Cause of Progress

***

It was early morning, not any different from other ones before this. First rays of sun start peaking trough curtains of still dark rooms of the apartment. The light revealed the poorly decorated walls of the common area, old sofa and almost empty shelfs that hold a couple of first place trophies and medals. Sink in the kitchen was filled with dirty cups and a couple of unwashed plates from the dinners of yesterday and three days ago. On a simple wooden table was a small glass ashtray with a couple of cigarette butts and unfinished pack with a lighter near it. The old fridge hummed his usual song quietly. Moving to the bedroom - on a messy bed laid a lean figure under the sheets.

The accursed alarm clock started his loud serenade and was qickly grabbed by small metallic right hand and turned off, after wich was set back to the nightstand. The figure under the sheets shifted and rose to a sitting position, revealing a resident of this mess. It was a woman in her mid twenties, judging by her looks. She had a pleasant toned skin, short bob hairstyle of a warm black colour and a couple of freckles on her still sleepy face. She opened her eyes and here is where the unusual things about this girl started to come out. Instead of a normal eyes - she had both of them replaced with prosthetic ones, pure black with bright yellow pupils. She lazily blinked and shook her head, throwing the covers off and revealing her damaged body to the world around her. On top of her eyes - she missed both of her legs and her right hand. The metal on her hand started from the middle of her ulna, while her legs was gone from her knee and to the end of the limb. The girl stretched sitting at her bed and then rose to her legs. She wore a simple black t-shirt and her panties for the sleep.

Meet Abigail Reznik, 22 years old. Single, no criminal records, wich was rare among her age group back home. Certified automaton engineer, or so it was back at her former shithole of a home planet. Scratching the back of her neck and the side of her torso under her clothes - she moved to the bathroom/shower to start her day.

The year was 2310 on Terra, former name Earth. The air is heavy with smog, no more snow since 2149, there are currently 7 billion residents on the planet and staying still. Technology is very advanced, to the point where you can learn to be a doctor under an hour with the help of the Memory Chips and muscle stimulants from the brightest of minds in their range of knowledge. Of course, it will cost you a fortune, but still - it could be done. The last great achievement of humanity for the past century is automatons, that basicly a metal dolls, programmed to obey their puppeteers. They can do a lot of things : from cleaning dust from the shelves and cooking to serve as secretaries and bodyguards. It goes without saying that a single unit cost a fuckton of money. Anything was for your money in that century.

Returning to our hero - she finished her morning ritual and start to dress for work. Underwear, t-shirt, cargo pants, steel tip boots, advanced rebreather, for working with blowtorch later, hanged on her neck - she was set for the day. Looking at her apartment and nodding to herself - she leaves, heading down. Down the stairs and into her workshop behind two inch thick metal door and concrete walls.

***

If you ask Abbi - 'how to get rich?' - she would ask in return - 'What kind of world is around you?' In her case - she's in world of no mechanisms, but instead they have... Ugh... Magic. Specifically, she's at Stormwind Isles, or how they were called outside of this archipelago - 'the land beyond Equestria'. Everytime Abigail remembers this - she's uncontrollably furrow her brows at this name.

Apperently, some deity thought it would be funny to rip Abigail from her world and shove her in this one. Good thing her home/workplace was transported with her, or she would be... more than mildly infuriated. She appeared here not even a year ago, and changed what was around her. Good thing the citizens of the Isles warmed up to her pretty fast after she had... disagreement with former Storm King. Why former, you may ask? Well... Abigail didn't appreciated, when giant (7.1 ft) white baboon like creature tried to basically tell her 'get down on your knees and pledge loyalty to me while sucking my penis'. So it escalated pretty quickly into her, almost creating two half's of former king using her photon enduced knife and cutting his belly wide open when he tried to grab her. She had a hard day, can you blame her?

***

Anyway, after that all of the Isles had a little revolution and elected the new king - Raiju the Storm Caller, who is a giant blue half man, half... crab? Lobster?... anthropod. Instead of legs he had six pairs of limbs like anthropods had, his upper body clad in dense blue shell, strong hands with four digits and a face resembles of you-know-who, but somehow more expressive. He said, that Abigail was welcome to stay as long as she wanted and was always welcomed to the castle, which Abbi used and was eager to learn about the new world from castle library. In there she met the most lovely and infuriating mare in her life - Tempest Shadow, a.k.a Fizzy.

Tempest told Abigail about the world she now was resident of. About different races, countries, creatures and about the bane of her existence - magic. It was infuriating to Abigail - how low Equis was in terms of technology because of magic. Planes? That's evil to think of, use pegasus powered blimps. Combustion or electric engine? No, use steam, coal or magic filled engine. Pen or pencil? Chop off her hand if she didn't use feather and ink. After that revelation Abbi cried for at least two hours in her pillow.

***

Back on topic of 'how to get rich'. The answer would almost immideatly left Abigail's mouth - 'reinvent'. She talked to Raiju about economic side of Stormwind Isles and turns out - they were cut off from outside world by the former king that was plotting against country called Equestria, home of ponykind that sprouts the word 'friendsip', while also being somewhat xenopobic. So she suggested to Raiju that if she will live in this new world - she will make it more advanced. Medical equipment, new forms of buildings so they would fit a lot more residents, crystalline engines (because creating combustion engine will be the end of this world), batteries with a lot of stored electric energy, windmills to produce electricity, electricity utility usage itself, railed carriages to transport citizens from one island of achipelago to another, inventions was popping out like Abbi was a technological cornucopia. And finally, hopefully today, would be launched her latest invention - automaton.

***

Abigail entered her workshop, flickin the switches and turning the lights and powering up her machine tools. She walked up to her latest invention and smiled like a kid to her new toy. It was fully sized automaton from 'Maid' series in female complexion, made from aluminum with some of the parts made of porcelain in the future. Now Coco was just bare carcass with reqired wires and crystal in her chest, acting as power source. She spent two weeks making the details and assembling the whole thing from scratch. Now it just needs to finish charging up and Coco could be launched. She didn't had any clothes on, but that was not important. If Coco will work as intended - Abbi could start negotiations with Equestria. All this time Stormwind Isles were still isolated, even after Raiju came to ruling the archipelago. This was because of the inner shifts of progress. As such - all of Abigail inventions were applied to just this country. And that means - leaders of other countries would have a stroke at how advanced the Isles compared to the other countries.

The door to workshop opened slowly and Tempest walked inside, moving akin to the stumbling of a zombie. She needed her morning coffee, badly. Tempest, in her sleepy state, moved to Abigail and plopped on her, pressing her chest into womans back, hugging her from behind around the neck.

"Told you to go to sleep, Fiz. But nooo, you wanted to hear new episode of 'Continental threat' on the radio. Now you look like overcooked fish." - Mocked Abigail, lightly stroking Fizzy's mane with her left hand, looking at still charging Coco.

"That bad, huh? Well, it's not my fault that they delayed the time of the airing on a whole hour." - Mumbled Tempest in bliss at the light strokes of her lover, nuzzling with her nose the back of human's head.

"They will repeat it today at lunch, you doofus. It's not like you choose your favourite show over cuddles... right?" - Asked Abbi sceptical, looking at half asleep mare with a side glance. She wouldn't show it openly, but it warms her heart that she was able to restore Fizzy's horn. She almost broke Abigail's spine with a hug when she saw the thing in human's hands. The horn was syntheticly constructed in secret with medical department. It was a perfect fit, thanks to that cast of her 'stump' she made while Tempest was asleep.

Tempest froze mid nuzzle and guiltily laughed. - "Ehe-he... well..." - Started Tempest, but Abbi pinched her side with her metal hand.

"You digging your own grave with those words, hun." - Smirked Abigail. Tempest yelped from the cold touch and looked at human annoyingly for a second, but then finally noticed the metallic form of automaton.

"You finally finished it?" - She asked, straightening up and walking to the automaton, letting go of the human's neck.

"Yeah, yesterday actually. Finally attached everything required and set the core to it's place. Now we need to wait for it to charge. Which will happen in six to eight hours." - Explained Abbi.

Their relationship was a dangerously fun combination of an experienced military officer and a smartest magicless engineer alive. Often behaving nothing like a lovers, more like a very close friends or even sisters. But even then - they could be romantic and sweet to each other when they feel like it.

Abigail found comfort in Tempest. On the outside - the unicorn mare was tough, stoic and overall professional, when she was at work or out and about in the city. When she was with Abigail or at home with her - she's childish, bubbly and adorably curious when her lover tinkering with something. Also, Fizzy has a very cute face, when Abbi kiss her in public or calling her 'my mare'. She became Abigail's rock in this world. They talked a lot about their feelings towards each other, and found out that both of them wanted to be closer. Four months of friendship and now seven months of relationship do their job and make them closer than ever.

From the other side - Tempest thought that Abigail is amazing. She's not posessing any magic, but could easily compensate the lack of it with her intellect and wits. She came to Equis not by her choice and do not own anything to others, but still bringing something new to this world, even if she says that it's for her own comfort and not others. Abbi is sarcastic and her mouth need to be washed with soap, but still - she's loyal, smart, kind and beautiful. Even with fake limbs and eyes - Tempest find her human lover gorgeous.

"Do you think it could be working when equestrians arrive?" - Asked Tempest, looking at an amazing skeletal structure of the automaton.

Abbi raised her brow at that. - "If it is working without a major problems - I still need to attach the covers and put her in clothes. Why the sudden question?"

"Raiju received a letter yesterday from Princess Sunbutt. One of their ships spotted our fishiers near their borders. Captains of both ships exchanged greetings and our fisher told equestrians about Stormwind Isles. Apperently, Celestia didn't knew about us and going to visit tomorrow morning. Whorse is probably already think that she could have our country to herself." - Fizzy spat out the last part, adoring the angry scowl.

"Wow, repressed anger much?" - Asked Abbi, patting Tempest on the shoulder for comfort. -"But in all seriousness - she would be here tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah... Sorry for my reaction, you know I don't like Equestria." - Tempest said, covering Abbi's hand with her own, looking back at human with worried expression.

"Yeah, I could tell from all the times our conversation touched ponykind. You don't like Celestia and most of the ponies, I get it. But I figured - you will be near them tomorrow as king's most trusted commander. Try to repress your anger, we don't need a war because of the tounge slip. Our technologies may be superior, but they have numbers." - Advised Abigail, giving the mare a small, hopeful smile.

"I know, Abbi. Raiju knows it too, that is why you will be there too." - Smirked Fizzy.

"Uhh... run that by me again?"

"Raiju asked for your presence during the meeting too, since you are the one that invented everything around us." - Answered Tempest, sitting down on Abbi's lap in rider's position face to face, putting her hands on the shoulders of surprised human.

"But... that's stupid. If Celestia sees me - she would precisely know - who could do the same upgrades for her country and that means I'll have a mark on my back. I respect Raiju, but this is, for a fact, stupid." - Argued Abbi, lowering her head on Fizzy's shoulder.

"Sorry, love. I wish we're not require your presence." - Said Fizzy, lightly kissing her on the cheek. - "Look at this from the different angle - you could receive the look of amazement from those ponies. You are a genius, after all. Showing off your loin fruits could be fun."

"While yes - it is fun, I'll still put my ass that you so love in danger." - Said Abbi, furrowing her brows a little.

"Let them try and get you, I'll tear them apart." - Snarled Tempest.

Abigail just laughed silently at this. - "Of course you do, my mare." - She sneaked both of her arms on Fizzy's waist, hugging her tightly. - "But... You could do nothing on an empty stomach, and I believe you didn't had any food yet, as well as I am. Let's go have some breakfast."

"But I'm soooo cooomfy..." - Whined unicorn.

"Damn it... should've seen this coming."

She got up after some bribing with visiting her favorite place.

***

Later that day - Abigail was sitting at the workbench with almost charged Coco before her. Abbi and Fizzy spend most of the day relaxing. While Tempest was eager to go somewhere and do something - Abbi was like a metronome in this case. Some days she wanted to go out and see - how's everything working and maybe fix something, while the other days she would spend in her workshop without seeing the sunlight for a few days. As for today - it was the day to walk around with Fizzy, talk to each other and do some shopping (which was vocally disliked by human, but she still does it for her beloved unicorn).

Back on track - Abigail disconnected the charging cable from the Coco and gently dragged her from the table to the floor, laying her horizontally on her back. With a silent prayer to Omnissiah - she flipped the switch inside of Coco's head and the crystal started give out dim glow, the 'veins' in robotic body adore the same glow and soon - Coco started to smoothly move, getting up from the ground, as would any other human. Abbi took a step back to give her some space and not too long after - she was standing tall, awaiting for the command.

"Alright... So far so good... Coco, execute protocol two." - Abbi Said, starting to slowly walk away from automaton. Command, or 'protocol' as was said - is basically a shortened version of full request, written down in automaton to follow. Protocol two was 'follow'. And lo and behold - Coco adored a relaxed posture and started to follow Abigail, being two step behind. Taking a lap around the workshop - Abbi didn't noticed any problems, which is a good thing. Stopping at the start/finish of their walk - the human turned to automaton, looking her over with a proud smile.

"Alright... let's try something else. Coco, finish protocol two and execute protocol four with correction two. Let's see how good are you on your own." - Protocol four was a command for 'look around and clean' and 'correction two' was to do only big stuff. Suffice to say - human's working place was often clear, but today she left her workshop in mess with parts of metal laying on the floor, some dirt marks of her boots on the floor and dust in some places. Coco, after she recived the command, looked around and spotting parts of metal walked to it and crouch to pick it up. After filling up her hands - she walked to the nearest box for scrap and deposit her findings, returning to do the same cycle again.

Abigail was grinning with a glee in her eyes. She raised both of her hands and shouted at the cealing. - "Yes! Eat your heart out, Boston Robotics, I am the superior engineer!"

While Coco was busy in her job - Abigail comes up and get Tempest to look at her work. Fizzy was mighty impressed, which was reflected in a tight hug Abbi recieved from behind. The day could not get any better.

***

The day could not get any worse. On the next day, Tempest and Abigail came to the Castle for the meeting. Unicorn mare was dressed in her uniform, represented as black coat with grey fur on the collar, flexible scaled steel armor (courtesy of Abigail), a black turtleneck, dress pants and a dark red scarf around her neck, as well she had a sword on her belt. Abigail was similar, only she wore a grey coat with brown fur on the collar, black turtleneck, thick cargo pants of dark green colour and army boots with metal tips. They sat at the meeting room, waiting for Raiju.

When the towering figure of royal lobster arrived, which was accompanied by numerous 'tik's' of his lower limbs at the marble floor, he greeted both his first commander, and brightest mind of the Isles with happy but calm attitude. Tempest humbly greeted him in return, while Abigail was not very pleased she need to be here.

"Remind me again, Raiju, why you wanted me here?" - Asked the human displeased.

"As much as I know - Princess Celestia will come with captain of her guard, small squad of guards and her student - Twilight Sparkle. To my knowledge - Twilight Sparkle is a scholar and The Element of Magic. You may find a common language with her to strengthen the relationship between Stormwind Isles and Equestria." - Answered Raiju, sitting in the head of the massive table, on his wide chair.

"If you forgot - I'll remind you. I don't have magic. Even without it I could create crystal batteries and engines. Why should I talk to this Twilight Sparkle?" - Argued Abbi.

"I remember, Abigail. But you also will be needed for some explanations that would come up regarding your inventions. We need to try and open a trade agreement with Equestria." - Answered Raiju, standing up. Tempest joined him on his right.

"For fuck sake... fine, I'll shut up about it, but! I'll not answer about my work in details." - She crossed her arms.

"I'm not asking you to do it, that would be unwise." - Agreed the anthropod, walking to the balcony with Tempest in tow.

"By the way, I finished first test's of automaton unit. It could be produced in small amount at the end of next week." - Added Abbi, walking to the balcony and standing on the left of a giant figure of Raiju.

"Splendid! I'm very happy to hear that, Abigail. I'm sure Tempest congratulated you for that already." - He said with amusement in his voice.

"Oh yes... Yes, she did..." - Said Abbi smirking, while Fizzy's face started to heat up. There was a lot of bedroom activities that evening, along with cuddling and whipped cream.

"Oh, here they come..." - Anounced Raiju, looking at the small blimp on the edge of the farthest island.

"Let's just hope that they will not be there for long..." - Quietly said Tempest, glaring at the blimp.