Avoiding Past And Future

(40) Failsafe 2

"Everybody inside! Now!"

Not needing to be told twice, Robin, Kid Flash and the soldiers retreated inside. The aliens kept firing their beams at Phantom's shield, putting him under immense stress as it was starting to crack and fail under the constant onslaught. Knowing he couldn't keep this up forever, Phantom slowly drifted closer to the building. Taking the shield with him until he could concentrate it down to a smaller one. The amount of broken windows was working severely against him but it was better than covering the entire courtyard.

Sweat was starting to build on his forehead as he was slowly burning through most of his energy. Had he taken his medication this morning? Not eaten enough? Or was he just pushing himself further than he should? Phantom didn't care, though. He wasn't going to let anybody down by taking the easy way out. He can shield and protect so that is what he'll do. He could vaguely feel Robin pull him inside as the last of the soldiers made it in.

"We're trapped." General Eiling cursed their predicament. All their supplies were out in the Humvees who were being shot one by one. The only reason most of them made it to safety was due to Phantom's shield and even that was not doing too great.

Somewhere behind them, the recognizable beeps of a keypad being pressed sounded. "Maybe not." Aqualad said as the door to the inner hall opened. The team and soldiers rushed inside, Robin and Phantom staying at the back to keep their defenses up. Any crack big enough was used to throw batarangs at the ships. Luckily they couldn't dodge too much in the building so it gave Robin enough leverage to blow some of them up. Before long, Robin ran out of batarangs, relying on Phantom's supply to keep up the offence.

Phantom shrunk down his shield even more to just the inner hall as he slowly drifted backwards. Keeping Robin in the corner of his eye, he could easily navigate the room without losing too much focus. Cracks littered the green dome but it was better than nothing.

"We can all Zeta to the Cave. If you can grant us computer clearance to access the tubes." Aqualad addressed Manhunter as they rushed over to the main console. General Eiling and some of his men flanking them on each side as they rushed to the opposite end of the room. Phantom was falling back as well, checking behind him to make sure the shield covered the entire room.

Robin could hack his way into the Zeta coding to override the system but that would take longer than Phantom could keep the shield up. Maybe even longer as they had no clue if Batman added extra security after last April Fool's soundtrack prank.

Manhunter made it to the console, still supported by M'gann. "I can only authorize one at a time." He explained regrettably. It was risky and they were running out of time. There was no way they'd get everybody out.

"Send the soldiers first."

"Belay that!" General Eiling cut in, already aiming his gun at the ready for when Phantom's shield finally gave out. "You seven are assets we cannot afford to lose. The kid's shield is holding but it won't be long enough to get everybody out."

Phantom felt a rush of adrenaline flow through him at being called an asset for the first time in his life. He was useful, he was important. They need him just as much as they need real heroes. He can't let them down if they have so much faith in him.

With Robin's help, he slowly made his way over to where the rest of the team was waiting. The general was right, his shield wouldn't hold the moment the aliens made it through the outer walls. But it was better than nothing and that's what counted.

He could feel everybody's eyes on him, exhaustion must slowly be showing as he could feel his arms start to tremble slightly. He let himself land on the floor as he heard Manhunter start typing in the access code. Letting the camera scan him, he gave the verbal command before moving back to the control panel. "Override. Martian Manhunter zero seven."