The Enemy Within, Chapter Three

After he and Wodding had exchanged a fond farewell, Mini-Flash Robin went on ahead to the spaceport with Neetra’s luggage. Our heroine and the great caterpillar in his pinstriped suit and tractor-treaded wheelchair had one last moment to themselves, surrounded by stacks of Four Heroes action figures as they’d been on her first day at Flaban.

“Well,” began Wodding. “I think I can safely say, no regrets about agreeing to a diplomatic visit from Nottingham! In fact I’ll never forget it. Now it goes without saying, please just let me know if there’s ever anything I can do for you in return.”

Neetra smiled.

“There is one thing, Wodding,” she said. “Ah, and I see you’ve brought him, thanks.”

“As requested in your message,” Wodding grinned, taking from his chair an attache-case and opening it. “Wanted a last look, eh? Can’t say I blame you! He’s quite the collector’s item round these parts, though I do say it myself!”

Into Neetra’s hands Wodding passed the purple glossy box of his long grown-up generation, which housed a diminutive die-cast presentment of last night’s adversary.

“One last look,” our heroine concurred, very much hoping so. “Only this isn’t the first one of these you ever saw, is it?”

Wodding, with a smile of his own, spread open most of his little stubby fingers.

“Remarkable,” he declared softly. “I may never get used to the powers of The Four Heroes. Not that I’m complaining, after that exclusive sneak preview!”

Neetra however hadn’t used her telepathy, or any other power save that of deduction. “I’d love it if you told me the whole story,” she said to him.

Wodding looked as if this was something he’d never had to do before, but also that he’d go into it gamely for such a friend as Neetra had become.

“First and foremost,” he therefore commenced, “I wouldn’t want you thinking the worse of any of my six progenitors. He’s real stainless steel, and just look at his little interlocking pins and ratchets, very advanced for the time. Naturally his price-point was strictly hatching-days, not a trip to the toystore any old weekend.”

“This store?” Neetra hinted. “I mean, right where we’re standing now? So you didn’t build the place, and if you went here to shop, I guess it’s not in your family either?”

Slowly Wodding shook his large head, chuckling. “There you go again,” said he. “Correct on both counts, as ever! I don’t know how you do it. Flaban’s oldest high street retailer, as it happens. There’s been a toyshop at this spot since before I was a pupa.”

Neetra listened on. They were getting there.

“No-one wants their young grubs to grow up spoilt,” affirmed Wodding. “Very sound parenting, only it’s rather easier to see that now than it was then. Ooh, if you knew how furious I was with the six of them. Does any larva much relish being told we’re only here to look? But that day, when our friend there had just hit the shelves…!”

Here Neetra heard again the words of Mini-Flash Robin. Felt totes poorly from it all afternoon. Some things, chap can look at and wonder if he’s up to living without.

It was the final piece of the puzzle. What terrible power inhered in feelings such as Wodding had known then, to want that which could never be, and what anger directed at the ones who denied you. Anger that lingered even when you knew they were only exercising their right. No wonder her new friend had chosen that particular form, nor that he imposed himself on the planetoid where stood so venerable a source of his essence. The vaulted roof over Neetra’s very head doubtless echoed to this moment with the pining and rue of untold others such as Wodding had been. Where else would you find that but a toystore? It all fell into place as Neetra looked down on the packaged robot in her grasp, which Wodding had sought and purchased for himself as soon as he was old enough to do so. The one he now kept in his cocoon-chamber, to stand by his side while he slept soundly until morning came.

That wasn’t the only thing he’d purchased for himself as soon as he was old enough to do so. Some might have stopped at the toy, but not Wodding.

He’d already as good as told Neetra the last part of the tale, so there was no need for either of them to speak it aloud as they stood amongst the boxed and carded bounty, both starting to grin.

The entire store too.

Talk about taking control.

For the first time, Joe and his factory began to make at least a little sense to Neetra. She’d liked Wodding ever since they met, but now was certain she’d found in him someone who was going to make a significant contribution to The Four Heroes’ cause. Joe might have noticed this sooner, as it was more his area than hers. There was however no question that someone capable of such action against the forces they were here to battle would have a role to play.

Neetra bent, and hugged the round segmented body with all her might.

“We’ll meet again, Wodding,” she promised. “In the meantime, you just keep on serving the galaxy the way you do!”

“Oh, that much I’m sure I can manage,” said he, trundling to the exit with her hand in one of his. “Now I mustn’t keep you. Long way back to Nottingham from here! But I hope your trip’s been every bit as productive and enjoyable for you as it has for me. I daresay you’ll fancy a look at the 4-H-N’s Secret range as and when it reaches Flaban, so I’ll let you know. And do bring the same assistant, a most amusing lad! Have you got everything? Oh, yes, he took the luggage, didn’t he? In that case, until then!” The door opened with its familiar merry ring. “Have a safe journey! Call again soon!”

THE END