AN: Phew, sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out! I originally planned (hoped) that I could do a chapter a month, but with my new work keepin' me so busy, it looks like I'll only be able to push out a chapter every two to three months for right now. To help make up for it, this particular chapter is abit longer than some others. It does have some good action scenes, 'specially at the beginnin' and the end, but it's also very dialogue and descriptive-writing heavy, 'specially in the middle. I hope it doesn't drag on too much, but if it does, just remember that there's a surprise at the end…no, not that kind of surprise, ya perverts!

I'd like to think everyone who reviewed the last chapter; Samurai Pizza Cat, I hope this makes ya one happy panda (maybe I churn out the next chapter before pandas go extinct, eh?). Also thanks to everyone who favorite this story. And of course to Gear001 for the beta read. Remember, if anyone sees any problems with a chapter, I wanna hear 'bout it. With this specific chapter, I'm 'specially concerned with length and pace.

And for Godzilla's sake, order your Metropolis badges already! Call in next 7 minutes and I'll take an additional 3% off the purchase price! (Additional 15% shipping charge applies to discount purchase price).


Metropolis Heroes Rising

Chapter 8: In for a Pound

It felt cold.

Kenichi instinctively drowsily shifted to his left side, in the hopes that warmth would soon follow.

It didn't.

The chill crept further into the confines of the blanket and he began to shiver. Eyes finally opened, Kenichi realized he was alone in the room. That would explain the lack of heat. Tima had fallen asleep on his left side, and though she wasn't fully flesh and bone, she still put out a fair amount of body heat. Sometimes Tima would wake up before he did and he occasionally wondered if perhaps she required less sleep than he did. But usually she would stay by his side until he woke up as well. She could have used the time to do any number of the seemingly endless tasks that needed to be done, but a silent agreement had formed that they would start the day together and then have morning meal, and that they would also end the day together with evening meal and then fall asleep next to each other. On the rare occasions that he would wake up before her, he too would stay and keep watch until she awoke.

So it was very unusual that he would wake up so cold and alone in the morning, with the sun not even fully up yet and the room smelling faintly of smoke.

…Wait…smoke?

Kenichi bolted up, now fully awake but his senses still groggy, and stubbed his knee against the door frame as he rushed into the kitchen area. Tima was at the far end of the wall, staring wide-eyed at the smoking crock-pot and the burnt, unidentifiable remains of breakfast that lay inside.

His first, split-second reaction was to rush over to his partner and cover her with his body, blocking her from the view of the burning appliance. He knew that there was little danger. Their home was made mostly of non-flammable materials, and the floor was concrete. Had he stopped to think, he would have realized that there hadn't even been any flames, just smoke from the burnt foodstuffs.

But instinct had taken hold and he held himself around her, hugging her to his chest. After several seconds, having time to think, he was trying to decide whether to nudge her away and then kick the pot over, or to just usher her out of the kitchen altogether, when he heard a familiar set of clomping treads, followed by a strange hissing sound.

Both he and Tima turned around to see that the ever-loyal Fifi had once again come to their rescue, standing over the now wet and smoldering crock-pot with an empty pail, which a second earlier had been filled with water. Fifi looked over at them with alarm, let out a shrill of beeps and boops, and quickly began to physically check them over for damage, all somehow without separating their now loose hold on each other.

Kenichi was finally able to find his voice, "Yes, we're fine, thank you!"

"Beep beep beep boop bop beep bop?"

"Yes, I…I'm sure…" He looked over to Tima for confirmation, who nodded slightly at his assertion, though she was still seemingly shaken up.

"We are fine. Thank you very much for coming to our aid Fifi," confirmed Tima.

"Beep boop beep…" Fifi pointed to the doorway, where a small troupe of outdated, mouse-shaped, fire-fighting bots had assembled, their small red lights flashing and strobing atop their small mechanical bodies. Behind them, a larger crowd of robots had begun to appear. Apparently they had woken up the entire family.

The young couple both found themselves blushing, slightly embarrassed.

"Everything's okay! We're fine, thanks!" Kenichi shouted out to the assembled menagerie.

With a few assertive beeps and boops from Fifi, they dispersed, heading off to begin their next work shift or complete their tasks for the day.

Tima moved past him and scooped up one of the remaining fire-fighting bots, holding it close to her cheek and whispering something (Kenichi couldn't make out what exactly, though he imagined it was words of praise and thanks to pass on to the others). The red light stopped flashing and retracted into his small body. Kenichi was suddenly glad the fire-fighting bots hadn't decided to turn on their sirens as well and start screeching at the whole camp…or was it that their sirens were damaged and hadn't been repaired yet? With some shame, he realized that he couldn't remember, but he silently vowed to find out and move any of their repairs up on his priority list.

Stirred from his thoughts, he saw Tima now conversing with Fifi, the fire-fight bot still in her hand, while another one was now "sniffing" around the pot, focusing on the bottom chamber that held the battery-converter pack, which was now charred and black. Kenichi approached, crouched down, and checked the appliance for heat. Finding none, he turned it over, spilling the dirty water and burnt remains of what was presumably breakfast over the floor. He'd clean it up once he was done.

The fire-fighter rolled up and over the upturned crock-pot, ran a few circles over the battery chamber, and beeped up at Kenichi, declaring in a distorted mechanical voice that it was okay to open it (the fire-fighting robots came equipped with limited voice interaction, in order to warn and advise people who may have been in potentially dangerous situations). Kenichi did so, and after prying the slightly-warped cover away, he found the crisp and melted remains of the battery, which was undoubtedly the cause of the incident.

He looked up, only to find Fifi and Tima, with the other fire-fighting robot now on her shoulder, leaning over him.

"It looks like the battery failed and caused the heating pad to malfunction and overheat. I…I'm sorry…I should've been there to check it."

A strange look passed briefly over Tima's face, which Kenichi belatedly realized was shame, and before he could stop her, she launched into an apology of her own.

"No, it was my fault for not waking you to help prepare the morning meal, and also for not seeking your assistance when the cooker began to burn. I did not act quickly enough." She turned to Fifi, "Thank you once again for coming to our rescue. I apologize the trouble that I've caused."

Fifi was quick to beep out that she hadn't caused any trouble, and neither had Kenichi. After a few more beeps and boops of reassurance, Fifi began to depart, the fire-fighting bots leaving as well, with one scurrying off Tima's shoulder and down her back.

Just before leaving through the doorway, Fifi turned around, "Beep beep bep beep bop boop beep?"

"Huh? Oh, uh, no thanks," replied Kenichi.

"Beep boooop?"

"Don't worry, we have some dry food, and there are still some canned goods so we'll be fine for breakfast, and I'll try to get a new cooker soon."

"Beep beep beeop boop."

"Thank you for checking around, Fifi. Let us know if you find one."

Fifi nodded and left.

Kenichi turned around. He didn't know what, exactly, the expression on Tima's face was, or why it made him react the way he did so, but he soon found himself enveloping her in a hug and whispering to her that everything was okay and that the incident was not her fault, and that he was extremely glad that she was safe, most of all.


"Tima…" Kenichi faced her from across the small table as he finished pouring her a bowl of (slightly stale) bran cereal, "I…I'm not upset at all that you wanted to make the morning meal without me…but, well, why did you? Is…does my cooking…is it bad? You always seemed to like it before?"

"No!" she gasped, "It's not that at all! I have always appreciated your cooking, Kenichi! That is why…I had wanted to prepare the morning meal on my own this time. I knew that this day would prove stressful for you, so I…wanted to prepare the food as a gesture of appreciation for your actions and to help alleviate your daily routine."

Yes, today would undoubtedly prove very interesting. They had received word that Atlas was available to meet with them today, hopefully to give them an emergency electric generator, which they desperately needed with the still ongoing brown-outs and power failures. Apparently Tima was becoming even more creative in her attempts to keep Kenichi as relaxed as possible and split the work load with him.

"You…thank you. That…really means a lot to me Tima. But, you didn't really have to. I would have been more than happy to help cook."

"I know. But I wanted to do it."

"I…I missed having you there when I woke up this morning."

"I'm sorry. I had hoped to have breakfast prepared by the time you awoke. Then we could have had breakfast while in bed…like how you did the same for me two days ago…"

Kenichi remembered. Just after Namid had dropped off their newest additions things were hectic and Tima had begun to worry more than ever about how the stress was negatively affecting him. In an attempt to show her his appreciation for her concern, and to show her that he was making an effort to relax, he had decided to treat her to breakfast in bed. Only…she had already awoken and he asked her to wait in bed while he made the meal for her.

Her attempts to help carry his burdens only made what he had to say next even harder…

"I really appreciate it. I promise that you can make me breakfast again just as soon as we get a new cooker."

"Perhaps we could attempt to acquire one from the market after we have met with Atlas…though the ones that I saw for sale at the stalls previously were too expensive for us to currently purchase. Perhaps you could…hag-gle…with a vendor to lower the price." Tima generally left the purchasing up to Kenichi, since she had yet to understand fully the nuances of trade and economic exchange.

Tima went to go place some of their now empty dishes in the basin under the pipe that served as their sink, taking out some soap and a small towel. Her back was facing Kenichi as he spoke.

"Um…actually, Tima…I was thinking that…perhaps I should be the one who-"

"No."

"Wh-what?"

"You were about to suggest that perhaps you should meet with Atlas alone, thus minimizing any potential risks to my welfare, and the welfare of our family."

Kenichi sat back, aghast at her firm attitude in telling him she would not let him go alone…

"However, in doing so, you would further increase the risk to yourself and place yourself in even more unnecessary danger for the sake of protecting me. You would also be once again placing the burden of our family's protection and wellbeing entirely upon yourself alone."

"…"

Tima continued washing dishes, letting the weight of her words sink in, her back still towards her partner.

"I cannot allow that to happen anymore, Kenichi. I understand how you feel about our safety and what we mean to you. You…mean just as much to us…especially to me," she whispered.

"…"

"This is why I cannot allow you to carry the burden alone. We will both meet with Atlas and we will face the outcome of our visit together, okay Kenichi? …Kenichi?"

She turned around, only to find an empty room.


Tima is going to kill me!

Kenichi panted as he ran past the courtyard and out of the conclave into the tunnels beyond. Within a minute he had passed by the small robot that was on watch that morning at the far end of the main passage and he began his way upwards toward the primary level of Zone 1. He had to pause for a split second after nearly stumbling to rearrange his off-balanced and hastily attached backpack.

Oh yeah, she was going to kill him, alright.

Not literally, of course.

…At least, he hoped not literally.

Tima was a very hard person to aggravate and was even harder to truly anger. Even then, she wouldn't shout or resort to acts of violence. To some, this may have made her look tame, but Kenichi was becoming quite familiar with the body language she had begun to form to suit her personality, and to him, her cold stares and refusal to speak or touch or even smile might as well have been a simmering volcano.

And this was possibly the most he had ever angered her since she had reawakened, he thought.

They had just had an argument over their roles in supporting each other and sharing their burdens and increasing their communication only a few days prior. And he had already, and knowingly, broken their new agreement.

She might even feed my remains to the pigeons and the doves…maybe the rats and mice too.

But even though he understood everything they had agreed to, and even if he supported it in principle, this was one time he just couldn't allow it. It was just too dangerous. He was walking (running, actually) straight into the proverbial lion's den; the supposed home base of a man who, at best, saw robots as pawns used by others trying to create trouble and hardship, and now possibly saw robots as the cause of the problem themselves. No, this was too dangerous for her, no matter how strong she was. Of course, he was now trying very hard to ignore the fact that he was going into the exact same dangerous situation…alone…with no support.

And if he managed to make it back, there was little doubt the situation that he faced at home would be much much worse than the one he was about to confront. After all, as dangerous as Atlas may have become, at least he didn't have to share a bedroom with him afterwards.

…If Tima would even allow him to sleep inside the house anymore, that is.


He reached the appointed meeting place, and as they were expecting him (he hoped that they were anyway), all he had to do was tell a not-too descript gentleman at the base of the building his name and a password that he had been told to repeat in the form of an innocent, but vague, question.

"So, uh, do you by any chance know where I can get any apples?

The man, quite a bit taller and larger than him, with a rough brown beard, overalls, dark plaid shirt, an old post-man's hat, and a cigar hanging from his mouth, gave him a very odd look and rolled his eyes.

"Wait here. I'll check inside."

Kenichi had decided that subtlety and code-words weren't his strong points. This was especially true since the imposing brick building in front of him was in an overwhelmingly residential district surrounded by other very overcrowded brick buildings, with the only eateries around being drinking establishments…and bars in the Underground weren't exactly known for their variety of fresh fruits.

The strange notion of possibly allaying Tima's wrath with a batch of fresh fruits had suddenly popped into his head when the large man returned.

"Come with me."

Kenichi was so lost in nervous thought that he almost hadn't heard the man, and almost stumbled, yet again, running to catch up with him as he opened the door to the building's lobby.

He immediately had to stop himself from stumbling, again, as he nearly tripped over an elderly gentleman who was lying down near the door frame. As Kenichi's eyes adjusted to the near-darkness of the room, he found nearly every available packed with people. People on cots, people in makeshift tents, people sitting on blankets and cushions. People of all ages, types, races, ethnicities, and descriptions. People coughing, hacking, sleeping, smoking, playing, tending to babies, laughing and talking in almost every language he had ever heard (and quite a few he had never heard). The smells and the heat were almost overwhelming, even compared to the packed streets outside the building. Even though the enclave he called home could seem a bit crowded at times, it was a paradise compared to this place. Kenichi was suddenly very humbled as a new realization dawned on him of just how much he was asking for when he requested the generator from Atlas.

But he had to remember that while electricity could certainly make these people's lives easier, that the robots would have no life at all without it, especially the ones with severe damage or that had older battery cells. No, he needed to prioritize. If he began to feel guilty over every person he wasn't able to help, then he wouldn't be able to help anyone at all.

The man escorted him up several flights of stairs (the non-functioning elevator was out of the question, obviously), cramped with even more people sleeping in near-darkness lit by only a few small fires (anything more would have probably filled the stairwell with smoke). From there he was led through a hallway lined with mostly intact wooden doors on either side, with peeling and yellowed wallpaper that once held a simple floral design, and a very run-down carpet.

There were no people sleeping in the hall on this floor, and Kenichi suspected that the tenets, which were likely in the fortunate minority that were employed and could afford to rent an actual room, had hired an "enforcer" to keep this particular floor clear. Either that or Atlas really enjoyed his privacy. But even though Atlas may have changed a great deal, Kenichi still liked to think that he wasn't cruel enough to force an entire floor full of families out of their homes…he hoped.

They turned down two corners, and came across a faded red door like all the others, numbered 7-11, which the escort promptly knocked on in the rhythm of shave-and-a-haircut (just so long as it wasn't code for apple, Kenichi didn't care how silly it was). There was a peep-hole on the door, so whoever was on the other side could probably see them regardless.

The door opened to a dark hallway, with yet another hired hand just inside. Kenichi was led into a living room with some humble furnishings, attached to a small kitchen. There were boxes and various piles of supplies and, what Kenichi suspected to be contraband, leaning against some of the walls. He also couldn't help but notice a bowl of fruit on the coffee table. His escort gestured towards the worn sofa (at one time it had been a brilliant color of red) and ordered him to sit, and then left down another small hallway on the opposite side of the room.

Several minutes had passed and Kenichi was staring at the apples in the fruit bowl, pondering the surrealism of some of his fortunes, when he instinctively looked up, feeling a presence looking over him.

"And those who consume the fruit will gain knowledge untold, but will also bear the shame of that knowledge."

"W-what?" stumbled Kenichi.

"Sorry. It's an old biblical fable. According to the Bible, Eve, the first women, tempted Adam, the first man, with the fruit of knowledge. Both eat the fruit and gain knowledge, but with that knowledge comes the realization of their sins and evils, which brings them shame."

Atlas had changed in more ways than one. He now wore a fairly nice suit and slacks, as opposed to his earlier attire of mis-matched and dirty clothing styles that was typical in the Underground, and his hair was combed and straight, as opposed to unruly and set in a series of ponytails in the back. But more than that was the way he appeared physically.

Tired.

He definitely looked tired; even more so than Kenichi. Like the weight of the world was upon his shoulders. There were shadows under his eyes, his skin had become pale (even for a under-dweller), his lips hid a frown, even as he tried to offer a small smile, and though he was now well-shaved, Kenichi could barely make out the beginnings of a five-o'-clock shadow across his chin and sides. But the most haunting sign of all was his eyes. His eyes seemed glazed over with hopelessness and of acceptance of a reality filled with nothing but forced circumstances beyond his control.

Kenichi wondered if Atlas was referring to himself with the analogy of knowledge gained and the shame that came with it.

"Ac-Actually, I was just thinking of Tima. I-I mean, I was thinking of the apple and Tima…I mean, giving an apple to Tima. Not this apple. Tima likes apples."

He was rambling nervously. He realized too late that he had meant to avoid any mention of Tima at all, but had failed in the first few seconds of meeting Atlas. Luckily, Atlas didn't seem to read much into it.

"You can take some of those if you like. I know food is in short supply these days, especially fresh fruit."

"Oh-uh, thank you!"

Atlas sat down in the worn stuffed chair opposite Kenichi.

"Unfortunately, that's not the only thing in short supply these days. Food, water, medical supplies, patience, understanding, hope…everything's so barren now. It's even worse than before the Revolution."

Kenichi decided to stay quiet, wondering whether this was Atlas' admission of guilt, or his way of building up to an interrogation. Perhaps it was both.

"At least back then everything was colorful and vibrant-the buildings, the markets, the people-even if it was just a façade; a way of covering up the true problems and issues that lied underneath. But now even the colorful façade is gone. The paint has faded and the structures are falling apart. We still have no schools, no reliable source of food rations, no real hospitals and no social services. And now, we're even more cramped and impoverished than before."

Atlas looked directly at Kenichi.

"There are a lot of people out there who need basic utilities, you know. Electricity is sporadic and in short supply."

"I know. And I wouldn't ask if it wasn't absolutely needed! I know that there are so many in need, and I know it's really a lot to ask for, but my fam-…my friends-the community I live, it…they really need it! Many of them have conditions…medical conditions, and they need electricity to run the medical equipment. Please! We've tried to construct one of our own, but fuel is in short supply and we couldn't get a battery with a large enough output to run the entire syst-…everything we need to keep the equipment running. It really could be a matter of life and death!"

Atlas seemed to contemplate his words for moment, looking even more tired than he had before.

Then, "Okay. You seem sincere enough. I'm sure you wouldn't ask unless it was really needed."

Kenichi smiled, "Thank you! Tima will be so happy that the…that we'll be more secure now."

He mentally chided himself for mentioning Tima openly again. Atlas responded by trying to offer a small smile. This was going much easier than Kenichi had expected.

"It's okay," responded Atlas, "It's actually good to be able to help a friend…for once. There's too much suffering now as it is."

The tired frown returned.

"Sorry," replied Kenichi.

"It's okay. I see that not all happiness has fled. You and that girl, Tima, yes? You seem to have made the best of it together."

"Y-yes," Kenichi blushed.

Atlas smiled, genuinely this time, "You stayed behind because of her, didn't you?"

Kenichi avoided Atlas' almost-smug look, his cheeks redder than the apples before him.

"Yes."

He did stay behind for her. For her and for the others…to repay their kindness and form the family he instinctively knew they all needed. Why was he telling Atlas this? Maybe his love for Tima was so overpowering that he simply had to admit it, even when he was trying to avoid talking about her for her own protection. But, if that were true, then why did he just leave her behind?


"Hmph! He makes me so mad sometimes!"

The left-behind girl was stomping quite angrily up the tunnel entrance towards the primary level of Zone 1. The distressed Fifi was following a step behind, trying to comfort her while also stating misgivings about her course of action.

"Beep-beep –boooop."

"I don't care! I've waited long enough!"

Tima rarely used contractions unless she was really upset. This was a bad sign.

"We agreed to go together! He agreed that we would share the burden, so why did he leave me behind? Doesn't he think that I'm strong enough to help out?"

"Beep beep blorp!"

"Then why did he go off on his own? I've waited long enough. I'll show him how strong I am…by dragging him back here by his ears!"

"BEEP bloop!"

"I don't care if I don't know the meeting pa-"

CLANK! BANG!

Loud noises were emanating from the tunnel ahead, where the watch bot was supposed to be on duty.

"What was that?"

"Beep bop?"

"…Clanrk-archk!" the cries of the guard robot echoed down the tunnel.

"Let's go!" shouted Tima, who raced ahead with Fifi rushing behind her.


"Heh, I know the feeling," Atlas admitted, shocking Kenichi somewhat.

"You…do?"

"Or I guess I did…once."

"…Oh."

"She's…not here anymore."

"…I…I'm sorry."

"It's…alright."

Kenichi's deep-seeded fears of losing his partner threatened to rise once again. He had to be careful.

"So, do you still do reports for your uncle?"

"Huh? Oh, yes! I still send him updates when I can!"

"And what does the outside world think of the situation in Metropolis? About the recent events?"

"I…I don't really know. They're upset about what happened, I guess. I send uncle the reports, but I don't really get any response back on what anyone thinks of them. I've…been so busy here, sometimes I don't think to ask," Kenichi blushed, this time in humiliation of his poorly constructed half-truth. "Does it really matter, to you I mean, what people outside of Metropolis think?"

Atlas sighed, "For every major catastrophe that befalls humankind, natural or man-made, people always look for someone to blame. And in this case there is plenty of blame to go around. But people don't like to divide their anger or their hatred, especially when it is impulsive. They want a name or a figure that they can associate their hatred with and direct their anger towards."

"…Oh..um…" Kenichi really didn't know how to respond.

"Have you been to the surface recently?" Atlas seemed to change the subject.

"Uh, no, I haven't."

Atlas gazed at the ceiling, as if he could see straight through to the world above.

"You really should, you know. They're starting to re-seal the breaches. Soon, there won't be much natural light left…yet another thing soon to be lost. Then the Underground will be enveloped in darkness as literal as it is now symbolic."

Kenichi still didn't know what to say.

Atlas continued, "There are a lot of rumors as to what caused the Ziggurat to collapse. Because nobody actually knows the full story behind what really happened, there have been many different versions circulated as to what occurred, and each one has a different figure to blame. Factions have begun to form. On the surface, blame has primarily centered on those involved in the failed Revolution."

Kenichi noticed that Atlas didn't call it his revolution, but that he had called it a failed revolution. He wondered whether or not that implied something.

"Some factions believe that the Ziggurat was the target of a terrorist faction that advocated the Revolution's cause and were angry because it had failed. Others believe that the robots caused the Collapse as retaliation for the damage the Revolution caused them. Some even believe it was an act by a foreign power that took advantage of Metropolis' instability in the Revolution's wake, or even that the Revolution itself was actually under the influence of a foreign power, especially in light of the fact that the Ziggurat turned out to contain military facilities."

"But…but that's not true!"

"Where there is fear and hatred, truth matters little…a lesson I should have taken closer to heart. Nevertheless, that is the sentiment that is dominant on the surface. But down here, it is the opposite. The people see the collapse of the Ziggurat as the fault of those on the surface. Whether by divine intervention or even as a result of corruption and kickbacks to the construction magnates; but they believe it was a just response to the spirit of greed and vanity that those on the surface indulged in while they ignored the plight of the workers down here. However, because the damage from the Ziggurat's collapse has greatly affected our way of life as well, their lust for vengeance remains unsatisfied…and so a target for that lust is needed."

"…But, doesn't that just make things worse? Isn't anger and violence how this all start-…um…"

Atlas sniffed, "It's alright. I know. Mistakes are being repeated, mistakes that should've been handled differently in the first place."

"But then why…you…I mean…"

Atlas turned his gaze back downwards.

"During the Revolution, our dispute was with the societal elite, who used their power to influence and corrupt the government and improve their own standing by expanding their interests through unethical means. We were the workers who had built their industries, and their great state, for generations. But when robot labor became cheap and effective, we were tossed aside; our loyalty and hard work was forgotten.

We…I thought that maybe by drawing enough attention to our cause, that maybe people would remember us again. Or so I told myself. But I guess, the truth is, I wanted to force them to remember us. But you can't force a memory onto someone who doesn't want to remember…not unless you're willing to deal with the consequences of that memory not being as glorious as you, or they, once thought it was."

"Then why dredge up old memories again?" Kenichi couldn't help but ask.

"Memories can also serve as distractions. And right now that's what we need; a distraction."

Kenichi's eyes narrowed.

"So, you want to enflame the anti-robot sentiments just to get the people's minds off of their troubles?"

"No. It's more than that. The hatred and anger in the people will grow and fester without a target to attach it to. Believe me, I know. And the most likely target would be those that we envied most."

"…So, even after the first Revolution failed…"

"A second one would take its place. And more innocent people, on both sides, would die as a result."

"But, then-?"

"The new provisional government of Metropolis is very fragile right now. Many different people are vying for power; people who wouldn't have stood a chance in the old order, but now with most of the big wigs and power elite de-throned (Kenichi winced at the word "throne"), they suddenly find themselves in what could be a very welcome change of order. However, as I said, things are still very unstable right now and even the smallest mis-step could mean the end of their ambitions and leave them in an even worse position than they were before. And right now, the people of Zone 1 are a very unstable element."

"Huh? We are?"

Atlas almost smiled at Kenichi's use of the word "we". The young man had become so enamored with a people that, despite their desolance and poverty, he now considered himself to be one of them. Then he almost frowned at the notion that it was he, himself, who was the one mostly responsible (or so he thought) for that current state of desolation and poverty.

"Yes. We are. A second uprising would not bode well for the future of the state, especially with the provisional government already teetering on the brink of collapse. There are some people in the new government who are very eager to…clamp down…on any signs of sedition towards the state…violently clamp down."

Kenichi resisted the urge to gulp, as memories of the last uprising forced themselves upon him. Atlas was right; bad memories could be quite the distraction.

"In a way, it's almost ironic," continued Atlas, "The state has finally taken notice of our plight, but only after they realized that the bad publicity from another revolution would actually cause more damage to their goals then the revolution itself. But even then, any help that we could get is available on certain conditions pertaining to our visibility in the media. It seems…that people of your standing are even more powerful than I had first given credit for, eh Kenichi?"

"Really?"

"Yes, since you have ties to your uncle and are reporting for the foreign media, your position allows you to shape how events will unfold based on how the public interprets the perspective-your perspective-of what you've seen here. Your position is even more unique because you're one of the few reporters who have reported from inside Zone 1. Still, right now I think that the new government is much more concerned with the local media rather than the views of foreign outlets. Anyway, it's because of the situation with the new government that our…my…shift in focus has become so adamant."

"Oh? W-Why is that? You mean why you've been speaking out against the robots?"

Atlas nodded, "Mmm-hmm. You see Kenichi, like I said; the people need a target to take their anger out on, and so long as that target is the robot work-force, then their anger won't be as focused on the people on the surface or the new government."

Kenichi spoke shocked, "B-But…then…huh? So the robots…are the distraction? You're just trying to get people to hate the robots so they won't turn against the new government instead?"

Atlas sighed, "That's the just of it. Look, I know it all seems rath-"

"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Kenichi shouted as he bolted from his seat.

The hired hand who was still standing across the room abruptly stiffened and moved towards Kenichi, but Atlas gave him a look that was apparently enough to persuade him to back down. Kenichi hardly noticed, or even cared.

"You…you want to blame the robots when it isn't their fault! How does that help anything? All you're doing is making people angry for no real reason! You're manipulating them!"

"The people were already angry to begin with. All I'm doing is redirecting that anger on an outlet where nobody will get hurt."

"The robots will get hurt!"

"Would you rather that people get hurt?" Atlas asked, not fully realizing that to Kenichi, robots were people. "If the anger against the people up on the surface and the new government were to continue, then the next revolution would be aimed at them. Innocent people on both sides would be hurt, again, and this time the government might not just stop at crushing the revolt. They might just decide that we're too much trouble to deal with altogether."

"You don't mean…that they would try to kill…? Everyone in Zone 1? They couldn't do that!"

"Why not? They have the means to, and now they have the motive. We were mostly ignored by them in the first place, and now we've become a dangerous nuisance. At the very least, they could try to forcibly remove us…place us in camps out in the country, where we'd be even worse off than we are here. Or they might even just seal us in and not allow anymore access to the surface at all."

Kenichi plopped back down on the couch, horrible images washing over his mind.

"That's just…evil."

"That's just politics. The new government was put in place by the people on the surface. If they want to remain in the new government then they have to promise the people on the surface security, safety, and a future; the same things I tried to promise us when I led the revolution. And like me, they'll do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if it costs lives. That's why I'm doing all this…why I'm going along with them. If the people of Zone 1 aren't an immediate threat to the state, then they won't risk the bad publicity involved with trying to get rid of us."

"…Wait a minute…you don't mean…you can't mean…you're working with the new government!"

Atlas nodded sadly, "This…all of this…" he gestured around the apartment, "was set up by them. There's a new arm of the Public Relations branch, unofficial of course, working in conjuncture with the Office of Intelligence. Their job is to make sure that the residents of Zone 1 don't cause any trouble during this period of transition. By working behind the scenes, they hope to avoid any all-out confrontation or any of the negative publicity that might go along with it."

"And you're just going along with this! Going along with those that you've hated so much and fought so hard against? You've become…their puppet?"

"In exchange for our…my assistance, they've agreed to meet certain conditions. As long as any potential seditious sentiments or behavior in Zone 1 is kept to a minimal, then they've agreed to leave us alone for now, and to eventually re-start food rationing and certain social services once the situation of the state has become more stable and re-construction has neared completion."

"And you believed them? Did they offer you anything other than assurances? How can you just take them at their word?"

"They've offered some tokens of goodwill…your generator for one."

"But…but that was from Namid's shop? He had it already, the government didn't give it to him…did they?"

Atlas averted his gaze again, "I…I know I promised you that we would reserve a generator for you, but I never said which one…"

"You…you-!"

"We needed the generators immediately. There are too many people in need. As part of their program, the government agreed to give us the funds to purchase what generators were available. If the quality of life for some of the populace began to improve, then their rebellious sentiments wouldn't be as strong. That's how we were able to convince them to do it. But getting additional generators from outside Zone 1 was more troublesome.

"Most of the people on the surface aren't ready yet to willingly give resources, no matter how minor, to the Underground until their own quality of life has returned to normal. The generators had to be acquired and brought down quietly and without arousing suspicion or questions. There was a lot of bureaucratic tape to go through. They probably designated the generators for work on re-building the facilities in Zone 2 or 3, but in actuality they're providing power for residents here."

"But…in the lobby, on the first floor, there wasn't-"

"There are many places in need, as I'm sure you know. Some of the buildings share power when they can, and set up schedules so they know when they can best utilize what they'll have. Of course, the situation is complicated by the fact that we've got to have some generators on standby for real emergencies, and that we've traded some of them for even more valuable medical supplies. And then there are the ones that we've kept in reserve as rewards for those who've done certain favors for us…and for certain friends, of course."

Kenichi got a sinking feeling in his already churned stomach at the word friends. How was it that Atlas was making him out to be the bad guy? Well, generator or no generator, Kenichi wasn't going to let Atlas lecture him on morality (no matter that Kenichi was secretly worried that there may have been a grain of truth in his subtle accusations).

"So that's what this is all about? You preach what they tell you to, and in exchange they give you the supplies?"

Atlas shook his head, "It's more than that. Anti-robot sentiment has also increased on the surface, and many of the new factions vying for power are also keen on using those sentiments to help further their agendas."

"By using those sentiments to keep the population distracted?"

"That's part of it, yes, but at the same time there's also a chance for real change. It'll be long-term and much slower than it should be, but maybe in the end it will achieve at least some of the goals that I had failed to achieve. If the anti-robot factions gain power, they'll try to implement at least some of the measures that they've promised the public in exchange for their seats in the new government. That could mean that parts of the robot workforce would be eventually decommissioned."

"How is that a good thing? The robots aren't really the ones responsible for our condition! It's the government that was to blame in the first place; you said so!"

"With less of a robot workforce to rely upon, they'll be forced to use human workers. That means jobs…employment…a chance to earn a fair living. That's…that's all I wanted in the first place. I wanted them to have a chance at a good life."

Kenichi had to give Atlas credit. Unlike many would-be leaders, his desires really did lie with the welfare of the people of Zone 1, and he was free of lust for power and self-gratification. But it was now obvious to Kenichi that he was consumed by guilt for the pain he had caused the people around him…and maybe guilt related to even deeper problems; a feeling to which Kenichi could relate. But still, it was also obvious that Atlas was likely repeating those same mistakes again…trying to save the people who still looked up to him but, once again, going about it the wrong way.

"Why don't you just tell them all this? Everything that you just told me? Tell them that their anger and hatred are being used to further the goals of others! They don't have to do this! They can demand a better life without having to resort to violence!"

Atlas sighed, "Perhaps in an ideal world, that would be an ideal solution. But…humans are attached to their feelings. Once engulfed in them, they will resist the urge to simply let go of those emotions, even the negative ones. Truth has little bearing to those who are blinded by desperation and anger. People respond to those feelings, and not just the people who are the direct contributors and recipients of those emotions, but also anyone nearby who witnesses the power that those emotions have over the people. Regretfully, the most violent and destructive methods are also the most effective."

"How can anything destructive and violent be effective?" whispered Kenichi.

"…Sometimes…it isn't very effective at all, I'm afraid."

A long moment passed.

"Then…why are you telling me?" asked Kenichi.

"Simple. This may not be an ideal world, but you are an ideal person."

Kenichi was taken aback.

"You…you really think that?"

"Yes, I do."

"But…why?"

At this, Atlas smirked, "Why don't you ask that girl of yours? She doesn't seem to be the kind to settle for anyone less than ideal."

Kenichi blushed embarrassingly, wondering just what it was that Tima, and seemingly everyone else, both mechanical and human, saw in him. He also wondered how the conversation seemed to repeatedly turn back to Tima, no matter how hard he tried to avoid the subject. But that just made him more determined to protect her and the rest of his family from harm.

"Then…if I'm really as ideal as you think I am, may I give you some advice…please?"

The friendly smirk still on his face, Atlas nodded.

"Please think about what you're doing! Violence and hatred solve nothing! You shouldn't be trying to channel…or mis-channel…those emotions for your own, or the government's, needs. It will only cause more pain and suffering in the end. There must be another way to help! We should be working together to help change things without having to fight!"

Atlas' smirk had disappeared once more, and Kenichi could see the weight of the world return to his face.

"…I'm sorry. As I said, we don't live in an ideal world."

"But-"

"However, with anchors such as you, maybe hope can find a sanctuary against the surging tide."

"Please reconsider! Just listen to me!"

"I'm…sorry that the reality of this has upset you," Atlas said as he began to get up from his chair. "And…please believe me when I say that I wish this was a world where ideals like yours could be commonplace…but…I've learned from experience…that isn't a world for ideals."

Kenichi was now on the verge of crying as he pleaded, "Please, Atlas! Listen to me! I know that you were hurt and betrayed in the past and I know that you were only trying to do what was best for everyone and that it only made things worse, but you shouldn't blame yourself for-"

"Then just who should I blame? No, I understand that I wasn't the source of the peoples' problems, but I did promise them that I would fix their problems and ultimately it was my naivety that only exacerbated the situation. I helped to create this situation and now I must see it through to the end, for better or worse."

"But what if it does get worse?"

"Then this time I will have no one to blame but myself," he paused, looking even more exhausted, but almost relieved at the same time, "Besides, the greater of two evils here would be inaction. Better to chance a risk than to simply stand by and do nothing…because nobody is going to help us if we don't help ourselves."

"Y-You know, you could…work with the robots instead of against them. They could help you."

Atlas gave him a somewhat sarcastic look.

"It's true!" Kenichi pleaded, "They're very hard workers!"

Atlas scoffed, "Of that there is no doubt. But it would never work. Almost all the robots that weren't already in government ownership have been either seized or put under surveillance, and I doubt that the government will just hand them over to help us out…not when they're still needed to perform their other duties. It's hard enough just to barter for basic supplies; I doubt they'd even consider giving us robots under the current political climate and with the investigation into the robot malfunctions still ongoing.

"Besides, the underlying dilemmas still remain. The people are unemployed, impoverished, and still emotionally disturbed and offended, and they won't be satisfied until they are able to gratify their feelings by taking part in the conflict personally…and winning. In other words, they seek to satisfy their lust for vengeance."

"As do you!"

"…Perhaps. But regardless, there really isn't any other option. Not currently at any rate. I'm…I'm sorry that for any inconvenience that this has caused you, and also…I don't think I ever…apologized to you, or to that girl of yours, for the danger that I put you in back then. I'm glad that you've both done okay for yourselves."

"Atlas please I-"

"Uh, sir…" interrupted the hired hand, distracting both Kenichi and Atlas.

He was standing at the edge of the hallway, next to another man, this one in a formal black suit, bowler hat, tie, and white undershirt. He also had a dark blue cape and a pair of sunglasses tucked into his suit pocket. Atlas' face sobered what little friendly atmosphere there was quickly vanished.

Atlas turned back towards Kenichi, "Sorry, but I have another appointment. We'll continue this another time…soon…I mean, if you're still interested that is?"

Kenichi nodded his response. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he may have detected just a hint of loneliness in Atlas' voice. Given all the stress and loss he had faced, it would make sense; it must have been very lonely at the top…even when it was the top of the Underground. Atlas and his darkly-dressed guest began to make their way into an adjacent room.

Speaking to Kenichi over his shoulder, "I promise that the delivery will be made soon. Oh, and feel free to take whatever you want," he gestured towards the food bowl on the coffee table, and then disappeared with the others.

Kenichi sighed, and continued to sit on the couch while he tried to analyze everything that had just been said in his mind. After what may have been a long moment, but didn't really seem that long to Kenichi, the remaining hired hand cleared his throat. Kenichi looked up to see a bit of miffed look on the man's face, and realized that he must have been deliberating for longer than he thought.

"Uh, sorry."

"No problem. Would you like a bag to carry those in?" the man gestured towards the bowl of food.

"Oh, uh, yes please," Kenichi responded.

He felt kind of bad about taking the food when he knew there were so many that were in need, but he suspected that Atlas had more and was using his connections to feed as many as he could already. Plus, it wasn't like he and Tima were awash in food themselves, and money was really running low. So naturally, his curiosity was peaked when he saw a pile of small boxes with picture-labels on them lying in the kitchen where the escort had gone to search out some bags.

"Uh, excuse me?" Kenichi called out.

The man looked back up from his rummaging.

"Uh, about those…" Kenichi pointed to the stack of boxes, and the man glanced from the boxes and then back towards Kenichi, with a slightly peeved look. Kenichi blushed, "W-Well, he did say that I could take whatever I wanted, and I really do need one…"

The man grumbled under his breath and added one of the boxes to the load. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound, Kenichi thought. At least, that seemed to be the story of his life ever since he came to Metropolis.

In this case, it apparently referred to a pound of apples.


Kenichi wasn't making good time on his way back home. It could have been because he stopped multiple times to subconsciously take in the plight of the impoverished masses that he passed along the way, his mind now even more open even than before to their troubles. It also could have been that he was having a hard time juggling the small cardboard box in his hands and the food-laden backpack on his back. It also could have been the ongoing construction that had him taking multiple detours or his avoidance of the "shadier" parts of Zone 1, since he now had something of good value on him and might become a target for muggers.

Or it might be the fact that there was a very upset young woman at home.

…Better maker make that a very ENRAGED young woman.

…A very enraged young woman who was, technically, much stronger than he was.

Yeah, that would do it.

Kenichi had heard the old saying "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." He had heard his uncle say it more than a few times when they were working on cases together. And he had seen more than a few "scorned" women try to make his uncle's life a living hell. But he had also secretly always found the situations amusing. His uncle never seemed to learn; no matter how many times his antics seemed to get him in trouble with the ladies, especially ladies involved in the cases they were investigating.

Now though, he was beginning to see just how "amusing" such a situation really was. And it wasn't very funny at all. What was worse, whereas his uncle's problems usually resulted from "harmless" flirting, this situation involved someone that Kenichi actually LOVED, and very deeply so. Not to mention the fact that she actually loved him as well. Kenichi was fairly new to love of the romantic scene, but he was fairly certain that it made any transgressions seem even more hurtful to the partner.

And thus, said partner was likely to be even more pissed-off.

Not that he would blame her at all. He knew what he was getting into when he ran off to meet Atlas without her. He was actually kind of surprised that she didn't come storming after him, or at least send out a general alert to every robot remaining in Zone 1 to hunt his hide down and drag him back home. They would have done it too, he knew, if she had asked them. The fact that they didn't made him even more nervous. What if, instead of stomping around angrily and fuming, she was crying her eyes out and sobbing in a corner?

That actually sounded worse…much worse. But he still would do it again (though he was starting to wonder if he might think differently once he finally did get home). However, he simply couldn't just lead her into danger like that. It wasn't like he had a large ego (or any ego at all for that matter), but he did have to protect her as best he could. Fortunately, everything with Atlas had gone relatively smoothly…much more smoothly than he anticipated, actually. He had even gotten a little something for their troubles, he realized as he tried to adjust the box and backpack he was carrying. Hopefully that would help make up for his transgressions towards Tima.

…Probably not, since Tima wasn't the type to be bought off, especially when their safety was involved, but maybe it would help a little. But how would they handle such situations in the future? If his conversation with Atlas was any indicator, there would be a lot more opportunity for potential trouble to arise soon. A shadow campaign was underway to target, and possibly even eventually remove, the mechanical inhabitants of Metropolis. That included his family, as well as his partner.

The sad, and almost weird, part about all this was that Kenichi could actually understand Atlas' position. But that didn't mean that he condoned it at all. He knew Atlas was blaming himself for the failure of the revolt and all the damage afterwards. But it wasn't right to try and make amends by trying to place the entire burden upon himself and make the same mistakes again.

Just because people were looking for someone to blame, that didn't mean Atlas had any right to provide a target, much less his family. And just because people were angry, that didn't give him the right to stoke that anger…even if it might eventually lead to a better life for them. No, the ends didn't justify the means.

But then…if the ends didn't justify the means, how could he justify running out on Tima like he did? Simple. Because she would was safer at home. Of course, that didn't mean she would have to stay at home all the time…he couldn't force her to (even if he tried). But now that he had a better understanding of what Atlas and the new government were up to, they had to be even more on guard than they were before.

Maybe the next time he talked to Atlas he could glean more details from him. If he knew a timetable of the events that were supposed to happen, then maybe they could get the robots out of the way and keep them safe. Or better yet, maybe he could still talk Atlas out of it altogether. Kenichi didn't usually think of himself as the persuasive type, and he didn't like to argue…but to help save Tima and his family, he would certainly try. Besides, they had to meet again anyway, since they hadn't set up a time or place to exchange the generator they had asked for.

Of course, Kenichi would have to try to convince Tima to avoid that meeting as well…and the longer they went without a generator, the more at risk they were…and if people really were becoming angrier with the robots…no…wait…just calm down. One step at a time, Kenichi thought. Don't get over-stressed or you won't be any good to anyone.

The first step was to go home (he had finally made his way into the tunnels), and apologize to Tima, beg for forgiveness and then explain to her that she was safer staying at home for the time being. She had protection there, with the other robots on guard in case she needed an-…Hey! That's odd.

Kenichi looked around. There should've been a lookout at the tunnel intersection he was at. A robot, whose cover-story was that it was a maintenance bot, that would alert the others if any human other than himself tried to go any further, and stall or detour them if need be. But there wasn't anyone here. The robots were always very punctual, and took their duties seriously, what could hav-

"Ahh! Let go! Help!"

Kenichi's stomach plummeted as he heard a very familiar and high-pitched tone for help. Without even thinking, he shucked the box and his backpack, and ran down the tunnel , where the voice grew louder and was now accompanied by a chorus of beeps, boops, grinds, and finally several sirens starting to sound. He tripped, fell, slid for several feet, got up, and kept running, ignoring the stinging pain of his now-skinned hands and legs.

As he approached the entrance, out of breath and pain erupting from his side, he could hear several more voices now, angry ones…human ones!

"Hey let go me ya-ack!"

"Ow, that hurts! Stop! I said stop!"

"Get-upmph!"

"That's an order! Stop! Halt! I order you to stop!"

Kenichi finally burst forward, nearly tripping yet again as he hit the flat incline of the artificial overhang, but quickly rising to see a group of four humans engaged in a scuffle with more than a dozen robots of various shapes and sizes, including Fifi!

Two of the men were pinned to the ground by much larger robots, with smaller and medium ones piling on as well. But the other two men had grabbed a hostage…Tima! They were holding her, standing up, by the arms, one on each side. One robot with pinchers was trying to yank the pants off one of the hostage-takers, while several of the outdated mouse-shaped fire robots had squirmed up the other one, who was trying vigorously to shake them off. But they still had a hold of Tima!

That was, until Kenichi ran forward and slammed hard into the man holding her right arm.

"Ooofff! Aaah! Hey kid what the-AAAckkk!"

Crunch! Kenichi bit into the man's arm as hard as he could, drawing blood in a tooth-marked pattern. This allowed Tima to turn around and break free of the other man, who quickly tried to aid his companion and grabbed the back of Kenichi's coat. The fire-bots jumped into action, quite literally, and flew from the downed man onto his companion, who released Kenichi's coat as he tried to pry them off. Tima then tried to rescue her partner from the other man, who was furiously beating his back with one arm in an attempt to get the rabid-like kid off him.

"No! Stop! Kenichi!"

The man decided to switch tactics and hit Kenichi's right ear instead. The sudden change in pressure caused Kenichi to let go as he howled in pain! The man kicked him off, and Kenichi fell back, luckily to be caught by the waiting arms of his girlfriend as the man then tried to scramble away. By now, several dozen other robots had emerged from the complex, some with rods and heavy tools in their hands. A BURN-E welder bot approached with its torch lit. Another humanoid-shaped bot began to swing a heavy chain.

The two humans were quickly surrounded, while the other two remained pinned to the floor. A terrified look in his eyes as the mechanical mob approached, one man reached into his torn coat…

Kap-POWWW!

A shot was fired from his small pistol! Luckily it hit an Albert-II model (not Fifi), and ricocheted off. The robots paused for a moment, the more vulnerable and less-bullet-proof ones taking shelter behind the more durable ones as Fifi moved to shelter Kenichi and Tima, before they started to advance again.

"Wait! STOP!"

With a scream from Tima, everyone, human and robot alike, halted in their tracks.

"Let them go!" she ordered.

The robots looked at one another for a moment, then began to slowly back off.

Tima turned towards the men being pinned down, "Them as well!"

The robots released the fallen men, who slowly stood up and, once clear of the menagerie, scuffled quickly (one with a noticeable limp) towards the other two men, who were inching their way slowly towards the entrance of the compound, one with his hands raised in the air in a gesture of surrender, while the other still held the small pistol.

"Tima!" whispered Kenichi "Are you okay? What are you doin-"

"Shhh!" she whispered back as she used her sleeve to try and soak up the blood from his damaged ear, "There's no need for anyone else to get hurt. Just let them leave."

"But they-!"

"The fault was mine."

"Huh, what do yo-?"

"What's going on here?" came a loud shout.

Both Kenichi and Tima, still crouched on the ground, turned to see a figure emerge from the darkened entrance, accompanied by two goons with rifles aimed at the robotic crowd.

"Atlas!" Kenichi hissed.

Atlas stepped out into the light of the compound; Kenichi and Tima's home. He was dressed much the same as he was from the meeting, except now he had a long overcoat on. One of the men with the rifles was the one who had escorted Kenichi earlier at the meeting. Atlas took a long pause and looked around, taking note of the various robots scattered around the plaza. He stopped when his view fell upon Kenichi and Tima, and took particular notice of how protective the robots seemed to be of the two, surrounding them as if to defend them from harm.

Atlas seemed to take the entire scene in stride, a mix of curiosity and mild bewilderment on his face.

"Well, seems like I'm not the only one keeping secrets, eh Kenichi?"


AN: Ooohhh…I ended on a cliffhanger, I'm sooo bad. So please tell me what ya'll thought. Originally, this chapter could've gone one of two ways: Tima goes with Kenichi, or she doesn't. I had plot twists for both, but decided to go for this one where Tima doesn't accompany Kenichi. Tell me what ya'll think of how it turned out, 'cause I'm interested in your opinion on that one. Also, I tried to get the pace and action-to-dialogue ratio right, as well as the humor-to-seriousness ration, but I need ya guys (and gals, and other assorted descriptive anatomical labels) to let me know how it turned out.

Thanks, I hope to have another chapter out soon…and order your badges already!