Started playing again after a considerable break - and a couple of the funny conversations between me and a fellow player inspired the following interconnected (kinda) stories. The format's not great but anyway, enjoy.
***
One: Redundant
It wasnt the best of vantage points, on the roof of a low tenement not a hundred yards from their target building, but they hadnt been noticed yet.
Which in itself was odd. Spotlight was, well, big boned to quote his mother and then there was his armour which glistened a myriad of colours in the sun - something that youd expect well paid mercenary guards to notice particularly if you were paying. Although, as his slight companion had pointed out, from this distance he probably resembled a billboard.
In comparison Spotlights associate, the not-so-good Doctor Smith, was everything youd expect from a psychopathic genius with a penchant for robotics. Pale, drawn and emaciated to the point of looking like a hunger-striking convict. So there was no chance hed be spotted. He was the kind of person to whom youd say: you need to get out more if you saw him on the street. Only youd say it very quietly incase one his walking-gun-platform-come-robots heard you and decided to take exception.
His army of five robots was another matter, all flashing lights and noisy clanking. They lurked on the roof like uncomfortably bored children, jostling for the closest position to their master. And that was before you counted the humming, floating force field projector that took the worst parts of an ice-cream hungry wasp and one of those bagless vacuum cleaners. Spotlight tried to swat it away:
Im gettin the strangest feeling of dej-vu, Doc, Spotlight said shielding his eyes against the sun. He looked around before continuing, we been here before?
Um ? Smith barely looked up. He was, as Spotlight had pointed out earlier too busy fitting a doo-dad to his watchmacallit:
There. Done. Smith grinned And now the world will tremble
Thats great doc, interrupted his companion, grabbing Smiths jaw mid-monologue and turning it toward the building they were staking out: but have we been here before?
Smith looked annoyed, but focused on the building ahead of him:
Yes.
Huh? What?
Yes, weve been here before. This is the office block we kidnapped that mewling brat from. Razorfiends daughter.
Oh yeah. I thought it looked familiar. Spotlight fell silent,
Wait. Isnt this the place we took that blueprint from? For the backpack?
Smith rubbed his chin thoughtfully: Why yes, I think it is.
What the hell? What did they do, take out a want-ad? Now available for Weddings, bar-mitzvahs and hiding the kidnapped daughter of your arch-enemy? Spotlight chuckled and slapped Smith on the back
Er yes. I think thats standard procedure.
Spotlight stopped mid-laugh.
What?
Smith sighed and pulled a copy of Rogue Isle Protector from an inside pocket. He flicked through the well-thumbed copy to the wanted section. After a second he stopped and read:
To Hire: Nightclub with excellent panoramic views of the city via a spacious bar area. Large accessible office space on second floor with good lines of sight and wide corridors leading to strong choke points. Excellent for reunion parties, Christmas events and hiding stolen military grade equipment. Phone 555..
You gotta be kidding me. Spotlight pulled the paper away and looked down the list:
Newly available: Reclaimed section of city sewers with easy access from basement of partially demolished office block. Just the place to grow your secret cult of snake men
He cast his eye down the list of five or so places and nodded.
Mmm. I see. Well, I guess its a free market.
Indeed.
Actually, now I come to think on it, youd think thered be more.
Smith didnt answer. Instead he triumphantly thumbed the recently fitted doodad. Above them, the sky filled with the rumbling of jets accompanied by smoke and flame
Jeez Doc, why dont you just yell over to the guards while youre at it.. He stopped short as the the latest addition to their army touched down
Doc what they hell is that?
Doctor Smith grinned in that way that only Masterminds can:
Just a little something Ive been working on. An assault droid its has an impressive
Doc, am I mad or does that thing bare more than a passing resemblance to me?
Smith, fumbled with his welding goggles:
I admit that some of the external features are based on your physiology but thats all its actually a much more complicated machine than you Smith stopped short, but his companion said nothing:
Well, I wouldnt say that you were totally redundant Im sure that you have many useful qualities." He paused and then added: "And you have some obsolete ones too."
Spotlight raised an eyebrow:
Oh I gettit. Its a replacement for me then huh?
Neither of the men noticed that in the bots jostling for position, they had all lined up on one of the roofs main supporting beams. Well, they did notice - at the point it broke under the weight.
Without warning, the roof of the building suddenly gave way, sending the entire group tumbling down into the ruins of the apartment. Moments later, Smith found himself pinned under the weight of his now dysfunctional Assault Bot. Spotlight loomed out of the dark:
Useful qualities, huh Doc?
The wind had been knocked from Smiths lungs and his voice came in short rasps:
Yes well maybe it could use some work.
Spotlight used the oversize stone baseball bat he carried as a lever and catapulted the remains of the large robot into a nearby wall.
Yeah, like your interpersonal skills.
Two: Lift Work
What the hell are you doing?
Spotlight was currently adopting a position similar to that of an apple grown inside a box, and was uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.
Have you read this sign? Came his companions reply from somewhere out in the lobby. It was, like the man himself - annoying. British. But then most good Masterminds were. It was in their blood.
No what sign? The brute managed to contain his anger much better than he contained the aerials protruding from his helmet, which suddenly sprang out and penetrated the side of the lift.
The sign that says maximum weight 5 persons.
So?
Well, me, plus the force field generator, the three drones and the two protectors is more than 5 persons.
And?!
I have to send the drones up one at a time with me, make them wait in the lobby, come back down get the next and its problematic.
Problematic. Spotlight sighed in quiet resignation and would have run a hand over his face. If he could have moved.
Yes. The drones programming is essentially fairly rudimentary. You know, attack, kill, maim and well, they keep following me back down.
SMITH! Youre a freaking masterMIND! Figure it out!
Well Im sorry I didnt think to programme my battle droids to handle lift work! The little man snapped in reply
Goddamit, I swear if I have to come out there.!!!.. The brute snapped back, his muscles bulging. Somewhere metal creaked, something machine like groaned and both lifts as well as a goodly part of the lobby exploded in a gazzilion different directions.
A large hand appeared out of the debris cloud and grabbed hold of the metal head of one of the drones. A split second later the robot disappeared upwards through the lift shaft.
Problem solved. A satisfied Spotlight said from the hole where the lifts had been.
Im not sure you should have done that. Said his companion, taking a step back.
Why? came the nonchalant reply. Thats a little something we Americans like to call affirmative action.
And that whistling noise, Said Smith putting his head on one side is something we educated masses like to call gravity.
Spotlight looked confused, looked up and saw the robot falling towards him, holding onto what looked like an enormous steel weight The brute braced himself for the inevitable head-smashing pain:
Aw [censored].
Moments later, the two were walking up the stairs, followed by a procession of clanking robots. One of the robots was struggling to navigate without a head, which even now one of the Protector bots was endeavouring to repair. If it could have shouted For the love of God, just stand still at the headless Drone, it probably would have. Unfortunately for it, it couldnt but it bore the annoyance with supreme indifference.
Could they make any more noise? Spotlight breathed between clenched teeth
They could, but would it be heard over your whinging? Smith retorted
The brute laughed:
Youre alright for Brainiac, Doc.
Youre not bad yourself for a meat shield
Speaking of which, thanks for the bubble back there.
Well, actually, the force field was for the robot.
Which is why it made useful protection
Yes, well, next time if you could avoid trying to use the head of one of my robots as some kind of indestructible helmet Id be grateful.
Sure. And just let your robot and a large chunk o steel smash my head in?
Smith looked briefly at his companions head before replying: Well, it wouldnt have done any lasting damage.
Maybe next time Ill just grab you.
There was a long pause
Doc, why are your robots all pointing guns at me?
Three: Shocker
Well that was fun, remind me not to shower straight after fighting the show Spotlight muttered as he stepped from the shower room, rubbing a large towel through his hair. After a moment he stopped rubbing and gingerly touched a hand to his head there was a short sharp snapping noise and the brute yelped
Dammed static. Whaddya doing?
Doctor Smith was deeply engrossed in the contents of a six foot long bag hed laid out on a workbench.
Mmm? Oh, what? This?
Spotlight wandered off, and flicked at the bag with his towel it fell away to reveal a Freakshow gunner. Spotlight jumped:
What the hell doc? Where did you get that freak?
Its one of He looked down the corpses broken body until he found what he was looking for, a hole the size of a football in the bodys lower stomach. It was neatly cauterised:
One of mine, thank god. Otherwise well, can you imagine the smell? He wrinkled his nose No, I dont suppose you can.
Spotlight ignored the insult and peered at a set of long nose pliers protruding from the corpses chest:
What are you doing, Doc?
Well, there technology isnt without merit, even if it is a little primitive. Smith replied, pushing his blast goggles up to the point from where they seemed to continually slip.
Primative? Jeez, this guys can bring themselves back from the dead, Doc, which incidentally is their only redeeming feature you know, pound em to death and they come back for a second helping. Anyway, Ive never seen anything you make do that.
Smith looked stunned for a second. When spoke he sounded huffy:
Well, they dont technically die and anyway, Ive not tried my speciality is robotics not cybernetics He pushed the brute out of the way and started pulling at the pliers
Hey, keep you whatevers on doc, I meant nothing by it. You still trying to get the Lazarus chip to work outside the host?
Smith nodded, and rubbed his temple distractedly: Cant stabilise the core all the chips are dead, if youll forgive the pun, on arrival. Its very curious.
Maybe the freaks carry some of the stabilisation functions somewhere else
The Doctor shook his head
Ive run full diagnostics Id have found it by now
Not if those functions were carried biologically. Course being dead theyd have to be in the lower brain functions programmed if you will into the subconscious or primitive nerve centres of the brain.
Smith took half a step back and raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Spotlight stared at his companion for a moment before picking up on the look
Aw hey, look, Im sick of you assuming Im an idiot because Im big and I like a fight. I have an IQ of 200 last time I checked. How about you?
Smith stared at the ceiling half closing an eye before responding:
Last time I was tested I finished their so called test in 10 minutes, including pointers on how they might rewrite most of it and then spent the remaining 50 minutes fashioning a small robot from a calculator, a pen, the clock they were timing me with, a dozen paperclips and easily removable parts from the desk. I then used it to kill the exams invigilator and make my escape.
Spotlight nodded, pausing briefly: Figures. He pointed to himself: Hulk smash . Watch QVC drink beer. He wandered toward the fridge
You do that go drip water elsewhere, Smith said, shooing Spotlight away Rather than over the body of something that conducts elec
Suddenly something pulsed, sending a wave of contorting pain down Dr Smiths arm he was rooted to the spot as electricity coursed through him and out across the floor.
Help! He managed to get out between electrically welded shut teeth. Three droids immediately jumped forward to assist their master, but as they drew closer two of them had their power was sucked out of their eye sensors and into the corpse. A third, for reasons best known to itself, spontaneously started to breakdance in a non-to-helpful manner. Or the closest a walking gun platform can come to breakdancing anyway.
Doc! Spotlight yelled running forward. A bolt jumped at the brute, but he dodged and instead it smash into the refrigerator, burning a hole through the door and superheating the beer:
Oh man Spotlight moaned, turning to look at steam spewing fridge. He attention returned to Smith as something beeped loudly on his companions arm.
Oh..
What Doc?
caltrops malfunction
Spotlight looked at his bare feet
Oh you gotta be kidding me. He managed just as the device on Smiths arm fired, scattering shrapnel across the floor.
Sure. Of course. He muttered in a resigned kind of way. Point your arm at me! He yelled at Smith. Smith managed a quizzical kind of look, no mean feat for someone channelling the better part of the lower east side power grid.
Point Your Arm At Me! Spotlight shouted again Id rather be hit with electricity than tear my feet to shreds.
Smith shrugged his shoulders, at least mentally, and pointed a finger it was all he could move.
An elegonated blast of electrical energy, like a slow motion lightening bolt, struck the brute square in the chest and he was hurled like paper doll into a stack of discarded robot parts. It was, from Smiths perspective at least, quite satisfying. It was also the only time in his life that Smith briefly considered what his life would have been like with a different profession.
All around him, monitors dimmed and made that noise computers do when they are drained of power. Seconds later he felt rather than saw the build up of an electrical field which started to grow around the corpse, gaining in strength and humming in that way electric fields do just before the vaporise everything in a half city block radius.
Piles of droid bits erupted from a corner of the warehouse as Spotlight got back on his feet, towel and hair smoking. Bolts of electrical energy jumped and pulsed through the air, but this time the bounced off the brutes skin, ploughing through the next nearest conductor in this case, the TV
Goddamit! Spotlight said in disgust Gym equipment happy hour was next up!
He looked over at his companion and saw the gathering field of energy. Then in split second, hed sprinted for the door.
If he could have moved, Smith would have raised a fist at the back of his disappearing companion instead, all he could do was watch his remaining drone breakdance badly while regretting not fitting static shielding around the main CPU cores.
Then suddenly, the entire warehouse plunged into darkness and Null found he could move again - he slowly sloped to the floor his arms and legs making involuntary jerking movements. Moments later he was joined by Spotlight and both sat in silence, gently smoking.
How how did you Smith managed after a moment, his teeth visible in the darkness as tiny electrical sparks danced between them
Spotlight held up the remains of the main breaker box hed torn from the wall:
Hulk smash he replied, with a grin.
Started playing again after a considerable break - and a couple of the funny conversations between me and a fellow player inspired the following interconnected (kinda) stories. The format's not great but anyway, enjoy.
***
One: Redundant
It wasnt the best of vantage points, on the roof of a low tenement not a hundred yards from their target building, but they hadnt been noticed yet.
Which in itself was odd. Spotlight was, well, big boned to quote his mother and then there was his armour which glistened a myriad of colours in the sun - something that youd expect well paid mercenary guards to notice particularly if you were paying. Although, as his slight companion had pointed out, from this distance he probably resembled a billboard.
In comparison Spotlights associate, the not-so-good Doctor Smith, was everything youd expect from a psychopathic genius with a penchant for robotics. Pale, drawn and emaciated to the point of looking like a hunger-striking convict. So there was no chance hed be spotted. He was the kind of person to whom youd say: you need to get out more if you saw him on the street. Only youd say it very quietly incase one his walking-gun-platform-come-robots heard you and decided to take exception.
His army of five robots was another matter, all flashing lights and noisy clanking. They lurked on the roof like uncomfortably bored children, jostling for the closest position to their master. And that was before you counted the humming, floating force field projector that took the worst parts of an ice-cream hungry wasp and one of those bagless vacuum cleaners. Spotlight tried to swat it away:
Im gettin the strangest feeling of dej-vu, Doc, Spotlight said shielding his eyes against the sun. He looked around before continuing, we been here before?
Um ? Smith barely looked up. He was, as Spotlight had pointed out earlier too busy fitting a doo-dad to his watchmacallit:
There. Done. Smith grinned And now the world will tremble
Thats great doc, interrupted his companion, grabbing Smiths jaw mid-monologue and turning it toward the building they were staking out: but have we been here before?
Smith looked annoyed, but focused on the building ahead of him:
Yes.
Huh? What?
Yes, weve been here before. This is the office block we kidnapped that mewling brat from. Razorfiends daughter.
Oh yeah. I thought it looked familiar. Spotlight fell silent,
Wait. Isnt this the place we took that blueprint from? For the backpack?
Smith rubbed his chin thoughtfully: Why yes, I think it is.
What the hell? What did they do, take out a want-ad? Now available for Weddings, bar-mitzvahs and hiding the kidnapped daughter of your arch-enemy? Spotlight chuckled and slapped Smith on the back
Er yes. I think thats standard procedure.
Spotlight stopped mid-laugh.
What?
Smith sighed and pulled a copy of Rogue Isle Protector from an inside pocket. He flicked through the well-thumbed copy to the wanted section. After a second he stopped and read:
To Hire: Nightclub with excellent panoramic views of the city via a spacious bar area. Large accessible office space on second floor with good lines of sight and wide corridors leading to strong choke points. Excellent for reunion parties, Christmas events and hiding stolen military grade equipment. Phone 555..
You gotta be kidding me. Spotlight pulled the paper away and looked down the list:
Newly available: Reclaimed section of city sewers with easy access from basement of partially demolished office block. Just the place to grow your secret cult of snake men
He cast his eye down the list of five or so places and nodded.
Mmm. I see. Well, I guess its a free market.
Indeed.
Actually, now I come to think on it, youd think thered be more.
Smith didnt answer. Instead he triumphantly thumbed the recently fitted doodad. Above them, the sky filled with the rumbling of jets accompanied by smoke and flame
Jeez Doc, why dont you just yell over to the guards while youre at it.. He stopped short as the the latest addition to their army touched down
Doc what they hell is that?
Doctor Smith grinned in that way that only Masterminds can:
Just a little something Ive been working on. An assault droid its has an impressive
Doc, am I mad or does that thing bare more than a passing resemblance to me?
Smith, fumbled with his welding goggles:
I admit that some of the external features are based on your physiology but thats all its actually a much more complicated machine than you Smith stopped short, but his companion said nothing:
Well, I wouldnt say that you were totally redundant Im sure that you have many useful qualities." He paused and then added: "And you have some obsolete ones too."
Spotlight raised an eyebrow:
Oh I gettit. Its a replacement for me then huh?
Neither of the men noticed that in the bots jostling for position, they had all lined up on one of the roofs main supporting beams. Well, they did notice - at the point it broke under the weight.
Without warning, the roof of the building suddenly gave way, sending the entire group tumbling down into the ruins of the apartment. Moments later, Smith found himself pinned under the weight of his now dysfunctional Assault Bot. Spotlight loomed out of the dark:
Useful qualities, huh Doc?
The wind had been knocked from Smiths lungs and his voice came in short rasps:
Yes well maybe it could use some work.
Spotlight used the oversize stone baseball bat he carried as a lever and catapulted the remains of the large robot into a nearby wall.
Yeah, like your interpersonal skills.
Two: Lift Work
What the hell are you doing?
Spotlight was currently adopting a position similar to that of an apple grown inside a box, and was uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable.
Have you read this sign? Came his companions reply from somewhere out in the lobby. It was, like the man himself - annoying. British. But then most good Masterminds were. It was in their blood.
No what sign? The brute managed to contain his anger much better than he contained the aerials protruding from his helmet, which suddenly sprang out and penetrated the side of the lift.
The sign that says maximum weight 5 persons.
So?
Well, me, plus the force field generator, the three drones and the two protectors is more than 5 persons.
And?!
I have to send the drones up one at a time with me, make them wait in the lobby, come back down get the next and its problematic.
Problematic. Spotlight sighed in quiet resignation and would have run a hand over his face. If he could have moved.
Yes. The drones programming is essentially fairly rudimentary. You know, attack, kill, maim and well, they keep following me back down.
SMITH! Youre a freaking masterMIND! Figure it out!
Well Im sorry I didnt think to programme my battle droids to handle lift work! The little man snapped in reply
Goddamit, I swear if I have to come out there.!!!.. The brute snapped back, his muscles bulging. Somewhere metal creaked, something machine like groaned and both lifts as well as a goodly part of the lobby exploded in a gazzilion different directions.
A large hand appeared out of the debris cloud and grabbed hold of the metal head of one of the drones. A split second later the robot disappeared upwards through the lift shaft.
Problem solved. A satisfied Spotlight said from the hole where the lifts had been.
Im not sure you should have done that. Said his companion, taking a step back.
Why? came the nonchalant reply. Thats a little something we Americans like to call affirmative action.
And that whistling noise, Said Smith putting his head on one side is something we educated masses like to call gravity.
Spotlight looked confused, looked up and saw the robot falling towards him, holding onto what looked like an enormous steel weight The brute braced himself for the inevitable head-smashing pain:
Aw [censored].
Moments later, the two were walking up the stairs, followed by a procession of clanking robots. One of the robots was struggling to navigate without a head, which even now one of the Protector bots was endeavouring to repair. If it could have shouted For the love of God, just stand still at the headless Drone, it probably would have. Unfortunately for it, it couldnt but it bore the annoyance with supreme indifference.
Could they make any more noise? Spotlight breathed between clenched teeth
They could, but would it be heard over your whinging? Smith retorted
The brute laughed:
Youre alright for Brainiac, Doc.
Youre not bad yourself for a meat shield
Speaking of which, thanks for the bubble back there.
Well, actually, the force field was for the robot.
Which is why it made useful protection
Yes, well, next time if you could avoid trying to use the head of one of my robots as some kind of indestructible helmet Id be grateful.
Sure. And just let your robot and a large chunk o steel smash my head in?
Smith looked briefly at his companions head before replying: Well, it wouldnt have done any lasting damage.
Maybe next time Ill just grab you.
There was a long pause
Doc, why are your robots all pointing guns at me?
Three: Shocker
Well that was fun, remind me not to shower straight after fighting the show Spotlight muttered as he stepped from the shower room, rubbing a large towel through his hair. After a moment he stopped rubbing and gingerly touched a hand to his head there was a short sharp snapping noise and the brute yelped
Dammed static. Whaddya doing?
Doctor Smith was deeply engrossed in the contents of a six foot long bag hed laid out on a workbench.
Mmm? Oh, what? This?
Spotlight wandered off, and flicked at the bag with his towel it fell away to reveal a Freakshow gunner. Spotlight jumped:
What the hell doc? Where did you get that freak?
Its one of He looked down the corpses broken body until he found what he was looking for, a hole the size of a football in the bodys lower stomach. It was neatly cauterised:
One of mine, thank god. Otherwise well, can you imagine the smell? He wrinkled his nose No, I dont suppose you can.
Spotlight ignored the insult and peered at a set of long nose pliers protruding from the corpses chest:
What are you doing, Doc?
Well, there technology isnt without merit, even if it is a little primitive. Smith replied, pushing his blast goggles up to the point from where they seemed to continually slip.
Primative? Jeez, this guys can bring themselves back from the dead, Doc, which incidentally is their only redeeming feature you know, pound em to death and they come back for a second helping. Anyway, Ive never seen anything you make do that.
Smith looked stunned for a second. When spoke he sounded huffy:
Well, they dont technically die and anyway, Ive not tried my speciality is robotics not cybernetics He pushed the brute out of the way and started pulling at the pliers
Hey, keep you whatevers on doc, I meant nothing by it. You still trying to get the Lazarus chip to work outside the host?
Smith nodded, and rubbed his temple distractedly: Cant stabilise the core all the chips are dead, if youll forgive the pun, on arrival. Its very curious.
Maybe the freaks carry some of the stabilisation functions somewhere else
The Doctor shook his head
Ive run full diagnostics Id have found it by now
Not if those functions were carried biologically. Course being dead theyd have to be in the lower brain functions programmed if you will into the subconscious or primitive nerve centres of the brain.
Smith took half a step back and raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Spotlight stared at his companion for a moment before picking up on the look
Aw hey, look, Im sick of you assuming Im an idiot because Im big and I like a fight. I have an IQ of 200 last time I checked. How about you?
Smith stared at the ceiling half closing an eye before responding:
Last time I was tested I finished their so called test in 10 minutes, including pointers on how they might rewrite most of it and then spent the remaining 50 minutes fashioning a small robot from a calculator, a pen, the clock they were timing me with, a dozen paperclips and easily removable parts from the desk. I then used it to kill the exams invigilator and make my escape.
Spotlight nodded, pausing briefly: Figures. He pointed to himself: Hulk smash . Watch QVC drink beer. He wandered toward the fridge
You do that go drip water elsewhere, Smith said, shooing Spotlight away Rather than over the body of something that conducts elec
Suddenly something pulsed, sending a wave of contorting pain down Dr Smiths arm he was rooted to the spot as electricity coursed through him and out across the floor.
Help! He managed to get out between electrically welded shut teeth. Three droids immediately jumped forward to assist their master, but as they drew closer two of them had their power was sucked out of their eye sensors and into the corpse. A third, for reasons best known to itself, spontaneously started to breakdance in a non-to-helpful manner. Or the closest a walking gun platform can come to breakdancing anyway.
Doc! Spotlight yelled running forward. A bolt jumped at the brute, but he dodged and instead it smash into the refrigerator, burning a hole through the door and superheating the beer:
Oh man Spotlight moaned, turning to look at steam spewing fridge. He attention returned to Smith as something beeped loudly on his companions arm.
Oh..
What Doc?
caltrops malfunction
Spotlight looked at his bare feet
Oh you gotta be kidding me. He managed just as the device on Smiths arm fired, scattering shrapnel across the floor.
Sure. Of course. He muttered in a resigned kind of way. Point your arm at me! He yelled at Smith. Smith managed a quizzical kind of look, no mean feat for someone channelling the better part of the lower east side power grid.
Point Your Arm At Me! Spotlight shouted again Id rather be hit with electricity than tear my feet to shreds.
Smith shrugged his shoulders, at least mentally, and pointed a finger it was all he could move.
An elegonated blast of electrical energy, like a slow motion lightening bolt, struck the brute square in the chest and he was hurled like paper doll into a stack of discarded robot parts. It was, from Smiths perspective at least, quite satisfying. It was also the only time in his life that Smith briefly considered what his life would have been like with a different profession.
All around him, monitors dimmed and made that noise computers do when they are drained of power. Seconds later he felt rather than saw the build up of an electrical field which started to grow around the corpse, gaining in strength and humming in that way electric fields do just before the vaporise everything in a half city block radius.
Piles of droid bits erupted from a corner of the warehouse as Spotlight got back on his feet, towel and hair smoking. Bolts of electrical energy jumped and pulsed through the air, but this time the bounced off the brutes skin, ploughing through the next nearest conductor in this case, the TV
Goddamit! Spotlight said in disgust Gym equipment happy hour was next up!
He looked over at his companion and saw the gathering field of energy. Then in split second, hed sprinted for the door.
If he could have moved, Smith would have raised a fist at the back of his disappearing companion instead, all he could do was watch his remaining drone breakdance badly while regretting not fitting static shielding around the main CPU cores.
Then suddenly, the entire warehouse plunged into darkness and Null found he could move again - he slowly sloped to the floor his arms and legs making involuntary jerking movements. Moments later he was joined by Spotlight and both sat in silence, gently smoking.
How how did you Smith managed after a moment, his teeth visible in the darkness as tiny electrical sparks danced between them
Spotlight held up the remains of the main breaker box hed torn from the wall:
Hulk smash he replied, with a grin.