I found two regularly visited locations on my phone. One was my home in a neighborhood I didn’t recognize. The second was ‘the base’. It was located on the edge of an industrial and residential area and was one of many warehouses.

I pulled up the location of my house on the map as I walked and looked at it from the street view. It was a grey two-story house among many other houses. It was very different from my apartment in the city near the college. The house was a little further away from the college in a gated community that prided itself in its protective measures against threats of superhumans. I guess some people really wanted that type of thing because it was common when I searched it up. I guess I would also follow in their wish to feel protected against problematic people.

When I pulled up the gated communities website I was able to read about the main security guy Rob. He worked in the evening and had a form of danger sense but didn’t go into details beyond that. I suspected they had some form of heightened senses.

I put away my phone and crossed the street into the warehouse area. Each of the warehouses was labeled on the outside and was laid out in a grid system so it didn’t take long to find the one that belonged to me. The door was locked with an electronic keypad. I got the code from my phone and punched it in. The door slid open, and I stepped inside. The door locked behind me with a click.

Inside the warehouse along the walls was a rack of super suits behind glass. There were five suits. I recognized the color schemes and almost all of them were from the dynasties. There was Legacy’s yellow suit, QuickStep’s blue and grey outfit, and Thor’s blue and gold outfit. The others I didn’t recognize.

I moved to the other wall where materials were organized into boxes presumably to make gadgets and costumes. Around the stuff was various machining equipment. Some I recognized and some I didn’t. There was stuff resembling a CNC machine and 3d printer and more futuristic-looking equipment as well. Next to the rows of boxes were sets of tables with half-finished projects on them. There were gauntlets and other things, but what caught my eye was the mask. Sitting finished on the table was a yellow mask with black accents.

‘At least now I know who to expect today unless someone else shows up to this place asking for a mask.’

I took the mask and brought it next to the computer in the middle of the room. It took a few tries to unlock and almost locked myself out in the process. After I got the initial code correct it requested my biometrics which I provided. A scanner to the side of the computer checked my fingerprints and irises. It beeped happily in response and the computer opened up to some Linux-based operating software which took me some time to navigate through. I opened up the files tab and searched through them. Buried within files I found my client history.

I saw various recurring names and some that had only bought stuff from me once. After going through it all I found that the three dynasty heroes' names were Rachel, Nate, and Barry. I probably could have confirmed the information on the web if I wanted to but unnecessary. The last two recurring heroes were Dan Keyes aka Ripper and Quinn Reyes aka Harmony. I searched them up in the browser on my computer and found a few things. The first thing I saw about them was that their powers were the ability to soften/harden materials and telekinesis respectably. The second thing was that their identities outside of costume were not public knowledge. The third was that they were local heroes in the area. Quinn worked as a freelance hero in the city and had done a few team-ups in the past with dynasty heroes. Dan was a leader of a superhero team that operated through the police force of the city.

‘This is interesting. I wonder how I convinced them to give me their real names. Am I a public business that just so happens to be situated here while servicing the most widely known names of the hero world? Will villains try to target me?’

I searched up ‘superhero costume needed’. I first got a bunch of Halloween-type costumes that I filtered out. What was left was information on Hero Wear and Titan Tools. They both listed contact information about ordering gear made from them after a review process. The only other options I saw were a website mentioning private sellers and discussing how to make your own items. I presumed I was on that list of private sellers. Either way, superheroes had to get their costumes from designers and retailers that would fit their needs and their superpowers.

‘Was I the best in the business then if the best superheroes came to me? Could I live up to that name now?’

It was hard for me to wrap my head around and accept. I closed down the open files pages and the web browser. I looked through the computer some more and found documents about the machine. I saved those to the desktop to look through later. Some of the other documents included the designs for the costumes on display and the designs for the gadgets. From the labels, they sounded awesome. There were smoke bombs, stun grenades, superhuman tranquilizers, and sonic guns, among many other things.

As I was going through the list of items that I had designed and created in another life I heard the door lock click. I froze up for a moment and then remembered I was having a guest over and needed to act normal. I check the time and saw that it was exactly two o clock. I shut down my computer and looked up to see Rachel Jacy walk in wearing street clothes. I calmed myself and stood up to meet her.

She had blonde hair and was tall and fit. If the ads in the library edited the photos on display it was barely noticeable. I put on my friendliest smile when she spoke first. Honestly, I’m glad she spoke first. Again, as I have said it is extremely awkward to pretend to be something you’re not and from the files, I had seen her purchase history with me had gone back since she first took up the role as Legacy four years ago. It was best if she started first and I would go from there.

“Is that the mask?” she pointed down to the mask I had set on the table.

I looked at the mask. “Yes, it is.” I picked it up and handed it to her. She snatched it from my hand.

“Thank you. I will tell you how this one does tomorrow. Is there anything else you need from me?” she looked at me scrutinizing me. “You are fidgeting.”

I looked down and realized I had been fidgeting. I stopped abruptly and searched for an excuse.

“Sorry. I have just been tired and busy lately. And no, I don’t need anything else. Unless you need anything for yourself you should be good to go,” I said as I focused making myself seem as normal and less noticeable as I could.

“Then I will see you at the fight.”

“Yeah the fight,” I said halfheartedly. As soon as I said it I realized I had made a mistake.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Do I have to remind you again that it is my birthday in two days? You have missed the last two parties. You must come to this one.”

‘She was going to fight someone on her birthday. Was this going to be a tournament or exhibition match? It sounded interesting to watch the fight, but I wasn’t sure about the party.’

She grabbed my hand. I thought for a moment to pull away, but I knew that would make things worse, so I fought off that instinct. It also helped that she had a firm grip.

“It will be fun, and you can relax a bit after working yourself tired,” she said.

I really didn’t want to go to a social event, especially one where I would presumably be around people who knew me. I looked her in the eyes, and I sighed.

“Fine, I will make sure to be there. Just text me the info and I will clear my schedule. In fact.” I paused realizing the party had given me a good idea. “Tell the others I won’t be taking on any work for the next week. Anything they need will have to be delayed. I need this break.”

“That is just wonderful. I will tell them.”

Rachel put on the mask testing the fit. The mask covered her eyes for flight while high in the air and then had pieces that jutted down and molded to her cheekbones.

“This fits perfectly as always.”

“I always do the best I can. Especially for you,” I said regretting the last few words.

She smiled and laughed it off.

“You know I have been wanting to ask you something,” I said a question popping into my head.

“Well, what is it?”

“Why don’t you go elsewhere for your costume needs? I know I do good work, but with your family's resources, you could pay for items and your costume from anyone. Why me?” I asked trying to understand the old me and her better.

“You said it yourself you are the best, around here at least. And I can’t just buy from my friend's competitors, can I? You are acting a bit weird today. Are you sure you’re fine?”

“Yeah, I’m good. I won’t let this stop me from going. I do want to see how the fight ends up. And if you lose don’t blame it on faulty equipment,” I said raising my hands.

“I probably won’t do that. I am confident that I can beat that bitch.”

“That is some strong words. Who are you fighting again that you hate and on your birthday no less?”

“Tabby my cousin. I don’t think you’ve met her, but why don’t you remember? She…”

Rachel’s phone buzzed. She checked it and scowled.

“Sorry, but I got to go. Hero business and all. See you Saturday.”

She floated off the ground and rushed out the door with her new mask in hand. I heaved a sigh of relief and sat back down in the computer chair. The nerves and energy I was holding back fell away. I sat in the chair for a while longer unsure of what to do next or where to go next. The city’s monuments and architecture were different. I was sure there were some cool places to visit that tourists like myself would be around. For the time being though I returned to my phone. I received a text message from Rachel.

RJ: The party is Saturday from 2-5 pm. Don’t be late or else the security won’t let you in. It will be at my parent’s place.

After reading the message I sent out messages to Nate and Quinn. It was just a short message telling them that orders from my shop would have to be delayed. I needed to figure out how the stuff in the shop worked first and I needed to make sure I could learn more about the shop before they came. I didn’t want my incompetence about the tools and supplies around here to be my downfall just yet. From the computer files, I saw that Nate regularly ordered stuff, but Quinn bought less. As a speedster, Nate burned through reinforced pairs of boots on a monthly basis and yes he did buy them two pairs at a time occasionally three to be sure.

I checked the location I had for Rachel on my phone. The house was a large mansion about an hour from the warehouse by car. I returned to the computer and started to read through the documentation on the manufacturing tools. I had over ten to go through. Each one had a specific use in the process of making the super suits from sewing the fabric to treating the suit in its final stages so that it would become more resistant to impacts and temperature changes. From the files, I had found that despite how well the items were built they would need to be replaced eventually. Especially when supers were stress-testing the superhuman limits on the daily.

The process for the gadgets and items used some of the same machinery and a few new ones as well. The main one that piqued my interest was an industrial chemical mixer used to both dyes the cloths for the suit and smoke bomb.

I first started small and tried making a smoke bomb. The casing was relatively easy once I had read the instructions. I really only had to press a few buttons and the printer and CNC machine did the rest. The stuff was already pre-calibrated and ready to go. Once it was finished I would just need to assemble the pieces by hand.

The harder steps were the chemistry for the smoke bombs. I had taken high school chemistry and one college course on the subject so I could identify some stuff and mix the simple things. This however was an entirely different beast. It took me some time just to understand all of the terms used. I had to google a few to be sure.

I put on the safety equipment hanging next to the mixer. I ended up printing the instructions to have next to me as I worked. I halved the batch for the test run because I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. It took me longer than I had expected to make the batch. I almost messed it up when I started fiddling with the valves to increase the pressure.

Once I was finished I put the two parts in a pressurized container. I grabbed one of the empty ones and filled it up. The smoke bomb was made up of two parts other than the casing. There was the smoke-making part and the reactant part that starts the reaction when the pin is pulled.

Once the chemical side was done I waited for the machined parts to finish before assembling it all together. I laid out all the parts on the table and took my time assembling them. I had also printed out the instructions for these steps as well. In only a few minutes I had assembled the casing. The next steps were to fill it using the canister and set the pin. I kept my gas mask on for this part because I wasn’t sure how it would go.

I brought the canister over and attached a special fill tool to pressurize the smoke bomb. I watched the pressure gauge go down until I heard a pop, and the smoke bomb was full. I undid the nozzle and put in the pin mechanism. It was done. Now for the testing.

I kept my gas mask on and decided in a corner to throw the smoke bomb. I pulled the pin I had recently inserted and rolled the smoke bomb. I backed away as the smoke bomb began to hiss. The smoke bomb exploded, and its casing cracked as the grey smoke billowed out. The smoke wasn’t quite right from its description, and it should not have been as violent an explosion. It would be better to call this mix a fog grenade instead.

With the fireworks over I began picking up the broken pieces of the bomb. Some of them could be reused but others had bent and would need to be replaced completely. As I began cleaning up I realized that I probably had missed tightening it somewhere or overtightened causing it to explode violently instead of releasing the smoke like it was supposed to.

I put the pieces on the table to look over later. I was tired and exhausted. I checked the time, and it was almost seven PM. I checked outside and it was already dark out. I opened up my phone and checked my map. If I were to walk home it would take me almost an hour.

‘I really should have checked the time and planned things out. I wish I had a car. In fact, why don’t I have a car.’

I had checked my pockets but didn’t have keys with me other than the ones to my house. I moved over to check my backpack. I had been carrying it around today but had never looked in it much. Inside were books, notes for classes I had never gone to but no keys. I did find what looked like a taser made by myself though. I moved it out of its pocket and to another spot in my bag so that I could remember it if I needed it.

‘Maybe my phone has something.’

As I searched for an UBER app or some equivalent I saw an app with a wheel on it. I clicked on it. The app opened up to show me a 3D render of my black sedan car. I scrolled through the options, and it showed a bunch of features. One of them was ‘Autopilot’. I clicked on it.

  Please confirm the autopilot destination

I clicked yes after checking that it would go to the main road next to the warehouses. On the app, it showed that I had left the car on campus.

‘I guess I should have checked for a way to get around earlier. Tomorrow I need to make sure I don’t forget anything stupid like that. Especially when I have to interact with others.’

  Estimated time 15 minutes

With the car on its way I waited.