Prism Academy 5- Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Chapter 15- Assault on Amazo

Marcus continued, “They are using explosives to blast their way inside. Security forces have engaged with government forces, but the strike force is significant. There are also at least twelve Rays in their team, so the defenses are being overwhelmed.”

“Signal all defenses to retreat and open a path. I want to bring them inside.”

Marcus started doing as ordered, but Demis asked me, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

Precision answered for me. “He’s trying to control the battlefield and limit the damage outside. He doesn’t want to let the fight be any more public than it has to be.”

“Exactly. I’d have them chase us down to the labs except…”

Sophia finished my statement. “That could destroy the machines, which are making more nanites.”

I nodded. Sophia wasn’t bonded with me, she was just bright. It was good that our team, whether bonded or not was working so well together.

“Our priorities should be trying to immobilize as many of the enemy Rays as possible. I don’t wanna think of them as enemies, but it is what it is. Suggestions?”

Precision put on her serious strategy face. Her drones were already flying out from the hive which Sophia had helped construct. It was always odd to see that many drones coming out of such a small space, but that was the perk of using Sophia’s evolution. “ANOP and I are already way ahead of you. Sybilla, you’re with me for command. We’ll be directing teams. Aden, you’ll lead the A-Team with CB, Titana, and Valkyrie.”

With my team all around me, I felt secure. We were gonna handle this. That security made me comfortable enough that I snicker when Precision mentioned our team designation. They all looked at me.

“From the L.A. underground, you’ve got a problem that no one else can handle. Don’t worry, you’ve just hired the A-team.”

A couple of my bonds started to shake their heads or even groan. They knew my fixation with old Vid-stream movies and shows from before Earthfall. “What? I might not have the words exactly right, but I couldn’t help myself.”

Precision just ignored me. “Try to teleport any of the Rays, which can’t be easily contained away. We’re trusting you three to keep Aden safe if he decides to make any stupid moves, but I assigned you because you all need more time with him and you make up a good squad.

“B-Team will be led by Inferna with Twinkle and Aqueous. C-Team will be led by Demis with Wraith and Eve. Inferna your team will focus on teleporting any hostile Rays away and Demis your team will try to immobilize enemy Rays. Phase them into objects or whatever you have to do. Try your best not to kill enemy Rays because Aden’s rule is that the shadow is the enemy, not humans.”

They all nodded, and we split into our teams. I knew that some of them weren’t happy with their assignments, but this was combat, so I put that aside and focused on my team. “Grab on, I’m teleporting us to the first Ray that ANOP can find for us.”

The three of them put their hands on me and by that time the AI had already broken down the data from the security cameras. This attack felt very heavy-handed. The Amazo security forces were falling back and instructed and I made a mental note that Marcus deserved a raise. Competent people were worth paying and not only had he done his job to defend the people here, he also pivoted on a dime when my command changed. I liked a guy who was as concerned about the safety of his people as he was with the mission.

As we teleported in, I stepped cautiously into the ravaged lobby of the corporate building, my enhanced senses were instantly assaulted by the chaos that had erupted moments ago. At the same time, my growing psychic abilities felt the terror and fear on both sides.

The Amazo employees had simply been doing their job. For them, this was supposed to be just another day at work. Now they were caught between the employer and a government which seemed to have lost its mind. I still was trying to figure out the angles but had come to the opinion that the shadow was now controlling Bosch and maybe other elements of the government. I just had to be careful not to act like every one of these supers and soldiers was the enemy as much as pawns.

The scene before me was shocking. The once-opulent entrance, with its soaring ceilings that seemed to touch the sky, now appeared vulnerable and shattered in the wake of the explosion. Through the choking dust, I could make out the delicate stonework that had once adorned the walls, now cracked and marred by the violence that had just occurred. The remnants of expensive chandeliers, which had once hung elegantly from the ceiling, lay scattered across the floor, their twinkling crystals now nothing more than glittering shards amidst the debris.

Despite the destruction, there was still an air of luxury that clung to the space – a testament to the wealth and power which Amazo Corps wielded both before and after I took control. Plush, velvet sofas were upended, their deep, rich hues muted by the thick layer of dust that had settled over them. The marble floor, which had once gleamed beneath the opulent light fixtures, was now covered in grit and rubble. The acrid smell of smoke and burnt materials filled my nostrils, while the distant sound of sirens wailed faintly in the background.

As fire teams of four moved in, I took note of their weaponry. Three of them were armed with high-tech rifles, their barrels glinting menacingly in the dim, hazy light. The fourth was encased in the latest suit of powered armor, the suit's sleek design making the wearer appear almost otherworldly. I knew that my team, consisting of three powerful female supers, would have to be cautious in our approach.

CB stood close by. Her eyes closed as she focused her mental energy on scanning the area for threats. I’d witnessed firsthand how deadly she could be. Titana adjusted her stance. I felt her activate her evolution and make her body density increase. Even with the vaulted ceiling, it would be dangerous for her increase her size inside the building. Valkyrie never looked completely at ease outside of her jet or with some machine parts in her hand for her to tinker with. That didn’t mean she couldn’t be deadly when needed. She was wielding a pair of particle weapons and scanning the surrounding like the trained soldier she was. The determination in her eyes mirrored what I was feeling.

As we moved further into the lobby, the sounds of Amazo’s security forces retreating and ushering civilian employees to safety filled my ears. The cries and moans of injured workers, some caught in the blast and others captured by the enemy soldiers, brought a sense of urgency to our mission. I could feel the heat from the still-smoldering wreckage on my skin, while the lingering taste of ash and smoke coated my tongue.

We were not here to kill, but to locate and apprehend the enemy supers who had joined in this attack. I didn’t know if they were simply supers contracted with the military following orders or if there was something more sinister going on. In my view, following orders wasn’t a good enough reason for them to turn a blind eye to what was happening.

As the dust settled and the chaos began to subside, my senses remained on high alert. Every sound, every scent, every sensation was a clue that would bring me closer to my target. With the fate of more than just a few employees hanging in the balance, I knew that my team and I had to act quickly and decisively. In the midst of destruction, dust, and despair, we stood as a beacon of hope for the world, but whatever lies were being spun about Krig’s attack on Mexico City threatened to damage that. The world needed that hope too desperately now.

There was already a gaping hole inside the outer wall and teams of normal soldiers were moving in with an armored power suit in each fire team. Stopping those would be easy, but they weren’t the primary targets. We materials between two fire teams behind us and a pair of Rays moving into the building.

Mental communication made things simpler and so the girls knew they were supposed to take out the fire teams while I handled the Rays. They might not like it and truthfully it could go all kinds of wrong, but it had to be. Valkyrie wasn’t as strong of a fighter as the others, but Titana and CB would make up for what she lacked in the department.

One of the Rays fired blue beams of light from her hand. It was some type of electricity, but it might as well have just been a light massage for all that it affected me. I gave myself the rare opportunity to tease her, “Oh, that tickles.”

The Ray next to her was clearly more of a hands on type but didn’t get a chance to do anything as I was on her before she knew what was happening. A combination of super-speed, strength, and virtual invulnerability was hard to deal with for most anyone. My respect for her as a Ray meant that I didn’t feel any guilt as I slammed a palm strike into her gut, doubling her over before bringing the edge of my hand down on the back of her neck.

I held back. Killing her wasn’t the object, just incapacitating her. I surged forward as I caught her and then slammed into the Red Ray. Once I was touching both of them, I activated my teleportation ability. Just before I did, I felt a hand touch my lower back. Everything was happening so quickly and I relied upon my Precognition to warn me about any attack I didn’t see coming, so I was unprepared.

We were whisked away to Mexico City. With my capacity, I could teleport to anywhere I’d been, this was just the first spot that came to mind. It was also sufficiently far away that anyone but a speedster would have trouble getting back to the fight.

When we appeared, I realized what had happened. CB had tagged along. The question was why?