by Gideon Mills
“What did he want?” Lola asked.
“One of the plans we did talk about was trying to sway the public,” Fleur said.
I laughed. It was a plan, but one that was just a small part of it. Very far-fetched.
“And?” Lola sat at the table in the large kitchen/dining area and drank a bottle of water. The kitchen was basic, and used to just meet our needs. The fridge was large and held a lot of food and beverages. The cabinets were black with a granite countertop.
“You have him a list of people, and he refined it. Now we have four people to reach out to.”
Lola shrugged. “That list was terrible. Not my best work.”
I doubted that it was terrible since this was Lola. She was the smartest person in the world and one of the hardest workers too. None of that even mentioned her fantastic body and passion for life.
“So,” I said. “Who do we go talk to?”
“This influencer in Jersey.”
“Finally,” I said. “Let’s go talk.”
“Not so fast, mister,” Fleur said. “We need to plan for being seen.”
“Why?” To my knowledge no Paragon had been actually arrested yet. All sorts of stuff was being put into place, however, to start doing that.
It was all over the news these days. With the talking heads going on and on about where the vile Paragons should be housed. Some even suggested sending us all to Gitmo. Or making a place worse than that.
It amazed me how fast all the media turned on the Paragons, seeming to forget all the good that many of the heroes in the world had done. Sure, some of the villains had caused a lot of damage, but that wasn’t the only side. Many of the worst criminals around weren’t Paragons.
“Any news from the Third Street Dragons?” Lola asked.
I shook my head. They hadn’t responded yet. That was something I really needed to look into.
“Talk to them,” Fleur said. “We need them to get in and out of the city unseen.”
“Okay,” I said.
19
Third Street Dragons
It was hard to blend in while I was out, but I did my best. Being a large man, I would draw attention. Thankfully, New York City was used to seeing many different types of people. These days the city was a true hodgepodge of people, and that helped me blend in.
Arriving at the Third Street Dragons’ base of operations, I saw a familiar face out front. They always had a guard on duty out front to give the leader, Lincoln, a heads up. As soon as I was close enough the man nodded to me.
“We’ve been expecting you,” he said. “Lincoln is in his office.”
Frustrated with them knowing I wanted to talk, but them not having replied to me, I grunted and entered the building. The first floor of the place was a convenience store that almost exclusive sold to gang members or their families, since it was in the heart of their territory.
Above the building, was a different story. Some of it was offices, and other parts appeared to be apartments. The randomness of it all confused me.
The room that Lincoln used for his place was on the second floor, and had a quick exit from the building. Not that he would ever be able to use that if I was coming for him. I didn’t even bother knocking on his door this time. I was mad about him ignoring me.
The leader of the gang looked up form a sturdy desk as I entered. He had a grin on his face. “About time you showed up,” he said.
“I contacted you,” I said. “You could have gotten back to me.”
Lincoln shook his head. “No, I couldn’t, too many people watching this place. You might not even be able to get out of here.”
I groaned. It wouldn’t be the first time I made a hot exit from here. “Lucky me.”
“Not my fault, man,” Lincoln said. “This Fenrir and the politicians have it in for you Paragons. I’ve lost a lot of good men.”
“They all in hiding?”
Lincoln nodded. “Yeah. Not many Paragons out on the streets. Worse than before. Reign was better than this, fuck, Eris was better. Right now, it’s chaos out there. I don’t want to risk any of my men.”
“Smart. Fill me in on what’s going on.”
Lincoln did just that. The gangs in the city were forming up new ties and connections. Using the lack of Paragons to their advantage like they did when Reign had made it illegal for Paragons to be in the city. Lincoln heard rumors that this was going on in all the major cities in the country. That the crime rates had increased by thirty percent.
That was something that McGarrett had told us, and that made me sad. This alone should have been enough for the people to see how much damage they were doing, but it wasn’t.
“I’m telling you,” Lincoln said. “The gangs that are forming up now. Ruthless. They have no fear of the cops. No fear from Paragons. I thought I was bad; they make me look like Mother Theresa.”
That was a bad sign. Lincoln was deep down a criminal, a good one, but still a criminal.
“Not good. Look, I need your help.”
I told him what I needed and how we were working on fixing it.
“All right,” the leader said. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great.”
I left, and hooped he was wrong that I wouldn’t be able to walk away free.
20
Fight or Run
Sure enough, déjà vu. Stepping outside of the Third Street Dragons building I was greeted with a line of cars. None of the police, but clearly government issued. Almost to the point of cliché. Big black Suburbans, as if they couldn’t find something better. Not to say I didn’t like the SUV, but I swear they are all the TV or movies use for government vehicles. I had no clue if that was the way it was in reality.
“Ares,” a voice sounded through a megaphone. “You are a Paragon, and therefore under order AP one hundred and one, you must submit to our authority.”
I was barely able to contain myself. That was the best they could do and say. “Listen, buddy,” I said. I didn’t speak loud as I was sure he would hear me. “I’m not a Paragon. I’m a Greek God, or Roman, or whatever you want to think of me as. Therefore, I do not fall under your stupid little law.”
“There is no such thing as Gods.”
I rolled my eyes; I had gotten used to that. I’m sure they just thought I was letting my Paragon abilities go to my head.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I replied. I had no intention of letting him arrest me or take me to some camp. “But this isn’t legal. And if I’m not mistaken, no Paragon has been taken in yet.”
“By order of the President of the United States, you are ordered to submit for your crimes.”
Now I was angry. Since I have been back on Earth, I’ve done nothing but help these people. Stand up for the humans, and I’m still trying to do that. If they would just open their eyes and see how they were being manipulated by Hera. By the people that supposedly cared for them.
“You have ten seconds to comply. If you do not do so, we will be forced to use force and strip you of your powers.”
I gritted my teeth. This man, whoever he was, pissed me off. In the air, I noticed a channel four news chopper. With that in the air, there was little doubt that the world was watching. I could run and not let them get what they want. But I’ve done that too much.
Another option was to stand up and fight. Let them see that I wasn’t a Paragon, and their stupid little weapon was useless on me. That might strike the fear of God into them. Or a God, and have them realize that I was what I said I was.
More and more people arrived on the streets. Dressed in black, and armed to the teeth. They wanted a fight, and I was more than ready to give them one. So far, I had done nothing to instigate this.
“I told you,” I said. “Not a Paragon. I have broken no laws. You have violated my constitutional freedom.”
“You have no rights.” His tone was vicious and vile. Hate must course through his blood and soul. A Paragon must have hurt him, and now he was getting his revenge. �
��The law of the federal government gives us the rights.”
I sighed. “I’m going to leave since that law you’re talking about violates that of the constitution and the founding fathers. Let me tell you, Washington would be disappointed in you.”
Little did they realize that I had actually talked to the man, albeit only once, and for less than a minute, but I still did. He wouldn’t be pleased with what was going on in the country. He would be furious. As would the rest of the leaders of early America.
“You are not allowed to leave.”
Ignoring them, I began to walk down the sidewalk in the direction from which I had arrived. There was no way I would be able to go back to the hideout again.
“Do not attack them,” Fleur said. That had taken a lot longer than I thought. None of us left the secret lair without our comms these days. Save for Athena and Felicity, and I had little doubt that wherever they were, both were watching this too.
This might be the next OJ and white bronco. People would be talking about this for a while, and I didn’t like that at all. I didn’t mind the attention, but only if it was for the right reasons. This wasn’t it.
“Freeze,” another voice said.
I did no such thing and continued on my way.
“Ares,” Lola said. “Just jump over them and run.”
That was a very viable option, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted the world to see them attack a man who was just walking. See how wrong this was. To show them that the people of this country were under attack from their own. That the far-reaching people like Fenrir and the president were overstepping.
“Please,” Fleur said.
Both of their voices held concern for me and fear. They didn’t want me to lose my powers. They were more and more on board with me being a God, but they still feared me losing my powers.
This would be a big moment for me. For us. For America, and the rest of the world. They were about to attack a God, one that was trying to save the country.
The man closest to me pulled out his anti-Paragon gun and pointed it right at me. Soon he was joined by four other men. They were all military men and had the highly trained look to them. I loathed the idea of having to fight them and hurting them. They were doing their job, but so was I.
Taking a deep breath in, I looked up to the heavens, or to Mount Olympus. I could almost feel all the eyes one me from above. Some probably hoping this actually worked on me so they could find a new God of War. Some hoping that it didn’t, and maybe they would be able to join me here.
Now more than ever, I knew this was a pivotal moment in the war with Hera. The conflict with the humans that I didn’t want.
“Please,” Fleur said. Her voice weak, filled with pain and fear.
“I have to,” I said. “This is important. The world needs to seem them do this. See how bad your father is. How bad the President is.”
“It won’t do any good,” Lola said.
Having them in my head this way made this harder than I thought it would be. I loved them and had faith I would not be harmed. Though I was causing them pain by doing this, and that stung, it would be over soon.
Not stopping, I walked towards the men and tried to go around them. I wasn’t going to engage them and hurt them. They would be the monsters here, and all those watching on the news would see it. Two more new helicopters arrived in the sky above us. Not to mention down the street; I saw a line of news vans and trucks. This really was getting the attention of the world.
Doing my best to control my breathing, I ignored the pleas for me to stop. They were coming from both Fleur and Lola and the men.
“Fire,” a voice boomed in the air.
The men looked at me with a longing in their eyes. Looking back at them, they knew, and I knew. Doing our job. What we thought was right.
The first man fired his anti-Paragon gun at me. The pain that it sent through me was the most intense I’ve ever felt. Worse than the Paragon that could hurt me. Worse than the time a Titan used celestial bronze on me. Worse than the wrath of Zeus and his lightning.
I screamed out in pain, “Ahhh!”
But I didn’t stop walking. I wasn’t going to give in and let them win. I was the God of War. I was the one who could beat Fenrir and my mother. I knew I was here for that and would win. I had faith in that, and in Fleur, Lola, and Felicity.
One step. Two Steps. The pain nearly caused me to topple over, but I didn’t.
The next man fired him at me, and the pain was reinvigorated in me. My eyes watered from the agony, but I didn’t stop. Through the earbud, I could hear both women crying. Both fearing I’d lost my power.
I could feel it still in me. The power of the Gods still flowed in me. The weapon did weaken me, make me feel less powerful, but I was still a God.
“How is that possible?” I heard one of the men say. They were looking at me with disbelief. Some with horror, some with admiration on their faces.
“Take him out,” the leader said.
The men closest to me looked at each other. Hesitating and not wanting to attack me. I completely understood why they were reluctant.
21
That sucked
The men got over their hesitation and attacked me with all their might. This was what they were trained for, and I wasn’t going to be mad at them. Though it fucking sucked balls right now.
While I still had my powers and abilities, I hurt all over my body. The first one rushed at me, and I barely avoided him. Things around me were moving much slower than I was used to in a fight. Usually, when in a situation like this I moved faster and could see the world through the eyes of a man moving more quickly than the rest.
Not today, and it sucked. “This is what it is like being you,” I said.
The men around me gave me strange looks, but I wasn’t speaking to them. Fleur and Lola were still there and talking. Crying.
“You’re human,” Lola said.
I laughed. “No, I’m not. Just slowed temporarily.”
The men here gave me looks. “Who are you talking to?” the closest asked.
“None of your business.”
Through the comms, I heard nothing but silence. Since I knew they were in the central area watching me, I had to show them that I still had my powers, and show the world too for that matter.
More than one article talked about my ability to make a magical sword appear out of nowhere. It had been a topic of heated debate on a few discussion boards. I know I shouldn’t waste time reading about myself, but hard not to. In truth, I had been looking up other Paragons and found the stuff on me.
It wasn’t going to be easy, but I needed to summon the sword that Hephaestus made for me. Using my magical strength, I reached into the void that held my weapon. My body strained as I tried to pull the blade to me. The power was slipping from me, and I hadn’t pulled it out.
One of the men lunged at me, and I briefly lost my connection and almost lost the link to my sword. By a miracle I managed to avoid the man and not lose the magic in me. This was going to be harder than I thought.
“You stupid humans,” I said. “I’m trying to help you. And you attack me.”
“You aren’t helping us,” one said. “You’ve killed people.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’ve not killed a single person. Gone out of my way to not.”
“Not you specifically,” the man said. “Paragons.”
I groaned. “Then so have you. Humans that is. More than any Paragon. You want me to go over a history lesson?”
The man glared at me. “No human has killed as many as some of you, Paragon.”
I had a simple answer for him. “Hitler.”
That had him stumped. “It's not the same,” he finally said.
In that moment, my fingers latched onto my sword and pulled it to this realm. Up until then I had to look like a fool to everyone around me.
“See,” I said. “Still got it.”
Now I heard tears, but also rel
ief through the comms. “You have to get out of there,” Lola said. “You have proved your point.”
I nodded. “I’m trying.”
The men saw the swords and backed away. “You wouldn’t,” one said.
“Try me,” I said. Though I wouldn’t, I couldn’t let them know that.
The men stepped aside and let me pass. That was unexpected, but not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I took off at a full sprint, and while not my usual speed, it was still plenty to lose the men.
This time I didn’t run all the way to Connecticut or Pennsylvania. I didn’t even leave the city, but as I ran did think about the old man I’d met the first time I ran away. If he was still out there, he might help take down Fenrir. He’d been a friend of Fenrir’s father and saw Fenrir as a child.
I made a mental note to mention this to Lola and Fleur. Sure, we would be going to see the influencer, but all the options on our plate would be good.
Stopping, I holed up in a building that had seen better days. It reminded me of several of my visits in the past. Well before the luxuries of today. More of my time had been spent without the luxuries that many of the people today take for granted. No electricity or indoor plumbing. Let alone TVs, radios, and computers. Today was a vastly different world than the one I had been born into.
“What’s the word?” I asked.
It was a long second before one of them answered me. “The news has nothing,” Fleur said.
I could hear the chatter of Lola’s fingers over the keyboard. She was looking to see if she could find anything. “Nothing I can find,” Lola said. “Though I can’t get access to Fenrir and this new branch or agency.”
“Okay,” I said.
Leaving the building, I hailed a cab. Hoping I wouldn’t be noticed. Thankfully, I wasn’t and made it back to the hideout after taking several taxis, a trip on the subway, and walking. That made my arrival back home a long and tedious one, but I was sure that I hadn’t been followed.
