The two combat robots landed almost silently on the ground. Compared to the Enforcer, they were slimmer, faster, and moved like metal big cats.
Keks nevertheless moved half a meter forward.
“I’m warning you,” he beeped. “I’m emotionally unstable today.”
Pix whispered to Lio: “That’s usually not a threat.”
“Maybe today it is.”
The first combat robot jumped forward. Mara fired immediately, but the machine dodged the shot and raced straight at MC-9000.
The Enforcer blocked it with one arm. Metal clashed against metal.
The second robot aimed at Lio.
Keks suddenly shot forward.
Not elegant. Not impressive. More like an angry toaster on wheels.
But fast.
He rammed the combat robot directly against the leg.
Of course, the robot didn’t fall.
Keks did.
He flipped twice and landed on his back.
“Attack successful,” he beeped weakly.
Lio pulled him aside just as the robot reached for him.
“That was NOT successful!”
“He noticed me. That counts.”
Pix had meanwhile climbed onto a maintenance cart and threw small magnetic balls at the robot.
“Ha! Take that, luxury tin leg!”
The balls stuck to the machine and began to vibrate. For a moment, the robot actually lost its balance.
Mara took the opportunity and shot at a joint on the knee.
The robot sagged to the side.
Keks got back up and stared at it.
“Now it’s my turn.”
A small brush extended from his casing.
Lio looked at him in disbelief. “What do you want to do with that?”
“Humiliation.”
Keks charged and scrubbed the combat robot’s foot at full speed.
The robot paused briefly.
Then it reported:
“UNKNOWN ATTACK TYPE.”
Pix burst out laughing. “It doesn’t understand the brush!”
The robot tried to retreat, slipped on an oil puddle, and crashed with full force against a server console.
Lio stared at Keks. “You defeated him.”
Keks showed a golden potato.
“I am from now on threat level potato.”
Meanwhile, the Enforcer fought the second combat robot. The blows were so heavy the ground shook.
Voss watched everything with growing impatience.
“Enough.”
He pulled a small device from his coat.
Mara’s eyes widened. “No!”
Voss pressed the button.
The Enforcer stopped immediately.
His sensor panel flickered.
“REMOTE ACCESS…”
The combat robot took advantage of the moment and struck him down with full force.
Lio screamed: “No!”
Voss raised the device again.
“Every machine has an owner.”
The Enforcer slowly got back up.
But this time he didn’t turn to Voss.
He turned to Lio.
And raised his weapon.