« My favor, Lucifer » "My favor, Lucifer:
Disclaimer :
The characters of the "Lucifer" series, the Avengers and the "John Wick" saga, as well as those of "Star Trek: Enterprice" and the "Fallen" saga, are the exclusive property of their respective authors (Netflix and DC, Marvel, Metropolitain Films, Gene Roddenberry and Millenium Film.).
I derive no financial benefit from this fiction. Spoiler for " Angel has fallen ".
Mike watched the area around the gas station, dressed in "borrowed" clothes and seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he walked as normally as possible to a phone booth.
There, in the poor lighting in the area of a roadside supply road in Virginia, he asked for a collect call.
Hunted by the FBI and by all the police in the country, Mike was the number one enemy of the United States and the most wanted fugitive on the planet.
Handcuffed and escorted to a high-security prison to await his trial for high treason and attempted assassination of President Alan Trumbull, the former Secret Service agent had not had the opportunity to see Ben again and was eager to hear his husband's voice.
He was concerned for the safety of Ben and their children because he knew what Wade Jenning, his former Special Forces teammate, was capable of if Mike thwarted his plans in the assassination of President Trumbull.
In fact, Banning had already had to thwart the criminal plans of his ex-friend Jenning, by managing to escape the commandos charged with eliminating him during his transfer to the high-security prison.
Men from Salient Global, the private security company run by Wade. Knowing Jenning's tenacity, Mike realized that he was in a race against time to clear his name and save the President.
But first and foremost, he had to make sure that Ben, along with Lynne and Connor, were out of the reach of Jenning and his henchmen.
By what means and who to trust? To whom to entrust, with eyes closed, the life of her husband and soul mate Ben and that of their children?
Mike knew from his previous experiences that the sponsor(s) of the conspiracy always had an internal complicity or mole at the highest level of the state.
Proof with Forbes during Kang's attack on the White House and with John Lancaster of MI6 during the Barkawi attacks in London.
Alone and on the run, the former agent had in mind to seek help from Clay Banning, his father whom he had not seen for years.
Waiting for Ben to accept his collect call, Mike reviewed all the contacts he had made during his years in Secret Service and Special Forces in his mind and suddenly, as his husband's anxious voice was heard on the other end of the line, he relived in a flash the conversation he had had with Lucifer Morningstar a year earlier.
Lucifer Morningstar was virtually untouchable because of his connections with the Avengers and would be able to provide infallible protection for Ben, Lynne and Connor, as well as Leah.
It was time to remind the billionaire of the favor he owed Mike.
'Mike, are you okay?" Ben said on the phone right away.
-Don't worry about me, babe," Mike replied, trying to control the wave of emotion that threatened to overwhelm him. It's okay. I promise to do everything I can to get back to you and our kids. But first I have to prove my innocence and find the real culprit. »
He knew that they were not alone on the line and that FBI special agents Thompson and Ramirez were listening, certainly and attentively, to their conversation.
Ben was not unaware of this fact, and not having won the presidential election twice, the world's leading power in the world by his charm and smile, but by his verbal eloquence and innate sense of politics, he demonstrated this, by addressing Agents Thompson and Ramirez directly.
Much to Mike's dismay, he resolved to listen to his husband subtly and calmly correct the two FBI special agents:
"Mike is a man of integrity and loyalty and has proven his patriotism twice by saving me from the psychopath Kang and the plague Barkawi. If you weren't so blinded by the ambition to climb the ladder, special agent Thompson, you would understand that my husband is incapable of selling his country. When Mike establishes his innocence and brings you the real culprit, I can assure you there will be consequences. Expect a reshuffling of a few branches of the FBI. Mike, can you hear me? Do what you do so well: protect POTUS. »
In the FBI headquarters, special agent Helen Thompson, with great difficulty, repressed a shiver of apprehension and her conviction was shaken, in the space of a few seconds, by the confidence expressed by Benjamin Asher, former President of the United States.
But the young woman's doubts did not last long as all the evidence collected pointed to Mike Banning as the main suspect in the attempted assassination of the current President.
….
Ben's unwavering confidence in his abilities moved Mike, who, on an "I love you, Ben. " hung up the phone.
He had to leave the gas station because the FBI, having located the call, was probably on its way to apprehend him.
But he sighed, annoyed that armed truckers, excited at the thought of arresting Public Enemy Number One and lured by the substantial financial reward, were holding him at gunpoint with shotguns.
A waste of time in perspective when every minute counted!
"-Lucifer. "Mike murmured, before raising his arms in the air.
The two gunmen exchanged an amused look at each other, wondering about the mental health of the most wanted man in every state in the country.
Suddenly there was silence and time seemed to stand still. A rustle of wings could be heard behind the two truckers who collapsed on the tar, unconscious.
Lucifer, impeccably dressed in his three-piece suit, nonchalantly walked towards Mike.
"Those idiots will not wake up until the next morning," announced the archangel, contemplating, with indifference, the two asleep. They will have no memory of that night. »
He approached the fugitive with a casual smile and quietly scanned him from head to toe. He hummed, looking satisfied with himself:
"One appreciates being at the height of one's physical capabilities, hm? We are following your adventures with attention, agent Banning. But first of all, know that you have the support of the Avengers and my husband Daniel."
The Avengers' moral support took a weight off Mike's shoulders and he breathed an involuntary sigh of relief.
"Think carefully about what you are going to ask me," Lucifer warned, staring into Mike's dark eyes. It would be a shame not to take advantage of the fact that the Devil owes you a favor. »
Mike did not falter under the archangel's piercing and dark gaze and declared, in a firm and sure tone :
"-I'm counting on you to protect Ben, Lynne, Connor and Leah. I trust only you, Lucifer. »
Lucifer remained silent, examining the human in front of him and pleasantly surprised by the latter's request: Mike could have asked for his help in confusing the real culprit. But the man had chosen to entrust his family to him.
" - An excellent choice, approved Lucifer, a serious expression on his fine and regular features. Nothing more important than the people you love. Favor granted. »
With these words, the archangel disappeared without a sound. Mike realized that time had literally stood still when he realized that only one second had passed between Lucifer's appearance and his departure.
….
With peace of mind for the safety of Ben, their children and Leah, Mike searched the pockets of one of the two sleeping on the ground, found keys and walked towards the truck.
A vintage 1969-1970 Ford Mustang appeared from a circle of light, under Mike's intrigued eye, and stopped in front of him.
Banning, circumspect and on the alert, gauged the driver who, placid, gave him back his gaze.
Dressed in a tailor-made suit and black gloves, the stranger exuded an aura of quiet and dangerous strength.
"Lucifer's friend John Wick, introduced himself the driver, opening the passenger side door to Mike's silent question. I will take you to your father's house and assist you in your quest, Mr. Banning. I was able to save Santino from Ross because of you. »
Mike decided to settle into his unexpected ally's car, remembering the e-mail revealing Ross's questionable actions and within a minute the Ford started.
…
Ben could not bring himself to sleep and watched impassively as reporters stood at the gates of his wealthy property in a quiet, residential area of Washington.
Among the television cars, he spotted two FBI and police vehicles. With a grimace of disgust, he swept with a look of disgust the crowd of curious people agglutinated and kept away by the men in charge of his protection.
Lynne slept in his room, with the innocence of her three years. Connor had gone to Europe, traveling with friends.
The following day was the day when Leah came, as agreed, to recover her daughter Lynne. Ben frowned, rightly thinking that it would be difficult for the young woman to cross the swarm of journalists and curious people.
Sitting in his comfortable office chair, Ben turned away from his window and finally dozed off.
An unusual silence pulled the former President of the United States from his sleep. An uneasiness overcame the man when he noticed the absence of his bodyguard.
It was late at night and the house was strangely quiet. Ben, cautiously and carefully, left his office and went to Lynne's room.
The little girl was still in her bed, her eyes closed on sweet dreams. Ben looked at her, a smile on his lips as a shadow fell from a corner of the girl's room.
Ben instinctively grabbed Lynne in his arms and held her close to him, slowly retreating towards the door and staring at the man who had just emerged from nothingness.
"I am Lucifer," said the intruder, putting a finger to his lips in a low voice. I am here at the request of Mike, your husband. Scott is in the process of neutralizing some of Jenning's men who have infiltrated your home. Follow me and I'll take you to the Avengers HQ. »
A portal of sparks of light appeared beside the archangel and Ben distinguished Tony Stark, Steve Rogers and Stephen Strange on the other side of the magic circle.
"Mr. Asher, you can trust us," Steve said, urging Ben to go through the portal with Lucifer. We're here to help you. You'll be safe with us in our headquarters.
-What about Connor and Leah? Ben asked, hesitantly. They can go after my son and Mike's ex-wife. I have to notify my security. »
The door to the room was brutally opened and three armed men burst into the room. Lucifer hurriedly threw Ben and Lynne behind him, protecting them with his body. Steve threw himself on one of the three intruders and quickly neutralized him.
His two accomplices did not see Ant-Man fall on them and they collapsed, knocked out, on the waxed floor of the room.
Meanwhile, Lucifer dragged Ben and his daughter-in-law Lynne through the gate.
" -We're waiting for you, Stuart Little! said Tony, seeing that Stephen was about to close the gate and that Steve had already returned to the complex.
-I'm on my way! "informed Scott, returning to his normal size and crossing the circle of light.
…
Ben, sitting in the meeting room at the Avengers complex, was drinking a cup of coffee made by Bruce and listening to Steve's explanations. Lynne slept in a room at the headquarters, which was made available to her.
Ben's personal security service had been instructed to protect his home in Washington.
"Natasha is in charge of Leah's protection," said Steve. Lucifer has asked Nathaniel to look after your son, Connor.
-Why help us? "Ben said, confused and still not coming back from being in the headquarters of the most powerful heroes on Earth.
Tony answered, with a shrug:
"Hellboy owed your John Mac Clane a debt of gratitude. So do we, so to speak. »
Ben was touched by the billionaire's words and the fact that the Avengers had not hesitated to help their friend Lucifer honor his promise. But he couldn't relax knowing that Mike was out there alone, unsupported and being hunted by the FBI.
Lucifer noticed the tension in the former President of the United States.
"Be calm, Mr. Asher," reassured the archangel with a mysterious smile. The Baba Yaga is a precious ally. »
Ben didn't have time to find out what Lucifer meant because Michael, his twin, appeared in the meeting room and calmly said to him :
"You will be staying with me and my husband, Stevie, Mr. Asher. I guess a family environment is more soothing for a three-year-old girl. »
The Avengers had thought of everything. Not surprisingly, since Tony, Lucifer and Michael were fathers themselves.
Ben gave his consent, allowing himself, at last, since the attack on his friend Alan Trumbull and the false accusations against his husband, to breathe.
End
The 7 /11/20
Duneline.