Even with his leg damaged, Viktor couldn't help but straighten with pride as they both limped into his personal workspace. Unlike the large machines in the factory below, the tools here were designed for precise, delicate work; the kind of work that could turn a great augmentation into an excellent augmentation. A soft hum filled the room thanks to the countless machines within, but Ren didn't notice it over the throbbing of his arm.
"My workbench," Viktor said and then began to trudge in that direction.
He sat heavily in his chair and began to the clear the space before him. With his third arm, he beckoned Ren over.
"I will tend to your shoulder first," he said, "flesh can be impatient, and the sooner your bones are back in place, the sooner we can reduce the swelling."
Ren nodded and pulled a nearby stool up next to Viktor. He winced as Viktor began to feel around his injured arm.
"Do not fidget," Viktor ordered, "a displaced shoulder is something I can mend with ease. Or, do you think I will suddenly want vengeance for my staff?"
"It's nothing like that," Ren said through gritted teeth, "I trust you know what you're doing. I wouldn't call you 'Doc' otherwise. It's just; trust doesn't make it magically stop hurting."
"I can always replace it with a metal limb. You won't feel anything pain in it after that."
"Great joke, but no thank you."
"You know I never make jokes."
"Yeah, but still, I like my arms all fleshy feely. I like to touch things and experience texture. You understand, right? I mean, looks like you still haven't completely given up on that sense yet yourself."
Ren had made a point. Of Viktor's four limbs, one arm was still mostly flesh, and it was with this limb that Viktor was examining Ren. Ren was going to press his point, but was cut off suddenly by a gasp of pain.
"Ahh, ah! I think you found the spot!"
"I told you not to fidget," was Viktor's response as he pushed the shoulder back into place.
With a pop, Ren's shoulder was back as it should be. Ren gave a sigh of relief. Viktor motioned for him to stay still as he retrieved a vial and clear syringe.
"It is a painkiller," Viktor explained as he filled the syringe, "tomorrow I will find the most appropriate medicine for you. I will also have a sling for your arm and will advise you to keep your arm in it for several days, though I doubt you will heed that advice."
"You know me so well Doc, thanks," Ren said as he finally mustered the strength to smile.
"Pay attention," Viktor continued, "so that you can learn to repair our augmentations."
Viktor reached down and removed his own leg and placed it on the table before them. He pulled out a metal wand attached to a chem-battery and turned it on. As electricity sparked down its length, Viktor began to run the tool over his leg. Hairline cracks appeared instantly wherever the wand touched, but this did not worry Viktor in the slightest.
"That chemical we applied to our augmentations earlier," Viktor explained, "needs to be removed before we can begin the repairs."
To show his point, Viktor ran a hard bristled brush over his leg and the coating flaked off with ease. He then handed the tools over to Ren.
"Place your limb here. I want you to do it for yourself."
Ren removed his own leg and placed it next to Viktor's. He then lost track of time.
Ren didn't know how long he and Viktor sat over that workbench. For minutes or hours, he worked with Viktor, repairing their limbs. He learned how to remove dents and repair wiring, smooth surfaces with a rotary tool and chemical solution, and many more skills in between. It wasn't until his leg was repaired and once again attached to his body that he let himself look up from the workbench. He stood and stretched his stiff body. All the aches of the day's sparring match were starting to poke through the painkiller Viktor had given him. However, the pain wasn't so bad that Ren didn't allow himself to look about the room as Viktor worked silently on his augmentations.
Viktor's work room was about what Ren had expected, clinically neat and organized. The bookcases were all labeled and sorted by topic and project. Locked cabinets contained Viktor's collection of chemicals. The far wall had a framed poster of the anatomical man with a massive blackboard covered in sketches next to it. One drawing Ren noticed looked like plans for an upgraded version of his leg. But even that didn't hold his attention for long.
None of these things were what Ren was hoping to see. He wanted to find something more personal and, if he was completely honest, his illustration of Lady Science pinned up. He searched harder. There had to be something here that could give him a glimpse into the Doc's personal life, if he had one at all. At last, Ren found it.
On a shelf labeled "Golems and Automatons" there was a photo. It showed a young man with dark hair and tinted work goggles standing next to bulky steam golem. Ren assumed that the man was Viktor, but found that hard to believe. The man in the photo looked lighter, cheerier, and had visible skin. Equally amazing, the golem, a thing that couldn't change its expression, also looked cheerful, with its hand raised in a greeting. Ren turned the pictured frame over. A note on the back had a date and the words "Another successful cleanup" printed on it.
"Hey Doc," Ren asked, "who's this?"
Viktor looked up from his repairs.
"The golem's name is Blitzcrank," Viktor answered, "now, put the photo back down."
"Blitzcrank? The Blitzcrank? The greatest golem this city has ever made? You've met him?"
"I made him."
"What? No way! I totally believe you, but I thought it was built by-"
"You will not speak that thief's name in this building!"
Viktor cut him off suddenly and with such venom in his voice that Ren was speechless. Ren put the photo back and bit his lips. After an uncomfortable minute, Viktor began to speak again.
"You would enjoy Blitzcrank's company," Viktor said, his voice one again steady, "he is exceedingly bright and one of my most amicable acquaintances. It has been too long since we spoke with each other last. I should check on his progress, see how his thought processes have evolved."
"So you can just invite the city's most famous golem to your secluded lair?"
"I can. I am his creator and when we last saw each other, we departed on amiable terms."
"That's so wild."
"The idea that Blitzcrank is aware enough to accept invitations is so exotic to you? You were speaking a moment ago as though you knew of his many accomplishments. The ability to accept invitations pales in his ability to analyze chemical disasters and effectively clean them."
"No, that's not it. I mean, Blitzcrank's abilities are amazing, but that's not what I'm blown away by."
"Then what intrigues you?"
"You have a friend."
