THE MOMENT
"I just need a chance," Luther pleaded as professionally as he could. He didn't want to sound like a sob story; but, he wanted his sincerity to shine through. Hopefully without the desperation that drove him to apply for the Hero's League. He was in a corporate office explaining his case to Orion, a Chroma Corp. executive. The League was owned and operated by Chroma Corp., and Luther didn't have any powers; nor any of the fighting skills that might've made him an effective vigilante. He decided his best chance was to avoid the public tryouts altogether and try to get approval in other ways.
"If that's all you need, then Chroma Corp. is the right place for you," Orion nodded with a pleasant smile. "Our company would be happy to give you that chance...," he stopped nodding, then shook his head. "But, without any powers or combat ability, you're not going to be very effective in the superhero line of work...," he said. "...is there something else you'd like to learn how to do? We have all sorts of training programs available, for free," he said.
"I just need to get a job so I can start bringing in something... it doesn't matter what. I heard even Omega Rank heroes get a salary. I don't mind being at the bottom, I know I can't do anything. But, I can't even afford rent anymore, and I'll be homeless if I don't have it in two weeks...," Luther explained. He tried to be informative without laying out all his problems. But, he saw the issues as relevant to the conversation, and he genuinely got the impression Orion wanted to be helpful.
"You don't need to be a league member for Chroma Corp. to help you," Orion said. "You'll find that our corporation is surprisingly vast; I'd be delighted to introduce you to our social services. I mentioned the training programs already, for anything you'd like to learn...," Orion grinned. "But, if your situation is that dire, we can also provide housing, and of course all the necessities that go with that. It's not a 'job' exactly; but, all your immediate needs, including medical, will be met."
"Wow...," Luther was stunned. It wasn't a completely random decision to take his case to Chroma Corp. He never paid the company any more attention than it needed from him at any given time; but, they were established. It wasn't anything he could've put his finger on; but, he almost had an innate sense that whatever he needed, Chroma Corp. would help. He attributed it to years of background noise and the name popping up in conversations here and there. And now, that feeling was paying off in spades. But, he was still human, and he'd still entered the office feeling particularly desperate. He'd already built up a story in his mind that he wanted to make true and, as great as Orion's offer was, it wasn't the exact vision he built for himself.
"So, there's no way I can join the Hero's League?" Luther asked. Orion had earned his trust entirely, and he felt comfortable explaining the rest of his scheme. "I just kind of pictured everyone thinking I'm a superhero, even when the truth is I don't have powers or fighting skills...," he said. "... due to my limited experience, there's no other single job that would let me afford rent."
"You wouldn't be qualified for the job, to afford the rent," Orion shook his head. "At least not with Chroma Corps' league. Our members get salaried based on their tier... but, you wouldn't even qualify for Omega level. There are other teams that do things differently. But, off the top of my head, those also function on a quota or 'deed' system; and the limits are deliberately set out with Supers in mind. You could also try to make use of the vigilante bounty system... but, without powers or fighting skills... I don't imagine that going well either...," Orion said.
"Oh...," Luther sighed. "I guess that's just a 'no' any way you look at it. Well, still. I guess I'll have to enjoy a better reality than the story I came in here with. Thank you very much for the help, and I would absolutely like to accept Chroma Corps' assistance," he said.
"You know, there are those that want to force their way into the Hero's League for the status associated with Chroma Corp. And, I'll admit I considered that might be the case for you. But, it seems your reasons are quite different... even if kind of the same...," he chuckled. "Either way, I've decided I can work with you just a bit. I like how adaptable you are," he said.
"I can join the League!?" Luther sat up straighter with wide eyes.
"Not exactly," Orion replied. "But, if you're wanting to live out the story you created for yourself, I can bend a few rules to give it a little more authenticity for you. I can put you into a civilian internship at the league. Strictly no superheroics; but, you will be seen coming and going from the League headquarters, and you'll be maintaining a place to live. As long as no one looks too closely at it, everyone will think you're a superhero, doing the only job you can let you afford rent," Orion said.