Chapter 2. The Alien craft just hovered there, glinting harshly in the stark morning light. For several long minutes, nothing happened as everyone was dumbstruck by the ship's stark presence. Everyone who saw the craft gawked, and wondered at what it meant. Everyone but the kids, that is; they just gawked. "That Mehtou guy sure didn't give us a whole lot of warning, did he?" said Roger, trying to disguise his anxiety. "At least he could give us enough time to warm up, ya think?" "Shut up, Roger. He's our master's master, which means we're supposed to be respectful to him!" Insisted Melissa. "I'm not being disrepectful TO him. I'm being disrespectful OF him. Big difference," retorted a somewhat insolent Roger. This was quickly responded to by Master Tatou with a quick thump on Roger's head. The welt it created matched perfectly with the 11 other lumps that were already there. "Alright you two, put a sock in it. We need to figure out a what we need to do next," interjected Conrad. He hoped to nip this line of talk in the bud, before blows were exchanged. He didn't want to explain the property damage right now, of all times. "Let's just keep our heads and try to get in touch with reality here." "I think we should try to get as close to this alien spacecraft as possible. If anything happens, we will be best able to do something from there. Not only that, but perhaps we can discourage any rash actions, on the part of the people, or the visitors," mused Master Tatou. "Good idea, maybe we can kick a little butt!" This came from the ever impertinent Roger. "Except for you, my wayward pupil. Your job is to go directly to Sumsai Electronics and report to Grand Master Mehtou. Since you like him so much, your job is to assist him in any way that he sees fit. Perhaps you might acquire a new respect for the man." Roger didn't say anything, but he sure did think some rather uncharitable thoughts. Roger had no company to keep him on the way to the bus stop. He'd hoped to get enough for a cab from Master Tatou, but Tatou apparently saw fit to let him think about his actions on the lengthy bus ride uptown. He didn't really care for public transportation, and he liked brushing past the hordes of milling people trying to get a better look at the spacecraft. "This blows fat rodent chunks. I don't know why the hell I've gotta be the one to go babysit that geezer. And he's supposed to be my master? Just because Tatou scrapes to him shouldn't mean I've gotta. This bites...." Roger kept up a steady stream of invective and resentment as he headed towards the bus stop so he could get back to Sumsai. He didn't like the whole setup going on, and for some reason he couldn't name, he didn't feel that this Master Mehtou guy was on the level. No explanations, no objective, just a statement that they were supposed to throw their lives away for some samurai mumbo-jumbo. How the hell was he sure that the aliens that returned were gonna be completely hostile? Furthermore, if they were going to be unfriendly, it certainly seemed as though they had a damn good reason to be surly. His duty to protect Mehtou's life and property. Balls. If this didn't stink of shady dealings, nothing did. The only reason he was going along with the whole affair was his lingering respect for Master Tatou. Well, make that a great deal of respect, because he owed Tatou a hell of a lot more than free martial arts training. "I hope nothing happens while I'm stuck babysitting the old fart," mumbled Roger as he got on the bus. While he was busy wrestling with his thoughts, some important developments were taking place downtown. The three warriors and their master stood directly in the shadow of the alien craft. They, like just about everyone else, waited expectantly for something to happen. People lined the shopping strip, customers' purchases lay forgotten in the streets, shopkeepers abandoned their stores, policemen abandoned their posts. All life stood still in anticipation of what might happen next. Those with a little patience were not disappointed. For a time the space craft just hovered, majestically, silently, and ominously. The ship was suspended in the air so steadily, that it seemed as though it were placed on an invisible shelf, and would collect dust if left there long enough. In fact, exited conversation began to break out amongst the crowd, as wild speculations were passed about, each one more wild and outlandish than the one before it. None of the suppositions even remotely resembled what was to happen. A small bay door opened on the underside of the spacecraft, though initially, no such aperture was evident. A reflective metal sphere ovoid could be seen within the space, looking like some sort of shiny doom-egg. The egg was released, and it began its freefall to the ground below. Needless to say, its effect on the crowd was instantaneous. "WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" This was immediately followed by everyone and their brother trying to flee the scene. Never mind that there were too many people for any reasonable percentage to escape, and never mind that if the object were an alien bomb, it would likely destroy them even if they had an hour to try to save their own skins. They were panicked, and like any other scared animal, a panicky human is stupid. Thanks to their nigh superhuman abilities, the courageous (or stupid) heroes were able to stay together and keep their feet, and because of such, they were almost directly underneath the rapidly plunging sphere. Sensing their imminent peril, all four of them dove to cover behind a parked vehicle, hoping that it would afford them some kind of protection not only from the hurtling orb, but also from the maddened mob. "Incoming!" shouted someone on the scene. That the particular someone had a coffee-stained uniform went unnoticed. The metal egg slammed into the pavement, sending chips of concrete everywhere and creating a small sized crater. The shards broke glass for hundreds of feet around, and lacerated dozens of fleeing bystanders. Other than that, very little happened. Chuck, Melissa, Conrad and Master Tatou stood up from behind their makeshift cover, and appraised their situation. A few of the bolder citizens and police officers likewise remained in the area, curious as to what the significance of the object was. While the three warriors were somewhat dazed and shocked by the event, Master Tatou Pou was calm and inscrutable as ever, and after a few judiciously placed whaps, was able to bring the three back to their senses. The four of them cautiously approached the half-embedded object, hoping to learn more about it. Small whirring noises could be heard coming from it. The four adventurous souls had a chance to take a very close look at the alien object embedded halfway into the pavement. If its visible size was a good indication the object was about four meters tall. At its widest point near the bottom, due to its egg-like shape, it measured approximately two and a half meters wide. The thing had to weigh several tons judging by the amount of damage it inflicted upon the street. It also shone like the finest sterling silver, and even after its violent impact it sat unblemished in the late morning sun. Almost as an afterthought the egg shifted slightly under the gaze of the warriors. The slight motion did not go unnoticed, and at their Master's direction, Melissa, Conrad, and Chuck spread out around the orb, and readied themselves. Despite their training, nothing could have prepared them for what happened next. The egg practically exploded. One instant it was a large, but inert object embedded in the street, the next it was a towering monstrosity, looming high over their heads. Its startling transformation could not have been more sudden or more complete. Now the thing was made up of sharp ends, gleaming metal, and obvious malice. It stood on three curved, stilleto like legs that were evenly spaced around its body in a manner similar to an insect. Above the point where the legs met its body, three evenly spaced limbs were connected by long tentacles. The first was a tri-fingered claw, the second a cruel serrated edge, and the third a whip-like appendage that measured at least 25 meters in length. Underneath the point where the legs met the body, three weapons were attatched to its alien frame. The first looked like some sort of beam weapon, for it had a long polished barrel. The second was a tri-missile launcher. The last looked like nothing quite as much as a chainsaw, for it was a long blade with square serrations that moved across its length. Atop the entire metal abomination was a camera-like structure, and it rotated back and forth between what it considered targets. What once measured four meters in height now topped the 12 meter mark. The events of the next few minutes could only be described as folly, and tragedy. The three fighters stood assembled around the alien menace, unwilling, and perhaps wisely so, to make the first move. Master Tatou stood not far away, for he knew that his pupils would almost certainly need his help. A calm of intense concentration settled upon the four as they gathered their Ki, in preparation for battle. The alien device also made no immediately agressive actions, seemingly content to observe its surroundings and let its long limbs move slowly around it. After a few seconds of nervous anticipation, a shot was fired from a police officer whose fear got the better of him. Although the round bounced harmlessly off of one of the thing's legs, it instantly whipped into action. Its mass of betentacled limbs began flailing about, and it trained its beam weapon upon the hapless officer. A beam of light lanced out, incinerating the poor fool, and those unfortunate enough to be standing close to him. The three young warriors sprang into action. Chuck leapt backwards and began summoning his innerstrength so that he could manifest it as an orb of coherent power. Melissa and Conrad rushed in, getting in close so that they could bring their full abilities to bare. Melissa dodged left as a massive claw slammed into the pavement where she just had been, and lunged fowards, getting underneath the alien machine. Conrad leapt and struck at one of the creature's legs, but missed as the device repositioned itself. Chuck completed his ritual of power, and loosed a great bolt of pure willpower at the thing. The fireball struck it, and the creature was knocked back a few feet, energy arcing across its chassis. Melissa lept up, taking advantage of the machine's temporary inconvenience, and aimed herself at the head of the thing. She greatly overestimated the effect Chuck's projectile had on the thing, and she barely registered a motion out of the corner of her eye. The limb with serrated blade arced around, and with a flash did its cruel work, intercepting Melissa in mid-air. There were two meaty thunks as what was once Melissa fell to earth. "NOOOO!!!!" screamed Conrad and Chuck in unison, and even Master Tatou's face betrayed great shock and horror. The two simultaneously rushed the infernal machine in unison, their blood screaming for revenge. To no avail, however. The thing's whip-like appendage lashed out, and given their blood-crazed state, they didn't have the presence of mind to evade the thing's strike. The whip knocked them off of their feet and across the street, dazed, horrified, and very, very confused. Master Tatou looked at the fallen form of Melissa, then to his stricken student, and finally to the departing robot. He couldn't help but notice that it was heading straight for Sumsai Electronics. "Which is where I sent another of my students to die." He bowed his head once, and went to tend to the living. Meanwhile, the alien destroyer cut a swath of destruction leading directly to Sumsai, obliterating anything, and anyone, unfortunate enough to be in its way. After Roger had gotten off of the bus stop near Sumsai electronics, he had been welcomed by the lobby secretary. After relaying what he knew (the arrival of the alien ship) Mehtou authorized him entry into his office. Once inside, horror greeted Roger's eyes. Large displays on the wall showed the unfolding events downtown. First, the orb's landing, then its transformation, and ending with the catastrophic fight between it and Roger's friends. "I've got to go and help them!" shouted Roger as he hurried towards the door out of Master Mehtou's office. It was locked. "I can't let you do that, boy. Your Master, and my servant, Tatou, sent you here specifically to protect me and my interests. Here is where you'll stay. Besides, what you just saw has already run its course. There's nothing you can do there. Perhaps you can do some good here. So stay. I insist," reasoned Mehtou. Roger didn't say anything, for not only was Mehtou right, he thought that maybe this was leading somewhere. He wasn't disappointed. "You've decided to stay? Good. Come. Follow me. I'm not to worried about damage to the building. It's well protected, and I can replace it if there's any damage. There's one thing here that I simply cannot replace, other than myself. I need you to protect us both." Mehtou punched a series of numbers on a key pad on his desk and mumbled the phrase "rosebud". A door opened up behind him, and he beckoned for Roger to follow him. On the elevator ride down to his sanctum, Mehtou told a little story. "As you already know, some time ago, I made contact with an alien species. There was a mishap, and as a result, I had a dead alien on my hands. Or at least, I thought so. At first, I had feared retribution for the death of that creature. But as time went on, I feared that the creature might still be alive, thanks in part to my efforts to put it in a state of suspended animation. Now I know that the creature yet lives, and am certain that the ship out there," Mehtou gestured above himself in a vague fashion, " probably represents a rescue party." "A rescue party? Then why don't you just let the alien go? Maybe they'd be willing to let the matter rest." asked Roger. A momentary look of annoyance passed over Master Mehtou's face. "Didn't Tatou teach you respect? I'll deal with that later. In any case, it's far too late for that. Releasing the alien now would result in a great loss of face, and furthermore, I cannot be sure that they would settle for an apology from myself. No, my path is set. To veer from it is unthinkable." "Huh?!?" exclaimed Roger as the lights in the elevator lights flickered. He just noticed how long he had been on this elevator. "Be calm. I am sure that it is nothing." As though to confirm Mehtou's complacency, there was a sensation of increased weight as the elevator came to a halt. With a quiet ding, the elevator's doors opened. The two were greeted by the sight of the containment device and the alien within. Master Mehtou gave Roger a few moments to pick his jaw up off of the floor. "Wha, wha... what is it? Does... does it talk? Where is it from? Does it watch the X-files?" blurted Roger. "While it does speak, I know almost nothing else about it. Be patient, you nattering will solve.." just then Mehtou was interrupted by a distant crash from above. "What, Here? No! Damnit. Well, Roger. It looks as though your skills shall be put to the test for the first time. Come to my side." Master Mehtou and Roger waited by the glass containment device, gazing expectantly upon the elevator door. One of Mehtou's aged hands drifted towards a button on the control panel attached to the alien's support device. The only sounds to be heard in the room was Roger's quickening breathing, and the hum of machinery. The quiet was broken by a thunderous crash from the elevator shaft, followed by puffs of dust coming from under the elevator doors. This was soon followed by an even louder, ear shattering crash which threatened to throw both men off of their feet. Half of the far wall fell inward, and a great cloud of smoke, debris, and dust rose. A single, glowing red baleful eye pierced the choking cloud. The Alien machine stepped out of the ruins of the elevator shaft. Its movements controlled, purposeful. Numerous scorch marks dotted its frame, and its various limbs were spattered with blood, gore, and even more readily identifiable things. Unlike its rampage on the surface, the terror machine moved slowly, as though unwilling to damage any of the equipment and instrumentation in the room. "Protect me, young Samurai!" ordered Mehtou. "I'm not a friggin samurai," thought Roger as he moved to intercept the thing. "I'm just a guy who knows a really neat trick. Master Tatou had better have a damned good reason for all of this." The alien machine was not to be put off, however, and its lashed out with its lethal blade limb at Roger. He knew he wasn't fast enough to dodge, and he thought that now was a good time to be somewhere else. Just as the blade reached Roger, he disappeared with an audible pop, and reappeared behind the thing at the speed of thought. Hoping to deal the machine a serious blow, Roger reared his fist back, concentrating the power of lightning into his fist. He never got the chance to unleash his attack, as one of machine's legs flicked out, smacking Roger square in the face. He tumbled backwards, bleeding from the nose, and barely conscious, leaving only Master Mehtou between it and its goal. "You'll not have the best of me!" shouted Mehtou as he pressed a button on the console. Great arcs of electricity danced on the inside of the glass containment unit, frying the alien inside. Mehtou braced himself for the killing blow that was sure to come. No such blow came. The alien machine jerked once, and fell to the ground in an unceremonious heap, as lifeless as the organic alien inside the containment unit. Wonder and understanding played across Mehtou's face. He allowed himself a slight grin. End of Chapter two. Well, that's it for my part. You have one warrior dead. A very guilt-stricken Master Tatou. Conrad and Chuck are still largely undeveloped. An increasingly disenchanted Roger, who can teleport and harness electricity in his fist. The Alien ship still hovers above the city, who knows what else it contains? An alien device that was somehow vitally connected to a now dead creature. Topping it all off, we are left with Mehtou, whose schemes and motivations become more questionable. Was the device actually the alien's attempt to free itself? Who is the villain? Is there even a villain? That's not for me to decide. A.o.D. Loves mangling things without remorse.