They're... ON HOLIDAY?

Day 5 - Standard procedure: 3/8

Being the only team remaining on the balcony after 10013's and 20100's left, 99526 patiently sits by 36658's side while the veteran drone keeps looking into the distance over the parapet. When the silence grows unusually long, 99526 clears its throat.

"Umm, 36658, are you okay?"

"Hmm?" the other drone's ears twitch before it looks sideways at 99526, "Oh? Yes yes yes," it smiles, "I was just watching the sunrise. The way everything sparkles against the sea is... a gift."

"Yup! So many dancing shinies!" 99526 beams back, "Can we go down there once we're done with chasing points for today? Or, you know, while we're doing that? Speaking of points, where do we start?"

"No idea," 36658 hops onto the parapet and floats into the air, "but High Score will provide a way, we just have to keep looking."

"Eyes. Peeled."

With an excited smile, 99526 follows.

From the air, however, the tall slope looks lifeless, prompting the casually flying duo to eventually land on the flagstones of a long promenade arcing along the beach.

"Hmmm," 36658 unceremoniously sits down, "I doubt forcing anything would help. It might even make ponies get angry at us if we wake them up early. Maybe we should just explore..."

"You know, I've been thinking about this whole 'points' thing, and... I mean, not to criticize 10013, but how is this helping your argument with 99111?"

That makes 36658 look at 99526 in puzzlement.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, since we've been doing all this to help our 'side' -you know, hairy tics and frantics- then if we gain points as a duo, or the same amount of points each, we won't tip the balance anyway."

36658 frowns and his look turns thoughtful.

"Are you really just doing this for points or because it's an order?"

"Umm, yes? I mean, I suppose it's good for the overall reputation of the hive and all, but that's kinda beyond me, really. Too big. I just like being useful and I like headpats."

36658 pats 99526's head, making the corners of its mouth curl up again.

"Would you mind if I changed our mission a bit since, you know, us both getting a point wouldn't mean much?" asks 36658 out of nowhere.

"Fine with me, but won't 10013 be disappointed with us?"

"10013 will understand. It's one of the very few drones who understand the bigger picture."

"The bigger picture?" 99526 tilts its head and hazards a guess, "Is that like The Great Shiny or... some new 20100's project?"

"No, it's not," 36658 chuckles to itself, "Oh, and it might be extremely dangerous."

99526 shrugs.

"What isn't? Are we going to get eaten?"

"It's possible."

"And are you sure we gotta do it?"

"I'm starting to believe that I must do it. You don't. As I said, 10013 will understand if we split here and you tell it what I just told you."

After pondering it for a second or two, 99526 shakes its head:

"Nope. Rule number one - drones stick together. So, can you sense 387? Because I for sure can't, even now that we're closer to the floaty sea houses," it nods across the beach towards the water bungalows.