METROCITY
Underground Arena
The Metrocity Transhuman Task force agents began pouring into the arena. They put nullifier cuffs onto the Kumari assassin to lock down her ability to shape change and began loading her into a transport to bring her to a Super Prison facility. SilverStar’s light duplicates dissipated once the reptilian woman was secured.
Commissioner X watched from the entry ramp for any indications that a super battle may still break out. Most of the spectators had fled once SilverStar arrived on the scene and unleashed her blinding light burst. The few that remained were being detained for questioning although most of them were not U.S. citizens… or even citizens of countries that existed on land.
He kept a safe distance from Ms. Blitzen, not sure how her body would respond if he got too close, especially after the damage it took. He watched SilverStar tentatively approach her friend.
“You’re a mess, Ms. Blitzen,” Sarah said as she knelt next to her friend.
“Hey, Star.” Emily said, managing to smile even. “I thought I was here to keep an eye on you.”
“We keep an eye on each other. We’re teammates. And I’m not a little girl anymore.” She gently took Emily’s hand between hers, “Take a deep breath, let me heal you.”
“Heal Siren first.” Ms. Blitzen said. SilverStar hesitated for just a moment, then muttered “Yeah, ok.”
Siren was definitely hurt worse. Her skin was badly burnt and she was not moving at all except for the gills on her face pulsing slightly searching for moisture. Sarah placed her hands on the sides of Siren’s neck and she flinched slightly from the contact. A soft silver glow washed over her skin and began repairing some of her wounds. Siren regained just enough strength that she was able to begin sobbing although there were no tears.
“You… you are a much kinder and nobler person than I am.” Siren said. She managed to open her eyes and lock gazes with Sarah. Sarah didn’t acknowledge her or soften her expression at all, concentrating on her healing power. “You are still angry. And I do not blame you. I am so sorry for what I did to you.” Sarah ignored her. “I owe you my life. And I don’t deserve anything from you. But maybe someday you’ll be able to forgive me.” Sarah grimaced and a tear formed in her eye, she wasn’t sure if it was from rage or sympathy, or a combination of both. Siren managed to take hold of SilverStar’s wrists, “I will live. Heal your friend.”
From the arena entry, Commissioner X waited for a minute before leaving. It looked like there would be peace for the time being.
METROCITY
Commissioner X’s Office – The Next Day
Mr. Smith broadcast a holo display with a security file that he received from the Lemurian embassy. “The Kraken is a confederation of nomadic people from multiple undersea kingdoms and coastal nations. They are a terrorist organization that opposes the existing undersea superpowers, namely Atlantis and Lemuria. There are no valid estimates of their numbers or the extent of their reach…”
“Because no one’s heard anything from them in thirty years…” mused Siren aloud. She was still bandaged and moving slowly, although she had recovered some after spending a day submerged in salt water.
“Some of the people that were watching last night, I heard Atlantean and Lemurian voices. Some of our own people, outcasts perhaps, wanted us dead.” Ms. Blitzen was also bruised and battered as she leaned against the doorway, keeping a respectful distance from Commission X’s desk which was actually pulled closer to the far wall.
“Kumari is another undersea kingdom? And you mentioned others? How many different countries live down there?” asked SilverStar.
“How many countries are there on dry land?” countered the commissioner. “Remember, there is a lot more planet covered with water than there is land.”
“So…” ventured Siren. “Are we being punished?”
“Hmmph.” Charles stood up and crossed his arms looking at the three women. “Well the terms of your contract with the League forbid you from taking place in a super battle outside of the confines of the Arena’s protective dome. Violating that clause is a federal offense.” Charles paused to let them process the seriousness of their conflict. “However, since you were actually fighting in an illegal duplicate of the Arena using the same gravitational compression field (and we’re still a little cheesed off that people keep acquiring our tech somehow)… you didn’t technically violate your agreement with the Transhuman Authority.”
“Wait…” said Siren. “You mean we’re in the clear?”
“No, Tiyura, you are on very thin ice and you have just enough rope to hang yourself. And I want to be clear that even though you’re not going to prison or being fined, I am still pissed as hell.” Siren nodded. “Ms. Blitzen, I understand you were goaded into this conflict, but you still never should have gone after Siren like you did. You let your emotions cloud your judgement, and superheroes are supposed to be better than that.” Emily nodded. “SilverStar here showed more maturity than both of you.”
“Really? Because I still hate her.” Sarah said jerking her thumb in Siren’s direction.
Charles sighed, “You ruined a moment there, girl…” Giggling all around. “Get out of my office.”
Outside, Siren placed her hand on Emily’s shoulder. “One last time, I want to offer my most sincere apology.”
“It’s okay.” said Emily. “We were being manipulated…”
“No, I was already filled with animosity towards your people. And you never once showed me a sign of disrespect. I was entirely in the wrong. I am humbled by your…” she was interrupted by Emily embracing her. They said a few words back and forth in an unintelligible dialect while Sarah waited. Finally, Siren turned and looked towards her. “SilverStar, you are a true hero. I don’t know that we could ever be friends after what I did to you…” Sarah averted her eyes, silently acknowledging that she agreed. “But know that I am sorry. And although you will not understand this, perhaps your friend can try to convey to you exactly how much I… I….” her voice wavered. She spoke something in her native tongue that Sarah didn’t understand but she heard Emily gasp. When Siren finished, her eyes were filled with tears and she smiled. “Farewell.”
“You say that like you’re not going to see us again.” Emily said.
“Perhaps not for some time. I need to return to my people. We need to find out how extensive the tentacles of the Kraken have infiltrated our society. I will return when I am convinced they have been eradicated.”
Minutes after Siren left and Ms. Blitzen and SilverStar returned to their suite, Sarah finally asked, “So, what was that? That thing she said?”
“It’s hard to explain in English. It’s a sacred oath. And it is unheard of for someone of royal blood to utter it even to someone of equal rank, much less a…”
“Filthy surface worlder?”
“Sarah, I hope you find it in your heart to forgive her one day. Because she literally swore to give her life for yours if the need should ever arise.”
“Yeah, well. It’s not like I’ve got any lasting injuries… maybe the next time I see her I’ll have the courage to ask for… for…” Emily waited for her friend to continue. Sarah looked at her with a grin, “…a rematch!” Emily laughed and hit Sarah with a pillow.