Page 59 of Breathless Recruiter

“You might want to help your partner.”

That didn’t sound good. The netting constricted, tightening until it dug into my skin. Oh great, he was going to slice me like a block of cheese.

“Stop me, or save Mr. Supreme. The choice is yours.”

It didn’t hurt… at first. Like a thin wire, it dug into my skin. I tried lifting into the air, but his tech made it feel like I was buried beneath a mountain. The tighter the ropes grew, the more I worried that it’d be something as mundane as a net that did me in.

The screeching tore through the net. It shredded into ribbons and the pressure vanished. I jumped to my feet to see Discord wailing in my direction. It was another ruined suit, but at least I’d be alive to stop?—

“He’s gone.”

Discord spun about to where Disaster had been standing. We both launched into the air, scouring the chemical plant for any traces of the scientist. This hadn’t gone according to plan. Not only did we not catch the bad guy, but he had bested us at every turn.

“I couldn’t let him hurt you,” Discord said.

Hovering near the roof, there was no sign of Disaster. “I appreciate the save,” I said. “You can’t win them all.” It didn’t make the situation any better. “We’ll get him next time.”

“Did you get the feeling that he knew us?”

I nodded.

It wasn’t him getting away that concerned me. I didn’t like an evil scientist running loose, especially not one who took a special interest in me. I patted Discord on the shoulder. If it weren’t for him, I’m not sure I’d have survived the encounter. We might need more work as a team, but I was grateful to have him at my side.

My belt vibrated. Pulling out my phone, I held it up for Discord to see. “Want to try again?”

He gave a slight nod. “What’s next?”

I flicked the screen open. “Looks like the old folks’ home is being attacked by… the Brotherhood of Retirees?”

He chuckled. “Vanguard, never a dull moment.”

Stopping a bunch of retirees from destroying Vanguard would serve as a distraction. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about Disaster. Try as I might, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d see him again, and it wouldn’t be good.

17

“What do you mean,evaluate?”

“It’s something a boss is supposed to do with his employees. I think.”

Across the desk, sitting in his leather chair, Arthur looked as uncomfortable as me. Were the arms of his seat also digging into his thighs? With a click of the mouse, a blue screen hovered above the desk. My photo sat in the top corner, hands trying to grab the camera while my face contorted in horror. Janet had hidden in the supply closet waiting for me. I’d get my revenge.

“This is a chance to catch up, just you and me. Overall, I have nothing but good things to say.” Oh? I sat up a little straighter. “You’ve been doing an outstanding job onboarding new heroes. I’ve been receiving emails praising you for a job well done.”

The evaluations at Coffee! Coffee! Coffee! were around me being aggressively happy, whatever that meant. Hearing Arthur say I had done a good job meant the world to me. There were only a handful of humans I wanted to impress. My alter ego was doing as much good as Mr. Supreme.

“Lyric and Photon called this morning. They’re forming a new group and want us to help them get started. I know wehadn’t planned to move to the second phase of the release, but we might be there.”

Arthur’s fist pumped in the air. “We need more A-List supers. Wyatt, this is great news.”

He swatted at the screen, and it vanished. Relaxing in his chair, he laced his fingers and rested them on his belly. I’d describe Arthur as a handsome man. He had the mandatory beard and a little extra padding in the midsection. It took a moment to figure out what was missing. Unlike Dustin, he didn’t exude an abundance of confidence.

“How are you doing?” Arthur asked.

“I’m close to hitting my quota. I have my feelers out in the?—”

“Forget that.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “I can see the numbers. How areyou?”

“Me?”

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