CHAPTER

62

 

BY THE TIME we emerged from the compound, emergency vehicles were flooding into the Hogtown streets. They surrounded Sarge’s compound. Soon the entire area was swarming with police, firefighters, and EMTs. The citizens of Hogtown emerged from their buildings, looking frightened but none the worse for wear.

It would probably take a long time for Hogtown to recover from this. The neighborhood looked like a war zone. A lot of the buildings had been trashed, their pristine exteriors ruined. Cars had been overturned and smashed. The streets were a maze of potholes and large cracks. I was willing to bet that Chief Thompson would have kittens when she saw it all.

The other heroes trudged up the street, picking their way through the wreckage of the zombie horde. They looked exhausted. Kid Magnum collapsed against the wall of the compound and heaved a long sigh. Dr. Olympus practically fell out of her exosuit. The only one who didn’t appear affected was Etzal’el. He simply stood on a corner, a pillar of shadow in the midst of the daylight. He nodded to me, and I smiled. Sure, he couldn’t see my expression, but I was glad to see he had made it.

T-Ram stumbled to my side and punched me in the arm. “We did it, kid.”

“And without getting your head caught in anything this time,” I added.

He laughed. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

The VOC vans arrived then. I flexed my fingers into fists. Good.

Agent Sexton burst from the lead vehicle. He strode through the streets and gaped at the destruction. Sexton took it all in and then whirled on me. He shoved his way past Agent Kensington, who continued to survey the ruined streets. “What have you done?” he demanded.

I shook my head. “Drop the act, Sexton. Isn’t this what you wanted all along?”

He froze. “What are you talking about?”

Etzal’el’s head turned toward me, and he glided across the pavement. Dr. Olympus also strode over, flanked by Kid Magnum and Downtime. Kyn, Gauntlet, and T-Ram followed them. Agent Kensington slipped into the circle between Prairie Fire and Blowhard. Even Veritas arrived in time to join the crowd.

“C’mon,” I said, “I know it was you. You’re the one who brought Sarge back from the dead. You’re the one who funded Dr. Ayers’s research. This is all your fault.”

Kensington looked between Sexton and me. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I almost didn’t figure it out,” I said. “But then I found out about how the money that should have gone to building me a headquarters is missing. The official line is that the VOC built me a lair at the NCU campus, but funny, no one gave me the keys to it or even told me about it. Sexton took the money and built Ayers’s lab instead. According to Meridian, the VOC are experts at building hidden facilities without anyone noticing. Then I learned that Dr. Ayers got access to Mind Master and some of the other supervillains in Valley. But he couldn’t have gotten in without VOC authorization. And weren’t you in Washington over the summer, around the same time that someone stole a tissue sample from Sarge’s grave in Arlington?”

To his credit, Sexton didn’t betray anything he was thinking, even though he was surrounded by a group of superheroes who were getting angrier and angrier with each of my accusations.

“So this is what I think you did,” I said. “You got the tissue sample. You had them build Ayers’s lab in my name. And then you had the professor resurrect Sarge and upgrade his powers. How am I doing so far?”

Kensington glared at Sexton. “Is there any truth to this?”

Sexton’s face appeared to have been chiseled from granite. “That’s preposterous! I never—”

Veritas made a buzzing sound. “That’s a lie.”

Etzal’el loomed over Sexton. “Agent Sexton, the truth will set you free. I expect you to see that for yourself. Now.”

Sexton snorted. “Back off, Etzal’el. Do you want to lose your license too?”

“Your threats are meaningless.” Etzal’el’s voice turned to the rumble of an avalanche. “I answer to a higher authority than the Vigilante Oversight Commission. Perhaps you wish to plead your cause with Him?”

Etzal’el burst forward and enveloped Sexton in his cloak. Darkness burst from his form and washed over all of us. Then, just as quickly as it had appeared, the shadows retreated back into Etzal’el. He snapped his cloak open, and Sexton tumbled to the ground. His skin had turned pale, and it appeared as if he had lost thirty pounds. He retched.

“What did you do to him?” I asked.

Etzal’el stepped back from Sexton. “I showed him a brief taste of the ultimate consequences of his sins. Perhaps he needs another?”

Sexton shook his head and held up a hand. “All right. It’s true. I did all of that.”

“But why?” I asked.

He glared at me. “Because of you.”

“Me? What did I ever do to you?”

“You won that license because of that stupid show! We need real heroes, not pathetic wannabes like you. We needed Sarge to protect this country, the way he did before he died. When I learned about Ayers’s research, I knew that was the key. So yes, I diverted the funds for your headquarters. I got Ayers access to Valley. But I did it for the greater good, the same as I’ve always done!”

Kensington signaled for two more VOC agents to come over. “I’ve heard enough. Come along. I’m sure the director will want to have a long talk with you.”

The agents hauled Sexton to his feet, wrenched his arms behind his back, and dragged him back to the vans.

I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“So did you actually know that he did it?” Veritas whispered to me.

I chuckled. “Not entirely.”

“Good guess. Sign yourself up as an honorary mind-reader.”

Etzal’el approached me. “I wish to thank and congratulate you, as well. It has been an honor to battle at your side. Should you ever need my assistance again, all you have to do is call.”

“Ditto,” Dr. Olympus added.

“But why? I’m not a licensed hero anymore.”

Etzal’el turned to Kensington. “That will be remedied soon, correct?”

Kensington’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He nodded. “I’ll start the paperwork as soon as I get back to the office.”

Etzal’el’s cape swirled around him, and for a heartbeat the entire world went dark. When the sun returned, he had vanished.

“You know what?” Kyn asked. “I think Etz is starting to grow on me.”

“Me too. Now let’s see what we can do to help out. And then I want to go home. I think I’ve earned some time off.”

 

• • •

 

I turned to the swarm of little kids that surrounded me. “Are you sure you guys shouldn’t go home? It’s a school night!”

A chorus of whines filled the evening air. The oldest of the group, a girl around six years old, shook her head. “Didn’t you hear? The school got destroyed by those bad men. We get to stay home tomorrow.”

Oh. That made sense. “Still, it’s getting late, and I’m getting tired.”

“Please? Just one more?”

I sighed. “All right. One more. Then you all have to go home.”

A cheer went up around me. I smiled underneath my hood and faced an overturned pick-up truck. The truck’s rear end had been nearly ripped off, and its windshield had been shattered. More problematic, the engine had been squeezed out of the hood like toothpaste from a tube. I wished I could have been there to see how that had happened.

I glanced at the truck’s owner, a middle-aged Hispanic man who stood next to it. “You received the paperwork from the VOC for the insurance company?” I asked.

He nodded.

“And you’re okay with this?”

He smiled and gave me a thumb’s up.

I shrugged. I rubbed my hands together and then opened my palms at the truck. I probably didn’t have to do that, but I had learned that the kids liked the theatrics. I summoned my power and sent a blast of destructive energy into the truck. At first, only the paint peeled away and vaporized, but as I released more of my power, the rest of the truck followed suit. Within a matter of moments, the entire wreck was gone, leaving only a stain on the pavement.

The kids cheered and babbled in excitement. I didn’t know how I’d become the babysitter for Hogtown, but as I’d worked to help the VOC teams clear out the rubble from the battle, more and more children had come to watch.

Their self-appointed leader jumped up and down. “One more!”

“Hey!” I said. “You promised. And what do heroes do?”

She stood a little taller. “They keep their word.”

“Exactly. Now scoot.”

The kids uttered a collective groan but they started back for their homes.

The leader lingered, then she rushed forward and threw her arms around my waist. “Thanks for saving us.” She turned and raced down the street, brushing past Agent Sexton and Meridian.

They parted to allow her to pass. Meridian watched her go, then turned to me with a lopsided smile. “Feels pretty good when they hug you, doesn’t it?” he asked.

I smiled. “Yeah, it does. So what can I do for you two?”

Meridian and Kensington exchanged a glance.

“Why don’t you take a walk with us, Failstate?” Meridian said.

We strolled back along the street. A lot of the debris from the fight had been cleared away already, and most of the ambulances had left the neighborhood. Now it was mostly police officers there to keep things under control as members of the VOC After Works teams assessed the damage and started repairs.

“I’ve received about half a dozen calls from Mayor Reilly,” Kensington said. “She wanted me to thank you on her behalf. Don’t tell her that I told you, but she also said she’s going to send a petition to the President to see if you can get some sort of commendation.”

My eyes widened. If that actually happened, I’d have to be sure to wear my watch and keep my powers muted. A power spike in the White House would likely be a faux pas.

“And I also got a call from Chief Blackthorn. He said to tell you, ‘You made us proud.’”

I chuckled.

We strolled past Sarge’s former compound. Apparently someone had managed to cut Sarge out of the warehouse’s basement. A forklift was loading the large block into the back of an armored semi. Sarge continued to scream abuse at the agents around him. Good thing he didn’t see me. He’d probably have a coronary.

“I hear you did that,” Meridian said.

I nodded.

“So how about your powers?”

I shrugged. “Not sure. I think I can turn my costume into armor when I want to now, and I seem to be able to do some new tricks.” I pointed to Sarge’s concrete block. “I’ll keep working on it, see what happens. I hear these sorts of things happen to us, right?”

Meridian’s eyes narrowed, and his lips drew into a thin line.

“What’s going to happen to Sarge?” I asked.

Kensington glanced in Sarge’s direction. “Off to the Valley Correctional Facility. Him, Doomstone, and even Raze.”

“You’re kidding! Raze is going to Valley?”

Kensington nodded. “We have him on tape threatening the director of a local homeless shelter. And there’s the fact that he was an accomplice in Dr. Ayers’s murder. A vigilante license might give you some latitude, but Raze exceeded it by a lot.”

Kensington pulled a purple card out of his pocket and held it out for me. “Speaking of which, I’ve been talking to Director Bentley back in Washington. Given what’s happened, the VOC would like to reinstate you, effective immediately. And, if I may be so bold, you should have never lost it in the first place.”

“And his stipend?” Meridian’s voice was little more than a growl.

Kensington nodded. “Absolutely. Director Bentley even authorized a bonus for your good work.”

Huh. That was unexpected. Maybe I’d take Charlene out to a nice dinner soon.

I glanced at it and then turned to Meridian. “You’re still willing to be my mentor?”

Meridian’s smile grew larger. “Of course.”

I looked back to Kensington. “What about New Chayton’s other licensed heroes?”

Kensington grimaced. “Still no word on Shadowfall or Nightsilver. And the Living Quark turned in his resignation two days ago.” He brightened. “But I have heard that the Hoplite will be back from her secret mission sometime this week.”

I laughed. “Good timing on her part.”

“I thought so too.” He glanced at the license, then up at me. “Well?”

I stroked my chin through my mask. “Who will my liaison officer be?”

Kensington shifted on his feet. “I thought I would give it a try, if it’s okay with you.”

I nodded. “That would be great. So…do I have to worry about any more jerks like Sexton?”

Kensington shook his head. “The other licensed heroes have been singing your praises. Given the way Etzal’el treated you, I don’t think anyone wants to risk crossing you.”

That was nice to hear. And scary at the same time.

“Face it, kid: You’ve become something of a legend now,” Meridian said. “How does it feel?”

I grinned. “Not too bad, I guess. Although I don’t feel that different.”

Meridian clapped me on the shoulder. “Believe me, Failstate, you are different. And it’s good to see.”

“Well, Failstate? What’s it going to be?” Kensington prompted.

I reached out and took the license from Kensington. “I accept…on one condition.”