Evolution

Chapter 5

The men stared at the giant man. Vin stood on the catwalk with his stethoscope hearing the loud and healthy heartbeat. He looked up at Alex. “You’re twelve feet ten inches. Your heart rate is good. You’re growing a little taller than expected, but I don’t see any issues. Your age is now twenty human years. Everything is as it ought to be, Alex,” Vin said, knowing there was a crowd of government people behind him. “You can go find your Emma. I’m finished for now,” Vin said, looking up and giving Alex a wink. Vin wanted the president and his secret service to hear all this.

Alex then crawled under the catwalk, passing the secret service and the president, giving them a friendly smile. The president looked up at the shirtless Alex. “You’re Alexander Anderson, founder of Anderson Corporation,” the president said.

“The one and only,” Alex said.

“I heard that you and your wife went on a long vacation,” said the stunned man.

“Sort of,” Alex answered the six foot man. He grinned to himself at the thought of standing above one of the most important men in the free world.

“That explains the new venture?”

“Came up with it after my wife got struck down by the virus,” Alex said as he slipped on his tunic. “Oh, I’m sorry about my appearance. I don’t usually dress like this when I’m meeting important people.”

“That’s understandable, Mr. Anderson,” was all the president could say. He stared at the powerfully tall giant before him with his mouth agape. Alex ignored the eyes upon him as he went out the hangar door.

“Mr. Anderson is the biggest one on record and he’s still growing. He’s as healthy as ten horses and can easily lift over a half a ton, but Mr. Anderson doesn’t like to show off,” Vin said, from his place on the catwalk. “In fact, Mr. Anderson is a kind and gentle soul that I’m grateful to call my friend. So what brings you here, Mr. President?” Vin said to the man shaking off his shock.

Alex decided it was best to let Vin do his job, so he decided to go for a walk to find Emma. He didn’t like the little men with their rifles watching him, but he smiles as he passes them by all the same. They just gave the giant dirty looks, but Alex didn’t really care. It was best to appear nonthreatening to the little humans.

He found Emma under a shade tree. A soldier by the name of Quinn entertained his wife. Quinn was a good kind man in his late twenties and at the moment relieved of his duties. He was the only officer that spoke to the giants. He shirked his duties at times when he knew he wasn’t being watched just to chat with them. He felt like an old friend to all four of the giants. Alex knew when Quinn was off duty. No camouflage, protective gear and rifle. The soldier has been told time and again not to speak to the giants, but that never stopped the fascinated Quinn.

Alex reached his mind out to Quinn. His telepathy wasn’t as strong as Steve’s but he could still hear a human’s thoughts once in a while if he concentrated hard enough. Quinn was thinking about his thirtieth birthday in a couple of days. He was open to the virus affecting him. In fact, he welcomed the change. Quinn had seen enough battles and kills. He was ready to leave the army but he couldn’t, he had nowhere else to go, no home, and no family, absolutely nothing. This made Alex sad so he quickly shut his powers down.

Emma laughed that musical laugh of hers. Quinn told her a joke. Emma smiled down at him. Then Quinn spotted Alex among the branches of the trees. He smiles up at the giant. “Good to see you, Mr. Anderson,” Quinn said in a southern accent. “How’s the weather up there,” Quinn joked.

“Same as it is down there,” Alex said with a smile. “How’s our favorite toy soldier today? Saw your friends; they really do need to smile once in a while.”