The Other Eight by Joseph R. Lallo Read Free Book Online

fluorescent tubes. The satchel
wasn’t nearly deep enough to have concealed one, let alone two.
    Aiken released a low whistle as Phosphor
slipped one of the two back into the bag. “I’ve got to say, you are
by a wide margin the applicant who has most thoroughly violated the
law of conservation of mass.”
    “What’s that now?” Phosphor asked, the flash
of concern on his face making it clear that the possibility of
having broken a law of any kind was troubling.
    “Nothing. It is a physics thing. Tell me, can
you do anything else with the bulbs, or just produce them?”
    “I can light them up a little,” he said,
grasping either end of the bulb and squinting his eyes in
concentration. A slow, pulsing glow began to illuminate the
tube.
    Summers, who was enjoying the interview
process more and more as the day went on, released a squealing
giggle and clapped her hands in appreciation.
    “This is the best assignment I’ve ever been
on,” Summers whispered to Aiken.
    “Well, thank you, miss,” Heston remarked.
    “And your origin is that a ‘radioactive
spider bit a fluorescent lamp, breaking the bulb and sprinkling the
powder on your bag,’ correct?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “If you don’t mind me asking, how do you know
that the spider was radioactive?”
    “Well, I just sort of assumed, you know? I
don’t figure too many regular everyday spiders make bags start
spitting out T8 Emergency Glow-style fluorescent lamps all the
livelong day.”
    Aiken nodded and jotted down “possible
hallucination” on the margin of the form. “You’ve got quite a list
of other abilities: general maintenance, carpentry, electrical
work, automotive, HVAC…”
    “Yeah, I’ve always been sort of a Mr.
Fixit.”
    “Any family?”
    “Nah. I lost my wife a few years back. We
never did have any kids. Both my folks are still alive, though.
Good genes, I suppose.”
    “Do you have any combat experience?”
    “I did some amateur boxing when I was
younger. I’ve gotten pretty good at swinging a tube around,
too.”
    “I imagine you would. Now to address the
elephant in the room. It says here you’re forty-eight years
old.”
    “I am.”
    “That’s a bit old to be starting a career as
a soldier. What made you come in today?”
    “Well, sir, I just wanted to do my part.
Maybe I’m not the youngest buck, but I’ve got experience, and I’ve
got a gift. Maybe my best years are behind me, but if I can cast a
little light in the darkness before I’m through on this dusty ol’
world, then I figure that’s worth a try, long shot or no.”
    Aiken nodded, made a few notes and stood.
“Mr. Heston, I think I can safely say you are of sound enough mind
to move to the next stage. You’ve left a callback number?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “We’ll be in touch.”
    “Good luck, Mr. Heston,” Summers said,
shaking hands. When Floyd walked out and the door closed behind
him, she turned to Aiken. “This is really getting good. Do you
think there’s anyone out there with juggling powers?”

Chapter 8
    A man with a
fit build and a lantern jaw was in the interview chair. He wore a
confident grin while Dr. Aiken looked over the paperwork. The
doctor scratched his head and showed the application to Private
Summers, who shrugged and took a sip of her coffee.
    “I apologize, but I’m having a little
difficulty understanding this information,” Aiken said. “Your
codename is?”
    “Seanman.”
    “And you have what powers, exactly?”
    “The powers of someone named Sean.”
    “Does that mean that if someone has an
ability, and their name is Sean, then you have that ability,
too?”
    “No, no. I have the one ability all Seans
share.”
    “Which is?”
    “The ability to be called Sean.”
    “So your name is Sean.”
    “Nope. My name is Clark.”
    “Then your nickname is Sean?” Summers
offered.
    “Nope, but everyone calls me that.”
    Dr. Aiken stared for a moment. “I’m still not
clear exactly…”
    “Try to call me