Published at 13th of March 2026 6:47 am

Chapter 15 StarGaze Dynamics Pt I (Isaiah Pov)

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Princeton, New Jersey, is a fucking hike and a half. Going over a hundred miles per hour, Rorschach guides through avoiding every possible traffic jam and police presence from above with her crows. But even with me absolutely punching it and her scouting out the perfect route, we only manage to cut the time down to three and a half hours instead of five. My car is fast, but it wasnt built to sustain this kind of long-distance pace. Shes the ideal type of vehicle. Powerful enough to flex on other guys and stylish enough to attract ladies eyes to me. My charm and looks are enough to seal the deal after that.

Im not worried about the plan succeeding or failing, because failures not an option. Nobody has made miracles happen, so he expects miracles in return. He knows I would never fail him. Id rather die than fail him again. Plus, I like Miles; hes a good kid, and Im the one who brought him on. Its technically my fault hes in the mess he currently is. Obviously, Im not the one who did this to him, but I made it possible for him to make this dumbass decision. If he wasnt certain that he could handle this, he shouldnt have done it in the first place. I understand the urge to exceed Nobodys expectations more than anyone else, but Miles has caused trouble for the group. For Nobody. But I wont let him down. He said to save Miles, so thats exactly what the fuck Im gonna do. Hold tight, Boy Scout. Weve got you. Miles trusts me, and I didnt save him from a life of being a fugly jellyfish covered in flaps of foreskin just to let him die from a little bit of radiation poisoning.

This mission isnt just important in terms of keeping the guy alive, but to Nobodys plans. It doesnt take a genius like Kai to understand the value currently contained within the Boy Scout. Nuclear power is a game-changer, and I do not doubt that both Nobody and Kai have already considered the best methods to utilize it. It doesn't matter much to me what they plan to use it for; the fact that Nobody wants it is enough reason for me. Its a point of pride for me that Nobody trusts me so much now. The fact that he let me see his real face, to know his name, and where he lives is proof of his favor.

Well be there in fifteen minutes. Take Exit 9 and start slowing down; We don't want to attract any unwanted attention while we're here. From what little I've been able to gather about StarGaze Dynamics, they aren't likely to call for support from either the Union or the local law enforcement, Rorschach reported without looking up from the laptop she's using.

And why is that? Tuesday asked.

Theres something off about her. Her whole demeanor shifted as soon as we left. I think she might actually care about Miles. The two of them are the oddest pairing imaginable. What do a psychosexual assassin with a blood kink and a boy dreaming of being a hero have in common? What the fuck do they even discuss, the weather? She said they were bowling buddies. How does that even work? If their opponents throw a strike, does she slit their throat or bite off their face? Do they wear matching uniforms?

Because they either have something to hide or have something worth stealing, I responded. What kind of resistance do you think well be facing?

StarGaze Dynamicss Security Force is basically a PMC. Retired BNA Agents, SWAT, and some Special Forces throw in for good measure. Theyll do whatever it takes to protect the companys secrets and Intellectual Property. No Tinkertech as far as I can tell from all the online photos Ive found, but that isnt perfect. You cant exactly advertise to the public that you have railguns and weapons that take physics as a suggestion. Ill get more information once were there, Rorschach sighed, rubbing her head in frustration. I understand that the mission necessitates a timely turnaround, but I greatly dislike going in blindly.

No one gives a fuck about your comfort princess. This isnt a planned-out heist at a gala, this is a smash and grab at a crackhouse, Tuesday said.

I know. It was just a harmless complaint, Rorschach said through gritted teeth.

Easy, ladies, were all here for the same reason. You two can have your wet t-shirt mud wrestle after were back and weve saved the Boy Scout, I said, grinning. Ill be the judge and referee.

I can see Rorschach glaring at me from the back seat through the rear-view mirror. Tuesdays lack of comeback is just another example of how anxious she must be about Miles survival. Both of them are. I take the exit Rorschach mentioned and let off the gas a bit. She closes the laptop, and it transforms into smoke that I reabsorb through my skin. Both women are dressed very differently from how they normally do. Rorschachs got on a red leather body suit that doesnt have any label or logo on it, heeled red boots, and she brought along a motorcycle helmet, which is also all red. She looks good, but she always does; shes wearing this to hide her identity. Shes serious about coming in with us. Tuesdays traded out her usually stupid outfit for a simple white and blue striped wool sweater, high-rise jeans, and a pair of brown sneakers. A white bandana and teal beanie are what shes using to hide her identity. She has a single shoulder bag as well, but I dont know or care to ask whats inside it. Who am I kidding? Its fucking knives.

So, Rorschach, what do we know about the place? I asked.

The StarGaze Dynamics compound is a massive hexagon split into five wings, with the Atlus Initiative laboratories located at the center. The five sections represent the five sectors that StarGaze Dynamics is involved in: Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Advanced Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Protection, and Space Exploration. Each of them has its own entrance and can get us to the Atlus Initiative center. If I had to take a guess, Id say each one also has its specific countermeasures against theft. Pharmaceutical is likely our best bet of getting to where we need to, Rorschach answered.

That makes sense. Just remember what and who were doing this for. Nobody said to do whatever it takes to succeed, and I intend to. But, Tuesday, a massacre is only going to cause problems, so lets keep the body count low, I suggested.

Jahs, I know, I know. Keep ze murder to a minimum. Tuesday responded with a curt German accent.

I knew she couldnt keep up the serious act the entire time; shes fucking tapped.

Theres a security checkpoint to even get into the parking lot, then another one before you enter the building, and after. This might be tougher than either of you realizes, Rorschach said.

If thats the case, well go loud, I said, turning onto the road to the compound.

A beautiful canopy of snow-covered trees reach their branches across the road like Michelangelos Creation of Adam. Rolling the windows down blasts my face with crisp winter wind. Smoke billows out of my mouth, forming into my gold hockey mask. I manipulate the straps into wrapping around the back of my head and then tightening them. With my enhanced sight, I spot the checkpoint Rorschach spoke of at the end of the half-mile street, with a four-man crew manning it. I speed up as we race down the long stretch, passing multiple signs welcoming us to StarGaze Dynamics. One of the men notices us through a pair of binoculars and alerts the other three, who begin shouting into some communicators. Theyre probably notifying the central security command, but just because you can see us doesnt mean you can stop us.

Put your helmet on, I shouted.

Well reach the checkpoint in fifty seconds, and theyve sounded the alarm. Just before it spikes raise out of holes in the street, intended to pop our tires. The four securitymen have brandished weapons, some sort of rifle that looks like its straight out of a sci-fi ovie. The four men take aim at my car and start firing green laser blasts. My mind is focused, shutting out Tuesdays bullshit and Rorschachs warnings, and zeroing in on just the immediate task at hand. Get inside, save Miles. Swerving left and right, I avoid their shots easily. With my powers, split-second reactions are a breeze. Just as were about reach them, I pull the emergency brake and whip the wheel to the right. Rorschach screams, and Tuesday cackles in glee as the car flips over, tumbling toward the guards. Theyre forced to dive out of the way, and once were past them, the car explodes into a giant cloud of black smoke. Before both women go flying, I grab them by the back of their shirts like a mother cat with her babies.

Sorry, kittens. Made a bit of a unilateral decision back there, didnt I?

What the fuck, Isaiah? Rorschach screamed at me.

First off, no real names. Secondly, it worked, and were here, lets get moving, I said, dropping the two of them onto the ground. Now, which way are we going?

Well, because of your little stunt, were stuck at Environmental Protection, not Pharmaceutical, which is on the other side. Ugh, whatever. Keep the cloud moving with us; the entrance is maybe two hundred feet away, Rorschach said, frustratedly.

Unclench your ass and loosen up. Youre tighter than a nuns cunt, Tuesday responded.

What the fuck did you just say to me? Rorschach asked furiously.

Focus. Lock the fuck in, ladies. Weve got company coming, I said.

In just the limited time since we arrived, armored guards are pouring out of the front of the giant building in front of us. Rorschach wasnt kidding about the size of this place; its truly massive. Honestly, same. I cant even see where the end of this section is. Its a six-story flat steel monstrosity with blackout windows that are no doubt bulletproof. Rorschach is using her birds above us to navigate through my cloud, and I can see with my smoke because its a part of me. Tuesday is the only one moving blindly, but she doesnt seem to care. I shout for us to speed up as the number of opponents swells to twenty. We cant go around them; we have to go through them.

Twenty tangos. Tuesday, Ill open up a line of sight for you. Rorschach, stay behind me in case they open fire, I said.

Finally, Tuesday purred.

With just a thought, the smoke in front of Tuesdays face opens to give her a clear view of the guards, and shes gone. I dont have Rorschachs ability to multitask and process info, so it takes me a moment to relocate her. Tuesdays waist is attached to one of the guards backs like some unholy centaur, and shes put him in a chokehold. I spot one of her legs sprouting from the ground in the middle of a group of guards, and its covered in eyes. Before anyone can open fire on it, the six men all turn on each other and start shooting while screaming in fear. What did you force them to see? Unlike the ones at the gate, these men have normal automatic guns, so the six of them drop dead as theyre peppered by friendly fire.

Drop me a container. NOW! Rorschach shouted at me.

A black hole opens up on my forearm, and the smokescreen becomes even thicker as more of it pours from the opening. I transform the new smoke back to what it originally was, a five-gallon jug of ink. I move the container to be right in front of Rorschach, clearing the dense smog from around her so she can see better. She extracts all of it, tossing the empty canister away as a large sphere of ink hovers above her palm. I telekinetically whip the empty metal canister at one of the guards who looks like he might be in charge. It smashes him in the face, blood bursting from a shattered nose. Or skull. Whoops. He crumples forward, folding like a lawn chair. Even without their leader, the remaining twelve members of the StarGaze Dynamics Security Force adapt quickly, spreading out as they shoot at Tuesday and into my cloud. Tuesday ducks behind one of the fresh corpses, letting it soak up bullets.

I cross my arms, protecting Rorschach as the projectiles bounce off my body. Despite my superior form, they kind of hurt. What kind of ammunition is StarGaze making that it can hurt me? From behind me, the black ball of liquid quivers, and I realize that my tattooed teammate is about to do something big. The inky orb continues to shake, the surface rippling and bubbling like a pot of water threatening to boil over. Finally, it bursts open, birthing eighteen pitch-black falcons that blast out of my smog. Her swarm of birds races through the air straight at the cluster of men. Time to see if she has what it takes. With terrifying precision, she strikes the remaining twelve straight in their faces simultaneously. All of them are knocked clean off their feet into the air as the creatures explode on impact, painting all their faces black like its an 1850 minstrel show.

Blackface? YIKES! I mean, theres poor taste, and then there's this, Tuesday said, wiping some of the mens blood off her pants. Right, Smolder? This is pretty fucked up, isnt it? I mean, murder is one thing, but racist caricatures, thats a step too far.

Neither of us responds to her jokes, running over to the entrance. I start digging through the downed guards clothes for any kind of key card. Place like this has to have tight security protocols. They wouldnt use key codes; thats too simple and exploitable. Passwords have the same problem, so it must be something more unique and safe. Rorschach joins me in my investigation, but we both come up empty. Biometric then. I step over an unconscious body toward the glass door, but it doesnt open. Theyve already locked us out? Quick thinking by whoever is in charge.

Grab an eye, a hand, and get one of their voices while youre at it, I yelled over to Tuesday.

I get to keep a souvenir? I didnt know StarGaze Dynamics had a gift shop, she responded.

Just cut a hand off and pull one of their eyes out, I shouted.

Rorschach falters at my grisly command, but quickly recovers, coughing into her hand. Tuesday hops amongst the six dead men, peeling open their eyelids or examining their hands. I let out a sigh at her constant bullshit, and smoke billows out of my mouth and nose, forming into my two hand cannons. I place both barrels up against the glass and pull the triggers. Whatever the glass is made of, it isnt tough enough to stand up to my custom high-caliber guns because the doors explode into fragments. From above, more and more of Rorschachs ink creations swoop down. She sends all the new arrivals and the six remaining undestroyed falcons into the compound to search for the best route to the Atlus Initiative. When I look over to Tuesday, shes juggling six eyes while laughing to herself.

Cut the shit; I swear to god I will blow a hole through your head if you continue fucking around, I warned.

Listen, mista, I didnt knows you thought we was exclusive. Without a ring on my fingah, how was I sposed to know you wanted to go steady wit me? Tuesday asked in a Staten Island accent.

I fire a shot directly above her head, blowing a chunk out of the metal. She yelps and rolls away from me with her hands raised in surrender.

Please, Mista, Im sorry. But, no foolin, that was too close, she continued.

If your slapstick routine is done, Ive found the way we need to go. And this, Rorschach said, pointing to all the guards. Was nothing compared to what awaits us inside. This isnt going to be easy.

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