It took twelve minutes for them to gear up and arrive at their location. Void, geared up in a white, purple, and magenta suit that was both spectacular and streamlined.

Immediately, Daybreak broke off midflight, the echoing boom catching the attention of every creature in the area.

NovaStar lit up her stars while blasting any Jawal that got too close to citizens.

“Void, work on the Jawal targeting NovaStar.  While she draws the crowd, thin their numbers.” Kiera ordered.

Anastasia almost forgot that Void was her new interceptor name, but she took off in NovaStar’s direction. 

Planting her feet, she extended her hands.

“So, you can control the biology and technology of whatever target you choose!“Jake told Anastasia one day in the training room.

“How is that possible?” She asked. 

“Because the nanotechnology you emit are like spores, they can communicate with technology, but also affect the chemistry in an organism on a microscale - if you know what you’re doing.”

She hoped she knew what she was doing. 

Per her training, the first thing she did was direct her ‘spores’ to the nearest line of Jawal. 

When she felt a sensation like the shape of the creatures in her hands, she tugged.

Jake had explained that the cyborg-Jawal had been created to act like a queen Jawal, and its ability to control became Anastasia’s. 

The Jawal she had infested turned on their brethren, and the ensuing carnage made civilians scream.

Void almost jumped when NovaStar said on open comms, “Cat fight!”

“Don’t distract her!” Daybreak said, still wrestling the huge Jawal.

Void continued her offensive attack while NovaStar made sure the area was clear of civilians. 

A Jawal attacking a group of teenagers were stopped by a purple barrier. 

Void had deployed a forcefield, another ability she had discovered during training. 

Her spores could create an impenetrable field.

“NovaStar, help!” Void cried, torn between controlling other Jawal and the force field. 

NovaStar replied, “Kinda busy myself!”

Void made the split second decision to deal with it herself. Shoving her arms out, the forcefield shoved the Jawal back. The surrounding cars and stands were overturned by the force. 

“Run!” Void said to the teenagers, and continued to fight the Jawal with the same reckless abandon.

The day ended with Daybreak covered in the blood of the large Jawal who was incapacitated a few streets over. The cleanup team arrived, and many of the crew were stunned at the level of physical destruction that had occurred.

Vehicles were littered across Times Square alongside Jawal remains.

The group of teenagers she had saved sent her ‘thank you’ letters and chocolates. Kiera met the new interceptor while she was reading them. “Good job today. A little reckless, but we’ll work on that.” Anastasia nodded, still shaken from the day but feeling something she hadn’t felt in a while. 

Pride.

Determined, she replied, “Thank you. I’ll work hard.”