SuperIOR Inc., Lost HavenChike Baatul had taken care of Skull Thrasher and Supercell with impunity. They were still heroes, after all; misguided heroes to be sure, protecting scum like Cunningham and Abrams. But heroes nonetheless. With those two unconscious and restrained, Chike interrogated SuperIOR's personnel until he was able to locate what he had come to SuperIOR looking for: a prototype energy detection device designed to track even the most invisible energy sources. The machine was a hybrid of the most cutting edge tech humanity had to offer, as well as equipment that was obviously not of this world.
How the Hell'd they get their hands on a thing like this? Polemos had wondered.
No matter. There was work to be done.
A few minutes later and Chike had arrived at the rendezvous point, where Thune was impatiently waiting. The inter-dimensional traveler explained that he could no longer assist Polemos in this matter, despite his desire to see this villain put to justice. Apparently, Xavier had learned valuable information from his battle with Skyquake that he needed to act on at once. Chike couldn't exactly argue with the immensely powerful stranger and allowed Thune to be on his way. But questioned nagged at the back of the vigilante's mind. What, exactly, could Thune have learned that was so critical to his mission? It had something to do with Vanguard's fight with Umbraxis, that much was certain. Thune's reaction to Chike uttering of Umbraxis's name had been exaggerated and obvious. It was a name he recognized. This Destroyer was well known, even in other universes.
That begged the question: What was Thune planning to do with this knowledge?
His aggressive handling of Skyquake and impatient, driven speech, combined with what little Chike already knew of Thune's character...none of it matched up. Even when Thune had mistook Chike for a bitter enemy of his, the giant had been relatively jovial. Defensive and violent, sure, but jovial none the less. But after the SuperIOR incident, he was stone cold and serious.
Something more is going on here than meets the eye. Chike thought gravely.
But there's no time for that. Thune will have to come later. I don't have much time before that bomb goes off and the entire city is overrun by Supers. The blaring of approaching sirens echoed softly in the distance. Chike pulled his torn and stained jacket into place on his muscular shoulders and took off at a jog down the sidewalk, clutching his AK-47 to his chest. He followed the handheld tracking device to the largest unidentified source of energy consumption in the city.
Chambers Building, Lost Haven
Later"Another bloody skyscraper. Fan-freakin'-tastic."Chike Baatul was starting to hate these things. Towers of metal and glass, extending high into the clouds. They were kindred to monoliths dedicated to human greed and corruption; at least in the narrow view of morality that Chike prescribed to. He'd never been a fan of corporations or bureaucrats, even before he was recruited by the God of War. The Chambers Building was the tallest structure in all of Lost Haven. It was a glorious one hundred and ten stories tall, only fifty stories behind the world record holder in India. It was a few blocks from Sherman Square, if Chike could recall correctly. An impressive sight, to be sure; a testament to human ingenuity.
Not that humans deserve any praise-The warrior stopped. He blinked twice and allowed that to play through his mind once more. He'd heard his own internal discourse correctly.
Where did THAT come from? He asked. Chike held no contempt for humanity. Not as a whole, anyway. There was just as much good as there was bad. Even if the bad appeared to out way the good, that was never truly the case. Good usually just rode under the vigilante's radar, seeing as how he focused his life on taking out the maniacal and corrupt, not the selfless and generous. Polemos shook the thoughts from his mind. Now was not the time for this. Chike required perfect inner tranquility and unity if he wished to excel in the fires of combat.
Chike removed the AK-47 from its hiding place in his jacket and crossed the street. People glanced at him wearily and began to move faster. It wouldn't be long before the police were contacted; he only had perhaps five minutes prior to the entire building being surrounded by officers of the law. More than enough time for Polemos to find and disable this 'bomb' and kill the giraffe-necked asshole who put it there. Chike shoved past a group of suited office workers and walked with a purpose in his step inside the lobby. He was on the hunt. Polemos didn't notice the slender figure draped in white that had been hunting him ever since he drew his firearm.
"Everyone clear the building! Now!" Chike screamed at the top of his lungs. The entire room froze, their eyes glued on him. With a roll of his eyes Polemos pointed his rifle at the single and fired a handle of shots.
"NOW!" The room's occupants were quick to obey the armed man's commands and swarmed out of the exits as quickly as they could. The secretary behind the front desk attempted to run as well, but Chike grabbed her and threw her back into her chair.
"Pull the fire alarm first." He growled. The woman obeyed and immediately made a break for the exit once she was finished. Water poured from the sprinklers installed in the ceiling and a twinge of guilt ate at Chike's conscious. He knew they wouldn't listen if he wasn't rough; he'd learned that much from Ares. But the fear in their faces always brought doubt.
No time for that. Chike thought.
Gotta keep moving.Polemos briskly jogged toward the stairs (the elevators would be out after the fire alarm stunt, he reckoned), double checking the scanner. Yup. This was the right place. The device placed the bomb on the roof, so he'd have to move quickly if he wanted to deactivate the thing before the cops showed. They never were very understanding of the vigilante's methods, despite his intent.
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