Chapter Thirty-Eight - Appointments

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Appointments

         After saying his goodbyes to Misty and Joe, Matthew turned invisible and flew off, heading toward his first destination. While he flew, he went over how he would go about carrying out his mission. Would he start with the top floor or the bottom floor? Would he announce who he was, take questions, or do any private healing? After thinking for a moment, he decided he would just do the hospital, announce his name, then leave.

         Because he was not aware of how fast he was flying but knew it was not near his top speed, he arrived at his destination within two hours, about the time when the sun was just over the horizon. Upon arrival, he landed on the roof. He noticed it had at least three adjoining buildings. This would take much more time than he first anticipated. He would need to divide the healing into three separate phases, with a pause in-between each to rest and recoup his healing power.

         At this time, he decided to stop and rest a moment and gather some strength after his flight. He sat down, got comfortable, relaxed, and envisioned power flowing into him. His third eye opened. He saw the world as only he could. He began to feel his power build within him. He felt the very fibers of his body becoming more energized than they ever had before. He just knew they could hold an immense amount of this energy and he could keep filling these endless wells.

         After what seemed like thirty minutes had passed, he began to slow the flow of energy and come back to reality. He became more aware of the world around him. He noticed he was glowing a bright green and slowly pulsating. He then noticed two police helicopters hovering above him. He had no idea how long they had been there. From a distance, he saw a third, hovering helicopter from a television news station with a film crew. So much for walking into the hospital and healing the kids.

         He acted without really thinking about it. He placed both hands on the roof and just pushed his energy through him into the building itself. He imagined the whole building being surrounded by the energy, that every individual would feel the effect of his healing power. He knew right away that he couldn't do it, he would be depleted almost immediately. He did what he felt was instinctive, he again envisioned power flowing into and through him. He was looking at his hands when he felt his Third eye snap open and his power increase. The sounds of the helicopters decreased, the outside world began to fade away, and time stopped.

         The power he was channeling was not coming from him. Rather, he was the conduit. He was transforming random energy into a positive, healing force. He was guiding it to the people within the hospital who were suffering, regardless of age. He made sure all were healed physically, especially the children. He did not count how many there were, only that they were suffering.

         He knew this was taking hours. It could have taken days. It didn't matter. Healing needed to be done.

         As the last of the healing was completed within the hospital, the Defender began to withdraw his essence slowly. The green glow that had enveloped the whole hospital, all buildings, was slowly dissolving into nothingness. The Defender was still glowing with the same slow pulsation.

         At this time, he noticed the police helicopters were gone, and in their place were two more hovering television news helicopters.

         Approximately ten feet away from where the Defender was sitting, was a barricade encircling him. Behind the barricade, were heavily suited army personnel with weapons drawn and aimed.

         As he stood up, the Defender simply stated, "Hello".

         He was answered by several loud clicks of weapons being readied to be fired should he make any offensive moves. He was advised to stand down.

         "Now that is uncalled for. I just spent a great amount of energy healing a hospital full of sick children and you are threatening to shoot me because I say 'Hello'?" Becoming agitated at the prospect of the lack of expected gratitude. "Do you think I couldn't wipe the whole roof of you out with little effort if I could do what I just did?

         He took a step closer to the barricade.

         "What are you waiting for? Shoot me! I won't resist. The ricochet from the bullets may hit you."

         Some of the guns wavered while some are lowered.

         "Now, if you don't mind, I am going back to my base on the moon. I will be back tomorrow. Not here. I have seen how you respond to someone who tries to help."

         With that, the Defender begins to rise from the building and slowly gains speed until he is well out of sight of the hospital.

         Within minutes he hears multiple screeching sounds in the distance coming closer. He stops flying and looks toward where the sound is emitting from. In the distance, he sees two F-16 jets coming toward him. He wanted to see what they were going to do, so he just hovered in place. As they came up to him and flew by, there were no hostile moves made toward him. They did circle back twice and then fly approximately one mile away and began a circle pattern around him. With this occurring, the Defender did not turn toward home. Instead, he began to descend toward the ground slowly, trying to find a wide open space without people. While there were spaces available to land because having two fighter jets circling did tend to draw attention to you. He thought about turning invisible; however, he wanted to meet with the government people he knew were watching and get that over with.

         As he was about to land, the jets made one last fly-by and then were gone. At this time, the Defender heard the familiar wuppa wuppa wuppa of helicopter blades. By the sound of it, there was more than one. He landed and made eye contact with three helicopters coming his way. One appeared to be transported with the other two Apache-type helicopters. He was unfamiliar with the modern helicopter names but knew the major types.

         He stood waiting for them to land and disembark. the two Apache helicopters stayed airborne facing him while the transport landed. The Defender was amused when the first three individuals to come out appeared to be snipers and quickly set up position facing him. After what possibly was the all-clear, a lone soldier came out and came toward him and stopped approximately twenty-five yards away.

         "You are accused of violating or using the United States of America Air Space without authorization, a show of hostilities against the United States Air Force, leaving the scene of a crime, overt criminal actions, and anything else that can be levied against you. You are hereby ordered to surrender yourself to our custody and be incarcerated."

         "No."

         After a pause, "That response is not an option. You are surrounded. These Apache Attack helicopters will follow and shoot you down if you attempt to fly away. If you attempt to attack me, the snipers will stop you in your tracks. Not to mention, the F-16 jets are still out there waiting to be called back. Running is hopeless."

         The Defender responded, "Just because I like to be humored, let's say I go with you, what happens next? Do you take me to your lab and try to experiment on me? Do you think I am an alien from Area 51?" He waits briefly for a response, "No answer? I must be right. My answer is still no. Go back to your transport, have your snipers shoot me, let your Apache helicopters try their best, and big whoop on your jets. After they've wasted their ammo, you better be a long way away because I will be coming for you to get answers." He knew that was a bluff, but it sounded good.

         The soldier visibly paled, turned around, and did his best to walk, not run, to the transport helicopter. The other soldiers quickly got in and then the helicopter took off, leaving the Apaches facing him.

         He had no idea what they were going to do. He increased his hearing so he could hear into the cockpits of the helicopters.

         "How long are we supposed to stay here?"

         "We are to wait to see if he attacks or chases after them."

         "He is just staring at us. It is creeping me out"

         He slowly willed himself to hover a few feet above the ground and allows his fists to glow bright green

         "That's it, he is making a hostile move! Fire all guns!"

         Both helicopters begin firing their nose and belly turrets simultaneously. Both Apaches had six rockets that were launched and struck the Defender. The explosions were tremendous and rocked the helicopters. After exhausting all ammunition and rockets, the helicopters increased their height for a better appraisal of the scene. They knew there would be a crater and little else.

         As they hovered, the Defender rose slowly from the smoke. His body was slightly glowing green; however, his eyes and fists were glowing bright green.

         Neither Apache helicopter waited to see what was coming. Both turned around and flew away at top speed, following the first helicopter.

         When he was sure the helicopters were out of sight, the Defender lowered himself onto the ground and congratulated himself for passing these tests. He thought for sure he would have at least gotten a bruise from one of the rockets, but nothing happened. Once he saw they we going to be used, he readied himself for the impact and that is all it took.

         He was upset, however, that he was not on better terms with the government. He wanted to be an asset, not a criminal. He would have to make sure on his next encounter to put a better foot forward.

         Because he wasn't paying attention, he didn't notice the missile until it was too late. He just managed to bring his arms up to cover his head and face right before the impact. Instead of pushing him backward, the explosion blew a crater underneath him and he tumbled backward. The second missile hit him in the chest and pounded him further into the ground, the third and fourth missiles managed to bury him in debris.

         Before digging himself out, he waited for another strike.

         After checking himself over, he decided to make his way home and took off.

         As he was flying, he did surprise one of the helicopters. It was the Transport helicopter. As he flew into the open rear end of the helicopter, the soldier and soldiers who had come out of the helicopter, one holding what looked like a camera, and others wearing parachutes.

         "Is this a bad time?" the Defender said turning visible, "Hey, I remember you," pointing at the Officer who he had spoken with prior, "you are the Officer that threatened me and then had the helicopters and jets try to kill me. How did that work out for you?" The Defender willed his eyes to glow green for the effect.

         The Officer did not answer, just turned pale and wet himself.

         The Defender noticed this but did not say anything. He bent in and in and in a false whispering voice stated, "Don't worry, I don't hold grudges long. I am glad there are witnesses to this. I want you to give this message to your superiors, then to the President, and then to the United Nations. My name is Defender. I come in peace and have been trying to do so this whole time. I have been attacked several times by this government for no cause. I demonstrated my peaceful intent by healing a hospital of sick children. I have been attacked by this government without probable cause and retaliation on my part."

         The officer just stared at him, afraid to speak. One of the other soldiers spoke up. "I heard about what you did from a buddy of mine who was at the hospital. The hospital consists of more than one building and if you were in any one of those buildings, you were bathed in a green light, and you were miraculously healed of whatever was wrong with the people inside, no matter how serious or small it might have been. All the kids were dancing with their parents. The healing took over seven hours but didn't stop until all the sick were healed. You were on the news all day. People kept watching to see what was happening and who you were. People were saying you are a mutant, others say you're an angel. Others say you are an alien."

         The Officer who had been silent finally spoke in a cracked voice, "That's enough, corporal. We are not to engage the enemy," turning to face the Defender, "as we speak, we are now headed to a maximum-security holding facility for your incarceration. You will be kept there until further notice." He attempted a smile then looked down as the Defended looked at the Officer's pants and shook his head.

         Poking the Officer in the chest, "I plan on meeting the President or with the United Nations tomorrow, doesn't matter which. Either way, I am done dealing with lackeys. I am offering my assistance to either or both. You can help me or stay out of my way. Your choice."

         After saying this, the Defender left flying out of the rear of the transport.

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