***
In the parking area in front of his building, Dr. Rackenfauz stood by the truck examining a compact submachine gun. The assault rifle he’d obtained from Colonel Reyes leaned against the vehicle like some deadly cleaning implement in a broom closet.
“I wish they’d get here already,” he said. “When I’m ready to go, I want to get moving.”
He looked up into the sky with disapproval.
“There’s probably another dust storm coming, too,” he said. “I hate those damn things.”
“Are there dust storms in Mech City?” Iridium asked.
“No, it rains too much there,” Rackenfauz said. “At least it used to. Who the hell knows what it’s like now?”
He looked impatiently at his watch.
“Do you want me to go check on them, Papa?” Iridium said.
“Naw, best leave the two love birds alone.”
Rackenfauz tucked the SMG into a holster under his lab coat and turned his attention to the assault rifle.
“I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need this extra firepower,” he said. “Isn’t it great when humans start showing up again?”
“You take care of them, Papa, and I’ll keep us safe from any psycho robots,” Iridium said.
“Deal!” Rackenfauz said.
He laid the assault rifle on the truck’s seat and checked the rear gun rack with its hulking combat shotgun. His lab coat pockets bulged with hand grenades; a box of grenades resided in the storage area behind the seat.
“That should take care of the arsenal,” Rackenfauz said. “I wish I could find some body armor.”
He exited the cabin and stroked Iridium’s head.
“The first thing we’ll do when we get to Mech City is make you a proper coat,” he said. “I can’t stand this drab gray.”
“Thanks, Papa,” Iridium said. “It is kind of depressing.”
Winston and Star approached the back of the truck.
“Well, our passengers have finally arrived,” Rackenfauz said. “Let’s check them out.”
“Sure, Papa,” Iridium said.
He followed Dr. Rackenfauz to meet Star and the new, improved Winston at the back of the truck.
“Good morning, uh ... Dr. Rackenfauz,” Winston said.
“Very impressive results, young fellow!” Rackenfauz exclaimed, breaking into a wide grin.
“You look great, pal,” Iri said.
“Thank you ... Iridium, right?” Winston said.
“You’ve got it,” Iri said.
Rackenfauz stroked Winston’s facial epidermis, looked into his eyes, checked his hands. Then he glanced approvingly at the crotch bulge.
“I see Dr. Che made good use of my creation,” he said. “Jerry’s as good as they get, all right, a true genius!”
He pulled a walkie talkie out of his lab coat pocket, spilling out a hand grenade. Iridium caught the tiny bomb in his teeth before it could hit the pavement.
“Good work, Iridium,” Dr. Rackenfauz said.
He flicked on the walkie talkie.
“You there, Jerry?” he said.
Dr. Che’s voice crackled an acknowledgement.
“We’re ready to leave,” Rackenfauz said. “Are you coming?
Dr. Che’s voice shouted back over the airwaves: “No!”
Rackenfauz jerked the radio away from his ear.
“And take that Estrella creature with you!” Che cried.
Rackenfauz brought the radio cautiously back to his ear.
“Got it, Jerry,” he said.
Star tugged at Rackenfauz’s sleeve.
“Please tell him thanks, for everything,” she said.
Rackenfauz looked doubtfully at her, then spoke into the radio.
“Uh ... Jerry?”
“What?” Che said.
“Estrella says: ‘thanks for everything.’”
The connection abruptly blanked out.
“All right, keep in touch,” Rackenfauz said.
He pocketed the radio. Star tried to speak.
“Oh, I feel so bad about – ”
Rackenfauz help up a hand.
“The less I know, the better, young lady.” He turned to Iridium. “Well, let’s get a move on!”
“Okie dokie,” Iridium said.
Rackenfauz and the great canine returned to the cab and got in. Star rolled open the van door. Their backpacks and various neatly arranged boxes occupied the interior. A mattress filled the center area.
“It’s a long ride to Mech City,” she said, jumping into the van.
She reached back down for Winston.
“And you’ll learn a lot by the time we get there.”
“But, we never got to see the ocean,” Winston said.
“Ocean, sm-ocean,” Star said. “We’ve got more important things to do.”
She grabbed Winston’s hand and pulled him aboard. Then she rolled the door shut with an authoritative bang.
In the cab ahead of them, Dr. Rackenfauz settled himself into the driver’s seat.
“Ready for a little trip, Iridium?”
“Right-o, Papa.”
Rackenfauz started the engine and pulled out of the parking space.
“Ah, back on the road again,” he said. “Good riddance, west coast.”
Soon he was driving through the RDC gate. Iridium sat in the passenger seat gazing through the windshield with eager anticipation.
“I can’t wait to see what’s out there,” Iridium said.
Behind them, the van started rocking vigorously, loud, lustful utterances protruded into the cab.
“Well, whatever it is,” Rackenfauz said, “this promises to be one helluva drive!”
He flicked on music from the entertainment console to obscure the racket. They moved down the street into the unfolding world.
63. Detour
Hours passed along the road leading to Mech City. The view outside the cab transitioned from cityscape to barren desert. At last, the frenzied utterances coming from the van ceased, and Dr. Rackenfauz turned down the music blaring from the sound system.
“I was getting real tired of that racket,” he said.
“Yeah,” Iridium agreed, “that concerto did go on a bit too long.”
Back in the van, Star was still not completely satisfied, but Winston was worn out. He rolled away from her and transitioned blissfully into inactive mode.
“That was very good, for the first time,” she said, stroking Winston’s bristly hair. “You just rest a while now.”
She stretched herself out luxuriously on the mattress. All seemed right with the world. Memories of the violent sexual encounter with Jerry faded away, displaced by the contented glow of true love.
If only every female could feel the way I do now.
Then she remembered.
“Oh, my!” she sat up. “I hope we didn’t pass the turnoff already.”
She moved to the back of the van and pushed the intercom button.
“Dr. Rackenfauz?”
“Yes, young lady, what is it?” Rackenfauz’s voice crackled back.
“Can we made a stop? There’s something very interesting I think you’ll want to investigate.”