Alternia Comics

Novaman had expected to find Sky Striker on the other side of the ceiling he punched through, but he wasn't really surprised to see her power source set - as if in a place of honor - in the middle of a room full of things confiscated from the enemies of Strys.

What he did NOT expect was to see anything written upon it as he took it carefully in his hands, let alone the words, "The first thing I loved about you."

-----

The program had nearly reached the end of its propaganda cycle this time around when something broke it.

That is, when something ELSE broke it – something other than her.

Her mind was left alone in confused darkness for what seemed like a long time. Every other time, it had been her own determination that tore her mind away from the program's grip, so now, she was still in a state of half-dreaming ...

... and it was nice to be left alone for a moment.

She breathed a relieved and exhausted sigh, not caring just yet why the program had shut down. Fighting against it as it used her own deepest emotions against her had taken every ounce of strength she thought she'd had and so much more, breaking her down to where all she could do was hope her mind would find that strength just one more time.

Then she heard her name.

"Helena?"

HER name ... said with a voice as deep, rich, and caring as she could imagine.

"Kossus ..." she breathed.

"Helena, wake up."

She made a contented sound and felt her lips pull into a smile.

-----

Novaman had heard her say something ... but he wasn't sure what. He had hoped to do this gently, but the guards outside were finally getting their act together. Glancing over his shoulder with his energy vision, he could see they'd gotten the fire he had started under control.

There was no more time for the kid gloves.

He opened her chest and inserted her power source.