Previous Story: 94. The Big Escape - Mobilization

Pai and Gadget were on their own. The others — led by Buck, Cyborg and Lucky — had halted at the edge of Aureus Gate Park while Pai and Gadget advanced to the bridge to hack the entropic disruptor terminal.

Pai was controlling Timmy/TMI via her arm-mounted computer, and the drone was hovering just above them. "EFN active. Let’s hope it works as well today." Twenty-four hours earlier, they had tested Dr. Altmann’s device and found that it had successfully shielded them. 

"I wish we didn’t have to walk through these bodies," said Gadget, as they continued along the wide ramp that led up to the bridge. He presumed that the dozens of dead were those who had been taken out by the entropic disruptor.

Pai suddenly stopped and knelt by a young woman. "This one’s breathing." Pai placed a finger on her neck. "Steady pulse, too."

Gadget examined a man of similar age. "Same here. I guess they must have been knocked out recently. Lot of the others must have died of starvation or exposure. Weird that they don’t seem to have decomposed."

"It’s almost as if they’re sleeping," said Pai. "I wonder if the disruptor shocks them into some kind of dormant state. Maybe we can save them."

"Let’s keep moving," said Gadget firmly as he stood, "if we don’t reach the terminal, we can’t save anyone."

Pai nodded and joined him. With their guardian angel still above them, the pair continued past the toll gates as a familiar fog rolled in off San Lazaro Bay. Within minutes, visibility had been radically reduced. They could no longer see their allies in the park behind them. Ahead, they could see just a portion of the vast, red suspension bridge.

Now they cut down to the right, descending the access road that would lead them to the area below the bridge. Here, they hoped to locate the trailer housing the entropic disruptor terminal. Other than a few shrieking gulls, Gadget could hear only their footsteps. At least there were fewer bodies in this area.

Five minutes later, they reached the trailer, which was covered in camouflage webbing. As Pai guided Timmy down onto the ground beside them. Gadget removed the webbing. In the middle of the trailer was a black, metallic device with a small screen and a blinking green light that suggested it was active. Gadget pulled it out and checked it against the description he had been given.

"This is the terminal. Let’s get to work."

-----  

The fog made it impossible to keep track of everyone. For that reason, Buck and Lucky kept on the move, checking first on their fellow Creators, Peacemakers and Survivalists. They then turned their attention to the elderly and ill on Hiko’s platforms and the small convoy of cars from Cyborg’s neighborhood. Gadget’s friend Denny had struck up a fast friendship with Mr. Latimer and the St. Mary’s kids. All were in good spirits, but understandably nervous.

The trio of leaders returned to the grassy area beside the street. They could now see nothing of the bridge but had been reassured by a message from Pai — she and Gadget had begun the hack. 

"Something’s wrong," said Buck, now gazing across the fog-shrouded park. "I can hear something."

"Don’t worry," said Lucky. "If there’s anything out there, Seeker will find it."

She and Artemis were out on patrol, along with Nix and Bolt.

Flyboy hurried over to join the trio. "You want me to get a drone up?" 

As soon as he finished the sentence, a shout pierced the fog. 

"Who was that?" asked Lucky.

More cries and shouts. Buck was concerned that they seemed to come from several directions.

Lance appeared suddenly out of the fog, riding Charger. "Buck, we’ve got a serious problem. Looks like the Red Dragons. That damned hacker who can control the CyMS — there’s a crowd of them coming across the park. Dozens."

They all turned that way, and were therefore caught by surprise when the ambush hit from behind.

Among the figures that emerged from the fog was the big Red Dragon enforcer who called himself Rhino. He was with several hired guns, and the criminals seemed to have allied themselves with the Cynfo people, including the tough Brazilian siblings.

Buck already had his shock-gun in his hands. Lucky pulled his bow from his shoulder and nocked an arrow. In moments, Sergiy, Thug and Plate had joined them, all ready to fight.

Plate’s imposing presence seemed to provoke the Red Dragons, because one of their gunmen instantly opened fire. Fortunately, the shot pinged harmlessly off the swordsman’s armor. Knowing those gathered behind them might be caught in a crossfire, Buck held off. Lucky, however, launched a kinetic pulse arrow at the gangster. The bolt sent him sprawling, his rifle clattering to the ground.

With a vicious curse, Rhino aimed his assault rifle at the defenders. Before Buck could appeal for calm, two female figures materialized out of the fog. Buck recognized the leader of the Red Dragons, Lady Rose, but not the striking woman accompanying her (who was wearing a stylish purple suit and heels). He also recognized Lady Rose’s female bodyguard, Little Jenny, and the Cynfo head of security, Crimson. With them was the Indonesian enforcer who liked her blades, Gudu.

Between Crimson and Gudu stood a boy of no more than 12. Gudu had one hand on his shoulder. The other held her machete.

"Good evening," said Lady Rose coolly. "I suggest you do-gooders lower your weapons. In fact, I insist."

"Who’s the kid?" whispered Buck.

"Friend of mine," said Lucky. "From St. Mary’s. They must have snatched him just now."

Buck and Lucky did as Lady Rose asked and ordered the others to comply.

Nix and Bolt then appeared, grim looks on their faces.

"They’ve got us surrounded with the tame CyMS," said Nix, appraising the forces arrayed against his side.

"Precisely," said Lady Rose. "So, you can put your gun down, too."

After a nod from Buck, Nix and Bolt followed the others. 

"It’s OK, Antonio," said Lucky to the boy, who kept glancing sideways at the murderous blade only inches from his neck.

"What do you want?" asked Buck.

"What does everyone want?" countered the stylish woman, "a way out of San Lazaro."

"And you are?"

"You can call me Goddess. My allies and I worked for Cynfo Tech. Now we’ve gone … freelance. For the moment, we’re collaborating with the Red Dragons."

"Wonder what happened to Ryder Arcadia," murmured Cyborg.

Buck was more concerned by their immediate plight. "Listen, nobody can do anything until our friends have disabled the disruptor."

"True enough," replied Rose. "We just want to make sure you understand that we’re going across the bridge first."

"There’ll be time for everyone," said Buck. "Listen, it’s no secret we’ve had our differences in the last few weeks, but maybe we can all work together on this."

Goddess exchanged a glance with Lady Rose. "Why would we-"

They all froze at the sound of a terrible scream.

Buck looked on as the Creators made way for Artemis and Seeker.

"Hundreds of them," said Seeker, panting from exertion. 

"Of what?" asked Lucky.

"CyMS." Artemis pointed at Lady Rose. "But not their CyMS. The regular, psychotic, lethal, uncontrollable kind." 

Hearing footsteps, Buck saw a small woman wearing a stealth suit approach Lady Rose.

"What is it, Fei?"

"She’s right. Hundreds. All the weapons and electronics here are generating enough EM noise to attract every CyMS in SL. I just saw a massive group coming up from the beach. We need to be ready for a fight."

Buck took two steps towards Goddess and Lady Rose. "Temporary truce?"

The allies exchanged another look, then nodded.

It was only then that Buck realized the fog had thinned out a little; and, soon, he could see the mob of CyMS approaching. Some were wearing swimming shorts or bikinis; there were even a few lifeguards. Most were wielding weapons that included beach umbrellas and wooden stakes cannibalized from deck chairs. 

The Red Dragons didn’t seem to care that the CyMS were people. On Rhino’s order, they formed a protective square around Lady Rose, Goddess and the hostage. Their assault rifles made mincemeat out of the first wave of CyMS. Only the muscular Brazilian siblings seemed to enjoy the experience more than Rhino.

"I’ll watch this side," said Buck. "Lucky, Cyborg, split up — make sure all our people are protected."

As they set off, Buck heard Lady Rose yelling instructions. "H3x — use your puppets! We’re working with the do-gooders for now. We can’t get across that bridge until we take out these CyMS."

Buck was relieved to see that his allies had spread out to protect the vulnerable. And he was impressed by how the Creators handled the CyMS without killing them. While Plate knocked dozens to the ground with stunning blows from his great-sword, the ingenious Cyborg led many more away with illusions replicating the defenders.

Leaving their hostage with Lady Rose and Goddess, Crimson and Gudu did their lethal best to defeat the mob of CyMS. While Crimson killed one after another with precise pistol shots, Gudu leaped and spun and jabbed and stabbed, slaying countless enemies.

Buck jumped with shock when a hand landed on his shoulder, but it turned out to be Thug. "We’re doing OK, Buck. The lines are holding. Look out!"

Shoving Buck aside, Thug put Rusty to good use, cracking an attacking CyMS on the head. A second swing sent his foe crashing into a nearby fire hydrant.

"Phew." Thug aimed the metal pipe at Buck’s gun. "You gonna use that thing or not?"

----- 

Hearing the desperate cries of Threads and Hiko, Lucky ran around the transporters — and their terrified occupants — to help out the Creators. Not far away, the mohawked Red Dragon known as H3x was doing an impressive job of keeping the CyMS mob at bay with her own little army. Constantly checking the battlefield, she moved her pawns around using her arm implant unit.

After taking out a couple of CyMS with his arrows, Lucky saw the rest of his allies in action. Flyboy had deployed two bird-like drones that attacked the assailants from above, unleashing blue stun-bolts that seemed to paralyze the CyMS. Kuklacı, meanwhile, was employing her spider-bots to trip yet more of the attackers and seize their weapons. The most impressive sight of all, however was the Canadian policeman, Lance. Showing the utmost skill, he used his horse to block a trio of CyMS targeting one of the transporters, then took out all three with his stun-lance. When the elderly occupants of the transporter gave him a grateful cheer, the gentlemanly Canadian doffed his hat.

By now, so many of the attacking CyMS had been neutralized that some were fleeing. Lucky watched H3x send her army against the remaining hostiles and, before long, the park was clear of threats. The fog had cleared a little, so he could actually see Buck.

"Clear that side?"

"Just about!" answered the police officer.

Lucky observed Hiko and Dr. Altmann checking on the vulnerable people, even though the scientist was as older than many. 

Just then, a message came through from Gadget. "Lucky, you there? I’ve been trying to call."

"Yeah, sorry, we’ve been a little busy here."

"No time to waste, my friend. The hack worked. The bridge is clear — let’s get everyone across."

"That’s great, Gadget. I’ll try and round them up."

 -----

Cyborg was relieved that the mob had been defeated — his implants were running low on power. Trying not to look at the bloodied CyMS mercilessly cut down by the Red Dragons and their new friends, he looked up to see Buck approaching. "Just heard from Pai. It worked. The bridge is open."

"Excellent." Cyborg then noticed Lady Rose and Goddess striding towards him. The young boy, Antonio, was with them, but now Goddess was holding him by the hand.

"It appears that a common enemy has united us," she said, ushering Antonio forward.

The boy looked very relieved to be free. The kind Mr. Latimer welcomed him back and they left to join the other St. Mary’s kids.

Lady Rose spoke up: "There may be another common enemy on the far side of the bridge — the government, maybe even the Army."

Nix was also present, and now spoke up for the first time. "We’re prepared for that." 

"As long as you let us through first, we’ll cause you no more trouble," said Goddess. "Deal?"

Cyborg and Nix turned to Buck and nodded.

"Deal," said the police officer. "I suggest you assemble your people."

Flyboy arrived, eyes wide with fear. "Guys, my surveillance drone is reading a second wave of CyMS from the city. We just made a hell of a lot of EM noise."

Buck nodded. "Good work. At least we know. Let’s go!"

----- 

Cyborg found himself at the head of the column with Buck and Lucky. Behind them came Lady Rose and Goddess — for some reason driving along in a convertible with Little Jenny and Crimson in the back. Then came the rest of the Red Dragons and the Cynfo people, then Hiko and her three transporters. The remaining Survivalists, Creators and Peacemakers brought up the rear or guarded the sides of the column. They’d just heard from Flyboy that the second wave of CyMS was close behind them.

"Pai and Gadget should be back with us by now," said Buck anxiously. "Maybe I’ll call them."

"They’ll be fine," said Lucky. "Gadget used to work down here — he knows the area well."

Once past the bridge toll gates, they neared the makeshift barrier constructed by the authorities in the early days of the crisis — a mass of shipping containers and concrete cubes. Fortunately, a space had been left for a single vehicle to pass, so they could all get through. 

The column had almost reached the barrier when a hulking shape appeared from behind the overturned SUPERMART truck close by, blocking the way. Of the many strange things Cyborg had seen in the last few weeks, this was the strangest.

Frankenstein’s robot is the phrase that came to mind. It was a 10-foot-tall jigsaw of multicolored metallic components that possessed four limbs but no obvious head. It seemed to be hydraulically-powered and projected a low, vibrating hum that suggested an immense power source. The arms did not have hands, only weapons — a huge jackhammer and an enormous chainsaw. The saw looked like it would cut a car in half with ease.

"No, wait!"

The shout came from Buck, but nobody listened. Cyborg spun around to see Rhino and his gunmen open fire. The bullets never hit the robot, instead striking some kind of field that shimmered with every impact. When Lady Rose ordered them to cease fire, there was a pile of shells on the ground. The robot hadn’t even moved.

A smaller figure then stepped out from behind the truck.

"Ryder," said Goddess, gazing at the new arrival like all the others. 

The Cynfo CEO looked rather wild. His clothes were torn and soiled, his hair was unkempt and he had grown a scruffy beard. There was a manic, unhinged look in his eyes.

He held up a hand. "You will go no further. Other than the deflector field he has just demonstrated, Redeemer also possesses an EFN like your own, so I am just as safe as you all. Oh, and thank you for saving me the trouble of turning the disruptor off."

Ryder shook his head regretfully and continued speaking in an oddly emotionless tone. "I wish I had arrived in time to stop you from killing my friends. My mission is to save them, you see. But, failing that, I must avenge them. You will feel my wrath." He gestured to the robot. "Redeemer will see to it."

Next Story: 96. The Big Escape - The Redeemer