Sidekick Carl Stubblefield (beginner reading books for adults TXT) 📖

the manor. When those debts came due, they really struggled. There probably would have been four Factions worldwide if this hadn’t happened to them. They managed to stay afloat, but just barely. It wiped them out, and after they lost their financial base, a lot of supers jumped ship and dispersed to the Factions. That’s all I really have. It’s run by a guy named Archon. Everything says he’s still alive. Probably will be succeeded by his son Bah-silly-us? I don’t know how to pronounce that.”

Gus wondered if that was all they were trying to do. Reclaiming their lost property, and there he was trying to keep it from them.

“Does it say anything else? Anything about the manor?”

“Nope, sorry, dude.”

“What was their reputation like, did they do good things?”

“Is any corporation good? I guess they’re pretty similar to most. They don’t stand out as doing anything shady. No scandals, if that’s what you mean.”

“Okay, thanks for checking that. At least I know a little bit more about who’s attacking me. That guy Basileus is here and he’s kind of a joke. I have a lot to think about.”

“Hope it helps. I better let you go. Like I said, look me up when you get back. I’m not sure if you can visit, but who knows. Alright, catch you on the flip side.”

The line clicked off abruptly before Gus could say anything. What more was there to say? He’d totally stuck his foot in his mouth and soured the whole call. He almost called back but thought it’d be better to give Dave a little time. Hopefully, he would still be around when Gus called again, and vice versa.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The Greatest Show

Gus went to the arena, still mad at himself.

“How did it go?” Aurora asked.

“Let’s train,” Gus said brusquely while checking the timer for the hybrid-Nth. There was still an hour and a half before they would be ready. “I want to get those new hybrid-Nth online before anything else goes sideways.”

Sensing Gus’ change in mood, she let the subject go. They headed to the arena and Gus explained his new abilities in broad strokes. Gus set a timer and they got to work.

Aurora was adept at finding weaknesses in Gus’ application of his powers and he had to think hard to avoid her incessant attacks. He bled off his frustration at himself through the exertion and his mood had improved greatly when the timer went off.

“Timer’s up. I’m heading to the Foundry to add those new hybrid-Nth.”

“I want to see this too, let’s go.” Training forgotten, they both made their way to the Foundry. Walking down the metal walkways, they followed the LED lights indicating the appropriate conveyor belt.

“This is so exciting!” Aurora gushed.

When they got to the appropriate area, Gus saw three plastic trays, all with a familiar grayish-black dust. He pushed a little around, expecting it to stain his finger since it looked just like graphite powder but his finger came away clean.

“Okay, Nick, I’m ready.”

“Here we go, then. In three, two, one…” Nick counted him off.

Gus slammed his eyes shut and sucked in a breath as he had the experience of jumping into a deep cold lake. His skin prickled with pins and needles, and numbness overcame him. There was a rush of vertigo and he was quickly sinking, the darkness engulfing him. His ears popped and the void expanded.

Sounds became muffled and he wasn’t certain that he was still in the Foundry. After a few moments, a conduit opened and Gus was propelled upward again. Normal sounds and sights returned as he quickly sped toward the bright doorway above. As Gus was slingshotted out the opening, he found himself standing in the same position as before, wobbly on his feet.

The hybrid-Nth in the trays began flowing into the air like dust in a windstorm. Some spun around Gus, encircling him, while other roiling clouds twisted like vines around his arms and legs, coalescing around them and forming intricate patterns of interlocking shapes.

As the hybrid-Nth solidified, they began to take on a gunmetal color with tiny facets reflecting light with his movement as he twisted his arms to view them from all angles. The dust kept coming, and a helmet—no, it was more of a mask, formed around his head and covered his entire face.

His vision went black as his eyes were covered until the hybrid-Nth came online and Gus could see normally again. Not only that, but they cycled through multiple areas. Gus could see behind him, getting visual information from anywhere the hybrid-Nth covered his body. He poked his finger above one of the taller machines and found he could see through his index finger as if he were looking through a small camera on his fingertip. Very cool.

With a thought, he removed the mask. Not physically though; the Nth appeared to melt and flow to his shoulders, making them look even more impressive and broad as the Nth reconfigured into pauldrons.

“I need to get myself some of that armor! It makes you look pretty badass.” Aurora reached forward and ran her finger along the polished rounded edges. Gus didn’t tell her that he could feel it as if she was touching bare skin. He’d have to adjust that setting for more reasons than one.

Gus moved around and was impressed that it made no noise. He thought the plates would clink together but the feel was extremely similar to just wearing his jumpsuit. Flexible and not restrictive as he tried different movements, even a couple katas without Jet, and nothing bound or got tight.

“Let’s finish training and see what this stuff can do.” Gus clenched a fist and looked at the imposing gauntlet-like effect of the armor.

“Good, I’m getting tired of holding back on you. If this armor is all you say it is, you should be fine.”

“Sure you have,” he said and she scrunched her nose and shrugged.

Wait. Had she been holding back? No, she’s probably just trying to get me riled.

He followed