Flashes of Wisdom

By James Matt Cox

For once school is going well for Jason Taggart and the students of Lincoln High. Two years ago fourteen-year-old Jason and a handful of his classmates discovered the awful truth about themselves and their town. Since before civilization mankind has been fighting monsters. Vampires, blood elves, space aliens and worse have plagued humanity since before civilization. With every generation heroes rise to the occasion but even as they defeat their monsters more come forth.
With the prosperity of peace after World War II, a small group of men and women began organizing themselves and training their heroes instead of waiting for them to happen. It was a losing battle, though, and things looked bleak. Then, with the new millennium just over two decades old, the shadowy Project Levy began an endeavor as visionary as it was desperate.
Twenty years later, Project Wisdom bore fruit. Unbeknownst to themselves Jason and his peers were trained since kindergarten. They were trained to mental, physical and emotional standards most people thought impossible.
Now it's time for the training to enter the next phase. Wisdom's children must face not only the vicious monsters they've only heard of until now but a fate even worse. They have to learn how to cope with the world outside.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Matt Cox
• Release date: Oct 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005687236

James Matt Cox

James Matthew Cox Jr. was born in Texarkana Arkansas and he lives there today. His parents encouraged him to read and to enjoy it at a very early age. His father made certain he gained an appreciation for science fiction. His childhood heroes had names like Asimov, Bradbury and E. E. Smith. After graduating high school he earned a Bachelor's degree in computer science and a Master's degree in mathematics. He worked 25+ years as a math/CSCI instructor and recently added 'Open-Source Java Developer' to his resume. During all those years he continued to enjoy science fiction, both reading and writing, and finally decided to DO something about it.

Book preview

Flashes of Wisdom

by James Matt Cox

The story presented here is fiction.

Any similarity to any person, group or entity living, dead or virtual is purely coincidental.

Version Code: 200607

Copyright (c) 2020 by James M. Cox Jr.

Smashwords Edition

Cover Art by: www.viladesign.net

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Books by James Matt Cox

A Pattern of Details

The Dungeon Crawl Unlimited fantasy RPG system

Open Source Tools for Independent Authors

Vortex Portal

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The Children of Wisdom

The Dawn of Wisdom; Beyond Wisdom; Flashes of Wisdom

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Books in the Stone Blade series:

Stone Blade; Double Bait

The Radical Factor; The Burning Crown

Expedient Measures; Lethal Max

The Border Incident; The Blatant Prey

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The Moons of Epigaea

Sage's Moon; Reaper's Moon; Hallow's Moon; Planter's Moon

To Charley Hankins,

A friend filled brim-full with peace, love, music and snappy wit.

- - - - -

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

-The First Amendment to the

Constitution of the United States of America

Chapter 0. Prologue

Warning: This book contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.

Darkness and silence settled over the city, at least as much so as it could. The ambient light of Detroit and its metropolitan sprawl precluded full darkness and the noise inherent to any city never fully ceased. Still, the residents in the shabby mobile home at Buckster Greens Mobile Home Community lot 50 slept soundly.

A sudden, warbling scream shattered the peace and relative quiet.

What the fuck?

Oscar Nielsen sat straight up in bed. He shook his head and reached for his glasses.

What is it, Ozzie? Harriet Nielsen sat up more slowly.

Damn. It's that fucking mosque again. Son of a bitch.

Ozzie shifted his feet and stood up.

What're you doing, Ozzie? Lay back down, baby.

Like hell I will. It's one o'clock in the fucking morning. Those goat-humping ragheads are at it again.

C'mon, Oz. Just lay down. It'll be gone soon.

Not this time.

Ozzie's footsteps sounded loud and shook the floor as he stomped into the living room. He fumbled in the dark, looking for the phone when the light came on.

What the hell?

Pops Kowalski, Harriet's father, shuffled into the room while tying his robe. He had his .45 in his hand but not raised.

It's nothing, Pops, said Ozzie loud enough for the old man to hear. Dammit, man, I'm not a fucking burglar.

I know that, ya dumbass. Kowalski gestured with his gun vaguely toward the window. I'm talkin' about that shit.

"Daddy. What are you doing? Harriet walked into the room. Put that away before you shoot somebody."

Ehh. Kowalski scoffed. I did thirty in the Marines, Poppyseed. I ain't shootin' anything that don't need it.

Shush, said Ozzie, covering part of the phone. Shh. Hold it down. I got the... He spoke into the phone. Yes. Yeah. Oscar Nielsen. Yes ma'am. Buckster Greens. That's right. What's wrong? Listen. He pointed the phone toward the window. It's one o'clock in the morning. The damn new mosque down the street is screaming their shit again. Yeah. Al Zamzam, that's it. Yeah, I know. Look, it's a noise complaint. He scowled hard. "I don't give a damn, lady. If it was me playing some Beatles you'd be here in... No ma'am I am not islamophobic. No. I can't fucking sleep. None of us... Hello? Hello?"

He slammed the phone down.

Damn bitch hung up on me. He grabbed a cigarette. Damn goat-humpers.

The warbling continued.

No shit, said Kowalski. I remember your grandpa telling me about it, Poppyseed. He was in both Desert Storms, God rest his soul. He had to listen to that shit twenty-four seven. Said it sounded like somebody castrating a bull with a spoon.

I know, Daddy. Harriet lit her own cigarette. Just settle down. Don't get your pressure up.

Kowalski snorted. "Shut down that damn O-mamma-yamma-yamma shit and my presure'll be fine. He sat down. It's bad enough those damn sand-diggers took over the neighborhood. Runnin' out all the decent folk. First it was the Davises. Elmer and May Washington were next. Then everybody else. Hell. You can't even get a good kielbasa any more.

"Elmer's Deli. You remember that, Poppyseed? Elmer Senior opened it up back in the seventies. Best bigos for miles around. Man, he could make the sausage too. Your grandpa loved it. One flavor for every day of the week, he said. Damn I miss that place."

I know, Pops, said Ozzie. "I liked his kotlet."

Harriet jumped as someone knocked hard on the door. When Ozzie cracked it it flew open and he had to step back to keep from falling down. Two uniformed men shoved their way in.

What the...

You called with complaint, said one. We are here to settle matters.

Da fuck you are. Ozzie looked at their shirts. You're not fucking cops.

No. You have been reported to the Sharia Patrol. We are here to inform you you are in violation...

Get the fuck out of my house.

You are in violation... continued the man, not moving.

Kowalski jacked a round into the chamber. Both men stopped and looked. He raised the pistol menacingly.

You're not cops, he said evenly. Call 911, Poppyseed. Tell 'em we got a pair of dead home invaders.

Harriet looked between the men and her father. The pistol clicked as he switched off the safety.

Get outta my house, said Ozzie.

You will be reported, said the second man.

Kowalski stood and assumed a firing stance. He didn't aim directly but a twitch would bring the pistol in line. The two men hurried out. As soon as Ozzie closed the door he dropped the clip, shucked the round out of the chamber and replaced it in the clip.

That's how you handle the bastards.

"Thanks, Pops. You're fucking scary. Semper fi."

"Boo-rah."

Kowalski clicked the safety, put down the pistol and sat back down. The noise outside finally stopped.

Now we can go back to sleep. You want some hot chocolate, Daddy?

With a shot?

Make it two, said Ozzie. With shots.

Chapter 1. Driving Lessons

"Jason. Son. Get your head in the game."

His father's voice snapped Jason Taggart back to reality.

Any time you're ready, boy.

Okay, said Jason. Go.

The timer on the dashboard beeped and started counting down from five. When it reached zero a green light flashed and the timer started counting upward.

Jason put the car in gear and pressed down on the accelerator. The car lurched forward but this time the tires didn't screech. The first speed limit sign flashed by so he accelerated up to it. He knew the obstacles wouldn't break anything but his pride. That didn't help with the butterflies shooting around his stomach.

Car. Left lane. Unsafe merge. Jason tapped the brakes softly and let the vehicle in. Last time he tried to swerve. He didn't check his mirror and sideswiped another car.

This time the other car shot around him on the right, honked and swerved in front of the car he just let in. That one slammed on his brakes and Jason did likewise. He felt a surge of fight-or-flight as his car skidded up to the bumper in front.

Skidded but didn't touch. He barely had enough distance to stop. Barely.

Then he realized the timer was still moving and the cars in front were clear.

Shit. Red on the timer meant he was behind.

What's that, son?

Safety has infinite time, muttered Jason.

Right turn. Jason checked the mirror, merged and turned. He finally remembered to give the signal just as he moved the wheel. The timer flashed orange. Penalty. Crap. Not as bad as not giving the signal but he was already behind.

Jason's route led him to a long, straight stretch. He knew he could goose the speed a little. Five miles over the limit would entail a penalty but he'd make up more time than he lost.

Check, merge, accelerate. The timer lit up orange but he gained on the clock. Car. Pass. Signal, merge, signal, merge. Swerve. Not fair! That one popped out of nowhere. Still, no impact no foul.

His off-ramp approached too fast. Jason hit it a little hot but still within no-penalty limits. Left turn into oncoming traffic. Wait, wait, go. Shit. No signal.

Jason came to a stop, put the car in park and killed the engine. The window and windshield projectors shut down. The car now sat in the middle of the vast, empty square of pavement the students called The Parking Lot. As he unbuckled the safety harness his score came back. Five minutes and three seconds raw, adjusted to five minutes and thirty-three seconds. Crap.

By the time Jason got out his father and sister Becky were there.

Five oh three, son, said John. You know five minutes is an upper limit not a lower one. Right?

Jason sighed. I know. I'll work on it.

John smiled, clapped him on the shoulder and looked at Becky. You ready, baby girl?

Jason and John climbed back into the viewing stand with a group of other students where a mesh shade gave some relief from the blistering sun. Jason sat beside Ellen Owens who had already completed her first drive for the day. She took his hand, smiled and winked at him. She always made him feel good when she did things like that. He shared some of his darkest secrets with her and she didn't run screaming away. That meant a lot.

A few people down Darla Jansen sat between Chris Parker and Logan Junior Jr. She had her hand on Logan's leg and his arm around her. That hurt. Jason knew they'd kissed at least once. Logan kept his mouth shut but he knew Darla well enough. Two years ago, before all their lives changed to insanity, he and Darla already knew how many kids they'd have and where they would live.

Becky started into her course and John began critiquing both to her and to the others seated there. She had more-or-less the same course Jason did. She didn't hold the vehicle nearly as steady, she racked up an amazing sixty-five seconds in penalties and came in at 7:57. Almost eight minutes before penalties. Of course she drove the entire route backward so John didn't come down on her quite as hard.

Leo, said John. Let's see what you got.

Pray for me, said Leon Reed, Jason's best friend, softly as he stepped down past Jason.

Ellen snickered and Jason wanted to. Lois Roberts, Leo's girlfriend, made a kiss at his back as he walked out to the car.

Damn. I'm glad that's over. Becky sat on Ellen's other side, lit a cigarette and handed the pack back to her. "I'm gonna steal that safety has infinite time too, chimp."

Go for it, said Jason. I got it from Garrett.

Leo made 4:58 but also had fifteen penalty seconds. John picked Drew Barnes next. He just passed the five-forward so he faced driving backward now.

I don't see why we gotta go back-ass-wards, Coach, said Chris. That seems kinda dumb.

"It ain't hard, Chris. If you're behind the wheel with a pissed-off Drac in front of you I promise you he won't give you time to... Watch out, Barnes! Gas pedal does not mean go ape shit. John scowled hard. Parker. Like I was saying, a blood-gorged Drac will come straight through your windshield without batting an eyelid. You want to get away you can try running over him or slam it into reverse and actually make it."

Neither Jason nor anyone else cared to point out John's contradiction.

***

Well I think he's pretty cool, said Ellen.

Try living with him a few years, said Becky.

After the last driving course John delivered his students back to school. They had an hour free so they elected to grab lunch.

Yeah, said Jason. Try living with him when your older sister always out-shoots you.

Becky smiled sweetly and flipped him off.

Yeah, agreed Leo. And try staying skinny around Mrs. T's amazing brownies.

Jason's mother Amanda did make perfect brownies. Of course she did everything perfectly. She always knew exactly the right thing to say and the right way to say it. For a Command agent perfection was a job requirement.

The ultra-secret organization they all trained to join had four departments plus one. After Jason and his friends stopped a group of terrorists from killing a lot of hostages and kidnapping the President's daughter they ended up facing a vampire. That still gave him nightmares. It also marked the start of their real education.

The four field departments - Planning, Protection, Technology and Command - created the town of Wisdom Arizona as a desperate experiment. The history known to most of the world's population omitted more than it included. Every legend from ancient human culture contained monsters too sadistic, twisted, depraved and horrible to exist. But they did. The advent of the Atomic Age in 1945 attracted the attention of beings even worse.

The Big Four departments needed men and women capable of exceeding the normal human physical, mental and emotional limitations people placed on themselves. They recruited a few and graduated fewer but still fought a losing battle. Fighting the creatures bent on destroying human civilization took a hellish toll. Then, twenty-odd years ago, the current department heads hatched a plan as insane as it was visionary.

In the town of Wisdom agent-parents and agent-teachers began a training program. From kindergarten up they held the town's children to higher standards than many thought possible. The experiment succeeded. With no idea that they out-performed their peers, the children of Wisdom met and exceeded the expectations set them.

***

Dammit, Andrews, are you still beating that horse?

Donnahue, the current commanding officer of the Protection department, scowled at his flatscreen.

We still have the same problem, Don. We learned a lot, sure, but there's a lot we don't know yet. Just because you don't think it's important doesn't mean it isn't.

Donnahue sighed. I don't think it's not important, dammit. I just think it's something they can learn a lot better during formal training.

I don't know that they can. Most of our recruits come from outside. For now. As more kids graduate that'll change. We won't have the baseline we do now for comparison. They won't have their peers' experience. Not as much, anyway. There are also the interpersonal dynamics to consider.

Donnahue raised an eyebrow.

Yeah. Our outside recruits generally don't know each other 'till they meet in training. We're already seeing differences between them and the Wisdom recruits. Right now we can still pair one and one. Before long we won't be able to do that.

I suppose you have a plan.

Andrews nodded. I have an idea. I wanted to get you on board before I ran it past the Chief.

***

Hey, Jase.

Jason stopped strapping on his padding and looked up. Logan had most of his on already and an apprehensive look on his face.

Watt up?

Uh, yeah. Logan looked around nervously. I, ah, just wanted to talk a minute.

Jason tightened his elbow pad and looked.

It's about Darla.

What about her? asked Jason.

Um, she wants to go out with me. Like, on a date.

Jason put on his other pad. Is there a problem?

Well duh. Are you, uh... okay with that?

We're not together any more. She dumped me. Those words still hurt to say.

Yeah. I know.

So why are you asking?

Logan sighed hard. Listen, man. Before Phoenix you two were, like, totally the thing, you know? I mean bigger than Geeky Bobby and Kelly Hall.

Yeah? Oh yes. How many contortions did Jason go through to get that chance to give Darla his cap and ask her out?

Yeah, dude. Everybody knew you two were it forever.

And? Forever was a hell of a lot shorter than Jason thought. What're you saying?

Man, I know you and me aren't tight. If we were it'd be totally, you know, not gonna happen.

Jason strapped on his left forearm pad.

It's just... I don't wanna mess up your head or anything.

Yeah. Thanks, dawg.

Yeah. I also don't wanna, like, piss you off so bad you fuck me up out there. You know we're going against each other. Right?

I know.

Yeah. And when Chris got back he said the kids out there, uh, get into real fights over, um... girlfriends and boyfriends.

Jason paused with his right arm pad. Sudden images flashed through his mind of him beating Logan to a bloody pulp. He knew he could do it, even with pads on. He could break his leg, then one arm and then a good, hard thrust to the throat. If he did it right he could get past the padding and do some serious damage. Maybe even kill him. Rage washed through him along with a primal glee at what he could do.

Almost as bad as what a huldra hunlef and a pyxie did to a boy named Sherrod Patrick. A boy who earned Jason's friendship past contempt, disdain and suspicion of summoning a Fey horror to prey on others. A boy whose life Jason failed to save.

Listen, man, said Jason. It fucking sucks what she did to me. It fucking hurts. Like, don't ask me to double-date with you and her.

I'm not a douche, man. Logan thought a moment. So you're okay with it?

Jason shrugged.

Okay. Cool. Thanks, Jase.

Jason stepped out and took the pell next to Logan. They began working forms then warmed up for sparring. Whenever Jason got mad he took it out on the padded pole in front of him. If Logan thought Jason was practicing against him so much the better.

***

Why'd you beat the shit out of Logan?

Chris might have tried not to speak loudly but he did not possess that ability.

I didn't, said Jason.

Bullshit, man. He's got bruises in places, like, I don't even have places. Dude, you drew blood. Through the padding. The hell you didn't unleash on him.

He didn't, said Leo. Trust me. If Jase only drew blood once he wasn't trying at all. You ever seen what he does to me?

Like you can talk, said Jason. Besides, he got me in the nuts. Twice. That still hurts.

Hey. If you got 'em, guard 'em, said