A Most Unlikely Hero, Vol 3, page 4
“What did Alex mean when he said that you were the reason his dad died?” Gabrielle asked, deciding to sate her curiosity now that the crisis was over.
“You like to ask really hard questions, don’t you?” Nicolas said without humor. Gabrielle didn’t understand, and that reflected in her eyes as she continued to stare at him. Shrugging, the old man continued. “I never really liked Farone S. Ryker. Because of that, I spent less time with the family and more time on my work. When Farone and Raina died, I wasn’t there. I came by only after hearing about the house being destroyed in a fire. I tried to take them in afterward, but Alex wanted nothing to do with me. Alex and Alice were taken in by the Metronomes and my ex-wife, Alice’s grandmother. I suspect Alex knew that I didn’t approve of his father and resents me for it.”
Gabrielle didn’t know what to think as she listened to Nicolas. She wanted to be mad at him for spending more time on his work than with his family, on Alex’s behalf if not her own, but he seemed to have his reasons for not liking Alex’s papa. Also, it sounded like what happened wasn’t really his fault. More than likely, Alex was taking his own frustrations and feelings of helplessness out on Nicolas. Still…
“Why don’t you like Alex’s papa?”
“Because I knew he was hiding something.” Heaving a deep sigh, Nicolas scratched his head. “Before my current job, I was a member of the Galactic Defense Force’s intelligence network. Even after quitting, I had a lot of resources at my disposal. With so much information at my fingertips, finding every little secret about a single person should have been simple.”
Gabrielle nodded along. It sounded simple.
“Well, it wasn’t,” Nicolas said bluntly. “I tried to find out everything I could about the guy, but there was no information on him. He didn’t have an ID, he wasn’t registered on any planet, he didn’t even have a birth certificate. It was as if he’d just randomly appeared one day out of blue. I’m honestly surprised he managed to become a police officer.”
He leaned back and sighed. His shoulders slumped. Nicolas had seemed so young and lively up to this point, but now he looked decrepit.
“With so little information on him, there was no way I could trust the guy. I tried to tell Raina that she shouldn’t marry him, but she was already head over heels and wouldn’t listen, so I distanced myself.” He shrugged. “It wasn’t one of my better moves, but there you have it. My dirty little secret.”
Nicolas stood up, stretched his arms above his head, and yawned.
“Anyway, I think I’ll head out. I have some calls to make. Take care of him for me, will ya?”
Gabrielle saluted. “You bet! I’ll protect Alex with my life!”
Nicolas chuckled. “I feel strangely reassured by that.”
As the door slid shut behind Nicolas, Gabrielle turned back to Alex. Leaning over, she brushed his bangs away from his face, gently drawing a circle on his forehead.
She hadn’t told Nicolas about what she’d found on her scanner. Perhaps she should have, but she wanted to let Alex know first. It was something going on inside of him, after all. He deserved to know before anyone else.
Alex probably won’t wake up until tomorrow.
Since he wasn’t going to wake up yet, Gabrielle decided that she should go to bed as well. Jessica had given her a room across the hall from Alex’s. She didn’t know why. She had no intention of sleeping there. Married couples were supposed to sleep together. Papa, Mama, her second Mama, and her third Mama always slept together—when they were all home.
Crawling underneath the covers, Gabrielle snuggled herself into the crook of Alex’s left arm, using his shoulder as a pillow. She took in several deep breaths. Alex’s scent was so relaxing, and he was so warm. Sleeping with him really was the best. Even now, she could slowly feel herself succumbing to exhaustion.
Within seconds, Gabrielle fell asleep next to the boy she loved.
7
“I’m guessing you still haven’t found out anything about Farone’s and Raina’s murderer?”
“Nothing aside from what I’ve told you. Listen, buddy, maybe it’s time you gave up. I know that Raina was your daughter. I get that. But it’s been almost eight years. The trail has gone completely cold, and there was never much of a trail to begin with.”
The voice crackled through a speaker system connected to his wrist, though he didn’t look at it. The person on the other end was one of his contacts. He had remained in touch with them even after quitting the Galactic Defense Force. This person was one of the people who made up his spy network.
Nicolas stared at the dome. He would have admired the simulated night sky, filled with a beautiful array of stars, but he didn’t much like the artificialness of it. This sky wasn’t real. It was a holographic image meant to look real. On Earth, Nicolas would have been able to gaze upon the real stars.
“Yeah… maybe you’re right.”
“I’m sorry. I really am. I know how much you wanted to catch their killer.”
“It’s fine. There’s no need to apologize. Thank you for staying on the case for so long.”
“Anytime.”
Dropping the call, Nicolas set his elbows on the rail of his balcony and leaned over.
Eight years ago, Farone and Raina had died, leaving behind their son and daughter. Police reports claimed that they had been killed in a house fire, but he knew better. With all of the safety features houses had these days, starting a fire took a concerted effort.
Nicolas had always suspected that someone had disposed of them, then erased anything incriminating before police arrived on the scene. He had even met someone who he believed was involved. However, he had not seen their face, and all he had to show for his efforts was the scar on his chest.
He had always regretted distancing himself. Perhaps if he had been there, he could have saved them. After learning about their deaths, he’d investigated the case to the best of his abilities. Intelligence agents weren’t allowed to investigate the deaths of family members, however, and when the Galactic Defense Force’s top brass found out what he was doing, they’d politely forced him to resign.
That didn’t mean he’d given up, which he had no intention of doing after the Galactic Police Force had dubbed their deaths an accident. He had a lot of friends who still worked in the field, and he even knew some people in the criminal underworld; all of them had been willing to give him a hand. It was just too bad their help hadn’t amounted to much. They’d only uncovered one thing that could be a possible link to what had happened, a name.
Ragnarok.
Nicolas rubbed his chest as he recalled the person who may or may not have been involved with Ragnarok. One of his spies had been killed during the information exchange, and he had received this chest wound. The person who’d nearly killed them had used a weird ability to reshape the world around them. Walls had grown spikes, the floor had come alive, and their red hair had turned into a razor-sharp blades. He’d never seen such a frightening ability. It had taken everything he had just to escape with his life.
He didn’t know if Ragnarok was the name of an organization, or if someone’s parents had just hated them. Several of his friends had tried to investigate further. It had been for naught. Nothing new had been discovered. Whatever this “Ragnarok” was, there was no information about it, not with the police, and not with the criminal underworld.
It seems I still have nothing to show even after all this time.
He’d been hoping to eventually find evidence of this Ragnarok so they—he or she? —could be shut down. Maybe if he did that, Alex and Alice would more readily accept him into their lives.
It looked like that hope was being dashed right before his eyes.
“Have you still not found anything?” a soft voice asked behind him.
Nicolas smiled. “I’m afraid not. It seems that I’ve finally hit a dead end. There’s nothing left that I can do.”
Footsteps reached his ears. He didn’t turn around, though, and a second later, a pair of soft arms wound around his waist and a full chest pushed into his back. He could feel hardened nipples caressing him through satin cloth.
Jessica wasn’t wearing a bra.
“I’m sorry,” Jessica whispered. “I know how much finding your daughter’s killer meant to you.”
On any other occasion, Nicolas would’ve been aroused by a half-naked Jessica. Right now, all he felt was tired.
He patted her hands, though whether to reassure her or himself, not even he knew. “It’s fine. I knew there was a possibility that nothing would come of it. Eight years is a long time for an investigation. If nothing is turned up within a few weeks, the trail goes cold. I was just being stubborn.”
“They say people grow more stubborn as they get older.”
Nicolas chuckled. While he’d initially hired Jessica for her looks, he would admit that he’d come to enjoy her personality as well. She possessed a sharp tongue, yet she knew when and how to use it to make him feel better. The amazing sex was just a bonus.
“Are you going to tell Alex about all this?”
“I don’t know,” Nicolas admitted. “My original plan was to find Farone and Raina’s killer and bring them to justice so my grandkids could have some closure. With that option gone, I’m not sure what to do.” He paused as Jessica rested her cheek on his back. “Do you think I should?”
“I think you should at least tell Alex. He deserves to know.”
“Hm. He probably wouldn’t believe me even if I did tell him.” His smile twisted into a mirthless one devoid of humor. “He’s not very fond of me.”
“That’s just because he doesn’t understand you,” Jessica countered. “I bet if you took the time to explain things to him, he would realize that you were only trying to do what you thought was right.”
Nicolas wasn’t so sure. Alex didn’t strike him as the type of person who could forgive and forget. When he’d been a cadet, Alex would deny any offers of assistance, jumped headfirst into his missions regardless of how mundane or dangerous, and heeded only his own council. Even Karen had trouble handling him. Someone like that wouldn’t listen to him without solid proof.
“Maybe…”
“Definitely.”
Nicolas grinned. “There’s no winning with you, is there?”
“Of course not.” He couldn’t see it, but Nicolas could imagine the way Jessica’s eyes twinkled as she spoke. “That’s why you hired me, isn’t it?”
“Ha ha ha! That’s certainly one of the reasons.”
As the cool night air blew across his balcony, Nicolas looked at the dome once more.
Nope.
No matter how many times he saw it, a holographic simulation would never be as impressive as the real night sky.
8
It had taken a while to burrow into the city, but Manāf had finally infiltrated the dome called Mars Homespring Resort.
Standing on top of a building that overlooked the city, he gazed at the vast number of unusually-shaped structures, with their sloping roofs and massive columns. Somewhere in this place, which stunk of humanity, his prey was waiting for him to play with them.
Opening the cloak that he’d wore, Manāf released hundreds of tiny puppets into the city. They were small, no bigger than one of his fists. He watched as they flew off and disappeared into the distance.
Unlike his brother, who could only control four puppets at a time, the same as the number of hands he had, Manāf could control as many as he wanted.
That was because, unlike his brother, who was a traditionalist that believed in using the old methods of puppetry, he believed in advancing their techniques. He controlled puppets remotely with computer chips instead of using spirit strings. This allowed him to control as many puppets as he wanted. What’s more, because they were being controlled remotely, he could watch the battle from afar.
Now, then, let’s see what you’ve got, Alexander Ryker, Manāf thought, his lips twisting into a grin.
CHAPTER 2
HOT SPRING DISASTER
I was walking with Dad. He was taking me to meet someone. He wouldn’t tell me who we were meeting, only that it was a surprise.
“Are we there yet?”
“Not yet.”
“… Are we there now?”
“No.”
“How about now?”
“… No.”
“What about—”
“We’re almost there, Alex.” Dad laughed and ruffled my hair. “Just be patient.”
“I don’t know what that word means,” I lied. “I’m only four.”
“A four-year-old who built a miniature robot.” Dad gave me a look that all but said he didn’t believe me. I ignored him.
The place where we were walking was really pretty. There was grass and trees and no walkways. I liked that—no walkways. I wasn’t afraid of heights, but I didn’t like them either. Back when we lived in Mars City’s eastern district, I would always walk in the exact center of every walkway because I was afraid I would fall off.
I looked back at Dad. His face was… indistinct? I couldn’t see it all. His bangs covered most of his face, including his eyes, and the rest was a blur. All I could make out with any clarity was his smile.
“Is something wrong, Alex?”
“No…” I shook my head.
“Hmm… if you say so. Oh, look! We’re here.”
I looked at the house that we stopped in front of. It wasn’t very large, just a regular, one-story house with several windows, a door, and a fence. It was probably made from plasteel, but I couldn’t tell for sure. I preferred using durasteel for my inventions. It was stronger and didn’t break as easily.
We walked up to the front door. Dad knocked on it three times, and then waited. There was a muffled shout, followed by footsteps from beyond the door. I was tempted to put my ear against it, but I knew my dad wouldn’t like that.
The door opened and a woman stood in the doorway. She had brown hair, and I thought she had brown eyes. I say thought because I couldn’t tell. Like Dad, her face was blurred, as if I was staring at her through a grimy viewport.
Behind her was a little girl. Unlike Dad and this woman, I could see the girl clearly. She had short brown hair, big brown eyes, and a button nose. She was hiding behind the woman. I guess she was shy.
“Dad, who are these people?”
Dad smiled at me. “Alex, I’d like you to meet your new mom and little sister.”
1
The first thing Alex noticed upon waking up was Gabrielle sleeping in his bed. She was snuggling with him, holding him like he was a teddy bear. Her left leg had hooked around him. Alex could feel silky bare skin grazing against his morning wood.
He wanted to scream like a little girl and scramble out of bed post haste, but he was still so tired. His body felt sluggish. Besides, Gabrielle was so warm, so soft. Surely, it would be okay if he pretended they were a real couple just this once. She was asleep, so it wasn’t like he was hurting her.
Alex had never had a girlfriend before. He’d only attempted to ask out one girl, Selene, and she had shot him down so quickly that he’d never tried again. After that, he had decided to focus on becoming a hero instead.
Of course, it wasn’t like he wanted to become a hero because heroes always get the girl. That would have been vain. No, he wanted to become like his father. His father had been strong, admired, and always risked himself to save others. Alex had looked up to his father for many years. That was why, instead of focusing on girls, he’d focused on training his body and mind.
However, just because he had decided not to focus on girls didn’t mean that he had no desire for a relationship. Alex had always dreamed of eventually finding that perfect woman to settle down with. He wanted someone he could share his life with.
For many years that person had been Selene, but after befriending Jasmine a little over a year ago, he’d begun imagining himself with her as well. It wasn’t hard. She might have been a bit spoiled. However, she was also very kind and always lending a hand to others, not to mention pretty. She and Selene had featured in more than a few of his dreams.
Letting his hand rest on the nakedness of Gabrielle’s hip, Alex felt both pleasure and shame. Gabrielle was important to him. She was a friend. He shouldn’t have been using her like this, but as he caressed her bare skin, Alex felt himself slowly succumb to his own desires. It would be okay. If it was only for a little while, it would…
“That’s right. There’s nothing wrong with allowing yourself a little pleasure…” a female voice purred in his ear.
Alex stopped. That was the same voice that had intruded upon his mind during the Jāhilīyahn fiasco, when he had been surrounded by those puppets. It was this voice that had egged him on.
Who are you?
“You don’t need to know that right now. Just know that I’m always watching you, boy.”
That isn’t creepy at all… Hey, are you listening?
No response. Alex sighed. It seemed this voice, whoever they were, enjoyed playing pranks.
Taking a deep breath, Alex slowly removed his hand from Gabrielle’s hip. It wasn’t right to touch her like this. Not only could she not give her consent, but they weren’t even in a real relationship. They were just pretending.
“Ho-ho-ho!” A boisterous laugh intruded on his thoughts. “You look mighty comfortable!”
Slowly, and with ever increasing horror, Alex turned his head to see Nicolas standing in the doorway, wearing the widest grin that he had ever seen.
“Yo!” Nicolas raised a hand in the approximation of a wave.
Alex screamed. He tried to hop out of bed, but he’d forgotten about Gabrielle, whose hold on him was ironclad. His legs became tangled with hers and they both spilled over the side. Alex’s head slammed into the floor, causing stars to appear before his vision, circling around him. He blinked several times as Nicolas laughed.
“Mmm.” Gabrielle stirred. Sitting up on his chest, she rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked down at him. “Alex?”
Alex squeaked. “G-Gabrielle! Your clothes! Your clothes!”
