Starheart

Lies

"Yeah the project is going about as well as expected. Anyway I'd better go back and help." I said into my phone before ending the call and putting the phone back in my pocket. Approximately 10 seconds later I got another notification on my phone. I checked it expecting a good luck message or perhaps a random scam I'd delete instead the text made my blood run cold.

"Do you think that the Nebula would be the only ones Lucan would go after? There are others, mythicals who need saving and you're the only ones who can." 

"People you really need to come and look at this!" I shouted calling the others over. I handed the phone to Neptune and a frown crossed his face. "So that's that then. We're going back in?" He asked immediately fixing the doubts I'd had before about the Nebula. "I'll go. I'm not waiting around while some of us need saving." I confirmed instantly. "Should someone stay behind to hold down the fort?" Adam asked. "No it's possible that they want to wait for us to be separated and we'll stand more chance going together. Jasper answered.

So 20 minutes later we were standing outside the building we'd just escaped from. "I know this is going against what Jasper said but I've got one idea." I announced suddenly. "I'll connect to the building's WiFi so they can track me and I can give security the runaround while you search the lower levels." Helena looked at me as if I'd just suggested walking to the moon but didn't comment on it. "It could work but what if you need backup?" Neptune considered. I reached up and touched the red scarf "Don't worry I've got backup." 

We agreed that after everyone was safe we should leave the city at least for a while and work out an actual plan for long term survival. That was good as it gave me something to think about other than facing all this again. The other point in our favor was all the office workers had already gone home so we didn't have to worry about bystanders. I connected the phone and started running towards the head office knowing I'd have to pick a target that was somewhat convincing. I watched the rest of Nebula head down a staircase and out of sight. 

I could hear boots behind me and reinforced a door with blue crystal locking them out and continued my way through the building thinking if I really found Lucan's office I might be able to steal folders full of secrets and send them to the news anonymously. Even if nothing much came of it the distraction would at least give Lucan something else to worry about. Two security guards seemingly appeared out of nowhere but I'd already thrown a handful of aqua shards before they could even draw their guns. I summoned my spear and cut the door off it's hinges. I burst into the room expecting to face Lucan there and then and being almost disappointed to find the room vacant.

I ran over to the desk turning over ornaments and notebooks to see if he was the kind of person to write passwords on post it notes but apparently not. I opened the desk draw and shoved everything inside my backpack deciding I'd sort through it later when I heard the click. 

"So... You think industrial espionage is funny do you?" Lucan asked glaring at me while holding a gun towards my head. Suddenly the gun was encased in blue crystal and spinning out of his hands. "It can be." I snarked back. Apparently security had finally figured out a way through the door because a further 10 armed personnel ran into the office. This time I covered myself in cyan armor hoping it would be strong enough to stop bullets but no one fired yet.

"Well it's certainly been a while since anyone of your status has lead the troops into battle. Well done." I added sarcastically. "Oh please I was never in any danger the whole thing was planned out." Lucan replied smirking. The television screen turned on and a face which was a patchwork of gold and brass with two eyes looking like they were cut from ruby appeared. "Atalanta please deal with the mythical situation on the lower level. I'll be along shortly." Lucan told the screen. "Certainly Mr Lucan." The screen went blank again. "Atalanta was designed to lure the other mythicals here right into a trap and I must say she's exceeded expectations." He explained. 

A very risky idea started to form in my mind "What happens to her when you've won?" I asked. "Oh she'll be moved to other projects to improve the conglomerate. An operative that can never leave is so much more efficient than the anarchy that surrounds magic. With the AI doing all the work all I'll need to pay is myself and the hired guns." He answered and I decided I understood Lucan more than I thought I would. Pretending to be someone else publicly all these years must have been hell for Mr evil genius and all it took was for someone he believed would be dead in a few minutes to just ask and he was more than willing to tell the truth.  The building was filled with the sound of ripping metal and the screen flashed a single world: Liar.