"Perhaps I can help," came the strange voice. It was Spike speaking to the group from the cutter robots' control monitor. He was using the image and voice he'd projected for the video link call with Lexicon.

"Well, the allusive Mr. Webb," returned Lexicon. "I certainly don't know how you managed to link into this display station, but I do know it's going to be hard for you to do anything but watch as your friends are cut to small, square pieces."

"Well, I'll at least let you know that the police are on their way. They should be arriving just about now and if you don't want to stand trial for murder you can untie my friends."

"You're bluffing Webb and I'm not going for it. There is however, no reason to stay here for the unpleasantries while time is still on my side. Hank, start the cutters, make sure they're working properly, and then meet me down at the front door. Please enjoy the show Mr. Webb. Perhaps someday you can tell me what it was like to watch the beautiful Ms. McGill sectioned up by our powerful tools.

"I'll kill you Lexicon," screamed Roger as Lexicon strolled out through the door.

"Spike do something! Help us! These things are real!" pleaded Nancy.

"I wasn't bluffing about the police Brooks. They're coming and Lexicon has left you as the fall guy. What a sap you are!" taunted Spike.

"I'm no sap Webb. I'm starting these things up and I'm out of here."

Hank Brooks watched long enough to see that the lasers were powered and cutting the first blocks off the blanks. He then ran after Lexicon out of fear that Spike was right and that he would be left behind.

"Hold on! I have a plan," said Spike.

At that point, Spike dropped the rendering program and moved out of the video sub-system altogether. Nancy and Roger were pulling against their ties as Spike began to assume control of the robotic control programs. Getting the feel of their control ratios and parameters he redirected the laser beams toward a safe section of the blanks. There he quickly practiced some precision maneuvers. His confidence in place, he directed the powerful beams toward the restraints holding Nancy and Roger. It was only at this point that they realized Spike was in control of the machines.

"Thank God it's computer controlled!" said Nancy.

As Lexicon got to the long hallway back to the executive office wing, Brooks caught up to him. "Get back there and make sure the lasers are working!" Lexicon shouted. "I've got to get my things from the office. Meet me at my car. I'll have the corporate jet ready. We'll be out of the country twenty-five minutes from now. Get back there and make sure they're dead or you won't be getting on the jet with me!"

If he couldn't get on that jet, he was going to be caught anyway. Hank headed back to the circuit board cutting room. Lexicon entered the elevator and went up.



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