August Silver had been at his new post a week before getting a visit from the man who had gotten him the lucrative position on the staff of the University of South Florida. August had a lot to thank the man for, not only did August's new position come with more pay and prestige but Tampa was also home to one of the first meta-human teams in the country and had seen it's share of odd looking people. So while August still got the occasional stare he was rarely met with the fear to which he had grown accustomed. It was true once people got to know him his appearance didn't matter as much but it was that initial reaction he hoped to be rid of.

Now the man who was responsible was standing before him. "Professor Silver, it's good to see you again. I trust you're happy with your position here at USF. If so I have a favor I'd like to ask of you."

"You will find, Arson, that I am an agreeable being who is always ready to lend a helping hand. Please, take a seat." August sat gingerly in his new desk chair. It was custom made and of sturdy construction, but it did not yet have his trust. "Now, merely ask your favor and it will become so."

"I do not want to ask this of you but I've learned a few things I'm not comfortable with and you are the only one I know who might be able to help. I do business with a lot of powerful people and I recently overheard something I could not believe but I did some checking with a few other people I know and got the same story." August still could not place the man's accent.

"I should not be bringing this to you but you are the only person I know who could pass for being a meta-human and this involves the local meta-human team The Olympians. The team was recently taken over by a man called Damien Alexander. I'm not sure you've heard of him but he's one of the richest men in America, he is also one of the slimiest.

"A number of colleagues and I are afraid of what Mr. Alexander might do now that he has the backing of a team of meta-humans. The favor I'm asking of you is if you could find a way to get close to the team and find out for sure what he is up to."

August sat back and steepled his fingers. "Pardon me for being direct, but is this the reason you arranged this position for me, because I can 'pass as metahuman'? I would hope my value as an academic played a part in my being here."

Verrech laughed, "Of course not, my friend. This affair came up after the paperwork was in place but it is why I hesitated to ask for your help. I knew how it would look but I did not have anywhere else to turn. I would understand if you said no."

"No need to worry about that, Arson, and I apologize for being so abrupt with my query, but you will find that I'm not a creature that can endure unanswered questions, of which I suddenly have a host. To begin with I would like to know more about your Mr. Alexander. Do you suspect him of criminal behavior? Also, you seem to imply that I should look into joining the Olympians. That notion is not beyond reason as my physicality and skill set do make me rather formidable. Is this what you are, in fact, suggesting?"

"Of course I suspect him of criminal behavior. Any one who does as well as Damien Alexander in business is guilty of something, it's just how good they are at hiding it." Verrech sat back in his chair. "I was only thinking of you finding a way to work with them but if you could join them it would be perfect."

"Well", August drummed his fingers on his desk. "This is quite a bit to take in. I will promise you this; I will introduce myself to Mr. Alexander and his Olympians and we'll see where that takes me. If your suspicions about the man are correct, of course I will do what I can to see him arrested. After all, I am always looking for an excuse to field test that which I teach."

"Thank you, August. There are not many men like you in this world. You will keep me apprised of things?"

"Of course, and please call me Gus."