33 Hours till Nesis 2 Released
Jas groaned and draped his arm over his face. Clanging and voices ca from downstairs. His head throbbed. How much had he drunk? Enough that he should have been useless till the Nesis 2 arrived, but instead he only felt wretched.
His new powers were making him more resistant to hangovers, apparently.
Silver linings.
mories ca back. Hermans bar had been packed to the gills. With resupply problems, Herman had started serving the good stuff at well prices, and the place had turned into a feeding frenzy.
What the hell I gotta worry about my bottom line for? Herman had yelled to Jas as hed pushed a bottle of Patron across the bar. Worlds coming to an end! No sense in there being any booze left over when were all dead!
People had clapped him on the shoulder, asked for selfies with him, kept shoving drinks into his hand. Serenity had been in her elent. From sowhere shed acquired a feather boa, and later had lit up like a live wire, reminding Jas of his favorite Kerouac quote: "The only people for are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the sa ti, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles..."
Jas wasnt sure if Kerouac had ant to include folks who did copious amounts of coke in that equation. Serenity kept disappearing into the bathroom, and eventually Jas had decided to call it a night. He kept hearing the Monitors words in the back of his mind, and they prevented him from just going all out, indulging in a smash fest which left his stomach as foul as an abandoned port-a-potty and his brain scoured of the ability to feel for days.
Guess he was growing up.
Hed bowed out. Serenity had been horrified, done everything to coax him back into the mood, but hed fended her off and co back to crash on the couch.
Serenity.
The one thing this world was exceptionally good at was fucking up special people. Hed not asked about her life. Her past. What she did to scrape up cash. What had happened to her that made her so fixated on guns.
He didnt need to know the details.
Hed t enough lost souls on the sidewalks and corners and abandoned parking lots of the East Coast to make an educated guess.
And in the end, the details didnt matter. You werent what had happened to you. You werent your mistakes.
You were who showed up today. Who you chose to be. Sink or swim, everyone was doing their best, even the most self-destructive folks hed t. Sotis the only thing you could do when youd been that fucked over by life and made so many mistakes in turn was self-destruct.
So he didnt judge. He felt compassion. Felt remorse. Sadness. But also a burgeoning awareness that he had to be careful.
Life had fucked her up, sure. But he didn't want their friendship to turn bad. Wired into all her formidable strength and acidic wit was a mass of insecurity, pain, and need. If he didnt watch it, their relationship could turn toxic.
But fuck if he could figure out how to course correct right now. Maybe he should get his own place. Boundaries worked for toddlers and coke heads alike.
An old, old mory resurfaced. His twin little girls at three, finally discovering that they sotis didnt want the sa thing and becoming outraged at the others refusal to do as demanded. Jas had sat each one on his knee by the big bay window, the sun coming in, and -
Jas groaned and sat up.
Folded that mory, shoved it down deep, and locked it away.
He erged from the shower to hear voices from the sidewalk. There was no sign of Serenity yet. He stepped to the window and saw Jessica with a cardboard carrier sporting two coffee cups. A business satchel over one shoulder, everything about her fresh and spotless, from her beige blazer over a white blouse to her skinny black pants and pumps.
Hed just stepped out of the god damn shower and she still made him feel grungy. Rubbing at his beard he moved over to the pitted mirror and wiped away the steam. A lined face stared back at him. As a rule he avoided his reflection, but this ti he really looked. The beard was proper hobo-chic, coming down mid-chest and scraggly, its deep brown shot through with ropes of gray. His nose had grown, his eyes were sunken, and the hangover sure wasnt helping.
But his body had improved. Going from 6 to 11 Strength had him feeling like Toby McGuire in that Spiderman movie. His chest was deep, his arms roped in muscle, his shoulders broad. His waist was still girdled by a thick belt of fat from years eating trash and pounding booze, but damn, it felt good to have his strength back.
He gripped the edge of the sink and stared down at the drain. Hed been proud of his looks, once. Had worked out four tis a week, been part of the 1000 club, had shaved each morning, his wife had trimd his hair each week. He used to turn heads when hed walk by.
But now he looked closer to fifty-five than forty-one. His hands were large, the knuckles swollen, the whorls still pronounced by the dirt, his fingertips square, the nails like shovels. He needed so chemical cleaner. He needed nail clippers.
He rooted around Serenitys ss of bathroom shit, found so clippers, and grimaced as he pared his nails down. His fingertips looked weird, after, but he felt better. Considered trimming his beard, but had nothing at hand.
Jas stopped. What the fuck was he doing? How weird would it look if he opened the door to Jessica all gussied up and clean?
What was he trying to prove?
Jas inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. What did he want? Jessicas approval? Not really. For her to be attracted to him? He hesitated, then realized that no, he didnt want that either.
This wasnt about Jessica, not the real person down below chatting with Mancini. This was about what she symbolized to him. A world hed lost. Smart, elegant, with a whole future before her. A future that has been brutally stolen away from him.
He wasnt trying to impress her. He was fumbling toward so reconciliation with his own losses.
But the things about losses was that they usually stayed lost. He could never be that Jas again, with his EMT shirt tight across the shoulders, full of energy and good will, a family he adored at ho and a bright future before him.
That Jas died when - well. Never mind.
He looked into the mirror again. He was this Jas. Not the best tiline version, but hell. It was all he had to work with.
And with that realization his shoulders relaxed a fraction. Tension hed not realized hed been carrying fell away.
Maybe once hed been sothing special. But now? Now he was just himself, alone. Broken and old and worn out.
Hed just keep on keeping on, sa as hed always done.
When Jessica knocked on the door he was dressed in the last outfit Serenitys ex had left behind; green corduroy pants, mustard yellow button-up shirt, orange socks.
Good morning, said Jessica brightly, managing not to look taken aback. I dont know how you like your coffee, so I guessed black.
Good guess. He stepped aside, rolling up the sleeves. Serenitys out, but make yourself at ho.
Jessica entered with so asure of hesitation. This was clearly her first ti stepping into such an apartnt.
Look, lets get sothing clear from the get-go, said Jas, turning to sit on the sofas arm. You didnt ask for this. I didnt ask for this. Neither of us know if this is a good idea, or if it will work. Im willing to play nice with the mayor because theres so kind of demonic invasion going on, but Im happy to draw the line if it becos obvious youd be more useful sowhere else. Please do the favor of telling the sa.
Jessica had frozen as he spoke, eyes wide behind her rimless glasses, then resud taking the coffees out as she digested his words. I appreciate your honesty. I have to admit I was a little taken aback last night, but these past couple of days have highlighted the need to be flexible.
Aint that the truth. Thank you.
Jessica stepped back after handing him his coffee. But to be honest, Mr. Kelly -
Jas.
She gave a tight smile. Jas. To be honest, I think the mayor is right. There are, much as I hate to say it, dozens of assistants as capable as I am working for the NYCEM. Theres only one of you. If I can help expedite matters, help you navigate governnt bureaucracy, keep you in the loop with developnts as they occur, then I think thats a much more valuable use of my ti.
If you say so. Jas took a cautious sip. Im not much for staying in the loop.
Right. Which is why I could be useful. I know you have a direct line to Major Hackworth, but I can help you communicate priorities to City Hall, the EM, and other agencies. The way I see it, Nesis 2 is such a variable that well have hours to react and strategize. My job will be to ensure we use those hours as efficiently as possible, and communicate new lessons and intel to the right people at the right ti.
Sure. Jas took a bigger sip. Good coffee.
Thanks. Its from my favorite spot, Bean Works. She rubbed her palms briskly on her hips. Do you have a corner where I can set up? Does Serenity have Wi-Fi?
Wherever you like. I think Serenity uses the neighbors connection. You might have to wait for her to get back.
All right. Can we swap contact information?
Jas pulled out the new phone Mancini had given him yesterday. What are your thoughts on this Departnt of Ranking Citizens, or whatever its called?
Jessie let her phone fall to one side for the mont and pursed her lips, seeming to give the question genuine consideration.
Here cos the sales pitch.
I think its the inherent tendency of any governnt body to form departnts, committees, and order studies when stressed. Its almost reflexive. Its a way to look productive and in charge while not having to make any executive decisions. So, what do I think? I think its predictable, for one, but also full of potential. Nobodys stepped in yet to give it direction and purpose. Which ans you would have an outsized impact if you took charge and owned it.
An outsized impact. Jas stroked his beard. Like I said to the mayor: to what end?
Honestly? It makes think of the Avengers. A proto-version, if you will. Her voice sohow remained clinical, her expression serious. Theres rafts of data being produced by think tanks and international bodies on how one can extrapolate the personal statistics sheet, but one thing everyone agrees on is that theres no obvious upper limit on where this could go. Three of the fields are labeled miracles, for example, and theres footage of Level 6 people with maxed out speed sprinting faster than Usain Bolt, or breaking other kinds of Olympic records. You said yourself the Monitor indicated Level 500 was possible. Can you imagine what such an individual would look like after spending 2,500 points? And thats not including new powers, such as your Benediction.
Jas frowned. Shit. Thats a good point. I hadnt thought about any of that.
Jessicas smile was pained. If theres one thing we have, its lots of people doing nothing but thinking about such things. Which is why I believe this new departnt could be instruntal to winning this war. The Avengers were stronger for presenting a unified front to the enemy, correct? We could stand to benefit from their example.
The Avengers. Jas tried not to imdiately dismiss the idea. Get things organized early so that when we beco more powerful, theres a system in place.
Exactly.
And this would be open to only the folks in NYC?
She shrugged one shoulder. Those are the kinds of decisions that have yet to be formalized. I believe the mayor envisions this departnt primarily as a ans to keep tabs on powerful individuals so that they can be called upon when needed. But it could be much, much more with the right kind of leadership.
Sounds like they should put you in charge.
Jessica grimaced. Alas, I dont think Im qualified. Ive yet to receive a Nesis 1 notification. Itll either happen today with the Fourth Wave, or at a later date. And thats if Nesis 1 notifications continue after Nesis 2 is deployed.
Huh. So you cant see any of the gremlins.
And am ignored by them in turn. Yes. It has been a surreal few days.
I can imagine. But all right. Maybe theres more to this departnt idea after all. Im cautiously interested. What would I have to do to get involved?
Read and sign paperwork, mostly. Which I have here. The mayor is willing to make you a deputy commissioner under Commissioner Morgan - he leads the NYCEM - and youd represent his interests in these matters. But Commissioner Morgan would be a figurehead at best. Hes already overwheld managing the NYCEM, much less taking an active interest in this nascent departnt.
Jas nodded grudgingly. Makes sense, I suppose. And I get the impression Id have to answer most of my own questions.
There is practically no policy in place, agreed Jessica. I could help write-up your ideas in appropriate legalese. Wed submit it for approval, but I dont see any difficulty on that end. Anything is a plus right now.
Fine. Jas felt himself growing more detached from his old reality by the mont. At the very least Im willing to explore this further.
Great. Ill - theres no printer here. No matter, you can read it directly on my tablet. Shouldnt take long. Nobodys had a chance to generate much paperwork. And oh, here.
She opened her satchel and drew out an envelope. Your new debit card. It has $10,000 deposited in a checking account. Normally your expenses would be reviewed at the end of the month, and Id urge caution, but with the demon apocalypse and all
Jas smiled. Understood.
And inside is your apartnt key. The unit is in Prospect Place. Great neighborhood. I know you werent interested, but it had already been assigned, so.
He took the envelope. Felt a rectangular shape and key within.
And just like that he was no longer holess or broke.
Jas was surprised by the strength of emotion that welled up within him. This was all temporary. He knew they could take everything away the mont he ceased to be useful. But after so long spent on the streets, scrounging and living on the very edge of society, to be so casually given such things was overwhelming.
Jessicas eyes widened as she registered his emotion, and quickly turned away. Ill find that corner and pull up the docs. Just let know when youre ready.
Jas felt a quick flush of embarrassnt. To Jessica $10k was probably a few months pay. She lived in a nice apartnt close to a boutique Bean Works coffee shop. Her surprise at his own reaction said it all.
But it wasnt her fault.
They were all nothing more than the products of their lives and circumstances.
Thanks, he said hoarsely, setting the envelope beside him on the couch back. Appreciate it.
Jessica found a chair, cleared away a corner of Serenitys counter, and began setting up her laptop.
Nothing could have looked more incongruous.
Jas sipped his coffee. Gave himself ti to adapt, to accept just how much things had changed, how much they were changing still.
A demon apocalypse, a new ho, a debit card, and soon, maybe, deputy commissioner of the Avengers.
What a fucking crazy world.
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