Once H-Bar was gone, Liam went back to his other major project. This one still a secret just for him. Jet boots. Ones that would bring him sailing into the sky.

Liam had been working on them for a few months and this was his last chance to make adjustments, before the live test. Of which Liam chose to make none. After checking everything a dozen times there was nothing to change. Or any reason to be second guessing now.

One of Liam’s biggest weaknesses as a Hero was mobility. Being as fast as a non super and stuck on the ground left him vulnerable to many Cowls. These boots were the first attempt at countering that. And if they worked as designed they’d be a big step.

The boots would allow him to fly in short bursts. Lasting no longer than a minute before they needed to charge. A process which would take a few minutes. During that time, Liam could continue to use the boots normally and even fight without detriment.

His greatest stroke of inspiration had been using electricity to create a propellant for the boots. At first he tried storing a conventional fuel, but found the space and weight constraints made it unreasonable. Plus, who wanted to carry a giant tank of highly explosive fuel on their back? Oh right, no one. So he made the switch.

The Jet boots worked by sucking in air and compressing it. Then using air plasma induced by microwaves to heat it up. The heated air would expand out the bottom of his boots and provide thrust.

Liam already knew he needed to think of a better description before he went to the team, but the result was clear. The system converted electricity into thrust. The exhaust was powerful enough to propel Liam forward. After each use the suit would need to recharge it’s batteries before he could launch again. Even with that limitation it should be enough to counter his weakness in combat.

Liam felt a swelling in his chest as he pulled on the boots. This project was a long time in the coming. The hours of work he’d put into them was something he never thought to achieve.

As Liam ran through the final checklist, the energy inside of him built. With each system confirmed a bolt of it sprang to life in his stomach. Jolsting for place in the growing mass. Checking off the last item on the list the energy expanded and went coursing through his arms and legs. Aching to be freed. And Liam was all too happy to oblige.

Tightening the last strap, the boots fit snugly against his suit. Looking as if they were made as one, instead of many different parts.

Getting up and walking around, nothing in the boots seemed off. They were heavier than before, but not enough to limit Liam’s mobility or provide any real hindrance.

Following his walk, Liam stretched his feet. Moving them into every imaginable position. Trying to find any issues with his mobility. As the calculations suggested his flexibility wasn’t impacted at all. The new boots fit into any position he placed them. A relieved sigh left Liam’s lips at the result. Just because his calculations said something didn’t mean real life had to listen. It was easy to make mistakes in math and Liam was no exception to this. So he verified every calculation with physical tests. Out of the world of numbers there was no hiding a mistake.

With the initial checklist complete Liam moved to the main course. Walking to an empty space in the workshop his heart pounded in his chest. This was it, Liam’s mind screamed as he took a deep breath and straightened up like a pencil. Hands held at his side and feet shoulder width apart.

Using only his eyes, Liam scanned his HUD for the launch command. Finding it he dialed the power to 10%, he wouldn’t want to crash into the ceiling on the first flight. With a blinked command power kicked on. Even at such a low level his boots shook with an angry roar. Fighting from being thrown around by the energy coursing through them.

One inch at a time Liam was lifted off the ground. Every second he fought to control his buckling legs. Inch by inch he climbed. Whenever he started to lose balance little servo motors twirled, pushing small flaps open along the suit and pushing him back upright. The stabilizing system was the capstone of this project. It would automatically keep him angled even if he lost control. Only catastrophic damage could overwhelm the system. It was a marvel of ingenuity Liam thought, with a burning sense of pride.

Reaching a foot off the ground Liam leveled off. The feeling of flight sending waves of nausea and euphoria through him, both fighting for dominance. This wasn’t what he expected. Stories always described flight as a breaking of bonds or gaining a new freedom. But that wasn’t what it was like for Liam. Sure the thrill of new possibilities was there. However there was a control to flight that no one ever talked about. Looking back at all the work that went into this project, Liam couldn’t help but feel that way. He’d analyzed everything keeping him aloft. Realizing it was the laws of the world that needed to be trained to do his bidding. That was what this new arena was about. While he didn’t own the skies, he was now a welcomed guest.

Twenty seconds after liftoff Liam’s feet returned to the ground. The quick flight leaving him with sea legs which almost buckled under him. Stumbling to the computer Liam poured over the data. It was near identical to the simulations. The small inconsistencies were all related to how he reacted to the flight. Making a quick fix, those variables were soon taken into account and Liam was ready for the next go.

The first flight hadn’t been enough to quench his thirst. Looking to the side of the HUD, a small green gauge was filling up. As Liam watched, it reached 90%. He’d have to wait until it was full before the next go. With each second the progress bar seemed to slow down. As if Liam’s call to action was making it take longer. Making him wait to experience the new sensations again.

The second the gauge was full, Liam was in the air. This time running the system for almost a minute before his feet touched the ground. By now euphoria had beaten out nausea as the dominant emotion.

Again Liam waited for the gauge to fill. Tweaking the system as he received more information. As he lifted off for a third and fourth time he tried new things. Angling his body and hands Liam glided around the workshop. Changing directions to avoid desks as he familiarized himself with flight. The stabilizing system worked better every time as Liam’s improvements kicked in. Helping to keep him from losing control.

As Liam’s boots hit the ground for the tenth time, he still found himself on his tiptoes. Ready for the next liftoff. The tests were a clear success. And during the last few he’d advanced far enough to fly through the workshop. But there was still so much more he wanted to do.

Grabbing his staff, Liam left the workshop and moved toward the base’s exit. There wasn’t enough space inside to perform a full test. He’d have to go outside for that. Checking his watch Liam saw how late it was, closing in on midnight. Meaning it’d be plenty dark outside. Perfect conditions for him to test the boots without worrying about being watched.

Reaching the base’s exit Liam found it empty. No surprise given the time. Unwilling to ask Skip for a favor, Liam slipped through the main door. Exiting into the tunnels on the other side. It’d been a long time since he was last here. His only other trip being when he first joined The Hunt. With Skip on the team it was much easier for them to jump to their destinations instead of walking.

Liam traveled through the tunnels at a brisk pace. The path he picked differed from the one he used when he first arrived. This one hadn’t been used in well over a year. The stuffy air a clear sign of that.

Twenty minutes later Liam exited the tunnel into the back of a laundry mat. The building was open twenty-four hours a day, yet no one was inside. Most people deciding midnight wasn’t the best time for laundry. Sneaking out the backdoor Liam found himself in an alley.

Scanning his surroundings Liam again confirmed he was alone. The only other thing in the dark alley was a lonely dumpster that reeked of rotten food.

Pulling up a map on his HUD Liam checked for his location. He was on the South side of Des Moines. About a mile away from Lincoln High School. The football field at the school would be an ideal landing spot for his first test flight. Plenty of space to touch down and easy to find from the air.

Holding himself pencil straight Liam ignited the charged jet boots. Lifting a foot off the ground. Liam cranked up the dial a little at a time. Bringing the boots from 10% power up to 50%. As the power rose so did Liam. Reaching half power Liam leaned forward, angling the boots behind himself. Like a rocket he shot off. Buzzing a few dozen feet off the ground. His suit’s stabilizers twirling as they kept him from falling.

He used the angle of his boots to direct the flight. Moving them up and down changed his altitude. While pulling a hand out and angling the boots to the side let him turn. Given this was his first flight Liam kept every maneuver wide. Even if people weren’t watching, he didn’t want to end up crashing on his face.

Flying, Liam headed for the school. The lights below zipping by. He was no longer bound to the earth. That had been left behind. For now he was the master of flight, ruler of the laws controlling it.

Flying through the city he passed a couple cars. Neither having enough time to make out what went by. There were no other signs of life on the deserted streets as dark windows watched the strange shape fly by.

As the school approached Liam angled his feet. Moving them into a landing position. With his energy reading near empty Liam touched down. Landing in the middle of a football field. While it wasn’t the most graceful landing, he managed to remain upright after stumbling ten yards. That would need practice before he showcased the boots to the public. Wouldn’t want a face plant captured on video.

As Liam was determining what his next experiments would be. Maybe pushing the power to 60%? A familiar voice crackled to life in his ear, “Source I’m showing you at Lincoln High School can you confirm?”

“Matt this is Source. Confirming current location is the High School,” Liam said. All thoughts of additional experiments forgotten as he waited to hear the reason for the call.

“Requesting you head two blocks south then one west. The police discovered another murder on Loomis Avenue. Possibly related to the previous two,” Matt said.

Liam’s stomach sank like a rock in water. Please not another, he prayed.