Earth-717: Iron Maiden Vol 1 Full Version

8/12/2019 Earth-717: Iron Maiden Vol 1 Full Version

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Earth-717: Iron Maiden Vol 1

Chapter 1: Party Time

Stane felt a small drop of sweat drip down his left temple. As it to!hed the rim of his "lasses#

he patted it away with his hand$er!hief# whi!h he $ept in the front po!$et of his dress shirt. Pla!in" the

hand$er!hief %a!$# he then loo$ed at his wat!h. E&halin" lodly# Stane folded his hands and then pt

them %a!$ in his po!$et. 'e started pa!in" p and down hallway# ta$in" deli%erate measres to not step

on any of the !ra!$s %etween the tiles on the stainless floor.

After a few mintes of this pa!in"# Stane !he!$ed his wat!h a"ain. (ratin" his teeth# he loo$ed

%a!$ and forth down the hall. The only other items in the hall were two potted plants and a sin"le

!o!h. )%%in" the %a!$ of his ne!$# Stane plled ot his phone. *i!$ly typin" a messa"e# he sent his

te&t and stffed the phone %a!$ in his po!$et. 'e !he!$ed his wat!h a"ain. Si"hin"# he wal$ed o+er to

the door and pshed it open. 'e wal$ed into the !onferen!e hall# and loo$ed at the fi+e people sittin" at

the ta%le. Pepper was standin" at the %a!$ of the room# holdin" her !lip%oard. She had a frown on her

fa!e.

,My deepest apolo"ies# mem%ers of the %oard# for the delay . . . .

,here/s Star$0 as$ed one of the %oard mem%ers.

Stane wea$ly !h!$led.

,m . . . . it appears that Ms. Star$ is rnnin" late# replied Stane.

The %oard mem%ers let ot a !olle!ti+e "roan.

,'owe+er# I don/t want to $eep yo waitin" any lon"er# started Stane. ,I $now all of the

information in this 2arterly report# so I will "o ahead and start the presentation.

Stane "ra%%ed the remote off the ta%le and pressed the %tton at the top. The %le display s!reen

lit p a!ross the presentation side of the room as the !eilin" li"hts dimmed. The "low of the s!reen

dimly lit the fa!es of e+eryone in the room. After a few se!onds# a display of "raphs and !harts

appeared.



,As of this month# sto!$ has %een steadily in!reasin"# e&plained Stane. ,3r early smmer

earnin"s fore!ast appears to %e ma$in" p for or dips in May and 4ne. hile sellin" off ma5or assets

to Tras$ Indstries had some of the sto!$holders ner+os# re!ent "ains in the ener"y syphonin"

pro"rams and weapons di+isions show that we/re still on tra!$ for a +ery profita%le year.

Stane pressed another %tton on the remote# !asin" the s!reen to flip to another set of !harts.

,As well# re!ent poll !o+era"e indi!ates that most of the p%li! opinion has swayed in fa+or of

not pla!in" any %lame on Star$ Enterprises for the Tampa in!ident. Considerin" all that happened and

how potentially lia%le we !old ha+e %een# I wold say that we mana"ed to dod"e a rather lar"e %llet

in that re"ard.

3ne of the other %oard mem%ers spo$e.

,6o mentioned re!ent de+elopments in some of yor pro5e!ts. Cold yo tell s a%ot those0

,3f !orse# I was "ettin" to that.

Stane# his palms sweaty# was a%ot to press another %tton on the remote when he dropped it.

Pepper pla!ed her hand on her forehead.

,h# sorry . . . .

Stane fm%led a%ot as he !ro!hed on the floor to pi!$ p the remote. As he stood p# he

%mped the %a!$ of his head a"ainst the ta%le. Si"hin"# he r%%ed the %a!$ of his head %efore hittin"

the %tton on the remote. The s!reen !han"ed to a +ideo and a set of ima"es featrin" a lar"e s!ale ar!

rea!tor.

,In or 5oint-+entre with Pro5e!t Pe"ass# we/+e mana"ed to sta%ilie or ar! rea!tor prototype.

Pre+ios models of the ar! rea!tor were na%le to properly store the ener"y that they syphoned from

otside sor!es. 'owe+er# or newest p"rades to the te!h ha+e mana"ed to ma$e the ener"y transition

effe!ti+e and mana"ea%le. )i"ht now# or model is far too lar"e for any $ind of domesti! appli!ation#

%t now that we/+e "ot the pro!ess down# we !an wor$ on miniatriin" it.

,hat a%ot the other one0 The weapons di+ision0



Stane %e"an to fiddle with his hands as he trem%led.

,ell then where is she0

; ; ; ;

The msi! that was playin" was perfe!tly timed to the stro%e li"hts whi!h fli!$ered thro"h the

!l%. Colors all a!ross the +isi%le spe!trm trned on and off to the %eat of the msi!. The dis!-5o!$ey#

sportin" a massi+e headset# %on!ed his head p and down with his eyes !losed as he spn. <oens of

%odies stepped all o+er the pla!e as they dan!ed a!ross the white tile floor. The dis!-5o!$ey then raised

his hands as the last %eat of the son" e!hoed thro"h the !l%.

,Alri"ht e+ery%ody# let/s hear some noise8

The !rowd !heered as most of the people stopped dan!in" and stood still.

,Alri"ht# alri"ht# this is <4 Mi$e# resident 5o!$ey for Pr"atory8 I "ot a re2est for <aler/s

latest hit# ,Ma$e Them i"hts Mo+e8 This one is for the only white "irl I $now who !an a!tally

dan!e . . . . the one . . . . the only . . . . Tasha Star$8

The !rowd s!reamed into applase as it parted to re+eal Tasha at the !entre of the dan!e floor.

She whipped her lon"# flowin" dar$ hair arond# as she strtted forward. She was wearin" a dar$

salmon !olored shirt# as well as similarly tinted# s$in-ti"ht pants. 'er slender le"s rea!hed to the floor#

!apped off with %la!$ hi"h heels. After stri$in" a pose# she loo$ed strai"ht towards Mi$e.

,'it it# Mi$e8

The son" started playin" and Tasha %e"an dan!in" %y herself. Sha$in" her hips side to side# the

"olden rin"s she had on her ri"ht wrist %on!ed p and down her forearm. Se+eral men whistled as

other people !lapped and !heered. She then trned away from the trnta%le. Mi$e/s eyes widened.

,<amn8 shoted Mi$e. ,'er %ooty "ame is off the !harts8

Tasha !losed her eyes and smiled as she pmped her left fist into the air. She then "a+e a

%e!$onin" "estre to a near%y tall# %la!$ man# who wal$ed p to her and "ra%%ed her hand. 'e spn her

arond as she !ontined to dan!e. After a few moments# the !rowd %e"an to fill in the dan!e floor



a"ain. The s!ent of pheromones 2i!$ly filled the air.

Stane and Pepper wal$ed into the !l%# pshin" past sweaty and drn$ patrons. As they

approa!hed the dan!e floor# they saw Tasha in the middle# her arms otstret!hed to her sides# drin$in"

ot of a wine %ottle that was %ein" held %y the man she was dan!in" with. The !rowd was !heerin" her

on.

,Star$8 Star$8 Star$8 Star$8

After finishin" the %ottle# Tasha "ra%%ed it and tossed it a!ross the !l% and a"ainst a wall as

people s!reamed in e&!itement. Stane si"hed.

,I !an/t say I/m srprised.

Pepper wal$ed p the dan!e floor# and saw 'appy standin" on the ed"e of it. 'e was wearin" a

!lean %la!$ sit and had his hands held %ehind his %a!$.

,'appy . . . .

'appy trned to Pepper.

,'ey# Pep# what/s . . . .

,e/re lea+in"# said Pepper. ,9ow.

'appy loo$ed at Tasha# who was still dan!in"# and then %a!$ at Pepper.

,=t . . . .

,9ow.

'appy si"hed.

,3$ay# o$ay.

'appy stepped p onto the dan!e floor and %e"an to "ently psh the !rowd apart. People

moaned as they stepped off the white tiles. Mi$e slowly stopped playin" the msi! as Tasha loo$ed at

him.

,'ey . . . .

,Tasha# said 'appy. ,e/+e "ot to "o.



,=t . . . . it/s not e+en two AM yet . . . .

,Come on# said 'appy. ,Pepper and 3%adiah are here.

,3%y and Peps0 said Tasha. ,They shold 5oin me p here8 Three/s "reat %t for/s e+en

%etter8

'appy pt his arm arond Tasha/s sholders and %e"an leadin" her off the dan!e floor. They

wal$ed p to Pepper and Stane. After they "ot off the floor# Mi$e %e"an playin" msi! a"ain and the

!l%/s atmosphere was restored.

,'ey "ys8 said Tasha.

,6o didn/t show p for the 2arterly meetin"# said Stane. ,A"ain.

,3h# don/t worry a%ot it# started Tasha. ,I sholdn/t ha+e "one8 I/m drn$8 I wold/+e loo$ed

li$e an idiot8

Tasha la"hed hysteri!ally as Pepper rolled her eyes. Tasha then pt on a strai"ht fa!e.

,3$ay# o$ay# said Tasha. ,I/m o$ay now. Seriosly.

,)i"ht# said Pepper.

,I don/t $now why yo lot "et so !on!erned# said Tasha. ,'appy/s here8 I ha+e my own

personal "ard-%ody.

,e/re not !on!erned a%ot yor person# Tasha# replied Stane. ,e/re !on!erned a%ot yor

personality.

,hat0

,6o $now that 3%adiah has tro%le doin" these thin"s on his own# said Pepper. ,6o/re his

%siness partner . . . . he needs yo to !are a%ot the %siness.

Tasha frrowed her %row.

,Alri"ht# alri"ht . . . . "o ahead# !hastise me# whate+er . . . .

Stane rolled his eyes.

,It/s not a%ot !hastisin"# Tasha# e&!laimed Stane. ,It/s a%ot yo la!$in" any sense of



responsi%ility when it !omes to Star$ Enterprises.

Stane trned arond and wal$ed off.

,3%adiah8 !alled ot Tasha. ,3%adiah8 Shit.

Tasha wal$ed off after him as Pepper and 'appy followed. Stane e&ited the !l% and and started

to wal$ down the street. Tasha ran p to him and "ra%%ed at his arm.

,Can yo 5st wait a se!ond . . . .

Tasha yan$ed on Stane/s arm# twistin" him arond. 'e loo$ed at her with an nimpressed fa!e.

,oo$# I/m sorry that I made yo "o to that meetin" %y yorself# o$ay0 started Tasha. ,I . . . .

!ompletely for"ot a%ot it . . . . I ne+er meant to pset yo# o$ay0 Come on# 3%y# we/+e %een %est %ds

for so lon" . . . . don/t stay mad at me# o$ay0

Tasha stepped p to Stane.

,'ere.

Tasha rea!hed ot and ad5sted Stane/s "lasses# and then fi&ed his hair. After "ently massa"in"

his smooth fa!e# she then "ra%%ed %oth of his sholders.

,There. 6o/re all fi&ed p# said Tasha. ,Are we o$ay0

Stane %reathed in deeply and then si"hed. 'e too$ a few se!onds %efore respondin".

,6eah# replied Stane. ,e/re o$ay.

,(ood# said Tasha. ,I/ll see yo later# %ddy.

She then let "o of his arms and "ently slapped him on the sholder %efore trnin" arond and

wal$in" towards her !ar. 'appy followed after her as Stane and Pepper "ot in their own !ar. As she was

a%ot to "et in# a man with %lond hair ran p to her with a mi!rophone.

,Ms. Star$8

'appy immediately %lo!$ed the man/s mo+ement. Tasha loo$ed at him.

,Ms. Star$8 Christian E+erhart# with Vanity >air. I 5st wanted to as$ a !ople of 2estions.

'appy loo$ed at Tasha. Tasha nodded. 'appy mo+ed ot of the way as Christian stepped p.



,Than$ yo.

,hat do yo want to $now# Christian0 as$ed Tasha# foldin" her arms.

,I/+e %een wor$in" on an e&pos? a%ot the terrorist atta!$ on Tampa %a!$ in May# tryin" to find

ot as m!h information I !an a%ot the %a!$ story . . . .

,here/s yor 2estion# pal0

,hat do yo say to the rmors that it was a!tally yor employee# alter Ma!$en# who was

responsi%le for the Sentinel atta!$0

,A%soltely ridi!los# answered Tasha. ,Ma!$en is a "ood employee who was !a"ht in a

%ad sitation.

,So yo/re sayin" that no one at Star$ Enterprises was at all responsi%le for the destr!tion

!ased %y yor !reations0

Tasha nfolded her arms.

,oo$# we %ilt the prison that/s !rrently $eepin" Ma"neto lo!$ed away# said Tasha. ,There/s

not m!h profit to %e made in domesti! terrorism# $id.

,)eally0 That seems 2ite odd# "i+en that the Sentinels/ main "oal was the elimination of

mtants# who# if I mi"ht remind yo# in!lde Ameri!an !itiens.

Tasha narrowed her eyes.

,6o want to "et into 2estionin" my !ompany0 >ine# %t yo 2estion my inte"rity as an

Ameri!an# then yo/re "oin" too far. The Sentinels are no lon"er with Star$ Enterprises anymore. 6o

want to tal$ a%ot mtant-hntin" ro%ots0 (o to =oli+ar Tras$.

'appy loo$ed %a!$ and forth %etween Tasha and Christian.

,Amain"# said Christian. ,6o a%soltely refse to ta$e any responsi%ility for anythin". <o

yo e+er lose an hor of sleep o+er yor la!$ of a!!onta%ility0

Tasha loo$ed p and down Christian/s %ody.

,I/d %e prepared to lose a few with yo# replied Tasha.



; ; ; ;

Tasha pshed Christian into her room. 'er pants were already off# and she ripped off her shirt.

(ra%%in" Christian/s fa!e and pllin" it to hers# she %e"an to n%tton his shirt. 'e plled down his

own pants# followed %y his nderwear# all withot %rea$in" lips with her. Tossin" his shirt to the floor#

Tasha then plled down her panties as he ndid her %ra. Tasha pshed Christian onto her %ed and

5mped on top of him.




Chapter @: Preparation

Christian/s sleep was interrpted when he felt the rays of the mornin" sn hit his eyes. Moanin"#

he attempted to endre the rays for a few se!onds %efore pttin" p his hand. The heat of the sn

massa"ed his s$in# %t he !old feel that he wold not %e a%le to sleep any lon"er. 3penin" his eyes# he

pshed himself p and off the mattress to see that he was alone# the sheets !o+erin" most of his %ody.

,(ood mornin"# sir.

,Ah8

Christian almost fell off the %ed ot of sho!$ in response to the !ompteried +oi!e he heard. It

was a female +oi!e with a =ritish a!!ent.

,The time is se+en fifty-for AM. Snny s$ies are e&pe!ted the entire day. <o yo re2ire a

refreshin" %e+era"e0

,ho are yo0 as$ed Christian.

,I am 4st A 9atrally Intelli"ent Compter Entity# otherwise referred to as 4ani!e. I am Ms.

Star$/s personal artifi!ial intelli"en!e assistant. I mana"e the hosehold and all of Ms. Star$/s pro5e!ts.

,here is Tasha0

,Ms. Star$ is in the la%# replied 4ani!e. ,She has %een there for o+er an hor. 6or !lothes ha+e

already %een !leaned and pressed# and are a+aila%le at the landry !onsole in the ri"ht-hand !orner of

the room# ne&t to the door.

Christian loo$ed o+er to the ri"ht with %ewilderment. al$in" o+er to the landry !onsole# a

flap opened and held ot his !lothes# perfe!tly folded and !lean. 'e "ra%%ed the shirt and smelled it.

9oddin" his head# he 2i!$ly "ot himself dressed. As he was pttin" on his wat!h# he wal$ed p to the

other side of the %edroom# with a massi+e "lass window where the wall shold %e. It showed a +iew of

the Pa!ifi! 3!ean# as the hose was pl""ed into the side of a !liff fa!e.

'e then trned to the door and opened it# wal$in" thro"h to the main li+in" area. As he did# he



was approa!hed %y Pepper# who was in a %la!$ %siness dress. 'oldin" her !lip%oard# she wal$ed p to

Christian.

,Mr. E+erhart# said Pepper.

,<o I $now yo0

,9o# replied Pepper. ,My name is Patri!ia Potts.

,Pepper Potts0

,6es.

,6o/re Tasha/s se!retary# ri"ht0

,That/s a "ross o+er-simplifi!ation# answered Pepper. ,I mana"e all of Ms. Star$/s daily

appointments# $eep tra!$ of the hosehold dties that 4ani!e !annot handle# maintain all le+els of

!ommni!ation %etween Ms. Star$ and her employees# s!reen all in!omin" messa"es# assist with

!oo$in" where ne!essary and attend to any other needs that Ms. Star$ re2ests that don/t ne!essarily

fall nder my dire!t 5o% des!ription# %t yes# if yo wish# yo may refer to me as a se!retary.

Christian/s eyes widened.

,3$ay . . . .

,As with all of Ms. Star$/s hose "ests# a !ar has %een prepared for yo that will drop yo off

at any lo!ation of yor !hoosin" free of !har"e.

,h# the hose !ompter . . . . started Christian.

,4ani!e# said 4ani!e.

,4ani!e# ri"ht . . . . she said that Tasha was in the la%.

,6es0

,Can I see her0

,ell# I sppose . . . . %t she sally doesn/t li$e %ein" distr%ed while she/s wor$in"# said

Pepper. ,It/s down the !ir!lar stairs.

Christian loo$ed %ehind him to see the stairs and then "a+e Pepper a thm%s p. She nodded %t



then rolled her eyes when he trned arond. 'e wal$ed down the !ir!lar stairs. As he did# he %e"an to

hear a lod son" %ehind played. 'e re!o"nied it as S!orpions/ ,9o 3ne i$e 6o. oo$in" arond

on!e he rea!hed the %ottom# he saw Tasha sittin" on a stool# with only a T-shirt# panties# "lo+es and

weldin" mas$ on. She was holdin" a miniatried %lowtor!h o+er a pie!e of !ylindri!al metal.

Christian wat!hed her wor$ for a few se!onds %efore $no!$in" on the door. She didn/t respond.

,'ey8

The msi! trned off and Tasha folded p her weldin" mas$. She loo$ed at Christian with a

!onfsed loo$ for a moment as she !hewed the "m in her moth.

,6o/re still here0

,6eah . . . .

,<idn/t Pepper "et yor !ar0

,She did . . . . %t I wanted to tal$ to yo for a se!ond.

Tasha narrowed her eyes and tilted her head sli"htly to the side.

,I wanted to $now what yo/re doin" ne&t wee$ . . . .

,Stop ri"ht there# !ow%oy# said Tasha. ,I hope yo didn/t fall in lo+e last ni"ht# altho"h I

woldn/t %lame yo if yo did. I/m not into the whole /"oin" steady/ thin" . . . . espe!ially with

nprofessional 5ornalists.

Christian s!offed.

,nprofessional . . . .0

Tasha smir$ed.

,I woldn/t try to rn yor little e&pos? now# !onsiderin" how !lose yo "ot to a primary

sor!e.

Christian frrowed his %row. Tasha !h!$led.

,=t . . . .

,'ere/s how this wor$s# !ow%oy# e&plained Tasha. ,I "ot on# yo "ot in. I "ot off# now yo "et



ot. 6o want another rond# ma$e an appointment with Pepper# %t if yo start %rin"in" p /dates/ and

shit li$e that then yo/re loo$in" in the wron" pla!e# %!$o.

Christian e&haled lodly and then trned arond and wal$ed pstairs. Tasha smiled to herself

%efore %lowin" a %%%le with the "m. After it popped she spn in her !hair and trned to loo$ %a!$ at

the pie!e she was wor$in" on %efore Pepper wal$ed down the stairs.

,6o/re "oin" to %e late for yor appointment in China# said Pepper.

,ho ma$es appointments in China0 as$ed Tasha.

,6o did# answered Pepper. ,eapons test for the tridim missiles.

,That sonds li$e somethin" that 3%adiah wold s!hedle. 9erd.

,'e had to# %e!ase yo weren/t payin" attention to the messa"es he was sendin" yo.

,3f !orse I pay attention to . . . .

,4ani!e0 'ow many nopened messa"es does Ms. Star$ ha+e from 3%adiah Stane0

,>or hndred and fifty two# ma/am.

Tasha pt on a strai"ht fa!e.

,3$ay# may%e I ha+en/t %een payin" attention the last few days . . . . the point is# rela&# Pep# I/ll

ma$e it in time.

,3%adiah was e&pe!tin" yo at the airfield in a%ot thirty mintes.

,A!e. I/ll %e there.

,It/s a se+enty minte dri+e.

,Then I/ll ta$e the Mr!i?la"o# replied Tasha. ,I/ll %e there with time to spare.

,The a+era"e le+el of speed re2ired for s!h a tas$ wold %e hi"hly ille"al# ma/am# said

4ani!e.

,3h !ome on# if I "et plled o+er I/ll 5st flash the !op# said Tasha. ,I/m a !ele%rity8 I !an "et

away with thin"s li$e that8 hy does e+eryone ha+e to "et all ppity arond me0 4st rela&8

,6o/re ma$in" that +ery diffi!lt# Tasha# said Pepper.



,I !an ma$e it not diffi!lt# said Tasha. ,I !old "et yo a "lass of wine.

,'a+e yo already %een drin$in" this mornin"0

,Is that e+en a le"itimate 2estion0

Pepper rolled her eyes and trned arond.

,Pep . . . . Pep8

Pepper wal$ed p the stairs withot respondin". Tasha threw p her arms and then pt them

%a!$ down. Si"hin"# she spn arond on her stool.

,I %elie+e Ms. Potts mi"ht %e sli"htly pertr%ed a%ot somethin"# ma/am.

,Than$s for the ded!tion# Sherlo!$.

; ; ; ;

Stane sneered as Tasha plled p to the plane in her am%or"hini. She had her sn"lasses on.

oo$in" at Stane# she smiled and wa+ed# and Stane wea$ly smiled and wa+ed %a!$. Clam%erin" ot of

the !ar# Tasha wal$ed arond it and then ran p the loadin" stairs.

,6o/re late# said Stane.

,Corre!tion# said Tasha. ,I/m fa%losly late.

,That/s hardly . . . .

Tasha "ra%%ed Stane and $issed him on the !hee$. 'is eyes widened.

,<on/t worry a%ot it# %a%y# said Tasha. ,et/s 5st "et a mo+e on and we/ll %lame it on the

traffi!.

,Aerial traffi!0

,4st !alm down and "et on the plane already.

Tasha wal$ed in# followed %y Stane. Ta$in" a seat at the main ta%le# Tasha $i!$ed p her feet

and pla!ed them on top of it. Stane sat down ne&t to her. A %londe fli"ht attendant wal$ed p to the

ta%le. She smiled at the two of them.

,<o yo re2ire anythin"# Ms. Star$0



,Than$ yo# said Stane.

Tasha too$ a lar"e sip of her drin$.

,9o# seriosly# who are yo te&tin"0

,9o one in parti!lar.

Tasha narrowed her eyes.

,3%adiah Stane $eepin" se!rets0 That/s not li$e yo# %ddy.

,I don/t ha+e to share e+erythin" with yo# Tasha.

,>air eno"h. 'a+e it yor way.

Tasha too$ another sip of her drin$. Stane pt the Co$e !an to his lips and dran$ in. As he did#

he loo$ed o+er at Tasha# who wasn/t payin" attention to him. 'e then finished his sip and pla!ed the

!an %a!$ on the ta%le. The attendant retrned with a remote.

,Ms. Star$0

,6o.

,6o ha+e a +ideo !all. An Aldri!h illian0 'e says that he had an appointment to spea$ with

yo.

Tasha raised an eye%row.

,Sre# pt him thro"h.

The +ideo s!reen in front of the ta%le lit p. 3n the s!reen was the fa!e of a handsome# %londe

man with sli!$ed hair and a stron" 5aw line. 'is %le eyes seemed to pier!e thro"h the s!reen. Tasha

too$ another sip of her drin$.

,Tasha Star$# said the man. ,So ni!e to finally see yo a"ain.

,A"ain0

,My name is Aldri!h illian. e a!tally met a few years %a!$ at a s!ientifi! !onferen!e in

Switerland . . . . I/m not sre if yo/d remem%er.

,9ot 2ite# replied Tasha. ,So# Mr. illian# what !an I do for yo0



,I am the leader of a s!ientifi! !orporation named Ad+an!ed Idea Me!hani!s# or AIM for short#

started illian. ,I ha+e %e!ome aware of yor re!ent %rea$thro"hs with yor ar! rea!tor te!hnolo"y.

Stane loo$ed at Tasha for a moment %efore loo$in" %a!$ at the s!reen.

,6or wor$ with ener"y syphonin" is 2ite fas!inatin" to se+eral of my team mem%ers# sin!e

we are wor$in" on similar pro5e!ts. I wanted to $now if we !old %rin" yo in for a !onsltation on the

matter# and perhaps %rin" AIM in on the ar! rea!tor pro5e!t. I ha+e some in!redi%le minds who wold

lo+e to wor$ with yo.

,ell# Aldri!h# it seems li$e yo want my help . . . . %t what wold I %e "ettin" from yo#

e&a!tly0

,I assre yo# or s!ientifi! e&pertise wold %e most helpfl in ta$in" the ar! rea!tor te!hnolo"y

to e+en "reater len"ths.

,I/m not so sre . . . .

Stane loo$ed at Tasha a"ain.

,oo$# started Tasha. ,I already ha+e my hands fll with Pro5e!t Pe"ass. =rin"in" in another

ma5or player at this sta"e is ris$y. I/ll thin$ a%ot it# %t I !an/t "arantee anythin".

,I nderstand !ompletely# replied illian. ,eep in to!h# Ms. Star$. AIM has had its eyes on

yo for 2ite some time.

The +ideo feed !t ot. Tasha finished her drin$# and %e!$oned for the attendant to %rin" her

another.




Chapter B: Vision

Tasha/s sn"lasses $ept the rays of the afternoon sn ot of her eyes. Steppin" ot of the 5eep#

she loo$ed arond at the Chinese montains srrondin" her. Ta$in" in the serene +iew# she then

loo$ed o+er to the ri"ht to see a "rop of military offi!ials standin" there# who were "arded %y a s2ad

of armed soldiers. Amon"st the offi!ials was a %la!$ man in an Air >or!e niform who was 5st sli"htly

taller than her. 'oldin" her !hampa"ne "lass# she strtted o+er to the "rop# ta$in" a sip as she did. She

wal$ed strai"ht towards the man and tapped the rim of her sn"lasses.

,'ere to show me a "ood time# handsome0 as$ed Tasha.

,I do%t yo need it# replied )hodes.

Tasha !h!$led to herself. )hodes smir$ed. She then rea!hed p and "ra%%ed the side of his

fa!e# and plled him in for a $iss on the !hee$. After pllin" %a!$# )hodes shoo$ his head while

smilin".

,E+en after all this time# yo/re still tro%le.

,'ow/s it han"in"# )hodey0 Still the strai"ht ed"e we/+e all !ome to e&pe!t and lo+e0

,(i+en that I ha+en/t %een dis!har"ed# said )hodes# ,I wold say that I still 2alify for yor

idea of a strai"ht ed"e.

,See0 6o still "ot some %anter in yo yet.

)hodes "estred towards the man standin" ne&t to him. 'e was a tall# older man with a thi!$#

"rey mosta!he.

,Tasha# this is (eneral Thaddes /Thnder%olt/ )oss# said )hodes. ,'e/s the !ommandin"

offi!er who will %e e+alatin" yor weapons demonstration.

Tasha st!$ ot her hand. )oss nodded and shoo$ it.

,(eneral.

,Ms. Star$.



Tasha and )oss let "o of ea!h other/s hands.

,6o/re not still !hasin" r%an le"ends# are yo0

)hodes "lared at Tasha. )oss s!owled.

,Eh . . . . ne+er mind# said Tasha. ,et/s fo!s on what yo !ame here to see . . . . me %lowin"

the tar ot of the Chinese lands!ape of yor !hoi!e.

Tasha then started wal$in" towards the missile lan!her. It was a lar"e !ontraption atta!hed to a

wheeled $art. It was holdin" for of the tridim missiles# and was pointin" them at a forty fi+e de"ree

an"le into the s$y. Tasha ran her fin"er alon" the ed"e of the de+i!e as she wal$ed past it. She then

trned arond and loo$ed %a!$ at )oss and )hodes.

,This# started Tasha# ,is my personally desi"ned# porta%le hi"h-e&plosi+e weapon-lan!hin"

platform. <esi"ned to %e manoe+ra%le thro"h any $ind of !om%at terrain# it is e&tremely dra%le and

!apa%le of defendin" itself with %ilt-in fifty !al atomati! trrets whi!h are "ided %y an internal

smart-!ompter !apa%le of differentiatin" %etween friend and foe. As well# it has a %ilt-in self-destr!t

proto!ol to ensre that it !annot %e !aptred %y enemy for!es. 'owe+er# that/s not e+en "ettin" to the

5i!y %its.

Tasha then snapped her fin"er# and the missiles aimed at a hi"her an"le.

,Strapped into this mo+in" death ma!hine are for tridim missiles. 9ow# they mi"ht not loo$

m!h different from yor typi!al %n$er %sters# %t what/s inside them is what/s important. The

tridim inside the missiles is !apa%le of a%sor%in" and temporarily storin" solar ener"y. (i+e them a %it

of time to !har"e in the sn# and it in!reases their payload e&ponentially to the point that yo/+e

essentially "ot a miniatre and en+ironmentally friendly n!lear weapon# withot any of the

Cherno%yl-es2e side-effe!ts afterwards.

)hodes and )oss nodded their heads.

,=t . . . . yo/re not payin" me to "a% a%ot it# said Tasha. ,et/s "o le+el some montains.

Tasha wal$ed o+er to the ed"e of the !liff and loo$ed towards the nearest montain. Tasha



pointed dire!tly at it# and the missile lan!her aimed for the pea$. )oss# )hodes and se+eral other

military offi!ials stood %ehind her. Stane wal$ed p to her# holdin" a small holo"ram ta%let. It was

!omposed of two plasti! %ars whi!h !onne!ted a series of hard-li"ht holo"rams that simlated a

+iewin" s!reen.

,Tal$ to me# said Tasha.

,The missiles are !har"ed and ready# replied Stane. ,Solar ener"y infl& has the !rrent

estimated payload at si& hndred and ei"hty for per!ent.

,That shold %e sita%le# said Tasha# la"hin". ,>ire when ready# 3%adiah.

Stane tapped a nm%er !om%ination into the holo"ram $eypad.

,an!h se2en!e initiated# reported Stane. ,Missile lo!$ed. >irin" now.

Tasha smiled. The lan!her lo!$ed the first missile into firin" position. After a %rief moment#

the end of the missile lit p# and it %lasted off into the s$y. A trail of smo$e was left %ehind as it !ar+ed

its path thro"h the air. As it flew towards the pea$ of the montain# the missile %e"an to "low with

%ri"ht# oran"e li"ht. It then impa!ted on the pea$. >or a se!ond# all sond seemed to drain from the

atmosphere. Then# a massi+e sho!$-wa+e shattered the top half of the montain. The remainin" ro!$

then imploded# and %e"an to !rm%le on top of itself. ithin ten se!onds# the montain was almost

!ompletely disinte"rated.

Tasha trned arond to fa!e the offi!ials. She then held ot one arm to the side.

,adies and "entlemen# I offer yo . . . . the Vindi!ator.

The offi!ials all !lapped lodly. )hodes smiled and nodded at Tasha# who win$ed %a!$ at him.

)oss wal$ed p to Tasha. Stane loo$ed at her and then trned and wal$ed %a!$ to the 5eep that they

arri+ed in.

,Con"ratlations# Ms. Star$# said )oss. ,I %elie+e yo/+e 5st made a +ery l!rati+e sale.

,It/s what I do# replied Tasha. ,My le"al team will %e in !onta!t with the Air >or!e within the

wee$. e/ll draw p a !ontra!t.



,Very "ood# said )oss. ,E&!ellent wor$# as . . . .

)oss/ senten!e was interrpted with a ro!$et !ollidin" with one of the military 5eeps. The

e&plosion $no!$ed some of the soldiers down. Tasha loo$ed at the e&plosion.

,'oly shit8

The soldiers who were still standin" trned arond as %llets %e"an to fire into the "rop. 3ne

of the offi!ials was !t down %y "nfire almost immediately. )hodes mo+ed to psh the other offi!ials

to the "rond as the soldiers too$ !o+er %ehind the remainin" +ehi!les and %e"an to open fire. )oss

sho+ed Tasha to the "rond %ehind him and plled ot a pistol %efore trnin" towards where the "nfire

was !omin" from. )oss fired a !ople of shots %efore d!$in" %ehind a near%y 5eep.

Tasha# on her $nees# loo$ed ot from %ehind the 5eep to see the fa!e of one of the soldiers "et

ripped apart %y %llets. As she !rmpled to the floor# another soldier fired a "renade rond into the

%shes otside the area they were in.

,>ire !omin" in from all dire!tions8 shoted one of the soldiers. ,n$nown nm%er of

hostiles8

,)hodey8 shoted Tasha. ,3%adiah08

Tasha loo$ed arond# %t !oldn/t see either of them. As another e&plosion ro!$ed the %attle

"rond# Tasha sed the dst as the !on!ealment she needed to dash towards the missile lan!her. The

lan!her nfolded its internal ma!hine "n trrets and %e"an to s!an the area.

,S!annin" for hostiles# said the !ompter/s +oi!e.

The lan!her portion twisted arond towards the near%y %shes.

,'ostiles dete!ted.

The wheels on the lan!her trned as the ma!hine "n trrets opened fire into the %shes.

S!reams were heard as the %llets tore thro"h two of the enemy soldiers. More soldiers emer"ed from

their !o+er and %e"an firin" their weapons at the lan!her. The enemy soldiers were wearin" simple

!lothes and fa!e-mas$s# wieldin" assalt rifles.



Tasha tapped a %tton on the side of the lan!her and a $ey%oard popped ot of the side. She

%e"an typin" into the !onsole.

,<efensi+e mode a!ti+ated %y master !ommand proto!ol.

The lan!her then %e"an to mo+e towards the near%y soldiers# pro+idin" them with !o+erin"

fire. =ehind one of the near%y 5eeps# )hodes loo$ed p.

,Tasha8 hat are yo doin"08

,Tryin" to $eep yor troops ali+e8 shoted Tasha.

Another enemy ro!$et hit the lan!her# $no!$in" Tasha to the "rond. )hodes shoted and fired

his rifle# !ttin" down one of the enemy soldiers. 3ne of the ma!hine "n trrets was shredded apart %y

the impa!t of the ro!$et# and the other %e"an firin" wildly.

,Tar"etin" impaired.

Two of the enemy soldiers ran p to the lan!her and !lim%ed on top of it. Tasha/s eyes

widened.

,9o8 Stop8

,nit inte"rity !ompromised. Self destr!t proto!ol initiated.

Tasha "asped and threw p her arms in front of her fa!e as the lan!her e&ploded. The two

enemy soldiers on top of it were ripped apart %y the for!e of the %last. Tasha flew %a!$wards into a

ro!$# smashin" the %a!$ of her s$ll a"ainst it. As she !ollapsed on the "rond# she felt the metal

shrapnel pier!in" the s$in on her !hest. 'yper+entilatin"# Tasha !old feel the %lood porin" ot the

la!erations on her torso as her !ons!iosness faded.

; ; ; ;

,Star$ . . . . Star$8 a$e p . . . .

Tasha was 5arred into alertness %y the feelin" of !old water !ollidin" with her fa!e. Sptterin"#

Tasha %lin$ed friosly as she loo$ed arond. Sha$in" her head and "aspin" for air# all she !old see

were %lrred lines and !olored shapes.



,Ms. Star$.

She felt somethin" li"htly tappin" her left !hee$ repeatedly. Closin" her eyes for a moment as

she slowed her %reathin"# Tasha then reopened her eyes for a !learer +iew. She !old see that the

!eilin" a%o+e her was made ot of ro!$. She %lin$ed a !ople more times as the tappin" stopped. She

then loo$ed to the left to see a man sittin" ne&t to her on a stool. 'e was an older man with lar"e

"lasses and wrin$led featres. 'e smiled at her.

,Ms. Star$# the man said. ,el!ome %a!$ to the realm of the li+in".

Tasha !losed her moth and %e"an %reathin" thro"h her nose. Swallowin" the sali+a that was

in her throat# she then loo$ed arond at her srrondin"s. The entire room was made of ro!$ and dst#

and there was a lar"e amont of haphaard me!hani!al parts layin" arond.

,ho are yo0 as$ed Tasha. ,here am I0

Tasha %e"an to mo+e# %t the man pt his hand on her sholder to stop her.

,<on/t mo+e# he !ommanded. ,It/s not flly !har"ed yet.

,hat/s not flly . . . .

Tasha loo$ed down at her !hest to see +arios wires pl""ed into it. 'owe+er# they were "oin"

into her flesh a !ir!lar hole had %een !ar+ed ot of her sternm# and was filled with a metal t%e. The

wires entered the t%e# from whi!h a small amont of li"ht was emanatin".

,3h shit . . . . said Tasha. ,3h shit . . . .

Tears welled in her eyes. She %e"an hyper+entilatin" a"ain.

,3h f!$ . . . .

The man stood p and pla!ed his hand on her !ollar %one. 'e pressed down +ery "ently. She

swallowed a"ain and $ept %reathin" thro"h her moth.

,Calm yorself# Tasha# he said.

She stared ri"ht into his %rown eyes.

,Am . . . .



Tasha too$ a moment.

,Am I "oin" to die0

,9o# he replied. ,The !ontraption I made will $eep yo ali+e . . . . for now.

,ho are yo0

,My name is 6insen. <o!tor 'o 6insen. I %ilt an ele!troma"net that/s %een em%edded into

yor !hest. It/s the only reason yo/re still ali+e.

Tasha !losed her moth and %e"an %reathin" thro"h her nose a"ain.

,here are we0

,A !a+e . . . . somewhere . . . . I !annot %e sre. I/m 5st as m!h of a prisoner here as yo are.

,Prisoner of whom0

,A "rop that !alls themsel+es the 4ade <ra"ons. They/+e %een terroriin" these lands for 2ite

some time.

6insen loo$ed o+er at a ma!hine that was ot of Tasha/s line of si"ht. 'e then loo$ed %a!$ at

her.

,Char"in" is !omplete# he said. ,6o !an mo+e now.

Tasha pshed p off the metal sla% sin" her el%ows. She mo+ed her le"s so they were han"in"

off the ed"e of the %ed. Ta$in" a moment to %reathe while in the sittin" position# she then loo$ed o+er

at the ma!hine 6insen had %een loo$in" at.

,Is that . . . . a !ar %attery0

,It is indeed# replied 6insen. ,Amain"# how one !an find ses for thin"s in the direst of

sitations. That !ar %attery is powerin" the ele!troma"net in yor heart. ithot it# the shrapnel in yor

!hest wold/+e ripped yor insides apart.

Tasha was silent for a lon" while# starin" at the floor. She then loo$ed at 6insen.

,Than$ yo.

6insen smiled and nodded in response. A %an"in" noise was then heard from the door. Tasha



loo$ed p and 6insen trned arond. The door opened# and a "rop of armed men entered the room.

They were followed %y a man in a "reen !oat and a lon" s!arf. The man# with narrowed eyes# sr+eyed

the room and then loo$ dire!tly at the two prisoners.

,6insen# said the man. ,ill she li+e0

,She will# replied 6insen.

The man sneered and wal$ed !loser. 'e stared dire!tly at Tasha# who retrned his "ae. 'e then

raised his ne!$# ele+atin" his fa!e a%o+e hers.

,ell . . . . how the tide has trned# said the man. ,The "reat and nto!ha%le Tasha Star$ . . . .

red!ed to nothin" more than a shri+ellin" !ripple in !apti+ity.

The man !h!$led. Tasha s!offed.

,ell# yo/re not e&a!tly offerin" the ser+i!e of a empins$i . . . .

The man %a!$handed Tasha a!ross the fa!e. 6insen !rin"ed. The man "lared at her.

,<on/t yo dare mo!$ me# Star$8 I !old end yo at any time.

Tasha frrowed her %row and loo$ed %a!$ at him.

,So then why am I ali+e# "ood sir0

,=e!ase yo are "oin" to do somethin" for me# in "ratitde for allowin" yo to li+e.

,hat wold that %e0

,e attempted to ta$e !ontrol of yor mo%ile missile platform# e&plained the man. ,3%+iosly#

that plan has failed. 'owe+er# while we do not possess the weapon we desire# we do ha+e its

manfa!trer.

Tasha let ot a sin"le la"h.

,So . . . . a missile lan!her# said Tasha. ,Sre yo don/t ha+e one already0

,(li% will not $eep yo ali+e# Ms. Star$. 6or en"ineerin" s$ills will. 6or 5o% is to assem%le

my weapon. <o!tor 6insen/s 5o% is to $eep yo in wor$in" !ondition. I will ha+e the materials yo

re2ire deli+ered to yo. I s""est yo "et to wor$ as soon as yo !an.



Tasha "lared at the man and fmed. 'e smir$ed.

,3ne last thin"# said Tasha.

The man raised an eye%row.

,To who do I owe the than$s for s!h "ra!ios hospitality0

The man "lared at Tasha.

,I am on"-Ch. And I am yor master now.

on"-Ch trned arond and left the room# followed %y his "ards. The door slammed %ehind

them# and the sond e!hoed thro"hot the room.




Chapter D: >or"in" 'eroes

Tasha plled the %ottle off of the ta%le and pt it to her lips. Ta$in" a tiny "lp# she re+elled in

the small amont of relief that the norishin" li2id pro+ided to her par!hed throat. Co"hin"# she

handed the %ottle to 6insen# who too$ it with a nod. After he also too$ a tiny "lp# he s!rewed the !ap

%a!$ on and pla!ed it %a!$ on the ta%le.

Pla!in" her hands in the %owl# Tasha mashed the oran"e powder in it with her hands. Ea!h %it of

powder massa"ed her s$in 5st as m!h as she massa"ed it. The powder flowed %etween her fin"ers as

she pressed into it. 6insen handed her a small pie!e of sheet metal# whi!h she pla!ed o+er top the %owl

of powder. Mo+in" o+er to the for"e# she sed the ton"s to pll ot the !ontainer holdin" the li2id

metal she had pla!ed earlier. 6insen "ra%%ed the %owl and held it steady.

Tasha narrowed her eyes as she fo!sed on the %owl. 'er %reathin" slowed as she rea!hed the

des$. She loo$ed at 6insen# who nodded a"ain. oo$in" %a!$ at the %owl# she slowly tipped the ton"s#

allowin" the li2id to flow easily into the %owl of powder. The sheet of metal ensred that the only

li2id that rea!hed the powder was in the shape of a rin". After the porin" was !omplete# Tasha pla!ed

the ton"s and empty !ontainer on a near%y stand. Sittin" %a!$ down at the ta%le# she too$ a set of

tweeers and lifted the sheet of metal off of the %owl of powder. Pla!in" the sheet in the ton" !ontainer#

she then too$ the tweeers and lifted the newly for"ed iron rin". 'oldin" it in front of her# she

inspe!ted it from all an"les as 6insen wat!hed.

In one of the pper !orners of the room# a lone se!rity !amera was pla!ed# aimin" down

towards Tasha and 6insen. A small %lin$in" red li"ht was atta!hed to it# ne&t to the lens. The !amera

was wired dire!tly into on"-Ch/s !ommand room# whi!h !ontained se+eral ma$eshift !ompters and

tele+ision s!reens. Sittin" as his !hair# he had one hand on his !hin. Snarlin"# he stared at the s!reen

whi!h displayed the feed from the se!rity !amera. 'e wat!hed as Tasha too$ the small metal rin" and

pla!ed it inside of a small pie!e of tpperware as 6insen prepared another !ontainer on the for"e.



3ne of on"-Ch/s soldiers wal$ed p to him.

,Commander# he said.

on"-Ch did not trn arond to address him.

,)eport.

,The +illa"ers ha+e srrendered# said the soldier. ,e/re mo+in" in to ta$e spplies and

prisoners. After that# we/ll %e "oin" on to the ne&t town per yor orders. As well# more materials ha+e

arri+ed. e/ll %e ready to deli+er them to Star$ within thirty mintes.

on"-Ch sneered.

,(ood. Tell me when they/re ready to "o.

,6es sir.

The soldier trned arond and left the room. on"-Ch !ontined to stare at the s!reen as Tasha

%e"an pttin" her hands into another %owl of powder.

; ; ; ;

ipin" the dirt off her forehead with a soiled ra"# Tasha si"hed as she strn" the !opper wire

arond the metal rin" she had made. The taste of "rime in her moth had %e!ome near n%eara%le to

her# %t she did not rea!h for the little amont of water they had left. (lpin" down the sld"e she had

in her moth# Tasha !rin"ed as she !ontined to strin" the wire. After she was done# she set the metal

rin" down and s!rat!hed at her ne!$.

oo$in" down# she saw that the dirt had piled p on her !lothes. )%%in" her left hand a"ainst

her shirt# she then stared at her palm. The dst and "n$ !a$ed on her filled in the !reases in the s$in of

her palm. She fo!sed on her hand for a lon" while.

,I wold thin$ that tarnished !lothes and filthy hands wold %e the least of yor !on!erns.

Tasha trned arond to see 6insen wal$in" p to her# holdin" a pan and a wooden spoon. 'e

was "ently s!rappin" the spoon a"ainst the pan# stirrin" the %rown m!$ and %eans inside of it.

,I sppose the men hasn/t !han"ed# said Tasha.



Tasha pored the last of the water into 6insen/s moth. 'e allowed it to sit for a moment %efore

swallowin". She then pla!ed the now empty %ottle on the %en!h ne&t to her as she helped him sit down.

6insen si"hed. >or a few mintes# they 5st sat on the %en!h to"ether in silen!e# with Tasha/s arm

arond 6insen/s sholder.

,6o !ontine to srprise me# Star$.


,Contine0 hen did I do it the first time0

,Si& years a"o# when we first met.

,e did0

6insen !h!$led.

,e did indeed# said 6insen. ,Te!hnolo"y !onferen!e in =ern. e only spo$e for a !ople of

mintes. Considerin" how into&i!ated yo were# I/m not offended that yo don/t remem%er.

Tasha sni!$ered and "rinned.

,hy am I not srprised . . . .

,9ow# yo/re helpin" an old man li$e me with what little stren"th yo ha+e left . . . . when yo

shold %e sin" it to help yorself . . . . why0

Tasha loo$ed at him.

,hy wold yo !are what happens to me0

,I !old as$ yo the same thin"# replied Tasha. ,6o sa+ed my life . . . . I fi"red I owe yo

that m!h.

6insen !h!$led.

,Always sellin" yorself short. 6o/re 5st li$e yor father.

Tasha/s eyes widened as she loo$ed o+er at 6insen.

,6o $new . . . .

,3f !orse I did# replied 6insen.



6insen loo$ed forward and smiled.

,I remem%er the last time I saw yor parents. They had !ome to +isit me in my home . . . .

pro%a%ly not that far from where we are now.

6insen !o"hed a"ain. Tasha stared at him.

,'e had wanted to see me %e!ase of my wor$ with sr"i!al e2ipment . . . . it was for yor

mother.

Tasha felt her fa!ial ms!les start to 2i+er.

,hen she fell ill# he %elie+ed that my prototype ele!troma"nets mi"ht ha+e %een a%le to sa+e

her from her heart . . . . I tried my %est# %t she was too far "one . . . .

Tasha let a sin"le tear stream down her fa!e.

,She died on my operatin" ta%le. 6o were only two years old when it happened. After yor

mother died# yor father told me that# despite all we had %een thro"h# he !oldn/t %ear to stay in

!onta!t with me any lon"er. I always $ept yo in mind after that . . . . yo mst ha+e had no idea of

yor si"nifi!an!e to me when we first met.

Tasha %it her %ottom lip as another tear fell ot of her eye.

,I mst ha+e %een . . . . s!h a disappointment.

,9ot at all . . . . yo !oldn/t ha+e $nown.

6insen stared forward as Tasha loo$ed at him. They were silent a"ain for a few moments.

,My father . . . . he told me she died in a !ar !rash.

,I $now# replied 6insen. ,'e !oldn/t ha+e yo $now the trth . . . .

,The trth0

,That her heart was nearly destroyed %y a malfn!tion in one of his ma!hines.

Tasha frowned as she !losed her eyes in pain.

,'is entire life . . . . he had tried to %ild thin"s to help people . . . . and one desi"n flaw $illed

the lo+e of his life. It %ro$e yor father/s heart. 'e ne+er for"a+e himself after that. 'e wold always



mention how he was a flawed man in the press afterwards . . . . ne+er lettin" "o of the pain of one

mista$e.

Tasha reopened her eyes and loo$ed %a!$ at 6insen.

,I wasn/t a%le to sa+e yor mother . . . . %t I was a%le to sa+e yo . . . . with the same type of

ele!troma"net that I pt in her heart.

6insen tapped the ele!troma"net on Tasha/s !hest with his fin"er.

,>nny how thin"s wor$ ot# isn/t it0

6insen !o"hed a"ain as Tasha allowed herself to !ry. After she wiped away the last of her

tears# she si"hed and loo$ed %a!$ at him.

,My mother . . . .

Tasha stopped. She loo$ed down for a moment %efore loo$in" %a!$ at 6insen.

,hat was she li$e0

6insen smiled a"ain.

,She had one of the warmest hearts I/+e e+er $nown# 6insen replied. ,She was also a hell of a

st%%orn woman.

6insen and Tasha shared a short la"h.

,I remem%er . . . . she $ept tellin" 'oward not to worry. She was "oin" to %e 5st fine . . . .

Tasha !losed her eyes a"ain for a %rief moment.

,I don/t remem%er anythin" a%ot her# said Tasha.

,6o wold/+e lo+ed her as m!h as she lo+ed yo# replied 6insen.

Tasha !losed her eyes and pla!ed her forehead a"ainst 6insen/s temple. 6insen %reathed in and

si"hed hea+ily. After a few moments# Tasha plled herself p a"ain and loo$ed at him. 'e trned to

loo$ at her.

,I wanted to as$. 6o said that I was always sellin" myself short. hy is that0

6insen nodded.



,I/ll tell yo what I mean when we lea+e here# said 6insen.

Tasha %it her lip a"ain as she loo$ed at him with red eyes. She nodded.

,3$ay.

Tasha too$ her arm off of 6insen/s sholders and stood p off the %en!h. She "ra%%ed the pan

off the stool and pla!ed it on the %en!h ne&t to him. As he loo$ed down# he noti!ed the wooden spoon

on the floor.

,ell . . . . that/s nfortnate.

Tasha loo$ed at him and sni!$ered.

,I wold thin$ that dirty spoons wold %e the least of yor !on!erns.

6insen loo$ed p at Tasha and la"hed. Tasha smiled at him %efore loo$in" %a!$ at the ar!

rea!tor.

,I/m "oin" to need yor help with this.

6insen stood p and wal$ed o+er to her.

,I/m "oin" to ta$e ot yor ele!troma"net# e&plained Tasha. ,I need yo to pl" in the rea!tor.

I mi"ht not %e a%le to do it myself after the ma"net is offline.

,3$ay.

6insen "ra%%ed the ar! rea!tor and held it p to Tasha/s !hest. She "ra%%ed onto the wires and

plled# shotin" as she did so. After a few se!onds of str""le# she yan$ed the ele!troma"net ot of her

!hest# and %e"an to "asp for air. 6insen 2i!$ly pl""ed the ar! rea!tor into the metal t%e in her !hest

and twisted it into pla!e. A soft hmmin" noise was heard as the ar! rea!tor "lowed. Tasha si"hed and

%reathed slowly for a few se!onds.

,Are yo alri"ht0 as$ed 6insen.

,I/ll %e fine# replied Tasha. ,et/s "et to wor$.




Chapter : Mar$ 3ne

=itin" into his apple# the soldier wal$ed down the !a+ern hallway alon"side his partner. The

dele!ta%le 5i!e ran down his "llet as he !rn!hed down on the flesh of the frit. Mn!hin" as he

wal$ed# the soldier ad5sted his sholder# o+er whi!h was strapped his assalt rifle. Ta$in" another %ite#

he tossed the !ore a"ainst the wall as he !ontined to !hew. Comin" p to the lar"e metal door# he

loo$ed o+er at his partner# who nodded. 'e raised his hand and $no!$ed on the door twi!e with his

$n!$les. After that# he swallowed his food as he opened the eye slit and peered into the room.

,6insen8

'e !old not see either Tasha or 6insen. 9arrowin" his +iew as he s!anned his ppils

horiontally# e+entally he noti!ed a small amont of mo+ement %ehind a lar"e pile of ma!hinery.

,6insen08 Are yo there0

,6es8

6insen mo+ed his head so that it was into +iew. 'e was fa!in" the door.

,hat/s "oin" on in there08 shoted the soldier. ,on"-Ch says he !an/t see yo on the

!amera8

6insen shoo$ his head.

,e/re wor$in"8 Come %a!$ later8

,Show yorself8 =oth of yo# or we/re !omin" in there8

6insen mo+ed his head %a!$. The soldier !old hear what sonded li$e a whisper.

,here/s Star$08 6insen8

The other soldier shoo$ his head and s!owled.

,They/re p to somethin"# he said. ,3pen the door.

,6eah . . . . 6insen8 e/re !omin" in# ri"ht now8

'e rea!hed for the door handle. 6insen loo$ed %a!$ at him as he "asped.



,<on/t . . . .8

The soldier twisted the door handle. As he did# the e&plosi+e de+i!e that Tasha had planted there

earlier detonated# in!ineratin" %oth of the soldiers and %lowin" the door wide open. As their last

se!onds of feelin" left their %odies# all that was left was the e&!r!iatin" sense of %rnin". 6insen

win!ed as he loo$ed at the remains of the door.

,'ow did it "o0 as$ed Tasha.

,It wor$ed e&a!tly as intended# replied 6insen.

6insen ran %a!$ p to Tasha/s armor and finished %!$lin" the straps on the le"s. Ta$in" a

moment to loo$ at their !reation# the entire steel-for"ed sit loo$ed li$e a monolith of death. Carryin" a

!ondit for the ar! rea!tor in her !hest plate# the entire sit was dirty# %t somehow# had a !ertain

element of ele"an!e to it.

,here did yo e+en "et this idea0 as$ed 6insen.

Tasha smir$ed.

,ittle pro5e!t I sed to wor$ on# that I . . . . don/t# anymore. My !ompany "ot in tro%le %e!ase

of it. on" story.

6insen wiped the sweat off his temple as he loo$ed at the destroyed door a"ain.

,They/re "oin" to %e here any se!ond# stated 6insen.

,Then let/s "o.

Tasha e&haled and dropped the metal mas$ o+er her fa!e. 6insen stood %a!$ as the flly !har"ed

sit powered p. Ma$in" a lod hmmin" noise# Tasha stepped off the pedestal and strai"htened ot the

armor/s %a!$. Sspendin" her %ody in the air# the two meter tall armor flly en!ased it. Tasha too$ a

step forward as 6insen loo$ed at her in awe.

Shots were then heard from down the !orridor. Tasha trned arond to fa!e the door.

,Stay %ehind me# ordered Tasha.

'er +oi!e was deepened into a %oomin" e!ho %y the armor. 6insen !ro!hed %ehind her as she



!len!hed her fists. As she wat!hed the shadows of the approa!hin" soldiers stret!h arond the !orner of

the ro!$ hallway# she narrowed her eyes and hardened her fa!ial ms!les. She then raised her left arm

and pointed it towards the door.

A "rop of si& soldiers ran towards the doorway. Ea!h one was !arryin" an assalt rifle. As they

arri+ed at the door# some of them loo$ed down at the "rond in dismay at the remains of their

!omrades# while the rest loo$ed forward in sho!$ at seein" the armor.

,'i there# said Tasha# smir$in".

A t%e e5e!ted from the side of Tasha/s left forearm. oaded inside it was a miniatre ro!$et#

whi!h immediately lit p and fired ot of the t%e. The soldiers "asped as the ro!$et was lan!hed

towards them. It hit one of the soldiers ri"ht in his ri%!a"e# !asin" him to e&plode into "i%s of

%loodied flesh. The rest of the soldiers were torn apart and !harred into !risped# smo$in" !orpses.

owerin" her arm as the t%e re!eded into it# Tasha %e"an to wal$ forward as she heard more s!reams

!omin" down the hallway.

6insen# still !ro!hed# shadowed her footsteps. More soldiers approa!hed from the front as she

mar!hed ot of the room. A "rop of three stopped in pla!e as they stared at her in amaement. They

then raised their assalt rifles and opened fire# ro!$in" the armor with %llets. Tasha win!ed as she

too$ a step %a!$wards from the sheer nm%er of %llets ri!o!hetin" off the armor. 'oldin" p her

arms to defle!t some of the %llets# Tasha !ontined wal$in" forwards.

As she rea!hed the "rop of soldiers# one of them trned and ran off. She threw her arm forward

and pn!hed at one# !rshin" him a"ainst the wall. As his %ody !ollapsed# the other tried to flee. =efore

he !old es!ape# she "ra%%ed his head with one hand and lifted him off the "rond. 'e s!reamed in fear

as she pn!hed his !hest with her other hand# sendin" him flyin" down the hallway. The impa!t of her

pn!h li2ified his %ones as his man"led %ody !rmpled on the "rond.

Continin" forward# the hall "a+e way to a lar"e loadin" room with plenty of %o&es of

e2ipment# spplies and weapons. Tasha "lared arond as she noti!ed se+eral !ontainers that had her



!ompany lo"o on them. Se+eral soldiers in the room too$ aim at Tasha. More %llets hit the armor# %t

they 5st %on!ed off with little effe!t. 6insen loo$ed to the ri"ht as his eyes widened.

,oo$ ot8

Tasha trned to see a soldier rnnin" with an )P(. )aisin" her ri"ht arm# she s2eeed the

internal pressre tri""er in the armor/s "lo+e. The heat tan$ atta!hed to her %a!$ a!ti+ated# and the

flamethrower on her arm let ot a steady stream of flames. The stream almost instantly rea!hed the

)P( soldier# and his !lothes !a"ht on fire. In his pani!$ed state# he slipped and fell to the floor#

a!!identally firin" his )P( into the !eilin". The e&plosion ro!$ed the !a+e# and !ased se+eral !hn$s

of ro!$ to %rea$ loose from the !a+ern walls.

Tasha loo$ed to the left and s2eeed the other internal pressre tri""er. ith %oth

flamethrowers a!ti+e# she !reated a lar"e wall of fire whi!h she rotated forwards# trappin" and %rnin"

se+eral soldiers# whi!h for!ed the rest to retreat. Stoppin" the fire# she loo$ed o+er at a set of Star$

Enterprises !ontainers. She s!owled as she lifted her fist in the air and smashed it down# o%literatin" the

!rates. She then pn!hed with her other hand# s!atterin" the pie!es e+erywhere.

,I/m not "oin" to let these terrorists se my te!h# said Tasha.

,Tasha8 yelled 6insen. ,oo$8

6insen pointed to the left# and Tasha trned to see a !a"e fll of +illa"e prisoners. There were

arond twenty people inside the lar"e iron %ar !a"e# in!ldin" men# women and !hildren. Their !lothes

were torn and their %odies loo$ed dirty and malnorished. They were all starin" at her# with fa!es

ran"in" from fear to awe. Tasha wal$ed o+er to the !a"e.

,Stand %a!$# she ordered. ,I/m "oin" to "et yo ot of there.

(ra%%in" onto the %ars with the armor/s hands# Tasha plled otwards# rippin" the iron %ars

apart and !reatin" a lar"e hole in the !a"e. The prisoners didn/t mo+e.

,Come on.

The prisoners still didn/t mo+e. 3ne of the !hildren# a yon" "irl# stared dire!tly at Tasha/s



helmet. Tasha si"hed and lifted the helmet# re+ealin" her fa!e.

,It/s o$ay now# she said. ,I/m "ettin" yo all ot of here.

After a few se!onds# the yon" "irl stepped forward# and e&ited the !a"e. The rest of the

prisoners followed sit as Tasha pt her helmet %a!$ on.

,Too late# Star$8

Tasha loo$ed forward to see on"-Ch standin" at the entran!e to the !a+e# holdin" a "renade

lan!her. )aisin" it p# he fired a "renade rond dire!tly at her.

,(et down8 she shoted.

Tasha 2i!$ly trned her %a!$ to on"-Ch# and threw p her arms. Shieldin" 6insen and the

prisoners# Tasha too$ the "renade dire!tly to the %a!$ of the armor# shrie$in" in pain. Small pie!es of

the armor on the %a!$ fell off as the heat smoldered the metal. 6insen/s 5aw dropped as Tasha e&haled

and trned arond to fa!e on"-Ch.

As he raised his "renade lan!her a"ain# Tasha held her ri"ht arm forward# and loaded the

remainin" missile. >irin" the ro!$et at the same time on"-Ch lan!hed another "renade rond#

Tasha too$ the "renade to the ri"ht side of her waist. hile the prisoners had mo+ed %a!$ ot of the

%last radis# 6insen was $no!$ed %a!$ %y the for!e of the e&plosion. Tasha/s ro!$et hit the wall %ehind

on"-Ch# $no!$in" him to the "rond as part of his fa!e was %rned.

,6insen8

Tasha trned arond to see 6insen !rmpled p a"ainst a pile of %a"s. 'e was %reathin" slowly

as %lood filled p his shirt.

,3h no . . . . no no no . . . .

Tasha opened her fa!e plate and !ro!hed down ne&t to him.

,6insen . . . . hold ti"ht# I/m "oin" to !arry yo ot . . . .

6insen pt p his hand momentarily.

,<on/t . . . . it/s o$ay . . . . "et these people to safety . . . .



Tasha shoo$ her head as a !ople of tears dripped down her fa!e.

,6o said we/re "ettin" ot of here to"ether# she protested.

,It/s o$ay# Tasha# replied 6insen. ,I/+e li+ed my life . . . . these people need yor help . . . .

Tasha !losed her eyes for a moment.

,I wanted to tell yo . . . . what I meant . . . . when I said yo were . . . . sellin" yorself short.

Tasha opened her eyes and loo$ed dire!tly into 6insen/s.

,6o said that yo only helped me %e!ase I sa+ed yo . . . . I don/t %elie+e that# said 6insen#

!o"hin". ,6o helped me . . . . yo helped them . . . . %e!ase yo ha+e the heart . . . . of a hero.

6insen wea$ly pt p his arm and tapped the ar! rea!tor twi!e with his fin"er. Tasha loo$ed

down at it and then %a!$ at him.

,<on/t for"et that . . . .

6insen/s eyes started to fltter.

,<on/t . . . . for"et . . . .

6insen e&haled and then rested his head %a!$. 'is eyes stopped mo+in". Tasha frowned as more

tears streamed down her fa!e.

,I won/t.

Tasha stood p and !losed her fa!e mas$. She loo$ed o+er at the prisoners# who were starin" at

her. She then trned arond to see on"-Ch pllin" himself off the "rond. Tasha "lared at him.

,6o.

on"-Ch loo$ed %a!$ at Tasha in terror %efore trnin" arond and rnnin" otside# his ri"ht

arm pressed a"ainst his waist. Tasha ran after him as fast as she !old. As on"-Ch ran ot into the

sn# he %e"an shotin".

,)eady the tan$8 he yelled. ,Aim for the armor and %low it apart8

Tasha rea!hed the e&it of the !a+ern# and loo$ed down to see on"-Ch rnnin" towards a

lar"e# steel# %attle tan$. 3n the side of it was em%laoned a sym%ol of a yellow he&a"on. The tan$ had a



top se!tion with twin !annons. As Tasha wal$ed forward# the !annons started mo+in" to aim towards

her. 'er eyes widenin"# she ran forward as the armor !lan$ed in response. Aimin" %oth of her arms

forward# she i"nited %oth of her flamethrowers# settin" the front of the tan$ a%lae. The twin !annons

fired# %t with their +iew shroded in flames# they missed Tasha and hit the ro!$ fa!e. She sed this

time to !lose the distan!e %etween her and the tan$# %efore pper!ttin" the front end# $no!$in" the

entire +ehi!le o+er.

As the tan$ !ollapsed on its side# Tasha rea!hed at the %ottom and plled otwards# tearin" a

massi+e hole in the metal. The dri+er inside s!reamed as she pn!hed him# smashin" his s$ll a"ainst

the inside wall of the tan$. She then too$ a moment to loo$ arond

,This loo$s way too ad+an!ed for this "rop# she said. ,ho is spplyin" these "ys0

Tasha loo$ed o+er the dash%oard of the tan$. In the !orner of it# she saw a small lo"o imprint.

AIM.

>rrowin" her %row# she stood p strai"ht and heard a moanin" sond. al$in" arond the tan$#

she saw that on"-Ch was on the "rond# his le"s !rshed nder the wei"ht of the tan$. Completely

immo%ilied# he loo$ed p at Tasha with a fa!e of sheer terror.

,Star$8

Tasha "lared at him.

,Please . . . . don/t . . . .

,'ey master. This is for 6insen.

Tasha lifted her le" o+er on"-Ch/s fa!e. 'e s!reamed as she lowered it# twistin" his head

sideways. She heard a lod snappin" sond as on"-Ch/s s!reams stopped. Ta$in" a moment to

%reathe hea+ily# she loo$ed p to see the prisoners e&itin" the !a+e. They %e"an to smile and em%ra!e

ea!h other. Smilin" wea$ly# Tasha then a!ti+ated the ro!$et %oots. 'er feet i"nitin"# she %lasted

pwards into the s$y.

; ; ; ;




Chapter F: aitin"

,Ah8

Tasha felt the fel !ells inside the sit rn ot as her pward !lim% stopped. She had only

planned for a ten se!ond fli"ht# %t she still %e"an to pani! as she loo$ed down at the "rass rshin" to

meet her. in!in"# she %ra!ed herself as the sit !rashed into one of the hills in the Chinese plains.

(roanin" and !o"hin"# she slowly opened her eyes as her %ones s!reamed in pain.

'er !hest to the "rond# Tasha pla!ed %oth of her palms on the "rass and pshed pwards.

Ad5stin" herself into a sittin" position# she shoo$ her head and %reathed deeply for a few se!onds.

oo$in" down# she noti!ed that se+eral pie!es of the armor had already fallen off her %ody and were

strewn arond her# in!ldin" the entire arm pie!e for her left arm. E&halin" a"ain# she tore her fa!e

mas$ off and tossed it onto the "rass. Sptterin"# she sed her %are left hand to wipe her moth.

,=leh.

She then pointed her armored ri"ht arm into the s$y and fired a flare. Pla!in" her %a!$ a"ainst

the "rond# Tasha wat!hed as the flare soared into the s$y. It left %ehind a faint trail of smo$e as it

ro!$eted pwards. As she wat!hed the "low of oran"e li"ht# she tho"ht %a!$ to her demonstration of

the Vindi!ator missiles. As the time went %y# she allowed herself# for the first time in years# to thin$

a%ot her past.

,<on/t to!h that# Tasha.

Tasha s!owled as 'oward li"htly tapped her hand with his. She withdrew her hand from the

ma!hine he was wor$in" on.

,=t Papa . . . .

,I already told yo. I/m wor$in" ri"ht now. eren/t yo %ildin" somethin" in yor room0

Tasha frowned.

,I already finished my en"ine# replied Tasha. ,That stff is %orin". I want to see what yo are



p to.

'oward si"hed and shoo$ his head. 'e pla!ed his wren!h on his wor$ %en!h and wal$ed o+er

to Tasha. Standin" in front of her# he pla!ed his hands on his hips.

,hat0 as$ed Tasha.

,My la% is no pla!e for si& year olds# re"ardless of how talented they are at en"ineerin".

'e !ro!hed down and loo$ed dire!tly into her eyes.

,Papa# yo $now I/m smart eno"h for this . . . .

,I $now# said 'oward. ,That still doesn/t !han"e that there are rles in this hose# and one of

them is that yo !annot %e in the la%. (o %ild somethin" e+en %etter than yor en"ine and tell me

a%ot it when it/s done.

,I don/t want to %ild somethin"# I want to . . . .

,hy don/t yo "o as$ arren to fire p the 5et0 As$ him to ta$e yo somewhere. I hear that

Sin"apore is loo$in" lo+ely ri"ht now.

Tasha si"hed and frowned as she loo$ed into 'oward/s eyes. She then started to rea!h ot with

her arms.

,Can I "et a . . . .

'oward/s eyes widened as he heard his phone rin"in". 'e immediately stood p.

,3ne moment# pmp$in.

'oward ran o+er to his des$ and "ra%%ed the phone off the ta%le. Pla!in" it to his ear# he loo$ed

away from Tasha.

,This is Star$.

Tasha lowered her hands and shoo$ her head as she e&haled.

,9o# tell him that I need those desi"ns ready for the presentation on ednesday . . . .

,Papa.

Tasha loo$ed p at 'oward as he !ontined to tal$.



,This is %siness# 4im# there are deadlines to meet . . . .

,Papa8

'oward !ontined to tal$ and trned away from Tasha.

,I/ll draw p some new s!hemati!s for him . . . .

Tasha frowned and shr""ed# %efore trnin" away and wal$in" ot of the room. She stopped at

the door of the la%# pla!in" one hand on the door. Ta$in" a moment# she loo$ed %a!$ at 'oward. 'e

was still tal$in" on the phone# and was pa!in" arond the room as he did so. She stared at him for a few

se!onds %efore !losin" her eyes and wal$in" ot the door and down the hallway towards her room.

Tasha %lin$ed as that memory faded into another.

,Come on# 3%y# we/re "oin" to %e late8

Tasha la"hed as she "led the last of the %eer in her !an %efore she tossed it to the "rond.

She then loo$ed %ehind her to see Stane# his hands in his po!$ets. She smir$ed as she loo$ed at him.

'is dishe+elled %la!$ hair# thi!$ "lasses# smooth# yothfl fa!e and !ollared shirt all !ontri%ted to his

ima"e. She then loo$ed p to the "y standin" ne&t to her and smiled. Ge$e had his arm arond Tasha/s

sholders. 'e was at least forty !entimetres taller than her# and was wearin" arm %ands and !asal

!lothes.

,3%y# said Ge$e. ,Stop %ein" a "ee$ and "et o+er here. I don/t e+en $now why I %ro"ht yo#

to %e honest.

Stane shoo$ his head as he !a"ht p to them.

,I/+e told yo %oth %efore# said Stane# ,I hate that name.

,And I hate ha+in" s!h a st!$-p nerd for a little %rother# replied Ge$e.

Ge$e pn!hed Stane in the sholder with his free hand. Tasha la"hed. Stane fmed and r%%ed

his sholder.

,i"hten p# 3%adiah# said Tasha.

,I/m not e+en sre why I/m here# stated Stane. ,I/d rather %e . . . .



,At home# doin" nothin" fn# interrpted Tasha. ,=e!ase yo/re a nerd.

Tasha la"hed as she shr""ed Ge$e/s arm off her sholder. She wal$ed p to Stane# who was

starin" at the "rond# his hands still in his po!$ets.

,<on/t %other# Tash# said Ge$e. ,'e ain/t worth the effort.

Tasha loo$ed %a!$ at Ge$e.

,(o on ahead. (et s "ood seats. e/ll !at!h p.

Ge$e shr""ed.

,Alri"ht.

Ge$e trned arond and !ontined to wal$ down the field. Tasha loo$ %a!$ at Stane and pla!ed

%oth of her hands on his sholders. Stane was still loo$in" down.

,'ey . . . . are yo o$ay0

Stane shoo$ his head.

,'is pn!h really hrt# said Stane.

Tasha si"hed. Mo+in" to his side# she pla!ed %oth of her hands on his %rised sholder and

%e"an to r% it. Stane win!ed a few times %efore rela&in".

,Is that %etter0

,6eah# said Stane. ,Than$s.

Tasha "ra%%ed %oth sides of Stane/s fa!e and pointed it at hers.

,'ey . . . . loo$ at me.

Stane frowned.

,<on/t worry a%ot Ge$e# said Tasha. ,'e/s fn# %t yo definitely "ot all the intelli"en!e in

the family. It will all wor$ ot# %ddy . . . . don/t yo worry. I/ll ta$e !are of yo. I always ha+e.

,I 5st don/t see why yo/re with him instead . . . .

,Tasha8 shoted Ge$e from afar.

Tasha trned arond to loo$ at him# lettin" "o of Stane/s fa!e.



,'rry p# will ya0

,Alri"ht8 yelled Tasha. ,e/re !omin"8

Tasha trned %a!$ to Stane.

,hat were yo sayin"# lo+e0

Stane si"hed.

,<on/t worry a%ot it.

Tasha smiled and rea!hed ot her hand. Stane loo$ed at it.

,Come on# let/s "et "oin".

Stane loo$ed at her and %a!$ at her hand. 'e slowly rea!hed his ot and "ra%%ed hers. She

"rinned and then loo$ed forward as she %e"an wal$in" down the field. Stane $ept pa!e with her#

smilin" %ehind her %a!$ as she led the way. Tasha li"htly s2eeed on Stane/s hand. As Stane/s

%reathin" a!!elerated# she let "o of his hand. Stnned# he loo$ed down for a moment and then forward

to see that they had !a"ht p to Ge$e# who now had his arm arond Tasha/s sholders a"ain.

,Tasha0

Tasha %lin$ed as she loo$ed forward at the !offin.

,Tasha0

Tasha loo$ed down at her hands. They were in lon"# la!ed %la!$ "lo+es. She then loo$ed to the

ri"ht to see Stane standin" there# in a sit.

,3%adiah.

,Are yo "oin" to %e o$ay0

Tasha loo$ed arond to see the !rowd dispersin". She loo$ed %a!$ at the !offin. She felt the

lar"e# %la!$ hat on her head dip into her +iew. After ta$in" a few moments to loo$ at the photo on top

of the !offin# she trned %a!$ to Stane. Cho$in" %a!$ tears# she wea$ly smiled.

,I will %e . . . . in time.

,<o yo want to tal$ a%ot it0



,9ot really. I mean . . . . we %arely spo$e most of the time . . . .

,I $now he was the only family yo had . . . . I 5st wanted to let yo $now that I/m here for

yo.

Tasha smiled at Stane. She then rea!hed ot and h""ed him. Ta$en a%a!$ for a se!ond# Stane

then pla!ed his hands on her %a!$.

,Than$ yo# 3%adiah# said Tasha. ,I don/t $now what I/d do withot yo.

Stane wea$ly smiled as he !losed his eyes. 'e felt Tasha/s !hest a"ainst his as she slowly

%reathed. After a few se!onds# she let "o and smiled at him. She then $issed him on the !hee$.

,Than$s.

Tasha then trned arond and %e"an wal$in" down the hill towards the line of limosines on the

road. Stane pt his hands in his po!$ets and loo$ed %a!$ down at the "rond.

Tasha %lin$ed one last time as she heard the rotors of a heli!opter.

,'h0

Tasha %lin$ed a few more times as she saw a heli!opter in the air# lowerin" itself towards her.

'er eyes widened as her moth parted in a lar"e smile. sin" the last of her stren"th to psh herself off

the "rond# she %e"an to strip pie!es of the armor off as the heli!opter landed ne&t to her. oo$in" at

it# she saw )hodes 5mp off the !hopper# followed %y a !ople of soldiers. )hodes ran p to her and

!ro!hed ne&t to her.

,Tasha8

,)hodey8

)hodes smiled and la"hed as he plled her in for a h". After lettin" "o# he pla!ed his arms

arond her sholders and le"s# pllin" her off the "rond.

,et/s "et yo home.

Tasha si"hed as she pla!ed her head a"ainst )hodes/ !hest. 'e !arried her o+er to the heli!opter

and pla!ed her inside. Sittin" her down# she loo$ed o+er to her left to see Stane sittin" there. )hodes



and the other soldiers !lam%ered %a!$ into the heli!opter. )hodes wa+ed his arm# and the pilot %e"an

liftin" the heli!opter into the air.

,3%y8

,Tasha8

Tasha rea!hed ot and h""ed Stane.

,I/m so "lad yo/re here# said Tasha.

,I/m so "lad yo/re ali+e# replied Stane.

After lettin" "o# Tasha sat %a!$ in her seat# !losin" her eyes. Stane smiled and loo$ed o+er at her

%efore loo$in" ot the side of the heli!opter. 'e narrowed his +iew as he saw the pie!es of armor

strewn on the "rass of the hill.




Chapter 7: 9ew <ire!tions

Tasha/s ms!les a!hed as she sat down on the !hair. It had fine# prple !shions# whi!h mat!hed

the !ontors of her %ody as she pla!ed herself on it. hile the !shions attempted to rela& and soothe

her %rised %ody# she fond herself na%le to flly a!!ept the !omforts of the !hair. She win!ed as she

ad5sted her position# tryin" to find a !omforta%le way to sit. After a few se!onds of str""le# she fond

a sli"htly more ami!a%le position and $ept it.

oo$in" forward# she saw the lar"e press "rop in front of her. Arond two hndred indi+idals

were in the !rowd# all starin" intently at the sta"e. =ehind Tasha was a podim# %t no one was

standin" at it. She loo$ed to her left to see 'appy standin" there. 'e had his hands %ehind his %a!$# %t

he too$ a moment to loo$ at Tasha and smile. She nodded and loo$ed forward as she saw Stane in the

%a!$ of the room# spea$in" to Pepper and )hodes. After a few se!onds# he %ro$e off from the "rop

and wal$ed arond the !rowd towards her. Arri+in" on the sta"e# Stane stood p to the podim and

trned on the mi!rophone.

,Mem%ers of the press. I wold li$e to than$ all of yo for !omin" this mornin". My name is

3%adiah Stane# and I am here to offi!ially annon!e the wonderfl news that Tasha Star$ has indeed

%een re!o+ered from !apti+ity.

The press "rop appladed for a few se!onds. Tasha loo$ed at the front row to see Christian

there# with an nimpressed loo$ on his fa!e. As the !lappin" died# down# Stane nodded.

,As yo !an pro%a%ly ima"ine# Ms. Star$ has not re!o+ered eno"h to stand at the podim# %t

she does want to address the p%li! and ma$e a statement.

Stane stood down from the podim and plled p a !hair to sit down ne&t to Tasha. 'e hn!hed

o+er and pt his el%ows on his $nees# holdin" his hands to"ether. 'e loo$ed at her and smiled.

,hene+er yo/re ready.

Tasha nodded at Stane# retrnin" his smile. She then loo$ed o+er at 'appy and %e!$oned him



Tasha wiped her moth.

,And I . . . . I/+e de!ided that I want to lea+e the world with somethin" . . . . somethin" more.

More than 5st ro!$ets and %llets.

3ne of the reporters pt p his hand. Tasha nodded at him.

,6eah.

,Ms. Star$# yo were "one for three wee$s. hat happened in China0

,I was pshed to the %rin$. I . . . . I was !ornered# and I seriosly had to !onsider . . . . if my life

was o+er. I %arely es!aped ali+e# and I realied that I !an no lon"er %e part of a system of war and death

that ta$es no responsi%ility for its a!tions.

Christian raised an eye%row.

,So# with that said . . . . I am effe!ti+ely shttin" down the weapons di+ision of Star$

Enterprises.

The !rowd erpted into !on+ersation and shotin" as Stane 5er$ed his head to loo$ at Tasha# his

eyes widened. Pepper "asped as )hodes frowned.

; ; ; ;

,A%soltely not.

Tasha wal$ed down the hallway# !ttin" thro"h the air with ea!h step. 'appy was followin"

her# as Stane and Pepper followed him.

,I/m not tal$in" a%ot this# 3%adiah# said Tasha. ,I/+e made my de!ision.

,'ey8

Stane rea!hed ot and "ra%%ed Tasha/s arm# trnin" her arond. 'appy "lared at him# %t didn/t

mo+e. Pepper stood ne&t to Stane.

,6o/re not thin$in" strai"ht# said Stane.

,6es# I am.

,The hell yo are8



Stane e&haled and too$ a step %a!$ as he !losed his eyes for a moment. 'e then loo$ed dire!tly

at Tasha.

,Tasha# loo$# I $now yo went thro"h a lot o+er there . . . .

,3%y# I saw people . . . . "ood people . . . . mrdered %y the +ery weapons I desi"ned. e/re not

helpin" people %y %ildin" these thin"s. I/m not "oin" to %e a part of that !y!le of +iolen!e anymore.

,ell what happens to the thosands of people who ha+e their li+es ridin" on the s!!ess of this

!ompany0 eapons manfa!trin" is what we do.

,9ot anymore.

Tasha trned arond# tears in her eyes as she !losed them. 'appy folded his arms and si"hed.

Stane stood %a!$# frownin". Pepper wal$ed forward and pt her hand on Tasha/s sholders.

,Tasha . . . .

Tasha didn/t respond.

,I $now yo don/t want to hrt people . . . . %t 3%adiah has a fair point# said Pepper. ,If we

don/t ma$e weapons# what will we do0 3%adiah is yor partner# and yo/re 5st !ttin" him ot of the

de!ision !ompletely.

Tasha !len!hed her fists# her eyes still !losed.

,'appy . . . . Pepper . . . . "i+e s a minte.

Pepper si"hed as she %e!$oned 'appy. The two of them opened a near%y door and entered. As

'appy was !losin" the door# he loo$ed at Tasha.

,Come "et s when yo/re ready# said 'appy.

Tasha waited a few se!onds# her eyes still !losed. She then trned arond and opened them#

loo$in" at Stane. 'er eyes were mr$y with tears.

,Tasha . . . .

,3%adiah . . . . I !an/t do this anymore. I !an/t %ild thin"s that hrt people. I need to do

somethin" %etter than this.



,Tasha . . . . withot weapons# Star$ Enterprises is "oin" to fall apart. This whole !ompany that

we %ilt to"ether . . . . sre# yo inherited it from yor dad# %t . . . . I mean# loo$ at all we/+e

a!!omplished8 e %ilt the "reatest te!hnolo"y !ompany in history . . . . and yo/re "oin" to throw it all

away8

Tasha felt the tears fall down her fa!e.

,6o said that we were "oin" to %e o$ay . . . . yo said we were "oin" to ta$e !are of ea!h other.

=t Tasha . . . . Star$ Enterprises is all I ha+e.

Stane loo$ed down at the floor# his hands in his po!$ets. Tasha wal$ed p to him and plled him

in for a h".

,6o ha+e me.

Stane relented and !losed his eyes as he wrapped his arms arond Tasha/s sholders. After

em%ra!in" for a minte# Tasha let "o and trned to $no!$ on the door where 'appy and Pepper were.

As she spo$e to them# Stane said somethin" nder his %reath that only he !old hear.

,<o I0

; ; ; ;

The "low of the lar"e ar! rea!tor filled the room with li"ht# meanin" that the internal !eilin"

li"hts didn/t ha+e to %e trned on. Tasha loo$ed at the prototype# whi!h was the sie of a small room.

Se+eral s!ientists in la%oratory "ear were wal$in" arond it# intera!tin" with +arios !ompter

terminals. Stane was %ehind her# alon" with 'appy and Pepper. 3ne of the s!ientists %ro$e off from the

"rop and wal$ed p to her.

,Ms. Star$. el!ome to Pro5e!t Pe"ass.

The man held ot his hand. Tasha shoo$ it.

,My name is <o!tor >ran$lin 'all. I/m the head of this fa!ility.

,I noti!ed# said Tasha. ,Canadian# ri"ht0

,6es# ma/am.



,I !an tell. 6o/re too polite for San >ran!is!o.

'all and Tasha !h!$led. Some of the other s!ientists "lared at them.

,I want yo to tell me a%ot yor re!ent de+elopments# said Tasha. ,I nderstand yo/+e %een

a%le to sta%ilie the ener"y syphonin" pro!edre.

,Indeed we ha+e# replied 'all.

'all pointed p at the ar! rea!tor.

,Pre+ios models of the ar! rea!tor were a%le to !reate their own ener"y# %t their syphonin"

was ina!ti+e de to %ein" na%le to properly !hannel and store the !olle!ted ener"y. e needed some

sort of !atalyst . . . . a material a"ent within the rea!tor that !old store the syphoned ener"y for se.

,And yo fond one0

,6es. Come with me.

'all wal$ed into a near%y offi!e# followed %y Tasha# 'appy# Pepper and Stane. The offi!e was

sita%ly messy# with papers strewn a%ot# mltiple empty soda !ans on the ta%le# and +arios fast food

%a"s in the waste %in. 'all a!ti+ated the !ompter and %e!$oned the others to loo$ at the s!reen.

,This loo$s . . . . !oy# said Pepper.

,hile we were sear!hin" for materials to aid in or "eothermal e&tra!tion pro5e!t# we mana"ed

to !ome a!ross this.

Tasha and the others loo$ed at the s!reen to see an ima"e of a small pie!e of "lowin"# +iolet ore.

Tasha and Stane/s eyes widened.

,That/s +i%ranim8 they said in nison.

Tasha and Stane loo$ed at ea!h other for a moment %efore trnin" %a!$ to 'all# who was

"rinnin". 'appy and Pepper loo$ed at ea!h other and shr""ed.

,Indeed it is# said 'all. ,e mana"ed to "et a hold of a small amont of raw +i%ranim. It/s

ne+er %een pro!essed. sin" the +i%ranim# we were a%le to !raft a syphon en"ine within the ar!

rea!tor. Vi%ranim/s ni2e a%ility to a%sor% any $ind of impa!t# ener"y or radiation meant that it was



the perfe!t way to properly !hannel and store the syphoned ener"y.

,In!redi%le# said Tasha. ,<id yo se all of it0

,9o# replied 'all. ,e still ha+e some raw +i%ranim left.

Tasha smir$ed.

,I want to show yo somethin"# <o!tor 'all.

Tasha ndid the top two %ttons of her shirt# and opened it to re+eal the ar! rea!tor. 'all stood

%a!$ as his 5aw dropped.

,That/s . . . . a miniatried ar! rea!tor8 'ow did yo . . . .

,It/s amain" what yo !an !ome p with in the direst of sitations# said Tasha. ,It/s $eepin"

me ali+e. I want yor +i%ranim to p"rade it for a spe!ial pro5e!t of mine.

,3f !orse# of !orse# said 'all. ,6or money made all of this possi%le.

Stane narrowed his eyes sli"htly as he loo$ed at Tasha and then %a!$ at 'all. Tasha %ttoned her

shirt %a!$ p.

,Also . . . . I/m mo+in" yor ar! rea!tor to Star$ Tower.

,hat0

,I/m airliftin" it %a!$ to A. I want to personally head the ne&t phase of its de+elopment.

,=t what a%ot s0 as$ed 'all.

,6o/re still in the loop# <o!tor# said Tasha. ,6o/re 5st "oin" to %e temporarily relo!ated to

my tower. After this phase# I/ll mo+e the ar! rea!tor %a!$ to Pro5e!t Pe"ass. Trst me# I won/t %e

interrptin" yo for more than a month.

'all was silent for a moment %efore shr""in".

,Alri"ht# I !an wor$ with that.

,E&!ellent# said Tasha. ,The !hoppers will %e here soon# alon" with transportation for yo and

yor team. I/ll let Ms. Potts here tal$ to yo a%ot the lo"isti!s.

Tasha trned and smiled at Stane. 'e nodded# %t did not retrn the smile. Pepper %e"an tal$in"



to 'all. As Tasha wal$ed ot of the room with 'appy# Stane !he!$ed his phone.

; ; ; ;

illian wal$ed into the la%oratory# followed %y Ellen =randt. She was a yon"er woman# with

short# %rown hair and a demre fa!e. As the la%oratory doors atomati!ally opened to allow them in#

they saw a man in a red hamat sit typin" at a terminal# with his %a!$ to them. The hamat sit had a

lar"e !rimson !anister on the %a!$# with two +al+es that "lowed +i%rant "reen.

,<o!tor# said illian.

The man stood p from his terminal and trned arond. The hamat sit had a domed# plasti!

fa!ial se!tion# with a faint he&a"onal pattern !t into it. =ehind the plasti! was a fa!e whi!h "lowed

with the same "reen ener"y as the +al+es on his %a!$. 'is thin eyes had no ppils# and his %ones

"lowed thro"h his s$in. An internal "as mas$ was pla!ed on his moth. 'is %reathin" was hea+y and

la%ored.

,illian# said the man# his +oi!e mffled %y the "as mas$.

,It/s time# do!tor# said illian. ,e/+e re!ei+ed word from or "reen asset that the ar! rea!tor

is %ein" mo+ed to Star$ Tower. e !an/t afford to lose any more time. I want yo to lead the stri$e team

and o%tain the prototype.

The man narrowed his eyes and did not respond for a few se!onds.

,ill Ms. =randt %e a!!ompanyin" me0

,6es# said =randt. ,I/ll %e yor lietenant for this operation.

The man sneered.

,(ood# he said. ,I/ll %e ready.

,e/re !ontin" on yo# Chen # said illian. ,(et it done.

illian trned and wal$ed ot of the room# followed %y =randt. Chen trned %a!$ to his

terminal and !ontined typin".




Chapter H: Mar$ Two

)ollin" her !hair o+er to the !entral des$ in her la%# Tasha opened p the hard-li"ht holo"ram

display.

,el!ome %a!$ to the offi!e# ma/am# said 4ani!e.

,Than$s 4an# replied Tasha. ,Miss me0

,I felt tterly seless drin" yor +a!ation# so I wold say so.

Tasha loo$ed p with a s!owl.

,Va!ation08 she shoted. ,I was a prisoner of war8

,It/s always ni!e to "et time to yorself.

Tasha si"hed. )ea!hin" ot with her hands# she e&panded the holo"ram to show all of the Star$

Enterprises pro5e!ts. She saw the files for the Pro5e!t Pe"ass ar! rea!tor# the Vindi!ator missiles# the

Mar$ 3ne Sentinels# and se+eral other files. At the far left was a %le pls si"n. Tappin" at it# the

!an+as !leared as a new pro5e!t file was opened.

,Startin" a new pro5e!t# ma/am0

,6essir.

,I am not a sir# ma/am.


,9o# I wasn/t !allin" yo a sir# I 5st . . . . I said yes# and sir# as sort of one word . . . . for"et

a%ot it.

,I for"et nothin"# ma/am# replied 4ani!e. ,That is a hman falt. My memory is perfe!t.

,If only yo !old for"et yor snar$y attitde.

,As I re!all# yo pro"rammed me# ma/am.

,Sht it# 4ani!e.

,Sht what# ma/am0 as$ed 4ani!e. ,I ha+e no physi!al form to spea$ of.



,I hate yo.

,I $now.

Tasha %e"an mo+in" her hands thro"h the holo"ram# maniplatin" the !onstr!t so that it

%e"an to shape itself into a sit.

,Playin" "od# are we# ma/am0

,9o. =ildin" the ftre.

After a few mintes of maniplation# Tasha e+entally saw the !onstr!t ta$e the form of the

sit she sed to es!ape !apti+ity.

,I want this to "o on file as Mar$ 3ne# said Tasha.

,Very well# ma/am. Mi"ht I as$ what it is the Mar$ 3ne of0

,My sit. Mar$ 3ne . . . . desi"nation . . . . Es!apee.

,<ata sa+ed.

,Alri"ht# new pa"e# same file# this one named Mar$ Two.

,Seems li$e a lo"i!al pro"ression.

,<esi"nation . . . .

Tasha pla!ed her hand on her !hin as she e&haled. After a se!ond# she smir$ed.

,<esi"nation . . . . Marilyn.

Spinnin" the holo"ram model of the sit arond# Tasha %e"an maniplatin" the +e!tors of the

sit to more properly fit the !ontors of her own %ody. As the sit too$ shape# she smiled as %ri"htly as

the "low of her ar! rea!tor.

; ; ; ;

Pressin" her tool a"ainst the ed"e of the %oot# Tasha !onne!ted one of the wires rnnin" alon"

the an$le to a so!$et lat!hed onto a pie!e of sheet metal. As she was doin" this# Pepper opened the door

and entered the la%. She was holdin" a plate of na!hos# with melted !heese li%erally spread a!ross them.

The aroma of the plate of food !ased Tasha to trn her head.



,3h# sweet %a%y Cheess# said Tasha.

Pepper pla!ed the na!hos on the ta%le %ehind Tasha. Trnin" her !hair arond# she rolled p to

the plate of na!hos# her eyes wide with anti!ipation. After starin" at the plate for a few se!onds# she

loo$ed p at Pepper.

,I lo+e yo.

,I $now# replied Pepper. ,Considerin" that I/m willin" to prepare this at one in the mornin"#

yo/d %etter.

Tasha stffed her left hand into the plate# "raspin" se+eral na!hos at on!e. As she stffed them

into her moth# she stared at Pepper. After a few se!onds# the two women la"hed to"ether# as Tasha

str""led to !hew her food. She then wa+ed her hand# %e!$onin" Pepper to sit down. She too$ the

near%y stool and sat on it. Tasha swallowed her food and smiled at her.

,9o# really. Than$ yo. 9ot 5st for this . . . . well# o%+iosly mostly for this# %e!ase# yo

$now . . . . na!hos.

Pepper !h!$led.

,=t for e+erythin" else too . . . . I 5st wanted to say . . . . yo $now . . . .

Pepper smiled.

,6o/re wel!ome.

Tasha retrned Pepper/s smile. >or a few moments# the two women 5st loo$ed into ea!h other/s

eyes. Tasha then rea!hed forward and "ra%%ed Pepper/s sholders# pllin" her in for a h". Tasha

pla!ed her fa!e a"ainst Pepper/s sholder# who pt her hand on Tasha/s head and patted it "ently as she

!losed her eyes.

After their em%ra!e was o+er# Tasha too$ a smaller handfl of na!hos and !ontined to eat.

Pepper loo$ed o+er at the me!hani!al %oot on the ta%le.

,Are yo %ildin" ro!$et %oots0

,That/s one way of pttin" it.



As Tasha li!$ed her fin"ertips# she then 5mped p sli"htly.

,3h# I wanted to show yo somethin"# said Tasha.

Pepper loo$ed o+er at Tasha and raised an eye%row.

,hat0

,This.

Tasha "ra%%ed an ar! rea!tor off the ta%le# whi!h was similar to the one in her !hest. In the

!entre of it was a trian"lar pie!e of "lowin" metal.

,hat is that0 as$ed Pepper. ,Another ar! rea!tor0

,6es . . . . %t with a si"nifi!ant p"rade# e&plained Tasha. ,I remo+ed the +i%ranim !ore that

Pro5e!t Pe"ass made for the lar"e s!ale model and pla!ed it in a miniatried one to see what wold

happen# added the e&tra +i%ranim they had . . . . after the te!h is done !har"in"# this new ar! rea!tor

will %e %etter than e+er# and shold %e a%le to properly power my latest !reation.

,The ro!$et %oots0

Tasha loo$ed at Pepper and smir$ed.

,It/s not 5st %oots# lo+e . . . .

; ; ; ;

Stffin" her arm into the metal "antlet# Tasha lifted it and aimed her palm as the replsor

"lowed. Aimin" it forward# Tasha narrowed her field of +ision as she loo$ed at the three tar"ets she had

prepared on the wall. Twistin" her s!rewdri+er into one of the %olts on the hand se!tion# she then

loo$ed at the metal hand as she pt the s!rewdri+er down. >le&in" her fin"ers and flippin" her hand

%a!$ and forth# the shiny# sil+er metalli! "lo+e felt li$e a natral e&tension of her %ody. The !entre of

the palm# whi!h held the replsor# "lowed with +i%rant white li"ht.

Slowin" her %reathin"# she pointed her hand forward at the first tar"et. She fo!sed intently on

it for a few se!onds %efore a!ti+atin" the replsor. 'er entire arm flew %a!$# and she felt a sharp pain in

her sholder. The %last of the replsor %lew off a lar"e !hn$ of the !on!rete wall to the left of the



tar"et. inded for a se!ond# Tasha re!o+ered her %reath as she loo$ed forward at the tar"et with the

frown.

,Perhaps we/ll re2ire some a!!ra!y trainin"# ma/am0

; ; ; ;

,A!ti+ate assem%ly proto!ol.

,Mi"ht I remind yo that yo/+e %een wor$in" strai"ht for nearly ei"hteen hors0

,My memory isn/t that %ad# said Tasha. ,Also . . . . why are yo ar"in" with me0 4st do it.

,As yo wish# ma/am.

Standin" still with her arms otstret!hed# Tasha felt the me!hani!al lim%s arond her %e"in to

assem%le the pie!es of the armor. p first were metal panels whi!h strapped arond her feet. The open

plates lat!hed arond her an$les# perfe!tly formin" the metalli! %oots. The le"s and arms were then

lined with a series of metal panels whi!h wrapped arond her appenda"es# with the "lo+es formin"

arond her palms.

The pel+is plate pn!hed a"ainst her %ody# and Tasha !rin"ed as it did so. Two me!hani!al arms

then lowered the %reastplate# whi!h had a !ir!lar hole in it to a!!ommodate the ar! rea!tor. >ittin"

itself arond her %reasts# Tasha s2irmed sli"htly to ensre that they felt !omforta%le in their new metal

en+ironment. owerin" from the %reastplate were se+eral more panels whi!h !o+ered her stoma!h and

%a!$# as well as two sholder plates with e&panda%le panels for the sta%ilier 5ets.

The last pie!e was the helmet# whi!h fit itself arond her fa!e. at!hin" arond her !hin# Tasha

e&haled as the fa!e mas$ lowered itself. >lly en!ased in the armor# she was in total dar$ness for a

se!ond %efore the heads-p display a!ti+ated.

,4ani!e. 6o there0

,At yor ser+i!e# ma/am.

Tasha/s eyes lit p as she wat!hed all the information feeds %e"in a!ti+atin".

,'eads-p display . . . . online# said 4ani!e. ,ife spport systems . . . . online. Tar"etin"



systems . . . . online. Conne!tion to Star$ Enterprises data%ase . . . . online. All systems fn!tional and

operatin" at ser+i!ea%le !apa!ity# ma/am. 3f !orse# on!e the +i%ranim ar! rea!tor !ore is online# I

wold re!ommend immediately swappin" it in# for the sit will not %e a%le to operate at pea$ !apa!ity

withot it.

,(ot it# replied Tasha.

,old yo li$e to try the firin" test a"ain0

Tasha trned to the ri"ht and fa!ed the three tar"ets. She s!offed as she loo$ed at the hole in the

!on!rete# and then raised her arm as she stared at the first tar"et. The heads-p display lined p the shot

for her. Smir$in"# she fired the first shot# o%literatin" the tar"et. Twistin" her %ody arond and

!ro!hin"# she threw p her other hand and fired %oth replsors at on!e# destroyin" the other two

tar"ets at the same time. Standin" p strai"ht# Tasha !h!$led.

,6eah# I "ot this.

,It wold li$ely %e more impressi+e withot the tar"etin" systems . . . .

,<on/t steal my moment# yo sa!y =rit.

Tasha then loo$ed forward at the ramp leadin" ot of the la%.

,Very well then# ma/am# said 4ani!e. ,Startin" to ta%late raw data . . . .

,I/m ta$in" her ot.

,Ma/am# that is +ery ill ad+ised . . . .

,Trst me 4an# said Tasha. ,I/m a "enis.

Tasha a!ti+ated the %oots# and %e"an ho+erin" in the air.

,E+en "enises !an ha+e %ad ideas . . . .

Aimin" herself forward# Tasha %e"an flyin" ot of the ramp and then# aimin" herself pward#

into the ni"ht s$y.

,hoa8

>lyin" ot of Star$ Tower# Tasha felt a lar"e# open smile form on her fa!e. oo$in" down at the



%ildin"s of os An"eles# Tasha ad5sted her hands# whi!h trned her %ody towards the s$yline.

=lastin" herself forward# Tasha loo$ed arond as she felt the mo+ement of the sit !arry her thro"h

the s$y.

,This . . . . is . . . . amain"8

,Is that yor offi!ial report# ma/am0

,oohoo8

Tasha aimed herself e+en frther downward# as she flew %etween the s$ys!rapers. inin"

herself se+eral metres a%o+e the !ars on the street# Tasha flew side to side as she headed towards the

hi"hway. As she loo$ed at it# she noti!ed a %s that was swer+in" %a!$ and forth.

,4ani!e8 shoted Tasha. ,hat/s "oin" on o+er there0

,It appears that the %s dri+er has 5st had a seire# replied 4ani!e. ,Ma/am# there are o+er

thirty people on that %s8

9arrowin" her eyes# Tasha %oosted forward# ro!$etin" towards the hi"hway. As she flew

towards it# she !old see the !i+ilians on the %s# who were s!reamin" in fear. The dri+er !ollapsed and

fell ot of his !hair as the %s !areened into on!omin" traffi!. Se+eral !ars wea+ed to try and a+oid the

rene"ade %s.

,The %s is a%ot to "o o+er the ed"e of the hi"hway# ma/am8

Tasha tensed her fa!ial ms!les as she flew forward. As the %s !rashed into the ed"e of the

hi"hway# it smashed the !on!rete railin" and %e"an fallin" off. Tasha %oosted nder the %s and pt p

her hands. The !rshin" wei"ht of the %s was mostly a%sor%ed %y the armor# altho"h Tasha still felt

the strain of her ms!les as she lifted it p into the air. oo$in" down# she !old see doens of !i+ilians

on street le+el starin" p at her in awe. iftin" the %s off her sholders# she smiled.

,'ey there# said Tasha.

Tasha then %e"an slowly lowerin" to the "rond. andin" her feet on the pa+ement# she then

pla!ed the %s ne&t to her. As the wheels !ollided with the road# the srrondin" !i+ilians erpted into



!heerin" and applase. oo$in" into the windows of the %s# she !old see all of the passen"ers

smilin"# !lappin" and h""in" ea!h other. Tasha smiled inside her helmet as she loo$ed arond at the

se+eral doen people who were !heerin" for her.

,And yo tho"ht a test fli"ht was a %ad idea# said Tasha.

,To!h?.

As the passen"ers of the %s %e"an filin" ot and helpin" the dri+er re"ain !ons!iosness# a

yon" woman ran p to Tasha. (ra%%in" her hand with %oth of hers# the woman smiled at Tasha with

wide eyes.

,Than$ yo# than$ yo# than$ yo8

,6o/re 2ite wel!ome# replied Tasha.

,ho are yo0

Tasha too$ a moment %efore respondin".

,Me0

After thin$in" for a few more se!onds# Tasha smir$ed.

,I/m Iron Maiden.

,Iron Maiden# repeated the woman.

,9ow if yo/ll e&!se me# said Tasha.

Tasha let "o of the woman/s hands and %lasted off into the s$y. 'o+erin" in pla!e a few metres

off the "rond as the !rowd !heered# Tasha then flew pwards and off into the s$yline.

,'ey# 4ani!e.

,6es# ma/am0

,hen we "et %a!$ . . . . I want yo to paint her.

,<o yo ha+e a parti!lar !olor s!heme in mind0

,et/s "o with red and "old.

; ; ; ;



illian rested his head %a!$ on his pillows as =randt/s na$ed %ody %on!ed on top of him. After

a few mintes# she finished and !ollapsed onto the %ed to his left. Smilin" at her# he rea!hed o+er and

$issed her on the forehead as his phone on the %edroom des$ ta%le ran". Pi!$in" it p# he a!ti+ated it to

see a +ideo feed of Chen.

,illian.

,<o!tor.

,Preparations are !omplete. Tell Ms. =randt to "et ready. e lea+e in thirty mintes.

,She/ll %e there.

The +ideo feed !t ot. =randt si"hed as she %e"an to pt her !lothes %a!$ on. illian pla!ed his

hands %ehind his head# smir$in" as he wat!hed her "et dressed.




Chapter : Tales of Sspense

The ele+ator din"ed as the door opened. Tasha wal$ed ot of it# followed %y 'appy. As they

wal$ed down the hallway# se+eral employees nodded and smiled at them. Pshin" open the door to her

meetin" room# Tasha too$ a moment to a%sor% the rays of the mornin" sn shinin" thro"h the

windows %efore loo$in" at the meetin" ta%le.

,)hodey8

)hodes# who was sittin" in one of the !hairs# nodded.

,Tasha.

She then loo$ed down the ta%le# to see se+eral %oard mem%ers.

,And the %oard.

,Ms. Star$.

,6o.

Tasha la"hed as she threw p her hands for a se!ond. She then loo$ed o+er at )hodes# who had

a strai"ht fa!e.

,hat is so fnny# Ms. Star$0 as$ed one of the %oard mem%ers.

,9othin" ne!essarily in parti!lar# responded Tasha. ,I 5st need to spea$ to Colonel )hodes

for a moment.

,Ms. Star$# we need to tal$ a%ot the !om . . . .

,)hodey8 interrpted Tasha. ,et/s tal$. 3tside.

)hodes si"hed and stood p. 'e wal$ed o+er to Tasha as 'appy led him ot the door. She

loo$ed %a!$ at the %oard for a moment.

,=-)-=.

Tasha !losed the door. )hodes folded his arms and loo$ed at her. 'appy stood ne&t to them.

,Tasha# yo !an/t $eep pshin" the %oard ot . . . .



,I need to tal$ to yo a%ot somethin". Seriosly.

)hodes loo$ed into Tasha/s eyes. After a se!ond# he pt his arms down.

,Tal$.

,'a+e yo e+er heard of an or"aniation $nown as Ad+an!ed Idea Me!hani!s0

,AIM0 as$ed 'appy.

Tasha and )hodes loo$ed at 'appy.

,6eah# said 'appy. ,e met with the CE3# Aldri!h illian# in Switerland a few years %a!$.

<on/t yo remem%er0

Tasha frowned.

,I "ess I owe 4ani!e ten %!$s . . . .

,ell I/+e heard of them# said )hodes. ,They/re one of or sppliers for the applied s!ien!e

di+ision of the Air >or!e. or$ on ener"y effi!ien!y# life spport systems# thin"s li$e that. hy do yo

as$0

,ell# on the way to China# I "ot a !all from illian. 'e wanted to "et AIM in on the ar! rea!tor

. . . . and when I was %stin" ot# I fond that the "rop who $idnapped me had a tan$ with their

imprint on it. I don/t %elie+e in !oin!iden!e.

,6o thin$ AIM is "nnin" for yo0 as$ed )hodes.

'appy loo$ed thro"h the window into the meetin" room# s2intin" as he did so.

,9ot sre# replied Tasha. ,=t I/m not ta$in" any !han!es. That/s why I mo+ed the ar! rea!tor

here . . . . they !oldn/t $now where it is now . . . .

,6o sre0 as$ed 'appy.

Tasha and )hodes trned to loo$ into the meetin" room. They !old see the %oard mem%ers

standin" p and loo$in" ot the window to see for slee$# white and %le shttles flyin" towards the

%ildin". The front se!tion of the shttles were !r+ed down# and %oth sides were flan$ed %y forward

fa!in" metal plates whi!h "lowed with the same ener"y as the 5ets on the %a!$ se!tion. Ea!h shttle had



a yellow he&a"on imprint on ea!h side. Tasha/s eyes widened as the lead shttle/s metal plates aimed

twin "reen tar"etin" lasers into the room. She immediately %rst thro"h the door.

,(ET <398

The %oard mem%ers leaped down as the shttle fired its ma!hine "n trrets# "ided %y the

tar"etin" lasers# into the room. The "lass of the windows was shattered instantly# and one %oard

mem%er was torn to pie!es %y the +olley of %llets. )hodes plled ot his pistol and opened fire on the

shttle# %t his %llets merely %on!ed off the thi!$ armor. The shttle then tar"eted him# %t 'appy

5mped and pshed him ot of the way of the shttle/s fire. Tasha "ot down on the floor.

,4ani!e8 shoted Tasha. ,Emer"en!y armor proto!ol8 I need Marilyn# now8

,6o still ha+en/t swapped in the +i%ranim !ore# replied 4ani!e. ,The sit won/t %e operatin"

at pea$ effi!ien!y . . . .

,9ow8

,6es# ma/am.

Tasha %e!$oned o+er to the %oard mem%ers# who then started to !rawl nder the ta%le towards

her. She loo$ed p to see another shttle fly p a%o+e the rest.

,It appears that one of the shttles is headed towards the roof# stated 4ani!e.

Another shttle flew sli"htly %elow the le+el they were on and %e"an firin" into the %ildin".

S!reams and !rashes were heard as the trrets nleashed their payload. eadin" the "rop of %oard

mem%ers into the hallway %y !rawlin"# Tasha then loo$ed %a!$ into the room to see )hodes and 'appy

on the floor# nder the ta%le. Tasha %e!$oned them# %t 'appy shoo$ his head as the tar"etin" lasers

s!anned the room.

,Come on8 said Tasha.

The shttle then trned parallel to the %ildin"# and the side opened to re+eal a do!$in" ramp.

The ramp landed on the ed"e of the meetin" room# and a hissin" noise was heard as the door %ehind it

slid open. Tasha loo$ed p with wide eyes as a man in a red hamat sit des!ended from the steps. 'e



had a "reen fa!e# with %ones that "lowed thro"h his s$in. As he wal$ed into the room# he was

followed %y se+eral people in yellow# r%%er sits# !asin" them to resem%le %ee$eepers. =ehind the

mas$ of one of them# Tasha !old see a yon"er woman with %rown hair. The yellow sited indi+idals

were all !arryin" assalt rifles. The woman then pla!ed her fin"er on her ear.

,This is ietenant =randt. All a"ents# %e ad+ised . . . . there is a "reen asset in the %ildin". I

repeat# a "reen asset.


,nder no !ir!mstan!es is the asset to %e harmed. All other personnel are e&penda%le.

Chen loo$ed arond the room.

,I $now yo/re here# Star$.

Tasha lowered her head. 'appy loo$ed o+er at her with fear in his eyes. Chen fle&ed his hands#

whi!h had pads on the palms that "lowed with "reen ener"y.

,Step into the li"ht# Star$ . . . .

Tasha narrowed her eyes. She loo$ed o+er at )hodes and nodded. )hodes nodded %a!$. Tasha

then "ot p and stood in the doorway.

,oo$in" for me0

Chen loo$ed at her.

,Ah . . . . the famos Tasha Star$.

,And yo are . . . .0

,<o!tor Chen . . . . well# that/s what they !alled me in my former life. I prefer my new

name . . . . the )adioa!ti+e Man.

,6o !ome p with that one all %y yorself0 as$ed Tasha. ,I/m impressed.

,I/m afraid yor "li% will not "et yo ot of this one# Star$.

,It/s wor$ed pretty well so far . . . .

Chen pt p his hand as radioa!ti+e +apor steamed off it.



,I/m "oin" to "i+e yo one !han!e# Star$. e !ontrol this %ildin" now. If yo want to "et ot

of this ali+e# yo/re "oin" to tell s where the ar! rea!tor is.

Tasha mo+ed her ppils to loo$ at )hodes for a split se!ond %efore loo$in" %a!$ at Chen.

=randt smir$ed at Tasha. nderneath the ta%le# )hodes mo+ed into a flan$in" position at the side of

Chen and the AIM a"ents.

,3h# that0 said Tasha.

She pointed pwards.

,It/s pstairs. Se!ond floor from the top.

Chen smir$ed as his hand "lowed %ri"hter.

,Than$s.

Tasha win$ed.

,6o/re wel!ome.

)hodes stood p and fired at Chen/s arm. no!$in" it# Chen shrie$ed in pain as his radiation

%last fired %etween Tasha and )hodes. The AIM a"ents s!ram%led as the e&plosion $no!$ed them down

and %lew )hodes ot the window.

,)hodey8

Tasha ran towards the window and 5mped ot after him. 'appy shoted as she did so.

,Tasha8

The AIM a"ents then loo$ed at 'appy and %e"an firin" their rifles. 'appy d!$ed nder the

shots and ran ot the door and down the hall after the %oard mem%ers as they fled.

; ; ; ;

As Tasha fell down the len"th of the tower# she $ept her eyes on )hodes.

,hat are yo doin"08 shoted )hodes.

,Trst me8 yelled Tasha.

As she said it# the now red and "old sit# in its open form# flew ne&t to her and %e"an to lat!h



,4ani!e# analye tar"ets8

Tasha wat!hed as the '< %e"an listin" information as they s!anned the shttles.

,Enemy !raft are shttle-!lass# with dra%le titanim armor. eapons in!lde !ompter-

tar"eted ma!hine "n trrets# !lster missiles and !arpet %om%s. They sstain fli"ht sin" for ho+er

5ets whi!h are atta!hed to ea!h !orner of the !raft.

Tasha %oosted to the left to a+oid more %llets from the shttles.

,oo$s li$e they also se those ho+er 5ets to mane+er . . . . meanin"# that/s their wea$ point.

=oostin" to the ri"ht# Tasha flew nderneath one of the shttles as the twin lasers tried to follow

her. Trnin" her !hest to fa!e pwards# she "ra%%ed at the metal plate !ontainin" the ho+er 5et on the

%ottom left !orner of the shttle. (rippin" it firmly with %oth hands# she plled on it# strainin" herself.

After a few se!onds of str""le# the metal plate tore off# and the shttle 5er$ed in response. Smilin"#

Tasha then flew to the other side and %oosted as she $i!$ed forward# snappin" off the metal plate on the

%ottom ri"ht.

,Try to fly now# yo tin %ri!$8

The shttle# na%le to maintain fli"ht# toppled o+er and %e"an to fall. It smashed a"ainst the side

of the tower# !ttin" thro"h the "lass and metal of se+eral floors %efore splittin" in half and %e"innin"

to !areen towards the "rond. The AIM a"ents started to fire their rifles at Tasha# %t she fired two

replsor %lasts# $no!$in" %a!$ two of the a"ents and !asin" the rest to s!ram%le for !o+er.

The other shttle opened fire with its twin ma!hine "n trrets# and se+eral str!$ Tasha/s %a!$.

(rntin" in pain# she fired a wea$ replsor %last at the front se!tion# whi!h %arely s!rat!hed the dra%le

armor of the shttle. andin" in the meetin" room# Tasha 5mped o+er the ta%le# $i!$in" one of the

AIM a"ents in the !hest as she did so. Another a"ent tried to shoot her# %t she "ra%%ed the rifle ot of

his hands and %ashed him a!ross the fa!e with it. Throwin" the rifle to the "rond# she saw the other

a"ents rn into the hallway# followed %y =randt.

,Shttle three8 Tear. 'er. Apart8



Tasha loo$ed to the ri"ht to see the shttle aimin" its tar"etin" lasers at her. She %e"an rnnin"

forward as the shttle opened fire# %arely $eepin" ahead of the stream of %llets as she %lasted her way

thro"h the wall at the ed"e of the meetin" room. Throwin" her ri"ht hand into the air# she rapidly fired

replsor %lasts at the shttle withot loo$in" as she ran. The twin lasers then disappeared.

,Missile lan!h dete!ted8 yelled 4ani!e.

The shttle fired a !lster missile dire!tly ahead of Tasha. She tried to trn arond and leap

away# %t the e&plosion %lasted her thro"h the wall and into another room.

; ; ; ;

Pshin" himself off the "rond# Chen stood p and trned to see the r%%le strewn arond him.

As he started to wal$ towards the door# he heard =randt spea$in" in his ear.

,All a"ents. This is ietenant =randt. )e"rop on the pper le+el8 Shttle for has ta$en the

roof# and shttle three is landin" now. e mst se!re the ar! rea!tor8

,This is )adioa!ti+e Man# replied Chen. ,I/m on my way.

As he finished spea$in"# two se!rity "ards ran into the room with pistols. They aimed them

dire!tly as Chen.

,>reee8

Chen si"hed and pt p his hands.

,eep yor hands a%o+e yor head8

Chen smir$ed.

,Certainly# he said.

'is hands "lowed with "reen mist# and then fired two fo!sed %eams of radiation. They hit the

"ards in the torso# !asin" them to sta""er. ithin a few se!onds# the "ards melted into pddles of

%loodied %iomass. Chen !h!$led# and then wal$ed ot of the hallway. 'e loo$ed to his left to see a

woman in a %siness otfit %ein" "nned down %y an AIM a"ent. She then trned to Chen.

,<o!tor8



The a"ent ran o+er to Chen.

,e/+e "ot to "et pstairs and re"rop with the others# she said. ,ord on the !om is that

shttle three too$ ot Star$.

Chen sneered.

,That wold %e too easy# he said. ,et/s "et mo+in".

; ; ; ;

Pn!hin" open the near%y door# Tasha s!anned the !orridor ahead of her.

,9o life si"ns dete!ted on this le+el# ma/am# said 4ani!e. ,It appears that the hostiles are

!on"re"atin" near the roof.

,Ma$es sense.

,Cation ad+ised. Someone has a!ti+ated the open roof. The ar! rea!tor will %e e&posed.

,They/re "oin" to airlift it ot of here with one of their shttles# said Tasha. ,Time to mo+e.

Tasha lifted off the "rond and flew down the hallway.

; ; ; ;

'appy rshed into the ne&t room# where he saw a "rop of people hddlin" in a !orner. Ta$in"

ot his pistol# he %e!$oned them o+er.

,Come on8 e/+e "ot the e+a! order8 e/+e "ot to "et ot of here# now8

The "rop %e"an to wal$ o+er to him# and he saw that Pepper and Stane were amon"st them.

,'appy# what/s "oin" on0 as$ed Pepper.

,A "rop of an"ry %ee$eepers are tryin" to ta$e o+er the %ildin"# answered 'appy.

,hat08

,And they/re led %y some "lowin" ni"htsti!$ "y in a hamat sit.

,Are yo sre . . . .

'appy/s eyes widened as he saw two AIM a"ents trn the !orner. The first one pointed forward

as the se!ond too$ a !ro!hin" position.



,Ta$e them ot8

,(et down8 shoted 'appy.

Pepper 5mped %a!$ into the room as 'appy too$ a defensi+e position at the door threshold.

Stane stayed nder a ta%le near the door with some of the other !i+ilians. The AIM a"ents fired at the

door. After their %rst stopped# 'appy too$ a !ople of shots# for!in" the a"ents %a!$.

,See0 said 'appy.

,3$ay# I %elie+e yo8 I %elie+e yo8 shoted Pepper.

'appy "ot %a!$ %ehind !o+er as the AIM a"ents fired a"ain. 'e popped ot to ta$e a few more

shots# %t the a"ents retrned to their !o+er. >irin" the last shot in his ma"aine# 'appy 2i!$ly popped

ot the empty !lip and stffed a new one into the "n. Co!$in" it# he felt the +i%rations of more %llets

!ollidin" with the wall %ehind him.

oo$in" ot# he saw the door %ehind the AIM a"ents %rst open# as )hodes $i!$ed it in. The

a"ents trned after hearin" the noise# %t )hodes 2i!$ly pn!hed one of the a"ents away %efore

shootin" the other one in the !hest with his pistol. The first a"ent 2i!$ly re!o+ered# and was a%ot to

atta!$ )hodes from %ehind when 'appy lined p a shot# firin" dire!tly into the a"ent/s head. )hodes

trned arond as the a"ent !rmpled onto the floor %ehind him. )hodes loo$ed o+er at 'appy and the

two e&!han"ed a nod.

,Ele+ator/s ot0 as$ed 'appy.

,6eah.

'appy stood p and wal$ed ot to the hallway ne&t to )hodes.

,I/+e "ot# li$e# twenty !i+ilians with me# e&plained 'appy. ,e/+e "ot to "et them ot of here.

,A"reed. Come on# let/s %rin" them this way. e/ll see if we !an pi!$ p more sr+i+ors on the

way down.

Pepper# Stane and the !i+ilians %e"an to e&it the room. Stane loo$ed down at the dead AIM

a"ents# frownin".



,hat a%ot Tasha0 as$ed 'appy. ,She told me on the way here a%ot her /pro5e!t/# %t e+en

with that . . . . all those "ys . . . .

,The !i+ilians !ome first# said )hodes. ,nfortnately# ri"ht now . . . . Tasha/s on her own.




Chapter 1J: Alone A"ainst AIM

=randt smiled with satisfa!tion as the roof of the tower opened. Standin" on a small s!affoldin"

that srronded the lar"e ar! rea!tor# she wat!hed as two doen AIM a"ents %e"an wal$in" arond the

rea!tor# preparin" it for retrie+al. 3ne of the shttles was par$ed on the solid se!tion of the roof# while

another was patrollin" the air a%o+e the now open se!tion. She then trned arond to see Chen wal$in"

into the room alon"side another a"ent.

,I want an pdate on the stats of the ar! rea!tor# said Chen.

,e ha+e a"ents analyin" its power le+els as we spea$# do!tor# replied =randt. ,e/ll ha+e it

ready for shipment within ten mintes.

,6o had %etter ma$e it faster. e don/t $now if . . . .

Chen 2i!$ly trned arond after hearin" a lod !rashin" noise. Tasha %rst into the room# and

flew strai"ht for him. 'e pt p his hands and fired his radiation %eams at her# %lastin" her ot of the

air and !asin" her to smash into the "rond. S$iddin" alon" the !on!rete past him# she rolled into an

a"ent and %oosted p# pn!hin" him in the fa!e. She then trned arond and armed her replsors. As

she did so# all of the AIM a"ents aimed their weapons at her. Chen la"hed and %e"an to slowly !lap.

,*ite impressi+e# Ms. Star$. I don/t $now where yo "ot the idea for a sit li$e that. I/d lo+e to

analye it.

Tasha frrowed her %row.

,I/ll %e sre to "i+e yo an e&tra !lose inspe!tion.

,6o wold ha+e made a +ala%le mem%er of AIM# Tasha# said Chen. ,6or te!hnolo"i!al

e&pertise is nearly nparalleled. e didn/t want it to %e this way.

Chen smir$ed.

,6o for!ed or hands.

,hat do yo e+en want the ar! rea!tor for0



,A spe!ial pro5e!t we are de+elopin" %ehind !losed doors. 6o mi"ht ha+e %een a%le to %e part

of it# %t nfortnately . . . . here we are. I only tell yo this as a !ortesy after all# yo won/t %e

lea+in" this %ildin" ali+e# so there/s no harm in yo $nowin".

Inside the helmet# Tasha wat!hed the '<. She !han"ed the !ommni!ation !hannel to interior.

,4ani!e# "i+e me a tar"etin" soltion# whispered Tasha.

,Certainly# ma/am.

Tasha wat!hed for a few se!onds as the '< lit p the +arios AIM a"ents. She then swapped

the !ommni!ation !hannel %a!$ to e&terior.

,>nny# sin!e /no harm/ isn/t e&a!tly what I wold say is appropriate for this sitation.

Tasha a!ti+ated a wrist ro!$et# whi!h she fired dire!tly at one of the spport %eams for the ar!

rea!tor. The AIM a"ents s!ram%led to rn away from it as one was torn apart %y the %last. The

desta%ilied ar! rea!tor !ore shffled sli"htly down# pllin" the s!affoldin" with it. =randt lost her

footin" and fell to the floor. Tasha %oosted forward as the stnned AIM a"ents tried to shoot her.

Pn!hin" one a"ent in the fa!e# Tasha twisted her %ody to a+oid the shots of another. =lastin"

him with a replsor shot# she flew into the s$y as the other a"ents re"ained their footin".

,4ani!e# lan!h mini-ro!$ets8

,6es ma/am.

Tasha/s sholder panels opened# re+ealin" a twin set of miniatre ro!$et lan!hers. >irin" a set

of ro!$ets# they %e"an %lastin" apart the floor# %lowin" away two more a"ents. Starin" at her# Chen

threw p his arms and fired %eams of radiation. sin" her sholder 5ets# Tasha %oosted laterally to

a+oid the %eams as she fired more replsors into the !rowd of a"ents# $no!$in" down two more. =randt

stood p and fired her rifle at Tasha# who shielded her fa!e with her arms to defle!t them.

,A"ents8 yelled =randt. ,Mo+e %a!$8 <eploy ele!tri! mnitions8

=oostin" down# Tasha aimed for Chen with her replsors# as he !har"ed his hands a"ain. =efore

she !old rea!h him# she was %lasted in the side %y a stri$e of %le ele!tri!ity. Tasha shrie$ed as her



'< s!ram%led and she !areened into the near%y wall. =lin$in" as she "rnted# she saw that two of the

AIM a"ents were wieldin" rifles that were "lowin" with %le ener"y. They %oth fired their rifles at her#

%lastin" her with more ele!tri!ity. Tasha shrie$ed a"ain as she fell to her $nees.

,Ener"y le+els pea$in"# said 4ani!e. ,System o+erload in pro"ress.

,)emem%er or . . . . se!ret weapon0

,6es# ma/am. Con+ertin" e&!ess ener"y to !hest )T.

Tasha/s %reastplate %e"an to "low %ri"hter with ener"y from her ar! rea!tor. Pshin" herself p#

the !entre of her !hest fired a lar"e %eam of fo!sed ener"y# destroyin" the a"ents holdin" the ele!tri!

rifles. Chen fired two more %eams of radiation# whi!h Tasha a+oided %y rollin" forward and %oostin"

towards him. i!$in" him in the !hest# Tasha spn arond to stri$e him in the fa!e with the %a!$ of her

other foot.

,"h8

Chen 2i!$ly re!o+ered %y !har"in" his ri"ht hand with his radiation# !hoppin" at Tasha/s

a%domen. Tasha !rin"ed as the hand !hop s!arred the sit. Chen then pn!hed her in the %reastplate#

$no!$in" her %a!$ down to the floor. )ollin" %a!$wards with the pn!h# she fired two replsor %lasts at

him# whi!h he defle!ted %y throwin" p a misty shield of radiation.

Stffin" a "lowin" %le ener"y "renade into the lan!her on the nder%elly of her rifle# =randt

too$ aim at Tasha as she %oosted to dod"e more %llets from the other a"ents. >irin" the ar! "renade# it

e&ploded in mid-air near Tasha# nleashin" a miniatre storm of ele!tri! ener"y. ashin" at her lim%s#

the ele!tri!ity !rippled Tasha/s mo+ement. Chen then fired a sin"le radiation %last# %lowin" her away

and thro"h a near%y wall into the ne&t room. 'e then trned to loo$ at =randt.

,Ta$e a "rop down there and finish her off8 I/ll "et the ar! rea!tor ot of here8

=randt nodded in response %efore 5mpin" o+er the railin" of the s!affoldin" and %e!$onin" at

the a"ents.

,S2ads one and two# with me8 The rest of yo# help )adioa!ti+e Man with the ar! rea!tor8



Shttle one# fly to the other side of the %ildin" and !t off her es!ape rote . . . . we !an/t let her

interfere with the e&tra!tion8

Tasha# who was pllin" herself off the floor in the empty rooftop han"ar# loo$ed %ehind her to

see another AIM shttle flyin" to that side of the %ildin". As it aimed its "reen tar"etin" lasers at her#

she %oosted %a!$wards to a+oid the stream of %llets. andin" and then $i!$in" off the "rond# Tasha

flipped %a!$wards and hit the shttle/s front end with a downward pn!h# $no!$in" it away from the

tower.

Ta$in" the time of reprie+e# she %oosted %a!$ into the %ildin" to see a doen AIM a"ents rsh

into the room. They were followed %y =randt# who fired another ar! "renade from her rifle/s lan!her.

Tasha threw p her ener"y shield 5st in time# defle!tin" the ar! "renade so that it landed at the feet of

three a"ents# who were ele!tro!ted %y the "renade/s ener"y field. S!owlin"# =randt %e"an firin"

%llets at Tasha# alon" with the other a"ents.

=oostin" %etween the !olmns# Tasha landed on the "rond ne&t to an a"ent. El%owin" her in

the fa!e# she trned and %lasted a se!ond a"ent with a replsor shot. A third a"ent tried to shoot her# %t

she dod"ed# and the %llets hit the first a"ent in the !hest# "nnin" her down. A forth a"ent hit Tasha

in the %a!$ of the head with her rifle# as the third a"ent shot her in the !hest. Tasha fell to one $nee.

,Ma/am# the sit has sstained hea+y dama"e# said 4ani!e. ,e/re still sin" the prototype ar!

rea!tor# and the sit is hemorrha"in" ener"y . . . .

,I $now8

Tasha $i!$ed ot with her foot# $no!$in" the female a"ent %ehind her to the floor. She then

pn!hed the rifle ot of the third a"ent/s hand and shot him in the fa!e with a replsor %last# !asin"

him to !ollapse a"ainst a pile of !rates. >irin" another replsor %last at a wall near two a"ents# Tasha

rolled with the e&plosion as it 5ettisoned her into the air. Spinnin" arond# she %lasted a !olmn with

her %oots# %oostin" her e+en frther p onto a %eam %etween two !olmns. She then fired two more

replsor %lasts down at the a"ents# $no!$in" them %oth ot.



Tasha then shrie$ed a"ain as more %llets str!$ her %a!$. oo$in" at her sholders# she saw

that s!rapes on the armor were startin" to form. 4mpin" down from the %eam# she saw =randt

standin" there# with two more a"ents %ehind her. As the a"ents %e"an to fire a"ain# Tasha armed

another wrist ro!$et and fired it. =randt leaped ot of the way# %t the e&plosion !onsmed the other

two a"ents. =randt loo$ed %a!$ at their !rmpled %odies with widened eyes.

,Anya8 =randt shoted.

oo$in" %a!$ at Tasha with a frrowed %row# =randt rea!hed down her le" and plled ot a

serrated# %le ener"y %lade. 4mpin" forward# she slashed down at Tasha# who %oosted %a!$ to a+oid

the atta!$. >irin" her replsors forward# =randt defle!ted them with the %lade. Sli!in" horiontally#

=randt "ashed deep into the armor# dama"in" the ar! rea!tor in the pro!ess.

,"h8

Tasha stm%led nder the for!e of the %low as =randt slashed at her arm. Tasha mo+ed 2i!$ly

to pn!h =randt/s hand# !asin" her to drop her ener"y %lade. She then spn arond and %a!$-handed

the rear side of =randt/s ne!$# $no!$in" her ot. As =randt !ollapsed# Tasha %oosted pwards# and

!rashed thro"h the roof. andin" on the !losed se!tion in a three-point pose# she loo$ed o+er to the

open se!tion to see one of the AIM shttles hoo$ed onto the ar! rea!tor and flyin" pwards. Chen and

the remainin" AIM a"ents were standin" arond it.

,So . . . . )adioa!ti+e Man# said Tasha.

Chen trned arond and "asped.

,(ot any more moo$s for me to lay waste to0

,Ma/am# I wold not !onsider e""in" yor opponents on to %e the most +ia%le strate"y#

!onsiderin" that the armor is on the +er"e of fallin" apart.

,=randt# said Chen. ,ietenant =randt8 Come in8

After waitin" for a few se!onds# Chen sneered. 'e then pointed at Tasha.

,Shttle one8 <estroy her8



Tasha loo$ed %ehind her to see the AIM shttle she had pn!hed %efore risin" o+er the roof. 'er

eyes widened as she wat!hed it fly towards her.

,Ma/am8 shoted 4ani!e. ,The shttle is deployin" a !arpet %om%8

The shttle flew forward# as the %ottom hat!h opened. A lar"e# %la!$# metalli! %om% dropped

ot of it and %e"an splittin" into smaller e&plosi+es. Tasha ran forward and %oosted off the "rond#

flyin" %arely ot of rea!h of the series of e&plosions whi!h ro!$ed the !losed se!tion of the roof. She

flew towards Chen# who !har"ed a radiation %last and fired it dire!tly at Tasha# $no!$in" her away. She

landed on her %a!$ as the e&plosions s%sided.

Tasha "roaned as she stared pwards. Chen wal$ed p to her# and pla!ed his left foot on her ar!

rea!tor. She shoted as the pain re+er%erated thro"h her entire %ody.

,S!h a shame# said Chen. ,To waste s!h a %eatifl mind.

Chen aimed his arm at Tasha and %e"an !har"in" a radiation %last.

,>arewell# Star$.

,6o really didn/t thin$ this one thro"h# did yo0 as$ed Tasha.

Chen narrowed his eyes as he noti!ed the ar! rea!tor on her !hest %e"innin" to "low %ri"hter.

'is eyes then widened as the ni%eam fired# %lastin" him into the air. =efore the AIM a"ents !old

rea!t# Tasha %oosted pwards# "ra%%ed Chen %y the foot# and threw him into the flyin" AIM shttle#

!asin" it to !rash into the roof and e&plode.

Trnin" arond# Tasha e2ipped her arm %lade and flew forward# sli!in" the wires !onne!tin"

the other AIM shttle to the ar! rea!tor. The AIM a"ents s!ram%led as the ar! rea!tor fell %a!$ onto the

s!affoldin"# !ollapsin" it. The sho!$ wa+e $no!$ed ot the remainin" a"ents. The shttle# desta%ilied

%y the wei"ht drop# !rashed into the side of the tower. Tasha floated in pla!e for a few se!onds %efore

her ro!$et %oots "a+e ot.

,e/re now rnnin" on emer"en!y %a!$p power# ma/am# said 4ani!e.

Tasha !ollapsed on the ed"e of the open se!tion of the roof. oo$in" o+er the ed"e# she saw the



ar! rea!tor# with !ra!$s in the "lass# as well as the %odies of se+eral AIM a"ents. Si"hin" and %reathin"

in deeply# she opened the fa!e mas$ of the sit as she spent a few moments on her %a!$# starin" at the

s$y. As she slowly %reathed# she felt the tension in her ms!les fade away.

,Star$8

Trnin" her head to the left# she saw Chen slowly wal$ ot of the %lain" wre!$a"e of the AIM

shttle. 'is hamat sit was !harred in se+eral pla!es. al$in" with a limp# he %e"an to head towards

Tasha. As he spo$e# ea!h %reath was in!redi%ly la%ored.

,6o . . . . are . . . . dead . . . .

Tasha tried to psh herself off the "rond# %t fond that her le" was !a"ht nder a pie!e of

metalli! de%ris. Chen !ontined to wal$ !loser.

,6o thin$ . . . . yo/re . . . . some . . . . $ind of . . . . hero0

Tasha "lped and %e"an %reathin" faster.

,6o/re . . . . nothin" . . . . %t a . . . . whore . . . . in a tin !an.

Chen rea!hed down and "ra%%ed Tasha %y the hair. 'oldin" her p in the air# he sneered at her.

'e pln"ed his fist into the ar! rea!tor# tearin" a lar"e se!tion of it ot of her !hest as she s!reamed in

a"ony.

,<ie# %it!h.

Pllin" his hand %a!$# Chen %e"an !har"in" a radiation %last. Tasha frrowed her %row %efore

rea!hin" forward with her arms. Throwin" her ri"ht arm arond Chen/s head# she "rasped one of the

+al+es on his %a!$. Twistin" and !rshin" it with her palm# she plled it off as Chen yelled. ettin" her

"o# he sta""ered %efore Tasha "ra%%ed him %y the head with %oth hands and threw him %ehind her. 'e

fell dire!tly into the ar! rea!tor# smashin" the "lass and %e!omin" !onsmed %y the %le ener"y. Tasha

loo$ed down into the rea!tor as it fired a massi+e plse# tossin" her into the air. She then !rashed

thro"h the !losed se!tion of the roof and !ollapsed.




Chapter 11: Irradiation <estination

=randt sneered as she loo$ed arond the room. (reen mist was slowly en+elopin" all of the air.

She loo$ed down to see the %odies of se+eral AIM a"ents strewn a%ot the room. 9e&t to the pile of

destroyed !rates were two more a"ents.

,Anya8

=randt ran o+er to the two a"ents# and !ro!hed ne&t to the female one. Pla!in" her ear a"ainst

the woman/s head# =randt !old hear a soft "roan. (aspin"# she then pt her arms arond the woman/s

sholders. Pla!in" her other arm arond the woman/s $nees# =randt plled her p and held her.

,<on/t worry# Anya . . . . I/m "oin" to "et yo home safe.

,"h . . . .

=randt loo$ed into the helmet# seein" the %londe-haired woman inside it. 'er eyes were !losed.

=reathin" hea+ily# =randt then opened p her !ommni!ations !hannel as she wal$ed ot of the room.

,This is =randt. Any a"ents . . . . report8

At first# she heard nothin" %t stati!. =randt started %reathin" faster.

,)eport8

Stati!.

,This . . . .

,This is . . . . <eitt# said a man/s +oi!e. ,"h . . . . I/m in the . . . . ar! rea!tor !ham%er.

,Are yo o$ay0

,6eah . . . . some s!rapes and %rises# %t otherwise . . . . I/m "ood.

=randt si"hed with relief as she wal$ed thro"h an open door.

,The others doesn/t loo$ so "reat# tho"h# said <eitt. ,The ar! rea!tor is dama"ed . . . .

,4st hold ti"ht. I/m on my way to yo.

She then heard more stati! as another +oi!e was heard on the !om.



,This is >orson . . . . shttle three is still a!ti+e . . . . Star$ destroyed the rest.

,>orson8 said =randt. ,hat/s yor sitation0

,>lyin" arond the tower# replied >orson. ,She o%literated shttles one and for . . . . I !an/t see

anyone inside. 6o had %etter hrry and "et any sr+i+ors ot here# %e!ase we/re lea+in".

,A"reed# said =randt. ,I/ll try and find the sr+i+ors and !all yo when we/re ready.

,nderstood# ietenant.

al$in" into the ar! rea!tor !ham%er# =randt loo$ed o+er at the ar! rea!tor. The "lass was

!ra!$ed# and the ener"y inside was plsatin" %etween %le and "reen. More mist filled the room.

=randt/s internal helmet '< showed that the radiation le+els were in!reasin". As she trd"ed onward#

Anya in her arms# she saw <eitt pllin" himself to his feet# holdin" an assalt rifle.

,<eitt. <id yo find anyone else0

,9o# answered <eitt. ,E+eryone else is "one . . . . %t yo/d %etter !ome see this.

<eitt wal$ed o+er to the other side of the ar! rea!tor# leadin" =randt. As he rea!hed the other

end# he pointed towards the floor. Collapsed on the "rond# with pie!es of the rea!tor arond him# was

Chen.

,Is he ali+e0

,A!!ordin" to my readin"s . . . . yes# said <eitt. ,=arely# %t yes.

,e/re "ettin" him ot of here# said =randt. ,>orson8 'ead to the east side of the %ildin".

(i+e s a way ot.

,6es# ma/am.

After a few se!onds# =randt and <eitt heard a missile !ollide with the wall from the otside#

%lowin" a hole in the %ildin". The shttle par$ed ne&t to the hole and e&tended a loadin" ramp. =randt

rshed o+er to the ramp and handed Anya to an AIM a"ent who was standin" there. She then trned

%a!$ and loo$ed at <eitt.

,<eitt# help me with the do!tor.



<eitt and =randt ran o+er to the Chen# and ea!h one too$ one of his arms in theirs. As they

did# =randt noti!ed he was !lt!hin" a shredded de+i!e in his hand. 'ea+in" him p# <eitt and

=randt wal$ed o+er to the ramp and plled him on %oard.

,>orson# "o8

3n!e e+eryone was inside# the ramp !losed# and the shttle %lasted off into the s$y.

; ; ; ;

Co"hin" +iolently# Tasha/s entire %ody shoo$ as she pla!ed her wei"ht a"ainst a near%y

!ontainer in the empty han"ar. 'er %lrred +ision +i%rated as she loo$ed arond at the destroyed room.

Co"hin" a"ain# she wat!hed as se+eral drops of %lood flew from her moth and onto the floor.

,3h . . . . shit . . . .

,Ma/am8

Tasha loo$ed down at her hands to see that only her left one was armored. 'er ri"ht hand was

!ompletely e&posed.

,Ma/am8

,6eah . . . .

,The ar! rea!tor !ore is o+erloadin" with radiation# e&plained 4ani!e. ,Apparently# it rea!ted

with )adioa!ti+e Man/s %ody# and sin!e yo e&tra!ted the +i%ranim !ore# it !oldn/t properly !hannel

it . . . . this entire floor is floodin" with radiation.

Tasha fell to one $nee# %reathin" la%oriosly.

,9o . . . . shit . . . .

,Ma/am . . . . yor armor has sffered !atastrophi! dama"e# and is %rea!hed in se+eral pla!es.

6o/+e %een e&posed. Containment is at ero per!ent.

Tasha pshed herself off the "rond a"ain# and wo%%led in pla!e as she attempted to maintain

her footin".

,'eads-p display is offline. ife spport systems are offline. Tar"etin" systems are offline. I/+e



mana"ed to maintain a !onne!tion to the Star$ Enterprises data%ase# %t yor ar! rea!tor was torn ot

drin" yor %attle with )adioa!ti+e Man . . . . the power won/t last +ery lon".

,"h . . . .

,Ma/am . . . . there/s somethin" else.

,hat0

,The ar! rea!tor is emittin" radiation . . . . and it/s o+erloadin". ithin a few mintes# it will

rea!h !riti!al le+els and detonate . . . .

Tasha/s eyes widened.

,hat/s . . . . the radis . . . .0

,The entire %ildin" will %e destroyed . . . . and the radiation will flood the !ity. Estimates

indi!ate that %etween the e&plosion and the residal radiation poisonin"# !asalties will %e in the

millions.

Tasha si"hed as she %e"an wal$in" forward.

,Ma/am . . . . the radiation has entered yor %lood8 If we lea+e now# we mi"ht %e a%le to "et yo

to a hospital in time . . . .

,<on/t lie to me# 4ani!e# said Tasha# as she too$ another step. ,I $now the math. I/m dead# and I

ha+e no way ot . . . . %t if I don/t stop that ar! rea!tor# millions of people are "oin" to die . . . . if I

destroy the rea!tor %efore it o+erloads# what happens0

,The ar! rea!tor/s ener"y shold wipe ot the radiation . . . . %t ma/am . . . . yo !an %arely

stand . . . .

Tasha too$ another step as %lood dri%%led from her moth.

,here . . . . are . . . . 3%adiah . . . . Pepper . . . . )hodey . . . . 'appy . . . .

,They/re still in the %ildin"# ma/am.

,If I don/t . . . .

Tasha "rnted as she !on+lsed. >allin" a"ainst a spport !olmn# she %e"an hyper+entilatin".



,Ma/am8

,If I . . . . don/t . . . . stop it . . . . they die.

Tasha pshed off the !olmn and !ontined to wal$ towards the open door. Steppin" o+er the

%ody of an AIM a"ent# she ho%%led onward.

,Ma/am . . . . shall I try to !onne!t one of them thro"h0

Tasha si"hed as she too$ another step.

,Mi"ht as well.

Sptterin"# Tasha too$ another step.

,Ma/am . . . . I/+e mana"ed to !onne!t Ms. Potts.

,Tasha0

,'ey . . . . Pep . . . .

Tasha "roaned in pain.

,hat happened p there0 as$ed Pepper.

,Is that Tasha0 as$ed Stane# whose +oi!e !old %arely %e heard.

,6es.

,=ad "ys . . . . lost . . . . said Tasha. ,'a+e to . . . . stop . . . . the ar-ar! . . . . ar! . . . .

As she was passin" thro"h the doorway# Tasha fell onto her $nees a"ain. She tried to pll

herself p# %t !ollapsed onto her !hest# droolin".

,Ma/am8

,Tasha . . . . what are yo doin"08

,Ms. Potts# said 4ani!e. ,Tasha is attemptin" to destroy the ar! rea!tor %efore it o+erloads . . . .

%t her +itals are droppin" steadily. She/s %een e&posed to hi"h !on!entrations of radiation.

,Then "et her ot of there8 shoted Pepper.

Tasha started to !rawl into the hallway that led to the ar! rea!tor !ham%er. She moaned as pain

flared all o+er her %ody.



,I !an/t# replied 4ani!e. ,'er sit is hea+ily dama"ed . . . . her mo%ility te!h is all %eyond

repair.

Tasha !old hear Pepper %e"in to !ry. She "rasped at the floor with her hand and plled her

%ody forward.

,Tasha . . . . said Pepper# !ho$in" %a!$ tears.

Tasha si"hed and %reathed in and ot a few times.

,Pep . . . .

,Tasha . . . .

,Please . . . .

Tasha plled herself forward a"ain.

,Please . . . . don/t . . . . do-don/t . . . . !ry . . . .

Tasha win!ed as she heard Pepper !ryin". 'er %ody started to %e!ome nm% as the feelin"

drained from her fa!e and lim%s. She heard a small !li!$in" noise# and then Stane/s +oi!e.

,Tasha . . . .

,3%-3%adiah . . . .

Tasha !ontined to !rawl forward.

,6-6o . . . . don/t ha+e to do this . . . . there/s still . . . .

,9o . . . . there isn/t.

,=t . . . . yo/re not "oin" to ma$e it8

Tasha "roaned.

,I/ll . . . . ma$e it . . . .

,Tash . . . .

,<on/t worry# 3%adiah . . . . I made . . . . a . . . . a"h8

Tasha !rin"ed as she spttered more %lood on the floor.

,Tasha . . . .



,A . . . . promise . . . .

She !old hear Stane !ho$in" p.

,I . . . . pro-promised . . . . to prote!t . . . . yo . . . . t-to . . . . ta$e !are of yo . . . .

She !old hear a small "asp from Stane/s +oi!e.

,And . . . . I/m "oin" . . . . to . . . . $-$eep it.

She !old hear Stane/s %reathin".

,)em-remem%er . . . . 3% . . . . 3%adiah . . . . I will . . . . always . . . . lo . . . .

Tasha !ollapsed a"ain as the !ommni!ations !hannel !losed.

,9o remainin" power# ma/am . . . . I/m . . . . sorry . . . .

4ani!e went silent. Tasha plled herself forward a"ain# as she saw the ar! rea!tor ahead of her.

Aimin" her arm# she a!ti+ated her wrist lan!her. 'er last ro!$et loaded and lit p. It then fired at the

rea!tor# %lastin" it apart. Tasha was winded and $no!$ed %a!$ as the rea!tor e&ploded# emanatin" a

plse of %le ener"y that wiped ot the "reen mist in the area. As she rolled onto her %a!$# the last of

her feelin" drained away. The world %e!ame empty and silent.

; ; ; ;

Stane/s moth was open as his hands shoo$. A tear streamed down his !hee$. 'e then !losed his

eyes and loo$ed down# sha$in" his head.

,4ani!e . . . . said )hodes.

,9o more readin"s !omin" from the armor# Colonel# replied 4ani!e# who was tal$in" thro"h

the %ildin"/s spea$ers. ,9o life si"ns dete!ted . . . . %t the ar! rea!tor has %een destroyed. The

radiation is !learin".

Stane "lped.

,So . . . . she/s "one0

4ani!e too$ a moment %efore respondin".

,6es# Mr. Stane.



Pepper/s eyes widened.

,9o she/s not# said Pepper.

Pepper then started rnnin" for the stair!ase.




Chapter 1@: 'onesty Time

The world %e!ame %ri"ht and fll.

,hat . . . .

Tasha/s eyes opened# and she saw Pepper/s fa!e.

,Pep-Pepper . . . .

Pepper smiled# with tears in her eyes. She then rea!hed down and pressed her !hee$ a"ainst

Tasha/s. 'oldin" her !hest a"ainst Tasha/s# Pepper %reathed in and ot.

,hat is . . . . what . . . . happened0

Pepper lifted herself off Tasha and "rinned.

,6o/re ali+e# said Pepper.

,I am0 as$ed Tasha. ,ell . . . . shit.

Tasha/s eyes widened as she loo$ed arond at the empty ar! rea!tor !ham%er. She then a%rptly

sat p.

,The radiation . . . . how are we . . . .0

Tasha loo$ed down at the wre!$ed remains of the armor on her %ody. She then saw the ar!

rea!tor in her !hest# whi!h was inta!t# and had a "lowin" trian"lar !ore in the !entre. >or a few

se!onds# Tasha stared at it.

,The +i%ranim !ore ar! rea!tor . . . .

Pepper smiled and nodded# wipin" a tear from her eye.

,6o . . . .

,I remem%ered# said Pepper.

Tasha loo$ed p at Pepper and smiled. She then rea!hed arond and h""ed Pepper# ti"htly

s2eein" her !lose to her. >or a few moments# they 5st sat there# in ea!h other/s arms. Tasha let a few

tears of 5oy stream from her eyes. They then let "o of ea!h other.



,4ani!e# said Pepper. ,'ow is she doin"0

,The +i%ranim !ore has %rned all of the radiation ot of Tasha/s !ells# Ms. Potts# answered

4ani!e. ,I am happy to report that Ms. Star$ is "oin" to %e 5st fine.

Tasha too$ in a lar"e %reath and !losed her eyes for a moment.

,And the %ildin"0

,3t of dan"er# replied 4ani!e. ,6o did it# ma/am. Ms. Potts . . . . shall I tell the others to !ome

inside0

,6es.

After a se!ond# the door opened# and Stane# )hodes and 'appy wal$ed in. 'appy nodded at

Pepper with a smile. )hodes stood ne&t to Pepper. Stane rshed for Tasha and !ro!hed ne&t to her on

her left side# opposite Pepper.

,Tasha# are yo . . . .

,I/m fine# 3%y.

Stane smiled and si"hed# pla!in" his hand on her sholder. She then "ra%%ed his hand with hers#

retrnin" his smile.

,I 5st !an/t %elie+e it# said Stane# loo$in" down at the armor.

,6eah# said Tasha. ,It/s a %it !ray. There/s a story %ehind all of this# trst me . . . .

,hy didn/t yo tell me0 as$ed Stane.

Tasha/s fa!e went strai"ht. >or a few se!onds# she 5st stared into Stane/s eyes. She loo$ed into

his %le ppils# and saw the pain %ehind them.

,I/m sorry# 3%adiah. I/m sorry . . . . a%ot e+erythin". A%ot !ttin" yo ot# a%ot pshin" yo

aside . . . . a%ot not trstin" yo with this.

Stane raised an eye%row.

,6o/+e always %een there for me . . . . I for"ot how m!h I needed yo.

Tasha s2eeed Stane/s hand %efore lettin" it "o. She then loo$ed at )hodes.



,)hodey . . . . help a "irl p0

As )hodes "ra%%ed Tasha/s other hand and plled her to her feet# Stane wat!hed with slowly

narrowin" eyes.

; ; ; ;

=randt $ept her head pointed down as she approa!hed the door to illian/s offi!e. Stoppin" in

front of it# she pt p her fist# as if to $no!$. 'oldin" her hand in pla!e for a few se!onds# she then

lowered it# %efore pro!eedin" to n%tton the top two %ttons on her %lose. Si"hin"# she then $no!$ed

on the door.

,Come in.

=randt "rasped the handle and trned it. As the door opened# illian !ame into +iew. 'e was

sittin" at his des$ in a %ei"e sit# his hands a"ainst ea!h other# with ea!h fin"ertip to!hin" its

!onterpart on his other hand. 'e smir$ed at =randt as she wal$ed into the room.

,Ta$e a seat# said illian.

(lpin"# =randt sat down in the !hair fa!in" his des$. She ran her hands down her le"s# "ently

massa"in" them for a moment %efore pttin" them in her lap.

,m . . . .

,)eport# Miss =randt.

,e# h . . . . we failed# sir.

,E&plain yorself.

=randt "lped a"ain.

,-e . . . . atta!$ed Star$ Tower . . . . a-as yo re2ested# sir. 'owe+er# we ran into . . . .

!ompli!ations . . . .

,S!h as0

,Tasha Star$ . . . . she had . . . . some s-sort of . . . . se!ret weapon# sir. A sit of armor . . . . it

was li$e . . . . nothin" I-I/+e e+er seen.



illian si"hed as his %reathin" slowed. =randt %e"an %reathin" faster.

,I/m s-sorry# sir# said =randt. ,3nly >orson# <eitt# =r!hill# the do!tor and myself made it

%a!$. -e also %ro"ht Anya# %t she/s in . . . . !riti!al !ondition.

illian narrowed his eyes.

,6o/re sweatin".

=randt shoo$ in fear as she wiped her forehead.

,m . . . . sorry# sir.

illian smiled %efore standin" p from his !hair. 'e wal$ed arond the des$ and sat down on it

in front of her.

,Are yo afraid of me# Miss =randt0

=randt 2i+ered in her seat.

,6-6es . . . . sir.

illian smiled %efore pla!in" his hand on her !hee$.

,My lo+e . . . . I don/t want yo to %e afraid of me# said illian. ,I wold ne+er hrt yo.

,6o . . . . woldn/t0

,9e+er. =esides# yor mission wasn/t a failre.

=randt raised an eye%row as she stopped sha$in".

,It wasn/t0

,9ot at all. e mana"ed to "et e&a!tly what we wanted . . . . al%eit# not e&a!tly in a way I wold

ha+e e&pe!ted. As well# there/s no e+iden!e that !old lin$ the atta!$ %a!$ to AIM.

illian wal$ed %a!$ arond the ta%le and opened a drawer. 'e then plled ot the shredded

de+i!e that Chen was holdin" and tossed it on the des$. =randt/s eyes widened.

,That . . . . the do!tor was holdin" that when we %ro"ht him %a!$8

,Indeed he was# said illian. ,That# my dear# is a portion of a miniatried ar! rea!tor . . . . the

$ind that is in Tasha Star$/s !hest . . . . and# altho"h it is dama"ed# it appears that we/re "oin" to %e



a%le to o%tain some +ery +ala%le data off of it.

=randt smiled.

,ow.

,There/s somethin" else# too# said illian. ,3r "reen asset sent me a +ery interestin" set of

s!hemati!s.

illian tapped a %tton on his remote# and a holo"ram s!reen appeared o+er his des$. It then

showed a three-dimensional s!hemati! ima"e of a sit of power armor.

,I didn/t e+en $now that this pro5e!t e&isted . . . .

,Sir# said =randt. ,hat is that0

,That# my lo+e# are the prototype s!hemati!s for the Mar$ Two Sentinels.

,Mar$ Two0

,They ne+er left the desi"n sta"e# and of !orse# the ri"hts now %elon" to =oli+ar Tras$ . . . . %t

apparently# these desi"ns are part of what inspired Star$/s . . . . /se!ret weapon/. 9ow# they %elon" to

AIM# and I ha+e the perfe!t idea of who to sell them to.

=randt raised her eye%row a"ain.

,Call (eneral )oss# said illian. ,Tell him I/+e fond a soltion to his . . . . pro%lem.

; ; ; ;

Tasha stood still as Stane %ttoned p the top %tton on her shirt. 'e then pla!ed his hands on

her !hee$s and smiled at her.

,Am I "oin" to %e o$ay0 as$ed Tasha.

Stane %lin$ed and nodded as he too$ his hands off her !hee$s.

,6o/re "oin" to do "reat# replied Stane. ,6o always do.

,Than$s# 3% . . . .

Tasha stopped as Stane trned his head sli"htly to the left.

,3%adiah. Than$ yo.



Stane "ently slapped Tasha on the sholder.

,I/ll always %e there for yo.

,I $now.

Pepper wal$ed into the room.

,The press is ready for yo# Tasha# said Pepper. ,Also# I 5st "ot off the phone with <o!tor

'all. 'im and his team are mo+in" to the other Pro5e!t Pe"ass fa!ility in Miami.

Tasha nodded and "a+e Pepper a thm%s p. She then patted her !hest down and wal$ed past

Stane# who wat!hed her lea+e the room. al$in" down the hallway with Pepper# they passed %oth

)hodes and 'appy# who were standin" "ard at %oth sides of the hallway/s entran!e into the press hall.

Arond two hndred mem%ers of the press were in the hall# all wat!hin" Tasha as she wal$ed arond

them and stood p on the podim.

,Mem%ers of the press# said Tasha. ,Than$ yo for !omin".

The press mem%ers all wat!hed her as she stood still for a moment. She loo$ed past them to see

Stane# Pepper# 'appy and )hodes all loo$in" at her with smiles.

,I !alled this press !onferen!e so that I !old address the terrorist atta!$ on my tower. Two days

a"o# at nine thirty for in the mornin"# for shttles of !rrently n$nown ori"in assalted Star$

Tower.

Tasha loo$ed down to see Christian sittin" in the first row of the press "rop. 'e had his arms

folded and was loo$in" at her with a fa!e of disdain.

,They $illed se+enteen mem%ers of my staff# and !ased %illions of dollars in property

dama"e# !ontined Tasha. ,9ow# no one has ta$en responsi%ility for this a!t of +iolen!e# %t rest

assred . . . .

,E&!se me# interrpted Christian. ,Ms. Star$0

,6es0

,hat a%ot the doens of eye witness a!!onts of some sort of flyin" armored hero that



stopped the atta!$0 as$ed Christian. ,The military did not respond in time to !om%at the terrorists . . . .

and apparently there were si"htin"s of this . . . . sperhero# who has %een d%%ed /Iron Maiden/# drin"

the day of the atta!$. Are yo sayin" that yo ha+e nothin" to do with that0

Tasha !h!$led.

,oo$# I don/t want to "i+e anyone a false impression . . . .

Christian rolled his eyes. Tasha si"hed as she loo$ed at the fa!es of the press. She then loo$ed

a"ain at her friends in the %a!$# who had fa!es of !on!ern. Ta$in" a moment to %reathe# Tasha then

loo$ed at the press mem%ers.

,The trth is . . . .

Tasha smiled.

,I am Iron Maiden.

T'E E9<

Iron Maiden ill )etrn



Epilo"e

illian sneered as he loo$ed into the operatin" room. 3n the ta%le# was the dama"ed# na$ed

%ody of Anya# who was %ein" operated on %y se+eral me!hanied sr"eons. She was s!reamin" in pain

as they installed an artifi!ial le" where her or"ani! left le" had ori"inally %een. =randt was standin"

ne&t to him# with tears in her eyes. <eitt was sittin" at the !ompter !onsole in front of them. 'e was

starin" at the operatin" file# whi!h read /Anya Van$o/.

,ill she %e alri"ht0 as$ed =randt.

<eitt si"hed.

,6es# %t these e&perimental me!hani!al implants are the only way to sa+e her life.

illian narrowed his eyes.

,e/re "oin" to ma$e her %etter than e+er# said illian.

=randt raised an eye%row.

,'ow0

,<eitt# I want yo to re-open file one ei"hteen. <esi"nation . . . . Crimson <ynamo.

Earth-717: Iron Maiden Vol 1 Full Version

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Transcript of Earth-717: Iron Maiden Vol 1 Full Version