Heart of Steel Part 2: Line of Fire

Maddog residence. The Maddogs are currently at their screen phone. Professor Talinsky is with them. Colleen and the Grizzlies are on split screen.

"Maddogs, we've had several sightings of the robot Dula Brothers here in the U.S. Is Professor Talinsky with you?"

"Right here."

"Professor your going along with them. They may need you."

"I'll do what I can."

"Rabid, I've called your team because the Maddogs will no doubt need some help. We'd come ourselves but we've got other plans."

"We'll do what we can." says Rabid

"Where have they been sighted?" says Outlaw

Colleen put a hand to the back of her neck and gives a nervous look.

"That's the thing. Granite, Arizona."

All except Colleen, Sergey and Saphire groan.

" I know, I know. That ghostown's been a headache. But your to head there immediately."

"Understood." says Outlaw

"Understood."" says Rabid

"Over and out."

Granite, Arizona. An abandoned mining town in the middle of the desert. The Maddogs, Sergey and the Grizzlies have gathered in what used to be the town square.

"OK. You know what to do." says Rabid "Split up into pairs of two and look for them."

"Why do I have to be paired with the Mutant here?" says Beowulf

"I not like this any more that you Cyclops." says Puffball

"Don't call me Cyclops hairball."

"And don't call me Mutant fleabag."

"Mutant!"

"Cyclops!"

"Mutant!"

"Cyclops!"

"Freak!"

"Son of a...."

"That's enough!!!!" shouts Outlaw "You two should know better! We're on the same side. Now quite your bickering and move it!"

Beowulf and Puffball walk together in one direction, both grumbling. Outlaw and Rabid go another.

"I hate the cliche but they fight like cats and dogs."

"She's a burden but I have to put up with her because she's Amani's pet." says Rabid

"And I have to put with him because we all made a deal to stick together. Come on let's look for them."

"Yeah."

They come across what used to be a saloon and go inside. Both are bashed in the head from behind and knocked out. When they come to, they find they are tied up to chairs.

"Rabid, you all right?"

"I think, Ahh! No I'm not."

They both notice that Rabid is bleeding from his shoulder.

"How'd this happen?"

"We did that."

They turn to see the robot Dula Brothers standing near the back.

"Huran and Harjo Dula I presume?" says Rabid

"Correct. Funny thing happened earlier Outlaw. I actually ran you through but your wound healed.

Outlaw looks down and find his shirt is ripped.

"Oh. Did I forget to mention that I heal quickly?"

"Impossible!" says Harjo

"Really? Then how come I'm not dead?"

"Well we'll just have to settle with you watching your friend die. Bye." says Huran

They leave through the back.

"Can you get free?"

"I've been trying without success."

"Uhh! Oh Lordy this hurts!"

"Don't worry, I'll get out of this somehow."

Back in the town square everyone has returned.

"It was a stick not a snake." says Beowulf

"That all you think about, chasing sticks." says Puffball

"Enough already!" says Amani

"Where are Outlaw and Rabid?" says Wesley

"Tracks lead in that direction. Come on." says Silver

Back in the saloon.

"Don't give up on me yet! Think of Nitro. Stay awake."

"I'm...trying."

The others suddenly walk in.

"Rabid!" says Nitro

"Ohh. Hi honey."

"Puffball, free Outlaw so he can heal him."

Puffball goes behind Outlaw and slashes his bonds. Outlaw goes to Rabid and places his hand on the wound. It instantly heals.

"Ahh. Thank you."

"No problem."

"Did you see them?" says Sergey

"Yes. They went out the back."

They head out the back. Silver crouches down and looks at the ground.

"Hmm. Tire tracks. But no vehicle I recognize."

"Their feet can morph into different forms of transportation." says Sergey

"What were you thinking?" says Amani

"How was I supposed to know they were wanted felons?!"

"All right enough." says Outlaw "Silver how much of a lead do they have?"

"I'd say about several minutes."

"Then we better get going if we want to catch them." says Rabid

Later, everyone is on their respective vehicles. They come across the Dula Brothers. They shoot at them but the shots bounce off. Silver and Beowulf open fire.

"Aim for the neck joints!" says Sergey "They are vulnerable there!"

Both robots are shot in the neck joints and begin to swerve wildly. They both go over the edge of a canyon and crash at the bottom.

"Get me down there!"

Saphire flies Sergey down to the bottom. After a while they come back up.

"Their bodies are destroyed but their heads are missing. I implanted regeneration programs into them. In several months they will be back."

"And we'll be here to help you bring them down." says Rabid

The End

Rabid, Amani and Puffball courtesy of Steven Today.

Nitro courtesy of Amanda Stephenson.