"Lookin sexy, Norman!"

"You do know these hands are strong enough to crush your kneecaps, right Sam?"

"... I'll be quiet. At least, for a moment."

Groaning, Norman started on the motor control excersizes, concentrating hard so he didn't slip up. The control was pretty good, considering how long her had practiced. They didn't even need to activate plan B so far.

Ren Ohara nodded in approval, and tossed a ball at Norman to check his reflexes. Having caught it with ease, Ohara proceeded to pelt one at Norman full-force. This one was not caught with ease, and resulted in a great deal of snickering from the watching audience as he flailed and grumbled.

Leaning back, Dr Elune smiled at the scene, rather proud of the quality of the device. A pair of AHOR arms had been strapped to Norman, not unlike the first had been strapped to a dummy, and then they ran connectors up to a simple helmet. The harness could use some work, and the power was drawn from the mains for now, but the setup worked.

Groaning, Norman went to unbuckle the harness before Ohara waved him to stop, "No, no. Keep the arms on a little longer. We need to test endurance as well, both in terms of mechanisms and practicality. If you feel tired, let us know. We don't want Judith angry at us, after all."

Smirking slightly at that last part, Norman walked over to a computer, and opened something up, "Well, in that case... Anyone up for a match?"

"Oh hell no. You beat all of us enough with 2 arms. You are asking to go 4?" Dr Elune grinned as they got up, walking over anyway.

"Hey, it'll be a handicap, 2 against 1! I may have the extra hands, but not the reflexes. Besdies, I..." Blinking, Norman, coughed quietly, "Nevermind. Anyway, the second challenger?"

"I'm up for a game." Hope hopped down, and wandered over to sit next to Dr Elune, "Coop, or seperate battles?"

"I think we should go coop first. Seperate would be harder on him, and I'm not that much of an ass." Starting up their terminal, the doctor grinned, "Now take notes on how badly he loses. Oops, I mean his motor skills."

"Har de har. You better win, after that."

Groaning, Dr Elune threw their hands up in defeat, "No fair. You shouldn't be able to keep an even tie with us, when you are having to split your attention!"

"You are far too predictable. So was Hope, which I find ironic..."

"I heard that."

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Fidgeting, Akasha got up with a sigh, wandering off with a yawn, "None of us practice that one as much as you. I need sleep though... Night all."

"Rest well, Akasha." Patting Norman on the back, Dr Elune grinned, "So, how do you feel?"

"Well, my shoulders are killing me from the harness, but at least I'm sitting. I would recommend reducing the weight. They also seem to be a little... Warm. Beyond that, all good."

"I thought I fixed the overheating... Hmm. Good to know. Hear that, Ohara?"

"Loud and clear." Putting their notepad away, he watched quietly, "Remarkable improvement with repeated use, I think you definately have everything down pat except the materials, and molecular restoration. You do know that is going to be a nightmare, right?"

"You'll figure it out." Chuckling, the doctor leans on Norman, "Now, we sould all rest after that little tournament."

"I agree on that one." Wandering out to the hallway, Dr Ohara waved as they left, deep in thought.

Frowning ever so slightly, Dr Elune leant down to murmur in Norman's ear, "Look... I know you miss versing Alex. But try not to let Ohara know that."

"Sorry Sam. Slip of the tongue." Grimacing, Norman began taking off the harness, "The improvement comment was also kinda unsettling. Probably should have held back a bit."

"Maybe... But none of us expected a drawn out gaming session." Stretching out, Dr Elune smiled softly, "Plus, we got good data. Nice work."

As everyone filed out of the lab to head to their beds, Alex piped up over a little earpiece Dr Elune had whipped up in case they needed to give the signal, "That went well. Too well, it would seem."

"Yup. Do you think you could have taken him on?"

"That depends. Directly interfaced, I would have won no matter what. Using AHOR... It may have been tricky one on one."

"Heh, interesting. I'll have to see that once we have the opportunity."

"... Doctor? Do you think Ohara is onto us?"

"Not yet. Interested in Norman, sure. I bet he will figure us out within a month though..."

"That isn't enough time!"

Reaching their suite, the doctor meandered towards their awaiting mattress, "Sure it is. We need his theories... Laura and Judith can complete them. And I can build them alone."

"Alone?"

"... Ohara is unlikely to give us free reign if things turn sour. That is worst case, though. We can probably keep things civil."

"I hope so... Good night, doctor."

"Night, Alex."