Dane Curse (19 page)

“We’ve been given authorization for the reds,” an Agent yelled. “Use them!”

Reds.

He fired a bullet that cut through my skin, and then he said ‘reds’. The SPECs didn’t just have Azures, they had MAGMAs, too.

I looked up at the floating ship. Two men hung from either side. Each was aiming a Kaos rifle down at me. I heard one yell, “Fire,” and they let loose a red rain. One drop took a bite out of my shoulder, spitting the blood in my face. Another ripped a greedy chunk from my side.

It was a lethal escalation. If I wanted to live I had to move quick.

Pulling my heels beneath me I shoved as hard as I could, pushing myself up and over the ledge. It was a five-story drop straight down. I did it in less than three seconds. Clearing the sidewalk I landed flat on my back in the middle of the street. I spun over. Then got to my knees. I could hardly breathe.

I was halfway up when I got hit again. This time in the back. I went down with enough force to crack the concrete. Damn MAGMAs. Twiddle was right, the further away, the harder they hit. I swallowed my scream, and tried again to get up. This time I succeeded, and took a quick look around. Nobody. The street was empty except for a SPEC perimeter two blocks away. Almost all the Agents were still in the sky, but they weren’t following me down. If it was because they thought I was dead then they weren’t half wrong.

“Over here!”

I looked toward the voice. There was an Agent on the corner.

“Suspect is active, and street side.”

“You’re kidding. He’s still mobile? Advanced teams, what’re you doing? Move in!”

I had only seconds before they were back on me. I needed a way out. I searched for an alleyway or side street. There wasn’t one. I looked down at the black top, hoping for a manhole. But I came up empty there, too. I was boxed in.

But then I saw salvation. It was three steps away.

I staggered the first two, and tripped the third, but it was enough, just enough. I was leaning against Jane.

Chapter 35

I jumped into that gorgeous Jalopy, and we leapt off the line putting two blocks behind us faster than a banker picks a pocket. Looking in the rearview mirror I saw more than a few Agents giving chase. At the next block I turned hard onto Wrought Iron Road, a four lane wide thoroughfare so full of traffic I had to weave like an animal to keep my pace. Not so easy, even on my best day, but with blurry vision, and a throbbing head I had little choice but to trade paint with some citizens before the other drivers got the hint and moved out of my way.

Four blocks down and I clicked on my comms unit, setting it to intercept the SPECs frequency. The machine immediately spat out their chatter.

“Attention all units, suspect is fleeing by car.”

“He’s in a black Jalopy.”

“Are you kidding, he got away? How?”

“Mouths shut, ears on.” This voice was used to command. “Full pursuit, all Agents, this is a level one clearance. Suspect is heading east on Wrought Iron, just past sixty-fourth. Advanced teams are a go for lethal force. Repeat, lethal force has been approved.”

Great, more SPECs. Actually, the man said ‘level one clearance’. That didn’t mean more; it meant all. Every guy covered in silver would be bearing down on Jane in minutes, and all I could do was run. So that’s what I did. But five blocks down and bullets began bouncing off my car. A couple cracked the glass in the back. Others dimpled my roof.

Then it got worse.

“All Agents. Be advised of incoming white cape assistance. A Team Supreme rep is on route.”

Ho. Lee. Crap.

Team Supreme was now officially in the mix. That meant it was time to go on offense. Reaching over I flicked a switch, and my trunk exploded outwards. The rear cannon sat up like a snake and started spitting venom in every direction.

Seven blocks down, and I looked in my rearview. An Agent crashed through a newsstand. Another landed in a flatbed. Nice. But ahead there was a truck stopped in the middle of the intersection. I slammed on my brakes, pulled the wheel hard to the right, and jumped the curb. Jane crashed through a lamppost. Hot sparks shot up like a geyser. Then I cut the wheel back towards the street. On the way I hit a red sports car, shredding its back half.

It was eight blocks down, and my cannon fire slowed. That was good news. Less firing means less targets. Then a hail of red bullets ripped through the roof and shredded the passenger’s side seat. I swerved left as more MAGMAs punched a line of holes across Jane’s hood. Black smoke flowed thick from them, blocking my view. I weaved back and forth, trying to see through it. Then the rear cannon exploded.

Jane didn’t have much left.

Every turn I took felt too wide, the rear tires too soft, and each time I passed another motorist Jane fishtailed a little further out even as the traffic tightened. But salvation was coming up fast. Humbart’s Department store, with its famous picture window, rose up in front of me like a giant finish line five blocks away. Underneath it was the perfect escape route. If I could just get inside I’d be home free.

But Jane’s speedometer was dropping fast. And the scenery outside was passing by slower. I took a sharp breath, and activated the jump jets. Jane fired forward like a rocket, and I laid on the horn as the traffic lights turned into tricolored streaks. Those five blocks passed in a blink, and we crashed through Humbart’s massive picture window, shattering the glass so thoroughly it was practically sand again.

I jammed on the brakes and screeched to a halt in sporting goods. It was dark. The SPECs were only a few seconds behind. I was halfway to freedom, but if I wanted to make it the whole way I’d have to sacrifice my queen. I gave Jane’s dash one final rub, then set the autopilot, got out, and closed her door. 
So long sweetheart. 
She revved her engine twice, and peeled across the store spitting smoke and oil the whole way. She crashed through the far window, and took a hard left, disappearing in a cloud of shattered glass and gunfire from above. A few seconds passed. Then an ephemeral flash lit up the street along with a rumble that shook the store.

And Jane was gone.

She deserved a better memorial, but there was no time. I had to make it to the boiler room. There, behind one of the industrial sized water heaters, lay a hidden door to Tunnel Town. It’s a city wide maze of underground passages left over from Gold Coast’s mining days, but while there’s no ore left, it’s still a twenty-four carat escape for black capes in the know.

I ran past some mannequins playing baseball, and through a door to the stairwell leading to the basement. It was dark, and I fell most of the way, but when I hit the bottom I found the boiler room, and slipped inside. There was a full-length mirror on the wall, so I stopped to assess my damage. I wish I hadn’t. My hat was gone, as was most of my jacket and shirt. My pants were in tatters like old shorts, while gazpacho leaked out of me from a half dozen holes. I’m not a surgeon, but I know the need for medical attention when I see it, so I slid behind the right water heater, opened the secret passage, and stepped into the darkness with haste.

Once the door was closed behind me small yellow orbs on the wall lit up, and illuminated the area. I was standing in a reddish rock tunnel, crudely cut with metal instruments, that was wide enough to fit a car. The air was cool, but stale, and tasted of minerals. I ran forward as fast as I could, and every few feet new lights clicked on as the ones behind me died. I got about a hundred yards before my pace slackened. The adrenaline was slowing. I needed a breath. And I was in so much pain.

But I was safe, deep in the heart of Tunnel Town.

I took a second to lean against the wall, and lay my head against its cool stone. All I could hear was my own heavy breathing. I couldn’t remember the last time I was so comfortable, I could’ve gone to sleep right there.

Then there was a rumble, and dust fell from above.

I looked up, and a second tremor shook the walls. The rocks above me cracked. Someone was trying to get in. But that was impossible. I was in Tunnel Town. Only a handful of black capes even knew about it. I turned to run as a third quake struck. It brought the ceiling down on me. I fell to the floor, pinned beneath the rubble.

When the dust cleared I looked up. The ceiling was gone, replaced with a massive hole, and beyond it I could see the night sky. That, and a woman standing on the rim. She looked at me and shook her head. Then she stepped off the ledge, and floated down, landing gently a few feet away. She was tall, athletic, and muscular with long, dark hair and wore red armor with a gold cape.

I recognized her immediately.

Anybody could.

It was Glory Anna, now the most powerful white cape in the world.

I reached for Lois, but Glory stepped on my hand with more force than I ever felt in my life.

“That’s enough of that, don’t you think?” she said.

I pushed back with everything I had.

She didn’t move. “Finished?”

I nodded, and laid still.

Glory spoke into her gauntlet. “Commander Clark, I have neutralized the suspect. It’s safe to send your Agents down.”

“Affirmative Glory Anna, we’re on our way.”

Then she turned back to me. “Alright little rabbit, the chase is over, you’ve had your fun, but it’s time we get you to Impenetron.”

Chapter 36

The SPECs poured into Tunnel Town, and spread out around me. Two Agents carrying Kaos rifles took position on either side of my head. I felt like a prize they brought down on the savannah.

One Agent said, “Alright, get him on his feet.” He had the gold markings of a commander, and his badge read: Clark.

“I think he looks better down there, commander.”

“I agree,” Clark said.

“You think he’ll bleed out, sir?” one of them asked.

A third said, “That’s fine by me.”

Glory Anna shoved the men aside. “Enough of that.” She reached down, grabbed what was left of my coat, and with one hand pulled me from the rubble. She turned to Commander Clark. “I want the medics here now.”

“All due respect, we appreciate your assistance, but I don’t take orders from Team Supreme. We’ll call the medics when we’re ready.” He looked around. “And I’m not sure that this tunnel is secure enough. Spread out boys, make sure there are no surprises lurking in the dark.”

The men did as commanded. Only a few stayed behind. One of them had a Kaos.

Glory Anna shook her head. “Commander, this man is vital. If he dies-”

“Then it’s one less black cape we’ve got to deal with.”

“That holds true if we incarcerate him as well. Besides, he’s a valuable asset. We need him alive.”

“The lady has a point,” I said.

“Shut up, mutt.” Clark slapped my mouth.

Glory Anna grabbed his chest. “Don’t do that again, commander.”

Clark shoved her arm free, and took a step forward. “First off, don’t ever put your hands on me. I’m a SPEC Agent and will not be pawed at by some white cape I don’t care how haughty.”

Two others joined him, standing shoulder to shoulder.

A third stepped behind me, and seized my arm. He said, “We’ll take it from here, ma’am.”

Glory yanked me away from him, and turned to Clark. “You presume much. This man is wanted in relation to Pinnacle’s death.”

“Of course I presume much. We’re the ones who found Big Red’s killer so do me a favor and take it down a notch sweetie, nothing’s going to change. We’ll do all the work, but you’ll still get the credit.”

“Catching Mindgame was work?” Glory took a step forward and glared down at Clark. “Who boasts of trapping already dead prey?”

He jabbed a finger at Glory. “I’ll tell you something-”

“No,” Glory said, “tell it to Director Humphries. Right now. Call him and see if he agrees with me.”

“There’s no need for that.” The Agent behind me stepped between them. “We caught the guy, right? And it seems to me if he’s got information we should do our best to get it.” He looked at his commanding officer. “It’s not like it could hurt.”

Glory Anna didn’t move a muscle, she just stared at the man, and to his credit Clark didn’t back down one inch. After a few long seconds he said, “Ok. Let’s get him bagged and tagged. Clear the tunnel, and get the top ready for egress.” The men obeyed, leaving only Glory Anna and three Agents with me in the tunnel. Clark turned to the Kaos rifleman. “Peters, give him a collar.”

Agent Peters slung the red rifle over his shoulder, and pulled a collar off his belt. I tried to back away, but Glory Anna grabbed my shoulder. She held me tight as the man whipped it at me like a towel, and in one smooth movement the collar wrapped around my throat, clicked shut, and glowed black.

My legs lost power, and I crumbled. A wave of nausea welled up in my guts like a geyser and my skin felt like it burst into flames. Glory Anna released me and I spun around, falling face first into the open arms of the Agent behind me.

“Easy big fella. It’ll pass,” he said.

I threw a hand on his shoulder. The tunnel pitched back and forth. All I could do was lean against him with my head on his chest.

And I knew this was it. I was cooked. I was headed for Impenetron, and a lifetime behind bars. I tried so hard to avoid this fate. I quit the life years ago, walked the not so straight, but mighty narrow, all for nothing.

And Pinnacle’s real killer was still free.

It was right in the middle of that depressing thought when my feet found their strength. My head cleared too, and with it my vision. I stood up, took a deep breath, and looked at the Agent. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said. “Just hang in there, this’ll all be over soon.”

“Yeah it will,” I said. “Anyway, for what it’s worth I appreciate the help Agent…” I looked down, and read the name on his badge. “Monday.”

Ha. TGIM.

To anyone watching he was keeping me secure, but I felt him squeeze my arm twice.

“Is topside ready yet?” Monday said. “He’s leaking over here.”

“Affirmative, prepare for transport.” Commander Clark turned to Glory. “So we’ll get him straight to the clink. No civilian hospitals, no stops on the way. I don’t want to take any chances, they got facilities at Impenetron to deal with the likes of him, ok?”

Glory nodded. “Let’s get going.”

“I’ll take him,” Monday said.

“No, he may be weak, but I still want a guy with the hard ordnance to handle this. Peters.” He nodded to the rifleman. “Bring him up.”

Monday tapped my back.

I nodded, just a bit.

Peters circled around me. With a collar on he didn’t think I was a threat. That was his first mistake. Keeping the rifle slung loose was his second.

Two mistakes.

Just enough to maybe save my life.

I threw my head back, and hit Monday in his faceplate. It hurt me more than him, but he flew backwards with Oscar worthy acting. I grabbed the stock of the Agent Peters’ Kaos, and shoved him with all of my might. I only had the strength of a normal man, but we were on uneven ground, and I had surprise on my side. He stumbled back, and fell. On the way down he got his hands around the rifle’s barrel. I snatched the grip and pulled the trigger. The shot caught him in the face, knocking him backwards.

The commander raised his weapon. I put the Kaos on my shoulder and blasted two shots. They found him dead center. That just left Glory Anna. She looked at the downed Agents. They were still alive thanks to their armor, but all were out cold.

“Please, I don’t want to hurt you,” I said.

She looked puzzled. “You can’t.”

Glory was the furthest away of my would-be captors, but I took a few steps back just to be safe. When she moved to follow I fired. The slug knocked her backwards, but didn’t break skin. I fired again. And again. The impact increased the distance between us.

Then I poured it on. She danced around as each shot pushed her further and further away. And the lights on the walls between us began to click off. When she got about forty yards her confusion turned to anger.

“Enough!” Her rage shook the walls around me.

“Yeah, I’ll say.” I took careful aim, and put one right between her eyes. She flipped backwards, and landed face down. But there was no blood. No blood and no movement, both were welcome news.

I didn’t have much time. Voices from above were leaking into the tunnel, so I jammed the Kaos’s muzzle under the collar, braced the stock against the floor, and pulled the trigger. The impact knocked me back while the collar fell to the ground, its busted edges smoking.

My head spun like it was full of too much oxygen as my strength returned.

I ran over to check on Monday. He gave me a thumbs up, but said nothing because his comms were unquestionably still active. I’d have to put on a show.

Hoisting my friend to his feet, I spun him around, and slipped an arm under his chin. “Fly lawman, or I’ll break your spine, and finish off your friends.” Then I found the small indention where his mic was, and ripped it out.

“We clear?” I said.

He nodded, engaged his rocket boots, and I rode him like a sled through Tunnel Town so fast the wall lights could barely keep up. When we came to the first fork in the road I pulled him to a stop like you would a horse, and punched the wall hard enough so that it caved in.

It would take the pursuing Agents a while to make their way through the rock, and by that time we’d be long gone.