Standoff Stood Down

Kaze fades towards Richter and hopefully reaches him, . She materializes with a hand to heal the damage in Richter's torso and another clasping a three-bladed knife that she has pressed against the Reader's spine.

Richter gasps as his wounds are mended.

"Mr. Kellogg, she's got a knife on me," the Reader says softly.

"I know, Carl," says the voice. "She will not use it if you remain calm. Do not try and turn the tables. You've done well -- let us handle the rest of this problem."

"Well, Mr. Richter? You seem to have the floor. What should we do, that we have not done, such that you will cease to trouble us?"

"Kidnapping and murder are a good start," Richter snaps back. "Where do you get your students from? And what happens to the ones you can't use?"

"My students come from everywhere," says Kellogg. "Some are referred by their parents, others I become aware of as I travel. My Power makes me keenly aware of others like myself, wasting away in a world of ordinary men."

The sounds of crashing explode from outside, where Saburo, Janet, Sonny-Boy and Michael are. There's the crash of lightning, the whoosh of flames, the whir of objects hurled through air -- the usual Active medley.

And Belle Weather brings the Gee Bee hovering to rest right over the hangar, blotting out the Moon.

Richter says, “Hitomi’s slipped the noose again – he’d rather we kill all of these kids to buy him ten more minutes than stay and take his medicine. We’re leaving. And we can’t have this young fellow telling all of our secrets … oh, but wait, you know them too, don’t you, Mr. Kellogg?”

Kellogg takes a step back, clutching his chest in terror.

“Right,” says Richter. “We can’t let you live either. So we’re just going to have to shoot through your boys here until we get to you.”

But instead, Richter sticks his captured gun in his pocket.

“But we don’t kill kids and we don’t kill fools, unless we can’t help it. Chew on that, and if you decide you’ve been on the wrong side, give us a call.”

Richter glances up, but of course cannot see Sky.

“Sky, we’re leaving. The bird’s flown. If these fellows try anything … well, let’s just say it’ll be their hard luck.”

Outside, the noise of smashing, burning, exploding magical battle continues.

“Oh, right. Kellogg?” he says.

Kellogg puts a hand to his temple, and the fighting ceases.

“Come on, Sky, Kaze,” says Richter. “Let’s gather our dead and get back on the case.”