The Shit-town Saga:

Midnight Rider part 2

Michael sat at his desk, attempting to contact potential new clients and trying not to look at the bills laying in front of him. “We really like the work you did last time,” a former client told him, “But we’re not in the market for redesigns.” “That’s perfectly understandable. Let me know if you change your mind,” Michael hung up the phone, ran his hands through his hair in frustration and was reminded of his nonexistent social circle when he briefly wondered if he could talk to anyone. Then he contemplated scheduling an appointment with Dr. Ansari.

His thoughts were soon interrupted when he heard an alert from the helmet sitting on his coffee table. Normally, he would have heard Commissioner Reins’ voice but other police officers had access to the com system so it wasn’t too unusual when he heard an unfamiliar voice, “Cav, are you there? This is Officer Smith, Unit 54, please report.”

“I’m here. What’s the problem?”

“We need your assistance at Madison Square Garden. We think we’ve pinpointed the Horseman’s location.”

“I’m on my way.”

Not long after that, the Dragon touched down at Madison Square Garden. The area had been used as a makeshift base for the National Guard and superhero personnel during the Resurgence and as a result, the structure was bombed by a U’ntari Fighter Class ship. Michael had missed most of the battle in New York and wondered if it had been worth it to ally himself with Ryan Bennings and Farrell Creed in Boston. The building was mostly blown out and housed a memorial for those lost during the alien attacks but more recently, it had been partitioned off by the city until repairs could be made. The Cavalier walked among large mounds of concrete with steel beams jutting out like a pin cushion. There were no signs of police officers but as he explored the ruins, he heard the revving of a souped-up motorcycle engine.

When he turned, he saw a man clad entirely in black motorcycle gear on a custom chopper with a shotgun holstered at the front wheel. The figure had apparently driven his bike through an opening in the fence some time ago and sat waiting for Michael’s arrival. It was obvious he was linked to the unknown voice on the Dragon’s com system and later, Michael wouldn’t bother checking the name or unit number for anyone who actually existed. Moreover, he mentally kicked himself for falling into a trap.

“I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” Cavalier said confidently, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword while it was sheathed.

“I know you’ve been looking for me,” the Horseman slid the kick stand down with his boot and stepped off the bike, “I thought I’d make it easier for you.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, thanks,” he motioned toward the sawed-off shotgun in the long holster on the bike, “So you’re not using that?”

The Horseman continued forward, “I haven’t decided if you deserve it yet or not.”

“It’s funny you should say that because I haven’t decided if you deserve this either,” he pulled his sword from its sheath and held it at his side.

“A solid intimidation tool for the average shitbag on the street,” Horsemen snarled, “But I know it’s all for show. You don’t end things permanently so you have no intention of using that thing.”

“You’re half right,” Michael twirled it in his palm, “I won’t kill you but that doesn’t mean I won’t use it.”

The Horseman flicked his wrist and a collapsable baton extended from his grip, “So what’s stopping you?”

They charged at one another with baton and sword deflecting in the middle. The Horseman took a swing at Michael’s ribs but he turned his sword downward to block the attack. The Horseman then took the opportunity to deliver a left hook across his faceplate. Michael responded with a backfist across the helmet. The Horseman’s gear was not as strong as the Cavalier’s armor but it was sturdy enough to trade blows, so he steadied himself and prepared to swing again. Michael brought his blade down, removing the baton from the biker’s grip and in response, the Horseman stooped low, wrapped both arms around his waist and shoved him against the vertical steel beam nearby. Michael was forced to drop his sword but he managed to put the Horseman in a headlock and slammed an elbow into his back. In retaliation, the Horseman gave the Cavalier a supplex into a pile of concrete blocks.

Michael rolled over the rubble and stood to his feet to perform a counterattack but before the fight could continue, a spotlight suddenly dropped on Michael and he froze in confusion. Before he could determine what was happening, shadows moved across the blinding light, quickly followed by multiple gunshots. The Cavalier armor held up against the hail of bullets but the impact took its toll, rattling Michael before dropping him onto a concrete slab.

He lay on his back, looking up at the night sky as he caught his breath. Familiar red and blue lights began to flicker in an alternating fashion which initially gave him some relief as he realized the police made it on-scene after all. Once the spotlight shut off, he could clearly see police cruisers surrounding the area with officers stepping out. Naturally, he assumed they were there to take the Horseman but when he noticed the biker calmly striding toward him with no apparent concern, it was clear whose side these officers were on. He remembered that the Horseman told a thief to let the police know he was in town. It wasn’t a challenge or a power play. It was a call to arms.

The red and blue lights continued to dance almost mockingly as the Horseman stood over him. The police officers had formed a perimeter around them and wore bandanas concealing the lower halves of their faces while making sure to leave their badges behind to ensure there would be no identification. Meanwhile, the uniforms and cars let him know exactly who he was up against.

“See, this is what it looks like when heroes got each others’ backs,” the Horseman thumbed toward the surrounding officers, “But you wouldn’t know about that, would you?,” he crouched down to meet his line of sight, “All you know about is handing the true heroes over to the enemy.”

“That’s what this is about?,” Michael remained seated in hopes that the appearance of vulnerability could get the Horseman or the officers to slip up, “Rex meant way more to me than he ever meant to you people… The decision was never easy.”

“Looked pretty damn easy from the pictures I saw!,” one officer shouted, indicating the NATO photos that had been released to the public.

“He was responsible for the Invasion of 1981,” Cavalier reminded them.

“And we’re supposed to just take your word for it?,” another officer shouted back, “Some guy hiding behind a mask?”

“Kind of ironic of you to say considering you guys all have face coverings.”

“Each of us all know where we stand and that’s all you need to know,” Horseman explained, “Now, when it comes to me, I was called over by my brothers and sisters here when the Resurgence began,” he motioned toward the rubble around them, “I spent two days pumping shell after shell into alien soldiers while you disappeared. A lotta cops were already on my side, you think the Resurgence did anything to change their minds?”

“The aliens are gone. You can leave now.”

“Not a chance,” the Horseman shook his head, “This town has gone to shit. It’s been bombed out and crime is on the rise. It’ll only get worse. The Costa Tristans are sure to return now that we’re vulnerable and there are rumors that the underground freaks are moving topside. Who’s gonna put that to an end?,” he pointed once more to the crowd, “We are.”

“And don’t think this thing is only city-wide,” Michael heard another voice from the crowd of officers, “It’s not even just the state! We got Connecticut! We got Jersey! We got Pennsylvania! We’ve been going strong for a while now, asshole! And we’re just getting started!”

Another voice could be heard, “We were tired of dealing with snowflakes who cried every time we had to put down some raging animal,” Michael listened closely as this one sounded familiar, “We were tired of people blaming us for doing our jobs. We needed to get creative.” Michael took a mental note of the officer’s voice as it was one of the few clues he had to go on at that moment.

The Horseman rose to his feet, “This was never a one-man operation. You’ve been looking at chop shops to find me? You seriously think I would work with criminals? My connections are deeper and stronger.”

“I get it,” Michael finally stood up, “You’re dirty cops who’re mad because the law applies to you.”

“Think what you like. This is a warning,” the Horseman tightened his gloves, “You don’t come looking for us. You don’t say shit to Reins. And most importantly, you stay the hell out of our way or we destroy you in every way a man can be destroyed.”

The Horseman turned and walked back to his bike while the other officers made their way to their cars. Michael silently watched them turn off their lights one-by-one and drive off with the Horseman riding off last. He didn’t expect the Horseman conspiracy to be as big as it was but he had a lead. The voice he recognized belonged to Officer Drake who had given him trouble when he investigated the Eighth Circle chop shop. He was the key to unraveling this mystery and now all he needed to do was inform Commissioner Reins.

Continued…