The bathroom down the hall from Hannah's suite was clean and functional. Good water pressure, at least. Lucius washed his face at the sink, the water running dark gray from soot and ash.
Miguel was already out of the shower, toweling off his hair with characteristic enthusiasm.
"Man, that was great!" he said, grinning at his reflection. "The way we worked together? Natural! Like we've been teaming up for years!"
Lucius dried his face with a clean towel. "We got lucky. That thing wasn't exactly a tactical genius."
"Lucky? Come on! That was skill! Strategy!".
Lucius shrugged, checking his ruined shirt. "Tactics only work when the enemy's dumb enough to cooperate. This one was."
Miguel laughed. "You're impossible to compliment, you know that?"
"I've been told."
"Bet you have." Miguel was pulling on his suit jacket now. "Still, you gotta admit—pretty solid teamwork for our first real combat together."
"It wasn't terrible," Lucius conceded.
"Not terrible! He admits it!" Miguel grinned wider. "I'll take that as high praise coming from you."
Lucius stripped off his ruined shirt, examining the minor burns across his shoulders. Surface damage. Nothing serious.
Miguel noticed. "You need Kit to check those?"
"They're fine. Superficial."
"Still should get them looked at. Protocol." Miguel was pulling on his suit jacket now, adjusting the collar. "Besides, Kit's thorough. He'll want to document everything for the medical log."
Lucius nodded slightly.
He showered quickly—efficient, not luxurious. The water pressure was good, at least. Washed away the grime, the smell of burnt stone and melted metal. Three minutes, done.
Charlotte had left fresh clothes for them—black suits, white shirts, black ties. Standard bodyguard uniforms. Lucius dressed with practiced speed, each movement economical.
The black gloves went on last. Smooth fabric, perfectly fitted. His left hand looked completely normal beneath them.
Miguel was checking his phone again, scrolling through social media feeds. "The videos are getting millions of views already. 'Bodyguards vs Magma Monster.' Someone made a compilation of the best hits."
"Let them watch."
"Aren't you curious? What people are saying?"
"No."
Miguel laughed. "You're so serious all the time! It's okay to enjoy the attention a little."
Lucius adjusted his tie in the mirror. "Attention gets you killed."
That sobered Miguel slightly. The enthusiasm dampened just a fraction. "Yeah. I guess you're right."
They left the bathroom, heading back toward the suite's living area. The hallway was quiet.
They walked to the suite door. Miguel knocked twice.
Charlotte opened it. "They're waiting for you."
Inside, the suite's living area had been converted into a makeshift briefing room. The coffee table had been pushed aside. Chairs arranged in a loose circle. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the city lights beginning to glow as evening deepened.
Hannah sat in one of the chairs, still in her comfortable clothes, glasses adjusted properly now. She looked tired but focused.
Charlotte stood near her, tablet in hand, professional as always.
Kira occupied a chair near the window, perfectly composed. A small notebook rested on his knee, gold pen in hand.
Liam stood near the door they'd just entered, his massive frame making the space feel smaller. He gave them a gentle nod as they passed.
Toby Park leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, watching everyone with his usual intensity. The sniper was already analyzing the situation—Lucius could tell by the way his eyes moved, cataloging details.
Kit sat in a chair pulled slightly away from the main circle. The medic looked as withdrawn as always, present but somehow not quite there.
Miguel headed straight for an empty chair, settling in with his usual energy. Lucius took the remaining seat, positioning himself where he could see the room.
Hannah looked around the room, making sure everyone was present. "Good. We're all here. Let's begin."
The lean man by the wall spoke first, his voice carrying despite not being loud. " I've been analyzing the attack patterns."
He pushed off the wall, moving to stand where everyone could see him properly. His posture was controlled, efficient.
"Two attacks this week. Both highly coordinated. Both targeted specifically at Hannah during transport. The timing wasn't random—they knew exact routes and schedules."
Toby's eyes moved across the group as he spoke, watching for reactions.
"First attack three days ago. NovaBreed with projectile abilities. Hit us during morning commute to Central Tower. Escaped during the chaos."
"Second attack today. Magma transformation NovaBreed. Dropped in during evening return route. This one we actually caught." He looked at Lucius and Miguel. "Good work, by the way. NCC has him in custody. He'll be interrogated for information."
Charlotte spoke up. "First perpetrator we've actually captured. Previous attempts either escaped or died during confrontation."
"Exactly," Toby continued. "So maybe we'll finally get some answers about who's coordinating these hits. But until then, we work with what we know."
He pulled out his phone, displaying a map of New Kong. "Attack locations. Routes taken. Timeline overlays. Someone knew exactly where we'd be. Down to the minute."
Kira's voice cut in, cold and precise. "Our routes are varied. Schedules are rotated. Standard security protocol." He tapped his pen against the notebook. "Yet they knew anyway. Which means information is leaking from somewhere close."
The implication hung in the air.
Toby nodded. "Internal leak. Has to be. Could be someone on the security team, office staff, or..." He paused. "Family with access to scheduling information."
Hannah's jaw tightened slightly at that last part, but she said nothing.
Charlotte adjusted her tablet. "We need to establish a timeline. When did the frequency increase?"
"Hannah became Head of Hero Design and Branding approximately one year ago," Kira stated, reading from his notes. "Attacks before that were occasional. Standard risk level for someone in her position."
Hannah spoke quietly. "There were attempts when I was younger. Kidnapping threats, mostly. Failed before they got close. Normal for a Gipson."
'Normal,' Lucius thought. 'That's what passes for normal in this family.'
"But about six months ago," Charlotte continued, "the frequency changed. More attempts. Better coordinated. More aggressive."
"Six months," Toby repeated. "That's our trigger point. Something changed."
Miguel leaned forward. "What happened six months ago? New contracts? Business deals?"
Hannah thought for a moment. "The Hero Council Chairman election was announced. Annual event. It's happening next month."
That got everyone's attention.
Charlotte nodded. "Right. The Chairman election. Major political event in the hero community. Lots of money and influence at stake."
Kira's pen moved across his notebook. "And the Gipson Brand Hero Design and Branding division—Hannah's division—provides equipment and costumes for heroes. Significant influence over hero image and public perception."
"We sponsor several candidates," Hannah added. "Equipment contracts worth millions. My division has been very active in the election lead-up. Public appearances, design showcases, sponsorship announcements."
Toby crossed his arms. "So someone wants to destabilize Gipson influence before the election. Remove Hannah, create chaos in the supply chain, make the company look vulnerable."
"Or," Lucius said quietly, and everyone turned to look at him, "someone wants you distracted."
Hannah's eyes fixed on him. "Explain."
"The attacks are loud. Public. They create chaos but they're not serious kill attempts." Lucius kept his voice even, analytical. "If someone wanted you dead, they'd use different methods. Quieter. More certain."
Kira's eye narrowed slightly. Toby's posture shifted, attention sharpening.
Lucius continued. "These attacks force you to focus on immediate survival. Security protocols. Constant vigilance. You're reactive instead of proactive."
"So what are they distracting me from?" Hannah asked.
"That's the question."
The room went quiet for a moment, everyone processing.
Charlotte spoke first. "If it's about the election, maybe they want Hannah too busy with security to properly manage her division's campaign involvement."
"Or," Toby added, "they want Gipson Brand to look unstable. Weak. Can't even protect their own executive. Why would heroes trust them with equipment contracts?"
Kira wrote something in his notebook. "Both theories have merit. But we're speculating. We need data."
The man who'd been silent until now finally spoke. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Anyone checked if she's been poisoned?"
Everyone looked at him.
Kit M. Cavendish met their gazes briefly, then looked away. "Slow-acting toxins. Degraded decision-making. Makes someone paranoid, distracted. Easier to manipulate."
"Kit's right," Charlotte said. "We should run a full medical screening."
"I'll handle it," Kit said quietly. "Tonight. Full blood panel, toxicology screen, neurological assessment." He looked at Hannah directly for the first time. "Won't take long."
Hannah nodded. "Fine. Do it."
Liam's deep voice rumbled from near the door. "What about the guy NCC caught? When will we know what he says?"
"Interrogation starts tomorrow," Toby replied. "They'll use standard protocols. Chemical truth serums, psychological pressure. If he knows anything, they'll get it out of him."
"And then we'll know who hired him," Miguel said, hopeful.
Toby's expression was less optimistic. "Maybe. These things are usually compartmentalized. He might not know who's really pulling the strings. But we'll get something."
Kira closed his notebook with a soft snap. "Until then, we operate under new protocols."
He stood, commanding attention despite his calm demeanor.
"Route information is now restricted to day-of reveals only. No advance schedules shared outside this room. We use secondary vehicles and decoy motorcades for all movements. Background checks on all office support staff will be conducted immediately."
His single eye scanned the group. "We operate under the assumption of hostile surveillance at all times."
Miguel shifted uncomfortably. "So we're treating everyone like a suspect."
"Yes," Kira said flatly.
Liam looked troubled but nodded. "If that's what keeps Hannah safe."
Toby pushed off the wall again. "I'll run deep investigation on recent personnel changes. Anyone new in the office, new vendors, new contractors. See if someone got placed specifically to gather intelligence."
Kit spoke quietly. "I can check medical surveillance. See if anyone's been compromised. Drugged, blackmailed, coerced."
"Financial audit," Kira added. "Follow the money. Someone's paying for these coordinated attacks. Professional NovaBreed mercenaries don't work for free."
Charlotte looked at Miguel and Liam. "You two are enhanced close protection during all public events. Stay within three meters of Hannah at all times."
Both men nodded seriously.
Charlotte turned to Lucius. "You're personal detail. Stays close regardless of situation."
"Understood."
Hannah stood, and everyone's attention shifted to her. She looked tired but determined.
"The Hero Council election events will proceed as planned. I have sponsorship commitments, public appearances, design showcases. We don't hide. We adapt."
She met each person's eyes in turn.
"Find the leak. Find who's coordinating these attacks. And find out what they're really after."
She paused.
"Because King is right. This isn't just about killing me. There's something else happening. And I want to know what it is."
The meeting began to break up. People stood, checking phones, preparing to implement their assigned tasks.
Toby left first, already on his phone, probably running database searches.
Kit approached Hannah quietly. "Medical screening. I'll set up in the bathroom. Need thirty minutes."
"I'll be ready," Hannah said.
Miguel and Liam headed toward the door together, already discussing enhanced protection formations.
Kira remained seated for a moment, writing final notes. Then he stood, buttoned his suit jacket with precise movements, and left without a word.
Charlotte was coordinating something on her tablet, probably arranging the safe house rotation protocol.
Lucius stood near the window, looking out at the city. New Kong sprawled below, lights beginning to dominate as evening deepened. Millions of people going about their lives, unaware of the careful violence happening in the spaces between.
Hannah approached, standing beside him. They didn't look at each other, just watched the city together.
"You think I'm being used," she said quietly.
"I think someone has a plan, and you're part of it. Whether they want you dead or just occupied, I don't know yet."
"Neither option is great."
"No."
She was quiet for a moment. Then, softer: "I knew this job would have politics. Corporate maneuvering. But this is a little bit more than i imagined."
'She's young for this kind of position,' Lucius thought. 'Twenty-five. Head of a major corporate division. That kind of responsibility attracts predators.'
"Goes with the territory," he said.
"Does it?" She finally looked at him. "You don't seem surprised by any of this."
"I'm not."
"Why?"
'Because I've seen worse,' he thought. 'Because I've lived in worlds where this is standard operating procedure. Because nothing about human cruelty surprises me anymore.'
But he just said: "Experience."
Hannah studied his face for a moment, searching for something. Then she nodded slowly.
"Well. I'm glad you're here. At least someone's thinking instead of just reacting."
She moved away, heading toward the bathroom where Kit was setting up the medical screening.
Charlotte approached Lucius. "We're moving locations tonight. Different safe house. Hotel three blocks west. Already reserved under a dummy corporation."
"Understood. When?"
"Two hours. Kit needs time for the screening, and I need to coordinate the transfer with minimal exposure."
"I'll be ready."
Charlotte studied him briefly, that same evaluating look Hannah had given him. Then she nodded and moved away.
Lucius remained by the window.
'Rumors in the Underground. About Hannah Gipson going through bodyguards. High turnover. Dangerous position.'
He'd heard the whispers during the tournament. Fighters who'd considered applying for her security detail, then backing out after hearing the stories. Too risky. Too many close calls.
'Now I understand why.'
The attacks kept coming. Professional. Coordinated. Persistent.
'She's the daughter of the district Head of New Kong. Arguably the most powerful individual in the city.'
He watched the city lights.
'That kind of connection should make people think twice before targeting her. But the attacks keep coming anyway.'
Too many questions. Not enough answers.
'There's more to this. Has to be.'
But that NCC interrogation tomorrow might change that. If the captured attacker knew anything useful. If he was willing—or could be made willing—to talk.
'One way or another, we'll know more soon.'
The suite was mostly empty now. Just Lucius, Charlotte coordinating logistics, and the quiet sound of Kit conducting Hannah's medical screening in the bathroom.
Lucius checked his watch. Two hours until the transfer to the new safe house. Time to rest, regroup, prepare for whatever came next.
---
TO BE CONTINUED