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!”

courier waltzed inside an office as big as a house, but whose space was mostly occupied by flowers. Geraniums, roses bushes, chrysanths, muguet, dozens of various species of plants were on display. The office even included a miniature Japanese pond, with golden

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 left side, carried white gloves, and hid his face behind

only applaud

the Il Migliore program.” The man shook Ryan’s hand, his voice pleasant to hear yet firm. He smelled

any thorns on your cost—” Ryan gasped, as he noticed the matter making up the

a sharp eye,” Enrique mused, showing Ryan a wooden chair and inviting him to sit down. “We have our own production program at Dynamis since

man, his eyes

of volunteers wishing to join our superhero teams,” Enrique said, joining his fingers. “But few make it to my office. I

who had recommended the of all people, deeming the mystery as

forewarned her about our latest prisoner. Which

feeling,” Ryan replied

don’t believe you,” Enrique replied, going straight for the jugular. “We have been having trouble with the Private Security lately, and several members tasked with escorting Ghoul actively tried to help him run away. If you know of any security breach, I would be

too, so it was all good. The fact the Meta had inside men among the Private Security bothered him though. It didn’t surprise him that they would bribe locals to look the other way,

would look into

I must thank you for coming here. I am certain our competition made you an offer, knowing Vulcan’s rivalry with Wyvern, and your trust in us won’t go unrewarded.” Enrique observed Ryan closely.

was young, I

“An ad?”

Felix the Cat. A recognizable icon of consumerism, with my face plastered on every

uh,” Enrique

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

nodded, “and the

Ryan shrugged. “Greed?”

profile

wondered how many people had gone mad compiling it. “Alright, alright, I thought it would be fun to try being

is a problem,” Enrique conceded, “although not as much as the Augusti.

Town named Paulie. He probably won’t

cards on the 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

never see it coming,” Ryan

with a small pile of paper. “The sixteen pages long index of collateral damage complaints associated with

bothered Ryan greatly. “Only sixteen

“You expected more, perhaps?”

did,” Ryan replied, “I

no place at Dynamis. If we sign a work contract together, foolhardy behavior will not be

always fulfill commands to the letter,” Ryan defended himself, wounded in his honor, “It’s not my fault if everyone leaves

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

a photo, and the courier’s heart