“Yeah, great to see you too, Connie”, said De Coza. “Put the boy on, will you?”
“Ray, have you any idea what time it is?”
“Put him on!”
“He’s in bed!”
“Well get him out of bed!” yelled De Coza. “His daddy’s gonna be appearing on live TV in half an hour’s time, so get him up and get him here!”
Connie looked at De Coza for a long second then the hologram disappeared. For a brief furious moment De Coza had thought she had hung up on him, then he saw a flicker of light on the holo-screen and realized that she had only put him on hold.
The hologram of a sleepy-looking six year old boy appeared before De Coza and he grinned at the sight of his son. “Hey, Chuck!”
“Hi Daddy”, Chuck said warily.
“Why ain’t you watching the TV, son? Your daddy’s gonna make you proud.”
Chuck looked confused and De Coza felt a familiar stab of irritation. “You remember what I told you about daddy’s job?”
“Trashman?” Chuck said cautiously.
De Coza leaned forwards in his chair, forcing himself to keep his voice calm. “No Chuck, you remember daddy’s other job? He’s not a trashman, he’s a soldier.”
“But the other kids say you’re a—”
“Never mind what the other kids say!” interrupted De Coza, jabbing his thumb at his Robot Alliance medal. “I’m a soldier goddammit!”
Chuck recoiled at the anger in his father’s voice and his hologram disappeared from view. Connie’s angry face appeared in Chuck’s place, her hand reaching for the holo-phone console.
“Connie, don’t you dare turn—” De Coza began.
The holo-screen went black.
De Coza slammed his fist on the console, then slouched back in his chair, simmering with impotent fury. He had the right to talk to his own son, didn’t he? Connie had to respect his right damm it!
All his life he had to fight for respect, De Coza reflected sourly. Growing up in Brooklyn he was a magnet for every bully and wannabe tough guy in the neighbourhood. Maybe he was small, but he was a fighter and the so-called tough guys soon found to their cost that Raymond Alfonso De Coza was a man to leave the hell alone.
De Coza scooped up the hidden lager bottle, glugged it back then dropped the empty bottle on the floor. It shattered with a satisfying smash. He settled back into his chair and gazed drunkenly at his own reflection in the black glass of the holo-projector, his medal glinting.
As a kid he had always dreamed of becoming a Marine, he remembered. The uniform, the respect, serving his country. It had damn well nearly killed him when they turned him away because of his height. In fact pretty much everyone had turned him away for that reason apart from the New York Refuse Centre who were looking for cleaning personnel. Being a little guy was a plus in their books, you could get right into the nooks and crannies of the garbage-collecting robots. But De Coza was ambitious, he didn’t plan on being a cleaner all his life. He had soon discovered that he was handy with a screwdriver and the guys upstairs let him service the robots as well as clean them. He learned on the job how the robots were put together, even how they were programmed, and swiftly rose through the ranks until he reached the top. He was the Senior Robot Technician now, a big shot, a guy to be reckoned with.
But deep down he’d never really given up his childhood dream.
De Coza squinted at his reflection in the glass and the image suddenly blurred, his olive green refuse collector’s overalls morphing into a military uniform. He gazed at the tough Marine looking back at him, eyes steely, jaw strong and determined, medal gleaming. A man ready for action, a man ready to do his duty.
“A soldier…” De Coza said softly and he saluted his own reflection.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SABOTAGE
Inside the gatehouse, Hinks the security guard was settled back in his chair, half-dozing. Brad’s voice suddenly echoed from the courtyard tannoy making him jump: “All contestants please return to the robot workshop wing. On air in 10 minutes.”
He yawned and stretched, glancing at his watch. Ten minutes till the show started, but more importantly ten minutes until the end of his shift. He’d watch the opening of the show, grab a late breakfast from one of the Speed-Feeders then hit the sack. He idly wondered what had happened to the two jokers who’d given him the slip earlier. Probably just a couple of fanboys who’d snuck on the island. They looked harmless enough.
Hinks pulled out his car magazine and flipped through it for the umpteenth time. Ten more minutes…
Engrossed in his magazine, Hinks didn’t see a flicker of movement on the monitor bank besides him. On the screen labelled ROBOT WORKSHOP, a door opened and someone slipped furtively inside…
Heading towards Toby’s workstation…
Stopping before Eve…
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE SHOW BEGINS
Toby lined up with the other roboticists in the robot workshop, waiting for the show to begin. Everyone was silent, mentally preparing themselves for the coming competition.
“Competitors, stand by”, Brad called from the doorway. “On air in seven minutes.”
There was a mechanical grating sound and Toby saw the metal wall running down the length of the robot workshop start to rise, revealing the courtyard outside. He could see that Stacey and Major Hacker had already taken their positions between the feet of the toy robot statue, illuminated by a sea of TV lights. The rest of the production team were congregated near the main building, out of shot of the cameras. As Toby watched, a steady stream of production personnel left the fortress to join them; carpenters, labourers, electricians, wardrobe assistants, security guards, production assistants. There was a buzz of anticipation as everyone waited for the show to start.
Toby felt a thrill of excitement run through him. This was finally it! Only his argument with Caitlin spoiled the moment. The irony was that he agreed with much of what she said. He knew first hand from helping at his mother’s clinic how difficult the patients’ lives were. Many people nowadays saw prosthetic users as somehow less than human, as if having a robotic arm somehow made them robotic in the head. And he could appreciate that building a robot from cyber-prosthetic parts and entering it into a TV show like Destroy All Robots could possibly make people hate prosthetic users even more. But what choice did he have? His brother would die unless he won the prize money. Surely that was more important?
“On air in five minutes”, Brad called and the robot workshop lights suddenly extinguished. Toby guessed the lighting was arranged so that they would remain in the shadows until they were introduced by Major Hacker. A silhouette materialized beside him and Toby was relieved to see it was Caitlin. He grinned at her and she gave him a wan smile in return. He thought about asking her where she’d gone, but then decided against it; he was just grateful to have her back. He turned back to the courtyard and saw that the shutter running down the length of the studio wing opposite was starting to rise, revealing Marty and the production crew in the control room.
Inside the control room, Marty hovered anxiously behind the Show-Runner, a humanoid robot built directly into the control desk. Marty knew that the robot could single-handedly run the entire show, everything from positioning the mobile cameras for the most dramatic shot, right down to mixing and editing the show ready for transmission. But Marty somehow never quite trusted the robot’s instincts, even though it had been programmed with all of his personal preferences, and liked to be around just in case it missed the killer shot.
“How long before we’re on air?” Marty asked.
“Three minutes, 55 seconds”, replied the Show-Runner in a smooth computerized voice.
“Time for a final run-through?”
“Yes, Marty.”
“Okay”, said Marty, turning to the monitor bank. “Concealed cameras?”
The Show-Runner obediently scrolled through the output of every concealed camera on the island.
“
Mobile cameras?”
In the courtyard, camera drones the size of tennis balls started orbiting the robot statue, each one studded with thrusters and lenses. Marty checked their output on the monitors and nodded. “Presenter audio?”
Stacey’s voice blasted out of the speakers. “Check.”
“Check”, echoed Hacker, a little nervously.
Marty glanced at the monitors and saw Hacker take a furtive nip from his hip-flask. He swore under his breath and prayed silently to the movie gods that Hacker wouldn’t ruin the show.
“How about the LA link?” he asked, turning back to the Show-Runner.
“Reading you loud and clear, Marty”, a female voice crackled. “You might be interested to hear that Ted Rothman has honoured you with his presence.”
Marty beamed with pleasure. Ted Rothman was the head of the CSS Network that was broadcasting the show. He knew it was rare indeed for Rothman to be personally present for any live transmission and indicated the high profile of the show.
“Tell him to hold onto his seat”, laughed Marty. “It’s gonna be a wild ride!”
“On air in 10 seconds, Marty”, the Show-Runner announced.
“Quiet please”, Marty yelled.
The excited babble of voices all over the fortress died down.
Marty leaned over the shoulder of the Show-Runner and saw the Destroy All Robots opening titles starting to play on the monitors. The titles ended and were replaced by a recording of Major Hacker’s opening monologue on the ship. Hacker finished his speech and was replaced by footage of the Marines and roboticists storming the Toymaker’s island. Marty was pleased to see it all looked very exciting the way it was filmed, the jerky camera movements replicating genuine war footage. The pre-recorded material came to an end and the Show-Runner leaned forwards. “Counting in Stacey, 5…4…3…2…1…”
Stacey smoothly turned to the camera, now dressed as a war correspondent in a camouflage jacket. “That was Major Bill Hacker briefing his troops just minutes before a daring surprise attack on the Toymaker’s island.” She turned to Hacker, proffering the microphone towards him. “Major Hacker, are you at liberty to give us any more information on this operation?”
“Yes ma’am”, said Hacker, putting on his gravelly American voice again. “I am pleased to report that despite facing formidable opposition we were successful in taking the Toymaker’s fortress. Unfortunately we were unable to capture the Toymaker and he is still at large somewhere on the island, possibly in a secret stronghold.”
“So the Toymaker is still a threat?”
Hacker nodded seriously. “Very much so. It’s my grave duty to inform you that we recently intercepted a communication from him.” He paused dramatically, directly addressing the camera. “He plans to launch a new terror campaign in exactly three days.”
The screen split in two as the Show-Runner mixed in archival footage of the Toymaker’s past atrocities; poison gas robots infiltrating public buildings causing mass fatalities; predator drones dive-bombing national monuments, destroying the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The archival footage ended and the Show-Runner returned to Major Hacker. “We have no idea where he will strike”, he said grimly. “History tells us that the Toymaker doesn’t differentiate between country or creed. Black or white, rich or poor, if you’re homosapian you’re a target. Because of the gravity of the situation the president has decreed we enlist the following civilian robotic experts to help combat the robot menace.”
Hacker turned towards the darkened robot workshop wing. “Coach Kennedy with his pitcher-trainer robot, the Boston Wrangler.”
The Boston Wrangler rolled into the spotlight, a super-reinforced baseball bat mounted onto an armour-plated chassis fitted with caterpillar tracks. The robot drew to a halt in front of Hacker, wielding the baseball bat like a samurai warrior.
Hacker waved on the next competitor. “Fire Chief Greg McBride with his robot, Blast Furnace.”
Blast Furnace rumbled forwards, looking like a fire engine crossed with an octopus. Topping its crimson cylindrical body was a powerful water cannon that was attached to a series of water-seeking black hoses that writhed like tentacles. The robot rolled to a halt next to the Boston Wrangler and two fireman’s axes emerged from either side of the robot, smashing together with a defiant clang.
“Doctors Scannell and Scannell with their robot, the Tooth Fairy.”
The Tooth Fairy scuttled forwards, its jointed appendages equipped with drills, tools and syringes giving the robot a sinister resemblance to a mechanical scorpion. A pair of powerful hydraulic arms projected from its dentist-chair body, tipped with knuckle-dusters made from human teeth.
“Roadkill, Uzi-Rider and Typhoid Mary with their robot, Hogzilla.”
Hogzilla revved its powerful engine with a deafening roar, then accelerated forwards, a black and chrome monster chopper studded with foot-long spikes. It screeched to a halt next to the other robots, leaving a smoking trail of scorched rubber.
“Bubba and Billy-Bob Badgett with their sheep-shearing unit, Redneck’s Revenge.”
Redneck’s Revenge whirred into life, a stubby square robot adorned with a ram’s skull. It advanced into the spotlight and two ramps flipped down on the back and front of the robot’s chest, exposing a rubber-lipped, sheep-sized cavity running through the centre of the robot. The rubber lips peeled back in a grotesque parody of a smile, revealing a gleaming array of razor-sharp blades.
“Ray De Coza with his refuse robot, Dumpmaster.”
Dumpmaster stomped forwards, a massive brute of a robot with mechanical jaws constructed for chomping and crushing trash. Housed behind the jaw was a sorting mechanism connected to an assortment of recycling bins strapped to the robot’s back. Dumpmaster gave a blood-curdling roar, towering over the other robots.
“Toby Badernoch with his cyber-prosthetic robot, Eve.”
Toby strode confidently into the spotlight, joining the other competitors and robots.
Hacker frowned, looking past him and Toby immediately knew that something was wrong. He turned and saw that Eve hadn’t moved. There was an embarrassed pause. Toby looked uncertainly at Hacker, unsure whether to stay where he was or go back and try and get Eve operational. Hacker looked at Stacey in panic, painfully aware that this was being broadcasted live to millions of people. The moment of dead air lengthened. The other competitors shuffled, glancing at Toby. De Coza sniggered and Toby reddened. What the hell was wrong with his robot?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE TOYMAKER ATTACKS
Inside the control room the Show-Runner swivelled round to face Marty. “Deviation from scripted schedule, Marty”, the robot said calmly. “Suggested options; one, move on to the next competitor, two, curtail introductory sequence and—”
“Option two” yelled Marty impatiently. “Skip Thumper and go straight into the first battle.” He turned to a nearby Marine who was leaning against the wall, chatting to a pretty female production assistant. “Okay soldier, you’re on!”
The Marine snapped to attention, smoothed down his uniform then ran out of the studio towards Major Hacker and Stacey in the courtyard. “Sir”, he bellowed, saluting smartly. “We’ve detected a squad of Toymaker Trooper Robots just north of us. Looks like they’re headed this way!”
Major Hacker nodded, relieved that the show was back on track again, and turned to the competitors. “Activate robots!” he ordered.
De Coza patted Dumpmaster’s flank like it was a prize racehorse. “Prepare for combat”, he murmured. Red bulbs lit up in Dumpmaster’s eyes, giving the robot a demonic expression.
Stacey turned to the camera, her job to keep the viewers informed on what was going on. “Prepare for combat, those three magic words, switching the robot from voice recognition to autonomous control. It will now act on its own volition unless otherwise ordered, its prime directive to DESTROY ALL ROBOTS!”
As if on cue, a squad of Toymaker Trooper Robots appeared from the j
ungle, the midday sun gleaming off their chrome battle armour. Toby watched in frustration as the other competitors quickly switched their robots on to autonomous control, preparing for the first battle. He turned to go back to Eve, wanting to get her operational, but Stacey’s hand grabbed his shoulder.
“Sorry, Toby, she’s gonna have to sit this one out.”
“But—”
“No buts, you and the other competitors need to move into the safety zone. Now!”
Toby reluctantly allowed himself to be ushered into the safety zone with the other competitors, directly behind the toy robot statue. Caitlin gave Toby a sympathetic look as the convoy of robots rumbled forwards to meet the Toymaker’s forces, leaving Eve behind.
The Boston Wrangler led the convoy, smashing into the squad of Trooper Robots just as they entered the fortress courtyard. The robot’s baseball bat flailed wildly, knocking them in all directions like ninepins.
Stacey watched the explosive start of battle from the safety zone and raised her microphone. “And there goes the Wrangler, pounding the Toymaker’s robots into sheet metal…”
The Troopers retreated from the courtyard, regrouping just beyond the fortress gates. They unsheathed their laser rifles and opened fire and the Boston Wrangler immediately came under sustained attack. It tried to reverse and De Coza’s robot Dumpmaster sidestepped, blocking its way.
Inside the safety zone, Coach Kennedy shot De Coza a furious look. “We’re supposed to be acting as a team!” he yelled. De Coza sniggered and shrugged.
The Wrangler reversed in a different direction, its caterpillar tracks rolling over a fallen Trooper Robot. Dumpmaster sidestepped again, blocking the Wrangler. The robot was now directly in front of the Trooper Robots who were lined up in front of the gates like a firing squad. They opened fire and the Wrangler took several direct hits, one laser bolt penetrating its protective casing.
Stacey raised her microphone excitedly. “And it looks like the Boston Wrangler could be in trouble!”
Bubba and Billy-Bob’s robot, Redneck’s Revenge trundled forwards, coming to the Wrangler’s aid. It ploughed into the group of Troopers, savagely chomping down on any robot within its range.
“Redneck’s Revenge to the rescue!” Stacey cried. “Looks like she could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”