Chapter 304: Opening

"So, three new metas?" Marcy asked, lifting her cup of tea for a careful sip.

Nolan nodded, taking a drink from his own. He had never been particularly fond of tea, preferring coffee most days, but every so often the warmth and simplicity of the beverage seemed to hit the spot. The room was quiet, the only sounds coming from the occasional clink of porcelain against saucers and the distant activity of the city. Across the table, Naima was already reaching for the teapot, topping off her glass before settling back into her chair.

"Correct. Stratos, Incognito, and Mindboggler. All three have abilities that could make them extremely valuable additions to our security operations."

"Where are you planning to station them?" Naima asked.

"That’s where things get a little sticky." Nolan set his cup down and folded his hands on the table. "They’ve all agreed to work with the Underpass, but there are conditions. None of them wants to spend the rest of their lives being treated like a pack of hounds, sent out whenever someone needs an assassination carried out. They want some degree of independence, and frankly, I can’t blame them. So I’ve offered them positions within the Continental’s security structure. They’ll protect the hotels, oversee certain operations, and have responsibilities that don’t involve killing people for whoever happens to be signing their paychecks."

He paused, tapping two fingers against the tabletop.

"Which brings us to the question of trust."

Marcy lowered her cup. "I imagine that’s a rather significant concern."

"It is. Mindboggler is the one I’m least comfortable letting out of my sight. Her abilities are too similar to my own, and I have no intention of giving her unrestricted access to our people or our operations until we understand exactly what she’s capable of. For the time being, she’ll be accompanying me. Close supervision, limited access, and no independent authority over our personnel. If she wants to earn a place here, she’ll have the opportunity to do so, but I’m not going to make that easy."

"And Incognito?" Naima asked.

"He’ll be stationed in Star City. He was the quickest to accept our offer, though that doesn’t mean we should mistake enthusiasm for loyalty. His abilities make him particularly troublesome. He can assume practically anyone’s appearance, which creates an obvious security problem. We have one advantage, though: his eyes don’t change when he shifts. They remain green regardless of the face he’s wearing."

Marcy’s expression sharpened. "That’s a fairly significant weakness."

"It’s a tell, not a weakness. He can still walk into a room wearing someone else’s face, and if nobody knows what to look for, he could do a great deal of damage before anyone realizes something is wrong. We’ll establish a system of code words and secondary verification procedures. Appearance alone will never be enough to establish someone’s identity, especially when it comes to sensitive meetings or access to restricted areas."

"Why take the risk?" Marcy asked. She placed her cup on its saucer and regarded him thoughtfully. "They probably resent you for what happened. You captured them, interrogated them, and then offered them employment. Why invite people like that into the organization when you already have enough problems to manage?"

Naima answered before Nolan could.

"Because their abilities are too useful to throw away." She glanced toward Marcy, then back to Nolan. "If Mindboggler and Incognito become loyal members of the Underpass, our capabilities increase considerably. We gain someone who can manipulate perceptions and emotions, and someone who can infiltrate practically any organization by taking on another person’s appearance. That’s an enormous advantage. And Stratos..." She turned toward Nolan. "Weather manipulation, correct?"

Nolan nodded. "Correct. Stratos is the most destructive of the three by far. His abilities are considerably more versatile than simply creating storms. Given the right training and discipline, he could become an exceptionally valuable defensive asset. His powers would work wonders under your leadership, Naima."

Naima’s mouth curled into a smirk. "You want him in Gotham with me?"

"I do."

"Good. I’ll mold him into a fine member of the Underpass, boss."

"That’s what I like to hear." Nolan leaned forward and reached for the tablet resting on the table. He tapped through a few screens before turning it slightly in Marcy’s direction. "Stratos is also the least likely to betray us. From what I’ve gathered, he wasn’t particularly attached to the Bureau. He wanted money, a measure of freedom, and the opportunity to use his abilities without being ordered to murder someone every other week. That’s something we can accommodate. I’ve just sent you the account information he provided."

Marcy retrieved her own tablet and checked the message. Her eyes moved across the information before she gave a small nod. "Received. I’ll have the appropriate people verify it and make sure the payments are handled through the usual channels."

"Good. I don’t want anyone making promises we can’t keep."

"Understood."

Marcy picked up the teapot and poured the remaining tea into her glass. "Are you staying in Gotham long?"

"No." Nolan shook his head. "The grand opening is tomorrow, so I need to be in Metropolis. There’s still plenty to arrange before then, and I’d rather not leave the hotel staff guessing about whether I will be on time or not." He glanced between the two women. "Remember the other things we discussed. I want progress on those, but don’t rush anything just to give me a favorable report. I’d rather have something done properly than have to spend the next month correcting mistakes."

Both women nodded. Marcy made a brief note on her tablet, while Naima simply acknowledged him with a confident smile. They understood what he expected, and Nolan trusted them to manage their respective responsibilities without needing him to stand over their shoulders.

"And Stratos?" Naima asked. "When should I expect him?"

"After the gala. I’ll send you a message with the exact date once everything is arranged. Until then, I’d like you to prepare for his arrival. Give him a proper introduction to the people he’ll be working with, but don’t overwhelm him with responsibilities immediately. He needs to understand how we operate before he’s given anything important."

"I’ll see to it."

Nolan pushed his chair back and stood, stretching his arms above his head. The meeting had been brief, but that had been the point. He hadn’t travelled to Gotham simply to send a few messages or discuss staffing arrangements over the phone. He wanted Marcy and Naima to hear the details directly, to understand the risks and expectations, and to know that the decision to bring three former Bureau operatives into the Underpass had been deliberate. It was a gamble, certainly, but the organization had reached a point where it needed more than loyal people willing to stand guard with a gun. It needed specialists, and specialists rarely came without complications.

There were other reasons for his visit, too. He had a couple of things he wanted to collect personally, things he preferred not to leave in someone else’s hands. His tuxedo and mask were still stored in Gotham, and with the Metropolis gala approaching, he wanted them ready. Hopefully he wouldn’t need the mask, but experience had taught him that it was better to have it and not use it.

"Enjoy the rest of your tea," he said, giving them both a small smile. "I’ll see you after the gala."

Naima raised her cup in acknowledgment. Marcy was already looking back at her tablet, undoubtedly arranging the transfers and making notes about the new personnel. Nolan left them to it.

****

Opulent was perhaps the simplest word to describe the Continental Metropolis.

The original Continental in Gotham had embraced the city’s gothic character, with dark wood, rich fabrics, and an atmosphere that suggested the building had been standing long before its current owners arrived. The Star City location had taken a different approach, balancing modern architecture with classic hotel elegance. Metropolis, however, was something else entirely. It felt as though it belonged to a generation that hadn’t arrived yet, a vision of luxury built around the city’s reputation as the land of tomorrow.

It was precisely what Nolan had imagined, and then some.

The exterior was a sweeping composition of white stone, glass, and polished metal. The building rose above the surrounding streets, its broad windows reflecting the morning sun and the towers of Metropolis beyond. There was no attempt to imitate the older hotels or borrow their grandeur. Instead, the architects had leaned into clean lines and expansive spaces, creating something that looked almost impossibly sleek without feeling cold. A wide staircase led to the main entrance, where enormous glass doors opened into a lobby that seemed to stretch toward the far end of the building.

Inside, the effect was even more impressive. White marble floors ran beneath a ceiling several stories high, broken by elegant recessed lighting and suspended fixtures that scattered warm light across the room. Tall columns of pale stone framed the central space, while carefully placed greenery softened the architecture without cluttering it. The reception desk was a long, sculpted structure of white marble and brushed brass, backed by a wall of illuminated stone that gave the impression of sunlight filtering through clouds. Beyond it, guests could glimpse the hotel’s lounges, restaurants, and private meeting rooms, each designed with the same restrained extravagance.

The furniture was understated but expensive, upholstered in cream and muted gold, with dark accents providing contrast. Nothing was particularly ostentatious, yet every detail had been considered. Even the air carried a faint, carefully chosen fragrance, subtle enough to be pleasant without announcing itself. The hotel had the appearance of a place where the wealthy could spend a fortune without ever feeling as though they had been asked to.

It was luxury in the highest form. A hotel built for a city that believed the future was something it could reach out and touch.

Nolan had to admit that the architects had done an excellent job.

As the sun climbed above the Metropolis skyline, the first guests began to arrive. A steady procession of expensive vehicles pulled up along the entrance, from polished luxury sedans to chauffeured limousines with tinted windows. Drivers stepped out to open doors, attendants hurried forward to collect luggage and direct guests inside, and the hotel’s staff moved with the practiced efficiency they had spent weeks preparing. Some arrivals came with security details, others with assistants carrying garment bags and portfolios. There were business executives, investors, prominent socialites, and individuals whose names carried enough weight to open doors across the city.

The grand opening was already becoming an event in its own right.

Kieran watched the arrivals from inside the lobby for several minutes before deciding it was time to make his appearance. He adjusted his cuffs, exchanged a few words with the head concierge, and walked toward the entrance. The glass doors parted before him, allowing the crisp Metropolis air to sweep across his face. He took a slow breath, looked over the assembled guests and reporters, and smiled.

The cameras were waiting.

He stepped toward the small gathering of journalists, their microphones and recording equipment already pointed in his direction. Several called out questions, but Kieran raised one hand, politely asking for a moment before beginning. He had no intention of turning the opening into an impromptu press conference. There would be time for questions later, and he had a hotel full of guests waiting to be welcomed.

"Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice carrying easily over the crowd. "I apologize that we can’t accommodate everyone inside for the grand opening, but I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude. It means a great deal to have so many of you here to celebrate this occasion with us."

He paused, allowing the cameras to capture his smile.

"From our original locations in Gotham to our recently opened establishment in Star City, the Continental has grown at a rather remarkable pace. Each new location has brought its own challenges, its own opportunities, and, most importantly, a new community of people who have welcomed us. Metropolis is no exception. In fact, I suspect this city will prove to be one of our most exciting ventures yet."

A few reporters nodded, cameras clicking as he continued.

"We’ve worked hard to create something worthy of this city. A place where exceptional service, privacy, and comfort aren’t treated as luxuries reserved for a select few, but as the standard we hold ourselves to. Our staff have put an extraordinary amount of work into bringing this building to life, and I hope those of you joining us tonight will take the opportunity to appreciate what they’ve accomplished."

Kieran glanced back toward the gleaming entrance, then returned his attention to the cameras.

"So, tonight, I’d like to invite you all to join me in introducing the pleasures of the Continental to the people of Metropolis. Welcome, and thank you for being part of our opening."

He stepped back to a round of applause, offering a final wave before turning toward the entrance. The cameras continued to follow him as he walked inside, where the head concierge was already waiting to guide him toward the reception area.

The Continental Metropolis was open for business.