Tuesday, May 16th, 2017
City of Los Angeles
They had sent the wedge-like explosive to Deputy Director Landy of the Central Intelligence Agency to see if she could shed some light on why the item had arrived on American shores and if it was a threat.
Annoyingly, they had heard nothing. However, they were still on the lookout for anything else which could be deemed dangerous. Even if the CIA did not see an immediate problem with nuclear weapon components coming into the United States, Fusion did. Erika had briefed Mindy the day before and it had been Mindy who had suggested involving DDCI Landy. Mindy had appeared somewhat exhausted when they had spoken, but even so, Mindy had insisted on receiving a full briefing on everything that had occurred in the previous two weeks. Finally, Erika had refused to say anymore, and she had cut the connection, much to Mindy's annoyance.
That afternoon, a report had come in from a snout who worked the docks at the Port of Long Beach; he had heard about a 'special shipment' which had a 'special' set of delivery orders.
That evening...
The Port of Long Beach
18:14 GMT-7 (01:14 GMT May 17th)
All four of the Los Angeles operators were out and closing on the port under the guidance of their technical support.
They waited in the shadow of the Vincent Thomas Bridge on Smith Island until a call was received from their snout.
"Light blue panel van – licence: two-romeo-yankee-whiskey-three-two-four."
After a three-minute wait, the truck in question turned left towards San Pedro, passing directly past the hidden vigilantes. Crypto and Paradox sat at computers in the safehouse, figuring out routes for each of the vigilantes to use while maintaining visual sight of the van but without alerting the driver to the fact he was being followed by Fusion. The van executed what could only be an anti-surveillance sweep as it drove through San Pedro via tortuous routes, however, Crypto and Paradox were able to provide clandestine routings for Mist, Bane, Venom, and Domitor before they could be identified – they hoped.
Finally, the van headed north on South Gaffey Street which then turned into North Gaffey Street. That street was a problem, with long straight stretches of highway, two lanes in each direction. Bane and Venom were sent up the I-110 at high speed to get ahead of the van while Mist and Domitor followed from a safe distance. At the north end of North Gaffey Street, near Harbour Lake, the van fell victim to nothing more sinister than a common and garden car accident. As the van turned right from North Gaffey Street onto West Anaheim Street, all looked good and the van was due to be intercepted by Venom and Bane who were, at that moment, heading up West Anaheim Street from I-110.
Then fate intervened.
19:18 GMT-7 (02:18 GMT May 17th)
No vigilante was anywhere near the panel van when it swerved to avoid a car which had suffered a blowout.
The van struck the concrete median over a small overpass and came to a halt, skidding broadside across one lane. A BMW, driving far too fast, had no opportunity to avoid the van, however, the driver made a vain attempt, clipping the curb and raising the front of his three-series off the ground. The car went straight through the side of the panel van, smashing into several packages, one of which came apart under the impact, scattering the two halves of a 4-inch diameter, 10-kilogramme, sphere. Both halves fell to the road where one half of the sphere was quickly engulfed in a rapidly spreading fire caused by the BMW's ruptured fuel system which had catastrophically failed during the crash.
The sphere was made out of a hazardous material not very commonly found in the back of panel vans in Los Angeles. That material was meant to be kept in a sealed container, however, with the failure of the enclosure which was not designed to resist such a crash, the material was exposed to both oxygen, and then the water and foam being used by the Fire Department to put out the otherwise standard vehicle fire. That material was known as plutonium-239, and when exposed to oxygen and water, the metal accumulated a substance known as plutonium hydride which was a pyrophoric substance – that is, a substance which would ignite in air at room temperature. With the gasoline fire and the hydride fire, both of which raised the temperature of the metal, the burning hemisphere rapidly melted into a puddle.
It did not take long for the molten metal to be seen by an observant fire chief and for the entire area to be cordoned off.
Safehouse C
20:40 GMT-7 (03:40 GMT May 17th)
They had remained at the scene just long enough to obtain some high-definition images of everything.
On their return, Maddie had delved into the images to construct a collage of events leading up to the accident and then the reported arrival of a NEST team. The Nuclear Emergency Support Team had been alerted to the presence of nuclear materials at the scene and they had arrived on the scene very quickly. One interesting result had been the identification of a strange object left lying on the roadside.
"It's a plutonium core," Maddie stated to the assembled vigilantes.
"So," Sky commented.
Maddie shook her head.
"How the hell did you ever survive long enough to reach puberty?" Maddie demanded. "You can be so thick, sometimes!?"
"Get on with it," Sky growled somewhat ominously, ignoring the grins that she was receiving from the two boys.
"That hemisphere is one of a pair – the other is burning," Maddie explained. "By extrapolating the approximate dimensions form the image, the full sphere is an approximate match for the explosive lens which we found the other day. It would act as the core for the lenses to be arranged around, forming a truncated icosahedron shape – like a soccer ball. On triggering the explosives, they would crush that softball sized sphere to the size of a fucking walnut . . . thus triggering off the type of explosion where you don't wanna be within fifty miles."
"Thanks, Maddie," Erika commented dryly. "I'd better call Mindy's friend at the CIA."
Forty minutes later . . .
"What the fuck!?" Erika roared into the phone.
"I'm sorry, Erika," Deputy Director Landy explained. "The lens has . . . how do I put it . . . vanished. I've been told to forget it ever existed."
"But I don't understand," Erika said sharply. "We have identified two key components for a nuclear fucking device, and you fuckers have lost part of the fucking evidence!"
"Calm down, Erika – please! I can join the dots, even if others in this place cannot. I'm on your side. Leave it with me, okay."
"Thanks."
Erika cut the call and she stared down at the ground, extremely angry.
Wednesday, May 17th
Safehouse Q
Chicago, USA
For Ariana and Freya, it had been an amazing twenty-four hours.
They felt safe for the first time in many months. Even better, they had comfortable beds to sleep in – no more sleeping on the jungle floor or in a tree. They were living within four walls which were both clean and tidy. They had access to as much food and drink as they wanted, and they were free to do as much, or as little, as they wanted, while not having to worry about if somebody might be trying to hurt them or hunt them down. They each had a room with a massive bed, all to themselves. On their arrival, they had met Sarah Hampton who looked after the house they were staying in. She had provided them with mountains of new clothing on the day of their arrival and the two girls had spent hours trying things on.
Their bodies were in a bad state and it was sheer bliss to be able to walk barefoot on soft carpets and to sleep in a soft bed wearing pyjamas. Being able to enjoy a roasting power shower was also heaven. It all helped with the healing of their bodies and their minds. Jennifer had visited twice to see how their bodies were healing, and they had both received a visit from Doctor Daniel Charles and Doctor Sarah Reese. They had been shrinks – much to the girls' chagrin. The 'friendly chats' had not been fun, but even so within a few hours, their minds had begun to feel clearer and lighter.
Then had come their first meeting with Mindy since their return.
08:45 GMT-6 (14:45 GMT May 17th)
Stephanie had merely opened the front door and stepped inside – her palm print had released the lock.
After barely two steps, she heard a voice.
"Who are you?"
Stephanie turned to find herself facing a tall girl with a thin figure and dirty-blonde hair which hung down over her shoulders.
"I am..."
"The devil herself!" a different voice interrupted as Stephanie found her world turned upside down.
"Making friends, I see, Stephanie," Mindy commented dryly as she stepped over her daughter's supine form. "I see you've met the girls."
Stephanie grimaced as she looked up at another girl who had deep brown hair draped over her shoulders and a similar body form to the first girl. She recognised the girl from her past.
"Hi, Obsidian – how are you doing?"
"Freya," Mindy said. "Would you please return my daughter to her feet."
"Daughter?" Freya/Obsidian queried.
"Yes, despite Stephanie's long list of issues, she is my daughter," Mindy clarified.
"Sorry, Psyche," Freya said as she reached down with her right hand and pulled the younger girl back to her feet.
"I'm used to it," Stephanie replied with a smile.
"Okay, Freya, you can beat up Stephanie later," Mindy grinned, ignoring her daughter's expression of annoyance. "How are you two settling in?"
"Compared to the past year, anything is an improvement," Freya replied. "But this . . . it's another world."
"I have never been so comfortable," Ariana admitted. "Thank you."
"You're both very welcome," Mindy said, her cheeks showing a pink hue as a direct result of the compliments.
"We aim to look after our guests, even if they do rough up the defenceless little girl," Stephanie commented.
"Defenceless?" Mindy growled. "Give me a break!"
"Innocent?" Stephanie tried with a smile.
Freya laughed out loud, the laugh heavy with sarcasm.
..._...
The laughter quickly died as Mindy got down to business.
"I know we all went through quite a bit together," she said conversationally. "However, I have trust issues."
Ariana and Freya both looked serious.
"I'm not saying that you can't earn my trust, but it will not be easy, understand?"
"Yes, Mindy," both girls said.
"I will be around to help you and so will Stephanie – she's not the bitch some make her out to be. But...," Mindy's expression darkened considerably, "if you fuck me about, or you put me or anybody I care about at risk, then I will tear you apart . . . and should you survive, I will ensure that your remaining minutes on this earth make your time in the that jungle seem like a fucking spa weekend."
Stephanie winced as she saw the raw fear in the faces of Ariana and Freya.
10:05 GMT-6 (16:05 GMT May 17th)
Mindy's Jaguar XJ
"What are we going to do with them?" Stephanie asked.
"I don't know," Mindy replied. "That's up to them, I suppose."
Mindy noticed that Stephanie was quieter than usual.
"You know Freya, then?"
"As Obsidian, yes," Stephanie replied. "Long story but we didn't get along."
"Surprise, surprise!"
"Okay!" Stephanie exclaimed in defeat. "I admit it: Stephanie Walker went out of her way to piss off most of Urban Predator. Happy?"
"I think so," Mindy chuckled. "What did you do?"
"I humiliated her a few times and put her into the hospital . . . twice."
"There are times when I have no idea why I bother feeling sorry for you."
"Me, too," Stephanie groused.
San Diego
West Washington Street and San Diego Freeway (I-5)
19:10 GMT-7 (02:10 GMT May 18th)
The four vigilantes were parked up beneath the flyover, listening to the roar of eight lanes of traffic pass overhead east and west.
Lilim sat astride her Honda CRF250L – she fervently hoped she would soon be getting rid of the motorcycle which she deemed beneath her. She wanted something powerful and she hoped to get something good for her birthday. Nonetheless, she was suited and booted, ready for action. Next to her, Riptide sat astride his Honda CRF Africa Twin DCT. His primarily black combat suit covered him from head to toe and the red highlights contrasted with those of Lilim. The 'grownups' were a few feet away, looking southwest towards the San Diego International Airport.
Lilith stood beside her deep red Honda CRF Africa Twin DCT with flashes of fire painted on the frame. Her deep red combat suit with the flashes of flame marked her out as a vigilante with a fiery anger. It was an anger which many criminals who operated in and around San Diego had learnt to respect . . . the hard way. In the past three months, criminals in San Diego had begun to speak the name 'Lilith' with the same reverence (and fear) as those in Chicago spoke about Hit Girl. Lilith enjoyed the fear that her mere presence instilled in hardened criminals, years older than herself. As for Trauma, he loved having a partner who was badass. He figured that he was just as badass, but then he was a teenager who thought he was God's gift to women and criminals – a benefit for the former, but a curse for the later. Trauma swung his leg over the deep blue Honda GRF Africa Twin DCT which matched his partner's machine.
"We ready to go, hot stuff?" he asked.
"I think so – Biscuit said that there was a delivery coming through that was being routed around customs. I want to see what that is," Lilith replied.
"I'll roust the lovebugs," Trauma commented as he turned. "Oy, mount up, you two – and not each other!"
"You saying we're always fucking?" Lilim demanded as she pulled on her helmet.
"Do I need to?" Trauma growled back. "You know, the average condom manufacturer produces five million rubbers a day and you two account for most of those each week!"
"Not denying it," Lilim shot back. "But, you and hot chick account for the rest."
"Let's roll!" Lilith called out and she accelerated north along West Washington Street.
West Washington Street
19:25 GMT-7 (02:25 GMT May 18th)
The four vigilantes headed north as the sun began to set over to their left.
Forty yards ahead of them, a rather bland looking 2013 Cadillac sedan cruised along the outside lane, sticking to five below the limit. The Cadillac took the exit for West University Avenue and dropped to twenty-five. The car slowed at every intersection, almost stopping.
"Whose granny is driving?" Trauma growled. "We go any slower, we'll be going backwards."
As the Cadillac cruised, very slowly, along West University Avenue, the avenue soon became plain University Avenue. The target vehicle turned right at 3rd Avenue before turning immediately left into a small parking lot. Riptide continued straight on while Lilim took a right down a back alley forty yards before the 3rd Avenue turn off. Trauma, annoyed by the slow pace of the 'pursuit', had taken the longer route up 1st Avenue and around to the other end of 3rd Avenue at Robinson Avenue where he then pulled into the kerb. Lilith, meanwhile, kept the Cadillac in sight from a shadowy vantage point. They waited approximately twenty minutes before they saw any sign of movement from the driver.
The man appeared to be in his late forties which Trauma surmised to be the reason for his absurdly slow, but safe, driving. The man walked around to the rear of his car and he opened the trunk. It all seemed as absurdly innocent as his absurdly slow driving – did they have the wrong mark?
"You sure about this intel?" Lilim asked from her vantage point.
"Rock solid," Lilith replied with conviction.
"What's that . . . he's lifting something out of the trunk?"
"Looks like a box – large, made of polystyrene, I think."
"Something fragile, then?"
"Looks like it."
"You want it?"
"Let's see what he does with it," Lilith replied. "Maybe we can catch the buyer."
As the two girls watched, the man nonchalantly strolled across the parking lot to where a Jeep SUV was parked. As the man approached, the trunk opened by remote control and the large white polystyrene container was simply placed into the open trunk. The man turned and walked back to his Cadillac before climbing in and driving off.
"Smooth!" Lilim exclaimed.
"Damn smooth!" Lilith commented. "Okay, Team, standby. We have a new target – 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, slate grey, licence: four-zero-zero-tango-tango-sierra."
The Jeep turned left onto 3rd Avenue, heading south.
1,730 miles east-north-east of San Diego
Glenview, Chicago
21:25 GMT-6 (03:25 GMT May 18th)
It had been a few days, and the kids had done their absolute best to give their parents some space, however, they missed spending time with them.
Stephanie and Anne-Marie had sought out their mother to spend some quality time with her before they both went to bed. After some careful searching, they found her in the bathroom of the master suite. Mindy had always had an open-door policy where her children were concerned and the appearance of her daughters while she was in the shower, was no exception. Stephanie could care less, but Anne-Marie tended to respect her mother's privacy, only this time they were both worried about their mother and they wanted to spend time with her. As was their habit, they both stripped off, dumping their clothes on the floor, and they joined Mindy in the shower – it was large enough. Both were stunned by what they saw. Mindy's bottom, thighs, and back were covered in deep welts and livid bruises. Stephanie recognised the signs of a severe beating but with another implement as opposed to the strap with which she was so intimately familiar. However, both froze as Mindy turned towards them.
"Woah!" Anne-Marie exclaimed as she immediately noticed something quite different. "Even Steph has more hair now – and that's saying something."
Stephanie scowled at Anne-Marie but otherwise ignored the jibe at her own, rather limited pubic hair. It was a surprise to suddenly find that their mother had chosen to shave her vulva, but Stephanie wondered if there might be some darker reason for it. Mindy sighed as she slid down the tiled wall and sat on the tiled base of the shower, grimacing as she did so.
"Sit down, girls."
Once Stephanie and Anne-Marie were both seated, Mindy began to speak.
"Some bad things happened when we were taken prisoner," she began. "We all suffered some horrendous abuse. They kept us naked all the time and we were regularly beaten as you can see by my welts and bruises. Each of us, but Jen and Craig, spent time in a shit-filled pit where we quickly passed out from the heat and the stench. Being marched about outside, completely naked, was humiliating and I hated it. As for why I shaved off my pubes – well, I'd rather not go into it, but suffice to say, I felt violated."
"You were raped?" Stephanie blurted out.
"No, nothing like that – none of us, thank God."
Mindy related some of the punishments and tortures which she and the others had endured. She talked about the walk through the jungle and the initial assault and rescue, followed by the escape and the failed rescue. How she had been stripped and dumped into the pit. How she and the others had been beaten. Then she talked about the breakout from the camp and the loss of Chloe. The joining up with Craig and Jennifer. The escape by boat. Mindy sobbed through their recapture and then the additional hardships and beatings. She skipped over some of the more extreme occurrences, but the kids had quickly gotten the general idea. Mindy finished her story and she wiped away the tears which ran down her cheeks. Stephanie and Anne-Marie were doing the same. Then they all heard sobbing and they looked around to see that they were not alone.
Dave, Jamie, and Danny were sitting on the floor outside the shower. The two boys were both crying. They had gone looking for their sisters and tracked them down to the shower. Dave had appeared, and he had suggested they go listen to the story. They and Dave had heard most of it. However, what had caused the boys to start crying was the state of Mindy's body. Yes, it was the very first time that they had seen their Mom/Mum naked, but Dave had insisted that Mindy would not mind. The boys had seen the marks, cuts, and welts on Mindy's front and they assumed it would be the same on her back – they were not to be disappointed as Mindy stood up to turn the shower off and she turned away from them. Both boys gasped in horror at what they saw.
Dave passed each of the girls a towel as they emerged from the shower. Once Mindy had wrapped a towel around herself, she walked through to the bedroom and she sat down on the bed. Danny and Jamie sat down on one side of her with the two girls on the other. They all hugged, and Dave then wrapped his arms around them all.
They cried together.
Fielding Drive, Chicago
21:30 GMT-6 (03:30 GMT May 18th)
Becky had seriously missed Chloe and Joshua.
The first time she had seen Chloe naked since her return, had been a nasty revelation and the sight of all the cuts, welts, and bruises had resulted in tears streaming down her face. The youngster was horrified by what she had witnessed. Becky had been beaten many times in her young life, so she had a unique perspective on what Chloe had endured.
"It looks way worse than it is," Chloe had admitted without much conviction.
Becky had slept with Chloe and Joshua each night since their return home. She was never more than six feet from one of them, trying to keep both in sight at all times and panicking when either Joshua or Chloe vanished from sight for more than a few minutes. Chloe was not even able to enjoy a bath alone as Becky would follow her to the bathroom and insist on joining her in the bath. Chloe had no problem with that, only she really wanted time to rest her aching body. However, Becky was a great distraction for both sixteen-year-olds as they focussed on her instead of their wounds and memories. Becky had not asked about what Joshua and Chloe had endured, knowing that they would tell her when they thought it was time.
For all her tender years, the eight-year-old had a mature way of thinking and that allowed her to cope with things a lot better than a normal child might. Even Hercules had been pleased to find his owners back home. The dog had never left Becky's side during Joshua's and Chloe's absence, instinctively knowing that it was his job to guard and protect the youngster from harm until their return. Becky and Hercules had a bond which was unbreakable and having the dog with her had helped with the emotional loss of being without Chloe and Joshua.
That night, however, was to be different.
..._..
"Peanut, bed, please."
"But, Mum..."
"Take Hercules to bed with you," Chloe suggested.
"He farts all night," Becky scowled.
"So, do you," Chloe pointed out.
"I want to..."
"No!" Joshua said sharply, and Becky flinched. "You will sleep in your own bed, tonight, young lady."
"Yes, Dad," Becky said reluctantly as she gave Joshua a hug before moving onto Chloe.
"Night, Mum."
"Night, Peanut – love you."
"Love you both."
The little girl scampered off to bed with Hercules close on her heels. That left Chloe and Joshua alone for the first time in days. It had been weeks since they were last intimate together and there was extreme longing for them both. Finally, they crept up the stairs and ignored the eyes peering out from a crack in Becky's bedroom door. Once inside their own bedroom, Chloe pushed the door closed and she audibly locked it behind her. With a few swift movements, she pulled off her outer clothing, leaving just her panties and bra. Joshua swallowed deeply as he laid eyes on his girlfriend's body, not for the first time, but for the first time while in a sensual environment. Seeing Chloe naked in the camp had not been sensual at all. Joshua decided that they needed some music to put them in the mood. He selected a track on his phone and a tune began to play from the speakers set into the ceiling of their bedroom. Joshua pulled off his own clothing down to his boxers and he led Chloe over to the bed. Chloe looked up at Joshua and she felt nothing but love for the boy who was very much a man in her eyes.
For your eyes only, can see me through the night.
For your eyes only, I never need to hide.
You can see so much in me, so much in me that's new.
I never felt until I looked at you.
Joshua eased Chloe onto her back and he gently kissed her on the lips. Chloe felt the electric sensation as their lips touched and she felt her entire body relax, the build-up of tension that had been there for so long just melted away at his mere touch. She looked into his brown eyes and she felt herself sinking into them as their love for each other intermingled. She felt his fingertips caressing her nipples through the cotton of her bra. She squirmed at his touch and she moaned loudly as Joshua pulled the straps down over her shoulders and he released her breasts.
For your eyes only, only for you.
You'll see what no one else can see, and now I'm breaking free.
For your eyes only, only for you.
The love I know you need in me, the fantasy you've freed in me.
Only for you, only for you.
As Joshua massaged Chloe's nipples, Chloe reached down, and she grinned as she felt something extremely hard and very warm throbbing restrained by the cotton of Joshua's boxer shorts. Chloe forced her hand under the waistband and Joshua groaned out loud as he felt Chloe's soft hands on the soft skin of his penis. Joshua moved down Chloe's body, kissing as he went and running his hands over the wonderfully soft skin of Chloe's stomach.
For your eyes only, the nights are never cold.
You really know me, that's all I need to know.
Maybe I'm an open book because I know you're mine,
But you won't need to read between the lines.
Chloe felt her panties being gently tugged down her thighs and she giggled as Joshua blew across her pubic mound which had, that very morning, been cleared of any pubic hair. It was not the first time that Chloe had shaved her pubes – she had been doing it, on and off, since she was twelve. Joshua did not care; Chloe was still Chloe, pubic hair or not. Joshua pushed down his own underwear, so he was just as naked as Chloe. He sighed as he felt Chloe's groin against his own.
For your eyes only, only for you.
You see what no one else can see, and now I'm breaking free.
For your eyes only, only for you.
The passions that collide in me, the wild abandoned side of me.
Only for you, for your eyes only.
The music changed as Joshua began to gently insert himself inside Chloe and thrust steadily while Chloe kissed him for all she was worth. She allowed a small giggle to escape as she recognised the track.
Nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you're the best
Joshua felt the intense warmth of his woman as her heat pervaded his skin. He had never felt so close to her than he did at that moment and his love grew to overwhelming levels. So many times, over the past weeks, he was certain that he might never see Chloe again. Only, like a bad penny, Chloe kept going despite there being a rocky period when Chloe was close to giving up.
I wasn't lookin' but somehow you found me
I tried to hide from your love light
But like heaven above me
The spy who loved me
Is keepin' all my secrets safe tonight
Chloe could feel Joshua inside her, and she felt very full. Each time he moved, the sensations spread out from her vagina and clitoris to every part of her body. She felt like her body was being physical torn, limb from limb, but it felt awesome and like nothing she had felt in all her life.
And nobody does it better
Though sometimes I wish someone could
Nobody does it quite the way you do
Why'd you have to be so good?
Chloe screamed out in ecstasy as her body shuddered with the building orgasm. She felt Joshua's strong arms around her body, and she dug the fingernails of her fingers into his strong back.
The way that you hold me
Whenever you hold me
There's some kind of magic inside you
That keeps me from runnin'
But just keep it comin'
How'd you learn to do the things you do?
She could not hold it any longer . . . his penis was ripping her apart with every thrust inside her vagina. The rubbing of her clitoris on his pubic mound just increased the sensations to atomic proportions. Joshua was close to reaching his own endgame as he thrust ever deeper and ever stronger into Chloe.
Oh, and nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, baby, darlin', you're the best
They both came together, Joshua exploding hot semen inside Chloe, just as Chloe's entire body tensed up and her muscles all exploded as one, collapsing her into a foetal ball on the bed.
Baby, you're the best
Darlin', you're the best
Baby, you're the best
Oh, oh, oh
Longmeadow Road
22:10 GMT-6 (04:10 GMT May 18th)
Rodney Staite was not a happy man.
"Are you out of your goddamn mind?"
Jennifer Staite squirmed slightly under her husband's glare. Her husband had just had explained to him what his wife truly did 'on the night shift', not to mention what had really happened during the 'business trip' to Asia.
"Let me get this straight – you, my wife, has been running about Chicago, wearing body armour, and killing people?"
"I help people – not kill them."
"But you have killed people."
"Yes, Rodney."
"Why? How?"
"You remember how Medic died at the end of the Chicago battle?"
"Yes."
"She recommended me as her replacement. I was contacted by Hit Girl and Kick-Ass. I accepted, and I have been helping to rehabilitate kids such as Xiāngxìn and Lin."
Rodney looked ill.
"You know Hit Girl? Are we safe? I . . . I . . . what if she comes after us?"
Jennifer laughed out loud.
"Honey – we're fine. If anything, we're better than fine; we have Hit Girl and Kick-Ass protecting us."
"I need something to eat . . . I think my blood sugar is low."
"Yes, Rodney!"
Robinson Avenue, San Diego
20:15 GMT-7 (03:15 GMT May 18th)
The Jeep Grand Cherokee was heading steadily east.
At Florida Street, the Jeep turned left before taking a right on to University Avenue, still heading east. A little over four miles of driving at the limit, the Jeep picked up Fairmount Avenue. It was a roundabout route which Lilith assumed was a counter-surveillance sweep. As they passed under I-8, Lilim frowned beneath her mask.
"Is this guy headed where I think he's headed?" she asked nobody in particular.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Lilith growled a few miles later.
None of them had been back to the apartment at Mission Road since they had escaped the city months before. It gave them all an uneasy feeling inside being back there. It was one hell of a surprise, but they went with it as the Jeep turned into the apartment complex. They split into two teams, Riptide and Lilim heading to the southern end of the complex while Lilith and Trauma spread out, keeping to the shadows. The Jeep slowed and turned into a slot on the capacious parking lot. For the second time that night, they began to doubt themselves. The driver of the Jeep climbed out and he...
"What the fuck!" Trauma exclaimed as the man simply walked out of the parking lot and stepped onto a bus which then headed off down Rancho Mission Road.
"This is an intricate counter-surveillance op," Lilith commented. "Obviously, they are taking no chances after losing two items in Los Angeles."
"Do we take the Jeep and whatever is in the trunk?" Trauma asked.
"Let's watch it for a little longer – see if we can't take down whoever picks it up."
21:02 GMT-7 (04:02 GMT May 18th)
Lilith and Trauma
"This is boring!" Lilim groaned forty minutes later.
"Stakeouts are supposed to be boring," Riptide countered.
"Steak – you're making me hungry," Trauma added.
"Wrong type of stake, dickhead!" Lilith complained.
Before Trauma could respond, he saw movement coming from one of the apartment blocks.
"Man heading toward the Jeep . . . no . . . make that two," he reported.
"Oh, fuck!" Riptide reported.
"What is it?" Lilith demanded urgently.
"We have incoming!" Lilim responded just as the chatter of gunfire echoed around the complex. "Panther Brigade!"
"They must have spotted us somewhere," Lilith growled. "Lilim, Riptide – take all measures to disengage and make for Rally Point Delta."
Trauma raised his MPX-K and he sent a brief burst in the direction of the two men approaching the Jeep. In response, both men dove for cover and they returned fire with MAC-10 machine pistols. While Trauma had their attention, Lilith moved closer to the Jeep – she wanted to seize whatever was in the trunk as it must be important to have garnered such a response from the Panther Brigade.
Things were definitely warming up in San Diego.
Lilim and Riptide
The first they had known that they were being targeted was the sight of armed men appearing from the north end of the apartment complex.
The bullets had struck seconds later. Neither of them was hit, but it had come very close to causing an unexpected bowel movement in both teenagers. Neither had been expecting anything like a gunfight, but as ever, they were always prepared for anything. Lilim and Riptide had brought forth their firearms and both SIG Sauer MPX-K submachine guns had sent accurate gunfire in the direction of the approaching gunmen. Orders had been given, and neither fancied metaphorically crossing swords with the Panther Brigade, so, with the use of covering fire, Lilim and Riptide moved back to their motorcycles and they quickly pulled on their helmets. The bullets from the Panther Brigade were coming much closer and Riptide received a short burst into his heavy back armour which stung but did not penetrate the cutting-edge combat suit.
As they both began to move away, sending bursts of gunfire over their shoulders, a pair of SUVs skidded to a halt to collect three men each before they accelerated after the fleeing vigilantes.
Lilith and Trauma
Trauma had dropped one of the men and he was closing on the second as Lilith reached the Jeep.
Without any preamble, Lilith tried the driver's door – it was open – and she pressed the trunk release. By the time she reached the opening tailgate, the second man was dead. She grabbed the polystyrene container and with the help of some straps, she attached it to the second seat of her motorcycle. As Trauma was checking out the area, the sounds of approaching sirens could be heard.
"We're on the move," Riptide reported, "but we have company – two SUVs."
"Copy that!" Lilith responded, pulling on her helmet.
"We have company!" Trauma yelled as he ran for his own motorcycle.
Two more SUVs appeared from the main road, flashes of gunfire erupting from the side windows of one SUV while the roof of the other popped open to reveal an evil-looking M134D mini-gun.