Most of the walk back to my vehicle was done in silence. Both of us were tired, not to mention after the recovery stims wore off, I felt further exhausted. Still, I had stopped bleeding, which prevented the upholstery in my seat from getting ruined. Perhaps I should get them replaced with something more easily washable.
I drove Belle back home, the journey through the night grounding us both. There wasn’t really any conversation I felt like having. No solution I could give her to help solve the things troubling her. She had clearly saved my life with her barrier, which seemed like a fair price to trade for rescuing her from her captor. Anything further than that was unnecessary. More fool me for putting myself at risk again.
Once Clara was satisfied I wasn’t about to bleed out and die, she cut communications to go deal with other things. Probably the super’s stress levels. The thought of having to go back and set up the defenses was almost agonizing, even if necessary.
As the wagon slowed to a stop outside her home, Belle turned to me.
“Thanks again, Dubs. I didn’t expect to have to put my trust in you so soon… but you went above and beyond.”
I shrugged.
[This is just the bare minimum I do for my allies. My life is a consumable commodity to protect and serve those close to me.]
She hesitated before leaving the vehicle, her brow furrowing. Eventually, she sighed and pushed back some of her pink hair. “That’s bullshit. You’re not a robot, this is all what you choose to do. So… choose to value your own existence more.” With a brief smile, she pushed the door and stepped out. “Take care, Dubs.”
I nodded and watched her walked over and enter the building. Idly, I started the vehicle back up, but my mind was wandering before I’d even made the decision to set off. Maybe it was just my post-battle brain being mush, but something she said there had sunk into my active thoughts.
It was nothing new, of course. Ever since meeting Roxy, she had been trying to beat some sense into me to be less reckless with my life. The way Belle had repeated that it was my choice…
With a sigh, I started to roll away and head home. Clearly, I needed a good sleep. My prior training didn’t include this sort of thing, so of course it had been my choice to go alone to rescue her. Yet at the same time, there was no other option. This was what had to be done. It was probably a bad idea to start analyzing my destiny and how much free will I had.
Getting home and grabbing a fresh canister was the more important thought.
What felt like two minutes later, I was already rolling up to beside the workshop. With a further grunt as pain radiated up my side, I pushed the door open and stepped down onto the gravel—immediately falling into the arms of the super.
[Oh, I didn’t even see you there.]
She gave me a gentle squeeze. “I know, asshole. Let’s get you inside to check up on your wounds.” With a quick kiss on the side of my face, Roxy led me into the workshop.
There wasn’t much I could do to argue. I was tired, more so than usual. Something to do with the villain’s toxins, I was pretty sure. Stepping into the room, Clara was already seated and waiting for me. Rubber gloves on her hands and a surgical mask on.
[Are things worse than I realize?]
The two women exchanged a glance before the techie gestured for me to strip down.
“Yes, Gunquake. The fact that you have the ability to check the finite status of your health, yet do not, is frankly maddening.”
“Nothing dire,” Roxy added, as she helped pull my trench coat off. “But that motherfucker left little spine things in your wounds. Like poisonous hairs.”
Clara nodded, gesturing to the white bottles on the side table. “They need to be flushed out, otherwise you’ll be feeling weak for weeks. There is a possibility of organ failure.”
[Ah. Probably not ideal that all the wounds have healed up, then.]
The techie sighed. “That’s what the scalpels are for, Gunquake.”
Roxy gave me a soft squeeze on my uninjured shoulder as I slowly unclipped my tactical gear. “I’ll go grab you a fresh canister and stim pack, hun.”
I turned my head to thank her, but she was already gone. Briefly confused at the speed with which she had traveled, I glanced back to see that Clara was before me, cutting through my undershirt with surgical scissors.
“You are starting to slow down, Gunquake,” she said, her voice wavering between pitches. “Thankfully, that means you are likely to pass out before we begin the process. Lucky you.”
[Oh. Okay.]
“You can leave your pants on, for now.” Her eyebrow raised as she looked up at me, before she frowned. The lighting of the room changed as her hands moved my goggles up off my eyes and onto my forehead. “It does distress me when you aren’t lucid. Lay down and I’ll get this done as soon as possible.”
I stepped toward the table, and then was lying on it. The sharp, refreshing hit of a fresh canister washed through my neck as Roxy clipped in the new tube. I blinked twice and looked over to the side. At some point, they had removed my balaclava, and she ran her fingers through my hair.
“Are you in any pain, Dubs?”
[No. I need to go set up the defenses, though.]
I tried to move, but found my body unresponsive.
“Dumbass, you sit tight. We have already got them up and running.” She smiled. “I’m not as simple as I look, you know.”
[You are beautiful.]
The super said something after that, but I didn’t hear it. A swirling muffled noise, and I was falling back asleep again. Shadows circled around in the back of my mind. Eight-legged monsters waiting to eat me up while I was paralyzed. They clambered and scratched, hissed occasionally as they sped past what little light I could image. Some of them held assault rifles, and were shouting at me. Fire and the smell of burning organic material filled my nose, sickening me. I was angry. Indignant. Murder was on my mind, and I had-
My eyes snapped open, the light of morning burning into my vision. The familiar view of the bedroom ceiling came into focus, before the warmth of the super’s skin pressed against me. I turned my head slowly to see her propped up on her side, beside me. Some concern on her face, but otherwise happy to see me.
[I yet live.]
“Prick, you’re not allowed to die.” She leaned forward against my aching body as she kissed between my eyes. “Clara said you’ll be fucked today, but you’ll recover.”
[Is that a promise?]
Roxy snorted and rolled her eyes. “Turns out I’m not at full power yet, either. Both of our asses are as dumb as each other, huh?”
Her warmth disappeared as she moved away from me, and I was tempted to pull her back close. There was an immense lethargy still in my limbs, however, plus the sight of her emerging from the bed was almost as good. I watched as she stretched her back out; the sunlight running down part of her torso, before she turned her head back to catch me gazing.
“Look, Dubs.” She faced me and stuck a leg out, her hands on her hips as she flexed. “I’m losing definition. I’ve been living too good as of late.”
It was hard to tell how much she was putting that act on, as she was still as densely muscled and finely sculpted as when we had first met. Her ascension hadn’t changed her much, but the confidence in letting more of her figure meet the sunshine had started erasing at the harsh tan lines.
[Rather than give you platitudes about how attractive you are, would you like to do some light training today? I bet I could give you a good workout.]
She grinned and relaxed. “You can’t even walk yet, pal. Let’s see what the day brings us before you make promises you can’t keep.”
[Fair. What is the current situation with the home?]
“Well, the defenses are working and Clara was confident enough the League isn’t using them to spy on us.” She shrugged and walked over to the wardrobe. “The gremlin suggested that she should be closer to you while you rested in case of complications. I told her she should stop chasing tyres, before she gets run over.”
[Is she getting a little clingier?]
“No.” Roxy pulled out a skirt before making a face and returning it. “Just testing boundaries. You should do something nice for her, though. After watching her dig through you again and getting blood everywhere, I feel bad.” She turned her head to look at me. “She goes through a lot to keep you in one piece, and doesn’t expect much in return. As her sister, I want her to be in good health, you know? Unless she tries to seduce you, in which case I’ll tear her in half.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
I raised an eyebrow as she looked back into her wardrobe for what to wear. She had a decent point—at least about ensuring the techie kept her faculties in check. While Clara might be able to distance or dissociate enough to not let the surgeries and my injuries affect her, she was only human. Eventually, she would burn out. I had wrapped myself up in wanting to spend time with the team, but it was important that Clara stand as equals amongst them, if not even higher.
[I’m sure I can think of something. She home today?]
“No. At the League for a change, and then this evening she is with her property manager or something. There’s been some interest in her apartment, so she might get that sorted soon.”
That was good news, although a shame that she’d be away from us for another day. Perhaps we had been living easy with neither Roxy nor I technically ‘working’, while Clara essentially had three jobs between the League, her education, and keeping me alive.
[How about the hobgoblin… Teeba?]
“Slept on the couch. He was very…” Roxy paused as she tried to come up with the right word. “Shaken. With your exploits last night.”
[I was a little more violent than when I assaulted the foundry, I suppose.]
That was putting it lightly. I had injured a few people, Teeba included, but there had been no deaths. Aside from Jolt God. The henchmen from last night were unlucky to have signed up with that villain, and my ire was unrepentant. Any contemplation over the juxtaposition of how little life meant to me, yet I gave everything to protect the few I did care about, was quickly washed away as I watched the super turn to face me.
“Seriously, Dubs? You’re not tired of me yet?”
[You saw how I lived alone for five years. I have a lot of gawking to catch up on.]
“Well, you’re not getting a show.” She shot me a playful scowl as she pulled on a compression top and shorts. “I need some exercise and food, and then maybe some sunshine.”
[Want me to cook breakfast?]
Roxy bit her lip as she circled back around the bed. “I will never say no to that. If I ever do, I’ve gone rogue, and you should kill me.”
[We both know I’m not capable of doing that.]
The super leaned over the bed and gave me a soft kiss on the forehead. “Then you better start thinking of ways,” she said softly. “Maybe I’ll start withholding something until you can beat me in another duel?”
[Karma is a bitch, huh?]
“Me too, babe.” She stood up and grinned. “You need help with getting up?”
[Just give me a minute, I’ll be fine.]
Roxy shot me a wink before turning to leave, and I just sunk back into the covers. A day off sounded rather nice, as rare as a true rest was lately. Part of me knew that it wouldn’t last, and hope the League wouldn’t come knocking to offer me up my next trial while I was out of sorts.
I flexed my muscles and grunted as I sat up. It was barely achievable, and I had to lean forward more than was comfortable to ensure I didn’t flop backward onto the warm and inviting pillows. I had become accustomed to luxury—or at least to normality. Either the surgery, or the lingering effects of the villain’s attacks, had left my muscles feeling half asleep. I could only imagine how bad it would have been if Clara had not removed whatever foreign objects had been left in my wounds.
Possibly a coma.
Thankfully, it was only a minor lethargy that seemed to shift once I got my body moving. Stiffly, I swung around and exited the bed, taking a step forward to rest my hand against the wall while my legs caught up to speed. As expected, I was just in my underwear. The wound on my side looked red and sore, but had closed up and healed remarkably well. I was once again relieved to have been unconscious for the ordeal.
To get ready for the day, I tested out a few squats. The first was shaky, but the second through to fifth grew more comfortable with each dip then rise. I worked out my back from side to side, lifting and lowering my arms. The thawing was uncomfortable, but it took only a handful of minutes before I was able to dress myself in something loose and head out into the world.
I arrived down into the lobby and stepped into the kitchen, to find both the super and Teeba there, each nursing a coffee.
“Good morning, Gunquake,” he said, in that slightly robotic and overly ill-fitting posh tone. “I am glad you have recovered."
[Likewise. Please call me Dubs. Are you hungry?]
He pulled a face and looked between Roxy and his mug of steaming brew. “You have already done so much for me, I can’t hope to-”
“That’s a yes, then,” Roxy interjected. “I could hear your stomach growling from the bathroom.”
[Our hospitality isn’t wholly benevolent, however. There is something I will request of you in return.]
“Of course, Gun- Dubs.” He bowed his head. “I will do my best to serve.”
I didn’t doubt that at all. With a nod, I went over to the fridge. Although we hadn’t discussed what groceries to buy formally, as a… couple, it looked as though ever since I had started to pick up cooking again, Roxy had been stocking up on things she hoped I’d make for her. That was fair enough. I didn’t mind at all.
[Roy is back on the job today, correct?]
“Sure is.” Roxy blew at her coffee as she watched me unload some ingredients. “He asked for permission to come say thanks later after his shift.”
[By now he should know that he is welcome.]
She grinned. “He isn’t the youngest out of us, but he’s always been the little brother of the team. Once he packs away the tough-guy act, he is actually kind of a dweeb. Actually enjoys spending time with his parents like a weirdo.” The super sipped her drink.
[The change he desired was always just a step away for him, he just needed a little push.]
Roxy rolled her eyes. “What you did was a little more than a push, Dubs.” She glanced over at the hobgoblin, who looked rather lost. “This poetic murder machine here has a near-death experience every three days, and most of them are his own fault.”
[I’m not sure that’s entirely fair.]
It was entirely fair.
“Regardless,” she continued, shooting me a scowl, “If there are two things Dubs is great at, it’s killing, and almost dying.”
[Only two things?]
“That I can say in front of company.”
[I meant cooking, but thank you.]
She tried to melt into the counter as I wiggled the pan at her. I was pretty sure there was a whole host of things I was great at, but nothing else came to mind. My thoughts were too busy wondering when I’d get more grenades.
My eyes drifted away from the oil heating up, to our guest, who hadn’t had any input on the brief conversation.
[How much sway do you have back home?]
“Ah.” He fidgeted on the stool. “Not a great amount. My husband is part of the newly formed council, however.”
[Perfect. Ah. I didn’t also beat him up as well, did I?]
The hobgoblin shook his head. “No, he wasn’t on shift and was sleeping at the time.”
That was a relief, at least. Might be harder to sway them onto our side if I had roughed up all the important heads. Partly I was also glad it wasn’t the guy I caught up in the bedroom.
[I’ll cut to the chase then. I’m interested in your facilities. The production and smelting of certain metal objects. You’d be working for me, and I would remunerate you in whatever manner you desire.]
He gave me a blank look for a few seconds, before turning his eyes to the super.
“You after credits, or something else?” she translated.
“Credits aren’t much good for us, being that we’re outside of the Gov’s system.” He pulled a face, clearly not a fan. We could work with that. “Food and security keeps us going.”
I nodded. That seemed to be a theme with those out in the wasteland. Things were scarce. Everything except violence. Still, I couldn’t be everywhere at once. Being their guardian angel would just leave me stretched thin between League work, and all the other bullshit that seemed to circle me.
[Do you have any enemies?]
Teeba pulled another face and tilted his head. “Mostly scavengers, hoping to pick away at us if we weaken further. There is one group that has been scouting us, and we expect them to try raiding sometime soon.”
I raised an eyebrow and looked over at Roxy.
[Date night?]
She bit her lip. “You’re a dangerous man, Dubs. I’m up for it as long as it’s nothing too risky.”
Roxy had taken no time to make that decision. After watching how she had dismantled that first outpost, I didn’t think she would be difficult to sway toward doing some further violence outside the reach of the law. I also thought it sounded fun.
We were going to be trouble for the League. I could taste it.
[Let’s eat and have a casual afternoon. If you don’t mind waiting, Teeba, I will drive you back home closer to the evening. I will discuss an arrangement with your group and hopefully we can be in business.]
“Sorry,” he squirmed again. “Were you just saying you would murder our enemies?”
“In exchange for goods and services,” Roxy said with a confident nod.
[You’ve seen what we’re good at. What we can’t do is forge metal. Not for the illegal shit we need.]
I shook the pan; the bacon sliding around and sizzling, drawing the hobgoblin’s attention fully. He looked as though he was trying to think of a way to escape us without raising suspicion, lest he end up beside the bacon. The wastes had plenty of cannibal tribes, so that was always on the plate, even if realistically unpalatable.
Eventually, he agreed. Perhaps for lack of any other option. Given that I expected things to work out exactly how I planned them, that was good. He had no other option.
We ate breakfast, and the food calmed his nerves. Roxy and I went into the garden and did some basic exercise. A bit of running and bodyweight repetitions. Given that both of us weren’t at our peak, we actually felt stronger and more ourselves after we decided to call it quits. The super could have gone on much longer - I was sure she was partly humoring me, but at the end of the day, it didn’t really matter.
Teeba had spent that time watching movies. I sweetened the deal by telling him I’d get him a couple televisions for their place if he could bend his significant other’s ear. He already felt beholden to me for giving him a voice, but that went to show how much I wanted this win.
He hadn’t always been mute. The story weaseled out of him once we filled his stomach at lunch time. He’d been injured a couple of years back when his tribe was attacked by a group of monsters. Almost died, but made it through with his voice the only long-term debilitation. He sounded as lucky as me. I could understand now why Clara had said the surgery would be different than mine - and why his voice synced up with his mouth movements without issue.
I was slightly envious.
While Roxy went to get washed up and into her super suit, I went into the workshop to load up all my magazines and get my tactical gear sorted. It was no surprise that Clara hadn’t managed to do the deed, like some manner of magical fairy. Even after working on me, they had set up the defenses. I didn’t know how she had the energy.
The computer was still working on that drive, but looked to be about 83% through. At this stage, I couldn’t even imagine what could be on it. Something Boss wanted me to get long after it being found. The full picture, finally? Names and proper nouns to tie my old life to the World Government? Who the other three living members of the squad were?
I had a suspicion about who one of them was, but it didn’t feel quite right. It was even something I’d been ignoring, to focus on my actual problems. If the League had me as their shiny new toy, what were the others up to? Back with the World Government? Other private groups? Perhaps they’d run off to another city to try to avoid the life I led.
With a grunt, I left the workshop, fully geared up once more.
I was split between wanting to live for the future, and striving to find out what the past was so that I could bury it.
Roxy emerged from the house with the hobgoblin in tow. She was practically salivating over what our evening might encompass. I had to admit, I enjoyed the time we fought alongside each other. Given that I started out intending to be her sidekick, it made sense that we would now become a duo instead. A fiery melee heavyweight, and a mid-range gadget-spewing super soldier.
I did need more gadgets, however. A few more grenades.
“You ready, Dubs?”
With a nod, I gestured towards my vehicle.
“Oh,” she said, stopping in place, causing Teeba to almost walk straight into her.
I turned to see why, but received the message through my lens a second later.
Our manager, giving us the briefing of my next—and final—trial.