Canto 146 – Robo-Alliances
Smoky Hardretter was adding the final touches to the image on the 3-D display of a Mechanoid-control device. It was essential that they get things right. If they were going to establish control over the planet Mingo, Smoky and his ally Raylond King, two thirds of the ruling triumvirate of the local star cluster, would have to develop a stronger Mechanoid army than the one already controlled by the third triumvir, Evil Emperor Mong the Maniacal.
“Ray, what are we going to do if we can’t overcome Mong’s superior control mechanisms?”
The handsome young Raylond and his beautiful young wife, Tara Salongi, stepped in from the nursery.
“We just got little Amanda to sleep, Smoky. You have to discuss quietly.” Tara’s stern look gave him no room to raise his voice in protest.
“Mong is such a weak-willed ruler. There has to be a way to overcome his advantage.” Ray’s jaw was set in a grim line.
“You haven’t really taken him on directly, Ray. He’s tougher in conflict than he seems when he’s drinking coffee or participating in the mechanical-dance ritual. And he was the one out of the three of us responsible for the defenses of the entire star cluster.”
“Oh, I am aware of that. And it only got worse when we tried to force him to join the New Star League with us. He went directly to Sir Saurol to report us and get Admiral Tang to replace and recall us.”
“Um, guys…” Tara indicated the man-shaped thing listening to their conversation while leaning against the door post.
“Interesting… I seem to be here at just the right time to hear exactly what I needed to hear.”
“Who are you? And what do you want?” Smoky asked.
“He’s the synthezoid robot known as Sorcerer. He’s a bad guy, and you need to shoot him in the head before he can do his robot thing.” Tara was glaring commandingly again.
“Wait! I’m not the early model. I’m Sorcerer 27. New and improved. And I’m the solution to the problem you were just talking about.”
“You want to help us revolt against the Imperium?” asked Raylond.
“I’m tired of being shot in the head before I can perform my miraculous functions. I need to be on the winning side for a change.”
“What can you do for us?” asked Tara suspiciously.
“I possess access to Syn Corporation AI control systems. I can turn your Rot Warrior Zombie Soldiers into reanimated beings who can think creatively and independently, even as well as they did when they were living beings.”
“Why would you help us?” asked Smoky.
“You will reward me with sole control of the planet Zadukar that orbits the Lonely Star in the far corner of the cluster.”
“That miserable hot rock with methane for an atmosphere?” asked Raylond.
“You have a deal!” declared Smoky.
“Yes, but the prince is probably long dead. And, besides, Slythinus himself was probably killed on Stanley,” said Sorcerer.
“Why do you want it?” asked Raylond.
“I just want to be a ruler among the good guys for once,” he said with an evil robotic smile.
Catch a Falling Star 