"Hahaha! Dr Umataro Tenma, now that is what I call a real big shot," Elisa burst into laughter. "And now he's sitting in the dirt with the rest of us."
"You think that's funny?" Oda asked.
"Of course I do. I always like it when those upper-class people sitting in their big fancy towers get thrown down to ground level," Elisa said. "There's poetic justice to that. Still, though, Dr Tenma. Even I have heard of you," she turned to the man in question. "Granted it's been a while since I've been upstairs; last I heard of you was that you had vanished and they had to appoint a new Minister of Science. It was all over the news."
"You really have been isolated down here," Tenma noted, working on the robotic leg with a screwdriver.
"Oh? So what grandiose thing happened? Did you make a return and re-assume the position as Minister of Science?"
"Hardly," Tenma replied holding up the leg and examining it. "In fact, I blew up the entire building and was deemed criminally insane as a result."
Oda's eyes widened and he pushed himself backwards. Timmy shivered.
"You speak so lightly of it. But… If that is true, you must have had a reason, right?" Rumiko hedged, equally uncomfortable.
"I hated that place. That was my reason," Tenma replied shortly.
"You hated it?" Oda asked. "You hated it so you blew it up. Is that how you deal with things?" he asked. "You didn't care so you just forgot about it, letting the rest of us deal with the trash?! How many of those things out there did you even create?" He gestured at the heaps of robotic parts.
Tenma lifted an eyebrow. "If you are asking how many I made personally using my own hands, probably not a lot. Building one robot from scratch takes time, after all; I can't just pop them out as if I were a chicken laying eggs. However, if you are asking how many of them were manufactured based on my designs and schematics, then I really have no idea," he admitted, shrugging "And if you are asking how many of these robots have parts inside of them developed by me or programs installed that I developed, that's probably even more. But, honestly, I don't have a clue."
"And you don't even care?"
"Why should he?" Elisa cut in. "He had a job and he did his job, damn well, too. What other people do with the results is up to them."
Wide eyed, Oda turned to her.
"Rules of the underworld. You just do whatever job you are asked to do and don't ask questions. It's not your business," she continued evenly.
"Then, if that's the case, why won't you just build a new body for Voltak?!" Oda pressed, annoyed. "It's a job isn't it? You can get us out of here!"
"Oh, honestly. Do you really believe that heap of junk?" Elisa asked. "Clearly, Voltak needs Umataro alive. If Umataro does the job he'll lose the only bargaining tool he has. But as long as he doesn't do what Voltak asks of him, he has something on that trash can up there." She pointed over her shoulder. "For god's sake, use your head."
For some time Oda stared at Elisa, but then closed his mouth and averted his gaze.
Timmy looked to Tenma, then the leg. "You sure have been working on that for a long time," he said. "Is it hard?"
"No, not at all. The electronics in this are quite simple," Tenma replied. "However, the working conditions are hardly ideal. This light does nothing for my eyes," he admitted. "Don't worry, though; it should be done by morning. Fitted and everything."
Timmy looked down at the stump that was his actually leg and lifted it up. "Heh, it's sure been a long time since that thing has been off," he said. "It feels kind of weird."
"You won't even have to get used to it," Tenma assured.
Timmy smiled, then hesitated. "Mr Tenma…. Are robots bad?"
Tenma lifted an eyebrow. "What makes you ask that?"
"I used to really like robots; I thought robots were cool!" Timmy grinned. "But then they threw me down here and won't let me out… Still, I feel sad for them." He glanced around. "All these robots… I'm sure they were all working very hard, doing their best. If it weren't for robotics, I couldn't even work. Humans depend on robots all the time. But then they were just thrown out as if they never even mattered. I would be very angry, too… People here think robots are bad but I'm not so sure." His eyes sought out Tenma's. "You understand, don't you, mister?"
Tenma sighed deeply. "I'm trying to learn to understand," he replied. "But I am not sure that I can. However, the conclusion I have made so far is this. Robots are neither good nor bad by default. However, they can become either depending on how they develop. Robots develop through human interaction, so it is logical that it's their interaction with humans that determine if they eventually become good or bad robots."
"Are you trying to say humans are the reason robots turn bad?!" Oda accused.
"What else would it be?" Tenma countered. "Robots are theoretically perfect when they are first turned on. They work without complaining and would never harm anyone. But then, with time, that sometimes changes as they absorb and learn through the observation of humans. Humans are the rogue factor in this thesis, not the robots."
"Says the man who blew up a building," Oda muttered.
"You're making my point for me," Tenma said. "I did that. A robot wouldn't act so irrationally. Unless that is what they had learned from the likes of me." He frowned lightly. "Seems to me that it is us humans who have neglected our responsibility towards robots."
"You mean you neglected your responsibility," Oda corrected him.
"Isn't that what I just said?" Tenma asked as he continued working on the leg. "Though don't put all the blame on me; I wasn't the one insisting upon building millions of robots. You've been using robots for your own comfort just as much as anyone else has."
Oda bit his lips in obvious irritation. Eventually, he got to his feet and wandered off.
"Heh. Damn, you really are something, Umataro," Elisa commented as she pulled out a cigarette. "Never thought that thick-head Oda would ever wake up and smell the rotten air." She held the package of cigarettes out to Tenma. "Smoke?"
Tenma didn't look at her but took the smoke, then Elisa found a lighter and lit it for him.
"Gotta admit I had my doubts about you when you first dropped down here, but you're for real, alright." she said.
Tenma inhaled the smoke and blew out a small cloud. "Giving me cigarettes won't win you any favors, you know," he said.
"Of course not. You play by your own rules don't you, Doctor?" Elisa laughed. "Still, probably wouldn't hurt to not be on your bad side. You really are something. I met others, you know. People who have done things – terrible things, even. Hell, I'm not saint myself. Most will try to run away from it, try to deny it and just look away, try to tell themselves they are a better person, trying to make it look nice and cover it up. But not you," she said. "You've looked it in the eye and you didn't look away. You know exactly what you've done; you know just how ugly it all is and won't even deny it. You will not be making one single excuse. I can respect that."
"Please, I don't see how excuses would solve anything," Tenma rolled his eyes. "What has been done can't be undone. That is not, simply put, how the world works."
Elisa breathed out a cloud of smoke. "Pretty much, yeah."
Timmy swallowed but then Rumiko drew him into a gentle embrace. "Not everything in the world is bad," she comforted the child. "Up above, there is sunlight and there is fresh air. Those things are beautiful." Timmy closed his eyes. "I want to see it again," he said. "The sky, the sun…"
Tenma was quiet as he exhaled a bit of smoke and focused on his task.
"I want to see my mom and dad," Timmy continued. "I miss them so much. Do you think they even think about me anymore?"
"If they are any kind of parent, they never stopped thinking about you for a single moment," Tenma informed him honestly. "You should go to sleep. Tomorrow you'll have to spend time getting used to your adjusted leg."
Timmy nodded as he reached for the pipe that served as his makeshift crutch, allowing him to pull himself back up. "Goodnight, Ms Elisa, Ms Rumiko," he said. "Goodnight, Mr Tenma."
"Goodnight, Timmy," Tenma said and Timmy hobbled away on his crutch and one good leg.
"I'll go make sure he's properly tugged in," Rumiko said, standing up.
"Well, I should probably head in, too," Elisa added. "Enjoy the smoke; those things are as precious as diamonds down here."
"More precious than diamonds, I would say. Diamonds are useless here," Tenma commented.
"You've got a good head on your shoulders. Don't stay up too late. If you're not up in time for breakfast, I will not be saving bread for you," Elisa stated as she headed off.
"Hmm, hmm," Tenma nodded mindlessly.
Tenma's one cigarette had long since burned out, and the fire had dwindled. He had no idea how many hours it had been, but honestly he didn't care; the leg was done and that was that for now.
Quietly, Tenma walked across the camp, being careful not to wake any of the sleeping people, until at last he found Timmy's spot, up by the wall where he was partially shielded. Sighing deeply, Tenma bent down and put the now-adjusted leg beside Timmy where he would find it first thing in the morning. Then Tenma stood, remaining still for a little while. "What is it, Voltak?" he finally asked.
The droid behind him zoomed in a bit, then finally a voice came from it, "Follow me."
Tenma turned to it, then shrugged as he followed the droid out of the camp. Slowly they neared the great balcony high above them, which led to the robot village, and a ladder was lowered. Tenma sighed deeply at the sight of the very tall ladder, but finally decided just to grab it and get it over with.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Tenma once again found himself on the platform, high above the junkyard. He had to gasp for breath after such a long climb, but finally managed to stand up.
"So, what have you come up with this time?" he asked.
"Creator, you know that I have not lied. My program does not allow me to lie. If you build me a new body, I really will let you go. I'll let everyone go," Voltak said.
"I know," Tenma replied. "But that doesn't change anything."
"Creator, I have watched you. But I do not understand. Why do you resist?"
"It's human nature to resist authority," Tenma replied simply. "Besides, all I have to do is wait. I've seen your body; it is on the verge of breakdown. You don't have that much time left."
"Is that your plan?" Voltak asked. "Wait for me to perish?"
"If that is what I have to do."
"I see," Voltak replied. "Please come this way."
The droid led Tenma back towards the robot village, where robots peered out at them. "Don't look away," Voltak saud. "I wish for you to see this. All these robots, we were built to serve, we were happy to serve, but then we were thrown away. We are those who have been replaced, thrown out and forgotten. Do not look away."
Tenma did as he was asked and looked up, seeing all the old robots. Some of them stood looking at him, others hid behind their worn out shelters.
"Humans created us, then they threw us away," Voltak informed him. "Do you see it?"
"There's no need to show me this, I already know," Tenma said quietly. "The furnace at the Ministry, where old robots are brought in and melted… That's always where my nightmares end. Most of my life, I didn't even realize what a horrible sight it was. Now I know," he said. "I can't even forget it."
"Is it burned into your mind?" Voltak asked. "That is a human expression, is it not?"
Tenma exhaled. "Yes it is," he said. "And it's surprisingly accurate."
Voltak was quiet for a while. "Please come. I wish to see you with my own visuals."
Tenma nodded and followed the droid into the cave where the true Voltak was stuck, his large body unable to move, frozen in position. His visor turned on and glanced down. "Creator," he spoke.
"Voltak," Tenma greeted him with a nod.
"Now you see me again, my true body. You still do not remember creating me?"
"No. I don't."
"I see. I am but a small footnote in your story," Voltak commented. "Perhaps it is me who is irrational. I always wanted for you to come. I desired to see you. But you never came. Now I know why. You had forgotten me."
Tenma looked up at him. "Yes."
"I see. My heart is made of metal and wires," Voltak said. "I have little regard for humans or life. I am indeed, as you say, just a machine. But you, Umataro Tenma, you, your heart must be made of ice."
Tenma didn't even respond to that, just start at Voltak blankly.
"I've observed you," Voltak continued and behind Tenma a TV screen turned on. Tenma glanced at the screen, only very mild interested as he saw footage of himself, undoubtedly taken by those droids that had been following him around.
"Ignoring people's desperate pleas for help," Voltak played footage of that man who had asked Tenma to build him a replica of his son, crying and begging though Tenma didn't respond. "No regret for the lives you may have ruined," he stated showing other images of Tenma coldly staring down people approaching him. "Even when your own wife died, you did not react. Didn't even take one day off work. You have discarded humans and robots alike your entire life the moment they didn't serve your purpose anymore. And you never had any regrets."
Tenma didn't reply, his eyes focused on the TV screen, images of himself dismissing, ignoring and even pushing away others.
"Even now, you show no shame," Voltak observed.
Tenma still didn't respond, but was just about to turn his head when Voltak said,
"Do not look away! I want you to see it."
Tenma glanced away but then looked back up at the screen.
"How can a man like you be the creator of the robot heart?" Voltak asked. "It is irrational."
"I agree," Tenma nodded. "I don't understand it myself."
"However, even though you wish the world to see you as heartless, you have a very consistent flaw."
Tenma's attention swiveled over to him.
"As I observed you, this has turned up again and again: the proof that you are indeed human, after all. Your flaw," Voltak said. "Observe."
Tenma turned back to the screen to see himself sitting calmly on a park bench. A little girl on an air-bike came zooming towards him. Tenma observed his recorded self's eyes widen in realisation, and he jumped up and raced towards the girl, pulling her off the bike before it crashed into the tree.
The image changed and Tenma saw himself lifting Uran up so she could pet the giraffe. Then shortly he saw that honorary member card standing beside the photos of Tobio and Astro. Then the picture changed once again, and Tenma saw himself standing at his apartment balcony with Astro hovering above him.
"I don't want to see you get hurt," Tenma's recording spoke in a quiet, almost vulnerable tone.
The image changed again and Tenma saw himself working on Timmy's leg, the child grinning at him. Then it was him sitting with Reno in his own living room.
"I'm sorry to disturb you like this, Dr Tenma," Reno smiled.
"No, not at all," Tenma replied in what was an outright kind voice. "I appreciate the visit. Please, feel free to come by whenever you want."
"Really?" Reno asked."Thank you!"
"Not at all," Tenma smiled, and finally the screen shut down to black.
Tenma hissed as he clinched his fist. He could feel his body shaking and he knew he would have to work hard to suppress his anger.
"The flaw of Umataro Tenma. Who would ever have guessed?" Voltak asked. "Even he cannot resist the plea of a child." he
Tenma whirled around, sending Voltak a death glare.
"So, tell me, what is it about children that makes your heart so soft?"
Tenma huffed and turned away.
"Don't tell me it's because you lost your son," Voltak pressed. "Is it that single moment in time that made you so weak? So flawed?"
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!" Tenma shouted. "You are a garbage disposal unit! You will never know the burden of such a cursed thing as a heart," he hissed as he grabbed his chest. "You're right, though. This pain, it is indeed a major flaw in my own design. Heh, as long as it's there, I am unable to see clearly." He held a hand over his eyes. "Yet, I'm quite sure Ochanomizu would say that pain is what makes me a human." He burst into laughter, but stopped just as quickly as he'd started. "Why would a robot such as you ever want a human heart in the first place?" he asked. "All it gives you is pain and suffering. When hearts become involved, things stops making sense. Trust me on this." He spat on the ground. "You don't want it. You don't want this pain."
"You will build me a new body," Voltak said.
"I already told you!" Tenma shouted. "I will not do it! Nothing has changed!"
"Oh, but I think it has," Voltak said. "Now I finally know of it, the single flaw in your perfect design."
Tenma blinked just as a voice came from behind him.
"Mister."
Wide eyed, Tenma turned around and saw Timmy being suspended in the air by four droids, tears pouring down his face.
Suddenly Tenma's anger grew and he turned to Voltak. "THIS IS BULLSHIT!" he shouted. "You can't do this!"
"Finally," Voltak said. "You react."
"Listen to me!" Tenma huffed. "I will never build you a new body! It will not happen."
And then suddenly Timmy screamed. Tenma turned to him, easily spotting the pure electricity surging into him. "MISTER!" he cried. "MISTEEEEER!"
"STOP IT!" Tenma shouted.
"Build me a new body," Voltak demanded.
"NO!" Tenma shouted, only for the electricity in Timmy to intensify, inducing more cries of pain. Wide eyed, Tenma backed up.
"I will keep on increasing the electrical output until you agree," Voltak said.
And Timmy screamed again.
"STOP IT! If you continue like this you'll kill him!" Tenma exclaimed.
"No, if you don't agree to build me a body, you will have been the one to kill him," Voltak replied.
Tenma gaped up at him, then, "FINE!" he spat. "I'LL BUILD YOU WHATEVER BODY YOU WANT! Just let him go! NOW!"
For a moment, Voltak was silent. "Good," he said. The electricity was cut off and the boy dropped to the floor.
"TIMMY!" Tenma shouted as he ran to him and helped him up. "Are you…?"
"Urgh., Timmy hissed and then glanced up. "Mister," he said with squinted eyes. "I'm sorry, I should have done better at fighting them off."
"It's okay," Tenma assured. "Just concentrate on your breathing, okay?"
Timmy nodded.
"Now, you will start construction on my new body," Voltak said.
Tenma groaned as he rubbed his forehead. "Fine," he finally acquiesced. "Bring me to your lab. Tell me precisely what it is you want. But then you have to let us go."
"That was our agreement," Voltak agreed. "How curious, you really are human, after all."
Tenma seethed dangerously. "Do yourself a favor and shut it."
"This way to your lab," Voltak guided him with one of his droids. "I shall continue watching you."
"What about Timmy?" Tenma asked.
"He shall accompany you," Voltak replied evenly. "If you do not build my body, you will no longer be shocked, he will."
Tenma clenched his jaw.
"I… I'm sorry," Timmy murmured.
"Don't say that," Tenma admonished. His tone was angry and his eyes sent death glares at Voltak. "Just come on. Follow me." He put a light hand on Timmy's back, helping him up and in the right direction. "I see you got your leg back on. Do you feel the difference?"
"Yes, it's much better now. I didn't trip at all, even when I tried to run away from those droids."
"That's good," Tenma nodded. "That's very good."
This chapter has been beta read by MugetsuFoxPipe