Hopeless

Silent:

I wipe the water from my mask as I guide the OutCasts through the flooded hallways of my hideout.

"How's your courageous, fearless leader," I ask. I stop and check inside a room. "It's clear. No trap. Only wet, soggy, robots."

I kick one of the scrap metal robots in its head. It sparks and shakes but it doesn't move.

"I'm fine," QuickShot says. She pushes herself up and off his bow/ walking stick. She then wipes the water from her eyes. "How much longer until we reach Dr. Cho's workshop?"

"Not much further," I answer. "Should only be a few more doors. Are you all ready to get beaten up?"

"No," SpeedBlade answers. "I've been searching these pathways for my sword but I haven't found it yet. Where could it be?"

"Who knows? Who cares? Just run around the evil doctor and draw her attention. QuickShot, Justice, and I will do the same. Meanwhile, JumpStart will upload the shut-off program into the Iron Fist Armor. That's the plan. Am I forgetting anything?"

"Is there anything else we should know about the armor," Ms. Justice asks. "I mean, we already know about the blasters and the stun guns and the mini rockets that can track SpeedBlade even with his speed, but is there anything else? Any features you haven't told us about?"

"As far as I know, no. Of course, if Dr. Cho can build an army of killer robots in less than two hours, who knows what she could have added? Be on guard and stay absolutely alert."

Everyone nods their heads. I nod my own in return before walking down a few more feet. Finally, we come to the door of Dr. Cho's workshop.

"Knock, knock," I say as I stomp my whole foot against the door. The door breaks right off its hinges and falls to the ground.

"Dr. Cho," I shout as I run into her workshop. With the OutCasts following behind me, we all run into the tiny workshop.

"Where is she," Ms. Justice asks.

"I don't know," I answer, looking around the empty workshop. It's not only Dr. Cho that isn't here but also most of the equipment. Most of the robotic and automatic equipment is gone. Her table is empty as well.

"She's not here," QuickShot says, lowering her bow. "You said she would be here."

"I was wrong," I say, half turning to face the panting archer. "I thought she would be here since this is her workshop but I guess not."

As I keep looking around, I see some wires taped to the floor. I drop to my knee and take off my glove. I then place my bare hand on the wire.

"This wire is hot," I say, putting my glove back on.

"So," SpeedBlade says. "From what I've been told, wires use for machines are normally hot."

"It's very hot," I correct. "That means it was used recently. Very recently. Up until a few minutes before I kicked in the door. It's just as we fear. Dr. Cho did some modifications to the Iron Fist Armor."

I look around one last time and see something on the floor behind a cabinet.

"No," I shout, pushing SpeedBlade and JumpStart aside and running over to it. "No. Nooo!"

Ms. Justice:

"What's going on," I shout, watching as Silent drops to both of his knees. He picks something up before getting back up to his feet. He turns around and reveals a dripping computer with a broken screen. "Wait, is that--"

"The computer with the shut-off program," Silent finishes. "Yes. Yes, it is. I hid the program here on this computer, right under the doctor's nose. I figure being a fan of machines and technology, she would never destroy it."

"Judging from the water falling out," JumpStart says, "She didn't. The water did."

"Shoot," Silent says. He throws the computer back to the floor. "Well, there goes our only shot. Without that program, we can't defeat the armor. We lost."

"Wait," I say from the back. I push my way through until I'm face to face with Silent.

"That's it," I ask. "That's it? Your computer is broken so you decided to call it quits."

"No point in fighting an already lost battle," Silent answers with crossed arms. I roll my eyes at the big dumb moron.

"Hey," I say, pointing a stern finger at the moron. "Now listen to me. Just because it seems like a lost battle doesn't mean it is."

Silent slaps my finger away.

"Get out of Candyland, will you," he says. "Get off your unicorn and stop munching on candies. We lost. There is no if, and, or but. That's just it. Without the program, we can't defeat Dr. Cho. The armor is too strong. I design it that way, and that was before whatever else Dr. Cho added. Do you not remember our fight earlier? None of you ever dented the armor. You barely scratch the paint off!"

"Yeah, I do remember," I shout back. "I do remember our previous fight. I also remember you calling us 'noble people' because we fight supervillains. You then asked if we're really noble because we only fight supervillains. We don't fight anyone else but them."

I can sense a lot of confusion in the air.

"I heard you and QuickShot talking. I was down but not out. Anyway, if what you said is true, then you must know it wasn't going to be an easy fight. Trying to stop all the criminals in this city, but guess what? You didn't give up. You didn't give in. You came up with a plan and did everything you could to make it possible. Now you need to do it again. We need your help to defeat the supervillain, Dr. Cho. We need your help to come up with a plan and do everything we can to make it possible."

I feel a smile when I see Silent lowers his head. I can literally see the gears in Silent's head turning. His head stays down for a bit before coming back up.

"We can't defeat the Iron Fist Armor with the program," Silent says.

"Shoot," I think. "So much for the extra help."

"But you're right," Silent goes on. "Program or no program, Dr. Cho, and the armor need to be taken down. I have no idea how though."

"Maybe I can do something," JumpStart says, stepping up. We all turn toward JumpStart as he smiles and clears his throat.

"As I'm sure you know, I have strangely acquired a unique skill in technology, which include hacking and--"

"We don't have time for another long talk," Silent shouts, cutting JumpStart off. "Just get to the point, will you?"

JumpStart sighs and goes on.

"My point is, that despite the water and broken screen, I think I might be able to still salvage the program."

JumpStart points at the computer.

"You can't be serious," Silent says, his arms uncrossing and falling to his sides.

"I'm a wood elf with computer skills," JumpStart says. "I am serious!"

As JumpStart says those words, the walls and floor start to shake. The shaking throws QuickShot off balance and she almost falls but luckily, SpeedBlades catches her in time.

"Hopefully not dead serious," Silent says as he pushes himself up from the table.

"What was that," SpeedBlade asks.

"It could only be one person," I answer.

"Dr. Kimberly Cho," QuickShot says.

"She must still be in the hideout," Silent answers, "And I think I know where. You!"

He turns toward JumpStart.

"Do what you can, wood elf. Your friends and I will go and face Dr. Cho and the armor."

JumpStart nods his head and picks up the computer. He looks around for a bit before grabbing some wires from the floor and plugging them into the computer. The computer then comes to life.

"Follow me," Silent says as he leaves the workshop. SpeedBlade, QuickShot, and I follow right behind him.

"Where are we going," I ask.

"There's only one other place Dr. Cho would go to if not her workshop."

"Where's that?"

"My throne room."