Robotic Creator

Epilogue

"This ought to be good..." He thought as he scanned the ground. Right then he was high above Yann city, searching for one particularly famous anthro...it was the middle of the night, with a full moon directly overhead. He had even managed to get someone to stage a sort of...play, to get his target's attention. It hadn't worked so far, but even his prey wasn't perfect, no matter how well he'd designed the anthro he was after.

It was only a matter of time though...he'd find that malfunction of a project sooner or later.

*All characters copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 1

A Ruthless

Revelation

Babe sighed as he scanned the ground. Four muggings tonight...FOUR! Where was everyone? He usually had twice as many by now. Was he really starting to make that much of a difference? The thought made him feel good, but at the same time, it saddened him. If he was doing so well, he would have to leave soon. He needed to keep active...it was the only way he felt like he was helping. If he had managed to slow crimes so much, he would eventually start sitting around, doing nothing...of course, that meant there would be more time to spend with Sarah, which was always good, but he still felt like he needed this...if only to prove his creator wrong...he wasn't going to be the ultimate killing machine...he was going to be the ultimate good guy...the ultimate friend. He had no other choices...he couldn't let himself slip! People were depending on him...looked up to him...for some, and he knew this from personal experiences, held onto his being here as their only hope. The entire population of Yann city, everyone living here, making an honest living, needed him.

He wouldn't let them down.

Sarah sighed and continued to stare out her window in Bill's lab. Where was Babe? He'd filled his quota for the night by now...why hadn't he returned home yet? She missed him...Almost as if he'd heard her, his rockets flared in the night sky, illuminating his body slightly. She smiled and waved at him, then ran to the door to open it for him.

He landed, looking especially sad for some reason...

She frowned and asked, "Babe, what's wrong? Your 'work' wasn't that bad tonight, was it?"

Babe nodded, "I only found four muggings tonight, and got lucky enough to stop someone from getting shot."

"Well then, isn't that good? You're finally making a huge difference on a larger scale!"

"Yeah, but I can't help it...I fell so...useless just doing nothing! I feel like I could do more, but I don't know what..."

Sarah helped him as he plugged in to recharge himself. She brought out a few sugar packets as well, "Stop obsessing over this so much Babe...I miss you when you're gone...if you're making that big a difference, then stay with me a little more. The people of Yann city can handle themselves better now..."

"That's the problem! I want to KEEP helping...I want to do so much for them...but I've been doing such a good job that there's less for me to do! I need to stay active. You understand, right Sarah?"

Bill yawned and turned to his side. Babe's rockets had woken him from such a nice dream...well, if he was back now, maybe Babe would spend time with Sarah. That usually kept things quiet around the lab...an arm fell off the bed when he slipped back to sleep.

"Still no luck...I'll have to try again tomorrow...perhaps it's time I made myself a little more obvious to the public." He grinned. He stood inside his 'base' until the sun rose, then donned a trenchcoat, gloves, and boots. He purposely left his face completely visible. If people thought there was another hero in the city, well, too bad for them. The thought made him chuckle a little. Those fools in the city took his creation too lightly. If he found a way to get to the curcuits on his creation, he might be able to reverse the effects those tests had on it. His killer would finally be up and running.

Inwardly though, he fumed. It was so minute that he didn't truly notice it. It was BECAUSE of those malfunctions he was like this. It was because of his lack of foresight that he was so much like his creation. Well, not like his creation...better than it. He had made sure that all those scientists he'd had help him did it right. He had some surprises waiting for that Protector...

Doomsday was drawing nigh.

That day, reports started coming in instantly. The shock had been enough to have the newspapers get reprinted.

And Bill had gotten one of those new prints. A first, Bill had been confused. He'd not gotten two papers in a day before. He didn't exactly look at coupons that much. He'd even thrown it on the ever growing stack of papers in one of the lab rooms, stayed gone an hour, and THEN run a few time consuming experriments before it occured to him to actually SEE why he'd been given another copy..."...BABE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Sarah rushed into the room. Babe had already left for his morning patrol, "What is it...oh god..." The paper had a huge picture on the front, of a robot. She first thought of Babe. Why would he reveal himself? What crazy idea did he have running in his head?! Then she noticed that the robot in the picture was a razor. It wasn't Babe...

She made her way over to the console and contacted Babe, "Babe, come in. Come in!"

His voice was only a little staticy over the link, "What is it? I'm a little busy. I've found a group of gunmen trying to rob a bank..."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Ever the Protector..."Babe, get back here as soon as you can. Forget the rest of the patrol. As soon as you've finished off those gunmen, find a paper!"

Babe confirmed her and closed the connection, "Why does she want me to look at the paper? There wasn't a thing too interesting today..." It didn't take long to finish off the gunmen. Babe rose up to scan more of the city. He jerked a little as his sensors started picking up a fast moving object. Scanning...Metallic object located. Speed: 119 mph. Babe shook his head and rechecked the readings...some sort of glitch? No...a new screen flashed in front of his eyes. It showed his radar, and something closing in on him--FAST!

He dropped just as the object would have collided with him. He heard it curse, then shoot off before he could scan it much more. Slightly shaken at seeing something moving faster than HIS top speed, he continued his descent. People gasped as he landed, but he ignored them. He had to get a look at the paper to see what Sarah was so worked up about. He found a news-stand and looked at the picture. What was so strange? It was today's paper from this morning. He was about to leave when he noticed another, more popular paper. Granted, it wasn't the one they recieved every morning, but if whatever Sarah had seen was really that huge, maybe another paper had it.

...it did.

"DAMN!" Babe shouted and took off. This wasn't possible! It--it just couldn't be! He'd KILLED that razor! He had run his metallic claws STRAIGHT THROUGH that dragon's heart! How could he still be alive?!! HOW?!!!!! Babe shut his eyes and flew back to Bill's lab as fast as he could, "That was HIM! He was the thing that had tried to ram me! How did he get that fast?! I can achieve about 101 mph...how did he manage nearly twenty miles faster?!!!!! Why did he make himself like me?! What's he planning?.." The thought struck him harder than anything else. Babe had been rebuilt to destroy everything...and he had managed to cheat that particular command. Why had that maniac kept himself alive? What purpose did it serve?

Was he still after Babe? Did that scientist REALLY want him badly enough to do what he'd done to himself? Babe kept the questions fresh in his mind until he landed at the lab. He found Sarah and Bill in the main section, puzzling over the paper...most likely trying to figure out who the new robot was. He helped them, "It's my maker."

Sarah slowly looked up from the paper, understanding instantly what Babe meant, "Then how did he stay alive?"

Bill nodded, eyes still on the picture, "Sarah's right. Your attack would have killed him in a literal heartbeat. There's no way he could have lived through that..."

"It was HIM! I swear it! You think I would forget what he looked like?!"

Sarah shook her head, "Babe, calm down...what if he's changed? Maybe that razor just wanted to stay alive?"

Babe replied grimly, "Yeah, or maybe he's still out to make me miserable. He's already got a place in my memory bank...why should he want a place in my LIFE?!" A new thought surfaced..."My life...he knows about my life...he knows I'm Babe Cleave! What if he reveals me?! What if...he...goes after...my...friends..." He rushed back out the door without a second thought.

Sarah got busy calling Babe's mother, the Deep Rockers, and the Apendages. She was relieved to hear all of them were fine, and went back to Bill, who was still bent over the paper, "Bill? What are you doing?"

He grunted, but didn't look up, "He looks familiar..."

"What do you mean?"

"I think I know him...guy was crazy, if it's him...I doubt it though...the robot's face is too metallic for me to tell."

*All characters copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 2

It Starts...

"Damn! I was so close! I shouldn't have held back my speed...he's got better reflexes than I gave him. Let's see...he knows I exist, at least...Damn it! I should have been able to get that bug on him! Now I'll have to stage another appearance before I can find out where he's been hiding!" He growled and threw the papers aside. His lab assistants fled before his anger, knowing full well what he would do if he saw ANYONE while he was angered. The last assistant had been enough of an example...

He cursed all the way to his room, where his recharging units, and supply of sugar, were both kept. He quickly downed a packet of sugar, right then sorely missing the taste of liquor. After making sure he was securely plugged in, he sat, making plans...but his encounter with that failed experiment of his was too clear in his mind for him to think clearly. He kept thinking of how close he came to death..."You're going to pay, Protector. If it hadn't been for YOU I wouldn't have to live like this! When I finally regain my lost control over you I'll make sure you pay for everything you've done to me in blood. You family and friends will be the first to go...then the important people on this damned island...I'll make you the perfect killer yet...I just need to get to your wiring..." He closed his eyes, forced himself to relive that day...just to keep his vengeance clear in his mind, "You would have killed me...and I wouldn't have to be so cursed like this...but my assistants all knew parts of my work on you. They were able to stabilize me while they built my new body...and then they planted me in it! If I could have one day changed, you would have lost your feelings, and I would have RULED this island! Those who wanted me to build you would have had no idea how to work you. I could have easily risen above them all with you at my side. I could now, but you would get in my way...I'll get you for this, Cleave. I'll make you pay dearly." He cursed once more, then focused on finishing getting charged.

One of the assistants watched him over the cameras...it was the only safe way to do so. They hadn't covered the left eye with false skin yet...and its eerie red glow sharply contrasted the almost calm appearance of the other eye. He was plotting...in a way, the very man he worked for was also his greatest accomplishment. It had been...difficult to accurately decipher everything that had been written...and this was the end result of all that hard work. They had succeeded in doing what SHOULD have been impossible.

This pride wasn't shared by the rest of the people here. In fact, most of the others had left...gone to who knew where to start over. He was one of the last few original assistants here. All of the newer people were too scared to stay close to the robot now charging in his room. Ah well...who could blame them? It was certainly hard to accept that they worked for a killer...and an easily angered one at that. The last one to set off his temper had been dead the next second. Uneventful hours passed...until finally, the robotic genius got up to try his luck at attacking the Protector once more.

Babe paced restlessly back and forth. What was taking them all so long?! He'd been lucky. Maik had been at his mother's house helping again. Because of this, he was able to ask Maik to make daily visits instead of every once in a while. Right now, Maik was making a phone call to the rest of the band, telling them to stay low or at least try to. It was hard for a band to do that...as soon as Maik was done, his mother would call Kia and make sure they knew to keep an eye out.

Maik came out, looking flustered, "Babe...you sure know how to scare a guy..."

"I can't help it Maik! That new robot is DANGEROUS! Until I get this all sorted out and get RID of that maniac once and for all, I need you and the rest to RUN at any sight of a robot. No exceptions."

Maik nodded, "I get it...but when can we know for sure?"

"I'll have Bill call you."

"Okay...if you're so sure about this." Maik left, mumbling, "This is insane..."

Babe couldn't have agreed more. A moment later, Babe's mother appeared with the phone in her hand. She was just finishing telling Kia to watch out. She pressed a button on the hone to end the call, then looked at Babe, "Dear...will you be alright?"

Babe winced, "I'd be better if you stayed with Bill and Sarah."

"But what if Maik or someone else comes here? They might need a place to hide."

Babe nodded, "I know...but still...can't you leave a note or something? Please mother? I would feel so much better if you were with them...you'd be safer."

"You don't even know if he's that dangerous."

"He made me. I doubt he's very happy about me trying to kill him. PLEASE mother. PLEASE."

She shook her head, "Not until tomorrow at least. I'll need time to pack."

"But you'll come?"

"Yes..."

"Thank you!" He hugged her, carefully, then stepped outside and took off. He faintly heard his mother say something before heading back to Sarah.

"Be careful Babe..."

Kia hung up the phone, wondering what to do. They couldn't just hide...they would have to leave to get groceries...to cancle what concerts they had planned. And what's more, to visit with each other. They couldn't all stay in one apartment. That would get cramped...fast. Plus little Ralph was still getting used to his anthro form...

Pik came in, shying away from James as he did so, who was sleeping soundly on the couch with Ralph. After the leash incident, Pik had stayed pretty clear of the guitarist. He held a bag of groceries, "Kia, where'm I supposed to put these without Ralph getting at them?"

She sighed, "It won't matter...we may have to find somewhere else to stay for a while."

Pik set the bags on the table, looking stunned, "What happened?"

"Babe."

Pik nodded. That explained enough..."Where will we go? We can't hide you and Ralph at your mother's house...if she saw him..."

"I know!" She scowled, "And YOUR mother has things hard enough without you and me bringing Ralph and James to destroy her house."

Pik lowered his head, thinking of his mother's condition.

Kia gasped, "Oh Pik...I'm so sorry...I hadn't meant--"

Pik cut her off, "It's okay...SHE still doesn't think I should...help her..."

Kia shook her head, "Then forget what I said earlier. We'll stay at her house, and she can't stop us. If she's going to keep on like that, we NEED to stay with her. Why does she want you to stop helping her?"

"She thiks that me sending her money is cutting from my life. She doesn't think you and I have enough...and she wants me to stop helping her get those operations."

"Then it's a good thing she still uses the money for operations whenever you send it to her." Kia held his shoulder, "Come on...we need to give her a call."

Pik hid in another room while Kia made the next few calls, "Why won't she let me help her, Josh?"

"Got me...so...what'll happen now?"

"Well, Kia's telling my mother when to expect us, then she's going to call the rest of the band. After that, who knows?"

There was a bit of silence as Josh thought it through, "Let's see...we're gonna be hiding for a few days...no one except our friends will know where we are...and Kia will be with us. We might be in for some fun times, pal."

"You forget about Ralph and James...not to mention my mother."

"Well, we might get a few chances then..."

"Not now Josh...I'm worried..."

"Okay...just trying to lighten the mood, Pik."

Babe flew high, scanning as much as he could at one time. He had to find that guy as soon as possible. The longer this maniac was loose, the more danger he was putting his friends in. He had to find him...

"There you are..." He grinned to himself. HIS radar was at least three times better than what he'd given Babe. He could detect his creation where his creation could not. All he really had to do was begin a steep descent. He could gain enough speed that even Babe's new reflexes wouldn't be able to save him.

This was the moment he'd been waiting for. He roared and dove.

"What the--" Babe flew off to the side, hoping he could be fast enough. He'd only JUST moved fast enough. It fell past him, managing to tap his wing hard enough to spin him in the air. Babe checked the attacker's speed...Speed: 207 mph Babe gasped. How had it managed to move that fast?!!! He watched it as it began to change course for an ascent back toward him...the speed did not change. Babe dove as his adversary came up, minimizing the distance and getting lower before his opponent could fully change course. He made it to the ground...outside of Yann city.

"It's him..." Babe activated his cannon, taking aim before the razor could reach the ground. He fired off a shot when the robot facing him was the most vulnerable. Strangely, it ricocheted off, blowing a small hole in the ground nearby. A cloud of dust was blown up from the blast. Unable to see what had happened, he listened to his sensors. Energy defensive action. Static shield located. An energy shield? How had he done that?

Sarah was at the window, waiting for Babe to come home. For a moment, she thought she saw something metallic glare in the sunlight, but that could be Babe...could it? The way he was acting earlier, this wouldn't be like him...he'd want to chase down his target.

"Babe? What are you doing back?.." She said out loud as she watched the metallic gleam get larger. No doubt now...Babe was coming ho--"AUGH!!!!!!!!!!" Sarah screamed and ran from the window. It was the razor!

Kia, Pik, their son, and James were all heading toward Pik's old home when they saw it in the sky. Kia, remembering what she'd been told, shoved everyone to quicken their pace. They ducked into an alley as a robotic razor landed in the street...looking right at them...

James put up quite the fight, but the robot looked as if he was...annoyed. James was soon thrown to the side in an unconcious heap. Kia held Ralph close to her as the robot approached. She and Pik backed away, screaming and covering their heads when the robot raised his arm...but instead of rubble suddenly engulfing them, they smelled a strange gas that made them sleep...

Kia woke a few minute later...Pik was also beginning to come around. She held a dizzy head and sat up, "What happened?..why didn't he kill us?" It dawned on her, "Ralph? Ralph?! RALPH!!!!!" She searched around the alley in vain...

Where was Ralph?

Maik and the rest of the Appendages stopped by Mrs. Cleave's house one more time. She was dragging a suitcase with wheels behind her, just locking up the house, "Mrs. Cleave?"

She jumped, startled, "Maik! You surprised me there..." She sighed and took the key out of the lock, "I can't believe this is happening...can you?"

Maik shook his head, "I never thought I'd see the Protector so scared! I kinda thought he was overreacting." He smiled and took Mrs. Cleave's bag, "Ready?"

She was staring at the sky.

Maik looked up in the same direction, wondering what had her attention so absorbed...oh..."M...M...Mrs. Cleave?..we--we should probably...g--go now..." He said as he started backing away. No sooner had he finished saying that did he drop the suitcase and run. He could hear them all following him.

Maik glanced back once to see if they were all their, but Mrs. Cleave had fainted, and was in the robot's grasp, "NO!" He turned around to run back to her, but the last shred he had of common sense forced him back around to run. They managed to hide, but now Maik was worried...how would he tell Babe?

A little girl was just finishing her school for the day when she saw it..."Hey! It's the Protector!" She shouted and pointed up. Inside, she was feeling a little giddy. Had the Protector come to see her again? Would he let her keep calling him Babe?..would he--wait...that wasn't the Protector! That was the other one from the paper! What was he doing?!

Somewhere closeby there was a small explosion, knocking her to the ground. She coughed a little as a strange gas clouded the air around her. Feeling started to leave her...her eyes drooped heavily. The last thing she felt were cold, hard hands lifting her up and the wind on her face...

Babe snarled at the robotic version of his nightmares. His sensors were going wild searching for some way to attack, but every new course of action he tried was either blocked, dodged , or parried. Nothing could seem to get him!

Suddenly, the visible robotic eye on the razor's face blinked green. The razor looked slightly surprised...Babe faintly heard him speak, "They did it already?.." Then a triumphant smile was all Babe saw. The razor spoke, "This is far from over, Cleave. We'll see each other very soon. I assure you." With that, the razor turned and flew away. Babe couldn't have hoped to follow him.