The Sentinels: Darkness Rising
Darkness Rising - Story Arc #10
Darkness Rising
November 17th, 1999
After a few moments of silence, the group could hear a crackling noice, as if a set of speakers had been turned on.
“Rosie, I have just picked up on police bands that there are a number of Harbingers atttacking a bank and several stores at a small shopping centre 1.2 km to the west. The police have two units on site, with more responding, but it will be at least fifteen minutes before the YSRT arrives. There are at least five known causalties amongst patrons of the bank and the shopping plaza. The indentity of the Harbingers are not yet confirmed.”
“Damn,” Rosie breathed. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another. OK, put me on the channel and send me coordinates. And send Boreas and Jezebel, if you can. I’m on my way.”
“I’m afraid that Boreas and Jezebel cannot be spared,” Aidan replied.
To the others, she said, “It looks as though our meeting will have to wait. There isn’t time to explain right now, but that voice you just heard was our host, Aidan. I’ll trust in your discretion and ask you to keep this to yourselves. In the meantime, we have trouble. Will you help me with it? I can get there in about a minute, and I’m sure we can arrange transportation for those who need it. What do you say?”
“Damn!” HK yelled. “That sounds more my speed. Let’s go bust some heads! Um… anybody got the time? Couldn’t find a watch that went with the outfit, y’know?”
Rosie glanced at the ceiling. “Can you help him, Aidan? I could check the shortwave Universal Time settings, but you’re faster at that than I am. Oh, and keep checking for more information from the scene, would you? Thanks.”
“It is 3:42:25 pm at the sound of the tone,” Aidan said with a hint of humor in his voice. There was a pause then a beep. “Police confirm there are a number of civilians caught in the crossfire, and the attack upon the bank has spread to the other businesses in the building. Harbinger attacks still unidentified. YSRT on route, ETA 13 minutes.”
Rook reached into his duffel bag and pulled out a midnight blue uniform. Shrugging off his suit jacket he looked up at Rosie. “Do you mind turning around for a minute, please.”
Rosie smiled. “I’d be surprised if you had anything I haven’t seen before.” But she turned her back anyway. “Say when.”
“Let’s just say I’m just a very shy person.” Moments later he continued. “Alright, you can turn around now. ” The midnight blue uniform had been supplemented by silver gloves, belt and mask. The gloves and belt, both made out of some kind a rigid material, looked slightly bulky, as though they held small pockets or compartments. “Anytime you’re ready to go, but I will need a ride. ”
Rosie turned around, and looked him up and down appreciatively. “I can manage that, depending on how much you weigh in that outfit.” “Let’s see, with this gear I’m just under 200 pounds, but with lunch I’d say about 205.” Rook shrugged. “What can I say I had a big lunch.”
“I like lusty appetites,” Rosie replied with a grin. Extending her hand, she added, “OK, I’ll carry you there.” Then she turned to the others. “What about the rest of you? I suspect Hyperkinetic can get there under his own steam, but I don’t yet know about you, Warlock.”
Rosie turned back to Rook, her expression suddenly turning serious. “Wait. There’s something else I need to know before we take off. Are you carrying anything that generates magnetic fields, especially high-intensity ones?”
Rook took a moment and checked a couple of the belts compartments and looked up. “No, nothing I’m carrying now would affect magnetic fields.”
“I oughta be able to get there on my own, I can run pretty fast when I try. But if you all get there before me, be sure to hang back a sec until I catch up.”
“OK, good,” Rosie nodded. “If you do start using high-magnetic gear, though, try to let me know beforehand.”
“Give the others directions, Aidan,” Rosie said. “And just keep me pointed in the right direction. Now let’s go.” She turned to the others again. “And thanks for coming along.”
Aidan passed along directions to the mall and the assembled heroes headed out.
Natalia Tonish MacDougal crouched down behind the crushed car in the parking lot. “Figures I’d pick this time to go to the bank,” she swore. “What the hell am I going to do! Those crazies are going to kill everyone, including me!”
There was another loud crunching noise and a huge crash, and Nate saw the bumper of the pale green Lexus parked in the handcapper spot go flying over her head.
“Back off, cops,” the Harbinger surrounded in flames yelled. “Or we’ll kill everyone here!”
Kirstin McRory shivered as she listened to that Harbinger threaten the lives of everyone at the mall. “This is not good,” she muttered. She looked around and saw the panicking people in the bank. Luckily there weren’t many people here, just a couple of tellers, a manager, and three customers. Unfortunately, one of those three customers was a little girl, probably about four years old, and she was obviously terrified.
John Smith, aka Mindblade, was sitting quietly at a small restaurant eating a late lunch when a panicking young woman came running in. “Please, dial 911! A group of Harbingers are attacking Woodruff Plaza,” she gasped, out of breath. She opened her mouth to peak again but was cut off by the sound of an explosion.
To be continued…
© Lisa Hartjes, 2001