The next chapter of my life started a lot sooner than I had expected, with my tired eyes opening while it was still dark out.

Two dim points of green hovered at my side, and it took my brain a good few moments to recognize that they belonged to Clara. As I tried to focus on the techie looming at my side of the bed once more, my groggy eyes adjusted to the low light to see that she was in her underwear and had an axe rested across her shoulders.

Before I had the chance to ask her what was going on, she gestured with her finger for me to follow her. I weighed up the downsides of waking Roxy up against the potential reality that Clara might want to hack off my other arm to make that cybernetic as well. As silently as I could, I slipped out from under the covers.

The revelry and drunken vibes were clearly still swirling around in my head, the last dregs circling the drain. Adding to being woken half through a much needed rest, I was almost willing to let her hack me up if she was quick.

I closed the door very quietly, managing to escape the potential wrath of the super. Turning, I raised an eyebrow at the pensive techie as she stood by the bathroom, the moonlight barely illuminating half of her body.

“There is a downside to ingesting the crystal dust,” she whispered. “A side effect.”

As much as I had a few ideas of what that could be, I just slowly nodded. She could fill in the gaps at her own pace, as long as she didn’t use the axe to do so.

“Insomnia, for one.” She pulled a face and looked down at the lobby. “Also, projectile vomiting.”

[Ah. So why did you wake me? Are you okay?]

“You… always fix things,” she said, an out of character pout across her face. “And this mop isn’t working.”

[That’s because it is an axe.]

I didn’t even know that we had one, nor for what purpose we’d need one. The fact that she’d been trying to use it to wipe up her vomit said a lot more about her current mental state than her lack of clothing.

“That would explain the cuts then,” she whispered. Clara turned around, and even in the dim light, I could see a few slim lines across her shoulders and lower back.

I exhaled through my nose. Stepping over to her, I put my hand on her shoulder.

[Fine, I will help. How bad is it?]

“It’s just in the lobby.” She stepped away and started down the stairs. “Seven times.”

We reached the bottom stair, and she tapped the side of her head with a finger, causing an eye to turn into a flashlight. The white glare of her vision brought into view something of a hellscape. The entire lobby was covered with a slick amount of her sickness, several light grooves worn into the lacquered wooden planks where she had tried to use the axe to clean this up.

I said nothing, but sighed and walked through it. Into the kitchen, the closet there holding a bucket and a real mop. I had seen enough blood, guts, and gore in my time to where it didn’t really bother me. My re-breather helped cut out any nauseating smell from the mess. I was just… tired. Still half asleep. Eager to get back into bed.

Over to the sink and I filled the bucket with hot water and whatever soapy stuff was closest. It all worked the same, I was sure. Once it was full and bubbly, I placed it down at the edge of the kitchen, dunked the mop in and started to sweep away. Awkward movements with the single arm, but the processes had started, and that was easy enough for my brain to accept.

Clara stood and watched, the axe still resting across her shoulders like she was an adventurer in training. It probably wasn’t good for either of us to be walking on the vomit in our bare feet, but as she wasn’t making this task any worse, I let her be.

Given that most of the light was only where she was looking, I did have to glance at her a few times when she got distracted and looked away, or was clearly starting a little too intently at my figure, blinding me.

About the time I reckoned I was about halfway through, the lobby light turned on.

Both of us froze like animals caught in headlights, before we both turned to look up on the landing above the lobby.

Roxy was standing there in her black nightgown, arms folded on the bannister, and a tired expression on her face.

Expecting some pointed words to come our way, I was surprised as she started to smile - before bursting out laughing. Clara didn’t seem too pleased, and placed the axe resting against the side wall so that she could cross her arms, while I just remained nonplussed and ever so tired.

“Gods damn it,” the super eventually said, wiping the tears from her eyes as she sighed. “You know, my parents hoped I’d end up with a rich landowner, or at least a well-to-do city worker. But instead, I have you degenerates.” The barb was delivered from a face still smiling widely.

“I don’t see the humor in it,” Clara replied, grimacing.

Roxy shook her head. “It’s three in the fucking morning and you two weirdoes are in your underwear doing the least sexy thing I can imagine. Clara, you have an axe for shit’s sake, and Dubs, babe, you’re not rinsing out the mop, so you’re just spreading vomit everywhere. It smells like something died in here. Several things.”

[You’re in remarkably good spirits, despite the fact.]

“Yeah, well.” She gave me a soft smile, shaking her head again. “It’s the fact that you’re both in this situation that is both bizarre, but so totally you. You may be geniuses in your respective crafts, but otherwise, you’re both more of a dumbass than me. You are both literally half naked and are spending your time doing this. I don’t know why I was ever threatened by your flirting.”

Clara shrugged. “The night is still young. Perhaps if you think we aren’t doing this right, we can share the bed long term.”

“No, fuck off.” Roxy gestured to the bathroom with her head. “Get cleaned up and put some clothes on, you dork. Then sleep in your own room.” She turned her fiery eyes to me. “I’ll show you how it's done, Dubs, but then you owe me. You both do.”

We grumbled our acknowledgements and apologies. Clara went to bed, while the super and I cleaned up properly. She told me a story about cleaning out animal stables back on the farm her parent’s own, but other than that, we didn’t really discuss anything. Too tired. We shared a kiss before bed and then almost immediately passed out.

I chose to view that as more of an interlude. Some filler before my life as Gunquake started proper. Partially because by the time I woke up, it felt almost like a dream. It was certainly odd enough, and I wasn’t sure yet what lesson to take away from it other than Clara should probably not drink as much.

The warm arm of the super ran across my chest as she pulled herself up against me.

[You know, it’s nice not having Clara looming over me when I wake up for a change.]

“I’ll get a lock for the door, don’t worry.” She kissed my shoulder. “I’m not letting her live down last night’s activities.”

[Ah. I was worried that did actually happen.]

“She acts like such a dork sometimes, especially when drunk. No brain-cells to share between the two of you, but it’s nice to see her comfortable.” Roxy pushed herself up to look down at me. “What did you learn from last night?”

[To… rinse the mop?]

“Exactly.” She pressed a finger into my chest and warmed it up. Not enough to be painful, just hot enough to make a point. “Our garden party was that rinse. If we go into the wastes with our mop again today, we’ll need to rinse it out again soon.”

[No burning out.]

“If you burn my mop, I’ll break the handle off in your ass.” The super leaned forward, laying atop me so her eyes were hovering over mine. “We have to hold each other accountable going forward. Call me out on my shit and I will yours. Help me beat the team into a better shape. Never break my heart.”

[That last one seems a little out of place and sudden.]

She gave me a quick peck on the re-breather before pouting. “You’re about to be in the public eye. There will be fan-clubs, and detractors. Bitchy fucking nerds either slobbering over you or picking at any minor flaw, real or imagined.” Roxy sighed. “My last relationship was a shitter, so when we go public there will be talk. Apologies in advance.”

[Online discourse means little to me. If anyone talks shit to us in person, I’ll break their jaw.]

“Cute.” She bit her lip before moving off of me. “I know you’d actually do it, too. Even if the League is giving us a looser leash, you shouldn’t rock the boat too hard. Not within the city.”

[Let’s talk about how we are avoiding their reach today to work on tech that we stole from under their nose, as well as taking the team back out treasure hunting in the wastes.]

“Let’s fucking eat,” she countered. “If you get too big for your boots, Dubs, it won’t be me pulling your legs off.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Maybe she had a point. Most saw the wastelands as dangerous because of the monsters and mutants out there. The truth was being outside of the League’s purview meant we would solely be in no-man's-land. Somewhere that the World Government would be able to find us, no backup under the umbrella of Goldarch.

The super pulled her dressing gown on and tightened the belt. “League usually recalls old suits. It will be a shame to get rid of what I’ve been using for so long. End of an era.”

[You could always report one as ‘destroyed’ and keep it.]

“Already two steps ahead of you, babe.” She shot me a wink. “Hard part is deciding what I want the new one to look like. It would be nice to go without the padding bullshit the League wants, and I do like showing off that I’m built like a fucking truck.”

[That’s quite an interesting pet name.]

She rolled her eyes and smiled. “All my energy today is going toward putting our new buildings together and then whatever doom the wastes has for us. If you want to distract me from that, cooking some breakfast would be a good start.”

[I could certainly eat.]

Roxy left the room with a smile, perhaps not seeing the irony in my statement. Maybe she took it as innuendo. I was just ravenous for my new future, something finally in grasp.

After she left, I emerged from the bed and put on my undershirt and tactical pants. Didn’t need to get fully suited up just yet, but I also didn’t want to play things casual with how the day might play out.

Now onto the landing, and I could hear the shower running. Clara’s room was closed, and I hoped she managed to recover from the come-down of the crystal dust fine. Stepping down into the clean lobby, I took a glance at the kitchen before deciding I wanted a bit of fresh air first. After the aches earned over the last few days, stretching my legs out without being under duress would be nice.

I walked outside and was surprised to see Clara up and active already. Dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt with a pair of her work dungarees over, her eyes were focused on a notepad in her lap.

[Good morning.]

“Morning, Gunquake.” She didn't look up at me when she spoke, but after a few moments of silence, she glanced my way. “If you're wondering if I regret any of last night, then no. I was peak Clara, and will make no apologies for it.”

[That sounds reasonable.]

“Although...” The techie sighed and patted the side of the bench swing for me to sit. "I am saddened that Rockslide is no longer affected by our flirting after last night. It was too pedestrian. She knows that despite how I present myself, I have no real appetite for us to have a physical relationship."

I sat down beside her and she put a hand on my gun-arm, a glum expression on her face. She'd been given every opportunity to start something if she had wished to, but in finding us scrubbing up sick instead of doing anything more intimate, the super had seen the cold light exposing the truth behind Clara’s constant insinuations.

“You want to know what the list says, Gunquake?” She raised an eyebrow before looking out at the workshop. “That I could do anything with you. Anything. She had been calling my bluff all this time, knowing that neither you nor I would risk hurting her.”

[She is cleverer than she looks. There's no need for our relationship to be physical, though.]

“At that point, you're just a friend, then. Closer to a big brother.”

[If you're happy, then there isn't a need to put a label on things.]

Clara sighed and turned her head back to me. “You're a bastard for being so understanding, Gunquake. Sometimes I just feel so abnormal. I envy what you and my sister have, even if it's not what I desire for myself. I was staring at you last night, not because I was admiring your abs or imagining you pressed against me, but instead thinking of ways in which I could modify and upgrade you.” She shook her head, disappointed in herself.

[Here.]

I lifted my gun-arm out of her grip and put it over her, around her other side so I could pull her against me like a hug.

[You're ridiculous, you know. I wouldn't have you any other way, and I'm here for you in whatever capacity you require. My love for you may be different that what I have with Roxy, but you're no less important to me.]

The techie didn't respond at first, but after a few moments of contemplation, she gripped onto my shirt. Pulling herself up out of my grasp slowly, she planted a soft kiss on the side of my re-breather before sinking back down.

“Rockslide is totally unprepared for phase two,” she murmured, unable to hide the sly smile and slight blush from me.

It was hard not to see her as my best friend—even beyond that—after all we had been through. The level of trust and comfort between us was part of what made us a good duo, after all. Symbiosis. She was a part of me in a very real way more than a sibling or friend, and whatever form that took was fine by me.

[Want some toast? I’m about to cook and I’m sure we’ll need the energy.]

Clara shook her head. “Already half a loaf down this morning. Another side effect of the crystals is the increased appetite. Oh, so actually, yes, please. Double rations for me.”

[Consider it done. What are you reading?]

I removed my arm from around her so that she could get at the notepad once again. It was a mix of scribbled notes and pages of printed out articles or clippings from books.

“Research on magic runes. Unfortunately, it is more complicated than just reproducing the process of engraving them.” She shrugged. “It’s like a circuit board, but there’s more to it than just wires and electricity. There are elements of intent and intangible energies that aren’t easy for me to replicate.”

[You’ve really taken to this. When did you even have the time to prepare all that?]

“I try to stay a step or two ahead of you at all times,” she said with a smile. “Which is difficult as your legs are longer.”

We turned as Roxy stepped out onto the porch, in her gym wear, with a towel around her neck.

“Up already, gremlin? You did actually get sleep, right?” The super grinned. “The embarrassment didn’t keep you up?”

“Oh, I slept very well, sister. Gunquake knows just the right way to soothe me.”

Roxy rolled her eyes. “By sweeping around your vomit?”

“No, I just… well, should we tell her, Gunquake?” Clara raised an eyebrow at me.

As much as honesty was the best policy, I was leaning toward letting the techie get her claws in. She seemed to have fun being the thorn in Roxy’s side, and I wanted her to be happy. I gave her a shrug, allowing her to play this out as she saw fit.

“What should you tell me?” the super asked.

“Nothing,” Clara said, her all-too-sweet smile visibly eroding at the confidence Roxy had built up. “Oh, check your lens, Gunquake. I have updated your schedule and there may be some… other things I know you’d be interested in looking at.”

[Thank you, that is very efficient.]

She gave me a brief nod. “As your sidekick, it is my job to meet your every need.”

I wasn’t exactly sure that was in the job specification, but the growing ire on Roxy’s face was worth the slight lie. Despite knowing for sure both of us were too immature for it, it had only taken Clara a few lines to sow the seeds once more. Perhaps the super had expected her to be crestfallen that the game was up.

With a nod to the techie, I went to the kitchen to make good on my promise to cook breakfast. Roxy glared at Clara for a few seconds before following along.

“I’ll get your goggles while you cook,” she offered, her eyes still slightly narrowed at me as we walked through the lobby.

[Do you intend to delete the pictures before handing them over?]

“What pictures? There are pictures?” Roxy flexed her hand, looking back out to the garden as if she had x-ray vision.

[It’s adorable how gullible you are.]

“Yeah, yeah.” She simmered down and waved me away. “I realize I've caused her to double down. We’re all playing a role here, to a degree. It’s a bit of fun.” The annoyance wore away to a smile. “She bounced back suspiciously quick, though. Did she... kiss you?”

I nodded.

Roxy looked off to the side and nodded. “That’s cute. Phase two, huh?” She turned and went for the stairs, leaving me a little perplexed.

It seemed there was another game going on in the background that I wasn’t privy to. As long as they were both happy, I couldn’t complain. Given that I was pretty loved-starved until recently, this was rather nice. Maybe dangerous, but as long as any domestic drama didn’t spill into our working lives, then it was acceptable.

Bread in the toaster, I got the eggs out of the fridge as the super returned downstairs with my goggles.

“I didn’t check them. I do trust you, you know.” She helped put them on me as I cracked the first egg into the pan.

[Of course. Oh, there’s an alert from the League.]

“About that prison break. We’re off duty, so we don’t need to worry about it. Even if it is something dire, they’d not want us to intervene, since the group isn’t public yet. Would fuck up our image.” She shrugged and went to sit on one of the stools.

[I suppose they have the S-Ranks if gets that bad. They give any detail on who escaped?]

“Nope. Not to us, anyway.” She shook her head before pointing a finger at me. “You need to focus those wandering eyes on the task at hand, babe. I don’t mean breakfast either. We have five days of freedom before the shit hits the fan for real. Anything you want to do before then, we’ll need to manage our time and rest appropriately.”

[Are you saying this as the squad leader?]

“I’m saying this as the bitch that will tear your limbs off if your reckless streak reappears. Not all of us have your luck in avoiding death.”

I didn’t respond to that, knowing that she was right. As a superhero surrounded by a team, I couldn’t afford to just throw my injured body all over the place—especially if one of them got caught in the crossfire. Instead, I brought up a pending message.

//Stacy: GQ, congratulations.

//Stacy: We will talk in due course.

[I have a message from our manager. A very curt one.]

“Probably knows we plan to go public.” Roxy gave me a humorless smile. “Her daydreams of a millionaire cyborg stallion are shattered.”

I picked up the spatula and shuffled around the frying egg.

[She might still have a chance? Why should I stop at two, when I could have a harem?]

The super ran her tongue across her lips. “Other than you being dead long before that could happen, it’s amusing to imagine introducing you to my parents as my boyfriend… and then here are his six other girlfriends.” She shook her head. “Plus, Clara barely counts as is.”

[She told me about the list. How it says anything is allowed.]

Roxy opened her mouth, a scowl across her brow as if she was about to deny either the existence or contents of said list, but then relaxed. “That’s not the entirety of what it says. It’s she can do anything, as long as she keeps you alive and makes you as strong as me.” She pouted.

My longevity meant more than the exclusivity. I understood it, without her needed to elaborate. I was an odd case of a man melded with both machine and magic. Prone to injuries that would kill most, and Clara was probably one of the few people willing and capable of keeping me in one piece. Roxy wanted an equal. To be an unparalleled duo in all regards.

[Good news then, as our scheduled trip into the wastes is to do just that.]

“Itinerary says the buildings will be arriving this morning. Then she’s blocked me out to set those up for a few hours. Early afternoon the other goofballs are arriving and the rest of the day is ‘treasure hunt’.”

[Mine is the same except I also have a twenty-minute block marked as ‘soft play’ in an hour. The location is… Clara’s bedroom.]

Roxy clicked her tongue. “I think she likes the danger of it, you know? Knowing that I could fly off the handle and pulp her into a puddle. Even though she isn’t going to follow through… that’s only true until she does, right?”

[So… should I click ‘not able to attend’?]

“Motherfucker, I'm not going to validate that with a response.” Her eyes went down to the egg as I slipped it onto a plate atop the toast. “What do you know of the building deliveries?”

[Storage warehouse and medical center. The current two buildings will be Clara’s office and a workshop proper now. Cartridge fabricator arriving tomorrow. I should check in on our mining outpost and see if they have material soon.]

“Mmm,” she said, licking her lips at me rather than the food. “It’s like we’re building an empire.”

Clara stepped into the house and came through into the kitchen, the pair of them staring daggers at each other, even as I passed over a plate of toast to the techie.

[All set for the buildings to arrive?]

“The couriers know to stop outside our protected area, and I have places in mind for them to be erected. I’ll assist Rockslide with that, just in case she needs pointers… on how they should be arranged.”

I could almost feel the heat coming off the super over the cooking right in front of me.

[What position do you want me in?]

Oh, yes. Could definitely feel it now.

“I’d actually like you to study the mecha, if you could, Gunquake. While not an exact science, and you being better equipped for different purposes, I want you to get a feel for the magic and see what your overall thoughts on the machine are.”

[Not a problem. Is there anything you can tell us about the artefact we’ll be hunting?]

“Oh yes,” Clara grinned widely. “Nothing good, however.”

I had a feeling that would be the case.