The Perfect Run

Il Migliore’s HQ, the Optimates Tower, was the most luxurious place Ryan had ever seen.

Most of Dynamis’ properties were located northeast of the city, on the far opposite of Rust Town. Unlike its neighbor though, this district catered to the supreme elite of New Rome. Il Migliore’s tower was a seventy-floor-tall building, half penthouse skyscraper, half luxury hotel. The lower portion was bulkier than the top, housing gardens, pool balconies, and even helipad areas, while the upper floors belonged to offices. The building clearly took cues after the Art Deco movement, with its mix of luxurious, shiny splendor and modern geometric design.

Ryan himself had a meeting on floor sixty-three, sitting in an expansively decorated waiting room. A thirty-something secretary worked behind a desk on her computer, while another familiar face waited in another chair, near an office’s closed doors.

Through the room’s window, Ryan could see the actual Dynamis HQ nearby, a reinforced glass spire that oversaw the entire city; even the Il Migliore building couldn’t hold a candle to it in size, lacking at least twenty floors compared to its big brother. How fitting that the company’s fortress overlooked both New Rome and its superheroes’ base.

On a closer look though, Dynamis’ HQ reminded Ryan of those futuristic arcology designs, buildings meant to be entirely self-sufficient. He noticed a few greenhouses and gardens on some of the floors, even water reservoirs; however, past a certain point, something in the glass’ composition prevented the Genome from seeing through it. How suspicious.

Unlike downtown, both buildings were protected by the elite units of the Private Security; people in white armor with laser cannons implanted in the right arm and state of the art weaponry. Unlike their lesser cousins, they were a true military force, well-trained, and ferociously loyal to Dynamis’ interests.

He had heard that they didn’t even accept bribes!

“Excuse me.” Having been restless for an hour, Ryan turned to the other person waiting for an appointment. “Are you… the Panda?”

The poor manbear looked up at him with hope. Compared to the previous loop, the would-be hero seemed less bombastic and more subdued. “You know me?”

“Of course I know you! You’re the Panda! The very last of them!” Ryan said, pumping his fist for added effect. “When I see you riding your bicycle of justice, I always get goosebumps!”

“Thanks!” the hero replied, suddenly a lot more cheerful. He must be glad to have at least one ‘fan’ in the world. “I’m really trying to live up to my legacy, and make them trendy again.”

“But what is a solo hero doing here, in this bastion of corporate superheroism?”

“The Panda… the struggles on his own,” he admitted. “I’m really trying to make a name as a solo hero, but it’s hard. None of the villains even want to fight me in public, because I’m simply too powerful for them.”

“I’m sure you are,” Ryan replied with heavy sarcasm, which the completely missed.

“It’s so frustrating!” he said. “I can’t make it to the news without some big awesome duel, you know? Really, with great power comes great isolation.”

He sounded like he believed it too.

“Mr. Romano?” Ryan’s head perked up, as the secretary called his name. “Mr. Manada will receive you.”

Finally! “Good luck with the interview,” the told Ryan, as the courier moved towards the office’s doors. “What’s your name?”

“Quicksave!” Ryan replied with a thumb up. “I’m immortal, but don’t tell anyone!”

“I won’t!”

was mostly occupied by flowers. Geraniums, roses bushes, chrysanths, muguet, dozens of various species of

man waited for the courier behind a mahogany desk positioned to give the occupant a spectacular view of New Rome through a full window. If he wasn't the supreme authority of a superhero team, Ryan would have mistaken his host for a supervillain. The man wore an expensive tuxedo suit with a black rose on the

could only applaud his

program.” The man shook Ryan’s

on your cost—” Ryan gasped, as he

to sit down. “We have our own production program at Dynamis since we cannot import it from Asia. The production cost is horrendous, but you cannot put

barely paid attention to the man, his eyes fixed on his clothes. He wanted

join our superhero teams,” Enrique said, joining his fingers. “But few make it to my office. I believe in personal recommendations, Mr. Romano. If Wyvern hadn’t vouched for you, we wouldn’t be

people, deeming the mystery as important as

seems to have a good feeling about you, especially after you forewarned her about our latest

a gut feeling,” Ryan replied

you,” Enrique replied, going straight for the jugular. “We have been having trouble with the Private Security lately, and several members tasked with

him though. It didn’t surprise him that they would bribe locals to look the other way, but this gang seemed a lot more organized

would look into

competition made you an offer, knowing Vulcan’s rivalry with Wyvern, and your trust in us won’t go unrewarded.” Enrique observed Ryan closely. “Why do you wish to join Il

I always wanted

“An ad?”

Felix the Cat. A recognizable icon of consumerism, with

uh,” Enrique replied,

the human condition and become a packaged product. That has always

uh,” Enrique nodded,

Ryan shrugged. “Greed?”

profile

alright, I thought it would be fun to try being a superhero, and I promised someone that I would kick the Meta out of the city as a personal favor. Business and

as much as the Augusti. Who is this person you owe

named Paulie. He

table, Mr. Romano. I feel conflicted about your case. You have an incredible power, with a very high development potential according to our research team. Your skills with weapons are impressive, as the security check-up can

never see

the matter at hand,” Enrique presented Ryan with a small pile of paper. “The sixteen pages long index

greatly. “Only sixteen

“You expected more, perhaps?”

did,” Ryan replied, “I

“Loose cannons have no place at Dynamis. If we sign a work

always fulfill commands to the letter,” Ryan defended himself, wounded in his

need more guarantees. While no one ever accused you of betraying a contract, you have a mercenary past and a suspicious link to a certain

photo, and the courier’s heart skipped