the avenging angel

8/14/2019 The Avenging Angel

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premonition! stares off into nowhere$ 5haking his hea to clear the cobwebs! he continues on towar his cubicle to

finish an overue story$

5ettling into his chair an facing the console that sat humming silently an awaiting more input! he thought (whatelse can % put into this story before turning it in for appraisal$ The ba guy&s out of action an #ustice prevails once

more$ )hat more coul there be,( 5uenly! he hits upon an iea that woul! he hopes! spur an interest in the

reaer to want to rea the ne"t issue of his story$

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(Core/( 7halor shoute in his mike$

()hat is it, Di you fin something,(

(Come here! uick/(

Core was the uiet! analytical! thinker while 7halor happene to be the e"citable one which at this very moment is

banging the arm rest as if that woul spee up Core&s actions to come where he sat$ (Come on$( 0e raspe$

(All right$ )hat is it this time$( 7halor is oubtful there is anything new this time aroun$ %t&s been like this for

nearly a ecae which was the last time they thought a likely caniate was foun but wasn&t$ They been scoutingthis little blue planet with little success at fining a goo caniate for their assigne pro#ect$

(% think this is the one$ % really o/(

(8ive me the status on him$( Core says$

(The iniviual is a male of 34 cycles! is what the 9arthy&s call Caucasian$ 0e resies #ust outsie the ma#or targetarea but works within it$ 0e&s a bit over five of their measures$ No siblings or parents survive the last planet uake

ten cycles ago$ 0e is what they call a fantasy writer$ 0is stories are of beings like themselves who possess

increible powers$ The most outstaning an ualifying characteristic ''he possesses a esire to ri his planet of the

in#ustice that pervaes to its very core even though he is incapable of oing anything$(

()hy is that,( Core asks$

(0e is somewhat of a timi man who is wishes he were ifferent$(

(Accoring to many of the citi:ens own there! they woul call him a &softy& an a &visionary& because of his kin

heart$ Many of these people feel that anyone who still believes in #ustice for all is consiere an iealist an a fool$

0is believes in a being calle 8o! a traition among a sporaic few lately$ As a result! this causes him to feel thatthe criminal have no rights once they break their universal coe of conuct! but shoul pay for their criminal activity

instea of going free unpunishe$ 0e believes in an &eye for an eye! an a tooth for a tooth& philosophy$(

(A real wannabe hero of his kin! it looks like$( Core says$ ()ell! it&s the best we&ve come across in ecaes sinceour arrival an we can&t spen any more time looking for another$ 0eauarters #ust flashe us about returning to

base in the ne"t cycle turn'aroun! so let&s o it$ %&ll contact 0; an give them the runown to see if we might be

allowe more time to stay! consiering the present situation$(

(All right/ %&ll get preparations unerway for translation$( )hirling about in his seat! 7halor gives up a whoop of

elight$ (Man! oh man$ Are we going to have fun with this worl/( 0e grins! #umps about in his seat! an starts

making an unusual soun he picke up from these 9arth&s$

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.ff in a private compartment of the ship! there is a heate conversation$

($$$I repeat! after translation you will not remain more than one of their weekly cycles$ %s that clear! 5coutmaster,(

Councilman Maneer state from the comfort of his private chamber&s comm station$ Core began to look away anbore by having to hear this same speech the Councilman have been giving for the past few assignments hane out$

()e may have alreay use more resources an time than we shoul have on this secret pro#ect$ Remember! their

worl is primitive! they have been surroune by misguie fools since their technology abruptly began after their

an switching to the worl network newschannel! he watches as another criminal is release from court from a lack of evience$ )ith a eep sigh of grief

an resignation! he shakes his hea an thinks! ()ill #ustice everprevail,(

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At this very moment! high up in orbit irectly above John Davison&s home! there is an air of e"citement permeatingthroughout the ship$

(All systems are go!( says 7halor e"citely$

(% rea you$( Replie Core$ (Ten sectars from$$$my$$$ mark$(


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As the counter ticks off the numbers! even Core is overwhelme with e"pectation as he awaits the transformation to

take place own below$ >iewing this event on the long rang viewer! the man name John Davison is unaware of

what is to come$ (5tay put fella! on&t move off from that lounger$ Just a few more sectars$(

5oon the ship&s tractor beam :ooms own below gripping the human sub#ect$ .utsie the range of human range to

see! a beam focuses on John as he is fro:en in his seat looking for all the worl like a scare rabbit trappe in a tight

spot by a hunting og$ 0e shouts! ()hat&s$$$ hap$$$pen$$$ing$$$ to$$$ me,( As each wor an syllable is uttere! the

intensity of his wors change from a high tenor to a soli baritone! but noboy hears him because the neighborshave not yet come home! for it was only


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concentration at the stranger&s facial features! the mirror starts to change$ %t&s form begins to bulge from where the

eyes woul have been an flares outwar like ripples in water with hot sinks of liuefie glass$ 5tumbling

backwars aghast! he notices the mirror halting its meltown action an begins its cooling process$ (This has got to

be$$$( he breaks off in mi'sentence as he hears the voice that is not his own! but a stranger&s! speak from his ownmouth$

As he woners about all this he turns to the soun of static$ )ith the look of surprise! he sees what appears to be a

3' monitor isplay hanging in mi'air at the center of his living room$ )hile investigating up close! there is anabrupt change in freuency as if someone was #ust tuning into a raio station when a very strange man appears on its

surface$ ()hat the$$$(

(Don&t be alarme$ My name is 5coutmaster Core$ -ou must be wonering about a lot of things right now an how% am able to talk to you this way$ %t woul be a little ifficult to o in length at this time! in this way! so % woul very

much like to speak with you face to face ''but only if you are willing to$(

(?h$$$ sure! % on&t min$( John replie$ %nsie he was thinking! &as if % ha a choice in the matter$&

Abruptly the transmission ens an instantly the man on the 3' isplay appears besie him resse in what looke

like a two'piece maroon colore spane" outfit holing a container$ (8reetings John Davison$ %t&s a pleasure to

meet you$(

(0ow$$$ how o you know me,( he inuire$

()e! my scout partner an %! have been watching your worl for over three ecaes searching for a suitablecaniate such as yourself$(

(Caniate, Caniate for what,( 0e implore suspiciously$

()hy$$$ to bring #ustice an orer back into this worl of yours$( 0e politely states$

(5o you&re responsible for this transformation of mine/( he sai pointing an accusing finger at this stranger$

(-es! we are$ % am sorry that it ha to happen this way! but ha we aske you! you may not have accepte our offer

an we o not have much time left for us to seek out another possible caniate$ No one! an % repeat no one! mustknow about us or how you have become as you are$ 2or you see John Davison! % am not from your worl$(

&.h great! #ust what he neee$ A confrontation with aliens after being change by them$& 0e muses silently! but out

lou he says! (Aren&t you afrai % might blab it all over town after you go,(

Amuse! Core continue$ (That woul not be in your best interest$ %f you &blabbe& or if anyone foun out! therewoul be groups who woul more than likely want to put you uner the blae an uner a microscope to etermine

how you came about or the power you now have$(

(-ou mean my being able to mess up my mirror,( John intone as he pointe over to the one on the wall in thehallway with istorte roun pockmarks$

(.h! much more than heat rays$ Much more inee$( Core e"plaine$ (-ou have been enowe with power thatrivals this comic book hero in this here ocument$( 0aning him the latest copy of a local super hero maga:ine$

(-ou have gotto be kiing!( John says$

(No$$$ % am not$ %n our observation of your worl! we have etermine that crime an in#ustice outweigh the goo$)hat is in your heart was foun to be greater than what was in the hearts of many ''the esire to place your life on

the line for a total stranger$ %t appears that most of your fellow citi:ens are not willing to o so! not even to

challenge the forces of evil an fight the in#ustice of the worl$ -ou are rare$(


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(%s that why you chose me to be similar to these fictitious characters,( he aske$

()ith all the fantasy literature this worl ha prouce! none has come close to what one of these characters are

like$ -our worl nees a savior to help it along an to be its banner over crime$ )hat better figure than one like thischaracter here$ 7ointing at a figure resse in re an blue$ After all! your people ache to have real heroes

welling amongst you to o for them what they are afrai to o themselves$ They are inifferent! yet wish for

something or someone to o it$ 5o! we ecie to give what this planet so much esire! an with our technology

combine with your esire to help! we chose to give you a make'over in lieu of your new line of work$(

After moments of eep thought in an attempt to comprehen it all! he says! (.$$$kay! % accept$( says John$ (Just

what kin of power an capabilities o % have,(

%mpresse with his ability to a#ust to e"treme circumstances! he sits own besie him on the couch$ (To start off

with! we mae it possible for you to have nearly the same capabilities as this character is escribe as having$ -ou

will be able to efy the forces of gravity at will$$$B

(-ou mean % will be able to fly,(

(Ah$$$ yes$(

(Kewl/( John e"claims$ (%&ve always wante to o that$(

(May % continue without interruption,( 5ouning off with parental e"asperation$ )ith a no of meekness from

John he continues$ (Thank you$ -ou have notice that heat beams come from your eyes$ -ou will! in time! be ableto focus them to be of any intensity you wish creating a sort of laser with them$ )ith your new transforme boy!

you will be nearly impervious to nearly all known weapons an viruses your civili:ation is capable of creating$

There is a small percentage that you are capable of being estroye if you are not careful but it not worth

mentioning$ -ou will more than likely ie of e"treme ol age than of anything$(

(-ou have the following capabilities able to fly at great velocities heat vision! acute hearing capable of free:ing

items with your breath! since your lungs are stronger than a normal person&s! thereby creating lower air currents an

you are also able to hol your breath for an e"tene time perio$ -our strength is so great! you may be able topulveri:e steel with your bare hans! but that is not certain$ -our power is generate by igestion of foo an rink

as well as absorption from the magnetic influ" create by all celestial boies$ -our uniue physiology preventsetection by any surveillance evices you people are capable of evising as you travel since the material neee for

the components are not of this worl but from afar$(

)ithout waiting for an in#ecte comment uring his pause for breath! Core continues$ (2or your further

enhancement an eucation! there is a monitor in orbit surrouning the lunar satellite of this planet which is to be

statione on its ark sie$ %t is protecte by massive eflectors E screens an has evasive thrusters to avoianything approaching it e"cept for you$ %t will automatically etect your presence via a evice in this container$

.nly when you are within the lunar&s ark :one will it acknowlege your presence an let you boar$ %nsie! you

will fin technology your kin have only reamt about ever e"isting artificial intelligence an a physical

re#uvenator shoul you ever nee it$ All these precautions are in force so as not to be notice by this planet&stechnology$ %f you ie without an heir! the monitor will imploe within ays$ That heir will inherit like capabilities

you now possess$ %f you so esire! you may share some of this knowlege with only those men science you fin

trustworthy$(

As Core e"plains all this! he stoppe talking abruptly an looks him suarely in the eyes an says! (Do not think this

new life you have will be one of fun an glory$ %t will not$ -ou may have cycles of unening work$ 5ince your

people have alreay been inoctrinate by these types of fictional characters! you may be accepte rather uickly!

epening on how you hanle yourself$ %t&s all up to you$ This is a most grave an honore responsibility you aregiven$ ?se it wisely$(

()ell!( John says! (Now that we have this settle! o % stay here or will % have to relocate,(


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%n answer to that uery! Core replies! (That&s really up to you$ +ut! you woul be better off being near where you

woul be able to maintain your ouble ientity as a free'lance writer you have always wante to be! an also by the

constant coming an goings be unetecte$ % know of the perfect place$ %t is presently unuse an reay for

occupancy$ %f you wish we may check it out right now$(

(That souns interesting$ -es! lets o that$( John answers with enthusiasm$

Core reaches own to his belt! presses a bubble button an they are instantly transporte there in less than a blink ofthe eye$ As they materiali:e! John asks in somewhat shock! (Just what o you call what #ust happene,(

(That, .h$ )ell! we call it (matter transference( with the ai of this evice$ %t works in connection with the scout

ship$( Changing the sub#ect! he says! ()hat o you think of this place, There&s plenty of room for whatever youwish to o with it$(

%nee there was$ 7art of it was below groun with connecting passageways to various parts of the city$ .ne level

below the first floor! there was a whole floor structure for use as a secret lab$ As they came off the elevator anentere the room! lights came on automatically sensing the presence of life$ There was some source of lighting he

knew nothing of which illuminate the whole room! ispelling all shaows$ +efore them! there spanne electronic

evices an computers of all types arrange in a semi'circular fashion that woul ai him in his uty to protect an

meet out #ustice$ There was a chemical lab off to one sie for analysis if the computers were unable to meet the

nees as reuire$ (-ou ha everything in orer before % was selecte! in&t you,( Core noe in amission$(Thank you$ % won&t isappoint you or let my people own$(

To that confession! he only noe approval! then le the way back to the first floor$

%t was ama:ing how the elevator was ingeniously hien in the stuy$ .n one sie of the room hung a full length

mirror which was hinge on its sie an was opene only by pressing a recesse button behin the framework which

allowe entrance to the elevator$ John&s han ha to be place in a preetermine place to activate the oor panelwhich woul in response to his touch issolve into thin air$ After activating the panel once more to show him where

to place his han! Core backe off an ha John initiali:e it with his own$

After the initiali:ation was finishe! Core sai that if the right person i not place their han on the wall socket! itwoul remain looking as any of the other walls in the room to the unsuspecting$ As the elevator oor re'soliifie!

the mirror woul then swing back into position$ +efore the oor woul &open& while coming up from below! themirror woul automatically swing open an the oor panel woul issolve allowing passage out$ ?pon saying this!

he sai! ()e must now return to your former home$ Come$(

After another hour of instructions in the use his new capabilities an the varie evices in the container Core

brought$ (Now$( 0e sai as he became somewhat #ovial$ ()e have esigne an outfit that woul be appropriate for

you to appear in public$( )ith thus sai! he opene the container that was kept close to his sie by pressing a secretpanel$ The top issolve creating an opening isclosing the contents insie$ There were! he notice! neatly fole

items of clothing an several interesting evices$ Removing the outfit! he hane it to John$ (-our costume brave

hero!( he sai with a grin$

(% shoul have known!( John sai without a bit of surprise etecte in his voice$ *ooking at the blue outfit! he was

skeptical of being taken seriously! saying as much$

(DonFt be such a pessimist$ )hy on&t you try it on an see how it looks$( Core prompte$

After several minutes! John walks out rather embarrasse$ ()ell! well$ Aren&t you a fine specimen of your kin/(

Core e"claime with more of his humor but also with a touch of amiration$

%n truth! John was truly an increible sight$ Muscles were bulging in all the right places! but were not in any way

grotesue as some boybuilers might look$ 0e was the epitome of what a human ought to look like in their finest

hour$ 0is cape came own to aroun the back of his knees! overlapping the boots he wore$ This boy suit was atwo'piece unit an of thin! self'sealing material that stretche over the whole surface once it was put on$ %t was an


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intense blue that seeme to reach out an grab you$ The form fitting boots! the letter across the chest! an the cape

were a ark navy blue$ The cape! when hooke on aroun the neck an shoulers woul mel to its mountings that

were within the fabric of the main boy suit an coul be remove only by a certain combination of touches so as

not to be lost in flight$

(%s this outfit truly necessary,( John asks$

(-es$( Core replies$ (The blue combination is symbolic as well as practical$ The blue is for &the sky&s the limit& toone&s reams! an the ual color tones signify your e"periences through goo times an the ba$ 2or that which is

worth fighting for is not always easily attaine$ The color will also make it more ifficult for someone to notice you

coming$ -ou may be wonering what the &A& is for$ John nos to that inuiry$ (%t will be for &Avenging Angel&$ -our

fellow beings are obsesse with flying creatures! an this &angel& fa is the strongest of them all$(

9"plaining the ieals he must always uphol while ealing with criminal activity! Core woun it all up by giving his

farewell to the Avenging Angel$

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+ack aboar the scout ship! Core looke totally enthralle at 7halor$ (.ur #ob is complete once the monitor is inplace$( 0e sai$

(That may be a problem$( 7halor mischievously sai$

(An why is that,(

()ell you see! while you were tutoring our frien own there! Councilman Maneer flashe us a uick message$$$ toreturn at once$ %t appears the other Council members have ecie to relocate him ''to$$$! to$$$!(

()ell$$$ to where,( Core emane$

(To the outer ring worl where the center of attention seems to be these ays$ 0e aske that you hurry as fast as you

can to help in this unusual situation$ 5o % took it upon myself to activate the monitor in &5lash A& as you mentionebefore leaving planet sie so that we coul start out immeiately upon your arrival onboar$ Core! why you of all

people! oes Councilman Maneer asks for, -ou are #ust another 5coutmaster like myself$$$ aren&t you, % mean!we&ve been through alot together in many missions$ )hy you,(

Core slowly sits ne"t to his longtime frien without saying a wor$ After a moment of e"treme silence an

iscomfort an looking own at his hans! he looks up an says! (0e&s my father! 7halor$(

5urprise an bewilerment crosses 7halor&s face$ ()hat o you mean! he&s your father$ -our parents are both ea

an that&s why you an % were raise in the Chilren&s )ar$ )e were selecte an traine to o this type of work!

&to search out other life forms& an if they are capable of integration into the collective community! we bring backthis news to the council members$( 5aly! Core shakes his hea saly then began to tell him the whole! unilute

truth! this time$

2or all intents an purposes! Core&s family was estroye uring an acciental tour to the outer ring society$ +ut inreality! the ay his father was offere the position of chancellor to the then Master Councilor Jor! Core&s mother

isapprove an left him the baby without notice or saying goo'bye$ No one knew she ha #ust given birth to Core

e"cept the +irthing Ai! so when the shuttle boat e"ploe prior to ocking with the outer ring! Maneer ecie that

it woul be better if Core i not stay with him without a mother$ Maneer felt that to be brought up in a home of acouncil member without the tener love of a mother to raise him! he woul unforgivable$ 0e woul be chastise

an harasse beyon tolerances as he grew up! so Core was place in the Chilren&s )ar where other chilren who

i not have parents woul treat him more kinly$


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As the years progresse! Maneer kept his eye on the young man an was constantly manipulating situations that

woul lea him to where he was now 5pace 9"ploration! Recon an 5pecial 7ro#ects ''or 5coutmaster! if you

please$

(+ut! when i you fin out about your true ientity! Core,( intone 7halor$

(%t was uring the *ast Cycle switch over$( 0e sai$ (% was #ust returning from a harrowing mission ahea of

scheule! it was the one you were kept from going on because it a very secret an sensitive one! remember, )ell!Maneer was in a link'up conference session with 0anger +ay Aministrator! Tulok$ +efore they were finishe! %

ha reache the holing room outsie his portal an overhear part of the conversation$( 0earing this! 7halor was

shocke to hear Core woul have been so bol to o such a thing as eavesrop on his superiors! but Core ignore his

frien&s e"pression$ (Tulok thought no one was scheule to arrive any time soon! so he left it open$ )hat was oneto o! preten one wasn&t talking about them behin their back, Anyhow! my father was saying to him that the

mission he sent me on was too angerous for the likes of his son! me! an that Tulok woul be reprimane for

placing me in harmFs way$ 2rom then on! % starte to piece together the reason my life took the course it i an

reali:e it was Councilman Maneer who was behin it all along$(

()hat i you o then! Core,(

(% in&t o anything about it$$$ immeiately that is$ %t was after a uarter cycle that % approache him about my

origins$(

(Di he eny it,(

(.f course$ )ouln&t you/( Core sai$ (+ut! when % relentlessly pointe out all the events that shape my career

that only he coul have one! he surrenere an began telling the truth$(

(%t mustn&t be easy knowing your true ientity when everything you&ve come to know was a lie! % suppose$( 7halorsai trying to console his frien$

()e have a long way to go! him an %! before we are close$ Noboy else must ever fin out % am his son! o you

hear,( 0e sai fiercely grabbing his frien&s shoulers tightly$

(.w/ 0ey! let go$ +ut why not,(

(+ecause there are those in position that woul not hesitate to use this secret against him! an if it were mae public!coul ruin his reputation an staning in the council chamber$ 0eFs too goo at what he oes to let something like

this ruin his career! thatFs why$(

(.h$ That must be why he was summoning you in such the way he i$( 7halor state e"pectely$

()e shall see$( Abruptly switching from a somber moo to one of business! he aske$ (0as the monitor respone

to your verification coe,(

(-es$(

(Then let&s return to 0; an see what we shall see! whether it be for the goo or the ba$( Core sai in a eapanvoice$

Moments later! with a streak an a brief flash! the scout ship hurtle through space as the trans'warp engines

operate at ma"imum spee leaving the tiny blue planet to itself an their new savior$

Chapter 3


10/28

As the e"citement an the thrill of flight was sinking into John&s being! he reali:e that this was not #ust a game or

#oy rie! but was a great privilege an responsibility that Core people ha bestowe upon him$

+reaking out of his reverie! he hear gun shots own in the streets below$ %mmeiately he ives to the scene$ %n a

blue streak he lans between the gunmen an a group of bystaners who were cowering in fear of the being hit by

the bullets being splaye in all irections$ The gunmen pause briefly at this person who suenly ive own an

stoo in their path of flying bullets intene for the passerby&s$

5taring with isbelief an shock! they recover$ ?sing the remaining amount of ammo! they attempte to rile him

with bullets$ 0oling his cape out wie so as to eflect an catch any stray bullets that coul have gone aroun him

to the onlookers! he #ust shook his hea in a reprimaning fashion that coul&ve been comical in any othercircumstance$ After they emptie their weapons! he lowere his cape$ The soun of falling of impacte lea bullets

coul be hear over the stillness of the crow$

(That was nota goo iea! gentlemen!( he sai casually$ (Attempte murer will not go well for you$( After theshock wore away! some trie to run from this blue cla stranger! while some were tripping over each other trying to

escape this woner of woners$ )ithin secons they were roune up by a swirling blur of blue$

Moments later! the cops were on the scene wonering how these men happene to be all tie up$ As they were being

lea to the sua cars! they were rambling on an on about a flying man$ 5ome of the by'staners were also tryingto e"plain through hysteria that a man in blue tights an a cape ha save them from a massacre these men woul

surely have one$ %t was too increible for the cops to believe when they hear this$ &5urely these people are in

shock an in nee of meical attention!& thought the officer in charge$ %nstea of protesting! they pointe to the skyto where the man in blue went$ 5couring the sky! he was nowhere to be seen$

Meanwhile! the Avenging Angel was busy inspecting his suit several miles up in the sky! irectly above the incient

that #ust took place$ (Not a scratch on me$( 0e sai increulously$ (Incredible! )ith all those bullets bla:ing atme! one woul think there& be at least a few nicks or scratches! but nothing/ %t looks as if that small force fiel

emanating from this suit&s material actually works$( )ith that sai! he ove own to a new emergency he etecte 4

miles away from the first site$

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The bla:e in the retirement home was too intense$ As the local firefighters trie in vain to e"tinguish it! they all feltit was a lost cause$ )hile the fire chief was e"plaining a few options to one of his firemen as to how they might

e"tinguish this hellfire! an attenee was calling out to one of her charges with the hopes of fining her$ 2rantically

she kept calling her name$ (*ouise! Louise!( but with no reply$

(5haron! *ouise in&t come out with the rest of us$ Maybe she is in another group$( An ol weathere patron sai

as she hobble up to her$

(What,/ 5he in&t come out with you, Then where coul she be, %&ve alreay checke the other groups an she&snot among them$( 5haron couln&t believe her ears$ &Not sweet! ear *ouise$ .h ear 8o! not *ouise$& 5he was a

close frien of hers since coming to work for the retirement home @ years ago an she was the closest thing one

coul call family$ 8etting frantic! she panics$ )ithout thinking! she sprints towars the entrance an shoutingthrough sobs to any of the firemen close by! she pleas for help$ (7lease! someboy help me! *ouise is still insie/Don't let her die!(

%mmeiately! the fire chief is in motion$ Running to her sie he halts her progression towars the burning builing

an asks what she is talking about$ %n reply he says! (Ma&am! noboy can go in there$ %t&s #ust toohoteven with oursuits$ Noboy coul survive that inferno$(

(+ut you haveto sen someboy in! she&s my frien$( 5he crie$


11/28

(%&m sorry! but$$$( 5uenly! they are knocke own with a whoosh of air$ ()hat$$$ was$$$ that,( the chief wonere

after seeing what he thought was a faint blue form racing towars the builing seventy five feet away$

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5earching the area with his enhance vision! John scours the area of the comple"$ 5uenly! the ceiling in the mainlobby begins to creak an give way! but he oesn&t care$ 0e nees to fin the woman *ouise before it&s too late$

0earing a moan in the irection of the kitchen! he fins there a small figure of a woman lying partially in the walk'in

free:er$ ;uickly! he rushes to her sie taking the most irect route possible! through tables which are in his path

which are bolte to the floor$ 2lipping them asie as if they were match sticks! he reaches her tiny frame in a briefmoment an checks her vital signs$ (8reat/ 5heFs still ok!( he murmurs an giving a sigh of relief$ (%t&s not your

time to ie! ol woman!( he uietly says$

Thinking she hear someone&s voice! *ouise opens her eyes$ As she briefly looks upon her rescuer! she faints from ashocking sight$ 5he saw not a fireman in rescue gear but a man in tights with nothing else e"cept a look of concern

for her$ 5eeing that she will survive! he rushes out moments before the ceiling collapses completely throughout the

first floor in the builing$

6 6 6 6 6

(Chief! who or whatis that coming out,( the chief&s most seasone fighter aske in ama:ement$

()hatever it is! Jake! it can&t be human! that&s for sure$ No man coul go in that mess an come out alive$(

()ell! whatever it is! it&s coming this way$ Look/ 0e has something$ )hy$$$ it&s the ol woman!( Jake sai

flabbergaste! as John emerge with *ouise in his arms an wrappe in his cape$ As he is walking away from the

builing! everyone not fighting the flames stan an stare at the sight before them ''a tall costume man with a

besmuge face$

%nstea of gaping at the stranger like Jake was! Anthony .&Tool! Chief of fire station 1G meets the stranger at theambulance$ (The only thing % can etect with her is e"treme smoke inhalation$ 5he was protecte mostly by being

halfway in the walk'in free:er when % foun her$ That must&ve been what kept her alive until % reache her!( he saito the attenee who was himself overwhelme by being this close to him$

Chief .&Tool gathere up what remaine of his failing courage then spoke to this tall stranger$ (%$$$ % woul like to

thank you for$$$ for helping us here$( 0e stammere unconsciously for the first time in his life$ (Di$$$ i you seeanyone else insie,(

(No! % in&t$ %t was #ust this woman! *ouise! here$(

(0ow i youknow here name was *ouise,

(% hear that woman over there crying out for her before % got here$( the stranger replie$

(+ut$$$ that's impossible/( Chief .&Tool eclare$

(5ir! nothing is impossible!( of which he flew up an out of sight$

(Chief! hey Chief$(

(0uh$$$ what! Jake, )hat i you say,( he sai in confusion as he was trying to see where this fellow ha flown offto$


12/28

()ho was that guy,( Jake inuire of his boss$

(% on&t know! Jake$( )hile trying to reason it out! he sai$ (-ou saw him! in&t you$ 0e walke out of thoseflames unamage! then he flew away$ % mean he actually flew/ +ut$$$ that's impossible! isn&t it! Jake,(

(% on&t know what % saw! but % o know one thing$ 0e&s a 8osen! that&s for sure$(

(Amen to that$( intone the Chief$

Chapter 4

Turning on the T> in his new home! the Avenging Angel! a$k$a$ John Davison! began watching the evening news$.n nearly every station! there were stories of a mysterious being that flew off after coming to the rescue of several

instances that ay$ .ne person being interviewe! was saying in an animate voice! (%t&s one of them! % tell ya! it

really is$ %n flesh an bloo$ %t was a real live superhero/(

(5ir!( the female reporter was saying! ()hoever or whateveryou saw coul not possiblybe what you claim him tobe$ Those are #ust fictional characters! whereas the one oing all these impressive feats was real! of flesh an

bones$(

(You weren't there! % was$ 0ow can you eny what % saw with my VY "W# Y$/(

()ell folks! there you have it$ 5traight from the horses mouth$ A real live flying superhero of some sort! coming to

our rescue$ This is )orl News for this evening$ %&m Julie 9wars$ 8oo night$(

)hen the cameraman ha turne off the vieo camera! she slumps in e"haustion against the news& van looking at her

co'worker$ 0e has this &% tol you so& look which always rives her cra:y in times like these% &"h shut up you!(

she fumes an hans him the pick'up mike$

()hat i % say now! Julie,(

(You didn't have to say anything$( she says in sarcasm$ (% know that look you gave me an what you must bethinking$(

5cott Tribiou! her cameraman says! ()ho! me,( ever so innocently$

(Yes,you! oo brain$(

(Ah$ 9very time you call me that! my heart goes pitter'patter knowing how much you truly care about me!( he sai

reamily$

(Can it! lug hea$( Almost every ay he oes this to her$ &)hy$& 5he asks herself! &why oes he o it$ 0e knows it

rives me cra:y$&

6 6 6 6 6

(dwards! get in here! now/(

(.h boy! here it comes!( she says to 5cott$ (0e oesn&t soun too happy about something$(


13/28

(Maybe you mispronounce a wor or two while on the air$(

(.h! your real funny!( she respons$

(9wars$$$! #"W/( 0is voice reverberates the office walls an she cringes upon reaching for the knob$

(?m! i you want something! boss!( she asks brightly with hea poking aroun his office oor$

((et in here you$( he says tightlippe$

Just as she feare! &Nope! this oes not look goo$&

()hat is the meaning of this little stunkof yours on the air this evening,( Roger 2ilmore booms out at her$

()ell! sir!( she stammers$ (There were reports of some guy$$$(

(I know all about that/( he yells$ ()hat % want to know is where were youand $cottyuring all this time! while

this fly boy is performing all aroun town,(

(.h!( is all she can say$

(%s that all you can say is! 'oh',( he emane$ (-ou&re pai good moneyto catch Hlive actionshots! whenit

happens! not to o interviews aftersomething has happene$ )hat'swhy you are allowe to have all that electronic

gear an satellite linkup stuffin the van you are allowe to rive home ev%%%ery night$(

(5ir! the van ha a flat uring that bank robbery this morning andby the time 5cott an % arrive! no one was

aroun$ Then! there was too much traffic to get to the fire which was 4 miles away$ %t was sai that some of the fire

engines couln&t even get thru as they shoul have$ The traffic was #ust too heavy$ )e in&t even know about theDC plane that nearly collie with that G4G! sir$ % mean$$$

(Alright! alright$ % get the picture$ %&m sorry for yelling at you like % i$ Thought you were slacking like last

month$( he uippe$

(+ut sir! last month wasn&t my fault either!( she pleas$

(*ast month was too your fault! an we both know that to be so$ Don't we, )ell! enough sai about this$ % thinkyou get the iea$(

Relief washe over her tense boy as she reali:e she was holing the chair arms too tightly an that she was off

the hook ''at least$$$ this time anyhow$

(% want you to focus most of your attention on this fella that supposely can fly$ Ieep your ears on all the time! ya

hear me girl,( 5he translate it as his way of saying! &keep the scanners going incluing the ones in your

apartment


14/28

Chapter

(% tol you to keep the spare tire in the van! but! noooo! you sai we neee the e"tra space for euipment an we

wouln&t nee it$( 5cott says in a mocking tone of voice$

(.h! hushnow$ Just get it fi"e! uick$ % on&t like being stuck in this neighborhoo any longer than it is

necessary$( *ooking aroun an"iously! she smacks the sie of her leg in an attempt to encourage 5cott to work

faster$

An hour later! he is still favoring his sore thumb an scrape knuckles from the repair #ob while racing off to another

suppose citing of this flying man$ The last lugnut holing the tire on was stubborn coming off when the tire wrench

ecie to have fun by slipping off causing his han to crash into the wheel rim$ All because this woman sitting ne"tto him was getting paranoi an #ust hadto rush the repair #ob$ Women/

6 6 6 6 6

Do you see him yet! 5cott,( she says peering into the clear blue sky two ays later at 11 in the morning$

(-ea! % see him alright! but % on&t believe it$(

()hat on&t you believe,( 5he asks$

(%&m looking at him with binoculars! right, )ell! from this istance of about a mile! he shouln&t be able to see me!

right, )ell! there he is staring right back at me! smilingno less! an$$$ *h oh/( he gasps scurrying about trying to

get own from the top of the van$

()hat&s &uh! oh& suppose to mean 5cott,( she hesitantly asks$

(0e means! &?h! oh& %&m here!( the stranger in tights says suenly by her sie$

()hoa there mister$ Don&t evero that to me/( 5he yells$

(5orry$( 0e e"claime meekly$ (Din&t mean to scare you like that! ma&am$(

(2irst off! don't call me 'ma'am'$ That&s for ol women! an %&m notol orecrepit$(

()hat'sfor sure$( The stranger says brightly$ (An might % a! %&m gla % stoppe by$( 5aying this mae himsmile at her$ %nsie he&s thinking! &Man alive! John! she is one heck of a woman$ 5ome guy will have uite a catch

shoul he nab her for his own$ 5he&s tall! athletic! an beautiful to boot$ )hat a gal/&

5neering up at him! she pauses as his eyes bore into hers with an intensity she never knew before! she suenly feelsvery weak in the knees! vulnerable an shy$ &Noboy&s been able to o that to me before with #ust his eyes$ Now!

why woul that be,&

Continuing! he says to her! (5aw you were having a problem earlier with the tire an when you stoppe again!thought % woul rop in an see if everything was alright$ Are they, +esies! % wante to know why you two have

been following me these past few ays$(

(No! we&re ok! right now$ ?m! you know about our following you aroun,( she sai in awe$


15/28

(-es$(

After an awkwar moment between the two of them! while 5cott #ust stans there at the front of the van snickeringat her iscomfort! she speaks up$ (5o! mister$ )ho areyou, Are you from aroun here$ *astly! what areyou

oing wearing this sillyoutfit that belongs only on some lame actor in a short live T> series,(

(.h! that'sa goo one$ .I$$$ let&s #ust say %&m your Avenging Angel! as it were$ %&m here to get #ustice back on linean to rescue fair maiens in istress$( This last part he says #okingly! knowing full well it will set her off$

&+ow dare you!& 2laring brightly at him$ ()hat righthave you to say thatto me, % can take care of myself!thank you very much!( she sputters$

0e laughs wholeheartely at the face she makes an from the tease but stops abruptly as he hears a siren off in the

istance$ *ooking at her kinly! he says! (Duty calls$ %f you really want to know where %&m heae off to! it&s! oh!

aroun 34th an Main 5treet %& say$ -ou can reach it by taking a short cut through 9lm an +roaway$ 2rom there!it&s a clear shot to the scene$(

(-eah$ )hanksmister!( she says louly as he :ooms off for another rescue$

%n a whoosh! he&s gone$ (.h wow$$$$ what a rush/( e"claime 5cott$

(Come on! spacecaet$ *et&smove it/( As she too comes out of her own reamy ha:e! she calls out while climbing

into the river&s seat an revving up the engine of the van$

5tarting off before 5cott can close the sliing oor! he looses his balance an bumps his shouler on the euipment$

(+ey! take it easy! will ya/( yelping like a woune puppy$

(-ou hear him$( 5he sai e"citely an #umping aroun in her seat$ (%f we take 9lm an +roaway! we might be

able to see him in action$ That&s only a few blocks away from here$(

(-ea! but let&s make sure we get there aliveto o it$(

(.h! stop whining! will you!( she says! sticking out her lower lip in a pouty fashion that aults o to imitate littlekis that sulk$

6 6 6 6 6

(Man! oh man/ %s this goo stuff or what! 5cott$(

(That it is! Julie/( 0e says with hurt in his voice that continues to linger from the reckless race to get there$

They both watch! along with fifty other spectators as the Avenging Angel goes into in action$ There are ten

construction workers pulling pieces of plaster an concrete from the outer rige of the collapse builing in hopes offining a live per person while he lifts mighty chunks of steel an concrete that was covering two more people ''onewas a baby an the other! it&s mother$ +oth are unconscious$

All of a suen! someone lets out a bloo curling scream as more beams fall from above irectly over the three

people$ (0ey stranger! watch out/( ;uickly he sprea'eagles over the two to protect them$ The soun of torturemetal is hear$ K,rash crunch screech%-

)ith souns of anguish coming from the crow as they witness this horrible sight! they see nothing moving$ Aseach one hols their breath with the hope that they are still alive! the ust begins to settle an they see the carnage of


16/28

stresse an mangle %'beams heape up where they were$ The crow continue to strain their eyes to see any sign

of life from the pile$

)ith their hope of a miracle waning! a faint soun of movement uner the pile can be hear as %'beams begin toshift asie$ An arm appears! then the black hair of the blue cla stranger surfaces! followe by the woman an her

baby that is crying from sheer fright$ The crow roars with elight at the sight of the survivors an rushes towar

them$

Not one for taking the creit for oing what neee to get the #ob one! the John goes back to scanning the

remaining ebris for life signs$ Noting where each one is! he uickly flies up to the secon floor an rapily fastens

an over hang aroun its perimeter #ust in case more beams ecie to come crashing own! causing more problems

for those trappe$

As the last one is safely in the clear! the construction foreman is aske whether they were builing it up or tearing it

own$ (%t&s was suppose to come own! but % on&t darelet any of my people go in there to o it after this incient!

what with its weakene state an all$(

(Don&t worry! %&ll take care of it!( this tall stranger says to him$ (Just make sure everyone is safely out of harms&

way$(

(No problem! mister$( ?sing a megaphone! he yells! (veryone! get way back$$$ it&s coming own$(

)ith the grace an spee of a humming bir! the Avenging Angel carefully maneuvers within the structure$ -ears

ago! it was a famous builing in which people controlle the stock market! but after the secon ma#or economicupheaval! the city close it own$ %t&s si" stories that remaine were carefully remove piece by piece in fast motion

with a blur of blue swirling aroun it$ As the crow watche in woner! the components were being neatly stacke

accoring to their shape an si:e$ Three hours later! it was completely isassemble$ As he has these past few ays

after helping others! he makes sure all are ok then :ooms off into the air without a backwar glance$

Chapter @

5tepping outsie on his way to the supermarket! John sees the van that Julie 9wars rives aroun the city hurling

past him on yet another of her wil stories$ Thankfully! he oes not have to go to the site$

%t&s been almost four months since his ebut$ Now that things ha simmer own a little! he neee to get out as a

regular guy$ 5o with a nee to buy foo for the ne"t week to come! he&s on his way to the local market$

6 6 6 6 6

(9"cuse me! but coul you reach that package of *asagna for me$(

(-es! of course$( John replies without turning to look at the one who aske the favor$ ?pon turning he reali:es whoit was that aske$ There before him stoo a woman of the average height of five foot si" inches! graceful buil an

beautiful eyes$ Inowing full well who she is but not letting on that he i! he hans her the package$

(Thank you$ % on&t know whythey have to put these way up high for those who aren&t tall enough to reach them$That&s inconsierate of this store!( she remarke then catching herself momentarily$ (-ou look familiar$ 0ave wemetsomewhere before,(

(?m! % on&t think so$( 0e says brightly but with his guar going up$ &+e careful John! on&t blow it$&


17/28


18/28

(Reaing a love note from someone,(

5tartle by the voice! she nearly roppe her bag of groceries$ (.h! it&s you$ )hen are you going to stop sneaking

up behin me,( she yelpe angrily$ +ehin her was 5cott$ 0e ha been following her to her secret rene:vous anha snuck up from behin to scare her$ ()hat areyou oing here! anyhow,(

%gnoring her first uestion! he goes abruptly to the ne"t one$ (Thought % woul check to see if you were going to be

alright in this area! at this time of the night$ That&s all$(

(%&ll be alright! don't you worry any$ Now get out of herebefore you&re spotte!( she sai rilling him with her

eyes before he ecie to relinuish his position$ &0ow darehe follow her on a inner ate$ The nerveof the fella$&

+efore his car roune the corner! the front oor starte to open$ Twirling aroun once again! she now faces the one

she oesn&t min looking at$ (0ow i you get here without being seen,(

(.h$ )ell! there&s a rear entranceway to the house where the garage is locate$ % came in that way$ )ere youwaiting long,(

(No$ As a matter of fact! % #ust got here$(

()ell then! let&s get starte$( 0e propose$

?pon finishing the simple but filling meal Julie speaks up$ (That was delicious! John$ )hank youfor inviting me

over$( *eaning back in the chair with contentment! she wipes her mouth with the ornate napkin then taking note ofit&s esign$

()ell! actuallyit was youwho i the inviting! but thatFs ok$ %f it weren&t for the pasta sauce you brought! it woul

not have taste as goo$( 0e countere$

(True$( 5he says lightheartely$ (5o$ )hat o you have in min for an encore,( 0oping for a little flirtatious

activity but not aring to bring it up herself$

(Do you like vieos, % have uite a collection that tens to spark my imagination while writing stories$(

(You do, % never knew of any writer who i such a thing$ That&s interesting$(

()oul you like to see them,(

(5ure$(

?pon entering his stuyLwriting room! her eyes bugge from the scene$ There were two @= " 1< foot walls from top

to bottom! isplaying nothing but vieos ''all in categorical orer$

(This is toomuch/( 5he e"claime$ (What did youdo! clear out a videoshop,(

(No! not e"actly$( 0e chuckles$ (% have a contract with some ma#or proucers to evaluate their complete works$

%n return! they allow me to keep the iscs! along with receiving a moest fee! of course$(

(%&ll betyou o!( she sai with amiration$

(5o! what types of movies o you care for,(

)alking over to the 5cience fiction'fantasy'romance section! she gives a noticeable start! as if caught off guar! an

says emurely! (% like the ones where the hero comes away with the fair maien$( Nearly choking on the last few

wors almost ruine the moo she was trying to create with him$ 2or some bi:arre reason! what she #ust sai an


19/28

the feeling she was having! remine her so much of that encounter she ha a few months ago with that blue cla

flying man an what he ha sai to her$

()ell! there is a list that is automatically upate for each section if you wish to review it before eciing$( All of asuen a beeping noise is hear an he reaches own to the beeper at his waist then e"cuses himself for a private

phone call$

;uickly he removes his outerwear an :ooms out the back oor to an emergency across town$ %t was a goo thinghe took the governor&s offer of having that special beeper to summon him shoul there be an incient reuiring his

immeiate help$

As he flew overhea! he notice the problem$ The rawbrige ha stoppe ten feet up$ %nstea of stopping! theperson riving the car ha continue to race onwar hoping to cross over in orer to elue the police$ At the last

secon! the car was snagge on the ege of the seam where the two halves meet holing them in place$ %f it were

#ust the criminals involve the authorities woul not have bothere to summon the Avenging Angel! but insie the

car was a little boy they ha ragge away from the convenience store as their insurance of a safe get'away$ The carwas now teetering angerously close to slipping over the ege$ )ith all the #ostling in the car as the men argue

over their lousy luck! it ecie to go over the ege while its passengers screame$ They continue to scream as it

fell twenty feet when abruptly it was caught gently in mi'air an lifte up over the embankment to the spot where

the authorities stoo watching$

The wors! (You in the car! throw out your weapons an come out oneat a time!( was the last thing John hear

while flying back home an to his evening guest$

(That must&ve been a one sie conversation! co: % in&t hear a wor from your en$( Julie state as he re'entere

the stuyLwriting room$

(-ou wouln&t have hear a wor no matter howlou % spoke$ The walls were soun proofe after acuiring thisplace$( 0e sai$ (% prefer my privacy in the few areas there is in my life$ .ne coul scream at the top of their lungs

without being hear from within orfrom outoors$(

(%s that so!( she says in a husky low voice an with half close lis$ (% think % foun the one to watch$( 0aninghim a ouble isc pack labele! &The Charme *ife&! she moves to the viewing couch$

(?m$$$ Are you sureyou want to watch this one,( 0e asks nervously! not remembering all of it but #ust enough to

know that it ha a few really sentimentalLsteamy scenes that almost always cause people to want to be with another$

5he insistently eclares! (Definitely/(

As the secon isc was being activate Julie began eging as close to John as she possibly coul without being tooforwar$ 5he was going to force him to make a move on her$ %f he in&t soon! she was$

Not able to take his being a gentleman any longer an re#ecting the feelings she was e"periencing while in his

presence! she turne to him an whispere in his ear! (%f you on&t make love to me this very moment! %&m gonna goout ofmy mind$(

5taring at her in surprise! he tol her that he en#oye her company very much! but to o something like that woulruin something beautiful they ha going$

()ell! at least holdme so % on&t feel so alone$ /lease,( 5he murmure in a little girl&s voice$

0earing her plea an seeing the look on her face! he ecies that that woul be acceptable$ That evening! theywatche two more ouble length movies of a more lighter note$ )ith Julie resting in his powerful arms while

o:ing off after the last movie was seen! he behols the gentle beauty she possesses$ +y now it is early morning

with the sun #ust coming up over the hori:on$ 5uenly! she #erks wie awake an stares up into his steel'blue eyes$


20/28

)ith a emure (8oo morning!( she slips out of his arms an freshens up in the hall rest room$ Returning slowly!

she thanks him for the gran evening they ha an asks if they can o it again sometime$

Chapter G

As she pulle into her parking slot at work a few hours later with a natural high! she was hoping to o a file check

on a recent story before starting out on the roa$ %nstea! she was intercepte by her cameraman! 5cott! before she

coul reach the garage elevator alone$

(5o! how was your inner ate withMr. Davidson,( 5cott aske innocently as they roe up together to the eight

floor$

Trying to hie a smile but failing miserably! she e"plaine that he was uite an entertaining gentleman with a lovefor the arts$

(-eah! % bethe oes$(

(8et your min of the gutter! why on&t you$ % on&t give in to anyman no matter what youmight think$( 5hee"ploe une"pectely$ (5o what if he ischarming an$$$ an$$$ irresistible/ )hat kin of girl o you think % am,(

Trying to hie these very thoughts an her embarrassment of her wanting John last night! an upon being triggere

so easily by 5cott$

(Take it easy! lass$ % was #ust wonering! that&s all$( 5aying this! he backs up to the far wall with hans up in

efense$ (% was #ust curious! nothing more$ % know the moo you were in! especiallyafter meeting this fellow at

that grocery store you stoppe at$ -ou meet him! then suenly you&re seeing him that same ay$ Well! it cause meto woner about your safety andvulnerability$ *onely people can sometimes o cra:y things une"pectely! ya

know$(

(-eah! % guess you&re right!( she amitte peakely$ (%&m sorry for tearing your hea off like that$(

(5o$ )hy areyou here so early an bright eye, Inquiring minds want to know$(

(There&s a few checks % want to o before heaing out on the roa$ 0ny ob1ections,( 5eeing none coming forthfrom him! see walks out of the elevator to the reference center on their floor$

5everal months later$$$

(9wars! Tribiou!( Roger 2ilmore! their boss shouts from his office oor opening! (get your butts in gear$ There&sa terrorist at the Rocketfeller builing claiming to blow it! himself! an


21/28

(5cott! on&t you have the guts for this anymore, Where'syourthrillfor adventure,(

+ening over trying to catch his breath from all the running they&ve one so far! he looks up! stops ea col! ansays stony face! (%&m$$$ afrai % #ust lost it$(

()hat are you talkingabout,( making a face an being e"asperate with him in a time like this$

(0e means! my ear! &he1ust lost it&$ 5omeone says behin her as he mimics 5cott&s own wors$

As she whirls aroun! he cuts her short by barking out! (Don't/( an emphasi:ing it by pointing a menacing

automatic in her face$

6 6 6 6 6

The Avenging Angel! a$k$a$ John Davison is walking own 133r street when he over hears a commotion coming

from the ne"t block up ahea$ 0urriely! he makes his way there as a normal peestrian woul upon hearing such a

isturbance$ Making sense of all the commotion! he scans the builing in hopes of etecting the bomb the terroristclaims to have rigge to go off in 4 minutes$

2inally he sees it an almost forgetting where he is! he nearly leaps into the air with his civilian clothes on ''in frontof everyone no less$ *ooking aroun frantically! an empty alley is spotte an he races own far enough not to be

notice$ 5econs later! in a blur an a whoosh! he oes a low flyby #ust above the crow to the portico on the

builing at the twelfth floor closest to the site of the bomb$ To his surprise! there is an electrical forcefiel that

prevents his being able to eactivate the bomb$ Touching it causes his fingers to go instantly numb$ (There has gotto be a way to get to it$( 0e mumbles$

()hat&s the matter blue2boy,( A haughty but whiny voice behin him says$ (%s there a problem,(

Twirling aroun! he stops in mi'step as he sees what is in this man&s possession$ A multi'switch etonator$$$ an a

terrifie Julie 9wars$ ,areful/ )e onFt want any accidents! now o we,B

()hat o you want with the girl,( This powerful man asks of the tiny but arrogant man! trying esperately to sounneutral ''though his heart is racing$ ()hat oes shehave to o with this, Let her go$( 0e commans$

(0h! what'sthe matter,( turning! he says to the other hostages which ha been tie up an sitting against the far

wall$ (*ooky here folks! the flying wonderhas a heart of puttywhen it comes topretty women indanger,(

(Just lether go! or you&ll be sorry$(

(Ohhh! 'I'll be sorry!& he says$ I doubt that$(

5tepping forwar ever so slowly to get within pro"imity of both the girl an the etonator without being a threat to

the man! he stops as the terrorist pantomimes flipping a switch if he came any closer$

(Don&t try it big boy$ All % want is the money % aske for anda safe getaway! so on&t enanger these wonderful

people with your heroics$(

5eeing the look of concern on his face for her an the others! her min races through a collection of similar faceswho possesse such a look in the eyes$ &)here have% seen that look before$& This very morning there were several

things she wante to check out that seem to be troubling her reams as of late$ &%f you get thru this Julie! you are

gonna haveto check out a few more things! even if taking a vacation from work is necessary to get it taken care of!


22/28

you will o it$& 0er future planning scheule is broken by the forceful way in which the one in blue tights #ust sai!'let her go!& for the thir time$

&-ou can&t hurtme while % have this girl an this etonator! an we both knowit$( 0e speaks as though he believeshe has the upper han in this show of force$

(% see you leave me no other choice$(

The little man intones$ (-ou&re finallyseeing the light! fly'boy$ ThatFs good$ %t&s about timeyou i too! because

we only have ten more minutesto go before we all$$$B

+efore the arrogant little man utters his last statement he sees the strangest look on the suite man&s face$ All of asuen he screams in utter pain an watches in horror as the etonator is being melte$ During this time the girl

breaks free of his grasp an falls to the groun out of harm&s way$ The material of the etonator&s casing E its

internal components issolves an spreas all over his han$ 5parks an crackling noises erupt from the electronic

components that were once fuses! conensers! resistors! along with a miniature atomic power pack$

*ooking up in isbelief! he screeches out a protest to this freak in tights that stans in front of him before he

collapses in a sobbing heap of espair$ All his plans have been ruine by this$$$ this$$$ T0%N8 coming towars him$

(5tay awayfrom meyou freak/ Don&t you touchme/( he shrieke$ (5tay away$(

)alking up to a few feet of him! the costume man uietly says to the shriveling! curle up man! (% saidyou& be

sorry if you in&t let her go$(

Just then! as always! the police show up ''looking #ust as umbfoune at the scene$ Checking the bomb for any

signs of activity but fining it was eactivate when the etonator was melte! they turn to the man in blue for

uestioning$ After informing the authorities of what ha transpire! the man in tights walk over to the girl name

Julie seeking her welfare$ (Are yougoing to be alright,(

*ooking up into his strong face with fear an woner! she nos affirmation$ +efore he is able to fly away she grabs

his powerful arm an implores! ()ho areyou, Whatare you,(

(%&m #ust a man who wants to help those in nee!( was his only answer$

(%t looks as though yourgoing to nee help yourself$ Lookat your fingers$( At this he i an notices they all have

burnt marks on the finger tips an turning blackish as a result of trying to grab the bomb with his bare hans$ As shetouches them! it prouces a tinglingLnumbing effect with pain shooting up his arms$ 5eeing his iscomfort! she

apologi:es immensely$

(Don&t worry! I'llbe ok$( An with that he flies off$

Chapter

()ell Mr$ Davison! it appears that you have somehow burnt the tips of your fingersbut royally$ The only way %can think of one coul o that is by coming in contact with a largeosage of electricity$ 2rankly! son! %&m surpriseyou&re still alive! ifthat was the case$( After obtaining other vital information on his patient! the ol man says!

(-ou&ll be ok in a few ays$ Just remember to apply this salve liberally twiceaily an keep those fingers banage

as much as possible until the reness goes away$ "therwise! the nerve enings might not heal properly$(

(Thank you Dr$ +rickman$( John says$

(%&ll want to see you in five ays to check it&s progress! but% oubt there is much % can o for you at this stage!( saysDoctor +rickman$


23/28

(% will octor$ )hankyou$(

6 6 6 6 6

(+ut .ohn! % thought we ha a ate tonight!( waile Julie$ (Just because the frying pan fell off the stove an cause

you severe burns oesn&t mean we can&t see each other$ Doesit,(

(% suppose not!( sighe John over the speaker phone$

0earing him sigh like that cause her to think fast$ 5ince that is what she oes best uner moments of stress! she

suggests that they go out for pi::a an that she woul fee him every bite he takes$ Afterwars! she&ll treat him to a

moonlit carriage rie$

0e says that he&ll have to think about the carriage rie! but the pi::a thing soune like a goo iea$ %t was 4pm

alreay an she won&t get off until G tonight she sai! so there were still some time between now an the ate to have

some gloves mae in case he ha to go off on a rescue$ 0e ha to keep those fingers protecte at all cost$ That&s

when he remembere what the visitors that were responsible for his transformation ha sai about the Monitorwhich was out there for him to use as neee$ &)hy on&t % go to it an see if some gloves can be mae or if my

fingers can be heale$ The one name Core sai there was a regeneration evice onboar$ %t couln&t hurt to try it

out$& 5o with that ecie! he locates his euipment an hooks onto a utility belt the evice he woul nee to beetecte E allowe on boar the monitor then puts on a seale helmet with a small air canister attache to his waist

before heaing out into space$

2lying through vacuum! he muses! &% never knew space coul be so beautiful$ 9verything is so crisp an clear! evenif it is a bit chilly$& 5ince his molecular esign i not respon the same as a normal human woul uner the same

circumstances! he in&t nee a spacesuit$ 0e felt truly free an at one with the universe right at that moment while

ga:ing at the many ifferent colors emanating from the multitue of stars shining brightly$

As he approache the ark sie of the moon! the evice attache to the utility belt starte to pulse in a rhythmic

fashion$ 5uenly! a rippling affect began to occur before his very eyes upon which an opening yawne to accepthim an close #ust as abruptly$

*ooking about! John removes his helmet an lays it on a nearby counter before #umping out of his skin$ K)elcome!

savior of planet 9arth The isemboie voice echoe$ %t i not soun anything like a normal echo as it

ricochete own the metallic! oblong room fille with unhear of evices E unreame of technology$ %nstea! it

ha a warm soli soun to it$ K0ow may % help you,

?ncertainty crept into his voice as he looke everywhere trying to fin the source of the voice$ 8ulping a few times

he says! (*m$$$ %$$$ um$$$ my fingers an the nerve enings were amage by a high voltage force fiel toay$ Can

you helpme,(

K2ollow the glowing sphere until it stops an changes shape

)hen the glowing orb materiali:es! he follows its lea until he comes to a console$ )ithout preamble! a low lyingtable emerges from the wall$ K*ay own please

After getting comfortable! a pair of laser beams one blue an another one re scan his whole boy! starting at his

hea an slowly moving ownwar to the feet in a crisscrossing fashion$ 2eeling nothing out of the orinary! whilethe glow roves his frame! he thinks! &this is almost like a massage! % coul learn to like this alot$&

)hen the warm lasers blink off$ 0e is instructe to follow the glowing sphere once again to another station$


24/28

After receiving answers to several of his uestions! John asks! ()hat o they callyou,(

K% am calle 3onitor a pause K%f there is a more desirablename you wish to aress me by! you may

(+mm$ 0ow about % call you 3a4,(

KMa"! it is then K-ou are heale! an you must go now! for you are neee by your planet in the area :one where

you live

(Thank you! an$$$ 'I'll+e 5ack'$(

K("

Chapter O

(0ere he comes Chief/( A fireman who has kept his eyes peele to the sky hoping the man in the funny suit woul

arrive in time! shoute the warning$

As the costume stranger lans the fire chief says! (3an! am % gla you&re here$ )e have a fire on the 3=th floor

that contains paint an other highly flammable items$ They were being use in reecorating some of the offices up

there$ The only thing is! we on&t have anything that can reachthat far up an the stairs have collapse1ustout ofreach of our laers$ All power includingbackup power for the emergency lift is out$ To top it all off! there was a

party going on up there with over 3@ people on the 33r floor! but we on&t know where they all are$(

5ensing the chiefFs esperation! he leaps up an into the sky towars the 3=th floor an nearly reache the right onewhen a series of small e"plosions occurre$ Rushing in though the flames! he fins that each office an hall is fille

with smoke$ As he is putting out the flames an clearing the air! he thinks he is nearly one$ &.ne more room to

search! then % can go home an get reay to rela" with Julie$& Just then the room he was about to enter e"ploe

outwar catching him with the full force of the mighty e"plosion$ +eing a:e! he slowly gets up from the floor angoes about putting out the flames an checking for the builing&s structure E integrity$ )ith that checking out fine!

he goes travels up the three flights of stairs to check on those at the party up above$ No one was hurt thankfully$Then after a brief perio of silence one woman spoke up mentioning that a couple saying something about leaving

early an they in&t appear to be anywhere in the suite where the party was going on so they must&ve left$ *eavingto check the way they thought the couple always went while leaving the office suite on that floor! he scouts out the

area tossing asie rubble from fallen ebris$

0earing the scuffling an moving ebris up above! a man yells frantically$ (+ello, %s someboy there, 0elp us!please$ 5omeboy! pleasehelp us/(

(% see you! holdon$( 2rom own below in a collapse stairwell! a man an woman were hanging from the few

remaining hanrails that refuse to give way$ 2loating own to where they were! he grabs hol of the woman whohas collapse an flies out of the builing to the ambulances then immeiately returns to the site to$$$ to an empty

stairwell$ &)here ishe,& he woners$ *ooking about frantically! he can&t fin him$ (+ello, 3ister$$$ can you hear

me,( )ith fragments of the builing falling own from above! he continues to search the area where he last saw theman an woman together$ (%s anyone downhere,(

The soun of stresse metal an cracking plaster prouces an abrupt cry further own than he e"pecte$ (% see you$

5tay put! %&m comingfor you$(

(+urry/ % on&t think this beam will hol much$$$(


25/28

As the angling man says that! the beam bens an the man starts his angerous plummet to the bottom of the ruine

stairwell$ +efore he has escene 4 floors! he sees a blur coming towars him an suenly his escent has halte

an is now being lifte to safety$ ()here i you comefrom,(

(2rom up there$(

6 6 6 6 6

Arriving at Julios& 7i::a 7arlor! they fin a uiet corner an orer their specialty of black olives! onions! pineapple

an mushrooms on a large pan pi::a$

0oling hans! she notices that his fingers are alright causing her to blurt out as she pulls away from him! (%

thought you sai you burntyourself this morning with the fryingpan,(

(They were$ % guess Dr$ +rickman&s ointment worke faster than he assumedit woul$(

()hat'llbe a first$( she scowle at him$ (0e has been known to abble in unorthoo" methos for as long as Ican

remember$(

(0ow o you know that,( he aske! intrigue by her newest bit of information that she seems never to run short of$

(0e was the octor who elivere me$$$ he has alsoone many horrific e"periments on me that prouces uirks atune4pectedmoments$( she replie! first being real serious then finishing the sentence in an imitation of %gor with a

slobbering tongue hanging out of her mouth with eyes crosse in such a gruesome yet comical way$

(0ave you ever seen another physician about this distinctiveproblem you seem to isplay, +y the way! o youhave these uirks often,( John asks with a somewhat serious look on his face$

(.h you!( she eclares$

An! as if fate woul have it! they fin themselves looking into each other&s eyes an holing hans once more$

5uenly she gives a start as inspiration clicks in$ 9yes wie with surprise she blurts out! (-ou&re him/(

8oo naturely he asks her! (%&m who,(

(-ou&re +I3$( 5eeing a blank face on him! she continues$ (Youknow$$$ the one who fliesaroun$ The 0venging

0ngel$(

(Do % look like someone who coul flyan rip steelapart ''someone who burnstheir fingers on a hot skillet, Idon't think so!&

(That&s anotherthing$ The sameay this fella burns his fingers on that nasty force fiel! your accidentin thekitchen occurs$ Coincience, % on&t think! buster$(

(.h$$$ Iget it$ This has got to be a #oke you an 5cott came up with! right,( 0e snorts in amusement then stopswhen he sees she&s not #oking but having a ueer e"pression on her beautiful face$ *ooking aroun nervously! hee"pects others to #oin in on the gag$ Thankfully noboy has notice a thing she sai ''they&re oblivious to the young

couple$

*eaning forwar with her hea cocke to an inuiring angle she asks! (0ow$$$ how o youknow what his name is,(

(0mm, .h$$$ well you must'velet it slip without reali:ing it a couple of months back afterwe met!( he replie

weakly$


26/28

(?h! uh$ % never mentione his name to you before$ % know arn wellthe network on&t mention his name in the

cast an creits in connection with mine! because he threw a royal fitabout that a monthago$( 5he sai$ (5o! % am

right after all! aren't%,(

Making a somewhat rue soun with his mouth he says! (-eah! right$( 5obering up uickly! he counters with! (Do

you reali6ewhat you&re saying,( 0e leans across the table towars her with an intense look on his face$

Not intimiate with that look she has seen him o with others! she continues$ (Yes$ % couln&t put my finger on it!but when you looke at me this morning at the site with that terrorist! % knewthere was something o about the

two of you which seeme all toofamiliar$ 5o afterwars! % checke out a few things an wracke my brain trying to

make all the pieces fit! but it in&t hit me until1ustnow when we looke into each other&s eyes$ -ou bothha that

aching esire to hol me uring a critical moment like this$(

*eaning back in his booth&s seat in a efeate slouch an focusing on the table to keeping from having to look up at

her! he nos his hea an says! (-eah! I'mthe guy alright$( 5napping his hea up he bore right into her eyes saying!

(-ou mustn&t tell anyoneof my ientity$ %t woul be too angerous$ 2or you$ 2or me$( %mploring her with hiseyes! he allows silence to enforce what he #ust sai$

H-es! there was those selfsame heartbreaking steel'grey eyes again that she saw on that fateful morning$ 0e loves

me an oesn&t want to loose me$& 5wallowing har to push the lump that accumulate in her throat own! she #ust

looks at him$

(3arryme/( 0e blurts out$

(4cuseme,( 5he says in a stunne! shocke voice$

(WILL$$$ -.?$$$ 302Y$$$ M9,( 0e repeats in an e"aggerate! rawn'out way$

Thinking about all that has happene in the past months an the many encounters with this increible man! she

replies sweetly! (Yes$$$ % will$(

(-ou$$$ you will,(

(%& loveto be marrie to one that has a heart such as yours$ % love you even though sometimes % am scare to deathof the increible powers you have isplaye$ 5eside! nearly every waking moment% fin myself thinking of youevenon the #ob$ )hy not make it betterby totally completing our relationship,(

(Can&t argue with thatline of reasoning$ +esies! % feel the same way about you$ 9very time % lookat you! %

e"perience contentment that fills every suare inchof my being$ 9very time we part company! it leaves me wantingmoreof you the ne"t time$(

(% never thought you to be such a romantic,( she says glossy eye$

(That&s the best partof a relationship$ *earning more of one another an en1oyingthose moments we sharetogether$(

(0ow about this 2riay,(

(2or what,( he asks stupily$

('7or what,& )hy! to get marriedsilly$(

(.k$ $ure$ % #ust in&t think you wante to rushit! whatwith all the planningan all an with 2iray being only

five ays away$(


27/28

(Don&t worry about the weing plans$ % know someone who can whip up a gran program with little effort an still

have it turn out a success$(

(% leave it in your capable hans then! Julie$(

Just then the waiter brings over their pi::a which they eat with gusto in no time flat$ Not wanting to stay there! they

stroll through +alboa 7ark watching the yachts cruising along in the harbor off in the istance with their running

lights glowing in the mist$

Chapter 1=

As people were continually congratulating the newlywes of being the perfect couple an wishes of goowill! hisbeeper once again goes off$ (5orry folks! but % have urgentbusiness to atten to$ /leasee"cuse me$(

+efore leaving the room! he coul hear one of the laies eclare to Julie! ((irl! if you think that your husban ought

to be able to take off on some erran wheneversome frien calls! especiallyon his weing ay! how sure are you

of his epenability in otherareas,(

*ooking in his irection! she smiles as she notices his look of amusement! knowing that he too hear the woman

speak$ Thinking back to the first ay they met! she reali:es that he has always one that! an coming back to theconversation! she says! (0e was alwaysa bit flighty at first! you know! taking off when you least e"pect it an then

popping back in the same way$( +ut she knew he woul always return in no time at all$ ?ner her breath! she says!

(8o my love$( )ith that! he silently slinks from the room to change out of his tu" an into his suit which he ha

refuse to wear beneath it$

Twenty minutes later! he was back in his tu" an carrying out his e"pecte role of honore guest an groom$

Coming out of his stuyLwriting room looking none the worse for wear from his little aventure out at sea! a guest

confronts him$ (5o .ohn! % hear from Julie that your a freelance writer andpart'time movie critic$( The man wasRoger 2ilmore! Julie&s boss$

(-es sir! that&s correct$ )henever proucers have a new release! they sen me a special eition of their movie

which % review then tell them what Ithink of it$ As a result! % get to keep the isc an receive a moest feeas well!(he humbly amits$

()ell! the reason % mentione this is % have been looking for an iniviual such as yourselffor similar work as

neee$ )oul you be intereste,( 0e asks$

(Well! % suppose % couldsuee:e you in from time to time as needed$ )e&ll see how it goes! alrightsir,(

Julie walks up to the two men an asks #okingly! ()hat&s going onhere, -ou&re not trying to get your meat hooksinto him too! areyou boss,(

(No! no$ Just asking him for his perspective on something$(

()ell! whatever it ishe&s offering you John! be verycareful to take him up on it$ 0e&s sneaky as a snake$(

5uinching up her nose an making a funny face at him for effect mae her boss chuckle$ Moving outoors to the

snack bar! she aske! ()as he reallyoffering you a #ob proposition or #ust asking for avice like he sai,( 5eeing

the affirmative response reaction in his eyes as they always i almost in an involuntary way whenever he was puton the spot! she curse ever so lightly so as not to startle the others near them! (% never gavea efinite answer to

him! so it&s not like % threw my whole careerown the rain by saying! &we&ll see&$ Don'tworry$( To the way he

sai it! she brightene up ramatically$ 5atisfie with her change of moo! he says! (#ow! shall we participate in thefestivities! wife,(


28/28

(Most assuredly! husban$( 5he returne in like manner as they meloramatically walk back insie! han in han!

to where their other guests were milling about for the few remaining hours of their reception$

0is ecision to marry her was mae sure after the look on her face when he first isclose his ouble ientity in the

pi::a shop$ +ringing her into his confience was the best thing he ever i$ 0e islike having to make up reasons

for suen isappearances while spening time together$ Now that they were marrie! there woul no longer be any

nee to keep secrets from her$ No more$

0ours after all guests ha left an they return from his treating her to a touring e"perience she&ll never forget! they

consummate their weing vows in the privacy of their home ''the way true love allows$

Chapter 11

(No John! please! not thatone again$ -ou&re killingme$ $top$( 5he has a har time containing her laughter as he

spins aroun the large spare room that was set asie as their room for recreation$ 5topping perioically an striking

a goofy pose or with a silly look on his face! she once more splits open with peels of uproarious laughter$ 5oon she

is crying E laughing all at the same time when he finally floats own by her sie an gathers her up into his arms$

(.h! you&re so horrible$ Don&t you everstop! my love$(

% won8t$ ver$B

+ringing her #oy an happiness has always been his ambition since they marrie two years ago this very ay$ 5ince

then! it has been a rollercoaster rie of thrills an sorrows! but they woul never have given it up if they ha to o itall over again$

.ne of those not so pleasant times! was when an unstable scientist iscovere the Avenging Angel&s true ientity by

accient$ 0e ha for several months been wonering where this e"traorinary man hi himself! an as he wasresting momentarily from his walk thru Mission Trails Regional 7ark one ay! he was thinking of the various

possibilities$ As he was oing so! the Davisons passe by as they truge along towar their home! totallyengrosse in their conversation an not reali:ing he was sitting on the bench! nor knowing who he was$

Not wanting to tell her of the planne meeting but holing off all week long! she was a little agitate upon learning

about it #ust then$ This scheule conference meeting with the worl leaers was one in secret an with his having

to fly off to a location where even she wasn&t allowe to know! irritate an worrie her to no en$ That was the

same night when they ha previously planne to spen that time alone together an where she woul have him all toherself for a change$ 0earing this cause the scientist to follow behin them at a iscreet istance unnotice where

he coul snoop aroun the outsie of their home after they entere through the front oor$ ?nable to hear anything

from within! he waite for the situation to evelop allowing him to formulate a plan of action$ That&s when he hear

an saw the Avenging Angel e"it the home in flight a few moments later to meet with the conference leaers$

Thinking he coul barter a eal with her life! he kinappe her for ransom$ Although he got his money! little i he

know it was lace with a traceable irraiate solution that the great avenger of truth coul follow once the prisonerwas release$

0e is now in an insane asylum with a min that is eteriorating fast$ That was the nature of coming into contact

with the solution ''it left the contaminate perpetrator&s brain somewhat like col mush$ %t was some real nasty stuff!

but then again$$$ noboy messes with this man calle The Avenging Angel$

the avenging angel

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