"What's happening?" The ground thundered as the building collapsed, dust bellowing everywhere. It splashed against Anderson's windshield, blinding him. He slammed hard on the brakes, narrowly avoiding crashing his police cruiser into a pole.
Cries of pain howled through the obscuring cloud, but he focused on the immediate problem ahead. Anderson coughed, covering his mouth with his arm as he left his vehicle and unholstered his weapon.
"What could cause this building to collapse?" It had just burst apart, like a wrecking ball had struck it. But no construction equipment sat anywhere nearby. Wary of danger, he crept toward the collapsed building, checking for signs of trapped people.
With deft fingers, he tapped his phone to request emergency services. But he paused as a figure dressed in wolf armor pulled themselves from the rubble. To his astonishment, the armor was real metal—not plastic or cardboard like something from a fan convention. They limped toward him before collapsing. Their armor flashed, and Anderson gasped as a familiar, suited figure appeared.
The girl raised a weak hand. "Please, I need to escape before he gets me."
"Who?" Questions about the armor could wait. Her desperate words had sparked his natural cop instincts, and Anderson helped the biker girl to her feet.
"Huh?" Anderson furrowed his brow in confusion when he touched her body. Was that padding?
A thundering boom caught Anderson's attention, and he gasped in disbelief as something tore through the building's wreckage. Whatever the creature was, it definitely wasn't human.
"You aren't getting away, Fenrir."
"Please," Yareli pleaded again, totally helpless.
"Hang on!" Anderson didn't hesitate, pulling the girl into his car. She was surprisingly light. His eyes bulged in panic when the monster spotted him, catching his clumsy rescue attempt.
Anderson nearly stumbled over his own feet in his rush to the driver's side door, his sweaty fingers struggling to open the latch.
"You aren't going anywhere!" The monster stomped after them, relentless in its pursuit. But it paused as a bullet struck its head.
"Get going!" Though terrified beyond belief, Johnson's hand was firm as he backed up his partner. These seconds of distraction gave Anderson just enough time to stumble into the driver's seat. He didn't even put on his seat belt as he activated the controls, forgetting about the autodrive.
The monster's footsteps thundered as it rushed to stop him, but Johnson leapt onto its back with abandon, momentarily halting its progress—until a swipe of its hand tossed him through a nearby wired fence.
Brave fool. Anderson prayed to God that he hadn't lost his partner. His car squealed as it sped into a side road, the vehicle bucking as he took a curve too hard.
The monster moved to pursue, but halted, deciding against it. Still, it watched them, promising this wasn't over. They were safe—for now.
"Young lady, explain to me what the hell is…" Anderson's voice froze, almost colliding with an oncoming car in his shock. The biker girl's helmet had fallen off as her body slumped over in the back seat. It couldn't be possible. Another near collision brought his attention back to the road, and he parked in a random lot.
"She's a skeleton." Anderson's words sounded dumb to his own ears, like he was parroting something he didn't understand. What the hell was happening? He shook his head like a broken automaton, repeating the action over and over. "Am I dreaming?"
"Thanks for rescuing me."
Anderson jerked in surprise, his head smarting as it collided with the roof. The skeleton girl was moving!
A million questions fought for attention, but he settled on the most pressing one. "What the hell are you?"
Yareli remained silent for several moments before answering. "I wish I knew that myself."
Welcome pain spiked through Anderson's head as he slammed it against the steering wheel, praying it would wake him from this insanity. Yareli reattached her helmet, fiddling with the door controls to free herself.
"Sorry, but you're not leaving until I get some answers."
"Yeah, right." Yareli held a strange pendant in her hand. But she returned it around her neck a moment later, deciding against whatever she had planned. "I suppose you deserve that much. Ask anything."
"What was that monster?"
"That was President Wilson, head of Ymir."
Anderson blinked, momentarily baffled. "Care to elaborate?"
"Ymir is creating weapons capable of turning people into monsters. It's part of their plan to take over the world. Selim, leader of Niflhel, used one to transform into that spider monster. He stole it from Visscher during their fight."
These devices transform people into monsters? World domination? Why not. But it explained a few things. He'd always had suspicions that the company was involved in shady dealings. There'd been rumors about government officials turning a blind eye to their activities. This complicated matters.
"This belt transforms me into the armor you saw earlier," Yareli continued. "Guns can't stop them. My power might be the only thing capable of fighting them. Wilson seeks to capture me and steal my belt."
"And you have this belt because…?" Yareli remained silent, unwilling to answer.
Anderson had a deep suspicion that she'd stolen it from Ymir. How the hell could he explain any of this to his higher-ups? A worse thought struck him. What if they were on Ymir's payroll? Anderson wasn't naïve enough to believe every cop was clean.
"You're taking this calmer than I expected," Yareli said.
"No, I'm damn well not!" Anderson snapped back. "Ever since I took this case, the world has gone crazy. You're telling me Wilson is creating monsters to take over the world? I'm just a homicide detective! This is well beyond my pay grade!"
"Sorry." Yareli lowered her head, pained.
"Ain't your fault, kid." Anderson's mind raced, considering his options. Since fate apparently hated him personally, he needed to act on this new information. World domination. Could anyone even pin such a charge on a corporation? Making any charges stick against such a giant entity with an army of the best lawyers would be a nightmare.
"This isn't my field, damn it." Anderson thought. Aloud, he said. "Okay, lie low for now. I'll pull some strings, see what I can uncover about this weapon program."
And then they could ask some pointed questions about why some street thugs were able to steal weapon tech and go on a rampage. Then what? End with lawsuits for reckless endangerment to the public? That's only a stopgap measure, but the public pressure might pause whatever plans they had brewing. Then the implications of such technology hitting the black market struck him.
If ordinary means can't fight these monsters, what happens once criminals use them? Anderson slammed his head against the steering wheel again, hating his life.
"What now?" Yareli fidgeted in her seat. "Are you turning me in?"
"No, I'm not." He realized how frightened the girl must be, and a wave of compassion washed over him. "Don't worry. I'm keeping your secret. I have no intention of turning you over to some lab."
"Thank you."
"Let's get you somewhere safe." Anderson broke into a genuine smile. "Then, you can expound on Ymir's activities. You're an important witness." Though, having a skeleton take the stand would be… odd.
"Release me. Selim's still out there." Yareli fiddled with the door control again. "We can't afford to let Ymir defeat him first. Wilson told me they'd sent someone after him. They'll make him disappear and eliminate any evidence."
"Oh no, you're going somewhere safe." Anderson's voice brooked no argument. "You can barely stand." The biker girl might not have realized it, but her body wobbled unsteadily.
"Damn it! This has never happened before." Yareli slumped against the chair. "How can I be tired? I don't sleep or feel pain, yet my body feels drained. Worn out."
"Beats me. I've never met a skeleton person before. It's for the best. No more fighting. Let me handle Ymir. They aren't something you can fight with fists. Any heroics will probably get you killed."
Instead of responding, Yareli brooded in silence.
His phone buzzed, and he sighed in relief when he noticed the call came from his partner.
"Are you okay? What's happening?"
"Fine, actually," Johnson replied. "That weird rooster monster only knocked the wind out of me, but otherwise left me alone. What about the girl? Did you get her to safety? Why was it chasing her?"
At least President Wilson had avoided a murder rap.
"She's safe. I'll explain later. Selim Vagh, status?"
"Good news and bad news on that front. We've apprehended a good portion of his gang. But Vagh himself is still at large. He's received some serious injuries."
"By what?" Even Yareli's wolf armor had been no match for those monsters.
"Uh, well. Ymir did, sir."
"What? Did that rooster monster stop him?"
"Turn on your TV. See for yourself."
"What's going on?" Yareli asked, peering closer.
Not liking the sound of this, Anderson switched on his car's monitor to the local news. A female reporter spoke over a scene of havoc and destruction. He recognized the building that Wilson had totaled.
"A strange occurrence happened in downtown Bifrost as it became the scene of a massive and bloody battle. Reports say sixteen police officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. Selim Vagh, leader of the notorious Niflhel gang, reportedly went on a rampage earlier today at thirteen hundred hours using stolen experimental technology. The suspect still remains at large."
"Stolen technology?" Yareli asked.
"Reports say the gang leader stole it from Ymir's late Head of Media, Arend Visscher. The gang ruthlessly killed him and spirited away the Angra Armlet, the device used to cause the scene of carnage today. The Bifrost Police Department assembled a SWAT team to apprehend the suspect for the murder. But they were unprepared for the device's power. It turned Niflhel's leader into a spider-like monster, and the SWAT team was completely helpless against its assault."
Pictures of a white spider creature, taken with a camera phone, appeared on the screen.
"The suspect continued to rampage until these brave young women arrived to stop him. Together they drove Vagh off and protected the officers still on scene."
More pictures appeared, showing women in strange armor wielding spears and flying with dazzling white wings. Gray armor covered their bodies, with winged helmets and thin visors hiding their faces. Attached to their belts was a black and silver device in the rough shape of a V with a diamond-shaped panel. Their visors glowed a luminescent red.
"They call themselves the Valkyries, straight out of the old Norse myths. A new type of protective armor developed by Ymir for both police and military use. They arrived on the scene to protect our brave officers from Vagh. Their leader, Ilma Halvorsen, is here to answer some questions. Can you explain more about the Valkyrie System and its purpose? What went through your mind as you confronted that terrible creature?"
"The Valkyrie System is a new type of combat armor capable of withstanding far more than your typical body armor." A new woman appeared on the screen. She removed her Valkyrie armor's helmet, revealing platinum hair done up in a short, curly bob. She was younger than Anderson had expected, tall with lean muscular frame. "It greatly enhances physical strength, useful for combat situations and search and rescue. Observe."
Ilma gestured to a fellow Valkyrie still in armor. They walked up to the collapsed building and grabbed a piece of the fallen roof with one hand. With little difficulty, they lifted it, revealing an officer trapped underneath. EMTs rushed to the man's aid and pulled him to safety. With a casual flick, the Valkyrie tossed the slab aside like a Styrofoam block.
"Remarkable," the reporter said, astonished, temporarily losing her professional cool. "Absolutely remarkable. How did you find him?"
"Our helmets reveal spectral information," Ilma's emotionless, pale green eyes stared into the camera. "One of the many features Ymir will outline in their latest press package."
"Correct. Our system will be available soon for law enforcement establishments." President Wilson, head of Ymir, walked into frame.
"President Wilson! I didn't realize you were here," the reporter said, surprised.
"Once I learned of this tragedy, I insisted on attending to the matter myself. It sickens and angers me anyone would use my technology for such slaughter." Anderson heard genuine anger in his voice. "We will bring this villain to justice."
The president spoke more about his condolences to the families of the fallen officers and explained more about the Valkyrie System, particularly its anti-gravity technology. But Anderson turned off the screen, too preoccupied with what he'd heard.
"Strange, sir. They said nothing about that rooster monster or the girl you rescued," Johnson said, interrupting his thoughts.
"Have you told anyone else about them?"
"No, sir. Should I keep it on the down-low? I can't say I trust Ymir or their motives. This is dangerous technology for them to spring on the world. Their teleportation tech has been in press releases for months!"
"I agree. I don't appreciate that they've made a private army without telling anyone. We should keep quiet for now."
Anderson wanted to know why Ymir was so interested in keeping Yareli a secret. He was curious about how they had released information on the Valkyrie and Angra Armlet but nothing about Yareli's belt. Ymir kept too many secrets for his liking.
"You've been quiet," Anderson said, turning his attention toward Yareli, who seemed distant behind her helmet.
"Ymir is a legitimate company. I find it interesting you're siding with me against them."
"Perhaps, but I don't trust Ymir either. Lie low with the old man. I'll see what I can uncover. No funny business. Got it? Or I'll turn you in."
As he figured it, Yareli was his best link to Ymir's darker side. Besides, a hunch told him they might need Yareli's strange belt later. It could be their only chance against Ymir and Vagh.
"I'm really skipping around the rules. I hope this doesn't ruin my career," Anderson thought. The sight of those slain police officers hardened his resolve. He feared Niflhel's rampage was only the beginning.
---
"Selim, are you okay?" a nervous Haken asked as his boss stumbled into the alleyway. His body morphed, returning to its original form.
"You made it to the rendezvous—good. Those flying bitches appeared from nowhere. Swarmed me before I could fight back."
They'd fought with impressive coordination. While each blow had only stung, their combined effort had overwhelmed him. Alone, he hadn't stood a chance.
"Stupid." Selim had allowed himself to get drunk on his own power. He'd never dreamed Ymir had the capability of defeating him. Worse, the police had apprehended several of his men. A mistake he had every intention of correcting.
"Here." Haken's massive form helped him through an open door. Kevin drove, watchful for any danger. In the distance, he heard police sirens, no doubt searching every street for him. They needed to get clear—fast.
Kevin merged into a busy street, trying to blend in while Haken treated Selim's wounds. It seemed unlikely the other Niflhel had escaped. He cursed again, and not from the stinging cleaning alcohol. While he'd killed a cop before, this massacre would ensure they had nowhere to hide. Cops protected their own. They would hunt Niflhel to the ends of the earth.
"I've screwed up royally," Selim said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"We'll survive somehow. We always do," Haken replied, his voice gentle and reassuring.
"Right, you have that armlet thing!" Kevin added. "Alone, you're almost unstoppable. It's got to count for something!"
"Yes." Gears turned in the Niflhel leader's head. "Haken, can you contact Chris? It's urgent."
"Shouldn't be hard. Why? I doubt guns will be much help against those winged women."
"True, but Chris has resources." A nasty smile formed on Selim's face. "Tell me, is it possible to duplicate the armlet?"
The hacker pondered the question, not answering until he had a satisfactory conclusion.
"The technology seems straightforward enough, but replicating it will take time."
"Ymir has underestimated us. We will paint the streets red with their blood!"