“Don’t give me that bullshit that you care!” I yelled at him. My hatred for most things was always just under the surface. “If you gave a crap about ‘how I was feeling,’ you wouldn’t have let Victory do this to me in the first place!”
“You act like either of us had a choice.” His demeanor changed a bit, becoming a bit less jovial and more business-like. “You have given me the information I needed, in your other state.” Even as he said it, I hated myself for complying. “But there’s something else I need from you, on the down-low.”
“Why in the hell would I do anything for you, Davy?” I didn’t address him as general, hoping the disrespect would make him go away.
“This particular plan of mine has to do with Jericho Staley; your old friend if I’m not mistaken.”
Jericho… that was a complicated situation. It was true; we’d been friends for a time at Wonder-Tech, until he found out about my betrayal. I’d been helping the same general I was sitting in front of to steal a plutonium core. When Jericho found out, he showed who he really was, The Negative Man, and killed me. Or so he thought. My body ended up here, at the bottom of the bay in this laboratory. For three years, my body had been in some sort of comatose state while Dr. Presley ran test after test on me. Eventually one of the tests stuck and I woke up, no longer human. I was something else.
So as I listened to Whisnant tell me about a plan to potentially save Jericho’s life, it was conflicting. We all knew that Victory wanted him dead, and if it wasn’t for Heather, he probably would be. She risked a lot by using her powers to save him from the prison. She’d been coy, but I knew. Unlike the rest, I was still human enough to pick up subtle signs, like when someone loved someone else more than their own life.
I’d been stuck on the whole saving Jericho thing, that is until Whisnant got to the main point. “Defense Secretary Victory had an older half-brother, Dr. Leonard Cooper. Long story short, Cooper helped create The Negative Man and Victory wants to undo his brother’s mistake.”
“I don’t see a reason why I’d want to get involved.”
Whisant took off his hat and sat down. “Cooper was a mad scientist, hell bent on playing God when it came to superhuman genetics. When he lost control, look at what happened. His poor handling of the situation created the most notorious villain our country has ever seen.” He placed his hands on the back of his head as he leaned back. “Victory is trying to do the same thing. And after the successes he had with the Titan-Six Project, he’s on the cusp of creating something, something awful.”
There still hadn’t been a reason given to save Jericho. “You’re giving me reasons to try to kill Victory, not save Jericho.”
“No offense Erin, but none of you here would be able to even lay a finger on Victory, let alone kill him. No, if we’re to think about saving ourselves and the country we love, we’re going to need our own super. The Negative Man is the only one capable of confronting these monsters head on.”
And on the ominous warning, “Fine, I’m in. What do you need me to do?”
Chapter 21 –
Monday Morning; Waves Park
There was a different tone set over Pacific Station today. The appearance of a new Titan, one that attacked the police station, was all over the news. A panic, not any different from the one I used to cause, came over the city. Hence the walking around in public for the first time, no one at this moment in time cared about me.
I felt like reminiscing and the best place to do that was at the statue placed in Waves Park in honor of my old friend, John Wonderton. The Dark Lion statue was like a lone sentinel, always watching out over the park and the city. I took a seat at the base of it, a cool breeze whipping off the bay blowing my hair around.
“Well John, it looks like our city went to Hell after all.”
It had to be my mind playing tricks on me, but Wonderton answered. “Neither of us was right. We both have plenty of blame in this mess.”
My own curiosity got the better of me, so I continued on with the conversation. “I know what I did, but how can you blame yourself?”
“I knew a long time ago Jericho that my way was a dark and lonely road. I was trying to help; I just wasn’t the right man for the job. I had too much blood on my own hands.”
“I won’t be the person to cast stones at you for that.”
“No, I let my hatred for The Negative Man get the better of me towards the end.” It was funny how he didn’t say his hatred for me. “Had I worried about doing what was right for the city and not my own ego, we’d probably still be a team.”
There was no way to tell if that was true or not. I didn’t know where my own path would’ve taken me. Hopefully not to this point again. “Your son, Kyle, he’s the one meant for the light. There’s something about that kid; I hope he succeeds.”
“You’re not helping him any.”
“John, I’ve got my own problems. Once I handle the whole Victory issue, I plan to slink off into the shadows, never to be seen or heard from again.”
Vividly, I remembered that stare he used to give me when I said something that wasn’t up to his liking. “You could be so much more.”
“I wish people would stop saying that.” For crying out loud, was he communicating with Father Reigart from the other side? “My mind is made up. This is all that’s left for me.”
“So you say.”
I looked up at the statue, it’s cold, grey face staring out and over me towards downtown. “Our time has passed, John. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be seeing you soon anyway.”
****
The streets were still pretty quiet as I entered the bodega down the street from gl-O-bal. The same clerk was there as before, still caught up in one of those mind game books. The television behind him was on with that reporter girl, Holly Hasset reporting on something. “Despite the tragedy last night at PSPD Headquarters, a large group of citizens have turned out to hear Madame Vice President Angela Morales speak. Word is she’ll be on stage at any moment.”
The clerk didn’t seem to even notice me, so I dropped a five spot on the counter for my burger and soda. As I was watching the report, I microwaved the sandwich, figuring I’d have dinner here and see what all the fuss was about.
A lady and man walked across the stage hand in hand. This had to be the vice president. She was smiling and waving to everyone, not looking the slightest bothered that our city was a bona fide war zone. “Greetings,” she said cheerfully. “My husband, Adam, and I have been looking forward to seeing this wonderful city for a long time.”
She knew how to play a crowd. One sentence in and they were eating it up. My friend behind the counter muttered, “Bullshit,” before going back to his game. Well then.
The long cameras zoomed in. She was wearing the pin of her political party. Politics, something I’d never get myself into. “However, it is unfortunate that our visit and the presidential debate for later this week have been marred by an attack on police headquarters. Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen.”
The cheering quieted down, almost as if it was a planned moment of silence. Though maybe that was just the conspiracy theorist in me. I took a bite of my warmed up burger; even though it was greasy and the cheese was more than likely fake, there wasn’t much better than a convenience store burger.
Morales was talking again. “My opponent, who is here but has yet to address anyone, would tell you that all super humans are bad. That we should round them up and tag them like dogs.” Well she had my vote. “I’m here today to put my confidence behind that group of people. Sure they have bad apples, but so do we. Who are we to cast judgement upon them?”
“Supers are dangerous,” the clerk said with disdain. “This store was nearly burned down by one idiot with a grudge a few years back.”
His book was on the counter and he was looking at me. “I try to keep my personal thoughts to myself.”
“You’re a sympathizer, then. And that’s okay,” the disdain leaving and
being replaced with some back stepping. “I just think people should be aware of the underlying threat they pose.”
Tempted as I was to introduce myself as The Negative Man, he seemed to have no idea who I was, either as the villain or Jericho Staley. Plus he had good, cheap food. I’d hate to ruin that. “Honestly, I don’t care either way. Round them up or let ‘em alone. From my dealings with the government, it’s all just smoke and mirrors anyway.”
He narrowed his eyes at me. Apathy, the one thing worse than picking a side. I ignored his glare and returned to the television. Morales was wrapping up her opening address to Pacific Station and the watching public across the country. “As you’ll hear at the debate, my plan for the super population calls for friendship and trust. Don’t let hate swing your feelings towards your neighbors.”
Smiling to myself, “Well Miss Morales, when I’m done, you won’t even have to worry about Victory.”
“Did you say something?”
The clerk was staring at me. I wondered how much he heard. “No, just going over a shopping list for later.”
I don’t know if he believed me, but a commotion on the screen got both of our attentions. People on stage were running away from a girl with long brown hair. She was wearing a black rubber suit with a set of oversized round sunglasses covering her eyes. The real reason people were running though had to be the giant blade in her hand. It looked like a damn machete.
Then the damndest thing happened. She went transparent and walked right through one of the security officers. After she passed, the machete went straight into his back, killing him. The guards were no match for her ability, as she took them down one by one. Soon it was just her with the vice president and her husband. This was an obvious assassination attempt.
She didn’t kill Angela Morales, though. Instead, she reached out and grabbed Adam by the arm and yanked him close. Both went transparent and disappeared under the stage. At that moment, the camera panned back in to the reporter, Holly.
“I’m not even sure to say what happened, but it appears as if Madame Vice President’s husband, Adam, has just been kidnapped by a super. There are at least six dead that we know of and Secret Service is taking control of the area, with what police support the city can offer.”
Angrily pointing at the television, the clerk shouted, “See, this is why we have to know who they are! How can you deny that after what you’ve just seen with your own two eyes?”
“You should stop while you’re alive.”
There had been no keeping my voice quiet this time. “What did you say?” He pulled a shotgun out from under the counter. “You’re one of them aren’t you?”
When electricity began arcing off my body, the realization of who I was dawned upon him. He dropped the shotgun and tried to hide behind the counter separating us. Cute. “I’m not just one of them. I am the most powerful of them all.”
Ten minutes later, I walked out of the destroyed bodega; the smoking husk of the bigot was all that was left for anyone to see. “Ahh hell,” I said to no one in particular. I was going to have to find a new place to get my junk food.
Chapter 22 –
Monday Night; Oceanside Café
Iwas holding the note that had been left taped to the elevator in the gl-O-bal building. The message was simple, ‘Meet at Oceanside, eleven p.m.’ I was a few minutes early in the hopes of getting the drop on the person bold enough to summon me. I also wanted to know who knew about my secret base of operations.
It was clear this wasn’t Kyle. He was too bold. He would’ve been waiting for me and would’ve demanded answers if he thought I knew anything. He was just like his dad, which made him quite predictable. No, whoever this was, they were a wild card. This was someone who didn’t mind playing in the shadows. I hoped I liked them, it’d be a shame to kill someone so brave.
And the wild card was walking up. There was a slight frame to this person and they were carrying what appeared to be a laptop or tablet device. As ‘she’ got closer, the answer hit me – this was Becky Walker, Owen’s daughter. I was slightly amused and a bit more annoyed. Hopping down from my spot, there was no more reason to hide. “What do you want?”
“Not here, let’s go inside.”
She looked more than a bit paranoid. I wondered if Kyle knew about this little late night walk. He couldn’t have; there was no way Captain Boy Scout would ever let her come here alone to meet with me. That being said, there were no other options other than to follow her if I wanted some answers. Upon entering, I needed to do some serious suppressing of raw emotions all things considered, but the table Darla and I had been sitting at was in the exact same position that it was that day, with the chairs overturned. I could almost see her body still lying on the floor. No Jericho, don’t let it consume you.
Becky was over by the cashier’s station, opening the laptop. I dropped my hood and joined her. “I hate to ask and sound like I care, but what are you doing out by yourself at this time of night?”
“Who said I was by myself?”
“Hello Jericho.”
My head followed the sound of the voice down. On the laptop screen was a face, one that looked awfully familiar. I couldn’t quite put the pieces together though. “Is this some sort of high tech virtual intelligence?”
The pixelated face smiled. “Do you now remember me?” He disappeared and a picture of the Ace of Clubs replaced him. Yes, yes I did know him. “I knew a clue would help.”
I used to work with this man, both at Wonder-Tech and again when I was undercover with The Aces. “Phil Jenkins? I thought you were dead?”
“One of the great things about my power is I can merge with computers. Becky found me and restored some of my freedoms. I owe her a lot.”
It almost felt like old times with a Walker here, Jenkins still alive, and me a bit confused. “Was this all a charade to let me know Phil’s still alive?”
The two of them made eye contact. “Go ahead and tell him, Phil.”
“As you are probably aware, the husband of Vice President Angela Morales was kidnapped by a powered assassin. The assassin’s name is Winter Balefire.”
That didn’t mean anything to me. “And?”
“Allow me to finish.” I remembered him being pretentious as a person. “Balefire used to work as an administrative aide for Secretary Victory, that is until a year and a half ago when she died in a car accident. Fire rescue never recovered a body.”
No way was that happenstance. “How do you know all of this? I’m sure Victory had all that stuff wiped from existence.”
“This.” Becky handed me a picture from her jacket that clearly showed the girl I saw kidnap Adam Morales standing next to Ronald Victory at a press conference. The photo was date marked almost two years ago. “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what happened. A dead girl showed up on stage to kidnap the husband of his rival? Yeah, Victory’s in this deep.”
There was something so scandalous about this photo. The whole government inner working conspiracy was fascinating. “Why are you bringing this to me?”
“Kyle would never go for what I’m about to greenlight.” She looked a bit scared, of herself. “I’m going to help you find Ronald Victory so you can kill him.”
My eyes grew bigger. Was it Christmas morning and no one told me? Inside help to find my target and put an end to his machinations – oh this was a great day! Calm down, I reminded myself. There was a catch coming, I knew it. “What’s this going to cost me?”
“Nothing.”
It was a short, one word answer that carried a lot of volume. “You’re not going to order that I turn myself in afterwards? No, this seems a bit too easy.”
She closed the laptop containing Jenkins. Whoa – whatever she was about to say was for my ears only. “I know what you’re planning to do. I saw something when I touched you that gave me the push I needed when it came to making this decision.”
“What do you think you know?”
Very softly, “Yo
u’re not planning on living through this. It’s a suicide mission.”
I stepped away from her. “How could you possibly…”
“No one can lie to me, once I enter their mind. I asked if your objectives were pure and it showed me. You’re a man who doesn’t want to live anymore. You want revenge and then to fade away, forever.”
There was no use lying to the walking truth detector beside me. It was my deepest thought, something that I’d come to terms with during my first night away from prison. My imaginary conversation with The Dark Lion only cemented my feelings. “I’m not good for this world. All I do is bring tragedy not only to myself but those I care about. This revenge against Victory, it’s the only thing I want to finish.”
“Kyle sees the good in you.” She looked up at me. “I even see what could’ve been a good man. Unfortunately, the path you were given made the obstacles too much to overcome. Let’s end Victory together and give Kyle the chance he truly deserves as the protector of Pacific Station.”
She stuck her hand out which I accepted. “Deal.”
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t The Negative Man. Or do you just go by Jericho these days.”
There were two men standing at the door to the street. I recognized one immediately, Kim Krummel. The other man, I knew him too. He was the uncle to one of my rivals, The Crimson Mask. But he wasn’t supposed to be here. He lived in North Terrace. “Chris Pappas, isn’t it?”
“He remembers my old name, Abaddon. How sweet is that?”
“That man’s name is Kim.” I should know, I had to kill his wife. “What the hell is an Abaddon?”
Kim didn’t say anything. He just looked straight out, as if he was in some sort of drug induced haze. It was clear that Chris was the mouthpiece. “When the six of us joined forces with the one true power, we shed ourselves of our old identities and embraced the names we were given. If you must refer to me as something, I’m Blade.”
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