Chapter One - Intelligence
“Patty… “
The disembodied voice spoke to me from the void and I stepped forward. I blindly stumbled through the dark nothingness that was surrounding me, reaching forward in an effort to feel anything.
“Patty."
The voice was louder this time and I could almost-
“Patty!”
“Gah!” I jerked up in surprise, lifting my head quickly from its resting place on my workbench.
“You kidding me?” The voice spoke again, and I turned to face my colleague and close friend, Joseph.
“Joe? I, uh… I'm sorry, I must have fallen asleep working again." I said, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
“You know, you're really lucky our supervisor trusts you enough to not check on you every five minutes, or you'd be fired ten times over already." He laughed, folding his arms as he sat on my work table.
“H-Hey, watch it! I got important stuff on that bench!”
Joe raised his hands defensively and shuffled off the table. I quickly scanned the various chip boards and electronic components that were scattered over my desk, but none had been damaged by Joe's fat ass and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Sorry, Joe, didn't mean to snap at you like that. You know how late I've had to work on this thing, and how much shit I'll be in if I break anything, I've just been so incredibly stressed, I feel like my brain is just gonna up and quit being a part of me.”
“Nah, don't worry about it. So how has the work been? You don't really talk about it much besides saying "It's going fine” or "I'm busy.”.”
“I'm sorry I've been so secretive, but you know how much Doctor Hassan has been pressuring me with this robot. I keep working on it and it keeps getting smarter and smarter.”
“Well, that's good right? Hassan wanted a bot that we could sell as a pet, so what are you worried about?"
“No, it's not good at all!”
“What are you talking about? We're getting paid top dollar for this job, and you're saying that it's bad that your work is progressing?”
“It's not that simple. This…. This robot… No, I-I can't tell you.”
The expression on Joseph's face quickly switched to a mixture of confusion and concern.
“Why can't you tell me?”
“I'm scared. I'm scared of what I've made."
“What, did you decide to add laser beams and circular saws to it?" Joe laughed nervously. “Patty, now you've really got me worried. What's so scary about a pet robot pony?"
“Because a few months ago… I got it to talk.”
“Besides the fact that Hassan wanted a pet robot, not some kind of assistant droid or something, I don't see what's so bad about that."
“Joe, I didn't program it to speak."
“Uh… What.”
I swivelled on my chair and rested my hands against my head.
“I installed the basic functionality of it's voice box, but it was only ever supposed to make horse noises. Joe, this robot… I'm onto something. I've been working on it in my free time too, taking the groundwork of the code I made for it's basic learning functions and… Improving on it.”
“That's a good thing isn't it?”
“Of course it is, but I never expected it to improve this much. This robot, without any language input, learnt English through listening to me. I was so… Excited by what I had done that I haven't stopped working on just it's brain. I didn't realize I was going to… Joe, I've created artificial intelligence.”
Instantly it was as if the color had drained from his face.
“Patty… Did you…"
“I've created a robot that can… Learn. I've been… teaching her things. English, mathematics, history, so many things that she's been… Well, she's been loving it! Literally!”
“Loving it? What are you talking about?”
“I hit a breakthrough last week. I've essentially recreated the effect of endorphin release, as well as countless other mental functions.”
“You made it… feel emotions.”
“...Yes.”
“Does… Does Hassan not know about this? ”
I fidgeted with my thumbs and bit my lower lip.
“...No. And he won't. Joe, the reason I'm so scared… is because the line between life and robot is so incredibly thin with this pony that it might as well not exist. I'm not scared of her, I'm scared of what will happen when people start trying to sell them.”
“That's not what you want? You could make millions with this. This robot is so revolutionary that you could become the most famous person to ever live! If it really can do what you've said, then the singularity is right around the corner!”
“You don't understand, Joe. Robots… are a thing. People own them. I've created something… someone so real that she's becoming someone! She's got a personality! Interests! Fears! I don't know about Hassan, but I can't sell that. I can't sell life.”
“Hassan… He'll find out eventually.”
“No he won't. I've got a version of Buttercup that I've kept since before I enhanced her learning capabilities. That's the version I'm submitting to Doctor Hassan, then I'm taking Buttercup and leaving the company.”
“That's insane! Do you know what'll happen if Hassan ever found out you made that thing here? You used company materials, company tools, company workshops. I hate to break it to you, but this “Buttercup”? She's owned by TechPrime.”
“He will never find out! I've covered my tracks well, none of the data is hidden anywhere on the system. All reports of Buttercup are marked to be unsuccessful advancements from the version I'll be giving them and onwards.”
Joe planted his face in his hands and dragged them down slowly. He breathed in slowly before letting out a heavy sigh.
“Alright then. So you've made… Robotic life. What are you going to do?”
“Well, I'm going to take her home and continue to work on her.” I said, folding my arms and leaning back in my seat. "I'll continue to teach her about life and keep her a secret as much as possible. I… haven't really thought much further past that.”
“Patty… What you're doing is… Certifiably insane. But I'm glad you're doing this.”
“R-Really? Didn't you just say I should sell her?"
“Yeah, but I gotta say, you make a convincing argument. There's just one thing I'd like to ask you.”
“Sure, anything.”
He scratched the side of his arm and smiled sideways at me.
“Can I meet her?”
I lead Joe through my expansive workshop, passing by many of my inventions and prototypes as we went. Truth be told, I still felt very guilty about this. TechPrime had kept me employed thus far and had essentially left me to my own devices to work on this project. If it weren't for their trust in me, I never would have had the privacy I needed to work on Buttercup.
Previously, Anakazi Industries had employed me to work on their line of worker bots, but all I was doing was programming basic worker functionality, and my so called “genius” had gone to waste. Even I still didn't think I deserved all those damned awards, but I guess I can't complain, since they landed me this job.
I thought back on Hassan. That man truly was a businessman and nothing more. These pet ponies that he had contracted me to work on were an incredible idea, but I couldn't help but feel guilty for making them. They might not be at the same level of intelligence as Buttercup, but they're based on the same code. There has to be some free thought rattling around in their heads.
“Jeez, I keep forgetting how massive this place really is.” Joe commented, glaring enviously at the rows of components, parts, and tools that TechPrime had provided for me.
Joe had started working here just after me, with me helping him land the position as assistant researcher. He was more into the engineering line of work, but no less important in the least. After all, Buttercup’s voice box was designed by him.
“Hey, maybe after you leave, they'll give me this office, huh?” He smiled and nudged me playfully.
“Dream big, kid.” I laughed as we finally reached the back of the workshop. I punched in a long combination of letters into the electronic keypad that was protecting this room from prying eyes, and after a short while, the pad flashed green and I heard the electronic lock disengage. I breathed in, trying to calm myself. This was the first time I had shown anyone Buttercup, but more importantly, it was Buttercup’s first time meeting anyone besides me. She obviously knew by now that there were humans besides me, but meeting one is completely different from hearing about them.
“Are you ready?” I turned and smiled nervously at Joe who beamed back at me.
“I sure am! C'mon, stop messing around already.”
I shook my head before pushing the door open slowly and peaking my head inside.
“Buttercup?”
There was a short silence before Buttercup walked into view. She was a small mare, only about the height of our thighs. Her mane bounced as she walked, it's blue and purple gradiented locks illuminated by the cool artificial light that lit her room. Her “coat” was unfortunately not as I had originally envisioned her, as she currently was just coated in a pale yellow matte finish.
“Patty! You're back! I was reading about this super cool story that I was thinking you might be able to help me read next time you…” She trailed off as she looked up toward me. ”Uh, what are you doing? Why don't you come inside?”
“Oh, uh, sorry!” I said, realizing that I was still just peeking my head inside. "There's someone here that I'd like you to meet.”
Her eyes widened and a huge smile crossed her face.
“Another human!? You're finally going to let me meet another human!?" She said, motors whirring quietly as she bounced up and down with excitement.
I smiled apprehensively as I pushed the door open fully, revealing Joe to Buttercup, and Buttercup to Joe.
“Wow!” She shouted as she galloped toward us both. Joe froze as she began to weave around us, inspecting him with an excited yet intrigued look on her face.
“Hmmm…” She said, frowning slightly as she came to a stop in front of us. “Why does this one not have breasts?"
Joe let out a short snort as I felt a small panic rise in my chest. Shoot, I know I should have taught her biological gender differences.
“Uh, w-well, you see, i-it's so that females can feed their young! Males aren't biologically built to do that, so they don't need them."
“I see.” She said. “That's a little silly. Shouldn't both genders be built to care for their young? Why don't both have breasts?”
“I-I think we should talk about this later, Butter. This is Joe.” I motioned toward my friend who nervously waved at the robotic pony. ”He's very excited to meet you.”
“H-Hi.” Joe stuttered under the scrutinizing gaze of Buttercup.
“His voice is a lot different to ours too. Interesting.”
“Y-Yes, well why don't we go and sit down at your table and have a chat while you charge?”
“Okay!” She perked up, the more serious look almost instantly disappearing as she happily trotted toward the dining table. She pulled out a chair before jumping up and looking over at us expectantly. I turned to look at Joe, whose face was still a mixture of awe and confusion. I motioned for him to follow and we walked over to the table, taking our seats next to Butter.
“So, Buttercup.” I smiled at her. “This is Joe. We work together here at TechPrime, and he kinda helped make you."
“He did? That's so cool! I thought you were the only one who made me.”
“Well, I made you specifically, he helped design the robot you were based on.”
“You mean the other ponies, right?" She said, a look of sadness now on her face.
“Yes, the other ponies. Specifically, he designed the voice box that helps you to talk. If it weren't for his technology, I never would have heard you talk in the first place and never would have continued improving you.”
“Well, thank you, Joe!” She said, smiling widely at the silent man.
Joe stared blankly at the pony in front of him, whose expression shifted from happy to worried as Joe continued to remain silent.
“Uh, is he okay?"
“Yeah, he just only figured out you existed half an hour ago. He's probably a little in shock still.”
“H-How… How is this possible?" Joe said, shifting in his seat. “I th-thought you just meant she was n-new! Like a child!”
“Hey! Just because I'm new doesn't make me a child! I'm just a really really quick learner!” Butter said and folded her forehooves, pouting at Joe.
“S-Sorry, I'm just… Surprised. Like, holy crap. Patty, you weren't joking. You really are a genius.”
“No, I'm not, I'm just… not dumb?”
“Don't sell yourself short, this thing is incredible!”
Buttercup flinched a little and looked to me.
“Th-Thing?”
“No, no, he didn't mean it like that!” I shook my hands frantically before tapping Joe on the arm a little harder than I had intended.
“Ow, what?"
“Joe, Buttercup is not a thing. She might be a robot, but she's aware of her own intelligence. She's not like the other robots."
“S-Sorry, Buttercup.”
Her mood switched on a dime again and she smiled up at him, albeit a little nervously this time.
“It's okay! I know you didn't mean it, you're just not used to robots as awesome as I am.” She said with a playful wink.
“Convinced she's a someone yet?" I said, leaning back in satisfaction.
“Y-Yeah. I'm convinced." Joe said, nodding shakily. “Buttercup… Wow. Really, just… Wow. You're truly amazing.”
“Thanks! I mean, I'm sure my brain's capabilities are amazing, but that's more Patty’s achievement than mine. I've learnt a lot, but I still got a ways to go before I'm passing any sort of tests.” She said, nervously, rubbing a hoof against the back of her neck.
“That's not true, I think you're ready to take an english exam whenever you would like. You think you're ready for one?" I offered to the little pony.
“Uh, maybe?" She said, the air of nervousness still in her voice. “I mean, if you think I'm ready, then I must be, right?”
“That's for you to decide. You don't need to move faster than you think you can, so just tell me when you're ready.”
“Th-Thanks, Patty.” She blushed, the LED lights installed in her cheeks glowing softly.
I looked over at Joe who was still staring at Buttercup.
“You okay, Joe?”
“Yeah, sorry, I'm just… I'm so impressed by this all and it's a lot to take in. She really is a person. Pony. Whatever, she's as smart as a person is.”
“I'm still shocked by it myself.” I said with a short laugh. "I never expected her to get this smart, let alone become so… unique. She's her own person, with a personality indistinguishable from a human."
“Yep, and Patty will not stop telling me just how amazing she thinks I am. I mean, you're kinda tooting your own horn, since you did make me.”
“I made your brain, Butter, but you made you. Your personality was in no way affected by me besides being the person you learnt from.”
“I guess so.” She said, her tone still a little unsure.
“Joe, can you… Can you promise me you won't tell anyone about her?” I said, turning to my friend. "She's smart, but she's… The world's not ready for her yet. I can only imagine the ethics debate that'll come out when I tell everyone about her eventually, but I don't think we're anywhere near that stage yet.”
Joe looked at me before giving me a determined nod.
“I promise, Patty. I give you my word that I'll not utter a single thing about her to anyone else."
“Th-Thank you. It means alot to me that I can trust you with this.”
“It means a lot to me too.” Buttercup said with a soft smile. "I wish I could meet all these people that Patty keeps telling me about, but I understand that not everyone is going to like me. What I am.” She looked down as she said that, averting her eyes from our gaze.
“I think you'll be surprised. More people will understand you than you think.”
“I hope so." She turned back to us and smiled half heartedly. “Uh, it's been nice meeting you and all, but would it be okay if I was alone with Patty for a while?” She said to Joe who smiled back at her.
“Of course. It really has been incredible meeting you, but I still got my quotas to meet.” He said with a small laugh, standing up from his chair. “Would it be okay if I came back and visited you again?"
Butter nodded, the soft yet shaky smile still on her face.
“Sure. I'd be happy to meet you again."
Joe waved an apprehensive goodbye before walking out the door we had entered through and closing it behind him. I could almost hear a muffled “Holy shit." as he walked away.
“So…" I said, turning back to Buttercup. “You feeling alright?"
“I think so. I really hope Joe wasn't lying when he said he thought of me as a someone. I'm… I'm not a thing, right?"
“No. You're a living person. Things can be owned. You're not owned by anyone.”
“I mean, you own me, don't you?”
“I made your brain, but as soon as you started thinking for yourself, all pretense of ownership left my mind.”
“What about… TechPrime? Don't lie to me, I know they own me.”
“TechPrime… No they don't. They might claim to own you, but your mind is yours. That's exactly why I haven't told them about you. They'd… Try and take you away from me. I'm not letting that happen. Here, let's sit on the couch.” I said, standing up and waiting for Buttercup to start following before we walked together toward the couch that I had given her. I sat down as Butter jumped up to join me before laying her head on my lap.
It wasn't very complex at this point in time, but one of the functions that had initially been implemented into the original pony robots was pressure sensitive surfaces. Through some tweaking and manipulation, I had quickly been able to convert that into a rudimentary sensation of touch for Butter, and her showing signs of affection like this was all the more worth it.
She breathed out a sigh, or at least an artificial sigh, as she closed her eyes and nestled into the couch further.
“Thank you for letting me meet Joe today, Patty.”
“Thank you for being so calm about it."
“Calm? Did you not see me out there? I was freaking out! He's so… different! I mean, not a bad different, just… different.”
“Well if you were freaking out, you did a pretty good job of hiding it. I'm proud of you. I honestly expected you to run and hide.”
“As if! I'm skittish, but I'm not that bad.”
“Come to think of it, maybe your lack of a fear reaction was a glitch in your system…”
“No, trust me, I'd know if it was that. I was just trying really, really hard to make a good impression on him.”
“Well I think it worked. He was calling you an it before he met you, purely because he had never met a robot as real as you before, but by the end, he really did view you as the smart little pony you are.”
“Y-You sure?" She stuttered, lifting her head off my lap and looking up at me.
“I am absolutely sure.”
Buttercup lifted herself up quickly and threw her forehooves around me, pulling me into a tight hug. I was a little shocked at her sudden display of affection, but hugged her back regardless. Not to mention, she had never hugged me before.
“A-Am I doing it right?"
“Doing what right?"
“The h-hug. I read about them in that book you gave me yesterday and it described it as really nice.”
“Well, yes. You're a great hugger for a first timer." I joked as her hug tightened around me.
“The book was right. This is… Amazing.”
“It can go for as long as you like then. Or at least until you need charge."
“R-Really? The book said the hugs only last around two seconds.”
“I suppose that's what usual hugs are like, but this is a special hug.” I said and tightened my hug in return.
“...Would you be mad if I said I wanted it to last for ever?"
“Mad at you? Never."
A week had passed since I had shown Buttercup to Joseph. A week of planning, trying to figure out exactly what to say to Doctor Hassan. Why was I so nervous? I'm just quitting. I can't think about Buttercup, or the fact that I'm technically stealing her. It's just a simple resignation.
A resignation from a company that trusted me. It was almost impossible for me to not feel guilty for this. All those other pony bots… What facets of Buttercups intelligence was in their brains? They might not have emotions or complex thought patterns like Buttercup does, but there has to be some level of individual thought in there.
No, you can't think about it like that. Those ponies aren't programmed to have emotions, just to emulate basic ones. The choice to give Buttercup the ability to feel pain was an incredibly hard one, but when I had set out to improve her, I needed to give her the “human” experience. That meant pain, both emotional and physical. '
“Wh-what is this?” Buttercup said, holding up her hoof. She had banged it hard against the chair leg accidentally and had run to me crying.
“What’s wrong?" I said, leaning down and lifting her onto my lap.
“I-I hit my h-hoof on the chair and now it… Feels bad! I don't understand!"
“Oh, Buttercup… I'm so sorry. What you're feeling is called pain. I know it's not good to feel pain, but it's there so you can tell that you've damaged yourself. It's part of being alive.”
“I-I don't like it! Take it away!” She shouted, burying her face into my belly.
“I-I’m sorry, Butter. I want you to be as close to a living animal as possible, and I know that's what you want too. Pain is an unavoidable part of life. But that's what I'm here for. To help make the pain easier to deal with.” I said, carefully lifting up her hoof in my hand.
“Wh-What are you d-doing?” Butters asked with a tinge of fear in her voice.
“This." I whispered, lifting her hoof closer to my mouth before I planted a gentle kiss on the place she had banged it. I lowered it and brought her into a soft hug, which she quickly returned.
“Did that help?”
“A b-bit… It felt nice, which I guess distracted me from the pain.”
“I'm glad. I'm so glad I made you, Butter. Knowing you and the wonderful mare you've become has been the best thing that's ever happened to me.”
I shook my head, dispelling the memory. It was a nice memory, but I really didn't want to think too much about Buttercup right now. I needed to focus on what I was about to do.
I raised my hand up and rapped lightly on Doctor Hassan’s door.
There was a pregnant silence before I heard the muffled words "come in.”.
I opened the door slowly and walked into Hassan’s office. Hassan was definitely one for extravagancy. I always felt a little weirded out by the amount of ridiculously expensive looking decor that was scattered around his office. There was a traditional looking African mask on the wall, flanked by what looked like antique weaponry. There was an extremely expensive and modern looking desk in the center of the room, seated at which was Doctor Hassan.
“Ah, Patricia Wells. How are you this afternoon? I assume you've come to deliver an update on the PonyBots?”
“M-Morning-- I mean, Afternoon, Doctor Hassan. I'm fine, and yes, I've come to update you on the bots.” I said, my mind still trying to keep itself calm under Hassan’s judging gaze.
As I'd mentioned before, Hassan was first and foremost a businessman. Sure, he was a smart businessman, and had a doctorate in engineering, but he was also quite cold. Money came first in his mind, no matter the situation.
“Why don't you take a seat?" Hassan said calmly, motioning toward the seat in front of his desk. I'd sat in that seat before, and I could swear he had bought a small one so he could look down on those who came in here.
I reluctantly sat down, twiddling my thumbs nervously.
“So, how are my PonyBots going?” Hassan asked, leaning forward in his chair.
“Um, they're going well. Very well. I'd say they're ready for manufacturing by now.” I said, with only the slightest hint of pride in my voice.
“Ah, perfect! Very well done, Doctor Wells! I knew I made the right decision in hiring you.” He said with a wide grin.
“Thanks, Doctor. I've spent the last month and a bit working out kinks in the software and working with the engineers on improving the PonyBots functionality. I'm sure in future iterations, it will increase in quality even more.” I offered a fake smile, failing to mention that all of these improvements had been applied to my secret project, and then some.
Joe had even been so nice as to assist me on giving Buttercup fur, something all three of us, Buttercup, Joe, and myself had been excited for. Of course, the regular PonyBots had been getting this treatment as well, but they most definitely didn't appreciate it as much as Butter.
“Excellent work, Wells. I trust you can supervise those further iterations as successfully as you have done so far.”
“Um… That's kind of the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. I've also come to hand in my two weeks notice for my resignation.”
“Oh." He frowned, an unreadable expression crossing his face. “May I ask the reason why? You've been an incredible asset to TechPrime and we'd truly be sad to see you go.”
More like sad to see the dollars I earn you drop.
“I've just been feeling like a change in direction. Robots have always been a personal joy of mine, and working for TechPrime has been an incredible experience for me, but I've always wanted to get into games programming, and I've finally decided to depart from robotics for the time being.” This of course, being a lie. I'd been interested in games programming as a kid, but my heart still laid with robotics. Any question that Hassan had for me, I had a believable excuse to back me up.
“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, but I guess I'm glad you've found your… True calling.” He said with mock sadness and leant back in his seat. “You'll receive a quite generous payout for your work so far, and if you do intend to ever return to TechPrime, there will be a position as well as a raise waiting for you.”
I held back a mental gag at his offer. He knew how much I was worth to him. I tried to stay humble to myself, but even I could admit I was smart. Hassan just didn't realize I was smart enough to see through his guise of friendliness as well.
“Thank you for your offer, Doctor Hassan, and thank you for the opportunity to work for your company so far.” I stood up and handed him an envelope containing a letter detailing my resignation. Hassan also stood up and held a hand out which I reluctantly shook.
“Thank you for your work, Doctor Wells, and I hope to be seeing you work for us again in the future.”
I forced yet another smile onto my lips before releasing the handshake and turning around to leave. As I shut the door behind me, I let out a massive sigh of relief. Hassan was a smart man, but unlike me, he was completely inept at reading emotion. I walked away from his office, confidence in my stride.
“You did it. I can't believe you actually did it." Joe laughed, bringing his glass of beer up to his mouth, sipping it slowly.
“Yeah.” I said, leaning back on the couch and sipping my own drink. "Holy shit, I actually fucking did it.” I laughed.
“Proud of you, Peppermint Patty. I'm sure that Buttercup was proud of you too.”
“Haven't told her yet. The meeting really took it out of me. Most people don't understand just how intimidating that dude can be until you sit in that office with him. I'm gonna recover a bit and tell Buttercup the good news tomorrow.”
“You got that right. Hassan is one scary guy.” Joe pursed his lips before taking another drink.
“I'm so glad Buttercup is never going to meet him. I mean, I'm sure she'll meet her fair share of assholes, especially if I find a way to introduce her to the rest of humanity eventually, but Hassan is a special kind of asshole. The one that views you as nothing but numbers next to a dollar sign. I can't imagine how high that number would be if he ever met Butter.”
“Gosh, I don't even wanna think about it. I'm sorry I suggested selling Butter before, I didn't realize at the time just how human she really was.”
“Nah, it's fine. Trust me, there'd be plenty of people who’d still want to sell her after seeing just how human she really is.”
“I'm glad you trusted me with her.” Joe said, smiling softly at me.
“I'm glad I did too, for more than just the reason that she needs more than one person to talk to.”
“I'm surprised she likes me at all. I'm not exactly the most interesting dude on the planet.”
“You don't have to be the most interesting, ya doofus. You're just you, and Butter likes you for you. Same as me.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Joe smirked, placing his empty beer glass on the table and opening up another bottle before pouring it in.
“Speaking of how you're a super cool friend and such… I kinda have another favor to ask of you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I kinda need help smuggling Butter out of that prison. I've got two weeks to clear my workshop of any evidence she was ever there, and it'll probably be easier to do so without her being there.”
“Sure, no problem. Well, I'll help, no problem, but getting her out of there might be a problem. Have you got any plans?”
“I got a few. One of them is to sneak her out in a bag of some type, but that's gonna raise suspicion. I've contemplated shipping her out with the first batch of PonyBots, but that's way too dangerous. There's no way I'd forgive myself if she got lost. The third option is to carry her out and pretend that all is natural. I'll just say to security that she's part of my work that I'm bringing home, but that might be just as risky as the other idea. Plus, I'd have to shut her down to do that, and I'd rather avoid that if at all possible.”
“What about the couch?”
“Huh? What about it?”
“Well, how did you get it in?”
“Uh, I just filled a request with my supervisor and he let me take it in.”
“Well, now that you're quitting, it'd make sense that you're taking your possessions home. So all we need to do is cut a pony sized hole under one of the cushions and hide her in there, then we just walk straight out the door.”
“Hmmm… And what about the metal detector?”
“I guess we say there's springs in the cushions.”
“Gosh damn, you're a lot smarter than you let on, Joe.”
“Hey, I resent that.” He joked, finishing off his second beer. “So, you happy with that plan?"
“Yeah, it really does seem like the best option we could have. How does tomorrow sound?”
“You got it, Patty.”
“Patty, do I really have to?” Buttercup complained as she paced in front of the couch. Joe had already carefully cut a hole in the bottom of the couch, but Butter's nerves were really getting to her.
“I know, I'm sorry, but if I'm ever going to get you out of here, we’re gonna need to hide you. I'm not risking any of our other options. I'm not risking losing you.” I knelt down, placing my hands on her cheeks brushing them against her new fur in an effort to calm her down. "Trust me, I'm not going to let any harm come to you again.”
“I d-don’t know, are you s-sure there's no other way?”
“None that aren't more dangerous than this.” I said and pulled her into a hug. If nothing else would calm her down, then this would. Her breathing slowed and she leant into my hug, sighing as she calmed herself.
“O-Okay.” She said, apprehensively pulling away from the hug and stepping toward the couch.
I followed her over to it and picked her up as we arrived at her temporary vessel. She let out a small yelp as I picked her up, but a small kiss to her cheek calmed her down again and I slowly lowered her into the gash that Joe had made in the couch.
“Everything will be okay, Buttercup. I'll never let any harm come to you.” I smiled warmly at her, holding her hoof firmly.
“I… I trust you Patty.”
“You ready?” Joe asked, the tape he was going to use to seal the hole at the ready. Butter nodded shakily and curled up as tightly as she could. Joe closed the gap that had been made under the couch’s cushions and sealed it with a few strips of tape before placing the cushion back on the top of it.
“Okay, so just to recap, we just go through security, straight out to the parking lot, and put the couch in the back of my van, right?" Joe asked as we prepared to lift the couch.
“Yep. That's the plan.”
“Alright. No time like the present. Let's get this pony home.”
We heaved as we lifted up the couch slowly and walked with it toward the back room door. Luckily, the couch was relatively light and crappy on it's own, and Buttercup herself didn't add too much weight to it, so we didn't have to strain too much to lift it through my workshop and out into the hall.
My heart was racing by now as colleagues, or I guess former colleagues now, passed me by. I avoided their glances, pretending to just be struggling with the weight of the couch. Good thing for me that I looked a lot weaker than I actually was.
Eventually, we reached the labs foyer and made our way to the security checkpoint. I had informed the security guard on duty that we would be coming through here with a couch earlier in the day, and to my massive relief, the same guard was on duty now.
“Evening, Patty. I see this is the couch you were talking about?" The guard said, still sitting in his chair by the metal detector.
“Y-Yep!” I masked my nervousness with strain as I lifted it closer towards the checkpoint. “Sorry if it sets off the detector, it's f-filled with metal springs.”
“No problem Patty, head on through.”
Enormous relief washed over me at those words and we took the couch through the metal detector. As expected, the gate beeped loudly as we walked through, but we continued walking and the guard went back to his magazine and coffee.
I let out a silent woop of joy in my head, my heart racing like crazy from the excitement that I was trying to hide. I looked over to Joe at the other side of the couch who smiled widely back at me.
The automatic doors to the foyer opened as we stepped into the sensor's range and we stepped out into the late afternoons breeze. As fast as we could without raising suspicion, we hefted the couch toward Joe's van and laid the couch down. Joe calmly opened up the back before we lifted the couch up and into the back of the van and closed the door behind us.
My heart was still beating incredibly fast as we walked to the front of the van and got in.
“Holy shit. Holy shit!" I shouted, the joy overcoming me and I hopped up and down in my seat. ”We fucking did it!”
“Y-Yeah.” Joe said, a smile slowly creeping onto his face.
“Um, can I get out of here now?” A muffled call came from Butter behind me and I jumped up from my seat, crawling into the back of the car and pulling the cushion off. I hastily ripped the tape off the gap, and just as I did, Buttercup jumped out and wrapped her hooves around my neck.
“I'm so sorry, Butter. I'm sorry you had to go through that.” I said, tears threatening to burst from my eyes as I hugged that beautiful mare as tightly as I could.
“I-It’s okay. I'm f-fine, it was just a little scary.” Buttercup said unconvincingly as she continued to hug me.
“I really don't mean to break up such a sweet moment, but we really need to get out of here as fast as possible.” Joe said from the front seat. I pulled away from the hug and smiled down at a nervous looking Butter.
“It's okay Butter. We're free of that place, and if I have anything to say about it, we're never going back.”
