Sub-Heroes: Boombox

Chapter Five

Get your funk and your best threads orn,

Gonna dance until the break of dawn.

This party’s go’n all night long,

And you ain’t going to boogie, unless ya’ gonna move it to this song.

Street Party by The Disco Divas

Released 1974

About a week back when I was finishing my final exams, there was a report of this astronaut who went crazy after he landed back on earth in New Kennedy.

Apparently he was Ultra Powered, being able to turn into fire, or cover himself in fire… the reports were not clear on that. I don’t recall the man’s real name, but he’s been nicknamed Asher by all of the news reports.

This Asher guy outright killed three Ultra Heroes by burning them alive and gravely injuring a fourth.

The Hero that survived is called Zeon, who is now recovering in hospital.

As for Asher himself, he escaped. If I was not a few thousand miles away, this would have been a great chance to reveal myself and help out the New Kennedy Ultra Heroes, but in Monolith City, nothing that exciting happens. Or at least had not happened until just now.

It turned out that during the Graduation ceremony and the nerves that preceded it, we had missed the biggest news item of the day.

After Kellie was called away, we all gathered around the TV to see what had happened to cause her to be called back to work so urgently.

We three sit dumbstruck as the news reports tell stories of a man, a single madman who had stormed into the NUVO Bank Tower, murdered people, stole a tonne of money and then somehow also escaped.

Now two impossibilities have occurred within one month.

“I would not want to be that guy when the Heroes catch up with him,” says Corbin in an uncharacteristically somber tone.

“How could the Ultra Heroes let this happen?” I ask.

Ms Johnston responds, “In all fairness, what could they do. It’s as I have been teaching you Oscar, using your gift is one thing, but you have to use your mind also.

You must be able to plan, to anticipate what a criminal might do.

As well-meaning as the Heroes are, I have always feared that they might someday become too complacent.

You see, they fight crime the same way they always have done for years and now our Heroes have become blind to anything that they are not used to, anything different from them.”

I have always found it hard to listen to Ms Johnston when she talks like this. The Ultra Heroes are our protectors and I look up to them, they are what I want to be. Sometimes though, she sounds like she wishes that they weren’t here at all. It’s an opinion that’s been force-fed to me over my years of training but I will always believe that they are here to watch over us and protect us. After all, I expect to be joining them soon and as the news report rolls on an idea comes to mind, Asher is too far away but perhaps now I can step up and help the Heroes hunt down this new madman.

The TV image switches to the news conference that Kellie was called away to report on. Ms Johnston turns up the volume and we all lean forward, trying to catch a glimpse of my girlfriend.

The news conference begins with a summary of events, provided by a senior police officer. The most interesting part is the hint that the attacker may be Ultra Powered, just like Asher. It’s towards the end of the report when we finally hear Kellie speak. The police officer mentions something about the security cameras failing when Kellie finally slips in a question with her most serious reporter voice.

“Would that be one of the killer’s high voltage Ultra-Powers?”

The policeman appears annoyed at the question and states firmly, “I’m sorry, you’ve had your last question and we will release more information when it’s at hand.”

That’s not fair, Kellie was only able to ask one question! The camera swings around capturing a sea of reporters’ furiously writing notes or holding desperate hands in the air hoping for one last question.

After a moment, the camera settles upon Kellie. “Well that’s it for now, it seems that the identity of the Ultra Powered high voltage killer is unknown but according to the police this ‘Killervolt’ won’t be safe for long. This is Kellie Leanne for Channel 14 News, now it’s back to the studio.”

“Killervolt, that has a funky ring to it,” comments Corbin.

Ms Johnston sighs under her breath. “This is what I am talking about, they have to be smarter than this.”

“But they‘ll catch him,” I say. “All of those Heroes with all of those Powers, they will track him down in no time.”

“They have not caught Asher yet, and they will not catch this… Killervolt person either.” Ms Johnston hesitates using Kellie’s new label for the madman.

I am genuinely annoyed at her, so I ask, “Why would you say that, don’t you have any faith in the Ultra Division?”

“Let me explain to you what the Ultra Division have accomplished,” starts Ms Johnston in her teaching tone. “They have labelled this man as a criminal and are now publicly saying that they will hunt him down, the same way as Asher. There’s no one asking why he did this, no presumption of innocence. Now it’s the Heroes verses him with a live television audience. What they have done is effectively forced this Killervolt into only one of two options, fight or flight. There was no olive branch, no opportunity to simply hand himself in.”

“But, he’s guilty of these crimes, we all saw the news. He’s plainly crazy and he will be caught!” I protest.

“I’m not saying that he isn’t ultimately guilty of a heinous crime. What I am trying to say is that whatever he has done, he is still human and needs to be given the chance to regret and repent, otherwise…”

Ms Johnston pauses for a moment thinking hard about whether she will continue or save the lesson for another time. “Well let me put it this way. You remember the day you discovered your Powers, when Billy burst into our class with his father’s gun?”

“Of course I do,” I reply.

“Well…” continues Ms Johnston, “Have you ever, after all of this time asked yourself, when was the exact moment he decided to bring that gun to school?”

“No,” I answer truthfully.

Ms Johnston nods her head. “That’s okay, you’re still young and you’re thinking like your average Ultra Hero. Now I recall that Billy came to the school to ‘get’ you during lunch but his leg was hurt and he couldn’t chase you. Then Corbin and yourself extracted some revenge, you teased him, right?”

I remember and a wry smile crossed my face, “That’s right but we treated him the same way he had treated everyone else.”

Ms Johnston continues, “That’s true, in the same way that the Heroes are about to extract their revenge on this Killervolt person. But if I recall, Billy left the school and you came back to class. Have you ever considered that the only reason why Billy brought the gun to school, was because of you? Because you had pushed him too far that day?”

I pause and let Ms Johnston’s words sink in. Did I push him, maybe, but he deserved it.

“I know what you are saying,” I say frustrated, “But it was still Billy’s decision to pick up a gun, thats on him. You can’t blame me for what happened to Kellie.”

“That final decision was always Billy’s, but you influenced him and he chose a tragic option,” Ms Johnston speaks coldly.

“So what would you have had me do, shake his hand and offered flowers?” I’m not sure where Ms Johnston is going with this.

“The best thing you could have done is walked away. The moment you realised that he was too injured to chase you, you should have walked away.” Ms Johnston is looking straight into my eyes, searching for some spark of understanding.

“Okay, I suppose. But how can you say what Billy would have done if we had left him alone?”

“Well firstly you would not have been late for class.” Ms Johnston affords a brief smile, “But mainly Billy would not have been so upset when he left, perhaps his calmer mind would have presented him with better options.”

Until now Corbin has been quietly listening in, measuring up our arguments. “But what does that have to do with the Killervolt? Are you suggesting that the Heroes should let him walk away and have a good long think about what he’s done?”

“No Corbin!” Ms Johnston speaks sharply as a little more of the ‘teacher’ comes out in her. “I’m saying that going on the attack without mercy to capture this Killervolt may force him to take more dangerous actions. I also fear that this man is capable of much more, any person with Powers can be a Hero but it takes a particular mindset to turn a person to crime.”

As usual, Ms Johnston was quite right.

Days roll by, news shows and talkback radio buzz on about these new villebrities, Asher and Killervolt.

Some reports were questioning how effective the Ultra Division and their Heroes really are. There is certainly a belief that something was not quite right with our city’s protectors.

Why had these two new Powered people showed up out of nowhere, what did Killervolt plan to do with all of the money he stole? But probably more concerning than these questions is when are the Ultra Heroes going to catch these bad guys? I held my own question close to me, is Killervolt a threat or could he be my opportunity to shine.

In the late afternoon, Corbin and I were sitting in my room while waiting for Kellie to come back from work. He keeps coming up with some cool and crazy ideas about how I should reveal Boombox to the world.

“How about you crash a news conference, you know, sit yourself down next to someone like the Mayor or Solidstone. Kellie could sneak you in with her press pass.”

“Okay, that’s not bad.” I say as I picture it in my head.

“As you walk in, I could hold up a paper banner... or paper wall and you could burst through it!” Corbin adds excitedly.

I shake my head, “Now that sounds lame.”

Before Corbin can protest, my door opens and my Mum pokes her head in. “Your Kellie is here, are you all staying for tea?”

“No, I have to bail,” says Corbin as he picks up his bag and keys to his companies courier motor cycle.

“Wait, not yet, I need to speak to you!” yells Kellie as she crashes into my room.

“What’s the matter?” I ask as Kellie catches her breath and Mum hovers by the bedroom door.

“I’ve gone and done something and I will need your help, both of your help,” Kellie smiles.

“You’ve finally bought a new car and you need us to burn the old Volkswagen?” asks Corbin, knowing full well what Kellies reaction would be.

“NO!” she yells, “I want you to come with me, to my new apartment!”

Corbin and I look at each other and from the corner of my eye I see my Mums face morph into a worried look, with a hint of sadness.

“What, now?” I ask.

“Yeah, before the sun sets,” says Kellie as she bops up and down on the spot in anticipation.

“You can go dear,” says Mum. “I will put your meal in the oven for when you come back home.” She puts extra emphasis on the word ‘Home’.

“Yeah, let’s go dear,” repeats Corbin in a mocking tone.

“You’re not too old to be kicked out of my house,” my mum half-jokingly replies.

“Sorry Mrs H,” Corbin cautiously mumbles.

A short time after, we are driving in my old Rambler towards the Casino District.

It’s not the most impressive car, or tidy but the Rambler is the best I could afford with my parents money and without having an actual job.

The housing near the casinos’ is relatively modern, small and cheap. But it’s also known to be populated by the types of people who would frequent the casinos too often, like the poor & desperate. During the drive, Kellie talks about how great the apartment is, the view and how close it is to Corbin’s work. I am more concerned right now about water leaking from my radiator and keeping the windows wound down a little to let the exhaust fumes out.

We arrive at the block of units and after struggling to find a parking bay amongst the busy streets we head up to Kellie’s new apartment on the third floor.

Kellie is right, the view from the main living room is a real eye-opener. I’m not sure how she intends to sleep while the bright flashing lights of the Casinos below assault the barely covered windows.

“This is, nice” I say cautiously.

“This is so sweet!” Corbin is as excited as Kellie, scurrying from room to room.

“Its home now,” Kellie smiles wide.

“Where did you find the clink to pay for this?” asks Corbin.

“My father fronted up for the first years rent. He says that it will be ‘character building’, I say he’s finding space for a new pool room.” Kellie places her hand on my shoulder.

“It looks more like he wants you to be independent,” I say and I pace about the room.

“Is that a…,” starts Corbin as the apartment fills with loud clanking and screeching noises, “…a train?” he finishes as the racket fades.

“Yes, we are right next to the train lines. The great part is that the central station is walking distance away,” laughs Kellie.

The Casinos lights, noisy trains, I’m not sure how Kellie is going to take living here but she’s so excited, I’m not going to state the obvious and ruin it for her.

Instead I smile back. “It looks great, a place of your own, man I am so jealous.”

Corbin appears from one of the rooms “The bathroom is facing out to the casinos, you can open the curtains and watch the lights as you do your, um… business.”

“That’s wonderful Corbin, go knock yourself out,” says Kellie as she shakes her head.

Corbin smiles at us as he slowly closes the bathroom door.

Kellie looks at me and speaks quickly. “Now that we have a moment alone, I have to ask you something, something big.”

I was about to ask what it is when another train passes by. As the loud screeching and rattling fades we hear Corbin laughing hysterically from the bathroom.

“I was waving at them!” yells Corbin through a fit of giggling.

I involuntarily snort at the image.

The picture obviously appeared in Kellies head also and she winced accordingly. “Seriously,” exclaims Kellie both as a response to Corbin and to put her conversation back on track, “Oscar, I want you to move in with me!”

Kellie is now staring straight at me with expectant saucer wide eyes. I had thought about moving out of home, what teenager doesn’t? But I’m quite comfortable where I am with no board and no real responsibilities… no annoying trains. Plus, I don’t have a job yet so I would have to borrow money from my parents to make any rent.

“I’m not sure, I mean I have no clink.” I say this despite the concept of moving in with Kellie growing strange and exciting. It’s all so… ‘Adult’.

Kellie smiles. “That’s okay, you will find a job soon enough, come on, I need you. No one else can make the nightmares bearable.”

The nightmare, that constant reminder of being shot haunts Kellie more than she lets on. If she has brought that up now, it’s either a genuine fear or a great way to guilt trip me. I don’t know what my parents will say and I have no idea how I can make this work but I find myself saying, “Since you put it that way, yes.”

Kellie squeals and starts jumping on the spot again. I reach out, take her in my arms and hold her close. This doesn’t stop her jumping though.

The moment is ruined with the sound of the toilet flushing followed by Corbin opening the door and releasing an over exaggerated sigh of relief.

“Come on guys, get a room!” he says as he walks past us towards the main window.

“Guess what!” asks Kellie.

“You are actually conjoined twins?” replies Corbin as he surveys the street below.

“Nope, Oscar is moving in!” Kellie squeaks.

“No,” Corbin retorts sharply.

“Yes,” smiles Kellie.

“No way,” repeats Corbin.

“It’s true” I add as we hear another train approaching.

“You lucky bum,” says Corbin shaking his head. “I thought I would be the one who moved in with a girl first, now it looks like I’m…”

The approaching train cuts of Corbin giving Kellie and I a moment to share a loving glance.

Corbin continues as the din fades, “…Well, now it looks like I will be the token bachelor…”

Once again Corbin is cut off by the train, but this time it’s because of an all new sound. We all hear an incredibly loud crunching noise and the piercing squealing of metal on metal. It’s followed by a series of large rhythmic thumping impacts that shakes the floor and walls of the apartment. Windows rattle and one of the taps in the kitchen suddenly turns itself on.

After only a fraction of relative silence, there is an almighty explosion that shudders the whole building. We all reach out to the nearest wall to keep our balance.

As the shaking passes, we all stumble and run to the window to see flames and billowing smoke from a little further on down the tracks.

“Did the train hit something?” I ask.

“Looks like it!” Corbin races to the door.

I follow him and I hear Kellie shout, “Wait up!”

Looking back I see Kellie fumbling for her camera.

“This better earn me a raise.”

We all run down the stairs and join a growing pool of onlookers as the din of splitting metal and spinning wheels fades. Then theres a rumble of thunder and an echo of distant screaming.

[22 days until Detonation.]