Fleshwar, Chapter 2: In Which, a Gumshoe Encounters a Dame Most Competent
My eyes bolted open as feeling returned to my body. I was just able to resist the urge to smile as I noticed one less red 7-sphere than before in the map. Then I realized that the cold, gloved hands of Admiral Helena were wrapped around my cheeks. She seemed relieved that I had come to. "Don't fall under now, niño. The main event is beginning." I shook my head, my thoughts still blurry from the spell. "How long was I..." I asked wearily. But as my eyes cleared, I saw that we were the only ones left aboard the timeship.
"It was a long story. You don't mind picking up at the Rook Watch again? I had other business to attend to. Mi hijo fell into a spot of lava." I didn't know who she was talking about, but as she was reattaching the wheel, I nodded and rose to my feet- might as well tell the story while I could.
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It was a cool, clear night in Rook City. Omnitron, P.I. was staring out the window at his office. In the corner, the moonlight glinted eeirly off a statue of a human. Far off, he heard sirens. Sure, things had been better ever since the princess had cleared out the Man-Chair’s organization for good. But the Coolness Five left after that. What did they care about this city? No, it was up to people like him to defend this city. He turned as a dame knocked on his door.
“Locks are useless in this town, kid. Come in.” he sighed and sat down, snuffing out his cigarette. The smoke helped soothe his circuits during the rough nights, but he was aware of the biological limits of humans. The light shined purple on her face, the blinds casting lines of darkness across her eyes and mouth. Damn. Waste of a good cigarette.
“I am coming here to be telling you about a murder which will be taking place on this evening.” That got the AI/PI’s attention, and he looked up. “Why didn’t you go to the police?” he asked with sudden desperation.
"Because...” the stranger answered quietly, “It is the police who will be committing of this murder, and the murdering will be of me.”
"Listen, babe." the blue detective said, sitting down, "I'm not about to step into the ring with all of the Rook City Police over one dame's unsupported story."
The woman's glowing eyes took on a pleading tone and she clasped her hands. "Please, Mr. Robot Detective Man! I am needing to be saved from the constabulary! Would my being murdered be allowed by you?"
"I'm going to need some proof, ma'am." the robot said, more gently this time. The stranger slid a folder across the table. "I have been waiting for the asking of that question by you!" As Omnitron read through the files at superhuman speed, he noted that the dame's accusations seemed legitimate. And since upgrade 3.14 had incorporated Adamov's Laws of Robotics, he was unable to refuse her plea. That said, it would be suicide to take on the better part of a hundred corrupt cops (if the contact list was any indication) alone. He needed some assistance, and as he browsed through the files, he found a ready-made autopsy report. Time of death was 2:41. It was a minute to midnight. There wasn't much time.
The first call went to his favorite informant. "Hello, Take. How is your parole?"
"Is this entrapment? This sounds like entrapment."
"No, friend. I simply wanted to know if you have any lingering anger against the Rook City Police."
"What? Another corruption call? You can count me in. Just let me finish my... uh... legitimate business first."
Onnitron had already hung up and was now picking up the PhantomPhone. "Greetings, PhantomPhorce! I request one of your agents!"
"We'll send one over. This is your last wish," an ethereal voice said as the phone vanished. The stranger was watching Omnitron work with fixed attention.
Omnitron stood and turned to his statue. "Mr. Locke?" he said quietly. The statue's eyes opened and a sharp glow emitted from them. "You have summoned the Platinum Warlock?" Omnitron nodded. "There is... disinfecting to be done."
Within twenty minutes, Take and the Phantom had shown up. The purple dame was overjoyed, but then again, that seemed to be her usual emotional state. They had plenty of time to prepare, and chatter started.
"Well, ma'am, what made the constabulary of this fair city turn their unjust gaze upon you?" asked Take. The lady- whose named, Omnitron had read, was Maia Kir-Pro- responded by removing a small vial from her bag. The Phantom, who had drifted around anxiously, in need of a wish, turned and started at the container. "Is that... Void Jelly?" he asked with alarm in his voice. The Warlock nodded. "Yes, I can sense it as well. I must ask... how did you acquire this?"
The stranger said nothing for a while. "I found it lying on the ground at the docks. I picked it up and insided it to my bag, since it looked like it was belonging to no-one."
"What did you need with Void Jelly?" the Phantom asked, accusatorily. "I assumed that someone should be delivering it back to the Coolness Three-and-Two!" Omnitron let out a sudden, short, cacophony. "My apologies," he continued, "that is how I laugh. The Coolness Five will have nothing to do with a random gal from Rook." The stranger shook her head and protested, "But I am not a randomness of gallery! I am also secreting my being the Wraith!"
This time, it was Take who laughed. "You? The Wraith? She's, what? A good foot smaller than you?" As though asked, Maia slung her purse on the ground and shrank to a small size, where she fastened what had appeared to be a handkerchief around her, and fashioned it into a cape. She then grew to just under the height of the office and clasped her purse around her waist, turning it into a utility belt. Then, returning to under her normal size, she withdrew a roll of bandages and applied it as a mask. "Are you believing me now?"
Just then, there was a loud knock on the door. "Open up, spike-shoulders! RCPD!" The five who had gathered in the office turned. Omnitron opened his fist into his trusty hand-cannon. The Warlock raised his hands as arcane symbols began to glow on his metal skin. The Phantom began to vibrate with ethereal power. The Wraith adopted her combat stance, and Take just pulled out his butterfly knife. "On my mark," whispered Omnitron, stepping to the door. He slowly opened it. "MARK!"