Thursday, January 3rd, 2017
That afternoon
Chicago Midway Airport
It was time to say goodbye.
Mindy raised an eyebrow as she saw the large aircraft taxing onto the hard standing and then brake smoothly to a halt. The twin turbofans spooled down slowly, their whine changing to a shallow hum. The Boeing 787-8 Business Jet was 57 metres from nose to tail with a wingspan of 60 metres and rose 17 metres from the ground to the tip of the vertical stabiliser. The aircraft was white all over with a subtle grey highlight which ran from below the cockpit windows to the base of the vertical stabiliser. The single word 'Cockburn' was painted in dark blue above the windows of the forward section of the fuselage ahead of the wing. On the tail, a stylised globe in blue was encircled by a dashed green circle. As the engines wound down completely, an airstair was smartly driven up to the second forward hatch on the port side. The hatch was opened and a man in a suit looked out and then strode calmly down the steps. The man did not appear to have just spent nine hours crossing the Atlantic Ocean, instead, he looked like he had just stepped out from Gieves & Hawkes of Savile Row in London. The man was probably in his fifties and had greying hair, a significant amount of which had receded.
"It is so wonderful to see you, Lady Cockburn," the man said with a cultured British accent.
Lara sighed.
"Stop that!" she ordered before turning to Mindy and Dave. "This is Hillary. He has been our butler since before I was born."
"Thirty-six years, Lara. The aeroplane will be refuelled in thirty-five minutes and ready to leave five minutes after that."
"Thank you, Hillary. As I said on the phone, we will have three guests joining us. This is Lily, she is thirteen. Then we have Mackenzie, who is nine, and her brother, Isaac, who is five."
"Welcome, ladies, young sir."
Mackenzie giggled, and Isaac grinned. Lily appeared a little unsure but she smiled nonetheless. With a theatrical wave, Hillary waved the youngsters up the steps.
"Goodbye, Mindy, and thank you," Lily said.
"Stay safe and look after Mackenzie and Isaac."
"I will."
As Mindy watched them enter the aircraft, she had a feeling that Lara was a loose cannon on deck. Mind you, Lily could look after herself, and that was something which Mindy was counting on. Lara thought that she was free and clear . . . however, Mindy was a little unsure on that subject. Vengeance was aware of Lara and Lily, and they would check in on them from time to time. Mindy had had a talk with Lily, advising her to be on the lookout for anything unusual and to use her skills where required. Lily had been unsure about what Mindy was trying to say, but Mindy had not wanted to scare the girl, nor did she want to upset Lara. Hillary, on the other hand, he seemed well-grounded, Mindy thought. They had spoken over the phone and he was prepared to do whatever it took to protect Lara, Lily, and the kids.
Mindy turned away and she headed for the car.
That evening
North Lakewood Avenue
Willow found that they were not the only ones in the apartment block.
As she opened the door, she smiled at Rachel Martyn and her brother, Billy.
"We just moved in, downstairs," Rachel admitted. "We've got pizza – you guys hungry?"
"I smell pizza!" Kendra shouted.
"Yes, we are," Willow laughed. "Come in."
The two girls were still getting used to the new arrangements where they were almost friends. Willow was over a year older than Rachel who would turn fifteen in five days' time. Indeed, Willow conceded that had Rachel not shot her, she may very well have been dead and never found her little sister. Weird how things worked out when you stopped to think about it.
"I think there's some Coke in the fridge – I understand Saoirse went shopping with Shannon for us," Willow said.
"They did the same for me and Billy – I'm feeling totally overwhelmed. I understand you have a car downstairs," Rachel replied.
"Yeah."
"We're a pair of lucky bitches no matter how you roll the sodding dice," Rachel admitted.
"Pizza!" Kendra growled menacingly.
"Time to feed the animals," Willow grinned as she pulled out plates and some glasses while Billy grabbed a large bottle of Coke from the fridge.
While the animals stuffed their faces at the dining room table, Willow and Rachel remained in the kitchen.
"Time to be friends?" Willow asked Rachel.
"Of course," Rachel replied, holding out her hand. "Life's too short and we have those two brats to look after."
The two girls shook hands, and both felt so much weight fall off their shoulders as they did so. They felt so much better shrugging off all the baggage which they had been lugging.
"This place is just like ours," Rachel commented. "Only, I have a bigger deck, but no balconies."
"How about we make this a regular thing?" Willow asked. "Maybe throw in a movie?"
"I'd like that – they would, too."
"Can I ask you something – off the record?" Willow asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Mindy wants me to join you guys – I don't know if I'm really up to it."
"If Mindy offered you a slot, then she knows you're up for it," Rachel replied. "I dare you to say no to her, Willow. Seriously, though, nobody will treat you badly – look at the way all of us Marauders have been treated. I still think they should have incarcerated us in prison and thrown away the key."
"We owe Fusion a lot," Willow agreed. "New start. New life. What the hell!"
"To a new start and a new life," Rachel said as she offered up her glass of Coke.
"To a new start and a new life," Willow repeated as she touched her own glass of Coke against Rachel's.
"Let's go get some more pizza before the little shits eat it all," Rachel suggested.
"Hey, Kendra!" Willow shouted. "Leave some for us!"
Three days later
Sunday, January 8th
Training Centre Echo
18:50
Sixteen-year-old Willow Harrison was very nervous as she set foot out of the cabin in her new uniform.
It had taken a lot of willpower to change and then study herself in the full-length mirror. She was amazed at her own transformation. She was no longer the sullen Willow Hartman, Marauder, she had taken back her former life and despite remaining a Predator, she was happy with her new life. Gone also was Bandit, in her place was a girl with a conscience. On her left breast, she bore a simple nametag: RAMPART. On each collar, she bore the twin vertical silver bars of a Fusion Operator. Just a few weeks before, she had been expecting to be wearing an orange jumpsuit as a federal prisoner, but no, the most unexpected people had pushed themselves to the limit to help her. Indeed, as Rampart left the cabin, she found one of them walking in her direction.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Psyche asked as she studied their newest recruit.
Rampart actually felt herself blushing which infuriated her. Psyche had no intention of humiliating Rampart, but part of her could not help herself. Rampart did look the part in her new dark blue uniform.
"They actually gave you a pistol?" Foxtail commented as she clocked the black holster on Rampart's right hip.
"Surprised the hell out of me, too, Foxy," Rampart replied – it was the first time the girl had actually handled a firearm in months, and it was even loaded with live rounds.
"Don't. . ." Foxy began.
"Oh, can it, Foxy!" Psyche grinned.
Earlier that evening
Willow could remember being given the pistol.
Mindy had taken Willow into the biggest armoury the girl had ever seen. Mindy had allowed Willow a few minutes to gaze around at the huge array of lethal weaponry.
"Damn!" Willow exclaimed.
Mindy grinned, always pleased when people were overawed by her facilities and equipment.
"Find yourself a pistol – anything you want," Mindy directed.
Willow had no idea where to start. There was just about every make and model of pistol that she had ever known about, and then some. Her preferred weapon, back at the Urban Predator training facility had been a Smith & Wesson M&P Compact. As she perused the giant selection of pistols, she selected a full-size S&W M&P pistol in 9-millimetre.
"Nice choice," Mindy commented as she ferreted around and produced three empty magazines and a large box of 9-millimetre rounds. "Load up, Rampart. You carry a loaded pistol and two spare magazines when on duty in the facility – up to you about when off duty. The pistol never leaves the facility unless you are on duty – if you want a pistol for outside, let me know . . . there is a gun locker in your apartment."
Willow wasn't really surprised to learn that her apartment was fitted out with secure weapons storage.
..._...
On her way to collect their newest recruit, Psyche had paused to speak with Hit Girl.
"You gave her a pistol?" Psyche asked.
"Yes, she needs one."
"You gave her live rounds?"
"Not much good without."
"Suppose so."
"Don't you trust her?" Hit Girl asked.
"Yes, I trust her . . . but it's hard."
"I know she led the attack on you, but she's atoned for what she did. Willow really is trying to put her past behind her. She has Kendra to focus on which I am very sure will keep her on the straight and narrow."
"Don't worry, I won't do anything to hurt her – until we're on the mat."
"That's my girl!" Hit Girl chuckled.
19:00
Rampart felt a little frightened by the massed array of uniformed Fusion members.
She knew that she had bee accepted, but she could remember when she had been their enemy and sworn to kill them. As she stepped down into the enormous briefing space on Level 2, she felt like running, but she stood fast as Psyche and Foxtail guided her towards where Hit Girl stood with Kick-Ass.
"Calm down, Rampart," Foxtail advised. "If she wanted you dead. . ."
Rampart grinned as she forced herself to calm down.
"I know."
Rampart could see her sister sitting with Billy, Rage, and Ravage. They appeared nervous but Kendra grinned as she saw her sister decked out in uniform for the very first time.
"Right, let's have some order!" Kick-Ass called out.
The rumble of chatter slowly ceased, and all attention was on Kick-Ass – almost.
"So, she said that her cunt was . . . oops!" Wildcat grinned as she shut her mouth, only just realising that everybody else was silent.
Kick-Ass simply shook his head forlornly as an embarrassed Wildcat slumped down in her chair next to Nightmare with whom she had been talking.
"Thank you, Wildcat!" Kick-Ass continued. "We have gained a new member who some of you will already know. Rampart will be joining Cougar Squad as an Operator and she will also be our resident pilot."
"Rampart, front and centre!" Hit Girl ordered.
Rampart stepped forwards and she received her Fusion ID card which bore her rank and her gold wings. She also received the patch for her flight suit which was gold on black, the Fusion wings in the centre with FUSION above and RAMPART below. The patch was bordered in gold thread.
"Thank you," Rampart said before blushing bright red as the room exploded into cheering and applause.
Once the cheering and applause had ceased, Hit Girl continued to speak.
"Welcome, Rampart. We also welcome two little shits, too . . . not my description, but that was how Rampart and Ember referred to their siblings, Kendra and Billy."
Kendra and Billy both scowled at their big sisters.
"Kendra and Billy are still considering their part in Fusion, but for now, they will be referred to as Slink and Sneak, respectively."
"Cool!" Kendra/Slink exclaimed.
Billy/Sneak simply grinned.
Later that evening
Rampart was being shown around the facility of which she had not seen all that much.
Stormtide was showing Rampart the all-important route to Safehouse F when they came across the 'dubious duo' as Psyche and Fury had been christened by Kick-Ass.
"You seem a little subdued, oh mighty Psyche," Stormtide commented with a grin.
"Jetlag – or maybe, Abigail-lag," Psyche responded dryly. "I've had to listen to her drone on and on and on, all the way across the North Atlantic, and then all the way back across said ocean."
"I don't drone," Fury responded furiously.
"Yes, you do," Psyche assured Fury.
"I do not!"
At that point, Stormtide swiftly grasped Rampart by the arm and pulled her away.
"Those two will be at it for hours," Stormtide explained. "Total nutcases if you ask me."
Rampart raised an eyebrow at that comment.
"So, you and me, we are one hundred per cent sane, huh?" Rampart chuckled.
"Ninety per cent," Stormtide replied. "Maybe seventy . . . no, let's go for sixty per cent sane."
Rampart simply shook her head as the two girls made for the elevator.
That night
North Lakewood Avenue
"I'm too excited to sleep!"
"Kendra, please?"
"This is so awesome," Kendra continued. "That place was amazing . . . and I was really proud of you, Willow."
"Thanks," Willow grinned. "You like your codename?"
"That was really cool – Slink."
"Suits you."
Kendra grinned enormously.
"Please go to bed," Willow told the annoying ten-year-old. "Read a book – there's a million of them in your room."
"Okay . . . love you, night!"
Kendra gave her big sister a hug and a kiss before she scampered off to her bedroom.
..._...
While Willow sighed with relief as she was finally able to close her eyes and get to sleep, Kendra climbed into her bed and she sat there for several minutes contemplating her new life.
As a Yellow, her living accommodations had been stark. They had been eight to a concrete room – it was more of a cell, to be honest – with four bunkbeds and very little living space for them, just a pair of wooden tables and benches which could seat all eight of them. There was no distinction between the sexes, boys and girls in the same rooms. The eight of them shared a single bathroom equipped with two toilet cubicles, two sinks, and a single shower. So as not to be late to shifts, they were often forced to share the single shower. They had two changes of clothing – that was it. While the Predators received good food, three times a day, the Yellows received whatever was left over and they had to eat in their accommodation at the wooden table between shifts. The leftovers were plentiful, so that wasn't too bad, but they were made to feel like second-class citizens compared to the Predators. That meant that when a Predator was being punished, the Yellows were unrelenting in piling on the misery.
Kendra could remember overseeing many older kids in her time and she had enjoyed the power trip it had provided. It was one of the very few things that had made their lives tolerable. Most nights they had all cried themselves to sleep, nursing bruises from the regular beatings they had received during the day. Unlike the Predators who received drugs to manipulate their young minds, the Yellows received nothing, and they could remember everything about their former lives – although many wished that they could forget. In the winter, the temperature in their cell plummeted. They shivered through some nights and then relished the hot shower in the morning. They never knew what their day might entail, until they received their orders each morning.
Kendra smiled happily as she relished the warm room which she was now in. Indeed, the entire apartment was warm and cosy thanks to underfloor heating. Despite the frigid weather outside, she was always warm. Her bed was soft and the duvet thick – unlike the miserable beds she had slept in for years. Kendra allowed her head to sink into the super-soft pillow and she reached over to turn off her bedside lamp. She was the happiest that she had been in a long time and knowing that her big sister was just a dozen yards away was comforting in a way she had not known before.
The young girl just hoped that when she closed her eyes, she might have pleasant dreams, and not the nightmares.
The next morning
Monday, January 9th
North Lakewood Avenue
"Kendra, are you up, yet?"
Willow pushed open her sister's bedroom door to find the youngster drying herself off after taking a shower.
"Get dressed," Willow directed. "I'll do some oatmeal."
"Thanks, sis."
Willow made for the kitchen and began to prepare two bowls of oatmeal – it was cold out. She was not happy about going back to school, but it had been a non-negotiable part of Mindy's deal. Willow was to join the 11th grade at Lake View High School with Rachel who would be in the 9th grade. The two youngsters would both start in the 5th grade at North Park Elementary School. Just as Willow had finished preparing the oatmeal, Kendra appeared looking surprisingly smart with her light brown hair brushed neatly and held in place with a headband.
"Not bad, kid," Willow said as Kendra sat down and began to dig into her oatmeal.
"I want to look nice for my first day," Kendra reasoned.
..._...
At 8 o'clock, Willow and Kendra headed down to the garage.
There, they found Rachel and Billy waiting for them. Willow unlocked the Focus and they all climbed inside. Just as Willow was reversing out of the garage, there was a yell. Willow stomped on the brake and clutch.
"Hi, guys!"
"Hi, Joel," Willow grinned. "What are you doing here?"
"I moved into the apartment on the first floor, just last night. Mindy says I have to go to school. She called me, just ten minutes ago, to tell me that you might take me."
The boy grinned hopefully. He knew that Willow would give into him – they had a connection of sorts.
"Get in!" Willow laughed.
Joel pulled open the backdoor and he climbed in once Kendra had shuffled over into the middle.
"Hi, guys – hi, Rachel."
"Joel."
"Are you having sex with my sister?" Kendra asked innocently, almost causing Willow to crash the car.
"Kendra!" Willow yelled as she straightened the car up on the street.
"Is Billy having sex with you?" Joel quipped.
"Joel!" Willow exclaimed as Kendra giggled.
"Nah," Kendra confirmed. "His dick's way too small."
Rachel burst out laughing as Billy sulked.
North Park Elementary School
The drive was short and the two youngest were soon running into the school accompanied by Danny, Anne-Marie, Jamie, Stephanie, and Abigail.
Kendra and Billy were wide-eyed as they took in everything they saw, felt, smelt. They could hear laughter and giggling. They could hear shouting and joking. Everywhere, there was happiness. It was a concept that neither had been aware of for so very long.
"You get used to it," Jamie admitted. "This is your new life, guys."
"It takes time but we're here for you both," Abigail added. "You both may have been different to us but you both went through hell and you both deserve a life just as much as we do."
"Fucking hell!" Stephanie blurted out. "Did that just come from Abigail's mouth?"
"Think so," Danny grinned.
"That was actually very intelligent, Abigail," Stephanie commented in a surprised tone.
"She has a point . . . for once," Anne-Marie agreed.
Abigail scowled.
"It won't happen again," she pouted.
Lake View High School
Willow found that she had that nervous problem again as she climbed out of her car and locked the doors once Rachel and Joel were out.
"Nervous?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know if I can do this," Willow replied.
"The Willow I know is not a quitter."
"Bitch!"
Rachel grinned as two people headed their way.
"We have company," Rachel pointed out.
"Hi, Willow – we're here to show you around and get you to your first class," Chloe grinned.
Willow surveyed the happy faces of Chloe and Joshua.
"This is hell!" Willow groaned.
"Think yourself lucky," Rachel commented, I have these two."
Shannon grinned as did Marc.
"Shouldn't you two be fucking?" Willow commented.
"We're pacing ourselves," Shannon whispered.
Before anybody could move, Willow yelled out in pain as somebody collided with her before crashing to the floor.
"For fuck's sake, Megan!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Sorry, Willow," Megan apologised as Chloe pulled her to her feet. "I'm late."
Megan vanished to be replaced by two girls about her own age.
"Hi, Willow, I'm Riley and this is Avery, Chloe told us you were starting today."
"My best friends," Chloe admitted.
"What am I, then?"
Chloe turned to an annoyed looking Abby.
"You are by bestest best friend," Chloe grinned.
"That isn't even a word," Abby laughed.
"Doesn't matter," Kyle chuckled. "Chloe doesn't know what words are."
"Funny, Kyle!" Chloe scowled.
"Come on, ladies, gentlemen . . . and Miss Bennett."
"Yes, Mr Swanson."
"Welcome to Lake View High, Willow, Rachel," Isaac Swanson said. "Ignoring Miss Bennett's rough edges, she can be trusted to guide you. Excuse me. Miss Hella and Miss Doherty; no running in the corridors! I don't care if you're running late, Miss Doherty. First warning, Miss Doherty; that language will not be tolerated."
"I didn't say anything, Mr Swanson," Saoirse groaned.
"No, but your fingers did, and it was not sign language that is used in polite conversation."
"Come on, SD," Morgan said, pushing the younger girl down the corridor.
Isaac chuckled – never a dull day with hyperactive vigilantes and Predators around. The man strode into his classroom where his seventh-grade physics class was settling down.
"Right, ladies and gentlemen . . . Megan, let's behave like a normal human being, please . . . this week, we are going to explore gravity."
North Park Elementary School
Stephanie was very pleased once lunch arrived – she was starving.
It had been a good morning with nothing particularly stressful and her mind had lapped up all the knowledge with ease. After grabbing a sandwich, an apple, and some orange juice, Stephanie sat down with the usual, but expanded, group of fifth-grade miscreants.
"Your boobs grown over the holidays, Steph?" Jackson Evans asked without a hint of shame.
There was general laughter.
"Just kill me now," Stephanie groaned as she banged her head on the table.
"Ignore him, Steph," Jackson's sister, Katy, said. "He's been a dick since before the holidays."
"He's been a dick for a lot longer than that," Ali Johns muttered.
Jackson frowned and he turned his attention elsewhere.
"Aren't girls your age supposed to have boobs?" he asked Abigail.
"Aren't boys who ask personal questions supposed to have broken noses?" she responded as Ali and Katy cheered.
"I'd quit while you're still in one piece," Craig James suggested with a huge grin.
"Just wanting some fun," Jackson groused, then he looked over at the two newcomers. "You two an item?" he asked Kendra and Billy.
"What's it to you?" Kendra demanded.
"Yeah!" Billy added, rolling his eyes.
"Just checking," Jackson grinned.
"Give it a rest, Jackson," Stephanie advised. "No girl wants to go anywhere near you."
"Maybe you should be LGBLT or whatever it is," Iain Millar suggested.
"For God's sake!" Katy groaned.
"It's LGBT, idiot," Ali confirmed.
"Oh," Iain said.
"I so want to be normal," Leo Graves complained.
"No . . . chance . . . of that . . . here," Stephanie said as she chewed her sandwich.
..._...
A few tables over, the fourth-grade and third-grade sat together for mutual support.
Jamie was sitting with Danny, and the two Travers boys, Simon and Samuel. Anne-Marie, Sabrina Travers, Xiāngxìn, and Becky sat nearby. Both groups were chatting amongst themselves as they ate.
"What's up, Becky?" Xiāngxìn asked.
"I got into trouble, last night."
"How?" Sabrina asked.
"What did you do?" Anne-Marie added.
"Well . . . I might have been somewhere I shouldn't have been, and I might have accidentally been playing with something I shouldn't have been playing with and then I might have by mistake made a mess with said item which I should not have been playing with. Chloe might have been very angry with me and she might have shouted at me using some very bad words," Becky explained. "Then I might have been sent to bed straight after dinner. Chloe might have still been a little angry with me this morning."
"Did you say sorry?" Anne-Marie asked.
"Yes," Becky pouted. "I didn't mean it . . . I just didn't think."
"You're a kid – it happens," Xiāngxìn said.
Sabrina nodded.
Lake View High School
"So, how was your first morning?" Morgan asked Willow.
"Not too taxing," Willow replied truthfully. "I actually enjoyed math."
"Good for you," Morgan grinned as a loud voice was heard.
"Bunch of inbred twats, if you ask me."
"Who?" another voice asked.
"Bennett, Hunt, Andrews – that lot."
Morgan saw Willow scowl.
"Leave it, Willow; she's not worth it," Morgan cautioned.
Willow stood up and she turned to the obnoxious girl.
"You have a problem with those people?" Willow queried.
The girl looked Willow up and down and did not appear impressed by what she saw.
"You're new, right? Well, 'those people' are weird and not people you want as friends. I'm Juno Grant, and I can keep you right."
"Ignore her," Morgan persisted.
"And I wouldn't hang around with this weirdo, either," Juno cautioned.
"Don't you remember what happened the last time you mouthed off, Grant?" Ethan Anderson commented.
Juno glowered at the boy – she did remember, and that was the problem. She has suffered many months of being ignored by all those who had once feared her. That damn Bennett and her wanker of a boyfriend had ruined everything and one day, they would pay. But for the moment, she needed to build up her followers and the new girl appeared to be able to look after herself.
"Look here . . . Juno, is it?" Willow began and Juno nodded. "I think you're an egotistical stuck up bitch who desperately needs a fuck! Now, stay out of my way and stay away from my friends, capiche?"
"Okay," Juno responded, stepping back from Willow who had entered Juno's personal space.
"It was nice meeting you, Juno," Willow said before she sat down beside Ethan.
Morgan also sat down, grinning at Willow.
That afternoon
"Well, did you enjoy your first day back, guys?" Mindy asked.
"It was awesome!" Anne-Marie responded a little too loudly.
"I really enjoyed it," Danny admitted with some reluctance.
"Not a bad day," Jamie added.
"I didn't get a letter or detention!" Stephanie grinned happily.
"It was the first day of school, Steph," Mindy griped. "Nothing to boast about."
"I didn't get shot, either," Stephanie tried.
"Still nothing to boast about, honey."
Stephanie groaned as she thought it to be quite a milestone for her.
Glenview
"Back in one piece, I see," Dave commented.
"Yep," Stephanie grinned.
"No letter or detention?"
"No."
"That's cool."
"Mindy doesn't think so."
"She's just sour because you're better behaved than she was at school," Dave chuckled.
"Am not," Mindy responded. "I just want Steph to have higher expectations, is all."
"Homework – all of you!" Dave ordered and the four kids scurried up the stairs.
North Lakewood Avenue
Willow had not been able to get a word in edgeways, and neither had Rachel.
Kendra was talking non-stop – Joel couldn't figure out how the girl was able to breathe – with the occasional input from Billy. The two kids had obviously enjoyed an amazing day. It had been the first structured day for both kids for many years and both had loved it immensely. It was only when Willow parked the car and then she and Rachel climbed out that Kendra took a moment to stop talking. Then Billy took over. . .
Willow waved goodbye to Joel on the first floor and then Rachel with a still chattering Billy on the second floor before heading up to the third floor with Kendra.
"How was your day, sis?" Kendra asked as Willow flopped down on the couch in the living room.
"Tiring, but I think it went well. Thanks for asking."
"I never knew that Predators could be fun to talk to," Kendra commented. "We always saw them as better than us and we hated them for it. But having met kids just like me and Billy who went through so much but are happy to treat us as equals, is simply amazing."
"Yes," Willow replied as she looked around their apartment.
It was almost too good to be true, but it was happening. Willow had never felt so happy and it was blatantly obvious that Kendra was ecstatic about it all.
"You got homework?"
"Yeah," Kendra moaned.
"Go do it, please. I have my own to do, then we can get something to eat."
"Pizza?" Kendra asked hopefully.
"We'll see."
"Yippee!"
That evening
Somewhere in the city. . .
"So, the useless idiot failed to take out a single vigilante, huh?"
"Bad luck, it seemed."
"I want some damage . . . I want high profile targets."
"Such as?"
"Take out Hit Girl and Psyche."
"Hit Girl and Psyche, eh? I can do that – cost you though."
"Take them both down and you get a hundred k – kill 'em and you get double."
"Treble."
"Deal."
Four days later
Friday, January 13th
18:50
Safehouse F
"Do you ever get that feeling that something feels really wrong?"
"Yes, Steph, I do, and tonight is one of those times," Mindy replied as she pulled on her armour. "You feel it too?"
"Just a bit."
"Unfortunately, all we can do is be extra vigilant in our actions," Mindy offered sagely. "There are people relying on us."
"Do you tell people about feeling worried?"
"Not usually, but you're different."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Stephanie grinned.
"You do that."
..._...
That night was to be one of those Psyche treasured most.
It was rare for it to be just the two of them, but she loved it when it came around. Psyche felt like she was somebody special to be allowed to ride with Hit Girl. They began their patrol to the north of Safehouse F and then proceeded northwards up South Western Avenue. There was not much trouble, but no matter what, Psyche could not shake that feeling of impending doom. Part of her mind told her that it was just her being overcautious considering that she had been shot by a sniper, sunk in the VIGILANTE, suffered numerous injuries, and God only knew what. There were times that Psyche was concerned about reaching her eleventh birthday, let alone anything else. Just reaching double figures had taken a lot of effort on her part and it had been with immense relief that she had turned ten while driving around Europe the previous year.
Mind you, if Hit Girl wasn't worried, then why should she be?
..._...
For Hit Girl, it was an enjoyable evening.
She enjoyed being out with her eldest daughter and she was proud to have her their beside her. Hit Girl thought it amusing that the cunts on the streets were very afraid of Psyche, purely because of how close she appeared to be to Hit Girl. Nobody messed with Hit Girl, nor with the one who was being dubbed, unofficially of course, 'Daughter of Hit Girl'. Hit Girl had heard the moniker being used by Worm who had learned it from some other lowlifes in the city. Hit Girl had liked it. For the moment, she had kept the moniker to herself lest Psyche's swelling ego threaten to prevent her fitting through doorways.
As they reached West Ogden Avenue, Hit Girl caught sight of something which piqued her interest - it was probably nothing, but the night had been rather boring to that point, and she desired some action. She turned down West 13th Street and followed the suspect vehicle, a smart new Jeep that Hit Girl recognised as probably being the proceeds from drug dealing. They kept to the speed limit and Hit Girl was unsure if she and Psyche had been spotted on the ill-lit street. There were plenty of places in the area where a deal could go down with very little chance of being seen by the CPD. That was a surprise considering that the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Chicago Office backed onto West 13th Street, but the FBI had other interests in the city. It was only when they crossed over South Woolcott Avenue that Hit Girl began seeing alarm bells in her mind, but it was only when they entered the next intersection that the Jeep SUV suddenly stopped in the middle of the street.
They both slowed, keeping their distance . . . until their world shattered.
21:02
The Battle Bunker
"Hit Girl, report!"
"Psyche, report!"
All communications had suddenly ceased – video and audio. Battle Guy pounded away on his keyboard as he attempted to track down the problem. A few feet away, Hal was bringing up the final video recorded by the cameras mounted on the two motorcycles. Then the internal communications system came to life – it was the voice of Fiend.
"Break, break! This is Synthesis, we have reports of a large explosion at South Wood Street and West 13th Street."
"Last location of Hit Girl and Psyche," Battle Guy snapped, dread creeping into his voice.
"Oh, fuck!" Hal exclaimed as she checked the map. "South Wood Street and West 13th Street."
Battle Guy stabbed the microphone button before him.
"Hit Girl down! Psyche down! Support needed South Wood Street and West 13th Street!"
"CRITTER, IRON HIDE, secure the area!" Hal radioed.
CRITTER
The matte black vehicle roared down South Ashland Avenue the very moment the emergency call came through.
The 6.8-litre V8 turbo diesel produced over three-hundred horsepower to push the nine-tonne vehicle along at high speed. Jackal was at the wheel and he was not sparing any of the proverbial horses as he raced around obstacles, mounting the curb and sidewalk where necessary. He crossed over West Roosevelt Road, blasting through the empty intersection before executing a four-wheel drift onto West 13th Street. Ahead of him, he could see smoke and debris scattered across the street. A CPD cruiser and an Illinois State Police cruiser were already at the scene and sirens could be heard from other emergency vehicles responding to the explosion.
Jackal stood on the brakes, slewing the large vehicle to a halt beside the first police vehicle. He jumped out, along with Stormtide and Wildcat. All three sprinted forwards, the CPD officers and state troopers allowing the three vigilantes clear access to where two wrecked motorcycles littered the street, both surrounded by bricks and other rubble. Wildcat's eyes darted around the scene looking for the bodies which had to be there.
"There!" Stormtide called out.
A short distance beyond the debris field, three people were grouped beneath a tree. Two were on the ground with the third standing above them. The two on the ground were Hit Girl and Psyche. Both had removed their helmets and were leaning against the tree.
"They're okay, just very shaken," the CPD officer said as the three vigilantes approached.
..._...
Hit Girl was angry.
As she sat on the ground, her mind struggled to piece together events. It had all happened so fast. One minute she and Psyche had been riding up the street, the next, they were both on the ground, their ears ringing from the sound of an explosion close by. She had blacked out for a few moments, as had Psyche, but both had sought each other out and crawled to the side of the street. There, a CPD officer had found them and helped them both to sit against the tree. As far as Hit Girl could tell, she had no broken bones, and neither did Psyche.
At that moment, IRON HIDE came to an abrupt halt a few yards away and Kick-Ass emerged with Surgeon in tow. Hit Girl looked up at Kick-Ass and she raised a thumb indicating that she was okay. Kick-ass strode straight past Hit Girl and stopped by Psyche. The veteran vigilante reached down, and he pulled the youngster to her feet.
"You, okay?" he growled.
"Few bumps and bruises," Psyche commented, glad that her mask was covering up her tears of pain.
"Don't mind me!" Hit Girl growled as she stood up.
"I won't," Kick-Ass chuckled as he waved Hit Girl and Psyche towards IRON HIDE.
Safehouse F
Jennifer stepped out of the suite smiling grimly.
"They're both sleeping," she told Dave. "A lot of bruises, but nothing which won't heal."
"Thank you, Jen."
"They've both been through much worse."
"I know."
..._...
Dave was in a mood to kill.
His wife and daughter had been attacked. There had been no other targets for the bomb – just Hit Girl and Psyche. Someone was trying to send a message by attacking two very high-profile targets. They had also declared war on Fusion. Dave pushed open the door to the suite and he checked on the two girls. Both were sleeping soundly in the bed. There was a vivid bruise visible on Stephanie's left cheek and a very similar one on Mindy's forehead. The other bruises were hidden under the duvet and Dave knew that they would be just as vivid. Only the sedatives which Jen had administered were allowing both girls to sleep through their pain. He was not the only one to be livid. The rest of Fusion were wanting to tear the city apart in search of the bomber.
Dave looked at his girls and he smiled.
"Sleep tight," Dave said as he turned off the light and closed the door.
Author's Note: The story as far as Lara, Lily, Mackenzie, and Isaac are concerned continues in Chapter 67: Cockburn Hall of my other story Vengeance.