Mod Superhero (Book 6 STUBBING on Oct 27th)

Chapter 6.41 - Grasp the Sun

Mod and Arsenal rocketed up into the air, hauling Lock between them. The heavy drones passed just underneath them. Their thrusters were so close and their thrusters so powerful that it felt like they shook the world as they passed.

The Fast-Response drones were all destroyed in transit, but those had been the least of their worries.

Together, Mod and Arsenal threw Lock at one of the passing drones, then continued engaging the other. Both Mod and Arsenal tried to cut into through the drone's armor, but even their combined lasers were barely getting through. The smell of explosives and ozone were thick in the air.

It didn't help that Mod was burning energy destroying artillery shells. His point defense system was holding, but it wasn't efficient enough yet. At this rate, he'd exhaust himself before they cut through the drone's armor.

In the corner of Mod's vision, Lock scrambled to the main gun. Mod knew what he was going to do. Something that would've been suicidal if not for Lock's strength and regeneration.

Lock shoved his arm into the barrel.

The main gun exploded.

Mod parsed the details in real time—the barrel peeled back like a banana, and the force hurled Lock across the field. His hand was gone. Blood sprayed from the mangled bones of his forearm but only for a moment. By the time he hit the ground, his veins had already sealed. He tumbled across the dirt before skidding to a halt. He was already on his feet and ready to continue fighting with one hand.

They couldn't celebrate yet though. Even without its main gun, the heavy drone was still a threat.

Down on the field, Emmett was using his swarm and stolen rifles to strike back. Instead of targeting the armor, he was targeting the smaller weapons along the sides of both drones. It was working—several of the smaller guns were already disabled.

The constant explosions slowed but didn't stop completely.

Now that only one main gun was firing at them, Mod poured more energy into his laser. The surrounding air was already hazy and now had begun to steam.

Mod was already running simulations—none of them good.

It wasn't going to be enough.

Even with his new output, he'd run out of power before he cut through the drone's armor. Without his point defense system, Clara might not be able to hold either—then they'd all be killed.

It was time to try something else.

Mod sent comms to Arsenal.

"My power's fading."

Clara replied, "Time for a team up?"

"You read my mind."

Mod and Arsenal had been drifting closer with every second, almost like they'd known the battle would come to this—that separately they wouldn't be enough. Mod pulled her close, wrapped his left arm around her waist. He felt the ridges of her thinsuit against his body. Felt the raw energy pulsing within her.

They'd practiced this before, but they'd never done it in battle.

TINA sent a message to the others, telling them to get to safety. Down on the field, Lock had run toward Emmett and was now hauling him away from the battle. Lock might survive being at ground zero, but Mod's former self wouldn't.

Over the next three seconds, Arsenal increased her power output until she looked like a star brought to Earth. The nova around her grew until it was strong enough to completely melt the bullets and artillery shells. A few of them exploded as they entered the nova, but the explosions barely registered. They were drowned out by sheer power. The field below was scorched and nearby windows were melting.