Super Sales on Super Heroes: Book 2

Chapter 22 - Trump Card -

The ex-marine snorted and stared out across the field.

“Any particular reason you chose me?” he asked. “Don’t get me wrong. Nice view and all, but you’re asking me to be the ugly end of the stick for an entire… world.”

“Because you’re qualified, can function independently, and were given a Fixer rank. According to HR, Michael Haglund does very well when put into the worst situation and given little in the way of support,” Felix said “I’d say manning a fort in the middle of a hostile planet counts for that. Your heavy weapons specialist title doesn’t hurt either. I figure you’ll have this place tighter than a shoelace budget at the end of a fiscal year.”

“And you brought me here to show me the site and offer me the job,” Michael said, scratching at a beard far too long for a man so young. Blue eyes that’d seen a bit too much during deployment held a dull glow to them as they stared into Felix.

He looked very much the part of ex-military trying to make it back in the real world.

Maybe being at a fort on the edge of a wild world will be just what you need.

“That, and you and your wife both listed relocation as an option,” Felix said, nodding his head. “This would be relocation.”

At the mention of his wife, Michael’s eyes flicked over to the small, dark-haired Beastkin frolicking around the tall grass.

Felix wasn’t one to judge, given his relationship with Andrea, but they seemed an odd pair.

“Veronica does seem rather happy,” Michael said gruffly.

Felix took a moment to watch the cat-eared Beastkin dive into a dense growth. “I’ve noticed they tend to do better in wilder environs, yes. Can I assume that’s a yes?”

“Can I pick my own security assets?” Michael asked, looking back at Felix.

And there we go. That’s all done, just a matter of him formally agreeing.

“You do, but you’ll lose your HR status and be forced into a leadership role. A separate HR Fixer will be assigned and report up through Kit. A representative of Legal will, of course, be on hand as well. Everything else is a material or personnel requisition form,” Felix said, holding out his hand.

Michael had a sour look on his face, but shook Felix’s hand.

“Oh, planet’s named Legion. I’ve claimed it by territory rights. I plan on listing the ownership of said planet locally here, and at the HQs back home. I figure ten years is long enough for a legal claim against it,” Felix said with a grin.

“Figures,” Michael said, grinning back. “Legion first.”

“Legion first,” Felix repeated.

Michael let go of Felix’s hand and turned back to the field. Leaving him there to contemplate his new home, Felix went to join Kit.

“He’s happier than he lets on,” Kit said when he got within earshot. “He has a hard time showing it.”

“Good. You done reading through my brain yet? Can I turn it off?” Felix asked.

“Yes. I’m done. I did take a minute to really go through your thoughts about the dunk tank though. It was surprisingly—”

“Going to drown you in horrible thoughts if you finish that sentence,” Felix threatened. “If you really wanna know what I can drudge up than we can go right on down to hard-on hotel and I’ll make you wish you could bleach your own thoughts.”

“Ah… yes. I’m done. I’d agree with Lily and her assumption, based on what I saw from your mind. And yes, we are getting along, and for the reasons you suspect,” Kit said.

“Hm. Good,” Felix said. He didn’t want to talk about it. His suspicions were rather simple. Kit was sharing his thoughts with Lily, and acting as a filter for her.

He disabled her ability to read his mind with a thought.

“You ready for our guests? They should be arriving soon enough,” Felix asked.

“I believe that’d be them over yonder, actually,” Kit said, indicating a group of people off to one side. “Victoria and a Fixer cornered them as soon as they got here. I’m afraid there’s some problems that we’ll have to discuss before you even go over there.”

“Oh. There’s always a problem. That much is certain. The question is… what is it this time?” Felix asked, looking to the group of people.

“Security brought in three people. Supposedly they’re the representative leaders for each group. One is, the other two aren’t,” Kit said. She pointed to the two older gentlemen of the three. “They’re maybe third in line, and come from a dictatorship form of government. They’re here because their leader didn’t want to risk themselves.”

“Alright, not exactly a bad idea when meeting with someone you have no idea about. I can’t deny that if I had someone show up wearing things that didn’t belong, with tech that I didn’t understand, I might be reserved as well. Is that the problem though? That doesn’t seem—”

“One of them has knowledge that their tribe is attacking the other even as we speak. They were hoping they’d send their leader and were going to use this as an opportunity,” Kit clarified.

“Huh. Not a bad plan. I mean, we did something very similar if you remember. Who exactly are they attacking?”

“The other dictatorship. They don’t view the council-run one as much of a threat.”

“I imagine not. Especially if they aren’t a warrior based community. Taking a guess here, this third one has only survived this long because the other two would attack the other the moment they went to take over the third?”

“Something like that,” Kit said, nodding her head.

“Right. Well, the only one who acted in good faith was our dear little community run tribe. That’s fine. They’re probably preferable to work with anyways. With a larger pool of essentials in their community, I imagine that they have far more to gain through a deal. The other two would have just wanted wealth so they could distribute to their backers. Politics is always so fun,” Felix said in a flat voice.

“Put a thought in Victoria’s head to send the other two away,” he continued. “Bring the democratic one. I’ll need Michael sooner than I thought. Give him a brief rundown of the situation and have him meet up with me.

“At the same time, I’m going to need you to mobilize say… an entire battalion of Legion Security. Armed for full combat. Engage their mech attachment as well,” Felix said, running down the plan in his head.

“That’s… quite a firm response. Did you want the Powered element activated as well?”

“No. Let’s keep that under wraps for now, but do ask for the appropriate number of Fixers and Telemedics. After that, get yourself back to HQ. I need you making sure the ship stays on course. I’ll be over that way,” Felix said, pointing at a boundary marker.

“Oh, and get me Miu,” Felix called over his shoulder. “Let her know in advance she’ll be off her leash.”

Flipping over his wrist he did a quick check for any new messages or email, and then tapped the alert indicator for Andrea.

A second later and her face popped up in the display. She was clearly in the ANet and working on something.

“Felix?” she asked. “What’s going on? I just saw a number of things light up and go active at the same time. I thought you said you didn’t need me because this was going to be simple.”

“Yeah. Looking like we’re going to have a bit of a fight out here on Legion world. Is uh… is Adriana available? I think I’m going to need her,” Felix said. He wasn’t quite sure how to refer to the two of them yet. It’d only been a day after all.

“Nn! She is. Want me to send her your way? Full combat rigging?” she asked.

“Yeah. And an Andrea of course. Not you though, not Prime. Or Adriana’s Prime. If I don’t have to spend points I’d rather not,” Felix said.

“Got it!” chirped the Beastkin, and promptly shut down the channel.

Almost at the same time, Victoria brought over a middle-aged man, and Michael came up from the other side.

“Great, everyone’s here. First up, did the Fixer finish up with English?” Felix asked, looking to Victoria.

“Yes. Your servant gave me your language,” said the man.

Felix gave him a second look and found that he was fairly ordinary. Brown hair, dark brown eyes, and a face weathered by work and toil.

His age may not have been what he’d originally thought. In fact, now that Felix really looked at him, he might be in his thirties and simply suffering a hard life lived rough.

“Good. And your name?” Felix prompted.

“Hern.”

“Any surname attached to that or just—”

“Hern.”

“I’m going to assume you meant that your name is simply Hern, and not Hern Hern. Anyways. My name is Felix. These are indeed my people, and this is going to become my camp. I originally asked all three of your tribal leaders to come speak with me to discuss things. Though I’ve just found that apparently your two neighbors are already engaged in what sounds an all-out attack on each other. Best guess is they’ll turn on you when they’re done,” Felix said, keeping it simple.

Hern blinked once and then started to turn to the side, as if he wanted to run straight home.

“I’d like to make you an offer,” Felix said, trying to head the man off before he ran off with his emotions. “One that would be equitable for both of us. I want to—”

Felix paused as he realized he was probably talking past the man, if not far above him.

“I want to work out a deal that’s good for both of us. I want your people to join me, if they’re willing, and I want to trade you in… stuff,” Felix said. He wasn’t sure how else to call it other than stuff. They hadn’t even figured out what they’d need yet.

Other than the basics, that is.

“I’m afraid that won’t work,” Hern said. “Because as soon as one of those two kills off the other, they’ll turn on my people. We’re not… we’re not a warrior tribe.” Hern shook his head, looking at the ground. “I should have listened. We should have moved long ago.”

“About that. I think the starting point for an agreement might be as simple as say, an alliance?” Felix said.

The dark brown eyes of Hern jumped up to Felix’s own and stayed there.

“You do not have the number of warriors needed to defeat them. You offer something that you don’t have.”

“Don’t worry about that part. I’ll need a yes or a no, and your signature. Wait, do you even have a written language?” Felix asked, halfway to pulling out a sheet of folded paper he’d prepped in advance.

Hern had the look of someone listening to a crazy person.

“Right, no written language. A thumbprint worked for Erica so, let’s try that. How do you feel about a blood-oath?” Felix asked.

“Fine. And what is this blood-oath needed from me and mine? Would you have me become your property to simply avoid becoming their property?” Hern asked.

“Honestly, it’s simply a straight alliance with nothing promised other than mutual defense and cooperation. By my honor, that is all,” Felix said.

“And you’d put your own blood-oath mark on it?” Hern asked.

That’s new.

“I would be willing—”

Hern pulled a small knife from his belt and cut it across the ball of his thumb. He then promptly pressed his thumb to the paper, while holding the knife out hilt-first to Felix.

Taking the knife, Felix eyed it for a second, then repeated the same action Hern had.

“Michael, I took the liberty of getting you a battalion worth of Security. The attached mechanized unit was activated as well. I need you to take the field and protect our new allies,” Felix said, looking to the local force commander.

“Understood. ROE?” Michael asked.

“One warning, then engage until they break. Don’t chase. No limit on amount of force inside of conventional means,” Felix said. “Dismissed.”

Michael saluted, out of habit or reflex Felix wasn’t sure, and went off towards the portal gate.

Hern looked between Felix and Michael, and then decided to follow the soldier.

Felix couldn’t blame him, he was no warrior.

The sound of booted feet announced an arrival from the portalway. Expecting the Security forces, Felix was surprised to find thirty Andreas dressed in full combat gear marching swiftly in his direction.

An additional one dressed in corporate clothing walked along to one side of them, holding a messenger bag under an arm.

They even had their own rankings and insignia on the collars.

Coming to a stop in front of him, the lead Andrea looked up at him.

“Adriana, reporting. Adriana Prime is with Andrea Prime in the ANet,” said the Beastkin.

Right. Adriana. I need to change her hair color or something. Wait, would she even want to?

“You’re in a defensive role. We’ll be rolling into a hot area. Victoria and Miu have both been activated as well. Coordinate with them for anything you need or want. Any questions?” Felix asked.

The Adriana looked backwards towards the Beastkin arranged behind her, and back to Felix.

“None.”

“Great. As you will, then.”

Every Adriana pulled up a shortened rifle to their shoulder, one Felix couldn’t identify, and racked it in unison.

There wasn’t much to do until the mechanized units got here and loaded them all up.

Somehow he’d convinced the Adrianas, Miu, and Victoria that he should be allowed to view the scene from the turret of the personnel carrier.

Surveying the field, Felix found it was more or less what he expected. Hern’s people were living in buildings of wood, hide, and a few of stone.

“They don’t even have a wall,” Felix said.

“I don’t think a wall would have helped. If anything it would have drained resources,” Miu said. She was standing atop the personnel carrier just behind Felix.

“Fair. Still… I can’t help but worry. What if this lack of foresight continues,” Felix said.

“Then you’d correct that,” Victoria said, sitting on the edge of the personnel carrier on the other side. “Simple enough, really.”

Michael had been working this whole time, setting up a number of heavy machine gun positions. They were traditional hard points with overlapping fields of fire.

Each had been stagger stepped to provide coverage for the other, creating a funneling effect as well.

It’d be a field of death.

“You realize how silly this is,” Adriana said from inside. “I’ve been watching the feed from a UAV and this is nothing more than a berserker’s brawl. You’re putting up weaponry better used against a traditional army.”

“I plan on making an impression. Michael has experience with heavy weapons, this is what he knows. Though I figure if he was in cavalry, he’d be asking for helicopters. Or tanks if he had been in an armored division. For here, this works perfectly. Massed enemies. Charging,” Felix said.

“A bloodbath,” Miu said.

“Speaking of. I need you to go ahead and work through their officers, leaders, or whoever they look to for direction. Wipe ’em out. Do a great job and I’ll let you off your leash in public with a mask from Lily,” Felix offered.

He felt a little bad about making such a strange offer, but he’d use whatever carrot he could.

“Done. Can I start now?” Miu asked, her voice cracking on the last word.

“No. But you can go get ready if you w—”

Miu vanished before he even finished talking.

“She’s going to kill anyone who opens their mouth to give an order,” Victoria said softly.

“Probably. But that’s what she’s good for.”

“I’d say the lead elements will be here in under ten minutes,” Adriana called up. “Still only seeing melee combatants with simple weapons. They’ve finished up with the other tribe, and are sending everyone over this way. They’re not even stopping to pillage, loot, or anything. Surprising given their mentality.”

Felix laid his hands flat against the metal, and rested his chin on them.

Hurry up and wait.

Truth didn’t match expectation though. As soon as the warriors saw Hern’s peaceful community, they started towards it at a sprint.

“This should be short and ugly,” Felix said to no one in particular.

Clearing the grasslands at a fast run, they ran onward towards Michael’s defenses.

Later than Felix thought it’d happen, Michael apparently gave the word. The deep rapid chattering grunts of the machine gun positions opened up.

Warriors in leather skins and naught but a hand-held weapon dropped as the scythe of bullets swept across the field.

“Technically, this is a defensive action,” Felix shouted over the din of fire. “I’d say we’re well within our rights to protect our allies.”

“I’ll make sure all the reports indicate that. Wouldn’t want this to be ruled a war crime in the history books,” Adriana called back.

Well that’s rather dark, isn’t it.

Then again, she’s not Andrea.

A minute in, and the grass was only a foot high from the point that the machine gun line started.

Nothing stood in that barren field.

Man, tree, or bush.

It’d all been cleared.

“Is that it, Adriana?” Felix asked, looking down below him into the carrier.

He saw an Andrea staring back up at him with her tablet in hand. She looked to the side, probably at the Adriana in front.

“There’s a mass of them out of range on the other side. They’re all grouping up and… I don’t know. It looks as if they’re facing outward and talking to one another. Hard to tell from this angle.”

“Probably Miu hunting them. I imagine she’s cornering anyone trying to issue orders,” Felix said.

Straining to see into the distance, Felix didn’t manage to catch sight of anything.

Almost too softly to hear, he picked up the faintest sound of chanting.

Unbelievably though, it began to rise in volume. As if it were being shouted by far many more voices than were actually possible.

“I think they’re chanting,” Adriana said. “It… sounds like praying, but I don’t know their language. But it has that same kind of quality to it.”

“Why would they be praying?” Victoria asked.

“Not sure. Maybe it’s part of their culture?” Felix asked. “Pretty loud though. It doesn’t… feel right.”

A crack of lightning came down out of the air from a clear sky. It exploded when it hit the ground, and the ground rumbled.

As the dirt cleared and Felix could see again, he was surprised to find a group of ten or eleven people standing side by side across the field from him.

The radio in the personnel carrier crackled to life.

“I can’t read them,” said the Fixer assigned to the mission. “And the brief snatches I get are strange. It’s all strange—”

One of the people lifted an arm and a blue streak of light flashed out across the distance and hit the lead machine-gun nest.

It exploded in a burst of white fire and rounds began cooking off.

“Damnit. What is that?” Victoria asked, standing up.

“—feels like something I’ve never felt before!”

Felix thought about the possibility of changing the status of the person who’d just attacked. If he hypothetically owned them, what would their status be?

Name: Abera

Power: Mastery of Ice

Alias: She of Frost; Ice Queen; War

Secondary Power: Goddess

Physical Status:

Immortal

Mental Status:

Enraged

Positive Statuses:

None

Negative Statuses:

None

Strength:

4,200

Upgrade?(40,200)

Dexterity:

3,900

Upgrade?(30,900)

Agility:

5,100

Upgrade?(50,100)

Stamina:

9,000

Upgrade?(90,000)

Wisdom:

8,420

Upgrade?(80,420)

Intelligence:

7,800

Upgrade?(70,800)

Luck:

3,010

Upgrade?(30,010)

Primary Power:

N/A

Upgrade?(N/A)

Secondary Power:

N/A

Upgrade?(N/A)

“Holy shit it’s a god,” Felix said. “They’re all gods.”

Abera, the Ice Queen, drew her arm back and threw another bolt of whatever it was. Another emplacement went up just like the first.

How do you even fight a pantheon? And why is there a pantheon? What the actual f—wait. Wait wait. Don’t I have my own card? Maybe?

If they’re listening?

“Hey, I’m not sure if you’re listening,” Felix said aloud. “But if you want to collect on those two favors later, it probably won’t be possible if that Ice Queen over there tears my head off. And no. I don’t plan on withdrawing. I’ll be honoring my commitment to Hern.”

“You’d force my hand then?” came a voice from nowhere and everywhere. It was masculine, and human sounding. There was an immense pressure in Felix’s head suddenly.

Where Kit had been strong, she’d also been gentle.

This presence was anything but. His mind was laid bare, stripped, and beaten.

“You would. Annoying. And amusing. Right, then. You’ll not call on me in this fashion again. Ever. Or I’ll turn your head inside out,” said the voice.

A shape appeared in front of the distant pantheon.

A lone silhouette to battle a dozen.

There was no sound.

No movement on either side.

Not even a discernible confrontation.

The gods and goddesses lined up on the other side simply fell to their knees.

Uh?

Felix tried to do the same thing to this new arrival that he’d done to Abera. To see their status.

To get anything at all.

Don’t test me, Felix. Good try though.

Do not interfere with the local beliefs. If anything, you’ll encourage them and their beliefs in their gods.

Spare those who surrender.

This situation is handled and done. Do not do anything like this again.

If you do, I’ll destroy you myself, and turn your soul into toilet paper.

As if they’d never even been there, the pantheon simply wasn’t there anymore. They were gone.

The shadow silhouette disappeared as well.