Chapter 4
A shimmering doorway opened in the mech hangar of Psi-Mechs, Inc.’s new Alaskan base. Eddie and Mercy stepped through it, and Scott followed them inside his Psi-mech. He had suited back up to more easily carry Susan before entering the portal after them. Once he was through, Eddie closed the portal, and its shimmering light died away as quickly as it had formed. Hank and Mac had stayed behind to load Mac and Susan’s damaged mechs aboard the TX-1. The two of them would be flying home in the transport and likely wouldn’t be arriving for a couple of hours at best.
Eddie missed having Hank there to greet him as they came through the portal, though the four of them were far from alone in the mech hangar. Hank’s crew of techs worked in shifts around the clock, maintaining the Psi-mechs and keeping them combat ready. There was always repair work to be done these days. It seemed like Scott’s people never got a break. As soon as one squad returned to base, another would be heading out. The number of missions Psi-Mechs, Inc. ran per day had increased fivefold since the Battle of New York. It was as if the monsters out there in the shadows knew somehow that Mavet had a plan to end the world, and they all wanted to get in what fun they could before that happened. None of them dared stand in Mavet’s way.
Dr. Riddle rushed forward to meet them. He’d replaced Dr. Gallenger as the company’s only doctor and biologist. Mercy could have taken on the job but refused to. She’d stood her ground with Ms. Grimm, and Mercy had firmly told her that she wanted to be in the field. Ms. Grimm had had no choice but to concede to Mercy’s wish. Mercy was too valuable to threaten with being let go. Her powers saved lives every day, and not just those of the company’s personnel. In situations where civilians, soldiers, or cops got caught in the crossfire between the company and the supernatural, she saved those lives, too.
Scott passed Susan off to Dr. Riddle, who had a hover stretcher waiting for her, but Susan didn’t need it. Mercy had healed her severed arms and blood loss.
“Will you all stop fussing over me?” Susan snapped. “I’m alright, damn it.”
“You’ve lost both your arms, young lady,” Dr. Riddle said. “You’re far from alright.”
“You gonna grow them back for me?” Susan’s cheeks were flushed red from the anger coursing through her. “No?” she spat when Dr. Riddle didn’t answer her. “I didn’t think so. Now back the heck up, I can walk on my own.”
“Susan…” Mercy cautioned her. “He’s just trying to help, and make sure you’re okay.”
“I don’t think I’m ever really going to be okay again, Mercy,” Susan said, a deep sadness in her voice. “But thanks to you, I’m alive. I’m grateful for that—I really am—but you have to understand, everything that mattered to me is over. What use am I to the company like this?”
“Ms. Grimm will see that you’re provided for,” Dr. Riddle said. “Injuries like yours are covered in your contract.”
“Well, yippie, Doc! I guess that means I can retire now, huh?” Susan turned to Scott. “May I be dismissed now sir?”
“You’re dismissed,” Scott answered her sadly. “Get some rest, okay?”
“Yes, sir!” Susan barked and headed toward the closest exit from the hangar.
“She’ll get over it.” Eddie snorted. “That lady is as tough as them come. It’s just going to take time.”
“I hope you’re right,” Scott told the flight jacket-wearing psycho-porter.
“Hey, look,” Eddie said with a smirk. He pointed at Ringer, who was entering the mech hangar as Susan left. “I think someone has some company coming to see them.”
Mercy blushed, shifting uncomfortably on her feet. She and Ringer had become a thing in the months since New York. There was no point trying to hide it when your workplace was filled with psychics. The two of them were still trying to figure things out between them, but everyone else acted like they were already hitched.
Ringer walked up to the group, looking relieved to see Mercy home in one piece. There was never any certainty that anyone who went on an op these days would return. Ringer looked uncomfortable, too. Everyone knew he was a private person.
“Welcome back,” he said to them all, though it was Mercy his eyes were locked onto as the words came out of his mouth.
“Could have used you out there,” Scott said as he popped his mech armor and got out of it.
“From the looks of things, I’d have to agree.” Ringer nodded solemnly. “Susan…”
“Look, man, you can’t be everywhere at once. I get it,” Scott stopped him. “What happened to Susan wasn’t your fault. I didn’t mean to imply that. I know Ms. Grimm has you and Tonya busting your humps to get us some more help in the field.”
“How’s that going, by the way?” Eddie asked, lighting up a thick cigar and sticking it between his lips.
“About as well as can be expected, I guess.” Ringer shrugged. “The two of us are never going to live up to Frank, but we’re doing what we can. In fact, Eddie, we’ll be needing your services soon. Ms. Grimm is sending us out to follow up on a lead.”
“Really?” Eddie eyed Ringer. “I didn’t think you guys were that far along yet.”
“It’s time.” Ringer shrugged again.
“We won’t keep bothering you then,” Scott spoke up. “Come on Eddie, I’m sure Ringer will find you when he’s ready.”
Eddie shot Scott a sharp glare at being pulled away but didn’t argue.
“Don’t you kids have too much fun!” Eddie laughed at Ringer and Mercy before turning to follow Scott out of the mech hangar.
When they were gone, Ringer looked at Mercy. “I missed you,” he said quietly. “I was worried about you out there.”
“You worry too much, Ringer.” Mercy moved closer to him. “I can take care of myself, you know.”
“I know,” Ringer said and took her hand. “I’ve got about an hour before I have to leave. If you don’t mind, I think we could spend the time somewhere a lot better than here.”
“Lead the way,” Mercy consented with a smirk on her lips.
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