Sparks (eBook)
328 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-6056-3 (ISBN)
Marcellus Philips is an average guy working an average job in an average life who suddenly decided to write a story about something more sensational and spectacular. He grew up in Illinois in the Chicago suburbs and moved to Florida years later to eventually find he had a mind for stories, including one big one that kept bothering him enough to write out.
With Sears Tower in danger of falling, the Protectors scramble to find a way to stop it or minimize the damage. Their actions are noticed globally afterwards, and while attempting to find people to fill the habitats they've been working on, many people inquire into the possibility of becoming Messengers of Hope. Once the extent of this interest is fully realized, the Protectors ask each other and themselves what they are willing to ultimately become as the new year rolls in.
November 20th, Afternoon.
Chicago, Illinois.
As Rich had told them, the Sears/Willis Tower was a highlight and focal point of Chicago. Its distinctive setback pillar structure differentiated it from the skyscrapers around it, the nine pillars giving a unique look from each of its four facings. It also meant that if one pillar fell, the rest might as well, threatening at least two blocks out from it, which included other skyscrapers and tall buildings. A domino effect of skyscrapers could kill thousands.
This scenario was unacceptable.
Matchstick contacted his instructor. “Judgment? Can I buy an action from you, specifically to stop a building falling?”
“No. You and the world need to know the dangers of your actions.”
“We’re trying to stop danger!”
“I’m not your safety net for all negative consequences.”
“Then I need my Protectors.”
“Which ones?”
“ALL OF THEM!”
Surprisingly, it sent him all the other magi. He quickly brainstormed with the Douaumont group before heading off with Railroad and Typhoon.
“Evacuate five blocks in each direction!”
“Get the word out! Get on television, radio, headsets, anything with a speaker. Hijack every form of communication and warn people away.”
“Call emergency services. Have them close off the streets; no one comes into the five-block perimeter.”
“Use every building’s public announcement system to warn them and then pull the fire alarms. Everyone will leave for a fire, but not necessarily our warning.”
“Clear active watercraft from the river!”
They dispersed and moved with purpose, each stride hoping to save another life. Like a swarm of ants, people moved out of the area with great haste. The Protectors broadcast to all stragglers who didn’t get their original message and watched the streets and buildings empty.
Curiously, emergency services heeded their instructions and blocked traffic as they’d requested. The Protectors learned that the cracking sound had already been called in; a collapsing building was a good enough reason to mobilize help and maintain a perimeter. An architectural specialist was on their way to assist, though whether she’d be able to was another matter. Matchstick conferred with Judgment about an experiment he’d done not too long ago.
Homestead inspected the pillars under the foundation. “These are clear too; it’s just the slab that’s broken. I don’t think Erik knew to look for them.”
“I think it’s more likely he was on the last of his power. He’d slowed down quite a bit from how he was moving when we started fighting.”
“Priorities, guys. How do we keep this from becoming a disaster?”
“The weight’s already shifting, I don’t know that we can.”
“It’s going to take more power than we have or can use to repair this.”
“Skyscraper first. What are our options?” There was only silence. “Come on! There are still lives at risk!”
“I need to think!”
“We literally don’t have time for that.”
“It’s all useless anyway; we don’t have the kind of power needed to affect an object this size.”
“Then forget the size. How would we deal with this if it was twenty feet tall?”
“Bracings on the side while we stabilized the ground.”
“Matchstick! We’re seeing cracks on the tallest East tower. If you can fix this, you should start now,” Field alerted them through their channel.
“Come outside, a plan’s already in motion.”
“What plan?”
The Protectors returned to the tower entrance, and everyone received a fully charged battery. A nearby portal above them was going to drop in larger versions of the design Matchstick had tinkered with during his first week-long Mind Chamber session. Judgment had created for it quickly, and Feather had requested some large cables and pitons to wrap around the skyscraper. As it was, only the tower Field had mentioned was in danger, but if it fell...
“All we have to do is keep this from tipping past the fulcrum.”
“Yeah, all.”
“Give me actions and solutions, not more disbelief.”
“We’re ready.”
Matchstick spoke to all of them on their channel, trying to motivate them just a bit more. “You’re needed now! Rise to the challenge! Rise above your doubts! Prove this gift hasn’t been wasted.”
Split into groups, each one focused on a different task: one pulled the rapidly made base into position on the street, expanding it to cover a large area for stability and strength. Matchstick controlled which segment came next, another team put these into place and held it steady while the next group pushed the pieces together to lock solidly; this is how they were making their bracing.
“God, I hope this works.”
“Work now, worry later!”
“I can multitask!”
Higher and higher it went, astonishing the onlookers from the perimeter. It wasn’t quite the act of god they were expecting but it was impossible to deny. Matchstick’s team were on the building tops nearby watching the progress.
“It’s working; we can do it!”
As if waiting for that moment, another crack sounded and appeared midway up the tower. The entire structure swayed slightly.
“Judgment, cables and portals!”
“They’re ready.”
“First one coming, team!”
“Got it!”
Matchstick placed a portal next to the breaking column, telekinetically pulled out one of the thick cables, and wrapped it around the lowest part of the collapsing section. Homestead drove pitons into the concrete for the cable to rest on and when it made a full circuit, his teammates used the pitons to tie the cable in place tightly, doing the same to the end when he cut it and moved on. They then repeated this process up the height of the building, like tying a bundle of sticks together.
It was surprisingly fast work, though its simplicity made it quick and effective, and their adrenaline spurred them to act. When the first one was finished, the portal closed and then reopened at the next level of spikes. Judgment was controlling the portals’ use even though it wasn’t willing to help directly, finding their plan innovative enough for it to aid slightly.
Round and round they went, the cables quickly catching up to the frame’s height. The two forms of support in conjunction would be able to hold back the architecture according to their teacher’s math. However, the top part of the tower was impatient. A split formed between the center one and the affected pillar and it began to tip.
“Feather! Can you get there in time?”
“We’re trying!”
The bracing was nearly at the top, along with the cable. As the building began to move past the fulcrum it met the frame, and all at once it seemed like no one could speak. The bracing shuddered, shaking the street and vibrating all the buildings connected with it at once, kicking up dust, the cable likewise strained to hold its place as the tension was pushed to its maximum.
They watched.
And waited.
But the tower held.
The Protectors took deep breaths and steadied themselves. “Holy shit.”
“It worked; it actually worked.”
“I can see it; I’m still...
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 6.7.2024 |
|---|---|
| Sprache | englisch |
| Themenwelt | Literatur |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8-3509-6056-3 / 9798350960563 |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
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