The Push Chronicles (Book 3): Incorruptible (26 page)

"Right."

There was a tense silence that reigned for several moments.  It seemed like an eternity before, suddenly, Hexagon got up, lurched over, and threw his arms around me in a huge hug.

"Meds would have backed you up, so I'm going to, too."  He cried into my shoulder and I into his.  "But, hell, don't you worry none, because you're goddamn Indomitable.  You're not gonna fail."

What turned into a single hug degenerated into a group huddle.  My friends, my family.  My heart was glowing and broken in one simultaneous motion.

I managed to barely avoid the advance to drunk from tipsy by the time what had turned into a funeral/welcome/goodbye party had concluded.  With Duane staying behind to essentially take my place with the Atlanta Six (well, it would work until they redubbed themselves), I at least knew they wouldn't be weakened by my absence.  Archer and I slipped out into the late evening streets and made our way down the street to the Foundation building.

"I cannot say I can fathom the full depth of your emotions, milady," Archer said, "but I have had to face loss much in the past.  I can offer my most sincere condolences."  The streets were still fairly scarce as the city I was about to leave recovered from its ordeal.

"Archer, you've done a lot more than that and I appreciate every bit of it."  I favored him with a smile.  "I'd get through this with or without help but every moment you've spent with me this past week has made it easier."

"Your words make this foolish knight's heart sing."  He returned the smile.  "I feel indebted to you, truly, in many ways and I can only hope that my accompaniment in this grand endeavor in some ways will repay you for that."

We made our way into the building, through the entrance hall, and into the elevators.  Our ride and luggage awaited us on the roof.  Rachel, officially contracted through the Brooks-Choi Foundation as our handler, would be leaving via the much more conventional way of a flight out of Hartsfield-Jackson in a few days.

"I'd prefer if we just call it even."  I ran my hands through my hair as I leaned against the elevator wall.  "I don't want to start things out between us with any kind of advantage or secrets or leverage."

"Fair enough, Indy, fair enough."  He twirled his hand in a fancy bow.  "To seek a partner on equal footing is most noble of you.  I must ask, though, how do you wish to start things out between us?"

"Well, I have an idea."

"Oh?"

I pushed off the elevator wall and walked up to the swashbuckler, a motion he mimicked.  We met in the middle of the elevator and, as he looked down into my eyes, I reached up, cupped his chin, and pulled him into a warm, passionate kiss.

"Milady, methinks you have touched upon an excellent opening act to this play," he said as our lips parted.

"Archer, you haven't seen anything yet."

The elevator opened onto the top floor and, a swipe of a security card and another flight of steps later, we walked out into the cool night air of Atlanta in fall.  The Argent Archer armor, rebuilt and improved, sat ready to be boarded while Epic, having already arranged my Spartan pile of luggage into a neat cube surrounded by glowing white force, was staring at the stars overhead.  Next to that, a simple metal circle lay on the roof, my waiting chariot.

"Hey, Eric, we're back."  I looked at Archer.  "And we're ready."

Epic turned towards us and smiled.  It was faint, hesitant, but true.

"Irene, Archer."  He took a massive breath.  "Thank you.  I was, to be honest, not entirely sure you both would actually come.  What about Ms. Choi?"

"Rachel has to wrap up some loose ends here in Atlanta with Duane," I smiled.  "As for us, well, come on!  We wouldn't let you face this alone."

"Still, after all that I have done, all that I have wrought -"

"No more words need to pass about it, Lord Epic."  Archer set his helmet on his head as he spoke.  "The past matters naught for what lays ahead, as long as you keep its lessons dear in your heart."

I nodded and pointed up at the stars, stepping on the circle, ready to be hauled along.

"That, Eric, that out there is the future."  The stars shone their light down on us, pregnant with hope.  "There's an entire world out there that needs saving, so let's go out there and save it!"

About the Author

J. B. Garner was born in Baltimore, MD on December 1, 1976, the youngest of three children. While still young, the family moved to Peachtree City, GA. His parents always encouraged his creative side and J. B. began writing and drawing from an early age. Though considered talented by his teachers, he never fully applied himself and bounced through high school and into college at the Georgia Institute of Technology. During his freshman year, his father died suddenly.

Grief and lack of purpose caused J. B. to drop out of school. If not for a few close friends, he might have dropped out of life as well. Taken in by his friends and given a second chance, J. B. matured, applied himself, and finally, after over a decade of hard work, is now back to doing what he loves the most: writing.

His writing passions include science fiction, fantasy, pro wrestling and superhero literature.  His fifth book,
Incorruptible
, is what you are reading right now.

Feel free to get in touch with him via his blog (
jbgarner58.wordpress.com
) e-mail (
[email protected]
), at his deviantArt page (
http://megatarget.deviantart.com/
).

Discover other titles by J. B. Garner

The Push Chronicles

Indomitable

Indefatigable

Incorruptible

Three Seconds to Legend

The Opening Bell

The Tale of the Tape

The Twelfth Labor (early 2015)