Facing the Music (Part One)

Master Zaprobo entered the lift to the top of the radio tower in Spider City - amongst The Tangle. The inner sanctum, the elderly professor thought, where Lord Recluse and his loyal, well loyal to him, lieutenants plan for the ascension of Arachnos and the downfall of Paragon City. Grandville, centre of the universe.

The man who was once Professor Zaphod Robotnik slumped as he walked. He had been called to the meeting room by his superior Black Scorpion and he suspected why. He also suspected that he may not have a chance of leaving the room alive. Despite having been given a direct order by Arbiter Daos, Master Zaprobo didn't think the insane man who was Ernesto Rodriguez would look kindly on his armour being dented. At all.

As Zaphod turned into the room, the figures of Lord Recluse, Ghost Widow, Captain Mako and Scirocco were conspicuous by their absence. The only hulking shadow the other side of the table was Black Scorpion himself. His attendant scientists were also not in evidence. The two of them were alone. Master Zaprobo's fingers itched towards the trigger emergency teleport unit he had rigged up.

"Ah, Master Zaprobo, good..."
"Sir... you wanted to see me?" the white-haired scientist asked.
"Yes. Yes I did. And not for what you're probably expecting - I should have seen countermanding orders from the Arbiters coming. Trying to kill Dr Aeon was a foolish gesture. A whim. Forget about that. I expect you're wondering why I asked you here Master", the hulking brute said.
"Well, ye..."

Master Zaprobo was slammed against the wall before he could even finish his sentence by a blow that would have killed an normal man. Of course, normal men didn't generally have reverse-engineered Rikti energy shielding.

"What the HELL do you think you're playing at with your pet scientists over at Arachnos Research and Development?", Black Scorpion growled.
"I...", the scientists hand hit the controls for the emergency teleport. The flash of blue never happened - the controls on the ZR Aegis Transponder flashed in error, reporting a teleport dampening field in use. Ernesto looked at the scientist and smiled grimly.

Master Zaprobo sighed, "What do you mean? I send you the latest report a few days ago"
"Reports?! I don't want damn reports, I need new weapons. More technology and devices for Lord Recluse"
"I... we can only test so much - the incursions of heroes into the Rogue Isles has discouraged scientists and various robots from working so closely with us. I need more personnel!"

The brute tossed the scientist aside, his head whiplashing backwards to crack against the boardroom table - the energy shielding giving out a cacophonous screech as it cushioned the blow. He regained his feet, so to speak, by activating his anti-gravity field. Floating back towards Black Scorpion the old man winced in pain.

"I don't care what you think need - I've given you facilities, funding and access. Everyone knows that I am your Patron yet I get no results!" Black Scorpion raised his arm blaster which began to build a charge up. "If I don't get results, then I will find someone else..."

The white-haired scientist shuddered as he lunged for his ZR Aegis Transponder on his wrist to activate a Personal Forcefield. The massive energy concussion fragmented against the forcefield that materialised around him. Black Scorpion tilted his head, inside of his Quatrexin armour.

"I see you do have some technologies that function. Get more then... and I shall overlook your previous failings."
"But the lack of personnel?"
"You're resourceful, Master Zaprobo, I'm sure you'll think of something. Get more people, get me results - I shall be generous in what I will offer you, so long as I get what I want"

Ernesto began to outline the planned rewards for Arachnos Research and Development, as Zaphod could do nothing but listen.

This is very good! The structure of it is good, nice use of termonology and grammar, A+ Zap! I'll look at part two with great intrest

Capt

Good scene Zap. Very natural yet the suspense is present throughout. Good dialogue and as Alpha mentioned, well structured. I felt sorry for the poor old man. I sure hope he gets them personnel.

Very fluidly put together Zap!

Makes the reading of it very pleasurable.

More!