James jumped down from the two-story building with ease, thanks to the robotics woven through his body. He landed with a thunk in front of the man holding the knife. “Drop the weapon and step away.”

 

The blond-haired man turned, swinging the knife as he did. “You think he’s some innocent person I happened to come across? This man killed my brother. After four months of rehabilitation therapy, he’s back on the streets, living his life as if nothing happened.”

 

James scanned the victim, and a display of court records flashed in front of his eyes. “I understand you’re upset, but this man served his time and should be left alone. Drop the weapon, or I will have to take drastic measures.” James flexed his fingers, the small squeak drawing the man’s attention.

 

Brian, his brother, darted out of another alley, putting himself between the knife-wielding man and the victim. Ever since they were little, Brian had protected James. It’s one of the reasons they were chasing down bad guys now. Thanks to a unique genetic anomaly, both brothers qualified for the program, but the offer was only valid if both brothers joined. So Brian agreed. James always suspected it was because he felt guilty about the accident.

 

In one swift motion, Brian knocked the knife to the ground and wrapped his arms around the man, holding him in place. “You’re under arrest and will be taken for sentencing.”

 

James stepped forward, his movements stiff and awkward. It had been six months since Brian and James accepted the offer to be the first enhanced servers of justice. That’s what the deputy and scientist who recruited them called the program. Some days it felt like they did more harm than good. But without the program, James wouldn’t be walking right now.

 

With a sigh, he slipped the cuffs on and led the poor man to the police car by the curb. The driverless car was the newest addition to the force. It was just another way for the government to get rid of the need for humans. He helped the man in and watched it speed away.

 

Brian slapped him on the shoulder. “Getting tired of this gig yet?”

 

“No way. Not me.” He turned to look at Brian. “I just wonder how our accident might have turned out if the program was around back then. Look how many drunks we stop before they get in their cars.”

 

Brian shrugged. “Can’t live in the past and can’t live with the what ifs. Besides, if someone had stopped that man, we wouldn’t be Servers of Justice.” He flashed a smile before heading down the road on patrol.

 

* * *

 

Days turned into weeks that stretched into months. The brothers got stronger and smarter. They learned new skills and abilities, but James couldn’t help feeling like a guinea pig. The scientists poked and prodded at least once a week. They were always calibrating or adding something to make them even better. He wished they would leave the technology alone. It worked. Couldn’t that be good enough?

 

James had barely finished breakfast when the first call came in. An armed man in Market Square.

 

James rushed out the door, Brian right behind him. “You don’t have to come. This is my call.”

 

“Someone has to watch out for you.”

 

They deployed their wings, a new addition to their equipment, and landed just outside a crowd of people running and screaming about a man with a knife.

 

“This must be the place.” James stepped toward the crowd. “Don’t panic, people. We are here to help.”

 

Like always, the crowd continued to run and scream, making him wonder why he even bothered saying anything. He wove his way through the people, stopping in the middle of the square. Tables full of merchandise surrounded him, but there was no man, no knife.

 

“There is no threat here.” James looked toward Brian who was standing at a table full of purses. “Maybe it was a false alarm.”

 

Brian shrugged his shoulders. “Let’s take a quick look, then get out of here. The quiet is creeping me out.”

 

James couldn’t argue with that. He took a step forward and froze. The knife glistened in the sun, then plunged into Brian’s back. Fear held him in place as Brian crumpled to the ground, blood seeping through his uniform.

 

James rushed toward the man, half hidden behind a coat rack, and ripped the knife from his hand. He slipped the handcuffs on and secured him to a chain link fence.

 

He rushed to Brian’s side. A tear slipped down his cheek as he clutched his brother’s hand. “You should have stayed home.”

 

Brian coughed, blood coating his lips. “Who would’ve looked after you?”

 

James’s free hand fumbled with the radio on his vest. “I need Medical now!” He knew it wouldn’t get there in time. He pressed on the wound to stop the blood flow, but it did little to help. All he could do was watch as Brian took his last breath.

 

His grief turned to anger, and he let out a feral scream as he marched toward the man responsible. His fingers clutched the man’s neck. James’s eyes narrowed. “I know you. You tried to kill your brother’s killer.”

 

“Now you know how it feels to have your brother killed,” he snarled. “Send me to court to do my time.”

 

James’s grip tightened. “That’s not justice.”

 

“That’s not what you told me.”

 

A punishment he thought fair a few months ago no longer seemed adequate for the crime. It was his job to serve justice.

 

James clenched his jaw. “I am the server of Justice. I will no longer take criminals to court for others to decide what is fair.” His fingers squeezed against the man’s throat until the body went limp.

 

James dropped the corpse on the ground, ripped off his badge, and threw down his radio. He would serve justice the way he saw fit.