The question was weighty enough to distract him for the entire meal. The intercom buzzed just as he set his fork down, and Multi’s voice boomed out from it.
“We’re having a meeting about how today’s operation is going to work,” said Multi. “Finish your food and get your asses to the command room.”
Malcolm smiled at Tapestry.
“Well, he’s in a cheery mood,” he said.
CHAPTER 29
Multi stood in front of the monitors in the command room, flanked on either side by Wax and one other copy. Malcolm felt odd looking up at them, suddenly realizing that he knew far less about how Multi’s powers worked than he thought he did.
He’s not all of them at once, but they all are him, or were him…? I’m going to confuse myself if I get caught up on this.
“We have a mission to accomplish today,” said the original Multi. “For a while now we’ve been keeping tabs on the Awakened Children, but with the recent captures of Clearhand and Wind Runner, it’s clear that we need to take action.”
The Multi to the left tapped on the keyboard, and a satellite image popped up on the screen.
“This is Fisswater Junkyard,” said Multi. “Several of our non-champion agents have been strategically spreading rumors about a newly gifted teenager who has set up a base of operations here. This is where we will spring our trap.”
Tapestry raised her hand, and Multi nodded to her.
“Your plan is to draw out the demon, Rain Dancer, and attack him here?” she asked.
Multi nodded.
“Along with the shield spryte, too, if we can,” he said. “Melt, Greenthumb. The two of you don’t take orders from me, but any assistance you can lend to our operation would be greatly appreciated.”
“We’re hunting monsters in the area,” said Greenthumb. “Given the nature of this mission, we’d be more than happy to lend our assistance. Right, Melt?”
Melt grunted in agreement.
“Good,” said Multi. “There’s more to it than just the junkyard.”
The Multi to the left tapped on the keyboard some more, bringing up an image of the Awakened Children’s church where Malcolm had first encountered Shield Maiden and Rain Dancer.
“I’m putting a skeleton of squad of two of you on this church, in case they try to retreat and hide among their followers,” said Multi. “Melt and Wind Runner, the two of you will find a place to safely watch the church from a distance and wait for them to make a move.”
Malcolm frowned and started to voice his objection. Melt beat him to it.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” asked Melt. “This is backbench duty. I’m going with the main assault team.”
“Absolutely not,” said Multi. He stared at Melt, his eyes burning with irritation over having his orders questioned.
“And just why not?” snapped Melt.
“Because I’ve worked with you before, Melt,” said Multi. “In case you’ve forgotten. I’m not interested in having a repeat of last time. It’s not Greenthumb’s job to calm you down when you get enraged.”
“Don’t bring me into this,” said Greenthumb. He turned to face his partner. “Look Melt, chances are at least one of the monsters is going to head in your direction once the fighting heats up. This isn’t our show, let Multi decide where each of us would fit best.”
Melt fumed, but slowly nodded his head. Malcolm scratched his head, wondering if there was any real need for him to press his own objection after that.
Multi knows what he’s doing. And if they’re going to be fighting Rain Dancer, maybe it’s better if I’m not there, given that his power is my weakness.
“Alright,” said Multi. “Tapestry, Morph, and Greenthumb. The three of you will head to the junkyard along with a small Multi contingent.”
Multi went on to explain the mission in greater detail, most of it pertaining more to the main squad than Malcolm and Melt. He dismissed them after about an hour. Malcolm walked next to Tapestry on his way out of the compound.
“Good luck,” he said. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Tapestry smiled at him.
“Trust me, I won’t,” she said. “Be careful.”
He gave her a hug, feeling a little odd at how concerned he suddenly felt for her wellbeing. She could regenerate. She was practically invincible. And yet still, Malcolm had a bad feeling that he just couldn’t shake off.
“Here.” Tapestry held out her hand. “Take every advantage you can get.”
Malcolm glanced around before carefully placing his palm on top of hers and willing himself to take her power. He wasn’t always in control of the mimicry, but with Tapestry, it was easy. Sure enough, almost immediately he felt the familiar tingling tickle of the absorption of a power. He grinned at her, and the two set off.
Melt was waiting next to a black truck and motioned for Malcolm to get in as he approached. They headed down the dirt trail and onto the main road in silence, until Melt finally cleared his throat and glanced over at him.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
Malcolm shrugged.
“Uh, yeah?” he said. “I stopped at the little boy’s room on the way out of HQ. Figured that since we’re essentially on stakeout, that would be my most pressing need.”
“We’re not going to be on stakeout,” said Melt. “Something’s going to happen. Some shit is going to go wrong, and we’re going to clean up the fucking mess.”
“Melt, were you the disturbed squad member from a war movie in a previous life?” asked Malcolm. “Because I can kind of see why Multi gave you this assignment.”
Melt glared at him, and Malcolm had to admit, it was a little intimidating.
“I’m approaching this rationally,” said Melt, in a voice that sounded anything but rational. “And if these cultists try to protect any of the monsters we find, we take them down, too. Got it?”
“No,” said Malcolm. “I don’t. That’s not happening.”
Melt slapped a hand against the dashboard.
“You’re a child,” he said. “You don’t understand, do you? You don’t have a fucking clue.”
“Well, feel free to share, if you’d like,” said Malcolm. “I’d certainly prefer a story to listening to you go full on PTSD for the rest of this drive.”
Melt laughed. The sound of it put Malcolm on edge.
“When I first became a champion,’ said Melt. “Greenthumb and I went after a demoness.”
“A demoness?” Malcolm raised an eyebrow. “Those are pretty rare, aren’t they?”
“Somewhat,” said Melt. “Most demons tend to be men, but there are a good number of female demons, and male sprytes, too. Anyway, this bitch went by the name ‘Bondage”, and she could sense the emotions of others.”
Malcolm shrugged.
“Doesn’t sound that bad,” he said. “As far as powers go, at least it can’t do physical harm.”
“That’s what we thought,” said Melt. “And we were absolutely fucking wrong. She was smart, and she could sense us coming. She practically knew what we were thinking, and lured us into a trap.”
Malcolm waited for Melt to continue, wondering where the story was headed.
“Greenthumb got away,” said Melt. “But she caught me. She knew what my powers were and had a room set up ahead of time.”
Melt closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Malcolm immediately reached across to keep the truck on the road, staring at Melt in disbelief.
This guy is not alright mentally.
“She left me in this room,” said Melt. “With a single way out for me, using my powers. A tiny hole along the floor. I went through it, not knowing where it led.”
“And?”
“She trapped me… in a bottle,” said Melt. “Screwed the top back on. Duct taped over it. She held me in that bottle for about two months straight, before Greenthumb managed to take her down.”