同章对照

Il Migliore’s HQ, the Optimates Tower, was the most luxurious place Ryan had ever seen.

Most of Dynamis’ properties were located northeast of the city, on the far opposite of Rust Town. Unlike its neighbor though, this district catered to the supreme elite of New Rome. Il Migliore’s tower was a seventy-floor-tall building, half penthouse skyscraper, half luxury hotel. The lower portion was bulkier than the top, housing gardens, pool balconies, and even helipad areas, while the upper floors belonged to offices. The building clearly took cues after the Art Deco movement, with its mix of luxurious, shiny splendor and modern geometric design.

Ryan himself had a meeting on floor sixty-three, sitting in an expansively decorated waiting room. A thirty-something secretary worked behind a desk on her computer, while another familiar face waited in another chair, near an office’s closed doors.

Through the room’s window, Ryan could see the actual Dynamis HQ nearby, a reinforced glass spire that oversaw the entire city; even the Il Migliore building couldn’t hold a candle to it in size, lacking at least twenty floors compared to its big brother. How fitting that the company’s fortress overlooked both New Rome and its superheroes’ base.

On a closer look though, Dynamis’ HQ reminded Ryan of those futuristic arcology designs, buildings meant to be entirely self-sufficient. He noticed a few greenhouses and gardens on some of the floors, even water reservoirs; however, past a certain point, something in the glass’ composition prevented the Genome from seeing through it. How suspicious.

Unlike downtown, both buildings were protected by the elite units of the Private Security; people in white armor with laser cannons implanted in the right arm and state of the art weaponry. Unlike their lesser cousins, they were a true military force, well-trained, and ferociously loyal to Dynamis’ interests.

He had heard that they didn’t even accept bribes!

“Excuse me.” Having been restless for an hour, Ryan turned to the other person waiting for an appointment. “Are you… the Panda?”

The poor manbear looked up at him with hope. Compared to the previous loop, the would-be hero seemed less bombastic and more subdued. “You know me?”

“Of course I know you! You’re the Panda! The very last of them!” Ryan said, pumping his fist for added effect. “When I see you riding your bicycle of justice, I always get goosebumps!”

“Thanks!” the hero replied, suddenly a lot more cheerful. He must be glad to have at least one ‘fan’ in the world. “I’m really trying to live up to my panda legacy, and make them trendy again.”

“But what is a solo hero doing here, in this bastion of corporate superheroism?”

“The Panda… the Panda struggles on his own,” he admitted. “I’m really trying to make a name as a solo hero, but it’s hard. None of the villains even want to fight me in public, because I’m simply too powerful for them.”

“I’m sure you are,” Ryan replied with heavy sarcasm, which the Panda completely missed.

“It’s so frustrating!” he said. “I can’t make it to the news without some big awesome duel, you know? Really, with great power comes great isolation.”

He sounded like he believed it too.

“Mr. Romano?” Ryan’s head perked up, as the secretary called his name. “Mr. Manada will receive you.”

Finally! “Good luck with the interview,” the Panda told Ryan, as the courier moved towards the office’s doors. “What’s your name?”

“Quicksave!” Ryan replied with a thumb up. “I’m immortal, but don’t tell anyone!”

“I won’t!”

The secretary let Ryan through the doors and then closed them behind. The courier waltzed inside an office as big as a house, but whose space was mostly occupied by flowers. Geraniums, roses bushes, chrysanths, muguet, dozens of various species of plants were on display. The office even included a miniature Japanese pond, with golden carp swimming in the waters.

A tall, slender man waited for the courier behind a mahogany desk positioned to give the occupant a spectacular view of New Rome through a full window. If he wasn't the supreme authority of a superhero team, Ryan would have mistaken his host for a supervillain. The man wore an expensive tuxedo suit with a black rose on the left side, carried white gloves, and hid his face behind some kind of stylized white helmet reminding Ryan of the pre-war Daft Punk electronic band.

The courier could only applaud his fashion style.

“I am Enrique Manada, the Chief Brand Officer at Dynamis and Head Manager of the Il Migliore program.” The man shook Ryan’s hand, his voice pleasant to hear yet firm. He smelled like roses, probably perfume. “You may also call me Blackthorn.”

“I don't see any thorns on your cost—” Ryan gasped, as he noticed the matter making up the suit. “Wait, is that cashmere?”

“You have a sharp eye,” Enrique mused, showing Ryan a wooden chair and inviting him to sit down. “We have our own production program at Dynamis since we cannot import it from Asia. The production cost is horrendous, but you cannot put a price on elegance.”

While sitting, Ryan barely paid attention to the man, his eyes fixed on his clothes. He wanted a suit like that too!

“We have no shortage of volunteers wishing to join our superhero teams,” Enrique said, joining his fingers. “But few make it to my office. I believe in personal recommendations, Mr. Romano. If Wyvern hadn’t vouched for you, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Ryan briefly wondered who had recommended the Panda of all people, deeming the mystery as important as tracking down his assassin.

“She seems to have a good feeling about you, especially after you forewarned her about our latest prisoner. Which makes me wonder how you knew about Ghoul's escape attempt.”

“Just a gut feeling,” Ryan replied innocently.

“I don’t believe you,” Enrique replied, going straight for the jugular. “We have been having trouble with the Private Security lately, and several members tasked with escorting Ghoul actively tried to help him run away. If you know of any security breach, I would be thankful for sharing the information.”

Well, Ryan had come looking for information too, so it was all good. The fact the Meta had inside men among the Private Security bothered him though. It didn’t surprise him that they would bribe locals to look the other way, but this gang seemed a lot more organized than most Psycho warbands.

He would look into it.

“In any case, I must thank you for coming here. I am certain our competition made you an offer, knowing Vulcan’s rivalry with Wyvern, and your trust in us won’t go unrewarded.” Enrique observed Ryan closely. “Why do you wish to join Il Migliore?”

“Ever since I was young, I always wanted to become an ad.”

“An ad?”

“Like Mr. Clean and Felix the Cat. A recognizable icon of consumerism, with my face plastered on every cereal box.”

“Uh uh,” Enrique replied, seemingly seriously.

“To transcend the human condition and become a packaged product. That has always been my dream.”

“Uh uh,” Enrique nodded, “and the real reason?”

Ryan shrugged. “Greed?”

“Your psychological profile tells me otherwise.”

They even had a psychological profile? Poor boys, Ryan wondered how many people had gone mad compiling it. “Alright, alright, I thought it would be fun to try being a superhero, and I promised someone that I would kick the Meta out of the city as a personal favor. Business and pleasure.”

“The Meta-gang is a problem,” Enrique conceded, “although not as much as the Augusti. Who is this person you owe a favor to?”

“Some guy in Rust Town named Paulie. He probably won’t even remember me though.”

“I’m certain there is an interesting story behind this,” the corporate mastermind mused. “I will put my cards on the table, Mr. Romano. I feel conflicted about your case. You have an incredible power, with a very high development potential according to our research team. Your skills with weapons are impressive, as the security check-up can attest to. I didn’t even know one could fit so many miniaturized weapons in a kid’s plushie, even if I don’t see the point.”

“They will never see it coming,” Ryan explained.

“Which brings me to the matter at hand,” Enrique presented Ryan with a small pile of paper. “The sixteen pages long index of collateral damage complaints associated with your name, from people all over Italy.”

Something bothered Ryan greatly. “Only sixteen pages?”

“You expected more, perhaps?”

“Hell yes I did,” Ryan replied, “I guess I’m too good at silencing witnesses.”

The corporate Genome remained completely unfazed. “Plus eighteen demographic then,” he said. “Loose cannons have no place at Dynamis. If we sign a work contract together, foolhardy behavior will not be tolerated.”

“Hey, I always fulfill commands to the letter,” Ryan defended himself, wounded in his honor, “It’s not my fault if everyone leaves the methods open for interpretation!”

“I will not. However, I need more guarantees. While no one ever accused you of betraying a contract, you have a mercenary past and a suspicious link to a certain criminal Genius.”

He offered Ryan a photo, and the courier’s heart skipped a beat.

That was her, in a mugshot. She had aged a few years and had a black eye in the picture, but it was her, holding a paper with a number while glaring at the photographer.

“Len ‘Underdiver’ Sabino.” Ryan could sense Blackthorn’s eyes examine his face, looking for any sign of weakness. “Daughter of Freddie Sabino, alias Bloodstream. An extremely dangerous Psycho who almost rivaled Big Adam and Augustus in infamy, until his demise four years ago against Leo Hargraves’ Carnival. Many witnesses said he traveled alongside his daughter and an unidentified teenage boy, whose body was never recovered.”

“Alright, let’s cut the bullshit, greenhand,” Ryan said, completely serious and putting the photo in his coat. “Where is she?”

“In a place out of your reach, for now. I’ve had my eyes on her for a time. Her arrest was my brother, the vice-president’s, doing, and a missed opportunity for recruitment. He believes in harsh measures, I believe in rehabilitation. The public loves redemption stories.”

“If I behave, you will lead me to Len, while hoping that my presence will make her join your group.” Definitively an evil mastermind.

“Ah, now we are getting somewhere,” Enrique replied. “It will be much better for us if you told me the truth, Mr. Romano. How much is she worth to you?”

“Everything.”

“Perfect. Here’s my offer then: you sign a five-year contract with Il Migliore, help us clean New Rome of the filth that infests it, promote Dynamis’ brand, and most importantly, you behave. In exchange, we offer you a clean slate, generous accommodations, and the opportunity to reunite with Miss Sabino.”

He handed Ryan a contract far, far heavier than the collateral damage complaints, but the courier didn’t even pay it any attention. That deal sounded a lot like Vulcan’s, minus the personal vendetta bit. “What do you want out of this, greenhand?”

“Most people think my family is only interested in profit,” Enrique said, “but what we really want, is to rebuild Italian society into a prosperous nation. A dream that unfortunately, cannot come to pass while groups like the Meta, the Augusti, and marauders run rampant.”

“A proud nation under copyright, eh?”

“We also wish to democratize superpowers by reverse-engineering and mass-producing Elixirs,” Enrique replied, ignoring the jab. “As per your contract, you will be subjected to a full DNA-based test; this will ensure the Private Security’s drones can track you should you default on your contractual obligations. You will also be asked to participate in our Elixir research development program. We have few Violet Genomes like you under our employ.”

He should have known they wouldn’t want him just for his pretty face. “You won’t succeed in replicating my power.”

“We have made great progress on replicating powers, even created fully functional knock-off Elixirs.”

“You won’t be able to reproduce my power,” Ryan repeated himself. “I’ve tried, more times than you can count.”

“Good, then you can share your findings with the research division,” Enrique dismissed his words. “As for hero work, we divide the Il Migliore franchise into two very different branches: the Pro-League, for established icons like Wyvern; and the Little League, for juniors and less-known superheroes. Obviously, you will start with our secondary division.”

Ryan listened as Enrique explained to him the rules inside the organization—mostly corporate blabbering—before grabbing the contract and skimming it. While the possibility to meet Len was tempting as always, the courier mostly wanted to identify the assassin during this loop. Access to Dynamis’ buildings and databases would help a great deal. If the company could introduce him to Len quickly, then all was good; if they delayed too long, he would simply take the information and return to the Augusti path.

Something caught his attention. “Only thirty percent royalties on merchandising?” Ryan asked. “That’s theft.”

“We will also change your name,” Enrique said, “Quicksave is not punchy enough for our marketing department, and video games are a very niche market nowadays. How about Timelord? PR says it will catch on quickly, especially with teenagers.”

A soulless name developed to please hordes of monsters.

Why did Ryan feel like he had made a deal with Satan?

至优者的总部——贵族派大厦，是瑞恩见过最奢华的地方。

迪纳米斯的地产大多位于城市东北部，与锈镇遥遥相对。不过，这片城区与锈镇截然不同，专为新罗马最顶尖的精英阶层服务。至优者的大厦足有七十层高，一半像是设有顶层豪宅的摩天楼，一半像是豪华酒店。建筑下部比上部宽大，设有花园、带泳池的露台，甚至还有直升机停机坪，上层则是办公区。这栋楼显然借鉴了装饰艺术运动的风格，将奢华耀眼的气派与现代几何设计融为一体。

瑞恩约好了在六十三层见人，此刻正坐在一间装饰繁复的等候室里。一位三十来岁的秘书坐在办公桌后，对着电脑工作；办公室紧闭的门旁，另一个熟面孔也坐在椅子上等候。

透过房间的窗户，瑞恩能看见不远处迪纳米斯真正的总部：一座俯瞰全城的强化玻璃尖塔。就连至优者的大楼也无法与它的规模相比，比这位老大哥至少矮了二十层。公司的堡垒同时凌驾于新罗马和自家超级英雄的基地之上，真是再贴切不过。

不过，仔细一看，迪纳米斯的总部又让瑞恩想起了那些未来风格的生态巨构设计：旨在完全自给自足的建筑。他留意到，有些楼层设有温室和花园，甚至还有蓄水池；但到了某个高度，玻璃中的某种成分便让这位基因者看不透了。真可疑。

与市中心不同，这两栋建筑都由私人安保队的精锐部队守卫。这些人身穿白色装甲，右臂植入了激光炮，配备着最先进的武器。他们与那些低一档的同行不同，是一支真正的军事力量，训练有素，誓死捍卫迪纳米斯的利益。

他听说这些人甚至连贿赂都不收！

“打扰一下。”瑞恩已经坐立不安地等了一个小时，终于转向另一位等着赴约的人。“你是……熊猫？”

那个可怜的熊人满怀希望地抬头看他。与上一轮相比，这位一心想当英雄的家伙少了几分浮夸，多了几分低落。“你认识我？”

“我当然认识你！你是熊猫！世上最后一只！”瑞恩说着，还挥了挥拳头以加强效果。“每次看到你骑着正义自行车，我都会起鸡皮疙瘩！”

“谢谢！”英雄回答，顿时开朗了许多。知道这世上至少还有一个“粉丝”，他一定很高兴。“我真的在努力，不辜负熊猫留下的传承，让它们重新流行起来。”

“不过，一位单打独斗的英雄，来这座企业超级英雄事业的堡垒做什么？”

“熊猫……熊猫独自打拼，过得很艰难。”他承认道，“我真的很想靠自己闯出英雄的名号，可太难了。反派们甚至没一个愿意在大庭广众之下跟我交手，因为我对他们来说实在太强了。”

“那是肯定的。”瑞恩答得满是讽刺，熊猫却半点也没听出来。

“太让人泄气了！”他说，“你知道吗？没有一场惊天动地的精彩决斗，我就上不了新闻。真的，能力越大，孤独越大。”

听那语气，他还真信了。

“罗马诺先生？”听见秘书叫自己的名字，瑞恩立刻抬起了头。“马纳达先生可以见您了。”

终于！信使朝办公室的门走去时，熊猫对他说：“祝你面试顺利。你叫什么名字？”

“快存！”瑞恩竖起大拇指答道，“我是不死之身，不过别告诉别人！”

“我不会的！”

秘书让瑞恩进门，随后在他身后关上了门。信使轻快地走进办公室。这里足有一栋房子那么大，但空间大半都被花草占据了。天竺葵、玫瑰丛、菊花、铃兰，几十种不同的植物陈列其间。办公室里甚至还有一座微型日式池塘，金色的鲤鱼在水中游动。

一个身材瘦高的男人正在桃花心木办公桌后等他。桌子的位置恰到好处，坐在那里便能透过整面窗户，将新罗马的壮丽景色尽收眼底。若不是知道此人是一支超级英雄团队的最高负责人，瑞恩准会把这位主人当成超级反派。他穿着一套昂贵的晚礼服，左侧别着一朵黑玫瑰，配着白手套，脸则藏在一顶造型别致的白色头盔后面，让瑞恩想起了战前的电子乐队傻朋克。

对于这人的穿衣品位，信使唯有鼓掌称赞。

“我是恩里克·马纳达，迪纳米斯首席品牌官，兼至优者项目总负责人。”男人与瑞恩握手，声音悦耳，却不失坚定。他身上散发着玫瑰香，大概是香水。“你也可以叫我黑棘。”

“可你这身衣服上也没见有什么刺——”瑞恩注意到了衣服的面料，不禁倒吸一口气。“等等，这是羊绒？”

“眼光很准。”恩里克饶有兴味地说着，示意瑞恩坐到一把木椅上。“既然无法从亚洲进口，我们就在迪纳米斯内部设立了生产项目。生产成本高得吓人，但优雅是无价的。”

瑞恩坐下时，几乎没在听这人说话，眼睛始终盯着他的衣服。他也想要一套！

“主动申请加入我们超级英雄团队的人从来不缺，”恩里克说着，合起双手的指尖，“但很少有人能走进我的办公室。罗马诺先生，我信任私人举荐。如果不是双足飞龙为你担保，我们就不会有这场谈话。”

瑞恩不禁琢磨了一下：到底是谁，居然推荐了熊猫进来？在他看来，这个谜团与追查暗杀自己的人同样重要。

“她似乎很看好你，尤其是你事先提醒了她，要留意我们新抓的那个犯人。这也让我很好奇，你怎么会知道食尸鬼打算逃跑？”

“只是直觉。”瑞恩无辜地回答。

“我不相信。”恩里克一针见血地说道，“最近私人安保队出了些问题，几名负责押送食尸鬼的队员曾主动协助他逃跑。如果你知道任何安保漏洞，还请告知，我会很感激。”

好吧，瑞恩也是来打探消息的，这倒正合适。不过，超能帮在私人安保队里居然安插了内应，这件事让他有些不安。他们会贿赂当地人，让人睁一只眼闭一只眼，倒不奇怪；可这个帮派似乎比大多数疯魔匪帮都有组织得多。

他会查一查的。

“无论如何，我都要感谢你愿意来这里。考虑到伏尔甘与双足飞龙之间的竞争关系，我确信我们的竞争对手已经向你开过价。你对我们的信任，不会没有回报。”恩里克仔细打量着瑞恩。“你为什么想加入至优者？”

“从小到大，我一直都想成为一则广告。”

“一则广告？”

“就像清洁先生和菲利克斯猫那样。成为辨识度极高的消费主义偶像，让每个麦片盒上都印着我的脸。”

“嗯，嗯。”恩里克回应，看起来还挺认真。

“超越人类生存的局限，成为一件包装好的商品。这一直是我的梦想。”

“嗯，嗯。”恩里克点头。“那么，真正的理由呢？”

瑞恩耸耸肩。“贪财？”

“你的心理档案可不是这么说的。”

他们居然连心理档案都有？可怜的家伙，瑞恩真想知道，编写这份档案时究竟逼疯了多少人。“好吧，好吧，我觉得试着当一回超级英雄应该挺有意思。而且我答应过一个人，要把超能帮赶出这座城市，算是帮他个忙。公事私趣两不误。”

“超能帮确实是个问题，”恩里克承认，“不过还比不上奥古斯蒂。你欠人情的这个人是谁？”

“锈镇一个叫保利的人。不过，他大概连我是谁都不记得了。”

“我相信这背后一定有个有趣的故事。”这位企业谋略家若有所思地说，“罗马诺先生，我就摊牌了。对于你的情况，我很矛盾。你的能力非同凡响，据我们的研究团队判断，开发潜力极高。你在武器方面的本事也令人印象深刻，安检结果足以为证。我以前都不知道，原来能在儿童毛绒玩具里塞进那么多微型武器，尽管我看不出这样做有什么意义。”

“这样才能让人防不胜防。”瑞恩解释。

“这就说到了眼下的问题。”恩里克将一小叠纸摆在瑞恩面前。“与你有关的附带损害投诉目录，长达十六页，投诉者来自意大利各地。”

有件事让瑞恩十分在意。“才十六页？”

“怎么，你以为会更多？”

“废话，当然。”瑞恩答道，“看来，让目击者闭嘴这方面，我还是太在行了。”

这位企业基因者丝毫不为所动。“那就定位十八岁以上的受众。”他说，“迪纳米斯不容许有不受控的人。如果我们签订雇佣合同，任何鲁莽行事的行为都不能容忍。”

“喂，我一向都是严格按命令办事的。”瑞恩觉得自己的名誉受到了伤害，立刻为自己辩护，“大家总把执行方法留给我自由解读，这又不是我的错！”

“我不会留。不过，我还需要更多保证。虽然从来没人指控过你违约，但你做过雇佣兵，而且与某位身为罪犯的天才之间存在可疑的联系。”

他递给瑞恩一张照片，信使的心脏漏跳了一拍。

照片上是她，一张入案照。她比从前长了几岁，照片里的一只眼眶还带着淤青，但确实是她。她举着一张写有编号的纸，怒视着摄影师。

“蕾恩·萨比诺，‘深潜者’。”瑞恩能感觉到，黑棘正审视着自己的脸，寻找任何暴露弱点的迹象。“弗雷迪·萨比诺的女儿，他的别名是血流。一个极其危险的疯魔，凶名几乎能与大亚当和奥古斯都比肩，直到四年前死于与利奥·哈格雷夫斯的嘉年华的交战。许多目击者都说，他身边跟着自己的女儿，以及一个身份不明的少年。那个男孩的尸体一直没有找到。”

“行了，别他妈绕圈子了，绿手。”瑞恩把照片收进大衣，神色彻底严肃下来。“她在哪儿？”

“在一个你暂时去不了的地方。我已经关注她一阵子了。逮捕她的是我那位担任副总裁的兄弟，这也让我们错失了一次招募机会。他信奉严厉手段，我相信改过自新。公众喜欢救赎故事。”

“只要我规规矩矩，你就会带我去找蕾恩，同时指望她会因为我而加入你们。”绝对是个邪恶的幕后黑手。

“啊，总算谈到正题了。”恩里克回答，“罗马诺先生，如果你肯对我说实话，对我们双方都更好。她对你来说有多重要？”

“她就是一切。”

“很好。那么，我的条件是：你与至优者签订五年合同，协助我们清除盘踞在新罗马的污秽，推广迪纳米斯的品牌，以及最重要的——规规矩矩。作为交换，我们会把你的过往一笔勾销，提供优厚的食宿待遇，以及与萨比诺小姐重逢的机会。”

他递给瑞恩一份合同，比那叠附带损害投诉厚重得多，但信使根本没去理会。这笔交易听上去与伏尔甘那一笔大同小异，只少了公报私仇的部分。“你想从中得到什么，绿手？”

“大多数人都以为，我的家族只对利润感兴趣，”恩里克说，“但我们真正想要的，是重建意大利社会，让它成为一个繁荣的国家。遗憾的是，只要超能帮、奥古斯蒂这样的组织，以及劫掠者们还在横行，这个梦想就无法实现。”

“一个享有版权保护的骄傲国度，是吧？”

“我们也希望通过逆向工程和量产灵药，让超能力普及到大众。”恩里克无视了这句挖苦，继续说道，“按照合同，你将接受一套基于DNA的全面检测，以确保你未履行合同义务时，私人安保队的无人机能够追踪你。你还需要参加我们的灵药研发项目。我们雇用的紫系基因者不多，你是难得的一位。”

他早该知道，他们不会只冲着他这张俊脸来。“你们复制不了我的能力。”

“我们在复制能力方面已经取得了很大进展，甚至做出了功能完备的仿制灵药。”

“你们复制不了我的能力。”瑞恩重复了一遍，“我试过，次数多得你数都数不过来。”

“很好，那你就可以把研究成果分享给研究部门了。”恩里克把他的话轻轻带过，“至于英雄工作，至优者这个品牌旗下分为两个截然不同的分部：职业联盟，面向双足飞龙这样已经成名的偶像；小联盟，面向新人和知名度较低的超级英雄。显然，你会从我们的次级分部起步。”

瑞恩听着恩里克解释组织内部的规章——基本都是些公司套话——随后拿起合同，粗略翻阅了一遍。与蕾恩见面的可能性一如既往地诱人，但这一轮里，信使最主要的目标还是查明刺客的身份。能进入迪纳米斯的建筑和数据库，会有很大帮助。如果公司能尽快安排他见到蕾恩，那自然皆大欢喜；如果他们拖得太久，他就直接带着情报，回到奥古斯蒂路线去。

其中一条引起了他的注意。“周边商品的版税才百分之三十？”瑞恩问，“这是抢劫。”

“我们还会给你改名。”恩里克说，“市场部认为，快存这个名字不够响亮，而且如今电子游戏的市场非常小众。时间领主怎么样？公关部说，这个名字很快就会流行起来，尤其受青少年欢迎。”

一个为了讨好成群怪物而开发出来、毫无灵魂的名字。

瑞恩怎么觉得，自己这是跟撒旦做了笔交易？