Zack regarded Dirk Saber with caution. Even with his arm in a sling, Dirk Saber was still ranked as one of the best fighters in the world, and Zack knew he could still kick his ass if he wanted to. Instead, Zack did his best to play this casually, even as every alarm bell rang throughout his brain.

“How long have you known?” he asked.

“I’ve always suspected,” Dirk said as he rounded Zack’s position, always keeping him in his focus. “Something about Knightbrand just seemed a little . . . off.”

“What gave me away?” Zack shrugged.

“Honestly, nothing,” Dirk said. “Someone sent in an anonymous tip.”

Anonymous tip? That last part puzzled Zack. No one knew he was Knightbrand except for Perry.

And he was dead.

It didn’t matter, Zack told himself. The only thing that mattered was finding Icer and making him pay.

But that mission was in jeopardy, because Zack had serious doubts he could take Dirk Saber, even if the guy’s arm was in a sling. Still, he kept his posture tense, ready for any attack which might come from Saber.

“So…what now?” Zack asked, maintaining a casual tone as if he were sitting in Dirk Saber’s office.

“Now,” Dirk Saber said. “You come with me and turn yourself in.”

Zack gave a noncommittal shrug. “Sorry, Dirk. That’s just not in the cards right now.”

Saber appeared mildly disappointed by this news. He reached for something behind his back. Zack spotted a small metallic slab in Saber’s hand, shining in the moonlight. His eyes widened as the object slid down towards the ground, extending into a sharp and curved blade.

Omegium.

“Wait, so I don’t come with you, you’re going to skewer me with your oversized fantasy sword,” Zack said. “Seems a bit excessive..”

Saber rolled his eyes. “You know my reputation. You’ll survive this. It won’t be pleasant…blood loss and all…but you’ll be able to stand before a judge.”

“Oh what a relief,” Zack said.

“Hey, you brought this on yourself,” Saber said.

Well, at least we agree on something.

Zack didn’t say it. He needed to project confidence. Not because he was particularly confident he could take Saber. He just needed Saber to think he had the upper-hand, that he was the same mouthy kid who strode into his classroom a week and a half ago.

It seemed like ancient history now.

“If this goes down like this,” Saber said, brandishing his sword. “I can’t help you.”

Dirk cracked his hands and rotated his chest as if he were stretching for a fight, even if it was one he wasn’t particularly looking forward to. “What’s the alternative?”

“The alternative is that you stand down,” Saber said. “Tell your story to a judge. I’ll be by your side the whole time. Make sure you’re represented well.”

“I appreciate the offer,” Zack said. “I really do. But I got places to be.”

Saber’s demeanor seemed to shrug a bit. “No, you really don’t.”

“Because you’re going to beat me so bad?” Zack said in a mocking tone.

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“Partially,” Dirk said. “But I don’t think you understand the gravity of this situation. That anonymous tip? I was sent out to every superhero group and law enforcement agency in the tristate area.”

Great. That’s more heat I really didn’t need.

Still, Zack knew he’d have to pay for his crimes sooner or later. This just made it far more sooner than he anticipated.

But Icer still needed to pay for his crimes.

“And it’s only a matter of time before it leaks to the media,” Saber said.

Damn.

That’s one place Zack didn’t really anticipate - the court of public opinion.

Who the hell burned him? Perry was the only person who knew the truth, God rest his soul.

Could it have been Kaine? Could Icer have somehow put the pieces together?

“What did this anonymous tip say?” Zack said, now honestly curious.

Saber pointed his sword at Zack, ready to engage. “You stole the Knightbrand armor from your father. Then you came here and stole the Magnometer. It was a good plan. The moment you arrived on campus, the PR machine was buzzing. Plus once you started the quakes there were plenty of money shots of Knightbrand helping out.”

Zack snorted derisively. “You think I started earthquakes for, what? Good vibes and a couple likes on social media?”

Saber shrugged. “I didn’t say it was a great plan. But it’s functional. After a couple of months, you reveal who’s under armor. Everyone loves a legacy hero. Pretty soon the superhero community has a hot new leading man.”

Damn.

Whoever sent that tip thought this through. That did sound pretty diabolical. Icer was questioning his motivations. He must have figured it out.

And then killed Perry as retribution.

“I didn’t steal the Magnometer for fame,” Zack said.

“But you did steal it,” Saber said pointedly.

“Yeah,” Zack said. “But it was for Kaine…”

“Carl Kaine, out of the Alpha House?” Saber raised an eyebrow.

“You’re familiar?” Zack said.

“You could say that,” Saber said. “I flunked him out of my class after he was too excessive with other students on the mat.”

Yeah, that tracks.

“He made me steal the Magnometer in exchange for some Alpha tech to repair my suit after my scrape with Icer,” Zack said.

Zack could see the wheels turning within Saber’s mind. He was there, after all. He’d seen it happen.

“Okay, okay,” Saber said. “Let’s say I buy this theory. Why does Carl Kaine want an earthquake machine?”

Zack shrugged. “He was pretty crazy last I talked to him. Said some shit about the underground springs.”

Saber’s eyes widened. “That’s bad. Those are….inaccessible for a reason.”

“They’re real?” Zack said. “And you know about them?”

“This is bigger than you, kid,” Saber said. His sword retracted, much to Zack’s relief. “But it’s still your word against his. And you’ve already admitted to stealing and alter ego theft.”

“Look, I know this doesn’t look good,” Zack said.

“That doesn’t even cover it,” Saber said. “I still have to take you in. I’m sorry. It’s the only way.”

Zack reached into his back pocket. “What if I gave you the Magnometer? As like, a gesture of good faith? How much time would that buy?”

Zack produced the Magnometer. Saber gave him a questioning look.

“I thought Kaine had it,” he said.

“He did. Past tense,” Zack said. “I took it back…with some help.”

Saber reached forward. Zack tensed as he did so, wary of any potential attack. Saber took the Magnometer with his one good hand.

“This doesn’t change your situation,” Saber said. “I can buy you maybe ten minutes, if you’re lucky. But the walls are coming down, either way.”

Zack said. “Thanks, Dirk. I appreciate it.”

Saber turned to him. “Don’t thank you. You want my advice? Run far, far away from this mess and go crawling back to your daddy, and hope he can get you out of this mess.”

For once, Zack wished that was an option. Though he doubted his dad would be that understanding given the situation.

Zack watched Saber leave. He knew his professor was right. The walls were coming crashing down either way.

He only had time to find one person. He could use that time to find Icer.

Or . . .