June Writing Challenge: Look, Up in the Sky!

[Sean *]

It's writing challenge time again. To enter, just post a ficlet (300-4000 words suggested) in this thread. When the voting for this month's OTM winners comes around, a voting poll will go up for this as well.

The Challenge: In honor of summertime and the blockbuster season, you are encouraged to write stories about Hammel superheroes. Spandex costumes, capes and cowls, vigilantes - draw inspiration from the long history of superheroes in media and apply it to the Hammelverse!


The rules:

• Characters must be in Hammel canon, but the ficlets are not site canon. You may do cross-overs, but the main thrust of the story must involve Hammel characters. (Acceptable: Hammel meets the X-Men, James Campbell meets Wolverine. Not acceptable: An X-Men story set in Vermont starring an epic battle between Storm and Magneto).
  
• Entries must be more than 300 words.
  
• You can enter no more than three ficlets. Any ficlets posted after the original 3 will not be considered for voting. If you want to post more, however, have fun.
  
• Ficlets must be titled.

[Lani Hunter]

Saint Grace

“You cheated,” Lani declared his arm drooping from where he had been holding up a short straw to examine. “He cheated!” He looked at the grinning Jared his mouth agape.

“You picked the short one, mate,” Jared said clearly working hard on holding in laughter.

Lani turned his look of disbelief back to Odion and held up the straw again holding it against the clearly longer one Odion was holding. The redhead was also grinning like a loon. “It was your idea,” Odion reminded him.

Instead of answering Lani just gave a great sigh and dropped his hand back to his side. “Dammit,” muttered and threw the straw at the trashcan. When it bounced off he didn’t correct it and just rather frowned at it.

He gave a glare to Odion as his boyfriend slipped an arm around his shoulder. “It’ll be fun.”

“Right,” Lani said dryly.

~~~~~~~~~~~

“Don’t slouch, and cross your legs when you sit,” Odion said the glee clear in his voice.

Lani made sure to look as sickeningly sweet as he corrected himself. This was too strange. “I think we should abort.” Lani said only half joking.

“Uh-uh, no.” Odion said mercilessly. The car pulled up to a beautifully sculpted hotel and Odion hopped out the door and opened Lani’s reaching a hand out to help Lani out. They had decided at first to do it for show then it quickly became apparent that there would be a great need to help Lani out of the car.

Lani looked grumpily through his lashes at Odion his eyes still searching for his feet. He was going to kill all of them. A long blonde wig rested on his head and Adrianna had done the makeup and at the end Lani didn’t even recognize himself. And that wasn’t even the worst of it! He was in a dress! Lani had to be coaxed to shave enough to pull it off and he was irritable beyond reason about that. Not to mention clip on earrings were much more painful than he had initially though.

The hair of the wig fell down past his shoulders and stopped just above the strange bumps that had been fixed to his chest. Not to mention they had had to get a long gown. On the rack it actually wasn’t bad, something Lani would have liked to see someone else wearing. It had enough silver and gray to please Lani and faded into a beautiful midnight blue. If only Lani weren’t wearing it and these accursed silver heels. He had tried to get away without wearing them. The skirt was so long no one saw the shoes anyways.

It hadn’t worked, Odion had insisted, if they were going to do this they were going to do this right. Well technically Lani supposed it had been his idea. At least until he was the victim. Sadly he knew if Odion were in his shoes and Lani in his he would be having a grand time as well. Odion had definitely cheated. When they decided to draw straws Lani had been the one intent of cheating. He supposed in a way he deserved this.

He clung to Odion’s hand as he wobbled on the high heels. He had gained a good three inches with them and he had already towered before. He had to duck to avoid low overhangs. Lani didn’t understand how women did this with relative ease. They reached a set of stairs and Lani adjusted his grip so he was holding Odion’s arm. It was the easiest way for him to not go spilling down the stairs. Moving with exaggerated care Lani murmured a snap ‘shut it’ under his breath to the clever jabs Odion was making. It seemed the top of the stairs came far later and Lani took a few steps before the heel hit wrong and he stumbled.

Watching Odion hide the snicker behind his hand was doing nothing to help Lani’s mood. Lani discretely leaned against Odion, how the hell did girls do this? His feet were already in agony! He honestly never gave them enough credit. They still had a long night ahead of them and this was just phase one.

“Odion and Lacy Martins,” Odion said calling Lani’s attention from his aching feet. They were supposed to be siblings but they looked nothing alike even with Lani’s make up. It also meant there was a very clear limitation of touching. Lani inclined his head a smile coming out as the charming Lacy started to make her appearance.

The doorman took the invitation from Odion’s hand and Lani as Lacy gave him a beaming smile and a little wink. To his surprise the man actually blushed and motioned them through. “I need to sit down,” Lani said following another stumble on the heels. “Go be a gentleman and get me a drink.” Lani gave Odion a little bit of smug smile as the redhead deposited him into a chair. Lani’s eyes wandered taking in the whole thing. Women in beautiful dresses, men dressed in find tuxedos and even the people rushing about with plates and drinks were dressed finely. Lani couldn’t even imagine being in this world all the time. Glittering jewels passed by him on a woman’s arm and he almost gaped, so many real diamonds on one person if they were still in employment in their last profession they would be having a field day.

Lani’s power prepared to take off his heels and give his feet a bit of a break when a shadow passed over him. He looked up and started. This was a surprise. Their target was standing there giving Lani a peculiar look. Lani just stared at him a little dumbfounded. This wasn’t part of the plan luckily in that moment Odion swooped into the rescue handing Lani a glass of wine. “Thank you,” he said pitching his voice a little higher as he had practiced.

“Mr. Hosrmann, have you met my sister?” Odion said and Lani rose to his feet carefully not to look as uncoordinated as he felt.

“Ah, you must be Lacy, I’ve heard so much about you,” Hosrmann said holding out his hand.

Lani placed his hand into the other man’s daintily and allowed him to decide to shake it first. Apparently that wasn’t what Hosrmann had in mind as he lifted Lani’s hand and kissed it. Lani became Lacy with a skill that had required a lot of practice on his part. He giggled as if endlessly flattered by the action.

“My, you know me but Odion’s hardly spoken of you!” Lani cried tossing Odion a mock accusing look.

“It’s not right to discuss our business,” Hosrmann replied. Lani smiled and nodded like he was a good girl that knew her place. All he really wanted to do was wipe that silly grin off of Hosrmann’s face. Was it always like this for women? He didn’t think so; if he had tried to brush off Adrianna like that he’d get a nice swat for his troubles. But Lani already knew his business. By business he meant he was using meta humans against their will to steal money from non-profit organizations. He was a fiend even by Lani’s standard of thievery.

“Surely a friend though,” Lani tossed a glance at Odion, who too had fallen into his act. But when his boyfriend met his eyes he saw a little touch of wariness.

A new song started up at that moment and the man tugged at Lani’s hand. “Can I have this dance?” He asked.

Lani found himself blushing furiously, not fake because he still had yet to accomplish dancing and they had put him in heels. He was going to kill someone! “Oh no I—”

“Of course she will,” Odion said elbowing Lani a little sending him tipping a little. Hosrmann reached out and steadies him and Lani gave him a thankful smile.

“Oh fine.” Lani said in a resigned manner and turned to place the glass on the table. “Stop enjoying this so much,” he whispered to Odion as he placed the cup down.

Odion just grinned in returned and Lani allowed himself to be pulled away. “I haven’t danced in a long while,” Lani said his girl voice turning to concern.

“No worried, just follow my lead.” Lani was on board with that. Hosrmann was a good dancer and Lani was not it would be a good day if nothing terrible happened. Lani balanced on his toes to avoid relying on the heel to be under him when he stepped around following after the man. He tripped quite a few times despite his efforts and he was sure his expression took on a look of concentration as he tried to keep himself from hobbling along. It didn’t really work.

One false step had Lani pitching this way and that and to be honest without Hosrmann he would never had been able to stay upright. Finally he tipped forward and Hosrmann used the momentum to pull him close. Lani felt his face heat as their faces were close, he wasn’t sure his disguise would hold on such close quarters. “I want to show you something.” Hosrmann said and drifted away pulling Lani with him.

“Where are we going?” Lani asked curiously picking his way along.

“You’ll see.” He smiled and Lani shuddered a little bit. “Lacy, right? Tell me what is it you do?”

Lani’s mind blanked, they had had this whole story laid out and he would be one to forget it! Lani was bad at thinking on his feet, that was Odion’s area of expertise. But he made do. “I’m working on my masters right now.”

“Ah that’s right, marketing?” Hosrmann said and Lani smiled and nodded, he was good.

“Yes, I’m hoping get a job in New York next summer.”

“Oh New York is a big town.”

“I know, it’ll be exciting.” Lani said playing along as he conversed about random classes he- or rather she- had had to take in undergrad. He memorized hallways and turns they had made and they paused in the lobby of a different part of the hotel.

“Would you like a drink?” He asked letting go of Lani’s hand and walking toward a counter. Lani took this moment to rest and he looked around. This had to be closer to where his files were kept. He knew that Hosrmann had a connection with the people who worked at this hotel. They were all in on it. This was all part of the plan. Odion had talked ‘Lacy’ up with Hosrmann and Adrianna had made sure he looked good enough to pass as a woman. Which he found sadly was possible. He had been hoping it wouldn’t work out with him. Yet here he was.

It was now up to Lani to get the files that would allow them to bring Hosrmann down. Since they knew the files would probably be kept in a safe of some sort it had had to be someone who knew their way around safes. That left him, Odion or Jared and then they had attempted to find a way inside. Jared had already been known to Hosrmann beforehand so it couldn’t be him. So then Odion and Lani had drawn straws. Odion was going to gain his trust and Lani was going to sneak into his office. Because of the value, or lack of it that Hosrmann had for women it had come to this. So Odion had gained his trust and found where the file was and Lani was going in. Once they retrieved it they would hand it over to the police.

Lani, Odion and Jared were still wanted thieves but after taking down the powerhouse in Boston the police had looked the other way. With the king of Boson unseated Hosrmann was quick to try to replace him and when he started going after meta humans that got them involved again. As Lani looked around he knew Odion would be making his own move. Discretely separating himself from the party and then making a lot of noise to lead most of security away from them so that Lani would have a clear shot.

Lani smiled and took the glass offered. He didn’t have to take more than a sip to know that something wasn’t right. His eyes flashed but he didn’t have a moment to lower the glass as Hosrmann’s hand flashed up and forcefully poured the rest of the liquid down his throat. Lani’s power reacted and Hosrmann was launched away and spat out what he could but it was too late already Lani’s power was getting muddled and he wasn’t feeling quite right. Hosrmann rose and when he approached Lani held his hands out but his power did nothing more than ruffle his clothing. Dammit. Lani tried to maneuver back but between the strange feeling in his head he no more shifted then he felt he was falling. Just when Lani’s mind felt the strange feeling Hosrmann’s hand closed around his arm and not only kept him upright but started to drag him along.

Stumbling along Lani almost landed on his face more than once and he probably wouldn’t even have been able to keep himself from breaking his nose. He pulled against Hosrmann who paused only a moment at a door and shoved Lani through before him. Lani stumbled and fell against the foot of a bed. He looked up and his eyes swam. What he saw was not a person but a creature. It reached for him and he meant to scream but only what came out was a moan. He shifted his head wrong and his eyes swam with color.

The monster-Hosrmann grabbed him and Lani felt himself lifted and with a spur of the moment though he slammed down the heel of his shoe into the monster’s foot. He howled and Lani felt himself go flying and he hit something and laid on the floor a mess of hair across his face. For a strange moment as he watched the man through the veil of fake hair he couldn’t figure out who was horizontal, him or Hosrmann.

He didn’t have long to contemplate their position as Hosrmann grabbed the wig and tossed it aside. “Do you think I’m stupid?” Hosrmann cried and hauled Lani to his feet again. Lani winced as the hard wall pressed against his back. “You think I wouldn’t figure it out?”

“What?” Lani asked his mind confused at why Hosrmann was upset. If Hosrmann had wanted to make Lani feel insignificant he shouldn’t have drugged him so he didn’t know which way was up. The only thing Lani was sure of was that he wanted to get away. He’d never been drugged before and even as he wondered this he wondered how he would know if he had been. Maybe this was how it really was and everything else was a drug.

“You’ll pay for this.” Again Lani didn’t have long to contemplate as he went fly across the room again. This time much to his relief he landed on something soft. Unconcerned, Lani felt the need to snuggle into the pillows and didn’t even notice the predatory look that Hosrmann had gotten in his eyes as he approached the disabled telekinetic.

Lani heard a loud crash and it startled him into sitting up and the edge of his dressed was caught and he slid a little. He looked up and someone had clobbered the monster. She was white or at least that was all Lani could perceive. Like freshly fallen snow her and the gown she wore were the same color and her hair might have been made out of glass. She was beautiful. She had an otherworldly feel about her and Lani felt suddenly like he should do something important. Something important he was forgetting.

She reached out and touched his temple. It felt almost like someone had popped his ears and a moment of relative clarity reached him. He needed to find the files. Turn them in, save the imprisoned meta humans. He felt he was speaking but he couldn’t feel his lips moving. His eyes were still deceiving him and he thought distractedly that she might be an angel. As if upset by his lack of focus she pulled her hand away and the clarity and any sense of purpose he had vanished and he fell back into the bed his eyes watching as the sun rose through the ceiling.

He turned his head and looked at the angel. “See me, feel me. Heal me.” He said startling her to look at him. It reminded him of a song and he started singing. “See me, feel me, touch me, heal me.” His head rolled back on the bed and he felt something press into his hand.

“… heal me.” He sang mindlessly and suddenly someone was shaking him. He swatted at them and kept on singing.

“Lani, come on, we’ve got to get out of here!” He opened his eyes and everything was fuzzy. He couldn’t focus on any one thing and the things around him seemed to be moving on their own accord.

He looked at the person speaking and he smiled. “Hello Sun.” He watched the sun-person in all of their glory and somehow he knew he had annoyed it.

The sun-man pulled him up so he was sitting up. He saw the monster-man still on the floor but the snow-woman was nowhere to be seen. Lani finished rising himself and looked down in fascination at the grass under his feet. “So strange,” he commented.

“What?” Sun-man asked and hearing the voice again something clicked even in his faraway mind. Lani wasn’t paying attention he was caught up by the image of a woman in a painting. She looked like the white woman and he poked it accidentally knocking it over.

Narrowing his eyes at the sun-man he could see the flames licking through his hair and the beautiful pale marble that his body was made of. “I know you,” Lani said swaying where he stood. “I like you.” Lani said a smile bursting out on his face.

The sun-man sighed and put a flaming hand to his forehead, then he reached out and took Lani’s arm. It felt so warm that Lani wanted to be with the sun-man and as a result wrapped his arms around the sun-man basking in his endless warmth and smiling like a child. “Did you at least get it?”

It? What was it? Lani looked up at the sun-man and for a long moment looked at him struggling to figure out what ‘it’ was. He opened his still closed hand and inside was a little black stick. An important stick, he figured. Maybe that was it? He held it out. “The angel gave it to me.” He said with complete sincerity. “Or Wonderwoman. I think it might have been Wonderwoman.”

The sun-man sighed again and patted Lani’s head as he took the stick and Lani was able to cling to him again. “Come on, we’ve got to go.”

The stick disappeared and Lani turned his head to the side looking at him. “Do you have pockets? Do I have shoes?” He asked looking down at the skirts. He frowned again. Was he a woman? He felt male? Maybe he had always been female?

“Let’s go, crazy.” The sun-man started moving and opened the door checking both directions before exiting. Lani strolled out after him leaning heavily on the sun-man as he moved.

“Tell it to stop moving.” Lani groaned as he placed his feet carefully on the pitching ground. The sun-man paused again and Lani kept going, turning in a random direction of his choosing.

“No, this way,” Sun-man cried grabbing him and pulling him in the opposite direction.

“Do you like music?” Lani asked and he realized he loved the sun-man. He wrapped his arms around him again and the sun-man sighed tripping over Lani’s tripping and the skirts that dragged on the ground. The cold of the streets hit them suddenly and Lani inhaled deeply and broke from the sun-man and spun in a circle watching as the stars spun in circles. He let out a little ‘oof’ as he tipped over and landed on the ground, giggling like mad.

“See me, feel me, touch me, heal me.” Lani began his eyes sliding closed and music coming from his lips, or at least what he perceived as music. The sun-man appeared overhead and Lani smiled glad it was daytime again. “Listening to you, I get music, gazing at you, I get the heat.” He kept singing. He reached a hand out and the sun-man took it and started trying to pull him to his feet. Lani finally resigned and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Or maybe he didn’t, he was finding himself very impressionable. The sun-man took one of his arms and pulled it over his shoulders. With most of his weight not supported more or less by the sun Lani started walking with him

“Following you I climb the mountain, I get excitement at your feet,” Lani sang and it was coming out at the top of his lungs.

“Shhh,” the sun-man urged and yet Lani imagined laughter.

So naturally he sang louder. “Right behind you I see the millions on you I see the glory from you I get opinions, from you I get the story.”

He turned toward the sun for a moment and on a spontaneous gesture gave him a kiss on the cheek. “She was a saint.” Lani said suddenly looking up to the sky. Maybe she lived in the sky. In the icon.

“Okay. I think you need a nap.” The sun-man said and this time Lani was sure there was laughter in his voice.

“A nap!” Lani cried suddenly very excited about whatever a nap was. Something nagging in the back of his mind told him he was going to regret this eventually. But right now he was feeling too good. Lani hummed a little and it didn’t take too long for it to turn into more singings. He didn’t even know what he was singing anymore, it may very well have just been noise at this point.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Nobody*

Who knows my secret broken bone?
Who feels my flesh when I am gone?
Who was a witness to the dream?
Who kissed my eyes and saw the scream,
Lying there?
Nobody.

“...police report that the rash of robberies have moved well beyond the city limits. Most recently, several banks in the suburbs of Burlington have had their vaults emptied, and yet not a trace has been found at the scenes. It’s as though the money disappeared into thin air...”

“What do you make of that?”

“What should I make of it?”

“You don’t think that’s suspicious?”

“Of course, it’s suspicious. That isn’t what I asked.”

The police officer sighed in frustration; there was no reason for the man in front of him to take everything so literally. “Is there anything you can do?”

The other man shrugged his shoulders. “I can’t make any promises.” With that, he turned and walked away, without so much as a “goodbye” or a parting glance.

*****************************

“I bought doughnuts!” The bespectacled man called out as he stepped through the back door into the kitchen. As he set down the box, he asked, “Did you see the report about the bank on-”

“Josef Muller,” his companion replied before he could finish his sentence. The taller man opened the box and pulled out a jelly doughnut, smiling in gratitude. “You remembered to get raspberry jam.”

“Josef Muller?”

“Josef Muller robbed the banks.” The tall man took a bite of his doughnut, his expression melting into one of pure ecstasy. These are from Ari’s, aren’t they? We need to buy him a medal.

“What?” The bespectacled man knit his brow in confusion, since that was wildly out of character for Josef, at least for his recent behavior. It was also out of character for his companion to be so cavalier about crime. “Have you told Charlie?”

The telepath waited until he had chewed thoroughly and swallowed – never one to speak with a full mouth – before he replied, “Why would I tell Charlie?”

“Because this is a break in the case.”

“It isn’t a break in the case.” The tall man wiped his mouth with a napkin and then asked, “I’m going to have a glass of milk with these; should I take down two glasses?”

“I wish you didn’t put on your Oracle at Delphi act when we’re alone,” the bespectacled man murmured, although he nodded in assent to the question about milk. He conceded that milk went well with doughnuts, and the combination had been on his mind when he made the pit stop on the way home from work.

Sean retrieved the quart of milk from the refrigerator and filled two glasses, before bringing them over to where his partner sat at the table. He set one down in front of the younger man, before taking a sip from the other. “Josef doesn’t remember doing it, which means that he couldn’t have been responsible for his actions. That makes him a hapless pawn, not a criminal mastermind.”

That certainly made sense, and Josh conceded that keeping this to themselves was the best course of action. Of course, the disclosure prompted a question. “If he doesn’t remember, then how did you find out?”

“That he can’t remember doesn’t make the memories non-existent.” The telepath sipped his milk. “Our mastermind does sloppy work.”

“Then what’s our plan, Mastermind?”

The look Sean shot him over the table was mostly affectionate. “We call in favors and try to get to the bottom of this.”

******************************

James Campbell entered his office on Friday morning to find it a shambles. His cabinets were unlocked and open, his confidential folders were strewn about, and the date on his computer had been corrupted.

The official investigation conducted by Hammel security and the technopaths informed him that neither the office nor the cabinets had been forced open, and the computer hadn’t been hacked. Someone with access to the room and his passcodes had been responsible.

Various people had access to, or could bypass, one or the other. Nobody could do both. Nobody who was working alone.

Unable to use his office in that condition, and while an official Hammel investigation took place, James found himself banished to the staff lounge.

“You and Chase still don’t use a safe word.”

James nearly dropped his mug; as it was, his hand twitched, causing hot coffee to slosh over the rim. Fortunately, it splashed on the floor but not on his person. “Sean? You scared the Hell out of me.”

“My apologies.” The telepath was unmoved from the topic at hand. “Even with a safe word, that’s still playing with fire.”

“I’m really not in the mood, Sean. It’s been a bad morning.”

“I know.” Truly, he sympathized with the younger man; James was a friend, and he never wished any harm or discomfort on friend. “I wouldn’t harp on this if it wasn’t important. Do you know why it’s so dangerous?”

“It doesn’t matter, because I trust Chase implicitly.” James’s free hand had crept towards the bridge of his nose, rubbing gently. Sean occasionally had that effect on people, particularly when he had a point to make. “He wouldn’t hurt me or take advantage.”

“No,” the telepath agreed, because he never doubted the strength of James’s and Chase’s relationship. The foundation of their marriage was rock solid. However, that was neither here nor there. “But that type of access primes your mind, and you can’t shield.”

The researcher dropped his hand and lifted his head, staring at the older man. “What are you on about?”

“Would you mind if I did a sweep of your office when Vincent is finished? I promise to stay out of your way.”

James took a moment to consider that, but then he nodded in assent. As it was, he doubted he would get any work done today; he was too jittery.

**********************************

“Charlie keeps calling for tips,” Hart sighed into his sweet water ale. The jalapeno poppers on his plate were no less enticing than usual, but he couldn’t find his appetite. “I already promised to do my best, but I don’t know what he expects. Have you heard anything from your sources?”

“I have a headache,” Josef announced, pushing his chair back from the table. Without making eye contact with his roommate, he disappeared into his bedroom and shut the door.

*************************

“The Williston Armory was burglarized last night. The doors were wrested from their hinges, the security system was dismantled, and the police have no leads. The military has not yet disclosed how much of the munitions storage was taken, but experts hypothesize...”

“Cobalt?” Ben’s voice rang through the apartment. “Officer Charlie is on the phone. He wants to talk to you.”

“Not now!” The shadow manipulator was hunched in front of the television set, staring intensely as though any moment a break in the case would appear. “Tell him I’ll call back when I have something to report.”

The lack of answers was infuriating. Worse yet, because munitions were far more dangerous than money, even if the latter could buy the former.

*****************

“Josef Muller again?” Josh inquired with a short nod towards the news broadcast as explanation.

“No,” Sean said without lifting his head from where it was buried in a book. Josef was fully accounted for during the burglary.

“Then who?”

“Clarisse Prideaux.”

“Clarisse?!” Josh was baffled. “She would never...”

“Not under typical circumstances, no.”

The attorney recognized that tone of voice and understood the implications. “What are you thinking?”

“We have to do a bit more research, but I think we have a lead.”

Josh settled beside the older man and leaned forward. “Tell me everything.”

***************************************

Officer Charlie Davis was in hot pursuit after receiving an APB. The suspect had robbed the Museum of Natural History, and was driving through Pilot Ridge for reasons that made no sense to him. The suspect would have been better off going further South.

However, Charlie was thankful for whatever favors he had. Even if this was above his pay grade as a small town police officer, anything that could foil the suspect’s plan was beneficial.

Until the suspect swerved off the road, crashing the car into a tree.

Charlie stared, aghast, and quickly slammed on the brakes of his vehicle. Now he had to call for medical assistance...

Or not? Had the suspect just climbed out of the wreckage?

Apparently so, and he was escaping on foot.

Sighing to himself, Charlie threw open the door of his car and stumbled out. He broke into a run. “Stop! In the name of the law!”

Miraculously, the suspect did. He turned to face Charlie, hands in the air. Charlie pulled out his handcuffs and began his standard readings. “You have the right to remain silent-”

“So do you,” the suspect replied, without letting the officer finish his speech. The punch came out of nowhere and sent Charlie to the ground. He lost consciousness a moment later, amid a flurry of smacks and kicks.

*******************************

Josh hung up the telephone, lips set in grim determination. “That was Cobalt,” he announced, as he entered the bedroom that he shared with his partner. “Ben has gone missing. He’s calling a Circle meeting for a half hour from now.”

Sean glanced over at the wall clock. “I suppose we should get ready.”

************************************************

“...which would be the final trajectory.”

Most of the members of the Circle nodded their comprehension. Cobalt, however, narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the man standing in front of them who had just finished his presentation. “How long have you been following this lead?”

“The actual lead? Not for very long.”

“Why didn’t you share it with anyone else? Charlie’s been riding me day and night for weeks.”

“Because this isn’t a matter for law enforcement.”

“Are you kidding me?” The shadow manipulator had jumped to his fate, frustration rising in his veins. “Of course it’s a matter for law enforcement! If you had shared this with someone earlier, than maybe Ben would be safe at home instead of-”

“Cobalt,” Danny said gently, his attempt to get the other man to calm down. “Sean isn’t at fault for Ben’s disappearance. Only the kidnappers are.”

Cobalt heaved a heavy sigh. He was stressed and worried, and he didn’t want to be rational at the moment. However, if there was one thing he hated more than villains, it was snapping at Danny Silverman. He always felt guilty, and his childhood friend had methods of calming him that, from anyone else, would seem patronizing. “Fine,” he whispered, before turning his hardened gaze back on the telepath. “Then what’s your plan?”

*****************************

Sakiya Min and Alice Halifax sat at the conference table in their hotel suite. The penthouse had been converted into their headquarters, and the hotel manager never minded the fact that they hadn’t paid their bill since moving in. Not after a quick conversation with Alice.

Sakiya had her own talents, and the parade of devotees was a testament to her comfort with utilizing those talents for her self-interest.

Riches beyond their wildest dreams. Information on all of the known metas in the entirety of North America, files they could use to determine who would become their next victims. Weapons to use to blackmail world leaders into acquiescing to their demands. The world was at their fingertips, and they were just getting started.

“Rhodes!” She called, and the blond man quickly came to her side.

“Yes, Queen Sakiya?” He gazed adoringly at her, his expression filled with joy and respect. As though his highest priority was catering to her every whim.

“I want that attorney you live with.”

A small frown crossed Ben’s features, out of place with his wide, eager eyes. “Why?”

“Because he fancies himself an amateur detective and vigilante, and that won’t do.” Sakiya shook her head to herself, as though warding off the mere thought of being caught by law enforcement. A malicious smile then crossed her lips, “Besides, the power you described has its uses. He’s a weakling, but he could still run a few errands for me undetected. Nobody looks in shadows.”

“But-” The protest died on Ben’s lips, as a wave of overwhelming peace and agreeability crashed over him. Why had he put up an argument? Of course Cobalt would be happier here.

“You could be together,” Sakiya reminded him, and the dopey smile returned to Ben’s face. They could be together, and he would be so happy to have Cobalt with him while they both tended to their Queen.

“I’ll bring him to you immediately, Queen Sakiya,” the blond man promised.

“I know you will.”

********************************

Once Cobalt was out of earshot, Sean turned back to the other members of the Circle. “If you run into Benjamin Rhodes, knock him out. We can sort through this later, but we can’t trust him until I clear him.”

***********************************

Under cover of darkness, four men made their way to the hotel wherein Sakiya and Alice had set up shop. Darkness was their friend.

The fifth member of the group was camped outside, prepared to provide reinforcements. Should the rescue mission go awry, she was prepared to light up the sky with more lightning than The Almighty Thor, Himself.

“Crouch down,” Cobalt whispered to Sean. The telepath was nearly a foot taller than the shadow manipulator, and it strained his power - and their ability to believably hide - to cover the additional mass.

Without complaint, the telepath ducked down, crouching his back uncomfortably so as to better accommodate Cobalt. “Better?”

“Yes.” The word came out as more of a half-whisper/half-grunt, a frustrated hybrid sound that would have concerned the other three men if it had emanated from anyone but Cobalt.

Once they were through the doors, they needed to find the elevator, or take the stairs.

“It’s easier to hide on the stairs,” Cobalt pointed out. Shadows were out of place (and virtually nonexistent) on elevators and their fluorescent lights. Darkness crept safely in stairwells.

“Where are we going?” Danny asked. They had pinpointed the hotel, but not a specific room. If they had to go room to room, they might have to split up, and that was a waste of resources.

“The penthouse,” Sean replied. He’d picked that from the manager’s mind as they had snuck past the administrative office.

“The penthouse?” Josh repeated glumly. Those were far too many stairs for men their age. So much physical exertion before they even managed to step into a fight.

“I can make us invisible,” Sean offered, as a counter to the notion of fifteen flights of stairs.

“Since when can you do illusions?” Cobalt snapped, tossing a glare at the telepath.

“I never claimed that I could.”

“Then how are we going to hide on the security camera system?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that!” Danny whispered cheerfully. “I already magnetized their system.”

**********************************

The telephone rang in the penthouse.

Sakiya answered it, her lips forming into a displeased frown as she listened. “Get it back up. We need the security system.”

Setting down the phone, she called over her shoulder, “Muller!”

Josef Muller instantly appeared at her side. “Yes, Queen Sakiya?”

“Go downstairs and fix the security system. Those morons downstairs crashed it.”

“Right way, Queen Sakiya.” Josef’s unique ability to acquire skills had proved useful when leeching off his roommate. Hart’s knowledge had become his.

With a bow, Josef left the penthouse through the staircase, narrowly missing the four men in their ascent.

When the elevator doors opened on the penthouse floor, Sakiya called out, “Is the security system operational again?”

The lack of response concerned her, and she snapped louder, “Muller! Answer me!”

No response again, and she turned to see...

Nothing, because someone had turned off the lights.

“Alice? Is that you?”

“No, I’m right here!” Alice’s voice came from the next room, and Sakiya frowned more deeply. Had the police managed to find them? Even after they’d managed to incapacitate Officer Davis?

Inconceivable. They were covering their tracks.

Just in case, she moved to the wall, fumbling for the light switch. “Alice, I think you should come here!” There was safety in numbers.

When the lights were on again, she found herself face-to-face with the bespectacled shadow manipulator. Breathing a sigh of relief, she said, “So Rhodes managed to find you. Good, good.”

Cobalt’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “What about Ben?”

“You should be more compliant,” Sakiya mused, before releasing her pheromones. Nudging the shadow manipulator towards feelings of warmth and agreeability.

Unfortunately for her, Cobalt Weaver was unpleasant on a good day.

He didn’t even crack a smile; his expression failed to soften.

***************************

In the other room, Alice had, quite literally, walked into Danny Silverman.

“I’m afraid you’re under arrest,” the model builder remarked, as he held up a pair of handcuffs.

“Is that so?” Alice appeared utterly unconcerned by the chain of events. When she next spoke, her voice had a pleasant lilt and presence that had been absent a moment before. “Would you kindly hand me those?”

Without hesitation, Danny did.

“And the key too, please?”

He passed the key into her waiting hands.

“Thank you. Now, if you could put your hands behind your back please?” When Danny complied, Alice snapped the cuffs shut around his waiting wrists. “Now, be a good boy and try not to make a peep.”

****************************

Clarisse Prideaux had greeted Sean Neville with a right cross. The delicate Frenchwoman packed a wallop when her powers were active, and, unfortunately for Sean, Sakiya’s pheromones kept Clarisse in a constant adrenaline rush.

It was only because Sean was absurdly tall and Clarisse a woman of average height that the punch had landed in his chest. That was bad enough, because it knocked the wind out of the telepath.

That was why Josh had had no choice but to break the nearest object over the Frenchwoman’s head. Fortunately, it was a vase and not a computer terminal.

The attorney stared down at the unconscious form of their friend for but a moment before he sidled up to his partner. “Are you okay?”

Sean took a wheezing breath but then nodded. “I think so.” He took another breath, deeper and easier this time. “I haven’t been hit that hard in a while.”

“I know.” Josh frowned, because usually they had a bit more of an upper hand when it came to disguises. Often, but not always, Sean managed to make them untouchable.

Unfortunately, they were spread a bit too thin here tonight.

Hearing the sounds of struggling in the main room, they shared a glance. They didn’t speak a word, but, nearly as one, they exited the bedroom for the living room.

***************************

Cobalt had pinned Sakiya to the floor, which was an achievement given the weak cartilage in his knees. Alice took in the scene as the entered the room and clucked her tongue, the way that a disapproving mother would upon finding that her children had tracked mud on the newly cleaned floor.

With the same presence in her voice, she asked, “Would you kindly let my friend go?”

Cobalt scrunched up his face, pulling on every ounce of resistance that he could muster.

Alice noticed, and she closed the distance between them. With an additional nudge, she said, “Please? It would be a lot to me if you’d let her go.”

Despite himself, Cobalt rolled off her, landing in an uncomfortable kneeling position atop the plush carpeting.

“Thank you,” Alice said, reaching out to extend a hand to Sakiya in order to help the other girl to her feet. “Do you have handcuffs with you?”

“Yes.” Cobalt nodded a single time.

“Please give them to me.” When the shadow manipulator complied, Alice smiled. “Thank you. Now, will you kindly put your hands behind your back?”

************************************

Alice had just finished cuffing Cobalt when Josh and Sean entered the living room. The two men shared another glance, since it was fairly obvious what had transpired.

The two girls shared a glance as well.

Be careful, the telepath projected to his partner. Josh nodded to convey his acknowledgement of the request. Then, he ran for the kitchen, a divide and conquer strategy.

Sakiya followed him, which left Sean alone with Alice.

The girl didn’t appear concerned, which told Sean everything he needed to know about her ego. Sizing up the taller man, she offered him a saccharine smile. “Do you have handcuffs?”

The telepath said nothing.

Alice clucked her tongue again. Sean overheard the thought: This won’t do. Then she spoke with the presence in her voice. “Would you kindly put your hands up?”

The telepath didn’t comply.

Alice nudged harder, watching his face for the telltale signs of a losing struggle. Instead, his expression was as calm as ever.

Why isn’t this working? She thought to herself, quickly trying to formulate a backup plan.

Because, young lady, Sean’s mental voice came unbidden, confident and unapologetic. Your powers are merely bush league.

Then everything went black.

**********************************
Josh’s primary problem was that he was, at heart, an extrovert with a pleasant demeanor who cared about other people’s approval.

Sakiya’s primary problem was that Josh mostly cared about Sean Neville’s approval.

Thus, while she flooded him with pheromones to induce good will and compliance, all of that went out the window the moment that the telepath stepped into the bedroom. Rather, he remained happy, warm, and eager to please. But, the moment he made eye contact with Sean and the older man nodded his head, Josh tackled the girl to the floor without hesitation.

****************************

When Josef Muller returned from the security office, Sakiya, Alice, and Clarisse were all unconscious and hogtied in the living room. Cobalt and Danny were still in handcuffs, but Josh was searching Alice’s pockets for the keys.

One part of him told him to attack the intruders who had obviously hurt his Queens. The other part of him told him not to press his luck. That cautious, more rational part of him grew stronger by the minute, without refreshed conditioning from Alice and new waves of hormones from Sakiya.

“If I were you, I’d go downstairs and wait with Kateri in the van,” Sean remarked to the younger man. He knew that Josef wasn’t responsible for his actions, and he didn’t want his friend to find himself arrested at a crime scene. If he hid in the van, they could return him home without any problems. If he tried to attack them here, then Sean and Josh could stop him. If he tried to attack Kateri, she would shock him with a lightning bolt without a moment’s hesitation.

Josef considered his options and agreed with the assessment. Without speaking a word, he disappeared back into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby.

***************************

“We should call the police.” Cobalt rubbed his wrists, alternating between the left and the right, in an attempt to restore circulation. Alice had locked the handcuffs far too tightly.

“I don’t think we need to involve law enforcement.”

“Then what’s your plan? Give them a pat on their heads and send them on their way?” Cobalt’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Rehabilitation.”

“What type of rehabilitation?” Danny inquired, shooting Cobalt an apologetic glance, should the shadow manipulator perceive his question as emotional abandonment.

“The meta-human colony that Yulia Sokolov runs.” Nobody left that colony without a 180 degree change of heart and a healthy respect for the collective good.

“I agree with Sean,” Josh chimed in.

Cobalt rolled his eyes. “Well, there’s a surprise.”

“I don’t think infighting is useful right now,” the telepath remarked. “Kateri is going to agree with me, and Yulia can be here in fifteen minutes. If you want, you and Danny are free to leave; I can babysit until she arrives.”

Cobalt stared at the older man suspiciously, biting back a retort. He hated working with Sean Neville for this reason: having to deal with the telepath’s demeanor was even worse than dealing with his powers.

“I know where Ben is,” Sean offered as a means of squelching the shadow manipulator’s ire. “Sakiya sent him on a kidnapping errand, but those instructions should wear off in about an hour or so. He should be at your apartment. If you want to wait until he’s himself again, then wait the full hour. If not, just make sure you know where he puts the key to the handcuffs.”

Cobalt was too flustered to reply.





*With apologies to all of Hammel.