Suddenly, Hawkfox Delta saw a woman on the roof of the burning office building. She ran from the smoke to the edge of the building. The woman was white, had red deadlocks, and had dirty ragged clothes.
Hawkfox Delta made a bee-line toward the woman before she could toss herself off the building. Landing on the edge, the woman was startled by Hawkfox Delta’s appearance and fell backward. Hawkfox Delta made sure the ledge he was standing was stable before reaching out his hand to the woman.
"Come!" yelled Hawkfox Delta reaching out with his right hand. "I can take you off this roof to safety!"
"No! The Devil lies!" yelled the woman back, clearly under the influence of acid and out of her mind with terror. She stumble backward and landed on her back where she laid motionless.
"Shit!" said Hawkfox Delta. He cautiously stepped onto the roof to make sure it was still solid. Smoke started to seep through the roof and Hawkfox Delta flapped his wings to blow the smoke quickly off him and the homeless woman.
After taking a few steps, there were sounds of stress and suddenly the roof started to collapse under the woman. Hawkfox Delta dove toward the woman and grabbed the woman's feet.
Hawkfox Delta was hanging over the edge of the hole that just opened up. The force of the fall and stop caused Amy Parker's silver pill urn pendant necklace to fall out.
'No!' thought Hawkfox Delta looking at the pendant. Lucky enough for Hawkfox Delta, the pendant stayed on long enough for the hawkman to pull the woman out.
After delivering the homeless woman to the emergency room, Hawkfox Delta, with soot all over his face, placed the pendant in a jewelry box within his apartment.
'I can't wear you again.' thought Hawkfox Delta. 'I can't risk someone's life over you or lose you. I will get you a display case later, for now you will be safe here.'
Sooper Zoom #10
(2015/03/07 and 2015/11/10)
Rodrigo Antonio "Tony" Francisco was driving down Interstate 5 between San Clemente and Oceanside in his 2010 Honda CR-V, when he got a call from Saint Matt.
"Oh hey man, I have not heard from you in a couple of months." answered Tony Francisco after tapping the Bluetooth earpiece. "What's the word?"
So you took your tax return and bought a 2010 Honda CR-V?
"Hey, I do not have to justify myself to you!" said Tony Francisco. "I like not having to literally run everywhere."
It's not that, just the choice of car. said Saint Matt. I thought you might have gotten a tricked out Ford Pinto or something along those lines.
"I am going to ignore your shocking display of racism, redneck hick, and ask you if you need something." said Tony Francisco with a slight smile. Saint Matt and Tony Francisco like to joke around with each other like this.
Yes. I know we have not heard from The Eye in almost a year, and I think I now know why. Sending you the image now.
An image appeared on Tony Francisco's smart phone. A very clear picture of a normal looking red-headed woman walking down a crowded sidewalk. "Forever Girl!"
The caption swears up and down that the woman was not there before or after the photo was taken.
"A calling card. She wants us to come and get her." said Tony Francisco under his breath. "This picture was not taken in Southern California, was it?"
Very good. You are way too smart to be a substitute teacher. said Saint Matt. It was taken on the east coast. Westgate City.
***
"This is very nice!" said Sooper Zoom standing in front of the mirror in Johnny Kobayashi's personal gym admiring his new costume. It was almost identical to his old costume, but made from a different fabric. This time, the pants were tucked into Sooper Zoom's boots. "So you are telling me that nothing will pierce the fabric? That is unbelievable!"
"Well, it is based off my own skin." said Johnny Kobayashi as he stood next to Sooper Zoom looking over the costume. "It is really complicated, but I have not told you the half of it. Unlike my skin, the fabric does have limitations. While a fast bullet and/or blade can stop it, slow moving objects can. And lazar tests have not proved promising. For those reasons and more, I am sabotaging the roll-out tomorrow."
"What?!" yell Sooper Zoom. "Don't get me wrong, I am all for Second Amendment rights, but this fabric would make firearms obsolete!"
"Projectile guns, yes." said Johnny Kobayashi patting his new friend Sooper Zoom on the shoulder. "But not bombs and the break out technology for hand held laser guns, while still a ways away, is just around the corner. I fear this armor will only spur that development even faster. Right now, I am going to only make this for proven supers like yourself. You are the first super beyond my teammates to get this fabric armor, but you will not be the last. I am making one for Hawkfox Delta right now."
"This is a shame that the world will not get this protection." said Sooper Zoom.
"It is flawed. I can't just change the laws of physics." shrugged Johnny Kobayashi. "Not yet, at least."
"Well, thank you for the upgrade. Now I am going to offer you something." said Sooper Zoom. "The Fisher's Ring is more than willing to help you and your teammates if they can. All you have to do is text ‘Fisher's Ring’ and your question and/or request, they will get back to you."
Johnny Kobayashi thought about this for a second. "Wait, what number should I text to?"
"Any number." answered Sooper Zoom with a wink.
Red-Eye Destrobot #10
(2015/12/08)
The Martian Rose Mechanics HQ in Glass Towers was the crown jewel of Westgate City. In fact, it was joking called 'Crown Jewel Tower' by the corporate brass. The old building was torn down and rebuilt to ninety floors in the early 2000s. The two-story auditorium was built as a wing to the tower three years later.
In the last few days, Johnny Kobayashi had taken an interest in the 'statue' located in the lobby. It was that of a robot with valet rope surrounding it and a simple plaque that reads simply: The Future
"What are you doing here?" asked Johnny Kobayashi stopping in front of the 'statue' on his way out after working late. It was around 11:30PM and the lobby was mostly empty, with a few security guards at the front desk. "You've been here for nine years now and no one can remember building you. Are you that robot that used to hang around the city a while back?"
One of the security guards walked up to Johnny Kobayashi with a piece of paper in his hand. "A fax for you, sir."
"'To the man in front of The Future robot statue.'" read Johnny Kobayashi aloud. He looked at the robot for a second and then back at the paper. "'You would be surprised what a fax machine and bureaucratic red-tape can do.'
"You know," continued Johnny Kobayashi after finishing reading from the fax message. "Talking to you is going to be much better than having to go through a middle man. I know who you are and I promise not to do anything if you will explain yourself."
Red-Eye Destrobot turned his head slowly to the front desk to make sure the security guard had returned. He had.
"I ruined a man's life," spoke Red-Eye Destrobot for only the second time in his life, turning back to look at Johnny Kobayashi. "Then I watched him die. That is when I realize I leave destruction in my wake. Maybe that is my lot in life, it is after all why my creator made me."
"Don't make me play the pronoun game. Tell me the whole story."
And Red-Eye Destrobot explain himself to Johnny Kobayashi. The young Martian Rose Mechanics executive sat at a near-by chair and listen. It dawned on Johnny Kobayashi that Red-Eye Destrobot was actually standing on a table and the chairs were only slightly moved to the sides.
"Do you know Westgate Sentinel is-"
"Yes," answered Red-Eye Destrobot. "I see people read newspapers and I heard. And, of course, I can tap into phone lines."
"Well, we could use more heroes in the city. You want to help join the fight for justice instead of leaving a legacy of destruction?"
"Me? A hero? Ha!" asked a shocked Red-Eye Destrobot.
"Yeah. Well, you don't seem like a bad guy from what you told me
and what I have read." answered Johnny Kobayashi. "Maybe a little clumsy, but not evil."
Red-Eye Destrobot made a motion that could be interrupted as a 'sigh' to others.
"I don't know." said Red-Eye Destrobot. "I will stay here until I get bored of staying here."
Johnny Kobayashi sat there in silence for about five minutes.
"Are you looking for redemption?"
"No." answered Red-Eye Destrobot quickly. "But you are looking for justice. I can see it painfully written on your face. Did you love her?"
"With all my heart."
"Good." said Red-Eye Destrobot. "Hold onto it. No, I will not join you. Not now. I am not bored yet."
Johnny Kobayashi nodded, got up, and walked out of the Martian Rose Mechanics HQ lobby.
Green Silk #10
(2015/11/09)
"Make sure everyone on this floor gets out as quickly as possible." said Green Silk her father's secretary. "And have Gaius Memme arrested."
The secretary nodded and went about clearing the floor.
Green Silk went to the door and found it locked from the inside, however this was not completely unexpected. She did try to quietly force the door open, but found it re-enforced.
Green Silk took a step back to asses the situation. Looking around, she saw the first group of frighten individuals head down the emergency fire stairwell...
***
CRASH
Green Silk didn't know how tough skyscraper glass was, but Sandra Padgett felt the raw power as she swung into the office from the roof and thru the glass. Green Silk made a mental note that she would have to test the limits of her enhance strength soon.
Everything happen at lightning speed at this point. Soon after making her landing, she noticed two people standing over her father with rifles while Dennis Padgett was sitting at his desk. With a flick of both her wrists, she webbed those rifles and with another flick they were in her hands. Green Silk then crushed the receivers with her bare hands and then dropped them. Melody, one of the two hippies standing over Dennis Padgett when Green Silk broke through the window, tried to hit Green Silk. However Green Silk deflected the punch and laid Melody out.
"Stay down!" yell Green Silk.
At the other end of the office closer to the barricaded door, an young Asian man used the chaos to attack his guard. Green Silk took note of this, but turned her attention to her father, Dennis Padgett, and Dante Pickles. Dante had taken out a small handgun and pointed to Dennis Padgett's head.
"I'm not going to jail!" yelled Dante Pickles.
"That's not up to discussion anymore!" yelled Green Silk. "Give up!"
Dante stopped dead in his tracks. Green Silk could tell he was thinking deep thoughts.
"I'm not going to jail!" yelled Dante Pickles taking the gun from Dennis Padgett's temple to his temple.
"NOOO!"
BANG
***
Green Silk sat in a corner of the now bright hallway, crying. Dennis Padgett's office door had caution tape over it. Green Silk had long gave her statement to the police. Dennis Padgett walked up slowly to his daughter and sat down next to her.
"Umm, how long has this been going on?"
"Ever since the nuclear plant protest. Don't ask me to explain it, I am fuzzy on the details. I was going to tell you my new powers, tonight. Honestly." answer Green Silk.
"I believe you." said Dennis Padgett as he sat down next to Green Silk. "Peter and my secretary are the only ones who knew who you are. However both are keeping quite for now. Oh, Gaius Memme was arrested and both brothers are talking up a storm."
"I feel awful." said Green Silk.
"Yeah, we all do." said Dennis Padgett. Since he hadn't been able to change his shirt yet, few spots of blood can be still be seen on Dennis Padgett's white shirt.
The young Asian man came up to them both. Dennis Padgett stood up and they both shook hands. "Are you going to introduce me to our hero?"
"Oh yes," said Dennis Padgett smiling a bit. "Johnny Kobayashi, this here is, umm..."
"Green Silk." said Green Silk as she stood up.
"Green Silk, this Johnny Kobayashi from Martian Rose Mechanics. Johnny Kobayashi is an engineer and has invented something you might be very interested in."
"A pleasure. Thank you for saving us." said Johnny Kobayashi with a smile shaking Green Silk's hand. "And I might have more need of your help too."
Blue Star #10
(2015/11/10)
Johnny Kobayashi turned to a very pissed off looking Harry Hendrickson. "Care to explain this to us, Westgate Sentinel?"
"I don't have to explain anything to you," said Harry Hendrickson as he hit his watch on his left arm. Johnny Kobayashi reached out to stop him, but was too far away. "You damn little punk!"
The Westgate Sentinel armor seem to come to life, come apart one piece at a time, and reassemble around Harry Hendrickson. One of the armor's fist hit Johnny Kobayashi and sent the man flying. An albino man grabbed and carried Johnny Kobayashi off the stage.
The team of Blue Star, Sooper Zoom, and Green Silk (on the ceiling) came rushing up to the stage.
"Stop, Westgate Sentinel!" yelled Blue Star as she stopped before the stage and drew an arrow. "You are under arrest!"
"I think not!" said Westgate Sentinel as he finished reassembling around Harry Hendrickson. Westgate Sentinel eyes started glow brighter while looking right at Blue Star.
Suddenly, Sooper Zoom hit Westgate Sentinel with a right hook and a left hook with as much might as he could mustered. He followed that with jab to the gut. However it was like hitting a brick wall and Westgate Sentinel was unfazed. "Wrong answer, Speedy!"
Sooper Zoom only barely duck Westgate Sentinel’s Sonic Punch. When Westgate Sentinel looked at his fist, it had webbing on it.
"What?!" asked Westgate Sentinel as more webbing coming from Green Silk started covering the armor. First it his face to try to blind the city's former avenger and then his feet to keep him from moving. Blue Star didn't wait and started letting arrows fly. Sooper Zoom in a flurry, took note where the others were not hitting Westgate Sentinel and took his own pot-shots.
Yet everything seem to not be working. Westgate Sentinel was able to peel off Green Silk's thick webbing as if it was fine tissue. Blue Star's arrows bounced off the metal armor. And, of course, Sooper Zoom's fist were becoming bloody and not doing anything.
"Are you quite done yet?" asked Westgate Sentinel brushing off the last of the webbing. Green Silk came down from the ceiling and landed next Blue Star. Sooper Zoom, showing signs of exhaustion and in serious pain, also joined the other two.
"What are we going to do?" asked Green Silk to Blue Star. "The three of us just unloaded on him and he isn't even tired!"
"Get Sooper Zoom out of here, he's done." answered Blue Star. "I will deal with Westgate Sentinel myself."
"I'm not going to argue." said Sooper Zoom, bleeding from his knuckles, not putting up too much protest as he was lead away by Green Silk.
"HA!" laughed Westgate Sentinel. "The three of you couldn't take me on, what makes you think you alone could do so?"
Ignoring Westgate Sentinel's question, Blue Star raised her bow. "Why did you murder the kid?"
"I saw the writing on the wall." said Westgate Sentinel with a chuckle. "After Governor Glenn Eddings was elected, tensions were indeed rising here in the city. I'm getting too old for this superhero business and wanted the mayor's chair. So I arrange a little chaos so I can be the answer to stopping it. That is what the people want, order, and I was going to offer that once more!"
Suddenly, a gray metal disk appeared on Westgate Sentinel's back and started beeping.
"What the-" Westgate Sentinel didn't get to finished as he started to scream as sparks discharged from the device. After the eclectic show was done, Westgate Sentinel dropped to one knee and was hanging on to one of the chairs on the stage to prevent him from falling over completely.
"Caught you monologuing, you dumbass!" said Citize
n Hunter. Mantis Skin stood beside him with his mask on and business suit, unable to change completely. "I love it when assholes drone on like that and they leave you with an opening to take them down."
"Thanks for taking out the bad guy!" yelled Blue Star to the mercenary.
Trident Force Chronicles Page 22
