Captain Lambda and the Empire of Evil

Chapter One: Thunder of Terror!

"Give it up, Lord Zuckzos! Your days controlling this planet's healthcare are over."

"Captain Lambda! How did you get into my lair?", the man sneered, face flushed pink against his dark suit; his tone cutting.

"You forget, Zuckzos; I have my trusty rocket pack and justice on my side." Lambda flashed a winning smile; his teeth sparkling and soft strawberry blonde hair shining in the midday sun. His shoulders were back, chin held high and and a set of determined hazelnut eyes that wouldn't blink even in the face of an atom bomb.

"You'll never stop me! By controlling the only hospital on this planet I can charge whatever I like for essential health care. All I have to do is injure you and you'll have to pay me for first aid!" His evil cackle echoed through the room. "Guards, attack!"

The two guards weighed down in armour lurched haltingly forward from behind Zuckzos. The first raised her staff to swing down upon Captain Lambda. Lambda's hand went to his ray gun before remembering that these are just brainwashed innocents!

"I don't want to harm you, citizens. Break free of Zuckzos' mind rays!"

The first guard swung her staff down. Lambda rolled to one side dodging the strike just as it smashed into the floor. The scuffed white floor tiles shattered on impact.

The second guard drew a sword and slashed. Lambda jumped back just in time, the blade ripping his shirt open, revealing his toned abs and handsome top surgery scars. He took the initiative as the second guard recovered to karate-chop the citizen's neck. The guard collapsed, stunned.

Turning to back the first guard, Lambda saw an open door behind her. He jump-kicked into her chest armour and knocked her back through the door. As the guard clattered to the floor to the sound of cooking pans falling from a cupboard, Lambda hit the door control to close. As the door slammed shut, Lambda drew his ray gun and fired at the lock, its colourful, sparkly beam sealed it shut.

Pzewwwww!

"Fools!" cried Zuckzo, fire raging in his eyes. "Fine, I shall handle you myself!" He drew his own ray gun from under his suit jacket and aimed it at Captain Lambda. As Zuckzos fired, Lambda rolled to the side and returned the favour. His ray gun struck Zuckzos on his shoulder, knocking the gun from his hand. The tired little man fell back, clutching his wound.

"It's over, Zuckzos. For you, and your 'shareholders'. But thanks to me, you'll be able to get that wound seen free of charge and in a timely fashion."

Zuckzos scrunched up his face. "You haven't heard the last from me, Captain Lambda!"

Lamba reached down to collect Zuckzos' dropped ray gun. His slouched form cowed under Lambda's; a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Only this jar was the public's health.

"Perhaps not. No doubt you'll have plenty of time to write your memoir from your prison cell."

The entrance door swung open revealing a tall woman with intricate eyeliner and a jewelled dress that revealed more than it covered. She marched up to Lambda, flanked by her staff, with a gleeful look in her purple pupil-less eyes.

"First Minister Estagen!" Lambda greeted her, "I have secured the hospital for you from Lord Zuckzos. Your community patrol volunteers can take him into custody. And everyone he mind controlled should be coming back to their senses."

Estagen swooned and wrapped her arms around Lambda, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. He felt a soft lick of her forked tongue. "Thank you, Captain Lambda! You've saved my people from a return to barbarous capitalism! How can we ever repay you?"

"Service to my community is its own reward ma'am."

But as Estagen's hands began to wander, a mechanical whirring approached with a plodding, metronomic rhythm. Rounding the corner to the door was a blue and chrome robot with stubby legs and arms moving awkwardly like they had fallen in some mud and was disgusted by the texture covering their body. Their cylindrical head came to about chest height and had a single square screen with flashing lights. Just below it was printed the words in neat letters "Model Blue-47, Haj Cybernetics Robot Assistant".