Kickstart My Heart

"Alright, well, come in. Let's coordinate with the PRT and let's free her, together", Dust Devil offered. He felt Shadow Stalker bristle at that but didn't interrupt.

Tattletale hung her head and sighed, "Can't do that. Our Boss, the moment he finds out we're getting picked off is going to start running the scenarios until he gets the outcome he wants then he's going to let it happen."

"So he's some next level thinker?" Shadow asked.

"Yeah, he's actually gotten around some very powerful thinkers on occasion. So if I'm considered bad, he's worse and he's got no compunction against letting us Master you or enslaving a little girl, drugging her, forcing her to do things until she craves the drugs just to get some damn relief."

"Shit, I don't like the sound of any of that", Sophia whispered.

"I know, but we can't just let them go, Shadow."

Shadow Stalker raised her crossbow and aimed it at Tattletale.

"Hey, whoa, let's not-"

Shadow put the bolt in the girl's leg, letting the head phase through the material that seemed to armor the rest of the Undersiders's new uniforms.

"I'm going to reload, get ready for a fight", she ordered Ray.

The din of a heavy engine grew over the sounds of the city. Ray looked around and aside from the groans of Batty laying on the pavement the rest of the Undersiders were out of it. That left Grue and Tattletale's Mercenaries or the forces of a not so imaginary boss that controlled the Undersiders to deal with.

"Batty, this is Dust Devil, if you got it in you, get up and get ready to fight or get the hell out of here", Ray called out to the fallen biker cape.

PRT files had her background as a Rogue for hire, typically she took jobs primarily for Biker Rallies, music videos for metal bands, with multiple counts of destruction of private property and arson. Prior to triggering she was dating the ring leader of a meth operation while being its cook. He tried to off her using lab sabotage and Batty Boom was triggered by the betrayal with her creatures taking out both the trailer park and the rest of his gang. Taking money from Skitter wouldn't be a far-fetched idea but the fact one of Skitter's crew betrayed her could slide her back into Ray's corner.

The helmeted cape shakily picked herself up and responded with a salute back at Dust Devil, "I'm not running, Dusty. I got your back, man."

She started spawning bat creatures from every part of her exposed skin. The growing swarm departed and hung themselves from perches all over the trees and buildings. Batty limped off the main street where The Undersiders laid unconscious and disappeared behind a building.

As the truck came into view darkness started blanketing the area it was passing. Leaning out from one of the side windows a rifleman stuck out half their body and opened fire in a three round burst. The bracket of gunfire forced Shadow and Devil to dematerialize.

The truck floored it and plowed through the fallen body of Hellion, fire and viscera sprayed the area as the now flaming truck took a hard turn and braked feet from the fallen Undersiders. Armed men in tactical gear and balaclavas piled out and Grue leapt from the back of the truck. He ran past Skitter, Regent, and Tattletale and picked up Imp in his arms. He let out an audible sigh of relief after removing the empty tranquilizer bolt. Grue cradled the girl in his arms and carried her to the back of the truck where he placed her down on the bed gingerly. Other mercenaries showed up carrying the other three and Grue ordered them to load them up.

A bolt sank into the leg of two of the soldiers and a knife phased through the armored chest plate of the third. Grue backed away from the truck bed and the truck lurched forward and built up speed. Shadow Stalker stood over the bodies of The Undersiders and a hail of small explosive bats battered the soldiers and Grue as the truck drove away, Hellion reborn flying overhead with Batty Boom as the rider providing air support.

Ray drove like a mad man, careening through the barely cleared streets. He tapped his ear piece to open a line, "This is Dust Devil, we have a load of Undersiders ready for delivery in an unmarked transport truck. I repeat we've got a fresh load of Undersiders ready for delivery in an unmarked transport truck. I request some containment foam throwers be ready when we arrive as they are tranqed and only in basic restraints."

"Dust Devil, this is Dragon, do not come to PRT headquarters. You are closer to the Rig. Make your way to The Protectorate Headquarters, we'll take custody of the Undersiders there. How many and whom have you captured?"

"Got four: Skitter, Tattletale, Imp and Regent. As far as I know Grue is the only one still free, he was in control of Mercenaries, and is probably chasing our asses."

"Understood. Orders are, again, head to the Rig. Automated defenses will be active on the bridge. I'll continue to ping your comms to prevent friendly fire."

"We got a flier with us, a Rogue named Batty Boom. She's covering our escape, please don't shoot her down."

"Is the Rogue a flier or flying upon something?" The voice over the comms wasn't Dragon but her automated system.

"She's riding a giant bat."

A long moment passed, "Understood, message related to the proper personnel."

Ray looked over his shoulder and saw a sliding window built into the truck cab connecting to the cargo area. He slammed his gauntlet into it twice and a second later the window slid open.

"What?", Sophia's voice called through the small window.

"Dragon's sending us- wait Master-Stranger protocols."

Sophia growled outloud then responded, "We don't got time for this but fuck it, I'm going to tell you something only you and I know. You have a mole on the underside of your-"

"Okay! OKAY! Cool it, we- we're heading to the Rig for drop off. Is Grue following? Or anyone else?"

"No, wait, wait. Fuck! He's on a damn motorcycle! Fucker was using his darkness to mask the sound."

Ray peeked through the side mirrors and saw this bubble of darkness surrounding the bike, Grue's power made it look like he straddled a glassy cloud of rich black smoke. Ray mashed the accelerator pedal but the damage to Brockton Bay needed more time to clear up the debris or taped off construction zones congested the streets, either way the large truck was in no way a match for speed or maneuverability as Grue's bike.

Batty's bat bombs were growing ineffective as a cloud of darkness streaked above the bike and truck. As the creatures passed through their explosions and flames were greatly reduced in effect. Hellion dipped down low and Grue's dark cloud aggressively enveloped both the rider and her steed.

Grue raised a hand above his head and a dark-winged creature bubbled up into existence from his palm.

~~x