by Eurostar, Gooz, Dan E. Boy and Tobias Christopher
"Marvino, are you sure following that freak is a good idea?" the girl asked her boyfriend as they tried to follow the silver-scaled metahuman among the masquerading people.
"Vendia, I told you -- if you are scared, go back home," answered the boy. "If a man can come out alive from the canal, I sure want to find who he is. And Marvel Dog agrees with me!" The dog barked, hearing his name.
They watched as the aquatic hero entered the big wooden door of a dark palace adorned by grotesque gargoyles.
"That place gives me the creeps, Marvino!" exclaimed Vendia.
"Shut up and follow me," said Marvino, entering the door. The two teenagers and their dog followed the silver-scaled hero unseen up a large monumental staircaise adorned by strange statues. They watched the metahuman as he took out a little piece of plastic with his hand, something like a hotel key card, swiped it to unlock the door, and glancing back for a moment, entered. The Venetian teenager ran for the door as it closed, stopping it with his fingers.
"Marvino, what do we do now?" asked the girl, catching up to him.
He motioned for her to remain silent until the Trout had passed through another doorway inside, and then he ushered her and their dog inside. They walked carefully to the inner door through which the metahero passed a moment ago. They dared not enter that room. "Well... let's find a nearby room -- maybe we'll be able to hear something," said the boy, carefully opening another door next to the one where the hero entered, quickly followed by the girl and their dog.
Meanwhile, the scene that appeared before the eyes of the Trout nearly defied explanation. Behind the door he had just crossed was a room full of technological marvels that contrasted starkly with the medieval palace housing it: giant three-dimensional screens, lights, pipes going everywhere, and in the center of the room a big round table with seven chairs. Only two of the chairs weren't empty. One was occupied by a young man and another by an older man with a strange look on his face.
"Who is the leader here?" asked the Trout.
"I am Sente," explained the older one, "and I'm a guest here like you. We are waiting for the others to arrive, and then the one who has sent out the call -- Meta 7 -- will show up. You are...?"
"I'm the Trout. Maybe you remember me from the Golden Age?"
"No. I've studied the history of all the heroes of the Mysterymen Board Society, but I've never read about you."
"Well, I've never been an MBS member. But I've been in the All-Adventurers Squadron, once assigned to guard Betty Grable during the infamous 'Pin-up Girl Crisis' in 1944, when fifth columnists plotted to kidnap and brainwash America's sweethearts. But it wasn't my cup o' tea, so I went into solo operations for all the war," explained the old aquatic hero.
Sente pointed to the other person. "He is--"
"The name is Exile, mate. Now, when are the ladies gonna get here? Heh. I love powerful women."
"Greetings, gentlemen," said a man dressed in a dark gray business suit as he walked down a staircase that led into the room. He had short dark hair and looked comfortable in his suit. He appeared to be nothing more than a powerful businessman. "When the others arrive, we can begin our meeting. Ah, I believe our guest of honor is about to arrive now."
The assembled metas heard a knock at the door. Before anyone could answer, it swung open, and Rhyme Guardian walked in.
"Rhymer," Meta 7 said in greeting.
"Kohoutek," Rhyme Guardian said, sitting down.
Meta 7 nodded at hearing his old nickname, then gestured toward the other three. "And these are..."
"The Trout," Rhyme Guardian said, cutting him off as he looked at the amphibious hero.
"Ah, yes. We've met. Hello, Rhyme Guardian," the Trout said from across the room.
"These other guys, I don't know," Rhyme Guardian said, turning back to Meta 7.
"This is Exile and Sente," Meta 7 said, reaching the bottom of the staircase to join the others at the table. "Now, let's get down to business."
"Wait a minute. Where's the other guy?" Exile asked.
"He's always running late," Meta 7 said as the door swung open.
A man in his mid-twenties wearing a black and blue costume came in and sat down. "Sorry. Had family business to attend to," the man said.
"Good to see you again, Spark," Rhyme Guardian said. "Now, let's really get down to business."
At the table, six of the seven chairs were now occupied by Meta 7, Rhyme Guardian, Sente, the Trout, Exile, and Spark.
"Hold on--" said the Trout, "--the seventh chair is empty. Aren't we waiting for the seventh guest?"
"We are all here," said Meta 7. "For the third time, let's get down to business."
But from the empty chair next to him, the Trout's enhanced sense of smell perceived the distinct smell of cologne.
"I've gathered all of you here for a purpose, men. The Earth is in great peril!" said Meta 7.