To say that school was tense was an understatement. They had an early assembly, once again talking about the importance of school safety. Outside, a storm rumbled, light rain falling on the school.
"I know that the fall of the ABB makes the city feel safer," The SRO said. "But the fact is that the Empire 88 and the Elite are still engaged in a contest for this city and while they are quieter, that doesn't mean you can ignore your surroundings. That's especially true in those regions that were formerly run by the ABB, due to…"
Jim let the words run over him. It was mostly show. Neither the E88 nor the Elite had anything to gain by sparking a crusade for killing or hurting kids.
They'd be better off reminding them that parts of the city weren't safe due to ordinary crime.
He looked over to where Ann was sitting. She saw him, flinched, then looked away. She hadn't done anything over the weekend, but that was only Sunday after they'd talked to her.
Taylor had let them know that she had "spoken" with Kaiser.
No word on how many deadly insects were involved.
Won't that guy ever shut up? Jim wondered. The chair was too small and if he squirmed in it, it might collapse and—
His phone went off.
So did Claire's. So did Vicky's.
Okay, we've outed capes so— And then the SRO's phone went off. He took it out, stared at it, and turned dead white.
Jim stared at his phone.
ALERT:
ENDBRINGER ATTACK: LEVIATHAN.
ESTIMATED LANDFALL, GULF COAST REGION. FURTHER INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.
ALL PROTECTORATE, PRT AND WARDS ARE RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY. ALL CLASS-S QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS REPORT TO YOUR TRANSPORTATION SECTIONS.
THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
RPT: THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Jim got up. "What is it?" one kid asked.
Jim stared. "Don't worry. It's not here," he said.
The SRO cleared his throat and in a voice far different from what he'd been talking, and not bored at all, spoke. "Attention. We… After you are dismissed you will proceed to your homerooms to wait until a parent or guardian comes to take you home. Seniors with their own transportation must still obtain permission from their parent or guardians."
He swallowed. "Leviathan has been confirmed to be enroute to the Gulf Coast states."
Someone screamed. Someone cursed. But Jim and the others were moving. Ann was as well and Jim cut over to her.
"Stay here," he told her.
"I'm—"
"You are not skilled." Jim said, keeping his voice down so nobody else could hear. "You are not experienced. You let your anger control you and you are not scared enough. If you join us, you will die."
"But I can—"
"Yes. You can help. Here. If we don't come back. Mr. Blinky and Merlin will need help. Orb Weaver will need help. Go to her or the Wards." Ann opened her mouth, but shut it. "Ann, I don't have time. You can help here. But you can't help with Leviathan."
Ann closed her mouth, tears starting to run down her cheeks. "I—be safe."
"I'll do my best," Jim said. Blinky is going to hate this.
Claire joined him, along with Vicky. The rest of the Wards would find their own way out, but Jim didn't think any of them were approved for deployment, other than Carlos, Dean and Chris for tech support. They'd all be on S&R.
As they walked, terrified whispers filled the air. Jim had been too busy with a riot to pay much attention during the Simurgh attack, and that had been half the world away.
This wasn't. And many of the people had personal experience with Leviathan. Some were praying, Jim passed the captain of the cheer team, a bouncy redhead who never seemed to run out of energy…
She was hunched up against the lockers, sobbing, while some of her friends patted her shoulders, looking around as if to find some answer, something to comfort her.
Someone was praying loudly, desperately. They kept walking. Claire's face was absolutely expressionless, but power was gyring around her hands, eyes violet. Next to her, Vicky floated, licking her lips, now and then.
And then they were outside. There were already cars rushing up, parents jumping out, leaving the engines running, running past Jim, Claire and Vicky. Down the street, a church's bell sounded, tolling again and again. It was answered by other bells, traditional church bells and the deeper tones of the Japanese bells. Not in festival, but slowly, mournfully, calling the faithful to prayer. There were some people running on the streets, some in little clusters.
Claire raised her hands and the portal opened, depositing them in front of the PRT.
Where Blinky was, standing in the shade.
"Blinky, I—"
"It was wrong of me to take that oath from you," Blinky said. "You will help, no matter the cost." Suddenly, before anyone else could do anything, four arms reached out, and he pulled Claire and Jim into an embrace. "You are brave, Claire, Jim. I will pray to the trollhunters past to keep you safe… As well as any other Powers that might listen to me."
"Thanks, Blinky," Jim said, his voice rough. I might never see my Dad again.
Claire's expression was changed, and she nodded, eyes bright with tears. "Don't… Don't forget that Missy shows up on Tuesday."
"I will not, and nor will you."
With that, Jim and Claire headed to the jump off-site. There were already many capes there. Dauntless, Armsmaster, Miss Militia. Chris, Dean and Carlos stood there, while Missy handed out armbands.
Jim took one from her.
"Wish I could go," she muttered.
"Happy you aren't," Jim said. "See you tonight."
Mostly there were heroes. No Orb Weaver, but then her bugs would be pretty useless in this environment. Jim did see a few villains. Purity, Victor, Othala, and oddly enough, Rune, wearing a prison jumpsuit.
Victor was talking to her, gesturing at the door, but Rune was shaking her head angrily, finally speaking loud enough for Jim to hear. "What, you don't care that I go to prison and now you're worried about me? Fuck that!"
Victor shook his head, and looked at Othala the other cape shaking her head with a sad expression.
"Fine. You stick with Othala at the medical tent." He turned and glared at Jim.
By them, Vicky was talking to her mother, gesturing in the direction of the passageway to Merlin's quarters. Carol looked there, and nodded, albeit reluctantly. The other heroes of New Wave were clustering together, speaking quietly.
"Attention," Armsmaster said. "We have only a few minutes before transport, so I'll be brief. Leviathan is moving in an atypical pattern, but my predictive software indicates that he intends to attack New Orleans."
There was a shiver. New Orleans was nearly underwater at the best of times.
"However, the Endbringer is moving in an irregular direction and we believe Leviathan is intending to attack the various oil refineries and offshore rigs first. This has provided us with an opportunity to strike at Leviathan while he is away from a population center but has also… Produced a situation."
He gestured at the screen. "Interstate Ten to Baton Rouge."
Oh fuck, Jim thought.
The interstate was jammed. People were running along the borders, the lanes were choked…
"New Orleans' shelters have always been seen as marginally safe against Leviathan." Armsmaster frowned. "It is impossible to abandon those people… so as long as Leviathan remains engaged off the coast, search and rescue teams will attempt to expedite the evacuation, along with police, national guard and PRT units."
Expedite? Jim stared. Armsmaster couldn't be—
"Despite my reservations, this order comes from the highest levels of the United States government. The material and morale loss of simply writing these individuals off is too dangerous." Something beeped, and Armsmaster nodded. "One minute warning." With that, he quickly walked over to Jim and the other wards. "Aegis, normally you would be team leader. Do you have any issues with Trollhunter and Shadowdancer taking over leadership during this period?"
"Hell no," Carlos said. "Besides, it's Leviathan, and you took out the one cape who stood up to him. Maybe we'll get lucky."
"Luck is a poor ally. Plan, instead."
Jim turned. Merlin was there, along with Amel—
"What are you wearing?" he asked. She was nearly a foot taller, in some kind of sort of organic exoskeleton.
"My science project." Amelia glared at Merlin.
"Yes, and if you die, consider it a failure."
"You're coming?" Jim asked.
"Why of course. I can't trust any of you to provide me with an accurate analysis of this Endbringer. You'll be too busy being heroic."
"Merlin these people are scared," Claire whispered, looking over to Chris, talking quietly with Gallant. "They need something better than your attitude."
"No," Merlin said in a voice that somehow didn't carry. "Because if I start being comforting, they'll assume that they're as good as dead. Annoyance with me is safer."
"Attention, first team, prepare for transport!"
Jim, and the others watched as the protectorate heroes were teleported out.
A few minutes later, the hero returned, and Jim and his group got on the marked space.
And then, they entered the storm.