by Grover Young
“These are our key, or perhaps heart stones is a better word.” Lapis felt much better facing this man, clothed as well as more confident. “The ones I've taken out belong to those of us who have awakened since that Bastard died. The others however, are still following their last instructions and are defending his dead body. Four have already been destroyed, their stones turning to dust. That leaves eleven powerful resources that only you, because you're still flesh and blood, can bind those stones.”
“No,” She sighed, watching another one disintegrate into dust, “and then there were ten.”
The cheerleader started to say something.
“No,” Lapis cut her off, “I trust that Grey Wolf, after this is over, will do the right thing. He kept his word and more. You, we don't know.”
“He saved us,” Ebony nodded, “I don't know if this is the right thing or not, but you better make up your mind fast. Here they come.”
“Crap!” The man cursed, very unhappy about having to make this choice, “Okay, what do I do?”
“Prick your finger enough so you bleed, and leave some blood on each one,” Lapis directed, looking at the first demons running towards them. Did the freaking things have any other speed other than an all out run, she wondered.
He glared at her his distaste at this plain to see. Making a shallow cut on his thumb, he pressed it on the first stone in the case she held.
“Ouch!” He jerked his hand away, “You didn't say the damned thing would shock me!”
“That's the magic binding the stone to you,” Lapis held up the box for him to continue. “Quick, do the others!”
He gave her the 'stink' eye, but quickly mashed his thumb onto the other stones before dancing back, shaking his hand from the pain.
“Ow, ow, ow!” He managed to hold his hand still as Kobab appeared out of nowhere to put a bandage on his cut.
Then in a blur she was gone again.
“Now can we get out of here?” He was watching the lead line of demon-bird things go down in a messy crash which explained where the speedster had gone. Even with those short wings and tails to balance themselves, a good push could still over balance them when running. Some of the others behind them did go down with them in the collision, but most just bounded over the top of the fallen and kept going.
“No,” Touch this one and say, 'Ruby, bring all your sisters to me'. She directed, pointing out the right stone.
“Now touch as many of the others as you can and say, ‘Go with Ruby’.” Lapis instructed.
“I have big hands,” He spread the aforementioned appendages over the nine stones and followed her instructions again, “I really don't like this, but can we go now?”
Emerald, standing some distance away, raised an arm. Seemingly, a bolt of lightning struck her from that black thunderhead over that Gate, but bounced off of her into the incoming wave of teeth and talons.
Dozens of the tightly packed bodies went down, but the horde barely slowed.
“Yes,” She closed the box after putting hers and the other awakened stones back inside. It was useful to be so quick, “Where is your transportation?”
“This way,” He replied, taking off running.
“Hey!” The cheerleader protested as Ebony picked her up again.
“Don't worry,” The polished wooden woman smiled, “I don't bite.”
“I don't like being treated like baggage,” she pouted.
“Would you prefer to take your chances on foot? Ebony asked, with raised brows, “I think those demons move considerably faster than you can run.”
“No,” The Cheerleader huffed, “this is fine.”
“Couldn't we have left that 'business' for later?” Grey Wolf asked, unhappy about it all.
“No,” Lapis replied, “almost a third were destroyed to no purpose. It needed to be done before any more were lost.”
“And,” Ebony butted in, “you're a hero. Sure as death and taxes you would've come up with some morally logical reason for not indulging in necromancy.”
“Necromancy!” He almost fell as he tried to stop from a dead run.
“Yeah sure,” the black automata grinned at his shock, “you know blood binding spirits trapped in nefarious devices. However, I can sugarcoat it if you want.”
“There's a bright side to this?” he asked, as they ran past Miskatonic University.
“Oh sure there is,” she cheerfully continued, “None of us have a clue of what happened to those souls whose stones were destroyed. Given what we've seen of this summoning, it's possible they were devoured by those demon-birds or whatever they are. You might've saved the mortal remains of those you bound. If you've truly earned the trust Lapis Lazuli has in you, then later under the proper conditions, you'll release them.”
“Okay,” he admitted, “that does make me feel a little better about this.”
Lapis, flying above them, saw the trouble first. Swarming around the corner of Main Street, the wave of demon things filled Garrison Street.
“Watch out!” She warned, “They got ahead of us and are heading right at us down Garrison Street.”
“Crap!” Grey cursed, “My van is off of College on the other side of the University. It has communications gear that should let us get the word out. I notified the Mystics Guild, as well as the Bureau, that something was up, but so far no one has responded.”
“That's the government for you,” Ebony gaily remarked, “Never there when you need them and all underfoot when you most definitely don't want them around.”
“We can cut across the campus.” Grey curved his path towards that way.
“If they have already got as far as Main Street and Garrison, then the odds are good they've already cut across to College Street as well. We'll be surrounded and pinned in the University. I might be able to fly everyone out in time, but then again I might not.”
“Can you fly me to my van while the rest make a run for it?” He asked.
“I think with Kobab and Emerald to cover us we can fight our way clear,” Ebony answered for her, “Levana's hand to hand skills aren't going to do us a lot of good.”
“However, if she'll carry the Cheerleader here, that'll free me to fight.” She looked at the white, metallic martial artist in question.
“I have no problem with that,” Levana answered, “This isn't my kind of fight, but I can easily carry her and keep up with any of you. Well, except for Kobab!” she added, smiling.
“You called?” The quicksilver speedster appeared next to her, with Emerald riding piggyback.
“Yes,” Lapis explained, “we're being surrounded by these bird-demon things, but we need Grey Wolf's van to let someone know about this. As a group, you should be able to get clear while we get his van.”
“You know, splitting the group is always a bad idea.” Claire spoke just before Ebony tossed her to Levana.
“And I'm not a football either!” The Cheerleader squealed, objecting as she flew through the air.
Still holding the case, Lapis Lazuli held out a golden hand for him. Grasping hers with both of his in as secure a grip as he could, Grey gave her a nod that he was ready.
His feet left the ground, but rather surprised, he didn't feel as if he was holding his whole weight.
“Don't worry,” she said, with a smile as they climbed above the abandoned university grounds, “my flight field is taking care of a part of your weight and mass.”
“Well, that's handy.” He tried to downplay his and his wolf's uncomfortableness about dangling over thirty feet up and still climbing so they could make it over the top of the university's tall spires.
“There, on the other side of College Street, behind that maintenance shed,” he directed, trying not to think too much about the velociraptor demons screaming down the street below them.
“I see it through the trees,” she said, “They haven't reached it yet, but it’s going to be tight.”
“Worse,” Grey replied, grimly, “they've slowed. Somehow they're in c
ommunications and are coordinating with each other. I don't think they have spotted us yet, but I could be wrong.”
“No choice,” she replied, “just have your keys ready. I'll cover you.”
“I'm ahead of you,” Grey dared to let go with one hand, reaching for his key-less remote. “I can unlock and start the van with this. You can drop me on top of my van. There's a roof hatch.”
“All the options, huh?” She flew in an arc, trying to get as close as she could before being seen.
It was damned obvious when it happened. Every one of those demons' heads turned and locked on them like missiles.
Clicking the buttons to unlock and start the van, Grey landed with a thump on its roof. Pushing the hatch open, he flipped himself inside. This wasn't the first time he had to make a hurried getaway. With a spray of gravel and snow he roared out onto the street.
With a screech, one of the invaders found out that there was a good reason why he named his van the 'war wagon'. The reinforced frame and bumper didn't show a scratch as the demon bounced off, rolling into the street.
In the rear-view, he saw one get close enough to swing onto the back, but a second later was thrown off, left to tumble to a stop in the road. Its mates swarmed in pursuit.
“Emergency dial,” Grey commanded his on-board systems, “Bureau of Superhuman Security.”
Lapis Lazuli's head appeared upside down in the roof hatch.
“The boarder has been dealt with,” she reported with a smile.
“This is the Bureau of Superhuman Security emergency response line,” A recorded voice informed them, “what is the nature of your crisis?”
“This is Grey Wolf,” he said aloud, taking the turn as fast as he dared, the tires squealing. “I have a Code Grover's Mill. I say again, I have a Code Grover's Mill. Beachhead is on Hangman's Hill, Arkham Massachusetts. It's a supernatural invasion from a summoning by the Golem Master. He's dead and several of the golems freed from his control are assisting me and a civilian I rescued in our escape.
“Impossible to estimate numbers of man-sized velociraptor-like creatures, seen armed only with natural weapons so far.” He took another turn, running down a pack of demons that didn't get out of the way fast enough.
“They should not be underestimated.” He hoped he was getting all the facts across, “Five of the golems have so far been destroyed by the demons in extremely well coordinated attacks. Suspect they have some unknown method of communications able to cover at least several blocks.”
His passenger's sapphire haired head disappeared and the thumps on the roof said she was busy with unwanted guests again. A loud ripping sound tore through the van as a talon cut a long slash in a side panel.
“Be aware their claws can penetrate armored car class armor,” he continued as he sideswiped an abandoned old Ford so closely that the side mirror snapped along with the bird thing trying to use its can opener claws on his war wagon.
Up ahead, he saw an enormous projected hand, made of darkness pick up an old Caddy and sling it at another group of demons attacking from a side street. That had to be Ebony and the rest of their group.
“I'm gonna slow for them!” he yelled up at Lapis Lazuli.
Emerald loosed another of her redirected lightning bolts, downing another file of the demons, but the mob just kept coming. Kobab was a constant blur, but she too only slowed them up only slightly. That was, however, enough for Levana with Claire to jump inside the van.
The speedster then helped Ebony in while Lapis Lazuli flew Emerald in, landing back on the roof.
“Hold on!” Grey warned.
Smoking the tires, he accelerated hard. It was gratifying to see the damn things recede in the bent mirror that he'd mostly wrestled back into position. Even more relieving was the tumbling forms of the demons that the girls, riding on top, evicted with great prejudice.
“We're heading south down Highway 13 towards Dunwich,” Grey made another report.
“This is the Bureau, Agent White speaking,” He finally got a live person, “What is your situation?”
He repeated his report.
“I hope you guys got some major guns on the way, because you're going to need them. However, like I said, the golems once under the control of the Golem Master are cooperating and helping me. They're friendlies, got me?”
“Acknowledged,” was the curt reply.
“I don't think they like us,” Lapis Lazuli remarked, having listened to the whole thing from the overhead hatch.
“Nah!” Ebony laughed, “Really? Just because we kicked all of their asses for the last thirty years while we were that asshole's slaves? You'd think they held a grudge or something.”
“I surmise that all of us are going to have a very difficult time,” Levana added, “We all stand out and our history will work against us.”
“Forget what the law says,” running effortlessly beside them, although they were pushing over 90 mph, Kobab agreed, “We're guilty until proven otherwise, and that's going to be impossible.”
“We did do all those things,” Lapis Lazuli sighed, “I wish to Gawd that I didn't remember those parts. Being older, I've done more of those 'things' than most of you and the others, too.”
“Just how did he catch you all anyway?” Grey asked, “When all was said and done he was just a normal.”
“Just a normal,” Ebony laughed, “He was the most dangerous person possible for a super. He was a researcher. Probably took him less than an afternoon for each of us to figure out who we were and where we lived.”
“If that,” Lapis Lazuli snorted, “My memories are still a mess, but I think he drugged the milk I usually had every night before going to bed. That's how he got most of us, by learning our daily routines and finding our weaknesses.”
“My celebration beer for my last heist was mine,” Kobab sighed, “I was so fast I used to snatch the bank bags right out of the armored car guards' hands as they loaded. Downright embarrassing how easily he got me.”
“Towards the end,” Lapis Lazuli recounted, sorrowfully, “when he couldn't find something quickly, he would send us to kidnap his victim. It was another sign, I think, like keeping us naked, that his madness had grown so great he wasn't really human anymore.”
“Not to interrupt your pity party,” Ebony cut in, “but Ruby and her barrel of monkeys have arrived.”
“Barrel of Monkeys?” Grey muttered, wondering, 'What now'.
“Yeah,” Lapis Lazuli explained, “Ruby's power is magnetism, so she could only lift and carry those automatons that are affected by it. However, that is why I had you order the others to go with her, so they would hitch rides.”
“From my count, we didn't lose any more, but we've got to get a picture of this,” Ebony giggled, “and please don't tell me I just giggled. This girl thing is bad enough as is. None of the guys in my old gang will ever let me live this down.”
Using the remote surveillance camera in the dome on the war wagon's roof, he finally saw the whole picture.
Ruby, of course, had hair of jeweled ruby strands, while its body was a shiny black, probably magnetite from what he knew of the Golem Master's methods. She floated above and behind his van, but was gaining fast. Along with her floated six others, but it was the other four that grabbed his attention. They hung from the others just like the plastic monkeys used to in that old kid's game. Like the golden woman had said, those were non metallic, or at least one looked like a woman shaped diamond.
As haphazard as that appeared, none looked to be in danger of falling. That was an advantage of being a golem he guessed. You don't have muscles to get tired. On the other hand, these others really bought into focus how Lapis Lazuli and the others who kept themselves sane somehow were alive, and these others weren't.
Levana, for instance breathed, blinked and except for being made of something that supposedly was inert, lived. Ruby, however, was as still as a statue. No flaring nostrils as she inhaled or any sign at all that she wasn't a solid construction
of black mineral. There was just nothing.
“Quick!” Lapis Lazuli urged, “tell Ruby to hang back behind and above a hundred feet.”
“Ruby,” He yelled out of the window, “stay behind us at a hundred up.”
“Will that do?” he asked. There was no way he was going to use the word 'hanging'.
“Oh, it will,” she answered her head reappearing in the hatch as Ebony chuckled.
Even Levana smiled, but Claire grimaced.
“You're going to let her get away with that pun?” The cheerleader asked.
“It's best not to encourage her,” Kobab smiled, too, “We have no idea where it might lead.”
“What about to a roadblock?” Claire pointed as they roared passed an old weathered sign displaying Dunwich, Mass, five miles.
Since he had the sensors already active, he rotated the camera around to the front. The magnification revealed a pair of Essex County deputy cruisers blocking the road. But the kicker was the Massachusetts Army National Guard M-113 tracked armored vehicle nestled between them. The thing was armed with a Ma Duce .50 caliber machine gun and would turn even the war wagon into so much Swiss cheese.
There were about a half dozen or so troops and deputies with an assortment of shotguns and assault rifles using the hood and trunks of the cars to brace their weapons.
“Aww Hell,” he cursed as he slowed the van pointing the camera back behind them.
There was a dark line of trouble coming fast on their heels. The range finder estimated the demons' speed at about 30 mph and there were untold numbers of them. It didn't take a genius to see that roadblock wouldn't hold for a single damn second.
“Connect Essex County Sheriff’s department frequency,” he commanded his system. “Deputies blocking Highway 13, I'm Gray Wolf in the van coming from Arkham. Be warned that the bogies fast on our heels are unfriendly and will overwhelm your position. Acknowledge please,” Grey tried to be diplomatic.
“You're not authorized to be on this frequency,” The officious droll voice on the other end replied. You're to come no closer or we will open fire. You understand me? Acknowledge please?” was added sarcastically.