The Case of the Gold Thief--Part Twelve
by HA
An hour later, a black van was speeding down the empty road to the nearby woods. Behind the wheel, C.D. kept his eye on the road and his foot on the gas pedal.
"You know, I think we'd like to get to the woods while we're still breathing!" Hiroshi shouted from the backseat.
"Hey, you want to get there before ENIGMA does its thing or not?" C.D. asked, annoyed.
"What about the police?" Bo asked.
The van slowed down a little. "Good point," C.D. said. "My uncle would kill me if I got a speeding ticket."
"Besides, we have a lot of time to spare," Blake reported, looking at his watch.
"I recall that it was quite a hike," Shirley said. "Still, we should make it at this rate."
"So, Shirley, care to share with us what you learned?" Rika asked from the front passenger seat. She was dressed in a red T-shirt and denim jacket and pants. A red headband was wrapped around her forehead.
"Yeah, Shirl," Bo said. "You haven't told us what ENIGMA's after."
Shirley faced her friends. "Armylaria bulbosa," she stated.
Silence filled the van as everyone except C.D. gave the teen detective a blank look. Hiroshi dared to break it. "Uh, waitress? I'd like that explanation in plain English, please."
Bart caught on. "Hold on. You mean ENIGMA's after the golden caves?"
"The what?" Blake asked.
Recalling something, Bo waved his hands in the air. "Hold on a minute. You mean ENIGMA's after those mushrooms in the woods?"
"Huh?" Blake said.
"I'm with him," Hiroshi said, jerking a finger at Blake.
"Armylaria bulbosa is a 1500-year-old fungus located deep in the forest outside Redington," Shirley explained. "It covers 37 acres and weighs around eleven tons."
"We found out about it on a wilderness orienteering trip for school a while back," Bo added. "This guy, Harvey Millstone, tried to scare us away from it in order to save it."
"So this big fungus is pretty rare, I gather?" Rika asked.
"Very," Shirley confirmed. "That's why that part of the forest has been placed off-limits as a nature preserve."
"I'm curious on how you came to this conclusion," Rika said, interested.
"It was easy once I pieced together all the clues," Shirley said. "The first was the overall theme of gold: The gold bars, the gold Jello, the golden machine and the dust it fired, the golden winebowl, our English teacher, and Mr. Goldman. The second was the shape of the machine. It resembled a mushroom. Then there was the article on Goldman left at the scene of his abduction."
Bo snapped his fingers. "Fun guy! It said he was a fun guy!"
"So?" Hiroshi said. After a few seconds, he got it. "Oh, I see."
Rika nodded. "I recall you telling a joke using that punchline, Hiroshi."
"It was a really bad one," Susan added, rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah!" Hiroshi recited the joke. "What do you call a partying mushroom? A fun guy."
Everyone groaned. "And I thought you were bad with jokes, Shirley," Bo told his friend.
"Wait a sec," Susan said. "Does Mr. Millstone still live in the forest?"
Bart thought for a moment. "He does. He was appointed the preserve's official overseer."
"Then along with Mr. Goldman..." Blake began.
"We have a hostage situation," Rika said. "C.D...."
"Gotcha." C.D. pressed the gas pedal. "Hopefully my uncle won't find out about this," he said as the van sped up.
Susan looked at Bart. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Bart answered. "My sonic boomer's been recharged, and my battle baton still works. I'm ready for anything."
Susan frowned. "He nearly killed you."
Bart placed his hand on her shoulder. "I can take care of myself. Besides," he said with a smile, "I'm not alone."
Susan smiled back. Meanwhile, Bo had watched the whole exchange. He looked at Shirley, then Blake, then both at once. He leaned back in his seat and sighed.
* * * * *
"Fascinating." Number Nine studied the sight before him with his mask's cybernetic eye. "Truly a wonderful example of how a lifeform can evolve. No wonder our client desires it so much." The Elite Eight member turned to the large robot bird, now manned by Number Nine-Nine and Mojo. "Are you sure your measurements are correct?"
"Oui, Uncle," Number Nine-Nine answered over Mojo's beeping. "Thanks to this, I've successfully mapped out the full size of the fungus," he said, patting the side of the bird.
"Good." Number Nine looked at a metal crate with a glass cover. Dirt filled most of it. "Ah, soon we will have our merchandise."
An ENIGMA agent on a hover platform floated up to Number Nine. "Sir, we've finished installing all the microteleporter poles around the perimeter of the fungus," he reported.
"Good." Number Nine watched as two ENIGMA agents were setting up a control console. One agent placed a pole with a clear red orb on its center. "Status?"
"Once we make all the connections, we'll be ready to proceed, sir," one agent reported.
More ENIGMA agents on hover platforms joined their comrades. "Excellent." Number Nine checked the time on his pocket watch. "However, don't hurry on my account. We have a while before it's 3:45."
"But, sir, what if the cops show up?" another agent asked.
Number Nine managed a small laugh. "The police aren't our main concern."
Number Nine-Nine looked down from the bird. "Uncle, you think she'd...?"
"I'm sure of it," Number Nine answered. "Her very nature dictates her actions."
"She won't be alone," the young agent warned. He grinned a little. "I hope she brings Bart. I still owe him for this," he said, pointing at his scar.
"If my calculations are correct, nephew, both of us will terminate our chosen targets." A loud beeping sounded from Number Nine's mask. "Ah, she's here." He turned to the ENIGMA agents. "All assigned agents take your positions in the forest. Take those hunting rifles only. We want her death to look like a hunting accident."
"Yes, sir. ENIGMA forever!" After doing the ENIGMA salute, the agents landed and after grabbing rifles from a nearby gunrack, they ran into the forest.
An agent approached the chief agent. "Sir, don't you already have something out there to deal with the detective?"
"True," Number Nine answered. "However, why take chances she won't make it past our primary line of defense?"
"Understood, sir," the agent said.
"Uncle, I believe our guests are coming to," Number Nine-Nine observed, pointing to two people tied together on the ground.
An elderly man with a beard and outdoor clothing gained consciousness first, followed shortly by a man dressed in a business suit. The first man blinked and saw the ENIGMA agents. "Wh...what?"
"Ah, Monsieur Millstone, Monsieur Goldman, you're awake," Number Nine said as he walked up to the caretaker of the golden caves and the well-known philanthropist. "Right on time, too," he added, checking his watch.
Mr. Goldman took in his surroundings. "Wh-wh-what is all this?"
"Gentlemen, you are about to witness a scientific miracle courtesy of ENIGMA," Number Nine said, chuckling. "Once my men are finished setting up and everything is checked, I'll make this section of this forest vanish," he revealed, motioning to the area where part of the fungus was.
"What?" Mr. Millstone exclaimed. "You can't be serious!"
Mr. Goldman laughed. "That's a powerful boast. It can't be done. It's impossible."
Number Nine leaned towards Mr. Goldman, his pointed nose nearly poking the philanthropist's own. "I assure you, Monsieur Goldman. Nothing is impossible for ENIGMA." He faced Mr. Millstone. "And believe me, Monsieur Millstone, I am very serious. Soon your precious fungus will be gone and in the hands of a collector whose name I cannot divulge at this time."
"You can't take it!" Mr. Millstone growled, struggling to break free. "If you take even a piece of it, it'll die!"
Number Nine laughed cruelly. "Monsieur, my client asked for the whole fungus, and I intend to transport the whole thing to him."
"But how?" Mr. Goldman asked curiously.
"This device," Number Nine began, pointing to the machine his men were setting up, "is a matter transporter. It will transfer the fungus into this," he said, now pointing to the metal crate.
"You're mad if you think you can fit the whole thing into that box!" Mr. Millstone said, laughing.
"Ah, but it will after I shrink it accordingly," Number Nine said, wagging his finger. "My men have installed transmitter poles along the fungus' perimeter. Not only will they transport it to this box, they will reduce its size so it'll fit." He pointed to the bird. "As soon as everything is ready, my men will transmit the activation signal via that console, and the process will take place. Lastly, the robot will take the crate and carry it to the rendezvous point, and we'll return the fungus to its original size at our client's residence. Technology is simply wonderful, isn't it, gentlemen?"
"You won't get away with this!" Mr. Goldman declared boldly. "When the police find out what you're up to..."
"I'm afraid the local authorities are idiots," Number Nine said. "Even if by some miracle they figure out my crime, you won't be alive to see them."
Mr. Goldman's face whitened. "You...you mean...?"
"I have no need for you anymore," Number Nine said coldly. "As for you, Monsieur Millstone, since your life work is vacating the premises permanently, I doubt you'll have the will to live anyway." He turned his back to the two prisoners and watched his men continue setting up the console. "But don't worry. You'll still be alive to witness our little theft, so I recommend you use this generous amount of time to make your peace with God."
* * * * *
"Nice place," Hiroshi remarked, looking around. "Does the Blair Witch stop by here now and then?"
Shirley put her finger to her lips. "We have to be careful," she whispered.
"I don't think we have the element of surprise, Shirl," Bo commented. "Something tells me Metalface will be expecting us."
"I have to agree with Bo," Blake said. "ENIGMA's got to be ready for us."
"In that case..." Bart pulled out his sonic boomer turned it on. Susan and Hiroshi followed suit. Rika checked her dragon gauntlets.
Shirley observed that C.D. was doing nothing. "Forgot your weapon?" Bo asked the blond American.
C.D. smiled. "I am a weapon."
"Guys..." Blake held up his hand for silence. "Do you hear that?"
Hiroshi perked up his ears. A faint buzzing passed through them. "Goody, we're going to be attacked by bees."
Shirley listened closely as the noises got closer. "No, not bees. This sound seems mechanical."
Five toy biplanes appeared in the sky. "Okay..." Hiroshi said as they circled over the teens.
"What are they doing?" Susan wondered.
"Their design is reminiscent of World War I aircraft," Shirley observed.
The planes broke formation and flew around to a position behind the kids. "Huh?" Bo said as the planes dove at them.
Blake was first to spot the guns on the planes. "Run!"
No one questioned him, and the teens ran as fast as their feet could carry them. Their action was done in time, for the planes opened fire. The forest was filled with the ratatatating of little gunfire.
"Gee, and I gave up ghost hunting in Texas for this?" Hiroshi shouted over the sound of gunfire. "I could be enjoying a big, juicy steak, but no-oh...!"
"Shut up and keep running!" Rika and Susan shouted back.
As she ran, Shirley turned her head. She saw that the planes were not increasing their speed, and their shots fell exactly behind their targets. "Hmmmmmmm..."
"I have to be honest, Shirley. We should've called the police first," Bo told the young sleuth bluntly.
Suddenly, Bart stopped running. He aimed his sonic boomer at the deadly flying toys.
"Bart!" Susan cried.
"Are you nuts? Keep running!" Hiroshi shouted.
Bart fired, and a plane exploded into tiny pieces. Another took aim at the young scientist, but it exploded and joined its fellow toy. Bart turned around and found Susan with her weapon out. He smiled at her, and she returned her own. Shirley and the others were behind her.
"Eh, while we're here..." Hiroshi took aim and hit another plane. He joined Susan and Bart in shooting at the remaining toys, and their marksmanship proved excellent. A second later, three groups of toy parts joined two to make five, or rather, a small mess on the forest floor.
"That was close," Bo remarked.
"Nice shooting there, Bart," Blake complimented.
Hiroshi looked at C.D. "You know, you could've helped."
C.D. shrugged. "You guys had it covered."
Rika eyed Shirley, who was studying the assortment of toy parts. "You suspect this was too easy," she said matter-of-factly.
"It was," Shirley replied. "The planes kept themselves at a fixed distance while they were chasing us. Their gunfire never hit us at all."
"So why'd they do that?" Bo asked.
Shirley turned to face the way she and the others were going. "To force us to go this way."
"Yeah, but why?" Blake asked.
The answer came in the form of a loud roar. Soon a series of quick, heavy footsteps followed it. "Okay, not liking the sound of that," Hiroshi remarked.
Shirley listened closely. "Sounds metallic."
"Get ready," Bart said, pointing his sonic boomer along with Susan and Hiroshi. Rika and Blake assumed battle positions. C.D. joined them and stood nonchalantly.
"Uh, Blake, what makes you think you can take on a robot?" Bo asked.
"Only one way to find out," Blake replied, glaring in the direction of the approaching thing.
Bo rolled his eyes. "The things I do for you guys..." he said as he joined the others. "Shirl, I highly recommend you stay behind us."
Shirley took out the talcum powder from her backpack and joined her friends. "Just in case," she said.
Visual contact was established, and Bart, Susan, and Hiroshi fired. With sonic boomer shots bouncing off it, Teddy charged at the teens with a roar and its claws ready to strike.
"Well, that worked," Hiroshi said.
"Scatter!" Shirley yelled.
Everyone got out of the killer robot's way. Teddy stopped and searched for its target. Its eyes finally fixed on Shirley, and it advanced on her.
"Oh great!" Hiroshi cried as he continued to fire.
Bo rushed forward to help his friend, but the robot bear swatted him out of the way. Blake also dashed in to assist, but was caught by a paw to the side. Both boys fell hard.
Rika prepared to charge up, but Teddy turned to her and fired a weighted net from its chest. Tangled in the trap, the Stranger fell to the ground. As she struggled to break free, Teddy knocked down C.D. before he could attack. Bart pulled out his battle baton and tried to sneak up on the metallic menace, but Teddy elbowed him, sending him down hard.
"Bart!" Susan ran to his side just as Teddy fired another net, covering both of them.
Hiroshi ran over to them and tried to removed the net. "Okay, having a problem here," he said, straining with the heavy net.
Seeing no opposition, Teddy refocused on its main target. Growling, it advanced on Shirley. The teen detective got ready with the talcum powder, but the robot bear responded with a claw swipe and knocked the white bottle aside. Shirley backed away and found herself against a tree.
"Hmmmmmmm..." Shirley searched her backpack for something. As she did, Teddy continued advancing on her.
END OF PART TWELVE
by HA
An hour later, a black van was speeding down the empty road to the nearby woods. Behind the wheel, C.D. kept his eye on the road and his foot on the gas pedal.
"You know, I think we'd like to get to the woods while we're still breathing!" Hiroshi shouted from the backseat.
"Hey, you want to get there before ENIGMA does its thing or not?" C.D. asked, annoyed.
"What about the police?" Bo asked.
The van slowed down a little. "Good point," C.D. said. "My uncle would kill me if I got a speeding ticket."
"Besides, we have a lot of time to spare," Blake reported, looking at his watch.
"I recall that it was quite a hike," Shirley said. "Still, we should make it at this rate."
"So, Shirley, care to share with us what you learned?" Rika asked from the front passenger seat. She was dressed in a red T-shirt and denim jacket and pants. A red headband was wrapped around her forehead.
"Yeah, Shirl," Bo said. "You haven't told us what ENIGMA's after."
Shirley faced her friends. "Armylaria bulbosa," she stated.
Silence filled the van as everyone except C.D. gave the teen detective a blank look. Hiroshi dared to break it. "Uh, waitress? I'd like that explanation in plain English, please."
Bart caught on. "Hold on. You mean ENIGMA's after the golden caves?"
"The what?" Blake asked.
Recalling something, Bo waved his hands in the air. "Hold on a minute. You mean ENIGMA's after those mushrooms in the woods?"
"Huh?" Blake said.
"I'm with him," Hiroshi said, jerking a finger at Blake.
"Armylaria bulbosa is a 1500-year-old fungus located deep in the forest outside Redington," Shirley explained. "It covers 37 acres and weighs around eleven tons."
"We found out about it on a wilderness orienteering trip for school a while back," Bo added. "This guy, Harvey Millstone, tried to scare us away from it in order to save it."
"So this big fungus is pretty rare, I gather?" Rika asked.
"Very," Shirley confirmed. "That's why that part of the forest has been placed off-limits as a nature preserve."
"I'm curious on how you came to this conclusion," Rika said, interested.
"It was easy once I pieced together all the clues," Shirley said. "The first was the overall theme of gold: The gold bars, the gold Jello, the golden machine and the dust it fired, the golden winebowl, our English teacher, and Mr. Goldman. The second was the shape of the machine. It resembled a mushroom. Then there was the article on Goldman left at the scene of his abduction."
Bo snapped his fingers. "Fun guy! It said he was a fun guy!"
"So?" Hiroshi said. After a few seconds, he got it. "Oh, I see."
Rika nodded. "I recall you telling a joke using that punchline, Hiroshi."
"It was a really bad one," Susan added, rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah!" Hiroshi recited the joke. "What do you call a partying mushroom? A fun guy."
Everyone groaned. "And I thought you were bad with jokes, Shirley," Bo told his friend.
"Wait a sec," Susan said. "Does Mr. Millstone still live in the forest?"
Bart thought for a moment. "He does. He was appointed the preserve's official overseer."
"Then along with Mr. Goldman..." Blake began.
"We have a hostage situation," Rika said. "C.D...."
"Gotcha." C.D. pressed the gas pedal. "Hopefully my uncle won't find out about this," he said as the van sped up.
Susan looked at Bart. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Bart answered. "My sonic boomer's been recharged, and my battle baton still works. I'm ready for anything."
Susan frowned. "He nearly killed you."
Bart placed his hand on her shoulder. "I can take care of myself. Besides," he said with a smile, "I'm not alone."
Susan smiled back. Meanwhile, Bo had watched the whole exchange. He looked at Shirley, then Blake, then both at once. He leaned back in his seat and sighed.
* * * * *
"Fascinating." Number Nine studied the sight before him with his mask's cybernetic eye. "Truly a wonderful example of how a lifeform can evolve. No wonder our client desires it so much." The Elite Eight member turned to the large robot bird, now manned by Number Nine-Nine and Mojo. "Are you sure your measurements are correct?"
"Oui, Uncle," Number Nine-Nine answered over Mojo's beeping. "Thanks to this, I've successfully mapped out the full size of the fungus," he said, patting the side of the bird.
"Good." Number Nine looked at a metal crate with a glass cover. Dirt filled most of it. "Ah, soon we will have our merchandise."
An ENIGMA agent on a hover platform floated up to Number Nine. "Sir, we've finished installing all the microteleporter poles around the perimeter of the fungus," he reported.
"Good." Number Nine watched as two ENIGMA agents were setting up a control console. One agent placed a pole with a clear red orb on its center. "Status?"
"Once we make all the connections, we'll be ready to proceed, sir," one agent reported.
More ENIGMA agents on hover platforms joined their comrades. "Excellent." Number Nine checked the time on his pocket watch. "However, don't hurry on my account. We have a while before it's 3:45."
"But, sir, what if the cops show up?" another agent asked.
Number Nine managed a small laugh. "The police aren't our main concern."
Number Nine-Nine looked down from the bird. "Uncle, you think she'd...?"
"I'm sure of it," Number Nine answered. "Her very nature dictates her actions."
"She won't be alone," the young agent warned. He grinned a little. "I hope she brings Bart. I still owe him for this," he said, pointing at his scar.
"If my calculations are correct, nephew, both of us will terminate our chosen targets." A loud beeping sounded from Number Nine's mask. "Ah, she's here." He turned to the ENIGMA agents. "All assigned agents take your positions in the forest. Take those hunting rifles only. We want her death to look like a hunting accident."
"Yes, sir. ENIGMA forever!" After doing the ENIGMA salute, the agents landed and after grabbing rifles from a nearby gunrack, they ran into the forest.
An agent approached the chief agent. "Sir, don't you already have something out there to deal with the detective?"
"True," Number Nine answered. "However, why take chances she won't make it past our primary line of defense?"
"Understood, sir," the agent said.
"Uncle, I believe our guests are coming to," Number Nine-Nine observed, pointing to two people tied together on the ground.
An elderly man with a beard and outdoor clothing gained consciousness first, followed shortly by a man dressed in a business suit. The first man blinked and saw the ENIGMA agents. "Wh...what?"
"Ah, Monsieur Millstone, Monsieur Goldman, you're awake," Number Nine said as he walked up to the caretaker of the golden caves and the well-known philanthropist. "Right on time, too," he added, checking his watch.
Mr. Goldman took in his surroundings. "Wh-wh-what is all this?"
"Gentlemen, you are about to witness a scientific miracle courtesy of ENIGMA," Number Nine said, chuckling. "Once my men are finished setting up and everything is checked, I'll make this section of this forest vanish," he revealed, motioning to the area where part of the fungus was.
"What?" Mr. Millstone exclaimed. "You can't be serious!"
Mr. Goldman laughed. "That's a powerful boast. It can't be done. It's impossible."
Number Nine leaned towards Mr. Goldman, his pointed nose nearly poking the philanthropist's own. "I assure you, Monsieur Goldman. Nothing is impossible for ENIGMA." He faced Mr. Millstone. "And believe me, Monsieur Millstone, I am very serious. Soon your precious fungus will be gone and in the hands of a collector whose name I cannot divulge at this time."
"You can't take it!" Mr. Millstone growled, struggling to break free. "If you take even a piece of it, it'll die!"
Number Nine laughed cruelly. "Monsieur, my client asked for the whole fungus, and I intend to transport the whole thing to him."
"But how?" Mr. Goldman asked curiously.
"This device," Number Nine began, pointing to the machine his men were setting up, "is a matter transporter. It will transfer the fungus into this," he said, now pointing to the metal crate.
"You're mad if you think you can fit the whole thing into that box!" Mr. Millstone said, laughing.
"Ah, but it will after I shrink it accordingly," Number Nine said, wagging his finger. "My men have installed transmitter poles along the fungus' perimeter. Not only will they transport it to this box, they will reduce its size so it'll fit." He pointed to the bird. "As soon as everything is ready, my men will transmit the activation signal via that console, and the process will take place. Lastly, the robot will take the crate and carry it to the rendezvous point, and we'll return the fungus to its original size at our client's residence. Technology is simply wonderful, isn't it, gentlemen?"
"You won't get away with this!" Mr. Goldman declared boldly. "When the police find out what you're up to..."
"I'm afraid the local authorities are idiots," Number Nine said. "Even if by some miracle they figure out my crime, you won't be alive to see them."
Mr. Goldman's face whitened. "You...you mean...?"
"I have no need for you anymore," Number Nine said coldly. "As for you, Monsieur Millstone, since your life work is vacating the premises permanently, I doubt you'll have the will to live anyway." He turned his back to the two prisoners and watched his men continue setting up the console. "But don't worry. You'll still be alive to witness our little theft, so I recommend you use this generous amount of time to make your peace with God."
* * * * *
"Nice place," Hiroshi remarked, looking around. "Does the Blair Witch stop by here now and then?"
Shirley put her finger to her lips. "We have to be careful," she whispered.
"I don't think we have the element of surprise, Shirl," Bo commented. "Something tells me Metalface will be expecting us."
"I have to agree with Bo," Blake said. "ENIGMA's got to be ready for us."
"In that case..." Bart pulled out his sonic boomer turned it on. Susan and Hiroshi followed suit. Rika checked her dragon gauntlets.
Shirley observed that C.D. was doing nothing. "Forgot your weapon?" Bo asked the blond American.
C.D. smiled. "I am a weapon."
"Guys..." Blake held up his hand for silence. "Do you hear that?"
Hiroshi perked up his ears. A faint buzzing passed through them. "Goody, we're going to be attacked by bees."
Shirley listened closely as the noises got closer. "No, not bees. This sound seems mechanical."
Five toy biplanes appeared in the sky. "Okay..." Hiroshi said as they circled over the teens.
"What are they doing?" Susan wondered.
"Their design is reminiscent of World War I aircraft," Shirley observed.
The planes broke formation and flew around to a position behind the kids. "Huh?" Bo said as the planes dove at them.
Blake was first to spot the guns on the planes. "Run!"
No one questioned him, and the teens ran as fast as their feet could carry them. Their action was done in time, for the planes opened fire. The forest was filled with the ratatatating of little gunfire.
"Gee, and I gave up ghost hunting in Texas for this?" Hiroshi shouted over the sound of gunfire. "I could be enjoying a big, juicy steak, but no-oh...!"
"Shut up and keep running!" Rika and Susan shouted back.
As she ran, Shirley turned her head. She saw that the planes were not increasing their speed, and their shots fell exactly behind their targets. "Hmmmmmmm..."
"I have to be honest, Shirley. We should've called the police first," Bo told the young sleuth bluntly.
Suddenly, Bart stopped running. He aimed his sonic boomer at the deadly flying toys.
"Bart!" Susan cried.
"Are you nuts? Keep running!" Hiroshi shouted.
Bart fired, and a plane exploded into tiny pieces. Another took aim at the young scientist, but it exploded and joined its fellow toy. Bart turned around and found Susan with her weapon out. He smiled at her, and she returned her own. Shirley and the others were behind her.
"Eh, while we're here..." Hiroshi took aim and hit another plane. He joined Susan and Bart in shooting at the remaining toys, and their marksmanship proved excellent. A second later, three groups of toy parts joined two to make five, or rather, a small mess on the forest floor.
"That was close," Bo remarked.
"Nice shooting there, Bart," Blake complimented.
Hiroshi looked at C.D. "You know, you could've helped."
C.D. shrugged. "You guys had it covered."
Rika eyed Shirley, who was studying the assortment of toy parts. "You suspect this was too easy," she said matter-of-factly.
"It was," Shirley replied. "The planes kept themselves at a fixed distance while they were chasing us. Their gunfire never hit us at all."
"So why'd they do that?" Bo asked.
Shirley turned to face the way she and the others were going. "To force us to go this way."
"Yeah, but why?" Blake asked.
The answer came in the form of a loud roar. Soon a series of quick, heavy footsteps followed it. "Okay, not liking the sound of that," Hiroshi remarked.
Shirley listened closely. "Sounds metallic."
"Get ready," Bart said, pointing his sonic boomer along with Susan and Hiroshi. Rika and Blake assumed battle positions. C.D. joined them and stood nonchalantly.
"Uh, Blake, what makes you think you can take on a robot?" Bo asked.
"Only one way to find out," Blake replied, glaring in the direction of the approaching thing.
Bo rolled his eyes. "The things I do for you guys..." he said as he joined the others. "Shirl, I highly recommend you stay behind us."
Shirley took out the talcum powder from her backpack and joined her friends. "Just in case," she said.
Visual contact was established, and Bart, Susan, and Hiroshi fired. With sonic boomer shots bouncing off it, Teddy charged at the teens with a roar and its claws ready to strike.
"Well, that worked," Hiroshi said.
"Scatter!" Shirley yelled.
Everyone got out of the killer robot's way. Teddy stopped and searched for its target. Its eyes finally fixed on Shirley, and it advanced on her.
"Oh great!" Hiroshi cried as he continued to fire.
Bo rushed forward to help his friend, but the robot bear swatted him out of the way. Blake also dashed in to assist, but was caught by a paw to the side. Both boys fell hard.
Rika prepared to charge up, but Teddy turned to her and fired a weighted net from its chest. Tangled in the trap, the Stranger fell to the ground. As she struggled to break free, Teddy knocked down C.D. before he could attack. Bart pulled out his battle baton and tried to sneak up on the metallic menace, but Teddy elbowed him, sending him down hard.
"Bart!" Susan ran to his side just as Teddy fired another net, covering both of them.
Hiroshi ran over to them and tried to removed the net. "Okay, having a problem here," he said, straining with the heavy net.
Seeing no opposition, Teddy refocused on its main target. Growling, it advanced on Shirley. The teen detective got ready with the talcum powder, but the robot bear responded with a claw swipe and knocked the white bottle aside. Shirley backed away and found herself against a tree.
"Hmmmmmmm..." Shirley searched her backpack for something. As she did, Teddy continued advancing on her.
END OF PART TWELVE
