HEROES Urban Fantasy and Super Powers Bundle #1 by T. Paulin & Dannika Dark & J.L. Bryan & Terah Edun & Colin F. Barnes & Kate Danley & Daniel Arenson & Robert J. Crane & Madeline Freeman & Anthea Sharp

Author:T. Paulin & Dannika Dark & J.L. Bryan & Terah Edun & Colin F. Barnes & Kate Danley & Daniel Arenson & Robert J. Crane & Madeline Freeman & Anthea Sharp
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2014-09-21T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Molly led the three of them through to the bar. A ripple of applause came from the various patrons. The news had clearly got out. Gerry blushed with the attention. Petal stood by his side and elbowed him gently in the ribs. “Look who’s Mr Popular Guy today, eh?”

“I don’t know about that,” Gerry said. “I was just doing a job. It was Len’s payload that did the heavy lifting. I just dropped it in.”

“Sure, that’s all you did. You’re too modest, Gez. You kicked that thing’s ass in a way I’ve never seen before. Man, that was freakin’ awesome.”

Gerry shrugged, returned Petal’s infectious smile, and took his seat next to her in one of the plush, cushioned booths. Molly brought him a bowl of hot soup and a pint of purified water. After serving everyone, she slid in next to Gabe.

“Well, you lot,” Molly said. “All us Upsiders owe you a debt of gratitude. That was spectacular.”

“What happens now?” Petal said.

“We take over.” A shadow stretched over the booth. The bar became silent. Gabe looked up, his face impassive. Gerry and Petal looked around and saw two masked figures in black standing by their booth. Each one carried a long rifle on their back and a number of weapons on their belts: knives, pistols, batons.

Gerry recognized the one who spoke. The woman who had fired at him when Len’s people first brought the Jaguar down. She stared at Gerry as if analyzing him for something. “You did well,” she said. “I appreciate that. It couldn’t have been easy, and you took a huge risk for us. I for one thought you wouldn’t go through with it. But Len trusted you.”

“Um, thanks,” Gerry said. “I’m pleased I could help. What will you do now?”

“Ghanus and I,” she pointed to the mute man standing beside her, rippling with muscles beneath his dark form-fitting clothes, “will storm the unit and recover the vaccines before Seca manages to reboot the security system. I just wanted to come back to thank you for giving us this opportunity. I’m afraid we don’t have time to stay here and show our gratitude fully.”

“I understand,” Gerry said. “I hope you get the vaccines.”

“We will. One way or another,” the woman said. She held out her gloved hand to Gerry. “I’m Liza-Marie, by the way. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Gerry took her hand. “I’d say the same, but you shot at me.” He gave her a quick smile to show he was joking, but she didn’t react. She shook her head before releasing him and turned away with her compatriot.

“We have transport into Darkhan if you want to come with us,” she said, stopping at the door. “And by transport, I mean the truck Len gave you. Sorry, but we had to commandeer it. Vehicular resources are scarce these days. And Len didn’t want to risk the Jaguar in the city. Too many drones floating about.”

Gabe stood, incensed that they’d taken the truck. Gerry put a hand on his shoulder.