For a few moments, I felt anew.
The attempt at being a ‘normal’ person had lasted about as long as could be expected. Would be difficult to imagine it could have ended other way. Now I stood in the middle of a cracked street, eyes of civilians all around me, bathed in sunlight, and soaked through with my own blood.
But standing beside the super who had come to my rescue had shuffled some old memories. Nothing detailed, but the water had become murkier as sediment rose from whatever was covered deep within my old life.
Didn’t have the time to wait for things to settle so I could get a clearer picture. Still surrounded by the gang who wanted to whip and stab me to death, we had come to an impasse where they weren’t keen on Roxy stepping in to make it more of a fairer fight. Well, that scale had shifted dramatically to the other side with her appearance.
Even though we were standing back to back, I could feel the confidence radiating from her posture. Her shadow showed that she had her fists up, ready to brawl. She could tear the thugs apart as if they were made of wet cardboard, but she had to restrain herself for the League. Subdue and arrest.
She had called me her sidekick when landing, so I’d play along for now. This was her world and her job, so a good friend would support her. I waited for her lead.
Also, the blood loss was starting to tire me.
“I’m actually ahead of my quota this month,” she broke the silence, “so I only need to arrest… four of you.”
The supposed leader was still out cold with a pen through his knee, so that made him an easy mark. For the rest of the seven gang members, it was a little more difficult. They tensed up and looked between each other, not wanting to be the ones to be left behind - but Roxy hadn’t explicitly said what would happen to the others. Indecision had them panicked and frozen.
In her position, I might have let four run. Beating up or killing gang members didn’t really further any of my goals. But I had a role to play here as well.
[Perhaps we can arrest four each then. I could do with the extra credit.]
“Hmm. Yeah, alright - that’s a deal.” Her posture relaxed and her arm gestured to the curb. “Weapons down and everyone go sit there. I’m allowed to subdue anyone who resists, and that includes breaking one or both legs.”
A clatter of objects dropped to the street around us as the gang members played ball. I relaxed too, but kept an eye on those closest as they moved out from their circle and went to sit in a line. I turned to Roxy, and she gave me a brief nod and smile before going over to the group of men. Two of them moved the leader’s inert form, which was handy.
While the super called in for collection, I went around and gathered up the weapons. Not an easy task with one hand, but after removing my shredded shirt, I used it to bundle up the whips while my belt held the handful of knives.
I turned as Roxy walked back up to me, the gang members tied up by the ankles and wrists already.
“Well, that shirt didn’t even last half a day.”
[I apologize.]
She shook her head and sighed. “It’s fine. You okay though? Some nasty looking gouges in that torso of yours.” Her eyes ran over me, full of concern, as she gestured for me to turn around.
[Probably would have died if you didn’t show up. So, thank you.]
“You’re not seriously telling me you would have let those punks end you after everything else you’ve been through? You didn’t have any non-lethal ammo at least?”
I shook my head and turned back to face her. Placing the gathered weapons on the ground, I used my left hand to lift my goggles up so she could see my eyes.
[No. I brought nothing with me in an attempt to live like a regular guy.]
“Oh, don’t.” She waved a hand at me and turned to look down the street. “I feel guilty enough without those big puppy-dog eyes.”
[There’s no need to feel guilty. Today has been perfect, there was bound to be some rough patches on my route to a glow up.]
“Yeah, yeah.” She crossed her arms and turned back to me. “Listen, I’ll finish things up here so you can get back home and… hey, go take a bath and get cleaned up, okay? I won’t be back for an hour or so, and I trust you not to do any weird shit.”
[May I use the bubble juice?]
“Of course.” She rolled her eyes, but smiled. “You are a weird one. But, hey - the reason I was tracking you down in the first place…” Roxy pulled and face and took a deep breath. “Well, League wants to give you the actual sidekick route.”
I nodded slowly. Seems as though my performance in the clone factory had been decent enough despite almost dying. That said, they weren’t looking at me as they would any other provisional helping-hand. They saw me as a figure of interest for my past and my connection to Boss. This was just their way of getting their claws in.
“You don’t have to give me an answer now. Go think about it. Maybe we can decide tomorrow?” Her face relaxed again, perhaps looking forward to our hanging-out time with Clara.
[Do you want me to be your sidekick?]
“Oh.” Her eyebrows raised. “I mean, I think I would be beneficial for the both of us.”
[Not quite a ‘yes’, but I’ll take it.]
Before she could raise a response, I lowered my goggles and started back off toward my bike. After all, a bath was calling to me.
It was still where I left it, considerably unharmed, given that it seemed to be a focal point for every gang’s ire at this point. As much as Clara said I could lean on her for help whenever, I didn’t want to seem needy - especially as this new venture had a lot of start-up costs.
Agent W: Have any contacts for vehicle modification? Stole a gang bike that needs at least a repaint.
Boss: Will drop you the info within the hour.
I’d let Boss know about my upgrade to trial-sidekick from provisional-sidekick after tomorrow’s meeting with the two women. I was bound to accept and play along with the League’s game, but the exact details of that arrangement would need to be worked out before I could sign off.
Bike hummed into life and I set away, one last glance at the super standing by the captured thugs just as the twinkle of cop's lights sparked down the other end of the street.
Now covered with blood and whip-wounds, I looked more of a horror show as I traced my way back through the city. Cybernetics on full display, it was perhaps only by luck that I didn’t run into more figures of authority on the way out - but soon enough the dust of the outer border started to sting at my wounds. Somehow enough to prompt my stims to flood my system again.
Rolled up to my yard and switched off.
Sat there for a moment taking stock of the two houses, and thinking over what I had achieved today.
Even once I had gotten any drop of gang affliction squeezed from the vehicle, I couldn’t trust reality enough to let me go unarmed again. Perhaps I’d just have to do most of my business at night, like usual.
With enough thinking done for now, I stepped away from the bike and went over to Roxy’s house. Across the soft grass to the path, onto the wooden porch, and then I stood in front of the door.
Felt odd to go in when she wasn’t here, but I had permission. Hand tried the handle, and it was unlocked. Stepped in and closed the door behind me. So quiet. Eyes went to the kitchen on my left, before the lounge on the right. Shrugged to myself and hit the stairs. As much as part of me was curious as to how she had a basement, she had also put trust in me that I wouldn’t do anything weird.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
I wasn’t about to sully our fledgling friendship by digging around where I didn’t belong.
At the top of the stairs, I could see her bedroom, the door slightly ajar. Probably had an actual bed in it. I paused and tried to imagine how good the sleep must be in a fresh, clean, and not-directly-on-the-floor bed. Room to the right that was closed, no indication what it was for. Some minor debris on the floor here, up against the walls from where she had burst through previously.
Pushed through into the bathroom ahead of me, wondering how she had that hole patched up already. Closed the door and hit the taps. Bottle of ‘bubble bath’ on the side of the sink. Such an obvious name for the magical liquid, I should have guessed. Squeezed way too much of it into the stream of hot water.
Stripped down and removed my goggles. Entered the steaming water and turned the taps off. Heat was painful at first—especially on my healing wounds—but was soothing once I got used to it. Muscles relaxed and, against all odds, I felt at peace. Closed my eyes and tried to think back to a time where I could smile.
Opened them again, and furrowed my brow. Turned my head slowly to the side.
Roxy was standing at the door, leaning on the frame with her arms crossed.
“Not a big deal, Dubs. Was just worried you’d died for a second.”
[I must have been worse off than I thought, to have fallen asleep so easily.]
“Well, you earned it - half those dudes had active warrants already, so I got a little pat on the back for taking them in.” She stood up straight and gestured over to the counter beside the sink. “Good news is your suit is all clean and repaired.”
There it was, the green fabric sitting in a tidy pile, ready for me.
“I was about to have lunch since it’s afternoon, then I’m back out for work. You got plans for the rest of the day?”
[I’m sure I will find a way to busy myself.]
There wasn’t really much I could do, save for heal up and recover.
[What happens if I accept the League’s offer?]
Roxy tilted her head to the side. “They’ll give us some trials, but they aren’t… tests, as such. It’s all live, on-duty type work that we’d have to do together and not fuck up.”
[I’ll make a note of that.]
“Depending on what’s going on in the city, we could be given a trial immediately or not for weeks. I’ve made the request that we have an active operator for when we work…”
[Clara?]
“Yeah. It’s not something she does often, but they were pleased with how she helped us before. They wanted to give me some other asshole, but I was insistent that the familiarity between us would be a benefit and not get in the way of the job.”
[And to think, we’ll only get more familiar with each other in time.]
Roxy rolled her eyes and pulled the door closed gradually. “I just can’t even, sometimes.”
As the bathroom door clicked shut, I wondered if perhaps I was outstaying my welcome. While the super purported to like being an affable host, she probably wasn’t expecting her murderous neighbor slash sidekick to be taking naps in her bath for hours.
I sighed as I stood, allowing the water and what remained of the bubbles to run off of me. Had managed to keep my gun-arm dry, and the stims had done a decent job of healing over my wounds already. With one last forlorn look at the slice of paradise I—for some reason—adored, I turned my gaze around the room to find a towel.
Without warning, the bathroom door then opened up.
“One last thing- ohhh nooo.” Roxy’s head sunk back out of sight, the door closing once more. There was a thunk on the wall nearby.
[Are you alright?]
“Just dying of embarrassment.”
Oh, the towel had fallen over the other side of the cabinet. I reached down to pick it up and set about drying myself off.
[How about you tell me when I come down fully dressed?]
“…Okay.”
I could have told her that she should have knocked, but I might be on thin ice right now and didn’t want to jeopardize my chance of getting further baths. That was clearly the most important point right now. Pulled my goggles back on right after my compression shorts.
Boss had sent the details over for the bike spray and repair business. Gave me a codeword to use to access their more ‘discreet’ service. Definitely felt I needed that at present. Also missed a few messages from Roxy telling me she was coming home for lunch and asking if I was okay when I hadn’t responded.
With a little more practice, I entered my super suit with fewer struggles than before. I was coming to prefer it to my old way of dressing - and the trouble outside Hal’s shop would have gone a little differently if I was properly prepared. If I became a sidekick, I’d be wearing this all the time, pretty much.
Thus, the question circled my mind.
And… there wasn’t really any use deliberating the answer. In truth, my life had been washed away from the depths and I was stranded on shore. Sun was scouring away the grime I had thought was just the right way to exist, only to find that I could be more with a little spit and polish. As much as I had felt content with the simple life of a contract killer, I was learning to have an appetite for more. To fly closer to the sun even if I burned up sooner.
Opened up the bathroom door and the super was no longer in her landing-based grave. Stepped down the stairs to find her looking rather mortified in the kitchen, her eyes trying to stare beams through the lunch she was preparing rather than look at me.
[What was it you wanted to say?]
“I… ah, forgot. Probably not that important, huh?” She grimaced at the half-prepared sandwich.
I let her stew for a moment until it looked like she might start squirming for me to leave. Considering she was fire resistant, it looked as though she was burning up at present. I’d show her a little mercy.
[Don’t worry. I trust that you would not judge me, or at least you’d know to keep your yapper shut.]
She shot me a glare, not expecting I’d reflect the words said to me this morning back at her. I was already stepping over to the front door, and didn’t catch whatever expression followed the initial look.
Opened the door and took a step though.
[Oh, and I will become your sidekick. You can tell the League.]
Closed the door behind me and walked as quickly to my house as I could so she couldn’t come interject. This was the trajectory of my existence now, and I had accepted it. More power, more friends, more danger, and… a life that I actually lived. As much as my present was murky with the fog of the past, I was working toward a clear future.
Or the comfort of a shallow grave, whichever came first.
Made it inside my shack before the super had second thoughts and gave me the quick death I deserved. It was gloomy and miserable, but I wasn’t planning on spending long in here.
I had plans. A hobby to aspire to improve at.
Replaced my cannister with a fresh one as I loaded up my STAR and searched for gym equipment. Oh, even better. Training dummies. Hard wearing and weather resistant. I copied the ID and sent over the details to Hal.
Dubs: Four of these, coordinates to follow.
Hal: No problem, sah. Will send over invoice - when d’ya want the delivery?
Dubs: Tomorrow evening?
Hal: Will check with the runner.
First task - get the coordinates for my deliveries. I stood and drummed my fingers on my gun-arm, trying to decide. Originally, delivery to my home had the issue of giving my location out to potentially anyone. If I got things dropped off further away, it would be safer - but more difficult to get bulkier objects back here.
I decided on the safer option. Would be better to get a trailer or something for the bike, than to invite malady on both myself and Roxy. We already had enough on our plates.
Second task - exercise. Back out into the sunshine, I flexed my neck from side to side. I’d been getting by just from my apparent super soldier abilities, but if I wanted to keep up with an actual superhero, I’d need to be in much better form. Long a weapon of death, I needed to sharpen my edge.
One deep breath and then I started running. A soft jog at first, that increased to a pace I was comfortable with. Ran out to the inside perimeter of our sensors and then turned to travel in a rough circle inside our safe zone. Lungs contested this constant use of power, disagreeing with some of my cybernetics. Just some discomfort that I needed to push through.
Halfway through my second lap, I caught the orange blob of Roxy standing in her garden with hands on her hips. She must have noticed I caught her watching as she leaped away to go to the city in short order after that.
Afternoon sun had me sweating, the super suit doing well at wicking heat away, but yet I continued. Unsure what a normal amount of running should be for an average man, I started getting suspicious at my own efficiency once I hit the two-hour mark.
Slowed to a stop and put my hand on my knee, re-breather whirring back and forth as I sought to regain my breath. Legs were aching and tired. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and glared at the wastes.
I was glad that Roxy was out working, as she would not be pleased with what I was about to do.
Knife into my left hand, I stabbed myself in the right shoulder just before the cyborg arm started. Pain and then stims flushed through me. Knife away and I started running again.
Turns out that my actual hobby was being self-destructive.
I ran for another three hours using this method. A mess of sweat and muscle cramps by the end. Stims complaining from overuse. Day one was successful, so I took my shaking body over to my bike and whirred off into the haze of dusk. Rolled until the houses were out of sight and found a cluster of rocks that seemed like a good enough landmark.
Dubs: Sending over drop location. Is it possible VM can deliver a trailer as well?
Hal: Coords received. That shouldn’t be an issue - extra charge, of course.
Dubs: Naturally, let me send you over the details.
Spent a good five minutes in my STAR looking up different sizes of trailers to find something big enough to carry large items, but that my bike would have no issue pulling. Settled on something and sent it to Hal, who forwarded me an Invoice. Paid it. Delivery confirmed.
Now that was living.
My mental hand hovered over closing the STAR down. I’d gone years without really spending anything or checking my credit balance. Nothing had been declined, so Boss must have been paying me - he wouldn’t get away with not. But just how much did I have now?
Enough for a house? For higher grade cybernetic parts? Could I buy a new face?
Odd thoughts. My lack of mouth hadn’t been an inconvenience in my work so far. I didn’t look like a hero, but did I need to? I felt conflicted, especially when thinking about Roxy now being in the picture, but wasn’t sure why. Clara would no doubt ask if I wanted a hand attachment instead of a shotgun, and my answer would be to decline that. So why the fence sitting on my upper cybernetics?
To distract myself from these turmoil-inducing questions, I decided to look at my bank balance.
The digits rotated into place, hovering in my lense. I took a deep breath and read them slowly once more.
Bike whirred into life.
Tomorrow’s meeting was certainly going to be an interesting one.