“WAIT!” Chaz raced toward the special landing pad where a sophisticated shuttle was powering its engines. The back door closed already, and the side door swung down as the shuttle lifted into the air. “I HAVE A PASS! WAIT!” Chaz yelled as a blustery wind exploded when the engines came online. He made a flying leap, grabbed the handle on the side of the shuttle and shoved himself into the closing door. In fact, he was now being pressed in two by the door as half his body was in and half was outside.
“What the?” A man in a purple outfit jumped up from his seat at the sight of Chaz.
Chaz was squished between the door and the frame. He called for assistance, which came out as "Melp me!"
The purple hero pressed the emergency release, and the door opened again. He pulled Chaz inside and then shut the door.
Chaz hit a seat and let out a long sigh, “That was too close.”
“Who the hell are you?” The purple hero asked.
Chaz held up his pass. “Chaz Hamilton with the Sentinel. I have a press pass. Who are you?”
“I’m Wicked Pitch, part of 5th Precinct. I didn’t know that they were allowing press up to the arena for this League Wars.”
Chaz, still gathering himself, said, “I’m not going for League Wars. I have an interview with Nova. Been waiting a while to get this interview.”
“Oh, cool.” Wicked Pitch frowned at Chaz, “You look awful. I think you’ve gone green.”
Chase reached over and tried to pull a shutter on the window, but there wasn’t any. “I’m not too fond of heights.”
Wicked laughed, “You realize we’re going all the way up to the station. That’s a serious height.”
“I will...burp...do anything to get this interview before Krystal.” Chaz sat back, wishing he had taken Krystal up on the teleportation offer. Either way, he was going to barf.
Wicked got up and reached into a compartment. “Here, this will help.” He opened a small, generic first aid kit and pulled out a chewable item.
Chaz chomped on the cherry-flavored stomach aid. “Thanks.”
“No problem, I...hey, what’s going on?” Wicked pointed out the window.
Chaz frowned, “We’re flying over the ocean? I thought we were supposed to be heading up.”
“Pilot, where are you taking us?” Wicked asked.
A robot turned its head all the way around and answered. “Our flight plan has been diverted to pick up another hero. Please excuse any inconvenience.”
They zoomed across the ocean and then over land. Once again they were over open water as they approached an island.
“Did we just pass Venice?” Wicked asked.
The pilot answered, “Destination, Poveglia Island, Italy.”
Chaz said, “I’ve heard of this place. Real creepy.”
“Wonder who we’re picking up?” Wicked asked.
As if to answer his question, the shuttle landed, and the door slid open. Both men watched as Chromatic Death slowly entered, holding a box in his arms. He said nothing, merely sat in a seat and stared forward.
The pilot announced. “Leaving Poveglia. Destination, BADGE orbital space station. Be prepared for alterations to artificial environment.” Without further announcement, the shuttle zoomed up.
Chaz smiled at Chromatic, “So, one of the heroes of the Fort Knox incident. Nice to meet you. I'm Chaz Hamilton, with the Sentinel.” He stuck his hand out.
Chromatic didn’t even look at him.
Chaz and Wicked exchanged curious looks. Chaz tried again, “So, since we have a few minutes, maybe I could do a small interview with you. Like, can you talk about why you were on Poveglia?”
Chromatic remained silent.
Wicked stood and looked into the box, “Wow! You found more of those shard things! Nice! Were they hidden on that island?”
This elicited a response. Chromatic turned and gave them a wicked smile, “Much was hidden on that island.”
EB hopped along the path through the detention cells. At each checkpoint, the scanners immediately registered his identity and let him through. He approached the large cell where Skelanimal rested. As per usual, the villain’s back was to him.
An egg materialized in his little paw. He tossed it up a few times, a devilish smile on his little furry muzzle. “HEY, WAKE UP!” EB threw the egg, and it exploded against the barrier.
Skelanimal fell out of the bed and hit the floor. “WHOA! WHAT THE HELL?”
EB stood there, examining his little claws with a nonchalant gaze. “Oh, did I disturb your beauty sleep, because you could really use it.”
Skelanimal sneered at him, “What do you want, rabbit?”
“Answers would be nice.”
“If I ain't gonna spill for Nova, what makes you think I’m gonna say anything to you?”
“You asked what I wanted. I told you. However, all I really wanted to do is give you a delightful gift. You know, I’m the Easter Bunny, giving things isn’t just what Santa does. Here.” He materialized another chocolate egg and held it up.
“No thanks.”
EB pushed his paw right through the forcefield, using his own magic to bypass the protection. “Come on, it’s real tasty.” He wiggled it around as he grinned.
Skelanimal suddenly lurched at the field, baring his teeth and claws. EB jumped back, stumbling against a wall. This made the villain laugh heartily as he returned to his bed. “Such a brave little bunny. I ain't taking anything you’re offer’n. Krampus warned me about you.”
EB, with a tinge of terror in his eyes still, stood up and brushed himself off. “So, what did my old friend, Krampus, say?”
“Oh, he just said that you would try to give me one of your eggs. It would make me tell the truth. All that mythic magic and stuff. I ain't that stupid.”
“Really, so Krampus warned you about being questioned here?”
“Yeah, so?” Skelanimal sat on the edge of the bed.
EB grinned. “Thanks.”
“What for?”
EB hopped back down the corridor. “For finally giving up some information.”
The shuttle landed in the docking bay of the station. Chromatic exited first with Chaz right behind him.
“Nice talking to you.” Chaz shook Wicked's hand.
“No problem. Haven’t done too many interviews. Hope you can use it.”
“I’ll find space. I’d love to do more hero interviews, Krystal seems to get all those assignments.”
Wicked waved at him as the door closed. “Good luck.”
Chaz watched the shuttle lift off again, to take Wicked to the arena for the League Wars. After that, he turned and realized he had no idea where he was. “Um, Mr. Chromatic! I could use some directions.” He raced to catch up to the hero heading out of the bay.
Chromatic pressed a button, and doors opened. He stepped into an elevator, followed closely by Chaz.
Chaz caught his breath, again. “Wow, this place is enormous. Maybe you could show me around. I was hoping to get a tour along with an interview.”
Chromatic smiled with that terrifying grimace. “I’d be more than happy to escort you. Just hold still.”
They zoomed off as Chaz let out a horrified scream.
0 Comments