Jennifer and Candice shared a look, both wondering who should bring up the obvious question. As his daughter, Jennifer knew it had to be her.

“Master Fist, are you sure?”

“There are a few details missing, but the main gist of the matter is correct.” Her father pointed at the article in question and ask, “How did this make the news?”

“There was a question posted on a popular hero forum a few hours ago asking if anyone has any information about Six-shot Samurai.” Jennifer begins to explain. “An anonymous user answered that Six-shot Samurai used to be part of a superhero team called The Paradoxes, a team that disbanded over twenty years ago when most of their members were killed in a villain attack. The post then alleged that in the subsequent investigation, it was found that the computer system of the group’s base was infected by some sort of trojan malware. The virus caused the defense system of the group’s base to turn on the heroes during the attack. A virus that was installed by you.” Jennifer stopped, waiting for a response from her father. There was none. Jennifer continued. “The anonymous user further alleged that the investigation found that you were sleeping with Six-shot Samurai and installed a virus into her phone while she was asleep, and that was how the virus managed to enter the base’s computer system. The Samurai retired after that, and the heroes covered up the whole investigation.”

Jennifer and Candice both looked at her father who just rub his chin in confusion.

“Yes, they skip a few things, but that’s the gist of it. What’s the problem?”

“The problem?” Candice blinked, “Master Fist, that anonymous user is claiming you slept with Six-shot Samurai just to install the virus. That you are responsible for the death of heroes.”

“I won’t say I was responsible for their deaths. I wasn’t part of the attack. At best, I was only indirectly responsible for their deaths.” Her father said, looking strangely pleased about the memory. Jennifer felt a shiver up her spine.

“Master Fist, you looked pleased about that. Why?” Candice asked.

“It was a job well done.” Her father immediately said. “I was hired to do a job, and it went beautiful. I will admit the fact that I enjoyed the Samurai’s company play a big part in the memory.”

“That’s all?”

“The sex was great too.” Both women glared at the villain, who quickly defended himself. “You can ask Samurai. She’ll admit it.”

Jennifer fought from rolling her eyes. Candice just put her hands on her hips and glowered. “She was nineteen. You were thirty!”

“Actually, she was eighteen when we first met. I remembered because we held a secret birthday…celebration for her.”

“A party?” Jennifer asked hopefully.

“No, birthday sex. We had a great time.”

Her father laughed while Candice shook her head in disappointment. Jennifer believes this was the first time she seen the agent upset.

“Master Fist, this is serious. People are saying you took advantage of a young impressionable girl and ruined her future.”

“So?”

The agent opened her mouth in shock, but one look at her father told Jennifer all she needed to know. He was not faking it. He truly did not understand what the problem was. Jennifer straightened her spine and took a deep breath. Maybe things were different in his time, but nowadays people look poorly at older men taking advantage of young women. Jennifer spoke like a robot unclouded by emotions. Like someone without feelings.

“She should have known better.” Both her father and Candice looked at her. Jennifer went on. “She was a hero; he was a villain. Yes, she was young, but she should have known better. It was as much her fault as it was his.”

It took a second, but Candice got it. “Yes, that’s right. We can spin this. Yes, Master Fist took advantage, but what did you expect when you, a hero, sleep with a villain. Master Fist only did what any self-respecting villain would do in his situation. She was the idiot who decided to sleep with the enemy.”

“No.” Her father said. Jennifer opened her mouth; his glare caused her to shut it. “You two are saying Samurai was some moron. She was not. She was not stupid; I was just very good at my job. There is a reason why I had so many kids with so many women. A young girl like her had no chance against me.”

Her father smiled, and Jennifer felt a sickening feeling bubbling within her. He was trying to protect her!

“If you two want to spin something, spin that.”

Without any further word, her father turned and went back to the photo shoot, leaving Jennifer and Candice alone. The two women looked at each other for a moment, both understanding what her father was telling them to do. They also understand that they do not have a choice; they worked for the man.

Jennifer gave the agent a small nod and left. She went down to parking garage where her car was waiting. She drove away from H.A.V.E and begin the long journey home, thinking about her father and wondering about his reasons to protect Six-shot Samurai. Did he feel bad for what he did to her? Maybe, but knowing him, he would never opening admit it. So, how could she spin this to his advantage?

When Jennifer arrived at her flat, she still didn’t have an answer. She entered the building quickly and rush upstairs to her apartment where her family was waiting. They had gathered around the dining room table, and Jason was laughing with Zachary as they talk about the recent Gap event. Her husband and children look happy. Jennifer smiles and stepped forward.

Simple civilian life never looks more welcoming.