“Okay,” Blue Spekter said with a nod, staring at the massive ice columns he created. Great, just what I don’t need…free range icebergs.
He flew into place over the aft tug point and pushed against the full force of the oncoming river. The ship slowly moved back and the tug boat approached, ready to slip into place the moment it had room. At his left, Blue Spekter heard the other ice column cracking and popping. The tugboat closest to the bow sounded its horn with five short, rapid blasts.
I don’t know what that means, but I’m sure it’s not a good thing.
When he had pushed the boat ten feet away from the ice column, he reached out with his hand and mind and melted down the ice column, returning it to a liquid state that rushed away with the current. The tugboat’s engine revved and slid into place as the forward iceberg snapped in the depths of the river and sprung into the air.
Blue Spekter spun around and flew toward the iceberg, reaching out to it with his mind. A moment later, the frozen mass reverted to liquid form and splashed into the river. He spun around and caught the ship just above the tug point and pushed. He looked over his shoulder at the aft tugboat—it seemed okay.
He glanced at the tugboat closest to him and saw a man yelling and gesturing at him, making some kind of spinning motion with his hand and pointing upriver. Using his super hearing, he understood the man wanted him to push the ship away from the bridge pier which was now a mere ten feet from his position. Once again, he leaned into the ship and pushed, his body responding with blue brilliance.
The boat groaned but responded as the ship moved away from the bridge. Blue Spekter swung the bow around and the tugboat slipped into position.
“Go to the stern and push, there’s no crew aboard to pilot the ship,” the tugboat crewman shouted, and Blue Spekter waved at him. He zipped to the back of the ship, pressed against the rear hull, and pushed. With the boat moving under his power, the aft tugboat hung back and swung around to the starboard side, so it could hold the ship in place against the dock when they returned to Granite State Minerals. The third tugboat chugged into place and approached the rear of the vessel where Blue Spekter was pushing. When its rubber-covered bow pressed against the hull of the ship, he backed off and hovered over the river, allowing the tugboats to do their job and return the cargo ship to the docks. A crewman waved at him from the bridge house and gave him a thumbs up. “Thank you,” the man shouted.
He glanced over at the snow-covered decks near Harbour Place, where his dads and several onlookers had gathered to watch the heroic rescue despite the cold and snowy-weather. Turning around, he saluted to the police who waved at him as they re-opened the Memorial Bridge roadway. Landing on the roof of the vessel’s bridge castle, he accompanied it back to the dock and hung around to make sure the crews re-moored the cargo ship. When he was convinced the ship was safe, he took off and soared into Portsmouth, darkening his blue glow and turning himself invisible. He banked left and flew over Bow Street until he spotted his dads trudging through the snow, hand in hand, laughing as they excitedly talked about what they just saw.
Quinn landed twenty paces in front of his dads and waited, checking his surroundings to be sure he wouldn’t startle anyone else when he reappeared. Satisfied the coast was clear, he stood tall and shimmered into existence.
“Quinn!” Daddio shouted, jogging toward him with open arms while trying not to slip and fall on the slippery sidewalk.
Grinning, Quinn reached out and received his father’s embrace. “That was amazing, son,” Daddio said, wrapping him in a giant bear hug. “Why the hell didn’t you tell us?”
“You little turd,” Dad said with amusement, wrapping his arms around Quinn and Daddio. “I knew something was wrong, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was this.”
“When did this start? Did hit have something to do with the accident in Rangeley?” Daddio asked.
Quinn nodded and brought his index finger to lips. “I’ll tell you everything, but we can’t talk about it out here. Let’s get home. No more secrets, I promise.”
❖
At the house, Quinn followed his dads into the kitchen. Dad pulled a bottle of Port out of the fridge and poured two glasses while Quinn filled a glass with filtered water from the refrigerator. Quinn’s dads sat at the kitchen island and looked at him. Anxiousness danced on their faces.
“Okay, Quinn, tell us everything,” Dad said.
Quinn nodded and took a sip of water. Then, he leaned against the counter and walked his dads through the past three-and-a-half months, beginning with their Labor Day weekend camping trip. He described the underground cave he and Blake discovered and the bizarre accident that triggered their powers.
He told them how Victor Kraze had lied to them and explained the man’s involvement in the nefarious organization known as The Order. Then, Quinn disclosed how he and Blake discovered their powers and worked with Ron St. Germain, their geeky science teacher and comic book lover, to understand and gain control of their powers. He shared how Victor had tried to seduce them both to The Order, and how Blake fell for Victor’s promises of heroic grandeur. Quinn explained how he couldn’t support Victor because something in his gut told him not to trust the man after he caught Victor and Dr. Madison lying to their parents in the hospital.
Next, Quinn described his superpowers to his dads and how he proudly owned several super suits courtesy of Ron’s brother that he had stashed away in his bedroom. He walked his dads through the highlights of his brief superhero career, including how he managed to sway the police chief and the Department of Homeland Security to his side, all thanks to Blake—also known as Dark Flame—and his recent, crazy behavior.
“Is that why Blake was behaving so weird and you two had that big fight? Dad asked.
Quinn nodded and explained the micro bugs Dr. Madison invented and The Order’s plan to create more superhumans. As he finished the story, Dad poured a second glass of Port.
“But why did you feel you had to lie to us?” Dad said.
“Honestly, I was so afraid of scaring you away because I didn’t understand what the hell was going on with me. In hindsight, it seems silly, but even Ron was apprehensive about me and Blake telling anyone about our abilities.”
His parents looked at one another concern. “I’m not sure if we like Mr. St. Germain’s idea about hiding this from us.”
Quinn raised his hand and shook his head. “Don’t worry. He quickly changed his tune and has been encouraging me to tell you. I’ve been the reluctant one because, well, I was so afraid you’d be freaked out by what I can do…because I’m different.”
Dad smiled. “Rest assured, we are totally freaked out, but not in the horrible way you probably expected.”
That’s good.
“Yeah,” Daddio added, “this is more shock than horror. You have always been an amazing young man and now you have been given an awesome set of gifts. You can help people in ways no one else can, Quinn, and it’s…astounding. But at the same time, it’s freaky as hell to know our son is a super-powered person.”
Quinn smirked. “Daddio, do you remember that awkward moment when you thought you caught me masturbating in my room?”
Dad choked on his Port and Daddio chuckled. “Yes.”
“Yup.”
“Well, I mean, I was doing that, but I had also just discovered one of my powers and I was afraid you’d figure it out.”
Daddio nodded.
“That night, you came to talk with me. Remember, we had that awkward conversation about me being able to tell you anything?”
Daddio scratched his head and nodded. “You were doing push-ups. I was hoping you’d come out, but you weren’t ready,”
“Yeah, I wasn’t, so um, sometimes when I get surprised, I turn invisible.”
“What?” His dads said together.
Yeah, you spooked me and I didn’t see my reflection in the mirror just before you opened the door.”
&nb
sp; “Turn invisible now!” Daddio exclaimed.
Quinn smiled and faded from view.
His fathers’ mouths dropped open with surprise. “That’s so cool,” Daddio said. “That’s how you appeared to us on the sidewalk after saving the ship, right?” Quinn shifted and became visible again. He nodded.
“I always knew you guys didn’t care about me jerking off, but I was so freaked out about discovering my own abilities because I didn’t know what triggered them or set them off. Initially, when Keegan and I first started dating, I would inadvertently make things shake and light bulbs around me would flicker.”
His fathers looked at each other and burst into laughter. “That explains why the power gets a little wonky whenever Keegan is over and you boys are up in your room.”
Quinn blushed. “Oh my gawd, what do you mean?”
His father’s laughter became heartier and Dad happily reclaimed a little power over the conversation. “Apparently, when you guys are fooling around, the lights in the house flicker and sometimes TV signal gets a little pixelated.”
Quinn face-palmed himself. “Oh my God, I had no idea. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out how to get that under control real quick,” Quinn said, and they laughed more.
Regaining his composure, Dad asked, “So when I grounded you, were you actually home sick from school?”
“I’m sorry, that was a lie. I had to get to Pease to meet with Captain David Prett to ask for his help.” Quinn took a few moments to explain who David was and why he needed the man’s help. “If I can’t stop The Order, the whole world will change in ways no one yet realizes. Victor and his teams cannot be allowed to create more superhumans. Even if they’re under his control, Victor won’t use them for good, I’m sure of it.”
Daddio looked at his husband. “This explains why Quinn becomes so enraptured whenever the news airs a Blue Spekter story.”
“Wait, that was the day Dark Flame shoved a piece of rebar through Blue Spekter’s—oh gosh—your chest?” Dad asked, concerned. “And you’re alive? Quinn, do you have a hole in your chest?”
Quinn chuckled and explained his healing power to his dads. He also unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt so they could press their fingers firmly against his chest to allay their concerns.
“So, you and Blake are the only two super-powered people?”
“Oh boy, um…not exactly.” Quinn introduced Ana Maria Garcia into the story and explained how she, Ron, and David’s team were now helping him discover the secrets of The Order.
“Wow, so you’ve created a team of people to guard the city?”
“Well, not yet. I’ve been working with them individually, but I’m going to be pulling them together real soon.
Daddio shook his head. “Who knew we’d have our very own guardians here in the city, just like you’d read about in a comic book?”
“Exactly.” Quinn said. Actually, that’s not bad at all… “Look, it’s really important you tell no one about what you learned tonight,” Quinn said.
His dads nodded.
“No, I’m serious,” Quinn said, his voice insistent. “Victor knows who you are and there’s no reason he or Blake won’t come after you to get to me. The people I love are not safe if push comes to shove…and when I start taking down The Order, it will.”
Daddio brought his hands to his head as a realization struck his mind. “That’s why you haven’t told us. You were afraid that if we knew, someone would hurt us.”
“Someone still could hurt you,” Quinn said. “Knowing doesn’t stop that from happening.”
“True, but knowing helps us be better prepared if should something happen,” Dad replied.
“I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe, but with Blake’s control chip malfunctioning, he’s extremely unpredictable and I can’t predict what he’ll do from one minute to the next.”
“Do you think you should tell someone who he is?”
“Like who, the police? I’m already working with Chief Applegate and Agent Potter from the DHS,” Quinn said. “But, what are they going to do? We’re both indestructible, except to each other.”
“Well why don’t you ask this Ana Maria person to help you take him out?” Dad asked.
“Tim, by ‘take him out,’ you do realize you mean kill him, right?” Daddio asked.
Dad’s face became somber. “Oh, right.”
Quinn sighed. “That’s where it gets complicated. Ana Maria is terrified that if she reveals herself, The Order will restart the project that created her.”
Dad waved his hand. “You told us The Order is already trying to create more of you, so why does it matter if Ana Maria reveals himself now?”
Quinn shrugged. “You have a point. I think she’s afraid to let them know they succeeded, because it might bolster their determination to try again.”
“Again,” Dad said, putting on his best lawyer voice, “If they’re already doing it, her coming forward to help you doesn’t matter. Besides, they know it works because of you and Blake. It’s doesn’t matter at this point if Ana Maria reveals herself.”
Daddio shook his head. “It’s going to freak the world out when a third superhuman introduces herself to the public.”
Dad nodded. “True, but if things go south, she may not have a choice.”
Daddio clapped his hands as an idea formed in his mind. “That’s why you dropped your coffee when the news showed Blue Spekter wearing a Clippers sweatshirt. That was you!”
Quinn nodded. “Yup.”
“So, all of this is really why you and Blake aren’t friends anymore, right?” Dad asked.
“Yeah, that big fight we had was basically the end of our friendship. I didn’t know it then, but I can now see how all of his crazy behavior is probably the malfunctioning micro bug in his head. But because we’re indestructible, there’s no way to get it out. It’s supposedly attached to his brainstem, which makes surgery damn near impossible. It’s affecting him and that’s why he’s hellbent on destruction when he gets pissed off.”
“You have to figure out how to get that thing out of him, Quinn. Even if you figure out how to destroy the bug and it sits there, dead as a door nail, it would be much better for him and the world than it is now especially because it’s the reason he’s behaving so irrationally. Otherwise, he’s a never-ending recipe for disaster.”
Daddio nodded in agreement. “If anyone can save Blake, you can. I’m pretty sure what he’s done so far is nothing compared to what his destructive potential is, and if you’re not around to stop him, the damage would be unthinkable.”
Quinn smiled, overjoyed at his fathers for their support of his superhero identity. “I thought you guys would have freaked out way more than this.”
“Oh, don’t worry, buddy, the freak-out is coming,” Daddio said, laughing.
“Yeah, with what’s been going on, it’s not like we could possibly be mad at you for being Blue Spekter. You save people, Quinn. You’re the good guy,”
“Does Keegan know?” Daddio asked with excitement.
Quinn frowned and shook his head. “No. You’ve heard his thoughts about Blue Spekter, and I’m afraid that if I tell him, he’ll want nothing to do with me.”
“Ouch,” Dad said.
“That’s a tricky situation,” Daddio added. “At some point you’re going to have to tell him. He’s going to have to decide if he loves you enough to accept you for who you are, but if he doesn’t, you should brace yourself for some serious heartache.”
Quinn’s stomach flip-flopped and dropped to his toes. “I can’t think about that right now. It would hurt me too much.”
“I know, son,” Daddio said, getting up from the island stool and walking toward his son with open arms. “Come here buddy. We still love our gay teenage superhero a whole heck of a lot. Besides, this is the best birthday present you could’ve ever given me.”
Quinn smiled and accepted his father’s embrace and rested his head on Daddio’s shoulder. “Thanks, yo
u have no idea how much that means to me.”
“Me too,” Dad said, wrapping his arms around both of them.
❖
Victor
Victor was in the middle of clearing new test subjects when the comm system rang.
“Answer,” he announced absentmindedly.
An electronically-disguised voice spoke. “Your progress, Victor?”
Victor sighed and pushed his hands away from his keyboard and rested them in his lap. “Greetings, Madame Presider. Second attempt resulted in failure. Both subjects died within one hour of orgone infusion; they lived forty-five minutes but could not be resuscitated. Third attempt preparations underway.”
A few seconds of silence passed before the ominous voice spoke again. “We await your report.”
Then, the call disconnected. I have an idea, but I’d lose everything if my gamble is wrong…
4-8 | The Path of Vengeance
Blake
BLAKE FLEW NORTH TO THE suburbs of Augusta, Maine, to the palatial mansion of Michael Dunsworth III, the closest member of the Archimandrion council. As he approached the house at noon, he spotted a limousine pulling into the driveway of the house. He flew nearer so he could see the faces of the people who climbed out.
A moment later, the chauffeur stepped out and walked around the back of the limo to open the rear door on the passenger side. A gray-haired, well-dressed man in his sixties stepped out and Blake recognized his face from the Internet photos he had found.
Blake descended rapidly and landed in the driveway between the man and the house, his eyes and body glowing orange.
“Archimandrite Michael Dunsworth?” Blake asked, glowering at the two men with glowing orange eyes. The startled men stared at him with shock, mesmerized by the glowing orange man in front of them. He had worn skinny-fit jeans over his purple tights along with a white form-fitting muscle shirt and a black hoodie so he could carry his wallet, phone, and its charging cable.
The Guardians Omnibus Page 78