Introduction
Astro Boy / Tetsuwan Atom is the creation of Osamu Tezuka (to whom I am eternally grateful!)
This is my (admittedly unorthodox) tale of what happened to Astro after the series vanished from TV in the 60's. I always figured Astro would eventually grow up – obviously he was designed to do so – but the programming didn't work as anticipated – instead it kicked in about 12 years later. There are many original characters – and I take no offense to those who prefer to avoid them – I give you fair warning!
The story is set in America (Until 1989 I did not realize Astro Boy was actually set in Japan!). The characters reflect the American dub (with plenty of "artistic license" taken). It focuses on what kept me interested in Astro for almost a half-century: How a boy became the hero of the world, as a robot, and then "returned" to his human origins – in the process, giving us a look into our hearts, morals, and fears, and asking just what does it mean to be "human?"
Astro / Astor Boynton III
Dr. Robert Boynton – former director of the Institute of Science
Dr. P. James Elefun – current director of the IOS
Nick / Dr. Nicholas Watson (OC) – Astor's childhood friend, who becomes acquainted with Astro on the Venus exploration mission.
Ahnnanicarnaya (Angel) (OC) – Venusian human with a "robotic" heart. Astro's wife. Possesses intergenerational memory and abilities previously not accepted on Earth as credible.
Shaum (OC) – Astro's son – human, intergenerational memory (including Astro's). Named after Angel's deceased father.
Sarah (OC) – Astro's daughter - human, intergenerational memory (including Astro's). Named after Astor's deceased mother (Dr. Sarah Boynton was an astronaut who perished in a fire on the International Space Station)
Chapter 1: Awakening
As if from out of a void came a flood of awareness and information: faces, voices, data-streams, bits of life experiences – some involving a self that was practically an infant, others involving fierce battles with alien life forms in the vacuum of space. Interspersed were shouts of joy and screams of pain and the distinctive sensation of firing pulse jets from his arms and legs.
The man became gradually became aware that his body was situated in a single, on-going point in time, at a stationary location. The rush of information and awareness assaulting his attention was just beginning to sort itself out. He knew there were others around him; he could sense them clearly, but his mind needed his full mental effort in an attempt to make sense of itself. It was as if all that he'd known and all that he was, had been spun into space as fragments that needed to be compiled and organized so he could understand what was happening to him. He felt something unfamiliar – the compulsive need to suck in and expel air. But he did have memory bits that displayed that same behavior – he was a child then.
He became aware of sounds: dull and indistinct at first, and then slowly he recognized the soft beeping of a heart rate monitor. Human voices were all around him – one in particular caught his attention, although he wasn't sure why. An attempt to open his eyes failed – it was as if they were welded shut.
"He's appears to be in shock, Doctor," commented a female voice.
At first the bed seemed to be shaking, but no, it was actually his body, shivering uncontrollably. Sensations flooded his mind, but not like anything he could remember. Yes, sense-sations: smells, sounds, feelings, tastes, tickles and twinges of – pain? – yes, that was pain – but why did it seem so different from what he had experienced before?
For some reason he could taste chocolate – but in a way that confused part of his memory. Beyond recognizing the presence of theobromine, the effect the flavor had on him was more intense and seductive than he recalled. Suddenly he became aware of the fabric around him: stiff, starched sheets, which were causing his skin to itch – a feeling both familiar and foreign. Then his mind produced an "image" that he could "see" – a phenomenon that made no sense at all (his eyes were still closed). The face of a beautiful, sad-eyed woman became clear. She carefully studied him, smiled broadly and tenderly whispered: "Don't be afraid, Astor." In response, he attempted to call out "Mom!" and reach for her.
The attendants around his bed heard a mumbled groan and witnessed his arms flinching. "He's probably dreaming," remarked a nurse.
Dr. Boynton leaned over the shivering form and gently called to him – uncertain, at this point, just what to call him – he simply murmured, "Son, can you hear me? A-Astor? Astro Boy?"
With a sudden convulsion, the awakening man sneezed, and began coughing deeply, practically sitting up in bed. His eyes blinked open gradually – his vision was extremely blurry, and he felt a bubble of air rush up from within, and escape from his mouth as . . . a burp?
"Something's changed . . ." he thought, as slowly he began to realize his situation. He knew he was in a hospital room. He recognized one voice – "my father" - his tall, aloof, yet loving guardian; and the man who had created him . . . as . . . a robot?
"No," he thought in response, "that's a dream." He couldn't focus his thoughts on any one thing for very long – although that dream of being a robot kept coming to the forefront – it was incredibly realistic, but didn't make any sense. "Dad's a neuro-roboticist – that's what's confusing me."
He felt several hands upon him, tipping his head back. "Ouch!" he cried out quite loudly as the eyedrops administered worked to clear his vision. The people around him laughed apologetically as he blinked repeatedly to try and focus his eyesight, at the same time wondering what had happened to his voice.
"Don't try to rush things, son. Just relax, you're doing fine." That was his father's voice, he thought as he felt a familiar hand run across his head, through his hair. The drops caused his eye to sting and tear profusely – someone was dabbing his face with a tissue.
"Where's Mom?" he murmured, barely audible.
Stunned, Dr. Boynton leaned towards Astro, "What did you say? I couldn't hear you?"
In a raspy voice, he repeated his question, "Where did Mom go? She was just here . . . "
Following a stunned silence, Dr. Boynton said very gently, "Son, you must have been dreaming. Your mother's been gone many years . . ."
". . . . Nooo, I just saw her, I . . ." He sat up, opened his eyes wide and looked at the people at his bedside. There was his father – and Dr. Elefun, and – his eyes rested on the next person for a long moment. He knew her – didn't he? She was clearly anxious for him to recognize her. "That's not Mom . . ." he thought.
She had large eyes of a most unusual shade of green. Something in him stirred for an instant. "Hey" he said and smiled softly. Her hands flew to her face as she fought back tears and then started to reach for him, only to be blocked by Dr. Boynton.
"Easy, not yet – we've got to let him have time to come around on his own."
"I must have a concussion or something" he thought.
"Do you recognize me, AB?" Inquired the next individual. Astro studied the tall, sandy-haired man who was clearly confident he would be recognized.
"Nick . . .?" Astro squinted, shook his head, looking perplexed, "Y-you look old." Then he paused, remembering Nick being in those "dream" sequences . . . with . . . his gaze went back to the blonde woman with bright green eyes.
"Hey!" Nick called out, "Whaddaya mean old? You're older than me!" Dr. Boynton tried to hush Nick's comments, but Astro was ignoring his taunting anyway.
"I feel like I know you, but I can't – I've never seen you before." Her face fell in disbelief, and she started to speak, but Boynton again interceded, by putting his hand on her shoulder.
"I think we should let him rest for a while. It's obvious he's going to need some time remember everything."
"Well," Dr. Elefun, finally spoke up, and directed his request to Boynton, "I'd like to ask him one question before we go." They locked eyes – but it was apparent Elefun wasn't going to take "no" for am answer. With an annoyed sigh of resignation and a nod, Boynton conceded.
Dr. Elefun stepped away from the group, and looked directly, calmly, into Astro's sleepy eyes. "I'm glad you're awake, my boy . . ." he said in voice that connected with something deep inside the confusion of Astro's mind. After a moment of silence, when was certain he had the man's full attention, Elefun asked "I'm wondering if you remember who Astro Boy is?"
Author's Note: I'm having a few problems figuring out just how to get this site to work (couldn't find a way to add an intro) . . . but I want to thank my friends and muses here and at "the forum." I've enjoyed so many of your stories, and hope you might take something positive away from my idea of Astro's story.