The Negative Man_Legends Can Die

by Jeremy Croston

  “In the over three years since you’ve been here, public opinion has changed. They fear people like us.” He looked down at his feet as he added, “Because of you.”

  If he thought I was going to take that as a black mark, he was sadly mistaken. “These people, they should fear me. I wanted to bring them a utopia, and instead I was vilified.”

  “Stop the madness! Jericho, if you don’t, a man like Defense Secretary Ronald Victory will use this to further agendas that denounce us. Can you live with supers being rounded up and “put down’ like dogs?”

  He was rambling, but he said something that made me think. “Frosty had said something about a secretary was behind this…” Could this Ronald Victory be the guy who tried to kill me? I knew Woods still had his twenty three and some change hours to get the information, but this needed to be examined further. “We’re done here, Kyle.”

  “We’re done when I say we’re done.”

  “I could destroy that apartment building over there before your girlfriend had time to fire up that gun of hers.” She’d been oddly silent; her death stares hadn’t gone unnoticed though. “We have established what I can live with. What can you live with, Kyle?”

  He wasn’t angry, just disappointed. “This is far from over.”

  “I know. However, I have other matters to attend to and we can pick up this stimulating conversation another time.”

  The girl finally chimed in, breaking her awkwardness. “On the news, it said you were going to give the city twenty four hours to allow Chief Brad Woods to conduct an investigation into the Black Lagoon Scandal. How do we know you’ll honor that?”

  “You have my word.”

  She shook her head. “Sorry that’s just not going to fly. However, there is one way to prove it to us.”

  “And what are you suggesting?”

  She walked over to me as bold as ever. “Roll your sleeve up.”

  I may have been more powerful by a long shot, but there was something off putting and a bit scary about her. Also, I was a bit curious at what was happening. “Okay,” I said, complying with her request.

  She placed her warm hand against my cold skin. She was a telepath of sorts! The odd tingle as she did what needed to be done was fascinating. Then she let go and made eye contact. “I have to say I’m surprised you’re telling the truth.”

  “Just because we differ in philosophies doesn’t make me dishonorable.”

  She rejoined Kyle, looking resigned as she accepted the outcome of this confrontation. Kyle gave me a quick nod and the two of them shrunk back into the shadows of the night. Little did they realize just how informative they were and with a smile, I made my way back down to my workshop. Just to be on the safe side, I reengaged the polarity lock, in case they wanted to make a surprise visit.

  Chapter 17 –

  Sunday Morning; gl-O-bal Innovations

  It took some effort, but I was able to tune the radio and get a signal this far below the surface. I knew exactly what would be on any channel I could get and wasn’t disappointed when the host of this particular Sunday morning show was in the middle of a rant against me. “…and furthermore, if we learned anything from last night, it’s that our police chief, Brad Woods, is willing to negotiate with terrorists!”

  “Tim, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” his co-host said, defending Woods.

  “Karen, I know you try to see the good in the man, but seriously? Our mayor was held hostage. He tried to destroy City Hall.” I didn’t try to destroy anything. I just needed an escape. “So yeah, let’s look into a dead prison warden’s past to see if there’s any just cause,” the last part was dripping with sarcasm. “I’m sorry, but on the Donovan Report, Chief Brad Woods gets an F.”

  This guy was amusing, but I kept it on in the background for noise. I turned my attention over to the computer. It’d been a few days and my friend StabbtyBnny said to come back then. That he would know when I was back online. I reached under the desk and plugged the power back in, as well as the Ethernet cord. The low hum of the computer kicked up as I pressed the on button.

  About fifteen minutes after the boot up, while I was in the middle of a stimulating game of chess, an encrypted message popped up on my screen. I closed out of my game, ready to delve into my newest lead with my mysterious friend.

  StabbtyBnny: I was wondering how long it would take for you to come back.

  NegativeMn1: You said to wait a few days.

  StabbtyBnny: The Jericho I remember didn’t follow instructions well.

  StabbtyBnny: This version seems much more open minded.

  NegativeMn1: I’ll take your word on that one.

  StabbtyBnny: Have you learned anything new since we last chatted?

  NegativeMn1: What do you know about Defense Secretary Ronald Victory?

  StabbtyBnny: Do not, under any circumstance, talk to anyone but me about him!

  NegativeMn1: Why not? I’m not afraid of anyone.

  StabbtyBnny: I know your reputation, yet even this is one man you should avoid for the time being.

  NegativeMn1: Was Victory behind the attacks on my life?

  StabbtyBnny: I can’t say for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me. If not him, maybe one of his underlings. He has an army of Yes Men who would do anything to get on his good side.

  NegativeMn1: How can I find out who was the responsible party?

  StabbtyBnny: Your new friend, Brad Woods, he’s looking into this on your orders, no? I spied the PSPD computers this morning. I may have given them a tool to help crack some codes that I don’t have access to.

  NegativeMan1: You know more than you’re letting on.

  StabbtyBnny: Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. The only thing you need to know is that I’m on your side.

  NegativeMn1: Why are you helping me? It’s not like I can do anything for you.

  StabbtyBnny: One day soon, all will be revealed. Let’s just say I have a vested interest in seeing the corruption of this country take one right to the face.

  NegativeMn1: I still think you’re Wilson Fetts.

  StabbtyBnny: My identity doesn’t matter in the long run.

  StabbtyBnny: Let’s get back to the important stuff. Victory is a dangerous man. If he is truly behind this, you’ll need to be prepared for the worst. What are you willing to do to make those responsible pay?

  NegativeMn1: Whatever is necessary.

  StabbtyBnny: I knew I could count on you. Like before, when this chat ends, turn off the computer and unplug it.

  NegativeMn1: Okay.

  StabbtyBnny: In the meantime, work on a bit on control with those powers would you? That Stormfall energy is no joke.

  Before I could respond to him, the chat closed. I did as I was asked, turning off the computer and unhooking the Ethernet line. I was also a bit frustrated; while we were talking, I was trying to remotely hack the connection to find out who was on the other side. Whoever StabbtyBnny was, he or she was good. Their firewalls were impervious to my attempts, blocking me at every pass before I had the chance to get started. It was a bit humbling to be out-hacked by someone.

  StabbtyBnny was right. As I learned in the wee hours of the morning earlier, my powers were a bit more unstable than before. I was definitely stronger, but it was a wild and untamed strength. If I was to hunt down my enemies, I’d need to commit myself to focusing on control.

  The basement was full of parts and materials that I’d need to use to repairs my costume and upgrade things as ideas came to me. I needed to think of an ideal place to go, someplace no one would happen to stumble across me and force me into a fight when I wasn’t really ready. The problem was a solution wasn’t just jumping out at me. I needed a map of the area, but how would that be possible right now?

  I wasn’t going to risk the computer again. If my hacker buddy suggested keeping it off when we weren’t talking, there had to be a reason. But I could risk going out into public. It was early on a Sunday morning; people were either still in bed or at church.
I could probably be bold enough to talk a walk down the street to the little bodega on the corner. Places like that were used to tourists walking in and needing a layout of the city and all. Yes, I could do this.

  I put on the Red Wolf Tools hat that was lying in one of the tool bins along with my Hat Trick shirt. I had a sense of excitement when I undid the polarity lock. There was a chance that Kyle was waiting for me as soon as I got off the elevator. I pressed the first floor button and waited.

  As the doors opened, the lobby was empty. Of course it was. Kyle wouldn’t be out here right now. Not after witnessing the power I had against that proton gun the girl was using. No, they’d be back at their own hideout, trying to figure out what adjustments needed to be made to bring me down. Yes, I needed to work quickly, in case I came across them in my pursuit of revenge.

  The streets were empty and the sun was bright, hurting my eyes. I stayed close to the walls of the buildings lining the street, navigating the shadows as best I could. When the store came into view, I quickly slipped in with not even a hello to the storekeeper sitting behind the counter. I made a beeline over to the map rack in the middle of the store. Beside it was also the sunglass rack. Damn did I need a pair of them. The sun was killing my eyes.

  I had my map and pair of shades, ready to check out. The guy running the place didn’t even look up from his crossword, scanning the two items and asking for money. “Ten dollars and twenty-two cents.”

  I placed a ten and a one on the counter, not even bothering to stick around for the change. As I exited back out, the sunglasses were a welcome relief to my eyes. Being able to see clearly, I returned back to my basement much quicker than it took to get over here. As the elevator closed to go back down, my confidence in my role as Jericho Staley was boosted a bit. I could be a normal member of society after all.

  The first thing I did upon my return was spread the map out on one of my tables. It was obviously made for the older crowd, as the map was purposefully big with giant lettering. I saw places like Crosby Airfield and Waves Park, places I knew but that weren’t suited for this. I expanded my search to a bit further out when another name jumped right off the page, Dungeon Bay.

  I placed my hand over the name. “I killed another friend of mine long before John Wonderton.” I was starting to feel sick. Dungeon Bay, it was a remote place where I lured my best friend, one who’d been working with a few rogue soldiers in an effort to steal a plutonium core and blow up the city. “This place, I need to go there. It’s where I killed Erin Cieslik.”

  Chapter 18 –

  Sunday Afternoon; Dungeon Bay

  It was amazing what could be done these days. With the little bodega owner so wrapped up in his puzzles, I felt emboldened to go back to his shop to get help to get out to Dungeon Bay. He didn’t even question me when I asked what was the best way to get out there. Instead, he pointed me over to a customer service tablet and told me to use the Scoot application.

  I touched the screen to get started. I put in my starting destination and where I wanted to go. It gave me a total for a one way trip, eight dollars, and all I had to do was touch the accept button. Five minutes later, a driver in a white SUV showed up out front and asked for Victor Inglewood. Obviously I couldn’t be using my own name, so a fun pseudonym was in order.

  The drive was a fairly pleasant one. The driver, Matt Conley, was a very chatty guy. He talked about everything from his love of Ronald Victory to car racing. Honestly, by the time I got out of the car, I had a good working idea of why a person driving in circles was popular.

  “Are you sure this is where you want to be dropped off?”

  Conley didn’t see the beauty of the spot. There was nothing for miles. “Yeah, this will work perfectly. Can you come back in two hours?”

  He tipped his cap to me. “I’ll manually put you on the list. See you then.”

  I waited for the white SUV to leave my view before I scoped out the area. It was rocky, dangerous, and wet. The waves from the bay battered the shoreline, about one hundred yards or so from where I stood. The cliffs in the area made it nearly impossible for anyone to see clearly and would provide adequate cover for my training exercises. I hopped down from the barely used parking area and on to the rock. Before I started training, there was someplace I had to go.

  There I stood, on a rocky alcove. This was where I confronted my old friend, Erin. I made sure his death was swift and quick before kicking him into the depths of Dungeon Bay. I hadn’t thought about that memory in a long time, even before when I was whole. That whole plutonium scandal, that had been the last time I’d taken up the mantle of The Negative Man; it was a turning point where I fully committed myself to seeing if John Wonderton’s vision could truly work.

  Obviously it hadn’t. Maybe there was no place in the world for the villain I’d been before, maybe the memory loss and the state I was in now was a reset. The old Negative Man was truly gone, in his place a newer, untamed super. It was time to stop looking back and trying to gain what I once had. It was time to take action, put an end to the schemes against me and start anew.

  A new bounce entered my step as I found the perfect area to start training myself. Visiting a place that reminded me of what I once was, that was needed. With acceptance, I found it easier to harness the Stormfall inside me.

  Even without my equipment, I was beginning to understand just how these new powers worked. Unlike before when I could will the power forward and ‘command’ it what to do, the Stormfall energy wasn’t something that was simple. Instead of calling it up and ordering to do what I wanted, with a clear mind, I asked it to do what I needed. Then, using my body as the guide, I gave it direction and it fully complied with me. There’d be no more treating this as a tool; I’d start using my power as an ally.

  Much work was still needed when my two hours were up. I was waiting for my ride when Mr. Conley pulled up. “Hey Victor, you ready to head on back?”

  Looking at the area behind me, “Yeah. Let’s talk about setting up a routine to come out here on a regular basis, shall we?”

  ****

  The countdown to midnight had begun. It was nine thirty and I was going crazy waiting for my deadline to come. I needed something to do to preoccupy myself. I thought about going to see Father Reigart again, but was it worth the risk? I didn’t want another dead innocent sitting on my conscious. However, the man was very insightful and had a way of calming me. It wasn’t that far of a walk. Hoping that those who were trying to get me were more preoccupied with Woods and his team looking into them, I left the safety of my workshop.

  Twenty minutes later, I was entering St. James. It was another quiet evening, most people were probably there much earlier in the day for the traditional services. Knowing right where he was, I entered the confession booth and waited.

  The window slid open. “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.”

  “I know, Jericho. It is all over the news. That’s the one thing I always appreciated about our friendship, you never tried to hide your transgressions. Rather, you make a public spectacle of them.”

  How could you not laugh? “So much for this being serious business.”

  “I’m sorry for that. A joke at this time wasn’t the best choice.”

  Disagreeing, “No, a lighthearted moment is exactly what I needed.” I leaned back against the wooden wall. “The twenty four hour window is almost up.”

  He knew. I heard him readjust his position in the other room. “What will you do if Chief Woods is unsuccessful?”

  “You know the answer to that.” His only answer was a sigh. “I know you think I’m this good, yet misunderstood person. Father, I just don’t know how many ways I can disappoint you before you give up on me.”

  “I will never give up on you, Jericho. Do you know why I was helping Rich facilitate your escape before everything went to Hell?”

  I always assumed it was because of some misplaced loyalty. “I probably don’t know the real answer to that question.”
/>
  “I look at you and see someone with a gift who can change the world,” he rattled off quickly. “Whether you see it or not, your potential far exceeds just about every other person I’ve had God’s grace to come in contact with.”

  It’d been a long time since I felt the weight of a father’s (the parent not the holy person) expectations upon me. Ever since Ellison was killed, there was a giant void. John Wonderton was more like the older brother I never had, looking back on the scattered memories that still remained. Then there was Father Reigart. Not only had he stepped in as some sort of spiritual advisor, but he slowly began to fill the role Ellison had left vacant.

  So hearing disappointment from him was even worse than I anticipated. “What you call potential, others call a curse. I think you’re barking up the wrong tree with me, Father.”

  “I don’t know if you remember, but when I first came to Pacific Station, there were rumors about me being a super.” I didn’t recall this particular event. “It all had to do with me picking up a car to save a child.”

  “You have super strength?”

  A hearty chuckle echoed. “No, I’m just a man. A man who follows the path of God, but still, just a man.” He paused a moment, probably for dramatic effect before going on. “I picked up that car because for one moment, I had the opportunity to do something extraordinary. An opportunity that you have every single day you’re alive. That’s something to embrace.”

  “Answer me this, Father. Would you say that I’m changing the world?”

  “You have already changed the world. If you want to know for the better or worse, that all depends on your point of view.” I heard him leave his booth and walk around. Opening mine, “Let us not hide behind these walls anymore. If we are to have a frank conversation, let us do it out in the open.”

  I didn’t know if I liked leaving the safety of the booth. I didn’t have to see his reactions to my answers that way. I did, though. I followed him over to a pew and sat down. “Your ambition once got the better of you. After effectively taking over the city, your next step was to begin taking over the country.”