Super Sales on Super Heroes: Book 2

Chapter 32 - Over a Candy Bar -

Felix felt like there was no time like the present. Rolling to his feet, he gave himself a quick brush off.

The strikes from the back of the post office had quit hours ago. Apparently they were figuring out a better way to get in, or had given up for the time being.

Either way, Felix wouldn’t be using that door anytime soon.

Moving quietly around the rooms, he began to gently shake everyone awake, or get them up and moving if they already were.

There was no time like the present and moving at this hour would be beneficial.

Finally, he got to Adriana.

Eva had stuffed her to bursting, to the point that Adriana actually started to look like she might vomit.

Taking the corner of his sleeping bag in hand, he carefully raised it up to peek in to see if her legs were completely mended.

She was completely restored. Though he doubted she was recovered. Being fully intact wasn’t the same as being healthy.

“Darling, are you going to join me? I’m not so sure with so many people around though,” Adriana said, her eyes glowing softly with her Beastkin heritage as she stared up at him.

He hadn’t even noticed she’d woken up.

Her teasing smile gave her true intention away.

“Cute. You’re quite a bit darker and more playful than your sister,” Felix said.

“Yes. We are. When we divvied everything up, we realized we would soon start to develop our own personalities. We thought this was ok,” Adriana admitted.

“Mm. Eventually I’m going to corner you or Andrea about what really happened with Myriad.”

“We know… we’ve been discussing it on the ANet… if possible… leave it be? For now?”

“Speaking of the ANet, I take it you have no way to contact home base?”

“It was destroyed when they fragged me. I had a radio and a transponder,” Adriana said, frustration tinging her voice.

“Time to go out on a maneuver. Can you perform?”

“Yes… but I’m no good as anything other than a rifle right now. I’m feeling pretty weak,” Adriana said, her eyes breaking contact with his.

“Great. You can walk the middle with Julia. That’d be a load off my shoulders. We have some no-combat experience helpers with us. In about ten minutes, be ready to roll out,” Felix said.

Adriana’s eyes flashed as they snapped up to his, freezing him. Her right hand slowly snaked out of the sleeping bag and drew him down, planting a firm kiss on his mouth.

“I’ll be ready, darling,” she said, releasing him.

Blinking twice, Felix got to his feet and went to the front of the post office.

Very different. Getting more so every day.

Staring at the entryway, Felix had pulled up multiple windows. The rubble was rubble, and had no owner.

It was trash.

Clearing unowned rubble was as easy as could be.

“Missed my calling in demolition work,” Felix muttered with a grin.

“What, dear?” Adriana asked from his right side.

“Nothing. Nevermind,” Felix said, shaking his head. Looking around, he saw everyone standing loosely behind him, all holding packs, crates, and weapons. “We all ready then?”

There was a collective nodding of heads.

“Suppose that’s it then. The goal is to get out of Skipper territory. They’re going to target anything owned by anyone else. We’ll be heading in the same direction as Legion HQ as we do so,” Felix explained. “Keep it quiet. Keep it simple. Keep it tight. Goal is to make it through without being seen or heard. Steve, you’re on point again. Keep it to the back channels.”

Felix activated the panels and the entire front of the post office fell away into nothing. In the span of ten seconds, it ceased to be and no longer existed.

Steve immediately moved out first, his rifle raised and on a swivel as he took point. Clearing the entry, he paused long enough to scan both sides of the street, and then started moving again.

Everyone fell in behind Steve. Felix and his small group set off in the gloomy pre-dawn hours.

They’d managed to make decent progress. Nowhere near as fast as Felix had hoped, though. Much of the city was in ruins, or now populated by angry citizens who were forming their own gangs.

Dropping shells on the city had only galvanized it into a support structure for Skipper.

Whatever idiot had decided this plan of action had altered not just the scale of this fight, but the complexity of it.

As they slunk through alleys, and broken buildings, and did everything possible to stay out of sight, they’d managed to get an eyeful of the change.

Murdering one’s own civilians tended to radicalize a population. Tilen was no exception to that, and if anything, had gone to an extreme in that regard.

Partially so because of what Felix was now witnessing.

They’d been forced to take a breather when noon rolled around. Up ahead was a street crossing that they’d have to make and doing that in broad daylight didn’t seem like the best idea.

Most especially when right in the middle of the intersection nearby was an entire congregation of people, that were clearly caught up in some true zealotry.

The screams were audible even from this far out.

“Sickening,” Julia said, her mouth twisting in a sneer. “I’m not one to squirm away from killing, but this… is barbaric.”

Felix didn’t respond, but only made a soft humming noise instead. There was no point in saying anything. It’d all already been said by everyone else.

He could add nothing of value.

In the middle of that intersection, for their god or goddess, this group of people were setting people on fire and letting them burn to death.

Unable to watch them pull out another person to throw onto the pile of burning wood, Felix turned away from the sight.

He paused halfway as the sound of chanting voices could be heard.

It was faint.

Almost inaudible.

And coming this way from down the street.

“Felix, I can see a large group of people,” Adriana said from a different window. “They’re coming up the road. They’re… glowing?”

Glowing?

Keeping himself patient and still, Felix waited at the window, his eyes glued to the direction the glowing chanting people were coming from.

At the same time, the murdering crazies who had been using people to make a bonfire were now organizing themselves. With several groups of people at the center, they formed up into a shapeless mass facing down the street.

When the newcomers finally came into view, Felix was surprised to find it was exactly as Andrea said, and yet not at all.

They really were glowing, but not in the way he had been expecting. Each person had auras shining out from their bodies. Right from the very center of their chests.

They all came to a sudden stop, in a much more organized fashion than the other group.

“I don’t even—” Felix started to say, but fell silent quickly when he saw someone step out from the new group.

It was a woman with a bright glow coming out of her. She took several steps forward and held her fist up above her head.

A thick white miasma that made Felix’s eyes water spun up around the woman’s hand.

Flinging that same hand forward, the white ball spiraled off towards the other group.

It detonated on impact.

Fresh screams and the crackle of power filled the street.

Men and women with weapons in their hands charged out from the bonfire group. Their hands burst into orange flames.

Flames that twisted and licked up their arms and flared with light.

“I’m only getting snatches but… I think… I think they’re all being powered by faith magic. I know we’d seen and heard that there’d been a change but… this is far beyond what anyone had even hinted at,” Eva said.

“I imagine not. This would change the game for religions. Some of the biggest ones would now have an army inspired by their beliefs. No… this is…” Felix paused as he thought for a second. “This might just be all the world needed to finally go up in flames.”

The weight of those words seemed to drive everyone into the floor. Everyone immediately thought about the ramifications of what was likely to happen as these kinds of scenarios escalated.

Grew larger.

Took on the guises of a country that’s entire military would be its own belief.

“I think we’re going to find many a deity at the head of a nation here real soon,” Felix said softly. “Or so my worst fears tell me.”

In the street below, the fiery armed worshipers had now clashed with those who glowed from within.

It seemed to be a low power fight between supers. Some threw their faith, others wielded weapons, but it was obvious they were all using a similar energy.

“Maybe,” Steve said. “I think you’re misjudging the situation a bit. There are quite a few deities who preach peace and benevolence.”

“And you’d be right. As I said, my worst fears. Let’s hope it’s exactly as you said. And let’s use this and get across the street while we can.” Turning from the window, Felix moved to the rear stairwell and made his way quickly to ground level.

Taking their positions, his people got back into their original formation.

Looking at the crates of supplies, Felix realized this wasn’t going to work. They were simply weighed down too much by it all. Luck and fortune had been on their side so far, but there was no guarantee it’d continue.

If they ended up with a sudden need to fight, four of his people would be scrambling to drop crates and ready weapons.

“Pack what you can into your kits. Leave the crates. Plan on being safe in two days, or finding a new source of food and water. Ammo is harder to come by than food and water right now, I’d wager. Pack accordingly. You got three minutes,” Felix said.

Moving into the alley Steve had led them in from, Felix posted up near the wall and waited.

Adriana followed him out immediately, her eyes bright, scanning in every direction.

“Felix,” Adriana said softly, coming up to him.

“Mm?”

“Your hands are shaking.”

Looking down to his hands, he found they were shuddering and jerking every which way. He hadn’t even noticed it.

“Put them in your pockets for now or hold your rifle. You’re starting to lose it,” Adriana murmured for his ears alone.

Laying his hands to his rifle, he gripped it tightly. Trying to stop the shaking by force of will alone. He could feel his mind threatening to unravel as he began to consider what his mind didn’t want him to.

“It’s normal. Very normal. You’re under a lot of stress. Training doesn’t prepare the mind for being surrounded by it,” Adriana said, getting closer to him.

Her hands pressed to his neck and jaw. Cool fingers gently stroked his skin, her eyes digging through his own.

“You’re doing fine. There’s nothing wrong. It’s a perfectly normal response,” she said, her tone soothing and light. “No one ever walks away from things like this the same. Nothing compares to a life being lived in a heightened sense of fight or flight all day, every day. It’s not something you can be ready for.”

Staring into Adriana’s face, hearing her words, her very reasonable and accepting words, Felix nodded.

“It’s just anxiety. It’ll pass and only you will remain.”

Laughing at that, Felix felt his lips curve into a strange smile. “Anxiety? I’ve never had anxiety like this before.”

“And you’ve never been dumped into a live or die situation where everyone wants to kill you for a candy bar, either.”

That brought him up short. He was a planner. Someone who was almost always in the rear with the gear, so to speak. His excursions to the front of the action were limited and far between.

“Do you feel this way?” Felix asked.

“Sometimes. We’ve learned to control it. When we get home, I’ll make you a nice batch of blueberry pancakes. I know you like those best,” Adriana promised. “Then we can relax, talk about it, and have Kit maybe do a bit of spring cleaning in your head.”

Soft and feathery, her fingers trailed up and down the sides of his neck and lower jaw. Briefly moving upward to trace the line of his ear and back down.

“Okay. I like that plan.”

Adriana snickered at that, her eyes watching him. “We’re well aware of what you like, darling. Just get us out of here, and we’ll take care of the rest.”

“Ready,” Steve called from the front of their small column. Julia had sidled up next to him, preparing to walk point a step behind him.

Adriana gave him a charming smile and then patted his cheek.

“Nn, we’re ready,” Adriana said, turning around and lifting her rifle up to her shoulder. “Lead on.”

By the time the team took three steps, Felix had caught up and was walking beside Adriana. He’d pulled his rifle up to his shoulder and was back to where he’d been before the brief stop.

The ongoing sounds of the battle a street over were ever present. A lot of it sounded like small arms fire and low yield explosives.

Focus on the now. Focus on here. You can fall apart after.

“Contact!” Steve shouted from up ahead.

Both Steve and Julia went to one knee and two bursts of gunfire crackled down the alley.

With so many people in between himself and the front line, Felix didn’t feel confident that he could get a solid sight on the target without risking his own people.

A streak of bright red fire came from ahead of them and passed screaming over their heads, going wide.

Nancy, Lauren, and Amy started to fire off rounds as well, as they moved to the sides of the alley.

Then almost as quick as it had kicked off, it was over.

“Forward,” Adriana called out. “We need to get out of this alley double-quick. Let’s get across. Fast.”

No one argued that the order didn’t come from Felix. They were all off at a trot and moving.

As they went by, Felix slowed only for a second to get a look at who’d they had just exchanged fire with.

They were clearly from the bonfire group of people, as flames were now covering their bodies. Burning them from the inside out it seemed.

Not sparing any more time for his curiosity, Felix kept his head on a swivel as they exited the alley.

“Intruders!” called a voice off to their left.

Felix pivoted as he went, sighting his rifle at who’d called out.

There were several people all clustered together. Pulling the trigger as he ran across the street, Felix managed a decent spray towards the group. Two dropped immediately and a third dove to one side.

Felix felt his toes catch on something and he almost went sliding to the asphalt. Getting his feet back up under him with only a minor bobble Felix ducked into the destination alley.

“Gonna need a rear action,” Felix said to Adriana. “I dropped two, and one got away. Might be friends coming.”

“On it. Keep them moving. Tell Steve we need to break contact,” she said, pulling a grenade from her rigging and stopping in her tracks.

“Steve, we need to break contact. Throw us down a different alley if possible, and then another. We can keep on a parallel track!” Felix shouted up to Steve.

After that, the only thing Felix could hear was the sound of the faith battle fading away behind them. That and the stomp and crunch of booted feet echoing over and over.

From the rear there was a single explosion. One that Felix assumed had to be a grenade.

Turning down an alley to the left, Steve led on, moving according to the command he’d been given.

A moment of fear slammed into Felix’s thoughts as he realized Adriana hadn’t caught up yet.

Slowing down, he started to turn around.

Right as Adriana caught up to him with a grin.

“Darling, were you slowing down?” she asked excitedly. “For me? For an Other?”

Picking up his speed again, Felix glanced over at her. “Other, Prime, either, you’re still Adriana. You’re worth no less than Prime, it’s just easier to bring you back,” Felix huffed out between heavy footfalls.

“Nn… when I tell Prime she’s going to insist on rewarding you,” Adriana said, her cheeks coloring faintly.

She can blush while she runs and isn’t even out of breath? Beastkin are crazy.

He was so caught up in this brief exchange, he ran right into Julia and practically went up her back with the force of the impact.

Tumbling to the ground, he ended up on top of her, her face pressed into the ground.

“Damnit, Felix. I’m not your bed toy. Get off me,” Julia grumped, pushing him off her.

“Sorry, Julia. I’m not cut out for this.”

Getting up to his feet, Felix looked up to try and figure out why everyone had stopped.

There, in the middle of what had once been a very large park, was a military encampment.

Sprawling in every direction, it was a haphazard arrangement of thrown together buildings, lean-tos, and tents.

There were people everywhere inside. Moving about on tasks, lazing around, or engaged in other diversions. Even from here Felix had the impression of it being a dirty hellhole of a place.

Skipper’s flag hung limply in the wind at the center atop a larger building. There in the middle of it all was a series of put together buildings that had more permanence to them.

“What the hell is it?” Katy asked.

“Processing center,” Derek said. “It’s… it’s where Skipper sends people. To be recruited, killed, or… or simply become entertainment. I heard from a couple people about it. Those patrols we saw were out looking for people. If they found what they wanted, they headed back. They only knew about it because a few people managed to escape and talk about it. Apparently a lot of this place is underground. Dug out into maintenance tunnels below the park.”

“Great. We’ll wait till nightfall and just go around it. With them being there, that means all eyes will be on them, and not us. We might just make it to the other side without a problem,” Felix said.

Perfect.

“Why can’t we help them? I bet if I used some of my powers I could get in, get out, and be done quickly. We could save them all,” Eva said.

“To what end? It’s not like we can take them with us. We’d only be giving them a brief window to flee, and probably be recaptured,” Felix said, shaking his head.

“So? That’d be better than the chance they have now, wouldn’t it?”

“Eva. They’re not Legion. Legion first. We can’t—”

“Why? Why is it always and ever Legion first? Don’t you care about them at all?”

“No! I don’t. Not at all. They’re strangers to me, and this isn’t some made up fantasy story about how the heroes save the day! This is real life, and real life doesn’t work that way!” Felix said, his voice getting heated with the exchange.

Her morality and ideals were a positive in his life, but right now, they were sorely pressing him.

This suicidal need to help others is inconvenient, to say the least!

“Felix, we can hel—”

“No. And that’s that. We rest here, stay till nightfall, and then move forward when it gets near one a.m. or so. The end. I’m sorry,” Felix said. “We have a lot of people counting on us getting back safe and sound. We owe these people nothing in comparison.”

“Damn right,” Julia said, squatting down right there and pulling her pack off her shoulders.

“I don’t know,” Steve said, looking at the camp. “If she could—”

“Discussion is over. You bleeding hearts are going to get us all killed,” Felix muttered.