Despite the call of urgency, the Director hadn’t expected me to be in the city already. Sitting in his waiting room at least gave me some time to reflect on Roy had taught me. I had once thought being a hero was the polar opposite of my darker past, but the time spent with the veterans had shown me that the true opposite was something much more simple.

  I opened up my STAR and brought a search window into focus. Had a look to see if there were any cybernetic support groups, or similar. Perhaps I would feel like too much of a phoney to attend…

  Most people had no chance of getting the level of tech I had for my legs, or what was soon to replace my arm. Imposter syndrome edged into the sides of my mind, but the sound of the Director’s door opening stopped me from dealing with those thoughts. I saved the search and closed it down for now.

  The Director’s office looked no different from usual. The man himself, however, looked on-edge. As the door closed behind me, he put up the privacy spell immediately and gestured to the chair. I sat.

  “Thanks for coming in on such short notice, Gunquake.” He drummed his fingertips on the desk.

  [Naturally. Is there something wrong?]

  “Potentially.” Kingston furrowed his brow and looked around the room as he gathered his thoughts. “There are a lot of working parts in Goldarch. Many problems that require solutions. Most minor, but occasionally a clump of trouble comes along at once.”

  [Are you saying I need to be the solution to one of these problems?]

  He pulled a face. “Not in the way you are insinuating. Normally, you wouldn’t hear anything about these issues… but several of them concern you, so I thought it only prudent.”

  Perhaps he meant the hit out on me, or something to do with the Heroism Arena. I nodded politely and gestured for him to continue.

  “The committee who is overseeing the Heroism Arena is made up of Directors who do not like you. This may affect the trials that are selected.”

  [So they might weigh things against my weaknesses?]

  “Indeed. I can’t promise that things would be exactly fair to you, but neither is there enough external evidence for me to accuse them of deliberately rigging the Arena. You’ll just have to be on your toes and put that much more effort in.”

  It was difficult to imagine specific scenarios that would have an increased downside for me. Unless they required two hands, maybe. Even then, I’m sure I’d find a way to succeed. It seemed petty of them to make up ways to eject me from the League. They must be rather scared of what I was capable of, to be this desperate.

  [I appreciate the heads up. I’ve had plenty of offers of training to expand my breadth of competencies.]

  “Take them, as much as time is limited. In spite of the deck being stacked against you, I have full confidence in your ability to put on a good showing.” He smiled briefly. “Although problem number two may prevent that. Someone intends to kill you.”

  [Oh no.]

  The Director narrowed his eyes slightly at my glib response, trying to read if I didn’t care or already knew. “This is serious, Gunquake.”

  [Do you know who, or why?]

  He shook his head. “I personally received an anonymous tip-off. This isn’t something known or recognized by the League… and I am hesitant to bring it up to the others, given your current standing.”

  It was fair to say that the tipper would have been Silhouette. My brother looking out for me without implicating himself any further than he was already. Assuming that he did know who the client was, he must think that Kingston would be enough to protect me or possibly direct me into getting the bounty lifted. Whether through force or less direct means.

  [Perhaps I could get some protection against that, now that there’s an actual threat?]

  “That is still difficult to sell to the others, but…” Kingston closed his eyes and rubbed at his temples. “I will take on some personal risk by doing something under the table.”

  I raised my eyebrows, but was mostly sure he didn’t mean literally.

  [My continued existence must be really worth something, huh?]

  “Unfortunately so. It is not uncommon for Directors within the League to choose pawns or—more generously—champions to further their cause. Politics within the organization have been fraught as of late with further pressure on the usual tribal sword-clashing brought to a boil thanks to the World Government.”

  I leaned back in the chair and nodded sagely. Silhouette had given me the run-down, but I played it cool and ignorant. It was a given that a large gathering of officials would have some inefficiencies behind the scenes. The fact that there was a current power struggle was no doubt a lot less advertised, but well within the realm of possibility.

  [Oh? You’re just using me to further your own stake here?]

  He rolled his eyes. “That is a rather uncharitable take, but there is some truth to it. Not every hero is directly under the purview of someone here… aside from the most important ones.”

  [So the higher I rise in the Ranks, and the more successful I am, the better for your career.]

  “In turn, I will be a benefit to your career as well. Both you and the Natural Disasters as a whole. Moving on to the actual reason this is a current issue - we have information indicating the World Government will be making a push to weaken us soon.”

  [Is ‘soon’ the only information you have?]

  Kingston nodded and turned some pages on his desk. “Frustratingly so. Some manner of attack within the next two weeks. At this stage, we are unsure whether it is going to be something pushed in from the wastes, or a foreign actor within the city. We have agents working the streets disguised as workers getting the city ready for the Heroism Arena.”

  I nodded slowly, feeling like he was about to ask me to do something.

  “As for outside influence… I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask the Natural Disasters to do some off-the-record pre-emptive target nullification to potentially nip a likely problem in the bud.”

  [That’s a really wordy way to ask us to commit a lot of murder.]

  “True.” He waved a hand dismissively. “We are talking about a tribe that has run regular attacks on one of the northern suburbs over the years. Intel suggests they have been bolstering their strength for longer than usual. If they are getting assistance from the World Gov, then we want them dead before they become a threat to civilians.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  [Before the Heroism Arena, I take it?]

  “Correct.”

  I stifled a sigh. Just as my life was creeping up to the point where I could have normal, dull days, something like this came up. Not that the Arena or going to see Roxy’s parents was normal either. Maybe I should give up on the idea that I could have a quiet life. My creation had pinned me with a destiny that I couldn’t shake. I was sure I wasn’t unique in this regard… but it had me briefly questioning what I wanted to achieve in my lifetime.

  [Consider it done. Circling back to the bulletproofing, though…]

  The Director gave me a wry smile and picked up a pen. On a blank piece of paper he wrote down something, before pushing it across the desk toward me. “Go to this address and take Doctor Jarl with you. You did not get this address from me. The woman there will know what to do.”

  Wasn’t somewhere I recognized. On the west side of the city. I awkwardly folded the page up with my singular hand against my leg.

  [Appreciated. Any other fires you need me to put out?]

  “Not right now. I will send the details of your wasteland mission to Miss Clara in due course. You are availed of any other duties so that you may focus on your Heroism Arena training… it is very important that you don’t let me down there.”

  [You have doubts?]

  “If you fail and I lose the internal power struggle here, I cannot save you from those who wield the ability to get rid of you.”

  Neat. I just had to avoid the assassin, out-of-city death missions, and those in Goldarch wanting me to fail the Arena. Oh, and Roxy’s birthday. More fool me for thinking I was becoming more invincible.

  [Understood. If that is all, Director, I have quite the schedule.]

  He hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded. “I’m sure that is plenty for you to consider. I will keep you updated. For now, stay safe and be alert.”

  I stood and tipped the edge of my hood in response. It hadn’t been a very comforting meeting, but it was better to have them and be left in the dark. Clearer to me how the Gov was able to get some leverage in the city with the lack of unification within the leadership here. Still rather annoying they wanted me dead.

  As I left his office, I brought up my messages.

  //Dubs: In the city and free if you’re ready for training.

  //Ren: Sure, come on over.

  //Ren: I can free up space for you.

  Having one member of the Natural Disasters train me each day seemed pragmatic at first, but with the need to go for a potentially deadly mission up north, I wanted to free up space. Our ranger was at her business offices today, so it wouldn’t take long to swing by in the Meteor to see what she had planned for me.

  I paused in the waiting room briefly as two figures passed in the hallway. One was instantly recognizable as Angel. The second was a man I hadn’t seen before - probably not a hero. She looked annoyed and was speaking to him in an intense but hushed tone. I waited for them to vanish from earshot before I left.

  After learning from Red Dust that the superwoman was equally—if not more—responsible for the death of Clara’s parents, I had a certain uncomfortable disdain for Angel. Maybe it was accidental collateral, or it could have been reckless apathy. It was difficult for me to judge in good faith given my closeness to the techie. Knowing that many heroes were coddled children with god complexes, I had a gut feeling that Angel wouldn’t be part of our extended friend group in the future.

  Maybe I could get the gossip from my brother, but I imagined he would be rather tight-lipped. Despite his wavering loyalties, he was a professional at heart - something I understood and respected.

  The rest of my journey out of League HQ and to Ren’s office was relatively uneventful. Other than some mild awkwardness at taking up so much of the road, equally filling those around me with awe or annoyance. Otherwise, I arrived safe and sound.

  I received a few glances as I entered the lobby and went up to reception. Business men in suits paused their discussion to watch me. To my right, an elven child with her grandpa hopped up and down, prosthetic hand pointed at me.

  Rather than sign in at reception, I paused and looked at the child. Her ice-blue eyes practically sparkled as she stared at me. I turned and walked over to the pair. The elderly elf, having his arm wrenched off, looked rather tired, but gave me a smile as I approached.

  [Good afternoon. Someone looks very energetic.]

  “She certainly is.” He raised his eyebrows and sighed. “Lori is quite a fan of yours, Gunquake.”

  [Is that so?]

  I kneeled down to be closer to her level. Although I was partially sure elves aged slightly different from humans, she looked as though she was between six and eight. Her eyes bulged out at me as I got closer, but she stopped hopping around.

  “Lori is very shy, I’m afraid. Not much of a talker.” Her grandpa leaned over slightly. “Go on, Lori. Say hello.”

  She looked between my face and my arm a few times, building up the courage to say something. Just when I thought she might give up, she raised her prosthetic and pointed at my gun-arm.

  “Touch?” she asked.

  [If you wish.]

  I tilted the side of the shotgun toward her. To my surprise, rather than let go of her grandpa’s hand to feel it with her actual hand, she just tapped her prosthetic against it. It made a clink noise, which did nothing but illuminate her expression with a radiant smile.

  “Lost it when she was younger,” he said, with some sadness in her eyes. “Animal attack.”

  The replacement was something simple. Minimal movement and a dull gray rather than her skin color. I imagined that cybernetics wouldn’t be useful to attach to someone with so much growing to do. Prosthetics could be replaced every so often until she was an adult.

  [When you’re older, I’m sure you’ll have something much cooler than this.]

  She pointed the static hand toward me and wrinkled up her nose. “Pew pew.”

  [I’m relatively new at all this, but would you like an autograph?]

  While she nodded eagerly, I withdrew a pen from one of my pouches. This had been an inclusion suggested—rather forcefully—by Roxy, just for such an occasion. Lori’s grandpa patted around his pockets in the hope of finding a suitable bit of paper, but the small elf lifted up her hand.

  [Are you sure that’s okay?]

  I raised an eyebrow and looked up at her grandpa. He took a deep breath in, readying for a sigh, but nodded.

  “She is due for a replacement in a couple of months. Her mother might kill me, but I think that would make for a nice keepsake.”

  Permission granted. She rested it on my gun-arm so that I could attack it with the pen in my left hand. My handwriting was atrocious, and my signature looked… well, with the angle I had written, it almost looked like my gun-arm. G shoulder to barrel e, with the k near the end like iron-sights.

  Lori was elated, and began moving around like she couldn’t contain her energy - arm extended so that she could look at the writing on her prosthetic. I thanked the two and waved them off as they left. After they had vanished from view, I realized I had been just standing idly.

  Huh. That was interesting.

  The receptionist was all smiles as she gave me the directions and approval for my meeting. I entered the elevator and tried to process my day thus far. Elevator stopped, and I walked out, around the corner of a corridor and into the waiting room to see Ren.

  Her door opened, but instead of the ranger, someone else exited.

  An elvish man, with dark hair cut short. Rather bookish in appearance, with round glasses and a slight goatee. On seeing me, he smiled and extended a hand.

  “Gunquake. A pleasure, finally. Flynn - Ren’s husband.”

  I took his hand and shook it - after he switched to his left instead of right.

  [I’ve heard a lot about you. Great to make your acquaintance.]

  “Likewise.” He gestured to the open door. “She’ll be thankful you rearranged your meeting for today, as she won’t have to chew my ears off over this quarter’s acquisitions. Go on ahead.”

  [Thank you.]

  Perhaps I should have made more small talk, but my mind was slightly offset with the back and forth of my day so far. Not in a bad way, just… different.

  I gave him a nod and went into the office. Ren was behind her desk, dressed for business. That made sense considering I had sprung this on her rather last minute. I closed the door behind me and walked over to my seat.

  “I heard the training with Roy went well.” She smiled dryly. “You don’t want to know what his original idea was before we advised him otherwise.”

  [He was pretty keen on me punching him, for some reason.]

  “Most likely, he wants to get one up over you after you humbled us in that team fight. A man and his ego.” She rolled her eyes. “Speaking of that, I’m sure you’ve clocked that it’s unlikely I’ll be training you on shooting arrows or scouting.”

  [It seems the team already has confidence in my combat capabilities.]

  “Correct. Care to make a guess what it’ll be, then?”

  [Hmm. Was the elven girl in the lobby a set-up?]

  Ren tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You met my niece then. I thought they had left already. You have to remember our training was scheduled for tomorrow.”

  It was organic then, to some degree. While part of me expected it to be arranged to see how I would react, there could be no faking the genuine happiness Lori had expressed. I had a fan.

  [I that case I am at a loss. Something new?]

  She gave me another wry smile. “I wouldn’t say new. Maybe you’ll recognize him.” The elf leaned forward and pressed a button on her desk. “You can send him in now.”

  I turned in my chair and watched as the door opened.