Page 103 of On a Rogue Planet
He was staring at the closest robot. It looked almost raptor-like, crouched on the neighboring platform, a set of metallic mesh wings tight against its back and neon red eyes watching them.
Xander moved forward and placed one foot on the rope bridge leading across. The raptor robot tilted its head, and Mal saw it brace for action.
Xander took another step.
The robot moved so quickly it was a blur.
It flew across the bridge and slammed into Xander. They both went flying off the bridge and crashed into the ground. Xander held the robot’s pointed beak away from his face.
Mal grabbed her multi-tool and flicked on the laser cutter. Two swipes and the robot’s head was off and hitting the floor. The red glow died from its eyes.
Xander pushed the now-dead-weight of the body off him.
“What happened to making a plan?” she demanded.
“I wanted to test the robot. See what it would do. That helps make the plan.”
She thrust her hands on her hips. “A bit of warning, Xander.”
“Sorry.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “I’m not used to explaining myself.”
“Right, the mighty CenSec just gives orders.” She waved a hand in the air. “Get used to communicating, tough guy.”
“Okay.”
His voice was meek, but she wasn’t fooled for a second. “So, what now?”
“Find the point, become the master.”
The riddle. She’d completely forgotten about it. “Find the point.” She looked across the rope maze. “Point. Point.”
“The top of something?” he ventured.
Nothing stood out.
“Point of the maze?” But the bridges and platforms were flat, with no obvious point. Movement caught her attention.
The next three closest robots were headed their way. One moved on four legs like a giant robotic canine, another looked like an enormous man with wide shoulders and thick piston-like legs, and the final one was another raptor.
“Uh, Xander…” she pointed.
He cursed.
The raptor launched into the air, snapping its wings out. For an instant, she was mesmerized by their beauty. A black wire mesh that arched over the robot’s head, shaped like batwings. The edges glinted, razor sharp.
It slammed onto the ground in front of Xander, and they leaped at each other.
As the robot and Xander fought, Mal palmed her multi-tool, ready for anything. She saw the robot land a few blows, but Xander was relentless. There was a sharp crack, and she saw Xander had broken off the robot’s wings.
The other two robots hit the bridge. Coming in fast.
Xander gripped his raptor robot’s wing, turned in a wide circle, and swung the robot over the edge of the platform.
The robot flailed and fell.
It made a strange piercing noise that echoed across the maze as it plummeted.
But there was no time to celebrate.
