Nova ran from his office when a warning buzzer sounded. He skidded into the center of the Operations center.
“Report?”
Gar pointed at the screen. “The robots detected a cloud over Ka’an Dorado?”
Nova looked, praying this was just a storm moving through the area. Instead, he found a strange black cloud building over the city, directly over the Capitol building. “What do we know?”
10915 answered, “Particle density indicates that this is not a natural weather phenomenon. Sensors are detecting the same energy signatures as the other Shadow Krampus events.”
Nova paced as he watched this. “I don’t like this. Is it taking a shape, is it Krampus?”
“A humanoid shape is forming in the cloud now. Energy signature is growing. It has already surpassed the size and strength of known energy signatures.”
Gar asked, “What does that mean?”
Nova looked at the data read-outs. “My god. This is already more powerful than the Shadow Krampus we last saw, and it took Midgard to take him down.”
The doors of the lift opened, and EB blasted out, running into Nova. He was hugging the director’s leg. “I’m so happy to be back here. She was crazy!”
Strange Quark led Krystal Fae, Arx, and Agent Justin down a bit slower than the hysterical bunny.
Nova looked at them with shock and a little irritation. “What are you doing back here? Did you make it to Ka’an Dorado?”
Quark nodded, “Yeah. We made it alright.”
Agent Justin came around to stand in front of Nova. “The situation there was completely unexpected. Some woman is in control of the World Corps soldiers and probably the rest of the nation. She has some kind of mental altering ability. If Strange Quark hadn’t been able to break her power, we would’ve fallen victim to her control.”
EB bawled, “I was so scared I would never see you again. She is a scary, mean, nasty woman. I mean, like a total witch. Promise me you won’t go! She is horrible!”
“What are you babbling about?” Nova demanded.
Krystal Fae stepped over to him. “Sir, this woman isn’t just another meta human. In fact, I have no idea what she is. Her power was...terrifying. I have never sensed a more cold, cruel heart. Even Jinn had an ounce of light in his black soul. She is utter darkness.”
Arx said, “She said something really crazy about being your wife. What’s up with that?”
Nova went pail. His gaze shifted away from them, and he slowly turned back to looking at the screen.
EB, now a little worried about Nova, hopped around and looked up at him. “Buddy, you alright?”
“No. I’m not. It’s her.”
Agent Justin said, “She called herself Lady Echidna. Do you know her?”
Nova calmly said, “Lady Echidna, so that’s what she’s calling herself now. Fitting, I suppose.” He seemed to be talking to himself as if they weren’t there.
“Nova, you okay? You sound like you are in a daze.” Krystal said.
EB gasped, “OH, NO! SHE’S GOT TO HIM! WAKE UP, BUDDY, WAKE UP!” He hopped up and slapped Nova with his little paw.
Nova took it without even budging. The fact that he let EB act like an idiot and even strike him without any recourse was enough to rattle everyone in the room.
After a moment of silence from their fearless leader, Nova gazed down at EB. “You know who she is. You’ve met her at least once before.”
EB stumbled back and put a paw up to his face, “Oh, no! Not her! Not...”
“Yes.” Nova whispered and then turned back to the gathering, “What did she say? Is she behind all these attacks?”
Agent Justin replied, “She said if we send heroes, they will not win. But she will entertain you. She has invited you to meet with her. I have no idea what she wants to negotiate for...”
“I do,” Nova said.
EB folded his paws, “Well, that witch ain’t getting you. I mean, what kind of dumb, ignorant fool does she take you for?”
Nova smiled. “I’ll have to think about this.”
Quark said, “You wouldn’t even consider this...would you?”
“I have to consider all possibilities. I am the protector of this world, and if that requires me to parlay with that woman, then I will. But I will consider all other options first.”
Lady Echidna’s voice boomed throughout the room. “What options would those be?”
Everyone turned to see her smiling at them from every screen in the room. She sat upon her throne, fanned by two of her loyal minions, while she sipped a fruity concoction.
“Lady Echidna, is it?” Nova greeted her.
She laughed and swirled about her drink. “You should come just to enjoy these little beverages. A delicacy of this lovely land I’ve acquired.”
“You know I won’t be part of your schemes ever again. I’ll take you down as I have before.”
She chortled at him, “Oh, the confidence, the arrogance. I think it’s why I find you so irresistible. Of course, you were always good in bed as well.”
EB made a gagging sound while everyone else looked terribly uncomfortable.
Nova was unfazed by her words. “Enough of this. I don’t know or care how you returned to this world, but I will send you back as I have in the past.”
“I wouldn’t count on that. You see, there is one little detail you are unaware of. I have, in my hand, the heart of one beautiful little lady who tried to look into my past.”
“Chase.” Nova whispered.
EB hopped up and down, irate. “YOU BITCH! YOU GIVE HER BACK! YOU CAN’T HURT CHASE! I’LL SHOVE AN EXPLODING EGG SO FAR UP YOUR...”
“As excitable as always.” She casually stared at the fuming bunny.
Nova demanded, “What are you going to do to her?”
“Let’s see.” She pretended to ponder this. “I could take her life right now. However, if you come and meet with me, I will consider releasing what I stole from her.” Before he could respond, she leaned forward and said, “You have twenty-four hours to meet my demand. And don’t think about trying to send in your little heroes to stop me. My champion will meet them.” She raised her glass, “See you soon, my dear husband.” and the screens changed back to normal.
EB was still fuming as the others stood in a state of shock. Gar asked, “What will you do?”
“I have no choice. I have to go to her.”
Krystal Fae said, “Are you sure about this? Chase is my friend too, but you’re more valuable.”
“WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT!” EB yelled.
Nova put a hand out to stop EB from going on a rant. “I won’t sacrifice anyone. I’ve put my life on the line for a long time to protect this world, and sometimes that means protecting just one person. However, I’m also not a fool. We will make a plan.”
“Can we plan down in the mess? I need a few stiff drinks.” Quark said.
Justin said, “I could use a bite to eat.”
“Come on. Gar, transfer all data about Ka’an Dorado and the current situation to some tablets and bring them along. 10915, send a message to NightShadow, I need him here as quickly as he can make it.”
“Understood.” The robot went to work while the others left for the mess hall.
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