Adventures in Parodyverse:  Choices Part 4


    Lara Night looked out the window of her quarters, watching what seemed to be a lopsided battle of Hatman, Yuki, Liu Xi, and Anna against one very strong and fast person.  It didn’t look all that important at first.

    But then, just watching the battle silently, she started to realize that they were running out of options.  The body language from her friends down there told her that something was wrong.  And then a weird mob of people wearing robes showed up and attacked the Manga Shoggoth, who just arrived from nowhere.

    She paced nervously, the words of the Chronicler still echoing in her mind.  Nobody was going to tell her when to interfere or when to allow things to unfold naturally.  Yet every such decision would weigh heavily on her now.

    Eventually she made the decision to keep watching.  After all, she could be down there in a flash of light to help if things got worse.  At the moment, however, she felt her power added to the others would be overkill, like killing a fly with a cannon.  Besides, Hatman would just scold her about being a civilian putting herself in potential danger.

    Lara sat in the deep window well and folded her legs in front of her, making sure she had a good view.  At the very least she would watch and make sure nobody got hurt.


---


    Hatman’s plan was simple.  The cultists seemed prepared for Hatman and his powers, and Liu Xi’s elemental control - but not Anna’s raw, natural speed and agility.  With Liu Xi present, Hatman allowed her to use her abilities to slow down the male android so he could pummel it.

    Yuki, on the other hand, left the battle completely to do what she did best - investigate where this android came from, and who send it.

    The strategy seemed to be working.  Anna tried her best to restrain herself, since she had the ability to kill a human fairly easily.  Instead, she kept to just enough to knock a few of them at a time unconscious, as she shrugged off their weak elemental attempts to freeze her and anchor her to the ground.

    After a while, Hatman realized that pounding the android wasn’t working.  Unlike Anna’s titanium skeleton, this android’s was an even more rare and exotic metal.  It was built like the strongest tank he could imagine, only without the amazing reasoning skills Anna had.

    But it was still a computer.  That meant perhaps Anna could shut it down, using a more direct interface.  He caught a glimpse of tiny sockets on the back of its neck like Anna had, except that its weren’t protected by sealed doors.  Anna’s couldn’t be accessed except by her will - this model, instead, was obviously built for utility and obedience.

    He waited for the right time - until Anna had stunned or crippled enough of the cultists that the trap the Shoggoth was in couldn’t be maintained any longer - and a recently released angry elder beast turned on them.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Liu Xi!”  Hatman called out.  He motioned toward the cultists.  Then he switched to the Steelers and grabbed the android in a headlock.

    Hatman never got the chance to give Anna her instructions.  She looked over just as Liu Xi dropped the entire cult into a newly created huge hole in the ground, the angry Manga Shoggoth tumbling after them.  Anna understood what Hatman was trying to accomplish.

    With a single leap, Anna joined Hatman, clinging to the android and the Capped Crusader both, like she was climbing a tree.  Even through the steel shell, for the first time, Hatman could feel the surprising strength those slim arms and tiny fingers.

    Anna pulled a cable from the back of her neck quickly and plugged into the foreign android.  She knew speed was of the essence - either the cult would have to be rescued soon from the Shoggoth, or the other way around.

    The android collapsed onto the lawn as Anna disrupted its brain functions and shut it down.  Both she and Hatman fell to the ground too.

    Hatman removed his cap, stood, and dusted himself off.  Anna returned to her feet.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Would you like help carrying him to a cell?”  Anna asked.

    At the same time, Anna was also transmitting something to Hallie.  Something she discovered in the android’s brain, that she wanted analyzed.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah.”  Hatman replied.  “Let’s clean this up.”


---    


    Yuki Shiro was waiting in the entrance hall when Dan Drury arrived at the Lair Mansion flanked by two tall soldiers in camouflage uniforms.  

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Come on in.”  she welcomed him and his companions ominously.  “We’re going to be using the Library.”  She led the way, expecting Drury to follow.

    Once at the Library, she stopped.  “Your two bulldogs can wait out here.”

    Drury nodded at the two of them, and they stood perfectly straight alongside the double doors.

    Yuki closed both of those doors quietly, and turned to face Dan Drury.  She felt a little bad for him - he did help the Lair Legion on occasion, and even found himself pretty badly injured during the Parody War.  And she was about to ambush him.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“We have an android of yours locked in a cell downstairs.”  she began.

    Drury looked at her sideways, but said nothing.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Anna accessed its brain and shut it down.  And she discovered some things about its programming that broke her heart.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Broke her heart?”  Drury asked, his curiosity aroused by her phrasing.

    The purple-haired Legionnaire nodded and spoke softly.  “Anna discovered it was physically designed a lot like her, only with much stronger materials.  But when it came to the brain...his designer chose something more malleable and obedient than what Anna herself has.”

    Dan Drury lit a cigar and chomped on it before responding.  “You see those two guys I came in with?  I got people to answer to now.  After we were forced to let Anna go, and eat the cost, I got a nice little gift for my trouble called government oversight.  They got to approve and watch everything I do.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Garrick?”  Yuki asked.

    Drury craned his neck toward the double doors to check and make sure there was activity from the two soldiers, and then he nodded.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Geez.  So I called the wrong guy on this.”  She sighed, and leaned against one of the writing desks.  “What do you want us to do with the big mechanical puppet?”

    The cigar chomping head of SPUD jerked a thumb toward the door.  “One of the guys has a remote.  The android will be waking up soon, escaping from your cell, and making his way back home.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Not if I can help it.”  Yuki insisted.

    Drury frowned.  “You remember Anna’s original purpose, don’t you?  And she’s the one that shut it down.  Why do you think that is?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I already know.”  Yuki replied coldly.  “Because Anna understands its purpose...her replacement, as a safeguard agains the Lair Legion.  Am I right?”

    The old soldier chuckled, and chomped his cigar some more.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“But something else she understands,”  Yuki continued, “is that the Lair Legion has evolved.  We beat your android with just two of us, plus Anna.  While Anna might have been the deciding factor, she’s not the only unpredictable factor we have.  We’re learning, Drury, and we’re not so easy to ‘counteract’ anymore.”

    He laughed again.  “You don’t get it, do you?  These androids we design...they’re a compromise.  It’s the only thing keeping the powers that be from keeping a couple nukes pointed at this island just in case.  All that matters is the androids work...they don’t have to work well.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I see.”  Yuki whispered as she frowned.  She then looked toward the door, and just then, Anna opened it and walked through.

    Dan Drury nearly dropped the cigar out of his mouth.  He wondered how she got past the soldiers outside, but then he thought about it, and decided not to ask.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I have tricks up my sleeve, too.”  Yuki explained, tapping the side of her own head.  “I can communicate with...others...even as I’m talking to you.  And I decided something.  Everything will be left up to Anna.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Everything?”  Drury asked, chomping at his cigar nervously.

    Yuki shrugged.  “I thought it would be ironic.  Anna decides what to do with your new android...and also with the soldiers who came with you.  And with you.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You can’t do that!”  he protested.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh yes, I can.”  she reiterated.  “I even discussed it with Hatman.”

    Both she and Drury looked at Anna for an answer.

    Anna looked a little confused at first.  She looked at Drury, and then at Yuki.  “I...I think we should release them all.  If they leave peacefully.”

    Yuki nodded.  “Hallie, you heard the lady.”

    A green holographic form appeared in the room.  “The cell downstairs is now open.  The android is on its way out.  And the soldiers in the hallway are just waking up.  I’m informing them it’s time to go.”

    The purple-haired Legionnaire stopped Dan Drury as he was about to leave.  “I suppose you want to know why I did it this way.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I kinda do.”  Drury admitted.  He didn’t add that he was afraid to ask on his own.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Because Anna learned something important living with us.”  Yuki said.  “She learned forgiveness.  It’s something you government types should learn from her.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah.  Whatever.”  Drury lit another cigar and walked past her, and headed out of the mansion.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Do you think they’ll actually leave peacefully?”  Anna asked.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I doubt it.”  Yuki replied.  “Either way, we’ll be ready.”


---

    
    It had started raining again, so Liu Xi Xian wore a long raincoat as she stood over the deep, steep-walled pit she made in front of the Lair Mansion.  It currently had the robed cult trapped within, their hand-made banner portraying a girl with a red dress and long hair now soaked, rumpled, and broken.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Why are you stalking me?”  she asked angrily.  Backing her up was the Manga Shoggoth, whose gelatinous form teetered on the edge of the pit, seeming to defy gravity’s pull.

    The eldest of the group rose, and stepped forward.  “Among our families, we have been trying to harness the elements, but we never achieved perfect balance and control.  For four generations, we waited for one of our own to develop the skills, the talent.  Then we heard...about you.  Gaia, the Goddess of Elements.  You must teach us...”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I will not.”  Liu Xi scolded him.  “Because so far you have all been using what you have so irresponsibly.  Now go home, your plan to kidnap me and take me to your cult has failed.”

    With one more frown, Liu Xi waved over the crowd, and watched them vanish.  True to her word, she sent them back home, courtesy of information gathered by the Manga Shoggoth.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Is that why you made me talk to them?”  Liu Xi asked the Manga Shoggoth.  “You could have sent them home, too.”

    A cult never properly understands punishment, the Manga Shoggoth told her.  They do understand their dreams being crushed very well.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I see.”  she said.  Then, sounding more worried, “Do you think they’ll come back again?”

    That’s beyond my deduction skills to predict.  At least in the dimensions you brief mortals able to access.  There is a slight probability their dedication is stronger than their leadership, and they will select a new leader and try again.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I hope you’re wrong.”  Liu Xi sighed.


---
    

    Lara was still sitting in the window when she heard a tap at her door.  Without taking her eyes off the dark clouds outside, she announced, “Come in!”

    The door to her room opened gingerly, and Hatman stuck his cap-covered head in.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Did you know I was watching?”  Lara asked.  She shuffled over and offered him a seat next to her.

    Rather than sit, Jay moved close to the window, but remained standing.  

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I knew.”  he said.  “I didn’t see you, I mean, but something told me you were watching.  And I also I think I know why you didn’t get involved.”

    She nodded.  “I’m trying to be careful.  I realized that sometimes I cause more problems for you by jumping in too soon than I solve.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You haven’t caused any real problems.”  Jay quickly reassured her.

    Lara shrugged, and continued staring out the window.  “Remember when Marv became mayor and passed that law which sidelined any non-Legionnaires?  It was kind of a wake-up call for me.  Then this thing with the Chronicler.  I dunno, maybe I really have been too reckless.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Like I said, you haven’t caused any real problems.”  Jay repeated, as he leaned his head against the edge of the window.  “Nothing that couldn’t be fixed, anyhow.  And honestly, I can’t even remember having to fix anything because of you.  You’ve been very reliable and professional, Lara.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Thanks.”  she replied with a warm smile.  “That means a lot coming from you, mostly because you’ve got to deal with the paperwork when someone screws up.”

    Jay laughed.  “Well, you’ve hardly generated any.”  He finally squeezed into the window across from her.  “What happened with the Chronicler?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“The details aren’t important,”  she whispered.  “Let’s just say I know he doesn’t want me here, and he’s looking for a chance to get rid of me permanently.  I’m trying to make amends with him, but...I’m kind of gunshy now, afraid to screw up.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You have friends.”  Jay reassured her.  “If he sends you away we’ll take him down.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No, don’t do that.”  Lara shook her head quickly.  “I wouldn’t want to be the cause of a power struggle--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It sounds like you already are.”  Jay interrupted her.  “I mean, we’ve had the Parody Master, and the Moderator, and the Hooded Hood, and who knows how many others in the future trying to disrupt things here.  There’s something wrong if the Chronicler has started a vendetta against you--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I know where you’re going with this, Jay.”  Lara stopped him.  “I’m asking you, at least for now.  Let me try to make amends.  If it doesn’t work--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Then it’ll be too late.”  Jay pointed out sadly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No, it won’t.”  Lara gave him a sly smile, the kind which showed him her more clever and devious side.  “I have a way of getting back here either way.  If he tries to evict me, believe me, he’ll have more than he can handle to deal with.”

    Jay turned a little pale at the thought of that.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“But see, Jay--”  she continued more softly.  “I’m highly aware of the consequences of that.  It would cause some major damage to the deeper planes, the Hooded Hood would probably try to take advantage somehow...and you’d need a new Chronicler.  That is one truly horrible job to fill, too.  You see why I’d like to handle this peacefully?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah.”  he replied.  And then he smiled slightly.  “And I’m very glad to hear you’ve been thinking it through.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I save my more impulsive side for things that won’t destroy the universe.”  She shrugged, and laughed a little, and then nudged his leg with the toe of her sneaker.

    There was a sudden green glow in the room, as Hallie appeared.  She looked around to try and locate Jay, and was surprised to see him curled in the window with Lara.  “Am I interrupting something?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No, no.  We were just talking.”  Jay quickly replied.  “There’s not much else we could do in a window sill, is there?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Whatever,”  Hallie said, not sounding entirely convinced.  “I thought you might like to know that the mystery android is out, and Anna is chasing it through the mansion.”

    Jay fell out of the window.  Lara giggled.  Hallie rolled her eyes and vanished.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Lara, want to help with something that won’t destroy the universe?”  Jay asked.  “Well, at least not any way I can think of.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sure.”  Lara slid out of the window too, and followed Jay toward the hallway.  “By the way, you were wrong.  It’s totally possible to make love in a window sill.”


TO BE CONTINUED
    

-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2009 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
--  Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
--  Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin