The Free City

Chapter Thirty-One : Sacrifices

trigger warning: death of a character, self-sacrifice

SAM

Sam was scared. It had been his idea to try and break Khan's mind control, so he had no one to blame but himself. But he was terrified. His team was counting on him. Their entire mission revolved around the chance that Sam might be able to defeat Khan.

He couldn't let his fear deter him. This was what he needed to do. He would do it no matter what it took.

Jason had them painted with camouflage muck that smelled like a swamp and felt like toothpaste, but it was waterproof and made them much harder to see. Especially in the semi-darkness of the storm. They filed silently through the trees, scouting for Khan, or Roman. Those were Sam's big targets.

Kole's older brother Jason led the team, followed by Sam, then Hank, then Zuri, and then two Supers that graduated with Jason. Lark, who could increase gravity, and Finn, who made round, blue shields out of the air. They were strong enough to stop most things, but not everything. Not like Dianna's Pushes could.

Well, Sam reflected, that wasn't entirely true. Dianna admitted there were some things that she couldn't push away. A flash of lightning chose that moment to streak across the sky, as if to say 'I am what Dianna is powerless against'. Sam shook those thoughts away. Dianna would be in a sturdy cabin with Sato and Abarra. She was safer than any of them.

Jason froze and then crouched down. The rest of the team followed his example, hiding in the wet foliage. Sam hardly breathed, trying to figure out what made Jason stop.

Then, he heard it. Footsteps on the road. Big ones.

Great. Khan had a giant Super.

Jason waited a few more seconds, letting them get into view. Sure enough, a Super at least twice the size of a normal human came around the curve in the road. But he wasn't alone. Next to him was a little girl who couldn't be older than twelve. So, Khan was using kids, too. That changed things. And the little girl looked wounded already. Her arms were bleeding. But beside the girl was Roman.

Jason pulled the microphone of his large portable radio to his lips. He hit the button and whispered, "Alpha Team has sights on Roman. Alert Sato of our position. Radio silence. Going in."

Once his finger was off the button, he clicked the dial to the off position and looked back at his team. He looked so similar to Kole that it was almost comforting. Sam nodded once, knowing it was his time to pull his weight. Once Jason had the enemy discombobulated, Sam would go for Roman and break his mind control. If he could get Roman on their side, that would change everything.

Hank touched Sam's arm, not only in support but to give him another boost of energy, as if he hadn't already done so three times. Sam appreciated it. He'd take all the help he could get.

Jason closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, Roman and his two teammates fell to their knees, groaning. The little girl started to vomit. The giant laid down, holding his head. Roman was on his hands and knees, shaking like a leaf in the wind. Hank had given Jason a little boost, too. At that power level, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to focus enough to use their power.

Sam burst from the trees and ran straight for Roman. Now was his chance. Finn was right behind him, acting as a shield if he needed one.

He pelted across the wet ground, focused entirely on his goal. His hands tingled, as if already gathering power to take control of Roman's mind. He was hardly two meters away when Roman's head snapped up and he looked right at him.