The Syndicate - 4. Chapter 4 - Silver Cyclone

Silver Cyclone was waiting outside Ronnie’s room as Maya stepped out and the door shut behind her. “How’s he doing?”

Maya turned to him. “He’s... fine, SC. Well, as fine as can be given the circumstances. I imagine he’ll be hurting for a little while, and not just physically.”

Silver Cyclone recalled finding Ronnie in the alley. The way he cowered on the ground, eyes alight with fear. It was so vivid. “He was so scared… I’ve never seen a manifestation like that,” he said, sadness in his voice.

“Can you blame him? His world just totally shifted, not to mention the guy he killed. You’d be scared too if that’s how you ended up in this world.”

Silver Cyclone winced at the mention of Ronnie’s attacker. “I pulled the records on that guy, and he was a total scumbag. In and out of jail on a number of violent offenses going back years.” He did his best to temper his anger, but someone like that simply wasn’t redeemable, and justice needed to be served in one way or another. He just wished he had gotten to the scene faster before it had spiraled out of control. He was so sorry for what Ronnie had gone through. “It was going to catch up to him sooner or later.”

“Yeah… it usually does,” Maya’s eyes went somewhere distant.

Silver Cyclone had seen her drift off like this many times before and was pretty sure where her thoughts were heading. He tried to pull her back from the memories by changing the subject. “Did you happen to see the power readings the med-bot scanned off of him?”

“No, of course not… wait, did you?!” Maya’s eyes went wide. “How did you get a hold of --”

“Let’s just say Doctor Ritter owed me a favor,” the hero shrugged. “I wanted to see what Ronnie was going to be dealing with,” He pulled up an image on his phone and handed it to Maya.

She studied the numbers on the screen and flipped through a couple of diagrams. “Oh! Impressive… how is this the first we’re hearing of him?”

Silver Cyclone had been wondering the exact same thing. “Can I see him?” he asked.

Maya shook her head. “Wait until tomorrow. I think the guy’s been through enough tonight. Besides, based on those readings, he’s going to be around for a while.”

She was right, of course. He’d get his chance to check-in.

“Why are you taking such an interest in this one? He’s not the first manifest you’ve brought in.”

He paused. “Something’s different about him. He was worried about the man who attacked him… wanted to know if he was going to have a family waiting at home. Who worries like that about someone they just had to fight off? I’m intrigued is all.”

“He’s intriguing, that’s for sure.” Maya nodded, “Come back tomorrow. I’m sure Ronnie will be happy to see you.” Silver Cyclone nodded and turned to walk down the hallway. “And SC,” she called after him. He stopped. “You did good work tonight. Right place at the right time.”

He smiled and continued on his way.