Many months had passed since Chromed Avenger had felt the need to get out of The Bunker, the headquarters for Team Rainbow Super Force. In fact, the need to get out was mainly about what he had seen while monitoring the surveillance cameras that Ebon Huntress had placed around town. Were his curiosity in the events he witnessed not so great, he would have been more than content to stay in his office and continue working on some new calculation, or coming up with the next lesson plan for his students at the community college. With his objective in mind, he strolled down the streets of Bluewater Village, a suburb of Pleasantview, giving a cheerful wave and welcoming nod to everyone he met until he finally arrived at his destination.

Stepping inside the establishment, Chromed located his acquaintance Cindy Sexbot feverishly working the cash register as customers waited anxiously to purchase their prizes. Chromed had been keeping tabs on Cindy since he first became aware of her over a year ago, and as a sentient android, had helped her adjust from her previously lifestyle into one where she could function properly in the society around her. Taking a moment to survey his surroundings, a contemplative look washed upon his face, as Cindy approached and greeted him.

“Chromed Avenger,” greeted Cindy with a hug. “It’s been too long since you stopped in to visit. You really should come by more often.”

“My duties prevent me from otherwise,” answer Chromed.

“Nonsense. I know you can get away anytime you choose. I think you’re just afraid to hang out with us lower form androids.”

“You know very well that I do not consider myself superior in any way.”

“Of course you don’t, silly. I was just teasing you. What brings you into my shop today?”

“Last night I monitored a large shipment being delivered to your establishment at an unusual hour. A vast number of large crates to be exact. Tell me, are these the packages that arrived?” Chromed asked, pointing to the robots on display.

“Why yes!” Cindy exclaimed. “Aren’t they wonderful? They are the latest innovations from Jinzouningen Corporation; a series of cleaning and surveillance robots for around the home. And they are affordable enough for every household. I am not certain I will be able to keep up with the demand.”

“Interesting. I was not aware of any corporations on the planet that were capable of producing this level of craftsmanship at such low cost. Certainly the technology exists.”

“Would you just relax? You always told me that one of the most important steps to bringing the people of this world together was to remove greed and motivated self-interest. I became aware of Jinzouningen six months ago. They are a very private company and wanted to carefully qualify their distributors when the time came to finally bring their products to market."

“I take it this is their mascot?” Chromed asked, pointing to the ninja propped up against the wall.

“Oh, yes,” laughed Cindy. “It represents stealth and ingenuity. They plan to take the world by surprise.”

“They certainly have taken me by surprise, considering I have never heard of them.”

“Chromed, darling, you worry too much where other robots are concerned. They just opened their local office downtown yesterday. And with it a large warehouse for all the products they plan to move through my store, since I am the only distributor in town.”

“And you are certain these devices are safe?”

“Perfectly safe. April and I have gone through the microprocessors. I know we aren’t as sophisticated as you when it comes to programming analysis. However, these robots are simple, even a child could understand their programming.”

“Alright, Cindy, I will accept your assurance for now,” agreed Chromed. “I expect you to contact me if there are any problems.”

“I will, Chromed,” Cindy assured. “Now if you will excuse me, I must get back to helping out all these customers I have today. This sure beats selling the simple toys I used to carry.”

Cindy watched as Chromed Avenger left her shop and continued walking down the street. She turned around to return to the cash register, only to be startled by the ninja that was formerly against the wall, now staring directly at her. She quickly composed herself and stared carefully into the calm eyes behind the hood.

“Do not forget our agreement,” the ninja whispered just low enough so only Cindy could hear.

“I haven’t,” Cindy cautiously replied.

Chromed was amazed to find a new line of humanoid robots lining the walls as far as he could see. The number of patrons ogling the new line of robots distracted him from hearing Cindy approaching from behind.

“Hi there, tall, bright and shiny,” greeted Cindy. “Twice in one month, your circuits must be overheating.”

“Cindy, what are these things?” Chromed questioned.

“I have reviewed all their programming instructions to the best of my ability,” remarked Cindy. “Feel free to take one back to your lab and see for yourself. They are programmed to perform the most basic of tasks. This programming also includes a level of protective and non-interference protocols for dealing with humans. Heck, I doubt they would even swat a fly.”

“Very interesting,” remarked Chromed. “Perhaps later I will swing buy and examine one. I would not wish to deprive you of what appears to be a very successful product line.”

“Why, Chromed, I didn’t realize you even cared about little old me.”

“Cindy, you came to this world to change your life and that of your daughter for the better. I would be remiss in interfering with that in any way, shape or form.”

Chromed quickly called Ebon Huntress up on his monitor. Seconds later Ebon Huntress appeared before him.

“Seldom do I receive a call from you these days,” greeted Ebon Huntress. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I am not certain pleasure is an appropriate word,” replied Chromed. “I have stumbled onto a conundrum that requires me to ask for your assistance.”

“This ought to be a good one then. What’s the problem?”

“Have you heard of Jinzouningen Corporation?”

“Only from what I have briefly seen on commercials. These new Servos look very impressive, considering they are from this world.”

“Yes, they do. However they are only a minor part of the problem I wanted to discuss with you. I have been investigating how such a corporation could make such a sudden leap in technology, only to stumble upon an even greater mystery. It appears the president of the company has disappeared, or maybe I should more appropriately say, vanished.”

“Please explain.”

“It seems the president, a Mr. Endoh Masato, continues to give direction and issue orders, but no one has actually seen him in years. Furthermore, according to to a memorandum he has located his personal office here in Pleasantview, but he does not appear on any video surveillance despite apparently signing in and out every day. And there are no recent pictures of him in any global database starting about twenty years ago.”

“Maybe he’s just cautious.”

“Perhaps. However, I would expect that someone who is in the position to potentially change the world would be giving press conferences and making public statements, not hiding in the shadows. In any case, I find this very puzzling.”

“Very well. I’ll contact Violet Haze and have him select a team to investigate. I’ll even have him arrange a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Masato.”

Violet Haze and his selected team, Azure Maiden, Cyan Aide and Tawny Bimbo found themselves strolling through the streets of downtown Pleasantview, headed for the Jinzouningen Corporation offices. Stopping periodically to say hi and wave to the townsfolk, it wasn’t long before they arrived at their destination.

Standing outside the entrance, Violet carefully surveyed their surroundings. By all appearances it was just like any other office building located downtown, but Violet had learned over the years never to take anything at face value. He cautioned his teammates to keep their guard up as they entered through the front door.

Once inside they were astonished to find themselves in what appeared to be a large showroom. Small robots of all kinds lined the shelves, scattered amidst life-sized statues of ninjas while the center of the room contained Servos as far back as the eye could see.

The team spread out walking amongst the Servos, looking for any sign of life. By all appearances there were no other exits, nor was there any staff around to assist them.

“There’s something here,” reported Tawny. “This room doesn’t feel right.”

“Are you sensing anyone in the building?” asked Violet.

“I sense there are people here, but their minds are completely devoid of any thought patterns. I can’t even tell where they are.”

“It certainly is giving me a chill,” interjected Azure.

“Stay on your guard then,” instructed Violet.

“I think it would be better if you all just relaxed,” spoke a mysterious voice from the shadows.

Without warning, the ninjas along the walls came to life and closed in on the members of Team Rainbow. Violet quickly gathered his teammates together into a defensive circle and gave them orders to prepare for anything. The ninjas gathered and attacked in groups, forcing everyone to separate and handle each group on their own. Violet and Cyan worked together to keep some of the ninjas at bay while Tawny used her powers to help pacify any resistance and Azure carefully put up ice cages around her attackers.

Violet returned to the Jinzouningen Corporation office with his original team and the addition of Chromed Avenger, Emerald Guardian, Tangerine Mistress and Choral Blush. He carefully laid out their strategy with specific instructions to each team member. Upon making sure everyone was ready, they entered the showroom, now prepared to face the challenge.

Violet and his teammates entered the structure cautiously. The mysterious voice greeted them instantly.

“Back for more?” he asked.

“We’re ready for you this time,” replied Violet in defiance. Quickly, the members of Team Rainbow moved into their positions and began to fend off the attacking ninjas. Violet, Azure, Tangerine, Cyan and Choral formed a barrier to protect Emerald Guardian and Chromed Avenger while they worked swiftly to disable the robots. By quickly analyzing the radio frequencies of the Servo units, they were able to construct a broadcast signal to shut them down while the rest of the team dealt with the Ninjas.

Walking through several corridors, they found the remaining part of the office to be strangely empty. After nearly an hour of searching they opened a final door to find a solitary office. Inside the office, the vague silhouette of a man waited patiently for them to enter.

“At last,” spoke the stranger, “we finally meet face to face, so to speak.”

“Who are you?” asked Violet Haze.

“My name is Endoh Masato. I am the president of this company. Although since my accident twenty years ago, and my entrance into the world of secrecy and illusion, I prefer to be called Ghost Warrior.”

“I see. So we can expect you’ll be putting up a fight?”

“On the contrary. I shall be giving myself up to you now without incident.”

“I do not understand.  You made us go through all this, and then you just give up,” interject Chromed.

“Of course you wouldn’t, my silver-plated friend. The plan I have been working on for years is far greater than what may appear to be on the surface. I expect that after you take me into custody, you will shut down my company. You will do this to prevent any more of our products from being distributed. Or you may keep it open, as they are for the most part harmless and actually beneficial to society. Either way, I have accomplished the task I set out to do, so there is no longer any further need for my involvement.”

“I would be curious to know about your condition and the accident that caused it,” inquired Emerald. “Perhaps if we knew more we could find our cure.”

“I appreciate your enthusiasm and sincerity,” replied Ghost Warrior. “However, now is not the time and place. For now I will answer no further questions. Please hand me over to your local authorities.”

“On what grounds are we to take you in?” Violet asked.

“Why, conspiracy to take over your country, with the help of my Servos, of course. But as I said, my plan was very subtle, and I have served my purpose. Please escort me to your police officers.”

Chromed Avenger contacted the local authorities, who arrived on the scene just as Team Rainbow escorted Ghost Warrior outside. Once their perpetrator was safely in the police car, Violet and his teammates waited until it drove off before leaving to return to their respective bases.

Later, at the hidden estate of Happy Birthday, her sidekick Itsya Birthday rushed in to inform Happy that Ghost Warrior had been taken into custody.

“Of course he has,” Happy replied. “That was the plan all along. How did the test with the prototypes go?”

“They are perfect,” beamed Itsya. “Team Rainbow will never see this coming.”

“Rest assured, Itsya my darling, that this is only a means to an end, but not the end of the war. Negat, darling?”

“Yes,” replied Negat Eve from around the corner.

“Instruct operative 8 it is time to proceed with phase two of our operation.”

“At once, my love.”

“Excellent. Soon, Team Rainbow will have no choice but to leave this world to me, and then one day, the universe,” Happy laughed maniacally.

So concludes the sixteenth chapter of Team Rainbow Super Force. Stay tuned for Chapter 17: A Crime To Remember