by Michael Todd
“I’m tasking you with finding out if the military has a base for manufacturing these weapons,” Moloch told them. “If they do, I need to know exactly where it is and who is in charge.”
The guys looked up at Moloch worriedly. “Everything we’ve heard is inconclusive. No one actually knows where the manufacturing is done. Well, almost no one. Obviously, someone has to know to put in the orders, but their bullets and weapons don’t even come with an identifying stamp on them.”
Moloch lifted his large clawed hand to his face and flicked his talons against one another. Sparks shot from them as they touched, and his red eyes slowly raked over them. The two humans cleared their throats and stared down at the ground, shaking with fear.
The first guy could barely control his fear, and his voice quivered with every word. “Of course, it’s important. We’ll find the information for you.”
Moloch waved his hands, rending reality and tearing the portal back open. “Excellent! As soon as you know, contact me. You know how.”
The guys blanched as Moloch disappeared into the portal and gagged on the hot sulfur wind that blew out from hell. Their stomachs turned as they watched the portal waiver and snap shut. They put their hats back on, no longer needing to hide their place of employment.
The print on their hats read, DSS. Domestic Security Services.
In other words, they were mercenaries.
4
It had been two days since Katie had introduced Pandora to the Batman series. In those two days, they had managed to watch every single movie, including the Christian Bale ones. Katie secretly thanked her lucky stars that they had not had time to dive into the Affleck films and all the strange side stories that went along with them.
That morning, before the alarm had gone off and before Katie had even thought about opening her eyes, Pandora was on the move. She had already made plans to continue watching the series, even though Katie assured her she wouldn’t like them. She was hooked, and that was all there was to it.
Pandora shouted loudly, knowing she would wake Katie up from her sleep. How can you sleep right now?
Katie groaned and pulled the covers over her head. Because it’s early in the morning on a Wednesday. That’s how I can sleep.
You know I’m inside your head, right? Pulling the covers up isn’t going to help you much. I just can’t stop thinking about Christian Bale as Batman. Our Funday Monday movie marathon was exactly what I needed.
Katie mumbled cuss words for a moment, knowing full well Pandora wasn’t going to let her out of the conversation. She was obsessed. Keaton was Monday, and he was just as good as Batman.
Not even close. Keaton got me interested, but Bale makes me want to get boned by that Batdick. And don’t even get me started about wanting Bane and his venom wang.
Katie pulled herself up and leaned against the headboard, letting out a deep sigh. This is not morning conversation. And how the hell can you be hot for Bane and still want to be a superhero?
How can you have all these assets and not get laid every night?
How is that even the same? Katie didn’t like this turn in the conversation. She wished Pandora would refocus on Batman.
Trust me, it is. Besides, Bane isn’t really a villain, not like the Joker or the Riddler. He’s just a guy who helped a little girl and said, ‘Fuck the system.’ Then, he did everything he could to make sure she carried out her father’s legacy. I mean, he was just doing what he promised. The others were senseless and crazy. Don’t get me wrong, I love senseless and crazy, but Bane is like a furry kitten compared to them.
Katie shook her head, awestruck by Pandora’s logic. What? He is helping her blow up Gotham City with a nuclear weapon because why? She has daddy issues? Fuck, we all have daddy issues, but you don’t see me trying to blow up a city over it. Get laid again, but this time enjoy it, ferchrissakes.
Like you have room to talk.
Katie narrowed her brow. I got laid, remember?
Pandora scoffed. I didn’t realize that you only needed it like once every ten years.
I wanted to make sure I wasn’t a deadly lay first.
That would be a hell of a superhero movie. You’d be like Poison Ivy, except a kiss of the Vagina would do a guy in instead of the lipstick. You could just go around banging all the hot bad guys. You get laid and do a public service. It’s two birds with one vagina.
Katie rolled her eyes. Except it would have to be the finale that killed them. Otherwise, it would be a life of missed orgasms, and that might turn me into a true villain.
Too true, but I’m sure we could get Batman a rubber dick for his suit. Then you could go to town, and no one would die.
Katie swung her feet off the bed and rubbed her eye with the heel of her hand. I don’t even know how I get into these conversations. I need coffee and breakfast.
It was at that moment that Katie realized it had already been two days since Pandora had asked for any type of donut, but she wasn’t about to say a word.
Katie yawned as she walked out of her bedroom. She shuffled down the hallway, smelling the sweet scent of coffee and bacon coming from the kitchen. When she rounded the corner, there was Angie, standing right inside the door and holding out a mug of hot coffee to her.
Katie pulled the mug to her face, taking a deep whiff and smiling. “You are my savior.”
Angie chuckled. “Don’t let the angel hear that.”
Katie furrowed her brow and looked at Angie over the rim of the cup. “Hey, I do what I want.”
Angie gave her a crooked smile. “Okay. Well, if you want, come sit with me at the kitchen table and have some bacon and eggs. I just finished cooking.”
Katie raised her eyebrows and smiled as she sauntered over to the table and sat down. “Don’t mind if I do.”
They sat there for a moment, quietly enjoying their breakfasts and coffees. The sun was starting to shine in through the large windows, casting rays of light across the condo. Angie took a bite of her eggs and glanced at the park, then leaned forward to look down at the sidewalk.
She sighed and shook her head, sitting back and looking at Katie. She didn’t want to tell her, but she also didn’t want to let her walk out of the building without being aware. Angie fiddled with the food on her plate for a moment and then brought it up carefully. “So, there are a bunch of people on the sidewalk outside the front doors.”
Without thinking, Katie blurted, “For what?”
Angie’s shoulders went up, and she grimaced. “To meet you.”
“Oh, God. Are they perverts?”
Pandora laughed snidely. If they are, maybe I’ll see some action. My luck, though, they will be a bunch of angel worshipers coming to lay hands on you…and not in a good way.
Angie peeked at the people below again. “Well, I can’t say that none of them are pervs, but most of them seem to be acting like they are waiting for a rock star or something.”
Instantly, Pandora was filled with excitement. Hell, yeah. We have fans now, which means you need to look your best when we walk out of here. Don’t embarrass me. There may be some fantastic pictures taken.
Katie saw the opportunity immediately. “Or maybe they think I’m an apostle.”
Oh, hell no.
Angie giggled, knowing they were messing with Pandora. “Or a holy woman.”
Pandora started laughing loudly, not even able to form the words. She giggled and snorted for several moments until something popped into her head, then shut up real fast and huffed. As chaste as you are, you are probably more holy than most holy men. Probably. Well, maybe not. But I would have to say you’re more chaste than many of them, especially with all the drama going on in the church. Talk about perverts!
Can we not ruin my breakfast with a conversation about pedophilia?
Pandora became indignant. Hey, your friend brought it up.
Katie leaned over and looked down at the group of people on the sidewalk. She took a sip of her coffee and exhaled, letting he
r breath fog the window and obscure the crowd. Pandora might think it was awesome that she was so famous, but Katie thought it was inconvenient. “Great. Now how am I supposed to leave?”
They sat quietly for a moment, then Angie shrugged and pointed at the ceiling. Katie looked up, and quickly caught on to what she was suggesting.
She leaned her head back in defeat. “Dammit, that wasn’t what I had in mind when all this happened. I did not plan on jumping from building to building like freaking Spiderman.”
Angie gave her a comforting look. “It could be worse. You could be Affleck.”
Pandora perked up. Wait, what was that about leaping from building to building?
Katie let out a deep sigh and shrugged her shoulders. “Fuck it. I wanted to work with the general anyway.”
Stop. Who’s Spiderman? What are you talking about?
Katie took the last bite of her bacon and headed toward her bedroom. She grabbed her normal guns and put them in the holsters at her sides. She ran her hands over Tom and Harry, but they were too big to take just anywhere.
Pandora cleared her throat and nonchalantly pointed out, You should take your jacket.
Why? It’s warm outside.
Yeah, but you’ll look great in it.
Katie frowned, thinking about how warm it would be and how out of place she would look. No, I’ll look like I can’t figure out how hot it is.
Pandora let out a squeak of excitement. You know what we need? We need a cape.
No. Not only no, but hell no. What happens when the cape gets grabbed? It’s bad for fighting, which ultimately leads to being bad for keeping me alive.
But bad for fighting or not, it would look fucking sweet.
Katie rolled her eyes and shook her head, then arranged the last of her weapons and switched off her bedroom light. Tight leather with carbon-fiber bullet protection is going to have to do for now.
You are no fun. We could make the damn cape black, like your soul.
Katie laughed. According to Gabriel, my soul isn’t all black.
Pandora silently sneered. Yeah, you’ve got some unicorn-glitter shit going on inside you too, but I don’t hold that against you.
I appreciate it.
Angie walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Got a job?”
Katie smiled and grabbed the keys, hanging them on her belt loop. “No, I have a meeting, but I can’t say when, where, or with whom.”
Angie gave her side-eye. “Okay?”
Katie went for the door, already running late. “I’ll tell you later. I should be back soon, but you know how to get me.”
Angie nodded and waved as Katie left. “The demon signal—got it.” Angie heard Katie snarl from the hallway and grinned as she went back to the kitchen.
Normally, Katie would take the elevato down to the bottom floor, but this time she knew that going out the front door was a bad idea. When she reached the elevators, she turned right instead and took the stairs all the way to the top. She lifted her key ring and grabbed the card key on the end, sliding it into the security lock.
How did you get that?
Security. They shared it with me just in case I had to get out of the building another way. Katie dropped the keyring and kicked open the door dramatically.
Oh? And why exactly are you using it now?
Katie shrugged and tugged on her belt, making sure it was firmly in place. Because I don’t know who’s down there or what they want, and I’m not going to get into a fight in the middle of the street.
Yeah, but why are you up here? Oh, shit. Wait, wait, wait! I thought we were going to talk about thisssssss…
Katie sprinted across the roof, then took one large step onto the edge and leaped off the building. She flew through the air for a brief, terrifying moment before her wings popped open and spread wide, then caught an updraft. Her wings carried her over the tops of the buildings and down three blocks. Katie could feel Pandora clenching inside her, but she ignored the demon. Instead, Katie circled and took in the view around them, relishing the feel of the wind on her face, and enjoying the freedom of soaring through the sky.
When she neared her destination, she flapped her wings and slowed her momentum. She hovered over the open-air rooftop café and slowly descended. She barely skipped when she stepped onto the deck, and she collapsed her wings effortlessly. She was proud of how good she was getting at sticking her landings.
Both customers and servers were shocked to see her, and Katie waved to a few patrons. As she wove through the tables and over to the elevators she heard them whispering, but no one said anything to her. She pressed the call button, and as she waited, she straightened her top and flattened her windswept hair. She still found it amusing when people looked at her with open mouths and wide eyes. No matter how many times she saw their reactions, it didn’t get old.
Pandora finally caught her breath. Fuck it. You’re a demon-fucking-angel. Let them stare.
For several moments, the restaurant was silent, and Katie stood whistling to herself, feeling a dozen pairs of eyes boring into the back of her head. Let them stare. Finally, the doors opened with a ding, and she stepped inside. She pressed the bottom floor button and waited to turn around until she heard the doors close.
Katie fidgeted in irritation. Demon-fucking-angel or not, I hate it when they stare.
Maybe you shouldn’t drop into a rooftop restaurant, then. Just a thought.
The doors opened on the first floor, and Katie hurried out of the building and onto the sidewalk, then got her bearings and made her way to the meeting spot that the general had texted her. There were a ton of people on the street, but none of them seemed to notice her—or if they did, they didn’t care. That was one thing she loved about New York City. Most of the time no one paid any attention, even to people dressed like her.
Katie hurried down the street and around the corner to a parking lot. There was an SUV parked there, its windows tinted jet-black.
Katie swaggered forward, crossing her arms. How obvious is that?
As she approached the SUV, she stopped in her tracks and watched as a blonde woman with a three-year-old girl stepped out of the vehicle onto the sidewalk. Katie looked at them for a moment, thinking that she might have been wrong, and the sound of a horn honking behind her made her jump. She spun to see the general’s bushy eyebrows through the front windshield of a beat-up sedan that had been old a decade ago.
Katie tilted her head, confused, but hurried over to the car and climbed inside. She closed the door and glared at the general, who was quietly laughing at her. It was obvious she had made the assumption that stealth or not, he would arrive in a blacked-out SUV.
The general got hold of himself, tamping down the amusement as best he could. “I told you I wanted to be nondescript. A government SUV on the corner of a New York City street isn’t necessarily what I would call being in disguise.”
Katie shook her head. “I know, but I just figured… Fuck it.”
The general took off down the street, still chuckling. He drove for a few blocks and turned into an alley in a quiet part of the town. He gestured for Katie to follow, and the two got out of the car and walked two more blocks. He led her into a large parking garage.
As they rounded the corner on the fourth floor, Katie sniggered. The only car on this level was a giant blacked-out SUV. “Hey, I got it half right.”
The general opened the door for Katie, and they both climbed into the back. The general waved at the driver, and they left the parking garage and drove around town. Brushwood let out a deep sigh and took off his hat, putting it on his lap and looking at Katie. “You look well. I had concerns after that fight in England.”
Katie pursed her lips and did her best to answer nonchalantly. “It wasn’t as clean as I’d have liked it to be, but the job got done.”
“That it did. Because of our efforts there, they are now in talks with your weaponry company.” The general made quotation marks with his finger
s before continuing, “They will be a force to be reckoned with when they are all trained. We’re sending some of our guys over there as consultants to whip them into shape.”
“Good. I want them to be just as prepared as we are,” Katie urged passionately. “This isn’t a fight for the United States. This is a worldwide battle. Every single life on the planet is at stake.”
The general didn’t say a word, just stared out the window as they pulled into an old airfield on the outskirts of town. “You’re right, and I like that you think that way.”
The SUV came to a stop, and Katie peeked out the window and smiled when she saw a fat tan military helicopter with its rotors spinning. They got out of the vehicle and Katie followed the general, bending low and walking across the helo pad with her hair whipping crazily in the wind. The general helped her in, then nodded at the pilot and put his headphones on, ready to start the conversation.
5
Angie hurried through the precinct and across the main room to the conference area. The chief and several others were waiting for her there. She had to check in on their efforts. Timothy wouldn’t be there in person, but he was on the line, conferenced in to hear all about it. When she entered, they were all sitting around the table eating donuts and laughing. They quieted down and straightened up when they saw her.
Angie stood at the head of the table. “I know you guys are busy, so I will keep this as short as possible. I wanted an update, then I’ll let you get back to it.”
The chief stood up and looked around. “We all have to agree, it’s going ten times better than we thought it would. It pains my precinct budget to say so, but if things continue in this manner, it will be worth every penny. Not to mention the countless lives it will save, and already has saved.”
Timothy’s voice emerged from the speaker of Angie’s phone. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about.”
Angie cleared her throat. “You’re on speaker, Timothy.”
“Oh, uh, I mean, I’m glad you are pleased,” he corrected in the most professional voice he could muster.