by M. R. Anglin
“I’m not going to let them rot in chains!” Nicole continued, stomping her foot on the earth.
“They’re safe. Beatrix won’t hurt them.” Bee let her eyes drop to the floor. She looked so realistic, it made Stephanie a little uncomfortable. “She captured them to force you to into action,” Bee went on. “She wants to get her hands on you, Nicole.”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t she snatch Nicole instead of kidnapping all the rest of them?” Junior Justice said.
“She tried. I stopped her,” Bee said.
Stephanie whirled on Bee, snarling all her fury at her. “Then why didn’t you stop her from taking Brody?”
“My prime directive is to protect Nicole. I used all my processing power to stop Beatrix. I’m not programmed to use so much power for anyone else—self-preservation, you know.” Bee averted her eyes. “I’m fixing a lot of errors because of what I did.”
“Why does she want me?” Nicole raised her hand. “Does she want my power?”
“In a sense.” Bee heaved a sigh. “Beatrix and I are two halves of the same system. She can’t properly function without me.”
Junior Justice eyed Bee. “So she needs you?”
“She needs Nicole. We both do. Nicole is my primary user, and I can only access the programs Beatrix wants with Nicole’s permission. Beatrix, too, can only access certain programs with her primary user’s permission. Since Beatrix lacks her primary user, she can access her programs through me if Nicole gives her permission.”
“Because of Mom?”
Bee nodded. “Beatrix isn’t a rogue program. She lacks her human user. After Jess lost her power and escaped from ASH, Beatrix revoked their permissions. She didn’t have Jess to be her conscience anymore. She’s executing her programming without understanding the consequences. I think it’s why Jess made protecting Nicole is my primary directive. There are so many options flying through my processors which would achieve our goals quickly, but I reject them because they would harm Nicole. Beatrix doesn’t have such a limitation. She needs you, Nicole, but I will not put you in harm’s way.”
“Bee, I understand.” Nicole took Bee’s hands in hers. “Thank you for caring about me, but true Heroes always come to the rescue. I won’t let Dad, Starlight, and Brody suffer.” She let go of Bee’s hands to address Stephanie and Junior Justice. “I understand if you two don’t want to join me, but I’m going to rescue them . . . as soon as I figure out there they are.”
“I’m right beside you, Nicole.” Stephanie slapped her back. “It’s my brother too.”
“I can’t let you guys do this alone.” Junior Justice said. “I’m in.”
Bee studied Nicole’s face. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes.” Nicole nodded.
“Then I’m with you to the end.” Bee floated beside her.
“Then let’s go, and put on your costume, Refraction.” Junior Justice tapped his gauntlet. “According to these readouts, we’re close to an exit. When we’re above ground, we can take the Justice Mobile. I’m calling it to the exit’s location now. This way.” He took off walking.
“What about asking me to put on my costume?” Finch pulled her mask and wig out of her pocket.
“What do I care about you?” Junior Justice said over his shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re helping, JJ, but we don’t know where to go once we get above ground.” Nicole activated her costume and fell in step beside him.
“We’ll go to the Justice Cave.” Junior Justice kept his eyes on the ceiling. “Captain Justice is sure to help us. Word of warning, though, depending on what you see he might require a memory wipe when we’re done. So try not to look around too much.”
“Captain Justice?” Nicole grinned, her fists clenching with excitement. “With him on our side, we can’t lose.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes. To her, he was another Hero. “Won’t Beatrix steal his power too?”
“It won’t be a problem.” Junior Justice veered off course to an iron ladder set into the side of the tunnel. It led to a closed hatch. The exit.
“Why?” Stephanie watched Junior Justice climb.
“Because . . .” Junior Justice paused to turn the wheel and heave the door open. He disappeared for a moment before he returned, reaching down to help them up. “Captain Justice doesn’t have any powers.”
“Captain Justice has no powers?” Nicole climbed the ladder, allowing Junior Justice to haul her through the hatch.
“He lost them a long time ago.” Junior Justice reappeared to help Stephanie.
“What are you talking about?” Stephanie climbed up the ladder next. “I see him on TV all the time, flying around and acting so smug with his laser vision and fire hands—” She halted. Laser vision?
“It’s all tech,” Junior Justice said.
“So . . . how did he lose his power?” Nicole said, though she had a sneaking suspicion she knew the answer.
“Beatrix,” Junior Justice’s face darkened. “The first time she went rogue. He was one of her first victims. Not sure which Hero he was back then, though.”
Bee grunted, pressing her lips together and crossing her arms.
“So he’d jump at the chance to take revenge on her.” Stephanie gazed around at the place they had emerged. It looked like a warehouse, empty except for factory equipment. The hatch had been placed at the back of the warehouse out of sight where there were no windows and no doors close by.
“I don’t think so,” Junior Justice closed the hatch. It looked like a part of the equipment when closed. “Losing his powers made him a better Hero. After he lost his powers he manufactured all his tech, rebranded himself and rose above his limitations. Now he’s the greatest Hero in all of ASH. I doubt he holds a grudge against Beatrix. Let’s go. The Justice Mobile is right outside.”
“I don’t care what happens to the stupid AI,” Stephanie grumbled, charging to the exit on the far side of the warehouse. “I want my brother back.”
“Yeah . . .” Nicole sighed, following. “I hope everyone’s okay.”
CHAPTER 67
JOHN WATCHED BRODY pace into the vague grayish expanse. “Don’t wander too far,” he said.
“Huh?” Brody glanced at him over his shoulder.
“This place is featureless, and we have no idea how big it is.” John closed his eyes and forced himself not to give into panic at the thought. “Depending on how big it is, if you lose sight of us, you may never find us again.”
Brody raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t worry; I got this.” He continued on, looking over his shoulder every few steps.
“He can’t keep still,” John observed. “He hasn’t stopped moving since we got here.”
“Can you blame him?” Starlight said. They were sitting back to back, leaning on each other for support. “He wants to help his sister.”
“I know how he feels.” John lowered his head. “The difference between him and me is he hasn’t figured out how powerless he is yet.”
“This doesn’t sound like you, John.” Starlight turned to him. “Is this enclosed space getting to you?”
John inhaled a breath through his nose. “I’m tired, Starlight. I’m tired of this Hero thing. Maybe I’m an old-fashioned guy who has no relevance in this world, but I feel like as a father and husband, it’s my job to protect my family. But with Jess who was a Hero and now Nikki being one . . . I feel so useless. How can I protect her from anything when she’s the one with all the powers?”
“Intimidated by a strong woman?”
“It’s not like that.” John gazed up at the ceiling. “I’m proud of Nikki. The first time I saw Refraction on television after she helped you capture Racedown, I cheered out loud. I still have the live broadcast recorded. But she’s my daughter, you know. I wish I could go out and stop anything from hurting her, and I can’t. Makes me feel impotent. When the chips are down and she needs me, I can’t do anything to help her.” He shut his eyes when he thought he saw the
ceiling start to descend.
“You’re wrong, John,” Starlight let her eyes drift to the ceiling. “When everything went wrong last night, what did Nikki do? Where did she turn? She came home. You created a space where she felt safe, and she was able to bring all of us along. You made a safe place for her.”
“A lot of good it did.” John motioned around. “Look where we are.”
“True . . . but notice Nikki’s not here. She escaped.”
“We can hope.”
“She did. I’m sure of it.”
“Thanks.” John turned to smile at her. “I needed that.”
“No problem.” Starlight caught his eye and smiled back, her eyes shining beneath her mask.
John’s smile faded as he gazed into her eyes. He felt all his nerves settle. Struck by their depth and sparkle, he gazed into them—dark, beautiful, gentle eyes like Margaret’s. He swung around, breaking eye contact. “This is so wrong.” He buried his face in his hands.
“What is?”
“You. Me. It shouldn’t be so easy for me to talk to you.” John ran his hands over his face. “Margaret wouldn’t like it.”
“Oh.” Starlight turned around.
“It’s strange.” John raised his head. “You remind me of her so much, but . . . sometimes when I try to talk to her it’s like there’s this wall there. There’s no wall when I talk to you.”
Starlight chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re in love with me.”
“Of course not.” John shook his head. “Margaret is my heartbeat, but I feel like I can’t get close to her. Maybe this is a sign I’m not ready to get married. It’s not fair to her.” He groaned, burying his face in her hands. “What is wrong with me?”
“Oh, wow!” Starlight gave a rueful chuckle. “What am I doing wrong? Why do the both of you prefer me when I’m wearing the mask?”
John froze. “Come again?”
“I don’t think I’m that different behind the mask, yet both you and Nikki talk to me all day long about everything when I’m in costume. You should hear the sort of things Nikki says about me. As soon as I take the mask off she clams up, and you . . .” Starlight threw her hands in the air. “I didn’t even know you felt this way. A wall, really?”
John turned to her slowly, all thoughts of the closed in space vanishing from his mind. “Starlight, what are you talking about?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Starlight spoke into her gauntlet. “Suit off.” Her costume melted away leaving Margaret sitting there.
“M-Margaret?” John scrambled to his feet. “You’re Starlight?” His stomach dropped. “I put my foot in it, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did.” Margaret nodded. “You don’t want to marry me?”
“That’s not what I said.”
Margaret crossed her arms. “There’s a wall keeping you from getting close to me, right?”
John sighed. “Margaret . . .”
“What sort of wall, John?” Margaret glowered at him. “What is it keeping you from me?”
“I can’t figure it out.” John shook his head helplessly. “But you feel it too, don’t you?”
“I know what it is.” Margaret glared at him “It’s Jess, isn’t it?”
John started. “What? No!”
“You love her so much.” Margaret turned away from him. “I can never compare to your first wife.”
“I’ve never compared you to Jess, Margaret. I don’t even talk to you about her.”
“Yet she’s all over your house. In pictures . . . her awards in your office . . .”
“She’s my daughter’s mother.” John let his gaze harden. “I can’t get rid of her.”
“Her influence is all around, yet you act like she’s not relevant. You don’t say anything about her. She’s this disembodied presence haunting me.” Margaret gripped her ankles. “How am I supposed to feel, John? You don’t have to use words to compare us.”
John paused to study Margaret’s face. “I didn’t know you felt that way.” He sank to the ground. “I thought talking about her would be awkward. You don’t mind if we talk about Jess?”
“Of course not!” Margaret’s nose crinkled a bit. “She was a part of your life. I want to hear about her.”
John chuckled. “You crinkle your nose when you lie.”
Margaret stiffened a bit before covering her nose.
“I’m sorry, Margaret.” John positioned himself until he was back to back with her again. “I never intended to make you feel badly. I won’t apologize for loving Jess, but it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I don’t know the answers, but I can promise you we can navigate this together.” He took held his hand out to her. “If you still want to.”
“I do.” Margaret took it and squeezed it. “For the record, I’m so sorry about what happened on the vacation. You see it now, don’t you? I was there to protect both you and Nikki. I would never put you two in danger. Still, it was wrong of me to use you as a cover. It will never happen again.”
“Apology accepted, Maggs.” John rested the back of his head against hers. He let his gaze fall to where Brody had gone. He saw him, though he was on the edge of the light and their vision. He picked up his head to call out, “Brody, careful! I can hardly see you.”
“I still see you,” came Brody’s voice.
John leaned his head back on Margaret’s.
“I wonder if Nikki feels the same way about me,” Margaret said. “Maybe she feels there’s a wall because she can’t open up to me. It’s strange. She won’t stop talking about me to Starlight.”
“Wait . . . if you and Starlight are the same person . . .” John turned to her. “Don’t tell me you encourage Nikki to talk to Starlight about you.”
“She has to talk to someone.” Margaret ducked her head a bit. “Why not someone she trusts?”
“So you’re using Starlight to figure out what Nikki’s opinion of you is?”
“I didn’t at first.” Margaret buried her face in her hands. “I used to stop her talking to Starlight about me, but as time went on I realized if I could figure out what was bothering her I could fix it. I’m trying to help her. And it’s working. She called me a few hours ago to talk. I couldn’t take the call, obviously, but—”
“Do you realize how deceitful that is? She trusts Starlight, and you’re using Starlight to earn points.”
“I know it’s wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do.” Margaret threw her head back. “No matter how hard I tried, she shut me out.”
“That is incredibly selfish.”
“I shouldn’t have done it. But now . . . I can’t stop.”
John shook his head. “You have to tell Nikki.”
“She’ll hate me forever.”
“She might.” John smiled at Margaret over his shoulder. “You still have to do it. You can’t build a relationship on lies and deceit. I won’t allow it.”
Margaret groaned. “I hate that you’re right about this.”
John gave her a smile.
“Hey!” came Brody’s voice.
John swung around. He couldn’t see Brody anywhere. “Brody, where are you?”
“I’m here!” Brody waved his hands. “I hit a wall. There’s something on it.”
There was a click and flickering lights lit up the area. John jumped to his feet. They were in a vast underground cavern.
“What th—?” John gazed around, his claustrophobia relenting. The lights didn’t illuminate much, but it showed him the size of the expanse he was in. In this big space, he felt comfortable enough. The place was filled with various equipment covered in dust—old cars, costumes of various Villains, an old computer—none of it working.
“Where on earth are we?” Margaret got to her feet to look around.
“This is not what I was expecting.” Brody beckoned to them. “Come over here. Look at this.”
Margaret got to her feet and started to walk over to him when John caught her arm. “Your mask.”
“Oh.” Margaret
tapped her bracelet and her costume appeared over her form. “Thanks.”
John gave her a smile and joined Brody. He was looking out of a window—a two way mirror looking out at an empty room.
“What is this place?” Starlight gaped into the other room.
“Not a clue,” John said.
“I know where we are.” Brody gulped down hard as he raised a trembling finger to the room on the other side of the two way glass. “I was just in a room like that. We’ve got to be in Shadowman’s lair.”
CHAPTER 68
“WOW!” NICOLE GAPED as she got out of the Justice Mobile. “This is the Justice Cave?”
“Welcome.” Junior Justice strode over to the computer on side. “Make yourselves at home. I’ve contacted CJ, so he should be here soon.”
“This place must have cost a mint.” Stephanie smirked. “Now we know where the majority of ASH’s budget goes.”
“This was here before ASH was formed.” Junior Justice tapped on the computer. “I’ve got a feeling CJ’s true identity is a filthy, rich billionaire.”
“Or he commandeered it from someone else,” Stephanie muttered. “This place doesn’t seem like Captain Justice’s style.”
Junior Justice didn’t seem to hear Stephanie’s comment, so Nicole remained quiet. It wouldn’t help to have them arguing.
“Now we need to find Beatrix.” Junior Justice examined the results on the computer screen. “She’s the only clue we have to finding your loved ones.”
“If I was connected to her, I could ping her location but . . .” Bee approached the computer. “Do you mind if I access this computer’s system? I can use its scanner to pinpoint Beatrix’s energy signature.”
Junior Justice narrowed his eyes at her. “I don’t know . . .”
“I’ll only look for Beatrix. Nothing else.” Bee clasped her hands. “I promise.”
“Fine, but I’ll be monitoring you.” Junior Justice pointed at her face. “Believe me, I’ve got a good anti-virus system on here. It might not be able to delete you outright, but it’ll rip your processes to shreds.”
“I’ll be good.” Bee disappeared.