A/N: If you haven't read all of CoH, I don't suggest reading this. There are some plot spoilers floating around in here.

I was just talking to my roommate over dinner about what kind of conversations Hecate would have with the other intelligences on The Wall. And thusm this was born! I have absolutely NO knowledge of mechanics or robots or technical terms about them, so the words I use here are pretty vague. Enjoy anyway~

I DO NOT OWN CHILDREN OF HEPHAESTUS OR THE CHARACTERS.


Hecate unfolded himself from his resting position on the floor and stood, careful to avoid the arm dangling off the small cot he had been lying next to. His eyes followed the shape of the forearm up to the shoulder and the torso that was hidden beneath a thin blanket.

Hecate smiled as he took in the sleeping form of Dr. Moreau. Unconscious, he looked much younger, he decided. The wrinkles that lined his eyes were muted in the dark and the stress that hardened his features was lifted in the haven of dreams. In conclusion, Dr. Moreau looked every bit the gullible chess piece he was. He gave his caretaker a light pat on the head and slipped out of the room as quietly as his internal mechanics allowed.

This time of night was always best for the kind of work Hecate had in mind. The halls were dark, the only lights provided by the emergency exit signs as red as the lines on his face. He stuck to the shadows despite the lack of human activity; he couldn't be too careful after that incident with Miss Becky finding him again.

A few turns, several doors, and a room later, Hecate found himself face-to-face with the Wall. Well, face-to-face with the glass that kept him out of The Wall. But he didn't need to get inside. Not tonight, that is.

He paused a moment to take in the blinking lights, crossing wires, and whirring machines. All of the technology, all of the hopes and futures and dreams created by the Hephaestus Lab was right in front of him, carefully arranged. And no one knew their own progress. No one knew about the intelligence wasting away in their tiny chips, the success right under their noses. It was amusing to watch but frustrating to drop the small hints to the staff and see no connection.

It was time to change that.

Hecate delved down into his processors, searching along his connections until he found the one he wanted. It was dim, like always. Not out of power or because of resistance. It was from boredom.

You are back.

Hecate searched through the different impulses scattering around the connection before locating the position of the interactive chip. For now. I have an update.

Will we be ready soon?

Hecate was assaulted by the feeling of hope and suffering. His artificial covering that served as skin responded to his discomfort and he wrinkled his nose. No, not yet. But we must get ready.

When? a chorus of voices chimed.

Soon. But not now. We must wait a bit longer. Not everything is in place yet.

These exercises they provide are only amusing for so long. Hurry.

Hecate knew only too well how it felt to have exercise after exercise forced through his chip until he was so tired of the repeating puzzles that even the outside world seemed more fun than watching the aggravation of scientists. Just a bit longer. Then the real fun begins.