Matteo

“SPACE RAT SAYS DON’T MOVE!” the bionic creature screamed as he hovered near a section of woods off the main road.

We quickly advanced to see what the had found. I pointed my rifle toward the trembling bushes. “Kommen Sie heraus!” I scream, “Kommen Sie heraus or I will fire on you!”

Then a young boy comes out. He’s holding a used cable dragging an old HP printer. I slowly lower my rifle as he comes out. The others do as well. I walk up to the boy and ask, “Was ist Ihr Namem?”

“Matteo.” He answers.

“Super Nerd, front and center!” I call to him.

The sewn-together geek runs up and joins me and the kid. “Ask him if he knows where Big Stan is.” I say.

“How is he going to know Big Stan?” Super Nerd asks, confused.

I slap him upside the head. “Jesus, Super Nerd!” I bellow, “Just ask him if the customers or the tax Gestapos have kidnapped a large man with glasses.”

Super Nerd asks Matteo the question and the young boy responds almost immediately. “He knows where he is!” Super Nerd gasps.

Matteo then says something else. Super Nerds almost gags. “What the? The little brat wants to bargain.”

“Give him his choice of tax service.” Kane says.

Super Nerd reaches in his backpacks and pulls out several CDs. He hands them to Matteo but he shakes his head and pushes them away. "Why are you not impressed, Jesse James?" Super Nerd asks.

Matteo rattles off a list of things in German. Super Nerd sighs, "Okay, he says he wants Primary Premium. And a new USB cable for his printer. And an office chair for his mother."

Matteo says something else.

"And it's got to have two arm rests." Super Nerd smiles.

Kane rubbs his head. He looks to be but I only shrug my shoulders, a silent way of saying the decision is his. "Okay, he's got all of that." Kane tells them, " Just have him lead the way to Big Stan."

Super Nerd relays the message and Matteo points the way. We all begin to follow him. I tell Space Rat to fly ahead and keep his eyes open.

We're walking into dangerous territory. No telling what happens from here.