Two days later, Nick returned to the Specter, and this time, it didn't immediately annoy him with constant scratching.
It seemed like it was finally cooperative.
For the next hour, Nick asked the Specter several questions, and it answered by scratching the floor.
Left scratch for a positive answer.
Right scratch for a negative answer.
Left and right scratch for neutrality.
No scratch for uncertainty.
It turned out that the Specter did not know what Extractors were.
It had been in the outside world all its life, and it had grown stronger by slowly capturing stronger and stronger humans, which surprised Nick since there were probably not very many Newbies running around outside.
After Nick explained the concept of Manufacturers and Extractors to the Specter, it actually became even more cooperative.