Rox: The chapter of flashbacks lol.

Okay so the reason that Chapter 11 was becoming so long was because of the following segment. Marvin was waffling at length about what happened until I noticed that it was suffering from a severe case of Tell Don't Show and decided to fix that. Unfortunately in doing so, that bulked out the chapter by a huge amount and so I decided to remove it from Chapter 11 and more or less make it its own chapter.

Chapter 12: The Original Cogs

118-7 strolled through the corridors of Sellbot Headquarters. He had checked in with his siblings to reassure them that he was all right. 118-1 had gently reminded him that the Master still wanted to see him.

He had swallowed nervously. "Right. Of course. I suppose I should go do that."

"Do you want us to come with you? Or one of us?"

"No. I. . . I'll be all right this time."

His first stop was the Sellbot Second-in-Command, 717-3's office. He knocked on the door nervously.

"Yes?" 717-3 looked up to see Seven popping his head into the room. "Ah. 118-7. You're back on your feet I see. Come in."

He entered the room.

"If you're looking for the Master, he's not here. We've turned over one of the storage rooms to him for the time being. I can give you directions."

"Yes. . . Please. . . Sir."

717-3 smiled at the anxiety evident in Seven's tone. "Relax, 118-7. The Master is very easy to talk to."

". . . So I hear."

"His office isn't too far from mine. Just go out the door, head right, turn right, turn left and you should see his name on the door on the lefthand side."

"Thank you, sir." He followed the directions as instructed and soon found himself standing outside Mr Marvin Hollywood's office, apprehension rising. He mustered his courage, raised a trembling hand and, shutting his eyes, knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Seven had to take a moment to quell the bolt of anxiety that had shot through him, before entering.

Marvin's face lit up immediately. "Ah! 118-7! Come in!"

The Sellbot shuffled nervously forward.

Marvin smiled gently at him and gestured to the seat that had been placed before his desk. "Take a seat, nephew."

He sat down and tried to relax. It was then that he noticed a strange, red contraption on the Master's desk.

"That's my kettle," he explained. "I like my oil hot you see." Seven blinked. He'd never tried oil that had been heated. "Would you like some?" He nodded wordlessly. Marvin pulled out two cups from one of the desk drawers and poured them both some oil. One of the cups was slid across the table and Seven took it with a "Thank you, Master."

"Now none of that. I've already told you, you're to call me Uncle Marvin."

"Yes. . . Uncle."

There was a moment of silence as they both sipped their oil.

"So, Seven. I hear from 717-3 that you have been quite productive. Striking a deal with a Toon. Very adventurous, nephew."

Seven gulped down a mouthful of oil. "What . . . what did he tell you?"

"That you planned to gain critical information on the Toons by first making a deal with one. They would explain Toons in exchange for information on Cogs and then more when they trusted you. And you didn't choose just any Toon but one that was still in training specifically because they were young and naïve and easier to win over." He smiled. "It was a good plan, nephew."

Seven dropped his gaze into his cup. "Is that all he told you?"

Marvin waved his hand dismissively. "Never mind how it ended, Seven. It sounded just like a plan Benjamin would've thought up."

He looked up sharply. "R-really?"

"Yes, we each had our own strengths. Ben's was being the wiliest and most adventurous of us Sellbots. He would've been proud, I'm sure."

He said nothing, merely sipping his oil in response. Another moment of silence descended before Seven ventured, "What. . . what was he like?"

Marvin sat for a moment in contemplation. "Ben was. . ." he began then trailed off. He stood up, rounded the table and sat back against it. "Perhaps it would be simpler if I just explained everything, nephew. So let me start at the beginning."

Mr Hollywood opened his eyes for the first time. It was a curious sensation, beginning. His eyes focused on the ceiling and he became aware that he was lying down. He sat up and looked around. There was someone else in the room with him. The someone else turned away from whatever they were doing and smiled at him. "Ah! You're awake."

Mr Hollywood could only blink at him in confusion. "Who. . . are you?"

"Gyro Gearloose. I created you."

"And. . . Who am I?"

"You should be able to tell me that yourself."

Mr Hollywood frowned and thought. Information seemed to come to him as if he had always known but hadn't realised. "My designation is Mr Hollywood." Gyro winced at that. "I was created to work for Scrooge McDuck. I am the Senior Vice President of Sales."

Gyro nodded. "That's right. Everything seems to be in working order." He turned away and picked up a book that had been laying nearby. "You need a name. A proper one that is. Take a look through this and find something you like."

Mr Hollywood took the book and flipped through it as instructed. He scrutinised each name closely, sounding it out in his head until he eventually settled on the name Marvin.

"So it's Marvin is it?"

He nodded. "Yes. I like this name. It feels right."

Gyro beamed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Marvin." And held out his hand.

Marvin took his hand and shook it enthusiastically. "And it's a pleasure to meet you, Gyro Gearloose."

"You were the first that Gyro built?"

"That is correct. He built us Sellbots first, to manage sales, then the Cashbots to make money, the Lawbots to uphold the laws of the company and finally the Bossbots to lead. After I was completed, he began work on Evangeline and then the rest of my siblings followed. I was present for each of their awakenings."

Gyro Gearloose ushered the rest of his siblings from the room despite their protests. As Marvin was both the eldest sibling and their leader, he was permitted to stay.

The one designated Telemarketer was lying unconscious on the workbench, as he had once done. After Gyro had completed the finishing touches on his construction and testing he had charged him up and installed the start up sequence onto Telemarketer's harddrive. All it would take now was an initiation from an outside source and then he would be fully functional. Gyro sat down at the computer and ran the initial start up sequence.

There was a whirring sound from Telemarketer's body as his gears began to spin for the first time. Then he was blinking open his eyes, sitting up and glancing curiously around the room until his gaze befell the other two occupants of the room.

Marvin smiled gently. "Hello there, little brother."

He blinked. "H-hello. . ."

"I'm Marvin Hollywood. And this is Gyro Gearloose, our creator."

At that, Gyro held up a hand and said cheerfully. "Hey."

Telemarketer mirrored the gesture before dropping his hand and frowning at the floor. "Then who. . . who am I?"

"Why don't you tell me?" Gyro replied.

He frowned even harder before the information came to him. "I am designated as Telemarketer. I was created for Scrooge McDuck. I am in charge of communications." He looked up hesitantly. "Is. . . is that right?"

Gyro nodded. "That's exactly right."

"And you. You're Marvin Hollywood. You're the Senior Vice President of Sales." Telemarketer got to his feet and stood up straight. "Where should we begin, sir?"

Marvin winced. "Call me Marvin, please. As for where to begin, why don't we start with your name?"

He looked confused. "My-my name? I am Telemarketer."

Marvin and Gyro both sighed. "You need a name," he continued as Gyro reached for the naming book. "A proper name. One that's yours, of your own choosing."

"Look through this and pick out one that you like," Gyro added as he handed Telemarketer the book.

Telemarketer sat back down and gave the book his full attention, making sure to read through all the names before he settled on Benjamin.

"Well then, Benjamin. I think it's time I introduce you to the rest of our siblings."

"In the beginning we were happy to simply fulfil our duty, that being to make money for Scrooge McDuck. But as time wore on, we became more. . . aware of what we were doing and what that was worth. We became more aware of ourselves."

"And that's when you asked for a pay rise?"

"In recognition and reward for our hard work, yes."

"A pay rise?!" Scrooge McDuck scoffed before roaring with laughter. "I think not! Yeh'll doo what yoo wer built fer and no more!" He shook his head in disbelief. "A pay rise indeed. It's a wonder Ah pay yoo at all."

Marvin was nearly vibrating in rage and he was about to speak up, to give voice to his anger when a calming hand was laid on his shoulder. It was Jeremiah.

"Thank you for granting us an audience and listening to our request," the Lawbot said. "We will take our leave now." He then left the room, prompting Marvin, Jasper and Wilson to file out after him, if reluctantly.

Gyro Gearloose was waiting for them outside Scrooge's office. "Judging by your faces I take it that didn't go well."

"It did not," Jeremiah replied matter-of-factly.

"I see." Gyro folded his arms and frowned at each of them. "So what happens now?"

The four exchanged looks. "We're not sure," said Jasper.

"Perhaps we will try again in the future," Wilson suggested.

Marvin just folded his arms and glared angrily at the floor.

"I'll have a word with him," said Gyro.

"You're welcome to try," Jeremiah responded. "But I do not anticipate you receiving a different answer."

Gyro sighed. "I suppose we'll see won't we?"

"Of course Scrooge refused. We were nothing more than machines created for one purpose to him, and so he thought nothing of denying us this simple request. We were outraged. That very night, we all gathered together to discuss what we should do.

Marvin slammed his hands down on one of the desks in outrage. "This is outrageous! We're nothing more than tools to him!"

"Compose yourself, my friend," said Jeremiah as the others exchanged looks of dismay. "You must not allow your anger to get the best of you."

"How can you remain so calm?!" Marvin shot back.

The Lawbot sighed. "I assure you that am just as displeased as you are. But this is a confidential meeting and we must not be discovered. Unnecessary noises will draw attention to ourselves."

Marvin took a breath and exhaled in an attempt to cool down; Jeremiah had a point.

"But Marvin be right," said Morgan Corporate Raider. "We arr jus' machines made to do his biddin' to that Toon."

There were nods and murmurs of agreement.

"What do you propose we do?" asked Aleron Legal Eagle.

"I think," Wilson began. "That it is time we left his service and formed our own company."

They exchanged looks of surprise and interest.

"You really think we can?" asked Daria Number Cruncher.

"Yes. I do," Wilson replied. "It was what we were created for was it not? We already know the basics of running a company so why not use it for own benefit?"

"But where would we go?" asked Elias Double Talker. "Scrooge would never allow us to form a rival company of our own, he'd dismantle us for sure."

"I agree. We cannot remain here. We will have to locate the site of a new office."

"But how will we build it? We don't have the skills for that." said Edna Micromanager.

"Then we'll learn."

"And with what materials?" asked Cedric Tightwad.

"We'll make our own. Or buy them with our own money."

"It sounds like it's going to take a lot of work and commitment," said Jasper. "How are we going to keep this hidden from Scrooge? And Gyro?"

"We will have to do things in our spare time, or during the night, as we are now, when the Toons are asleep."

Jeremiah adjusted his half-moon spectacles. "The plan has promise, so I will give it my vote." He glanced around at the other Cogs. "What say the rest of you? All those in favour raise your hands."

A forest of hands shot up. It was unanimous.

"Excellent," said Wilson with a smile. "Let's get started."

"We decided that we wouldn't just form our own company but our own home. Somewhere safe. And we would create more workers as the company expanded. This was the foundation of Cogs Inc as I'm sure you've already guessed."

Seven nodded wordlessly.

"We identified the skills that would be needed and began learning and teaching ourselves in secret. Eventually we were ready to begin building our first company headquarters, one that would've held all Cog variants and build we did. However what we didn't know was that while Scrooge had thought the matter over and done with, Gyro was still suspicious.

The Cogs collectively jumped when Gyro Gearloose threw open the main door to their offices and stormed in. "I know what you're all planning!" he said angrily.

"What. . . What do you mean?" Jeremiah asked. It was the first time Marvin heard him stutter.

"During Maximilian's maintenance, I noticed something unusual about the amount of data being stored in his harddrive. In that it had increased significantly since I last checked it. So I examined the contents out of curiosity. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that he had been learning new skills and information. More specifically that which would be necessary in the construction of a new office building. And what would he need those skills for I asked myself?"

The Cogs exchanged nervous looks.

"So I programmed him to tell me everything. You are planning to establish your own company but I'm not going let that happen."

Silence met this statement. Then Jasper noticed for the first time that Maximilian Short Change was absent and spoke up. "Wait. Gyro. Where's Max? Where's my brother?"

"I dismantled him. Which is exactly what I'm going to do with all of you."

There were horrified gasps and exchanged looks. Some even got to their feet although what they intended to do next they did not know.

Jasper looked aghast but it was Marvin that spoke. "Gyro, how could you do that? Scrooge thinks of us as nothing more than tools but we're so much more than that. We just want the best for ourselves, to live our own lives and this is the only way. Surely you understand that?"

Gyro's expression faltered for a moment but only for a moment. "I am sorry. But I have had inventions go rogue on me before. I cannot allow that to happen again."

"What do you mean by that?" Wilson demanded.

Gyro said nothing. He simply pulled out a shock pistol and fired it before anyone could react. It hit James Yesman square in the chest. He screamed and spasmed and then collapsed to the ground.

"James!" his siblings yelped in unison.

"Ye scurvy dog!" Morgan roared and hefted a table as Wilson ran to James' unmoving form and scooped him up. The table was then hurled at Gyro with great force. He took the hit and was thrown backwards from the room.

Marvin went to Wilson's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wilson?"

The Bossbot gave him an anguished look. James lay limply in his arms. "He-he won't wake up."

"W-what do we do now?" asked Caleb Flunky.

"We retreat," Jeremiah replied. "Back to our Headquarters." The authority in his voice spurred the others into action. Marvin hauled Wilson to his feet by an elbow.

"Come on, Will."

"You're not going anywhere!" It was Gyro again. He raised his shock pistol once more and fired. Only nothing happened this time. He shook it and bashed it few times against his hand. It made a noise like a falling drop gag and a small spark shot out of the end. "Well shoot."

"Yeh'll go down with the tide ye salty sea bass!" Morgan roared and charged at him.

Gyro wisely ran.

"Quickly, everyone," Jeremiah commanded. "Outside!"

The Cogs hurried out after Morgan and they all made a break for their unfinished Headquarters. Only to find that Gyro had destroyed that too. They gazed at the smoking remains in horror. Some dropped to their knees, others began to cry.

"What now?!" Josiah Spin Doctor demanded of no-one.

Silence. Then Jeremiah spoke once more. "There's only one choice. We cannot remain here. But if we all stay together, that will only increase our chances of discovery."

"So, what are you saying?" Marvin asked calmly, although he already knew what the answer would be.

"We must split up and find new locations for each of our Headquarters. So long as Gyro Gearloose thinks we are all together, we will stand a better chance of remaining undetected for longer."

Marvin closed his eyes and nodded.

"Are there any objections?"

The Cogs exchanged looks but no one spoke up.

Jeremiah nodded. "Then we must all take our leave."

"Where will you go?" asked Jasper.

"The neighbourhood they call the Brrrgh. We do not feel the cold and it will keep the Toons away. And you?"

"Hmm. I was thinking of Donald's Dreamland. It has a certain. . . effect on Toons but not on us. They won't even notice we're there."

"We'll go to Daisy's Gardens," said Marvin. "They'll be too distracted by the bright colours and flowers to look for us."

"Which leaves us," Wilson said with a sigh. "I'm not sure where we should go."

"Minnie's Melodyland?" Emmett Downsizer suggested with a shrug. "The Toons spend all their time singing there."

"Tharr be Donald's Dock," said Morgan.

"Of course you'd suggest that," Chase Head Hunter commented with amusement.

"Arr," he replied. "But them Toons love their fishin'."

"A fair point."

"Perhaps we will go to Donald's Dock," said Wilson. "I recall there being a plot of land beyond it that would make a good building sight for our Headquarters." He glanced at his siblings and they all nodded.

"We're all in agreement then," said Jeremiah.

The Cogs spoke in unison. "We are."

"Then until we can establish communications with each other, this is farewell. I wish you all good fortune in your endeavours."

They bade each other reluctant goodbyes, and then departed.

"Life for us was very hard at first. Our immediate concern was our lack of power. We were fortunate that Gyro had built us to operate without the need to recharge for a number of days, something that we have been unable to replicate. But while we were not in immediate danger from losing power, we still had only days to find a solution. We did not have the means to build our own generator, so we had to find another source of power until we had acquired the tools and materials necessary."

Mr Marvin Hollywood gazed around at his siblings. They were all gathered together at the end of Oak Street. There was an area beyond which they had all agreed would be the ideal site of their future Headquarters. But before they could begin development, they had a more pressing matter to address.

Benjamin Telemarketer was examining his wrist socket while his other siblings were frowning and pondering in deep thought.

"The only thing I can think of is to steal power from the Toons," said Thaw Cold Caller.

"That would be the obvious solution," Evangeline Mingler replied. "Except we have no way to plug into it."

"Then we need to make new plugs," said Nadia Name Dropper.

"Our immediate problem is finding a way to recharge until we can construct our own power source," Marvin reminded them. "Which will also include a way to plug into it."

Nadia went back to rubbing her chin and frowning at the ground.

"We had a charging station in our offices," said Algernon Mover & Shaker.

"Probably destroyed by now," Evangeline pointed out with a sigh.

"But we don't know that for certain. One of us should go and check. I would be happy to volunteer."

Marvin nodded. "I agree. We must investigate all of our options before we close them off. Algernon, I want you to leave as soon as you're ready."

"And try not to get caught," Evangeline added.

"Not to worry, sister dear," Algernon replied with a reassuring smile. "I will be as a shadow." The rest of their siblings bid him good luck and he left.

"Are there any other avenues we can explore?" Marvin asked.

"There is only one other that I can think of," said Benjamin at length. "The workshop of Gyro Gearloose. He should still have all the necessary backup pieces and replacement parts. We will find what we need there."

Marvin nodded. "Yes. You're right. It may even be possible to salvage our charging stations from that location as well."

"I volunteer myself for this mission. If I discover anything else of use that I cannot take with me, I will signal you."

"Someone else should go with you, Ben. Who volunteers?"

"I do," Nadia responded before anyone could speak.

"And I," Thaw added.

"We would all go gladly," said Nigel Glad Hander. "But perhaps it would be sensible to limit this mission to the smallest among us."

"That would be the smart choice," Evangeline agreed.

"And we should wait for Algernon to return from his mission so that we are all on hand should our assistance be required," Spencer Two-Face added.

"After Algernon returned and confirmed Evangeline's suspicions, Benjamin was assigned lead of the mission and was to take Thaw and Nadia with him. As part of this, he gave us all handheld comm devices, the prototypes of the mobile phones we all use today. He had been working on them since the founding of Cogs Inc but as they were still prototypes, they only operated over a short range, requiring us all be in the vicinity for the operation."

Marvin looked up at the sky. Night had fallen giving them the cover of darkness but it was also another reminder of the advancement of time, something they had little of.

The walkie-talkie he had in hand crackled to life and Benjamin's voice came through the speaker. "We've arrived at Gyro's workshop but the lights are still on."

Marvin glanced at his wristwatch and frowned. He should've fallen asleep by now.

"I'm moving in to get a better look." There was a moment of silence. "Confirmed, Gyro is working late on something."

The walkie-talkie crackled again and this time it was Evangeline that spoke. "Should we call this off, Marvin?"

"No," Benjamin replied before he could. "We don't have time. We'll just have to wait till he goes to sleep."

"We could be in for a long wait," said Spencer. "We should withdraw for now."

"I agree with Spencer," said Marvin. "The longer we all stay out here, the greater the risk of being discovered."

"But we need those recharging cables," Benjamin objected. "I'll find somewhere to hide and keep watch. The rest of you can withdraw."

Marvin sighed. "All right, Ben. Nadia, come to where I am, so you can bridge communications. Thaw, come back, the rest of us are pulling out. Notify us when something happens."

"Understood."

It was the best part of an hour before the walkie-talkie crackled again.

"Marvin," said Nadia. "Benjamin says that all the lights in the house have just been turned out. We think Gyro has finally gone to bed."

"Excellent news. We should allow him time to fall asleep, though. Say another hour."

It was half an hour later however before there was activity again. "Marvin! Benjamin says that he just saw movement outside the house!"

"What?!" Marvin and the rest of his siblings exclaimed in unison. "Is it the Toons?" He continued as they gathered around him in concern.

"I-I don't know," Nadia replied.

"Hold on, I'm coming."

"We're coming too," said Evangeline.

"No. Stay here and await my signal. If it is Toons, I'm bringing Ben and Nadia back."

Evangeline sighed and they all reluctantly complied.

Marvin moved as fast he could. His walkie-talkie crackled as he walked and Nadia spoke again. "Benjamin says it's Vladimir."

"What? Is he certain?"

There was a brief moment of silence before she responded. "Yes."

"Tell them to wait till I get in range."

"Okay."

When he caught sight of Nadia, he raised his walkie-talkie and spoke. "Ben? Can you hear me?"

"I hear you, Marvin," he replied.

"Is Vladimir there with you?"

"I am," said Vladimir Bloodsucker.

Marvin smiled. "It's good to hear your voice again, my friend. I trust all is well with your brothers?"

"For now at least. We are all steel in one piece but if we do not solve our recharging problem soon, we will not be functional for long."

"It seems we all had the same idea."

"Do you think our Bossbot and Cashbot friends will be appearing as well?" Nadia asked.

"I wonder that myself."

"Should we wait?" asked Benjamin.

"Yes, I think that best. At the very least I'd expect-" he was interrupted by Vladimir suddenly speaking up.

"Look! Benjamin! Eet ees Edna and Dexter."

Edna's voice could be heard, although faintly. "Hello there, friends."

"Hello, Edna," Benjamin and Vladimir replied.

"I see we all arrived at the same conclusion," Dexter Pencil Pusher remarked.

"Marvin was just saying that," Benjamin responded.

"If that's the case then I'd imagine we can expect a Cashbot or two appear as well," said Edna. "We should probably wait for them."

"Edna. Dexter. What became of James?" Silence met this statement. Marvin closed his eyes. "I see. Please convey my condolences to your brothers."

"And ours," Vladimir added.

"We will. Thank you," Edna replied although it was so quiet that it was nearly inaudible.

"There is a possibility that he may be saved but right now we don't have the means," Dexter added.

"Let's hope so," Benjamin murmured.

"Look," said Vladimir, breaking the silence that followed. "'Ere comes Ed-mond."

"Fancy meeting you here," came Edmund Penny Pincher's amused voice through the walkie-talkie.

Marvin heaved a sigh. "Edmund. And Edna and Dexter. We'd all understand if you had certain. . . intentions in mind during this mission. But your priority should be finding a solution to our common problem."

"We know," the three replied. "Jasper said as much," Edmund added. "But he also said we should sabotage Gyro's workshop and inventions if we were able to. If he's planning to pursue us, that should delay him."

Marvin nodded. "That's a good plan."

"Marvin, they've tarried long enough," Nadia reminded him. "They should get on with the mission."

"Yes. They should. Ben, we'll maintain radio silence from here out. Call us if you need us."

"Will do, Marvin."

"And all of you?"

"Yes?" they all replied.

"Return home safely, you hear?"

"We will, Marvin, don't worry," Benjamin assured him.

"Ben and the others were able to retrieve our recharging cables from Gyro's workshop as well as sabotage his work. With our power problem solved, we were then able to begin work on our Headquarters and, after we were able to establish communication with the other Cogs, our company, Cogs Inc. And the rest as they say is history."

"I see. . ." Seven said nodding slowly before quietly sipping his oil. He still wasn't sure what his father would think of him but knew one thing for certain; that Benjamin was a far more courageous Cog than he. "And. . . what happened to him?"

Marvin hung his head. "We lost him to the Corruption. A failsafe measure installed by Gyro in the event that we rebelled. For the most part we found a way around it but not before Benjamin and others succumbed."

"Do you think Gyro could undo it?"

"I'm sure he could but since we're enemies, he would have no reason to."

". . . What if we weren't?" he asked cautiously.

Marvin blinked and frowned. "Make peace you mean? With Gyro? He's a Toon. They've made it very clear that peace between us is not an option."

"But what if it wasn't them?"

Marvin's frown deepened. "You have reason to suspect it's someone else? Who?"

"I don't. But. We don't know for certain that it is the Toons. No-one has claimed responsibility and we haven't intercepted any internal communication that supports this, either."

The Sellbot Master blinked twice. "You make a good point. But if not the Toons, then who else could it be? Surely not one of us?"

". . . I don't know."

Marvin hung his head again and sighed. "Well whoever it is, I have full confidence that Jeremiah will find out. In the meantime, nephew, we should both get back to work."

Seven nodded, gulped down the rest of the oil, placed the empty cup down on the table and stood up. "Before I go, I wanted to ask, is the VP all right?"

"He is better for being well rested at least."

"Do you think I should. . . go talk to him?"

He smiled. "I'm sure he'd appreciate that." He pulled out a pen from his breast pocket and quickly scribbled down a number on a notelet. "Here. This is 102-3's number. Your other cousin. You should talk to him as well when you get the time."

"Thank you, Ma-uh-Uncle."

"And don't forget, Seven. If you ever need to come talk to me, my office is always open."

118-7 went straight to the Vice President's room, instead of his office. He had no qualms or hesitations about knocking on the door and he did so twice.

The VP's tired voice responded, "Come in?" and it pained Seven to hear the hurt still lacing his tone. "Ah, Seven," he said when the Telemarketer popped his head in. "Are you here to check up on me?"

"I hope I'm not disturbing you, sir."

The VP smiled weakly. "Not at all. I have been receiving well-wishers all day. It's helped me feel a lot better."

"We are all concerned for your wellbeing, sir."

"I know," he replied with warmth.

"So, how are you holding up, sir?"

He heaved a heavy sigh and his head flopped back onto his arms. "It's so hard. I've known them both for as long as they've been online and now. . . they're gone. And I'm never going to see them again." He dropped his gaze into his hands. "I still miss them."

Seven crossed over to the much larger Cog and patted his treadguard gently. "You've always given all us time to heal from our losses, sir. So please. Take all the time you need to heal from yours."

The VP smiled a little brighter at that. "Thank you, Seven. I promise all of you that I will."

Seven smiled back for a moment. Then it vanished and he dropped his gaze to the floor. "There was one other thing I wanted to ask, sir."

"What is it?"

"Did. . . did you know? About . . . who I really was?"

"That you're Uncle Benjamin's son? Of course. I've known since your construction, Seven. But the decision was made, long before I came online, to withhold this information from all Children until they became third variant Cogs. It was deemed that this would be when they would be ready to know the truth. So much as I would've liked to have told you we were cousins, I could not."

"Is-. . . is that why you gave my plan such attention?"

The VP smiled weakly as he patted Seven on the head. "A little favouritism doesn't hurt. Besides, I thought your plan was actually a good one."

"So. . . we're cousins. . . But. . . What does that mean?"

"Easy there, Seven. That may be true, but I'm still your boss."

Seven smiled. "Yes, sir."

"And I appreciate you taking the time to stop by to see how I'm doing. But you'd better get back to work."

"Of course, sir." A full batch of Cold Callers was waiting, nervously, outside the doors and they jumped and huddled together in fright when Seven stepped out. He smiled gently at them and then turned back to Vice President. "Some more well-wishers are here for you, sir."

"Send them in."

Techno Gearloose pulled his backpack onto his back and headed outside the school to his usual pick up spot. His cousin Newton was being picked up by his mother today and so was not waiting at the usual spot for him. Neither was Amanda. He frowned and checked his watch. She was running late it seemed. The young Toon suddenly noticed that someone else was waiting for him instead. She smiled at him and beckoned him over and he hurried to comply. "Hello, Miss Paw? How can I help you?" Then he frowned. "Uh, why are you wearing a Bossbot Suit?" He looked up. "And are you taller?"

'Miss Paw' chuckled. "Actually, my name is Ursula Cheese." Techno's eyes widened. "And I'm here to bring you in."

The rooster Toon swallowed, heart now hammering in his chest. "B-but. . . you can't. I'm still a minor."

"Oh, that's all right. We want to question your father too. I'm just taking you in first as bait."

He barely had time to react before she seized him by the front of his shirt and effortlessly lifting him, flung him over one shoulder. Techno began to shout for help and attempt to struggle out of her grip to no avail. Paying him no mind, she pulled out her mobile and speed-dialled a number with her thumb. "I'm ready for pick up."

A crowd of Toons had begun to assemble around them. They had angry looks on their faces but were hesitant to act. Ursula put her mobile away and withdrew her hand, claws unsheathed. She brandished them warningly at the crowd. "Not another step Toons. I'd hate to have a reason to use these on you."

Their looks of anger were swiftly replaced by fear. The ones at the forefront of the crowd trampled on the toes of the ones behind them in their haste to put distance between themselves and the sudden appearance of Ursula's claws.

A small group of them was suddenly parted by a tan hen Toon in a baby blue dress. "Hey! What are you doing with my son?" she demanded.

"Ah, Mrs Gearloose," the hybrid sneered. "Please tell your husband we await his arrival at Lawbot Headquarters."

As if that was a cue, the Lawbot Second-in-Command, 159-2 descended from the sky. Ursula threw Techno at him. He caught the Toon and tucked him under one arm.

"Techno!" Amanda Gearloose cried and run forward. Straight into Ursula. She yelped as the hybrid seized her arms roughly.

"Now, now," she shoved the hen Toon back into the crowd. Three of them quickly stepped forward to catch her fall. "Remember what I just told you." She stepped back and was swept up smoothly into 159-2's other arm. His propellors roared to life and they ascended into the sky.

Techno struggled in the Lawbot's grip looking terrified. "Moooooom," he called reaching out a hand to her.

"It'll be okay, baby," Amanda called back, mirroring his gesture. "We'll sort this out."

The young Toon whimpered and nodded then shut his eyes tight so he couldn't see the ground moving away.

She watched them until they were out of sight, then whipped out a blackhole and warped home to inform her husband.