(SciPol Officer Imra Ardeen and her friends get ready for the New Year, on an Earth without a Legion. An AU riff on "In The Beginning" (S2). Cautiously rated "T" for violence and language. Written for 1000GreenSun's Holiday Contest/Challenge. Comments and/or critiques welcome. I don't own any DC characters and situations and blah blah blah. )

The Fight

(Part 1 of 2)

12/26/3005, New Metropolis

Imra Ardeen flung herself out of the lift before its doors were even all the way open. She had started to "hear" cries for help by the time the car was halfway upstairs. The 6th floor hall was beautifully decorated, from the delicate lights near the lift to the ornate trim on the hall plants. Even the ceiling lights had decorations hovering nearby, glittering with holiday greetings in a few dozen languages from several worlds. She paid no attention.

The woman and the child were both struggling;But that by itself wouldn't save them. Thanks to City Gov --her own bosses-- they were defenseless.

At Room 611, she waved a skeleton cardkey over the door sensor. Her friends were a few steps behind, but she didn't look at them. A dash into the main room of the suite, then into the next room. Toward a tangle of thoughts rapidly descending from shock and fury into panic. Hold on, Imra "called." We're here !

The first man was standing sentry at the door to the inner suite. A small, focused thought blast knocked him back before he could fire the weapon in his hand.

Keep it quiet as you can, she "reminded" the young two men behind her. For at least another minute. I'm going in first !

Even worse than what she read in the victims was what she read in the remaining attackers: So bored. If the stuff works quick enough we can head out early. Even in the inner suite's dim light, she could make out everything. Each man's waist had a canister attached, with a tube and a mask connected to it, leaving one hand free to keep a victim pinned flat on his or her back; Another hand to clamp a mask over the nose and mouth-- The occupants had been asleep in their separate beds less than a minute ago. The attackers had passkeys, and their entry had been silent, not flagged by hotel security.

She took in what she'd already known on the ride up. The gloves, the satchels. They would scoop up a few valuables and leave the bodies. Make it look like a much smaller theft than it was. Nothing personal. Strictly business. They might as well have been spraying the plants in the hallway outside for bugs.

Behind her, there was the crackle of lightning as it struck the sentry. Then a thump as he fell against the wall. Damn. I should have hit him harder when I came in. The two poisoners looked up from their victims. Big men, expensively dressed and not at all happy about being disturbed.

Imra's eyes glowed with anger. She'd help them head out early, all right.

STOP !! She sent the command at the same time she sent the second blast. Pink bolts and rings burst from the center of her head, knocking both of them backwards, away from their victims;Taking the "bug sprayers" back with them. She sprang forward and put herself between the victims and the attackers as best she could. The woman quickly rolled over on her side, loudly drawing in air. A second or two later she was on her feet unsteadily, helping the boy to sit upright and breathe. Both were alternately gasping and coughing. Imra didn't take their lack of interest in her personally.

The sentry Garth Ranzz had winged was behind her, retrieved gun in hand. A shot went right by her, narrowly missing one of the rescues. Rokk Krinn was at his heels in half a second, waves of magnetism pouring from both his outstretched hands. Rokk's opponent stumbled backwards, even as his two colleagues were trying to regain their feet.

Nice work, Rokk.

That one didn't know how to stay down. You shouldn't have got so far ahead of us, Imra.

I'm fine. You worry too much.

Sure. Let's finish this match then. As he gestured, chunks of metal tore loose from the supports beneath the floor and flew up, striking the attackers in the head or chest-- whatever he could reach. All three of them crumpled to the floor. Just to be safe, he gestured at the weapons. Only the sentry had found time to draw one, but it didn't matter. Another magnetic burst yanked their guns loose and pulled them against the wall behind him. Rokk wondered if the few supports he'd needed to disturb would be enough to send them all tumbling down to the floor below.

Well, hopefully not, Rokk. This is supposed to be a class establishment.

I think the staff is a little rude, actually.

Technically speaking, Imra reminded him, These charmers are on Brande Corp.'s payroll, not the hotel's.

That's reassuring. A few pipes that he'd dislodged during the first maneuver had cracked open, sending jets and sprays of water a meter or two into the air. His feet and legs had gotten soaked in the space of two minutes. "Garth !" He yelled over his shoulder at the redhead, who was standing guard by the outer suite's door. "Any sign of any other company yet ?

"No." The young man's fists were at the ready and crackling with lightning. "Just some pretty confused tourists. Stay back !" He snapped at yet another curious and fearful face that had popped from yet another doorway in the hall. Now there were at least an even two dozen staring at him. "Hey Imra, how soon before your other friends get here ? Will they have champagne ? I see a couple of ice buckets out there. Oh, look. There's cake, too. Will we get cake ?"

You're a laugh a minute, Garth. Tanaka is on her way from my precinct. I signaled her before we were through the main entrance downstairs. Just make sure nobody gets in here unless they're SciPol, all right ? She turned her attention back to the orange-skinned woman. Ji Daggle was still trying to catch her breath. She looked dazed, and her large green eyes were tearing up;An after-effect of the gas. Imra helped her sit down on a chair next to her bed.

I know I'm not in uniform, but I'm Imra Ardeen of Metropolis SciPol. Are you all right, Ms. Daggle ?

"M-my nephew..." she wheezed between coughs. "Is-- will he-- ?"

Don't speak if you don't want to. I can thought-cast for you. She motioned the boy to come closer. Tell her.

I'm okay, Aunt Ji. Don't worry. Reep coughed and rubbed his eyes, moving closer to the two women. He put one hand over Ji's, while he stared at the blond woman. You have powers, too, huh ?

Yes. She gestured at the doorway. All three of us do.

Cool.

The speed and clarity of the exchange was a good sign. You're not injured, she added, as much for her own benefit as his. Even if your throat hurts. It's all right.

The boy looked away without releasing his aunt and kicked away something nearby on the floor. "Snakes," he muttered. The remains of the two units with their shattered gas canisters were lying there. A sickly-looking mist of gray-green and white still hissed out and hovered close to the debris. "Those things sound like snakes." He was shivering, despite Ji's arm around him.

"It's... all right. We're safe now." She looked at Imra. "Thanks to... these people."

"C-can we go home ?"

"Soon, Reep."

All our searching, all our planning, then it's over so fast. A quick mental scan of the nearest attacker had told Imra upon entry that the canisters were designed to mix the substance from two adjacent sections inside. All she'd needed to render them harmless was a well-placed telekinetic bolt, splitting one section from the other. As insurance, she'd also shattered the room's picture window with another bolt. Hopefully most of it had landed on the fire escape, rather than tumbling down into the street. Any toxin still in the room would dissipate quickly. She hurried over to the window and yanked the shade away, letting in as much fresh air as she could.

"Hey, your coat's burning." Reep was still blinking water out of his eyes as he pointed at her arm. "Did they hurt you ?"

A wild shot from the sentry had managed to singe Imra's right upper arm through the gray civilian winter coat she wore, but that was the extent of her injuries. She hadn't even noticed the mark until the kid had mentioned it. Garth and Rokk didn't have so much as a scratch between them.

"Not really," she said, knowing from experience that it would hurt more later on.

Outside, the early evening was dull blue and dotted with big flakes of snow. It had been falling intermittently for three days now. Imra studied the rescues, noting that both were fully dressed, except for their stocking feet. They had probably been resting before supper when the attack had come.

"Find your shoes, Reep, so we can go outside." Despite the rasp in her voice, Ji Daggle sounded alert and calm. As if people tried to gas members of her family every time Earth threw a holiday bash;No big deal.

She knew from official records that Brande's sister was maybe thirty standard or so. Right now, she looked older. I love this planet so much, Imra sighed to herself without any audible sound.

"Freeze !" The familiar voice made Imra spin around. SciPol was here. Better late than never. You can travel ? She "asked" her two charges.

"Hands up and come out of there ! Now !"

Let me go first, just in case.

Ji Daggle nodded in response. You get behind me, Reep.

But what if--

Don't argue.

The three of them emerged into the outer suite in single file. Waiting for them were Rokk, Garth, four officers from her precinct and Trice Tanaka, her Lieutenant.

Well, thanks for coming to the party, Trice. Really sorry about the smell. I've never been much of a cook.

Oh, You're so very welcome. Tanaka shook her head, then barked at the officers, "Lower those guns, now !"

"Ma'am--" one of them began.

"That's an order, DiPriest." Tanaka's glare was obvious, even with most of her face concealed behind her helmet. "These people won't hurt us." Then more gently as she moved toward the two Durlans, "Are you all right ?" She gestured at her badge before pulling off the ungainly-looking headgear, revealing short black hair with a few flecks of gray.

"Yes, Lieutenant." Ji had relaxed a little, but the twelve-year-old boy was still wide-eyed and tense, his gaze darting around the room from one person to another and then back to his aunt. He held her hand between both of his own in a death grip. "Just cold, and a little hoarse. Plus--" She pointed to the finger-thick metal bar that wound around the base of her antennae in a figure-8. Her nephew had the same shackling. "Perhaps in the future your officials would reconsider their policies regarding... certain guests in your city. If not for your officer," her green eyes focused on Imra "And her companions, we'd be on our way to a reunion with my late brother right now."

"Ma'am," Tanaka nodded her head. "I'm really very sorry, but could this discussion wait ? I'd like to get you two someplace a little less exposed."

Ji nodded. "Reep, we're going to the police station. At least it's warm there. Someone can collect our things from here later."

The boy nodded and moved to the closet near the broken window, coming back a minute later with a pair of coats. "Will you stay with us ?" He looked at Imra, who in turn looked at Tanaka.

I guess my actual hours in SciPol are numbered as of now, huh, Lieutenant ?

They became numbered when you did an unauthorized mind-scan of Roderick Doyle an hour ago and unearthed this little celebration. It's unfair, but, yes.

Did they catch him when he fled the hotel ?

Sure did. He's in custody right now. Got a lawyer and everything.

Good to know. I guess I can find another job eventually. She smiled a little at the rescues, as best she could with the blossoming pain in her arm and her skin growing cold from the outside air. "I'll stay with you for as long as they let me. I promise."

"Okay." Reep loosened one hand from his aunt's and they picked their way cautiously over the damaged floor. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the half-conscious men. The officers had gotten the last one upright and were putting restraints on him.

"They worked for my father's friend." He told Imra. "But then they..." He trailed off, the dark centers of his eyes momentarily swallowing the green around them. One hand formed a fist.

Imra stroked his shoulder gently. "I'm sorry." She could "hear" Garth a few feet in front of them, about to kick off an argument with one of her soon-to-be-ex-colleagues, and she sighed. Look, can you just hold off for awhile. At least until we're out of here ?

You cops are so appreciative of the private sector, Imra. They moved into the hall and back towards the lift. One of the officers pressed the "down" button.

We did what we needed to do. Just save the grandstanding for later. There's still another party to get to, remember ?

Rokk looked at them for a minute, then at Tanaka. "Allow me," he said, turning to Ji. "This won't hurt you, I promise." He placed the index and middle fingers of each hand on either side of the cuffs that blocked the woman's powers. A glow of purple-tinged magnetism pushed against her bonds, and they abruptly cracked open. He gently removed them before crouching down and doing the same for her nephew.

What kind of people slap bindings on someone this young, anyway-- for no reason ? Imra knew he wasn't really waiting for an answer; That he already knew the reason and had rejected it.

"Now we can go," Rokk told the group.

Have I mentioned that I've always liked you, Rokk ?

Yeah, but it's always nice to hear again. He sighed a little and stood back up, looking at the debris stuck to him from mid-thigh down to his shoes. Water from the burst pipes had created a gluey mess that resisted his half-hearted attempts to brush it away. This suit cost me half a week's pay. Great. He sighed and wiped his hands on his jacket.

"DiPriest, you four take those men down first. We'll follow you separately." Tanaka donned her helmet again, silently daring him to argue with her twice in a single day.

Garth caught the nonverbal exchange and snickered. Nothing to this telepathy stuff, if you ask me.

Imra resisted the urge to jab him in the ribs.

O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O

It had been nearly two hours since the fight. The handful of other "guests"going in or out of the waiting area glanced at them a few times, but didn't speak. Trice Tanaka looked out on occasion from her small, blue-tinted glass office, into the main room where her soon-to-be-ex-officer and the two young men waited on a nearby bench. Brande's surviving two heirs waited on the other one. A pair of medics from the station's small infirmary had brought a med kit and bandaged Imra's burnt arm, over some salve for the pain.

Nobody had come to take their statements yet, but at least the room was warm. Imra had her gray coat in her lap, and it still smelled of charred synthetic weave. The two women had scanned them one by one for any lasting damage from the attack, saving the two Durlans for last.

"Please. His throat hurts. Do you have anything for that ?" Ji's tone was polite, but the medics ignored her. Once the scans were done, each of the uniformed women got out a fresh pair of binders.

The three young people all stood up, staring at both women with a single defiant expression.

"You don't have to do that, Jeffers." Imra said to the older one, who was tall, with curly gray hair and old-fashioned wire specs the same color.

"It's the rules, Ardeen." The woman shrugged, then let out a small shriek as a finger-wide lightning bolt struck the piece of metal in her hand. She dropped it, then glowered at Garth.

"That'll go against you, later, Son." Jeffers rubbed her hand. The woman beside her bent down and retrieved the broken device.

"I'm not your son, but thanks for the tip. Hey, why don't you step over here and bind my--"

"Garth, just forget it." Rokk sat him down again. The two medics murmured to each other for a minute, then picked up their red-on-white kits and left without saying another word.

At least not out loud. Imra picked up ...all just go back where they came from ? Goddamn freaks, and rolled her eyes at no one in particular.

"Happy Holidays !" Garth called after them as the exit door slid shut.

Ji looked over at them and smiled her thanks. She whispered something to her nephew, who went back to dozing after a minute or two.

You think he'll be all right, Rokk looked at Imra.

What does 'all right' mean ? Imra shrugged. I suppose so. He wants to go back home.

What a coincidence. I'm having a tough time right now remembering why I ever came to this damn planet in the first place. He pulled off his damp, gritty shoes for the twentieth time that night and futilely shook them out again.

"You've looked better after a night's work, Rokk. I've gotta' say."

"Thanks, Garth." He sneezed and wiped his nose, then went back to the sports paper he'd found on one of the tables.

Another officer brought them all coffee or juice drink, then escorted them to the rest rooms and back a little later. After that, they were left alone. Officials she didn't recognize had been in and out of Tanaka's space constantly, along with at least a few of their mutual superiors. Tanaka would try to defend her. It was her nature, if not the surest road to self-preservation. Imra hadn't informed her own boss of the investigating she'd done with her friends in the week before the fight. On their little trip to the hotel, she had been out of uniform and without any weapon but those she'd been born with. That had deterred curious eyes when they'd gone to confront first Doyle, then his subordinates upstairs;But it wasn't going to count officially in her favor, either.

You have all the info we commed you right beforehand, she'd "asked" her boss on the ride back to HQ.

The older woman nodded. Sabin's going over it right now. I'm not going to enjoy explaining this, you know. To anyone.

I'm sorry.

It was sheer chance that you found out ? Seriously ?

That's right. I was on detail last month when Doyle gave one of his "Good will" speeches downtown, remember ? Something... I don't know what-- Something in his face made me want to scan him. Then... you know... I was afraid that if I got us involved officially, nobody above you would do anything.

Don't be sorry. Tanaka had sighed and stared at the wheel. You're probably right.

Outside their beige-tiled "island," the rest of headquarters was in uproar. The press was swarming all over the place and so were various and sundry U.P. Officials. Even if they'd all been out of earshot, she would have heard them in her head. She was tired, wrung out now that the adrenaline rush of having to act had faded. Her shields weren't up to their usual strength. She slumped against Garth's shoulder, rubbing her forehead with one hand while trying to stave off an even bigger headache than the one she already had.

You're still scanning, aren't you ? Garth set down the remains of his lukewarm coffee and put an arm around her. Why ? It's over. Doyle's locked up and so are all his little friends. Thanks to us, your boss has a desk full of evidence, and anyone else who was in on this is either rounded up or about to be. Just relax already. Read a magazine unit. I saw one on that table over there that's only about two weeks old.

I can't. Look, I know you're right, but I just can't help it.

Well, try to save your strength. With any luck, it'll be at least a week before any of us are deported. I found this great little bar in mid-town last week, right near my old office. We three can ring in the New Year before they split us up.

Is that all you can think about after everything that's happened ? Drinking ?

I had something else in mind, too, but I don't want the kid to pick up on it. Or Rokk. You know how he is.

Imra elbowed him in the ribs, just a little. What about Ji ?

Pretty, but I don't think she likes younger guys, especially younger guys with hair.

A sigh. I had to ask.

In the glass office, yet another someone was reviewing the intel she had gathered with Garth and Rokk. Tanaka was reading him the riot act as energetically as she had most of the others. Imra had seen the man –Gilbert... something-- on the newsfeeds before. He was one of the Commissioner's flunkies. Probably no happier to be here than the rest of us. Tanaka was half his height and likely half his age as well. Every time she pointed at him, the man took another step back. One more minute and he'd be literally backed against the far office wall.

Thanks, Trice. Imra thought. We've had a lot of fun together, trying to bail out oceans with teaspoons. I'm really gonna' miss you.

The rest of your planet, maybe not so much.

(End Pt. 1 of 2)

("The Fight" is a song from Ruthie Foster's CD Full Circle. I'll put the lyrics up on my LJ shortly, in case anyone's interested. Tanaka is my OC. Nearly all the rest are borrowed, and hopefully somewhat familiar. Thanks for reading.)