“Are you getting this, Lulu?” I whispered.

“Every last pixel,” the computer hacker muttered. “Although I don’t have a clue as to what that thing is or does.”

I didn’t really care what it did. When it doubt, smash. That was my philosophy. I raised my fist and focused, ready to punch through that metal like it was a piece of paper. Suddenly, I realized the hairs on the back of my neck were standing straight out. Not good.

I hit the ground rolling. A blue lightning bolt zigzagged over my head and rattled off into the darkness. Now, I don’t have my father’s psychic abilities or even Carmen’s inner voice, but after some fifteen years as a superhero, I know when an ubervillain’s trying to get the drop on me. Siren 92

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had been quiet as death, but the electrical charge in the air from her powers had given her away.

I popped up on my feet and turned around, a fireball in my hand. “Hello, Siren. So nice to see you again.”

The ubervillain stood behind me, looking as voluptuous as ever in her electric blue suit. For once, the zipper was at a reasonable level, showing just a hint of cleavage. Evidently, Siren knew her charms would be utterly wasted on me. That or she was just cold.

“I wish I could say the same, Fiera. You and yours just keep showing up wherever Intelligal and I go,” Siren purred.

“Wouldn’t you much rather put those nasty fireballs away and have a nice talk with me? I’m sure we have a lot in common, being such strong, powerful women.”

Her husky tone wrapped around my body, slowly tightening its grip. I concentrated on the fire inside me, burned away the coils, and ignored the hypnotic pull of her voice. That trick was really wearing thin. I hated women who relied solely on their bodies to get them through life. I wasn’t above using my feminine wiles to work things to my advantage every once in a while, but I also used my brains, brawn, and general bitchiness in equal parts as well. Besides lightning bolts, all Siren seemed to have was her body. What would the ubervillain do when her voice went? Or when her bazooka boobs started to sag? She wouldn’t be nearly so alluring then.

“Honey,” I said. “You’re going to have to do a lot better than that. Your two-bit persuasive thing might work on weak-willed, sex-starved men, but not me. Where’d you learn that trick anyway? Hookers High?” When in doubt, taunt the enemy. It always worked on the society circuit. Siren’s eyes glittered with rage. A crackling energy ball popped into her hand. Her white, French-tipped nails curled around it like she was caressing her lover. “I could just electrocute you.”

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My body burst into flames. “You could try.”

A loud roar filled the air, cutting off Siren’s clichéd retort. Good grief. It sounded like a couple of tanks were rolling my way. The floor trembled beneath my feet.