Ashley's Lesson In Robotics

Ashley gasped as she pulled herself through the open warehouse window. Her converse clad feet scrabbled against the brickwork, trying to get a foothold after the makeshift tower of crates she had assembled had fallen from underneath her. Using all her strength she swung her bare legs around so they were dangling from the inside window ledge, and when certain the drop would not injure her, released her grip and dropped to the floor.

    She landed with nothing more than a soft thump, a skill perfected from her many hours of snooping. Drawing herself back to her full height the young lady reaffixed the belt wound about her jean miniskirt, and pulled back her purple hooded top so her silver heart shaped necklace was visible above her white tanktop. Then readjusting the purple bag slung over her shoulder, she gave a flick of her long, bright blonde hair held back in a ponytail and set off to find out what this warehouse secretly contained.

    The building was filled with rows, stacks and piles of crates and boxes, all marked as being the property of Ludwig Technologies Ltd. But none of them rivalled the size of the massive crate she had witnessed being delivered to this building two days ago, which she was here to find. This Dr Ludwig was up to something very strange, and she was going to find out what it was.

    The sound of her footsteps reverberated against the wooden crates, her heart pounding against the shiny silver one hanging from her neck. Yet she pressed on undeterred as a surge of excitement flowed through her. And as she cornered another pile of crates her curiosity was rewarded.

    There, standing alone in the middle of the warehouse, was the crate she was looking for. She trotted over to it eagerly, noting how much bigger it seemed up close then it had been through binoculars. It was at least two times taller than she was and probably twice her height lengthways.  Again it had been marked as Dr Ludwig's property, but this time the words, 'Top Secret' were plastered all over it.

    Ashley took her camera out of her bag and began taking pictures, pacing around making sure she got shots from every conceivable angle and resolution. Each time she took a photo her interest rose further, until eventually she could not contain her curiosity any longer. She ran over to the crate and began tugging at the hinges in a vain attempt to see what was inside. Only after doing this for a good few minutes did something strike her as odd, and she placed her ear against the wood. Not only did the crate buzz against her skull, as if it was vibrating, but from inside she heard a multitude of beeps and whirrs. She realised then that the crate contained some kind of machine, one which seemed to have already been activated.

    The clatter of a metal shutter being opened caused Ashley to jump away. When it was followed by multiple footsteps and hushed voices she realised she'd lingered too long. Spying a pile of crates not too far away she darted for cover behind it. Seconds later the centre of the warehouse was filled with a group of men all dressed in expensive suits and flanked by bodyguards all wearing black. Peering at them through a gap in the crates, Ashley surmised that whatever business they were in was probably not legitimate.

      Then to the front of the group walked a man who in children's cartoons would have easily played the clichéd role of mad scientist. His head was shaved bald and he wore a pair of thick glasses over his dark eyes. He wore a white lab coat over a woolly jumper, cream trousers and black shoes. Ashley guessed that this was the mysterious Dr Ludwig.

    Standing in front of the large crate Dr Ludwig began speaking in a thick German accent, "Welcome gentlemen. Thank you for taking the time to witness the unveiling of my latest creation. I know many of you have enjoyed the inventions purchased from me in the past, such as the Surprise Shackle Conference Room Chair 3.2 and the Hidden Trapdoor Home Installation Pack."

    "Too right, dunno how many spies I've got stashed down there," one of his clients remarked in an East End London accent. The rest of the men chuckled knowingly at his comment.

    Spurred on by the positive feedback Dr Ludwig continued, "But now I have produced my finest creation yet. I believe it is one that will change the world of the villain forever, and permanently tilt the balance of power in your favour. Gentlemen, I give you the Bindtomaton 3000!" He clicked his fingers, and with a loud hiss the sides of the large crates completely fell away. Ashley's loud gasps were covered by the crashing of wood onto the floor, as she saw what it had contained all along.

    It was a robot, standing at about ten feet tall and painted a vivid scarlet. It had a basic humanoid shape, but with caterpillar tracks for feet and for hands three grapples like those found on a crane. Countless flaps and panels could be seen over its entire body, and for eyes it had a strip of red light that flashed menacingly as the invention examined its surroundings. The clients all gave an appreciative gasp, and there was even some sporadic applause. The bodyguards also looked up, but their stern unemotional looks did not change even when the machine began flexing its hands.

     "The Bindomaton 3000 is the best form of security that money can buy," Dr Ludwig announced, beginning his sales pitch. "Running with the most sophisticated artificial brain yet used in robotics, it comes with all the equipment needed to suppress and restrain any intruders you may find in your lair."

    "Is it safe?" asked a shaved headed man with a Russian accent.

    "For us it is. I uploaded all of your identities into its memory banks so it knows you are not enemies. Anyone else in the building that it does not recognise it will determine as an intruder, and it will take the necessary measures to capture them."

    Ashley felt the breath stop in her body. Could this mechanised security guard be able to detect her hiding behind these boxes? She peeked through the gap as the Bindomaton 3000 twisted its head from side to side, analysing its surroundings. Its gaze landed on where she was peering, at which it stopped moving. Then, with loud whirring noise its caterpillar tracks spun into life, and it began trundling right towards where she was hiding.

    As it continued to slowly move forward Dr Ludwig, in a voice halfway between surprise and delight, said, "Ah, it appears the Bindomaton 3000 has detected the presence of an uninvited guest."

    A dark haired bodyguard withdrew a pistol from his belt and said, "Let me take care of them."

    Dr Ludwig waved his suggestion aside. "There's no need. Pay close attention gentlemen, you are about to receive a demonstration as to what my creation can actually do."

    'Crap, what now!' Ashley thought as she backed away from her hiding place. She darted down a gap in between two piles of crates, hoping to lose the robot closing in on her position. She treaded softly on the concrete floor and tried to keep her panicked breathing under control, not wanting to give any indication of her position away.

    "It seems our guest wants to play hide and seek," she heard Dr Ludwig say. "That won't do them any good. The Bindomaton 3000 comes equipped with heat sensors, infra-red vision and echo location. It means that for the cowering intruder, there is nowhere for them to hide from its gaze."

     'Well this just keeps on getting better,' Ashley told herself as she reached a fork in the path ahead. She desperately glanced about looking for any sign of an exit, knowing if she lingered too long then there would be no escape from this maniacs creation.

    But linger too long she did. There was a massive crashing sound from behind her as the wooden crates splintered into pieces. A second later Ashley cried out in shock as a three crane like claws clamped themselves around her waist tightly. She wriggled against its grip and pummelled the metal with her fists, dropping her bag to the ground in the process. Yet she was unable to stop the strong robotic arm from lifting her up off the ground, so that there was a five foot drop from her purple converse shoes to the warehouse floor.

    She was carried backwards to the centre of the warehouse. She was then swung around and came face to face with the robotic creation restraining her, the red panel it used for eyes flashing as it analysed her wriggling form. The group of clients gathered around her kicking legs, watching in fascination and amusement. Their bodyguards just looked on, their stoic looks not changing for an instant.

    "My what a pretty catch my creation has reeled in," Dr Ludwig crowed, delighted by how events had panned out. "Did you get a bit lost young lady?"

    "Let me go! This is insane!" Ashley bellowed, in between deep breaths as the robots claws clamped tightly around her diaphragm.

    Dr Ludwig ignored her protests. "I must thank you for volunteering for this demonstration my young snoop. You will be the first to fully experience just what my latest invention is capable of. Bindomaton 3000, begin restraining programme 3!"

     Ashley didn't like the sound of that, but she could only watch as a hatch opened in the robots chest. Out of it shot twelve miniature versions of its crane like hands attached to flexible poles. They curled and twisted their way towards her, and struggle as she might she couldn't prevent claws from grabbing her wrists and her ankles. She gasped as her arms were wrenched behind her back with her forearms pushed against each other forming a box shape, while her feet were pulled in and rigidly fixed against each other.

     While trying her best to wrench her limbs free from the robots vice like grip, Ashley stared as small holes opened in the palms of the other claw like limbs. From these stray ends of black coloured rope protruded, which were grabbed by other claws and pulled until the desired length of cord had been reached. One of these lengths was pulled behind Ashley, and within seconds she felt the rope being wrapped around her forearms. At the same time she looked down as more of this rope was coiled around her ankles.

    "The Bindomaton 3000 comes with ten binding settings," explained Dr Ludwig over Ashley's squeals and grunts. "It comes fully equipped with rope, tape, chains and plastic ties, and is an expert in binding with all these materials. What the machine uses is purely down to your personal preference."

    His creation was merciless, tightly fixing the ropes around Ashley's bare ankles and not leaving a millimetre of slack in her wrist bonds. Its grip on her was so firm that she could hardly wriggle; she could only watch and wince as it completed its expertly tied knots. Panic rising up through her body like a tidal wave, she cried out, "Someone help me, someone get me out of this."

     "No-one in the world is capable of saving you from my machine my dear," Dr Ludwig jeered. "But seeing as my clients are having difficulty hearing my pitch over you, gag her Bindomaton 3000."

    "No!" Ashley protested as two more mini claws moved within inches of her face. From one of their slots the end of a strand of black tape emerged, which the other claw grabbed. Then both metallic limbs paused, waiting for the opportune moment to stick it over her lips. She didn't make its task easy, jerking her head from side to side with her blonde ponytail swirling behind like a blur. But the Bindomaton 3000 was patient, and when it detected her head was in the suitable position the claws darted forward at an incredible speed, and slapped the sticky tape over her mouth before she could even scream. All she could manage was a pitiful, "Nnnnnnnnnnmmmmm," as the robot fixed the stray ends onto her cheeks.

    "The tape my creation uses is my own special brand, perfect for silencing your captive. It is highly flexible, stretching and moving with the skin it is attached to. Makes removing it without the use of hands almost impossible," Dr Ludwig explained. Ashley, who had been rhythmically moving her jaw in an attempt to pry her lips free from the tape, discovered he wasn't lying. Though this didn't stop the robot slapping on a couple more layers for good measure.

     Ashley was so concerned with her gagging that she only properly noticed the ropes being coiled above her knees after the Bindomaton 3000 had made three circuits. But she immediately noticed when it began to wrap rope around her upper body below her breasts. It proceeded to encase her torso in a constricting harness, with ropes also being tightened around her chest and over her shoulders. Then for a final touch, it took the stray ends, wrapped them around her already bound arms, and fixed them to the harness, leaving her with even less chance to wriggle than before.

     "Now with the binding complete my robot will use its artificial intelligence to search for a secure place to have her stashed," Dr Ludwig explained. Ashley stared into the robots red visor as it analysed its surroundings, looking from left to right then up to the ceiling. Its gaze fell on a horizontal support beam connecting two pillars, and it made its decision. It produced one last strand of rope, attaching it to the harness of rope around her upper body, then it looped the cord around and over this beam. Then the claw holding the stray end curled its way to ground level where it wound the rope around a support pillar.

    The Bindomaton 3000 then unclamped its main claw from her waist, yet Ashley remained hovering in midair. The harness constricted her tightly as the ropes coiled around the support beam kept her dangling at least ten feet above the ground. The blonde damsel bucked and thrashed, but only succeeded in rotating on the spot. Below her feet the group of criminals gathered, laughing among themselves as they watched her flail about. She moaned into her tapegag, hoping her jean miniskirt wasn't providing these men with a good view of what she was wearing underneath.

     "Now that's a sight to behold," a criminal with a Brooklyn accent remarked. Turning to the black haired bodyguard who had spoken before he added, "Like to see you try that once in a while." The bodyguard simply stared up at Ashley, where she made direct eye contact with him. She used her green eyes to plead for mercy, but he didn't respond. He then simply stared at the floor while flexing his muscles agitatedly.

      "What will you do with her now?" a Japanese man with a heavily tattooed neck asked.

      "Well as much as I'd like to use my machine to experiment on her further I have a busy schedule that I must keep," Dr Ludwig explained. "I think it's best if we skip straight to the disposing of her."

       "Ddsssssppppnnnn ffffff mmmmmmm?" wide eyed Ashley repeated as best as her gag would allow.

     The Bindomaton 3000 responded to its master's statement by emitting a series of whirring sounds. Then an opening appeared in the palm of its right hand, from which it ejected a missile shaped capsule at high speed. Instead of hitting Ashley, the pointed nose of this capsule embedded itself in a nearby support pillar. She gazed at it in horror as a panel slid back, revealing a timer of red digital numbers. The time on it read 15:00, but it didn't stay that way for long before it began to countdown.

    "And that's our cue to exit gentlemen," Dr Ludwig announced. "We have fifteen minutes to get to a safe distance before this building is engulfed by a giant fireball. To pass the time on the journey, shall I open the bidding?"

    The crowd of criminals huddled around Dr Ludwig as they ushered him away, the sound of their frantic bidding drowning out Ashley's muffled screams. They walked around a pile of crates out of her sight, but she could still hear them arguing among themselves shouting insane amounts of money at Dr Ludwig. The Bindomaton 3000 accompanied them, trundling behind on its caterpillar tracks like an obedient dog. Not once did it look back at the young lady it had left in mortal peril. Then there was the sound of a metal shutter crashing to the ground, at which their voices disappeared. The only sound she could now hear was the ominous beep of the bomb just below her.

    Ashley started wriggling and twisting with every inch of strength she had. She tried pulling her arms apart but the ropes kept them fixed forearm to forearm. She could only waggle her fingers as they peeped out from either side of her waist. She repeatedly kicked and outstretched her bound legs, gathering so much momentum that she began swinging backwards and forwards. She tugged on the harness rope keeping her suspended, but she could not break free from it. She remained a tightly bound package hanging in midair.

      "SSSSSSSSSMMMMMBBBBDDD, HHHHLLLLLPPPP MMMMMM!" she called out into the silent warehouse. She flicked her head around searching for someone to come to her aid, strands of her fringe falling into her eyes. She attempted again to pry the gag from her lips so she could scream louder, but they refused separate themselves from the tape. She continued to struggle so vehemently that her hoodie began to slip away, exposing her bare shoulders. But that was about the only thing on her body at that moment that was slipping away.

    She gazed at the timer and saw half her remaining time had already passed, and she began to give up. Her legs and wrists were raw and her shoulders ached from being suspended by them. The Bindomaton 3000 had done just as advertised, restrained her effectively and ensured there was nothing she could do to avoid her fate. She hung her head, letting her ponytail drape itself over her left shoulder, and closed her eyes.

    Suddenly the pressure on her shoulders disappeared, and she squealed as she was suddenly falling. She kept her eyes closed, expecting to hit the concrete floor with a painful thump, but she was caught by a strong pair of arms. Ashley sighed in relief, believing her cries for help had been answered. She then opened her eyes to see who it was that had rescued her, and couldn't quite believe it.



     The small gang of bodyguards huddled around the car, and watched as the warehouse just down the block was engulfed in a massive explosion. The dark haired bodyguard was among them, and he coolly inhaled his cigarette as the ball of flame rose higher and higher into the sky. He then stepped aside in order to give the young lady laying in his open trunk of his car the chance to see it herself.

     "Bet you're glad to be with us right now," he remarked casually.

      "Wwwwtttttsss ggggnnnnn nnnnnn?" Ashley asked in confusion. She remained tightly bound and gagged, and lay on her side as she glanced up at the gang of bodyguards who had rescued her.

     "Yeah I guess this is a little confusing for you," the bodyguard said. "Don't think of this as an act of kindness. Fact is we rescued you because we need you."

      "The Bindomaton 3000 is a disaster for our profession," spoke a Hispanic bodyguard. "If Ludwig produces more of them then it will leave all of us without work. And the job market for ex-supervillain henchmen isn't good."

     "My family have been criminal henchmen for generations," said a heavily tattooed man with an Eastern European accent. "If I were to lose my job to a robot I don't think I could live with the shame."

      "So here's the deal sweetpea," the dark haired bodyguard told Ashley, dropping his cigarette to the ground and stubbing it out with his foot. "We're going to put you somewhere safe where you can be found and rescued. And then you're going to tell the authorities all about Ludwig's little science project. That way he's the one who goes to prison, and we get to keep our jobs."

    "I even found this for you," a goon from the East End of London added, dropping Ashley's purple bag next to her in the trunk. "Some nice pics on your camera; plenty of evidence for taking that nerd down."

    The dark haired bodyguard paused for a brief moment, and then grabbed the ropes coiled around her chest pulling her up. Ashley squealed as her face ended up inches away from his own, as he said firmly, "But don't think this makes us friends. Bodyguards and snooping young ladies will always be enemies. If we ever catch you interfering with our plans again we'll be the ones tying you up and placing you in peril. Understand?"

    "Mmmmm hhhhmmm!" Ashley nodded, before she was pushed back into the trunk.

    "Good. Enjoy your trip sweetpea," the bodyguard sneered, before slamming the trunk shut, enclosing her in darkness.

     'Some people really have issues,' Ashley thought, wriggling against her bonds as she heard the car starting up.