by Matt Abraham
“Ok,” I said, trying to sound gentle, “no funny stuff.” I knelt down. And slowly lowered my piece to the carpet. Then I leapt. Clearing the handrail I landed on the upper staircase. I grabbed the Agent there and knocked his gun arm to the side. Then I drove my head into his faceplate. It shattered and he went limp as I ran up the steps to the next level.
“Fire!”
The space between the stairwells exploded with artillery. A voice called out, “Damn it, Agent down, suspect is fleeing the scene.”
I reached the top of the stairs and stopped. There was a metal door that led to the roof. On the other side was freedom, and probably more than a few lawmen, although maybe not. They could be swarming through the front door, and rushing up to reinforce the three I left below. But there was only one way to find out for sure.
I kicked the door open, and took a step outside. It was worse than I thought.
Over twenty Agents were there to greet me, and if ever a moment called for witty banter it was now, but my tongue had gone thick, so I dropped to one knee, and started blasting. Two fell straight away. The rest returned fire. I shrugged off the attack and switched to explosive tips, taking out the rocket boots of the three nearest Agents. They tumbled from the sky, down to the street.
Two more advanced on my right. I turned to them, and fired twice, catching both in the chest. Then a shot clipped my temple. I ducked down, shielding it with my arm.
“He’s invulnerable!”
“Then aim for his eyes!”
“Who’s got the blue boys? The reds? Bring in the heavy ammo.”
I rolled forward, took aim at the guy talking, and with the last of my explosive tips brought him down.
“Pull back!” The twelve remaining Agents leapt into the sky, and retreated into three hovering clumps. There were four to my right, five to my left, and the rest straight ahead.
They all fired at once.
With a quick roll to the side I avoided the lion’s share, but what lead I caught was enough to trim my trousers. When I came to a stop I aimed at the group on the right, and generously gave them all of Rico’s target seekers. The ordinance twisted through the air and found its mark. Then they weren’t there anymore.
But the other eight still were, and they kept firing. It wasn’t hurting much. I took aim at the five boys on the left, and with a few well-placed stunners sent all of them down to their friends.
That meant only three SPECs left.
Then blue fire flashed in my periphery. Its impact filled my eyes with static. I spun around and pulled focus on the last group of Agents. Fully automatic blue flames spat from one of their arm cannons. It felt like someone was ironing my face as each shot caught me right in the kisser. Staggering back and screaming, I fired blind.
Another Azure clipped my shin. It ripped my legs out from under me, and I fell, catching the low wall on the ledge between my shoulder blades. The world was spinning. Before me an Agent stood, taking aim. I lifted Rico, and pulled the trigger.
All I heard was click, click, click, click.
“Damn it,” I said before two more Azures hit my gut.
“He’s empty.”
“It’s under control. Let’s clip him.”
I waited for them to advance, but the Agents stood their ground, and left me wondering which angle they’d take. I figured it out when a spotlight blinded me from above. I covered my eyes and looked up. A silver ship hovered there. It was bleeding fresh men. They floated down, and once their perimeter was secure the nearest one closed in.
He had a collar in his hand.
My mind went blank. There was only one option left.
I rolled over on the ledge, showing them my back, and slid my hands inside my jacket.
“Halt! Hands where I can see them.”
“I give up,” I said over my shoulder, “I surrender.”
“Show me hands. Get them up high!”
I spun over to face them. Rico was gone, and in my left hand I held Lois. I clicked off her safety, and she came to life glowing bright green. Her barrel doubled in size and length. I set the blast to scatter shot, took aim, and put my finger on the trigger. Two metal ribbons whipped from the butt of the grip. They snaked their way down my arm, crisscrossing each other in a latticework pattern that ran to my shoulder, onto my chest, and around my back. It would help spread the kick evenly.
My pistol’s green energy built up in slow motion. The SPECs started to scatter. It wouldn’t do them any good. They could run as fast as their rocket boots let them, and in half a second they wouldn’t be much more than scorched meat. Truth be told, I didn’t want to do it, but this was the only choice.
Then I felt the kick. But I hadn’t pulled the trigger. And Lois jerked to the left, not straight back like she should. A red mist sprayed from my wrist as an unfamiliar pain ran through my arm. I screamed, and when I looked down there was a small hole in my sleeve. Smoke rose from it as blood poured out.
“We’ve been given authorization for the reds,” an Agent yelled. “Use them!”
Reds.
He fired a bullet that cut through my skin, and then he said ‘reds’. The SPECs didn’t just have Azures, they had MAGMAs, too.
I looked up at the floating ship. Two men hung from either side. Each was aiming a Kaos rifle down at me. I heard one yell, “Fire,” and they let loose a red rain. One drop took a bite out of my shoulder, spitting the blood in my face. Another ripped a greedy chunk from my side.
It was a lethal escalation. If I wanted to live I had to move quick.
Pulling my heels beneath me I shoved as hard as I could, pushing myself up and over the ledge. It was a five-story drop straight down. I did it in less than three seconds. Clearing the sidewalk I landed flat on my back in the middle of the street. I spun over. Then got to my knees. I could hardly breathe.
I was halfway up when I got hit again. This time in the back. I went down with enough force to crack the concrete. Damn MAGMAs. Twiddle was right, the further away, the harder they hit. I swallowed my scream, and tried again to get up. This time I succeeded, and took a quick look around. Nobody. The street was empty except for a SPEC perimeter two blocks away. Almost all the Agents were still in the sky, but they weren’t following me down. If it was because they thought I was dead then they weren’t half wrong.
“Over here!”
I looked toward the voice. There was an Agent on the corner.
“Suspect is active, and street side.”
“You’re kidding. He’s still mobile? Advanced teams, what’re you doing? Move in!”
I had only seconds before they were back on me. I needed a way out. I searched for an alleyway or side street. There wasn’t one. I looked down at the black top, hoping for a manhole. But I came up empty there, too. I was boxed in.
But then I saw salvation. It was three steps away.
I staggered the first two, and tripped the third, but it was enough, just enough. I was leaning against Jane.
Chapter 35
I jumped into that gorgeous Jalopy, and we leapt off the line putting two blocks behind us faster than a banker picks a pocket. Looking in the rearview mirror I saw more than a few Agents giving chase. At the next block I turned hard onto Wrought Iron Road, a four lane wide thoroughfare so full of traffic I had to weave like an animal to keep my pace. Not so easy, even on my best day, but with blurry vision, and a throbbing head I had little choice but to trade paint with some citizens before the other drivers got the hint and moved out of my way.
Four blocks down and I clicked on my comms unit, setting it to intercept the SPECs frequency. The machine immediately spat out their chatter.
“Attention all units, suspect is fleeing by car.”
“He’s in a black Jalopy.”
“Are you kidding, he got away? How?”
“Mouths shut, ears on.” This voice was used to command. “Full pursuit, all Agents, this is a level one clearance. Suspect is heading east on Wrought Iron, just past sixty-fourth. Advanced teams are a
go for lethal force. Repeat, lethal force has been approved.”
Great, more SPECs. Actually, the man said ‘level one clearance’. That didn’t mean more; it meant all. Every guy covered in silver would be bearing down on Jane in minutes, and all I could do was run. So that’s what I did. But five blocks down and bullets began bouncing off my car. A couple cracked the glass in the back. Others dimpled my roof.
Then it got worse.
“All Agents. Be advised of incoming white cape assistance. A Team Supreme rep is on route.”
Ho. Lee. Crap.
Team Supreme was now officially in the mix. That meant it was time to go on offense. Reaching over I flicked a switch, and my trunk exploded outwards. The rear cannon sat up like a snake and started spitting venom in every direction.
Seven blocks down, and I looked in my rearview. An Agent crashed through a newsstand. Another landed in a flatbed. Nice. But ahead there was a truck stopped in the middle of the intersection. I slammed on my brakes, pulled the wheel hard to the right, and jumped the curb. Jane crashed through a lamppost. Hot sparks shot up like a geyser. Then I cut the wheel back towards the street. On the way I hit a red sports car, shredding its back half.
It was eight blocks down, and my cannon fire slowed. That was good news. Less firing means less targets. Then a hail of red bullets ripped through the roof and shredded the passenger’s side seat. I swerved left as more MAGMAs punched a line of holes across Jane’s hood. Black smoke flowed thick from them, blocking my view. I weaved back and forth, trying to see through it. Then the rear cannon exploded.
Jane didn’t have much left.
Every turn I took felt too wide, the rear tires too soft, and each time I passed another motorist Jane fishtailed a little further out even as the traffic tightened. But salvation was coming up fast. Humbart’s Department store, with its famous picture window, rose up in front of me like a giant finish line five blocks away. Underneath it was the perfect escape route. If I could just get inside I’d be home free.
But Jane’s speedometer was dropping fast. And the scenery outside was passing by slower. I took a sharp breath, and activated the jump jets. Jane fired forward like a rocket, and I laid on the horn as the traffic lights turned into tricolored streaks. Those five blocks passed in a blink, and we crashed through Humbart’s massive picture window, shattering the glass so thoroughly it was practically sand again.
I jammed on the brakes and screeched to a halt in sporting goods. It was dark. The SPECs were only a few seconds behind. I was halfway to freedom, but if I wanted to make it the whole way I’d have to sacrifice my queen. I gave Jane’s dash one final rub, then set the autopilot, got out, and closed her door. So long sweetheart. She revved her engine twice, and peeled across the store spitting smoke and oil the whole way. She crashed through the far window, and took a hard left, disappearing in a cloud of shattered glass and gunfire from above. A few seconds passed. Then an ephemeral flash lit up the street along with a rumble that shook the store.
And Jane was gone.
She deserved a better memorial, but there was no time. I had to make it to the boiler room. There, behind one of the industrial sized water heaters, lay a hidden door to Tunnel Town. It’s a city wide maze of underground passages left over from Gold Coast’s mining days, but while there’s no ore left, it’s still a twenty-four carat escape for black capes in the know.
I ran past some mannequins playing baseball, and through a door to the stairwell leading to the basement. It was dark, and I fell most of the way, but when I hit the bottom I found the boiler room, and slipped inside. There was a full-length mirror on the wall, so I stopped to assess my damage. I wish I hadn’t. My hat was gone, as was most of my jacket and shirt. My pants were in tatters like old shorts, while gazpacho leaked out of me from a half dozen holes. I’m not a surgeon, but I know the need for medical attention when I see it, so I slid behind the right water heater, opened the secret passage, and stepped into the darkness with haste.
Once the door was closed behind me small yellow orbs on the wall lit up, and illuminated the area. I was standing in a reddish rock tunnel, crudely cut with metal instruments, that was wide enough to fit a car. The air was cool, but stale, and tasted of minerals. I ran forward as fast as I could, and every few feet new lights clicked on as the ones behind me died. I got about a hundred yards before my pace slackened. The adrenaline was slowing. I needed a breath. And I was in so much pain.
But I was safe, deep in the heart of Tunnel Town.
I took a second to lean against the wall, and lay my head against its cool stone. All I could hear was my own heavy breathing. I couldn’t remember the last time I was so comfortable, I could’ve gone to sleep right there.
Then there was a rumble, and dust fell from above.
I looked up, and a second tremor shook the walls. The rocks above me cracked. Someone was trying to get in. But that was impossible. I was in Tunnel Town. Only a handful of black capes even knew about it. I turned to run as a third quake struck. It brought the ceiling down on me. I fell to the floor, pinned beneath the rubble.
When the dust cleared I looked up. The ceiling was gone, replaced with a massive hole, and beyond it I could see the night sky. That, and a woman standing on the rim. She looked at me and shook her head. Then she stepped off the ledge, and floated down, landing gently a few feet away. She was tall, athletic, and muscular with long, dark hair and wore red armor with a gold cape.
I recognized her immediately.
Anybody could.
It was Glory Anna, now the most powerful white cape in the world.
I reached for Lois, but Glory stepped on my hand with more force than I ever felt in my life.
“That’s enough of that, don’t you think?” she said.
I pushed back with everything I had.
She didn’t move. “Finished?”
I nodded, and laid still.
Glory spoke into her gauntlet. “Commander Clark, I have neutralized the suspect. It’s safe to send your Agents down.”
“Affirmative Glory Anna, we’re on our way.”
Then she turned back to me. “Alright little rabbit, the chase is over, you’ve had your fun, but it’s time we get you to Impenetron.”
Chapter 36
The SPECs poured into Tunnel Town, and spread out around me. Two Agents carrying Kaos rifles took position on either side of my head. I felt like a prize they brought down on the savannah.
One Agent said, “Alright, get him on his feet.” He had the gold markings of a commander, and his badge read: Clark.
“I think he looks better down there, commander.”
“I agree,” Clark said.
“You think he’ll bleed out, sir?” one of them asked.
A third said, “That’s fine by me.”
Glory Anna shoved the men aside. “Enough of that.” She reached down, grabbed what was left of my coat, and with one hand pulled me from the rubble. She turned to Commander Clark. “I want the medics here now.”
“All due respect, we appreciate your assistance, but I don’t take orders from Team Supreme. We’ll call the medics when we’re ready.” He looked around. “And I’m not sure that this tunnel is secure enough. Spread out boys, make sure there are no surprises lurking in the dark.”
The men did as commanded. Only a few stayed behind. One of them had a Kaos.
Glory Anna shook her head. “Commander, this man is vital. If he dies-”
“Then it’s one less black cape we’ve got to deal with.”
“That holds true if we incarcerate him as well. Besides, he’s a valuable asset. We need him alive.”
“The lady has a point,” I said.
“Shut up, mutt.” Clark slapped my mouth.
Glory Anna grabbed his chest. “Don’t do that again, commander.”
Clark shoved her arm free, and took a step forward. “First off, don’t ever put your hands on me. I’m a SPEC Agent and will not be pawed at by some white cape I don’t care how haug
hty.”
Two others joined him, standing shoulder to shoulder.
A third stepped behind me, and seized my arm. He said, “We’ll take it from here, ma’am.”
Glory yanked me away from him, and turned to Clark. “You presume much. This man is wanted in relation to Pinnacle’s death.”
“Of course I presume much. We’re the ones who found Big Red’s killer so do me a favor and take it down a notch sweetie, nothing’s going to change. We’ll do all the work, but you’ll still get the credit.”
“Catching Mindgame was work?” Glory took a step forward and glared down at Clark. “Who boasts of trapping already dead prey?”
He jabbed a finger at Glory. “I’ll tell you something-”
“No,” Glory said, “tell it to Director Humphries. Right now. Call him and see if he agrees with me.”
“There’s no need for that.” The Agent behind me stepped between them. “We caught the guy, right? And it seems to me if he’s got information we should do our best to get it.” He looked at his commanding officer. “It’s not like it could hurt.”
Glory Anna didn’t move a muscle, she just stared at the man, and to his credit Clark didn’t back down one inch. After a few long seconds he said, “Ok. Let’s get him bagged and tagged. Clear the tunnel, and get the top ready for egress.” The men obeyed, leaving only Glory Anna and three Agents with me in the tunnel. Clark turned to the Kaos rifleman. “Peters, give him a collar.”
Agent Peters slung the red rifle over his shoulder, and pulled a collar off his belt. I tried to back away, but Glory Anna grabbed my shoulder. She held me tight as the man whipped it at me like a towel, and in one smooth movement the collar wrapped around my throat, clicked shut, and glowed black.
My legs lost power, and I crumbled. A wave of nausea welled up in my guts like a geyser and my skin felt like it burst into flames. Glory Anna released me and I spun around, falling face first into the open arms of the Agent behind me.
“Easy big fella. It’ll pass,” he said.
I threw a hand on his shoulder. The tunnel pitched back and forth. All I could do was lean against him with my head on his chest.