Gideon had been as engaged as the others in the hunt for the Steel Shogun, and briefly diverted by the adventure instigated by Luna Moth, but the truth was he felt distracted and off his game. He had been shaken by the attack on him by El Chapo’s idiot son, but was even more worried by the shadowy organization that had bankrolled and encouraged it. No doubt the mysterious organization that had been hunting him ever since he’d gained his powers – and it was time to do something about it.
He spoke to Artemis and Scion about his plans, and they both agreed that he should take the time off to investigate this lingering issue. Both of them offered to accompany him, if he wanted the help, but he declined.
“This is something I have to do by myself,” he sighed. “But I’m taking my Vanguard comms unit with me and you can be sure I’ll call in the cavalry if I need to.”
“You had better, Gideon,” Artemis replied, fixing him with one of her piercing stares. “You’re not on your own any more, and you’re a valuable part of this team – take advantage of that.”
“Yes ma’am,” was all he dared say. JJ grinned at him and slapped him on the back. “Do what Mother says, Son. And stay in regular touch, please. You can consider that an order.” His look became quite as serious as Artemis‘. All Gideon could do was nod, embarrassed to find himself on the verge of tears, and turned away quickly.
Saying goodbye to the others was just as difficult. In just five months he was shocked at how close he’d gotten to both Jonny and Chuck. He’d only ever really had one close friend in his life, and when Eddie had died he’d never expected to have another. Now he had two, with Seth showing promise of becoming a third. And while Quanta and Totem were more like big brothers than actual friends, he still felt closer to them than he ever had to his own brother.
“I understand the need to do this on your own, my friend,” Totem said gravely when he explained his need to leave to the rest of the team. The shaman reached into the leather pouch he always wore on his belt and pulled out a small talisman of polished stone, twisted wire and a feather and handed to the younger man. “A man must follow the path that Destiny has laid under his feet… but that doesn’t mean he must always do so alone. If in need of help, and other forms of communication fail you, this one will not. Think of me as you hold it and I will know your need.”
“And I can have the team at your side a few minutes after that,” Quanta added gruffly, clapping him on the shoulder. “Be careful out there kid.”
“Fare you well Gideon,” Seth had said solemnly, offering a formal handclasp before allowing himself to pulled into a bear hug. “May Providence shine on your road, and bring you swiftly back to us.”
Chuck was sad to see him go, of course, but also accepting of his need to do so. “Hey, it’s the 21st Century – you got no excuse not to stay in touch, even if you’re on a quest to confront the evil power behind your origin story. There’s bound to be some down time along the way to play some Destiny remotely, right? But you’d better be back before Destiny 2 is out, pal!”
Jonny was the one who was most disconsolate over his departure, and the most reluctant to let him go alone. “It’s just not gonna be the same around here without you, man. Are you sure I can’t come with you? Those bastards, whoever they are, wouldn’t stand a chance against both of us! I know, I know, you need to be stealthy… but I can be stealthy if necessary, dude, really!”
As hard as they were, the goodbyes were eventually said, and on the morning of 20 October 2016 Gideon Young roared out of Astoria on Lucky Lucy. He’d thought about taking that SHADE sky cycle he’d commandeered, but it would’ve been too conspicuous. In the end, though, Scion had been able to make the modifications to his candy-apple red chopper he’d wanted and now, wherever he might be going… well, roads? He wouldn’t need roads…
As he passed over the Lewis & Clark Interstate Bridge he saw the flashing lights of emergency vehicles gathering near Seldon Point in east Long Beach off to his right… for a moment he considered ‘porting over to see if he could help. But no, he was on a different path now. And he knew the Vanguard could handle whatever the problem might be…