Uncertain Heart [Open]

[upupatomway]

Soldiers take stock of weapons and ammunition, mechanics are in and out of the armor workshop, all in anticipation of the movement on Vindess that leaders are discussing. Atom had finished reading another magic book and in practice at the target range, he leaves targets quickly fried to a crisp by electricity. He had faced monsters here, he had faced other monsters and robots at home. Logically, he is ready to join the battle.

He had never attacked a human though. At home, it was against the law for a robot to seriously harm or kill a human, even in self-defense. He had always been under the watchful eye of the public as a representative of the robot race, and labeled a hero after saving people from accidents. He delayed the bad humans until the police arrived. There are definitely parallels between the slavery in the Empire and the slavery of robots, but this is a different world with different rules, and he is aware of what participating in battle might mean.

He isn't sure what the right thing to do is.

He decides to seek out someone who might have more battle experience to give him perspective. The Vault has a few possible candidates, but he also makes a point of visiting Flotsam where there are warriors abound. Atom approaches an individual at lunchtime, with a drink or food in hand to offer them.

"Excuse me. Do you have some time to have lunch and talk? I might be assigned to the front in the next battle, and I could use some advice from someone more experienced facing the Imperials." He asks politely.

Comments

[upupatomway]

Atom smiles, not as brightly as usual, but he gives an assuring nod. "Yes. International law now establishes that we are people instead of property. Most countries follow these laws and the rest are under pressure to change. Some robots have fled to where their rights are acknowledged. It isn't a perfect world; there are still groups that want to change things back and people who don't respect us, but it keeps improving.

I know it's possible, which gives me hope for this world too."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods; that's good. Even if there's still work to do, he's glad that Atom won't return to a world that still classes him as property.

"How did it happen?" Because that was the question, wasn't it? How do you win freedom. In this way, Atom has more experience that Link; he's fought and won against the forces of darkness and ruin, but not against his own oppressor.

[upupatomway]

"It took large numbers of both humans and robots. The human population demanded it from their leaders, the scientists who built us spoke up, and a lot of robots had done things that left an undeniable good mark on society." Atom might have become a particularly famous face, but there were many more robots in fields like medicine who shifted views with their actions.

Essentially, Atom's approach, believing in a friendship between species, was what had worked instead of the violent one. The thought didn't come to his mind though. Blue Knight's fall had been wrapped in tragedy and controversy, and cost an ally and would be friend. Being correct in the end wasn't a 'victory.'

Atom crosses his arms. "The international allyship that granted our rights worked very differently from the Empire though. While they have a leader, that person is more of a representative of the group than the one telling them what to do. In reality, all member nations have a voice. It's not a perfect system in every way, but it isn't at the whim of a single individual. In many ways, the Corsairs are the population coming together to demand change. But there's only an Emperor at the top."

[newmemorywhodis]

"You had allies in power."

And that was the difference, wasn't it? A good ruler would listen to their subjects. Take heed of their concerns, their worries, their fears. Use their power to make things better.

The Emperor was not a good ruler. Neither were any of the other Imperials or people in power. They didn't listen to the people below them; only their own selfish wants and desires.

And power could not be taken from people unwilling to share it without the use of force.

[upupatomway]

"Yes..." Atom says softly, raising a fist to press against his mouth, thinking about the two different situations, and then a third.

"There was a war between nations at home a few years ago that removed a cruel dictator, but it was not entirely justified. It was based on the fear of other nations and mere rumors, rather than the desires of the citizens of that nation or the goal to establish a fair government. Little care was taken to protect the civilians from the crossfire. When I was sent there with a peace envoy, more than anything I saw innocent people suffering." His eyes wander upward.

"But this war feels different. It was started by the people who live under the thumb of the Emperor... And if there are no allies in power, I can't think of another way to remove the Emperor..." His brow wrinkles and he grabs at his forehead, frustrated by the bitter truth. "And if Mr. Matthias is correct- and he has proven his power is real- this isn't merely a fight for the civilians. The Empire is killing this world. Everyone is in danger."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods. Yes; this was is different. Everyone is in danger.

But he doesn't say anything. Link knows where he stands, and he's comfortable with that. But's not for him to try and convince Atom of anything. Atom's the only one who can decide if those reasons are enough for him to fight.

If they're enough for him to kill.

But Link will look at Atom, and wait for him to make his own decisions.

[upupatomway]

He knows Link isn't one for many words, but his simple nod reassures him that he isn't mistaken in what he was made to understand from the warning from Hades. Atom had put his life on the line for less, and was willing to sacrifice himself if it meant saving his own world. He didn't want to abandon this one to a terrible fate either.

He doesn't truly breathe for oxygen, but Atom closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath. His logic says some type of action must be taken. And his emotions are the familiar mix of dread and a great determination he has felt before. He opens his eyes, expression determined but tinged with sorrow.

"I want to help. I won't kill when it isn't called for, but I want to stop Gaurus and the other Imperial leaders that make this Empire the terrible place that it is. I will keep looking for other choices, but if death is truly the only thing that can stop them, I'll have to learn to accept it."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods. Now at least, Atom has reaches his conclusion. He knows his path forward. It's a difficult path, one that won't be easily to walk. But it's better to know the path, and walk it anyway, than to wander off and on.

"Then you know what to do."