Krystal's team was holding position at one of the Summit Headquarters in Belport. Krystal and Larian were in the main foyer on the first floor.
Krystal was barricading the main doorway, covering the double doors in a thick layer of ice. She'd gone around, covering most of the windows similarly. Larian mulled around behind her.
Her team had subdued the capes and regular employees, and now they were sitting in the offices that lined the entryway. Larian walked between the rooms, checking on each of them. They were being remarkably well-behaved—probably due to the combination of restraints and the huge shadow tree looming in the foyer.
Cherry was on the upper floor of the foyer on overwatch duty. Indovu and Tuke were up there too, pacing the halls.
Krystal felt a hand on her shoulder and she jumped in response.
Larian was behind her. "You should take a break. It's quiet now, and besides, it's getting cold in here." He was right, of course. All the ice barriers had caused the temperature to drop, and his breath came out in clouds.
Krystal chuckled awkwardly, then relaxed. "Right. Better enjoy the quiet while it lasts."
Larian nodded before walking back over to the offices. The shadow tree tilted, as if glancing at both of them, before returning to its lazy patrol around the foyer.
Krystal shook out her arms. She didn't feel the cold like everyone else, so she hadn't realized just how cold it had gotten, but she was getting tired. Her muscles and joints ached, and she felt like she'd run ten miles. She hadn't used her powers this much since the war with the Deep Ones, and that felt like a lifetime ago.
"You've got incoming."
TINA's transmission cut through the silence. A map appeared in Krystal's HUD showing the incoming squad of capes and drones. There were two more squads of biomechs coming from another angle. Together, the squads were closing in on them like a pincer.
Cherry called down, "What was that about enjoying the quiet?"
Krystal ignored her and studied the incoming forces. "There are a lot more bad guys than last time... Should we hold up here or go out on the roof and soften them up? Larian, can Tuke run a distraction for us?"
Larian looked up to his shadow crow. Tuke was perched motionless, like a gargoyle. Now it ruffled its feathers and cawed in response.
Larian shrugged. "Tuke says yes, but I don't know for how long. They're all just as tired as we are."
Bursts sounded above them, rattling the walls and windows. Chunks of ice fell down from the foyer and smashed on the floor.
Cherry called down again. "They're firing already—can't even glance out the window!"
Krystal checked her map again, this time checking the positions of nearby Resistance groups... but none of them were moving.
"TINA, any chance we've got backup on the way?"
"I've got something better on the way. Hold your position."
Krystal waited. Around her, light shone through the ice walls and danced across the floor. She alternated between watching her map and listening for movement outside. Enemy forces were within two blocks now and closing fast. It had to be paranoia, but Krystal swore she could already hear movement outside.
Krystal watched the map intently. The capes and drones were on their block now... But the biomechs had changed course. Now they were heading toward the main force.
Pops, cracks, and explosions echoed through the street. Krystal flinched, but nothing hit their building.
Cherry shouted, "Holy shit! The biomechs are fighting the capes and drones!"
YOU ARE READING
Mod Superhero
Science FictionFor this cyborg, power is just an upgrade away. Emmett was used to being caught between college and his engineering internship, but when he gets caught between a powerful hero and an even stronger villain, he becomes collateral damage. Instead of d...
