Chapter 15 - Space...The Final Frontier

The next day the girls came over early to hang out. Saying that I had some stuff to do, I said I would be back by afternoon time. Flying up into space, I left a beacon for myself on the moon before heading out of the Solar System. Flying past Pluto, I started looking for anything of use. At this point I wanted to start really working on things that could help my future core team as well as make the special cuffs for the big guy.

'Let's see, I have to build the Watchtower, the Fortress of Solitude, a few Javelin Jets, teleporters, Deep Space communication...damn I have a lot to do.', I thought, 'Well the cuffs come first as I don't want him breaking out of prison.'

The asteroid belt would supply most of the raw materials I needed, but some materials I would need to gather from distant places. Dwarf Star Material would require I look light years away, and even then it would be difficult to handle. The only place I had to work the metal was in the Sun, and that would be a load of fun as no scale I had would survive that heat.

'Besides which, I don't have a Cosmic Anvil.', I thought, 'Making this is going to be a test of patience.'

Moving from system to system logging my findings, I already found many precious ores that would come in handy for my many projects. Considering using asteroids of precious metals to help the needy, I quickly realized it would do more harm than good. A single asteroid would crash the global economy with its value so I would be using it for personal use. After an hour of aimlessly flying around, I finally stumbled across a Dwarf Star.

Judging by its temperature this thing had snuffed out millions of years before our world was made. Taking it back with me I knew that I would have to start making a star chart to log where things were. Without my beacon home I could easily get lost out here for a very long time. Re-entering our solar system I stopped to ponder something. I knew that building the Fortress of Solitude was something I wanted to build on a different world. I had several options like using Venus as the location because the intense heat would ensure humanity wouldn't reach it, or Neptune using the liquid methane to protect my base.

'I think Jupiter makes the most sense. Building it on the small solid core I would have a massive layer of natural shielding, storms in the upper atmosphere would deter any future intruders, and lastly the gravity was much higher there so humans would have issues surviving it.', I said, 'Well I actually don't know if it has a solid center, might as well check while I am out here.'

Leaving the the Dwarf Star outside Jupiter's orbit, I dove into the atmosphere. Comprised of mostly hydrogen and helium the atmosphere was unsuitable for human breathing, and when I got further into the planet I ran into a literal sea of liquid hydrogen which was bitterly cold, if I didn't have my barrier. Diving beneath the sea of hydrogen I did end up finding a solid core of frozen metal and rock many times larger than earth.

'This is perfect, the pressure down here would ensure that no one would be able to reach the Fortress of Solitude. Out here there would would be no threat that could reach me, and survive to make it here. I would have to beam sunlight down here directly, but honestly that isn't difficult. Yeah I like this place, there isn't anything living here that I have to be concerned with.', I thought settling on this place as my build site, 'First things first I would have to get internet and cell service out here so I don't miss calls from the important people in my life. After that I could begin construction of the fortress, and then start building the zoo that Superman had in his fortress. Once that was going I would start filling my fortress with items from around the universe that I found interesting, and move my lab here. Finally once it's all setup I can bring my friends and family here, and show them my hard work.'

With my plan settled I shot out of Jupiter's atmosphere, and continued on to the Sun. Taking the Dwarf Star to the Sun's surface I got it hot enough to start working with. Breaking off just a small piece of the material to draw off into a string I quickly realized that it would still be too heavy. Taking a moment to think I quickly decided to use titanium to make bracer cuffs then use a superfine inlay of the Dwarf Star material to wrap around each side with a thin band connecting them wrapped with titanium as well. Going to the asteroid to grab the necessary materials I got to work on making the bracer cuffs. Taking out the impurities of the titanium I had to use my bare hands to mold the metal as I had yet to make equipment to blacksmith.

It took the better part of two and half hours to make, but the cuffs were made. Using the Dwarf Star Material as an intricate inlay I also used a very small amount as the lock on the cuffs. The majority was pure titanium with the key made of solid Dwarf Star. No one would be able to lift the key aside from myself so there was no need to worry about someone stealing it. Just imagining a villain trying to take it made me laugh. Leaving the remaining material in the asteroid belt, I flew towards the jail where they were holding Gigantomachia. Having them bring him out, the moment he saw me he froze up in terror.

"Don't worry, I am here to make sure you don't escape. I have a special pair of cuffs that will ensure you don't go running off.", I said showing him the large bracer cuffs.

Slapping them on, I helped keep them up while I locked both on his forearms. Telling the cops to back up, I warned Gigantomachia that they were heavy. Nodding his head I let go of them, and immediately he fell forward grunting from the strain. It wasn't too much for him, but the sudden weight increase caught him off guard. Asking him to lift them he managed to get only to a 90 degree angle at the elbows. He wasn't able to bring them any higher, and he could only do it for so long.

"What kind of cuffs are they?", the Commissioner gasped.

"The kind that no one can break, but me.", I stated, "Any power tool you use on these will be destroyed, and anyone under them will be crushed flat as a pancake."

"Damn...", the cops said.

"Use them however you want, the key is something only I can use though.", I stated.

"How come?", the Commissioner asked.

Setting the key down he watched the ground depress where it sat. Trying to pick up he almost threw his back out before realizing that there was no budging the key. Stating that it was far to heavy for a person to lift, other than me, it was very unlikely someone would be able to free him. Nodding his head the Commissioner thanked me for the cuffs.

Sending Gigantomachia back to his cell, I asked the Commissioner what happened with the cops that called AFO. Chuckling he said it was dealt with, and they wouldn't be an issue anymore.

---The Night Prior---

Calling them into his office after the prisoners were checked in, he had his best men come in as well. After everyone was in, he locked the door and didn't beat around the bush. Calling the three pairs of cops out he said he had evidence that they had leaked critical information to AFO, and they were responsible for Gigantomachia showing up when he did. Of course they openly denied the allegation saying it was falsified.

"If that's what you want to say fine, but next time you call him directly don't use your personal cells in the car.", he said, "You left the radio on, and we have the full conversation on tape."

Staying silent he reached into his desk drawer where he had the USB with the evidence on. Stating that they would be staying in cells tonight, the six cops started becoming visibly upset.

"Commissioner you can't be serious, we have been here since you took over!", they shouted.

"Which makes it all the more worse that you betrayed my trust.", he growled, "You crossed a very major line endangering those kids. We wouldn't be having this conversation had a single child been injured. I would have killed you on the site for your actions. Either way your actions still led to the death of seven people...innocent civilians, not Heroes or your fellow cops. We have a duty to maintain the peace, and you destroyed that. Since I know for a fact you likely work via a middleman, I won't bother asking for information on AFO. All I have to do is ask the kid to sweep the city, and we will find him."

"It won't be that easy.", one of the men said, "Even if you find him you won't get him."

"We have a Hero that fight in a literal vacuum, and can beat Gigantomachia without breaking a sweat. You want to take that bet?", the Commissioner asked, "I want the name and location of your middleman. You give me that, and I will see about getting you transferred to a prison where no one you arrested is. Fuck with me, and I will see you sleeping in the same the cell as the most gruesome villains you have arrested."

"You don't have that authority.", they said.

"Haha, we will see won't we.", the Commissioner said.

Looking at their former comrades the other officers looked disgusted at them.

"Don't you glare at us!", they shouted, "We all have our reasons, and ours is money! All of get paid jack shit because the lion's share of the budget goes to the Heroes!! All of us play janitor for the Heroes with nothing in return for our hard work and long hours. Yeah we admit it, we called in the information to AFO."

"You are a disgrace to the badge, and too your brothers and sisters on the force.", the Commissioner snapped.

"Easy for you to say, you rely on a fucking child to keep the peace.", they retorted.

"That ten year old is the future of Hero Society. I get what you mean, all of us get that the majority of Heroes see as nothing more than a clean up service since we are either Hero Rejects or Quirkless.", the Commissioner said, "That boy sees all of us as equals, and isn't afraid to step up when he needs too. He is willing to put himself between danger and anyone in need without anything to be gained. Clark...he is the Hero that the world needs, the kind that will do the job that no one else will do. I think I speak for many people in our city when I say that he is more of Hero than we deserve."

"Getting sentimental in your old age?", they laughed.

"It seems like you are too far gone down that hole to see it.", the Commissioner said cracking his knuckles, "Hold them down."

Seizing the men, the good cops forced them to kneel. Removing his gloves the Commissioner walked over to the men.

"Many people don't know it, but I used to work in the military as an Interrogator.", he said, "My Quirk is quite good for extracting information from spies and criminals...as you are about to find out."

"You going to shock us?", the first man laughed.

Placing a hand on the man's face, the man began thrashing around as his mouth started foaming up. Looking at their colleague the other five froze in shock.

"My Quirk allows me to adjust the bioelectrical field of anyone I touch.", the Commissioner said, "I turn your pain receptors sensitivity up so high that simply breathing feels like your in an inferno. I can render you a mentally stupid. or even make you permanently paralyzed. Now you lot are going to talk, or you will find out just how ugly I can make you."

"You...You wouldn't do that!", the others shrieked.

"Trying the pity game with me won't get you anywhere.", he said in a cold tone, "You crossed the line, and now you see why you don't cross it."

Over the course of the next three hours, he made the men sing. They told him everything they knew without missing even the smallest detail. When it was all said and down he caused them to black out. Putting his gloves back on he told the cops to lock them up. Breaking out a bottle of whiskey he poured himself a glass. Everything they learned about their activities disgusted him. Some of his best men were killed before they could warn him that they were double agents. All of their families had to lose a father or son because of them, and there was no fixing it now.

"Damn it all...I rebuilt this force to be better than the last one. Now I have to learn six of my men were nothing more than greedy fucks, and they killed nearly twenty good men.", he said sipping his beverage.

---Current Time---

"Alright I will take your word for it.", I stated, "Now if you will excuse me, I will be headed home for the day."

"Thanks again kid.", he said.

---Section 13 Headquarters Tokyo---

Currently chained up in prisoner cells the four people were awaiting the arrival of the Asia Section 13 Branch Head. The Japanese Chief quite immediately as they arrived for fear that he would be dragged into this mess because he didn't really look into their pathing for travel. As far as they knew he was being held in a different cell far away from them.

"Goddamn it all.", Touya sighed, "Dealing with Branch Head Ivan isn't going to be pretty."

"I heard the last team that fucked up as bad as we did weren't seen again.", Darren said.

"Just shut up.", Jo said glaring at them, "If I die today, I will find you both in the afterlife and beat the piss out of both of you."

"Agreed.", Sarah said.

Saying no more they didn't have to wait long for a beast of a man to show up. Ivan Bloski was a nine foot tall hulking man whose Mutation Quirk made him look like a Kodiak Bear. Glaring at the team of four he walked over to Touya first.

"So this plan was your brain child?", Ivan growled putting his giant hand around his throat.

"Yes...Sir.", he gasped.

"You realize how much trouble you caused our group?", Ivan said in a blood thirsty tone, "The Japanese government wants us out of here for your fuck up. They say we are no longer trustworthy enough to have a presence here."

"All over a minor screw up?", he wheezed.

"Haha", Ivan laughed before punching Touya in the stomach hard enough that his restraints creaked, "you have a sense of humor. Don't tempt me to kill you here for screw up. Your actions endangered children, innocent civilians, and led to the death of seven civilians. Had you taken a less direct, less populated route this wouldn't have been as big of a deal."

"I needed...the protection for the...cargo.", he coughed.

"So you decide to use a densely populated area with school children in it? My word your intelligence is simply off the charts...the bottom of them I mean.", Ivan growled, "The North American Branch Head tells me she told you to use a certain local Hero to transport the contraband here, tell me why didn't you listen to her advice?"

"Rely on a ten year old fucking kid!?", Touya snapped, "Like hell I would trust someone who hasn't had puberty hit him yet."

"Yet the boy got the drugs from that site to our base in less than a second.", Ivan said, "See that puts us in a very bad spot because we could have saved everyone the trouble by simply asking him. Had we done that there wouldn't have been any damage to the public, and we wouldn't have the Japanese breathing down our necks!!"

"I trusted my team to do the job!", Touya retorted.

"Evidentially that means the kid is better than all of you combined then.", Ivan jabbed, "The head of Section 13 has pasted judgement on you four. Jo and Sarah are officially fired from Section 13 effective immediately, and will be required to do a thousand hours of community service as per the agreement with the Japanese government. They are being lenient because you tried to at least help."

Sighing the two of them were relieved that was the extent of their punishment.

"As for you two fuck sticks...", Ivan said looking at Darren and Touya, "Both of you will be going back with me to Russia. You'll both be serving five years in Siberian prison Bulldozer broke out of. Guess what you little boys will be doing?"

"Oh god...", Darren said, "I put people away in that prison, if they see me I am a dead man!"

"Oh they will be the least of your worries. You'll be doing maintenance around the prison...outside the prison.", Ivan said with a smirk.

"You...you are joking right?", Touya asked, "It's like -40 in winter..."

"Oh I know, isn't it wonderful?", Ivan laughed, "After that you'll be working under me till you retire."

"If we quit?", Darren asked.

"I make sure you don't see the tomorrow.", Ivan said putting a claw to his neck, "It will be quite quick, and painful."

"I...I understand.", Darren gulped.

Releasing Jo and Sarah they went to clean out their desks and lockers. Having the other two brought back to his helicopter, his secretary ensured they were locked in tightly. Trying to flirt with her Darren got a swift kick to the junk, and a warning that if he spoke again she'd cut them off. Nodding his head he remained completely silent moving forward.

---Wayne Manor---

Arriving back home, I went up to my room to quickly shower. Listening to the news as I was showering, they said that Section 13 would be leaving Japan completely after yesterdays incident. Not only that they would be paying for all the damages they caused which included our school. In addition, the six cops were being charged with aiding villains which I already knew. What caught me off guard was that several chemical factories were robbed last night.

'Does that mean we missed some of the serum, or are there people that bought the formula?', I thought getting out of the shower, 'If I was a betting man it would be AFO and Overhaul, but some of the factories are way off on the other side of Japan. Is there a third person I am unaware of?'

I wasn't sure where the original Trigger originated from so I had to wonder if it was the creator of Trigger that robbed them, or if it was sheer coincidence that they were robbed too. Either way those factories were out of my reach legally right now so I would just keep that in the back of my mind. Getting dressed I came out to find the girls watching some anime show they all liked. Taking my usual spot in the middle of the bed, they all got comfortable in various positions on the bed.

"You weren't out fixing the school were you?", Mina asked.

"No, that is the last thing I would want to fix.", I laughed, "I just took a really far trip to make some handcuffs for Gigantomachia."

"So what are we going to do today?", Toru asked.

"Well I have something to go drop off at Deku's house. After that we could go get some milkshakes and fries.", I stated.

"Onward to the sweets!", Mina said acting like a battle commander yelling charge.

Shaking our heads we just laughed at her, and got ready to go. Letting me parents know we were going out, my parents said not to do anything too crazy. Waving my hand I laughed, and headed out.

Sure it may seem weird to see a group of ten year olds wandering the streets, but their parents gave us permission when we were seven. They felt safe knowing that I could beat the piss out of any would be kidnapper before they laid a hand on anyone. Not only that all of us had phones so it wasn't like they couldn't reach us if they were really concerned.

"It's a nice day out today.", Ochaco said with a smile.

"Yes it is.", Toga agreed, "Maybe we can sleep with the window open tonight."

"Are you all sleeping in my room tonight?", I asked.

"Of course, your bad is the comfiest.", Momo said like it was common knowledge.

"If you say so.", I chuckled.

My usually empty bed would be covered in stuffed animals come bed time as all of them snuggled with them. I thought it was strange, but I hadn't ever been a stuffed animal fan in either lives. The fixations I saw some adults have over collectible stuff animals just confused me. Like who the hell spends ten thousand dollars on a small beanie toy? There are many more things a person should be buying with money than those things, but it wasn't for me to decide.

'I hope clothing and shoes are all they stick too if anything.', I thought looking at the girls.

Getting to Deku's house thirty minutes later, I gave him the signed figure in the box. As expected once he held it he fainted right there at the door with a big grin on his face. Shaking my head I chuckled, and asked if he was okay. Saying he was, he stated he would lay there for a bit admiring the autograph. Closing the door for him I rubbed the bridge of my nose.

'Deku...for the love of all that is holy please stop being such a fan boy. You creep out so many people with how much you fan boy.', I thought noticing the weird looks the girls had.

Leading the group to the diner where we liked the shakes and fries, I helped everyone up on a stool and then placed our orders. Eating our fries and shakes they started talking about things to do for the rest of the week. Casually bringing up that they would be stay over till Monday I looked over at them though they didn't notice. Shrugging my shoulders it didn't bother me, it just meant I couldn't go for a Sun Dip this week since if I disappeared on them it would be a disaster.

After our snack we went back home where we sat down and knocked out a few pending projects. Helping them hammer out the finer details we then switched to boxing on the console. Since I had motion controllers I made sure both players had the controllers strapped firmly to their wrists, especially Mina who gets easily overly excited. Sure enough the moment the round started she came out swinging like a madman. Fighting Toru currently, the rest of us sat there watching her swinging her arms around. As expected both controllers slipped out of her hands, but thanks to the straps they didn't crash into my flat screen. Shooting me a playful grin I sighed mentally.

'That is my favorite furniture piece, every guy has to have a big screen for gaming and movies.', I thought, 'Don't destroy my pride and joy!'

Technically I could just replace it, but if I didn't have too I didn't want too. Finding a replacement 8k 108in high refresh rate tv would be a real pain, and repairing it would be time consuming.

"Be careful Mina.", Itsuka said.

"Teehee.", Mina said sticking her tongue out.

Playing several rounds, we then went outside to play till dinner. After dinner the girls took a bath together, and then I took shower. Getting comfortable on my bed, the girls passed out in less than a minute. Mina and Toru were the two odd ball sleepers as unlike the others they sprawled out instead of laying normally. Fortunately none of us snored so I got to sleep shortly after them.

The next few days were spent playing games, hanging out with other friends, and preparing for my date with Momo on Saturday. In addition I confirmed that Mirko, or rather Rumi as she wanted me to call her, was fine patrolling together on Saturday evening. I mentioned it to the girls, and all of them were less than thrilled about it. Either way though come Friday I was ready for the weekend.