A/N: So sorry for the wait. This chapter is a bit short, but the next one will be much longer, I promise! Anyway, on with the story!
Once Ethan, and Alison were clean, Wrench lead them out of her clinic, and around the city towards the children's' bunker. Volta was already there passing out sweets to the children, which didn't surprise Wrench one bit. The two of them were actively working together behind Electra's back to make the slaves feel at least a little but more welcome, or offer what comfort to the slaves they could.
Ethan, and Alison clung to Wrench's side, afraid Volta was more like Joule, and not as friendly as the repair truck. Wrench looked down at the two children, and smiled gently, trying to not to scare the two children on accident.
"It's okay little ones. Volta is harmless like me. She, and I replenish the secret stache of food in my clinic if any of the slaves need it. If you ever need anything to eat, let us know, and we can get it for you, okay?" Wrench's gaze was warm, and loving. She truly cared for each, and tried to make sure every individual slave was taken care of, or at least most of them.
Ethan, and Alison weren't so sure about the freezer truck. The two components treated them completely differently than the patrol did, asides from Krupp. Ethan looked up at Wrench as if to ask her if it was okay to join the other children with Volta. Wrench chuckled softly, and nodded in approval. Ethan hinted a tiny smile, and raced to join the other children. Alison simply clung to Wrench, unsure if she could trust any of the components other than Wrench at this point.
"You need to eat, and regain your strength, little one." Wrench gently laid a hand on Alison's shoulder. Alison instinctively flinched from the feeling of the repair truck's huge hand gently resting on her shoulder before looking up at Wrench. Wrench nodded in the direction of the children to tell her she should go join the children, and Volta. Alison shifted her feet nervously. She just didn't exactly trust the freezer truck just yet.
"I-I'm not a big sweets eater.." Alison stammered. She was probably looking like a nervous rabbit surrounded by half-starved wolves right now. Wrench chuckled softly.
"That's not what I saw when I gave you some of the sweets in the hidden stache in my clinic. You might want to find your brother before he gets lost in the crowd." Wrench could see the nervousness in the child's eyes. Perhaps using her brother as a means of coaxing could help a little bit. Besides, it would be good for the child to socialize, and meet new friends.
Alison was reluctant at first, but then nodded, and weaved her way through the crowd of children gathered around Volta.
"Ethan! Ethan! Where are you?" Alison called out into the crowd. She felt a wave of relief as she saw Ethan weave his way through the crowd with her, with a sweet treat in hand, and smiling.
"I'm right here! She's really nice, Alison! I got you one too!" Ethan held out a pastry to her, smiling wide. Alison reluctantly took the treat from him before taking a bite out of it. It was delicious. When she was done, she licked the frosting from her fingers.
Both Volta, and Wrench freeze, as if they heard something. They both sniff the air, and hurriedly packed up the sweets before hiding them in a secret compartment of the bunker's outer walls. They must have thought of everything to avoid getting caught.
By the time Ethan had finished eating his own sweet treat, Electra approached the crowd, surrounded by heavily armed guards, one of which was a rather familiar armaments truck. Electra frowned at the sight of the crowd of children, and Alison held Ethan close protectively.
"Just what is going on here?" Electra narrowed his eyes, and crossed his arms. Alison looked at Wrench, and Volta, who both seemed perfectly calm about the situation. This must have had happened more than once.
"I was helping Wrench in making sure all of the slaves were in excellent condition for work, master." Volta was quick to speak up. Wrench nodded. This must be their little ruse, their little lie.
"Yes, Electra. I needed assistance in the routine wellness check of the slaves, and Volta volunteered to assist me. They are all fit to work." Wrench hinted a smile. Electra nodded in approval.
"Good. You two," Electra pointed at Ethan, and Alison, "follow me." He gestured for the two children to follow him into the fortress. The two children were quick to obey, not wanting to test Electra's patience.
"Sire, may I suggest a better option?" Wrench raised an eyebrow at the electric engine. Electra was silent for a few moments before sighing.
"Alright. What is it?" Electra seemed to be running out of patience already at this point, but he was open for Wrench's suggestion. Wrench gestured to herself, and Volta.
"We can escort the two children to the fortress. It would be less thing for you to worry about. Besides, you have much more important duties than to look after mere children." Wrench gestured to Ethan, and Alison. Electra was silent for a few moments before shrugging.
"Very well, if they step out of line, you know what to do." Electra glared at the two children before shoving towards Wrench's direction, making the two children stumble, and almost fall.
"Yes, Sire. We know what would have to be done if that occurs." Wrench bowed her head. Electra nodded.
"Good. Now if you excuse me, I will be at the fortress waiting for you." Electra turned, and left for his fortress with his guards surrounding him. Wrench sighed, and shook her head. Volta gently grabbed Ethan, and Alison by the hand.
"We have to hurry. We don't want to keep Electra waiting." Volta gently led them through the city alongside Wrench. Ethan kept a hold of Volta's hand, not wanting to leave the safety of the freezer truck's side at all. Alison was sticking rather close to Wrench, finding safety, and comfort in the repair truck's presence.
Just as they were passing the statue of Electra in the town square, one of the slaves working on the statue collapsed from exhaustion. Joule snarled from her post, and stormed down the ramp before
"Get up!" Joule growled the command between gritted teeth. The slave struggled to stand up, but simply didn't have the strength to stand up. Joule snarled, and gave the human a sharp kick to the ribs, making the slave cry out in pain.
"When I say get up, you get up..." Joule's golden eyes were smoldering with rage as she grabbed the slave by the throat, and lifted them off the ground to her eye level. The human sputtered, and coughed as they dangled helplessly in the dynamite truck's vice grip.
Both Wrench, and Volta knew what was going to happen next. They both quickly made Ethan, and Alison look away. They didn't want the two children to see this. Wrench would have helped the human in Joule's grasp, but these two children needed her more. She had to sacrifice one of the adult slaves to save two children slaves. She heard a sickening crack as Joule broke the human's neck like a twig, killing the human instantly.
Alison buried her face into Wrench's side to hide her tears of terror. This place was Hell on Earth. There was something deep in the dynamite truck that relished the kill, savored every moment of it. Alison peeked to check on her brother. Ethan was softly sobbing against Volta's side as Volta did her best to console him. Alison dared to look behind her just in time to see the dynamite truck drag the corpse out of sight. She did not want to know what the dynamite truck would do to the corpse after that. It was as if the slaves were nothing but mere rabbits, or cattle, and the machines here were half-starved wolves, eager to rip into their prey. Whatever monstrosity that was dwelling in the dynamite truck had been sated, at least for now.