Visionary

Chapter 12: Ambush

She nodded. "Smart."

"And, done!" exclaimed Oliver, standing up. The boat really was impressive, especially since it was only a few days' work. Long enough to hold Valerie, Oliver, and the Tech Guns, heavy enough, and wide enough, with a strong enough motor to push it all.

"It's amazing," she complimented.

"Years of practice does that to you. I wasn't lying when I said I was an expert." Suddenly, Paul and Ed Nightman both dropped down the ladder. Valerie stared in shock, while Oliver just seemed confused.

"Uh, hello," greeted Oliver. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Oliver!" hissed Valerie. " Don't 'hello' them! That's Paul and Ed Nightman!" Paul's eyes widened.

Oliver nodded. "Oh, right. Now what?" Paul lunged at Oliver, tackling him to the ground. Oliver threw a punch at him only for it to be blocked immediately.

"For someone so old," Oliver noted, "He's good." Oliver kicked Paul in the shins, causing him to double back in pain. Ed chased Valerie around the warehouse, but she was too fast for him. Paul swept Oliver's legs out from under him, but Oliver rebounded by leaping up and punching him hard in the jaw. Paul backed away once again, and while he was distracted Oliver grabbed the boat, carrying it up the ladder with him.

Paul and Ed both chased after him, but Valerie grabbed an extra Tech Gun from the back and a ball of green energy darted into Ed's leg, causing him to howl with pain.

"You get the girl," Paul commanded. "I'll get the other guy."

"But my leg-"

"Your leg can wait," snarled Paul. "This can't." He turned and chased Oliver up the ladder. The ladder clanged as they raced each other to the surface.

Ed turned back and lunged at Valerie, limping on his left leg. He punched her in the side and she doubled over, then snatched the chameleon band, picked up Shadow, and sprinted for the exit ladder. Oliver had already left with Paul in pursuit. Valerie slipped on the chameleon band and reached the top of the ladder, the sunlight blinding her for a moment. In the distance she noticed Oliver, carrying the huge boat, pushing through crowds of confused pedestrians.

Oliver accidentally knocked over a short, old man, who yelled some unintelligible insult. "Sorry!" Oliver called back. The old man stood up only to be pushed to the ground again when Paul arrived.

Paul wasn't far behind.

Two of the guards had noticed Oliver and Paul and were chasing after them as well. Valerie recognized them as Sir Rent and Sir Bodis. She chased after them until she was almost level with the guards, (she had taken extra care to avoid the old man) panting and trying to ignore the sharp pain in her side. Shadow still clung to her shoulder. Oliver had reached the edge of the shore, and had thrown the boat into The Ocean. Valerie sprinted with a last burst of energy and ran straight past the two guards and Paul, diving with Oliver into The Ocean.

Oliver floated towards the boat and stepped onto it, then helped Valerie up, who in turn helped a very annoyed Shadow on. Valerie's soaked hair was flat against her face, and she pushed it out of her eyes. Oliver activated the motor and the boat sped away until Paul's rage-filled face had disappeared from view. The view of The Ocean was breathtaking. Blue waves rocked against the boat, and flying fish glided in and out of the water. They had just passed the island of the black towers, and the mountain of Fort Titanium was growing ever-closer. Dark clouds suddenly filled the sky, and the rain started, almost as if it was foreshadowing the events to come. Oliver turned to Valerie.

"That was a close one."

***

President Lloyd Weatherford sat in his office, filing out the boring paperwork he always did. It may be boring, but it was a necessity. The door opened and a very alarmed Sir Edelman walked in.

"Sir Edelman?" said Weatherford. "What is it?"

"It's Paul Nightman," blurted Sir Edelman hastily. "He's escaped, and so has his son."

Weatherford's face grew pale. "How?" he asked.

"We're not sure," answered Edelman. "Sir Rent and Sir Bodis chased him down and handcuffed him, then brought him to me. I recognized him immediately, and then he headbutted Sir Rent and kicked people and a fight broke out. He must've escaped in the confusion of it all. After that, I went to check on the prison and found quite a few of the guards dead. The survivors said Paul and Ed had shot their way out, and hadn't been seen since.

Weatherford turned away and leaned against the wall in a state of shock. "Double the city's patrols. Make Paul known as a wanted man. It's imperative that he be stopped, before it's too late."