"Someone's not having a good day..." The Enchantress set down the copy of the New Yorker magazine she was reading and questioningly regarded the sword-swinging Avenger.
"Tell me about it." Muskateer continued to look straight ahead for a few moments, then turned toward his teammate. "This has been an interesting day, to say the least." Muskateer stood up again and removed his wet overcoat, setting it on the chair back.
"If there's something you need to talk about, I'm a good listener," the Enchantress offered hopefully.
Muskateer looked at the Avengers' resident sorceress, and regarded her for a second. He thought about confiding in her for a moment, but didn't have enough information to substantiate anything. "Well, there's a lot on my mind right now. But I did come up here to report a battle I just barely missed out on."
"A battle? Between whom?"
"The Black Paladin captured Silver Arrow from the Freedom League. I was walking in Central Park when I came across them. By the time I got there, Blackie was just about to teleport away. I was too late to stop him," Muskateer recounted.
"That's very peculiar," she answered.
"What makes you say that?"
"It's rather out of character for Black Paladin. His typical targets are religious figures and white mages. Deliberately capturing someone like Silver Arrow is not his style," she answered.
"He also mentioned something about 'acquiring what he needed'. Not sure what that means. I was going to tell Di what happened, but she isn't in the Mansion right now."
"I had better notify the Freedom League." The Enchantress activated the radio, while Muskateer grabbed his coat and walked solemnly out of the room.
Super villains had been acting strangely for the past several weeks. There were more actual captures than normally happened in battles between heroes and villains. Muskateer pondered this thought for a moment, but the other, internal mysteries were surfacing more strongly in his head. He was tired with the long hours of computer work he had done earlier in the day. Another session was currently out of the question.
Muskateer wandered down to the gymnasium level and spent the next several hours taking out his frustrations on the weight equipment. The workout seemed to put him in a better mood.
Later that evening, Muskateer could be seen leaving the quarters of the Thing, who was still laid up and resting from his injuries received in the battle with Mechassassin. As he opened the door to exit, Muskateer nearly collided with Black Diamond in the hallway. She was still dressed in her civilian identity from her earlier visit to Helena Kirby. (See Huntress #6)
"Hey, Diamond. How's it going?"
"Oh, Musky-- you startled me," Black Diamond said, as Muskateer closed the door to Ben's room.
"Sorry. Turn off your sixth sense after hours?"
She chuckled briefly. "It really only comes on when there is danger about-- unless you're going to attack me, then it wouldn't register."
"I was just checking on Ben," Muskateer explained. "Figured he could use a pizza about now."
"Someday, that man is going to turn into a pizza," she replied. "So how are you? You seem to be in a social mood this day."
"Well, I'm having my ups and downs. Maybe I hit my head when Dark Seraph attacked."
"That's always a possibility. Anyway, I should get back to work. Good night." Black Diamond turned and started to walk off. Muskateer watched her head down the hallway a few steps and then summoning up a burst of courage called out to her.
"Hey, Di!" He thought for a moment and then muttered "Oh, what the hell" to himself. She turned to face him again, as he ran up beside her. "You know, the work day usually ends for most people by now."
"Perhaps-- but we're not most people, are we?", Black Diamond offered.
"Well, no, there's just two of us here," Muskateer quipped. "But 'Gale agreed with me. You need some time off." He paused for a moment, considering his words.
"She would say that...", Black Diamond said.
"Well, if she's a psychologist, then she must be right," Muskateer offered.
"I appreciate your concern, but I really should finish up..."
"How about we go get some dinner or something? It's chicken wing night at this place Ben told me about..." Black Diamond regarded Muskateer and considered for a moment.
"You two must have talked longer than I suspected," she finally said with a grin, referring to the earlier conversation between Nightingale and Muskateer. "Oh, alright. On one condition-- you're not going in costume are you?"
"Actually, I was hoping not to go in costume. I feel a little odd doing 'normal' things in my Muskateer identity," Muskateer said. "Except with Ben. He kinda circumvents all attempts at normal."
"I was curious-- you haven't shown yourself all that much around here. I don't even know your name," Black Diamond said.
"Yeah, that would make it tough, huh? Guess, I haven't felt too comfortable around everyone yet." Muskateer paused for a moment.
"It hasn't been the most ideal situation either. Besides, it's tough getting barbecue stains out of your costume."
"Especially armor!" Muskateer was intrigued by the idea of fitting in more with his teammates, but his 'mystery man' attitude kept everyone at a safe distance. He was closing in on the point of no return. "Well, what the hell..." Musky took off his hat and pulled his mask off. "Linda, meet Steven Harper."
"Hello. Pleased to meet you." Linda looked him over a moment in a new light. She thought he was rather handsome without the mask. "Uhm, yes-- Well, I'll let you change."
"So, you got a car?", Muskateer asked. "Haven't quite got around to getting myself one yet."
"We can just take one of the cars in the motor pool. There's a couple of vehicles there for our general use," Linda explained.
"Great. It's a date. I'll meet you down there in about 20 minutes." Muskateer walked off, hurriedly.
"A date?", she said to herself, slightly surprised. "I guess it is... I'll meet you in the garage," she called to him.
Sometime later, Linda was seated inside Virgil's Real Bar-B-Q. Steve walked up with two platters full of chicken wings.
"You're right-- these are pretty good," Linda said, as Steve took a seat.
"Yeah, helps to keep the chicken population in check, too," Steve quipped. "Nothing worse than rampant chickens running wild!"
"Or even worse, mutant chickens," Linda offered.
"At least that would give Genocide something else to worry about...", Steve said, in between bites.
"Yeah, that would be nice," Linda said, shaking her head. "I really can't understand them. Do I really look different from anyone else?"
"Well,... " Steve looked closely at Linda, thinking what to say. He found her quite attractive, but thought he should be careful what he said to her. No point in getting in hot water over a stray comment.
"They're prejudiced against people who are really only different at the DNA level.. .things that are not always apparent," Linda said with dismay in her voice.
"Not really." Steve finally said.
Linda put her chicken wing down and gave Steve an odd look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, you're a lot taller than a lot of women," Steve said, thinking quickly. "Probably have a lot of people think you're a model or something."
"Me? A model?" Linda blushed at the compliment. "I suppose I do stand out in a crowd a bit."
"Well, yeah," Steve said, choosing his words carefully, "you have the... ah, physique. And you're very attractive, if I may be so bold to my boss."
"Uhm-- thanks." She blushed slightly again. "I have to admit, you're more handsome than I suspected..."
"Well, when one covers ones face all the time, I guess people have to wonder!", Steve said.
"Yeah-- like they do it for a reason. I appreciate the compliment, Steven."
"Yeah, sure thing." Steve breathed a short sigh of relief. "I guess I like the mystery of it, too."
"Goes with being a showman," Linda said in between sips of her drink.
"Me, a showman?", Steve asked. "Yeah, I guess I take on a slightly more outgoing personality as Muskateer."
"I just meant that you were flashy-- like to put on a good performance. A sort of style."
"Yeah, kinda goes with the job," Steve said. "I mean when you think about it, we're like some kinda weird cross between movie stars, rock stars and Wrestlemania!"
"Something like a Theater of the Absurd?", she said with a grin.
Muskateer chuckled at the thought. "You could say that." The two burst out in laughter together.
"I guess Chris was right..." Linda finally said. "I need to get out more."
"Darn right! Can't be locked up in that office all day and all night," Steve responded.
Linda thought about it for a moment, analyzing her thoughts. "Maybe I'm just trying too hard to replace Lane."
"Lane?", Steve asked.
"Lane was Hunter's first name," Linda explained.
"Oh," he said, while looking briefly away. "Were you guys close?", he asked after a pause.
Linda thought again for a moment. Her mind traveled over the various memories she had of her former teammate. "He gave me my first big break-- I was a no one and he asked me to join the team he was forming-- the Avengers. He was a teacher, a mentor, and a good friend."
"Sorry to hear about what happened to him," Steve said. "I guess it's been tough around here recovering from what happened." Muskateer thought about the conversation he had earlier with Nightingale. "And I haven't been much help, huh?"
"Well... I'm getting over it." She sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than Steven. "I lost some good friends and teammates. That's not something you get over easily. I'm still at a loss on just how and why it all happened."
"No, it isn't easy," Steve said, trying to console her. "I know what it's like.... I lost my folks when they were away."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Linda said. "Seems like we have quite a few orphans on the team."
"Well, it's been awhile. I got over it," Steven said, matter-of-factly. "They were always traveling around. Not like I spent all my time with them as I got older," he explained.
"I see. World travelers?", she asked.
"Yeah, my dad was an archaeologist and historian. We traveled all over when I was little."
"Oh-- that must've been interesting." Linda listened intently.
"Yeah, I guess. I still love to travel. Especially if the location is tropical."
"Then you're going to love your next assignment," Linda interrupted.
"We're moving Avengers Mansion to Bermuda?", Steven said, hopefully.
"Nope."
"Darn." There was always hope.
"Are you familiar with Sanctuary?", Linda asked.
"From Logan's Run?", Steve quipped.
Linda groaned at the joke. "No, the island," she said, finally.
"You're not going to kill me are you?", Steve asked, still running with the Logan's Run gag.
Linda laughed out loud again. "I've been tempted."
"Oh sure, everyone's a critic!, Steve joked. "I actually have heard about Sanctuary. Came across some records on it in my computer searches."
"The Avengers have always been involved in Sanctuary, despite our sponsor's wishes, along with several other hero groups...", Linda explained. "One of the things they offer is testing of superhuman abilities. I was going to send you and Firestar down there to be tested."
"I can think of worse assignments." Steve wondered though, if this had anything to do with the mysteries surrounding himself and Firestar.
"That's just one of the things Sanctuary has to offer," Linda explained. "It's near Tahiti-- very tropical. Chris will handle all your questions."
"Okay. By Chris, I take it you mean Nightingale?" Steven was trying not to be paranoid again. He munched on his chicken wings. The computer file of Di's had said that they basically weren't questioning his loyalty any longer, but could this testing have something to do with Firestar and the Mansion exploding?
"Yes, she'll be your guide. They can deal with her unique problems there-- a bit of time away for her. The head physician is a Dr. Angelique Marin. She'll be doing your testing."
"Anything particular they'll be looking for?" Steve watched her response carefully.
"They'll be gauging the potentials of your powers and abilities and compiling medical records for future use in case of serious injury, because you're not a typical patient," she said, casually. "Plus there are varied options for combat training and tactical studies."
"Oh, so you're sending the newbies off to camp, huh?", he said, only half-jokingly.
"At least I'll have the house free for a day or two," she answered, sarcastically.
"I guess you really do have a sense of humor," Steven said with a smile. "You should let it show more often."
"I'll try and work on it."
"I know we said we weren't going to talk much about work, but I have a question that's been nagging at me."
"Just one?", she quipped. Linda had certainly loosened up more than she normally allowed herself. The beers she had been drinking didn't hurt either.
"Okay, smarty pants," Steven said between mouthfuls. "I'll just come right out and ask it." Linda looked at him quizzically, not having the faintest idea what he was going to ask. "I've really enjoyed being an Avenger. But I'm curious, why did you guys pick us newbies for the team anyway?"
Linda looked up at him with a sudden start. She then quickly took another large drink from her glass. She thought about it for a moment and then decided that the truth was the easiest path. Of course, it may have been the alcohol clouding her judgement. "Truthfully?"
Steven put down the chicken wing he was chewing on and looked directly into her eyes. "It's been bugging me a long time. Seems like there would be lots of other, better choices than us. Yeah, lay it on me."
Linda let out a breath before she began. "The NSC picked you."
"Alright, this is gonna be a game of twenty questions, huh?", Steven said. "Why did they pick me?"
"That's a bit more complicated, government cloak and dagger stuff," she began. "I personally find it very distasteful."
Steven thought about it for a moment. Knowing what he did from the files he had seen earlier, he guessed that he could trust Diamond. She indicated a couple times that she wasn't directly on the same page as the Avengers government liaisons. "Well, I have a cloak and sword, does that count?"
Linda laughed again at the unexpected comment. Muskateer could always find humor, even in the most serious situations. She used her napkin to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"Can I take a shot at a theory?", Steve asked, regaining his seriousness.
"Oh, please do," she said expectantly.
"You said the NSC picked me. I think that they see me as having some sort of ties with a criminal organization, but for some reason, am posing as a hero. The NSC wants me to join to find out where my allegiances really are and if I'm playing the part of a hero, almost have to join up to waylay suspicions. Am I warm yet?"
"You continue to amaze me," she said with all sincerity. "I told you I was no good as cloak and dagger stuff." Linda was impressed that Muskateer was able to piece so much together so quickly.
"I take it that means I'm at least close?", Steven asked.
"Actually, I'm rather relieved to get this off my chest. But you seem to have the gist of the situation. The government had certain fears and I got stuck having to prove their validity."
" So, who am I supposed to be affiliated with?", Steve asked.
"Iron Maiden and her organization," Linda answered.
"That makes a little sense. Iron Maiden's goons were around when I became Muskateer. And I've had a few run-ins with them since then."
"That must be how they came up with the theory. But that's in the past now," Linda added.
"I see. And now you're stuck with me?"
"I don't consider myself 'stuck' with you," Linda said. "You've repeatedly proven your worth to the team."
"Thanks for the compliment. But, let's face it, you wouldn't have picked me if there wasn't this question of who I was working for, right?"
"To be honest, I had never heard of you, before the NSC brought it up," she said apologetically. "I can understand if you wanted to leave now, considering the circumstances. I know I wouldn't be very happy in your place."
Steven took a long drink from his glass, emptying it. "I have to admit, I've been a little concerned about how certain people have been acting around me. I guess this is why you asked me the questions you did on the way in. Nightingale could check my surface thoughts to see if I was telling the truth."
She nodded yes. "We didn't really have another choice, since Chris refused to do a deep scan. And I fully agreed with her decision not to do one."
"Well, I'm glad you guys are at least on my side in this,... sorta anyway," Steven said. "I was worried that everyone was out to get me for awhile there. Easy to jump to conclusions, you know?"
"I imagine it would be," Linda answered. She felt terrible for keeping the secret, but at least things were out in the open now.
"I suppose I should be angry, or upset, or something. More than anything, I'm relieved to know I'm really not paranoid!"
"Maybe a little dose of paranoia is healthy. Especially in this business," she said.
"If I'm going to have delusions, I'd rather they be ones of grandeur," Steven joked.
Linda smiled again. "I take it you're going to stay with the team, then?"
"Di, you couldn't drag me away if you had Grond, the Monster and Doctor Destroyer in on it. I'm having a blast." Steven took another bite from a chicken wing.
"Great. Because I have a proposal for you."
"This sounds ominous," Steven quipped.
"How would you like to be second in command?", she continued.
Steven looked somewhat surprised at that. "I'm flattered. What would it entail?"
"Basically, you're in charge if I'm not around," she explained. "It entails a great deal more responsibility, of course.
"As long as I don't have to wear your costume, I'm game. It makes some sense, but I'm still pretty new around here," Steven said. "How are the others going to take the news?"
"I don't foresee any problems from them," Linda answered. "Except maybe Lightburst. But he'll get over it. Most of the current team are great followers. That's part of what makes us such a formidable team. But I can't do all the planning for us. You can take some of the pressure off of me."
Steven considered for a moment. When this conversation started, he still didn't know where he stood with the team. Now he had been promoted to second banana. Life was sometimes funny like that. He was so impressed by Linda's honesty and her faith in him that he forgot to ask about Firestar and her own little mystery. "Great! Well, enough about work. Tell me something about you."
"About me? Hmmm--?" She thought for a moment, but wasn't sure what he was getting at. "What do you want to know?"
"You tell me. What do you like to do with your free time? Hobbies? Interests? There has to be more to you than just Black Diamond."
"Free time? What's that?", she asked jokingly.
"Well, you could work a little less...", Steven offered.
"I know-- I've just never been lucky in relationships-- so I bury myself in work... or so Chris says." Linda continued talking freely.
"She might know better than anyone." Nightingale had seemed to have a pretty good handle on her friend and her problems.
"I suppose--- but she should talk", Linda said. "I couldn't tell you the last time she was out on a date. In fact, I can't remember her ever being out on a date."
"Wow. She said she lived pretty much in isolation..." Steven was surprised just how far from normal Nightingale's life really was.
"How would you feel if you knew exactly what your date was thinking?", Linda asked.
"Sometimes, that might be handy, but I can see your point," Steven agreed.
"Or if they were telling the truth or lying?", she continued and then gestured to the crowd around the establishment. "Things we just take for granted, like eating out, just give her a terrible headache. She's not a very happy person."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I feel bad that I felt the way I did towards her," Steven said. "Funny, you'd think that there'd be guys falling all over Black Diamond, though."
"I don't know about that-- A woman who can juggle tanks does put some men off." She blushed slightly again. "Anyway, I'm pretty much Black Diamond and little else."
"Since this has pretty much been a 'what the hell' kinda day, I'm gonna be brave and ask: What were you doing in a relationship with Lightburst in the first place?"
Linda dropped her eyes towards her plate quickly. "Oh dear..."
"Doesn't seem like your type, you know," Steven continued, sensing her embarrassment.
"Well, he can be charming when he wants to be," she explained, hesitantly. "I was very attracted to him..."
"I can see why he would be attracted to you. But..."
"Gee, you're just full of compliments today," she interrupted.
"Yeah, maybe I've been replaced by an imposter...", Steven said with a smile.
"Anyway, Chris tried to warn me, but I didn't listen."
"You should listen to her more often, Linda," Steven offered.
"I know that now. But I was younger then, more naive...", she answered. "Anyway, relationships with him are like a game. His idea of winning is having the most."
"I hate to say it," Steven stated, "but one day I see us crossing swords, so to speak."
"I hope it doesn't come to that! Besides, I doubt he'll stay around too long, " Linda explained. "He never does. That could be reason behind his latest disappearing act. Although in light of all the other recent disappearances, I really can't be too sure. I guess he felt some form of loyalty to the team and came back."
"This day is getting better and better," Steven said. "Hey, we're talking about work again,... sorta."
"Right, no more shop talk. I'd love some more wings."
"Hold that thought. I'll be right back." Steven got up to retrieve another couple of platefuls of the tasty morsels. The two continued their talk until they were the last ones left in the bar.
Back at the Mansion, Steve and Linda walked back in through the garage entrance. Waiting in the door in her robe and nightgown was Chris. "Were have you two been? Do you have any idea what time it is?", she asked. She appeared as amazed at their time together as Black Diamond was at the extended conversation between herself and Muskateer.
Linda steadied herself briefly on the doorframe. She hadn't indulged herself like that in a very long time. And now she was feeling it.
"Hi, mom. You shouldn't have waited up," Steven joked as he helped Linda up the steps. "We are big kids after all." Chris just shook her head in amazement.
"Hey, it was your idea, 'Gale," Steven added.
"I never thought you'd take me up on my advice," she answered.
"It's been a wonderful evening, Steven, but I have to go to sleep now," Linda said. "Unless the world is coming to an end, don't disturb me."
"Why don't we get you to your room, first," Chris said, as she helped Linda down the hall. Steven watched for a moment and then headed to his own quarters. "And this seemed like such a crummy day, this afternoon."
Back in his room, Steven turned on his computer monitor. He had left the station online while gone. One of the pluses of his mutating was an extremely high constitution. He wasn't feeling as much of the effects of the beer they drank. Plus he hadn't indulged as much as Linda had.
"Well, before we hit the hay, let's see if anything new has come up. I completely forgot to ask Linda about the Firestar situation. Dummy." The monitor came on and indicated that information had been collected and was waiting for him. Steve sat down at the terminal and worked the keyboard for a moment.
"Whataya know?! Our mysterious Hunter was online again. Let's just see what he was doing today." Steve opened the files. It was excerpts from the security cameras. Steve watched the events play out. Not believing what he saw, he started the file from the beginning and played it again. There it was in full color. Firestar was apparently responsible for the destruction of Avengers Mansion!
