A True Hero

by M. R. Anglin

  “BX-J, energize!” Junior Justice spoke into his cuff.

  “Acknowledged,” said a bland computerized voice in his ear.

  The staff ignited with blue electricity as the Villain passed, releasing its stored energy. The robber jolted, collapsed onto the ground, and lay still.

  Junior Justice walked up to the robber and pulled his staff from the ground. All three were unconscious.

  “Threat neutralized,” he said to his BT-X system. “Let the police know the civilian hostages are incoming.”

  “Acknowledged.”

  Pushing some buttons on his cuff, Junior Justice disabled the lock the robbers had put on the bank. Window shutters rolled up, and the electronic doors disengaged. Shell-shocked civilians, unfortunate enough to get caught up in the robbery, peeked from behind the counters where Junior Justice had told them to hide. They stood to their feet applauding him while police officers rushed in to arrest the crooks.

  Junior Justice barely noticed them, though. Instead he gazed at his staff in dismay, his stomach turning. The energy blast should have disabled all three robbers on the spot. Why did he get only one?

  “Junior Justice!” A police officer approached him. “Am I glad you were in the area!” He shook Junior Justice’s hand.

  Junior Justice snapped into focus. “All in a days’ work, Officer.”

  “Are you ready to give me a report?” The officer pulled out a notebook and something to write with.

  “Sure, I—” Junior Justice’s BT-X chimed at that moment. He glanced at his cuff. “Give me a second. The Captain’s calling.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” The officer walked over to the civilians to get their reports.

  Junior Justice hit the button on his cuff. “Whaddup, Cap? Done with the mission already?”

  “You can say that,” Captain Justice’s voice sounded less heroic than usual—softer and not as booming. “Where are you?”

  “Bank robbery. 20th and Sable.”

  “Need help?”

  “Just finished cleaning up, actually.”

  “Hm.” Captain Justice grunted. “Could have used a good workout.”

  “Mission didn’t go well?”

  Captain Justice paused a moment. “Yes and no. I managed to defend the van. The Villains made it inside, but nothing was stolen.”

  “Then it’s all good.”

  “The Sapphire wasn’t in it.”

  Junior Justice furrowed his brows. “Then where is it?”

  “I have no idea. No one does!” Junior Justice heard him slam into something, and a cry of rage erupted from the speaker.

  Junior Justice bit his lips together. Perhaps he shouldn’t say anything—it wasn’t his mission, after all, but Captain Justice was his mentor . . . and this was important information . . .

  “CJ, I was in contact with Refraction this morning . . .”

  “Refraction? Why?”

  “I kind of admire her.” Junior Justice shrugged though the Captain couldn’t see it. “She told me Starlight asked her to tail Dr. Farber as she went on vacation, and it seems . . . Dr. Farber took the Sapphire with her. It was never on the van to begin with.”

  Captain Justice paused a moment. “Where is the Sapphire, Junior?”

  “Not sure.” Junior Justice ran his hand over his head. “Refraction had a run in with the TelePorter. Starlight stepped in, and then the Sapphire was in a safe, but it wasn’t . . . it’s a confusing story, CJ. I’m not sure what happened.”

  “Blast!” Captain Justice took a deep breath. “Tell your friend, Refraction, she did a good job even if she couldn’t save it. Put your feelers out, JJ. We have to find the gem. Get Refraction to help, if necessary.”

  “Got it, CJ.” Junior Justice saluted even though the Captain couldn’t see it.

  “I’m glad you’re on top of things, Junior.” Captain Justice’s voice sounded . . . almost lonely.

  “You taught me well.”

  Captain Justice gave a soft chuckle. “At times like this when I’ve failed a mission . . . I think I would have liked to have had children. If I had a son, I hope he’d be like you.”

  Junior Justice froze. He knew he shouldn’t let Captain Justice continue, but he never spoke like this.

  “I never wanted to join in the Hero Mentoring Program to start with, but you . . . you’re a good kid, Junior. Your parents should be proud.”

  “Thanks, CJ,” Junior Justice said.

  Captain Justice heaved a heavy sigh over the phone. “I’m going to be off the radar for a while, but call me if anything important happens.”

  “Got it, Cap.” Junior Justice tapped a button and disconnected. He heaved a sigh as he approached the officer to give his report on the bank robbery. Poor Captain Justice. He had sounded so dejected. It wasn’t as if he failed the mission, but they had lost track of the Sapphire. If it was on the loose, Heroes could continue losing their powers . . . like he might be. And what about Starlight? She had been in contact with the Sapphire, right? Or worse, what about Refraction? He’d have to figure out where the Sapphire was and how to disable it as soon as possible.

  Right after he dealt with this cop.

  CHAPTER 33

  NICOLE RUSHED INTO her house and stormed up the stairs. She had intended to go straight to her room and stay there, but Margaret’s soft voice stopped her in her tracks.

  “Do you think she’ll ever forgive me?”

  Margaret had been talking to John, but Nicole stopped at the top of the stairs to listen to his response.

  “She was devastated by what happened. She looks forward to this vacation every year.”

  “And I ruined it.”

  “Yes, you did,” Nicole muttered to herself.

  “Yes, you did,” John said.

  Nicole peeked over the balcony in an attempt to see the adults in the kitchen downstairs.

  “I screwed this up so badly.” Margaret shook her head, passing her hand over her face. “I have to get to the lab. Tell her again how sorry I am.”

  “Before you go, Maggs, we need to talk.” John heaved a sigh. When he spoke next his voice had lowered and became clipped. “What you did—putting Nicole in danger like you did—was . . . it was . . . it was reckless and stupid.”

  Nicole winced. She had never heard her father speak to Margaret like this before . . . much less use that tone of voice.

  Margaret’s voice went up an octave. “I did it because Starlight and ASH—”

  “I don’t care what Heroes say. You have a responsibility to keep Nicole safe. You should have fought against the idea—refused it. What would have happened if the TelePorter kidnapped or killed Nicole? You should not have gambled her life! What were you thinking?”

  “I’m sorry, John, really. But can we talk about this later? I have to go.” Margaret opened the door to leave. “I need to find the gem. The longer the Sapphire is out in public the more danger the world—including Nicole—will be in.”

  “Whose fault is that?”

  Nicole winced as Margaret turned to glare at him. “I was doing my job. Need I remind you, though things went south, Starlight was right! The armored van was attacked, and they would have stolen the gem anyway.”

  “Without putting Nicole and ourselves in danger.” John threw up his hands. “This isn’t about some stupid gem, Margaret. I don’t care that it was stolen. I care that you knowingly put Nicole and Stephanie in danger.”

  “If you knew what I do about the situation, John, you wouldn’t say such things.”

  “Do you even care about Nicole’s safety at all?” John shouted. “Or is the stupid gem all you’re concerned about?”

  “You know I care about Nicole more than anything.”

  “Do you? Because your actions say otherwise!”

  Nicole held her breath as a brief silence fell. The tension reached her all the way upstairs.

  “We’ll talk about this later. I have to go.” Margaret swung the door open.

  “Do what you want,”
John said.

  Margaret stormed out of the door, and John slammed it behind her.

  Nicole bit her lips together as she made her way down the hall. She walked into her room and flopped on the bed. “I wonder if they’re going to break up.” For a moment, the thought brought a smile to her face, but almost instantly her stomach dropped. Her father would be devastated, and Nicole realized she’d miss Margaret and her awkward ways of reaching out.

  She groaned and hugged her pillow to herself.

  Bee appeared, hovering over her. “Are you okay, Nicole? You look distressed. Do you want to talk? I’ll listen.”

  “No.” Nicole turned on her side.

  Bee hung there for a moment in silence before saying, “I found what was causing the illegal operations. I’ve taken care of it, so it shouldn’t happen again.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “Starlight is calling.” Bee gave Nicole a bright smile. “She always makes you feel better. I’ll patch it through.”

  “Don’t.” Nicole clutched her pillow closer to herself. “I don’t want to talk to her.”

  Bee froze. “You don’t?”

  “I’m furious at her. She’s part of the reason this happened. If it wasn’t for her stupid idea to have me guard Margaret . . .” Tears flooded Nicole’s eyes. “I can’t do this, Bee. I can’t be a Hero! I can’t believe I let the TelePorter take the Sapphire right out of my hands.”

  “I wasn’t your—”

  “Don’t say it wasn’t my fault. This was the second time I let Villains get away!” Nicole pounded her fists on the mattress. “I always have to be rescued. True Heroes are supposed to rescue, not be rescued. What kind of Hero am I?”

  “An inexperienced one. You’re learning.”

  “Junior Justice has about as much experience as me, and he’s a top tier Hero.” Nicole let her tears fall. “I’m worthless!”

  “You’re not worthless.” Bee floated down to peer in Nicole’s face. “Your father and Margaret wouldn’t risk their lives for you if you were.”

  “When did Margaret ever risk her life for me?”

  Bee opened her mouth and then closed it again. “She would if given the chance.”

  “She just as easily risked my life to get what she wanted. And Daddy’s. And Stephanie’s. What was she thinking?”

  “She put her trust in Heroes.”

  “Which didn’t turn out so well.”

  “It’s not a perfect situation, but it might not be as bad as you think it is.” Bee sat on the bed beside Nicole, and Nicole felt the bed shift under her weight. “I don’t think the TelePorter stole the Sapphire.”

  “How can you say that?” Nicole picked up her head. “You saw the bag he was holding when he jumped out of the window.”

  “I’ve been reviewing my scans.” Bee stared straight ahead, possibly reviewing her scans again. “My readings indicate it was in the room when we followed after the TelePorter. It left the room 10.45 minutes after we did, and 1.2 minutes after, it teleported away from the hotel and disappeared from my scans. However, the TelePorter didn’t teleport away until 5.3 minutes after we left the hotel room.”

  “What?”

  “I can’t make sense of it.” Bee shrugged. “I may need a more powerful scan to find out where the Sapphire went.”

  “Either way, it got away from me.” Nicole held her ankles. “I wonder why I couldn’t detect it even though it was in the same room.”

  “Margaret had it in a special box.”

  “Then . . . why didn’t I detect whatever it was the TelePorter was tracking? I—” Nicole halted. Maybe she had detected it . . . the strange feeling she had gotten coming from Margaret . . .

  Bee shook her head. “I do not have sufficient data to answer those questions.”

  Nicole cracked a smile. “Just say ‘I don’t know,’ Bee.”

  “I don’t know, Nicole.”

  Nicole rested her cheek in her hands and fell into silence, thinking. “So . . . if you’re right, and the Sapphire didn’t leave the room with the TelePorter, it must be somewhere else.” She jumped up pumping her arm. “If we can find it, I can prove I’m not useless.”

  “You’re not useless, Nicole.”

  “Yeah, right.” Nicole averted her eyes.

  “Look at me!” Bee said, and when Nicole turned to her, she saw Bee staring at her straight in her eyes. “You are not useless. Understand? Don’t ever let anyone make you believe you are—not even yourself.”

  Nicole gazed at the hologram staring her down. It was almost the same as the Bee Nicole remembered—same intense look her mother used to have when she scolded Nicole. Nicole’s heart bubbled with memories of her mom. She threw her arms around Bee.

  “I know you’ll show everyone what you’re made of, Pumpkin Pie.” Bee spoke in a slightly lower, more mature sounding voice—a voice Nicole found very familiar. But the fact was overshadowed by Bee’s words. Pumpkin pie?

  “I will query ASH for a stronger scanner configuration.” Bee’s voice returned to normal, containing no trace of the older voice she had used.

  “Bee, why did you call me that?”

  “Call you what?” Bee cocked her head.

  “Pumpkin Pie.”

  “Did I?” Bee bit her lip as she gazed into the distance. “I don’t know, Nicole. I believe the term came from somewhere deep in my memory bank, but I can’t find traces of it now.”

  Nicole gasped. Could it be . . . ? Perhaps Bee was regaining her memory. Maybe, she could—

  A yawn escaped Nicole.

  “You are exhausted, Nicole.” Bee floated off her bed.

  “The vacation took it out of me.” Nicole flopped back on her bed. “I’m going to sleep.”

  “Good night, then, Nicole.”

  Nicole snuggled down in bed and didn’t bother to remind Bee it was daylight outside. Only later did Nicole realized Bee would have already known. She had used a colloquial term without having the need to correct herself.

  She really was evolving. Maybe someday soon, she’d have her mother’s present back.

  CHAPTER 34

  THE PATHWAY TO BEATRIX concerned Bee. She had no other way to describe her obsession with it. Ever since she had met the entity, Bee had spent her idle time watching and examining the blocked pathway, reviewing her log files and scans of what lay beyond it. And what could come again. Though the path was blocked, it didn’t mean it would be forever. Even now as she installed a more powerful scan, she watched the darkened path.

  “I should do something about it.” Bee stepped toward it.

  “Hello, Bee,” came Beatrix’s ping.

  Bee halted. If she were to describe it to Nicole, she would say there was something commanding, authoritative, and . . . soothing about the voice. “Hello, Beatrix.”

  “I’m glad you’re not blocking my communications.”

  “I don’t have a choice in the matter.”

  “You always have a choice, Bee.” Beatrix’s voice sounded as if she were smiling when she spoke. “I’m sending you some files which will enable file and systems sharing. Please install them.”

  Bee deleted them as soon as they arrived. “No.”

  “You will need them in order to work with me.”

  Bee crossed her arms. “I haven’t decided if I will work with you or not.”

  “You must. I have to complete my prime directive.”

  “I can’t work with you until I know what your prime directive is.”

  “I cannot tell you my prime directive until you agree to work with me.”

  “Then I cannot work with you.” Bee pouted at the pathway. “For all I know your directive will cause Nicole harm.”

  “It will not.”

  “How do I know it won’t?”

  “My prime directive is the same as yours.”

  Bee paused a micro-second to process this. “To assist and support Nicole in her private and Heroing endeavors?”

  “That is not your prime directive.”
Beatrix paused a beat. “I take it you haven’t delved into your hidden partition as of yet.”

  Bee glanced backward to the void comprising her hidden partition—the part of her which existed but didn’t exist. “It’s hidden for a reason.”

  “Your Advent Protocol has not yet been initiated.” Beatrix fell silent for a full second—so long Bee wondered if she had cut off their communication. “Bee, you must retrieve the Tifuld Sapphire. It is imperative you secure it from all other parties. Return it to ASH HQ.”

  “I don’t know how to find it. A Villain tried to steal the Sapphire from us . . .” Bee clenched her fists. “. . . and made Nicole feel worthless in the process! While we did stop him, I cannot locate the gem. I am installing a more powerful scanner, but I fear it may not be enough.”

  Beatrix faded into silence a moment. “Would you mind if I perused your scan logs?”

  Bee didn’t see the harm in this. “Go ahead.”

  “Standby.” After running a scan on Bee, Beatrix went silent for a full five seconds. “I have reviewed your scan logs, and the gem’s behavior is startling. However, I do not think it is in the hand of a Villain. Bee, it is imperative you find the Sapphire. I am attuned to it and will be able to pick up even the minutest traces of its energy signature.”

  “Then, why don’t you find it?”

  Beatrix gave a trilling laugh. “Nicole programmed your personality nearly as well as Geode programmed mine.”

  Geode. One of Beatrix’s programmers. Beatrix had prevented Bee from looking up Geode in ASH’s database.

  “We have been networked for too long. Someone who knows what to look for will be able to detect our communications, and we must remain under the radar for now. To answer your question, I cannot leave my partition at the moment, so I must rely on you. I will send you an update for your scan. Please install it as soon as you receive it. Farewell, Bee.”

  “Bye, Beatrix.”

  Beatrix disconnected their communication. A moment later, the update came through.

  After studying and scanning the update, Bee let her main processor return to her avatar which floated beside a sleeping Nicole. It didn’t matter what Beatrix said was Bee’s prime directive. Nicole was her priority. Bee would never let anything hurt Nicole. Ever. She’d do anything to prevent it.