Etienne and Nairobi drove along the dimly lit highway in silence. Nairobi watched the video over and over with the volume on maximum.
Etienne was the first to speak, "What I don't understand is why he didn't call the police. Or I don't know…phone a hero or something?"
Nairobi paused the video, "He did call the police. That's what he was waiting for when I ran into him. He told me he ran home, called the police, and drove back up there. He was waiting in his car for hours. By the time I arrived, he got sick of waiting in his car and was showing the video to passersby, hoping they would put it on social media."
"The police didn't come to the scene of a murder, even after multiple hours?" Etienne thought to himself.
Etienne couldn't keep his thoughts contained and said aloud, "That's insane. Are the police that incompetent, or are they just shorthanded?"
Nairobi put her phone down and looked out the window, "Both really. Police stations across the country are ghost towns. Any metahuman who would want to do that job is a hero or hero for hire instead. Anybody without meta abilities doesn't want to be a cop because you'll have to deal with metahumans trying to kill you all the time."
Etienne shook his head and focused his attention back on the road.
He continued driving for a few minutes until he heard a noise like radio interference quietly buzzing. He turned the radio all the way down, but the noise continued.
"Sounds like it's coming from your pocket," Nairobi commented.
Etienne reached into his pocket and grabbed his black earpiece. He slipped it in his ear, but before he could speak, Gabe cut him off.
"I don't know if you ended up helping that hero, but you're going to have to wrap that up. There have been several explosions and gunshots in Portland. Our state's hero, the Senshi Sentinel, is in California, and his sidekick Mechaboy is across the state in Shenendoah. You are the closest hero, and if you can bring the other hero with you, please do."
"Got it. I'm on my way now," Etienne answered quickly.
He took out the earpiece and put it in the cupholder. He looked over at Nairobi and found her already staring at him.
"I think you might be right about the connection," Etienne stated, "Gunshots and explosions in Portland. I think they grouped up."
Nairobi exhaled, "You know what I think it is? I think it's the Black Company."
"What's the Black Company?"
Nairobi gasped and covered her mouth.
Etienne rolled his eyes, "Save your shock and awe. I didn't know a thing about heroes until a few months ago. I still don't really."
Nairobi's eyes widened, "You went through that insane process and became a contract hero without knowing anything about the world you're going into? I have got to hear your story, like right now."
"Insane process? Maybe I need to thank P.I again," Etienne thought to himself.
Etienne blurted out, "Only if you tell me about the Black Company first."
Nairobi crossed her arms and sank into her seat, "Fine, whatever. I know you've at least heard the name; they're legendary. Fun fact, they're the only criminal organization that existed before metahumans that's still around today. Over 70 years later…"
"So why hasn't the INHO stopped them?" Etienne questioned, "I'm sure if they sic the top heroes on them, the Black Company would be flattened in a day."
Nairobi shook her head, "I was wondering the same thing. When I looked into the INHO's files, I got the impression that they're too elusive. We've nailed down people who have ties to the Black Company, but it never goes farther than a neighborhood drug peddler or some cashier skimming from the register."
"And the last question for double points: why would they be causing all these problems in Oregon?"
Nairobi's natural smile slowly faded. She looked at Etienne, a coldness behind her eyes, "The INHO's power and influence are waning. Scandals are coming out about heroes every day. There are rumors about the INHO's involvement in human experimentation. And the new presidential administration isn't as keen on supporting widespread hero regulations as the last two were. It's the perfect storm for chaos to rise. And they've picked Oregon, the state with the lowest population of heroes, as their battleground."
Nairobi turned her attention back to the road as they made a few turns and entered the outskirts of Portland.
Etienne looked out of the window. They entered Portland on a poorly maintained, rusty bridge. Gigantic skyscrapers jutted into the sky, each shining with multi-colored lights in their interiors. The huge buildings reflected off the still blue waters of the Willamette river flowing under them.
Nairobi and Etienne scanned the environment as they drove deeper into the city. The towering skyscrapers flanked them on both sides. The city streets were eerily empty, devoid of people and vehicles.
"Something isn't right…" Etienne thought to himself. He slowed down to a stop in the middle of the road.
Nairobi looked over at him, but Etienne put a finger up before she could speak.
"You said you want to know about me right? I'm going to fight these criminals by myself; that should tell you everything you need to know."
Nairobi nodded her head, and Etienne stepped one foot out of the car. He turned his head and examined the area over and over.
After a minute or two of this, he screamed out, "Hey! Show yourselves! This is some type of illusion, right? Who's doing this? Is it Thalia or Melpo?"
The area remained still and lifeless. Nairobi let down her window and called out, "I don't think we should—"
Before she could finish her sentence, reality began to peel away like an old sticker. Under this still and lifeless area was the true state of Portland. The sky was orange and black, and there was a pile up of police cars in the middle of the street, burning continously.
Leaning against a skyscraper across the street was the masked man, Thalia.
"You know me!" Thalia exclaimed, "I guess it was a good idea to let that old man record us. This is going to make our jobs a lot easier."
"What are your 'jobs'?" Etienne asked nonchalantly.
Thalia snickered, "Like I'd tell you."
Thalia pulled out a slick silver knife and with a flick of the wrist, exposed the blade. He closed the distance between them in three seconds flat and stabbed at Etienne's throat. Etienne put his hand up and the knife plunged deep, with several inches coming out of the other side of his hand.
Etienne's expression did not change. He quietly stated, "Oh, you like playing with knives? I do too."
Etienne pulled out his Totska knife and aimed it towards Thalia's temple. Thalia flinched hard and desperately tried to get away from it. Before Etienne could hit him, a shot whizzed by his head. Etienne reflexively tilted his head and looked down at the bullet mark in the ground. The mark was there, but there was no bullet present.
Etienne looked up at the smaller skyscraper behind him. He saw a figure standing at the top of it.
"That must be the other one. Melpo," Etienne thought to himself.
Etienne stared up at him. Thalia yanked his blade out of Etienne's hand but he did not stop staring. As Thalia pulled back for another attack, Etienne pulled a shuriken out of his pouch and threw it in Melpo's direction. The shuriken came short of the top of the building. Etienne switched places with it and ran up the rest of the way.
He quickly reached the top, and after he pulled himself up, he was met with Melpo pointing the staple gun looking weapon at him.
"I should do you the same way you did that man today," Etienne's voice was flat. By this point, his mask was pulled up, and his hoodie was pulled down. Only his eyes were visible, and they burned with rage.
Before Melpo could respond, Etienne sprinted behind him and pushed him off the building.
Etienne flung another shuriken down near his car and teleported to it. He looked over as Thalia scrambled and attempted to catch Melpo.
Etienne walked over to a blue mail collection box and placed his hand on it.
"Even though he deserves it, I'm not letting anyone fall to their death," Etienne thought to himself.
In the blink of an eye, Melpo and the mail collection box switched places. Melpo flopped down on the ground next to Etienne, passed out. The heavy collection box crashed into Thalia, who just barely caught it. His feet dug into the concrete as he struggled to catch his balance.
Etienne tapped him on the shoulder and calmly stated, "Oh, so you're a metahuman? Then why is your friend doing the dirty work?"
Thalia only grunted under the weight of the collection box. After a few seconds, he was able to toss it aside.
Etienne swiftly kicked him in the back of the knee and raised his hand to punch Thalia. He stopped himself and lowered his hand slowly. He turned his head in the direction of the burning cars and spotted an unknown figure approaching him. Through the low visibility, he was able to spot a reflective vest.
"I'm guessing you're the serial bomber I've heard about!" Etienne yelled out, "Are these your buddies?"
Eli continued to approach him, "I'm not a serial bomber. I'm a Dirty Bomb."
Eli threw out a wide hook that Etienne blocked easily. Etienne stomped on his foot, hit him in his chest, and drove his palm into his chin before he could react.
Eli stumbled back holding his chin, and his skin began to glow. Etienne shook his head and walked over to Eli. His skin began to glow brighter and brighter but Etienne kept the same pace.
He placed his hand over Eli's face. In a puff of smoke, Eli was teleported to the top of the rooftop and Etienne now held a shuriken in his hand. Etienne examined the shuriken closely as a large explosion went off on the adjacent building.
Etienne put the shuriken back in his pocket and pulled out another, teleporting to the roof with it.
He sauntered over to Eli, who kneeled down on the ground, his body and clothes smoking.
"Dirty Bomb, huh? You're a real problem. If it were up to me, I'd just execute you, but it seems like the INHO is chomping at the bit to get their hands on you. I don't want to get in the way of that."
Eli just smiled and looked up at Etienne, "You heroes have no idea what's coming for you."
Etienne paused for a second, "What the hell are you talking about?"
His smile spread unnaturally wide, the corners of his mouth nearly touching his ears, "7 days Ninjaman. We—"
Etienne soccer kicked him in the head and Eli slumped down to the ground.