Stephanie Steele

It was a surprisingly bright afternoon. The shadow of the heavy smog clouds had lifted somewhat as if ordered by the mayor himself just for his soiree, who in the past two weeks had been elevated from ordinary city mayor to a heroic protector of the people. He had wasted no time in militarising the police to protect the city and its citizens. The new droids had driven down crime by ten percent in just fifteen days. The city’s jails were full to bursting with criminals. Scum were being swept off the streets at rapid speed and everyone felt safer.

The mayor checked himself in a full length mirror, readjusted his mayoral chains and pushed back an annoying hair which had dared to fall out of place. He checked himself in profile, first his left side, then his right. He was a handsome fucker if he did think so himself, and he didn’t mind thinking so. A little make-up on his face hid the remaining bruises he had sustained from the android bitch. His dentist had done a good job replacing the teeth she’d knocked out and the swelling around his eye had gone down leaving only a fading yellow bruise. His ribs were just about healed and the meds he swallowed twice a day made the pain bearable. He was ready to greet his adoring public.

He had a quick check over the recently repaired and redecorated bedroom. He liked the new decor. Life was good. He felt invincible. He was the God damned mayor and no one could touch him, not even that has-been detective who had probably left town by now. And good riddance, he thought. He left to attend to his party guests safe in the knowledge that he was free to do whatever he wanted in this town. A party he was throwing for no other reason than to boost his ego and maybe score with one of the hot models he’d specially invited. It was guaranteed in fact. He’d lined up two beauties for himself and his brother to celebrate. They were a little old for his taste, but they’d do until he found something younger.

Human guards searched the good and the elite as they entered the ornate entrance gates to the grounds of the mansion dressed in their finest party clothes. The women heavily manicured and prettified in shimmering cocktail dresses, the men handsomely groomed in pristine tuxes. Heavily armed droid guards supplied by the new chief of police stood guard, watching for any suspicious activity both from the guests and from party crashers who may drop in from the sky uninvited. They were the same model as Frankenstein, highly alert and deadly body guards that nobody was getting passed.

The specially invited guests were quite intimidated by the metal figures that looked like they were forever in attack mode. One female guest took exception to being searched and made such a fuss that one of the droid guards came over and stuck an auto blaster in her face and she was taken into a security room to be searched more comprehensively. A male guest congratulated the security team for being so thorough and voiced his opinion that the city was a safer place with the new more imposing droids leading the front line and that he and his family felt safer on the streets and in their house at night, more than they ever did before.

The mayor stood at a podium in his finery, confident in his security team. Alongside him was his brother and police chief Gustav. They were identical as identical twins could be, even down to the same slowly receding hair lines and rapidly expanding waistlines. The difference of course was that instead of the opulent mayoral chains Gustav was proudly wearing his police badge, hung from the breast pocket of his dark blue suit. Gathered around both men were other council and police dignitaries, all proud to be associated with two fine outstanding pillars of the community.

Droid guards stood at the ready either side of the mayor, weapons in hand and alert to any danger. Other droid guards patrolled the perimeter wall. An anti aircraft blaster was stationed near the entrance. Nothing was getting in and nothing was getting near the mayor. The mayor was just finishing a speech which had reassured those in attendance that he was making big changes to crime prevention in the city.

“Between myself and my brother. . . ” He put an arm around Gustav and gave him a hug. “. . .We’re going to make a huge difference to crime in Paradise City. Now, may I ask you all to raise your glasses to our new chief of police, Gustav Leonard.” The crowd raised their glasses and toasted their new saviours. “Enjoy the party.”

The mayor and Gustav moved away from the podium and the guests dissipated to mingle with other guests, some of whom were local celebrities like Cindy Walker, Miss Paradise City 2165, the first droid to win the title and Carl Lord, gossip columnist and founder of ‘Out’, a publication for the ‘pink’ circuit. Others headed for the barbeque and the free bar. There was nothing the rich loved more than getting something for nothing.

The mayor guided his brother towards two young women, a red head and a blonde, who had been specially invited by the mayor to keep them company. “Perks of the job.” Mayor Leonard said and winked at his brother who grinned back with the mischievousness of a school boy.

“Which one’s mine?” Gustav asked, licking his lips and rubbing his hands gleefully.

“Oh I’m sure we can share both.” The mayor said, and they both laughed heartedly.

The two slim eighteen year old models giggled and exchanged whispers as both men approached. These two were the type of girls who attached themselves to the nearest rich man like flies around the proverbial. Not a brain cell between them, but able to get any man they wanted. These were the type of girls who gave prostitutes a bad name.

“Gustav I’d like you to meet Cherry and Amber.” Introduced the Mayor.

Cherry and Amber answered in unison. “Hi.” Followed by more giggling.

The mayor and chief of police exchanged looks. Both knew they were onto a sure thing here. The mayor was just about to invite both girls to a more private party when a human guard by the name of Harry interrupted.

“Excuse me your honour. There’s someone at the main gate.”

The mayor was irritated by the interruption. “Can’t you deal with it? I’m busy and that’s what you’re paid for.”

Harry leaned closer to the mayor and lowered his voice. “She says her name’s Stephanie Steele and she wants to turn herself in to you personally.”

A sleek black limo cruiser pulled up at the main gatehouse. A large crowd of armed droid guards were gathered at the gates. They all had their blasters pointed through the iron railings, their shiny metal body’s shielding the uninvited guest from view. The mayor and police chief cautiously stepped out of the limo, careful to stay behind the bullet proof doors until they were sure it was safe to venture further. The guard, Harry, came to meet them.

“Is she alone?” The mayor asked warily. Their last meeting had been a near death experience and he preferred not to have a rerun.

“Yes, your honour.” Said Harry.

“Search her and tell your men to keep their weapons on her at all times. This bitch is lethal.” He warned.

Steele stood calmly with her hands in the air, a dozen auto blasters primed and aimed at her. She was capable of surviving a few rounds from one of them, but a dozen? She wasn’t prepared to find out right now. She looked uncomfortable and extremely vulnerable dressed in the tight fitting little red dress which revealed every curvature of her immaculate body. There was no interest in that department from the metal droids who had her in their targets but all of the human guards kept their eyes on her for other salacious reasons.

Harry pushed through the droids to the gate, his blaster in hand. “Up against the wall.” He barked at Steele. “Hands on your head and legs apart. I’m going to search you.” He unlocked the massive gate and it creaked as he slid through the opening towards her. Steele was already turned away and positioned as he’d asked. “Any funny business and my men have orders to shoot.” He moved slowly up to Steele. His upper lip was sweating. He knew about this one. What she was capable of. He holstered his blaster and patted her down thoroughly. There was actually nowhere to conceal any weapons on her person so the search was really unnecessary, but he wasn’t taking any chances with her.

Steele kept still. Any sudden movements may cause an itchy trigger finger to off load into her, and this was a nice dress. She didn’t move as his hands probed every inch of her. Didn’t flinch when she felt his hands cup her breasts and linger a little too long and applied a little more pressure than other areas of her body. He was copping a feel. Well let him get his little rocks off. He squatted behind her and slipped his hands up her bare legs to her crotch. The dress she was wearing didn’t call for underwear and his hand pressed against her mound. One of her legs flinched at his touch and her hands clamped together harder.

“Anything hiding up there?” He said, one corner of his mouth turned up.

She felt a rough finger searching for her opening.

“Yeah, a tonne of plastic explosives which are real touch sensitive.” She swung around to face him, preventing him from finger fucking her there in the street. A metallic clatter of droid armour and weapons being cocked reminded Steele the predicament she was in.

Harry smirked. “She’s clean.” He took her by the arm and roughly guided her through the gate. Auto blasters encircled her and Harry. One careless move and she was history. Again!

“I’d say treat her like a lady, but you’re no lady Steele.” The mayor said with a look of satisfaction.

Steele watched the fat fuck of a mayor and his lard arse brother push through the circle of droids to stand in front of her. Their smug faces a target she could punch right now. Only a dozen auto blasters stood between her and putting her hands around his thick rubbery neck and choking the life out of him like he’d done with so many underage girls. She’d love to leave his rotting carcass in a dumpster for the rodents and birds to feed on. They’d party for a week with this tub-a-latte.

“Ladies are out of your age bracket aren’t they mayor?” Steele said between gritted teeth, trying to keep her cool. She didn’t want to blow it now she’d got this far.

“Always with the smart mouth.” He said, the smugness disappearing to be replaced by a sneer.

“All I want is a fair trial.” Steele stated calmly. She was aware she did have a smart mouth and running it off was liable to piss him off and scupper her plan.

The mayor turned to his brother. “Chief, it doesn’t get much better than this. Arresting the most dangerous criminal in Paradise. Cuff her.”

Their self congratulatory back slapping was what Steele had expected. Laugh it up fat boys. Gustav was rough with her as he brought her arms behind her back and slapped the cuffs on her wrists. He fastened them too tight and they pinched.

“Your trial will be quick and your dismantle permanent. Anything else to say now?” Gustav said.

Steele accessed Gustav Leonard’s police file to see what, if anything, she could find on him. What she found was extremely interesting. He’d been questioned six years ago for indecent exposure to a minor. He got off, claiming that he was just relieving himself after being caught short. The cops had bought it and he walked with an unblemished record.

“Maybe I’ll get off like you did six years ago for that incident back in the big apple.” She couldn’t resist. With great satisfaction she watched the colour drain from his ruddy jowls. Saw them quiver as his anger surged. Felt her head jerked backwards, her hair gripped in his greasy fist as he forced her to her knees.

“You think you’re so smart don’t you?” He shouted in her ear. “Let’s see how smart you are when your head’s mounted on my office wall and you have to spend the next fifty years doing nothing but watch me all day.”

“That’s optimistic.” Steele said. She was enjoying this now.

The mayor stepped closer to her. “You disappoint me Steele. I didn’t think it would be this easy to bring you to justice.”

She looked up into his round face and said, “A girl knows when she’s beat.” And gave him a sarcastic smile.

“You want me to run her in?” Gustav asked.

“Eventually.” The mayor told him and removed the wrist communicator from her arm. “Get her in the limo.” He pocketed the device.

Two of the droids hauled her to her feet and stuffed her into the back seat of the limo.

Steele landed awkwardly on the mayor’s big bed. The cuffs were biting into her wrists causing some discomfort. The two droids left and the mayor and chief waddled in. The mayor locked the door behind him and joined his twin at the foot of the bed. Steele turned herself onto her side to relief some of the pain in her wrists. She imagined Mia and the other girls in this position. Although the two of them didn’t scare her, she could imagine the terror Mia and the other girls had faced in a similar situation. She waited for this to play out.

“I thought I’d show you how I’ve redecorated and have ourselves a private party at the same time.” The mayor began. “Then you’ll be decommissioned, melted down and turned into drain pipes.”

They both laughed, enjoying her predicament, safe in the knowledge that she was no danger to them now. She was at their mercy but there’d be no mercy for this one.

“I thought I’d get a fair trial.” Steele said, trying to sound fearful.

“Somehow, I don’t think you’ll make it through the night sweetie, never mind a trial.” The mayor said with glee as he and Gustav loosened their belts. “I bet you’ve spent lots of lonely nights wondering what Uma went through. Well now you’re going to find out.”

Steele’s anger rose. She tried to shove the thought of him doing things to her darling Uma out of her mind and stay focused on the here and now. Nothing mattered now except these too laughing boys. With their pants loosened they both grabbed an ankle each and pulled her towards the edge of the bed. The cuffs dug deeper making her wince. Stay focused she forced herself to think. It’ll soon be over. These two won’t last but sixty seconds. The mayor reached into his pocket for something then lent over her and pressed down on her thigh. She glanced down to see what he’d done. He’d branded her with his stamp. A red heart with his name ‘Leon’ in the middle. The final proof she needed.

“With all my love.” He sniggered and blew her a kiss before climbing on top of her.

His immense weight was a lot to bear even for her solid metal frame. She was pinned, unable to move. His slobbering mouth sucked on her mouth and neck leaving behind his spittle and God knows what else. She could feel his dick pressing into her soft parts as he squirmed on top of her. She wanted it to stop, for it all to go away. She imagined a little girl in this ugly situation. The thought angered her. She wished she had a blaster now.

It wouldn’t be long and he’d be inside her, bouncing and pounding on her like a beached whale trying to get back to the sea. She closed her eyes, trying to block it out, just trying to survive the grotesque situation, thankful it was her and not a pre-teen girl.

Then ringing brought the mayor to a stop. He looked around at Gustav who was loosening his shirt buttons in preparation for his turn. Their blank expressions told Steele they had no idea where the ringing was coming from. But she knew. He looked back at her then at his pocket. He pulled out the wrist communicator he’d taken from her earlier.

“It’s for you.” She told him with an emerging hint of a smile.

“What the hell?” He said, puzzled.

“You’ll want to take that.” She urged.

Reluctantly he answered the communicator which was like a toy in his spade-like hand. He didn’t say anything, just listened. There was a silence before a voice spoke on the other end.

“Did you like the dress? I knew a man like you wouldn’t be able to resist.”

The mayor recognised the voice but it didn’t register with him. “Who’s this?”

“It’s about to get messy motherfucker!”

It registered. The voice was hers. But she was here. Was this a trick? What was this? “But it can’t be.” He managed.

“Here’s one bang you won’t enjoy.” The voice told him. Then a ticking began. The mayor and the chief looked at each other trying to figure this out. Their eyes settled on the area between Steele’s parted legs. Steele let out a high pitched squeak, excited by what was about to happen. She was just able to enjoy the horror on their faces as they realised they were dead. A split second later they were.

The plastic explosives Steele had told the guards about earlier exploded inside her cavity. Both men’s bodies would never be found. There was nothing left but a red mist which had painted the remains of the bedroom a beautiful crimson. The only surviving bits which could be identified as body parts were a few teeth and an eye ball along with a tiny heart shaped stamp. Shards of an android’s casing were embedded in walls, ceiling and floor, those parts of the room which still stood anyway.

Out on the lawn party guests fled for their lives as flying masonry rained down on them, crashing into each other in their panic. The buffet table was crushed as a tonne of stone landed on it. Guests stumbled blindly into it, scrambling over each other to get away. Droid guards rushed head long towards the mansion, pushing aside anyone who got in their way.

Cherry and Amber were buffeted between a group of men who forgot their gentlemanly manners, thinking of nothing but their own safety. One of Cherry’s high heels gave way, twisting an ankle, and she fell on her face in an ungainly fashion, her torn cocktail dress she had just bought that week, ruined. Someone accidently kneed her in the head as she struggled to stand, knocking her back down, a bruise already forming on her model face. A sharp pointed stiletto heel of a fleeing Amber stabbed down on her hand and Amber crashed over the top of her. Amber’s hand reached out desperately towards a passing tux and tore the pocket right off the jacket and landed hard on a dropped bottle of a $1,000 bottle of champagne, knocking her clean out.

Watching all the chaos from the safety of the road outside the high wall was Freddy perched on the front of a cruiser. “I’m going to miss her.” He sighed. “I’m really going to miss her. The things that girl could do.”

Steele walked passed him and slipped into the driver’s seat wearing her usual clothes Freddy had got from her favourite supplier. It felt good to be back in something she was comfortable in. Freddy slipped into the passenger seat beside her, a pall of smoke blowing his way through the now unguarded mansion gates.

Freddy had replaced Annie’s personality with a copy of her own. She may have looked like her but there was no way she could pass for a psycho cop with that twee voice. It had fooled them all just as she’d hoped.

“Don’t you dare build another one.” Steele warned him, firing up the cruiser. She placed it into manual drive and made good their escape, satisfied in the knowledge she had a one hundred percent record in catching her man. She caught him looking at her.

“You’re welcome, but don’t thank me, as usual. How’s the new clothes, which I paid for?” She said nothing. “It’s all going on your tab by the way, including the cost of Annie.”

“You always this uptight about money?”

“Money makes the world go round.” Silence. “So what now?”

“I’ll need a new face.”

“Your debt is mounting up. You do know that?” She scowled at him and he shook his head unable to believe her attitude to it all. “Shame, the one you’ve got is so nice.”

She may not be able to be a cop any more but she’d left a legacy no one else was going to surpass. They’d be talking about her into the next century. She mulled over her future as they lifted above the buildings onto the flyway. Visibility wasn’t bad, the traffic was light and she was in a good mood. Maybe she could find work as a private detective in some other city. Set up her own business where no one would recognise her. Hell, she may even let Freddy in on the deal.

She looked across at the goofy guy with red frizzy hair, large glasses and wearing a Hulk versus King Kong t-shirt who was now sulking and thought it may not be a bad idea. They made a good team. Thanks Freddy she thought to herself. I owe you a lot. Of course she wouldn’t ever tell him as much. There was just an understanding that he would complain about her ingratitude and she would ignore it belligerently. She afforded herself a smile and accelerated into the sky.