Instruments of Destruction

Part 6

A Space Oddity

By Nick Maro

Sleep came hard for Eric Raymond in recent days. One of The Stingers, Phoebe Ashe who was known to the general public as Rapture, had been missing for over a month. The band he had managed previously, The Misfits, were now missing in the northern Oregon area with their formal rivals Jem and The Holograms. He was getting help in the search for Rapture from both Clash and Video. He was very grateful that each woman was willing to help him.

Riot and Minx were afraid that Rapture had fled the country and returned to Germany. They left a few days ago to search for her there. Eric had just fallen asleep after a night of fruitless searching underground clubs and raves. He was ready to hire a private detective and file a missing persons report if she wasn't found soon. He found himself constantly searching for redemption in light of the man he used to be. He just recently regained a little of The Misfits' trust and respect, but now his search for Rapture was for his own peace of mind.

Eric was awakened two hours after falling asleep by the ringing of his doorbell. He pulled the sheets over his head and wished for whomever it was to just go away. The ringing continued until he kicked the sheets off and stormed to the door. He didn't bother putting his robe on since he was still in his clothes from the night before. The sun momentarily blinded him when he looked out the window to see who it was. A man in a high quality business suit stood at the door. He held a briefcase in one hand.

After fixing his hair in the hallway mirror, Eric unlocked the door and opened it slowly. He put on his best smile and spoke with a clear voice. "Yes. What can I help you with?"

"Mr. Eric Raymond, I presume," the man asked in a professional voice. He continued after Eric nodded. "My name is Mr. Saunders and I'm representative of Packard and Von Lanstrom, Attorneys at Law. May I come in?" Eric opened the door and stepped aside for the lawyer. "You're not in any trouble." He let out a slight chuckle.

"Oh that's a relief. Come on into the kitchen I've got some coffee in a thermos that's still good from last night." Eric poured them each a cup. "I was working late and this comes in useful, but I'm sure you know what I mean."

The representative sipped his coffee and set it down. "Mr. Raymond, are you still in contact with a Ms. Roxanne Pelligrini?" Eric nodded slightly confused. "I tried getting a hold of her at Misfits Music, but it's like a tomb there. No one has heard from anyone of her band in almost a week. I was hoping since you were once her manager that you could give her this letter." He opened his briefcase and handed Eric the sealed envelope. "I don't know what it is. I don't work for the law office that drew up this letter. I was just asked to give it to the young lady."

Eric studied the envelope and set it down. "Thank you, Mr. Saunders. Once I hear from her, I'll see to it that she gets this right away. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try and get back to sleep. I only got in two hours ago when you rang my door bell."

"My apologies, I didn't mean to disturb you." Mr. Saunders finished his cup of coffee and shook Eric's hand as he left his house. Eric shut the door and locked it. He went back into the kitchen and picked up the envelope that was on the counter. He looked it over again before putting it on the desk in his study. He slipped back into his bed and hoped The Misfits were safe.

Racing down the tunnel to the elevator lift as fast as they could, the three Misfits, Pizzazz, Roxy and Jetta didn't look back. They heard the sounds of a battle being fought behind them. Stray shots lanced out over their heads hitting the walls. They only hazard to look when the sounds ceased. The Autobot Hound was running toward them who then transformed as he ran. The Misfits quickly climbed into his Jeep mode.

Hound sped off as fast as he could and made it back to the lift quickly. Pizzazz looked behind her and saw four deadly Decepticons coming their way. It was too narrow for them to transform into their alternate flight modes. The lift slowly began to rise when she felt the objects she had in her pockets. She'd for gotten that she had brought a few thermal grenades in case of an emergency. She armed the grenades and looked at the gap between the ceiling of the tunnel and the lift.

The gap was growing narrower by the second. She counted to three and tossed the grenades. A few seconds later an explosion rocked the elevator lift and its occupants. "What in the name of Primus was that?" Hound yelled at her in shock.

"Thermal grenades, Hound, I forgot I had them. I don't think the Decepticons are too happy that I remembered that I did." Pizzazz climbed off of Hound and leaned against the elevator lift's wall. Roxy and Jetta joined her while Hound transformed. "So, what was so goddamned important that we almost got killed down there?"

From what The Misfits could tell Hound smirked. "I got the rest of the holographic technology from that conduit. It was stored there and hidden. It's now deleted from Vector Sigma or whichever database was housing it. I've got it all stored and ready for download in my databanks." He tapped the side of his metallic head.

"Great. Now all we have to do is find our way back to Autobase." Jetta smirked at Hound and leaned against her lover Roxy. The rest on the lift grimly nodded and rode it back up in silence.

Ultra Magnus stood before the display screens studying the map of the robotic planet Cybertron. He was watching the movements of the Autobot and Decepticon forces. The fact that the Decepticons were moving in a precise manner upset him. They were too well organized. More organized than usual. They were combing the lower uncharted depths of the planet. He did notice a stray Autobot blip appear under Autobase. Ultra Magnus cursed the old monitor screens they had to use.

"Here's a list of possible locations of where that technology could be." Prowl handed the thin display pad to the Autobot's second in command. He looked at the large map of the planet and watched the slow moving Decepticon icon move across the board. He frowned at a group that looked to be close to the Autobase they were in. "Looks like Megatron put the word out about it and Shockwave is sending out all of the troops he can."

"I'm more concerned on the whereabouts of Hound and the three humans. With this many Decepticons out there they could be in grave danger." The large Autobot looked at the pad Prowl had given him. "There are just too many locations to search and not enough Autobots. The Decepticons already outnumber us and they have a head start in the search." Ultra Magnus paced the room and then turned to the strategist. "What's your suggestion?"

Thinking for a moment, Prowl turned back to the large map again and looked at where the possible locations were. "I think we should check out a few of the closer spots first. If they come up cold, then we slowly stretch outward and hope that somehow the Decepticons didn't get to it first. We should also contact the other Autobases and have them send scouts out to the places near them. That would save time." Prowl patiently waited for Ultra Magnus' response.

"Contact Autobase Alpha and Beta send them the list you just gave me." Ultra Magnus turned and began to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to try and find our missing brother Hound and David's friends. They're still missing and I'm not going to let them get killed." Ultra Magnus left the planning room and made his way down a side passage and to a stairwell that led to the lower levels under the base. He punched in the access code to the security door that led to the lower catacombs beneath the base. The door opened and Ultra Magnus went through. The seemingly random Autobot blip he saw earlier stuck out in his mind.

Ultra Magnus switched his optic sensors to thermal vision and began his search for Hound and The Misfits.

Returning from their walk David and Kaori had a renewed sense of confidence that Pizzazz, Roxy and Jetta were fine. They had spent the past hour looking at the strange sky talking about life and their future together. David felt that they were both ready to officially move in together. He was definitely in love with Kaori and their age difference didn't bother him at all. She was only a few years older than him. He knew his sister accepted Kaori, but she didn't know everything about his girlfriend.

Kaori kissed David lovingly before going into their room. She was going to take a nap while David talked with Kimber and Stormer. He knocked on their door and entered without getting a reply. Kimber quickly slipped on a shirt and glared at him. "I was changing. Couldn't you have waited five extra seconds?"

David chuckled to himself. "Its nothing I haven't seen before." Kimber shot him an icy look. "Okay I'm sorry. So no word from our missing wayfarers, huh?"

"No, not yet, Mary is in the shower right now. Have you noticed that the planet gives off a higher than normal amount of static? So she's getting her hair under control, although we have been having fun static shocking the hell outta each other." Kimber stretched and lay out on her bed. "I was wondering something about Kaori. Why didn't you tell me she was divorced?"

"To be honest I didn't think it was your business. I still don't think it is, but I don't have a problem with it. Her ex-husband may be her editor, but they're still friends, which I can respect." David took a seat at her desk. "I didn't come here to discuss telling you non-vital information about my girlfriend. I wanted to tell you and Mary that Kaori and I are moving in together once we get back. Before you act shocked you have to remember she and I waited longer than you and I did."

"I, for one, think that's wonderful David." Stormer walked out of the bathroom in a towel drying her hair as she walked. "She's a great woman and a talented one at that. She was telling us about her future plans for her manga series. I told her if it gets turned into anime series that I'd gladly do the opening music for free. And I think I can convince a certain redhead to help me out." She sat on her bed and stuck her tongue out at Kimber.

Kimber rolled her eyes. "I already made it clear that I don't hate her. It's just weird getting to know the woman who is dating your ex-fiancé. I like her, I really do, it's just strange." She let out a semi-frustrated sigh and flopped back on her bed. "Hey! We haven't told him about our new album, have we?"

"Hold that thought and let me get changed." Stormer grabbed her clothes and went back into the bathroom to change. She returned a few moments later straightening her shirt. She picked up a notepad from her desk. "Okay the new album is called Naked Ambition. Kaori actually helped sketch out the concept idea behind the cover." She held up the notepad.

On the notepad was a rough sketch of Kimber and Stormer. Kimber was behind Stormer with one arm over the others shoulders. Stormer was leaning forward a bit. They were each smiling widely. David noted that it was obvious that they were both naked but had objects blocking their nudity. He couldn't make out what was blocking the nudity but he figured that would be decided at a later date.

David smiled at the two best friends. "It looks great. I like the concept you're going for. It shows that you've both matured and have grown up since your last album." They both nodded in agreement, happy that David understood that was it their intention all along. He stayed a little longer and talked about their new album to keep their minds off of everything.

The Autobots at the Ark were still on alert after the surprise attack by the Decepticons the day before. Optimus Prime asked that Jerrica keep The Holograms and her Starlight Girls inside until he was satisfied that everything would be safe. Construction of Autobot City went on with just the Autobots working on it. The human construction workers were told to stay home until it was safe. Optimus Prime was worried that Megatron might try to halt production.

Sparkplug Witwicky remained in stable yet critical condition. Ratchet was worried that he could go at any second. He held on to his life by a thread. Jerrica was still very concerned about him, but she spent time with her foster children. She watched them play with some of the Autobots and listened to stories from the old Autobot Ironhide. She smiled to herself that she had misjudged them. She was now happy to be under their protection.

Jerrica was watching Terri, Marianne and Joellen, some of the youngest Starlight Girls, as they played with the fearsome Dinobots. At first she was hesitant of letting the girls play with them, but Wheeljack reassured her that they were very gentle around humans. He had given them a program that especially made them that way around children. Jerrica smiled at how childlike the Dinobots seemed themselves.

A warning klaxon went off throughout the Ark sending everyone into a confused scramble. Jerrica directed the Starlight Girls into one of the interior security rooms. The Holograms and Rio followed her into the room moments later. Optimus Prime ran to the monitor of Teletran-One. What seemed to be all of the Decepticons on Earth were coming to the Ark. Something deep inside him said something wasn't right. This wasn't Megatron's style.

"I don't like this Prime. Why would Megachops attack like this now? It ain't right," Ironhide said standing next to his leader reflecting his own thoughts.

"Megatron is up to something, but we can't take the chance that isn't a last ditch effort to get the rest of the hologram technology. We also have to assume that he's willing to use it to trick us in splitting our defenses." Optimus Prime processed the situation quickly. "We're going to have to use both Cerebrix and Synergy. Wheeljack! I want holographic projectors mounted outside the Ark on the double. It looks like all of the Decepticons are on their way here." He flipped on the Autobot secure channel. "Autobots to arms. Decepticon attack! Decepticon attack!"

The Autobots ran out of the Ark to see the Decepticons on the horizon. Optimus Prime gave his commands while standing at the mouth of the Ark. The defensive cannons popped up from the ground and pointed at the sky waiting for their targets. Off in the distance Autobot City's defenses activated despite they were only half finished, but fully operational. Wheeljack, Grapple and Hoist worked as fast as they could to connect the holographic projectors.

Optimus Prime knew they were going to be in for a fight. This time it seemed like it was all or nothing. "Primus help us," he said quietly.

With Autobot City and the Ark in plain view, Megatron signaled his jet forces to transform and begin the attack on Autobot City. He then gestured for the rest of the Decepticons to attack the Autobots on the far side of the canyon. He hoped to lure the ones guarding the opening of the Ark away from it. He was certain he would get Optimus Prime to follow him, while Soundwave let Ravage loose and into the Ark to get the second half of the holographic technology.

Megatron smiled to himself and yelled a battle cry as he dived at his hated rival, Optimus Prime.

The sounds of explosions brought David and Kaori out of their room. Trying not to panic David ran to Kimber and Stormer's room with their door opening for him. The two women looked as shocked as he was. A second more powerful explosion went off sending Kaori crashing into David's back knocking him to the ground. It was then that the alarm went off. The monotone voice announced there was a Decepticon attack on the base.

David got to his feet and dusted himself off. "Pack your stuff. Now! This is just what Spike said to do in case we were attacked. Pack our stuff and get ready to evacuate if needed." He turned to his girlfriend. "Help Kim and Mary then go to our room and get our stuff. Stay there until I get back. I'm going to find Ultra Magnus. I need to find out what we're doing." He gave her a long kiss and hugged his two friends. They wished him luck as he ran out the door.

He ran back to his room and grabbed an energy pistol and one of the energy sabers. He hooked the spare on his belt. David then made his way down the hallway. Emerging from the human quarters he saw that the base was in utter chaos. He stayed close to the wall so not to get trampled. He spotted a few Autobots he knew, but didn't stop them. Yet another explosion sent him flying off of his feet. "Geez David, what happened to your incredible balance?"

Getting back to his feet David chuckled and stood straight. He turned and hugged his sister as she, Roxy and Jetta got off of Hound. He hugged the other two women as well. "Where the hell were you guys?"

Ultra Magnus pulled up behind Hound and they each transformed. Hound and Ultra Magnus exchanged grim looks. "We have to evacuate the Autobases. It seems Shockwave has found out that Hound got the holographic technology and wiped it from the planet's database. Now he's decided that if he can't have it, no one will. Right now our priority is getting Hound to safety and that means getting him off planet." Ultra Magnus began to walk away then stopped. "The Autobots are evacuating Cybertron immediately."

The storm had lessened in strength and ferocity. Techrat wiped the rain water from his face as he watched the giant crate get loaded onto the cargo plane. Yukio and Kyoko stood next to him watching Techrat's plane crew load the Nightbird robot on the plane. Kyoko adjusted the traveling bag she held. "Well now what are you going to do with the Nightbird, Techrat?"

"I want to do some research on it. I've been trying my hand at building human like robots. They're all still too noisy for my needs. From what I've learned, the Nightbird has a sophisticated stealth system that dampens the sounds of the gears moving." Techrat turned from watching the loading to the two young Japanese women. "I found the schematics of the robot, but they're not final. What's inside her is final. Dr. Fujiyama feared that the final plans would fall into the wrong hands so he had them destroyed. I plan on reverse engineering them through study."

"You didn't go through all of this just to find it then destroy it, did you?" Yukio asked.

Techrat shook his head. "No, I'm not going to disassemble it. I'm just going to take it apart, study it, and then put it back together. I could never destroy something as ingenious as this machine. It goes against everything I stand for as an inventor. I just need to see how that dampener works. Then I can finish what is probably my greatest work ever."

Yukio and Kyoko both nodded that they understood. The crate the Nightbird robot was in finished loading into the cargo plane. Together they got on Techrat's private jet. Kyoko and Yukio were heading back to America to see their friends again.

Optimus Prime did his best to keep aware of the entire battle. Wheeljack was nearly finished with the projectors while Prime gave him cover in the battle. It was then that he had an idea. He opened a private com link with Wheeljack. "Can the projectors block any of the Decepticon's holograms?"

"I suppose so, Prime. I'd have to know the frequency they're using." Wheeljack thought for a moment while Prime shot at Skywarp, as he was getting ready to strafe the unsuspecting Autobot. "Maybe if I get Cerebrix and Synergy to send out an alternating frequency wave we'll find it eventually. Until then we'll have to hold up the best we can against the Decepticons."

"Then do it and hurry. I'm going after Megatron." Optimus Prime fired a few shots into the sky at the circling Decepticons. As he expected a few of the shots went straight through the holograms. Optimus Prime broke into a run and then transformed without missing any momentum. He raced toward Autobot City and the signature flashes of Megatron's fusion cannon.

Blasts from blocking Decepticons bounced off of his armor. He didn't notice as he raced closer to his eternal rival.

Another one of the countless explosions rocked the hanger bay as The Misfits, David, Kaori and Kimber ran to their assigned shuttle craft. There were four giant space crafts in the Autobase hanger bay. One had been destroyed by an explosion from the Decepticon attack. Spike, Carly and their son Daniel were climbing aboard the shuttle ahead of The Misfits and the rest. Ultra Magnus wanted the humans all together on the same shuttle.

Spike kissed Carly quickly and drew his two energy pistols. He hopped off of the shuttle's ramp and began shooting behind David and The Misfits, giving them cover fire. David turned around to see a group of Decepticons entering the hanger bay. He pulled out his own pistols and joined Spike in firing at the giant robots, providing cover for the rest. He stopped only to push Kaori, Kimber and The Misfits toward the shuttle craft. "Go! Spike and I will cover you guys." He kissed Kaori and looked in her eyes. "I'll be fine."

Finally listening to David, The Misfits, Kimber and Kaori all ran to the shuttle. None of them stopped to turn to see the oncoming Decepticons. Carly helped the six other women get onboard the space craft. Kaori stopped at the entrance and waited with Carly. They each watched their lovers run backward toward the craft while shooting rapidly at the Decepticons. The sound of screeching tires made the Decepticons turn to see Hot Rod racing toward the squad. Arcee was close behind him along with the veteran Kup and the speedster Blurr.

Carly squeezed Kaori's shoulder and let out a cheer when the Autobot calvary arrived. The four Autobots quickly dispatched the Decepticon soldiers. David and Spike climbed onto Arcee when she transformed. She brought them up the ramp and into the shuttle. Kaori and Carly hugged their significant others. Kup, Blurr and Hot Rod got onboard the shuttle. Kup and Hot Rod ran to the cockpit and began to prepare for launch.

The ramp closed up quickly, sealed and pressurized for space travel. The old Autobot Kup got on the intercom. "Arcee, Blurr, please have the humans strap themselves in for their safety." Padded seats appeared out of the floor. When they sat on the seat, harnesses appeared and the two Autobots helped them strap in. "Brace yourselves. This is gonna get bumpy."

Kup pushed the thrusters forward sending the shuttle flying out of the hanger bay. The inertia pushed everyone back into their seats. "Blurr, Arcee, get to the cannons, we have company on our way to the orbital space bridge." Kup rolled the shuttle while Arcee and Blurr fired at the pursuing Decepticons. David held Kaori's hand while they watched the battle on the monitor. Kimber reached over and grabbed David's other hand which he squeezed reassuringly. They saw the two remaining shuttles escape safely.

For the first time The Misfits, David, Kimber and Kaori got an aerial view of Cybertron. Stormer let out a gasp when she saw it. It was nothing how they pictured and yet it looked just like it did in the pictures they had seen. Then as suddenly as it had it appeared it was gone. Kup had passed through the space bridge. The sensation of unease hit everyone again.

Dodging the blast from Megatron's fusion cannon, Optimus Prime kicked the loose boulder down the slope toward him. He looked frantically for his rifle and held his side. Electricity sparked between his fingers. Optimus Prime found the rifle destroyed under another boulder. Megatron fired, destroying the boulder instantly. He let out a scream of rage and charged up the slope toward his foe.

Optimus Prime tackled Megatron around his waist and shoved the mighty Decepticon down the cliff side. They hit the bottom together causing the fusion cannon to snap free from Megatron's arm mount. Optimus Prime got to his feet first and stood over Megatron. He looked around the battlefield and saw the holographic Decepticons slowly begin to vanish. "It's over Megatron. Your false Decepticons are gone. Your troops are wounded. This fight is finished."

Waiting for the Autobot leader to turn away Megatron continued to play dead. He finally stood and rammed his shoulder into the back of Optimus Prime. He quickly gained control over him and began digging his hand into the face and optics of Optimus Prime. He pulled back his head and snarled. "Not while I still function it isn't over, Prime." Megatron punched the damaged side of Optimus Prime. "Right now Ravage is inside the Ark getting the last half of the hologram program. Victory is so close that I can taste it."

"You're a fool. Did you think I would leave the hologram technology inside of Teletran after you infiltrated the last time?" Optimus Prime struggled to get up. Megatron slammed his wound again. He was ready to go offline when he heard two sonic booms appear one after the other. A third was then heard a few short moments later. The sound of battle stopped as both Autobot and Decepticon forces stopped their fighting to look at the sky. Optimus Prime felt Megatron's hold slip and took the opportunity to get free. "Just in time," Optimus Prime said to himself.

Three Autobot shuttle crafts streaked across the sky, firing at the Decepticons in the air and on the ground. Megatron screamed in rage, picked up his cannon and reattached it to his arm. He aimed his cannon at Prime and fired, only to have it spark in a misfire. Megatron screamed in rage again at the damaged weapon. "Decepticons! Retreat! To the space bridge!" He flew off leaving Optimus Prime behind. Slowly the attacking Decepticon forces flew off in the direction of the space bridge. They disappeared into the distance.

"Jetfire! Track them and make sure they all have left through the space bridge. Once they're gone, destroy it!" Optimus Prime slowly and painfully transformed into his semi mode. He made his way to the landing pad where the shuttles had landed in Autobot City. He went as fast as he could. The cheer of celebration could be picked up by his audio sensors even at the great distance. The sound of a massive explosion was heard behind him followed by a purplish mushroom cloud. No doubt the space bridge being destroyed.

Running into the medical center of the Ark, Spike found his father in the bed. He had a breathing tube in his mouth. Spike slowly walked up to the bed and touched his father's hand. "dad," he said softly, "dad, I'm back. The Decepticons are gone. They've been driven from the planet and back to Cybertron. It's a great victory." He sat down next to him. "All of the Autobots have left Cybertron too. So Carly and Daniel are here. I-I just wanted to see you alone first, y'know, to talk.

"Everything is good and great now. Hound actually found what we needed and destroyed it from the Cybertronian database. I found out what was so deadly about it. Imagine having a weapon that could be physical yet not take any damage. A weapon that couldn't be hurt, but that could destroy whole cities. That's the potential of this technology; A solid light weapon." Spike looked away and wiped a tear from his eye. "I should've been here for you, Dad."

"S-spike," Sparkplug said hoarsely. He had removed his breathing tube, "its okay, son. You did the right thing. You always do." He turned and looked at his son. He was deathly pale. "I love you, son. I never really told you that, but I do. I can see your mother. She has the smile I remember from when we first me—" Sparkplug stopped in mid-sentence. The air in his chest escaped and he closed his eyes. He rested peacefully on the bed.

Spike knew there was nothing he could do to bring his father back from death. He gave his father's body a tight hug and slowly stood. He briefly wondered why he couldn't cry. He then went to give the news to his family and friends of his father's passing.

Two weeks had passed since the Decepticons were driven from the Earth and back to Cybertron. All of the Autobots, Spike and his family and friends, old and new, laid Irving 'Sparkplug' Witwicky to rest. He was given a hero's funeral complete with a statue in his honor inside of Autobot City. It was to be unveiled when the city was completed in the next month.

Optimus Prime kept his word and helped Jerrica rebuild the mansion. He also brought Synergy back to the house as well. Jerrica had gotten word from Techrat and that he had a surprise for her. Jerrica could tell that he was excited about something big. Almost immediately of arriving back to the newly reconditioned mansion, Techrat took Synergy and went to work. No one heard from him again until a week later when he rang the door bell.

Kimber opened the door and smiled. She yelled for her sister to come to the door. Jerrica ran up looking anxious at Techrat. He gave her a smile. It was then that she realized she had never really seen him smile. It was nice to see. "Jerrica, may I introduce you to Cyndi, also known as Synergy." He motioned and a young woman with light purple hair and eyes got out of Techrat's car. She looked just like Synergy did on the monitor but with flesh tone skin.

"Greetings Jerrica and Kimber, I'm sorry we were gone for so long, but Techrat and Wheeljack wanted me to be perfect," Synergy said in a soft voice.

"No way," Kimber whispered very softly, "no fuckin' way." She ran with her sister and hugged Synergy. "How did you do it?"

Techrat smiled obviously proud of himself. "I had help from Wheeljack in making her look human, but she's an android. Meaning she can pass for human despite being a robot. Wheeljack also helped me install her Cybertronian hologram matrix. It's the full program, but with limits. It can only project holograms and very weak solid light ones. She's partially solar powered and does contain a small Cybertronian reactor in her to function. When she needs to eat she can just do so from an electrical socket." He thought of anything else. "Oh, she's waterproof, too."

Jerrica went up to Techrat and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you so much. This is one of the best gifts ever." She turned to her sister and Synergy and headed inside the Starlight Mansion together. Techrat joined them after getting some papers for Jerrica. They were Synergy's new blueprints and schematics. He trusted her with them.

The knocking on the door was persistent and annoying to Roxy's ears. She had finally found the time to take a long hot bath and just relax with Jetta. She tightened the belt on her robe and looked out the peep hole in her door. She saw Eric Raymond standing in the rain trying to stay dry under the small awning. She let him suffer for a few moments longer before finally opened the door. She gave him an annoyed look. "This better be good, Raymond. It was hot bath and naked time here."

"Well hello to you too, Roxy." Eric reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope. "I got this while you were on your wild little adventure. I forgot about it until I found it under some papers I was going through. It's from some law firm in Philly. Hope it's not bad news."

"I'm surprised you didn't open it yourself, luv." Jetta came up behind Roxy in her own robe. She peeked over the platinum blonde's shoulder to look at the letter. Roxy opened the letter and read it. She let out a small gasp and read it again. "Bad news?"

Roxy shook her head as a smile began to spread on her lips. "No, great news. My asshole aunt and uncle actually did die in a car wreck and I'm their sole heir. I'm to meet with their lawyers in Philly when I have the time."

TO BE CONTINUED IN "AN AMERICAN GIRL PART 1"