Brass Ring Chapter 13: Catching Up With Chaos

Oliver stood up, disengaging from Cass. “Sorry, guys, I’ve got to go.”

Cass put her finger to her lips and blew him a kiss. “Are you sure you want to leave with Teddy? You know he’s a teddy bear.” Teddy looked expectantly. ‘I could rub that fur all day.”

Oliver rolled his eyes. “Sorry, Teddy, but you know you’re safe from fur-rubbing. You couldn’t handle her truth.” Teddy’s eyes dropped. “Heck, I can barely handle her truth.”

The group laughed as Oliver left the sauna. Oliver hit the showers, washing off the sweat he had earned in the sauna, He got dressed and headed to his office. Once there, he relaxed into his seat and pulled out his phone. He noticed a text from his brother.

Psyborg: Man, you guys were an easy fight.

Oliver: Meh. It was our first fight. And you guys left first!

Psyborg: We got what we wanted. No reason to stick around.

Oliver: Great. But we’ll stop you next time!

Psyborg: Not likely. Not with my magnetic shields!

Oliver: That’s cheating!

Psyborg: Deal with it, punk.

Oliver: I’ll figure it out.

Psyborg: Good luck! CYAL8R, Kid!

Oliver: Won’t need it! Bye!

He grunted, then sat up. Guess I need to upload the video. He took a thumb drive out of his pocket and put in the right slot. “Imago, I’m uploading video on the fight. Analyze it and see if we have information on the people we fought.”

Imago appeared next to him. “Understood. It should take a few minutes to analyze and prepare the dossier requested.”

Oliver smiled. Soon I will know who your friends are. He sat back and waited.

* * * * *

Bruno carried a pair of plates, one in each arm. Each plate carried a beautifully braised coq-au-vin over rice and the scent just whetted his appetite. He had already put the tossed salad on the table, mixing in the bleu cheese dressing in anticipation of the meal, and there was a bowl of light, fluffy bread with butter next to it, just waiting to be eaten. He put down the plates, and stepped lightly to the red wine, which had already been given a chance to breathe. He poured two glasses and placed them next to their setting. He then walked over to his own setting, adding a little spin as a flourish.

Everything was where it needed to be.

Except Paul.

Bruno checked his watch. “Seriously: What is it abou the fastest man alive and the total lack of punctuality? It’s as if the ability to drive me mad is one of his powers.” He smirked. I would need to schedule Paul's funeral early for the body to get there on time. He sighed, and debated whether or not to begin without him yet again. Just as he inhaled, Paul appeared in his seat. Bruno's eyebrow went up; Paul hadn't run to dinner for years.

“Smells great!” Paul smiled in anticipation. “I’m not even that late!”

Bruno took his time sitting down.

Paul offered a weak smile as he picked up his glass and tipped it to Bruno; Bruno cocked his head as he returned the gesture. “To the best husband a super-hero could ever have!”

Bruno rolled his eyes. “And for the person who arrived on time, if barely!” The two clinked glasses, barely holding back a giggle.

Paul dug into the beautiful meal. “I had a great day today! I saved a kid from some bully, stopped a couple of potential accidents, and even found a new candy shop.”

Bruno ate his own meal slowly. I wonder if he’s even tasting the food. “Good. And I managed to get the Blue Card program back up.”

He looked up. “That was fast.” He dove back in.

Bruno took a sip of his wine. “Surprisingly fast.” He put the wine down. “Are you serious about getting back into action?”

Paul actually stopped. “Yep. I know the danger and all that, but I’m tired of office work.”

Bruno cut through his steak. “Well, you’re not an ‘office work’ type of person, Paul.” He stabbed at the chicken with his fork. “However, there are formalities that need to be followed.”

“I know, I know.” Paul took a quick sip of wine. “However, I have plenty of PTO available for the short term, and Mr. Jenner hates me anyway.” He put the wine down. “Besides, with the current chaos, it may be time for me to step back into the limelight.”

Bruno sighed. ”But are you really sure? We don’t know what secret Telemachus had on us.” He chewed. “That is a major variable that needs to be addressed, you know.”

Paul smiled at him. “That attention to detail is why I love you.”

Bruno returned the smile. “Among other things, of course.”

“Of course.” Paul poked at his potatoes. “But this is something that needs to be addressed: Do we really worry about the Telemachus Ultimatum? Do we let it take over our lives?”

Bruno swallowed. “We need to at least debate it, or at least be worried about it. We’ve already seen some horrible things happen to some people, even heroes.” He picked up another bite. “We have plenty to be worried about; we never know what could bite us in the butt if we’re not careful.”

Paul exhaled. “Granted. It sucks, not knowing what surprise Telemachus has for us, but we shouldn’t let it rule our every action.”

“I hate that sword of Damocles.” Bruno sat back. “So here’s the deal: You promise to be safe, and don’t extend yourself too far. Help us much as you can otherwise, okay?”

Paul grinned. “I can do that. In theory.”

Bruno rolled his eyes. “Just don’t promise me anything. You are horrible at keeping promises."

Paul got up and started walking over to Bruno. “True. But you know that I’ll always return to you.” He paused. “Besides, you cook such great food. The salad wasn’t your best (you know I love the sunflower seeds), but coq au vin was awesome, and you know I love the fluffy bread.” He bit into a piece of bread. “Even the butter was nice and salty. Great for electrolytes and all that; just what a runner needs!” Bruno’s eyes rolled and he shook his head.

Paul snuggled up to him, kissing him lightly on the forehead, and staring at Bruno expectedly, waiting for some sign. Bruno sighed, a breath straight from his soul, and returned the stare. He then put his finger on Paul's nose, then brought him in close. He kissed him briefly. At least we had a good meal together. Bruno let him go. Paul ran out of the room, leaving an empty plate behind.

* * * * *

A messenger parked his bike outside of Overton's Precinct 1. He grabbed his package and walked in. He stopped momentarily at the receptionist's desk. “I have something for a ‘Captain Sandoval’.”

“His desk is just two lefts and a right.” The receptionist buzzed him in, announcing his arrival. The messenger brought out his pen and clipboard and gave them to the man behind the desk, a muscular man with a thick mustache and silver bushy hair.

“Your John Hancock and it’s yours.” The man touched his glasses to better focus his bifocals and then signed the clipboard. “Have a good day.” The messenger handed him an envelope and left as quickly as he had come.

Captain Sandoval opened the envelope and poured its contents into his hand. It was a USB drive. He looked at the drive, turning it over in his hand and then he plugged it into his computer. After his antivirus software had sniffed the drive, he opened up the drive's folder. He immediately saw a file labeled, “OPEN ME FIRST”. He complied, and the text file opened up. The first line was, “Commander Sandoval: For years you have wonder about the connection between the vigilante The Weasel and the billionaire Harrison Bennison. As this files point out...”

Commander Sandoval smiled as one of his biggest problems was about to be solved. Permanently. “The Weasel is about to pop.” He began typing up an arrest warrant. The other twenty or so files could wait.

* * * * *

Oliver was glaring at a monitor. The two were looking over the supers that they had gone up against. “Alright, Imago; what am I looking at?”

Imago went through brief versions of the beings, a video followed by some brief information. “There were five beings that we know.” The wizened form of Kung appeared on the screen. “Kung is a mentat, with the equivalent of ten doctorates.” Valkyr was next, flying on her winged steed. “Valkyr is an extra-dimensional being supposed one of the legendary choosers of slain.” The Brothers Boom were attacking a group of soldiers, The Yeth screamed his green energies while Twid threw knives at them; soldiers fell. “The so-called ‘Brothers Boom,’ The Yeth has sonic powers while Twid is a combat master.”

Psyborg showed up, blasting a bank safe. “Psyborg is cybernetic soldier, the result of augmentive surgery due to wounds in Afghanistan. He has enhanced physical abilities, shielding, and several built-in weapons. He also has shielding against psychic attacks.” Imago looked at Oliver. “All of them are known mercenaries.”

Oliver leaned back. “Fun.” He sat up and put his hands on the desk. “One more bit of information: Psyborg is my brother. That could make things interesting.”

“Yes, but that gives you insight into his tactics and logic, provided he has not changed too much since you last knew him.” Oliver nodded. He opened his mouth to say something but then Imago froze. “Calculating.” Imago’s eyebrow went up. “There is someone incoming.” Oliver stood up.

The space next to Oliver was filled with a blue-clad hero. The Blue Blur faux-saluted Oliver. “So you’re the new leader of CAPES? I’m the Blue Blur, but you can call me ‘Paul.’ I’m here to help.”

Oliver exhaled. This just got easier. ”Your help would be so appreciated.” Oliver sat back. “Have you been affected by the Telemachus Ultimatum?”

Paul leaned on the desk. “No, not yet. But I’m willing to take the risk.”

Oliver grinned. “Well, if you’re sure…” Paul nodded. “Okay, we’re under attack by at least five mercenaries, so that implies a leader. Here’s what we know….” And for the next half hour, Oliver briefed the older hero on what was going on, from the battles that had been fought to all of the players involved, both CAPES and mercenaries. “So that’s what we’re up against.” Oliver sat back and folded his hands. “And that’s all we know.”

Paul exhaled. “Yeah, that’s a lot.” He leaned against the wall. “Okay, I’ve got a dinner to run off, but I’ll be back. When I return, let’s meet the rest of the team.” Paul stood straight up. “Get something yourself; it’s going to be a late night.” Paul disappeared.

Oliver smiled. “Imago, things just changed.”

[The last chapter can be found here.]