Unstoppable

We rocketed through the narrow airways between the skyscrapers of Metrocity, the Speedster’s sleek metal body vibrating and its double rocket-boosters flaming as we wove through a barrage of bullets, energy blasts, and assorted projectiles. Our haul lay tucked securely in the Speedster’s saddlebags, our escape impeded by every hero – super or standard – that the city could throw at us, but I focused my attention on the metallic companion riding pillion behind me.

”You’ve got to change your viewpoint on things, Autobot!” I shouted, twisting my helmeted head to the side as a stray bullet pinged off three different armor platings and whizzed just past my temple.

“But master, my viewfinder sees six distinct points of critical threat all headed in our direction!” Autobot protested.

“I mean stop thinking about things going wrong and focus on them going right!” I said as I grappled with the controls on the Speedster and swerved a zigzag past a deadly beam of purple light.

“I can’t, master!” Autobot replied with a mournful crackle. “In the right, sane, and rational world, this course of action will result in our imminent, painful demise.”

“Then think about it going just slightly wrong!” I bellowed, frustrated, and with a tremendous heave of the steering handles wrenched the Speedster into a trajectory that just barely missed the three cruiser missiles aimed at us.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Wonder Girl flying up to intercept, rocketpack roaring and metal-encased fists crackling with dangerous energy. I cursed, spun the controls, and sent the Speedster into a spiraling dive as the energy bolts blasted past inches above our heads and Autobot emitted a wailing screech.

“Oh, no,” I said when I saw what waited on the ground directly in our path. “Looks like they brought Nix to the party.”

There below us, contained (barely) within a straining stasis field, was Nix’s specialty. A portable black hole, capable of trapping and confining even the most powerful of supers, likely forever. Every single warning sensor on the Speedster beeped and buzzed and screamed all at once. I gritted my teeth, flipped the turbo to max, and focused the steering handles on my target.

“Master!” Autobot wailed. “You can’t be thinking of going in!”

“No, Autobot,” I roared. “I’m thinking of going through!”

With me cackling (even I could admit) maniacally and Autobot shrieking at the top of its frequencies, we hit the black hole at supersonic speed, the force of collision loosing a shock wave that decimated the buildings in a six-block radius.

Then there was silence.

*****

“And in our top story for the day, archvillain Human Person and their evil henchman The Autobot have once again eluded capture, despite the best efforts of our valiant superheroes, making off with –”

I frowned at the TV, distracted and annoyed. “‘The’ Autobot? Why don’t I get to be a, ‘the?’”

Autobot was having its own issues. “Evil henchman? Impossible. I am neither evil nor a man. I am a robot.”

“And the most excellent one ever built,” I assured it, which soothed its cranky gears somewhat.

The anchorwoman on the TV continued, all starched shirt and plastic smile. “Our top scientists remain mystified as to the source of Human Person’s unstoppable power, with lead researcher Professor Insight declaring, ‘It seems to be nothing more than sheer cussed stubbornness.’”

I sighed and muted the TV, turning back to my workbench, upon which lay an assortment of scattered parts and pieces. The Speedster had suffered massive damage after our little escapade. It took a lot of YouTube videos and tinkering to build the first one, but rebuilding would at least give me a chance to try out some improvements I’d been pondering. I picked up my favorite wrench and set to work, humming a little.

“Master?” Autobot asked, a trifle hesitantly. “Do you think we’ll ever manage a heist without almost dying?”

“Perhaps next time, Autobot,” I said, still humming. “Perhaps next time.”