“We don’t have enough charges on the seabed, we only have 12 minutes of power for the QHRA, and the odds of any success are less than one percent,” said Gregory.
“Yeah, but there are some odds for success, right?” asked Erica. “Boys, either we shit or get off the can, and if we’re going down then we might as well go out on a high note.”
Dr. Brandeis was quiet as he thought. No matter what, in a few hours it would be over. He was going to prison. Either he went to prison a winner or a loser. With that thought the decision was easy. “We’re going to do it,” he announced excitedly. “We commence Project Avalon in two hours!”
“Good decision, Noah, I’ll get the troops in order to deal with West Pacific Supers and buy us more time,” said Erica. “I’ll leave the technical mumbo jumbo to you two.”
With that, Erica got up and left the room with a slight spring in her step. It suddenly occurred to Dr. Brandeis that Erica would probably have killed him and Gregory if they had decided to flee. Erica did have a death wish and she would let nothing stand between her and her date with destiny. “Alright, Gregory, we have probably less than 90 minutes to get ready for a real sloppy attempt. I need you on the airship making sure the QHRA will be ready.”
“Okay,” said Gregory reluctantly. “This is not going to end well.”
“Agreed,” said Dr. Brandeis. “But at least it’s going to end.”
Chapter 24
7:34 p.m., Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
Operations, WPS Headquarters
West Pacific, CA
“Camille, you’re acting team leader,” said Dr. Sterling as Camille entered Ops. “Take the team out to the platform and secure the area before the Coast Guard arrives. Don’t hold back; collateral damage is fine.”
“Annie, I don’t think this is a good idea,” said Camille nervously. She was touched by Dr. Sterling’s support, but her track record as a team leader was disastrous. After the Infinity Team dropped her, she started her own charter team. She led her team to financial ruin and botched heroics.
“Blue Star is heading for the hospital, Seawolf is on Injured Reserve, and that means you’re in charge.”
“What about Cosmic Kid or Starfish?” Camille honestly thought Cosmic Kid could do it, but the moment she said Starfish she regretted it. She would rather have Seawolf in command than Starfish.
“Cosmic Kid is too inexperienced and Starfish is too sloppy,” said Dr. Sterling. “Camille, you’re in charge and I have complete confidence in you.”
“Thanks, Annie, but…I’m not a good leader.”
“This isn’t open for debate! You are acting team leader and you will be in charge.”
“Fine, but if everyone dies it’s your fault,” Camille snapped. She was the ‘go to’ super, not the one who decided who was the ‘go to’ super. Even after all these months she really didn’t know her teammates that well, which could end up costing people their lives.
“Is the pity party over?” asked Dr. Sterling.
“Yeah, so who do we have for the mission?”
“You, Starfish, White Knight, Cosmic Kid, and Keystone.”
“Keystone? He’s back on the team?” asked Camille who was just getting more nervous; she had never even met Keystone. She didn’t know how he would respond to her being in command, but she suspected it wouldn’t be good.
“Yes, he’s incredibly dense and strong - if he falls in the water he’s probably dead. So make sure he stays dry.”
“Great, White Knight probably sinks like a rock too,” muttered Camille.
“Yes, he does, though he’s outfitted with a jet pack this evening for limited bursts. You’ll need to keep him dry as well,” said Dr. Sterling. Camille felt nauseous as she imagined both Keystone and White Knight sinking to the bottom of the ocean.
“So how is Keystone in the field?” asked Camille.
“He’s an arrogant and offensive bastard, possibly worse than Starfish. However, like Starfish, he’s a superior brawler and one of the best in the Conference. The two of them will make your life difficult, but they’ll follow orders if you command decisively.”
“Annie, I don’t know about this.”
“Camille, the decision is made,” said Dr. Sterling with annoyance.
“I know, but…never mind, I’ll do it.” Camille decided she just needed to suck it up.
“White Knight is very solid, but if you need help look to Cosmic Kid,” said Dr. Sterling. “He’s the quickest on his feet in a crisis. Starfish is brilliant, but sloppy and overconfident.”
“Okay, I understand, so what’s the plan?” asked Camille who hoped Dr. Sterling had a plan.
“The team takes a helicopter out to the Avalon One while you fly escort. You’ll approach from the west, which means you’ll take a wide circle around the platform, hopefully this with some stealth will allow you to close and disembark. Then you secure the platform. The Coast Guard will be sending support and I’ve also contacted the Air Force and they’re putting forces on standby, including two F-22s in case we need to take something out.”
Camille felt like throwing up, but just nodded. “Okay, well…I’ll go round up the team and head to the helicopter.”
“Good luck,” said Dr. Sterling as she turned back to the bank of computer screens she was monitoring.
Camille left Ops and headed for the observation deck on the roof where the team would be gathering for deployment. She focused on her breathing and tried a walking relaxation technique that had been part of the training regime at the Infinity Team to calm supers as they approached a crisis. Unfortunately, it wasn’t working; then again, it had never worked for her before so no real surprise it wasn’t working now.
She entered the observation deck and saw her team, minus Cosmic Kid who was still en route, and some staff. It was the first time she had seen Keystone, who looked like a man with crumpled red bricks for skin. Add in the blue and white swirls of his costume and he looked like an abstract American flag.
“Well, the Prodigal Daughter has arrived,” said Starfish as she walked up. “Dr. Sterling has informed us that you will be our team leader for the day, which I must say fills me with confidence.”
“Thanks,” said Camille. She figured he was being sarcastic, but she wasn’t sure. She hated being in command.
“So what’s the plan?” asked White Knight.
“When Cosmic Kid arrives we board up and head for the platform, which we will secure for the Coast Guard.”
“What’s the in-flight movie going to be?” asked Keystone. “I have some great videos on my laptop, real educational stuff.”
“Ah…no movies,” said Camille.
“Damn, well then you’ll just have to sit where I can see you and I’ll use my imagination,” said Keystone.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate,” said White Knight.
“I agree - she could just take off her costume and I could save my imagination for other things like fighting the bad guys.”
Camille narrowed her eyes and walked right up to Keystone. “Listen dumbass, one more crack like that and I’m going to give you a fucking demerit.”
“A demerit? How many do I need before I get a detention?” laughed Keystone.
“That’s demerit #1.” Camille grabbed Keystone and hurled him through the windows out onto the roof and tarmac. She walked to the broken window frame, crunching on the broken glass, and yelled out at Keystone. “Your second demerit will get you dumped into the Pacific Ocean with a minivan wrapped around your marbled ass for a life preserver. Do I make myself clear?”
Keystone got off the ground and laughed. “Absolutely, I like you, Camille, you can manhandle me anytime. Pearcy, did you get all that on film?”
A thin 20-something with a camcorder nodded and angled the camera to get both Camille and Keystone in the frame. Camille walked up to Pearcy. “Who the hell are you?”
“I’m…I’m Pearcy, I’m here to record Keystone’s performance during the mission,” sa
id the man with fear in his voice.
“To hell you are,” said Camille.
“Hey, it’s my deal to come back to the team and Gabrielle signed off on it,” said Keystone, walking back through the broken window.
“Somehow I doubt that,” said White Knight.
“I can be quite persuasive, but either I get my cameraman or I’m out of here,” said Keystone.
Camille was quiet as she considered the ultimatum. She’d rather not deal with him and an extra civilian would certainly get in the way, but on the other hand, she’d be crazy to bench one of their heaviest hitters just for being a jerk and she could see Gabrielle having approved this. A lot of teams had their own camera crews; it helped give the team better control of its media image. Still maybe there was another tack.
“Pearcy, you’ve signed waivers right?” asked Camille.
“Uh, yeah, I did,” said Pearcy.
“Matteo has covered all that,” said Keystone. “He’s completely vetted.”
“Good, good, so how much are you getting paid, Pearcy?” asked Camille with a sweet smile. “Because you’re probably going to die or end up a mangled mess and I sure as hell don’t intend on saving you.”
“Uh, I’m getting $50 an hour,” said Pearcy.
“So a couple hundred bucks is the price of your life, sad, but it’s your life,” said Camille. “Have one of the Ops staff suit you up with a Kevlar vest and a life jacket. We’re going to be hundreds of miles out to sea and surrounded by gunmen and supervillains. Good luck surviving.”
“Uh, maybe, I shouldn’t get in the way, I mean you all have a lot going on,” said Pearcy, moving to collect his bags.
“Probably a reasonable idea,” said Camille.
“Hey, no way! I need you, Pearcy,” said Keystone, running after Pearcy as he left the Observation Deck.
“I bet all of Pearcy’s girlfriends say that,” said Starfish as Keystone left.
“Starfish, I can give you a demerit as well,” said Camille, who nearly laughed at Starfish’s quip, but figured as team leader she had to be more stoic.
“Sorry I’m late,” said Cosmic Kid coming into the observation deck. “I just saw Keystone chasing some superazzi. Is he back on the team?”
“Yes. How’s Blue Star?” asked White Knight before Camille could ask the same question.
“He took a beating, but he was in stable condition by the time we got to the hospital. The paramedics knew their business as did the doctors. He’s going to pull through and he heals quick, but he’ll be on Injured Reserve for probably a month.”
Camille realized that meant she was going to be stuck as team leader for a month - assuming she survived this mission and didn’t totally screw it up.
“What about Ian Roache?” she asked.
“On the run, but every law enforcement agency in the nation is now looking for him,” said Cosmic Kid. “We did take down two mutants, a psychic and an electricity manipulator.”
“This mission is going to be difficult,” said White Knight more to himself than anyone else.
“Which is why we need to stay focused and eliminate distractions,” said Camille.
“Don’t worry everyone, Pearcy has agreed to come along,” said Keystone leading a jubilant Pearcy back into the room.
“Pearcy, do you have a death wish?” asked Camille.
“For $12,000 I do,” said Pearcy smiling.
“What I make in 12 hours,” muttered Cosmic Kid shaking his head. “Who’s this Pearcy guy?”
“He’s providing the in-flight entertainment,” said Starfish. “First lesson for the new leader - everyone has their price. One’s life is only worth one’s self-respect.”
“Very profound, Starfish, write a self-help book, but right now let’s load up and move out,” said Camille. She looked at Pearcy and wondered if she gave Jules $12,000 would he be happier. Like Starfish said, everyone had a price. For fools, the price could be paid in money; for everyone else it was a lot more complicated.
The team was using Pacific One, a VH-99 Templar IV, a design that had been commissioned two decades ago for the Paragons. It cost a few billion to develop the helicopter, but it proved a popular design for corporations and superhero teams. It had a maximum speed of 192 mph, could withstand low-caliber weapons, and had a sophisticated avionics suite. It was also pretty comfortable, but it was not intended for assaults against heavily defended off-shore facilities. It was a very expensive piece of equipment and it was Camille’s job to get it safely to the dropsite. She looked back at the rest of the team and realized that it was also her job to get them all safely back from this mission. It was almost too much responsibility; she freaked out when Meghan got a fever.
White Knight was unreadable, as usual, but it was clear he was preoccupied. If he fell into the ocean, he would probably sink to his death. Dr. Sterling had provided an emergency flotation device that might help, but water was the big weakness of most power armor. No doubt behind the helmet, White Knight was scared. Keystone was in a similar bind with his incredibly dense body, but he was too busy hamming it up for Pearcy and his video camera. Pearcy had begun the flight excited but as they got closer to the target, it looked like the $12,000 was sounding less and less appealing.
Starfish looked bored, but he was their only true water super on this mission. With his abilities and incredible regeneration powers he was probably the only member of the team guaranteed to survive. Finally, there was Cosmic Kid who was just coming out of the bathroom. He was loaded up with gear, but he wasn’t overly dependent on it like some supers she’d met who doubted their own abilities and used hardware as a crutch. Cosmic Kid knew his powers backwards and forwards. This was a good team, one of the best she’d been on during her career.
She got the signal from the crew that they were within five miles of the target. She had to say something. She had to assign the teams. She had to make the first in a series of decisions that might decide who lived and who died tonight.
“Okay, we are going to fly in low, land if possible, and hit them hard,” said Camille. “I will be heading outside to ensure our safe arrival to the platform. There will be three teams. I will be Team One. Starfish and White Knight will be Team Two. Keystone and Cosmic Kid will be Team Three.”
“So you’re not just team leader, you’re an entire team unto yourself,” said Starfish. “Most impressive.”
“Camille, Cosmic Kid is a spotlight hog. Can we trade partners?” asked Keystone.
“No, those are the teams,” snapped Camille. “Team Two and Team Three will move to secure the premises, while Team One secures the bridge and then provides support as needed.”
“Do we have more specific objectives or should I find a Ouija board to guide my team?” asked Starfish.
“Our job is to disrupt whatever is happening,” said Camille, who had already gone over the limited information she had with everyone at least twice during the flight, but Starfish kept harping on more specific objectives. The fact was that they still didn’t know exactly what was going on here, so she couldn’t assign more specific objectives. “Find the QHRA and any other threats and shut them down. Mix it up and don’t hold back. Reinforcements from the Coast Guard and maybe the Air Force will be coming, but our job is to make sure that all they have to do is cleanup.”
Camille took a deep breath and signaled for the doors to be opened. They slid open and fresh salt air flooded the compartment. She turned towards the team. “I’m going out. When I signal, disembark.”
She leapt and took to flight, moving ahead of the helicopter. It was evening and the sea was beautiful, and even the well-lit platform in the distance was pretty. Still if she could see them then they might be able to see her, even though Pacific One was flying low, silent, and dark. Her instinct was to fly in ahead of the team to cause as much damage as possible as a distraction, but as team leader she had to curb her impulsive streak. She felt raindrops. She doubted they had a weather-controlling mutant on the platform kick
ing up a storm, because rain was to their advantage to cover their arrival.
“Annie, I’m getting some rainfall,” said Camille into her headset.
“Yes, there’s some strong feeder bands moving in from the north,” confirmed Dr. Sterling. “Rain will help on approach, but you’re going to lose track of everyone quick enough.”
“True.” Camille frowned. “How’s Blue Star?”
“He’s in stable condition and all signs are good he will recover.”
“Understood—” said Camille and then she saw it: a streaking flash in her direction - a missile, probably a SAM. Camille flew forward and repeatedly blasted with her cosmic energy till she finally hit; it detonated into a bright explosion. Back on the Infinity Team, they had practiced intercepting missiles all the time, but it was never a pleasant experience. “Team – get ready for action! Pacific One engage countermeasures!” she hollered over the headset and rose to give herself a better position.
Three more missiles flew from the platform. She dived and fired at one, taking it out, and then corrected her flight path to pursue the second and bring it down. The third sailed past Pacific One as the helicopter’s countermeasures must have worked.
“More missiles incoming,” said Dr. Sterling over the headset. “If it’s any comfort, they appear to be handheld rockets rather than a missile emplacement.”
Camille nodded, that was good news; if they could eliminate the guys firing the rockets, that threat would be over. She hit the two missiles in quick succession. She glanced towards the platform and saw the enemy mobilizing in the rain. It would be an opposed landing and it would be ugly.
“Six more incoming!” called Dr. Sterling.
Camille’s eyes widened in alarm and she chased after them, hitting two. Pacific One raised up and was engaging its flares and other countermeasures. She blasted another missile and saw two more sail past Pacific One, but one hit, blowing a huge chunk out of the tail end of the helicopter, which started spinning down.
West Pacific Supers: Rising Tide Page 28