There was significant weight in the silence filling Kingston's office. Only partially due to whatever power he was using to cloud the room from outside prying. Given that he'd put up a cloaking effect throughout the whole meeting, I was curious why the extreme step up had been made.

I sat and waited for the big reveal of what was so important. It looked like he was still on the fence about even telling me, but eventually the words found their way out of his mouth.

"The World Government, aren't exactly that."

Either I had misheard him, or I wasn't getting his train of thought. It could just be this mental pressure fogging up my brain. I raised an eyebrow and scratched my shoulder.

[Elaborate.]

"Communication outside of the continent is rare and controlled. The Government facilitates a high majority of it due to limitations imposed by the Weather Wars." Kingston furrowed his brow. "Electromagnetic storms, extreme temperature changes, and other more arcane maladies. Even freight and travel are fraught with danger. We are mostly self-sufficient here."

[You are saying it is fertile ground for misinformation.]

The Director sighed. He was trying to relax into a more conversational position now that the words were flowing, but the intensity of his skill didn't allow it. "Have you ever heard of the Greater Othea Unification Agreement?"

I shook my head. In part because of my odd creation and amnesia after my near-death experience. History wasn't my strong suit.

"After the truce that ended the Weather Wars, the world was in a terrible state. A near-extinction event if it continued any longer. The Agreement was to form a unified government across the globe to ensure stability and recover from the war. The thing is, the Agreement never existed. Not in that way, at least."

[The World Government only has control over this continent.]

"Precisely. Still powerful, of course, but not the overarching de facto entity ruling Othea." He exhaled through his nose. "This information is punishable by death."

[They aren't huge fans of me already.]

"I mean that you cannot speak of it outside of this room. No telling even Rockslide."

On the surface, it didn't feel like a huge bombshell. The more I thought about it, the more complex emotions it brewed up. Hope, perhaps? There was no guarantee that the rest of the world was any better to live in than here. It was just the knowledge that the World Gov wasn't an all-encompassing power that would be hunting me down wherever I went in life.

As for why it was forbidden knowledge, I could take a few guesses. It was all about control. If they weren't all-powerful, they could be challenged. Dissenting city-states could band together and wrest control. It gave further reason for Goldarch being both such a thorn in their side, yet a necessity. These many superpowered individuals would be trouble if mobilized en masse. We needed to be kept placated and happy, but it still rubbed the Gov the wrong way that we weren't under their thumb.

I shook my head and sighed.

[Alright, I understand. Why are you telling me this now?]

"Change is on the horizon, Gunquake. You're already knee-deep in this just because of who you are. How you came into this world. I tell you this not because I expect you to act, but when the time comes, I want you to be informed. You seek freedom. The world isn't as closed off as you first believed."

After several long moments of silence, I gave him a nod. Nothing further need be said.

He gave me a stoic nod in return before relaxing his power. The glow around his fingers diminished as the hue covering the walls faded back to the usual security. Kingston rolled his shoulders and deflated into his seat, relieved to have that over with. Unfortunately, I had my own agenda.

[This whole new headquarters thing… I have my own conditions of acceptance as well.]

The Director furrowed his brow. "Am I not doing enough in providing you with all this?"

[I don't know. It sounds like it's only to our benefit if we want to go along with your role for us, wouldn't you say?]

Some amount of exhaustion returned to his face before Kingston rolled his eyes. "What are you asking for?"

Part of me felt that I should tell him about Boss and the potential threat against Goldarch if the clone-army of my lost brother was actually created. Since he already looked like he'd aged a few years over the last couple of days, I kept those cards close to my chest for now. I had my sights set on something closer to home.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

[I want to get out of the city for a few days during my vacation. Down south.]

Kingston groaned and rubbed the side of his head. "To Neo-Scenia? I don't know if I should even ask why. It's difficult enough to allow you out of the city officially for even a day."

[Officially.]

He worked his jaw and stared me down. I could tell he didn't want to deny my request, but it was a huge ask. Not only could I get myself into trouble without help, but I might bring problems back to Goldarch.

"Whatever is there must be very important to you."

[I can live if you say no, but it will be something constantly weighing at the back of my mind.]

Kingston closed his eyes. We sat in silence for almost a minute before he opened them again. "I can turn a blind eye if you disappear, and will drum up an excuse for your absence if people start snooping. My acceptance comes with conditions, of course."

[Name them.]

"Neo-Scenia is a city built around technology and biological modifications. You might fit in there, but the rest of the Disasters would stick out like a sore thumb. It's up to you how you get past their checkpoints, but the only person I'll allow to go with you is Clara…" He shook his head slightly. "Even then, I'm reluctant to even propose that. Lastly, if you are caught by the officials there-"

[I'm dead to you and Goldarch. I understand the risks.]

"Then tell me nothing more. I'm sure I'll know when you're back, and I don't have the brainpower to babysit you. With all the repairs and restructuring in the city, I'm sure nobody will notice that you've gone."

One person would, but he was next in line to have a meeting with me.

[Thank you. Then, I'm done darkening your doorstep.]

The Director threw up his hands in resignation and leaned back in his chair. "If there's nothing else you can burden me with, we'll call this a successful end to this meeting then?"

Bringing up the brand on my back might be a good idea. Kingston's powers were vague, but he seemed to be knowledgeable. He might at least point me toward someone who could help. There was something about the exhaustion in his eyes that had me hold my figurative tongue. The eye mark hadn't even done anything bad or shown itself to be anything than what it seemed. It could wait.

[I believe we both have a lot to think about. Probably after a good sleep.]

"I'll raise a glass to that." Kingston gestured with his hands and the wavering hue along the walls faded away, showing the monitors in their full brightness once more. "Thank you again, Gunquake. The city—and I—appreciates your continual sacrifices to protect us all."

[Goldarch is my home. I will do whatever I can to protect it.]

A rather cheesy goodbye. Full of truths, however. A more effective statement in the context of the secrets we had just shared. I had already killed plenty of people in the name of keeping those I cared about safe. Going to Neo-Scenia was a purely selfish venture. Having a mouth wasn't a necessity, but the carrot had been dangled. After bleeding so much for the city, I should be allowed this.

I gave Kingston a nod and left the room. Exhaustion must be contagious, as felt run down now as well. After standing in the waiting room for a moment idly rubbing at my shoulder, I sent off some messages to Roxy.

//Dubs: Finished my talk, going to stretch my legs. //Dubs: Want anything from the shops? //Roxy: Had a big breakfast, so I'm fine. //Roxy: Hotel gives me cabin fever. Let's find something fun to do later? //Dubs: It's a date. //Roxy: We didn't get too far, so just send Clara a message when you want picking up.

In leaving League HQ, I half expected to be stopped by either Maestro or Silhouette. Surprisingly, I didn't see any heroes on the way out. Other than the ever-affable receptionist, of course. It left me feeling slightly disjointed, as if I were missing something. I hadn't seen something.

Either way, I started off down the sidewalk. A shop wasn't my first port of call. I wasn't sure why I was even going to one just yet - given that it would mostly be purchases for the others. That made me wonder what it would be like to eat. With a mouth, it might take my body a while to get used to actual solids. But… flavors? The texture of a freshly cooked meal.

Whether or not it was selfish and dangerous, I had set my mind to it.

After getting a little too much attention from passersby, I used my grapple to get up onto the rooftops. A short-term boost in visibility, followed by a heavy dip as I easily hopped across several streets. It felt good to feel the hum of my leg V-Force drives. A vacation had been well earned, but I was a workaholic by nature.

Around three blocks away from the League, I hopped down from the roof of a hardware store and into a shaded alleyway. It took my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the gloom before I could clearly see the familiar shape of an old man slumped up against the wall.

[Not sure how I knew you'd be in this specific alleyway.]

The former hero, Immutable, shuffled around and knocked a couple of empty bottles over. His ragged beard moved back and forth as he chewed on his thoughts. "Eh, these things tend to just happen. It's in your blood."

[You felt the death of one of us.]

"Sure did." He grunted and pushed himself up to his feet, stumbling slightly. "Before you start worrying, I hold no emotional connection to you brats. It's… probably best I forget all about my demonic nature. You bunch were irritating needles reminding me that I was stuck on this blasted plane."

[I came to ask you a question, and hope I can offer you something in return.]

Immutable leaned back against the brick wall, his dark eyes looking me over. "Ask away, Gunquake. As if it wasn't obvious why you came to me of all people in this hellforsaken city."

[My remaining brother. Is he still in the northwest?]

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, still stuck in place. Are you huntin' him down too?"

[The World Government plans to create clones of him, ultimately to attack this city, if not elsewhere.]

"I can't say I have much love for Goldarch." The former hero shrugged briefly. "But I hate the World Gov, so if that's what you've got to do, then best of luck to you."

It was fair to assume that the Gov held my brother in the same place as a week ago. With how the attempted Arena attack went, there might have been a chance that they moved him or changed their plans. Even this might be too soon to tell. We didn't even have a plan for how to deal with Boss and his proposition yet. Still, I wanted to keep on top of all these spinning plates.

[Thank you. I'm sure it will be quite a tea party.]

He waved his hand dismissively. "So, what were you planning to exchange for that oh-so-useful information? I'm getting low on rum." His foot kicked a soggy crate of enough bottles than would even cause Belle to think twice.

My offer wasn't alcohol-based.

[I want to kill you.]

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.