I was surprised to find the Rubies in my room, all of them beaming as if they had just witnessed something amazing. Despite having a rough day, their enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn't help but feel a bit of joy seeing their smiling faces.
"Hello, Rubies," I greeted, trying to sound more cheerful than I felt. "What brings you here?"
"We wanted to thank you!" one of them stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with gratitude. "You really helped us with the Injector. If it weren't for you, we might have caused a disaster."
The other Rubies nodded eagerly, their smiles widening.
"Oh, it was nothing," I replied, feeling my face flush slightly. "I just did what needed to be done."
"But it was really important to us!" exclaimed one Ruby, moving closer. "Oh, sorry, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm Ruby, Facet-4T2J, Cut-5LM."
Another Ruby, sporting a big grin, stepped up next. "And I'm Ruby, Facet-4T2J, Cut-3DG."
"I'm Ruby, Facet-4T2J, Cut-7FG," the next one chimed in, waving energetically.
"Ruby, Facet-4T2J, Cut-8KL," said the fourth Ruby with a cheerful nod.
"And I'm Ruby, Facet-4T2J, Cut-9MN," added the last Ruby, her smile broad and warm.
"We all came from the same Kindergarten!" Ruby 5LM added proudly.
I smiled at their introductions, though a part of me was curious. "How did you find my room?"
"Well..." Ruby 3DG began, scratching her head with a shy smile. "This wasn't the first room we visited..."
"Yeah, we went through several rooms before finding yours," Ruby 7FG laughed. "We went from room to room, asking if anyone had seen the Peridot who wasn't grumpy."
"Yes, and each time, they told us to try another room!" Ruby 7FG added with a chuckle. "So, we wandered around the ship a bit lost."
"But it was worth it!" Ruby 8KL said with a mischievous grin. "We finally found you, and we wanted to make sure you knew how grateful we are."
I couldn't help but blush a bit when 3XG, who had been observing quietly, commented with a smile, "It looks like someone has admirers."
The Rubies quickly turned toward her, and Ruby 9MN exclaimed enthusiastically, "Look, another Peridot!"
"Hello, another Peridot!" they said in unison, their energy directed at 3XG.
3XG smiled, clearly amused. "Hi, Rubies," she replied. "How did you meet 6XL?" she asked, her curiosity genuine.
The Rubies exchanged nervous glances, then looked at me, as if seeking approval. They knew that what had happened with the Injector wasn't something we wanted widely known.
I gave them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry," I said softly. "3XG is trustworthy; she won't tell anyone."
Picking up on the mood, 3XG leaned in slightly, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial tone. "You can tell me; I promise I won't tell anyone else."
The Rubies, still hesitant, finally relented and began to recount the story in more detail, each adding their own perspective.
As they spoke, my mind drifted to the details of my project. The materials I needed would take time to arrive, giving me some breathing room to prepare. I needed to get organized, review material lists, confirm specifications, and plan necessary tests. Making the most of this waiting period was crucial.
I nodded absently, mentally going over the technical details, when a sudden thought interrupted me: How many rooms had they gone through before finding mine? The ship was enormous, and with the Rubies' boundless energy, their search must have been quite the adventure.
Suddenly, one of the Rubies said something that pulled me back to the conversation. "And that's why we want to be your guards."
"Huh?" I replied, surprised.
"Yes!" Ruby 2BG exclaimed with enthusiasm. "We know Peridots aren't the best at combat, so we wanted to offer our help to protect you."
"It's dangerous on other planets," I said, trying to grasp the magnitude of their offer.
"But we're strong!" Ruby 8KL responded with determination. "We're used to facing challenges and protecting others. We can help."
"Besides," added Ruby 9MN, "we've worked together on many missions and know how to handle tough situations. We're ready for anything!"
I was impressed by their confidence and bravery. It was clear they were serious about their offer.
3XG, sensing the significance of the moment, smiled playfully. "Well, you can't say no to them now."
I almost sighed at that, but it wasn't as if what they were proposing was bad. Although, thinking it over, it was probably just an excuse to be close to me and talk. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but the sincerity and enthusiasm of the Rubies were undeniable.
"Alright, you can be my guards," I finally conceded.
The Rubies lit up with a mix of satisfaction and excitement. "Great! Don't worry, we'll do a great job!" they said in unison, showing their enthusiasm for the new responsibility.
3XG looked at me with a smile. "I think it will be a good addition to the team," she said, nodding in approval.
"Well, they're a bit pushy, but it's not so bad," I commented, trying to downplay it. I paused, thinking about what I had just said. "Though it seems a bit strange that they haven't broken..."
I left the sentence hanging as I looked at the Rubies. I noticed how they were lined up, one behind the other in a fairly orderly line, something not very common for them. Their rigid and disciplined positions contrasted with their usual overflowing energy.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I watched them, noticing the slight nervousness in their expressions and their unusual behavior. It was clear something had happened.
"What did you do?" I asked softly but firmly, trying not to sound too accusatory.
"We didn't break anything!" exclaimed Ruby 5LM, raising her hands quickly in a defensive gesture, her eyes wide open as if trying to convince me of their sincerity.
I frowned slightly and replied, "I didn't say anything about breaking something."
The Rubies looked at each other, and Ruby 7FG started to smile nervously. "Well... eh... we just wanted to make sure you knew, in case you were thinking about it," she said, trying to sound casual.
I looked behind them and then back at them. "I'm not going to be angry."
"You're not?" Ruby 3DG asked, surprised.
"No," I replied with a smile. "But let me know next time. I have important projects I need to prepare for Zircón."
"You're not going to kick us out, are you?" Ruby 9MN asked with concern.
"I won't," I reassured them. "But make sure it doesn't happen again."
The Rubies quickly nodded, relieved by my response. "Sure, we promise!" they said in unison, with an expression of sincere regret on their faces.
They stepped back, and I finally saw the broken prototype on the table. It was a finger prototype that seemed to have been squeezed from the middle and split in half.
"It wasn't very important, was it?" asked Ruby 8KL nervously.
.
-
-
Fortunately, it wasn't anything serious; it was just one of the first prototypes, already in poor condition. Nothing valuable was lost, much to the Rubies' relief. They left enthusiastically, promising to return and fulfill their new responsibility, and the room was left in a state of renewed tranquility.
As I closed the door and turned around, I found 3XG smiling teasingly.
"I didn't know you were so popular among the gems," she remarked with a playful tone.
Her observation made me feel a mix of embarrassment and shyness. "It's not like I asked for it," I replied, trying to downplay the situation, though a small smile crept onto my face.
"Maybe not, but you can't deny that they really seem to like you," 3XG said, still amused.
"I guess not," I admitted with a shrug. It was strange to think that the Rubies, with all their enthusiasm and contagious energy, genuinely wanted to be close to me, even if just for a chance to talk.
3XG smiled, as if understanding my thoughts. "Sometimes, unexpected company is the best kind," she said softly.
I nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words. "You're right. I suppose I've gotten so used to working alone that I've forgotten how nice it is to have others around."
"Well, you can always count on me," 3XG replied, her tone more serious but still friendly.
I gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you for helping me with this project," I said sincerely.
3XG waved off the thanks with a casual gesture, but her smile showed she appreciated it. "It's a pleasure, 6XL. Besides, I'm learning just as much as you in this process. And once I have my idea, you'll have to return the favor."
As 3XG spoke, her eyes sparkled with a mix of enthusiasm and challenge. "What kind of idea do you have in mind?" I asked, intrigued by the promise of future collaboration.
3XG shrugged playfully. "I can't reveal all the secrets just yet," she said, "but I promise it will be something that leaves everyone in awe. You just need to be patient and ready to help when the time comes."
We sat in silence for a while, enjoying each other's company. Though the atmosphere was relaxed, my thoughts kept drifting back to the broken prototype. The possibility of creating something innovative and effective excited me, but I knew there were many challenges ahead.
Noticing my distraction, 3XG tilted her head curiously. "What's on your mind?"
"Many things," I replied, still focused on the shattered prototype. Although the inhibitor ray was useful, I needed a more effective way to defend myself against potential threats. Developing something like a plasma cannon or advanced gem-specific weapon was tempting, but it also carried significant risks and could have serious consequences, both for my position and the safety of others.
Maybe I should focus on something less risky for now. A shield, armor, or defensive barrier might be safer and more effective. These options could offer solid protection without the dangers associated with more advanced weapons, allowing for design improvements without compromising too much on safety.
Speaking of barriers... "Do you think Zircón will give us more materials if we fix the platform problem?"