Chap. 55 - Post-trauma

Chap. 45 - Post-traumaIgnorant of the great changes taking place in the Imperial high command, and unaware of the fact that they had already discovered the existence of Icarus, the small group of resistance rested peacefully in the safety of the Oasis after the defeat on Felusia.

Tova was defeated by exhaustion and twelve hours had passed since she lay down to sleep. Strangely, she was not alone. Twelve hours asleep, twelve hours that Icarus remained seated in silence in a chair in the same room. The droid could not forget those painful thoughts that he felt on Felucia. The image of Tova falling from the ship made him feel strange, sad, depressed, something he wasn't able to recognize in himself.

The droid kept his eyes fixed on the floor for most of the time, hunched over the chair, his hands crossed in front, with a strange faint tapping that he repeated with his thumbs. Something he seemed unaware he was doing. He occasionally looked at Tova, only to see her childish and innocent face, her eyes closed and her mouth open, while a trail of saliva trickled down his cheeks into her black hair. He sometimes used to look at her out of simple concern, although he always saw her if she moved or made a noise. He was so worried that he was not able to understand that in this place he would not have any problems, but it was not until Mirana opened the doors of the room carefully, to call him with a wave of her hand without saying a word. . The droid looked at her doubtfully, looked back at the little girl, and finally went out next to the human.

Icarus: - What happens? Any emergency? -

Mirana: - Nothing happens. You don't have to worry. It's just that it seems strange that half a day has passed and you haven't left her alone for even a second. -

Ícaro: - I don't know what's happening to me either. But I can't make my computer think of anything else... I can't understand what this strange thing is that resonates in my core. -

Mirana: - It's called parental love... Although I don't know if you understand what it means. -

Ícaro: - There are many things that I still don't understand about what they call love and affective bonds... It's very... Illogical. -

Mirana just laughed out loud when she heard her words, only to appease herself when she remembered that Tova was sleeping behind the door where they were.

Nirana: - Calm down. She will be alright. You don't have to worry about her. At least not while they're here. -

Icarus: - I guess you're right. She-she She said after thinking about it for a bit. - And tell me... How are the others? -

Mirana: - Miraj is with the refugees. Apparently they have already located the majority and have distributed them in the different jobs. We believe that in two or three hours to finish locating them all. On the other hand, Boil sticks with Bly. The marshal is still recovering from his weakness, though he is already able to walk on his own. He is still having some medical tests, but it seems to indicate that his physical health is in good condition. We cannot say the same about his health and his mint. He said as he crossed his hands.

Icarus:-He has been through a lot, to the point of restricting one's own memory of him. I have studied cases where something similar happens, but I still find it impressive, although this is usually quite traumatic. I suppose we will have to watch him and help him where we can. -

Mirana: - I guess you're right. On the other hand, Wag Too has been in his workshop all the time since he arrived. He has not gone out for anything and only asked for something to eat and water. Miraj is somewhat worried about him, she says that he is very tired. -

Icarus: - You already know him. He doesn't like to leave things undone. Do you know if he has been able to recover them? -

Mirana: - I haven't talked to him since we arrived. So he wouldn't know how to tell you. I salvaged all the pieces I could from Felucia...but I'm not a mechanic...so he can't say for sure if they'll be salvageable. -

Icarus: - Very good. Thanks for informing me. Get some rest... I...-The droid was going to say that he would keep the little girl, but when he saw Mirana's face, who already imagined what he was going to say, he doubted a little. - I... I'll go with Wag Too. Maybe you need a help. -

Mirana: - Very good. You... maybe you should rest too... I don't know if you can do it somehow... but I should try something that doesn't make you compute too much. -She said somewhat doubtful of her own words.

Icarus: -I... I'll try... -he replied just as doubtful.

The two went their separate ways, and Icarus headed towards the lower levels, away from the residential area. These levels contained most of the industries and manufacturing plants, and it was in a small room that Wag Too used to have his little workshop.

The residents found it curious how the mayoress's husband, an elegant lady with fine manners, was a small being who always used to be covered in oil and grease and dedicated himself to repairing things in the lower levels of the Oasis.

The frequent visits of Icarus, the supreme commander, of Boil, Mirana, and other positions of the improvised government seemed something very peculiar to them, since in their worlds of origin the noble class did not mix with the working class, but they supposed that in a refuge of the resistance those things did not matter. And on the other hand, no one from the government seemed to care about interacting with its citizens, something that aroused great confidence in the residents.

Icarus walked calmly through the hectic streets and used the same elevators that the locals used, something that seemed not to bother him in the least. At times he would even bump into other passersby like any other in the crowd, and despite occasional pleas, he would simply say nothing was wrong, only to turn away without taking any repressive action. He even greeted every living thing that caught his eye without hesitation, making his presence very welcome to everyone.

No one knew if the reason for such an attitude was because he was a droid, or if he simply didn't care about such things as social class, but some had already seen other models of tactical superdroids, and knew that these did have certain airs of grandeur. Something that, without knowing it, gave the droid greater respect among his followers.

After a long walk, Icarus finally reached the lurmen's workshop, where he could hear the sound of tools hitting metal. He looked around at the hundreds of junk that were all over the place, until he could see little Wag Too's ears sticking out of a pile of droid parts.

Icarus: - It seems that you are already finished. He said as he approached silently, taking the lurmen by surprise.

Wag Too: - Yes... I think so. He said after a long yawn. -Are those for me?-

They both focused their gaze on a small basket that the droid was holding in its hands, full of many fruits and vegetables.

Ícaro:-This was given to me by some gossams when I passed by his store. I don't understand why... I guess they are yours. -

Wag Too: - You saved their lives and gave them a chance to start over... in a world far from wars and conflict... Anyone would be eternally grateful. -

Icarus: - I understand that but... you don't need to give me gifts every time you see me. -

Wag Too: - It's his way of thanking you. Although these gifts may not be for you... since you don't eat. He said and then laughed out loud. - It is still your decision whether to take them or not. Maybe not doing it is rude... -

Icarus: - I have to... compute about it. -

Wag Too: - Don't think about it too much. My father used to say that good deeds are born in the heart, not in the head... Although I don't know if you can understand... -

Icarus: - The heart doesn't break... -

Wag Too: - That's what I mean. -He said to look at the droid with some understanding. - Changing your theme. I was able to recover most of the Punitive Guard... although some of their cores are new, you may have to reprogram them. -

Icarus: - That won't be a problem. -

Wag Too:-On the other hand, Alpha's programming was something... special... Luckily his memory core wasn't damaged. -

Ícaro: - So... Do you remember your memories and your programming? -

Wag Too: - We'll see about that. -

In front of them was a worktable on which sat a tactical droid model with exposed parts on its chest. The lurmen took a cable and connected it to the droid, and the droid began charging immediately. The sound of electricity running from the generator to the metal body was annoying, but after a minute, Wag Too pressed a button on the droid's head without disconnecting it from the charger.

The commando droid's eyes blinked a couple of times, until they were completely blank.Entities lit with a dim white light. The droid was confused, looking in all directions and analyzing the metal workshop he was in, then he saw Icarus and Wag Too, who were waiting for his reaction with expectations.

Droid: - Commanders? - I ask confused.

Icarus: - Alpha Unit. Do you recognize me? -

Alpha: - Affirmative sir. What happened?... The gossams... What happened to them? -

Icarus: - Don't worry, soldier. The gossams are fine. You did a great job. -

Alpha: - Thank you... sir. -

The commando droid seemed to feel a great decompression in his body. He let his head rest on the metal table, while he turned off his optical sensors for a few seconds. Anyone could tell that he was sighing with relief.

Icarus: - Wait until you are fully charged and join the rest. -

Alpha: - Roger, Roger. -

Icarus: - And what about the other one?

The lurmen looked at the droid somewhat sadly, as if hesitating to answer him or not. But he had no point in hiding the truth.

After a few hours, Tova was in the kitchen of the town hall, devouring a delicious plate of food with impetus. After sleeping so much, it was logical that she was hungry, and Mirana alone looked after her.

He looked a little tender as he brushed the fur around his face and whiskers without giving it the slightest importance. They were both alone, but they looked up to see how three individuals entered the door. The girl completely forgot to satisfy her hunger if she got off her chair. She ran with all her might through the polished white floors, until she launched herself against a model B2 droid.

Tova: - Titan! She-she She exclaimed with joy as she hugged the huge droid by the hips, at the same time that a tear of happiness ran down her face.

Droid: - Ready to serve you. Commander Tova. -

Tova: - Titan? She-She asked confused.

Little Ella turned her head towards Wag Too, who only lowered her gaze to avoid having to give an answer she didn't want. Even so, this was not enough for the little girl, who looked at Icarus desperately asking for an explanation with just her look.

Icarus:-Tova...-he began to speak while he bent down to see her at the level of her eyes. - Unfortunately... Titan's memory core was severely damaged. Memories of him could not be recovered. -

Tova:-No...-she said as a sob appeared on her face.

Wag Too: - I'm sorry Tova. I did everything I could... there was no way. She-She said with a muffled voice, trying to contain the suffering inside of her.

Both Mirana and the lurmen watched in pain as the little girl lowered her head, while her hands rubbed her eyes to try in vain to wipe away the tears that flowed from her eyes. Although she took everyone by surprise when the new droid spoke.

Droid: - Commander... Are you alright? - I ask confused not understanding the situation.

Icarus, who felt an unpleasant sensation rising from his core, could only watch Tova's crying with regret. However, he tried his best to try to cheer her up.

Icarus: - He will be your personal guard. But...you can give him a name...since he doesn't have one yet. -

Tova looked up, still teary-eyed to see Icarus with regret. The B2 droid looked on in confusion, unable to understand the strange attitude of his droid commander. Something that didn't look like a machine. The little girl approached the droid, looking up to try to see it in its entirety. Seeing this, the B2 crouched down imitating her commander, only to once again look directly into her eye. The droid did not have Titan's memories, but thanks to the information that Icarus transferred to him, he was able to understand that Titan was important to the little girl. Although this did not fully understand why.

B2: - I am ready to accept any nickname you like, Commander. -

Tova just raised her head, after shaking a bit as she wiped her tears away. He looked directly at the droid and spoke.

Tova: - You will be a Titan... and I am your best friend. -