One of my Dad's most overused sayings, which I've noticed Paris repeating since she was promoted to homicide: "It's not the crime; it's the cover-up." Watching the Kowalczyks following their encounter with Refraxx, I understood just what they meant. Big Joe hunched over the distinctive blue motorcycle as he drove it away from the warehouse. … Continue reading Chapter 16 – In Transit

I'm not a physicist; I know just enough to recognize my own ignorance on the subject. For example, I know that powers are called 'omicron aberrations' by some scientists, and that they are believed to be caused by vibrations within a 'gauge field' with 'half-integer spin' (generally thought impossible until the discovery and later exploitation … Continue reading Chapter 15 – A Battle in Newark

Despite their ridiculous size and visible opulence, locating a particular property in the Hamptons can be surprisingly difficult. Manors are often recessed a mile or more from the road, make copious use of landscaping features and tree cover, and follow no uniformity in spacing and construction. A celebrity or mogul who chooses to purchase a … Continue reading Chapter 14 – The Hamptons

Like most Super Team facilities, the New York Super Team headquarters building was furnished for the twenty-first century. Every space assumed the use of connected technology and the inclusion of members not present. Most rooms were modular and broadly configurable, with furniture that could be collected to form a more structured space or dispersed to … Continue reading Chapter 13 – Family Enterprise

"I feel like a broken record at this point," my sister began, "but you can't be serious." I shrugged as I savored a hot bite of oatmeal, layered with honey. It was a low-key breakfast, eaten before the rest of my family headed to church. I was the only one fully dressed; Paris and Mom … Continue reading Chapter 12 – Commitment

What scared Jack the most, was that he couldn't figure out what he didn't remember. After three days, he was at the point where he understood most of what was said to him, and could usually respond in kind. But too often, halfway through his sentence, he would grasp for a word that just wasn't … Continue reading Interlude – Rebirth

The email to Doctor Soin had been sent from a cafe with free wireless internet in Newark. The man who sent it hadn't even entered the business; he'd just walked past with his tablet computer tucked under his arm. The system had automatically connected and sent out the email over the RR anonymizing network without … Continue reading Chapter 11 – In Reverse

I jerked awake with the momentary shock that I was not in my own bed, and I was not alone. That was my first and immediate scare, but it drained away as I remembered the previous delightful evening, and the source of that delight, who was still deep asleep and greedily tightened against me. The … Continue reading Chapter 10 – Follow-up

Although all six of us had to show our licenses, only the men had to pay a cover charge. We were each given two small faded tickets with blocky, flavorful type, patterned after speakeasy cards. "What are these?" the blonde asked, holding one up to try to get better light. I began, "Back during Prohibition," … Continue reading Chapter 9 – The Tin Roof

'Dr. Pathik Soin: 'This is a quick note regarding your patient, Samantha Mayer. 'I pay you very well to assure that our acquisitions aren't found. Ms. Mayer has been discovered and is surrounded by supers as we speak. I am disappointed. 'You are going to personally deal with this. Provided that the girl does not … Continue reading Chapter 8 – Exploitation