Author's Notes: I OWN NOTHING, YOU STINK-BRAINED PLOOSHADOOKAS! I OWN DOOODIEEEE!

Okay. This story will range somewhere between ten and thirteen chapters long. That's not much of an accomplishment because the chapters are so short, and my writing sucks, but whatever.

Fer tried to stay focused on his work. He really did. If he felt his mind wander, he looked to Nyon, who was assembling one of the window frames on the runner, or to Stek, who had engrossed herself in a mass of wires and fuses. When he and Nyon had returned to the group from their walk, the three had agreed to sneak out once the puppet theatre was built.

That had been four weeks ago, and now Fer's blissful, naked hill had a stiff building squatting upon it. He really wanted to go with his two favorite Irkens and peer through the windows and giggle and have a jolly time, but some part of his mind was cracking. Every day, it was harder to concentrate on work. The only thing that had gotten him this far was the thought of being again on his hill, naked and alone or otherwise. That hill was special. He knew that even with his Pak on, it would make him feel better, more collected.

'And I'm going to have fun,' he told himself. He wasn't one hundred percent sure if he was talking out loud or saying it in his head. 'I'm going with Nyon and Stek and we'll have a fun time. A Fun Time. Just us.' Fer smiled. His favorites were the best people.

Because of his own anxiousness to be around them, Stek, Nyon and Fer had been spending a lot of time together the last couple weeks. He and Nyon never again held hands, and Fer restrained himself from more nonsense-babbling most of the time, so it seemed okay between them. And while the three mostly just sat in silence or chatted about something inane, Fer was happy.

Trying to work, Fer focused on the sheet of metal in front of him. What was he supposed to be doing again...?

He picked up a wrench. He was supposed to be doing something with bolts, right? He didn't remember what... Maybe he could fake it. Make it look like he was working.

Fer closed his eyes, gripping the wrench. He wanted freedom from this place, a naked hill that belongs to him alone.. A place he can take Stek and Nyon to.

Fer hugged the wrench, and cooed "Escapism!"

"Worker," a small shock was felt through the Pak. Fer turned around. It was a security droid. A tazer hitting him through the Pak cut down on the shock a lot, but it still made Fer's back sting. "Return to work immediately."

Fer's large, red eyes were unusually clear and vapid. He blinked them, slowly, and piped, "Bimble?"

The droid tapped his Pak with the tazer again. "Worker," it ordered, "Return to your task."

Fer closed his eyes. "But I don't care if the sky is polluted by ships. My task is to become one with and protect this Great Irk." Ah! And to on his hill was so much better! Better than this moment of clarity. Or was he...?

The droid began to once again move forward with the tazer, saying "Worker", but it was cut off as Fer struck the droid with the wrench. It whizzed across the room with such speed that it emitted a small explosion as it crashed in the wall.

This made all the other mechanics stare. Fer was no longer blending in and staying focused.

'I can feel it,' he thought, 'I can feel it.' Fer could feel all the little cords in his brain snapping like a harp, all the cords connecting his muscles breaking apart. It was like his whole body was a fine hair, and it was running into a chain saw.

'All the strings snapping...' If that was true... then there was nothing tying him to this place! He was free from the buildings and laws! He no longer belonged here! He wasn't a puppet!

"All the strings snapping... So I am no longer a puppet..." There was a snapping sound and a hiss that echoed through out the silent factory. The only noise was the gasps of some of the Irkens, Stek's terrified squeal, and Nyon's own whisper of "No," as Fer's Pak clattered to the floor behind him.

Fer stretched his arms, a happy smile on his face. He hadn't felt this good in weeks.