Vanguard Prime Book 1

by Steven Lochran

  ‘Hardly confirmation of his demise,’ the Chairman comments.

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘And the … what was it again? The “psionic disposer”?’ the Chairman says, checking his notes.

  ‘That’s correct sir,’ the Major replies. ‘The Overman had Dr Knock contact the Major Arcana. One of their senior members – the Magician – was responsible for engineering the device from the Overman’s design. The Arcana also aided the Overman in his plan by initiating a misinformation campaign, leaving false clues as to their activities and whereabouts to side-track the Knight of Wands and ensure his absence from the Round Table.’

  ‘A plan that succeeded,’ the Chairman says pointedly.

  ‘He returned when the Overman’s message was broadcast,’ the Major replies, her poker face never cracking. ‘And at a pivotal juncture, no less, given he was able to shut off the Minipax’s beam.’

  The Chairman’s wrinkled mouth curls. ‘You understand that the cost of destroying the Minipax-1 will come out of your operational budget, don’t you?’ he asks.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ the Major replies, her eyes narrowing as she stares the Chairman down.

  Ignoring her, he returns his attention to his notes.

  ‘And the Overman?’

  ‘Secure in the Box. They’re still finishing off other sections but his special containment area is now fully functional. Though he’s sedated, it doesn’t seem to make much difference; he’s completely comatose.’

  ‘You said Goldrush was off on shore leave?’

  ‘Leaving today, yes, sir. We offered Machina the chance to see her family after the Overman incident as well, but she’s elected to spend her recuperation time on the Round Table.’

  ‘Do you think it’s wise to send Goldrush off to his family now that we’re finally gaining some understanding of his true level of power?’ the Chairman asks.

  The heads of everyone gathered at the table swivel to look at the Major as if watching a tennis match.

  ‘In retrospect, it seems obvious that his force-field would turn out to be telekinetic in nature. I don’t think it necessarily means he’s any more dangerous than he was before, and I think after the events he’s been through and the way he handled them, he’s certainly proven that he’s not only a very capable young man, but also a very trustworthy one.’

  ‘I hope you’re right, Major, for all our sakes. We’ll certainly be keeping a closer eye on young Mr Lee.’ The Chairman sips his latte. ‘You may continue.’

  Major Blackthorne’s eyebrow quivers, but only for a second. It’s the only sign of irritation she allows herself as she continues with the briefing.

  We’re flying so high above the earth that at first I don’t even recognise my home town. It just looks like a carpet woven from green lawns, blue swimming pools, black roads and grey buildings. I absentmindedly play with the wristband I’m wearing on my right hand. One tap of it and I’m a superhero. But to anyone else it just looks like a watch.

  ‘You okay, Sam?’ Agent Alpha asks me from the chair across the way. He looks different in his civilian clothes.

  ‘Oh, yeah,’ I say. ‘Definitely.’

  We’re quiet for a little while, with nothing but the sound of the engines filling the air.

  ‘In a way, I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve never had to keep a secret identity,’ Agent Alpha says suddenly. ‘Gaining my powers on live TV, in front of millions of people … there wasn’t really much point. I know enough, however, to realise that it’s going to be difficult for you. There are going to be times that you want to scream at the top of your lungs about the secret you’re carrying around. About the things you’ve seen and done.

  ‘People are going to both idolise and idealise you, and they’re going to be upset if they should ever get a sense that the perfect image they have of you isn’t true – a perfect image that our very own people will work hard to first create and then maintain.

  ‘But if you’re guided by your better angels, if you stay faithful to who you really are, then I know you’ll be okay, Sam. Because I’ve seen the true value of your character, and if anyone can handle a burden like that, and a responsibility like that, I know it’s you.’

  Coming from someone else, this might seem corny or insincere. But not from him.

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ It’s all I can manage to say.

  ‘It’s Michael, remember?’ he says, smiling.

  ‘Agent Alpha,’ the pilot’s voice chimes in through our headphones. ‘We have a secure call for Goldrush.’

  ‘Patch it through please, Captain,’ Agent Alpha replies.

  ‘Hello?’ I ask once the line connects.

  ‘Skiving off, are you?’ Machina’s voice fills my ears with that small degree of warmth she shows so rarely.

  ‘They offered me the chance to go home for a couple of weeks and I know my mum would explode if I didn’t,’ I reply. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye before I left, but –’

  ‘Don’t worry about it,’ she cuts me off. ‘Just make sure you get back here ASAP.’

  ‘You’re not taking any time off?’

  ‘Someone has to maintain the watch while you’re away embroidering or scrimshawing or whatever it is you do for fun.’

  I smile. There’s an awkward pause, filled only by the static hiss of the connection, and for a moment I think she’s unceremoniously hung up.

  ‘Hey, Sam?’ she says suddenly.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘Thanks. For everything.’

  There’s a click, telling me she really has hung up this time, and I’m left contemplating what a strange girl she is.

  ‘We’re here,’ Agent Alpha says, looking out the window.

  The Kittyhawk starts its descent. We’re at a small airfield about an hour from my house. I remember coming to it once when Mum and Dad sent me on a plane to visit my grandparents. I felt like such a grown-up that day.

  The jet lands and we step out. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I look left and right, and walk around to the other side of the Kittyhawk. I hear a bark and the next thing I know Booster is on me, his paws hard on my chest as he reaches up to lick happily at my face.

  ‘Hey, boy,’ I laugh, ruffling his golden fur. ‘It’s good to see you too.’

  ‘There’s our superhero!’ says Dad as he and Mum join us.

  ‘Oh, Sam! You’ve grown so much,’ Mum says, beaming proudly.

  ‘Mum,’ I say, rolling my eyes. ‘I’m the same size as when I left.’

  ‘Well, you look taller to me.’ She pulls me into a hug. Booster watches with a wagging tail.

  ‘Mr and Mrs Lee?’ Agent Alpha says from behind me.

  I swear, their eyes bug out at the sight of him.

  ‘Oh my God! Agent Alpha!’ Dad says, geeking out. ‘It’s an honour to meet you.’

  ‘Please, call me Michael,’ Agent Alpha says. He goes to shake Dad’s hand and I realise Dad isn’t wearing his cast anymore. ‘Sam’s told us all about both of you.’

  ‘Only good things I hope,’ Mum jokes, looking sheepish.

  ‘Of course,’ the Agent says. ‘You must be very proud of him.’

  The whole thing starts to feel like the parent-teacher night from hell as both Mum and Dad simultaneously sing my praises. I’m surprised Booster doesn’t join in.

  ‘Well, we’re all thrilled to have him as part of the team. As you know, the details of Sam’s activities with Vanguard Prime are classified, so there’s only so much he can tell you.’

  Both Mum and Dad look disappointed, like he’s just told them on Christmas Day that they’re not allowed to open their presents.

  ‘See you back on-deck in two weeks, right?’ Agent Alpha says to me.

  ‘Yes, sir.’ Just as he starts to open his mouth, I add, ‘I mean – yes, Michael.’

  ‘Now you’re getting it.’ He grins, shakes my parents’ hands again, says his goodbyes and heads back towards the jet.

  Just as he’s about to climb onboard he
turns.

  ‘Hey, Sam. I’m sure your parents would love to hear about how their son saved the world. Make sure to tell them, okay?’ With that, he pulls the door shut and the Kittyhawk starts it ascent. We watch it for a moment, before turning and heading back towards the car, Booster jogging alongside us.

  ‘What did he mean, Sam? You saved the world?’ asks Dad.

  ‘You weren’t involved in that business with the Overman, were you?’ Mum adds with concern.

  I smile broadly as I watch the Kittyhawk hit its top speed. The sky is a vivid blue, a superhero comic book blue, with the clouds looking like thought bubbles. The jet disappears behind the largest of them, the sound of its engines rolling through the air.

  I look at Mum, then I look at Dad.

  ‘Have I got a story to tell you guys.’

  All kids dream of having superpowers. I know I always did. But then I got superpowers …

  And my whole world changed.

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people who guided this book to publication and not a lot of room in which to thank them. I hope I don’t forget anyone …

  Many thanks to my publisher Lisa Riley for taking a chance and being such a believer in this series. Editor Katrina Lehman’s insight was invaluable, taking my rough collection of words and shaping them into a novel. Thanks also to designer Karen Scott and illustrator Chad McCown for doing an incredible job with the cover and design.

  Special thanks to the Penguin sales team (the Infantry of publishing), the product department and everyone at the warehouse for ensuring that the book made it out into the world, and to the marketing and publicity teams for giving it a voice when it got there.

  Thanks to Nicole Armstrong, Luke Arnold, Samantha Sainsbury, Claire Craig, Hayley Crandell, Dmetri Kakmi, Paul Kenny, Anna McFarlane, Jenny McHendrie and Joel Naoum, as well as all the other friends and mentors over the years that have taken the time to read my work and offer their support.

  To Mum, Dad, Sue and Nan, it’s been a long road from Andy & The Sheriff, but we finally got here. Thank you.

  Thanks also to the Roberts family for all their enthusiasm and support when they learned they had a writer in their midst.

  And, finally, my deepest thanks to Simone, who was with me while I wrote this book and has been its strongest advocate. It simply wouldn’t exist without her.

  Thanks also to you, the reader. I look forward to sharing Sam’s adventures with you.

  Steven Lochran, August 2012

  PUFFIN BOOKS

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  Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL, England

  First published by Penguin Group (Australia), 2012

  Text copyright © Steven Lochran, 2012

  Cover illustration copyright © Chad McCown, 2012

  The moral right of the author and illustrator has been asserted.

  All rights reserved.

  puffin.com.au

  ISBN: 978-1-74253-632-3