The Rising Dawn, # 14— “The Brawler’s Condolences”
- David Parker
- Oct 2, 2023
- 5 min read
[Short stories. Images generated by hotpot.ai]
Voodoo (Serenade)’s amulet had thoroughly sealed the victory of the Sentinels against the ambush of the Mobile Guns, the super-soldiers molded by The Shop. However, Voodoo’s power was not a grab-bag of free candy, and The Equal Amulet had to take something in order to grant victory against what would otherwise be a disastrous defeat.
Sir Gallant not only was weakened, but he was experiencing intermittent nausea, which Voodoo confirmed would last for three weeks. He could barely hold anything down, and it might have killed or at least emaciated an ordinary man, but for One: Michael (Gallant) was a super-soldier, and Two: Freedom Tower had well-vetted medical services, and they gently fed him nutrients and made sure he maintained enough fluids. Unfortunately, even morphine and other sedatives only served to dull his pain, as the sickness was a Curse, the result of Voodoo’s amulet.
Though a Sentinel and a universally acclaimed ‘superhero’, Sir Gallant, in one of his times of intermittent relief, made clear he would not be willing to do this again. It was perhaps “easy” to be a superhero when you were a super-soldier, but Gallant had his limits and was mortal. No one in the Sentinels blamed him that he would refuse to use any of Voodoo’s witchcraft in the future.
Grego the Trainer, for the nonce, reeled back the tracking down of Low Men, and avoided altogether the New Marines, the (Mobile) Guns, The Shop’s elite troops. He maintained vigilance in and around Freedom Tower, though whatever had ensnared them into the ambush to begin with eluded Trainer and his dogs, notably Baker the lie-detector, Jayf the identifier of criminals, and Hoarder the tracker.
Pointer spent a number of days recovering from being struck by multiple ether-charged weapons, and Mech needed attention from Doctor Thrift, the robotics scientist who met her maintenance needs, and who was also her lover.
Brawler was a martial artist. He surpassed every fighter in his weight class in a number of circuits, but he was pressed out of his profession entirely when it was discovered he was an Outlier (a Gifted). This crippled him financially, as Diego Cardoso had pursued his career with both hands, and incidentally, with both feet, as one of his black-belts was as a kick-boxer. His hustle was considerable, having charisma and skill at marketing himself, and was able to enlist into the Dawn Society through persistent solicitation.
He was amply motivated to do so, as he had lost his profession, and his funds had been swiftly dwindling. But he was not animated by mere self-gain— as an Outlier, he was feared and had been shut out of his profession with cruel indifference, and thus he had been enlightened. The world hated people who were the best, wanted to see them fail, so they could revel as spectators with the knowledge that even the best ate dirt.
Brawler had the ability to absorb kinetic energy and store it in his arms and legs— when he blocked or connected with a hard surface with his limbs, the energy would build rather than wearing him down. However, he could only absorb the blow if it wasn’t enough to break him, yet with enough kinetic energy build-up, he could absorb more powerful blows. He had limitations, but at full strength he could block a number of bullets before he needed to release his power.
Building up that much “Brawl”, as he called it, required a full day of striking a wooden post in the training center in Freedom Tower. Thankfully, the energy would wane only slowly when he rested. However, Brawler had not reached his full potential, just like most of The Gifted who still lived.
Brawler visited Gallant in the medical wing, out of respect. It wouldn’t do to ignore the painful sacrifice of their leader and simply wait to be called. Pointer, still wiped from being hit by a Whack, was happy to join Gallant in resting. Voodoo, who usually preferred to be called Nade (Serenade), was also there, making frequent visits, feeling a measure of responsibility for the Curse that Gallant had absorbed.
Gallant was completely floored, gratefully snoozing in one of his few hours of relief.
“Nade,” said Brawler, “I want to say that the Amulet was everything. Think of what would happen if the Shop had gotten all four of you.”
“I know this,” said Nade, “but I know the pain of the voodoo,” she said, not quite in tears.
“Did he know what would happen?” said Diego.
Pointer, wiped, though nowhere near as bad as Gallant, said, “Gallant is nobody’s fool. Nade gave him full disclosure.”
“Maybe we can all watch futbol americano,” said Diego, eyes signaling towards the TV, “that’s what everyone wants, right?”
Nade laughed, though her eyes were misty.
Pointer coughed a single, “Hah.” Then he groaned.
Diego made a light, sympathetic laugh.
There was silence for a time, and Diego’s mind reached for comforting things to say, but it went on a while before anyone said anything.
Serenade perceived his loss for words. “It is good that you are here, Diego.”
“Yeah, but Gallant is like, in a coma.”
Voodoo breathed almost as if to laugh. Then said, “Michael can feel it. I know this,” she said, placing a hand on his body.
There was some silence.
Somewhat awkwardly, Diego said, “Yeah, I dunno. When you’re puking all the time, nothing really helps.”
At this, Pointer laughed much more genuinely, even though it hurt to do so.
There was more silence.
“So how about that futbol americano?” Diego said, smiling.
Nade smiled, “You don’t have to stay, Diego. Thank you for coming.”
Jeremic (Pointer) said nothing.
After some more quiet, Diego said, “Well, not to be, um,” he couldn’t think of gracious words, “—awkward, but I do have some things to do.”
“It is beautiful that you came,” said Serenade.
With this, Diego was content. All was quiet on the Shop front, but Diego knew it wouldn’t last. In truth, Diego didn’t bring much money into Freedom Tower. He was only the muscle, with Grego, Wraith’s business acumen, whatever it was Parse and Dr. Thrift did, the same going for Gamer and Gimmick, and other Outliers making the world go round with the green. Snow, likewise would offer her services as an educator to the Gifted yearning for guidance and acceptance. Voodoo, he was told, sold her magic items, though she refused to do so personally. It was hard to make money as a Brawler.
But sometimes, even sooner than later, it would be Diego’s time to shine.
*-------------------------------------------*
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