Fearless Leader (Juxtapose City) (14 page)

"There is no truth," Calyx returned. "Everything is perception. Life is what you choose to show yourself." He smiled suddenly. "The world shows me lust and greed and anger and hate. If it's my feelings or someone else's it doesn't matter. That's how it is. I can't block it so I live with it." He shrugged. "So to answer your question: maybe you're right: perhaps I
am
truly myself only when I'm not. Only when I'm high on Bliss."

"That's a sad thought."

"It's the only time the masses are silent, sweetheart."

"And yet when they're gone you miss them," Black said quietly, staring at the frozen club scene.

Calyx said nothing, a rare unease settling over him. Black sounded almost as if he understood and Calyx had never experienced such empathy from a non-psypath before. The cold hard truth was that no one ever cared about a freak's viewpoint. As long as a psypath's attention wasn't focused on them people were willing to give him a wide berth.

Calyx watched Black reactivate the simulation. Black moved like a stalking panther, every action deliberate and controlled. Steady, precise shifts of his shoulders and arms were his only movements as he tracked his targets with the laser beam. Two perpetrators down. Three. Four. Black didn't waste a shot. Not a single bystander was harmed. Black was obviously very familiar with a gun. Familiar too, with dealing with psypaths, Calyx reminded himself. In leading JC2 in the fight against Bliss Black had a perspective that few others did. It wasn't empathy or telepathy; it was experience on the street.

The realization was somewhat disappointing to Calyx, which amused him. Since when did he need someone to understand him?
You're becoming too obsessed with him, sweetheart. Better rein it in.

A feat that was easy to accomplish when a pair of men entered their cubicle.

"I knew I'd find you here," Captain Dickerson said, sounding pleased with himself. "Even on a day like today, Lieutenant Black doesn't relax an inch."

Calyx smiled thinly at the captain, grateful that the older man was wearing a tab. He hated feeling the man's greasy lust. It was like taking a bath in used vegetable oil. "Captain Dickwad, come to watch us shoot off? Or perhaps give us some tips on how to handle our weapons? I know you handle
yours
all the time."

Dickerson chuckled. "I see Black hasn't tamed that mouth of yours yet."

Calyx ignored him and turned his attention to the other newcomer. Calyx's interest sparked. He dragged a lock of purple-tinged hair across his lips as he regarded the captain's companion, the blond-haired man he had seen at the funeral. "And who's your handsome friend? Is this the big bad boy from JC1 that I've heard such flattering things about?"

"Starr, can it," Black said. JC2's leader set down the gun and regarded Lieutenant Sundhill warily. "I'm surprised to see you both here."

Sundhill was staring at Calyx with an obvious urge to laugh that was only barely restrained. "Lieutenant Black, I consider myself lucky to finally meet your newest team member."

He was wearing a tab as well but Calyx could read the man even without his empathy. Calyx teased the lock of hair he held, sliding it seductively around the edges of his lips. Sundhill's eyes were glued to the motion. Calyx smiled and let the tip of his tongue play out a little. "Mmm, why is it, I wonder, that the boys of the JC Units are all so -- impressive," he said, deliberately running his eyes across Sundhill's broad shoulders and down his torso to his crotch.

He heard Black mutter, "Jesus Christ."

Sundhill grinned even more, his eyes darkening. "Nice new addition, Black. Very nice indeed." Sundhill glanced at the other lieutenant. "If you find yourself with your hands full I'd be happy to take him off your hands and train him for you."

Fiery emotion flashed through the empath's head. Calyx sucked in his breath, his eyes shooting to Black in surprise. But the brown-haired leader of JC2 merely nodded in polite response. His face was a blank canvas.

Captain Dickerson, unaware of anything going on, looked past Calyx and Black to the shooting screen. "How'd our little empath do?"

Black slid Calyx a warning glance. "As well as you claimed. A little more training in maneuvering and handling other weapons and he should be fine."

The captain had taken off his overcoat and was carrying it over one arm. He used it to motion towards the hall bisecting the range. "Excellent to hear, lieutenant. Then if you can spare him a moment, I'd like to do a little briefing of Agent Starr on my own." He smiled at the empath. "See how things are going from an empath's side."

"This end's fine as it is, thank you," Calyx drawled.

Dickerson just smiled. "Now come along like a good little freak, Starr. I've missed you."

A stab of irritation and anger that was not his own made the empath look to Black. JC2's leader however, looked back calmly. "I'll be waiting," Black said.

Shit,
Calyx thought. But his smile for Captain Dickhead could have given Sundhill’s a run for the money.

Captain Dickerson kicked the range commander out of his office and ushered Calyx inside. The sound of the lock clicking into place didn't affect the empath's smile in the least. He swept inside and surveyed the small room.

"I would've thought you'd found some new playthings by now. Surely you're not still hard-up for little 'ol me?" he began.

A heavy palm struck him across the face. Calyx cursed, gingerly touching his tongue to his split lip. "Guess you're not getting any?" he asked.

"If I wanted to fuck you I'd do it on the range in front of everyone just to remind you of your place," the captain growled as he took the seat at the large metal desk that took up most of the room. "But I'm not interested in that just yet. I just got my physical back and I'm disease free. I'd like to remain that way."

Taking the man's position behind the desk as a good sign that he wasn't about to get screwed, Calyx lowered himself into the seat across. "So it's not me you want, hmmm? I wish I could say I'm disappointed." Deciding the cut on his lip wouldn't mar his looks too badly, Calyx allowed himself a small, dark smile. "So is it my luscious lieutenant you're after? I received the most interesting readings from him last night."

Dickerson's eyes widened minutely; only someone looking for the reaction would have seen it. Then the older man smiled smugly. "Nice try. If there's one thing Lieutenant Black does well it's keep a secret. What he and I do is none of your business. However--" the larger man leaned forward, pinning the empath with his gaze " -- what you and he do is very much
my
concern."

Calyx arched a brow in amusement. "Jealous? Why I thought you
wanted
me to be the lieutenant's evening nightcap. Having second thoughts, Captain Dick?"

"Shut up. I want more from you than that. When you finally slither your way into his bed, I want you to be the good little whore that you are and stay there. One time isn't going to be enough."

"You demand so much of me," Calyx murmured, but inside, he was smirking. Did Captain Dickerson honestly think Calyx only intended a one night fling with Black? Having Darkness only once would be a torture beyond imagining. But Calyx wasn't stupid; he was from the streets, after all. "You're asking a lot. That man is like a robot. Gorgeous, yes, but I imagine his sexual technique will be about as thrilling as making love to a blender." He cocked his head, thoughtfully. "Although I have tried using various kitchen utensils at one time or another and some of them weren't bad..."

"Enough with the idiocy," the captain snapped. "Become his lover and you'll get everything I promised you."

"I.D.s, bar codes, the complete set-up in the Silent City?" Calyx confirmed in a sharp voice. Since Dickerson had made him this offer two months ago it had been sitting in the back of Calyx's mind like a diamond he was afraid to take to a jeweler's for fear it would turn out to be fake. It was the dream he was afraid to believe. But he yearned to. Oh, how he yearned to. Escape to the Silent City meant not only freedom but a chance to find a telepath strong enough to help him in his quest for personal revenge. "An entirely new identity that can never be traced or broken. Even by your boys?"

Captain Dickerson nodded, studying the empath over steepled fingers. He smiled suddenly and Calyx did not like the look at all. "However, I require a little more."

"You've already demanded that I sleep with him more than once," Calyx testily reminded him.

Dickerson was unmoved. "I want you to report to me on the state of his mental health." His smile deepened at the empath's surprise. "He's under stress and he suffered a concussion a few days ago. He's reported headaches to the staff doctor but I want you to feel him out in the way a doctor can't. He's leading one of the most dangerous elite forces in the city. I can't have him buckling under the pressure and becoming a hazard to us. You’ll make regular reports to me about his condition."

Calyx frowned, thinking back to all the times he had tried to read Black. It was like trying to read Braille without using your fingers. Then again Captain Dickerson didn't need to know everything. Calyx was good at feeding people what they wanted to swallow. He smiled slyly at the older man. "Whatever you want, sweetheart. No part of his body or mind will remain a secret to me. Or to you."

Dickerson grinned, the sight making Calyx want to stick his finger down his throat.
Scheming sleazeball.
Calyx almost felt sorry for Black. The man obviously considered Captain Dickerson some sort of father figure. If only he knew.

But what do I care?
Calyx asked himself. His ticket to freedom from both the JCPD and those who wanted him dead in Juxtapose City was within his grasp. All he had to do was reach for it. Years of feeding off the streets, of fending off madness with the equal evil of Bliss -- all of it would soon be over if he pulled this off. Sanctuary in the Silent City. Just the thought made Calyx want to smile. And once he was there… revenge. Whatever it took to get him this he would do it.

The captain's voice broke into his thoughts. "Now come over here, Starr, and earn your keep."

Revulsion and self-disgust did nothing to mar Calyx's smirk as he stood and rounded the desk. "Don't you ever worry," he purred as he dropped to his knees between the other man’s spread legs, "that one day I'm going to get sick of this and bite your dick off?"

The sudden wilting of the captain's erection was worth the slap to the face.

"So is the empath as good as you claimed or are you fudging for the captain's sake?" Sundhill asked with a wink.

Black crossed his arms and leaned against one wall of the shooting cubicle. He watched the other lieutenant inspect the range gun. "His technique is solid; he must have seen a lot of shooting. He's a little loose in his movements but that can be easily remedied. After he's gone through more training with my team he'll be effective enough to not be a detriment."

"And you
are
extremely effective," Sundhill remarked. He looked up at Black and he smiled. "I'm sure this will come out sounding like I'm being condescending but I'm proud of you, lieutenant. JC2 is living up to every expectation the captain has set for you and not only that you're exceeding them. You're giving my team a run for the money."

It did sound condescending but Black found himself not caring that much as a seed of warmth took root in his stomach.

"Thank you," he said. "The truth of the matter though, is that JC2 is only as good as it is because you've set the precedent. You've given us a goal to shoot for. JC1 is the standard for us all."

Sundhill set the gun aside, regarding Black with interest. "Do you really think so?" He grinned. "And as obvious as that sounded no, I'm not fishing for compliments."

Black’s lips twitched. It was hard to remain stoic when Sundhill grinned at him like that. Andrew Sundhill smiled at you as though he shared a secret with you. To not give one in return seemed petty and juvenile. That was the last impression Black wanted to give to the man. When Black had begun his tutelage under Captain Dickerson it was Lieutenant Sundhill whom Black had tried to model himself after. The man's record was impeccable. His charisma added to his legend. In the JCPD it was Sundhill, not Dickerson, whom everyone aspired to be. Unfortunately his and Black's styles of leadership differed wildly. Sundhill could be a bit of a cowboy while Black stuck rigidly to proven styles and methods.

"The captain filled me in on some of the details of the Wyatt Street bust," Black said tentatively. "The way you adjusted your methods at the last minute when you found out that the deal had been compromised -- it wasn't textbook but it was inspired."

"It was a stroke of luck," Sundhill said with a self-deprecating laugh. "If I hadn't found that side stairwell we would have been cornered like mice. No inspiration there, just pure survival mode."

"You tricked the perps into circling around on each other and then you surrounded them. You apprehended everyone."

Sundhill tilted his head to the side. "So I did." He looked at Black and Black sincerely hoped none of the admiration he felt for the other man showed on his face. "You study a lot of the other teams' work, don't you, Lieutenant Black? Dickerson has mentioned that you're something of a scholar of strategy. I'm impressed with how much you
do
know. Far more than I. And you're so much younger--"