We need to think of a plan.> Idea told Rex. Stay calm, and let’s think about this.> The AI suggested.

Rex was already outside, having found the stable deserted, the last messenger dragon gone, the stableboys all missing. No time to think,> Rex muttered in reply, You can do the thinking, I’ll start running towards town. Start by thinking about where everyone is gone, why are we the only ones in this building? Well, whatever, it’s easier to escape when no one is trying to stop you.>

Maybe that’s why they’re gone?> Idea asked, Did they want us to go help Karla?> 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. Rex, try to calm down… I can’t think straight. We... should ask for help.> 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. Can you boost my speed and stamina?> He asked internally.

Idea hesitated. What about the captain of the duke’s guard? We could report Karla’s abduction to him… maybe get some guards to come with us.>

We’ve never spoken to the man, he might just decide the best thing to do is to lock us up in the stable and wait for the duke to come back in a week. Can’t risk it. Karla told us Ashe was out hunting before she left. We're going to have to do this ourselves. Can you help me go faster for longer? Yes/no?> 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.

There will be a price for that, if I push your body into overdrive, we’ll be weak and fatigued when we get there… What if we have to fight?> 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. Ok, just help me keep this pace, block my ability to feel muscle fatigue. You can do that right? Turn off my pain receptors or something? You can fix any damage I do from overexertion tomorrow.>

Yes. But, in exchange, let me call for help. Spread out your wings for a bit, I’ve run microscopic wires through them, and I can use them to boost my transmission and receiving capability, while they are stretched.> 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.

Eric! Karla’s been kidnapped! She called for help, and now, when I try to talk to her, all I can get from her is muffled noises. She’s been gagged! I’m running to town to try to rescue her. I’m sorry, I won’t be able to hear your reply, or even tell if you’re coming. I only gave you the ability to hear my words, not reply. Ask Leonard to use a sending spell to tell the captain of your father’s guards to send help maybe? I will “send” you again when I know more.> 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 Three! I’ve learned how to read the native tongue, and I have a scanned archive of a spellbook! I want to sell those to you for your assistance. Karla needs help escaping from some kidnappers!> Idea Seven sent the message out, not knowing where the raven cyborg had wandered off to.

A reply arrived. Hi! I’m Idea Six! Idea Three’s been reassigned to another task. He got bored, the sourpuss, always complaining about how boring it was to watch you. I heard what you sent Eric. You should really learn to narrowband broadcast. We have satellites to relay our communications! So much better and private. Here, I’ll give you the access codes to our mini-sat constellation as a downpayment on our help. The resolution from orbit isn’t great, the sats are only the size of golf balls, and you can only do so much with a half inch lens. But, you can use the images like a minimap. I’ll fly towards you, I’m a small bird, but I’m closest! Be there in a couple hours, now give me your files, just in case you get yourself killed. Our maker isn’t scheduled for a communication until tomorrow though, so not sure how much help we can offer you on short notice. I’ll do my best when I get there, though! Call me Sixxy, I’m a magpie!> 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. That’s all the help we can ask for over the radio. I’m accessing the satellites, I’ll put up a minimap for you, and I’ll focus the nanobots on supplying your muscles and picking up as much lactic acid as they can, should prevent fatigue from even happening. Just don’t go all out, we’ve got a long run ahead of us, but if they wanted Karla dead, they wouldn’t have gagged her. I’m pretty sure we’re walking into a trap…> Idea pointed out.

Doesn’t matter.> Rex replied. We’ll rescue Karla no matter what they throw at us.> He said confidently, as he folded up his wings and resumed his run.