Instruments of Destruction

Part 1

Tools of Power Play

By Nick Maro

It was a sunny, mild late summer morning. Kevin Ross stepped out on the golf course green and stood over the ball as he measured his swing. Mr. Kite stood by with two businessmen as he watched his boss prepare to hit the white ball into the distance. Kevin pulled his arms back and swung his club with enough power to send the ball into the horizon. He shielded his eyes from the glare of the sun and tracked the ball. "Dammit. I sliced it," he cursed under his breath.

"Do not worry, Mr. Ross, you're still beating Arnie and me." The younger of the two businessmen stepped up and placed his ball down. "Now, what were you saying about starting on a program that will block peer to peer file sharing?" The man hit the ball with enough force to send it near the hole he was aiming for. He allowed himself smirk knowing he did better than his boss, but tried to not show it.

"Oh yes. I was just contracted by a group who feels that peer to peer file sharing is bringing down the sales of movies, music CDs and computer software." Kevin climbed on the golf cart with the three other men as they made their way to their respective balls. "It seems that this kind of piracy is running rampant lately. But Krossoft is always willing to help out, especially when there's a buck to be made in the process." The four men let out a slight chuckle.

Mr. Kite neared to where his ball had landed, when each of the men turned around at the yelling, screaming and loud music coming quickly from behind them. There were three golf carts barreling towards them. Kevin and Mr. Kite immediately recognized five of the six occupants. It was The Misfits and David Gabor. Kevin didn't know right away who the Japanese woman with David was. Mr. Kite stopped the cart when the three other carts blocked their path.

Kevin jumped off the cart and stormed up to the vehicle Pizzazz was driving. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?"

Pizzazz looked at the other Misfits and her brother with a confused face. "Gee Kevin, I dunno. To me it looks like we're just raising holy hell on this here golf course. Although, I do have to admit I was to expect it to be more like a miniature golf course. God damn do I love miniature golf." She looked around quickly. "This, well, this is just plain dull."

"And a waste of valuable real estate," Stormer yelled from her seat on the cart.

"That too." Pizzazz nodded thoughtfully. "But to answer your question we're golfing."

Kevin felt his eyebrow begin to twitch with anger. "I'll have you know that I'm going to report your adolescent behavior to security and have your membership revoked. You think you can come here and play your little childish games with me? Well I'm through playing. Mr. Kite, get security on the phone and have these," he looked them over quickly before choosing his insult, "common bottom feeders removed." Mr. Kite pulled out his cell phone out and quickly dialed the club's security.

Roxy giggled at Kevin's insult. "Did he really just call us common bottom feeders?" She laughed louder when Pizzazz and Jetta both nodded. "Why not just call us the dregs of society? Ooooooo! Such a big man there, Rossy-poo."

Security pulled up moments later and a guard got off of his cart and walked up to the group. He scanned the people standing around and looked at Pizzazz. "So, what's going on here, Miss?"

"I'll tell you what's going on—"

"Sir," the guard cut off Kevin with a dismissive hand without looking in his direction, "I was speaking to Miss Gabor."

Pizzazz smiled sweetly at Kevin and batted her eyelashes at him then turned to the guard. "Oh nothing, we just came out to tell Mr. Ross that his yearly dues are up. I mean, when you buy a club such as this, one of the first things you look at are the member's records. Since we're such good friends, I thought I'd let you know personally." She held her hand out. "I can take a check. I trust you," she said in a syrupy sweet voice.

The guard got back in his cart and drove off. Kevin shot Pizzazz with a withering glare. "You own this country club?" Pizzazz shook her head mouthed the word no. Kevin took a deep calming breath and let it out slow, trying not to yell. "Okay, then who does?"

"I own this club," said the young Japanese woman as she walked toward him. "Kaori Umezawa. David bought it for me for my birthday. If you have problem with my friends being here, you can just leave." She gave David a kiss on the cheek, who smiled proudly at Kevin.

Spinning around on his heel, Kevin began to get back on his cart when Pizzazz grabbed him by the upper arm. She whispered in his ear with deadly venom in her voice. "You have that Graphix person hack the Starlight Music web site again and I won't be as polite as I was today." She let go and climbed back on her cart, stood up and thrust her arm into the air. "Misfits! Game on!" The three carts sped off quickly, leaving a frustrated Kevin Ross behind.

Sitting in her office, Pizzazz went over the sale records of The Misfits new album. Sales were steady, but not as good as she had hoped. Rubbing her eyes Pizzazz stood and stretched. She left her office and told her secretary that she was out for the day. She told herself that a walk would do her good. She left the Misfits Music building and looked at the building for Starlight Music that was across the street.

Quickly making her way across the street, Pizzazz slipped inside the building. She went up to Jerrica Benton's office and knocked on the door, she entered when Jerrica answered. The green haired woman smirked at Jerrica. "Well you missed a classic Misfits moment. Kevin was livid. I swear he was going to pick up his golf bag and snap his clubs in half, y'know, like in all of those old cartoons." She then noticed that Jerrica was watching the news. "Okay what's going on here?"

On the television screen was one of the cookie cutter news reporters that Pizzazz was used to seeing. The bottom of the screen stated that the reporter was near northern Oregon. The reporter was saying that they were awaiting an announcement from the United Nations. A car pulled up behind the reporter and then did something that Pizzazz would never forget. It transformed from a white Porsche with racing stripes to a fifteen foot tall robot. Pizzazz took a step backwards and fell on her butt.

Jerrica looked down at her friend and giggled. "Why do you think I'm sitting down? This is the first time you've seen this?" Pizzazz couldn't find her voice and only nodded. Jerrica let out a laugh. "Well, this is a treat. The Great and Mighty Phyllis Gabor is speechless. This has been all over the news all day. Hell, it's been everywhere all day. Here's what I know, that car that just turned into a robot is known as an Autobot. Apparently they crash landed on Earth four million years ago. It wasn't until recently that they became active again.

"Their leader is known as Optimus Prime. They've been living among us in secret as cars and planes. That's all I really know about them. I haven't heard where they're from yet. Right now Optimus Prime and a few other Autobots are in New York at the UN Building. Why? No idea. That's what we're waiting to hear about." Jerrica rolled an office chair to Pizzazz for her to sit on.

Pizzazz leaned forward and watched the screen. "Well, I think I need a drink. This is…this is just crazy."

Jerrica poured Pizzazz a drink and handed it to her. "If it's any consolation it hasn't sunk in for me yet either. I mean, this is a global changing event that's happening. An alien race of transforming robots living on Earth? This only happens in a kid's science fiction cartoons or comic books." Jerrica turned the television on mute and rubbed her temples. "I'm sorry. It's just the same thing over and over at this point."

"It's not like this is a one time deal." Pizzazz sipped her drink and paced. She set her drink down and stopped in her tracks. "Do you know what this means? Ken was right! That trip that he, Hitomi and Eiji took wasn't all for nothing. That's the area they went to. I gotta get home. I need to talk to David." Pizzazz stopped as she headed toward the door. "Is there anything wrong? You seemed distracted."

"No, I'm fine, just working on our tour schedule when this news hit. Also I haven't been sleeping well. One of those things that happens when something big is about to happen. Guess this was it." Jerrica shrugged. "Guess Mary isn't the only psychic you know." The two women giggled.

Pizzazz opened the door and leaned on the frame. "It's just called a gut feeling. I get it also. I've woken up just knowing that it was going to be a bad day. It usually starts when I bang my toe on the night stand. Give me a call later. I think we should all be together to watch the updates on what's going on." She shut the door when Jerrica nodded. Heading out of the front office she heard Jerrica turn the volume back on for the TV.

Pizzazz left Starlight Music and noticed that there was a lot less traffic on the streets. She figured that people were indoors watching the news. She went to her parking garage and headed home listening to the news on the radio. Nothing happened on the way home, they were just recapping the events ever since they had started. Overhead, Pizzazz heard and saw three low flying fighter jets. She was glad that the military was protecting the major cites. She arrived home to find David and Kaori glued to the television.

Throughout the night Pizzazz and the rest of The Misfits watched the television. They took turns watching while the others slept in case something big happened. None of them wanted to miss the next big event that they knew would happen at any moment. Roxy was lounging on the couch with her head against her lover's side. Jetta was fast asleep while Roxy played with her Game Boy. She had the volume down on her video game and the TV on low. She kept an ear out for any major breaking news.

Roxy shut off her Game Boy and rubbed her eyes while yawning. She'd been playing for a few hours and her hands were beginning to cramp up a bit. She rolled over and began watching the coverage again. A reporter was interviewing a man in his mid-twenties. The text at the bottom of the screen said his name was Spike Witwickey. He was talking about how he helped introduce the Autobots to Earth culture and way of life.

Sitting up, Roxy shook Jetta and told her to get up. The raven haired drummer mumbled in her sleep and shifted slightly. Giving up, Roxy went into the kitchen and got herself a glass of water. She also made a quick stop into the bathroom. Sipping her water as she entered the living room, she saw that the scene had changed to just outside the United Nations building. Roxy spit out her water in surprise and hit Jetta with it.

Jetta sat up and gave Roxy a startled and somewhat annoyed look. "Okay, okay. I'll get up. I don't mind swappin' bodily fluids with you, but damn woman."

"Sorry. I was in the bathroom. I got a bladder, y'know." Roxy set her glass down. "Hit record on the recorder. I gotta wake everyone else up." She was halfway up the stairs, leaping up them before Jetta could respond. Roxy came running back into the room slipping on the hardwood floor in her socks. She sat down on the couch next to Jetta and listened to the reporter as the others came into the room.

An older, distinguished reporter stood before three robots. He introduced the Autobot on the left as Perceptor, the Autobot on the right as Prowl and in the middle was their leader, Optimus Prime. In front of the trio of Autobots was the United Nations spokesman. He approached a podium and cleared his throat and spoke in a deep, clear voice. The Misfits sat in perfect silence, listening closely.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the press, citizens around this planet Earth, today is truly a day that will forever alter the course of the human race. Today we have discovered that we are not alone in the universe, that we share it with a truly remarkable race known as the Cybertronians, but they wish to be known as the Autobots. Their home planet is known as Cybertron. About four million years ago their ship known as the Ark crash landed in the northern Oregon area. It wasn't until recently that they have been reactivated after being shut down during an emergency crash landing.

"Optimus Prime and his fellow Autobots have come before the United Nations today to make a request. Their request was simple and to the point. He asked us for an area of land in the United States so that they may build their own city. This city would be the defense against the Autobots enemy known as the Decepticons.

"The Decepticons threaten humanity with their attacks on oil refineries and other energy sources. The Autobots have stopped the Decepticons before and have sworn to keep doing so as payment to the citizens of Earth. They see that all life is in fact sacred and share a common need to preserve it. It's my honor that I hear by announce that Optimus Prime and the Autobots are granted the land to build their city." The spokesman stepped away from the microphone. He clapped with the crowd and turned toward the towering Autobot leader.

Raising his hands with his palms out Optimus Prime motioned for silence. His robotic voice resonated and echoed loudly. "Thank you, Mister Spokesman. Thank you for the kind words. I just want to say that our motives are pure and beneficial to the citizens of your planet. We will contribute and share our sciences with your countries in peace. We will respect your laws and wishes. We have come here in peace and will leave in peace if it is wished. You have our eternal gratitude for letting our race stay on your planet." He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."

The Misfits all sat in silence while the Autobot leader made his speech. He left after the speech by transforming into a giant red semi-truck. The other two Autobots followed him. Pizzazz slowly closed her mouth and looked around. Nearly everyone else was sitting with their mouths open. "Well, I can tell you right now they're going to be showing that footage to death." The others all shot her a withering glare. She made a face and turned back to the TV.

Pulling up to her house, Stormer shut off her car's engine and got out. As she approached the front door, she noticed it was slightly ajar. Cautiously she opened it with her keys between her fingers in case they were needed and looked inside. She didn't hear or see anything. She chided herself for being forgetful and not locking the door in the excitement yesterday. Walking into the living room she jumped back startled. Craig and Chip both sat on the couch holding back their laughter.

"You guys are both assholes." Stormer hugged her new boyfriend. "So, how was your trip home?"

Both Craig and Chip gave her a confused look. "You're not freaked out by all this giant robot stuff, Mary?"

Stormer just gave her brother a small smile. "I am, but what can I do about it? Not a bloody thing. Life is going to go on, giant robots or not. Anyway, what are you doing here? Both of you."

Craig held up his keys. "I used to live here remember. I got here around one in the morning. At about six, Chip rang the doorbell. He wanted to surprise you. So I invited him in figuring you were at Phyllis' or at the studio. I didn't want to bug you so I got to know him. I let him know the ground rules for dating my precious younger sister." He let out an evil laugh afterwards then stopped when Stormer glared at him.

"We were just talking about my trip home, hon." Chip shifted in his seat and gave Craig a look. "Mary, you know that area the Autobots have been given to build Autobot City?" Stormer nodded. "Part of that area is where I'm from. In fact I've known about the Autobots for some time now. That was the reason I had to go back. I needed to be there for the announcement. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I swore to Optimus Prime that I wouldn't say anything to anyone. Now I want to take you there so you can meet my friends."

Stormer stared at him for a few moments. "I knew you were hiding something." She then let out a small chuckle. "Ah hell, with everything I've been through, I can't be mad at you for not telling me. I knew about Jerrica being Jem for a long time before she said anything. We all have our secrets." She gave Chip a tight hug and peck on the lips. She sat down with her brother and her boyfriend. Together they talked and watched the news coverage on the Autobots. Chip gave them a more in depth history of the sentient robots.

Deep inside one of the many nameless government buildings a bored worker sat before his computer console. He was doing a scan on the Autobots and their base, the Ark, to see if they would interfere with any of the communications in the United States. He let the scan roam the entire country as a precaution. He set his book down when an alert caught his attention. The alert was focused on the Los Angeles area.

Immediately he picked up the phone and called his supervisor. "Mr. Reynolds, its Jenkins. I was just doing that scan for you and something popped up in L.A. No, I don't think it's for the Autobots. They said they weren't out that way. Yes, sir. I'll tighten the scan up and get back to you right away. I understand it might be kids, sir. Yes, sir. Good bye." Jenkins hung up the phone and began working on getting the coordinates for his boss.

Standing before his sister and one of his best friends, Ken tapped his foot impatiently and smirked. "Well? I'm waiting."

Hitomi and Eiji both exchanged glances with rolled eyes. "I dunno, Eiji. I don't think we should give him the pleasure of us admitting anything. Just look at him gloating. If we do anything now, we'll just be feeding that overgrown ego of his."

"Hmm, you're right. We're not really sure if that's what the tabloid was talking about." Eiji paced the living room slowly. The three childhood friends of David Gabor had been visiting Kimber Benton, their lead singer, when the news of the Autobots broke on the news. "Sure it said that a giant robot had been spotted in that area, but how do we know it was them? Could've been man made." He flopped back on the couch and relaxed.

"Oh just admit I was right at least!" Ken threw his arms up in the air in frustration. "So the trip itself was a bust, but I was right about the robots. We just didn't look in the right spot. Our information was completely off. Now we can go see them if we want. They're bound to be all over the place with this talk of building a city for them."

"Yeah, you and about a million other people, Ken," Kimber said walking into the room. She sat on the couch where Eiji was resting and stole a pillow from him. "Think about it, this is the biggest news since the invention of the wheel. Alien sentient robots from deep space have been on Earth for the past four million years. Only recently they have been reactivated and have been hiding among us. No one can top this story." She leaned back on the couch and pulled out a piece of paper. "I just talked to David on the phone. He said that The Misfits are just going to move along as business as usual. It's just what they can do."

Hitomi nodded. "Sounds about right, this is a global changing event. Might as well accept it now." She looked over Kimber's shoulder at the piece of paper. "So this is what you've been working on for our new album?" Kimber nodded slightly in thought. Hitomi scanned the paper, reading the concept ideas behind their new album. The members of Suzaku had decided to try and do a concept album. They had discussed that they were growing up musically and wanted to try something other than a pop sound.

Sitting up, Eiji looked at the paper and scratched the back of his head. "I was thinking about this the other night. About the concept, all the songs need to connect around a common theme. Why don't we do thing where we each write a song ourselves. Have it be about our childhood or something. Something where it tells a story about ourselves. Maybe we could get David to contribute. It's just an idea I've been kicking around."

The three other members of Suzaku looked at each other and shrugged. Kimber smiled at Eiji. "I think it's a great idea."

"Hey!" Ken said a bit annoyed. "Is anyone gonna admit I was right?" Hitomi and Eiji answered him by each throwing a pillow at him and laughing.

Techrat pushed himself out from under the computer console and flipped a switch. The machine before him lit up and gears whirred. He turned to David with a shrug. "It should work now. I just knew I should've changed those circuit boards in there." He left the metal panel off of the access hatch in case he needed to get back inside.

David watched the remote training unit for a moment. The training unit was a slender robot about the average height of a human. From what Techrat had told David it was some kind of sparring unit. David wasn't too sure that he trusted it. "Before I do anything with this thing, tell me again where you got it? I'm not sure I trust it. It looks shoddy. Like its ready to yell crush kill destroy and go on a rampage." The robot made a slight shudder. "Or just fall apart."

"I got it when I bought Fujiyama Robotics and Industrials. The founder was a genius and light years ahead of his time." Techrat turned off the machine and the robot went limp on its feet. "Looks like I need to work on it some more. I still don't know what it is. It could just be a butler." He gave a small shrug and walked away. "I'm still hunting down all of Dr. Fujiyama's creations. The appearance of these Autobot reminded me of a rumor that Dr. Fujiyama created a robot ninja named Nightbird. I'm very interested in seeing and finding it now."

Putting his arm around his girlfriend, Kaori, David walked out of the lab with her and Techrat. "Well, good luck with that. Right now Mary wants us over at her house. She has some good and bad news to tell us. All I know is that I need a nap. Haven't slept in like two days." David opened the passenger side door for Kaori. He waved good bye to Techrat and got inside the car himself.

Kaori gave David a kiss on the cheek. "[If you're tired we can always skip going to Mary's.]"

David shook his head as he drove. "[No, she said it was important and I'm not gonna get yelled at by her again. She's scary when she yells.]" He smiled when he heard Kaori giggle.

A week after the announcement of the Autobots living in secret on Earth, five black vans pulled up through the gates of the Starlight House. A swarm of men dressed in black fatigues surrounded the house. They burst open the front door yelling that they were the FBI and the FCC. The men searched the whole house to find it empty except for furniture. It was as if the people who lived there just simply vanished.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "WHO MADE WHO?"

PART 2 OF INSTRUMENTS OF DESTRUCTION