(lxxvi.)

"...I didn't think garages were supposed to have basements..."
"Well, yeah. I mean, where'd you think all that awesome hydraulic equipment was?"

Pierpont shrugged.

"So, this is where you guys keep all the awesome spy things?"
"Nah. This is just where we build 'em."
"Wow."
"Yup."

Joe lifted a pair of shoes out of a cubby. "Problem is, most of it's outdated."
"Why's that?"
"These shoes? The left one's a phone. First cell phone of its kind. The right one's a gun. Just click the heel, and it fires."
"That's awesome! Why don't we actually use these?"
"...'cause they went out of style in the sixties."
"Oh."

He put the shoes back, and motioned toward the shelves. "All this stuff is outdated or broken. I mean, that flood last month didn't help any."

Pierpont nodded.

"What can you do for me?"
"Well... you see that over there?"

Joe pointed into a dark corner.

"C'mere. You'll like this."
"I will?"
"Yup. This is awesome. Seriously, you need this. This is incredible."

Joe walked toward it, and switched on a lightswitch.

There, before them, sat 'this'. The white sheet draped gently over the few curves that it had; for the most part, though, it was just large and pointy.

Pierpont stared at it, incredulously.

"Wh-what... what is that?"
"Let me ask you a question, J.P. Have you ever heard of the Omni-Vion Killmaster?"
"The... what?"

Joe grabbed the sheet, and tore it away. "The Omni-Vion Killmaster."



[chapter lxxvii.]