The Alpha Force: The Heart of the Church of Man

The Heart of the Church of Man

Prologue

 

 

 

“What do you mean they have taken Shieldra?”  Dark-Rider asked in haste.

“It was The Church of Man…they stormed our Head Quarters and abducted her.”  Boom Box answered.

“The Church of Man?  Who are they?  And what do they want with Shieldra?”  Jacob asked quickly.

“They are an Anti-Super Human Religious group.”  Plantra answered, “They've been targeting those like us in the New York area.”

“How’d they find you guys?”  Asked Molder.

“It’s a long story.”  Boom Box answered weakly.

“Then you can brief us as soon as we are in the air.  Big House out.”  Dark-Rider told him and ended communications.

“Good thing we got the whole week off from school for Thanksgiving,” Sparks spoke up.

“Yeah, we won’t have to have a cover story of why we’re leaving the state.”  Blaze agreed.

“Everyone grab what you’ll need for the next few days, including supplies that’ll help us rescue Shieldra.  Sparks I need you to get some extra Tech-Ware for The Beta Squad’s HQ.” Dark-Rider instructed.  “We leave in thirty minutes.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

 

 

The Alpha Force took flight in their Alpha Cargo Jet to New York City.  Once Frezor set The Auto Pilot, he joined the others in the communications part of the jet to be briefed on what had happened. “Okay, Boom Box we’re all here. Start at the beginning.”  Jacob told him.

“After we arrived in New York Shieldra had us start nightly patrols like we did back in Oregon, we patrolled the city in pairs and the campus where we live.  We were stopping the usual crimes, burglary and such.  Then about a month ago, a new “church” started up calling themselves “The Church of Man.”  At first, they were just going around telling people that God would not create people with abilities.  Then they began attacking safe houses of those who appeared to have abilities, but it turns out they were kids with special needs.  We went to go defend the kids from them, but they said we were the aggressors saying that they were there to exercise the children from being possessed.  Even with witnesses saying that The Church of Man attacked the kids, and we were there to help them, the media showed otherwise.”

“This gave them more of an edge with the people of the city.”  Long Yard pointed out.

“But how did they find out who you guys really were and the location of your HQ?”  Dark-Rider asked.

“They had placed a homing beacon on our battle van when they attacked another dorm here on our campus that housed people with abilities like our own.  No sooner than we got back from fending them off, they stormed the place inside and out…”

“And that’s when they kidnapped Shieldra?”  Jacob asked.

“Yes, they also got people backing them up, from the city council to the Governor of the state.”  Boom Box answered.

“Do they have a Pastor/leader?”  Dark-Rider then asked.

“They do, his name is Nathaniel Cagney Jr,” Aquatrina told them.

“What?”  Jacob asked in disbelief, “That’s my nephew.”

“Your nephew?”  They all asked at the same time.

“Yes, it would appear that he took over where his father left off.”

“What do you mean Jacob?” Molder asked.

“My brother Nathaniel was born shortly after I became The Dark-Rider.  Once he was old enough to understand who I really was, he became jealous and vowed that he would hunt down those who was more powerful than him and they would die, and he had a small group of followers.”

“I just looked up The Church of Man in the Archives, as it turns out, Nathaniel Sr. started it five years ago, and he passed away two years ago shortly before we formed The Alpha Force.  Since then his son took over and now they have a following of over 2 million people worldwide.  Only 10% of them live in New York alone.”  Mindra reported.

“I’d hate to see how big of a building they have.”  Molder told the others.

“We’re nearing The Beta House,” Frezor told the others as he noticed the autopilot beacon beeping off and on.

“Thanks, Frezor.”  Dark-Rider acknowledged.  We’ll be there in a few minutes Boom Box. We’ll finish our briefing when we get there.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

 

 

Shieldra looked around her surroundings to get the feel of the place just as her uncle had trained her.  She was tied to a chair bound by thick ropes one each hand and her feet were tied together and tied to the legs of the chair.  It was dark, except the light above her to show her she was in a small room of some kind.  No windows to bring in daylight or the stars of night, They did that on purpose for their prisoners to lose the sense of time.  She thought to herself and then said in her head, This is another fine mess I’ve gotten myself into.  She thought about using her abilities but then remembered that they had placed a DNA Inhibitor on her head to prevent her from using them.  These guys must have people from S.H.I.N.E. working for them, for only they had this kind of technology.  She deduced.  And there is no way I am going to cry for help, the last thing I am going to do is give these Religious morons the pleasure of having a damsel in distress.

The door opened and she tried to peer past her captor to see if she could make out anything, but all that was behind him was two other guys that were armed and blocking where she was trying to see.  “I hope you aren’t too uncomfortable.”  The man said pleasantly.  “You must know that we must keep you like this for our own protection.”

“Or do you mean your insecurities?”  She asked him, “Tie a defenseless girl to make you look more like a man?”

“But without that DNA Inhibitor, you aren’t defenseless are you?”  He asked, but she did not answer, she was not about to give him that satisfaction.  “You see I know what you exactly are…an abomination!”

“That’s an awfully big word from a man of small stature.”  She mocked him again.

“You got a mouth on you little girl, but that’s okay, for soon you won’t be talking much longer.”

“What you going to do cut out my tongue?”

"We’re going to sacrifice you in public.”  He told her bluntly.  “I’d figured that’d shut you up.  You see the Religious Article 117 stating here at The Church of Man protects us and I quote, ‘If the religious order is required to make a sacrifice whether it is an animal or even another human being they may do so without persecution under the law.’  So you see what we've been doing hasn't been illegal at all.”

“You’re referring to the attack on those kids and the dorms aren’t you?”  She asked him.

“That is correct, under the Religious Article 135: ‘If the religious order feels the need of a cleansing of those whom they believe to be a threat to them they may take any action they feel is necessary to protect their order.’  So, you see those kids you call them and those men and women…and I use the term lightly, that live in the dorms is considered a threat not only to The Church of Man but also the world.  Now it is to my understanding that you and your comrades consider yourselves Christians, but you see we believe that God would and will never use people like yourselves for good, therefore we must do God’s work for him to ensure the safety of his true followers and humanity.”

“Wow, you people are really screwed up you know?  You judge who is of God and even if it is against God’s will you go through with your plans to ensure the so-called safety of humanity.  You’re no more a man of innocence than that of Hitler or Stalin.”

“Comparing me to those monsters are you?”  He asked darkly, “When in fact you who are the monster.”

“Just who are you anyways?”  She asked him.

“Well look at the time.”  He ignored her, and started to walk out, “I shall see you soon cousin.” They walked out the door leaving Shieldra in a state of troubled confusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

 

 

The Alpha Force landed in the secret hangar under The Beta House; once they were out of the jet, they observed the damage.  Sparks gave a low whistle and said, “Wow these guys really tore up the place.”

“You should see what it looks like upstairs.”  Plantra greeted them.  “Boom Box is in the Control Room trying to get a fix on Shieldra’s location.”

“Any luck?”  Dark-Rider asked.

“Not yet but we won’t give up,” Plantra said with assurance.

“Sparks, go throughout the whole complex and see what needs to be repaired from the highest to the lowest of priorities.”  Within seconds Sparks was gone and back again with a list.  “Now I want you, Metallacia, Frezor, and Long Yard to get started on fixing them.”  Sparks nodded and turned to the other for them to follow him to their first project.

“Plantra if you will be so kind to show us to The Control Room?”  Jacob asked her, and she led the way.

Once they were in The Control Room, they could see Boom Box along with Aquatrina trying to locate their leader.  “I take it you’re having no luck yet?”  Dark-Rider asked them.

“None what-so-ever,” Aquatrina answered.

“Until we get our internal sensors back online we only have a limited search area.”  Boom Box informed them.

“I’m sure you are doing the best that you can.”  Jacob patted him on the shoulder, “and for that, you have my thanks.”

“I appreciate it, Jacob.”

“What more can you tell us about this Church of Man?”  Molder asked.

“Not much more than we haven’t already told ya.  But in my view whatever they have planned for Shieldra it can’t be good.”

“I agree, we must do all we can to not only rescue her but also stop this so called Church of Man,”  Dark-Rider told the others and they all nodded.

“Maybe we should try the diplomatic approach?”  Molder asked, “Since that’s what you normally do.”  He reminded his leader.

“I don’t think that these people are interested in wanting to negotiate with the likes of us.”  Boom Box told him.

“However, I am no longer one with super-human abilities.”  Jacob reminded them.  “And I am his Uncle…therefore Nathaniel might listen to what I say.”

“That could work, what do you think Dark-Rider?”  Boom Box asked.

“I’m thinking…Jacob, what is Shieldra’s favorite flower?”

“You were her boyfriend and you can’t remember that?”  Jacob asked in disbelief, “Marigolds but why do you ask?”

“Cause I have a plan…”

“Uh oh.”  Molder interrupted, “And something tells me a couple of us aren’t going to like it.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

 

Jacob approached the doors of The Church of Man and walked inside.  He was greeted by a young man behind a desk, “May I help you, sir?”  He was in his early 20’s, had blond hair and blue eyes, athletic build, and from what Jacob could tell was at least over six feet tall.

“Yes, I am here to see Reverend Nathaniel Cagney Jr.”

“I’m sorry sir, but the good Reverend is busy at the moment with Council of Elders.”

“I’m sure that he will dismiss the meeting once he hears that is Uncle Jacob is here to see him.”  He told the young man with a determined tone of voice.

“Yes sir, I will call him immediately.”  He gulped as he picked up the phone and dialed the extension.

Inside the meeting room of the building, The Council of Elders was discussing the plans they had made to be sure that the sacrifice would be a success.  The phone rang interrupting one of the elders; Nathaniel put it on speakerphone and said, “I thought I told you we didn’t want to be disturbed?”

“I know Reverend; however your Uncle Jacob is here to see you and is insisting that you come out here ASAP.”

“Very well.”  He sighed, “Inform my uncle that I will be out there momentarily.”  He turned off the phone, looked at the other men in the building, and smiled, “He fell for it.”

Moments later Nathaniel went out to the lobby of the building and greeted Jacob, “Uncle Jacob how nice to see you!”  He reached out his hand for a handshake but could see that Jacob had both hands full carrying a flowerpot.  “How long has it been?  I believe the last time I saw you were at Father’s funeral.”

“Let’s skip the pleasantries shall we?  I’m here for Nicole.”

“Well, she’s not here.”

“Then where is she?”

Nathaniel looked at the clerk, “You did check him for bugs?”  The young man nodded.  “I shall take you to her, and the plant?”

“It’s her favorite flower if anything at least allow her to have this?”  He asked extending it to him.

“I shall take you to her.”  He snapped his fingers and four men appeared with guns, “I hope you don’t mind being blindfolded?”

“Wouldn't be the first time.”

“Very well.”  He again turned to the clerk, “Brother Jeremiah please cancel the rest of my appointments…and take the rest of the day off.”

“Thank you, Reverend.”

“And one more thing, next time you need to relieve yourself, please do so in the men’s bathroom.”

Moments later they exited the building with Jacob led to the car and once inside the vehicle he had a hood put over his head.  “They’re about to leave.”  Boom Box said through his communicator dressed up in street gear across the street.

“Good, Aquatrina tag the car,” Dark-Rider ordered as he sat in the team’s battle van in its disguise.

Aquatrina was in the sewer system in the building and she placed herself under the grate, stretched out with her aquatic hand, and placed the tracer under the rear bumper of the limo.  “Done.  Can I get out of here now?”

“Yes, you and Boom Box can now join the rest of us in The Battle Van.”  Moments later after the limo had left the other two joined the others and they left after the limo.  “Sparks status?”

“They are now only two miles ahead of us,” Sparks reported.

“Good, let’s try to keep that distance I don’t want them to know they are being followed.”

Nearly thirty minutes later the limo pulled up to Island Harbor in an abandoned cannery.  They led Jacob into the building and took off the hood.  It took him a few seconds for his eyes to readjust.  “I take it we are where she is being held?”  He asked Nathaniel.

“Yes, but you can’t see her just yet.  You and I have a lot of catching up to do, but I will allow the plant to be taken to her.  Brother Seth if you’d be so kind to deliver these flowers to the captive?”  The man nodded and took the plant from Jacob and went down the man-made hallway.  He was led into what had been the supervisor’s office upstairs and was offered a seat.  “Shall I get you something to drink?”

“Water would be nice.”  He was then handed a glass with water in it and a pitcher of water to refill his glass.

“Now to discuss the terms of your surrender…”  Nathaniel began to say.

“Is that what you think I am here to discuss?  I am here to get my niece out of here and unharmed.”  Jacob countered.

“I am sorry for the deception Uncle, however, I must turn you into the government for the crimes you have committed.  You see I have the backing not only of the city and state governments but also the national and the U.N. governments as well.  I mean you killed Hitler if you don’t remember.”

“I remember that day quite well.”  He said with remorse thinking of his dear sweet fiancé being murdered by the heartless man.

“Not only that but there’s the fact that during the time with you being The Dark-Rider that you had been a bit of a vigilante.  That is also against the law.”

“And kidnapping isn’t?”

“We are a recognized religious order we have the laws’ backing in what we do.”

“This world has changed over the last 4 or so decades and not for the best either.”  Jacob began to lecture.  “All you claim to say it is better…but better for whom?  For those who have power?  And instead of helping those who were in need you chose to exploit them, send them to labor camps until they die or are killed for they couldn’t complete the work.”

“But now we no longer have homeless people crowding our streets begging for money instead we now have upstanding citizens walking the streets.  Oh sure we have criminals here and there but those people were nameless faces anyways.”

“Jesus said that we would always have the poor with us.  So you haven’t completely gotten rid of them, for they are still around.”

“Oh yes, they are but just not seen.”  Nathaniel laughed darkly.

“You are just like your father evil in the heart where God should live.”

“But I am doing God’s work!”  Nathaniel shouted in defiance, “Just like my father, and those who followed him and myself.  God is just not moving fast enough to our liking, therefore, we are doing it for him and will be called blessed.”

“By men, not by God!  In His eyes, you are as heartless as Satan himself!”  Just then, Nathaniel took a hold of his throat and began to choke Jacob.

“If I were you, I’d be careful of what I say from now on.”  He warned Jacob, “You’re not immortal anymore, which means which just enough pressure I can kill you and then you can go to God and plead for mercy for not following his appointed one’s plan.”  He then let go and Jacob gasped for air. “Now where were we?  Oh yes, your terms of surrender.”

 

Chapter 5

 

 

 

Brother Seth walked into the darkened room where Shieldra was being held and stared at her.  She was no longer wearing her Bio-Suit as the power cells had gone out and so she was wearing jeans and a purple shirt.  “So that is what you really look like,” Seth stated.

“Yeah, why?  Were you expecting a monster under my mask?”  She asked him.  “Those for me?  You shouldn't have.”

“They are not from me; they are from your Uncle…”

“Uncle Jacob he’s here?”  She asked in hope that he was right behind the guy and was going to knock him out, but his answer puts that hope to death.

“He’s discussing the terms of his surrender to the Reverend.”

“I know my Uncle, he won’t surrender.”

“Then maybe you don’t know him as you thought he did.”  He then dropped the plant pot to the ground, “Whoops, maybe you should’ve been nice to me…or better yet never been born…abomination.”  Then he left.

“Jerk of year!”  She yelled at him, then she looked at the plant that was now on the ground and said, “Poor little Marigolds, I’m sorry that mean man did that to you.”  Then she started to cry.  As she did the soil started to gather itself together, the plant began to grow, and they returned to the form of Molder and Plantra.

“Thanks for the Eulogy but it won’t be necessary at this point,” Plantra told her.

“You guys are here, that means…”

“The others aren’t too far behind,” Plantra assured her.

“But how?”

“It was Dark-Riders’ plan and it actually worked.”  Molder told her and began to untie her as they filled her in on what was going on.  “Now let’s see if we can get that DNA Inhibitor off of you.”  Molder began to reach for it and but she stopped him.

“The device has a kill switch if you don’t put in the right password in I’m a dead girl.”  She warned them.

“Sounds like Spark’s department, let’s get you out of here.”  Molder said as he handed her a couple of power cells, “Figured you’d needed them.”

“Thanks.”  She replaced the cells and then activated her Bio-Suit.  “Now let’s get out of here.”

“Wait one more thing to do.”  Plantra stopped her in her tracks and nodded to Molder, who then pointed his hands towards the chair and within seconds a copy of Shieldra.  Then placed the ropes around where they once were and grabbed a second DNA Inhibitor that was sitting on a table and placed on the copy’s head.

“Now we can leave.”  Molder told her and he activated his communicator,

“Molder to Battle Van, we've recovered Shieldra.  Are we in the clear?”

“This is Sparks, all hostiles are right now with Jacob and Nathaniel, once you’re out of the building, we shall give the signal for him to leave.”

“Good we’re on our way out; let us know of any change.”  Molder told him as he led them down the hallway.  Molder knew he really did not have to worry thanks to The Battle Van’s heat signature sensors showing Sparks where they were and where their foes were as well.

“You’re nearing one of the side exits, take it and once you guys are in the van we’ll signal Jacob,” Sparks told them.  Molder acknowledged and they took the exit and the van was waiting for them.  “Welcome back!  Now to signal Jacob.”

In the office, all four guards had a fix on Jacob in case he tried to get away but he just sat there as Nathaniel kept encouraging him to surrender.  “I promise you if you surrender now, then I will not only let the girl go but also you will not die but rot in jail instead.”

“I shall not surrender…”  Jacob told him for the hundredth time, and was interrupted by the beeping of his alarm on his watch, “For time is up.”  He grabbed two of his cuff links that were really miniature power cells, slammed them to the ground and covered his eyes.  The other men screamed in pain, Jacob then pushed a couple of them out of the way and made a break for the exit.  He went through the door and leaped into the van.

“Go!”  Dark-Rider ordered Boom Box who driving and they were gone.

“What if they try to follow us?”  Shieldra asked.

“You doubt me?  I’m hurt.” Dark-Rider said sarcastically.  “Sparks if you would do the honors?”

“I’d thought you’d never asked.” He bowed his head and pressed a button and the limo inside the cannery exploded.  “Their transportation has been neutralized.”

“Nice work, now let’s get back to The Beta House,” Dark-Rider told the others.   “And Sparks get that thing off of Shieldra’s head.”

In the cannery, Nathaniel and his guards had recovered their sight.  “Let’s check on the girl.”  He opened the darkened rooms’ door and saw that she was still there.  “Well, my dear it looks like Uncle Jacob won’t be coming to rescue.”  He taunted her, but she kept her head down.  “What nothing to say?”  He asked as he lifted the copy’s head up and the whole thing shattered into dust.  “How?  Those abominations!”  He yelled and threw the chair at the guards, who ducked out of the way, “This is far from over!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

 

               

After both The Alpha Force and Beta Squad returned from their rescue mission, those that remained met with the others in the meeting room.  They all briefed each other on what had transpired over the last couple of hours.  Repairs were nearly finished; Shieldra and Jacob briefed the others on what they had learned.  When they were done, the repairs crews went back to work while Boom Box sat in the control room to monitor communications of the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies to see if The Church of Man was going to make another move against the super-human community.  Mindra was going to the archives computer to look up everything she could on the Religious acts articles that were brought up by Nathaniel.  Shieldra went to go get a shower, Jacob went inside one of the guest rooms to take a nap.  Aquatrina and Plantra went to the kitchen to prepare dinner along with Molder.  Dark-Rider went into The Beta House’s Holo-Dome and began to mess with the controls to make the simulation to look like the restaurant that he and Shieldra had gone to in Italy on their first date after becoming The Alpha Force.

“That seems like a lifetime since that night,” Dark-Rider said aloud and did not notice Shieldra had come in.

“Wow, it looks exactly how I remembered it.”  She told him and noticed she had startled him. “Sorry, didn’t mean to surprise you.”

“It’s okay, not that often anymore that someone gets the jump on me.”  He assured her.

“I guess you and I needed to discuss some things huh?”  She asked rhetorically.

“Which is why I figured I’d at least put in a program to where both of us could be comfortable.”  He told her and offered her a seat.  Once they were both seated, they at first tried to say something at the same time, and then he motioned for her to go first.

“I’m sure you read the note, and I’m sorry I ended it like that, it’s just that I didn’t want to tell you when and if there was a chance that someone would’ve walked in on the conversation.”

“I understand.  But the question is why?”

“After being here for the first few weeks I realized that there was no way that I could lead a team of people and also try to keep a relationship going when the two of us are on the opposite sides of the states.”  He nodded in agreement, “Plus another thing is that we’re both in high school, and what are the chances that you and I would last?  Then what college?  Then finally get married?  I was so unsure that it was distracting me from what my duties as a leader.”

“As a leader myself, I too felt those pressures and faced those same questions.  Plus it helps or not helps pending on how you look at it, not able to sleep.  And you’re right we’re both in high school, and whether or not it would’ve worked or not will always be a haunting question that’s going to be on our minds for quite some time.”

“But I haven’t stopped or will stop caring for you.”  She assured him as she took his hand in hers.

“Same with me.”  He promised, and they stared out at the holographic moon and stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

 

 

Nathaniel and The Council of Elders called for an emergency meeting being they no longer had their captive and they discussed with the congregation there and abroad via satellite and internet.  “The abominations that call themselves The Alpha Force and Beta Squad have rescued their comrade in arms.  Therefore we must have a contingency plan to go through with our plans of that of a sacrifice.”  Nathaniel told all of them from his pulpit, “We must find a way to do so.”

“According to my sources at S.H.I.N.E., there is a safe house for teens with powers.  They have also told me that tonight is one of the nights they meet to discuss their ‘problems’ as one that is not human.”  One of the elders spoke up.

“And the location?”  Another elder asked.

“It is 20 miles outside of the city in an abandoned barn.”

“Excellent.”  Nathaniel exclaimed, “then we shall take all of them hostage for the surrender of The Alpha Force and their friends.”

Later that night as the teens were sitting in a circle, there was a group of eight along with a counselor.  They discussed on how they can cope with their abilities and wondered how they could live a normal life.  There were snacks and drinks provided, but little did they know that they were about to face the horrors of humanity.  As they were having their discussion, a couple of DNA grenades were tossed into the barn as well as knockout gas.  Within seconds, they were out and were carried out, put into a van blindfolded.

When the mission was over Nathaniel and The Council of Elders was told that, the plan was a success and that were now taking them to the location of sacrifice.  “Well done brothers.  Keep them in the van until we get there to set up.”  Nathaniel turned off the speakerphone and turned to the others, “Brothers it looks like we will have our sacrifice.”

“I just got off the phone with S.H.I.N.E. and they have agreed to help us fend off anyone who tried to stop our sacrifice tonight.”  One of the elders spoke up.

“And what of the media, have they been notified of this record breaking news?”

“Oh yes, our sources at all the stations have informed that they will be there for when you give your sermon and it will be televised worldwide.”  Another Elder assured.

“Good now, shall we be on our way?”  He asked them.

Moments later, they had arrived at their location and then began setting up the stakes at which the sacrifices would be tied too and then placed wood at the bottom of the stakes in which they would set on fire.  One of the Elders approached Nathaniel, “All is ready Reverend.”

“Excellent Brother Phillip.  Bring out the sacrifices and tie them to the stake.  Then once that is finished I shall not only begin my sermon but an ultimatum to The Alpha Force and Beta Squad.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

 

 

“All Alpha Force and Beta Squad members report to The Control Room immediately!”  Boom Box’s voice rang throughout the complex.  Within minutes, all of them were assembled.  “You need to see this.”  He pointed to the screen.

“My fellow members of the world, I Reverend Nathaniel Cagney Jr. of The Church of Man are here to offer an ultimatum to so-called heroes that go by the names of The Alpha Force and Beta Squad.  Behind me, you can see that I have exercised our religious right and have put up eight individuals on stakes to be burned as living sacrifices to the God of Heaven.  If you are the heroes that you believe that you, are then I demand that you meet us here and take their place as the sacrifice.  You have exactly 30 minutes to show otherwise the blood of these young abominations will be on your hands and not on ours.”

“That monster!”  Boom Box shouted almost at full volume.

“Easy man we’re gonna save them.”  Long Yard told him.  “We are aren’t we?”  he then turned to both Dark-Rider and Shieldra.

“Bio-Suits activate!”  Dark-Rider said.

Twenty minutes later, they were in Central Park where the sacrifice was to take place.  The ones who could fly carried others who could not while Sparks stuck to the ground and carried Metallacia.  Once the people in the park saw that they were there, they made a space for them to approach the platform.  “We’re here at your request.”  Dark-Rider told Nathaniel, “We surrender.”  He then placed the sheath carrying The Laser Blade down on the table nearby.  “Release them and we shall take their place, however, you must let them go free.”

“Very well.”  Nathaniel agreed and then nodded at the men to release the teens from the stakes.  “You’re free to go.”  He assured them and they ran through the crowd, and deep within the park.  “Now if you be so kind to put these DNA Inhibitors on your heads?”  They complied and then were tied to the stakes.  “Now ladies and gentlemen of the world I shall begin my sermon.”

 

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

 

 

The Reverend Nathaniel Cagney Jr. began his sermon after saying a prayer of thanks.  “These abominations here have called themselves heroes over the past year or so, yet they have always left a path of destruction.  They have brought down some criminals yes; however, they refuse to work alongside with the law and through the governments of today.  Therefore I have had the blessing of even The Pope to go through with this sacrifice that not only to rid of these abominations that we see here before our eyes.  But also, to give an example to all of the other abominations around the world that we The Church of Man will hunt all of them down and have them sacrificed to the God of Heaven.”

“I think I’m going to be sick!”  Molder said in a hushed tone, as Nathaniel carried on.  The others nodded but they knew that there was nothing that they could do.  They had agreed to wear the DNA Inhibitors, which now caused them to be like any mortal man.

“I can’t believe it’s going to end like this.”  Blaze cried.

“Looks like he wasn’t joking about those articles of religious freedom or whatever.”  Shieldra murmured.

“I researched those and they don’t exist.”  Mindra answered, “But it looks like they have back to make sure they go through with it.”  She nodded towards all the S.H.I.N.E. agents armed to the teeth.

“Don’t worry.”  Frezor assured her, “I’m sure knowing Dark-Rider he’s got a plan all mapped out for us to get free.”  He then looked at his leader.

“I do, it’s called praying.”  Then bowed his head back down.

“Maybe he’s got the right idea,” Shieldra said and she too bowed her head, and one by one, the others followed suit calling upon the Name of Jesus Christ.

“Now with that said, let us pray for these poor souls.”  Nathaniel finished in closing, “God of Heaven and Earth please do not place your judgment upon us your servants but upon these abominations that we know are not of your creation.  In addition, we pray that you do not allow them into your kingdom but to send them to the depths of Hell!  We pray this in the Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of ….Holy Fire!”  He shouted as balls of fire had fallen from heaven and landed with a great thunderous sound as they hit each of the heroes.  “You see?”  Nathaniel asked the crowd, “God is on our side, not of these abominations for He himself has set them aflame!”  However, his words that he was going to say after that last sentence was lost for out of the fire...The Alpha Force and The Beta Squad!  “No! How is this possible?”

“God is the God of the living, not of the dead.”  Dark-Rider quoted.  “HE sends his regards.”

“Then we shall do what HE would not!”  Nathaniel claimed as he took The Laser Blade out of the sheath.

“No don’t!  Only the Dark-Riders’ and those who are deemed worthy by God can hold The Laser Blade!”  Dark-Rider warned him.

“I am an anointed man of God…”  Then he could not say any more for The Laser Blade came to life with power and burned off his complete left arm!  Nathaniel screamed inhumanly, as he grabbed near his left shoulder where his arm once was and the sword flew to return to the hand of its steward.

“Tried to warn him,” Dark-Rider said with remorse.

“Kill them!”  Nathaniel ordered.  “Kill every last one of them!”

“But Reverend your arm!  We need to get you out of here!”  Exclaimed one of the Elders.

“Never mind my arm!  They must all die!  That is why we exist!”  He screamed at everyone in attendance.  Nevertheless, as he ranted on, the crowd began to disperse; the media picked up their cameras and microphones and began to pack stuff into their vans.  “Where are you going?”  He asked all of them, “You must do as I say!”  However, everyone ignored him even some of his began to depart.  “Cowards!  I will kill them myself!”  He picked up an ax nearby and was knocked out by a stun bolt by Shieldra.

“That’ll shut him up.”  She said putting her arm down.

“Take your leader to the hospital.”  Dark-Rider told his followers, “But tell him this when he awakes.  Anytime you guys dare attack a group of innocents, super-human or not, you will have us to deal with.”  They gave him a nod and took their leader away.  “Now let’s show these people that we are of peace.  Let’s clean up this mess.”  Dark-Rider instructed the others and within minutes the area of Central Park that they were in looked as if nothing happened, and for this, the media was more than happy to record and report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

 

 

Hours after his defeat by The Alpha Force and Beta Squad, Reverend Nathaniel Cagney Jr. sat up on his hospital bed with a couple of members of his “church”.  They told him of Dark-Rider’s message to him and he told them all to leave for they were all cowards.  He then lied back down and took a deep sigh.  His doctor had told him that there was nothing they could really do for him except to rest for a few days.  The next moment after he had reflected that thought he heard someone come into his room.  “I told all you I wanted to be alone!”

“But good Reverend we are here to offer you a chance to have an arm again.”  Said a female Russian voice.  “An offer I am sure will not refuse.”  And when she showed herself she then said, “Also a chance to get back those who did this to you.”

“I’m listening.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Epilogue

 

 

 

Both of the teams got together for a Thanksgiving dinner.  For the teens, it was a first since the loss of their families.  Now they had another one, but which could never replace their loss.  They all sat together around a big table at The Big House, the first time for The Beta Squad to be there since they had departed.  As they ate, they talked about all their battles they had faced and trials they overcome throughout the last couple of months.  When they were done eating, each did their part of the cleanup.  While the other members of The Alpha Force helped the members of their counterparts with loading new equipment that Sparks had created to help them in their fight against evil in The Big Apple, the two leaders met up together for one last time in the meeting room.

“I wonder if I’ll be more ready for the next threat.”

“I’m sure you will do your best.”  He told her, “I think it’s time for you to take your team back to NYC.”

“Trying to get rid of me?”  She teased him.

“Not really, I still want you here with the rest of us.  But we both have duties to fulfill and we both know there is no way you and I can do this together anymore.”

“I know.”  She agreed, and then gave him a big hug, and once she released she said, “Well time to go.”

The Beta Squad loaded up in their Beta Jet and The Alpha Force saw them as they took flight.  “God speed,” Jacob said and returned to I.Q. to do some monitoring.  The rest of the team went to their rooms to get a good nights’ rest for they had earned.  However, for The Dark-Rider his night had just begun.