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So you might have noticed there's a big ol' robot parked out back of the bunker at the Cooper farm. It's large and green and looks very battered.

Approach it, and one of two things happens.

Either you came during the day, and Val Bell is sitting on its head with a good book and a bowl of apples, or you came during the evening or night and it is apparently deserted. 'Apparently' being the key word.

What'll it be?

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"Not formally."

Which is a hell of a dodgy answer, but it's the truth.

She nods. It's a close enough answer. "I hope you will not find things too boring here. It can be difficult, when you can't fulfill your main function."

Neil grins faintly.

"Well, there's a reason I'm getting Dynames back in working order. I won't be getting in too many fights if I can help it, but if nothing else she'll be great for supply runs outside the safe zone."

"Oh, I didn't realise-" Time for another bow! This time, to the mech itself. "Please excuse my rudeness, Dynamenes-san!"

Hey, name plus pronoun equals sentient, right?

"Yes, I suppose you could go farther than most vehicles with her. Except possibly the jet."

"Oh--" Apologetic smile. "No, excuse me. I've picked up on Steve's habit of calling all vehicles 'she'. Dynames isn't autonomous."

The smile takes on a slightly mischievous cast.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, actually. The jet can outrace me any day, but if the repairs go well Steve's going to see about giving Dynames orbital launch capability. I promised him he'd get to see outer space."

"Ah, I see..." It may be his fault, but she's still going to be slightly blushy and embarrassed! (That is How 95 Rolls.)

"Oh my! Outer space?!" That's definitely something! "Ano... I don't suppose there is much chance of any sort of supplies, though... Unless there is a need for material in the sattelites."

"I might end up going the other way around, actually-- bringing things from down here to up there. If there's anyone left on this planet who knows what kind of maintenance those satellites need. I'm sure most of them can still be used for something."

"Ah, that is a good point! Although... I'm not entirely sure what they're used for, other than television. I'm afraid I'm not very good with that sort of thing."

The sponge is replaced with a wire scrubber. THE STAIN WILL COME OUT! FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

"Communications relay is the first thing that comes to mind," he says absently, most of his attention centred on watching her work. The determination is fascinating.

"Do you think there are more settlements that could use such a thing?"

95 is very into clean. It is her sublimation of programming that was originally centered on "Destroy Apple."

"I've heard something about New York, I think. Other than that, I haven't been here long enough to know."

"Ah, is that so?"

A small sigh. "I wonder... if Japan is all right..."

"I could go have a look for you, if you want. When Dynames is working again."

...

She's not sure if she really wants to know.

Soft: "Or not. It's up to you."

"...I know it's very different here. I miss my home, but..."

"Yeah. It's not the same. I know."

"Oh, forgive me for talking about such things." SCRUBBING!

"It is very nice, living here."

"Don't worry about it."

He smiles.

"Yes, it is. I thought I'd only be staying here until my repairs were finished, but this place is starting to grow on me."

"Ah, are you normally more of a wandering type?"

Critically, she adds, "It looks like it may take some time. I do hope whatever you were going against did not follow you!"

"I used to travel a lot, yeah."

Faint smile.

"I don't think that will be a problem."

(And if it is, he'll just snipe the bastard again.)

"...I suppose so..." Whatever it was, is was big! Like, bigger-than-she-could-deal-with-using-the-bazooka big.

That's bigger than she wants to see.

"I didn't stick around long enough to know for sure, but I don't think he walked away from that fight."

She gives a satisfied nod. That's always a good feeling.

"Congratulations. I'm glad to hear it."

"Thank you."

It's a good thing it's too dark to tell just how cold that smile really is.

Neil really, really did not like that man.