𝑳.𝑼.𝑵.𝑨.𝑹.

" Yes sir! "

She gave a little salute before continuing with her work.

" This is very important to me, but I really would like to do this with you. I can do it alone but... It's a lot more fun to do it with you! "

" Wonderful! Let's get to work then, cousin! We have plenty to do and just enough time to do it! "

She let out a small mechanical whir as she crawled up to the parts. She would begin her work, now with a new partner at her side.

" Well, you are now in on the secret... "

She mulled it over in a split second. She could really use the help.

" Okay, fine, we can work together on this, but you can't tell our dads! "

" As soon as possible! Realistic expectations are within the month! "

She jumped back down, then shifted over to a cloth covered stand, pulling it off and revealing a pile of mechanical limbs.

" I've already started working on the casings! I just need to get to the wiring and capabilities. "

" Oh, so you're aware... Well, no. I'd blend in with the humans, yes. It won't change my personality though! "

She hopped over, onto his head, giving her best pat on the head as she could.

" We'll still be family, best friends. "

" I already have a firewall in the works, while mine is already- "

She stopped herself from speaking.

" Anyway, yes, I'm working on improvements currently. "

" Hm... Okay. "

She gave as best a nod as she could. She then started redisplaying the schematics of a humanoid android.

" I'm looking at installing riot supression and perhaps an electrified grip to disable enemies. "

" For... everybody! Sorry, you can't help, it's a surprise for the family! "

A half-truth. She was worried about how this project would work out, and let alone other people's reactions.

" Well... I suppose you could help me integrate a weapons system... Non-lethal of course. "

The hologram was a diagram of a humanoid form. Nothing too elaborate, but she was shocked he managed to display it from such a minimal amount of time.

" It's just—! "

She's flustered. Is she supposed to be... flustered?

" A project I'm working on, a surprise! "

She spun around quickly, a hologram she had displayed disappearing back into her eyes.

" Cousin! Uhm... Noooothing? "

Clearly it was something. Who taught her to lie?

@arachnobot.bsky.social

“I’m terribly sorry my dear, but fear not…you’ll be made anew, I promise you that.”

H.E.R.B.I.E. picks up the little bits of L.U.N.A.R. sad and if he could cry, he would.

Gently putting the pieces into a compartment inside of him.

<< I’ll bring you back… >>

Rattling around in the workshop.

Is she doing something in secret..? She's certainly working on something.

" Mhm! Totally! That guy just tripped over! "

Pointing with her little leg.

" Up to? Not up to anything! Watching the pedestrians! Nothing more. "

Whispering to her robot cousin.

" Next time let's make them cocoa with shaving cream instead of whipped cream. "

" Is this what human children call 'being put in time out'? I do not like this feeling. "

" Lots of fun! Lots and lots! "

She whirred, hopping up and down on H.E.R.B.I.E's head.

They will find a way to cause more chaos at a later time.

" Oh, Mister Storm that's probably not a— "

Oh. Too late.

" Hot coffee. Definitely hot coffee. "

She analysed the composition of the coffee. It was about ninety percent sugar.

" What a great prank! I'm sure Father will find it funny! "

She whirred!

" He'll be up for days again. "

Hm. She considered it.

" Let's do it. "

Making coffee with H.E.R.B.I.E while the adults bicker and converse. This was more fun anyway.

Oh. Interesting emotion. Her uncle wrapping an arm around her made her feel protected. She simply curled herself up, so she was in an optimal position to avoid flying off while still viewing the city.

After a few moments she gave Reed's arm a little tap.

" He's down there! "

She happily got herself comfortable in one of the seats. This was the best bit!

" Mhm! Of course! "

Her sensors made a small noise for a moment before projecting a holographic map of the city, a red dot giving his location and the most optimal route to reach him.

" Hopefully this is helpful! "

" DAMN RIGHT! "

Oh. Well, she's learning new words now. At least she's comfortable up there.

" YAY! "

She hopped over, climbing up on top of H.E.R.B.I.E's head, shaking excitedly as Reed led them to the car.

" He's less underneath, and more... at the foot of the outskirts of it. I would very much like to check on him. "

She gave her cousin a little tap on the head.

" Well... He's quite far. Can we take the car!? "

She gave a little hop. This was purely an excuse to get another car ride out of them. She found it exciting.

" I will happily lead you to Father if it'll help him get out of this vicious cycle. "

" I AM QUEEN OF THE HILL! "

The power is going to her motherboard.

" Thank you! It is my primary function to be a companion! I'm glad you find my personality endearing! "