Rifiuto: Non Miriena
"We can try a hypergalton net."
"A what?" Jack asked, laying his hand on his wife's back as she frantically punched codes into a computer.
"It's like a butterfly net, but it attracts the metal rimming in things like firecrackers, fireworks, sparklers, and other... various wild fireballs of destruction. Once the object makes contact with the net, the metal rimming looses its charge and it becomes useless."
"That's great-"
"The only problem, is that the nets also attract things that aren't destructive and they have a reputation for short circuiting." Jo continued, interrupting her husband.
"Well, either way, it should work, shouldn't it?" He asked, running his hand up her back. She looked over her shoulder at him.
"Should. Operative word." He sighed, and kissed her temple quickly. He went to Holly, who sat cradling Erica. The girl cooed to the baby, letting her reach up and tug on her long red locks. "There are only two that haven't completely self-destructed, and they're in the safe in research storage." Jo straightened and turned to Fargo. "Okay, Fargo, go to the research lab. We need Zane to grab both of the nets and bring them here."
"Why both?" Jack asked as Fargo left.
"Just in case one short circuits and goes out, then we need a second just as a precaution." Jo told him. "Henry, have the rest of GD put on lockdown. No one comes in and no one goes out except for us. Grace, see if you can track the firecracker's paths, and get an accurate reading on them. Holly," She turned to the younger girl. "figure out how to extend the nets. The more life they have, the better chance we have of catching the firecrackers without major destruction." Holly nodded, and handed the little girl to her father, before getting up. Once they were alone, Jo turned back to her family. "Aren't you glad I came down today?" She asked, crossing her arms. He gave her a quick smile, before turning his attention back to his daughter. He looked up when his wife joined him.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" She asked.
"Just like you." He replied. She shrugged, reaching out to trace her daughter's features. They spent several minutes staring into their daughter's beautiful dark eyes.
"It's not working!" The two looked up as Zane rushed into the room.
"What do you mean it's not working?" Jo demanded, standing. The others quickly joined them.
"All of GD is on lockdown. We've been tracing the paths, and Holly's managed to extend the life of one."
"One? What do you mean one?" Jo demanded turning on Grace.
"The other one burned out. So we have one shot to catch this thing." Grace replied.
"Or we're screwed." Jack put in. Jo looked around. Even though Grace had been captain of the Astreaus, she had no clue how to deal with things like this, even though she'd dealt with stuff like this before leaving. But she and the others hadn't been here for the destruction of the fireball two years ago. They didn't know how to handle it. Someone needed to work the net; and that left Jo.
"Grace, where are they headed now?" She asked, turning to the older woman.
"South of town, towards the woods." Jo's lips went into a disgusted pucker.
"Why is it always the woods?" She muttered. The others stared at her confused. "Well, let's go. We have a firecracker to catch."
The snapping of branches caused Jo to turn, but she relaxed when she saw the others catching up.
"The coordinates are saying that we're right on top of them." Grace said, looking down at the small tracking device she held. "But I don't see any-"
"Get down!" Jack called. Everyone hit the dirt hard as two homicidal firecrackers zoomed over them. One blasted through the bark of several trees, and the other made a direct U-turn for the group. Turning to the others, Jo said,
"Where's the net?"
"I've got it." Zane held up what looked like a pistol with a silencer on it. "I'll do it." Jo shook her head.
"Give me the net. I'll do it." Zane refused to hand it over, and instead climbed to his feet and made his way towards the firecrackers.
"No! Give it to me, I'll get it! I know how it works, you don't! Zane! Zane! Damn it." She muttered, before finally climbing to her feet and dashing after him. "Zane! Stop!" She could hear the others behind her, hurrying to catch up. She slammed into him, throwing them both to the ground. The net flew out of his hand and skidded several feet away.
"All you had to do was tell me to stop." He said, as she looked up into his face. He gave her a smug smile as his hands quickly ran over her body. He couldn't help noticing how slim she'd gotten- slimmer than before she'd had the baby- and he found himself admiring the full swells of her breasts that peaked out from the open lapels of her blouse. She glared at him, and climbed up, rushed to grab the net. He followed, reaching it first.
The only reason he didn't grab ahold of it was because he was back on the ground, staring into the barrel of Jo's handgun.