Previous Story: 70. Patient Zero - Part 1

Plate stood with Nix, Threads and Lucky in the lobby of First National. Pai and Artemis had already disabled the bank’s security systems and — thanks to the Scientists — they’d also located the entrance to the secret government facility. It was an innocuous-looking door between the bank’s two main vaults. The door was, in fact, heavily reinforced and secured by a full-range bioscanner. Pai and Artemis were confident of getting around it, but had warned that might take a while.

"Maybe we should grab a few dollars while we’re here," said Lucky with a smile.

"Not sure we could even if we wanted to," replied Threads. "Pai reckons those vaults are pretty much impenetrable."

"No point having money now," said Nix. "You want something, you take it."

Plate noted the enormous knife on the former Ranger’s belt. In turn, Nix glanced at the greatsword, which hung from Plate’s muscular and chiseled shoulder. "Ain’t exactly subtle, that thing, is it?"

Plate shrugged. "Gets the job done."

Hearing footsteps, they turned to see the tall figure of Artemis striding towards them. She smiled. "We’re in."

-----

Gudu, Rhino and H3x had positioned themselves behind an abandoned stretch limo.

Rhino had the best view. "They’re all moving further inside, probably into the facility."

"I could have hacked it quicker than that," said H3x.

"Might as well let them do the work for us, right?" said Gudu.

Rhino drew his pistol. "Ladies, follow me."

Gudu rolled her eyes.

 -----

"I think I heard something," said Beater.

"You’re imagining things," said Crimson. "Let’s just get out of here. Zephyr, bring her."

Crimson had already had enough of the facility. She was concerned about Ryder Arcadia’s state of mind and even more concerned when he’d ordered this mission. He seemed confident that they would easily get through the security, and had been proven right. Crimson guessed Winner had done some kind of hacking job before they arrived.

The smell in the facility was horrible. Once inside, they had passed through an unoccupied reception area, then rounded a corner to find a set of cells. Most of the inhabitants were dead, but a few had survived. The filthy, emaciated female they had apprehended looked about 17 and was wearing a soccer kit; perhaps her youth and fitness had kept her alive. Though she possessed the blank gaze of a CyMS, she was too weak to resist.

With Zephyr dragging her along, Crimson hurried back towards the staircase that led up to the bank. Reaching the corner, she was bemused to see a group led by some big guy wearing armor and holding a sword. She recognized some of those behind him.

"Not good," said Zephyr, as they halted.

"Can’t go anywhere without running into this crew these days," complained Crimson, as she drew her Fairfield XD. "Looks like we’re going to have to fight our way out."

-----

As a bullet pinged off Plate’s armor, he heard the others rushing down the stairs behind him. Fortunately, there was a bit of cover around. They scattered and ducked behind desks, tables and chairs. Hearing another bullet whistle past, Plate glimpsed a woman firing from behind a corner.

He was about to find cover himself when he heard another shot — but this one had come from behind him! Spinning around, he saw an Asian guy coming down the stairs. He wore a black suit and also had two guns. 

"We’re caught in a crossfire!" yelled Nix. "This way!"

Nix had kicked open a nearby storeroom door. Pai and Lucky were almost inside when Pai was hit in the shoulder. Crying out, she fell, knocking over Lucky, who collided heavily with the doorframe. Artemis was already helping them when Plate arrived, bullets still flying past him.

Threads stopped next to Nix. "Time to go dark," she said, reaching for the controls of her stealth super-suit.

Suddenly, Plate could no longer see her, and he turned to face the enemy. The man with the pistol had reached the bottom of the stairs and was gazing along the corridor. Close behind him was the familiar figure of the scarred woman with the klewang. She immediately attacked Plate. Drawing his greatsword, he just had time to block the klewang. But his was a relatively unwieldy weapon, and a second sweep came instantly. All he could do was turn away; thankfully, the blade clanged off his armor. With another woman joining the attack, he fended the pair off with a broad sweep, then retreated into the storeroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

-----

"Coward," spat Gudu, knowing it was unlikely she’d be able to get the door open with that big freak on the other side. She and H3x turned to watch Rhino firing down the corridor.

"Who are you shooting at?" asked Gudu.

Rhino shrugged as he clicked in a new magazine. "They fired at me, so I fired at them."

"Where are the others?" asked H3x.

"What others?" asked Gudu.

"There was a short woman and a … ow!"

H3x staggered away and tumbled over a chair. Gudu felt something heavy hit her back and then the klewang was pulled from her grip. A second blow struck her on the head and everything went dark.

-----

"Did you hit him?" asked Beater, as the big Asian guy fell over.

"Not sure," said Crimson, lowering her pistol. "But we can get to the stairs now. Follow me."

She took the lead, stunned to see that two more of what she presumed to be Red Dragons were also on the floor. She could hear shouting nearby, but all that mattered now was getting out. She took a running jump at the first step, but somehow stumbled on something and came down hard. Her pistol was jarred free, and she took several seconds to get her breath back. Hearing a pained grunt, she turned to see Beater holding her head. But she couldn’t see anyone else.

Stealth tech. Had to be.

"Zephyr, help your sister." Crimson grabbed the female CyMS and dragged her up the steps. 

----- 

Gudu was woken by a slap on the face. The first thing she saw was Rhino’s angry face staring down at her. Blood was trickling down the side of his head. 

"Get up!" he barked. "They must have some stealth tech — it’s like fighting ghosts. We’re getting out of here!"

H3x was there too, looking just as groggy as Gudu felt. The three of them lurched towards the steps.

-----

Fortunately, Pai’s gunshot wound was not severe. The bullet had passed right through, and Artemis was bandaging her up. Lucky reckoned he had cracked a rib, but he could move. Plate was still guarding the door, listening to the confusing sounds beyond, when, suddenly, someone knocked.

"It’s us," said Threads, her polite tone rather incongruous. "Open up."

Fearing some trick, Plate kept his blade in his hand as he opened up the door. He was surprised to see the corridor behind Threads empty.

"Where is everyone?"

"We … encouraged them to leave," she said with a sly grin.

"And Nix?"

"Right here." Plate spied a blurry shape that swiftly became Nix.

"That stealth stuff comes in very handy."

"Wish I had a suit like hers, though," countered Nix, nodding at Threads. "Mine’s strictly the basic model — no extra features. Listen, I just checked the cells. Most of them are long dead, but I found one man — he’s healthy enough to move." 

-----

That evening, Plate and Threads told the tale to the rest of the Creators. In one of the mansion’s luxurious rooms, Hiko, Flyboy and Kuklacı all listened intently. The pair were only halfway through their account when Cyborg hurried in. "I just heard from Buck. Pai is recuperating well. Gadget and Artemis have finished scanning the CyMS you grabbed and have transmitted the data to the Scientists. Let’s hope they can do something with it. Sorry, for the interruption, guys, continue the story!"

-----

Gudu and H3x had just finished briefing Lady Rose. Rhino was next door, having his head stitched up. Their employer gazed at the wall, clearly not happy. "Cynfo should have warned us that they would be there."

"I guess maybe we could have warned them, too, boss," said Gudu, instantly wishing she hadn’t.

Lady Rose glared at her, then sipped her whiskey. "Time for a talk with Ryder Arcadia."

-----

Crimson was alone in an empty office, a bar of chocolate and a coffee on the conference desk in front of her. It had not gone well at the bank, but at least Mr. Arcadia had the CyMS. Hearing the door open, Crimson turned to see Goddess enter. She went and stood by the window.

"He was happy with what we brought back," said Crimson. 

"Yes." Goddess seemed as anxious as everyone else about Ryder’s strange behavior. Crimson wondered if the two were still romantically involved. 

"The CyMS are all he cares about now," added Goddess. "He’s not right, Crimson. Not right at all."

Crimson nodded. She was beginning to think it might be time to leave all this behind. Arcadia and Cynfo had been her meal ticket. She’d made good money there and didn’t want this profitable ride to stop. But, it wasn’t looking good.

Goddess turned from the window, her beautiful face etched with fear. "There’s something else. It’s Winner — he’s disappeared."

Next Story: 72. The Call