Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Dan decided to leave the collar up in the tree, at least for now. The thing had sat there for years; it wasn’t exactly an urgent clue, if it even mattered at all. He’d run it by Tawny or Gregoir, after the exercise was done. In the meantime, he had a job to do.
It didn’t take long for Dan to regroup with the rest of his team. He fell back into reality in the center of their little formation. Fred flinched at his sudden appearance, as he had every single time, but Tawny simply nodded politely.
“Any luck?” the older man asked.
“Not so much.” Dan jabbed his thumb in the direction that he had been searching. “I found the burnt out zone. Nobody in their right mind would wander around in there. The place is still hot, somehow.”
“Quite right,” Tawny replied mildly. He motioned to Fred, catching the younger man’s attention. “This here is why it’s important to know your terrain beforehand. You won’t always, or even usually, get forewarning of where you’ll be sent, but when it happens, you must do your research.”
Fred’s brow wrinkled. “I don’t get it.”
Dan groaned, rubbing his forehead. “I do. We were supposed to look up the ranch’s geography beforehand. I bet even a basic search would’ve brought up the fire situation.”
Tawny nodded in tune with Dan’s words. “Yup. It was a simple matter for me to find a map of the area online. Had either of you done so, you would have known that Dan was searching in the direction of the Burn.”
Fred raised a hand awkwardly. “Er, even if he was, does it matter? A lost person, by definition, wouldn’t realize that he’s heading towards a dangerous area. So…?”
“No, they wouldn’t,” Tawny agreed, “but you would. The last thing a rescue party needs is to have their scout or tracker bumble into an easily avoided natural hazard. The danger won’t always be a massive stretch of blackened trees, you know? Forewarned is forearmed.”
It was an obvious lesson, in hindsight, but one easily forgotten; a warning against complacency in general. Dan was glad to have it, and ashamed that he needed it. Marcus had taught him better.
“Don’t feel bad,” Tawny advised, noticing Dan’s slumping shoulders. “That’s why we’re out here: firsthand experience in a safe environment. It’s better to learn these lessons now, when nobody will suffer for it.”
Both students nodded, Dan a touch more miserably than Fred. Karl, the final member of their group, strolled forward with a sardonic grin. His lanky arms extended, wrapping around them both.
“Listen to yer teacher boys,” the medic ordered sternly, tugging them over to himself. His next words were whispered, as if unveiling a great secret. “The very first rescue I went on after getting my cert’, I ended up takin’ a tumble down a cliff. Damn thing was near invisible, covered in brush and greenery, but had I bothered to check my map I woulda been fine. Broke both my legs that day.” Karl chuckled at the memory. “Scared the shit out of my team when I vanished like that.”
“That reminds me,” Tawny added, “even if you don’t have time for research, most tourist sites like this one offer”—He dug around in his backpack, whipping out a folded piece of paper—”in-depth maps! The front lobby had these available for free.” He wiggled the paper. “You only had to ask for it.”
And once again Dan felt like a moron. Judging by his expression, Fred shared the feeling.
“I don’t know why I didn’t think about that,” Fred murmured, seemingly horrified at his lack of preparation. “I bet Freya thought of that.”
“Miss Valentine did, indeed, pick up a tourist map,” Tawny confirmed. “However, I’ll be having words with her about sharing relevant intelligence with her allies. If this was a genuine emergency, her tight-lipped nature could get someone killed.”
Fred slumped, and Tawny laughed. He held up his hand reassuringly. “I meant it when I said not to feel bad, gentlemen. You’d be astonished at how few people realize these things without being told. Ninety percent of teaching these practical skills is just pointing out what seems blindingly obvious. Eventually, your brain will start thinking about these things automatically.”
“Oh good,” Dan said, “so we’ll eventually stop feeling like idiots?”
Tawny smirked. “Well… I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Hey!” Fred protested indignantly.
The group dissolved into laughter. Their voices echoed out into the forest, softening the dreary surroundings. Dan felt lighter, more at ease, comfortable with the knowledge that he was actually learning something.
“Anyway,” Tawny said, once their mirth had died down, “you are correct, Daniel. No one in their right mind would have entered the Burn. Whatever mutation, or natural power, that the arsonist used, its effects have lingered. Nothing grows there, and while the heat is not instantly deadly, it’s easily comparable to the hottest sections of Death Valley. We are extremely fortunate that the effects have not spread.”
“I’m surprised that there wasn’t more news coverage on it,” Fred remarked. “I vaguely remember hearing about a big fire in the country, but that’s it. ‘Course, I was like twelve years old at the time, so maybe I just missed it.”
“No, you didn’t miss it,” Tawny acknowledged with a shake of his head. “At the time, there was a worry that the arson was some sort of villain attack, so the whole site was locked down from the press. There was a SPEAR team called in to investigate and everything. They spent a week crawling all over this and the neighboring properties. I tried to get assigned to the case back then, because of my friendship with Elijah’s father, but my clearance wasn’t high enough.”
Dan’s genre savvy was telling him that Tawny wouldn’t have been denied access if there wasn’t anything there to find. He wondered what it was that the SPEAR team had been looking for. Probably something well above Dan’s non-existent paygrade. Tawny’s too. That collar was starting to seem a bit more important than he’d first assumed. He couldn’t just hand it over to Tawny now, either. The man had been denied information once, for security reasons, dropping off classified evidence in his lap would only bring him unnecessary trouble.
“Do you know any of the officers who worked on the case?” Dan asked quietly. Maybe he could reach out to one of them. It’d be a bit difficult to explain the situation, without having any sort of prior relationship, but he didn’t want to inconvenience his teacher.
Tawny shook his head once more. “No.”
Ah. A shame, that.
But the dog-eared officer continued. “No, there were no officers that worked the case all the way through. The feds took over completely after the first few days. I only know about the SPEAR team’s activities because Elijah told me about it. The easiest point of entrance to the Burn is from his property.”
Well, that wasn’t suspicious at all. Dan suddenly felt a lot less eager to show off the collar. Unfortunately, he had developed, thanks in no small part to a series of rambling rants from Marcus, a crippling fear of the federal government. Dan was pathologically terrified of being dragged into a lab somewhere to be experimented on for the rest of his life. Even if his power made that scenario… unlikely, he couldn’t shake the niggling distrust.
Satisfying his curiosity wasn’t worth the risk. If he was smart, he’d forget all about the collar, and pretend like nothing had happened. Tawny was the only person with a body camera, and Dan had been hundreds of yards away. It was hugely unlikely that he had been observed. It would be simple to walk away and wash his hands of the situation.
Yet, some small, noble, idiotic part of Dan protested that idea. It could be important, his conscience argued. This was a world with literal villains, a world that has experienced large-scale man-made disasters so often that they have become downright mundane. The good guys need all the help that they can get.
The cynical part of him questioned who, exactly, are the good guys? There weren’t many people that he completely trusted in this new dimension, and none of them worked for the government. Honestly, his first instinct was to simply ask Marcus what to do, as that had been his default response to confusion for months on end. If the old man was in any shape to talk, when Dan checked in on him next weekend, he’d run the problem by him.
“Daniel?” A querying voice brought Dan back to the present. He smiled awkwardly at Tawny, who was watching him with visible concern.
“Sorry,” Dan said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. “Got lost in my own head. What were you saying?”
“Head in the game, Daniel,” Tawny chided. “We’ve made Officer Dunn wait long enough, don’t you think?”
“Right. Sorry. Again.” Dan turned to Fred. “Gimme a direction, buddy.”
Fred frowned down at the dirt, eyes narrowed. “He’s been meandering about a bit, without any sort of solid direction. Hard to say which way he’ll end up going.”
Tawny snorted. “Officer Dunn has often likened lost hikers to headless chickens. They tend to panic, and aimlessly wander around in a frightened daze.”
“Well, he’s doing a great job of mimicking one,” Fred murmured, glaring at the forest as if the trees had offended him. After a few moments, he turned to Dan. “I really can’t tell where he’s trying to go. All I can do is keep tracking him, and hope that he stops eventually.”
“You’d think he would, at some point,” Dan posited, scratching at his chin. “I’m sure hikers get tired.” A shrug. “Gimme your best guess.” It’s not like Dan would get tired. He’d barely moved his legs since he decided to show off his power.
“Um.” Fred pondered the trail one last time, then jabbed a finger to the north. “Try that way?”
“Sure thing.” Dan gave a jaunty wave to the rest of the team. “Back in a few.” Megaphone in hand, he set off in the fresh direction. He was in no hurry, this would probably take a while.
Five minutes later, he teleported directly over a surprised Officer Dunn.
“That was somewhat anticlimactic,” Dan observed, as his team made their way back to the ranch parking lot.
“These things often are,” Tawny replied sagely. “No drama, no suspense, just a lost person who is found by trained professionals. Those are the days you should treasure. Simple and boring. Days like that… they tend to be the best ones.” A hint of weariness appeared on the older officer’s face. “I pray that your rescues are always this boring.”
Having successfully murdered the mood, they continued to the parking lot in silence.
It took Gregoir’s group another hour to find their Officer Dunn. The morning was long over, and the teams were packing up. The parking lot was filled with the sound of quiet conversation, as Professor Tawny conferred with Matilda over a set of video screens. Fred dutifully dragged a cooler of ice back to the van, while Freya fanned herself in the shade of a tree, somehow managing to look stunning despite glistening with sweat. While his fellow officers occupied themselves, Gregoir approached Dan, pulling him off to the side for a chat. The big man was exceptionally subdued, his voice merely a few decibels above a normal human’s volume.
“I’ve been meaning to speak to you since the ride along, Daniel,” Gregoir began, literally hat in hand. He nervously rotated the Stetson between his sausage-like fingers as he fumbled for words. “I have been remiss in my responsibilities, not saying this before now.”
The normally gregarious man’s display greatly disturbed Daniel. “Stop waffling, Gregoir,” Dan said with a frown. “It doesn’t suit you.”
Gregoir blinked, first in surprise, then, to Dan’s horror, in watery-eyed joy. He spread his arms wide, and Dan only barely managed to teleport out of the way of a bone-crushing hug. The French viking spun to face him, grinning widely.
“You are a true companion Daniel Newman! How right you are!” His voice rose to its usual level, and everyone in the parking lot futilely attempted to ignore him. “What I meant to say, is this: Thank you, my friend, for saving the lives of my fellow officers. I am ashamed that I can offer you nothing more than my unending gratitude!”
That was about as far from what Dan had expected as one could conceivably get. He felt a little bad now, having spent weeks dodging Gregoir’s advances. He had expected another impassioned plea for Dan to join the police force, or some kind of awkward apology for almost getting Dan kidnapped. Sincere gratitude for Dan’s… blundering, didn’t even appear on his list of possibilities.
The confusion must have been written on his face, for Gregoir beamed reassuringly. His hands fisted themselves at his waist, his chest puffed out, and he bellowed, “Stop your self-effacement, Daniel! It does not suit you! Great deeds should be sung to the sky, not buried beneath modest words!”
Dan couldn’t help but laugh. “You would feel that way, Gregoir, but don’t worry. You caught me off-guard is all. I suppose it never really sunk in, that other people might be grateful for what I did. That whole clusterfuck was a lucky accident more than anything.”
“Then you are very lucky, indeed,” Gregoir solemnly intoned, “to have made such a difference in such short a time.”
Dan rubbed the back of his head as he struggled not to blush. “I guess I am.” He flailed about for a change of subject. “How are you doing, Gregoir? You were kidnapped as well. That couldn’t have been easy.”
The blonde’s expression fell slightly, and Dan felt like kicking himself.
“Though it was a simple trial for me to withstand, I fear for what has become of young Mr. Graham. He has not been receptive towards my attempts at reaching out.” Gregoir shook his head sadly. “I should like to give the young man my condolences in person, but if this continues, Miss Valentine may have to deliver them instead.”
Dan patted the big man awkwardly on the shoulder. “I’m sure he blames himself more than you, what with all his training. An apology probably wouldn’t help him.”
“An apology?” Gregoir straightened his back. “No, that is not what I wish to convey. I never give less than my all while in uniform. I cannot, in good faith, apologise for the poor luck that led to our capture; especially as it had such fortunate side effects. Nor have I ever pretended to be able to completely shield my subordinates from the traumas of our chosen lifestyle.” He sighed, shaking his head in consternation. “Extraordinary as I am, I cannot even fully protect my city from tragedy, to say nothing of my fellow officers. An apology would be a lie. I swore to protect your lives, and I did. I am powerless, however, to shield your minds.”
Dan listened as the man explained his worldview. It was a set of concepts so alien to him that he didn’t even know where to start dissecting it. It was a strange insight into this world’s culture, though Gregoir could just as easily be an abberation. The rest of the mad viking’s personality certainly was.
“So… what is it you’re wanting to tell Graham?” Dan asked curiously.
Gregoir’s eyes softened, his voice grew heavy. “I wanted to tell him that I am sorry. I don’t believe that I could have done anything differently, but I am sorry for any pain he suffered, regardless.
Dan sighed, patting the large man one last time. “You know, you’re a pretty nice dude, Gregoir. If I see Graham before you, I’ll pass that along.”
The rest of the packing was uneventful, right up until Miss Matilda called Dan over for his evaluation. She lead him out of earshot of the others, a stark contrast to her loud critique of Fred’s techniques. By this point, Dan was clenched so tight that he’d have to check his stool for diamonds.
“Daniel Newman,” she spoke, her eyes pinning him in place. “A very curious mutation you have.”
He smiled nervously, like an idiot.
“I’ve compiled some notes for you.” She handed him a thick sheaf of papers. “It was fascinating to watch your power at work. How sad that Michael couldn’t have provided you with a body cam of your own.”
Dan gulped. The woman’s eyes followed his Adam’s apple as it bobbed up and down. Her head was cocked, as if she was waiting for something.
Whatever it was, Dan didn’t know. “Thanks, Miss Matilda. Is that everything?” The words tumbled out in a rush. It was all he could do to not flee.
The woman didn’t frighten him, not personally at least. She wasn’t like Grandma Summers, who resembled a hurricane in human form. This woman couldn’t destroy him with a thought, but she could ruin him with an errant observation.
She had no reason to think his upgrade was a natural power. That was his strongest defense. He was fairly certain he hadn’t displayed anything beyond his listed capabilities, but this woman dissected upgrades for a living. If he had slipped in some way…
The woman smiled, and Dan’s heart dropped into his stomach. There was something knowing there, in the curve of her lip, in the shine of her eye. She reached into her pocket, and produced a small business card. Dan took it numbly.
“I should like to study your power further, Mister Newman. I think I can provide some valuable insight. Do give me a call sometime soon.” The tone of her voice left no doubt that her words were a demand.
He took the card, keeping his hands steady through sheer stubborness. “I’ve got plans past next weekend.”
“Hm.” She examined him curiously, like a cat would a canary. “That’s fine. I am a patient woman, when I find something that interests me.”
Dan didn’t quite slump with relief, but it was a close thing.
“Don’t keep me waiting too long, though, Mister Newman,” Matilda advised. “I’m patient, but not that patient.”
He nodded, less nervously this time. There was fear there still, but less so. It was the uncertainty that terrified him. The not knowing what was next. She had just removed that for him. She would keep his secret, so long as he satisfied her curiosity.
More importantly, he had over a week to think of some way to keep himself safe. He could work with that.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said, his tension quickly leaving him. He had resources, and friends, and a safety net the size of Neptune. He would be fine.
There was always the possibility that this was a badly misunderstood flirting attempt. He wasn’t betting on it, but it was possible.
She sent him off, still watching him with curious eyes. His fellow students piled into their van and set off. The volunteers Tawny had collected joined them quickly after. Dan waved goodbye to both Officer Dunns as they peeled out of the parking lot.
He gave it a few minutes, simply leaning against a tree in the shade.
Then he teleported back to the Burn. The collar was waiting for him right where he’d left it. His life was quickly becoming hectic, but he didn’t want to leave the thing laying around. Maybe he’d find time to ask Marcus about it, maybe he wouldn’t. He’d stuff it in his luggage for now. He could find a better hiding spot for it tomorrow.
For the remaineder of the afternoon, he’d go to Abby’s place, cuddle up on the couch, and crash like the Hindenburg.
What a day.