January 2022. Engineer and URMG prototype "Echis". The first actual story episode illustration, though this episode is really small

That was so long ago...
The newbie caught me by surprise when I was too carried away testing the URMG prototype manual control.
"Good morning."
Echis (we called that prototype this way) almost dropped me down with its tail when I moved not accurately enough noticing the intruder's voice, but the robot quickly turned to its authomatic mode: it decided my reaction was a mistake. I was ready to shout at the test site visitor, but left silent: I've never seen that man before. He was lower than average, watching Echis with interest and admiration, while the robot curled up behind me with.
"Place!" I ordered trying not to sound too annoyed, but couldn't. The robot got out rustling with its covers.
"You are Engineer, are you?"
"I am. And you're our new tester?"
"My name is Beta. Glad to meet you!"
I grinned shaking his hand when thought about Alpha's reaction: Alpha won't be happy with new tester and won't be able to put his work at us because he has no people (and brains), "You won't play so smart and important ass, Alpha, haha!"
Who would have thought that Beta, this excessively enlivened university graduate, enthusiast with chaos of different thoughts, work knowledges and hobbies, will become my friend. The best friend of always so tired, nervous and sarcastic me...

Illustration, characters, "Phase shift" project © me