“What do you mean, not enough evidence!?” Max howled, cracking the table under the weight of his fist.

“I mean just that! It burns me as much as it does you too, but if we act now he could have us arrested!” Detective Armstrong shot back.

“We’re getting stalled out on the warrant, too. Judge’s being an ass, apparently we don’t have probable cause against such a nice man.” Harrison said sourly.

“Makes sense, Judge Caprillos is friends with Chief Carson. In the same boating club.” Armstrong said.

“But we know who took him!” Max cried.

“Do we really?” Armstrong snapped. “Listen, you may know it was Knightsbridge, I may know it was Knightsbridge, but the general public doesn’t! As far as the law’s concerned, there’s little tying MetaTech to Jason’s abduction, especially now! All we’ve got is the kid’s statement, that won’t hold up in court, not in this town.” Armstrong gave a heaving sigh of resentment. He could feel the thumb of Knightsbridge, once again pressing down on his back.

“I understand your frustration, I really do. But if we don’t play this carefully, we’ll be locked up ourselves, and replaced with someone who won’t look into this as hard. That I guarantee you, his legal team’s the best.” Harrison said.

“So...there’s nothing we can do?” Max asked.

“As of right now, no. However, we do have leads. Five punks were sprung from jail last week, same ones you put in. Bail was pretty hefty, not something these boys were capable of. We’re looking into a connection now.” Armstrong said, pulling up a file.

“They seem to have disappeared afterwards, and their physical descriptions are similar to the supers you tangled with.” Vivian said, uncharacteristically solemn. Max grimaced.

“That’s it? But...but…” He ground the table to dust in his hands, his anger unrelenting.

“Listen, I know how you feel. But this sorta thing’s happened before, and unfortunately it’ll happen again. We have these procedures in place for a reason. If the supers went off on every single thing they thought was right, we’d be reduced to either a feudal state, or a constant warzone.” Armstrong said.

“But...rrgh.” Max grunted in defeat. His mountainous muscles tensed and untensed, trying to rev up and calm down at the same time. Harrison shook his head.

“Why don’t you head down to the gym? Work off some of that energy. Or head home, we’ll call you if anything happens. Your patrol’s finished for the day. Don’t do anything stupid.” he said, turning back to his laptop. He cracked his neck; looked like it was gonna be another all-nighter.

“Rrgh. Fine.” Max left without another word. He went out and stood in the hall, mighty fists clenched, shaking in helpless rage.

He’d never fully tested the limits of the strength he’d gotten from Talaxnia. He was afraid to, if her power was anything to go by. So much pure force at his disposal, ready and waiting. Yet for all that might, he’d been powerless, to do anything but watch as a bleeding Jason was stolen away. They’d do more experiments, because of course they would. And Jason would be torn apart, and it would be all his fault. Because he…

He wasn’t…

Strong enough.

He fell to his knees, blinking back tears. That boy who’d placed his hopes on him, placed his faith in him, and what did he do? Betray his trust by revealing him to the authorities, and let him be taken. He choked back a sob.

Max trembled, for there was only one thing he could see to do. It would cost him everything, but...

The blood sprayed through the air again, over and over. Closing his eyes only made it clearer.

The right thing to do was play it smart, get intel on Knightsbridge’s activities. No matter what happened, that was the proper thing to do. No matter what he wanted, it was right. No matter, no matter…

“Oh kibvaghn. I wish you were here. You’d be able to help me.” he moaned, curling his hands around his knees. Everything just made more sense when she said it.

‘Why? What’re you wasting time with me for?’ she laughed in his head. He smiled. No matter what, he could always see that big blue grin she sported. ‘You know what to do. Hell, you know what I’d do in a heartbeat. You’re cursed, remember. Whenever someone’s in trouble, you’re cursed to try and save them, no matter the cost. Go get ‘em, kibsohn.’

“You’re right.” he growled, picking himself up from the cold grey floor. He eyed his costume, still sticky and covered in tar.

A quick trip to the gym’s showers later, he was changing into his spare uniform. He flexed, the thin material hiding zero of his muscle. Perfect. Wouldn’t do to lose because his body was stuck to something. He found the stairs, and opened the Intrepid PDF he’d been given as he ascended on his phone.

“Article 12, subsection 8...article 13...mmm...ahh.” He grinned as he reviewed the material he needed. He wasn’t done with his phone though, opening up a city map as he stepped out onto the roof, cape swaying in the wind. He saw the distance, and opened up an aerial view. His eyes slid straight to his target; MetaTech HQ. It wasn’t hard to find. Doing mental calculations, he climbed on the ledge and nodded, the city laid out before him.

“Here we go.” Star-Strong muttered. His blood was running hot, a warm-up wasn’t necessary. He tensed his legs, preparing the muscles for their task. His body seemed to swell and grow even more in anticipation, a hulk ready to lay an incredible smackdown.

“I’m coming for you!” He leaned, falling over the edge...and launched himself, the ledge crumbling as he soared through the darkening skies like a shooting star.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“My my my! Must say you boys did some fine work, some fine work indeed!” Knightsbridge proclaimed. They were gathered in his office, the gang, the goons, and a short, strange, hunched-over man in a lab coat. His stringy black hair reached down to his shoulders, and his skin had a pale, sallow tint that was surely unhealthy. But the eyes that peered out from behind thick, perfectly square glasses had an energetic, almost manic gleam to them as he surveyed the unconscious boy strapped to a gurney. Louie finished locking the shock collar around Jason’s neck.

“You sure this’ll work, doc?” he asked doubtfully.

“Of course it’ll work! The child can’t shift if his nerves receive 20,000 volts before he transforms. And that automatic sensor will detect any activation of his powers instantly, or my name’s not Dr. Thunder! Hee hee hee hee hee!” he giggled.

“Uh...ain’t that gonna kill him, though?” Fresno said nervously. He had his mask in his hands, just staring at it. Contemplating what they’d just done.

“Relax, it’s only 500 watts. The amps are well within human tolerances. I know.” the doctor said with a sickening smile.

“Dr. Thunder, you are a genius. Let’s get him back in the tube and see what makes him tick. Louie?” Knightsbridge gestured, and the thug wheeled Jason out along with the cackling doctor.

“Didn’t know MetaTech had a resident mad scientist.” Vic said, shivering. That doctor gave him the creeps.

“Oh yeah, quite mad indeed. But! His genius, and more importantly his competence, make him a very valuable asset. You yourself owe your powers to him. And speaking of assets…” Knightsbridge rummaged around in his desk, then triumphantly held up a debit card. “50,000, for a job well done. From a private, anonymous Swiss bank account, of course.”

“T-Thank you, sir!” Vic reached out, eyes gleaming. That was more money than he’d ever seriously thought he’d have, even split five ways. Knightsbridge grinned, suddenly yanking the card up.

“Yo, what gives?” Eddie rumbled, turning to rock.

“A thought occurs. You managed to successfully retrieve Jason, which was the most important task, of course. You played your part well. But there’s some loose ends that need tying up, and I do so hate loose ends.” he said, glancing slyly at Ando. "We'll talk later." The bodyguard kept staring straight ahead, not even a flinch. “I believe you know what I’m talking about?”

“The big guy!” Ryan said.

“Yes indeed, Artillery. According to Twitter, he’s called ‘Star-Strong’ now, dumb name. If he came into contact with the kid, it’s safe to assume he knows about the operation. Now, what he knows and what he can prove are different, but I don’t like leaving things to chance like that. Nicholai and the good doctor have been developing weapons that can kill a bulletproof man, like that tar grenade. Your powers have been designed so you can stand up to him. Well? How about it? Wanna double your pay?” Knightsbridge asked wryly.

“Dou...double…” Fresno muttered in disbelief.

“Big leagues mean big score, alright.” Vic grinned. “We’ll do it! Know where he is?”

“Probably at intrepid HQ. If not, his address will be.” Knightsbridge shrugged. “Hunt him down and take him out. I’ll buy out and dissolve Intrepid later-”

KRAKOOOOOOOM!!!

The entire building shook, as if struck by an earthquake. Or a meteor. The floor was at a tilt now, just noticeable enough to be disorienting. The east wall had a crack in it running all the way down, and they were on the 115th floor.

“Or perhaps he’s come to us.” Knightsbridge said. “Ando, call the chopper and get the boys down to Dr. Thunder’s lab!” He pressed the intercom. “Miss Rose, initiate security lockdown, then to me, please.”

“Right away sir.” Alarms began going off, flashing red lights as heavy steel doors started coming down all throughout the building’s corridors.

“There’s an elevator we can get to the lab with." Ando said, pressing a button next to the bookshelf. The wall rumbled, sliding aside to reveal elevator doors.

“Cool! Secret passage!” Vic said.

“Will you be okay, sir?” Ando said, already dialing the private helicopter.

“Didn’t last this long without a few tricks up my sleeve.” Knightsbridge said with a wink, pressing a button under his desk. Ando nodded and led the super team into the elevator.

“Then again, never hurts to have insurance.” He called Dr. Thunder’s cell. “Hello, doctor, No doubt you’ve noticed the problem. Tell me, do we have any of the S.B.W.’s ready for testing? Oh, we do? Wait, hold up. Subject N?” He grinned, wide and cruel. “Wonderful."