"Hello, sir. This is Lieutenant Wats." Wats's voice had a tinge of defiance.
"What's going on in there?"
"I wanted to remind you and the company of how valuable we are."
"I don't follow."
"I've sent a few photos to Central just now. Why don't you have a look at them?"
A pause for a moment, then gasps echoed on the phone call.
"What is the meaning of this, Lieutenant?"
"Showing how overvalued some people are and how unfairly treated we were. We worked so hard for you over the years, doing jobs that protected company interests and proved to be a boon to the company, only to be overshadowed and leapfrogged by people less deserving. Planet Davos was our breaking point."
"If I recall, the Admiral gave you strict orders to observe and monitor only. The court-martial found you guilty of violating that order and interfering with a state affair."
"As did Ebony, when she violated my order to stay away. But she ended up with only a fine, and later, a promotion. For my effort, my rank was reduced. I might have lived with that if all of my officers didn't receive interplanetary-level reprimands for supporting their CO."
Neeks sighed. "Wats, all I can do is kick this up the ladder and hope for the best. But you know with what you're doing right now, I have to order you and your squad to stand down and surrender immediately."
"We won't. Instead, you're going to listen and pass this on. If the company values Ebony, these recruits, and all the people in this building, then they will pay a fair price for their safety. What is more important? Their people, or their money?"
"How much?"
"Thirty million credits."
"Okay Wats, standby."
"No deal," interjected Fiametta.
"No deal?" said Wats.
"This is Pamela Fiametta, Chief Financial Officer and the Executive in Charge. I think we've been fair and patient enough with you. All court-martials are done in accordance with the United Security Space Association's disciplinary processes in the presence of neutral parties. So as far as I'm concerned, you screwed up and got what you deserved."
Chloe's mouth hung at her words.
Wats snorted. "Make that seventy-five million. Do it, Zurach."
They heard a click. An explosion rocked the area. Chloe jumped and stumbled out onto the street as a corner of the top floor blew out and collapsed. Rubble slid down its side and slammed down on the ground while a plume of smoke rose up into the air.
"What did you do?" shouted Neeks.
"Detonated a bunch of grenades. Standard issue. There's more of them inside the building. We also took a pair of electromagnetic disruptor discs and an electromagnetic phase rifle, field tested and ready to do more damage to Ebony and the others."
"You had a good record here, Wats, and probably would have been back to lieutenant-commander within three months."
"News of how we were blamed for that incident on Davos ruined my crew's reputation. We were used as scapegoats in a diplomatic cover-up."
"Spare me your excuses," Fiametta's voice seeped with discontent. "With GVU, you had a great life, full benefits, and you pay us back with this? I will see that your souls rot and—"
Fiametta's voice vanished.
"I've taken the liberty of muting Ms. Fiametta," said Central.
"The company has one hour to make up its mind. Goodbye, sir. For what it's worth, it was an honor to work with you while it was good." Click.
"Unmute," ordered Neeks.
"Why did you mute me, Central?" said Fiametta. "I am going to report this to the Admiral when he returns."
"Ms. Ruths, do we have any speedsters in the scouting group?"
"Two of them, sir. But I don't think they're fast enough. If those bombs detonate near them, they won't escape the blast in time," said Ruths. "But our hard hitter can take it if it came to weathering a blast."
"Still, most, if not all in Wats' group also have standard issue weaponry at their disposal: ray pistols particularly," said Neeks. “Do we know which employees are there? Their power levels? Their durability—"
"I am the executive in charge here and I demand accountability," Fiametta snapped.
While they talked among themselves, Chloe remained on the street, looking at the collapsed corner of the building on the top floor. Had Melinda been at her side seeing a spectacle like that, she would have said: "it's time to suit up Ms. Money." She recalled during one of their business assignments, they had to suit up for real while Chloe was withdrawing money to pay for the hero license. It was a scene Melinda used to show her in the comic books she collected, the common robbers who tried to rob a bank.
Ms. Dealbreaker would take down a couple of the robbers from off the wall while Ms. Money used her giant body as a shield to protect the hostages from flying bullets and pounded on the remaining robbers. After being praised and cheered by the crowds, a licensed hero arrived soon after and gave The Market Maidens a ticket, fined for "being a hero" without a license, but it could have been worse. Chloe laughed at that and looked up, expecting Melinda to be next to her, but reality showed her the truth. Melinda was not there. She put herself in danger after keeping that security officer from finding Chloe. If it wasn't for Melinda's sacrifice, Chloe might be dead right now.
As she turned around and looked down the road, there was nothing that prevented her from going back into the safety of the main building. Chloe frowned, and her eyes watered.
If Melinda didn't make it...
"Enough of this!" snapped Fiametta. "You all obviously have no plan other than to give them what they want." Her voice brought Chloe's attention back to the conversation.
"Ms. Fiametta, this is the only time we've been in this situation," said Ruths. "Seventy-five million isn't that much."
"Managing money, specifically your salary is not your job, Commander," said Fiametta. "We will not negotiate with terrorists. I don't want people to get any ideas that GVU is a money target. What about the next time someone decided to jerk us around with this? And the next? And the next? Don't you have more than enough people with powers to take them down?"
"Ms. Fiametta, our primary goal is to rescue people," said Neeks. "The best way to accomplish this is to pay the ransom and secure their release along with our real estate."
"Forget it. Let the free markets decide."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Whatever happens, if they're durable, capable, and have the will to live, they'll live. If not, we have insurance, PR, and legal to deal with this. This wasn't our fault, and we did our best to fulfill their demands, so we should be fine."
Chloe imagined Melinda's dead body being pulled out from the collapsed building, then her husband and four kids grieving over the loss of their wife and mother. Her friend's love and presence would be missed, as well as her annoying superhero obsession, especially that unrelenting smile while in her super suit. Melinda had no special abilities like Chloe did. No, that wasn't quite right. Melinda's special ability was being Lin. The things Melinda did for her family, her friends, for Chloe, that's what made her who she was. Most of all, when Chloe was in trouble with her career, Melinda saved her without asking anything in return, because that's what she wanted. When Chloe couldn't move, Melinda put herself on the line for her because she wanted to.
"I am going to have a hell of a time trying to explain to over one-hundred and fifty families why their loved ones didn't make it back home tonight." Captain Neeks' voice hardened.
"That is your problem, Captain," said Fiametta. "Now, go and do your job."
"No!" Chloe shouted.
"No?" Fiametta's voice rose. "Who said that?"
Chloe gulped for a moment and took a couple breaths to steel herself. "I did."
"Ms. Ceres?" Captain Neeks' voice perked up.
"Oh, that's right, you're the new person Hilda hired for Macmor," said Fiametta.
"I don't report to you," said Chloe.
"No. So, what will you do then? Pay out the ransom? I know you
don't have the budget and I refuse to give you that money."
"I'll do my job and save my friend and teammate. I'll save everyone without your help."
"That's big talk. You're willing to bet your life on it? What are you, some kind of superhero?"
Chloe thought about it and about the type of professional she had to be to succeed in the business, as well as the type of person she had to be to rescue Melinda and the others. A different warmth filled her that resonated with what she had to do. She took a good look at the bright sun, which had continued to fuel her since the morning. She nodded at it. "Yes, I am," she answered. "I am Ms. Money of the Market Maidens."
Fiametta snorted and broke out laughing.
"Ha ha ha, Ms. Money? Oh, that is so hilarious." Fiametta cleared her throat. "Listen, I've been in this business far longer than you, your parents, your grandparents, and your great-grandparents. In the end, it always comes down to one thing: mon-ney, okay, Ms. Money? I know more about money than you."
"I don't know about that. But there is something you don't know," said Chloe. "You don't know the value of people. You're completely incompetent at that."
"What did you say to me? You have no idea of—" Click.
"I'm so sorry, Captain. My finger slipped, and I accidentally hung up on her," said Central with a snort.
"Ensign, I ought to write you up for your misconduct in button pushing," said Neeks.
"Too bad you're always too busy for, in your words: needless politics, to do that, sir," said Ruths.
"That is true, Commander. Ms. Ceres, that was brave of you to do,” said Neeks “But, the reality is, we have about forty minutes left before they act. The only option I have is to send in people and resolve by brute force. I'm open to any suggestions you might have."
Chloe paused to think. There were bombs, lasers, high-powered security, people in need, inside a poorly maintained building.
"Captain, do we have any intel on what's going on inside the building?" she asked.
"We have very few cameras in Building 770 since we don't store anything of high value, well, obviously other than our people."
"The scouting team led by Commander Gramm has two speedsters, one high-durable/high-strength, with the rest mainly in stealth and ranged combat,” said Ruths “Wats' team has a good mix of people but depends mainly on its strong sensors, officers with higher-level senses. They will pick up on our people if they get near enough and form countermeasures before they arrive," said Ruths.
Chloe paused for a moment, and a thought sparked. "I think we have an advantage. We have someone who is an even faster speedster on my team, and he's an expert at gathering intelligence."
"You do? Who?" said Neeks.
"Adam? Are you still on the line?"
A pause.
"Adam?" repeated Chloe.
"I didn't know I was on your team," said Adam sheepishly.
"It's like Melinda said, you're with us now," said Chloe. "I need your help."
"But what can I do? I never trained for any of this," he stammered.
"Adam, you know how electronics work inside and out. So, you have to know how circuits work, plus you're lightning fast, literally. Haven't you ever wanted to hack tech for once?"
Adam chuckled grimly. "It's going to be weird to do that instead of fixing things. But what if I'm caught?"
"Run and zap yourself out. Just do your best. No one is faster than you and I will be there, too. Central, can you tell me more about the scouting unit that's out there, details about their abilities and skills? I also want to know the recruits' skills and abilities too."
"That will take too much time," Ruths interjected. "Central, send Ms. Ceres their summary profiles through corporate email."
"Yes, sir," said Central.
"What else? What else?" Chloe paced with one hand on her spiked eyebrow. "A disguise, yes, I need a disguise. Some uniform or something that can fit over these clothes that makes me look like I do deliveries, plus a money bag and a lot of donuts."
“What size for the uniform?”
Chloe stopped pacing and bit her lip. “I don't know what sizes you have.”
“Don't worry, Ms. Ceres, if you take a picture of yourself with your phone, we can figure that out and then I'll dispatch everything to be delivered to your location."
"Thanks, Central."
"If I may ask, Ms. Ceres,” said Neeks. "What do you intend on doing with all those donuts?"
"You'll see. One way or another, the ransom will be paid, and it will be Ms. Money who will deliver it."
Chapter 8
Adam hovered close to Chloe as she explained her plan, this time to the scout team. His stomach twisted and turned as he fought the urge to back away. He kept his focus on Chloe, who stayed still like a statue. When his gaze lowered to her feet, he could make out tiny cracks on the ground under her heels as they shifted.
"The main objective is to distract the group and keep them busy while getting the hostages out and away from the area as quickly as we can," said Chloe.
Adam looked up. His gaze met Chloe's who nodded at him. Adam nodded back; there was no backing out now.
“We'll need to get the surrounding areas evacuated as well.”
"Affirmative. Abbey and Keana will see to getting the extractions started and we'll call in reinforcements to assist," said Commander Gramm. He, like most Gotefalk, had horns and brown eyes with rectangular slit pupils. His black coat blended with the black security bodysuits his officers wore, although Adam had no idea how that would help them during the daytime. It was more cliché than practical.
"I've sent emergency orders to the fire wardens in the other buildings to coordinate evacuations,” said Gramm. “They'll be supported by additional security units that are en route.”
Gramm turned to the muscle of the group, a young, tall Arijog man who stood up on his claws with his tail resting on the concrete surface. He sported grey scales that ran up his legs; his four-fingered hands and thick forearms blended into a skin-like texture on his torso and face. Adam hovered a little farther back. Even though the Arijog's face resembled other pointy eared races, his slitted brown eyes, sharp teeth, four horns, and the smoke billowing from his nose made Adam wary, reminding him of another fiery Arijog he’d dealt with before.
“Ensign Rhan will be stationed about a hundred meters behind Building 770. His position will be the bomb drop off point," said Gramm. "He will also be our ba-aa-ckup in case things get too hairy and we need more toughness."
"Hope nobody gets hazard pay, sir," said Rhan.
"You and me both, Ensign. Remember, do not mix bombs with hostages. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir, " his group said.
"Commander, Captain Neeks said Wats' team had an edge in communication, right?" asked Chloe.
"Affirm. Lieutenant Felina Gatti, Cadet Merisa, and Ensign Zava are his sensors. They'd—”
“Did you say Felina Gatti, Commander?”
“I did. Is there something wrong?”
“Melinda told me they were friends before.”
Commander Gramm shook his head. “It doesn't matter, she's the enemy now.”
Chloe sighed.
“As I was saying, they'd be the first to pick up on something and then relay it to the others. Gatti is his second-in-command and ba-aa-cks up any blind spots."
"That's really good. Um... bad for us. But it's weird that they don't have any speedsters."
"They try to make up for it with smoke screens and distractions," said Lieutenant Keana, a tall, grey and white furred Bunnin with a runner's build. She reached up to her long, pointy ears on top and tied them back. "All they'd need is to have one of their sensors guide them through an escape route." She stood on one large paw and stretched a leg up high. "It's still no substitute for quickness."
"Did you manage to eat enough for the mission this time?" said Lieutenant Abbey. Unlike Keana, Abbey was slim and average height for an elf, with brown hair to her mid-back and brown eyes.
"Affirmed on that," said Keana, who stretched her other leg. "Ready to race?"
The elf held out her hands and performed a song in a soft voice. When she was done, glowing rune circles appeared on her hands. She placed her hands on her slender legs compared to the more muscular legs of her furred colleague. A white glow spread through her body before dissipating.
"Affirmative. Speed and strength enhancements, rank three activated. You deserve a head start since you're doing sensor point duty today."
Keana grinned. "Ha ha, what a joker."
"Mr. Lyndon." Gramm turned toward Adam, and everyone else did the same.
"Yes, sir?" Was Adam supposed to be a recruit?
"Do you understand what you'll be doing?"
Adam paused as he scanned the group, eyes widening. People who actually paid attention to him surrounded him. They waited on him instead of telling him what he needed to do.
"Adam?" said Chloe.
Adam nodded. "I'll use the electrical system to travel and scout ahead for the locations of the bombs, guards, and hostages, then will report back as soon as I can."
"Correct," said Gramm. "There's still the matter of getting that information to us."
"The electrical room maybe?" said Chloe. "They won't know to look there again. If it's a small group, they should be a bit stretched having to guard so many people. Maybe use a hard connection?"
Adam frowned. "I don't have a device with a connection that fits."
"Then, maybe find a computer somewhere?"
"Keep it simple," said Gramm. "If all else fails, get back here and report directly to me." Gramm leaned in close. "Is that understood, Mr. Lyndon?"
"Yes. Yes, sir," said Adam, pursing his lips, flapping his wings harder and saluting. He really wasn't built for this.
"Good, Ms. Ceres…, pardon me. Ms. Money?"
"Ms. Money is fine, Commander," said Chloe. "I actually should have asked you this earlier, it's been a while, but, on behalf of the Market Maidens and the Heroes of Verity, do we have your permission to join your rescue mission?"
Gramm smiled. "Permission granted. I see you are well versed in protocol. Much appreciate it as opposed to mavericks who jump in before they know what they're doing."
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