H.E.R.O.: Gene Front

By Kevin Rau

Gene Front, a super mutant group that desires to keep superpowers in the hands of supers, and out of the hands of humans. The group hires the supervillain Winterfury to kidnap University professors leading a class in the midst of examining supers and how their bodies and powers work. The situation becomes convoluted for the heroes of Metrocity as Borgz becomes involved, as does Neon, a new super who plays havoc with some of the heroines of the city.

The superheroines of Metrocity have their second gathering, which is repeatedly interrupted by other heroes, villains, a kidnapping, mental takeover, and a revelation to Psystar.

In the midst of the chaos, can the heroes find and stop Gene Front as they plan an all-out assault on a research firm in Metrocity? The bounty hunter Sparks also plays a role as heroes and villains collide.

Please visit the author’s website for more information on characters, and pictures and small biographies of many of the characters in the H.E.R.O. series. H.E.R.O. – Gene Front is a full-length novel of approximately 105,000 words.

The ongoing series currently consists of these novels (as of July 2012):
H.E.R.O. - Metamorphosis
H.E.R.O. - New Markets
H.E.R.O. - Rise and Fall
H.E.R.O. - Dark Research
H.E.R.O. - Horde
H.E.R.O. - Paragon
H.E.R.O. - Illustrated Guide (behind-the-scenes book w/pictures of characters, doesn't fit into a specific order in the series)
H.E.R.O. Shorts - Gatecrasher
H.E.R.O. Shorts - Silverlash
H.E.R.O. - Gene Front

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Rau
• Release date: Jul 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476069883

Kevin Rau

Born in 1970, I've been interested in fantasy and science fiction since perhaps the age of 10. I believe my love of medieval knights came about when my father built a wooden shield and sword for me to use in elementary school for some event.Through my school years I read hundreds (or thousands? - it's hard to recall at this point) of fantasy and science fiction novels. Comic books and super heroes came a bit later, although I recall seeing the Christopher Reeve Superman movies at a very young age (and loving them). Since my later teens I believe I've watched nearly every major fantasy, science fiction, and super-hero movie that has come out.I still love reading fantasy and science fiction, although I wish there were more novels based on superheroes. This is something that drove me to create my own supers universe and heroes in written form. I love supers, but I've always wanted more character depth than a comic book can provide. (Not to mention the immense length of time it takes for a comic series to do a story is just plain too long to me.)Writing is a hobby for me, I'm a full-time computer programmer and systems administrator for a small company. Fortunately the skills I've learned allow me to work with 3D programs to render the characters (and covers) for my books. My hope is to put out a novel or two a year, time allowing. At this point I'd like to grow the H.E.R.O. Universe with more novels, as well as start a fantasy series at some point.

Book preview

Chapter 1 – I Hate Psycom

Diva’s Viewpoint

It was late morning on Wednesday, and I hovered half a mile above Metrocity. The Ropcor skyscraper caught my eye, and I saw huge black wings on top of the building where we had fought Arissa and her cronies on the day before.

I shifted my mental flight gear, and flew over to see what Razorwing was up to. Before I reached him, he leapt off the side, and disappeared behind it. In a minute, I hovered over the rooftop. It appeared much as it had the day before, but the pink goo from Rayna’s ugly eye monster was gone. I looked down, Razorwing had gone twenty stories down to street level, and was just now flying up and away. He must have been flying with someone.

I stared at the Ropcor building. Apart from the paint job, the repaired section looked the same as the rest. I would not have been able to tell the difference between the old and the new portions, had it not been for the colors. I flew closer and put my hand on the concrete wall of part of the old building, and ran it up onto the new section. They even felt the same. Those builder supers are good.

A squeaking noise came from above and I noticed a platform being slowly lowered down the many floors. It had to have started before I arrived, as it was almost to me. A man in coveralls waved down to me, so I waved back and smiled. It took a minute for his contraption to reach my floor then he stopped the machine. It looked like a painting, or perhaps a window-washing platform. He had paint gear with him, and buckets of paint sitting on the board and he was wearing a belt attached to a bar on the side.

He said, Morning, miss. You’re Diva, right?

I grinned. He knows me! Hi, yes I am.

Them there repair guys did a good job on this. Once I get ‘er painted up she’ll look good as new.

I looked back at the wall. I agree. I’m amazed.

He took off his glove and held out his hand, I’m Artie.

I flew slightly closer and shook his hand. Nice to meet you, Artie.

I heard you brought some big metal beams and concrete up here yesterday. Are those things heavy?

I suppose so. I’m not sure how to compare lifting them to something else though. They are really dirty.

Oh yeah? I guess I never gave no thought about that.

So, uh, you’re a painter?

I paint and wash the windows. Pretty much a full-time job with a building this big. Hey, can I take your picture?

Uh, sure.

I floated up a few feet and looked at my reflection in the nearest window to try to straighten my hair a little. When I got level with him, he took some pics with his cell phone.

Afterward he said, Hey, thanks! My kiddo’s going to think I’m cool or something, what with meeting beautiful heroes flying through the city!

I smiled, Glad to help your image!

He looked at the wall, I suppose, I best get to the painting. It won’t get done by itself. Have a good day, Miss Diva.

You too, Artie.

I waved and flew away from the building, roughly toward the west. It was nice, thinking that some people appreciated me being around.

It was late in the morning, I found myself in a good mood, and thought I would see if Black Tiger was available for lunch. I took my cell out of my left boot and began texting when an event for a robbery in progress involving a mutant with tentacles popped up.

I pushed the accept button, and bumped my speed way up in the direction of the arrow on the phone. In less than thirty seconds, I arrived at the store. It was a ritzy watch place. From the ads in the windows, they appeared to sell very high-end timepieces.

I landed hard and bounced a few times on the sidewalk. I smiled, before becoming a super, there would have been no way I could jump up and down on the balls of my feet, much less, do it in heels. Now my ankles only moved if I allowed them to. I guess there are some good things that come out of changing into an overmuscled, ugly ass brick.

The thought of all my unwanted muscle immediately put me in a sour mood, and I shoved on the door as I entered. It slammed back, broke a hinge, and banged hard against the wall behind it. I cringed.

A really ugly guy scooped everything out of a case into a bag. He turned toward me and snarled. His hair had partially come out, so it was a strange, patched look that stuck up in places. His skin was mottled, with sections of an odd brown color here and there. Both of his arms were now tentacles, with the right one having a hand that itself had three smaller finger-like tentacles coming off the end. He wore a t-shirt with a cartoon logo, and torn jeans.

His eyes blinked strangely from the sides as I marched up to him. He bared his teeth; they were fangs, both on the top and bottom row. He dropped the bag and turned toward me.

When I was almost in punching range, he swung his left tentacle at me. I tried to grab it with my right hand, but he was faster than I was, and the tentacle wrapped around my wrist. I felt numerous stabbing sensations; it had small barbs all over it.

I pulled him toward me, and punched him with my wrapped up fist.

I grinned and said, You’re dumb.

He bounced back from the hit, shaking his head. His tentacle was still around my wrist.

I yanked him toward me to do it again, but he jumped up, pushed off the counter, and swung around me. He moved fast, and was somehow able to wrap his tentacle around my neck as he went up and about.

He stood behind me and laughed in my ear. I felt the sharp barbs in my neck now, as well as the wrist tied to my neck. I reached back to grab his jaw with my left hand, and he wrapped his other arm, or tentacle, around that wrist too. It yanked forward, as though someone pulled on the tentacle, and the barbs gashed into that wrist. I saw several feet of tentacle in front of me.

He growled, You're no fighter. You don't even deserve to wear a costume.

He grabbed the top of my mini-dress with the free hand, or tentacle fingers, and yanked down. My dress tore on the sides, but at least an inch or two stayed together at the bottom, and it hung from my waist. Fortunately, it was extremely tight at the hips, and stayed on, if only like some kind of purple loincloth. If I wanted to be topless, I'd have gone to a beach!

I saw red as I realized he damaged my costume.

I screamed, You tore my favorite dress!

I jerked my left elbow down and back. It pulled him up against my bare back, but then my elbow connected with his rib cage with a great thud and the sound of cracking ribs.

His body moved back slightly, but his tentacles kept him near me. I stomped down on his foot. Both his foot, and the floor beneath it, cracked. He howled in pain.

His left tentacle disengaged from me, and he worked to get the other one off my right wrist and neck. I spun, and before he fully separated, I grabbed the tentacle with my right hand, yanked him toward me and slammed him in the jaw.

My jaw clenched, and fury pushed me as I kept my hold, pulled him back toward me again and hit him yet again. This time his jaw cracked.

Past him and behind the counter, a salesman stood paralyzed, watching us fight. When the robber’s jaw broke, the clerk jerked back slightly in surprise.

I kicked the robber in the left shin, snapping that, and punched him several more times, as he weakly attempted to pull away from me. After the third punch, he simply hung by his right tentacle in my hand. Most of him lay on the floor, broken and unconscious.

A shadow crossed the door, and I looked up to see Psycom in the doorway, his cell phone held up to take a picture of me. I gave him a triumphant smile, but then remembered that my dress was down, and frowned.

I flipped him off as he said, Quit taking my tasks.

Jerk, quit taking pictures of me.

You’re the idiot not wearing anything while thinking you’re a superhero. Go home.

Screw you, at least I got here and helped.

You’re fortunate you fly so fast, bimbo.

He turned and stormed out of the store. I made a face at him as he flew off, flipped him off again even though he was gone, and looked down at the robber. He was still unconscious.

I pulled my H.E.R.O. phone out of my left boot and pushed the buttons to complete the task and call in a super paddy wagon. Then, I disengaged his tentacle from my right wrist, and pulled my mini-dress up against my front. Fortunately, it had a tendency to cling to my skin, and stayed up when I smoothed it over my stomach and chest. Liquid slowly ran down between my breasts ... blood from my neck.

A man stepped up to me with a mass of paper towels in his hand.

He said, For your wrists and neck.

I smiled at him, Thank you.

All three areas hurt from the barbs, though the left wrist had gotten the worst injury, from when he had yanked his tentacle forward. As I patted down my wrists, the mutant began stirring, so I grabbed him and tied his tentacles together in a knot, behind his back. I was still mad at him for tearing my dress, and probably tied them tighter than I should have.

The salesman said, Thanks for coming. I’m, we’re glad you did.

Another guy off to the right bobbed his head in agreement, although he had difficulty taking his eyes off my side, what with nothing covering me from my hip up. Even though the cuts hurt, I smiled; at least he thought I appeared good enough to stare at.

The salesman said, He’s alive, right?

I glanced back down at the bad guy. I sure hope so. These types of guys heal really fast.

You too?

Well, not quite so fast. But pretty good considering how long it would have taken before I was a super.

You must be strong to break his jaw like that. I think I heard other bones crack too.

Yeah. He’ll heal them in an hour, probably.

Broken bones?

I nodded.

Can we begin picking up?

I glanced at the bag the bad guy had been sweeping watches into. Bits of glass were spread around the floor and inside several counters he had smashed open and cleaned out.

I said, Uhh. I suppose we should wait for the police and a H.E.R.O. agent to show up first.

I should get those classes done for Captain McCain. Maybe Black Tiger would help me do them…. I could practice first aid on him nekkid.

I went back to patting down my wrists and neck; they bled much less already. Sirens closed in on the location, and soon a group of three officers cautiously entered the store, guns in their hands.

I smiled at them. Hey officers. Bad guy’s down.

They put their weapons away and nodded.

One asked, Does anyone need any assistance? Do we need an ambulance?

I shook my head and looked at the two salesmen. Both said they were fine.

The officers took statements from the two men working at the store. I stood and looked around, until a counter of women’s watches caught my eye and I wandered over to check them out.

Every now and then, I glanced at the robber to make sure he stayed where he was, and caught the second salesman and one officer watching me. They looked away immediately, but I grinned.

Soon, Agent Carson arrived. When he came in, he raised an eyebrow at the sight of the bad guy on the floor, and approached me.

Good morning, Diva.

To you too, Agent Carson.

The paddy wagon apparently is running slow.

I shrugged, I guess.

Shall we get to it?

Uhh. Okay.

He walked through his standard questions about what I saw when I got there, how I entered, what I saw after entering and my view of the event. By the time he was done, we were interrupted by a pair of large forms entering the door. The H.E.R.O. police officers had arrived to take away the tentacle man.

Agent Carson looked up at them and said, Officer Mackey, you gents stop for a coffee on the way?

The big guy laughed, Ha ha. No, accident got us caught in traffic. Just the one villain?

I nodded.

I like how you wrapped him up, Diva.

He leaned down and grabbed the man by his own tentacle arms. He appeared groggy for a moment, but grimaced badly when picked up.

He held the mutant up in the air and said, How do you like this, Mike.

The other brick officer laughed. All right, Diva. Off to the Jail, then. Have a good one, guys.

Agent Carson nodded to him, I waved. The other officers nodded and said goodbye.

Agent Carson stared at me and said, Diva, while I think you look quite sexy in your outfit, perhaps you should consider a full body uniform…

He thinks I look sexy? All right! Is it the tears in the side, or did he like it before?

I grinned, Thanks, Agent Carson! You like my dress then, or is it this more open look that you like?

Well, er…the dress is sexy when not torn. Yes, I suppose it does catch the eye more, being open all the way down. Wait, Diva, that’s not what I mean. It’s about appearing appropriate…

If I could have grinned any wider, I would have. I stepped up to him and kissed him on the cheek. He blushed red and looked shocked. Yes! Someone likes my look!

Thanks, Carson. You just made my day! You guys have a great day!

Wait … that’s not what I…

I’m not sure what else he said, as I practically skipped to the door. I was so happy. The officers keeping the entrance clear, plus the bystanders all watched me as I exited the store. I waved to them.

Have a great day, everyone!

I leaped into the air, shifted up my mental flight gear, and flew into the sky. I immediately texted Black Tiger to see if he wanted to do lunch after I went home to change into something not ripped up.

Chapter 2 – Shut Down

Razorwing’s Viewpoint

After checking out the repairs done by Duane Guerra on the Ropcor building with Silverlash, I left her at ground level to get her motorcycle. I flew back to the east side of Metrocity. I sent a text mid-flight to Rayna to find out if she wanted company or lunch.

She replied with only the word, Arr.

I raised an eyebrow at the line. I had never heard her use the word before, but her small gazer creatures used it often. She was not the type not to have her cell by her, so I had a feeling that one of them had her phone.

I flew to a pizza place not far from her home, bought a stack of pizzas, and continued flying to her secret garage where Volruth, her thirty-foot, gold armor-plated dragon stayed. I was not certain if he ate pizza, but picked up several of them solely for him.

I flew carefully, so I would not to turn the pies on their sides. Sadly, winged flight was nowhere near as smooth as what I’d seen the young lady fliers in town do without wings. I wonder how that works for them. Some sort of telekinesis? Anti-gravity ability? I've heard that telekinesis is often envisioned as the use of an invisible hand, how do you keep yourself aloft, then? Hmm.

I saw Rayna's secret garage from a few miles away. Once nearby, I glided down to fly low to it. She seems to like coming in low to keep people from watching Volruth as he flies in. Soon, I landed in front of the building. I shifted the pizza boxes to one arm and lightly knocked on the garage door.

It opened. The opening was filled with the large body of the armor-plated gold dragon.

I said, Greetings, Volruth. How are you doing today?

Reasonably well, Razorwing. You?

Good. How's the wing doing?

The dragon extended its damaged wing, where Atomizer's disintegration beam destroyed a swath.

It has not completely healed, but it is better than yesterday.

Glad to hear that. Do you eat pizza? I brought three for you.

Yes, I have eaten one. It was interesting.

Well, here, take these and try them.

I held out three of the five boxes to him. He took them in his huge claw, set two of them down on a table, and began turning the remaining one in his hand around while looking at it closely.

I said, You lift the lid from one side, like this.

I showed him on one of the two in my hand. He looked back at his and opened and closed the box a few times.

I asked, Is Rayna home?

Yes. You are a friend, you may enter.

Thanks. Enjoy the pizza, but don't eat the cardboard box.

Of course not.

I passed him to use the door in the back, leaving Volruth to his treat. I wonder how often Rayna feeds him? I didn't bother flipping on the switch for her crude string of lights through the tunnel leading from the storage garage, under a field, and into her basement. The tunnel had a different appearance after I closed the door. With no light at all, my demonic vision shifted into an odd color scheme of purples. It was fine to walk by, and soon I climbed the crude stairs to her basement.

After opening the door, I entered the finished part of the basement. The large-screen television was on, as usual, facing the couch full of stuffed animals. As before, their heads turned from the TV to look at me.

I waved to them and walked past to the basement stairs. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw their heads follow me across the room. Not very good security, if that's what they are intended for.

Before I reached the top of the stairs, the door opened and a figure stood in the opening. It was the human-sized stone gargoyle, Garm. He stared down at me for a moment.

Then he said, Hello, Razorwing.

Hi Garm. I've never seen you move from your short pillar before.

I heard you enter.

I hope it's okay that I'm here.

Of course. Rayna is in her room.

She's not busy, is she?

I believe she is sleeping. She was up very late.

That's not unusual for her; she often stays out until after midnight heroing.

She was creating something.

Oh yeah? I can't wait to see her newest, pe...er, friend.

Come, I shall return to my post.

I finished walking up the stairs, following him to his pillar in the foyer. He climbed up on it, turned and went back into his typical gargoyle on watch stance.

I asked, Would you care for a slice of pizza?

I would. Thank you.

I stepped over to him, and opened the top box. He reached out with a gray claw, not entirely dissimilar to my own gray hand, but his had the obvious appearance of being stone.

I said, I'm going to check on her, then.

I approached the back rooms of the house. I had not seen her bedrooms before. As I walked past the living room, I saw that the television was sitting at a game console login screen. Strange, none of the Bs or Kar are playing games?

I walked past a guest bedroom with nice furniture, but plastered with posters of various video games. The bathroom was next; it had a beautiful floor and counter. I stopped out of surprise, for it looked spotless and shiny. Rayna never gave me the impression of being such a clean freak, especially with the toys lying about the floor here and there.

I sensed something behind me in the hallway, shifted my right wing position and looked back. One of Rayna's Bs that I'd never seen before floated in the hall. This one had four arms, and only two eyestalks, rather than the four the other Bs had. The skin was pure white, with a pink Mohawk and goatee. The crab claws at the end of the arm stalks were black, as per the other gazer creatures. Its huge center eye was a gold color. Its three eyes stared at me as it floated in the air.

I said, Greetings, I'm Razorwing. Are you new to the house?

It replied, No.

Oh. I didn't see you the last time I was here.

Cleaning.

Oh, you were cleaning?

Arr.

A voice behind me said, "Scruff always cleans."

I looked back and smiled. It was Gruff.

I said, Greetings, Gruff.

I turned back to Scruff and said, Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Scruff.

It rotated its entire body to simulate a node, and smiled. As with Gruff and Duff, this one had dull teeth, and a mouth that stretched fully across its full body width.

Gruff floated in front of Scruff and said, Gruff spill drink in basement.

Scruff's large center eye opened in shock, it turned, and floated quickly toward the basement.

Gruff laughed, Heeheehee!

I stared at the brown-and-white creature. Gruff, you didn't actually spill something, did you?

Not dis time. Scruff funny.

He spun in the air and looked at me, but over the next few seconds, one by one, each of his four eyes on stalks focused on the pizza boxes in my hand. I smiled.

I asked, Is it all right if I see Rayna?

Arr.

I nodded, turned and continued to the end rooms. The left room was very odd; it reminded me of a child's room, with toys and gadgets everywhere. The floor was covered with them, as was the bed. They either made the bed extremely carefully this morning, or didn't use it.

The room to the right was decorated in pink and white, with beautiful furniture that had white marble tops. Rayna lay on her side on the bed. She was asleep. She wore pink pajamas, with a swarm of stuffed animals around her. Her arm was around Kar, the three-foot long furry green dragon. She looked beautiful, with her somewhat short blonde hair tousled, and her mouth open.

Duff floated near her shoulder, upside-down as usual for him. He held a stuffed monkey in one crab claw. One of his eyestalks turned to look at me, and he tossed the animal off to the side. It immediately lumbered over by Rayna and sat down.

Duff grinned and said, Pizza pizza. He floated over to me.

Kar opened his eyes and reached his claws out toward me. That explained why he was not playing video games, he was trapped by Rayna.

I motioned for Duff to follow me, and returned to the living room. I set the pizza boxes down on her coffee table, and said, Gruff, would you go tap her on the shoulder and let her know I'm here?

He sighed and said, "Gruff always let her know."

He floated back toward the bedroom, his arms hanging in dejection. Several of Duff's eyes watched his brother float away.

I looked at Duff, Is Rayna all right?

Rayna sad. Nuff mean.

Nuff? Is that a B?

Arr.

Where's he at?

Duff pointed toward the patio door. Nuff go when dark.

Where did he go?

He raised his little crab claws. It was a very human gesture. Dunno. Nuff go get 'em.

Get who?

Path peeps.

What's a path peep?

Urr. A peep who path. He tapped himself on the side of his body with a crab claw.

I shook my head. Perhaps Kar will know.

I heard talking from the other room. One interesting thing about being a mutant, my senses had become unbelievably acute. I listened to them talk, heard Rayna climb out of bed and begin walking my way. In moments, she appeared in the living room entry, Kar still held to her chest like a stuffed toy. His expression was hard to read, but it was apparent that he would rather not be held.

Gruff hovered along near her shoulders.

I smiled at her, Good afternoon, Rayna.

She ran her fingers back through her hair, It's afternoon?

Aye. Did you get much sleep?

She walked over and leaned against me.

No. I tried for part of the night, but I couldn't sleep, I went from being depressed to angry. I finally got up, went back and tried to crash again around seven this morning, I think.

I hugged her gently. Fortunately, even though I could lift ten tons, my strength wasn't out of control like some of the bricks I'd seen. I motioned to the couch, and we sat down.

Do you want to talk about it?

About Fluff?

Or Nuff?

How do you know about him?

Duff mentioned him.

She sighed and leaned against me again, her eyes closed. If she'd gotten any sleep, it hadn't done much for her.

I never made something when I was mad before, much less furious.

I raised an eyebrow. What's different about him?

I made a B to go after Arissa; I don't want any telepaths taking people over again.

What does he do?

Er, I'm not sure how his power will work out. I meant for him to scramble their telepathy, to fracture it.

Hmm. How will he find Arissa?

He can sense telepaths.

Any telepath?

I suppose so. I had envisioned bringing him down to the Jail and unleashing him on Arissa.

Duff said, Uhh. Nuff gone.

Rayna opened her eyes, Gone? Gone where?

Out door.

But he doesn't even have a phone yet. He might be lost in the city!

She appeared to be getting worked up, so I put my hand on her shoulder and said, Rayna. He'll come back. If he's not back in a day, we can look into our options for tracking him. Can Duff track?

A little, but not a B. They don't have much of an odor, and he floats.

Perhaps Gatecrasher's golden retriever then. He can track people even without a scent. We'll find him if he doesn't come back on his own.

Oh. Okay.

Kar looked forlorn in Rayna's arms, so I said, Kar, why aren't you playing a game? I brought pizza too.

His eyes bulged and he held a claw out to me. Rayna looked down at him, scratched him on the head and set him down. He immediately scrambled over my lap and grabbed a game controller.

She said, Pizza? You brought pizza? I didn't think millionaires ate pizza.

I chuckled, Sure we do. One or more of the people living on your street might be a millionaire, and you wouldn't know it, assuming they saved well, and weren't spendthrifts.

You know what I mean. You live in a mansion.

Okay, okay. I do know. I can't say as I go out as often as I once did. These days, most restaurants aren't overly welcoming to me, what with the way I look now.

Her eyes scanned over me for a moment, lingering longer on my massive wings hanging back over the couch.

I guess not. I like how you look. Maris picked out some great armor, too. You look just like a knight.

Oh, I'm sure if I rode into a village the entire town would simply jump for joy.

Then that's their problem. They'd be missing out on a wonderful person.

Thanks for seeing past the demonic exterior, my lady. Now, would you care for some pizza? Duff? Gruff? Are you hungry?

They floated to the boxes, but Rayna stopped them when she said, Gruff, would you get paper plates? Duff, paper towels?

Gruff said, "Gruff always get plates."

Duff stuck his tongue out at the larger gazer, and then flew toward the kitchen, still upside-down. Gruff followed after a moment.

Rayna's eyes followed them out of the room, and then she looked back at me and said, Thank you for bringing pizza.

I smiled, Glad to.

The two gazers floated back into the room and handed out plates and paper towels. We thanked them and opened the boxes.

She stared for a moment at the missing piece and asked, Who snuck a piece?

I chuckled, I offered one to Garm.

Oh, that's good. She raised her voice and called out, You want another, Garm?

He called back from the foyer, I am fine, thank you.

What are you doing in there?

What I always do, I'm watching the front door.

Gruff griped, "Garm always watch."

Duff said, Gruff suck.

Gruff said, Duff suck.

He floated toward a stuffed duck on the other couch until Rayna said, Nuh uh! No touching the plushies with greasy claws! You stay by your plate and napkins!

Gruff huffed and flew back to the coffee table. I stared at him for a moment. For the most part, the Bs were simply a floating ball, with a giant eye and mouth. From the look of them, they didn't even have room for a stomach.

She looked up at me and smiled. If I weren't about to move, I'd replace the front door with one having more glass or something, so he has more interesting stuff to look at.

You're moving forward with the penthouse?

Duane is. There's the business stuff he's dealing with now, before he can begin work on it, he didn't think it would take long to get one of the building owners to agree.

Are you going to make him a pet?

She nodded, I was hesitant, but after he stayed so long to repair the Ropcor building, and didn't even ask to be paid for it ... he's a good guy.

I agree. So are you going to do some kind of foyer with a glass roof, or perhaps have it along an outer wall so he he has something to look out over?

For Garm? Yeah. Same with Volruth. He's been closed up in the garage for a good chunk of each day, he needs light and space.

That'll be nice for him.

Kar paused his game, leaned forward on the couch, using his wings as super-long arms, and grabbed several pieces of pepperoni off one of the pies. He pushed off with his wings and flopped onto his back on the seat of the couch again.

We