I continued to read through Caleb’s report on the device and the detective’s reports on the attack at Diana’s house. I recognized the name of the device from the shoe’s instructions and from a few spare pieces I had collected while cleaning up. After reading up on what the device supposedly did I wished I still had it in the warehouse. Perhaps I had brought it back to the house but I found it unlikely because it was a tool for use in manufacturing so I would have no reason to bring it elsewhere. I read through the information on the tool and focused on its uses. The main function of the ARGO tool is to analyze items mid-production and assist the user in making the item in performing tweaks as necessary midway through its creation to create a better product. It held the functions of multiple different production assistant tools in one. Its creation was thanks to the collection of a large data set of assembled products my previous self had created and submitted data for. This data set was then analyzed by the ARGO’s program in its initial creation and started to develop parameters for recreating products I had made in the past using simulations. As I followed its instructions and recreated the products I could make them faster, easier, and better as the ARGO continued to improve.

After looking through the information on the ARGO my desire to have it grew. I thought back to the first time I tried to make the shoes and how frustrating it was to assemble them. Even now it would take hours to make something for the first time. If I had this tool I wouldn’t need to print out pages of notes and instructions or constantly reference a 3D model of the final item as much. Instead, I would have a guide walling me through what I needed to do. My ability to create would speed up and maybe I would be able to match the performance of my previous self then. Caleb’s uncovering of the deleted files also showed that I had created and then added to the instructions overtime for the ARGO’s AI system to process and work off of. It did not have a large digital storage add-on so it would relay information from the computer using the documents I had made on whatever project I was currently working on. The ARGO was passively controlled from a black box device that had a connecting device for the ear in use in communicating. I went through its operating procedures and the two listed pieces of the ARGO. I had neither of them.

It was clear to me that the stranger either had this tool now or wanted it from me now. It is the only thing that makes sense though why it is so important to them I have no idea. If they liked to collect unique prototype items like the camera cloak then an item like ARGO would also pique their interest if they wished to collect and use those rare items. Once it was in their hands or if it isn’t now they had tried to take the files for their creation, but they had already been deleted so the stranger went ahead and deleted all references to it instead. When they had tried to kill me, they had not said anything to me. They also had completely covered their face which meant my previous self had probably not figured out who was under that mask or if they did then they had died before the stranger knew. I continued to think about who the stranger might be and what their motives were as I read on.

Next, I turned to the detective’s reports and went through the initial information on the stranger. They had first made note of what he had on him and identified the coat he was wearing as Caleb, and I had. They remarked that some other items were missing from the storage that had burned down but it was hard to track what was truly missing versus lost in the fire or the house. Workers were actively going through the house and the storage facility to determine those things.

I moved on to the character profile for the stranger. ‘Due to the persons involved in being attacked were not as powerful they determined that it was likely the stranger either had a non-combat power or had a distinctive power that would make identification of them easier. The stranger had shown some strength and above-average weapon skills but nothing denoting superhuman skills in that area. This would lead to the conclusion that the stranger had not used superhuman abilities during the entire fight and if they did then it was not visible. The weaponry was not unique but avenues to get such equipment are hard to come by. The investigation is ongoing for where these weapons came from. Caleb has given information on a few of the equipment pieces used and a search is ongoing.’

Under the motives section, they wrote about me and my injury stating that ‘The non-super civilian was actively targeted in the attack and sustained a bullet wound and stab wound. Instead of engaging in battle more actively against Caleb, the stranger pushed forward with the intent to kill Jason. A meeting has not been scheduled with Jason yet because data collection is still ongoing. He is currently being watched by Jake of the Superhuman Task Force.’

It felt strange to read the documents made by the detectives. They had an emotionless feeling to them as if they didn’t care how the investigation would turn out as long as it was finished and became another checkmark on the list of assignments. I read on and the reports documented suggested paths of action and what to do once they tracked down a location for the stranger. They had not left any identifiable information at the scene until Thor stepped in. His arrival caused the strange to leave behind some burnt scrap of the cloak and Caleb’s attack had left remnants of the hood part of the clothing. A superhuman tracker would be needed to follow the trail left behind.

The rest of the documents were less interesting and a skipped or skimmed over the information when I got to it. It was usually more procedural things because Caleb had grabbed and then printed out everything from the case for me. Overall, I found the case files to be interesting but not very useful for me personally. Others were currently busy on this case, and I couldn’t do anything without my friends getting mad at me. I wished that I could do something, but I knew my limits. I had no special powers so I could only contribute using my ideas and my equipment from my warehouse shop.

I had already explained and shared all I could relate to this case and turned over the relevant footage I could find. It was now up to Caleb and Rachel to find out more and consult me as needed. For now, though I would continue expanding my available list of equipment. My utility belt sat half full and could use some more items. Considering the suggestions of the detectives and their list of possible powers for the stranger I constrained my list of gadgets to those that might be useful against a less flashy opponent that would use more conventional weapons and got to work. The rest of the belt wasn’t going to fill itself after all.

The next day I started work on Barry’s order. I prepped the CNC machine and let it run with the files for his Electricity Attractors. With this project, I had a chance to work with some new metal materials and work on a new process. Due to the Electricity Attractors needing magnetic parts I had to use a machine I had not touched yet. It was a small box under the CNC machine and was labeled as an ‘Energy Polarizer’. Its two main functions were to charge and discharge all of the variety of batteries and power cells I had for my tools and equipment. The second use is to use the charging mechanisms to manipulate the magnetic fields of metallic objects and charge their magnetic properties.

Once the metal was cut I separated the pieces into piles depending on the part and the order I needed them in. As I let the machines run I had also brought out the adhesives I would need towards the end. It would be cut out and attached like a sticker for Barry to peel off and then throw when ready. Once the first few pieces were off the machine I threw them in the Energy Polarizer while I waited for the others. Once they were charged I had to be careful with the pieces as I assembled or else they stuck to the table and were a pain to remove.

I put in the magnetic pieces by hand and was careful as I placed the pieces. None of it was dangerous until I put the small batteries inside. The magnetic pieces mixing with the batteries could cause them to discharge their energy in a matter of seconds. Once the magnetized parts were in place I set the regular pieces in with a tweezer or my hands depending on the size. The metal disks clicked shut once I was finished assembling them. The batteries went in without an issue and I was only slowed by my meticulous double-checking of its assembly. After I assembled and sealed all five of them I tested their effectiveness with a taser. The taser gun’s sparks shot from its two metal ends and arced to each of the five Electricity Attractors as I brought it close. Due to the output of the taser, I had to bring it within a foot of them. Now that they were done I attached the adhesive on the bottom before setting them aside in a box for Barry’s eventual return.

I checked on my phone for the time and opened an app for ordering some food for lunch. On my home screen, I saw that I had missed two messages I checked the first one from John.

JM: I wanted to remind you that you have a deadline on Thursday. The gun should be fully tested before I arrive. I will not tolerate a time extension. This gun is needed for my use soon and its receiver will be unhappy with both of us.

I didn’t know how I wanted to respond to the message. I was going against his request so far and would not be able to make his deadline. I still was unsure of how to discuss with him my recent memory loss. The situation was made harder by the possibility that he was the stranger in the cloak. He would have been in a situation to learn about the ARGO and wanted me to stay with him as an employee. I had already tried to delete its assembly and could have run off with the device once my contract was up. I wished then that I had asked more questions to the detectives that had stopped by earlier. I wonder if anything had been left with me and whether or not the ARGO had been on me when I died. Maybe I could get the answers if the detectives return to ask about the threats to my life and interaction with the stranger.

For now, I decided that I would leave the message unanswered. It felt in character that I would not respond to him usually because I was busy with a project. I moved on to the next message. I did not recognize the sender at first because they were not in my contacts but from their message I knew who it was.

??: Hey Jason, this is Wes. I know that you are usually busy, but I was hoping that you could return to Rodriquez Labs. It was great to have you over and I was hoping that we could finish contract negotiations if possible. I thought about your offers adjustments and I’m ready to agree with your stipulations if the contract for employment and be signed Monday. I will be free in the afternoon after 2 PM. I know others might be able to match the offer, but I hope that you would take my consideration.

This message I was almost equally unsure of how to respond to. I was missing information about my current contract with John, conversations I had had with other potential employers, and information about this potential contract with Wesley. I also knew little about him outside of our conversation at the party. He had seemed nice and had mentioned our meeting before. But I was lacking information and I needed a second opinion and called up Caleb.

“I need to ask for some advice. I got this message from Wesley Rodriquez, and I am unsure of how to respond,” I said before reading off the message to him.

“So, he wants you to work for him, but you now no longer know what terms your previous self set up. I would be inclined to at least hear him out and see if the offer appeals to you. Working for the Hero Wear company isn’t a bad idea and could get you a lot of perks that might not be offered if you stay where you are.”

“I’m sure that’s the case but I am wondering if you know anything about who he is and what I would be losing and gaining if I went through with a possible offer?”

“I’m not very familiar with Wesley but I do know more about his family. They run the oldest superhero business of course and are well funded after years of product development and wealth management. Wesley is a younger son of the family, so he has not gotten as much media attention. Instead, it usually falls to his father to market products and announces them. Wesley likely runs a portion of the business and has a factory or two he is meant to run. Part of that factory would likely be product development which he could use you in. If he was able to rope you in then you could bring your ideas, product designs, and customer contracts if they are applicable. I will have to ask Rachel about her contract with you in the future. The upsides to a possible contract will likely be more money, additional funding for product development, and a few other perks I would expect every engineer under their company to have. The downsides I would expect are limitations on who you can sell products to, a non-compete clause, less customer interaction, and a shift in when you are supposed to work, and the output required of you.”

“Then if I go how should I approach this meeting, and do you think he knows about ARGO? I am not sure if I should go in with so much missing information.”

“I know those are valid concerns but as long as you act professional and expect the possible scenarios then you won’t be blindsided by the changes. Communicating in a negotiation is a skill and one you will need to learn eventually. From the message, it sounds like he needs to hit a deadline and accept you as an employee now to help him with his position. If you need to practice we can go through some things after I am done with work. I don’t want you to go in there unprepared and I want you to get the best deal possible.”

“But what if he is the stranger? We still haven’t found out their identity yet and he fits the profile based on his familiarity with me and his powers,” I said as a bit of worry laced my words.

“That is not something for you to worry about. I have seen Wesley once before at that same party two and a half weeks ago. The technology he carried on him that day versus the stranger was different and after meeting him I can sense the differences in power between the two. It is a superhuman thing. They are different people. Also, you can’t forget that you have people watching your back. You will be protected if the stranger strikes again.”

“I don’t doubt I will, and things have been good so far, but I don’t want to be so close to death again. I’ll send the message and will see what happens. I could also use some help practicing for this. I have no idea what to expect and could use all the help I can get.”

“I will call you tonight once I am off work and I will help you practice but for now remember this. What is it that you want out of this negotiation? You no longer are constrained by your thoughts from the past because of the memory loss. In this way, you can evaluate your situation a bit more objectively. After your experiences so far do you want to continue at your warehouse shop? Do you like where you are now, or would you rather change? Remember that these changes will affect your future for the next five years at least and likely more as your reputation changes over time and your impact on the manufacturing industries either grows or diminishes over time. What do you value and what would you like to see happen in the future? Will working for him make that possible?”

The call ended and I brought up the text message from Wesley. I had a lot to think about tonight and some work to be done before our meeting. Caleb was right. How this meeting would go and what I would decide would affect my future for quite some time. I couldn’t go into it half-cocked and unprepared. I prepared my message and read it over before sending it. I would face my future and problems that arose one step at a time and this meeting was no different.

Me: Thank you for reaching out. I would be happy to meet you Monday at 2 PM. I am glad that you are ready to accept my stipulations. Just let me know where to meet.