Built Different [Cyborg Superhero ProgFant]

Over the last few months, I had gotten used to being prodded about. Well, the last five years hadn't been so different, although back then it was usually knives and bullets getting all up in my personal space. Even so, my exhaustion and lack of a shower made this current process rather grating.

In my hotel bedroom, I sat on a stool brought in from somewhere. Hunched over slightly, mostly due to being fed up. Both Clara and Belle were immediately behind me, inspecting the eye on my back. Roxy was hovering nervously behind the pair. I was at least thankful I had been given the opportunity to get half dressed again.

"Resembles scarification," the techie mentioned, running a finger over the mark once more. "For you, this is unnatural. It is very rare for you to scar."

Belle hummed briefly before adding her thoughts. "It's simple in design. Nothing that really has a tie to any symbolism I'm aware of. Small round circle with an oval shape around it. I'm also not getting any arcane or magical connection from it."

"But it is probably something, right?" Roxy wavered in the background.

Of the four of us, she had been the most concerned about my unexplained body modification. It wasn't like her to worry to this degree, which was another thing that had me on edge. She was probably antsy about the prospect that I might become possessed or exploding with the power of the Witness.

Not without good reason. It did feel like the sort of bullshit that I would get myself into every so often. I didn't feel any different, aside from the lethargy.

[Clean bill of health, then?]

Clara moved around me to pick up the blood testing kit from the bed. She gave the little box a few taps and furrowed her brow at the readout. "It's always an ordeal trying to read your blood with regular technology, Gunquake. The good news is there is no Corruption, or other detectable issues."

[The bad news being that there might be something undetectable?]

"If only I had the full workshop to know for sure." Clara gave me a shrug. "I assume it won't be long before we find out."

[Seems to be the way these things go.]

With the tests showing nothing of great importance, we decided to call it a night. Belle went off to her own floor and Clara to her room beside ours. I was left alone to shower, and it was delightful. One of the better ways to end the day, although a bubble bath might have been nicer.

I was drifting off to sleep as soon as I hit the pillow, even though I could feel Roxy's concerned glare burning into my back.

Gunquake slept.

The only thing more comforting than a night without dreams was getting into my full superhero outfit the next morning. While my offensive capabilities had been neutered by my lack of available munitions, the League had still sent over fresh clothing for the pair of us.

Roxy had pressed me about my mental, emotional, and physical health while we got dressed. A full all-clear just made her more annoyed, unfortunately. I didn't let it faze me, as pulling on the trenchcoat over my tactical gear was like a slice of home away from home.

The truth was, I felt calm. A new day had started. Other than the ocular brand on my shoulder, all of my injuries from yesterday had fully healed. A few extra hours of sleep would have been perfect, but I was functional and moderately energetic. Maybe it was just a badge of honor. A permanent mark to show I had bested such an otherworldly creature.

Chances were slim. I had tried to funnel magical energy into it, to no avail. If it had a purpose, it would have to stay dormant for now. I had two days to decide whether to let Boss back into my life, and tie my future to whatever plans he had against the World Government. Perhaps after my meeting with Kingston today, I'd have a better idea of what to make of that.

"I need to hit up the breakfast bar," Roxy said. "Did you want to start meeting the rest of the Disasters in the lobby?"

[Like a good leader, I will be our rallying point.]

She gave me a rather glum smile and pulled me in for a hug. "Sorry for worrying so much. I started believing you were invincible and would never leave me, so I felt threatened."

[It would take more than unfathomable beings from distant planes to take me away from you.]

"Good." The super moved away and adjusted her short cape. "Now I will feast so that I'm not hangry for our meeting."

I gave her a nod and watched her leave. Once the door was shut, I stepped into the bathroom. Placed both hands on the edge of the counter by the basin and leaned my face close to the mirror.

After ten long seconds of staring into my own eyes, I sighed and moved away. Part of me was on the exact same page as Roxy. This clearly wasn't normal, and no doubt whatever mark now lay on me would rear its ugly head at some point. The other part of me couldn't see any difference within me. Usually, these sorts of things had a tell, even if subtle.

I shrugged to myself and left the bathroom. My belt had a couple of magazines, but a couple of messages from Clara offering a temporary solution were more reassuring. After the meeting with Kingston, I'd have to swing by the League's armory to stock up on grenades.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Or, if the Director wanted to keep throwing us to the wolves, it might be time to scrape the black market for some more effective additions to my load-out.

As I left the hotel room, I sent the Natural Disasters a call to arms. Get ready and meet me in the lobby. They each sent me a confirmation by the time I reached the elevator. The metal box sank down to the bottom floor, and my mood grounded out. Today, we'd need to put our demands in no uncertain terms before Kingston.

A new home and some actual vacation time seemed like the bare minimum. That, and our actual role in the city written out clearly. If we had to stick around and play hero, that was fine. A secret mercenary squad? Doable. We just needed to be recompensed for our efforts. Lines needed to be drawn, as we were both playing with fire.

There was certainly a future where Kingston was ousted from his currently acquired power. His own corruption brought to light. Our lives as heroes here in Goldarch invalidated as we were imprisoned or worse.

Quite frankly, I preferred that risk to being a gormless pet of the League. We wanted something more. Freedom, even if it meant enduring the inferno.

I stepped out into the lobby, unsurprised to find that I was the first here. Security looked a little tighter this morning, or that could just be me being more alert. I walked over to the tinted window and looked out onto the road.

A pleasant day, all things considered. It was rare to have a day that wasn't soft sunshine in Goldarch. Even in winter, the cloud cover was often minimal. For a few minutes I watched the traffic pass back and forth, wondering if the climate here was controlled by the League, or was an aftereffect of the Weather Wars.

Raising an eyebrow, I looked to the side. Roy was the first Disaster to arrive.

"Morning, big guy," he said with a grin. "Which part of yesterday was scarier? Roxy's parents or the Aberration."

[The former, by far.]

As he chuckled, I looked at the bag slung on his side. An otherwise nondescript and discreet black case. I didn't really have an eye for this sort of thing, but my gut told me that he was carrying a firearm. He caught my nod towards the bag.

"Ah. See, once I awakened my power, I wasn't really allowed on active duty anymore." He grimaced and shrugged. "League never handed me a weapon, so I didn't care to try. Turns out super speed is handy for target acquisition."

[That's one of the rifles from the hospital?]

Roy nodded slowly. "Just for our extracurricular activities, you know? Best not speak it aloud, but Clara is working on making it better suited to me."

I vaguely remembered someone telling me that the Disasters were going through a change, and I'd be surprised to see it. Something like that. My memory was a little hazy, which I put down to the terrible day yesterday.

Belle was using dual revolvers with her magic, and now the Captain wanted to use an assault rifle. I wondered how much of that was my bad influence. Ren already had a bow, which left Roxy as the only melee-only hero. Not that she couldn't throw things. Maybe I could pick Clara's brains and make something that…

Speaking of the devil, the techie was the next to leave the elevator, with Belle by her side.

Roy adjusted the strap of his case and raised an eyebrow. "Roxy didn't come down with you?"

[Technically she is on this floor. They have a breakfast buffet, correct?]

He nodded toward a door leading out from the right of the reception desk. "Getting her energy up so she can chew Kingston out, I bet."

The others made small talk while my eyes remained on that door. Not that I felt particularly antsy about our upcoming meeting, or even about being away from the super for a handful of minutes. Maybe I was just more exhausted than I had realized.

Before I could be dragged into whatever minor bullying they were giving the Captain, both Roxy and Ren came out of the buffet area together. The elf had a laptop under her arm, so was probably doing some of her business work over breakfast. Although she still had a home of her own, the League was insistent that she and her husband both stay in the hotel until it could be confirmed that the turmoil and assassination attempts were over.

"I am full," Roxy declared as they greeted us. "Ready to follow your directions, Dubs."

[Hmm. I suppose I should say a few words.]

The gathered group stood before me, all smiles and friendliness. Four superheroes I hadn't murdered, despite it being hard-coded into my blood. Plus Clara, who was too useful ever to kill.

[The last few days have been very trying. Yet, every one of you has stepped up not only in personal power, but in growth as a team. Whatever we get out of this meeting, I want you all to know that I am eternally thankful to you all.]

I was met with an appropriate amount of jeers and teasing over how cheesy and sentimental I was being. All fair, but it didn't change the fact that I was no longer a lone wolf. Everything I had achieved I couldn't have done by myself.

With the team bonding over roasting me, we made our way outside. The Meteor had already pulled up right outside, thanks to Clara's remote piloting. She was also slightly sore about not having any available drones. Formatting a consumer one would take too long, apparently.

As the back door of our vehicle lowered, she stepped up beside me.

"Some good news, Gunquake. I have fashioned a makeshift feeder for the artefact in my hotel room." She paused for a moment to give me a smug smile.

I tilted my arm and loaded in a shell. With an appreciative nod, I ejected the shell out into my hand and placed it in my pocket.

[How many shots do I have with it?]

Her expression had dulled slightly. "Well, nineteen now. All Nerve shot, but it gives you options without so much effort."

[Appreciated.]

I herded the cats into the Meteor and went to sit at the front with Roxy. Considering where we were headed, everyone seemed to be in decent spirits. The night celebrating the super's birthday hadn't been enough to vent the necessary frustrations over our past week - so the levity came naturally.

Roxy gave my arm a squeeze, and I nodded to let her know I was doing fine. The back door rose up, and the Meteor went off to our location.

The League of Heroes.

I settled into some thoughts about my missing brother and Boss. His motivations seemed clear, if he was being honest with me. Why he had to recruit me to fight against the World Government's secret clone army was anyone's guess. There had to be other big detractors of the Gov in other cities. Goldarch had some of the most powerful individuals, but wasn't exactly a coordinated force.

More unpalatable than that line of thinking was the deep-seated knowledge of what answer I was going to give Boss. Kingston had the ability to change that course, but destiny had a way of-

The Meteor ground to a halt, inertia causing everyone to slump forward and complain.

I left my daze to look up at the monitors. There was a figure standing in the middle of the road, hands outstretched. An outfit of slim lycra in dark purple and black. A man who wore a helmet that looked like a raven's skull.

"Ugh, what now?" Roxy asked, her hands gripping the dashboard a little too hard.

"There's a villain outside that is challenging the Natural Disasters," Clara responded from the back. "It would reflect poorly in the ratings if we just ran him over."

I grunted and rolled my neck. Today was already enough of a hassle. Perhaps this could help clear my mind. Gunquake stood from the seat as he flexed his metal fingers.

[I'll deal with it.]