by Eric Burney
Cain was undeterred, continuing to unleash catastrophic levels of energy. Neither of us relented, both fueled by differing motivations. After several moments, I came to the awful conclusion that if Cain was allowed to continue and I failed to hold containment, there wouldn't be anything left standing for miles, not to mention the number of casualties.
“I'm sorry!” I screamed over the deafening volume of force.
It was the most painful thing I'd ever endured, the thought of what I was being forced to do and it made me surprisingly angry.
Through the earlier destruction, parts of the building’s columns had cracked and separated, exposing several jagged strips of rebar.
Tears began to stream down my cheeks while I pulled the rusted rebar free from the masonry through telekinesis, careful to maintain my hold on the force field. Turning the broken pieces of rebar midair, they resembled spears, unconventional instruments of death.
Anguish overtook me, but I couldn't deter. Cain had ultimately made his decision and forced my hand. I had no choice but to do what was right for the people of Earth and those I loved. The man I once knew as Freddy had died long ago.
Unbeknownst to Cain, and with lightning intensity, I hurled the rebar directly into Cain's back. They impacted with a sickening thud that made me cringe. His mouth stretched open into a soundless gasp. The once-fiery eyes of a fiendish warrior extinguished instantly, turning a lifeless shade of black before reverting to a familiar hue. Cain's body went as stiff as corkwood, teetering slightly before finally dropping to his knees.
With a heavy heart, I rushed to his side, catching him in my arms before he collapsed to the floor. Three words escaped his lips before he succumbed to the injuries:
“Charlie... I'm sorry...”
The force field I’d created dissipated into the night air along with the entrapped energy. I sat for what seemed an eternity, holding my once best friend in my arms. My dead best friend. Freddy was the closest thing I'd felt to family in all my years on Earth. And now he was gone—by my hand, no less. I couldn't fathom how I was going to live with that.
Jasmine's tinny voice broke the silence.
“Icarus, are you there?”
I didn't respond. I don't know if it was from shock or what, but I couldn't formulate a response.
“ICARUS.”
Her voice was louder and more urgent this time. “The Orion device is almost into position. I've used every trick I can think of to delay the inevitable, but the rest is up to you. Without the relay module in place, the Orion will disperse its payload into the atmosphere any minute now.”
“CHARLIE!”
Jasmine broke her own newly established protocol out of desperation. Guess having a secret identity wouldn't matter much if humanity was about to be wiped out.
Then, a different voice transmitted over the comm. One that caught my attention immediately.
“Charlie. It's me, Kara. I know you're in pain, but we are not out of the woods yet. You still have a job to do. You will have time to mourn Freddy, but right now you need to stop the Orion device.”
Her speech was short but effective, snapping me out of my grief, if only for the moment. I had to put aside the pain and focus. The mission wasn't complete. There was still work to be done.
“Icarus copies.” I laid Freddy down gently. “Send medical personnel ASAP to the west quadrant of the facility.”
Chapter 89
I walked to a clearing within the devastated landscape. I was going to need lots of room for this takeoff.
Touching a knee to the ground, I could feel the aura sweeping over my body again. I felt like I'd been given a shot of adrenaline.
I took off like a bullet, accelerating skyward at such a rate that a deafening sonic boom was created.
The lingering smoke trail made it easy to track the Orion device.
“Icarus, I managed to hack into a defense satellite to disrupt the Orion's systems, buying us some time, but I won't be able to much longer. So... do what you do. Just... do it faster.”
“I'm working on it.”
Higher and higher I climbed with breathtaking speed, punching through the cloud cover. Turbulence threatened to knock me off my original heading, but with sheer determination I stayed the course. Another sonic boom cracked as I drew closer to the Orion device. I had no idea how fast I was going. Mach 1? Mach 2? Either way it was incredibly fast. Faster than I'd ever flown before. Part of me wondered how much of it had to do with the pendant around my neck. So much mystery surrounded how it worked and I’d yet to uncover its true origins.
It was also higher than I'd ever flown, I realized as the remaining clouds fell away and I was suddenly dazzled by millions of radiant stars. At such a height, they were absolutely gorgeous. I stole a glance below and witnessed the natural beauty of planet Earth from such an impossible vantage point. Then I turned back to my mission.
The Orion device was no more than 100 yards away from me now. Compartments and metal paneling began to separate and break away from the main assembly, exposing the thermocouples of the generator core. Dodging the falling debris, I plucked the module from my bio-suit and pulled up to face the access panel. I was surprised at how well my body was holding up due to the change in atmosphere. I was able to breathe just fine. I attributed that to my alien physiology. Temperature was another concern faced with human exploration in space. Good thing I didn't fall into that category.
“Where exactly do I need to put this gadget?”
“Just attach it anywhere on the screen.”
I did as instructed and drifted away from the device, waiting for a sign, any sign that it had been unarmed. But the Orion continued to break apart like a space shuttle entering orbit. I’m no astronaut, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to know that wasn't a good sign.
“Um... it's still prepping for detonation. What's going on?”
“I—I don't know. I'm locked out. The integration module should have worked.”
That wasn't good. At all.
“I'm going to try and take it out of Earth’s orbit.”
“Icarus, that's suicide. You don't know how long your body can hold up under these conditions. It's a miracle you've made it this far. And what if you don't clear the blast radius?”
“Then so be it. It’s been a fun ride. Now tell me how far out I need to take this thing.”
I swooped down and repositioned along the rear of the Orion device. With a firm grip, I started to guide the missile into outer space.
“According to my calculations, the device must be at a distance of at least another hundred and fifty miles out prior to detonation.”
“Got it!”
I pressed my shoulder into the Orion and shoved with all my might, slowly gaining momentum. An expanding stream of alien mutagens seeped from exposed canisters along the base. I took a deep breath, hoping to avoid the toxic cloud.
“Ninety miles. You're almost there, Icarus!”
My face contorted from the pain and strain of the monumental task.
“One hundred miles!”
My body was now taking a serious beating from the atmosphere. My face rippled against the pressure from the G-force winds, which also made it difficult to fly. I'd never experienced gravity like this. The Orion continued to release large quantities of the toxic mutagen gas. If the device were to detonate in Earth’s vicinity, the planet, or at least portions of it, would become suitable only for those with abilities, both current and the soon-to-be mutated. The rest would die a slow and painful death. Millions, possibly billions.
No, I won't let that happen.
Those billions of human lives were depending on me, whether they knew it or not. Certainly, no sacrifice was too great for that number.
Maybe this was why I was the chosen one. To be right here, in this very moment with so much riding on my shoulders.
I pushed against the crushing force, determined not to fail with every fiber of my being.
“One hundred and tw
enty miles, you're almost there.” Jasmine could barely mask the nervous anxiety in her voice.
With one last superhuman shove, combining my own strength and a telekinetic blast, the Orion drifted into the outer reaches of space. I hoped it would be enough. Turning, I fled back towards Earth with as much reserve speed as I could muster.
The beautiful green and purple glow of an aurora borealis loomed along the horizon.
I fought against the pulverizing G-force winds, trying to put as much distance as I could between myself and the Orion. A deafening thunderclap erupted behind me. I shut my eyes tightly, hoping I was far enough away, just as the impact from the explosion struck me from behind with the weight of a giant's boot. And, like the Icarus of old, it seemed I had also tragically flown too close to the sun.
Chapter 90
“Icarus, come in! Icarus!” Jasmine screamed frantically over the comm. There was no response. Michael eyed Kara with guarded concern as the military rounded up the last remnants of Evolution's forces. It was as if they knew their leader had been defeated, surrendering with little opposition. Dozens of military choppers swarmed the airspace over the abandoned military site, their searchlights illuminating the pre-dawn sky like the extravagant pyrotechnics at a Pink Floyd concert.
“Any word from Charlie?” Agent Simmons asked. He'd emerged from the lower levels of the military site, and had assisted with the detention of the remaining threat. Michael recognized the Special Forces leader with him, Capt. Dillon, from the junkyard and offered a quick nod. He returned the favor with a nod of his own. They'd all been to hell and back on this night and unlikely bonds had formed, a scenario that seemed improbable mere hours ago.
“No word yet, but I've learned to never count him out.” Michael tried to sound as optimistic as possible for Kara, who was just within earshot.
She eyed him with trepidation as she hailed Jasmine.
“Destiny, Destiny, do you read? What’s going on with Icarus?”
Viktor soon emerged from the bowels of the underground facility with a visibly injured Nick in tow, raising quite a few eyebrows from everyone gathered topside.
“Hey, hey! Stand down,” Nick demanded. He appeared surprisingly spry considering the visible damage inflicted to his protective suit’s exoskeleton. “He's a friendly,” he added, using military jargon picked up most likely from some video game. The military troops obliged, apparently more concerned with Evolution, Michael observed as they rushed past to secure a host of other targets who were also surrendering with little resistance. The fight to save Earth appeared to be coming to its conclusion as the U.S. military rounded up the last vestments of the revolution.
“I know, I know; shocking seeing me with this guy, right? Where's Charlie?”
Nick looked around, completely oblivious to the sequence of events from the past hour.
“We don't know.”
Michael’s response surprised Nick, but not so much the speedster’s escort, a fact not lost on Michael. “We're still trying to determine what happened after he sent the Orion into outer space.”
“Wait—what?”
“Charlie had to manually take the device beyond Earth’s atmosphere,” Michael said, relaying the information as best he could, based on what little he himself knew of the situation. “There was no other way. Jasmine is trying to raise him now.”
Nick instantly understood the gravity of the situation and said nothing further—a plus where he was concerned. This wasn't about him. He knew without asking how Kara was accepting the grim information. Her unique bond with Charlie had grown beyond anything the trio had experienced prior to his arrival.
“Destiny, what can I do to help?”
“We're exhausting every available resource, Speed,” was the grim response. “Almost every satellite surveillance monitoring station for the entire planet has gone dark due to the explosion. We’re flying blind here. I'll let you know as soon as we find anything.”
One person in particular seemed unfazed by the news. And it wasn't yet clear to the others whether that was because he didn't have a sensitive bone in his body. Or, maybe he knew something the others didn't.
“You don't seem too broken up by all this. You hiding something?”
Viktor regarded the comment with the slightest hint of a smile. It was classic narcissism from a man Michael despised like no other. The taste of being kidnapped at the hands of Viktor still left a bad taste in his mouth. Very, very bad.
“Why don't you ask her?”
All heads turned in Kara's direction.
The expression on her face confirmed she had no idea what he was talking about.
“What is it with you young people? Concentrate. Find him,” Victor said coolly.
Michael and Nick shared a baffled look. Kara was equally befuddled, but eventually did as instructed.
After a moment that seemed an eternity, her closed eyes sprang open and she started walking—briskly. Without a word, the others followed along behind her.
“This way.”
Kara's pace quickened, her wounded heart beating with newfound excitement. She continued for a time until they reached the perimeter of the military base and headed east along an old service road. The abandoned road was cracked and splintered with weeds and other shrubbery sprouting through the asphalt. Agent Simmons requested a squad of military troops, who fell in with the procession, spreading out in a search formation to cover more ground. Copters flew overhead, joining the search. The path Kara was leading them veered through a heavily wooded area, far off the beaten path. Nick, who'd finally gained enough strength to walk under his own power, looked surprisingly pessimistic. Only he and Charlie knew what Viktor had done earlier to save them. But the taste of treachery was still bitter on the tongue.
Yet, still he remained silent, willing to go along with Viktor’s charade for as long as needed. He owed Charlie his life, and would gladly give it if the situation ever came to that.
Kara broke into a full out sprint at the base of a large hill.
Michael and Nick watched, astonished as a gangly figure appeared at the top of the hill, just as the sudden rays of dawn ascended around him casting their golden glow over the valley below. The spectacular sunrise was nearly blinding, causing the onlookers to shield their eyes. But there was no mistaking the lone figure as he drew closer. He opened his arms and warmly embraced Kara to a chorus of cheers and celebratory applause.
Charlie was alive!
Chapter 91
It felt great holding Kara in my arms again. I can't express enough how happy I was just to be back on solid ground. Having the ability to fly was awesome, but I was content with staying grounded for a while. A long while.
Sounds good to me. We've got a lot of catching up to do.
I smiled down and was instantly swept up in Kara's beautiful eyes. She was so remarkably breathtaking.
You'll get no argument from me.
“Are you guys doing that mind texting thingy again? Ewww,” Nick said with an exaggerated gross-face, then flashed a toothy grin. “Get a room.”
“We plan on it, muscle-head,” Kara shot back.
I beamed at Kara in my arms, nodding in approval.
“Glad to see you made it back in one piece. Damn good to see you!”
I looked up to see an extremely rare sighting: the sunny disposition of Agent Simmons.
“That makes two of us,” I grinned, shaking his hand warmly. It was nice having a human of his integrity on our side.
“Three,” Kara said softly.
She hugged me even tighter.
“The Department of Defense showed up in force about an hour ago and locked the place down. They'll make sure none of these Evolution radicals slip through the net.”
I nodded glumly, my thoughts instantly turning to what had transpired. A wave of sadness and loss flooded over me. Sensing my inner conflict, Agent Simmons continued.
“You did what had to be done, Charlie. You saved a lot of people last night.
No one blames you for what you did. Don't be so hard on yourself.”
That, was never going to happen.
“Where is he?”
“His body was recovered and transferred under heavily armed guard to an undisclosed location.”
And almost as if he knew what my next question would be, he replied, “I'm working on finding him. As soon as I find out anything I'll get in touch, you have my word.”
“Thanks, Agent Simmons.”
“Call me Rick. And no need to thank me. I’ve been told I'm to be suspended for my actions surrounding your suspicious escape and my personal involvement here last night. It's just an attempt to silence me and keep what happened here a secret. Not that they'll be able to.”
“What? That's baloney!” Nick piped. “They should be giving you and those Air Force compadres of yours a freaking medal!”
“Yeah, I wish it were that simple. But something is going on behind the scenes in the government. Secretary Keller is hiding something, and I'm going to find out what it is. I don't care if they ruin my reputation, suspend me, or fire me. The truth will come to the light.”
“Well, you know we have your back if you ever need anything,” I said.
He'd risked so much for all of us. We owed him that at least.
Agent Simmons smiled and winked.
“Same here. Take care, guys.”
He turned to walk away, then stopped abruptly.
“Oh, and I'm thinking you guys were wise to come up with the aliases. Reports are flooding in from miles around of people claiming to see a man who can run incredibly fast. Seems he did quite a bit of property damage to some vehicles parked along the street throughout the city last night. And reports of a man flying after an unsanctioned missile launch on US soil are dominating the Internet.”
Michael shrugged.
“Guess we couldn't hide in the shadows forever.”