SEND IN THE CLONES

"must be a dejá vu" I say ignoring the fact that the shapes were in front of me before, not behind.

"So there are some things in front of us, and we need to creep up behind them quietly to see what they are. Stay close and do the same, no noise." Cart spoke to his newfound friend as if they had known each other forever. In fact, Cart could still remember the last time he had a pet. That was almost 15 minutes ago.

A moment later a laser blast of energy zips past Brett's head singing the brim of his top hat.

Haha! Gotcha!

Ahead you see the fearsome form take shape. It's a Junior Citizen in an infrared jumpsuit. He is carrying a laser rifle. He is about 10 years old.

Will begins to notice tiny silhouettes both ahead and behind.

Instinctively, Will raises his pistol, but then he remembers The Computer's teachings on youth:

The youth of Alpha Complex represent the future free of subversive Communist influence. Each and every child in Alpha Complex is The Computer's valued friend.

We must all nurture these young vulnerable minds and protect them from harm. Only Commies would raise their hand against our youngsters.

I lower the blaster as only a traitor would jeopardize the complex’s future! "My good child! Do you live in this part of the complex? I am looking for the NBD sector, do you know where it is? That’s where this music is coming from, right?" I point to Brett "We have a magician with us for your entertainment"

"We also have a cute little doggy!" Cart hollered in as friendly a tone as he could muster. "We can all play together if we put down our pistols. Fearsome firearms!"

"Yes, young man! But I'm not just any entertainer! I'm Brett R. Weird, the Great and Mystifying!" Brett gives a big bow, doffing his slightly smoking hat.

Brett bows deep and waves his hat. A moment later the junior citizen in front of you spontaneously and without warning, bursts into flames!

AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaAAAAAAAAAA!

He begins running in circles like a chicken with it's head cut off who is also engulfed in flames and was apparently never taught the lesson of stop drop and roll.

"Ahh! What is happening?!" Brett then looks at his hat that has caught fire. He quickly throws it to the ground and attempts to stomp out the flame. "What do I do, what do I do..." He mutters to himself as he watches the flailing and flaming child.

"I think you need to tone down that magic..." I grab the kid’s laser rifle before throwing him on the floor and jumping on him to put out the fire 🔥

"Hot Hair Head!" Cart made sure to stay away from any attempt by the child to fire his rifle wildly, and looked for a chance to disarm him.

Will and Cart successfully wrestle the rifle out of the burning youngling's hands. Will ultimately ends up hanging onto the rifle before throwing the kid to the ground and putting out the fire. The junior citizen is in tears.

hey! give it back! that's mine!

Another laser blast goes wide of the group from a couple of junior citizens further down the tunnel.

let him go jerks!

"Sorry sorry! I think this rifle overheated. Cart where is a very talented equipment guy! He’ll check it in no time to make sure all is working according to the safety regulations!" to convince them, I point at GR-8 SPOT "This poor bot was stuck on his left button and now it is fully functional thanks to Cart" I give Cart a manly pat on his back secretly whispering to him: "Maybe a little extra "safety" tweak wouldn’t be too bad"

"No need for that! Your friend is safe and sound. I am checking on his rifle now. We are here to help!"

Cart held on to the rifle for now, slipped its power cell into his pocket, and looked at the boy, "Tell your friends to stop and let us approach. We won't hurt anyone."

"Yes! Young man, I did not mean to set you on fire! It just that sometimes my awesome magics can be too great to control! Tell you what, I'll give you and your friends free admission to my shows if you tell them not to shoot at us!"

You guys Stink!

he kicks Brett in the shin before he runs down the tunnel in the same direction that Zhon ran off.

The little silhouettes of the armed junior citizens behind you remain.

I make space for the silhouettes behind to your pass and signal that they can run after their tiny leader as well.