Hamegg sat in his luxury sweet, or what passed for luxury on the surface. He lived on the top floor of his five story workshop. It was neat and tidy, with expensive furniture, and a well stocked refrigerator filled with fresh food.

It was far different then the havoc the brats reeked on the rest of his building. He didn't really care what they did, as long as they worked.

Don't get him wrong, he did like the kids, and their arrangement was equally beneficial. He fed them, gave them a roof over their head, taught them how to repair robots (a valuable trade in this day and age), and let them do whatever they wanted, and in return they worked in his body shop.

The kids didn't even have to stay here. If they didn't like the arrangement they could leave, and try to apply the skills Hamegg gave them elsewhere. Few kids left, and when they did they usually came back, realizing most paychecks for children were peanuts.

The other work houses in the area did pay but they were strict, giving the kids many rules and harsh beatings not worth the pay.

Kids prefered the freedom Hamegg offered even if the food was only truly edible if they did a good job at the Robot Games.

Good food and toys worked as a great motivator. As a result Hamegg usually won his games, but when he didn't the kids were punished, until the next games came around. It was no different then grounding really, and the kids always had next month to redeem themselves. It wasn't all that bad was it?

Parents of course wouldn't let their kids work for him, even if he offered to pay them. They believed Hamegg's system was somehow not only damaging to a child's development, but cruel. It didn't matter. Hamegg took in the orphans instead, making his body shop an unofficial orphanage.

This was far better then letting the kids remain homeless and there were even people who came by to 'adopt' the kids... okay it was more like 'buy' them, but Hamegg only did that when times were tough (or if the offer was good enough).

These people weren't exactly cruel to kids they just... taught them some of the more adult skills that people generally didn't like children knowing about.

Hamegg had seen most of his former kids often in town. They were all well fed, nicely dressed (sometimes in outfits they found embarrassing), and were spoiled with gifts. That wasn't such a bad deal really. Hamegg didn't sell to the people who would really wish harm to children. It's not like those kinds of people could even afford his rates anyway.

Hamegg sighed, ten years, it had been ten years since Tenma fired him. Without that job it became far too expensive to live in Metro City. He would have had to live in a small studio if he stayed there, but here on the surface.

Hamegg's thought was interrupted by a chuckle. He might as well be a billionaire here. He invested his money in a large body shop (owning property that stretched on for the equivalent of three super markets, parking lots and all), a large arena for his robot games, and a website that racked in a good bit of money.

The site had videos of his games (posted after the fact but you could watch live, for extra money), various mechanic shows (mostly people who used to live at his orphanage who he let show off their skills online to support themselves), and robot dramas he got the rights to.

In truth with how much money he made now, he could move back to Metro City. Sighing again he knew he couldn't do that. As all his business was surface related, it would hurt his pocket book if he was seen 'abandoning' them for the sweet life. He had trapped himself with his investments.

He sighed sitting on his couch. He was one of the few people able to hack into the private programs they had on Metro City. Even then there was never anything good on. He was flipping through channels until he saw a familiar logo.

" Tragedy once again strikes the Ministry of Science," The anchorwoman reported, with the logo of the Ministry of Science up in the corner. " Several men were arrested today for their involvement in the construction of a rogue robot. These people include three staff members and Doctor Elefun himself. Elefun was charged with stealing his discovery of the blue core, and reckless endangerment for giving the core to an unstable colleague. These charges are not expected to stick as frankly a man as wealthy and well connected as him can afford a decent lawyer."

Hamegg sighed with a roll of his eyes. Why did reporters have to give their opinions? It had only gotten worse since the invention of the news.

" Robert Logan, who will hopefully be our new President next year, has been fighting for the man's release. His argument being President Stone only had the man arrested for not wanting to use a discovery like the blue core for warmongering. As for the colleague Elefun allegedly gave the core to? It was none other then Doctor Tenma.

" After the man lost his son nearly three months ago he experienced a psychological break. It appears he tried to replace his dead son with a robot replica. This robot is considered heavily armed and dangerous. All residence of Metro City should be on the lookout for this rogue droid, do not approach." a picture of Tenma with his deceased son popped up. "For his actions, and to get the help he needs, Doctor Tenma has been moved to an institution for the criminally insane."

Getting a good look at the picture Hamegg slowly smiled. "Tenma's boy, huh... interesting."