by Drew Hayes
59.
“Get everyone back from the debris,” Titan ordered into his comm. It had taken longer than he wanted to meet up with Fix-It then get back to the barrier of cars and concrete, but he’d finally arrived with a freshly-healed Eli in tow. The young man had borne the journey better than others that Titan had leapt around with before, though his skin was slightly blanched as Titan set him back onto solid ground.
“Heard,” Galvanize replied. “Pulling back as far as we can safely go. What’s the ETA on opening up a way out for us? Reports from below say they won’t be able to keep the overpass suspended much longer. Supers are pretty much the only things keeping us aloft right now.”
“If this works, then we should have a clear path in less than a minute. If not, I’m going to have to be sloppy in opening up a hole.”
“I’ll cross my fingers for Plan A,” Galvanize replied.
While they’d been talking, Eli had walked up and down the length of the barrier, assessing which places to target first. Titan kept a close eye on the kid, watching for any sign that he was thinking about running. Thankfully, Eli was either a man of his word or he was smart enough to know that Titan wouldn’t let him go; regardless, he made no movement to bolt. Instead, he turned back to the man who had beaten, crippled, and then helped fix him all in the span of less than half an hour.
“I’m going to try and start around the black sedan,” Eli said, pointing to an area thick with car parts and concrete.
“Seems like it will take longer to get through there.” Titan didn’t contradict the assessment; he merely waited to see how Eli would justify it.
“Only a bit, and it’s far more stable than some of the other parts. If I get rid of a different section, it will cause another piece of the wall to come tumbling down. This is the only area that seems solid enough to carve a path through.”
“Then go to it,” Titan instructed. He’d reached much the same conclusion when he first assessed the problem; it was interesting that Eli had a keen enough eye to spot the potential hazards. Then again, for a kid whose ability eroded matter into nothingness, that was probably something he’d needed to master out of sheer self-preservation.
Eli raised his hands toward the chunk of barricade and took a deep breath. Gray, crackling energy manifested in his palms. Twin orbs steadily grew until they were roughly the size of softballs. The one from his right palm flew forward, washing over the front door of the sedan and quickly vanishing, along with most of the door.
“Going to have to go bigger,” Eli muttered to himself. The orb in his left hand began expanding, filling with more power until it was bigger than a basketball and barely fit in Eli’s grip. This time when the orb struck the debris, it wiped out the rest of the sedan and a large chunk of concrete behind it.
“All right, that’s the size.” Eli’s hands filled with two more orbs, more quickly this time that the first. He fired both shots in short order, quickly destroying a vast chunk of the barricade. Titan could already see through to the other side; there were only cursory obstacles left in place.
“Tone it down for the next shot,” Titan cautioned, which earned him a contemptuous glare from Eli.
“I know how to use my power.” Eli demonstrated just that by lobbing two smaller orbs at the remaining debris, opening up a path to the other side with unexpected precision. Before Titan could comment, Eli charged up another pair of shots and went to the task of widening his hole in the barricade so more people could fit through.
“Galvanize, we’re got an opening. Bring everyone this way, but keep them orderly. This is still a dangerous area if things get out of control.”
“Don’t worry, Huggles is really good at making people stay in line,” Hexcellent replied.
“True, though I won’t be surprised if at least a few parents try to bill us for the therapy their children will doubtlessly need,” Galvanize replied. “Hexcellent is heading to your location. I’m going to hang back and make sure everyone gets through.”
“We’ll be waiting here to guide them along,” Titan said. He looked around, trying to see any early arrivals through the newly opened hole, and noticed that Eli had stopped shooting orbs.
“This is as big as I can get it without risking another section spilling over,” the young criminal said.
“Then it’s what we’ve got to work with.” Titan scanned the path; it was large enough for him to stand comfortably in, though he couldn’t raise his arms from his sides without smacking debris. It would be a deathtrap if the people panicked, but with Huggles around, hopefully they would be more scared of the blade-armed demon than the tenuous safety of their surroundings.
“So is this it? Did I earn my freedom?”
“You earned your legs,” Titan shot back, motioning to the functioning limbs that had been crushed bone fifteen minutes ago. “I’ll hold up my end as far as talking to the cops like I promised, but there’s no way you’re going to skate out of this completely scot-free.”
“Worth a shot,” Eli said, allowing himself a defeated shrug.
“Don’t get too down. You’re in a much better position than you were when I snapped your legs and you were lying in the street. If nothing else, you just helped save people. That matters. . . at least it should to you.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the rumble of dozens of voices. Civilians were trudging across what remained of the overpass, heading toward the gateway to safety that Eli had managed to open up before. Titan stepped forward, waving his arms so that people could see where to head.
“Stay close, and be good,” Titan said. “We’ve still got a lot of people to help before this morning is over.”
60.
The sun was halfway through the sky before the situation was officially considered stabilized. After clearing off the civilians, the weakened and tottering overpass was finally allowed to collapse. Several of the Heroes who’d been using their efforts to keep it aloft did the same, mentally or physically strained by the considerable effort. Sadly, the end of the bridge did not mark the end of the day, as there were still hundreds of vehicles stuck on a road going nowhere, all of which had to be turned around and rerouted. Every Super who could still work pitched in, some going so far as to physically lift cars with passengers still inside and take them to another street. A few days later a picture of Titan carrying a sedan on each shoulder would surface, a single still snapped by a fortunate photographer. As the morning finally came to a close, however, none of the responders were thinking about pictures or press. They were all just exhausted. Even the ones whose bodies rebuked such sentiments could feel the weariness in their minds.
“Team,” Galvanize called through their earpieces, gathering their collective attention. “I just got word that the last stranded civilian has been relocated. What follows is a lot of cleanup and debris removal, but our team is being released with the city’s thanks. Meet back at the SUV and let’s go home.”
His people didn’t need any more encouragement than that as they made their way across the concrete dusted landscape over broken bits or homes or cars. It was a depressing place to walk through, made better only by the fact that each Super knew that it would have been much worse if they hadn’t been there. Houses could be rebuilt, cars replaced, overpasses reconstructed. Those people who’d been trapped, on the other hand, were each one of a kind. While everyone was spent in some capacity, it was the good kind of worn out, the sort that came with a sense of accomplishment.
“Where’s your little buddy?” Hexcellent asked Titan as they arrived at the car. It had been moved more than once on Titan’s back as they made room for evacuating the other stranded motorists, but he’d been sure to keep the team apprised of its location.
“Turned him over to the Heroes who were collecting gang members a few hours ago.” Titan didn’t mention that he’d been sure to tell said Heroes about how much Eli had helped, even after the primary evacuation was done, and that he was not to be treated with hostility. Thankfu
lly, the Hero Titan talked to had been on the job long enough to understand a good asset when she saw one. If it had been a younger Hero, Titan would have had to put a little fear into them to get the point across, and that was just pointlessly exhausting.
“Too bad he rolls with the bad guys. That power of his could come in pretty handy doing our line of work.” Hexcellent popped open the door of the SUV and sank into a seat, resting for the first time in hours.
“He’ll catch a decent break for all the help he gave us. Who knows, after that he may make himself into a useful member of society.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I can guess it’s not me.” Zone came trudging forward from a small alley, his whole body coated in the white chalky dust caused by collapsing concrete.
“Nah, someone with an actual future instead of a downhill slide of crappy endorsement deals and hosting local cable television shows,” Hexcellent replied, her voice oddly cheery in spite of the words she chose.
“At least I won’t be fifty and still trying to sell that goth sex-symbol vibe,” Zone countered.
“Good enough for Elvira, good enough for me,” Hexcellent shot back.
“So glad to know that if I ever lose track of my team, I can just follow the sounds of verbal abuse,” Galvanize said as he and Bubble Bubble approached. “I’d tell you to keep it indoors, but honestly I doubt anyone is paying us much attention by this point. Most of the press has packed up and gone now that the thrilling part is over.”
“If they’re going to take what they want and run off that quickly they could at least leave us cab fare on the dresser.”
Everyone turned to Bubble Bubble whose pale, freckled skin immediately began to blush as she realized that she’d spoken aloud what had clearly been intended as internal dialogue. “Sorry, I’m just. . . I’ve been making energy spheres for hours. I’m pretty wiped upstairs.”
“Don’t you dare apologize, that might be the best thing to come out of your mouth since you joined this team,” Hexcellent said. “Though, yeah, I think we’re all drained enough to have goofy-brain.”
“I actually still feel pretty wired, despite my body screaming for sleep,” Zone said.
“Happens to most people after a really big job,” Titan told them. “Even though you’re tapped out, your brain is still on high alert. My teams and I used to go to a bar afterward. A little beer and relaxation helps shift your gears down, letting you actually get the rest you need. But I’m sure you lot have some sort of meditation yoga vegetable enema way to decompress after one of these.”
“I know that was meant to be a joke, but it’s so close to the truth that now I’m depressed.” Hexcellent swiveled to Galvanize, whipping out her best innocent expression, which was pretty awful. “Can we do the bar thing instead? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?”
“Absolutely not,” Galvanize replied. “You know how Mr. Greene would react if pictures of us drinking surfaced—let alone in costume and in public—don’t you?”
“What if you did it at one of Mordent Holding’s restaurants?” Titan asked. “They own a bunch of bar and restaurant chains. After a big, publicly visible thing like this, if we went and downed a few at one of their places, it might make for good advertisement. Get it on the news, bill the place as a watering hole for local do-gooders, all that stuff.”
“That is an oddly business savvy suggestion, coming from you,” Bubble Bubble noted.
“Former small business owner.” Titan thumped his chest with unabashed pride.
“I will consent to calling the idea in while we head back,” Galvanize said. “If Mr. Greene gives the okay, and we all want to go, then I’d be all right with it.”
“Oh, we all want to go,” Zone said. “I haven’t been allowed to drink anything with that many carbs and calories in so long that my mouth is literally watering at the thought.”
“I would like to second the sentiment, though very pointedly not echo Zone’s exact word choice,” Bubble Bubble said.
“Then it will be up to Mr. Greene,” Galvanize replied. “Everyone pile in, and be quiet while I make the call. This is already a long shot, so let’s make as good of a pitch as we possibly can.”
61.
To Galvanize’s great surprise, Mr. Greene actually agreed with Titan’s suggestion to let the team be seen dining in one of Mordent’s chain restaurants. While the two men might not see eye to eye on many a thing, Mr. Greene was not the type to let a personal distaste for someone skew his ability to spot a money-making idea. After a brief back and forth, it was decided that the team would stop off at Mealtime Jamboree, a family-friendly restaurant with appallingly bright colors and various knick-knacks on the walls. They were to sit in the bar section, though not at the bar, and were allowed two alcoholic beverages per person.
Despite the strict rules placed on their outing, the mood in the SUV couldn’t have been more boisterous as the team pulled up in front of the garish yellow and red sign. They piled out quickly, partly in excitement and partly because five bodies that had been deprived the chance to shower and then worked for several hours did not make for a pleasant environment when crammed together. Galvanize led the charge into the restaurant, speaking briefly with the hostess, who led them directly to an already-prepared table in the bar area. Mr. Greene had clearly called ahead to give the staff a heads up, as evidence by the fact that was an extra-large stool to accommodate Titan as they sat down at the chest-high table. He’d also given the press a tip, at least gauging by the number of patrons sitting about with actual cameras, all of them keeping their distance yet watching the costumed team with laser focus.
“Feels weird to be just. . . out here,” Hexcellent muttered as they settled into their seats.
“You do appearances all the time,” Titan said.
“Sure, but then I’m in my element. Those people know who I am; some of them even came to see me. Being in full gear, just sitting around in public view. . . I don’t know, it feels different.”
“I’ll second that,” Galvanize chimed in. “But I don’t think it’s different in a bad way. I’m rather enjoying getting to let this side of me out on the town instead of vanishing once the work is done. Now then: we each only get two drinks, all of which is going on the company tab so that Mr. Greene can verify that, so I suggest you choose them wisely.”
By the time the bartender, who was doubling as a waitress, came by, the team had perused the menu extensively to make sure they got the best options available. Most went with their favorite drinks, the ones they’d been banned from for so many years now, but Hexcellent decided to take Titan’s recommendation on a local craft beer, which he also ordered. Their waitress, a pleasantly bubbly woman named Muriel, wrote everything down and quickly scampered away. Despite the fact that only one of the people at the table was a certified Hero, Muriel was clearly cape-struck by serving so many people in costume.
“Check it out.” Zone pointed to one of the multitude of televisions suspended around the restaurant, this one playing scenes from the rescue effort they had just been part of. Amidst the wreckage and turmoil, there were clear shots of people being hauled to safety, sometimes even by one of their team. Titan got the most screen time, which surprised no one, but Bubble Bubble, Galvanize, and Zone were also featured relatively frequently. Hexcellent made the fewest appearances, which seemed unusual to Titan until he remembered that she’d been paired with a large demon that had blades for arms. Family-friendly imagery, it was not.
By the time they finally looked away from the television, their drinks had arrived and Muriel had made herself scarce once more. Everyone reached for their respective glasses and started to drink, but Titan held up a hand to stop them.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to do a toast. I realize this probably isn’t the best place for it, but hell if I know whether another chance for us to all have drinks in our hands is going to come around.” Titan cleared his throat softly then raised the frosted mug holding his beer.
�
�You all did great work today, just like you do every time we step out there. I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone that I was reluctant to sign on with a group of PEERS when I first came back, and that was due to nothing more than my own stupidity. You four are as brave, determined, and good-hearted as any Hero I’ve stood beside, and I am damned proud to be a part of this team. Cheers.”
Everyone took a small sip of their drink, nodding appreciatively at both the sentiment and the wonderful flavor touching their tongues. Silence descended on the table, no one quite sure what to say to follow Titan’s kind words, until Bubble Bubble finally spoke.
“For what it’s worth, you’ve certainly turned out to be far less a burden than we were expecting.”
“Glad to hear it,” Titan replied. He was slowly beginning to get a feel for the most stoic member of their group, and he had a hunch that she was fonder of him, and the others, than she might like to let on.
“We could have done worse,” Zone agreed. From him it was as good of an olive branch as Titan was likely to receive, and he nodded his head in appreciation.
Hexcellent sighed and rolled her eyes. “I guess if we’re all going to have this emotion-fest then I’ll say that yes, it’s not terrible having you on the team. You damned sure have a knack for making things more interesting, I’ll give you that. I can’t say I remember a single time Mirror Fog whipped the shit out of Elemental Fury on pay-per-view.”
“Oh right, that happened before you joined the team,” Galvanize said, taking a small sip of his dark beer.
Everyone at the table, save for Titan who had never met the former Hero Liaison, stared at Galvanize in wide-eyed confusion. It wasn’t at the suggestion that Mirror Fog had pulled the same stunt as Titan; that was patently ridiculous. No, their shock stemmed from one simple fact about what they had just heard: Galvanize had made a joke while in costume.
“What?” Galvanize said as their stares began to make him fidget in his seat. “You guys are the only ones who can kid around?”