GODLING’s WORLD # 6: DESTROY! DESTROY!

GODLING’s WORLD #  6:  DESTROY! DESTROY!

by J. Vandersteen

–       Godling & Agent Destruction in:  DESTROY! DESTROY! Part  2

A helicopter lands at the Pentagon. Perlin and Captain Daniels get out, joined by Godling.

“So your headquarters is located here?” Godling says.

“Yeah,” Daniels says. “Under here.”

They pass heavily armed guards, Daniels tells them Godling is with them and they are allowed inside the Pentagon. They enter an elevator.

Daniels presses a number of  buttons in rapid succession and the elevator zooms down.

“Welcome to Homeland Security’s Special Division,” Daniels says as the elevator door opens.

They enter a huge room filled with big monitors, hundreds of computers and hundreds of uniformed men working behind them.

“Here we monitor potential threats to the security of the USA,” Daniels says. “And of course we develop countermeasures like the Agent Destruction serum.”

“In other words, the stuff that made me into to the stone-skinned mutant you fought,” Perlin tells Godling.

“Looks impressive,” Godling admits. The monitors show pictures of wars fought in various countries, several historical landmarks around the world and even some heroes like Ninjoid and Doc Proton fighting bad guys.

“Let me show you what these monitors picked up a few days ago. That will make you a lot clearer why we wanted that kid,” Daniels says.

“Please do. I have the inclination to trust my government, but this whole affair made me doubt it.”

Daniels pushed a few buttons on one of the many computers in the room and the picture on one of the screens changed.

It shows the young boy that had been kidnapped crossing the street as a truck comes speeding at him. The driver doesn’t seem to spot him, either drunk or busy with his cell phone or something.

Godling screams “NO!”

The screen shows the boy turning to face the truck, a blast coming from his eyes completely disintegrating the truck, leaving nothing but ashes. Then the boy runs away as fast as his feet can carry him, shocked and afraid.

“How did he do that?” Godling asks.

“We think this boy is a Hybridian,” Daniels explains.

“A what?”

“You know those stories about alien abductions? Well, they’re real. Very real. Some aliens even got our earthwomen pregnant. These half alien hybrids we call Hybridians. Some are just deformed, some die upon childbirth. And some… Just a very few… Have these incredible powers. Young Akeem there is one of the most powerful we’ve ever spotted.”

“You’re kidding. Why haven’t I heard anything about that before?” Godling asks.

“The Men In Black, hiding all evidence of aliens? Area 51? All true as well,” Daniels says.

“And here I thought they were all crackpot theories. On the other hand, if Greek Gods are real, why wouldn’t they…”

“Yeah, it’s a lot to swallow all at once but after a while nothing surprises you. I mean, it’s studying and experimenting with that alien genetics that created the serum they inject me with that makes me able to turn into Agent Destruction,” Perlin says.

“And these terrorists?” Godling asks.

“When we first spotted Akeem’s powers we were afraid Al-Qaida would get their hands on him, with his heritage and all…” Daniels says.

“Wait a minute… Isn’t that a tad racist?” Godling wonders aloud.

“I’m trying to keep the country safe. When I think that includes racial profiling so be it,” Daniels explains.

I really don’t like this guy, Godling thinks. But if he can help me save that boy I will have to work with him for now.

“Anyway… Turned out the Phoenix Group beat the towelheads to the punch. They’re a relatively small group but growing fast and with some very wealthy backers. They seem to employ some technology that has some alien roots. In fact, we worry they have a spy within our Special Division,” Daniel says.

“I can imagine that has you worried. What’s their goal?”

“These crazies believe in destroying our world so the Phoenix-like deity they worship can recreate it in its own image. They themselves will be reborn as superhuman versions of themselves. Crazy as hell.”

“The gods I met make that idea not that crazy. Disturbing and evil, but not crazy,” Godling says.

Perlin laughs. “The hero has a point.”

“Yeah, yeah… Are you actually trying to tell me you really are some kind of prophet sent by the Olympians?” Daniels says.

“Is that so hard to believe after the stories you just told me about alien-human hybrids living among us?”

“And again…” Perlin chuckles.

“All right, all right,” Daniels says.

“Now, how do we find those terrorists and get the kid back to his mom,” Godling says.

“I’m afraid we won’t be able to return that kid to his mom. With powers like that he’ll just be to dangerous to just walk around like that,” Daniels says.

A lightning bolt appears in Godling’s hand as his teeth grit. “Say that again?”

“I’m sorry, Godling… But it IS my job to keep this country safe. And that will mean we will have to keep the kid contained at Area 51.”

“Not acceptable. He’s a young boy. He needs his mother,” Godling says and thinks, Zeus knows my own childhood got very hard when my mom died. I don’t want anyone to grow up without a mother.

“I think it’s going to be a long time before we see eye to eye on the subject. And all the time spent bickering on the subject might mean The Phoenix Group gets this kid to destroy the world… So we’d better bury the hatchet until we actually find Akeem and talk about what to do with them then,” Perlin says.

Godling nods. “Guess he’s right. Can this fancy equipment of yours track the boy down?”

“All my men are on it right now. Shouldn’t take them long. We can access all sattelites, all CCTV’s, all webcams… We ARE the BIGGEST Brother,” Daniels boasts.

*

A secret base… Akeem sits on a chair, behind a table filled with hamburgers and Cokes.

Two armed Phoenix terrorists are guarding him. A female with red hair, dressed in a black leather dress with a big firebird emblazoned all over it sits on the table.

“Listen, kid… We can get you all the food, all the video games, comics or movies you want… As long as you work with us. You like girls already? We can get those as well. Just work with us,” the woman says.

“Listen, Miss… I just want my mom,” Akeem says.

“Call me Isidore,” the woman says.

“I don’t want your food or your other gifts. Take me back to my mom. You know what I can do to you…”

Isidore brushes the boy’s cheek. “Come on, Akeem. We all know how you regretted killing that truck driver by accident. You’re not going to kill us. Let me just tell you about the wonderful life that can be yours and your mom’s if you join our Group.”

Akeem balls a fist, his eyes start to glow. “Take me back to my mother.”

Isidore sighs. “I was hoping to convince you in another way… Bring her in.”

Two terrorists enter the room, Akeem’s mother in front of them, hands shackled.

Akeem jumps from his chair. “MOM!”

Isidore puts a hand against the boy’s chest. “Stop. You try and use your powers on us and your mother dies.”

Akeem stands still, tears from his eyes. “You bastards.”

“To you, maybe. But we have a higher cause you just don’t seem to be able to understand,” Isidore says. “You destroy the target we give you, your mom goes free.”

“Don’t listen to them!” Akeem’s mother says. A guard hits her in the head with his gun. She falls down.

Akeem runs towards her, but is stopped by the guards, guns aimed at his face.

“You die, she dies… Or you just destroy the target I ask you to destroy. There’s a nuclear power plant in China which we’d like you to destroy…”

“A power plant? I may be a kid but I’m not stupid… The destruction that will mean…”

Isidore smiles. “Yes, yes… Isn’t it fantastic?”

*

“Look! That island in Asia. One of our satellites spotted their base over there,” one of the men behind the monitors says.

On the screen a big, fortress-like building is shown. In front of it drive several black jeeps. Then, the camera zooms in. There are two guards in front of the building, dressed like the terrorists that kidnapped the boy.

“Let’s not waste any time,” Godling says. “We get in there, take out the bad guys and free the kid.”

Perlin smiles. “Sounds like a plan. Can we fire up the helicopter, Cap?”

“Move out,” Daniels says. “And fast. We’ve got a world to save.”

NEXT ISSUE: Can Godling and Agent Destruction prevent the destruction of China?

            

GODLING’s WORLD # 5: DESTROY! DESTROY! part 1

GODLING’s WORLD #  5:  DESTROY! DESTROY! part 1 
by J. Vandersteen 


–        Godling & Agent Destruction in:  DESTROY! DESTROY! Part 1 


Professor Quentin Alexander sits at the desk in his apartment. He is holding a red pen and grading papers. He thinks, Man, I’m behind on this. With trying to show up to teach and fighting villains and aliens I just don’t have a lot of time for this stuff anymore. 
        There is huge bang that startles him. BA-BOOM! 
        What was that, he wonders. He changes into his Godling identity. Sounded like something I have to investigate. 

* 
Two floors below Quentin’s apartment. A kid, looking about ten years old sits in front of the TV, watching Ben 10. His mom, a coffee-coloured woman is ironing a shirt. There’s a hole where the wall used to be. Standing behind the hole is a rocky looking, monstrous man with skin that looks like a camouflaged tank. He’s wearing red boots, red shorts and a yellow, thick utility belt. He has no nose, no visible ears but glowing red eyes. 
        “Allah! What is that?!” the woman says. The boy just screams. 
        “The boy comes with me and nobody gets hurt,’’ the monster says with a gravelly voice. 
        The door flies open, Godling coming in through it. “What’s going on here?” 
        “Godling? Just stay away from this. This is not your business,” the monster says. 
        “Seems to me you are threatening an innocent woman and child,” Godling says. “That kind of makes it my business.” 
        “I’m not a villain. I’m on official Homeland Security business. I have to take this kid into custody to save our country.” 
        Godling balls a fist. “That sounds like a bunch of nonsense. Leave these people alone and you won’t be hurt… Much.” 
        “Sorry. I can’t be stopped. Make way for AGENT DESTRUCTION!” the monster says and fires two red rays from his eyes at the Olympian Prophet. 
        The hero takes the rays on his mighty chest, channelling the invulnerability of Achilles, thus staying unharmed. The impact has him crashing into the wall, though, leaving a crack in there. 
        “I warned you,” he says and with superspeed runs into Agent Destruction, carrying him through the hole in the wall, outside. 
        Since they are on the third floor they drop down. When they land Godling is saved by the invulnerability of Achilles. Agent Destruction seems to be pretty much invulnerable by way of his constitution and skin. Where he landed cracks appear in the pavement. 
        “So war it is,” Agent Destruction says and hits Godling with so much force the One Man Pantheon flies through the air, crashing into a car that breaks in half. The hero removes himself from the car parts that surround him, panting. 
        “I’m going to destroy you! Destroy! Destroy!” the monster says and starts to fire some rays again. 
        The rays hit another car that blows up. Godling barely missing the hero. 
        “Two can play that game,” Godling says and throws a lightning bolt at Agent Destruction. The bolt hits the monster, smoke coming from his chest, but he is still standing. 
        “DESTROY! DESTROY!” the monster yells and walks towards Godling, fist raised. 
        It seems like he is getting angrier, more animalistic by the second, Godling notices. Who or what is this thing? 
        Agent Destruction hits Godling, but he uses the fighting skills of Ares to duck the blow, following up with a Heracles punch in the monster’s gut. Destruction stumbles a step back, that’s it. Heracles gives the monster an uppercut. Destructions stumbles back some more. 
        “CRUSH! CRUSH!” Destruction says and wraps his arms around Godling, trying to crush him. 
        * 
There’s a helicopter above their fight scene. A pilot, two soldiers and a man in a captain’s uniform are inside. 
        “What the hell is Agent Destruction doing? He’s supposed to get the kid, not fight with a frigging superhero!” the captain says. He’s a buff black guy with a handlebar moustache. 
        “Do you want us to help him out?” a soldier asks, holding up an AR-15 rifle. 
        “You don’t really think you can take on Godling, do you?” the captain  says. 
        “But, captain Daniels… We can’t just watch and…” the soldier starts to interject. 
        “That’s right. We won’t. We’ll get the kid while Destruction keeps the hero busy,” captain Daniels says. 
        “It looks like we’ll have to be fast, though. Seems like Agent Destruction if facing his limits,” the pilot says, pointing down. 

* 

Agent Destruction has Godling in a bear hug, trying to crush him. Cracks start to appear in his skin, the cracks are glowing with something that resembles molten lava. Instead of yelling he now is just growling. 
        “ROOOOOOOOOWRRRRR!” 
        I don’t know what’s going on, but it looks like he’s breaking apart or something, Godling thinks. Time to get out of this. 
        The One Man Pantheon covers himself with flames, channelling the powers of Hephaestus. Agent Destruction’s stony skin singes… He lets go of Godling. 
* 
The two soldiers jump out of the plane with parachutes. They land on the street, taking off their parachutes and arms ready enter the apartment building. 
        In the helicopter captain Daniels tells the pilot, “Agent Destruction is going to expire if we don’t shut him off. Do it.” 
        The pilot presses a button on his helicopter. 
        Agent Destruction slowly starts to change, the glowing eyes and strange skin disappearing, his inhumanly big physique turning into that of a regular human’s. What is left standing is a regular human male with brown hair. He looks tired. 
        “What did I just see happening?” Godling wondered aloud. 
        “You saw me change back, that’s what you saw,” the man said. 
         
* 
“Sergeant Perlin seems to be okay,” the pilot told captain Daniels. 
        “Good, land and pick him up,” Daniels orders the pilot.  “Carter, Smith, what’s your status?” 
        The two soldiers are inside the young boy and his mom’s apartment. Inside are three men wearing dark skintight costumes and masks with red goggles. A big firebird is emblazoned on their chests. They are carrying advanced rifles. 
        “Crap! The Phoenix Group! Damned terrorists!” one of the soldiers says. 
        “That’s right, and we’re taking the boy,” one of the men in black says and fires his gun at the soldiers. The other men in black join in and soon the two soldiers are lying dead in the apartment, the boy’s mother screaming. 
        “Shut up,” one of the Phoenix Group says and  slams the butt of his gun against the mother’s head. 
        Another terrorist grabs hold of the boy. “I’ve got the kid. Let’s get out of here.” 
        “Extraction in progress,” another terrorist says. He presses a button on his wrist and the images of the terrorists and the boy start to shimmer. Seconds later they are gone. 
* 
“No answer from Smith and Carter,” Daniels says in the microphone clipped on his shirt. “Perlin, get in the building and see what’s going on.” 
        Perlin uses the earpiece he’s carrying, saying, “Can’t you give me some time to recuperate?” 
        “I’m not asking you to change into Agent Destruction, you won’t be able to for the next hour anyway. I’m just asking you to go and see why Smith and Carter aren’t answering.” 
        “All right, I’m going in,” Perlin says and runs towards the building. 
        “I don’t know who you’re talking to, but I’m coming along,” Godling says and jogs behind Perlin. Together they enter the building, climbing the stairs until they are at the boy’s apartment. There they discover the dead soldiers and the unconscious mother. 
        “Oh no!” Perlin says. 
        Godling checks the soldiers. “There’s nothing the gods will allow me to do for them. They’re dead. These are you collegeus?” 
        “Yeah. Comrades in arms. I don’t see the boy… He either managed to flee or someone took him.” 
        “These men were shot by some kind of laser. Whoever did that probably got the boy. Who or why I have no idea. I’m guessing you have a better idea.” 
        “Not sure. Maybe the mother will be able to tell us more.” 
        Godling kneeled beside the mother. He put a hand on her head and used the healing powers of Aescilapus to wake her up. 
        “What… What happened?” she asks Godling. “You… You’re Godling? But who were those men?” 
        “Men?” Godling asked. 
        “Men in black suits with big birds on them… Carrying guns…” the mother says. 
        Perlin clenches a fist. “The Phoenix Group. If they’ve taken the boy we’re all in big trouble.” 
        “Why? What is the Phoenix Group? Why is this boy so important?” Godling asks Perlin. 
        Perlin gives Godling a grave look. “The Phoenix Group wants to destroy the Earth… And the boy can be the means to that end.” 

NEXT ISSUE: Godling learns more about Agent Destruction as all our lives hang in the balance!