“Nah man. 85th street gym. They run classes every night. Started when I was seven,” Israel answered.
“Oh,” Jessen replied. “Thats… disappointing…”
The three men sat in silence for a minute then a ‘ding’ sound caught everyones attention as the elevator doors opened. To reveal Manning standing with Ronan.
“Woah,” Jessen expressed his obvious case of being star struck. Standing up he approached the two men.
“The hell are you two doing here?” Manning asked him.
“I melted my dead landlord and the cops think we’re gay so now we live here,” Jessen extended his hand to Ronan. ”Hey man, big fan. Well no, not a big fan of you, I hate your guts but yunno, in a wrestling character way, as in I’ve always liked the good guys like Santos, but I like what you do as a bad…. yunno… wrestling… you’re a wrestler… wrestling,” Jessen fumbled to finish his sentence. Ronan smiled.
“Thanks man. I know what you mean.” Ronan shook Jessen’s hand.
“So what’s this about your landlord?” Manning asked, walking over to the sofas.
The five men sat and caught each other up on recent events.
“I can’t believe we’ve got a celebrity,” Jessen said. “I mean, I never actually thought about it but I guess in the back on my mind I just assumed only normal people had powers.”
“I am normal,” Ronan replied.
“Yeah besides the insane strength and durability.” Jessen countered, slapping Greyfall on the leg. “Greyfall, try to break his arm. Go on. Try it.”
“Why would I break an allies arm?” Greyfall asked.
“Just…yunno, to see if you can,” Jessen answered.
“Why?”
“Uh….just.”
“Anyway!” Manning interrupted. “We’re growing in numbers but could always do with more. At the very least there’s you four and Daniel that are one hundred percent, about another dozen that said they’ll fight but I wasn’t quite convinced and another dozen after that that want to be left alone.”
“What about Marcus?” Israel asked.
“Yeah I’ll try to find him tomorrow,” Manning answered. “Although he’s not exactly a fighter.”
“Who is Marcus? What does he do?” Greyfall asked.
“For now I think it’s best if we only speak of certainties,” Manning answered. “Which at the minute is the five of you.” Manning stood up and walked over to one of his work tops.
“I’ve got communicators for you, both in ear for battle and general… yunno… living and stuff.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out packs with Jessen and Greyfall’s names written on them, tossing them to the two men.
“Ronan I’ll get you sorted soon too.” Ronan nodded as Jessen and Greyfall opened their packs. Inside were ear pieces and communicators similar to simple looking cell phones that were popular in the early 2000’s.
“I miss these,” said Jessen smiling.
“They’re waterproof and sturdy as bricks,” Manning informed them. “You can only call the contacts currently in each of them, which as of right now is all of us here, minus Ronan. Again, I’ll add you to everything here Ronan. I’ll get all of your fingerprints for the elevator as well.”
“Are you coming to live here too?” Jessen asked Ronan.
“Hmm, shitty underground windowless laboratory with four other dudes or twentieth floor apartment overlooking the entire south side of the city by myself?” Ronan asked sarcastically.
“Wait you’ve just made me realise something, where do the farts go down here?” Jessen asked, entirely serious.
“Where do the farts go?” echoed Ronan, entirely serious.
“There’s an air flow system to the outside. The air is constantly being refreshed. Any fart down here can only linger for the natural several moments of any other normal room,” answered Manning, entirely serious.
“Impressive,” Greyfall put in.
“When you are raising a baby turd factory like Israel was you have to think about these things.”
Jessen reached out a fabric hooded mask from his pack as well. He held it up it to Manning.
“Keep that around your neck at all times. It will sit under the neck line of a regular shirt and is easy to pull up quickly when needs be.”
“Why just me?” Jessen asked.
“Israel and I have nothing and no one outside these walls. Greyfall doesn’t even belong in this world. You and Ronan are the only ones with any vague ties to other people. Family,” Manning answered.
“Not so much,” Jessen countered.
“No family? Friends? None at all?” Manning asked.
“A handful of friends yeah but no family.”
“Well, if you value your friends lives, you need to mask up. Same for you Ronan”
Jessen pulled the mask over his head. It sat comfortably below his neck line. Pulling it up from the back, the elasticated fabric came over the back of his head, covering his ears. A second strap of fabric came up over the mouth and nose so that only the eyes were revealed.
“Looks good. Nice job Manning,” Israel complimented.
“I’ll need my whole face fully covered.” Ronan put in. “No offence to Jessen but mine is much more recognisable so I’ll need even my eyes covered somehow.”
“No problem,” Manning assured him.
“Who is any one else?” Jessen asked.
“Deadvolt, Nagra, massive gang of thugs with UZIs. Kennedy isn’t the only one who would seek to harm us,” Manning answered.
“Who is this Nagra guy?” Jessen asked.
Manning flicked a button on the TV remote and said “Files on Nagra” aloud. On the TV screen an image of the gothic, almost vampiric, Nagra appeared.
“He doesn’t show up much, but when he does it isn’t pretty,” said Manning, opening a beer. “He flies around the city as a flock of black birds. They converge into one being, Nagra. He is the birds and the birds are him. He has the ability to conjure flames out of nowhere. From what I know he can not only hurl them like Jessen’s force blasts, but also just set you alight where you are. There are rumours of him having an underworld of followers, black shadows and red eyes. But it’s never been confirmed.”
“Will he be at the Skyborn building?” Greyfall asked.
“Hard to say but I doubt it,” Manning answered. “I don’t think he would follow orders from anyone, even Kennedy. I imagine he can’t be bought. But you never know. Anyway, if we’re gonna live like this I guess you guys should study up on these character files so you know what you are facing. Boys… I can’t express this fact enough; I’ve seen down this rabbit hole. I’ve seen it swallow guys up, destroy lives, destroy families, destroy entire chunks of the city. The hero… vigilante… whatever you want to call it, it’s a gig as serious as you can get. You’re either all in or all out… or all dead. It’s the twenty first century. Just about every single act everyone commits is caught on some form of video, photo or audio. Rumours are a thing of the past. The second you guys show yourselves to the world… that’s it… that’s your life from then on. I know some guys who have made the secret identity thing work, kept their families safe. But I also know guys who have watched their entire extended families being murdered in front of them because they did a poor job keeping themselves anonymous. This isn’t a game. Taking on Kennedy, on his turf, is waging a war like no other, one from which an end can only come with the utter destruction of one side.”
The five men sat in silence for several seconds until Jessen finally spoke up.
“I’ve never really done or achieved anything to write home about. Or had a home to even really write home to for that matter. I feel like I’ve been waiting for something like this my whole life.”
“Compared to my world,” Greyfall began. “This life almost seems… fun?”
The rest of the guys laughed. Ronan spoke up.
“I’m down with all of this but… my mother… guys I can’t express enough how important it is to keep my i
dentity secret. Manning I’m gonna need an outfit. Something that fully covers any definable feature of my body.”
“Not a problem Ronan,” said Manning.
“That’s the other thing. I need a name. Jessen needs a name,” Ronan continued.
“What like a code name?” Jessen asked.
“Yeah. Exactly.”
“It is a good idea,” put in Greyfall.
“Are we seriously doing the whole super hero names thing?” Israel asked. “I’m just Israel.”
“Jessen and Ronan do. As well as some of the others that may join us. Don’t forget Metalcore,” Manning countered.
“Who is Metalcore?” Ronan asked.
“Exactly. Safety lies in secrets,” said Manning.
“What if I don’t want a life outside this?” Jessen asked.
The rest simply looked at him, obviously surprised.
“You want to disappear?” Manning asked him.
“Yes. This sounds messed up but… I think it’s basically what I’ve always wanted. To be removed from society entirely. Removed from the expectation and authority of the world. To exist on a different level. I look at the way the world works and I just hate it. I’m ready to start doing something different. Free from laws, tax, mortgages, social media, pop music, infomercials, drivers licenses, reality TV, accountants, insurance, job interviews, bills, celebrities, hipsters. It all goes.”
“You do know hipsters are still gonna be around even if I take you off the grid right?” Manning asked.
Jessen sighed. “Unfortunately.”
“I have to make sure you are one hundred percent on this Jessen. It can be done quite easily if you are committed to seeing it through. I can delete you but putting you back is a different matter.” Manning informed Jessen. Jessen sat in silent thought for a moment then gave his answer.
“I’m ready to commit.”
“Then it’ll will be done tonight. As far as the world will know, you don’t exist.”
Marcus writhed in agony on the roof of St. Marks hospital. Burns were one of his utmost least favourite pains to bare. He felt the searing pain course all over his body, his face half melting, his hands tingling as if there were a thousand tiny needles piercing them.
“I can’t…” he said aloud to himself. After taking the fire for as long as he could he released the pain, breathing deeply and trying to relax, sweat pouring down his face. “I’m sorry. I can’t hold it any longer.”
“Marcus? Are you ok?” Marcus had his eyes closed but he knew that voice. Sitting up he waved a vague hello.
“Yeah, hey Manning. Just another day at the office. What can I do for you?” Marcus asked.
“Well, I’ll cut right to the chase. We’ve put a little group together -“ Manning began.
“Nope,” Marcus interrupted abruptly. “I’m not taking the pain of guys in tights running into battle. This is where I’m needed.”
“We’re taking down Kennedy. For good.”
Marcus sat up.
“When?”
Chapter 10
“Manning’s Merry Men.”
“No.”
“Jessen And The Other Five.”
“No.”
“The Dragon Ninja Maniacs.”
“No.”
”The Israelites.”
“…..No.”
“The Kennedy Crushers.”
“No.”
“The Ronan Wrecking Machines.”
“No and stop calling him Ronan,” Israel insisted.
“What does he want to be called?” Jessen Asked.
“He hasn’t decided yet.”
“Greyfall And The Absolute Bastards.”
“No.”
“The Boston Red Sox.”
“No.”
“Angry Mark and The Electric Space Bag-… oh wait that’s taken.”
“Will you shut the hell up?!” Manning banged on the desk he was working at while Jessen suggested group names to Israel on the sofas. Besides going to buy things, Jessen and Greyfall had spent all of their time over the last four days at Manning's underground hideout. Israel had been teaching Jessen some beginner martial arts movements and Greyfall had been leading the group in daily exercises and target practice with several weapons. Ronan visited every evening for about thirty minutes to keep up to date on how recruitment was going. It wasn’t going well Manning had informed him nightly.
“But here, try this on.” Manning handed Ronan a helmet. Ronan walked over to a full length mirror on the other side of the room while Jessen, Greyfall and Israel watched in silence. Ronan put the helmet on. Camouflage green and black, it covered the entirety of his head with two opaque lenses over the eyes.
“How does it feel?” Manning asked him.
“Awesome. Really awesome. Nice work old man,” Ronan approved.
“It’s pretty hefty. It won’t repel a bazooka or anything but should be a good defence against heavy blows and most bullets.”
“Most bullets?” Ronan repeated.
“Yeah,” Manning said patting him on the back and walking back to his desk. Before he could get there the elevator dinged and each man stood up on full alert. When the doors opened Ronan was inexplicably relieved he was wearing the helmet.
“Elaine?!” Jessen exclaimed.
Standing in the elevator was Ronan’s on screen NCW manager Elaine. Jessen moved forward to greet her. He looked over at Ronan still wearing the mask then gestured for her to come out of the elevator. She was obviously concerned.
“What are you doing here?” Jessen asked.
“I’m sorry but who exactly is this?” Manning asked, a little annoyed and confused at how she managed to get the elevator to work.
“Guys this is Elaine. She, uh… she works in NCW wrestling with that big guy Ronan,” Jessen answered. The realisation dawned on the rest of the men who immediately understood the discretion needed to hide the fact that Ronan was standing across the room from Elaine.
“What is this place? Who are you all?” she asked.
“It’s ok, you’re safe. How did you get here? What do you need?” Jessen enquired.
“Daniel told me to go to this address if-“ Elaine began.
“Daniel?! Where is he?” Manning asked, obviously getting annoyed.
“I don’t know! That’s why I’m here. I haven’t heard from him in days. I can’t get in contact with him and he missed a gig with his band. No one knows where he is!” Elaine panicked.
“Well how did you get down here?” Israel spoke up.
“Daniel told me that if anything ever happened to him because of his… because of…”
“His ability to fly I’m guessing,” Manning finished her sentence. Elaine looked at him in amazement.
“Yes! You guys know about that?!” Elaine’s voice was getting high pitched. Jessen gestured for her to sit down.
“Yeah. We call him Metalcore. He practically forces us to. You’re in good company,” Jessen attempted to comfort her. When was the last time you heard from him?”
“Days ago, the night we bumped into you at that awful gig.”
“Yeah, I unfortunately remember,” said Jessen.
“That was the last night any of us heard from him too,” put in Manning.
“I’ve phoned the cops and hospitals but there’s nothing they can really do.”
“How did you get down here?” Manning insisted.
“He told me if anything ever happened to him that I was to come to this address and press this against the button for the top floor in the elevator.” Elaine held out a small black object the size of a lip stick. Manning took it and looked at it closely.
“Son of a bitch put his finger print on here.” Manning was getting more and more agitated. “What is your link to him anyway? Girlfriend?”
“I’m his sister,” Elaine answered. Jessen immediately jumped out of his seat and began dancing around the room, letting off fireworks from his hands and doing backflips off the furniture while confetti r
aining from the heavens. A marching band appeared out of no where waving signs that read ‘Jessen & Elaine 4ever’. In reality he simply stared at Elaine and settled for a tiny fist clench inside his hoody pocket.
“Can you explain any of this?” Elaine looked to Manning, he seemed to be in charge. Manning sighed and walked over to the kitchen unit.
“Yeah. Get comfortable. This is gonna take a while,” said Manning, reaching into a cupboard and taking out a packet of coffee. He started to pour water into the kettle as Ronan walked over to the elevator door with his helmet still on. Elaine watched him, totally perplexed. Jessen clicked on to what was happening.
“Uh yeah, later man. We’ll be in touch soon about that thing,” Jessen spoke up waving to Ronan who waved back as he entered the elevator and left.
“Who was he?” Elaine asked.
“A friend. Don’t worry he’s always quiet,” Jessen answered.
“So Elaine. You know about Metalcore’s ability to fly? When did he tell you about it?” Manning asked.
“I was there when he discovered it himself. We were kids playing in our yard and he fell out of our tree house but hovered in the air before he hit the ground. After the initial shock he did it over and over again. He only tried it falling downwards, never taking flight upwards. He said he was afraid of flying up into the sky and not coming back down,” Elaine chuckled at the memory. Manning continued to prepare the coffee, taking out a handful of cups from a cupboard. Israel stood and helped him bring them over.
“We didn’t tell anyone. We heard all these stories in our high school about people with powers getting abducted. One girl swore that her dad was kidnapped and had all these experiments done on him in the city. No one believed her but we were always on edge. Better safe than sorry I guess.” Elaine gazed round at the four men. “Em, I’m sorry when you mentioned his ability to fly you said I was in good company. Do… do you mean you guys have powers too?”
“I don’t. I’m Israel by the way,” Israel answered. “Manning over there doesn’t. These two do,” he said pointing at Jessen and Greyfall. “And the guy who just left.”
“I am Greyfall.” The time traveler shook Elaine's hand. She smiled at him. “I have strength beyond normal human capacity and a keen eye for all forms of ballistics and projectiles. Jessen claims I can shoot the chlamydia of a hooker from three blocks away but I’m not sure what he means.”
The Hade War Page 9
