Sub-Heroes: Boombox

Chapter Seven

He’s steam, he’s keenest,

To criminals he is meanest.

He’s the best dog-gone Hero to know,

It’s the Steampunk Skunk Boy Hero Show!

Saturday morning cartoon show theme.

(SPSB Show, 3 seasons)

The TV and the police scanner are both competing for my attention but I have to be patient.

Ha, patient… it’s all I’ve been until this moment.

Pacing about my new apartment like clockwork I fear what Ms Johnston will say if she knew what I have planned. Something stern and angry I’m sure. She will be upset and believe that I’m being reckless. But with all that’s been happening in Monolith City recently, there is no better opportunity than now.

The events of the other night have shone a spotlight straight at the Ultra Heroes in a way I’m sure that they did not want.

Only a few nights ago there was no such thing as a Powered public enemy, talk shows never spoke about Ultra Powered people with concern. The more trashier radio stations had not invented the word ‘villebrity’. The closest thing we had, was a guy that my parents would scare me about called ‘Obsidiman’ but he was no more than an urban legend.

But now we know the full story, the news stations have not stopped talking about a robbery at the Monolith City Art Gallery. A robbery that involved Obsidiman, Killervolt and a few other criminals that was thwarted by Monolith City’s greatest Hero, Solidstone.

Then in an act of revenge, this villainous gang caused the train tragedy that resulted in the deaths of a great many innocent people. It was a m******e, a terrible waste of life. Obsidiman, the criminal that we all thought was fiction, has been brought to justice and killed by Solidstone but not without great cost. Solidstone lost an eye and a chance to also take down Killervolt.

So this new madman is on the loose, Killervolt has brought out all of Monolith City to track him down, from the Powered Heroes to the Postmen. I figure that there is truly no better time than now for me to step up and join them.

It’s been dark outside now for a while, save a few street lights and passing cars when suddenly the police scanner screeches the name I have been listening for. I phone Kellie who’s working late and let her know the good news, then I quickly run down the stairs in a plain white t-shirt and jeans.

I could have flown straight out the window from the 3rd floor but I’d be easily spotted, Ms Johnston has warned me about keeping my private life separate from my alter ego. The last thing I would ever want to do is bring any undue attention to my family and friends.

I jump into my car, my rust riddled old Rambler that’s innocuous enough to drive me away from my apartment building unnoticed before I can take to the sky.

After a short while driving in the direction of the police sighting I pull into an empty car park, step out of the car, grab my brass shield and silver steel sword hilt from the back seat, my yellow face mask is tied to the sword hilt. I nervously balance them on the Ramblers roof while I open the trunk to retrieve my suit.

Its takes all I have not to shout an expletive into the cold night, the trunk opens but my new costume is not there, I’ve left it back at the apartment.

Not too far away I hear a strange single thump followed by a bright purple flash of light from a tall building only a few blocks away.

That must be him, he’s gone and done something else!

I go back and rummage through the car, looking for anything that could pass as a costume. Kicked under the passenger seat is an old school bag and I shake my head as I open it to see my red and blue tracksuit. This is the costume I used to wear when I snuck out for late night flights. Kellie is going to be so disappointed, but it will have to do. I may not have another chance to find Killervolt so I cant waste any time.

After a quick stumbling change of clothes I straighten my yellow face mask in the Ramblers side mirror and check over the rest of my dodgy red and blue tracksuit. Awkwardly, I shove my heavy mobile phone onto the tracksuits pants pocket. I wish I’d remembered the yellow costume, regardless I take to the sky and then fly straight upward.

I have that wonderful sense of vertigo as the ground rapidly falls away and while still ‘standing’ upright, I swoop in the direction of the damaged tall building. Its top floors now engulfed in a strange purple and yellow fire.

I must be just in time, I can see a dark blur with a tinge of purple moving quickly through the alleyways fleeing from the building. That’s him, it has to be. No normal person could run that fast and any genuine Ultra Hero would be running towards the chaos.

While silently following him from the sky I quickly call Kellie on my portable phone to let her know where I am.

She says that she is not far away, she had started of towards the burning building thinking thats where Killervolt might turn up. Kellie asks me to be careful, boy I love her, of course I’ll be careful.

“As careful as a surgeon,” I say into the phone as the wind rushes past me, “I will cut this cancer out of my city.” She loves it when I talk ‘Hero’ to her. I place the brick sized phone uncomfortably back into my pocket when suddenly, my prey stops running.

Now he’s standing in an alley, I don’t know whether he has seen me but he is looking back towards where he came from. I understand it now, a typical criminal surveying his handy work. This is my opportunity, my moment of glory. I hope that there is enough room on the front page for my name.

With my heart racing at a rapid pace, I gently lower myself behind the dark dressed man. “Stop in the name of the law!”

I am surprised that he does not try to run away, instead he turns casually and looks up to see me. Yes it’s the madman, he looks exactly how the papers and news reports had described him. Killervolt is a pale, tallish man, wearing a deep black coat and holding a weird metal and glass looking gun. His strange industrial looking goggles are putting out a disturbing purple glow as he stares curiously at me.

I have to keep my nerve, unlike the only bully I had faced up until now, this is the real deal a stone-cold killer.

“You are coming with me Killervolt, your murdering days are over!” I shout to reinforce my authority. I talk with a little extra bass, It’s harmless but gives my voice a deep vibrato tone to it. My unusual and loud voice gains the attention of neighbouring apartments as their lights switch on and faces appear at windows. Any time now they will be grabbing their cameras, I hope that there is enough light in this alley for a good picture.

“Exactly how do you intend to stop me?” Killervolt responds in a raspy voice as he smiles confidently, at least it looks like a smile, why is he smiling?

He continues “You don’t look like the Heroic type to me?”

“I am Boombox!” I say, putting even more bass into the name, “And I will stop you like THIS!” I need to be quick, Killervolt is known to shoot first not hang about to ask questions.

Quickly, I raise my shield and deep within me I make a sound, a deep thumping bass note that resonates from my chest, through my arm and is finally amplified and focused by the metal shield. By the time the sound wave hits Killervolt, it’s with the force of an invisible truck.

For a moment the dark alleyway is shrouded in dust and rubbish but shortly after the debris settles I see something I was not expecting, Killervolt and he’s still standing.

I have played my first card and now I have to be ready with the next. I grab the sword hilt from my belt and through a barely audible hum, I resonate a near invisible sword that’s lighter than air and sharper than broken glass. I swoop towards him with my sword pointing at his chest. I don’t want to kill him, a flesh wound will be enough to show this villebrity that I have the upper hand.

But Killervolt reacts much faster than I could have anticipated and in the blink of an eye, he side steps away from me with my sword cutting nothing but air. I spin and turn in the sky, shocked that he is completely unharmed.

The wind picks up, Killervolts black coat whips about behind him. Theres a hint of distant rain in the air, a dull shimmer of lightning behind the heavy clouds that hide the stars. Before it can thunder I ready myself for another dive when something bright and purple flashes from the barrel of his gun that burns and blinds me. I’m vaguely aware of a falling sensation, then a thump and a bruising pain to my back.

Finally there’s darkness and nothing more.

Images of my past and of my friends swirl about in my mind.

“You have something, something unique. Don’t go and be like any old Ultra Hero, be Unique!” Some of the many wise words from Ms Johnston.

“You know, I kind of like the mask.” Kellies smiling face looking up at me. I hope she is okay, did she find me, and did she take any footage or photos?

“He still looks stoned and why was he dressed like a clown?” Corbin, my best friend since high school, but I don’t remember him ever saying that.

I slowly open my eyes and the world around me now is far brighter than the alleyway I remember.

“Where am I?” I croak.

A familiar, yet overly dramatic voice shouts, “He’s alive… Alive!”

I’m not exactly sure where I am, but I recognise the voice and I know that I must be safe.

“Very funny Corbin,” I reply.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, well Monolith Central Hospital at least. You took a bit of a fall and you’ve been unco’ for about an hour,” Corbin says, back in his regular voice.

Then he whispers, “’Boombox’ made the news, can we call you a Hero now?”

“Perhaps soon, but not quite yet,” its another young man’s voice followed by the sound of metallic clicking and a faint hissing noise.

“Who…?” I start to ask.

“You have had a few people wanting to talk to you,” says Corbin. “Kellie is keeping the reporters jealous by telling them that she has the exclusive but I was not going to say ‘No’ to this guy.”

My eyes focus on Corbin and his huge Cheshire smile. Then they find something shiny behind him.

“Let me introduce myself, I’m Steampunk Skunk Boy,” says the new voice. “We will have plenty of time for formalities later but right now I need you to tell me which direction Killervolt was heading in?”

Theres a crash of nearby thunder that fails to distract me. Thats Steampunk! I cannot believe that a real Ultra Hero is actually here talking to me… like I am one of them!

Steampunk Skunk Boy, the comic clown of the Ultra Heroes here in Monolith City stands at my bedside with his heavy brass metal suit and gas actuated gloves while small puffs of steam escape from various pipes across his chest plate.

I’m speaking too fast, but I can’t help myself, “He was going south, towards the older part of town… Sir.”

“Thank you citizen,” announces Steampunk, “Keep that information to yourself now. The first thing a Hero needs to learn is how to keep a secret, okay? I will pass the information on for you.”

“Are you going to follow him, catch him?” I ask shakily and disappointed that it’s not me doing the catching.

“Not quite,” the Hero replies, “A smart Hero, can draw his prey back to him.” Steampunk lowers his cold brass hand and it chills my shoulder.

“Keep up the good work Hero.” He turns with a click, a hiss of steam and leaves the room.

“Can you believe that!” exclaims Corbin, “That was Steampunk!”

“It was!” I say excitedly and I start singing his cartoon theme song, “He’s steam, he’s keenest!”

Corbin joins in, “You’re in man, talking to Heroes and all, You are so in!”

“Being ‘in’ is not as worthy as keeping true to yourself and your friends… now is it?” A new but very familiar voice, it’s the one voice I had been dreading.

“I’m sorry Ms Johnston but I had to take the chance didn’t I?” I ask.

“Perhaps,” Ms Johnston says surprisingly from a darker corner of the room. “I suppose your abilities were going to come out eventually. Steampunk was able to keep your Boombox identity a secret from the hospital staff and the general public. At least you are one step closer to becoming the Hero you’ve always wanted to be.”

Corbin looks to be as surprised as I am at Ms Johnston’s admission and he shoots another smile at me.

I know that I‘m safe but I am no real Hero yet. Not until I do something worthwhile, was my attempt to capture Killervolt enough?

[17 days untill Detonation.]