First Meetings: Jersey Diner

[Author's note: Set several weeks after the events in "Calling the Realm Defenders"]

A plate of bacon and scrambled eggs - not that runny junk - with a side of toast was served by the cheerful waitress. The smell was mouth-watering in every way.

"Mmm, the taste is even better," sighed Tri-blade as he took his first mouthful.

The waitress nodded happily and left to attend another table in the small diner.

"Is this seat taken?" came a new voice.

Tri-blade looked up to see a middle-aged man, with white hair and a short beard, staring at him intently. The newcomer smiled briefly.

"You seem a bit overdressed for a diner, but be my guest," motioned Tri-blade as he looked over the other man's outfit. The newcomer was clad in black body armour, even his arms and thighs were covered in lightweight armour plates. A long cape was worn over his shoulders and in his right hand rested an ornate yet simple staff.

The man took a seat in the booth.

"At the end of our chat, can you tell me about the eye-patch?" chuckled Tri-blade.

"Perhaps another time is best suited for discussions about individual impediments and accessories," the man replied. "I am Director Nova, of the organization known as BADGE". They shook hands.

Tri-blade resumed eating, placing a strip of bacon on top of his buttered toast. It was heavenly.

Nova blinked, then resumed conversation. "Our organization is recently formed, but it's heavily invested through private enterprise and by government in wake of the activity by the alien force known as the Legion. One of our main tasks is the locating and recruiting of morphon-enhanced persons with special abilities... and you have been seen to fit the profile."

A stifled laugh came as response.

"Do you not see yourself as such a person?" asked Nova.

Tri-blade put his toast down. Pointing a finger at the older man, Tri-blade said, "Morphons. I've heard that before, both in the news and on the 'street'. Peculiar energies, or microorganisms, nobody's yet figured out. But what not everybody knows is that morphons don't automatically grant abilities."

He took a sip of juice.

"Sometimes... they remove them."

Nova's eyebrow raised.

"In another place, I could teleport. Myself, people, objects. But here, I can't do a thing. There are other things that I can do, sure,... but I've felt weakened ever since I arrived here."

"Here?"

"Another realm, Nova. I'm a bit surprised that didn't enter your mind or that your colleagues didn't raise that suspicion when you looked me up in the first place. Surely a government-backed organization with a fancy acronym would have access to data on all native born humans, eh?... oh wait perhaps the 'native born' line has you stumped. Surely you'd have been aware of dimensional portals appearing about the place?"

Nova nodded silently.

"A little over a month ago... such a portal opened in what I believe was the Gobi desert in Mongolia. I was called to battle against a human-like being. He ran away. We figured out that his faction... likely this very same Legion... has taken prisoner a very good friend.

"Since then, we - and yes I didn't come to this place alone, and you probably already know that - have done a bit of exploring and inquiring. I've made my way over to this part of the world hoping to get some kind of lead on how to find these guys and rescue my friend.

"Perhaps, this is a bit of serendipity, us meeting like this," concluded Tri-blade. He resumed eating.

Nova folded his arms. "Perhaps you are right. I regret that you seemed to feel... diminished... by this morphon exposure, but from our own observations and findings you make a formidable person and someone we'd strongly like to have as an ally. Certainly, BADGE's resources can be used to assist you in your own goals. We just ask that you be willing to work with us.

"We've already sent a team to meet with your colleagues in Mongolia," added Nova.

Tri-blade nodded.

"I hope to meet with your goddaughter soon, as well," continued Nova.

Tri-blade said, "She looks forward to meeting you too. She's been monitoring this conversation ever since you stepped in."

Nova grinned. "We know."

Tri-blade laughed.

"Anyway," continued Nova, "you have come to the right place. New Amsterdam isn't far away from here, and it's been established that Legion operatives are already present in the city. They've managed to recruit a number of gangs and crime bosses to assist them in stealing tech and other loot - purposes unknown at this time but believed to be in an effort to hack into and hamper our communications and transportation systems.

"There's a collection of enhanced humans that we've been recruiting to help. Some seasoned battlers, some neophytes, of all ages and backgrounds. Some with very useful abilities, some with a very limited skill set. From lawyers to truck drivers to college kids, we've contacted a wide cross-section. But all trying to help in our common cause.

"The morphons, they're random. Not everybody has taken these gifts and used them for good, of course. So we have to deal with those who're taking the wrong path. Our max-security prison, Purgatory Penitentiary, quickly filled with people who threatened to do harm. And yes, there are extra-dimensional beings who we've had to put in super-max. Who knows, from which of those 'realms', they originated from."

"You'll have to send me the briefs," Tri-blade interjected with a hint of suspicion.

"Certainly. Will you go to New Amsterdam?"

Tri-blade nodded. "It's on my route. I'll help. Whatever info you have on this Legion, especially where they can be found -"

Nova said, "We suspect the bulk of their forces is in interstellar space. Whoever's here is only a portion of their forces, so you can see our concern. Repelling the current invaders and miscellaneous mischief-makers is our first task but rest assured we have guys working around the clock on stopping this Legion through all channels.

"We'll make contact when you arrive in the city. Enjoy your meal, it's on BADGE's tab."

Nova shook hands with Tri-blade again before getting to his feet and walking out.

Tri-blade resumed eating. Good thing he's paying for it, my eggs have gotten cold.