"I think most of you are aware of the incident at the hospital that occurred last night," Zoey said to the team, as she walked in a circle around the pinewood table, "beloved hero and fellow teammate Megabyte went insane, attacked a nurse, and jumped from the window, disappearing seconds later without a trace. Living Weapon searched where he could, but came up empty-handed. We are on high alert now, and as the heroes of Dusk Harbor it is our duty to find Megabyte before he hurts someone or himself."
Living Weapon, whom she knew was Mason, raised his hand. She nodded for him to speak.
"How do we find him?" He asked. "He dropped his tracker at the hospital."
"It's only a matter of time before he comes out and makes some noise. And when he does we'll be ready. Keep a watch on the news, an ear to the police scanners."
She went to the head of the table and reached underneath, grabbed a black cloth bag, pulled it up and set it on the table. She opened it. Inside was a collection of cheap plastic police scanners marketed towards kids. After the truck full of money blew up she decided not to go state-of-the-art on everything.. They sure know how to break stuff.
She dumped out the police scanners and pushed them to the center of the table. Nodded for everyone to take one.
Rhinestone Cowgirl shot her arms forward and she snatched the very first radio before anyone could even move. She laughed evilly and clutched the radio to her chest. Gave Total Chaos a mischievous sideways glance.
"You snooze, you lose!" Rhinestone Cowgirl yelled.
"I vanted that one!" Total Chao exclaimed.
"Well, I want the ability to fly! You don't see me complaining do you?"
"Kids," Zoey said with a hand on her hip, "settle down. This is a serious matter."
Both of them slunk down into their chairs, glaring at each other. Likely blaming each other for getting in trouble.
"I'm not a kid," Rhinestone Cowgirl grumbled.
"Then stop acting like one," Mason said as he took a scanner for himself. "Both of you."
"I'm not acting like a kid. I'm acting enthusiastic and energetic. Try it sometime!"
"I--" Mason stood up, slammed his palms down on the table and leaned across towards Rhinestone Cowgirl. He glared into her with fury. "You shut up, now."
She stood up and put her hands to her hips. Flung her shiny red hair over her shoulder. Stepped forward.
"Make me!"
Total Chaos jabbed her in the arm, looked up at her with urgency in his eyes.
"Guys, please. Sit down." Zoey said calmly.
Neither of them responded. They both went around the table and into the open area near the radio. Stood a few feet apart, staring into each other. Waiting for one of them to make a move.
Zoey let a sigh out through her nose and decided to watch and see what was going to happen.
Mason pulled out a Glock and pulled back the safety. Aimed it at her. Gave a sinister grin.
The grin was returned.
Rhinestone Cowgirl gave a loud shout that startled Jitters and then swung both hands up, smacking the gun and turning it straight into a stream of black glitter. She laughed at him. Pointed her finger and laughed so hard it drew tears.
He summoned another gun.
She whacked it again.
Black glitter fell to the ground.
"Stop that!" He exclaimed as he summoned a beautiful all black dagger that shone in the light.
She bowed her head, and then shot her left leg up, kicking the dagger up into the air where it disintegrated into sparkles. She coughed on the dust as it fell around her.
"Stop what? Winning?"
"You're not winning! You're cheating!"
"I don't have a gun or a knife, this is how I fight! This is my level, come join me up here!" She made a gesture with her hand, like a come-on gesture.
He rushed forward and grabbed her wrists, pushed them behind her head, used his body to knock her straight to the ground hard on her back. He fell on top of her and pushed his knee into her chest to hold her there.
Zoey started towards them, shifted into a black cat, and leapt up onto Mason's shoulders. Sunk her claws into the exposed skin at the base of his neck.
"That's enough!" She yowled as she boxed his ear with her other paw.
He stood up and flung her off.
She landed on all fours, stared up at him, flicking her tail back and forth.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Next time anyone of you pisses me off I'll torch this place myself," he grumbled. "And if that doesn't do it I'll hunt down every one of you and kill you three times over."
"I know you're hurting right now," Zoey started. "But--"
"You don't know a thing about me. So shut up. All of you. I'm outta here, call me if you find anything."
Zoey blinked at him, she wasn't offended by his outrage. She understood exactly how he felt. She'd lost people before too. Losing a partner is awful, I can imagine how bad it is to lose a brother.
Mason turned around and walked for the exit. Glanced back to make sure he wasn't being followed. Kept going. The door closed behind him, and she let out a sigh.
She shifted back to her human form and extended a hand down to help Rhinestone Cowgirl to her feet.
"Don't let that happen again." She warned.
"Fiiine." Rhinestone Cowgirl responded before going back to her seat.
Total Chaos dealt her a high five.
"All of you, let this be a lesson. Don't let your emotions or egos get in the way alright? We're here to do a job. I'd like the rest of you to stay nearby, and stay alert. That way if something pops up we can all rush out together."
Jake took one of the scanners, gave a nod to the rest of them and went to the couch on the other side of the room. The rest went upstairs.
Zoey went and sat down at the head of the table, picked up a scanner and set it as loud as it'd go. It was mostly static for the moment and a few random voices.
"Alright Jordan, where are you?"
She posted her elbows on the table, rested her chin in one hand, set the radio down in front of her. She listened and waited, prayed for something to come quickly. I can't lose one of my teammates so soon. I can't lose any of them period, but especially not now. I've got a feeling this is connected to something much bigger. Something insane. And we're going to need each other. Every ounce of power we've got.
"Come on, give us something."
YOU ARE READING
Dusk Harbor 1999
Science FictionYou've been out superheroing all night, and you just got your behind handed to you by a fellow hero who can't keep to his own territory. You come home to see that your beloved cat has brought in a business card, it's an invite to a secret meeting of...
