Time Enough For Heroism, Part One: Albuquerque
By C. Mage
.
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You know...my days don't usually go this far bad this quickly.
Perhaps I should elaborate. I'm currently in a locked cell. My means of transport is under lock and key. The people imprisoning me hate me merely for being what I am. They're primitive, backwards and extremely hostile. They're likely discussing what horrible punishment to visit upon me.
And it's not even noon yet.
Usually, I have to do more to be able to earn this sort of hostility. I didn't even do that much. I landed, scanned around to look for large cities or technology centers, then grabbed my tackle box and fishing rod and headed for the nearby lake. I made camp, watched the sun come up over the mountain, caught four nice-sized fish, was just starting to fry up nice…
Next thing I know, I've got four beautiful women dressed like gladiators...or is it "gladiatrixes"? "Gladiatrices"? Titles are hard sometimes...where was I? Oh yes, the women pointing swords at me. And from the looks on their faces, they weren't happy to see me. The only time they spoke to me was to either bark orders or tell me how despicable I was because I was guilty of being male.
Should've caught me two regenerations ago.
They walked me out of my camp and towards their city, and as I was pushed through the forest, we came upon a city...and what a city! Greek architecture, statues, monuments...and populated solely by women who were so gorgeous, the "ugliest" of them would've won beauty pageants without having to do more than show up in a gown and a bathing suit. And every single one of them were athletic, dressed in ancient Greek fashions, and completely unhappy with the idea of seeing me. They gave the same kinds of looks reserved for something insectoid and slimy.
They took me to a sturdy stone building with six cells, metal bound doors and, from the looks of the keys, complex tumbler locks. One of them kicked me into the cell and I turned around to see them close the door and lock it securely. "Prepare yourself, MALE," one of them spat at me, then they walked away, leaving one guard.
I sat down. It was clear they thought I was stupid or ineffectual, since they didn't bother hiding the local landmarks from me...wait. I just realized, I haven't even introduced myself.
Hello. I'm the Gambler.
I don't give out my real name to a lot of people, so don't feel insulted. I'm an alien called a Time Lord. Yes, I know it sounds awfully elitist, but they've been calling themselves that long before I was born, so what can you do? They told me I used to be someone...well, let's call a spade a spade, I was someone pretty awful. Those that knew me called me "The Scourge", and I was pretty mean to a lot of people, thinking that because I was a Time Lord, I was better than them, and that I could do whatever I wanted.
They said I hurt a lot of people. Caused them serious harm. Killed people. They called me a monster. Finally, in a rare moment of clarity and sanity, I realized that I couldn't go on like that...even if it meant giving up myself. I parked myself on Earth in the uncharted Old West...and made the old me go away.
I settled into a new life, taking up a new life, satisfying myself with no memories of my old life, no more regenerations. My TARDIS to sit unused. It would've been a fine life as penance for my deeds...but, like all kinds of plans, something went wrong.
My second heart began to beat again.
When it first happened, I didn't know what was going on. I didn't notice it at first until I lay awake one night and heard it awaken in my chest. Scared the bajeezus out of me, let me tell you. I heard the whispers, found the TARDIS, and I sat there for a long time, letting my TARDIS tell me who I was.
I learned I was a Time Lord. I heard about the horrors of who I was. I felt sick for a week. When I finally heard enough, I picked myself up and swore that the Scourge was dead and gone. And I was going to spend the rest of my life, however long or short that was going to be, atoning for the things the Scourge had done.
I would've felt better about that decision if I knew how the Hades to pilot the TARDIS. Spent the next few decades earning my living as a blacksmith and spending a great deal of my free time learning how the TARDIS worked and how to fly it. Short hops at first, then more and more. Finally, I'd picked up enough to feel safe knowing what to do, and more of me came back, the awareness and sensitivity of a Time Lord. It was like discovering I had three or few new senses.
Problem was...I had no knowledge of the Time Lords, or much else. Compared to your average, run-of-the-mill Time Lords, I was a blithering moron. The data on the TARDIS helped, somewhat. Understanding it from a textbook is not much, but it was something.
I tried not to let it get to me, but there were days where I was worse than others.
I travelled in time and space, learning things, getting into trouble. Only been at it for a few decades. I made something of a reputation for being someone who takes chances. Wish I could say it all turned out for the best, but sometimes, I come there too late or don't have what I need to make everyone happy and safe. Most of the time, I had to settle for "safe". A few times, I couldn't even do that.
I wish I could be better. Doesn't everyone?
Hang on, someone's knocking at my door. Wait. Not the door.
The wall.
I lean closer to it and ask, "So, what are YOU in for?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm the Gambler. Who are you?"
"I am Ares, the god of war."
"...sure, why not?" So he thinks he's the god of war. Maybe his cell has padded walls. I'm starting to get a little jealous. "How long you been in there?"
"Nearly two thousand years."
"Wow. What for?"
"I was rejected by Hippolyta, condemned to imprisonment out of spite."
"I take it she never forgave you?"
"Not yet."
I am pretty sure I blinked at that. "She's still alive?"
"Of course. Amazons are practically immortal."
"Yeah, know how that is."
A pause. I can practically hear the words sinking in. "What are you?"
"I told you. I'm the Gambler."
"And who is the Gambler?"
"Me."
"...your evasive nature will not serve you here. And if you are hoping that your charm will sway them towards letting you leave, I have some heartbreaking news for you. They do not respond to charm."
"Good thing I'm not relying on it, then. I am curious, though. They took my guns from me before dropping me in here. Will they bring them within my proximity if they choose to interrogate me?"
"WHEN they interrogate you. And I cannot be sure. Men are not usually interrogated. They are slain."
"SLAIN...well, I imagine they'll want to talk with me first. If they wanted me dead, they would've tried to kill me already." A hard, deliberate knock came, at the door this time. "Whoops, gotta go. If they're going to torture me, I hope they use the rack, first. I need to loosen up a bit."
"Get up, prisoner. The Queen wishes to speak with you."
"I guess that's my cue. Gotta go, Ares, but if you are the god of war, then there's something I'd like to say to you before I go."
"And what is that?" comes the bemused tone as they chain me up.
"Seen your work...and not a fan."
I was pushed along, as if they thought I wasn't eager to see more of this place. I was guided to a grand chamber and pushed into a stone chair. They took off the chains, but then tied me down using rope. As I looked around, I saw a lot of hard faces trying to cover the fact that they hated me and feared me in equal measures. I couldn't help but feel sorry for them. What kind of monster would feed that kind of hatred?
Then I saw her. Fair of hair and face. Truly regal bearing. Dressed in queenly robes and wearing jewelry worth a few credits. She walked up to me and looked me in the eyes.
I think I just found my monster. "Queen Hippolyta, I presume?"
For that, I got a nice, hard slap across the face. "Males do not speak unless spoken to first."
"Now, that was just plain rude."
"What are you doing here on Themiscyra, home of the Amazons?"
"Fishing."
"Don't be insolent!" She looked at me coldly, as if I was a piece of floating slime that dared to show up in her swimming pool. "I'll have the truth out of you."
"I'm telling you the truth. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a good spot to fish?" I watched as she pulled out some rope that looked like it was made of gold. "And I've got enough rope, thanks."
She smiled and placed the rope around my shoulders. I couldn't believe it, I was actually lassoed like some bull. "Now, what is your name?"
The lasso glowed with a golden light and I answered, "The Gambler." Normally this wouldn't be a problem, except that I wasn't consciously saying it. It was like someone else was taking the reins on my vocal cords.
The women looked at each other, then the Queen asked, "Why did you come to this island?"
"To relax and do some fishing," my mouth said, then I added when the rope stopped glowing, "There's no need for that, you know, I'm perfectly capable to telling the truth on my OWN, thanks much."
"Men are lying, warlike, domineering thugs. It is in your nature to lie, deceive and conquer."
"Oh for Heaven's sake...if you don't want me to be here, I'll be more than happy to leave and never come back."
"Why should I believe you?" Queen Hippolyta demanded. "You know where the island is, you know there are women here. You could come back with all your kind and make war on us."
I looked up at her. "Are you kidding me? Conquer? Dominate? Take over this little scrap of land? Not a chance. Besides...I don't have a 'kind' anymore. Look, just let me go, I'll leave and never come back here again."
I don't know what I said to the Queen or how I said it, but she removed the lasso. "Take him away. I have sent for Princess Diana...perhaps she has a thought or two about what should be done with this male."
I waited until she was far enough away, then I said, "Look, before you throw me back in that hole, I gotta ask: what's the story with Ares?" Hippolyta stopped, then looked at me. In that expression, everything was laid bare. "Holy smokes...I can't believe I didn't see it before...now I know why you hate men. You fell in love with Ares and he betrayed you, and now all men get to share your hatred of him."
"BE...SILENT!" She grabbed a sword from one of the warriors and held it to my neck. "Or I will separate your head from the rest of you!"
I kept my mouth shut. I couldn't help but feel pity for her, and the rest of her people. Well, if she wanted to isolate herself from the rest of the world, that's her own choice. I would've loved to find out how that golden rope worked, but I had more important things to think about.
Like escape.
"Take this...thing back to its cell." She dropped the sword and walked away, and I wasn't the only one who saw she was shaken. The guards were none too gentle, obviously not too happy with me angering their queen, practically tossing me back into my cell and slamming the door.
"So...I see you've met the Queen," came Ares' voice to my right.
"Yeah, we had a nice chat. Found out why every woman here hates men...they've clearly learned how to despise the male gender by learning that from their Queen. Oh yeah, by the way, you're a real polecat, you know that? I can only guess what you did to her to make her act this way for this long."
"She doesn't understand the nature of things, and it'll only be a matter of time before she realizes the truth. I've waited this long, after all." This guy's voice makes my skin crawl, makes me think he's got his own plans for breaking out. And I ain't none too happy with that idea.
"Well, when I leave, remind me not to take you with me."
"This cell has contained a god for centuries. What makes you think you can escape?"
"Easy. I'm not a god."
Laying down gave me a chance to get some perspective. Something was off about this place. Not wrong, per se, just...off. I figured I'd give these Amazons one more chance to come to their senses and realize that I'm not a threat to them, and then I'll go in peace to find someplace else to fish.
And if they don't...Plan B.
I heard someone approaching and the door unlock. No banging on the door, no sounds of feet. Whoever's opening the door came by herself. I sat up, dusted myself off and waited. The door opened and...whoa. This had to be the most impressive specimen of womanhood yet.
Definitely a figure that would inspire wonder.
Of course, I am not without my manners, so I stood up. She stood there in front of me, looking me over. "Who are you?"
"I'm the Gambler. You must be Princess Diana." I smiled. "Lucky guess."
"You said you came here...for the fishing?" She walked around me. "You picked a bad place to come unannounced."
"So people around here keep telling me. I keep trying to tell you ladies, I'm not here to cause anyone any trouble. If you people hate me so much, I'll be more than happy to leave."
"You realize, of course, there is a concern that you might be a spy, or an advance scout, looking to find weaknesses in our defenses."
"Are you kidding?" I stared at her. "As soon as I get off this crazy island, I may spend the rest of my life telling people to stay away from you man-haters. Just because Ares betrayed your Queen, she's been telling her people never to trust men, any men. All I did was try to catch a few fish and I've been mistreated, questioned, locked up and had my life threatened. I've got news for you, women aren't exactly the paragons of virtue, either. Look, you seem like a nice woman. I can only say that because you're the first woman I've met so far that hasn't hit me yet. But maybe you should ask yourself who's making the decisions about what men are...you, or your Queen."
"So you're saying I should automatically trust you."
"Nope. I'm saying you shouldn't automatically distrust me. Think about that the next time you meet a male. Now, anything else you'd like to know before I leave?"
"Leave?" She smiled slightly. WOW, she had a nice smile "And how do you think you'd achieve that end?"
"Well, normally, I'd just whistle for my valiant steed, she'd show up and we'd leave. Want to meet her?" Diana looked at me for a long time, trying to see if I was crazy or not. "Look, I'll make you a deal. If I can escape, you agree to let me go without incident. I stay away from your island and never return and you never have to see me again. If I can't escape from here, I'll stay without giving you any trouble, accept whatever treatment you give me and I won't utter a single complaint. What do you say?"
She put her hands on her hips. "On one condition. You answer one question for me, and it has to be the truth."
Whoa...a high-stakes woman. Can't help but respect that. "You got a deal."
"What are you hoping to accomplish?"
"...cheese and crackers, woman, you don't go for the easy ones, do you?" I sighed. I didn't want to admit this to anyone, not openly, but I didn't have a choice. "In a word...redemption."
"For what?"
"Ah-ah-ah. That's two questions."
Diana chuckled slightly, as if her expression of humor had been trying to escape. Guy could fall in love with that laugh. "Very well. Summon your steed...and try to leave."
"With you standing right in front of me?"
"You never said I had to make it easier for you."
Oh, the snark. "Fine. Have it your way." I raised my fingers to my lips and whistled, a single, loud note for about two seconds. Diana winced as it echoed off the confines of the cell, then looked around. "How long must I wait to see something?"
"Well, you'll probably be able to see my steed from the door," I offered, counting the seconds. Diana went to the door and looked out through the small hole at eye level. As she got to the door, I remembered something.
I'd left the parking brake on.
Diana turned as she heard the noise, a slight grinding sound as the TARDIS materialized around me. Normally, would've been almost completely silent, but she was alert now. She ran towards me to grab me and pull me away, but she wasn't fast enough.
Next thing I knew, we were in the TARDIS control room, and she was hugging me. "You know, Diana, if you'd asked me about doing something like this, I probably would've said, 'yes'."
She pulled back slightly, looking around, then realized what she was doing and pushed me backwards, giving the control room a more thorough inspection. "Where are we?"
"Inside my ship." I picked myself off the floor. "It's called the TARDIS."
"Release me at once, or I shall force you to…"
I groaned inwardly. "Door's right over there and it's unlocked."
She looked at me sideways, moving to the door and opening it, seeing the inside of the cell. She turned back to look around, then walked outside. I started to set the TARDIS to head for America when she came back in. Wait for it…
"It's...bigger on the inside."
"Yeah, I know, I've been meaning to do something about that…"
Diana walked closer to me, looking around at her surroundings. The TARDIS interior was made to resemble Old West architecture while still maintaining the full functionality of the normal controls. "'TARDIS'? Why would you call your ship 'slow'?"
"What? Oh, right, Latin. No, 'TARDIS' is an acronym." I smiled, walking to the control console. "All right, I've won the wager, mind stepping outside so I can leave?"
"Wait...you may have this...whatever this is, but you have yet to escape." She smiled and took my arm. "All I need to do, Gambler, is walk through those doors…"
The doors slammed shut. Mother always did have a dramatic streak. "Trust me, like so many situations in this universe, getting out is always tougher than getting in."
"I do not wish to have to use force on those doors, or on you, for that matter."
I sighed and shook my head. By the time I'd stopped moving my head from side to side, Diana was still, a silvery-red glow surrounding her body. "I really wish you hadn't said that," I noted, pulling my arm from her grasp. "Mother doesn't respond well to threats to my person. Don't panic. You're surrounded by a stasis field. I know it probably stings a little, but you're perfectly safe. It does mean that our conversation is over, however. I really regret that; you don't seem to be as intolerant or as bullheaded as the others here. I really hope that the next time you meet a male, you'll afford them the same kind of compassion you've exhibited towards me. Mother? Doors?" I lifted Diana carefully as the doors opened, and carried her outside the TARDIS, setting her down in the cell. "There. Now, as soon as I leave, the stasis field will drop and you'll be fine. I don't know if we'll ever meet again, but I look forward to it. Oh, if they give you any trouble, just tell them I used….magic or sorcery or something like that. Take care of yourself, Diana."
I went back inside and set the controls to find someplace else to be. As I threw the switch, I dearly hoped the next person I met wouldn't be quite so...hostile.
I landed and looked around. Definitely a contrast. I was in the middle of a large city, skyscrapers all around. The sun was out, making the city seem just as idyllic as the island I just left. So far, things were looking up. I checked the local time. Hmm, ten in the morning.
I do believe I scheduled a nice little walk about that time.
I looked at myself in the mirror. Perhaps my clothing was a bit dated; I wore the same jeans, boots, duster, hat and shirt considered fashionable a hundred years or so ago, but I like my clothing style. Besides, it's from the time and place where I was reborn as the Gambler. Let's see, what else, my guns, my psychic paper identification, a couple of snacks to eat along the way and my sonic tool. I should probably pick up some of the local currency while I'm at it.
Thus attired, I opened the doors and went outside.
I looked around as I closed the door behind me and locked it. A park. The TARDIS was currently disguised as a small storage shed, so things were certainly working out better here, and I chose to head north to see what I could see.
Well, I didn't get as many funny looks as I expected, which was nice. I stopped at a bank's automated money dispensary and used the sonic tool to withdrew three hundred pounds, no wait, not pounds, euros, nuyen, lire...DOLLARS, that's it. Should be enough for a few good meals. Next stop, newspaper. Local news are always useful for getting one's bearings.
I picked up a newspaper and looked it over. As soon as I did so, I knew something was off. The main stories were about beings exhibiting superhuman abilities. Apparently I was in a place called, "National City", which is kind of an odd name for a city that isn't big enough to cross the borders of more than one state. What's more, superhumans were things that were commonly accepted.
Superheroes and supervillains? Earth didn't have these...not the Earth I knew, in any case!
I found a park bench and continued to read, my head spinning a little, trying to find out if I was on a different Earth. I would've known if the TARDIS had jumped the reality barriers. They'd been reinforced for millennia, and the ride would've been extremely bumpy, to say the least…
"Hey, cowboy."
I looked up to see a woman who was a bit pale, with white hair, wearing black leather. She looked down at me with a slight smile on her face. "Yes?"
"You done with the sports section?" I got the feeling from her smile that this woman was having a joke at someone's expense.
"Help yourself."
She picked up that section of the newspaper and sat down next to me, holding the paper up to obscure her face from the people around her. "So, seeing as how you haven't run away yelling, you don't know who I am, right?"
"Should I?"
"Yeah, you're from out-of-town, all right. Lemme guess. Texas."
"Montana, since you ask." I didn't turn to look at her. "I don't think we've been introduced. I'm the Gambler."
"Name's Livewire." She looked at me. "You're weird."
"That's a rather personal remark, considering we've just met."
"You don't get it. When I look around, I get a sense of people. Something about their bio-electric signature. You could say electricity is something I know a lot about. Anyways, I'm looking around for someone in particular. Someone who double-crossed me."
"Let me guess. You're looking for him and checking out these signatures in case the person you're looking for is in disguise?"
"Not bad, Gambler. You're smart for a bronco-buster. But you see, I got this problem. The cops don't like me much. Neither does the local hero, Supergirl. So I have to keep a low profile."
"And since you're out here, it means you're exposed?"
"Yeah. And since I can't find the little slime, now I gotta head back to my flop. But I don't want to get arrested, see. I can head back using power lines and such, but that's loud."
"...I fail to see what the problem is."
"Right now, I would KILL for a Big Belly Burger with all the trimmings, but I don't want to call attention to myself. I'm too exposed as it is."
"So, you want me to go get you some food?"
"I really don't want to have to threaten you. Makes people nervous, they forget details like extra ketchup, stuff like that…" Her voice trails off as I stand up. "Don't even TRY to run, pal, or you won't make it…"
"Which way's the nearest Big Belly Burger?"
She stopped in mid-death threat. "You'll do it?"
"Sure. Never been to one, and seeing as how you're willing to risk your freedom to get some food from that place, I must admit I'm powerful curious. Not to mention I'm a little hungry myself. So, what do you want?"
"...number five Big Belly combo, large fries, onion rings, large Mountain Dew, and if they got them, a couple of their chocolate pie slices." She was looking at me with a slight bewildered expression. "Uh, you got all that?"
"Sure. Listen, if you want to go someplace less conspicuous while I'm gone, I'll understand. Where do you want me to meet you?"
"You're serious? How do I know you won't invite the cops over for lunch?"
"Keep your voice down, for Pete's sake. Look, I just got here, I've got no quarrel with anyone here. And truth be told, I just left someplace filled with people that didn't exactly set out the good china for me, so I'm not very picky right now about who I break bread with."
Livewire sat there for a few moments, almost letting the newspaper slip down. "You are really friggin' strange, you know that, right?"
"I get that a lot. Where?"
I walked into the abandoned dance club, nothing the place was unlocked from the inside. Livewire clearly had skills with breaking and entering. "Big Belly Burger Delivery!" I called out, locking the door behind me and walking inside.
Livewire came out of a dark area, stopping as she saw me. "There's, like, five bags."
"After I ordered for you, I couldn't decide on what I liked, so I picked up everything I liked." I set the bags down on a table in a dusty booth and sat down. "Bon appetit."
If Livewire still had any suspicions about me, her hunger made her forget them entirely and she dove in, unwrapping her burger and biting into it. The sound of pleasure she made was almost orgasmic in its intensity. "GOD...I haven't had one of these in weeks…"
"Haven't been eating much?"
She practically stuffed the burger into her mouth, then wiped her mouth with her sleeve. "I can survive on electricity, but there's just something about real food…" She started in on the onion rings, dipping them in ketchup. I had already started on a chicken sandwich. This place was pretty good. As I took some fries, I caught her looking at me. "What, do I have something on my face?"
"I don't get it. Why would you do that?"
"Have fries without ketchup?"
"NO, you bonehead. Stick your neck out for me. What do you want from me?"
"I just wanted to have a nice meal with some company. That's all."
"I'm a criminal, you know. Wanted, people trying to lock me up, stuff like that?"
"Nobody's perfect."
"Huh. So what's your story, Gambler?"
"Been traveling for a while, ended up here in National City for the first time. And things here...it's like the same but they're different."
"How so?"
"Where I come from, they don't have superhumans."
"Must be pretty boring…" Livewire stopped. "Tell me I didn't just see guns under that coat of yours."
"Relax. I carry those everywhere I go, I didn't get them just for you. Now eat. Food's getting cold."
Livewire stared at me for a few moments while I finished off the fries and the chicken sandwich, starting in on one of the Big Bellies. "You're nuts, you know that?" She sighed. "And I guess I'm nuts, too, because I'm trusting you."
I raised my drink. "To a lovely meal with pleasant company." I froze as I heard a noise in the back. "Now, wait, I didn't tell anyone I was here…!"
"Unlax, Gambler. I invited her."
"Her?" I turned and looked to see a woman with silver hair, a lovely face covered with makeup that gave her a skeletal appearance and a form-fitting bodysuit with rags covering it.
"Well, well. Livewire. Who's the hostage?"
"Give it a rest, Banshee. He's just the delivery boy." Livewire turned to me with a sly grin. "You don't mind sharing all this food, do you?"
"Well...I do admit my eyes may have been bigger than my stomach…" I stood up as the new guest approached. "Hello, I'm the Gambler. And you are...?"
"Silver Banshee." She started giving me the same odd look Livewire had on earlier. "Why'd you stand up? I didn't need your chair."
Huh? "I stood up because a lady came to my table." I turned to Livewire, who was smothering a smile. "Men don't do that here?"
"My, my. A hostage with manners." Silver Banshee took a chair and I sat down again.
"He ain't a hostage, Banshee. Just enjoy your meal, Gambler did me a solid, so we're letting him go. We need to change hideouts, anyways, so we don't need to kill him or tie him up or anything."
Silver Banshee wasn't convinced, but she sat down and started eating. "He doesn't seem to mind eating with two known criminals."
"He's new in town." Livewire grinned. "He doesn't know anything about supers here, and he's got manners. Just savor the win."
"If he doesn't know anything about supers, why does he call himself 'the Gambler'? Sounds like a hero name to me."
"Yeah, why do you call yourself that?" Livewire asked as she claimed one of the chocolate pies.
I considered coming up with a lie, but I thought better of it. Besides, maybe it might help to talk about it. "...because I don't know what my real name is. I made myself forget it."
"Dude, HARSH…" Livewire was more interested now. "Why'd you do something like that?"
"Because the person I was happened to be a real monster. I was crazy, insane with power. I hurt people. Caused all kinds of death and destruction."
"Sound to me," Silver Banshee mused, "that you were a supervillain after all."
"Maybe. One day, during a rare moment of sanity, I tried to destroy myself. I succeeded...sort of...and I came out the person you see right now. Didn't expect to survive, actually."
"How many people you kill?" Livewire asked.
"...I stopped counting after a while."
"Wow...so you just lobotomized yourself?"
"Sort of. There's all kinds of bad out there. The kind of bad I was, I just couldn't live with it." I looked up. Silver Banshee actually looked sympathetic...I think. That was a lot of makeup, after all. "So I've been alone for a long time, traveling. This is actually the first time in...stars, has it really been a few years when I didn't eat by myself?"
It was silent again for a while. When the silence was broken, it was Silver Banshee. "You have any family?"
"Not anymore. Lost them in the War. Lost them all, everyone I knew." I looked at Silver Banshee. "You?"
"An aunt."
"When was the last time you spoke to her?"
"It's been a few months. Happens when you're wanted by the police…"
"CALL HER. Call her RIGHT NOW. Call her, tell her you're alright and that you love her." I didn't realize I was tearing up until I heard the catch in my voice. "Don't waste another second. You never know how many you have left."
Silver Banshee looked at me levelly. "I can't call her. Police have her phone tapped. I call her, and the police will trace the call."
"Give me your phone." I took out the sonic tool and adjusted it as she took out her phone. "Show me which number is hers." She nodded and showed me the contact. I aimed the sonic at the phone and adjusted its parameters, then handed her back the phone. "There. From now on, when you call that number, the phone will be completely untraceable."
"You're kidding." Livewire stood up and looked at the phone, then at me. "How'd you do that?"
"Never mind. That's not important. What about you, Livewire?"
"I got my own means of being untraceable...and I got a mom in Queens. Haven't talked to her in years. She probably thinks, or hopes, I'm dead."
"Let her know you're alive."
"She's hated my guts for years. I ain't giving her the satisfaction."
"Don't do it for her, then. Do it for you."
Livewire gave me that stare again. "I'll think about it."
"Good." I got to my feet and wiped my mouth with a napkin. "I'm going to go. You've got things to do and I've taken up too much of your time as it is."
"Well, it wasn't all bad." Livewire stuck out a hand. "Gambler, I think you're probably crazier than the both of us put together, and I ain't exactly Dr. Joyce Brothers...but it was nice having you over for dinner. So cheer the hell up, already."
"I'll do that." I smiled. I had to admit, I did feel a little better. "Thanks. Uh….where's the back door?"
"I'll show you." Silver Banshee stopped. "Wait...you know we're superhumans, right? I'm surprised you're not the slightest bit curious about what our powers are. Usually, it's the first thing people want to know."
I looked at her, cocking my head slightly. "I really don't see how any of that matters. Have a good day, you two." And with that, I went out the front door. I felt better, I wasn't hungry anymore and I knew more about where I was.
I'd still like to know how the blazes I GOT here, though.
Time to hit the library.
The National City Public Library was huge...and mostly empty. I didn't have any trouble heading to the Periodicals and seeing what I could find out, once I made sure to put my guns where they wouldn't be noticed. I was having a little trouble finding what I needed until one of the librarians noted my frustration and brought me to a computer terminal that had the information scanned there for reference.
While I did that, I discovered an invaluable tool for finding exactly what I needed. I was surprised, though. What a funny name, "Google".
I spent hours looking up information about superhumans. And there was a lot of them, all with odd and fantastic names. Superman. Batman. Livewire and Silver Banshee. Toyman. Poison Ivy. Metallo. The Joker. And reports of different aliens here on Earth?
I had to take a break. My head was spinning. I checked my watch and realized that it was already eight at night. My, how time flies. The irony of that statement was not lost on me. However, I was no closer to figuring out how I got here, or how to get home. Without a dimensional vantage point, it could be hundreds of years before I came to a reality that I could use to find my way back from whence I'd come.
And I've got better things to do with my time.
I started picking up my books to put them back when I realized I wasn't alone in the Periodicals anymore. Five men and one woman were there, all watching where I was sitting. "You know," I said loudly, "it's impolite to stare."
The woman of the group walked towards me. What is it with this reality and women that I seem to get their attention? "May I ask you to come with me, please?"
I looked her over. Old enough to be someone's mother, maybe grandmother. Hair tied back in a bun, dark business dress and blazer. She was smiling, but that smile was about as genuine as a three-dollar bill. "Ask all you want. Not going to happen. Who are you and what do you want?"
"I'll explain everything once we're someplace more secure. It's important that we talk."
"Oh, I just bet it is. Wait...I know who you are. Lillian Luthor. I saw your face when you were with your son, Lex, and your daughter, Lena. What is it with your family and the letter 'L'?" I shook my head.
"So...you know who I am. That's unfortunate. I was hoping we'd be able to avoid any unpleasant actions, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist that you come with us."
"Normally, I'd be inclined to say yes when a lady insists...but you ain't no lady. I can smell a lie like a skunk at a tea party, and I can tell lying comes so easy to you, it's practically your native tongue. So, no, I will not be going anywhere with you."
"You aliens...you're all alike. My son recognized you for what you are, and just because one alien caused his downfall doesn't mean I'm about to let another alien race invade like the last one." All pretense of charm was gone, and she'd transformed from prim professional to professional harridan. Fast. "So you're going to come with me, right now."
"I fear that I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request."
"It's not a request when you have the power to make it compulsory." She smiled as the men around me stood up, drawing guns. GUNS, for goodness' sake. "Come with us, now."
"Well, that's just not being fair. You've all got guns and all I have is this." I drew out the sonic tool. "The odds are clearly uneven." The guns aimed at my head as I held up the device.
"And what is that? Some sort of weapon?"
"NO. You people and your weapons and your threats and your GUNS...it's really quite disappointing." I pressed the button and it made a noise, immediately making Lillian and her men tense up considerably, then relax as they saw nothing else was happening. "You see? This is all I have."
"Don't play games with me, whoever you are."
"I'm the Gambler, Luthor. And I have a confession to make. Remember when I said that this sonic tool was all I had?"
"Yes?"
I smiled and the lights went out in the whole building. We were in a room with no windows, so things got pretty dark in a hurry. Of course, I was the only one in the room who learned to live without electricity, so when I moved, they couldn't see where I'd gone.
"GAMBLER!" Lillian shrieked.
"What I meant to say, Luthor, was that it was all I needed," I said as I shoved open the door to the stairs, knowing they'd hear it, and reached in my pocket for the necklace I kept there. I put it on, and just stayed out of the way when the lights came on. Lillian, as expected, made a run for the stairs.
I saw her and her men run right past me and leave by the stairs. I waited ten seconds, then went to the elevator. Clearly it was closing time.
By the time I got to the front doors, Luthor and her men were gone, and I think I just figured out why. Hovering in the air over the courtyard in front of the library were two people, a man and a woman, both wearing outfits of red and blue, with red capes and with an "S" on their chests. From the research, either I or Luthor had attracted the attention of Superman and Supergirl.
That's what I love so much about traveling in time and space. You get to meet the most interesting people.
I considered removing the perception filter, but they apparently brought backup. Another man and a woman, both apparently human, but the man didn't seem to be human. More aliens. How cosmopolitan. "Anything?" the alien who wasn't flying asked.
"The source of the sonic emissions definitely came from here," said the flying alien man. Great. I couldn't afford to show off in front of these two. Might as well put the necklace away and keep it for a rainy day.
As I walked out, as if nothing was happening, the human woman looked down at some sort of device in her hand. "I'm detecting some anomalous energy coming from…" She looked up and directly at me. Then they were all looking at me. "Excuse me…!" she called out.
Corralled. Hopefully I wasn't going to be taken against my will by these people. Three attempts in as many days is just plain tiresome. "Uh, howdy. Something I can help you with?"
"Can we talk?" Superman asked.
"Do I have a choice this time?" I countered.
"Of course...as long as your intentions aren't hostile."
"So far, ever since I came here, the only people who weren't hostile to me were two supervillains. You'll excuse me if I have my suspicions about people in authority." While I was talking, Supergirl was looking at me carefully. For a moment, I entertained the idea that she might've thought me appealing to look at, but she dashed that hope pretty quick.
"Kal...he's not human. He's got two hearts."
"That explains the alien energy patterns," said the other alien male.
"'He' is standing right here. And you should talk, pardner. The only human here is the woman standing next to you. Now, before this goes any further, I think introductions are in order. You two are Superman and Supergirl. I'm the Gambler. Now, who are you two?"
The male stepped forward. "Hank Henshaw, Director of the Department of Extranormal Operations. This is Agent Alex Danvers."
"Great. Now that I no longer have to say, 'hey, you' to get your attention, first off, I'm not going anywhere except someplace I choose to go. And I'm fine with right here."
"This location isn't safe," Henshaw said firmly.
"This universe isn't safe. You're going to need a better argument."
"Then where would you feel most secure?" Superman asked.
I knew the answer...and I hated the answer. "I only know one place, but I'm not exactly eager to take you there...ah, hells' fire...come on. It's in the park."
"We can fly you there," Supergirl offered. "Probably faster."
"...fine. But the second I don't like the flight, I'm walking out."
"Down there." Flying with the Supers was somewhat convenient, and Supergirl carried Danvers while Superman carried me and Henshaw. I directed them down to the section of trees where the TARDIS was. "That storage shed."
"That shed? If you say so."
We landed and I unlocked the door, then turned to the others. "Well, you coming in, or not?"
"Isn't that going to be a little...cozy?" Henshaw said, looking at me skeptically.
"Suit yourself." I went inside. I decided to go make some coffee, wait for their curiosity to kick in…
"COOOOOL!" There we go. I turned and saw them come in, one by one, looking around at the interior of the TARDIS. Supergirl had looked in first, dashed outside, dashed back in, back outside and then in again. "It's bigger on the inside!"
Yup. That never gets old. "Close the door, you're letting in a draft. Now, if you'll follow me, we'll talk in the dining room. If you need to wash up before dinner, the bathroom is down that corridor, third hallway on the right, six doors down, just past the swimming pool."
"Swimming pool?" Alex asked, blinking.
"Right. Who wants coffee?"
.
.
.
TO BE CONTINUED...