Origins- Protectors

Chapter Thirty-Five: Haywire

The ferry to Rottnest Island left at the normal time, hot sun still high in the sky. The Protectors trekked through the underbrush, ignoring the sunburn that came from spending days walking, trying to find a way to change out of the telling super-suits. Sweat ran down their brows as they got another glimpse of the Rottnest village. The news chopper that had filmed the battle with Chimera had twisted the story, as all media does over time, making out Nighthawk to have been the good guy all along, with the Protectors the evil terrorists who had levelled the city. Noctum had received a text from an anonymous number, stating that Zavant was on to them and willing to kill the Protectors. It also said that it was him who had replaced the Swan Valley with a massive crater,

"We need to get food," Draedon said, stopping as the lights of the village came into view, "or else we're gonna die out here,"

Noctum said nothing but started towards the village,

"If we're gonna die anyway, Zavant might as well bring the fight to us," He said, "I say we go to town anyway,"

"I'm not known as a hero," Hannah replied, "I'll just say that you guys are cosplaying or something,"

The heroes strode into town like cowboys in a western movie. The flashing lights of Frankie's diner contrasted with the dullness of the bakery, which had closed earlier in the day. They headed straight into the diner, Noctum walking up to the counter to talk to the waiter,

"Table for six, please," He asked politely,

If the waiter cared that a superhero was in front of him, he did not show it. He showed the six round to the back patio, where a group of tall tables stood. After handing them menus, he set a large bottle of water onto the table and left to go back to the lobby. Noctum checked the menu, coming to a conclusion,

"What's everyone having?" Shaine asked,

"As much whiskey that I can order without getting kicked out," Noctum replied,

There was a long wait for food, mainly due to the waiters' lack of enthusiasm, but eventually, the food came. The sun had set when the Protectors finished their meals, stepping out into the lamplit square. The general store was still open, so they picked up a few bottles of water and some instant noodles for later,

"Where now?" Lochlan asked as they paid,

"Let's just walk," Noctum replied, "we might find somewhere,"

There was a long silence, followed by the steady sound of footfalls as the six walked along one of the orange dirt roads, a forrest of trees closing in from all sides. The long road eventually ended at a patch of very green grass. Next to the grass was a Discovery Parks building that acted as Rotto's main hotel, the only real place for travellers to stay for cheap. Noctum purchased a few tents, complete with the complimentary breakfast package for the next day. The tents were lavish, each with three beds, a hardwood floor and a kitchenette,

"Coffee, anyone?" Adam asked, pulling out some pouches from the kitchenette,

"Nobody else here likes coffee!" Niamh exclaimed, "and it really isn't the time!"

"We have plenty of time," Adam replied, "Zavant isn't going to attack for a while,"

"And how do you figure that?"

"Just a hunch," Noctum replied, a shadow passing over his face as he sat on the floor, thinking,

"What're you thinking about?" Lochlan asked,

"I need to borrow the teleporter for a second," Noctum replied, "I'll be back soon,"

"We can't be wandering about like normal," Draedon replied, "we need a low profile,"