The last thing he heard was Trista praying beneath the drone of the Micro-Sapiens’ tiny engines.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Waking up in a hospital bed under the haze of painkillers was not a new experience for Alex. He ended up this way after so many battles where his Agent Exo exoskeleton got mostly destroyed that the scent of antiseptics, bleached, linen, and hospital food were pleasant reminders that, somehow, he still lived.
Other than the IV in his hand and the coarse plastic vest around his chest, there wasn’t much medical equipment on him. His mouth and throat hurt as if he had been intubated, but he could breathe freely now.
A thick Norwegian accent said, “Good afternoon, Alexander.”
Alex looked at the figure in a form-fitting dark gray suit. It hurt his chest and throat to say, “Stormhead?”
When Alex’s eyes adjusted to the light he saw Stormhead’s left eye was black and swollen.
“I’m sure you have many questions. Allow me to say that you are here because of the Micro-Sapien. You see, on the roof Doctor Von Dyme personally made himself small enough to sneak into that mass of drones undetected. From there, he reprogrammed one drone, and used what he learned building Mecha-Menta to make it take control of the others. He led it back to his lab to destroy his mistake once and for all. On the way, he saw you and Trista and called the medics himself.”
“Where’s … Trista?”
“In police custody. She psychically attacking a superhero.”
Alex raised his hand. “But …”
“But she is not under arrest. She was when the medics found Sarge crying in a corner. He could not say what happened. Trista was brought here with a psychic nullifier under full police protection. Do you know what she did do Sarge?”
Alex shook his head.
“We brought in Judge Mental from the Baltimore Lords to find out. His told us Sarge experienced everything Trista felt when he raped her, from the initial shock to the hate and guilt and depression that followed. It was too much for the proud warrior to bear.”
“Good,” Alex said.
“But Judge Mental found other memories connected to the incident. He followed each of them … Alexander, Sarge had done that hundreds of villainesses and even a few villains. He would never menace someone like Lady Amazing, a respectable heroine, but in his mind there was nothing wrong with victimizing those he saw as evil.”
Stormhead pointed to his black eye. “When you called the other night, Sarge insisted on going in after you. Jim had already swallowed a bottle of pills with a bottle of scotch, so I alone tried to stop him. The only way I could have was by hitting with enough electricity to kill him. I didn’t do it. I let him leave after he beat me. But if I had known what he had done to Trista or any of the others, I would have fried him to death.”
“Trista?”
“She is in this hospital. There will be no charges against her. She acted in self-defense for herself and you, and no jury will say her punitive actions went too far. And Sergeant Hammer lacks the presence of mine to testify against anyone.”
Alex sighed with relief.
“Jim is in this hospital too,” said Stormhead. “He’s still sleeping off an overdose of pain pills. When he recovers, I will ask him to step down as leader of the New York Guardians. Harry and I have no more confidence in his ability to lead. I assumed you don't either.”
“The … others?”
“Lady Amazing is still a contagious mutated mess. She is in a medically induced coma. Harry says he has some ideas about how to transfer her consciousness to a new body he would like to explore. Bart’s arm was reattached successfully and, after some rehabilitation, he should be able to shoot again. Until then, Harry and I are the last of the New York Guardians, and he had no objection to me assuming the role of team leader.
“This brings me to the other matter we must discuss. The other agents, the one that went after Le Parrain, were mostly successful. There was only one death.”
“Who?”
“Le Parrain.”
Alex raised his eyebrows.
“His body was riddled with cancer. His final wish was to destroy the New York Guardians. To this end, he recruited our worst enemies and sat in Jim’s chair with the knowledge that he would never leave it. He didn’t care about the Idea Man’s attempt to enslave the world or the Skreaks’ plans to eradicate humanity, he knew he wouldn’t live long enough to see any of that. Our destruction was his dying wish. The sight of the Micro-Sapiens gave him a severe heart attack. His men surrendered immediately afterwards.”
Stormhead walked to the window. “Alexander, Griffin Tower is in ruin, our team is a fraction of what it was, and when the rest of the world learns about Sergeant Hammer our reputation will be destroyed. If our team can't rebuild itself, Le Parrain will have won.”
Alex said nothing.
“I want you to stay with us. I know we lied to you. All I can say is that, despite that, together we saved the world many times, and we will need to save it many more times. I will keep no more secrets from you. I promise you full access to every one of our facilities and every bit of data. We will tell the bureau that Jim stifled your oversight with distraction and lies. That is the truth, after all.”
Alex shook his head. “Get … a new … agent.”
“I’m not sure who else we can trust at the MAB. It was not Jim or I who kept the complaints against Sarge from reaching you. Someone there was quite sympathetic to him. Other superhero teams have also told me their agents have acted dishonorably in their roles. You, however, have proven ethical to a fault.”
”You … wanted me … dead.”
“Jim did. The rest of us each saved your life quite a few times. Remember, it was me who saved you from Mind Dame. Jim always made it clear he wasn’t happy when we superheroes actually acted like heroes.”
“Lost … too much for you. I’m done.”
“I will not argue any further when you are in this state. Think about it while you heal. Regardless of whether you stay or not, I intend to continue the Prospects. It will give Trista a place to stay until the end of her probation.”
“That's your decision.”
“And this morning two others asked to become Prospects. I believe you know them as Pinwheel and Knockout Rose, and they specifically requested you as their trainer. Apparently they aren’t happy with their manager.”
Alex said nothing.
“Deon will not remain with the Prospects,” said Stormhead. “He asked to become a reserve member of the New York Guardians so he the time to study at medical school. I’m sure Griffin Industries can find the money to pay his tuition in exchange for help when a fast lifesaver is needed.
“I would also like to ask Jenny to join New York Guardians, not as a reserve but as a full member. The MAB agents spoke highly of her ability to control herself in combat situations. If you second my nomination, I will be sure she receives the invitation before her twenty-first birthday.”
“Why should I … second it?”
“Because as long as I am leader of the New York Guardians and until you officially leave, I want you to take part in team decisions. Should you choose to stay, you will not go on any more dangerous missions. I called Emily last night and told her everything. I think she was angrier with us than you were.”
“Last night? What … day?”
“It’s Wednesday. Your son’s birthday. You won’t be able to attend the party, but Emily will bring him here later.
“The other details scarcely matter. The MAB agents you quarantined show no signs of infection. Le Parrain’s men and the Iron Pirates are in prison, the Skreaks are gone until another of their spaceships invades our solar system, the Shade Blades will never recover from their losses, Big Bad Roy and Asura are incarcerated at North Brother Island, and the Bone Terror sleeps once more in a containment vault.”
“All’s that’s left … Candilyn’s funeral.”
“That will not happen. Candilyn is alive.�
�
“What?”
“Her healing factor kept her alive at a level below what the tests measured. She’s still quite weak, for she took three bullets through the heart, but the doctors expect her to make a full recovery.”
Someone knocked. From the hallway Chaplain Monaghan said, “May we come in?”
“Certainly,” said Stormhead. “Alexander, please consider my offer. If you would like to make any conditions, I will do what I can to accommodate you.”
“I’ll talk it over … with Emily,” Alex said.
After Stormhead left, Chaplain Monaghan pushed Trista’s wheelchair into the room. She wore her psychic nullifier and had her arm in a sling. Her black rosary stuck out against her white hospital gown.
“I wanted to see you,” Trista said, “but you look horrible.”
“Most of my … adventures … end like this.” Alex smiled. “Nice chair.”
Trista raised her hand to show she was handcuffed to the wheelchair’s arm. “It’s a police precaution. Technically I’m a criminal until the probation ends. If you can’t talk well, I can come back later.”
Alex shook his head. “Chaplain, take off … her nullifier.”
“Are you sure, agent?” said Chaplain Monaghan.
Alex nodded. “I trust her.”
Chaplain Monaghan unlocked Trista’s nullifier and pushed her closer to the bed.
Trista made eye contact with Alex. He didn’t mind cool tingling sensation under his skull.
Alex blinked. When he opened his eyes, he saw Zero Level’s gymnasium. He wore the same t-shirt and jeans he had on the day he and Trista sat together.
Trista was next to him in the same hospital-donated blue sweatshirt she wore that day.
“This is a better setting than were we are now,” she said.
“Of all the places in the world, here?”
“It’s somewhere we’ve both been in a moment we shared together. I thought this would make you more comfortable than a church or my home.”
“It’s fine.”
“You’re not going to believe this, but the day we talked here was when I began to believe my life could get better.”
“That was the day we stopped the riot and went out for pizza, right?”
“It was also when I began to feel safe. After what Sergeant Hammer did to me, I couldn’t trust anyone. I was terrified of you.”
“I was scared of you too. That’s why I was so mean when I went into your room.”
“But on this day, when you said you’d protect me … I didn’t believe you. I thought you were up to something. Then, later that night, you risked your life to save someone you thought was me. I realized you really wanted to help me.
“Do you remember what else I said that night? About wanting you to forgive me for what I did two years ago?”
“I do.”
“Can you forgive me now?”
Alex looked at Trista. “No.”
“Oh, but …”
“I can’t forgive you because there’s nothing to forgive. It wasn’t you who did those things. The Idea Man had you under his control. I have no grudge against you at all, and as far as I’m concerned I got my revenge against the Idea Man. The real question is, can you forgive me?”
“For what?”
“Because I couldn’t let go of my hate. I thought it made me stronger, but it only made me stupider. I couldn’t bring myself to accept that you weren’t evil. I mean, while you were depowering the psychic transmitter, I loaded the shotgun. I was ready to shoot you in the back at the first sign of treachery. I feel bad about that.”
Trista was quiet for a moment. “So, counting the night we met, that makes two times you almost shot me in the back?”
“I didn’t think of it that way, but yeah.”
“Yet you trust me enough to let me enter your mind. And when I told you what Sergeant Hammer did, you believed me. You were willing to give up everything to bring him to justice.”
“Yeah, well, I never could leave someone in a bad situation. I had to do something.”
“And when you thought I was a threat to the world, you were ready to do something to stop it. I can’t fault you for that. There’s nothing to forgive.”
“I guess we can put the past behind us then.”
Trista took Alex’s hand. “Can I tell you something that scares me?”
“Sure.”
“I saw you shoot the Idea Man’s head off, I’m glad you did, but I just can’t believe he’s entirely dead. I don’t know how, but I think I may see him again.”
“I’d like to say something reassuring, but you’re right. Villains have a way of coming back.”
Trista shivered. “What he did, the way he made me act, I’m not sure that was all him. He drew that person out from inside me. Maybe that’s what I am deep down.”
“We all have a devil inside.”
“I don’t think I’m the person I was when we first talked here either. The Idea Man changed my personality so I’d be less without him. He wanted me to want him. That’s all gone. I know less about who I am now than I did before.”
“Whoever you are, I’m here for you. You and I have way too much in common to part ways now.”
“What do you mean?”
“We both hated each other at first, we served teams that tried to get us killed, we had cruel mentors, we rescued each other from them, we’re more separated from our families than we want to be, and we’ve been through so many changes we don’t know who we are anymore.”
Trista nodded. “It’s been quite a week.”
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I have a lot of decisions to make. Looking out for you will make me feel like I’m at least doing something right.”
“And I’ll look out for you.” Trista rubbed her stomach. “I’m also scared about the baby. I don’t know what to do. I’m not ready to be a mother, but this must be God’s will.”
“Whatever happens, I’ll help you get through it. I wasn’t there for Emily as much as I should’ve been when she was pregnant, but I learned a few things. ”
“I still don’t know what to tell my family.”
“We’ll deal with that when the time comes. First, we need to get you off probation. I’ll fill out all the forms to recommend an early end to that when I’m not doped up on painkillers.”
The whole room seemed to shake. Trista’s hand slipped from Alex’s grip.
He blinked. He was in the hospital again. Trista was back in her wheelchair.
“I don’t mean to be impatient,” said Chaplain Monaghan, “but it’s been an hour.”
“Really?” said Alex.
“It’s easy to lose sense of time in your own mind,” said Trista. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Chaplain Monaghan pushed Trista’s wheelchair out of the room and down the hallway. When they went near the elevators, Trista saw a chestnut-haired woman carrying a toddler.
“Wait.” Trista grabbed her chair’s wheel. “Turn around.”
After the chair turned Trista called out, “Emily O’Farrell?”
The chestnut-haired woman turned.
“Hi. I know you’re on your way to see Alex, but can I talk to you for a minute?”
“I’m sorry, who are you?”
“I’m Trista.”
“Not Candilyn?”
“What? No, nothing happened between them. That’s kind of what I want to talk to you about. Look, you have every reason to hate me, but please listen for a minute.”
“Why would I hate you?”
“I’m … the reason Alex missed your son’s birth. I tried to kill him, or rather make him kill himself, that night.”
Emily drew her head back. “He kissed your butt?”
Trista winced. “Yeah. I’m sorry about that.”
Emily looked Trista over. In her psychic nullifier with an arm in a sling and hospital gown accented by an antique rosary and sitting in a wheelchair, this skinny girl seemed too pathetic to hu
rt anything. The presence of a wizened and kindly man in a white collar behind her further made it even harder for Emily to be angry.
“All I can say in my defense is that I was being controlled by someone who was trying to take over the world,” said Trista. “It’s a long story. It won’t happen again. At least I hope it won’t. “
“Why are you near Alex’s room?”
“We’re friends now. At least I think we are. What I want to say is that Alex loves you. I mean, he really loves you. I’ve been in other people’s minds, and I’ve never felt any love that strong. It was so strong it literally kept him alive during my psychic attack.”
“Sorry, your what?”
“Alex can explain it better. I wish I knew a more powerful word than ‘love’ to describe how he feels for you, but I don’t think there is one.”
Emily exhaled deeply.
“I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I understand your marriage isn’t in a good place right now. You have reasons for your feelings. I thought you should know how Alex feels.”
Emily wiped her eyes. “Why are telling me this?”
“Because Alex helped me, and I want to help him. He can’t talk well right now. You’ll understand when you see him. Again, I’m sorry for all the grief I caused you and your family, and I’ll pray for you.”
Father Monaghan wheeled Trista away. “That was the most awkward conversation I’ve ever seen.”
“If I didn’t say that, I’d regret it.”
The elevator doors closed.
Trista looked at her reflection in the steel doors and smirked.
THE END
The Prospects Page 26
