventions.

“But it had a bomb display!” she protested.

“Yes! To show me when the toast is finished!”

“…That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You bet your flank it makes sense!” I yelled yet again before sighing in annoyance. I was getting worked up again.

Breathe in and out, I said to myself as I did just that in an attempt to calm myself.

It helped.

I couldn’t do anything to change what happened so I had to just accept it. I turned my head to look at her again now a little more level-headed.

“Could you just leave, please? I need to try to salvage this,” I said as I turned my head back fussing over the toaster. She seemed to get the message, as I heard a door close shortly after that.

I suddenly doubted that this day was going to be perfect. Especially with another serving of cold toast on my platter. And this time the slices were quite a lot colder than usual.

POV: Fetch

Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock…

Late, I thought. Much too late.

I looked around to see that seemingly everypony was here. Everypony but one…

I sighed slightly in annoyance.

We need Steam Gear here. Somepony has to break in the new Engineering Crew. And that somepony is definitely not me. I was occupied with my own underlings. Just now I’m explaining to them that we have to bring up a concept and plans for the badges and the suits for the A-Squad. I heard the tests for the selection of the A-Squad start the next few days. Time is running out.

It doesn’t help that Flare Blast is absent due to last days events.

I sighed again, as I fidgeted with a pencil in my hand.

This is going to be a long day. I just know it.

Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock…

“So we have to create spandex suits?” asked Lunar Fang with a tilt of his head after my explanation.

*Crack*

And with that the pencil snapped in two.

“THEY ARE NOT SPANDEX SUITS!” I roared straight at Lunar Fang’s face.

In all seriousness, why does everypony say that? They don’t even have the same function! We are talking about highly advanced materials! The suit is going to be powered by the magical ambient field of the wielder, have climate control, be durable as steel if not better, and can be summoned via embedded teleporters in the badge. That is admittedly the short version of it. A lot has to be conceptualized first. But Cruger gave us thorough explanations and the information and material to work with. Teleporting devices that can summon a suit? Impossible before Cruger showed us the technology to do so. Normally only Unicorns could summon marked equipment with their magic. Such a technology was unheard of. Probably the reason why Steam Gear disassembled it. His disassembling mainly lead to the first of many holes in the wall of the R&D. Sure it was fixed, but Steam Gear was admonished to be more careful next time.

Funny. Cruger already expects a next time. Chaos is inevitable sometimes with Steam.

I huffed annoyedly as I looked from the now flinching Lunar Fang to the clock on the wall.

Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock…

Just what is he doing?

At that exact moment the doors to the R&D slid open. In came a slightly wheezing Steam Gear. Seems like he jogged here. Not that it explains or excuses his tardiness.

“You are late,” I said with a frown, showing clearly my disapproval to his tardiness. Especially at such challenging times.

“It’s not my fault! HEART was regressing my toaster back to the ice age!” he pleaded.

I raised an inquisitive eyebrow at that. “Beg your pardon?” I asked, making it clear that I wanted him to elaborate his point.

“Well, I was just finished with my new toaster and wanted to test him out. I just left the room for a moment when I heard the telltale sign of magic. Then I walked back into the living room my toaster was an ice block! And she was standing there with a smug look at her face and beamed at me! Like she just saved someponies life instead of ruining ones breakfast! I wasn’t sure before, but now I’m sure. I’m telling you Fetch, she is EVIL!”

“Did you ever hear her side of the story?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

It was clear that there was more to the story than that. No pony just freezes a toaster for no good reason, and I honestly doubted PRINCESS HEART would do that without a good one, especially after she swore to befriend him.

Steam Gear opened his mouth again, but closed it just as fast contemplating, before giving me an answer.

“Well, she said she thought my toaster was a bomb.”

“A bomb?” I asked with surprise grazing my voice, as my eyebrow instantly lifted an inch higher.

“A bomb,” he confirmed.

Slightly annoyed by his lack of elaboration I continued to interrogate him further, “And how exactly could she have gotten that idea?”

“She said something about my timer display looking like something a bomb would normally use.”

“…And why exactly do you have a timer for your toaster in the first place?”

He rolled his eyes as if the answer was obvious. “To know when the toast is ready, duh! I mean, you know the problem too, right? Standing an excruciating long time in front of the toaster waiting for the toast to get ready. You can’t simply use the time for something else, since you don’t know how long the toast will take to get toasted. If you take too long and miss the time, the toast will get cold! It is way more efficient if you know how long the toast takes, so that you can fill yourself a cup of tea while you are waiting.”

I’m not even going to question it. We all have our little morning rituals after all. I for example eat toaster waffles completely plain, while I eat fresh baked waffles with syrup, sausage and bacon if available. Besides, there was something more important nagging on the back of my mind.

“Where did you even get that display?”

“I took one from the training area.”

Now that set off some alarm bells.

“From a mockup bomb for training purposes I presume?”

“Yeah. I of course asked first. It didn’t seem to be a problem.”

“And you didn’t think that a bomb display might lead to a misunderstanding?” I asked driving my point finally home.

“When you say it like that, it doesn’t sound like such a good idea anymore,” he said slightly defeated. “Still doesn’t mean that she should freeze part of my living room,” he muttered with a slight pout.

I only sighed again.

I was doing that a lot today.

“Listen, Steam Gear. Maybe you should just try to give her a chance. You were rather harsh to her yesterday.”

He blinked at that. “I was only telling her my opinion about titles and alicorns, which wasn’t meant in any kind of insulting way, if I might add. Oh, and maybe declining her offer to turn me into her subordinate, but other than that I don’t see what you mean.”

“Just try to be civil and give her a fair chance.”

He huffed slightly at my indirect accusation. “I’m always civil.” After that he walked to his new crew.

It was time for another sigh.

Yes. This is definitely going to be a long day.

Chapter 2: The Wing And Nobility Discussion

POV: Steam Gear

“I think you should show more respect towards the Princess,” scolded Fetch.

I will be honest here. You all remember when I said that me and Fetch hit it off from the start? That we are a well-oiled machine? Well..there was one topic we weren’t on the same opinion. Nobility and alicorns. He thought of them as graceful, beautiful and fair rulers of the land. While I myself felt quite repulsed at the thought of nobility and titles, hence the argument.

“I only asked if she had not something other to do than loitering, since we have to work,” I protested.

“You should also use her title. Even if she is not one of our Princesses, she still is a Princess and deserves respect.”

I groaned as a response. “I’m not referring to her as ‘Princess’, and neither am I going to bow to her! I already told you why!”

“Because of your jealousy,” was his flat answer.

“It is not jealousy if I’m right! Why is it that only a few selected ponies get the right to have magic, along with soft, feathery, graceful and tender wings?! I myself couldn’t live without magic, so that I would never exchange it for wings. I’m just terrible with manipulating matter with hooves! Not to mention the superior attitude most nobles express towards ponies and other creatures without titles!”

“Just because you have met one noble who acted like that doesn’t mean that all nobles act like that.”

“Believe me, Fetch. I have met quite a lot of nobles. A whole lot of them have an air of superiority and conceit around them.”

“My point still stands. You can’t just judge all nobles upon meeting some, such as Prince Blueblood, who were acting less than ideal.”

“I-I…” I sighed, before grumbling, “Doesn’t mean that I have to like the system. A democracy would be a fairer system! I just can’t understand what ponies fascinates on the idea of a monarchy or diarchy. This system just screams corruption!”

Fetch suddenly sported a sly grin. “I could try and educate you on why it is fascinating again, if you would like.”

“NO!” I shouted immediately. Afterwards I corrected myself in a slightly calmer voice, “I mean, no. I think I will pass.” Truth be told I didn’t need another of his prayers about nobility.

“Um…”

I turned to my right and stared straight into the deep purple eyes of HEART, startling me slightly, as I stumbled back to bring some distance between us. I completely forgot that she was still standing there.

“If you really want wings so badly, I could offer you to turn you into a changeling. We have a way to transfer ponies, so the wing issue could be solved,” offered HEART with a comforting smile.

My eyes lit up with fascination and excitement of this news. Well, lit up until I remembered something essential that dampened my mood faster than it would take Pinkie Pie to eat all the cakes in a bakery, and let me tell you that is FAST. A lot of innocent treats lost their life on that day. I could only pity the lost sweets on that day. It was a WAR. Or maybe even more like a massacre of sweet goodness since they didn’t even stand a chance! They couldn’t even fight back!

“What good are wings then they are missing the most important trait? Feathery goodness!” I practically shouted with an arm draped over my head in a dramatic pose. Out of the corner of our room I floated a red couch behind me to fall on it.

I found it somewhere outside. Don’t ask me who leaves a couch as bulk garbage outside in the middle of town, especially one in such a pristine condition, but it sure helps to make this workplace comfy.

Meanwhile in Ponyville Spa

“Here we are Sweetie Belle! A relaxing day in the spa! There isn’t a better method for sister bonding. You have my word!”

“If you say so, sis,” said Sweetie Belle. She was rather happy to spend her day with her sister, even though it was her sister’s time to choose an activity together. Sweetie Belle would have rather spend the day outside. However the spa sounded promising enough, and it was only fair, after she talked Rarity into hiking the other day.

“We will take the ‘Sister Bonding Special’ exclaimed Rarity towards the spa ponies, Aloe and Lotus.

“That will be 42 bits,” was Aloe’s smiling response.

Rarity then rummaged through her handbag to pay the sum. She did so for a time and was getting rather panicky after a full 20 seconds.

“Don’t tell me I forgot my pouch with the bits. Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!” She whined as she proceeded to drab a foreleg across her head while letting herself fall backwards, only to meet the cold unforgiving ground.

“Where is my fainting couch?! How can I wallow in self-pity without my fainting couch?!” she squealed in utter agony at having the comfort of her couch being robbed by an unknown entity.

She then slowly started to twitch at the ground as foam started to form on her mouth.

Sweetie Belle personally thought that she was overdoing it again and turned her head back to the Spa Ponies again.

“Can we put it on her slate?” she asked while making big puppy dog eyes.

“But of course. Rarity is our best customer after all,” said Aloe as she smiled. Lotus meanwhile dragged the foaming Rarity further inside, while Aloe led Sweetie Belle deeper into the spa. Maybe they could still enjoy a day of sister bonding after all.

But to get back, it was justified drama. It was really dramatic to discover that I could get wings, but they wouldn’t be what I wanted and dreamed of. I need something soft and fluffy! Strong and durable! Not some feeble insectoid wings! Best in the size of Celestia herself! Have you ever seen such an unbelievable, gigantic, awe-inducing wingspan? I bet you could travel through Equestria with ONE flap!

I also bet she is the one responsible for spreading wings out, as well as determining the span, so that she can keep the largest wingspan for herself! Kind of screams for a revolution against her tyranny, for free wings and wing spans! But I doubt Kruger would approve of it.

Not to mention that Rainbow Dash would have my flank for a coup. I don’t want her to…

Actually, this sounds like an interesting idea to get closer to those wings. Just let her come to me. Drawback is that she would kick my flank up and down the Delta Base. Kruger would probably join her in the flank kicking too…

…Would be totally worth it.

“-wings?” I heard HEART say, as I snapped back to attention once more with a shake of my head.

“WHERE?!” I replied eager to hear what she said about wings.

“Um, I just asked why you think feathers are so important for wings. I mean, my wings work as good as any other.” She demonstrated this by buzzing her wings and flying a feet off the ground.

Slightly brought out of my eagerness after having been denied the feathery goodness I answered, “No offense, but I’m not sure that changeling wings are as durable and strong as other wings.”

“I can assure you that our wings are very durable and flexible. Especially the wings of a Princess are superior to the ones of normal Changeling drones,” lectured HEART.

I scoffed slightly at that.

Oh, I’m a princess, and I get to have extra special wings, because normal ones just won’t do!

Just the thought of it repulses my very being.

“Whatever you say, I’m not interested,” I replied slightly annoyed at her attitude. I mean seriously, that even an alicorn race like the changelings has such vast differences! What about equality! Isn’t that worth anything?! Does there have to be pompous titles and differences in strength and abilities?! Who gets to say that one pony is worth more than the other?!

Just ugh!

“I’m going to check on the beverage dispenser. It seems to jam. I will be done in time for the inspection of the new recruits,” I said, as I walked to the part of our department where the machine was located.

I just needed some distance from her. This topic just really gets me worked up every time.

Best to try and take calming breaths, in and out.

I’m wondering what the new recruits will be like.

Back with Fetch and Princess Heart

PRINCESS HEART dropped her smile, looking slightly dejected at Fetch.

“Say Fetch, does he hate me?” She shook her head at that. “What a silly question, since I can sense his emotions. I just find it hard to determine when he is deep in his thoughts. I can feel hate, but that disappeared as soon as he came out of his thoughts, so I don’t know if it was aimed at me, or if he thought just of something he truly hates. But what I can sense is his dislike towards me. I hope this doesn’t have to do anything with the invasion. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was it. I just don’t know what to do with him.”

“Please forgive him Princess, I can assure you that his behavior has nothing to do with the invasion. He is just jealous of the traits of all alicorns. You probably noticed that he wishes to have the wings of a pegasus himself. Changelings being a race with horn and wings might sour his mood a little. Not to mention his foul impression of nobility, and since you are not only a Changeling but a Princess as well…let’s just say you seem to be the perfect combined object of his dislikes, and you don’t have feathery wings to make up for it, unlike the Equestrian Princesses.”

She nodded. “I understand. So at least he doesn’t hold a grudge against my people for attacking Canterlot. Maybe I can convince him then? Show him what a great race we can be? And maybe even befriend him?”

Fetch smiled at that, before making a short bow. “I would be most grateful, Princess. I already tried to convince him to let go of his distrust of nobility, but he is very stubborn on that subject.”

She stood firm with a look of determination on the metallic ground of the R&D department. “I will. As mother is my witness I shall make Steam Gear love the Changeling race in every aspect with a fiery passion in his heart! If it is the last thing I do!”

PRINCESS HEART slightly giggled at that. “I always wanted to say that!”