Bees
Busy bees from flower to flower go.
They work work work.
Never with a moment's rest.
Like the gears in a clock.
A living unit of several hundred.
Dedicated to complete their fate.
To serve their greater good.
The collectively against the individual.
- Eve.
I.
The low lighting in the office lit up figures of mythological creatures that were embossed on metal plate art hanging from walls, lantern lamp shades were drawn down like mini flood lights reflecting the serious nature of the moment as no immediate words were said as Taku Hamada sat in the office of his father, the man completing some of his notes for the appeal he was working on, as his son clasped his fingers together; Taku noticed the way he had two perfect hands... how symmetry and evolution had made him a physically perfect being... how outwardly unaffecting he appeared.
"Well, that's done," his father commented, rising fairly quickly for a leisurely man.
Mr. Hamada walked around and leaned against his desk.
Taku didn't look up.
"Would you like the floor or would you like to just keep staring at it?"
Slowly, the 22-year-old man released his breath. "Dad, I didn't-"
"Have any intention of disappointing me?"
"Embarrassing you," he still wouldn't look up.
His father looked ponderously at the wall of artifacts and other things he had ordered over the years, he reflected on the past that he had shared with his son and all the while, he was aware that Taku was looking up at him hopefully. Between the two of them, they both knew what Dr. Hamada was going to have to say... Then,, a surge of anger caused Taku to grip his chair leg. To be treated-
"Son," his father took his arm, "do you know why I do what I do?" He was stunned when Taku stared.
"You help people," he said derisively, "that's what you always told me you did."
The pepper-haired man nodded slowly at first, really looking into his son's unusually stubborn eyes and then he coughed, standing, "That's right son, but, Taku..." he searched for the correct words.
"When I was your age, I wanted nothing more than to be an astronaut." His son looked at him, unimpressed. "I had a lot of different interests but going up into space was something I always wanted to do, I mean," he suddenly got excited and Taku chuckled a little, remembering, "Do you remember when I would take you out to Muirahara Woods and we would look at the stars, Taku?"
"Right, and then I got poison ivy which you had to treat."
"And you had fun, didn't you?!"
His son shrugged, looking away.
Mr. Hamada lowered down to his son's level and suddenly he was serious. "Yes, I wanted to be an astronaut; I wanted to be able to explore worlds beyond what I could only see down here on Earth."
Taku met his father's eyes.
"And you didn't because you had to settle down."
"I didn't because it was a crazy idea!"
Taku shook his head a little. "It's not like you're-"
"Not smart enough? Sure, I was smart enough but I was also smart enough to realize what was going to keep me alive. I was smart enough to realize that I was going to do more good and succeed more at life by doing something that had... had some actual common sense to it... "
The man bit his bottom lip and took his son by the arm again. "Budbud, there's nothing wrong with having dreams. You should always have that but one day you have to realize that if you're not in a certain place, under the right circumstances and with people who can support you, it really is better just to keep them as dreams" A look of disbelief was on son's face, he pretended not to notice this.
"That's not fair!" He challenged.
His father locked eyes.
"It doesn't have to be fair," He chided. "That's the way life is."
Taku bowed and turned to leave.
His father didn't look at him again. "So I've gone ahead and filled out this appeal, son, I expect you to deliver it to your professors tomorrow." The man handed it to his only son who dutifully took it.
Not looking at his father again, Taku walked out of his study.
Il.
Ha-Jun took a deep breath, composed himself and then walked through the maze of citizens joining in the main part of San Fransokyo; he didn't know exactly what he was going to say or do but he definitely had to make an appearance, figure out what the next course of - A Care Bot appeared.
He screamed, crossing his fingers in front of him. "No, man, I didn't want you guys to...uhhh."
"Hey friend," A friendly- enough looking guy lifted up the head on this costume.
"I... Oh man."
"Are you here for the robot peace rally?" Another excited looking woman asked.
"What are you talkin about? I thought this was a question and answer seminar."
"It's about someone seeing a Care Bot," A supporter said. "At least that's what the rumors are."
The 22 year old man found himself in the midst of a thousand or so people who were showing their various forms of Care Bot or Baymax clone support; Some of these people were the same ones from the stand against the Resistance, others looked a little more like the disgruntled kind who wanted their next version of Care Bot. Ha-Jun watched as Lin-Jon and the mayor came up on the stage, flanked by more of his cousins and other higher-level members the RRC and guys in suits.
The new head of the California District looked RIGHT at him.
Ha-Jun saw he was drawing attention from everyone in the crowds...
"Oh, I am so getting back at those guys." he muttered.
...
With one rip of his cord, the blinds went down over the windows.
"Hiro," Baymax softly chided, waddling over and pulling them open.
However, he did think about this a moment and adjusted them just so they were partially open.
"Sorry, buddy, can't have them open until tonight."
Hiro walked around the four-way, folded prototype and scratched it as head. "Well, we've got it."
" Yes. When am I going to use it?" his best friend came over to his side.
The teen glanced an unsure look at him and then went to go lay on the end of the bed... Baymax blinked down at it and then saw as Hiro tried to rest his face on his arm and hide what he was thinking, when, suddenly he felt two hands take him under the arms and then pull him on top of his best friend's big, white belly. Hiro grinned a little, trying to hide in his chest. Trying to hide his face into his stomach and Baymax let him do that, he felt his hand gently glide over his hair soothingly.
Hero sighed softly, looking over at the partially open window.
"Guess we can't stay in here forever."
Baymax then picked him up against his chest and they walked over to sit together in the same rocking chair from the boys nursery; they didn't really say anything about that as Baymax held him there against his accessport and Hiro softly kissed at it. The teen sighed again in his arms tiredly.
"You have been having this moments where you seem unsure."
Hiro looked up at him and lifted his brows. "When you have these moments, you don't tell me everything you're thinking, either, buddy." he turned with him back to the prototype. " When you're ready," he felt Baymax hold him very close, his black eyes concentrating on the prototype as well.
"Are you ready?" his best friend asked him.
"I am, I thought you were," Hiro said against his chest, then he looked up.
Baymax saw the truth.
Then, suddenly, he hid his eyes again.
Hiro buried his face against Baymax's chest and cried.
"It is alright, it is alright," he was comforted.
"No, it's not," the teen met his eyes as Baymax gently touched his wet cheek. "I said I would help you with this," the oval face tilted and Baymax held Hiro very deliberately, trying to gauge what he was really thinking. Hiro knew that his best friend saw the doubt in his eyes... at the person he was now and so they cuddled close and as usual, Hiro let the enjoyment of being in his buddy's arms take hold. He sighed gently and heard Baymax sigh on top of his head, causing him to laugh in relief.
"Buddy, we can't just ignore that side of you."
His best friend nodded into his hair. "I know," he said, sounding more like a person than ever.
...
"The first thing I want to do is acknowledge all of your fears."
"You're going explain why we never got compensated for luggage fees with those passports?"
From behind the plexiglass podium, Lin-Jon pressed his lips together.
"All queries into reimbursements-"
"Yeah, we know about the lawsuits by pretty much everyone who won't risk leaving their homes."
The man cleared his throat and stepped back to let one of the spokesman come forward
"You have all heard recent reports that one of the Care Bots are in the city."
More protests were lifted.
We have knowledge on their whereabouts and we acknowledge your fears. Rest assured, no harm will come to you in any form." This bit of information silenced anyone about ready to protest over the fate of their Care Bots, "The rumors circulating that anything has actually gained sentience is credulously false. That is Lin-Jon Tanaka's job, all of the RRC's job, to prevent such occurrences."
"Sentience? You think we believe for one second a robot could gain sentience?"
Ha-Jun started to back away from the crowds, looking around at the people for an escape.
"Rest assured, any robots displaying rogue tendencies have been properly deactivated and-""w
"We know that!" A woman shouted hotly. "Now we want to know how you're going to repay us."
"R-? Excuse me?!"
"None of our Care Bots were self-sentient, you idiot. We want the robot nanny back!" "Who will look after our kids?" his wife came forward. "I want another day off." A large, older woman came forward " I want my 4 / daily reminder for my meds." The officials looked around at each other in confusion as more complaints arose. "We want our cook!" We want our chauffeur!" My son wants his friend
"Friend?" Lin-Jon took the stand again. "Machines can't befriend-"
"Well, one kid can get away with it. He still has his over in that café."
Confusion slowly turned into understanding the man's face.
"Linny!"
All of a sudden, he was faced with his younger cousin coming up on the stage.
"I didn't get the invite," Ha-Jun was grinning at him.
"That's because you were not invited," he informed, "and you would do well to stay away from here."
Above them, a long, black craft was lowering; it wasn't the carrier from when the city was contained but instead it was a diamond shape and was a balloon material. It spun around and lowered behind everyone, the crowd starting to back away with looks of apprehension on their faces. They began to realize that the normally dressed-looking individuals in front of them were members of the RRC...
The ones from the occupation.
"No need to be alarmed!" the mayor tried to reason.
The citizens did not heed them as the door opened on the side and a woman dressed in jeans, a flannel crew neck and with a wild mane of red hair came off the strange craft. She smiled ironically at Lin-Jon and other members of the covertly-dressed Rogue District, then walked to the podium.
"Rest assured everyone...
BIG HERO 6 action figures imported!"
The girl tossed characters and toys down to be anxious crowds, some in the group scrambling to grab some up even as both Lin-Jon and Ha-Jun looked on in disapproval. The mayor and his officials were clapping, clearly wanting this attention. The freckled face newcomer pushed her hair back and smiled at them, coming over to shake his hand before turning and smirking at Ha-Jun.
"Where's Leik? I thought she'd be here."
"Well, she-"
"A messenger for the messenger, huh?"
His face turned five shades of red. "No."
She laughed stridently. "You're so cute when you're lying."
"Where's your father?" Lin-Jon turned to her.
"Out in the sticks," she shrugged. "You know, dad can't stand city life."
"I would think the leader of RRC HQ-"
"Speaking of leader," she took her Jun more seriously, "I've got news on Jinsu."
"Okay," he said guardedly.
"And your mom."
He rolled his eyes. "Ji-Min already told me she took off from the airship; I know he's lying cause she would never abandon her ship, she wouldn't-" he narrowed his eyes at her. "What aren't you saying?"
"Now look," Lin-Jon addressed everyone in the crowd who were being observed by a growing police force, "There's no need to try to incite the return of Big Hero 6; they were nebulously-aligned freedom fighters at best, renegade vigilantes at worse. Half the time they cost this city-"
Suddenly, someone swooped through the air and landed beside him.
"And we are SUPERHEROES forever!" Fredzilla threw up his claws.
"Are you crazy?" Ha-Jun demanded.
"No, I'm desperate." Fred whispered to him.
People were cheering and then when Honey Lemon appeared in her suit through the crowds, they were raving almost mad with joy as the security bristled and she joined Fredzilla on stage while Lin Jon was fuming at this point and Ha-Jun took his opportunity to slip away, the daughter of RRC HQ whispered something to a few officials and then approached the two heroes with a contract deal.
...
"Maxie!"
Hiro jumped off the bed and stole behind the separator in his room.
"Hiro," Baymax came over. "Please wait a moment," he then lifted the divider up, Hiro slipped under his stubs and he turned in time to see Hiro skirt over the top of the bed, slap his hands on the top and fall to his knees, grinning, "you must be careful," his best friend told him. "You will hurt yourself."
"Pfft. I think you're just out of practice, buddy."
He leapt playfully from behind and started for the other side of the room when Baymax caught him and landed backwards on the bed where Hiro was laughing even as he was being tickled under the arms. Baymax held him close and then noticed that Hiro's feet were practically falling off the end.
"Are you sure you would not like a new bed?"
"Nope," Hiro pressed his face against his best friend, "and this is our bed."
Baymax blinked a moment and then he pressed his face into Hiro's head, then said "Our bed our bed our bed!" to which Hiro laughed loudly; Baymax held him there almost like he would never let Hiro o and then he heard him sigh. At that, he let out of long sigh of his own which made Hiro laugh even louder. Then, in consideration, Hiro slid off the edge and patted over to the prototype in the room.
"Well, are you ready?"
His best friend came over and squeezed his fingers gently through his own.
"It would be silly not to try."
Hiro grinned up at him and then ran for the bed again, Baymax landed on him and suddenly there was a crunch. A moment later, feet were running up the stairs. Hiro, in a panic, had Baymax lift the bed up and slide the contorted android body under the frame and them just casually holding hands.
No one, not even their family, knew the extent of their relationship.
"If Aunt Cass asks, we were just practicing for when eventually get an apartment..."
He suddenly felt a deliberate nuzzle on his head. "If Aunt Cass asks, we will tell her the truth."
This made Hiro draw a breath and look up nervously at him. Baymax blnked down at him.
'Everything will be alright," he held him close.
"I know, buddy."
The one to open the door was Gogo.
"Hey, not too impede on your guys' time together, but we need you downstairs."
Hiro blinked in surprise.
Baymax in confusion.
"You know, like two members of a team would do."
Hiro laughed in relief. "Oh, good. Sure, be right down."
"Does someone need our help?"
She sighed. "It's something like that."
Curiously, Hiro walked over. "Gogo, this isn't about us, is it?"
"Just come on," she took them by the hands and dragged them downstairs.
...
It was just another beautiful sunset on the San Fransokyo Bridge as a figure ran down past it's magnificent background, screaming at the top of their lungs as vengeful peace ralliers chased them down; people looked out their windows as Care Bot-paraphernalia clad citizes hunted down Lin-Jon on foot, the man not so accustomed to this was huffing by the time he rounded the corner into an alley. He placed his hand on one of the walls and started to breathe heavy, trying to think.
"There he is!"
Someone pointed and then jumped a fence.
"Here he is, don't let him get away!"
"Please," Honey-Lemon suddenly came with her hands up between them.
"Seriously," Fred stood on Lin-Jon's other side, "we stood against the Resistance, remember?"
People still advanced forward.
"It'ss almost like they don't even recognize us!" Honey turned to her friend.
"Honey, you disappointment me; you obviously don't know the dynamics of an angry mob. They don't care if they make any sense or not, the fact is you're standing in the way of what they want and they're going to get to it no matter what. Even if it makes no sense!" he was tackled from the back.
"Freddie!"
"Get her! She's in the way."
"Told ya," Fred said, in the restraining grasp of the citizens.
When Jon took that opportunity and bolted it was for the main street.
Even as Honey tried to persuade them to stop, they were still shouting.
...
"I'm not moving to San Beijingdino," Hiro said flatly, holding Baymax's hand under the table.
"Honey, it would just be temporary," Aunt Cass reached over and took his other hand, squeezing it supportively, "with all the craziness going on in the city, I don't think it's safe for you anymore."
She looked up and pointed to the what was the smaller big screens she had put back up on the wall after having to sell most of the Café decor Hasaki had bought her, so she could afford a lawyer-
"What do you mean I'm not safe in my own city? I've always lived here. I protect the city."
Wasabi and Gogo exchanged looks.
"What are you guys looking at? We protected the city and we know it inside and out."
Gogo shook her head, "We thought we did," she said, "but right now it's not safe for you guys."
Hiro rested his hand in his chin. "You know you make no sense." He eyed Wasabi. "Bi, translate?"
Wasabi had been the most apprehensive about where his and Baymax's relationship was.
He tried to hide whatever he was feeling. "Hiro, it's not that we don't think you can survive."
"Look," Baymax suddenly said from where he had been sitting and watching.
People were running down their street, chasing someone. Wasabi got up from where he was and went over to where the sign was flipped close on the front door. Hiro saw their real concerns.
"I know you got to be worried," he told his aunt.
"Sweetie, it's not just because you both spend all of your time up in your room."
"And it's not because you guys only come out at night, either going to go to class or anything else."
"You know why we can't go out in the day," Gogo listened as she sat down and Baymax hugged her.
Hiro felt an the assuring squeeze of Baymax's fingers against his own.
He met his eyes and saw his best friend was nodding at him thoughtfully.
"Ready?"
"We're here for you," Gogo patted his shoulder, still under his left arm.
"You always know that," Aunt Cass reached out and took Baymax's other hand.
They all three looked at Hiro.
He took a deep breath and turned to Baymax, knowing that he meant something more.
"Okay, aside from the android thing, what's your idea?" he asked his best friend.
...
Lin-Jon found himself ducking behind Wasabi.
"Uh..."
"CONTROL THEM. They're your people!"
"My people?"
Several thousand Baymax copy fans rounded the corner.
"Yes! Your Care Bots fanatics!"
"Hey, I never said I was a fan of Care Bots. Besides, you're the ones who introduced them."
The man was giving him a look at this, all while hiding behind Wasabi and then ducked behind the man when the crowd that was following him appeared. Wassabi turned to the man and whispered,
"Book it for Good Luck Alley, hardly anyone goes there anymore."
Without inquiring where that was, the second head of the California District took off.
Wasabi scratched at his head and then watched as Fred went screaming with the diverted crowds.
"Any luck?" Honey asked him on a more important subject.
"Nope," he sighed as she appeared at his side and they both went back in.
...
"Are you insane?!" Gogo insisted as Baymax went to the top of the roof.
"No, and we're not going to San Beijingdino, either."
Hiro helped his best friend slip on his suit.
"Besides, they'll listen to Baymax in his hero form."
Gogo wheeled him around to stare him in the eye.
"You're both insane being alone with just each other..."
He lifted a brow, urging her to say it.
Gogo sighed.
"Cousin?" he guessed.
"Hiro, if you think that changes one thing about us...about how I-"
"I know it doesn't," he lightly punched her arm, "Buddy, are you sure about this?"
When Hiro looked at him, it looked like he was having a little trouble getting his suit on but then Baymax turned and he was excited, "I have a different idea," he told them, "but I need your help."
"Anything, buddy."
"And I need your help to divert the RRC."
She smiled. "Anything buddy, what did you have in mind?"
"And if it doesn't work, it's welcome to San Beijingdino!" Hiro laughed.
Baymax squeezed his hand. "I have to apologize to the city and show them who I am now."
The look on Hiro and Gogo's faces were identical.
To be continued...