Electric Storm

Chapter 10: Lagos

Part 2

Lagos. Where the sun is too hot and and the dry wind sifts up dust that clings to sweating skin like glue. It is not the kind of heat I like. 

My eyes scan the city, taking in everything. A young woman carrying a basket; the relaxed posture of a cop; two woman with red hair sipping coffee from tiny cups. I wanted to be positioned in the cafe, sipping coffee in the shade, but because I have to wear a mask and, like Cap and Sam, I have a specific suit that would attract too much attention, I've been positioned on the roof with birdman. 

I'm wearing the new suit that dad made me. It's similar to my previous Sokovia one but the purple stripes are deeper, maturer and entwined with blue. Gone is the zig-zag pattern, these lines are sharper, carving out new muscles and curves. This suit shows a new Katy. A new Ion girl. 

That's what I'm thinking about as I scan the city. Our mission, my lightning, the heat. There is no space for any other thoughts, especially ones about a certain school "friend"...

I need to keep my head clear and eyes sharp. Now is not the time. 

'Alright, what do you see?' Steve asks. It's strange hearing voices through comms again. I'd gotten used to shouting at...

Focus on Lagos. 

'Standard cops, small station, quiet street. It's a good target.' Wanda lists. She's relatively new to this kind of recon. 

'Katy?'

'Yes.' I snap to Steve's attention. I wonder if he knows my mind is elsewhere?

'There's an ATM on the south corner which means?'

'Cameras.'

'Good.'

'Cross street means compromised escape routes which means our guy doesn't care about being seen.' I tick off.  'Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and you have cleared me.' I reassure Steve and everyone else. The team has been treating me delicately ever since I arrived for the assignment. It's fair enough considering this is my first "real" mission since Sokovia. I don't need special treatment. I managed fine with... I don't object too much though. If it makes them feel better, then I'll stick with it for now. 

This is a chance to prove myself. To reinvent myself. To be Ion Girl again. 

'See that Range Rover halfway up the block?' Steve asks.

'The red one? It's cute.' Wanda comments. 

'It's also bullet proof which means private security which means more guns which means more headaches for somebody.' Nat replies. 

'Probably us.' I mutter, watching the Rover drive up the street. 

'Damn right.' Sam nods next to me. I grin at him. 

'Looking over your shoulder needs to become second nature.' Nat tells Wanda. 

She doesn't have to tell me. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so focused on everything around me. Maybe then I could relax and notice what is going on right in front of my eyes. I mean how stupid am I to miss...

Enough. 

'Anybody ever tell you you're a little paranoid?' Sam jokes. 

'Not to my face? Why? Did you hear something?' Nat playfully retorts.