Like A Comet: The Indestructibles Book 4

by Matthew Phillion

  "Did anyone ever find out you were doing this?" Black said.

  "I covered my tracks pretty well," Laura said. "Made certain reports disappear. Greased a few palms. And for those who didn't want to cooperate, it wasn't difficult to nip and tuck their memories a bit to make sure they had no recollection this base existed. Then it was simply a matter of 'officially' boarding up the location and boom—secret war chest."

  "Just in case the Earth was ever invaded," Black said.

  "My employers tell me they always knew the invasion would happen," she said.

  "But you didn't," Black said.

  "How often have you taken money from someone no questions asked?" Laura said.

  Black made a noncommittal movement of his head.

  "I was doing as they asked. Stockpile alien weapons and get the Department ready to be militarized. Recruit and retain any superhumans who stepped up and appeared useful," she said. "Honesty I thought I was working on a coup."

  "I never liked coups," Black said.

  "They have their plusses and minuses."

  The two mercenaries shared a professional-humor laugh. Only a couple of hired guns like us can find coups funny, she thought.

  Black gestured at the room full of devices.

  "So what do we do with all of these?" he said. "I don't imagine you and me are going to use them all."

  "How many people do you think you'd need to turn this arsenal into something useful?" Laura said.

  "Me?" Black surveyed the room, his cyborg eye whirring as it took in data. "I don't build armies."

  "You build teams," Laura said.

  "If you're asking me a serious question, I'd get ten good fighters—perhaps an even dozen," Black said. "Hand-pick them for their skills and set them up with the sort of tech they can make the most out of. There's more here than I'd use, but better to have a smaller number of tools in the hands of the right talent than to just start handing out laser cannons to yokels."

  "How long would it take you to put a team like that together?" Laura said.

  Black turned that cyborg eye onto her instead of the tech.

  "Depends," Black said. "My type of people don't work for charity."

  "I have a very generous budget," Laura said.

  "It would have to be considering we're confronting what could be an extinction event," Black said.

  "Bonuses if they survive," Laura said. "And really shouldn't saving the world be enough to motivate them? If we all die, what does it matter?"

  "Exactly," Black said. "Maybe they don't want to stick their neck out and would rather hope we get lucky with those super-kids."

  Laura smiled.

  "Something tells me you could find the right men and women for the job if I asked you to," she said.

  "Are you asking?" Black said. "And what about you? Don't you know people?"

  "I'm a burned double agent who infiltrated a government agency," Laura said. "My reputation isn't stellar on either side of the espionage community. The good guys hate me and the bad guys don't trust me."

  "How the hell did I end up working with you then?" Black said.

  "So what do you say. Make a few phone calls?" she said.

  Black stood up and looked around the room, as if determining what he'd need from whom to make the best use of the equipment.

  "I'll get you people if you're paying," Black said. "We survive this, we're all going to have a big laugh over helping save the world."

  "Takes all kinds," Laura said.

  "And what are you going to do while I'm tracking down mercenaries with hearts of gold?"

  Laura pointed to a section of the bunker where she'd gathered a very specific set of items.

  "I need to try to find a way to get a few things to those super-kids to help them out," Laura said.

  "Didn't you incarcerate three of them a while back?" Black said.

  "Unfortunate, isn't it?" Laura said. "I'll just have to get creative with my delivery method."

  Chapter 47:

  Gods old and new

  Jane and Doc met in mid-air. As both hero and magician flew back to the Tower, Jane eyed the book tucked under his arm.

  "I thought you were teleporting instead of flying these days," she said.

  Doc smiled.

  "Maybe I just wanted to see the City from above today," Doc said. "You never know when this view will be your last."

  "It's easy to forget that," Jane said. The City, in all its grubby glory, really had become her second home since joining the team, her place in the world.

  Once again, she checked out the book Doc carried.

  "That looks like it's made out of poison," she said.

  A twist of disgust on his face he said, "Might as well be. But it might help us in the coming battle."

  They drew closer to the Tower and Jane said, "What's in it?"

  "War magic. I never needed war magic before."

  "I've seen you cast spells like weapons, though," she said.

  He nodded.

  "I've cast harmful spells before, or even aggressive ones, but this type of magic is larger scale," he said. "The damage it causes is more profound, as is the cost to the caster, and the harm it does the world. There's a reason I never use it. But if we're at the point of perish or die…"

  "What do you mean, cost to the caster?" Jane said, squinting at Doc with worry. Her mentor had a self-sacrificing streak. She had no desire to see him martyred again.

  "Nothing I haven't dealt with before, Jane," he said. "Don't worry."

  "Worrying is my job."

  Doc grinned.

  "I know," he said. "Where were you just now?"

  "Not like you to pry," Jane said.

  "Just curious. You don't have to answer."

  "Where did you go to get that book?"

  Doc frowned and glanced down.

  "You went to her for help, didn't you?" Jane said.

  "You really want to know?"

  "Why does it always come back to her?"

  "Because Natasha has been here a long time, Jane," Doc said. "She'll always know things I don't. And sometimes you have to ask for help, even if that means going to people who otherwise oppose you."

  Jane's lip curled into a slight snarl.

  "I don't like her," Jane said.

  They arced toward the entrance of the Tower, but Doc grabbed Jane's wrist before she spotted what caught his attention. Two figures, standing guard outside the landing bay, one man, one woman.

  "That's Valerie," Jane said, seeing the sentient hurricane's distinctive cloud-like skin.

  The other figure looked familiar to Jane, but she couldn't quite place him. Deep blue hair, braided down his back, with an equally well-crafted long beard. He wore armor that looked archaic and unearthly, also in deep blue, and held a staff in one hand, tipped with a razor-sharp axe head. The stranger and Valerie stood in mid-air, watching their approach.

  "Well look at that," Doc said.

  "Who's the guy?" Jane asked.

  "If we're lucky, he's our backup."

  He picked up speed a little and Jane followed suit until they both hovered in front of the newcomers.

  "Val," Jane said, floating over to put arms around the sentient storm. Valerie, always a little shy and awkward, hugged her back, her arms cool as mist.

  "I've come to help," she said. "I'm ready."

  "We're glad to have you," Jane said. "Your timing is perfect."

  The powerfully built man stared at Jane, his eyes like polished black stones, before addressing Doc.

  "You shamed me, Doctor. I will not soon forget this," the man said.

  "Did I shame you into action?" Doc said, fighting off a bemused smirk.

  The monstrously large man ignored the question and pointed one thick, scarred arm at Jane.

  "Is this your little sun god?" the man said.

  "Hi. I can speak for myself. I'm Solar. And you are?"

  "I am—" the man started, but Doc cut him off.

  "This is Korthos
," Doc said. "He has a lot of names. Let's keep it simple for now."

  "Korthos of Aramaias, the Truthbringer, last son of—" Korthos started, and Doc stopped him again.

  "It's nice to see you face to face again, Val," Doc said to the storm, who floated patiently beside them.

  "I'm sorry I don't come around much," she said, delicately offering her hand to Doc.

  Jane couldn't help but smile a bit, the four of them, flaying, floating in the sky, making introductions as if at a dinner party.

  "A sun goddess and the sky herself on your side, Doctor," Korthos said in his booming voice. "Look at how you gather greatness around you. And with me, you'll be unstoppable."

  Doc and Jane exchanged looks. He mouthed the word 'sorry.'

  "We're up against something pretty unstoppable, big guy," Doc said. "But we're glad to have you along."

  Billy's voice chirped in Jane's ear. "Jane? Where you at? We've got news. Never mind, I see you on the security camera. Who the heck is He-Man and why is he flying outside our door?"

  "Long story," Jane said. "We'll be right in."

  Chapter 48:

  Taking stock of the situation

  Titus hung back and watched as the latest additions to their menagerie walked in. Valerie he recognized—though he was surprised to see her indoors—and to say she walked was really a misnomer, as her feet, bare and the color of rain clouds, hardly seemed to touch the ground. She actually held hands with Jane, who appeared to be whisper encouraging words, reassuring her that being indoors was safe for all of them.

  Then the other guy walked in.

  Titus had seen pictures of Korthos the Truthbringer in the Tower, and also while growing up and watching Doc's team on television, so he thought he knew what the man looked like, but in the same room, he seemed to be at least as large as Titus was in werewolf form, muscles piled on muscles. He smelled like war, smoke and fire along with the faint hint of blood. Mixing with the way Val turned the room into a cool spring storm, Titus felt suddenly overwhelmed.

  Emily, of course, spoke first.

  "It's like Conan the Barbarian mind-melded with a samurai," she said, far louder than anyone felt comfortable with.

  Korthos stared at the monitor, looking into Emily's eyes.

  She stared right back at him.

  This went on for a few seconds, stretching out for a disconcertingly long time, and then Emily winked.

  Korthos burst out laughing.

  "The fairy child has guts, Silence," Korthos said. "I like that one!"

  Sam sighed heavily on screen. The soft noise was enough to draw everyone's attention his way, though. "Are we done?" he said. "Because I have a report to make."

  "Go ahead," Jane said, sitting down at the long table.

  "So we started getting reports that the fleet was visible to NASA, and sure enough, not long after, we had civilian groups reporting they could see something strange via telescope," Sam said. "They're still far enough out that you need some real equipment to know what you're looking at, but—"

  "—But they're close enough for people to know something's on the way," Billy said. "Sorry guys. Either we miscalculated or it took me longer to get home than I thought it did. I lost track of time out there."

  Seng, the alien with powers identical to Billy's, who had joined them in the control center chimed in. "They are nothing if not adaptable," Seng said. "It's possible they've learned how to travel faster recently. Often they absorb into their system powers or technology from the worlds they devour.

  "Whatever or however they've been able to accomplish it, we've moved up our timetable," Kate said from her position on screen. "We need tactics."

  "I plan on calling in Starfleet to help out," Emily said. "And possibly also the Rebel Alliance. I volunteer for Red Squadron."

  "Earth has a star fleet?" Korthos said. "I've been away too long."

  "She's being… never mind," Billy said. "No, we don't have a star fleet."

  "Right now what we have is four of us capable of taking the fight to them before they break through the atmosphere," Doc said. "Jane, your powers do allow you to not require oxygen in space. Billy, have you recovered?"

  "Yes," Billy said, pausing. "Maybe ninety percent. But I'm good."

  "You'll have me as well," Seng said, sharing a nod with Billy.

  "Five, then. Korthos and I can also fight in outer space."

  "What about us land-locked grunts?" asked Bedlam.

  "We're going to miss some," Billy said. "It's inevitable. The fleet is enormous. We can't get them all."

  "So you'll be here on Earth to fight the ones who do make it through," Jane said.

  "I'd rather put our full efforts into making sure none of them get to the planet," Kate said.

  "I know, Kate," Jane said. "But unless you're proposing a boarding party—"

  "I'm proposing a boarding party," Kate said.

  Jane looked at Titus, who shrugged.

  "I agree with her this time. I'd rather be up there fighting them on their own turf than down here where our own people are at risk," he said.

  "We'll draw up some options," Doc said. "For certain, Valerie, you'll stay here planet-side. Your ability to control the weather only works if there's an atmosphere to control, and we've clearly seen lightning is very effective on their soldiers."

  "Happily," Val said.

  "And keep in mind the Department will bring the military up to speed," Winter said. "But from what I've seen, if we can keep the fighting off-planet—"

  "—The more lives we'll save," Jane said. "Which is why I'm going ahead of all of you to try to talk to them."

  An involuntary response caused Titus to bolt upright in his chair and when he looked around, he saw he wasn't the only one. The group grew strangely quiet, but every single one of them wore some expression of shock or surprise, all except Korthos and Kate, who simply stared at her. Even Val's storm-colored eyes had opened wider.

  "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard anyone say—ever," Emily said.

  "Jane, I get what you're trying to do, but you can't take them on alone," Billy said. "I saw them. It's too much. I'm not even sure all of us working together will be able to do it."

  "I'm not planning to do battle with them. I'm going to try to reason with them," Jane said.

  "For millennia the Nemesis have marched onward, devouring worlds," Seng said. "I tell you, the Luminae were a peaceful people before all this happened. We've tried every way to negotiate with them. They don't listen."

  "You're not really traveling up there to negotiate, are you?" Kate said softly.

  Jane smiled. "I'll try. But if they won't listen, at least I can buy the rest of you some time to prepare," she said.

  "You're going to get yourself killed," Billy said.

  Jane winked. "No I'm not. I'm Indestructible," she said.

  Doc regarded her from behind his red lenses, his face emotionless.

  "You're not talking me out of it, Doc."

  "I know," he said. "So you and I are going to talk about the extent of your powers and I'm going to give you something to make sure you get back here to us in one piece."

  "Okay," Jane said.

  "Don't leave without speaking with me," Doc said.

  "Okay," she repeated, softer.

  "Everyone, we've got very little time. Go do what you have to do. See your families. Be safe, and come back soon." Doc turned and walked out, gesturing for Korthos to follow.

  Titus stood up, but, as the big monitor blinked out, Jane caught his attention.

  "Hang a minute," she said.

  He sat back down, trading confused glances with Billy, who left with Bedlam and Valerie.

  When she was sure they were alone, Jane spoke.

  "If I don't come back, they're going to turn to you," she said.

  "You're coming back," Titus said.

  "If I don't."

  "They'll look to Doc and Kate," he said. "Not me."

  "No," Jane said, her voice jus
t a hint above a whisper. "Kate is a strategist, not a leader. And Doc… you and I know he won't be okay if I don't come home."

  Titus shook his head. Doc didn't play favorites among them, but everyone knew Jane was the one Indestructible he was closest to. Despite his unflappable demeanor, Doc would be devastated without Jane.

  "Why me, then?" Titus said.

  "We saw who you became in the future," Jane said. "We shared leadership. We were partners. You know you can take command."

  "You're asking the guy with crippling self-doubt to lead this group?" Titus said. "You're out of your fool mind. Even more than I thought you were when you announced that you hoped to parlay with these aliens."

  "You've come a long way, Titus Whispering," Jane said. "You more than all of us. You remember that first time we met?"

  "You knocked me out in the middle of the forest," he said.

  "You were out of control. Scared. Angry. Dangerous," Jane said. "And now look at you."

  "I'm still a monster, Jane," Titus said.

  "No," Jane said. "You like to pretend you're just a monster. I know you do. It's easier that way. It sets the bar lower. But even your own people know you're destined for something grander than to simply be a monster. So if they need something more from you…"

  Titus ran his hands along the edge of the table nervously, then made eye contact with Jane.

  "You know I'll take care of them," he said.

  "I know. I better go talk with Doc."

  "You better come home," Titus said. "Just because I said I'll take care of them doesn't mean I want your job."

  Chapter 49:

  Some great beast

  From a distance, the fleet might appear as one single entity, a writhing, shimmering plant, extending outward with stalks and spiked leaves. The closer you crept—though few survived a closer inspection—an onlooker would see ships, each unique, the fleet like a monstrous garden, living machines great and small, all moving with a singular purpose, walking like an angry god across a deathly silent galaxy.