N2-2
N2
Chapter 2: The Foreigner
"How's Jedda doing?" April inquired, waiting for Rick as he came downstairs. She'd wanted to check up on Jedda herself, but felt it was best to give her friend some space. Everyone else had been comforting her.
"She's still kind of quiet," Rick relayed. "Getting better, though. At least I think. We..." He paused, turning aside, seemingly stunned by the sight before him.
Amy was floating to the bottom floor, touching right down next to Rick's left arm. The girl had a telekinetic skill. She never really bothered with the stairs at all. April was used to this spectacular sight, but Rick hadn't seen Amy's power much.
That wasn't the reason he was staggered, though. April could tell as she watched him blush.
Amy's hair was gathered in a cute little bun. She wore a tank-top that revealed her chest. Her shorts were high, tight on her legs, barely covering that large booty of hers. She was the same age as April and Rick, but far more assertive in particular ways. She didn't exactly conceal her goals—and Amy's current goal was to seize Rick's heart. And maybe a few other body parts.
Amy held still, meeting his gaze. They both held quiet for a couple of seconds. "Sorry," she purred. "Didn't mean to upset you."
"No, no! It's fine." His blush grew deeper.
April stepped forth, clearing her throat—louder than she'd ever managed to before. "So anyway, Rick. Jedda's all right?"
"Um, yeah," he said with a shake, turning her way as he answered her.
"Good," she muttered. "I'm going to go and see her as soon as...I..." A little bit of static sounded off in her pocket. April reached in and revealed a device, one that was shaped like a mobile phone.
But it wasn't what it appeared to be.
"What's that?" Rick asked, studying it. She wasn't surprised that it hadn't tricked him.
"A listening tool," April relayed.
He scowled a tad. "A spying tool?"
April had bugged a Defender's room. This device allowed her to listen to them. It had been triggered by a call to space. Someone had attempted to reach Mongo.
Sheila's voice was heard from within the machine. "I'm all settled in. They don't suspect me." She paused a moment. "I'll be in touch, Father."
Rick twitched again, looking appalled. "Is that Ming who she's talking to?"
April started seething. "I knew it," she said. Sheila was the woman whom their father embraced—the woman whom he wanted a future with. But Sheila was a royal of Mongo too, which meant that she couldn't be trusted at all. Maybe their father had lowered his guard, but April had known not to let hers down.
She marched upstairs. Rick followed her. A few seconds later, she kicked a door open.
Sheila flinched. "What are you doing?" She ended a call.
"I knew you were colluding with Ming all along," April declared. "I planted a mic."
Sheila stared. And then she scoffed. "Whoa," she uttered, raising a hand. "You're so off-base, and way out of line, I don't even know where to start right now."
"You're going to deny you were talking to Ming?"
"I'm setting him up! Playing a role. Making him think I'm betraying you. April, we have to get out to that base, the one that you thought was inactive now. He's using that site to enact his plan."
April stared, curious.
"He's trying to create an immortal army. Garax has a woman named Amanda caught. Once he replicates her DNA, Ming and his clones are going to conquer the world."
April threw a tense glance over at Rick.
Her brother stepped forth. "I thought it wasn't possible to clone those people."
Sheila shook her head. "Not with humanity's science, no—going by what I've been told, at least. My father has Mongo's advancements, though. They're prying the secret from Amanda's blood."
Rick looked worried. "We can't allow the 'bots to take it off of this world. If Garax and his troops get the secret to Ming..."
Sheila's frown held. "Ming will come back with an immortal horde."
April wasn't fully convinced of this tale. She knew they couldn't take any chances, though. "We have to go, Rick. This could be true. We've got to head out and examine that base."
Sheila moved forward. "I'm coming along."
"No," April said under her breath. "I think I'll feel safer if you stay here."
Sporting a cap, with blaster in hand, Rick began inching his way through the base. He paused at a corner, peeking around.
Several ice robots were patrolling the floor.
Garax was positioned at a doctor's table, holding a needle as he faced someone.
Rick looked closer, spotting a woman, laying on the table amid the machines. She was unconscious as they poked at her.
He tapped his headset. "A. I found her. I'm bringing her out. We'll be at your plane two minutes from now."
"Copy that, Rick. Be careful, okay?"
Rick took a breath, then rushed into view, opening fire on the horde of machines.
Garax spun around. "Rick Gordon!" he bellowed. "Attack! Attack!"
The units shot back.
Rick dodged the shots, then dropped three targets. He ducked more beams, then floored other foes.
Garax started fleeing with a vial in hand. He tucked the little glass right into his chest. "We have the secret! Ming will be pleased! Retreat! Retreat!"
Rick sent a flurry of shots his way.
Garax evaded, and hopped in a jet. Rick could tell the plane was equipped for space. Garax was about to depart the Earth—with the key to craft an immortal army.
The jet revved up, and then took off, bursting through the roof as it soared to the sky.
"April!" Rick called. "Shoot the plane down!" Rick had a view of the action up there.
April's jet fired. Missiles shot forth.
But both of them missed. The plane kept flying.
"You've got to stop Garax!" Rick called out. With hundreds of immortals, thousands perhaps, Ming could succeed in invading the world.
"He's moving too fast," April relayed.
All of a sudden, another missile flew, connecting directly with Garax's jet. The craft exploded. It burnt to the ground.
Rick was relieved. But how had that happened? "Who fired that shot?"
A new plane appeared, floating about, clearly the one that had hit Garax. A bit of static came. "April? Rick? Can both of you hear me?"
Rick flinched a little. "Sheila?" he said.
April descended the wide staircase.
"How's Amanda doing?" Sheila inquired.
April eyed the floor. "She'll be all right." She quieted a moment. This would be tough. "Listen... Sheila..."
"April..." She smiled. "You don't have to say it."
"I really should, though." She faced her again. "I'm sorry for placing the bug in your room."
"Apology accepted." Sheila paused. "I understand why you're suspicious of me. I hope I can earn your trust someday."
"Given what you did for the world today...I think we might be at that point already."
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Art by 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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