The Marvellous Machinist of Os (A Wizard of Oz Retelling)

The Marvellous Machinist of Os

The weather vane on top of the barn squeaked as it suddenly changed direction accompanied by ominous rumbles. Daphne Gale glanced up at the darkening sky. She had been so focused on her chores that the storm had snuck up on her. Aunt Emily called for her to come inside. Daphne headed towards the house when a green light flashed out the corner of her eye. Daphne turned in time to see a second fork of lightning hit the ground just outside the property, entranced by its strange green colour. The hair on her arms stood up in the electrically charged atmosphere, but she did not notice. Her aunt called her again. Daphne pulled her gaze away from the peculiar sight. No sooner had she turned her back, the green lightning struck her. Aunt Emily screamed, her face a mask of horror. A second later only a scorch mark on the dusty ground remained.

... .- .-.. .. -. -.. .-

Daphne awoke with a feeling that every nerve in her body was alive with electrical current. With a groan she sat up and rubbed her forehead. The storm seemed to have passed. "Are you alright miss?" A stout man asked, studying her cautiously. Daphne gasped as she saw half of his face revealed a mess of wires and cogs. A short woman stood beside him with one arm dangling from its' socket held there by wires. Another woman with part of her chest exposing a mangled nest of wires appeared next to her. Quickly Daphne was encircled by a mass of mechanically deformed, short men and women. "You're frightening her," a woman in a green pulsing dress berated, ushering the nightmarish figures back. "Who are you?" The woman queried offering her hand, which Daphne accepted as she gave her name.
"Where am I?" Daphne asked glancing around at her unfamiliar surroundings. The sun shone brightly on tiny houses and plants that glinted as if they were made of metal. "You're in Os, in the Kinnichum province to be precise." Daphne slowly nodded deciding the woman was insane. Daphne paled as her eye caught on the charred remains of a woman lying near her. "Don't worry about her. You did the world a favour killing her. Evil witch, it'll take me years to undo all the damage she's done," the woman responded melancholily running a hand down the man with the damaged face's cheek.
"She did that?" Daphne gestured to the man's mangled face, repulsed.
"Yes, Emoura loved to take parts from the people of Os. Harming them seemed to fill her with joy," the woman explained bitterly.
"Parts? Like automatons?" Daphne puzzled. The woman shot her an unimpressed look.
"Crudely speaking, yes. Everyone here is created by the Machinist of Os," Daphne studied the strange mechanical creatures with renewed curiosity. Had it not been for the exposed parts, Daphne would have sworn they were human. She glanced at the charred remains beside her but the woman blocked her view of the body. "Emoura's different, she was human like myself. We're what are called repairies, humans who can harness technological power." The woman demonstrated by causing tiny sparks to flicker above her fingertips. Daphne's eyes widened. Her uncle would love this strange land of Os. Her heart sunk at the thought of her caregivers, and how worried they would be after her sudden disappearance. "Can you send me home?" Daphne asked quietly. The woman gave her a sympathetic smile.
"I'm afraid that is beyond my abilities dear." Tears welled in Daphne's eyes. "But the Machinist could help," the woman added. Daphne looked up at the woman hopefully. "He lives in the E-City. Tell him Salinda sent you."
"Where is the E-City?" Daphne asked looking around.
"Follow the highway, you can't miss it. Oh, and one more thing." Salinda snapped her fingers and a pair of metallic fingerless gloves vanished from Emoura's corpse and appeared on Daphne's hands. Unnervingly the gloves fitted her perfectly. "These will protect you if Welpha decides to avenge her sister's death," Salinda explained before guiding Daphne to the highway. Daphne thanked Salinda and headed towards the E-city.

--- .--. . .-. .- - .. -. --. / ... -.-- ... - . --

She had not gone far before she heard someone crying out for help then mumbling incomprehensible words before crying for help again. Despite her desire to return home, Daphne stopped and headed in the direction of the voice. In a field, crudely tied to a small post, was man lying in a heap. Kneeling down beside the man, she quickly freed him from the post. The man looked up at her. His skin, if it was skin, was stretched thinly across his face, bulging as tiny cogs and gears shifted beneath it. The man thanked her. She asked him what had happened. "I was attacked by someone and then they tied me up here," the man explained. Daphne introduced herself. "I'm Sc... Air... I don't remember," the man responded looking away ashamed. Daphne frowned and asked how he could not know his name. The man uncoordinatedly gestured towards his head. "They stole my memory and processing chips," the man explained before babbling something incomprehensible. "Well how about I just call you Sc-air for now?" Daphne offered sensing how distressed the man was. Sc-air approved. "Maybe someone could replace your missing chips, I guess you wouldn't have your memories but at least you'll be functioning normally," Daphne suggested. She clicked her fingers as an idea popped into her head. "Why don't you come with me to see the Machinist. I'm sure he'll be able to help you." Sc-air's eyes lit up and he nodded vigorously. Daphne helped him to his feet. He was surprisingly tall and gaunt. Daphne imagined he would probably be quite a pleasant looking gentleman if he had not been left to rust in a field. Accompanied by Sc-air, Daphne continued toward the E-City.