Paramount’s eyes practically lit up and I picked up something like exhilaration coming from him. Somehow, however, he kept his voice even and simply said, “Thanks, Jim. I’d like that.”
Chapter 13
I stayed with Paramount for about half an hour, splitting the time between general chitchat and watching television. For a guy who was likely to spend a good many years in the clink, he seemed to be in relatively good spirits for the most part – even cracking a couple of jokes. It was something I had trouble envisioning the old Paramount doing, and reinforced the notion that the current version of my half-brother was an entirely different person.
When it was time for me to leave, we parted as we had met – with a fraternal hug. Then, after promising to visit again soon, I left via the door and hallway by which I’d entered.
Upon exiting the building, I was immediately hit by a frosty wind and once again raised my body temperature in response. I was still wearing the jacket I’d brought from home, but it had essentially been just for show – so that I wouldn’t look even more out of place at the checkpoints than I did by simply being on foot. I realized then that – during my visit with Paramount – I hadn’t even taken the jacket off. It had probably given the impression that I hadn’t planned to stay long (or didn’t want to). However, I seriously doubted that Paramount had noticed or cared; he was just happy to have a visitor. Still, I made a mental note to take my jacket off next time and then teleported.
I reappeared at Alpha League HQ, just outside Mouse’s lab. Ordinarily I would have just teleported inside, but I was trying to be more conscientious about things like that. (Basically, teleporting directly inside was like going to visit a friend and just walking into their home instead of ringing the doorbell.) Mouse had never complained – he probably didn’t even care – but I didn’t want to get into the habit of taking liberties in that fashion.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Mouse’s number; he picked up on the first ring.
“Hey, Jim,” he said. “Sorry – you’re probably wondering where I am.”
I wrinkled my brow in confusion. “Huh?”
“You’re in the lab, right?”
“Uh, no. I’m actually outside. I thought it would be more appropriate if I announced myself instead of just popping up out of the blue.”
“Oh,” he said, sounding surprised, then jokingly added, “That’s a first.”
“I was trying to be considerate,” I admonished. “But if you don’t appreciate the effort…”
I trailed off as Mouse started laughing.
“Actually,” he stated a moment later, still chuckling, “your popping up doesn’t bother me. That said, it’s probably good to get in the habit of announcing yourself first, so bravo.”
“Thanks,” I said, pleased at the fact that my mentor had complimented my behavior. “Anyway, I was coming by for the debrief, but we can reschedule if you aren’t here.”
He shook his head. “No, we can go ahead. I’m in the Alpha conference room.”
I nodded. “Okay. Be there in a sec.” I then hung up the phone and teleported.
I reappeared in a stately, rectangular room that was home to a large executive conference table. Mouse was seated at one end of it, with his computer tablet in front of him. I walked down and took a seat diagonally to his right.
“Been awhile since I’ve been in here,” I intoned, glancing around. “Something wrong with the lab?”
Mouse shook his head. “No, but Vixen says I need to get out more.”
I laughed. “I’m sure she meant ‘out’ as in fresh air, sunshine, and such.”
“Probably, but she’s my girlfriend, not my mother. She’ll have to take what she can get.”
I chuckled some more at that. Vixen – in addition to being Mouse’s significant other – was also a member of the Alpha League. As a Siren, she had the ability to manipulate the opposite sex, but Mouse was somehow immune to her charms. I briefly wondered if she had tried to use her power to get him to take her advice about getting out and this was his way of defying her, but then dismissed the idea. Mouse wasn’t like that, and it was my understanding that Vixen had moved beyond trying to control him the way she’d done other men in the past.
“Anyway,” Mouse droned, changing the subject, “how do you think the mission went yesterday?”
I let out a disgusted sigh. “Everyone else seemingly did fine. I was a disaster.”
Mouse shook his head. “Not true. You took your eye off the ball for a minute, but managed to recover.”
“And almost got us killed in the process – not quite how I wanted my first official mission to go.”
“Actually, it’s a good thing that we were beset by a little mishap. It’s better if something untoward happens the first time you’re out in the field.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Because after that you’re more likely to be on your toes when you go on a mission. If it’s a piece of cake the first time, you’re more apt to let your guard down in the future.”
“Well, you can bet that I’ll be completely mission-oriented from now on. I’m just glad no one got hurt.”
“Even if someone had gotten injured, it wouldn’t necessarily have been your fault. What we do – stopping bad guys – is inherently dangerous, like being a cop, a fireman, or working high steel. Occasionally, people are going to get hurt. It’s a professional hazard.”
“I know,” I said with a nod. “I suppose I should be grateful that Dream Machine only sent a train at us. I’d have thought he’d utilize something more lethal, but maybe he relied too heavily on his hallucinatory abilities – not that I’m complaining.”
“Oh, he had more pernicious items at his disposal, like turrets and such
