6. BOT SAVANTS

August 19, 2025

A new term at Foxbury and someone just joined the crew.

Maria got into her dream university. And since she rolled the Horse Lover trait, I enrolled her in Biology.

Rom has been struggling with a new presentation since the morning, and Bas is excited to start his third term!

This term Bas only has classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Right after the first day of classes, he rushed to the Brainiacs organization meeting.

Michelle: Welcome to our new members.

Judith: And congratulations to the rest for keeping up such great GPAs!

After the meeting, it’s time for a round of SimScuffle with the E-Sports Team. Gotta practice before the next match. Maybe this time they’ll win.

But the end of the game doesn’t mean the end of the night, even though Bas is already very tired.

Atlas: Glad you came. Meet our crew. You already know Irving. He plays with Alicja, and over at the bar is Riko. So, have I convinced you to join the Bot Savants?

Bas: I guess so, though I still don’t know how I’ll juggle everything.

Atlas: You don’t want to give anything up, huh?

Bas: Being in the Brainiacs gives me lots of perks, and e-sport… well, that’s more of a hobby. I don’t really count it like real classes.

Atlas: Man, you’re a real go-getter. Respect.

Irving: While you two were chatting, we actually won!

Atlas: Hey! I demand a rematch.

Riko: Welcome to the Bot Savants! Atlas said you’ve got great ideas. Where’d your robotics interest come from?

Bas: Probably from my trip to Batuu, where I built my own droid.

Atlas: You’ve been to Batuu?? And you have your own droid?? So jealous! Man, you’ve gotta tell me everything.

Bas: Here’s the Millennium Falcon, here’s Oga’s Cantina. Here, I got stopped by First Order Stormtroopers. And here I’m training with a lightsaber. Oh, and this is my BB unit droid.

Atlas: Awesome! I’ve never been to Batuu.

Bas: What? You have to go! I’m heading back there during summer break. I only completed my first Resistance mission, and I want to do them all!

Atlas: Didn’t know you were such a fan!

Bas: And vice versa! You can come with me if you want.

Atlas: You’re serious?

Bas: Of course, the more the merrier. And as a fan, you need to catch up and build yourself a lightsaber and a droid.

Bas: Anyway, see you tomorrow!

Atlas: Just don’t change your mind.

Bas: Not a chance! I can’t wait to build my own Servo with your help.

Tuesday is calmer, so Bas has time for a longer hangout with friends.

Bas: So, how do you like the campus?

Maria: It’s exactly what I imagined. I even managed to sign up for horse riding classes!

Rom: No idea how she pulled that off, I still haven’t found any veterinary medicine classes.

Maria: Too bad there aren’t any cool organizations for biology or environmental topics.

Bas: You could join the Brainiacs if you keep up a high GPA. We cover all kinds of topics, even biology.

Maria: I’m not sure that’s for me…

Rom: That might soon be the only way to talk to Bas. I heard you also joined the Bot Savants. Wonder what Laura would say if she knew you’re such good friends with her ex. I’m sure she’d be thrilled.

Bas: Hey, that’s not fair. I always wanted to join their organization. And Laura and I didn't talk for ages! She didn’t even reply to my birthday text. Besides, Atlas turned out to be a cool guy. You’d see it too if you spent some time with him.

Maria: I think it’s fine you’re friends with Michaelson. Whenever I visit Orion, Atlas is always really nice to me. Anyway, high school is old news, who cares. Laura for sure wouldn’t mind. Right, Rom?

Rom: Yeah… you’re probably right.

Bas: By the way, Cristian asked me for your number after Friday’s party. So, maybe you really should join the Brainiacs?

Rom: You know my GPA isn’t high enough…

Bas: I don’t think Cristian would mind.

Back at the Foxbury Library, another study session. Today’s focus: history.

Michelle: But it was Gilbert Gilberts who really helped develop the San Sequoia area. They named the park after him for a reason.

Bas: Okay, but it was thanks to Bayani Robles that the whole fishing industry grew there.

Bas: And it’s Bayani Robles who’s actually considered the rightful founder of the city and its foundations. I’ve got first-hand info. My friend Paul Robles is his great-great-great-grandson. Their family has all the historical documents about the city and how it was founded.

Bas: Besides, Gilbert Gilberts lived later. Just because he had more money and estates that he donated to the town doesn’t mean he founded it. In fact, according to Paul’s great-grandfather Ignacio, Gilberts only gave the land as compensation for earlier destruction and clearing of the local sequoias.