Battleforce #2

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Battleforce #2
Chessboard

Written by Joel Sawyer (Glippernip)
Edited by Daniel Dyer (Spider-Man Beyond)

With the capture of Blaster, member of the criminal squad Techno-Warriors, authorities hoped to draw out the group’s remaining members and apprehend them, too. Machine Maker, the team’s unseen leader, knows that six powerful crime-fighters have a pact to help each other take down the Technos when the time came. Moments ago, Starburst, Blaster’s teammate, attacked Electroknight. This is the second member of the pact a Techno-Warrior has taken out today.

LAX Airport- Emergency vehicles stop near where Mahesh Lengvari, know as Electroknight, lay on the cracked, melted tarmac. “He’s still alive,” a paramedic calls as two other prepare a gurney.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Back in the city of Newburton, Vortex temporary Ops.

“Hello, Ace. I’m glad you’re here.”

Ace turned toward the deep voice, then reached out to shake hands. “Ah, Justice. I wondered when I would see you.”

Justice stood 6'6" tall, a physically imposing man despite the lack of a right arm. He wore a full bodysuit with a black belt and shoulder-strap. The belt had an American flag buckle, and a golden Federal Agent badge adorned the belt near the man’s clavicle. Above the strap was navy blue in color with matching boots, the remainder of the suit was deep purple. Justice wore a purple-navy blue helmet with a red visor, and on his one hand he wore a blue glove with one white star on the back. It wasn’t bright and gaudy, and it certainly looked... official.

As they shook hands, Ace said, “Are you ready to change that ridiculous code-name,” and finished in a whisper, “Dennis?”

“Hush,” Justice whispered back, then he continued loudly, “It’s easy for people to remember. We’ve just received word. Starburst attacked Electroknight. Knight’s been hurt and won’t make it here.”

“That just leaves us and Shield,” Ace stated.

“I’ll contact Starfall and tell her we need her now,” Justice offered.

“Still,” Ace sighed, “we’d better explore some new options if we have any chance at this.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Micheal Richardson (Perseus) sits at a café listening to a police band radio through earphones.

“...has entered Hansen’s Manufacturing with a rifle and shots have been fired.”

That’s right down the street, Micheal thought.

Micheal literally threw $5.00 at the clerk as he ran outside and behind the café. He changed into Perseus, a process that caused no sound or pyrotechnics. Simply, Mike disappeared, replaced by a 6'6", 350 lb powerhouse. As Perseus, he moves quickly, with a stride and short leaps that an Olympic athlete would envy. He reached the building and stopped a fleeing worker. “I’m here to help,” Perseus said. “Where’s the shooter?”

“The production floor,” she cried as she ran.

“Which way?”

“There! He’s shooting everyone!”

Perseus sprinted to the door she seemed to point to and tried to open, but it was one of those doors that automatically locks from the outside when it closes. No time for subtlety, he thought as he ripped the door from its hinges. He quickly located the gunman, the only human not hiding or fleeing. Once he sees me, he’ll stop shooting everyone else, he muses as he approaches the man. The shooter, who looked to be in his 50's, gave the hero a very confused look.

“Why are you dressed that way,” he asked.

“I am Perseus,” the young hero replied. “Put down your weapon.”

“You’re not one of those responsible,” the old man stated. “I’m sorry.” He raised the rifle and fired, then stared in shock as an unphased Perseus took the rifle away.

Outside, the factory, Perseus stood with a police officer as the other cops took the shooter away. “You saved lives today,” the officer said.

“I’m Perseus. Can I ask you something,” he began, “They said that this man was an employee for almost twenty years, five years from retirement, and terminated last week due to ‘cutbacks’, losing all of his benefits. I’m new to all of this. How do you handle it?”

“Being able to take a bullet doesn’t protect you from everything, does it?” the cop replied with an understanding smile. “You just do. Most Americans couldn’t handle this kind of life, but I can only imagine what life would be like if no one was on guard.” The cop motioned towards a new van. “I hope that helps. You’ll be on the 5 o’clock news for sure.”

“I’m not ready to handle the press, yet.”

“They will follow you.”

“They can’t keep up with me,” Perseus explained casually.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Shawnee Manchester set the box down on her new bed, finishing her move into a large apartment in Newburton. She glanced at herself in the mirror: light brown skin, short wavy brown hair, crystal blue eyes, and then she exited the room. In the apartment’s great room, her friend Carol Jenner lifted an appliance from another box.

“I can’t believe you are letting me move in here with you! This place is gorgeous,” Carol gushed. Carol was 21, a year older than Shawnee, and they had shared certain curriculum in school. A little taller and somewhat plain, with shoulder-length blond hair and hazel eyes, Carol could not be called a fashion sensation. She knew how to coordinate colors, but didn’t care about fads. Currently she wore baby blue cotton pants and an almost matching T-shirt.

“It wouldn’t be any fun at all here by myself,” Shawnee said with a bright smile. “Besides, with our particular talents, we should stick together for a while.”

“True,” Carol responds. “It will be nice to talk freely to someone about my senses.”

Shawnee drops down onto the new maroon sofa, saying, “Yeah, and I really have no one else to talk to except father.”

A concerned look crossed Carol’s face. “Shawnee, are you feeling OK? You seem distracted.”

Shawnee looked apologetic. “Sorry,” she starts, “Now that I’m away from Father’s estate, something weird is fluttering around my awareness, like a gnat that you can hear but not see.”

“We’ve moved all our stuff in,” Carol grinned. “See if you can focus your feelings and figure out what’s bothering you.”

“My abilities don’t work that way.”

“But sometimes, my clairvoyance does. Use your power to augment mine and link it to your warning sense.”

“You trust me that much?” Shawnee asked.

“I believe in the Force,” Carol replied with a wink.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Minutes later, Shawnee and Carol sit in dining room chairs facing each other, staring into each other’s eyes and gripping the arms of the chairs. Slowly, at least to their senses, the room and chairs seemed to melt away. Then Carol seemed to fade, leaving Shawnee floating in a multi-colored, incandescent mist.

>>Wow,<< Carol’s voice came to Shawnee. >>This feeling of yours is foreboding.<<

“You see why I’ve been distracted,” Shawnee said back.

>>It’s working,<< Carol explains. >>I see a face. Home in on it.<<

An area of the mist coalesced, darkened, and became a strange visage. It appeared to be a basically human face, but with golden eyes and silvery pupils, thin wiry black hair, a golden nose ring, and two ram’s horns curling from each side of the head.

“You are a fool twice removed for seeking me out so soon,” it said.

“I felt... a disturbing presence,” Shawnee answered. “Who are you?”

“You do not recognize me?”

“I do not.”

“Desmond is a dolt! I am Centaurus, Lord of Terrestrial Magecraft on this plane!”

“I sensed a threat to myself,” Shawnee pushed.

“Your senses are indeed finely attuned, Manchester,” Centaurus told her. “I am a threat to any mystic who won’t bow to my will.”

“You are a conqueror, then?”

“You do not even know your role in this world,” Centaurus bellowed mentally. “There is a war coming, sorceress, and you will either be my ally or my enemy. No magician can remain neutral.”

“A war over what?” Shawnee questioned. “Will you start it?”

“Your ignorance disgusts me! Do not interfere with my designs, Manchester.”” Suddenly, Shawnee shot backward, and lay on the floor in her kitchen.

Standing, Carol shouts, “Shawnee, are you all right?”

“He ejected us,” Shawnee said in awe. “Father told me I have to find my way in life. Perhaps this Centaurus is someone I need to deal with.”

“He severed the contact we established,” Carol added. “He must be strong.”

“Then I’ll need some help, “ Shawnee said confidently.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

A man in his mid-twenties had a pistol and was forcing a guard driver to get into the back of an armored truck. Locking the door and sliding into the driver’s seat, he said, “This will set me up for a long time.” He looked out through the windshield to see Perseus standing loosely in front of the truck. “Get out of the way,” he yelled, starting the vehicle.

Perseus grinned from ear to ear and shook his head no.

“Fine. I’ll back up,” the crook said.

Perseus stepped forward, grabbed hold of the vehicle, and braced himself. The criminal stepped on the gas and went no where as the tires squeal and smoke.

“What are you doing, man?” the crook shrieks, his eyes bugging out of his head. He pulled his side arm and fired. Again, his jaw dropped open. “Bulletproof glass,” he moaned.

“You need a little motivation,” Perseus stated, gently tipping the truck over onto its side. He sat on the now upward door knowing that the man couldn’t push him off and effectively trapping the robber. “Now we just wait for the police.”

A worried look popped up on his face as Perseus saw the news van pull up. “Wonderful,” he said, looking down through the window at his captive. “At least this is more embarrassing for you than for me.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Chicago

Dr. Wilson Corbis strolled through the lab he took over (*Battleforce #1) looking at a chart. He approached another man with short red hair and a moustache. Corbis smiled and said, “Here is the new chart, Dr. Huston. Isn’t this encouraging?”

“If you say so,” James Huston replied. “I still don’t see how your illegal research translates into cash. I could be working on medicine.”

“I’m paying you well enough even if out efforts fail in the end,” Corbis walked away smiling broadly. “Only three deaths so far,” he said to himself, “truly encouraging.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Vortex temporary Ops

Ace entered the room and approached Justice. “Shield just arrived,” Ace called. “He’ll join us shortly. I’ll need that weapon you offered me.”

“All right,” Justice said. “It won’t be much longer.”

“If we need more help,” a female voice offered from a side doorway, “I could call someone.”

“You mean Ted Lynn? He’s never been in this kind of fight,” Justice stated. “Do you think he’ll help us?”

“He’s looking for a way to be useful, to fit in.”

“Call him,” Ace said. “We need every hand right now.”

Across the room, an agent told a visitor, “He is not available for comment. How do you even know he’s here?”

Shawnee Manchester looked past the agent and saw Ace. “I see him. I really need to...”

“I can’t let you in,” the agent interrupted.

“I’m going to speak with him,” Shawnee explained, floating past the man. Several agents drew their weapons, but Justice waved them off.

Shawnee landed near Ace and Justice. “I’m Shawnee Manchester,” she said. “I need assistance.”

“What a coincidence. So do we,” Justice responded. “How did you fly like that?”

“I manipulate the natural forces of Earth,” Shawnee answered. “Some might call it magic.”

“That will do.” Justice nodded.

“I don’t know,” Ace said skeptically. “I mean, magic? And she just walked in off the street.”

“Floated,” Justice corrected. “She floated in. She can fly. She could offset our losses.”

Shawnee took a step back. “What? Me,” she stammered. “You mean the Techno-Warriors, don’t you? I don’t... I’m not sure... I don’t think I can.”

Justice grabbed her roughly by the upper arm. “What is there to think about?”

“Who do you think you are?” she barked.

“Federal Agent with jurisdiction,” Justice said back. “You will assist us.”

“Let. Me. GO!”

Shawnee’s eyes erupted with purple fire, rage playing on her face. Violet energy shot from her free hand, hitting Justice in the arm. In pain, he let go. Shawnee’s face shifted from anger to shock. “I didn’t... I...” she stammered. She turned and launched herself into the air, calling back, “I’m sorry,” before crashing out a window. Agents again drew their weapons as Justice flexed his hand, trying to shake loose of the pain.

“I want her brought...” Justice began angrily until he noticed Ace quivering, trying to hold it in. “Are you laughing,” Justice huffed.

“Learn to ease up,” Ace chuckled, shaking his head. Ace was probably the only person in the world this side of the President who could have laughed at Justice at a time like this. “She was a civilian, and you went all Hitler on her. Technically, when you grabbed her, that was assault, and you only have one arm left!”

“I could fly after her,” Molecule said from the side doorway.

“No,” Ace answered. “The media thinks you are still hospitalized. I don’t want any outsider seeing you here. I would like for you to call Ted Lynn and find out for sure if he’ll help us.”

“Commander,” an agent interjected, “a spotter reports a green-glowing flyer entering the city, heading this way.”

“Starburst,” Justice guessed. “Here we go, people. Get Shield in position. Let’s move, and don’t mess this up.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

City-scape: A green comet flies over Newburton.

Starburst flew straight to the building and blew out a wall, knowing exactly where he wanted entry. He destroyed another inner wall, breaking into Robert Dubb’s cell. “Tango Two Delta,” Starburst called.

“Roger,” Dubb said, linking hands with his compatriot.

As Starburst lifted Dubb into the air, he said, “My name isn’t Roger.”

“Loser,” Dubb laughed.

Ace and Justice reached the roof of the temp HQ as Starburst dropped Dubb onto a roof across the street. Starburst tossed Dubb a pistol and PFG.

“Ahh, Personal Field Generator,” Dubb sighed while locking the belt into place. “I feel almost naked without one of these nowadays.”

Starburst turned and flew toward Ace and Justice. With a ‘whooshing’ sound similar to a jet engine, Starburst fired at the heroes, who dove for cover. Starburst fired one after another to pin the duo down.

Ace looked over at Dubb, who was jogging away while looking back at Starburst’s activity. Someone else, someone large, stood up in front of Dubb, and it certainly wasn’t Shield.
Crap,who is that? Ace wondered.

Blaster laughed and turned to see where he was going, and stumbled to a halt, his mouth agape. “What in...?” he mumbled.

It stood over 7 feet tall and was thickly massed, a human-shaped figure in hunter’s green, neon green, and black, in armor that looked like a cross between European plate mail with ancient Roman elements, particularly the Roman centurion helmet. You couldn’t tell if it was made of metal or something else, but Dubb could see what looked like weapon ports on each shoulder, each side, and one peeking out right at the center of the chest.

“Sorry, Blaster,” a synthesized, reverberating deep voice told Dubb, “even Machine Maker couldn’t prepare you for... Starknight!”

Blaster fires three quick shots, which Starknight doesn’t seem to feel.

“You need a bigger gun,”Starknight drones.

“Starburst,” Dubb shouted into his pistol grip, which included a radio transceiver. Across the street, Starburst looked away from Ace and Justice and said, “Oh, great.”

As Starburst accelerated toward his partner, Justice shouted into his communicator, “Shield, get out here now!”

“I’m moving in, Justice,” a voice responded from the radio.

Starburst fired at Starknight, who stepped back but took the blast. Crimson energy screamed out of Starknight’s chest port, narrowly missing Burst.

“Heads up, Burst,” Dubb shouted. “Shield is here.”

Starburst, thinking fast, blasted at both heroes, one with each hand, but both shots go wide. “We’re in trouble,” Burst mumbles.

Shield rocketed toward them through the air, flying horizontally with his fists out in front, the classic Superman pose. His outfit vaguely resembled Superman as well. He wore blue, sleeveless body tights with darker blue boots, belt, cape, forearm and thigh guards, and cyclopsian visor. From almost his shoulders and down to his belt he wore a white, shield-shaped emblem.

“Blaster, cover me,” Starburst said. Blaster shot Starknight again while Starburst fired a low power, bright beam right into Shield’s face. Shield groaned, and Burst grabbed and redirected him. Shield flew into Starknight, who stumbled back and toppled over the edge of the building.

“Amateurs,” Starburst shouted.

Starknight and Shield smashed into the sidewalk below. Starknight began to rise, saying, “Shield, I’m here to...”

“Shut up,” Shield commanded. “We have a plan. We want them to get away.”

“In that case, I’d better make it look good,” the Knight replied.

Starknight jumped back to the roof (nearly not making it) and fired twin crimson blasts at the now distant Starburst. “He’s too far away,” Knight shouted, “and Blaster is gone.”

Ace and Justice still stood on the rooftop across the street. Through the radio, Shield informed them, “He calls himself Starknight. He knows what is up, he’s just being convincing, now.”

“All right, Shield,” Justice instructed, “bring him to me in Ops.”

“Ted has agreed to assist us,” Molecule’s voice said, also from the radio.

“I hope this stunt works,” Ace said to Justice. “With six of us, we have a chance to finish this!”

To be continued...