SteelCorp

Chapter 16

“The bombs are of Tachyan design. We are not equipped to deal with this sort of thing Max Steel.” Says J’onn over the comms as Thalia finally locates her own bomb.
    Pulling the bomb out of the air duct it was hiding in, Thalia responds. “Well that is why I called in support from N-Tek. Also, these bombs aren’t of Tachyan design, they are Torayan.”
    “They are what now?” Asks Alex from her location, the sounds of panicking civilians clear in the background.
    Trying to find the hatch to access the circuitry of the bomb, Thalia explains. “The bombs are of Torayan design, Toray is Tachyon’s sister planet. Our technology is similar enough that it is indistinguishable to those who aren’t Tachyan or Torayan.”
    “Do you know how to deactivate them?” Asks J’onn, clearly beginning to sound stressed about the situation.
    Taking a closer look at the bomb in front of her, Thalia shakes her head. “Not a clue. Not even my armor can figure it out.”
    “Well that’s just great, we need to get these bombs deactivated now, we are running out of time.” Says Supergirl also beginning to sound stressed.
    Pulling out her cell phone, Thalia replies. “Luckily, I happen to know an expert. You all remember my friend Donnie from that weird game show thing? Well he is Torayan and an explosives expert. I’m calling him now.”
    “That’s quite fortunate. Alright everyone seems to be in place and are standing by for instructions on how to deactivate the bombs.” Responds Lena from her office.
    Donnie’s voice comes through the connection startling a few people. “Alright I’m looking at the schematics you’ve sent me. It looks like a contractor grade demolition bomb.”
    “So how do we go about deactivating these?” Asks Alex clearly anxious to get the bombs dealt with.
    Donnie answers with slight amusement in his voice. “It’s just like in the movies, you cut the red wire. These bombs were designed to be disabled quickly and easily in the event of accidental activation. Not very original I know but whatever works right?”
    “You all heard the man, cut the red wire.” Says Thalia quickly moving to cut the wire on her bomb.
    There are sounds of multiple bombs being deactivated when Alex suddenly shouts. “What? Are you kidding me right now? We go through all this effort and trouble, call in an expert and all we had to do was cut the red wire? What kind of Hollywood bull crap is this?”
    “That’s just the way things go sometimes. At least the answer was simple enough that we were able to deactivate all the bombs with plenty of time to spare. We saved many lives today Alex, you should be proud.” Says J’onn over the sounds of laughter at the rant in an attempt to calm the older Danvers girl.
    Just then a scared sounding Lena replies. “Um…so…not to ruin your celebration but…another bomb seems to have just been activated and it’s right under L-Corp.”
    “Wait What? Just hold on Lena I’m on my way, I’ll be there shortly!” Says a panicked Thalia, as she activates her speed armor and races across the city back to L-Corp.
    Thalia speeds around the outside of the building before checking everywhere inside. It isn’t long before she comes across a larger bomb hidden in the sub levels of the building.
    “Donnie, we have a slight problem here, not only is this one bigger, it also seems different.” Says Thalia scanning the bomb in order to send an image of it to her childhood friend.
    There is a moment of silence before Donnie’s shocked voice comes over the line. “Oh shit. T that’s a Dam Buster. Those are used for blasting one’s way through fortified defenses in an active combat zone. If that thing goes off, not only will it completely destroy L-Corp, it will take at least eight city blocks with it judging by where it’s been placed.”
    “Lena, how long would it take to evacuate L-Corp and the surrounding eight blocks?” Asks Thalia growing more concerned now that she knows the potential destruction.
    There are sounds of rapid typing before Lena answers. “Approximately four hours at best. Why how much time do we have?”
    “Not that. Donnie how do I deactivate this thing?” Replies Thalia, attempting to supress her growing fear at the situation before her.
    Thalia’s heart drops when she hears the words she was hoping never to hear. “You can’t. The Dam Busters were designed to go off no matter what once they are set. I suggest you get top side and help with the evacuations.”
    “No! There has to be something I can do! I’m not just going to leave and let eight whole blocks be decimated.” Responds Thalia defiantly as she studies the bomb from different angles hoping to find some sort of answer to the threat.
    J’onn cuts in before anyone can say anything else. “I agree with Max Steel, there must be something that can be done. Can the bomb be moved to a safer location?”
    “No, any attempt to tamper with or move a Dam Buster once it’s been activated will only set it off. I’m telling you, there is nothing you can do.” Replies Donnie with a note of finality in his voice.
    Thalia continues to circle the bomb trying to find a way to save the homes and work places of thousands of people. “There is something I can do; I can feel it. I just need some time and silence to figure it out.”
    With that, Thalia promptly cuts off her comm effectively silencing the protests from the others. She ignores the calls that begin to flood in as she continues to assess the situation. She is close to a possible solution when Lena’s caller ID flashes across her visor.
    “What the hell are you thinking?” Shouts Lena the moment Thalia answers the call.
    With a slight chuckle, Thalia responds. “Hello to you too babe. I’m thinking that there has to be a solution to this and I know I’m going to find it.”
    “This isn’t funny Thalia! You heard what your friend said, there is nothing you can do. I know you are a hero and you need to try something, but this is just plain reckless. Please get out of there and focus on what you can actually do, help people evacuate.” Says Lena, pleading with her girlfriend and desperately trying to get her to see reason.
    Ever so calmly, and sounding almost sad, Thalia replies. “You’re right about one thing Lena, I do have to try. Not just for me or you, but for every citizen of National City that lives and works within the eight-block radius. I’m going to seal off the bomb with my Turbo Energy, and make as many layers as I can before time runs out. Hopefully it should contain enough of the explosion to keep L-Corp from collapsing. I don’t know how effective this is going to be so please I need you to evacuate with everyone else.”
    “Thalia I’m not going anywhere unless you are coming too. I need you to be safe just as much as you want me to be safe. I can’t lose you Thalia, I only just found you, please just get out of there while you still can.” Responds Lena with tears running down her cheeks desperately trying to get Thalia to see reason.
    With a sigh, Thalia responds. “I knew you were going to say that, so I took the liberty of asking Supergirl to go and get you out of there whether you go willingly or not. I have to at least try this, plus no matter what happens I’ll be fine, I’ve got my armor and an amazing girlfriend that I’m planning on taking on the best date ever.”
    “I’m going to hold you to that, Agent McGrath.” Replies Lena, her breath hitching as she speaks between sobs.
    Disengaging Steel and beginning to seal the bomb, Thalia chuckles. “I wouldn’t expect anything less Miss Luthor. I’m sending Steel topside to keep you up to date cause my phone is going to get fried again.”
    “Alright, be careful down there Thalia. I love you.” Replies Lena now smiling through her tears as she begins to calm down.
    Working on the seventh layer of her seal, Thalia responds. “I love you too Lena.”
    Once the call has disconnected, Thalia is able to pour all of her concentration into making the layers around the Dam Buster bomb. She makes faster progress now that Steel isn’t there syphoning any of her Turbo Energy. The room is beginning to glow blue as Thalia adds layer after layer to the seal, her helmet counting down how much time she has left.
    The timer hits zero just as Thalia completes the nineteenth layer. The ground and everything around her begin to shake violently as the Dam Buster detonates. The force of the explosion causes Thalia to lose her balance and she tumbles to the ground landing hard on her left shoulder dislocating it…again. With most of her Turbo-Energy depleted, Thalia had disengaged her armor in order to save some power so as to not pass out again. When the shaking finally stops, Thalia manages to scramble back to her feet only to realise she is now trapped in the room due to fallen debris.
    Pulling out her N-Tek issue phone, Thalia calls her uncle Forge. “Hey kid, where are you? Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine uncle, just a dislocated shoulder again. What’s the damage like up there?” Answers Thalia wincing when pain jolts through her shoulder.
    Forge responds sounding rather proud. “Well whatever you did worked for the most part. Instead of eight whole blocks being completely destroyed, there was only a 4.7 earthquake that affected only three and a half blocks. So basically, minimal damage. You should get up here and soon, that Lena Luthor has been going ape shit since the explosion. She is really worried about you.”
    “Yeah…heheh…about that…I’m kind of trapped.” Replies Thalia with a sheepish chuckle.
    Confused, Forge responds. “What do you mean you’re trapped? Just use one of your armors or even just your Turbo-Energy and blast your way out.”
    “That’s just it, I used almost all of my Turbo-Energy to seal the bomb, I don’t have enough left to reactivate my armor, let alone blast my way out. Also, I don’t think its entirely structurally sound enough for that. So, would you mind sending J’onn down to come get me?” Says Thalia, somehow managing to sound even more sheepish than before.
    Not bothering to hold back his laughter and waving J’onn over, Forge answers. “No problem kiddo. Just sit tight and maybe reset your shoulder.”
    “Thanks uncle Forge. Also tell Lena that I’m fine and on my way up soon.” Responds Thalia recovering from her earlier embarrassment.
    Groaning, Forge replies. “I did, multiple times. She doesn’t believe me. I don’t think she will believe anyone until she sees you herself.”
    “That’s understandable, I would be the same if the roles were reversed.” Says Thalia, beginning to pace out of boredom.
    Forge sensing his niece’s impatience, replies. “If you say so. J’onn is on his way down now, I’ll see you once you get top side.”
    “Alright, see you in a bit uncle.” Responds Thalia before hanging up.
    Not two minutes later, J’onn shows up. He phases both of them back to the surface where they are met by Supergirl, Alex, James as Guardian, and Lena. The latter running over immediately after seeing them and all but throwing herself into Thalia’s arms.
    “Whoa! Hey there Lena, I told you I would be fine.” Says Thalia as she stumbles back slightly when she catches Lena.
    Instead of saying anything, Lena pulls the taller brunette into a passionate kiss that surprises everyone but Supergirl.
    “Whoa I did not see that coming.” Says Alex surprise clear in her voice.
   
    Thalia pulls away from the kiss, a deep blush across her cheeks and reaching to the tips of her ears. “Oh, right. We haven’t exactly told anyone about us. I guess this is one way to tell everyone.”
     “Yes…um…so Thalia and I are officially dating for three days now.” Says Lena suddenly interested in her shoes as she cuddles closer into Thalia’s side.
    There is a round of congratulations as well as several groans as wallets come out. “Wait. You guys seriously bet on us?” Asks Lena incredulously. 
    “Obviously. We’ve had a bet going on whether or not you two would get together since Thalia was forced to admit she was in love with you to the whole world and Fifth Dimension.” Replies Alex with a sigh as she hands Supergirl a fifty-dollar bill. 
    Smirking as she collects several more fifties, Supergirl replies. “I totally knew you guys were going to get together, you’re perfect for each other. Also, it doesn’t hurt that I saw you almost kiss in Lena’s office the other day.”
    “So that’s why you suddenly changed your mind on the bet.” Grumbles James also handing Supergirl a fifty.
    Grabbing Lena’s hand and trying to weave through the throngs of agents, Thalia calls over her shoulder. “Finding out that you guys bet on us is kind of weird! Just saying!”
    “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried and so scared that something would go wrong and you would be seriously hurt.” Says Lena, pulling Thalia into another hug.
    Leaning back and smiling, Thalia replies. “Of course, I’m fine, not only do I have really cool alien armor and accelerated healing, I also promised I would take my very hot genius girlfriend on a date.”
    Before Lena can respond, Thalia’s N-Tek phone rings loudly. Pulling it out, Thalia’s smile drops instantly. “It’s my grandmother. She never calls this number unless it’s an absolute emergency.”
    “Then what are you waiting for? Answer it already, I’ll be over by the portable command truck if you need me.” Says Lena, giving Thalia a quick peck on the cheek before walking over to the truck.
    Thalia answers her phone as Steel comes flying over. “Hey grandma, what’s wrong?”
    “Your friend Donnie just called to let me know what happened. I just went through our inventory and discovered that the Dam Buster we had locked down in the archives vault is missing.” Comes the stressed voice of Molly McGrath from the other end of the call.
    Shocked, Thalia can’t help but shout. “What?! How?! The only people with the security clearance to even get on that floor are you and grandpa as well as me and dad. Heck you need to use all four of our key cards simultaneously plus our biometrics to even get the vault to open.”
    “I don’t know sweetheart. That’s why I’m flying back to Copper Canyon right now so I can do a full sweep of our security systems myself. Any chance I can use your High Velocity Helicopter?” Replies Molly trying to reassure her granddaughter.
    Heaving a sigh, and with exasperation taking over her worry, Thalia responds. “You’re already in it aren’t you? Fine, whatever. But I expect to be kept up to date on any and all developments in the investigation.”
    “Yes, and can do. I have to go now; I love you and stay safe kiddo.” Replies Molly raising her voice to be heard over the whir of the helicopter.
    Groaning, Thalia responds. “Please stop calling me that. I love you too grandma.”
    After hanging up and rejoining the group with Lena by her side, Thalia fills everyone in on what her grandmother told her. Once everyone has agreed to meet up in a couple days to discuss what happened, Thalia and Lena take a well deserved break and go on the date Thalia promised.