Great, all I need is a Vacandian or whatever they're properly called!
- "Miss Stone! - I mentally addressed the woman. - Our base located in Mauritania has been attacked by Wakanda soldiers! I'm going there and will personally deal with the invaders! And you will declare the beginning of a state of high alert!"
- "That's right! - Anna mentally shouted and, judging by the sensations, even stretched into a frond. - But maybe I should send more guys over there!"
- "No need, they may be needed elsewhere while I'm gone. That's it, over and out."
- "Over and out!"
What do those smart guys want? We set up bases away from them on purpose! Well, I'll deal with them now!
I'm already on another continent. I teleported to a designated place so as not to make my subordinates nervous.
- Head! - the dark-skinned man addressed me. - On us!
- I already know. Let's go.
He and another woman nodded and walked briskly towards the explosions, howls, battle cries, and other such sounds. I kept up with them.
- These s**theads are too well protected! Grab your armour-piercing bolters and spatial burst weapons! Let's turn them into mincemeat! - Grace yelled to her subordinates in the armoury. When she saw me, she immediately cheered up. - Head! There are already seven dead among us!
- I know," I replied with barely restrained anger, closing some of the fighters on the front lines with barriers. It was almost physically painful to feel the ties with his subordinates being severed. - I'll take the lead, and you cover.
- I got it!
I headed for the exit and continued to monitor the situation with my clairvoyance. The Wakandans were well protected and armed. In addition to armour, they had energy shields, which formed the first row of soldiers. The weapons were mostly spears and curved blades that attacked with sound waves. It was somewhat unusual to see the combination of almost space technology and cold weapons.
However, my guys were able to reduce the number of attackers, even with all their gimmicks. And probably would have been able to finish the job themselves, but the Panther was in the way with two flying flattened dishes firing energy charges.
I decided to start with the latter, since the local super-soldier was taken by one of the rabbits serving on this base. I did not trifle and pierced the plane with dozens of energy constructs. I must admit that the technique turned out to be quite strong and reliable, but it did not play against Pluto's abilities. As a result, the planes bang beautifully in the air and fell thirty metres away from me.
The Wakandians were stunned by my spectacular appearance, until their boss was able to push the rabbit away and attack me.
- Graaaaah! - he yelled, making an impressive leap and falling on top of me.
- How scary!
- Die, whoever you are! - wished with hatred a man, judging by the voice of about twenty years old, hitting the barrier with his claws.
His words were understandable, as I now had the familiar appearance of an anthropomorphic energy blob for my subordinates.
- Not anytime soon, puppy! - I answered him with no less anger, punching him in the chest with my hand.
Vibranium was able to absorb almost all of the kinetic energy, which dragged the Vakandian only a few metres away. However, the demonstrated power was able to surprise him, but it did not discourage him from continuing the fight. With a battle cry the guy attacked me, trying to hurt me somehow, waving his arms like a propeller. I responded with a few energy constructs and even managed to damage his armour slightly. Vibranium is a tough metal, after all.
While we weren't fighting each other very effectively, our fighters were trying to reduce the number of enemies. One bald woman from Dora Melage, who was trying to help her master, was shot with a bolter, causing bloody spatters to fly in all directions. The others decided not to interfere, leaving the honour of finishing off the strongest enemy to their master, and took care of my subordinates.
- Raaah! - Panther interrupted my thoughts, slashing the barrier with his claws, reaching a new level of battle rage. Apparently the deaths of his soldiers (and possibly mistresses, since Dora Melage translates as "adored" for a reason, being in addition to bodyguards and potential wives of the king) he took seriously. - Die, demonic spirit! I will not let you destroy Wakanda!
- I don't give a damn! - growled back, hitting him with a huge energy arm. It didn't have much effect. I'd have to figure out how to disarm him in a non-lethal manner.
The problem was that I could kill Panther at any moment, but then I would have to fight with the whole of this small but highly developed country. And in light of current events, that's definitely unnecessary. As much as I'd like to believe otherwise, I need that shithead alive.
I don't know what prevented Panther from surrendering, stubbornness, pride or fear for his country, or maybe all together, but he, falling into a fighting frenzy, continued to cut my barrier. Or tried to. No matter how cool his vibranium claws, physical superhuman conditioning, and fighting prowess were, it was like boxing with a stone wall. At the same time, he was no stranger to punching with his arms and legs, but all to the same effect. In the end, having realised that the opponent was stronger than him, Panther took out something resembling a grenade from a small pouch on his belt, quickly pressed the ball several times and threw it at me, dodging the energy blades beforehand.
The blast, it had to be said, was quite powerful, but not enough to break through the barrier. Neither were the several sound waves that flew at me. Apparently realising that he couldn't take me out alone, Panther gave the command to his girlfriends to help. And now they're trying to carry me out in a crowd. Well, that's even better, more of my fighters will survive.
They weren't idle either. Seeing that the boss is trying to be crushed by the masses, the guys opened hurricane fire on the attackers. It paid off, but the Wakandians instantly regrouped, putting soldiers with energy shields in front of them.
I, at the same time fighting with Panther, hit Dora Melage, who were getting in the middle of the fray. And I didn't do it with much ceremony. Their lives didn't matter much, unlike the prince's. This agitated the enemy more, but there was nothing he could do about it, even with super-tech weapons.
- "Head, we're under attack! - For the second time that day, I heard a phrase that instantly gave me a headache. - It's Carmen and the Distortions she created! They're breaking through to the Vault of Light! We can't defeat them!"
- "I'll be right there! Hold out until I appear!"
- "Understood!"
We'll have to speed up. Instead of gradually grinding down Panther's fighters with his exhaustion, I'll start acting right away. Except this guy wasn't a bad warrior and was quite adept at dodging the energy chains I wanted to use to capture him. But even that wouldn't have been a problem if it weren't for the annoying bald girls. They kept getting under the chains, covering their Dungeon Master, which made me want to get serious.
But the enemy made the mistake of getting distracted by the space gap that Grace Taylor used with the blade from the armoury. She blew away the energy shields in one fell swoop, and I took my chance, catching the wiry bastard in the process.
- My prince! - screamed one of the women as she saw him being shackled by glowing chains. - You!
Not intending to listen to any more insults, I pierced her with an energy blade and threw her aside. Next, I focused on the immobilised enemy and teleported him out of his armour. It was dangerous to do this before because of the resistance of his body (apparently due to the reception of the heartflower) and the trivial possibility of pulling the prince out incompletely.
- FREEZE!!! - I thundered across the battlefield. And it worked, the Wakandians as well as my subordinates froze in place. - I order you to lay down your weapons, or you will bring home the corpse of your prince!
- Don't listen! - shouted the captured man, but immediately the chains braided him tighter and closed his mouth to prevent him from doing so. - Mmmmm!
- Choose! Either you will lay down your weapons and no one else will be killed, or.....
I didn't finish, as it was already clear. The lost Wakandians looked round, not knowing what to do. No wonder, for their invincible warrior, the symbol of the nation, was twisted like some kitten.
I suddenly felt two more of my girls' lives cut short in New York, and I shouted in rage:
- "Think fast!
The first to throw her spear was apparently Dora Melage, one of the bosses. Then, as if a dam had burst, the survivors dropped their weapons.
- Grace, tie them all up tight. Especially this prince. Give medical attention to anyone who needs it," he ordered the woman. - Guard them until I get back. I'm going to New York. There's been another attack there.
- Yes, sir.
After waiting for the prince to be bound, I jumped to the US. Teleporting close to the base, I saw fighters fighting three Distortions, two of which I already knew, and a motley crowd of mutants, armed humans, and Goddess knows who else. The first thing I did was put up a barrier that was supposed to hide what was going on. Even though there are probably already eyewitnesses, it will give time to finish the fight and mop up the loose ends.
The next step was to look for Carmen. She, if my clairvoyance was to be believed, had climbed into the Vault of Light along with several mutants. Naturally, to take it over. But why was the vault in order and not blown up? If the enemy got in, it was better that no one got the contents. My remote detonation attempt failed, too. What a number. All right, I'll do it manually. Just as I was about to teleport in, a natural cross of pure energy fell on me from above.
Such an attack was able to bend me to the ground, as if gravity had increased a couple of dozen times. As if that wasn't enough, in the next second I was hit in the face by a fist shrouded in light. My head jerked up and I had to retreat, but I didn't take much damage. The one attacking me was Alexander Anderson, the priest Carmen had turned into a Distortion. And now he was facing me with a face contorted with righteous rage.
- We meet again, monster!
- Yeah? What do you want from me? - I asked the fucker, preparing to hit him harder.
- You're nothing but a pathetic usurper! You're a false idol! But now I see the truth of the Holy Virgin's words! I'll open your eyes too, Black Star!
- What are you talking about?
He confused me so much that I didn't even attack him right away. And that's what that Doomsday lady took advantage of, sending me flying with a leg kick. Just as I hit the wall, I was hit by a beam of light. Reinforcing the barrier around me, I created several energy seals, from which energy constructs struck the former priest. And I even wounded him, though not deeply because of the light barrier, which was created by this natural paladin, for the whole country such one.
The adaptant apparently decided to wall me up to my ears, as she threw herself into the melee, striking with extremely powerful blows. I had to concentrate on my defence and stop trying to kill the priest. Since I had to destroy the girl with one precise blow, I couldn't even attack her. I could only block Distortion's limbs and prepare myself. The plan to neutralise her was simple and effective. Take the Light, chop off her head, rip out her heart, and shatter her body into quarks. She definitely wouldn't survive after that.
As I fought off the girl, I glanced at my subordinates and Carmen. My guys were more or less fighting off the attackers. At the same time, Distortion was collecting vials of Light along with unexpected allies (where did she get them from, and in such quantities?). No, I can't leave it like this, so I'll deal with her first. It's bad enough she's already spawned three Warped Ones.
But I wasn't allowed to teleport this time either. The previously bored brunette with scarlet eyes and the most perfect appearance I had ever seen in this world began to act.
In an instant, my body, mind, and soul felt like they were enveloped in a warm embrace. The weirdness didn't end there, and I felt like I had the love of my life! All those Aki and Gerdas weren't even close to her! She was beautiful, wonderful, intelligent, kind and a thousand other epithets! I wanted to touch her, to give her love, to be with her forever! The rest of the world faded away, only She remained, becoming my Light in the darkness! Oh, how I want to be with her forever...!
Retreat.
- I've got the Enemy! - said Megan Young, using all her strength to hold the enemy. - But I can't hold him for long! He's too heavy!
- It's okay! I don't need much! - Lillian said smugly, kneading her fists in front of the immobilised silhouette. - Alex, come on, charge me properly!
- All right! Punish the Star for all the sins you've committed!
The energy enveloped the girl, bringing with it warmth and incredible lightness. After waiting for the procedure to end, Lillian grinned happily and struck with all her might at her opponent's head. But the creature of unknown sex only twitched and looked at her in surprise. Rejoicing that this time the enemy was not a squirming wretch, White began to strike with renewed vigour. It got to the point where her own bones in her hands turned to dust. She chuckled her tongue and tried to bounce away from the creature, but couldn't.
- Wait a minute," Lillian heard the impersonal voice as Star grabbed her arm. - What about...
The end of the retreat .
- ...Is it my turn? - I asked, holding back my rage. To think those bastards had, even if only temporarily, made me give up my feelings for the girls and fall in love out of my own free will! All right, have it your way!
Until now, I still couldn't fully overcome the effect that black-haired bitch had imposed on me. And that thing got through both the shields and the Moonstone's field. Well, that's just black magic. A witch's witch.
And even though my body was partially subjugated to the brunette, my mind was already clear. Perhaps it was helped by the adaptee, who, sparing neither me nor herself, had arranged a session of total dope-kicking. Despite my defences, she'd managed to break a few bones and knock out some of my internal organs. The nanites sent alarming signals to the brain implant, but everything was solved by using recovery. And now it had already completely rid me of my subjugation. Now it would be time to take care of Fem Doomsday.
Digression.
Alexandra Bloom, who had recently reached the milestone of nineteen years old was walking down the most ordinary alleyway to her house. Until a couple of years ago she had had an inexhaustible vitality, but after the death of her father the girl had changed a lot. Now it was as if Alexandra did not live, but existed.
Her father Edward was a policeman, and according to his daughter's worldview, he was doing one of the most important jobs imaginable. And few people would agree that the protection of ordinary people is not an important job. And since the girl of all her family especially respected her father, the man was able to instil in her his view of the world. Especially that justice is more important than anything else.
So it went on until the moment when Edward found several dozen kilos of cocaine, during a search of one building on a tip-off. To persistent requests to forget about this incident, the man responded with a firm refusal. Since this party was covered up by people at the top, the honest policeman was able to hang all the dogs on the honest policeman. False cases, false testimony from fellow officers, and attempts to plant all sorts of things hit Edward so hard that he died of a heart attack a few days before the trial. The original cocaine case was eventually dropped.
Alexandra, on the other hand, had suffered a serious blow to the ideals instilled by her father. The girl knew perfectly well that he would never go to cover drug dealers, or any other crime. The only thing that gave her strength was one of her father's last phrases, said by him with full conviction:
- Justice will always be done. No matter how it is tried to be countered.
And the girl tried to put these words into practice, because justice must be helped. And to do that, you have to work hard. She wanted to find those involved and bring the case to a public trial, but nothing came of it. In addition, she had to suspend her investigation after death threats against Alexandra's three mothers and her sisters and brother. She couldn't lose them too, so she decided to lay low.
Today was also the second anniversary of her father's death, and now the girl was walking home from the cemetery. The rest of the family had been there earlier, and Alexandra had only been able to get out now because of her studies. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she paid no attention to anything.
This continued until she crossed an invisible barrier, just beyond which was a veritable massacre of some uniformed soldiers against a strange gathering that was hard to characterise. Immediately the sounds of battle hit her ears with unaccustomed pops, explosions and shouts from both sides.
And since the girl knew how to behave in a firefight, and she had a weapon, she rushed to the nearest shelter without thinking. But there was a blond man with a stern face, armed with a strange machine gun, wearing a laconic uniform of grey colour. Beside him lay the corpse of a woman in the same uniform. Their gazes collided and they stood still for a second. It was the man who came to his senses first. Quickly pointing the muzzle of his automatic rifle at the girl, he ordered in a harsh voice:
- Stop! Who the hell are you?!
- A-Alexandra Bloom!
- Are you with them or not?!
- I'm on my own!
- Hmm, you don't seem to be lying," the man crouched down as if listening to something. - Good. If you're not with them, then crawl back that way!
He waved his hand and ducked with a yell, at the same time pulling Alexandra under him, protecting her from the ball of pure flame that flew over them.
- You bastard! Little girl, get out of here while you can! - The man hissed, sitting up, crouching down and firing several rounds in the direction of the fire. The girl realised from the quickly choked shriek that the target had been hit.But then his walkie-talkie came to life.
- Joe! There are two mutants running at you with stolen Light! - came a female voice from the device. - Stop them! We can't let them steal that much Light again! We'll try to pin them down from behind!
- Understood! - replied the man and looked out from his hiding place. - Fuck, they're already here! Babe, crawl further away and get down on the ground! It's going to get hot!
Alexandra nodded and quickly moved in that direction, catching a glimpse of two men running towards their position with bags full of something in their hands. Around one of them shone all the colours of the rainbow in an energy bubble that looked like a soap ball, while the other was firing something from his fingers in the direction they were running from.
Joe immediately began firing at the approaching mutants. The glare of the glowing balls flew at him, and when they hit, they left holes in the rock like machine-gun holes. Cussing foully, the blond settled back behind cover.
- Deal with him, and I'll take the ones behind him! - heard the girl negotiate the mutants. - We must fulfil Megan's request as soon as possible!
- Got it!
From the place where Alexandra had taken cover, one of the mutants could be seen throwing his bag behind his back and rushing forward, covering himself with a strange white armour as he went. His speed was much faster than that of a normal human, so he covered a couple of dozen metres almost instantly and lunged at the blond.
- Die, you bastard! - yelled the mutant, covered with bone armour (that it was bone Alexandra understood only up close) grabbed the man and began to drive him into the ground. But almost instantly he stopped. - Gha!... Я!..
- You're driving, arsehole! - The blond hissed, throwing off the mutant corpse with the knife humming in his chest. - Kha, he's got me pretty bad!
Alexandra and John had just forgotten about the second mutant, who was able to suppress the enemies from behind for a while. After gathering more strength and time, she fired a ball the size of a grown man's head, which instead of penetrating hard surfaces, detonated like a grenade. The explosion blew apart the shelter behind which the blond man was sitting and hit Alexandra hard. The man was pierced by shards of stone in the abdomen, causing heavy bleeding. She was about to help him close the wound when she glanced at the contents of the bag the dead mutant was carrying. There were strange containers containing a clot of... Light? Just looking at it, either substance or energy, brought about a kind of mental peace for the first time in two years. And there was an underlying sense of power that the vial could bestow.
John, grunting and spitting out blood, reached into his abdomen and began to pull out the shards.
- You need medical attention! - Alexandra whispered, crawling closer to the man.
- I don't need... One injection will be enough. Now... - the blond man wheezed, pulling out an ampoule with a liquid of a pleasant green colour, and stuck it directly into the wound.
Immediately, a real miracle appeared before the girl's eyes. The huge hole in the man's stomach closed rapidly, leaving no trace. Shaking himself, John cautiously peered out from behind the remains of the shelter and whined. A couple more of his companions had managed to break through to the mutant, and now they were going to escape with the priceless cargo, waiting for the right moment. He wouldn't be able to defeat them all alone.
- What's that? - he heard the girl's question as he stopped firing at his opponents.
- It's not time! Don't touch it! - hissed the ducked man, seeing Alexandra staring mesmerised at the vial of Light in her hand. - It's a dangerous thing! Put it down and get out of here! I'm going to blow the whole place up to keep those bastards out!
Except John didn't have time to give the first mutant a control shot in the explosion, and then forgot about it. Besides bone control, that one had some serious regeneration. The blow to his heart had nearly killed him, but thanks to his general survivability and the armour that had prevented the whole organ from being pierced, there was still life in the body of the Distortion subordinate. He also realised that the vials he had to take out were a source of immense power when Carmen absorbed the Light.
And now, the mutant, wanting to survive, carefully took the ampoule while the nearest enemies were distracted, and stuck it in his hand. To his distress, Alexandra saw the last of it.
- W-what's he doing?
- Who? - John asked irritably, contemplating the idea of hitting the girl over the head and knocking her out for the duration of the fight.
- Y-your enemy.
- What?
Taking a moment to reload, the man looked at the mutant who was holding an empty ampoule in his hand and shaking as if in convulsions.
- Shit wo-!
Before he could speak and reload, the enemy jumped up and grabbed John by the neck, choking him.
- I'll get the power and be with Megan forever! - he muttered, covered in a layer of black bone. At the same time, his appearance was literally floating, changing every second.
- In the next life! - John wheezed as he placed the barrel of his bolter under the mutant-distortion's chin where the bone slabs met, and fired at point-blank range.The new creature had no shortage of vitality, but the miniature burst projectiles used in place of bullets, unable to penetrate the super-strong bones, turned the contents of its skull into mincemeat. Even his regeneration couldn't cope with such a marvel of dusky engineering. After standing for a second with his opponent in his hands, the mutant, who had never fully become a Distortion, fell like a century-old oak tree.
- Ha-ha-ha! It's official, I love this baby! - John said, rolling away from his now surely dead foe, stroking his bolter.
Alexandra didn't even have time to intervene, so quickly it started and ended. But one thing she realised. The ampoule in her hands was a source of Power. The power to bring about Justice. The desire was so strong in her that she didn't even think about the side effects. And by the time John came to his senses and remembered Alexandra, it was too late. She had stuck the ampoule into herself right in front of him.
- Fuck! What the fuck are you doing?! - the man asked in despair.
He could only watch as the little girl froze as if she wasn't alive. Right now, he had the perfect opportunity to kill it and prevent another Distortion from appearing. But John couldn't bear to shoot a girl the same age as his sister. So he decided to wait it out, hoping Alexandra could handle it. And if she didn't... If she didn't, he'd blow himself, her, and the Light that was in the dead mutant's bag. All these thoughts rushed through his mind in an instant. Having made his decision, the man activated the grenades and fired at the enemies who had gathered for a breakthrough.
They responded by using their abilities and weapons to fire on his position. Under cover of their comrades, a girl dressed as a ninja and holding a sword began to move towards John. After successfully reaching the man, who was crouched behind the remains of the shelter, she began to swing her weapon furiously, wanting to cut down the only remaining enemy. The man, in an awkward position, defended himself with his automatic rifle, waiting for the right moment to counterattack. But they were suddenly stopped by Alexandra, who had come to her senses and was holding a spear. She made a jab towards the ninja with great speed, forcing the ninja to retreat.
- I urge you to stop! - The girl exclaimed pathetically.
Such an extravaganza surprised even John's bombarding opponents.
- No way! - The ninja refused. - I have to help Megan!
- Then I'll calm you down! - said Alexandra and, making a lightning leap, knocked out the opponent who had not even had time to swing her sword.
The ninja support group was next. They were not helped by abilities or weapons. The girl either fought off the gifts released at her with her spear or simply dodged. She only had a few seconds to do all of this. After the last attacker was knocked out, Alexandra, throwing glances at the fights going on a little further away, approached John.
The man had been analysing what had happened all this time and had come to the conclusion that the little girl had received an E.G.O. And that was pleasing on the one hand, but on the other hand it caused difficulties. What if she doesn't want to join the Refraction?
- Sir John, right? - the girl asked pompously.
Now the man could get a better look at the E.G.O. of the little girl. The spear was golden-black in colour, with a broad blade, engraved ornaments and a sharp heel.
- Yeah.
- What's going on here?
- Briefly, they attacked us and stole the Light we need to help humanity and build a safe, just world," the man said quickly, watching his unexpected assistant's reaction.
He didn't want to reveal the details to an outsider, but he had no choice. Trying to recruit the little girl and revealing some information for the sake of the cause was an acceptable strategy.
- A just peace? - Alexandra asked with a strange intonation, looking at the man carefully.
He wanted to help his hard-fighting comrades, but dealing with the new E.G.O. user was more important. And as John knew, the Head had come to their aid, so the boys would be relieved now.
- Yes. Where there would be no evil, no despair, no lies, no hatred. Mankind will put all that unnecessary stuff away and walk into a new future. And the Light you've absorbed is meant for just that.
John said what he believed in with all his heart. He himself had experienced a lot of shit in his life, but the Head was able to heal both mind and body, and give him a Great Purpose. The man believed that what he said would come true, because even one spread of technologies used in the Refraction would improve the life of mankind many times over.
- Can I take part in this? - Alexandra asked with keen interest.
- I'm not a high boss, but if you want to improve people's lives, you will be accepted, - John replied with inner glee.
- Great! - exclaimed the satisfied girl, tapping the pavement with her spear. - If that's the case, I think I should help you punish the thieves!
- All right, but be careful.
- Don't worry about that Sir John! Justice can't be defeated that easily!Having said that, the girl, with a cheerful smile and glowing from the emotions overwhelming her, tore at the nearest group of fellow Warps. Now she no longer felt despair. That corrosive feeling had turned into an inexhaustible confidence. From now on, she would be able to make the world a fairer place!
The man barely had time, swearing through his words, to inform his comrades of the arrival of a new ally. After that, he reached over the comms to his superiors.
- "Head, we have another E.G.O.... host here."
End of retreat.
Holding the adaptant firmly with his left hand, he began to prepare to finish her off with a single blow. And apparently Doomsdayka's instinct for self-preservation was working well, as she began to break free of my grip, and the other Distortions began to interfere with me in every possible way. But that's not going to change anything!
- Die," I said, attacking with both destruction and direct manipulation of reality.
Only at that moment several different energy barriers appeared around the Distortion, which, although destroyed, were able to absorb all the power I had invested. And they were created in front of the frightened adaptee, who realised that she was on the verge of death, by the tense breathing Alexander Anderson, the subordinate and...
- Carmen Reed," I said evenly, looking at the girl who had arrived with several mutants. - Has she stopped running from me?
- Something like that," she replied with a kind smile, holding several vials of Light in her hands.
***
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