Anne lay prone upon a hill overlooking the UAPS vault. Her eyes glowed a deep yellow as she manifested her ability.
“These patrols are pretty tight. I’m not seeing any gaps. From what I can tell, the front entrance has three sets of checkpoints, while the rear has two. However, the rear entrance has the dispatch for the Empath security. Feels like we either need a clear shot through the front, or a way to deal with a lot of guards,” Anne said.
Hector cracked his knuckles. “Dealing with a lot of guards sounds fun to me. I don’t mind a little brawl.” He grinned a toothy grin.
Nao grimaced. “And if they capture you, or worse, what exactly will we do?”
“Capture me? I’m like the wind. I can’t be held down.” Hector made an exaggerated motion like he was flying away.
Anne sighed. “What happens to Nao when you’re ‘like the wind’ and booking it away from the scene? You want her to get trapped there?”
“Then I’ll just have to save her, too. What’s the problem?” Hector flexed, feeling excited at the opportunity.
Anne changed the subject quickly, not wanting to waste time on Hector’s antics. “Nao, I can see a spot where you should have no trouble getting a look at the back doors without detection. The routes look like the shuffle every ten minutes or so. If you can get a good look at the doors, we can definitely get in.” Nao nodded, moving into position. “Hector, move to this position. You can see the patrols and Nao from here. If anything goes wrong, I need you to cover her and get out. No fireworks, no bodies. Please don’t make a scene.”
Hector saluted. “Of course, commander. We’ll make it a clean operation,” he said with a light chuckle.
Nao waiting in hiding for what felt like an eternity. If it was ten minutes, it sure felt like ten hours. Boredom crept in. Her mind wandered to thoughts of what could happen, of the people she could help if this mission went well. In that moment of fogginess, it happened. Shift change. The two sets of doors opened, one after the other, and the guard relieved each other of the post. She had seen what she needed.
“Entry spotted,” Nao said into her headset. “All clear.”
“Roger. Confirmed on my end,” Anne said.
“Got it. Let’s go back,” Hector said, clearly tired of sitting around.
They regrouped at the temporary base camp. Anne updated the drawing board with the rear entrance.
“Six guards at the front, three between checkpoints, three inside the checkpoints, and dispatch with guards about to come on shift in a waiting room. That’s a notable reserve. It looks like they don’t ever clear out the reserve. If we want to do this, we need to pull twelve guards minimum. At least long enough for Nao to get in. That still leaves the variable of the guards inside. We need to be distracting but not enough to set off alarms. I don’t know if we can do that.” Anne shuffled nervously, clearly knowing this was folly. “But we need to do it. This outpost is providing UAPS with a great deal of resources for keeping this area in control. This city is your home, Hector. I know if we call off the mission, you’ll go on your own.”
“You’re damn right. My family hasn’t breathed easy in five years. This is a step in the right direction and a big one. I’d die if it meant my family could feel freedom again.” Hector’s fist balled up so hard it looked like he’d tear through his own palm. “I won’t let it happen again. Not after they took Lupe.”
Nao put a hang on Hector’s shoulder. “Your family is my family, Hector. We’re doing this.”
“Then why don’t we go now? Forget tomorrow. Forget some other day. If they spotted us, they’re going to beef up defenses and they sure won’t let us know they did,” Hector said, excitedly. It was almost as if a fire lit in his eyes. This meant everything to him.
“Listen, my exit strategy is easy. If you two want to go now, we go. I’ll be your eyes but I sure won’t be your backup,” Anne said. “It’s important, but I can’t save anyone if I’m dead or captured.”
“Let’s go. I can do this.” Nao held her chest tightly. “I have to.”
“So what’s the gameplan? Hector, what’s the move?” Anne queried.
“I’m just going to have a chat with our friends at the gate. No worries,” He smiled. Anne, of course, worried.
Anne returned to her distant position to keep eyes out. Hector left his headset behind to be less conspicuous. Nao moved into a covert spot and an angle from Hector, prepared to move in as his “distraction” went into play.
“Hello, my friends! I was looking for directions. I heard there was a convenience store in this area that has a really good deal on corndogs. Do you know what I’m talking about?” Hector said in an extremely unconvincing cheery tone.
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“What is your business here, sir?” A tall guard said, sternly. Proudly displayed on his chest was ED12-77, meaning he was ranked 77th in the Empath Defensive Brigade, twelfth zone, which was this district. Not really much of an achievement in a small district like this. This was the top ranked man amongst the six out front. Hector has no concern if this turned ugly.
“Just directions, my friend. I thought I already said that?” Hector prodded a bit.
The man manifested a large blue shield in the shape of a riot shield on his left arm, reaching for his gun with his right hand. “Stand down and walk away. I will not ask again.”
“Bloodshed over corndogs? My friend, this is ridiculous. Shouldn’t be break bread together? Are we not comrades? We share a home, do we not?” Hector grinned. He was clearly clenching his teeth. Not the best actor.
Nao noticed the six out front seemed preoccupied. She moved closer to clear the first door. “Anne, can you see the badges of the six inside? Do we have any assault or capture brigade?”
“Negative. All support and defense.”
“Roger. I’m going.” Nao sprinted to the door. A light yellow glow surrounded her heart. The door to enter shifted immediately to an open position. She slid through. There sat three guards, idly chatting with each other. Not giving them time to think, she shifted her focus to the next checkpoint. It shifted to an open position. At this point the three interior guards manifested a blue tower shield and a red longsword. The third guard had a yellow glow project from his hands, affecting the other two. She presumed they were given more strength, but couldn’t confirm this. Knowing the sword was manifested by someone not specialized in attack, she was unconcerned.
“Stop where you are!” The one manifesting a shield shouted, drawing his gun. Nao shifted her focus around her to a state just before the drew on her. All physical weapons were back in their holsters, leaving the only weapon drawn being the red sword. Knowing the shield guard was off guard by his gun disappearing Nao tackled his legs, dropping him to the ground. She sprinted past to the storage behind. Quickly she grabbed several boxes of crystals and moved to return where she came.
“Nao, you need to get out now. I spotted an EA1-01 at the entrance. Lily Angstrom. She might as well be an Aetherial. Get what you can and go,” Anne shouted through the headset. She needed to get Hector’s attention. Anne knew he could help Nao escape. But how? Fortunately, he didn’t need a hint.
“That’s it! You’re under arrest for trespassing and ignoring orders of the military,” The large guard outside shouted at Hector. The guard fired at Hector. The bullet never hit. Hector manifested his red greatsword and blocked the shot, knowing full well when someone was at their tipping point. He used the flat of the blade as a ram and knocked the guard down, smashing his gun in the process.
“I thought we were friends! Well, who else wants a spar?” Hector pointed his blade outward, slowly moving it to point at each guard remaining on their feet. The guards were clearly shaken by his immediate action.
The attention of the three guards just inside the door was stirred. They moved outside to confront Hector. Nao took advantage of this and slipped outside.
“And where are you going?” Before Nao stood what looked like a knight of legend. She clad herself in a full blue set of armor, an Empath manifestation. A red manifested spear was held aloft in her right hand. “I believe you have what’s ours. Return it and I may let you live.”
Lily Angstrom. One of the few empaths so in control of their emotions they can form strong manifestations of any form, and multiple simultaneously. Frequently dispatched on missions instead of an Aetherial. Her results were known to be more consistent than most Aetherial’s. A boogeyman to anyone trying to oppose the UAPS. And for a good reason.
“You have nothing to say for yourself?” Lily asked, clearly seeing Nao shaking in fear. “Then this will be your last moment. May you be at peace.” Lily took a stance to thrust at Nao. Nao rallied and ran as far as she could, making distance.
“Nao! I’m on my way!” Hector shouted with a roar. Four of the guards were in his path to assist. He smashed his sword into the first, knocking him aside. After feeling the blow land, he banished the sword and glowed a light yellow. He increased his strength enough to barrel through the other three, stopping between Nao and Lily. As he passed, the raw aether fell to the ground and shattered, creating a cloud of dust. Hector was so caught up in the moment, he blocked the next thrust of the spear with his bare hand. His hearth thumped harder and harder.
He had to save her. The spear needed to go. He had to do it. He needed to. There was no other way.
His heart beat so loud that it felt like it was breaking out of his chest.
The yellow glow of his manifestation faded. A lustrous red glow covered his palm. Bright flames emerged from his back. The spear vanished. He had awakened as an Aetherial.
“What nonsense is this? Our intel didn’t say there was an Aetherial here. No matter.” Lily seemed perplexed, then amused.
As this was happening, Nao slowly inched to circle behind Lily. She couldn’t let him fight this alone. She grabbed a rock and moved to smash Lily over the head.
“Do you think I don’t see you?” Lily laughed and moved her arms to block. The rock vanished as Nao changed the reality to one without it. She dropped her arms around the waist of Lily and gripped as tight possible.
“Hector! Go!” She pleaded Hector to turn and run.
Hector felt different. He dashed up, placing his hand on Lily’s chest and focused. A handprint shaped hole tore through her armor. Flames emitted on the same point. The shape of Hector's hand etched into her flesh where armor once was. Feeling the force of it, Nao released Lily, letting her fall to the ground.
“Run. Hector we need to run!” Hector nodded. Nao ran ahead. Hector stayed a distance behind her. Seeing attempts at flimsy red weapons from the guards, he blocked them, dispersing the energy to flame easily while retreating.
They ran off toward the city, not wanting to be tailed to their base camp.
“Well, that could have gone worse,” said Anne, through Nao’s headset. “Didn’t expect Hector to awaken like that. At least their supply was destroyed rather than taken. Moderate success. Rendezvous with me downtown. They wouldn’t start a fight there. We’ll regroup there.” Nao nodded and relayed the directions to Hector.
Hector, looking exhausted, gave a light nod.
“Yeah, downtown sounds good anyway. I need a drink.”