Chapter Eleven
The Ballad of Anthony Starr
Anthony Starr slammed his fist against the table and swore. His computer's home screen was covered with hundreds of open files, most of them related to himself and the Black Cross. "No, no, no, no, no," he said. "This can't be happening." How? How was it possible? He'd protected those documents behind the best security the Black Cross could provide.
He clicked through his files, looking at their source code. It looked like all of his security measures had been completely blown open. It almost reminded him of that virus James Cage had-
"Dang it, James!"
It was bad enough that he'd spent the last six months living in that brainiac's shadow, now James was screwing him over even in death. He rubbed his chest. His ribs still twinged from the day Joshua Cage had shattered them. Underneath his clothes and lab coat, large purple splotches covered his chest, wrapped up in thick bandages. The injuries had healed fairly well, thanks to the Black Cross's healers, but they still caused him pain from time to time. He considered it a point of personal pride that he had been able to act as though everything was normal in front of his comrades at EAGLE despite the pain.
Anthony ran his hands through his long hair, pacing back and forth. He remembered how Katie had claimed to have found something while in the lab today, but then she said it was nothing during the debriefing. Of course she did, he thought. She was probably onto him at that point. She'd probably gone to Kenpachi right after the meeting and told him all about it. And then she came here for proof.
She was probably on her way to tell General Kenpachi right now, which meant he didn't have much time before EAGLE would be after him. He needed a plan. He looked back at his computer, at the correspondences between himself and the fuhrer.
The fuhrer, he thought. He needs to know.
Anthony locked up his computer for now and left the lab, making for his barracks. Once inside, he made sure no one was around before sitting down on his cot and pulling his footlocker over. He reached inside and removed everything from it, dumping it all on his cot. He then undid the latch on the locker's false bottom and removed it, revealing a small shrine with a large black cross hand-painted above it. His costume lay folded underneath it. Anthony reached in and removed his cape and robes, their velvety material feeling just like stage curtains. He set them carefully in his lap before pulling out his mask. His true face. Anthony held it tenderly in his hand, the gleaming golden smile staring back at him.
He remembered his old life, as a struggling young actor named Roger Stevens, long before EAGLE, the Ranger Project, or even the Black Cross. He remembered being approached by the fuhrer, one night after a dismal performance of "Sam Trueheart," the fuhrer's offer to help him become the star he was meant to be.
For two years after taking up the deal, Anthony saw nothing but success. Terrible accidents befell the casting directors who tried to blackball him, and any actors who beat him out for roles suddenly found they couldn't continue in the role. Anthony suspected what was really going on, but he didn't care. He was a star.
In return, Anthony pledged his undying loyalty to the fuhrer, swearing to serve him faithfully in whatever he needed. The fuhrer came to collect a few years later, offering him a place in his glorious revolution.
"You would have to give up your acting career," he had told him. "But in giving it up, you will take on the role of a lifetime, perhaps the most important role you will ever play."
A small part of Anthony had wanted to back out, to keep his fame and stardom, but he always upheld his promises. He agreed.
Soon, the revolution began. The Black Cross was born, as was the Golden Mask. Anthony discarded everything about his old life, crafting a mask and costume based upon his old life as a stage actor. He led one of the very first Black Cross attacks, bombing a skyscraper in Angel Grove, resulting in the death of famed actor Roger Stevens, at least according to the news reports. When EAGLE was founded in response to their attacks, he was given a new name, reinvented as a young scientist named Anthony Starr. He'd always tested well in the sciences, though they were never his passion.
Once he had secured himself a place in the science division, he was paired up alongside a brilliant young scientist named Will Cranston. A bit of a nerd, all things considered, but a genius when it came to technology. After a few months working together, Will had trusted Anthony enough to show him the idea he'd been working on: plans for a series of super suits to enhance soldier performance. He wanted to present them to EAGLE's leadership when they were finished.
Seeing the potential in them, Anthony immediately reported his findings to the fuhrer. Will soon found himself the victim of a tragic accident, leaving Anthony to carry on his work. After several days of studying the blueprints like a script, he presented them as his own and got the go-ahead to begin the project. He and the Fuhrer had agreed to let EAGLE build the suits, using their advanced technology to perfect the designs, while he slipped the Black Cross details on every update.
Anthony pulled out a small communication device, the one he used every day to "call his mom." He clicked it on and the fuhrer picked up a second later. "Good evening, my son," he said, his voice gentle and inviting as always. "What news do you have for me tonight?"
"Unfortunate news, my master," he said. "I believe that my cover has been blown. I discovered one of the Red Ranger's companions going through my computer. She is reporting to General Kenpachi and the ranger as we speak."
"I see," the fuhrer said.
"I believe it was the virus that James Cage used to wipe our system. It may be used to expose more of our agents. I recommend a full sweep."
"Who knows for certain?"
"Currently, Lieutenant Katie Young, and most likely General Kenpachi, Joshua Cage, and Dayton Owens. I humbly request an extraction team be sent immediately."
The fuhrer laughed.
"I am sorry, my son," he said. "I'm afraid I cannot do that. With your identity revealed, you are merely a liability now. You knew what had to be done if you were to be discovered."
Anthony's eyes glanced quickly at his locker, where a small packet of cyanide pills sat in one corner. He swallowed.
"But, I've served you faithfully for years," Anthony said, fear and desperation filling his heart. "You can't do this. You can't just abandon me here."
"I'm sorry about this, my son. I truly am. Yours is a great loss to our movement. You will be gravely missed."
"Please!" Anthony cried.
"I hope you can make it out, my son. Forgive me."
"Wait!"
The communicator clicked and when silent. Anthony stared in stunned silence at the small device in his hand. His body shook, anger building inside him. "What was it all for?" he screamed, throwing the device against the wall and shattering it. He picked up his foot locker and smashed it against the floor, beating on it and trying his best to destroy it. Finally, he tossed it away.
He pulled out a large duffel bag. He scooped up his belongings, most importantly his Golden Mask costume, and stuffed them inside. He needed an escape plan and fast. His mind fell on the makeshift suit back in the lab.
A cruel smile crossed his face. Perfect, he thought.
He slung his bag over his shoulder, and stepped out into the hall, looking around to make sure no one was coming for him yet. He made his way briskly back to the lab, only to find that the room was occupied. Maya Kendrick, one of the scientists on his team, was working hard at her computer when he walked in. She looked up at him, adjusting her large glasses.
"Hey, Anthony," she said.
"Hey, Maya," he said, quickly putting on his casual face and stepping into the room. "What's going on?"
"Not much," she said with a shrug. "Just some quick late work."
He stepped up behind her to get a look at what she was working on. Just some notes as far as he could tell. "Heard any news?" he asked.
"Should I have?" she asked.
Anthony shrugged. "No," he said. "Just checking."
He turned away and headed back over to his own station. The makeshift suit lay on the table before it, still in as good condition it had been the day Joshua Cage had escaped from him. He clenched his fist, yearning for the power the suit offered. He ran his hand along the thick armored cloth before circling around to his computer and logging in. The suit was fully charged and everything looked to be running properly.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Maya said, walking over to join him at the table. "Did you ever think you'd end up building a real life superhero?"
"It sure is something," Anthony said. He glanced at the time, tapping his foot impatiently. He had hoped to be alone. He needed to get rid of her quickly. While she looked over the suit, Anthony casually reached down and unzipped his bag, pulling out a small device similar to Joshua's morpher. He slipping it around his wrist before standing up straight. She hadn't noticed a thing.
"Shouldn't you be heading to bed?" he said.
"Yeah," Maya said. "But I've got a lot to do, and I can't stand leaving it until morning."
"How long do you think it will take?" Anthony carefully edged himself behind her.
"About an hour, I think. Not too long."
He didn't have that long. Anthony really didn't want to do this, but he didn't really have much of a choice. He tapped the button on the device at his wrist, activating the nanotech inside. The shaft of a handle formed in his hand, and he gripped it. His large golden scythe grew to its full height in a matter of seconds, its edge gleaming and sharp.
Maya turned to look at him, her eyes widening as she took in the scythe in his hand. "What are you-"
"I'm really sorry about this, Maya," Anthony said. He sliced and she fell to the ground dead, her head a few feet away. Anthony wiped the scythe and set it aside.
He checked his readings one more time, just to be sure everything was functional. He unplugged the suit and started putting it on, fixing the harness around himself before putting on the coat, gloves, and boots, connecting everything and making sure it all worked properly. He left the helmet sitting where it was. He had his own mask.
He opened his bag and pulled out the Golden Mask, holding it tenderly in his hand. He fixed it onto his head and clasped it shut. He then pulled out his cape and tied it around his shoulders, getting a good look at himself in the mirror. He clenched his fist and felt a surge of strength flow through his arm. Incredible, he thought, clenching and unclenching again and again. He reached out and picked up his scythe, gripping the weapon firmly in his hand.
He looked down at Doctor Kendrick's body on the floor. "Since we're here," he thought, "I might as well leave a few more bodies lying around before I go."