Big guy and rusty the boy robot #33: Neo machina.

Big guy is the property of dark horse comics and whoever makes the TV series.

Previously on big guy…

In the outskirts of the city a man stumbles forward. He is disheveled with a damaged helmet covering his face. He looks around then continues towards the city. When he reaches the edge a young boy greets him.

"Hey spaceman. Just come back from a mission?" The boy asks.

The man pulls the helmet off.

"I don't remember." Dwayne responds.

And now the continuation…

Dwayne is walking through town in a daze. He looks down at suit.

“What am I? A space man?” Dwayne wonders.

He takes out his id and looks at it. It says Lt. Dwayne hunter but it doesn’t ring a bell.

“I’m a Lt.?” Dwayne wonders.

Meanwhile in Poindexter’s secret lab he is preparing for something.

“Soon my time will come. I just need one last thing to be able to finish my greatest invention ever.” Poindexter says smiling.

He brings up a picture of the USS Darkhorse.

“And I know just how to get it.” Poindexter says.

On the USS darkhorse the pit crew is going along with their regular duties. Jessie and Melissa are getting familiar with the systems.

“What does that button do?” Melissa asks.

Mack yells and jumps forward to stop her.

“Don’t touch that unless you want pieces of the bgy-12 all over the place.” Mack says.

“Sorry.” Melissa says.

“She is hopeless. Why did you decide to keep her?” Jessie asks.

Mack shakes his head.

“I don’t know. I guess cause she deserves a chance.” Mack says.

Mack yells and stops Melissa from pulling a holding pin from scaffolding.

“But sometimes I wonder…” Mack says sighing.

“Knock knock.” A voice says.

The 3 turn to see Diana in the doorway.

“Welcome on board again. Lt.” Mack says.

Mack shakes hands with Diana after cleaning them on a rag. Diana winces with the still dirty hands. Thorton appears.

“The reason why I called you here is to familiarize you even more with everything the bgy-12 has done. With all the trouble lately we never got much of a chance.” Thorton says.

Diana nods her head.

“I got the basics down. Enough to use the weapon system.” Diana says.

“But fighting with bgy-12 may come to the point where using weapons will not be enough. Those systems are what I want to introduce to you.” Thorton says nodding his head.

Diana gets in place to be put inside the bgy-12. Once inside Thorton’s face appears on the screen.

“Okay to your left is the non weapon systems.” Thorton says.

Diana looks over and sees some more controls that she hasn’t touched yet.

“Fly it out. I have set up some drones to help you test it out.” Thorton says.

Diana activates the bgy-12 and flies out and off the hanger deck. Diana looks around and sees small objects floating on the water.

“Do you have the drones in visual?” Thorton asks.

“Affirmative.” Diana responds.

“Activate analysis system. It’s the blue button near the bottom.” Thorton says.

Diana pushes a button and the screen zeroes in on the closest drone.

“That is a way to keep the target in sight will flying around.” Thorton says.

The test goes on for another half an hour and Diana gets comfortable. Suddenly a bigger object appears on the horizon.

“What do I do with this new bigger drone?” Diana asks.

Thorton frowns.

“There shouldn’t be another one.” Thorton says.

Diana zooms in on the object and frowns.

“It looks like some kind of a robot. It’s heading this way.” Diana says.

She looks closer.

“Computer scan object. Read power level.” Diana says.

A meter appears showing a minimal power level.

“Well either it’s not very powerful or it’s in low power mode. Should I make contact with it?” Diana asks.

“Affirmative but be careful.” Thorton warns.

Diana nods and takes off. When she is close enough she initiates contact.

“State your intention.” Big guy jr. says.

But the other robot doesn’t respond and continues to head towards the bgy-12.

“I repeat. State your intention. Do you come in peace or not?” Big guy jr. asks.

No response once again. Diana frowns. The robot is coming dangerously close to the bgy-12.

“Adjust your course immediately or I will take it as a threat.” Big guy jr. warns.

But the robot keeps on its course. Finally Diana is forced to get out of the way.

“What’s going on?” Thorton asks on screen.

“I am not getting any response from the robot and it almost collided with me.” Diana responds.

Thorton sighs.

“Stay ahead of it matching it’s speed. Don’t let it get near the USS darkhorse unless peaceful intentions are announced.” Thorton says.

Diana flies the bgy-12 to the front of the robot and matches speed.

“Once again state your intentions. We are peaceful and will do you no harm. But you approaching a military vessel and we will not allow you to do so without stating your purpose.” Big guy jr. warns.

But no response. Suddenly the robot picks up speed and Diana is forced to dodge once more.

“Sir still no response and it’s now picked up speed.” Diana says.

“Damn it. We can’t take a chance of letting it close enough to the USS darkhorse. But we also can’t take a chance of attacking it when it may be peaceful.” Thorton says.

Suddenly a loud voice sounds coming from the robot.

“I come in peace. I come in the name of anamex ih necigol. We are a group of inventors and have heard of your problems with Dr. Poindexter and I am here to help you.” The robot says.

“Anamex ih necigol” Diana asks.

“I’ve heard of him but I thought he was dead.” Thorton responds.

Thorton sighs.

“Okay let the robot land and bring the bgy-12 in for a landing also. I am still going to bring out some soldiers just in case this is a trick.” Thorton says.

Diana brings the bgy-12 in for a landing ahead of the robot. She watches the robot land and stand still. Thorton and a bunch of soldiers run out and approach the robot carefully. Thorton motions for Diana to stay in the bgy-12 for now. Suddenly an alarm goes off.

“Sir I’m picking up an energy surge. Get out of there!” Diana yells.

She instinctively pulls the bgy-12 back. She barely gets a chance before the robot explodes sending Thorton flying back several feet. From the smoke comes another smaller robot.

“Damn.” Diana says.

The new robot has the appearance of a ninja with a sword holstered in it’s back.

“I represent the neo machina. You have one chance to surrender or be destroyed.” The robot says.

“Neo Machina?” Diana asks.

“No chance in that. I only fight for the u s of a.” Big guy jr. says.

The robot takes out its sword.

“Then you will work for nobody.” The robot says.

Diana activates the weapon and the machine gun comes out of the bgy-12’s arms.

“Metal sword against hot lead? I don’t like your sword’s chance.” Big guy jr. says.

The guns blaze but in an instant the robot is gone. Suddenly it reappears somewhere else. Then in another place, and another. Soon there seems to be a dozen copies.

“What the?” Big guy jr. says.

“Uh I am in some serious crap out here guys.” Diana says.

Melissa is on the screen.

“So are we. Thorton is in bad shape.” Melissa says.

“Keep him alive. I’ll try to do the same with me.” Diana says.

She zeroes in on different targets.

“Computer scan all targets and find the real one.” Diana says.

“One last chance. Join the neo machina or be destroyed.” The robot says, his voice seemingly coming from every single copy.

“Every target is real.” The computer says.

“But that’s impossible.” Diana says.

“Last chance turned down. Running destruction program.” The robot says.

Every copy raises it’s sword up high and rushes the big guy.

“Damn attack one of them! Any one!” Diana yells.

The main cannon comes out but it is chopped off before it can fire. The other copies all cut into parts of the bgy-12. Its left arm is cut off and crashes into the ocean. Its upper antenna is cut off and communication is cut off.

“I’m going down. I need a miracle quick!” Diana yells.

But only static answers her.

“Damn!” Diana says hitting the screen.

The cutting continues. Diana closes her eyes and waits for the end. But the cutting stops suddenly. She opens her eyes and looks around surprised.

“Computer scan for enemy!” Diana yells.

“Tar tar targgggets n n no ot f ound.” Computer stutters out badly damaged.

“Why did they stop?” Diana asks.

She shakes her head and makes an emergency landing on the deck. Mack, Melissa and Jessie rush out on deck. Diana gets outside after they confirm that nobody not in the know is on the deck.

“Damn that thing did some serious damage.” Mack says.

“But I don’t understand why it stopped. He had me.” Diana says.

“Don’t complain girl. Be glad you are still breathing.” Jessie says.

The 3 look at the damage and shake their head.

“It sure did a dozy for such a small robot.” Mack says.

“What the hell was the sword made of? Diamond?” Melissa asks.

Melissa suddenly stops and shakes her head.

“I just figured it out. I should have seen it earlier. Anamex ih necigol.” Melissa says.

Jessie looks up.

“What is that?” Jessie asks.

“The robot first said it was coming in the name of anamex ih necigol. It’s anagram for legion ex machina.” Melissa says.

“Damn you’re a lot better at anagrams than I am.” Diana says.

“Yes I am and I should of known that.” Melissa says sadly.

Jessie puts her arm around her.

“Hey don’t fret girl. There was no reason to believe that it was an anagram. You did good figuring it out ever.” Jessie says.

“I’ll make it up to you right now.” Melissa says.

She runs inside.

“Let her go. When she’s like this nobody can get to her.” Mack says.

Melissa runs up to the computer and starts typing really fast. Information goes by fast and she seems to be in a trance. The others walk in and see her.

“What is she doing?” Diana asks.

“She’s in one of those trances. Don’t bother trying to snap her out of it.” Mack says.

Jessie looks at the screen and smiles.

“But she may be on to something.” Jessie says.

A arm starts forming on screen. It’s similar to the old arm but with a different weapon on it.

“What is she doing?” Diana asks.

“Well I’ll be damned. She’s building the blue prints for a new weapon.” Mack says taking off his hat and rubbing his head.

“But why. The threat is gone.” Diana says.

“He’s gone but he will be back to finish you off. It only makes sense.” Jessie says.

Diana looks at Melissa’s typing, which is so fast it’s a blur.

“My god what is she typing at 100 wpm?” Diana asks.

Mack laughs.

“Better not be or she will be in a slump for a week. More like 120 wpm.” Mack says.

“But that’s impossible.” Diana says.

Melissa finishes and turns around.

“All my life I have been made fun of cause of my clumsiness. I worked hard to compensate for it in other areas. Somehow I just got to the point where I can think and do things faster than any other human when I get into the groove.” Melissa says.

Mack smiles. They all look at the diagram.

“That’s not going to do much good without an arm.” Diana says.

Mack motions them over to a small section of the pit where another arm is.

“We made a backup just in case.” Mack says.

Melissa goes to work to configuring the weapon inside the arm at the same super speed. When it’s done the pit crew and the technicians attacks the arm to the bgy-12 and puts a new antenna on it.

“Now what about the problem of telling which one is real?” Diana asks.

“Well hopefully this weapons will get him before he can split again but if it doesn’t…” Mack starts.

“Look for minute details. I know each copy was solid enough to hurt but there must be a way to tell the original. I bet if you destroy the original then the copies will go down also.” Melissa finishes.

Mack gives Melissa the evil eye for interrupting her.

“Yeah what she said.” Mack says.

Diana climbs inside the bgy-12 and moves on deck to wait. It doesn’t take long for the robot to appear again.

“I have been told to tell you the whole truth. We are not associated with Poindexter. We are what was left of the legion ex machina and do not believe in what Poindexter wants to do. At first the core told us to take out revenge on the one that destroyed our first ranks. But then I was called back and he decided to join with you.” The robot says.

Diana stops.

“It’s a lie fire on him. There is no more legion. They were all destroyed.” Mack yells.

“But what if there was survivors outside the lab?” Diana asks.

“I have something that will convince you of our sincerity.” The robot says.

A holographic image appears. A man that looks sort of like one of the legion robots appears but has less attachments on his body.

“I have the coordinates of Poindexter’s main base. To prove my sincerity I will give you those. And his weakness.” The hologram says.

“His weakness?” Diana asks.

“He is quite power mad and could easily go to far, farther than he can handle.” The hologram says.

Diana thinks.

“Fire on it! We can’t take a chance!” Mack yells.

“The coordinates are…” The hologram starts to say.

Suddenly a huge blast of energy comes out of nowhere and incinerates the other robot.

“Computer scan for source of energy beam!” Diana yells.

After a few seconds the computer beeps.

“Source not found.” The computer says.

Diana lands the bgy-12 and steps out.

“Could it be true? Are there forces out there on our side?” Diana wonders.

“I had doubts. But then who destroyed him? Poindexter? And if it was him then why destroy one of his own?” Melissa ponders.

“Neo machina. New machines.” Diana thinks.

Epilogue.

Poindexter is in his lab and is laughing insanely with glee.

“I got it. The last component.” Poindexter says.

He walks over to a darkened part of the lab.

“Soon my creation will be done and nothing will stop me.” Poindexter says.

In the darkness a pair of glowing red eyes appears.

To be continued…