Tempest looked up and saw Gus, finally recognizing his son. He was so different in appearance and demeanor that his brain struggled to assimilate what he was seeing. Gus could see the cogs working, trying to associate the confident individual who stood before him that was nothing like the lanky gamer son with poor posture Tempest knew. “How long has it been? It feels like another lifetime ago.”
“A couple years, at least.”
“Gus? How long have you had powers?” he stammered.
“For about a month,” Gus replied stiffly.
Tempest nodded, wincing slightly at the obvious edge in his words. “Still, I’d like to get caught up and see how you’ve been. I really am glad to see you alive and well. I held out hope when the station crashed and escape pods were launched, but we’ve found nothing in our searches so far.”
Gus began to respond but Tempest raised a hand. “Please, let me finish. I’ve wanted to tell you so much but I was advised that I couldn’t.”
Gus pressed his lips into a firm line. This better be good.
“You should know that your brother challenged me and took my position within Purple Faction. I worry about him too, especially because I know he’s being manipulated. We will have to deal with that at some point. There’s something bigger going on here that I need to puzzle out, but we can focus on that later. You need to know the most important thing.”
“Sure, sure,” Gus said folding his arms. Was he fishing for sympathy?
“Your mother is alive.”
Gus stood there stunned, so many bombs had been dropped and he was trying to sort through them all.
“Count me in, if you’ll have me,” Aurora chipped in.
Tempest let a smile crease one side of his mouth. “They’re never going to know what hit them.”
Gus heard none of it as he processed it all.
Epilogue
Rampage double checked the locks on his private bunker, then activated the comms, wringing his hands in anticipation. A hooded figure illuminated the dark space, his holographic projection glowing blue. The figure leaned forward, awaiting his report in silence.
“We have established Cyclone in the leadership of Purple Faction, just as you asked.” Rampage stammered out, his chubby jowls jiggling. “It will take some time to groom him and solidify his position there, but he is very pliant. We can mold him however we want.”
The corpulent man stared into the dark space under the cowl, unnerved by the inability to read his master’s disposition.
The figure leaned back and steepled his fingers. Rampage had assumed to see bony, thin fingers but these hands were strong and bore the signs of hard toil and struggle.
“At last! We now have operatives in the leadership of every major Faction. Another phase of the plan is complete,” the voice grated as if being used for the first time in years. “You have your orders. Make sure the boy is ready when I need him.”
Rampage nodded obediently as the communication winked out and he was left there in the dark, sweat covering his skin. In the ensuing silence, he could hear his heart beating madly. His master was not known for his leniency toward failure. He would have to start working with the boy immediately.
As he left his hideout, a wicked smile stole across his face as he imagined how things would soon change. He would finally get what he had worked so hard for, and so many would pay. So many!
Afterword
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About Carl Stubblefield
The author began his plans for world domination by first becoming a dentist. It is a well-known fact that dentists have unearthed the ancient secrets of how to crush the hearts of men and to hear the lamentations of women and children. When this was insufficient, he created worlds where he could torment the good guys before moving to the next phase of his plans. Known for nefarious accomplishments that involve crippling dad-jokes and debilitating puns.
From his secret lair hidden in the Pacific Northwest, he lives with his wife and three children. They haven’t left yet, but the mountain is covered with genetically altered wolves and other creatures. I’m sure that’s just a coincidence, though.
Connect with Carl:
HenchmenUnite.com
Patreon.com/Henchmen_Unite
Twitter.com/ouroboros999
Facebook.com/groups/CarlStubblefield
About Mountaindale Press
Dakota and Danielle Krout, a husband and wife team, strive to create as well as publish excellent fantasy and science fiction novels. Self-publishing The Divine Dungeon: Dungeon Born in 2016 transformed their careers from Dakota’s military and programming background and Danielle’s Ph.D. in pharmacology to President and CEO, respectively, of a small press. Their goal is to share their success with other authors and provide captivating fiction to readers with the purpose of solidifying Mountaindale Press as the place ‘Where Fantasy Transforms Reality.’
Connect with Mountaindale Press:
MountaindalePress.com
Facebook.com/MountaindalePress
Twitter.com/_Mountaindale
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Mountaindale Press Titles
GameLit and LitRPG
The Completionist Chronicles,
The Divine Dungeon, and
Full Murderhobo by Dakota Krout
King’s League by Jason Anspach and J.N. Chaney
A Touch of Power by Jay Boyce
Red Mage by Xander Boyce
Space Seasons by Dawn Chapman
Ether Collapse and
Ether Flows by Ryan DeBruyn
Bloodgames by Christian J. Gilliland
Wolfman Warlock by James Hunter and
