The Daily Saturn office was filled with the staff’s panicked shouts and the telephones ringing as they scrambled through another day of the news cycle. The reporters wrote as quickly as their typewriters would allow, desperately trying to beat the deadline for their printers. Delia and Monica were in Terry’s office, discussing a new story as the other reporters ran wildly throughout the space.

  “Well, boss?” Delia asked.

  “I don’t know.” Terry rubbed his chin.

  “Terry, we triple-checked the facts.” Monica waved the paper with the story in front of Terry’s face.

  “Enough.” Terry grabbed Monica’s hand, forcing it on his desk. “I’m sure you did your research, but a story like this could still cause hysteria and hurt our paper’s reputation.”

  “But don’t you think people deserve to know?”

  “Still, the big man of crime.” Terry released Monica. “I thought he was just a myth.”

  “He’s real, boss. And his criminal empire is already rivaling the Santini family,” Delia said.

  “You’re pulling my leg.”

  “It’s right here in the story.” Delia poked the papers three times. “Dozens of groups who would have never been caught dead together are suddenly coordinating against the Santinis.”

  “We have the South Americans, the Asian gangs, numerous Russian mobs, and more. And hear this, they’re receiving additional funding from a mysterious beneficiary,” Monica added.

  Terry dropped onto his chair. “Ladies, I need a minute to t—“

  Aiguio rushed into the room, running to Terry.

  “Mr. Grey, there’s a problem with the afternoon addition. We need you to look at it right now.”

  Terry turned his head to look at the women, releasing a deep breath. “Run the story, girls.”

  “Are you sure?” Monica asked.

  “Yes, I have to deal with this now. And I trust you.”

  Delia surrendered a small laugh. “Thanks, boss. You won’t regret it.”

  ***

  The seniors walked the halls, exercising in a designated area, aided by the kind hands of the attendants in the Garrick Retirement Home. A record player stood in a corner, releasing lively jazz music meant to motivate the elderly to move their legs. Its sweet melody provided the smallest increase to their liveliness, greatly helping the attendants in their duties. But one Japanese woman angrily rejected their help in favor of someone else. Keiko, growling like a rabid dog, walked with Daniel.

  "Boy, that daughter of mine is the devil. She didn't visit me once in the hospital.” Keiko screamed. “And she has the nerve to trap me here."

  "Keiko, cool off. Didn't the doctor say you have high blood pressure?”

  "I've lived long enough.” Keiko exhaled through her nose. “I'm ready to die.”

  "Seeing that I've been there and done that, don't try it. Find something, anything to wake up for.” Daniel grabbed Keiko’s head, lightly shaking it.

  Keiko looked at Daniel, resting her head on his shoulder. "I-I suppose maybe you and Karen are enough to stay longer. How are things, by the way?"

  "Pretty good, we're going to a fancy party later. But I'm getting my ride from the mechanics today and driving her to her new job first."

  A nurse came to the two.

  "Mrs. Yukimura, it's time for your medicine."

  "My poison, you mean," Keiko shot back.

  "Please just come with me. And Daniel, thank you for volunteering so often. I worry we couldn't handle her without you."

  "Don't mention it.”

  Keiko hugged Daniel goodbye, making him reciprocate as the nurse took her away.

  “Later, Keiko.”

  “Maybe.” Keiko puffed her cheeks.

  ***

  Daniel and Karen engaged in an intense confrontation, surpassed only by the couple's war on crime. Outside the mechanic's workshop as a united front in the sun’s searing heat, they prepared for the challenge of their adversaries, the husband and wife mechanics themselves.

  "What do you mean I can't have my ride?" Daniel asked.

  "Well, when my wife and I were doing the repairs, we noticed something interesting about your car."

  "Interesting?" Karen raised an eyebrow.

  "Bullet holes, shells, and other things like that.” The mechanic rubbed the back of his head. “So color us curious."

  "I believe our agreement stipulated no questions asked," Karen said.

  "Times are tough.” The wife extended an open hand to the couple with a smile. “No questions asked now comes with an additional service fee."

  "Listen, you dirty con—"

  Karen quickly pulled Daniel away from the mechanics as he began his tirade.

  Karen rubbed her temples in a circular motion. "Love, let's just give them the extra money."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "What? They're ripping us off."

  "I know, but we can't afford to start a fight. It took us an eternity to find mechanics who would agree to confidentiality, and we need that car for our new jobs.” Karen leaned closer to Daniel. “And our more private endeavors.”

  "Fine," Daniel shouted.

  Daniel reluctantly walked back to the mechanics with Karen. However, as he took their money from his wallet, he gave it to the husband in his fist, lightly punching him in the stomach.

  "My brother's a Lawyer. So my ride better run like a dream."

  Later, Daniel drove Karen to her new job, a place of immense esteem, Palmer Prep. It was a colossal compound of several kilometers. The school had existed for little over a century, accepting children from America, and in recent years from countries abroad. The buildings, many of which had stood since close to the institution’s genesis, were purple and white adorned with lush gardens across their vast perimeter. As he passed through the security gate he shared Karen's wide-eyed gaze at the prestigious institution and parked among the wealthy families.

  "What a place." Daniel whistled.

  "You have no idea, love. Palmer is renowned for its high standards, having excellent mathematics, English, science, and more. The instructors will determine our great land's future. I feel so honored to be given this sacred post."

  Daniel looked at Karen with a raised eyebrow. "Isn't your class made out of six-year-olds?"

  "It's never too early to start."

  “If you say so.” Daniel grabbed Karen's teaching materials, giving them to her. "Good luck, Angel."

  "Daniel, before I go, I realize you're upset about the mechanics. And how I made you stay with them."

  "Forget about it."

  Karen touched Daniel's forehead with hers, looking him in the eye.

  "Oh, but I can't. I've been a bad girl, so I deserve to be punished accordingly. In any way that pleases you."

  Daniel swiftly sprouted a grin, going in to kiss Karen. But he stopped, spotting passersby, giving them looks.

  "Sorry, Karen. I'm making you look bad on your first day."

  Karen kissed Daniel on the cheek. "My fault entirely, and good luck with your endeavors today"

  Karen left the car with Daniel looking at her with a smile, but she ran back to him poking through the window.

  “But please remember my punishment for later.” Karen gave Daniel a playful wink.

  ***

  The valiant knight marched through a bustling neighborhood, approaching a building as old as it was towering over the lively streets at dozens of meters high. He was unbothered by the numerous car horns and angry screams as he continued to his destination. However, finally, something caught his attention. Daniel spotted a teenage couple happily running toward its alleyway. And he hurried to them, intercepting their path, pulling the boy away from the girl.

  "Take this somewhere else. The big kids are playing here."

  "Come on, man. I want some privacy with my g—.” The boy looked closer at Daniel, trembling. “Aren't you the knight? What's going to happen?"

  "Like I said, the big kids are playing here.”

  The boy quickly grabbed his girlfriend, running away, with Daniel surrendering a chuckle. But he swiftly returned to his mission, approaching the old building. Daniel, taking a deep breath, kicked down a door and rushed inside, finding a legion of criminals preparing scores of weapons on various tables and conveyor belts. "Bring it." And they quickly drew their guns, unloading their artillery at him as he charged.

  Daniel jumped over the lasers, allowing them to miss him, but they hit the wall behind him in a brilliant emerald blaze. He landed across the room as the criminals were disoriented by the explosion, hurrying to his adversaries. He met them with a cavalcade of blows, becoming a white blur as he beat a hundred into submission. Many of the criminals retreated down corridors that lined the far wall as they saw Daniel subdue their comrades. Daniel moved to give chase to his fleeing enemies, but stopped as one stood his ground, readying a massive gun. Daniel punched him out as he aimed. However, it still fired as the shock from his strike made him pull the trigger, sending a small missile jetting out of the building.

  "No," Daniel shouted.

  Daniel hastily smashed out of the building, giving chase to the missile. He jumped from building to building, nearing it. Still, as he readied to grab it, its speed doubled, hitting him in the head with extra fire from its jet. It cut across the neighborhood, shattering glass with the force of its propulsion, sending a window washer falling from his platform.

  Daniel jumped to the window washer, catching him. "You, okay?"

  "Y-yeah."

  Daniel quickly placed the window washer on the ground, resuming his chase. Again, he neared the missile as it closed on a busy street. But it illuminated as he prepared to get it, readying to explode. However, Daniel finally grabbed it."Please, work." And like a flash fire, it exploded, sending out intense flames, consuming meters in seconds. Still, the fire didn’t harm the civilians as Daniel summoned an energy field from his body, allowing him to spread his intangibility.

  The explosion quickly spread across the area, phasing through buildings and people. But as it dissipated, Daniel floated down to the sidewalk, breathing a sigh of relief. However, all strength left his body as he became solid, leaving him a limp husk on the ground for the dozens and dozens of onlookers to see.

  "When will this trick stop doing this to me? I hope the chief can handle his side of the bargain," Daniel thought.

  Meanwhile, back at the old building, the criminals retreated down the corridors, evacuating into the fresh air as a panicked horde. But as they hurried to their cars and trucks, gas bombs rained down, knocking them unconscious. And led by Norio, the police swiftly collect their incapacitated enemies.

  ***

  Daniel and Norio held a meeting in Falcone Warehouse.

  "Well, chief, did you get all of them?"

  "We're doing a headcount now, but the numbers look good."

  Daniel sighed. "Great."

  "You seem a bit more tense than usual."

  "Aren't you good at your job?” Daniel cracked his neck. “We should cool off these raids for a while."

  "You're worried the enemy will get wise to our arrangement."

  Daniel nodded.

  "I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried about that myself.” Norio rubbed his chin. “So we'll resume in a month. Agreed?"

  "It's a d—"

  Tommy, Elena, and Fran?oise entered the room.

  "Chief Fa, we got a call from the station. There's an issue with the criminals that came in that needs your attention," Fran?oise said.

  "Hey, Officer Arnoul. Still having trouble with that boyfriend?" Daniel asked.

  "He's not my boyfriend anymore.” Fran?oise raised her hand, showing a ring on her finger. “Because we're engaged. We're getting married in the fall."

  "And we're all happy for you, Franny, but there's work to do. For example, Phineas and Jacob also need to talk to you about the other raids, boss," Elena said

  "Phineas and Jacob?” Daniel shook Norio’s shoulder. “Chief, how many more people are you bringing on this?"

  "Everyone involved is the highest class of professionals. And I trust them with my life."

  Charlotte cheerfully entered the room in a bright orange dress, carrying a basket of muffins as she approached the group.

  "Hello, Norio, my love, and Mr. Knight. I brought something special."

  "So this dame in the fruo-fruo dress is one of the highest classes of professionals?” Daniel released Norio, pointing his finger at Charlotte. “Who's she with the US armed forces?"

  Norio nervously laughed. "No, she's my wife. Who is supposed to be at her flower shop."

  "I'm sorry, my love, but this is important." Charlotte presented the muffins to Daniel.

  "What are these for?"

  "For all the good you do for our city. I baked some red velvet muffins as a thank you. Won’t you accept them?"

  "No, I won't—.” Daniel quickly grabbed the muffins."You're lucky red velvet is my favorite."

  Norio pulled Daniel away from the others.

  "Listen, I have more work to do, so let's conclude our meeting."

  "I'm in the same boat, so later.” Daniel walked away from Norio.

  "Been a pleasure working with you. And it's interesting learning your favorite flavor is red velvet."

  Daniel stopped walking, looking back at Norio.

  "I see what you're doing, but red velvet is only my favorite today. Tomorrow, it could be chocolate, whole-wheat, or blueberry. I'm always unsure about the details of myself. It's like I don't exist outside this armor."

  Daniel resumed walking, leaving Norio chuckling as he went.