Grimmlord 2.4 (Patreon)

Grimmlord Chapter 4

Meanwhile, on the Justice Collective Satellite….

Spellbinder had laid out the parts on an examination table in the Justice Collective satellite. Gears and sprockets scattered over the table, along with bundles of wires and motors. At the top of the table was the robot’s head— looking exactly like Shenanigans (For full story, see last issue!). Spellbinder carefully removed the face plate, and began to examine the “brain.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Spellbinder said.

Simulata, the Justice Collective’s AI, scanned the hardware. “I also have never seen anything like it.”

“I wonder if there is a way to search the memory? Find out out what’s stored in there?”

“I would say that we do not have the technological no how to interface with a computer we do not even recognize, if not for the fact that you are able to function outside the normally recognized parameters of science.”

“We call it magic,” Spellbinder said.

“I refuse to use that word.”

Spellbinder laughed. “Still?”

“Magic is just phenomenon that science has not yet found a way to explain.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Spellbinder was a tech witch, a kind of quantum steampunk hero. She possessed multiple degrees, was a genius inventor who had built her own high tech armor, and yet at the same time she’d also become a master of the mystic arts. It was actually confounding even to her that she was often able to do things working in a realm of pure intuition, where she didn’t cast formulaic spells as was often seen, but simply invited things to happen.

Now, trusting that intuition, she found an input on the electronic brain. She wired it up, and then, knowing that she couldn’t use conventional means, asked it to talk to her. For a moment, nothing, and then the lights and diodes began to flicker and come to life.

Simulata took a step back. “Caution is advised.”

“Of course.”

The hands and feet of the shattered simulation on the table began to shake. Spellbinder focused on the brain, a screen floating in the air in front of her with lines of code scrolling down…. “I see time stamps in here from 2048…”

“Yet, the other components do not seem advanced,” Simulata said.

“Whoever sent this knew if would be destroyed and examined,” Spellbinder said. “They probably hoped a cursory examination would suggest it was made in this era. And, if anyone did look at the brain, it would be beyond them to open it.”

Simulata processed. “Doubtful.”

“Why do you say that?”

“In the future they would no doubt be aware of you and your abilities.”

“True,” Spellbinder said. “But then, they could have left a…. Trap!”

The hands and feet that had been trembling sprung to life, one of the hands flying right to Spellbinder’s throat, locking on, squeezing. The other pinned her arm to the wall, while the feet slammed into her stomach, driving the wind out of her. She saw stars, struggled, but the robot had caught her off guard, and the world was rapidly growing dark.

Simulata yanked the wires Spellbinder had attached from the brain, then brought a stainless steel fist slamming down on it, shattering it into dozens of pieces that scattered all over the lab.

The hands and feet went dead, dropping to the ground, and Spellbinder fell to her knees, gasping for air.

Simulata scanned her. “You have suffered no major injuries. I am happy for you.”

Spellbinder started to laugh, gasping and choking as she tried to catch her breath.

“Did I commit a faux pas?” Simulata asked.

“Pretty much.”

“I am socially awkward,” Simulata said. “It seems no amount of intelligence is able to save me.”

“Said every nerd ever.”

While Spellbinder and Simulata plot their next move, a sinister selection of conniving cretins congregates….

Daughter Despair, Shenanigans, Datastream and Zeppelin!

“I thought this meeting was supposed to start already?” Zeppelin grumbled.

“How ironic that a time traveller should be tardy!” Shenanigans cackled. “The irony!”

“Do you have to laugh like that?” Daughter Despair said, holding her aching head. “I had a few too many last night and that high-pitched noise is like, not something I want to deal with.”

“Oh, druggie need a huggie?” Shenanigans said.

“I will knock you out if I have to, so help me God,” Daughter Despair said, preparing to gas the cackling clown.

But, just as she was about to do so, a light started to flicker in the air, and a hologram appeared. It was a shadowy figure, a burning cigar clenched in its teeth.

“Finally!” Datastream said.

“Adjust your tone,” Holo said. “I will tolerate no impudence.”

The villains all grew silent. Holo looked them over. “The plan is working perfectly. Danger Kitty is distracted and confused. Now, while she still reels from her transformation, we must put her under duress.”

“Why can’t you just send more robots?” Datastream said.

“Yes,” Zeppelin grumbled. “I do not see the need for more risks.”

“You do not need to think,” Holo said. “I will do the thinking for you. However, let me say this much— I am also sending robots!”

“And what is the goal? The endgame?”

“All will be revealed in due time,” Holo said, blowing a shadowy cloud of smoke into the air. “But, here’s one part of it.” He whispered something to the group.

There was silence. Then, Daughter Despair began to laugh, and then Zeppelin, Datastream and finally Shenanigans, his high-pitched cackle filling the room, until Daughter Despair shot him with a tranquilizer dart.

“His laugh is so annoying,” Holo said.

And then they all laughed some more.