My Secret Identity

By Ryan Bartlett

Chapter 8

The twelve of them flying in a perfect wedge formation would have been an impressive sight if there were anyone left to see it. They flew north along the path of the ancient Interstate 5 into the Democratic Republic of British Columbia, passing one abandoned village after another. The people were long since gone, exterminated in the Dear Leader’s concentration camps or fled to escape them. The world watched it happen, but the Council of Nations finally decided that the Dear Leader had gone too far.

Drunk on madness and his own power, the Dear Leader ordered British Columbia’s Strategic Defensive System to be activated. Hidden deep under the capitol city of Victoria, four lasers, each capable of firing a beam of light equal in explosive force to two Hiroshima bombs, began to charge. When the weapons reached their maximum capacity they would be fired at a mirror, the mirror would combine their beams into one, the blast doors would open, and the beam would shoot into the night sky. A second mirror, orbiting the Earth on a satellite, would intercept the beam and serve as the sight for the weapon. The Dear Leader was preparing to blow a city off the face of the planet.

The Council of Nations ordered the immediate arrest of the Dear Leader, and the Watchers on the Wall decided this would be an excellent test of their young repatriates. While the Watchers attacked the Dear Leader’s palace, the Wardens of the West would attack and destroy the Strategic Defensive System before it could fire. Many of the repatriates were reaching the final stage of training and the Watchers had every confidence in their abilities.

“Halo Flight, this is the Wall. Estimated range to target eight miles. Descend to 5,000 feet and proceed with attack plan alpha.”

“Roger, Wall. Halo Flight acknowledges,” said Bobby. “Ok, team. Ready?”

“Ready, Bobby,” said Jason Wallace.

“Wardens of the West own the night,” Jeremy Gardner exclaimed.

“Ugh, boys.” Jenna Clinton rolled her eyes.

“Flight, this is Halo Six. Separate in three, two, one, now!”

On cue the flight of 12 repatriates broke into three teams of four. Team two would provide air cover, team three would take out targets on the ground, and Bobby’s team, team one, would destroy the lasers. Bobby’s team barrel rolled in formation and dropped to 5,000 feet. While they raced to their target the other teams protected their flanks.

Radar-activated phalanx guns bored on in the teams and began to fire, along with anti-air weapons operated by the Dear Leader’s soldiers. Team three moved in and took them out one by one with their heat vision, but there were thousands of them. Simultaneously, a fleet of drones sought out the invading teens, seeking to blast them from the sky. Team two did their best to take them out, but soon a vicious dogfight was underway. Bobby and his team maintained formation, dodging everything that came close to them.

“That was close,” Jenna panted as a missile exploded just behind the team’s position. She was the team’s telepath and communications officer. Jenna linked her mind with that of the three boys she’d been training with over the last four years, eliminating the need for radio equipment. The team shared their thoughts as one and could react to each other’s cues without a moment’s hesitation.

“You can say that again. I almost…” A second missile exploded on the left side of Jason Wallace, rendering him unconscious and sending him plummeting towards the earth.

“Bobby, I lost Jason,” Jenna exclaimed. “I can’t read his mind. He’s falling.”

“Jenna, can you link me back to team two and three?” said Bobby.

“Done!”

“Halo Flight, this is Fixx. We’ve got a man down. Moving in to intercept.”

“Team 2 copies.”

“Team 3 copies.”

“Robin Fixx, this is the Wall. Do not deviate from your mission.”

Bobby recognized the voice of Jared Crane.

“Jared, if we don’t save Jason he’s going to die,” Bobby exclaimed.

“Think of the millions who will die if you do not take out your target. Do not deviate from your mission.”

“Bobby,” Jenna pleaded.

“Jason’s our friend,” said Jeremy.

“Screw it,” said Bobby as he rolled towards the ground. “Jeremy, you take the lead, I’m going after Jason.”

“No! Robin Fixx, return to your mission at once!” Jared ordered.

Bobby ignored him and forced himself to fly faster. Jason had been falling for a long time while they debated what to do. Bobby hoped they hadn’t wasted too much time. He descended faster and faster - 4,000 feet, 3,000 feet, 2,000 feet… At 1,500 feet he had to slow down, or he’d never be able to pull out of his dive in time and he’d kill them both.

Bobby spotted Jason near 900 feet. He closed the distance as they continued to fall but Jason seemed to always be just out of reach.

“Robin Fixx, you are approaching sea level. Level out now,” Jared ordered.

“Almost got him,” said Bobby. Jason was only inches away now but it felt like miles. “Just a few more seconds.”

“Negative, Robin Fixx. You pull up now!”

“Got him!” Bobby exclaimed as his fingers grasped Jason’s collar. He reversed his dive immediately and felt his boots scrape the ground as he and his teammate rocketed into the night sky.

“What the…” Jason exclaimed as he regained consciousness and found himself hanging in the air.

“It’s alright, dude. I gotcha,” said Bobby.

“What happened?” Jason groaned.

“These jerks are trying to keep us away from the target. You got knocked out by a missile blast.”

“Well, that’s not very neighborly of them,” Jason joked.

“I didn’t think so either. Can you fly?”

“Yeah, I’m good to go now.”

“Great. We can’t let Jeremy and Jenna have all the fun,” Bobby smiled.

The team regrouped and managed to destroy the target in the nick of time. Later, back at the Wall, the three teams celebrated their first successful mission while Bobby sat in the training master’s office as Jared paced in front of the window.

“Of all the irresponsible things you could have done! Do you know what would have happened if your team failed to destroy those lasers, Robin Fixx?” Jared demanded.

“Do you know what happens to a body when it hits the pavement at 125 miles an hour?” Bobby shot back. “Jason could have died, and you were just going to let it happen.”

“Robin Fixx, casualties are part of warfare. As a leader you must keep your eyes on the overall mission.”

“That’s not fair! Jason didn’t sign up for this. You took him just like you guys took the rest of us. None of us were given a choice! I wasn’t going to stand by and watch my friend die for you!”

“Robin Fixx, your loyalty to your teammate is admirable, but you must keep in mind that you won’t always be able to save everyone.”

“Maybe not, but I’m going to save the ones I can. I mmm mmm mmmmmm,” Bobby started to mumble.

Bobby’s eyes snapped open and he found Spencer’s tongue deep in his mouth.

“Spence! What the hell?” Bobby demanded.

“Just thought it was time for you to wake up,” Spencer smiled.

“If my mom catches us…”

“Relax. She let me in and left for summer school.”

“Oh, that’s a relief,” Bobby sighed.

“She left you a Pop Tart. Er, half a Pop Tart,” said Spencer, holding out the toaster pastry.

“Bet I know where to find the other half,” Bobby grinned. He pulled Spencer close to him, licked a crumb from the corner of his mouth and then kissed him.

“That’s better,” Spencer smiled, when they pulled apart.

“You’re right, it was time for me to get up anyway. I was having the weirdest dream,” said Bobby.

“More memories about your time with the Watchers?”

“I think so. It sure felt like a memory,” said Bobby. “Anyway, what should we do today?”

“Well, uh…” Spencer blushed.

Bobby was only wearing a pair of blue Hanes briefs; when he peeled back his covers he found that Spencer had stripped to his boxers before climbing into bed with him.

“Oh, I can work with that,” Bobby smiled and kissed Spencer again.

The boys started making out, and before they knew it they were both tenting their underpants. Spencer had to resist the urge to rip Bobby’s briefs off and pounce on him. He’d been gay as long as he could remember, but it was new for Bobby and something of a surprise for him. Spencer respected Bobby’s desire to take things slow and found his innocence to be charming. That, however, didn’t stop him from grabbing the blond boy’s dick and massaging it through his undies.

Bobby was a quick study; he knew what made him feel good and figured it would have the same effect on Spencer. He grabbed Spence between the legs, but as he began to feel a tingling in his genitals, he backed off.

“Spence, stop,” Bobby moaned.

Spencer ignored him and kissed his neck while his fingers continued to manipulate his lover.

“Spence, really, stop,” Bobby panted. “I’m gonna…”

Bobby didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. Spencer kissed him again and Bobby let out a long moan of pleasure as he filled his undies with his essence.

“God damn it, Spence! I said stop,” Bobby pulled away angrily.

“I-I’m sorry,” Spencer stuttered. “I didn’t think you meant stop, stop. I thought you were being, I don’t know…”

“Stop means stop,” Bobby exclaimed. He jumped out of bed and marched into the bathroom where he slammed the door.

He was more embarrassed than he was angry. He hadn’t meant to ejaculate all over his underwear and Spencer’s hand; he couldn’t help it. It felt so good, and he waited to stop Spencer longer than he should have. He felt like a jerk for yelling but needed time to cool down and collect himself before going back to his room. He tossed his undies in the hamper and decided on a quick shower to wash the goo from his crotch.

Spencer stared in stunned silence as Bobby slammed the bathroom door. He didn’t understand what he’d done wrong. Bobby hadn’t pulled away from him when he said stop. Spencer thought he was being playful, but Bobby was so angry. Spencer grabbed a pillow and hugged it tight as he stated to cry.

When his shower was finished, Bobby dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist before walking into his room.

“Look, Spence, I just… Why are you crying?”

“You’re going to dump me, aren’t you?” Spencer sniffled.

“What? Of course not,” said Bobby. He sat on the bed, pulled the pillow away from Spencer and hugged him. “Why would you think that?”

“You yelled at me, and you were so mad. I thought…”

“I’m sorry,” Bobby squeezed him and kissed his cheek, tasting the saltiness of his tears. “I didn’t mean to be such a jerk. I just didn’t expect that to happen, and I was kind of embarrassed.”

“I was just trying to make you feel good,” Spencer sniffled.

“I know and I blew up at you. I promise I won’t do that again.”

Spencer’s whole body shook with another sob and Bobby felt like a jerk. He really hadn’t meant to hurt Spencer’s feelings and he hated himself for making him cry.

“Come here,” said Bobby as he pulled him into a tighter hug. “Spencer, I love you. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Forgive me?”

“I’ve been alone for so long, Bobby. Ever since I came out I’ve been the only gay guy at school, and everyone laughs and jokes about it. I know I’m the worst, but I only do that so people won’t take it too seriously. None of them know what it’s like to be this way, and then you kissed me that night and I’ve been so happy, and I thought I ruined everything.”

“It’s alright,” Bobby rocked him in his arms. “I’m so sorry.”

Bobby used to be one of those that joked about Spencer’s homosexuality. He thought it was ok because Spencer poked fun at himself so often. Now he saw that behind those jokes was a sensitive soul who only wanted to be loved. He promised himself he would never hurt Spencer again.

“I’m ok,” Spencer sniffled and wiped the tears off his cheeks. “Sorry for being such a crybaby.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you bad enough to make you cry,” Bobby sighed.

“Can we pretend this never happened?”

Bobby pushed Spencer back on the bed and moved between his legs, pressing their crotches together. He wrapped his arms around the lithe boy and kissed his lips, bringing a smile to Spencer’s face. The boys made out for the rest of the morning and though they both got hard again, they kept their hands above the waist this time.

Spencer had a dental appointment that afternoon and reluctantly climbed out of Bobby’s bed around noon. It took another thirty minute for him to dress and get downstairs. Dressing is hard to do when you and your boyfriend can’t stop kissing. It had been a strange morning. It started off with a wonderful wake-up make out session, continued with their first lovers’ quarrel, and ended with another marathon make out session. Spencer felt a little silly for crying, but Bobby was wonderful about it. He’d always known Bobby was special, but the loving manner in which he handled the situation made Spencer even more certain he’d picked the right boy to love.

Bobby enjoyed the morning make out session just as much as Spencer, but he still felt a twinge of guilt. Seeing Spencer cry made him hurt deep in his heart. He knew he loved the brunette boy and underestimated his ability to hurt him. He wanted to do something to make it up to Spencer and spent the rest of the day trying to think of how he was going to do it. An idea finally came to him just as he and his parents were leaving for dinner that evening.

Bobby managed to get straight A’s on his report card and his parents thought that was cause for celebration. When they arrived at Lobster Shop South, on Commencement Bay, Miranda noticed that Bobby brought his backpack with him, and when she asked him to leave it in the car, he seemed reluctant to part with it. He chewed on his lower lip for a moment before taking it off and placing it in the back seat.

“What is it with you and that backpack lately?” asked Miranda.

“It’s got all my stuff in it.”

“What do you think you’re going to need in the restaurant?” asked Miranda as they strolled towards the entrance.

“If I knew that I wouldn’t bring the whole bag,” Bobby rolled his eyes.

“Of course, my apologies,” Miranda giggled. She looked to Patrick for his take but he just shrugged his shoulders. Who knew why teenagers did any of the things they did?

Miranda got another giggle at her son’s expense when they sat down to order. They’d come to the Lobster Shop because it was Bobby’s favorite restaurant, but when the waiter came, the boy ordered steak.

“No lobster?” asked Patrick.

“I hate shellfish.”

“Then why did you pick…”

“’Cause their steak is awesome,” Bobby explained.

Bobby was nervous about leaving his backpack in the car. His costume was in it along with his cell phone. Spencer would be monitoring the police band that evening, and if he called there wouldn’t be anything he could do about it. On the other hand, Bobby figured it was still early. There hadn’t been a major crime he felt the need to get involved with since he started, and besides, even the Boy Wonder deserved a nice dinner with his parents once in a while.

The family settled into the usual dinner conversation. Miranda shared stories about her summer school class, Patrick talked about the case he was working on, and Bobby told them what he’d done with his first full day of summer vacation. You know, nothing. When they got home, Bobby waited for his parents to kiss him goodnight, and then he put his plan into action. He landed on Spencer’s doorstep just after 9:30.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” asked Spencer, when Bobby kissed him and walked in the door.

“Get dressed, and grab the police scanner, I want to take you somewhere.”

Spencer was only wearing a t-shirt, boxers and a pair of socks, but Bobby had never seen him look cuter. He wanted to pick Spencer up in his arms, take him over to the bed and kiss him all night, but as much fun as that would be, it wasn’t really special. After all, they’d done that almost every day since getting together.

“Ok, gimme a minute,” said Spencer.

“Um, are we flying?” asked Spencer once he was ready to go.

“Yeah, why?”

“How am I supposed to ride on your back when you’ve got your backpack on?”

“You can’t,” said Bobby, as he scooped him up in his arms and carried him out the door.

“Ok,” Spencer giggled.

Bobby took off into the night and snuggled Spencer closely against his body. A few minutes later they landed on the roof of the Washington Building on Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma.

“What are we doing here?” asked Spencer.

“Well, just because you were planning to listen to the police scanner all night doesn’t mean you have to do it at home.”

Bobby took off his overstuffed backpack and pulled out a blanket. He spread the blanket out on the ground, lit a few candles and pulled out a six pack of Dr. Pepper, which he knew was Spencer’s favorite.

“Wait a minute, this is romantic,” Spencer teased. “Robin Neal Fixx, are you trying to seduce me?”

Bobby walked over to Spencer and kissed him, then put his arms around his waist.

“I feel really bad for hurting your feelings this morning. I wanted to make it up to you,” said Bobby, giving Spencer his best puppy dog expression.

“Bobby, I’m fine. I got a little emotional this morning, but I forgive you. It was all just a big misunderstanding.”

“So you still love me?”

“Of course I do.” Spencer kissed him.

They moved over to the blanket, set up the police scanner and got comfortable. They made out under the stars, taking the occasional break for a Dr. Pepper.

“All units be advised, possible 10-56 Alpha at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge,” the police scanner squawked.

Spencer’s head snapped up.

“What’s the matter?” asked Bobby. They’d been kissing pretty hot and heavy when Spencer pulled away.

“Did you hear that, the scanner?”

“Yeah, something about a 10-56. Do you know what it means?”

“I think so,” said Spencer as he crawled towards his backpack.

Spencer pulled out the code book that came with the scanner. It took him a second to look up police code 10-56.

“Bobby, 10-56 Alpha, it’s… Someone’s going to try and kill themselves by jumping from the bridge!”

The boys stood up and looked west towards Puget Sound. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, actually two bridges, were lit up and gleaming in the distance.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” said Bobby as he started to unbutton his shirt.