Boshville

B. 29

Natalie staggered a bit as they landed right outside the steel fences. "You okay?" Moss asked. "Yeah", she shook her head, "my powers just feel more active". "You'll master it soon enough". Fiona gave her an encouraging look. Natalie could spot the underlining sadness. Casper was her son after all and she feared for his safety. Fiona had lost his father. She didn't want to lose Casper too.

Moss helped them sneak in. He noticed that the gates to the cells had been abandoned. "That's weird", he frowned, "you'd think they'd increase security after we broke out". "Maybe they were more worried about the Vashaks". Natalie suggested. "Maybe".

They entered and Natalie gasped. She was expecting to see a bunch of cells but this was beyond her imagination. It was like a town of prisoners. "How did no one ever notice that people were missing?" She asked certain that a number like that would have shook Boshville. "That's because not all are from Boshville", Moss replied, "this is their headquarters. They had other camps like this".

"The Gladiator wasn't wrong", Fiona spoke, "Earth is filled with mixed species but how did he destroy all these planets?" The question left a big mystery. Natalie knew The Gladiator was powerful but he wasn't 'all' powerful. Something was not right somewhere.

They walked down the lane. "Many of them are empty". Moss announced. "You don't think they've killed them, do you?" Natalie was worried about the answer he would give. She did not want to believe that these prisoners had been murdered. "Megron is impulsive but he would never do that", Moss stroke his chin, "he moved them to another base. After everything he had placed into this, he is not willing to lose everything".

Many of the metahumans just sulked in their cells. Only a few spared Natalie a glance. "I think I'm gonna be sick". Natalie complained. "We'll be out of here soon. I want to check on a few people". Moss assured her.

Moss brought them to the cell that last held him and Casper. "Look who came back". A salty voice snarled. "Maxine? Are you alright?" Moss was about to touch the girl on the inside. Natalie watched the girl. There was something odd about her. "Am I alright?" Maxine laughed, "you left me behind. What do you think happened?"

Suddenly, several cells opened and guards surrounded them. "I heard you the moment you came", Maxine smirked, "looks like I'll have to make your bed for your return". Natalie wanted to slap the girl but she understood that she had been experimented on. She was not herself. "Do you really want to do this?" Moss mocked the guards. They cocked their guns in response.

                     < ~ >< ~ >

Carmosole and Zee hid behind a  rock. "Getting inside won't be easy". She told him. "I've been inside. The ships can't be there". Zee shook his head. "Cloaking device?" She suggested. "We would have felt it. Underground maybe".

"Do you think it would be fueled or we'd have to find the containers?"

"Fueled. The Gladiator was never going to keep his word".

Carmosole decided to ask the question that had been on her mind. "Do you have any idea what he meant by life forms on Earth? I mean it seems impossible that he could destroy another galaxy". Zee's face blanked. "I don't know. There has to be something that we are missing". Was his reply.

Carmosole took another peek at the warehouse. Three to four Vashaks were guarding it. "I'll create a diversion. You get inside". Zee was not given a chance to argue as she revealed herself to the enemies. "Hey! Lizard breath!" She called out. The Vashaks snapped their heads in her way. Their blasters were raised. "Let's see if you can catch me". Carmosole dared.

The Vashaks opened fire but she  somersaulted out of harm's way. "You're going to have to do better than that!" She teased and ran in a farther direction. Zee shook his head and prepared a scolding for her later. He sighed and got out of the spot.