The rusted container creaked as Liam shifted his position. Singing its annoyance at him for using it to lean against.

Liam ignored the sound and moved again. He’d been shifting his position every few seconds for the last ten minutes. Never letting his field of view linger on one location for long. It was a training technique he’d learned at the Academy. And one he fell into today with no prompt.

To the side, he heard the whispers of the other two talking. The sensors in his suit turning their mumbled conversation into crisp dialog. Something he wasn’t sure they realized he could do and had no plan on divulging.

“And you need me for this?” Tank was asking, again.

It was clear from everything Liam heard that the woman was opposed to Nudge’s plan. Pushing him on every point. And yet, she was still here. Like himself, something kept Tank glued to the man. Unwilling to walk away too early and miss whatever was going to come next.

“You’re one of the few people I can trust, and who has the skills I need,” Nudge replied. With no delay between the question and answer. The quick response led Liam to believe Nudge had been prepared for the question. Either that or he was much better on his feet than Liam was himself.

“What about Source? That’s a lot of attention to be bringing with you. Everyone will be watching his next steps, waiting to praise or punish.”

A pleasant thought, Liam noted as he shifted his vision to another deserted alley between containers. Though he’d known attention was bound to come with his new found fame, it wasn’t something he was looking forward to.

“After what he’s been through, he deserves a helping hand,” Nudge said.

“This has nothing to do with what he deserves or what’s fair. Only the reality of the situation and the extra attention it’ll bring down on you and me for that matter if I sign on. Are you ready to handle that over the long term?”

“I’ve been doing this decades longer than you. This is small time compared to what I’ve been through in the past.”

“I’m sure it is, but this is still-” Tank started, only for a crack to echo through the containers, cutting her off.

Liam was up and moving towards the other two, staff extending in his hand as he looked for the cause of the commotion. Had he missed someone, he’d thought he’d been doing a good job keeping watch. Had the conversation distracted him more than he’d realized? Or was the first group of people that Tank incapacitated already waking up? He’d have to be quick and find the cause if he wanted a chance at shutting it down before things escalated.

Scanning the area, Liam found Tank in a similar state of mind as himself. With her hands up in the traditional boxing pose. Nudge, on the other hand, ever in control, looked to be almost bored at the sudden distraction. Crossing his arms across his chest.

“A grand entrance as always,” Nudge declared as he turned to the side.

It was only then that Liam found the source of the commotion. Following Nudge’s gaze, Liam spotted someone between two blue shipping crates. His pressed black shirt and tie in perfect order as if he was entering a courthouse, not a grime filled dockyard.

“I’ve told you before, I can’t prevent the noise,” the man called back. Even his voice echoing the lawyer vibe Liam was getting from the man. If he was in the latest TV law show, the man would fit right in.

Seeing that the new arrival was someone Nudge was familiar with, Liam lowered his stance. His staff shrinking as it found its home on his waist. Tank did the same and dropped out of the boxer’s stance. As the two waited for an explanation from the only person who recognized everyone.

“Don’t worry, it’s not an issue. Plus, seeing these two freak out made my day,” Nudge said as he nodded at the other two.

“So you used me as a prank?” the lawyer demanded as he walked up to Nudge. Not giving the Hero an inch.

“I would never, I just forgot to mention who would be here when you arrived,” Nudge said. Waving his hands at the man in a calming motion.

“Like you always do?”

“I can’t help that, old age has caused me several memory problems.”

The man in a suit huffed. Not believing a word of what Nudge was saying. Liam had to agree with the aggravated man. It wouldn’t be hard to give a little heads up, and from the sound of their conversation Nudge routinely forgot to mention just that. Liam added mental air quotes on forgot.

Despite their conversation, Liam still wasn’t sure who the man was. Was he just another Hero? If so, why did he show up now?

“Alright, let’s get on with it. I have other places to be,” the lawyer said.

“You’re right. I’m sure you are a busy man and aren’t used to being late,” Nudge replied. A smile on his voice. “Tank, Source, come over here. Our ride has arrived.”

At the mention of Liam’s name, the man piqued up. His lawyer vibe faded as he looked around until he spotted Liam. Liam didn’t say a word, instead trying to shrink back from the look. As if he could hide his appearance from the man.

The man in the suit, whether from professional courtesy or something else, remained quiet. Which was a blessing. Liam hated the new group of people who rushed up to him, trying to latch on. Where had they been when he needed them? Now that he was proven innocent, they came out in droves. All claiming to have supported him through it all and to congratulate his return to grace. It just felt wrong, he felt used by those people. As if praising him now absolved them of their hatred of him in the past.

In an overly professional manner, the man in the suit moved to the middle of the group and held out his arms, “Please hold onto my arms and I’ll bring everyone along.”

There was a moment where Liam didn’t know if he’d follow the instructions. That changed once he saw Nudge take hold. Liam was here because he trusted the older Hero. But saying something didn’t equate it with reality. If for no other reason than to verify that trust to himself, Liam followed Nudge’s lead and grabbed onto the man’s clothes with his armoured hand. He’d been worried the man would correct how he held on. Likely Liam would need to take off his glove, yet the man made no move to correct him.

Once everyone was holding on, the woman in purple needed prodding from Nudge before she did so, the man in a suit spoke again, “I’m sorry if there is any discomfort in the transition.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The words had Liam thinking of teleporting with Skip. Each ride was a nauseating experience. At first he’d had to fight down the urge to puke after each jump. He’d never gotten over the feeling, but it was toned down with each experience. Ultimately becoming something he could live with.

With this man threatening something similar, Liam braced himself. Whatever the transition was, he’d do his best to take it with a bit more decency than he did with Skip.

“What about the other people here?” Tank asked, before the trigger could be pulled.

“I called in a favor. The police are on their way with a detachment from the local Hero team,” Nudge said.

“So they get to claim my bust?”

Liam liked to think credit for taking down a Cowl wouldn’t matter to him. And while it didn’t matter as much as when he was starting, there was still something in him that wanted his work recognized. He could understand how Tank was upset at the idea of losing credit for her work.

“Do you even care about the credit?” Nudge asked Tank.

Tank just grumbled at the comment. Either deciding it wasn’t worth the effort to argue with the man, something Liam decided was understandable, or admitting she didn’t care about getting credit for the bust. Knowing his own feelings, Liam decided it was likely the first option.

And then it happened. Unlike the weirdness of Skips jumps, where the world itself was robbed of its color, this one had nothing to it. One second he was surrounded by shipping containers, their old and dented surfaces giving off shifting shadows in the night. The next they were in a room. Plush red carpet with bright orange couches to the side. Each looking brand new. It wasn’t the look he’d have chosen, the color scheme left much to be desired. Yet he wasn’t in charge of that, so he did his best to ignore the glaring color barrage.

The walls were a little better, the grey color helping tint out some of the ugliness of the rest of the place. With the scenery paintings spaced throughout the room as the highlight. If only the blues and greens in them didn’t clash with the rest of the room.

While Liam was still catching his barings, the man in the suit spoke, looking at Liam the entire time, “It was a pleasure to help everyone. If you need anything else, please call.”

Liam nodded and voiced his thanks. An act that brought a smile to the man’s face as he pulled out a business card and handed it to Liam. As Liam took the card, the man was gone, vanishing from the room. His exit made no sound, unlike the earlier arrival.

Turning to his new… companion, Liam put the business card in his suit’s belt and found Tank already relaxing on the couch. While he was debating if he should join her, a gasp came from the door to the kitchen. Turning towards the sound, Liam’s body tensed only for Nudge to reign him in again with vines across his chest.

“Is it really you?” a female voice from the kitchen asked. The tone leaving it clear she hadn’t noticed the vines in front of Liam.

Following the sound, Liam found a young woman in the doorway. She was wearing a suit of silver, with branching black lines, almost like wires, running along its sides.

Her helmet was held in one hand. A sleek black thing with a large mirrored visor on the front.

The woman’s face was youthful. Hinting, she was a year the junior of Liam. Her black hair was pulled into a ponytail, tied with a green ribbon in the back.

The fact she wasn’t wearing a mask led Liam to believe she was their support staff. Yet the way she was dressed suggested that was wrong. Her posture, though relaxed, hinted of action ready to spring from within. This woman wasn’t here to watch, she was here to take part.

Not waiting for a reply, the woman raced into the room. She bee lined it to Liam before he could get out of the way. Liam tensed, ready for the woman to tackle him.

“It’s… I’m…” the woman tried as she pulled up in front of Liam. Then, taking a deep breath, she started again, in a professional, and if Liam had to guess, well practiced tone, “I’m Wire. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Source. Nudge told me you’d be on the team and I look forward to our partnership.”

Liam was at a loss for words as he looked back at the girl. Her expression hung on, letting him know she was looking for something. Something he had no idea how to deliver. He was saved from trying to piece it together by Tank speaking up.

“You have two of them?” she asked. “How many more do you have hidden away? Am I going to go to the bathroom and find another Hero waiting to say hi?”

“Let me introduce Wire. And with her the team is full,” Nudge said. Pointedly ignoring what Tank said.

“Only three of us, if you count Source, who’ve seen anything real,” Tank said as she turned away from the group.

“Hey,” Both Liam and the young woman exclaimed in unison, before turning to look at each other again.

“Nevermind. It’s just the two of us,” Tank said as she turned on the TV and surfed through channels. If her actions were any hint, she was done with the conversation.

“I’ll have you know I finished top of my class. I can take anything the Cowls throw at us,” the young woman complained. Her helmet shook as it enunciated her points.

“I’ll make sure the Cowls know this is all a simulation when we see them,” Tank muttered.

“I think I’ve seen enough to qualify myself as a full-fledged Hero,” Liam said. “Maybe even a veteran.”

Tank turned back to stare at him, her face hidden by the purple mask.

“Yeah, I shouldn’t put you in the same basket as the academy twerp, you’ve earned at least that. But you’re still a long shot from being a veteran.”

“That’s mean. You shouldn’t say that,” the recent arrival said.

“That doesn’t change the fact that it’s true,” Tank said from the couch. Unfazed by the complaints of other Heroes.

“Alright, everyone. Calm down,” Nudge said. Trying to reign in the chaos spreading through the room. “There are going to be four of us on this team because everyone’s power is crucial for the mission.”

“What are her powers?” Tank asked.

Wire opened her mouth to respond, only for Nudge to speak over her.

“We’ll review that tomorrow. For now, I just want to get the introductions out of the way.”

“Secret mission. With a team of misfits, whose powers I don’t know. Yeah, this is just great. And they wonder why I like to work alone,” Tank muttered.

“In good time, Tank. I don’t want it to feel like I’m pushing anyone to open up more than they’re comfortable with. Especially after we all just met.”

Liam had the distinct feeling that was directed at him. Even if everyone already knew his powers from all the reporting on him. It was still a kind sentiment from Nudge.

“Great idea. Don’t push us into showing our powers so we fail the first time in the field when they clash.”

“I can share,” Wire said.

“That won’t be needed,” Nudge cut in.

“But-” Wire started only for Nudge to cut her off again.

“Everyone can still walk away after tonight. Tomorrow I’ll need an answer whether you’re in or not. Those of us who stay will have time to explain our powers, but only after we’ve signed up.”

While Liam wanted to know what the two women could do, he had to admit what Nudge said made sense. If you were going to share your power, you needed some guarantee it would not get out. Making people sit on the decision drove that point home.

“Just what we needed, more waiting. You never explained why The Watch isn’t leading this super important mission. Any reason for that?” Tank asked.

“I’m running point on this operation. This team reports through me to The Watch. They decided it’d be best if I worked outside the confines of their group. Less regulation that way”

“Translated, they don’t believe in the mission, or think it’s too dangerous,” Tank replied.

Wire’s eyes sparkled at the comment. That woman was asking for trouble, Liam thought. Who would be excited when the mission was harder and the best team in the country didn’t want to touch it?

“What support will The Watch provide?” Liam asked. If they didn’t want to lead this operation, the least they could do would be to provide a little help.

“This site as a base of operations and access to a teleporter.”

“How generous of them,” Tank said with mock sincerity.

“I agree, it was very kind of them,” Nudge said. Ignoring the leading comment from their teammate.

“Any other surprises today?” Tank asked.

“Only one more,” Nudge said with a flourish. “Wire, let me introduce your mentor during your apprenticeship, Tank.”