Resistance (13 page)

Norio laughs. “No, I just want you to watch,” he says.

Azusa emerges from the shadows behind the cube, carrying a rifle. Aman squints and looks around the hall. In the shadows at the far end is a hulking shape: a ten-foot-high man with a bullet for a head.

“I see you have another friend there,” he says. “Who looks a bit like a super to me. You’ve changed your hiring policies.”

“I see you’ve spotted Awesome Boy,” says Norio. “We’re in his room.”

“Robot?”

“Yes.”

“Sundar?”

“Yes.”

“Does he do anything besides lurk?”

“Oh, he does a lot,” says Norio. “Mostly security work for the less, shall we say, legal, aspects of my business. Fortunately we don’t need protection from you.”

“I’d like to meet him.”

“But we’d have to enable networks to show you. And then you’d hack into his control system, and make a mess. Your plans for escape would be brilliant if they were less transparent. Now. Observe.”

Azusa moves a lever and Spiny Norman’s glass cube is suddenly full of white smoke. The creature thrashes about a bit, looking even more depressed then usual, and then flops on to the floor and is still, barring the occasional twitch. Azusa pulls another lever, and from the top of the cube sprinklers start raining water on the smoke and Norman. Water collects at the bottom, full of clumps of slime, hair, scales, and other assorted mulch that makes Aman feel vaguely sick.

“Where did you find this handsome fellow?” Aman asks Norio.

“He was on your list. And in the neighbourhood.”

“Convenient.”

Norio looks at him sharply. “Yes. Too convenient. I’m going to ask you a silly question now.”

Aman shrugs. “Whatever it is, I’ve heard sillier.”

“When you become a superhero…”

“Hero?”

“Superbeing. Super. Alpha. Proton. Mutant. Meta. Whatever it is. When you become one, do you receive instructions? Are there superiors who guide you?”

“No,” says Aman. “And you’re right. That is a silly question.”

“So I thought,” says Norio. “Not that you’d tell me in any case, of course.”

“There’s no secret plan,” says Aman. “There’s no council of guardians. It’s just… random. Evolution. Chance. No one knows. We know very little about why, or how, but it’s been eleven years, and this is the one thing we know.”

“Explain Sundar, then.”

“I can’t. I can’t even explain myself.”

“I used to be suspicious of coincidence before I started hanging around supers,” says Norio. “But you people are so ridiculous that eventually us humans just get used to it. But Sundar? Out of all the supers in the world, he’s the most sinister. Everything he does has a
deus ex machina
smell. Why does he design what he does? Who’s pulling his strings, who’s issuing his orders?”

“I don’t know,” says Aman. “Neither does he.”

“Yes, but how did he design you a suit of armour the very moment you needed one? This isn’t a James Bond film. It points to the existence of a larger observer with a larger plan.”

“Sundar spent a few months with me before he disappeared,” says Aman. “In that time, he built a few things. I used what I could. There were other things I couldn’t use. Are you trying to tell me there isn’t a whole heap of random stuff he’s made that you can’t figure out at all?”

“Do you know why I refuse to get superpowers?”

“Because your father was killed by supers.”

“No,” says Norio. “It’s because I can’t shake the feeling that there are larger forces at play. That all of you are rats running around a maze for someone’s amusement. And I refuse to be part of that system.”

“Fine by me,” says Aman. “I really don’t want to imagine you with superpowers. You’d probably be like Jai.”

“I’d be nothing like Jai.”

“Well, in any case, there’s no secret plan. No aliens, or gods, or secret societies. This is just something that happened. One day we’ll know why and how. We didn’t stop being apes and immediately start making documentaries about it. This whole obsessive self-analysis thing is just the last few generations. Our ancestors didn’t take selfies. Until someone finally understands the science behind what’s going on, it’s just a bunch of people trying to live their lives. And it would be much easier without billionaire conspiracy theorists with revenge on their minds.”

Norio sighs. “You must have had an interesting time when the First Wave hit you,” he says. “But I am afraid we must interrupt this conversation now. Azusa, is it ready?”

Azusa nods, and slides one wall of the cube open. A slight hiss sounds as the air inside the cube enters the room, but Norman does not move. Without any ceremony, Azusa raises her rifle and shoots. A dart pierces Norman’s shoulder.

“Before she left for the hospital she now runs, Rowena was kind enough to give us a few samples of her blood,” says Norio. “This should be interesting.”

They watch in silence as Spiny Norman changes. His bloated body shrivels, his spines retract, his eyes and mouth transform. His hindquarters wriggle and split, showering the cube with filth, but leaving two distinct legs, pink and quivering. His scales slide off his body, leaving a trail of fine gel. One extended, potent expulsion of gas, and Spiny Norman is a thin, wrinkled, bald man lying in a pool of sludge, unconscious but clearly alive.

Azusa wrinkles her nose and shuts the cube.

“Aman, may I present Normal Norman,” says Norio with a smirk. “See how cheerful he looks.”

“That’s just because his tentacles have fallen off,” says Aman. “Tell me, did you ask him if he wanted his powers removed?”

“No. But considering that the reason we found him was that he had been keeping a fishing village up all night with screams of pain, and trying to kill himself by swimming into sharp rocks, I think he’s going to thank us when he wakes up.”

“You could be wrong.”

“I’m right. We have freed him from the superhero curse,” says Norio. “When he wakes up, he will look back on his days as a super as if they were a bad dream, and go on with his life. Soon, I will liberate Jai from his powers as well. It might not be what he wants, but I think I will be happy enough for both of us.”

Aman says nothing for a while, as he watches Norman in the cube. He seems to be sleeping peacefully now.

“So this is your plan,” he says finally. “Kill Jai, and then remove the supers, one by one.”

“No,” says Norio. “How could that be my plan? I only just found out about Rowena.”

“It’ll never work, you know,” says Aman. “There are just too many supers now. There’s no way you could get to all of them at once.”

“Yes, that’s the whole problem with supers, isn’t it? Unique gifts, unique tech, just for that one special person. You know, I haven’t been able to mass-produce a single one of Sundar’s inventions. I’ve even ruined a few things trying to reverse engineer them. And yes, I have the same problem with Rowena’s blood. I can’t synthesise its powers. But I was wondering – do you know anyone who could help me fix this?”

“I do, but you killed three of her,” says Aman. “I don’t see Tia being very eager to help you out.”

“I was actually thinking about you fixing it,” says Norio. “You could make Tia do it.”

“Get the only person I know who really loves her superpower to help you make all powers go away? Unlikely.”

“Not all powers. As you’ve pointed out several times, there are powers that help the world. I’m a reasonable man, Aman, and my management style is very flexible. The good powers can stay. But there are supervillains and others whose powers need to be taken away. For the greater good.”

“And you get to decide which. And you want Tia to deliver your verdicts for you. She’ll never do it.”

“But perhaps if the life of someone she loves were under threat…”

Aman shrugs. “Good luck,” he says. “I’d really like to watch you and Tia have that meeting.”

“I see. Well, if that’s your attitude, I suppose you won’t help me,” says Norio.

“No,” says Aman. “I’m not as flexible as you.”

“Very well. Azusa, did you have anything to ask Aman?”

Azusa does not.

Norio sighs, and stretches. “Well, then, I suppose it is time for me to let you go, as promised,” he says. “Thank you for all your help. Maybe one day we’ll meet again, on your island. Maybe we’ll be friends then. I’d like that.”

Aman looks at him, then at Azusa. He stays where he is.

“I can’t offer you a lift home, I’m afraid. Do you speak Japanese?” asks Norio. “Do you need money?”

“I’ll be fine,” says Aman. “Are you… actually letting me go?”

“Don’t get emotional now, Aman. It’s been good, but we’re done.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t know anything about me. One day you’ll learn. One day you’ll see, and you’ll thank me.”

“Maybe,” says Aman. He glances around the hall nervously, waiting for the punch line, or the punch, but both Norio and Azusa seem completely calm.

“Seriously, get out of here before I change my mind,” says Norio. “I’ve grown quite fond of you, and I’m already beginning to regret my decision. All the chats we could have. I am also excellent at word games.”

Aman decides not to push his luck. He walks towards the door, faster with each footstep.

Norio waits until Aman’s actually got the door open, and then clears his throat.

“One moment, please,” he says with a smile. “I almost forgot. Azusa?”

Azusa raises her rifle and shoots Aman.

Aman stares at the dart on his arm in disbelief. A strange, sluggish coldness flows up his arm.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you keep your power,” says Norio. “You’d be far too much trouble online.”

Aman tries to pull the dart out, but his hands don’t move. He wants to run, but his legs don’t listen. He crumples up in a ball on the floor, and feels waves of numbness sweep over him.

“Switch off the blocker now,” says Norio. “I need to check my email.”

Aman watches in quiet fascination as the hall blurs around him, the only sounds he can hear are the slow beat of his own heart and the incredibly loud clatter of Norio’s boots as he walks towards him. Norio’s got his phone out, and is absorbed in it. Aman senses nothing. The world throbs, fades, and he falls into darkness.

A giant bear swims through the waters of Tokyo Bay, its muzzle pointing towards the island of Odaiba.

There’s nothing warm or fuzzy about this bear, no animation artist in the world could make it cute. It doesn’t look as if it wants to dance or wear a T-shirt and look for honey; it could only be used as a mascot for an extremely kinky underground Olympics. Giant mammals have always been, aesthetically speaking, the Kaiju King’s weakest creations: he deals best in reptiles, insects and floating human body parts. This bear kaiju is clearly a work in progress rushed out to meet demand. The King hasn’t bothered much with the details: its fur is patchy, clumps of black and brown hair over a mountain of pink, veined, exposed leathery skin. Only its head is above the surface of the water, it looks like an extraordinarily ugly island.

Far above the bear, helicopters dot the sky, massive cameras streaming this new kaiju’s image across the planet. The spotlights haven’t come on yet, as the sun is still up. The giant bear is unfashionably early.

* * *

In Kabukicho, Oni’s client huffs and puffs above him. An energetic cartoon theme song plays in the room, but Oni can hear over it, in the room next door, an excited news presenter describing the giant bear.

“It’s too soon,” he mutters.

“But you told me to hurry!” moans his client, wiping her sweaty brow with a well-manicured palm.

Oni has an excellent view of his own perfect legs. He stares at his demon tattoo, hoping it won’t glow, hoping it will. The tattoo stares back at him. He pats his client’s head gently.

“Take your time,” he says.

* * *

In Shibuya, Baku is far too busy to look at the news. In any case, there’s a high-stakes football game on TV: Kashima Antlers are playing Jubilo Iwata.

* * *

In Akihabara, Raiju enters her cubicle and waves the pass-gesture at the camera above her.

“Raiju online,” she says.

She waits a while. The cubicle door stays open. She slides it shut manually, and calls out again, her voice louder. She sits on the floor, tapping the side of the cubicle with her fist.

“Come on, Amabie,” she mutters. “Where the hell are you?”

* * *

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” says Azusa. “It is an honour to meet you.”

“Thanks,” says Uzma. “We should have called first, but we’re in a hurry.”

“I know how busy you must be,” says Azusa. “Welcome to Hisatomi Tower.”

* * *

The giant bear rises out of Tokyo Bay. Its claws are long, thick and yellow, its eyes a startling green, its genitalia conspicuously absent: presumably the Kaiju King wishes to appeal to younger audiences.

It is greeted by missiles: four Tan-SAM Kai IIs sizzle as they hit it, and four fireballs blossom on its chest. It reels, roaring, and splashes its chest with water. Apart from four singed circles on its torso, and a slight increase in the intensity of its scowl, it appears unaffected.

The bear clambers out of the water and shakes itself vigorously. It stands on the same docks where the ARMOR mechas recently battled the giant lobster, but ARMOR is not here. Some Air Force jets are, though, and they strafe the bear’s body with fire, but it seems not to even notice them. It rears up on its hind legs, and with one wild sweep of its paw sends a huge pile of containers flying into the air. They burst open and pour out their contents as they arc out over the bay and splash into the water. The bear turns, sniffs the burning air, and shuffles around. It sees the glittering buildings of Odaiba before it, the new dome of the Museum of Emerging Technologies holds its attention for a while, but behind the museum, taller and shinier, stands the never-ending spike that is Hisatomi Tower. It goes to work.

* * *

In the lobby of Hisatomi Tower, the Unit is getting restless. Uzma looks around; Anima’s playing a game on a holo-screen, Wu stares blankly into space, and Jason and Wingman sign autographs for a group of giggling schoolgirls who have just emerged from a massive elevator after a tour of the tower. The lobby is full of guards, most of whom are engaged in nothing more threatening than occasional glances at her legs. The annoying fusillade of flashing cameras from the paparazzi huddled outside the building has fortunately stopped – the photographers all ran away a few minutes ago. This had nothing to do with the fact that Jai had been sent out to discourage them. Uzma can see from a screen, with a growing sense of mind-unravelling disbelief, that a three-hundred-foot-tall bear appears to be making its way towards Hisatomi Tower, smashing every building and street in its path. She turns, again, to the pretty young woman in a close-fitting business suit in front of her.