I do not own Lorien Legacies or any of the characters.
Planning
I stir and sit up, stretching and yawning. My head hurts a little bit still, but I feel rested now. Marina's still asleep. I stand, deciding to stretch my legs and see what the base is like, when suddenly John steps into the room. His hair's a mess and there are still dark rings under his eyes but he's smiling.
"Meeting," John says.
"Might wanna fix your sex hair then," I grin.
He blinks in confusion and looks in a mirror over a sink on the wall, seeing how bad his hair is and wetting it back into place.
"So how was it?" I grin as we walk down the hallways, John leading.
"Shut up," John grumbles, cheeks pink and a grin on his face.
"Oh God you're almost as bad as Sam," I laugh.
"I will burn you," John threatens.
"I threw Setrákus Ra at full power and completely blocked his Telekinesis," I snort. "Not at full power I'll still supernaturally fling your flaming butt up and down this hall."
John grins shaking his head.
"Wish I could have seen that," John sighs.
"Felt great," I say. "I'd have traded it for Marina not being hurt though."
"But if she wasn't, would you two be together now?" John asks, grinning.
I open my mouth to respond but he has a point. I grin and shake my head as John stops at a door.
"I think we're last," John says. "Ready to meet somebody you used to have to salute?"
"Oh I'm sure there are a lot of officers in there," I snort. "But yeah, I'll meet the boss."
John opens the door and walks to the end of the table where our group is seated. He sits at the head, exactly where a leader belongs, and Lexa begins to discus something with him, handing him one of the cloaking devices we had salvaged before everything in Mexico went down the drain. I walk over and sit down beside Ella, in between her and Daniela.
"Nice to meet you in person," I say. "James."
"Daniela," she says shaking my hand. "What've you got?"
"Telekinesis and a lot of creativity," I say.
"Sounds good to me," she grins. "I can shoot rays out of my eyes to turn stuff to stone."
"Should have gone with dread locks," I grin.
"That's what I said," Daniela grins.
"Well, you got me beat either way," I shrug.
"With your Telekinesis?" Six scoffs from across the table from me, beside Sam. "I don't think so. You created something physical out of your Telekinesis."
"We can do that?" Daniela gapes.
"No," Ella says, looking over at us. "It wasn't Telekinesis. It was Flyrokinesis."
"Force Field manipulation?" Sam asks.
"How the hell do you know what she just said?" Daniela asks.
"It's...uh...an nerd thing," Sam shrugs. "Where'd Lorien's spirit or whatever come up with that name?"
"He didn't," Ella says. "There were a lot of Legacies that Legacy never gave names to. Actually, he never named any. But what James was doing was making Force Fields, not using his Telekinesis. So I looked online and found a name for it. Now, he has Flyrokinesis."
I grin and shrug.
"Works for me," I say. "It felt the same as my Telekinesis."
"It's similar, like Telepathy and speaking to animals," Ella explains. "One is just more advanced than the other."
Flyrokinesis is more advanced?" I guess.
"Much," Ella nods. "Like with Telekinesis, the smaller and more precise you make it, the harder it will be. Making a shield should be easy. Making artificial blood vessels is not."
"Noticed," I snort. "Who we waiting for?"
"No one," Ella says quietly. "He's giving you a minute to get anything you need to say to us out of the way so you'll listen."
"Smart man," I smirk.
"I think we're about ready to get started," a man seated exactly opposite John speaks up.
Behind and to either side of him like bodyguards are a pair of twins in starched blue uniforms that I recognize as Army. I suspect they may be human Garde as well. Most of the rest of the people in the room are armed and watching us Garde carefully.
On one side of the table, Agent Walker sits in the gap between military and Garde. Behind the leader of the military, whose name tag reads Lawson, I see a touchscreen display of a world map with a bunch of red dots on major cities. Warships. In the US, there are a bunch of tiny green dots around all of the warships.
I look around. Hawkeye and Rookie aren't here. It hadn't occurred to me that I didn't see them the night before. I look to John and he nods slightly.
They're safe, just not invited to the meeting, Ella says. They were working with the armory when we got here. Apparently they've been drafted by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lawson.
I stare at her then at Lawson. Yup. I would have saluted him even now, had I known who he was.
"For those of you who don't know me, I'm General Clarence Lawson," Lawson begins. "Full authority has been granted to me by the president to coordinate our country's response to the Mogadorian invasion."
He pauses, probably for us to introduce ourselves. No one speaks.
"You let me know if I go to fast for you," Lawson says.
I hold back a grin. He's just introduced himself, and he thinks he's going too fast. He must think the aliens in the room don't understand English or something.
"I'm not a man to waste words, and I'm not used to discussing strategy to civilian teenagers, be they extraterrestrials or otherwise," Lawson continues.
"You won't go too fast for us," John says, staring at Lawson.
"As for the rest of you," Lawson says, looking at the non-super-powered humans in the room. "Keep in mind that these young people have probably killed more hostile aliens than all the branches of our armed services combined. Respect that and respect their presence."
Lawson picks up a tablet and presses it and a countdown clock appears on the wall behind him.
"We are approximately ten hours beyond Setrákus Ra's deadline for unconditional surrender, which included the demand to turn over all so-called 'renegade' Garde as well as lanes. To our knowledge...yes?"
I drop my hand, looking around the room.
"Who's Lane?" I ask. "Is he a human Garde who made Setrákus mad?"
"It's an acronym," Sam speaks up. "Legacy Afflicted Natural Earthling."
The Loric Garde almost all tense as Sam says the word afflicted.
"Afflicted?" I snort. "What so Telekinesis is a disease now?"
"It's Augmented," Lawson corrects.
"Only in front of us," Six accuses.
"Enough," John says. "Please, continue."
Lawson nods.
"To our knowledge, only Moscow has complied with this ultimatum," Lawson says. "The Russian government began arresting dozens of youths last night. Our agents report that many of them haven't even manifested Legacies yet and are likely antigovernment agitators who the administration saw the chance to get rid of while simultaneously placating the hostiles."
"Something will have to be done about that," John says evenly, not asking.
"Agreed," Lawson nods. "However, humanitarian abuses by other governments will have to be back-burnered. Frankly, we should consider ourselves lucky that only the Russians have kowtowed to the hostiles. We've been able to communicate with most of our international allies and are encouraging them to evacuate the cities threatened by warships while covertly organizing counterstrike forces in the event we can crack the Mogadorian shields. However, if Setrákus Ra executes his promised attacks—and they're on the level of New York or Beijing—I'm not sure if these other countries will have the ability to stay the course. I think we can all agree that we're up against a ticking clock. It's not if Setrákus Ra makes good on his threats, but when."
At the mention of New York, Daniela clears her throat. John glances at her then back at Lawson.
"What's the situation in New York?" John asks.
"Same," Lawson says. "Mogadorian troops. "Mogadorian troops hold Manhattan, with our forces working triage and evacuation in the outer boroughs. Also not a priority at the moment, unless the warship returns."
I look to the others in confusion and Six mouths the word "Anubis" at me. I nod.
"Are you tracking the Anubis?" John asks.
"We are," Lawson nods. "After attacking your people in Mexico, it did not return to New York. Our recon shows it holding in West Virginia over a mountain. Some MogPro agents that we've interrogated have indicated this is..."
"Yeah yeah," Nine interrupts. "Most of us here have had the shit like to be stuck in the place once or twice. It's their big base."
I see the twins bristle at the lack of respect Nine showed, though I would love to see how they would do if Nine was actually paying attention and bored, and Lawson pauses to allow the humans in the room to grasp what Nine had said. Nine is already doodling again on a piece of US Army stationary, drawing explosions on it. I shake my head, smirking.
"We are aware of the base," John finally says. "We've infiltrated it once before, but we've never had the resources to properly attack it until now."
"Ella, why has Setrákus Ra stopped the Anubis there?" Six asks. "What is...what is he waiting for?"
All eyes turn to Ella. She looks uncomfortable with the attention.
"Do you want...do you want me to make contact with him?" Ella asks.
"Whoa, hold on!" Six begins.
"Can you do it without him knowing?" John asks. "Without putting yourself in danger?"
"I think so," Ella nods, closing her eyes. "If I'm quick."
The Loric glow coming off of her intensifies and everyone watches. Then, the humans begin looking at us in confusion.
"She's a telepath," John says.
Suddenly, Ella gasps, jumping every human in the room, and even some of the Garde. We can't help it, Ella's a little creepy now.
"Are you alright?" John asks.
"Yes," Ella nods. "He almost sensed me. His mind is busy. He was hurt badly. His trueborn aids put him in the vats to accelerate the healing process."
"He uses the vats to grow their soldiers-" John begins but Lawson waves him off.
"We already know about the vats," Lawson says. "Do you know when he'll be done healing? When the attacks will resume?"
Ella shakes her head. "The wounds were almost fatal. They would have killed someone without his augmentations."
Six looks displeased at the news that he's recovering, even though we all knew he was still alive.
"We talking hours? Days? A week?" Lawson asks.
"Longer than hours," Ella says. "Probably not days. There are others in the vats with him."
"Gross," Nine says.
"The vats work differently than before," Ella continues. "Now that he has what...what he stole from us. While Setrákus Ra heals, he's also working. These others, he's making them into something new."
"What did Setrákus Ra steal from you?" Lawson asks.
Ella looks at Six, then at John. John subtly shakes his head and I inwardly smile. It's probably best if no one knows what can happen when you hideously exploit Loric Energy.
"Something precious to our people," Ella says.
Lawson seems to know there's more too it than that, but doesn't push the subject. He waves his hand and an officer by the door leaves.
"Alright then, if we're ready to discuss counterstrike measures-" Lawson begins.
"About time," Nine says, shoving his artwork aside, in front of John, who can't help but grin at it.
"-we should have all our intelligence assets available," Lawson finishes.
A moment later, the officer returns, leading a pair of guards, both armed in full combat gear and armed with assault rifles, neither taking their eyes off the exhausted prisoner between them. Adam. He has shackles on his hands and feet and clearly hasn't slept once since we got here. Our entire end of the room is on our feet instantly. At the same time, a few of the guards around the room anxiously raise their weapons a fraction of an inch. I ready myself to relieve them of their weapons if needed, but they don't raise their weapons anymore. It's more a muscle reaction than decision.
"What is this bullshit!?" Six demands.
"It's alright Six," Adam says tiredly. "I'm fine."
I look around. The guards are all ready to fire, expecting a fight. One even has his finger just over his trigger. Nine turns to that one and nods, grinning. Looks like I'm not the only one that knows the chances of us losing. Even if it is about three to one.
"He's with us, old man," Six snarls. "He's our friend.
I look at Lawson. He looks perfectly calm, almost amused, by the situation. And people say Marines are crazy.
"Your friend," Lawson begins, "is a member of a hostile alien race that is bent on the subjugation of this planet. You brought him here, to the doorstep of humanity's best hope for resistance, and expected, what? That we would let him roam around free?"
"Pretty much," Nine nods.
"Don't you think it's a bit presumptuous to say you alone are humanity's best hope?" I smirk. "The Loric could very well have gone to Great Britain, or China, or Russia. Well, maybe not Russia, but you get the picture."
Everyone falls silent. Finally, John stands, moving slowly so that no one gets jumpy. Then, he looks around the room, the magazines dropping from every firearm in the room, rounds bouncing across the floor out of them before all of the guns rack themselves, rounds flying out of each chamber. I grin. John turns, walking around the table toward Adam and the guards.
"Step back," John says calmly.
They do. Way back.
John heats his hand to white hot instantly and melts through the chain binding Adam's hands instantly. Then, he turns on Lawson. Daniela and Sam look nervous. The humans, minus Sarah and myself, all look somewhere between angry and scared. Nine and Six are watching John with devilish encouragement. Agent Walker is hiding an amused smile behind her hand. Lawson looks completely calm.
"You could have just asked for the key," Lawson says calmly.
"We don't answer to you," John says, voice calm but not leaving any doubt as to whether or not he's serious. "You don't get to make decisions about us. Do you understand, sir?"
"I understand, and it won't happen again," Lawson says. "You need to understand, we had to be sure your...your friend, was on the level."
"And you need to understand that we're going after Setrákus as soon as my people are well enough," John says coldly. "We're going to kill him and bury him inside that mountain of his. How does that align with your plans for a counterattack?"
"Sounds pretty darn good," Lawson says, motioning for John to sit back down.
John gestures for Adam to take his seat and Adam does so. No one bothers to pick up their magazines as the rest of us sit back down. Probably wise.
"So what else is there to discuss?" John asks.
"While we support your assassination of the Mogadorian leadership wholeheartedly," Lawson says, "there are some timing issues that need to be ironed out, as well as some questions and concerns."
"Such as?" John asks.
"For example," Lawson says. "I know you recently used a sort of extrasensory perception to communicate with what is believed to be hundreds of LANEs around the world."
"What about it?" John asks.
"Well, John, these are minors you're recruiting from all around the world," Lawson says. "There are concerns for the safety of these children."
"There's going to be nowhere safe in the world, soon," John says. "They need training only we can give them."
"I get that," Lawson says. "But you understand why it could make some people nervous, don't you? You building an army from our young people?"
John shakes his head. I agree. Bureaucracy is bull crap. But necessary bull crap at the moment.
"We aren't building anything," John says. "You two, did I demand that you to come here? Did I force the others?"
They exchange a look, clearly not used to being spoken to directly. Though, oddly enough, one of the two remains stone faced.
"Speak freely," Lawson says.
"No," one speaks up, the other stone faced. "You didn't do anything like that. That one did call us wimps, though."
He points at Nine who shrugs, grinning.
"Satisfied?" John asks.
"For now," Lawson says. "At least give us a heads up if you're going to do anything like that again."
"You said something about timing concerns?" John sighs, deciding not to get into a discussion about how little heads up we had about it.
"Like I said, I'm all for you cutting the head off the snake," Lawson says motioning to the map behind himself. "Hell, I'll send as much backup as we can afford when you do. But right now, the enemy thinks we're belly up. When you strike, what happens to all those cities? Everyone's in evacuation mode right now, but it isn't easy moving millions of civilians. One strike on Setrákus Ra could open up battles on every front."
"As a survivor of the last invasion, allow me to tell you that they laid waste to our planet in hours," Lexa spoke up.
"Heartening," Lawson says sarcastically.
"They want to occupy the Earth, not blast it to uninhabitability," Lexa continues. "Doesn't knowing that give us some advantage?"
"Could Setrákus Ra be bluffing?" Lawson asks.
"It's true that my people want to occupy," Adam says. "In all likely hood, the fleet doesn't have the ability to make another intergalactic trip. They need to stay here. But if you think that somehow limits their willingness to destroy even dozens of cities, you underestimate them."
"Which brings us back to the doomsday countdown," Lawson says. "After you attack Ra, we have to assume the countdown ends and destruction begins."
"What happens when he recovers and realizes his deadline ran out while he was licking his wounds," Six says. "He'll attack anyway."
"Exactly," Lawson says. "The attacks are an inevitability either way. But that doesn't mean we want to hurry them up. We want to be as ready as we can be. Get as many civilians to safety as possible. Use every minute of this delay you've given us."
"You want to wait," John summarizes. "How long?"
"It isn't easy coordinating a counterstrike against a technologically superior enemy," Lawson says. "We've received the cloaking devices you sent and our science guys are working to reverse engineer them."
"I can help with that," Adam speaks up. "I know the tech fairly well."
"I appreciate that, Mr. Mog," Lawson says. "Even if we do crack the devices, and put them into production, we've still got to get this tech in the hands of our allies around the world. Now that we know what they look like, other countries, particularly India, have had some success knocking down skimmers during skirmishes and stripping out the cloaking devices for themselves. Assuming we get beyond the shields, we're still assessing whether we'd be better served attempting to board these warships or rely on ballistic missiles."
"Neither attempt will be easy," Adam says.
"Can't you just nuke them?" Nine asks.
"We'd ruin the planet and kill millions of innocents," I say.
"Bad enough to blow up one of those ships over a major city," Daniela says.
"One problem at a time," Lawson says. "Regardless of what approach we take, the cloaking devices remain our biggest hurdle. We're working with an incredibly small stockpile when we need one per ship, or one per missile. And then there's the small matter of getting them into the hands of our allies. How long will it take to have enough on hand to mount an attack the warships."
"All of them?" John asks. "At once?"
"That's how this operation plays out John," Lawson nods. "We hit them all at once to maximize our only advantage...the element of surprise. If we let them know we can break their shields too early, the parameters change. They might step up their attacks. Right now, they've got a boot on our necks; they think we're pinned, out of the fight. They don't know we've still got a knife up our sleeve. But we need that tech. And we're up against a ticking clock. Unless you know how long Setrákus Ra will be in this vat of his?"
He looks to Ella, and she shakes her head.
"Then you understand how precarious our situation is," Lawson says. "We'll likely get one shot at this, and it needs to be soon."
"There are Loralite stones growing all over the world, right?" Six asks Ella.
"Yes, I can sense them," Ella nods.
"There you go," Six says. "We can use those to deliver the devices around the world."
"These are the stones you mentioned to the LANEs in your, uh...psychic briefing, right?" Lawson asks.
John nods and Lawson glances at the map.
"Once we caught wind of those, we encouraged our international partners to lock down as many as they could find."
"You did?" John asks, cocking his head, not pleased.
"Yes, John, of course we did," Lawson says, sounding as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "That said, some leaders have outright laughed at me when I told them to divert resources to guarding some magical rocks. Not to mention that we only know the locations of a fraction of the Loralite growths."
"How many human Garde have been intercepted?" John asks coldly.
"A few," Lawson replies cautiously. "For their own protection. Most of them are still overseas. Maybe if we survive the next few days, we could discuss how you'll train them, with proper supervision of course."
"Oh typical," I snort. "There's going to be super power training. Let's have the not-at-all-corrupt US Government watch and take notes. While we're at it, lets arrest a few dozen super-powered kids for trying to go to that training just because the cameras aren't up yet. You know what, while we're at it, here's a paper, please list all the locations of Loralite Stones so that we don't miss anyone."
The room is silent. The humans all look more than a little displeased by my outburst. Our end of the table agrees.
"We'll help you locate the rest of the Loralite," John finally says. "Once we're ready to move the cloaking devices."
Lawson nods, smiling warmly. "That's transport squared away. That still doesn't solve the problem of quantity."
"If we can't make them quickly enough, we'll just have to get you more," John says, and I can see a plan forming in his head.
"Maybe we should go somewhere they'll have a lot of them," Nine grins.
"And where's that?" Lawson asks.
"One of their warships," John says.
"Didn't I just explain..." Lawson trails off, suppressing his frustration. "If we attack them, any attack, we risk them laying waste to one of our cities."
"What if we could get in and out without them even noticing?" John asks Lawson, staring at Six who grins and nods. "What if we could get you a battalions' worth of cloaking devices before the Mogs even notice they're missing?"
"That...That I could live with," Lawson nods.
"Good," John nods. "We'll start getting ready immediately."
Lawson nods and dismisses the humans, who all grab their ammo and hurry out. The rest of us follow.
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