Triptych

by S. C. Mitchell

  Paul joined Shade on patrol. The other heroes were paired off and sent out, Z-Bot with Wylde and Piotr. Phaze with El Brujo. Despite the probable safety of this mission, Aaron had ordered Quantum to stay at the base. Dr. Logan didn’t want her using her powers unless there was an extreme situation.

  Though she probably wouldn’t have to, Paul couldn’t fault Aaron for not including her. The tabloids were crying for information on the pregnancy, and the paparazzi would be all over her.

  Yes, one more hero patrolling the streets helped reassure the city residents Xi Force was on the job, but Dove was getting close to her due date, and Dr. Logan was taking no chances. Protecting the first offspring of two genetically altered humans was vastly more important than this situation.

  ~ ~ ~

  Maggie brought up the high-range scanning program on the Xi-1’s console. “See, we can even scan straight up for miles. Here’s that spacecraft.”

  Sitting up in the co-pilot’s seat, Birdy stared at the display. “Amazing. You’ve got all the best toys onboard.”

  Didn’t she know it. But she also was coming to accept one other thing. “Soon, you’ll have all the toys. I’ll be playing with the big kids.”

  “Yeah, but isn’t that going to be even cooler?”

  It was, in its way, but there was some things about being on the Xi Force support team she would miss.

  Kirk was far and above the best computer programmer and tech jockey she’d ever encountered. Pike’s Rangers were chosen from the cream of the military crop. Even the accountants, work staff, cooks and janitors at the Xi Force headquarters were carefully chosen for their competence, proficiency in their job, and of course their discretion.

  To work for Xi Force was to be one of the elite of the elite. It’s why she’d given up her chance to be a NASA astronaut. Twelve men had walked on the moon, but there was only one person in the whole world chosen to pilot the Xi-1 . . . until now.

  A readout on the monitor showed the energy signature of the saucer-shaped craft. Whatever was powering it couldn’t be identified with today’s technology. Yet, wouldn’t it be the same type of propulsion used in the smaller ship back at their headquarters?

  If what she’d been told was correct, most of the technology in this jet was developed from what they found on that alien vessel. Hadn’t the scientists of two decades ago been able to figure out its propulsion system? And why were all the files from that project missing?

  They were questions she and Kirk would have to ponder when they started studying that ship. With her NASA training and his technical expertise, Aaron decided they would be the perfect pairing on that project, but it needed to be fit in between their regular duties. Yesterday, Olivia Diego had also been added to their team. She, at least, didn’t have any other duties and she seemed pretty tech-savvy. That should help.

  Maggie liked Olivia. The poor kid had her share of issues, but who wouldn’t under her situation? Dead at age eight, then back alive at age . . .

  What age would she be?

  Carlos, her twin was thirty, and they hadn’t been able to ascertain the origin of the body she now inhabited. In any case, Olivia had the temperament of a thirteen year old at times, but a brilliant mind, and when you dug deep enough, a really loving heart.

  “Something’s happening,” Birdy said, pulling Maggie from her thoughts.

  He pointed to the screen where a large, rectangular opening had appeared in the side of the saucer. The energy signature intensified in the area of the opening.

  A smaller vessel exited the opening and began spiraling toward the ground. Heat signatures indicated multiple entities inside. The computer estimated the number as between twenty and thirty.

  Maggie punched the intercom to communicate with Xi Force members. “We’ve got incoming.”

  Chapter 13

  Paul stood with the assembled Xi Force, and a small advance unit of National Guard troops—only thirty-five men and a single small tank, that had arrived in time to assist. More troops were on their way, but the quickest were still hours from the city.

  Steam rose off the gunmetal-colored vehicle as it settled in the parking lot of Megopolis’s largest mall. The three automobiles they had been unable to move in time, were crunched flat by the weight of the craft. An acrid stench filled the air as gray steam pumped out of a pipe on the side. The ship resembled the one in the basement level at headquarters, the same boxy architecture, but this one was much larger than that four-man craft.

  Behind Xi Force, Pike’s Rangers, and the National Guard troops, a large crowd of onlookers, gawkers, and curiosity seekers lurked, refusing to disperse even though remaining meant they were putting their very lives in danger. How could Xi Force protect people who couldn’t even be troubled to protect themselves?

  Among the crowd, two television crews with cameras perched on top of large panel trucks, filmed the action. Whatever happened here today, the world would see it.

  Maggie’s voice resounded from Paul’s com link. “Scanning has narrowed it to twenty-five individual heat signatures aboard that ship.”

  The Xi-1 hovered above the alien vessel, weapons targeted and ready to fire if Shade gave the order. Maggie was, as usual, cool under pressure. Yes, Xi Force was gaining a superhero, but it was also losing an amazing pilot.

  Well, not exactly losing her. She’d still be available to fly the Xi-1 if needed, but Birdy would be stepping into the main role. And if they were up against some sort of alien invasion, the poor man had a lot to learn in a very short time.

  Still, it also meant, at times like this, Maggie would be on the ground with him. He’d be able to keep a closer eye on her. And . . .

  He had to stop thinking like that.

  She was right. She was the one with superpowers. He had to bury his protective instincts and let her be the superhero. But that was not going to be easy considering how he felt about her.

  A doorway opened on the side of the space craft and a ramp extended from it to the ground.

  Figures emerged, aliens encased in blue, metallic-looking armor and holding dark gray tube-like objects Paul assumed to be some kind of weapon.

  Six aliens descended, two-by-two, and split left and right at the bottom to take up positions on either side of the ramp.

  Guinevere emerged next, processing down the incline in a flowing, long-skirted dress of deep maroon. A high-collared cape of glittery blue cascaded from her shoulders and down her back. She stood stiff, almost regal, at the bottom of the ramp, waiting, no doubt, for the television cameras to capture her.

  Long, tense moments passed before she spoke.

  “People of Earth.” Her voice boomed, filling the air from some hidden public address system in the ship. “The Sha’Xari have traveled across the galaxy to bring a new age, a golden age, to Earth.”

  Murmurs rose from the crowd.

  “The Sha’Xari are a non-violent people who practice the art of peaceful co-existence with other worlds in the Milky Way, and have chosen me to be their spokesperson as they have not yet learned our languages. But they soon will, and will be among us to teach Earthlings this new way of life. No more war, no more need for weapons, no more need of superheroes. We will live and work as one, toward the goals that will bring an end to the current cast systems based on wealth and power. All Earthlings will be equal under this new order.”

  Tex bumped Paul’s shoulder and whispered. “I noticed she didn’t mention anything about liberty or the pursuit of happiness.”

  Paul agreed. “Sounding a lot like slavery to me.”

  “Those who join us willingly,” Guinevere continued, “will reap the first fruits of this new harvest.”

  Then her tone changed, becoming lower, darker, more threatening. “Those who oppose us will be eliminated.”

  “Yeah,” Paul sa
id. “Kind of where I thought that was going.”

  “Go back where ya’ came from, alien bitch,” someone in the crowd shouted as he threw a soda can toward the ship.

  One of the aliens aimed its tube weapon at the incoming soda can, and a silvery beam emitted from the end, lancing toward the can, and blasting it to damp shards.

  The other aliens pointed their weapons at the crowd.

  Guinevere looked toward the aliens at her right. “Cheeyn dok.”

  They put up their weapons.

  Then she addressed the crowd and the cameras. “You have one week to turn this world over to us voluntarily, peacefully. If you don’t, be assured, we will take it.”

  She turned and walked up the ramp.

  The aliens closed ranks and followed. The door closed as the walkway receded. The ship lifted off and flew up toward the saucer.

  Nearby, Z-Bot huffed. “What the hell did I just witness?”

  ~ ~ ~

  The next morning, the city had found an uneasy equilibrium. Soldiers patrolled the streets, and heavy equipment was set up around the perimeter and at key points within the city.

  Government officials stopped short of declaring martial law. The citizens weren’t in a panic, at least most of them. A few mobs had to be dispersed, and the bars were fuller than usual during business hours on a weekday, but for the most part, the citizens of Megopolis were keeping their cool in the face of this crisis.

  The presence of Xi Force was attributed to that attitude. People trusted in their new heroes to keep them safe. But what could a handful of people, even with superpowers, do against an invasion force from outer space?

  On the plane ride home, Paul mused on their situation. This was war, no doubt about that.

  El Brujo sat in the seat ahead of Paul, talking to Shade. “I have some sources I can check that may be able to provide information on these Sha’Xari. I think Maggie . . . that is, Triptych, might be able to help me contact them.”

  Shade looked over his shoulder at Paul. “We need to get her as much training as possible in the next week. I have a feeling Xi Force will need every resource to face this challenge.

  Paul nodded. “I’ll put her on the fast-track.”

  Which would also put the skids on anything they hoped to build between them.

  But the sooner they booted these bastards back into outer space and sent Guinevere to the Fae Realm, the sooner he and Maggie could pick up where they’d left off.

  That kiss had been amazing and had promised so much more. But for the time being, everyone needed to keep their head in the game.

  A meeting at headquarters allowed people to compare notes and Aaron to hand out assignments. Xi Force members would take shifts being on duty, suited up and ready for deployment at a moment’s notice. Two helicopters and six pilots were requisitioned from the Air Force to allow for rapid deployment of these crews while keeping the Xi-1 ready for the rest of the team if needed.

  Birdy offered to eat, sleep, and live on the Xi-1 to be as ready as possible. The guy was committed, and a good pilot. He simply needed more time in the cockpit of the Xi-1. The plane wasn’t like any other in the world.

  Shade nodded. “No offense, Birdy. You’re a great flyer, but Maggie remains our main pilot unless she’s unavailable. She can make that bird do tricks I didn’t think possible.”

  There were nods of agreement that made Paul’s heart swell with pride.

  Yeah, like the plane, Maggie wasn’t like any other in the world either.

  “That said, Paul”—Aaron’s gaze locked onto him—“I want Maggie also cleared for field work as soon as possible. I know this puts a lot of pressure on her, but it looks like she will be our best bet against Guinevere. In the basement she appeared to have some immunity to the things that were taking the rest of us out.”

  He meant the paralysis that had crippled him and Phaze. Guinevere hadn’t even tried that on Maggie, so there had to be a reason.

  In any case, they needed to find a way to take Guinevere out of the picture. Maybe then they could get the aliens to talk sense. Was the conflict inevitable, or had Guinevere fomented it?

  ~ ~ ~

  In the elevator ride to the lower level, Maggie reached over and found Paul’s hand.

  He gently squeezed and ran his thumb over her knuckles, then sighed. “This sucks.”

  Didn’t she know it. They were finally in a position to push ahead in their relationship. Start exploring if there could be a them. God, she really liked him, wanted to spend more time with him.

  And she would be, but not in the way either of them wanted.

  Train hard, beat Guinevere and return her to the Fae Realm, then kick some alien butt. A daunting list of things to do, but if they could find a couple of spare moments . . .

  She stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around his trim waist. “Kiss me. At least give me that much.”

  He smiled and drew her closer. “Yeah, I can give you that much.”

  His kiss was warm and passionate. Tension in his muscles betrayed his restraint. They couldn’t go any further, even though they were both headed to bed.

  Separate beds.

  They needed sleep. They’d lost the night and morning. It was almost noon and fatigue was setting in hard.

  Still, his kiss invigorated her and set her head whirling.

  The bell dinged, and he drew back. “Go get some sleep, get some food, then meet me in the gym at eighteen-hundred hours. And be ready to sweat.”

  “Yes, sir.” She smiled. It wasn’t sex, but at least it was going to be some strenuous physical activity with Paul. For now, she’d have to take what she could get.

  She made her way to her apartment, stripped off her uniform, and tumbled into bed. A shower would’ve been nice, but she didn’t have the energy.

  Lying in the dark, her mind wasn’t quite ready for sleep.

  Paul had set up training sessions for all three of her aspects together, at six the following night, to test and document everything they could about her powers. After that she would split up. Morgana would stay with Paul for some deeper combat and tactics training, while Morgan would be sent to El Brujo, and Mogause would work on healing and triage techniques with Mary Cullen.

  It was going to be a full evening and she’d need to concentrate, so she had to get some sleep.

  But an idea kept niggling at the back of her mind.

  If she became the sum total of her aspects when they merged, could she have one of them sleeping while the other two worked out, or all three of her aspects sleeping separately, and still get the full benefit of the sleep time when she reemerged?

  No time like the present to find out.

  ~ ~ ~

  Maggie’s double bed suddenly became crowded.

  Morgause and Morgan both grabbed a pillow and a side as Morgana rolled out of bed. “I’ll take the couch.”

  She trudged to the living room, fluffed the couch pillow, and pulled the afghan off the back of her recliner. She only had four hours before she was supposed to meet Paul in the gym. But four times three was twelve. If this worked she’d be more than rested.

  And if not, at least she hadn’t lost anything.

  From the bedroom, Morgan’s tired voice called out. “Goodnight, John Boy.”

  When had Morgan become the funny one?

  Chapter 14

  What the hell? Morgana dragged herself conscious and managed to open one eye.

  Light filtered in from the kitchen. The refrigerator door was open and a figure stood in front, casting a long shadow across the floor.

  “Ham, mayo, cheese, lettuce,” someone mumbled under her breath.

  The refrigerator door closed, plunging the room back into darkness.

  Morgana c
raned her neck so she could see the clock across the room. Four-forty-seven. Way too early to disturb her sleep. Someone was in a heap of trouble.

  The figure, sandwich in hand, trudged past her and plopped into the recliner.

  “Morgan!” How she knew it was Morgan and not Morgause, she hadn’t a clue. All three of them looked exactly the same. But Morgana knew instinctively which of her sisters she was with at any time.

  Morgan shrugged. “I was hungry.”

  Morgana’s stomach rumbled. “Fair enough, but couldn’t you have slept a bit longer. We don’t need to be at the gym until six.”

  “It’s all I can do to stay awake, but we’ve slept enough . . . I hope.”

  “Less than three hours?” Far too little for Morgana’s whirling mind.

  “Two and three-quarters hours times three, if this worked.”

  Morgana couldn’t put the figures into any kind of order. “Ugh, I can’t math yet.”

  “It’s enough. We need to drag Morgause out of bed as soon as I finish eating my sandwich.”

  Morgana’s stomach rumbled again. “You could have made one for me.”

  Chuckling, Morgan wolfed down the last of her meal. “If sleep works like this then eating should also, right?”

  “If you say so.” Morgana pulled herself up from the couch. “Okay, let’s go wake Morgause and pull ourselves together.

  ~ ~ ~

  Maggie rolled over in bed, her head clear, her body rested, and her stomach full. Memories of the conversation she’d had with herself in the other room washed through her mind.