I stood in the middle of the dining room, the soft wall lighting putting me center stage for this early evening showing of how much I could embarrass myself.

The audience was mulling over my offering. I had said my proposed sidekick name with as much confidence as I could, but now that feeling was waning. A mistake made that couldn’t be unspoken.

“I don’t… hate it.” Roxy furrowed her brow and rubbed at her chin.

“It’s sufficiently over the top, and pairs well with ‘Rockslide’,” Clara agreed. “I can tell you put some thought into it, Mr Dubs.”

[I would still need to get League approval for it to be officiated, though?]

The super shrugged. “Technically, but they very rarely deny a request unless it’s already taken or offensive in some way. Soooo, if you like that, then it’s as good as real.”

[You both sure you think it’s okay?]

The technician leaned back on the case. “Definitely. It’s very… provocative. Promises some hard and heavy violence. Is that why you like it, Rockslide?”

“Ah, oh.” She scrunched up her face. “You lost me there, but no. I think it is a good name, and you’ll always be Dubs to me, no matter what the League wants to call you.”

[I guess it is decided then.]

Gunquake.

The weapon I used, something to tie me thematically to the super, and then all wrapped up in overdone nonsense. I could barely stomach it, yet it felt it had stuck. An etched line to give my new life some measure.

“Before we go into whatever is next on the agenda, Mr Dubs,” Clara began, content enough to continue using my apparent formal name, “I would like to let you know that your Public Defender order has come in, and I was able to acquire a couple of things to replace your breakages during your work.”

[I appreciate that. New goggles, I assume?]

She nodded and brought out a small case from the pile. “Was a pain in the ass to get them in the same green tint, so I had to shell out extra. Plus side is they are a better grade, have the lense tech built in, and are better in low light conditions.”

Case popped open, and she brought them out. I didn’t have any way of taking them from her, so she gestured Roxy over to do the deed.

[Thank you, I will repay you the cost.]

“Hmm.” Her head tilted to the side as she watched the super put the goggles on, resting them on my forehead. “Let’s call it a favor owed? Something I can call in at any time.”

[Ominous, but acceptable.]

Roxy scowled at her. “Better not be anything weird, you little witch.”

Clara stuck her tongue out before looking back at me with a more composed expression. “I also have a new gauntlet. You burned the other one out, and one of the plates was twisted beyond repair.” The green light of her eyes went to my left arm. “We’ll pull it out and slap it on the table when more appropriate. How is your arm now, Mr Dubs?”

I stared at it for a couple of seconds.

[It does not move when requested.]

She nodded and stepped closer to me. Her finger jabbed at the back of my hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, upper arm, and finally shoulder. “Anything?”

[Only shoulder has some dull sensation.]

Clara sucked at her teeth and gave me a shrug. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d accuse you of have regeneration super powers. Your recovery is between three and five times quicker than baseline human, on average. Stims account for a lot, but not all of that. I will be honest, Mr Dubs, and tell you it is too soon to say whether you need either amputation or invasive synapse surgery.”

[Understood. I appreciate the candor.]

Turned my gaze to see the worry on Roxy’s face. I had made light of tearing my arm off to replace with more cybernetics, but with that becoming something closer to reality, it wasn’t something either of us wanted. Couldn’t be helped at this stage, but perhaps Boss had some shady doctors on call that could help somehow.

“I’m exhausted as hell,” the super complained. “Already almost fell asleep when we were…” Her gaze went over to the techie. “Are you staying over, Clara?”

[Too late, I’ve moved in and stolen the spare room.]

She narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “You sneaky bastard, Mr Dubs. Then I shall take the couch.”

Roxy just looked thankful she hadn’t blurted out that we had been briefly cuddling earlier. We had the rules of the duel to follow, and knowing that Clara had been coaching the super on how to defeat me, we didn’t want to undermine her efforts. Just the mere thought of fighting filled me with excited anticipation.

My left hand tensed and relaxed.

“Oh!” Clara emoted my thoughts exactly. “Something got you all excited there, Mr Dubs? Dare I ask?”

[Hmm.]

I tried to flex my hand again, but nothing happened. Some… minor ache as if it remembered the notion, but that was it.

[Actually, I would like a brief stroll. Some fresh air would be nice - if you could put my goggles down Roxy, I probably have messages to catch up with.]

“Of course.” Her brow was furrowed, but she did as I had asked. “You want some company on your walk?”

[No, but thank you. I shall not stray far.]

The green hue of my new goggles was comforting, although I had grown used to my normal sight. I gave the women a nod as I excused myself and watched the lense pair with my STAR system. Out of the Dead Zone and through the hall - before outdoors. A breeze rustle through the night air, cooling my bare feet and parts of my torso not bandaged up.

Grass lawn was delightful to walk over, the rough dirt and loose gravel of the rest of the wastelands not so much. Yet, my feet continued to take me down to the training dummies.

I stood in the middle of them and took one deep breath. Lense wasn’t active yet.

Eyes narrowed, and I lashed out at the closest dummy, twisting into a kick at one of the arms of the next, before clicking the trigger. Imaginary block, to push, head-strike, and turn and fire. Paused as pain ran up and down my body… including my upper left arm.

Burst into combat again. Knee and then elbow. Fire. Turn, deflect, shoulder, and fire.

Imagined the dummies having the faces of the Five Eyes. Movement became more pointed and direct. An anger drove me to work against them with greater fervor. I felt the lump of something mentally - a manifested button almost.

I hit it and Reflex kicked in. The positioning of each dummy became clearer as my eyesight focused. Chamber clacked back and forth at speed as I imagined dumping a whole mag in quick succession. Had already loaded in a pretend mag with my left at the same time as launching a couple of melee strikes and I…

My left hand hovered in the air outside of the sling, waiting for its next instruction.

Reflex wore off, and that’s when the pain hit.

Dropped to my knees, unable to handle the sharp burning sensation that engulfed the inside of my arm. Pressed my gun-arm against it, but that did little to assist. Stims washed through and I got some slight relief. Exhaled the lungful of air I had been holding.

Footsteps fast approaching and Roxy calling me a few different names. None of them were Gunquake, which I was thankful for. Wasn’t long before they’d dragged me back inside and sat me down on the sofa.

The super stood with a scowl on her face, hands on her hips. Clara was leaning over me, some eye-wear on, and a tool in her grip that she was using to prod my left arm. Some movement had returned, but it was still near agony to use it normally.

“Very interesting,” she denoted, her eyes lingering on mine before she sat back. “Don’t get excited, though, Mr Dubs. Fighting doesn’t magically heal you.” The small device gently tapped at the side of my neck, indicating my Reflex. “You seem to be able to override the body’s natural safety measures that tell you to stop ripping yourself apart.”

[So my arm is just as damaged, I’m just forcing through the trauma and recovery to have it function on a basic level?]

“I believe so. You are essentially gambling that you can either regain control of your injured parts, at the risk of potentially causing them further destruction.”

Roxy shook her head. “I don’t like the sound of that. Dubs is the last person we want gambling when it comes to his safety.”

[When have you ever known me to lose?]

Her fierce glare was answer enough, and I wondered if I was about to be cut into pieces with eye-lasers.

Seemed to me like part of my super soldier strength was being able to push my body beyond what it should be capable of. I was starting to get the impression that the old life I had created for had a decent amount of pain within it as well. Any potential advantage eked out from my mortal form, in hopes I could get the upper hand against whatever super powered foe I was put up against.

[Perhaps I should turn in for the night so as to not cause myself any further trouble.]

“I am also at my limits,” Clara admitted. “Life has certainly been interesting with you around, Mr Dubs. Why don’t you go tuck him in, Rockslide?”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

The super flipped her off before gesturing with her head. “Come on then, you pain in the ass. I’d better make sure you don’t break your ankles going up the stairs.”

[I appreciate your guidance and protection. Goodnight, Clara.]

“Rest well, Mr Dubs.”

And just like that, Roxy was following me up the stairs. To the right and into the spare room, although she stopped at the door to lean against the frame. I stepped over to the bed and looked around. Was already clean and in reasonable sleepwear - there wasn’t much else for me to do other than get under the covers. Other than being rather chuffed that I was about to spend another night in a real bed, ongoing if I played my cards right.

I turned to give her a nod.

[No second thoughts?]

“Nah. There will be some growing pains… but we’ll discuss the details tomorrow. If you’re for sure moving in, you’ll want to bring some stuff over.”

[Is it strange that we are trying to keep a cordial separation, even knowing how close a bond is developing between us?]

She stared at me blankly for a few seconds before pulling a face. “In some ways, sure. But we also haven’t known each other long, and I’d rather we had some kind of normality that doesn’t revolve around violence.”

[A great point that I agree with.]

“Fantastic.” She smiled and relaxed. “You know, for as much as I love to be a good host, I’d normally be excited about having two guests over. Can’t even get up early to make either of you a decent breakfast or coffee, though.”

[Is there a health reason for Clara’s dietary choices?]

“No, she’s just a little weird. I have no clue how she remains healthy and functional.” Roxy pushed herself away from the doorframe. “Well, I’m going to turn in as well. Just shout if you need me to help with your body. The… pain and stuff, I mean.”

[Night, Roxy.]

She hid her flush cheeks as she pulled the door closed, leaving me with a “Night, Gunquake” just before it clicked in place.

I hit the light and got in to bed. Lense was updated, so I could access all my things again, even with my unresponsive arm. Just before I dug into the flashing notifications, I focused on my arm. I could wiggle my fingers and lift it slightly, but it felt as though the muscle was tearing from the bone. With a sigh, it relaxed, and I hit my messages.

Boss: Received word of your exploits.

Boss: Didn’t mention it before, but there was a bonus for getting rid of the whole Five Eyes.

Boss: You’re becoming quite the unexpected powerhouse, Agent W.

Boss: Check in when you’re able. We have things to discuss.

Didn’t feel much like checking in at present. It could wait until morning. Checked my bank balance. For getting a full house, I’d earned another twenty-five thousand. Worth almost dying and the potential long-term nerve damage?

The truth coming to light was perhaps the greater prize.

I wanted to spend a chunk of it straight away, something unlike me. Hal was a few clicks away, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted or needed. To live, sure. But what material possessions would smooth out that process? Maybe I’d decide after the moving-in chat with Roxy tomorrow. Part of me still didn’t quite believe that I would be living in the super’s house that had dropped in from nowhere.

And that she wasn’t that annoying anymore.

Pulled the covers over me and listened to her turn the bathroom light off before going to her room. Door closed with a muffled click. Silence. There was still some amount of discomfort within me, with this space not only being much more comfortable than I was used to, alongside it being in the same house as Roxy.

Best to keep your friends close, and enemies closer.

I daydreamed about ways in which I could dismantle different types of super powers, until sleep finally took me.

A knock at the door soon moved me from a dreamless sleep in what felt like only seconds later, daylight causing me disorientation once again at my unfamiliar location.

[Come in.]

“Just me, Dubs.” Roxy pushed the door open, toothbrush in the side of her mouth while her hands were full. “Got you fresh suits and boots.” She placed them on top of the wooden drawers opposite the end of the bed and turned back to me. The oversized salmon colored sweatshirt she was wearing was probably what paired with the tracksuit pants that I still had on.

[Appreciate it. Did I oversleep?]

“Eh. You need the rest.” She shrugged and started back off to the door. “Clara has already set off for work, and my evening shift has been pulled forward to go over the aftermath of your bullshit.”

[Apologies.]

“Hassle, but I prefer working in the day. Clara is busy this evening, so I don’t know what you want to do? I guess you’re not working either?”

[Very unlikely.]

“Good. Well, have a think and if you come up with something - give me a message.”

I nodded, still in the process of waking up, and she closed the door behind her as she left. Now I was in charge of social activities. Well, my normal default of blowing holes in supposed bad-guys probably wouldn’t go over so well as a suggestion. Especially with my current health.

In saying that, I lifted my left hand up. There was a residual ache that left my muscles weak - but I could move it to an almost normal degree. Not quite healed, but I could at least get myself dressed. The rest of me was… acceptable. A little rough, but I could fight if needed. Or… just have a calm day.

Agent W: Alive. Will need time to recover.

Would be a little rude to not clue Boss in, even as my mood toward him was cooling off. If I didn’t win the employee of the month award for the Five Eyes contract, then I’d be worried about what other monsters he had on the roster. Maybe some actual supers or villains? Other recovered members of my squad?

I grunted and peeled away the bandages encircling the majority of my torso. My skin had been burned in places from the vampire’s blast attack, but had mostly healed. Oddly enough, the fresh skin seemed to have removed some of my older scars. Maybe I was just all scar now.

Got into my super suit and pushed on my boots. They had become comforting now. I wondered how similar it was to what I would have worn before. Well, had two arms back then, so somewhat different.

Looked out of the side window. There was my little shack and my bike. Latter was scratched and dented, ruining the new paint job it had just received. Suited my aesthetic even more now. Any further thoughts about who brought it back here were interrupted by a message from Boss.

Boss: Understandable. Take whatever time you need.

Boss: There may be some low stakes contracts if you want to warm up before we resume.

Boss: How are things developing with the League?

Agent W: Currently awaiting sidekick trials before they take me on officially.

Boss: Excellent. Playing along with the agents they sent to soften you up?

Agent W: My charisma is almost as potent as my gun-arm.

Boss: I don’t doubt that for a second. Stay sharp, Agent W… and be wary.

Narrowed my eyes and exhaled as I closed the Chat down. There was some element of believability to the fact that Roxy and Clara were just here to sink their fangs in for the League. Would be simple. A lonely man that needed companionship who could be wooed by their cordial advances. The super had even said the organization wanted her to do that. The thing that she was doing.

Pessimism was an ugly thing, and it would be easy for me to distrust the pair.

But I counted on my instincts. At least I trusted them more than I trusted Boss.

Red dot on my lense told me our observer was on shift. Clara hadn’t specified how exactly we were being tracked or listened to, but I’d play it safe all the same. Made the bed and tidied away my bandages, before I left the room to head downstairs.

Found Roxy in the kitchen, leaning over the counter to idly watch the wasteland out of the front window as she spooned through another tub of ice-cream.

[And you decry Clara’s diet.]

She shot me a glance before scowling. “I eat other things too. You just catch me at inopportune times. How’s the arm?”

I lifted it and flexed my fingers to show off.

[Weak but functional.]

“Amazing. I trust you’ll not be doing anything too rigorous with it today? I know you’re an adult, but I have this worry that left to your own devices, you’re gonna get fucked up before I get back home.”

[I wouldn’t dare. In fact, I was considering changing career to something more peaceful.]

Roxy rolled her eyes and stood up straight. “Enough with the bullshit.” Spoon went into the sink as she returned the ice-cream to the freezer. “Sorry, I’m a little grouchy today. Nothing you’ve done. Clara has been pestering me to turn a room into a workshop, and I sarcastically said she might as well move in too - and she took that and ran with it.”

[Want me to talk with her?]

“No, but thanks.” She gave me a wry smile. “I’m pretty sure she is just winding me up, or just setting me up so that she’ll lower her request back to just the workshop and I’ll accept the ‘compromise’.”

The prospect of a workshop did sound very useful. I would imagine that the technician either didn’t have the room wherever she lived at present, nor had the funds to get the right sort of equipment for her plans. I wouldn’t rock the boat on that venture, but would support whoever won out. Roxy didn't exactly have the room to host two maniacs, and it was her home.

“This might be rude, Dubs.” Roxy pulled a face. “But, with Clara’s tuition… if she did pass, you are able to fund it, right?”

[Correct.]

She nodded slowly. “Hmm. We joked, but I didn’t realize you were that flush. I suppose it won’t be long until you get some cybernetics replaced?”

Although her eyes stared at my arm, they clearly switched to my neck and re-breather before she had even finished the sentence.

[No. At least, not to the degree that I would find acceptable.]

The super continued the slow nod, albeit with a little less enthusiasm. “Putting her before yourself? Sometimes I can hardly believe you’re that smelly murderhobo we dug out from under your misery rock.”

A rather poetic statement from her, but she had a point. They had prodded me about my apparent good qualities, and I wondered whether that been me all along, or the old me resurfacing had a few positive traits that were coming back.

[Not entirely selfless, as I am sure you can imagine the benefit of having her train to better patch me up. She is remarkably keen on getting me further upgrades.]

“True… Oh, Clara did say you can open the red box in the dining room, and the stuff wrapped in brown paper - but nothing else. Assured me that she would know if you did. Other than that, don’t go into my room… or the basement, and you’re peachy.”

[Should I be concerned that I’m not allowed to see the basement?]

“It’s just my gym shit, and I get unreasonably pissy if someone touches that. Nothing personal.”

It was now my life’s goal to see what was in the basement.

[Understood. Are you on duty after your meetings?]

She shook her head. “I fucking wish. There’s another meeting after that because my little group of assholes hasn’t found a fifth member yet.”

I slowly raised my eyebrows.

“Nooo, no fucking way, Dubs. You’ve barely started eating shit as a sidekick.”

[Plus I don’t have super powers.]

“I mean…” Roxy closed her eyes. “It’s not impossible. There are tech-based supers, of course. But you’d not only have to do a whole other bunch of League testing bullshit… but to get a place in the team, you’d need each other member to vouch for you.”

[I am already a quarter of the way there, then.]

“Don’t.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t accept you running around kissing their asses. I swear this stress and ice-cream will be the death of me. Just… take a bath, play with your new toys, and chill out for a day without getting into fresh ways of fucking yourself up, okay?”

[In the interest of not annoying you further, I will look after myself.]

“Good.” She stepped over to go past me, but stopped to pat me on the arm. “Although I give you shit for being too agreeable, knowing when to diffuse my bad moods will be key to us working well together. As super and sidekick.”

I nodded as she continued off out of the room and up the stairs. Probably to go and get ready to go into the city - the lines were far enough apart for me to read between them easily. I walked over to the sink and looked down at the discarded spoon. Hit the tap on and rinsed the utensil off, before putting it on the side.

Fully domesticated.

Rather than dither about and wait for the super to leave, I went back out and into the dining room. It was already partially a workshop with all the cases around the edges and a wide bed in the center. I could see why Roxy might be annoyed at that, especially if she ever needed to have other guests over. Clara and I had all but taken over her house, almost.

On the left side as I entered were my packages from Public Defender and the red case. Next to this was the longer and wider case of my new gauntlet - which I had been explicitly asked not to use or open just yet. A lot of trust was being put in me doing as they asked, but given they had saved my life twice, it didn’t seem so bad to obey.

First package had six more ten-mags, the most efficient size for a weapon of this type. To add to this, there were a handful of double-stacked mag pouches to attach to my belt. While my hit jobs never used to require such firepower, the superhero work paid to be best prepared for protracted battles - and I could diversify my ammunition.

There were a few more things that I hadn’t ordered, that Clara must have added. A small red dot sight for the top of my gun, which seemed redundant, but looked nice. There was also a sling, which… I’m unsure why she got that. Didn’t even have sling attachment points, let alone a need to hang my gun-arm up. I’d have to ask her.

Allowed myself to be distracted by an errant thought for a second and brought up my STAR. Arm ached to be held up in this way, but was survivable. Searched around for a specific business, checked the prices, made the order. That was pretty much all my Five Eyes money spent, and I was sure to get in trouble with at least one of my two friends - but I was willing to weather that storm.

Took my eyes to the red case. Time to see what Clara had gotten me now.

Unclipped the front and opened it gently, and there was a note on top. Lifting it up revealed a set of six circles of polished metal. The end-caps of shotgun shells.

Dear Mr Dubs, the note said, please test the following custom made shell variants.

This is just a hint of what we will be capable of.