Chiro just looked at the first page of the booklet that now lay in front of him. "This is a joke!" he thought, as he stared at the first page. This was all alien to him, he had no chance. The first page titled, 'Algebraic Equations' was definitely bad news. Worse though, there were at least ten questions written underneath!

"I don't see much writing going on over there." Gibson called, as he continued one of his own experiments. He would occasionally glance over to see the progress being made by the boy. But at the moment he couldn't tell if he had done much, if anything at all.

Chiro rolled his eyes, "might be because I've not written anything," he mumbled in a sarcastic tone. He could irk his teachers, rebel against the cops, yet he couldn't seem to get one over on these robotic monkeys? They somehow had managed to make more progress with him than the adults had in six years. Something was definitely not right there. Chiro could at least figure that one out!

Gibson looked over when he heard the comment. His robotically, enhanced hearing easily picked up the almost silent comeback from the child. "Then perhaps we could start by writing the answers down, I am serious about the time allowance Chiro." Gibson finally replied as he set out a new row of test tubes for his experiment. He then collected a beaker from his cupboard containing a bright blue solution. He began to steadily pour the explosive liquid into the vials. Counting the measurement as the liquid dripped in.

"We get a point for spelling our name correct, right?" Chiro interrupted as the blue monkey nearly poured the whole bottle in the test tube he was working on. Gibson snatched up the beaker just in time. Recomposing himself, he turned facing the child, as he breathed a small sigh of relief. A lucky save had stopped the experiment from self-combusting.

His brow furrowed, as he went to address the original interruption. "I hope this is another one your jokes Chiro." the blue primate eventually responded.

Chiro merely grinned but as soon as the primate turned his back, his grin changed to a sheepish smile. This was not good!

Antauri, seeing everything settle, took Sprx outside to talk. He was sure that with Nova cooking breakfast, and Otto likely to make an appearance soon; Gibson would have ample back up should the boy act up. He took the red primate back to his room as he sat cross legged in the lotus position.

The red monkey expected a conversation like this to creep up soon. He followed, and then waited, before settling himself down on the floor. He was not sure how long this was going to take, but he was going to start now regardless. He would make his feelings clear.

"Antauri you can't be serious! He's a kid, and an arrogant one at that!" Sprx started. He needed to get this off his chest now; and now he had started, it was most likely all going to fall out.

"While I do agree there are many personality issues concerning the boy, I expect there is a better side to him. I believe it is his current background that is spurring on his fake ego."

"I don't care Antauri! He knows what he's doing, what he's saying. Background or no background, he's manipulative and sly; we can't trust him, let alone take orders from him!" The red monkey nearly yelled at the black primate. He thought this was obvious!

Antauri took a pause, to allow Sprx some time to calm down from his little outburst. He watched carefully, and when he was quite sure Sprx had re-balanced his emotions he began again.

"I do understand Sprx. I know, just as much as you do, that Chiro is in complete control of his own words and actions. However I do think he has the potential to be mentored, because of his high level of sociability. From what I have seen, it is a misguided social structure that has caused him to behave and regard in the manner he chooses too now."

"I don't believe what I'm hearing Antauri! He will not change because we tell him to, that is a dead cert; end of story!"
"Is it really the end though Sprx?" the black simian questioned as he hovered still. "I think he is social enough with both Nova and Otto to learn. He needs guidance and training Sprx, not confrontational arguments that will push him to challenge us. Cooperation has to be established for safety reasons. We have to protect him in case of a Skeleton King attack." Antauri stated as he let the words sink into the now silent atmosphere.

With that being said, the black primate hovered over to the door. It opened immediately, allowing him into the corridor but stopped once more when he heard his name called. He turned his head, to see the red monkey now standing, where he once stood.
"He's going to be the next target isn't he?" Sprx said aloud, though he was really debating the question in his own mind. "So we are going to actually try and train him then?" Sprx asked.

"Because if we are, leave the piloting lessons to me! I'll show the kid a thing or two." A smile crept across his lips as he looked to his second in command.

After a brief pause, Antauri nodded and returned the gesture with his own smile. "Yes we are Sprx, I knew my faith in you would not be misplaced." The black monkey said as he hovered down the corridor, leaving Sprx to exit his room when he was ready.

That hour was one of the longest Chiro had ever had the misfortune of living through. It took so long in fact he had managed to nap in between too! It was only the blue primate's gentle nudge and voice that awoke him; several times.

Each time he was redirected back to the test, but this time was different. In his slightly dazed state, the monkey had taken the papers from beneath him. Chiro blinked a few times to clear his mind, "Is this really happening or is it a dream?" Chiro pondered silently.

"If you've quite finished your napping, you may want to eat your breakfast" the science officer said, as it seemed to take a while for the boy to register what he was saying. It was only until the monkey physically pushed the plate under the boy's nose, did realisation set in. The child still blinked a couple of times as he looked to the plate. His questionable glance caught Gibson's eye.

"What's the matter with it? Don't you like a cooked breakfast?"

"Umm, yeah… who doesn't? It's just not what I kinda expected to be given." Chiro said a little awkwardly.

It was Gibson's turn to throw a confused glance at the boy. "Why? What on Shuggazoom did you expect to be given for breakfast then?" he asked, which suddenly made Chiro laugh.
"Bananas" he said almost immediately finding this highly amusing. He was certainly awake now, much to Gibson's dismay.

Gibson raised a brow, a small grin did form on his lips though it went just as quickly as it came. He sighed rubbing his temples. "ah, I wonder when you will actually understand Chiro, we are highly sophisticated, intelligent, mecha enhanced cybernetic monkeys. Do you honestly believe our diet would solely consist of the banana fruit?"

The smirk, stifled laugh, and "yes," was enough to answer the science officer's question. Shaking his head he took the paper to his desk to read. Over a mug of coffee, he began to read the first page of answers. He was shocked the boy had written anything! He was obviously discreet, as all Gibson saw the boy do was stare at the paper and sleep.

It was only when reading the answers did Gibson finally understand why the boy finished so quickly in the allotted time. He was about to confront the preoccupied boy when the medical bay door opened. With it, Antauri hovered in, just as the last riser of the hyper force stumbled in behind.

Chiro tilted his head, finally seeing the green monkey. "Oh, hey Otto."

"Hey Chiro!" Otto exclaimed rushing up to the teen; whilst successfully knocking into Antauri and Gibson en route. His usual happy-go-lucky demeanour was in full swing this morning.

"Otto, could you please show some social decorum." Gibson complained as the boy was snickering in the background. "As I was saying Chiro, find X? Here it is! Is not the answer I was looking for." Gibson said as the snickering still continued in the corner where the boy and green monkey sat.

"Antauri could…"

"Finally found someone smarter than you brain strain?" a cocky voice asked, as the red monkey re-made his appearance. But this time he was accompanied. The golden warrior stood by his side, smiling as she listened to the two boys bicker.

"Considering, that is not the correct answer Sparky, no would be the answer to your question." Gibson merely replied before having the sheet somewhat snatched from his grasp.

The yellow primate flicked over the pages seeing another question she read it. "Briefly describe hard water. Ice. What's wrong with that?" Nova asked as the blue primate looked to be on the verge of losing his composure from hearing that one.

Sprx chuckled, he loved winding Gibson up. "Hey, looks like all you need is some common, know all to survive one of Brainstrain's awfully fun quizzes. Better luck next time Gibson!" Sprx said ignoring that glare he was receiving from Gibson.