"You are still working one that," comes a voice, snapping Spectre out of her focus and making her jump.

Cynthia walks up to the lab's desktop, looking at the shadow. "I had thought you had come up with a plan. This is inefficient."

She puts down a steaming mug and Spectre sighs.

"I can't help it. Maybe part of me just blames myself for not having done anything. I could have stopped it before it even started." She leans back in her chair. "Or maybe I'm just scared."

"You acted on your feelings. Your care for Tera overcame your disdain of Rae. Perhaps you could have done something, but it has passed. Looking over the memory any more is a waste of resources."

"Why do you word it like that? 'Resources,' makes it sound more technical than it is."

Spectre takes her mug and blows on it as Cynthia sits down.

"You have not thought to ask me for assistance. I request to know why."

It makes the shadow pause, blinking at the drone.

"Why would I? N-no, why would you want to help? You have no obligation, no reason."

"We have other tasks that require careful thinking and concentration. It would be bad if your mind was otherwise occupied." Cynthia turns her head down, eyelights moving from side to side. "And I... want to help you."

Spectre blinks more.

"...Cynthia, you're not a maid."

"I never said as such."

"And yet you clean this place, make me drinks while I work, and now ask to help with something completely unrelated to you."

"I would not say the possibility of injury or death of you is unrelated to me. I am not doing this because you are my creator. It is simply the best decision at the time. I waste no time in idle when I am working, and doing so improves other aspects, such as livability and satisfaction."

"Hey, Cynthia?"

The drone stops. "Yes?" she asks, tilting her head ever so slightly.

"Do you ever have thoughts of leaving The Cube?" Spectre asks

"I do," comes back in a moment without hesitation. "I cannot deny the thoughts have occurred. And doing so would be a simple matter with the available transportation pods. However, I fail to see the justification."

"To explore? Learn?"

"Both can be done digitally through usage of the computer, and partially through my own systems."

"That's... not what I mean." Spectre sighs. "If you want to help, you need field experience."

"You are suggesting I visit Titanium-28."

"I... yeah, if you want to. Granted, you've never needed permission before."

"I will... consider it if you continue to show negative symptoms due to this."