Idea told Rex. The AI suggested.

Rex was already outside, having found the stable deserted, the last messenger dragon gone, the stableboys all missing. Rex muttered in reply,

Idea asked, Idea tried to analyze the situation, calculate probable scenarios and best solutions, but the AI’s thoughts were scattered and jumbled by Rex’s anxiety and panic. Idea suggested.

Rex was already trotting towards the road to town. It was about two hours by carriage to reach the town from the duke’s mannor, but Rex planned to do it faster. He asked internally.

Idea hesitated.

Rex asked impatiently as he started running.

The dragon had already learned that he could walk alongside a horse carriage for the full two hour trip to and from town with no fatigue, thanks to the enhanced oxygenation the nanobots in his blood gave his muscles. When the little cell sized robots weren’t busy doing anything else, they simply acted like improved blood cells, carrying air and energy more efficiently than red blood cells, fighting off foriegn invaders better than white blood cells, repairing damage better than platelets. In their most basic function, nanobots just improved everything in the host body’s system despite their limited numbers when compared to real blood cells, but Rex was asking for more.

Idea asked.

Rex paused to think about it as he ran down the dirt road at a pace faster than he could possibly maintain for the entire distance.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Idea bargained.

Rex agreed, spreading out his wings so Idea could use them to boost the range of his radio. Normally they were kept folded neatly on his back, and Rex found that spreading them out while running was impossible as they threw off his balance. Gritting his teeth in frustration, he slowed to a walk to give Idea time to transmit his messages.

Idea sent the transmission.

Unlike Karla who had robofleas to pick up sounds and transmit them, Eric only had passive receivers in his ears. The receiver in Eric’s ear was very simple and what tiny amount of power it used to filter out background radio noise from constantly bothering Eric it received by simply converting that radio noise into power. It was an elegant and minimalist design that was made of microscopically thin metal wires and carbon nanotubes embedded like a tattoo in Eric’s ear. A specialized tattoo that would last Eric’s whole life and never need recharging, but couldn’t do more than receive.

Idea Seven sent the message out, not knowing where the raven cyborg had wandered off to.

A reply arrived. This new voice was very different from Idea Three, it sounded more cheerful, brighter, and a little, well, flightier. But Idea Seven was willing to accept whatever help they could get.

Idea said, sensing Rex’s impatience. Idea pointed out.

Rex replied. He said confidently, as he folded up his wings and resumed his run.