Daniel sprinted to the front entrance of Mar-Jam College with Benjamin’s backpack. Three guards prepared to block his path, but Daniel backhanded one, shoving the others aside as he went forward. Jumping over the security blockade he dashed into the college, numerous other guards giving chase after him. Daniel ran across the college campus, looking for Benjamin frantically. He soon spotted him sitting on a bench, with a frown, and hurried over. But as he reached Benjamin, the guards found him and quickly tackled him, subduing Daniel as they pinned him to the ground.

  Benjamin screamed. “Captain Samuel, why are you and your men hurting my brother?”

  “Because he assaulted them and broke into the campus.”

  “I just didn’t have the time for red tape. Get off me.”

  “Please let him go, captain.”

  As they heard Benjamin, the guards released Daniel. And Daniel quickly gave Benjamin his backpack.

  “Ace your test, Ben,” Daniel said.

  “D-Daniel, I already failed.”

  “Seriously?” Daniel gripped his face with his hand.

  “Yes, but the good news is there‘ll be a makeup test in a month.”

  “Ben, I'm so sorry.” Daniel released his face, revealing his frown. “I let you down, man.”

  Benjamin cracked a smile and hugged Daniel.

  “Don’t feel too bad, brother. I’m more at fault for asking you for help at such a late hour."

  Daniel reciprocated the hug. “See you later.” Walking away from Benjamin as the guards followed him, one even pushed him forward toward the closest exit.

  ***

  The sunset came over the city, and Daniel stood in his apartment with Karen, watching as his armor repaired itself as it lay in the sunlight.

  “Solar power cells are fully charged. Will now activate self-repair systems.” The armor said.

  The various dents, cracks, and holes the armor sustained through the day’s events filled, becoming whole again in under a minute.

  "This alien technology is incredible. Like a plant, it rejuvenates in the sunlight," Karen said.

  As the armor finished its repairs, Daniel touched the helmet.

  "Hey, suit, can you hear me?"

  "Affirmative," the armor said.

  "I need you to tell me something. When I was out cold earlier today, did anyone try to take off my helmet?"

  "No, according to the log data, no such attempt was made."

  Daniel dropped the helmet, lightly throwing it away and he fell to the floor.

  "Love, does this mean you'll take Chief Fa's offer?"

  "I want to, but there are still a thousand ways this can go wrong. Even before I became a gangster, the American legal system and I had a bad history."

  Karen stooped down to Daniel, kissing him. "Whatever you do, know you have my unwavering support."

  Daniel took a deep breath."I guess long odds do pay big?"

  Karen touched her forehead to Daniel’s, smiling. “That’s the spirit.”

  ***

  The next day Norio entered Falcone Warehouse. The abandoned building was located in the old shipping district of the city, dating back about three decades. Its five hundred square feet of space was occupied by numerous discarded crates and scrap metal scattered across the floor. The smell of rust and rotting wood that consumed the air inside assaulted the nose like a punch.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  He saw the valiant knight with Elena and Tommy. Walking over to them under the sole working light bulb hanging above their heads which illuminated the nearly pitch-black room.

  "I'm happy you accepted my offer, but I have to ask. How did you get my home number?" Norio inquired.

  Elena shot Tommy a side-eye. "It was Black, boss. He caught us on our regular beat, and as soon as he explained, the kid couldn't give him your number fast enough."

  Tommy let out a nervous laugh as he heard Elena.

  "Sorry about involving these two, chief. I didn't know any other coppers I could trust," Daniel said.

  "Not a problem. I just so happen to trust these two with my life. So when do you want to get started?"

  "After I explain my conditions."

  "Conditions?"

  "Yeah, conditions.” Daniel raised one finger. “Or maybe it would be better to say condition.”

  Elena shot Daniel a scowl. “I knew this was coming. What’s the catch, money or—”

  “Elena.” Norio turned his gaze to Daniel with a sigh. “Please just tell us what you want.”

  “If I agree to this, then no questions are asked. You won't inquire how, when, or where I get my information.” Daniel forcibly poked Norio in the shoulder with his finger. “If anyone in a position of power orders you to investigate me, you'd better make sure you find nothing but dead ends. To keep it short and sweet outside of this armor, I don't exist."

  As Elena heard Daniel, she opened her mouth, preparing to give him a tirade. But Norio stopped her, granting Daniel's conditions a nod of acceptance, sealing the deal with a handshake.

  "Chief, since it's late, we'll start in the morning. Good night."

  Daniel quickly left through a door.

  "Boss, what the hell type of deal is this? He could be just as bad as the people we're trying to catch," Elena shouted.

  "Elena, I think you're wrong. His actions speak louder than his words," Tommy said.

  "In any case, we're in dire straits. The bad guys are getting bolder and more efficient. And if we believe recent evidence, we've barely put a dent in a multibillion-dollar criminal enterprise."

  Charlotte rushed in through a door.

  "Oh my God, is this true?"

  As they saw Charlotte, Elena and Tommy shared a look of bewilderment, turning their gaze to Norio, waiting for an answer.

  Norio grew a misshapen smile. "My car broke down, and I had to call her for a ride."

  ***

  In his apartment, Daniel lay on the floor looking at the ceiling.

  Karen walked up to him. "Love, you can't beat yourself up over this. The whole matter was out of your control. Besides, didn't Benjamin forgive you already?"

  "I know, but I still feel dirty. Ben's one of the few people who never gave me grief. And when the time came to do something in return, disaster."

  Daniel bellowed a groan. But as an idea appeared in his mind, he got up and hurried over to the phone, dialing the numbers like the wind.

  "Love, who are you calling in such a hurry?"

  "Vanessa Combs. You know one of the girls I cheated on you with."

  The veins on Karen’s forehead almost burst with fury. She stomped over to her purse on the floor and pulled out her gun. As she aimed it at Daniel, he trembled, almost jumping out of his skin.

  "Angel, calm down. I'm calling her to set her up with Ben, honest." Daniel shouted.

  Karen took a deep breath and stopped aiming her gun at Daniel.

  "Begin with that next time.” Karen returned her gun to her purse. “But I still don't think it's a good idea."

  "Why not? You know how much he wants a girlfriend."

  "I adore how close you two are, but giving him your sloppy thirds can't end well."

  "Karen, all our lives, Ben's been the special little brother. And I've been the screw-up, big brother.” Daniel ran his hand through his hair. “I've never been jealous. But after all this, I want to be a real big brother for once. So I have to do something for him."

  Karen cracked a small smile and gave Daniel a nod. And Daniel continued dialing the number.

  ***

  The next night, Daniel stood by his car with Karen and Benjamin in front of the apartment building. Benjamin waited for his date with a big smile as he held a bouquet of red roses. However, Karen awaited Vanessa with a scowl as the veins on her forehead bulged.

  "Typical.” Karen looked at the time on Benjamin’s wristwatch. “She can't even honor the smallest commitment."

  "Angel, go easy on her."

  "But she was supposed to be here hours—"

  Quickly they spotted Vanessa running up to them. She was a young woman, the same age as Daniel and Karen with fair skin, a slender curvy body, and long Snow White hair in her stunning yellow dress.

  Karen looked at Vanessa with her scowl. "Vanessa."

  "Karen.” Vanessa shot a scowl back at her. “Daniel, sweetie, I would like to apologize for being so late. I spent a little extra time getting dolled up for the special occasion. Now, where's this brother of yours?"

  Daniel pushed Benjamin in front of Vanessa. Benjamin quickly gave her the Bouquet.

  "Him, seriously?" Vanessa pointed at Benjamin.

  "Yes, what's wrong with me?" Benjamin asked.

  "Admittedly, you're good. But knowing you and Daniel came out of the same place, I expected great."

  Benjamin grabbed the bouquet out of Vanessa's hand and stomped on it as he quickly walked away with a frown. Daniel gave chase after him immediately.

  Karen shook her head, glaring at her. "Still the same after these many years, Vanessa?"

  "I don't want to hear your saint act, Karen. So I have standards lock me up," Vanessa spat.

  Daniel rejoined the girls as he dragged Benjamin with him.

  "Vanessa, I swear Ben is one of the best guys out there. He's even better than me."

  "Fine.” Vanessa ran her finger through a lock of her hair. “I cleared my night for this, so I might as well use the extra time."

  Karen looked at her with disgust and prepared to give her a tirade. However, as the brutal words started to exit her mouth, Daniel covered it.

  "Let's all hurry up and get in the car," Daniel said.