The Midlife Crisis of Commander Invincible: A Novel

Chapter Ten

139 TEN Questions from the Press. The Value of a Good Rooftop. Surveillance. The Problems with Accurate Prophecy. Brain Chemistry. Fixing the Future. z Approaching the zoo from the air, I see quite the commotion in the parking lot. There’s a small crowd of people held back by police barricades, four squad cars, a fire engine, and five news vans topped with satellite dishes. One is from KQEP, Sheila’s station back in the day. Everyone’s attention is focused on the entrance, where a gang of about a dozen reporters huddles. They’re all waiting for something, so nobody’s even looking my way when I drop to the asphalt behind them. A single figure emerges from the exit turnstiles, clad in gaudy yellow, and I take cover behind a freestanding porta-potty twenty feet back from the edge of the crowd. The civilians clamor, and the reporters surge forward to surround Clyde. Some snap pictures, while others aim shoulder-mounted cameras. They begin shouting questions, each one trying to drown out the next: “Where did the creature come from?” “Can you guarantee the public that the area is now safe?” “What do you know about the mystery hero?” Clyde holds up a hand to silence the reporters. A boom stick gets dangled just above his face. It looks like a baited hook. “I have a brief statement, then I’ll entertain questions. Earlier today, a being of unknown origin with unknown but presumably hostile inten- 140 tions appeared in the city’s skies over the Kingdom Town Zoological Gardens . It was repelled by a registered and licensed paranormal hero acting in close conjunction with—and under the authority of—the Guardians. There were no injuries and no loss of life. At this time our investigation is ongoing, and though we are on Stage Delta alert, there appears to be no immediate cause for concern. We have designated the combatant as the ‘Hideous Beast.’” As soon as he stops speaking, the questions pour in again. “What powers does the Hideous Beast possess?” “Well, it could fly, obviously. We have reports of superstrength and bioenergy discharges.” “Bioenergy discharges?” “Laser beams,” Clyde says. “From its eyes. That’s unconfirmed.” “Is it true it ate an okapi?” “There was no confirmed loss of life, human or animal.” “Are you saying the hero was one of the Guardian deputies?” This comes from Hal Hightower, the KQEP reporter who did that exposé on Gypsy at rehab. He included a hazy cellphone photo of her passed out next to a toilet. Clyde knows the guy’s hostile to our cause. “The hero’s identity is confidential at this time. The Guardians train as a team and act as a team. He was here monitoring unusual energy readings and had tech support directly from the HALO. I want to emphasize that this encounter was not a random intervention but a carefully orchestrated and measured tactical strike. The public should be aware of our continued vigilance against unanticipated threats.” I’m enjoying Clyde’s performance so much I decide to get in on the act. I step out from behind the porta-potty and start toward the impromptu press conference. Flying in would be more efficient, but I decide instead to walk among my people. I wade into the crowd, excusing myself politely. “That’s him!” a woman shouts when she sees my face. “He’s the one who saved us.” That turns everyone toward me, and the crowd parts as I move through it. I shake a few hands, give a high five to a dreadlocked teenager. Some- 141 one pats me on the back. Even the reporters clear out of my way, and I stride up beside Clyde, whose face sours. I say, “Sorry I’m late, everybody.” The reporters recognize my costume, and it’s a short woman in front who asks the obvious question: “Commander Invincible, why aren’t you wearing your mask?” They wait for my answer, and I see the camera lenses aimed at me, feel the energy of the entire focused attention. “When the beast first appeared,” I tell them, “there was no time to change into my costume. Preserving my secret identity would have meant endangering lives. It was no choice at all. In truth, it’s been years since I maintained a civilian life.” Hal Hightower says, “So this means the two children reported with...