Chapter 16

Beau put his hand to Vlad’s mouth. Vlad stilled and then opened his eyes slowly. Beau stared at him behind his dark blue helmet.

“Why does the government want you dead?” He asked Vlad calmly.

Vlad stared back as Beau removed his gloved hand from his lips.

“They tried to hire me to kill Rider and your lot of goodies. I told them to shove it. I’m guessing they hired you well let’s-“

“Five days from now all my friends die and they take all your kids into the government foster care. Though. Honestly it’s more indoctrination into their private supers army.” He said and stared at Vlad. “Do you understand what I’m telling you.” He asked.

Vlad stared at him. “You have a seer?”

Beau shook his head. “One of my people is. She showed me what’s going to happened if we don’t change it now.” He said.

Vlad stared at Beau. “I’m listening go on.” He said.

“You already knew that. They sent us several targets. In the first timeline, I lost True Steel, Artemus. You died and your oldest son went down with you. They already have supers in their army really strong. One of them burned me. They’re coming in five days to end the blockade and possibly wipe us all out. Can you take on all of them? Do you have the men and weapons? How many of your own men can you trust not to turn on you?” Beau said.

Vlad stared at him. “We are not on the same team. We are enemies. ” He said.

Beau shook his head. “Wrong. We are brothers. We suffered pain and loss. We did our best to hold our people together and protect what we value. But, if I wanted you dead I would have shot you when you do your daily morning Yoga on the roof. I have no wish to kill you or your people. Your not the worse asshole I’ve had to deal with here for the last six months. Your too civilized. You want to believe there is a reasonable way to deal with them. You can’t fight them in this position. You’ll only get your children killed or taken by them. I had to do some thinking about it. I realized something though. A couple of issues are consistent in every timeline. Both of us die. Both of us lose and something else. Don’t you get it, yet?” He said.

Vlad said nothing he just waited. “Why don’t you tell me what I’m missing assshole?” He said.

“They don’t want us. They want the children and my inventions. They want your children. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I lose my people. Everything. You lose your children. Everything important to you. It’s that simple. Divide and conquer. They see what we’re doing as creating a mutant army to fight the government. It’s all bullshit though to hide the simple truth.”

Vlad nodded. “We have power. That power is a threat to them. It’s why I’m negotiating with them if you-“

“I thought about that. Rider wouldn’t go along with it and he’d only end up getting killed by the government he still believes in. Besides that we can’t trust them. They want us dead. It’s simple. The only way to cure them of that belief is to make ourselves appear weaker then we are or avoid a fight with them out right until we’re on equal footing. Your smart. You can figure out a way but you need time, resources. I don’t have money but I do have weapon designs and other inventions I’ve made and skills that come in handy for you to build something to protect your children and people like us from being hunted down like dogs. I can help you but I got a price.” Beau said.

Vlad frowned at him. “What are you asking me to do?” He said.

“Take your children and leave the city. Right now!” Beau said simple. “I’ve seen every way this can go down. There is no way out for me. I can save some of my people but not all from what’s coming. But, I thought of something. You and your children have one way out though. Retreat and find a better position to defend yourself and children. They’re going to get us. There is no way around it. But, your smart if you can get out and find some way to protect the children then they’ll be free at least to have a better future then the both of us. If you make out better then I imagine then look me up if I’m alive. I’m come work for you. Either way Rider and the others are coming to attack you today in the morning.. I’ll leave it to you on how to handle the situation brother.” Beau said.

Beau got up and walked to the door. Vlad got up. His son was at the door and moved aside to let him pass.

Vlad waved Han forward. “What did you tell him?” He asked.

Han shook his head. “Nothing. He told me what happened in possible timelines. He told me what was at stake if we didn’t act fast.” He said.

Vlad began to walk his bedroom floor while his son was quiet. “Were you waiting for him?” He said.

“Yes.” Han said.

Vlad flinched. “Did he know that?”

“No.” Han said.

Vlad stopped and finally looked at his son. “What did you see?” He asked.

Han stared at his father. “They want Jenna for their army the others will be cast aside. They used Mr. Lucas to kill you and I die with you.”

“What happens to Technomancer!” Vlad asked.

Han shook his head. “They use up Mr. Lucas until he dies on a lab table or he goes insane in white padded cell because he couldn’t save any of us in the end. He’s not going to escape what’s coming dad and they want him the most. The Normals are going to break him and kill him. He knows it. He gave me his inventions and plans in a thumb drive though. What do you want to do?” He said.

Vlad held his hand. “Get your siblings ready. We are leaving now. None of what you have seen will take place. None of it. I will not allow it. I’m not giving up on negotiating with U.S. government. Do you hear me?” He said.

Han stared at him. “Dad. It’s over. Their president hates us. She will not stop until we’re all dead dad. I don’t think even Mr. Lucas’ plan is going to work to save us from what’s coming when the most powerful human leader in the world wants to either use us or exterminate us from the face of the earth.” He said.

“Stop it. Go do as I say. Get you siblings ready. We’re leaving hell hole now.” Vlad commanded. “Listen to me. Nothing has happened yet. We will decide our own fates. Go.” He said.