Chapter Ninety-Two: The Americans Are Helping, Too (Patreon)

“You stay safe,” Goldman told me as we stood on the tarmac. “Shapiro, make sure he doesn’t get into too much trouble.”

“I’ll be fine,” I reassured Goldman. “Still surprised you’re staying here.”

“I’ll be coordinating with the Brits for a few months, until whatever’s to happen in London happens. Shapiro and Fraser will continue to coordinate with you if you need anything.” Goldman seemed to hesitate, then continued. “Belessar - I want you to understand that you don’t have to wear yourself out against Agni.”

“Pardon?”

“The U.S. Army has a program that would allow us to relocate you. And Nanocloud, and any dependents you have. We could create a new name, a new heroic identity, everything you need.” He paused. “Tanisport has a number of other heroes who can deal with Agni.”

I was surprised. “Colonel - I can’t do that.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m not offended,” I shook my head. “It’s just that - well, I won’t deny it is tempting. But Agni’s not going to stop hunting me, for whatever reason she has. And I need to face it. I can’t ask you guys to be my shield.”

Goldman smiled a crooked smile. “We were always meant to be shields, Belessar. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“I know I’m not alone, Colonel. I have Doyle, Tucker, Banner, you, Fraser, Shapiro, all of you with me in spirit.”

Goldman nodded, suddenly formal. “Godspeed, Belessar, and good luck.” He suddenly stood at attention and - with military precision - saluted.

I saluted back. It seemed the right thing to do.

I spent most of the flight thinking about Goldman’s words.

I had to fight Agni, of course. Couldn’t leave the city to her.

But it said a lot that soldiers on both sides of the Atlantic trusted me enough to - offer their help. Even against the Armykiller.

Why didn’t other heroes get this type of respect?

At Liverpool, even Lady Lumina and Viking hadn’t elicited the quiet support that Nanocloud and I received from the troops. As for Quintana and Soundwave …..

Was I doing something different from others?

I’d heard about Blindsinger and Agni, of course, but was there some other reason that ultrahumans didn’t coordinate with soldiers more often? Some factor I was missing?

I was short one piece of the puzzle. If only I knew which one.

Why did Agni hate armies anyway? And who were the Esperanzas?

“Hey, Dr. Shapiro?” I asked.

The scientist looked up from his reading. “Yes, Belessar?”

“How do soldiers fight an enemy who can escape at will in any direction?”

Shapiro smiled. “Blocking forces wherever the enemy may egress. I assume you’re talking about Agni?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes.”

Shapiro nodded. “You can tell me your plan, if you’d like, and I’ll share my thoughts.”

“She can teleport through flame, so I need to set up an anti-teleport field. And then lure her into it.”

Shapiro shook his head. “If she teleports once, she’s out of your range. How will you guide her into the trap?”

“Nanocloud will have eyes on her at all times.”

“Her nano-drones.”

“Yes.”

“You can certainly track her, but how will you prevent her from running? In any direction she chooses?”

“I … haven’t worked that out yet.”

“The main problem you have is getting her to stand still?”

“Yes. She runs if she’s losing.”

“But she wants to fight you.” Shapiro shrugged. “Give her a reason to face you, one-on-one. Forget about blocking every teleport avenue - it’s not practical. Also forget about avoiding her running. Give her a battlefield where she thinks she has an even chance of victory, and challenge her to a battle there.”

“You mean provoke her,” I said.

“Challenge, not provoke. There is always a target you must defend, and a target she must take. In this case, it’s your person. She’s only able to attack you when you show up in armour? Give her a time and a place, and dare her to fight it out with you. Make it so she has no option but to face you.” The officer set down his tablet. “And challenge her publicly, so she has no option but to respond. Set up the place, make it appear fair - and go in with fireproof armor.”

I sat, stunned.

All of Nanocloud’s preparation, all of my studies of anti-teleport fields - all unsuccessful - and we could simply have asked….

“Thanks, Dr. Shapiro,” I replied.

“Don’t mention it.” The scientist reclined his chair backwards and closed his eyes.