Read Online Hero Engine by Alexander Nader - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Alexander Nader
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Instructions tell me to hold my thumb in the bottom left corner. I do so and the screen says, “Hello Mr. Quig, nice to see you today,” with a feeling that is exactly three percent more genuine than computer telemarketers. In the corner next to my name it says, ‘Access level 2.’
I have no idea how many levels there are, but at least I’m not the lowest guy on the totem pole. That’s always a bonus. Inside the program, the first folder that pops out is labeled ‘Heroes.’ I click and am given two options, ‘Active’ and ‘Inactive.’ Active, please. A list of all the current superheroes populates. I scroll down until I find a file on River.
Hero Alias: River
Real Name: Jesper Gustaffson
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Recruited From: Local police force
Date of Birth: September 14, 1978
Date of Engineering: June 1, 2004
Powers Given: Ability to control minds of humans and other heroes. Ability to move small objects telekinetically, but greatest power lies in subliminal suggestion.
Notes: May 7, 2005: River has started to display an affinity for gambling. Keep close watch.
October 22, 2006: River’s propensity for gambling is becoming a problem. After a three-day leave, agents physically removed River from The Grand Hotel and Casino.
January 17, 2008: After many run-ins over gambling, River appears under control. He still visits the Grand Hotel with some regularity, but no more drunken outbursts as have been his trademark up to this point. Will continue to monitor closely.
November 1, 2011: River is on probation for six months after using excessive force to apprehend a serial killer. Suspect kept swatches of skin trophies from his victims. Once in custody, River controlled the suspect’s mind, forcing the killer to flay himself to death.
October 12, 2013: River disciplined for drinking at Headquarters. He was discovered on the flight deck of building, naked and urinating into the ocean. He threw a bottle of whiskey at one of the men who tried to detain him, resulting in ten stitches for agent’s facial laceration.
Well, this River character sounds like quite an interesting fellow. A drunk gambler who apparently doesn’t think much of authority. This should be peachy.
As if the world can sense my apprehension and laughs in the face of my fear, the plane banks left. Out the window, I spot the neon shithole that is Las Vegas.
Chapter 12
ANN WAKES UP as the plane touches down. “Did you get any sleep?” She pushes her palms against her eyelids to clear the fog of waking.
“Nah. I did some reading on our interogatee while you were out.”
Ann purses her lips. “Find out anything interesting?”
“He seems like a drunk who likes to gamble away his days.”
Ann drops her smile. “Everyone knows that. Do you not remember back in,” she tilts her head and looks up at the ceiling, “oh-five, oh-six maybe, he got kicked out of the Luxor?”
I shake my head.
“Yeah. He caught a guy cheating at a craps table.”
“What’d he do?”
“He made the man slam his own head against the table. Repeatedly. No one stops River. Eventually, the guy passed out and broke the hold. The man needed facial reconstructive surgery and, from what I’ve seen, he still didn’t come out quite the same.”
“Great. River sounds like a real charmer.” I get out of the plane and walk down the runway where another black SUV awaits us. We hop in the back and a friendly old driver reaches back to shake my hand. He’s apparently FBI, but his gray hair and mustache make him resemble a butler more than anything.
“Charmed to meet you,” the driver says. “Where can I take you this evening?”
“The Grand, if you would be so kind.” I lean back wishing I’d gotten some sleep. My muscles are heavy and lifeless. Hopefully, I don’t get into any more fist fights.
The hotel-casino is only a short drive from the airport. Our friendly old driver drops us off at the front and says he’ll keep an eye out.
The
I have no idea how many levels there are, but at least I’m not the lowest guy on the totem pole. That’s always a bonus. Inside the program, the first folder that pops out is labeled ‘Heroes.’ I click and am given two options, ‘Active’ and ‘Inactive.’ Active, please. A list of all the current superheroes populates. I scroll down until I find a file on River.
Hero Alias: River
Real Name: Jesper Gustaffson
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Recruited From: Local police force
Date of Birth: September 14, 1978
Date of Engineering: June 1, 2004
Powers Given: Ability to control minds of humans and other heroes. Ability to move small objects telekinetically, but greatest power lies in subliminal suggestion.
Notes: May 7, 2005: River has started to display an affinity for gambling. Keep close watch.
October 22, 2006: River’s propensity for gambling is becoming a problem. After a three-day leave, agents physically removed River from The Grand Hotel and Casino.
January 17, 2008: After many run-ins over gambling, River appears under control. He still visits the Grand Hotel with some regularity, but no more drunken outbursts as have been his trademark up to this point. Will continue to monitor closely.
November 1, 2011: River is on probation for six months after using excessive force to apprehend a serial killer. Suspect kept swatches of skin trophies from his victims. Once in custody, River controlled the suspect’s mind, forcing the killer to flay himself to death.
October 12, 2013: River disciplined for drinking at Headquarters. He was discovered on the flight deck of building, naked and urinating into the ocean. He threw a bottle of whiskey at one of the men who tried to detain him, resulting in ten stitches for agent’s facial laceration.
Well, this River character sounds like quite an interesting fellow. A drunk gambler who apparently doesn’t think much of authority. This should be peachy.
As if the world can sense my apprehension and laughs in the face of my fear, the plane banks left. Out the window, I spot the neon shithole that is Las Vegas.
Chapter 12
ANN WAKES UP as the plane touches down. “Did you get any sleep?” She pushes her palms against her eyelids to clear the fog of waking.
“Nah. I did some reading on our interogatee while you were out.”
Ann purses her lips. “Find out anything interesting?”
“He seems like a drunk who likes to gamble away his days.”
Ann drops her smile. “Everyone knows that. Do you not remember back in,” she tilts her head and looks up at the ceiling, “oh-five, oh-six maybe, he got kicked out of the Luxor?”
I shake my head.
“Yeah. He caught a guy cheating at a craps table.”
“What’d he do?”
“He made the man slam his own head against the table. Repeatedly. No one stops River. Eventually, the guy passed out and broke the hold. The man needed facial reconstructive surgery and, from what I’ve seen, he still didn’t come out quite the same.”
“Great. River sounds like a real charmer.” I get out of the plane and walk down the runway where another black SUV awaits us. We hop in the back and a friendly old driver reaches back to shake my hand. He’s apparently FBI, but his gray hair and mustache make him resemble a butler more than anything.
“Charmed to meet you,” the driver says. “Where can I take you this evening?”
“The Grand, if you would be so kind.” I lean back wishing I’d gotten some sleep. My muscles are heavy and lifeless. Hopefully, I don’t get into any more fist fights.
The hotel-casino is only a short drive from the airport. Our friendly old driver drops us off at the front and says he’ll keep an eye out.
The
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