Looking over the place I found myself in the middle of a few different unrelated thoughts. First, that the island was a beautiful place. Especially around the platform where we exited the stairway, the vegetation all but screamed, “tropical island paradise.”

Colorful birds flew through the air above us. Others perched in the trees or on volcanic mound.

Noticing that, I hoped again that it was inactive, and decided to be grateful that Larry wasn’t here. While he was closer to me than some family members, he had the worst luck with fire and natural disasters.

Grandpa told me Larry had been in the fight that made Mount St. Helens blow early.

Deciding not to check the volcano for now, I said, “We should have everyone check in.”

Aloud, Haley said, “Main channel.”

I switched to it to find reporting in already in progress.

Alex’s voice sounded first. “We’re on our way up and we’re bringing a lot of people with us. Most of the staff surrendered. The way they tell it, you’d think they were kidnapped, forced to live in a tropical paradise, get rich, and direct a massive criminal empire.

“Whatever. Anyway, they seem to respect the guy in charge of the command center. Since he surrendered, we’re not having any problems. The guy who repairs photocopiers has been helpful too.”

Jenny cut in. “I’ve stationed a copy of myself behind each group and at the major intersections. If there’s anyone left behind us, they’re unconscious or hiding.”

Brooke asked, “How did all of you get out? After the explosion, I thought I’d have to open a portal for you.”

With a laugh, Marcus said, “I wanted to take a submarine, but Blue know about another stairway. It’s disappointing. When will we have the chance to steal a  submarine from a secret island base again?”

“Sooner than you think,” Alex said. “My dad’s been in a bunch of them. My stepmom even lived in one for a while.”

“Oh, right,” Marcus replied. “She was a supervillain.”

Prime’s voice cut into the conversation. “I met her once, I think. Pheromone powers, right?”

Alex paused, but then said, “That’s right.”

“The team she was with didn’t know it, but they weren’t much more than dogs following her commands.” Prime laughed. “But we’re supposed to be reporting in, aren’t we?”

“Yes,” Haley said. She looked over at me and used a private channel to say, “Did you notice how he got everything back on track? There’s someone who’s run a few meetings.”

With a snort, Prime said, “It’s a complete success on our end, but not an easy one. We would have ended up fighting our own dominated soldiers to a standstill but nothing else except that we followed the plan… We blocked our own people from playing a role in the fight and took targets of opportunity when we had them. The vampires did their job, hypnotizing our captive brethren.

“As of right now, we’ve got our people in custody. Our teleporters are sending them home. If what the AIs found is correct, we can keep them away from anyone who knows how to trigger them. Given time, the triggers will wear away and we have plenty of time.

“So, Heroes’ League, let’s consider this over. I’m willing to forget the death of my father at the hands of Lee and the Rocket, our humiliation at your hands in Grand Lake, how you publicized our existence, and gave the world’s heroes what they needed to target us and destroy us.

“I’m willing to remember our cooperation in freeing my brothers from the Nine here.” He cleared his throat, “It’s my hope that you’ll be willing to forget our cooperation with Ray and Syndicate L in targeting you as well as attacks our people made on you under Magnus’ control. I’m aware that one of those attacks killed Night Wolf. You have my condolences.”

Haley’s face, the part visible below her mask tightened, but she said, “Thank you. I’m willing to consider it over if everyone else is.”

Though Prime and I had said more or less the same when he’d helped fight the mushroom zombies, I understood how he might want to reiterate it in front of everyone. I said, “Yes,” and I wasn’t the only one. I don’t know if everyone said something, but at least no one objected.

Prime said, “Good. If you need us, you know where to find us, but be aware that if you want our assistance in the future, you’ll have to pay like everyone else.”

“Fine with me,” I said. “I’m hoping we never hit a problem big enough that we need you. I’m also hoping that we don’t come into conflict as a result of any future jobs you have.”

Grunting, Prime said, “We won’t take jobs that will put us into conflict with you. If you find one of us working for one of your opponents, contact me as soon as you can.”

“Absolutely,” I said.

Sean’s voice sounded over the channel, and my stomach sank, expecting him to throw the whole agreement away with a few poorly chosen words.

“Hey,” Sean said, “we’re totally cool with that too. Justice Fist was also there when you guys were fighting. Anyway… I thought we ought to report in. Dayton, Jody, and I got out. We used the stairway too, but we’re back on the main building’s roof now. Oh, and it looks like the zappy eyes thing Rook did to Jody is permanent.”