They Meet Again (Part II)

- This two part adventure will feature the hero Hugh and the criminal Gull crossing paths for the first time since their original encounter in a short story from 1998. The original story in its original rough around the edges form can be read here: https://theprose.com/post/389825/the-pit

- Gull's recent escape from imprisonment, along with an edited version of his first appearance, can be read here: https://blog.reedsy.com/short-story/fyt848/

- Part one of this story can be read here: https://blog.reedsy.com/short-story/67o8rx/

   The massive jet landed in a vast meadow set in the middle of a deep forest. Gull, John Harshal, and CCC were on their way to one of Hugh's main hero network bases, but there was no sign of a facility.

   "Did we land in the right place CCC?" Gull questioned. "I expected Hugh's place to be located in a more urban setting?"

   "We obviously can't land a giant aircraft right next to the location Einstein!" John replied condescendingly. "We are going to have to navigate the forest ahead, and the location is right past that."

   "So leaving the massive jet in the middle of an open meadow for all to see is a better call?"

   "Of course not." CCC snickered. "Tam has recently upgraded this jet with camouflage technology that makes it undetectable for anyone but us. If a civilian came here and walked in the space where the jet is parked, they would pass right through it like a ghost."

   "So the guy that wants to kill all of us put some touches on it, eh? That makes me feel a lot better. Guess us going along with all of his upgrades that could be traps makes us the real Einsteins in the end!"

   "Lighten up Gull, Tam won't take action against us until Hugh's organization is no more." John snapped back. "You may be killing Hugh today and destroying one of his major HQ's, but that doesn't mean the war will be over right away. We will still have some of his loser remnants to deal with, like Hugh's latest wonder boy Chris."

   CCC briefly flinched, then smiled at his comrades.

   "I don't always see eye to eye with John, but I think we'll be fine for the time being. The two of you have about an hour of hiking through that forest, then you'll arrive at your destination.  In about 50 minutes your customized disguise will activate Gull. From that point on you will have an hour to infiltrate the facility, complete an interview with Hugh, then plant the bomb and flee before your customizations wear off. Getting fitted for one of the helmets Hugh's associates wear might buy you some time though."

   "I'll keep that in mind, and try to ace Hugh's test." Gull replied. "So why does John need to come with me again?"

   "As an essential member of Hugh's network, I will serve as a perfect reference, or cover for your infiltration." John said proudly. "I'll go talk to a few of the idiots that think we're friends, and grab a mission while you dispose of Hugh and ready the explosive. Then we'll walk out without those Einsteins knowing what is coming next!"

   "Great, can't wait to walk with you in the woods for an hour." Gull muttered.

   "What was that old man?" John yelled heatedly.

   "Nothing at all, looking forward to working with your genius John!" Gull said sarcastically.

   "Now now now, play nice kids!" CCC laughed. "I have some clients I need to meet up with in the neighborhood that want some customizations, so I will meet you both back here at the jet in three hours. Go get 'em boys!"

*****

   After what felt like an eternity, Gull and John emerged from the dense forest into an area that was definitely a bustling city. Gull's jaw dropped, as he felt like he had just warped into another world. Just as CCC had promised, his features had been customized, making the 49 year old look like he was in his late twenties again. Longer hair, different colored eyes, and a squeaky voice were also part of the customizations Gull had agreed to.

   "Well Glen, we are almost there! Couldn't you have picked another name that doesn't start with a 'G' though?"

   "I like Glen." Gull smiled, enjoying his ally's annoyance. "Besides, CCC promised that Hugh wouldn't be able to tell who I really am thanks to his skills. I trust his judgement."

   "Whatever, let's go take out this trash then." John conceded.

   The pair approached a massive building that resembled a five star hotel. They walked into a spacious lobby that featured a comfortable leather couch, a big screen tv, and a dining area with an open buffet, coffee and soda available.

   "Hugh made his facilties resemble hotels because he finds visiting them a peaceful experience." John said in a tone that wasn't condescending for once. "Maybe it's his alien side that makes him feel that way."

   "I'm an alien too, so I can appreciate that." Gull said with a smile.

   "Ah, the four new suckers that also recently joined." John grinned, back to being condescending again. Approaching the pair was a young couple, and two young men that Gull assumed were brothers. "Let's go greet them and make sure we keep blending in."

   "Hello fellow hero newbies!" John shouted warmly as the party of four reached him and Gull. "Meet my friend Glen, he's on his way to an interview with Hugh!"

   "Nice to meet you Glen, I'm Doug! This is my brother Dirk, and this cute couple here are Kirk and Serenity."

   "Great to meet you, and I'm hoping to be able to work with you all soon." Gull said in a friendly tone.

   "So what are you all up to?" John asked with feigned interest. "Off on new missions?"

   "Doug and I are heading to the SliceClaws stadium to meet the owner and make arrangements for a future mission." Dirk answered. "The four of us have been assigned to attend a hockey game in a couple of weeks to seek out someone that has been causing trouble."

   "Wow, that sounds fun! I know you love dancing and basketball Serenity, do you like hockey too?"

   "Well, I prefer hockey over other things." Serenity replied, briefly glaring at Dirk. "But right now Kirk and I are heading to a tango lesson that Chris recommended we scope out. He thinks the instructors are going to be targeted by one of Leftover's associates (this adventure can be read here https://theprose.com/post/463611/a-bad-day-to-be-tango-instructors)."

   "Well I hope all of your tasks go well!" John said enthusiastically. "We'll have to catch up later and talk shop. But for now, I have to see Chris and get a mission from him. And Glen here needs to get to his interview. Good luck, and be safe friends!"

   "See you later John, and have a great interview Glen!" Kirk said encouragingly as the four walked out the front doors. John gave an evil snicker then turned to Gull.

   "Take the elevator to the fourth floor and go to room 406. Hugh's office is there. Do what you wish to him, but don't forget to leave that valentine inspired bomb. Meet me back at the jet when you're done, then we'll fly off into the sunset and level this place. Knock 'em dead in that interview, pal!"

*****

   Gull reached the fourth floor and found himself in a long hallway that also resembled a typical hotel floor. He found room 406 and knocked on the door. He heard a friendly voice beckon him to come in. Gull entered and found himself in what appeared to be a hotel suite, with a computer and desk combo in one of the corners. In what appeared to be the living room of the suite, Gull observed a coffee table in between two easy chairs, with two mugs of steaming coffee on the table. Gull recognized the man in one of the chairs immediately. It was the teenager who had bested him 23 years ago, now too old to be a teen, yet still exuding youthful energy all the same. It was Hugh in the flesh, no doubt about it.

   "You must be Glen, thank you for coming today!" Hugh said happily, rising from his chair and shaking Gull's hand. "Please take a seat, and enjoy some coffee with me while we chat. If you would like some cream or sugar, please let me know."

   "Thank you Hugh, this looks fine as is." Gull answered thankfully. He was looking forward to drinking a real cup of coffee this time, not a fake one from Leftover's cafe simulator. "Actually, I brought some Valentine's Day candy with me that I thought we could share too. After all, chocolate and coffee make a perfect combination."

   "Thank you Glen, I couldn't agree more." Hugh smiled as he accepted the gift, opening the heart shaped package and taking a chocolate. Gull also ate a chocolate and took a sip of his coffee. He smiled with delight in spite of himself, due to Hugh's coffee being even better than Leftover's.

   "It is a difficult time to be in the hero business, as our organization is currently under attack by an enemy we are still learning about." Hugh explained. "We need great new heroes more than ever, and I'm really happy that John recommended you to me. Before we start the interview process for joining the hero network, did you have any questions for me?"

   With the bomb within the chocolate box now on the table, Gull knew all he had to do was fake his way through the interview and slip out before his Glen disguise faded. But now that he was in the same room with his enemy after 23 years, he felt the need to learn why Hugh did what he did. Every day in prison he questioned why Hugh didn't allow him to fall into the pit from that dilapidated building so long ago. If he asked Hugh in the right way, maybe he could get an answer without blowing his cover.

   "I do have a question for you Hugh. I heard that the first criminal you arrested when you started your career on Earth has recently escaped from prison. Will we be tasked with tracking him down?"

   "You must be referring to Gull." Hugh responded calmly. "It is definitely a situation I am aware of, and I do have associates out there seeking him." Hugh replied.

   Gull tried to keep a cool appearance, but struggled a little with the revelation that Hugh hadn't forgotten about him all these years later, even remembering his name. 

   "Should they find him, will they be sending him back to prison?"

   "That is one option, but we would offer Gull another proposal as well."

   "What would that be?" Gull asked, genuinely curious.

   "To be honest, I was planning on visiting Gull before he broke out of prison, along with others that I put away during the early days of my career here on Earth." Hugh explained. "My biggest goal is to create a peaceful world without taking lives, and I also want to give those that commit evil the opportunity to reform and contribute to that better planet. With some of my former rivals serving life sentences, they aren't getting the opportunity to get out there and make a positive difference if they want to. This is one of the reasons I created the Reflection Dimension."

   "Reflection Dimension?" Gull asked. He was fully aware of Hugh's creation, as he had seen reports about it on his black and white tv from his prison cell. But since he was playing the role of young Glen, he feigned ignorance.

   "It is a place I created in another dimension to hold criminals too dangerous for prison here." Hugh responded. "It is a safe place where all food, shelter, and digital entertainment are provided for its residents. Should those held there agree to change their ways, they are sent back here to the same point in time when they were initially transported, and upon return they are also pardoned of their crimes. All of the weapons my associates and I use do not actually kill their targets, but transport them to the Reflection Dimension fully healed."

   "So should you find Gull, you are going to offer to send him to this Reflection Dimension instead of throwing him back in prison?"

   "That is the intention Glen." Hugh smiled. "And I intend to visit all who are incarcerated and offer them this option as well."

   The hatred Gull felt for his adversary melted away. He thought about how this man really did care about everyone on Earth, including his own enemies.

   "Those are all the questions I have for you Hugh. I'm sold on your mission. Please, let's continue the interview process."

*****

   "Congratulations on joining our team Gul, umm Glen!" Chris said. "You're even in your twenties like me, I think we'll get along great!"

   "I'm looking forward to working with you too Chris!" Gull gushed, preparing to get fitted for one of Hugh's armor and weapon providing helmets.  "It seems like you've moved up the ranks here, you must be great with tech (Chris' debut: https://theprose.com/post/410084/lifers-game-snow-easy-battle)!"

   "Well, I'm decent, but not as good as my predecessor Tam. His brother got killed in action, and he quit the network. We've been looking for him, but no one knows where he is."

   "That's a tough break, for him and all of you." Gull replied sympathetically. "So wearing one of these helmets covers me up with armor, then the weapons I choose appear by thought?"

   "That's right!" Chris smiled. "And if you run someone through with any of the weapons, they won't actually die. They will awaken in the Reflection Dimension, perfectly healed and healthy."

   "Sounds amazing!" Gull smiled, ready to move things along since his Glen disguise was about to go over the time limit. "Let's get started my friend!"

   "Sure thing." Chris replied. "By the way, why are you carrying around that Valentine candy box? You could throw it out here you know!"

   "Yeah, but I think I would rather recycle it. After all, that's another way to save the world."

*****

   Shortly after donning the helmet, Gull's disguise wore off. Under the cover of one of Hugh's armored associates, Gull left the facility and braved the forest once more until he reached the jet. Outside stood a smirking John.

   "Did you kill him good Gull? Or are you going to let the fireworks take him?"

   "I opted for a blaze of glory." Gull smiled. "Is CCC already on board?"

   "No, but we don't have time to wait around. He should have stuck close by, it's on him and his silly customization business. C'mon, we've gotta leave now!"

   With the coordinates for Prosperity set, the jet took off, and before they knew it the place they were just visiting was now another small island in the ocean below.

   "Alright Gull, let's do this! Blow those tools to smithereens!"

   "I'll detonate it, but there's one more matter we need to handle first." Gull replied calmly.

   "What's that?"

   Before John could react, Gull's fist was in his face, knocking him to the floor. Barely conscious, John looked up at Gull as he presented an empty heart shaped box and a laser gun.

   "Why is that.... here?" John asked weakly. "And what are.... you.... doing?"

   "Disposing of the real trash." Gull replied. "You betrayed a team that cares about and trusts you, all because they spared someone that only attacked you because you bullied him (https://theprose.com/post/450794/not-so-slick-diary-of-a-shapeshifter). You left a teammate behind with no concern for him getting caught up in an explosion. You think you are better and smarter than everyone else, but you sir are no Einstein. Hugh has inspired me to kill no more, but I think I will end my body count with you. Leftover is better off without garbage like you tainting his vision of a hero network, and I doubt he will miss you. I know I certainly won't."

   Gull tossed the valentine box onto a speechless John's chest, mockingly showed him the remote, then opened a nearby cargo door and leaped out. The automatic door shut upon his exit, and once he had fallen far enough away, Gull pushed the button and watched the jet explode. Before he could crash into the ocean or get hit by falling debris, Gull pointed the laser gun at himself and fired.

   "Alright Reflection Dimension, time for you to judge me!" Gull said as his body disappeared from this world, heading to the one created by Hugh.

*****

   A man in his 30s, dressed in a fancy white suit walked through the underground hallways that he knew too well. He opened the familiar golden door, and found himself in a spacious, yet rowdy bar. A young band playing 80s metal covers had many people cheering them on, alcoholic beverages in their hands. A dark silhouette in that crowd noticed the man that had entered, and stumbled towards him with a smile.

   "Doctor Sic!" Leftover cheered, taking a heavy swig of beer. "Have you finally agreed to party with me?"

   "First you have Tam's device simulate a cafe, now a bar?" Doctor Sic asked disapprovingly. "I know CCC reported that Gull betrayed the mission, leaving us with the losses of the jet and our double agent John Harshal. But sir, getting drunk in a fake bar will not bring us any closer to eliminating Hugh and his network."

   "Maybe, but I'm having fun!" Leftover slurred. "Besides, once this simulation ends I won't be drunk anymore. This place and its alcohol are fake, remember?"

   "You've got five minutes." Doctor Sic answered sternly. "Then we will meet in my lab, and I will tell you how we will turn things around."