Freedom vs the World

“What is it?” Tilby asked.

“Force field,” Freedom said. “My guess is we fought at the generators in Tudor and didn’t even know it. With the field generating from here, we can actually see it in the sky above us. Hudson really is the center of this clusterfuck.”

“We still don’t know where to look,” Iniri said. “They could be anywhere in town. Something about the field seems to be blocking out my empathy, so I can’t even get a feeling much past the four of us.”

“Fantastic,” Freedom said. “I guess we’ll have to ask them.”

Freedom pointed down the empty street. A man dressed in red and silver, a man Freedom hadn’t seen in four long years, walked towards them, his twin pistols raised. Three monsters, for lack of a better word, flanked him. He stopped short about fifteen yards in front of the stopped vehicle.

“Name’s Trigger,” he said. “My boss was nice enough to clear the streets of any norms. No need for any collateral damage today. Me and these blokes behind me, well, we’re here to keep you from coming any further.”

Freedom and Tilby climbed from the doors as Iniri went to help the Neanderthal out. “Better men than you have tried,” Tilby said.

“Have it your way,” Trigger said. He tilted his head to one side, but never took his eyes from his foes. “Fungus, Kraken, Spider-Thing, destroy them.”

The monsters charged towards Freedom and Tilby just as Iniri arrived at their side with the Neanderthal.

It’s now or never, Freedom thought. One way or another, this will end here tonight. Freedom turned to his friends. “Tilby, Iniri, you with me?”

“I came this far,” Iniri said. “Why back out now?”

“Time to bring these bastards down,” Tilby said.

A low growl emerged from behind them. The Neanderthal shoved his way in front of Freedom and Tilby, ready for the other monsters attack.

“Neanderthal’s definitely ready,” Iniri said.

Freedom raised his shotgun. “Let’s do this then.”

*****

Annabelle’s face contorted with pain. Her expression only made Atlas smile that much broader. “Resist all you want, girl. It just serves to make it far more entertaining for me.”

For the past six hours, energy coursed from the power supply and in to the young Latina on its way to the massive cannon behind them. Each second the current sapped a little more of the girl’s strength. In only a few minutes the charge would be complete and Washington would be under his boot.

“I’ll—kill—you,” Annabelle said through gritted teeth.

“I’m sure you will try, if I give you the chance. Instead, I suspect your mind will turn to jelly when the psychic ray activates. Don’t worry though, you can rest assured you will take most of this pathetic nation’s weak willed federal government with you!”

“You—are—mad!”

“So you’ve said, but I think you are very wrong. You are the one who is crazy for thinking you can stop me. I have worked on this plan for half a decade now and with it my dominance of the World and what’s left of this country will be assured!”

I— take that back— you’re fucking insane!”

“Flattery will get you nowhere. Goodbye, Annabelle Montalvo. I would like to say it was nice to know you, but I would rather die than have to associate with a genetic inferior like yourself again.” Atlas turned and started for the exit. The technician could finish the work now.

“Don’t—turn—your back—on me!” Atlas could hear the strain in the girl’s voice as he continued towards the door.

The sudden screech of metal made Atlas whirl back around just in time to see her arms shaking with exertion. Her arms and her bands. The steel restraints ripped from their base as Annabelle screamed in rage and pain.

“You face me now, Atlas. It’s time we bring this to an end.”

*****

The massive creature Trigger called Kraken pursued Iniri as she ran with all her strength down the city street. The monster seemed to get bigger and bigger as it continued after her. After a few glances back, she knew it wasn’t just her eyes playing tricks on her. Kraken was getting bigger. Where once an eight foot creature stood, now a thirteen foot monstrosity pursued her.

It’s just not my week, she thought as she twisted her body around and fired the pistol in her hand. She continued to run as the bullets bounced off the fish-man’s plated skin.

I need help, her brain screamed.

But it was too late as the creature’s massive hands reached down and around her waist—

*****

Tilby fired a shell directly in to Fungus’s forehead. Spores exploded off the creature’s skin. It coughed and gurgled, but the massive hole where its right temple should have been seemed to cause it no ill effect.

“Not fucking possible,” Tilby said to no one in particular.

Fungus closed on him. As it moved, the damage to its head slowly filled in with new growth.

Tilby fired again, this time in to the monster’s chest, but Fungus was already too close.

Spores flew in to the air in a thick cloud. Tilby couldn’t help but inhale the flying mold. His lungs instantly contracted and he coughed violently.

Fungus closed its puke green paws around his chest—

*****

The Neanderthal and Spider-Thing both sized the other up. From each being’s frame of reference, the other was an abomination.

The Neanderthal roared a challenge.

Spider-Thing hissed her venomous response.

Two massive forms charged towards one another. The impact shook the very street.

Neanderthal bled from where Spider-Thing’s razor-sharp pincers struck. He roared in pain and surprise.

A massive gray fist impacted Spider-Thing’s jaw.

Once he hunted mastodon single handed. This monster was just another abomination ready for destruction.

For the first time in decades, the Neanderthal smiled.

*****

Freedom kept his shotgun aimed straight at Trigger’s chest.

Trigger held two slick black 9mm Glocks at his side.

A standoff.

A showdown.

“You can’t win, Patton. These guns are like an extension of my being. Before you even start firing that cannon, I can load a half dozen rounds in to your chest.”

“Yeah?” Freedom raised the shotgun a little higher, straight at Trigger’s heart. “Surprise me.”

Freedom’s finger depressed but his shot went wild as a round of hot metal burst through his right shoulder. Another shot him in the left kidney as his body twisted from the first shot. The third caught him in the left calf.

Freedom staggered back and struggled to keep his footing on his injured leg. “You—” He coughed and could feel the blood rising in his throat. “You got me good there, Trigger. Hit something vital. I guess I’m a goner for sure.”

Freedom spit blood on the ground in front of them. He staggered forward as he raised his shotgun at his hip. His shot fired before Trigger could even register the threat.

Trigger’s right shoulder exploded in to a fine red mist.

Freedom coughed up more blood as he shambled towards Trigger. The gunman tried to raise the pistol in his left hand, but his strength failed him. Trigger dropped to his knees, then to the ground.

Freedom kicked the remaining 9 mil away from Trigger’s hand. “You’re a damn good shot, Trigger.” The words would have carried the menace he felt if they came out as more than a wheeze. Freedom continued anyway. “But you made two mistakes. One, you used high velocity bullets. They cut through nice and clean, even bone if need be. Sure they hurt like hell, but they aren’t going to kill anyone that fast. And two, you should have went for the head shot.”

Freedom ripped open his blood-soaked shirt. Already his gunshot wounds were closing up. “Especially when you’re fighting a man with super powers. Ain’t life a bitch?” Freedom pulled Trigger up to his knees. He brought the shotgun’s smoking barrel down on the assassin’s shoulder wound. Trigger grimaced at the burning heat, but he did not scream.

“Point me to this Atlas dirtbag, Trigger, and I’ll let you and me settle this some other time. Live to fight another day and all that.”

Trigger chuckled. “Damn fool, Atlas. I would have killed you for free.”

“Where is he, Trigger? Don’t make me ask again.”

“In the city building. Start of the next block. Can see it from here.” Trigger nodded towards an old brownstone.

“You’re a real doll, Trigger.” Freedom yanked the spare clips from Trigger’s belt and let his would-be killer go. Trigger crumpled to the ground. Freedom left Trigger to try to make his escape. Freedom knew it wouldn’t be easy for the man, especially without his guns. Freedom retrieved each of the twin Glocks in turn.

“Beautiful equipment you’ve got here, Trig. Nice of you to get these for me. Those old .45s of mine that I got from you disappeared a few hours back. These will make a fine replacement.”

“I will kill you, Patton.”

“Later, Trigger. It’s time your boss learns that America doesn’t take well to mad dictators.”

*****

Iniri looked Kraken eye to eye as the massive creature, now standing at least twenty feet tall, held her helplessly by the waist. Her feet dangled beneath her, several feet above the ground.

Kraken looked at her with its blank, fish-like eyes. She tried with all her focus to get a read on the monster. But whether it was the dampers over the city or just some natural immunity, Kraken was inscrutable, totally unreadable.

Please don’t let me die like this. I’m no Mae West, and this beast is definitely not King Kong.

“Please,” she said aloud. “I don’t want to hurt you. Let me help you.”

Kraken pulled Iniri in closer and looker her you and down with a massive black eye. The creature’s breath was foul enough to make her skin crawl. Iniri pushed her revulsion aside and stroked Kraken’s scaly facial ridges.

“Please, put me back down and we can take you some place to help you.”

Kraken’s mouth opened wide. A hissing sound rose from deep in the monster’s throat. She felt the pressure from its hands increase around her waist. The creature was crushing the very life out of her.

“No, puh-please… stop this.” Her voice weakened as the Kraken’s tightening grip made her unable to breathe. “St-sto—”

Everything was going black. All she could feel was the crushing pressure against her torso…

Something crashed in to Kraken’s cheek. Too many appendages seemed to be flailing from the projectile and all of them sliced past Kraken’s tough exterior.

The massive fish-man loosed its grip as it struggled to push away the spider creature flailing against its side. Iniri looked won and could see a bloody Neanderthal as he came towards them. He’s here to save me, she realized. The Neanderthal charged shoulder first in to Kraken’s shin bone. Iniri could hear the bone crack from several feet above.

Kraken teetered on its feet as it wavered on its injured leg. Only for a moment though, as it fell sideways and crashed down on to the nearest building. As it fell, Kraken’s grip released. Iniri screamed as she plummeted towards the ground. She fell straight in to the waiting Neanderthal’s arms.

The Neanderthal lowered her to the ground at his side. Iniri raised a hand to stroke the massive gray caveman’s cheek. “Thank you. You saved my life.”

Neanderthal gently stroked her cheek in return.

The explosion came from a block away and rocked them out of their revelry.

“Oh my gods! Freedom!”

*****

Fungus leaned in close and Tilby found himself forced to inhale more noxious spores. He couldn’t stop coughing as the mold-monster held him fast.

I only have a few seconds. These spores will choke me in to unconsciousness and death if I let them.

Firearms were quite obviously no use against the monster, so it was time to switch tactics. Tilby dropped the empty shotgun. He dropped his hand to his left. Fungus lowered its head in closer to Tilby’s own. Tilby could see the mold on the creature’s surface turn darker and certainly even more deadly—

Tilby’s hand wrapped around the cylinder strapped to his belt. He yanked it free before he brought it up and around in front of him. Raising his other arm, he snapped it open. The road flare sparked to fiery life. Tilby shoved the burning end in to the mold-monster’s face. Fungus outer layer immediately started to smolder.

Fungus gurgled out a woeful sound. Tilby brought the flare down over the monster’s left wrist. The mold burned quickly away, separating the monster’s hand from its arm.

Tilby quickly did the same with the creature’s other arm.

Fungus staggered back as Tilby dropped back to the ground. Fungus focused its empty eyes on the smoldering stumps where its hands had been only moments before. Tilby pulled himself up to his feet. He gasped for the fresh air. He gagged and coughed. A green snot rose from his throat and splashed on the ground in front of him.

Fungus lumbered back towards him. Tilby threw the flare straight at the mold-monster. It imbedded neatly in Fungus’s chest. Fungus mewled in misery as his mold began to smoke and quickly burst to life. Fungus mewled in pain as the flames quickly engulfed him.

His lungs still burned as he coughed more and more of the spores on to the ground. His chest ached from the spores. As far as he knew, the damage was already done.

But I won you bastard. Too bad I won’t stay conscious long enough to do the same to your boss.

The last thing Tilby heard before he passed out was a massive explosion. An explosion far too near. One way or another, he thought through the haze, it’s finally over.

*****

The four guards, no matter how well trained, didn’t know what hit them. Freedom took out the first two men with clean shots to each of the men’s left thighs. Guard Three lost a trigger and middle finger to another well placed shot before Freedom dropped another round in to his shoulder. Guard Four got a shot off but Freedom jumped in to the air. The bullet whizzed by beneath him as, still in the air, Freedom fired a round in to each of the guard’s shoulders.

He landed between the struggling Guards One and Two. He aimed a Glock at each man’s head and they both dropped their weapons at the site of their impending deaths.

“Get the fuck out of her.” The guards scurried as best they could from the room. “Good,” Freedom said as they left the room. “Now it’s time to go kick your boss’s ass.”

*****

Annabelle threw a technician foolish enough to try and stop her to one side. She once again marveled at her own strength as she continued her advance towards Atlas. Even after his device drained the very life from her, she knew she still had the strength to lay out this bastard.

Atlas did not budge from his position. He stood calmly several feet in front of her, unmoving. Still smiling.

Annabelle lunged towards him. She swung a punch forward right in line with Atlas’s jaw. Only to have him vanish.

“You’re going to have to do better than that, young lady.” Atlas’s voice came from behind her.

Annabelle turned to see his smug grin again. “What the hell?”

“You’re not the only metahuman in the world, girl.” Atlas flashed forward. Before she could blink, Annabelle felt his fist connect with her own jaw.

She clutched at her injury only to have two more blows land in her gut. Her eyes didn’t even register his movement.

Atlas came to a stop just before her again. “Superspeed is a blessing you don’t seem to share. I’ve tolerated your inferior blood in my presence long enough. You and the fools outside have ruined everything and for that you will pay. Die, girl!”

Annabelle stepped back as Atlas laughed. She couldn’t keep up with his speed and training. She wouldn’t stop him, but she was done begging for her life.

“Bring it,” she said.

The first round caught Atlas in the left shoulder. Annabelle didn’t register the sound of the gunshot until the second slug ripped through Atlas’s left kidney and whooshed inches past her own thigh.

Atlas’s eyes went wide and the smile left his face. He stumbled forward a step. Annabelle took two bounding steps forward and planted her first squarely in his right cheek.

Atlas crashed to the floor.

Freedom nodded to her from the other end of the room. “As I said the last time, Annabelle, the name’s Freedom Patton and I’m here to rescue you.”

Atlas chuckled from the floor between them. He pulled something out from inside his jacket. Hand size, almost too hard to see, but Annabelle knew what it was from the movies.

A detonator.

“If I’m going to die,” Atlas said, “I’m going to take as many of you self-righteous fools with me as possible.”

“Get outside!” Annabelle looked up at Freedom’s voice. “Go and don’t look back!”

Annabelle ran forward and past Freedom. Freedom dove forward. He caught Atlas’s hand. The two men struggled as Annabelle made her way from the room.

She sprinted through the lobby and out the door. Just in time, as the building exploded behind her. The force of the explosion sent Annabelle flying through the air. She crashed in to the building on the far side of the street and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.