“Let’s break this thing open.” She pressed a button on her wrist comm and the two robots walked up to the sphere and ignited the welding tools on their arms.
Sparks flew from the surface as the robots attempted to cut into it.
Nova, watching this from his monitor on the station, asked, “Chase, are you getting any initial readings?”
She looked over to the science officers, who were actively monitoring this. “What do we have so far?”
“We just started, so there isn’t any data.”
Nova said, “Keep working.”
“The media are right on our heels. What do I do?” She asked.
Nova said, “Nothing. Don’t interact with them. If they try to force an interview or get too close, you are to let them know we are not here for their entertainment.”
“Understood.” There was a glint of glee in her tone at that broad order.
The screen changed to another team using lasers in an attempt to break through the surface of the sphere in Tokyo. Then the view flicked over to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where the team was using various bladed instruments to cut the sphere open.
“Alert, media information relevant to current situation.” A robot announced and activated another window on the main screen.
A man at a desk spoke, “This is Trip Wilson with INN. Reports are flooding in from all over the planet. BADGE is currently attempting to destroy the Ren Tech Spheres. We have footage taken from cell phones, local news stations, and our drones that show BADGE agents, robots, and even superheroes attempting to use many various methods to destroy the spheres. Our attempts at a comment from BADGE about their sudden attack on cell and internet provider technology have gone unanswered. A spokesperson from Renaissance Cell Technology has informed us that BADGE has no authority to do this and they will file complaints with the United Nations and each nation the spheres are currently under attack.”
The video changed to a recorded interview with a member of the Ren Tech staff. “We don’t have any knowledge of what precipitated this unprecedented attack. It seems BADGE is taking certain matters into their own hands.”
The reporter asked, “What matters are those that BADGE would deal with?”
“We aren’t certain. They must feel our growing presence in the industry threatens the other technology companies, companies that have worked with BADGE before. By destroying our equipment, they’re trying to put us out of business. This will not go unchallenged.”
Nova cut his hand across his throat and the screen went silent.
Arx, who had been sitting quietly to the side, launched himself toward the screen. “THOSE BASTARDS! They are spinning this into us being the bad guys! THEY...”
Nova grabbed Arx by the chest and held him at bay. “Calm down!”
“But they are lying.”
Nova patted Arx on the shoulder, “This won’t be the first time the media has entertained false narratives about us to drive ratings and it won’t be the last. Our job is to protect people, not play foolish PR games. And letting them make us angry will only help our enemy.”
“Who is our enemy?”
Nova said, “I don’t know. If Ren Tech is behind this, I do not know why. They have done things I would consider quite positive. They even helped save the planet when that old Legion ship was here. Their services have provided much needed internet and cell service to under represented areas of the globe. On the surface, they’re almost a philanthropic organization. Yet, their secrecy and questionable technology makes me feel there is something sinister about this. The likelihood that their technology is responsible for a missing person is too clear and present to ignore.”
“What do we do?”
Nova straightened up and looked at the windows on the screen before him. “Our job.”
“The media acts like Ren Tech has been trying to talk to us. Have they?”
“No. I’ve sent them several communications in the past few hours demanding answers. They’re silent. That they lie about that to the media only corroborates my bad feelings. 10915 get me Justin on the screen.”
A few seconds later, Justin appeared with his team of heroes, agents, and scientist around him.
“Anything to report?” Nova asked.
“We’ve tried everything to crack this thing open. Drills, lasers, even a few of the student heroes tried their own powers. The surface is made of a material that repels everything. I’ve seen nothing like it.”
Nova said, “Just one. I want just one opened to see what the hell is inside it.”
Justin said, “There is one thing about this one. It’s cold.”
“All the teams have reported that nothing seems to raise its temperature.”
“I know. I don’t mean that it is heat resistant. I mean, the sphere is unusually cold, compared to data analysis of the other spheres.”
Nova asked, “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. We will keep working. I’m not giving up.”
Nova nodded as the video ended. “10915, get Krystal Fae on.”
Moments later, Krystal Fae stood before a sphere in a dark city.
“Evening, Director. We’re doing what we can to investigate this.”
Nova said, “Do you have something? Anything? All I have outside of the particles of data we know is that one sphere is slightly colder than the others.”
Alex joined her. “We found some spheres are not showing any morphonic signatures, while others are. This one, right here, is glowing with morphons around it, just like the rest before it. However, there is one in a remote area that is completely devoid of extra morphons. I don’t know what it means, but it is something.”
“It is something, but still hardly enough. We need inside that thing. Krystal, I am giving you, Alex, and Torrik freedom to use whatever magic, power, or tech you can think of to break that thing open. I want answers.”
“We’ll get them.”
A new beeping sound alerted Nova. “Finally. Krystal, you have your orders. Nova out.” He quickly pointed at the comm robot.
“What is this?” Arx asked.
“Someone who I need to talk to.”
The screen shut all windows and turned to the gleaming face of Dr. Chorad, the CEO of Ren Tech. He sat at his desk in his bright office.
“Director Nova of BADGE. I wish I could say I was glad to be speaking with you. But, the circumstances are... unfortunate.”
“The circumstances are all your fault. All I asked was for you to allow my people to understand how your technology works.”
“Now, you know I can’t allow that. This technology is the core of Ren Tech. I can’t let just anyone see it.”
Nova said, “Then, you leave me no alternative but to get to it by any means necessary.”
“You know your attack on my spheres will only bring about seriously bad PR for BADGE. I’m providing free services to every nation of this world and they’re loving it. Now, you’re the big bad guy who is coming in and trying to take that away.”
“I will not play your game! We have serious questions that need to be answered.”
Dr. Chorad chortled as Nova seethed, “We are a private company that has done nothing wrong. The public loves us. The politicians love us. You’re the only ones fighting us. And even if you tear us down, you will only destroy your credibility. I can rebuild this company. Can you rebuild your reputation?”
“This isn’t about public relations or politics, this is about safety.”
Chorad frowned, “Safety? Nothing is wrong with my technology.”
“You hide, you lie, you conceal, and you spin politics here and there. I don’t trust you, Chorad, and you don’t want that. I have stood firm as entire empires fell around me. I have brought down entities that would haunt your nightmares if you even glimpsed them. Don’t think I can’t bring you down.”
Dr. Chorad’s temperament became sinister. A wicked smile played on his lips. “Trust me, Director, I know you better than you realize.” With that, the comm cut.
“That was ominous.” Arx commented.
Nova said, “Just another petty tyrant with delusions of grandeur. However, I learned something from that conversation.”
“What?” Arx asked.
“We’re getting close to something they don’t want us to find, and I doubt it’s just advanced cell phone technology.”
“How do you think he’ll respond?”
Nova said, “I don’t know. The next move is his. We will be ready for whatever they throw at us.”
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