“On it,” Shayne replied. Shayne sped over to Jason and brought him back to the rest of the group.
“Agent Hardine this is Garrett do you copy?”
“Yes,” Agent Hardine replied.
“Do you have any snipers remaining on the roof?
“Yes.” Agent Hardine replied unsure as to why Garrett was asking.
“I’ve hacked into the technology supporting the force field the two other aliens are using. In a second I'm going to adjust the frequency of the force field which will allow one of your shooters to take them out. The shield will only be down for seconds so your shooter better make it count.”
“Understood,” Agent Hardine said over the radio.
“Banks, it's on you,” Agent Hardine said much to the surprise of Agent Banks.
Agent Banks was still fairly new to G.U.A.R.D and he would've assumed Agent Hardine would've went with one of the more experienced agents. Nevertheless, Agent Banks was ready. He had to be, when your name was called, you had to be trusted to do what was expected of you.
Agent Banks and Garrett linked up so that the agent would know the exact moment to shoot. Three snipers positioned from the adjacent building fired upon the two remaining aliens as an distraction for Agent Banks. Garrett punched away at his laptop quickly adjusting the alien frequency. “Fire in three, two, one... Now!” Garrett shouted.
Agent Banks fired one shot and then another in rapid succession catching the two aliens completely off guard. Both shots fired was done with perfect precision. The two aliens fell from their rooftop and began descending to the ground.
From back inside the collapsed building, Azir aggressively punched his way out of the debris. The angered alien struggled to get out of the building and when he did, he became witness to Aza and Axendal's fall from the roof. Frantically, Azir stretched his hands forward and used his telekinesis to prevent his family from falling to the ground. He screamed out in agony as he stared into the lifeless bodies of Aza and Axendal.
The League turned their attention back to Azir expecting to have to go another round with the alien. That was not the case though. Azir angrily pressed a button on the device that was located on his left arm. Somehow with all the damage that was done, the device still was functional. The device activated the engine on his cloaked ship. The ship uncloaked itself and hummed loudly. The doors opened and awaited Azir’s arrival.
“Your actions today has doomed your planet. I shall return and when I do, you will feel the true wrath of the Ashtarian empire. We will turn this place into ash. You will pray for mercy and none shall be given. Enjoy your freedom, for your days are numbered!”
“You mad bro?” Jackson called out to the distraught alien.
With his brother and sister in his arm, Azir levitated himself to his ship. The ship ascended into the sky and away from the Earth.
In the days that followed there was lots of cleaning up and explaining to do. The realization that Earth wasn’t the only planet with life was now no longer a secret to the public. MyTube videos and news feed played footage of The League’s heroic actions time and time again. What was once a rather negative public opinion of the League of Protectors was no longer the case.
With the growing threat to the country and the planet itself, it was now clear that the world needed a league. There were Post Humans everywhere that were abusing their abilities. Not to mention there were war hungry aliens bent on conquering the planet. It was clear that the world needed a protector. Not just a protector, but an entire league of protectors. It was clear that the world needed The League of Protectors!
Epilogue
In an undisclosed location Joseph Stockton angrily watched as the League once again saved the day. The news conference of the President publicly lending his support to the League did nothing but infuriate Joseph more!
“It looks as if the League is going to be more trouble than I imagined!” Joseph said angrily out loud.
“Nothing we can't handle,” a familiar voice said.
From the shadows of the room where Joseph Stockton was, Charles Ortega and several individuals appeared before him. Joseph's frown turned into a slick grin as Charles Ortega and his deadly group surrounded him.
“It seems you've put together quite the formidable team,” Joseph said admiring the deadly group Charles had assembled.
“I've got a few more additions to make. The League of Protectors thought that alien and his pathetic army was deadly, just wait until they have to deal with us.”
Charles looked at the television screen which was showing images of the League members.
“We will kill every single one of them!” Charles exclaimed. Joseph and Charles laughed sinisterly as the rest of the group looked on.
New Age of Hero Series
Thank you for taking the time to read this novel. The League of Protectors is the introductory novel to a series filled with the extraordinary. In this world, superheroes, aliens, demons, vampires, witches and so much more exist. In League of Protectors, a group of Post Humans had to unite together to stop an alien threat. At the end of the story,the alien Azir retreated back to space vowing vengeance upon Earth.
Azir's actions sets up new adventures and expands the New Age of Hero Series beyond this galaxy. The novel “Space Conquest,” will introduce a set of brand new characters aboard an American spaceship. Readers of this novel will learn more about the Ashtarian Empire and why they are so deadly.
What's exciting about the New Age of Hero Series is that all these characters and novels are connected but each story can be read as a stand alone. Early in The League of Protectors novel, a reference was made about vampires in Chicago. This set the stage for a stand alone story based on the adventures of the vampire Damian Kaine. On the next page is a chapter from my vampire novel titled, “The Damian Kaine Chronicles.” Enjoy! ~ C.G.
The Damian Kaine Chronicles
When is this shift going to end? Charisma complained in her head, mopping up yet another careless spill in the coffee house. The faux antique clock above the mantle showed it to be around nine thirty at night.
Why her manager chose to leave a coffee house open this late was beyond her… If they were lucky, they may have a single customer stumble in, typically with some sort of angst filled sob story that was unloaded on her. She’d listen with a mild, faintly amused expression, and then usher them out the door, steaming mocha in hand. It didn’t pay well, but the shop was like home to her.
She loved the scent of vanilla and coffee, the warm suede walls, and the dark stained wooden floors. The view of the Park was lovely as well... though she’d be damned before she walked through it at night. At twenty three years old, walking unaccompanied through Chicago was not something she did often. She’d seen the newspapers the business men left in the mornings… read the articles about incidents and accidents. She still had another year of college and didn’t plan to end it lying bleeding in an alley somewhere in the city.
Another glance at the clock and she walked to the door, locking it from the inside. Relieved that the shift was finally over, she scampered to the bathroom, looking at her tired reflection in the mirror.
Golden blonde hair was tied in a loose bun at the base of her neck, a few frazzled strands escaping the scrunchie and falling across her face. Her golden eyes, framed with ebony black lashes, looked dark in the dim lighting, the ocher color matching the Apple and Eve Bakery polo she was wearing.
She smoothed a chap stick over her full lips, the closest thing to makeup that she wore. She grabbed her purse from under the counter, cursing as her khakis caught on the edge of the wood and fraying a bit. One last look through the shop and she flicked the lights off, stepping out into the chilly night.
Her hand wrapped around the set of house keys in her purse, fingering the tiny can of pepper spray attached to the key chain as she walked to the bus station. The night buzzed with energy, the air crisp and alive.
Though the stars couldn’t be seen because of the c
ity lights, the almost full moon gleamed like a silver dollar in the blue black sky. Charisma smiled to herself, settling down on a bench and crossing her legs patiently to wait.
She pulled out her phone, punching in a text to her friend Fiona. ‘Breakfast tomorrow? I’m off work!’ The smell of gas hit her nose as the bus groaned to a stop in front of the pickup station. Forking the driver a few dollars, she skirted past the few fellow riders and settled into the back seat.
Always cautious, Charisma surveyed her surroundings. There were several shady looking characters on this bus that made her very uneasy. The combination of gas and bad odors would make for a very unpleasant ride, even if it was only for fifteen minutes. Reaching inside her left pocket, Charisma took out her vibrating phone. She anticipated it being Fiona replying to her text, but to her surprise, it wasn’t.
“Hello?” she said, picking up the hand-held.
“Charisma?” A somewhat familiar voice said. Checking the caller ID, she saw that the caller was private.
“Who's this?” she asked, frown creasing her forehead. She never gave out her number to people she didn't know well.
“It's Max,” the voice replied. “You don't remember me, do you? I come to your coffee shop every now and then. We've chatted a bit.” Shaking her head tiredly, Charisma decided it was better to just go with the flow. Maybe she had given out her number, maybe work was wearing on her. She took a deep breath, and then answered “Uh, alright, what's up?”
There was a slight pause on the other end. It had been a long day for Charisma, and she really wasn’t in the mood for any games; especially from another city guy trying to get in good with her.
“Hello, Max are you still there?” She could hear him breathing on the other end, so she knew he was.
“Yes, yes, sorry love had to make sure no one else was around.” “Around for what?” Charisma asked. She was growing increasingly impatient.
“See here’s the thing Charisma, I’ve been watching you, and I know what it is that you do.”
Charisma felt a lump in her throat. Beating down her fear viciously, Charisma snapped into the phone “Oh really, and what, pray tell, is that?”
“It's a secret.” Max said.
The bus lurched to a stop on the corner about a block away from her roomy townhouse. She hurried out of the door, keys in hand. “I don't deal well with stupidity, so I suggest you try creeping on someone else!” She said curtly, ending the call.
Unable to shake the uncomfortable tingling shooting up and down her spine. She hastily unlatched the brass door, flicking on the lights before she even had time to shut it behind her. Nervously, she locked the door securely behind her and darted to the kitchen, easing into a chair and staring at the tile floor for a few seconds.
“You know, didn’t your mom ever tell you it’s rude to hang up on someone?”
Charisma fell out of her chair, completely startled by the slightly familiar voice. A thousand thoughts raced through her head as she quickly got herself off the ground. On the table was a kitchen knife, Charisma grabbed the knife and warned the intruder not to come any closer.
“Relax Charisma, it’s me, Max. Now be a good girl and put that knife away!”
Charisma's temper flared. She didn't know who this guy was, but if he didn't get out of her presence immediately she was going to, well, she didn't know what exactly, but it would hurt!
“Get out of my house before I call the police on you!” she didn't sound nearly as confident as she had hoped. She walked towards the stairs, knife held out in front of her. The blade looked pathetic, but it was sharp.
“Boo, did I scare ya?” Max asked sarcastically as he glided over to her and quickly grabbed the knife from Charisma and pinned her to the ground. “Now, I have no intentions on hurting you, but if I let you go, you have to promise you won’t scream, okay?”
Anger rushed through every fiber of Charisma’s body, how dare some idiot break into her home and place hands on her? Realizing she was over matched, she agreed not to scream. Slowly, Max got off of Charisma and helped her to her feet. In one smooth stride, and without any hesitation, Charisma cocked her hand back and punched Max square in the face. A satisfied smile appeared on her face as the surprised intruder fell back.
“You didn’t say anything about hitting you,” Charisma wittily said. Charisma darted back into the kitchen, grabbing frantically for her cell, only to find it missing. She kicked the table into the doorway hoping to delay her attacker for long enough til she found it. Eyes flaming, she whirled back around to face him, not recognizing the dark eyed man in front of her. Heart pounding, she backed towards the bathroom door behind her and scanned desperately for her cell. It was no where to be seen.
Max hopped easily up on the table, moving like a cat across the room towards her. “Now that wasn't very nice,” he said offering a hand towards her. In the other, he revealed her phone.
“Who are you?” Charisma asked as she quickly snatched the phone from Max.
The big beefy looking intruder looked at her and smiled. He rubbed his whitish blonde hair and laughed, “I told you already, I’m Max from the coffee shop.”
He extended his hand but he knew full well that she wouldn't accept it. Charisma desperately searched her memories trying to recall just who this Max guy was. She searched and searched, but came up empty. A mischievous smile appeared across Max’s face. Charisma readied herself, fearing an attack was near.
“I’m slightly insulted you don’t remember me. Fine, let me help you out there, if you don’t remember me from the coffee shop, then certainly you remember me from the downtown district.”
Charisma eyed Max suspiciously, not quite sure what to make of him. She thought hard, thinking back to the last time she had been out. It had been months. Fight slowly draining from her, she responded.
“No offense, but I can't remember you at all. Why are you in my house?” Her eyes narrowed as she grabbed her phone, ready to type in the number for the police station. She continued to back up until she was pressed against the bathroom door.
“What did you mean, you know what I'm about?” she continued.
Max smirked again, seeing her finger on the send button.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you. You're still alive, I gave you your phone, so why call the police?”
“Because you broke into my house and you’re stalking me!”
Max laughed profusely, “I didn’t break into your house, you invited me in, and I’m not stalking you either!” Max thought for a second and then added, “Well yeah, I am stalking you, but not in any perverted way, unless that’s something you would like?”
Charisma warned Max to stay back. A slight smile came across his face as he took a step back. “Out!”Charisma ordered him, fed up with the cryptic answers and exhausted from working all day,“Leave. Now.”
She leaned against the door, shutting the phone before she could send the call. “Look, I'm tired, you're being creepy, and that's not a good combination tonight of all nights.”
Max's smiled broadened, but he stayed put. “Nope. You invited me in, and I'm going to sit here and relax til I see it fit to leave!”
He pulled up a chair, sitting on it gracefully, as he folded his hands in front of him politely.
“What is it that you want? Why do you insist on bothering me?” Max said nothing. He looked towards the empty chair and then back towards Charisma. She realized if she wanted Max gone, she would have to play by his rules, at least for the time being. Charisma slowly walked over to the chair and sat herself down. “Okay, now what is it that you want from me?”
“Oh nothing much.” Max stretched his arms lazily and crossed his legs. Charisma couldn’t help but eye up his garb. Dark stained jeans, an expensive black shirt, polished shoes. A Rolex glittered on his right wrist. 'This guy must be rolling it in!' she thought irritably.
“Nothing much?” she asked, crossing her arms defiantly. “Then why are you in my home?”
M
ax smiled as he watched the impatient Charisma become increasingly irritable. “Nope, not much at all my dear.”
Max reached into his pocket and took out a pack of gum. Slowly, he popped out a piece and placed it into his mouth. “So how was work today?” He did not care at all how her day was, he simply felt the need to annoy her as much as possible.
Charisma smirked as the confident intruder relaxed, letting his guard down. With a single fluid motion, Charisma’s hand reached underneath the swivel rocker she was sitting in and grabbed her handgun. She pointed it at Max and again asked him “What do you want?”
Max was a bit taken by her resourcefulness. He had not expected to have this little woman aim a gun at him. He wasn't sure if he was turned on or upset, perhaps it was a bit of both!
“Put the gun down,” Max said, all playfulness gone from his eyes. Charisma looked down the sight of the gun, aiming it directly at his sternum. “No!” Charisma replied, not being able to help being amused at the change of scenario. Max rose to his feet, arms held loosely at his sides.
His dark eyes blazed in anger, lips curling away from his teeth in a feral grimace. “You REALLY don't want to do that,” he said, unmoving.
Charisma clicked the safety off and pulled the hammer back.
“Watch me.” Ocher eyes bright, Charisma stood up to confront him, stance ready. “You know, a girl should never go unarmed in Chicago.” She motioned with her head towards the door. Max unwillingly backed towards the doorway, eyes boring into her own.
“One chance Charisma, put down the gun, and I'll play nice. I won't hurt you. If you don't, the Master isn't going to be pleased!”
Enraged and knowing he could not let any harm come to her or alert the area of his presence, Max bolted out through the door, the oak frame shaking as it slams behind him. Charisma latched it shut, then sunk to her knees in exhaustion.
New Age of Heroes 1: The League of Protectors - Dawn of a New Age Page 27