Heroes Rising Fiction: Pax Dystopia Part 2

 Alex seethed at the sight of the nerd villain, Gamer G, who was giving him a bewildered look.

Justin answered Alex’s question. “Gamer G has been using Nova’s office to search for clues to find

Nova.”

Gamer G said, “Yeah, just in case he filed something that would explain his disappearance. Sheesh. Cool it off. Also, noob, I’m using the super advanced computers in there to decode all the Ren Tech crap we got from their database.”

Alex said, “I know you’re working with us now, but I still don’t like you being around sensitive stuff.”

“What are you so worried about? Nothing bads happening.” Gamer G said, “Since we took down Drocha and…”

“We? BADGE agents and heroes put their lives on the line to stop Drocha and Renn Tech. You were hiding in mommy’s basement.”

Gamer G scoffed, “Yeah, I was, with an ankle monitor and visits from your stupid patrols every week. But I offered to help bring down the Ren Tech network, hack their systems to free everyone trapped in those Ren Wear glasses, and unlock all their code. I earned my freedom, and I helped stop them. Live with it.”

Chase said, “I know, it is hard to work with people who were once our enemy, but Gamer G has proven to be an asset. In three years, he has only helped us. So, stop this bickering.”

Alex nodded his head to Gamer G, “Sorry. Under a lot of stress looking for Nova and got little sleep since the baby had me up all night… and this headache is killing me.”

Gamer G frowned. “I thought that was fixed?”

“No. Still hanging on.”

Justin casually said, “Go see Dr. Henderson later about that. Need you at your best, considering we are down almost every hero.”

“I will. First, I will do a round of checking. Where do you want me to go for the morning? I did a loop around the Antarctic yesterday.”

Justin looked at his tablet. “Why don’t you check… let’s see… how about the Great Lakes area again?”

“Michigan?” Chase asked.

Justin shrugged. “That’s where the Xendraxi attacked. If they had something to do with his disappearance, there might be something there.”

“That’s a long stretch of logic,” Alex said.

“I know, but after three years, I’m grasping at straws.”

Gamer G asked, “Why are you working so hard? I mean, the world is at peace. Go have fun. Let Nova just be gone.”

Chase grabbed Gamer G by the collar and pulled him into her face. “Nova was not just our commanding officer, he was our friend. None of us can remember how or when he disappeared. That man has been defending this world since before the Pharoahs ruled Egypt. He doesn’t just vanish. We have to find him.”

“Got it... man, you’re hot when you’re angry.” Gamer G smiled his fat, pimply face at her.

She shoved him away with a dismissive eye-roll.

Something about that exchange made Alex’s head go fuzzy for a second. He shook it off and said, “Where, exactly, do you want me to start this search?”

Chase casually stated, “42.3317° North, 83.0471° West. That will get you to downtown Detroit.”

Alex smiled. “Wow, you had that memorized?”

She shook her head, “No. I just calculated it in my head. I... I don’t know how I did that.”

Alex checked his comm unit. “Well, that was perfect. I’m off.” He snapped his fingers, and a portal opened.

Alex appeared in the heart of downtown Detroit. The Q-line trundled by full of people going about their day, the People Mover zoomed overhead, and the streets were bustling. Late spring in southeast Michigan was still crisp and fresh, with flower blossoms everywhere.

The city was in good shape considering the damage it had sustained over the many incidents that occurred here. Alex walked down the main street, seeing the banners flying outside Comerica Park advertising the upcoming Tigers’ games. The Fox Theater was sparkling with fresh lights and posters for a show this weekend. There wasn’t a panhandler or beggar to be seen, no trash on the streets.

A group of teenagers were cleaning a wall. Graffiti was being covered by a coat of white paint. A police officer stood by, watching them work.

“I love to see kids being punished by clearing up their own mistakes.” Alex said to the officer.

The officer gave him a curious frown. “What do you mean?”

“They ‘tag’ private property, now they clean it up.”

“These kids are volunteers. The city has been working to clean up the streets for two years now. This graffiti is old. Soon, the city will have it clean and ready for a painted mural.”

“Oh, sorry. Really, I didn’t mean to judge.” Alex felt horrible for assuming criminal activity where it wasn’t.

“Don’t sweat it. I’ve been on these streets for twenty years. These past three have been utter heaven. Can’t explain it. Everyone just is being good. It’s like they can’t remember how to be bad.”

Alex was about to ask another question when he saw one of the younger kids writing on the wall with something. “Maybe not everyone got the message. Hey, kid. What are you doing?” Alex walked over to her.

She stepped back, revealing an extremely complex equation she had been working on. “I was just calculating the amount of paint we’ll need to cover this so it completely conceals the graffiti with no need to purchase more.”

“That is... amazing work. You must be a STEM kid?”

“Me, not at all. In fact, I don’t remember where I learned to calculate like this. It just... came to me.” She was mildly confused.

“Well, that’s good work.”

She looked up at the officer. “We need to take a break. I’m getting tired again.”

“Sure thing. Guys, take a break. The wall’s not going anywhere. Good work.” He waved them back from the wall.

The kids all sat down, most laying down, as they all drifted off.

“Are they okay?”

The officer said, “Sure. Everyone seems to be getting more and more tired. I guess doing all this good work really tires you out. Me, I’m hungry all the time. But, I can’t complain, haven’t gained much weight, even though I’m eating like a horse.”

“I’m hungry too, now that you mention it.”

“Lets head over to HopCat. They have the best food in town.”

Alex shook his head. “No. I just need to ask a few questions. Have you seen anything of the Xendraxi lately?”

“Those robots? Nope. Haven’t seen them in years. Why?”

“Just a hunch about something. Have you seen Director Nova around?”

“No. We got word from BADGE that he was missing. Chief has us all keeping an eye out. No reports yet, as far as I know.”

“Thanks. Didn’t think this would pan out. Hey, I need to get my wife some flowers. Mother’s day is soon.” Alex saw a sign in a window advertising for the holiday.

“Perfect time of year. Head over to Holland, the tulips are in bloom.”

“Holland?”

“Holland, Michigan, other side of the state. Gorgeous this time of year.”

“Thanks. Think I will.” Alex left the officer and walked back down the street.

He spent a few minutes longer just looking around. There was a lingering hope he would see some bit of evidence that would lead him to a clue about Nova. However, the thorough cleaning left little evidence to be found. He paused near the Spirit of Detroit statue.

“Something... is missing.” He muttered to himself as he looked at the face of the colossal male statue resting on the side of the park. He felt like this statue should talk to him, but he wasn’t sure why. “Statues don’t talk. Why can’t I shake this feeling?”

Brushing these strange feelings off, he went to get some flowers. Walking around this city would not give him anything to help find Nova. If there was anything to lead to Nova, the police would report it. He looked at his BADGE comm, saw the location of Holland, Michigan, and then zapped himself there.

He appeared in the middle of a glorious field of brightly colored tulips. Brilliant spring blooms spread as far as he could see. People went back and forth with baskets of flowers and bulbs. Many stopped to take pictures.

His moment of gentle marvel ended when a cold, sinking feeling filled his mind and heart. The surrounding flowers, the bright colors, the laughing children. It all brought a memory back, but it was just outside the grasp of his mind. It was like trying desperately to recall a complicated dream. The harder he thought, the more distant the vivid images fled.

A small thing ran into his leg, bouncing off of him. He turned and bellowed, “EB, stop running...” he saw the amused little boy who had bumped into him.

“Who’s EB?” the kid asked.

Alex strained as he thought. “I... I don’t know. I... I can’t remember.” His headache grew loud, the screaming in his ears a sharp, tinny whistle that drowned out all other noise. “I’m so tired, so hungry. I... I can’t...” The ground flew up to him as he slammed into the dirt in the row between the growing flowers.