Eleven

Reno Guzmán looked up from the terminal where he had been playing a game of chess with Isaac as the three robot boys entered Robert Levinson's computer laboratory.

"How did it go?" Isaac asked.

"As planed," Atom replied. "Drake didn't suspect a thing, he responded to Atlas's beacon signal and showed up at the rendezvous point as you had hoped."

"I had hoped that the location in the middle of Brooklyn would seem safe to him," Isaac said, "That abandoned subway station has been forgotten ever since the South Brooklyn Railway closed down decades ago and its tracks paved over on McDonald Avenue under the Culver El. That was a good idea you came up with Atom."

"Actually, it was Cora's Idea," Atom giggled. "Her dad is a motorman for the NYTA, and he knows ever inch of the subway trackage."

"How do you feel Cobalt," Reno asked.

"Fine thank you!," the lanky robot said. "Your rewiring of my brain functions seems perfect."

Atlas looked around the laboratory, and frowned. "What's to become of me?" he asked. "I suppose General Hayes will drag me back to DARPA and take me apart."

"Not if I have anything to say about that!", Simon huffed.

Reno looked around and sighed.

"What's wrong kid?" Simon asked.

"Well, I've been living with my Uncle after my my dad died in a traffic accident along with my Aunt," he said with damp eyes. "My Uncle took my aunt's death very badly, she was on the way to the hospital pregnant with their first child, dad was driving them at to the hospital in his cab. Uncle Alex has a hard time keeping a job, he drinks a lot. We've mostly been living off of what ever money we got from the settlement with the guy who hit my father's cab, and whatever odd jobs Uncle has been able to keep. I've tried to keep my grades up so I can get a scholarship to college. And I've also done a little black hat hacking."

Bob glanced at Simon. "You know, I could use an assistant here," he suggested. "The pay would be good, and we do have a few dorm rooms here where you and your Uncle could crash. Plus I know of a good detox program for your Uncle."

Simon nodded. "If there is any way we can help you and your Uncle out, let me know."

Reno wiped his eyes with his forearm. "Thank's guys." He then turned to look at Atlas who still had a concerned look on his face. "Can he stay with me?" he asked.

"What?" Atlas and Simon asked in unison.

"Well I did help you repair him," Reno said. "He seems to be as much of a bad luck case as I am, I think we'd get along together."

"Sure, why not?" Atlas laughed. "I'd like to live here."

The conversation was interrupted by the ringing of the phone in Simon's office. The director transferred the call to the laboratory, and took the call in an isolated corner. He returned a few minutes later with a grin on his face.

"That was General Hayes," Simon said. "Seems a Mr. Poindexter Drake has struck a deal with the government to avoid some prison time, he's going to turn informant and squeal on the people he was going to sell out to."

"What about our aircraft test?" Cobalt voiced.

"I've managed to save most of the data we recorded," Issac answered. "I've transmitted the entire package to my equal over at the AFB. I think the General will be pleased enough to cool his jets over the loss of the prototype."

"Yes, General Hayes did mention that wasn't going to hold us responsible for the loss of the hardware," Simon smirked at Issac, "In fact, he's going to recommend a bonus for our efforts, and we may be getting a contract for follow up work."

"Not with my electronic brain," Cobalt injected, "I've had enough 'fun' flying for awhile!"

"What's going to happen to me?" Atlas asked, "Does the General want to take me back?"

"Seems you're obsolete as far as the government is concerned," Simon laughed. "My offer to take you off of their hands was accepted. So welcome to the family."

Atlas smiled as the group gave him a thumbs up.

The End

Author's note:
In most of the stories that I've included Atlas in, I can't help throwing in an Ayn Rand reference! Did you catch it?