How can this be improved?

Apr 17, 2008

Genesis
By Jared Bottoms

But He Means Well

He sits alone. He can hear the low rumble of the crowd of reporters, supporters and protesters beyond the doors outside the capitol. As he sits and listens to the murmuring outside, he ponders.

“(…Such power. It’s beyond anyone to understand it but I have it and have to carry the weight of it. I’ve always assumed it was a blessing. That I’d been chosen by God or Allah or some other grand design of the Universe but am I fulfilling my intended purpose. Is the world better today because of what I’ve done or would it have been better off without my influence.�

Under normal circumstances his thoughts might be considered morose or borderline depressing but he is no normal man and his circumstances follow suit.

“I’ve relied wholly on my own abilities and judgments for so long. Can I truly allow others into my work? Is it right to even think of it as “allowing� them into my…work, as though they are intruders upon my responsibility to the people of this world? Am I even responsible for this world? How can I be sure that all that I’ve done hasn’t in fact weakened this world? If I were to just stop today, just give it all up, and go north to live alone, would this world survive? …No. They couldn’t possibly shoulder the weight that comes with my power. I am the only one who can bring order to the chaos that is man’s society. I am…�

“Godspeed!�

A toothy grin accompanies Brian Mitchell as he enters the room. “The press is ready and anxious.� Mitchell is as slick as a pr man gets. He wears Armani and protects his retinas with stylish Ray bans. “So let’s get out there and tell these people who’s watching over them, who’s protecting them, and most importantly who they need to sign the check to.�

“None of this has ever been about the money or the fame, Mitchell.� Says Godspeed, as he stands and towers over the man. He’s adorned in a white and gold form fitting suit made of a highly resistant poly-micro-fiber material which can withstand the speeds he travels. His name was Lightspeed when he was younger but as he matured and his power grew so did his ego.

“Whatever. You can be altruistic all you want after your speech but if this is going to fly we need support, and by that I mean money, from the people and the government. So get your ass out there and make them believe in the Powered Defense Corps as much as you do.�

“(I could break you with two fingers.)�

As he walks through the door he reflects on his misgivings about the whole situation, looks forward and says calmly, “Right, as much as I do.� He exits the building through high glass doors and is welcomed by blinding sunshine and deafening applause. The golden sun on his chest gleams brilliantly as he’s blasted by flashes from the press when he takes the podium.

“Ladies and Gentleman of the press, and those of you watching and listening around the world, I am Godfrey Mandrake. Many of you know me better as Godspeed but today I come to you as a citizen of this great nation and indeed of the world with a vision and a request. First, the vision, all too many times I have saved this country from different calamities, whether they be other powered individuals bent on havoc and destruction, a rogue nation waging war upon us, or even the occasional planetary invasion from another galaxy, but I am only one man. (With God-like abilities.)�

Now he speaks the part that he struggles to believe himself.

“And I fear at some point I may let you down. Don’t get me wrong, I have by no means lost my edge. I merely feel it would be morally irresponsible to assume I could never fail.�

Even as he says these words he wonders if it might be equally irresponsible to think he would fail at some point or another.

“It is for this reason that I feel obligated to strengthen this nation’s ability to better handle such situations with or without me. My proposed solution to this is the creation of a government mandated force of Americans like myself who have been blessed with special abilities. The purpose of this force, or the Powered Defense Corps (PDC), would not only be to protect and serve this nation, but also to provide the opportunity to better organize and train those who already risk their lives to maintain safety in their communities. These individuals I mention are often referred to as vigilantes or sometimes even menaces, but I seek to change that. We could provide these people with the necessities and care they currently lack in their unlawful attempts to do the right thing. All they need is the guidance the corps could provide.�

His heart actually lightens a bit at the prospect of finally having other professionals to work with since so many rank amateurs insist on playing hero these days.

“Now, I did mention there would be a request and here it is. To accomplish this dream and gain the full benefits of it I need your support as a people. I need to know you stand with me.�

He startles himself with that one,�(I don’t “need� anyone)�.

“I call upon every right and true American to give what they can. Donate money, time, or whatever you can so that we might begin this journey. The enemies of peace will not be patient; we must be swift and diligent in the creation of this force.�

“Once more I say we (you) must stand together, for singularly we (you) are vulnerable, but together we are (I’m) strong and (I’m) unbreakable. The only limitations we have are those we place upon ourselves. Thank you for your time and we’re counting on your support.�

“(I have no limitations!)�

Struggling not to show how infuriating those words were to say, Godspeed ignores the attempted Q&A session, gives one last photo op smile and nod to the cameras, and blasts into the atmosphere. Here the clouds embrace him and he’s able to once again reach that stoic calm he always gets when he’s soaring through the sky.