Phil sat at the Hotel’s bar. He rubbed his temples as he thought of his beautiful computer core, the trucks he has specially brought to the island, among a lot of other favors he had to call in to give Vanguard one of the most technologically advanced Headquarters in the world. And what happened. Boom. Big Boom. That’s it. And does anyone care? Nope. Well, Grissom did, but not even Leslie understood.
The Headquarters wasn’t just home. It was the heart of Vanguard. Phil lifted his glass in memory of Vanguard and drank the ice cold water. From the corner of his eye he saw a familiar face.
“Sam?” Phill asked, already knowing the answer but checking to get his former teammates attention.
“Smith.”
“Phil’s fine.”
“Phil. It’s good seeing you. I actually came here to see the team…”
“Bad timing man, we’ve split for the night.” Phil answered. Sam sat next to the telepath. “No one was really surprised when you left again with no word.”
“That place spooked me. I thought I could come home, but I really couldn’t.” Sam answered, before looking at Phil’s glass of water and waving the bartender over. “What he has.”
“So, you’ve come to join the team?”
“Not exactly”
“Exactly?”
“I’m not here to rejoin Vanguard. Not on missions or saving the world or any of that stuff. Just because someone has powers, does not mean that they are a superhero. It takes a special someone to be a hero. That ain’t me.” The bartender placed a glass of cold water by Sam, he took a sip, refreshing during the hot nights of the island.
“You proved some heroism on that other world.”
“Scared the hell out of me. Likely took 10 years off my life”
“Maybe you just don’t want to escape your destiny.”
“That’s not a word I thought I would ever hear from your lips.”
“You don’t know me that well.” Phil said with a smirk. And that was the truth of the matter. The two men met during a single adventure. Nothing more, nothing less.
“Anyway, down to business.”
“Business? You have a new-”
“Are you going to let me speak or just read me?”
“Go…”
“I own a small island…”
“You bought it for us?”
Sam shook his head, trying to keep secrets from a telepath was tough.
“Vanguard needs a home. You guys are good for the world. Take this card, talk to the others.”
“About?”
Sam pointed to his head and smirked, Phil read his mind and his plan for the new headquarters/offices.
“Call me.” Sam said and left the hotel, leaving Phil looking at his card.
