บท 3: Cessatio legati-III
DATE:20th of March, the 70th year after the Coronation
LOCATION: Concord Metropolis
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This may sound strange, considering there will probably be many heroes there, but it is the only way to be sure. The boss said I wouldn't be paid until I 'Confirm' it. And I do understand what he means. A proper infiltrator would certainly fit more than clumsy ol'me, but the most important thing about this mission is making sure UltraMan will not be able to come back to life. The only solution found by the scientists was inserting in his skin a small, pill, or perhaps shirt button device called "The Plausibility Negator". Apparently, this will change the fabric of the universe itself so that the miracles that brought him back to life the last time will not occur again.
With a room full of powerful Supers, the only way to guarantee the insertion is by having unmatched speed, hence where I come in, or better said, my BULLET TIME.
It's that or the boss wanting me arrested, and I sure hope it is the first option.
I finish cleaning my face, but left a small beard to form, to better fit as a Redneck.
The funeral took place at the Kent family's farm, or the village's cemetery to be more precise I don't understand why they went public on the hero's identity, with how popular he is you'd think many fans would want to crash the reception. I sure hope there won't be any complications to this already dangerous plan.
I arrived at about 9:20 in a car I received from an intermediary of the boss. From what I was told, the funeral was taking place at 10, but I wasn't concerned about parking with the countryside and all that.
As I stepped out of the sedan I was provided, the crisp country air hit me like a refreshing breeze. I paused for a moment, taking in the sight before me. The sprawling green fields stretched out as far as my eyes could see, dotted with grazing cattle and swaying wildflowers. In the distance, a wooden barn stood proud, weathered but sturdy, its red paint peeling slightly from years of sun and rain.
The scent of fresh hay and earthy soil filled my nostrils, a welcome change from the sterile, exhaust-filled air of the city. Especially the lack of airborne sand, as we were further inland than the port metropolis. I could hear the soft chirping of crickets, mingling with the occasional call of a bird overhead. They were unconcerned of the "tragedy" that had occurred before, and also with today's procession. Living like that sure is a bliss... My heartbeat slowed as the peacefulness of the countryside wrapped around me.
I inhaled deeply, feeling a weight lift from my chest. My shoulders, tense from months of relentless waiting and endless worry, began to relax. The farm felt timeless, untouched by the chaos of modern life. I smiled, a small but genuine smile, as I took a few steps forward, the soft dirt crunching beneath my boots. You wouldn't think I came here to murder a man a second time.
The simplicity of the scene overwhelmed me with a sense of nostalgia. Memories of summers spent at my grandparents' farm flooded back, reminding me of days filled with laughter, endless sunshine, and the joy of being surrounded by nature. For the first time in what felt like years, I felt truly at ease....
This place, I thought, was exactly where I needed to be.
Wait, what nostalgia? I never even met my grandparents.... Must be the work of a superhero, making me drop my guard. No wonder it was so effective.
The Heart farm was made up of the primary residence, two stall barns and another one for depositing grain. Quite a humble upbringing. Kevin's early life was quite tumultuous. I had a whole book debriefing it which I was supposed to read for this role. Never finished it, as I only read things between the lines, a technique I learned from a mercenary that used to be a teacher. Anyhow, Kevin's father was a soldier that died when he was about two. Because of that his mother was forced to give up her office life and move with her parents. His mother died suddenly of tuberculosis when he was 8. He grew up idolizing wrestlers on BubbleTV, and his dream was to also become one. I think he left for that exact purpose when he finished college. I don't really watch TV, but I remember hearing of him a couple of times when I went to bars so he must have had a good carrier. With his powers I would be surprised if he didn't.
At some point he gave up wrestling and became a reporter for the same media company. Apparently he studied in-between his work. At about the same time UltraMan also started saving the city.
The farm had a few cars lined up to the entrance. More than I expected for a supposedly private reception. I parked behind a giant SUV and stepped out. Technology advanced so far, I am not short, but even while standing the car is still taller than me. Anxiety hit me, but this was no time for those kind of feelings. I couldn't afford to miss this chance.
I went to the house's entrance and knocked. So many thoughts filled my head while my instincts screamed for me to run away, but I couldn't. NOT NOW.
I wondered if I should knock again, or perhaps step inside uninvited, but luckily I could see through the glass an old lady approaching before opening the door. It was Miranda Heart, UltraMan's grandmother. internally, I sighed with relief as this was the best outcome.
"Hello m'am, I am not sure if you remember me, I am Will Carter-" It was clear that she was grieving Kevin's loss, who she saw as her own son. This made her judgement perfectly clouded so that she wouldn't see through my disguise.
"Carter...? Carter Junior? My, how you have grown. I haven't seen you since you were barely reaching 12... I-I didn't expect you to come. It was---" William Carter senior, my "father", worked at a local police station, though I don't remember his position. He and the granny's husband, Mark, are on bad terms since their young days when they fought over my "mother". The granny mistaking me for Carter junior is not strange, especially since we look quite similar. I was sent a photo of him after he was kidnapped by my superiors so that I wouldn't have any inconsistencies. He ran away from home when he was a teenager to pursue his dreams as a photographer. He failed quite miserably, but that doesn't concern me. Not like he will ever see the light of day again.
"Please, come in. We live a humble life here, but make yourself at home sonny."
Entering, I don't think she was right by calling her house humble. It was nothing aristocratic, but it was clear that UltraMan took care of his grandparents well. the other participants eyed me strangely, but I paid them no mind. My alibi was solid and I was in. Not knowing anyone, I decided to rest on the couch and opened my camera. I was provided one that already was full of pictures to blend into my "profession", but I never actually bothered to open it before. Not like I have anything else to do.
Not even a few minutes pass and I hear a girl murmuring to herself behind me. Glancing back, she was prompted above the couch, looking into my camera's display screen.
"You have some nice photos mister!" Her tone was playful, although that could also be used to describe her look. A somewhat small-bodied young girl in her twenties, with frilled, shoulder length hair. Her eyes were really innocent and observed me with great attention. I was quite concerned by her interest, not because of my dangerous situation, but because to me at least, these looked like stock photos. Was I supposed to have went both to Antarctica, The southern dunes and the Grand Canyon with the same camera? Be serious prop team!
"Y-ou really think so? I don't get that a lot you know."
"Really? Any person with an eye for composition would know that these were professionally made, Ah! I can't even imagine how long it took you to make this one with the dune's shadow perfectly inverted." She really thought they were so great? I don't have talent for this after all...
"Sorry for geeking out, I actually just started as Graphic Designer so they are really good practice material. You didn't edit anything right? Ohh, and I am Alice, I didn't rea;ize we haven't met. You weren't yesterday..." Such a barrage of questions.... It seems like miss Alice was a big talker. Wait, yesterday? I suppose the family does tend to meet up a few days prior to the funeral...
"Yeah, it is no problem. My name is William,-though I suppose Will is also fine." I was looking into her eyes, quite unusual creations. Almost mini-moons, almost shining. They were quite beautiful... Wait, is she-
"You have a nice name. So noble! As I was saying, you are a photographer, right Will?"
"That is true, my work carries me around the globe. I was close when I heard that Kevin died. Ah, I suppose you wouldn't know. I am his cousin."
"Is that so? Then think I know you...." She jumped over the couch and sat next to me, closely watching my complexities. Her irises glittered, and I was lost in thought. For a second I thought I was back in my never ending dreams. "Wait, William.... William Carter? I didn't think you'd come."
"Haha, my aunt said the same. But how come you have heard about me? Did Kevin tell you?"
"That is so! He sort of was my mentor, he mentioned one time about you and your father-" Pause that. She was under UltraMan? Then was she.... naah, couldn't be.
"You? How come You are here?"
Huh? Who said that? Cocking my head, I see a blonde woman. Was it... no.... this is bad... this is so baad. Was she still mad? I sheepishly glance to confirm and was greeted only by a cold gaze. Yup, still mad.
Seeing me stay in silence, she prepared to say something else, but was cut off by the girl next to me-
"Auntie Janica, this is William carter, one of Heart's cousins!" Nice save UltraMan apprentice! The blonde woman stood frozen for a second, then lightened up.
"Ahh, what a coincidence. You still owe me a pair of glasses."
"Yeah, I guess so..." Now that I think about it, I remember reading about her. Janica Duurm is UltraMan's cousin. She also works at BubbleTV. Are these heroes aware so much of their personal history is known by their villains? How do they sleep at night? I certainly wouldn't be able to. We remained in silence for a few seconds, before the granny came again. She gathered everyone in a circle to say one last story about UltraMan in his childhood. I didn't really pay attention. Something like he got the attention of a bear to save his friends. Anyway, it was very long so I didn't care.
We got up and went to the church for the funeral service. The priest talked so much, it seems like he knew Kevin personally. When we formed a line to pay our final respects before they closed the casket, I got behind Alice. She kept having chit-chat, but I couldn't help but ask her a question:
"You seem awfully happy for a funeral." Only then did I realize what I had just said. "Sorry, I don't mean that in a bad way."
"No, I understand. I was devastated at first, but then I remember this isn't the first time he has departed from us. I know he will come back" Huh? I know what she talks about, but it was such a strange thing to say to an estranged relative, and the others noticed. A Black man in front of her called her out.
"Sorry, I am probably exaggerating..." He is probably also a hero. It appears like they are aware of his strange resistance to death. I wonder how she will react when he actually doesn't return. I suppose it isn't my problem.
I came prepared and already snorted some cocaine in the bathroom. It was hard to stop myself from looking like a druggie. To activate it I just have to breathe in. I waited for my turn, and when it came, I leaned over Kevin and the plan was put into action.
I am not actually sure how much time slows down and for how long, but it probably depends on the quantity of cocaine and how long I keep my breath. What matters is that not even Blazer, if he was someone between these people, couldn't react. It felt very calming to see all of these heroes that could end my time anytime frozen, but I had a job, and not so much time.
I leaned over him again, and dragged his suit a little. this device I was supposed to place near a certain artery on his arm. I don't remember the name even as I spent so much time memorizing the location. When I let go of the pill shaped device it fused with the skin almost instantly, even while The Bullet Time was active. I was told it was a one of a kind alien device so easy to say that my head would go had I lost it. In any case, the job was done. Kevin Heart, UltraMan was gone. He was not coming back.
Fuck. I never stayed in this god forsaken time for so long. The headaches started and My eyes were itching so bad. I started crying. I was in so much pain I cried over UltraMan. The man I killed.
I suppose this was taken as me having great empathy, as Alice took me to the side and gave me a hug. For having a slim body she was also very strong. Was it common between their kind?
It took quite a long while for my pain to subside, and I left the church half supported on Alice. They closed the casket and the priest said a final prayer before having the casket placed in the hole. The stone there looked a few years old already. Was it from another of his burials? Either way, he can now rest in piece. Still half teared I threw my share of dirt, but just then a giant explosion happened before me. I used the last bit of my strength to move a meter forward, before being propelled several more by the radiating heat. Then I passed out.
Darkness surrounded me once more. Ever more.
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