Secret Story #34 6/2/17 "Black Roar" "Threat detected!" Anastasia's voice in his ear piece startled Derek, who had been leaning against the wall, punch in hand, waiting for his date to return from the bathroom. "What? Here?" He asked out loud. Luckily the booming music of the prom would cover his voice from anyone farther than two feet away. "What are you on about?" "Multiple targets carrying weapons. Transmitting to contacts now." The AI proceeded to activate the electronic screens build into Derek's contacts. The entire room suddenly darkened, leaving only the people inside visible. Most of the students and faculty were highlighted in blue, safe, but there were two figures walking into the kitchen that were highlighted in red. Anastasia's scan highlighted objects under their clothes that immediately alarmed Derek: knives and guns. Big guns. "How'd they get those in there?" Derek's vision returned to normal and his brain got to work. This had to have been planned far in advance, with a man on the inside. A staff member for sure. But who? "Give me a list of every staff member here," Derek ordered, as he set his punch on the table and began to move farther into the back of the cafeteria. A list of names appeared in his vision. The principle, vice principle, a few teachers he recognized, and the resource officer. He didn't know that name: Officer Steinbeck. "Background check." A few seconds later, Anastasia brought up his photograph along with a bunch of articles and papers linked to his name. "He's substituting for your normal resource officer, but according to police records he was kicked off the force for suspicious on criminal conspiracy, but he was unable to be convicted," the feminine voice explained. "And now he's gonna help shoot up a prom? Christ." Derek began moving faster, wading through the sea of tuxes and elegant dresses. "Where is he?" "Searching camera feeds....he's moved into the bathroom." Derek found a slightly secluded space and reached into the inside pocket of his tux. He pulled out a lighter and a small firecracker. "Alright, we'll need a distraction so I can suit up. Anastasia, prepare for combat." He began lighting the firecracker. "Targets locked, combat programs initiated. All Black Roar systems engaged." "Then let's go." The fuse began to burn and he tossed the firecracker onto the floor. He quickly moved away before the loud pops filled the room followed by startled screaming. Everyone began rushing out of the front doors panicked, leaving Derek to quietly slide out the back entrance and began yanking off his tie. His costume wasn't anything extravagant. He wore dark fitting clothes, flat shoes, a dark coat, and specially designed gloves with retractable, electrically charged claws. Derek's black mask, resembling a lion, is what brought the ensemble together. Derek dashed back in and raced towards the kitchen doors, diving over the concession table and rolling inside. "Who the hell?" One of the student's mumbled. And and the other had rifles drawn. Derek didn't hesitated. Leaping out of his roll, he planted his palm against one of the boys chest, sending an electric shock throughout his body. He crumpled to the ground and the rifle fell to the floor. "One target eliminated! Two remaining." The second assailant attempted to swing the butt of his gun into Derek's head. He ducked, turned, and countered. Jab, jab, jab. All three hits connected directly into the kid's chest, sending him rearing back into a counter. Derek snatched the rifle out of his hand and slammed into the kid's throat, putting him to his knees. A swift kick to the side of the head finished putting him down. "One target re-" Anastasia stopped short on account of a scream that pierced Derek's ears and tugged inside his chest. Madison. His date. The bathroom! He moved as fast as he could back into the main room, but when he got there he saw the resource officer, smirking, with his pistol drawn and placed against the side of Madison's head. She was shaking in her black dress, tears running down her cheeks. Derek's fist clenched, but he made no move. "I've been looking for you, ya know." The man spoke, his smile widening. "There are lots of people around the city willing to pay a pretty penny to know who's behind that mask. And lucky ol me set the perfect trap to get you to show up." He began laughing and Madison whimpered. "Anastasia, give me something!" The AI began urgently scanning the room, searching for any possible points of leverage. "So, why don't you trade me that mask for this pretty young thing here?" He pushed gun further against her head and she cried harder. "Anastasia hurry!" "There!" His contacts locked onto an electric outlet on a nearby wall. "A charge there can overload the bulbs and knock out the lights." "Odds of failure?" "32 percent; gun safety is on, allowing for a surprise maneuver." "Great, let's do it." Derek threw himself forward and slid into the wall. He placed his hand agains the outlet and the shock traveled inside and up the wiring. The bulbs above them began to pop in rapid succession, throwing the room into complete darkness. "Night vision online." Derek jumped towards the man and grabbed him by the leg, sweeping it out from under him. The man fell hard, allowing Derek to grab the gun and use it to bash the side of the man's head, knocking him unconscious. "All target's eliminated. Threat neutralized." Derek sighed and without thinking, pulled of his mask as he relaxed onto his back. It was a second too late that he realized what he had done. "Derek!"
