1.
“The All-American Corps?” Alix sneered when Dmitri told them the team’s new name.
“This was the least offensive name on the list the Pentagon gave me,” Dmitri shrugged. “They acquiesced on everything else you requested. The name shouldn’t be that big of a deal.”
“It’ll be fine, I guess,” Alix said. “Who are the new people?” Alix thumbed to two women sitting in the back.
“Since we’ve lost America, we recruited two people that we’ve been watching for awhile. If you two would introduce yourselves.”
The older of the women stood up. She had long red hair and big glasses. “I am Jean Senne, or Fire, for obvious reasons,” she raised her arms up over her head and flames appeared underneath. “I can shoot them, glide, and encase myself for protection.” Jean extinguished the flames and sat back down.
The younger girl stood up. She looked Asian but spoke with a British accent. “I am April Weatherby or, Chimney Girl,” she put on the top hat she had on the table in front of her. From the top, it started smoking.
“Do we really need another smoke-based team member?” Alix asked and went to clap Vanessa on the back but stopped halfway through.
“I’m more than just smoke,” she said. “Come here,” Alix shrugged and went over to her. April’s skin turned into brick and she threw a punch at Alix. Caught off-guard, Alix went down.
“All right. I stand corrected,” Alix said and looked at April as her skin went back to normal.
“The Pentagon agreed to move us out into the world. You can come and go as you please. We will give you communication bracelets if we need you and you are encouraged to be a contributing member of society,” Dmitri said.
“We can have a life now?” Miguel asked.
“And friends?” asked Brandon.
“Don’t thank me,” Dmitri held up a hand. “You can thank your new All-American Corps leader, Alix ‘Superkitten’ Kincaid.”
Alix’s mouth dropped. Miguel slammed his hand down. “What? How?”
“Matthew--America--recommended her when he left. She showed great leadership and heart during the wrath of Kon. He agreed so I decided to take a chance and let her show us what she can do.”
“But I’m older. I’ve been training and learning to be leader for two years,” Miguel said. “No offense but Matthew only recommended her because they were sleeping togeter.”
The team gasped. Jean and April looked embarrassed as they looked at Alix. “Matthew didn’t mention any of that. We talked about her leadership and self-sacrifice during the last few missions and how her powers are more conducive to a leadership role,” Dmitri explained. “If you want to talk more about this, we can go to my office.”
“No,” Miguel stood up. “I’m gonna go be a contributing member of society,” Miguel walked out of the room.
“Sorry about that. Meeting’s over. You’re dismissed.”
Everyone got up and began leaving. Brandon walked up to Dmitri. “Dmitri, how long have you been holding onto that ‘wrath of Kon’ bit?”
“Quite a while. I’m glad someone noticed.”
The Corps had been set up in an old brick school building that had been abandoned for about a decade. It was a three-story school with one floor at ground level and partly underground. The lower level had been rehabilitated into an armament and database library. The second floor, the one everyone entered the building to, became apartments and offices for the team. The third floor was the new training facility.
They were now headquartered in Phillipsburg, Maryland, a small town in western Maryland. The original plan was to locate in Baltimore or Alexandria or somewhere around D.C. but Dmitri wanted a smaller city where the team could stand out and help out. Agent Spider stood out on the balcony on the third floor and looked out over the city. There were no buildings for him to swing around on. The tallest building was a grain elevator near the river and the water tower, the next tallest thing was a five-story hotel downtown. There weren’t any buildings tall enough to swing around on in D.C. either but he was ready for big city work.
He jumped off the balcony and shot some webbing toward a church tower that was down the street. He landed on the top of the church tower and looked out over the city again, not being able to reach the next tallest thing, the hotel. Agent Spider was originally from New York City. When he was growing up, the streets were his playground despite his parents being worried about something happening to him. When he discovered his powers, the buildings became an endless jungle gym in his playground.
He sat down on the edge of the church tower and sighed. In the distance, he heard the squeal of tires and kids scream. He looked around to find where the noise was coming from then saw a car racing down Park Street. He jumped off the tower and shot webbing as best he could through the trees to swing over to the street.
The car hopped the car and tore through the park. The car was aiming right for a little girl playing in a sandbox. Agent Spider swung as fast as could underneath the trees. He grabbed the girl just as the driver of the car yanked the steering wheel to the left. The car started to turn but flipped over three times, landing on its roof.
“Are you okay?” Spider asked the girl.
She nodded her head.
“Why don’t you run home? You’re okay,” he put her down on the ground and she started running. Agent Spider went over to the car and opened the door. “What are you doing?” he shouted as he bent down.
“What do you think?” the man driving slurred.
Agent Spider flipped the car back onto its wheels. The man unbuckled and attempted to get out of the car. A police siren could be heard approaching. Agent Spider grabbed the man by the shirt collar. “Why are you driving while drunk?”
“How else am I supposed to get home?”
“Get a ride from somebody. Walk. It’s a small town, you can get across town by foot in fifteen minutes. You nearly killed a little girl.”
“I tried to miss her,” the man tried to shrug.
“But you wouldn’t have. Not if I hadn’t been here,” the police showed up and an officer stepped out. “I oughta break your face but I guess I’ll just give you to the cops.” He threw the man onto the ground.
“What’s going on?” the officer asked.
“This drunk hopped the curb and nearly drove into a little girl,” Spider said then swung off back into the trees.
“This was the least offensive name on the list the Pentagon gave me,” Dmitri shrugged. “They acquiesced on everything else you requested. The name shouldn’t be that big of a deal.”
“It’ll be fine, I guess,” Alix said. “Who are the new people?” Alix thumbed to two women sitting in the back.
“Since we’ve lost America, we recruited two people that we’ve been watching for awhile. If you two would introduce yourselves.”
The older of the women stood up. She had long red hair and big glasses. “I am Jean Senne, or Fire, for obvious reasons,” she raised her arms up over her head and flames appeared underneath. “I can shoot them, glide, and encase myself for protection.” Jean extinguished the flames and sat back down.
The younger girl stood up. She looked Asian but spoke with a British accent. “I am April Weatherby or, Chimney Girl,” she put on the top hat she had on the table in front of her. From the top, it started smoking.
“Do we really need another smoke-based team member?” Alix asked and went to clap Vanessa on the back but stopped halfway through.
“I’m more than just smoke,” she said. “Come here,” Alix shrugged and went over to her. April’s skin turned into brick and she threw a punch at Alix. Caught off-guard, Alix went down.
“All right. I stand corrected,” Alix said and looked at April as her skin went back to normal.
“The Pentagon agreed to move us out into the world. You can come and go as you please. We will give you communication bracelets if we need you and you are encouraged to be a contributing member of society,” Dmitri said.
“We can have a life now?” Miguel asked.
“And friends?” asked Brandon.
“Don’t thank me,” Dmitri held up a hand. “You can thank your new All-American Corps leader, Alix ‘Superkitten’ Kincaid.”
Alix’s mouth dropped. Miguel slammed his hand down. “What? How?”
“Matthew--America--recommended her when he left. She showed great leadership and heart during the wrath of Kon. He agreed so I decided to take a chance and let her show us what she can do.”
“But I’m older. I’ve been training and learning to be leader for two years,” Miguel said. “No offense but Matthew only recommended her because they were sleeping togeter.”
The team gasped. Jean and April looked embarrassed as they looked at Alix. “Matthew didn’t mention any of that. We talked about her leadership and self-sacrifice during the last few missions and how her powers are more conducive to a leadership role,” Dmitri explained. “If you want to talk more about this, we can go to my office.”
“No,” Miguel stood up. “I’m gonna go be a contributing member of society,” Miguel walked out of the room.
“Sorry about that. Meeting’s over. You’re dismissed.”
Everyone got up and began leaving. Brandon walked up to Dmitri. “Dmitri, how long have you been holding onto that ‘wrath of Kon’ bit?”
“Quite a while. I’m glad someone noticed.”
The Corps had been set up in an old brick school building that had been abandoned for about a decade. It was a three-story school with one floor at ground level and partly underground. The lower level had been rehabilitated into an armament and database library. The second floor, the one everyone entered the building to, became apartments and offices for the team. The third floor was the new training facility.
They were now headquartered in Phillipsburg, Maryland, a small town in western Maryland. The original plan was to locate in Baltimore or Alexandria or somewhere around D.C. but Dmitri wanted a smaller city where the team could stand out and help out. Agent Spider stood out on the balcony on the third floor and looked out over the city. There were no buildings for him to swing around on. The tallest building was a grain elevator near the river and the water tower, the next tallest thing was a five-story hotel downtown. There weren’t any buildings tall enough to swing around on in D.C. either but he was ready for big city work.
He jumped off the balcony and shot some webbing toward a church tower that was down the street. He landed on the top of the church tower and looked out over the city again, not being able to reach the next tallest thing, the hotel. Agent Spider was originally from New York City. When he was growing up, the streets were his playground despite his parents being worried about something happening to him. When he discovered his powers, the buildings became an endless jungle gym in his playground.
He sat down on the edge of the church tower and sighed. In the distance, he heard the squeal of tires and kids scream. He looked around to find where the noise was coming from then saw a car racing down Park Street. He jumped off the tower and shot webbing as best he could through the trees to swing over to the street.
The car hopped the car and tore through the park. The car was aiming right for a little girl playing in a sandbox. Agent Spider swung as fast as could underneath the trees. He grabbed the girl just as the driver of the car yanked the steering wheel to the left. The car started to turn but flipped over three times, landing on its roof.
“Are you okay?” Spider asked the girl.
She nodded her head.
“Why don’t you run home? You’re okay,” he put her down on the ground and she started running. Agent Spider went over to the car and opened the door. “What are you doing?” he shouted as he bent down.
“What do you think?” the man driving slurred.
Agent Spider flipped the car back onto its wheels. The man unbuckled and attempted to get out of the car. A police siren could be heard approaching. Agent Spider grabbed the man by the shirt collar. “Why are you driving while drunk?”
“How else am I supposed to get home?”
“Get a ride from somebody. Walk. It’s a small town, you can get across town by foot in fifteen minutes. You nearly killed a little girl.”
“I tried to miss her,” the man tried to shrug.
“But you wouldn’t have. Not if I hadn’t been here,” the police showed up and an officer stepped out. “I oughta break your face but I guess I’ll just give you to the cops.” He threw the man onto the ground.
“What’s going on?” the officer asked.
“This drunk hopped the curb and nearly drove into a little girl,” Spider said then swung off back into the trees.
2.
20 Years Ago…
The Senne family joined together in the abandoned house on Jean’s 12th birthday. Jean, dressed in a robe, laid down on the floor, arms and legs spread out. Candles were placed next to her head, hands, and feet. As soon as the candles were lit, her family began chanting, offering Jean as a sacrifice to their god.
Nervous, Jean closed her eyes and when she opened them, she was somewhere else. A cat-like figure, engulfed in flames appeared in front of her.
“Cattarah,” Jean whispered, half to the figure, half to herself. “Cattarah, I give myself to you.”
Jean wasn’t sure what to expect. The fire cat removed her robe, exposing her naked body. She could feel the flames licking at her skin but they were cool to the touch. She felt the weight of Cattarah on her and then he was inside her.
It was her first time and at first it hurt but soon she was enjoying it and wanting more. She gave herself completely to Cattarah. They made love endlessly among the flames and darkness of Cattarah’s realm--the demon fire cat and little girl.
When they were spent, Cattarah began preparing Jean to receive his seed. She was gifted the ability to control and become fire. She could do whatever Cattarah could do and in twenty years would be able to have his children. Both of them engulfed in flames, they made love again before Cattarah sent Jean back to her plane.
Over the years, the thrill of being Cattarah’s bride wore off. Jean distanced herself from her family and what was her religion. She used her powers for good becoming a hero in secret but monitored by Dmitri.
Cattrah was ready to receive his bride, he appeared in the center of Phillipsburg. The All-American Corps quickly received the alert.
“Some sort of weird fire creature downtown,” Geo-Whiz, who was on monitor duty, said.
“A fire creature?” Jean stood up. “Cattarah.”
“What?”
“I know who this is,” she breathed.
“How do you know him?” Alix came into the room.
“He gave me my powers,” Jean said. “He’s also kind of my husband or fiancee or whatever.”
Alix and Geo-Whiz looked at her. “Well, you should take control of your man,” Geo-Whiz said.
“We’re not that close,” Jean said. “Come on, Alix.”
Fire and Superkitten landed in front of Cattarah. He noticeably got excited, flames leaping off of him. He reached out to Jean and his eyes grew wide. “My bride…” he rasped. She had never heard him speak--didn’t think he could.
“About this bride thing. I’ve changed my mind,” Fire said. “But it’s not you, it’s me. I stopped hanging out with my family--most of them are dead or in jail anyway, and I changed my religion.”
“You outgrew him,” Superkitten said.
“Yes. Exactly. I outgrew you.”
“You defy me?” Cattarah hissed.
“Just leave. You don’t need me,” Fire said.
“No one defies me,” Cattarah said and suddenly grew to about three time his original size, the flames surrounding his body expanded outward and grew warmer.
“All right. I guess we’ll see how similar my powers are to yours,” Fire said and lifted herself several feet off the ground. Both attacked at the same time. Their flames hit and canceled each other out. “Seems like we’re the same. And the only way to get rid of my powers is to kill me so…”
“I’ve killed many a wife,” Cattarah hissed again. “You’ll be no different.”
“I will be different. I won’t let you kill me,” Fire said and flew toward Cattarah. Fire distracted him with an eagle made of fire while Superkitten lept up and struck him from below.
Cattarah then focused on Superkitten. He grabbed Superkitten with his hands in an attempt to burn her. Fire directed her flames into Cattarah. Her flames tore through the middle of him and he screamed in pain and let go of Superkitten, who was able to leap up again and strike his face again as hard as she could. The punch thundered across Phillipsburg.
“You are nothing without me,” Cattarah said. “I made you what you are.”
“That’s true but you gave me these powers so I could incubate any children we had. I use these powers to help people to be better than the ones who gave me these powers. You took advantage of a 12-year-old girl. Religious ceremony, family get-together, newlyweds consummating their marriage, no matter what you call it, it was rape and it was wrong,” Fire explained.
Cattarah actually paused and shrank back down to his normal size.
“That worked?” Superkitten questioned, confused. “No finally means no?”
“You don’t have to come with me,” Cattarah said, barely above a whisper. “Have my children. You will still be treated like a queen. Few can handle this type of power,” he expanded his flames just a little. “Will you at least bear my children?”
“What if I say no?”
“I can’t make you do anything but you will have a very powerful and dangerous enemy,” Cattarah threatened.
“I don’t think so,” Fire said. “You said few can handle this power. Because I survived receiving the power, you respect me.”
“You have opened a Pandora’s box of horrors,” Cattarah said and then disappeared in a puff of smoke and fire.
“Aww, he loves me,” Fire cooed.
“That was weird,” Superkitten said, raising an eyebrow. “How would having his baby work?”
“Let’s find something to eat and I’ll tell you,” Fire said and the two of them headed toward the stores of downtown.
A shadowy figure crept through the museum. She had cut off the power but only had a few minutes before either the police came by to check or CBX, the team that had been monitoring her, caught up with her. She avoided everything in the museum and went straight to a case that held an artifact called a gold hearthstone. It wasn’t a hearthstone but no one else knew what it was. It was carbon dated as being older than anything else in a museum but this museum was leery about giving it that distinction.
No one knew what it was except a handful of people. The figure carefully cut into the glass covering the hearthstone. As she held the stone and was about to pocket it, something flew across the room and hit her hand causing her to drop it.
“Don’t move,” three figures were approaching her. “Keep your hands where we can see them.”
“Looks like you got me,” she replied. “At least for now.” Her hand shot off and a grappling hook flew up to the ceiling. While the three were distracted, she began shooting at them. She then disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“At least she didn’t get the soul,” another of the figures said.
“But she’ll be back, Lucy. We’re going to need backup and I think I know where we can get it.
The Senne family joined together in the abandoned house on Jean’s 12th birthday. Jean, dressed in a robe, laid down on the floor, arms and legs spread out. Candles were placed next to her head, hands, and feet. As soon as the candles were lit, her family began chanting, offering Jean as a sacrifice to their god.
Nervous, Jean closed her eyes and when she opened them, she was somewhere else. A cat-like figure, engulfed in flames appeared in front of her.
“Cattarah,” Jean whispered, half to the figure, half to herself. “Cattarah, I give myself to you.”
Jean wasn’t sure what to expect. The fire cat removed her robe, exposing her naked body. She could feel the flames licking at her skin but they were cool to the touch. She felt the weight of Cattarah on her and then he was inside her.
It was her first time and at first it hurt but soon she was enjoying it and wanting more. She gave herself completely to Cattarah. They made love endlessly among the flames and darkness of Cattarah’s realm--the demon fire cat and little girl.
When they were spent, Cattarah began preparing Jean to receive his seed. She was gifted the ability to control and become fire. She could do whatever Cattarah could do and in twenty years would be able to have his children. Both of them engulfed in flames, they made love again before Cattarah sent Jean back to her plane.
Over the years, the thrill of being Cattarah’s bride wore off. Jean distanced herself from her family and what was her religion. She used her powers for good becoming a hero in secret but monitored by Dmitri.
Cattrah was ready to receive his bride, he appeared in the center of Phillipsburg. The All-American Corps quickly received the alert.
“Some sort of weird fire creature downtown,” Geo-Whiz, who was on monitor duty, said.
“A fire creature?” Jean stood up. “Cattarah.”
“What?”
“I know who this is,” she breathed.
“How do you know him?” Alix came into the room.
“He gave me my powers,” Jean said. “He’s also kind of my husband or fiancee or whatever.”
Alix and Geo-Whiz looked at her. “Well, you should take control of your man,” Geo-Whiz said.
“We’re not that close,” Jean said. “Come on, Alix.”
Fire and Superkitten landed in front of Cattarah. He noticeably got excited, flames leaping off of him. He reached out to Jean and his eyes grew wide. “My bride…” he rasped. She had never heard him speak--didn’t think he could.
“About this bride thing. I’ve changed my mind,” Fire said. “But it’s not you, it’s me. I stopped hanging out with my family--most of them are dead or in jail anyway, and I changed my religion.”
“You outgrew him,” Superkitten said.
“Yes. Exactly. I outgrew you.”
“You defy me?” Cattarah hissed.
“Just leave. You don’t need me,” Fire said.
“No one defies me,” Cattarah said and suddenly grew to about three time his original size, the flames surrounding his body expanded outward and grew warmer.
“All right. I guess we’ll see how similar my powers are to yours,” Fire said and lifted herself several feet off the ground. Both attacked at the same time. Their flames hit and canceled each other out. “Seems like we’re the same. And the only way to get rid of my powers is to kill me so…”
“I’ve killed many a wife,” Cattarah hissed again. “You’ll be no different.”
“I will be different. I won’t let you kill me,” Fire said and flew toward Cattarah. Fire distracted him with an eagle made of fire while Superkitten lept up and struck him from below.
Cattarah then focused on Superkitten. He grabbed Superkitten with his hands in an attempt to burn her. Fire directed her flames into Cattarah. Her flames tore through the middle of him and he screamed in pain and let go of Superkitten, who was able to leap up again and strike his face again as hard as she could. The punch thundered across Phillipsburg.
“You are nothing without me,” Cattarah said. “I made you what you are.”
“That’s true but you gave me these powers so I could incubate any children we had. I use these powers to help people to be better than the ones who gave me these powers. You took advantage of a 12-year-old girl. Religious ceremony, family get-together, newlyweds consummating their marriage, no matter what you call it, it was rape and it was wrong,” Fire explained.
Cattarah actually paused and shrank back down to his normal size.
“That worked?” Superkitten questioned, confused. “No finally means no?”
“You don’t have to come with me,” Cattarah said, barely above a whisper. “Have my children. You will still be treated like a queen. Few can handle this type of power,” he expanded his flames just a little. “Will you at least bear my children?”
“What if I say no?”
“I can’t make you do anything but you will have a very powerful and dangerous enemy,” Cattarah threatened.
“I don’t think so,” Fire said. “You said few can handle this power. Because I survived receiving the power, you respect me.”
“You have opened a Pandora’s box of horrors,” Cattarah said and then disappeared in a puff of smoke and fire.
“Aww, he loves me,” Fire cooed.
“That was weird,” Superkitten said, raising an eyebrow. “How would having his baby work?”
“Let’s find something to eat and I’ll tell you,” Fire said and the two of them headed toward the stores of downtown.
A shadowy figure crept through the museum. She had cut off the power but only had a few minutes before either the police came by to check or CBX, the team that had been monitoring her, caught up with her. She avoided everything in the museum and went straight to a case that held an artifact called a gold hearthstone. It wasn’t a hearthstone but no one else knew what it was. It was carbon dated as being older than anything else in a museum but this museum was leery about giving it that distinction.
No one knew what it was except a handful of people. The figure carefully cut into the glass covering the hearthstone. As she held the stone and was about to pocket it, something flew across the room and hit her hand causing her to drop it.
“Don’t move,” three figures were approaching her. “Keep your hands where we can see them.”
“Looks like you got me,” she replied. “At least for now.” Her hand shot off and a grappling hook flew up to the ceiling. While the three were distracted, she began shooting at them. She then disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“At least she didn’t get the soul,” another of the figures said.
“But she’ll be back, Lucy. We’re going to need backup and I think I know where we can get it.
3.
“That’s a soul?” Geo-Whiz asked as CBX stood among them.
CBX was a covert team formed as kind of an anti-government police force. Seeing all the injustice caused by a system supposedly created to help, protect, and serve, these friends formed a task force to combat these injustices and more. Charles was the leader who was good with firearms and projectiles. Lucy knew many forms of fighting. Linus was a computer and technology master and brilliant scientist and inventor. Sally was a problem solver and master of disguise.
“This is the soul of a being called Madame Spectre. She is an omnipotent demigod who is the only one who can change fate,” Linus explained.
“So why isn’t that soul part of someone?” Agent Spider asked. “Why isn’t it with this Madame Spectre person?”
“Unfortunately, Madame Spectre passed away,” Linus said.
“These things happen from time to time with omnipotent demigods,” Sally interrupted.
“The soul has to find the new Madame Spectre and that takes time,” Charles informed.
“So what are we doing with that and why do you need our help?” Superkitten asked, tired of the presentation.
“First, we need to find a vessel for the soul,” Charles said.
“And why hasn’t that happened?” Geo-Whiz asked, raising his hand.
“You don’t have to raise your hand,” Superkitten told him.
“The right vessel has to be found. As I said, that takes time. The soul searches through billions of people. It can’t be just anyone,” Charles said. “This is omnipotent power. Nearly everything would be at your command.”
“So you want us to help you find a vessel?” Superkitten asked.
“What we mostly need your help with is keeping the person who’s after the soul away,” Charles explained.
“And who would that be?” Geo-Whiz asked, raising his hand.
“Dude,” Superkitten slapped Geo-Whiz’s shoulder.
“She goes by the name Mrs. S. We thought you’d be helpful to us since Mrs. S. used to be Dmitri’s wife,” Charles said, pointing at Dmitri who was standing in the corner.
“They took the soul to my fool husband and that superhero team he’s in charge of,” Mrs. S. complained as she paced in her computer room. “That will make it significantly harder to get it back.”
“You want I should punch something?” a man watching Mrs. S. said. He was Jack Strand, a partner and henchman for her. His strength and body were like steel.
“No. No, dear Jack. Thanks for offering though,” Mrs. S. smiled at him.
“I know you like it when I get all violent and stupid,” Jack smiled back. “So how are we going to get the soul?”
“I think a full-on offensive would work. At least enough to confuse them and grab the soul. We can send an army of Zeroes which they will have to defend against while we go and grab the soul. I should’ve gotten rid of Dmitri when I had the chance. Only wounding him is my only regret,” she sighed.
“So what happened?” Superkitten asked.
“Yeah, this makes you about 75 percent cooler, Dmitri,” Chimney Girl leaned forward.
“Dish, Dmitri,” Fire grinned.
“It’s not that great of a story. We met when we were young. She didn’t want to be tied down which I was fine with because we were just having fun but then she got pregnant and was stuck with me. She began harboring resentment toward me then she gave birth. Things were fine early on but once Vanessa started changing, she got angry. She wanted out. She shot me and left. I haven’t seen her since,” Dmitri explained.
“She sounds like a terrible person,” Agent Spider said. “How’d you stay with her so long?”
“I was blinded...stupid. It doesn’t matter. We need to protect that soul and stop Virginia,” Dmitri said.
“Her name’s Virginia?” Charles asked. “Well, that makes her slightly less intimidating.
The Zeroes headed toward the school building. Zeroes were the name given to an android army that Mrs. S had created. They acted and looked like humans, which made people wary of going full force on them but they were just robots.
The All-American Corps saw them coming. “We have activity,” Geo-Whiz said, looking at the monitor.
“Let me see,” Linus came over and looked. “Okay, they are just Zeroes. Androids that seem a lot like humans but they are just robots so there is no need to hold back.”
“Spider, Fire and I will take care of them. Be on the lookout for Mrs. S,” Superkitten said.
“Seems quiet,” one of the Zeroes said.
“Yeah, too quiet,” another said. “Aren’t we going after a highly skilled superhero team with all sorts of technology at their disposal?” the Zero looked over and saw that the other Zero was now missing its head. “Damn.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Fire said before setting the Zero on fire, melting it.
The three of them continued their assault on the Zeroes. A few Zeroes actually seemed to put up a fight but most were easily put out of commission.
“This is weird,” Superkitten said, walking over to Fire. “Something doesn’t seem right.”
“I agree. Something’s off.”
Elsewhere on the property, Agent Spider was dealing with two of the Zeroes. Two that had actually put up a fight. He had managed to rip off the arm of one and webbed the other. He shot a web at the one-armed Zero and swung it into the other causing both of the Zeroes to spark and break down.
Agent Spider then tried to figure out where Superkitten and Fire might be. He heard a stick break and then a fist hit him across the jaw. Agent Spider landed on the ground and briefly felt his skull on fire before all life went from him.
“Sorry I couldn’t let you go all out on him but we need to do this fast,” Mrs. S said, holding a plasma gun.
“That’s okay. How will we get the other two over here?” Jack asked.
“With this,” Mrs. S pulled out a regular gun and fired two shots. One into the air and the other into Agent Spider then they ran off toward the school.
A few seconds later, Superkitten and Fire arrived at where Agent Spider lay. Fire bent down and felt Spider’s neck. “Dead,” she said softly.
“We have a team member down,” Superkitten announced into her communicator. “We need everyone ready to go but make sure the soul is protected.”
Everyone in the school building came to attention. Everyone got ready and headed out of the building. Linus was in a vault with Smoke guarding the soul. “I’m gonna go. Can you protect the soul?”
Smoke nodded. “Yeah.”
“All right. We’ll try to handle Mrs. S. Do what you can to protect the soul in case we can’t.”
“Will do. Good luck.”
Linus left the room and the door closed. Smoke went over to the single monitor and tried to make out what was going on by changing the channels. It seemed to get brighter in the room and when Smoke noticed, she turned around and saw the soul glowing brightly. “What the…?” Smoke went over and reached out toward it. She was engulfed in the light and when the light went away she was in a white body suit with stars in her hair. “What just happened?” she asked herself.
CBX was a covert team formed as kind of an anti-government police force. Seeing all the injustice caused by a system supposedly created to help, protect, and serve, these friends formed a task force to combat these injustices and more. Charles was the leader who was good with firearms and projectiles. Lucy knew many forms of fighting. Linus was a computer and technology master and brilliant scientist and inventor. Sally was a problem solver and master of disguise.
“This is the soul of a being called Madame Spectre. She is an omnipotent demigod who is the only one who can change fate,” Linus explained.
“So why isn’t that soul part of someone?” Agent Spider asked. “Why isn’t it with this Madame Spectre person?”
“Unfortunately, Madame Spectre passed away,” Linus said.
“These things happen from time to time with omnipotent demigods,” Sally interrupted.
“The soul has to find the new Madame Spectre and that takes time,” Charles informed.
“So what are we doing with that and why do you need our help?” Superkitten asked, tired of the presentation.
“First, we need to find a vessel for the soul,” Charles said.
“And why hasn’t that happened?” Geo-Whiz asked, raising his hand.
“You don’t have to raise your hand,” Superkitten told him.
“The right vessel has to be found. As I said, that takes time. The soul searches through billions of people. It can’t be just anyone,” Charles said. “This is omnipotent power. Nearly everything would be at your command.”
“So you want us to help you find a vessel?” Superkitten asked.
“What we mostly need your help with is keeping the person who’s after the soul away,” Charles explained.
“And who would that be?” Geo-Whiz asked, raising his hand.
“Dude,” Superkitten slapped Geo-Whiz’s shoulder.
“She goes by the name Mrs. S. We thought you’d be helpful to us since Mrs. S. used to be Dmitri’s wife,” Charles said, pointing at Dmitri who was standing in the corner.
“They took the soul to my fool husband and that superhero team he’s in charge of,” Mrs. S. complained as she paced in her computer room. “That will make it significantly harder to get it back.”
“You want I should punch something?” a man watching Mrs. S. said. He was Jack Strand, a partner and henchman for her. His strength and body were like steel.
“No. No, dear Jack. Thanks for offering though,” Mrs. S. smiled at him.
“I know you like it when I get all violent and stupid,” Jack smiled back. “So how are we going to get the soul?”
“I think a full-on offensive would work. At least enough to confuse them and grab the soul. We can send an army of Zeroes which they will have to defend against while we go and grab the soul. I should’ve gotten rid of Dmitri when I had the chance. Only wounding him is my only regret,” she sighed.
“So what happened?” Superkitten asked.
“Yeah, this makes you about 75 percent cooler, Dmitri,” Chimney Girl leaned forward.
“Dish, Dmitri,” Fire grinned.
“It’s not that great of a story. We met when we were young. She didn’t want to be tied down which I was fine with because we were just having fun but then she got pregnant and was stuck with me. She began harboring resentment toward me then she gave birth. Things were fine early on but once Vanessa started changing, she got angry. She wanted out. She shot me and left. I haven’t seen her since,” Dmitri explained.
“She sounds like a terrible person,” Agent Spider said. “How’d you stay with her so long?”
“I was blinded...stupid. It doesn’t matter. We need to protect that soul and stop Virginia,” Dmitri said.
“Her name’s Virginia?” Charles asked. “Well, that makes her slightly less intimidating.
The Zeroes headed toward the school building. Zeroes were the name given to an android army that Mrs. S had created. They acted and looked like humans, which made people wary of going full force on them but they were just robots.
The All-American Corps saw them coming. “We have activity,” Geo-Whiz said, looking at the monitor.
“Let me see,” Linus came over and looked. “Okay, they are just Zeroes. Androids that seem a lot like humans but they are just robots so there is no need to hold back.”
“Spider, Fire and I will take care of them. Be on the lookout for Mrs. S,” Superkitten said.
“Seems quiet,” one of the Zeroes said.
“Yeah, too quiet,” another said. “Aren’t we going after a highly skilled superhero team with all sorts of technology at their disposal?” the Zero looked over and saw that the other Zero was now missing its head. “Damn.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Fire said before setting the Zero on fire, melting it.
The three of them continued their assault on the Zeroes. A few Zeroes actually seemed to put up a fight but most were easily put out of commission.
“This is weird,” Superkitten said, walking over to Fire. “Something doesn’t seem right.”
“I agree. Something’s off.”
Elsewhere on the property, Agent Spider was dealing with two of the Zeroes. Two that had actually put up a fight. He had managed to rip off the arm of one and webbed the other. He shot a web at the one-armed Zero and swung it into the other causing both of the Zeroes to spark and break down.
Agent Spider then tried to figure out where Superkitten and Fire might be. He heard a stick break and then a fist hit him across the jaw. Agent Spider landed on the ground and briefly felt his skull on fire before all life went from him.
“Sorry I couldn’t let you go all out on him but we need to do this fast,” Mrs. S said, holding a plasma gun.
“That’s okay. How will we get the other two over here?” Jack asked.
“With this,” Mrs. S pulled out a regular gun and fired two shots. One into the air and the other into Agent Spider then they ran off toward the school.
A few seconds later, Superkitten and Fire arrived at where Agent Spider lay. Fire bent down and felt Spider’s neck. “Dead,” she said softly.
“We have a team member down,” Superkitten announced into her communicator. “We need everyone ready to go but make sure the soul is protected.”
Everyone in the school building came to attention. Everyone got ready and headed out of the building. Linus was in a vault with Smoke guarding the soul. “I’m gonna go. Can you protect the soul?”
Smoke nodded. “Yeah.”
“All right. We’ll try to handle Mrs. S. Do what you can to protect the soul in case we can’t.”
“Will do. Good luck.”
Linus left the room and the door closed. Smoke went over to the single monitor and tried to make out what was going on by changing the channels. It seemed to get brighter in the room and when Smoke noticed, she turned around and saw the soul glowing brightly. “What the…?” Smoke went over and reached out toward it. She was engulfed in the light and when the light went away she was in a white body suit with stars in her hair. “What just happened?” she asked herself.
4.
Mrs. S. and Jack Strand’s siege on the old school building went as planned. The whole team went to where Agent Spider’s body lay. The members of CBX stayed back, defending the building. Mrs. S. and Jack first ran into Charles and Sally.
“Get them,” Charles shouted. “We have to protect the soul.”
“Oh, little boy,” Mrs. S. said as Jack grabbed Charles’ arm. “You don’t have the advantage of a sneak attack this time,” Jack hit Charles in the middle of his chest, crushing it. Charles went flying backwards and landed with a hard thud on the ground, unmoving.
Sally stayed closer to the school, hidden out of sight. She watched as Mrs. S. and Jack approached the back door of the old school. When they were almost there, Sally attacked. She landed on Jack and landed a couple of blows, one seeming like it hurt him, before Jack grabbed an appendage and slammed her down on the ground. “Lucy...Linus...they’re going in the school...Charles and myself...down...Please…”
Jack stomped heavily onto Sally’s head. Twice. Like Charles, she was unmoving. Mrs. S. and Jack broke the door down and entered the school building.
“We need to get back to the school,” Superkitten raised her head and turned back. “Chim, stay with Spider. Geo, Fire, and I will go back to the school,” Superkitten ordered.
The three rushed back to the school where they saw Linus and Lucy fighting Mrs. S. and Jack and were seemingly holding their own. Fire created a flame barrier, blocking the way to where the soul was kept. Jack grabbed Linus and threw him at the oncoming heroes. Geo-Whiz was able to slow Linus down with his powers and lower him gently to the ground.
Lucy was still fighting but then made a mistake--switching her fight to Mrs. S.--which allowed Jack to grab Lucy and throw her into the wall. He then slammed himself into her. Superkitten leapt up and collided with Jack, wanting to get him away from Lucy. Like Charles, Sally, and Agent Spider, she had stopped moving but she she was at least still breathing.
Geo-Whiz and Fire focused their attention on Mrs. S. Geo-Whiz used rocks and bricks to trap Mrs. S. against the wall. Superkitten kept at it with Jack who was finding it hard to keep her at bay.
Finally, Jack was able to grab Superkitten by the neck and held her away from him. He stood and began squeezing her neck and throat. She turned red then purple and coughed trying to breathe and get out of his grip. Geo-Whiz used his powers to lift Jack up into the air. He dropped Superkitten and Fire raced over to get her away from Jack.
Geo-Whiz used the earth to throw Jack to the ground and then tried to bury him. Dmitri was coming down the corridor. Fire removed the barrier she put up. Jack overpowered the earth and clawed his way to his feet. He swung at Geo-Whiz and connected with his jaw. Jack then ripped Mrs. S. from her bonds and they ran through the room and into the corridor. Jack shoved Dmitri hard into the wall and kept running, Mrs. S. close by.
They found the room with the soul and Jack ripped the door off. Inside, stood Smoke imbued with the soul of Madame Spectre.
“The soul,” Mrs. S. started. “Madame Spectre.”
“Mom…” Madame Spectre began. “Do you recognize me?”
“No,” Mrs. S. scoffed. “Wait. ‘Mom’?” She looked harder at Madame Spectre. “Vanessa?”
“You remember my name. Do you remember anything else about me?”
“When you were a little girl, about 3 or 4, you loved having me read to you. You would always bring me a book and be so happy when I took it, lifted you up onto my lap, and opened it up. You still have the same eyes,” Mrs. S. said.
Madame Spectre shrunk herself down. She became Vanessa again, but she was able to touch and be touched, something that hadn’t been possible in seven years--when her mom left her. “Why did you leave us?” Why did you leave me and Dad?”
“I’m not really the motherly type,” Mrs. S. said.
“Reading to me. That’s motherly. You didn’t even have to really do anything after that. Just be there. When I became...whatever it was, I was a frightened little girl who needed her parents to love her and help her through this,” Vanessa said. “Instead, you tucked me into bed, shot my father, and left.”
“He loved me too much,” Mrs. S. looked away angrily. “We were just having fun and then we had a baby, got married. I wanted out. I was one of best thieves in the world. I couldn’t do that and be tied down by a husband and child.”
“I was a scared little girl. I needed you.”
“Dmitri did a good job raising you. You didn’t need me.”
“That’s not true. Maybe that’s what you convinced yourself.”
Jack stepped between Vanessa and Mrs. S. “Enough. The soul is in the girl. Do we still want it or are we going to continue this family reunion?”
“You want the soul?” Vanessa turned back into Madame Spectre. “Come and get it.”
“Not so fast,” Dmitri suddenly said, placing a tranquilizer band on Jake’s head. “We’re done here.”
Mrs. S. and Jack were arrested and sent to the holding facility back in Arlington. The team gathered solemnly in the meeting room. Superkitten, Geo-Whiz, Linus, Fire, Chimney Girl, Dmitri, and Madame Spectre. Agent Spider, Charles, and Sally were downstairs in a makeshift morgue. Lucy was one floor above in a hospital bed, hooked up to several tubes and wires to monitor her and keep her stable.
“What now?” Fire asked. “We took a lot of damage in that fight.”
“We keep going,” Superkitten said. “And with Madame Spectre, we’ll be unstoppable.”
“I cannot join you,” Madame Spectre said. “I have all of the universe to look after. I will be here if you need my assistance but I have to leave you.”
“I think I’m going to hit the dusty trail as well,” Dmitri suddenly revealed.
“Our fearless leader?” Geo-Whiz exclaimed.
“Superkitten is your fearless leader now. You’ll still have my support and the government’s but it’s time for you to make your mark on your own.”
“What are you going to do, Linus?” Chimney Girl asked.
“You’re going to keep Lucy here until she wakes up?”
“For as long as she needs,” Superkitten replied.
“I’m without my own team. If you’ll have me, I feel I can offer a lot to the All-American Corps.”
“Glad to have you,” Superkitten said.
“If you don’t mind, I’m gonna go and sit with Lucy for a bit,” Linus said.
“Of course. Take all the time you need,” she smiled at Linus.
Linus left and everyone continued talking. Linus arrived at Lucy’s medical room and sat down in a chair next to her bed. “Hope you come out of this soon,” he choked. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. It doesn’t seem to lose Mom, Dad, and my sister and keep on living. Get better soon, Lucy. You have to get better.”
“Get them,” Charles shouted. “We have to protect the soul.”
“Oh, little boy,” Mrs. S. said as Jack grabbed Charles’ arm. “You don’t have the advantage of a sneak attack this time,” Jack hit Charles in the middle of his chest, crushing it. Charles went flying backwards and landed with a hard thud on the ground, unmoving.
Sally stayed closer to the school, hidden out of sight. She watched as Mrs. S. and Jack approached the back door of the old school. When they were almost there, Sally attacked. She landed on Jack and landed a couple of blows, one seeming like it hurt him, before Jack grabbed an appendage and slammed her down on the ground. “Lucy...Linus...they’re going in the school...Charles and myself...down...Please…”
Jack stomped heavily onto Sally’s head. Twice. Like Charles, she was unmoving. Mrs. S. and Jack broke the door down and entered the school building.
“We need to get back to the school,” Superkitten raised her head and turned back. “Chim, stay with Spider. Geo, Fire, and I will go back to the school,” Superkitten ordered.
The three rushed back to the school where they saw Linus and Lucy fighting Mrs. S. and Jack and were seemingly holding their own. Fire created a flame barrier, blocking the way to where the soul was kept. Jack grabbed Linus and threw him at the oncoming heroes. Geo-Whiz was able to slow Linus down with his powers and lower him gently to the ground.
Lucy was still fighting but then made a mistake--switching her fight to Mrs. S.--which allowed Jack to grab Lucy and throw her into the wall. He then slammed himself into her. Superkitten leapt up and collided with Jack, wanting to get him away from Lucy. Like Charles, Sally, and Agent Spider, she had stopped moving but she she was at least still breathing.
Geo-Whiz and Fire focused their attention on Mrs. S. Geo-Whiz used rocks and bricks to trap Mrs. S. against the wall. Superkitten kept at it with Jack who was finding it hard to keep her at bay.
Finally, Jack was able to grab Superkitten by the neck and held her away from him. He stood and began squeezing her neck and throat. She turned red then purple and coughed trying to breathe and get out of his grip. Geo-Whiz used his powers to lift Jack up into the air. He dropped Superkitten and Fire raced over to get her away from Jack.
Geo-Whiz used the earth to throw Jack to the ground and then tried to bury him. Dmitri was coming down the corridor. Fire removed the barrier she put up. Jack overpowered the earth and clawed his way to his feet. He swung at Geo-Whiz and connected with his jaw. Jack then ripped Mrs. S. from her bonds and they ran through the room and into the corridor. Jack shoved Dmitri hard into the wall and kept running, Mrs. S. close by.
They found the room with the soul and Jack ripped the door off. Inside, stood Smoke imbued with the soul of Madame Spectre.
“The soul,” Mrs. S. started. “Madame Spectre.”
“Mom…” Madame Spectre began. “Do you recognize me?”
“No,” Mrs. S. scoffed. “Wait. ‘Mom’?” She looked harder at Madame Spectre. “Vanessa?”
“You remember my name. Do you remember anything else about me?”
“When you were a little girl, about 3 or 4, you loved having me read to you. You would always bring me a book and be so happy when I took it, lifted you up onto my lap, and opened it up. You still have the same eyes,” Mrs. S. said.
Madame Spectre shrunk herself down. She became Vanessa again, but she was able to touch and be touched, something that hadn’t been possible in seven years--when her mom left her. “Why did you leave us?” Why did you leave me and Dad?”
“I’m not really the motherly type,” Mrs. S. said.
“Reading to me. That’s motherly. You didn’t even have to really do anything after that. Just be there. When I became...whatever it was, I was a frightened little girl who needed her parents to love her and help her through this,” Vanessa said. “Instead, you tucked me into bed, shot my father, and left.”
“He loved me too much,” Mrs. S. looked away angrily. “We were just having fun and then we had a baby, got married. I wanted out. I was one of best thieves in the world. I couldn’t do that and be tied down by a husband and child.”
“I was a scared little girl. I needed you.”
“Dmitri did a good job raising you. You didn’t need me.”
“That’s not true. Maybe that’s what you convinced yourself.”
Jack stepped between Vanessa and Mrs. S. “Enough. The soul is in the girl. Do we still want it or are we going to continue this family reunion?”
“You want the soul?” Vanessa turned back into Madame Spectre. “Come and get it.”
“Not so fast,” Dmitri suddenly said, placing a tranquilizer band on Jake’s head. “We’re done here.”
Mrs. S. and Jack were arrested and sent to the holding facility back in Arlington. The team gathered solemnly in the meeting room. Superkitten, Geo-Whiz, Linus, Fire, Chimney Girl, Dmitri, and Madame Spectre. Agent Spider, Charles, and Sally were downstairs in a makeshift morgue. Lucy was one floor above in a hospital bed, hooked up to several tubes and wires to monitor her and keep her stable.
“What now?” Fire asked. “We took a lot of damage in that fight.”
“We keep going,” Superkitten said. “And with Madame Spectre, we’ll be unstoppable.”
“I cannot join you,” Madame Spectre said. “I have all of the universe to look after. I will be here if you need my assistance but I have to leave you.”
“I think I’m going to hit the dusty trail as well,” Dmitri suddenly revealed.
“Our fearless leader?” Geo-Whiz exclaimed.
“Superkitten is your fearless leader now. You’ll still have my support and the government’s but it’s time for you to make your mark on your own.”
“What are you going to do, Linus?” Chimney Girl asked.
“You’re going to keep Lucy here until she wakes up?”
“For as long as she needs,” Superkitten replied.
“I’m without my own team. If you’ll have me, I feel I can offer a lot to the All-American Corps.”
“Glad to have you,” Superkitten said.
“If you don’t mind, I’m gonna go and sit with Lucy for a bit,” Linus said.
“Of course. Take all the time you need,” she smiled at Linus.
Linus left and everyone continued talking. Linus arrived at Lucy’s medical room and sat down in a chair next to her bed. “Hope you come out of this soon,” he choked. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. It doesn’t seem to lose Mom, Dad, and my sister and keep on living. Get better soon, Lucy. You have to get better.”
5.
The jeep flew across the ground and smashed into the guard booth. A man wearing a red uniform with a flowing red cape walked up to the guard booth. A smaller alien-looking creature walked next to him. A couple of guards stood up and aimed their gun at the man. With a wave of his hand, the man sent the two soldiers flying away.
More soldiers arrived and surrounded the man and his companion. He paused, noticing the guns on him. “I am Senestro,” he announced. “This base belongs to me now.” With another wave of his hand, all the other soldiers flew in opposite directions. Senestro continued walking with his companion still by his side. Some soldiers still attempted to stop him but he handled them within seconds.
Senestro cast out the soldiers in the main building and soon had complete control of the military base. He and his companion were the only two still on the base, everyone else had been forcibly removed.
“A full stock of weapons and vehicles. Enough firepower to make this country shake in its boots,” Senestro said, looking over the control tower booth. “Skiff, monitor the base and make sure no one comes close to us. If anyone comes near, blast them out of the sky with a missile.”
“Yes, sir,” Skiff replied, taking a seat at the monitor. He began trying to get his bearings, figuring out the directions and what button, knob, or lever did what.
“We should send a message and launche a missile. Where shall we send it?”
“We need to get to Fort Carroll in Tecumseh, Pennsylvania,” Superkitten announced. “The base has been taken over by some guy who single handedily took out the entire staff based there.”
The All-American Corps loaded into their plane and quickly took off. Linus manned the monitoring room back at the school and began following the jet and gathering info on Fort Carroll. “We have an issue, guys,” Linus began. “It looks like there’s some activity on the base. A missile is being positioned.”
“Fly faster,” Superkitten told Geo-Whiz.
“I got this,” Fire opened a door and jumped out. In mid-air she burst into flames and shot across the sky. She had been testing her powers, seeing how fast she could fly as she was on fire. She had gotten pretty fast and threw herself in front of the missile. It hit her and exploded, she absorbed the explosion into her own fire.
“We seem to have company,” Skiff said, watching the monitor. “That All-American Corps.”
“They’ll be easily handled,” Senestro said. “They’re just a bunch of kids after all. Launch more missiles.”
Skiff targeted and locked onto both Fire and the incoming jet then released three missiles toward each target. Fire enlarged her flame shield and was struck by two of the three missiles, absorbing their energy and muffling their explosion.
Geo-Whiz dodged the third missile that was heading for the jet. The missiles weren’t seekers and continued their trajectory. “We can’t let these missiles land wherever,” Superkitten said. “Fire, get those missiles. Make sure nothing happens,” she said into the communicator. Fire flew past the jet toward the missiles.
“Shall I launch more, sir?” Skiff asked.
“No. No sense in wasting our firepower. I’ll handle them from here,” Senestro turned and headed for the tower exit.
The jet approached Fort Carroll. The team saw Senestro floating at just about their level. As they got closer, Senestro quickly lowered his hand. The jet dropped from the sky and crashed onto the base. Fire quickly threw a flame at him but he used his hand to split the flame, going untouched.
Fire swooped down to the smashed jet. Her teammates climbed out and looked at Senestro. “What are we looking at? Telekinesis?” Superkitten asked.
“Looks like,” Geo-Whiz answered.
“He easily threw the jet down and split my flame without touching anything,” Fire added.
“I am Senestro. This base is now mine. I’d appreciate it if you leave,” Senestro announced.
“You get why we can’t do that, right?” Superkitten shouted at him.
“Try and stop me,” Senestro challenged.
From the tower, Skiff launched a couple more missles. Senestro raised his arms and several jeeps and other vehicles floated up.
“Fire, take care of the missiles. Chim, head to the tower to stop whoever is launching those missiles. Geo, you’re with me against Senestro,” Superkitten ordered. The team split up with the exception of Superkitten and Geo-Whiz. Senestro tossed the Jeeps at them that they easily dodged. Geo-Whiz pulled out the dirt from underneath the paved ground and hit Senestro with it. “Yeah, keep him occupied while I get a running start.” Superkitten ran to Senestro and then struck him hard in the jaw, knocking him out of the dirt that was holding him at bay.
“Finally. Are we starting to draw out some damage on this guy?” Fire rejoined Superkitten and Geo-Whiz.
“Maybe a little,” Superkitten said. “Chimney Girl is trying to stop whoever is launching the missiles.”
In the tower, Chimney Girl got to the control room and saw the small alien working the board. “Step away from the console,” she ordered.
“I’m just following orders,” Skiff replied and did step away from the console. His demeanor seemed believable so Chimney Girl kind of felt sorry for him.
She went over to the console but instead looked out the window at Senestro below. She turned her arm into brick and shattered the window. She then ran and jumped out. Halfway down, she turned completely brick and landed on Senestro, taking him down to the ground. Chimney Girl stood up and looked at him. “That did it,” she said. “There some kind of alien thing upstairs in the control tower,” she thumbed behind her.
“That was some quick thinking,” Superkitten said. “Great job.”
Back at the school, everyone got out of their uniforms and settled in the rest of the afternoon. Alix thought that she would take a chance on something. “Hey, Brandon,” she walked up to him. He was standing with April and seemingly enjoying their conversation. “Do you want to go do something?”
“Ah, that sounds great but April and I are heading out to see a movie and grab some dinner. You can come with us. It’s just for something to do,” Brandon said.
“No, no. That’s fine. I’ll just order in and read. Get caught up on some TV shows or something. You two enjoy yourselves.”
“Are you sure? A night out with friends,” Brandon tried persuading.
Alix sat in her room, music playing softly and her TV on mute. She was sitting on her bed, reading, when her phone rang. “Hello?” she answered.
“Alix. How’s it going?” it was Traci.
“Oh my God, Traci. How are you?”
“Um, I could be better. I...I’m pregnant,” Traci revealed. “My parents kicked me out and I have nowhere to go.”
“Ssh. Calm down. Go to my Mom. She’ll take you in. I’m going to get dressed and I’ll be back in New York as soon as I can.”
More soldiers arrived and surrounded the man and his companion. He paused, noticing the guns on him. “I am Senestro,” he announced. “This base belongs to me now.” With another wave of his hand, all the other soldiers flew in opposite directions. Senestro continued walking with his companion still by his side. Some soldiers still attempted to stop him but he handled them within seconds.
Senestro cast out the soldiers in the main building and soon had complete control of the military base. He and his companion were the only two still on the base, everyone else had been forcibly removed.
“A full stock of weapons and vehicles. Enough firepower to make this country shake in its boots,” Senestro said, looking over the control tower booth. “Skiff, monitor the base and make sure no one comes close to us. If anyone comes near, blast them out of the sky with a missile.”
“Yes, sir,” Skiff replied, taking a seat at the monitor. He began trying to get his bearings, figuring out the directions and what button, knob, or lever did what.
“We should send a message and launche a missile. Where shall we send it?”
“We need to get to Fort Carroll in Tecumseh, Pennsylvania,” Superkitten announced. “The base has been taken over by some guy who single handedily took out the entire staff based there.”
The All-American Corps loaded into their plane and quickly took off. Linus manned the monitoring room back at the school and began following the jet and gathering info on Fort Carroll. “We have an issue, guys,” Linus began. “It looks like there’s some activity on the base. A missile is being positioned.”
“Fly faster,” Superkitten told Geo-Whiz.
“I got this,” Fire opened a door and jumped out. In mid-air she burst into flames and shot across the sky. She had been testing her powers, seeing how fast she could fly as she was on fire. She had gotten pretty fast and threw herself in front of the missile. It hit her and exploded, she absorbed the explosion into her own fire.
“We seem to have company,” Skiff said, watching the monitor. “That All-American Corps.”
“They’ll be easily handled,” Senestro said. “They’re just a bunch of kids after all. Launch more missiles.”
Skiff targeted and locked onto both Fire and the incoming jet then released three missiles toward each target. Fire enlarged her flame shield and was struck by two of the three missiles, absorbing their energy and muffling their explosion.
Geo-Whiz dodged the third missile that was heading for the jet. The missiles weren’t seekers and continued their trajectory. “We can’t let these missiles land wherever,” Superkitten said. “Fire, get those missiles. Make sure nothing happens,” she said into the communicator. Fire flew past the jet toward the missiles.
“Shall I launch more, sir?” Skiff asked.
“No. No sense in wasting our firepower. I’ll handle them from here,” Senestro turned and headed for the tower exit.
The jet approached Fort Carroll. The team saw Senestro floating at just about their level. As they got closer, Senestro quickly lowered his hand. The jet dropped from the sky and crashed onto the base. Fire quickly threw a flame at him but he used his hand to split the flame, going untouched.
Fire swooped down to the smashed jet. Her teammates climbed out and looked at Senestro. “What are we looking at? Telekinesis?” Superkitten asked.
“Looks like,” Geo-Whiz answered.
“He easily threw the jet down and split my flame without touching anything,” Fire added.
“I am Senestro. This base is now mine. I’d appreciate it if you leave,” Senestro announced.
“You get why we can’t do that, right?” Superkitten shouted at him.
“Try and stop me,” Senestro challenged.
From the tower, Skiff launched a couple more missles. Senestro raised his arms and several jeeps and other vehicles floated up.
“Fire, take care of the missiles. Chim, head to the tower to stop whoever is launching those missiles. Geo, you’re with me against Senestro,” Superkitten ordered. The team split up with the exception of Superkitten and Geo-Whiz. Senestro tossed the Jeeps at them that they easily dodged. Geo-Whiz pulled out the dirt from underneath the paved ground and hit Senestro with it. “Yeah, keep him occupied while I get a running start.” Superkitten ran to Senestro and then struck him hard in the jaw, knocking him out of the dirt that was holding him at bay.
“Finally. Are we starting to draw out some damage on this guy?” Fire rejoined Superkitten and Geo-Whiz.
“Maybe a little,” Superkitten said. “Chimney Girl is trying to stop whoever is launching the missiles.”
In the tower, Chimney Girl got to the control room and saw the small alien working the board. “Step away from the console,” she ordered.
“I’m just following orders,” Skiff replied and did step away from the console. His demeanor seemed believable so Chimney Girl kind of felt sorry for him.
She went over to the console but instead looked out the window at Senestro below. She turned her arm into brick and shattered the window. She then ran and jumped out. Halfway down, she turned completely brick and landed on Senestro, taking him down to the ground. Chimney Girl stood up and looked at him. “That did it,” she said. “There some kind of alien thing upstairs in the control tower,” she thumbed behind her.
“That was some quick thinking,” Superkitten said. “Great job.”
Back at the school, everyone got out of their uniforms and settled in the rest of the afternoon. Alix thought that she would take a chance on something. “Hey, Brandon,” she walked up to him. He was standing with April and seemingly enjoying their conversation. “Do you want to go do something?”
“Ah, that sounds great but April and I are heading out to see a movie and grab some dinner. You can come with us. It’s just for something to do,” Brandon said.
“No, no. That’s fine. I’ll just order in and read. Get caught up on some TV shows or something. You two enjoy yourselves.”
“Are you sure? A night out with friends,” Brandon tried persuading.
Alix sat in her room, music playing softly and her TV on mute. She was sitting on her bed, reading, when her phone rang. “Hello?” she answered.
“Alix. How’s it going?” it was Traci.
“Oh my God, Traci. How are you?”
“Um, I could be better. I...I’m pregnant,” Traci revealed. “My parents kicked me out and I have nowhere to go.”
“Ssh. Calm down. Go to my Mom. She’ll take you in. I’m going to get dressed and I’ll be back in New York as soon as I can.”
By Brian Hall
Copyright © 2018. Tauy Creek.
Originally published in Supercomics #11-15.
