Just Cause: Revised & Expanded Edition Read Free Page A

body. It could be a hindrance in a non-combat situation though, as everything seemed to slow down around her. She forced herself to calm down so she could still interact with the others.
     Spark confirmed her identification. “That’s got to be Destroyer. High-tech battlesuit and weapons, clearing out a science and technology expo. Just his style.”
    “But why is he still here?” asked Tremor. “I’d think smash-and-grab would be more his style. Why hang around to risk facing us?”
    “Because he never has,” said Juliet. “He longs to test himself against anyone and everyone. What better opportunity to face us than by attacking this facility?”
    “It has to be more than that,” said Spark. “He could have drawn us out anywhere, anytime. There must be something here he wants. Let’s make sure he doesn’t get it.”
    Sally trembled at high speed. She was terrified of Destroyer. He killed without compunction, without mercy. He’d killed her father.
    Now he was here, ready to kill her and her new friends.
    “Let’s go,” said Spark. “Stay alert, don’t bunch up. Bullet, Tremor, Trix, flank him and keep him from escaping. Carousel, Sally, try to disarm him. Juliet, if you can shut him down telepathically, do it. Strat—”
    Stratocaster slid his fingers down the strings of his guitar as sparks of energy danced away into dimensions unknown; he knew his role.
    “ Lucky Seven, let’s roll! ” Many of the onlookers took up the battle cry, made famous after fifteen years.
    The long lobby of McCormick Place was eerie and dark, only lit by emergency lighting. Sulfurous tendrils of bitter gas twisted around their feet as they entered. Sally adjusted her breath mask a little better to cut out the worst of the acrid stink.
    Spark uncoiled his whip and held it in both hands. At a moment’s notice, he could flick it out and send an electrical charge through the bare wire braided into the leather. Sally didn’t think it would do much damage against a heavily-armored villain like Destroyer, but Spark carried himself with such confidence that it made her feel a little braver.
    Stratocaster’s fingers still moved across the strings and fretboard of his guitar, but he’d muted the volume and only a slight purplish glow emanated from it. The others advanced with careful purpose, ready to let their powers fly.
    The silver-skinned Carousel whispered to Sally, “I’m scared.”
    “Me too.” Sally felt the muscles all through her torso tighten and clench at the approach of combat.
    Two of the large doors leading to the exhibition hall had been wrenched off their hinges and the frame twisted into a semblance of some bizarre modern art sculpture. Beyond, Sally could see the flickering firelight of burning displays and carpeting.
    The Lucky Seven moved into the main hall. Right away, Sally noticed two security officers slumped against the wall, their uniforms blackened around smoldering holes in the chests. She pointed them out to the others. Juliet knelt down beside them, opening her mind to seek signs of life. She looked up toward Trix. “They’re both alive, but fading fast. Can you get them out?”
    He nodded, raised his hands, and willed his power to function. Sally’s ears popped as air rushed in around the two victims and gently lifted them as if they were on an air hockey table. He turned and guided them out, leaving eddies of smoke and gas in his wake.
    A crumbling sound echoed through the main hall over the crackle of flames. Sally caught a glimpse of motion overhead. Her perceptions shot into high gear and she realized a large chunk of cement was hurtling toward the group. Carousel reached for Spark to shove him out of the way. Sally wrapped her arms around Juliet, strained to overcome stubborn inertia, and yanked her to safety.
    Having done her best to protect Juliet, Sally checked on the others. Overhead, Bullet moved with glacial slowness to intercept the tumbling debris, one fist cocked in preparation