I was drenched through with sweat. The quick burst of combat combined with the fire I had started—all under the unrelenting sunshine—had me feeling overheated. Perhaps the League was right to stick me in the ‘vigilante in the shadows’ role. It was, of course, how I lived before. Part of me missed it, even though I had grown accustomed to the light and all that brought with it.
After half an hour of shuddering and complaining, the motorbike died about a mile off from home base. That seemed narratively underwhelming, as I had expected it to give up the ghost as it rolled into my yard. Perhaps the walk was penance for the sins I had just carried out… but if that was the case, I accepted the stroll through the heated wastes. Hell wasn’t that bad.
By the time I arrived home, Clara was already back. Both women in sour moods. The techie was unhappy to be taken away from her education early, especially—as she told me—because my rappel was almost complete, but the magic detector wasn’t quite ready to be taken from the doctor’s office.
Any brief happiness in seeing me return had turned into a narrow-eyed glare from the super. The state of my outfit apparently leaving it a little too obvious that I had been making some trouble, and turning up to see Stacy covered in mutant blood would be a bad idea. So while I washed off at the sink, she cleaned through my outfit. Things were tense between the three of us, not knowing what the League was going to ask of me.
Clara also quickly cleaned out my gun-arm, insisting that I’d have to walk otherwise. Having the van stunk out by the fumes of whatever dirty synthetic fuel the mutants had given me was not something she was willing to tolerate.
And so, with plenty of grumbling, Clara went off into the vehicle to turn it around for us as Roxy helped me put my overcoat back on. There was no need to go to the meeting fully armed, but I had appearances to keep up - even if nobody really knew me just yet.
I tried to ignore the thought that soon enough I might become a public spectacle. A bard mostly in name, I wasn’t really built for showmanship.
The super had a ring of pink skin on each upper arm, maybe an inch and a half up from her elbow. Further training, but she hadn’t pushed as hard as yesterday. Even at this reduced pace, it would only be a week before she could switch her whole arms into lava as she intended. Where she wanted—or even could—go after that was an entirely different matter.
I put my second arm through the jacket and shrugged it into place. Roxy hovered beside me once the deed was done, so I turned to her. There was a conversation desperate to escape from her mouth, if the fiery torment behind her eyes was anything to judge by.
“Asshole,” she eventually said, sighing with exasperation. “I can’t do the secrecy thing. You’ll have to tell me what you did.” The super crossed her arms, bracing herself for whatever I was about to tell her.
[Are you sure? What happened to keeping a clean nose?]
She rolled her eyes. “Listen, Dubs. If I’m going to be the leader then I need to know what wasp nests you’ve been kicking over. I was talking to Stacy earlier and there’s… a chance the team will rebranded once we all return.”
[Oh? In what way?]
“Like we might all be pushed toward the vigilante or anti-hero look.” Her nose wrinkled up at this, and she looked out past me to the city. “All heroes are assholes, but we might be the only ones allowed to show it.”
[There’s a lot of ‘might’s in all this.]
“Yeah, well.” Roxy gave me a shrug. “Not something I really get to decide. I’ve bought some black eyeliner already, though.”
[I went back to that mutant outpost with the safe and made a deal with them to gain access to any Frauxemite they mine. The deal partially included helping fend off a siege from a rival gang.]
“Typically said gang was arriving just as you got there.” Her eyes narrowed. “So you killed a handful of the bastards. What was the rest of the deal?”
I weighed up whether I should give her the full details, or just allow her to think it was a small group I only assisted in defeating. No, she needed the truth. It wasn’t because I needed to brag, either. She knew what I was capable of, so I doubted the tale of defeating such a large group of mutants would wow her.
[It was around three dozen mutants, and I killed them off solo before they reached the outpost. The rest of the deal included trading the outpost goods to help them thrive.]
Roxy nodded slowly. “I should have known you’d do something risky and be a soft-hearted lug after that. Fine. I appreciate you telling me, even if it’s dangerous bullshit.” She came in and we hugged. More gentle than usual, due to her sensitive arms.
[The plan won’t bear fruit for a couple of weeks, at the earliest. I’m sure I’ll find a way to get maimed or die before then.]
“Don’t even, asshole.” She pulled away and gave me a playful scowl. “Let’s go see what the League wants with us now.”
With one last glance at our home, we set Erin to scan a mile radius and drove off toward Goldarch proper.
----------------------------------------
I must have spent most of the journey in the back of the van in a half-daze, as the travel felt like it only took two minutes. Perhaps I was more tired from my day out that I had thought. More likely, all these shadows chasing me around had me mentally exhausted. Clara had parked up in the same place as before, and the back door popped open so I could step out into the city.
Looking around briefly, I considered that soon enough I was meant to protect this place. Would be spending hours roaming the streets or… well, I needed a way to prowl the rooftops. A hero strolling the ground floor was just asking for trouble - especially with how I looked.
As I stepped over to the sidewalk to join the other two, I paused and looked at the grass verge beside our vehicle. Dew again. It was now late afternoon. My brow furrowed, and I turned in a slow circle. The building beside us was mostly windowless. Possibly an office block as it was constructed similarly to Stacy’s office.
“Come on, Dubs,” Roxy called, waving me over. “Everything okay?”
I considered what I could even say at this point, before just nodding. If I started to get paranoid, then all of this would start unraveling. Probably violently. I had a gun for an arm. Any state of madness could have detrimental consequences.
We walked around into the lot and over to the office. I kept my eyes up around the other office blocks. From this distance, most either had blinds over the windows, or the figures working away were shaded due to the lighting. Didn’t take us long to reach our destination, and we went through the door, Benny leaning away from his computer to greet us.
With a nod, he looked over at the row of chairs beside us. “Morning gang, you’ll need to wait a few minutes as Miss Horton-ko is in a call.”
[Not an issue. How are you today, Benny?]
I gestured for the two women to sit, but remained standing by myself. Not just because I was on edge, although that was part of the reason. It must have looked as though I was ready to bolt, as the receptionist gave me a sharp-toothed grin.
“Not as stressed as you, Gunquake-ra. I assure you this meeting will be nothing but pleasant, not half because Miss Horton-ko can’t stop talking about you.”
My gaze went over to the two seated women, both now narrowing their eyes at me. I tried to decide whether having all three of us present was a good thing, or detrimental to my longevity.
“If I’m not here when you get out…” Benny rubbed at one of the small horns jutting from his head. “Then I’ve just gone for my lunch break. I have a meeting with an indie publisher, so if anything, my stress is more valid.”
[Oh? For your… works of fiction? Is Stacy aware?]
He nodded. “Of course, Miss Horton-ka is one of my beta readers.” The receptionist’s grin turned a little more sheepish as he glanced toward his monitor. “I don’t think I’ve got what it takes, but she always tells me to try. ‘A creative mind shouldn’t be left idle’.” Benny’s diamond eyes rolled.
If that was the case, the reason he hid his screen last time wasn’t because Stacy wouldn’t approve - it was more likely that he was supposed to hide it from her clients, at least. The fact that he was being more open with it now was due to the slight indication I had given our manager that I was clued in to the world of romance and erotic literature.
[For what it’s worth, Benny, good luck with your meeting.]
“I always appreciate some earnest encouragement, Gunquake-ra.” His eyes looked up to the left briefly. “Miss Horton-ko will see you now.”
After the other two stood up and gave their thanks and well-wishes to the young man, I pushed open the door to lead us through. Immediately, I winced at seeing our manager, who looked way too energetic compared to the start of our previous meeting. Vibrant, I was almost willing to say.
“Welcome, you three,” she said with a soft smile, her eyes mostly on me.
[Stacy. I like what you’ve done with your hair.]
“Oh? Thank you.” The woman smiled further and ran a hand through it. “It’s nothing, really, but you’re the first to notice.”
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It wasn’t exactly a drastic change. Styled with a little more effort that made it seem actually alive, but I could at least appreciate the intent. The living radiator sitting to my left probably didn’t see it the same way.
[I apologize if we were late. I was engaged with some very… vigorous and intense training, and it took me a while to wash down after. That and the brooding.]
The situation briefly amused me, as I felt not only was this more dangerous than the mutant siege, but it was also entirely of my own making. It was like I couldn’t help it.
“No, you’re fine. It’s not as though I expect you to bark when I say the word.” Her eyes lingered on me before looking over at the super. “Thank you for attending, Rockslide. I know this doesn’t directly concern you, but until Gunquake has been officiated, you’ll have to chaperone him.”
Roxy nodded. “I do my best to keep him out of trouble.”
“It looks as though that extra responsibility is paying dividends for your own professional life. I look forward to being able to give you work again - doubly so once the team is ready. I’m sure you’re all aware of your current standings.”
[That is part of the reason I am so eager to please… the League. The sooner I can prove my worth, the quicker we can put the team back in the spotlight.]
Stacy leaned back in her chair and steepled her hands together. “Normally, I’d be a little pessimistic about your chances. I’ve already spoken to Rockslide about this, but there is an appetite with the general public for some supers who aren’t the spotless virtuous type. You’ll need the rest of the team on board with any potential rebrand, but I am confident the League will accept the prospect given that all of you have been somewhat… absent as of late.”
I nodded. As much as my goal was to bend Roxy’s team into being my new squad - partly for my own comfort - actually theming our aesthetics and personas toward being anti-heroes was a jump I wasn’t entirely expecting. Even if the others were willing to vouch for me to join them, would they want the rebrand?
“That leads me on to why I called you in.” Stacy relaxed and her eyes went between the computer and us. “Unfortunately, I have some good news and some bad news. I would have told you sooner, but I wanted you to come in anyway. The mission is no longer tonight.”
[Is that the good or bad news?]
“The bad.” She tilted her head. “The good news is that the mission is more of a fluff piece. Although the League assured me this was a B-Rank task, the reason isn’t due to the difficulty. They are fishing for more footage of you for the media. While your work at the hobgoblin outpost was exemplary, it was mostly out of sight. They want you to do something in clear view of the various ‘security cameras’ in the intended area.”
Her use of air quotes made it clear that there would be plenty of eyes on me aside from whatever general observation the public received. The footage would probably be made to look like it was taken ad-hoc by security cams and the like. A mysterious new force dealing out justice in the darkness. Build up the mystique around me before the grand reveal. I understood it, even if it left a bad taste in my lack of mouth.
[A villain?]
Stacy shook her head. “A criminal group led by someone with Advanced powers. It shouldn’t be a difficult fight, but you’re there to make a show of it. As they are known in some circles, it shows off the power of the League to settle these issues, as well as making you look good for your debut.”
Sounded reasonable enough. We had to grease the wheels of public perception to make our ascent up the rankings smoother. It wasn’t just power, but how popular and marketable we were. I raised an eyebrow to Roxy on my left.
“You’ll get missions like this occasionally,” the super confirmed. “Stakes are usually lower in terms of combat, but if you waste the opportunity by fucking it up, the League will be pissed.”
Our manager winced slightly at the phrasing, but otherwise seemed to agree.
[Fair enough. Will it still be at nighttime?]
“Correct.” Stacy tapped her keyboard and looked at her screen. “Not only because it suits your intended role, but the smugglers also mostly operate in the dark.”
[Oh, smugglers?]
“Indeed. Some miscreant that goes by the name of Snake.”
While Clara had been silent for the entirety of the meeting, I could almost audibly hear her tense up at this revelation. I managed to nod politely and not signal any acknowledgement that this name was familiar. Thankfully, Stacy was busy being focused on me to notice the techie squirm slightly.
[So I am to… arrest this man and his group?]
“Subdue and restrain, yes. The League will supply you with extra less-than-lethal rounds and the zip ties if you require.” The manager ran her eyes down my gun-arm.
[I will assume that any fatalities or escapees would be a blight on my record?]
Stacy rolled her tongue around in her mouth and nodded toward the super. “As Rockslide said, it will be slightly worse than that. You would at least tank your chances at being B-Rank, if not putting your heroship into question entirely.”
At this stage, another nod was all I could manage to save my head from overheating and spilling out from all the things we’d need to consider. I tried not to even think, just in case my thoughts were too loud.
“They were meant to be completing a deal tonight, but they seem to have gotten cold feet. We’re just waiting for League intel to confirm for when it has been rearranged, so I’d suggest you and Clara be ready and available every evening going forward just in case you’re called to action.”
[Sure, we will have no issue with that.]
Clara nodded, but hadn’t found her voice just yet. It might cut into her education slightly if she’d need to be home and prepared before an evening mission, but she was usually home long before then.
“Fantastic. The League have said they’ll do your full mission debriefing at the same time as the rest of your trials. Not… usual, but that seems to be a common trend with you.” She tilted her head and gave me an amused smile. “Unless you have any questions, that is all I have to inform you.”
[Hmm. I had been expecting something more dangerous, but it makes sense that the League wouldn’t want to put an unknown against a villain. I’m worth more as an alive C-Rank than a dead potential B.]
“That kind of thinking will keep you ahead. Even as a C-Rank, you’ll have the chance to rise up should you keep impressing the League.” She glanced at Roxy before looking back at me. “It might seem as though you’re just a marketing asset at times, but your strength and the safety you help provide the city are appreciated.”
I told her I understood, and the meeting finished circling the drain. No questions we cared to ask of her. While we said our goodbyes and thanked her for the information, I was eager to get away from here as quickly as possible. Benny was absent when we emerged, but we said no word or even made eye contact with each other until we had walked back to the van.
No dew on the grass anymore. Despite my mind whirring with different thoughts, I still made note of that.
All in. Door closed. Roxy wasn’t quite on the same page, but could tell something was up with us two.
Locked away from the outside world, Clara finally deflated, leaning her head against the steering wheel. “Fuuuuuuck,” she hissed.
[That certainly makes things awkward.]
“What’s this?” Roxy asked, turning in her seat so that she could look at both of us easier. “This is the punk you went and got that security tech from, right?”
I nodded, and she rolled her eyes.
“Not only that,” the techie continued, her eyes now closed. “I know the reason why they canceled their planned trade tonight.”
[I had a feeling you were going to say that.]
“The reason… is that I asked them to cancel because the League wanted us in for a mission instead.” She sighed again.
“Wait, wait, wait.” The super rubbed at the bridge of her nose. “You’re telling me you were going to be the other party in this deal we have to bust? For fuck’s sake.”
Although I hadn’t been aware that Clara had arranged for us to meet Snake again, it had been our intention to have this illegal ally to provide us some harder to find technology. Now that the League wanted us to get him arrested, it not only caused issues with our future trading, but the man could rat us out to the League.
[We’ll need to find a solution that makes all parties happy.]
The super wasn’t having it, a scowl now clouding her expression. “This is why we don’t do illegal shit, Dubs. Tripping hazards. The League is watching this guy now, so you couldn’t even kill him before the mission. I don’t think you’ll be able to flirt your way out of this one.”
[I could certainly try, though.]
“Don’t.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve already got today to make up to me already.”
Clara removed her head from the steering wheel and looked out the front. “Perhaps we can sit down at home later, have a discussion about how to un-stick ourselves from this problem I have gotten us into.” She tilted her head to look back at me. “I do apologize to you both.”
[There is no problem the three of us cannot overcome together.]
“I almost believe you, Gunquake.” She smiled, before catching the glare of the super. “Aren’t you feeling a little reassured by his words, sister?”
“Not his words, no.” Roxy eyed up me up. “I am acting calmer than I usually would in such a fucked up situation, and I’m pretty sure it’s not just because this dangerous criminal has my heart.”
I changed the subject, not ready to have this conversation yet.
[What is everyone’s plan now? I have some ideas now that our evening is free.]
“I’d like to go back to Dr Jarl and get some of my work finished. If I drive you back home, that might not be optimal, however.” Clara shrugged.
The super raised an eyebrow. “What are your ideas, Dubs?”
[I need a new vehicle.]
“Do you have a driving license?”
I paused, for the first time in a while, feeling rather foolish. Of course, I hadn’t needed it as a shadowy hitman. Those sorts of laws had no bearing on my life. But now…
[Probably a good idea to get one before I try purchasing anything.]
Roxy rolled her eyes again. “Clara, get this man sorted with a driving test and whatever else he needs. The League should be able to smooth over some of the bumps, like you not having a legal name, and your arm being a lethal weapon.”
[Not just my arm.]
She opened her mouth and closed it before shaking her head. “We’re going to have words later. Ones that you might not like.”
It sounded like she was threatening me with a good time, but that could just be because my head was stuffed full with other thoughts. I made the decision not to vocalize any further flirting towards the woman capable of turning into molten lava. Perhaps one of my smartest ideas of the day.
[If you could at least drop me near a dealership, I can do some window shopping?]
“Acceptable.” Roxy shrugged. “As much as I’d like to join you, we can’t really be seen in public like that just yet.” Her brow furrowed, some actual disappointment behind her statement.
Stacy would probably be annoyed when it came out that the super and I were in a relationship. I was slowly learning that I shouldn’t be building towers out of lies. Well, I would put off any actual lesson understood until I actually took the gut punch required.
[I’ll make my own way back, or perhaps I could swing by Dr Jarl’s after for a lift?]
Clara shook her head. “I don’t think either of you realize that Gunquake looks like… well, a villain. Certainly not someone who would just be walking around the city.”
[I think I could handle it. Become a mysterious unknown before my hero reveal.]
The techie raised an eyebrow to Roxy, who tilted her head from side to side in thought, before agreeing with me.
“Stacy would have told you if you weren’t allowed to be out and about,” the super clarified. “It’s a good idea not to get in trouble, Dubs. If that’s even possible for you. But just being seen can’t be a bad thing, as I’m sure you can sweet talk your way out of any problems.”
[That’s why I love you, Roxy. You always say the nicest things about me.]
Her eyes narrowed. “Prick. Nice try. I love you too, though. I’m just going to head home and work out some more. Need to get through this added stress you’ve both given me.” She turned her glare between us - adding a pointed finger to make sure we knew how terrible we both were.
And with that, she popped open the van door and stepped out, closing it before leaping off towards our home.
“I won’t lie, Gunquake…” Clara turned almost fully around so that she look at me while we talked. “I feel as though I have made a real mess of things.”
[Are you worried?]
She nodded, the evidence clear on her face.
[It won’t be easy Clara, but we will surpass this, and then grow complacent again. Every win will make getting into danger less of a big deal, but as long as we continue to get stronger and more competent, we will never be found lacking.]
The techie smiled and shook her head. “You’re a real menace with that mouth, Gunquake. I will tell you why I contacted Snake… but it will be later, while we are all together at home - is that okay?”
[Of course. I trust your reasoning.]
“Excellent. That’s how I get away with so much.” She turned back in the chair and started up the van. “So where are we off to - motorbikes, cars, or something more exotic?”
I looked up in my lense to my messages.
[No. I’m not actually going to look for vehicles.]