Nullwave Disrupter

The morning after the battle, a deep sense of unease settled over me. It wasn't just exhaustion from the previous day's fight—it was the gnawing feeling that something worse was coming. The sky was a dull gray, heavy with the weight of an incoming storm. The air smelled of charred lead and smoke, the remnants of our previous skirmish still lingering in the atmosphere.

Booker and I had barely gotten a moment to breathe when my communicator buzzed sharply against my wrist. I answered immediately, expecting a report from our allies, but the urgency in Rem's voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"The Harbingers have developed a new weapon," she said, wasting no time. "It's called the Nullwave Disrupter."

The name alone sounded ominous, but Rem wasn't one for exaggeration. If she was worried, we had a real problem on our hands.

I stiffened. "What does it do?"

"We're not entirely sure yet," she admitted. "But from what we've gathered, it interferes with metahuman abilities—sometimes in unpredictable, dangerous ways."

I exchanged a look with Booker. He frowned, his jaw tightening. "How bad are we talking?"

Rem hesitated. "One of Sentinel Solution's spies managed to dig up some intel. The Nullwave Disrupter operates using anti-matter resonance waves. That's beyond anything we've ever dealt with before. And here's the worst part—it was spotted at the attack where Aaliah was taken."

I clenched my fists. The name Aaliah—Statica—wasn't just another hero on a list. She was my sister. The thought of her in enemy hands, at the mercy of a weapon designed to disrupt our powers, made my blood run cold.

Booker's reaction was instant. His energy spiked as he balled his hands into fists. "So, we know what it does, but not how to counter it?" he asked sharply.

"Exactly," Rem confirmed. "Our scientists have never seen anything like it. The only thing we know for sure is that it's deployed using drones and other devices."

That complicated things. These means of deployment meant that the Harbingers could launch these weapons from a safe distance and up close, out of our immediate reach. Worse still, if we didn't figure out how to counteract the weapon, any future fights could end before they even started.

I exhaled, my mind racing. "And Aaliah? Do we have any leads?"

Rem was silent for a moment. Then, "We have a contact in Atlanta. If you go there, you might find more information on both Aaliah and the Nullwave Disrupter. We can also send reinforcements to your location."

Atlanta. It wasn't exactly close, but if it meant finding my sister, there was no question. I turned to Booker, and he was already nodding. We were doing this.

I ended the call and looked over at Kelcy, who had been listening in silence. He had his arms crossed, deep in thought.

"The Nullwave Disrupter?" he echoed, almost like he was testing the words on his tongue.

"Yes," I confirmed. "It was used in the attack that led to Aaliah's capture."

Kelcy exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Is there any chance we can find out more about it before heading into another fight?"

I shook my head. "Our scientists barely know anything about it. Our only shot is finding someone who does."

Kelcy sighed. "Figures. Well, I can't say I like this, but I understand why you need to go."

"We'll be back," I assured him. "And if anything happens, Sentinel Solutions will send help."

Kelcy met my gaze. "You better find her," he said.

I nodded. That was the plan.

We departed shortly after, flying low to avoid detection. The terrain blurred beneath us—broken highways, forests reclaiming lost ground, and the occasional outpost from resistance fighters scattered across the land.

Booker was quiet for most of the journey, but I could feel the tension rolling off him. He wasn't just worried about Aaliah—he was worried about what this meant for all of us. If the Harbingers had a weapon that could neutralize us, then we weren't just losing battles anymore. We were losing the war.

As night fell, we spotted a gas station just off the road. The neon lights flickered, barely holding onto life. I decided we should stop—just for a moment.

"We need supplies," I said. "And I could use a drink."

Booker hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. Quick stop."

We landed behind the building, deactivating our suits before heading inside. The moment we stepped through the door, I felt it—something was wrong.

The air inside was thick and heavy. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting unnatural shadows. The cashier stood behind the counter with his back to us, motionless. There were only two other people inside, but something about them set me on edge.

I scanned the room, my instincts on high alert.

"What's wrong?" Booker asked, sensing my hesitation.

"I don't know yet," I muttered.

I walked to the snack aisle, grabbing a random bag of chips. As I did, a man stepped up beside me—too close. He stared at the shelf, pretending to be interested in the same thing I was. My muscles tensed, but I didn't react. Instead, I grabbed another bag and moved toward the drinks.

"Something's off," I told Booker telepathically.

"What?" he asked.

Before I could respond, the door swung open, and a group of hooded figures entered.

I glanced at Booker. He was already reaching for his energy reserves, ready to react.

I approached the counter, setting my items down. The cashier finally turned to face me—and his face wasn't his own. For a split second, I saw someone from my past. A bully from my childhood.

I blinked, and his face returned to normal.

"Kaleb," Booker's voice echoed in my head, urgent. "They're surrounding you."

I turned. The hooded figures had closed in.

The cashier climbed over the counter, his body shifting—eyes sprouting along his skin, fangs extending from his mouth.

"Stay back," I warned.

He smirked, pulling out a small sphere.

"A little birdy told me you're the Ultimate Manipulator."

My stomach dropped. "What do you want?"

"The Harbingers want your power."

I glanced at the device. "What is that?"

He grinned. "A portable Nullwave Disrupter."

Booker's energy surged, but the cashier raised a finger. "Tell him to stand down, or I press the button."

I was already gathering energy. With a snap of my fingers, a dome of light formed around us.

The cashier's smile faltered. "What the hell is this?"

"My domain," I said. "Nothing enters. Nothing leaves. Not even your little wave."

For a second, there was silence.

Then, out of pure defiance, he pressed the button.

Pain exploded through my body.

My barrier shattered as the Nullwave tore through me, stripping my control. I collapsed to my knees, every nerve in my body screaming.

I heard Booker yell. The agony was unbearable.

Desperate, I raised my palm, aiming for the ceiling—but the attack misfired. The energy blast hit Booker instead.

I froze in horror.

He crumpled to the ground, chest scorched and to make it worse, there was blood running from his ears.

Rage filled me.

With a single thought, I obliterated the Nullwave Disrupter.

The cashier and his allies screamed, blood pouring both from their eyes and ears.

I grabbed Booker and flew, as fast as I could.

Before leaving, I waved a hand.

The gas station vanished.

Ahead, Atlanta loomed.

Behind me, thrusters whirred.

The androids were coming.

I had to disappear.

But deep down, something haunted me.

A part of me had enjoyed hurting my brother.

I shoved the thought away.

It was just an impulse.

...Right?