Pathological Vigilante 6 - (The Incredibles x Pixarverse, Syndrome!SI)
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If you were to ask Rick Dicker how he was feeling as of lately, then what you would get is a grunt. A neutral grunt.
He was in aneutral the one hand, he was pissed he had a whole lot of hecklers from the government scared shitless over what occured with the rise of 'Iron Kid'.
The news that a new generation of Supers was on the rise had definitely ruffled several chickens' feathers all at once. But...
Rick was happy because it meant that he could not use this opportunity for what it truly was - kicking back the Super Business into normality. A return to the capes, a return to actually have folks that could handle the duress of facing super-powered bastards.
Because, God's sake, he was done shying away from the many agents that have died because they were ill-equipped to deal with villains.
When the NSA (National Supers Agency) turned into the SRP (Supers Relocation Program), Rick saw things go down the drain. So many good folks had to be kicked into civilian lives and they suddenly had to employ the fucking army to deal with supers. Did that even work? Nope.
Not when the losses were so high that it was impossible to look at the data and not feel like he had eaten some spoiled milk.
When the news first broke, Rick thought it being a one-time thing. There were some random cases of vigilantes doing one or two things which came up in the local media.
But this? This was different.
The 'Iron Kid' was doing something not many could approach reasonably within the legal framework of their constitution: the kid wasn't super-powered, he had 'super technology'.
Reading and re-reading the piece of law that had been slammed on his face many times along these years only confirmed Rick's guess: this was a chance. And one that he didn't plan to either ignore or let others do something about.
He had a very limited list of people to rely upon.
He thought about having Mr. Incredible or Frozone on the case as they were among those that still held a 'heroic bone' in their body to act if asked from them... but this wasn't the right time. Bob had just gotten a baby, little Violet, with Helen, while Lucius and Honey were going through a tropical holiday out of the US.
As far as Rick could see, he couldn't ask a Super to deal with this. He had a few other names, but more complications came up.
Even the top of the list, someone that was deemed as the only hero the government had nothing to shit on, would refuse. Many things could be said about Nimble Jack, but the man had long retired and the war really scarred his mind into accepting retirement as quickly as he could get it.
Nursing the temples of his head, Rick knew he had to rely on a single individual to get this done: himself.
And that was where the issue was.
He had a budget, he had scientists (some of the very best on the whole planet) and yet none was able to catch on any hints that could help their search.
"It is something new sir. Brand new hardware and designs."
"Whoever did this, it has to be this generation's genius."
"I am losing my mind trying to make sense of this shit!"
Rick was soon tapping his fingers at the reports now littering his desk. Nothing new, but it was definitely frustrating.
Taking a break from work, he shifted out of his office while ignoring his secretary's loud screeches that he couldn't get a pause- as if he couldn't! He was the fucking boss of this semi-defunct agency, he sure as hell has a prerogative to call his own breaks!
...
Popping a smoke, Rick groaned as he saw how rainy clouds were already forming. He would have less than a hour for his walk, and he intended to enjoy it as much as possible.
He went for some ice cream, craving some chocolate after so long. He sat by one of the distant tables, picked himself a nice cone and started to enjoy the snack.
After a while, his gaze and ears were turned to the lone tiny radio that was currently broadcasting something he had barely heard about in these last days but-
"Good grace, my dear listeners, it is now confirmed that Pine Industries has announced the first Advanced Computer! One of the finest pieces of electronics this great union has ever created, the envy of all scientists! And it is so incredibly easy to carry around! The device is capable of storing a whole lot more data, it is easy to handle through its 'QWERTY' Keyboard, and it even has a few programs to it. Do you wish to write and then print something? Or perhaps are you looking to draw something that could truly represent a new genre, 'Digital Art'? Then look no further than the Pinecone Mark I. Now available at the nice price of-"
Rick blinked, his gears burning as they picked up pace. He was no geek, but he knew that computers shouldn't be able to do much- not when as small as the radio announcement was suggesting it to be. Better, faster, stronger... innovative.
And there was no way that it had been 'Pine Senior' behind this revolutionary piece. He had heard the businessman had a smart kid that had done some work in improving the electric appliances' sector, so maybe...
He had now a place to check before calling quits on this search.
Five robberies, two kidnappings, three firefights, and four fires.
Life as a hero truly had barely any breaks. Then again, I had decided to go out for a lenghty patrol since it was Saturday.
I had been careful in pacing the hours I had after school as to not deprive myself of some free time and just enough time for my homework.
With anti-scumbaggery business popping so intensely, crime had also suffered a major decrease- which meant that a potential super-villain may soon pop up.
Maybe someone that was from the previous generation of bad guys, or someone of the new one that would seek to 'counter me'. The Super Hero Paradox was something that I still keep in mind... but it wasn't the only concern I got.
Since Mai had wanted to join, only for her father to strictly forbid her from using her powers so carelessly, I had been conscious of the fact I was 'very alone' for this sort of task. Even with some fine technology, failure was still feasible within some parameters of bad luck.
Hence why I had been very cautious as to neither involve myself in too big crimes nor I have done much to leave traces over who I may be.
Any smartass could tell that I didn't get the 'Bruce Wayne Defense'. I had to be rich and smart to get this sort of equipment and material, which in turn meant that I was a viable suspect if I was too exposed in the way I handled things.
Today, however, I was given quite the shocking revelation that I hadn't been as 'sneaky' as I had hoped to be. It's been weeks, I had been quite cautious and all, and without the government swarming my house and seizing control of my stuff, I thought I was in the clear.
So, when I turn up to the dining room, tired and yet very satisfied with my hard work, I was quite surprised to learn that we had a guest for dinner.
Agent Rick Dicker of the SRP.
"He has been interested to speak with you, son. Something about a government-funded program for your education."
Bull-fucking-shit. And Rick's smile suggested just as much.
Dinner was thus tense, but the point of truth came after it. He had asked to speak with me alone, and I took him by the garage. He was silent through the walk there, and he caught some looks over a few more home-appliance projects I had yet to finish.
"The work of a genius never ends," I muttered almost absentmindedly. And Rick countered with a:
"Same for one of a hero."
"Especially when they are trying to keep out of trouble," I rebuked, turning to him. "So, I hope you are not here to shut my operations."
"I am not," The old agent pointed out. "Not when I have been told you have done a fine job keeping the damage during the fights limited. And you saved many lives."
"The law cares not for individuals, only for the politicians that benefit from it. So, how may I help you,sir?"
"I don't seek to stop you, but I want you to... sign up for a program."
"Team?" I guessed and the old man nodded, fishing out some papers as I recoiled at this unexpected but also not-so surprising development.
The documentation was solid, and it skirted around the notion of violating the SRP's mere core point for existing: the group wouldn't be addressed as 'Supers', but 'Agents'. They wouldn't wear anything flashy (this may change if legislation was to grow lax), and then there was a bundle of changes slammed into the new 'Generation Point'.
This included mental examination on a monthly basis, a government-funded program to fix the damage from super battles, and even a degree of concessions to protect the autonomy of heroes.
The more I read, the more intriguing it sounded... until I realized that there were a few worrisome openings.
"Could we be sent to war?"
This drew a tense look from Rick.
"Possibly, but not in the frontline. And only against supervillains."
That was concerning. Sure, it had some sense but... this better not be turning into a Thunderbolts/Suicide Squad situation.
"And you are paying us?"
"Like the NSA used to be, except on a lesser tariff due to the limited array of actions you can undertake and limited autonomy."
I nodded at those words and... I knew this wasn't really a choice. Either I accepted, or I got forced to quit.
That being said, this wasn't a permanent choice. I could develop a way to dodge detection after that very evening and still do my thing, but it meant running foul with the government after latching myself to it.
...
"Fine. But I wish to put some of my money in this 'Damage Control' initiative. So that the government has less to nag about 'heroes being too clumsy'."
"We can work something out about it. Still... welcome to the Defenders!"
...
I should have chipped in with some classics but... you know what? This is fine. And I also suck at naming things.
AN
It took so little for his cover to get busted, but maybe now with the government on his back that may change. I can't say for better or worse though...