The Andre Miller Saga

Andre Miller 61 The Crone

The second day of the competition, industry show, and entertainment festival kicked off with the sledgehammer shield competition.

Andre and Caleb entered less to try and win but more as a test of just how tough their shields were. They knew they could stop several bullets, but sledgehammers were their own category of abuse. Especially when wielded by alchemically boosted bodybuilders. Two hammer men stood, one on each side of the contestant, and swung alternating about one hit a second.

There were over 50 participants each having to hold their shield at least 3 feet from their bodies so that the hammers wouldn't accidentally hit them when they swung through.

The field started strong with 34 hits for a break. Most contestants broke somewhere between 25 and 35. Andre made it to 41 and Caleb to 45 before their shields broke, respectively. Caleb took fifth place and one back his $50 entry fee. The winner took 74 hits to shatter, known as Gran Gran Herschel. She was a 79-year-old defensive specialist who regularly used her shield to pick up golf balls at the active driving range. She would be moving on to the national event in Washington D.C. in 5 months.

"I don't see why I couldn't compete," Frankie said jokingly, "We'd only be here all day." He laughed.

"Your shield took several grenade hits, and that was before your latest power-ups. I don't think the hammers would survive the experience." Said Andre.

There was also a shove rune dummy that measured the raw impact power of the rune. Andre and Kyle entered into that one, but neither placed. Frankie just looked at the target and mouthed boom and made an explosion motion with his hands. Everyone laughed.

About halfway through the day, the group was hanging out at the Infinity Brand booth and a large man in a black blazer with the Black Flame Security logo on the pocket walked up. "I'm looking for either Andre Miller or Tilly Rhodes, would either of them be available?" he asked politely.

"We're both here," said Andre as he indicated himself and Tilly, "What can we do for you Mr...?"

"James Jones. I'm the owner and one of the operators of Black Flame. You'll forgive me if I don't shake hands after yesterday's unfortunate events. I just wanted to come by to apologize for my former employee's behavior. All 5 of them will be seeking new employment once they are released from holding. Some people who work with the Houses tend to overstep their bounds from time to time and I'm working very hard to break the stigma that comes with that affiliation. If you'd allow me, I'd like to pay for your weekend booth fees as a way of saying that this sort of thing won't happen again." He offered Andre an envelope.

"Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Jones, but that won't be necessary. We view it as an isolated incident and hope that we won't have to worry about retaliation once they are released." Said Andre.

"Oh, you'll have no worries about that. They have some things to answer for to our sponsors." He tucked the envelope into his pocket, "Well, again, let me extend my apologies. I hope we can have a good working relationship as honest competitors." He nodded to the group and then turned and made his way back into the crowd.

"Well, isn't he just a slick bastard?" Said Conroy.

"It seems House Retaletan is moving in a different direction with its image. That's disturbing." Replied Caleb, "If they start putting out people like him as mouthpieces that could draw in the uninformed."

"Sponsors? I think he means demons. Euphemisms don't change the fact that they are in league with the hells." Said Tilly.

"He's a bad man too?" asked Celeste munching on a hot dog.

"Yes, moppet, he is." Said Janice, "He just hides his being bad by trying to act nice in public."

"That's mean. You should always be yourself, that's what the teachers say. He's tricky. I don't like him." Celeste said as she took another bite.