The Guardians Omnibus

by Damien Benoit-Ledoux

  “Blake would never do that!” Quinn protested.

  “He turned on you, didn’t he?”

  Quinn sighed. “Yeah.”

  “When push comes to shove, we’re all in danger. Even my family and I could be in danger because I’m your mentor and Blake knows this, too.”

  “Shit.”

  “I’m not trying to scare you, but I want you to know what’s at stake. If The Order didn’t exist, your life would be much easier because you wouldn’t have to deal with a sinister organization. Alas, that’s not how these stories usually work out, is it?

  Quinn chuckled. “Nope.”

  “So, be careful. You’ll be the one who has to take the blame, apologize more than you want to, and always be thinking about your loved one’s safety.”

  “Uh-huh.” That doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a lot of fun.

  “Chapter three: Don’t be a Jerk. Quinn, don’t ever forget your roots and where you came from, the struggles you’ve endured, or the failures you’ve learned from. Don’t be afraid to make more mistakes, so long as you learn something from there. Never think you’re better than anyone else just because you have super powers.”

  “I think I can handle that.”

  “Quinn, if it was easy, I would not have included it in the Manifesto.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Second to last, Victory isn’t the Point. You should not confuse victory with glory and fame because it is intrinsically linked to chapter two, Sacrifice. Most of the time, your victories over crime and bad people will be small, thankless, and utterly annoying moments you need to accomplish simply because you can when no one else can. Given how the police have responded to your presence, you should already be acquainted with this.”

  “But once Chief Applegate trusts me, I might be able to convince her The Order is bad news. I’ve already won over some of the lower ranking police officers. Maybe the more good I do, the more she’ll likely…”

  Mr. St. Germain raised his hand and interrupted him. “Quinn, Chief Applegate may never trust you. You have to prepare yourself for that reality.”

  Quinn sat back and frowned.

  “Worst case scenario, the police and the DHS continue to hunt you down for the rest of your life. The good news is, I don’t think that will happen. With time, most of the authorities may trust you, but some never will. You have to remember that you provide an amazing opportunity and an extremely lethal threat. So does Blake.”

  “I would never hurt people intentionally.”

  “I’m sure that’s what Superman thought until he was compromised in the comics and hurt people. I know you only have the best intentions, but you have to understand the way the world works. It’s not a fair place and unfortunately, people choose violent actions over peaceful resolve far more than they should.”

  Quinn nodded and flipped to the last section of the book. It contained only one page with the centered words: Be Yourself.

  “The last chapter is self-explanatory. Your name is Quinton McAlester. You’re a good kid with a good family. When you’re not Blue Spekter, be who you were meant to be. Have fun and enjoy life responsibly.”

  Quinn closed the binder and smiled at his mentor. “I can do that.”

  “Great! Okay, I have another surprise for you. Let’s go into the supply closet, but leave the door open, please.”

  “Sure.” Quinn followed his mentor into the science supply closet.

  Mr. St. Germain pulled a medium-sized black duffel bag from one of the shelves and set it on the empty media cart next to him. “I want to make sure you like where this is headed before I keep going.”

  He unzipped the duffel bag and pulled out a blue, white, and black BMX-style armored motorcycle jacket. It had several patches that made it look futuristic and cool. He handed it to Quinn and then pulled out a matching pair of similarly colored BMX armored leather pants and held them up so the legs would unfold.

  “What is this?” Quinn asked, mesmerized by the cool looking suit

  Mr. St. Germain grinned from ear-to-ear. “It’s the first design iteration of your superhero costume.”

  Quinn’s jaw dropped as he looked over the jacket, turning it over in his hands.

  “Put it on,” Mr. St. Germain said.

  Quinn pulled the jacket on and stared at his reflection in the glass cabinetry, letting his eyes glow. I look awesome in this.

  “Now, I still need to get you a mask, but I have some ideas about that. I’m thinking something like the Flash’s cowl, but blue, where only your eyes and mouth are exposed. Your glowing eyes will keep people from recognizing your face.”

  “Why not something skin-tight?” Quinn teased, pulling off the jacket and studying it.

  Mr. St. Germain chuckled and peeked into the classroom then turned his attention back to Quinn. “One day, maybe, but right now I don’t have access to indestructible superhero fabrics, so for now, you’ll have to go with leather. It’s durable and will hold against anything but gunfire and knives. With your defensive shield power under control now, I’d suggest you keep the bullets away from your suit. This was pretty hard to come by.”

  “You said you wanted to make sure I liked it before you kept going, going where?”

  “So, although I don’t have access to super fabrics, my brother happens to own a textile business that makes extremely lightweight, super-strong, and durable materials that could be mixed with Kevlar weave or whatever the latest and greatest is. If you like the design, he would be more than happy to create something special for you based on this design. I don’t think it will be as amazing or indestructible as comic book hero suits, but it’ll get the job done and protect your identity.”

  “You can trust him?” I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal who I am yet to his brother.

  Mr. St. Germain laughed. “Quinn, if you think I’m a geek, wait until you meet him. He’s already mentioned his desire to make Blue Spekter a suit, so when I hand him your measurements…”

  Quinn laughed. “He’ll go nuts and secretly make me a suit?”

  Mr. St. Germain nodded. “Yes, and I won’t tell him who you are.”

  The bell rang.

  “Come get this after school today or tomorrow and try it out. If it works, we’ll make you something awesome.”

  “Thanks, Mr. St. Germain. I can’t wait to take it for a test flight.”

  ❖

  Blake

  The next day at school, Blake stared at the clock and watched the second hand tick around the clockface. Ever since the best friends parted ways about a month ago, science class had become more awkward for Blake because Mr. St. Germain was the only person outside of The Order who knew the truth about their super-powered alter-egos. Today was no exception, and although Mr. St. Germain did his best to ignore what he knew about Blake and conduct class with impartiality and fairness, Blake felt he never looked at him throughout the entire class period.

  Maybe I’m just oversensitive to this because I know what he knows.

  When the bell rang, he grabbed his books and walked through the crowded halls to the library to study for his math test. I can move objects through the air, throw flame, and run faster than the eye can see, but I can’t get out of my damn math tests.

  He sat down at his usual table—the one he once shared with Quinn—and pulled his math notebook and workbook from his backpack before setting it on the chair next to him.

  “Hi, handsome,” Ravone said, setting her backpack on the table. She pulled out a chair and sat down across from him.

  “Hey,” Blake said tentatively, looking up at her. He perceived a renewed sense of determination about her, but he didn’t know why. I don’t really want company right now.

  “How’ve you been?” she asked playfully.

  Blake sighed and looked at a red book on the bookshelf next to him. Then, he looked at Ravone. “Are you spying on me for Quinn?”

  Ravone’s eyebrows narrowed. “How dare you. If you ever ask me whose side
I’m on again, I’ll punch you in the dick, capiche?”

  Blake’s eyes popped open in surprise at her answer.

  “I am friends with both of you, but I like you, Blake. I’ve always liked you.”

  Blake noticed her voice trembling as she spoke. He blinked, unsure of what to say, but she filled the silence and continued speaking. “I know you’re a loner and things are…tough right now…but they don’t have to be.”

  “I don’t want your pity,” he retorted.

  “Good, because I’m not offering it. The last thing I need is a relationship with a wounded puppy.”

  Blake sat back and stared at her. A relationship?

  “What do you want, Ravone?”

  “I’m asking you out, Blake.”

  “Oh.”

  A memory stirred in Blake’s mind…

  ❖

  “Do you date, Blake?” Victor asked nonchalantly as they waited for the finance officer to return with the BMW 8’s final sale paperwork.

  He shrugged. “Not really.”

  “Why not?”

  “Uh, I never had time, I guess. I’m either at school, track, or work. If I’m at home, it’s to sleep or shower. Otherwise I’m at…I was at…Quinn’s house or hanging out with other friends.”

  “And no guys or girls caught your eye?”

  “Well, yeah, but…I just…didn’t get around to it,” Blake answered, shaking his head. “And, it would be girls.”

  “Ah, I wasn’t sure.”

  “Seriously?” Do I give off a gay vibe or something?

  Victor rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mean it like that. You are very accepting of Quinn, so I thought perhaps, maybe, it was because you were also gay.”

  “Oh. No. I just, always knew about Quinn and it pissed me off when the bullies picked on him for being gay. It’s so stupid.”

  “Understood. I applaud your conviction about bullies; it will serve you well in The Order. But, back to the topic at hand; Dr. Madison and I think it would be healthy for you to date someone your age.”

  “On top of everything else? Wait, you two have been talking about me?”

  “Of course. Like you so adeptly reminded me during one of our last conversations, you’re still in high school and we want what’s best for you—that means doing normal high school things whenever possible, including dating if you’d like. A well-rounded superhero will serve the world better than one who is inexperienced at worldly matters.”

  “Oh.” I’m glad you’re taking my ideas seriously.

  “We’ll consider it part of your training.”

  “What? A girlfriend would be part of my training?” Blake asked, dumbfounded.

  “Well, no…of course not. Sorry, that came out wrong.” Victor looked at him strangely. “She would be someone you could be a boyfriend to. Of course, your involvement in The Order and our existence would be off-limits to whomever you dated. Is that something you would like?”

  Blake shrugged. “I’ve never really thought about it, to be honest. Like I said, I never had time.”

  The woman with the BMW paperwork returned to the small office, her heels clicking on the tile floor.

  “Think about it, and let me know,” Victor said, reaching for the pen on the table as the representative sat down and opened the folder of paperwork.

  ❖

  “So…” Ravone said softly.

  Blake smiled awkwardly and cleared his throat. “You want to go on a date with me?”

  She nodded.

  Blake felt an unusual giddiness bubble up in his heart as the corner of his lip curled upward of its own accord. Wait, do I actually want to do this?

  “Well, I…”

  “Great.”

  Blake stared at her. “I didn’t answer.”

  “Just say yes.”

  Blake chuckled. “You don’t think it would be weird? We have been such close friends; wouldn’t it be like dating a brother for you?”

  Ravone rolled her eyes. “Blake, if I’m asking you on a date, it’s obviously not a problem for me. Is it a problem for you?”

  Blake shook his head. “I don’t think so, but it’s a surprise to me, that’s all. I kinda thought you might like me but with everything I have to do…”

  “I do like you, Blake. A lot.”

  “Oh.”

  Blake sighed. “Okay, I’ll go on a date with you.”

  Ravone frowned. “Could you maybe say it in a way that doesn’t sound like a chore?”

  Blake frowned with her. “The last thing I need in my life right now is another person telling me how I do something wrong. If you really want to try this, you take me where I’m at or walk away right now and we stay friends.”

  Ravone regarded him with surprise and then smiled. “There’s my badass boy. How does an afternoon stroll through Prescott Park work for you? I’ll text you details.”

  Ugh, why do we have to do what Quinn did on his first date? He nodded. “Remember, it’s a date. We’re not dating, yet.”

  “I got it,” she responded, picking up her backpack.

  “Are you going to tell Quinn?”

  “No, not yet. See ya later.” She winked at him and turned around.

  Blake watched Ravone walk away from the library, following her figure as she moved. Then, catching himself staring at her, he shook his head. This is going to be really weird…she’s been like a sister to me. I have to get my head in a different game if this is going to work out. It’s not like close friends can’t become something more, right?

  3-3 | You Make Me Feel Like Loving You

  Quinn

  A KNOCK AT HIS BEDROOM door startled him. “Time to get up, Quinn,” Daddio said through the door.

  “Five more minutes,” Quinn pleaded, rolling over and pulling the covers over his head.

  “No, you’ve already overslept. Did your alarm not go off?”

  Quinn poked his head out from under the covers and stared, bleary-eyed, at his alarm clock. “Dammit it, I forgot to set it last night.”

  “Breakfast is almost ready and you have to be at work in forty-five minutes. And, if you didn’t already, don’t forget to pack your track stuff for your race this afternoon.”

  “Okay, I’m up.” That’s right, the final home races are today.

  “Also, Mark and John’s wedding is tonight, too. You need to pick out which tie and shirt you want to wear.”

  “All right,” Quinn answered. He threw the covers off and stretched. A moment later he dropped to the floor and cranked out one-hundred push-ups and sit ups before grabbing his towel from the hook on his door and making his way to the bathroom to shower.

  After he dressed, packed his gym bag, and picked out a shirt and tie that would match his suit for the wedding, he joined his fathers in the kitchen for a quick breakfast.

  “Did you pick out a shirt and tie?” Dad asked.

  “Yep, I hung them on my door knob.”

  “Why don’t you take the SUV to work today so you can head to school right after your shift ends. Daddio and I will be coming to your race this afternoon.”

  Quinn looked up at his father, smiled, and spoke through a mouthful of eggs. “Thanks. I know how much you hate sports.”

  Dad laughed. “I’m thankful it’s not football. I actually don’t mind running, as you know. I just prefer to get my miles in before anyone else has gotten out of bed.”

  “The race cannot run over, or we will be late,” Daddio commented.

  “Races rarely run over, Daddio,” Quinn said. “Don’t worry, I’ll let Coach Tomlin know I have to leave.”

  “Thanks. I wouldn’t normally care if you’re a little late, but the wedding and the reception is on the Thomas Laighton. If we’re not on board when it leaves, we’re screwed.”

  “Oh, that’s right, it’s on the ship.”

  “Yup. So, we will all have forty minutes to shower after your race and get ourselves on the boat.”

  “Okay,” Quinn answered, trying to remember all the impor
tant details while still only half awake.

  “Next, last, and most important question: will you have time to text Keegan the details or would you like one of us to call him?”

  Quinn laughed. “I’ll text him on the way to the shop.”

  “Not if you’re driving, you won’t.”

  “Right, sorry, I will text him before I leave. Can he meet us somewhere? Will that be easier than trying to meet at the boarding area?”

  “That was my next suggestion,” Daddio said.

  “I will make sure he meets us, so we can all leave on time and get to the ship before it leaves,” Quinn said, winking as he took several bites out of his toast.

  “Good boy,” Dad said, chuckling.

  ❖

  The first two hours at Breaking New Grounds were brutal. Coffee-starved customers stormed the mid-morning hours, ordering eccentric coffee beverages that took time to make, seriously delaying the checkout process.

  Fifteen minutes before Quinn’s shift ended in the afternoon, the line extended out the door and Quinn became frustrated, wondering if he would have to stay later to get through the rush, which he couldn’t do because of his race. Matt, his boss, had been approaching his coworkers and speaking with them. When Quinn checked out a customer who ordered four beverages and several pastries, Matt pulled him aside.

  “You have a game or something today, right?”

  “Yeah, I have a race. I really need to leave on time today.”

  Matt nodded. “Why don’t you get out of here now then, if you get stuck in this line you’ll be late. Go Clippers!”

  Quinn grinned from ear to ear. “Oh my gosh, thank you so much. I thought you were going to ask me to stay later.”

  “Don’t sweat it. Cassie will to stay on until the rush ends.”

  “Thanks, Matt.” Quinn turned and walked to the back room. He punched out, grabbed his gym bag, and made his way to the parked SUV.

  ❖

  The starting pistol fired, and Quinn was off, running with his teammates at the last race of the season against Dover, Somersworth, and Rochester high schools.

  It was hard not to slip into super speed, but Quinn had made the decision not to cheat to win races, even if it meant not doing as well as he could have. Still, today he was in the zone and he led his team by holding third place, with Dover athletes leading the race in first and second place.