Project S.T.A.T.I.C. Part 4: Worlds Apart

"The Raven is dead. I repeat, The Raven is dead. He was murdered by a group of women that want to control and rule over the city. He gave his life standing against them. The last vestige we have against the evil threatening our city now lies in the hands of The Feral, The Spectre, a handful of miscreants, and all of you. It is up to all of us to stand for the ideals that he represented, to stand against the tyranny of evil, and to ensure that his legacy lives on."

Zoey's voice played on a loop on the radio in Alexis' hideout. After the fourth time, she grabbed a beaker of acid and slung it at the radio with a frustrated scream. Everything she'd ever hoped for, dreamed of, and wanted had been stolen from her because she was too busy wreaking havoc. It had felt good in the moment to regain touch with her old roots, but without Jake to stop her it was empty and hollow. She'd thought for sure that when Kaitlyn and the others showed up that Jake wouldn't be far behind, but he never came. Even her best friend Beth hadn't been bothered to show up, but then she learned the reason why. Distraught, heartbroken, and utterly furious, she abandoned her plans and slipped away into the shadows while hiding her tears.

This was Courtney's doing, but that undead bitch was working for someone. She had a hunch as to who it was too. Weeks ago, a strange woman had approached Alexis with an offer to join something bigger than she could have ever dreamed. It was shortly after the prison break, and the entire debacle with the phony Meg Myers. She'd never given her name, but she promised Alexis everything her heart could ever desire as long as she said yes to her proposal. Of course, Alexis had quickly told her to get bent. While many things had changed over the last year, one thing had remained the same. Footgirl worked only for herself, and she wouldn't become a pawn for someone else if she could help it. Besides, at that time she'd had Jake to herself. Things were going swimmingly at that point, but that woman wouldn't leave her alone. She'd eventually left, but she kept the door open for her offer.

Given the reports coming in of people and places suddenly disappearing in an almost starry sphere, Alexis now had a suspicion that Voidfoot was involved. The old mammoth powerhouse that had nearly destroyed the world years ago was somehow back, but the woman who'd approached her hadn't looked anything like Emily. Well, not in the way that Alexis remembered the terrifying monster. Their faces had been similar, but Voidy always wore that gaudy armor, and this woman had been dressed for some sort of business meeting and recruitment drive. She had an air of command about her, and Alexis was willing to wager that she was the head of the current table. Someone had to be pulling the strings considering everything that had happened over the last several months. Courtney Tellar, Meg Myers, Duchess as a warden, and that nerd with the giant robot were all too much of a coincidence to be ignored.

Speaking of her old bestie, Duchess had seemed more motivated than usual the last time they'd met. Granted, she was trying to hold Jake prisoner, but they'd had an agreement from years prior. Duchess wasn't an idiot either, and she knew better than anyone what happened when someone crossed Footgirl. Yet, despite this, she had chosen to try to keep Jake from her. She'd even gone so far as to fight her when she came to rescue her boyfriend. Someone was pulling strings, and they had to have a ton of money and power to influence someone like Amy. What Amy lacked in powers, she more than made up for in smarts and raw strength. She never did anything unless it benefited her. Hell, that had been part of what Alexis respected about her for the longest time. Something didn't add up here, and it was adding to her growing madness.

Alexis huffed and walked into the room in the back of her hideout. She hated being back here, but it was the last place anyone, besides maybe Beth, would look for her. The old condemned building in the suburbs outside of Metropolis she'd used when she and Beth had first teamed up. Her shrine to Jake was still in the living room, but she hadn't been back here in quite some time. After her return from the underworld, she'd taken to storing things here in case of an emergency. Artifacts, science equipment, pieces of salvaged technology, and more just to name a few. It was her last bastion if things ever went to complete shit. Given the current state of things, now seemed like as good a time as any to call this hole a home again. 

She grabbed a piece of chalk from a shelf in the corner, and she bent down to draw the circle she'd seen in books while in Hell. Magic wasn't her specialty, but she was desperate. Jake was gone, and she needed him back. Granted, she was going to slap him for ignoring her like he had, but then she would make sure he was safe. Her lovable idiot had made a deal with the former queen of Hell, and he'd taken that stupid mark to stop his bitch of an ex. One thing Alexis knew better than anyone was the levels of depravity that the demons in the underworld were capable of. It had been part of why she'd fit in as well as she had down there, but Lilith was from the old circles. The pain and suffering Jake would endure until the end of time would be unlike anything he'd experienced while alive. All of his fantasies would become nightmares, and she would extract all of his sorrow until he was a broken husk of a toy. She had to get him back, or at least she had to try.

She finished the circle and moved inward to begin drawing the seal. It was a ritual circle that would allow her to open a doorway to the underworld, but the seals would prevent anything nasty from escaping. Whether the forces of good were really what they claimed or not, Hell detested those symbols and wards. The glyphs would keep the demons at bay and allow her to move without fear of being pulled in. Her vacation had been nice enough, but she wasn't looking to return anytime soon. Within minutes, she had finished the last of the sacred seals. Now, it was time to apply the salts and crushed herbs. A vile and smelly mixture that turned even her iron stomach, but another necessary component for the spell to work. She grabbed a jar from the shelf where she'd gotten the chalk, and she followed the outline of the circle as she finished.

Once Alexis was through, she stepped into the center of the star of David she'd drawn within the circle. She took a few moments to try to regulate her breathing and calm her mind; a task that was next to impossible on a good day. She had to banish the thoughts of grief, the crippling depression and anger, and her suspicions from the forefront of her mind. Slowly, the voices in her head faded to a distant murmur in the background. It was as close to calm as she was going to get. How Pam managed to do stuff like this on a daily basis would forever be beyond her. Magic was different from science, and it required more than just knowledge. The technique had to be perfect if she were to have any chance at pulling this off. So she brought her hands together and tried to concentrate.

"Aperi mihi," she whispered the Latin phrase, "Aperi mihi per mandatum meum…"

Over and over she muttered the incantation, gradually growing louder with every repeat. She could feel a static charge building in the air around her. Her messy hair began to stand up as she continued the ritual. She cracked her eyes as she felt a rush of hot air blow past her face. A small ripple was forming in the air as the spell began to work. It twisted and waved around as she practically shouted the command a final time. It was working. Now it was time for the next phase.

"Ostende mihi…Jake Blackridge," she said as the window began to open into the hellscape of the underworld, "Ostende mihi…Jake Blackridge."

It was becoming harder to breathe the longer this went on. Jake had mentioned how taxing magic was on him, but she'd thought he had been exaggerating. Her legs felt heavy as she fought to keep the ritual going. She could do this, she had to do this. As she repeated the phrase, the ripple turned into a sliver and began to show the familiar marble of Lilith's domain. The smell of fire and brimstone hit her, and then the screams of the damned started to fill the room. She could see shapes forming as figures began to appear. The spell was working! Lilith could be seen on her throne, but that wasn't who she was looking for. Where was Jake? What had she done with him?

That was when she saw him. On his knees with broken arms by his side and his face tucked between Lilith's legs. Her hand was on the back of his head as she thrust her pelvis into his face. That sadistic bitch was fucking his face! The spell got closer to the two of them, and she saw the bruises and lacerations on his poor face. Blood rolled down his cheeks, and she could see tears on his face as well. He was filthy, beaten, bruised, and broken by that freak. It was enough to break her composure, and she let her emotions get the better of her. Her concentration was breaking.

"Let him go!" Alexis screamed as she shook with rage.

Lilith's eyes snapped to her, and Alexis felt her heart drop. Could she see her? That shouldn't have been possible, but she swore she was staring a hole right into her soul. "Hmph, it appears you have a concerned fan, boy," Lilith chuckled as she stared at Alexis and ripped Jake away from her, "Let's let her have a look at you, shall we? I'm a merciful queen, and she can see what you've become before she dies."

Shit, how was this possible? Alexis' panic switched to horror as Lilith grabbed Jake by the back of his head and held him up. Cum ran down his jaw which had been mangled and dislocated. He was missing teeth, and his eyes were listless and had dark circles around them. He looked like he'd spent days being beaten and tortured. Alexis could only look on in disgust and fury as Lilith cackled at her. Then, the unthinkable happened. She watched as Lilith began to squeeze his head in her clawed hand. Jake began to thrash and scream with renewed vigor as she crushed his skull. He went silent and limp as his head was crushed in her hand. She let his bloody body fall to the ground before getting up and stomping on what was left of his skull. She'd killed him right before her eyes, and there was nothing she could do about it. 

"You monster!" Alexis shrieked as she tried to jump through the portal only to be stopped by a strong gust of wind.

"He made the deal, girl, and he will honor it," Lilith growled as she pointed at Alexis, "He should be returning momentarily, and I can begin my fun once again. Perhaps this time I'll start by using him as a cushion for my throne, or maybe a few days as a butt-plug would be fun. Of course, I haven't eaten in some time now. The flesh of mortals is a delicacy I don't often get to enjoy, and I do love the way he screams as I pick him apart piece by piece. Then, once he returns again, he can breathe in the fumes I'll emit from devouring him. The stench of the dead has such a hilarious effect on you maggots, and there's just something about feeling him squirm beneath me that is absolutely wonderful."

"Give him back to me!" Alexis roared.

"I won't be doing that, but perhaps you wish to join him," Lilith chuckled as Jake's screaming body fell fresh at her feet, "I could always use another toy to pass the time. Daughters, show this little cur what happens when someone interrupts your mother."

Sadistic and shrill cackles filled the room as three specters broke through the portal. Alexis recognized the three daughters of Lilith instantly as they flew around the circle. "Dammit, this isn't working," Alexis growled as she closed the connection too quickly.

The portal turned into a vortex that pulled the three cackling wraiths back into Hell. Their blades had been inches from Alexis when they were flung back to the confines of the abyss. They were back in their world, but closing the connection came at a cost. A small explosion occurred as the portal slammed shut and the vortex imploded. Alexis was flung out of the circle and sent spinning through the air. Her back slammed into the wall, and she hit the ground upside down in an undignified heap. She grimaced and coughed out smoke from the remnants of the ritual. She could taste the burnt herbs and salt as she laid on the ground.

"Ugh, goddammit!" Alexis screamed as she got to her feet and teetered on shaky legs, "That fucking cunt is going to pay for this!"

Enraged, Alexis began grabbing whatever she could get her hands on and slinging it around the room. She stormed out before she damaged any of the artifacts she might need, but her lab was in the next room. Beakers, burners, and computers were all victims of her unbridled fury. She smashed them, threw them, and flipped a desk as she screamed her frustrations out. None of this was supposed to happen, and it was all because of that bitch Courtney! Still furious, Alexis launched into a flying kick to break down the door into the living room. Her loyal sidekick yelped as Alexis broke down the door and continued her tirade of destruction. She flipped over furniture, smashed a mirror, and threw a knife that came within an inch of stabbing Miri. She screamed again as she prepared to flip a table, but she stopped as she spotted the frame hanging on the wall.

There, tattered and stained, was the only thing she had left of Jake. The old costume she'd taken after he went to Citiville. Alexis froze as she stared up at it, but her body continued to tremble as her mind worked in overdrive. Her outrage was still there, but she was hit with an overwhelming sense of sadness as she looked up at the frame. Tears began rolling down her cheeks as the seconds turned to minutes. Alexis wept as she fell to her knees. He was gone, and she had been too busy to save him. Her selfish attempt at garnering attention had robbed him of the chance to survive. Even if she hadn't been there, the others would have been. Instead, they were busy fighting her and leaving him defenseless. Deep down, and much to her dismay, Alexis knew she was just as much to blame for Jake's death as anyone. She denied it outwardly, but inwardly it was killing her because she knew it was true.

"Boss?" Miri piped up, nervously approaching her beloved mistress.

"Not now, Miri," Alexis sobbed, not caring about the fact that she'd nearly murdered her closest ally, "He's gone…he's really gone this time."

Miri swallowed thickly as she watched her boss. It was dangerous to approach her right now, she knew that, but she hated seeing her like this. Despite the fact that she'd barely avoided a blade to the throat, Miri desperately wanted to comfort her boss. She was risking a swift slap, or a hard kick, but she threw caution to the wind as she approached her. Words weren't what she needed right now, Alexis needed support and actions. So, Miri knelt beside her and gently put her arms around her. It was meant to test the waters, and she was ready to pull away if needed. However, Alexis turned and threw herself into Miri's embrace. She buried her face in the crook of her neck, wrapped her arms around her, and wept harder. Miri hated seeing her like this, but this was the closest she'd ever felt to her mistress since being taken in. She didn't say a word and held her tighter until she was ready. She would stay like this for as long as it took to ensure Alexis was okay, and to let her know she wasn't alone.

They remained just like that for a short while; Miri gently holding and rubbing Alexis' back as she sobbed. Alexis eventually pulled away and looked at Miri with sadness and gratitude. "Thank you, Miri," she whispered, "You're a good girl…"

"I'm here for you, boss, now and forever," Miri promised her.

Alexis nodded and shifted so she was facing the shrine she'd made to Jake. "They'll pay," she muttered to herself more than to Miri, "They will pay for what they took from me…"

Miri didn't doubt it for a second. Broken and hoarse as Alexis was, Miri knew the conviction in her voice all too well. It wasn't a threat, wasn't a promise, but rather a guarantee. It wouldn't be tonight, but a storm of wrath and chaos was brewing on the horizon. Miri couldn't wait to see what her amazing boss would do when the time came. She would stick close until then in case Alexis needed anything. Honestly, she wouldn't leave if somebody paid her. There was no place she'd rather be than beside the whimsically maniacal and insane Footgirl. It was where she belonged; at least, that's what she felt inside.

Miri stood up and heard something vibrating behind the couch. She frowned as she hopped over it to see what it was. Alexis' phone was buzzing from a call from Beth. She picked it up and glanced over at her boss. She wasn't in any shape to be talking right now, and the last thing she needed was a reminder of what she'd already lost. So Miri silenced the phone and turned it off. She would let her boss know about it later. Whatever it was, it would have to wait. She doubted Beth was calling to check on Alexis. The pinkette probably wanted something from her, and Alexis didn't have anything to give right now. Then, a knocking came from the front door.

"I'll get it," Miri said, not wanting her precious boss to be disturbed more than necessary.

She hurried to the front door to open it, and frowned as she saw the man standing in the doorway. He wore black and red and was dressed far sharper than necessary. "Good evening, miss," he greeted, "I'm looking for one Alexis Hamilton. I have reason to believe she's here."

"Who's asking?" Miri asked, putting her hands on her hips and blocking the door, "I ain't taking social calls, sweet cheeks, and I ain't interested in no cookies either."

"I represent a mutual ally of Ms. Hamilton," the man said, ignoring Miri's antics, "I, and others in my group, represent a light in a dark world. I understand that Ms. Hamilton may be going through a difficult time right now, but-"

"Whoo boy, a Bible thumper," Miri scoffed, "Hard pass, chief, this ain't a time for spirituality. Buzz off before I knock you off my porch."

"Ma'am, I am not affiliated with a church," the man sighed, "My employer is looking for allies for a coming war. We want to make sure that Ms. Hamilton chooses the right side given her disposition for carelessness. I understand that what happened to Mr. Blackridge has her distraught, but we had no intention of-"

"Hold up, hold up, hold up," Miri stopped him, "Whaddya mean we?" 

"I mean we had every intention of preserving Mr. Blackridge and keeping him alive before one of our assets went rogue," he explained, clearly getting frustrated, "If I could just speak with Ms. Hamilton, I could explain the situation. We can make this right, and we will as long as we are given the proper chance."

Miri canted her head and smirked. So this bozo was involved in what happened to Jake. She glanced back at Alexis and smiled. It would do her some good to let off some steam. "Ya know what?" Miri started as she moved to the side, "She's right in here, and I think she's gonna be interested in hearing you out. I hope you got a good explanation, though. She's a little tore up, but a guy like you might be able to cheer her up. Come on in!"

"Miri, I'm not taking visitors now," Alexis said, hearing her sidekick's last words.

"Oh, I think you'll wanna take this one, boss," Miri said, "Matter of fact, he's just dying to talk to you…"

—------

Beth frowned as Alexis' phone went to voice-mail again. "Something wrong?" Addy asked, noticing Beth was distracted.

"I've been trying to get a hold of Alexis," Beth explained, "I figured I could try to contact her and let her know what's going on. We need all the help we can get, and I know she's got to be a wreck over Jake."

"You're really friends with her, huh?" Sam asked while checking her most recent clip, "I had thought that was mostly her being her usual crazy self back at the clock tower."

"Yeah, I know how strange it seems considering who she is and our past, but she was there for me when I started this new chapter in my life," Beth sighed, taking her blade from Addy and inspecting it, "She's as crazy now as she was then, but she's more misunderstood than anything. Originally, our alliance was built on mutual interest, but she treated me like a friend. I thought it was bullshit and manipulation until I got captured by Goth. That's when that nut job surprised me by coming to my rescue. On top of that, she literally gave her life to save mine, and by extension, Jake's. She's broken, batshit, and chaotic, but she's not wholeheartedly evil at her core. She can do some bad things, really bad, but I believe there's still good in her buried deep down."

"Optimism from a killer," Sam smiled despite the grim gloom hanging overhead, "It's weird that you still want to see the good in people considering your approach to most criminals. Then again, that's how Jake was…"

"People can change," Addy said, unsheathing her sword and placing it on the whetstone, "Some deserve a second chance more than others, but a strong, guiding hand can be the difference in someone's life. Sometimes it takes a firmer hand, but other times it just requires that someone continue to believe and support."

"Alexis is a strange case, I'll admit," Beth shook her head, "She's done more bad than good, but even at the height of her crazy, she helped us a couple of times. She teeters between psychotic and neurotic, but I've learned that that doesn't make someone evil. As much as she could drive Jake up a wall, he tried for a long time to see something more than the villain she became. Her stalking and obsession clouded that over time, but he still kept it alive deep down. I believe that's why he eventually decided to give her a shot after Goth finally fell."

"I should have been there," Sam said quietly, rolling a bullet between her fingers, "I should have taken the fight to them and tried to help, but instead I've been cowering behind Zoey for weeks. Ever since that freak Eva took me hostage, I haven't been able to function right. He gave me a shot, believed in me, and welcomed me into his family like I'd never tried to screw him over. How do I repay that? By hiding behind the skirt of a woman that's been taking care of me. I'm pathetic."

"Don't do that," Beth sighed, checking the clips they'd loaded, "Everything you went through, Jake understood. Both of us did, believe it or not, Sam. You saw the state he was in when we met in the woods last year, remember? You also know that he wouldn't have wanted anything to happen to you. Hell, when this Eva bitch was running around posing as Myers, he was more worried about you than anything. The only reason he even went along with the prison and the arrest was to keep you safe. Everyone else was always more important to him than himself, but you meant the world to him. Differences aside, you were his family, and he loved you, Sam."

"I know that that's true, but it doesn't change how I feel, ya know?" Sam said, her foot starting to tap, "The fact is, we were family. That's what makes it so damn hard. I'm torn between this shitty crushing regret, and this anger at myself for being too chicken shit to do anything on my own. Maybe if I had been there-"

"It wouldn't have made a difference," Addy cut her off, putting her sword down and putting her hand on Sam's arm, "I know that seems cold and doesn't help, but the enemy we face is far greater than anything to date. I served under Goth, and from what my mistress has said, she pales compared to this Voidfoot. We would have lost another…friend to this monster had you gotten involved."

Beth noticed Addy's hesitation with the word friend. She hadn't considered it until now, but she realized she didn't know much about the young woman. From what Pam had told her about Goth and her initiate program, she prayed on girls that didn't have close family or relationships. It was easier to manipulate someone with claims of affection and acceptance, based on what Pam had told her. It explained why both Miri and Addy had taken to their new masters as quickly and well as they had. In a way, it was almost sad to think that Addy probably hadn't had a close friend in a long time outside of other students and her current mistress. Beth put the clip down and walked around the table to join Addy and Sam.

"We need everyone we can get in this fight, Sam," she said, clapping a hand on Sam's shoulder, "Addy is right. It doesn't make what happened to Jake hurt any less, but we're still here. I know Jake would be glad for that, and he'd be happy that we're working together."

Sam's body started to tremble, "You're right, but I want to make those assholes pay for what they did."

"We will," Addy assured her, "They will know pain, fear, and loss before this is over. We take everything from them, and we make them realize the error of their ways."

"Jake wouldn't want us to kill them," Sam whispered, "I want to honor him, but I can't let them live."

"I get that, I do," Beth said, "We butted heads a lot once he rejoined patrols. Killing went against his code, but sometimes the only way to remove a weed is to pull it up by the root. We don't have to kill everyone that works for these freaks, but they gave up their chance of mercy when they took him from us. Murray, Eva, Emily, and whoever else is dumb enough to stand in our way will learn what wrath is."

"Well said," Addy nodded, "You all showed me mercy while I was against you, but not everyone deserves that. We fight together, we win together, and then we pay homage to the fallen hero."

Sam nodded and took a deep breath, "Alright, alright you're both right. We make these assholes pay, and we'll show them what happens when you fuck with our city."

"It's gonna get messy, but we stick together," Beth smiled, a genuine one for the first time since they'd returned to the Birdcage, "It's what friends do."

Addy frowned as she pulled away and grabbed her sword. "Are we…friends, Beth?" she asked, seemingly afraid of the answer. 

"Yeah," Beth smiled at her, "More than allies, we're friends in this together. I promise you both, I will make sure that we come out of this on top. No matter what happens, I've got your backs."

The affirmation seemed to have a noticeable effect on Addy. It wasn't the assurance of help, but rather the knowledge that she had someone besides Kait looking out for her. "You should rest," Addy said, "We can handle this until the time comes to move. I estimate that we have a few hours before the others are ready."

"She's right," Sam agreed, "We need you and Pam at full strength. The rest of us got off easy with the fight, but you two just finished a whole ordeal with that giant robot thing. If we're gonna succeed, we need everyone ready and rested. Go get some sleep, or at least lay down and rest."

"Alright, are you two gonna be okay together?" Beth nodded.

"Yeah, we're good," Sam replied, "Maybe when we finish, Addy can show me a couple of tricks with that blade of hers if we have time."

"It would be my pleasure," Addy smiled at Sam, "It's better to be prepared, right?"

"Alright, then that settles it," Beth sighed, "Someone come get me when we're heading out. I don't want to miss anything, and I intend to keep my promise to both of you."

"We got you, don't worry," Sam said as Beth turned to walk away, "I think I saw Pam walking off that way if you want to grab her."

"Nah, she's probably meditating," Beth shook her head, "I've been with her long enough to know that it's better to leave her be at times like this. She wouldn't be upset, but she needs time to pull herself together. I don't fully get her arcane magic stuff, but those clones she makes are physical projections of her emotions. That's why some of them are more aggressive than others. So when she's meditating, sometimes, she's trying to keep herself and her emotions level."

"So, in a way, she's talking to herself over there?" Sam asked with a small grin.

"Kinda," Beth shrugged, "Like I said, I don't fully get everything that's happening when she's like that. What I do know is that it's important for her to have peace when she's focusing. Times like this, it's crucial so she doesn't have any missteps in a fight. Her powers come from her emotions, at least I think that's how she explained it."

"An empath," Addy nodded, "Her connection to the weave isn't dependent on her emotions, but they amplify what she can draw from it. Her ability to harness magic would be present without her empathy, but it serves as fuel to a fire of sorts. Despite their falling out, Goth used Pamela as an example of what one could achieve if they studied and trained hard enough. She was painted as a traitor by a false prophet, you, but her powers were never in question."

"Huh, good to know I had a special place in Goth's bullshit," Beth chuckled, "She hated me, but at least she kept her respect for Pam, I guess. She was a bitch about it, but it says a lot that she'd still use her as some kind of positive example."

"The stories did not do her justice," Addy admitted, "She is more than formidable, she is a force to be reckoned with. It makes me even more glad that I ended up on the side with you all. My mistress speaks highly of her too, although I can see the mild apprehension in her when she does."

"Yeah, Pam has an unsettling effect on people," Beth chuckled, "Sal and Sam were scared shitless of her for the longest, and I think Sal is still a little spooked by her."

"She's still freaky," Sam admitted, "She's nice and stuff, but there's this weird air about her. Plus, and this is the big one, your first date was you torturing her."

"Killing, but I did that too," Beth shrugged, "I didn't say it wasn't weird, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't know where I'd be without her. Anyway, I'm gonna get some rest. Come get me when we're ready, okay?"

Addy and Sam nodded as Beth turned to walk away. She wouldn't be sleeping, she couldn't if she wanted to. Her body was tired, but her mind was still in overdrive. Everything that had happened, and was about to happen, had her on edge. It had felt good to talk with women like herself for a change, and she wished things weren't as dire and drastic as they were now. Maybe one day they could do this without the threats hanging overhead, but they had to win first. That was something that no matter how much Beth said she believed, she felt uncertain about. They'd faced impossible odds before, but they'd done it with Jake. With him gone, and Alexis seemingly awol, her confidence was shaken. Regardless, she'd give it her all to save her city and the people she cared about.