***
Back in the mess hall, the ambiance had turned gloomy.
“It’s been nice knowing you, Jerry,” Dr. Rackenfauz said. “I’ve got a feeling things are going to get rough from here on.”
“Don’t talk like that, Edgar,” Che said.
Rackenfauz sighed heavily.
“Maybe it’s just my time,” he said. “Everybody has to check out sooner or later.”
“Oh, dear,” Star murmured.
She gripped Winston’s hand, a tear trickled down her cheek.
“I’m too old and screwed up to change,” Rackenfauz said. “You’re young, though, Jerry. Maybe you can strike a deal with these Neanderthals.”
“You’re neither too old nor ‘screwed up,’ Edgar,” Che said. “And we’re in this together. Don’t forget that.”
Reyes and Poole entered from the kitchen and walked across the mess hall toward the detainees. The grim expression on the Colonel’s face indicated that the happy time was over.
“We’re in for it now,” Rackenfauz muttered.
Reyes and Poole stopped at the desk.
“All right, gentlemen,” Reyes said, “let’s get back to business.”
A knock came at the door.
“Yes?” Reyes said.
Liggett entered, receiving an irritated glance for his efforts.
“Can’t it wait, Lieutenant?” Reyes snapped.
“Sorry, sir,” Liggett said, “but you ordered us to bring any detainees of interest to you immediately.”
Reyes composed himself, adjusting his gun belt for the umpteenth time that day.
“I think you’ll want to see this one, sir,” Liggett said.
“Very well,” Reyes said, “bring him in.”
Liggett stuck his head out to the hall. “Colonel wants to see the fresh catch.”
Pantani entered with the chief acolyte.
The man was much reduced since Winston had last seen him – scrawny and bent, the fringe of hair around his bald head grayer. A bandage covered one side of his face, but Winston would have recognized him anywhere.
He and Star scrambled to their feet, too shocked to utter a word. The man wasn’t even handcuffed! These people had no idea whom they were dealing with.
The chief acolyte stood meek and silent, playing the role of a harmless old crank. His eyes surveyed the room. A slow smile crept across his face when he spotted the robots.
“He’s an odd one, all right,” Reyes said. “What was he doing when you picked him up?”
“Just standing around talking,” Liggett said. “There were two girls with him.”
“He told us that he was on a ‘mission’ to find the blue robot,” Pantani said, struggling to contain a grin.
“Oh?” the colonel said.
He looked questioningly toward the robots. Winston at last found his voice.
“That man is a dangerous lunatic, sir!” he said. “He’s the leader of a death cult.”
“Really?” Reyes shot a contemptuous glace at the chief acolyte. “Bring him here, boys.”
“He should be locked up immediately, sir!” Winston cried.
“I’ll decide that,” Reyes said.
He sat down heavily on his leather throne behind the desk. Poole stood in her usual place nearby.
Liggett and Pantani brought their captive forward. Reyes settled back with his fingers steepled on the desk top and a look of calm authority on his face. The chief acolyte maintained his shy and harmless persona, smiling respectfully at the colonel.
“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, sir,” he said.
Reyes grunted a reply.
“I wouldn’t say that he’s dangerous, sir,” Liggett said, “he came quietly enough. He’s gone a bit around the bend, though.”
Reyes waved a hand before his face and made a sour expression.
“The way he smells – he needs to go farther around the bend!”
Reyes, Liggett, and Pantani all laughed. Clearly they didn’t perceive any threat from the bedraggled figure standing humbly before them. Liggett and Pantani stood at ease, their guns lowered.
“Get him cleaned up, then I’ll interrogate him,” Reyes said. “Do we have a fire hose handy?”
The men laughed some more. The chief acolyte tensed, a feverish gleam came into his eyes.
“Look out!” Winston shouted, too late.
With astonishing speed, the chief acolyte spun around and grabbed Liggett’s assault rifle. In the same motion he clubbed Pantani under the chin with the rifle butt. Pantani fell sprawling; his weapon clattered away.
The chief acolyte cocked the rifle expertly. Liggett put up his hands, but Reyes went for his side arm.
“Drop it!” the chief acolyte shouted.
Time hung suspended for a terrifying moment. Then Colonel Reyes removed his gun gingerly from its holster, using two fingers, and dropped it on the floor.
“Kick it in the corner,” the chief acolyte said.
Reyes did so. The situation had turned from merely horrible to an incomprehensible nightmare – as if the earth had cracked open and a scenario from the human hell had emerged.
The chief acolyte turned toward the robots. “You two stay where you are.”
Winston tried to place himself between Star and the crazed gunman, but she refused to let him.
We’ll go down together, if it comes to that, she thought defiantly.
“The rest of you, over by the desk,” the chief acolyte ordered. “And get that one off the floor.”
Liggett assisted the stunned Pantani to his feet and deposited him on a chair. Then he joined the other humans crowded together near Colonel Reyes. Everyone looked terrified, except for Dr. Rackenfauz who remained thoroughly calm, as if he wouldn’t mind getting shot.
“I don’t wish to harm anyone before they’ve heard the Sacred Message,” the chief acolyte said. “But I will if you force me!”
Nobody disagreed with him. He fixed burning eyes on Colonel Reyes.
“Why did you allow those demon spawn here?” he demanded.
“The w-what?” Reyes said.
“Them!” The chief acolyte gestured toward the robots. “Tell me, before I blast you all.”
The colonel turned ashen. “I ... my men picked them up. That’s all.”
The chief acolyte ached to pull the trigger and blow the demon spawn to smithereens. But that would be too good for them. Fire was what he needed. Flames to scorch the mechanical hussy, melting her away while her blue paramour was forced to watch!
That must be a kitchen behind those double doors, right? Ovens and gas flames. Then a departure with hostages – the colonel and the woman would do. As he made his escape, he’d tell them the Sacred Word. They wouldn’t believe it, though, and he’d end up having to shoot them.
He turned savagely on Reyes.
“You granted the demon spawn safe haven!” he snarled. “What kind of demented fool are you?”
Somehow, Reyes overcame his fear. He straightened his uniform and jutted out his chest, showing his COMMANDER badge to good effect. Winston looked on, deeply moved by the colonel’s bravery. A desperate plan began to form in his brain.
Yes ... that might work! Winston thought. And if it doesn’t, we’re screwed anyway.
Colonel Reyes opened his mouth to speak.
50. One Up
“How dare you address the Nuevo Messiah in that manner!” Winston cried.
The chief acolyte turned viciously on him. “Silence, demon spawn!”
Winston nearly buckled with terror but managed to keep himself upright. He pointed at Colonel Reye’s COMMANDER badge.
“Behold the signs!” he intoned.
The chief acolyte turned his eyes toward the badge, as if seeing it for the first time. A confused expression covered his face.
“He wields the bolts of divine power and the moon of off-world dominion,” Winston said. “He is the reincarnation of the Holy Messiah!”
The c
hief acolyte took a hesitant step toward the colonel, his mouth hanging open. Reyes bravely held his ground.
“You stand before the King of the Fu... Universe!” Winston cried.
Bafflement played across the chief acolyte’s face, followed by dark suspicion, then bafflement again. Life and death hung by a thread.
Can this be true? his feverish mind implored. Provide me a sign, Heavenly Father!
At that precise moment, the half-conscious Pantani slid off his chair and clattered to the floor.
“Fucking A,” he moaned, stroking his injured jaw.
That must be it!
The man had uttered the holy phrase which had so often graced the Messiah’s lips. The Heavenly Father himself was speaking through the mouth of that underling. Praise His mysterious ways!
“Hallelujah!” the chief acolyte shouted.
He fell to his knees before the colonel. The assault rifle clattered to the floor.
“Forgive me!” He clasped his hands in supplication. “I did not comprehend.”
Liggett snatched up the assault rifle; Reyes merely stood gaping, unable to take in the situation.
“You’d better say something,” Poole whispered.
Reyes cleared his throat and mentally shifted gears into sync with the ongoing farce.
“Of course you are forgiven ... my son,” he intoned. “All are forgiven who sincerely repent.”
He gestured toward his gun lying in the corner. Poole surreptitiously retrieved it.
“Thank you, Master,” the chief acolyte said, weeping with gratitude. “But I am not worthy to address you in my unpurified state.”
“Do not despair,” Reyes said, “one of my ... angels will assist with your purification.”
He gave Liggett a meaningful look. Liggett pulled the chief acolyte to his feet.
“Come with me,” he said. “I’ll get you purified real good.”
“Thank you, my lord, thank you!” the chief acolyte said. “Please forgive my earlier impertinence.”
“No problem,” Liggett said.
The chief acolyte turned toward Pantani. “A thousand pardons, sir.”
Pantani mumbled something unintelligible.
“Let’s go,” Liggett said.
The chief acolyte walked backwards with hands folded, bowing continuously toward the colonel as Liggett drew him away.
Liggett opened the door. “After you, bud.”
They left the dining hall. Silence reigned for a few seconds. Then:
“Well done, young fellow!” Rackenfauz said. “You are a true bull shit artist.”
“Uh ... thanks,” Winston said.
A gunshot rang out from the hall. Everyone flinched, except for Colonel Reyes.
“It seems our ‘worshipper’ has met with an accident,” he said coolly.
Star looked toward the wall where Pantani’s assault rifle lay, apparently forgotten in the mayhem. She nudged Dr. Che, who looked toward Rackenfauz. The two men came to a tacit agreement.
Suddenly, Rackenfauz and Che rushed toward the wall. Che dove to the floor and grabbed the assault rifle.
“Here, Edgar!”
He rolled onto his back and thrust the weapon up to Rackenfauz.
Reyes turned toward Poole, extending his hand for his pistol. She held it away from him.
“Don’t be an idiot,” she said.
Rackenfauz cocked the rifle with authority.
“Okay Colonel,” he said, “we’re out of here – now!”
Reyes fixed the old professor with a steely glower.
“You’ll never get away with this, Rackenfauz.”
“Aw, listen to the big man with the badge!” Rackenfauz taunted. “Save your threats for somebody who’s afraid.”
He placed the gun barrel under his own chin, his thumb on the trigger.
“Maybe I’ll do us all a favor, huh?”
Star cringed in Winston’s arms. “Oh, dear!”
Reyes turned ashen and held out pleading hands. His eyes seemed ready to pop out of his skull.
“No!” he cried.
“Look at me,” Rackenfauz said. “What have I got to look forward to in this vale of tears?”
“Okay! Whatever you want,” Reyes said. “Just ... put the gun down ... please.”
Rackenfauz held the gun barrel in place, milking the situation for maximum drama. Then he began lowering the weapon slowly.
KA-BAM!
The rifle went off accidentally. Rackenfauz gaped as the bullet whizzed past his face. Everyone ducked.
The door opened, Liggett stuck his head in. “Anything wrong?”
“Get the hell out!” Reyes and Poole shouted in unison.
“Yes, sir.”
Liggett closed the door.
“Better let me handle that, Edgar,” Dr. Che said.
He took the assault rifle from Rackenfauz and aimed it the Colonel’s direction. His eyes blazed with anger. For a moment, Winston feared that he would pull the trigger.
“I’d hate to have to use this,” Che said, his voice low and ominous. “So please listen to what my colleague has to say.”
Despite his reasoned words, Che’s demeanor indicated that he, in truth, wouldn’t mind too much blowing the space invaders to kingdom come. Sensing this, the colonel made no attempt to talk the weapon out of Che’s hands.
Rackenfauz’s reedy voice broke the impasse.
“Yes ... very well ...” he said, trying to gather up his shattered dignity, “first off, Colonel, you and your bully boys keep away from the RDC.”
“Right,” the colonel said.
“You have the whole rest of the world to screw up,” Dr. Che said. “Leave us our little corner.”
“If you need something, radio us and we’ll consider your request,” Rackenfauz said.
“Check,” Reyes said.
“And if we need anything, we’ll contact you – also by radio,” Rackenfauz said.
“Anything else?” Reyes asked.
“We’ll be rigging explosive charges to the main facilities,” Dr. Che said. “If you show up unannounced, we set them off.”
“Nice touch, Jerry!” Rackenfauz said.
“Thanks, Edgar.”
Rackenfauz turned toward Reyes. “Now call off the goon squad. Safe passage for all of us, including the robots. And we’d like another assault rifle with plenty of ammo, please.”
Reyes went to his desk and pushed a communication button. His voice began echoing in from the hallway.
“This is Colonel Reyes speaking,” he announced. “Drs. Rackenfauz and Che will be leaving the facility along with the three detained robots. Provide them all necessary assistance, including a rifle and ammunition.”
He shot a perturbed glance Rackenfauz’s direction, then returned to the intercom.
“That is all.”
Rackenfauz made a mock bow. “Thank you, Colonel. It’s been a pleasure.”
He departed with Che and the robots.
Colonel Reyes went to the open door and observed them moving down the hall. Poole joined him there.
“We’ll pick them up again soon enough,” Reyes said.
Poole brandished the pistol under his nose.
“Try it and this won’t be the only shooter that doesn’t get holstered.”
Reyes stroked his chin. “All right, I get your point.”
51. Escape
Star and Winston headed for the building exit wearing their backpacks and pushing the comatose Ripper on a dolly cart. Che and Rackenfauz walked ahead of them toting assault rifles. Several guards observed their progress.
Poole stood off the side with two women Star had not seen before. Both of them looked shabby and exhausted, as if they’d endured a long, brutal ordeal.
Well, who hasn’t these days? Star thought.
She left Winston’s side and approached the group of women alone.
“Thanks,” she said to Poole in a low voice.
“Good luck, honey,??
? Poole replied, “just don’t ever come back here, okay?”
“You’ve got it,” Star said.
She rejoined Winston.
Susie had observed the exchange with wide-eyed amazement.
“It’s the demon spawn woman,” she said.
“Enough of that silly talk,” Poole said.
She placed one arm over the Susie’s shoulders, the other one around Pam’s waist, and began leading the women off.
“Let’s get you two fixed up,” she said.
“Oh ... thank you,” Susie replied.
Poole nodded toward a pair of handsome young men standing in the hall. The men smiled back shyly.
“It’s time that some good things started happening for you girls.”
“I’m for that!” Pam said.
“Just remember,” Poole said, “the colonel is off limits.”
Out in the jail’s parking lot, the group approached a battered, medium sized truck with its side windows busted out.
“This sure as hell ain’t no limousine,” Rackenfauz said. “It’s the only available transportation, though – so they said.”
“Who cares?” Che said. “I’d ride in the back of a hearse to get out of this place.”
Rackenfauz cackled agreement. “Reyes assures me that it’s mechanically sound.”
“What more could we ask for?” Che replied.
“Okay, climb in everybody,” Rackenfauz said. “I’ll do the driving.”
Star entered the cab first, sliding all the way to the passenger side window. Dr. Che helped Winston load Ripper into the storage area behind the seat, then he moved in next to Star. Rackenfauz would be taking the driver’s position, so that left only the cramped storage space for Winston.
“Looks like you’ve got the place of honor, young fellow,” Rackenfauz said, gesturing to the storage area.
“Yes ... quite so,” Winston said.
He wedged himself in beside Ripper, feeling oddly diminished. Of course, he didn’t want Star to sit back here. Rackenfauz had to drive, and an eminent robotics technician like Dr. Che could not be expected to discomfit himself.
Still ... hadn’t Winston devised the strategy that overthrew the mad chief acolyte? Didn’t that call for some kind of deference? Being lauded as a ‘true bull shit artist’ simply wasn’t adequate recognition.
Rackenfauz jumped into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut. The vehicle began moving.
Part Five: Love Comes to Town