Days turned into a week, then another, and another. I could tell my clients were getting frustrated with their situation, also not helped by the fact they were being cooped up in the mansion. With permission, I was able to grant them access to the outside, provided they dressed properly and didn't cause any problems. Dastun wanted them tracked, and to appease this request, I gave them each a comm link they could use to communicate with me, but it didn't feel like a tracker. This seemed to relieve the tension a bit in the household. I still felt bad for them. They were grown men and because of everything that happened at the trial, were now under more scrutiny than ever.
The biggest question came after the meeting when Clarkson asked me about the trial. Truth be told, some of it still didn't make sense to me. Dr. Woodward talked about fire power raining from the sky, burning all in its wake, consuming the land, and resetting it to be used by us. He talked about how their technology had the ability to connect to this weapon and release its firepower. And somehow, before he was captured, he ventured into their world and back, with some of its knowledge.
None of us had ever experienced anything like it. I could tell it worried Clarkson, but he maintained that those kinds of weapons Dr. Woodward talked about usually had someone close by to release said firepower and usually by someone in charge. He voiced his concerns about the possibility of the New World Order coming into their world again, and causing problems. He said their world was already in a delicate state and they didn't need additional worries, like giant robots, being thrown into the mixture. I agreed with him. I stated that once Dr. Woodward's trial wrapped up by the end of the week, Dorothy and I would look into their case and find them a way home that we could destroy so it could never be used again.
The trio were in the living room. The kids were running around them, much to Clarkson's annoyance, but he remained quiet. After all, they had a roof over their heads, and they were being fed. However, it was Hammond's mouth that had volunteer the trio to watch the kids, allowing Roger and Dorothy to attend the final day of Dr. Woodward's hearing. Hammond was playing hide and seek with them. May was at the piano, tuning it as he heard one of the notes was off.
"BOO!" yelled Hammond and the twins ran off giggling. The twins began counting while Hammond went to go hide.
"You moron," muttered Clarkson, "You're acting like a buffoon." Clarkson was keeping an eye on Robert, who was fast asleep in his carrier while he read a book he had checked out from Roger's library.
"That's what Ma calls Uncle Beck sometimes," said Tim and Clarkson chuckled.
"Really now? You're Uncle Beck is…"
"The yellow guy."
"I see then. Well, go get Mr. Hammond. He's behind the other couch."
"CLARKSON! Why are you ratting me out?" Hammond cried out, appearing from behind the couch.
"Because it's entertaining," called May from the piano, "There! All finished, should be good now…"
May hit a few notes on the piano, which caught the attention of the twins. They ran to him.
"Ma plays! Daddy tries to play, but he's not as good as Ma. Can you play, Mr. May?" asked Tim.
Oh God, here goes the Encyclopedia of Britannica talking about music, Clarkson thought to himself.
"I can indeed play, children. Watch this," said May and May began playing a few chords of a song he knew rather well. It was a short piece, but the twins enjoyed it all the same, clapping once he was finished.
"Can you sing?" asked Rose.
"No, let's save that for another time," said Clarkson, "I only have enough aspirin for the length of our trip and I'm saving it."
It was going on three weeks since the trio had appeared in Paradigm, and not only were they worried about things at home, they were starting to get homesick, and the supplies they had packed were now starting to run out. May had even suggested the other night cracking open the gin bottles he had brought, to which Hammond had eagerly agreed, only for Clarkson to be the man of reason and say they would drink it all in one sitting. Being hungover would not be a good idea right now, especially with everything going on. The sad fact, Hammond had lamented, was he was starting to get used to the taste of the gin from this world.
Norman appeared at the entrance of the living room.
"Gentlemen and children, it is time for lunch."
Clarkson put his book down, picking up the carrier. Norman met him halfway, taking the carrier from him.
"I have never seen Young Master Robert so quiet, Mr. Clarkson and asleep before his lunch! I must thank you."
Clarkson grinned. "I do have gift with children."
Hammond ushered the twins into the dining room and once they were out of ear shot, muttered, "Yeah, the gift of getting arrested."
He dodged a slap from Clarkson and sat down. May sat in between Hammond and Clarkson, shaking his head.
Norman had finished cleaning the kitchenette and had put the twins and the baby down for their naps. He walked back out to the living room.
"Well, I must attend to maintenance on Big O. I do apologize there's not much to do…"
Hammond sat up. "The Big Chap? Do you need help? I'm pretty good with repairs!"
May rolled his eyes. "You're also good at crashing and destroying things."
"HEY!"
Norman chuckled. "Well, Master Roger is also good at these things as well. I've been conducting more maintenance on Big O since the scare last year. Apparently one of the doctors on trial summoned a giant monster and nearly took out the court room. It took everything in Master Roger's power to lure him out from the city and it was also the first time Mr. Beck piloted Big Fau with much success. It was, well a stressful day, but considering it was the first official test with Big Fau, a rather happy one too."
"I see then. How long have these trials have been going on?" asked Clarkson.
"Three years. And the sad part is they haven't caught everyone."
"Good Lord, how many were there?"
"Many. The New World Order was essentially another government that controlled Paradigm's at the time. But their reach was so vast and well entrenched, some have either fled the city, going to either the Wastes or the Wilds. But many have gone to the underground and are living there, doing who knows what."
"The underground?" asked May, "Like your subway?"
"Yes, that is what it's called, but it's rarely used now. It seems there are mysteries from 40 years ago that will appear every now and then. Many say the tunnels are haunted. But Mr. Beck has won the contract to map the tunnels, since some areas of the city need to use them as access points for maintenance. However, some areas are so deep, until our technology gets better, they will still be used to transport Big O to where he needs to be."
May looked at his colleagues.
"Well, he's helped us for these past few weeks. Why don't we help him out?"
Hammond looked at Clarkson and shrugged.
"It would make the time go faster, but I would keep the orangutang away from highly specialized tools. He does better with a hammer."
Clarkson scowled at Hammond as Norman chuckled. "Well, there are some parts that do require a hammer. But I also must insist, you do not need to join me."
"Nonsense, let's have some fun!" said Clarkson and they all made their way to the lift to go down into the hanger.
They rode the lift to the hangar. Once the lift had stopped at its destination, Norman got the trio outfitted in safety gear and a list of things to check on. They all stood on the catwalk for a moment.
"He is rather a big fellow, isn't he? Still looks a bit imposing, but I guess I'm not used to such things yet," said May, staring at him.
"It does take time, but I've been with him for years," said Norman, smiling.
Hammond ran out on the catwalk with a clipboard in hand.
"So, I get the cockpit. But how do I get in?"
"Just ask him," said Norman.
Hammond looked confused.
"Uh… okay. Hello Big Chap, I'm helping your friend today. Would you be so kind to… OH! He did it! He did it! Look at that!"
The cockpit opened on its own and Hammond stepped inside, beginning his checks.
"I swear, you're like a little kid all over again. Don't break anything!" Clarkson called out to him.
"I could say the same for you!" Hammond called back.
Norman and May on the other hand were disassembling one of Big O's arms to lubricate the joints and check the power and connection systems.
"So, I just apply here and here?" May asked, pointing at the diagram. Norman nodded.
"Seems easy enough. Okay, Big Chap, here we go."
May walked over with an oil dispenser to the arm as Clarkson walked up to Norman.
"The garage by the feet. It says I need to activate it and check the hydraulics?"
"Like Mr. Hammond's, all you need to do is ask. Big O is pretty good about responding to the checks," said Norman, nodding.
"Right then."
I feel out of my league, but this should be simple enough to do.
Clarkson rode the lift down to Big O's feet.
I feel utterly ridiculous asking a giant robot, but… here it goes.
"Ah, excuse me there, Big Chap. I'm checking your garages today. Would you be able to… well would you look at that, I did something right!"
Big O had responded to Clarkson's request. Hammond snickered.
"There's a first time for the orangutang, May! We need to have a drink to celebrate."
"No! Bugger off about the gin, Hammond!"
"Awww…"
The afternoon hours ticked by. Big O's systems checks and maintenance were completed, though each of the trio and Norman had the oil and grease stains to prove it. They were standing on the ground floor of the hangar.
"Well, that ought to do it. I daresay Mistress Dorothy and Master Roger will be rather pleased. Thank you for your help."
They all heard a crying sound and Norman checked his comm link.
"Ah! Perfect timing! It seems Young Master Robert has awoken and needs his bottle. If you will excuse me…"
Norman hurried off, taking off his maintenance gear and heading upstairs. The trio looked at Big O.
"You know, I feel good. We all did something right and nothing blew up," said Hammond.
"Correction, you didn't blow up," said May.
"Will you stop with that?"
Clarkson was observing Big O as his colleagues argued.
"He seems rather stoic, doesn't he? And despite his height, and still feeling overwhelmed by his presence, he does have a rather calm demeanor."
"What are you talking about?" asked May, confused.
"He has a soul, that's what I'm saying. Oh… never mind. It's nothing, nothing," Clarkson said, noting May's confusion.
Hammond peered out to the side as something caught his attention.
"Well, would you look at that…"
Hammond took off in the direction of what he was looking at with the other two following closely behind.
"Hammond, for the love of God, don't do… well! What is that?" Clarkson asked.
They all had stumbled onto Roger's car, The Griffon. The trio had only seen Dorothy's car at this point and from the way it looked, it seemed Dorothy had taken her car to the trial.
"Oooo," said Clarkson, "That is rather a beautiful car. That's 57 Lincoln Premiere!"
"Rubbish! That's not a Lincoln," May argued, "That's Cadillac El Dorado coupe from the 60s. Look at it!"
"You need your eyes checked. It's not a Cadillac, mate."
"How much you want to bet, Jezza?"
"You're both wrong!" exclaimed Hammond, "It has bits of the Cadillac and of the Lincoln. It's more Lincoln in the body, but the interior screams Cadillac. It's a hybrid of the two!"
Hammond walked around it, admiring the paint job and the interior.
"Ooo, it's even got a fancy radio, leather seats, and what not. It's a stick too! I have to drive it now!"
"NO!" said Clarkson and May firmly.
"Why not?"
"First off, this car is too big for a midget like you to drive," said May as Clarkson nodded in agreement.
"Secondly, you have crashitis," said Clarkson, while May nodded in agreement.
"Very funny! I won't crash it and I've driven bigger cars than that!" Hammond shot back indignantly.
"Ah, so I see you have discovered The Griffon."
Norman had appeared, smiling, holding Robert in hand, with the twins rubbing their eyes, have being awoken from their nap. Norman was feeding a bottle to Robert.
"The Griffon?" asked Hammond, perplexed by the name, "Is that the model?"
"Uh, well, I'm not sure what you mean by that, Mr. Hammond."
"In our world, cars have a manufacturer, usually called the make, classified by model, and then they have a subcategory for special features or options with the car. For example, my car over there, it's made by Dodge, it's called a Charger, and it's the Hellcat option.
"So, the full title would be Dodge Charger Hellcat?"
"Yeah! So, what's this car's name?"
"We don't have anything like that here. We've always simply called it, The Griffon."
Hammond pouted, looking at May and Clarkson, then looked back at Norman.
"I know this world was in a war for a bit, but you really need to start putting some exciting names on your vehicles, mate. But I do have a question. Can I drive it?"
"NO!" yelled Clarkson and May. Norman raised an eyebrow as Clarkson and Hammond began arguing.
"I wasn't asking you, Jezza!"
"And it's not your car! Quit asking!"
May sighed as he turned to Norman. "Hammond has a very unique ability from our world and we're not sure if it's followed him here. He has a tendency to crash, destroy, and blow-up things."
Norman chuckled. "Ah, well, it wouldn't be for me to say either. Master Roger is quite protective of his car. Dorothy has rarely ever driven his, so it would be safe to say the answer would be no, even if Mr. Hammond didn't have his very unique ability."
Hammond and Clarkson stopped arguing as Hammond heard the last bit.
"Oh bollocks!" cried out Hammond as he crossed his arms in frustration as Clarkson snickered.
Roger and Dorothy had returned home from the trial, though Roger was deep in thought at dinner. Dorothy was talking to the twins and feeding Robert while the trio were eating their dinner.
"At some point, Miss Dorothy, you should give Norman the time off and we should cook for you. May's a great cook, and well, I can cook beans rather well and poached eggs," said Hammond.
"Well, if you want to, but you are our guests, so I do want your stay comfortable as possible," said Dorothy smiling.
May shook his head. "You murder poached eggs, Hammond. I'll cook those."
"I do not!"
"I'm trying to figure out who are the children at the table and who are the adults," said Clarkson, sarcastically. This prompted a chuckle from Roger while the twins laughed.
"It's okay, the kids find it entertaining. I heard you helped Norman with Big O. Thank you. I know it's not…"
"Don't worry. But I do like my colleague's idea. If we could go to the market and get some ingredients, it would be nice to do and help us get out and stretch our legs."
"Well, I'm sure we could do that this weekend. But, there's something I need to ask you."
Dorothy put her fork down.
"Roger… we agreed… oh fine. I know it's not going to stop bothering you."
Roger sighed.
"Dr. Woodward mentioned something about satellites today. I've only heard the term one time in my life, and one fell to Paradigm and nearly caused devastating destruction. He said your technology is linked to it."
The trio looked at each other.
"Pretty much everything in our world is or uses it at some point. Cell phones, sat nav…" Hammond began stating, but Clarkson cut him off, realizing something.
"Satellite weapons navigation… Why didn't I think of that sooner?"
Roger raised an eyebrow and looked at Dorothy. Dorothy understood.
"Come on everyone, let's go to the living room. Dad has to talk to our guests alone."
Dorothy carried Robert as Norman ushered the twins out and then closed the doors. Clarkson cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry. I forgot. Between everything that's happened…"
"No, I understand, Jeremy. Would these kinds of satellites be of your country's or another's?"
"Well, most of the well-developed countries have at least a few. The Americans have the most, but who knows how much."
"Do you have any idea of numbers?"
"It would be hard telling. And this is a different world after all, so it may not be the same."
"Fair point."
Roger held his chin, thinking.
"You said, this place used to be called New York City, right?"
The trio nodded.
"Did it perhaps have a base or something that could track these satellite movements?"
"Not a base per se, not one that I know of, but I do know they had a massive planetary exhibit," said Hammond.
"Nerd," muttered Clarkson, but Hammond ignored him, noting Roger's confusion.
"In our world, we have planetaries to help explain the heavens and the universe. Most of them have giant, powerful telescopes that allow you to view anything from planets, stars, and other phenomena… oh, I think I lost you, didn't I?"
Hammond stopped talking, realizing Roger was confused.
"You did. At 'planets.' What's that?"
"You're standing on one mate. We call it, 'Earth,'" said May.
"Really? Well, there's a bomb shell. We just knew it as a world, or as part of a saying, its meaning lost to time, but didn't know it had a proper name."
"Well, the one Big you told us about, Big Venus, that's technically Earth's sister planet's name. Just the Venus part anyhow."
Roger shook his head.
"Let's hope Big Venus didn't go there. That wouldn't be comforting if she was still watching us from afar."
"If she did, she's probably been dissolved by now. It rains acid over there," said Hammond.
"ANYWAY, since we're getting off track, how do you think this planetary would help, Hammond?" asked Clarkson, mildly annoyed.
"Well, like I said, they have giant telescopes, and most record and track movements of planets and satellites in case they want to take pictures."
"So, would it be possible to perhaps find these satellites using the telescope?"
"Maybe. It would depend on if the thing still worked, or if it's even here."
Roger crossed his arms for a moment, still deep in thought. Then an idea came to him.
"Well, you guys want to stretch your legs and we need to get you in the good gracious of the PEF. If you were able to pinpoint where this planetary was, would you like to tag along?"
Clarkson looked at his colleagues.
"Well?"
"It's not like we got anything else better to do," said May.
"A yes from me," said Hammond, "But we'll need to figure out how to get that thing to work once we get there."
"Let me worry about that," said Roger, "I'll make some phone calls. We won't be going alone."
I made phone calls that night, calling up Angel and Dastun. They were worried about the satellites and had good reason to be. We didn't need another falling down onto the PEF or one being fired upon us. Perhaps it was by a stroke of luck that Angel's assistant, Lucy, was there. When I mentioned the planetary, she recognized the name at once and said there was one located outside the city. She had visited it a few times before and could help with any traps or tricky parts of navigating the facility.
Dorothy and I finally had a lead. Training with Big O and Big Fau would be postponed for the following weekend, in light of the news. Dorothy agreed to stay behind, manning the console in case I needed Big O. Yumi and Beck agreed to help, though Yumi would be at the SCA manning Fau's console. Beck would be tagging along, along with Lucy and all of us. Beck agreed to follow us in his car. It was a long drive, an hour from the city's outskirts. Apparently, my clients were not strangers to fast or reckless driving. However, they were surprised at the area in which the planetary was located had changed.
"According my offline map on my phone, it says were close, Roger. But wow, we technically should be in the city. This is all…overgrown," said Hammond, looking out the window.
Indeed, the area in which they had driven to was overgrown with forests and shrubs.
"Well, welcome to The Wilds. You can see some buildings hidden in the trees. But hardly anyone comes this far north now. No reason yet. We haven't found anything to use," said Roger.
"You mentioned The Wilds before, mate. What about The Wastes?" asked May.
"Desert as far as the eye can see. Nothing but sand and salt flats east of Paradigm. Rumor has it that it goes all the way to the ocean."
"Madness!" said Clarkson, "All this happened… because of a cataclysm?"
The trio looked at each other while Roger shrugged. "At this point, it's anyone's guess as to how things turned out the way they did. But what's more important is forging head and working with what we have. There have been talks of expanding north to make more fields and grow more crops, but the winters do get harsh, from what our survey teams have discovered. Beck and I had to rescue one last year because the winter got bitterly cold."
"Oh dear," said May.
"Rich, how far are we from this place?" asked Roger.
"Actually, we should be here now."
Indeed, Roger pulled up to a gate, locked with a chain and padlock around the center. A yellow car pulled behind him and stopped. Beck and Lucy stepped out, followed Roger and the trio. They stared at the gate for a moment. Roger went to open it, but Lucy stopped him.
"Let me, Negotiator. I know this place and it has traps. I can disable the system and let you know when it's clear."
Her hands snapped into their blade form. She took a few steps back, then began running, jumping on the hood of Roger's car and over the gate. The trio gasped as she kept running, now quickly, taking cover every so often.
"What the hell? She's… not human!" exclaimed Clarkson.
"The Madam President's secretary is cyborg. She used to work for the New World Order, but now is the eyes and ears of the Madam President. Extremely loyal to her and there's only been one assassination attempt on the President's life because of her," said Beck.
"Wot? What did Miss Lucy do to the assassin?" asked May, his imagination getting the better of him.
"She made an example of him, though the way she did it was… well, I would've chosen a different route. But no one's made an attempt on Angel since," said Roger.
"Oh dear," said Hammond, "I take it she's good at what she does then?"
"The best, Shortie," said Beck, "And that's putting it lightly."
"She could had still tried to talk him down," said Roger, mildly annoyed.
"Not all problems can be talked out, Crow Boy," said Beck, getting his pistol out and checking it.
"I know that, Beck. But an attempt can always be made. And why did you bring that?"
"Because you don't travel armed and I'm babysitting you plus three. So let me do my thing," snapped Beck.
Roger rolled his eyes. Then he heard Lucy cry out.
"IT'S SAFE!"
Beck moved to the gate.
"Stand back," he advised.
Roger and the trio took a few steps back as Beck fired into the lock. He then took the butt of the gun and knocked the padlock to the ground, opening the gate.
"Welcome to the world prior to 40 years ago! Watch your step and may I suggest we take this at a nice run, just in case of hidden surprises?" Beck said.
"I don't run," said Clarkson. Beck looked at him.
"I don't either, but you'll be amazed at the level of motivation you have when you think something is trying to kill you. Let's go…"
Roger sighed as Beck took off. Roger and the trio then followed, running to the entrance of the facility. After they had crossed the distance from the gate to the front doors, Roger signaled to Beck and Lucy to stop.
"Let them take a break," he said and he gestured to them.
Clarkson and May were out of breath. Hammond, who had always been a runner, was not out of breath, but breathing hard.
"Normally, I wouldn't ask," Hammond began, "But why the hurry?"
"You've been keeping them sheltered, Crow Boy. They haven't experienced Paradigm City in all of its glory," said Beck, turning to look around.
Roger rolled his eyes as Hammond looked at him, confused.
"Don't mind him," said Roger, "He has a unique way of making observations."
"So I gathered."
"Does this look like the place?"
"Yeah, it is. Only the pictures on my phone are showing it much less rundown than this…"
"It wasn't three years ago," chimed in Lucy, "The doctors were keen on the satellites from the world prior to 40 years ago and they wanted to keep an eye on them. We tipped off Rosewater when one came crashing into the city, but not much survived the crash."
"So that would explain why he had the research team on stand by," thought Roger aloud, and Lucy nodded.
Lucy nodded. "Has everyone caught their breath?"
Everyone nodded. Roger and Beck got on either side of the doors, with the trio standing close to Roger. Roger and Beck nodded at Lucy, and she kicked open the doors, jumping off to the side.
The doors swung wide open and into a dark area. Lucy and Beck peered first, Beck pointing his gun. Roger then appeared, holding his hand up. Beck and Roger looked at each other and nodded. He motioned for the trio to follow him, and they all went inside.
As they stepped further inside, Roger and the trio dug out their flashlights and turned them on. Lucy held one as well, shining it in the direction Beck motioned to her every so often to clear corners and dark areas. Despite not being in operation for 3 years, the building did have a dilapidated appearance. Cracks were running along the ceiling and floors. And most of everything that would've made it a planetarium had been gutted out. In its place, items from the era had replaced it, all belonging in a laboratory setting.
May approached a dusty table and looked at the contents, picking up a magnifying glass.
"It doesn't seem sinister yet," he said quietly. Although he had been quiet, he might as well have spoken out loud as Beck heard him.
"Don't touch anything!" Beck hissed, "Crow Boy, keep your guests on a leash!"
May set down the magnifying glass, turning slightly red. Roger noticed.
"Beck! Knock it off! You're supposed to be the mediator from the SCA. That's no way to talk to them."
Beck scowled at Roger as Lucy came upon a stairwell.
"This is it. Let's go."
The trio, Roger, Beck and Lucy began to descend the winding staircase down into the depths of the planetarium. Lucy bladed one of her hands, taking the lead and remaining on guard. Beck held his pistol close to his side, while Roger shined his light above his head to light the way downward. The trio looked around in awkward silence, noting the cobwebs and dust.
They finally reached the bottom of the circular stairwell where a set of double, thick wood doors with brass handles greeted them. As they moved closer, they saw that the doors were locked with a chain and padlock. Lucy took a look as Roger motioned for the trio to go to his left side, standing by the right side of the door. Beck got on the left. Once they were in position, Lucy took her bladed hand and sliced through the padlock and chain. She then kicked the door open, and it opened with a loud creak, jumping off to the side.
They reached the observatory ground floor. In the center was the giant telescope. Lucy, Beck, and Roger peered around the corners, clearing what they could see. Then Roger motioned for the trio to follow him into the room.
The room was vast and had looked well kept for a time, but there was a thin coating of dust on all the equipment. Beck and Roger looked at the telescope, then at each other for a moment. Roger then turned to Hammond.
"Is this that telescope thing you were telling us about?"
"Yes!" exclaimed Hammond as he ran to it, climbing up the stairs and around the operation area, "This is it! This is how we can study the heavens above us…"
Lucy jumped up onto the telescope platform, landing next to Hammond, startling him.
"My word, lass, you are light on your feet!"
"Former assassin. Some things never leave you," she replied, dryly.
Hammond looked wary as he turned back to the control panel. "Right then. Now… how do we operate this thing?"
Clarkson and May stuck close with Roger as Roger looked around at the different computers lining the wall. May found a desk nearby covered in papers. There was a standing lamp nearby and May turned it on. He began sifting through the paperwork. Clarkson noticed his colleague deep in thought and walked over.
"What did you find May?" asked Clarkson, putting on his glasses to look over some of the papers.
"Not sure," said May, quietly, "Oi, Roger. You know anything about portals?"
"Portals?" asked Roger, raising an eyebrow.
Roger joined the pair and began looking over a file May had found. Unlike most of the other files, this particular file didn't have any dust on it. Roger noticed this.
"This has been disturbed recently. Beck! Lucy! Someone's been here before us…"
But Roger trailed off, hearing a familiar set of footsteps. He turned around looked behind him, seeing a familiar android walking toward him, similar to the one he fought at the Wayneright mansion. As Roger shifted his stance, placing himself between the android and May and Clarkson, he heard a yell. It was Hammond. He turned to look briefly in his direction.
Lucy had pushed Hammond off the operation area. He was rubbing his tail bone as he got up, looking at Lucy. Another android had cornered Lucy on the operation deck. Roger turned back to face the android in front of him, slowly approaching him.
"Beck! I could use a little help here!" Roger yelled taking a step back.
"I'm a little busy at the moment, Crow Boy!"
Indeed, Beck was preoccupied with two androids staring him down. Beck gritted his teeth.
"We must've tripped something. You got any ideas how to defeat these things, Miss Secretary?"
The android lunged at Lucy, but Lucy bladed her hands and charged, swiping in crossing faction. As she turned around to face down the android, the android split in two, with one half landing in front of Hammond. Hammond lost his composure.
"Can WE PLEASE not do that?!" he cried out, revolted at the sight.
Lucy smirked as she ran to Beck's aide. "I'm sorry about that, Mr. Hammond. Beck! Negotiator! Aim for the head or the heart area! That should stop them!"
"Right! Thanks!" yelled Roger as he jumped back as the android took a running charge at him. He briefly turned to May and Clarkson.
"Get Rich and get back to the car! Now!"
The android took advantage of Roger being distracted and took Roger to the ground in a take down attack as Roger held it back.
"Damn… it!" yelled Roger.
Clarkson and May looked at each other. Clarkson saw a chair and picked it up. He smashed it against the android, but it had no effect as it was still focused on Roger. May then looked around Clarkson and ran past him.
"What the bloody devil are you doing, May?!" yelled Clarkson.
May didn't answer him. He knocked the lamp shade off as gunshots rang out. May picked up the lamp, jerking its cord free from the outlet and ran, holding it in a javelin launch position.
"ROGER! MOVE YOUR HEAD!" shouted May.
Roger moved his head and not a second too soon. May came down with the lamp stem, thrusting it through the android's head and just above Roger's right shoulder. May was breathing hard, then fell back onto the ground, still processing what he had done.
"Do you want more?" May whispered quietly as the android jerked around uncontrollably for a bit, then stopped. May leaned back, breathing hard. Clarkson offered his hand and pulled him up, then went to help Roger up, moving the android off of him.
"Thank you," said Roger, breathing hard.
"Don't mention it. Is this what Mr. Beck meant by Paradigm City in all of its glory?" asked Clarkson.
Roger nodded. "Unfortunately…"
"CHAPS AND LADY! WE HAVE A PROBLEM!"
Hammond had yelled once more. He had climbed back onto the operation deck, looking things over, but was holding his hands in the air. Lucy came running, jumping next to him again.
"What did you touch?" she hissed at him.
"Nothing! It just started blinking red…"
Lucy's eyes widened in terror.
"WE NEED TO LEAVE! NOW!"
"We just got here!" Beck moaned as Hammond and Lucy jumped back on the ground, running toward the staircase.
"I'm not ending up under a pile of crushed rubble, Mr. Beck! Someone's activated the self-destruct sequence! LET'S GO!" cried Lucy.
They all made their way toward the staircase, May and Clarkson grabbing files from the desk and stuffing them in their jumpers as they ran for their lives. Up and up they went, finally making it to the ground floor. They all stopped for a moment, but Lucy turned around.
"KEEP MOVING!"
Breathing hard, they followed Lucy out of the building, down the stairs, and were running back toward the cars when a large soundwave knocked them all down on the ground. They all covered their heads as debris and dust came falling down. Then it fell silent.
Roger was the first to get up on his feet. He looked at the fire, now burning the planetarium to the ground. As it glowed on his face, it showed an anger that Beck had rarely seen. He saw Roger clench his fist.
"Bastards," muttered Roger, "They knew we would come here. We're back to square one."
Beck approached him, dusting off his suit.
"Not exactly, Crow Boy. Look. Seems I judged your clients too early, back at the meeting."
Beck pointed behind Roger. The trio had gotten to their feet and were collecting the files May and Clarkson had stolen from the facility. May walked over to Roger, with the file in hand they had looked at earlier.
"Not a total loss, mate…"
Roger accepted it, smiling. The group joined him, watching the fire, now roaring, consuming everything. Sirens could be heard in the background, approaching them.
This is far from over, Roger thought, watching the smoke rise higher in the sky.