Cat And Mouse: Assault On The Ole Perfesser free porn video

"Cat and Mouse: Assault on the Ole Perfesser" by Bluto "Micki, I want to thank you for coming with me to the drugstore. I would have died if I had to go by myself." "It's no problem, Lupe. You're 11 years old now, right? It's not like it's something you didn't expect. But I ask you again: why did we have to walk to a drugstore 22 blocks away from home just to buy you some tampons?" "I don't want to have to buy those ... THINGS someplace where everybody knows me. I'd have died of shame!" Yes, Lupe had started her period and she wasn't handling it very well. "Look, Micki, you know that until a few months ago I was a hermaphrodite, or, I guess the accepted term now is "intersexed." I've studied up on that ... condition and there's hardly any record of one of us menstruating. So I really hadn't given much thought to the possibility. Sure, because of Cat's milk, I can change genders at will now, but that was still no guarantee that I'd have a period. Then last night I wake up with something wet between my legs and, oh boy, womanhood has arrived." "Yeah, but why call on me to help?" Micki asked, as they trudged along 121st Street. "Like, I don't really have that much experience being a female. I'm not even sure how you use one of those things." "Because you are my bestest friend," Lupe said, as she hugged Mickie and made exaggerated kissing sounds. It was an unusual moment of horse play from the normally reserved Dominican girl. "And, besides, the instructions are right on the box. You might as well learn how, because you'll be needing them soon enough." "Ah, and I always wanted to use sanitary napkins ... NOT!" Micki and Lupe laughed and slapped each other on the back as they ascended the stairs of the Basilio family domicile, an unprepoposing four-story tenement building on 121st Street and Park Avenue close to Marcus Garvey Park in Spanish Harlem. Lupe's Aunt Alabreca was mopp the hallway floors today in her role as defacto super. She pretty much made sure the building was kept spic-and-span and the bills were paid, since the Ole Perfesser seldom had time for such mundane matters. All the other children in the household were outside playing, except for Diego, who was still in bed after a late night session conducting telephone surveys for the Harris Poll with respondents on the West Coast. Lupe's granddad, the legendary Ole Perfesser, had been locked away in his fourth floor sanctum for 48 hours. No one had seen or heard anything of him in all that time. The Perfesser had done things like this before, so none of his relatives were worried. But this much time without any contact with the outside world at all was unusual even for him. "So, Micki, the Protectors are finally heading home," Alabreca said, as she leaned on her mop for a moment's rest. "I bet you're looking forward to finally seeing Cat and the rest of them after so long." "Yes, I am, Aunt Alabreca, although I'm kind of sad that the Girl Goliath won't be with them. I'm going to miss Rae Ming." "Ya, that was a terrible thing that Whale person did to her," Alabreca said, as she lit a cigarette. "And you tell me they just let the Whale go, scot-free? That don't sound right." "Well, from the way Cat tells it, that was about the best they could do. The Whale was so strong he couldn't be beat by force alone, so Cat had to reason with him. At least they got him to stop his rampage." "You know, kid, you're getting pretty strong yourself. I bet it won't be too long until you can take on the Whale." Alabreca had no real interest in superhero activities, but living in the Basilio household as she did, she saw and heard a lot. After all, her father was the master of natural magic and teacher of the Medium; her son was the Persuader, aspiring superhero with the persuasive voice; and her niece, Lupe, had recently discovered that she was a shape shifter and could turn into any mammal she could imagine. Add to that, Micki, who had been living there for almost a month and was still growing at the rate of a year for every week that passed and Tony Bass ? who was still in the process of magically changing from an ugly man into a very attractive woman ? was a frequent visitor, and there wasn't much that could make Alabreca raise an eyebrow. "Micki? Verses the Killer Whale? Haw! I can see the headlines now: "Tiny superhero squashed flat by the Whale." And the subtitle will read: "She didn't have a chance, folks." Diego was awake. "Aw, go wash your face sleepyhead," Alabreca said, as she slapped her son on his rear end. "And stop running around in your drawers in front of Micki and your cousin." "I bet you could take on the Whale one of these days, Micki," Lupe said, as they headed for another bathroom. "Like Wendy J says, you keep getting stronger every day." Micki, for her part, wasn't so sure she really wanted to fight the Whale anytime in the future. Besides, she hated it when others bragged on her abilities, especially Lupe, who had tended toward hero-worship even back when she was still Mick Montana pretending to be the female superhero Mouse. Micki, like Mick, always took the burden of trying to live up to the expectations of others very seriously. "Well, let's just figure out how to use this little dohicky," Micki said, as they closed the bathroom door. "You sure you want me to watch you do this?" *** "ETA: 30 minutes." The intercom on the assault helicopters blared in the familiar voice of Junk Yard Sal. The Destroyer attack on the home of the Ole Perfesser had begun. Three separate teams in three different 'copters, all of them standard armed services issue troop carriers with all the required decals and serial numbers in addition to Red Cross signage, converged on East Harlem. The cover story, if anyone asked, was this was a drill to test response time to a natural or manmade disaster in a part of NYC that has often been neglected during such drills in the past. Each ship's team had a distinct duty. Ship one contained the Weapons Master and a dozen well-armed mercenaries hired just for this occasion. They had M16 assault rifles fitted with M203 grenade-launchers, M60 machine-guns, M18A1 Claymore mines, M67 fragmentation grenades and M34 white phosphorus grenades ? all standard government issue. They were to use this ordinance to surround the Basilio home and form a perimeter to prevent anyone from the outside interfering with the operation. They would also be joined by a fleet of the radio-controlled, missile-firing jeeps that had been used for the earlier assault on Protectors HQ. Sal had trained a couple of new technos how to work them from the Destroyers HQ. Santi and the Commander figured the mercenaries would have to hold their positions for an hour at the most, before the police and the National Guard realized what was actually going on and sent adequate forces to combat them. Ship two held the Blue Ninja and his squad of genetically-enhanced henchmen, as well as the EXOs. Their job was to sweep the building of all opposition and to serve as a second barrier to any outside interference. EXO1 wasn't too happy about the implications of her duties. "I am not killing any women and children just because they're in that house," she whispered to her brother. "Fun is fun, but that's going too far. If the Ninja or the wannabes get their rocks off that way, fine. But count me out." EXO2 silently nodded his head in agreement. Ship three, the lead helicopter, carried Santi and the Commander and three non-superpowered passengers. One of them was a wizened old man that Santi treated with great respect. The other two were, frankly, cannon fodder. They would be the first ones sacrificed if anything went wrong and, if history held true, their chances of surviving this mission were not good. "Why do they continue to volunteer?" the Commander asked himself, as he glanced at the two. "They have to know they've got a snowball's chance in hell of coming out of this alive, but these hoods continue to come anyway. Maybe they do it on a dare, in some insane bid to prove their manhood to their fellow goons. Whatever." Since they didn't have costumes of their own, the two thugs were given identical "bully boy" outfits of standard supervillain henchman design: black domino masks, black caps, T-shirts with horizontal black stripes, brown slacks and black patent leather shoes. "Phew, we look like two of the Beetle Boys in these outfits," one of the thugs said to the other. "Ya think we're goin' ta rob Uncle Scrooge's money vault or somethin'?" The witty thug was Peter Denuche, former member of the Gamboli crime family and one of the few survivors of the Cat's rampage. He was only a minor soldier in the organization and the night of the massacre at Salvatore's house he had been vacationing in Atlantic City. He also managed to miss the earlier gang rape of Cat and as a result was suffering no feminizing effects. When he returned to discover his gang was no more, he lobbied strongly for the Gamboli family to re-form and continue in the rackets, but Nicky Graeo, who was considered head of what was left of the family, nixed that idea and Tony Bass was helpless in the hospital at the time. Filled with impotent rage, Denuche vowed to find whoever slaughtered his kin people and exact revenge. But he would have to do that alone and whatever took care of the Gambolis was not going to fall to a single person, not unless that person could become very powerful. So, he entertained aspirations of becoming a supervillain. He would gain the necessary power any way he could, then he would track down this "beast" and rip its heart out. For now he was content to take orders from the two weirdos in charge of this mission and to wait for his chance to grab some real power. "I better keep on my toes," he thought. "I heard dis Commander don't tink nothin' of offing his own men. And dat other guy, dat Indian bastard, he's just plain scary. Damn, it must be costin' them millions for dis one operation. What could possibly be in dat ole guy's house worth spendin' dat much money on?" "ETA: 25 minutes." *** The private jet had leveled off at 30,000 feet and was traveling over Arizona at 500 mph. Taking the changes of time zones into account, the Protectors would be back home in NYC by 6:00 PM EST. The small craft had a full load this trip, with Cat, Nightman, the Medium, Mr. Fix-it, Nancy Miller and her two bodyguards on board, in addition to the crew. But no one wanted to take the offered option of public transportation. "I can't wait another minute to get back," Cat said to Gaby, as she tried to stretch and managed to smack one of the bodyguards in the back of his head. "Oops, sorry Lars, that was not on purpose." The special agent accepted her apology in good humor. "Yeah, fer sure, I was in such a hurry to get back I didn't even wait to see my folks one last time," the Medium said. "Anyhow, I've seen more of them in the past month than I have in years and junk. I mean, enough's enough already." An awkward silence passed and then Gaby spoke again. "Well, have you thought about it any more?" "What's 'it'?" "You know damn well, what 'it' is, Cat. That bombshell announcement Malato-Zu laid on you about the Whale. I mean, dig it, is he going to become your boyfriend and some junk?" "Don't even joke about something like that, Gaby. The very thought creeps me out. And I'm sure Malato is laughing her ass off, wherever she is right now." "But ... even if you and the Whale did the deed, I mean, how could anything come out of it, you know? Didn't the old demon tell you she couldn't reproduce the natural way? You can't get, like, totally pregnant, can you." "Even before I became this, thing, I'd stopped having periods years ago. And, yes, she said the punishment of Jehovah forbid her from having babies. So I'm not sure what she meant. But with magic involved, I'm sure anything is possible." "Hey, seeing what happened to Mick, wouldn't the Whale turn back into a woman if he had sex with you?" "I don't know," said Cat, with a perplexed look on her face. "Maybe I'd turn into a man, instead. What a revoltin' development that would be!" Nightman shared a seat with Nancy Miller at the front of the jet. They had some matters they wanted to discuss as privately as possible. "I'm more convinced than ever that there is some connection between the Killer Whale and whatever it was that killed the Gamboli family," he said, and added in a lower voice, "And, somehow, the Cat is involved in this, too." "Yes," Miller said, as she moved her head closer to Nightman. "Simmons was convinced his wife became the Whale because of some accursed idol she found in Antarctica and yet the Whale talked as if he somehow knew the Cat. What do we really know about our feline friend?" "Damn little," Nightman answered. "There is no record that she even existed before last year. That cockamamy story she told us about her father and the pet food cannot be confirmed and was probably made up out of whole cloth. And I'm sure your operatives have told you the same thing about her "sister" that I've found out: the Mouse never went to Europe and no "former Eastern Block" country has legal proceeding going on anything like what the Mouse is supposed to be taking part in." "Yeah, that's what my agents tell me," Miller said, with a sigh. "The uncomfortable truth is that Cat has been lying to us from day one and we have been letting her slide because she was ? useful." "Useful, eh, like for that little unauthorized trip she and the Mouse and the Medium took to the Philippines last year?" Nightman asked. Miller smiled slightly in response to Nightmans little revelation, but showed no reaction other than that. "Yeah, like that," she said. "But I'm afraid the fact she might have a connection with the Whale forces me to reassess her usefulness. What if whatever made the Whale go berserk makes her go nuts as well? Hell, what if it's already happened and she's hiding it from us? Can we take that chance?" "Gaby is the key," Nightman said, with only the slightest nod in the young mystic's direction. "She's spent more time with Cat and Mouse than any of us and I know she's privy to their secrets. She told me the reason Cat's daughter is growing up so fast is because she's the daughter of Cat and some ancient sorcerer from India, but she was very hush-hush about the whole thing. Isn't her guru, that Ole Perfesser person, a friend of yours? Can't you ask him what's going on?" "The Perfesser and I go back a long way," Miller said. "He's a good man, but extremely private. I don't think you'd get any information out of him unless he decides to give it to you." "And speaking of idols," she continued, "wasn't another ancient idol found on that dig in Africa? You know, the one where that American Archaeologist ... Filin ... Katherine Filin, I believe her name was, was lost and assumed dead? Didn't we conclude that the killing spree that eventually got to the Gambolis started there? And didn't that idol wind up in the hands of the Ole Perfesser? I saw a photo of it and, now that I think about it, it looked a hell of a lot like Cat. Humm, that can't be good." "Nancy, I must confess I don't know what to do," Nightman said, with a look of real concern on his face. "I feel ... I feel like a relic. With Cat and now the Whale and what Cat's daughter and the Perfesser's granddaughter apparently can do, I feel obsolete. The Whale broke my arm and here it is the next day in a cast. But he broke Cat's back and the next day she was as good as new. How can I compete with that? Not just me, but the Arrow and Stars and Stripes and the Luchadores and the Sons of the South and all the other non-superpowered superheros on this planet. Superheros? Yeah, right, not hardly." Miller had indeed been thinking the same thing; that, perhaps, the day of the non-superpowered "mystery man" was over and the whole Protectors organization needed to be overhauled. But before she could say anything else she was interrupted by a blood-curdling wail. "Aieeeee!" The Medium was shrieking and screaming at the top of her lungs and flapping about so violently that Cat could barely hold her down. "Jesus, Gaby," she yelled. "What the hell is wrong?" "The Perfesser, the Destroyers are going to attack the Perfesser today. They know he has the idols and they want them. All I see is darkness, Cat, when I see the Perfesser, everything is dark, as dark as the void!" Cat could think of only one thing and it sent a chill through her spine. "Micki is living with the Perfesser. Nightman! Get on the radio, dammit. Call New York and warn them!" *** Tony Bass had shown up at the Basilio residence while the girls were occupied in the bathroom. As usual, he had a baby in tow, this one being Jennifer, the eight-month-old granddaughter of the Deputy Mayor of New York City. As it was a hot day, Tony wore a skimpy T-shirt and shorts and had his hair scruncied up in a cute ponytail. Only his shoes were his own, as he'd borrowed everything else from the considerable stash Cat left in her apartment. As one might expect, these clothes were rather tight and rather revealing, but Tony, oblivious as ever, had no clue that he looked as hot as a firecracker in them. "Wow, Tony, your clients are starting to look like a list of Who's Who," Micki said, as they sat at the dinner table and enjoyed some cookies and iced tea while playing with the pretty little baby. "How'd you get this one?" "Well, the deputy mayor was at the Protectors' yard sale and I guess he liked the way I handled myself, see? Told me with the way the world is nowadays he wanted someone to watch Jennifer who could handle themselves, if ya know what I mean. I guess I convinced him I knew my stuff. Plus, I'm a hell of a lot cheaper than some fuckin' security service." "But Tony," Alabreca interjected. "Didn't you need to show him references, I.D., have a background check? How'd you get past all that?" "Hee, hee, yeah, I needed all dat stuff, but when you been in the rackets as long as I have, fugitaboutit. I got all the I.D. I need and it all looks quite legit. Then they try me out and the kids and I get along so well, that seals the deal. Ain't dat right Jenny?" The baby smiled and gurgled happily as if on cue. "I guess it's great that you've decided to finally find out what it's like taking care of children Tony, I mean, better late than never," Micki said. "But what about your own kids? When are you finally going to start a rapprochement with them?" "Start a what?" a puzzled Tony said. "Sheesh, Micki, sometimes I forget how old you really are and then you throw one of yer fancy college words at me. Anyhow, I'll see my boys when I'm ready, not before. I ain't quite sure how to go about the matter yet. Should I just flounce up ta them, wit' my big tits and long hair an' say "Hey, kids, guess who I am?" I don't think so. The last time they saw me I was still Tony Bass, mob muscle-man. Now I'm Toni Bass, babysitting babe. How do ya explain dat to a couple teenage boys?" "That's a problem, I will admit," Lupe said, as she delicately sipped her sun-brewed green tea. "But you DO want to see them, Tony, right?" "Yeah, yeah, I do, Lupe. I got to. I got to make up for all the years of neglect, of puttin' me before everyone else. It's too late for me and my ex, but I gotta try wit' my kids." ?Hey Tony,? Alabreca added. ?Are you using make-up now? Your lips look mighty red and your eyes look huge.? ?Aw, no, I ain't painting my face,? Tony replied. ?That's all natural now, I guess. Jesus, when is Cat going ta finish wit' me, huh? I guess I'm not goin' to be allowed to keep any manhood at all.? There was an awkward silence that was broken when the Perfesser exploded into the room. No one had seen him in two days and he looked as if he'd spent all that time without sleep. His eyes were wild and red and his clothing disheveled and he was yelling at the top of his lungs. "GET OUT, GET OUT. EVERYONE HAS TO LEAVE THIS BUILDING NOW!" "Jesus Christ, Dad, what on earth is the problem?" Alabreca asked. "Oh my, oh my, someone, someone, very, very bad is coming here," the Perfesser said. "He will be here in just a few minutes. I've been seeing fragments of this for weeks, but his magic must be very strong because I've only just now been able to figure out what he wants and how he intends to get it." "But, Perfesser," Micki said. "Don't you have spells, warrants, other enchantments that hide the true nature of this building from the outside world?" "Yes, but those spells won't work on an opponent like this. Now come on, everybody must leave while they still can." "No, Grandfather, I'm not going anywhere," Lupe said. "What's that?" "I know you, Pop Pop. You'll send us all away to safety and try to stand up to this threat by yourself. Well, I'm not a child anymore and I will not let you face this alone." "Count me in, too, Perfesser," Micki said. "Whatever's coming, I'll face it with you." "As will I," said Diego, who had run to the kitchen to see what the commotion was all about. The Perfesser silently considered for a split second, then smiled and rubbed Lupe's head. "Very well, children, we will face this together. Alabreca, get your mother and the other children out of here. Tony, I know this isn't your fight, but will you make sure they all leave the area?" "Of course, Perfesser, no problem," Tony said, as he stuffed Jennifer into her baby pack. "Where's your wife?" A sudden explosion, only a block or two away, rocked the building to its foundation and shattered half its windows. They could hear the drone of the helicopters getting louder by the second. "No, no, we've taken too long," the Perfesser said. "Tony, my wife is on the fourth floor. Please get her out of here now. Micki and Diego, I count on you to delay the enemy when they try to come in here. Lupe, come with me." The explosion was Weapons Master and his operatives establishing their perimeter around the block of 121st Street where the Basilio residence was located. They stopped traffic in both directions on Park Avenue and its cross-streets, blocking the roads with overturned vehicles and the remote-controlled jeeps. They fired automatic weapons into the air to frighten off all the neighbors and started taking pot-shots at those who didn't leave fast enough. The residents who were foolish enough to shoot back paid for it with their lives. The mercenaries quickly established positions on the roofs of nearby buildings and behind their makeshift barricade and deadly Claymore mines were planted liberally along the perimeter. All this, and they still had no idea exactly where the building they were isolating was located. "This is crazy," Weapons Master said to one of his mercs. "We are establishing a perimeter around an empty field. What has that damn Indian led us to?" New York's finest responded quickly to the disturbance, but without any real idea about the nature of the crisis, they sent only two patrol cars ? which were soon destroyed by rpgs. "Ha, ha," Weapons Master gloated. "They will have to do a lot better than that!" Meanwhile, the other two 'copters were hovering over what appeared to most of the invaders to be an empty lot. In the lead 'copter Joe Santi and the old Indian began to chant as they formed a pile of brightly colored stones into a wheel-like shape. The old man pulled out an even older pipe and filled it with a mixture of herbs and weeds. Santi lit the pipe with a wooden match, as the Commander and the two flunkies looked on curiously. Suddenly the pipe began to produce an impossibly huge volume of smoke. "You two, " Santi commanded the flunkies. "Take these tree branches and fan the smoke outside this helicopter." They did as they were told and the smoke settled over the empty field. Slowly at first, then more and more rapidly, the smoke unveiled what was actually on that ?empty? lot ? the Ole Perfesser's tenement building. "Hey, cool," Denuche said. "Man, I wish I could do stuff like that!" "I trust you see your target now," the Commander barked to 'copter number two by radio. "Commence your assault now!" Instantly the attack began: the EXOs jumped to the ground and went for the front door, while the Blue Ninja and his genetically-enhanced troops slid down on ropes, dashed through an adjoining building and converged on the back door. Since their last action, the EXOs power-packs had been improved so that they were now stronger and faster than ever. As if to prove that fact, EXO2 picked up a small automobile and hurled it at the front of the Basilio household. However, the little Toyota merely bounced off the front door and rebounded at the dumbfounded Destroyer. His sister zipped him out of the way before EXO2 could be smashed to the pavement. "What the fuck?" EXO2 gasped. "How'd they do that?" Before EXO1 could answer, a black and yellow blur streaked out of the house and punched her right on the nose. The super-speedster saw stars and howled in pain. "Yow, ooh did dat?" she shrieked, through her broken sniffer. Meanwhile, the Blue Ninja and his crew were at the back door. They were all dressed ninja-style, with the pajama-like clothing and their faces covered except for their eyes. In fact, all the ninja crew looked exactly the same: men and women alike. The only thing that distinguished the Blue Ninja from the rest was the color of his costume. Blue Ninja used hand signals to order his followers into the building when they were suddenly under attack with automatic pistolfire. "Who is that shooting at us?" fighter 3 of 5 shouted. "I don't see anyone." "Be quiet, maintain silence," Blue Ninja whispered. "Haw, I'm behind you now," a voice said. The fighter who heard the voice instantly drew his sword and slashed behind him in one motion. But instead of hitting the enemy he lopped off 3 of 5's arm. "Aieee, what did you do that for?" the injured fighter gasped, as he tried to stop the blood spurting out the stump. "One of us is a spy," the voice said to all the fighters. "Use your throwing stars on that one!" Several of the fighters responded to the command and in an instant the fighter who had cut his teammate's arm off looked like a practice target and slumped over, quite dead. "Stop, stop, stop," the Ninja screamed. "I give the orders here, damn it. Nobody move!" Back in front of the house EXO2 was swinging wildly at his tiny opponent and hitting nothing but air, his size and strength doing him no good against his lightning-quick foe. "Who the hell are you?" he asked in frustration. "What are you, some kind of elf?" "I'm Miss Wildcat," Micki said, as she slowed down for just an instant. "And I'm going to make you sorry you tried to hurt the Ole Perfesser." But she'd slowed down just long enough for EXO1 to get a bead on her and try a super-fast punch to the head. Micki barely avoided the blow. "Bell, bell," EXO1 said. "Tha Cat Woban's wittle girl, or zo zome bould tink. She buz yust a doddler da last timb I zaw her zo you've gotta be zomebody elbse." "It doesn't really matter who I am, now does it?" Micki said, as she put her hands on her pubescent hips and shook her tiny tail. "What matters is I'm going to keep you and your dumb brother from getting into this house." "Why you sawed-off bitch," EXO2 shouted as he struck at Micki with all his strength, and only managed to put a big crack in the sidewalk. Time seemed to stand still at the back door as the Ninja and his crew froze in place. After a few seconds of inactivity, someone hit one of the fighters in the face. But that fighter still didn't move. All the fighters were subjected to kicks, blows and chops, but none of them moved. Then the Blue Ninja spoke. "There he is, my fighters," he said, pointing to the blurry outline of a human shape. "He has the power to cloud men's minds and make himself seem to disappear, but if you remember your training and focus, you can make him out." "Ah, shit," Diego said, as he dashed into the house with four angry fighters hot on his heels. On the fourth floor the Ole Perfesser and Lupe prepared to enter his inner sanctum. The Perfesser was saying his goodbys to his frail and ailing wife. "Go with Tony now, Frances," Basilio said, as he gently kissed her cheek "He will make sure you get out of here safely." Frances smiled feebly.? She wondered if she would ever see her beloved husband again. "Don't go and do something stupid, like getting yourself killed, you old fool," she said weakly. "You are the world to me." "Frances, can yous make it down the stairs?" Tony asked. "No, hon, somebody has to carry me," Frances said. "And did my husband just call you he?" "It's a long story, ma'am," Tony said, as he easily lifted the fragile woman in his arms. "Hey, Alabreca, carry Jennifer for me, OK?" As they started down the four flights of stairs they could hear the sounds of battle all around them. "Don't you think I should be helping with the fighting, Pop Pop?" Lupe asked. "No, my sweet," he replied. "You're the only one of my kin who can help me with what I must do here. Come on, there isn't much time." Back in the lead helicopter, the Commander wasn't pleased with the rate of progress his troops were making. "Those fools still haven't cleared the building," he fumed. "The EXOs haven't even gotten in the front door." "They fight the daughter of the Cat," Santi said, as if that was all the Commander needed to know. "They are outmatched." "What? Outmatched?" the Commander exploded. "Are you telling me some supernatural bastard is better than two of my strongest operatives?" Santi looked at the Commander like a teacher counseling a particularly stupid child. "There is a new day coming, my friend," he said. "In the future, the balance of power will belong to we, 'supernatural bastards.' It might be a good idea for you to prepare yourself for that day." Santi and his Indian friend started to chant once more and while the Commander could notice no changes, at the front of the Basilio house a big change did take place. The car that the EXOs thought was repelled from the door was suddenly resting in the vestibule where it landed after EXO2 threw it. A gaping hole was all that was left of the front of the building. "Huh?" EXO2 said. "What's this? That Toyota didn't bounce back at me, it's right where I threw it." Micki used the occasion of his momentary confusion to grab EXO2 by the arm and toss him across the street with a judo throw, but before he landed, he used his booster rockets to break his fall. "Things aren't always what they seem around here," Micki said, as EXO1 came after her. "The Ole Perfesser can do stuff like that all day." "You are an irritating child, do you know that?" EXO1 said, as she tried and failed to land a single fist on her agile opponent. "But we've got a magic man with us, too, and he's going to take care of all of Basilio's tricks." "How'd they know the Perfesser's name?" Micki thought to herself. "And who's this 'magic man?' I seem to have sensed his presence before." Tony carefully made his way down the stairs with his precious burden. "Yous kids keep quiet and follow me," he said. In addition to Mrs. Basilio, Jennifer and Alabreca, he had three Basilio grandchildren following him: Paco, Beto and Shishi. "You move when I say the coast is clear, understand?" "Yes, Aunti Toni," the kids said, in unison. Tony rolled his eyes, but said nothing. As they neared the first floor, Tony heard gunfire from close range, then Diego stumbled up the steps. "Tony, you can't take Grandmaw and the kids down this way," he said, as he reloaded his twin 45s. "There's four or five ninjas after me and they've somehow seen through my mind tricks." "Ah, shit," Tony said. "If it wus just you an' me I'd say shoot it out wit' dem. But we can't endanger the old lady, the kids, an' your mother." Tony put Mrs. Basilio down on the stairs and yelled to the invaders. "Hey, look, we got women an' children here. Whatever yous bastards want doesn't concern them. Let 'em go and we don't mess wit' you, OK?" The Blue Ninja gave a silent signal to his fighters and spoke. "That is fine with us. The women and children can leave, but not the young man with the guns. He has much to answer for." Tony looked at Diego, who smiled grimly and gave him the thumbs-up. His mother started to cry, but Diego put his finger to her mouth to shoosh her. "I'll be OK, Tony, Mom. I haven't peed my pants yet and I'm not going to." "Don't let 'em kill ya, punk," Tony said, as he gave Diego a hug, giving the impudent Dominican youth a chance to quickly squeeze Tony's left breast. "Bastard," Tony said. "If they don't kill ya I will!" But Tony smiled as Diego ran up the stairs. Then he picked up Mrs. Basilio and led the children and Alabreca to the first floor. EXO2 could barely see his sister and Micki as they mixed it up. They were each moving so fast they looked indistinct, like mirages. He nervously checked his watch and knew they were way behind schedule. Yet every time he tried to enter the house, Micki would leave his sister and beat him back. "Damn it, I can't believe it," he thought. "We're gonna have to call for help against a kid." He grabbed his communicator and called the Blue Ninja. "Ninja, come in, we need some help at the front of the building; resistance is a bit stiffer than we expected." "It hasn't been a picnic back here, either," the Ninja replied. "I've lost two men so far and I'm still stuck on the first floor. What kind of place is this?" "Ninja," the Commander interrupted. "Who are you facing?" "Just the boy, Diego, but he fights like a seasoned warrior and he can use his mind to make himself seem to disappear. However, he wants us to allow the women and children to leave and is offering a cease fire. I have accepted his offer. What do you want us to do with the women and children?" "Did I not make myself clear at the briefing? All residents of that building are to be eliminated. And after seeing what some of the residents of that building can do, you should understand why. Send one of your fighters to help the EXOs, kill the women and children and get on with your mission." The Ninja looked at his fighters and was given blank stares in return. "Oh well," he thought. "I don't think they'll have any problem slaughtering women and children. At least I won't have to do it myself." He signaled for one of the fighters to go to the front of the building, then got ready for the grim task ahead. Tony Bass and company gingerly rounded the stairs and presented themselves to the ninjas. "Two of Five, Four of Five, accompany them outside and follow your orders," the Blue Ninja said. "I will go after the boy. Return to me when you finish." The genetically-enhanced fighters silently followed Tony and his charges out the back door, then commanded them to stop. They pulled their swords and drew them back to strike, when Mrs. Basilio, who had seemed to be sleeping, opened her eyes in a flash and shouted an incantation. The fighters' clothes instantly burst into flame and they fell to the ground, rolling around to extinguish the fire. Mrs. Basilio raised her hand and their swords flew into the air, then she dropped it and the swords plunged into the chests of their owners. As the would-be assassins breathed their last, Mrs. Basilio smiled and closed her eyes once more. "Holy shit," Tony gasped. "Alabreca, did you know yer Mom could do stuff like that?" "Sure, Tony, you don't live with Dad for forty years without learning how to do something freaky." At the front of the house Micki wasn't aware that the double-team had turned into a triple-team until a throwing star hurled at her by 5 of 5 almost sheared off one of her ears. She dodged the weapon but ran right into one of EXO2's fists. Before she could get up from the pavement, 5 of 5 was on her with her sword, but, even while rolling on the ground, Micki was too fast to hit. "Get out of the way," EXO2 said, as he hefted another car over his head. "Let me smash her with this!" But before he could make a move EXO2 was hit with a fusillade of pistol- fire. Most of the bullets simply bounced off his armor, but one lucky shot wedged inside his power-pack. "Arrgh, no, not now," he said, as his source of power started to belch black smoke and he looked helplessly at the 3,000-pound automobile over his head ? which proceeded to collapse on top of him like a house of cards. Frantic, EXO1 forgot everything else and tried to extricate her brother from his situation, while 5 of 5 fled back inside the building. A wiry Dominican youth stepped from behind a neighboring building, twirling a silver-plated .44 revolver. He was bare-chested and displayed a plethora of colorful tattoos, as well as a mouthful of gold teeth. "Hermoso?" Micki said, as she stared at the gunman. "Hermoso, of the Broncos?" "Damn straight, little cat-girl, but how in hell do you know me?" "I'm, er, the Cat's daughter," Micki said. "The last time we met I kind of scratched you up a little." "Que? That was YOU? But you couldn't have been more than two years old and that was only a couple months ago." "Ah, it's kind of hard to explain. But a better question is why in the world are you here, Hermoso? This is kind of like World War III right now." "Ehh, I may raise some hell myself, but I don't allow nobody to come over here and start shootin' up my neighborhood, see? I sneaked past all those loco mercs and came here to see just what the hell was goin' down." "Well, if you aren't afraid, follow me into the house and tell me what's happening out there," Micki said, as she ran into the tenement building. "Oh, and by the way, thanks for the save back there." "Haw, I ain't no good guy," Hermoso said, as he scampered to keep up. "I just don't like nobody else coming into my 'hood an' startin' trouble, you dig?" In the lead helicopter, Joe Santi had had just about enough. "Your fighters are pathetic, Commander," he said in disgust. "I see six or seven people escaping from that building the back way, with two of your so-called "genetically-enhanced" warriors left with their own swords stuck in them. And in the front, one of your mechanically- enhanced Destroyers has gotten himself trapped under a car and the other one has left her assignment and gone to help him. What do you say to that?" The Commander didn't bother to look at the bear-man, but shouted an order into his radio. "Weapons Master, there's a group of six or seven people coming your way from the building," he said. "Three women, one of whom is being carried, and three or four children. Tell your mercenaries to stop them before they reach your perimeter ? stop them, with extreme prejudice, understood?" "Understood, Commander." "Oh, and how's the fellow who lost his arm?" "We got the bleeding stopped, Commander. That S.O.B. is one tough dude, he wants to keep fighting." "Anything else, Santi?" the Commander asked, as he stared at the man- demon. "Yes, pick up an explosive charge and follow me down to the roof." Micki and Hermoso pursued 5 of 5 up the building's front staircase, while the Blue Ninja kept on Diego's tail in the back. Both Diego and Hermoso were firing away, but neither had hit anyone yet. "You hear that?" Micki asked Hermoso. "That's the sound of Diego's .45s. He's still in this damn fight!" "Pistol fire," Diego thought. "None of these ninja creeps seems to be carrying a gun. Maybe some of the good guys are here, thank God!" At that instant an explosion rocked the entire building. "What was that, kid?" Hermoso asked. "And why is this happening, anyway? Why are all these heavy hitters tryin' to get into this building?" "I honestly don't know, Hermoso," Micki said. "That blast was on the roof. I think someone is coming in that way and I think it's the heaviest hitter of all. Let's go!" Santi, the Commander and their three companions dropped into the building amidst the smoke and fires caused by the Commander's explosion. Santi walked purposely to the door of the Perfesser's sanctum and told the flunkies to open that door. "After you," Denuche told the other goon, who, incredibly, grabbed the doorknob and gave it a pull. A lightning bolt struck the luckless criminal and filled the air with the smell of ozone and burnt flesh. There was just enough of the flunky left to put in a cigar box. "Well, I can't say I didn't expect that," Santi said. "Although I am surprised the Perfesser used a spell like that. Hey, you! Bring me my bag and step back." Denuche was scared to death, but he did as he was told. Santi and his Indian friend reached into the bag and brought out several mystic objects, including a drum, a colored stone and a snakeskin. Then he had the other two join him in a circle and start to chant. The Commander felt very foolish, but he did as he was instructed. "Hoy-ya, hoy-ya, hoy-ya," they chanted for a good five minutes, until a beam of light struck the door. An ungodly scream came from that portal and what seemed to be a ghostly figure flew up through the ceiling and was gone. "That was a protective spirit, very powerful," Santi said. "If my teacher and I were not here today, no one would have gotten through that door." Santi clubbed the door with his paw-like hand and shattered it into cordwood. Before they could enter, however, they were joined by the Blue Ninja and 5 of 5. "I was after the Basilio boy, but he must have pulled another one of his tricks and I passed him," the Ninja said. "A girl I assume to be Miss Wildcat and some local gunman were right behind me, they should be here any second," 5 of 5 said. "Commander, stay here with your troops and make sure no one goes in this room after I do, understand?" "Whatever you say Santi," the Commander said, with a sigh. "To tell the truth, I wasn't too anxious to enter that room anyhow." With that, Santi, and the man he called teacher, were in the Perfesser's sanctum. The room seemed vast and cold and appeared to go on forever, but Santi and his companion were not fooled. "Basilio," Santi shouted. "Using demon magic to protect your door? I'm surprised. I heard you only used natural magic. Basilio! I know you can hear me and I know YOU know what I want. Is there any possibility you would simply hand the idols over to me so we don't prolong this any longer than necessary?" "Oh, so you realize you're running out of time, demon," the Ole Perfesser said, from somewhere in the darkness. "I only have to hold you here for a little while longer and the police and the army will have gathered sufficient forces to rout your motley crew." "Phaugh! What do I care about the white man's army?" Santi asked. "I am a pilotois, or shaman, if you will, of the Huron Nation and my magic is strong. I have shaken the tent and made the wind blow and I have seen many signs. And I have Atuckatuk, my teacher, with me." "I've heard of Atuckatuk, he's bad medicine, for sure," the Perfesser said. "I thought the old son-of-a-bitch was long dead." "No, he is very much alive, which very soon I will not be able to say about you or your family. Cha-ton-ya!" With that, the old Indian threw some powder into an ancient clay bowl and a burst of light filled the room. For the first time, everyone could get a good look at each other. The Perfesser waved his hand and a fountain of flames erupted from the floor and engulfed the two Indians, but Santi and his teacher held hands and chanted and the flames died away. Next, the Perfesser pointed at Santi and five thick metal bands wrapped themselves around the demon-possessed shaman. Santi struggled against the bands for half a minute, then he flexed his bear-like muscles and pulled them off one at a time. "It's finished, Pop Pop," Lupe whispered, as she handed an object she'd been working on to her Grandfather. "You know what to do now, my child," Basilio said. With that, the young shape-shifter stood and removed her robe. She quickly used her power to turn into a baboon and jumped at Santi. But he saw her coming and swatted her away before she could touch him. As soon as she hit the floor, she turned into a timber-wolf and sprung right back at Santi. She locked her vice-like jaws on the rogue shaman's lower back and hung on for dear life. Santi cursed and twirled and jumped up and down, but Lupe held on. Then Santi's teacher took his ash wood cane and tried to beat Lupe off, but Basilio beaned him with one of the baseballs he always kept nearby. The old Indian hit the deck hard. "I don't throw 100 MPH anymore, but I still got the control, baby," Basilio said. One more violent turn and Santi finally dislodged Lupe with a loud ripping noise. She had a piece of his buckskin coat and some fur from his back clamped in her jaws. She galloped to her Grandfather and spat out the contents of her mouth. Basilio attached them to the little doll she had constructed earlier in Santi's image, then plunged a large hatpin right into the doll's chest. "Aiieee, what was that you old bastard?" Santi asked, as more pain than he thought was possible spread through his heart. "Just a gift from the islands, mon," Basilio said. "My granddaughter is pretty good at making voodoo dolls, isn't she? I'm going to fill this one with so many pins you won't be able to move and there's nothing you or your unconscious teacher can do about it." "Is that so?" Santi said, and a disturbing smile spread across his face. His body started to expand as a green glow filled the room. "So you will know, my idol spirit is called Bruutica, the grizzly bear, and he is anxious to meet you." Out on the street, Tony was trying to lead the Basilios and Jennifer to safety but was being stymied by the mercenaries on patrol. They were trapped in a building only a few doors from the perimeter, but it might just as well have been in Albany. Tony could hear the explosions of grenades and the pop-pop-pop of automatic weapons fire. The Claymore mines had been cleverly spread over the perimeter as well, further slowing the arrival of any rescue forces. "How long do you think deese dudes are going to keep dis up?" Tony asked Alabreca, as she stroked her mother's brow. "Surely to God dey ain't planning on stayin' here all day." "I'm worried about my mother, Tony," Alabreca said. "She's been in bad health for a long time and I think that stunt she pulled took too much out of her." "Look there," Tony said, as he took his sub-nosed .38 out of his purse. "I see two of 'em comin' dis way an' nobody else is in sight. Dis might be our only chance. Alabreca, do you know how to use a gun?" "A gun? Oh, ah, I guess so, but it's been a long time. What do you want me to do?" "I'm callin' those two yahoos over here an' I'm goin' to try an' take one out. It'll be up to you to get da utter one." "But, Tony, how ...?" "I tink I know a way, but don't yous ever tell anyone, especially not Diego!" Not waiting for further discussion, Tony stepped out to the street and confronted the two mercenaries. They were both hardened fighters who had sold their services to the highest bidders in the Middle East, Africa and South America. The word had gone out to kill the six who had escaped from the Basilio house and that is exactly what they were prepared to do. "Halt, who is there?" said a blond-headed man named Fritz, a 6'3" German who used to belong to Stasi. "Ah ha, you don't look like you live in this neighborhood, ya? What are you doing here?" "Oh, hi there, blondie," said Tony, trying to sound sexy. "What on earth is going on? I was just out takin' a walk and it's like, a terrorist attack or somethin'." "Hey, don't give us that innocent act, girly," said Rudy, the other gunman, a muscular black man and former Marine. "They told us one of the people we're looking for is a tall white woman. You didn't come from that building over there did you?" Tony noticed that so far neither man had looked him in the eye. They both couldn't take their eyes off Cat's sexy, low-cut, pink T-shirt and what was stuffed inside. "Why are yous gentlemen staring at my chest?" Tony asked innocently. "Oh, do I have something on dis T-shirt? I swear, with all this shootin' an' explosions, how's a girl goin' to keep her things clean? An' I borrowed it too!" With that, Tony hooked his thumbs in the bottom of the T-shirt and lifted it up, showing off a sheer black lace bra also borrowed from Cat. Tony couldn't quite fill the bra as completely as Cat would have, but this one was a little small for the lion-woman so he did a pretty good job. Fritz and Rudy certainly had no complaints. "Holy shit," Rudy said. "Look at that!" Tony pulled the T-shirt over his head, lazily shook out his thick, black hair and feigned concern. "What is it guys? Is something on my bra, too? Oh no, an' I borrowed that as well. I'd better check." The eyes of the two gunmen grew larger and larger as Tony reached behind his back and slowly unhooked the bra. He took a deep breath as the last fastener came undone, then he took the straps off his shoulders one at a time and, lo, the only thing holding the flimsy garment to his breasts were his hands. Tony smiled at the awe-struck gunmen and wisked away the bra in a wink. His breasts, which had grown to at least 42DDD the last time he'd had them measured, shook and quivered magnificently as they fell free and his nipples, much to Tony's annoyance, grew hard as two little rocks. "Well," he said, cupping a hand under each heavy breast. "Which of yous gentlemen is first?" Rudy and Fritz glanced at each other for a second, then they threw their automatic rifles to the ground and dashed for Tony. Fritz reached him first and was rewarded with a knee to the groin. He doubled over in pain and Tony socked him right under his ear with a two-handed haymaker while shouting to Alabreca. "Now!" Alabreca took no chances and emptied the revolver. Two shots missed, one of them almost hitting Tony, but four bullets struck Rudy in the chest. His Kelvar armor stopped them all, but the impact knocked him flat and out. Alabreca gathered the children and Tony grabbed Mrs. Basilio and headed for the perimeter. They were just about there when they heard a voice shouting at them through a loudspeaker. "That's as far as you go, Basilios," the Weapons Master said. "My boss says you have to die and, so help me, I will complete my mission." He raised his M16 to do the job, when a hunting arrow pierced his gun hand and stopped him cold. "Arragh," Weapons Master screamed. "No, it can't be him, not now!" The Arrow led a wave of SWATs and National Guardsmen over the temporary barrier and after the mercenaries. Swearing to himself, Weapons Master blew a whistle and dropped a smoke bomb, signaling his forces to retreat. On the fourth floor of the tenement building, the Commander heard the whistle and knew what it meant. "The military or the police are on their way," he said. "Santi must be told that it's time to leave. Denuche, go and fetch him, we'll keep these heros away." Denuche swallowed hard and did as he was told. He disappeared into the inner sanctum, wondering if he would come out again alive. "Hey, the Commander is the only one with a gun," Diego told Micki and Hermoso. "Let's rush 'em." "No, Diego," Micki said. "You talk to them, keep their attention and I'll sneak up on them. Hermoso, you stay here with Diego, OK? Don't take any chances and don't move until I tell you to." "Yo, dudes," Diego shouted across the room. "Why don't you guys give up already? Ya gotta know we good guys always win in the end. Give up now and get yourselves a nice jail cell together." "One of us is a female, you fool," the Commander said. "Besides, when Santi gets the idols from your grandfather he's going to come out here and rip your heads off." "Santi, eh? Is that the name of the big dude? I guess he's running things now, eh, Commander? Hey, that means you're going to need a new name. How about ... the Follower. That sounds about right, since all you're good for is following orders from Santi." "Young simpleton," the Commander shouted. "I am no one's follower. The beast-man is in charge only as long as the Master says so. After this mission, everything will be back to normal." "And who is this Master? I've never heard of him before." "I, I don't know. I only see him on a TV screen and he always wears a hood over his head and I think his voice is distorted. But he has a mole in the Protectors organization and lots of money. I wouldn't be surprised if he was ..." "COMMANDER," the Blue Ninja screamed. "Be quiet, what are you saying!" Micki, who had been creeping up on the villains, decided that was the moment to strike. She sprang between the Ninja and 5 of 5 and kicked out her feet, knocking them in opposite directions. She jumped on the genetically- enhanced warrior and ripped her sword away just in time to block the Ninja's own sword swipe. The Ninja pulled out his second sword and went after Micki. Micki was no swordsman, but her speed and reflexes allowed her to block everything the Ninja threw at her. Five of Five grabbed Micki from behind with surprising strength, but Micki flipped her over her back and into the Ninja. Micki was exposed for a fraction of a second and the Commander raised his lugar for a shot, but Hermoso plugged him in the shoulder, forcing him to drop his pistol. "All right, we got 'em now," Hermoso beamed, as he ran to cover the bad guys. He didn't see the handful of powder the Commander put to his lips. "Hermoso, look out," Micki shouted, but it was too late. The Commander blew the deadly powder into the young Dominican's face and his fate was sealed. "Hold on, hold on," Micki pleaded, as she tried to give the trembling Hermoso mouth-to-mouth. Meanwhile, the Commander, the Blue Ninja and 5 of 5 fled into the inner sanctum. "Don't do that, Micki," Diego pleaded. "Hermoso's a goner and you don't want to get any of that powder on your lips." In truth, Micki was beginning to feel hot and dizzy, but she wouldn't give up. Her animal senses told her Hermoso's heart had stopped beating, but she had to try anyway. The Blue Ninja, 5 of 5 and the wounded Commander stood in awe of what they saw in the inner sanctum. The demon, Bruutica, had manifested himself and had left no trace of Joe Santi. While Santi was impressive at seven feet and 350 pounds, Bruutica was overwhelming at 12' and half a ton. The voodoo doll had no more effect on him then it would on a real grizzley bear. But Lupe was going after him tooth and nail. She had changed into an African Honey Badger, pound for pound the toughest mammal on earth. These little bastards stick their heads into bees nests (AFRICAN bees, btw) and consume them in their entirety ? honey, wax, bees and all. At less than 50 pounds they can scare off leopards, even lions and Lupe weighed twice that much. She didn't give a damn that Bruutica was three times her height and 10 times her weight. Neither opponent had the power of speech, so there was no clever repartee. Just growls and howls and screeches and grunts that filled every inch of the seemingly endless room with a fearsome cacophony. Lupe's attacks were almost mindless in their viciousness and abandon, while the slower Bruutica never stopped trying to pin her and land the killing blow. The spectators were shaken by the sight. Even the Commander, who had seen it all during his long, evil career, was impressed. "Magnificent," he whispered, as he held his useless arm to his side. "I was told Basilio's granddaughter was a shape shifter, but I had no idea ...!" The Perfesser had seen enough. He hoped that Lupe could prevail, but, realistically, he knew she didn't have a chance. So he prepared his final gambit, once again relying on the demon magic he hated. He pulled an ancient scroll from one of his voluminous pockets and recited an incantation he'd hoped to never use. A small whirlpool appeared in mid- air and quickly grew larger and more violent. Then he seized the three idols from the folds of his robe and held them up high. "Listen to me, you power-mad fools," he shouted over the din. "I will not allow the evil in these idols to be released on the world again. Before that happens I will throw them into the vortex of no return. Then, if you continue fighting, you will be fighting for nothing." Everyone froze in indecision as he turned to do the deed when he was tackled from behind by Atuckatuk. The old Indian had recovered consciousness and caught the Perfesser so much by surprise that he dropped the idols as he and the evil shaman tumbled into the abyss. The Perfesser managed one last fond look at his favorite granddaughter, then he disappeared. "Grandfather, oh no!" Diego screamed, as he burst into the room carrying a very sick Micki. Lupe turned to see what had happened to her Pop Pop and Bruutica took the opportunity to strike her solidly with one of his huge paws. She was smashed through two adjoining rooms and out the side of the building by the force of the blow. With the Perfesser gone, the vortex of no return died down and vanished on its own. Denuche scooped up the idols and ran to show them to Bruutica. That might not have seemed like the best idea to some, but this time the demon only managed what passed for a smile and patted the thug on the shoulder. "No, you're not getting away with this," Micki said, as she stumbled to her feet and shakily went after the villains. The Commander calmly stood in her way and blew another fistful of his deadly powder into her face. "That will be enough of that, my child," he said. "You may now join the Perfesser and your colorfully tattooed friend in death." As Micki collapsed, a loudspeaker booming the amplified voice of Junk Yard Sal could be heard over the racket of a hovering helicopter outside. "The perimeter has been breached and all hell has broken loose. If any of you want to get away from there you'd better climb aboard now." The Blue Ninja and 5 of 5 had already jumped on. Santi, who had changed back to his half-demon form, climbed the rope ladder next, dragging the Commander after him by his collar. Last on board was Denuche, climbing with one hand while the other maintained its firm grip on the three idols. "One last thing," the Commander said, as he dropped a phosphorous grenade on the battered tenement. The old building erupted in flames and the Commander was satisfied. The big helicopter gained altitude, but was soon surrounded by four police 'copters. Once again Santi recited a spell and had all on board chant along with him and soon a gale-force wind boosted the Destroyer helicopter away while holding all the others back. In a few moments they were gone. Chaos reigned at ground level. Weapons Master and half his mercs escaped down the sewers with the Arrow and nearly 100 police and guardsmen in hot pursuit. The rest had been killed, except for the two that Tony and Alabreca managed to knock out. EXO1 removed her own power-pack and replaced her brother's ruined one, giving him the power to toss the automobile away. It was a blue, PT Cruiser, by the way, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then they used his rocket-pack for their get away over the East River. Neither of them was in any hurry to return to the Destroyers HQ after their performance. Of all the genetically-enhanced fighters, only 5 of 5 got away. Three of them were dead and 3 of 5, who put up a hell of a fight despite losing his arm, was in police custody. Lupe only suffered a few bruises from her slugfest with Bruutica. She was able to return to the burning building as a chimp and help Diego remove Micki and Hermoso's body ? But the home she had known all her life was gone, as well as her cherished grandfather. And Micki? What about Micki? "Is, is she dead, Diego?" she asked, as her eyes filled with tears. "She isn't breathing and I didn't hear a heartbeat. Maybe we should try mouth-to-mouth?" "No, don't do that," Diego barked. "She tried to save Hermoso that way and got sick from the residue of the Commander's damn powder on his lips. It would kill you for sure. Go get a medic, quick." After the mines were cleared, a mob of people poured into the area: police, firemen, medics, residents, the curious and, of course, the media. One reporter and camera crew found Tony Bass and shoved a microphone in his face. "Can you tell us what happened here, ma'am?" the reporter asked. "And why you're, err, not dressed?" "What?" Tony bellowed as he realized that he was still bare-breasted. "Ah shit, I forgot my T-shirt in all da commotion! Why didn't any of yous tell me?" "Aunti Toni's got quite a rack," Paco, Beto and Shishi said in unison, as the transformed wiseguy hunted for something to protect his modesty. "And that man over there wants to talk to you." That man happened to be the Deputy Mayor's personal representative. He was holding Jennifer in his arms and he had a very sour look on his face. "Oh Lord," Tony thought. Another helicopter landed. It was the Protectors. They had alerted the Arrow hours ago to what was going to happen in East Harlem and his quick response might have saved precious time dealing with the attack. They broke several FAA rules to get back to NYC this soon. But that meant nothing to the frantic Cat as she was led to the EMS wagon holding Micki. "Micki, Micki, oh God," she cried. "If anything has happed to you I'll just die. Damn that Commander, that bastard has lived too long. I'm gonna ..." "Don't make threats you can't keep, Cat," Micki interrupted weakly. "There's too much of you in me for the old boy to kill me that easily." Micki had blood trickling out the side of her mouth and was as pale as a ghost, but she was alive and she managed a smile for Cat. The lion- woman could only cry all the harder as she hugged Micki to her as if she would never let go. "It's remarkable," Nightman told Nancy Miller later as they observed the clean-up. "No one has ever survived the Commander's powder. There's no known antidote." "This is just what we were talking about on the plane ride back here," Miller said, as she looked over a preliminary report. "This whole "superpower" thing is coming to a head and we need to have a full Protectors meeting about it right away." "Agreed," Nightman said. "What about casualties, what does that computer printout say?" "So far they've accounted for six civilians killed and 21 injured, mainly by the mercenaries," she said. "A street gang leader, Hermoso Delgado, was killed helping defend the Basilios' home. And, supposedly, the Ole Perfesser himself is somewhere off in limbo or something." They both looked at the remains of the tenement building and wondered what went on there. They were allowed past the yellow police tape for a closer examination of the destruction. Alabreca was also there, searching through the rubble to see if there was anything of her home left to salvage. She had heard their conversation. "Hey, you heroes," she said. "You can add one more name to the list of casualties." "Who's that?" Nightman asked. "My mother," Alabreca said with a sob. "She died on the way to the hospital. My mother and my father, oh Christ!" Nightman and Nancy Miller held the sobbing woman very tightly. End Episode 13