Ironside & Aegis- Origins

by David Bruno

  Benny scoffed. “You must think I’m an idiot. Am I supposed to thank you because of some newfound altruism, a mysterious change of heart? You are responsible for everything bad that happened to me and my family. Because of you and people like you, I never had a mother.” His throat tightened at the thought of what his mother had gone through. “Now you have the gall to ask me to risk my life to clean up your mess. The mess that you were too much of a coward to end from the start. How could I possibly trust you, and why shouldn’t I just kill you now?”

  Again, Vanessa did not react to Benny’s threats against her father. Okay, I don’t think he’s a murderer. Killer, yes. Murderer, no. But I think if Dad pushes him too far, Benny could kill him.

  Just then, a vehicle pulled up next to Max’s RV. Dr. Doe stepped out with two of his security guards. He lit a cigarette, knocked on the door and directed Max outside. Max looked to Benny and Vanessa and discreetly signaled them to remain quiet. He then went outside to talk to Dr. Doe.

  Vanessa had never seen her “Uncle Jeff” in this capacity. If her dad was truthful, he had been her enemy all along, not just a creepy guy who walked out after her dad’s knee was broken. She grew livid as she listened to his demands through the cracked window of the RV.

  “There has been a change of plans,” Dr. Doe said.

  “How so?” asked Max.

  “We need both Vanessa and Benny. They will both be leaders of our new peacekeeping force.”

  This was the betrayal Max had known would happen. Doe had initiated it first. Max needed to react.

  “No,” Max said firmly. “They are free people, and I cannot hand them over to you.” The guards walked over to Max, one on each side. I’m a dead man.

  “We’ve been over this, Max. You understand they’re ours. Paid for with Agency money. I could just take them but prefer they come willingly. Just finish this ‘vacation’ of yours and make sure they are at the lab in four days.” He sneered as he drew on his cigarette. “We know they’re inside your RV right now, probably listening to us. Our plan calls for both Vanessa and Benny to provide… inspiration for our new army. Send them to the Lancaster lab. If you don’t, there’s no further use for you or them. Understand?”

  Max begrudgingly nodded in agreement. Jeff doesn’t make threats without intent to back them up—but good luck taking those two against their will. Dr. Doe and his entourage drove away.

  Max limped into the RV and addressed the pair. “Did you hear that? Do you believe me now? The only reason they didn’t kill me now is because you’re here and they want you to be compliant. I guess they think that if they kill me, Vanessa won’t be so… obedient.” He glanced over to his daughter, wondering if that was still the case.

  “This is all insane. I am not capable of doing what you think I am. Let the government figure out how to deal with those people. I’m leaving. I don’t need this. I’m not a superhero,” said Benny as he headed toward the door.

  “Wait, I’m coming with you,” cried Vanessa. “I was betrayed too.”

  Benny paused for a moment and scanned Vanessa. The fear on her face was palpable. She was scared and lost. “Are you sure you want to ride with a killer?”

  “No. But I think it’s safer with you than staying with my father.”

  “Fine, come along. But if I find out that you’re lying, things might get physical.” Benny glared, showing his determination.

  “We both know you can’t hurt me. You won’t,” she said with an equally serious stare. I can defend myself against anything you got. “I’m coming with you.”

  Max begged, “Stay. Please. I can’t stop you, but know that wherever you go, they will find you because they’re tracking you. How do you think we were able to follow you? They can use the mobile-phone networks and satellites to watch your every move. Remember what I said. The Agency must be destroyed. I trust Dr. Doe’s threats. You have just four days until they put their plans into action, and you need to destroy them. If you don’t, they’ll have an army of fresh new superpowered people at their disposal to implement their agenda. All they need is leaders, ones like you with ‘perfect’ powers. They will be ready for you. If you hope to gain not just your freedom but that of your country, you need to act… unpredictably. Nothing less than world freedom and peace is at stake. It’s time to be the heroes you were bred to be.” I would prefer you stay, but use this time to find yourselves. Learn to work together and be ready to destroy the Agency.

  Vanessa changed back into her regular clothes, packed her belongings, and went with Benny. Max trembled as his only family drove away. This was not how he had planned it. He could no longer protect her. She was on her own, choosing the company of a virtual stranger to her father. He couldn’t blame her. Oh, my dear Veronica. I failed.

  As they drove away in Benny’s RV, Vanessa thought about how she had been initially slightly disappointed with Benny. He was exceedingly shy and timid, not the superpowered potential hero her father thought he could be. But his aggressive posturing with her father and the story of how he killed the robbers gave her pause. He might actually have the fighter instinct after all. He would need it if he was to use his powers for good.

  Vanessa couldn’t help but be somewhat jealous that Benny had gotten both offensive and defensive powers while she only had defensive ones and her brother only offensive. Her dad was right—Benny was clearly the more successful of the Agency’s experiments, albeit an accidental one. Her first impression of Benny was that he might not be worthy, but she now considered the opposite: that she might be the one not worthy of her powers.

  Now that she knew who her father truly was, Vanessa couldn’t be with him. But she was also uneasy being with Benny. Both of their lives had been turned upside down. If what they had heard was true, they needed to stop the Agency in four days’ time, or else they would have the tools and the army to enact their vision, whether they had the two of them or not. The Agency’s plans must be thwarted, and they both knew it.

  *****

  As Dr. Doe was chauffeured away, he placed a call to Director Fischer.

  “Sir, I want to give you a status report. The crop-dusting will commence in four days when the formula is ready. It will be distributed by helicopter as we discussed.”

  “And what of Vanessa and Benny? Has Max handed them over?” asked Director Fischer.

  “No. I am not certain he will. He has affection for the girl and apparently cares for the boy as well. There is a strong chance he will renege on our arrangement. Ideally, we prefer them to guide our army. But we will proceed without them if need be. Things could get quite messy if they fight us though.”

  “Don’t worry, Jeffrey, your latest experiments are proving to be quite powerful. Last you reported they are more powerful than the boy and girl. Are you concerned that’s not true?” Director Fischer asked.

  “There’s no reason to be concerned, Director. Those two are very powerful. So good that we have not yet been able to find a way to defend ourselves from them if they go rogue. So far, so good though. They’ve made no motions against us and appear to be true believers. What shall I do if Max does not hand over the pair as we demand?”

  “First, crop-dust the stadium full of people with the alloy as soon as possible. Then, kill him and take Benny and Vanessa.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  CH 15

  SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN

  2 HOURS LATER, DRIVING SOUTH OF LAS VEGAS

  Silence in the RV.

  Driving.

  More silence.

  More driving.

  Still more silence.

  Still more driving.

  “Are you gonna say something? Or would you prefer to ignore me?” huffed Vanessa.

  “What would you like me to say? My life is a mess and your dad’s an evil mad scientist. And you. I don’t know if I trust you.”

  “I’m pretty sure Dad isn’t an evil mad scientist. Now, jerk—yes.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well for
starters, he doesn’t have a secret hideout in a volcano.” She smirked, trying to make a joke of the situation. “Both of our lives are so ridiculously messed up right now.” She took a deep breath and stared out the window, watching the desert pass by.

  “I’m so glad you’re happy. Well, can I trust you?” Benny asked.

  “Can I trust you? My dad, the only constant in my life—who just admitted to lying to me the whole time—pulled me away from my home on this ridiculous trip to meet someone like me. I didn’t want to come. I had a life, a job, friends. That’s all gone now. He kept saying we were about to meet you but stop after stop, we didn’t. What made you so special to go through such hassle for? Near as I can tell, you’re just a selfish guy, a killer, sulking in his fancy RV paid for by the money his daddy earned.”

  Ouch. Benny’s stomach twitched. He didn’t reply, but he knew she was right. He’d become so lost in his own tragedy, he was unable to think of anyone other than himself.

  Vanessa continued, raising her voice as she spoke. “I had just about given up and then Wendover happened. All I knew about you was that you had powers like me. My dad told me to go and talk to you and make friends with you. He said it would be good for us to meet. He even came up with that ridiculous Southern accent idea, thinking it might somehow attract you to me. And I’m such a naïve idiot that I actually did it! Not sure I could’ve kept that up for much longer. I didn’t know that you knew nothing about the Agency and what you are. Looking back now, you were the lucky one.”

  “Why’s that?” asked Benny as he focused on the road. How could I possibly be lucky?

  “Your parents wanted you. They wanted a family. All I am is an experiment. From the sound of it, I’m not even the most successful experiment. You are. Nobody with any virtue has ever really wanted me. I guess, knowing what I know now, I never really had a family, except maybe my brother.” Her throat tightened as she reached for the radio, hoping to find some tunes to drown out the conversation. Unable to find anything worth listening to, she shut it off and stared out the window.

  Benny began to soften. She was right. Maybe he was being too hard on her. Her situation was horrible as well. He might not have had a mother like her. But he’d had an honest father and extended family.

  “I’m sorry, Vanessa. You’re right. For what it’s worth, I think your dad really does love you. Your mother did too. You won him over, you and your brother. You shouldn’t have had to. But you did, and that’s good. He’s just very misguided, and it’s dangerous being around him.” Benny put his hand behind Vanessa’s head, and stroked her long blonde hair. “It sounds like even though my parents wanted me, what I became was an accident. My dad always said it was important for me to find my purpose. I guess I wasn’t able to do that on my mental-health break.” A slight smile came across Benny’s face. He recalled the moment he’d seen Vanessa dressed as Aegis. As alluring as she’d looked, she’d had her purpose—being a protector. Maybe he was wrong in saying he hadn’t found his purpose. It occurred to him that perhaps Vanessa and he could share the same one.

  A slight growl broke into the conversation. “I’m hungry. It’s past dinner time and we haven’t eaten all day. Can we stop somewhere for dinner?” Vanessa asked.

  “I guess. Barstow is about fifteen miles from here. Can you wait until then?”

  “Not really. I’m in the mood for some beef and potatoes. That sign back there said there are a couple restaurants at the next exit. Can we stop there? I’m not asking for much. Just pull over.”

  The RV pulled into the parking lot of an old roadside restaurant. It was getting dark outside, and the establishment’s sign was brightly lit. It said there was a live band that evening and two-dollar draft beers until 10:00 p.m.

  “This place looks like a cool little country bar. Maybe a little rough. I bet they have good steaks though. Work for you, Benny?”

  “I had a bad experience at a roadside bar like this recently, but I guess we can eat here. Can’t wait to get diarrhea tonight,” he muttered sarcastically.

  Vanessa rolled her eyes. She knew he’d had a rough day—they both had. It would do them good to relax and cut loose a little bit. “Can’t we just put this whole mess aside for an hour or two? All we have now, like it or not, is each other. Can we try to have a nice evening?”

  “You know I’m not much of a country music fan,” he added. She’s right. It would be nice to just relax.

  “I know. Me neither. But there’s something about live music. It’s real and kind of fun. I swear, if you don’t have fun, I’m going to steal your RV and leave you here.”

  Benny finally cracked a smile as the pair went into the restaurant.

  The place was as they both anticipated. It was old with a heavy wood bar and tables. Dim lighting and the smell of cigarettes filled the air, as did the smoke. A quintet country band played their own tunes on the stage, and a crowd of about thirty appeared to be enjoying the evening. They glanced at each other and shrugged in unison.

  “Please seat yourself, honey, someone will be with you!” shouted the bartender to Benny, ignoring that he was with Vanessa. Benny smiled and led Vanessa to a seat.

  “Well now, she noticed you, big guy,” Vanessa told Benny as she wrinkled her face.

  The pair took a seat and browsed the menu. The twangy sound of the steel guitar and scratchy fiddle filled the air. This was real old-school country music. They waited to hear how the singer’s girlfriend mistreated him and why his truck broke down.

  “I’m getting the rib eye. You?” asked Vanessa.

  “You continue to impress me. I’ve been told women order salads.”

  “Where have you been living, Benny? How can you be so oblivious? It was cute at first, but it’s starting to get old. I’m having a beer too. Is that okay?” she mocked.

  The waitress finally came around to take their order. They each ordered a rib-eye dinner and a beer to wash it down.

  As they waited for their meals, they tried to talk about anything but the day’s events and how the fate of the world was on their shoulders. When the food arrived, the band went on break and the restaurant became quiet until a Janis Joplin tune played from the jukebox.

  Vanessa listened for a moment and then asked Benny, “Do you really think freedom means having nothing to lose?”

  “I think the song is about losing someone important to you. Maybe a little regret and sadness,” Benny said as he chewed on his steak.

  “Hmm. Never really thought about it that way. I always looked at it in the general sense of losing your freedom.” Ugh, don’t talk with your mouth full.

  “Freedom is all we have in this world to be who we want to be, apart from our knowledge of what is true, right, and wrong. I suppose an argument can be made regarding losing freedom and having nothing left to lose. Then again, if you have faith, you can’t lose everything. I know. I lost mine for a while and really had nothing left. Things are better now.” He looked at her and smiled.

  “Makes sense. How can you be so wise and still not know how to talk to people, particularly me? I’m just like you in so many ways, ways that no other human being could possibly be.”

  Benny sighed. “I’m trying, Vanessa. All of this is new to me. This is only our second day together. After the incident in eighth grade, I was basically isolated from people my age apart from my buddy Joe. One time, he pleaded with the principal to get me into a high-school dance. When he did, everyone was so scared of me they kept their distance. They knew what I’d done and there was a rumor that I was a freak. They were right, of course, but my dad did his best to keep that hidden. It was safer that way.”

  “So you never got to dance with a girl?”

  “I tried in middle school. But I was a lanky kid with acne and very awkward. I almost danced with a girl once, but things got unpleasant quickly when another guy wanted to dance with her. So I just stopped trying. Joe was there though. He was a good friend even back then. Better with the girls than me though.” Benny
chuckled.

  “You… awkward? No way,” she quipped sardonically. “Well, you aren’t that lanky kid anymore. You’re all kinds of buff and you have me here now,” she said with a smile. “How about we finish dinner and go out on the dance floor? The band should be back by then. We’ll even wait for a slow song so it’s easier for you.” She rested her chin on her hands and stared at him with her piercing blue eyes and a sultry smile on her lips.

  “I’d like that, Vanessa.” Benny smiled in kind. She was easy to talk to and made him feel better about himself. Benny started to relax and have a good time. Their burden temporarily faded.

  “Do you get famished after using your powers?” Benny asked.

  “Totally. Why? Do you?”

  “Starving. I can eat mountains of food. The more I use my powers, the more I eat.”

  Vanessa held his hands down on the tabletop and suggested, “Let’s just keep those powers tucked away tonight. Finish your dinner and let’s dance.”

  As the pair finished their dinners, the band returned. Benny stood first and took Vanessa’s hand confidently. Why not? He knew she wouldn’t reject him. The band played a slow tune about—what else—love gone wrong, and they began to dance. Benny held Vanessa in his arms and relaxed into the rhythm of the music. Vanessa put her head on his shoulder.

  Midway through the song, Benny felt a hand on his back, much like the middle-school dance all those years ago. Not again. His pulse raced as though a fight was brewing, even though he had yet to see the owner of the hand.

  A hulking man with a long dark beard, flannel shirt, jeans, and a belt buckle the size of a hubcap came between them. “I’m gonna dance with this lovely young lady. How ’bout you get us a couple beers, boy.”

  “She’s here with me,” said Benny as the man continued to work his way between him and Vanessa.

  “He’s right. I don’t want to dance with you,” cried Vanessa as she tried to push him away. “Just go back to the trailer and sleep it off, Giganto.”

  “That’s no way to treat your future husband,” he bellowed as he picked Benny up by his armpits and tossed him across the dance floor. Since Benny wasn’t struck, he didn’t armor up, nor did his cells become energized. He was unhurt but humiliated.