Arriving at the lab Xander was greeted by an annoyed Maisie and about forty young gnomes.

Maisie stomped over to him and glared.

"When they mentioned others, I didn't expect every kid in the city."

Xander looked over the assembled gnomes.

This is every Child in the city?"

"About two thirds, but Cranks bringing the rest."

"I'd have thought this city would have way more than that?"

If there were only approximately sixty children the city was in a worse state than he'd assumed.

"It's been this way for five years Xan, don't worry about it, lets just help the kids in front of us, even if they out number us thirty to one."

She smiled at him but he could tell it was forced.

Their attention was drawn to the corridor as the sound of marching could be heard echoing towards them, Xander prepared for all hell to break loose, only give a relieved laugh as Crank and around twenty gnomes, all wearing tough leather training clothes.

"So Xan, who's going first then?"

"I'll start, got enough parts for one lesson, at least."

Before Maisie could reply Xander had walked through the assembled gnomes to stand by the door.

Xander took a deep breath a smile on his face and addressed the "'new students'".

"Good morning everyone, I am Count Xendrix and I will be teaching you what you would call Gizmology."

Placing the sack full of scarfs on the floor he gave an over the top bow and surreptitiously attached the neural sensor to his head and sent a command to the drone, which appeared from the door to the lab/classroom.

"This is a C.R.I.S drone, the name stands for Construction, Repairs, Infrastructure, and Security, and making one of these will be your first project, but for now C.R.I.S will be assisting with the necessary set up."

Xander controlled the drone to take a scarf from the sack, while pulling the neural pad from his pocket.

"I want you all to line up and one by one tell me your name and put on the scarf you are given."

The gnomes ignored him more interested in discussing C.R.I.S than anything else, as Xander tried to think of a way to get them to listen Cam gave a loud shout.

"Listen up, Count Xendrix is providing all of you free food and smarts, so pay attention, Cog you and the other "'Protos'" get t'e line, same goes for all you "'Spares'" Crank you and t'e "'Picks'" keep 'em organized t'en join t'e line, got it?"

The assembled gnomes jumped to follow Cam's instructions, leaving Xander felling somewhat inept, so focused on adding the names of the gnomes to a list on the neural pad, as the drone gave a silk scarf to each of them.

After about forty-five minutes only Xander, Maisie, Cam and Crank remained outside the door, Xander reached into the sack and pulled out the last scarves, there were four of them, keeping one for himself he handed the rest to the others before putting it on, once it was tied loosely around his neck Xander watched fascinated as the fabric glowed softly and the crest shifted in colour from purple to a translucent silver and the scarf as a whole became almost crystal clear, resulting in the crest seeming to almost be floating, he'd have to ask Eda about it when he had time.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Looking to Maisie he noticed a different change had occurred with her scarf, the crest had shifted to a deep maroon, while the rest had shifted to blood red, Xander check the other two checking if all the scarves had changed, Cam's had turned orange and Crank's; which he had tied round his upper arm, had turned red like Maisie, but neither of theirs had any change to the crest it's self.

Entering the lab Xander looked over the scarves of the gnomes, most were red but a few were orange, interesting but not important at the moment.

Xander strode over to the pile of parts and rubble that the C.R.I.S had tidied up over the night and plucked a piece of scrap metal from it, looking as the gnomes he spoke.

"First lesson, I want each of you to think of what's most important for making something like the C.R.I.S, and find something in here that will help with that aspect, go."

Xander clapped his hands and smile as sixty-three gnomes started dashing round the room.

Before he could get started on making the piece of metal he'd picked up useful Maisie tapped him on the shoulder.

"While they're doing that I'm going to fix the lights in here."

Xander turned to Maisie still smiling.

"I was hoping you'd take part honestly."

"That's easy Xan, you are."

Xander shook his head and chuckled.

"If you're going to joke about it then go fix the lights."

Xander found a spot out of the way and controlled the C.R.I.S to cut out four small shield shapes from the scrap metal, then taking the leftover metal and resorting to the neural pads touchscreen for finer control made four pins and attached them to the one side of the badges, he'd need Maisie's help for the next part.

The young gnomes had mostly calmed down by this point so Xander walked to the center of the room and clapped again.

"Right, all of you raise your hand, I'm going to call out various categories, when I say one that includes your answer put your hand down, got it?"

The gnomes raised their hands.

"Planning."

Seven hands dropped, including Cog's, all seven had parchment and charcoal for their items.

"Mobility."

Three hands dropped, one of them was holding a piston from Xander's throne, the other two held springs.

"Power."

Twenty hands dropped, but there was a difference with this group, had only one item between them, the green crystal from his throne.

"Materials."

Thirteen hands this time, all but one of them holding chunks of metal, the last; Crank, Xander realized was holding a tangle of cables.

"Runecraft."

Eleven hands, Xander smiled he'd almost said programming but was able to correct himself, these gnomes also had parchment and charcoal as well.

"Assistance."

Eight hands, across four pairs of gnomes, one of the pairs was Cam, across these gnomes none had any items.

That was sixty-two gnomes, Xander looked over the crowd to find the last hand, finally spotting the gnome, he was tall compared to the others but somehow was hard to focus on, Xander pointed at him.

"Since everyone else has been covered, what is your answer?"

The gnome jumped to his feet and Xander found he could see him clearly now, about five foot tall, with deep blue eyes that looked like pools of water, and patches of scales down his arms that glinted in the light as Maisie activated the repaired lights, and tied round his waist was his scarf; the entire thing bright purple, making it clear that what Xander had called a purple crest was closer to maroon.

"You are the most important part of making it... at the moment anyway."

Xander Winced.

"What makes you say that?"

The gnome gave a predatory grin as he pointed at the C.R.I.S.

"You made that one, so for us you are by far the most important part, until we've learnt what we need of course."

Xander laughed, he'd been expecting something but it wasn't that.

"You're not wrong, until I've taught you everything you need that might be true."

Turning away from the gnome, Xander spoke to the room.

“Those of you that believe planning is most important are going to be team leaders, that means seven teams of nine, in your teams you are to make as much progress in designing a “'Gizmo'” like the C.R.I.S, there are two rules; Rule one, ask for help, and get proof you asked, and Rule two, you can only ask each person once. I don't expect miracles, only for you to try your best, so get into teams and get planning.”

As he finished speaking Xander gestured around with a flourish before walking over to talk with Maisie.

“Interesting plan Xan, how do you see it turning out though?”

Xander shrugged.

“It'll probable go wrong in the most interesting way, but that's half the fun, don't you think?”

Shaking her head Maisie looked up at him.

“Not sure I agree with you there. Can I just say that, even if it was for a different reason than me I'm glad Selk agrees that you are the most important part of this.”

As she Finished talking she gestured to the groups of Gnomes now quietly talking amongst themselves. Xander sighed.

“Go on then Maisie, since you really want to tell me, why do you think that?”

Maisie smiled but Xander felt it was slightly forced.

“I thought you'd never ask. Obviously Xan it's because without you none of us would be doing this at all.”

Xander lost his composure.

“um, yes I guess that is technically true..., I'm just going to make sure Crank goes and collects the lunches from Eda.”

Xander meandered towards Crank, giving himself time to regain his composure by pausing to examining the progress of the different groups, most only had a short list of vague goals, but one group impressed him, the group lead by Cog; who had a list of goals but also lists of likely parts and people they should ask.

As he reached Crank, Xander gave a polite cough to get the group's attention.

“Sorry to interrupt but, I require Crank's assistance.”

As Crank began to stand, Selk who was sitting beside him placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him standing, before looking up a Xander with a self satisfied grin and chiming in with the whiniest voice he could manage.

“Sir, you can't take away one of our team.”

Xander sighed and quickly tried to think of a response.

“I suppose you have a point, it's not really a team if Crank has to go alone. You can go help him Selk, what do you think Crank?”

Crank jumped to his feet, almost toppling Selk.

“That will be fine Sir, but I don't really need the assistance.”

Xander nodded.

“I know Crank, but since he's so concerned, it seems best that he gets to know what's going on.”

Xander did his best to keep a straight face as Selk pushed himself to his feet, an annoyed look on his face.

“Well, you two better get a move on, wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting.”

Crank grabbed Selk by the wrist and practically dragged him from the room.

Before he could get back to observing the class Maisie tapped him on the arm.

“Need to go get things ready for the afternoon's lesson, don't worry I'll be back for lunch.”

Before he could reply she was already out the door, with a slightly annoyed sigh he returned to examining the progress of the different groups.