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For Atom's birthday here is a story based on a video that Tezuka Productions posted on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enNX9iVCrvU
A description of this clip describes it as taking place 200 years in future from Atom's time when robots have become mankind's enemy. The dark mood of the film reminded me of a cross between the Matrix and Terminator movies. I distilled the basic premise from what little of the film that had been posted online, and developed my own story around it.
Due to its length, this story is posted in two parts....
A constant slow rain fell from the perpetually dark skies upon the quiet streets of the former Metro City megapolis. The occasional flash of lightning and the search lamps of the sky patrols was the only light reaching the ground. Few humans dared to sneak through the long abandoned city to scavenge, least they be caught by the machine patrols.
Human civilization, which once occupied and ruled the city in great numbers now hid in the shadows. Those that had escaped from the robot overlords hunkered out deep underground in the bunkers that had been built for shelter against possible nuclear attack when mankind was his own worst enemy. Most of the human race however, now served as slaves for their own creations, the thinking machines that had taken over during the time of chaos. Forced human laborers worked in the mines to recover the minerals that the machines needed to keep their kind running. In return for their harsh labor, the robots fed their slaves, though it was a sorry existence.
It had been years since anyone had seen the sun. The runaway global warming caused by mankind's release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere during centuries of industrialization had shifted the climate. Ocean currents reversed directions causing violent storms driving tsunami force waves into the coastal cities. Nuclear power plants melted down releasing clouds of radioactive debris high into the atmosphere where they remained as dark clouds, blocking out the sun's light. A kind of 'nuclear winter' set in, with rain falling continuously in the middle latitudes.
Outside of the heart of the former Metro City, burrowed beneath a former JR rail tunnel, one small band of humans hid from the machines. Their small group of families had been in contact with several other such groups scattered throughout the main island of the once great nation, plotting to overthrow their tormentors. Two such groups were now close to finishing a weapon that would render all of the thinking machines inert. Since radio communication was both spotty and dangerous, they had to make use of their children as 'runners' to deliver messages between the pockets of refugees. It was hazardous work, but the pre-teenagers were small, fast, and clever. They had managed to outwit the robot patrols without being captured thus far....
Tobias entered the habitat through the concealed tunnel. After peeling off his backpack and removing the outer layer of protective clothing he made his way into the communal dwelling where he found his younger brothers playing cards with their grandfather. Leon dropped his hand onto the floor and ran towards his older brother the moment he saw Tobias enter the area.
You're back! Leon smiled, launching himself into a bear hug around the older boy's waist. Did you see him? he asked.
Yeah was he there? Drew asked.
I did. Tobias nodded. He was standing there in that glass tube just as Gramps described him.
Dr. Elson stood in the doorway and cleared his throat loudly. Did you deliver the information, son?
Yes Dad, Tobias replied. I didn't have any problems, the robot patrols were looking elsewhere, just as our intel suggested. Tobias opened his shirt and removed a large envelope that he had hidden beneath it. I was given the results of the research that the MOS group had compiled. Here it is.
Dr. Elson took the parcel from his son and carefully tore it open. He removed a stack of papers and quickly thumbed through them and gave a sigh of relief. Thank's Toby, the scientist said. I've got to study these carefully, I'll be busy until morning with this I'm afraid.
Sure Dad, the three boys waved as their father headed off.
Tell me the story again, Gramps! Leon said, Now that I know it's true!
OK then, the old man said squatting down into a sitting position on the floor. Sit down next to me and I'll repeat the history.
The brothers and their grandfather sat on the floor in a circle around the plasma heater that provided warmth and light to the otherwise dank room. Leon coughed, his skin color turning blueish. He quickly fumbled though his pocket, finding the inhaler that he kept handy to treat his asthma. He held the mask up to his face, covering his mouth and nose, and took a slow deep breath. The color returned to his face and he was breathing normally again. Sorry Gramps, he said. My breathing acts up when I get excited.
The old man started to tell his story, often using movements of his hands to punctuate it. Robots weren't always our enemies, Grandpa Elson began, and they didn't look like the weapons of destruction like the ones that are constantly trying to wipe us out. You know that we humans invented robots, they weren't created by some fluke of an accident, or by invading aliens from space. Robots were everywhere, almost everyone owned at least one of them. They were our friends and trusted servants. Of course, in the beginning most people were afraid of them, but for different reasons than today. People saw them as a new kind of technology that seemed out of place, like automobiles once were.
What's an automobile, Gramps? Leon asked.
A machine used for getting from one place to another on wheels, Gramps replied. I forgot, you've never seen one of those, I'll have to show you some pictures, if I can find them. Anyway, one day somebody made a robot in the form of a small child. This robot was given a heart, and he only wanted to be accepted by people. His name was Atomu, and thanks to him people and robots found a way to get along.
You still telling the kids your fairy tales, dad?
Ellen Elson walked into the room and looked down at her two boys and her dad. Besides it's their bedtime now.
But Mom! Tobias wined, I saw him! Atomu was in the old museum, just like Gramps said he'd be!
Your father told you to keep out of that part of the old city, Ellen said sternly, you knew it was dangerous!
I was safe, the elder boy replied, We knew that the machines were patrolling elsewhere, they took the bait that the MOS people planted and they were concentrated elsewhere. I never saw a single robot!
I'm glad for that, Mrs. Elson countered, but you were still taking a big risk. The old city is usually crawling with patrol 'bots. Now no more arguing, you two get to sleep! We'll talk some more tomorrow!
OK mom, Tobias gave in. He and his brother bid goodnight to Gramps and left the room.
Dad? Ellen said, tapping her foot on the ground.
I only told them the truth, Ellen, the old man said. My father was there when it all started, you know.
So you've told me many thousand times, Mrs. Elson sighed. Well the kids enjoy your tall tales. I just hope that they understand the difference between reality and fantasy.
It's not fantasy, daughter, Elson senior said sternly, Nostalgia perhaps, but it's all very real.
Whatever. Ellen sighed. Get to bed, Dad, you need your sleep too.
Dr. Elson came to bed long after the rest of the family had retired. Ellen was already asleep, but she awoke and turned toward her husband as soon as the man lay down next to her. Thought you said you'd be up all night, she cooed.
I've digested enough of the information, he sighed. We're almost there. Our friends in the MOS camp think they know how to disable all of the machines at once. They need the device that we found last month to complete their contraption. I'm going to have to send one of the boy's out again real soon.
Leon woke up in the middle of the night, and was unable to fall back to sleep. He walked past his parents bedroom, heading for the dining area to get himself a glass of water. On his way back, he heard his father talking. It should be my turn to go, Leon thought to himself. I've never been out in the city, but Tobias has told me all I need to know.
The family gathered for their morning meal. Ellen poured the hot tea into the six slightly cracked cups. Grandpa Elson drank his slowly, taking sips between bites of stale toast. Tobias, Leon, and Drew drank theirs more quickly, and then asked for seconds. Dr. Elson entered the dining area holding a small device in his hands. Is that the gizmo we found in the old sector? Drew asked.
Yes, their father replied. The MOS camp identified it from the description you brought them, Toby. They need it to complete their weapon. I'm going to have to ask one of you to go out again real soon.
I guess it's my turn then, Drew said. I'm ready.
I want to go! Leon demanded. I've never been outside, and I'm old enough now!
You can't go, Leon! Tobias jumped out. Remember, you're sick.
I'm OK as long as I have this! Leon replied, holding his inhaler.
I'm sorry, son. Dr. Elson said. This is too important to trust it to someone who's never been outside before. Another time, perhaps.
Leon watched his father carefully wrap the device up in a soft cloth, and then put that into a small box, which he left on the table.
With the meal completed, the family left the dining area. Dr. Elson stopped Drew and spoke to him in a low voice. You'll go out after dark and deliver this box to the MOS camp. Take the new route, we think the machines may be wise to us and have returned to watching the city route.
Leon had made up his mind. He found the maps that Tobias had drawn showing the routes through the old city with the location of the MOS camp's hiding spot. His brother had marked the map with the location of the museum that Gramps had told them about. Drew was resting in his room before his scheduled departure to deliver the package that was still sitting on the table in the dining area.
Leon packed an extra inhaler into his back pack. He carefully filled the canvas pack with bars of concentrated food substance, water bottles, and several flashlights. Sneaking into his brother's room, he found the communication device that they used to contact the MOS camp. Leon then took the box his father had packed and put it into the backpack.
He made his way down the exit tunnel and peered out though the periscope. Darkness had already begun to fall outside. Carefully, he opened the door and headed out. He'd make the delivery, it was his turn.
Dr. Elson looked at the clock, it was time. He found Drew packing for the trip. Remember what I told you, keep out of the city we think the machines are watching it again.
Right Dad, Drew nodded. Do you have the box?
Didn't you already pack it? his father asked.
No, not yet. Drew replied.
It's missing from the table where I left it for you, Dr. Elson said.
Ellen Elson stuck her head into the room, have either of you seen Leon? she asked. I just noticed that he's doesn't seem to be underfoot for a change.
Dr. Elson and Drew looked at each other. You don't think? Drew asked.
I hope not, the man said in a worried voice. He doesn't know which route to take.
What's going on? Ellen asked.
I think Leon may have grabbed the package and set out to deliver it himself, Dr. Elson told his wife. He told me he wanted to make this run, and I refused to let him go.