THE MOMENT
"No." It wasn't a denial of reality; Barbara was answering her own question as the flames died down on each side of her. She'd done everything right so far and not a single one of her actions could have saved her partners. Revealing their trump card sooner would have ended all three of them; but, 0742 needed one person left to question. It had been the plan since the beginning, even if the trio had other hopes. Each one of them had the magic button as they gambled their lives on the mission. She was the last one standing, surrounded by flames and two piles of ash. like some sort of twisted winner's circle.
"Barb, hon...," 0742 shook her head with a patronizing tone. The orange sun was just low enough in the sky that it glowed behind 0742 and added to the imposing visage. The blood-red cowboy hat shaded her face and loose orange-red strands swayed in the evening breeze to further obscure her eyes. But, the smile on her face was apparent. "It's looking like a mighty warm evening; why don't you come on with me inside to cool down?
"They've gone too far! I can't be a part of that! You don't have to either....," Barbara pleaded. "Come with me, Amber," It was a risk; but, they were friends once. Maybe she could be distracted by that enough to lower her guard. Amber was quicker than her and she couldn't make any sudden moves.
"Too far?" Amber smirked. "Ain't no such thing; you can only go as far as you can."
"You're murdering millions! Literally! One for each member of Alpha Squad!"
"Hush up!" Amber almost sounded angry. "That's more than enough out of you. We go way back, so, I'm askin' you to come in. I don't have to ask, and you don't have to come," the circle flared up to form a tube of intense heat with Barbara in the middle. It lasted for a moment before the blaze shrunk down again. She wasn't ready; but, Barbara saw an opportunity. "What'll it be, hon?" she asked.
The one thing that made them good friends once upon a time was that Barbara knew how to push Amber's button. She only had the one; frustration. But, it was exactly what she needed right then.
"I don't know....., can I think about it a little longer?" Barbara brought a hand up and scratched her chin thoughtfully to distract from her other hand. And, it helped lay on the act as she included a smug smirk.
"I'll give you a hot minute," she braced herself as the flames shot up again. They turned blue; but, the circle grew wider. Amber was thoughtful with her intimidation. A second was all she needed as she clenched the gizmo in her pocket and caressed the button.
"I'm ready!" Barbara yelled. The flames didn't die down instantly, instead, a split opened in the blue curtain just enough to see Amber's grin.
"Did'ya say something?" she asked.
"I'm ready!" Barbara repeated as she held Amber's gaze.
"WHAT'S THAT?' she asked with a smile in her yell. Barbara endured Amber's game and proclaimed it again.
"I'M READY!" she yelled.
"I can't hear you, lemme turn it down," Amber giggled as the flames finally shrunk. Her laughter stopped as Barbara moved swiftly. She pulled her hand out of the pocket, pointed it at Amber, and pressed the button. The electronic collar around Amber's neck beeped. Then, it clicked and opened to hang loose. Amber laughed harder.
"What?" Barbara was stunned.
"It ain't neighborly you trying to blow my head off like that," Amber said. "Luckily, I'm what you call, a 'Trusted Asset'. The best part is, now that you pressed the button...,' Amber reached up and reconnected her collar. It beeped again. "... the frequency it used will tell us who gave you the button. I guess I'm done here," she shrugged and Barbara felt intense burning pain at her feet. But, she wasn't going to take her eyes off of Amber. The pain climbed up her body leaving behind no feeling at all. Barbara had nothing left to do. She heard one more line from Amber before losing consciousness. "Boy, I tell you, it really pays to love your job sometimes."