N2-1
N2
Chapter 1: Blood Ties
Rick took a gander at the clock again. His aunt was supposed to be here by now.
"Guess she's late," LJ said, leaning beside him as they stood at the door.
The howl of a jet sounded off in the sky—a loud and merciless sonic boom. Both of them flinched, then stepped outside.
A sleek little cruiser hovered over the yard, grass fluttering as it made its descent.
Rick raised a palm, blocking the gust.
The jet's door swung. His aunt hopped out, sporting a suit and a silver beret.
Abigail Gordon was never late.
He straightened his frame as she made her approach; that was exactly what she'd expect. Even when Rick was a tiny child, his aunt instilled him with discipline. "Aunt Abby," he said, quietly.
She managed a smile, but just for a second, bringing the beret down to her side. Then she reached over and touched his cheek, a gesture that left him a little surprised. His aunt was not an affectionate woman—not usually, from what he recalled. But it had been a while since they'd spoken in person.
Her gaze drifted over to the other boy, looking curious as she studied him. Time for the pair to be introduced.
"LJ," Rick uttered, "this is my aunt. Commander Gordon. She's the senior leader of the Unit 3 squad." A military group that fought various threats, much like the Defenders and the IUA. Rick had informed LJ already, but wanted to tell him again right now. He needed his aunt to know that he was proud. "Aunt Abby..." He motioned. "This is LJ."
"I know who he is. Let's go inside." She sounded as blunt and direct as ever. Maybe more so than usual.
Rick twitched a little, then did as she said. Obviously, she wasn't here to chat. He knew that she'd come for a serious talk—she wanted his help on a mission today—but Rick hoped the task wouldn't be too grim...
She turned around. "You're going to have to kill someone for me."
And all of that hope quickly faded away.
He shivered a tad. His jaw opened up. Naturally, he faced his friend. LJ appeared rather stricken as well.
She wore a stern face as he eyed her again. "There's a man called N'Dama. Real name Kurt. Your group has encountered this subject before."
Rick knew the tale. Jedda's uncle Kurt—the guy whose powers had made him insane. "I thought he was dead," he said in a whisper.
"I can assure you, the man is alive." She flashed a scowl. "He just wrecked a village in Africa. He hovers and flies all across the globe. Now he's coming here. We're tracking his flight. He's due to arrive thirty minutes from now."
He eyed LJ. That wasn't much time—not enough to order an evacuation.
She looked confused. "We're not exactly sure why he's headed this way..."
Rick was, though. Revenge on the Phantom. Revenge on his brother. Rick's aunt didn't know the family ties.
"But we've got to stop him the minute he comes. He'll cause casualties if he isn't shut down."
"Casualties?" LJ spoke up.
"Kurt isn't listening to reason now," his aunt revealed. "He's on a mad spree. His mind is gone—except for the part that knows where to strike." She lifted her phone and played a video: Kurt was running rampant through village huts, using lightning, and powerful winds. He snarled and growled, much like a beast. His clothes were tattered. His skin was pale. People all around him were fleeing for cover.
She stopped the recording. "That's what will happen to Central City—in 25 minutes, possibly less."
Rick made a fist. He wouldn't allow it. He couldn't let Kurt go crazy here. Not in the city. Not in his home.
"I'm down a few men," his aunt declared. "I'm going to need both of you to follow me. You'll each be positioned at sniper points. No missiles or tanks can be used in town."
None of the other Defenders were present, not as far as Rick knew anyway. That actually seemed for the best right now. He didn't want a certain pair involved in this. He knew it'd be hard for the two of them.
Kurt had to die. That was for certain. Once Rick succeeded in shooting him down, how was he going to relay the news? What would he say to the Phantom and Jedda?
Taking a breath, he faced his friend. "You ready to go?"
LJ squirmed, licking his lips. "Let's get this done," he said gently, looking a little conflicted himself.
"Wait..." a feminine voice called out.
Rick turned around. Jedda was there, making her way down the wide staircase. She must have been listening in the whole time. She was so quiet. Hard to detect.
Her stare was bold. Resolute. "I'm coming too."
Rick sprawled out right on top of the roof, a firm laser rifle nestled in his hands. He tapped the headset, testing it out. "Elge?" he said. "You reading me?"
"Reading you, buddy," LJ replied.
Rick saw him over on a roof nearby. LJ was holding a weapon as well.
Civilians were driving along the street. Others passed by on a bridge above. All of those people were counting on them. Rick had to see that they got home safe.
A bit of static came. "All soldiers prepare," his aunt Abby said, speaking to them via radio. "N'Dama will arrive in the next ten seconds. Stop this target immediately."
Rick saw the ground troops moving in place, guns pointing up as they waited for Kurt. He tensed a little, bracing himself. He really hoped that Jedda wasn't watching this. She'd promised to remain in a unit van, but Rick wasn't certain she could keep that vow. Jedda still hoped she could reason with Kurt.
"Gordon!" a man on the radio yelled. "He's on your far left!"
Rick shook again, then spun that way.
N'Dama was floating right next to the roof, energy crackling around his hands. His eyes were wild. The man was nuts. There wasn't any room was reason here. Kurt's weather powers had driven him mad. People would suffer if he wasn't put down.
A bevy of shots flew up from the street. The soldiers weren't wasting any time at all.
Still hovering, Kurt veered away, dodging the beams. He lifted his arms, and lightning dropped, screaming right out of the light-blue sky. Burst after burst rocked the ground below. Soldiers flew, losing their weapons.
Rick took a shot. He missed as well.
Kurt made a snarl, staring his way.
LJ fired, hitting Kurt's back, the red laser beam eating into him.
Kurt shook a little, then hurled a bolt, the energy flying right out of his hands.
A raucous explosion hit LJ's roof, rising straight up like a crimson dome. It threw LJ right over the edge. He grabbed onto it, saving himself, dangling in place as his legs swung about.
"Elge!" Rick shouted.
Kurt's hand gleamed. He was preparing another attack.
Rick raised his weapon. "I'm sorry, Jedda." Locking right onto Kurt Walker's head, Rick took the shot—which struck directly. The laser went straight in his target's skull.
Kurt fidgeted, looking awestruck, eyes going wide as his movements stopped.
Rick held still, watching him. He'd never shot a person in the face before.
Thick blood erupted right out of the wound, a powerful line that spread into the air. It flowed for a while, just like a hose.
Rick had to squirm as he witnessed this.
The long stream started dying down a bit. And then Kurt fell. He hit the ground hard. More blood flowed as he lay on his back, eyes looking up with a distant gaze.
Rick caught his breath. His whole frame shook. He kept on staring at the fallen man. It was necessary, he told himself. He couldn't let the guy wreck Central City.
"Units stand down," his aunt Abby said. "Target subdued. Target subdued."
Rick turned away, eyeing his pal. Just as he'd figured, LJ had climbed on the roof again. "You all right, man?" Rick asked him.
"I'm okay," LJ relayed.
Rick made a chuckle. He needed to. "Trying to show those athletic skills."
LJ laughed. "I just...I..." A sudden horror swept over LJ's face. "Rick! Look out!"
Rick turned around, utterly baffled. N'Dama was floating by the roof once more.
Rick shook a little. How could it be?
"He must be immortal!" LJ said. "One of the ones Tori told us about!"
"But Phantom is..."
Kurt threw a bolt onto Rick's roof now.
Rick tossed his weapon, running away, barely avoiding the explosion that rose. The burst lifted him into the air for a moment. He dropped with a thud, holding himself, doing his best to subdue the pain.
Kurt hurled a blast at the bridge nearby. A wild burst spread. Several cars flew. Two of them collided amid the assault.
"No!" Rick shouted.
Kurt raised a hand, eyeing the bridge. It seemed he'd attack even harder now.
But then he paused, quivering, looking confused as he froze in place.
Kurt's arm dropped, hitting his side—as though somebody had forced it there. And then Rick realized that someone had.
Jedda was out on the street below, touching her brow as she looked at Kurt. Her telepathy was holding him in check.
She looked upset, but driven too. She knew that somebody had to stop this man.
She squinted a little, scowling now.
Kurt began flying away from the scene, Jedda apparently willing him to. He moved off slowly, farther and farther, drifting until he became a speck...
A few seconds passed. Silence prevailed.
And then he returned—at very fast speed, faster than was safe for anybody to fly.
Kurt hurled a scream. He flew toward the bridge. His head came off as he crashed into it.
Rick winced a little, gritting his teeth, watching the eruption of blood flow up.
Kurt's headless body collapsed on the ground. A burst of energy fluttered out of his frame.
Jedda looked on. She trembled in place.
And even from here, so high above, Rick could spot tears glistening on her face.
"You did what you needed to do out there." Rick drew her closer to him on the couch.
Jedda merely shook, watching her lap.
"It's all right, Jedda."
She leaned toward him.
"Everything is going to be all right."
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Art by Plustina and Neldorwen
Chapters
Commander Abigail Gordon seeks the assistance of LJ and Rick.
April and Rick hurry to stop Ming's latest scheme.
April and LJ are faced with grim odds.
The Gordons gather to discuss the current matter.
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