Entwined

Can you fix it?”

“Why would I do that?”

“I’m sure there is something you can do. You’re the best at fixing these high tech.”

“I would like to… but I’m not sure if it will be a good thing.”

“What do you mean?”

The woman rubbed the sweat off her forehead and put down the small hand drill. She was currently refining a refrigerator.

“You are holding a system. The ones that might have wiped out humanity. Scientists created them and then tossed them when they became… corrupted.”

“Corrupted?”

The scavenger dropped the disk he was holding and looked at the woman with wide eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I thought you knew what it was-“

“Don’t give me that. You know that you are one of the few people that can identify those machines.”

“You’re right… I wanted to see your reaction. It was quite amusing.” The woman smirked.

“Okay. There. You had your laugh. Just give me some coin for the spare parts. That will be enough.”

The woman pulled out a large silver coin from her pocket. She offered it to the scavenger and he bit it to make sure it was authentic.

“Hm the perks of trading with a mad scientist is that the coin is aplenty. Surprising you can create things with just one hand.” He gave a sly smile.

The woman raised her hand drill and shooed him away. She was prepared to continue her project when she suddenly felt the sensation that something was watching her.

Disregarding this, the woman returned to her work.

***

After a few hours the woman finished the refrigerator and put a few bottles of water inside.

“There… now to test it. How long will it keep the drinks cold for?”

The woman glanced at her work table and sighed as soon as seen the long list of projects. As the only ‘mad scientist’ for miles around, the human villages were desperate to have her build them tools to help keep their village alive.

Of course… she didn’t have an option. She had to create for them or else… the woman looked down at her missing left arm and sighed.

It was a dangerous world. A strange planet.

Once their spaceship crashed into this place, the people became separated into two groups. Scientists and Scavengers. The scavengers looked for anything useful and brought it to the scientist to make something productive of it. A scientist, a good scientist, required one thing. Knowledge.

Not everyone knew about complex processes of biological life or knew basic chemical reactions. Still, it was a learning process and it was important to be mindful of how use knowledge.

This female scientist decided to inspect a few of the scavenged parts. It was better than looking back at how humans changed. She analyzed their contents and estimated the best use for each item. Once she seen the robot, its metal disk to be exact, the scientist sighed inwardly.

“The robot was made in the image of human perfection. This one is no exception…”

She picked up the metal disk and tapped it lightly. Her finger slid down the smooth surface.

“…what to do with you? There’s not many spare parts here. These are custom made wires and screws. I’ll just have to wait and see how to achieve maximum efficiency.”

She plopped the disk on the shelf near her working table and began making a portable heater. It was cold on this planet and not too many trees were available for burning. By making portable heaters for the villages, many families could stay warm and comfortable in their huts.

Perhaps it would be interesting to build a robot. It would be helpful to making basic equipment. It could lift equipment for her. If programmed correctly, it might be able to compute complex functions for her harder projects…

The scientist shook her head quickly.

“That’s a dangerous thought.” She muttered to herself.

Robots started off innocently as a young rabbit… Then they mutated into a rabid animal that no one was able to control.

Creating a robot would be… dangerous.

As a result, the scientist killed the idea.

Unfortunately, she began a to think of too many experiments and projects that could have been successful with the aid of a robot. Especially, a strong robot.

So began a battle.

To build or not to build. The scientist rebelled against the opportunity of creating some disastrous force, but would lie down and dream of a better future with a high speed machine.

One morning, the scientist woke up and went directly to the hard disk laid peacefully on the bookshelf.

Narrowing her eyes, the scientist tried to find a rational explanation for her sudden impulse to see it, but found no answer.

She was drawn to it. The curiosity. The unknown.

At last, the scientist gave into her desire and began to build a robot in her own vision.

***

After a few months, the scientist completed her robot.

“Your name is Penny. I’ve created your vessel. Please, tell me your codes.”

The copper coated robot tilted her head slowly and gave a small nod.

“I am Penny. You have created my vessel. My code is specialized to lift and carry heavy objects. I can also calculate functions.”

“Excellent. Your first task is to move this box of metal scrap to the corner.”

“Directive acquired.”

The robot completed the task and continued to work without any further complications.

However, one morning the robot asked a question.

“How did you lose your arm?”

The scientist set down her drill and gave no answer.

“Master? Did you hear me?”

The scientist sighed and shook her head.

“I am not your master. I am a scientist.”

“But you have created me. Therefore you are my master.”

“No. You have miscalculated.”

“…”

“Masters own there people like pets. You are not a pet. You are a robot. You are not a simple tool. You have intelligence.”

The scientist picked her drill and continued working. The robot was not satisfied with the answer.

“I do not understand… why elevate the status of a robot? I am in many ways your companion. I obey your words. You are my master-“

The scientist was going to rebuff the statement but was interrupted. Uninvited guests had arrived.

***

The robot hid away as she had been instructed to do by the scientist. She watched from a safe position.

Men with scars and stern faces arrived. One had black paint over his face in the design of three thick lines across his nose.

“Keeping busy scientist? You seem to have many tasks today.”

“…”

“Now don’t be unfriendly. I’m rather fond of you. It would be a pity to lose your brilliant mind.”

“What do you want me to make this time master Alden?”

He smiled.

“Good. You remember your place. Your pathetic life is in my hands! I am looking forward to a new bath of light motors.”

“I don’t have the materials-“

Master Alden shrugged casually.

“You know how this goes, scientist. You give me what I want and I spare your life. I’ll give you three days because I’m gonna be generous.”

The men all left and the scientist sighed in frustration. She began working on the light motors.

Meanwhile the robot was too alarmed to step out of the shadows.

All this time she called the scientist a master. She called her a terrible name. Even so, the scientist did not behave like one at all. In way the scientist gave her freedom to speak even if she was wrong.

“I’m sorry.” Said the robot suddenly.

“It’s not your doing.” Said the scientist, “you didn’t know.”

“They took your arm, didn’t they? I saw how nervous you were.”

“…yes.” Said the scientist quietly.

“…”

The scientist set down her drill and touched her arm.

“I have no one. No family. No friends. I was cast out from the other villages because they feared I would harm them… of course they still come to me for tools. I have no protection so clans easily threaten me for weapons… I have many enemies.”

Looking at her table the scientist smiled.

“Despite all this, I have created you. You know… robots were made in the image of humans and before I knew it I had already made you into my daughter. Should I perish, then I can be satisfied that I have made you out of my love.”

The scientist picked up her drill and returned to her work.

***

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