Free The Awakening by Michael Carroll

right.” His voice was soft, almost gentle, the same voice Colin had known for years, but there was a hard, determined look to the man’s eyes. Façade stood back up and stretched. At that moment the copter lurched and he grabbed for the handrail to steady himself. “I haven’t been in one of these things for a long time.”
    “So what happened?” Warren asked. “You were disguised as Quantum when Ragnarök’s weapon was used and you weren’t able to change back?”
    “That’s right.”
    “Can I ask you something?” Colin said.
    Façade shrugged. “Go ahead.”
    “If you took over Mr. Cooper’s life, then Niall is really your son, right?”
    “Yes. He is.”
    “But you’ve left him behind.”
    “I know. But this is important.”
    “Won’t you miss him?”
    “I don’t intend to be away forever.”
    Colin’s dad asked, “Why are you doing this, Façade?”
    Façade said, “Because it needs to be done. Danny was the oldest potential superhuman who hadn’t developed any powers when Ragnarök’s machine was used. I was ordered to watch him. I didn’t expect that I would be doing it for so long. I certainly didn’t expect to have to look like Quantum permanently. Once we all lost our powers I couldn’t change back.”
    “What about Danny’s real dad?” he asked. “What happened to him?”
    “You don’t need to know that.”
    “Then tell me this,” Warren said. “Why did you wait? After the battle-tank, you could have abandoned your mission. Ragnarök was dead, there was no one to give you orders.”
    Façade said, “This is bigger than that, Warren. Bigger than you or me or any boy.”

10
    O NCE THE REPAIRS WERE UNDER WAY , Victor Cross went to the medical unit where he found Rachel examining Joseph.
    “How’s he doing?” Victor asked.
    “Considering he’s spent ten years in the same prison cell, he’s in good shape physically. But mentally…” Rachel shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”
    “Please don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Joseph said. “Why are we here, exactly?”
    Rachel regarded him for a second. “You don’t know? I was told you knew more about this than anyone.”
    Joseph closed his eyes and rubbed his palm against his forehead. “Maybe once I did. Now…I’ve had ten years of memories and nightmares mixed together. I’m finding it hard to remember what was real and what wasn’t.” He inhaled deeply, relaxed and opened his eyes. “The boy…he’d be a teenager now, yes?” Before Rachel could respond, he continued. “Ah. Of course. You’re bringing him here, yes? Façade has revealed himself.”
    “He’s on the way. He’s also bringing us Warren and Caroline Wagner and their son. He’s almost thirteen years old.”
    “Yes, yes…He’s a part of this too.” Joseph smiled. “They called him Colin, if I remember correctly. What’s their ETA?”
    Victor said, “Eight hours. They’re halfway across the Atlantic right now. They’ll touch down at the base in Florida, take a civilian transport from there. Unfortunately, we put the country’s defenses on high alert when we broke you out of prison.”
    Victor’s cell phone beeped. He checked the display, then turned away from Joseph and Rachel to answer it. “Talk to me.”
    It was the electronic voice again. “I want you to contact the team in Orlando, get them ready. Make it clear to them that Daniel Cooper is not to be harmed in any way.”
    “Got it.”
    “How’s Joseph?”
    Victor left the room. When he was sure that Joseph couldn’t overhear, he said, “He’s having some trouble with his short-term memory—he keeps forgetting who we are—but he still remembers the important stuff. The drugs they were giving him in the prison are starting to wear off. He’s becoming more lucid. I’m concerned that if he gets a full grasp of the situation he might not be so eager to cooperate.”
    “Just keep him doped up and under armed guard at all times. You know what to do if he gets out