The Legend of Buddy Hero (The Defenders Saga) (5 page)

CHAPTER 6

The elevator stopped and the doors opened.  Behind the elevator doors was another door, covered in red leather.  Alexa knocked twice and looked at Buddy with a wink and a smile.

“Seriously, pal, don't worry.  Artie only brings people down here he trusts, or needs for something.” 

The door opened and a somber-looking gentleman peered at the pair.  He stepped into the door frame to block them from entering the room beyond.  He crossed his arms and stared, not making a noise.  Buddy felt even less comfortable than he had already.  This man was over six feet tall and wearing sun-glasses.  He wore a black three-piece suit and wing-tipped shoes.  He was also wearing an ear piece.

“Oh, come on Jeff, you know you're not fooling anyone, right?” Alexa pushed Jeff out of the way and walked past him.  Buddy followed cautiously.  Jeff raised his arm to block Buddy from passing. 

“Where do you think you're going?” he said in a deep imposing voice.

“Seriously, Jeff, you know who he is.  We don't have time for this today.”  Alexa grabbed Buddy's arm and pulled him into the room.  Buddy kept his eye on the man his companion had spurned.  Jeff followed the pair, looking incredibly annoyed.

The room Buddy entered was another foyer.  Yet this room, as opposed to the off-white colors and Greco-Roman design of the other, was covered in bright red colors and extravagant wood trim.  It looked more like a lounge found in a country club than the foyer to a business.  In the middle of the room was a large circular bench, also covered in red-leather.  On the bench sat several men, also wearing black suits, sunglasses, and ear pieces. They all kept their eyes on Buddy as he followed Alexa across the room. 

Jeff caught up to Alexa and placed his hand firmly on her shoulder, turning her to face him.

“Alexa, your visitor has to sign in before getting to see Mr. Flores.”

“Jeff, you know as well as I do, this isn't just
some
visitor.  This is him, the one your dad's been waiting for.  I don't think you want to be the reason their meeting is delayed, do you?”  Alexa brushed Jeff aside once more and continued walking.

“I don't care who he is, Alexa, he still has to follow the rules.” 

“You know as well as I do, this is important.  I'm not wasting time with your stupid sign-in process.”

“But, Alexa. . . “ Jeff's voice squeaked with a high pitched squeal as he began to whine.

“Jeff, you've really got to lay off this stupid power-kick, okay.  You know who this is and you know what he's here for.  You can fill out the stupid paperwork yourself.”  Alexa reached the door on the other side of the room.  This door, like the others in the room, was covered in red-leather.  Buddy wondered how many animals it had taken to supply this room with its wallpaper.  Alexa knocked twice and the door opened.  She entered the room, dragging Buddy behind her. Jeff followed. 

Inside the room was further extravagance.  This office was decorated in the same fashion as the foyer outside, with red leather and wood.  In the center of the room was an ornate wooden desk and behind that desk sat a man Buddy instantly recognized as Arthur Flores.

“Ah. . . Mr. Jackson,” said Arthur, “I'm so glad you were able to make it on such short notice.  Jeff, if you would please shut the door behind you.”

“I tried to get him to sign in, Daddy, but Alexa-”

“Jeffrey, don't be silly.  This man is our guest, not some common visitor perusing the grounds.  He is free to enter my office as he pleases.”  Jeff dropped his head, disappointed in not being able to get Alexa in trouble.  Arthur stood and walked around the desk to greet Buddy.  He shook Buddy's hand vigorously and patted him on the back with three heavy pats. 

Buddy couldn't believe he was actually in the presence of Arthur Flores.  This man, who was his employer until very recently, was the most powerful man in Sun City.  Although Buddy recognized him, Arthur looked different than he expected.  He was a large man, both in height and width.  His head was enormous, hiding his neck from view, if there was one at all.  He wore a pin-striped suit and walked with an air of confidence, as though there was nothing in this world able to hurt him.  Buddy realized this was probably true. 

Although Arthur had a strong public image and was constantly talked about in the media, Buddy realized he didn't know too much about him outside of his current work in policing the city.

“Um. . . Mr. Flores,” Buddy stuttered, “it's, uhh, an honor, sir.”

“Oh, Mr. Jackson, there's no need to be flustered in my presence, I'm only a man, like you.  Please, have a seat.”  Arthur gestured to a leather-covered chair as he walked around the desk to his place behind it.

“Thank you, sir,” Buddy responded while sitting.

“Would you care for a drink, Mr. Jackson?  If I'm not mistaken, Tennessee whiskey is your beverage of choice, correct?”

“Uhh. . . yeah, sure, that's right.”  Buddy's stuttering reappeared.

“Jeffrey.”  Arthur gestured towards Jeff and Jeff begrudgingly walked to the table beside the door to fix Buddy's drink.  “Now, Mr. Jackson, I'm sure you are very curious to know why I invited you here today.”

“Thank you,” Buddy said to Jeff, as he was handed his drink. Jeff scowled at him.  “Um, yes sir, I guess you could say that.”

“Jeffrey, I believe you are making our guest uncomfortable.  Why don't you return outside and play your game of gatekeeper some more?  I'm sure you'll find plenty of people who
will
sign in for you.”  Jeff looked angrily at Buddy, but did as his father said.  “Now, Mr. Jackson, like I said, there is no need to be uncomfortable around me.  I'm here to ask for your help, not to judge you.  I'm sure you'll find we have much more in common than you think.” 

“I find that hard to believe, sir.”  Buddy laughed nervously.

“I feel confident you'll believe differently soon enough, Mr. Jackson.  But let's get right down to business shall we?  It was brought to my attention you were involved in a situation a few nights ago of particular interest to me.  An event the government is trying to keep quiet.  An event culminating with you being placed under a doctor's care, if I'm not mistaken.”  Buddy realized this man was never mistaken. 

“Yes sir, you're talking about the night that monster came--”

“There's no need to elaborate, Mr. Jackson, my associates have kept me well informed on the events of that evening, even with the government's attempt to cover it up.  If my information is correct, you survived the ordeal with very little injury to yourself.”

“Well, they did have to--”

“Yes, yes, the doctors performed some rudimentary repairs on you, but the need for such medical involvement appears to have been unnecessary considering how quickly your injuries healed, don't you think?”

“How did you--”

“It's neither here nor there how I happen upon my knowledge of things, Mr. Jackson.  But it is true that you yourself have questioned how quickly you recovered from your injuries, am I correct?”

“Yeah, I've kinda wondered about that, sure.”

“And of your days in the, um, boxing ring, is it true you were never seriously injured in all of the sporting events you were featured in?”

“As far as I know.”

“Right, I suppose your memory is a tad fuzzy on that.  No matter, we're getting off topic.  Right now I am particularly interested in the John Doe you were on your way to visit before Ms. Rose picked you up.  Do you happen to remember having ever seen this man before?”

“No, not that I'm aware of.”

“That's unfortunate, but to be expected.”

“I'm sorry, sir, but is there some sort of point to all of this?”

“Yes, yes, I'm sorry.  I've let my curiosity get the best of me.  You see, this man is of great importance to myself and the cause I support.  And it would appear someone is trying to keep his existence a secret.  Because of this, I have had a very difficult time verifying the identity of this man.  This is where you come in.”

“So, what? You want me to get a copy of his driver's license or something?”

“A picture of the gentleman in question should suffice for the purposes of verifying he is whom I fear him to be.” 

“Sounds easy enough.  I don't have a camera on me or anything, I mean, my sister keeps bugging me about getting a cell--”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Jackson, I don't believe those who are hiding this man from the public eye would be too keen on your coming into their facility with any form of image capturing device.  We are, however, prepared for such an event as this.” Arthur pressed a button on his desk and there was a buzzing noise.

“Yes, Daddy?”  Jeff's voice came from a speaker hidden somewhere on the desk. 

“Jeffrey, please come in here and give Mr. Jackson the covert imaging device.” 

The door to the office opened quickly and Jeff entered.  He reached into his interior suit coat pocket and pulled out a pen. He held it in his hand, hesitant to give it to Buddy.

“Jeffrey, give the pen to Mr. Jackson.  It will be safe with him, I promise.”  Jeff gave the pen to Buddy.  Buddy looked at both Jeff and the pen in confusion. 

“Don't be fooled, Mr. Jackson.  What you hold in your hand is not a common writing utensil, but actually a streaming video device.  This device has been specifically designed to circumvent all attempts to determine it is anything other than a pen, even when sending out a live stream.  Simply put this device into the chest pocket on your jacket and when you are inside the room with Mr. Doe, click the pen and it will begin transmitting.”

“Okay, so, get in the room, click the pen, and then I can leave.  Sounds easy enough.”

“Well, actually, there is one more favor I would like to ask of you.”  Arthur reached into his desk and pulled out a photo of Buddy from his days of boxing.  The photo had been widely available during his years of fame.  “Would you be so kind as to autograph this for me?  I like to have such reminders of my interactions with those of renown.”

“Sure.”  Buddy stood, took the picture and marker Arthur handed him, and quickly scribbled his name across it.

“Thank you, Mr. Jackson.  I had always been a large fan of yours.  Now, Ms. Rose, would you be so kind as to deposit Mr. Jackson at the hospital.  It would also be greatly appreciated if you could await the completion of his task and provide the man with a ride home.  He is being so kind in doing this favor for us that this would be the least we can do.  We'll be in touch some day soon, Mr. Jackson.  Jeffrey.”

Jeff opened the door and Buddy followed Alexa.  As Buddy exited the room, Jeff spoke in a soft, squeaky, voice.

“I've got my eye on you, Buddy.”

“Jeffrey!  Shut the door and be quiet!”

Alexa led Buddy to the parking garage.  Neither talked until they reached the rickshaw.

“What was that all about?”  Buddy asked as he entered the vehicle.

“I don't know.  Artie never really lets me in on his schemes.  I just do whatever he asks, you know.  But he sure seemed to like you, Buddy.  I've never seen him take to someone quite as quickly as he did to you.”  Alexa lifted the front of the rickshaw and once again the world blurred into a mix of colors and lights. 

“I've gotta get me one of these,”  Buddy said.

“This piece of crap, why would you want this?”  Alexa asked, turning around to look at Buddy as the world sharpened back into view.

“Well, you know, to get places faster.”

Alexa laughed.  “If you want to get places fast, you'd need one of these, not one of those,” she said as she gestured at herself.  “And there aren't too many of these to go around.  We're a limited edition.”

CHAPTER 7

Although he should have expected it, Buddy was surprised to see they were now in front of the hospital.  He got out of his seat and looked at the front door.

“So, you'll be waiting for me, right?” Buddy asked Alexa, his eyes focused on the door.

“Don't get your hopes up, old man.  Strictly business.  Artie asked me to get you home, that's what I'll be doing.  Gotta run real quick, but I'll be back before you know it.” 

Alexa disappeared.  Buddy paused, staring at the empty space previously occupied by the oddest form of travel he had ever seen. 

Buddy walked up the steps to the front door of the hospital.  He twirled the pen-like gadget between his fingers as he walked through the door.  After signing in, Buddy was ushered to the third floor of the hospital's west wing and directed into the office of Dr. Algen. 

“The doctor will be right in to see you, Mr. Jackson, please take a seat.”

Buddy looked around the room and was astounded by the number of plaques hanging on the wall.  Accolades from several different institutions decorated the room, ranging from his seven medical degrees, all stating
with highest honor,
to his award for Surgeon of the Year. 

The door opened quickly and Dr. Algen walked in.

“Mr. Jackson, I'm glad you could make it in on such short notice.  You're doing me a huge favor by coming to talk to our John Doe.”

“Not a problem, Doc.  You said he had asked for me?”

“Yes, it was the strangest thing.  When the nurse was checking his vitals this morning, his eyes suddenly opened and he said 'Buddy'.  He's been a bit more vocal since then, but consistent in his refusal to answer any questions until he talks to you.”

“Okay, well, let's get in there then.”  Buddy said, ready to complete the odd task given him.  He wasn't entirely certain why he had agreed to such a task without promise of compensation, but was very anxious to complete it quickly.

“Well, it's not exactly that simple, Mr. Jackson.  You see, there are some government agents who claim to have a vested interest in this man.”

“Just like everyone else, huh?”

“I'm sorry?”

“Nothing.  Nevermind.”

“As you wish.  Anyways, they asked to speak with you before I allow you to visit him.”  Dr. Algen seemed uncomfortable mentioning the agents.  “I've already given them a call notifying them of your arrival.  I would assume they will be here very shortly.”

“
Dr. Algen, Agents Kent and Parker are here to see you,”
the intercom buzzed.

“Like clockwork.  These guys seem to know just when I'm thinking about them,” the doctor said, giving Buddy a glance.  He pressed the button on the intercom, “Thanks Caroline, go ahead and let them in.”

The door opened and two men entered the room.  The men could have been easily lost in a crowd.  They both wore blue suits and carried briefcases.  Buddy couldn't help but think they appeared to be impossibly unremarkable in their appearance.  The man on the right wore an odd watch.  It contained a red blinking light, which began blinking faster as they walked into the room. 

“Good afternoon, Mr. Jackson, my name is Special Agent Thomas Kent,” said the man on the right, “and my associate here is Special Agent Fred Parker.”

Buddy stood to shake their hands.  “Nice to meet you both.  What can I do for you?”

“Well, Mr. Jackson,” Agent Kent continued, “it appears you have made fast friends with the man you saved the other night.  We have some concerns regarding the background of the man in question and therefore would like to know whether or not you have any recollection of meeting this man previously.  It's very important that we understand your relationship with him before we allow you to speak with him.” 

“Well, I mean, I've seen him naked and all, but that's just the way I found him,” Buddy joked nervously.  He couldn't help but notice Agent Parker was staring at him.  Buddy felt uneasy, but couldn't look away.  The world around him went out of focus and all he could see were the man's dark eyes peering into him. 

Then he felt something pulling him.  He felt himself pulled away from the room, to somewhere far away.  The world went dark.

He opened his eyes and found himself in a room illuminated only by some unseen spotlight.  He looked around and heard footsteps getting closer.  Agent Parker stepped into the light.

“What the--  Where am I?”

“
Don't fear, Mr. Jackson, you are still in the room with the good doctor
,” Agent Parker's voice echoed, although his lips did not move.

“What?  Where the hell am I?”

“
This is a corner of your subconscious, a part of your brain relegated to idle thoughts and forgotten memories.  It seemed a fitting place for our conversation.
”

“Alright, awesome, so I'm having some sort of stroke dream or something, right?  How long till I wake up?”

“
I assure you, Mr. Jackson, this is no dream, you are completely conscious, well, in a sense at least.
”

“Alright, whatever pal.  So, what am I supposed to do in this dream?  Are we going to go off in rocket packs and explore Manhattan while fighting some giant monster?”

“
Is that what your dreams normally consist of, Mr. Jackson?  Interesting. . .
“  Agent Parker began walking around the edge of the spotlight, looking in the shadows.

“Seriously, guy, what's this all about?”

“
Oh, nothing for you to concern yourself with.  I like to allow those I'm interrogating to be present as I peruse their subconscious.
”  Agent Parker turned his back to Buddy and the spotlight disappeared.  He heard yelling and screaming all around him and saw a sudden a flash of light as a man was engulfed in flames.  The spotlight reappeared.  “
Very interesting. . .
”

“What the heck was that?”

“
Just a dream you had recently.  Do you remember it?
”

“A dream?  What the hell is going on here?”

“
Yes, Mr. Jackson, a dream.  Do you remember it?”

“What does it matter if I do?”

“I would be quite useful to me, and beneficial to you, if you were to cooperate in this procedure.”

“Listen, pal.  I still have absolutely no friggin' clue what this
procedure
is.”

“There's no need to get hostile Mr. Jackson.  This is all very much by-the-book, I assure you.
”

“Who's book is that?”

“I'm afraid I can't answer that.”

“Well then tell me, Mr. Parker, what
can
you answer?”

“A whole lot. . . about you.  For instance, what can you tell me about this memory?”
  An image appeared next to Agent Parker of Buddy and Maggie when they were younger.  They were sitting next to each other on the front steps of a house.  Buddy instantly recognized it as his childhood home.

“I'm not telling you anything.”

“I truly wish you would work with me, Mr. Jackson.
I'm simply reviewing your subconscious in an attempt to determine how much of a threat you pose.”

“Well, quit it.  I've got some dreams I'd rather not re-live.” 

“
I'm sorry, Mr. Jackson, that's not an option.  My mission is clear.
”

“I don't care about your mission.  Get out of my head, you freak!”  Buddy ran toward Agent Parker and shoved him.  The darkness faded momentarily and Buddy could see the interior of Dr. Algen's office briefly before returning to the spotlight.

“
Oh, I wish you hadn't resorted to this type of behavior, Mr. Jackson.
”  Agent Parker closed his eyes and a chair appeared behind Buddy, sliding in beneath him and causing him to fall into it.  Giant steel coils wrapped around his arms and legs, keeping him from moving. 

“Get me out of here!”  Buddy exclaimed.

“
I'll make this quick.  If all goes as I hope, you will be freed shortly.
”  Images flashed around Buddy and Parker, filling the room with glimpses of giant creatures, bloody corpses, flaming wreckage, and in the middle of all of these images was a picture of a young Buddy, wearing a green spandex suit.  Each version of himself looked angrier than the last.  Buddy cringed as he saw each image, remembering them from his dreams, where they had struck fear and pain in his heart.

His worst nightmares came to life directly in front of him moving in fast-forward.  He saw himself on the verge of death over and over again, in the grips of other-worldly creatures, at the hands of crazed-looking lunatics, and finally by his own hand.  He heard the screams of thousands, the explosions of buildings burning away the lives of millions.  He saw faces of pure fright in every corner.  Each face looked at him for help as he sat helpless in the chair Agent Parker had manifested.

Buddy closed his eyes and cried out in agony, begging Agent Parker to stop the nightmare.  And just as he cried out, the room went silent. 

“Mr. Jackson?  Do you understand everything I have told you?”  Buddy heard Agent Kent's voice.  He opened his eyes and saw he was back in Dr. Algen's office.  Agent Parker was still staring at him.   

“Mr. Jackson?” Dr. Algen asked.

“Oh, yeah, sorry.  Yeah, I got it.  We all good to see that guy now?”

“And you are completely certain you have never met, or had any dealings, with this individual in the past,” asked Agent Kent in an accusatory manner.

“I've never met the man.”  Agent Kent looked at Agent Parker and Agent Parker gave a slight nod.

“Well then, Mr. Jackson, you are cleared to talk with the patient.” 

“Perfect,” Dr. Algen said.  “Now, if you would follow me, Mr. Jackson, I can take you to get acquainted with our Mr. Doe.  If he responds to you in any way similar to the way he's responded to everyone else, you should be in for quite a treat.”   Dr. Algen walked between the federal agents and entered the hallway.  Buddy and the agents followed the doctor. 

“Oh, and Mr. Jackson,” Agent Kent said, as he moved forward to walk alongside Buddy.  “I need to ask that you wear this earpiece while you are in there speaking with the patient.”

“What for?”

“Just an act of precaution.”  Agent Kent handed Buddy a small black device.

“Okay. . . “ Buddy responded, as he turned the earpiece over in his hand.

The group arrived at a large set of doors with the words OBSERVATION ROOM printed on them.  The doctor opened the doors and gestured for Buddy to enter.  He entered a dark room with a bay of windows overlooking a well-lit area.  In the dark room was a variety of surveillance and recording equipment, all whizzing and whirring in rhythm with each other.  In the room below, Buddy saw the man he had rescued.

With the man was a queen-sized bed.  The sheets on the bed had been ripped off and were laying in a heap at its foot.  Other accoutrements, such as a rocking/reclining arm chair and a big screen TV were also in the room.  The man Buddy had rescued was pacing in the far corner of the room, arms crossed, staring at the door, and looking very agitated. 

“Sheesh, you folks have really got this guy set up, don't you?”  Buddy asked. 

“As we've already discussed, Mr. Jackson,” Agent Kent said ominously, “this man could pose a serious risk to the security of our nation.  We cannot afford to allow him much freedom until we know what he is capable of.  The amenities we have provided are in an effort to help him feel comfortable enough to open up and speak with us.  Once again, please use extreme caution when talking to this individual.  You may find his reaction to you is quite different than you would expect it to be.”

“Alright, awesome.  I'm feeling safer by the minute.”  Buddy said, reconsidering his decision.

“You should be in no immediate danger.  However, there is nothing wrong with being cautious.  Please feel free to enter the room whenever you are ready.”

Buddy looked down into the room once more, hoping there would be something to relieve him of this responsibility.  Since the chances of another monster falling from the sky was highly improbable he shrugged his shoulders, sighed, and descended the stairs to the door leading into the room.

“Well,” Buddy said to himself as he placed the earpiece in his ear and pressed the button on the top of the pen, “at the very least, this is a helluva lot more exciting than the I Love Lucy marathon I had planned for the day.”