The Keeper's Brother

Kernelle - The Engineering Clan

After leaving the chapel, I fumbled my way in the direction the chief pointed me, trying to find the engineering clan. Eventually I happened upon a large building with a glass-domed top. Despite being constructed with clay, with a shingled roof made of scapula dyed blue, it looked distinctly utilitarian, like something of a workshop.   I stepped inside and was immediately greeted with the taste of iron on my tongue and the smell of blood. Handmade syringes, sutures, and bone saws were hanging on pegboard walls, and eyes, feathers, fur, and teeth were categorized neatly on wooden workbenches. Several half-finished creatures sat motionless against a wall. It was a workshop.   Two robots were on the other end of the room conversing with each other. Maybe those two will know where that robot took Israel?   I walked up to them. “Hey, have either of you two seen Ephraim or someone named Eli?”   The two of them turned around and stared at me until long after it was awkward.   “The village chief said they’d be around here,” I offered.   The short, squat one spoke first. “Another one? Man, Ephraim really does make some odd friends. The first hominid he brought by wasn’t even breathing, and this one? I mean just look at the size of the eyebrows on this one!”   The second, more slender robot just whistled at me in amazement.   “I’m right here.”   “We noticed!” the first one replied. “Come to think, those caterpillars above your eyes give me an idea for a new creature design.” He turned to his companion. “Do you think you could pull off building an amphibian with a 3-foot think fur coat, Reeder?”   “That’s not how amphibians work, Rider." Then he paused to consider. "The best I could do is a foot and a half.”   “Hey! Are Ephraim and Eli here or not?”   Rider waved his hand at me dismissively. He didn't even bother to look my direction again. “Yes, yes, they’re just upstairs in the repair shop.” Then he elbowed Reeder in the rib. “Maybe we can manage two feet after selective breeding? Agh, I guess we’d just have to try it and find out."   Weirdos.   I started walking up as the two robots kept scheming about whatever monstrosity I'd inspired them to make. As I walked up the next floor, I saw Israel laid out on a large workbench. Ephraim leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching Eli. The robot looked nearly identical to Ephraim, but his dress was much more modern. Instead of a robe, he wore an unbuttoned collared shirt, with a red undershirt. A pair of goggles hung around his neck not entirely unlike mine. As I hit the top step, the robot finished putting on his gloves and rolling up his sleeves. Eli looked over at Me and Blizz, then frowned.   “Th-This isn't really a spectator sport, Ephraim,” he said as pulled the goggles over his eyes. They made him look distinctly insectoid. Blizz hid behind me sheepishly.   “It’s okay, I’m sure they’re not used to you either,” Ephraim said jokingly.   “That's not really what I meant," Eli said. Then he shook his head, "Ah, nevermind. You’re the lucky hominids that survived that crash, then?” Eli said.   “I don’t know if lucky’s a very good word to describe us right about now.” I admitted.   “You’re better off than your friend here, that’s for sure. He’s got several spinal discs out of place, severe internal hemorrhaging, open fractures on both legs, and a concussion. We’d almost be better off building him over again from scratch.”   “Can you fix him?” I asked.   “Well, there’s nothing we can’t replace. The better question is if we’re allowed to be doing this.” Eli looked pointedly over at Ephraim.   “Chief gave the okay.” Ephraim said with a big thumbs up.   Eli picked up a scalpel. “Well then, I'm going to get going on this repair. Come back in a few hours, and he should be good as new."