Heroes Rising Fiction: Mythic Chase part 4

part 4

“LET ME GO!” Chase yelled.

Gar pulled her into the Observation Room of BADGE HQ, “Director, she is back.”

Nova turned and saw the woman, “Good grief. This is not the time to deal with petty criminals.”

“I AM...” She tried to answer but Gar interrupted.

“Sensors picked her up and I apprehended her.”

“Good. Lock her up for now, we’re busy.”

“Let go of me, you winged dolt! I’m here to help!”

Nova walked over to her and sneered, “Help yourself to more of BADGE’s artifacts.”

“Santa sent me!” She fought Gar's grip but found him stronger than expected.

Nova frowned, “Santa? Why...” just then the alarms when off and a voice came over the comm.

“Director, Strange Quark was just brought here! He’s in bad shape!”

“That’s...not possible.” Nova whispered and then said, “I’ll be right there.” He headed for the door while giving Gar his orders, “Bring her, we’ll lock her up in a stasis unit. Won’t be able to break out this time while you’re asleep.”

Chase complained as she was unceremoniously dragged along by Gar while the Director led them toward the infirmary.

Robots staffed the infirmary with only a few human doctors. Dr. Henderson stood near the bed where Quark was laying.

Nova came over and asked, “Who could have done this to you?”

“I...I don’t know. But, whatever he hit me with injured me in ways I never imagined possible. I need to phase out of this existence to completely heal. But...I need to tell you what happened. I can’t be clear on this. It made little sense to me, and that’s saying something. That man used a bow I couldn’t dismantle, he bypassed my efforts to slow time and shot me. The arrows...they didn’t penetrate flesh, it was more like they cut spirit. It was like all the happiness in me had been taken. I can’t be certain what it was, but...”

“Cupids Bow,” Chase spoke up, still being held by Gar.

Nova turned around, “What did you say?”

“This is why I’m here. Santa sent me to tell you someone’s stealing mythic artifacts. His sleigh was one, now someone has Cupids Bow. It’s a powerful magical relic that...well, I know little more about it, but it isn’t just a normal weapon.”

Quark gasped as his body faded, “Oh...I can’t...stay...” he vanished entirely.

Nova quietly asked. “Chase, what else do you know?”

She yanked her arm free from Gar and walked over to Nova, “I know whoever is doing this is targeting these items in some kind of plot. I also know that without their items, the people connected to them change. Santa said he grew weaker and could be trapped. He told me Cupid has lost his mind. He could be dangerous.”

“What do we do?” Gar asked.

Nova turned around and looked at both of them. “We find that bow.”

“Find it?” Gar frowned.

“Yes. If we’re lucky, that man and bow are under the rubble of that building. In which case, you two just go and get it.”

“Wait, hold on. I was just on a mission to tell you what he told me. I’ve done that and now I have an auction in St. Petersburg to...attend.” Chase looked for the door.

Nova said, “This is too important to mess up. We need to be certain what we find is the real McCoy. I know what you can do, we need your help.”

She turned with a sly smile, “Oh, so BADGE is going to hire little me?”

“Who said anything about hiring? The way I look at it, you’re wanted by twelve countries for high crimes. You are also on my most wanted list for stealing that ruby.”

“You got it back.”

“No thanks to you. So, either you assist us in this matter, or I’ll have Gar throw you in a stasis chamber and auction you off to the highest bidder.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll help. Just promise me my slate will be wiped clean after this.”

Nova gave a short nod, “If you help us avert this disaster, consider yourself a free woman.”

She tightened her gloves and smiled, “Getting off of both BADGES and Santa’s naughty lists, good enough for me. Let’s go.”

“Not so fast.” Nova picked up a gun-like device and pressed it in her side, he pulled a trigger.

“OW! What the hell?”

“Just a sub-dermal tracker. In case getting your hands on a rare artifact makes you second guess your promises to help.”

She rubbed her side, “Yeah, I guess I earned that.”