by A. M. Pierre
“Sure . . .”
Mikaël would never say it, but he was terrified. Sure, he knew how Dice’s programs and gear worked, what buttons to push. But he didn’t have Dice’s speed or creativity or genius with using all of them. He was never going to be Dice, and he was pretty sure they were all expecting him to be. But then again, who else could do it?
“Sure . . . I can do it.”
“Um . . .”
“You don’t have to raise your hand, Gabby, you can just talk.”
“. . . I really want us to get Ms. Smith. She took Dice away, and I want us to get her.”
Gabriela had no idea what she wanted. Justice? Revenge? An eye for an eye? With all the drug-fueled fighting she’d seen growing up, the thought of violence made her physically ill, but she couldn’t deny it felt good somehow, too. Satisfying. That woman deserved it.
Gabriela had never known her parents, but someone had taken them. Someone had taken her Tia Maria, too. Now Dice had been taken, but this time she had a face to put with the crime. She just had to decide what exactly she wanted to do to that face.
She watched the moonlit countryside fly by outside the van window and counted down the minutes until she had to make up her mind.
“But, Gabriela, I do not think you mean you wish to kill her, do you?”
“. . . I don’t know, Ezio.”
“You are a kind person who helps people—who heals them. I do not wish to see your hands stained with violence.”
Ezio stared down at his hands and willed them to stop shaking. He recognized the feelings rampaging through his heart and the thoughts terrorizing his mind. It had been like this before. The last time. Even if he lost it completely after this, even if his mind cracked beyond repair, he had to keep it together until this was finished.
“Ezzie is right, Gabriela. I don’t want you doing that, either. I wish you could stay here and wait for us to get back.”
Alizée looked over at Gabriela in the seat next to her and Ezio in front of her. In truth, she didn’t want either of them coming along. She’d been there the last time a tragedy had driven Ezio over the edge, and she recognized the signs. He was borderline at best. She didn’t know what she could do about it, but she had a feeling storming one of The Company’s little fortresses wasn’t going to help him any.
“So, ‘getting information’ and ‘getting Ms. Smith.’ Does anyone have any other ideas?”
“Yeah, Alley Cat, I sure do. I found something interesting in Dice’s stockpile of tech goodies—a bunch of incendiary devices The Company requested he design for them. I remember he ‘misplaced’ them after he finished since he couldn’t see what good they could do. Well, I’ve thought of something good: I say we burn their base to the ground.”
Wrath bubbled up inside Connor, burning away like acid. It had happened again. Another adult had broken his trust, and in a way far worse than his parents had. Not only had Ms. Smith betrayed him, she had hurt every single solitary person he cared about in the world.
She had to pay. And with every passing mile, they got closer to making her do just that.
“I know you’re not talking about killing anyone, Connor.”
“Depends who it is, love.”
“Don’t even joke about that. What if we, maybe, combined the two goals? The information is really important—that base could have proof of their crimes or maybe records of other people with powers out there. Someone goes in to look for the information, another person places the charges, and, I don’t know, everyone else keeps a lookout. Then, once we have the info and make sure everyone’s out of the building, we destroy it.”
Kaia couldn’t believe they’d gone along with her plan. She thought she’d been rambling. They’d thought it sounded good. She rubbed her pendant with her good hand. At least on this mission, she got to wear it. Even in the dark, she could tell the view outside the window was changing. They must be getting near the outskirts of Lyons. Vladimir’s voice confirmed it.
“We are here. Your turn, Connor. Remember, driving is on right side of road over here.”
* * *
The guard at the front gate probably hadn’t been told to expect anyone. Connor almost felt sorry for him. He rolled down his driver’s side window as the big man approached.
«What are you kids doing here? Awfully late, don’t you think?» the guard asked in French, lightly tapping his nightstick behind his back.
«We’re here on business.»
«Really.» The guard sighed. «Show me your identification.»
Connor effected an offended air. «Don’t you know who I am? I’m the CEO of this company, and you better believe I will see you are terminated for your insubordination.»
«Seriously, kid? You thought something stupid like that would trick me?»
Connor grinned. «Yes. I call it ‘The Easily Distracted Guard Trick.’» The big man didn’t have time to turn before an even bigger man dropped him with a single punch. “Seriously Easily Distracted Guard. Nice shot, Vlad.”
“Is no problem. He will not be staying out for long. I will tie him up.”
“Good. Now, if you would be so kind as to open the front door, sir.”
Vladimir pushed a button on the security guard’s console, and the huge wrought iron gates swung open.
* * *
The building in front of them seemed a bit out of place. Perhaps because it was a five-story office building in an area full of ancient homes. Kaia didn’t dwell on that for too long, though. As they rolled into the courtyard and parked, she just felt relieved she saw enough sandy dirt for her part of the plan.
She turned back to see Connor pull out Dice’s power-amping helmet. But during training, Connor said— “Are you sure you need that?” Kaia asked. “You said it was dangerous.”
“Only if you use it for a long time. Or if you really amp up your powers with it.”
“And you’re using it . . . ?”
He raised one eyebrow with a smirk. “To really amp up my powers, of course.” He latched the helmet into place, stretched out his arms, and bent his head back and forth, popping his neck. “Here goes nothing.” His eyes closed, and the only sound in the van was everyone breathing.
Time clicked by, but Kaia couldn’t tell if it was minutes or hours. Surely he should be done. Why is it taking . . . A rivulet of blood trickled from Connor’s nose. Not again. “Connor!”
He blinked like he was having problems focusing. “Fine, I’m fine, no worries.” He unstrapped the helmet, but his left hand seemed to be fumbling a little with the clasp. “I found forty-three oxygen breathers in the building. Unless they have a lot of people working overtime or they all keep hamsters at their desks, I’m betting that’s mostly security. How’s everyone else doing?”
Alizée had already put on her air filter and bulky, uncomfortable-looking visor. She flicked a switch on the visor’s side, and it started to hum. She patted the massive belt around her hips which was completely encircled with soda cans, like an ammo belt for a sheriff in the old west with an especially massive gun. “I’m ready.”
“So am I.” Ezio was adjusting the last straps on a brace around his wounded leg.
Alizée’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, you’re not.”
“Try and stop me.”
“This wasn’t the plan. There’s other air filters, but there’s only one visor, so the plan is Kaia creates cover and one person goes out. Only one. And that’s me. We all have our roles to play, and this is mine. You are backup.”
“Exactly. Which is why I will be out there backing you up.”
Alizée crossed her arms and let out a small snort. “Stubborn little . . . Connor! Tell him this is not his job.”
Connor looked back and forth between the two of them. “Neither of you is going to let this go, are you?”
“No,” they said in unison.
“Okay.” Connor pursed his lips. “Let’s look at this logically. Ezio’s right that it will be better with two people instead of one—”
“Thank you.”
“But the Alley Cat’s right that ‘no visor’ mean ‘no sight’ means ‘no fight.’”
“Merci.”
Ezio drew himself up to his full height. “I need to do this, Connor. So I will do it.”
Connor let his shoulders drop in defeat. “I guess that’s that, then. Alizée, you’re on point, and Ezio will be your backup.”
Alizée threw them both one last withering glare and exited the van.
Ezio started to follow her, but Connor stopped him for a moment by grabbing his arm. “Just be careful out there, Z.” Connor glanced at the door after Alizée. “For both our sakes.” Ezio nodded and left. Connor turned to Mikaël. “Are you in?”
Mikaël looked up from the computer screens that showed the building’s security systems and gave a thumbs up.
Connor smiled slightly and tapped his earpiece on. “And now, all we need to do is knock.”
* * *
Alizée glared at Ezio as he joined her outside. “You had better know what you’re doing.”
She couldn’t see his mouth for the air filter, but she could see the smile in his eyes. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
She punched him lightly on the arm. “I’m serious. I can’t lose you.”
The smile left. “You won’t.”
A slight beep sounded through their earpieces. Connor’s voice came through loud and clear. “And now, all we need to do is knock.”
Ezio cracked his knuckles. “I believe that is our cue.” He flicked his wrist, and a huge trash skip from a nearby back alley flew across the massive gravel plaza and through the building’s back door. “Hopefully, that will get their attention.” He tilted his head and nodded. “They are coming.”
Alizée frowned. “What are you tracking?”
“Collapsible batons. They are all wearing them. I do not sense any guns.”
“Let’s hope it stays that way.” The floodlights outside the building turned on, and Alizée adjusted her visor. “Kaia?”
“Yes?” The girl sounded nervous.
“Your turn.”
* * *
Kaia took a deep breath. They’re all counting on you. To protect them. Without you, they’re dead meat. She closed her eyes and raised her hands. Here goes nothing.
* * *
Guards poured out of the building like a river and immediately flowed toward Ezio and Alizée. Without even looking, she knew Ezio was pulling away from her to draw their forces into two groups, just like she was pulling away from him. Eight were headed her way, and about the same number moved toward Ezio. “Do it,” she whispered. Her guards were drawing their batons and moving to flank her. If they made it all the way around—
“Do it, Kaia!”
A blinding cloud of dust and gravel exploded from beneath their feet, enveloping all of them in a heartbeat. “Can’t see, can you?” Alizée muttered to herself. “I can.” Dice’s prototype visor filtered out the flying particles like magic. She could see the guards’ precise formation dissolve almost instantly as each man flailed about in his blindness. She could see Ezio on the other side of the plaza as he moved surely toward his first target despite his closed eyes. The faster I finish this, the faster I can help him.
The first guard would be the easiest. She ran softly, like a cat, whipped around behind him, and dropped him with a tranquilizer dart fired at point blank range to the back of his neck. She did a quick visual scan as he fell. It looks like Ezzie was right about the “no guns.” Good.
“Ils sont là-bas!” One of the other guards must’ve heard the body hit the ground. One second. Two. He’s within range. Drop him. Another impact, another cry for help. One disadvantage to my being fast—more sound means they’ll zero in on me pretty quickly. Need a distraction. She pulled a can from her belt. One mental push, and it crashed into the far wall. Several ran towards it. A few kept coming. No problem. Stay low. Sweep the legs of the first one. Dart. A blow to the solar plexus of the next. Dart. Spin kick the baton out of the third’s hands. Dart again. Reload the tranq gun. Sounds like Ezzie’s doing all right, so I should have three guards left.
Time for more distractions.
* * *
Kaia watched the video feed transmitted by Alizée’s visor. “How is she doing that?”
“The Alley Cat’s aluminium,” Connor said. “Vending machines are that girl’s best friend.”
“No, I mean, the spinning and punching and stuff.”
Connor didn’t look away from the monitor. “When she was little she often needed to defend herself, so she learned self-defense.”
* * *
Alizée stopped to catch her breath. That was seven by her count. “That’s it on my side. How are things over there, Ezzie?”
“Same. It was very considerate of them to bring batons for me to steal.”
She smiled in spite of herself. “Wasn’t it, though? I think that’s the first wave gone. I could’ve sworn I had eight guards, though.” Movement caught her eye. “When you speak of the wolf . . .” A single man walked slowly toward her from the far side of the plaza. The image from her visor flickered. Great. The battery must be running low. Stupid untested . . . Alizée frowned. Something about the guard was wrong, but she couldn’t pin it down through the flickering. There, on his head—a hat? No, it’s more like . . . Alizée’s eyes widened. He was walking toward her. Right toward her. “So you have toys, too.” She dropped into a defensive stance. “Let’s play.”
* * *
Something about the guard was wrong. Ezio could hear his steps, but he couldn’t sense any weapons on him, only a helmet . . . that was incredibly similar to Alizée’s. That can’t be. But if it was, this could go wrong very quickly. I need to get over there.
Ezio heard something snap—like a container popping open—and in a flash a familiar iron-filled shape appeared in the guard’s hand. No—
Ezio lunged for it with his mind, but the guard’s finger was already pulling the trigger.
* * *
In the second it took the guard to remove his gun from its lead case, Alizée threw herself to one side, but it was too late. The flash of light was first. The sound followed.
The pain came last.
* * *
“NO!” Ezio finally got a mental grip on the gun and wrenched it from the guard’s grasp, ignoring the man’s cry of pain. “Kaia! Get this cloud out of here!” The dust cleared as if it had never been there. Ezio opened his eyes to see the guard staring defiantly at him without a hint of fear. Oh, we can change that. Ezio emptied the weapon with the twirl of a finger and sent the bullets burrowing deep into the earth. He walked up to the man, slowly, deliberately, letting the gun hover in front of him. Ezio nodded to the guard. “Go ahead. Take it.” He smiled, a wolf’s smile. “I dare you.”
The first hint of uncertainty showed in the older man’s eyes. He reached a hand out toward the gun but stopped an inch shy of it. He tentatively stuck out his index finger to touch it . . . then yelped and yanked it back.
“Too late.” The gun turned blue, then red and orange before it finally melted into slag. Ezio cooled it back down as quickly as he had heated it up, leaving a misshapen metal disc in the dirt. “Mikaël! Gabriela! The area’s been secured for the moment. Get out here and get Ali in the van now!”
Ezio let the batons he’d been using fall to the ground as two lengths of wrought iron tore away from the main gate with a shriek and flew into his hands. Why did Dice only make one of those stupid visors? If we had more, I would’ve been able to—
Ezio tried not to watch his friends drag Ali’s limp body away. He kept his eyes on the man wearing a visor very similar to Ali’s and on the do
zen or so reinforcements, all carrying guns, who were pouring out of the building. “Connor, Kaia, Vladimir,” Ezio said over his com. “Get ready. I’m going to make you a path.”
He held up the two heavy shafts of metal, each about six feet long, and took a deep breath to focus his thoughts. His fingers uncurled, but the shafts stayed where they were—hovering a centimeter or so from his palms. They began to spin, rotating in a circle like they were pinned through the middle into his hands.
Ezio strode toward the guards as the spinning picked up speed. “Normally, I’d simply tear those weapons from your grimy little fingers. Unfortunately for you, right now I’m not feeling quite so kind.”
Kaia tried not to focus on Alizée. Gabriela would take care of her. Right now, the focus was running. Kaia ran for the front doors as fast as her legs would take her. Connor had pulled ahead of her (stupid long legs). The gunfire deafened her, but no bullets hit. She didn’t know exactly what he was doing, but Ezio was protecting them. She wished she knew how, but she couldn’t look, couldn’t waste that precious second. She was at the steps. Just a few more feet. Just a few more.
Another wave of guards burst through the double doors. Kaia stopped so fast she could’ve sworn she skidded. She hadn’t even begun to think of her next move when Mikaël’s voice shouted in her ear. “Close your eyes!”
“What?” Actually, all she managed was “Wha?” before a massive weight slammed her to the ground and a hand slapped down on her face. Even with her eyes forcibly covered, she could see the brilliant flash of light that followed.
She was still reeling from being tackled when strong hands hauled her to her feet and dragged her forward. “Come on!” Connor yelled.
She stumbled across the threshold into what looked like a normal, empty office lobby, and Connor slammed the bolts shut in the doors behind her. He grabbed a couple of chairs from the reception area, which he shoved under the door handles. Then he went back and started pushing on a couch. “Help me move this settee over there. It may slow them down a little if they get bored of fighting Ezio and decide to follow us.”