Hello there,
If you enjoy my stories, you can read up to 15 chapters in advance per story on my Patreon page / patreon.com/Samael61.
To the attention of the readers who enjoy reading an intelligent main character like Miles will definitely like my original story, Arrival : Ruptures. Comments, likes and reviews are appreciated. Here are the links for : AO3, Spacebattles, Royal Road and Webnovel.
What can you expect from Arrival : Ruptures:
Thairon the Genius MC with technology far ahead of the planet who does not take anyone's attitude,Skyler, his younger brother who is trying to save humanity from itself,Kael who is a chaos gremlin helbent on causing trouble,Tomoe, the female lead that is not a damsel in distress and knows how to kick ass,Individual and military battles, political intrigue and family issues,Expanding universe that you can be a part of as well.
Today is the day for you to join me in any of the links above.
—
Metropolis
Hob's Bay
He watched the Toyman work on his latest creation through the visor of his suit. He wasn't about to allow him to use what he thought was a disintegrator beam to send Superman to the future. He had chosen an abandoned toy factory to further his research.
"Do we just destroy the weapon and call it a day?" Claire asked. This target seemed to have Miles on edge for some reason.
"No. We are taking him off the shelf permanently." It was time to put an end to the twisted, pained mind of Winslow P. Schott Junior.
"Claire, you and I will deal with Toyman. Baraka, go through the back to reach the security room; help your sister take everything of value from the systems and delete everything."
"Understood."
"Got it."
—
Toyman had reinforced the rundown factory building. It was not a fortress, but they were not going to stroll inside through a broken wall either. The doors, except the one the Toyman used, were barricaded.
A more direct approach was necessary.
Claire melted a hole in the cargo door, taking position to confront the Toyman. Miles camouflaged himself, disappearing into the shadows. Toyman had sensors everywhere and knew there was an intruder. He didn't want to turn this operation into an open battle but a silent execution.
She walked in the darkness, acting as bait. A hum, childish in a twisted way, wasn't far off. Toyman showed himself, doll-sized robots following him.
"I didn't know we were having a guest. Did you come to play with us?" he asked, not concerned in the slightest. The dolls attacked without a prompt, each one carrying a knife. Miles maneuvered behind Toyman, raising his palm to the back of the villain's head. A single blast of energy popped his head like a fleshy balloon. Toyman fell forward, unaware of anything.
The dolls didn't stop, though, each one letting out childish shrieks that were silenced by flames.
"Burn the body," he ordered, walking inside the workshop. The work of Toyman had to be destroyed entirely.
"Miles, this place is filled with cameras. Why would Toyman need all this?" Baraka asked, a slight interference on the comms affecting his voice.
"His twisted mind doesn't have to make sense to us. Carry out your task and meet me in the production line. We are burning this place down." Toyman's robot, the one he had used against Superman, was halfway constructed.
"I'm already done," he said. Less than a minute later, Baraka's footsteps came from the other end of the assembly line. He whistled at the robot and walked to the nearest fuse panel. He punched through, his suit covering his arm halfway, and drained all the energy he could. His chromatic, multicolored beam carved the robot in half, setting the pieces on fire. Metal melted from the sheer heat, leaving puddles of furious red stains on the floor.
Baraka targeted everything in sight, from the weapons to the raw materials. Claire joined him soon, starting a fire in the energy cells. Toyman was using. They would not be destroyed so easily, but the flames would wear them down into catastrophic explosions after they had left.
The smoke began to cloud his vision, and he knew it was time to leave.
—
They stood on the rooftop, camouflaged, watching the firefighters work on the burning factory building. Toyman was dead, his disintegrator beam gone, his life's work taken.
He couldn't appreciate the flames as his League communicator ringed.
"Miles, come in," Superman said. He carried a sharp edge to his voice, more annoyed than angry.
"Superman, how can I help?" he asked. What had happened now?
"You remember Queen Maxima?" Superman asked, breathing the name out with a groan.
"How can I forget an individual such as her?"
"She is still looking for a husband and wants to meet you."
"I am flattered but unavailable," he said. Maxima knew nothing about him, unless she had heard from the Thanagarians or from someone in the League. Given his lack of powers, she wouldn't be interested either way.
"She wants to employ your services for matchmaking," Green Lantern's voice came.
He rubbed his temple. Him, a matchmaker? How did she even know who he was? What made her think asking him to find her a husband was a good idea?
"Is she in the Watchtower?"
"Yes."
"I'll be there in a minute."
—
The Watchtower
Maxima was waiting for him in the hangar, escorted by Superman and Green Lantern. The Queen of Almac was a dazzling individual with flowing red hair, a toned body, a lovely face, and form-fitting black armor with a white cape.
"Your Highness, to what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked. She was still inspecting Superman, eyes gliding over his form. Her appreciation ended with a frown.
"I have heard from several sources that you are exceedingly knowledgeable about individuals of great importance. I wish to hire you to find me a husband," she said, gesturing to the chests behind her. She had researched Earth and had gathered gold and jewels as payment.
He considered the heroes of this universe, trying to decide who to throw under the bus. In fact, should he even accept this commission?
Establishing positive relations with the Queen of Almac would be worth the trouble, though.
A name came to his mind. Whether he would be interested in romance remained to be seen.
"There is someone, but he would not look so kindly upon political marriages or being a breeding partner. If you can gain his respect, you might have a chance." Orion had a strong personality, as did Maxima. They would clash, but he could not extrapolate the end result.
"Who?"
"Orion of New Genesis. Beyond his physical strength, Orion has an even greater will. He understands duty but also puts great care into personal choice. You need to look beyond your need for a stallion to give you a child. In that, you might find what you seek and perhaps more," he said. There weren't that many heroes who could match Maxima, and even fewer who could deal with her. Orion's mental strength alone made him a possible candidate.
"Orion? You think that's even possible?" John asked. The New God tended to be strongheaded. He was more likely to butt heads with her than consider romance.
"Anything is possible," he said. Individuals of Superman's caliber didn't grow on trees.
"Then how do you suggest I approach him?" she asked. She knew New Genesis, but Almac did not have any diplomatic relations with the New Gods. This could be an opportunity to change it.
"Challenge him to combat, leave the politics and the genetics aside," he said. Orion would definitely have a strong reaction to that.
"Very well. These trinkets are yours. If there is an issue though…" She left the sentence unfinished.
"I will be here."
"Then excuse me. I need to pay New Genesis a visit."
"Tell him I sent you. You would have a more hospitable time. One last thing, who told you about me?" he asked. The options were limited, but he wanted confirmation.
"I have friends in Thanagar," she said, leaving the Watchtower.
"You sent her after Orion? You think that's a good idea?" Superman asked. He didn't think romance was a consideration for Orion.
"I am sorry, were either of you volunteering to marry her?" Both heroes looked away, knowing the answer.
"I didn't think so. As for Orion, a partner might assist him in combating the rage inside him. Who knows how a woman might change him?" He was making it up as he went. He hoped it wouldn't end on a sour note.
"This officially makes you a matchmaker, by the way," Green Lantern said, gathering the valuables in a bubble to transport them for Miles.
"Could you deliver the chests to Batman? He can add them to the Watchtower's budget. I prefer not to spend money earned from arranging a date."
Lantern nodded and left as well.
—
Metropolis
Beckett Residence
"What did she want from you?" Claire asked. Alien royalty did not arrive on Earth every day to visit a human.
"To find her a husband," he said. His flat tone conveyed how absurd the situation was.
"Wow, didn't think you were in that business too, boss. Do we have to worry about dissatisfied customers? Vengeful lovers looking for you?" Baraka asked, chuckling. He had become more assertive these days, joking about situations such as these.
"I hope not. I would rather not commit regicide on an alien world," he said. At most he would give her the gold and the valuables back or just send her after someone else.
"I forwarded the findings from Toyman's system to Thomas. He says he has no idea how that idiot managed to create a Temporal Displacer and confused it for a Disintegrator Ray," Zalika said. The technical parts escaped her, but the general idea remained.
Toyman had struck gold and thought it was pyrite.
"I suppose that will be a mystery for all of us."
—
EnviroCorps Headquarters
He watched the crowd.
The group that headed to Zambesi had gathered for one last speech. The most prominent figure was Pamela Isley, whose probation had ended, and she was now a free woman. The Tarmax Security, whose members included the metahumans saved from Cadmus and Victor Fries with his wife, Nora.
The rest were researchers, engineers, and workers that would create the backbone of the group.
"The task ahead of you is a great one. I know you will succeed because you are the very best in your respective fields. Zambesi's development will be an example to the continent and then to the world."
"Your safety is paramount, and as such, Tarmax Security will provide you with professional security forces. All your material needs will be provided, and of course, you will be compensated accordingly."
"Thank you and good luck," he said, keeping it brief. No one enjoyed long-winded speeches. He always found them to be an effort on the side of the speaker to hear their voices. He left the stand amid polite clapping to greet the teams.
"Excited for your new task, Pamela?" he asked the green-skinned former villainess. She swirled the glass of champagne in her hand, looking thoughtful.
"Maybe. It depends on whether they will actually listen to me."
"I assure you, they will. The president is aware of how dire the country's state is. You are their lifeline," he said. Pamela's abilities and knowledge in creating a balance between industrialization and nature would make Zambesi a paradise.
"Never thought I would be playing the hero," she said, her face souring. The word felt wrong on her tongue, to call herself a hero.
"You are Mother Nature's voice. You don't have to be a hero for that, just smart."
"Suppose so."
"Victor, brilliant work on the cure," he said. Just hours ago, they had announced the cure for AIDS. When men like Victor Fries were provided with the resources they needed, the miracles they could achieve could propel the planet forward decades.
EnviroCorps had already received multiple requests within hours for cure samples. They wanted to test its veracity and, if possible, import it.
Of course the first few hundred thousand doses would go to Zambesi, and then millions more to the rest of Africa.
"It was only possible because you gave us the opportunity."
"The heights mankind can reach are without a ceiling. We only need to strive for it. You proved it today," he said, turning to the last group.
"Gentlemen, ladies, Angelica. Ready for your trip?" The five of them were already introduced to the rest of the team and were prepared for the task.
It did not hurt to ask.
"You just keep the money flowing," Monica said, inspecting her new ring. Their signup bonus had fattened their wallets up considerably. All five members had splurged a bit, enjoying amenities that were denied to them for so long.
Miles patted her on the arm.
—
Private jets were prepared to take the teams to Zambesi. The country lacked an airport, but it was one of the first projects he invested in. It was small but more than enough for their immediate purposes. Hotel Continental was repurposed to serve as the headquarters of the team.
Victor himself would be the leader of this project. He had the skills and the willingness for it.
This project was looking promising already.
—
Beckett Residence
He let himself fall on the couch, rubbing his temples. It was midnight, his head was aching, and he needed a vacation. At least for a couple of days. He pushed himself off the cream-colored chair, walking to the kitchen for a glass of cold iced tea.
He opened the fridge, took the bottle, and filled two glasses along with ice.
"You know," he said, screwing the cap back on. "It is polite to let your host know you intend to visit."
"I need your help. Everyone's help," Batman said, taking the glass. Even he could not hide how exhausted he was.
Miles pulled a seat for the Dark Knight. "I have been hearing things. A group moving in the shadows of Gotham, displeased with the changes the city is undergoing. A group that is losing its grip on the city."
"The Court of Owls," Batman said, finishing his drink.
"Have they targeted you?" he asked. This was too public for him to kill the Court of Owls, but who knew what would happen to them in prison?
"Several operatives. Highly trained but most importantly…"
"They are not alive," he said, interrupting Batman. He hadn't actually checked whether the Court of Owls existed or not on purpose. When the joint project between EnviroCorps and Wayne Enterprises in Gotham began to suffer setbacks, he had tasked Zalika to find the cause.
A group of elite saboteurs, definitely not from the League of Shadows, were targeting his projects.
The owl-masked leader of the saboteurs was a dead giveaway. He had not acted so far to discover their true capabilities and learn more. Locations, numbers, and names were necessary to stomp the Court out.
"Go home and rest; you need it. Tomorrow, we will bring the Court down," he promised. Fifty-six names; billions of dollars worth of assets and bank accounts; the Talon Storages; and, of course, the secret nests where the Court met.
The greatest hackers on the planet would fail to breach their security. Unfortunately for the Court, Zalika was on a whole other level. They were exposed and had no idea of it.
"What have you found out so far?" Batman asked. The Court of Owls was a legend for so long. He guessed they had a hand in ensuring it happened that way.
"We can discuss it tomorrow. Knowing you, you would stay up all night," Miles said. His vacation would be postponed until this matter was dealt with. If the court were worried enough to show their hands, it wouldn't be long before they took a more heavy-handed approach.
They would strike first.
—
In the next chapter:
"One more critical matter. They know Batman's identity," Miles said. He wasn't exactly sure of it until today, where the Talon was seen lurking on the edge of Wayne Manor.
"Then they will release it as soon as they know we are after them," Wonder Woman said. It made sense for an organization like the Court of Owls to know Batman's true identity. The important matter was how to stop them.
"True, but there is an angle we could exploit," Miles said, switching the image to a specific Court member. Ginger-haired and green-eyed, his face was scrunched as if he were chewing on a whole lemon.
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