Jackson “Jack” Riggs
“Accessing ILOST Database,” said the base’s AI. “Accessing Brood file.”
The big “Open File” button stared at me. I glanced around checking to see if anyone was near. I took a breath and opened the file.
“Brood,” said the artificial intelligence. “Real name Vlad Drake. Hometown: Transylvania. Species: Reformed vampire.” I checked the area again. The volume seemed amazingly loud. “His race once were allies with the Xacians pitting them against the Sirian race. Though no longer allies, the blood feud between vampires and “werewolves” continues. Vlad comes from the upperclass of vampire society, a count, but he rejected the bloodthirsty ways of his kind and joined ILOST.”
That must have been tough.
“Powers include: strength, speed, immortality, flight, and the ability to transform into a bat, a swarm of bats, or mist. He can also hypnotize others and survive in extreme environments. Since he is reformed, crosses and sunlight have no effect on him. Garlic will drug him or keep him away. A stake through the heart will ‘kill’ him until it is removed. Dark sunlight, or darklight, can hurt him and unholy water will burn him. His costume includes a black duster jacket…”
“What do you think you are doing?!” a voice said from behind me. I turned to see the fanged face of Brood. “Is this why you are here? To learn about us.”
“D-D-Dogboy said to look around.”
“I sincerely doubt he meant for you to access our database. Even he’s not that stupid. How did you get access?”
“I-I, uh…”
Brood then picked me up. I could feel his nails digging into me. He then tossed me across the room. I slid to a stop. Brood leapt into the air and was suddenly on top of me. I felt that same pain behind my eyes I’d felt when I copied Dogboy. The beam shot from my eyes and passed over Brood.
“Get off!” I shouted. I threw Brood across the room. He smacked into a wall. Once he recovered, he transformed into a swarm of bats. I swatted at them as they attacked.
“That is ENOUGH!” a voice echoed. I felt some kind of shockwave hit me. It was strong enough to knock me to the ground. It was also strong enough to knock the bats out of the air and reform back into Brood.
Dogboy (aka Joe Rover)
Master Mantle stood there with his hands still pressed together. His thunderclap had stopped the fight. The senior member turned to look at me. “Dogboy, get control of your team. If you can’t, we’ll find someone who can.”
“Yes sir.” I lowered my head and tried not to look at him. The door slammed shut behind the older superhero. I turned to Brood and Jack. This I need. “What exactly is going on here?”
I could tell Brood was a little winded as he spoke, but he kept it secret. “I found him accessing our files.”
“What?” I said turning to Jack. Jack looked away.
“He can copy our powers and now he knows our weaknesses. What more do you need?” Brood’s pale color was actually starting to show some, well, color.
I glanced at Jack. Then I started looking around. “Where’s CyberCypher? I asked him to stay with you.”
Realization dawned on Brood and he slowly turned to Jack. “So that’s how you did it. You copied CyberCypher. That was how you could access the files without permission.”
Brood stepped closer to Jack as I tapped the comm-link in my sunglasses. “Cy, where are you?”
“At the library. I’ve been waiting for you for over an hour.”
“Why…?” I turned to Jack. “Did you tell him that I wanted to see him?”
Jack blushed, but not from embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just…uh…”
“You have to understand how bad this looks,” I said. “You’re not going to gain many allies by destroying our trust.”
“Those stupid enough to trust you in the first place,” Brood muttered. I shot him a warning glance.
“Why did you do it?” I asked Jack. “There’s not too many reasons for a stranger to access files on us.”
“I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Brood huffed. “Lousy way to prove it, kid.”
I put my hands on my hips. “Why, Jack?”
“I-I-I…” He then collapsed.
“How’s that for timing,” Brood said.
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