Ava Cobalt; This Means War [Book 4]

Part 5, She's Back

(Hey, another thank you to Daniel!)

[Blue Base]

Ava sat up as quickly as she could, adrenaline pumping.

Ava: You're kidding.

Benjamin, grim: I wish I was. We have to go, now.

Ava got to her feet. They all headed out to the lobby and saw Syntec pulling into the parking lot.

Ava: Shit. Nick, are you ready to fight if needed?

Nick: Of course. I think we need to try to talk first though. They have to be here for a reason, seeing as they haven't bothered us for a whole year.

Ava: Yeah.

Matt: All of you, stay here. Sam, Woods, will you come with me to talk?

Woods: Of course. Just like the good old days.

Sam, angry: Let's go.

Before they could walk out, they heard a booming voice that shook the building. It was the voice of Nova.

Nova: We don't want any trouble. We don't need to hurt you. We just want Cobalt. Hand him over, and your lives may be spared.

Nova, along with about ten phantoms, were standing about fifteen yards away from the front door. Matt, Sam, and Woods all walked out as planned, with everyone else in the lobby.

Matt: Why are you even here? We haven't seen Benjamin in over a year. The last we heard from him was last month over a phone call.

Nova: Stop lying. I know he is here. I can sense him. Just the energy radiating from him is enough to let me know he is here, even if he doesn't have Serum in him anymore. Now hand him over, or severe actions might need to be taken.

Woods, defensively: Even if he is here, we wouldn't hand him over. If you want even information from us, you'll need to go through me.

Nova: Fine, foolish man. I see how it is.

Suddenly, in a split second, Nova hit Woods with lightning, flinging him through the front window and onto the couch. He was out cold. Nova knocked the other two aside and stormed in. Nobody was there. Nova screamed in fury.

Nova: Everyone, after them! I need Cobalt.

[Behind Blue Base]

Ava and Benjamin had run out the back door as quickly as they could. Nick and Nate went to try and get them time, by attacking the Phantoms. They went around the side of the building and reached the ladder going to the roof. They quickly scrambled up, hearing Nova blast down the door. Ben helped Ava up and quickly started looking for a way down.

Ava: Damn it, Ben! You just trapped us!

Benjamin: It's going to be okay. I have an idea... but a stupid one.

Ava gave him a look.

Ava: Well at least I'll die knowing where I got that from.

Suddenly, there were five Phantoms on the roof with them, with Nova hovering near the edge.

Nova: You two seriously thought you could escape me? You humor me. But now it's time I take the mouse back to its cage. Hand over Ben, and I'll leave now.

Benjamin, whispering: Ava. Back up slowly. When I give the command, jump as hard as you can.

Ava understood immediately and nodded. Soon enough, they were near the middle of the roof with Phantoms surrounding them.

Nova: What was your plan there? You thought you could get away? No matter, I'll just knock Ava out (serum lightning flickering in her hands) and take you, Ben. It would be best to just come to me yourself before your daughter gets blasted off the roof.

Benjamin: Well, if you wanted to know our plan, then what goes up, must come down. NOW AVA!

They both jumped, crashing through the roof directly into Sam's office. They burst out of there and ran downstairs, Nova blasting the ceiling open so she and the others could also go down. Ben and Ava ran out the front door, directly towards Red Base. They ran so fast, that not even Nova made it out the front door before they ran inside.

[Red Base]

As soon as they ran in, Matt grabbed Ava into a big hug. She was so startled she put up serum walls all around them, but quickly brought them down.

Matt: Ava, Ben, are you two okay?

Ava, panting: Yes. Apart from literally falling through the ceiling, I'm fine.

Matt: Wait wha- never mind, no time. We need to figure out a plan as to how to distract Nova long enough to allow Ben to escape. I think the best course of action is for you to drive away. Ava, you go with Ben. If anyone can do it, it's you. I love you so much. We'll see each other again, don't worry.

Tears started forming in Ava's eyes.

Ava: But Dad! What if Nova comes for you guys? I can't leave you guys!

Matt, also with tears in his eyes: We'll be fine. Nick can protect us for the time being. Try to come back as quickly as possible, promise?

Ava: I... I promise.

They all hugged. Matt, Ava, Sam, Woods, Nick, and Ben. All in a tight embrace, tears streaming down Ava and Matt's cheeks. Nova's voice boomed once again.

Nova: You guys think you're very clever, don't you? Now hand. Over. COBALT!

Ben and Ava both raced out to the Mountaineer, opened the warehouse door, and got into the car. They pulled out as fast as they could, driving away.

They were pulling out of the studio when they saw in the rearview mirror a beam of red light blast from the roof of Red Base into the sky, then spreading out to form a giant dome. It was giant, almost half a mile in diameter. Ben slammed the gas pedal down, forcing the Mountaineer to go as fast as possible. They saw the end of the dome slowly going down, 25 feet away from the floor. They were going to make it.

Ava: Ben, we're gonna do it! We're go-

BOOM!

A giant explosion went off, and the world went dark.