Noble Revelations

by Adeleke Kayode

  Chapter 4

  Shield was cheery as ever as he practiced walking while holding the railing beside him. He had to get use to moving around again since between the burns, skin grafts, and lying in bed all day he hadn’t moved around much. Plus there was some nerve damage that could be a problem, so practicing to walk was important. Shield was tenacious though, even if he fell he wouldn’t be down for long. I guess that was the boxer in him after all.

  At the moment I wasn’t sure if I was suppose to be loudly cheering him on or just remain silent. For now I didn’t say much trying not to break Shield’s concentration. My eyes wandered away from Shield for just a moment taking in the whole of the rehabilitation room. There were light blue curtains fluttering in the wind momentarily allowing you to see the numerous rooftops of buildings below. The room itself was spacious and had a number of different equipment to help with rehabilitation, there were various pieces of exercise equipment lying around and a bunch of currently unused machines. Shield and I were alone up here, at the moment Beth was busy talking with the Doctors checking on how Shield was doing and of course she was also making sure the baby was healthy.

  “Almost…almost …haaaa…ha.”

  I turned immediately toward Shield, he was bent down and breathing hard. Just as I was about to approach him he put a hand out to stop me and stood up then continued striding on. He made it to the end of the railing took a moment to rest then turned around and went back to the other end.

  “So Alex, how’s it feel seeing your brother every day?”

  I smirked at Shield’s question while I thought about it. “Well it’s definitely not what I expected Carter is pretty much the same and in a way he isn’t. I keep expecting to wake up and realize that I still haven’t found him. I guess it hasn’t quite sunk in.”

  Shield nodded twice then continued moving forward, he looked like he was straining himself. I could see it on his face. Even though this wasn’t the first time I had seen him push himself. I always found myself taking a look at the parts of his face that looked slightly raised because of the skin grafts. The doctors had explained that they would use nanobots to help realign the skin but they needed to be sure Shield was strong enough for the treatment. That’s why they started with the regular skin grafts.

  It didn’t really matter to Shield much he didn’t seem to care at all and neither did Beth, she loved him just the same.

  “I see you’re pushing yourself a lot harder than you should sugah.” Beth state in a motherly tone.

  Shield glanced at Beth and gave her a huge grin then continued walking as if she hadn’t said anything. She just shook her head while muttering about how stubborn Shield was being then she gave me a look that said don’t tell Shield what I just said. I headed toward Beth with an expression that said who me? She smiled and gave me a big hug while I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed back.

  “Hey, hey, hey don’t go hogging Beth.” Shield joked.

  I let go of Beth and she headed toward Shield following him as he reached the end of the rail, he bent down slightly allowing Beth to place both her hands on his cheeks. They look each other in the eyes for a moment then kissed. I looked away not wanting to make this moment awkward for them because they sure as hell didn’t avoid making this awkward for me. My eyes wandered around until they went back to Shield and Beth who were still kissing.

  “And that’s how you get pregnant.” I said aloud.

  Shield barely pulled himself aware from Beth to say. “I heard that.”

  Which only made me laugh. The two of them got in one final kiss and then Shield sat in the wheelchair that the hospital was providing him.

  “You know what. I could have just stepped out for all of that.” I muttered to myself.

  Beth walked behind Shield and grabbed hold of the handle of the wheelchair and started pushing. I waited for Beth and Shield to exit the room before I started following after them. There was a number of people moving about a few of them had prosthetic arms, or legs some didn’t even have that. They would be fitted with one eventually but there were waiting periods and a whole bunch of paperwork. Ah paperwork I hate you. I rolled my eyes at that thought while heading to the elevator which was on the other side of the room. It didn’t take long for Beth, Shield and I to enter, when we did elevator music started to play. I looked up at the elevator ceiling for a moment and thought this is literally the worst sound I have ever heard. It wasn’t a song as much as it was a weird rant about how terrible this guy’s cat was.

  “You still antsy since Bright’s keeping you on desk duty?” Beth asked.

  I sighed loudly before responding. “Antsy doesn’t begin to cover how I feel right now. Things are way to quiet you know.”

  Beth looked at Shield for a moment then said. “We’ve got a baby on the way from what I know quiet is a blessing right now. It might be the last piece of sanity we get for a while all things considered.”

  “Hmph, you might be right.”

  Maybe it was just me that thought things were unnaturally quiet. I mean I was the only one not doing something. Carter had only recently escaped a Prometheus prison facility. Shield and Beth were dealing with Shield’s injuries plus they were preparing to become first time parents. William was off visiting his sisters, Tessa was actually busy running around being a courier, I haven’t seen her much lately. I wonder if she noticed how quiet it’s been, she’d probably say something like it’s been quiet because I haven’t had to hear you thinking out loud. Or something along those lines.

  “Are…are you blushing?” Shield asked.

  I snapped out of my train of thought and shook my head vigorously. “No! What are you talking about why would I be blushing?”

  My face was turned so I couldn’t see Shield and Beth and they couldn’t see me. I heard them snickering so I turned around and stuck my tongue out at them.

  “Nnnh.”

  “Real mature. Alexander.” Beth and Shield replied at the same time.

  I stared at them for a moment. “Oh. You didn’t.”

  Ding. The elevator had reached our floor, Beth wheeled Shield out and I followed behind them while shaking my head side to side. I probably should have been the one wheeling Shield around considering Beth is pregnant. Beth turned to the left entering Shield’s room, he got up wobbled for a moment and settle himself into his bed. I glanced at the wheelchair then looked up at Shield, placed two fingers to my head while saying see ya later. I told him that I’d visit tomorrow and with that I started to leave.

  “I don’t get a bye?” Beth asked.

  I turned then smiled. “Of course you do.”

  Beth walked over and gave me a big hug which I returned. “Take care Shield. Don’t push yourself too hard, either of you.”

  “Same to you Alex don’t do too much paperwork.” Shield joked.

  The three of us shared a laugh and then I made my leave.

  Chapter 5

  “Ok, now move it to the left a little….not over there what are you doing?” Carter complained.

  I turned my attention away from the desk I was moving to Carter.

  “You know you could help since this was your idea.”

  “From my knowledge you were the one that suggested getting in a little exercise.” AJ interjected.

  Without saying anything I glanced at AJ then Carter who stood on the other side of the room. A sigh escaped my mouth just before I pushed the last desk in place. The three of us had decided to get in a little sparing, it wasn’t the first time we had done this just the first time we were using this office space in particular. We were outside my office where all the other desks were. After a few minutes of rearranging there was more than enough space to spar. Plus there was a great view from the large windows that Carter and AJ were standing by.

  “So Alexander you ready to begin?” Carter asked mockingly.

  I answered by removing my tie, which made me wonder why I even dressed up today if this was on the agenda. Carter stepped a few inche
s closer into the large arena area we had set up with the desk acting as the outline of our ring. AJ stepped in too, while he did I took notice of the fact that his hair had grown a bit, he now kept it maintained in a small ponytail. It wasn’t long before AJ found a spot that was equal distance from Carter and me. On one of the desks we had place a timer that should have been ringing about now to signal the start of the fight. Maybe I set it wrong, it didn’t seem to matter but I was getting slightly annoyed so I took my attention off of Carter and AJ for a moment then…Brinnnnnng.

  “Here we goooo!”

  Carter jetted forward and jumped into the air turning sharply as he launched a kick toward my head. I took two quick steps back then went ahead on the offensive, both of us exchanged a myriad of punches. I got caught by one to the stomach while I hit Carter in the face. He backed off for a second only to turn and send a kick toward my side. I dodged but he wasn’t done there, he continued kicking at me before lifting his leg up and slamming it downward. I guarded by raising both my arms over my head. Once his kick landed I grabbed his leg in an attempt to throw him but then AJ charged at me.

  Turning abruptly I released Carter and retreated from AJ. The two of them lunged at me and began releasing a succession of attacks. I was able to dodge for the most part eventually having to redirect their attacks. Apparently AJ was better than I thought or he had been improving lately.

  “Hey AJ you…”

  My comment was interrupted by a fist to the face then one to the chest and stomach simultaneously, I staggered back maybe I’ve been slacking off. Taking in a deep breath I glanced at Carter to my left then AJ on my right. Clenching both my fist then exhaling loudly I prepared for my counterattack. Pressing my feet against the ground I dashed toward AJ then twirled behind him while striking his side with my elbow. I immediately kicked the bend of his right leg causing him to go down on one knee. But then suddenly rolling on top of AJ’s back, Carter thrust both his legs into my chest knocking the wind out of me while sending me to the ground.

  “Wha…wha…what the hell? This is supposed to be a free for all. Yet, you too only seem to be attacking me.” I complained.

  “You have multiply powers. We don’t I’d say it’s fair.” Carter replied.

  “We’re not even using powers…”

  “I would still say it is fair.” AJ commented with subtle sarcasm.

  Which made me think did AJ just make a joke.

  “Oh now I’ve seen everything.”

  Just then I heard a low clink sound which sounded oddly familiar but I didn’t focus on it instead I glared at both AJ and Carter while rushing toward them. Pressing my feet down I pushed hard off the ground flipping over them.

  “Show off.” Carter yelled.

  I smirked smugly then readied my stance while I heard a tink sound in the distance what was that? Just as I was preparing to attack, AJ ran toward me, he looked determined then the look on his face changed suddenly. I was about to say something but AJ approached me fast so I moved forward and grabbed his arm just as I flipped him over he used his legs to grab my head and pull me down. Someone’s taking this seriously. When my head hit the ground I noticed I could see Carter standing a few feet away…baaarp something flew passed him. At first I didn’t know what it was but that only lasted for a second.

  Baaarrrp baaarp baaarp….speeee speeee speeee bullets began flying through the window shattering it. Carter ran and vaulted over one of the desks. While AJ and I remained on the ground crawling behind the closest desk.

  “What the hell is going on?” Carter yelled.

  Blood pounded in my ears as the shots rang out they were loud, very loud. I closed my eyes focusing on the sound of gunfire. There were too many shots for me to get a clear picture, each shot splintered off the other unfocusing the picture again and again. AJ reached for something under the desk it was a special model Remington R51 semi-automatic handgun. He pulled out a second one then handed it to me. There are guns under the desk why wasn’t I aware of that? Unfortunately it wasn’t time to be worrying about that. I grabbed hold of the gun and put my finger near the trigger. Baaarp baaarp baaaarp…..speeee spppee speeeee.

  “One …two…”

  I go out from under the desk and fired blindly toward the building across from us in a matter of seconds, a storm of gunfire pelted the desk just before I went into cover. I glanced at AJ for a moment and signaled for him to head to the right while I was going to move left.

  “Hey Carter, I’m going to need some cover fire.” I yelled over the gunfire.

  AJ looked at me then nodded his head. I counted down from fifteen in my head…thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten. Baaaarp baaaarp seven, six, five, four….A bolt of electric shot across the room entering the building in front of us. AJ jumped out of cover for a moment and started firing off a barrage of energy blasts. Three…two…one.

  “Time to go to work.”

  I vaulted over the desk and ran toward the shattered windows. Bullets flew passed me, a couple grazed me….tiinnnk tiinkkk tinnnk. Hygrometal receded just as quickly as it appeared shielding me from any real damage. I couldn’t risk fully coating myself, because of what I was about to do, I needed to be light. It would only take me a moment to reach the end of the room. I had to do this right. I could feel the air rolling across my skin as I ran only a little bit further…..NOW!!!

  I pressed off the ground as hard as I could and jumped forward. My arms flailed in the air while bullets soared pass me. My heart was beating fast maybe too fast partially from fear, partially from excitement. I guarded my face with my arms just before I crashed through the window, then I rolled into a crouch. There were several armed men and women pointing their guns at me. I heard gunfire coming from the floor below meaning I had overshot it missing my mark by a floor.

  “Hey Alexander you wouldn’t mind dying. Would you?” One of the armed men asked.

  I looked down on the ground shook my head then smirked before looking the person in the eye.

  “You see now you’ve gone and. Fucked up.”

  Chapter 6

  As fiery as my words were that didn’t deter the multiply gunmen, all of them had their weapons still trained on me. I looked across the room making eye contact with each and every one of them. Who was going to make the first move? That’s when a bolt of electric shot through the ground catching everyone off guard. It craned across a few of the gunmen’s faces nearly searing them off. Now was my chance! I aim my Remington forward and ran firing off three to four shots before running out of ammo.

  My enemies snapped back into reality once two of them fell to the ground. It was too late though I was already too close to the gunmen for them to fire freely anyway. The closest gunmen threw a punch toward me which I stopped by raising my arm and moving it into the bend of his elbow. Without thinking I threw my gun at the head of a nearby gunman sending him to the ground. Then with my free hand I fired off three green balls of energy hitting three gunmen in the chest.

  “You’re not getting away with that.” A female shooter yelled just as she pulled the trigger on her rifle.

  I grabbed onto the nearest gunman and used him as a bullet shield while I commandeered his rifle. Baaarp baaaarp baaaarp I returned fire with the rifle then did so literally with my free hand. I spun quickly releasing wisps of flames at my attackers. The flames moved like lashes striking down three more gunmen. Two gunmen rushed at me so I responded by pushing their comrades body toward them just before lunging at one of them. I struck him hard with a hygrometal fist before going airborne. I spun rapidly hitting a female shooter across the face with a kick. Baaarp baaaarp baaaaaarp. More gunfire erupted, I maneuvered out of the way as fast as I could but that didn’t stop hot pain from searing across my left shoulder.

  “Aaaaah…what the.”

  I had been hit but not just that their bullets went in deep. For some reason a smile went across my face as my heartbeat so hard that I could feel my pulse in my ears. Adrenaline was washing over me. A single though
t flashed into my mind kill them. It was too quick for me to register but that didn’t matter I was going to kill them and I was going to enjo…What why am I thinking like that? I’m not…like him. Baaaarp baaaaaarp baaarp….tinnnk tinnk tiinnnk. My body had reacted on autopilot shielding myself with hygrometal. Even so it felt like the bullets were still pushing forward trying to break through the coating and sink into flesh. The feeling stopped moments later but still…

  “What the hell kinda of ammo were they using?”

  Two gunmen aimed their guns at me. It wasn’t going to do me any good pondering that question at this point in time. Right now I needed to focus, focus on the kill. I had my hands down by my side while a ball of energy formed in each, the gunmen inched forward while I lobbed an energy ball at each of the guns aimed at me. Just before I charged toward the gunmen. The guns melted in front. Those weren’t going to do them good anymore. My movements were fast, fast enough to catch the two gunmen by surprise which was obvious seeing as their eyes widen as I approached. Once I was within arm’s reach of one of the gunmen my right hand flew forward decking him as hard as I could, immediately I turned my rifle toward the other gunmen squeezing the trigger a second later baaarp baaaarp baaaarp.

  As the bullets fired and the rifle shook in my hand, I surveyed the room, there was approximately five of them left. So I turned my rifle on them without releasing my finger from the trigger. Baaaaarp baaaaaarp baaaaarp, it didn’t take long before they returned to cover but by the time they did I had already zipped across the room with a brilliant flash of green light. Hummingbird’s power, Teleportation. The gunman I was now standing behind turned around only to have me grab a hold of his face and bury his head into the nearby wall. I pulled the trigger of the rifle click, click, click.

  “Of course.” I muttered out loud just before tossing the rifle at the closest gunmen.