RELIC was an elusive one. Stylus had absolutely no information to work with, and none of the nearby towns knew anything. He remained at Chester. Stella promised that information does rise now and again.

In the meantime, Stylus tried to salvage what he could from the long-dead comrade while Stella was busy repairing the blade of a plow. It was impossible to extract information from the memory banks because of the firewall, so Stylus resorted to taking the exoskeleton apart and sorting out the spare parts.

"Does he know that he's dead?" Stella asked. An unusual question, Stylus could admit.

"Better question would be why you're helping me, despite being a soldier for Robotnik," Stylus returned.

"Dictatorships always end, whether it's the death of a leader or a rebellion. Sure it could take a few years, maybe a few generations. Myself, I'd prefer concentrating on what's happening here and now."

"That seems like a selfish way of life," Stylus commented.

Stella smirked. "You're hunting this RELIC person with the intent to capture or possibly kill, yet you're not breaking fingers for information. Why is that?"

"I don't want to make unnecessary enemies."

"You plan on taking specific things from life, or else you get destroyed yourself. That also seems selfish."

Stylus paused. Was that the same thing? He looked at Stella, then back to the fallen robot.

"For instance, you're taking this one apart for your own spare parts."

"Survival of the fittest."

"Also known as the most selfish way of life."

Stylus shrugged. He couldn't really argue against, since there was only one "right" side to take, and the other involved redoing everything he had ever done. Arguments tend to suck that way.

"I hear about it a lot from Leo, but what do you think of Robotropolis?" Stella suddenly asked.

"What's it to you?" Stylus asked.

"He said it was a dismal-looking urban hell, but I've never been to any urban center. Always staying here, fixing the tractors, customizing equipment. Besides, Leo was the only one here who's been to Robotropolis, so his opinion's probably biased."

Stylus pondered a bit, then replied "Well, he's not wrong about it being dismal. More about personal taste. I don't mind it myself, but the streets could use a good sweep around the edges. Freedom Fighters keep blowing holes in assorted buildings, so the smooth architecture is thrown off." Pause. Stella looked intrigued. "Regardless, I wouldn't say that Leo is wrong."

Stella nodded, then turned back to continue smashing impurities from the repair job. There was now silence for several minutes.

Stylus asked "Are you against Robotnik?"

"I don't support him, but I'm not against him."

Stylus stared, a visual indicator that he wanted Stella to elaborate.

"I'm really apathetic towards the things that happen on another continent. Everyone else is too- even Leo."

"But you don't like Robotnik?"

"Do you?"

"He's not the most pleasant person, always ranting on about "King Acorn" this, "Freedom Fighter" that. Kind of harsh to his own nephew- though I don't blame him Snivley's the kind of guy who wouldn't help you push a jeep out of the snow, even with nothing better to do."

Stella nodded.

"Still, I'm pretty certain that the guy does care about some things. Still, orders are orders. Don't return until RELIC is captured or confirmed dead."

Stella made one final swing, then hefted the plow into a water barrel. The water hissed and steam billowed out. eventually, it stopped, and Stella hoisted the plow over her shoulder. "How long do you plan on staying?"

"As long as it takes. I'm built for long, far-off operations," Stylus replied.

Stella placed the plow relatively gently onto a storage rack with other repaired blades. "Well, I could get a place set up for you to rest. I'm sure a strong robot like you could help this community." She extended a hand- clad in a charred welding glove, "What do you say?"

Stylus finished removing a shin plate, then firmly took Stella's hand. It was a good handshake.