Recruitment system in DC

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***

- So, how was dinner? - I asked, looking at the delighted faces of the guests.

- It was the best thing I've eaten in the last... well, in my entire life. Alice, you're a wonderful cook," Clark said, complimenting the girl.

- Thank you," she said calmly.

- Yeah, this is really good. You wanted to open a restaurant, didn't you? I can help you, I even know a few people you could rent a building from," Karen said, looking happily at Alice. 'And that's quite interesting. She's only new to the city, and most likely to the planet, and already has the right connections. In that respect, she already outranks Clark and Kara combined.

- Ed's already promised to help me, so don't. But if you want, we can get together sometime," Alice said.

- You're both new in town, so you'll have a lot in common. Besides, Karen's getting better acquainted here, so she'll help you," I said, and Alice just nodded.

- Well, since we haven't seen each other in a while, maybe you can tell me about your life. All I know is that Clark works at a famous newspaper," I said, looking at Clark and Kara.

- Ahem, well, we can talk about that. Although my life isn't very interesting, to be honest. I just work as a reporter, sometimes travelling to interesting places and interviewing interesting people. Otherwise, I mostly sit in an office, nothing much," Clark said, rather embarrassed. Apparently he doesn't want to talk about the "interesting" part of his life, but he doesn't like lying to me.

Well, I understand him, so I'm not going to judge him. Although I already know his secret identity, but they won't tell him about it yet. I'd rather wait for a more interesting case.

- I work as a barista in a cafe. Nothing much going on in my life," she mumbled, looking down at the floor.

Kara wasn't exactly a positive person, and that was her fault as well as Ed's past. But I do feel a little sorry for her when I look at her sad face....

- So... well you all know about my current place of work," I said, alluding to the fact that I was on the news.

- Well yes, you are so famous that every schoolboy already knows you," Semilia said ironically.

- Oh, come on, it'll be like that soon enough. They'll forget Batman and Superman eventually anyway," I told her, trying to hit on Clark. I wonder how he'll react to that.- What makes you think they'll be forgotten? - To my surprise the question wasn't asked by Clark, but by Kara, who had been silent the whole time and didn't really want to say anything.

- It's pretty simple. From now on, the centre of the superheroes will be the Argent Squad, and they'll have to join it if they want to keep doing what they're doing. And I don't think they'll mind, because they're already doing it for free, and now they'll even get paid," I said in a relaxed tone.

- And what if they don't agree? - Kara asked me with a little challenge in her voice. Apparently she was the kind of person who wouldn't agree.

- Well, then I can only sympathise with them. They're always a threat, and if they don't join us, they'll be the targets of our hunt," I said, turning my head in her direction, "Are you a fan?

- Mmm... yeah, you could say that," Kara replied, her head lowered again.

- Don't you think that's a bit of a misnomer? After all, these superheroes have always protected regular people, so why not just leave them alone? - Clark asked me, continuing the theme.

- They protect regular people, but sometimes they do more harm than good," Semilia answered him, "Because every time a superhero fights, there's a lot of destruction, and often more people die than without their intervention.

And the girl's answer is just perfect, I would say about the same. We need to make it clear to Clark that it would be more profitable for them to work in our squad. Or some other way to get them to join me.

- But superheroes have been hiding their identities for years, and they wouldn't want to reveal them to join your squad," Clark said calmly.

- Yes, but we don't forbid them from continuing to do so. If they're afraid to show their face, then let them continue. No one but me will know their identity anyway," I answered him.

- Well, I still don't think many superheroes will decide to join you," Clark said calmly.

- Maybe, but we'll see in the future," I mumbled.

- Maybe we should stop arguing about such stupid things. Let's talk about something positive," Alice suggested, who apparently didn't like the atmosphere.

- That's true. Let me tell a joke, I'm sure everyone will like it! - I said, wanting to cheer everyone up as well.

- Yeah, I know your jokes. Your humour is blacker than the blackest colour, - Leah answered me.

- But it's funny! - I said to her.

- It's usually only funny to you, Ed," her brother said.

- But you've laughed at some of them, too," I told him.

- Well, let's say that joke about the legless man was funny enough, but I still got it wrong," he replied.

- Yeah, and you laughed, but with judgement," Kara entered the conversation, also somehow amused.

- So, what's the joke? - Karen asked innocently, looking at me.

- Okay, listen," I started to say, ignoring Clark, who asked me to stop, "Two Americans are talking, and suddenly one asks the other, 'What is one black foot?' The one answers him

"I don't know." The first one says, "A crippled Negro. And two black legs?" The second, after a little thought, again replies "A whole negro?". But the first only smirks and again says "No, two crippled negroes! And three black legs?". The second, without even thinking any more, replies "Three crippled negroes?". But the first one just goes, "No! It's a piano!".

It was hard not to laugh, but I held back, unlike the others.

- Are you laughing with judgement again? - I asked Clark.

- Ahahahahahaha, yeah," he said with a laugh.

- You know, Kara, I'm actually quite interested in hearing about your past relationship with Ed. After all, I am his current girlfriend," Semilia started a rather unpleasant topic. And something tells me that I'd rather not be around during this conversation.

- Ahem, Clark, let's go have a smoke," I suggested, knowing full well his negative attitude towards smoking.

- Sure, let's go," Clark agreed.

We quickly retreated under the expectant stares of Semilia and Kara, and the panicked looks of Alice and Karen.

- At times like this, we're better off far away, and you've learned that already, haven't you, Ed? - my brother said to me with a chuckle.

- Yeah, I think the girls should talk in private. And Cara might feel better after that. I can see that she hasn't been able to get over our breakup yet. Even though it was her fault that it was so unpleasant," I said, lighting a cigarette and looking out the window.

- You do realise that you were just teenagers at the time, and despite your uniqueness, you were pretty stupid," Clark said, standing next to me.

- Yes, I was, but deep down, I still resent her," I told him.

- I understand that. It's my fault for what Kara did, because I suggested that she move to Metropolis," he said with sadness in his eyes. Perhaps he also blames himself for that.

- You don't have to think that way. Knowing you, I'm pretty sure you didn't want that to happen," I told him with a smile.In fact, when I look at the situation in depth, I'm sure that something not so pleasant happened from the supernatural side. Perhaps some of my brother's enemies are to blame. Or perhaps it was other Kryptonians who weren't as kind as the brother and Kara.

- By the way, brother. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? - I asked him, thinking about it. This kind of conversation on the balcony during a smoke break had always appealed to me. Back in my past life, I used to sit like that with my few acquaintances. And in such moments we could reveal something from the depths of our souls, regardless of any secrets.

- Right? - he asked, not quite understanding me.

- Yes... Everything I do and want to do. Was I right to create the Argent Squad? Is it right to impose my ideals on others. Should I strive so hard for an ideal that's unattainable? Am I doing this for nothing? Am I just starting a new cycle of hate? - I asked him, looking sadly at the sunset. Such questions had been tormenting me for a long time. And they became especially strong after gaining the power that can change a lot of things.

- Heh, that kind of thinking only leads you to the abyss. Do you think cops think about that when they catch criminals? Do they care if another criminal shows up after they catch one? No, Ed, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're saving the lives of people who would be dead without you," Clark said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

- Cheer up, and do what you think is right. I think killing criminals is a little cruel of you. However, I have nothing against your actions. As an elder brother, I'm even proud that it was you who dared to stand up for the common people. And you used your power for that, not for material benefits," he said calmly.

- Yes... I thought I knew everything you told me, but still... You made me feel better. Thank you, brother," I answered him sincerely. Despite all my boasting, I also sometimes wonder about such things.

And my goal is too global, so every action on the way to its realisation seems insignificant, and that doesn't make me feel any better. But if I try and go for it, no matter what, I will succeed.

- Okay, enough of this negativity, let's go back, - I said, putting out my cigarette and throwing away the cigarette butt.

- Yeah, I hope the girls are done with their squabbling," Clark replied.

When I got there, I noticed Semilia's pretty face, Kara's incomprehensible one, Alice's shocked one, and Karen's slightly weird one. What were they even talking about here? Alright though, I'd better not talk about it, I don't want to know such a thing!

The rest of the evening was already quite ordinary, with no such squabbles or unpleasant conversations. So the housewarming can be considered a success, even if it was a bit of a mess.....

***

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