“So, this girl…Trance…, she is doing better?”

“She is. We took her to the hospital to get looked at just to be sure. The doctors did some x-rays. A few bruised ribs are all. The Knight has spent a lot of time with her, helping her get through it.”

“I did not take him to be the nurturing type.”

“Ha ha. Yes, he doesn’t seem that way on the surface, does he? I think part of the reason he is keeping an eye on her is for his own piece of mind. He seems very agitated since the most recent battle with Dr. Kale and his hired guns. I think maybe there is some kind of grudge between him and that villain Lazer.”

“And this Viper base?”

“Destroyed – Kale invoked a self-destruct sequence before hightailing it out of there.”

“And with it any data they gathered on you?”

“Unfortunately, yes. At the hospital, Trance admitted that she knew the battle in the park was staged to test us, and she’s sorry for her part in all that. She said they forced her into committing the deception. She says she wants nothing more to do with that group.”

“You believe her?”

“I do. She is clearly afraid that they might come after her again, to exact some kind of revenge. Kale seems like the type. And that Scorpio guy whom I fought certainly has the type of skills to pull something like that off. So, the Knight and I agreed to take her in for protection. But she is willing to help us out in any way she can as well. I think she feels like she needs to balance the scales for her previous actions.”

Beneath his full faced mask, Karishi raised a curious eyebrow. “Trust is something that must be earned.” He was speaking as much about the young woman as he was about this other man whom he only had known for a week’s time.

Phaedrus nodded. “True, but she deserves a second chance. Besides, we’re all strangers here. After all, the three of us – you, the Knight and I – only first met a week ago when the Sinister Spectrum caused all that trouble at the museum. We have to trust one another to make this work, right?”

Now it was Karishi’s turn to nod. “Yes, I guess you are right.” He knew it was the right answer to give, at the time.

“So,” Phaedrus said, appearing to want to change the subject, “you actually met the Justice Gang, huh?”

“Yes,” Karishi replied, recalling in his mind the events of earlier in the week. “They were very helpful in providing information on the Sinister Spectrum. I think it would be good for us to track him down and put a stop to whatever he has in mind.”

“Agreed. But I think before we do that we need to set up something a bit more permanent here. Meeting on rooftops will get old pretty fast.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I’m thinking that we go straight to the top,” Phaedrus said, his voice sounding more cheerful as if he were smiling under his mask, “the mayor and the city council. The media has taken hold of us as ‘Baltimore’s heroes’ so perhaps the city might want to make something a bit more official.”

“How so?”

“Perhaps they can provide some sort of facility for us to use as an office and meeting place. We could even have space for some exercise and training. In exchange, we will be accessible to the local law enforcement to provide assistance. Everybody wins.”

Karishi was a bit skeptical. “That’s a little more high profile than I am used.” He was used to working from the shadows which benefitted him in his primary mission, the uncovering and dissolving of secret vampire sects.

“I think it is a little more high profile than we’re all used,” Phaedrus admitted. “But maybe this is something we need to do, to establish some credentials. You don’t think the Justice Gang got to where they are, reputation-wise, without a little exposure, do you?”

Karishi nodded reluctantly. “I suppose it could work. Perhaps Commissioner Cage can get us a foot in the door with the mayor.”

“Now you’re thinking,” Phaedrus said. “And we can get Julie/Trance a job as well, working as a receptionist and public relations director. It will keep her busy and still allow us to keep a regular eye on her.”

“That makes some sense,” Karishi had to agree. “And she has powers?”

“Mental ones,” Phaedrus said. “They could prove useful.”

“They could,” Karishi said, though again he was reluctant. He had his own first hand knowledge of those, having some of his own. He would need to continue to work on his defenses, just in case she proved to be a nosey type of telepath. He didn’t want her meddling into his own personal affairs or revealing his own secrets. “But if we’re going to be a group, what will we call ourselves?”

“We’ve got that covered,” Phaedrus said. “The Knight suggested ‘Rough Justice’.”

“Rough Justice?” Karishi repeated. “I guess that does sort of sum us up.” If the fight at the museum the three of them had participated in was any indication, they indeed were not your typical super-hero team.

“Trance seems to like it,” Phaedrus said. “She said it sounds edgy.”

***

“It is with great pleasure that I declare that Rough Justice, ‘Baltimore’s heroes’, officially open for business,” the heavy-set, brown haired man in the suit said with a smile as he cut a red-white-and-blue ribbon with a large pair of ceremonial scissors. Nearby, a marching band took the mayor’s cue and began to play an upbeat number.

It had only taken a few weeks for the city to get everything together, from arranging for the building and putting on some new coats of paint to the installation of computers and other equipment.

The rest of the 4^th of July celebration, complete with hot dogs and fireworks, continued through the day. The three heroes posed for pictures with local officials and, even though some were uncomfortable with this much public exposure, their full faced masks hid it well enough. Karishi could tell that the Silent Knight felt awkward, especially given his handicap. Trance, without costume or mask, was present though and happy to be there. She and Phaedrus seemed more geared toward these organizational things.

Eventually, Phaedrus was able get the message to his colleagues about wanting to speak to them in private. This included the young woman who acted as their unofficial fourth. Karishi was tempted to use his own mental abilities to tip him off to what Phaedrus wanted but quickly decided against it. No need to give Trance any indication of what he could do.

Once the four were alone on the rooftop of the building that was to serve as their headquarters, Silent Knight signed: what did you need to discuss with us?

“I have to take a leave of absence from the group,” Phaedrus announced without preamble.

“Oh no,” Julie gasped. “You can’t…” Tears started for form in the corner of her eyes.

Phaedrus instinctively felt the need to comfort the sobbing brunette. “Julie, don’t.”

“I can’t help it…” she gasped. “It’s just…you…oh…” And she cried more so.

Karishi was not sure if her emotion was genuine or further part of an act. She had fooled the Wolf once before. “I think what she means,” he said, “is how can we operate this new organization with only two of us?” He gestured to himself and the Knight.

“Three,” Julie said as she wiped her eyes. “I’m a part of this too.”

Not in costume, the Knight signed. That would be dangerous and alert our enemies to your involvement.

“You’re right,” Julie said reluctantly. “I can’t help in the field. But I can help here, with planning and such.”

“Karishi I thought of that,” Phaedrus said. “I certainly didn’t want to leave you guys high and dry, especially since this whole team idea was partly mine anyway. That’s why I asked you up here. I want to introduce you all to a friend of mine.” Phaedrus turned and made a signal call towards the nearby rooftops.

Leaping down from one of the structures was a man in a gray bodysuit with a full faced mask and goggles that shined in the moonlight. His thick black boots landed solidly on the ground; they matched in color the gauntlet on his left wrist. His belt was black as well with various cartridges attached to it. Slung across his back was a semi-automatic rifle. Across his chest was emblazoned a white skull and crossbones.

From first appearances, Karishi would have considered him some kind of costumed terrorist or something. Then again, given his own mystical theme battle garb, one could easily have mistaken Karishi as one not siding with the ‘angels’ as well.

“Ahoy, fellow fighters of crime and corruption!” the newcomer said boldly.

“Gentlemen and lady,” Phaedrus announced, “this is Jolly Roger.”

The newcomer leaned forward, took Julie’s hand and gave it a brushed kissed. “Charmed, milady,” he said in a rakish voice.

Silent Knight signed: where do you know this guy from, Wolf?

“We’ve worked together in the past,” Phaedrus replied. “He actually relocated to the area around the same time I did. When some personal issues came up for me the other night that would require me to head out of town for awhile, he was the first person I could think of to fill-in for me in my absence. I think he’ll make a nice addition to the team.”

“I’ve never thought much about being a team player in my past,” Jolly Roger admitted, “but I kind of owe Phaedrus a favor. So I’m willing to give this a shot. Who knows? I might turn out to be better at it than I thought.”

“But, Phaedrus, we were going to track down the Sinister Spectrum,” Karishi reminded his colleague of a previous conversation.

“Yes,” Phaedrus started to say.

“Tracking down folks who don't want to be found is one of my specialties,” Jolly Roger interjected. “Now, I’m not as great as the Wolf here, but I get the job done.”

“He does indeed,” Phaedrus agreed. “You guys will be in good hands with JR here.”

Julie rushed over to Phaedrus and threw her arms around him. “Well, I’m going to miss you,” she said. “You’ve done so much for me this past week that I can’t even begin to thank you.”

“Just welcome Jolly Roger to the group is all I ask,” Phaedrus said.

“Yeah, but not with the hugs,” Jolly Roger added. “I’ve already got me a significant other in my life, and she’s a black belt in martial arts. I don’t need her thinking I’m stepping out on her. The last time she thought that I was sore for three days.” He made a slight laugh at his own comment.

Julie eyed him. “Okay, whatever,” she said. As she moved by the Knight, she muttered softly “not like I was going to hug him anyway.”

Karishi could feel some of the tension in the air; it was thick enough that you could cut it with a knife. Still, he knew he had unfinished business in the country and having allies could certainly benefit him in the long run. So, he decided to make do. “Welcome to the group, Jolly Roger,” he said, extending his gauntleted right hand in a gesture of peace common to the Western civilization.

Jolly Roger shook it firmly. “Thanks,” he said. “Karishi’s your name, right? That’s what again?”

“Japanese,” the hero said.

Jolly Roger replied in Japanese "I am pleased to make your acquaintance".

Karishi was impressed by the man's near perfect pronunciation.

“Well, if that is settled,” Phaedrus said, “I’ll let you all get acquainted with the new headquarters.”

***

The next evening, when Karishi and the others arrived at the headquarters, Jolly Roger was already sitting in front of the computer console. Next to him were some green and white printouts. “About time you guys arrived,” the man said.

Silent Knight glanced at the clock on the wall and signed to Julie: according that, we’re right on time.

Julie signed back: no kidding.

“Karishi, I’ve got some more information on that villain you were tracking,” Jolly Roger continued without looking up from the monitor. He reached to his right and hand some of the top sheets to the costumed man behind him.

Karishi took the papers and began to scan the printing on them. “An archeological convention in Louisville, Kentucky,” he announced.

“Yup,” said Jolly Roger. “The info you got from the Justice Gang said that Spectrum guy was an archeologist. I pulled up his past history and found out he was a graduate of the University of Louisville.”

“How did you find out that?” Julie asked.

“There’s this thing out there called the Internet,” the hero at the keyboard said. “Not a lot of everyday folks know about it - yet. Mostly links up computers in government offices and institutions of higher learning. With the right codes and connections, one can find out a lot of information in a very short time.”

So, he’s a hacker, the Knight signed.

“What’s a hacker?” Julie repeated the term out loud.

Jolly Roger spun around in his chair. “A hacker? Please. That’s such a derogatory term. Just consider what I do with computers another aspect of my pirating persona, if you will.”

“Regardless of the method of gaining the information,” Karishi said, “this could prove useful – if we could be certain that the Spectrum would show up at this convention. Otherwise, it would be a wild goose chase to go all the way out there.”

“Figured you might say that,” Jolly Roger said as he thumbed through more of the papers on the desk. “So, I went ahead and got this.” He handed Karishi a sheet with a number of names.

“These are…” Karishi began to ask.

“…the registered attendees for the conference,” Jolly Roger completed his thought. “Scan down to the center of the page. See a familiar name?”

“Harold Lindberg,” Karishi said. “That’s the Spectrum’s civilian identity.”

“That would be he,” Jolly Roger said.

Karishi nodded, “Good work.” Even if the man had a bit of an arrogant attitude about him, he seemed focused at getting the job done. Perhaps he misjudged the man the night before.

“Gets better,” Jolly Roger said. “Check the end of the list. Last three names.”

Karishi read from the list. “Akirou Nyougi, Dixon Flatline and John Smith?”

“That would be you, me and the Knight,” Jolly Roger replied. “I took the liberty of signing us up, under false identities, just so we can go and keep an eye on this Spectrum.

John Smith? the Knight signed. Is he serious?

“What’s the Knight saying?” Jolly Roger asked. “I don’t follow the finger-speak.”

“He says that John Smith isn’t terribly original,” Julie said. “I tend to agree.”

“Contrary to popular belief, there are over four hundred John Smiths registered in the United States with the phone company alone,” Jolly Roger pointed out. “So, I don’t think anyone will pay much notice.”

“What about me?” Julie asked.

“What about you?”

“I can go too,” she said. “My mental abilities could be useful.”

“Someone needs to mind the fort while we’re off on this little adventure,” Jolly Roger said. “Figured that was part of your job, right?”

Julie gave him a discouraging look.

“He is right, Julie,” Karishi said. “We need someone here to coordinate things. Plus, Phaedrus had said you needed the job. Since the city doesn’t know you have abilities, they think you are just someone we had hired.”

Silent Knight added in sign: it allows you to establish a new life. That is what you wanted, right?

“Yes,” Julie said with a slight pout.

Karishi turned back to the other two costumed men. “The conference isn’t until the 10^th. That gives us a few nights before our flight, correct?”

“Got us airline tickets all set for later in the week,” Jolly Roger said. “Baltimore to Staniford Field Airport, one connection. Amazing what you can do with computers these days, eh?”

“Good,” said Karishi. “That gives me time to look into something else?”

“Anything we can help with?” Julie asked.

“No, not at this time,” Karishi said.

***

Lt. Sean McNally of the Baltimore police department had been more than happy to keep Karishi in the loop regarding any suspicious or unusual activity. The hero had asked the officer to alert him for any violent murders or missing person reports. McNally quickly jumped at the chance, even if it was just to talk briefly with the new hero in town again. From their one meeting, the hero quickly sized up McNally as a hero worshipper and had no problem using that to his own benefit.

The sparse detail from one recent event was enough to convince Karishi to do a little investigating on his own.

Rick Casey, age twenty four, was a third shift computer operator for Coastal Foods Distribution. He normally worked from 8pm until 6am, and then slept the morning away in his apartment. Casey’s friends had reported him missing back on the third. A rather social individual, his friends and girlfriend thought it was odd that he would just up and disappear without a single word.

Karishi began a stake out that alternated between Casey’s place of employment and the apartment complex where he lived. Watching from rooftops and trees, he found no unusual comings and goings.

A quick search of Casey’s apartment, with access gained easily in his mist form, in the late night hours revealed that the young man had not vacated the premises. Clothes remained in the closet and the hampers, and the refrigerator was still stocked with food.

That leads me to believe it could have been some kind of abduction, Karishi concluded, though not one involving any signs of force or coercion in his dwelling. Abductions can lead to something more…like possible vampire activity in the area. It certainly fit the modus operandi of the vampire circles he had been familiar with in the Far East and Europe. This will require further investigation when we return from Louisville.

***

The trio of heroes, travelling under the assumed identities that Jolly Roger worked up, arrived in Louisville Thursday afternoon and checked into their hotel room. “Are you sure we’ll be able to function here?” Mr. Nyougi (Karishi) asked upon realizing the trio would have to share one room. “I would be happy to pay for another room.”

“Isn’t possible,” the black haired Mr. Flatline (Jolly Roger) replied. “This was the last available room in the hotel due to so many convention guests. We’ve got two beds and a fold out sofa. We can draw straws to see who gets the couch if you like.”

Nyougi shook his head. “No, that is okay.” The Asian young man in his late twenties with straight black hair turned to the wavy blonde haired man who had been pouring over the local newspaper since they arrived. “Have you found anything of interest in the news?”

Mr. Smith (Silent Knight) folded over one of the sections of paper to show a full page advertisement. There was a picture of tents, animals, clowns and acrobats – all pointing out attributes of the Red Darren Circus which was in town from the 12^th through the 19^th.

“The circus?” Nyougi asked.

“No time for fun and games,” Flatline said as he pulled some fresh clothes from his suitcase. “There’s a dinner downstairs for the convention attendees at seven, followed by a mixer at nine. I think we should attend.” He turned and headed for the small bathroom to freshen up.

“Are you coming to the dinner?” Nyougi asked.

Smith signed: no.

Nyougi knew enough to recognize that sign. His mute ally was keeping his responses short and simple since neither Phaedrus nor Julie were around to help interpret. He also picked up on the fact that the man was rather self-conscious about his appearance; the scar on the Knight’s neck was a constant reminder of a tragic event in his life. Nyougi didn’t bother to push it further. He had his own tragic events in his past that he did not feel comfortable sharing with these men he barely knew. Perhaps someday.

Nyougi and Flatline mingled among the archeologists and other guests at the dinner. It was more of a buffet with heavy appetizers on one end and a variety of meats and salads at the other. They each got a plate; Nyougi went for more of the lighter fare while Flatline managed to load up his plate. “Might as well take advantage of the spread,” the later said with a smile. “It’s all part of the registration fees for these kinds of things.”

Nyougi noticed Harold Lindberg, a dark haired man of medium build with a long angular face, talking to another gentleman. Beside him sat the blonde woman that he knew for certain was Crystaline, the one whom Lindberg as the Sinister Spectrum had ‘freed’ from the museum display weeks prior. He motioned to Flatline to follow him, and the two sat at a small table near the others so they could overhear the conversation.

“…me more about that recent dig you were on?” Lindberg asked.

“Oh, I’m sure your lovely bride does not want to hear about all that,” the other gentleman replied. “Tell me how you two met, my dear.”

Lindberg turned to the blonde who was clearly looking off, uninterested in any of the conversation. “Crystal,” he said. “Professor Stevens was speaking to you.”

“What?” she blinked.

“How did you two meet?” Professor Stevens repeated his inquiry.

“We met at a museum in Baltimore,” she said flatly.

“Really,” Stevens replied. “I must say, it is always refreshing to see beautiful women interested in an old relics like us, eh Harold?” He laughed.

“Yes, yes,” Harold said with a smile as he put his arm around the woman and gave her a squeeze. “I am indeed a very lucky man.”

At the table behind them, Flatline made a silent motion of putting his finger to his throat – just long enough for Nyougi to see. “Gag,” he said in a soft whisper to his colleague. He continued to scarf down his food while Nyougi continued to listen to the conversation.

When the Lindbergs got up to mingle with others, Nyougi said to his ally, “we should probably keep an eye on them.”

“You do that,” Flatline replied. “I’m going to grab a plate and bring it back up to our friend Smith. Besides, if the love-birds are down here, we know they aren’t in their room. That’ll give me time to access the hotel computer, find out what room they are.” He stood up and patted the Asian on the shoulder.

Nyougi tried to keep to the fringe of the room most of the evening, always keeping the couple under observation but never getting too close to make it obvious. He studied the faces of the individuals they talked to, looking at body language and trying to gauge responses.

He wasn’t completely sure what he was looking for. Perhaps they were meeting up with another ally at the convention. Perhaps they were on the look-out for other gemstones. He paid particularly close attention to the jewelry of the women in the room. He watched Lindberg’s eyes, to see if anything garnered extreme interest.

So far, it seemed like a wasted evening.

Dixon Flatline returned to the room at 9:45pm, stopping first at the bar to grab a couple beers and then joining his friend. “Did you have any luck and getting their room number?” Nyougi asked him.

“417,” Flatline said as he took a pull on one of the beers. “Smith and I did a little room-service too, looking for anything useful. Copied down info from their car rental form and their airline tickets, but didn’t find anything else.”

“No power gem?” Nyougi asked.

“Nope,” Flatline said as he polished off the first beer and put the empty down. “He must have it on him.” He took a pull from the second.

“He is not likely to leave something that powerful out of reach,” Nyougi concluded.

“They talk to anyone suspicious while I was gone?”

“No,” the Asian said. “Perhaps something more will happen tomorrow during one of the presentations or exhibits.”

“Let’s hope so,” Flatline said. “I’d hate to think we came all this way for nothing.”

“Not nothing,” Nyougi said. “At the very least, we have gotten track of him again. And we will not lose him until we find out what he is up to.”

***

The couple returned to their room and locked the door behind them.

Crystaline flopped down on the king sized bed and stared at the ceiling. “I am bored, Setar,” she said. “How long must we spend here, talking with others and listening?”

“You must be patient, my dear,” Harold Lindberg said as he lay down beside her. He ran his fingers through her flowing golden locks. “The convention runs through tomorrow evening and then we can continue with my plans.

“Will we need to go far, Setar?” she asked.

“No. Not far at all. Oh, and you need to not call me by my ancient name.”

“Why?” Crystaline said with a pout. “We are alone.”

“Still, you have to adjust to these modern times,” he said. “We have to take on certain aspects to walk among those of this time.”

“And that is why we wed?” she asked. “What was the name of that place again – Vegas?”

“We wed because I love you,” he said. He drew her face to his and kissed her passionately on the lips. “We had been apart for far too long. We needed to be together.”

She smiled. “I did so miss your embrace.”

Hovering just outside the window of room 417, a small bat turned its face away from the room and flew off. Karishi had overheard enough of the couple and had no desire to witness what was about to take place next. He and the others would need to keep a close eye on them for the remainder of the day tomorrow and tail them when they left the hotel.

Then we will catch you red handed at whatever it is you have planned, Spectrum, Karishi thought.