“What's going on with the assembly of the equipment?” - Leticia, Kurt's wife, couldn't hold back her question.
“We're starting today” - I announced to the gathered group. – “We'll be picking up the parts from the warehouse in the Docks. For that, we'll need to arm ourselves in case of an attack by the Merchants or anyone else. We'll transport the cargo to the workshop and begin assembly according to the instructions. The molds for our press will be with the parts. Today, we'll get familiar with the assembly process, and tomorrow we'll start working first thing in the morning.”
“Where are we going to get the weapons?” - One of the dockworkers asked.
“From the same place as everything else. Let's hurry. Get in the vehicles. Is everything ready?”
“Yes.”
Gathering up, we headed to the warehouse in the Docks, which was currently occupied by replicators. Of course, my companions weren't supposed to see them, and the protection from all sorts of hobos and freeloaders was on their shoulders.
When we arrived at the warehouse, we found about a dozen and a half relatively small containers. I immediately opened one of them and started handing out rifles. The people were a bit taken aback, but everyone understood that transporting such valuables without protection was the zenith of foolishness. The dockworkers couldn't afford professional security, so the issue was resolved by acquiring weapons.
“Danny, who's the cape behind all this?” - Kurt asked me as we loaded the cargo onto the vehicles and were ready to depart.
“His name is Black Cloak. He's not very well-known yet, but soon the world will know about him. And not because he'll beat up and arrest a couple of thugs, but because he'll revive our city and make it the best city in America.”
My 'advertising speech' went over well, and the people were inspired, believing that their lives were about to change for the better.
The rest of the day we spent sorting the cargo, studying the assembly instructions for various equipment, and setting up the few pieces of equipment needed to manufacture the frames and bodies of the assembled machinery. The product range currently included washing machines, heaters, air conditioners, and fans. In the future, we planned to start assembling TVs, phones, and various small household appliances, from kettles to hairdryers and hand dryers.
There should be no problems with selling these products. Firstly, our equipment was dirt cheap compared to competitors. Secondly, I had already arranged with electronics stores in Brockton Bay and neighboring cities to consign our products to them. And the biggest selling point was the 'Ancient Design,' thanks to which the equipment looked like it was made by an ancient space civilization. The final, less obvious advantage was the quality of the equipment. It didn't break down, required no maintenance, and could run continuously for hundreds of years.
On Friday, when the assembly process was fully streamlined and the first batch of products was sent to stores, I decided it was time to stake our claim on the Docks. For this, I needed my own 'hero team,' and I chose the Undersiders for the role. It was more of a publicity stunt. By presenting a team of real capes to the world, I concealed the fact that my power was based on the replicators.
Leet had already spread the story of the 'metallic spiders' on the internet, but I quelled that wave by providing a link to the video series 'Stargate' from Earth-Aleph, where the replicators exactly matched Leet's description and had the same name. People immediately concluded that this was another tinker's prank, and within a couple of days, the news was forgotten.
I had known for a long time where the Undersiders' hideout was, so I headed straight for them. I couldn't stealthily pick the lock on the entrance door right now, but a flaming anthropomorphic crocodile didn't need to. I arrived at the abandoned workshop in my 'combat form,' clad in armor, half of which was 'native,' inherited from the shard, and the other half was assembled by the replicators and specially designed for me.
Casually tearing the door off its hinges, I barged into the room, catching the Undersiders off guard, who were even unmasked at the moment.
“Well, well, well, who do we have here? Talking snacks? Or loyal minions? Which role do you prefer?”
“Who are you?” - Grue exclaimed, activating his power and preparing to shroud the entire room in darkness.
“Oh! Good thing you asked. I forgot to introduce myself. I am the terror that flies in the night. I am the crocodile that bites your butt. I am Black Cloak!”
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“You?!!” - Tattletale suddenly recognized me. – “You killed Lung? But you had a different power.”
“Since our last meeting, my ability hasn't changed” - I grinned, causing her to clutch her head in pain from my answer. – “So, are you ready to become my subordinates? Or do you prefer working for Coil, who deals in drugs and kidnaps young children?”
“Coil?” - Grue was surprised. – “We're working for Coil?”
“Yes” - Tattletale confirmed reluctantly.
“You have only a couple of minutes left” - I warned the villains. – “I'll kill anyone who refuses to submit to me.”
“Screw you!” - Bitch shouted, commanding her 'dog,' which had now grown to the size of a large bull.
She didn't have time to prepare, so what rushed at me was essentially a 'half-finished product.' I didn't hold back, immediately growing a good meter taller, then simply grabbed the dog and tore it in half, simultaneously roasting it to a crispy golden brown.
“Looks like that's a negative answer” - I said with glee, pulling the real body of the dog from the pile of flesh.
“Angelica!” - Bitch screamed as she saw me about to toss her pet into my flame-filled mouth.
The cape fearlessly rushed at me... only to receive a light punch to the jaw. For me, it was light, but it knocked Bitch out, sending her flying a couple of meters.
“So, do you acknowledge me as your boss?” - I asked, discarding the now useless dog. It whimpered and then ran to its owner.
Grue, seeing the helpless state of their main combat force, used his power to fill the room with darkness. However, my perception of the world remained unaffected. So, I immediately rushed forward, grabbed Grue by the chest with one hand, and lifted him off the ground, causing him to kick helplessly.
“People say the most persistent niggers taste the best” - I licked my lips, looking to my prey.
The darkness dissipated, revealing the pitiful condition of the group leader. Regent tried to use his power on me to make me loosen my grip, but my body had a 'secondary' nervous system based on a neural network that detected the interference and completely blocked it. However, there were still consequences. My hand twitched and squeezed Grue a bit harder than he could bear. A couple of ribs in his chest cracked, and he screamed in pain.
“Don't rush, you'll be next” - I smiled at the now pale Regent.
“Enough! Stop! We agree” - Tattletale shouted, using her power to determine that while I wouldn't eat them, I wouldn't leave anyone alive either.
“Agree to be my snack?” - I clarified, looking at the girl with a hungry and lustful gaze, causing her to shudder involuntarily.
“We're ready to become your subordinates” - Tattletale blurted out, then fell to her knees.
“Ah, how boring you are” - I noted disappointedly, releasing Grue. – “I had hoped you would fight to the last and die heroically at the bloody hands of Good.”
“Maybe, you mean evil?” - Regent skeptically clarified, usually speaking before thinking.
“Good! I am good! And you are all evil. Well, you were until you joined my team. Don't worry, I'll make real heroes out of you! We'll stand shoulder to shoulder to protect good and punish the dark forces of the Protectorate.” - Regent wanted to say something else, but seeing Tattletale's angry look, he preferred to stay silent. – “Well, rejoice! You have a new mission. You'll get reinforcement in the form of Bee, then you'll head to subdue the Docks and all its inhabitants. From now on, I rule here, Black Cloak!”
“You don't have a cloak” - Regent couldn't resist pointing out.
“So what?” - I glared at him. – “No cloak, but I have the name. It's to make sure no one guess it.”
“Ah, got it.”
At that moment, Bitch woke up, groaned, and gave me a look full of hatred. But then she noticed her unharmed dog and focused all her attention on it.
“And don't even think about running to Coil to complain” - I continued giving instructions. – “Remember, I'm watching you. As soon as any of you try to betray me, I'll rip their head off in front of the others.” - With these words, I smiled sweetly, showing everyone my hungry grin. – “But you'll have perks too. Tomorrow I'll bring you suits that will transform you from cheap riffraff into elite superheroes. And as I said, you'll clean up the Docks of all undesirable elements. Undesirables elements are all people except for the members of the Dockworkers Association. Is everything clear?"
“What about money?” - Grue asked, grimacing in pain from his chest.
“Well, pay me ten grand each, and we'll consider this matter settled.”
“What?!!” - Regent couldn't contain his outraged shout.
"Ha-ha, just kidding, just kidding. You'll get a steady salary in cold hard cash. Heroic activities should be well-compensated. That way, people won't be tempted to turn to evil. Alright, I'm done with you for today. Tomorrow, we'll discuss the details of your heroic activities."
With these words, I turned around and walked out of the room, leaving the stunned Undersiders to collect themselves.