Chapter 144: 5.19 – Prelude

“No… it’s alright.” Aurora shook her head negatively. “If I did that I’d be running away from my responsibilities.  I failed her. I really appreciate your offer.  I might need help in the end, but I want to save her.”

 

Aurora sighed softly. “Sarah is really special to me. Without me standing by her side, I’m not sure what the chances are that we’ll be able to end things peacefully.  She knows me.  She likes Aurora.  I hope I’ll be able to talk her down, but Leona loves her.”

 

The Avenger nodded. “Then I’ll make sure we follow your lead with her, but, if you need our help, don’t be afraid to come to us.  You’re just an associated member, but it’s important that even our associate members know that we’ll help them as best we can.”

 

The Avenger turned away from her and started talking to someone who wasn’t there and a quiet argument escalated.

 

After a moment he turned around. “Sorry about that.  The voice in my ear.  Anyway, I’ll help as much as I can, but Fort Casimir needs the Avenger, so I can’t stay too long.” Crossing the room, he turned his head slightly askew, showing a certain level of frustration.

 

Aurora looked at the Avenger for a long moment and followed him to put a hand on his shoulder with a smile, despite the shock of abruptly losing him.  Having him around made her feel more at ease about how things would turn out.

 

“I understand.” Aurora looked down. “The Midnight Avenger is a very important hero for his city.  Thank you for all the support you’ve given me.  I know that I’m just an associate member, but this experience has been wonderful.  Knowing that everyone cares about and respects me gives me the courage to push ahead.”

 

The Avenger shook his head. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m staying with you until we finish Mocha’s legal issues. I’m sensitive to her background.” he said. “I don’t want to fill her with false hope, but I personally believe in you rather than her, so I want to help you protect her and give her a second chance.  Once this issue is over, however, I will have to leave for a time.” He sighed. “I’m sorry that I can’t be here for you, Leona,” he almost whispered. “But rest assured, we are behind you in these cases.”

 

The Avenger gasped suddenly and put a hand to his ear. “Argh!” He grunted.

 

“Sorry… still in my ear,” Avenger chuckled as he said. “We should rejoin everyone. Are you alright?”

 

“Yes…” Aurora smiled. “I’m fine, thank you.  She walked over to the three who were excluded, asking, “How’s everyone here doing?”

 

Redline was still sitting with Mocha and Dynamech was tapping away at a virtual keyboard that was generated from a light on his helmet.  Dynamech replied first, “Fine, just looking into things.”

 

“I like Molly,” Mocha said. “She’s kind of cute, reminds me of some of my classmates.”

 

“Thanks.” Redline smiled. “Though I haven’t been in school for a while, you know… honestly, I never finished High School, so maybe a bit longer than you might think,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

 

“You never finished? That’s terrible!” Mocha exclaimed.

 

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“Nah, it’s okay. I passed my G.E.D. test, so it’s no problem, but it’s not like I want to do anything but superheroing and working in the family’s garage, so I didn’t need school for that.”

 

“Science would be helpful to know,” Mocha said, rolling her eyes. “Physics if nothing else. With your speed, you should be able to pick it up quickly.” She crossed her arms.

 

“Barking up the wrong tree,” Dynamech said as he typed. “Fastest mouth, sure. Fastest brain, not always.”

 

“Hey!” Redline barked, jumping up and rushed over to him. “When you have my kind of reaction time, you don’t need to be the smartest girl in the room, y’know!”

 

Dynamech looked at her for a long moment. “You know you stepped in some sticky glue?”

 

“Huh?” Redline blinked and picked her feet up quickly to check them.

 

“Made you look.” Dynamech said. “Case in point, not always quick on the uptake.”

 

Aurora chuckled. “Well, you never know, maybe she can learn some things from Mocha. I see the makings of a beautiful friendship there.”

 

“Nah, no reason to waste her time.” Redline grinned. “I’ve got too much work waiting for me back at the garage and none to waste time on education. It’s not like I can just bust out the super speed while I’m working, so don’t think I’ve got it easy. You never know who might walk in, after all.”

 

Mocha frowned a little. “Molly, you really should reconsider. Just because you know enough to be the equivalent of a high-school graduate, your speed may make you one of the most powerful beings on the planet, and knowing the science can allow you to reach levels that would make you nigh-unstoppable.”

 

“I don’t want to be unstoppable.” Redline laughed. “That’s what one of my enemies wants. Remind me to tell you ‘bout the Speed Tribe sometime. They’re kind of my arch-enemies, all pretty fast, gross misogynists, though.  Plus they’re kind of dumb and not very good at racing.”

 

“You know,” Dynamech said. “Your reports on them are always being flagged for ‘subjective analysis’... Vanguard really hates that.”

 

Redline sighed and shrugged. “Yeah, well, ‘dumb as a barrel of used motor oil’ is pretty accurate even if it’s not technically descriptive.”

 

Aurora giggled. “That’s pretty funny.”

 

Dynamech hopped up. “Whoa… there’s a level five omega alert coming in.”