The Rusty Land Another Incorporateds tale By Charles Duncan On the world of Ambrana, the Incorporateds decided to go looking for a craft to replace the skycraft lost in the Incorporated's first meeting with Rynogoff, after nearly seven months of not really bothering. Wilson had personally wanted to do it sooner, but with all the criseses in the lives of the Incorporateds he had to tend to, he'd procrastinated on this major decision for far too long. And it would be nice not to have to land the Neverrest all the time or use the Megaporter to get down to the planet. Casey didn't think much of the Megaporter and feared one day it'd screw up his destiny but totally. So Casey had pushed Wilson to go look for one while he was on the planet's surface looking for parts to fix the washer/dryer systems within the Neverrest. And Ann, Speedster and Axeeater followed Wilson to the only place in the galaxy where such parts could be found.... the Decacommisary shop in Ambrana's smallest non-village of Umbarr, only having about 30,000 citizens but the shop where spare parts could be found. And Casey stayed up on the Neverrest, falling asleep on the couch and getting the rest he needed he didn't quite get since his empathy fizzled out somehow..... Below, however, inside the Decacommisary Wilson was not quite getting some peace and quiet. "I know it was a long time ago you got the Neverrest, Wilson", Speedster said as they pushed a hover-cart up the aisles, "But why didn't you at least replace the washers on-board with something not out of sync with current technology? Or at least go and get new washers?" "To clean clothes I've never seen better.", Wilson said. "Ever watch something we call Commercials advertizing new Washers?" "Not really. I listen to Radio instead." Ann then added, "You can't pay us everything in the world, but at least you could let us buy you new ones...." "Hmph. Ann, let me tell you why I'm not getting new washers.... They saved my life once as I hid in one when ten thousand SCE's boarded the ship looking for me after Renegade started playing Halifax's little role. From that vantage point I was able to stun them one by one until ten thousand SCE's were in la-la land and I sent them packing back to the Emperor." "How could ten thousand SCE'S possibly fit on the Neverrest? I don't think even a hundred people could fit on the Neverrest at once even if it is a couple of stories tall", Speedster replied. "They went on in shifts looking for me, okay?" "Not.... all at once. Well, Wilson, If it's sentimental reasons then......", Ann said. Everyone laughed save Wilson, and including Axeeater. "Grow up.", Wilson said. "Anyway, the parts to get the washers back on line so we don't keep buying new clothes all the time should be... in this Aisle! YES!" Speedster looked down the aisle. It looked kind of spidery and full of webs. But the parts were there. In different Shelves as Wilson looked quickly about, grinning. "Don't.... you think you could just synthesize them on board the...." "You can't replicate quality", Wilson said. "Our monthly Credit Report, Axeeater. Speedster, the Credit card we'll use." "Oh, like that's making us feel any bit better!", Speedster said as he handed his credit card to Wilson. "Would you prefer to stand about in the house, dirtying your clothing until they're declared a toxic waste dump?", Wilson said. "Yes", Ann and Speedster said in unison. "Let's get those parts.", Wilson said, grinning and Intently. Ann whispered to Speedster as Axeeater listened on. "We get him a new washer next vacation", Ann said. "If we don't have someone tell us evil has to be stopped on the way.", Speedster replied. "Can it. He's going for the drum.", Ann said. A loud crash was heard as it fell on top of Wilson. There was a loud yelp. "Not.", Speedster said. "Great Lamar, you are short.", said the 7-foot tall mecha behind the counter. The sentinent cybernism looked like one of the oldest models ever built. Even Axeeater couldn't help but look up at the old one in respect. "Listen, I hope you take credit cards.", Wilson said, handing both Speedster's credit report and the credit card. "I take cash as well.", it said. "Well, I'm paying with a credit card." "Darn. I thought I was getting paid TODAY." "Don't you realize credit cards now offer instant transfers and take only 15 minutes to go through to the Dogelian banks?" "It's 11 minutes to midnight HERE." "Well, here's the credit card and I hope you'll take it." "Oh, very well....I hope I have a slot in me for THIS thing..." "Your Cash Machine has one of those to read it... Don't It?" "Oh. Sorry.... I must need one of those Memory upgrades again... My mind seems to wander every time I hit the memory ceiling.... Must have forgotten I'd save more memory storing images of my life rather than the sound files." "Bet that happens a lot to you?" "Don't remember when it last happened, probably was the last time It happened. There, it's good. Now, you need any help with that stuff", the mecha said as it totalled the bill and scanned the card. "No, not really. We'll take it out ourselves?" "To where? You got one of those new-fangled megaporters on your ship or something?" "Yes. That's besides the point." The shopkeeper though of the reply in a microsecond, but out of respect for customers borne out of having a setinent soul stored within his inorganic body, spared Wilson a few moments. "Oh, I suppose you have a magic doorway where you'll stick these paid goods through." "We find one and we'll get one. For now, we plan to purchase a van.", Wilson said. "welll.....Come back soon.... I hope", the Mecha said. Ann looked at the Mecha. "And how may I help you?" "You didn't throw Axeeater out because he was a dog, and you let him in despite him being a dog. " "The way that old cat was acting when I saw him come up here with you beings, I thought he was blind or something. Oh, well, Never mind my mistake, THAT dog is welcome here as he seems to be setinent or something." "You think he's SETINENT now?" "Yes. Of course. Takes one to know one." "I'll.... hear from you later." "Good day to you.... what's left. Heh.", said the Mecha as they all left. And it began to worry, and was thankful those people left. It'd make things easier on the lot of them. As the Incorporateds saundered over to the local Skycraft lot, Speedster couldn't help but look back at the place where the dryer parts were purchased. Nice old man, Speedster thought, but he was really concerned that the mecha's internally-stored soul was a little nervous on them coming in so late. "You're worried about something, Speedster?", Wilson said. "Yes. Something seems to be up here." (You think we're gonna be involved in a plot or something?), Axeeater posted. "I hope not. All we should be here is to get the washer parts and the van. But if fate's contriving to have us do something while we're here, all the best we do it", Speedster said as he saw something very ugily painted drive up. (Fate is wierd sometimes.) Wilson continued, "Something is UP! Darn, my feelings seem to be hurting big time here. Axeeater, go and take this cart as close as legally possible to the Skycraft lot, pay the meter and join us. Ann, come with us. We are going to have a problem." "Um...", Ann said, "You sense something wrong? Nothing has been done wrong yet..." "Better to look in than wonder what might have been", Wilson said. The small group then walked back to the Decacommisary, sneaking behind a Ethinet booth carefully as to not let the shopkeeper confuse them with the people going inside. Axeeater could hear within the shop clearest as two armored goons of both genders came in, breaking down the sliding door with their helmeted heads. "Oh, NO! Get out of here! I'll call the COPS AGAIN!", said the old Mecha. "They ain't helping you this time. We captured the Police Station last week, remember?" "Well, like I ever care about THAT! I'm still calling them!" "Hand over the money first", said the barely obvious female one, sticking the spike covering her left hand at his vision center, "Or you'll have to pay a lot for repairs just to see us do this to ya NEXT WEEK. Then auto-transfer in our hidden accounts 75% of your next paycheck automatically or you'll also have to replace your SWEET voice box." "I... um... have a particle laser hidden in my HEAD?", the Mecha chiped. "No excuse. You can't afford one! Not with what's left over after we've been ripping off from you! Just do it!", said the male one. As the Mecha did what he was told, knowing his own metal encasing still wouldn't hold up long against the metal of the armor those punks were affording, he began to mutter a lot. "You know, kids in MY day just wanted to get the stuff in the cash Register...." "Well, we aren't living thirty or so millenia ago, now are we, old man?", the female goon said. "Now.... Count to ten billion and then you're free to trigger the alarms... not that anyone's coming for you." "Yes, indeed. One millisecond and I'll"... the Mecha said. "JUST COUNT TO A QUINTILLION, THEN!" "Oh, that would take a while. DAMN YOU PUNKS AND YOUR TWISTED LEADER!", he said as he sat down and began to count annoyedly. "Pleasure is ours, from the Lama-On-Hai, the god of Anarchy", the female said as she gored the innocent cash register. And both left running. To be met by someone standing outside. Several people outside. The female goon looked at the pair jumping after them from behind their phone booth. "Oh, no, they have vigilantes running the streets now? Lama is not pleased with us.", she said. Wilson then replied.... "Do you know we know the Cops personally and have permission, with witnessed evidence, that we have the right to citizen's arrest you until real cops come back?" "You are mortal fools compared to Lama. You'll perish under our wheels. Ako-Lo, board the car and let's make roadkill sacrifice to Lama." "What Lama wills.", her partner said as both leaped in quick, even wearing the Armor, started the ground car up fast and proceeded to run them down. Speedster moved quickly out of the way as so did the rest of them, as it charged forth super-fast at dozens of miles per hour. They barely dodged it as it took off just after running down Axeeater and the cart full of spare parts within seconds, then they barely got a glimpse of Axeeater reassembling itself while trying hard not to incorporate accidentally the washer's parts before the skycraft flew away at the speed of sound( making an explosive boom Wilson fought not to record as something to blast in a evil soul's sensitive ears. Wilson was left agape. "No!", he said as he saw the scattered, crushed remains of the dryer, and rushed to pick them out of the pile. (Well, I see where your concerns lie), posted by the highly dazed Axeeater. "Oh, sorry, Axeeater.... This came as a shocking surprise to me." (How do you think I feel? And I even SURVIVED) "Maybe.... I should get a new washer." "New WASHER", Speedster said as he looked on the rubble, while Ann made sure all of Axeeater's parts were already on. "TRY TO GET A LIFE, TOO!" Ann went to tend to Axeeater while the Incorporateds went to calm down the shopkeep.... "Master Lama, we have brought you the hard earned goods of our labor", said the female armored goon within the bowels of this vast, autumn-colored cave. "As expected, the cops not being around did not slow us any at all. Amongst massive banners of llamas everywhere, the robed one in his massive throne sat up and looked down on what he claimed to be his. Credit cards from far-off provinces. People taken off the streets to be brainwashed. More catican credits than yesterday, which pleased Lama. He pulled out from under his bright blue robes his instrument of communicating with those following his dark whims. The Loudspeaker blared in the ears of his disciple. "YOU ARE NOT TELLING ME EVERYTHING, ARE YA, Little Lamma? You WOULDN'T BOTHER IN SHAMEFULLNESS? Better tell, or I'll put you back with your unloving family. They gave up on you, don't make me do the same and TELL ME!" "Do you have to use that to broadcast your wisdom? MY EARS HURT!" "They hurt honestly. Now Tell." "Some vigliante group has taken place of the group. Unfortunately, we could not run them down fast enough..... "New Vigilante groups, indeed. Didn't you teach the last group to LEAVE?" "Yes, but these were different, great Lama. They were wearing STREET CLOTHING." "Street Clothing. How Unusual. Gather Around, fellow discipiles", he shouted on the darned loudspeaker. And many filed in. "I TOLD YOU PEOPLE WHO WEAR REGULAR CLOTHES ARE PAWNS OF THE GREAT LAMAR, MY WORST ENEMY! THEY ONLY WILL USE YOU AND IMPRISON YOU! YOU MUST HUNT THEM DOWN AND DESTROY THEM UTTERLY! WELL, GO!" They all skittered away, very scared and stupefied by prior words of Lama. "You don't have to go. You personally know we will not see these regular clothed people much longer. Now you will tell your lawless-mate he will not have to worry about this problem much longer. Go before I summon MY WRATH!" She then left..... "Good Help.... How Impossible it is to possess.", Lama said. "Must be the loudspeaker or something.... Oh, Well.... Back to the enjoyment of the gods...." And with that, Lama rose his hand in the air. And A massive felt screen dropped down, with light being shown on it mystically.... Clearly, you could see he was Sangurian. Clearly, you know he led a wacko operation.... Clearly, you could HEAR he was a soap opera fan.... "Come on, shake off that Amnesia and LISTEN to your Mom! That so-called 'lover' is out to rip off your INHERITANCE!" Laughter could be heard in the background. Obviously it wasn't your typical SOAP OPERA.... Soon after AxeEater went back up to see how the ship was doing..... And to get some rest unlike most people weren't getting nowadays.... Halifax was busy looking over the vans capable of also flying and being in space as well. This was important to him to get a newer one since he wasn't going to have to go one day and find someone destined to be robbed and humiliated to get replacement parts. "I hope you aren't picking the cute ones... Pick one with durability and strength, don't care nothing about cuteness within if there is no beauty WITHIN.", Ann said. "Thanks a lot, Ann, but I know what I'm looking for. The rest of our lives depend on getting the right one. And I know which one's right at the price our trust fund is capable of covering." "He's going for the cute one, Ann", Speedster said. "We are DOOMED", Ann replied sarcastically. Suddenly, Casey came down and appeared right in front of Wilson. Both bumped into each other suddenly. "Hey, you could have given me a warning." "Sorry about that, Wilson. I heard you had a crisis and came right down. As upset as I've been having to come down this way, and hoping you'll get that VAN soon so I don't have to worry about quickly stopping my existence for a while just to go ANYWHERE..." "Believe me, no matter the dimension, fear of being torn apart even when you have the assurance your soul'll be there when you're reformed is NATURAL." "Let's end this soon. Speedster, you making sure Wilson don't buy a lemon?" "Unlike last time when he bought that Washer." "Okay...... Um.... Is it true a bunch of Cultists tried to run you down?" "A criminal Cult. Let's leave it at that, Casey." "What makes people join such things when they know Lamar's got answers for all?" "They're not very receptive to him,", Wilson quietly remarked as he saw the biggest on the lot. The Most outsidedly rustiest, too. "No. Wilson, NO!", Casey said sarcastically just then. "Not the Ugliest thing on the lot!" "Yeah, didn't the washer business warn you of anything?", Speedster said. "Yes. Make sure I get something I'll always get parts for and I don't need to mess up." Wilson looked at this craft very closely. Kicked the hover-wings at its very end. Checked for broken Methi-Clear glass. Made sure the lights weren't broken. Even got the owner to come out and let him walk within for a while. The lady wasn't too cheerful anyone was looking about to buy, because her time to give up a few of her vehicles was coming within the HOUR. "Hmmmm.... EHD-CD works..... Got to play those multi-album collections....." "Oh, yeah. This is one of the best, only seven years old, is this small skycraft. Barely used by a woman half your age.", The saleslady nervously chattered. "In other words, a senior Citizen once drove it.", Wilson said. "Um... No.... that's not what I inferred.", she said. "That's okay. Everyone thinks I'm a LOT younger than I look, the way I behave. I'm actually MUCH OLDER than I look." "My Mistake.... Um..... You somehow planning to do something about the.....um..." "Wandering individuals driving armored skycars, themselves armored, believing themselves to be part of a cult who's intents are purely criminal and frightening?" "And.... my daughter.... I think she joined the cult after I told her to not gorge on her veggies and not listen to such loud music at night......" "Well, why did you tell her she COULDN'T? I eat LOTS of veggies all the time and listen to Loud music, and it's not bothering me much." "Oh, sure... You think I ought to just let her do what she wants.... If she ever comes back home." "Sounds like an Idea of misunderstanding.... Did you live as a rebel when younger?" "I have, but...." "Well, didn't keep you from finding a cool destiny in the Auto Sales business, did ya?" "You have... a point." The saleslady sighed. "Don't be upset. I, with my friends muttering in that huddle outside on whether I should not get this, are out to personally derail the cult that took your daughter. All we need is a picture and your daughter is back, and your establishment is safe..." "That's what the cops told me.... before they were kidnapped, too." "We'll get THEM back, too. Um.... do you fear being attacked tonight?" "Not for 17 minutes..." Wilson grimaced. "Okay... then we'll have a surprise for them and chase them back for this lair. You take cash, credit cards, debit cards..... or barter?" "Nice Planter", Casey said as he looked at what remained of the Washer, now firmly planted in a garden near the front office, with some plants already taking root due to a small share of Speedster's great Hi-Speed power to let them not worry about the perils of adolescense too long. "I thought it would be nice to have a cool home here.", Wilson said, "And she was pretty receptive to the idea. Only took 15 minutes to get all the paperwork and the planting settled, but a labor of love it is, and no less diminished by its speed has its significance been. I think it is a fitting end for such a insentinent machine who gave its all for me in my long past." "And she only asked for a buck for the Skyship as well?" "Getting her daughter back any way possible is worth all the credits online on the Internet.... And It didn't cost the 1,245,100 credits the sticker price was saying." "IT could have cost us a MILLION CREDITS for that piece of junk we now possess?" "For that piece of junk YOU now possess. It's kind of the Firstday present I forgot to give you while you were away on Summerien." "MINE?", Casey said as Speedster drove the thing out of the parking lot, its outer shell the color of rust. "....And.... HE'S driving it out!?!!? No, NO!" "Think of it as something practical." "Ann was wrong, you should have gotten a cute one..", Casey moaned. "Not much time to get that. It's time to get on-board and shock the heck out of the cultists coming in just a minute...." All of them boarded the skycraft, as the saleslady looked up longingly at the air... knowing what'd come was going to be in for a shock. It took off quickly as it converted to air mode. And the cultist's own aircars were coming quickly out of the midnight blue. Even without weapons, ahem, CASEY'S airvan was more intimidating than the smaller ones. "I don't think so", Speedster said within the Aircar, instantly mastering the thing. "Now, recite after me... Do You Know the way to San Hose...." All of the aircars took off back to base, unsure even if they'd fired once they'd been safe... Their cowardice and unsureity was much greater than their 'Lama's' will. "What now", Wilson said. "We're just going to stand here?" "Five seconds.... THEN WE PURSUE these poor deluded souls and find Lama and make him STOP, before law-abiding agents have a shootout in which both sides suffer, especially the innocents they try to save....." "You do have a point. GO ALREADY!", Ann said, unsure that her not flying was going to make the ship crash.... but Wilson assured her quick as the CASEY'S airvan, for lack of a better name, rocketed off at Speedster's command of the wheel and the Solar-Battery Panel. "I think crashing, Ann, is something we don't have to worry about much. I've seen what this ship is and know it's real history. It had a noble purpose, once, and there's a reason why on the outside it looks ruined." "You could share it before we crash." "Even if Speedster crashes this, you'll be surprised." "I'll be surprised we'll live." "You'll do more than live, Ann. Trust me." The CASEY'S airvan rocketed over the landscape as it closed on the base of Lama..... As they neared the mountain where the skycraft was, It was obvious this was a place where a very delusioned being was located within. It 7as carved with the face of the Lama himself, in all his Idiotic glory...... "Great Lamar.... does this monster forget to shave or not?", Casey said as he got up from his seat. "He believes himself to be the reverse of Lamar", Ann said as she looked up data with Wilson's help in the back, While Speedster flew the ship around the mountain. "This HTML not authorized by Lama personally I just uncovered from the Ethinet says a lot of stuff about him for those who want to join in Lama's sick path. That it's a pack of twisted and noisy lies." "Don't pay villians to advertize, now does it", Casey said as he read the data. "I personally hope whoever sent THIS HTML on the Ethinet ain't the same as the guy who made the one alerting us to Gazell's plight." "He'd better NOT BE.", Casey said, aware now of the perils both Ann and Speedster faced before they discovered what Gazell was about. Speedster was shocked as he saw Lama's eyes suddenly glow. "Wilson, you said earlier it's not likely crashing will affect us much.", Speedster said as he looked into those eyes..... containing not evil, just a remote lazer cannon pointed at them in each...... "Yeah, so?", Wilson said. "Your theory is about to be tested!", Speedster said as the eyes grew large and fired. Nothing mystical about it, it was all mechanics, but still the result was stink-filled and destructive as the Casey's skyvan was winged, then crashed into a chasmous moat around the mountain deep. As for the daughter of the Saleslady, she was not too happy, being locked up in her own individual cell awaiting mindwash. "I hope my mom misses me", she sighed as she saw the cultists looking around unconcerned they had actual law-abiding officers who'd arrest them the moment they were freed, even if they were brainwashed to do Lama's will. "I know I've had a attitude a mile long, but If only my mom could appreciate it and stop working so long at night to suceed, I'd never stray so far from home again and end up in this STUPID, COLD AND BORING PLACE?" Then she got a rap on the door as something metallic and single-spiky went through it. It was the female goon, still resplendent in very unflattering armor. She just said, "Touching. But you will never love your mom again. After Lama is through with you it will be his will that guides you, not your own. " "Why didn't I take those self-defence classes in Junior High", the hostage said as the goon grabbed the daughter with a strong and loveless embrace rapidly and dragged the hapless victim out of there..... For two minutes the Incorporateds were stunned they were still alive, though right on top one of the higher ledges, although precariously so. Wilson finally muttered, "Anybody fail to survive?" "No!", was the group shout-in-the-ear Wilson endured. "Told you it was a practical craft. Used a lot by a trader I know only by legend who brought the thing for safety's sake. The outside may look like hell, but inbetween that and the origional exterior of this Rustbucket is high-quality Meganium Silver Armament, strongest and most shock-asorbing Metallic blend ever concieved. Well worth the million we might have paid if I hadn't been both quick and thoughful, now would we?" "For Lamar's sake, you could have TOLD ME", Casey said to Wilson as Speedster shook off his dazedness and looked down. If he was actually elastic the take of shock he pulled off would have been EXPLAINABLE. "It was part of the surprise, Casey." Ann got off of her seat. "Next time you surprise me like that.... you can..." "Ann, please, this is not the time. We have peril to overcome. Not only do Cops and hostages and salesbeings and PROPERTY need saving, but we must go up against a group of cultists delusioned to near-evil levels, their master and hopefully NOT THOSE LASER EYES AGAIN." Casey looked at Ann. "I was planning on getting you a portable Ethivision.......", Ann whispered as Speedster took off, just as the ledge crumbled to the depths below. "Thanks, Ann. I'm sure that won't come and choke me later....." "Listen, could you possibly stop dragging me off to my doom?", said the saleswoman's daughter. "What, and ignore the will of the almighty Lama? NO." "But don't you think this is wrong? To do wrong constantly and senselessly for someone dressed ridiculously and moronically?" "I don't think anything is wrong anymore since Lama showed me the light. Just as he'll show you. Look at the policemen who would have protected you SUFFER...." The female goon held the daughter's face to the throne of Lama. As a ornate lampesque-looking thing, very gothic-looking, dropped on this 30-somethingish woman with messed-up hair and ropes holding her down. One scream and the lamp thing rose, to reveal the blackest of bowls on her head...... Segmenting, then passing like ether right into the head of the poor soul. She then laughed the most Evillest laugh ever known. "That's ENOUGH and Annoying", said Lama, seated close as his converts were pushed upwards. "Now wear what I have decreed and wait for me to declare what's next for your life.....", he chanted through his MICROPHONE LOUDLY as the next one was forced, without any way to defend himself, to be forced into a life of no control.... lots worse than mere parenting, what Lama claimed he was better than..... and never really gave.... The Daughter looked with wide eyes. "He's the worst AUTHORITY figure I've ever seen in my LIFE", she said. "As unkind as my mom might have seemed, I'm lucky I had her close at all!" "Yeah, I'm sure.", the Goon. "Don't you ever think of your mom?" There was a brief moment of shock and regret as the goon's eyes, the only things visible under her armor, teared up at what was lost. "NO", she then said, with anger she was forced to feel.... "That's it", her hostage said, "I am getting a scholarship in a DOJO if I have to learn how to defend MYSELF", she said as she was dragged to the line. In the shadows, the would-be saviors waited out of reach, the Van parked out of view. Speedster said as he looked around the cave entrance, "Ann, don't look around here, it's very revealing to what you went through...." Ann did anyway. And her mouth dropped. "I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Speedster saw her expression. "What, that Lama is grungier than his cliff-face shows?" "That's the same last experience I had before I became.... Tasika......", Ann trailed off with tears of rage pouring suddenly down her cheeks. That was not a nice experience she'd been forced to accidentally see someone else go through, especially the being-dragged part.... Casey looked around, too. "So that's what's happening to the Daughter.", he said as Wilson then looked around. "Sick!" "I hope Lama and Carp weren't soul-brothers or something", Speedster said, most annoyedly. "Actually, they WERE. Looked at the last HTML page before we parked the .. um... Rustbucket, Isn't It, Casey....." "I could call it worse", Casey said. "Rustbucket in the opening of the Cave." "Um... I could have called it better, too, Wilson...." All looked on only five seconds later as the Rustbucket was quickly boarded and lifted into the cave. Casey looked down on Lama-on-Hai as he hadn't noticed the van in the air. "He's using a megaophone on that crowd, Isn't he?", Casey said. "Yes, he is.", Wilson said. "That really stinks. He ought to wash that thing before he gets it close to his own mouth like that." "Do you think something Louder might just disrupt Lama's control?" "IT BETTER", Ann said, staring at the device dumping mind-control gadgets on those poor cop's heads. "Now you'll know why I insisted this thing should have a CD. Play it, Speedster." "Are you sure about the royalties......" "I'll pay them next month. Put the EHD-CD in and let's show them what they truly live for, not this servitude." "You lead us well", Speedster said as he did the deed. Lama on Hai looked up at the Skyvan and muttered one thing to himself. "Why did I not bother to put those Lasers on the Inside as WELL?" Then he looked at his converts. "STOP THEM BEFORE THEY USE THEIR DARK MAGIC ON YOU....", he cried out as the Skyvan prepared to land. As this distracted the female Goon, the hostage daughter ran away, seeing her saviours had come. Casey looked out as the Daughter looked on, as a mob of charging spike-handed goons followed. "Wilson, let me look at that picture for a moment", he said. "Sure..." Casey looked. "Yep, that's HER alright. I'm going out." "Not so fast, Casey. I'm going out MYSELF. You just make sure that CD mounts alright for whatever Wilson's planning. I need THIS." Ann stepped out of the Neverrest. Lama on Hai muttered.... "I should have got them GUNS or something....." Ann raced to meet the daughter halfway, as the goons came close, slashing at her. The Daughter looked on at Ann and stopped running. "Who are you people, Anyway?", the Daughter said. "A former victim.... Like I hope you will be one day." "Umm.... girl, I don't think you'd be able to fight hand-to-hand...." "I don't exactly fight with my hands", Ann said as she whipped from behind her back her newly made Bo stick, given to her by Gazlennia as a token of her gratitude. It was wood, yes, but much denser and lighter than steel, and stronger, too, by its long soaking of minerals deep in the shoreline of Gazell's cavernous seas. It whacked in two the steel spikes with just one swipe and that slowed the goons of both genders down. Especially since they had to make sure they still had their hands..... and they all did. Much even to ANN's surprise. Casey stuck his head out of the Window. "Hey, LAMA! You godhood-delusional IDIOT!" "You forgot Soap Opera Addict, mortal one.", Lama said, after the minute he took to quiet his upset, hornet-mad servants and to walk up right in front of the Rustbucket. More than enough time for Ann to get the Daughter safely inside. Ten seconds later, after Casey looked most perturbed.... "So WHAT? I've come to bring your servants back into the light. Courtesy of the sound system of the Rustbucket!" "What? SOUND? You hope to disrupt the harmony I have created here?" "What you call harmony I call Mind Control.... Most Foul." "What you call Most Foul I call HAPPINESS." "Only for you. Even you'll get a kick out of this. (Wilson, better plug that arm of yours in.... I may need just a LITTLE MORE SOUND POWER....)" "Uh Uh. You'll perish quick. Mortal Fools." "Don't ever call me that again", Casey said as Wilson plugged his loudspeaker into the external speaker of his EHD-CD player and stuck his cyborg left out. Suddenly, the rock-hard music of the Catamarans, one of Wilson's most beloved bands, came out into the crowd. It was loud and noisy and it was slowly having the effect Wilson desired. Off the very CD left in the speaker when Wilson bought the thing. Wilson, indeed, had a good choice of vehicle purchasing. A lot better than with Washers...... It was loud and full of radicality, much like a human who'd live on earth a decade later who I won' t mention save she almost won the 'New Artist of the year' and SHOULD HAVE, and it was cool stuff to hear. Slowly, one by one, those under Lama suddenly dropped, as the mind-control bowls within suddenly phased right out of the skulls and fell harmlessly to the floor. Soon, they ripped off their armor to reveal underneath them they wore regular clothes but hadn't washed them in a long time, and it spread like a plague across the crowd. Lama dropped to his knees and his mouth tried to drop just as deep. There were mutterings of "What Have I done?", amongst them all as they all looked on Lama, losing his power quick as the 2nd verse passed by. "No! What are you DOING! This is Contrived! Did Cornball send you to come to get payment for those bowls?" He looked right into Speedster's face. Speedster had his plunger out right in Lama's face. "We also know the lyrics to 'Do you know the way to San Hose", If this don't cure ALL!" "I hope you NEVER DIE", Lama said, as enough cops were alert enough to make the arrest, not even caring the music was loud just as long as they were finally FREE.... And more citizens than goons now were only too glad to assist them now..... Finally, the Daughter was reunited with her Saleslady mom. Both hugged at the office door. "Mom.... Glad to see you again. Sorry I had so much of an attitude...." "That's okay. Just promise me you won't lose it, Okay?" "Um..... SURE!", she said. "And do you think I can have some teaching in self-defense, too?" "Whatever you want's alright with me. Even the vacation we're having for a few weeks." "You want to have a VACATION with me?" "Thought since Dad's been reformed and remarried to that woman at DeiLouGoff...." "Sounds cool. Here's to US!", she said as both hugged each other. "Um, who'll run the shop?" "This old Mecha who got his partner back to run things yesterday. Thought he'd be helpful now his load isn't so heavy." "Cool, Mom, Cool." The Incorporateds watched from below as life returned to the City. "I wish Gazlennia hadn't slept through all of this. She missed out on the best Ending I've ever seen", Ann said. "Don't worry. I taped it.", Casey said. "How?" "This skyvan has a lot of surprises. More than even I or Speedster will find out in our lifetimes." "Who owned this first, anyway?" "Wilson isn't telling me anything. I think we'll know, someday. Gifts like this just don't come from the blue, aren't always contrived and conveniently done. Someone is looking out for us....." "AND LET'S HOPE IT ISN'T THE GUY WHO POSTED THE GAZLENN HTML!", both said in Unison as Speedster prepared the skyvan to meet with the Neverrest, flying close to pick up its adopted child. And children who already had mothers and fathers below.... truly regained theirs...... And the people of Ambrana found peace and happiness once more. All for the breaking down of a Washer. A Washer that now stands as a tribute to the Incorporateds who came by there. You don't think minor things like a Washer have importance..... Just read this story one more time and think about what it being carried there means to the Ambranians of that small city. THE END ....)" "Uh Uh. You'll perish qw%[7e|/[MeW|/ @n/![ ZtZ0gpYh%[3&h4 &h% \ &H%)\%BRB2~m Xjjh[E2 f  ) Y Y 9 ( 3 z D ` K?DAnKj!r!CNYll$\|N{}%yb  LheUB$ )!!!"R"R"#X##$*$f$$ %%%%3&&O''p( ***++b++++S,,,,-S/b0006111N233\3\3>4R445r5556w666_7e8 99:-:::;;\<<<$=W==->>>-?@@AABvBBlCDDDDCEVEEEF!GiGGGH!H?IJJKKpL M3M3MxMM}NNNWOOPPQRSSST3TTTTdUdUUVV#W=WWXXXYYZZY[]f]]E^_____`abbbcd(dddd_eefwfffggg,hbhhj5jjj kkkjllHmpmmmnololoorrr;sessttXttttuu"v-v=vhvvww\w^wwwxRxxz{6|6|||)}V}}~~~sõ%VwW׆*m]ψeI_ȋXՌ׌]ψeI_ Arialhas a lot of surprises. More than even I or Speedster will find out in our lifetimes." "Who owned this first, anyw