A ripple spread through the Combat suits. It started as a murmur at the front, then continued in a wave until it reached my ears.

“Scythe,” they said.

“Scythe,” others muttered.

Some of the men at the tip of the blockade shifted nervously. A few even stepped backward.

I knew that name. I’d seen it in enough Bastion threads to care. It was as synonymous to the SRA as Dia Mater was to the CAH, and it sent shivers creeping up my spine.

Scythe the Mad. Scythe the Hero Killer.

“Colonel,” General Oluloye said, his gravel-like voice barely hiding his displeasure, “what do you think you are doing?”

“General Oluloye, sir,” Colonel Tijani replied, her voice equally as deep, and hoarse, like thick drums rumbling in a cave, “the Council has notified us they are dealing with a superhuman emergency. Agency regulations dictate I must now assume an advisory role.”

The hematoma on General Oluloye's head throbbed. “You are playing into their hands, Scythe. If you allow them to get away with this, they will only get bolder.”

“That will not happen under my watch, sir.” She turned a scowl on us. “Pro-now, I am requesting entrance for me and three of my troops.”

“Denied,” Pro-now said. “Your troops consist of Supers.”

Colonel Tijani’s fingers twitched. “This is as good a peace offering as you will get. An inspection must be carried out, and by SRA regulations, it may be performed by a platoon of normal troops or a squad of Supers. Do not push my generosity.”

Pro-now crossed his legs. Sunlight glinted off his visor. “Did Hyperlink come with you?”

“He did.”

“Then he is barred from entering.”

The Colonel snapped her fingers at someone in her group. “Done.”

“That limits your posse to two. And they must be known entities. Name them.”

“Mixer. All Mine.”

Pro-now nodded at the Combat suits. “Let her in.”

The side gate slid open. General Oluloye looked like he'd storm through it, but one pointed look from the Colonel stopped him in his tracks.

True to her word, Colonel Tijani breezed in with only two of her troops. One of them stood dark and stone-jawed, almost as tall as Rabidor. Muscles bulged on her thighs as she walked, and her tightly packed hair hung beneath a boonie hat. Behind her, a second Super followed—shorter than average—decked in a helmet and military armor that covered every inch of their form. A camouflage scarf that looked out of place on the ensemble trailed from their neck, fluttering in the breeze.

The Combat suits turned their weapons on the latter.

Colonel Tijani sighed. “A demonstration should suffice, All Mine.”

“Yes, ma,” All Mine said, features inscrutable behind her visor. She raised one gloved hand and visible energy came to life above it, spinning like electron orbits. She closed her palm and it popped with a fizzle. “Is this good enough for you, civvies?”

No one replied. Two Combat suits approached the newcomers, wielding mobile scanners.

Colonel Tijani regarded them with interest. “You've assembled quite the force here, Pro-now. A few more years and the Newtown Council could become another thorn in our side. This worries me.”

Mixer rumbled beneath her breath. The Combat suits exchanged nervous glances.

“What are you doing in Newtown, Scythe?” Dia Mater said. “You don’t have bigger problems to attend to?”

Colonel Tijani adjusted her cap. “I do. Between the Council creating two extra bases in the South-West and the trouble Saver gets up to, I have enough problems to occupy my every waking thought.” Her thin lips twisted into a smirk. “But you don’t get to decide what I focus on, do you? Until Seventeen Division creates another Special Forces battalion, Newtown remains under my jurisdiction. Which means you are encouraged to play nice. Whether you want to or not.”

A stray piece of paper blew across the grounds and latched onto her boot. She eyed it in disgust. “This is hardly befitting of a reception, Pro-now. You must be satisfied by now that we mean no harm.”

“I am not,” Pro-now said. “But we may continue within the base. Come along.”

He leaped off the truck and strode past Rabidor. He didn't say a word, but the latter perked up.

“Land forces, withdraw,” Rabidor said. “Ballboss, Odim, stand guard with me. The rest of you, prepare Scenario four.” He thumped his halberd on the ground—some kind of code—and leveled it at my team. “Pacesetters, follow after Pro-now.”

The Combat suits beat a hasty retreat. They split into four lines, heading off to predetermined locations.

We made our exit too, leaving the three Heroes alone with the assault vehicles. Pro-now led the Colonel’s party into the building.

“What was that about?” Neviecha said. “I thought for sure a fight was going to break out.”

I hummed and glanced back at the gate. “Something about the situation forced Pro-now’s hand. I don't think he seriously intended to fight though.”

“Oh, he did. Before the Scythe woman appeared, at least.” Neviecha shuddered. “I wonder what they want. The CAH and SRA generally try to stay out of each other’s way.”

“Who cares what they want?” Ava said, yawning. “They’re eating into my nap time.”

I cared. Mostly because the last time I'd ignored my gut feeling, it had come back to bite me in the ass. Or arm.

I snuck another look at the gates. Even with our sudden withdrawal, the atmosphere hadn’t become less tense. The SRA as a body hadn’t participated in the Eight-Day War. Where did all this bad blood come from?

Activity shouldered past me, taking the lead.

Scratch that. I could totally understand why the Council courted violence with the Agency. Some people just never stopped asking for it.

Pro-now showed the visitors through the expansive foyer with the standing banners and toward the east wing of the building complex where the admin offices lay.

My earpiece buzzed.

“Volley,” AV said. “No, you don't need to answer. Pro-now wants your team on the lookout while he discusses with Scythe. Place one member on Mixer. Another on All Mine. The rest should stand guard. We have a good read on the SRA's abilities, but you can never be certain with Supers.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Got it.”

My team glanced at me, and I gestured to them. Bazaar with All Mine. Activity with Mixer. The rest of us would maintain a perimeter.

Activity’s features contorted.

I met his glare with a smile he couldn't see and prepared to counter his inevitable disregard of the order. Then the moment passed, and he fell in step behind Mixer, clenching his fists.

Huh. He must have been galled to hear me addressed as the leader of the team. But he couldn't react just yet. Not with Pro-now on a short fuse.

Pro-now stopped beside a meeting room deep within Admin. “Enter,” he said, getting the door.

“How polite,” Colonel Tijani said. She removed her patrol cap and ordered her escorts, “Wait here. This won't take long.”

The two leaders disappeared into the room, leaving all seven of us to deal with the mounting tension. I directed Harvest and Neviecha to strategic chokepoints, and then I retraced my steps. The intersection between the med bay and Admin looked the most vulnerable, so I halted there, keeping an eye out for funny business.

Fifteen minutes later, the boredom seeped in.

“AV?” I said, holding my phone up to my ear.

“Volley?” he answered.

“I need you to fill me in again. What's up with this SRA business?”

AV offered a sigh. “I am as lost as you are. The SRA are renowned for their brazenness, though never at great detriment to themselves.”

“You don't think this is about Lekan, do you?”

“It isn't. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say they were ordered by their superiors to shake us up.”

“That's disturbing—” A hoarse voice reached my ears: some kind of conversation ran in the background of our phone call. “Hold on. Are you eavesdropping?”

The background noise died. “No.”

“I heard the Colonel, AV. You are eavesdropping.”

“And you are wrong, Volley. That meeting room is notoriously bug-free. I should go—”

“Can you quit it with the secrets?”

Static answered me.

“Look,” I said. “I am not selling you out. I'm just tired of always being in the dark. What you are doing is unlawful. But I want in on it. Please.”

The static continued. AV mumbled. “This never happened, Chetachi.”

“It didn't.”

“Can you step away from the corridor at least?”

The offices within the building had all been locked for the unveiling, but I found an empty doorframe to wedge myself in. Colonel Tijani’s voice returned once I got settled in.

“. . . walking a fine line,” Colonel Tijani said. “We know Communion is in your ranks.”

“She isn't,” Pro-now said, and I strained to hear him over his respirator. “However, I am willing to offer concessions to end this line of query.”

“Communion is a Queen. One with a problematic rap sheet. The big wigs don't want her on the loose. This isn't something you can wave away.”

“We have a triple classer in our custody. Newly Emergent. Rb1-Pg1-Bg3. Take him.”

“If I do not return with Communion . . .” The speakers on AV's end crackled. “. . . you do not want the higher-ups doubting my influence. Should I get posted out of Seventeen, things could go badly for your people.”

“It's bad enough with you around,” Pro-now hissed.

“Agreed. I have no love for the Council. However, the other Supers who could replace me? They will see you exterminated.”

I peeked around the corridor, making sure I was alone. Sweat formed on my palms.

“You can have No Light,” Pro-now said with finality. “We will also be making a huge donation to . . . support Special Forces’ veterans by the end of the day. If we come across Communion, we will keep her.”

“Why go through the trouble? She is just one girl.”

“Are you taking the deal or not?”

Colonel Tijani chuckled. Even through two layers of speakers, her voice sounded just as husky. “Who would have thought,” she said, “that I will one day be arguing in the government's favor opposite the Laughing Civet himself?” She chuckled some more. “You know, the Chief of Defense Staff will offer you an entire geopolitical zone just to get you in military fatigues again.”

“And I will refuse.”

“Yes. Yes, you will. When I heard the Laughing Civet had taken charge of a CAH base, I didn't know whether to snort or to gas. You've come a long way since the Terror of the North-West, my friend.”

“. . . and I hope to never return there.”

They lapsed into silence. AV coughed in the background.

“Are you ready,” Pro-now said, “to tell me the real reason you came here?”

“Isn’t it enough that I came to visit an old colleague?”

“Get to the point, Fara.”

Prattle sounded down the hallway. I slid deeper into the doorframe, pressing the phone against my ear.

“I was the one who suggested the inspection,” Colonel Tijani said. “General Oluloye is newly promoted. Eager to please. He’ll do anything to prove he is top of the food chain in Newtown. When I told him about Communion and mentioned how a show of force could trip up the CAH, he endorsed the action at once.”

“I see. What did you hope to gain out of this?”

“A ruse. A ruse to bring my Special Forces into the city. The Brigadier General wouldn’t have let me otherwise. He is too paranoid that I intend to assume control of his Brigade.”

“And you don’t?”

The speakers crackled again.

“. . . might have the rank for it, but I don’t fancy petty politics. Not when much bigger is at stake. You see, Pro-now, the entire country is sitting on a veritable time bomb. And since this bomb strongly concerns your Council, you will help me disarm it.”

The chatter I’d initially heard returned, closer this time. Someone was making a scene.

“Gotta go, AV,” I said. “Share whatever you learn with me later.”

I followed the ruckus and jogged back down the hallway to Admin, only to find—

“Bazaar?” I sputtered.

Bazaar laughed her guts out, accompanying the girl in military armor. “Hey, Volley.”

I eyed the two girls. In one smooth motion, I freed a shell and trained it at All Mine.

“What are you doing?” Bazaar yelped.

“I should be asking you,” I said. “What is this nonsense?”

“He thinks you’re mind controlled,” All Mine said. “He has a point, from his perspective.”

Bazaar made an ‘o’ sound. “Come on, Fingers. My head's pretty fucked up. No one in their right mind will want in on it.”

My grip tightened on the shell. “You're supposed to be keeping an eye on her.”

“Technically, I am still doing so.”

“This isn't the time to mess around!”

Bazaar narrowed her eyes. “She wanted to take a leak. I am escorting her to a toilet. Like, chill out. It's not even twenty meters.”

“Why didn't you radio me?”

“You want to be radioed every time a girl's got to go? You dirty pig.”

Dammit! I didn't have time for this.

I tapped my earpiece. “There’s been a situation. Status report, guys. Now.”

“All clear,” Alewo said.

“All clear,” Obong answered.

“All so not clear,” Toye growled. He broke out into a series of grunts. “I'm trying to restrain this gorilla, but she insists on visiting the cafeteria.”

What?

All Mine got in my face. “You're really intense, you know that? Reminds me of my sis.”

“Get back,” I hissed.

She snickered instead, locking her palms behind her back. “That's a little mean.”

“Fingers can be like that sometimes,” Bazaar said. “But he's a big softie on the inside.”

All Mine stayed within my personal space, forcing me to extricate myself. “AV,” I said, “we have a problem.”

“I know,” AV replied. “I have informed Pro-now of the situation, Pacesetters. He says to let them move around the ground floor. Be on guard for tricks. They might be on our side, but we don’t consider them allies.”

All Mine cocked her head, close enough I could see my reflection on her visor. “Resolved things with your boss, eh?” she said. “Just so you know, we have orders to mingle with your team. Next-generation and all that. Our superiors might enjoy going at each other’s throats, but nothing says we have to do the same.”

“Unless you want to,” Bazaar said, coughing into her fist. “Go at each other's throats, that is.”

I suppressed a snarl and tapped my earpiece. “Harvest, assume escort duty and help Mixer to the cafeteria. Neviecha, Activity, you’re on guard. Patrol and rotate.” I scowled at Bazaar. “See our guest back to the meeting room.”

“What?” All Mine said. “No, I want to hang out with you.”

Bazaar leered. “Ooh, someone's infatuated. Don't get your hopes up, darling. He's not that cute.”

“Let me be the judge of that.” All Mine inched closer. “What do you think, Volley? I can show you my face if you show me yours?”

“Oh my god,” Bazaar hollered, doubling over with laughter, “his cheeks are going to pop!”

I peeled away from All Mine, unable to muster a response. Then I sighed because damn them both. They were almost kindred spirits.

“You know what? I like you,” Bazaar said, sauntering over to the other girl. “I always thought you military types were stuck up, but you're kinda cool.” She loped an arm around the shorter Super's.

For a brief moment, All Mine tensed. Then she locked arms with Bazaar and purred in a syrup-filled tone. “You're pretty cool yourself.”

“Flatterer,” Bazaar said, glancing at me. “So where are we going?”

I sneered at her. “You are asking me this because?”

“Because we still need to keep an eye on her, duh.” She patted All Mine’s hand. “See, he's not very sharp. Anyway, your colleague's headed to the cafeteria. Wanna join up with her?”

“Sure, I guess. Why not?”

“Oh, you will love the amala and ewedu,” Bazaar chirped, leading All Mine by the arm. “It’s the only consistent fixture on the menu. They served it hot today. And yesterday. And the day before yesterday. I think some asshole in the top brass is infatuated with it.” She paused, scratching the side of her collar. “On second thought, we should ditch the soup dishes and get snacks instead. It hurts me that the suits are forced to eat that slop every day. Death to the establishment!”

“Hey,” All Mine whined, “stop carping about my favorite dish like that. It’s not that bad.”

The two girls continued chattering and disappeared around a corner.

I followed them in trepidation, recalling Colonel Tijani's discussion with Pro-now. The Hero Killer wanted our help. But for what?