The busy diner was bustling with conversation as people came and went about their morning. The welcoming aroma of coffee was laden with the sizzling smells of frying bacon, sausages, eggs and pancakes. Outside, the small diner’s patio lay the rest of the St. Roch Food Hall, the center of the St. Roch market. The market was a sprawling collection of vendors, ranging from a farmer’s market to numerous food and beverage establishments to artisanal goods and services.
It was an essential visit for anyone making their first trip to St. Roch.
At least, that’s what Pratt had been told. Smiling to himself, he sipped on his coffee before looking down at his watch. Tapping the antique face, he watched the second hand continue to tick by while admiring the empty booth in front of him. The din of constant conversations was enough to keep Pratt out of his own head, but they didn’t distract from the droning television in the corner.
Tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East as Kahndaq and Bialya approach the final stages of negotiations to unite their nations. The union between the sovereign Kahndaq ruler and the Queen of Bialya has left leaders of the neighbouring countries, Qurac and Umec, on edge, with both nations ramping up military preparations amid fears of hostilities from Kahndaq’s ongoing expansion.In local news, crime in St. Roch is at an all-time low, thanks to the efforts of the admittedly controversial Hawkman. A local ‘powered individual,’ Hawkman has sparked significant debate, with some calling for his arrest and others praising him as a hero or guardian angel. Known for his use of extreme force and antiquated weaponry, many residents of St. Roch wonder why this vigilante has yet to be detained.We now go live to an interview with Commissioner George Emmett—“Heh,” Pratt stifled a small chuckle, smiling behind his mug as he took another sip of the bitter, hot liquid.
Hawkman was not a name that Pratt had heard in what felt like a lifetime. Before Palmer, Pratt had been the first Atom, serving alongside Hawkman in the Justice Society. Back in a day and age when people were a lot less cynical about men and women running around in colourful capes and tights.
Carter Hall, or Katar, had been a hell of a warrior. But for every bit the warrior Carter had been, Shiera was that and a looker. Pratt gave his head a shake, suddenly realizing he had been holding his breath, still remembering the first moment he saw Shiera remove her helmet.
The red hair that spilled down over her angelic shoulders was more than just a taste of her beauty and enough to set fire to the hearts of men everywhere.
It made sense why Carter always fought for her.
The ding of the door’s bell caught the elderly man’s attention, raising his aging eyes as Pratt looked towards a younger, dark-haired man.
“Ah, Raymond!” Pratt called, motioning towards the man at the door.
“‘Bout time you learned to read a watch.”“Apologies, apologies,” Ray replied,
“Ryan and I are scrambling to get the ‘Atom Project’ off the ground, but now we have Pym’s legal team coming after us.” He paused, letting out a sigh,
“Thanks for meeting me, I know Carter’s been–” The ding of the bell suddenly echoed through the diner, cutting off Ray mid-sentence as the door was forcibly kicked open. Standing in the doorway was a man robed in a black jumpsuit, a crown-like emblem upon his chest, while either hand gripped a gun connected to hoses that ran to a container of sorts attached to his back.
“I heard you folks wanted to spice up your life. Well, here I am.” The man cackled,
“Your favourite flavourful foe, the Condiment King!”“This is what passes as a villain for you kids?” Pratt asked as Ray shook his head with a smile.
“Poor sucker doesn’t realize this ain’t Gotham.” Ray chuckled.
“You boys havin’ a giggle, are you? I hope you relish the moment you made the Condiment King bring out the hot sauce.”“Is he serious?” Pratt asked Ray,
“Are you serious?” Pratt stood up, addressing the Condiment King,
“You haven’t even made a demand? Do you want my wallet? I feel like I should buy you a real gun.”“I uh-” The Condiment King stuttered,
“I-, I demand you sit down and uh, no wait, I mustard insist.”“Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Pratt began rolling up his sleeve,
“I’ll put his lights out myself.”“C’mon, Al, just wait a minute-”“Yeah, listen to your friend, old man. I’d hate to put you in a pickle!”“A pickle isn’t a condiment, it’s a damn garnish.”“No,” Palmer interjected,
“I actually think I’m with Sir Sauce on this one.”“It’s the Condiment King!” The costumed man roared,
“That’s it, I’d had enough—” He was cut off midsentence as a rope dart smashed through the glass door, wrapping around his throat before the Condiment King was dragged through the broken glass. Stifled screams of agony erupted from his mouth amidst the clatter of his weapons hitting the ground.
Clawing at the weapon around his neck, the Condiment King tried to free himself before suddenly his feet left the ground, and he found himself staring directly into the silhouette of a winged man.
“Aren’t you a stain on society?” Growled the bare-chested warrior as he held the Condiment King aloft.
“Did he just?” Pratt asked as Palmer was equally dumbfounded.
“Yup,” Ray nodded,
“Hawkman cracked a joke."