The elf’s question hung in the air. A request for the truth. Who I was and what I was really up to. I shuffled uneasily and turned my gaze to Clara. She looked equally as uncomfortable, but her eyes suggested she trusted my judgement. Or rather, that’s what I choose to read from them, anyway.
I sighed and looked back at Wren, who hadn’t budged an inch.
[I’m sure you understand this is not information easily given.]
She relaxed and sat more comfortably in her chair. “Naturally. You turned up out of nowhere, and now you’re kicking the group into proper order - even becoming a super yourself. That should provoke alarm bells in most.”
Despite being very aloof and distracted throughout the housewarming party, she seemed very comfortable and calm at present. In her element, perhaps.
[It seems unwise to put all my cards on the table from the outset.]
Wren smiled. “Good. I entirely agree. If you were to vomit out all your secrets just because someone you had only met once asked, then I’d never trust you.”
[Yet you know there is something of value within me?]
“The group has been… languishing.” She exhaled and flicked a switch on her table. Over on the left side, one of the large screens of data flickered away to show her bow hidden behind it. Set in a rectangular alcove as if on display - but the weapon was hovering of its own accord. “Four generations since my artefact weapon was last used as more than an ornament. My parents turned their noses up at the idea of me using it, so in a small act of rebellion, I went ahead and signed up as a hero.”
The elf lingered on it for a couple of seconds before turning her bright blue eyes back to us. “I was born, raised, and educated to sit in this very chair and run this business.”
[Do you dislike it?]
With a shrug, she shook her head. “It would be like asking if you dislike breathing. At times, it is stressful and all-consuming, but it is as much a part of me as my heritage is. The trouble is, everything has a cost. As much as I adore having the hero side as a hobby, it is neither time efficient, nor generating any worth. Without the team, I’d likely give up… there are no C-Rank teams.”
[We’re lagging, certainly, but we’re not in last place. We have time to improve.]
Clara cleared her throat. “Actually, we are the bottom of B-Rank currently.”
The elf took over. “If you consider the S-Rank team separate entirely, then there are ten groups between top A and bottom B. We were seventh for a time, but losing our fifth member and being unable to find a new one in so long slowly brought us down to ninth. With Roy’s suspension and Roxy on rest leave, we’re now last place in the rankings.”
Things were more dire than I had realized. If we flubbed our regrouping, then the League would cut us off and find another group to build up from the solo B-Rank and high C-Rank heroes. My brain took a few steps backward.
[You had a fifth member previously?]
“But we aren’t saying his name,” Clara interjected. “For the safety of everyone.”
Wren rolled her eyes as the other shoe dropped for me. “You can understand my caution then, with our leader dating another group member.”
[I wasn’t aware.]
Unfortunately, that made it much easier to find out who he was.
“For what it’s worth, we all took her side. The guy had a decent mask, but couldn't always hide that he was a douche.” The elf gave me a glum smile. “Would have been better career-wise to dump Roxy after he put her through the wringer, but for all her faults, we know Roxy isn’t a shithead. It was the start of the end, however. She stopped leading, and the rest of us started putting in less effort. And then… you appeared. The League was interested in this odd and rather smelly cyborg.”
[I’ve learned to bathe regularly since then.]
“If it weren’t for the cybernetic parts, I’d assume you were a different person. Even then, however, you put yourself on the line to defend Roxy.” Her head tilted. “And now you’ve even cured Roy of his rabies. I’m… honestly interested in your angle.”
[You couldn’t find out from spying on me?]
Wren pulled a face. “It’s not exactly spying. I collate available data so that I can make informed decisions, but there’s not a detective agency in the city that would take on the job of digging up info on a hero. League is pretty strict on privacy. Last thing they want is paranoid supers.”
I exchanged a glance with Clara. While I certainly felt as though the League had their eyes on me, I was somewhat comforted in believing that we shouldn’t have to worry about someone sniffing around our house. Whether the League thought they could get away with sending someone like Silhouette was an entirely different matter.
[Much like you, I sought control.]
She sat in silence for a few moments, an eyebrow slightly raising. Eventually, a coy smile emerged at the edge of her mouth, and she shook her head. “Think you have me sussed out there? You’re right on the money, if you excuse the pun. I am constantly going over the numbers, maintaining a close eye on every minute factor of the business. Both businesses. Even now, I have a screen to the side warning me if any fluctuations occur.”
[But you don’t need to, right?]
“Of course not.” Her smile sunk away. “It’s a compulsion. This is my purpose in life, and so I want to be perfect at it. I am great at it. But there’s no…” She waved her hand in the air.
[There’s no medal you get for being enough.]
Wren rubbed the bridge of her nose. “You’re starting to sound like my therapist now. But sure. Being the best isn’t a tangible goal that has an end. At some point, the money and success doesn’t mean anything, yet I still want more.”
[You have no business partners or executives you could trust with most of the management? Your husband?]
“My husband would be the perfect match for a small bakery or family run florist. Nothing but a soft sack of good intention. You ever see the viral videos of racoons trying to wash candy floss in water? That’s my husband.” She sighed and sunk into the chair further. “I love him, but despite being raised to inherit a similar position as I was, he doesn’t function in this lifestyle.”
I was silent for a moment. She seemed to be processing something in her mind, eyes not really focused our way. Perhaps she would be happier, both in her work life and with her partner if they did have that more simple life. But she couldn’t give this up and let down her parents, or the expectations she held for herself.
[Do all your business meetings go this way?]
Her bright blue eyes switched back to me, and she smiled again. “As superheros, if we are to fight alongside each other, there’s an element of trust involved. You’ve been working through us with a pickaxe and shovel to expose our flaws, but in time you would have learned them eventually. The others know I’m a control freak. They say I’m the most level-headed, but that’s mostly because people are ingrained in being accepting of capitalistic traits.”
[The other two I had to almost die to win them over. So far, this has been a more pleasant experience - so perhaps you’re right.]
“Even if you didn’t come here for money, my commendation is still an investment.” She shuffled herself back up to a more business-proper position. “Of my time and efforts.”
[I’m sure you are aware Roxy has unearthed further power and is driven to become an A-Rank hero. This would be a great boon to the group, and with Roy actively bettering himself, I have no doubts that our standing will improve.]
“Any actual assurances you can give me?”
[I can only guarantee that I will give this my all. We need what you can bring to the group. Someone with a little more sense to keep us under control. Guide our reckless ambition and take advantage of any opportunity to increase our standing with the League.]
Wren bit her lip and narrowed her eyes, staring at me before turning her attention to the techie. “Is he always like this?”
“He is.” Clara nodded.
“And you’re to be Dubs’ sidekick soon enough? A little bird told me you have recently taken on private tuition.”
“While I usually view birds as treacherous and deviant creatures, in this instance, they have spoken no lies.”
Both Wren and I nodded politely, and I wondered if this was a bit, or Clara actually had genuine hostility toward feathered animals. A question for another day.
The elf recovered and gestured to the petite woman. “In that case, as a tech super, you’ll have some of the best support possible. Impressive for such an unknown, and I would be a fool to not want to give you my commendation to have you on our team.”
[But you still want the truth?]
“I trust you.” She tilted her head to the side. “Although we aren’t that close these days, I view each of my group as friends. I’ve seen what you are doing for both Roxy and Roy. Even your honeyed words to me in this meeting have given me some comfort, despite usually being hardened to that sort of thing. If you want to keep your past to yourself, I understand - and will still support the team. We are clearly heading for a new era, and I will not stand in the way.”
[So if I enlighten you…?]
“You will have satiated my curiosity. But I offer you nothing more.”
I nodded and turned to Clara to see what she thought of the proposition. The green light of her eyes switched up to me, and she looked conflicted. It sounded like our mission had been achieved. We had gotten Wren to agree to take the superhero work more seriously and support me in becoming a part of the team.
That wasn’t exactly what was at stake here, however. Even if Clara hadn’t picked up on it, I could see it clear as day.
[How secure are comms here?]
Wren flicked another switch on her table, and all screens in the room flickered off. The room seemed much darker now until a green sheen slowly bloomed into life along the walls and ceiling. It swirled like a thin mist, as if it was trying to avoid me whenever I looked at it.
“Nothing leaves these four walls, via any means,” Wren confirmed.
A magic version of our dead zone, I was sure - without knowing exactly why. It was enough of a gut feeling to trust her.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
[In a previous life, I was a super soldier for an unknown organization. Amnesia clouds the past. Something near killed me. I was rescued and brought back to life with these cybernetics, by someone also unknown. I spent five years working under this benefactor as a hitman before they cut me loose. Roxy and Clara have been supporting and encouraging me into becoming something redeemable.]
I left out some details, but for a quick summary that hit all the key points.
Wren nodded along as I detailed my past. Her face neutral, concentration across her brow. Once I was finished talking, her eyes wandered off away from me, and I started to wonder if she was messaging someone - before she leaned forward and narrowed her eyes at me.
“Alright, I’m in. On one condition.”
[Name it.]
“Sponsorship. I can’t help you as a private individual due to League rules, but there are ways we can do it through official channels through my company.”
I raised my hand and shook my head.
[As I said, we didn’t come here for your money. Only your support.]
The elf scowled at me. “Respectfully, Dubs, an under-funded tech super is just coffin fodder. I’ll not have you jeopardize the team because your electro-haptic shielding ran out of batteries.” Her fingers drummed on the desk as she gave me a once over. “You do have some form of shielding, right?”
[Sometimes I block attacks with my less fleshy parts?]
As Wren groaned and covered her face, Clara sunk into her chair. There were millions of different gadgets and pieces of gear we could buy or develop - but we had only just started and were short on time and credits. It wasn’t a faux pas on her part that I was still mostly a walking gun with a hot robot voice.
[I would still feel uncomfortable taking your money.]
“It’s not such a benevolent exchange. Your safety and team effectiveness aside, the company would also be in charge of any marketing deals, advertising rights, branding, and occasional promotional appearances. We’d essentially be your agent, even more so than your League appointed manager. You continue to make Yewvale Corp look good, and we’ll keep funneling money into you.”
[Would you mind sending any potential contract or details to Clara? If you don’t mind?]
I turned to the techie, and she gave me a nod of confirmation. While the spoken word was more my forte, I felt more comfortable with the techie going over the details of something written down.
“I’d say that was a productive meeting then, Dubs.” Wren stood up from her chair and smiled. “Definitely not how I imagined it would go, but I think we will all walk away happy with this.”
I stood up from my chair and held out my left hand to shake. She took it, the gleam in her eyes continuing as we shook. I gestured with my head over to her hovering bow as we released the grip on each other.
[You’ll start using the actual power of your weapon as well, I hope?]
The smile sunk from her face and her eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced between the artefact and me.
[What, you think you’re the only one who did their homework?]
I gave her a nod in lieu of a smile, and turned to leave. Clara gave her an awkward half-curtsy, half-handshake, before quickly darting away to follow me. A few steps away from the elevator, I stopped and turned back to the elf.
[Oh. I was thinking of having a garden party soon. We would like to have you over if you can spare the time?]
Wren’s confused face melted away into a soft smile. She gave me a brief nod. “I’ll check my schedule, Dubs.”
And then we were in, descending back to the lobby. We gave our brief goodbyes to the snooty man at reception before leaving the offices and getting into the van. Doors closed, Clara exhaled as if she had been holding her breath the entire time.
“I’m really not built for professional meetings,” she sighed. “Maybe next time I can just follow with the drone?”
[You did fine, I appreciated having you there with me.]
“Yeah, yeah.” The techie waved me away. “Save your smooth talking for later. You not only secured commendation from Wren, and her acceptance to pull her own weight in the group again, but also we’re going to be sponsored.”
[And all we had to give up was my sordid and secretive past.]
Clara winced and started the van up. “Let’s just hope it’s more financially advantageous for her to keep our secret rather than sell us out then.”
The elf had been pretty open about her flaws and traits. That she desired control and the success of her ventures, despite wishing she could be away from that. To be so open was refreshing, but that just meant her true hangups were hidden away from prying eyes. She’d just given us the obvious meat - something easy enough to digest and satiate our stomachs.
Normally something that would get my back up, and have me wanting to crack open her second shell to see what really sat within. I could read between the lines, though. She cared about Roxy and the rest of the group. There was just a disconnect. They were from different worlds in a way, but they had been loyal to her when her ex had dragged her through the mud. Hence my invite to a garden party that didn’t exist until that moment.
Fixing the group was more than just about power and strength.
“What was that about her bow, as well? You had been researching something about her without me knowing?” Clara raised an eyebrow as we continued through the city.
[Wren is B-Rank, an Advanced hero with a magical Artefact. If her bow could only float in the air and fire regular arrows, she wouldn’t be on our team. A little deductive reasoning, some luck.]
“Funny how your luck seems to work out more times than not.” Her expression relaxed despite her statement. “Ignoring all the times you almost died, I guess.”
[Thoughts on the sponsorship?]
“I’ll hold my tongue until we receive the details. We both know that money would be a great boon to our advancement and…” She trailed off, partially distracted by traffic, but her thought didn’t continue.
[And…?]
Her green eyes shot me a quick glance. “You are a people magnet, Gunquake. If you’re going to draw us all in and make us care for you, you will not be forgiven if you suddenly die. A credit surplus will allow us to build you to be a little more invincible.”
[So I won’t die, just get maimed enough so that more of me can be replaced by cybernetics?]
“Careful, Gunquake.” She smiled. “I don’t have the energy today for impure thoughts. Erin has been reporting some intense heat signals. I’m sure it’s just Rockslide, but I’ve been on edge.”
[You think things have been going too well?]
“As always, I’m comforted that you are on the same page. I’m sure it’s just me adjusting to a new schedule. I’ll be back to annoying the pair of you soon enough.”
[It’s because I said I might be able to cast magic spells, wasn’t it?]
Clara grimaced at first, before smiling. “Like a cold shower. It puts at least half of the list out of the question. Speaking of going up and down, I’ll be considering your issue of vertical movement when I’m with Dr Jarl later.”
[Some way to rappel down a building would be nice, even if ascending is current beyond my physicality or our budget.]
“There’s some off-the-shelf options, but I feel it’s better to have things tailored to your strengths. We have a few deliveries coming later, if you have no trouble you’ll be getting into.”
Didn’t entirely have a plan for the rest of the day. Still mentally reeling from last night, even if it hadn’t been physically injured. Some rest time until the League called upon me would be nice. Probably float the idea of a garden party with Roxy, since I had conjured one up.
[Any luck with the computer tasks?]
Clara shook her head as we left the warehouse district and approached the outskirts once more. “The encrypted drive is rather difficult to crack. You can imagine there are ten doorways, and you have burst through three of them.”
[You can just say thirty percent.]
Her smiled widened. “The shard of metal is nine doors in, and will complete while I’m out today. Unless it is something detrimental to your well-being, I will discuss it with you when I return tonight.”
I nodded, and a few short minutes later, we were rolling into our home area. We both pulled a face at the reflective circle in the middle of my yard.
“Not my circus,” Clara murmured. She put her hand on my arm before I got out. “Thanks for including me, even if I wasn’t myself. This sidekick thing is odd, but I’m glad it’s with you.”
[Likewise. Have a good day, Clara. Message us if you need, otherwise I’ll see you tonight.]
She gave me a brief wave as she pulled away, turning the van to drive back to the city. I stepped past the almost transparent surface in the middle of the dusty gravel, and walked up to the super, who was on a deckchair.
In a black one-piece swimsuit, she sat with her arms out awkwardly. The skin from her wrists to her elbows was clearly a brighter pink, sore looking. Sunglasses on, she was either asleep or—by the grumpy expression on her face—just rather annoyed at how her training went.
[Should you be out in the sun if you’re burned already?]
Her head tilted toward me, but she made no other change in position. “It’s overcast, Dubs. Let me be miserable in peace.”
[I cannot. You glassed part of my yard?]
Although I jerked my thumb back, I couldn’t tell if her eyes moved to glance at the very obvious property damage she had caused.
“Originally, I was just going to do a couple of inches, but got greedy and wanted more.”
[Where have I heard that before?]
“Hey, asshole.” She smiled as I stepped forward to take her sunglasses off. “I may have let some mean comments fuel my training. Bad idea to check my socials before working out.”
[Seems as though it worked. What did they say?]
“It was a thread asking how hung people thought I’d be if I were a man. First response asked what they meant by if.” She rolled her eyes.
I turned and looked back toward the city.
[You can at least give me an area code?]
“Dubs. It’s fine, really. It doesn’t get to me as much anymore.” Her smile softened. “Probably because of how you make me feel, you dumbass. If you want to actually help me, spoon feed me some ice-cream because my arms hurt.”
[They do look sore, is it bad?]
Roxy pulled a face and shrugged. “Strength powers come with some durability boosts, but I’m not as invincible as a Durability powered super, clearly.” She wiggled her pale legs, the scars running from ankle to her thighs evident. “Same with regeneration. I heal quicker than most, but a Regeneration super would make me seem like… well, like a civilian compared to you.”
[Are there any current supers like that?]
She gave me another shrug. “There used to be a villain who had insane regeneration. I think he was just villain politically, however - I’m not sure what actual crimes he was accused of. I heard someone unloaded a full pistol into him and he was fully healed before the last casing even hit the floor.”
Maybe something I could find out on our database. My eyes went over to the workshop. Probably wouldn’t take long for me to find out about Roxy’s ex. His powers and weaknesses. Where he lived.
Instead, I went and got changed into more comfortable clothing, and retrieve a tub and spoon from the kitchen - as well as a fresh canister for myself. Much like her favorite treat, revenge was best served ice cold. Watching her almost literally melt as I fed her the ice-cream - seeing the genuine happiness in her eyes - that was enough for me. I had already won. There was no need to kick sand in the eyes of the losers left in my wake.
Not when I was still in a good mood, anyway.
I told Roxy all about the meeting with Wren. While she wasn’t surprised that I had talked my way into getting the elf to vouch for me, her eyebrows raised in regards to the sponsorship offer. Apparently, it wasn’t too common these days. There often wasn’t much of a benefit for a super to go that route, not with how much the League tried to subsidize a normal life for the heroes under their care. It was different for a tech super, however.
“It’s heavily restricted,” she informed me, swallowing down the ice-cream. “So we wouldn’t be able to use the credits for your face or anything like… for the house, you know? More red tape. Wren’s people would need to sign off on a request, then the League would sign off, and then it’d go back to Wren to stamp and purchase whatever.”
[Even then, that is better than not having anything.]
“Of course. There’s also a tier system… uh, sorry - I’m rusty on this because it’s been so long.” She clucked her tongue and tilted her head. “There’s a limit on how much you could be given based on your Rank, to stop the top positions just being bought. Something like that. Like I said, it’s been a while and maybe stuff has changed. Stacy will know.”
I nodded. It wouldn’t be realistic to get just untold millions just because it would be useful. My expectations were tempered to the point that I was going to act as if we hadn’t gotten the sponsorship offer.
[Did you know we were in tenth place?]
Roxy winced. “Yeah. Only recently, though… I had been avoiding looking at things after Roy was suspended. Part of the reason I pushed a little too hard today. We’re on the cusp of a comeback and I don’t want to fuck it up.”
[Can I make a suggestion?]
“Of course.” Her fiery eyes tried to read my face.
[Let’s get everyone together. Garden party. A chance for you to raise the flag and rally everyone back together. I’ve been breaking the eggs, ready for you to build the most kickass omelet.]
“You think they’ll accept me? After I’ve let them wander astray for so long?”
[I have zero doubts. Trust me. Garden party.]
She smiled and leaned forward, a soft kiss on my re-breather as she hissed at her sore arms aching. “Alright, you had me at omelet. Let’s see what the League has in store for us. You’ll want to speak with Belle before we get together, I assume?”
[Correct. I want to try to get Roy’s suspension wavered as well.]
“Normally I’d say good luck, Dubs. But… I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do.” Her eyes lingered on me as I slowly spoon fed her another bite of ice-cream.
[I still can’t play the lute.]
“You gotta at least try.” Her brow furrowed. “Would you learn it? To serenade me?”
[Anything for you, my love.]
Roxy scrunched her face up. “Ah, I just can’t when you’re sweet. You’re lucky I can’t move from this position to grab a hold of you.”
She’d be stuck like that for a few hours at most, before her skin would heal over and be resistant to the lava going forward. Given the damage to the yard, she must have overloaded with heat and caused a small blast or shockwave. Impressive and destructive. While she had overdone it today, it meant she was halfway to getting her full arms used to it. Burning the candle from both ends.
Before I could come up with a way to bug her while she was stuck in place, a notification pinged through on my goggles atop my head, and I pulled them back down.
//Clara: Gunquake!
//Gunquake: Everything okay, Clara?
//Clara: I’m currently in the bathroom.
//Gunquake: Oh.
//Clara: I have been sent the sponsorship contract.
//Clara: Some of it pre-approved by the League already…
//Clara: You’ll want to accept this, Gunquake.
//Clara: I’m shaking.
//Clara: Sending it over now.
“Everything okay?” Roxy’s brow was furrowed, her concern almost a grimace.
I waited for the document to load up in my lense before responding, my eyes darting quickly over the terms. Details of responsibilities, expectations, and agreements between the various parties. Dates. Designations. Durations.
Credit amounts.
I lifted up my goggles and turned my gaze to the patient super.
[Yes, Roxy. Everything is okay.]