Chapter 19

Beau and Jay exited the tunnels near the spot they had come in. He looked back once while Jay walked ahead to where Angel, E and Rider were waiting for them.

The two mutants tall black cloaked that had led him the way bowed to him. Beau nodded to them.

“Stay out of trouble guys.” He said and turned to walk toward his friends. E was studying him while Rider glared at him.

“What the fuck did you do?” Rider asked.

Beau shrugged. “Did you find the targets?”

True snorted. “We found shit and dick all. Their hide outs were blown the fuck up. It will take us months to dig em out. How the fuck did you do it?”

Again Beau shrugged. “I did what needed to be done. They’re not around so-“

“What the fuck about Vlad’s kids?” Rider demanded. “We weren’t supposed to touch them.”

Beau shook his head. “I didn’t kill anybody. Least of all Vlad’s kids. Your assuming a lot buddy. E your quiet what’s on your mind?”

E stepped forward. “What have you done? Your not a smart man. What’s the game, hero?”

Beau shook his head. “I’m not a hero and there is no plan. I did what needed to be done. Anything else that happens next is up in the air. Follow my lead from on.” He said and turned to Rider.

Rider was frowning at him. “Beau. What’s going on? Did you kill those kids?”

“You know the answer to that question if you know me. If they ask you who did it. Tell them it was me and you tried to stop me but I tricked you and did it on my own. Do you understand?” He said.

Rider shook his head. “I don’t. Why do you want me to lie. I won’t lie. Your a good man. You would never do that. Why are you doing this?” He said.

“Your so stupid.” E said spat out at Rider.

Rider turned and glared at her. “What?!” He said.

“He’s trying to protect you. To keep you safe. All you have to do is-” E said.

“I won’t lie! I know what will happen if I do it. They’ll lock him up or worse. Beau isn’t a murder and I won’t say otherwise for reason and not to protect my own ass.” Rider said.

E looked at Beau. She froze. “They’re coming for you tomorrow aren’t they?” She said.

Beau shook his head. “US. They’re coming for us tomorrow. I thought I might as well give em a reason. After tomorrow night. I don’t know what will happen.”

Rider shook his head. “No. No. That’s not right.”

“It is what it is. They’ll offer you a job. You need to take it and work it until they let me go. Otherwise they’ll kill me.” Beau said.

“Damn you. It’s not going down like this. It’s not supposed to.” Rider said almost to himself.

“So you’ll do it then.” Beau said. “Your a hero. My hero at least. You got to keep us alive. So you have to work with them.” He said.

“Damn it. It wasn’t supposed to go down like this.” Rider said almost in tears.

Angel smiled and looked at Beau snd her smile froze in place. “Beau. You-“

“Your father got a job in Baltimore after the blockade comes down you’ll be moving there.” Beau said. “It’s going to be new start. Remember your promise.” He said.

Angel could only stared at him but she nodded her head slowly. “Yes. I remember my promise.” She said.

Six days later……

Beau watched from the sidelines while Rider and Artemus were offered job offers by the President and generals. “I’m couple days late. But I think it’s going to go down in a few hours.” Beau said.

“What the hell are you going to do Beau?” True Steel asked.

Beau shook his head. “Don’t worry about me True. I’m good.” He said.

“Is this going to be okay? Rider a mean joining them. I don’t trust it. I don’t like it even more with the way they just snubbed you off and ignored you and what you did for them.” True Steel asked him.

Beau glanced at E. She glared at Rider’s profile. “We’re not giving him to them. He’s just on loan. Eventually they cut him loose.” He said.

E finally looked at Beau. “On loan until what? He gets bored of being a hero?” He said.

Beau stared at her. “Until we find a damn a cure for him or before he becomes an issue for them. Until then we’ve got work to do. True.” He said.

“What do you need me to do?” True asked.

“Watch out for him for me. I won’t be around for some time.” Beau said and looked around toward the people getting ready to head out of the city and he nodded to Jay and Freya Newton.

He walked quickly over toward them. Angel sat in the backseat of a van not looking at Beau. He held out his hand to Jay. “I’m going to miss you Brother and your family. Thank you for all you did. I won’t forget it.” He said.

Jay took his hand in a firm shake. “Thank you Mr. Techno. We’re grateful to you for all you’ve done to keep us alive. We won’t ever forget you. Angel. Well she’s still a bit sore about us moving to Baltimore but-“

“Call me Beau. She’ll understand as she gets older.” Beau said. “You got to look out for your best interests and with most of the Blues migrating there you’ll have support and people that look like you watching your back.”

Jay seemed to relax for some reason and let go of his hand. “I couldn’t have said it more. Do you intend on joining the Supers as we move there?” He asked.

Beau shook his head. “No. I got business to finish up here and then I’m retiring from the public life. I’ll leave the heroic work to Rider. He has the face and temperament for it.” He said.

The window to the car opened. Angel looked at him. “Come with us.” She said.

Beau shook his head. “No. It’s time I went a little quiet for a bit and save you some nightmares. I want you to think about going to school and getting a degree in something useful. I’ll be alright.” He said.

Angel shook her head. “No you won’t. Mr. Rider is gone. Doctor E is gone to. Once I’m gone you’ll lose it.” She said.

Beau chuckled. “Maybe. But it’s time we parted for some time. We can’t all be together anymore. I’ll see you.” He said turning away and walking back to E’s office.

“Beau. Beau. Don’t go. It’s-” She said.

“Don’t worry so much.” Beau said and waved her off. He entered the office. It was filled with two squads and E sat at the back drinking a glass of wine.

Beau walked over calmly grabbed his wheelchair and sat down. His legs fell away turning to metal pieces on the floor. He sighed feeling relief after days of pain from walking.

“Fucking shit. That’s better.” He said.

E poured him a glass of wine and tried to hand it to him but his hand shook. She held it and put it to his lips giving him a sip and he nodded his thanks as she took it away.

Beau turned to the major Benjamin. “Major. What’s the fuss about?” He said in a tired voice.

The Major frowned. “If you try to make a weapon we will have to-“

Beau nodded. “I know. I know. No chance of that for a week if ever again. I’m out of energy but it will to keep the pain back. But, please get to the reason your here.”

Major Benjamin grimaced Beau’s arm fell limp at his side. “What’s happening to you? You look like you need a doctor son. Your falling apart.” He said with concern in his voice but he still had his hand on his pistol as he stared at him and E.

Beau shook his head. “I’m not falling apart. This is my normal state. Nothing for you to worry about. My arm is healing slowly.” He said.

“Your being overally dramatic.” E said and then blinked and grimaced. “Damn it.”

The squad frowned drawing their guns. Beau shook his head. “She’s just lost her vision for a bit. Major Benjamin. Please get to the point.” He said.

“We’re here to tie up loss ends. You need to come with us.” Major Benjamin said.

“Alright. We’ll talk about it and answer whatever questions you got to give us. We’re ready to leave afterward to go and do whatever your demand for us to do.” Beau said.

“I’m not going-” E said and then started coughing.

“Be quiet.” Beau told her. “You can’t even see a damn thing in front of your face. They got the guns and we can’t do anything about it and you need help. You can’t go on like this.” Beau said.

“Damn it.” E cursed as her gaze was unfocused and she glared at nothing.

Beau turned to the Major. “We’re ready to turn ourselves in to answer for whatever crimes you said we committed and face the punishments. Just please get us the hell out of here.” He said.