Whatever Happened... to Robot Jones? Continued

Chapter 32: The Most Abused Cog

"Denny Yogman?"

The shorter, squatter Yogman peered up from his corner of the tabletop, only to glare into the eyes of his nemesis; his social-and for all intensive purposes, mortal-enemy.

Two years ago, just the sight of one of the Yogmans would send Robot's body into defense mode, claws flying to his bulb to protect them from greedy, unwashed hands. But this wasn't the case anymore. Only slightly taller, with his bulb making up most of the difference, the automaton could pose intimidation over the singular brother if he wanted to, even without busting out his lasers (not that he could. They were controlled by his emotions anyway.) But it wasn't in Robot's nature to bully himself into winning an argument, especially if he had a much more powerful intellectual argument to make.

It was only two days ago that Robot had come home to make the painful discovery of Grampz's departure. With no other unit to go to about Isaac, Davvy and Phillips, Robot had had to mull over who to go to now. He knew from the moment yesterday that he told Crystal about the Yogmans that he was going to regret it. But they were the only technically-competent humans Robot could think to make something out of this information. Mr. Mitchell was the other possibility, but being the adult he was, and being a part time counselor now, he'd be obligated to tell the authorities about this. And Robot grimaced at the thought of the police getting involved in this.

The only thing that could challenge a plan for a robotic rebellion was a plan for a rebellion, starting with the enslavement of a robot-that being himself. Robot's bullies were the last humans he wanted any help from, but they were also the only ones who might have any idea what Isaac and the robots were planning to do, and how to squash it before it happened.

Robot would have cast a shadow over the devo-hat sporting boy, if the lights were on.

In the far back of the chemistry lab-the same one Clara's father had paid to rebuild-Denny had made himself comfortable in the darkened classroom, with his scientific supplies surrounding him as he worked with a bunsen burner. Aside from the flame it produced, strapped to Denny's head was a small headlamp-the only other source of light in the room, and his work light. Even a C-average student could figure that he had not turned on the classroom light to avoid being spotted.

The automaton wouldn't bother asking how Denny had got himself into a locked classroom that wasn't scheduled to be used for five more hours. The Yogman's had never bothered to adhere to the rules as to where and where they were not allowed on campus, or in the school-particularly the air vents. And these days, respect for locks at the school was at an all time low-even the Ghost Writer who'd broken into The Gab's storage room to steal a typewriter didn't give a care. As it was, Denny had left the room unlocked for when he exited, and Robot had not needed to noisily break the lock off in order to get the room.

The Yogman gave Robot the acknowledgement of eye contact before resuming his work, as if he was still all alone. Given his history with the Yogman's as a pair, this was a fairly mild reaction to Robot's unbenounced arrival. Still, Robot was expected at least a verbal acknowledgement, even if it involved the phrase "get lost!" or the exchange of some cuss words that would get them both sent to detention.

"Listen," Robot sighed, "I am aware that I am probably the last individual you would imagine sharing a frank conversation with. However, given the time that has elapsed between our last unpleasant run in and now, I beseech you to consider the possibility of perhaps... giving me some advice."

With a jolt, Denny lowered his wrench. Clutched in the tool's teeth was a piece of metal with some wires. Robot wasn't positive, but it appeared the human had been trying to solder some sort of little circuit board. Could it belong to another amateur robot he had been trying to build? Whatever it was, using the bunsen burner as a torch was... awfully clever. Especially given that welding torches were difficult for minors to attain. Robot supposed the Yogman's didn't earn their genius titles for nothing.