While his assailant left him on the ground, Tadeus started pulling out the glass shards embedded in his arm, wounds closing seconds after. As he started walking back home, he considered what his encounter revealed.

'So there's at least one other guy with a power. So he either got concordis too, or something else is going on. On one hand, Occam's razor dictates one should make the least amount of assumptions, so another "supernatural" source is improbable. On the other, it would mean effect of the microbes is not consistent. How would his armor work? He couldn't have just produced the metal out of thin air. At least I think so. Just because they give powers, doesn't mean they break the laws of physics. I do think my healing factor uses my calories, though human metabolism is not my area of expertise… I need someone from that field, and with the right equipment to check what exactly is going on.'

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"So there are others." David summed up Tad's recounting of the event. "And you wasted perfectly good mustard."

"You are worried about mustard?!"

"I would worry about you, if it wasn't for the fact that you're probably unkillable."

"Oh, so does that mean no more overbearing 'are you alright'? " Tadeus teased.

"No way, you'd miss it too much. It just won't be about your physical health anymore." David retorted, grinning. "Back to the point though, the guy got your space bug too?"

"That's probably what happened. How he came into contact I have no idea. But that means the 'bug', as you call it, has a different effect on different people. It could be that he and I lucked out and got a power, while someone else might get their bones dissolved."

"Maybe… maybe he caught from you."

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"No way. I met the guy today."

"Sure, but you didn't isolate yourself after catching the thing, so maybe it's contagious and you touched something… and he caught it too."

"Well, that would mean you have it too, and you're fine. But let's do a test. I'll take your blood sample, to be sure."

After a few minutes, the microbiologist was looking into his microscope.

"Shit, you were right, there they are. But why didn't it affect you? Maybe you're, i dunno, incompatible or something…"

"With that official terminology I know I'm in safe hands, doctor Floyd."

"Oh gimme a break, it's been a weird day."

"Sure was. Let's go sleep on it."

"Sleep? No way I'll just let you sleep right now, not after 'doctor Floyd'. Come over here, we'll check if you really don't have superpowers."

"How? Oh. Oh!"

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"Excuse me, are you 'dirty Tim'?" a woman in a dark blue hoodie asked the burly man.

"Who's askin'?"

"Someone with a job for you."

"Hm. Let's say I am. What is the job, and how much you payin'?"

"Well, you will essentially do much of the same as you do now. Beating up a few defenceless people, causing a ruckus, destroying public property. In terms of payment, you will be able to afford any alcohol, drug, or whatever you might desire, in ample quantities."

"Kinda sounds too good to be true. What's the catch? And how do I know You keep your side of the bargain?"

The woman stopped briefly before responding.

"There is one caveat. Make sure none of your work can be traced back to us. It has to look as if you work of your own accord. As for the payment" she reached behind, pulling out a duffel bag from the shadows. " you can take this bag with you today, should you agree. As a sort of advance."

He took the bag. Opening, he found it full of stacks of 100 dollar bills. He whistled and said "Looks like you got yourself a deal, lady. Where do I sign?"

"A simple handshake will suffice."

As they shook each other's hands, Tim felt a numb pang at the back of his skull. For the first time, the woman's expression changed to a wide smile, and he realized his fate was no longer his own.

"Wecome to Starlight, Tim."