"So, have you decided what want?"

Quatro, in fact, had. As a droid with a programmed directive, he was unmoved by the temptation for personal gain. He only had one wish.

"Yes," Quatro warbled in response, gesturing with his sidearm. "I want you to get in. You're under arrest."

Oddly enough, Calypso didn't seem the least bit surprised. He casually strolled over and patiently waited with both hands in his pockets while Quatro opened the domed windshield.

"As you wish," he said slyly.

While Calypso climbed into the safety of the hover bike, something shuffled behind Quatro. Quatro spun around, laser pistol raised.

Snap! Click.

The constable droid turned back around only to discover the dome sealed and locked in place. Immediately, he attempted to bypass the digital security system, but according to the Xeon hover bike, Calypso had administrative control. Only he could authorize access.

When did...

"An impressive little gadget , no?" Calypso asked as he waved a small blue remote at him from behind the glass. "A small child made this. A prodigal genius, really. He even made a remote to control his undead father and in his innocence couldn't grasp why people found it repulsive. The clown's kid brother, if I remember correctly."

The raking drew closer, demanding Quatro's attention. He tried to utilize his helmet's night vision function, but the fire seemed to glow brighter when he did. Whatever the hell was here in the dark with them was hidden beneath dancing shadows. Quatro fired a few warning shots into the abyss, then charged up a shot and fired it at the windshield. It didn't even leave a crack. Calypso carried on.

"This remote allowed me to commandeer your beloved vehicle as my own in the event that this year's robotic winner was overcome with a sense of justice and duty. Unfortunately for you, an old friend of mine owes me a favor and has given us the rare honor of paying us a visit. Oh, I would hate to be out there with you right now."

The fire suddenly blew out in one gust of wind. Or rather, one breath. Quatro blasted a round off, then another and another. Deep growing could be heard throughout this floor of the underground parking garage, slowly morphing into guttural laughing.

"Try not to leave him in too many pieces, Minion. Be sure to save me that neat little pistol of his, you know I how love my trophies! And Quatro? I'd like to thank you for playing Twisted Metal."

Invitation to Twisted Metal (2023)

Calypso