Volume 2: Chapter 212 — Dark Clouds

Dan debated chasing after the fleeing vigilante. Dragging her to safety had been a snap decision made in the moment. He couldn't stand the thought of the young woman getting splattered across the alley by the incoming SPEAR Team. Nikolos, Dan was more ambivalent towards. His actions had endangered dozens of civilians out of paranoia and spite. The zealot had made his bed, now he could lie in it.

Dan watched as Mikaela fled across the open field, heading toward the highway. The sun was riding towards the horizon but plenty of daylight remained. Dan could see the city in the distance, its wall of skyscrapers surrounding the central capitol like a spikey glazed donut. Mikaela could see it too. It was impossible to get lost on the way back.

Meh, she'd be fine. But he'd trail her for a while, just in case. Dan summoned his phone from hammerspace. It started ringing the moment it found a signal. He created a viewing portal high in the sky to follow Mikaela's progress while he answered the phone.

"The SPEAR Team has everyone in custody until they can determine what happened," Carver said as soon as he answered. "No casualties, though the Vigi-Buster twins are in a bad way. Did you exfiltrate your Miss Sanchez? She was not present."

"I've got her," Dan confirmed. "We're safely out of the way."

"Understood." There was a pause. "This other vigilante... were there plans for him too?" She sounded nervous. The specter of Anastasia Summers loomed behind Dan, giving more weight to his words and actions than they deserved. Carver did not want to go against the old matriarch's wishes.

Dan felt like he was covered in slime.

"No," he replied. "I know that one, and he's more useful to us in custody. Don't interfere. Let him be processed like any other violent vigilante."

"Understood," Carver said again, with barely concealed relief. She wouldn't have to burn more favors to further someone else's agenda.

"But keep an eye on him, Carver, and warn your friends in the DCPD," Dan warned. "He's got dangerous friends."

"I'll keep you updated," she promised and ended the call.

Dan sighed, repositioning his door to keep up with Mikaela's mad sprint towards civilization. The girl hadn't slowed since she'd left, so he supposed her hair didn't get tired like normal muscles. She was moving at a good clip too, having covered over a mile in the time it took him to make his phone call. She kept herself close to the ground as she moved, keeping a low profile now that she was thrown into an unfamiliar environment. Dan approved of the caution. Hopefully, she would apply it to her vigilante adventures.

He closed the portal, putting Mikaela Sanchez out of his mind for now. He'd risked all he was willing to for the girl by pulling her out of a dangerous situation. He was confident the only reason Nikolos Andeno was still breathing was the young man had been incapacitated upon the SPEAR Team's arrival. Mikaela, still mobile and mostly cognizant, wouldn't have been so lucky. Those people didn't play around. Even a hint of hostility was met with immediate and overwhelming violence.

Dan hadn't forgotten his original reason for seeking out Mikaela. Vigilantes like her were prime recruiting material for both the People and the Evo Church, but he guessed this scare would put her off patrols for at least a little while. When sightings picked up again he would return his attention to her. For now, he had to prepare for the fallout of Nikolos Andeno's arrest. He was an Evo Church asset without a doubt, but there was no way his actions had been anything other than independent. Too spontaneous and rushed. It was a crime of opportunity. Weeks of disciplined inaction broken by a few morons picketing the wrong school.

Now, Dan thought, how would the Church respond? Could they even respond, and confirm their affiliation with an unregistered Natural? Because Nikolos Andeno was undoubtedly a Natural. His name was not on any upgrade registry and he had been found smack dab in the middle of a superpowered brawl. It was a mistake too costly to fix. What could the Church possibly do other than abandon him?

The better question, in Dan's estimation, was what would the elder Andeno do? Was Peter Andeno enough of a zealot to abandon his family? Was Nikolos enough of a believer to keep quiet if such a thing occurred? Dan doubted the boy knew enough to be a threat, but there was no accounting for what his grandfather had told him.

Peter Andeno, one of the major minds behind the Geist upgrade. Peter Andeno, who had almost certainly supplied said upgrade to the Evo Church, and who knows how many other people. The man whose house had been patrolled by Geists at all times until Dan and Carver's raid on the Evo Church. Those Geists had up and vanished in the aftermath, but surely they were still at his command.

Dan opened his phone and sent a text to Carver.

Daniel Newman 5:35: btw, shud prbly Geist-proof viglntes cell

Emily Carver 5:36: ?????

Dan pocketed his phone, ignoring the buzzing sound of notifications. He willed himself back home, dropping into his living room mid-stride. His veil swept the house while he set up his surveillance suite. Abby was at her clinic so he was alone. It would give him time to think. He flopped onto the couch and opened a door to the Andeno household. Audio mics and cameras were pointed through holes the size of needle points. He was wired up like a home theatre, surround sound, 3D IMAX, the full experience.

He watched Peter Andeno stir a small pot of stew on the stove, while mentally flicking through the items in his hammerspace. Dan would need to resupply soon and brainstorm some more random items that might one day be useful. He had a feeling he'd need every option available in the coming days.

The phone rang. Peter Andeno answered it. Dan watched as his face paled and his hands shook. The old man sat heavily down on the nearest chair and spoke in hushed tones into the receiver. Dan adjusted the audio, and caught the strained questions, "How!?" and, "Why!?" Whatever response he received was inadequate, judging by his angry exclamation, "That's not good enough!"

More words, or orders. Dan watched as the elder Andeno was informed about his grandson's present predicament. It couldn't be Nikolos himself; the boy was probably unconscious and in custody, and would remain that way until he was transported to a secure location. This was a Church mole, probably using a burner phone. Dan marked the time. Anastasia could trace it later. The Andenos had to believe they were under surveillance, so it wouldn't lead to much, but every data point was valuable.

When the call was finished, Peter slammed his phone on the table and stared at the floor for several minutes, just breathing in and out erratically. Slowly, he steadied himself. His shaking hands curled into fists. Old muscles strained. His face was a mask of determination as he stood up. He paced for another minute before veering off towards the back of the house. Dan knew what was coming as the elder Andeno reached a familiar device and flicked a switch. Dan closed his doors as the localized EMP swept through the house. He gave it a ten count before opening a new one.

Peter was on the phone again. It was a short call; only four words were spoken to whoever was on the other end.

"I need them back."

He didn't wait for confirmation. He might have been speaking into an answering machine for all Dan knew. The old man said his piece and hung up. Then he turned with purpose and started getting dressed.

This is it, Dan thought, as Peter Andeno threw on a coat and made his way out of the house with long, determined strides. The days of peaceful observation were coming to an end.

Dan could only hope he was ready for the storm.