It was our moment to celebrate.

  Something that seemed to mostly involve everyone gathering in our garden and getting drunk. Still, they were happy. Things were good.

  At first I had wondered who the Director might have been looking at during the final portion of the meeting. Roxy had asked me if I thought it was Silhouette, but I didn’t think so. There wasn’t that same feeling to it that I often got around my elusive brother. He hadn’t messaged me since the leg-loss jab, and I didn’t feel a need to contact him.

  My guess was that it was the owner of the League, putting his ear to the wall, metaphorically. The team was making waves for a handful of reasons, and it was in his interest to know what we were up to. Kingston couldn’t labor any information on us about our wasteland exploits, and his glance was an unspoken way to let us know that we didn’t have the privacy that required.

  Of course, I could be way off - but Roxy was content enough with that answer. While the rest of the team went home to get changed, we popped into a store and figuratively robbed it of a great deal of alcohol.

  Doctor Jarl was still at our home base when we arrived back, and after some back and forth, we convinced him to stick around. He was a part of our odd family now, after all.

  I looked over at the cybernetics expert as he was trying to explain some technical details about skin grafting to a very bored Roy. Roxy and Ren had a bet going that the ranger could strike any ball of rock the super could create and throw, and so far, was ten for ten. Belle appeared from somewhere and sat on a chair beside me.

  [You know, I appreciate the fact that your name doesn’t start with an R.]

  “A rarity, huh?” She smiled and tipped her second bottle of rum towards me. “I appreciate you getting the good stuff, but I am pretty sure it was just the one bottle you owed me.”

  [I count the distraction before I could accost Roxy’s ex as you saving my ass as well.]

  “You wouldn’t have really kicked him, though.”

  [Perhaps not. Who can really say? I’m sure he will see the error of his ways once he knows Roxy is taken, and back off without me needing to do anything.]

  Belle drank from her bottle, maintaining eye contact but saying nothing. I could read through the silence, despite being slightly tipsy. Better I just switched subjects.

  [You don’t want to get involved with the betting? Misuse your powers a little?]

  “Nah.” She lowered the bottle and looked over at the pair. “As much as He likes mischief… either I shield the rock and blue-ball them both, or make the rock unlucky and the arrow ricochets. Probably back into one of us.”

  [Then I can use my powers to either calm the situation or regenerate health.]

  “Bunch of misfits.” Belle shook her head and looked around the garden. “Speaking of… where did Clara get to? She can’t be working still.”

  [Hmm. Let me go find her.]

  I grunted as I stood up - a sure sign that my birthday the other day was valid. Being responsible was aging me. Managing to avoid the pleas for help in the Captain's eyes, I pushed the workshop door open slightly. Empty. A step over to her office and she wasn’t in there either. Odd. While I hadn’t seen her drink that much, she might be sick.

  On reasonably stable legs, I walked over to the house. The hallway light was on, but… my eyes went to the living room, where the small cat was curled up on a blanket left on the couch. I stepped over to him and kneeled down.

  [Not much for crowds, huh? It gets noisy out there with the squad around.]

  He stretched out and make a small noise, but didn’t look keen to wake up.

  [They’re good people, though. Smart and passionate. I’m sure we can convince them, we just need to stick together, okay? We'll get through this.]

  Warlock didn’t respond. Content enough to be warm and have my hand pet along him. I lost track of what I was actually saying to him, my words seemingly garbled. Another downside of getting my alcohol content directly into my neck.

  Oh, I was here trying to find Clara. I stood and left the cat to think about what I said. I knew he’d come around to it - I could always rely on him. As I turned, I paused to see the techie already standing in the doorway.

  [Hello. I was trying to find you.]

  “I was in my bedroom, Gunquake. Perhaps it was better I found you first?” She crossed her arms. “I had a momentary flash of genius brought on by my inebriated mind and needed somewhere quiet to make notes. The process is complete and I am ready for more frivolity.”

  [Drunk enough to share details on what my new arm will do?]

  “Keep on dreaming, Gunquake.” Clara smiled and turned to leave the house.

  I gave a brief glance to the unbothered kitten and shrugged. Although I had enough secrets in my life, I allowed this one. Few surprises were pleasant in my life, so having one that I could…

  My thoughts trailed away as a message pinged into my STAR. How ironic.

  With a sigh, I stood and left the room, back out into the noisier late afternoon where Clara had pried the Doctor away from talking Roy’s ears off. The latter was now doing shots with Belle, and I started to realize that the Captain was probably the worst gambler I had ever known. Perhaps he just played for the fun of it, losing be damned.

  As I stepped onto the grass, it looked as though the pair using their powers had given up the challenge. With the warmth of inebriation clear on their smiling faces, they stepped over to me.

  “There you are, Dubs.” Roxy grinned. “Ren was just proposing something we can do together that I know you’d love.”

  I raised an eyebrow, and the elf shot the super a quick glare.

  “Phrasing. So the city kind of messed up when selling this land to me.” Ren gestured to our home base with a shake of her bottle. “Technically, I am allowed to do a lot here, outside of the usual rules. I’m thinking… we built an actual command center.”

  [Oh?]

  I looked past them, out to the fading daylight darkening the path from here to the city.

  “Unfortunately, you’re going to see a lot of us assholes on the regular,” she continued. “Having a better place than your garden table to plan missions would be nice…”

  “Gives us the professional edge,” Roxy added, assisting the sales pitch.

  “Maybe even some temporary accommodation?” The elf pulled a face. “Somewhere to clean up or rest so that we aren’t always back and forth between the city, you know?” There was an amount of apprehension in her pitch, like she thought she was overstepping a line.

  [Sure. You have my full support.]

  I gave them a polite nod and made to move past them.

  Roxy frowned. “What’s the hurry, babe? Where are you off to?”

  As I continued past our garden and buildings, I waved them off with my hand.

  [Just need to talk to family for a second. I’ll be back.]

  Although I didn’t get to see their expression, I imagined they were rather confused. In truth, so was I. While my senses might be numbed from the revelry, I was willing to take things in good faith. No doubt with everyone's eyes on me, I stepped past the warehouse and left the safety of our defensive dome.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  I took several steps out through the warm rocky outlands before pausing. With a tap on my emptying canister, I then turned to my right and nodded.

  [Good afternoon, Silhouette.]

  The S-Rank superhero shimmered into view out of his invisibility. In his full cyber-ninja style outfit, the singular central yellow eye on his mask glowing.

  “Forgive me for dragging you away from your celebration, but I wasn’t keen on getting shot to pieces by your defenses.” He gave a glance to the now rather quiet party.

  [Think nothing of it. You’re welcome to join us if you’re not on duty.]

  He looked back at me, the light on his mask pulsing slowly, as if he was trying to gauge my mood. “No. For several reasons. I’m mostly here because I found it unbelievable you were up and walking so soon after your accident.”

  Since I was wearing shorts and no shoes, there was no hiding what I had going on down there instead of the fleshy parts I used to own. I stretched my left leg out and wiggled my toes.

  [I am a prodigy when it comes to coming back from the brink of death, it seems. Are you the same, brother?]

  Silhouette tensed up and crossed his arms. “They say we are related, but I am not sure. We only have their word to go on. But no, I have no cybernetics, if that is your question.”

  [Interesting. Any gap in your memories from say… five or so years ago?]

  He didn’t reply at first, his singular eye just staring at me. Just when I thought he might leave without a response, he shook his head gently. “I have some amnesia, yes. They tell me I was a bodyguard down in the city south of here. A contract went bad, and I took a hit to the head. Woke up here, recuperating. Apparently it awakened some latent powers I had.”

  [If that is true, then we are at least still brothers in trauma.]

  I’m not sure I believed the story. That was to say, I was fully onboard with Silhouette thinking that was the truth, but it sounded like something fed to him. Then again, I had no indication he was a friend or foe in my past life. Nothing as strong as the connection to Warlock.

  “Seems to be a shared trait of a lot of supers.” The hero shrugged and looked back toward the city. “The truth will eventually come out. Secrets seek the light, like flowers growing from cracks in the sidewalk.”

  I wanted to poke him further, provoke some memories to come to the surface, but that seemed unfair. He had a vested interest in me ever since we crossed paths, and no doubt any hints I dropped along the way were gripping at his subconscious. He just didn’t know it yet, and maybe he was happier that way. I certainly was, the more I put my old life in the grave. Digging it up fresh for him…

  [Are you sure you won’t join us?]

  Silhouette huffed, the light on his helmet flickering as if he was chuckling. “So friendly, despite it all. I can see why you’ve gathered such a good team around you. Even as we chat idly, they’ve planned how they would attack me if I tried anything.”

  I glanced back at the Natural Disasters, who were arranged awkwardly, eyes in our direction as they attempted to feign enjoying their party.

  “But, no,” he continued. “I would not remove my helmet and reveal my identity for anyone, even a brother. Plus… it would be a terrible decision for you to add me to your defense white-list.”

  [That would assume that I thought you were a threat.]

  “Gunquake.” He shook his head and the yellow light brightened slightly. “If I were not, why did you come to me with a loaded chamber?”

  Internally, I smiled. Upon leaving the house, I had covertly slid a Sanguine stake into the chamber. I tried to keep one of them available in all circumstances, just in case.

  [Wouldn’t you be disappointed in me if I was unprepared?]

  The hero sighed and relaxed. “Perhaps we are brothers, after all. Enjoy the rest of your celebrations, Gunquake. Don’t burn out too quick.”

  With a nod, he turned from me and started walking toward the city. His cloaking activated and his body vanished from view. I waited until I could no longer sense his presence before rolling my eyes and returning to the group.

  Roxy practically stomped up to me as soon as I was near the defensive dome area. “What was that about?”

  [Just giving his well-wishes. Checking up on my recovery. Standard family stuff.]

  “Bullshiiiit,” she screwed up her face. “Was he threatening you? I was this close to getting involved.”

  [Forget it. I’m not afraid of ghosts.]

  There was some amusing irony in that statement, but I was long past caring. Too fast and loose with my brain full of alcohol. It only took five more minutes of her pining before I relented to giving the super a play-by-play of what exactly was said. We sat in the swinging seat, cuddled up as we watched the other heroes discuss one of their old missions animatedly. Over to the side, Clara and Jarl had several pages spread across the ground, and were almost angrily disagreeing with something or another.

  As the afternoon turned to evening, we were all but spent on celebrating. While the others were content to say their goodbyes and retire for the day, Roxy and I did some light sparring out between the training dummies.

  The buzz of my inebriation was wearing off, but it had helped numb my brain when it came to accepting my legs. With the doctor gone, Clara switched her focus on monitoring me as I moved and fought against the super.

  She described my improvement as exponential. By the time my solo mission was here, I’d probably not experience any negative effects from the new cybernetics. That only made my mind switch back to my brother—and all my other potential siblings—and if they had the same degree of injury recovery.

  I lifted my toes up and dug my heel into the ground, activating a partial burst through my leg to blow up a cloud of dust. With a lunge forward, I lashed out with my fist - but the super had already moved.

  “You’re getting predictable,” she said, grabbing my extended arm and pulling it past her. Her knee came up as I was dragged along, but I blocked it with my gun-arm. “Always with the dust-blind.”

  I rolled along the ground to avoid her follow-up, righting myself up onto one knee. Roxy stepped closer, but paused when she saw I was holding something up in my closed hand, lifted toward her.

  “Dubs… are you…?”

  The barrel of my gun-arm raised slightly as I opened my fist up to reveal I was holding a handful of sand. Empty chamber blasted high-pressured air across my palm, blowing another cloud of dust right into the super.

  “Motherfucker,” she swore, holding her face. “That was on me.”

  [I apologize. Dick move.]

  As I stepped up to help her get the dirt from her eyes, she dropped her arms, eyes ablaze. She grabbed onto me and grinned. “Limit test.”

  Then she threw me. I had to admit that it came as something as a surprise, it being a bit rougher than we usually played. With a quick twist, she had launched me out of our yard toward the wastes. The cool air whipped through me as I turned, only a couple of seconds for me to actually react.

  The ground rose to meet me, and I activated both of my legs at once.

  Rock split and dirt rose in a plume as I slid back a few feet. Standing in a slight crouch. The shockwave of my landing vibrated and echoed around me as I straightened up. Well, I hadn’t exploded or broken anything. I had landed.

  Roxy stood back in the yard, hands on her hips, waiting for me to walk back. I must be a good fifty feet away now, more distance to her throw than height. Even pushing my limits, she wasn’t trying to injure me.

  I stretched out my neck and rolled my shoulders. If we were going to play that kind of game, well… nobody pushed me to the edge like I could. I waited a few seconds for my legs to recharge, and then I dug in.

  My metal feet powered me forward as I sprinted straight for the super. Overcharge crackled around my limbs as I powered up all three V-Force drives. My speed increased as I closed the distance. Roxy crossed her arms and braced herself, the grin on her face clear as anything.

  Legs activated first, both feet digging into the ground. The burst was like a rocket-boost sending me surging toward the super. Reflex set my synapses alight as I moved my gun-arm back, before lashing forward, the V-Force in my shotgun popping as I connected with Roxy.

  The shockwave shook our home area. Around Clara, the empty garden chairs toppled over. Blades of grass shook, pelted with a wave of light sand. My ears rang and I might have pulled a muscle in my back.

  Roxy stood up straight and whistled. There was a clear circle indentation left on her arm where my barrel had jabbed her, leaving a bruise on her skin.

  “Keep at it, babe,” she said, shaking her arm off. “You’re almost catching up.”

  I grunted and looked at the mess I had made. Our training yard now had a couple of deep pits from my feet digging in, and I’d spread any loose dirt to the edges of our buildings. We needed a better practice arena.

  [One day I’ll usurp you.]

  “No chance.” She grinned and stepped back over. “But your efforts have earned you a bath. What do you say?”

  [Who am I to argue with destiny?]

  Who indeed? The super rolled her eyes and left for the house to put the wheels in motion. It had been quite the odd day. In avoiding the ire of the Directors I had gotten myself invited to a talk show about relationships. Had a decent conversation with my brother. Used my legs without destroying myself or going insane. Bubble bath.

  I went up to the techie before heading inside.

  [Any problem with my legs? Limit testing was probably a bad idea on the fly.]

  “Quite the opposite, Gunquake.” Clara looked up from her laptop. “I put Rockslide up to it. She should have thrown you a little higher, really but we’ll try some more things once you have your improved grapple gauntlet.”

  [Improvements?]

  “Offloading some of the more difficult cybernetic problems to Doctor Jarl allows me to spend more time on the gadgeteering side of my role. A good grapple is essential for you to make the most of your leg capabilities.”

  I could see the angle. But everything seemed to pale compared to the prospect of getting a working hand, however.

  [Will I be able to punch criminals with my new hand?]

  Clara sighed and closed her laptop screen down. “Honestly, Gunquake. Yes. I’ve told you about the synapse limitations that make replacing your shotgun difficult. You will not be getting a whole new arm. Forearm and hand, yes - but the V-Force drive has to be maintained. It’s like… stripping away the skin and muscle but leaving the nerves and bones in place.”

  [As long as I can still punch.]

  I looked over at the mess caused by overloading all three of my drives. That was my all, and Roxy absorbed it just in her base form. Although I no longer had a subconscious desire to kill her, I still wanted to win over her. At least in a best of five.

  “You’ll be able to do much more than that.” The techie bit her tongue and wrinkled up her face. “Shame on you for trying to goad me into slipping you some information when you know it’s meant to be a secret.”

  I shrugged. It was going to be my new arm, after all.

  “How about this?” She sighed and leaned back in the chair. “Go enjoy your evening. Ask me tomorrow, over breakfast… and maybe I’ll have a compromise.”

  Perfect. My winning streak continued.

  “Oh, but first…” Clara dug around in her pocket and withdrew a small piece of metal shaped like a spade. “It’s your turn to clean out Warlock’s litter tray.”

  I took the small object that looked suspiciously as if it was designed to fit on the end of my shotgun barrel.

  Once more into the fray, brother.

  already - .