The Prospects Read Free Page A

Idea Man took control of the top para-physical experts in the world and a few engineers. They built a machine called the neurotransmitter. It can take the mental power from the rest of the Ultra-Geniuses to create a psychic shockwave that will spread around the world.”
    As they walked Mind Dame said, “Let me put that in words simple enough for a goon like you to understand. The dark age of the dull-minded ends tonight. We will force this world to accept the Idea Man’s brilliance. His vision will lead us to an enlightened future. Idiots like you will use whatever limited talents you have to serve us.
    “Well, not all. Many weak people will die when the psychic shockwave overtakes them. Babies, like your newborn son, won’t have a chance.”
    Alex desperately tried to conjure the image of the destroyed mandala. It remained beyond his memory’s reach. He thought about what Mind Dame said about babies dying and how his wife was giving birth at that moment.
    This wasn’t the first battle where the supervillains got the upper hand. Alex had to wait for Mind Dame’s control to slip or a teammate to rescue him. All he had to do was stay alive. The villain would make a mistake or he’d get a lucky break or someone would save him. That always happened before.
    When they were in front of the elevators Mind Dame said, “Turn on the radio and tell them the floor is clear.”
    Alex’s eyes trembled as his hands raised the helmet microphone to his lips and pressed the transmit button. He never wanted to do anything less. “Floor clear.”
    “Roger,” the radio responded. “Team Xavier is moving in.”
    Mind Dame said, “Don’t worry, you won’t live with the guilt, because you’re going to kill yourself.”
    Alex involuntarily dug the pistol into his temple. His brain fruitlessly sent signals to lower it or at least take his finger from the trigger.
    “Wait, this feels cruel.” Mind Dame locked eyes with him. “Let me make you want to die.”
    Every painful memory Alex had assaulted him simultaneously. He remembered being bullied by older kids on the school bus who called him “Loser Lexy,” his mother slapping him for lying, an ex-girlfriend who cheated on him with his then-best friend, and getting mugged while drunk on Saint Patrick’s Day after his college friends ditched him. He relived being shouted out by Sergeant Hammer in front of all of the other trainees while training to become Agent Exo. He experienced every defeat he had as Agent Exo again, including the sensation of a civilian caught in a crossfire dying in his arms.
    His finger tightened against the trigger.
    Under his exoskeleton, near his heart, his smartphone vibrated. Someone was texting him. It had to be Emily. He thought of his family, of Emily, dear Emily, who was having his son at that moment. If he lost, she’d be a widow and he’d be fatherless.
    That gave him the willpower to resist.
    His finger loosened.
    Ice-cold stabbing pains shot through his head. He felt Mind Dame going through his thoughts.
    She pursed her lips. “They’re better off without you.”
    The fights and arguments he had with Emily surged through his mind. He was a bad husband to Emily. She could’ve done better.
    The insecurities hidden in the back of his mind told him he’d be a horrible father. He wouldn’t be there for his son. He wouldn’t be able to relate to him. He’d find a way to make his son hate him. He’d fail at fatherhood the way he failed at everything else.
    His finger tightened against the trigger.
    Everything went white.

Chapter Two
     
    Alex O’Farrell gazed at the framed newspaper front pages and magazines that covered the wall.
    The earliest ones went back to 1941 with boxy headlines that read “US Develops Supersoldier” and “Sergeant Hammer Smashes Japs!” on yellowed paper. Next to it was a framed copy of Sergeant Hammer Comics #1. It featured the huge man in a cross between a green armored bodysuit and army fatigues crushing a