Working with Ghosts
By Lennon (Geminiman) and Gauntlet (Shadowman)
Prologue: Over 15 Years Later
"Stop him! Don't let up!" The robotic ninja Shadowman shouted as he sliced into Waveman's watery shield, making contact with the robot inside.
The twisted robot master shrieked as he pulled back. As one of the robots enhanced by the late mad genius, General Cutman, Waveman had incredible power. The Mechanical Maniacs received a warning call from the water purification facility and were ordered onto the scene. They arrived in time to see Waveman's merciless assault. The Robot Master was covered in sickly green water; it was easy to guess that he was controlling the very poison he intended to drop into the water supply.
Waveman was not a very bright robot. Even the regular workers at the plant saw through his plan and shut off access to the general water supply; his plan had no hope of success. Still, he didn't know that and he, and his force of Scissor Joes could cause massive amounts of damage and casualties to the area if left unchecked.
The Mechanical Maniacs sprung into action. Each were fitted with their own, brand new Transmetal 3 armor. It seemed to bring them a little closer to Waveman's power level. Though still outmatched in terms of raw power, they still had the advantage in numbers and in strategy. Topman, Magnetman, and Geminiman dealt with the Scissor Joes. Each Scissor Joe was programmed with a great deal of strategic military knowledge and were equipped with fine, but dated, military gear. Each was a highly trained soldier. And fanatical at that. However, Topman was made for speed, Magnetman built for cunning, and Geminiman for multi-pronged attacks. Each of them had first-hand experience in combat situation with opponents far more powerful than any Scissor Joe. So no matter how hard they fought they did not stand a chance.
Waveman, on the other hand, made quite the showing. Hardman's slow speed made him ineffective against the slippery robot. Shadowman threw multiple blades, but Waveman's control over water made it easy to deflect these direct assaults. Needlegal's rapid fire Needle Cannon was similarly avoided. It was Snakeman who finally managed a real hit when his snakes swam into Waveman's barrier and began to rip the robot master apart. Once slowed the electric Spark Chan was able to aim properly and pummelled Waveman with paralysing attacks. Once stunned, Hardman, Needlegal, and Shadowman's attacks connected and Waveman was on the ropes. Even a powerful member of the Scissor Army could not stand alone and eventually Waveman was too damaged to battle.
The rest of the Scissor Joes had been destroyed. Waveman tried to dodge attacks left and right, but found himself cornered.
Waveman snarled. "Don't feel smug. This may have been a setback, but I'll be back." With a spray of water to serve as a distraction and a flash of light Waveman teleports out of the area. Defeated, but not entirely without harm done.
"One more crazy scheme is stopped. All thanks to Monsteropolis' favorite squad of robot police," said Needlegal with a sense of satisfaction.
Magnetman surveyed the area and took note of the vast destruction and loss of life that had occurred before and during the team's battle with Waveman. "Favorite team? We'll be lucky if they don't kick us out!" Needlegal could only shrug. It's not as if this was their most costly venture.
Shadowman furrowed his brow. "Still, it's odd. The Ascendant Androids haven't attacked us as a whole group yet. If they had, they could probably win. Why attack us one or two at a time?"
"Because they've grown a sense of fair play?" joked Topman as he looked somewhat bored. With the action over he was eager to head out.
Shadowman frowned. "It doesn't make any sense. Whoever's leading them has to have some kind of plan. There must be a larger picture I'm just not seeing."
Needlegal grimaced. "Worry away, Shadow! That's what you're good at. For now we have to go back to the station and give our report to the chief." Whatever train of thought Shadowman was on suddenly hit the breaks as he remembered he had the very unfortunate task of once more briefing their superior, the overbearing supercomputer Crorq, on their mission. Even if it was a success, their overbearing boss would find a way to make it seem like a colossal failure.
****
As usual, the meeting with Crorq had gone poorly. This time their overbearing boss chided them for not being able to destroy Waveman. Upon exiting Geminiman lingered just outside of Crorq's office, curious as to what the egomaniac would do immediately after chewing them out. Almost immediately Crorq turned to his monitor and gave a glowing appraisal of their most recent encounter to his superiors - the Galactic Council. Geminiman stalked off angrily.
I can't believe it. After the grinding he gave us, he's actually taking credit for the victory! If we didn't need him so badly ...
Gemini tried to reflect on why he was on the force. To help people. They did good. There was a long time when they mostly just looked after themselves and wound up saving the world, largely, because the people trying to destroy it made the mistake of crossing their path. But here they're appreciated for it and paid for it. In theory, anyway.
Geminiman passed a few human officers who gave him odd looks.
It wasn't always like that.
Robots had become hated since he started the force. It was simpler in the old days. Geminiman tried to think back to his first real assignments as an officer. He was surprised at this; he didn't reminisce about the old days a lot. It started simply enough, but his time as an officer was interrupted by the great war started by the mad General Cutman. No, it wasn't that Cutman. The Cutman in question came from another reality, was a genius, and was completely bent at exterminating the human race.
What had life been like before that War started? Geminiman found himself in an out-of-the-way corner of the station. It was dusty and unkempt. Obviously not a place that saw much life. Geminiman was struck by a sudden wave of nostalgia.
It hit pretty hard.
Geminiman looked up. He was a young man.
"You! Finally."
For a moment Geminiman struggled to regain his footing, mentally speaking. The robot narrowed his eyes in concentration. And then they widened with sudden recognition.
"Bongun?"
Prologue – End
