Back to Gatefold
Issue #53 by Daniel Ingram
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"THE TANGLED WEB - PART THREE (FINALE)"
Ghudazan, Africa,
“I can’t say that I’m thrilled about this plan.”
Wolfsbane and Vibraxis were on the rooftop across from a Ghudazan courthouse. Wolfsbane was crouched in her lupine form, while Vibraxis had focused his energies inward to simple become invisible.
“I understand your misgivings,” Vibraxis said, “but we have a limited window to strike at their credibility. This may be our best opportunity to discredit these monsters.”
“Aye, but I hate that we’ve left our friends in the bloody lion’s den,” said Wolfsbane.
“Practically speaking, they’re more akin to elephants in the lions den,” Vibraxis said, “but I too share your concerns. We must let this travesty place out.”
Down below, a reinforced police transport had just stopped in front of the court. Several heavily armed guards swung open the rear of the transported, and shouted at the two prisoners to step out.
Nova the Human Rocket gave the man a polite smile as he stepped down. Tarene, however, glared at the guards. The both of them wore restraints that, unknown to their captors, had been sabotaged.
All things considered, the show trial for their friends, Tarene and Nova, was moving at breakneck speeds. It was helped along by the fact that the two of them were taking the place of other mutant defendants, who Force Works had already liberated.
“I have others concerns than their safety, personally,” Vibraxis confessed, “Richard’s part in this, even if it works, feels as nothing but a stop gap measure. Mutants will still be persecuted, and scapegoated by this regime. This is little more than a band-aid.”
“It’s the best we got,” Mirage replied, over the radio. She was sitting alongside Technocrat in the gallery, disguised as a reporter from OAN, “I’m not in love with the plan either, but it’s the best we have to slow down what’s happening here and bring in Reverend Days. X-Treme, Sabre, you in position?”
“Affirmative,” X-Treme reported. Both the alien mutant and the speedster were eating brunch at a small diner behind the courthouse itself, “you guys know I could get closer if I wanted to, right?”
“Does it matter?” Sabre chuckled, “a hundred miles away is right next door for me.”
“And how is our guest settling in?” asked Mirage.
Zora nervously tapped her fingers against the table, trying to control her own anxiety.
“Looks like she’s ready to blow a gasket,” Sabre replied, “but she’s looked that way for a while now.”
Not all of us are as comfortable with violence as you, Zora replied telepathically.
“And still judgy,” Sabre observed, “you sure you want us handling the evac?”
“Telepathy and superspeed are the best way to get the civilians out of danger,” Technocrat replied, “security has only become more paranoid as this drags on.”
“I’m sure the security forces are wondering why we haven’t tried to rescue our friends yet,” Mirage replied, “they’re on edge.”
“And it’s not easy swatting down all the facial recognition attempts,” Technocrat added, “the fewer of us gathered close together, the better.”
“When things go hot, we’ll be able to hold on until you get here and get everyone out,” Mirage said, “until then, enjoy the show.”
oooOOoo
The Workplace
Namorita was reviewing financial reports, when her business phone rang.
“Mr. Tru,” Namorita answered, “I don’t remember giving you this number.”
“I’m a very dedicated man,” Mathew Tru replied, “and I’m a man of principle. I’d like to give you a chance to explain yourself, before I respond with the law and other means of redress.”
“I assure you I have no idea what you mean,” Namorita said, aware that their call was likely being recorded, “but I’m more than willing to meet with you, to address any of your concerns.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Tru replied, “I’m in Metro City, reviewing one of our satellite offices. I’ve done you the courtesy of scheduling you in for a meeting at 4. It will be the last courtesy I perform.”
“I’ll be there,” Namorita said. She disconnected the call, then immediately called her teammate, Charcoal, “hey, Charlie. Want to see a CEO grovel?”
oooOOoo
Ghudazan, Africa
Mirage wasn’t too surprised that Reverend Days had taken the role of the prosecutor. Nova and Tarene’s defender wasn’t making much of an effort, and she wondered if that was because he was complicit, knew how fultile the effort would be, or both.
“This trial feels like the history of Africa,” Mirage whispered to Technocrat, “one white man, claiming to speak for God, exploiting the locals as a weapons of war for their agenda.”
“Certainly true, but they have a choice to make as well,” Technocrat replied, “free will is afforded to us all, remember.”
“But facts aren’t,” Mirage replied, “and what we’re planning is based on nothing more than a lie.”
“Speakin’ of which,” Nova muttered into his helmet, trying not to be obvious, “my part’s coming up soon. You ready?”
Mirage set her jaw. The plan was the plan, and they were too far in now to reverse course.
But then she couldn’t help but wonder, how many people many people made a mistake worse simply because they believed that they were already in too deep to turn back?
“Nova, give me a moment to connect with the local equipment,” Technocrat said, “we have an international audience, and we don’t want Excalibur after us when this is all over.”
Nova glanced at the screens, all displaying various different angles of the team attacking the guards of the detention camp, but none truly showing them liberating the mutants from their detention camp. No one noticed the screens blipping for a split second.
“We’re almost ready for showtime,” Nova whispered to Tarene. The young Goddess trembled with anger, but to her credit, she kept it under control.
She knew their moment was coming.
“Namorita is going to be sorry she missed this.”
oooOOoo
Chicken-B-Good Metro City Headquarters
Namorita saw the smirk on Mathew Tru’s face, and knew she had won.
“So tell me,” Mathew Tru started, “how much money is your organization worth? I only ask, because my lawyers are going to want a number before they begin filing papers.”
“Why, whatever do you mean?” Namorita took a seat in front of Mathew Tru’s desk, with Charcoal right beside her. He thought he looked a little out of place, him in his spandex suit, and Namorita in a pants suit, but he endured stoically.
“The thumb drive you left me,” Mathew Tru said, “we accepted it in good faith, only to find it had a virus on it. Maybe we’ll inform the government of your attempt to steal our data, maybe you’ll have your own cell to go along with your boyfriend.”
“That’s unlikely for a host of reasons,” Namorita said.
Charcoal squirmed, as he had no idea what was happening.
“Is that so?”
“I was reviewing our recent Federal compliance, and must have allowed a module 3s AI virus slip into the thumbdrive,” Namorita ran her fingers through her golden hair, “blond moment, you understand. Module 3 are all commercially sold, and relatively harmless. Didn’t your head of IT tell you?”
Mathew Tru paused a moment before answering, “He said he’d never seen anything like it.”
Namorita chuckled and then replied, “Oh, I imagine that Technocrat changed a zero or one here or there, but I’m certain he didn’t upgrade it. A company your size is required by Federal law to have protections up to a module 5 or above. So if you’d like to sue us, that’s fine. You’d just have to admit under oath, that your cyber security is so poor, it breaks the law.”
Charcoal barely kept himself from laughing.
“Well?” Namorita looked at Tru with a raised eyebrow, “or we can just forget this, and I’ll email you the anti-virus and a sworn statement regarding its use.”
Mathew Tru gritted his teeth, and glared at Namorita, “If then this was truly an accident, then you’ve wasted both our time. The information you gave me was nothing but slander. My company isn’t associates with anti-mutant vigilantes.”
“That’s not what we learned,” Namorita said, “see, the warehouses that have been receiving overpayment saw a flurry of activities only a few hours after I gave you that thumb drive. Dozens of people showed up on your properties, moving material by the ton and yet none of your businesses reported any shortfalls.”
Mathew Tru’s eye twitched, “And so what of it?”
“Well, we had some people watching, and taking photos of the workers,” said Namorita, “would you care to know what they found?”
“Something slanderous, no doubt,” Mathew Tru said. He clenched his fists, realizing that he had been playing into Namorita’s hands from the start.
“More than you know,” Namorita replied, “some are current members of the Friends of Humanity, a few white supremacists, no one that wouldn’t tarnish Chicken-B-Good’s family friendly image. All moving mysterious boxes late at night. Why, it’s a good thing that we didn’t hack your systems, Mr. Tru. Put all this information together, and it might just be a recipe for a federal investigation. And dear me, that might violate the morals clause of your contract.”
Mr. Tru slumped in his chair, “What do you want?”
“You cease all funding to the Purifiers immediately,” Namorita said, “all funding, smuggling and lobbying. Everything. We will be watching, and so will our friends. Your brand might survive an investigation, but you won’t.”
“Yes, you’ve made that very clear,” said Tru, “very well, I suppose our foreign charity budget is too bloated. Thank you for eliminating waste.”
“It’s what I do,” Namorita replied.
Charcoal was canny enough to keep his mouth shut, until they were back at the Work Place.
“Are we really going to let him get away with that stuff?” said Charlie, “I don’t think we can trust a bigot like that to be honest, no matter how much he says he believes in God.”
“He’ll cut them off in the short term,” Namorita replied, “but you’re right, corporations rarely forget. But we didn’t have enough evidence, so I emailed an attorney general I know. By the time they get it in their head to try again, they’ll be choking on a federal investigation.”
“Okay, that sounds better than a handshake in an office,” said Charlie, “so we got a plan like that for Nova and Tarene?”
“We trust in our teammates.”
“Trust…Taki?” Charlie said, “because…”
“Not like that.”
oooOOoo
Ghudazan, Africa
“Honored judges, I know that as a man of the cloth, I oughta to be pleadin’ mercy,” Reverend Days said, sweeping his hand towards Nova and Tarene, “but these folks brought nothin’ but harm, and must be punished.”
Nova glanced at the judges, and saw that they were all eager to agree with Reverend Days. Not that was any surprise. This was a show trial, after all, meant to be broadcast all over the world. A display of their power sand therefor righteousness, that they had captured, tried and sentenced two Western heroes.
But Nova had grown tired of being a set piece, and his team was in place.
“I’ve think we’ve all heard enough,” Nova said, as he stood up. The guards around him leveled their weapons, each costing enough to feed a local family for three years, “I’ve heard enough from this self-righteous prick.”
Mirage readied herself, while Technocrat took command of the cameras, focusing them on Reverend Days and the judges.
“Force Works came to Ghudazan because we learned of a select group of people were abusing the power in their hands, and using it to hurt their fellow countrymen. They singled out people just like them, all for the sake of a little power.”
Reverend Days chuckled, “Your words ain’t proof.”
A cry of surprise cut through the court room, and Reverend Days looked at the judges, and was stunned.
One appeared to be aflame, but his clothes weren’t burning. Another had become transparent, while another’s eyes glowed an earie purple.
Nova watched the horrified look that came over his guards, and Reverend Days, as they struggled to understand what had just happened.
Reverend Days pointed an accusing finger at Nova, “You filthy liar! Bearing false witness!”
“His words were only truth,” Tarene snarled, as she stood up.
“Stop them!” Reverend Days snapped to the guards. But before they could regain their focus, several psychic arrows struck them unconscious.
“I can’t imagine you thought we’d leave our friends,” Mirage said, as she and Technocrat stood up, “what was the plan here, Days?”
Panic overtook the courtroom, as men and women began to flee in fear of the battle they could all sense was to come.
“There was none,” Tarene growled. The way Reverend Days exploited the faith of others was like a corkscrew in her stomach. She held out her hand, summoning her war mallet to her hand. There was a crack of thunder, and explosion of wood before it smacked into her outstretched hand, “just a man drunk on his own power.”
“Ah prayed ye might have some humility, an’ know yer limits,” Reverend Days replied. He summoned energy to his hand, “but it seems like I’ll just have to beat the Lord’s wisdom into ya.”
Nova smirked.
“Amen.”
The Human Rocket then broke the sound barrier, and rammed his shoulder into Reverend Days.
The blow sent the Reverend flying through the far wall, smashing through it as if it were paper.
Now on the street, Reverend Days forced himself, healing himself with stolen gifts. When he finished and looked up, he found himself surrounded by Force Works.
“Any chance you’re going to surrender peacefully?” Mirage pointed a psychic arrow at Reverend Days. She was flanked by Technocrat and Nova.
“We know his answer,” Wolfsbane spat, side by side with X-Treme and Sabre.
For once, Vibraxis said nothing. Zora stood behind him, her nerves on a razor’s edge.
“Before you decide, you should know I’m broadcasting this to all local networks,” said Technocrat, “let them see what you truly are.”
“Ye think that scares me?” Reverend Days sneered. He drew energy into his hands, “I ain’t no mutant. I’m their damn savior!”
“And we have a warrant for your arrest, Rev, so it’s time to render unto Caesar,” said Nova, “or we’ll render you.”
“That didn’t sound as bad ass as you think it did,” Mirage muttered.
“I ain’t no sheep,” Reverend Days glared, “and the laws I listen to, speaks with a greater voice than yours.”
“I dunno about that,” replied Nova, “the Goddess on our side can be pretty damn loud.”
A bolt of lighting crashed down on Reverend Days, but the man only staggered.
“So be it,” Reverend Days hissed, through pain clenched teeth.
“Sabre, civilians!” Nova snapped, as he shot towards Reverend Days.
The mad man unleashed a wave of blue flame that brought pain even to the Human Rocket, but only for several seconds, before Vibraxis blasted Reverend Days from behind.
“Boy, you ain’t got the guts to face a man head on?” Reverend Days demanded, as he spun around.
“Honor to whom honor is due,” Vibraxis replied, before unleashing another burst of earth shattering energy.
Vibraxis unleashed another burst of energy, only to watch as Reverend Days vanished.
“A teleporter,” Technocrat sighed. He sent several commands through his tech-pak, “of course. Sabre!”
The third-generation speedster looked towards Taki, as a small wrist band ejected from his tech-pak.
Sabre plucked the device out of the air, and did something unusual for her.
She stopped.
Sabre was completely still, as she forced her metabolism, her perception, into overdrive. The world around her froze utterly. Even the Human Rocket was nothing but a statue, as Sabre examined her surroundings.
From her perspective, she strolled to her teammates. She walked a circle around Mirage, looking outwards for anything that seemed out of place, yet found nothing.
Sabre glanced towards X-Treme and Wolfsbane, and that was where she glanced a shimmer in the air.
When she saw that, and knowing what it meant, Sabre focused on her breathing, slowing her body just ever so slightly, so that she didn’t have to wait relative hours for what was to happen next.
Reverend Days appeared out of thin air, his hands glowing with energy as he reached for her teammates. Sabre placed one foot in front of the other, and by the time her shoulder slammed into Days, she’d just broken the sound barrier.
Reverend Days flew backwards, with Sabre chasing him. It took her several tries before she snapped Technocrat’s devise around Reverend Days’ ankle.
Before she could attack further, a burst of energy exploded from Reverend Days, knocking her backwards.
“I…am bolstered by the penance of hundreds,” Reverend Days climbed to his feet, his chest heaving in anger, “and you children, so petty and small minded, think you can stop me? By what right?!”
“By right itself,” Vibraxis replied. He leveled both arms at Reverend Days, “and that’s all we need.”
Enough energy to crack a mountain slammed into Reverend Days, his ankles digging furrows into the ground as he struggled to resist.
Vibraxis relented, but before the self-declared Holy warrior could respond, Nova came at him from the side, slamming into him.
Reverend Days was once more pitched down the street, head over heels, before flopping on his belly.
“Though I find the forces against me overwhelmin’,” Reverend Days grinded, blood pouring from his mouth “like David before Goliath, I will stand tall.”
“Yeah, that’s your problem.”
A psychic arrow struck Reverend Days from behind, and he stumbled forward like a drunk.
“You think just because you’re the underdog, that you’re the good guy.”
Reverend Days turned towards Mirage, trembling with fury. But before he could summon even one of his stolen powers, there was a rush of wind, and his head snapped back and forth before he even felt Sabre’s blows.
The Reverend staggered, and before he knew what was happening, Tarene and Nova grabbed each arm, restraining him.
“Allow me,” Vibraxis stepped forward, “to unleash true righteousness upon you!”
For perhaps the first time in his memory, Vibraxis held nothing back. He released enough power to turn to rubble any mountain on earth, and all of it was directed at Reverend Days.
The self-declared savior screamed in agony, as his mind instinctively, reflexively, reached out to all the stolen gifts contained within his form.
And as he struggled, the teleport restrain on his ankle shattered like glass.
Technocrat saw it happen, and shouted at Vibraxis.
“He can teleport again!” Technocrat shouted, “pull back! Cease fire!”
All it took was a thought to flee, and Reverend Days tapped into the ability he’d taken from a frightened young woman who had no idea what she was surrendering. His body began to slip through a tear in reality that he willed into existence.
And as that happened, Vibraxis’ energy struck the tear, and the two energies intermingled.
Almost immediately, cracks began to form across Reverend Days’ person. It was as if he was made of the most delicate glass, instead of flesh and blood. When the Wakandian superhero saw what was happening, he relented from his onslaught.
“What…what is happening?” Reverend Days looked at his hands, as the cracks spread, and then looked towards Force Works, confusion and fear playing across his face, “help me, help me!”
Tarene looked at Reverend Days with disgust, “What is that’s always said?”
“God helps those who help themselves.”
Tarene snarled and drew back her arm to hurl her mallet.
“Tarene, no!” Nova grabbed the young goddess by the wrist.
Before she could unleash her power, Reverend Days screamed, as his form exploded in a burst of purple light.
“What in the bloody hell just happened?” said Wolfsbane.
“If I had to guess, Vibraxis’ power interacted with the many stolen abilities of Reverend Days,” Technocrat said, “God only knows, no irony intended, how he managed to steal and keep so many mutant abilities. Something was bound to tip him over the edge.”
“If nothing else, I’m glad that it was my hand that cast this monster down to hell,” scowled Vibraxis.
Perhaps instead of celebrating, we might leave? Zora swept her hand towards the people around them. Now that the battle had finished, shock was quickly becoming anger.
“Yeah, exfil out of a hostile, sovereign nation,” Nova said,“God, I hope this doesn’t become a habit.”
Nova scooped up Mirage and X-Treme, while Tarene grabbed Wolfsbane. Technocrat formed a hoverbike with his teckpak, and motioned for Zora and Vibraxis to get on.
“See you losers back at the bird,” Sabre said, and then vanished.
Force Works flew into the air, followed by curses and jeers.
“So, Reverend Days, possibly killed in front of Spirits knows how many cameras and seen across the world,” said Mirage, “no offense, but I think I left the leadership position at exactly the right time.”
“Heh, thanks chief,” Nova smirked, “I’m not worried. There’s no body, we both know how that goes. I doubt anyone will want to do anything other than make some noise.”
“We may have just made a martyr,” X-Treme said, “I’d hardly call it a success.”
“We stopped a mutant torture camp, put an end to Reverend Days maiming other mutants and my team got away in one piece,” Nova replied, “it’s not the victory I would have wanted…”
Nova looked towards Tarene, concerned.
“…but it’s one I’ll take. Maybe we didn’t solve anything, but we stopped things from getting worse.”
“And today, that’s enough.”
Next issue: Two years later!
“I can’t say that I’m thrilled about this plan.”
Wolfsbane and Vibraxis were on the rooftop across from a Ghudazan courthouse. Wolfsbane was crouched in her lupine form, while Vibraxis had focused his energies inward to simple become invisible.
“I understand your misgivings,” Vibraxis said, “but we have a limited window to strike at their credibility. This may be our best opportunity to discredit these monsters.”
“Aye, but I hate that we’ve left our friends in the bloody lion’s den,” said Wolfsbane.
“Practically speaking, they’re more akin to elephants in the lions den,” Vibraxis said, “but I too share your concerns. We must let this travesty place out.”
Down below, a reinforced police transport had just stopped in front of the court. Several heavily armed guards swung open the rear of the transported, and shouted at the two prisoners to step out.
Nova the Human Rocket gave the man a polite smile as he stepped down. Tarene, however, glared at the guards. The both of them wore restraints that, unknown to their captors, had been sabotaged.
All things considered, the show trial for their friends, Tarene and Nova, was moving at breakneck speeds. It was helped along by the fact that the two of them were taking the place of other mutant defendants, who Force Works had already liberated.
“I have others concerns than their safety, personally,” Vibraxis confessed, “Richard’s part in this, even if it works, feels as nothing but a stop gap measure. Mutants will still be persecuted, and scapegoated by this regime. This is little more than a band-aid.”
“It’s the best we got,” Mirage replied, over the radio. She was sitting alongside Technocrat in the gallery, disguised as a reporter from OAN, “I’m not in love with the plan either, but it’s the best we have to slow down what’s happening here and bring in Reverend Days. X-Treme, Sabre, you in position?”
“Affirmative,” X-Treme reported. Both the alien mutant and the speedster were eating brunch at a small diner behind the courthouse itself, “you guys know I could get closer if I wanted to, right?”
“Does it matter?” Sabre chuckled, “a hundred miles away is right next door for me.”
“And how is our guest settling in?” asked Mirage.
Zora nervously tapped her fingers against the table, trying to control her own anxiety.
“Looks like she’s ready to blow a gasket,” Sabre replied, “but she’s looked that way for a while now.”
Not all of us are as comfortable with violence as you, Zora replied telepathically.
“And still judgy,” Sabre observed, “you sure you want us handling the evac?”
“Telepathy and superspeed are the best way to get the civilians out of danger,” Technocrat replied, “security has only become more paranoid as this drags on.”
“I’m sure the security forces are wondering why we haven’t tried to rescue our friends yet,” Mirage replied, “they’re on edge.”
“And it’s not easy swatting down all the facial recognition attempts,” Technocrat added, “the fewer of us gathered close together, the better.”
“When things go hot, we’ll be able to hold on until you get here and get everyone out,” Mirage said, “until then, enjoy the show.”
oooOOoo
The Workplace
Namorita was reviewing financial reports, when her business phone rang.
“Mr. Tru,” Namorita answered, “I don’t remember giving you this number.”
“I’m a very dedicated man,” Mathew Tru replied, “and I’m a man of principle. I’d like to give you a chance to explain yourself, before I respond with the law and other means of redress.”
“I assure you I have no idea what you mean,” Namorita said, aware that their call was likely being recorded, “but I’m more than willing to meet with you, to address any of your concerns.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Tru replied, “I’m in Metro City, reviewing one of our satellite offices. I’ve done you the courtesy of scheduling you in for a meeting at 4. It will be the last courtesy I perform.”
“I’ll be there,” Namorita said. She disconnected the call, then immediately called her teammate, Charcoal, “hey, Charlie. Want to see a CEO grovel?”
oooOOoo
Ghudazan, Africa
Mirage wasn’t too surprised that Reverend Days had taken the role of the prosecutor. Nova and Tarene’s defender wasn’t making much of an effort, and she wondered if that was because he was complicit, knew how fultile the effort would be, or both.
“This trial feels like the history of Africa,” Mirage whispered to Technocrat, “one white man, claiming to speak for God, exploiting the locals as a weapons of war for their agenda.”
“Certainly true, but they have a choice to make as well,” Technocrat replied, “free will is afforded to us all, remember.”
“But facts aren’t,” Mirage replied, “and what we’re planning is based on nothing more than a lie.”
“Speakin’ of which,” Nova muttered into his helmet, trying not to be obvious, “my part’s coming up soon. You ready?”
Mirage set her jaw. The plan was the plan, and they were too far in now to reverse course.
But then she couldn’t help but wonder, how many people many people made a mistake worse simply because they believed that they were already in too deep to turn back?
“Nova, give me a moment to connect with the local equipment,” Technocrat said, “we have an international audience, and we don’t want Excalibur after us when this is all over.”
Nova glanced at the screens, all displaying various different angles of the team attacking the guards of the detention camp, but none truly showing them liberating the mutants from their detention camp. No one noticed the screens blipping for a split second.
“We’re almost ready for showtime,” Nova whispered to Tarene. The young Goddess trembled with anger, but to her credit, she kept it under control.
She knew their moment was coming.
“Namorita is going to be sorry she missed this.”
oooOOoo
Chicken-B-Good Metro City Headquarters
Namorita saw the smirk on Mathew Tru’s face, and knew she had won.
“So tell me,” Mathew Tru started, “how much money is your organization worth? I only ask, because my lawyers are going to want a number before they begin filing papers.”
“Why, whatever do you mean?” Namorita took a seat in front of Mathew Tru’s desk, with Charcoal right beside her. He thought he looked a little out of place, him in his spandex suit, and Namorita in a pants suit, but he endured stoically.
“The thumb drive you left me,” Mathew Tru said, “we accepted it in good faith, only to find it had a virus on it. Maybe we’ll inform the government of your attempt to steal our data, maybe you’ll have your own cell to go along with your boyfriend.”
“That’s unlikely for a host of reasons,” Namorita said.
Charcoal squirmed, as he had no idea what was happening.
“Is that so?”
“I was reviewing our recent Federal compliance, and must have allowed a module 3s AI virus slip into the thumbdrive,” Namorita ran her fingers through her golden hair, “blond moment, you understand. Module 3 are all commercially sold, and relatively harmless. Didn’t your head of IT tell you?”
Mathew Tru paused a moment before answering, “He said he’d never seen anything like it.”
Namorita chuckled and then replied, “Oh, I imagine that Technocrat changed a zero or one here or there, but I’m certain he didn’t upgrade it. A company your size is required by Federal law to have protections up to a module 5 or above. So if you’d like to sue us, that’s fine. You’d just have to admit under oath, that your cyber security is so poor, it breaks the law.”
Charcoal barely kept himself from laughing.
“Well?” Namorita looked at Tru with a raised eyebrow, “or we can just forget this, and I’ll email you the anti-virus and a sworn statement regarding its use.”
Mathew Tru gritted his teeth, and glared at Namorita, “If then this was truly an accident, then you’ve wasted both our time. The information you gave me was nothing but slander. My company isn’t associates with anti-mutant vigilantes.”
“That’s not what we learned,” Namorita said, “see, the warehouses that have been receiving overpayment saw a flurry of activities only a few hours after I gave you that thumb drive. Dozens of people showed up on your properties, moving material by the ton and yet none of your businesses reported any shortfalls.”
Mathew Tru’s eye twitched, “And so what of it?”
“Well, we had some people watching, and taking photos of the workers,” said Namorita, “would you care to know what they found?”
“Something slanderous, no doubt,” Mathew Tru said. He clenched his fists, realizing that he had been playing into Namorita’s hands from the start.
“More than you know,” Namorita replied, “some are current members of the Friends of Humanity, a few white supremacists, no one that wouldn’t tarnish Chicken-B-Good’s family friendly image. All moving mysterious boxes late at night. Why, it’s a good thing that we didn’t hack your systems, Mr. Tru. Put all this information together, and it might just be a recipe for a federal investigation. And dear me, that might violate the morals clause of your contract.”
Mr. Tru slumped in his chair, “What do you want?”
“You cease all funding to the Purifiers immediately,” Namorita said, “all funding, smuggling and lobbying. Everything. We will be watching, and so will our friends. Your brand might survive an investigation, but you won’t.”
“Yes, you’ve made that very clear,” said Tru, “very well, I suppose our foreign charity budget is too bloated. Thank you for eliminating waste.”
“It’s what I do,” Namorita replied.
Charcoal was canny enough to keep his mouth shut, until they were back at the Work Place.
“Are we really going to let him get away with that stuff?” said Charlie, “I don’t think we can trust a bigot like that to be honest, no matter how much he says he believes in God.”
“He’ll cut them off in the short term,” Namorita replied, “but you’re right, corporations rarely forget. But we didn’t have enough evidence, so I emailed an attorney general I know. By the time they get it in their head to try again, they’ll be choking on a federal investigation.”
“Okay, that sounds better than a handshake in an office,” said Charlie, “so we got a plan like that for Nova and Tarene?”
“We trust in our teammates.”
“Trust…Taki?” Charlie said, “because…”
“Not like that.”
oooOOoo
Ghudazan, Africa
“Honored judges, I know that as a man of the cloth, I oughta to be pleadin’ mercy,” Reverend Days said, sweeping his hand towards Nova and Tarene, “but these folks brought nothin’ but harm, and must be punished.”
Nova glanced at the judges, and saw that they were all eager to agree with Reverend Days. Not that was any surprise. This was a show trial, after all, meant to be broadcast all over the world. A display of their power sand therefor righteousness, that they had captured, tried and sentenced two Western heroes.
But Nova had grown tired of being a set piece, and his team was in place.
“I’ve think we’ve all heard enough,” Nova said, as he stood up. The guards around him leveled their weapons, each costing enough to feed a local family for three years, “I’ve heard enough from this self-righteous prick.”
Mirage readied herself, while Technocrat took command of the cameras, focusing them on Reverend Days and the judges.
“Force Works came to Ghudazan because we learned of a select group of people were abusing the power in their hands, and using it to hurt their fellow countrymen. They singled out people just like them, all for the sake of a little power.”
Reverend Days chuckled, “Your words ain’t proof.”
A cry of surprise cut through the court room, and Reverend Days looked at the judges, and was stunned.
One appeared to be aflame, but his clothes weren’t burning. Another had become transparent, while another’s eyes glowed an earie purple.
Nova watched the horrified look that came over his guards, and Reverend Days, as they struggled to understand what had just happened.
Reverend Days pointed an accusing finger at Nova, “You filthy liar! Bearing false witness!”
“His words were only truth,” Tarene snarled, as she stood up.
“Stop them!” Reverend Days snapped to the guards. But before they could regain their focus, several psychic arrows struck them unconscious.
“I can’t imagine you thought we’d leave our friends,” Mirage said, as she and Technocrat stood up, “what was the plan here, Days?”
Panic overtook the courtroom, as men and women began to flee in fear of the battle they could all sense was to come.
“There was none,” Tarene growled. The way Reverend Days exploited the faith of others was like a corkscrew in her stomach. She held out her hand, summoning her war mallet to her hand. There was a crack of thunder, and explosion of wood before it smacked into her outstretched hand, “just a man drunk on his own power.”
“Ah prayed ye might have some humility, an’ know yer limits,” Reverend Days replied. He summoned energy to his hand, “but it seems like I’ll just have to beat the Lord’s wisdom into ya.”
Nova smirked.
“Amen.”
The Human Rocket then broke the sound barrier, and rammed his shoulder into Reverend Days.
The blow sent the Reverend flying through the far wall, smashing through it as if it were paper.
Now on the street, Reverend Days forced himself, healing himself with stolen gifts. When he finished and looked up, he found himself surrounded by Force Works.
“Any chance you’re going to surrender peacefully?” Mirage pointed a psychic arrow at Reverend Days. She was flanked by Technocrat and Nova.
“We know his answer,” Wolfsbane spat, side by side with X-Treme and Sabre.
For once, Vibraxis said nothing. Zora stood behind him, her nerves on a razor’s edge.
“Before you decide, you should know I’m broadcasting this to all local networks,” said Technocrat, “let them see what you truly are.”
“Ye think that scares me?” Reverend Days sneered. He drew energy into his hands, “I ain’t no mutant. I’m their damn savior!”
“And we have a warrant for your arrest, Rev, so it’s time to render unto Caesar,” said Nova, “or we’ll render you.”
“That didn’t sound as bad ass as you think it did,” Mirage muttered.
“I ain’t no sheep,” Reverend Days glared, “and the laws I listen to, speaks with a greater voice than yours.”
“I dunno about that,” replied Nova, “the Goddess on our side can be pretty damn loud.”
A bolt of lighting crashed down on Reverend Days, but the man only staggered.
“So be it,” Reverend Days hissed, through pain clenched teeth.
“Sabre, civilians!” Nova snapped, as he shot towards Reverend Days.
The mad man unleashed a wave of blue flame that brought pain even to the Human Rocket, but only for several seconds, before Vibraxis blasted Reverend Days from behind.
“Boy, you ain’t got the guts to face a man head on?” Reverend Days demanded, as he spun around.
“Honor to whom honor is due,” Vibraxis replied, before unleashing another burst of earth shattering energy.
Vibraxis unleashed another burst of energy, only to watch as Reverend Days vanished.
“A teleporter,” Technocrat sighed. He sent several commands through his tech-pak, “of course. Sabre!”
The third-generation speedster looked towards Taki, as a small wrist band ejected from his tech-pak.
Sabre plucked the device out of the air, and did something unusual for her.
She stopped.
Sabre was completely still, as she forced her metabolism, her perception, into overdrive. The world around her froze utterly. Even the Human Rocket was nothing but a statue, as Sabre examined her surroundings.
From her perspective, she strolled to her teammates. She walked a circle around Mirage, looking outwards for anything that seemed out of place, yet found nothing.
Sabre glanced towards X-Treme and Wolfsbane, and that was where she glanced a shimmer in the air.
When she saw that, and knowing what it meant, Sabre focused on her breathing, slowing her body just ever so slightly, so that she didn’t have to wait relative hours for what was to happen next.
Reverend Days appeared out of thin air, his hands glowing with energy as he reached for her teammates. Sabre placed one foot in front of the other, and by the time her shoulder slammed into Days, she’d just broken the sound barrier.
Reverend Days flew backwards, with Sabre chasing him. It took her several tries before she snapped Technocrat’s devise around Reverend Days’ ankle.
Before she could attack further, a burst of energy exploded from Reverend Days, knocking her backwards.
“I…am bolstered by the penance of hundreds,” Reverend Days climbed to his feet, his chest heaving in anger, “and you children, so petty and small minded, think you can stop me? By what right?!”
“By right itself,” Vibraxis replied. He leveled both arms at Reverend Days, “and that’s all we need.”
Enough energy to crack a mountain slammed into Reverend Days, his ankles digging furrows into the ground as he struggled to resist.
Vibraxis relented, but before the self-declared Holy warrior could respond, Nova came at him from the side, slamming into him.
Reverend Days was once more pitched down the street, head over heels, before flopping on his belly.
“Though I find the forces against me overwhelmin’,” Reverend Days grinded, blood pouring from his mouth “like David before Goliath, I will stand tall.”
“Yeah, that’s your problem.”
A psychic arrow struck Reverend Days from behind, and he stumbled forward like a drunk.
“You think just because you’re the underdog, that you’re the good guy.”
Reverend Days turned towards Mirage, trembling with fury. But before he could summon even one of his stolen powers, there was a rush of wind, and his head snapped back and forth before he even felt Sabre’s blows.
The Reverend staggered, and before he knew what was happening, Tarene and Nova grabbed each arm, restraining him.
“Allow me,” Vibraxis stepped forward, “to unleash true righteousness upon you!”
For perhaps the first time in his memory, Vibraxis held nothing back. He released enough power to turn to rubble any mountain on earth, and all of it was directed at Reverend Days.
The self-declared savior screamed in agony, as his mind instinctively, reflexively, reached out to all the stolen gifts contained within his form.
And as he struggled, the teleport restrain on his ankle shattered like glass.
Technocrat saw it happen, and shouted at Vibraxis.
“He can teleport again!” Technocrat shouted, “pull back! Cease fire!”
All it took was a thought to flee, and Reverend Days tapped into the ability he’d taken from a frightened young woman who had no idea what she was surrendering. His body began to slip through a tear in reality that he willed into existence.
And as that happened, Vibraxis’ energy struck the tear, and the two energies intermingled.
Almost immediately, cracks began to form across Reverend Days’ person. It was as if he was made of the most delicate glass, instead of flesh and blood. When the Wakandian superhero saw what was happening, he relented from his onslaught.
“What…what is happening?” Reverend Days looked at his hands, as the cracks spread, and then looked towards Force Works, confusion and fear playing across his face, “help me, help me!”
Tarene looked at Reverend Days with disgust, “What is that’s always said?”
“God helps those who help themselves.”
Tarene snarled and drew back her arm to hurl her mallet.
“Tarene, no!” Nova grabbed the young goddess by the wrist.
Before she could unleash her power, Reverend Days screamed, as his form exploded in a burst of purple light.
“What in the bloody hell just happened?” said Wolfsbane.
“If I had to guess, Vibraxis’ power interacted with the many stolen abilities of Reverend Days,” Technocrat said, “God only knows, no irony intended, how he managed to steal and keep so many mutant abilities. Something was bound to tip him over the edge.”
“If nothing else, I’m glad that it was my hand that cast this monster down to hell,” scowled Vibraxis.
Perhaps instead of celebrating, we might leave? Zora swept her hand towards the people around them. Now that the battle had finished, shock was quickly becoming anger.
“Yeah, exfil out of a hostile, sovereign nation,” Nova said,“God, I hope this doesn’t become a habit.”
Nova scooped up Mirage and X-Treme, while Tarene grabbed Wolfsbane. Technocrat formed a hoverbike with his teckpak, and motioned for Zora and Vibraxis to get on.
“See you losers back at the bird,” Sabre said, and then vanished.
Force Works flew into the air, followed by curses and jeers.
“So, Reverend Days, possibly killed in front of Spirits knows how many cameras and seen across the world,” said Mirage, “no offense, but I think I left the leadership position at exactly the right time.”
“Heh, thanks chief,” Nova smirked, “I’m not worried. There’s no body, we both know how that goes. I doubt anyone will want to do anything other than make some noise.”
“We may have just made a martyr,” X-Treme said, “I’d hardly call it a success.”
“We stopped a mutant torture camp, put an end to Reverend Days maiming other mutants and my team got away in one piece,” Nova replied, “it’s not the victory I would have wanted…”
Nova looked towards Tarene, concerned.
“…but it’s one I’ll take. Maybe we didn’t solve anything, but we stopped things from getting worse.”
“And today, that’s enough.”
Next issue: Two years later!