Harmonics: Rise of the Magician

by Collin Earl

  *****

  The hole in the wall from Ms. Green's gun struck fear in students too young to remember the news reports of past conflicts. They gawked at the power of the weapon and the lack of hesitation in using it. The second explosion didn't seem as scary as the first. It was distant and muffled. Yet in a way it was scarier. The student body had seen Ms. Green discharge the energy pistol into the wall and completely vaporize a section of it. They had no idea where the second explosion had come from.

  Ms. Green seemed just as surprised as the students. She barked out orders, and some of the armed MESA patrols responded by filing out of the assembly hall. For the first time since they saw her, Ms. Green looked a little unsure.

  The Principal of 676 was not impressed. He got right up in Ms. Green's face. "You cannot do this! This is a school! I will have you act appropriately!" He pointed to the wall. "This is why I hate the private sector. Always acting anyway you want. Well, I've had enough. I am contacting the Governor. Security, detain Ms. Green and kindly escort her people off school property."

  The school's security forces appeared and started to move into position.

  "This is why I hated school." Ms. Green glanced from side to side, totally unconcerned. "I guess I will have to make myself clear to you, Mr. Principal man whose name I have forgotten."

  Ms. Green turned and pointed her high-energy hand cannon at the principal, who froze and stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

  "What do you think you're doing? I am the Mayor of this City. You can't just point weapons at--"

  Ms. Green fired her gun and the principal melted into a puddle of goo. Screams and panic erupted. Students started trampling over one another, all heading towards the door. They ran headlong in to a wall of armed MESA guards. Without a word, the men opened fire.