<em><strong>Elsewhere...</strong></em><br/><br/>#183 was finding that while being around others was interesting and eventful, that being alone was far more productive.<br/>He had replaced his hand and his forearm with another spare from the yard, having added '#54' to the inscription on his arm to remind himself of another fallen automaton that had contributed to his extended existance. Despite the apparant consious thought apparant in the dull metal man, the workers who kept the repair yard working hadn't reported him for malfunctioning bad had instead neglected to mention it in order to put #183 to work and lessen their own work load. It was unethical, but it was also very, very relaxing.<br/>#183 had set about fixing the other automatons himself, since the yardworkers had told him they were far too busy to do it themselves. He was getting quite good at repairs in fact, not having to stop for rest and only to feed his fire and top up with water. He had even enacted secret alterations to himself, having tinkered with the delicate glass and mirror assemblies of his eyes so that, should he wished he could closely scrutinise things and get a magnified view of them. He had kept that one a secret though, as he would no doubt be punished for alterations to his basic functions.<br/>While he was repairing an automaton with a busted furnace, he thought back to the events after the sewers. They had gotten out after the giant Flan had attacked with minor injuries, though he was far too concerned about keeping everyone safe to remember much of how exactly they had done it. He also remembered how when they had returned to the company estates, he had been taken away relatively quickly and scolded about the damage to his physical structure. He was dimly aware that the company men had taken the others that had been with them to 'freshen up' for a meeting with 'the boss', but had no idea what that meant precisely. At either rate, no-one seemed to notice him slip off back to the yard and he found that he was 'Happy' about that, or at least he didn't feel as if he was owed anything for what he had done. He was simply following orders, just as he was doing now.<br/>Hand on the hinges of the furnace, he realised that he hadn't been given an order at all to repair the other automatons. It was simply ommitted that he was forbidden to. Technically, he was breaking no rules and that made him feel more comfortable about the realisation. He was starting to find that he was starting to understand orders in a more complex manner, or perhaps if not complex, in a less simple manner. He was happy with this, even though his emotionless face did not show it. He simply picked up his tools again and continued to work.