The Rise of the Fat Mogul (The Defenders Saga Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

on what he thinks he’s going to be fighting against,” Alexa answered.  “How many people have gone missing?”
    “From our records, which are nowhere near complete, we currently have over twenty thousand people unaccounted for within Sun City alone.”
    “20,000 people!” Buddy exclaimed.  “There are 20,000 people with superpowers in this world and we're still forced to stay in hiding.”
    “Actually, Mr. Jackson, I said that there were 20,000 people missing within Sun City.  There are over 50,000 people we believe to have been abducted by Arthur within the country.”
    Zero giggled.
    “Holy crap,” Ryan yelled.  “Where the hell would he be keeping all of these people?  The Bunker is huge, but I don't see how he could possibly fit that many people down there.”
    “That is but one of the many questions we have regarding all of this.  I believe we can easily assume he has many more people currently under his control than we can account for, considering the current moratorium on discussing meta-human affairs internationally.  I mean, unless there’s some reason to believe he would not want to recruit from overseas.”
    “I can’t think of any,” Alexa answered.  “In fact, a few years ago, I did catch him doing some research on locations for building additional Bunkers in Europe.”
    “You’re going quite a long way toward verifying some of our greatest concerns, Ms. Rose.”
    “Those concerns ain’t nothing,” Alexa continued.  “If Artie’s preparing for war, which it certainly sounds like he is, he’s got it planned down to the finest details.  Not only that, he’ll have backup plans for his backup plans.  If there’s one thing you can be sure about with Artie, it’s that he’s prepared.”
    “So,” Buddy asked, “is that all you need from us?  Just looking for validation of your fears?”
    “Oh, that can't be all, chum,” Zero disagreed.  “He's looking to have The New Defenders act as the front line against this super-powered army.  Right?”
    “Unfortunately, I’ve already been far too open about our current situation,” Agent Murphy apologized.  “Any further details about how we intend to move forward are listed as being on a need to know basis only.”
    “So,” Zero responded dejectedly, “you’re done with us?  No battles or anything?”
    “This is, at the moment, nothing more than a fact-finding mission,” Murphy replied.
    “Are we done here?” Buddy asked.
    “I suppose so,” Murphy said reluctantly.  “I really have no reason to keep you all here any longer.  However, if you do find yourselves coming across additional information, I would be willing to make it worth your while.”  Agent Murphy stood and handed Buddy a business card.  “You can call me any time, night or day, should you remember anything that might be useful.  I’ll have Agent Kent deposit you back where we had found you.”
    Murphy left the room, immediately followed by the return of Agent Kent.  Without a word he touched Alexa's shoulder and disappeared in a pop .  He reappeared and continued the process until it was just him and Buddy left in the room.  Kent paused and stared at Buddy for a moment.
    “So, what's the deal with Murphy?  Does he really not know any--”
    Kent touched Buddy's arm and in a pop they were back on the street where they had found Bumblebee.
     
    “--thing about what. . . Damn, I don't think I'll ever get used to that.”
    Kent paused again, looking at Buddy as if he wanted to say something, but then disappeared with another pop .
    “Sheesh, that guy really doesn't like to talk, does he?” Buddy asked.
    “What the hell just happened in there?” Ryan asked.  “I'm not crazy, right?  That was Damon.”
    “Of course that was Damon, Little Red.  The question is, why does he not know that?”
    “If that's the only question you boys have, you're doing a lot better than me.”  Alexa looked to Buddy.  “You seemed to have some clue of