The Guardians Omnibus

by Damien Benoit-Ledoux

  Keep going, don’t stop this time. Drain them dry.

  The men’s eyes rolled back in their heads and they gasped their final breath, the will to live lost on them. A moment later, their bodies became limp and their muscles and skin, now ghostly white and mottled, shriveled and tightened over their skeletons, their faces resembling dehydrated fruit.

  Dark Flame released them and they collapsed to the floor, dead.

  “Oh my gawd,” Melvin exclaimed, staring at the dead bodies on the floor. Dark Flame turned and stared at the man.

  “Who do you work for?” Dark Flame asked.

  The man shook his head, still stuck in Dark Flame’s invisible grasp. “I can’t answer that.”

  Dark Flame lowered his face and stared at the man, a menacing look on his face. “Oh, you will.”

  “You’ll have to kill me first,” Melvin protested. “You have no idea what these people will do to me if I talk.”

  Dark Flame raised his eyebrow with curiosity. “These people?” he repeated. “You have no idea what my people will do to you,” he retorted, then walked toward the man. “You’re coming with me.”

  He grabbed Melvin by the front of his shirt and tossed him through the broken office windows into the smoke-filled factory. Before the man could fall to his death on the burning floor and die, Dark Flame suspended him in midair. Then, he summoned his fire powers and allowed the flames to surge away from his body, igniting or scorching everything in the office.

  Dark Flame flew out of the office into the main area of the factory and pulled his sweatshirt and phone toward him. He grabbed the screaming man by the shirt front again and then flew up and away from the power plant, his sweatshirt and phone trailing behind him.

  As he flew out, a large section of the ceiling collapsed and fell to the fiery ground below.

  Good, this place will never be used again for human slavery.

  Dark Flame pulled Melvin up to him until they were face-to-face. “Hold on,” he warned the terrified man.

  “But you’re on fire,” Melvin protested, afraid to grab hold of Dark Flame’s burning arm.

  Dark Flame extinguished himself and with his free hand, he reached for his phone. He texted Radoslav an arrival time and a new set of instructions. In the meantime, Melvin grabbed his arm and hung on for dear life. When he finished texting, he hit send, tucked his phone into the front waistband of his tights, grabbed his sweatshirt, and flew out of Boston Harbor to the open ocean.

  “Whatever they’re paying you, I’ll pay you more,” Melvin pleaded, his voice high-pitched and full of terror.

  “Shut up,” Dark Flame replied.

  “I’m serious; I’ll double it. I’ll give you whatever you want. Money, cars, girls, boys…”

  “I said, shut up.” Dark Flame ascended as high as he could go with the man in his grasp. He didn’t care if anyone on the coastline saw an orange streak flying through the air.

  “Fine; I’ll triple whatever it is, just don’t hurt me.”

  Dark Flame glanced down at him with anger in his glowing eyes. “I said shut up!”

  Then, he let the man go and watched him plummet.

  Melvin screamed, his arms and legs flailing as he fell toward the ocean. Dark Flame looped down and back toward the falling man and grabbed Melvin’s right ankle. Then, he circled back around and resumed his journey north, carrying Melvin upside down by the ankle the rest of the way, the man’s free leg and arms flailing in the air.

  As he approached Portsmouth, Dark Flame noted the unusually dark storm clouds gathering around the seacoast area of New Hampshire and Maine. Lightning and thunder rumbled as the winds between the ground and the thunderheads picked up with surprising fury, battering him around with unexpected ease. Beneath them, the ocean responded in kind with angry, ten-foot waves that buffeted the coast.

  Dark Flame put an arm out to try and cut through the air like Quinn had done, mimicking the Superman pose while hanging onto his unwilling passenger.

  A brilliant flash of lightning passed between the clouds and the ocean waves in front of him, causing Melvin to curse.

  I have no idea if I could survive an actual lightning strike, despite the story we told people about what happened to us back in Rangeley. Doesn’t lightning go for the highest object?

  Suddenly afraid, he descended rapidly until he was flying several feet over the heaving ocean. Finally, he set his eyes on the Whaleback Lighthouse, flew around it, and headed inland toward the naval prison.

  Three guards on the ground, standing near one of the front entrances, watched him approach with wide-eyes. The guards seemed skittish, like they weren’t sure if they should aim their weapons at him or allow him to land without interruption.

  Just before he landed, he dropped Melvin to the ground. The man hit the ground with a grunt and rolled through the dust until he stopped, lying flat on his back.

  “Ow,” Melvin moaned.

  Dark Flame landed, his eyes glowing orange. One of the guards approached him.

  “What are you doing with him?”

  Dark Flame glared at the man and shoved the guard thirty feet away with his mind, letting him tumble across the ground until he rolled to a stop in a sitting position, looking insulted and surprised.

  “Ask me another question like that and see what happens,” Dark Flame said.

  The other two guards silently stepped back, unwilling to incur his wrath.

  Dark Flame yanked Melvin off the ground with his mind, set him on his feet, then marched him through the unfinished part of the facility to the interrogation room.

  Melvin remained silent until they arrived at the old, metal and wood door. “I won’t talk,” he whimpered defiantly.

  Dark Flame shrugged. “We’ll see about that.” Then, he knocked on the door. It unlocked, cracked open slowly, and then Radoslav peered through the narrow opening.

  “You!” Melvin exclaimed.

  Dark Flame sensed the man’s defiance and resolve fade away in the face of his new adversary. I thought this would happen.

  “Me,” Radoslav responded, surprised at seeing Melvin.

  “You two know each other, I presume?” Dark Flame asked.

  “He used to work for me,” Melvin responded.

  “Then, since you know what’s about to happen, I’m sure you’re more interested in talking.”

  “I’m dead either way.”

  “Your fate isn’t set yet,” Dark Flame answered. “Cooperate and I might let you live.”

  “Is you righty or lefty?” Radoslav asked.

  Melvin gulped. “I am a righty.”

  Radoslav grinned and pulled the door open and pointed to the chair in the middle of the room. “Then we handcuff your left hand to the chair.”

  Next to the chair, on the tray table that once held vicious instruments of torture, two pens and a notebook lay waiting for Melvin to write in.

  Dark Flame shoved Melvin through the door.

  “You’re not going to torture me?” Melvin asked, regarding the tray table with confusion.

  “Interrogate him,” Dark Flame instructed, ignoring the man’s question.

  “What is it you want to know?” Radoslav asked.

  “Everything, including who he works for, all the way to the top.”

  “Very good. I text you when am finished,” Radoslav said in his signature, broken English.

  ❖

  After showering and changing into a clean uniform, Blake made his way to the administrative offices and stopped at the reception desk where Alex was tapping away at his computer.

  “Where’s Victor today, Alex?” Dark Flame asked, approaching the reception area again.

  “Still not here,” the receptionist answered with a disinterested attitude, barely glancing up at Dark Flame. “Hasn’t returned since the last time you asked. I see you found your pants. I think I liked you better the other way.”

  “And if you were to venture a guess as to his whereabouts?” Dark Flame asked, ignoring
the flirtatious comment.

  Alex burst into laughter and pushed his chair away from his computer. “Seriously? When the execs go on a field trip, I’m not paid enough to know where they go unless they tell me.”

  Wait, you said execs…as in plural…

  Dark Flame leaned forward and rested his elbows on the high counter that surrounded the desk. “How many execs are on this little field trip?”

  Alex swallowed with immediate regret. “Uh, I didn’t say that…definitively.”

  “Who’s missing?” he pressed. “You can tell me, Alex.”

  The receptionist looked around to make sure the coast was clear. “Dr. Madison, her technicians and a bunch of the staff that were temporarily transferred down here. They’ve been gone for several days.”

  Blake stood up and smiled. “Thanks.”

  I think I know exactly where they went.

  ❖

  Blake sat alone in the cafeteria of the Seavey Island facility and watched the midday news someone had left on. He absentmindedly stirred a now-cold bowl of chicken-flavored Ramen Noodles.

  The news anchor, Paula Anders, caught his attention with the opening words of her next story. “Now, we’re going to take you live to Portsmouth for a special report where we anticipate Police Chief Tina Applegate will reveal new information about the recent superhero events sweeping the nation.

  Blake looked at the television and sat back in the metal Emeco Navy Chair. He grabbed the remote and turned up the volume. What’s this all about? Did the car chase make it to the news?

  The program switched to news reporter Camilla Brenhurst. “Thank you, Paula. This morning we received word that the Portsmouth Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security would be making a special collaborative announcement concerning the vigilante Blue Spekter, though we are not entirely sure of what is going on. Here they come now.”

  Blake frowned. Of course this has to be about him.

  The police and the DHS agents approached the makeshift podium that had been hastily assembled. Chief Applegate tapped one of the microphones and the small speaker system they had set up produced a thump-thump sound. She cleared her throat.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today on such short notice. Once again on the podium with me are representatives from the Portsmouth Police Department, the State Police from the Epping Troop A Barracks, and agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security, specifically the National Protection and Programs Directorate and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis.”

  Blah blah blah…get to the point, Applegate.

  “I address you today on behalf of these fine representatives and speak to you as the Chief of Police and a citizen of Portsmouth. At this moment, I officially rescind my previous statements concerning the superhero we’ve come to know as Blue Spekter, whose valiant efforts have consistently demonstrated his willingness to help others, serve the public trust, and ensure the safety of our citizens. I have agreed to point out the DHS does not fully endorse this position, but the nature of my next announcement forces our mutual need for common ground to move forward.”

  A reporter’s hand shot up and he fired off a question. “Chief, is it true there’s a second superhero running around, such as the orange-glowing person seen at the Hampton Tolls this week?

  Finally, they’re talking about me!

  Chief Applegate didn’t flinch. “At this time, we confirm the presence of a second super-powered being with the appearance of orange glow.”

  The reporters spoke rapidly among themselves, and the chief raised her hand to quiet them.

  “This individual is not to be confused with Blue Spekter and is not considered a superhero. He has demonstrated a willingness for injustice and has repeatedly acted with disregard for property and others, causing severe or mortal injury.”

  “You witch!” Blake shouted, slapping his hand on the table and accidentally cracking the laminate material. Some of the Ramen Noodles jumped out of the bowl and landed on the table.

  The reporters on the television gasped and murmurs of concern and confusion ensued. The chief raised her hand to quiet them again.

  “This orange-glowing figure has assumed the codename Dark Flame and we encourage our citizens to use caution in his presence and call 911 immediately or as soon as safety allows if anyone encounters him. We can also confirm at this time that his powers seem different than those of Blue Spekter, but we cannot confirm what those powers are other than metal manipulation, flame, and flight.”

  Blake burst into a fit of quiet laughter as the chief publicly regaled him.

  “Chief, how long have you known about this second person? Are you telling us there is a super villain on the loose now?”

  “Both individuals were under investigation, but Blue Spekter’s presence was known well before we knew of Dark Flame.”

  “How did these two superheroes come to be…”

  “There’s only one superhero,” Applegate interjected, correcting the reporter. “Now, it appears we have a super villain to contend with as well.”

  Blake stopped laughing and raised his eyebrow. Super villain? You think I’m the bad guy?

  “Chief,” Camilla Brenhurst asked, “how do you know Blue Spekter is willing to protect us?”

  “We have reached out to Blue Spekter with an olive branch and he has accepted our invitation to collaborate and work together.”

  Blake’s scowled. So it’s true, you have betrayed The Order.

  The chief glared at the DHS agents, who brazenly stared back. “There will be no further attempts to apprehend Blue Spekter at this time.”

  “If he’s that dangerous, are you planning to capture Dark Flame?” another reporter asked.

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss strategy as we believe he may be listening to this newscast.” Then, she looked at the camera. “Dark Flame, if you are listening, please turn yourself in, peacefully.”

  “Chief, reports coming from Boston suggest that an orange superhero…I mean, flying person…was seen around the now destroyed Mystic River Power Plant. Can you confirm this was Dark Flame?

  The chief cleared her throat. “I cannot confirm it with absolute certainty, but given the reported behavior and sightings around Portsmouth both before and after the incident, it is likely Dark Flame is responsible for the power plant’s demise. The reported incident, though extreme, aligns with his propensity for destruction.”

  Blake fumed. I’ll show you a propensity for destruction, Applegate.

  “Why are you just telling us about this now?”

  “We are coming forward with this information to alert our citizens. If necessary…”

  “Chief, are there more super beings? Are you holding back any other information we have a right to know about?”

  Applegate shook her head. “I can honestly tell you we are only aware of two super-powered beings.”

  “Chief, what kind of protection can the citizens of the city, the state, and the world expect?”

  “If necessary, the military is ready to assist with our efforts and take down Dark Flame. We will stop him, one way or the other.”

  Blake grinned wickedly. If it’s war you want, I’ll bring you a battle you’ll never forget…and I’ll make sure Blue Spekter goes down in a blaze of glory so you’ll never mess with me again.

  ❖

  Dark Flame cleared his throat, startling the police chief.

  She spun around in surprise and when she saw his glowing orange eyes beneath the dark hoodie, she dropped the file-folders she carried and her right hand moved to her weapon, her left to belt-mounted radio. She stepped back two paces from him.

  “What do you want?” she asked nervously, her eyes lingering on his purple tights and sneakers with curious amusement.

  He regarded her with interest. “I came to tell you I didn’t like your interview, Chief, but now I see you’re afraid of me even though we’re supposed to be on the same side, the side of The Order.”
>
  “You surprised me, that’s all,” she lied, and he knew it.

  “You’ve been a bad girl, Tina Applegate,” he answered, shaking his head and wagging his finger. Then he folded his arms across his chest.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play games with me,” Dark Flame snarled. “Mother Superior gave you orders to keep Blue Spekter distracted. Now, you’ve decided to join forces with him. How do you think Victor reacted when he found out about your little switcheroo?”

  “I don’t really care what Victor thinks. The DHS moved in and complicated the entire arrangement and Victor had left me to my own devices. Now, you’re on the scene, completely out of control with homicidal tendencies and I’ve received no word from Victor as to how or why your behavior is less than civil. At least Blue Spekter doesn’t murder the people he tries to save.”

  Dark Flame’s fingers clenched into fists at the mention of his ex-best friend. “Do not compare me to him!” he roared, his eyes blazing orange.

  “Stand down,” Chief Applegate ordered, her voice firm and full of confidence. “Freeze asset one!”

  What?

  Dark Flame cocked his head to the left in surprise. “What did you just say?”

  “Freeze asset one,” the chief said, her gun now pointing at his face.

  “Victor said that to me before I hurt him. Why did you just say that?”

  She blinked, clearly surprised. “You really don’t know?”

  Dark Flame shook his head. “It’s not like it matters. Now that you’ve decided to work with our enemy, Victor’s left it up to me to decide your punishment.”

  “You don’t have to do what he says,” she retorted. “Besides, Quinn isn’t your enemy. He was your best friend. You could try to think for yourself for a change.”