AGONY'S GAMBIT: Issue 1, Chapter 2

ASTRO Labs, Freedom City
Cybernetics Wing

The long white hallway was lit by fluorescent lights. The awkward man with ginger hair weaved down it with clipboard in hand and pencil scribbling, not bothering to look up from his work as the freight-sized elevator arrived with a loud *ding!*

"Hold the door." The voice from down the hall had a slightly metallic twang to it.

The man in the elevator reached out his clipboard to stop the closing door before looking up. Then saw what was headed for him, gathering speed as it rumbled towards the open elevator: a huge black sphere made of gleaming duralloy, six feet in diameter and bristling with subtle menace. The man in the lab coat squeezed to the side of the elevator, flattening himself against the wall. The massive metal sphere caromed into the large elevator and instantaneously sprouted four huge metal legs. A red light slowly rose from its top, shining a narrow laser onto the scientist's face.

"Evening, Ed. First floor, please."

"You bet." The scientist pushed the "close door" button. The elevator began to descend. The Omnibot V hummed tinnily along with the Muzak.

"Late night in the lab, Oliver?"

The Omnibot V shifted slightly on its massive legs. "Not tonight, Ed. I'm going to a bar."

Ed furrowed his brow. "A bar? Dr. Arkham, I know you're running this remotely. . ."

"I don't intend to be drinking, Ed." The Omnibot finished humming the song. "I'm off to see some old friends."

The elevator doors opened, and the robot retracted its legs and rolled rapidly out the building's high-security entrance. A guard gave him a little wave as he went, disappearing down the street and into the late winter night.