Truth is, I never wanted to be sheriff. I was born on Earth, left to be a farmer on De Finibus. Some rowdy boys in the colony grew into dangerous men, and the people wanted some protection. I'm bulletproof, so, in short, I was elected almost immediately.

-Darren Michaels, Altered sheriff and later mayor of De Finibus, September 1st, 2134 CE

ROYCE'S EARS RANG in violent waves. Fire and metal rained around him and the lightning boy was shouting something. His head ...