There was a surprising amount of people in the room for the information session about becoming a member of the Auto King’s space flight crew. Each of them wore lab coats that they’d probably bought from a two-dollar store.

I drew many curious glances, as I wore a gambeson instead of a lab coat, and instead of a calculator, I carried a bow. Nonetheless, I found a seat amidst the group and waited, as everybody else seemed to be doing.

I heard a whisper behind me, as a few people spoke about how they’d been recruited by some Mornington automotive specialists. I thought this was odd since the meeting was being held in Brighton. I guessed anybody around Hobart was being selected.

Eventually, somebody walked onto the stage in front of us. He was a tall man with a strange hat and a comically long moustache.

“I am the Auto King’s top general,” he announced. “But you may call me Rufus. Now, many of you are probably wondering what you are doing here. We believe you have what it takes to be crew in the King’s spacecraft. Why would you do this? The answer is simple. You will have free access to the best shop in Mornington for tyres and auto repair. Now if that isn’t an excellent deal, I don’t know what is.”

“What would we be doing in the Auto King’s space crew?” I asked.

“An excellent question,” Rufus said. “You would be making people around Victoria fear for their safety while acting as if you serve Premier Norris. That way, people will not vote for Norris, and Dr Dark McBane will be elected instead, as he has promised to liberate sentient cars all across Victoria.”

Rufus took a deep breath and frowned. “Unfortunately, you shall not be joining this army, Mr Terrance, as you have already destroyed many of the scientists we employ. To the rest of you, I say, if you defeat this vagabond, you shall all be admitted into the Auto King’s ranks. Now destroy him!”

Uh, oh. Seemed as if I’d have to fight my way out of this one.

– Victor Terrance