Issue 2
As Kani battled the Twins of Destruction, she realized that every second she spent fighting them, the bomb got closer to the city. As much fun as she had going toe to toe with them, she had to save the city.
Kani: Alright boys, I think that's enough sparring for today. I gotta catch a ride.
Strich: You're not going anywhere!
*Strich runs in, Kani ducks his punch and trips him. Sends him flying into a tree.*
Absturz: Bruder!!
Kani: You'd think he wouldn't fall for that anymore, but I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Absturz: I'll show you who the dog is, bitch!
*Absturz pounds ground sending shock wave and cracking ground. Kani flies to avoid it.*
Kani: Now you knew that wouldn't hit me.
Absturz: Yeah, but this will!
*Absturz throws large boulder at Kani. She catches it, throws it back towards him and he breaks it. Kani follows through the debris and delivers a missile dropkick to knock him out.*
Kani: Ha! Now that was way more fun than I expected.
C.A.I.R.O: Hate to cut in on your victory lap, but the bomb is only a mile away from the optimal detonation point.
Kani: Damn! It's gonna be a close one, but I got it.
*Kani takes off, creates small sonic boom upon takeoff*
C.A.I.R.O: 3000 feet, ma'am.
Kani: Don't do that right now. Unless you have a solution, shut up.
C.A.I.R.O: Well, the manual detonator is on the driver's side. I'm currently attempting to hack it;however, this code is unlike the usual handiwork of the Grand Dragons.
Kani: That means they've got a new player. Just what I need. I'm just gonna have to lift it and take it into a clearing.
C.A.I.R.O: Well you only have 1500 feet le--
*Kani lifts trucks and reverses course*
C.A.I.R.O: You have to hurry, you've triggered the fail-safe countdown. Sixty seconds!
Kani: Relax, we're gonna make it.
* She flies the truck as far as she can then throws it, but gets caught in the blast and is sent flying back towards the city*
C.A.I.R.O: Ma'am? Ma'am, are you ok?
*Kani dusts herself off as a family looks at her in shock.*
Kani: I'm fine, I'm fine. Send a large check to my coordinates; I kind of destroyed their house.
C.A.I.R.O: Oh lord, will do ma'am. Also, Riah called. You guys are having dinner tonight. In one hour and a half to be exact.
Kani: Great, just what I needed.
As Kani returned home to get ready for her dinner date with her best friend of this lifetime, Riah Laws, she received a call about how she would further investigate this new player in the Grand Dragons circle.
Riah: Marge, you there?
Kani: Yeah, yeah my bad. I was thinking about something that happened at the office today.
Riah: Oh, I'm surprised you're not thinking about running off in the middle of another grand opening. You know the media and Gladetex has a field day when you do that.
Kani: Both of them can kiss my black ass!
Riah: Marge! Why you always gotta be so nasty?
Kani: I'm not. It's just the media will tear me down no matter what because I'm a black woman with power and not afraid to be. And you know Gladetex wishes they were Galaxy Ent.
Riah: I guess lol. So who was that girl everyone saw you leave the club with last night?
Kani: I knew it was coming. She was just an old fling that happened to be there. Nothing special.
Riah: I can't keep up with you anymore. Fast ass.
Kani: Why's it such a bad thing that I'm living life? Society says find a good man and blah blah blah. Fuck that. I'm gonna do me.
Riah: And anybody else you want, too.
*both laugh and raise a glass*
8
Kani and Riah finished their weekly rendezvous before Kani headed home to begin her investigation.
Kani to herself as she watches Riah walk away: I wish I could tell her. It breaks me up inside each day. But it's too soon. And it's safer this way. One day though.
*Kani waves at Riah then hops on her motorcycle and rides back towards base. Secret entrance through forest opens*
Kani: So have you had any luck figuring out why you couldn't remotely hack the detonator earlier today?
C.A.I.R.O: There was an encryption unlike anything I've ever seen. Also, the creator of it was fighting me every step of the way. Here's a sample of it for you to analyze.
Kani: I've never seen a code like this. Did you run it through all agencies' databases?
C.A.I.R.O: Complete scan yielded no results. Whoever this is hides just as well as they hack.
Kani: Yeah, I see that. Well, keep going through it. Hopefully we'll catch a break. We're going to need somewhere to start.
The next day after work, Kani finally received what she needed, just not how she wanted….
Coworker: OMG! Everybody come look at this.
*Coworkers rush into break room*
Person on TV: This city is rotten. Plagued to the core with a disease that makes me sick to my stomach. I've tried to let it go, to wait until things get better. But it seems to only get worse.
Kani into earpiece: C.A.I.R.O, C.A.I.R.O come in.
C.A.I.R.O: Yes ma'am, I'm here. How may I assist?
Kani: Someone has hacked the city's TV feed. I have a feeling it's our new player. Start trying to track it.
TV: I can no longer sit by and watch this infestation destroy my city. So, I'm going to cleanse it myself. I will clean the slate and build anew. I am Reverb, and I will make this city great again.
Co Workers: What was that all about? I wonder who that psycho was.
Kani to employees: I want everyone to wrap it up for the day. I'm not sure who that was, but I want you all to go home and be with your family.
Employee: Marge, you're not worried are you? You know Kani will save the day like always.
Kani to herself: Yeah, if I can find this guy in time.
Kani: No, no worries. Just want to encourage more family time. Plus, it's Friday.
Coworker: Alright, well you ain't gotta tell me twice. See you Monday!
As Kani continued to research she was met with dead ends, until….
*Punches through table*
Kani: This dude really is a ghost. There's no history of him anywhere. It's frustrating!
*Phone rings*
Text from random number: Girl, you gotta get dressed up and come out tonight. Some new dude named DJ Verb is gonna be there. He's supposed to be the hottest thing out right now.
* Kani runs to computer*
Kani: Is he really that ballsy to hide in plain sight?
*search DJ Verb. Compares voice and body to Reverb broadcast*
C.A.I.R.O: Scan complete. Positive match.
Kani: Son of a bitch! He drops two letters and thinks he'll get away with it. Looks like I'm painting the town red tonight.
Unsure of what she was walking into, Kani made sure to stay on her toes the entire night…
Bartender: You've been babysitting that drink all night. Your friend over there wants to send you another.
Kani: Nah, I'm ok. Gotta drive so I'm taking it easy.
Kani to C.A.I.R.O: I'm tired of getting hit on by white men. Have any of the cameras caught Reverb yet?
C.A.I.R.O: None yet. He doesn't seem to have arrived yet.
Random person: Looking for me?
*Random slips mask on and heads towards stage.*
Kani: Shit, he's here already.
C.A.I.R.O: I took the liberty of checking the history and blueprints of this club. Turns out it's Grand Dragon affiliated
* People in club turn and aim at Kani*
Kani: Well, I see that now….
Reverb: Ooooohhh, time to get this party started! Looks like our guest of honor has finally arrived.
Kani to herself: Great, looks like this was a trap.
Kani: So you're the one who wants to 'cleanse' the city? Who the hell do you think you are?
Reverb: I am the Godsend that will do what's long overdue. From the rubble a new and powerful city will rise!
Kani: Yeah, sure. Gotta go through me first.
*Throws blackout blade at his head. Reverb displaces it with his powers*
Reverb: You're not even worth my time. Take care of her. Bring her to me alive!
*Reverb exits. While Grand Dragons attack Kani*
*Fight scene ensues.*
Kani: Do they give you fools health insurance, or just tell you to come catch these hands?
*Kani roundhouses three people*
Bartender: I've had enough of you!
*Bartender pulls out shotgun*
Kani: You too?! Dammit!
*Kani dive rolls and tosses blackout blade at bartender*
Kani: Why am I wasting my time with you bums?
*Kani throws table at group of guys then exits bar*
Kani: Any sign on where he went?
C.A.I.R.O: He was heading north, but he scrambled my signal and I lost him.
Kani: Fuck! How does he keep slipping through our fingers?
Tired of being defeated, Kani decided it was time to use what she had to get what she wanted.
Kani: I've brought you here today because you're the best coders Galaxy Enterprises has to offer. If you are able to complete the project, you will receive substantial compensation.
Coder 1: What's the project, Ms. Moore?
Kani: We've been contracted by the CIA to help bring down a major hacker. Your job is to create a cyber trap and help locate him so that they can apprehend him.
Coder 2: He's that good?
Coder 1: Sounds like a piece of cake.
Coder 3: Where are we doing this?
Kani: You'll have full access to the best of Galaxy Ent. Sign this non-disclosure agreement and then you can go get started.
*Coders sign and leave the room. Kani starts to stare out window over the city*
C.A.I.R.O: It's not like you to ask for help. Do I sense a bit of fear?
Kani: Don't disrespect me like that. Three heads are just better than one. You're to monitor and give them under-the-radar assistance. Notify me of any updates. I have somewhere to be.
*Kani is seen speeding down the street on a motorcycle. She arrives at the cemetery Places flowers on multiple graves*
Kani: I keep having those dreams again, mom. They're starting to feel more and more real. Almost like you're still here. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. Or it could be an omen. But anyways, I think it's almost time to tell Riah the truth about who she is. Too many close calls and it's becoming harder to keep an eye on her. But I love and miss you all. Time for me to save my city.
Reverb: Lets go! We have a short window of opportunity. These hackers are getting closer and closer. If they find us before Boomboxx is in place, then our whole plan is wasted.
Grunt 1: Sir, the Doctor is on the phone for you.
Reverb: Shit. He always calls at the worst times. Everybody keep working!
Reverb: Hello Doctor. Good to hear--
Doctor: Enough with the ass kissing. Are we on track for the night? We cannot afford another failure because of your incompetence.
Reverb: Yes sir, we're putting the finishing touches on now.
Doctor: Don't screw this up. If that nuisance of a woman doesn't kill you, then I'll do it myself.
The Doctor, one of the most powerful yet mysterious forces of the Grand Dragons. He was the puppet behind the whole show, but Kani has yet to be able to pull the curtain back.
Kani: I can't just sit around here and wait. I need to find answers, catch a new lead. Time to make the streets talk a little.
Growing restless while waiting for Reverb to show his face, Kani decided to go do a little off the record detective work….
*Scenes showing Kani interrogating different criminals. They all say they didn't know anything*
*Kani burst through the door. Puts guy against wall*
Kani: Well if ain't my favorite gun runner. What are you doing here, Reese?
Reese: Uh...Uh Kani, wassup girl? Umm, I had got lost and stumbled in here.
Kani: Really? Got lost 10 miles from your house? Right! Now, tell me why I shouldn't drop you right in front of the county?
Reese: Cause… cause...
Random: Cause you ain't taking my bro nowhere!
Reese: Nooo bro don't!!
*Random crack baseball bat over Kani head.*
Kani: Get yo friends, Reese.
*Kani grabs and tosses Random through wall*
Kani: Now, back to what I was saying. You're gonna tell me what I need and I won't tell your PO.
Reese: Alright, that's cool.
Kani: What do you know about this dude by the name of Reverb?
Reese: You know what just tell my PO. Jail ain't THAT bad.
Kani: Whoa! You're more afraid of him than you are of me?
Reese: Dude is bad news. And I'm not trying to be the one that ratted him out.
*Kani start to fly up still holding Reese*
Kani: Look, you better start talking or I'll drop you right fucking here!
Reese: Nice try, but you're a hero. Y'all don't do that shit.
Kani: Oh yeah?! Ok.
*Kani drops Reese. Catches him literally a few feet of the ground.
Reese: You crazy bitch!
Kani: All you had to do was tell me what I asked.
Reese: You almost killed me!
Kani: You weren't going to die. Now get to talking.
Reese: Once I tell you all this, you gotta leave me the hell alone. Crazy ass.
As Reese told Kani everything he knew, his plan finally became clear. He was set to shake this city to its core, in more ways than one.
Reverb: Alright guys, the Boombox is in place. After tonight, this city will never be the same.
*Shows Reverb entering timer on Boombox device*
Kani: Alright C.A.I.R.O, now that we know what he plans to do we need to find out where. Have those coders had any success locating him?
C.A.I.R.O: They have actually- there's a huge tunnel about 2500 feet below the city center. Everything seems to be emanating from there.
Kani: Great. Transfer the funds into their accounts, and let them know they've completed the job. It's time for me to finish this.
Kani: I've only known you about a week, and I'm tired of you already. Time for you to go away.
*Everybody turns around. Shocked to see Kani.*
Reverb: You again? The Doctor told me you were pesky, but you're worse than summertime gnats. Somebody take out the trash please.
Kani to herself: So he knows the Doctor? He's higher up than expected.
*He sits back as Grand Dragons start to attack her. She defeats them easily.*
Kani: Nobody else for you to hide behind now. You gotta get your own hands dirty.
Reverb: I'm surrounded by weaklings. But I have a little time to spare so I'll humor you. Don't say I didn't warn you.
*Kani and reverb start fighting. Exchanging highs and lows. Kani leaps toward him. He knocks her back with his sonic power. She lands by BoomBox and see's 5 minutes left on the timer.*
Reverb: Give it up. You're no match for a man like me. This is the big leagues. little lady.
Kani: I've met teenage girls that were more of a man than you are.
*He leaps towards Kani, she knocks him*
Reverb: Lucky shot. Let's make this more interesting.
*clicks detonator. Boombox turns on.*
Reverb: That's my prized creation, the Boombox. It starts off emitting a low sound wave. Causing minor shaking throughout the city. But it gets increasingly louder, like turning up the radio in the car. Once it's at full volume, it can cause an earthquake large enough to level this city in seconds. Now let's see how much of a hero you really are.
Kani: Your wish is my command.
*Two start fighting again*
C.A.I.R.O: Damage reported on thein east side of the city. It's starting to destroy buildings.
Kani: I can't land a good shot on him. He keeps blasting me away with those damn soundwaves.
* Kani looks around. Notices something she can use.*
Kani to herself: Why didn't I think of this earlier?
* Kani dodges an attack. Begins to get him into place.*
Kani: Is it me or are you getting slower?. Tired already?
Reverb: Only thing I'm tired of is you running your damn mouth.
* Shoots soundwave at her. She dodges again*
Kani to herself: Right where I want you.
Kani: How are youHow you gonna give yourself a cool name and then end up being trash?!
Reverb: I am not trash!
*Reverb shoots large soundwave, Kani flies up to dodge it, it hits metal panel and bounces back to hit and knock him out.*
Kani: Now that's music to my ears.
* Kani finds detonator and stops Boombox.*
Kani: C.A.I.R.O, what's the status report up there?
C.A.I.R.O: 20 casualties so far ma'am. Millions in damages.
Kani: How did I let this happen? I have to do better. I have to be better.
The next day….
Kani: Yesterday is a day that we won't soon forget. The forces of evil attempted to wipe this city away. And I almost wasn't good enough to stop them. I failed this city because I allowed innocent lives to be taken. But I give you my word from this day forth, I will not fail you again. This city will rise to greatness, and I will protect and guide it as it does!
*Crowd cheers. Kani flies up and away*
End of issue 2