Silver Moon Stories

Chapter 7 Even college graduates get the blues.

 

Max Blumenthal was smiling so much he thought that his face was going to hurt tomorrow. Everyone was up and celebrating and milling about congratulating the students, parents and professors. In the throng of bodies, Max tried to politely make his way to his family. Other than Emily, there was no else here that he really wanted to talk to right now. It turned out that his parents had the same idea and were dragging his sister and grandfather along with them. He saw his mom spot him and start waving.

“Max! Oh, Max, honey. Your father and I are so proud of you! Is Omega class good? Sorry, but I don’t really know much about Superheroing.” His mother embraced Max in a big hug as she said those words. Her warm and tight embrace washed away the worries about being classified as the lowest tier of Super.

“No, Mother. It is the worst kind of Super. They are the laughingstock of the Super world. It is just one step above being a vanilla human.” His sister answered before he could even make one word come out of his mouth. As she saw the cools on their faces, she realized that she’d insulted her parents too. Others had halted their conversations to stare at his sister, she for her part seemed to bear them no heed. She turned to face their parents and said,  “No offense, Mother and Father. There is nothing wrong with being merely human.”

Other “humans” had turned to look at Tracy when she had replied to their parents seemed slightly mollified the turned back to their own conversations. Yet many eyes remained watching Tracy and the Blumenthals and their stares bore into Max’s back. As his smile had begun to falter, Max’s grandfather walked up. Max’s smile disappeared completely at the dark expression on Ira Blumenthal’s face. Max couldn’t tell what had made his grandfather so upset but Max was afraid it was him. Lifeline’s personality was light, happy, and full of empathy almost the exact opposite of his personality as normal Ira Blumenthal.  Ira was a very private man,  he little to his friends and even less to his own family. Max knew that his father had worked for years to gain the approval of his father, with little success.

His parents worked as teachers in the public schools of Denver. His father taught science courses of all variates at the high school level and his mother was the Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Littleton, the very university that Max was graduating from. That had not been enough to please the high standards of Ira Blumenthal. In fact the only one of them that his grandfather seemed to have any sort of fondness for was his sister, Tracy. She had always seemed to be his favorite of the family and sister in turn had begun to emulate his grandfather taciturn disposition. Two towers of impregnable cold and distance. Revealing little and seeming to like anything even less.

Max wasn’t sure why his grandfather had shown up. It was apparent that he’d rather be anywhere else. As Ira stopped in front of Max, Ira held out his hand. It was an unexpected gesture; Max shook it happily.

“Omega? You should have been an Alpha.” As his grandfather spoke it was like ice had suddenly grown across his spine. There it was this was not actually a congratulatory handshake. It was the politest way his grandfather could say that he was disappointed in him. He should have been an Alpha. He should have been better, he should been born different, tried harder, anything but be a Blumenthal Omega. He was a disgrace to the legacy of Lifeline and everything that his grandfather stood for.

“Dad,” Max’s father said, “It’s not like he got to choose what they classified him. They assign that on the basis of an evaluation of the apparent usefulness, control, and limit of each Super’s power. He is still a certified Super.”

“Gustafson’s boy was made Alpha and he’s useless.” Ira Blumenthal was a hand in the direction of Sam Gustafson.

“Did you evaluate his powers? Do you know what he can do?’ Levi replied.

“The boy’s a bully and a moron and I’ll say no more on the matter.” Ira looked at Max again and say “Omega, pathetic.” He shook his head and walked any to visit with others at the graduation. Max noticed that his grandfather’s demeanor changed as soon as he was no longer facing his own family. His face now carried a smile, and he waved and clapped people on the back as if they were old friends, even when they weren’t.

“Max, I’m sorry about your grandfather. Your mother, Tracy, and I are all proud of you.” Levi hugged his son after he spoke the words. The ice melted away and the warmth came back to his face.

“Speak for yourself, father.” said Tracy, “I personally think that grandfather’s got the right of it. This is unacceptable.” Tracy turned and walked away from Max and their parents. Max’s mom looked worried as her gaze followed her daughter’s form.

“ I’m worried about her Levi. She is beginning to seem too much like your father.” Max’s mom said to his dad.

“ And I’m beginning to agree with you, Hazel. But that is a conversation for another time. We are here for Max and his amazing accomplishment!” Said his father clapping his son on the arm. “I thought I saw there was going to be food and drinks at the shindig.”

He was really happy that his parents were trying to change the subject but no matter what the shadow of his grandfather’s disappointment would be shaken from his mind. Add to that his sister’s agreement and it was icing on the cake of crap today had turned out to be. Well, his parents wanted to celebrate, and he’d try to put on a brave face for the rest of the night but right now all he wanted to do was go home and wait for this day to be over.

***

Emily felt trapped and was looking for the first chance to escape. She’d been cornered by some of her teachers, her parents, and Sam Gustafson. Why in the hell Sam had butted into the group but now that he was here, he was doing everything he could to shmooze her parents with his oily charm and wolf’s grin. It made her want to gag, especially because it seemed like her mom was buying some of it. At least her dad appeared to find  him lacking in every way except one, the ability to speak without the need to breathe. Or at least it felt that way.

She had gone on a date with him four years ago near the beginning of freshman year because her friends had said that he was cute. Sure he was handsome enough, but so is a poisoned apple. Once she’d taken the proverbial bite and met the worm inside, she’d wished she had never gone out with him. He was such an ass and so full of himself, she wondered if he had ever encountered an obstacle that he could overcome. She knew that for some unknown reason, he believe that Emily wanted to be with him and would fall head over heels for him if he just kept pounding away at her defenses. Not a chance in frozen hell. Especially not after she’d seen how he treated Max.

Max was such a good friend and really sweet guy. If only he’d asked her out, she would have said yes. He was everything she looked for in a romantic interest except that the  two of them were such close friends that she’d miss the friendship too much if the romance didn’t work out and her boyfriends rarely lasted long. Not since she’d become Languor. Most men, even most Supers, were just intimidated by her ability. No one seemed immune to her ability to slow time. She could make time slow down in an area roughly the size of the football field and stands. She could slow time so far down that to anyone who stood in the area felt that a second could last as long as a year. She never tried to go slower or spread the effect out further, so she didn’t actually know what her limit was and it scared the pants of most male Supers, really most Supers period. It didn’t seemed to scare Sam, which in turn scared her. It didn’t scare Max either and she thought that was because he was way more afraid of his grandfather and had nothing left for anything else. Not even Sam anymore apparently. Good for him. Maybe she should go find him and talk to him and his parents. Their presence was always calming, and she loved spending time with his family.

“Emily, dear, don’t you agree?” Her mom had said something. Damn, she hadn’t been listening because she didn’t care what they were talking about.

“Sorry, Mom. What was that?”

“Don’t you agree that it would be nice if you and Sam were assigned to the same SUAVE campus?” Her mother said.

No, I don’t think that mom, Emily thought to herself. I want to be as far away from this dick as I possibly can be! But what she said out loud was, “Sure, I guess.”

Sam appeared about to say something when a man with a rich baritone voice entered into their group saying, “Margaret? Is that you, it’s been years! How are you and your family?” He was an older man with steel gray hair and a slight stoop to his strong back, but he was instantly recognizable to most and especially Emily and her parents. He was the hero named Lifeline. Emily’s mom had once been the human liaison to his Super team back in the day. He’d introduced her parents. Her father trained under Lifeline as a rookie Super and they’d become fast lifelong friends. He was also Max’s grandfather, but she hadn’t known that until freshman year.

“Luke Vaughn? Is that you? I almost didn’t recognize you without your hair. When did you go bald?” Ira Blumenthal teased Emily’s father.

“Years ago, Ira. It’s good to see you it has been far too long. What’s brings you to this year’s graduation? I thought you didn’t go in for all of this pomp and circumstance?” Said Luke Vaughn, the Super once known as Flash Freeze and now one of the directors of SUAVE itself.

“I don’t. I came down for family. Do you mind if I pull you away, Luke? I would like to have a word with you.” Ira was not a man that you could say no too. He was a living legend of a Super and still as powerful as in his prime, if rumors were to be believed.

“Of course not, Ira. Let’s find the dean and see if we can use his office.” Luke said.

“Thanks, Luke. My apologies Margaret, I will return you husband shortly and then we can catch up.” Then he faced Emily straight on and said, “Congratulations, Emily. I know you will do the world of Supers proud.”

Why was Max so afraid of this kind, sweet, and warm old man? He’d never been anything other pleasant to her and her parents. Looking at the man that had been her parents friend longer than she’d been alive, she wondered if he was putting on a mask for the world. After all, he’d worn one most of his adult life, maybe he just exchanged the visible one for an imperceptible one. Lifeline turned and walked away with her father without a word to Sam or the others gathered around. As they left, Emily quickly excused herself and went in search of more pleasant company and perhaps answers.

***

“Max? Thank goodness I found you.” At the call of his name, Max turned around to find his best friend, Emily. Before he could greet her, his parents were moving towards her and congratulating her.

 “Emily? Congratulations on Summa Cum Laude and being classed as an Alpha. Your parents must be so proud of you. How are your parents, dear?” Said Max’s mother as she enveloped the taller young woman in a hug.

 “Thanks, Mrs. Blumenthal. They are doing well but that might change as I left them chatting to Sam Gustafson.” Emily to both appreciate the warm embrace and genuinely return the affection.

 Her parents were talking to Sam. Max now felt like that was lava icing to his crap cake of a day. At least Emily was here now and that made everything feel better. The world could burn down around him as long as his parents and Emily were around.

 “Yes, dear. Congratulations on finishing your degree and being placed so highly. Do you know where you will be stationed? I hope Max and you can be stationed at the same SUAVE campus.” Said his father, the attempt at matchmaking was obvious in his tone as well as in his words.

 “Dad,” Max began, “There’s no way I will be stationed anywhere Emily, unless I’m on the janitorial staff. They don’t place Omegas and Alphas together.” He said the pain in his parents eyes as soon as he said that but, it was true. There was no way he’d be on the same campus. But hopefully they’d be able to keep in touch. Max would sorely miss his best friend.

 “Unfortunately, he’s right Mr. Blumenthal.” Then Emily turned to look directly at Max, “However, that is absolutely no excuse for us to not get together when free time allows. We still need to finish our classic Sci-Fi movie marathon. Were we at Forbidden Planet or The Day the Earth Stood Still?” Emily said with a growing grin on her face.

 “Oh, please tell me you aren’t watching the remake.” Said Levi Blumenthal with all the worry of a true speculophile.

  “I am truly offended that you have to ask that Dad.” Max said with fake indignation, “Emily did say classic Sci-Fi. Remakes do not count.”

 Emily, Max’s Dad, and Max all began to laugh out loud at this. His mom shook her head and groaned a little, “I swear that I’ll never understand your obsession with those old movies and now you’ve corrupted Emily too.”

 “Now, Mrs. Blumenthal,” Emily said with a mischievous grin, “I’ve done my fair share of corrupting your son as well. Did you ever think that he would appreciate the fine arts of plays and musicals?”

 “Very true, Emily. You’ve been a good influence on our son. I only wish that someone could have done the same for his sister. She’s way too serious. She and Ira could afford to loosen up.”

  At the mentioning of his grandfather, it appeared that it triggered something in Emily, “Oh, yeah. Lifeline just took my father to a professor’s office for a private meeting. Any idea what that could be about?”

  At that, Max’s heart sank. Well, there it was. Emily’s father was one of the directors of SUAVE. Not only that, but he was also in charge of the team that decided on where to place new Supers and if they were worth keeping in the as a part of the active roster. Many Supers were maintained by SUAVE just to keep them from being a harm to the public and themselves. Max guessed that he was going to be placed as far out in the sticks as possible so that no one would hear from him again. His grandfather was going to call in a favor from his old teammate to ensure that the embarrassment to the legacy of Lifeline was never brought into the light.

 Emily saw the look on Max’s face and her cheer turned into worry. “Max? What’s wrong? I thought that my father and your grandfather were friends. Teammates. Surely they are just talking about old times or celebrating our graduation in private. Right?”

 Max looked at the faces of his parents and he saw a mirror for his feelings in their faces. They knew what this likely meant as much as he did. This might be the last time he got to talk to her, so he felt that he owed it to his best friend why he was going to disappear.

 “Emily… things in my family are…complicated.” He started to say. The time for secrets was over.

 “Max Blumenthal? Emily Vaughn? I’m glad to have finally tracked you two down. You two need to come with me.” The owner of the voice was a short man with sandy blond hair and ice blue eyes. The man stood as if they should know who he was and should be immediately complying with his request.

 “Yeah, I’m not going anywhere with you, Speedy Gonzales. Who the heck are you and you have about ten seconds to explain before I slow time around you. Talk or lose three months in three seconds.” Emily raised her right hand to chest height and began flexing her fingers. For the second time that day he was really glad not to be the focus of her ire.

 The icy gaze never faltered. The man reached inside his blazer and slowly pulled something out. “Easy there, Quick Draw. I’m taking out my badge. My apologies for not introducing myself. I was told that you would be expecting me.” He extended a small black leather wallet and uncovered a gold badge with the DPD insignia on it. On the other side it had an identification card that said Detective Colin Murphy. The Detective continued, “I’m Detective Colin Murphy with the Denver Police Department. I’m a special liaison with SUAVE. I was told to come and get the two of you for your assignments.”

 “Thank you, Detective and that Quick Draw McGraw to you. So you need me and Baba Looey to come with you? Fine, let us say goodbye to our families first.” Said Emily continuing the cartoon references. Starting to turn away from him.

 “My apologies again, Ms. Vaughn. But there’s no time for goodbyes. I’ll need you two to come with me right away.” Again, there was no hesitation in the man’s voice or gaze. He had an epic poker face. Max decided to break the stalemate.

 “We’re right behind you, Detective Murphy.” He gave a quick wave goodbye to his parents who returned the gesture. “Come on, Em.” Max said to Emily who nodded and then sighed and follow and with a wave to Max’s parents.

 They followed the detective in silent until they reached the northern entrance to stadium. Waiting was a uniformed officer and a second officer in plain clothes with his badge attached to the breast pocket of his jacket. Detective Murphy slowed and turned again to the two young graduates.

 “Ms. Vaughn, please allow Detective Phillips to escort to your parents for that goodbye. Mr. Blumenthal, please accompany me and Officer Wright to my car.” As he spoke he pointed to the individuals he was talking about.

 “Detective Murphy? Am I under arrest?” Said Max with surprise and nerves in his voice.

 “Yeah, Detective Speedy. Why do I get to say a proper goodbye and Max is being treated like a criminal?” Emily said, crossing her arms across her chest.

 “These are my orders, guys. I have to apologize again. My orders came from my higher ups with very little explanation. No, Max, you’re not under arrest but I can’t explain where we are going to anyone. I don’t even get time to let guys say proper goodbyes. We have to go. Come on.”

 Max turned to Emily and gave her a hug. “I’ll contact you as soon as I can. Goodbye, Emily. Try not to turn into El Kabong in the meantime.” He released her, “After all, we still have to continue the Sci-Fi marathon. Forbidden Planet is next.”

 “Forbidden Planet! Okay Baba Looey buddy, I keep my El Kabong restrained.” Emily gave Max her best mischievous grin but he could see the tears forming in her eyes. He quickly turned and started walking in the direction that Detective Murphy had gestured. As they got to the unmarked police car, the detective held open the passenger side door for Max to get in.

“You know, I’ve always liked Forbidden Planet.” Said Detective Colin Murphy, “In my opinion Robby the Robot is GOAT when it comes to classic robots.”

 Max was stunned at the of the cuff comment from the detective. Max got in and buckle himself into the seat. Detective Murphy closed the passenger door and went around to the driver’s side and settled in.

 As the detective turned over the ignition, Max said, “I prefer Gort myself. Gort protects and heals Mr. Klaatu. All Robby seems to be able to do is make alcohol. Not terribly useful.”

 The detective thought about it for a moment and responded, “Most of us aren’t terribly useful Max. But the ability to making something, even something like booze, can have hidden benefits.” With that, he put the car into drive and headed towards the future.