Terveta-Chapter 4: Professor Knetter (Part 3)
"I-I don't know," the professor stuttered. "This goes against some of the most convincing data I have against them. They're hostiles, but that doesn't mean they don't have a plan for themselves, a way to how they work." He mumbled and stroked the small tuff of hair that was around his chin.
Blizzard quirked an eyebrow. "I thought the fact that they were hostiles gave them reason not to have a method to their madness," he said, folding his arms across his chest.
Professor Knetter turned on him and glared. "Don't be ignorant. You follow rules that you base your estimations on about them as well," He grumbled.
The Alpha blinked and thought for a moment. He was right, and he was beginning to sound a bit more compelling. "Come now, Dean. It was the first time it has ever happened in either of our lifetimes, correct?"
The scientist nodded and shifted his eyes to the floor.
"Then what do we have to worry about? It probably won't ever happen again," he concluded cheerfully as a smile broadened across his muzzle.
Professor Knetter sighed and nodded. "Maybe you're right, Blizz. It's either that or something major is going on that we don't know about."
The husky sighed and dropped his arms. "Then I guess we'll have to go against it if it ever happens. Now you wanted me here for another reason other than to drill about the hostiles, right?" he asked sternly.
The fox's expression instantly shifted as he was reminded. "Oh, yes!" he shouted excitedly, all traces of his worry gone in an instant. He raced to the side of the table he had been hunched over when Blizzard had first come. "This is a project I've been working on, a big one!" He chuckled and gestured with his paws by sweeping them through the air above the table.
The blue husky peered closer and his jaw dropped at the sight.
"I call it Eta squad," the scientist continued. Lying on the table was a machine roughly in the shape of a bipedal creature, but much bigger. Its insides were opened up to show an extremely vast and complex system of wires and circuits. "I was hoping to get him in a more representable shape before you were shown, but I guess this view will have to do."
"What is it?" Blizzard asked, looking closer at its shape and innards.
"It's a battle machine. I've been working on him and the others for years now. Eta squad will be the first robotic Terveta group on record!" Professor Knetter announced excitedly.
Blizzard blinked and stood up. "I think you should consider a different title, Dean. Eta squad would be a bit high on the roster," he smirked.
The professor looked at him and nodded. "Uh huh."
The Alpha frowned and blinked a little in surprise. "Hold on. You think that these machines will be able to defeat a hardened Terveta squad?" he asked skeptically.
The scientist just opened his mouth like he was trying to search for the right words while he shrugged. "Well, they are specifically designed to kill large numbers of hostiles in a quick succession. You may not have faith in the idea, but I certainly do," Dean grumbled.
Blizzard shrugged and began to feel over the work with his fingers. "When do you expect them to be done?" he asked.
Professor Knetter meandered over to the husky's side. "I anticipate them to be finished just before the spring festival."
"How many are there?"
"Five. This one is the Alpha, which is why I'm determined to get him finished first."
Blizzard nodded and rubbed his paws together. "Well, I suppose, Dean. I'm more than willing to give them a shot at the hostile menace, but I sure do hope you know what you're doing--"
"Of course I know what I'm doing!" the fox snapped rather angrily, cutting Blizzard off. They stared at each other for a long moment until the professor broke the silence. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell like that, but you have no idea how many calculations and formulas I had to do to get everything just perfect. I practically had to arrange every single molecule in these things with just my paws," he said, curling his fingers into his palms while staring at them.