The Steel City Heroes Box Set: A Superhero/Urban Fantasy Collection (Books 1-3) by LE Barbant & CM Raymond

Author:LE Barbant & CM Raymond [Barbant, LE]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Smoke and Steel Press
Published: 2017-01-16T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

You would think blood would come off of chrome more easily, the scientist thought as she applied more pressure to the steel-wool pad. She reached for a different chemical solvent, poured it onto the rag, and hoped it would erase the damned spot.

Human blood had a distinct odor to it, and the smell made her sick.

In her previous life, blood wasn’t an uncommon sight. But back then she worked to repair what was broken. Now her product caused the damage.

She pulled a lever and the sound of machinery filled the room. A series of chains held her creation in place and, by manipulating mechanical gears and pulleys, she could lift it from the ground. The thing offered no resistance. As the object of her attention spun to face her, the scientist longed for simpler times.

Amazing.

In the lab, her creation was entirely hers to control. But when she released it into the world it followed different orders. She knew what it was capable of and when it returned dripping with blood, her imagination ran wild. Though ignorant of what it had done, she knew full well that she was responsible for the fruit of her labor.

In the same way, she was also responsible to the fruit of her womb.

Dueling responsibilities were a certain kind of hell.

Don’t worry darling. This will all be over soon.

“Remarkable.” A voice interrupted her work. “You should have seen her in action.”

The scientist spun, facing a woman who looked like an Olympian goddess without the toga. The muscles on her lean arms rippled with the tiniest of movements. She had dark brown skin, like the photos the scientist had seen of migrant workers in the Southwest. Her eyes were beautiful, but contained an intensity that told the scientist she was dangerous, untrustworthy.

“I’ve seen enough.” She held a bloody rag up as if offering evidence to the jury. “What do you need?”

The soldier grabbed the cloth and held it for a minute, observing the blood stained pattern marking the white fabric. Whatever story she read in its design upset her, and she threw the rag aside.

“We need more intel,” the goddess said, “Our employer stepped up his game last night, and we need to know its effect.”

“Here’s what I have so far. I’ll send out B.U.B.O. tonight for more reconnaissance.”

She pulled a jump drive from her lab coat. What remained of her conscience told her to put it back, but, knowing the alternative, she passed it into the calloused hand of the otherwise flawless woman.

The hand gripped hers.

Their eyes met.

“I know this isn’t easy for you,” the soldier said.

You have no idea.

The scientist forced a smile. “It’s a job. Like any other. I know the price tag, and I will be paid my due. You understand. Don’t you?”

For a moment, her hard eyes softened. “You have no idea.”

Pulling her hand away, the woman turned and left the laboratory without a word.

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