1 . Name: Anonymous @ 2013-04-16 18:24

The Scout sleeps peacefully. The dispenser washes his body in a ruby haze, illuminating him on the workbench. Naked, the restraints dig into the smooth flesh of his torso, wrists, ankles. How perfect he looked. No scars, no stray hairs, no fat. He was young but fully formed. Untouched.

And, the Engineer thought, he was a good friend. Always visiting him during work. Making sure he got dinner. Coming to him for advice. The boy had taken a shine to him and it was easy to like him in return. So enthusiastic and eager. Loud and boisterous. His opposite, yet still his. His favourite.

It was best the boy slept for this. He didn't want to hurt him. Leaning over the still Scout, the Engineer pressed a gentle, lingering kiss on his forehead. Metal fingers stroked back the short brown hair. It'll be alright, boy. You'll be grateful for this. Maybe not now, maybe not in the morning. But you'll see it's for the best.

The robots were better than them. With every passing day they were growing tired, clumsy. Engineer had seen the Scout start to trip, fumbling with his ammunition. His own hands had grown heavy, shoulder groaning every time he lifted his equipment. It was no way to be. That's why he was doing this. He knew that it worked.

Cutting off his own hands had been difficult but the dispenser soothed the pain. Picking up the stolen bonesaw, he braced a cold hand on Scout's soft shin. The boy would understand. The saw dug into the flesh easily, like a knife carving up a Sunday roast. Scout jerked awake suddenly, screaming at the sudden pain. He kept screaming as Engineer applied more force, using his weight to see-saw through the bone. Through the restraints held Scout in place as he thrashed out, Engineer quickened his pace.

The cut was jagged. Blood wept steadily from the torn muscles and severed veins. Engineer paused to grip the boy's thigh, squeezing soothingly. His screams had pittered out to shaken sobs and weak threats.
'Easy there. It's for your own good.' Engineer murmured, hand stroking gently. 'It hurts now, but you're gonna be right as rain soon.'

Attaching the enhanced leg would hurt. But even as he was discarding the useless limb, the Scout was sobbing still. Looking at him with pleading eyes that were twisted with growing hate and confusion.
'I thought we- have you lost your mind? Once I get out of here-'
'You'll thank me.' The Engineer put a hand over Scout's mouth. 'Not now, but once you've settled down you'll know why I did this. Here, you might need something to bite on-'

The cloth was tied over the Scout's mouth, muffling his arguing. The Engineer paused. His thumb strayed over Scout's cheek. He had to do this. Lord help him, it had to be done. Abandoning the betrayed look on the Scout's face, the Engineer turned his attention back to his work.

He had worked on this leg for weeks. It was built on the same principles behind his own hands. Endless hours were spent testing, perfecting this. If his hands were still flesh, they would have bled over this project. He wouldn't give the Scout anything less than the best. Sliding the leg into place, he began to connect it to what remained of Scout's knee.

Aside from some pained cries and half formed curses, the Scout fell oddly quiet. Every now and then Engineer would look to his face and find the boy staring up at the ceiling, chest heaving with his hands balled into fists. Then he carried on with his work.

Only once it was finally done did he move, sitting beside the Scout's head.
'It's over now.' The Scout stared steadily upward. When metal fingertips brushed through his hair he jerked away, facing the other way. The Engineer sighed sadly. Despite the reaction, he stroked through the Scout's hair anyway. He rested a hand on the boy's shoulder.

'It had to be done.' He can't let the Scout fall to the robots. He still had the other leg to do. But not like this. He didn't want the Scout to hate him anymore than necessary. 'You'll see.' Once he'd adjusted, he'll fix the other leg for him. 'It's for the best.'

((Author wrote this as a quicky due to a flash of inspiration.))