Pinnacle’s.
Chapter 12
The hidden room was small, but not cramped. It had smooth, white walls that were slightly rounded, and nearly every inch of them were covered with framed keepsakes. There was one light in the center of the ceiling, and beneath it sat a workstation with a high-end communications unit about the size of a ham radio next to a small stack of papers. It looked promising, but I started my search in the far corner where, folded on a pedestal, was Pinnacle’s uniform. I was this close to it only once before. Bright red dominated the torso and sleeves. A silver that made fresh snow look dull covered the legs, and ran up the chest to form his trademark P. I picked up the cape, and rolled it between my fingers like a miser would his gold, easily recognizing the nearly indestructible feel of Wonder Weave.
After I had my fill I put it back exactly how it was, and moved along the walls. Newspaper clippings, pictures of classroom visits, and children’s drawings were everywhere, along with an obscene amount of awards from civic groups. I counted over a dozen keys to a dozen cities before I got to the display cases, which held his most impressive trophies. There was a chunk of the giant comet that almost destroyed Gold Coast, the Horn of Thehmoon, and on the far right sat a mask belonging to True Patriot who was, for those keeping score, the very first white cape I ever fought.
When I finished the circuit I took a seat at the workstation, and began leafing through the small stack of letters there. The first was from a sick little girl at Gold Coast Children’s Hospital who wanted Pinnacle to take her flying before she died in four months’ time. My heart sunk an inch. This was the exact type of request he’d respond to. I moved to the next one. It was a note that read: Thanks for the wishes big brother, I’m the third Waller man to make it! I wish dad was alive to see it, both his sons started in Gold Coast House 182. P.S. Look what I found, your old gear! And hey, I know it’s a long shot but will your mom be coming to my birthday? I’d love to see her. It was signed ‘Barry’.
Of course, the photo I found earlier was of his brother, or more accurately half-brother. I shook my head and moved on to the next letter. It was from Templeton University asking Pinnacle to speak at their graduation, something he’d done often. I picked up the fourth expecting another person asking for something, only it wasn’t.
Dear Pinnacle,
I have been informed that you have yet again failed to lend your support to our plans for national expansion. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how vital it is that my network be implemented across the country, and how pivotal your support is in making that happen. Without a SPEC presence in every city black cape crime is sure to expand to epidemic proportions, and the loss of life this will cause could be catastrophic. I would like to remind you that I cannot be dissuaded from this plan, and if you continue to maintain this obstinate position it will force me into actions I’d rather not take. Frankly, considering the cover I’ve provided regarding the penchant you and your allies have for the destruction of public property I expected more assistance. I am very eager to discuss this further with you at our meeting later this week.
Yours Humbly,
Marc Humphries
Executive Director
Special Powers Extraction Commission
Huh. Monday said that despite minor friction the SPECs and white capes got along fine, but unless I was reading this wrong there was hostility between those lines. The director was known as a serious man who believed in his mission. How far would he go to expand his force? I made a note to check up on it, then picked up the last letter figuring it couldn’t be more intriguing. And not for the first time today I figured wrong.
The next time you cross me I’ll kill you. I have the power and the will. Watch your back.
Unlike the previous one it was
Chapter 12
The hidden room was small, but not cramped. It had smooth, white walls that were slightly rounded, and nearly every inch of them were covered with framed keepsakes. There was one light in the center of the ceiling, and beneath it sat a workstation with a high-end communications unit about the size of a ham radio next to a small stack of papers. It looked promising, but I started my search in the far corner where, folded on a pedestal, was Pinnacle’s uniform. I was this close to it only once before. Bright red dominated the torso and sleeves. A silver that made fresh snow look dull covered the legs, and ran up the chest to form his trademark P. I picked up the cape, and rolled it between my fingers like a miser would his gold, easily recognizing the nearly indestructible feel of Wonder Weave.
After I had my fill I put it back exactly how it was, and moved along the walls. Newspaper clippings, pictures of classroom visits, and children’s drawings were everywhere, along with an obscene amount of awards from civic groups. I counted over a dozen keys to a dozen cities before I got to the display cases, which held his most impressive trophies. There was a chunk of the giant comet that almost destroyed Gold Coast, the Horn of Thehmoon, and on the far right sat a mask belonging to True Patriot who was, for those keeping score, the very first white cape I ever fought.
When I finished the circuit I took a seat at the workstation, and began leafing through the small stack of letters there. The first was from a sick little girl at Gold Coast Children’s Hospital who wanted Pinnacle to take her flying before she died in four months’ time. My heart sunk an inch. This was the exact type of request he’d respond to. I moved to the next one. It was a note that read: Thanks for the wishes big brother, I’m the third Waller man to make it! I wish dad was alive to see it, both his sons started in Gold Coast House 182. P.S. Look what I found, your old gear! And hey, I know it’s a long shot but will your mom be coming to my birthday? I’d love to see her. It was signed ‘Barry’.
Of course, the photo I found earlier was of his brother, or more accurately half-brother. I shook my head and moved on to the next letter. It was from Templeton University asking Pinnacle to speak at their graduation, something he’d done often. I picked up the fourth expecting another person asking for something, only it wasn’t.
Dear Pinnacle,
I have been informed that you have yet again failed to lend your support to our plans for national expansion. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how vital it is that my network be implemented across the country, and how pivotal your support is in making that happen. Without a SPEC presence in every city black cape crime is sure to expand to epidemic proportions, and the loss of life this will cause could be catastrophic. I would like to remind you that I cannot be dissuaded from this plan, and if you continue to maintain this obstinate position it will force me into actions I’d rather not take. Frankly, considering the cover I’ve provided regarding the penchant you and your allies have for the destruction of public property I expected more assistance. I am very eager to discuss this further with you at our meeting later this week.
Yours Humbly,
Marc Humphries
Executive Director
Special Powers Extraction Commission
Huh. Monday said that despite minor friction the SPECs and white capes got along fine, but unless I was reading this wrong there was hostility between those lines. The director was known as a serious man who believed in his mission. How far would he go to expand his force? I made a note to check up on it, then picked up the last letter figuring it couldn’t be more intriguing. And not for the first time today I figured wrong.
The next time you cross me I’ll kill you. I have the power and the will. Watch your back.
Unlike the previous one it was
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