Astonishing Ant-Man #3: Test Run

"Hand the case over, now!" The woman yells, her pistol trained on Vernon after reloading.

 

"Please.. You don't have to do this." Vernon begs, but the plea is met with gunfire, as the woman aims and fires, shooting Vernon's bodyguards. Just like that, Stanley and Kirby were dead. Once again, people lost their lives because I did nothing. She won't listen to reason, so it's time for the Astonishing Ant-Man to make his grand debut. Not that anyone will see it. Elihas is looking over at the stage, which gives me the perfect opportunity to leave. It takes me a few minutes to change into my costume, but thankfully I had most of it on underneath my suit jacket. This will serve as the suit's test run, as I didn't really have time to finish my calculations before coming here.

 

"Here goes nothing." I mutter to myself, as I press the button to shrink myself in the bathroom stall after putting the rest of my costume on. Thankfully it works, as I'm now almost eye level with the ground. I'm not sure I'll ever get fully used to this strange sensation, with every part of me shrinking, while the world around me grows, all at once.

 

You never fully realize just how truly disgusting a bathroom floor is, until it's pretty much eye level. From various stains, to dust particles, and all the revolting things in between. It takes everything in me not to vomit at the sight. Additionally, there's the multitude of formerly innocent objects suddenly becoming potentially hazardous. Like the roll of toilet paper if it happened to fall could easily crush me. Or someone somehow misses with the soap dispenser, and suddenly there's a glob of soap falling towards me. Not that it applies here, but I could also get stuck in the gaps between the floorboards, if they had wood flooring. These are problems I wouldn't normally have to consider, until now.

 

It isn't all bad however. There is some beauty in this bathroom Like this ant that's off to the left of me, going about his day. An animal others consider annoying, but I find intriguing. Though, now's really not the time for this.

 

So far, so good. No adverse side effects from the shrinking, unlike last time. Well, that's a relief, knowing the suit is negating those side effects.

 

I smile, and wave to the ant, before making my way back into the ballroom. Unfortunately, due to my size, my strides are drastically smaller... So, it takes a while to get back. Note to self, I need to find some form of transportation. After a few minutes of weaving through the panicked crowd, trying to avoid being stepped on, I make it back to the stage. You know, It's not easy being small. There were a couple close calls, but thankfully I made it back intact.

 

Surprisingly, the thief's still here, just now making a beeline for the exit with the briefcase in hand. Blocking her path, are several security guards. Thankfully most of the guests have flooded out of the ballroom at this point. There's this deafening boom as she opens fire. Almost as if an explosion was going off. The security guards take cover just in time, as the bullets embed in the wall behind them.

 

It's at this point she's out of ammo. She places the briefcase beside her, behind cover.

 

This is it, now's the time.

 

"Give it up! This is your last chance to stop. No one else has to die today." I yell out, but it falls on deaf ears, as she continues to reload her pistol. It's as though she didn't hear a word I said. I guess no one can hear me when I'm this small, as the security guards didn't react either. Note to self, some more modifications are in order. Add in some sound amplification equipment so that people can hear me when I'm small.

 

Having my left arm in an uppercut position, I press the button with my right thumb. But nothing happens.

 

Is this some sort of glitch? It worked fine before... I slightly smack my right hand that's pressing the button with my left, trying to make it work. Of course, after a couple of seconds of delay, this is when it works. Catching the thief way off guard, I end up headbutting her as I grow back to human size. The hit sends her soaring through the air, only to crash into one of the many tables set up throughout the ballroom seconds later. It's over. If she's somehow not unconscious after that, there's more than enough guards to take her in.

 

I didn't want to resort to violence, as I've always been more of a pacifist. I never hurt a fly, growing up. But today, I was ready to throw the first punch of my life, because she wouldn't listen to reason. As tough as it is, some people only listen to violence.

 

As I look to my right, I notice Vernon lying there, a pool of blood beneath him. How did I not see this until now? I'm about to go over there, but I notice someone's already over there, applying pressure on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. One of the security guards notices I'm here, and points at me, before speaking.

 

"Hold it right there."

 

As much as I want to help Vernon, that's my cue to leave. Can't afford to have them ask any more questions. Pressing the trigger, I shrink after the couple of seconds of delay it has, before leaving. I only hope that Vernon makes it through this. He believed in me when no one else did. He's like the father I never really had growing up. I-- No, the company needs him. That's not even thinking of how devastating it would be to his daughter, Janet.

 

As a test run, that could've gone better. Though, it could've been way worse too. Guess my calculations were off. Lots of adjustments need to be made. Have to fix that delay, then find a way to add in sound amplification tech, and work out some sort of transportation system. Maybe some wings or something? Not sure yet. Guess it's a good thing I have my lab, and time to make said adjustments. Just have to make sure no one's around when I'm adjusting the suit. I'm a little worried more eyes will be on me, if that security guard mentions what he saw, of me shrinking. Hopefully he'll think I go invisible or something? Cause otherwise it could lead to investigations that could ruin my career. But that's tomorrow's problem. For now, I need to sleep, as it's been a long day. Looks like the ambulance is here... Hopefully I'll be able to visit Vernon tomorrow. Assuming the best, and he makes it out of this alive, of course. He's a fighter, so he'll be fine, right?

 

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Elsewhere

 

I hope dad's okay... Apparently, there was a robbery attempt at the gala shortly after I left. Here I am, sitting in the back seat of the car, left to wonder what's happened.

 

We're almost at my apartment, when my phone starts ringing.

 

"Hello?" I answer.

 

"Hello, is this Miss Janet Van Dyne?" The voice asks

 

"Yeah, that's me. What's going on?" I inquire.

 

"It's your dad. He's been shot."

 

"What happened??! Is he going to be okay?" I ask, panicking.

 

"It's hard to say if he'll make it or not, as it's a pretty serious gunshot wound. This isn't something we should discuss on the phone. It's better if you come to New York Presbyterian Hospital as soon as you can, so I can explain everything in detail." With that, she hangs up on me, before I can get another word in. Wow, talk about rude...

 

"Change of plans David, we're going to the hospital. My father's been shot." I say to my driver, as I start tearing up.

 

"Of course, Janet, anything for you. I'll get you there as fast as I can." He replies with a smile, his way of trying to cheer me up I guess... Making a u turn, he starts driving towards New York Presbyterian. Dad, please be okay. I can't lose you.

Done