Lafferty, Mur Read Online Free

there was no backing down now. Not in front of her customers and friends.
    The heroes glanced at each other, but only the doctor spoke. “White Lightning said you might react this way.”
    White Lightning met Keepsie’s eyes without flinching.
    “He’s smarter than I gave him credit for. What did you think my reaction would be, doctor?”
    “Well, I expected you to want to serve your city. You seemed quite dedicated to that, once.”
    “You know, you people just don’t get it. You say you want to educate people with powers, to teach them to use their power for good, to help people.
    Maybe the Third Wavers can’t fly or shoot laser beams, but we’ve still got powers no one else has. And you wanted us to register those powers so you could track them.”
    Timson opened her mouth, but Keepsie continued. “You gave us hope that we’d be heroes once we registered. That one day we’d put on a costume, serve the public, be worshiped. But Third Wavers are just not powerful enough for you. No hero license for us. But when you realize you need us, you come asking for help in the name of goodness, or God, or country.”
    She paused, enjoying the looks on the heroes’ faces. “Well screw that.
    You have people who can talk to animals or run faster than cheetahs or call lightning to hit people and deafen their hostages. You don’t need me.”
    “Hell yeah!” shouted Ian, pounding his empty glass on the bar. Everyone took up his cheer.
    Timson stood impassively.
    When the noise had died down, Timson spoke in a tight voice. “Keepsie, I don’t think you understand. We need you. We need that piece you’re protecting.”
    “Hey Ian,” Keepsie said. He grinned. “Suddenly they need me. Would you come if they ever needed you?”
    Ian made a face. “Maybe to keep the city’s janitors busy.”
    “What did they say when you applied at the Academy to obtain a hero’s license?” she asked.
    Ian didn’t meet her eyes, the shame apparent on his face, but he spoke clearly. “After they tested my power they told me that I was disgusting and unsanitary and clearly couldn’t fight for the city, simply on the basis that the cleanup costs would be monumental. They said they would never need something so foul. But they gave me my very own hero name. ‘Feculent Boy.’”
    “Wonderful. Flattering,” Keepsie said, facing Timson. “And you, yourself, told me my power was so weak it could never be of any use to anyone. You need to be careful what you tell the young and impressionable, doctor, it may come back to bite you.”
    White Lightning’s face reddened and Keepsie felt giddy at the risk she’d taken. Years of bitterness, pouring out of her. It felt good. She didn't think he would attack her, but lightning in a basement bar would be bad for business.
    Timson looked at Ian. Her lip curled and she swallowed, saying, “Not everyone has what it takes to be a hero.” She tried to continue, but boos and hisses from the bar patrons drowned her out.
    “You are extremely lucky that you just ended up with a bitter man instead of someone truly evil, Timson,” Keepsie dropped the honorific purposefully. “Ian is a good man. And he’s the most powerful Third Waver I know. And you guys dumped him in the gutter.
    “So let’s get down to business.” Keepsie leaned forward on the bar.
    “What will you give me for doing this favor for you? My own license? Money?
    The respect they get?” She waved her hand at the heroes.
    Timson cleared her throat. “There is the greater good to think about-” she began, and the bar booed her loudly again.
    Keepsie laughed. “Does White Lightning use his powers for the greater good, or does he get money from my taxes so he can protect everyone?”
    “Including you!” White Lightning said. “I saved your sorry life today!”
    Keepsie snorted. “And now I owe you? Does everyone in Seventh City owe you? No. We pay our taxes and that pays your salary. And really,” she added, looking his