Nightside 09 - Just Another Judgement Day

deep, dark, unblinking eyes. “I’m much better now.”
    There was a certain amount of uncomfortable shifting about in the room, as everyone disagreed vehemently without actually saying anything.
    “We’re saving Jessica as our last resort,” said Julien. “Our most dangerous weapon.”
    “Damn,” said Suzie. “I thought that was me.”
    Julien flashed her a sympathetic smile, then gave me his best grave and concerned look. “It has to be you, John. You’re the only one we can trust to do this.”
    “You keep saying that,” I said. “I’m still not convinced.”
    “I still don’t get this,” Suzie said stubbornly. “I mean, God’s wrath, fast and strong, yes, get all that. But what does he actually do ?”
    “Anything he wants,” said Walker. “He’s as strong as he needs to be, and as fast. He can kill with any weapon, or with his bare hands. No door can keep him out, no argument can turn him aside, and nothing in science or magic can protect you from him.”
    “Yeah,” said Suzie. “But is he bullet-proof?”
    “As long as he walks in Heaven’s path, nothing in this world can touch him,” said Julien.
    “Even blessed or cursed bullets, with crosses carved in the end?” said Suzie.
    “He wouldn’t even blink,” said Walker.
    Suzie smiled suddenly. “Then I guess I’ll have to try harder.”
    “I’ve just had a cunning and downright disturbing thought,” I said. “If the nature of the Nightside has changed, could we perhaps contact the Opposition, and have them send one of their agents to take on the Walking Man?”
    “Let’s you and him fight,” said Count Video. “I like it.”
    “Are you crazy?” said Julien. “Two Walking Men, going head to head in the Nightside? Remember how much damage the angels did? We’re still rebuilding!”
    “Well, what about the Street of the Gods?” I said, doggedly. “Isn’t there any Being there who feels strong enough to—”
    “Not one,” said Walker. “The whole Street is discussing moving itself out of phase with the Nightside, until this is all over, and it’s safe for them to return.”
    “There’s always Razor Eddie,” said Suzie.
    There was another silent uncomfortable moment, as everyone considered the implications of that.
    “The Punk God of the Straight Razor has always been a very just man, in his own appalling way,” I said finally. “He might decide to go along with the Walking Man. Eddie’s always practised a zero-tolerance policy where the really bad guys are concerned. In a strictly hands-on, blood and brains all over the walls, sort of way.”
    “I still say we should defend ourselves!” King of Skin said abruptly. “Each of us is a Power, in our own right. We need to show the Nightside that we are a force to be reckoned with! We don’t need to hide behind the likes of John Taylor. We should go abroad now, in all our awful glory, and grind this Walking Man beneath our feet!”
    “No!” Julien Advent said firmly. “This is no time to be proud! We can’t stop him. Not alone, or all together. He is the wrath of God in the world of men. There is no greater Power upon the Earth today! Our only hope is that John can out-think or out-manoeuvre him.”
    “We’re doomed . . .” said Count Video.
    “Hold everything,” I said. “Are we missing the obvious here? Why not send Walker? He can use his Voice on the Walking Man and command him to leave the Nightside and never come back.”
    “Wouldn’t work,” said Walker. “My Voice derives its authority from that original Voice, that said Let there be light . I doubt it would have any effect on one who is a lot closer to the source of that Voice than I will ever be.”
    We waited, but that was all he had to say. Trust Walker to give you an answer that left you with more questions than you started with. Another thought occurred to me, and I looked hard at Walker.
    “It’s just like old times, this, isn’t it? You recommended me for this job because I’m expendable. If I can stop the Walking Man, fine. If I can’t, you’ll have learned something from the encounter you can use to brief the next poor fool you send after him. You haven’t changed a bit, Walker.”
    “I’d go myself if I could,” said Walker. “But I can’t stop him. At least you’ve got a fighting chance. And if he should kill you, John, I will find a way to make him pay.”
    “How very reassuring,” I said. “You didn’t have to bother with the emotional manipulation, you