Thank you, TheCloser, for entering the Halloween fiction contest. Here is their entry:
(Story prompt by Dan Peyton)
The elevator doors slid open and Director Nova stepped out into BADGE HQ. He hated that two mile ride down, but this was the most secure location on Earth. The headquarters of the most advanced base on the planet were surprisingly vacant, but this was normal. Most of the work conducted here was done by robots along with the most sophisticated AI system in the world.
After a short walk down the corridor, Nova came into a large room filled with computer consoles and a massive set of screens. Two robots worked at the consoles as the only crew today.
“Let’s check in on the teams.” He stated. “Call up the world maps, I want to see where these leagues are?”
“Understood Director.” The computer answered and the screens filled with maps of the world. Each map had the location of the various teams of superheroes that worked for BADGE. They organized themselves into leagues so they could fight crime locally as well as more easily respond to a call for international emergencies.
“Unit 10915, contact the leagues around the Detroit area. I want to know why the crime rate there has doubled this week.” The robot at the computer stopped moving and nothing happened, “10915 respond.” Nova approached the rigid robot.
Before he could find out what was wrong both robots stood up and started dancing around, their bodies acting like puppets on strings.
“What the hell is going on?” Nova struck a fighting stance.
Just then the computer monitors buzzed and the lights flickered. The screens began to run through map after map, and then it all became fuzz. The two dancing robots flung themselves at Nova. He was pummeled to the ground, pinned down. He shoved on them, unhurt but furious. “GET OFF OF ME!”
One turned it’s head all the way around and then cackled at him. In a high, cracking voice it screeched, “Having fun yet?” and then laughed.
Nova finally shoved them off of him and backed away, “Okay, that’s creepy.”
A green energy streamed out of the robots and formed a sinister looking Jack-o-lantern in the air. It laughed in that same horrible voice and then flew around the room, passing in and out of the computers like they weren’t there. When it went through something, the already crazy machine went even more haywire. Computers exploded, the lights shut down, and the fuzz on the main screens became the only light in the room.
Nova pulled out a communicator and pressed a switch, “Nova to...” suddenly that Jack-o-lantern flew right into his body and he felt it filling him. He lost control of his left arm, his head twitched erratically, and his mind was slowly fading as if he were falling asleep. It didn’t take much to realize this creature was taking over his body. He managed to hold that communicator up, “To...any...heroes who can hear...me. BADGE has been compromised….help...”
(Continuation by TheCloser)
It had been an odd day. A day where things just go wrong. Routine
operations were bungled. Run of the mill bad guys were getting away.
Normally reliable officers were missing crucial equip checks, only to
have gear fail right down to the third and fourth redundancies.
The latest
catastrophe was just about set to rights. Then, on The Closer's
wrist, an overly technical timepiece activates to delivers a
transmission, “Nova to... Ynngh”, "To...any...heroes who can
hear...me. BADGE has been compromised….help...”
It isn't unusual for
him to look at the device when it activates, even though it's audio
only. It is however, unusual for the device to glow a sickly green
color. He's about to turn it off and back on again, when it detaches
itself from his suit and falls towards the floor.
Defense systems are
activated without hesitation. The device is after all a level 3
threat. A fully autonomous infiltrator, updated with the latest AI
software. "I even paid extra for witty repartee v2.71" He
thinks. It can still cut with blades too. All while undermining
defensive systems and jamming signals with rotating frequencies, and
a few unpleasant chemical cocktails. This thing going haywire is a
concern.
The deactivation
sequence isn't working, no surprise. Whatever got into this thing,
obviously compromised BADGE as well. He hears its audio system keying
up again, probably intending to attack his character, while it
attacks his appendages. No, wait a minute, Cackling laughter? He
didn't buy a villain persona, he went with snarky David Tennant.
"Well well
well, if it isn't a copper Copper."
"You shouldn't
be trying to talk to my toys! In this game, you don't want an early
turn."
Above the spider
like device, a jack o lantern forms, followed by 2 green hands. A
quick "nothing up my sleeve" mime, then 1 of the hands
reaches behind the head, and pulls a wicked looking ax out of
nowhere. "I'm feeling generous, and Agent Nova is waiting on ice
for me, so I'll give you one chance to postpone this dance." It
pulls a dark shroud over it's own floating face, and waves the ax
menacingly. "Name me, and I'll save my job for later."
Deciding to play
along and gather some more information, The Closer says "You're
the Horseless Headsman."
A vicious snarl
erupts from the hood, and it advances a bit, but it's soon followed
with a giddy laugh, and it starts to fade. "Well played Closer,
you'll be fun, but one door opens, and Novas done."
A system check says
his device is operating properly again. A piggy back signal off the
badge transmission opened a back door through his security, complete
control was lost. He'll have to have a chat with Nova about that.
It's odd, that even the remote maintenance programs were compromised.
Complete system
collapse... And yet, Nova was able to get off a distress call?
He keys up his
communicator. "Anybody receiving this signal, you're not alone
in encountering our little ghost in the machine." He gets right
to business to cut off any sitreps. "I believe the attempted
lure to BADGE is either a trap, or at the very least part of this
plot. If you are in route, do not, I repeat, do not let anyone open
those doors"
He confirms his
transmitter is secure, and switches to the AI at HQ. "E.A.R.P.
can you confirm your systems aren't compromised?"
The familiar
mechanical voice responds. "No Sir. In fact, 37% of my operating
efficiency has been effected by an invasive program. I did manage to
quarantine and power down the infected areas. However, It has now
begun a physical assault of those systems, I assume using service
automata."
"Well done, I
don't think BADGE's systems fared so well at ground zero. What can
you tell me about the signal itself?"
It begins to run
through a checklist "Perhaps supernatural in origin, but tied to
technology."
The Closer
interjects "Or confined by."
"Indeed. A
seemingly Supernatural power, forced to use technology to achieve its
goals, and becoming very adept at it."
At completely
reckless speeds he's only 10 minutes from BADGE. That also gives the
guys on the Night Shift enough time to have a localized EMP on site.
Doesn't take Dr. SSS
very long to teleport it well within the BADGE facility, most of its
security seems turned on itself. "Why are we taking BADGE
offline exactly?" he asks
The Closer Grunts
and gestures towards the hidden complex "I believe He's bitten
off more than he can chew. In preparation, or fear, he lives buried
within the ground, hiding behind every security measure he can find.
Once he feels nice and safe, what does he do with his technology? He
uses it to undermine our security, to burrow through our fail-safes,
and finally lets this little beastie right inside our homes.
"Dracomeander,
set off the EMP!"
The dapper officer
hits a few buttons on his remote access device. You can tell he also
attempts to take scans of the results, but you don't need any help to
see what happens. What ever technology was binding this creature,
fell to the EMP, and it emerges, as fast as it can. A swirling mass
of energy.
"Aghhh, Nova! I
almost wish I'd have been confined to that machine for a few more
moments, I was almost beginning to enjoy myself! First I will destroy
you fools, now face the full power, of Haunt, The Lord of Terror!"
Having heard the
call, a steady stream of heroes coming on the scene ensures that
despite his waves of terror, and ability to possess others, the
Haunt, can't make good on his threat. There is a wave of force, and
everyone is thrown backwards, and the villain seems to be gone, but
The Closer hears a voice.
"You've made an
enemy today fool, with a long reach, and a loooongeeeer
memoryyyyyyy."
Those equipped for
such things, confirm that the presence has gone. Nova is quickly
secured. He's still unconscious, but it looks like he'll live to face
league justice.
Dr. SSS wanders up
"Now, there's a spooky story to tell the cadets."
Hmmm "While
you're telling your ghost stories could you have someone check for
some physical evidence."
"Like what?"
"I don't know,
ectoplasm. I have to write this into a report that doesn't make me
sound like an idiot."
"That'll be
tough." He smirks
Jerk
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