The Destruction of Batana

ZENZEN LIES 3

“That's amazing, son.” Ador cried with a happy face.

I just scratched my head that wasn't itchy. I thought he'd be mad. I was completely unconscious just now. As soon as I realized the robot was destroyed and scattered on the floor.

“How do you do it? Aren't you scared at all?”

I rolled my eyeballs. I don't know, I don't remember much.

Ador cleared a moment. “Then that's enough for today's simulation. Since Zenzen has gone through all levels, I will not tell him to return to the arena just now. All my dolls could be destroyed before you all manage to start the test. Go back to your rooms and rest. I really appreciate your efforts and seriousness in going through this challenge. You are all students and proteges of my pride.”

We started to shuffle. I can faintly hear negative whispers about me from other children. But what cares about me. I just think of the whispers like birds chirping in the morning.

Night approaching. I sat on the sidelines. The moon is a semicircular shape hanging in space. The star formation seemed to curl up the charming space. If I'm lucky, I can watch the shooting stars. The floating clouds were blown by the night wind that was blowing slowly. The air is not too cold. Or maybe I can no longer feel the cold of the night and the heat of the day.

Actually I was asleep. But a few whispers of the children about me woke me up. When I closed my eyes again, I realized that I could no longer fall asleep. They say if Ador is favoritism or other bad comments. What's wrong with me? After all, I am just a host of the bionic body made by Ador.

After looking up at the night sky, I decided to go back to my room. No, actually tonight I intend to find out the forbidden room that no one should enter. There's one way I know. Ventilatory. It is the only area that cannot be reached by CCTV. Yesterday while I was driving around, I found some points that had ventilation. One of them is the bathroom.

I've planned this before. If I can get to that place in less than fifteen minutes, there's a chance I won't be suspected. Fifteen minutes is the average time a person is in a madi room. Oi! Although I am a cyborg, of course my digestive organs are still functioning well. Otherwise the food I have consumed is over... Ah, nevermind. I don't need to go that far. Think for yourself. I don't have to explain everything.

I went to the bathroom in the corner of the building. The bathroom is not too far from the bedroom. I had to walk as quietly as possible so as not to cause a commotion or make someone wake up from their sleep.

I locked the bathroom door so that no one could enter it while I was away. I climbed on top of the closet and started to open the ventilation bolts. It is easy to open it with this bionic hand. You just need to give the command through the mind and this tool will work by itself. I opened the bolts one by one. To open the vents I need about a minute. That means I have to go back to this bathroom before the thirteen minutes are over. Because at the last minute I'll use it to reattach the bolts.

I started to move in. I learned some climbing techniques when I was a thief. Fencing taught me. Although I currently use a bionic body, it is still not as easy as you think, this is more difficult than when simulating with these silly dolls. I have to move as slow as possible and not make a sound.

I crawled slowly. Some rooms I passed. The other kids are still asleep. At least I'm safe now. I have to get to the forbidden room before the time I have determined runs out. In a split second, it will be a tomb I created myself.

Five minutes beyond, I managed to arrive at my destination unnoticed. That means nine minutes left. I peeked out of the ventilation gaps. The room was filled with various equipment. In addition to the equipment there are also robots that I do not understand their function. Ador is unlikely to hide those objects if they are not dangerous. Until my eyes caught one of the interesting objects. A cube shaped object. The cube is placed in a glass tube. The cube shines like a lantern. There are line-shaped carvings that form a hexagon pattern on the surface. The bright orange light illuminated half the room. There are several irregular cables attached to the cube. Is it some kind of energy source or a battery? What is clear is that I have a feeling that it can help me to carry out my plan.

CESS.

I heard a door fluttering. Looks like someone just came out of the room. I can tell the origin of the sound through the echoes that are in the vent. Damnit damnit! I have to come back soon even though the rest of my time is still long. I moved quickly and still did not make a sound that could provoke the suspicion of the entire population of this laboratory building.

I can see where the walking boy is going. Looks like he's headed to the bathroom. I'm speeding up my pace. My heart was beating fast and my sweat was pouring down.

On time! I arrived earlier than the boy. Rushing closed the ventilation while turning on the tap so that the sound of the bolts I was installing was not heard. If I'm right, the kid would've been in front of the bathroom door and seen the red lock. Indicates someone is using the bathroom. Just when the last bolt was properly and correctly attached, I pressed the flush button on the closet. Doused my face with water so I wouldn't appear sweaty. Then opened the door to Madi's room.

Bastians. He is the boy standing in front of me. We looked at him for a moment. Bastian looked suspicious of me.

“You don't want to use the toilet?” I'm offering.

He was silent for a moment. Then take a long breath. I started to leave him.

“Hey, you.”

Stalled steps. Bastian just called me. My heart was beating so hard. I tried to calm myself. It would look suspicious if I put on a stiff face. I took a deep breath. Turn around and look back at him. As much as possible, be natural.

“What?” I asked in a relaxed manner.

Silent moment. Our gazes clashed with each other.

“I won't lose to you. I'll prove if I'm better than you even though my bionic legs aren't as good as yours.”

I blinked. Then smiling grinned. “Thank you for the compliment.”

I passed by and left him who called out not to accept.

“Who praises you too, Boy!”

I just wave my hand no matter.

　

　

　

　

Tomorrow is going very badly.

Morning's approaching. I woke up just before mealtime. I decided to run for a while on the field to practice reflexes and sharpen my bionic body. Morning dew sticks to the ends of the field grass. The morning air hit my face and hair. I haven't worn a mask in a long time. Even before I joined the group of thieves. But this time I felt this fresh air. Maybe because this place is not in the slums.

I still don't know the exact location of Ador's lab. Although the central field is an open field without a roof, I still can not see any buildings or buildings around us. Perhaps the distance between this laboratory and other buildings is quite far apart. When I looked up, I could only watch the vast blue sky with white clouds like soft cotton.

The bell has rung. Marking the breakfast time. The children came out of their rooms. Start towards a room that looks like a canteen even though it is not spacious. We all lined up to get food.

But the bad luck happened. When I had finished taking my rations, two children a year older than me nudged my shoulders and almost made my hand slip and drop my food. Fortunately, I have reflexes to strengthen my grip. They intentionally did it. I almost cried out in anger and wanted to protest. But I'm stuck. It could be that my image as a good child just disappeared.

After eating some children started playing on the field. I just sat quietly on the edge of the field while staring intently at them. Damnit damnit! I'm sure they all want to isolate me. I have to find a way to stop them from doing that to me.

The right moment! I saw Ador crossing the hallway on the sidelines. I rushed to the crowd of children playing in the field.

“Halo, Brother. Can I join?”

Their movements stopped. There were about seven children playing. The rest are on the side of the field. The three people on the sidelines were the most senior among us. One of them is Bastian. Seeing me approaching, the three people on the side of the field approached me and tried to prevent me from joining.

“What are you doing here?” Ask Bastian in a sharp tone.

I took a long breath. “I should have asked you. What's wrong if I join and play with you guys?”

The mood began to tighten. Bastian and I faced each other. The other kids are certainly more on Bastian's side. But my purpose in provoking them was not for that but for something else.

“What is this?” Ador, who had seen the tension between us, came and cursed. We all looked respectfully at him.

“Looks like I know what happened. You all must think I've done a special treatment for Zenzen.”

All the children are silent. Including Bastian.

“Then I'll tell you why. Zenzen suffered severe burns all over his body and he lost his hands and feet. When I found him he lost a lot of blood and almost died. I didn't tell you all about it because I was afraid you'd just be reminded of your past. But today you're all the ones who forced me to tell you what happened that day.” Ador looked serious. His tone sounded firm and a little emotional.

“Before giving Zenzen that bionic body, I already made it a bionic body similar to yours. But the body is unable to sustain its life. He almost died because of my mistake. I decided to analyze what my mistake was. I'm trying to figure out a way to keep him afloat. I was constantly figuring out, making new things, and doing research on my equipment. I finally found a bionic body that matched him and was able to make him survive. So don't assume I'm doing special treatment only on Zenzen.”

All the kids are down. It seems they misunderstood Ador all along.

“It is precisely you who should be grateful. You have lost only one or two parts of your limbs. Why should you be jealous of him? Ah, about in the simulation arena. It was purely a Zenzen power. You know what the trigger is? That was because Zenzen had not thought of anything while in the arena. He remained calm and focused. And among you all, it was Zenzen who had the most bitter memories. But he was able to go through all of that. Forgetting the dark memory is like deleting a file inside a computer. He did not let those memories flow. But letting his grand ambitions flow like a waterfall. From there comes a power that you will never realize. You complain more and think about others. Ah, to be honest I don't deserve to say this either because I've never experienced anything you've all experienced. Maybe you all would understand better if I experienced the same thing with you guys.”

Ador was disappointed. “If you still don't accept with all my sayings, what if you do a little proof. But for the intensity of Zenzen's device, I'll simplify it and I'll equate it with all of you. You just have to do a race around this field. Whoever reaches the finish line the earliest, he is the strongest among you.”

All the kids looked at each other. Then nod together.

“Zenzen, you don't mind this decision, do you?”

I smiled broadly. Of course I don't mind.

Ador started fiddling with my entire bionic body system. Because it is simplified then I will not be able to use internal power like when in the simulation room. This bionic body now only really functions as a tool. Ador simplifies it directly in front of the children so that no one is suspicious of me or Ador anymore.

We started to stand on the side of the field. My biggest enemy is probably Bastian. He has an edge with his artificial legs. But if I don't try then I'll never know.