Life of Titch story -English version

This story was made a long time ago, before the Nova comic and when THE VOID webcomic was still updating.
it was written by my sister in Spanish, and it wasn't all that clear to follow ahah, but Madpostman took the time to translate this to English, so I'm making it available.

This story would have been part of THE VOID comic series, which you can read all episodes available here -> https://derideal.com/the-void/the-void-cover/

The life of Titch

Chapter 1

It was a place dedicated to research, where the feel of agitation inside the laboratories was mixed with almost immutable tranquility of the corridors, tinged with white and gray. In this place, scientists worked with the help of a large number of little assistants, the so-called Exigus beta I, mouse hybrids, creatures which were created by the Scientific Consortium. Built for assistantship, they excelled at fixing engines and machines, as they possessed a great intellectual potential, making them perfect assistants for the doctors of science.

Exigus beta I could walk just like a human person, on their hind legs, and used the front as their hands. From the moment they were created, the Exi were trained to be obedient, made to think of humans first, forgetting they were independent beings. But despite all this, they, like all mice, had developed a clan system within the laboratory, where they identified the oldest Exigus as parents and the rest as offspring. Incredibly, this helped them to work much more efficiently, according to the scientists.

Like with all these small clans, there was the clan of the Exigus beta I that stood out. They´ve shown themselves as intellectuals, developers, and repairmen, who were always assigned the most delicate and difficult tasks. And even in that clan, Titch and his overprotective sister Frida stood out, both being the only two that retained a powerful bond of friendship between the Exigus of their Clan. Ever since the great Guides had disappeared without explanation, now that position fell on Frida, who took care of her beloved Titch with claws and teeth, along with the other members. 

Two years ago Titch had become the personal assistant of one of the most important inventor scientists in the building. They even had a great bond of friendship, a friendship that was very unusual between humans and the normally despised Exigus creatures. That scientist was different from the antisocial louts that crowded the place, he was a man that Titch admired and took as an example to guide him in his daily life. That man taught him things never seen before by those of his race, which entailed making great inventions to help humanity. They both maintained a feeling of pride for their work, a feeling that seemed to be born from the interest of the little Exigus himself.

- “Look, little one, you must be very careful when you review the files along with the calculations. There must be no mistakes, as a lot of people depend on our work.”

Titch nodded, listening to him with his small books on the table.

-”Our ideal is something that everybody ignores in this day and age. There are cities immersed in poverty, so miserable that they cannot even afford basic luxuries like electricity. But the two of us will put an end to this. This will be the first big step for our project, to create this power source that will, undoubtedly, lead the planet to a better destiny. Do not feel it as an obligation, but rather a dream to help humanity and remain in history forever.”

Stories like that helped to keep Titch's spirits intact, as most of those who lived next to him were quite arrogant, but it didn't bother him at all. He was usually locked up in his superior's lab, with books and machinery, but he certainly loved being in that place, where he could share and listen to his scientist friend.

Chapter 2

Despite constantly working with the Scientist, little Titch always had extra tasks with all his clan, performing complex repairs with the members. Still, he enjoyed them, as that way he could see his sister Frida often, whom he undoubtedly trusted so much to talk about the Scientist's ideals that have already  turned into his own.

-”No doubt, Frida, there is a part of humanity that deserves help from us. I should find time to show you the shocking images of how our masters suffer. We are living like kings in this place compared to those who are less fortunate out there. My master wants to help them, he thinks it will make life better for everyone, even for us.”

-”I'm not sure Titch… I see what you´re saying, I can't imagine a human living in misery. But these humans are all so empty, and I find his intentions to be very strange,” - she said, whispering softly near his ear, ”these ideas will bring us problems, so want my good advice? Don't talk to anyone but me about this, and both of us better keep silent about that topic. It would be very inconvenient and demoralizing for the clan if you were taken away from here.”

Titch nodded, and joked with a slight smile:
-”In that case we´ll need better communication devices, these boxes are already becoming obsolete.”

- ”Then why don't we invent some new ones ourselves?” - the brilliant Frida replied

Titch raised his ears and smiled looking at a million possibilities to improve their technological devices. Since then, they dedicated their free time to look for scrap to fix and improve their technological devices, and that simultaneously led to them collecting many parts that served the Scientist as well. They would go to a shed where they had lots of wires and other parts to gloat over, where they would tinker to create other devices with their desired features, but obviously their main goal was to improve their tablets, to make them more convenient for them to use.

In those little moments they had, Titch realized that he could not only fix his digital tablet, but also improve his own appearance. This idea came to him when he saw some wires, firm enough but malleable, which he decided to use to make his own glasses. They were small and round, but they had a meaning: they were similar to the glasses used by the Scientist he admired so much. His excitement overwhelmed him when he imagined the smile he would get from his brilliant friendly colleague. However, he only had Frida by his side, who did not respond to the change very enthusiastically, but rather with horror.

-”What have you done to yourself?! You don't need those glasses, only humans are born to be forced to wear them! “

-”I know their eyesight degrades, but Frida, why can't I wear them? They just look so good on me.”

Frida looked at him annoyed, shook her head and left the room, indicating that she would go to rest and recommending him to do the same. But Titch still had a lot to do, his tasks with the Scientist were not yet finished, and he was excited about this. He had recently ordered spare parts small enough so that he could make special grippers that would be used to control the atomic energy of the electric battery they were planning to build.

In their studies of that new energy source, they had adapted their creation so it could be controlled with electromagnetic charges. To do so, they decided to create magnetic gloves for both of them, so everything would be under control, should the situation become difficult. Their study was arduous in the laboratory, although they still had the time to give small comments.

-”I noticed your little glasses. They do give you a more professional look. I see you’ve also been fixing your devices, you’re doing very well. One has to have an active mind, always looking to improve what you know how to do.”

-”Thank you, Boss! I have to tell you that I have not been able to find parts that fit your magnetic glove, I have only managed to finish mine. With the blueprints I have, I would like you to place an order for the parts that I need to finish the second one.”

-”Always so focused… I feel that you are more than just an assistant at this point. You’re like a colleague to me, and you’ve helped my cause even more than a human person could. I will get the parts you need, but it’ll be a considerable delay,” he said, stroking Titch’s chin, ”the battery plans are ready though, and I’m planning to begin the construction this week.”

Chapter 3

During that week, the Scientist had not been able to get the parts he needed, as they had to be ordered from another sector and it would take one or two weeks for them to arrive. The pair had used the time to review the blueprints, paying attention to the smallest details, so that everything would be in order. One day, the Scientist called for Titch:

-”Even though we won’t be able to get the machine working before the parts for my glove arrive, I think it would be right if we started the assembly process right now.”

-”Yes sir, fortunately my glove works perfectly.”- Titch replied, testing his magnetic glove. He lifted some metal pieces with it and, holding them in the air, started assembling the first parts of the machine, while the Scientist nodded seriously.  He was utterly impressed with the newly discovered abilities of his assistant, seeing how quick and easy Titch was to handle that device, almost as an extension of himself, following his every instruction. Soon, they were fully engaged in the construction of their invention.

The battery was about to be finished, and yet the order still had not arrived. Titch wondered if there was anything else that needed to be done besides fitment and adjustment of minor details and components, which took some time to correct.

He watched the apparatus in solitude, imagining how it would work, amazed at how fast they had advanced in the last month. The Scientist entered at that moment, looking at it, and smiled proudly, although with a tired look:

-”I need you to have it ready by today, Titch.”

-”By today? Am I to be so honored?”

-”Yes. I can't wait one more day, there are still things to be done for the project to be completed. At least we'll have the power source ready.”  

-”Well then, I'll start right away,” - Titch answered, overflowing with joy.

-”Let's take the necessary precautions first. Put on your suit and get the equipment.”

Titch gladly obeyed, put on a suit, and set about assembling the last pieces. With each one he finished fitting, his heart was racing with excitement, as he could already begin to feel the battery vibrating, beginning to produce energy. He was seconds away from the last step, and they could see the splendor of his invention. 

-”Wait, Titch. I’ll install the last piece myself.”

As ordered by the Scientist, Titch, overwhelmed with emotion, handed him his tiny glove, which seemed no more than a small toy or miniature prototype for the hand of his master. Despite the looks, it still easily activated and functioned correctly. The Scientist knew that his assistant had taken all the corresponding measures so that he could finish the battery without problemsSlowly and cautiously he began placing the last component into its place, and even the smallest contact between it and the device was enough to feel the energy beginning to generate in the environment.

The last piece was in place. The expectant eyes of the two twinkled excitedly, as they contemplated the marvelous invention, which began gently glowing. That glow was intensifying with every second, and the atmosphere began to feel strange. Suddenly, one of the energy beams grazed the Scientist's hand, kicking off Titch's small glove and sending it flying.

-”We have to take cover!” - shouted the Scientist looking for one. Titch did the same, observing how the battery began launching some bluish rays that were burning the surface they touched. Fear overwhelmed them, as they realized it could be their last moments of their life. The Scientist had a furious look, while the little Exigus desperately watched the trajectory of the rays emitted by both the battery and his magnetic glove.

-”Titch!” - shouted the Scientist, having noticed the sudden movement of the little one. Sprinting for the glove, with a speed he could never believe he could reach, he made an incredible jump that allowed him to get a hold on the magnetic glove. Doing so, he felt he began to slip on the floor, and desperately tried to put the glove on. Upon activation, it created a small energy field. As he observed a lightning hit him, awestruck he closed his eyes feeling that it was going to be the last moment of his existence.

-”That's it, Titch! Try to hold it in place!”

He heard his master and, with trembling legs, opened one of his eyes to check that he was alive. He was. Cautiously, Titch approached the battery and got a hold of it, as the Scientist quickly locked their invention into a translucent box with magnetic energy inside.

Chapter 4

It’s been a week since the battery has been operational. Although the Scientist didn't give Titch any more assignments, he insisted on showing up at his laboratory, just to watch the beautiful battery glowing. The Scientist did not treat him badly either, greeting him affably. The Exigus knew that the battery was still unstable, and had an idea of how they could fix it. However, he did not reproach the Scientist, who seemed to be refusing his help.

That afternoon, the corridors seemed calmer and quieter than usual for 3 PM. The strangest thing were the Beta I Custus patrolling the corridors, those incredible canine hybrids, wearing bulletproof armor and wielding impressive weapons. Titch was walking down the corridor towards the laboratory when he took a curious look at one of the rooms, and saw many Exigus were cornered in there. That worried him and he stealthily approached to listen.

-”One of these Exigus has to have knowledge about the laboratory and the experiment. It can't be that he’s been working all this time in secret right under our noses, Hmmm… That thing of his has to be ours. Judging from the blueprints I have…” - said the unknown man in a white coat, expanding some blueprints to other colleagues, ”this could be the foundation of a powerful weapon system, adaptable to a variety of new devices. You keep looking! While I will continue to waste my valuable time with these filthy rats.”

Titch frowned in displeasure at the way the man had expressed himself. But what shocked him was the fact that this human had their blueprints for the first failed prototype, which he and his master discarded after the incident. Racking his brains thinking about how the man could obtain them, he ran towards the laboratory, his legs moving at a speed that was difficult to maintain. Just before arriving he realized that there were many more Exigus going back and forth. At the doors of the laboratory, something told him that he should hide his glasses in his pocket and go ahead to figure out what was going on.

He blended in with the rest of the Exigus and began observing what they were doing. Soon enough, he ran into Fridaa.

-Frida, what's going on?

-They've got us looking for, I don't know what... the Scientist's thing.

-Do you know where he is now?

-No Titch, I hope they don't find him, I don't like this at all.

Titch sighed, since he knew there could only be one other place where the Scientist would be.

-Frida, I need you to help me. Distract the guards, I have to go up those ducts to look for him.

Frida nodded, ran off and grabbed some papers, shouting that she had found something interesting. Everyone in the room looked her way, while Titch took advantage of it, running into a crack, squeezing through the hole and falling head first into it. It was dark and dusty there. He grabbed his little tablet, downloaded the plumbing plan of the facility, quickly calculated the route he needed to follow and took off. Running desperately again, he went for the only place he felt he could keep the battery under control, and where he could find the Scientist. 

When he arrived he could see the Scientist from the top. He was nervous, working among many cables and computers, there were so many that Titch himself was impressed. It seemed that the number of screens had drastically increased, along with some new thick cables. Titch half staggered out of the grate and walked trotting toward the scientist.

-Sir! What's going on? The corridors feel very hectic!

The Scientist didn't answer. He was typing, watching the screen very concentrated. As Titch approached, he began to notice the doctor's sore face, realizing there’s a blood stain that was coming down from his chest dripping from the tip of his white coat. Titch ran a hand across his forehead, ruffling his hair, thinking where he could get some first aid kits and medicine to treat his master, when suddenly the Scientist stumbled a few steps, holding the battery with the small glove Titch wore. He opened a metal box specially designed to contain it, and quickly inserted it inside. 

-”I did it! I got it! I got it, Titch! Humanity will prosper!” - the Scientist shouted excitedly as he fell to the ground. Titch approached him and tried to help him get up pulling one of his fingers, but it was obviously no use.

-”Don't give up sir, you have to get out of here.”

-”No Titch, it's too late for me. But I made it...they can't use it for what it wasn't created for. Let me… I need you to listen to me.”

The Scientist spoke with pain in his voice, as Titch stopped fidgeting about and looked him straight in the eyes. That look was so friendly, yet full of sorrow. His best friend seemed to fade little by little, but he was willing to pass the fight for his dreams on to his partner.

-Take it. Take it out of here, and finish our project. Don't let it be used for destruction. That's why they wanted to steal it from me. I refused, Titch, until the last moment. We didn't create it for that, we made it to help humanity, to do great things. That's why I need you to take it far away from here. Don't abandon it, please. Help those forsaken people. Titch, you have been a great friend. Don´t let your dreams be stopped by anyone.

These were the words Titch heard before seeing the Scientist's life fade away. With tears in his eyes, he received the battery from the Scientist's hands, nodding, feeling a gentle squeeze in his little hands.

Titch took care to erase all the files from the computers, all traces of the construction of such a powerful source of energy were to be completely destroyed. However, he kept a single encrypted copy and tried to escape from the building. Unfortunately, it was too late to escape, as the humans found him with the device. They took him to an unknown laboratory for interrogation. So many questions that he was not willing to answer. He had a dream, and no matter how much they hurt him, he would not allow the death of his friend to be in vain. 

The tortures, the methods of questioning were cruel, and many times Titch thought he would die. Still, he managed to survive, until the scientists got bored of doing tests. He heard from his bruised cage in a corner.

-It is hopeless. Surely it is not finished, and we have already done all possible tests to make the box open or work in some way. That Exigus beta I, from what it seems, is the only thing we have, with the videos of the recording cameras. He has not been able to say anything of value, it seems that he just wandered into that lab in the least fortunate moment, and the scientist took advantage of his presence to order him to escape with the box. Anyway, there is nothing we can do. The Exigus will be returned to its labors, and this box with the rest of the junk will be sent to the Void.

Titch had a promise that he was determined to keep. He hid inside the container where they threw his dreams. There he sat, remembering the pleasant moments he experienced assembling that device, the joy and kindness of the Scientist, and feeling sorry for Frida. He promised himself that he would achieve his goals at all costs, and then return to see his sister. He put his glasses on, feeling a great strength inside him, with the clear purpose of achieving it. 

END.

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this story won't probably be adapted to comic, and I know THE VOID stories in comic are on hiatus... I wonder who still reads them, but just in case.

thanks again to Madpostman for the translation.