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Since the dawn of civilization, mankind has tried to harness the power of the sun. From growing crops, to using solar energy to heat homes and eventually, producing the very electricity that would make the entire world run, the sun was instrumental in mankind's development. For centuries, mankind had toiled to duplicate the sun's power, and in some cases, improve upon it. They have strived to find a better way to power the world, with clean, renewable energy that could keep entire cities powered for generations to come. While they had made incredible strides toward this lofty goal, they had, up until this point, failed. 

That is, until someone had managed a breakthrough that did just that.

Under the watchful eye of Richard Midas, engineers and scientists for Midas Industries finally made a breakthrough. They had created a device, which they had nicknamed Daybreak, which was in reality a revolutionary reactor, no larger than a standard car battery, which could produce enough energy to power an entire city for hundreds of years. The device, which Midas Industries had developed in secret was worth billions of dollars, and although the company had gone to great lengths to keep the development of the technology a secret; at least until its official unveiling, when a company as large as Midas Industries is involved, there are sure to be leaks on some level. 

For months there were whispers of a secret new technology that would potentially change the entire world, though the details were typically vague. This did not pose a problem for those who had the desire, or the desperation for a sudden windfall which would be the end result of securing and then selling whatever this new technology may be. 

“Alright, the convoy should be rounding the corner at 1st and Tremont Avenue in 3..2..now.” One such man, the mercenary known only as Stinger said to his partners as he watched the convoy of vehicles make their way toward their destination. 

Stinger had once been a feared man. The very mention of his name would send shivers down the spines of just about anyone in the know. However, he was now less than an afterthought. After a brief run in with Icon which led to a lengthy incarceration, he had become something of a cautionary tale at best, and an absolute joke at worst. It seemed that time had passed him by, and with the emergence of newer, more efficient, and much more effective mercenaries such as War-Pulse and even the mysterious man known as The Prophet, Stinger had been quietly retired from the profession. Not for a lack of interest on his part, sadly, it was due to a lack of interest among those doing the hiring. However, once this job was finished, all of his problems would be behind him. 

“And go.” Stinger instructed his partners. On his orders, there was a sudden explosion in the front passenger side wheel well of the transport truck as one of his men had blown out the tire with a single high caliber round.

With the tire blown out, the driver of the transport truck lost control of the vehicle. He frantically spun the wheel while slamming on the breaks in an attempt to regain control enough to avoid careening into other vehicles or worse, pedestrians in the roads or even on the sidewalks. Mercifully, the driver was able to bring the rig to a halt before it injured anyone. However, no sooner had the big rig come to a halt then it was beset upon by the very men who had caused it to careen out of control. The driver's side door was forced open, and the driver found the muzzle of a pistol in his face.

“Open it.” The gunman said, motioning to the back door of the truck.

“I can't.” The driver told him, nearly choking on his own words.

“What do you mean, 'you can't?'” The gunman demanded as he thrust the gun into the driver's face for emphasis.

“I don't have access to it. They loaded the truck and locked it when they were done. The only people that have keys are at the drop off location.” The driver explained in a panic.

“It's no problem.” Stinger said into the earpiece that the gunman wore. “We've got it covered.” 

“Fine.” The gunman said before pistol whipping the driver, knocking him senseless. “Do yourself a favor, don't get up.”

As the gunman moved around to the back of the rig, he saw his contact, Stinger, standing at the rear doors with another man, whom he assumed was the third member of their triumvirate, who he had never actually laid eyes on before this moment.  Stinger was directing the man who was attempting to cut through the back doors with some sort of torch. Suddenly, there was a sudden gust of wind, and a blue and silver blur whizzed by, and in the blink of an eye, the man with the torch was gone.  

“What the-?!” The gunman wasn't able to finish his sentence before the blue and silver blur snatched him up as well.

“Oh no...not again.” Stinger cried out as he turned and started to run. 

He didn't get very far before Icon landed on the street in front of him. As he looked upon the hero, his mind was flooded with memories of the last time he had crossed paths with Icon, and the long incarceration that followed.  For Stinger, a return to prison was not an option. For an instant, he cursed himself for returning to Lost Haven, to the one place on the planet that he was most likely to run into the accursed hero. 

Then he turned and ran. 

Abandoning any sense of self respect in favor of self preservation, Stinger ran with everything he had. In fact, he had never run faster. He had managed to make it about a half a block when he suddenly felt a pair of powerful hands grip him by the back of his shirt, and then his stomach dropped as he suddenly shot skyward. 

[b] “You know, I really don't have time for this.”[/b] Icon said, before securing the mercenary to a nearby telephone pole along with his partners, and then disappearing into the bright blue sky.

[center]***[/center]

The music pulsed throughout packed halls of The Hub. On the dance floor, people are moving in rhythm with the music. Bodies are grinding together to the sounds of 90's R&B. The newly reopened nightclub had seen a boon in business, as it appeared that the crowds just wanted something to make them forget about the recent events, not only in the city, but all across the country. In fact, it seemed that the Hounds of Humanity attack in this very club just over a month ago was a distant memory.

Among the crowd on the dance floor, Scott and Alexa moved together, their bodies pressing against one another as an old Keith Sweat tune reverberated through the club. As they danced, Scott couldn't help but to think back to the first time he had officially met her. It had been just after the rag tag group of heroes had ended the threat posed by Dr. Diplodoc and his “meta domes.” Scott had been talking to Eric when he noticed her at the bar, and though she was not in her costume, something about her just tipped him off to the fact that this beautiful young woman sitting at his bar was the same woman that he had fought side by side with during the crisis. Perhaps it was the way she gingerly brought her glass to her lips, or the way she seemed to lean slightly to one side as she favored her injured ribs. However, he was shocked when he approached her, and she greeted him, making it known that she had also deduced his identity.

As the song came to an end, Scott pulled Alexa closer to him and held her for a moment. After several beats the music began anew, and Scott took Alexa's hand. He looked deep into her eyes and beckoned for her to follow him. He led her by the hand off of the dance floor and across the club to door that lead to the club's office, as well as the stairwell that led up to Scott's apartment. He took her past the door to his apartment, and led her up the stairway to the roof. As they moved away from the rooftop doorway, they were met with a slightly brisk breeze. The night was clear without a cloud in the sky, and the massive super moon illuminated the city's skyline like a large night light. They walked over to the edge of the building and looked out over the city as Scott stepped slightly behind Alexa and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him.

The view is better from my place.” Alexa teased as she leaned back against him. Though she may have been teasing him, it was true. From the balcony of her apartment, which was located on the fifty third floor of the high rise apartment building, she could see then entire eastern half of Lost Haven, all the way to the Atlantic. 

It was a breathtaking view indeed. 
“Without a doubt.” Scott agreed.  As he leaned into her, the sweet smell of vanilla and coconut caught his attention. The aroma was heavenly, and as he held Alexa against his chest, he found himself in a moment that he never wanted to end. 

“I love you.” Scott said, breaking a momentary silence. 

“I love you too.” Alexa replied. 

Scott gave her a slight squeeze and then let go of her. He took a step to to the left of her and then another step forward, bringing himself shoulder to shoulder with her as they both looked out over the neighborhood.

“Hey, I have a question for you.” Scott said casually.

“I have an answer.” Alexa said jokingly. She turned to face Scott, who had gotten down on one knee and held out a small box which was open, revealing a beautiful diamond ring.

“Will you marry me?”