A Hero's Song (Darkest Secrets Volume 1)

Chapter 21 - Jacks of All Trades

 The following day Gabriel retrieved Falco's goodie bag and rode the elevator to the top floor. Scanning the room, he found the Speedster eating near the windows.

"Morning Falco! How are you today?"

Falco looked up from his pancakes as his friend sat down and removed his helmet. "I'm great, but a little antsy."

"Antsy?" Gabe asked.

"About the knives. I can't help but wonder what you did to them. They're my babies" He grinned sheepishly.

"I've brought them, as you can see."

Falco moved to open the bundle.

"No don't take them out here. Later. Listen to what I have to tell you first alright?"

Falco hesitated for a second, taking back his hand and nodding. "I'm listening." He said.

"I've coated the blades to make them more resistant. You shouldn't have them break on you again, even on Quartz." He smiled.

"I also made it so the metal vibrates, so you can cut into armour or whatever you want to." Falco looked at the bundle wrapped in cloth appreciatively. "I've also included a new holster; it will allow the blades to return to you when they stop moving. This means you will have knives flying back at you during combat.

No, it won't cut you, I've made sure of that. What could happen is you cut one of us when the knives fly back. I want you to refrain from throwing them when you are anywhere near us - at least until you practice enough in the simulation room. Oh, I almost forgot. I took the liberty of making you an armor vest. It shouldn't impede your movements."

It was a bit before Falco responded. "I don't know what to say. Thank you, Gabe. You really did everything you promised. I have said so before but I'll repeat it. I am proud to call you a teammate - and captain."

The Supers sat and enjoyed a large breakfast together before parting ways to head for specialized training. Alfred informed Gabe that his training would take place in training hall b-2, on the 7th floor.

Within five minutes, he stood at the door to the room.

He was anxious. Meeting new Supers had brought so many surprises. That, he ultimately decided, did not matter. He had to train and would learn much from this specialization session. He mentally expressed his will to open the door, and Alfred acquiesced.
A familiar scene greeted him when he entered. The Supers in the room stood separately as if some force propelled them to take seats far away from the others.

To Gabe's left sat a man in his late 20's clad in purple combat armor. Gold trim lined the edges of each plate. A silver crown sat high on his blonde head, and he sat elbows on his knees - hands clasped under his chin. A supple, purple cloak hung behind him; it looked armored as well. He had no weapons visible on his person.

To the right sat a girl with an elvish face and white hair around 17 or 18. Her uniform consisted of what looked like reinforced white silk wrapped around her body like a modified greek toga. Criss-crossed on her chest were several straps of blue leather that held four wicked blades. Gabe noted the white fabric was wrapped around her knuckles in a similar fashion to a professional fighter. Beside the girl lay a long, heavy barrelled gauss sniper that was almost bigger than she was.

Across from the Grecian commando, lounging on the sofa, was what Gabe could only describe as a magician. She wore a one-piece tuxedo that hugged her curves. She had pinned a red flower to her lapel and wore her long black hair loose. He could see a small object that looked like a wand sticking out of her waistband.