The Speed of Sight

Part 9

A helicopter descended from above. And people spilled out of it. "Stay underground!" Alli yelled to the Slates. "You've been discovered and someone, or some people, want you dead! Hal! We need you up here!"
Hal came bounding up the stairs from the basement, "How bad is it?" He looked out the window and answered his own question. "Really, really bad." The yard was swarming with goons, and some were trying to kick down the front door.
"Do you have something they would want?" Alli called.
"Well," Kelly said. "We had developed many things before we left Arkham like a formula that can wipe memories, one that can alter a person's genetic makeup, stuff like that."
"Then we can't let them get in," Steve said with a grunt, as he supported the door. "Get ready to fight, team. Does everyone have a working earpiece? If so, tune it to channel 1."
The heroes that were there nodded and tuned their earpieces. "Where do you want us Cap?" Hal asked.
"I need Tony at the backdoor, Hal inside and Alli and Barry outside. Do your best to keep the attackers out and away."
Alli and Barry ran outside and hid on opposite sides of the house. "Barry," Alli said through the earpiece. "What's the plan?"
"Well," Barry responded. "For now we act as guards. If anyone comes near, take them out as quickly and stealthily as possible."
"And what if some get past me?"
"Then let me or Tony know so that someone can be prepared to stop them."
"Sounds good." Just as Alli said that, 2 thugs came around to her side of the house. She took a deep breath then ran out to face them. She ran around them so fast they spun in circles, then dropped to the ground from dizziness. She made sure they were knocked out, then hid them in the surrounding woods. This same routine continued on for a while until less and less people came her way. "Barry," she said. "I haven't seen anyone over here for at least 5 minutes. I'm going to check out the front yard."
"Me neither," Barry replied. "Be careful. If you need me just call."
Alli crept over to the front of the house and hid behind some bushes. There were only about 4 goons left, and they were running as fast as they could to get to the helicopter. "We've won!" Alli exclaimed through the earpiece. "We've won guys!"
"Good job everyone." Steve said. "Let's regroup inside."
Once everyone was inside, and the Slates were back upstairs, Steve asked a few questions, "Who do you think ordered this attack?"
"I may have an idea." Barry said. "I noticed that all of the criminals I knocked out had a read and black jester somewhere on their suit."
"I noticed that too." Alli said. "Although I wasn't sure what it meant."
"I only know one villain with that symbol, and it's the one who tried to kill you in the first place. Harley Quinn." Barry paused for a moment and confusion ran around the room.
"How could Harley know, if she's in jail?" Hal said slowly.
Several others expressed their agreement with Hal as Barry admitted, "I don't know. But, I also noticed another villain's henchmen. Two Face's minions were here also, so I think that they may have been working together to find you all."
"Why would they work together?" Alli asked. "What reason would there be?"
"Now that I'm not sure about." Barry responded. "It's possible that Harley hired Two Face, or maybe he thought it would be fun. Either way, when you caught and arrested Harley Quinn, he adopted the mission. Do you remember how he disappeared earlier? Well, I figured that was the work of the Enchantress, a hero turned bad who at one time was working with the Suicide Squad. Harley Quinn was in that group." He turned to the Slates with an apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry, but since the villains now know where you are, you should move for you own safety."
The Slate's faces fell, but Aaron nodded and said, "We understand. Where should we go?"
Alli leaned over and whispered to Steve, "Could they come back with us?"
Steve pondered that thought for a moment, then leaned over to Tony and whispered something in his ear. Tony thought for a second, then nodded. Steve said to Alli, "I don't see why not. We could use the help."
Alli turned back to the Slates and suggested, "You could come back and stay with us if you wanted? You could stay with S.H.I.E.L.D.; we could always use a few new scientists, and if you agreed to help you would get paid."
"Would you mind giving us a moment to discuss it?" Kelly asked.
"Absolutely." Steve said.
Aaron and Kelly moved into the kitchen and talked for a while, then called their kids in. After talking for a few more minutes, they all came into the living room and sat down. "Well," Aaron said. "after discussing it, we have decided that we will come with you."
Alli smiled and said cheerfully, "Then we'd better get going." Then she added in a more somber tone, "But, there's someone I would like to visit first."

⇜↭⇝