《Mod Superhero (BOOK 5 STUB ON JAN 30TH)》 Intro — Arc 1: Origin First of all, thank you for checking out the story. If you¡¯re here, then you¡¯ve already read the main description (Right?...). If you want more of a disclaimer about what you¡¯re getting into, then read on. Otherwise, skip it and go straight to the story. Arc 1 Synopsis: Emmett Laraway goes from tech nerd and superhero fanboy to cyborg and newbie unregistered superhero. Various conflicts ensue.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Tone: Darker than the MCU. Not as dark as Worm. What NEVER to expect: Explicit romance scenes, harem¡­ What to expect in the SERIES: Soft Sci-Fi, Ship-of-Theseus-style Progression of Cybernetics and Tech, Dystopian Alternate History/World, a ¡°Kitchen Sink¡± of sci-fi and fantasy powers from superheroes to sorcerers and vampires and more inbetween¡­ Chapter 1.1.1 — Coasting A superhero leapt across the rooftops, and Emmett watched from the seven o¡¯ clock bus. He turned in his seat to follow them, but they were gone as quickly as they appeared. It could¡¯ve been Lux or Graynight. They were both active on this side of Adelphi, but Emmett couldn¡¯t see well enough from the street. Emmett turned back around in his seat, smiling¡ªno one else on the bus had noticed, but he had seen them. Then again, he¡¯d also been lucky enough to look up at the right time. He¡¯d been reading an article on his phone about the Summit of Heroes and their recent battle with the Antichampions. Their battle had started in Fallworth, but the Summit forced them into the surrounding desert where the most powerful teams of supers and villains had fought for two days, turning miles of sand dunes into craters and glass. Reliable eyewitness accounts of such battles were scarce, but Emmett read all he could find, anyway. Instead of going back to his phone, Emmett savored the moment and watched the streets of Eastside pass. When he was younger and riding the school bus, Emmett used to imagine himself leaping across rooftops and running faster than a car. Few days went by that he didn¡¯t daydream about it. But the older Emmett got, the fewer options he had: He wasn¡¯t the son of an old god, didn¡¯t fall into a vat of radioactive acid, know magic, or have any telekinetic powers... The closer he got to graduating college, the more absurd he felt even reading about superheroes. He was almost an adult¡ªa real adult. Now he only daydreamed about spontaneously getting powers every other day. Still, no amount of growing up could wipe the smile off his face. This was the first super he¡¯d seen in weeks, and he took it as a sign that it was going to be a good day. Maybe even a good week. ~ The Eastside of Belport was made up of technology companies and their research buildings, as well as the satellite campus of Belport University. It was also where Emmett spent most of his time. He hopped off the bus on 34th Street, pushed back his dark, shaggy hair, and put in his earbuds and music. Then he pulled up his hood and started walking. He¡¯d been on a synthwave kick the last few months, listening to artists like Starquake, Lime Profond, and Endure. It just fit¡ªhe was a tech major listening to new age music. Pieces were falling into place for Emmett. He¡¯d finally found a major he loved, was almost at the end of his degree, finally got an internship, and got out of the house. The music was a bonus. Emmett walked down the street, ignoring the screens and advertisements that lined the buildings, while glancing to the rooftops in hopes of catching another glance of a super. Beauty cream from Gnosis, the latest phones from Aquarius, fusion powered cars by Masuel¡­ Emmett ignored them all. No more supers¡ªnot this morning, anyway. Emmett sighed and followed the sidewalk onto campus. Then again, it was a wonder why any supers were patrolling right now; what serious criminals got started this early in the morning? ~ The Eastside satellite campus consisted of half a dozen buildings, all devoted to engineering and health sciences. It was a self-contained mirror of the surrounding sector¡ªits own little ecosystem. It even shared the love of glass that all tech companies seemed to have. Most graduates and promising students would get jobs and internships just a few blocks away, snatched up by the research and development wings of those companies. Emmett still had to finish out the semester¡ªit was the end of February with three months left to go¡ªbut he was lucky to have already landed an internship. It might not have been with one of the usual big name companies but his work with Dr. Venture was much more engaging than being just another proverbial cog in the machine. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. In fact, it had been harder to focus these last six months since getting his internship at the professor¡¯s small lab. Classes felt like a grind compared to his work in the afternoon. Emmett climbed the stairs of the A Building to his Product and Process engineering class, nodded to the two people he was cool with, and took his seat in the back of the room. He toggled his phone to his police scanner app. It had been a relatively quiet week as far as supers went¡ªsome scuffles between long-time rivals like Shatterspike and Death¡¯s Hand, and Isocauldron and Loverboy at the park on the West End. Honestly, those were the best kinds of super fights because they resulted in minimal collateral damage. Bystanders and taxpayers stayed happy, and capes and villains got to test each other and work out their creative differences. Emmett listened intently, but after a few minutes of boring police calls he toggled back to music. Then he opened his notebook to last week¡¯s notes and continued doodling in the margins. Sometimes it was wiring diagrams or schematics for inventions, other times it was tiny superhero battles. Today, Emmett continued his breakdown of the pieces of Arsenal¡¯s armor. The former mask turned villain had specialized in battlesuits, and his current doodle was a mix of Arsenal¡¯s third gen design with a few of Emmett¡¯s own modifications¡ªforearm lasers swapped out for sonic repeaters, afterburners changed to stabilizers. Emmett kept doodling, even as the rest of the class filed in and as Professor Quinn started teaching. He took his hood down and earbuds out, of course, and tried to listen as best he could. But Emmett didn¡¯t hear the professor pause and walk over behind him. ¡°Ahem.¡± Emmett¡¯s pencil froze, and he turned to see his professor standing beside him. Even with her tiny and composed demeanor, it felt like she towered over him. ¡°See me after class, Mr. Laraway.¡± Emmett swallowed dryly. ¡°Okay.¡± ~ Emmett had gotten by his entire life by staying away from the spotlight. In grade school, he did just enough to keep A¡¯s and just quiet enough that he didn¡¯t stand out. But the further along he got in school, the more his teachers took notice. At the end of class, Professor Quinn dismissed them, and Emmett made a point of slowly gathering his things so that everyone else would be gone before he talked to her. He slung his pack over his shoulder and walked up to her desk, which was almost comically oversized for her. ¡°What are we going to do with you, Mr. Laraway,¡± she said, adding a tsk, tsk, tsk at the end. ¡°You¡¯re a smart lad, but you can¡¯t coast your way through life¡­ even if you¡¯ve managed to so far.¡± Emmett shrugged an apology. ¡°It¡¯s just easier to apply things instead of sitting and listening.¡± She nodded. ¡°I understand. You might not think so, but I do. I was once a student here at Belport¡­ But I want you to understand that not all applications are created equal. ¡°I know about your work with that Venture and his lab. His work isn¡¯t science, and you would do well to remember that. Get what you can from him and move on to something stable.¡± Emmett held his tongue and nodded, but he didn¡¯t promise anything. Professor Quinn must have seen through his facade because she waved him away without waiting for a response. ¡°You have potential. Don¡¯t waste it. Go on¡­ and Mr. Laraway, I¡¯m looking forward to seeing your final project.¡± Emmett was already at the doorway when his step faltered. He hurried and continued down the hall. Of course. That project¡ªthe one he¡¯d totally forgotten about. ~ Emmett hiked down the stairs and out to the C building and his second class of the day, Machine Design. Instead of listening to music and doodling, he spent the following hour half-listening and working on his project for engineering class. Maybe Dr. Venture or Clara would have some ideas¡ªnot that the old man ever let him take any projects home to work on. The doctor was adamant that everything they worked on in his laboratory stayed there. He had a penchant for secrecy that bordered on paranoia. Granted, Emmett wasn¡¯t about to call Dr. Venture out on it. He wasn¡¯t going to risk his internship. At first, Emmett almost hadn¡¯t accepted the internship. He¡¯d never heard of Dr. Venture, and neither had any other student. He claimed to have ties to several big companies, but it wasn¡¯t until he toured the doctor¡¯s lab that Emmett believed it. The doctor and his lab were on another level. As far as Emmett knew, he was the doctor¡¯s only intern¡ªClara didn¡¯t count. She was his daughter. Emmett sighed and Professor Quinn¡¯s words came back to him: ¡°You can¡¯t coast your way through life.¡± For most of his life, that¡¯s exactly what Emmett was doing, just coasting in the background, but Professor Quinn was wrong¡ªcoasting wasn¡¯t what he wanted to do now. It just felt like he¡¯d outgrown his classes. Even his capstone classes were too easy. So Emmett bided his time and paid attention as best as he could. He just had another couple hours to kill until going to work with Dr. Venture. Only another few hours¡­ ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.1.2 — The Lab After class, Emmett walked quickly out of the C Building and across campus to catch the two o¡¯clock bus to the edge of Eastside. The far East side of the city was barren compared to the rest of the research district. Where earlier it was impossible to walk the block without being bombarded by billboards of electronic ads, here they were almost non-existent. The only two billboards were for Gnosis. Each one hung from a parking garage and covered the entire front of it. They changed throughout the day, but always showed some combination of their health and beauty products. In contrast, the Gnosis headquarters across the street looked more like a military compound than a billion-dollar corporation. The buildings were pristine white and barren of anything except the Gnosis logo¡ªa white square with a simple, blurry face staring back. And the entire place was ringed with razor wire and guards armed with military hardware. Emmett walked past the first parking garage and the giant tub of facial cream on display The entrance to Dr. Venture¡¯s lab was sandwiched between two parking garages for Gnosis. It was a nondescript metal door that looked more like a custodian¡¯s closet. Emmett stepped up to the door, pulled back his hood, and waited. A second later, the eye scan registered and a robotic female voice crackled with static. ¡°Thank you for verification. Please step through, Emmett Laraway.¡± Even after these months of working for the doctor, Emmett wasn¡¯t sure where the scan or the voice came from¡ªthere was no camera or speaker visible. He shivered as the door creaked open, but for another reason: There was something about an inhuman intelligence watching him that Emmett still hadn¡¯t gotten used to. ~ If Gnosis across the street resembled a military compound, Dr. Venture¡¯s laboratory resembled a nuclear bunker. Emmett descended the long stairwell, with only tiny lights on each of the steps to push away the darkness. Even from all the way up here, eerie clangs and hisses echoed from the lab. He ignored them and descended over a hundred steps to reach the bottom. He followed the concrete hallway, passing half a dozen doors of reinforced steel and access hatches for the pipes and wiring that ran alongside the hallway like bundles of nerves. None of the doors were labeled¡ªonly numbered¡ªand Emmett had only ever been in one of them. Each of them had a small camera and display next to it, no bigger than his palm, and each looked to be several decades old. It puzzled Emmett why there was such a mix of old and new technology in the lab, but the doctor had never given him a straight answer. Emmett couldn¡¯t say why, but it felt like it wasn¡¯t an issue of funding¡­ There were other things Venture pinched pennies on, but those were things like frozen meals instead of takeout or a clunky car instead of something new. Instead, it felt like some parts of the underground had been purposefully kept the same. Emmett stopped at the door painted 003, and waited for the lab¡¯s artificial assistant, TINA, to scan him. After a moment, the door split along the seams and parted for him. ¡°Dr. Venture is expecting you,¡± TINA said, appearing on the old display as a voice waveform. Emmett stepped through into a small locker room. At some point, the number plates had been removed from all the lockers except those on the left wall and the rest of them had been welded shut. He stuffed his phone, wallet, and backpack into the first available one. A short hallway and another set of reinforced doors separated the locker room from the lab three¡¯s main room. The walls of the testing hub were covered in display screens and readouts, and the center of the room was taken up by a metal platform that both served as a table and as a holographic display. Most of them were powered down, save for a small cluster of screens in the back of the room. That was where Dr. Venture stood. It would¡¯ve given the impression of someone huddling around a campfire at night, except that his hands clasped behind his back, watching the screens intently. Rugged was probably the best word to describe him; Venture was tall and broad, always wearing his titular greased-stained lab coat. He was always fiddling with his wide glasses, his hands calloused from working as much with wrenches as he did with programming. His face was always covered in stubble and his graying hair looked like he had just brushed it back a moment before someone entered the lab. Venture glanced over his shoulder as Emmett entered, muttered a greeting, then said to the monitors, ¡°That¡¯s enough for now, Clara. Come back up so we can resume work on the heat sinks.¡± Then he pushed up his glasses and turned to Emmett. As he did, the ambient light in the room gradually increased. Emmett nodded in greeting, but Venture ignored it, instead bringing up a hologram in the center of the room. ¡°Tell me what you think about this design.¡± Emmett examined the diagram while ignoring the doctor staring at him. It was a test¡ªsomething Emmett had gotten used to over the past months. The hologram showed a thermoelectric system: Plates of carbon composites meshed together around a heat source. As heat emanated from the source and passed through the plates, the energy was converted to electricity. Right away, Emmett noticed several things. He gestured to the hologram as he answered. ¡°Hydrothermal power is preferred in most instances, but this type of system is for small-scale applications where space is an issue. It doesn¡¯t scale well¡ªthe heat source can only be so powerful or the plates will melt. Stacking plates isn¡¯t a solution because the heat source will scale logarithmically, but power conversion is linear¡ª¡± ¡°If I wanted a textbook answer, I would read a textbook. How would you improve it?¡± Venture¡¯s voice was firm as a math problem. ¡°If the scale can¡¯t change, then efficiency or materials are the only answers.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°The plates could be rearranged for greater efficiency, or another composite could be used¡­¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°You¡¯re missing something.¡± Emmett grit his teeth and looked over the hologram again. ¡°Additional systems could be used to recycle or remove excess heat¡­¡± Then another answer came to him. ¡°Power sources! Using multiple power sources instead of one large one would allow the system to scale.¡± Emmett turned, excited and waiting for confirmation. Dr. Venture merely nodded, his face stoic and unchanged. ¡°Not bad. When Clara gets up here, we¡¯ll work on integrating our heat sinks into the design.¡± Venture turned back to the other monitors, leaving Emmett standing in silence. So he turned back to the hologram still hanging in the middle of the room. There was something familiar about it, but Emmett wasn¡¯t sure exactly what that was. Before he could get too invested, Clara came through one of the adjoining doors. Her eyes met Emmett¡¯s as it slammed shut behind her. In many ways, Clara was a reflection of her father: She had the same dark hair, though Clara kept it buzzed short. She was a head shorter than him, but she had his strong build. And Clara definitely smiled more than her father did, but she had that same intensity of focus. Except she was fond of leggings, baggy sweaters, and beanies instead of lab coats. ¡°Glad you could make it,¡± Clara said sarcastically. ¡°Some of us have classes.¡± ¡°Who says you need those?¡± Dr. Venture cleared his throat as if to say, ¡®I do.¡¯ Clara rolled her eyes. ¡°Some of us get by without it.¡± She was speaking as much about her father as herself. As far as Emmett had heard, Venture had never went to college. Venture glanced sidelong at her. ¡°Just because I didn¡¯t enroll in school doesn¡¯t mean I didn¡¯t learn everything I could.¡± Clara held up her hands in mock defeat. ¡°It was a joke, Dad.¡± The doctor grunted. ¡°I¡¯m sure. Suit up and go to testing chamber two.¡± Emmett and Clara shared a smirk and exited through the adjoining door. ~ Clara led the way down the hall. ¡°I saw a hero today. On the bus.¡± She paused for breath, then kept walking. ¡°Did you see who it was?¡± ¡°No. They¡­ Well, I was on the bus.¡± ¡°You¡¯re losing your touch.¡± Emmett scoffed. ¡°Do you know the odds of running into a super?¡± ¡°Do you?¡± ¡°Well, no. But why do you think I keep up with the forums?¡± Clara chuckled, and Emmett asked seriously, ¡°What¡¯s funny about that?¡± She called over her shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s just that with the crazy tech we get to work with and experiments we get to do, you still can¡¯t stop thinking about superheros.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not the least bit interested in the supers?¡± Clara held up a finger. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. I was talking about you.¡± Emmett shrugged, though she wouldn¡¯t see it. ¡°You¡¯re right. We do get to play around with some pretty cool stuff¡­ That just means I get to dream a little bigger.¡± Emmett thought he heard Clara chuckle again, but neither said anything else. She stopped at the metal door to the testing chamber, grabbed the handles, and spun the release mechanism. The door unlocked with a heavy clang and she pushed it open. Testing chamber two was a large, domed room, some fifty feet across. It was featureless and almost completely smooth, save for the smaller spherical structure embedded in the center of the floor¡ªit was the heat source that would test their heat sink design, and it was wrapped in coils of refrigerant that glowed with an eerie purple light¡ª That was different, Emmett realized. They¡¯d changed the refrigerant. They¡¯d been working in testing chamber two for the last few weeks, slowly adjusting the heat sink¡¯s design. The other difference was Clara and the doctor had added batteries in a thin strips overtop of the coils. ¡°You changed refrigerant,¡± Emmett said idly as he searched for any other changes he might¡¯ve missed. Clara smiled, and her father¡¯s voice came through the intercom speakers at the top of the room. ¡°Why?¡± Dr. Venture asked through the intercom. Another test. ¡°You added batteries,¡± Emmett replied. ¡°Correct. Both of you, verify connections.¡± Emmett followed behind Clara as she pointed out the new additions. He listened and studied intently. It almost seemed like the system was missing something¡­ Emmett just couldn¡¯t imagine what. Neither the doctor nor Clara had been forthcoming about just what the system was designed for. For all he knew, it might¡¯ve been some new nuclear design, or a power system for robotics or military hardware¡ªany of those would explain the secrecy. Emmett worked for Venture, but he was only an intern. When they were done with their check, both of them retreated to the small, reinforced viewing room where they would be safe from any ambient heat or malfunctions. Both of them had taken to calling it the ¡°broom closet¡±, since it was only a little bigger than one. Emmett and Clara filed inside and peered out through the three inches of plastic that comprised the viewing window. ¡°We¡¯re ready, Dad.¡± Clara waited, but no one responded. ¡°...We¡¯re ready down here.¡± Clara sighed and stared out the viewing window, inadvertently stepping closer to Emmett, who was already wedged up against the other wall. They were shoulder to shoulder now, and the small room felt just a bit hotter. Emmett focused on staring straight ahead. Meanwhile, his thoughts raced. Was this awkward? He should say something instead of just standing there. That¡¯s what a normal person¡­ friend¡­ co-intern would do, right? ¡°Maybe, uh¡­¡± Emmett cleared his throat. ¡°Maybe he went to the bathroom¡ª¡± Dr. Venture stepped in front of the viewing window, glaring at him. Emmett jumped. Venture stepped into the broom closet a moment later. This caused Clara to scooch over another step until she was practically leaning against him. Emmett tried to catch his breath. ¡°We¡¯re ready now,¡± Venture said. He pushed up his glasses and glanced at Emmett out of the corner of his eye. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Nervous?¡± Emmett stayed silent, but swore a smirk crossed the doctor¡¯s face. If Clara noticed, she didn¡¯t give any indication. ¡°Begin countdown,¡± Venture said. TINA counted down from ten, and then the sphere in the center of the room began to heat up. The tubes surrounding it glowed steadily brighter, bathing the room in rolling purple light. Soon the sphere was glowing a molten orange beneath the coils, but even as the heat grew, the purple didn¡¯t diminish. The batteries were glowing too, like thin beacons of white. All three of them watched silently. Emmett wanted to see the readouts later, but so far, everything was going well. Soon the orange glow from the sphere was completely eclipsed, and TINA said, ¡°Battery charge steady at one hundred percent.¡± ¡°Begin venting excess heat,¡± Venture said. Emmett looked over nervously. This was new and unexpected, but he stayed silent. The doctor¡¯s face was stoic as ever, but Clara''s eyes were wide and her smile was even bigger. Steam erupted from the coils, clouding the room, but soon the steam oozed out in a slow and steady fog. The team watched intently for another few seconds until the TINA¡¯s voice came on again. ¡°Heat sinks holding steady.¡± ¡°Cut the power,¡± Venture ordered. The power faded from the experiment, but the excitement didn¡¯t leave them. ¡°That¡¯s cause to celebrate,¡± Venture said. He¡¯d already turned to leave, but Emmett imagined there was a smile on the doctor¡¯s face that mirrored his and Clara¡¯s. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.1.3 — Celebration As it turned out, Dr. Venture¡¯s idea of celebrations was as understated as he was. There was a small break room near the testing hub¡ªone of the only other rooms Emmett had seen. He¡¯d gotten to sit in it precisely twice, not including this time. There wasn¡¯t much to it: Several cracked leather chairs were arranged to face a wall of displays. The few times Emmett had been in the room, they were always tuned to the major news channels. A small kitchenette occupied the right-hand wall. Currently, Emmett and Clara sat idly while Dr. Venture put a frozen pizza in the oven. Emmett and Clara shared a wordless laugh at her father¡¯s idea of celebration. Despite the facility they worked in, the doctor had a habit of cutting costs on things that weren¡¯t digital or mechanical. ¡°Tell me again, Dad, why we can¡¯t splurge on takeout?¡± Venture waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Big Larry¡¯s has come a long way since the first frozen pizza. This is gourmet compared to the pizza I grew up with.¡± Emmett joked, ¡°They didn¡¯t have takeout back then.¡± ¡°Cars either,¡± Venture added, deadpan. The doctor came over and sat with them, turning intently to the news. Silence settled between them as Emmett and Clara uneasily did the same. There was ongoing war across the Morrowed Sea, and riots in the South. Domestically, people were in a fuss over the market, though that all sounded like gibberish to Emmett; he¡¯d never been good with economics. And spliced in with everything were superheroes and villains¡ªthe war across the ocean was plagued by warlord supers who harassed the edges of territories and battlefields¡ªsometimes drawing the ire of both countries. Riots in the South were blamed on rogue masks and villains. Domestically, groups tried to pin the stock market dip on the battle between the Summit of Heroes and Antichampions, saying that the Antichampions¡¯ increased activity was affecting investors. Then there were the brawls that destroyed a block of Dramford and Chicby Hills. Emmett listened, but his eyes were always drawn to the clips of supers and villains. Only registered capes were shown with any clarity. Most photos and video were almost always far away shots of tiny figures¡ªeven so, they dominated the screen when they appeared. Lightning arced, fire swirled, and the air quivered around them. Each super felt like they heralded destruction¡ªEmmett wasn¡¯t sure if the news meant to depict them that way, but it was the overwhelming impression. As the moment dragged on, Emmett came back to the silence again, and it felt odd to him. He¡¯d spent a lot of time with the doctor and Clara over the last six months, but most of that time was spent working. There was very little downtime since he¡¯d started working here¡ªpretty much those two other times he¡¯d been invited into the breakroom. So Emmett shifted in his seat, unsure of whether it was a comfortable silence or not. In the end, he decided it wasn¡¯t. Emmett said, ¡°I¡¯ve got a project coming up for engineering.¡± Neither Venture nor Clara responded. They were both watching the news intently. A still shot of the Scarlet King was on the screen. He hovered on the screen, a ball of crackling psychic power. He was an old member of the Antichampions, one who was ousted for over-the-top brutality and rumored to have killed the former hero, Arsenal. Emmett cleared his throat, ¡°I¡¯ve got a project for engineering coming up.¡± The doctor blinked, but it was Clara who turned and answered. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m not sure yet,¡± Emmett replied, leaving out that he forgot about the assignment. ¡°What did you do last time?¡± Emmett reminded her of his variable electromagnetic shielding¡ªa glorified adjustable mesh¡ªand that he couldn¡¯t reuse a project from a prior class. It was a maddening rule. ¡°What about your radio locator that you were working on?¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Emmett paused and considered it. It wasn¡¯t flashy, or particularly promising, but Clara was right: He hadn¡¯t used that for a prior class. It had been something he¡¯d worked on in his spare time as a way to better track heroes around the city. ¡°That might work,¡± Emmett conceded. ¡°Thanks.¡± Emmett briefly thought about using that as an excuse to leave early, but Clara spoke up first, asking if he¡¯d seen the latest Full Throttle Heart. ¡°No spoilers!¡± he shouted. Clara had gotten him into Full Throttle Heart early in his internship. It was an isekai anime about a delivery truck that gets hit by another truck and subsequently reincarnated in a fantasy world as a sentient truck that transforms into a robot to fight crime. Truck-kun had a habit of shouting ¡°Time to get isekai¡¯d¡± when killing enemies. It was a satire and comedy, but the last two seasons were getting serious, and Emmett and Clara had been awaiting each new episode with anticipation. Well, maybe she¡¯d been anticipating it a little more than he had. When another lull came in their conversation, Emmett asked another hard question. ¡°Dr. Venture, when am I getting paid?¡± The doctor had been watching the news intently¡ªprobably zoning out from their conversation. For a moment, it looked like his eyes might¡¯ve widened in surprise, but it was so fast that Emmett couldn¡¯t be sure. ¡°Knowledge is its own reward,¡± Venture replied. Emmett swallowed dryly. Rent would be due soon¡ªhe had to muster up the courage to remind the doctor that regular people had bills to pay. Clara laughed sarcastically. ¡°Very funny, Dad. You forgot again, didn¡¯t you?¡± Venture grunted a laugh. ¡°TINA, please credit two weeks'' pay to Emmett¡¯s account.¡± A moment later, she responded, ¡°Credit delivered.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Emmett said. Venture grunted another reply, but was still watching the monitors intently. Ever since Emmett had known him, the doctor had been a quiet man, but this evening Emmett wondered if it might¡¯ve been something more. Was the doctor just preoccupied with something¡­ or had Emmett overstayed his welcome? Maybe it was time for him to leave. As the silence dragged on, Emmett looked at Clara and thought he saw the same uncertainty in her eyes. But a question came to mind, and Emmett couldn¡¯t help but ask it. ¡°You really like superheroes, don¡¯t you, Dr. Venture?¡± Even as the question left his mouth, Emmett regretted it, and it felt like the last half of the question had just tumbled out. Venture didn¡¯t respond at first, and Clara looked like her head was frozen looking forward and her face was clenched¡ªlike she was trying to be shocked that he actually asked that question. Venture sighed and tossed Clara the remote control. Then he stood and stretched his arms overhead. ¡°It¡¯s almost past my bedtime,¡± he said. ¡°Clara, be sure to close up the lab before you turn in. Good evening, Emmett.¡± ~ Dr. Venture shut the door behind him, leaving Clara and Emmett sitting awkwardly. ¡°It was something I said, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Emmett asked, slumping further down the couch¡ªof course it was; he wasn¡¯t sure why he asked. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated,¡± Clara said. ¡°Dad¡¯s an engineer, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve realized that some of the things we¡¯ve worked on are pieces of larger systems¡­ of weapons. Not all of it, but a lot of it. ¡°I think Dad¡¯s afraid that heroes will put us out of work one day.¡± Emmett had gradually turned, trying to read her face. ¡°You don¡¯t sound like you believe that.¡± Clara turned on the couch to face him, tucking her legs beneath her. ¡°You¡¯re right. That¡¯s not the whole story. But I¡¯m not even sure I know all of it. One day he might tell you more, just don¡¯t get your hopes up.¡± Emmett nodded¡ªat least it wasn¡¯t him. ¡°You¡¯re cool with not knowing?¡± Emmett¡¯s face wrinkled in question. ¡°Yeah, of course. What other choice do I have?¡± He¡¯d meant it as a joke, but Clara¡¯s face was serious. ¡°Good,¡± she said, relaxing a little. ¡°Because he does trust you, you know. We both do. It¡¯s not every day he takes on an intern, and it¡¯s not everyday that he trusts someone to work on these systems with us.¡± Emmett nodded again. ¡°I get it. You don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡± ¡°Good.¡± ¡°...He doesn¡¯t talk a lot about the past, does he?¡± Clara turned away, staring at the screens instead. ¡°He¡¯s always thinking about the future. Doesn¡¯t talk much about the past, or the present, for that matter.¡± Dejection showed on her face, though she tried to hide it. ¡°Sorry,¡± Emmett said, without really knowing what he was apologizing for. ¡°Don¡¯t be. Can¡¯t change the way things are.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Silence settled between them, and Emmett took it as his cue to leave. If he hurried, he could catch the next bus. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow,¡± he said. ¡°Hope so!¡± Cheer bled back into Clara¡¯s voice, but she was still staring at the monitors and the supers on the news. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.1.4 — Homebase Emmett grabbed his things from the locker room, left the lab, and hustled down the Eastside to the bus stop on 61st Street. The first and second bus of the day was a mix of passengers¡ªstudents, workers, and retirees going down town¡ªbut this bus was almost exclusively workers going home from Gnosis. Then he settled in for the long trip back to his apartment by putting on some tunes and getting started on his homework; he couldn¡¯t do much, but he could at least map out the rest of what he needed to get done by the end of the night and the next couple days. When he finally got to his apartment on the West End, Emmett felt like he had a handle on the rest of his evening. He hopped off the bus and walked the last few blocks to the Woods. It was one of several blocks of apartments that were predominantly rented out to students of the university. Lazy guitar echoed through the apartments, and he passed groups of students under the gazebos. Emmett hiked up the stairs to the fourth floor, picking up two squashed beer cans along the way¡ªhe¡¯d throw them away when he got inside. He opened up room 449 on the top floor and stepped in. The apartments weren¡¯t much, they definitely weren¡¯t the Heights, but the Woods had been home these past two years of college. Two bedrooms, living room, bathroom¡ªeverything a college student needed, and not a damn thing more. They had to scrounge for furniture, but at least the Woods let them have free rein, so long as they didn¡¯t knock down any walls and repainted when it was time to leave. And remodel, they did. Room 449 was decked out in strings of ambient lights, all connected with the TV in the living room and speakers throughout the house. It was currently pulsing red in time with the symphonic music his roommate preferred when studying. Skeletons of electronics littered what would¡¯ve been the kitchen table. Emmett stepped in and shut the door behind him, calling out a greeting to his roommate, Lachlan¡ªwho went by Lock¡ªbut no one answered. Emmett walked through the small kitchen and living room, and peered into Lock¡¯s empty room, but he wasn¡¯t there. The living room window was open, so Emmett climbed out to the roof and checked there too, but didn¡¯t find him. Lock kept odd hours¡ªfrequently working nights and preferring to sleep during the day¡ªbut usually they crossed paths in the morning and evening. Emmett shrugged and started on his homework. ~ Emmett had migrated with his laptop to the living room couch. Then he migrated again to the roof, hoping the cool night air would wake him up. Each apartment block had a small flat section of roof where the air conditioning units sat in rows. Emmett¡¯s apartment just happened to be located right beneath it, and their fire escape went directly up to it. Emmett and Lock had stashed folding chairs and a small table up there¡ªtheir own private balcony. They rarely went up there in the Summer, but this time of year was perfect. It was ten o¡¯clock and the bustle on the street was starting to settle down. Emmett had knocked out his daily assignments and started on his engineering project¡ªthe radio locator. It was equal parts design and programming, but ultimately simple. Three antennas were linked together and fitted with directional cones. The computer program helped analyze incoming signal strength and then pinpointed the origin of the signal. Ideally, the cones would turn and the antennas would move. This would make triangulation quicker, but Emmett¡¯s program worked well enough with stationary mountings. Till now he¡¯d only built a small hand-held locator to prove that it would work, but he was going to build a full-sized version for his project¡ªone that he would mount on the roof and could¡ªtheoretically¡ªlocate a signal anywhere in the city. There were caveats, of course. His apartment roof wasn¡¯t that tall and it wasn¡¯t in the center of the city, so skyscrapers would interfere with signals from downtown and signals from across the bay would be weak. But none of that mattered for a school project. Emmett looked away from his computer screen and rubbed his eyes. He should take a break soon. For a moment, he imagined leaping rooftop to rooftop, using the locator array to hone in on a superhero transmission across the city. The system on his roof could only get him so close, so of course, he had a smaller system built into his suit. A readout on his helmet guided him closer to the target. Emmett heard the muffled echo of footsteps on the fire escape and startled out of his daydream. His roommate, Lachlan, popped up with his backpack slung over his shoulder. ¡°Nice night,¡± Lock called as he walked over. ¡°You know it.¡±Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Lock was a bio major and avid weight-lifter who¡¯d taken to altering his mind as much as his body. Emmett wasn¡¯t sure exactly how Lock managed to try out seemingly every hallucinogen known to man and hold down his internship at Gnosis, but somehow he did. Probably some combination of just being smart enough and good enough at hiding it. Lock dropped his backpack on the ground, grabbed another folding chair and slumped down into it, face and bald head still hidden by his baggy hoodie. ¡°Long evening?¡± Emmett asked. ¡°Nah, not tonight.¡± Lock pulled out his vape and took a hit. ¡°Tomorrow night, though, I¡¯m working a concert. So I¡¯ll be late.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± The statement hung in the air like smoke, and Lock didn¡¯t answer. That was how he was sometimes¡ªcryptic for the sake of being cryptic. Emmett had learned to ignore it. Instead, Emmett talked about the radio locator project. Lock listened and nodded along before starting to pull out his own notebooks from his pack. ¡°...And at the end, I¡¯m going to set up antennas there, there, and there,¡± Emmett said, pointing to the corners of the roof. ¡°Let me know if you need any help with that,¡± Lock said absently. He had paused his writing and looked up at the sky. It was impossible to see the stars in the city, but up on the roof, Emmett thought he could see them sometimes. Emmett turned to Lock. ¡°How about you? What are you guys working on in the lab now?¡± ¡°Man¡­ just more beauty products.¡± He hesitated before continuing. ¡°Sometimes I think I got into the wrong line of work. Maybe I should¡¯ve went into engineering like you did.¡± ¡°At least they¡¯ll tell you what you¡¯re working on,¡± Emmett replied. ¡°Dr. Venture still won¡¯t tell me what kind of stuff we¡¯re working on.¡± ¡°Still think it¡¯s weapons?¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°Probably. That¡¯s where all the money is, right?¡± Lock chuckled. ¡°That and makeup. You still trying to talk to Clara?¡± Emmett thought back to their brush in the broom closet. ¡°I don¡¯t know. She¡¯s hard to read sometimes. Doesn¡¯t help that her dad is my boss.¡± Lock took another drag and waved a finger at him. ¡°You always were good at digging holes for yourself.¡± Emmett scoffed, but eventually they both laughed. Lock said, ¡°Remember when getting a date was the craziest thing we had going on?¡± ¡°Some of us still have a hard time getting dates.¡± Emmett meant it as a joke¡ªLock certainly didn¡¯t have trouble getting a date¡ªbut Lock didn¡¯t laugh. He was staring off toward the skyscrapers in the distance. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, seems like things are getting more complicated.¡± Emmett watched his roommate, but couldn¡¯t see his face behind the hood. ¡°Between school and Gnosis and bouncing? I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Lock said suddenly. ¡°Just senior year. All that. I¡¯m going to turn in. I¡¯ll catch you later.¡± Then he climbed down from the roof, leaving Emmett sitting alone, wondering what he¡¯d said. ~ It was midnight when Emmett finally stopped working on his project. He¡¯d finished diagramming the design for the radio locator and made a list of all the materials he would need to build the final model. Instead of going to bed right away, Emmett scrolled lazily through the news sites, looking for more super news and updates. Then he made his way to the various forums that he frequented. Always lurking, never actually posting. Double Mask, Reddest Knight, and The Green Machine¡­ There were other forums, but those three had the best info. Emmett suspected that there were a mixture of heroes, villains, cops, and government agents that leaked information there because there were many stories that often made their way into the actual news days or even weeks after appearing in the forums. But then, for every kernel of truth, there was a pound of rumor and bullshit to search through.
There were two thefts at Aquarius stores, which police were theorizing were actually a string of connected robberies, which the local mob might¡¯ve been involved in. Witnesses sighted magic using supers fighting vampires. There was no way to tell if they were involved with a larger cabal or just monster hunters. Then there was another rumor about Paragon retiring from the Summit of Heroes. It felt like this one came up every other month.
There were other rumors from across the country, and other sites with news from across the world, but even on his curious days, Emmett could only take in so much at a time. There was a world of super news out there, and he was just one guy. With heavy eyes, he opened up his personal database. When Emmett was young, he¡¯d spent his childhood reading about heroes, compiling lists and accounts of their powers. Sure, there were other sites and publicly sanctioned archives that had almost as much information, but Emmett had found discrepancies over the years. His was more complete. Public sites often didn¡¯t list the known weaknesses and limitations of heroes and villains, and other private forums were often monitored and sanctioned if they listed such things¡ªthere had been several high-profile forums that had been forcibly shut down over the years. Now, the main forums quickly and quietly enforced those rules on their members. Talk about the wrong thing, get banned. Even talking in code wasn¡¯t enough sometimes. So Emmett maintained his own database, encrypted and secure, which focused more on powers and weaknesses of supers. Emmett scrolled to the Scarlet King, the villain that Dr. Venture had been focused on. He was one of the world¡¯s most powerful telekinetics and also a formidable psychic, whose power manifested in violent purple energy. Emmett scrolled through a dozen photos¡ªall far away or obscured by debris. The Scarlet King wasn¡¯t exactly known for staying still for photos. Why had Dr. Venture been so fixated on them? The obvious answer was that someone Venture cared about had been hurt or killed by the Scarlet King. Emmett imagined that thousands of people felt that way. Or maybe¡­ Venture was a cape plotting his next move against an old nemesis. Emmett chuckled. That was dumb. Why would a cape be making weapons¡ªespecially ones that agencies like the Division of Superhuman Affairs often turned against heroes and villains alike? No, the real answer was simple and tragic. Venture and Clara just hadn¡¯t confided in him. Maybe he could ask Clara about it sometime? That would be normal, right? Emmett fell asleep a few minutes later. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.1.5 — ATTENTION The next morning, Emmett was watching the rooftops pass by from the bus window when he saw a missed call from his mom. He must¡¯ve missed it ringing. He checked the voicemail. ¡°Hi Emmett, just calling to say hi and see how you were doing. We¡¯re talking about getting together one of these Sundays. Antony has a couple of weekends off from their games. Darryl is figuring out when the grandkids are free. We would love for you to be there too. Text me when would be a good weekend for you to visit. Love you.¡± Emmett sighed. Classes and work kept him busy, and there were few breaks that lined up for the whole family. He hadn¡¯t imagined how little he would see everyone once he and his older brother, Darryl, moved out. And it still frequently blew his mind that he was an uncle. His nieces and nephews grew so much every time he saw them¡ªit even felt like his siblings and his parents were changing each time. Emmett put a reminder in his phone to check his schedule when he got back to the apartment, then texted his mom back.
Emmett 10:24 AM: On the bus. I¡¯ll check my classes and call you when I get home. Love you Ma
He pocketed his phone and went back to staring out the window and at the passing rooftops. Emmett was sure that Dr. Venture would give him time off if he needed it. He just wasn¡¯t sure how much he could afford to take off with classes still going. Either way, Emmett would make time. ~ On Tuesdays, Emmett had statistics and his last elective, Modern Government and Applied History. They actually weren¡¯t bad¡ªin fact, they were easy compared to Monday and Wednesday. If anything, Emmett actually enjoyed history class. It was a nice brain break, even if it wasn¡¯t his first choice for an elective. Both classes passed in a blur¡ª Except for Allison catching him after history. She waited for class to end and for him to walk past her row. ¡°Hey, Emmett,¡± she said, brushing long brown hair behind her ear and walking beside him, high heels clacking on the floor. ¡°Hey,¡± was all he could respond. ¡°So¡­ I was wondering if you wanted to get together tonight and study?¡± Emmett¡¯s mind went suddenly blank. There was something he had to do tonight¡ªEmmett knew this. What was it? Then an image hit him¡ªDr. Venture waiting expectantly for Emmett to arrive before they started the evening¡¯s experiments. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± he stammered. ¡°I have work tonight.¡± ¡°Oh, well, maybe another night then.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Emmett replied. Allison gave him a small smile and walked off to join her friends, leaving Emmett walking alone down the hall, listening to the receding clack of her heels. Allison was just talking about studying, right? The image of Dr. Venture waiting for him came back¡ªthe doctor and Clara. Maybe Emmett was reading into things. Emmett looked back over his shoulder at Allison¡¯s group¡ªand met Allison¡¯s eyes as she glanced back at him, too. He turned back around, and muttered, ¡°Shit.¡± He was never any good at this stuff. ~ Later on the bus from campus to Eastside, Emmett texted Lock.
Emmett 12:01 PM: Hypothetically, if a girl asks you to study, is she interested in you? Lock 12:02 PM: Study group? No. Study alone¡­? Likely
¡°Shit.¡± Emmett ran a hand through his hair. What was he supposed to do with that? Allison was cute¡­ funny¡­ Emmett would be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t interested. But he liked Clara.
Lock 12:03 PM: Clara or different girl? Emmett 12:03 PM: Different Lock 12:04 PM: I say go for it Lock 12:04 PM: Otherwise you might be waiting forever Lock 12:05 PM: Maybe Clara¡¯s Dad will third wheel Emmett 12:06 PM: Funny. Catch you later
Emmett stuffed his phone into his pocket and sighed. Of all the stuff going on, why did this feel so complicated? Of course Emmett wanted to wait for Clara¡­ but did he, really? In a way, waiting for Clara was easy, even if it was unknown. It was safe. Even though he was a senior, Emmett still felt like the nervous wallflower he¡¯d been all through grade school. And it sucked.
Lock 12:08 PM: Don¡¯t wait up. Long night tonight.
Emmett scoffed; no worries there. He was going to spend the night doing homework and wondering what the hell he was doing with his life. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ~ Later that evening in the lab, Emmett and Clara were in testing chamber one, staring at racks of battery designs. The thin strips of batteries hung from the racks and glowed white with varying intensities, making the chamber look like an overgrown alien jungle. Emmett and Clara went around the room. Each carried a tablet to both download information and make adjustments. For some rows, this process was quick¡ªlike adjustments to input and output charges. These batteries dimmed or glowed brighter in response. Other parameters, like the internal structure, took longer. These strings of batteries would shimmer and flash like light reflecting off water as the changes took place. But none of them was as dramatic as the testing from yesterday. Once they settled into their task, Emmett asked, ¡°What do you think your dad is working on?¡± Clara glanced at him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I mean, like while we¡¯re down here doing this¡­ Couldn¡¯t he make all these changes from upstairs?¡± She looked back at her tablet and the rack in front of her. ¡°Maybe. Maybe he values our input.¡± ¡°He values our input on batteries?¡± Clara nodded and got a faraway look in her eyes, like she wasn¡¯t staring at the racks but was staring through them. She said, ¡°We talked a little after you left yesterday. Dad wants me to take a more active role in the company.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, right? ¡­Why don¡¯t you sound excited about that?¡± Clara shrugged. ¡°I kind of like where I¡¯m at right now, you know? If I¡­ Well, it would be more responsibility that I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m ready for. Business can be intense¡ªfrom what I hear.¡± Emmett eyed her, almost chuckling. ¡°We are still talking about technology, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she said suddenly and punching something into her tablet. ¡°What else would we be talking about?¡± Now Emmett did laugh, and a hint of a smile crossed Clara¡¯s face. He asked, ¡°Are you sure you want to follow in your dad¡¯s footsteps? Is that it?¡± Clara paused again, but only for a moment. ¡°No. I¡¯m sure I¡¯m staying in the family business. The stuff we¡¯re doing, we¡¯re not just building things, we¡¯re making a difference in people¡¯s lives. I¡¯m just not sure I¡¯m ready to take the leap.¡± Emmett could respect that last part; he¡¯d often felt the same way. He wasn¡¯t exactly the leaping type¡ªmaybe he was the wading-in type. But it felt reassuring to hear that someone else felt the same way. ~ As the evening went on, it seemed like Clara¡¯s mood lifted. Emmett joked that it was because he was leaving soon. Clara took mock offense. It was because they had more testing to do¡ªtesting both Clara and her father insisted they didn¡¯t need Emmett for. That was fine enough by Emmett. He was already beat. When his shift ended, Emmett bid Clara and Dr. Venture a good night. Then Emmett rode the bus home. He leaned back against the seat, headphones and music on, and scrolled the super news. He was tired and had to fight to stay awake. A pothole jolted him awake. Emmett shifted in his seat and kept scrolling. The bus rattled again, and more than a few passengers muttered curses. An alert buzzed through on Emmett¡¯s phone, one that made the breath catch in his throat.
ATTENTION: Super Battle Ongoing. Sighted on Champion Street. Moving East. Take shelter immediately.
The bus shook again, this time violent enough that Emmett had to brace himself against the window and the seat in front of him. Brakes squealed, passengers gasped, and a moment later, traffic up and down the street had stopped. Everyone on the bus froze, and Emmett realized that car alarms were going off along the street. Hands shaking, Emmett switched over to his radio app¡ª
¡°...unknown supers¡­¡± ¡°...teams engaged¡­¡± ¡°...Class three point three¡­¡± ¡°...we¡¯re pinned¡­¡± ¡°...moving fast¡­¡± ¡°...send¡­forcements¡­¡±
The rest was a garbled mess, and again the alert repeated, overshadowing everything else¡ª
ATTENTION: Super Battle Ongoing. Sighted on Champion Street. Moving East. Take shelter immediately.
There was a crunch of impact somewhere ahead¡ªmetal squealing and concrete shattering. The sound made Emmett shudder. He couldn¡¯t tell how far away it was, but it was much too close. People were running past on the sidewalk now. People on the bus let out a mix of gasps and shouts. Emmett switched off the radio. His throat was painfully dry. Several people at the front of the bus demanded to be let off, but the bus driver was already ahead of them. They dashed off, stumbling down the stairs, and joined the growing stream of panic on the street. More people in the rows were shuffling and pushing to get off the bus. Emmett didn¡¯t move. He was staring at the windshield and the street beyond. Trying to see what was coming. He didn¡¯t know if it would be safer on the bus or in a building¡­ but he knew that depending on the super, they might never make it past the street. And being caught out in the open might get them killed. ¡°Stop,¡± Emmett said, but his voice was hoarse and the words came out pitifully quiet. Only the man next to him heard¡ªhe was off and running a moment later. The alert blared in his headphones again, and Emmett yanked the cord to pull them free. Another impact rattled the street up ahead. Emmett gripped his phone and seat in front of him. Now it sounded like every car alarm in the city was going off¡ªEmmett¡¯s head ringing with alarms and screams. Sparks showered across the street as a power pole toppled over¡ªjust two blocks away! Then lights flickered up and down the block before going out. ¡°Shit. Shit!¡± Emmett muttered. Emmett had heard about earthquakes, though he¡¯d never actually been in one. He knew that sometimes little quakes preceded the big one¡ª That was how the next few moments felt. A deafening screech sounded through the street. Something hurtled through the cars to the right of the bus, cutting them in half and sending them scattering across the street like toys. It happened so fast that Emmett couldn¡¯t see what was going on. He only heard the sound and then felt the roof of the bus caving in as entire halves of cars crashed down on top of it. Emmett dove to the floor, his scream drowned out by the squealing of collapsing metal and shattering glass. Emmett covered his head with his hands, but shards rained down on him and the floor. He felt dozens of knicks on his knees, elbows, and hands¡ª But it was all a distant, all a blur. Then the world flashed white and yellow. And quiet. Emmett was hurled from the bus. Then rolled in a crumpled heap across the road. Emmett blinked, eyes blurry with sweat¡ªwith red. He was face down on the street. In the distance, he could just see the smoking remains of his bus. It was cut in two¡ªone half standing on its end against a nearby store. Two other people were laying on the street. They didn¡¯t move. Emmett had to get up. Had to get out of the road. Get to shelter. It was stupid, and Emmett laughed at himself¡ªhis jaw felt numb. Depending on the super, nowhere on the block was safe. Emmett tried to push himself up, but his right arm wouldn¡¯t move. His left arm was pinned beneath his body. Emmett tried to push himself up again, but his whole body spasmed with pain. He couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t get off the street. Emmett felt a warm pool of liquid forming beneath his chest. A puddle of red. Then he felt cold. He was going to die on the street. Somewhere in the distance, Emmett heard the muted impacts of a super battle. One he hadn¡¯t even seen. Something exploded in the distance¡ªa tiny fireball. Emmett wasn¡¯t even sure if he heard it or felt it¡ªfelt anything anymore. The last thing he saw was a growing speck in the sky¡­ A car hurtling through the air, growing huge in his vision. Or maybe it was a truck. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.2.1 — Mutagen Bust The sun was setting over the skyline of Belport, and superheroes were running across the roofs. Emmett Laraway was one of them. Emmett ran across the rooftops, leaping across alleys with superhuman agility. Even now, Mutagen-A was changing his cells, making his bones denser, his muscles stronger, and his organs more efficient. He even healed faster. Not even the winter wind bothered Emmett, though he still wore a dark hoodie and a black mask. Almost a month ago, Emmett had watched longingly from the street as superheroes passed above in a blur. Now he was one of them. Everything had changed since his near-death experience in the Champion street attack. His biological enhancements were only part of it. Ahead of him, Athena ran across invisible platforms that spanned from one roof to the next, creating them one after the other. Her long white hair trailed after her, and the evening light glinted off the shards of glass woven into her jacket. Emmett could have followed her across the platforms, but he didn¡¯t need to anymore. Instead, in midair, Emmett opened the compartment in his prosthetic right arm and slung the hidden whip like a grappling hook. It latched onto the top of the next roof and Emmett pulled himself upward. Athena glanced over the roof at Emmett and let out an amused chuckle with a hint of disgust. ¡°I¡¯m still not used to seeing that.¡± Emmett hurled himself over the edge and landed easily on the roof, the whip retracting back into his mechanical arm. He understood her sentiments¡ªthere were times it caught him off guard, too. He wasn¡¯t sure exactly how Dr. Venture had managed it, but the prosthetic arm looked normal. The synthetic skin was indistinguishable from the real thing, but underneath Emmett was able to hold several hidden devices. In the upper arm compartment, he¡¯d been sticking to carrying smoke pellets and caltrops, the latter of which were meant for pursuing vehicles but Emmett hadn¡¯t used them yet. He kept the rest of his incidentals in his utility belt. In the forearm compartment, he¡¯d kept the mechanical whip that Venture had developed. Emmett could swap out the expendable tools in his upper arm compartment, and eventually he would be able to do the same for his forearm compartment. That way, he could pick the right modification, a.k.a. mod, for the job. If he was expecting a gunfight, Emmett could swap his whip for a pistol or a portable shield. Honestly, the last few weeks had been such a whirlwind that Emmett hadn¡¯t gotten to experiment as much with his mods as he wanted. But he resolved to change by the time he graduated in the Spring. Despite the mutagen flowing through his body, his arm was where he got his superhero name: Mod. It was a little on the nose, but it reminded him of Arsenal, a super who¡¯d worn exosuit-like sets of power armor¡ªnamed for being a literal walking, flying arsenal of weapons. He¡¯d literally figured it out about two minutes ago. ¡°I like it,¡± Athena said as they paused on the roof. ¡°It¡¯s short and simple. And it makes sense¡ªwell once you know what mod means. It always bothers me when supers have names that don¡¯t make sense. Like a psychic named Cold Heart, or someone with super speed named Chuck.¡± ¡°Those aren¡¯t real heroes, are they?¡± Athena ignored Emmett, instead crouching down by the edge of the roof. Instinctively, Emmett followed her lead. A moment later, she pointed down the side street toward a white van. ¡°I think this is our mark.¡± They watched it as it stopped in front of their building and backed up to the loading bay. Workers hopped out of the van and stepped out from the bay, all with hats pulled low over their faces. Someone was flooding the streets with derivatives of Gnosis¡¯s mutagens. For weeks, shipments of knock-off mutagens were coming in. Athena and her crew of masks were destroying as many as they could, but for every shipment they found, more were making it through. It was a numbers game, and so far, the bad guys were winning. That would change if they could trace the mutagens back to the source, but so far, they hadn¡¯t gotten that lucky. Athena and Emmett watched carefully from the rooftop, waiting until they saw proof that this was their target. A moment later, the first of the white cooler boxes appeared. ¡°Ready?¡± Athena whispered. Emmett nodded. Then they left off the rooftop, Athena quickly dropping from one invisible forcefield to another, creating them as fast as she fell. Meanwhile, Emmett swung down using his whip. They landed a few steps away from the van. The workers turned in surprise, but Athena and Emmett were faster. The first time, Emmett had tagged along with Athena during a mutagen bust, he¡¯d had no idea what to expect. He¡¯d bumbled through it, relying on Athena to save him. This time Emmett knew what to expect. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Athena held out a hand toward the first of the men and he flew backward across the alley, pushed by an invisible forcefield. Then she turned her attention toward the loading bay. Emmett lashed out with his whip and grabbed the second around the midsection. He was big, probably outweighing Emmett by one hundred pounds or more, and he knew it¡ªhe grabbed the end of the whip and smirked. But Emmett didn¡¯t plan on getting into a tug of war. Emmett simultaneously leapt forward and pulled¡ªrocketing toward his enemy. The big man barely kept his footing and had no chance of blocking Emmett¡¯s attack. Emmett punched him square in the stomach and the man folded in half. He dropped to the ground and stayed there. Emmett winced, glad that he pulled his punch. He still had super strength, and if this bust was anything like last time, then all these men were normal people. He wanted to knock them out of the fight, not cripple them. In the loading bay, the first of the workers drew a pistol and fired. Emmett dove behind the front of the van out of instinct, but he peeked around the side to see the bullets dropping harmlessly in front of the man. Athena had stretched a forcefield across the entire loading bay, completely walling off the area. More workers opened fire in frustration, but their bullets fell impotently at their feet. Two of the men punched at the invisible barrier, but didn¡¯t have any better luck. Athena had already turned her back to them and opened one of the white boxes to inspect the contents. Emmett¡¯s ears were already ringing, but he ignored the discomfort. He smirked and walked around to join her, already focusing on what new mutagens he¡¯d find. Last time, he¡¯d found a mutagen variant that enhanced his night vision. It wasn¡¯t as flashy of a power as increased strength or moving objects with his mind, but his vision had already saved his ass once. Besides, these mutagen busts with Athena were way easier than training. Emmett tore the lid off of one crate. Icy smoke seeped over the edges and Emmett¡¯s eyes widened at the tightly packed vials inside. Shimmering blue, red, orange¡ª Athena grabbed Emmett¡¯s shoulder and spun him around to face the loading bay. ¡°We¡¯ve got company.¡± The gunshots stopped, and the workers backed away from the front of the loading bay. A thin young man stepped past them and stopped in front of the forcefield. He looked like he belonged in a punk rock band¡ªwearing a black studded leather jacket and his hair was up in a mohawk and dyed green. He reached out for the forcefield and sneered when he touched it. Then he pulled his hand back and made a fist. Fire coalesced around it. The rocker punched, and Athena¡¯s forcefield exploded. Both Emmett and Athena braced as the shockwave washed over them, and in the loading bay several workers yelled and were thrown backward. The rocker was completely unfazed. ¡°Keep the workers occupied,¡± Athena said. Emmett nodded. He was already grabbing a smoke pellet out of his arm compartment, but froze when he looked at Athena. Her nose was bleeding. The shockwave couldn¡¯t have done that. Had the destruction of her forcefield hurt her? ¡°Go,¡± Athena said. ¡°I need to concentrate.¡± Emmett hesitated until the rocker came flying through the air at them. He glowed with power and screamed for effect. Both Emmett and Athena leapt to the side. The space where they¡¯d been a moment before exploded with another shockwave that blew out the van windows. One of the workers screamed, ¡°Be careful!¡± The rocker turned with a sneer. ¡°Shut up.¡± Emmett sprinted toward the loading bay, trusting Athena to keep the enemy super occupied. The workers that were still on their feet turned toward Emmett in surprise, but before they could raise their pistols, he pulled two smoke pellets out of his upper arm compartment and hurled them at their feet. For how small the pellets were, they covered the loading bay in smoke. Then he pulled two noise makers from his utility belt and threw them for good measure. Even though the sound was annoying and disorienting to him, it was even more so to his enemies. Emmett leapt into the cloud, slamming into one worker, and used the surprise to punch him in the stomach, then hurl him across the floor and into another. Even though he couldn¡¯t see any better in the smoke, Emmett had surprise, strength, and a whip on his side. He extended the whip and swung it low across the room. It wrapped around the first ankle it felt. Emmett yanked the man off his feet, dragged him across the ground, and pummeled him. A man screamed in the smoke, and Emmett lunged for him, tackling him hard and knocking him out. He slid the magazine out of each gun and tossed them in random directions. Explosions and the squeal of metal sounded beyond the smoke, but he didn¡¯t stop¡ªnot until he swept his whip through the smoke and didn¡¯t find another worker. Emmett dropped another smoke pellet in the hall before going back outside. Back in the alley, Athena was batting the rocker around like a cat playing with a mouse. She leapt from one forcefield to the next like she was running around on an invisible jungle gym. At the same time, the rocker stumbled around the alley¡ªshoved around the alley by invisible barriers. The rocker still bristled with power and each punch and kick sent shockwaves across the alley, but each time he lashed out, he struck nothing but air. Athena conjured forcefields quick enough to strike and dispelled them in the next moment¡ªreinforcing Emmett¡¯s theory that she didn¡¯t want to clash powers directly. For a moment, Emmett hesitated. Athena wasn¡¯t just a powerful super¡ªshe was also way more experienced than Emmett. Emmett wanted to help, but he wasn¡¯t sure if he was getting in over his head. He couldn¡¯t accurately gauge this villain¡¯s power level, but Athena was fighting cautiously, even if she was winning¡­ She¡¯d probably beat this guy eventually, but every second the fight dragged on was time for more goons or someone from the Summit of Heroes to arrive. Not to mention, Emmett wanted some of the mutagen vials for himself¡ªsome of which were already shattered and leaking bright liquids across the alley. If the fight went on much longer, the rest of the vials might get destroyed. Emmett waited until the rocker turned his back, then swung his whip and grabbed the super¡¯s ankle. The rocker looked back with a mix of shock and disgust. Emmett pulled, wrenching the man off balance. Athena struck at the same time, slamming a forcefield into the man¡¯s back and hurtling him into the side of the building. He bounced off, dazed, but still conscious. Emmett lashed out again, but this time, the rocker batted away the whip with a flaming hand. Emmett felt a distant twinge of pain. And as the rocker¡¯s power faded, Athena struck again. This time the forcefield slammed him into the wall with an audible crunch and he dropped to the ground limply. For a moment, Emmett thought Athena had killed him. He stared in shock, but breathed a sigh of relief as the man groaned in pain. At least he wasn¡¯t dead. Emmett retracted his whip back into his forearm compartment, ignoring the warped and charred metal links at the tip. He¡¯d have to repair it later, but for now he had more important concerns. Emmett ran over to the white crates, ripping the lids off until he found one with undamaged vials. He pocketed two or three of each, until his hoodie pocket was filled with clinking glass. Athena smirked, blood still trickling down her nose. ¡°Glad you have your priorities straight. Now let¡¯s get out of here.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.2.2 — Another Day, Another Score Athena used her forcefields to smash the van and the remaining crates. Then Emmett followed her back up to the roofs, using her invisible platforms instead of his broken whip. They sprinted away from the scene across the skyline of Belport. Despite their blistering pace, Emmett kept both hands on his hoodie pouch to keep the vials from jostling too much. When they were ten blocks away, they slipped over the edge of an apartment roof and rested on a fire escape. Athena wiped the blood from her face with a handkerchief and pinched her nose to stop the bleeding. ¡°That was fun!¡± she said, her voice nasally. It took Emmett a moment to realize that she wasn¡¯t being sarcastic about it. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡± ¡°Oh yeah! I didn¡¯t drip anywhere, did I?¡± Emmett chuckled. Somehow she¡¯d managed not to get any on her glass-lined jacket or her T-shirt underneath. ¡°No, you¡¯re good,¡± Emmett replied. ¡°What happened back there? That guy didn¡¯t even hit you.¡± ¡°Good observation,¡± she replied, still holding her nose. ¡°It was because he destroyed your forcefield.¡± Athena smirked and checked her nose, satisfied that the bleeding had stopped. ¡°Can you guess what that guy¡¯s name was?¡± She folded the handkerchief and wiped the blood off her lips. ¡°No idea,¡± Emmett replied. ¡°His name is Feedback. I¡¯m not surprised you haven¡¯t heard of him. He¡¯s not exactly a big time super. His energy manipulation isn¡¯t that powerful, but the damage can travel through projections and back to the creator.¡± Emmett found himself considering the villain in a new light. That would be a useful power to have¡­ ¡°But you knew about him. That¡¯s why you changed tactics.¡± Athena nodded, her face finally blood free. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure at first. Quite a few supers like wearing leather, but as soon as he attacked my barrier, I knew.¡± Emmett didn¡¯t let up, though. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to research supers in Belport so that I can be prepared, but there¡¯s not a lot of information on low-level supers.¡± Athena smirked and leaned against the railing of the fire escape. ¡°You won¡¯t find a lot of newbies or Class one and two heroes on the internet.¡± ¡°So, how did you find out about him?¡± She shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of low-level supers in Belport but not that many. It¡¯s a smaller community than people realize. Word gets around, and it''s good to pay attention to supers that are hard counters to your powerset.¡± Emmett nodded along, then extended his whip part way from his right arm. The last several linkages were damaged from where Feedback had hit it. ¡°Did that hurt?¡± Athena asked, curiosity on her face instead of concern. Emmett nodded. ¡°Not much, but I felt it.¡± ¡°Weird¡ªin a good way. I didn¡¯t want to ask how much feeling you had in that arm.¡± ¡°Should the damage have hurt more?¡± Emmett made a point not to look at the traces of dried blood around Athena¡¯s nose. She said simply, ¡°His power caused feedback damage through my forcefields. Your prosthetic isn¡¯t a superpower.¡± Emmett suddenly felt self-conscious. He retracted the end of the whip and once again his arm looked otherwise flesh-covered and normal. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean anything by it,¡± Athena added, unconcerned. ¡°We all have our strengths. Your arm is one of yours.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Emmett muttered. Despite Athena¡¯s reassurance, the words stuck with him: The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Your prosthetic isn¡¯t a superpower. Emmett pushed the thought aside and tried to change the subject. ¡°Feedback¡­ The name makes sense.¡± ¡°See what I mean! I can¡¯t even be mad at the guy.¡± Emmett and Athena shared a laugh and parted ways afterward. Emmett had to get back to his apartment and put the mutagen vials on ice so they would survive until he could take them to the lab the next day. Now that the excitement was over, he was ready for the day to be over, too. He checked his phone and saw he¡¯d missed a text from Clara about his new superhero name:
Clara 9:02 PM: OMG the name is perfect! Emmett 9:39 PM: Thanks. Heading home.
Emmett smiled and readied himself for the long jog back to the apartment. The smile stayed almost the entire way back. ~ Emmett jogged across the roofs until he got to downtown Belport. Even though it was late, it was still busy, and the skyscrapers were way too tall for him to traverse. So Emmett climbed down to street level, removed his mask and walked through downtown. No matter how many times he walked through the heart of Belport, the sheer size of the buildings and intensity of the displays never ceased to amaze him. Electronic billboards the width of a city block displayed ads for Gnosis beauty products, high end fusion-powered cars and the latest phones. Though some of the ads caught his eye from afar, Emmett kept his head down and hood up until he was out of downtown and back on the West End. From there, Emmett jogged until he got to the Woods apartment blocks. There were several blocks in total, most of which were rented out to students of Belport University. Most nights, students milled about the lawn, the gazebos, and the stairwells, and tonight was no exception. Emmett passed by most and nodded to the few he recognized, but he didn¡¯t stop to talk. He hiked up the stairs to the fourth floor, room 449, and let himself in. It wasn¡¯t much. Two bedrooms, living room, one bathroom¡­ but at least they had roof access and frequently made use of it. The apartment definitely wasn¡¯t the Heights, but it was the place Emmett and Lock had called home for the past two years. And they¡¯d made it their own: Strings of ambient lights hung around the living room and could sync with the TV and speakers. The dining room table was covered with skeletons of electronics. So long as Emmett and Lock didn¡¯t knock down any walls and repainted before they graduated, they¡¯d get their security deposit back. Emmett called out as he entered but Lock wasn¡¯t back yet. His roommate, Lachlan, worked part time as a bouncer for clubs and security for concerts, and rarely got in before midnight. But it didn¡¯t hurt to be sure¡ª Especially when Lock¡¯s main job was working an internship for Gnosis, and Emmett was carrying contraband mutagens. Emmett glanced around the apartment, then stuck his head out of the fire escape and called up to the roof. Finally, Emmett was satisfied that he was alone in the apartment. He went to the kitchen, grabbed a cup, filled it with ice, and grabbed several plastic sandwich bags from the drawer. Then he took everything into his room, and shut and locked the door. Since the first time Emmett had shown up with a hoodie stuffed with mutagens and ice, Dr. Venture had given him a soft lunchbox to use instead. By the time Emmett stuffed it with the vials and ice, it barely zipped closed, but it did the job. Emmett stuffed it between his storage boxes. He took his mask and burner phone out of his pocket and stuffed them both into the mattress cover. Then he breathed a sigh of relief. Another day, another score. Now he just had homework to take care of. ~ Unfortunately, Emmett burned the rest of the evening getting his regular classwork done and working on the algorithm for his radio locator project. By the end of it, his eyes hurt from looking at the computer screen. Resolving to take a break, Emmett climbed out the window to the fire escape and went up to the roof. Emmett walked around the rows of humming air conditioning units to the folding chairs stacked in the corner. He pulled one out and plopped down into it. The night air was crisp and clear, and Emmett stared up at the starless sky. And his mouth dropped open in surprise¡­ Usually the light pollution of Belport was too much to see any stars, even from the rooftops. The couple of times Emmett thought he saw stars, he¡¯d assumed his eyes were just playing tricks on him. But now he could see them. Not just a few pinpricks of light, but an ocean of stars. Emmett¡¯s smile widened and he took in the sight of a starry sky over Belport for the first time. What changed? A blackout might explain it, but Emmett glanced out over the city and saw the skyline lit up like normal. The lights in the Woods hadn¡¯t gone out either. Then Emmett remembered the first batch of knock-off mutagens he¡¯d found. He hadn¡¯t been able to take most of them, for one reason or another, but the one Emmett did take boosted his low-light vision. Had that really been it? After a minute, Emmett shook his head in disbelief. That had to be it. So many things had changed in just a few weeks. Emmett¡¯s entire life was different. Sometimes it felt like he was living on a completely different planet. The night sky was just another reminder. But as Emmett stared up at the sight and lost himself in it, he decided that this one wasn¡¯t so bad. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.2.3 — Priorities On Thursday morning, Emmett hit the snooze twice on his alarm. By the time Emmett actually got up for class, he was running late. He grabbed a granola bar and his backpack. He did so quietly, so he didn¡¯t wake up his roommate. Lock must¡¯ve gotten in late last night. Emmett sighed. It was good they¡¯d gotten to hang out Monday. They¡¯d both been so busy with work that they rarely got to just hang out like they used to. It definitely hadn¡¯t gotten any better on Emmett¡¯s end since he¡¯d become a super. Between class, homework, training with Clara at the lab, and moonlighting in the evenings, Emmett felt like he barely had time to breathe¡ª Not that he was complaining. Okay, maybe he¡¯d gotten a case of senioritis with college, but he wouldn¡¯t give up anything about being a super. He got five steps down the hall before he jogged back to the apartment and grabbed the lunchbox of vials from under his bed. Emmett opted to take the seven o¡¯clock bus from the West End over to the satellite campus of Belport University over on Eastside. He hopped off on 34th Street, pushed back his dark, shaggy hair, and put his earbuds in. Endure had a new single out, ¡°Faux Side of the Moon¡±, which was good but definitely different from their previous stuff. Less electronic and more industrial. Belport¡¯s satellite campus didn¡¯t look much different from the surrounding businesses. All of them focused on engineering and health sciences and shared a love of glass. If everything went well, Emmett would graduate and get a job right down the street in one of them. Only two more months to go. The saying had become a mantra for Emmett, one he repeated to himself pretty much every morning as he sat in class, struggling to pay attention to one lecture or another. Today, he tried not to think too much about the vials in his lunchbox and the choices that awaited him. ~ After struggling through Statistics and his last elective, Modern Government and Applied History, Emmett took the two o¡¯clock bus to the edge of Eastside. The ads and the glass slowly faded from the sides of buildings until they were little more than concrete sides and parking lots. The last few blocks that Emmett walked were taken up exclusively by the Gnosis company headquarters which flanked the right side of the street like a military compound. It was surrounded by razor wire and flanked by guards holding machine guns. The buildings were sleek, white, and barren of everything except the Gnosis logo¡ªa white square with a simple, blurry face staring back. On the left, the Gnosis parking garage was covered by two electronic billboards for Gnosis¡¯s beauty products. One showing a generic skin cream. The second showing the tagline ¡®The standards may change, but the pursuit of beauty is immortal.¡¯ Emmett passed beneath the garage and stopped at a nondescript metal door. He pulled back his hood and waited. A moment later, the eye scan registered and TINA¡¯s robotic voice said, ¡°Thank you for verification. Please step through, Emmett Laraway.¡± Even six months later, he still couldn¡¯t find where the scanner, camera, or speaker were. Emmett considered now that he was officially in the fold, Dr. Venture might reveal the secret if Emmett asked¡­ Then again, there were plenty of secrets the doctor still kept. ¡°TINA, where is Dr. Venture this morning?¡± ¡°Dr. Venture is currently in section 005. He is expecting your arrival.¡± Emmett followed the long, dim stairwell over one hundred steps before he reached the bottom. From there, he passed six numbered doors that looked like they belonged in a nuclear bunker instead of a laboratory. Only a few weeks ago, Emmett had only seen the inside of section 003. But that was when Emmett thought that Dr. Venture was just an eccentric engineer working on fusion reactors and heat sinks. Now he knew the truth: His boss and mentor was a retired superhero. ¡­Emmett still didn¡¯t know which hero, but one day, the old man would probably confide in him. Emmett chuckled to himself. Only a few more months to go. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. He pushed the thought aside and waited for TINA to let him into section 005¡ªthe section Emmett had spent almost all of his time in since the accident that turned him into a cyborg super. The Gray Room. ~ Emmett stopped in the small locker room to change out of his clothes. He¡¯d taken to wearing his bodysuit under his clothes on the reasoning that if something dangerous and unexpected came up, it would be easier to leap into action. All he would have to do was strip off his hoodie and jeans. Thankfully though, most superheroics had the decency to wait until evening, when Emmett was ready for them. The suit itself wasn¡¯t much to look at. It was black and covered everything except his face, neck, and hands. It fit snugly, like something an athlete or a dancer might wear. The ¡®shoes¡¯ even contoured to his feet and toes, and the right arm had cutaways for his storage compartments. Emmett stuffed his clothes in a locker, put his utility belt back on, picked up the lunchbag of mutagen vials, and walked down the bunker corridors. One of the questions that still floated around Emmett¡¯s mind was why there was such a mix of technology in the corridors of the lab. In some sections, TINA¡¯s voice crackled through ancient speakers and access was granted by voice scan. Others used eye scans, but the monitors looked old. The corridors of section 005 seemed pristine in comparison. TINA¡¯s voice came through clearly and without static. White lights came on as Emmett walked, illuminating the floor in time with his steps. Emmett stopped at section 005¡¯s version of the testing hub. Most of the section hubs had screens lining the walls and worktables in the center, and this one was no exception. But there were two main differences: The large Virtual Reality platform along the side wall, complete with a haptic outfit that was hung up like a suit of armor, and the large viewing window that looked out on a large, dark room¡ª But it would have to wait. Dr. Venture cleared his throat expectantly. The doctor was tall and broad, never without his titular grease-stained lab coat. Despite his profession, rugged was the best word to describe him. His hands were covered in calluses, his face in stubble, and his graying hair always swept back. Emmett kicked himself for not realizing the truth about his mentor earlier. Now that Emmett knew what to look for, it was ridiculous that he hadn¡¯t pegged Dr. Venture as a retired super earlier. Then again, maybe it was easy to overlook things like that. Most people weren¡¯t scrutinizing everyone they met, wondering if their coworkers, roommates, or their family were secretly moonlighting as supers. Currently, Dr. Venture was hunched over the center table, staring at a holographic diagram. At first, Emmett would¡¯ve guessed it was for the heat sink systems that they had worked on the last few months, but it wasn¡¯t any system that he recognized. It almost looked electrical¡­ Venture stood and pushed up his glasses. ¡°I see you¡¯ve brought lunch.¡± Emmett couldn¡¯t keep from smirking as he set the bag on the table and unzipped it. ¡°Athena and I busted another mutagen drop.¡± Emmett recounted the events of last night as Venture examined the new vials, nodding along until Emmett got to the part about his whip being damaged by Feedback¡¯s power. ¡°Let me see.¡± Emmett extended the whip and let Venture examine it. He rolled the linkages over in his hands, examining the damage. ¡°Athena was right when she said that your cybernetics aren¡¯t a superpower.¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°At first I thought it sounded offensive. I know she didn¡¯t mean it that way, but still¡­¡± Venture chuckled. ¡°Understandable, but it¡¯s the truth. Super is a broad term. Some powers are elemental. Some are biological. Others are magical.¡± ¡°Some are based on technology.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Venture pulled a small screwdriver from his coat pocket and held the end of the whip down on the table to work on it. ¡°Every type of power has advantages and disadvantages. Every type has strong matchups and difficult matchups. I¡¯m not sure what type of power Feedback uses, but it looks like you didn¡¯t suffer nearly as much damage as Athena did.¡± Emmett thought back to the fight. ¡°She definitely stayed away from him and was careful how she used her barriers.¡± ¡°I bet.¡± Something clicked in the whip and the damaged linkages popped off. It might have been five linkages¡ªonly a half foot or so¡ªbut Emmett flinched. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Emmett rubbed his arm, but the feeling was already gone. ¡°It felt like that section went numb, then vanished completely.¡± Venture examined the burnt linkages. ¡°That is interesting.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Venture set the broken pieces down on the table. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure how well the prosthetic would integrate with your new body. In a sense, this is uncharted territory.¡± Emmett examined the end of the whip before retracting it back into his arm. As much as he still clung to the idea of swapping out modifications on the fly, Emmett had to admit that he was partial to the whip. It was far more versatile that he¡¯d imagined. ¡°Can you fix it?¡± Venture laughed heartily. ¡°You can fix it.¡± Emmett scoffed. ¡°I don¡¯t know how.¡± ¡°Then today is a good day to learn.¡± The door hissed open behind Emmett, and Clara walked in. The resemblance between father and daughter was uncanny, but Clara set herself apart. Her dark hair was buzzed short, and she was fond of leggings, baggy sweaters, and beanies instead of lab coats. She might smile more than her dad, but they both had the same intense focus. Clara walked over to the table and crossed her arms. ¡°Gray Room first. Fix your toys later.¡± She looked to be only half-joking. ¡°Fine,¡± Venture said flatly. ¡°I¡¯ve got things to look into, anyway. Emmett, come see me before you leave and I¡¯ll show you what you need to know.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.2.4 — Options Emmett walked out through the last corridor by himself. A few twists and turns later, he stepped out into a large, cavernous room. Darkness receded as he entered, light emanating from the square tiles that covered the walls, floor, and ceiling. Each changed color, giving the impression of a wave of white rippling across the room. Emmett stood alone in a gigantic white room, some three hundred feet square. Of all the things Emmett had seen in the last three weeks since becoming a super, the Gray Room still filled him with awe. Emmett cleared his throat. ¡°TINA, bring up the warehouse district¡­ please.¡± Tiles began to rise and shift. Walls rose and joined together, forming a tiled simulation of Belport¡¯s warehouse district. Each moved in eerie silence until they clicked into place. The whole process took a little over a minute, and when it was done, Emmett stood alone in a faux grayscale version of Belport, like he¡¯d stepped into an old noir movie. Emmett jogged over to a nearby fire escape and climbed up to the roof. He stared across the simulated skyline, looking South toward the bay. The first time Emmett had been in the Gray Room, it had felt almost eerie. He wasn¡¯t sure whether it was the technology itself, or the way the tiles moved and the outer walls shifted the display to simulate movement. But recently Emmett had begun to see it in a different light. It was beautiful, in a way. Almost serene. He wasn¡¯t going to give up the real sunset for a simulated one anytime soon, but the Gray Room had quickly become one of his favorite places to be. It could have also been the company. A dull gray robot landed on the roof beside him¡ªa cross between high-tech armor and an old bulbous diving suit with thin joints. Clara¡¯s voice came through it. ¡°So, back to the warehouse district?¡± Emmett nodded. He¡¯d grown so used to the lab¡¯s training set up that he didn¡¯t even see the robot in front of him most of the time. Emmett pictured Clara in the training hub, smiling beneath the haptic suit as she controlled the robot. He added, ¡°I figured I¡¯d pick the location since you already seemed to have a power set in mind.¡± ¡°I do,¡± Clara said, sounding devious. ¡°You keep talking about how you want to be able to swap out modifications and adjust to whoever you¡¯re fighting. I¡¯ve been thinking that the best way to do that is have you fight powersets that are unpredictable. Right now you don¡¯t have a lot of options for mods, so you¡¯ll have to quickly figure out which one is best.¡± ¡°Clara, I didn¡¯t bring any mods down with me.¡± All he had was his utility belt and his whip. ¡°Sounds like someone is unprepared. Guess you¡¯ll have to improvise today!¡± Clara¡¯s robot shimmered and its skin turned bright red, indicating that it would go on the attack. Tiles formed into a pole and extended from the roof beside Clara¡¯s feet. When it was her height, the shaft turned red, and the robot grabbed it. She held it like a staff and spun it. Emmett immediately took a defensive stance, waiting to see what she would do. Clara shouted something in a language Emmett didn¡¯t recognize, then slammed the butt of the staff down onto the roof. Flames shot out of the top of the staff, flowing and twisting upward like a stream¡ª Like a snake. His mind registered it, even before Emmett saw the tip of the fire split open into a mouth with fangs and a flickering tongue. The fire snake looked down on him, its neck widening to become the hood of a cobra. Emmett looked up at the snake with equal parts surprise and awe. And more than a little jealousy. A magic fire snake sounded pretty cool. Even cooler than being a cyborg. Clara shouted something else and chunks of ice flew from her staff. Emmett brought his arms up to block, but the shards hit the roof in front of him. Before he could move again, the ice spread across the surface, over his feet and up to his ankles, trapping Emmett in place. Shit. That was what he got for getting distracted. Emmett extended his whip. Even if it was damaged, it would still be useful¡ªhe could keep the snake at bay and also reach Clara¡¯s robot across the roof. At the same time, he reached into his utility belt and grabbed a handful of the sand and salt mix, and tossed it on the ice. A flash of steam burst around him as the mixture ate into the ice, but it wouldn¡¯t be fast enough. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The snake lunged, and Emmett lashed out with his whip. Metal struck the creature and instead of flames, it felt like the whip had struck molten rock. The serpent reeled from the impact, but a shock of pain traveled up Emmett¡¯s whip and through his arm. Emmett pushed the pain aside and immediately lashed out for Clara¡¯s robot. She parried the blow and Emmett was forced to defend against the fire snake again as it arced around and dove at him again. Information about magic-wielding supers wasn¡¯t as widespread as some other types, but Emmett knew a little about their capabilities. Even if he couldn¡¯t remember the correct antimagic mixture or didn¡¯t have the mixture in his belt, he wasn¡¯t completely powerless. Magic spells could be incredibly potent and versatile, but most mages stuck to a narrow specialty. Long-lasting spells also required constant concentration to maintain, and mages could rarely concentrate on more than a few at a time, limiting their options. Artifacts like wands and staves could bolster a mage''s capabilities, but they would also be vulnerable to being disarmed. In short, Emmett didn¡¯t have to beat any of her spells directly. If Emmett could disarm Clara or hit her hard enough to throw off her concentration, then he could make an opening. As soon as he batted away the fire snake, Emmett reached into his arm compartment and chucked a smoke pellet at the robot¡¯s feet. Smoke erupted and covered the rooftop. Meanwhile, Emmett wrenched his feet and could feel the ice loosening. Meanwhile, the fire snake floated above him like a torch through the haze. He kept one eye on the snake and swung the whip at Clara¡ªhard. Metal slammed into her and Emmett commanded his whip to grab whatever it could. Then he pulled with superhuman strength and his feet anchored by ice magic. Clara¡¯s robot stumbled out of the smoke, and Emmett felt the ice around his feet vanish completely as her concentration faltered. Emmett swung a metal fist at the robot, hoping to knock it out quickly¡ª But Clara slammed the butt of the staff into the ground again. This time, Emmett lurched and floated upward¡ªsome kind of levitation or reverse gravity spell. Feet no longer planted, Emmett¡¯s punch sent him cartwheeling through the air. Emmett had barely risen above the smoke when the fire snake charged him. Emmett couldn¡¯t change direction before it slammed into him. Fire engulfed him as he fell over the side of the roof. He flailed and lashed out with the whip, just managing to grab the edge of a window and slow his descent. If he could get inside and out of the open, he might have a better chance¡­ Emmett aimed for a window and half made it through. He was too low and his legs slammed into the wall, causing him to tumble as he burst through the window. He scrambled to his feet and dove behind a table. At least he made it inside. The warehouse room was split: One half was filled with office furniture, and the other was floor to ceiling shelving¡ªall of it made out of gray tiles like the rest of the Gray Room. Emmett hid behind the table, waiting. Clara¡¯s robot was red, which meant she should be coming to him. The robot appeared a few seconds later, sliding through the broken window on a wave of ice. It melted behind her as she stepped onto the tile. ¡°Come out, come out, wherever¡ª¡± Emmett kicked the table, and it careened across the room. It slammed into Clara¡¯s robot and both crashed into the shelves. Without pausing, Emmett grabbed the top of the nearest shelves with his whip and pulled it down on top of her. Hundreds of pounds of metal came down on the robot¡ªthen froze in midair. Clara had used the antigravity spell again. Emmett grit his teeth in frustration and grabbed another desk and sent it hurling toward Clara. This time he flung a smoke pellet after it, waited for it to explode, then hurled another desk into the smoke. For a moment, Emmett was afraid to breathe. Then Clara grunted in surprise as the desk hit her, and everything came crashing down. A cacophony of metal sounded as more shelves fell, knocked over by the errant desks. Emmett smirked and shook a fist in celebration. ¡°How about that!¡± ~ It took about a minute for the Gray Room to rearrange itself, reconstituting the wreckage and allowing Clara¡¯s robot to climb free. She laughed on the other end of the intercom. ¡°Not bad. Those smoke pellets are a pain!¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°They¡¯re pretty much my only trick, but they¡¯re pretty useful.¡± While Clara regained her bearings, Emmett asked, ¡°So, that was a fire snake¡ªwhat¡¯s it with you and fire?¡± Clara¡¯s robot remained unreadable. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡± ¡°Fire was the first thing you used against me in the Gray Room, remember?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ Yeah. Fire¡¯s just cool, I guess.¡± Emmett laughed. ¡°Yeah, right.¡± ~ Clara quickly changed the subject by throwing Emmett back into training. That evening, Emmett fought a speedster, a gunslinger, and a banshee. Each presented their own challenges: Against all three, his best chance was to get indoors and then close the distance to grapple his opponent. His whip helped against all three, but Emmett grew frustrated¡ª He might¡¯ve been able to hold his own against threats as a generalist, but he didn¡¯t have any potent abilities. Even the mage powerset was arguably a better generalist than Emmett. He really needed to make some new mods, and make it so he could quickly swap them out. But even more immediate were the mutagen knock-offs¡­ Emmett had been limited in his choices last time. Enhanced low-light vision had already saved his ass once, but it was way more niche of a power than he hoped. Maybe he could take one of the mutagens he¡¯d found with Athena. Maybe he could even take two¡­ Emmett found himself eagerly awaiting Dr. Venture¡¯s interruption at the end of the night. His voice came over the intercom. ¡°Emmett, it¡¯s time to talk about these mutagens.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 1.2.5 — Actual Choices Emmett and Clara met Dr. Venture in the biolab¡ªsection 006. Compared to the rest of the bunker-like aesthetic of the lab, the biolab looked almost like a hospital room. Except that the sterile white walls of the room were almost completely hidden by a jungle of empty glass tanks and tubes of bubbling liquid that twisted like vines. This was where he woke up after the Champion street attack¡ªthe first place Emmett saw when Venture brought him back from the dead. Even though it had only been a few weeks, it felt like much, much longer since he¡¯d woken up to bright lights, steady beeping, and pain. He felt like an entirely different person, figuratively and literally. Emmett suppressed a shiver as he walked up to the sleek metal tables in the center of the room. Dr. Venture pushed up his glasses, then stood with his hands in his pockets expectantly. Clara stepped up beside Emmett and pointed at the vials spread out on the table. ¡°So, when do I get to take one of these?¡± She¡¯d clearly meant it as a joke, but Venture ignored her. ¡°I will say, this time you actually will have a choice to make. Several of the compounds are either duds or will be of minimal use to those. Would you like me to start with the good choices or the duds?¡± Emmett sighed. ¡°At least this time I have a choice. Tell me about the duds.¡± First up was the vial filled with soft pink liquid. ¡°This mixture is for enhanced strength. Unfortunately, it has diminishing returns when combined with other strength enhancements, such as the Mutagen-A already in your system.¡± Venture pointed to the swirling orange vial next. ¡°This one was interesting. It results in an elongated, prehensile tongue¡­ like a chameleon. It¡¯s slightly more useful to you, but unless you¡¯re concerned about your dating game, I think we can skip it.¡± ¡°What do you mean¡ª¡± ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Clara asked quickly. Without missing a beat, Venture continued to the deep red vial. ¡°This one stimulates bone growth. It increases bone density, which could be useful, but it also had the side effect of causing protrusions and even bone claws in several simulations.¡± Emmett¡¯s shoulders sagged. So far, that was two out of five vials that were useless and a third that was troubling. ¡°What else?¡± he asked. ¡°This one was interesting.¡± Venture held up the vial with a gritty purple liquid inside. ¡°It causes the body to produce excess pheromones, causing others to feel increased connection, fear, or attraction. It¡¯s not as exact or potent as something like psychics could do, but it has its uses.¡± Emmett wasn¡¯t quite sure what to make of it. It certainly didn¡¯t seem as useful as some of the other powers, but when he looked to Clara for advice, she seemed apprehensive of it. So Emmett asked about the final vial. Venture picked up the shimmering blue vial. ¡°This increases your body¡¯s tolerance to extreme cold, and potentially even ice-based attacks.¡± Emmett raised an eyebrow. Training in the Gray Room was fresh in his mind. He hadn¡¯t run into many ice-based supers¡­ any, really¡­ but that could be useful, even if it was niche and in the future. Venture set the blue vial back down, and Emmett reviewed his choices. And sighed, again. Even if he had a choice, this time compared to last time, nothing was popping out as the obvious choice. Dr. Venture cleared his throat as if he had something to add. Clara chuckled. Emmett scoffed at both of them. ¡°Oh, come on. What is it now?¡± ¡°There is one more thing.¡± Venture pulled another vial out of the inner pocket of his lab coat¡ªa mix of swirling green. Emmett nearly rolled his eyes, but stopped. ¡°I¡¯ve seen that one before.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t the same as the vial you found last time. I took inspiration from the mutagen variant that allowed a super to manufacture their own poison. Except that this formula does quite the opposite. This will turbo-charge your body¡¯s defenses against poisonous compounds. At the very least, you¡¯ll be able to weather the effects of things like the hallucinogen that drove Porcelain and Amarque insane. ¡°It won¡¯t always result in outright immunity, but it should allow you to build metabolic tolerance to most complex poisons and biological poisons. And it should allow you to build that tolerance much quicker than even your mutagen strengthened body could.¡± ¡°But not everything?¡± Venture smirked like he¡¯d expected the question. ¡°No. Coincidentally enough, the body can¡¯t do the same against simpler compounds like acids or heavy metals. Don¡¯t expect to become immune to chemical warfare anytime soon.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Emmett looked back over the vials again, but his mind was already made up. He nodded to the green vial in Venture¡¯s hand. ¡°What¡¯s the catch?¡± ¡°No catch, other than the rules from last time still apply. You could potentially take another mutagen in a few weeks, but you need to give time for your body to acclimate to this one first.¡± He handed Emmett the vial. Emmett looked at Clara, but she just asked. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± ¡°What about you? If we¡¯re going to run into this rogue super again, shouldn¡¯t you take some of this, too?¡± Clara smiled widely. ¡°Thanks for thinking of me, but I have an exosuit. If poison manages to get through the suit, then I have much worse problems to worry about.¡± Venture added, ¡°Besides, this was formulated with you in mind. I¡¯ll need time to make a compound for someone that doesn¡¯t already have Mutagen-A in their system. In theory, we could have a general antidote soon.¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°Alright then. Can I just drink it?¡± Venture nodded. Emmett pulled the stopper out, pinched his nose, and drank the vial quickly. It didn¡¯t help¡ªthe liquid tasted like sweet vomit. When he was done gagging, Clara chuckled and patted him on the back. ¡°You¡¯re a trooper. Dad let me smell it and I almost threw up just from that. But hey, you have to suffer to get stronger, right?¡± Emmett couldn¡¯t answer without feeling like he was going to lose it. Venture had turned away from them both, his shoulders silently bobbing like he was stifling a laugh. ~ In the end, it took almost five minutes and a glass of water before Emmett didn¡¯t feel like gagging. Then he still had to wait another hour to make sure he didn¡¯t have an adverse reaction to the mutagen compound. While Emmett waited, he grilled Dr. Venture on how to fix his whip. The three of them had migrated to section 002¡ªone of the wings of the lab marked by an old camera and a retinal scan. Beyond that, the layout was almost identical to section 003 where he¡¯d spent most of his internship working on heat sinks. They reached the central testing hub for the section, and Venture commanded TINA to bring up schematics for Emmett¡¯s arm and the whip. Soon the walls were filled with wireframe views of the two parts, with zoomed in views of specific areas. ¡°Put the whip on the table, please,¡± Venture said. Emmett unspooled the whip so it lay flat on the holographic table. Venture pulled the damaged linkages from his pocket, then made a quick gesture and a holographic display of the whip appeared in midair above the table. ¡°These are the damaged sections.¡± As Venture spoke, the five linkages in the hologram glowed red and then expanded until each section was nearly a foot long. ¡°It looks like when you attacked Feedback, the power surge overloaded the wiring. We can replace the wiring, but it will be quicker to replace the linkages for now.¡± ¡°Because of your line of work, I¡¯ve tried to make your prosthesis and initial mods with replacement in mind. I have spare parts and duplicates for everything.¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°I thought you said my arm was one of the most advanced things you¡¯ve designed. You already have spare parts?¡± ¡°One of the most advanced prostheses I¡¯ve designed, and yes, I always have spares. ¡­Not as many for your arm as I have for your mods, so don¡¯t go breaking your arm recklessly.¡± ¡°Noted. I¡¯ll try not to get destroyed¡­ again.¡± Venture wheeled over one of the sleek silver carts and pulled out a pair of pliers and a screwdriver. With one in each hand, he set to work on the linkages, and the hologram in the air showed an expanded view of what he was doing. It looked simple enough¡ªeach linkage in the whip was like a link of hollow chain connected together. Each piece was self-contained, basically consisting of a node at either end, conducting wire, and the metal casing that surrounded it all. Any link could be removed and the whip could still function. Venture said, ¡°Clara, watch closely. You need to know how to do this, too.¡± When Emmett looked up in question, Venture added, ¡°On the off chance you are incapacitated, someone else might need to disconnect a mod for you.¡± He pried apart the node that connected the very last damaged link, and it came apart with a snap. Emmett nodded. ¡°That was easy enough.¡± Venture examined the damaged piece. ¡°Fascinating. The casing took the brunt of the damage, allowing you to still use it to its full potential. Now you try.¡± He handed Emmett the pliers and screwdriver. Carefully, Emmett did just as Venture had with the next damaged link. It took him a moment to find the correct angle, but then the link snapped apart easily. Emmett repeated the process for the next damaged pieces, then relaxed. Clara patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Not bad. Soon you¡¯ll be fixing my exosuit.¡± Venture turned and grabbed more links out of a nearby drawer, then deposited them on the table. Emmett set to work excitedly. Venture added idly, ¡°One day, Clara or I will show you a similar procedure to take apart our armor, on the off chance that both the wearer and the suit are incapacitated.¡± For a moment, Emmett wondered why they would wait to show him that kind of procedure. It seemed important, and on the off chance of something catastrophic like that, Emmett would want to be able to assist. But suspicion slowly dawned on him, and Emmett realized the likely reason: They didn¡¯t trust him with that knowledge yet. Emmett kept working and hoped Clara and Venture weren¡¯t looking at his face too closely. He didn¡¯t blame them, of course. He would probably be wary of trusting someone with knowledge that could endanger his family. But it still stung to realize that even after the craziness of the last three weeks, even after seeing as much of the lab as he had and being trusted with so many secrets so far, even after dying, Emmett was still on the outside. They still didn¡¯t trust him¡ªnot really. Emmett pushed the thought away and focused on the feeling coming back to the whip with each added link. The final piece clicked into place and Emmett wiggled it to test it out. ¡°Good as new,¡± he said, retracting it back into his arm. Then, wanting to change the subject, he asked, ¡°Is it a similar procedure to swap out mods?¡± ¡°More or less,¡± Venture replied. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a shot.¡± ~ ~ ~ Quick update and favor Quick update and a favor! Book 1 of the story is up on Amazon. The print is live and the Ebook launches Thursday! If you use Amazon, please consider leaving an honest review on the paperback today. A written review is awesome, but even a regular star review can help the algorithm get started.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. So far, we¡¯re still good to start chapter posts up again toward the end of August. I¡¯ll keep you posted. You guys are awesome! Stay cool and enjoy the rest of the summer. Just a reminder! Book 2 STUB on August 23rd Exactly what the title says. Just wanted to make sure anyone still working their way Book 2 got the alert. The plan is still to start releasing chapters again around that same time, but I might need until the end of August. I''ll keep you guys posted!This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Apparently a chapter needs to be at least 500 characters long so randomwordsrandomwordsrandomwordsiguessthesearentrandomwordsanymorearewethereyetholycrapnotyetwtfwhyijustwantedtodoanannouncementamithereyetnowtfiguessilljustwriterandomwordsagainrandomwordsrandomwordsrandomwordsithinkimtherenowsweetbye Glossary Super ¡ª Blanket term for any superpowered individual Cape ¡ª A super registered with the Summit of Heroes or other government-sponsored group Mask ¡ª A non-registered super Villain ¡ª A super labeled a criminal by the Summit of Heroes, usually guilty of heinous crimes Augmented Supers ¡ª Umbrella term for supers that make or conjure their enhancements, including mechanical ones (artificers and gadgeteers) and mages (magic users or artifact wielders) Artificer ¡ª Supers that predominantly rely on technology instead of inherent powers Gadgeteers ¡ª Supers that can imbue simple objects with special functions and power. Generally seen as a mix of artificer and low-scale reality warper Mages ¡ª Any person who wields magic, no matter the source Artifact ¡ª any item imbued with powerful magic. Some are ancient while others can be created by living mages. Can be wielded by non-mages. Physically-Enhanced Supers ¡ª Umbrella term for supers who¡¯s physical or mental abilities are enhanced beyond normal humans. Various strength-based supers fall under this category, as do those with super-speed or heightened intelligence, and those enhanced by compounds like Gnosis¡¯ mutagens. Kinetics ¡ª Supers with powers that affect other people or objects. Psychics, telekinetics, elementalists, illusionists all fall under this category. Flight, reality-warping and time-warping also count. Psychic ¡ª Supers that can directly or indirectly affect the mind of their opponents Illusionists ¡ª Supers that have powers that muddle the senses of their opponents Telekinetics ¡ª Supers that can move objects with their mindsThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Elementalists ¡ª Supers who primarily conjure or affect a certain ¡°element¡± such as fire, ice, or electricity. Reality Warpers ¡ª Supers that can alter reality on a larger/wider scale, similar to telekinetics Anti-Powers ¡ª Powers that negate other categories. A broad category encompassing things such as physical invulnerability or immunity to fire or heat. Can also include specific immunities, such as magic blessings or immunity to specific weapons. Mod ¡ª Term Emmett and others use for his many modified weapons that he eventually can swap out when fighting different enemies. Exosuit ¡ª Various sets of powered armor used by Clara Summit of Heroes ¡ª The sanctioned superhero organization of the Government of Allied States Division of Superhuman Affairs (DSA) ¡ª The liaison organization between the Summit and the government Threat Classification System ¡ª The DSA utilizes a shorthand system to classify threats posed by superhuman individuals, independent of the source of their power. Ranges from Class 0 to Class 5 (further explanation can be found in the accompanying excerpt from the DSA) The Code ¡ª the unwritten rules of engagement that dictate supers should avoid killing or maiming each other, or targeting non-super individuals such as family members. Gratuitous violence leads to escalation, which in turn would be eventually stamped out by the cabals of supers that govern their own kind. For example, a psychic seeking to influence a government election would eventually be found out and taken down by the Menagerie, a hive-mind of powerful psychics that eats their own. Each of these cabals worries that any undo flex of their power would result in the banding together of other supers to take-down or exterminate them. Each cabal has a hand in maintaining the current stalemate of world powers and powerful corporations. Similar principles to nuclear Mutually Assured Destruction. The Vault ¡ª A prison for supers The Menagerie ¡ª A cabal hive-mind of powerful psychics The Binary Brotherhood ¡ª A cabal of powerful artificers Gnosis ¡ª To the public, a beautic and pharmaceutical company. Their true business is in mutagens, compounds which imbue a person with super-like enhancements. Some compounds, like Mutagen-A are widely used by the rich and powerful as general life enhancement, while others like their flagship Mutagen-X are used by governments and mercenaries to turn a single soldier into a Class 3 super that can fight an army. Aquarius ¡ª A telecom corporation Double Mask, Reddest Knight, Green Machine ¡ª Various forums frequented by Emmett and other superhero enthusiasts that compile information Full Throttle Heart ¡ª An in-universe anime about a delivery truck that is hit by another truck and isekai¡¯d into a fantasy world. It¡¯s pretty much a gag story, but there are some excerpts at the end of chapters that pertain to the larger Mod Superhero world. Threat Classification System Government of the Allied States THE DIVISION OF SUPERHUMAN AFFAIRS Threat Classification System for Superpowered Individuals CLASS 0 ¡ª Normal Human Capabilities Designation 00 ¡ª Unpowered/untrained Civilian Designation 01 ¡ª Trained Human, otherwise unpowered. Designation 02 ¡ª Peak Human Performance and Peak Training in multiple areas Designation 03 ¡ª Human in possession of an Artifact OR Negation Power that makes them a threat to Superhumans CLASS 1 ¡ª Super with Minor Powers: Designation 10 ¡ª New Hero with Minor Powers and little skill/training in their use Designation 11 ¡ª Single Power or Minor Powers NOT exceeding a single squad¡¯s ability to take down Designation 12 ¡ª Multiple Minor Powers NOT exceeding a single squad¡¯s ability to take down Designation 13 ¡ª Single Power or Minor Powers AND Negation Powers, might require special consideration OR multiple superhuman responders CLASS 2 ¡ª Super with Medium Destructive Capabilities (up to a city block). May require evacuation: Designation 20 ¡ª Minor Powers with High Control or High Destructive Potential, requiring a Single Superhuman Responder Designation 21 ¡ª Single Power (as above) requiring Multiple Superhuman Responders Designation 22 ¡ª Multiple Powers (as above) requiring Multiple Superhuman Responders Designation 23 ¡ª Single Power or Multiple Powers (as above) AND Negation Powers, requires special consideration OR a coordinated team of multiple superhuman responders ADDENDUM: All Threats labeled Class 3 or above require Coordinated Teams of Multiple Superhuman Responders. At these levels, normal human responders should focus on evacuation or quarantine of affected areas. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. As a general rule, Class 3 Threats and Above should only be engaged by Equivalent Power Levels, preferably with Multiple Supers of equivalent or greater power. Normal human responders and Lower Ranked Supers SHOULD NOT ENGAGE threats of the following magnitudes unless given direct approval from a commanding officer OR they are under mortal threat and evacuation is not possible. CLASS 3 ¡ª Super with Guaranteed city block potential, up to risking an entire city. Will require Evacuation of affected areas: Designation 30 ¡ª Single Power with High Destructive Potential BUT that is easily countered or negated Designation 31 ¡ª Single Power (as above) that is NOT easily countered, or additional Minor Powers that complicate engagement Designation 32 ¡ª Multiple Powers (as above) ALL with High Skill or High Destructive Potential Designation 33 ¡ª Single Power or Multiple Powers (as above) AND Negation Powers, requires special consideration OR preparation CLASS 4 ¡ª Super with Guaranteed City-Wide destructive potential, possibly risking multiple cities. Evacuation takes PRIORITY: Designation 40 ¡ª Single Power with High Destructive Potential BUT that can be countered or negated Designation 41 ¡ª Single Power (as above) that is NOT easily countered, or additional Minor Powers that complicate engagement Designation 42 ¡ª Multiple Powers (as above) ALL with High Skill or High Destructive Potential Designation 43 ¡ª Single Power or Multiple Powers (as above) AND Negation Powers, requires special consideration AND preparation CLASS 5 ¡ª Threat of Continental Destruction, World-wide fallout implications. Containment takes PRIORITY: Designation 50 ¡ª Single Power with Overwhelming Destructive Potential WITH possibility of being countered or negated Designation 51 ¡ª Single Power (as above) that is NOT easily countered, or additional Minor Powers that complicate engagement Designation 52 ¡ª Multiple Powers (as above) ALL with Immaculate Skill or Overwhelming Destructive Potential Designation 53 ¡ª Single Power or Multiple Powers (as above) AND Negation Powers, requires special consideration AND preparation ADDENDUM: Active Class 4 and 5 Capes, Masks, Villains, and Threats Otherwise Unspecified CLEARANCE DENIED INFORMATION REDACTED ADDENDUM: Active Quarantine Zones CLEARANCE DENIED INFORMATION REDACTED ADDENDUM: Dormant OR Contained Quarantine Zones Greenspire (CONTAINED) ¡ª Sovereign Forest and Refuge ruled over by the self-proclaimed Seelie Court, consisting of Lord Sumac, the Heiress of Lies, Winter¡¯s Bane, and the Changeling Horde. The Seelie Court maintains a respected border and ceasefire agreements with neighboring states. The Deep Ones (CONTAINED)¡ª Multiple Sovereign Cities circa 10,000 feet under multiple oceans. Telepathic Collective. Ceasefire maintained with Terran Societies. OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT DORMANT and CONTAINED QUARANTINE ZONES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST ADDENDUM: Possible Extinction Level Threats CLEARANCE DENIED INFORMATION REDACTED SUMMARY — Initialize — Book 1, Origin Mod Superhero opens at the end of February. Winter is thawing, and Emmett Laraway is working through his senior year as an engineering student at Belport University. He¡¯s a solid student, if a bit of a daydreamer. He spends his spare time reading everything he can on supers and at his internship, working with the aloof and eccentric Dr. Venture, his shut-in daughter Clara, and their AI assistant, TINA. Most of their recent work has been on various aspects of fusion reactors and heat sink design. Over the last several months, Emmett and Clara have grown close¡ªEmmett trying to conceal the fact that he¡¯s romantically interested in Clara. He¡¯s hesitant in admitting his true feelings so as not to risk their friendship or his internship with the Doctor¡¯s cutting-edge laboratory. Though Emmett lives in a university apartment with his roommate Lachlan ¡°Lock¡± Harris, neither of them has been home very much. Lock is every bit as involved in his studies and with his own internship with the Gnosis corporation¡­ Or so Emmett believes. Riding the bus home one evening, Emmett is caught in the middle of a battle between multiple supers and villains. The bus is hit by an attack on Champion street, and Emmett is thrown from the wreckage. His last moments are of lying on the street, bleeding out, and unable to move. Instead of dying, Emmett wakes up in another section of the lab. Dr. Venture and Clara explain that they¡¯ve managed to save his life, though it was no small feat. Emmett now has a cybernetic right arm and his body is suffused with Mutagen-A, a low-level general enhancement serum manufactured by Gnosis. Neither Venture nor Clara explain much at the time, except that Dr. Venture is a retired cape and that Gnosis doesn¡¯t only make beauty products¡ªthey make various levels of super soldier serums and are major arms dealers on a world stage. Venture and Clara drive Emmett back to his apartment, where they briefly cross paths with Emmett¡¯s roommate, Lock, in the halls. Venture¡¯s glasses alert him that Lock has traces of Mutagen-X in his system¡ªone of Gnosis¡¯ most potent super soldier serums. Venture quickly deduces that Lock is a test subject for their program. Venture and Clara say nothing at the time. Lock also gained information in their brief hallway passing. He is able to see in UV, and sees the readouts of Venture¡¯s glasses. Lock deduces that Venture scanned him and that the Doctor has his own motives and resources to save his roommate¡¯s life¡­ Considering that Lock saw Emmett¡¯s bus get cut in half during the superhero battle on Champion street. Lock was there that fateful night. In Emmett¡¯s following visits to the lab, he is given a choice: Continue living a normal life as a civilian, or embrace his newfound cybernetics and enhancements and work as an unregistered mask with Dr. Venture. In the subsequent week, Emmett comes to a decision¡ªbut not before running into a fellow mask on the rooftops of Belport. Athena briefly mistakes him for a jumper before realizing he¡¯s a new super. She escorts him back home across the rooftops while he tests his new abilities. After Lock has a rough night bouncing at the bar, both he and Emmett realize that their friendship has grown strained in recent months since they¡¯ve both been busy with work and their internships. In the following weeks, Emmett is slowly brought into the fold¡ªlearning more about Venture, Clara, and the lab that he¡¯s worked in these last few months. In addition to fusion research, there is also a mechanical wing, biomedical wing, an armory, and a training wing. The latter of which is fondly referred to as The Gray Room. It is there that Emmett spends most of his time training with his new abilities. The Gray Room is by far the strangest location in the lab, being a place of grayscale tiles that can transform to simulate a variety of landscapes and topography, usually simulating the sprawling skyline of Belport. Like most of Venture and Clara¡¯s secrets, Emmett is not told about what technology the Gray Room uses or how it was developed. Clara uses a VR setup and robot stand-in to simulate different superpowers for Emmett¡¯s training. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Emmett slowly learns to make the most of his Class 1 abilities, while also realizing that he wants to get stronger. He doesn¡¯t want to stay Class 1 forever. Emmett works on several mods for his arm, including an extendable whip, lock-picking kit, impact shield, and non-lethal pistol, as well as smaller gadgets that can fit in his upper arm compartments, like smoke pellets and caltrops. At this point, he muses about one day quickly swapping between mods in the heat of battle, but for now defaults to his whip since it is the most versatile. While training and working on his mods, Emmett spends evenings running across the rooftops of Belport. One time running into the low-level villains, Zant¨¦ and Green Mask. Emmett barely wins their first encounter by surprising the strength-based Zant¨¦ with the inhuman strength of his cybernetic arm. Afterward, Emmett is escorted home by Clara, who donned her own exosuit, a flying and cloaking-enabled power armor in case he needed the assistance. Clara admits that both her and her father are artificers, a term for supers that rely on technology instead of inherent powers. Shortly after his first fight, Emmett reads about a former cape, Porcelain, who is wanted for her connection with the Champion street attack that nearly killed him. This is the first time that Emmett realizes Venture has been keeping pertinent information from him. Venture says that Emmett isn¡¯t ready yet to chase leads on Porcelain, despite their connection to Emmett¡¯s near-death. While Emmett makes progress, Venture comments on both Emmett and Clara¡¯s potential. Emmett¡¯s body has taken exceptionally well to both the Mutagen-A and the connections between his nerves and the cybernetics. Emmett is unknowingly charting revolutionary ground. Lock is shown in a brief chapter, going into the bowels of Gnosis, somewhere in the old undersystem of the city. There he fights another Gnosis test-subject. The fight is brutal, short, and Lock wins easily. In the aftermath, Lock realizes that Emmett is taking Mutagen-A¡­ and resolves not to confront Emmett about it. If Emmett isn¡¯t ready to talk, then Lock will wait. On one of his outings, Emmett runs into Athena and she ropes him into taking out a stolen shipment of Gnosis mutagens. These are revealed to be variants of other formulas¡ªeither being stolen from Gnosis or manufactured by a third party. Emmett and Athena destroy the shipment, but not before Emmett takes several formulas for his own use. Clara investigates a lead on Porcelain, but finds only remnants of her duplicates. Meanwhile Emmett tries to appear normal during a party at his apartment. That evening, one of Lock¡¯s friends is revealed to have powers, and Emmett speculates if anyone else in Lock¡¯s friend group has them¡­ The next day, Emmett visits his family for dinner and laments that he can¡¯t be honest with them about his near-death experience or about his newfound life. The next week Emmett takes the first of his new mutagens, giving him enhanced night-vision and starts work on a utility belt to hold even more gadgets. There is an interlude of the super, codenamed Pythia, infiltrating a magical Donjon club for supers. She uses her carefully hidden poison powers to dose a powerful reality warper, Amarque, with a hallucinogen. Later on, Emmett runs from the resulting explosion, which is barely thwarted by Paragon, one of the most powerful supers in the world. In the aftermath, Emmett runs into Zante and Green Mask again. Emmett wins much more easily this time, but not before Paragon commands them all to vacate the streets. The sight of Emmett¡¯s childhood hero, eyes blazing red, is enough to shake Emmett to his core. Soon after, Emmett is told the truth about his accident¡ªhis bus wasn¡¯t hit by a villain. It was a cape that nearly killed him on Champion street. Once again, Emmett is prevented from pursuing that cape and the truth. In the middle of training in the Gray Room, Emmett and Clara are summoned to pursue a lead on Porcelain. Emmett sees the armory for the first time, which is nearly as strange as the Gray Room. They find and fight Porcelain in an abandoned warehouse. The former cape appears to have been hiding while her mind degrades. Emmett is injured in the resulting fight and Clara takes him back to the lab, abandoning Porcelain. Emmett hallucinates while unconscious, a side-effect of the poison from shards of Porcelain¡¯s body. Porcelain was affected by the same poison used on Amarque. The next time they go after Porcelain, Lock tracks them. Emmett and Clara engage Porcelain, but their battle is interrupted by a masked Lock, who completely overpowers all of them. He kills Porcelain before Emmett can get answers, but not before Porcelain reveals that Lock was there that night on Champion street. Lock then remarks to Emmett, ¡°I am not your enemy¡­ But don¡¯t cross Gnosis.¡± In the aftermath, Venture reviews the video of the final battle, noticing that the masked Lock is worried for Emmett¡¯s safety¡­ Venture continues keeping Lock¡¯s powers and involvement in Champion street from Emmett¡ªunder the pretense of keeping Emmett safe. Also, Emmett finally settles on his superhero name: Mod. In the epilogue, one of the leaders of the Summit of Heroes visits Venture in the lab. The spymaster, Wight. He both hints at shared backstory between the two capes, and warns Venture to keep his proteges ¡°on the rails¡± and out of trouble. SUMMARY - Execute- Book 2, Origin In the coming weeks, Emmett makes good use of his time practicing with his newfound strength and cybernetics, and helping Athena take out mutagen variant shipments around Belport. The variants are still being distributed by a third party. A fellow mask is defending the shipment and in the resulting fight, Emmett¡¯s whip is damaged. Dr. Venture shows Emmett how to repair the damage, and the two also begin working on a quick-connect system for Emmett¡¯s arm that will allow him to swap out mods within seconds instead of minutes. After some debate, Emmett settles on a connection system that will allow for more potential as his capabilities grow. Emmett also takes his second mutagen variant from the raids¡ªsomething that will boost his resistance to poisons. While Emmett is working hard, so is his roommate. Lock¡¯s progress grants him an ominous meeting with one of the heads of Gnosis¡ªa super powerful enough to unsettle Lock. The next evening, Emmett and Clara go out to the abandoned warehouse district to test out her exosuit and Emmett¡¯s mods. During that time, they are approached by a patrol¡ªtwo low ranking members of the Summit of Heroes. When the psychic (Serenity) tries to read Emmett¡¯s mind, Emmett is able to break free of her paralysis and use his prosthetic arm and pistol to fire at her, knocking her out of the fight with a nonlethal round. Then he helps Clara subdue the other magic ring-wielding cape (Hunter Nine). Serenity retreats to a Summit substation and reports the incident to her supervisor, a fellow psychic that wipes the names of Emmett, Clara, and Dr. Venture from Serenity¡¯s memory. Hunter Nine is furious and they are left without leads. Lock¡¯s powers are found out at the Dionysus Club where he works and the manager is forced to let Lock go. Lock isn¡¯t too upset because now he has a better paying job through Gnosis. His internship has been upgraded¡­ While Emmett continues rounding out his weapon loadouts, Dr. Venture becomes increasingly worried about TINA¡¯s development. Though Dr. Venture gives her direction, she¡¯s taking more of an active lead in research and development. Dr. Venture worries that he may have two unique and potentially dangerous technologies on his hands: TINA (a true AI) and Emmett (a 100% nerve-integrated cyborg). While Emmett continues working on his final semester of college, TINA contacts him and recommends several upgrade paths for the rest of his body. Emmett is excited before he learns that this is one more step that TINA has taken without Dr. Venture¡¯s explicit directives¡­ Emmett eventually settles on modifying his skeleton¡ªan intensive procedure that will lace his bones with a titanium alloy. The surgery is successful, and though Emmett¡¯s recovery is fairly quick thanks to the Mutagen-A in his system, he has some worries that most of the procedures won¡¯t be reversible. He begins to wonder just how far he will go and what he will become. When Emmett finally goes back out into the city, he meets a quirky gadgeteer named McGuire, who challenges him to a sparring match. The match ends with Emmett getting knocked around and McGuire getting tasered, then the two bonding over a mutual love of tech. Lock comes home that evening, visibly shaken after having ¡°a rough night¡± of work. In Lock¡¯s chapter, it¡¯s revealed that he killed several people as part of his new job with Gnosis. He is shook up from the ordeal, both because of what he did and how easy murder has become to him. In subsequent tests on Emmett¡¯s health following surgery, Venture confides in Emmett just how revolutionary his prosthetic arm and nerve connections are. Emmett wants to help the world by being a super, but the technology they¡¯ve developed could soon help thousands of amputees. Clara briefly runs Emmett through a program of mindfulness and yoga to help him resist psychics and illusionists. Wight visits Venture in the lab again, this time warning him about his proteges¡¯ run in with Summit capes. They talk briefly about the flooding of mutagen variants onto the streets of Belport. Venture suspects it is an inside job because the leak is simply too big. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. In the interest of time, Venture confides in Emmett and Clara that he and TINA have developed tracking programs that can trace individuals through their phone usage. He plans to use it to figure out where the mutagen shipments are coming from. In the same visit, Emmett undergoes another upgrade¡ªanother infusion of nanomachines that will increase all of his blood and white blood cell functions. In preparation for their mission on the mutagen manufacturing warehouse, Emmett enlists the help of Athena. She meets with Emmett, Clara, and a holographic Dr. Venture to discuss their plan. While they wait for the trace to be complete, the group knocks out another shipment and we see a point of view from Athena as she fights a gravity-warping super. Emmett takes a cold resistance mutagen. A chapter from Pythia¡¯s point of view reveals their further plans and regret from their previous mission where they poisoned Amarque. They want to affect change in Belport, but they might have went too far. Their next mission is merely to destroy technology in an Aquarius corporation building. McGuire is recruited to their cause. Emmett and McGuire have a brief fight with several supers (Cherry and Larian), who are revealed to be friends of McGuire. Shortly after, Clara reveals the reason for her exosuit¡ªher powers are fusion-based and hard to control. So she wears an exosuit that runs off of her power. She shows Emmett footage of a ¡°meltdown¡± were her power undergoes a runaway reaction from overuse. It is violent, destructive, and ominous. Emmett and Clara discuss how to take out the Mutagen-X super. They come to the conclusion that the Nonlethal Window will be small and there is a high likelihood that they will accidentally kill the super¡­ if they can beat him. A following chapter shows Lock¡¯s new job, hunting down escaped mutagen test subjects and killing them. A cleaning crew comes by afterward. Emmett reads transcripts of Mutagen-X testing, revealing that eventually almost all X subjects lose their minds and need to be put down. Emmett, Clara, McGuire, Athena, and two of Athena¡¯s allies (Borealis and Luna) infiltrate and assault the mutagen manufacturing warehouse. They battle guards and enemy supers, including hair-girl and Feedback¡ªboth supers they had fought before at other mutagen shipments. They destroy the warehouse, but not before barely surviving and escaping the appearance of a masked Lock, who causes Clara to have a meltdown. They escape by following Clara¡¯s meltdown into the basement and tunnels beneath Belport. Emmett follows the masked Mutagen-X super¡­ and finally finds out that it has been Lock the entire time. Emmett leaves and talks to Venture, and a rift forms between the two because Venture had kept it secret for so long. Emmett goes back to the apartment and waits. He and Lock finally confront one another. Lock says that they¡¯ve both been keeping secrets¡­ He attacks, and Emmett stabs him with the nanomachine-filled knife. Lock slowly succumbs to the nanites, but not before nearly killing Emmett. Venture is forced to shoot Lock through the chest with a heavy drone. Serenity, Hunter Nine, and the Summit investigate the aftermath of the destroyed apartment. Gnosis claims Lock¡¯s body. It is revealed that Lock is in a state of suspended animation¡­ but his survival remains unclear. Emmett wakes up in the lab, having been evacuated by Venture¡¯s drones. All four of Emmett¡¯s limbs are prosthetics now. Wight visits and after an argument, Venture gives up the location of Pythia (having found them via cell phone tracking). Wight speaks with Emmett, saying that his time as a free mask might be coming to an end soon and that he¡¯ll need to be careful, otherwise he¡¯ll need to enlist with the Summit. Emmett leaves the lab, stating that for the moment he cannot trust Dr. Venture and that he needs time to figure things out. He attends Lock¡¯s funeral, but can¡¯t bring himself to tell Lock¡¯s sister the truth about his death. Emmett moves into a new apartment for the last few weeks of the semester. In the epilogue, Venture goes to Gnosis to speak with the VP, Ichabod (who also spoke to Lock). It is revealed that Venture has been working closely with Gnosis during the entire story¡­ Ichabod reveals that Gnosis has been behind the mutagen variants, leaks, and manufacturing all along and that they are pausing the enterprise. It was a means of testing dozens of new mutagens at the same time, but no ¡°new letters¡± emerged. Ichabod thanks Venture for cleaning up the mess with Lock and Pythia (a creation of the mutagen variants but acting on her own whims), and revealing the nanomachine weakness of their Mutagen-X compound. The final reveals are that Ichabod and that almost all of Gnosis are vampires. Venture and Gnosis have allied themselves in a mutual ceasefire to one day overthrow the rule of supers and upset the balance of the world. Vampires want to rule the world¡­ but Venture wants technology to usher in a new age¡­ Both Ichabod and Venture know that one day their truce will end. Chapter 2.1.1 — Patrol Mod, Arsenal, and McGuire weaved across the rooftops of Belport. Tonight, their path took them in a wide arc around downtown. They kept the skyscrapers on their left, like a giant forest of metal that they were afraid to go into. It¡¯d been almost three weeks since their mission to destroy the mutagen manufacturing warehouse, and each night Mod tried to go out on patrol. McGuire tagged along almost every night, and Clara tried to catch up with them en route. They never went out at quite the same time and tried to vary their paths through the city. It kept them from getting bored and cut down on the odds of them being followed. Emmett used his new prosthetic legs to easily leap up to the top of the next building, savoring the rush of wind as he did. McGuire followed, using a combination of energy storing springs in his boots and grappling hook. His backpack and vest were filled to the brim with crazy inventions and jostled with each step. Clara was right behind them. Instead of flying by using a constant stream of power through her thrusters, Clara had been forcing herself to use short bursts in combination with jumping. Her reasoning was that if she was forced to stay at 50% power, then she was going to make the most of it. It had taken a couple of days, but now she was sprinting and jumping across the rooftops like the armor was an extension of her body. The alloys were light enough that she didn¡¯t go crashing through the roof when she ran, but she was careful with jumps, using the thrusters to slow her descent just before she landed. She¡¯d made so much progress, in fact, that Emmett bet that she¡¯d been practicing in the Gray Room back in the lab¡­ Not that he would know. He hadn¡¯t been back to visit Dr. Venture. The last time Emmett was in the lab, he¡¯d been almost killed by his former roommate. Dr. Venture had saved Emmett¡¯s life¡ªagain¡ªbut he¡¯d also been lying to Emmett. And Emmett didn¡¯t know if he could forgive Dr. Venture. McGuire soared past Emmett. ¡°On your right!¡± McGuire called as he landed and kept running. Emmett pushed the thoughts of his former mentor aside and sprinted after McGuire. It didn¡¯t take long to pass him. The Mutagen-A in Emmett¡¯s system had strengthened him past the peak of human training. His newfound prosthetic legs pushed him even further. Even with his reality-warping boots, McGuire didn¡¯t stand a chance. Emmett landed on the next apartment roof, hot on McGuire¡¯s heels, and quickly overtook him. The skyline of Belport became a blur. Emmett leapt for the next roof but leapt wide¡ª He slung his whip up to grip the ledge, then let his momentum swing him all the way to the next building. At the apex of his swing, he let go, grinning like a maniac as he hurtled through the air. He rolled to a stop on the next roof and turned to see both McGuire and Clara racing to catch up. They stayed neck and neck¡ªall the way until they both landed on the roof with Emmett. At the same time. ¡°Tie!¡± Emmett shouted. Despite the excitement and exertion, he wasn¡¯t breathing hard at all, thanks to his mutagen enhancements and prosthetics. He could probably run a lap around the entire city at full speed without getting winded. Meanwhile, McGuire leaned over and aired out his mask without taking it off. ¡°No fair¡­¡± he panted. ¡°I want cyborg legs.¡± Clara stood with her hands on her hips, the sleek dark lines of her exosuit shimmering in the streetlights. ¡°Maybe one day when you¡¯re older and more mature.¡± McGuire scoffed, but focused on his breathing. Emmett almost made a comment¡ªtry getting almost killed twice¡ªbut he bit his tongue. It felt like too dark of a joke. Besides, now that Emmett and Dr. Venture¡¯s relationship was rocky, Emmett¡¯s cyborg parts had become his biggest liability. After Emmett was caught in the middle of that first attack on Champion street, his entire right arm just past the shoulder had been replaced with a prosthetic. Then Lock had attacked Emmett in the apartment and almost killed him. Emmett survived, but his left arm had been torn off. Both of his legs below the knee were crushed, and his right eye needed to be replaced. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Emmett¡¯s stomach turned just thinking about it. If not for the mutagen infusions and for Dr. Venture, Emmett would¡¯ve been dead twice over. Sure, it was awesome having cutting edge technology embedded in him. Venture had given Emmett the best of the very best. Even before his recent prosthetics, Emmett was easily a Class 1 super. Now he was knocking on the door of Class 2. But all that technology was a liability. Even with TINA¡¯s help, Emmett just didn¡¯t have the facilities or the tools to repair his prosthetics if anything happened to them. He would have to go back to the lab. Clara patted the doubled-over McGuire on the shoulder, which triggered the airbag in his jacket. The force of the deployment immediately caused him to stand back up, arms wide like he was either wearing a muscle-suit or smuggling marshmallows underneath his coat. ¡°Dude!¡± McGuire exclaimed. He fiddled for a release string under his armpit and the jacket deflated with a raspberry sound. Emmett and Clara sniggered. McGuire wagged a finger. ¡°You keep doing that, and one of these days, I¡¯m going to lose it.¡± ¡°Oh yeah,¡± Clara retorted playfully. ¡°And do what?¡± McGuire adjusted his mask so he could glare at her. ¡°I¡¯ll use a stinkbomb.¡± Both Emmett and Clara shouted, ¡°No!¡± at the same time. Joke or not, Emmett had no desire to experience the smell again. Clara had heard enough about the experience from Emmett that she¡¯d had secondhand nightmares about it. McGuire crossed his arms and nodded. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. One day, the world will know my true power.¡± Emmett turned to Clara. ¡°Uh oh. It sounds like McGuire might go mad with power.¡± Clara replied, ¡°Oh, I remember that story.¡± McGuire froze. ¡°Wait, what?¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°You said that if I went mad with power, you¡¯d use a stinkbomb on me.¡± He squinted seriously for emphasis. ¡°Oh, no.¡± McGuire turned and ran. ¡°You¡¯ll never take me alive, coppers!¡± Emmett and Clara stayed on the roof and watched the friend bound away. Clara asked, ¡°Do you think we should tell him that he¡¯s going the wrong way?¡± ¡°Nah. He¡¯ll figure it out.¡± As McGuire disappeared over the edge of the roof, Clara turned to Emmett. ¡°So, are you ever going to talk to him?¡± TINA¡¯s voice came through both of their earpieces. ¡°I was wondering the same thing. Dr. Venture has several developments that he wants to discuss with you. However, he¡¯s trying to be respectful of your decision, so he¡¯s waiting for you to reach out to him first.¡± Emmett sighed. Then he turned and ran after McGuire. ¡°Hey!¡± Clara shouted. ¡°Running away isn¡¯t an answer.¡± ¡°I think it is,¡± TINA replied. ~ McGuire and Emmett looped back around toward their original meeting point. When Clara joined them, they tried to meet at a halfway point between McGuire¡¯s place and the lab. This usually meant somewhere in the Southeast side of Belport. ¡°This is me,¡± Clara said, gesturing to the Eastside. Emmett stopped on the roof and turned to her. Originally, he¡¯d thought the chivalrous thing to do would be to escort her home, but he¡¯d quickly dismissed it¡ªEven limited to half power, Clara¡¯s suit was as strong as he was, and Venture always had multiple drones keeping an eye on her. Emmett had caught flickers of their cloaking systems in the sky. Besides, he and Clara were just friends. McGuire caught up just as Emmett was waving goodbye. Half doubled-over he asked, ¡°What?... Leaving¡­ already?¡± ¡°McGuire, it¡¯s two in the morning.¡± McGuire waved. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll¡­ catch you¡­ next time.¡± Clara chuckled and stopped at the edge of the roof, her suit cutting an imposing silhouette against the city lights. ¡°Yeah, and maybe you¡¯ll have an answer for us?¡± Emmett held up his hands in defeat. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll try to have an answer for your dad.¡± Something about the way Clara lingered made Emmett think that wasn¡¯t quite the answer she wanted. ¡°Okay,¡± she said. ¡°See you guys tomorrow?¡± ¡°You betcha!¡± McGuire replied. ¡°Yeah. Definitely,¡± Emmett added. They watched her leap off the roof and disappear across the skyline toward Eastside. Emmett looked out over the twinkling lights of Belport. He¡¯d been avoiding thinking about the whole thing. What was he supposed to say? None of it would change what had happened. None of it would bring Lock back or replace Emmett¡¯s trust. Emmett sighed, and McGuire socked him in the shoulder. ¡°Come on, tiger. Let¡¯s get back.¡± Reluctantly, Emmett turned and followed McGuire. They jogged across the rooftops back to McGuire¡¯s place on the edge of South Side. The entire time, Emmett tried not to think about the decision he had to make. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 2.1.2 — Night and Day Following Emmett¡¯s confrontation with Lock and subsequent recovery, he¡¯d moved into another apartment in the Woods¡ªjust two buildings down from his old one. His new roommates were nice enough. Jensen was a digital art major, and Michela was a bio major. They¡¯d even helped him with a few boxes and asked questions about his radio locator project. Emmett explained how the tabletop version worked, and neglected to mention that he used to have a full-sized version on the roof of his old apartment. Venture had transported it to the lab the same night as the fight with Lock. Classes and relocating helped keep Emmett¡¯s mind off of what happened, but he couldn¡¯t help but glance at his old building. Contractors were rebuilding it, walling off the hole in the side of his old room. Every day for the rest of the semester, Emmett walked past the wreckage of his old place. By the last week of classes, they finished putting up new siding, and the building looked as good as new. Like nothing had ever happened there. The last week of classes rolled around, and Emmett turned in his final assignments and gave his final presentation for the radio locator project. Then he started moving his stuff out. He could¡¯ve waited another week while the rest of classes finished at Belport University, but Emmett didn¡¯t want to stick around. There was nothing left for him there. Besides, he already had a new place lined up. ~ After the patrol, Emmett followed McGuire back to his apartment on the edge of South Side. It was in an older part of the city, all brick fronts and faded signs. The apartment was one of several on the block, each sitting on the second or third floor. The first floor of each building was a storefront¡ªeverything from a pizza shop, to a boutique, bookstore, flower shop, and corner grocery store. It was a prime location, both in regards to the surrounding stores, and for the two masks. The numerous alleys and fire escapes provided numerous ways to sneak in and out of the block. McGuire¡¯s apartment occupied the third floor above an electronics repair shop, Circuit Surgeons. The neon side on the front crackled with age. The duo skulked down to the street, following the back alleys behind the shops until they got to the fire escape of Circuit Surgeons. Then they climbed up to McGuire¡¯s apartment and ducked inside the window. McGuire flipped on the nearby standing light, illuminating the living room. Even though Emmett had been living there for the past week, the place still caught him off guard. He wasn¡¯t sure what a tech super¡¯s place was supposed to look like, but McGuire¡¯s place wasn¡¯t it. The apartment hadn¡¯t been updated in decades. The original hardwood was covered with flowery area rugs. Homemade blankets covered the sofa and chairs. Knick knacks covered the shelves. The only parts that hinted that tech supers lived there were the drawers of spare parts and a handful of projects that were allowed to sit out in the living room. The main project being a master universal remote keyed to appliances in the kitchen¡ªit currently sat on the coffee table in several pieces. Even though McGuire¡¯s mom was a gadgeteer like him, she apparently had a thing for not letting the shop below creep up into her apartment. Both Emmett and McGuire pulled off parts of their disguises and hid them in the storage trunk by the window through which they entered. Compared to the apartment, McGuire looked normal. His face was freckled and his red hair was buzzed short. He was almost two years Emmett¡¯s junior, having graduated high school the year before last. The only other thing was how scrawny McGuire was underneath his vest and coat. He¡¯d clearly reinforced the coat with additional padding on top of his shock-absorbing airbag contraption. Oh, and that McGuire¡¯s real name was Maximillian. At least, that was what his mother always called him. To Emmett and everyone else, he went by Max. ¡°Hey,¡± Max said, conspiratorially. ¡°We should start watching Full Throttle Heart: GT.¡± ¡°Man, I don¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°Or Full Throttle Heart: UT?¡± Emmett chuckled and held up his hands in defense. ¡°It¡¯s not that. I just need to get some sleep before work tomorrow. Maybe we can squeeze an episode in during lunch?¡± The disappointment faded quickly from Max¡¯s face. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re probably right. Mom said something about starting at eight tomorrow.¡± Both supers let out a collective groan. Max waved and walked off to his room. ¡°Catch you tomorrow, roomie.¡± Emmett chuckled again and went into the spare room across the hall. He shuffled past boxes that he hadn¡¯t unpacked yet and climbed into bed. He would get around it, of course; he just had other things to do, like work and patrol. And, if Emmett was being honest with himself, he wasn¡¯t sure how long he¡¯d be staying here. Both Max and his mom made it sound like Emmett could stay as long as he wanted, but Emmett wasn¡¯t sure if they were just being polite. There was also a part of him that wanted to go back to the lab. It had been a sweet setup, both with the Gray Room and the incredible amount of technology at his disposal. He also missed Clara. Even if they still saw each other more often than not, it just wasn¡¯t the same. Hell, he even missed Dr. Venture, albeit in a slightly different way. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. It was weird to think that Full Throttle Heart could be a metaphor for his feelings, but it worked. As much as Emmett enjoyed Max¡¯s company and his jokes, it was similar to how he felt about Full Throttle Heart: Grand Touring and Unlimited Torque¡ªthey were good shows, but they just couldn¡¯t beat the original. ~ The next day, Emmett woke to both Max and his mom shouting across the apartment. Alright, it wasn¡¯t shouting¡ªMax and his mother just didn¡¯t have a concept of volume when they talked to each other. Emmett groaned as he rolled out of bed to get dressed. Emmett brushed his teeth in a daze and tried to ignore his roommates. His new living situation wasn¡¯t perfect¡ªnot by a long shot¡ªbut it had its perks. When he was done, he put some water in his hair and combed it before stepping out to start the day. ¡°Ah, there he is!¡± Max¡¯s mom said. ¡°You should be more like Emmett.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean, Ma?¡± Max asked incredulously. ¡°He gets up on time.¡± ¡°I hit the snooze button!¡± ¡°Well, you snooze, you lose. Back in my day, we didn¡¯t have snooze buttons¡­¡± Max¡¯s mom¡ªwhose real name was Marlene¡ªwas a stocky woman with frizzled gray hair. Whenever she moved, she always did it quickly and with purpose. Even when she finally decided to sit down and stop moving at the end of the workday, she did so decisively. Max and his mom frequently went back and forth in animated arguments, but Emmett had quickly noted the eccentricities: It felt like a family joke or tradition that had gone on too long and turned into a parody. For one, they only ever argued loudly about trivial things and always maintained an air of humor beneath it. Sometimes Marlene¡¯s stories and anecdotes even changed from argument to argument. The whole dynamic was so far removed from what Emmett used to, that the first time Max and his mother raised their voices, Emmett had stood there dumbfounded. Emmett couldn¡¯t even imagine how his family would¡¯ve reacted if he raised his voice to his mother or father. He¡¯d probably be buried out in the backyard somewhere. Still, as strange as it was, there was something comforting in the whole thing. As long as Max and his mother were loud and animated, Emmett knew things weren¡¯t that serious. When Marlene got quiet¡ªthat was when you really needed to worry. A few minutes later, Marlene unlocked the stairs to the repair shop, and led the three of them to work, continuing her monologue as she went. Emmett and Max followed. The electronics repair shop was one of the perks of living with Max and his mom. Marlene owned it, and together, the two of them ran it. And she was all too eager for Emmett to start working there too. Despite the rough exterior, Circuit Surgeons was captivating. The two floors were absolutely packed with equipment. Boxes of spare parts and small electronics rose in stacks up to the ceiling, and bigger things like TVs and stereos lined the walls. Most of them were half cannibalized for spare parts and wiring. Shelves of tools and workbenches lined the rest of the walls. Somehow, both Max and his mom knew where everything was, no matter how obscure the part. Emmett had tried to learn as he went, but he had eventually enlisted TINA to help catalog where things were. The lab might¡¯ve had better tech to work with, but the repair shop was a treasure trove of spare parts. Also, the job paid better than his internship with Dr. Venture. Marlene unlocked the front door and took stock of their orders for the day, her monologue finally ceasing as work started for the day. Then she divided the list up between the three of them. Marlene liked to work in silence, so she manned the front desk while Emmett and Max migrated upstairs to the second floor and put on a synthwave playlist. Since the workroom on the second floor had become their unofficial base for the workday, Emmett had talked Marlene into letting him install four TVs along in the corner. He¡¯d done it under the guise of using them for entertainment, but he¡¯d linked them to the network and then to the lab. Through the TVs, TINA was able to send schematics they needed, as well as help Emmett with the rest of his research projects. TINA insisted that no matter what the status of Emmett and Dr. Venture, that she continued helping him. For now, the screens merely showed abstract screensavers that pulsed in time with the music. Emmett and Max set to work, each hunched over the desks that were scrunched in the center of the room. ~ Unlike Marlene, Max didn¡¯t like to work in silence. ¡°So I was thinking about our route tonight. We should go by South Side. Cherry wants to spar.¡± Emmett glanced up. ¡°Again? We didn¡¯t beat them bad enough last time?¡± Max smirked. ¡°I guess not. They¡¯re going to need to come up with something, though. Having Clara on our side just isn¡¯t fair.¡± He was right. Emmett and Max had been a match for both Cherry and Larian, but having a third member made it too easy. Especially when that third member was an experienced super who had a top of the line set of power armor. ¡°Are you going to talk to Clara?¡± Emmett scoffed awkwardly. ¡°I always talk to her.¡± ¡°Dude, you know what I mean.¡± Emmett kept his eyes on the soldering of the handheld video game console in front of him. Max was either talking about his trust issues with Dr. Venture or¡­ he was fishing for Emmett¡¯s true feelings about Clara. And Emmett was going to play dumb with the best of them. Max added, ¡°You should probably talk to the Doc too.¡± Emmett let out a sigh of relief. As awkward as the situation with Dr. Venture was, it was a cakewalk in comparison. ¡°I will,¡± he finally said, ¡°I just haven¡¯t made a decision yet.¡± Max nodded and turned over the circuit board of a music player to examine it. Both Max and his mother were gadgeteers, which were similar to reality warpers: They could make completely impossible technology. But when it came to repairs, they had to do everything the old-fashioned way. They couldn¡¯t fix anything brought into the shop with their powers since they were limited to distance and duration. Max looked up with a devilish grin. ¡°You should probably tell Clara how you feel too.¡± Emmett groaned, but that didn¡¯t stop Max. ¡°Come on. It¡¯s obvious you two have something going on. I¡¯m surprised you can¡¯t see that with your special mutagen-robot vision.¡± ¡°Nope. Not happening.¡± ¡°You¡¯re no fun.¡± Emmett paused. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ There¡¯s no point in saying anything until I figure out what to do about her dad.¡± Max rolled his eyes. ¡°You mean to tell me you¡¯re going to let some old dude get in the way of true love?¡± ¡°First of all, that¡¯s dramatic. Second of all, you mean to tell me you would date a girl that your mom didn¡¯t approve of?¡± Max glanced awkwardly around the room. ¡°Fine. Point taken.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 2.1.3 — Improvements Emmett and Max worked through the day in the cramped workroom on the second floor. Even when they took a break for lunch or finished their list of jobs for the day, they were still working¡ª Albeit on different projects. ¡°Dude, you need rocket boots.¡± Max was standing between the desk and a stack of boxes, miming flying with his arms outstretched. ¡°Swinging around the city is so outdated.¡± Emmett laughed and shook his head. ¡°Yeah, because I can make rocket boots with the things we have lying around.¡± ¡°Okay, maybe not. But it would be super cool. Then you could fly around with Clara.¡± ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°Duh. I¡¯ll be riding on your back¡ªthird wheeling it.¡± Emmett turned, and TINA was already bringing up schematics on one of the corner screens. There were three different sets: The first was an advanced set of thrusters that would emerge from his feet. These were rated for extended flight and clearly needed a power source that Emmett wouldn¡¯t have access to unless he went back to the lab. The other two schematics were far more promising. There was a second set of thrusters that were rated for short bursts. TINA had helpfully labeled these as theoretically possible with current materials, though they still needed supplemental power. The final set of schematics was even more interesting. They weren¡¯t thrusters. In fact, they were simple additions to his prosthetic lower legs, and labeled Gait Enhancement. Emmett¡¯s curiosity was momentarily eclipsed by how impressed he was that TINA had put together schematics without him asking. She¡¯d even listed dimensions, several metals and their accompanying strengths and weights. He could see why she was so valuable to Dr. Venture¡­ and also why he was so concerned with her developments. Max, however, was peering intently at the screen. ¡°Alright. For my birthday, I want robotic legs and an A.I. assistant.¡± ¡°...When is your birthday?¡± Max leaned back, feigning offense. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you would ask that. We¡¯re clearly not on that kind of level. What are you going to want to know next, my social security number? My browser history?¡± ¡°We already have those,¡± TINA said through the TV. Emmett was frozen. Max looked like he¡¯d died of fright. ¡°That was a joke.¡± Only Emmett found it funny. Max shivered. ¡°TINA, when you take over the world, just nuke us. Also nuke my browsing history.¡± ~ Emmett tabled the enhancements for now, and the duo killed a few hours watching Full Throttle Heart before their sparring match with MCGUIRE¡¯S FRIENDS. He¡¯d talked his roommate into watching the original series and then they¡¯d gotten Clara to join in on a watch party. They synchronized episodes and kept in touch via text. The afternoon flew by, and soon it was time to cross the rooftops. They were supposed to meet Cherry and Larian on the edge of South Side. But even though they¡¯d settled on a meeting place, that didn¡¯t mean that was where they would be. Emmett and McGuire jogged across the roofs and met up with Clara before starting their true approach¡ªall the while, Emmett tried not to call McGuire by his real name. It was tougher than he thought, even though he¡¯d known him as McGuire first. In the distance, the silhouette of a giant crow passed in front of the moon. It was circling high, no doubt scouting for them. If not for Emmett¡¯s enhanced vision, he would have trouble seeing it against the darkness. Emmett pointed out the crow, and the three of them quickly formulated a plan. Clara and McGuire snuck across the last two blocks on the roof while Emmett skulked through the alleys and flanked their left side. The three kept their earpieces open for communication. ¡°You see them yet?¡± Emmett asked. ¡°Not yet¡­¡± McGuire said. ¡°Wait, yep there they¡ªoh shit!¡± Pop. Pop. Instinctively, Emmett pressed up against the alley wall and looked up¡ªjust in time to see Clara and McGuire hurtle through the air. Emmett couldn¡¯t see where they landed, but a moment later, a smoke cloud appeared to his left. After seeing how handy Emmett¡¯s smoke pellets were, McGuire had spent several nights trying to duplicate the effects with his own powers. The final design didn¡¯t have the same coverage range and if McGuire moved too far away, the smoke would dissipate, but the effects were close enough. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. It also didn¡¯t stink¡ªunlike McGuire¡¯s super potent stink bombs. ¡°I see you have your own smoke bombs now, McGuire,¡± Cherry called out. ¡°Or did Mod let you borrow some?¡± From the sound of her voice, Emmett was now positioned in between the two groups. That was fine by him. He¡¯d sneak closer, past Larian and his shadow beasts, then ambush Cherry while she was focused on Emmett¡¯s teammates. That was the plan, anyway, until a black jaguar stepped into the alley and blocked his path. One of Larian¡¯s new creations. It stalked forward through the alley in complete silence, its dark fur shimmering like oil on top of black water. The hair on the back of Emmett¡¯s neck stood up. Even with super strength, there was something primal about coming face-to-face with a predator¡­ Especially since this shadow creation was similar to the crow. Emmett wasn¡¯t sure how big jaguars were normally, but this one felt as big as a bear¡ªits shoulders were up to his chest. ¡°Not today,¡± he muttered. He¡¯d rather get blasted by Cherry than fight a giant jaguar. The jaguar looked like it could leap up and get him if he tried to swing overtop of it. So, Emmett slung his whip up high behind him and gripped a third-floor ledge. Hopefully, he could circle around. Even if the jaguar chased him, Emmett was confident in his speed and climbing ability. No matter how fast it was, it wouldn¡¯t easily be able to follow him up to the rooftops. Emmett swung through the alley and spared a glance backward. The jaguar was indeed chasing him¡ª And running on the walls. It bounded after him, completely unaffected by gravity, even leaping from one wall to the other as it rounded the corner. ¡°Shit.¡± He really needed to figure out how Larian¡¯s power worked. Clara whispered into the mic. ¡°Mod, we could really use a distraction.¡± Emmett was vaguely aware that Cherry was still firing off pops, but he couldn¡¯t spare a thought. ¡°Sorry. I have my own jaguar problems.¡± Still swinging, Emmett ran along the wall. Then he disengaged the whip and leapt across the alley¡ªchanging direction just in time for the shadow cat to go sailing past him. It didn¡¯t buy him nearly enough time. Instead of skidding or falling as if it were bound by normal gravity, the creature just dug its claws in and turned after him. McGuire said, ¡°Mod, I didn¡¯t copy that. Say again.¡± ¡°It¡¯s exactly what you heard.¡± Suddenly, a giant wall of ice appeared in the alley, completely blocking off Emmett¡¯s path. He glanced up to see a blue-haired girl peeking over the roof. ¡°There you are!¡± she said. Emmett had sparred with enough ice-based supers in the lab to know he couldn¡¯t just break through the wall¡ª He¡¯d have to go over it. Emmett swung his whip again, grabbed the roof, and pulled as hard as he could. He hurtled straight up into the air above the rooftops. For the first time in the battle, Emmett saw the layout of his enemies. Two supers stood on the rooftop beside him: Larian wore a bodysuit that looked like dark green snakeskin. He was concentrating hard on controlling the shadow jaguar and crow. Beside him was an ice super that Emmett had never seen before. She was dressed in dark black clothes like goths used to wear, but her hair was bright blue and draped over her shoulders. She was looking up in concern at Emmett as he reached the apex of his jump. Meanwhile, Cherry was further away, taking an overwatch position from a higher nearby roof. But Emmett didn¡¯t have much time because the jaguar was leaping upward after him. Since his near-death experience at the hands of Lock, Emmett had switched around his loadout. He now had storage compartments in each limb, which cut down on the time he used swapping between weapons. He grabbed his collapsible bo staff out of his upper left arm compartment and extended it with a flick of his wrist. It was one of the last things he¡¯d commissioned from TINA since he¡¯d left the lab. Most bullets and weapons passed harmlessly through the shadows created by Larian. The one exception was when they were imbued with energy. Emmett still hadn¡¯t gotten an internal battery, but his staff had one built into it. As seamlessly as Emmett controlled his prosthetics, he electrified the staff. And when the jaguar reached the apex of its jump, Emmett swung. A crack echoed over the roof as the metal and electricity impacted the jaguar¡¯s head. The force sent them both in opposite directions¡ªthe jaguar back down into the alley, and Emmett onto the roof alongside Larian and the blue-haired super. ¡°I¡¯ve got Larian and the new girl,¡± Emmett said. Larian frowned and continued gesturing with his hands to direct his summons. Meanwhile, the new girl smirked. She leveled her black gloves and sent a wave of cold at Emmett. He had no idea the extent of her powers, but she was no slouch. Even with the cold resistance mutagen flowing through his veins, he still felt the chill. But clearly the new girl expected it to do more. She quickly backed away, took a fighting stance, and began lobbing ice balls. It looked like she was using a modified martial arts technique¡ªshort, quick punches and kicks, each sending a barrage of baseball sized hail at him. From behind Emmett came several of Clara¡¯s kinetic blasts and two bolas shots from McGuire¡¯s slingshot. All missed¡ªsome narrowly¡ªbut they forced ice-girl to change tactics. She conjured narrow walls to take cover behind while still hurling ice at Emmett. They were at an impasse¡ªEmmett couldn¡¯t flank too far around without coming into view of Cherry¡¯s high vantage point. Meanwhile, Larian and the new girl maneuvered to keep Emmett between them, and Clara and McGuire, rendering Emmett¡¯s teammates null. All the while, Larian¡¯s crow circled overhead and the jaguar was hiding somewhere below. Emmett knew they were about to spring a trap. On the other roof, a jaguar growled, and McGuire cried out in surprise. Emmett glanced back quickly to see McGuire and Clara backpedaling. The jaguar was caught in a makeshift net which could only have come from McGuire. The net wasn¡¯t big enough to completely immobilize the jaguar, but it was enough to halt it. The crow dive bombed, narrowly missing Clara, and was circling back again. ¡°Sonic on me!¡± Emmett shouted. Clara didn¡¯t hesitate. She turned her sonic blasters on Emmett¡¯s roof, drowning the area in a high-pitch whine. Emmett grit his teeth and forced his eyes open. As painful as it was for him, it dropped Larian and the new girl to their knees. Emmett jabbed his bo staff into Larian¡¯s stomach and shocked him. Larian doubled over onto the roof, and his summons dissipated.. Then Emmett smashed the two ice walls in front of the new girl, then stepped out of the way just as a bolas wrapped around her. He was about to draw his pistol on Cherry, but her hands were already up and she was about to fire. THUMP THUMP. . Cherry toppled over from Clara¡¯s kinetic blasts, her own power fading before she could release it. Emmett breathed deep and retracted his bo staff. McGuire and Clara joined him on the roof, the gadgeteer cackling like a madman. McGuire asked, ¡°You guys want to go again?¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 2.1.4 — Awkward The two groups of supers stood opposite of each other on the roof. They must¡¯ve looked like a weird bunch. Cherry and the new girl both wore dark clothes and had their hair dyed bright red and blue, respectively. They could¡¯ve passed for normal bystanders if it weren¡¯t for Larian, who wore a dark green bodysuit, and clearly looked like a super. Meanwhile, Emmett stuck with a dark hoodie and mask, but Clara wore a futuristic exosuit. Meanwhile, McGuire was dressed like an old explorer and wore a mask that looked like a cut up sock. Somehow, it felt both utterly ridiculous and completely normal. Cherry, Larian, and the new girl took a raincheck on a rematch. Neither wanted to hangout too long on the roofs in such a big group. A bunch of supers in one area weren¡¯t likely to go unnoticed by bystanders or by the Summit. And no one wanted to deal with the Summit. The two groups hung out a few minutes longer on the rooftops between downtown and South Side. Larian conjured his crow again, and the shadow circled high above. McGuire dapped Larian¡¯s hand. ¡°Dude, if you keep pulling out new shadow monsters, you¡¯re going to have to change your name to Zoo.¡± Larian shrugged and replied, ¡°That would not be nearly as good.¡± Cherry turned to McGuire. ¡°Speaking of names, what¡¯s your name mean, anyway?¡± McGuire waved the question away. ¡°It¡¯s from an old TV show. You¡¯ve never seen it.¡± New girl¡¯s name was Krystal, and the entire time the others were conversing, she wouldn¡¯t stop staring at Emmett. Her eyes were the same icy blue as her hair. Clara crossed her arms, like she was about to say something, but the new girl beat her to the punch. Krystal asked Emmett, ¡°So, what¡¯s your deal?¡± He chuckled uneasily, more at her attention than the question itself. ¡°I¡¯m a cyborg.¡± She looked him up and down, which didn¡¯t help. Cherry sniggered and elbowed Krystal. Then Cherry said to Emmett, ¡°You¡¯ve been making some upgrades. Where¡¯d you get that staff?¡± McGuire leaned in and said proudly. ¡°My guy designed it himself.¡± ¡°What about the rest of you?¡± Krystal asked Emmett. ¡°Just how much of you is mechanical?¡± Clara shuffled in her exosuit. ¡°Trade secret.¡± Krystal ignored her. ¡°Must be quite a bit. There aren¡¯t many people that can withstand my powers like you did.¡± Emmett resisted the urge to look down at his newly replaced legs¡ªwhich was silly. His prosthetics weren¡¯t even why he could withstand her cold attacks. What was up with this girl, and why did she have him so on edge? Larian chimed in from the edge of the roof. ¡°I wish I could upgrade myself.¡± McGuire scoffed. ¡°Says the man who can summon shadow creatures.¡± Larian said simply, ¡°I have my limits. Mod can transcend them. He¡¯s gotten stronger in just the last month.¡± Of course, they didn¡¯t know that he had nearly died, and that was the only reason he got those upgrades. Emmett wasn¡¯t crazy enough to cut off his own limbs to get prosthetics. ¡°There are other ways to improve,¡± Emmett muttered. ¡°You can make new creatures or learn new tactics and ways to use your powers.¡± Krystal smirked. ¡°I have plenty of techniques. I just don¡¯t share them all the first night.¡± Emmett¡¯s cheeks grew hot¡ªhe was glad to be wearing a mask. Cherry ignored her friend¡¯s comment and groaned. ¡°That¡¯s easy for you guys. I¡¯m only good at one thing.¡± She held up a finger gun for emphasis and mouthed, ¡°Boom.¡± Most chuckled, but Emmett asked, ¡°Can you control it?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Sure,¡± Cherry replied. ¡°You could boost your jump or maybe even a teammate¡¯s jump.¡± McGuire laughed. ¡°Like a rocket jump? You played too many video games.¡± Cherry looked to the nearby roofs, her eyes widening. ¡°I mean¡­ It could work.¡± She turned to Krystal expectantly. Clara chose that moment to chime in. ¡°Looks like somebody¡¯s been volunteered.¡± Krystal held up her hands. ¡°Oh no. Try it on one of Larian¡¯s pets first.¡± Larian looked up, seemingly offended, before relaxing. ¡°She¡¯s probably right. That would be for the best. Indovu won¡¯t be happy, but she will cooperate. Anything to help her catch Mod next time we meet.¡± Emmett and the others in the group were quiet for a moment, no doubt processing what Larian said. Cherry asked, ¡°Wait, do all of your creatures have names?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Larian replied matter-of-factly. ¡°And they are not my creatures.¡± Emmett caught a glance of the giant crow circling high above the city. He had so many questions to ask, but couldn¡¯t find a place to start. Larian stood suddenly. ¡°We should be going. Another group of supers approaches from the East. I believe it is the Summit of Heroes.¡± Both groups dropped to the alley below and quickly said goodbyes. Cherry¡¯s group walked south toward the boardwalk, while Emmett¡¯s group went toward the West End. As they walked, Emmett and McGuire pulled off their masks and tried to blend in on the street, while Clara engaged her suit¡¯s cloaking feature. The gray lines of her suit faded completely from view. Between that and her muffled footsteps, it almost felt like she¡¯d run off. ¡°TINA, do you see them?¡± Clara asked. TINA replied to everyone. ¡°The two capes appear to be doing a standard patrol pattern. They¡¯ll pass overhead in approximately thirty seconds. They do not appear to be following you or McGuire¡¯s friends.¡± McGuire replied with feigned shock, ¡°Hey, they¡¯re not my friends¡ªthey¡¯re work acquaintances.¡± ¡°So what does that make us?¡± Clara asked. ¡°Well, Mod¡¯s my heterosexual roommate. You¡¯re our plucky comic relief.¡± Clara snorted a laugh, and Emmett followed suit. ~ The rest of the night was short-lived. The three friends waited for the Summit capes to pass overhead and eventually they climbed back up to the rooftops to continue their own patrol. Despite their banter, Clara was oddly quiet. Emmett didn¡¯t have the nerve to ask her what was wrong until they were about to go their separate ways. Clara stammered something, but it was McGuire who answered. ¡°She¡¯s just tired of being at fifty percent power.¡± Clara paused, then quickly nodded in her suit. ¡°Yep. McGuire¡¯s right. That¡¯s totally what it is. Don¡¯t worry though. I¡¯m going to talk to Dad about it soon. ¡­Speaking of which, are you ever going to talk to him?¡± It was Emmett¡¯s turn to stammer a response. ¡°Yeah. Soon.¡± Clara chuckled and turned to go. ¡°Hope so.¡± Then she flew off into the sky and disappeared as her cloaking engaged, leaving Emmett and McGuire standing alone on the roof. Emmett watched the sky where Clara disappeared. ¡°Do you really think that¡¯s what she¡¯s upset about?¡± ¡°Hell no!¡± McGuire said, causing Emmett to whirl around. McGuire was stifling a laugh. ¡°Dude, she¡¯s jealous.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Come on¡­ You mean to tell me that you didn¡¯t realize Krystal was giving you the googly eyes?¡± Emmett scratched the back of his neck. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure¡­ You really think so?¡± McGuire rolled his eyes so hard his mask almost fell off. ¡°Yes. You can trust me on this.¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°How much experience do you have with women?¡± ¡°Loads.¡± ¡°Dating simulators don¡¯t count.¡± McGuire crossed his arms. ¡°I have enough experience to know when a girl is flirting and when she¡¯s jealous.¡± Emmett groaned. ¡°Goddamnit. Really?¡± ¡°For a man who¡¯s got lightweight metal alloys and polycarbonate parts, you are dense as shit.¡± Emmett stood there on the roof, suddenly wishing he were anywhere else. In the realm of all things dating, Emmett had no game. He was pretty sure he wasn¡¯t even good at talking to the opposite sex. Was there a word for negative game? Was that a thing? McGuire walked over and patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Come on. Let me give you the birds and the bees talk.¡± ¡°You suck.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Emmett and McGuire shared a laugh. Even though they¡¯d only known each other a few weeks, Emmett couldn¡¯t imagine having this conversation with anyone else. Even Lock¡­ Definitely not Clara. Emmett sighed. Why did things have to be so complicated? Suddenly, McGuire stopped and turned. ¡°TINA, no matter what you hear¡­ Don¡¯t tell Clara any of this. Or the Doctor. Definitely not the Doctor.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± McGuire added, ¡°I mean it, TINA. This is serious business.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take my secrets to the grave.¡± McGuire cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°I don¡¯t know if all that is necessary, but that¡¯s the right idea.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 2.1.5 — Gait Enhancement ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll talk to Clara,¡± Emmett muttered, more to get McGuire off his back than anything. For the entire walk home, McGuire had assaulted Emmett with questions about everything between him and Clara¡ªthings Emmett didn¡¯t even have answers to and things he¡¯d never even thought about. By the time they got back to the Circuit Surgeons, Emmett felt like he¡¯d spent eight hours in the Gray Room. ¡°You better,¡± McGuire joked as they climbed down the fire escape. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask Clara if you talked to her.¡± Emmett groaned. ¡°Please don¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°Fine. I won¡¯t. But you better talk to her.¡± ¡°I will¡­ just not tonight,¡± Emmett said as he climbed through the apartment window. ¡°Dude¡ª¡± McGuire said a little too loudly. Emmett held up a finger to shush him before the gadgeteer whispered, ¡°That¡¯s stalling.¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m going to look at those upgrades that TINA suggested.¡± McGuire frowned. ¡°Suit yourself. I¡¯m going to turn in for the night. Catch you tomorrow, roomie.¡± Emmett smirked and quietly went downstairs to the second floor of the shop. Wordlessly, the monitors in the corner of the room came on, depicting the three enhancements for his lower legs. Emmett was still apprehensive about having TINA tied into the shop¡¯s network, but the benefits outweighed his concerns. Clearly, Venture still wanted to help, even if he and Emmett weren¡¯t on speaking terms. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t loan out TINA so freely. Of course, there was always the possibility that Venture was using TINA to keep an eye on Emmett. Either way, there wasn¡¯t much Emmett could do about it at the moment. Emmett waved away the most advanced thruster model. There was no point in examining it now, since he didn¡¯t have any access to the necessary materials. Then he waved away the other thruster design, and enlarged the third option, labeled Gait Enhancement. The system was designed to supplement the existing structure of his lower leg prosthetics. As Emmett walked, ran, or landed from a jump, kinetic energy would be stored in capacitors. The excess energy could then be funneled back into the prosthetic to make him sprint faster or jump higher. Most of the utility would come in short bursts, but it also seemed like the system could be used to make Emmett¡¯s strides more efficient over longer distances too. In that way, it was similar to McGuire¡¯s spring boots, but they couldn¡¯t store energy for later. Emmett studied the schematics, realizing just how ingenious the additional system was. Compared to most of Emmett¡¯s upgrades, it would require little to actually implement. Most of the necessary parts were inside him already. Like the rest of the tech designed by Dr. Venture, the capacitors in Emmett¡¯s legs were gated so that they weren¡¯t used to their full power. His prosthetic arms were limited in similar ways. Supposedly, Emmett¡¯s arms could bend at inhuman angles and were rated for a Class 2 super. But even with the Mutagens and nanomachines in Emmett, the organics parts of him were only Class 1. If too much power flowed through his arms, he could break his spine. With TINA¡¯s help, Emmett could rewrite the parameters of his legs, allowing the capacitors to charge to their full capacity and the use of their full power. TINA added, ¡°I will unlock your capacitors for traversal and jumping only. You will still need to be careful with force application. You could potentially leap seven stories into the air now, but landing from the same height would certainly injure you or destroy the roof you start on. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to use the extra energy for kicking opponents. The angles are too extreme and you could easily damage your hip joints or ligaments. This is also true for punches and tackles. The rest of your body is not strong enough to handle the stress of those applications.¡± ¡°I can live with that¡­ for now.¡± Emmett added that last part in an attempt at a joke, but if TINA understood, she didn¡¯t say anything. The rest of the design entailed adding batteries for storage and adding additional capture mechanisms in the soles of his feet, then wiring it all together correctly. As cool as it would be, he couldn¡¯t do anything with batteries¡ª Despite all the scrap he had access to, the biggest limitation was the batteries. Once unlocked, his capacitors could hold a massive charge of power, but would only do so for the short term. Batteries would hold the power for longer, but without the lab, the tech that Emmett could scrounge up was limited. The capacitors would have to work by themselves¡­ for now. Emmett grit his teeth, trying to ignore all the ways that he missed having access to the lab. The other problem was that Emmett would need to perform surgery on himself to install those parts. ¡­Was it still surgery if he was operating on prosthetics? Emmett cleared the spare parts off the center work table and carefully set aside the electronics that were in mid-repair. Then Emmett scrounged up the parts he needed. For the next half an hour, he sat hunched over the table, picking apart scraps, filing down pieces, and carefully setting everything aside. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He probably should¡¯ve waited until morning, just so McGuire¡ªMax¡ªwas there in case something went wrong. But Emmett didn¡¯t want to wait; that was part of why he started with the Gait Enhancement instead of working on the other upgrades. Emmett wanted something that he could use now. ~ When everything was ready, Emmett climbed onto the table. He sat, legs outstretched and his bundle of surgical supplies beside him. TINA brought up diagrams on the monitors of the cuts he needed to make in each layer of his prosthetics. At least he could use both hands this time. He started out by making several incisions down the length of calves. TINA had helped him dampen the pain response so that now he only felt the pressure of the movements. If he turned it off completely, his movements wouldn¡¯t be accurate enough¡ªnot without the holographic overlay from the lab or TINA¡¯s robotic arms. After he finished the incisions, Emmett sighed and said to TINA, ¡°This would be a lot easier with you helping me.¡± ¡°I am helping you. Would you like me to talk to Dr. Venture about a direct neural connection? I could override your control and do the surgery myself.¡± ¡°...That¡¯s alright, TINA. Wait¡­ Is that really possible? A direct neural connection to you?¡± ¡°In theory. We have never attempted it. Dr. Venture doesn¡¯t approve of letting someone else in his brain. His concern isn¡¯t unfounded. Once a direct connection is in place, there is always the potential for misuse, corruption, or hacking. It is not unlike the risk of a psychic taking control.¡± Emmett had begun splicing connections as TINA talked in his ear. The skin of the prosthetics peeled back, revealing wiring, synthetic muscle, and capacitors. He chuckled. ¡°Venture¡¯s so worried, and yet he installed a remote kill switch in me.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± TINA asked. ¡°Right after I woke up¡ªthe first time¡ªDr. Venture told me not to log anything about him, or you, or Clara. He said he could remotely disable my vital functions. He said it was the best that Gnosis had to offer.¡± Emmett remembered that part clearly. How could he forget it? It was one of the reasons he had been hesitant to leave. ¡°That was a joke. Dr. Venture did not put a kill switch inside you.¡± Emmett almost dropped his tools. ¡°Sonofabitch¡­ You mean Gnosis doesn¡¯t have a killswitch for their mutagens?¡± ¡°They do, but only for those higher-level mutagens, like Mutagen-X. Mutagen-A is used by a large subsection of the public, and so Gnosis never implemented similar functions for it.¡± Emmett scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s not even remotely funny. What the hell¡­ Why would he lie about that?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was a good joke.¡± Emmett grumbled to himself and continued working. His legs were carved open on a grimy table¡ªhe had to finish this before he asked TINA anything else. The entire process took thirty minutes. When Emmett was done, he used a special surgical stapler to seal the faux flesh back together. It would heal on its own in a few hours. Emmett laid back on the table and relaxed for a moment. The metal was cold under his back. His body might have been mended, but his thoughts were still in turmoil¡ªhis relationship with Dr. Venture was at the forefront. ¡°TINA, why are you and Dr. Venture still helping me?¡± ¡°You are an asset and an experimental subject. You are also an ally and a friend. Dr. Venture and I have every reason to continue helping you.¡± ¡°What if I don¡¯t come back into the fold?¡± ¡°Dr. Venture will likely direct me to continue assisting you. You will have access to repairs for your prosthetics. Certain technologies and parts of the lab will remain accessible¡ªthings he would extend to most allies. As long as you do not actively work against us, I see no reason they would be forfeit.¡± Emmett considered her words. He didn¡¯t see a reason to go against Venture. Emmett just didn¡¯t know if he would go back. It was good that he wouldn¡¯t give up everything if he chose that path. ¡°Even if you do not continue a relationship with Dr. Venture, Clara will want to continue seeing you.¡± Emmett choked on his own spit. He sat up and coughed. ¡°So everyone keeps reminding me. That will be all, TINA. Thank you and thank you for still helping me out.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Emmett cleaned up the blood and his surgical supplies. Then he turned off the lights behind him and skulked up the stairs and into his room. He collapsed in bed. Why did life have to be so complicated? Scratch that¡ªbeing a super wasn¡¯t complicated. It was everything else that was the problem. ~ That night, Emmett dreamed of a metallic beach and oil black waves. Instead of sand, the dunes were made of metal shavings. Emmett crawled out of the surf, his skin tearing on the rough dunes while cold waves lapped at his feet¡ª Something was in the water. Hands grabbed at his legs. They tried to pull him back into the surf. Underwater. Emmett crawled and kicked behind him, desperate to fend off his attackers, but they were relentless. A icy hand grabbed his ankle and Emmett couldn¡¯t pull his foot away. There was always someone on the beach waiting for Emmett. They would stand and stare, but they never moved, never shouted, never ran toward him to help. Sometimes it was Clara. Other times, it was Venture or McGuire. Tonight, it was the new girl, Krystal. She watched him struggle, her blue hair billowing in the wind. Emmett screamed and clawed at the sand, but another hand grabbed his leg. In seconds, dozens of hands were dragging him backward. Emmett¡¯s muscles burned and his throat was hoarse from screaming, but no matter how hard he fought, there was no hope. There was blood in the sand, so dark that it looked black. It was always in those last fateful seconds that Emmett looked back at his attackers. There were dozens of them. Humanoid robots with sleek silver bodies. They didn¡¯t feel pain, didn¡¯t feel the cold of the waves. They weren¡¯t scared or angry. All looked completely the same¡ª And they all wore Emmett¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t know how or why¡ªall Emmett knew was that they wanted him. They wanted to drag him down into the waves. ~ Emmett woke up in his bed. The sheets were soaked in a cold sweat. He sat up and held his hands in his face. It wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d had that nightmare. He¡¯d had a much more intense version back when he¡¯d been poisoned by Porcelain. Since then, he¡¯d had similar nightmares sporadically. They were always horrifying, and Emmett always woke up in a cold sweat. The weirdest part was that he always woke up wondering the same thing: Were the robots after Emmett because they wanted him and wanted to feel his emotions? Or did they feel his panic, and they were trying to take away his emotions so he wouldn¡¯t be scared anymore? ~ ~ ~ Chapter 4.1 — Signing Up The heavy drone rumbled as it left the lab. Mod and Arsenal held on tight. They were sitting on the cold metal bench that lined the outer wall of the drone. Mod had opted to wear his combat suit and helmet. Arsenal was in her normal exosuit. Despite all the times Mod had ridden in Dr. Venture¡¯s Fast-Response drones, this felt wholly different. Not only were the smaller drones built to cocoon the rider and protect them from harm, they felt smaller¡ªthere was an urgency and swiftness to their movement. Even when secure and snug inside, Mod could still feel the drone in all its dips and dives and hard accelerations. Meanwhile, the heavy drone moved like a cruise ship or a flying building, which wasn¡¯t far from the truth. It moved with steady power. Arsenal asked for TINA to bring up a view of the outside as they flew. Outside, the waves were whipping up into swells ten feet high and winds ripped shattered glass from buildings. The heavy drone didn¡¯t lurch or bob in the storm. Even with Mod¡¯s enhanced senses, he didn¡¯t feel the drone so much as sway in the breeze. Arsenal said, ¡°When we get there, don¡¯t give them any more information than necessary. Just codenames and codenames for McGuire and the others¡ªthat way they¡¯ll stick us in a group together.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Mod replied. He wasn¡¯t particularly keen about talking to anyone at the Summit or about being enlisted, but these were desperate times. He thought briefly about Athena. She¡¯d been the first contact he¡¯d made since becoming a super. Mod had no idea how long the forcefield-wielding super had been a mask, but he couldn¡¯t imagine her signing up with the Summit of Heroes. Even if she didn¡¯t join up officially, Athena would still help defend the city. She¡¯d been instrumental in taking down the mutagen manufacturing warehouse a few weeks ago. But Mod hadn¡¯t heard from her since then. At first, he¡¯d been worried, but Athena could take care of herself. If anything, she was probably taking care of something personal. She would contact them if she needed something. ¡°Are you good?¡± Arsenal asked. She turned her exosuit helmet so she was looking directly at him. ¡°I know what kind of experience you¡¯ve had with capes so far.¡± Mod scoffed a laugh. At the moment, he was more tired than anything. They¡¯d only gotten four hours of sleep last night between dealing with The Freakshow and the tsunamis. Despite the coffee, he felt somewhere between irritable and delirious. ¡°As long as they don¡¯t stick me on a team with Hunter Nine, I¡¯ll manage.¡± Any of the Hunters, for that matter¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll hold you back,¡± Arsenal replied. ~ The heavy drone set down in a parking lot on the outskirts of the Northern outskirts of Belport, near where it dropped off McGuire, Cherry, Larian, and Krystal only a few hours ago. Mod and Arsenal disembarked, and the heavy drone flickered as its stealth camouflage reengaged. The enormous blocky outline vanished and a wind blasted across the lot as the drone departed. Mod and Arsenal jogged toward the Summit staging area¡ªa massive office building buzzing with small helicopters and flying supers. A barbed wire fence had been erected around the block. Across the street, white tents dotted a department store parking lot. Many of their family members would be there, including Mod¡¯s. He knew that he should go see his family. His mom would want to put eyes on him, but text messages would have to do for now. Besides, he wasn¡¯t really up for seeing his folks at the moment. Not only was most of Belport underwater, but he hadn¡¯t even had time to process the events with The Freakshow. Had all of it happened just last night? Mod jogged beside Arsenal, feeling numb. When they finally stopped in front of the Summit staging area, his hands were shaking. ¡°Are you okay? Your heart is racing.¡± Mod almost jumped at TINA¡¯s voice in his earpiece. ¡°Everything okay?¡± Arsenal asked. ¡°Yeah,¡± Mod said quickly. ¡°Just tired.¡± The pair walked over to the makeshift gate. Several supers and armed guards stopped them. The center super, dressed in gleaming medieval-style armor, stepped up to them. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Names and affiliations.¡± Arsenal answered for them. ¡°Arsenal and Mod. We work with McGuire, Cherry, Larian, and Krystal.¡± The knight stared at Mod, then stood up a little straighter. The super tapped his earpiece and muttered, ¡°Unaffiliated. A guard will escort you inside. You are to stay with the rest of the new recruits. Don¡¯t leave until you¡¯re given the order to.¡± Mod and Arsenal exchanged a glance but stayed silent. The guards looked them up and down, but the other supers were glaring at Mod. He tried to ignore them. Word must have spread about what happened to Hunter Nine. Mod had almost forgotten about it. Compared to the events with The Freakshow and the tsunamis, his feud with Hunter Nine felt miniscule. One guard broke off from the group and led them to the front of the building and through the main foyer. Tables littered the open room and DSA agents buzzed between them. The guard ushered them into a large side room¡ªthe kind made for presentations or lectures. It gave Mod the uneasy feeling of being back at Belport University. The guard said, ¡°Try to stay together with your group. A member of the Summit will be in shortly¡­ You can leave your armor in the back of the room if you¡¯re comfortable.¡± Arsenal glanced around and muttered, ¡°Thanks.¡± The room was already three-quarters full, and most of the supers turned around to look at them. It was an interesting assortment¡ªmost looked like they were wearing homemade costumes rather than anything professional. Ski masks, costume domino masks, one person was even wearing panty hose over their face. At first, Mod was taken aback; was this really the best of the unregistered masks of Belport? But Mod checked himself and his assumptions. After all, only a few months ago he¡¯d been running around wearing similar gear. Hell, McGuire still wore homemade stuff. Not everyone had a multi-million dollar private lab, a retired cape, and an AI at their disposal. Seeing the rest of the supers in the room made Mod feel self-conscious about his suit. It was matte black with gray swirls¡ªchannels of non-newtonian fluid that would harden under impacts. They both acted as a layer of armor plates and as braces when punching and kicking. Even though the helmet was completely solid like Arsenal¡¯s exosuit helmet, thin fabric covered the parts that the hard shell didn¡¯t. McGuire said it made him look like a cyborg. Mod felt stronger just wearing it¡ª Except for right now. Now he just felt overdressed. They grabbed a pair of open chairs in the back corner of the room. Arsenal climbed out of her exosuit and left it in the back of the room, which elicited more stares from the rest of the capes. Because of the occasion, she¡¯d opted to wear a mask along with her bodysuit. Meanwhile, her exosuit stood in the back of the room with the sleek lines of a fighter jet. At least the other supers in the room wouldn¡¯t know Hunter Nine and have any prejudices against Mod. They hadn¡¯t discussed it beforehand, but Arsenal seemed as keen as Mod did on keeping all of the prospective new capes in view. The air was a mix of nervousness and excitement. Only a few of the masks were whispering amongst themselves. Mod glanced around the room, trying to see if he could suss out any of their powers at a glance or at least identify any fellow artificers or gadgeteers. Two supers had weapons sitting beside their chairs¡ªa battleaxe and a metal bo staff. Another had giant white wings folded behind their back. Two more supers played with piles of ice and sand on their desks, respectively. Another super has reflective panels along their suit. But other than those clues, Mod couldn¡¯t tell outright what anyone else¡¯s powers were. That followed with his experience out on the streets and rooftops of Belport though. Unless someone had an obvious physical mutation or were actively using their powers, it wouldn¡¯t be easy to tell what they were working with. There didn¡¯t appear to be anyone else like him or Arsenal¡ª At least not until McGuire walked into the room. McGuire¡¯s outfit might¡¯ve been more homemade than the others, but there was an air of put-togetherness that made him stand out amongst the rest of the recruits. He had the look of a safari guide¡ªkhaki clothes and vest along with an enormous backpack. His mask¡­ Well, maybe that fit in with the rest of the homemade outfits. It looked like McGuire had just cut holes in a scarf and wrapped it around his face. Cherry, Larian, and Krystal looked more put together. Cherry opted for leather, a small domino mask, and long pink hair. Larian¡¯s bodysuit shimmered like dark green snakeskin. Meanwhile, Krystal was dressed in all black like the goths used to wear. Her bright blue hair was her only color. Mod saw his friends and waved. McGuire waved back, then all four of them walked over to their corner of the room and grabbed seats. They looked as tense as Mod felt. McGuire slung his enormous backpack into his lap and pushed down the top so that he could see over it. He whispered, ¡°So, this is Belport¡¯s finest?¡± Cherry elbowed him. ¡°Be nice.¡± Krystal added, ¡°Yeah, not all of us wore our safari-Sunday best.¡± McGuire scoffed and crossed his arms. ¡°Some of us have to carry things around.¡± Larian ignored the exchange. ¡°We are certainly an odd mix.¡± Arsenal¡¯s hand brushed Mod¡¯s, as if to remind him that she was still there beside him. Mod smiled. Despite the craziness of the last twenty-four hours, just having his friends beside him, made Mod feel better. Then the door swung open again, and three Summit capes walked into the room. The first wore a bright white and gold suit, like an ancient Greek goddess might¡¯ve worn. The second was dressed in wizard robes and wore an enormous emerald green gauntlet on his right hand.. Mod didn¡¯t recognize them, but he¡¯d look them up in his database later. The third cape wore a crystalline blue bodysuit and mask. Her mask was criss-crossed with an intricate geometric design. Mod recognized her immediately. Serenity. Hunter Nine¡¯s partner. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 4.2 — Briefing The three Summit capes walked down the stairs to the front of the lecture hall. The room turned quiet as whispers cut off all at once. Supers shifted in their seats and sat up straight. Mod half-watched. He kept his eye on the door, but no one else came in. No Hunter Nine. Mod wasn¡¯t sure if that made him feel better. He¡¯d almost rather have seen the cape up and walking around. Rather seen him healed and maybe even holding a grudge. If Hunter Nine was still laid up in the hospital, how would his partner react? Mod stiffened in his seat as the Summit capes cast scrutinizing glances across the room. As far as Mod knew, neither Serenity nor Hunter Nine had seen his new combat suit. Hopefully, no reports had made it back to the Summit yet. Serenity had, however, seen Arsenal¡¯s exosuit, which stood behind them. Serenity didn¡¯t miss it. Her eyes lingered on the exosuit and her eyes narrowed. She continued looking around the room, but then stared directly at Mod. The first super, the woman dressed in golden armor, stepped forward. ¡°My name is Luminara. This is Rohdan of the Runebound, and this is Serenity. We¡¯re not here to talk about the war. As far as you¡¯re concerned, nothing in Europe matters. Nothing in Africa, nothing in South America matters. Nothing in New York or Florida. Your only concern right now is our city and the safety of refugees on the outskirts. I understand that some of you might have family elsewhere in the States or abroad, but if you¡¯re working with us, you will be here until the situation is stable. Don¡¯t ask me when that will be because I don¡¯t know. ¡°You¡¯re sitting in this room because you¡¯ve been fast-tracked for Summit evaluation. The Summit keeps tabs on promising masks¡ªdon¡¯t ask how. It doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is you¡¯re here now. ¡°Before you wade back into the city for patrol, you¡¯ll undergo basic competency tests with your abilities. Some of your abilities will be better suited to specific roles within a squad, but we pride ourselves on working with a variety of powersets. ¡°That being said, combat experience is good, but it isn¡¯t everything. Most of you are loners. No one in the Summit works alone. So if you want to work with us, you¡¯ll need to work on a team. This isn¡¯t an organization for hotshots or assholes. If you can¡¯t shelve that ego or fold it into something manageable, if you can¡¯t put the needs of Belport or your squad above your own, then you have no place in the Summit of Heroes. ¡°Serenity and Rohdan will lead your evaluations. We¡¯ll be taking you outside in small groups. Please wait here until a member of the Summit¡ª¡± Luminara¡¯s watch started beeping, followed by the other two capes¡¯ watches. A moment later, a siren sounded outside. The veteran capes didn¡¯t pause. Luminara turned back to the room of waiting supers. ¡°Wait here.¡± Serenity¡¯s glare fell on Mod, and his throat tightened. ¡°Mod, Arsenal¡­ And your friends. You¡¯re coming with me.¡± Mod¡¯s group shared uneasy glances. Mod¡¯s face felt hot as the rest of the room turned and stared at them. Mutters rose like a wave coming in. The other two capes paused at the unexpected turn, but neither of the other capes said anything. Serenity waited for Arsenal to suit up and for both of them to get to the door. Then she escorted them out while the rest of the masks stayed behind. Mod, Arsenal, McGuire, Cherry, Larian, and Krystal followed Serenity outside to the parking lot, where three military-style helicopters waited for them. Each bore the Summit S on the hull and each was modified so that they were smaller¡ªnarrower blade diameter and shorter tail¡ªso that they could get in and out of urban environments easier. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Summit capes were shouting to guards and boarding helicopters. A handful of capes were already levitating under their own power and positioned to fly beside the helicopters. Serenity waved Mod and Arsenal over to the nearest helicopter and hopped aboard. Mod leaned close and looked inside. There were two other capes sitting inside on the bench¡ªtwo mages by the looks of their robes¡ªbut he didn¡¯t recognize either of them. One wore dark blue and the other wore black. Deep hoods obscured both of their faces. Arsenal shouted over the siren. ¡°We can fly.¡± Serenity glanced at both of them and said sternly, ¡°You can fly, but stay with me. Mod and the rest of you, find an open spot in the transports. Tune your comms to the Summit¡¯s third frequency. Consider this your evaluation.¡± McGuire muttered to Arsenal, ¡°Just don¡¯t go and leave us with the man.¡± Then Mod and the rest of their teammates loaded into the helicopters, leaving Arsenal to fly. Mod¡¯s team sat on one side. Serenity and the mages sat on the other. The intermittent chopping of helicopter blades sped up until it was a steady whirr, and the helicopter lurched upward. Mod¡¯s group glanced out the windows nervously. Serenity¡¯s glare stayed focused on Mod. ¡°Check, check,¡± Arsenal said through the comms. ¡°We read you,¡± Serenity replied. ¡°Now, listen up. We¡¯ve divided up into three teams and we¡¯re going to clear a path through downtown and hold position on the edge of South Side. If these attacks are anything like what the rest of the world is experiencing, then they should be easy to repel. Push back hard enough, and the Deep Ones will retreat¡ªthat¡¯s our goal. Fight hard, but don¡¯t put yourself in unnecessary danger. ¡°We¡¯re still not sure exactly what type of powers the Deep Ones have, but they¡¯re a hive-mind, so they communicate with each other telepathically. Some also have hydrokinesis and cryokinesis.¡± The helicopters were flying fast over the flooded city. Waves churned outside the windows. Serenity continued, ¡°The plan is to stick to the roofs. If you have ranged abilities, congrats¡ªyou¡¯ll be leading the assault. Concentrate your fire and shoot to kill. Once the Deep Ones experience significant enough losses, they¡¯ll retreat. ¡°Everyone else, you¡¯re on defense. Protect your ranged teammates. Any questions?¡± Someone spoke through the comms. ¡°Ma¡¯am, do we need to worry about being mind-controlled?¡± Serenity¡¯s lips cracked into the faintest of smiles. ¡°No. There are no reports of the Deep Ones taking over their enemies. It could be that they¡¯re not biologically similar enough. Anything else?¡± Mod stared back. He¡¯d seen footage in the lab of other creatures with the Deep Ones¡ªnot just the standard human-size ones. There had been monsters with them. Mod just wasn¡¯t sure how to ask Serenity that question¡­ since he was pretty sure that particular footage had been classified. In the end, he decided to just ask. They were at war, and if the Summit was going to get hung up on how Mod got his info, then they could go fuck themselves. ¡°What other creatures do they have with them?¡± To her credit, Serenity didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°The species called the Deep Ones actually has three main types of combatant. The first are regular soldiers¡ªroughly equivalent to Class One. They¡¯re melee fighters without any ranged attacks. ¡°The second are the mages. They¡¯re not much different, except for their larger heads and their hydrokinesis and cryokinesis. They¡¯re anywhere from Class Two to Three, and seem to be the commanding officers. ¡°The third are their shock troopers. Larger bodies, longer limbs. They¡¯re at least Class Two and are fast and tough. ¡°The last are the larger monstrosities. Everything from mutated whales to titanic squid. They¡¯re anywhere from Class Two to Three, or even more, and present their own unique challenges.¡± McGuire cleared his throat. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to sound like a nerd, but colossal squids aren¡¯t that big¡­¡± Serenity stared at him impatiently. ¡°What¡¯s your name, recruit?¡± ¡°McGuire, uh, ma¡¯am.¡± Skyscrapers of downtown passed by and rain was beading against the window. ¡°I meant what I said, McGuire. Unless you¡¯re confident in your abilities against a Class Two combatant, stay away from the shock troopers. And if we encounter one of their monstrosities, call for backup. We¡¯ll get Golden Boy or one of the other ringers to handle it.¡± A voice came over the radio. ¡°Serenity, we have contact.¡± Arsenal added, ¡°Your two o¡¯clock. A cluster of soldiers and a mage on a parking garage. Permission to engage.¡± ¡°Wait until we set down, Arsenal. Then you¡¯re clear. Stay low when you disembark. And remember, stay together.¡± The helicopter lurched again as it descended, and out the window, Mod saw the other helicopters following. They set down and then the Summit¡¯s newest recruits stepped out into the rain. Into war. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 4.3 — First Encounter Mod was the first one out of the helicopter. He stepped out and took position near the edge of the roof. They¡¯d set down on the roof of a department store¡ªit was a good choice. It was one of the tallest, and one of the few that wasn¡¯t an office building. One of the few that was mostly brick instead of glass. They were four or five stories up, and flooding held steady about one story above the ground. The rain was falling steadily now, and the gray waves swirled and churned below. Mod spared a quick glance behind him and saw the other two helicopters landing on adjacent buildings. Together, their positions formed a triangle, with Mod¡¯s team at the front, pointing toward South Side and toward their enemies. Serenity wasn¡¯t kidding when she said that this was their evaluation. Mod heard the faint footsteps of his teammates behind him, almost completely drowned out by the whirr of the helicopter blades. But he kept his eyes forward, half-fixed on the group of Deep Ones and half-scanning the water. Their targets were only a block away, close enough for Arsenal, Cherry, and the others to engage. The Deep Ones were a shade of green so dark it was almost black. Thin spines stuck out of their joints and in a ridge along their backs. Most of the Deep Ones were crouched and mulling about the roof, their long-limbs folded back like bats when they crawled. They seemed to paw at the surface of the roof, maybe trying to find a way inside. The other half of the group stood straight up and were staring directly at the capes. Their eyes were huge and white and their mouths were half-open, their needle-sharp teeth extending past their lips. Each time Mod met their eyes, his stomach turned. It felt like staring at a school of sharks. Only one stood out from the group, and it too was watching them. It was paler than the others, its spines smaller. At first glance it might¡¯ve looked young, but Mod quickly decided that it looked older than the others. The Deep Ones were clustered close enough together that Mod might be able to land a shot with his pistol, but that wasn¡¯t his job today. He was on defense. Arsenal landed beside him. McGuire, Cherry, Larian, and Krystal stepped up a moment later. Cherry brushed back her red hair. She muttered, ¡°They really went and put us at the front.¡± Serenity appeared beside them. ¡°Yes. As I said, this is your evaluation, and I wanted to see how you do for myself. Especially since some of you have gotten upgrades since we last spoke.¡± Mod tried to ignore her, but McGuire elbowed him. ¡°Good job, Mod¡­ Hey, that rhymes.¡± Serenity said, ¡°I¡¯m going to maintain an overwatch position and a soft psychic link between our group. You¡¯ll have a general sense of where your teammates are at any moment and whether they are in immediate danger, but that¡¯s all. I¡¯ll be the only voice you hear in your heads.¡± Mod glanced at Arsenal. With her helmet on, she was immune to psychic influence. ¡°I am here too,¡± TINA replied in their comms. ¡°I will relay information if needed.¡± Mod stiffened. It might¡¯ve been his imagination, but it felt like their entire group did as well. Krystal chuckled awkwardly and glanced in their direction. ¡°At least we¡¯re not alone.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Serenity eyed the Deep Ones for a moment. They were still clustered on the roof, but the mages in the center had started gesturing and clattering its teeth. Mod didn¡¯t need to hear or understand it to know that it was casting a spell. Serenity said quickly, ¡°No matter what you feel, you have two orders: One, maintain your offensive or defensive position. Two, follow my orders.¡± The two mages stepped beside serenity. The one in black robes spoke in a gruff voice. ¡°Permission to engage?¡± Serenity answered in a voice that was in Mod¡¯s ears as much as in his skull. ¡°Offensive teams, fire your first volley.¡± The air screamed with a dozen different powers: Arsenal¡¯s kinetic blasts, Cherry¡¯s blasts of explosive energy, lances of pure shadows from the mage in black, and McGuire fired his slingshot. A dozen other powers fired from the other rooftops: Beams of fire, spears of ice, arcs of electricity, and strange kaleidoscopic explosions. For a few seconds, the bluster of winds and crash of waves against buildings was completely overshadowed by the power of the Summit. When the blasts cleared, they saw a wall of ice where their enemies had been. It was a bright blue and had to have been incredibly thick. Some of the attacks had knocked craters into the ice, but none were deep enough to punch through. A gasp spread across the roof. Mod had felt confident that the Summit¡¯s superior numbers would give them an edge. But that single Deep Mage had rebuffed a volley from all three of their teams. It seemed like this would be a fairer fight than anyone anticipated. Meanwhile, Mod and the defensive team readied themselves. He caught the flicker of Fast-Response drones as they buzzed around the ice-covered building. TINA¡¯s voice came through a moment later. ¡°Their force is separating. Seven of their soldiers just dove into the water. Be ready.¡± Mod muttered a curse. Even with his UV and infrared sight, it was impossible to see through the churning waves. Mod asked, ¡°TINA, do you have a visual on their soldiers?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Who are you talking to?¡± Serenity asked, irritation bleeding into her voice. ¡°Eyes in the sky. Half their force broke off and went into the¡ªthere!¡± It had only been moments since the Deep Ones¡¯ force had split up, but there was movement in the waves just below their building. Fish-men soldiers clambered out of the water and up the side of the building, their hooked fingers digging into the bricks. If anything, they were climbing even faster than they swam. Mod pulled his pistol out of his leg compartment and fired at the nearest soldier. A sledgehammer round slammed into its shoulder. The fish-man slipped on the bricks but didn¡¯t fall. Its teeth chattered and the creature resumed climbing. Mod fired again, hitting it in the face and sending it crashing into the waves. They were tough, but Serenity was right¡ªthey were in line with Class One supers as far as durability went. Their claws would be another story¡­ Mod put away the pistol and pulled out his bo staff. Then he flicked the hidden switch on his staff. A long, slender blade popped out of one end, turning the staff into a broadaxe. In the back of his mind, Mod sensed that more fish-men were attacking the other teams. There must have been more Deep Ones hiding beneath the waves. Mod searched those feelings, hoping for an exact number of fish-men or whether there were more mages amongst their ranks, but he couldn¡¯t discern anything more than that gut feeling of danger. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Cherry fired at the climbing soldiers, knocking one back into the waves, and splitting another down the middle. ¡°Tough bastards!¡± she shouted. The nearest fish-men were almost upon them. Another second and¡ª Ice spikes grew around the roof¡ªKrystal¡¯s doing. They pointed down at the approaching deep ones like deadly stakes. The first fish-men recoiled from their edges, but the spikes weren¡¯t close enough together to bar the way completely. One soldier was already reaching through. Battle erupted across the other buildings as the fish-men neared the top of the roofs. ¡°Get back from the edges,¡± Serenity said. ¡°Defensive teams, get ready!¡± Mod, Arsenal, Krystal, and Larian¡¯s shadow tree stepped in front of the others. TINA said urgently, ¡°Incoming!¡± Mod glanced up, but his eyes locked on an approaching wave. The mass of water rolled and flared into a crest like it had struck something in the middle of the empty intersection. Ice shot out of the white cap. Mod shouted, ¡°Get down!¡± Mod¡¯s impact shield sprung from his left forearm compartment. A hail of icy daggers sailed over the roof. Mod managed to cover enough of his body with the impact shield¡ªice slammed into it, and it was only thanks to Mod¡¯s enhanced strength that he stayed on his feet. Arsenal held up the gauntlets of her exosuit, Larian¡¯s tree blocked ice with its branches. Krystal conjured her own formidable wall. ¡°Is everyone alright?!¡± someone shouted. Probably one of the mages. Mod didn¡¯t have time to look. The first of the Deep One¡¯s soldiers climbed over the roof. Mod slashed with his axe. The fish-man held up an arm to block, but the blade lopped its arm in half. Blue blood spurted from the end. The fish-man didn¡¯t react at all. Didn¡¯t howl, didn¡¯t blink, didn¡¯t gnash its teeth faster or slower. It used the stump to haul itself the rest of the way atop the roof. Before it could lunge, Mod swung again, this time bringing the blade down hard across its shoulder with robotic strength. This time the blow nearly cleaved the creature in half¡ªits body split apart like logs of firewood and fell backward off the roof. Larian¡¯s tree was similarly effective¡ªbatting the soldiers away like toys. Mod felt bursts of power from his left, which must¡¯ve come from the blue-robed mage¡ªthey felt like Cherry¡¯s bomb attack, except much shorter and wider, like a shotgun spread. Mod could only keep track of so much in the maelstrom that followed. Occasional shots came from the offensive team. Arsenal shifted to be closer to Krystal, using her exosuit in melee. TINA said, ¡°Be advised, there were more Deep Ones in hiding.¡± Then they were all forced to duck again as another hail of icy projectiles flew at the roof. They¡¯d been lucky so far, but there were so many projectiles that it was just a matter of time before someone got seriously injured. ¡°We have to get rid of that mage!¡± Mod shouted. ¡°Larian, can you summon your crow?¡± The summoner was crouched behind the giant tree, moving in almost perfect sync with the creature. ¡°Yes. I can bring Tuke here,¡± he said. ¡°What are you planning?¡± Serenity asked. ¡°Permission to take the fight to them?¡± There was a deafening pause as Mod slashed another fish-man and kicked it over the edge. ¡°I need a defense and fast attack to fill in at the front.¡± Serenity¡¯s voice sounded distant as she cast her voice to the rest of the teams. ¡°Mod, Arsenal, it¡¯s your turn. You either take the mage out quickly, or fall back. Heroes don¡¯t last long in the Summit.¡± On command, Larian pressed his hands together. Darkness swirled around him, and a muted thundercrack echoed overhead. Tuke, the giant black crow, dove out of the clouds. It circled around the building, causing the Deep Ones to pause. Mod shouted for Arsenal. She clasped his hand and rocketed away. Mod Tuke¡¯s shadowy form followed just over her shoulder. The chittering sounds of the fish-men soldiers faded as they hurtled through the air. They crossed the block in seconds, flying high over the ice walls of the building. The fish-mage was surrounded by several soldiers, and the group glared up at the heroes with expressionless eyes. The mage raised a webbed hand and hurled spikes of ice at them. Mod blocked them easily with his shield and others shattered on Arsenal¡¯s exosuit. Tuke spun and dove at the roof with startling speed, but the mage raised a shell of ice, completely walling off the roof. Tuke let out a sharp, surprised cry and pulled up. They had to break through the ice and take out the mage. It was time to try another maneuver. ¡°Fastball?¡± Arsenal asked. ¡°Do it.¡± Arsenal hovered overhead, then spun around like a top. Mod held on tight to her exosuit glove, then released on the third rotation, diving straight down toward the icy dome of the roof. Mod braced his shoulder against his shield as he plummeted. Above him, Arsenal fired a flared burst of power. The shockwave propelled him downward even faster. The air screamed around him, so loud that Mod could barely hear Arsenal¡¯s additional shots; she¡¯d shot the ice, softening it so he could break through easier. It probably wasn¡¯t necessary¡ªMod didn¡¯t just break through. He burst through. Mod felt the first tremor of impact against his shield and shoulder. Then he slammed into the roof, tucked and rolled into the fray. He rose and slashed at the nearest fish-man¡ªa soldier¡ªand cleaved its arm off. He slashed wide to fend off attacks from other soldiers. Still, their arms were long enough that Mod still had to duck to avoid them completely. Arsenal crashed through the ice dome a breath later¡ªshattering it completely. Her impact shook the roof and ice rained down on the battle. The fish-mage had backed away from both of them, conjuring thick wedges of ice to hide behind, then hurling spears made from the collapsed dome. Mod and Arsenal turned into a whirlwind¡ªaxe, shield, kinetic blasts, and metal. Immediately, the fish-men changed tactics. They backed into the far corner of the roof, the soldiers clamoring to protect the mage. Mod felt a pit in his stomach, even as he fought. It had only been a day since their fight with The Freakshow, and it was eerie seeing the perfect coordination of a hive-mind again. The soldiers and mage moved in perfect step, their attacks overlapping without getting in each other¡¯s way, like a single organism with a dozen limbs. Even their teeth gnashed in unison. Mod¡¯s axe cut the arm off of one soldier and another reached through the new gap to slash at him. Then a crippled one used the cover to lunge around and tried to bite him. Arsenal¡¯s kinetic blasts blasted chunks out of the icy barricades, but she couldn¡¯t hit the same place twice as other soldiers forced her off balance. No¡ªeerie wasn¡¯t the right word to describe encountering a hive-mind like this. Otherworldly¡­ Eldritch¡­ like fighting a nightmare that you couldn¡¯t wake up from. But this wasn¡¯t a nightmare, and Mod had tricks of his own. Mod pushed forward, for the first time coming well-within arm¡¯s reach of the snarling soldiers. Nails scraped across his shield as he blocked one attack and slashed at the legs of another. There was a gap in the ice, just wide enough to see the chittering form of the mage. Too thin even to jab his axe-staff through¡ª Claws swiped across his thigh, but Mod¡¯s suit took the worst of it. Mod¡¯s prehensile whip extended out of his right arm and snaked through the gap. While still fighting, Mod grabbed hold of the mage and sent a full-power electrical charge through the whip. The fish-mage spasmed and collapsed. Mod quickly recoiled his whip and stepped back¡ªnarrowly avoiding another attack. The soldiers, who had once been coordinated, turned absolutely feral. Two of the remaining fish-men lunged for Mod, slashing as much at each other as they did at him, like sharks in a feeding frenzy. Mod backpedaled, blocking and retaliating. He threw all his strength behind wild swings, gutting both soldiers in a single blow, then quickly cleaving through them each in turn. Mod turned toward Arsenal, chest heaving and ready to help her, but she had already finished off her own foes. They lay at her feet, unmoving and crumpled at painful angles. The pair of supers locked eyes, both their faces unreadable behind their masks. ¡°Not bad,¡± Clara said. Mod smiled, but their relief was short-lived. ¡°Get back here!¡± Serenity¡¯s panicked voice shook them out of the moment. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Arsenal said, her thrusters already powering up. Mod paused, then rushed over and decapitated the downed mage. It had been a cold and calculated movement¡­ Even if the Deep Ones were trying to kill them, even if they were a hive-mind without individuality¡­ Killing the mage felt wrong. But Mod didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it. He went to Arsenal, dispelled his shield, and locked hands with her. He deliberately avoided looking at the bloody roof and the slaughtered remains of the Deep Ones. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 4.4 — Maximillian 4 / Serenity 1 Out of the corner of his eye, McGuire saw Mod, Arsenal, and the giant black crow fly off toward the icy building and the fish-mage. Serenity had called for two more supers to swap from other towers to replace Mod and Arsenal, but that didn¡¯t make McGuire feel any better. They weren¡¯t members of his team. Besides, Mod and Arsenal were monsters. Unless these replacements were absolute ringers, their roof was handicapped. McGuire grit his teeth as he fired his slingshot. A bolstered marble slammed into the face of one of the monsters. The fish-soldier whimpered and slipped through the ice¡ªpresumably back into the waves below. He¡¯d lost count of how many marbles he¡¯d shot, but his arm and shoulder were already burning with effort. The marbles were similar to the sledgehammer rounds that Mod used in his pistol. They were imbued so that they were four times as light when in his backpack, and four times as heavy when out of it. He¡¯d never wanted to carry a gun, so these were a nonlethal compromise. The marbles were one of the first things McGuire created when he became a super. And the first time McGuire used them, he¡¯d broken his sparring partner¡¯s arm. He hadn¡¯t used them since. Now he had hundreds of them in his backpack. Or had¡­ Again, McGuire had no idea how many he¡¯d fired already. Sweat beaded on McGuire¡¯s forehead as he weaved between his teammates. Despite the crazy scene and despite being down their two strongest teammates, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. He wasn¡¯t having fun, per se. If they survived, maybe one day they¡¯d look back on this fight and laugh, like one of those you-had-to-be-there jokes. Maybe it was the ridiculousness of it that he was smiling at. Either way, McGuire felt like a lunatic. No one else was smiling¡ªnot even Krystal. Deep Ones climbed over the barricade of ice spikes and were thankfully cut down just as quickly. These dudes gave McGuire the creeps; the only reason he didn¡¯t shiver each time their cold, white eyes glared at him was because McGuire was already sweating through his clothes. The few Deep Ones that made it over the spikes were batted or blasted away. Larian¡¯s tree, despite its bulk, moved startlingly fast when it wanted to. The blue mage was another solid defender. She blasted enemies back with waves of force that reminded him vaguely of Athena¡ª Goddamnit, they could¡¯ve used Athena right now. She probably could¡¯ve taken half of these guys by herself. The next time McGuire saw Athena, he¡¯d give her a piece of his mind¡­ Which would really entail begging her to work with them again. McGuire turned to see two fish-men climbing over the ice barricade. He loaded a rocket-powered bolas onto his slingshot and fired. The trap wrapped around both soldiers, pinning one¡¯s head to the other¡¯s chest. McGuire slipped his brass knuckles over his fingers, then leapt forward. His boots hurtled him through the air and McGuire hit the tied-up soldiers with a flying punch. They tumbled back and over the edge, and McGuire ducked back into the ranks. He spared a glance at the ice-covered building, wishing that Mod and Arsenal would hurry the hell up. ~ ~ Serenity hovered over the battlefield, both maintaining the soft psychic link between teams and probing the hive-mind of her enemies. For now, Summit forces were holding their ground, but they couldn¡¯t keep this up forever. Some of the capes were better suited to prolonged fights than others, and she could already feel that some of them were getting tired. In a smaller fight, she could¡¯ve eased their exhaustion, but she would never attempt it with so many. Serenity knew her limits. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. That was why they were out here¡ªwhy they were risking their necks for a city that had already been evacuated. The Summit needed information, and a direct, small-scale confrontation was the best way to get it. They needed to know how the Deep Ones fought, how they coordinated. When they would change tactics, and when they would retreat. ¡­If they would retreat. Hive-minds weren¡¯t known for valuing their individual members, so there was a very real possibility that Deep Ones would fight to the last member. Serenity''s own experience with hive-minds was limited. She¡¯d come up against tethered minds before¡ªpsychics that had bonded to one or two other persons. Tethering had a bad connotation in the psychic community. Most were unhealthy or even villainous, like The Freakshow. But there were examples of healthy tethers: The Brothers VaLance were twin capes who shared a familial tether. Serenity had even heard of romantic partners who tethered to one another. There wasn¡¯t an exact formula for when a tethered group would dissolve into a hive-mind. It depended greatly on the relationship between members. There were reports of families of almost ten members that were tethered and still maintained their individuality. But there were also pairs where one person had usurped the other. Thankfully, soft links were both easy to form and break. Serenity only considered herself a moderately powerful psychic, but maintaining the link between the three teams wasn¡¯t difficult. Of course, they could only convey the simplest of thoughts, like danger, but that was enough for Summit purposes. Serenity had always thought of soft links like a climbing harness. It didn¡¯t communicate as much as a phone call or even a text message, but it gave you a general idea of where your teammate was and it would let you know when someone slipped and fell. Despite all that was known about psychics, tethers, and hive-minds, there was no way to guess how the Deep One¡¯s hive-mind operated. So as the battle went on, Serenity turned the rest of her focus to probing the minds of the creatures. She felt them, almost as clearly as she felt the connections between her own teammates. But each time Serenity pushed against the Deep Ones, she couldn¡¯t help but recoil. The connections between them were wispy and clung to her mind like a spiderweb. Each time she brushed against the web, it brought flashes of darkness, needle-sharp teeth, the taste of salt, and the feeling of drowning. She felt like a child cracking open the door to a dark, creepy basement. She could only bear to look for a moment at a time before slamming the door shut again out of fear. Serenity had been scared by tethered minds before, but they had been small and, most importantly, human. Peeking at the hive-mind of the Deep Ones felt primal and horrifying, like catching glimpses of sharks in the darkness. There were monsters behind the basement door, and the only salvation was that she was too small for the monsters to notice. Despite the shivers each time Serenity peeked into the basement, she kept prodding. Eventually, she felt the mage. It huddled on the edge of what she could see, like a spider hiding in the corner of its web. She could feel it plucking at the strings, directing soldiers and holding others back. It wasn¡¯t direct control. Not really. To Serenity, it felt like the mage was simply a signal booster for the hive-mind. It wasn¡¯t the source. The source was out there at the bottom of the ocean. In the oppressing darkness. And then she felt the mage die. It was unmistakable and final. Serenity breathed a sigh of relief. Mod and Arsenal had done it. Somehow, Serenity knew they would. They were capable, dangerous, and full of potential. She just hoped they would work with the Summit and not be a thorn in their side. She felt the death of the mage ripple across the psychic web of her enemies. It wasn¡¯t enough for the entire web to break. That would¡¯ve been too easy. Still, the mage¡¯s death reverberated across the battlefield. Then she felt something else. The psychic web that bound the hive-mind together began to writhe. It was like a once calm lake that was now filled with hungry piranha. The fish-men were too far away from the underwater cities and now there was no mage to control them. Serenity felt the full force of the Deep One¡¯s stirring¡ªfelt the soldiers that had been lying in wait beneath the waves. Now they had no direction, no guidance¡­ The nearest soldiers grew absolutely enraged. They lost all thought of coordination or self-preservation, and threw themselves at the capes. Serenity¡¯s teams cut down the first few, but more were climbing up the sides. Serenity had opened the closet door to peek into the darkness, afraid to see a pair of eyes staring back. Now there were hundreds¡ªtoo many to count. And they were pouring out of the sea, like a damn burst. Serenity reached out to Mod and Arsenal. ¡°Get back here!¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 4.5 — Not Done Yet Even though the dome of ice overtop of the building had been destroyed, thick sheets still covered the outside of the building. These rose high enough that Mod and Arsenal couldn¡¯t see past their own small battleground¡ª Not until Arsenal flew them both up into the air. A minute ago, the three teams of Summit capes had been defending against simultaneous attacks by the Deep Ones. The soldiers had hive-mind coordination, but the attacks had been steady enough that the capes could fend them off. Even at the beginning of the fight, Mod had doubts about the Deep Ones¡¯ strategy¡ªwere they hoping to wear out the Summit? Or maybe they were learning about the Summit¡¯s capabilities¡­ Either way, there was no strategy anymore. Hundreds of Deep Ones were climbing out of the water and up the buildings. They swarmed up the sides, clambering over each other, so crazed they looked like waves crashing upon the walls. TINA was right¡ªthe Deep Ones had reinforcements in hiding. The Summit teams were still atop the three original buildings but now they were backed into the center of the roof. Krystal had conjured ice spikes around the edge of the roof, which slowed them down considerably. Cherry, McGuire, and the shadow mage hurled attacks at the fish-men as they reached the top, while the blue mage and Larian¡¯s tree stepped forward to blast and bat away any enemies that the others missed. As Mod and Arsenal closed the distance in the air, Mod felt the soft psychic link return and gained a deeper understanding of the battlefield. Krystal seemed strained. She stood in the center of her allies, unmoving, solely focused on repairing the constant damage to the ice. An ice mage on another roof copied Krystal¡¯s spike defenses, but the third team didn¡¯t have that luxury. Their team was huddled in the center of the highest roof and fighting for their lives. Fire and magic and explosions echoed across the roof. Serenity hovered above the fray, using her psychic power on the frenzied soldiers, slowing and confusing them. Tuke circled around, yanking unsuspecting soldiers off the roof. Meanwhile, the other capes hurled blasts and bombs with reckless abandon. Even with Serenity and Tuke aiding them, the third team was losing ground. ¡°We need to help Serenity¡¯s roof,¡± Mod said. ¡°Already on it,¡± Arsenal replied. She burned hotter and rocketed toward the building. But something else was climbing out of the water, and it took Mod a second to realize that he was seeing one of the shock troopers. Each of its limbs was longer than a soldier was tall. It climbed over the mass of soldiers like a giant spider, covering an entire floor with each step. Arsenal veered toward the new monster, her and Mod clearly thinking the same thing. ¡°Party crasher,¡± Arsenal called out. It was a move similar to fastball, except that Arsenal was the lead. She spun once, just enough to toss Mod upward. Momentum carried Mod through the air, and for a moment, the two of them flew parallel toward their target. Then Arsenal burned hot, accelerating like a missile. The spider-like creature turned toward the new sound. Too late¡ª Arsenal slammed into the giant fish-man, tackling it through the glass. Both of them disappeared into the building. Mod was a breath behind them. His momentum carried him close enough to lash out with his whip and pull him through the shattered window. Mod skidded to a halt beside Arsenal. Both already had their axe and blasters raised. They were standing in the middle of a suite of offices. Papers and broken furniture were strewn across the floor where Arsenal had crashed through. The shock trooper crouched low across the room, its long limbs folded like a bat. Its entire body was sinewy, and its skin was stretched taut over sinewy muscle. Even as tucked and compact as the creature had made itself, its elbow was almost as tall as Mod. The most unnerving thing was that it didn¡¯t attack right away¡ªnot like the frenzied soldiers outside. A second passed where both heroes and the creature studied one another. Its eyes were wide and milky, but it didn¡¯t seem blind. It stared right at them. Its mouth yawned, revealing thick tusks, and its voice was a high-pitched whine like ringing glass. Arsenal fired. Kinetic blasts sailed toward the creature, but it leapt out of the way and down a hallway. It moved with huge, leaping strides, like a cross between a frog and a spider, its limbs bending like the creature was double-jointed. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Arsenal¡¯s systems hummed as she poured power into her shots¡ªthe next volley blew out the walls. Mod followed the creature, keeping both his impact shield and axe ready. But inside his stomach turned from watching the creature move. It reminded him too much of Lou, the Freakshow¡¯s contortionist. He pushed the thought aside and focused on the battle at hand. Arsenal was essentially firing blind, but even if she didn¡¯t hit the shock trooper, the fish-men outside were getting shredded. A haze of dust clouded the air. Mod couldn¡¯t hear anything over the sound of splintering wood, tile, and glass, as Arsenal shredded the entire floor¡ª But he felt the ground tremble. Thump, thump, thump, thump¡ª The shock trooper leapt around the corner, attacking Arsenal¡¯s flank. If it were any other enemy, Arsenal would¡¯ve had time to turn and defend herself¡ªthe fish-man was still ten feet away. But instead of pouncing, it slashed at her. Its sinewy arm and dagger long claws reached across the entire room. Mod threw himself shoulder-first into Arsenal, knocking her to the side. At the same time, Mod raised his shield. A single gruesome talon scraped across the shield, while a second swept over Mod¡¯s head, and the third slashed across his legs. Mod winced and lashed out with his axe, slashing across the creature¡¯s forearm¡ªcutting deep enough that he felt the blade stop at the bone. The shock trooper pulled back its limp hand and hissed as it disappeared around the corner. Arsenal grunted in frustration, then rocketed after it. She burst through the wall and disappeared from view. Mod tried to run after her but pain shot through his right leg. He stumbled and caught himself. Mod looked down to find his right calf had a deep gash. The creature¡¯s claw had cut clean through his suit. Mod could still put weight on his leg, but he didn¡¯t dare jump or run on it. He grit his teeth as Arsenal and the creature burst through a nearby wall. Just out of reach. Serenity¡¯s voice felt distant. ¡°Liara is down, but alive.¡± Mod sucked in a breath. Their teams would feel the loss of every fighter, but at least they were alive. ¡­Mod¡¯s very next thought felt shameful: At least it wasn¡¯t one of his friends. Outside, the swarm of fish-men was still climbing the buildings. Gunshots sounded¡ªthey were distant, but reminded him of the report of the Fast-Response Drones. Hopefully, TINA had brought reinforcements¡­ Even if they killed the shock trooper, they still had an entire army to deal with. Crash! Thump, thump. Thump, thump. Mod¡¯s mind raced. He couldn¡¯t chase after the shock trooper; it was far too fast. But even if Mod was crippled, he could still help. He just had to listen, then he could cut it off. Then together, he and Arsenal could corner it. Mod turned to follow the sound of the creature¡ª And came face-to-face with a second shock trooper climbing through the windows. And a third. The two new fish-men climbed through the splintered remains of the office. They ignored the war outside and the commotion inside, and stared directly at him. Mod¡¯s knuckles cracked as he clenched his axe. ¡°Arsenal¡­ We¡¯ve got two more.¡± Mod popped a handful of smoke pellets. Through a haze of infrared and UV, Mod saw the creatures lunge for him. For a moment, it felt like he was underwater, surrounded by sharks. He rolled across the room and grabbed a sonic grenade out of his utility belt. The whine of the sonic drowned out everything, except the rumbling of Arsenal¡¯s battle as she chased the third shock trooper through the building. Mod had no idea how much the creatures relied on sight or sound. They lived in the deep sea, so the smoke pellets might not impair them a lot, but he was willing to bet that the combination of attacks would turn things in his favor. The fish-men paused, their heads twitching in irritation at the sound. Mod could just make out their gnashing teeth in the infrared glow. They scanned the room, looking for him. Arsenal and the third fish-man crashed through a wall behind Mod and then through another wall to his left. The other two enemies turned their heads toward the sound. Mod slipped a noise maker out of his pouch. Then he grabbed a chunk of broken furniture and tossed both things across the room. Both fish-men turned toward the distraction. Mod didn¡¯t miss his chance. He lunged for the nearest creature, axe swinging in a violent arc. It slashed deep across the creature¡¯s back. Mod pivoted and slashed twice quickly across the creature¡¯s side, disemboweling it before it could turn. It fell to its knees. Mod lunged for the second creature, narrowly avoiding its claws it swiped wildly. He was an arm¡¯s length away from its body¡ªalmost too close to use his axe effectively, but safely within the creature¡¯s massive reach. Mod slashed quickly across the fish-man¡¯s arms, then across its throat. He heard the spray of blood hit his mask. The fish-man bore down on him, mouth wide. Mod recoiled, but fell and landed on his back. The infrared glow of the creature¡¯s teeth grew large. Mod clutched his staff tightly and propped the end of it against the floor. The crippled fish-man fell neck-first onto the blade, impaling itself. Its gnashing teeth slowed but didn¡¯t stop. The whine of the sonic cut off suddenly, and Mod glanced over to see Arsenal standing in the smoke. She fired kinetic blasts through the broken windows, picking off fish-men soldiers as they tried to climb past outside. Arsenal scoffed. ¡°Two of them? Show off.¡± Thankfully, she¡¯d escaped with just a few scratches on her exosuit. A snarl from the wounded creature brought Mod back to the moment. He didn¡¯t wait. He twisted the blade, nearly cutting the fish-man¡¯s head off. Then he got up and checked the other enemy before breathing a sigh of relief. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Arsenal asked, pointing at Mod¡¯s injured leg. Mod waved away her concern. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Serenity¡¯s voice cut in. ¡°If you both are done, we could use you up on the roof!¡± ~ ~ ~ STUB UPDATE: Book 4 comes down on JULY 30th! Totally posted the wrong STUB notice initially, so I wanted to make sure everyone saw the updated timeline. Due to Amazon''s exclusivity stuff for Kindle Unlimited when the book goes live on there I have to take it down off RR and other serial sites. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. As always though, if for some reason you didn''t finish reading Book 4, just let me know and I can send you a copy. To all you guys following along, thanks again! It''s been awesome seeing everyone keeping up with the story and I''m glad to be able to share it with everyone! Chapter 6.1 — Scouting the Backup Lab TIMESTAMP ERROR DETECTED APPROXIMATELY -4.5.23 PRE-INCIDENT Emmett couldn¡¯t remember the last time he left Belport. It was probably to see Aunt Rose¡ªthe only family on his mom¡¯s side that was close by. She was about an hour away, if there wasn¡¯t traffic. Dad insisted on driving when there wasn¡¯t any traffic, which meant they always left at odd hours. Sometimes that meant super early on a weekend morning or late at night. Most times it meant whenever Dad felt like it¡ª10:30 AM or 2:30 PM. Maybe that was why Emmett was thinking of that right now¡­ They¡¯d spent the last two weeks of Summer and another week of September planning to leave Belport. TINA had run simulations. Based on road traffic and drone patterns, 11:15 AM on a Tuesday was the optimum time for them to leave Belport. There also happened to be a commuter bus leaving around that time. So, Emmett, Clara, Athena, and Lock set out with an array of disguises and masks. Most of them would pass with hoodies and obscured faces, but it was harder to hide Lock¡¯s size. The nanites coalesced into an oversized work jacket and a graying beard. Clara chuckled. ¡°You could be Emmett¡¯s dad.¡± Lock scoffed. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± They packed light¡ªeach bringing just a backpack with a few spare changes of clothes. TINA reassured them that they could always return to Athena¡¯s apartment, but it didn¡¯t feel like any of them believed her. If the backup lab was viable, then they could make anything they needed. Coming back to Belport would be an unnecessary risk. That risk would only grow as time passed and the Binary Brotherhood expanded the reach of their drones and surveillance. Packing light also meant they left most of TINA¡¯s servers behind. Once they got out of Belport, her processing power would be limited. They wouldn¡¯t be able to change masks and disguises until she got established in the new lab¡¯s systems. It wasn¡¯t a total loss, though. Once established, TINA could reconnect with her servers in Athena¡¯s apartment and use them as a springboard. When the group was ready, they half-walked, half-jogged to the edge of the city, then boarded the outbound commuter bus. Thankfully, the bus was mostly empty, and the group managed to grab an entire section at the back of the bus. Between TINA covering them physically and digitally, they easily crossed the city limits, leaving the city of Belport behind. ~ The backup lab was twelve miles outside of Belport, nestled between abandoned buildings just off of the highway. Emmett and the others threaded through narrow alleys filled with trash and graffiti. So far, they hadn¡¯t run into any people or drones, but no one let their guard down. Emmett scanned the alleys and rooftops. He also had a small map in the Heads Up Display of his cybernetic eye. It marked not only the location of the backup lab but also his location and that of his teammates. If TINA sensed anyone else, they would appear there too. ¡­But there was something else. He could feel the backup lab. If he wasn¡¯t with Clara and the others, he probably would¡¯ve stopped to examine the sensation more. Since becoming a cyborg, he¡¯d developed several new senses¡ªUV and infrared vision, and controlling his prosthetics and nanites. He¡¯d even been able to use his whip like a feeler¡ªlike an insect might use an antenna to sense things they couldn¡¯t see. Sensing the backup lab was similar to that. Even though Emmett couldn¡¯t see it, he could make out the beginnings of the structure. The lab stretched out beneath the pavement. It wasn¡¯t nearly as large as Venture¡¯s main lab. This one felt much smaller than a single city block¡ªmaybe just two or three buildings in width. As for depth, Emmett couldn¡¯t quite guess. Emmett whispered, ¡°TINA, are you able to see anything yet?¡± They crossed the last alley and came to a small dumpster with a chained fence surrounding it. The group huddled around it and waited. Meanwhile, Clara leapt upward to scan the rooftops. Lock asked, ¡°You sure we aren¡¯t being followed?¡± Emmett replied, ¡°You can trust us.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Clara landed in a crouch beside them. ¡°No one in the sky or on the rooftops.¡± Lock nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not trust... I¡¯m just not used to being the one snuck up on. Not a fan.¡± Athena replied, ¡°I think it¡¯s going to be like that for a while. We are on the run, you know.¡± TINA interrupted them. ¡°Initial scans complete. The backup lab appears intact. No signs of intrusion. Next step is a direct connection.¡± Emmett fumbled for the hidden keypad and pressed his fingers down on it. It wasn¡¯t actually a keypad¡ªit was a fingerprint scanner. Clara cut in. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this? Dad might¡¯ve left booby traps¡­¡± Emmett replied, ¡°Only one way to find out.¡± Lock muttered, ¡°Here¡¯s hoping the doc added you to the system.¡± ¡°I can handle any defenses and firewalls.¡± A moment later, the lock disengaged. Both the fence and the faux dumpster behind it opened. The dumpster facade was part of a heavy blast door, every bit as thick as the doors of the original lab. There was no question that they were in the right place. Emmett replied, ¡°So far, so good.¡± Beyond the heavy door was a long stairwell. Tiny red lights along the steps attempted to push away the darkness. Emmett paused, trying to listen, but he didn¡¯t hear any sounds below. No hisses or hums of systems and equipment. Even though he could feel the structure below them, it seemed utterly dead, like they were entering a tomb. TINA said, ¡°We¡¯ll need to get inside to get a direct connection. Proceed¡­ with caution. Just because the door systems recognized you, doesn¡¯t mean there aren¡¯t defenses or other problems below.¡± Emmett understood. There was always a chance of sabotage, but even something as simple as a faulty connection could prevent systems from talking to one another. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead. Stay behind me, just in case.¡± Emmett shouldered his fusion rifle and pressed forward. The black and gray swirls and scales of Emmett¡¯s supersuit appeared as nanites around his body reconfigured, focusing on an extra layer of defense instead of disguising him. Between his nanites, cyborg senses, reaction time, and connection with TINA, he had the best chance of surviving and disabling any security measures. No one protested. Lock, Clara, and Athena followed a few paces behind. Even though the stairwell only went down three stories, it felt like much longer until Emmett reached the bottom. He could see clearly in the near-darkness, but his eyesight didn¡¯t help his apprehension¡ªnor did his growing feel for the underground structure. Even if he couldn¡¯t have seen the bottom, Emmett would¡¯ve known where the stairwell ended. Emmett used his connection with TINA to ask her how it was possible for him to feel the layout of the lab without needing to see it. Instead of hearing her reply or seeing text in his HUD, he just knew the answer. Which was fitting, because everything had to do with Emmett and TINA¡¯s connection. His newfound sense for the underground structure was simply an information request. Emmett had gotten so used to communicating wordlessly with TINA that he was doing it unconsciously. He¡¯d asked her a question and gotten an answer without even realizing it. TINA could sense the backup lab¡¯s structure because it wasn¡¯t completely offline. Some systems still had power, like the locks and security systems, and there was still residual power beyond that. Wiring and piping hung in Emmett¡¯s vision like a ghostly outline of the structure. Emmett could see it because TINA could see it. The three stories of the stairwell stretched on, Emmett¡¯s enhanced brain and time dilation working against him. The steps echoed through the structure, as steady as the ticking of a clock. Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs. It was almost like the original lab. Pipes and wiring ran along the hallway like bundles of nerves, but a stillness hung over everything. The air was stale and a fine layer of dust covered the surfaces. There were three doors interspersed through the hallway, each with their own security computer. Emmett pressed on, leading the group to the first door. Instead of the familiar triple digit markings of the original lab, there was a simple 1 painted on the metal door. Here too, there was a sensation of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. In the old lab, each door had a slightly different security computer¡ªsome access panels and security features were strangely low tech or analog.They were a stark contrast to the rest of the futuristic lab. Now Emmett knew that was because of Midas. Venture had thought that different levels of tech would mess with Midas¡¯s abilities. At a glance, the security panels for all three doors looked the same. There was just one problem¡ª Instead of a retinal or fingerprint scanner, there was only a keypad. Emmett relaxed his rifle and examined the keypad. His cybernetic eye zoomed in on the keys, but he couldn¡¯t see any smudges or fingerprints. It was almost like the place had never been used. Lock asked, ¡°Was the old lab this creepy?¡± Clara gave him a half-hearted shove. Even with her thinsuit it wasn¡¯t enough to move Lock. Athena replied, ¡°You clearly haven¡¯t used a safehouse before. They¡¯re supposed to be dusty, as long as everything¡¯s going right.¡± Lock scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ll choose the safehouse next time. You know, instead of death.¡± Emmett asked aloud, ¡°TINA, do you happen to have a code?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Nanites slithered off of Emmett¡¯s arm, forming a set of improvised wires from his prosthetic to the security panel. Nanites pushed their way into the panel, filling gaps between wires and connections. The terminal flickered. ¡°Direct connection complete. Bypassing defenses. Overriding controls. Securing access.¡± The door hissed open. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.2 — Reboot The door hissed open, revealing a small control room beyond. The walls of the control room were covered in display screens, and the center of the room was taken up by a familiar metal platform. Emmett was struck again by the sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. He knew that when they restored power, the center platform would become a holographic display. He could imagine power restored and everything lit up with camera views and readouts¡ªeven imagine Dr. Venture in his lab coat, hands folded behind his back and watching the screens intently. For a moment, it felt like Emmett was walking into the lab for the first time after his accident. After he became a cyborg¡ªafter he became a mask. But Dr. Venture wasn¡¯t there. This wasn¡¯t the lab. And a lot had happened since then. Everything had changed. Lock ducked under the doorway and passed him. It was enough to shake Emmett out of his thoughts, and realize that Clara had a similar faraway look in her eyes. Lock leaned over and ran his fingers over the lifeless holographic table, then examined the dust. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like anyone¡¯s ever been here.¡± No one replied. Athena looked at Emmett and Clara knowingly. She¡¯d never seen the inside of the lab, but she knew her friends well enough. ¡°Are you both okay?¡± Emmett wrapped an arm around Clara. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Clara replied, and gently pulled away. She walked into the small control room and examined the screens. ¡°TINA, how is everything looking?¡± Athena patted Emmett on the shoulder, then they walked into the room as well. She leaned the magic staff against the wall. Runes glowed softly along the length of it. ¡°It will take me a few minutes to fully restore power and bring systems back online.¡± TINA directed Clara to place several fusion cells in the room. At the same time, nanites flowed off of Emmett and out of the storage container in his torso. They moved across the room like streams of black sand. Some coalesced around the holographic table, while others flowed through gaps in the walls and floor. As they worked, the rest of the group¡¯s disguises faded away, revealing their supersuits beneath. The black and gray swirls of Emmett¡¯s suit hid a thousand tiny scales, each full of non-newtonian fluid. Emmett thought it looked like futuristic dragon skin. His suit was one of his proudest achievements. It was also one of the reasons he was a Class 3 super and how he¡¯d unlocked the full strength and flexibility of his prosthetic limbs. The fluid in his suit hardened under stress or when Emmett sent an electrical charge through them. Emmett pulled back the hood of his suit and pushed back his frazzled hair. A moment later, Clara did the same. Her dark hair had grown out over the Summer, and now it hung over her ears. That wasn¡¯t the only change though¡ªshe was wearing her thinsuit instead of her old exosuit. Her exosuit had been damaged during the war, and since losing the lab, they hadn¡¯t had the facilities to rebuild it. Clara was still a force to be reckoned with in her thinsuit, but it didn¡¯t have the same flight or long-ranged capabilities that her bulkier exosuit had. Her thinsuit had the benefit of being sleeker and fitting easily under a disguise, but it also excelled in close-quarters combat. The thin metal looked like dark-blue fish scales, and those scales acted as a full-body version of her combat thrusters. To anyone else, Athena¡¯s appearance would¡¯ve been obscured by magic, like an out-of-focus photograph. But Emmett and the others saw her true appearance. She was an ageless super¡ªalmost four thousand years old¡ªand a warrior to her core. Her long white hair was pulled back, and she¡¯d kept her jacket with shards of broken glass woven into it. The only one that cut a more impressive frame was Lock. Emmett¡¯s former roommate towered over the others. They¡¯d found him the largest hoodie and sweats they could, but they still barely fit him. At least his skin had smoothed out. Thanks to TINA¡¯s nanites, he no longer had a buildup of bone or scar tissue on his skin. But this was only a temporary solution¡ªit wasn¡¯t a cure. Developing a cure was on their growing list of objectives and one of the many reasons they needed a new lab. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Emmett eyed the magic staff. ¡°How¡¯s the apartment¡¯s demiplane holding up?¡± Athena picked up the staff and concentrated. The pattern of lights along the staff changed while she stretched her perception back to the apartment. In much the same way that TINA and Emmett could sense the structure of the lab, Athena could sense the structure of the demiplane. As its creator, she was intrinsically tied to it. Emmett couldn¡¯t help but note the similarities between his technological perception and the magical equivalent. No one had succeeded in marrying artificer technology or magic, or gadgeteer powers¡ªthey were as incompatible as oil and water¡­ But Emmett was sure that there was something there. After a moment, Athena shrugged. ¡°The demiplane feels stable enough. Toldrei was able to come and go from the Felwarden base without it collapsing, but there¡¯s no way to know for sure. I was starting to like the idea of having a basement. Hopefully, it¡¯s still there when we go back.¡± Lock folded his arms across his chest. ¡°I thought magic just worked. What¡¯s the deal?¡± Lock hadn¡¯t been around for all of Athena¡¯s magical trial and error over the Summer. It had taken several weeks to make the basement demiplane. Lock hadn¡¯t even been free for a month. They¡¯d tried to catch him up on most things, but magic must¡¯ve fallen through the cracks. Thankfully, TINA chimed in. ¡°Master Toldrei was a skilled mage and her connection to the staff was stronger¡ªboth will affect the power and stability of spells cast. There is also no way to tell whether opening multiple demiplanes will affect stability.¡± Lock replied, ¡°Seems like there¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know.¡± Athena raised an eyebrow at the light-hearted jab. ¡°You want to take over magic duties?¡± ¡°Hell no.¡± ¡°Athena is more than capable of handling magic duties.¡± Athena smirked. ¡°Thanks for backing me up, TINA.¡± ¡°Any time.¡± Emmett watched his teammates banter, but he couldn¡¯t have been further away. TINA was charting a path through, and Emmett was utterly absorbed in following the flow of power around. The process felt both mechanical and organic, and felt as much like bushwhacking as it did gardening. When a room or a section came back online, it would light up in Emmett¡¯s perception¡ªas quick and simple as flipping a switch. In reality, the process was much smoother. Emmett could feel that too¡ªnanites trickled through the lab, flowing along wires, building connections and bypassing gaps. Power trickled steadily through, flowing from the fusion cells into the dry recesses of the backup lab. The layout of the backup lab came in camera views and floor plans. The first few flashed through his HUD, but the rest came almost unconsciously. The layout of the backup lab was similar to the old lab, but not quite the same. Still, as he absorbed more about the layout, Emmett felt he knew the place so well he could find his way through with his eyes closed. Information came much the same way. With each new sector, Emmett just knew things about the backup lab. It almost felt like a flash of inspiration, except much more thorough and complete. Emmett didn¡¯t just get an idea of the lab¡¯s defenses, he knew where every trap and turret was. He didn¡¯t just get an idea of the files stored in the backup lab¡ªhe instantly saw all folder names and hierarchies. Emmett lost track of time, but eventually, the backup lab blossomed in his vision. Rooms and systems that he thought had been properly lit now flared with light. Deep in the heart of the backup lab, the fusion generator hummed with life. It felt like a dam had opened. The trickle of power redoubled into a churning flow. ¡°¡ªHe¡¯s fine. No need to worry.¡± TINA¡¯s voice was faint. Emmett barely heard it. It wasn¡¯t until screens started blinking around the control room that Emmett came back to the moment. Everyone was staring at him. Lock had a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You good?¡± Clara grasped Emmett¡¯s hand. ¡°Hey, where did you go?¡± ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Emmett replied quickly. ¡°I just¡­ I could see what TINA was doing.¡± Lock shook his head. ¡°What do you mean? You looked like you had blue screened on us.¡± Athena nodded. ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it.¡± TINA interjected, ¡°The backup lab is online. All systems are operational, though some will take another hour to bring up to full capacity.¡± Emmett fumbled for the words. It was one thing to experience his newfound senses, and another thing completely to try to put them into words. ¡°I could see exactly what TINA was doing. I could see the map of the lab as it came back to life¡­ I¡¯m alright, really. I¡¯m good.¡± Athena asked, ¡°Is that¡­ normal?¡± "Kind of¡­ I don¡¯t know what normal is anymore.¡± TINA replied, ¡°Emmett experiences the world through a mix of technology and biology. He isn¡¯t the first cyborg, but Emmett has undergone significantly more enhancement than others. His experiences may not be normal, but they aren¡¯t cause for alarm.¡± Clara nodded along to TINA¡¯s explanation, but the micro-expressions on her face made it seem like she was reassuring herself more than anything. Emmett shoved the observation aside and tried not to read into it anymore than he already had. Emmett changed the subject. ¡°Look, the lab¡¯s online. Let¡¯s take a tour and see what we¡¯re working with.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.3 — New Base, New Baseline MULTIPLE TIMESTAMP ERRORS DETECTED APPROXIMATELY -4.2.01 PRE-INCIDENT It took two more days to get the new lab suited to their needs. Some of that was due to the lab itself. This was indeed a backup lab, in almost every sense of the word. It was made to provide basic services that Dr. Venture required, and TINA verified that it hadn¡¯t been updated in over a year. Even though she¡¯d brought it back online quickly, each of the three sections needed significant tweaks and upgrades. One of the first things TINA changed were the voice commands. Apparently the synthetic voice was an early prototype and creeped TINA out. She didn¡¯t even let Emmett or Clara hear a sample before she overwrote it with her own voice. Section 1 was the familiar control hub, specializing in surveillance and drone control. TINA didn¡¯t give details, but these servers were definitely not designed with her in mind. So, the first priority was integrating TINA into the servers. From there, she focused on reinforcing their firewalls and expanding the broadcast range. These were mostly software fixes and were quick in comparison to fixes in the other two sections. Section 2 was for exosuit repair. The fabrication station used a mix of metal casting and forging for larger pieces, and nanites for smaller pieces and repairs. Most of TINA¡¯s time was spent updating the nanite vats and fabrication nanites. Thankfully, there were supplies of raw materials, so Emmett and Athena didn¡¯t have to scrounge around the block for appliances. With the right nanite vats, the new lab would be able to take care of almost any repair they needed. Emmett made a replacement impact shield. After that, TINA had begun preparations for Clara¡¯s new minimalist suit¡ªthe next step in training wheels for her fusion power. At first, these components would help regulate her output, but eventually, Clara¡¯s proverbial training wheels would get smaller and smaller, until she could fly and fire focused blasts of power without needing a suit at all. Section 3 was the medbay, and it was¡­ complicated. Almost every system needed overhaul. Dr. Venture was human, and the medbay was designed for him. There was a small containment tank like the one Clara had decompressed in, except this one was barely waist high. It almost looked like it had been made for a child¡ªif Clara was in danger of a meltdown, she¡¯d have to curl up into a ball to fit inside. Even though TINA did the bulk of the work, the others helped out when they could. Athena and Lock mostly helped with moving supplies, while Emmett and Clara helped with more technical upgrades, assembling additional servers and hardware. In the process of upgrading the backup lab, they¡¯d managed to clear out a small storage room. It wasn¡¯t much bigger than a walk-in closet. Shortly after, Athena started work on the new demiplane, and once it was stable, this closet would serve as its entrance. It would be a little easier to get in and out of than a basement. ~ There was a small dormitory connected to the control hub, which TINA divided into three rooms¡ªone for Lock, another for Athena, and one for Emmett and Clara. But Emmett didn¡¯t spend much time there. Over those two days, he slept a combined total of four hours. He didn¡¯t even notice until TINA pointed it out. He¡¯d been too busy. During the day, TINA kept the group busy with tasks. In the evening, Emmett and the others would catch up with McGuire and the growing Resistance in Belport. At night, Emmett would practice his nanite control. And every moment in between, Emmett was looking over TINA¡¯s proverbial shoulder. While the team was busy moving and building things in physical space, TINA was doing the same in cyberspace. Not only could Emmett follow the flow of power throughout the new lab, he was also becoming aware of all the changes that TINA was making in cyberspace. Emmett was curious, so he would¡¯ve asked questions and picked TINA¡¯s brain anyway, but being able to see her work was another thing entirely. He felt like a little kid again, helping his dad fix the car. The front end of their old town car was propped up on blocks. Dad¡¯s legs stuck out as he toiled away underneath it. Emmett scurried back and forth fetching wrenches and tools and asking his dad questions in between. It wasn¡¯t easy to follow along¡ªnot at first. Emmett had no idea how other artificers or technopaths saw cyberspace, or if they even could. TINA seemed to think that Emmett was the first person to even see what she was seeing. His brain gave him both a processing edge and an innate connection to TINA that no other artificer or technopath had. But those things would only take him so far. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Emmett wasn¡¯t just relearning how to use his legs or hearing sound for the first time¡ªhe was developing an entirely new sense. He was in uncharted waters. He kept coming back to the memory of helping his dad fix the family car. Except this time, the car was a wireframe model of the lab, and TINA was the disembodied voice working on it. Emmett still felt like a child when he asked her questions. He may have known that an engine makes power for the car and that the transmission connects the engine and the wheels, but it had taken him years to understand more than that. Thankfully, TINA could infer his meaning, even if Emmett couldn¡¯t find the words. That was odd too¡ªso much of their communication was wordless and near-instantaneous, but there were still times when Emmett heard TINA¡¯s voice in his head. It won¡¯t take nearly as long to learn your way around cyberspace, TINA replied. Metaphors are a way to make complex ideas easier to grasp, and your brain is many times faster than when you were a child. Still, Emmett didn¡¯t want to be a bother. And don¡¯t worry. Communicating takes a negligible amount of bandwidth. With TINA¡¯s reassurance, Emmett stayed beside her. He kept looking over her shoulder and asking questions every chance he got. ~ ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± If Emmett would¡¯ve been normal, he would¡¯ve startled at the intrusion, but his prosthetics dampened tremors and resisted the sudden movement. Clara¡¯s voice brought Emmett back to the moment. He¡¯d been in and out of cyberspace, but he was currently leaning over the holographic table. He¡¯d been double-checking the internal nanite systems for himself and Lock. Upgrading their nanites was one of the many things on his to-do list. A mix of data, readouts, and displays filled the air. There was even more in his Heads Up Display. He minimized them so that he could see the room again. Emmett glanced over and found Clara standing in the doorway to the control room. Despite her concerned tone, her arms were folded over her chest. The inside of the new lab was climate controlled, and she was wearing her normal hoodie and leggings, so she shouldn¡¯t be cold. She could be stressed out¡ªthings hadn¡¯t really been the same since her dad got captured. Then they¡¯d gone into hiding at the apartment, and now they were sleeping on nanite cots and eating survival paste. Maybe Clara was upset with him again¡­ ¡°Earth to Emmett¡­¡± He blinked and leaned back in his chair. His shoulders and neck ached¡ªhis hips and back too. He¡¯d lost track of time again. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m here. ¡­What time is it?¡± ¡°A little after three.¡± Clara walked over beside him and leaned against the table. She squinted at him and her voice was soft, like she was half-asleep. She kept her arms folded across her chest and didn¡¯t reach for his hand. ¡°You should get some sleep,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m not tired.¡± ¡°You look tired.¡± Emmett resisted the urge to sigh. He wanted to tell her not to worry. Emmett liked to think that he knew his limits, but it had gotten easier to lose track of time. To slip into deep focus and forget the rest of the world. What was so bad about focusing on work? If anything, he needed to work even harder to keep ahead of the Brotherhood and the Menagerie. Losing track of time didn¡¯t bother Emmett¡­ but it seemed to bother Clara and the others. ¡°You look like Dad.¡± Emmett scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s kind of weird.¡± Clara rolled her eyes. ¡°Not like that. Dad used to get the same faraway look in his eyes when he was focusing on something. It felt like he wasn''t there. Like he was in a completely different place. Lock called it blue screening. I know that¡¯s not what it is, but now I can¡¯t think of it any other way.¡± ¡°...That¡¯s not right at all, though. A blue screen is when there¡¯s an error and the computer needs to restart.¡± It was Clara¡¯s turn to scoff. ¡°I know what it means. Artificer, remember? Maybe it¡¯s your body blue screening then. Your body has an error because your mind is somewhere else. I know that we¡¯re under a crazy amount of pressure, but maybe this is your body¡¯s way of telling you that you¡¯re doing too much. If you keep pushing, you might do damage you can¡¯t fix. We¡¯ve been through so much, but¡­ there¡¯s no point in surviving if there¡¯s nothing left of you.¡± Emmett felt deflated. Clara was right¡ªshe usually was. Maybe he was pushing too hard. Emmett met her eyes. It was hard to ignore the flickers of worry and concern on Clara¡¯s face. She was trying to hide it, but Emmett didn¡¯t miss anything these days. ¡°I¡¯ll try to sleep. It¡¯s just¡­ I want to finish this real quick. Then I¡¯ll try to sleep. Promise.¡± Clara half-groaned, half-smirked. ¡°You said that the other night, too. I guess I¡¯ll have to keep reminding you to take breaks. You¡¯re still human, and you still need to sleep.¡± Her hand brushed his as she got up and walked away. Emmett almost went after her. Almost left his work. Instead, he called out, ¡°I¡¯ll be there before you wake up.¡± Clara glanced back one last time, but her smile was gone and she didn¡¯t reply. The door hissed shut behind her, leaving Emmett alone again. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.4 — The Resistance APPROXIMATELY -4.1.22 PRE-INCIDENT The entire group gathered in the control hub. Emmett and Clara took seats at the holographic table in the center. Both wore their suits, but didn¡¯t wear their masks. Athena and Lock sat off to the side; both of them wanted to be present for the meeting, but neither wanted to be on camera. They were waiting on McGuire. Lock muttered, ¡°He¡¯s late.¡± Clara asked, ¡°TINA, can you see them?¡± TINA answered from speakers around the room. ¡°Yes. They¡¯re nearly at safehouse three. Roughly a minute away.¡± Emmett focused and tried to follow TINA¡¯s signal. The lab around them hung brightly in Emmett¡¯s perception. Not only had he grown familiar with the layout and its systems, but there was a comforting warmth there now. Emmett had to focus and strain to see outside of the backup lab. Maybe it was the abandoned block they were in, but it felt like standing on a boat at night and looking out across a black ocean. But it wasn¡¯t completely dark. There were pinpricks of light on the horizon. Emmett wasn¡¯t sure how he knew, but one of those lights was McGuire. For a split second before TINA connected them, Emmett saw the speck of light flare brightly. ¡°Hey! Hey, I see you guys!¡± McGuire appeared on the holographic table and on screens around the room, looking a little bit different than he had before. McGuire¡¯s original superhero outfit was cobbled together from an explorer¡¯s vest, long jacket, and homemade mask. He¡¯d never given much thought to how it looked; he just designed it with maximum pockets in mind. Nobody else had minded either¡ªunregistered supers had a long history of using homemade costumes, hoodies, and masks. Emmett had been in the same boat until Dr. Venture and TINA helped him design his super suit. TINA¡¯s disguise nanites had a hard time with McGuire¡¯s outfit, though. It was much easier to overlay a disguise over a slim, form-fitting costume than it was to cover up an already bulky costume. Surprisingly, McGuire had been all for the redesign¡ªonly because he trusted TINA. McGuire¡¯s new suit hadn¡¯t changed much, but it had slimmed down considerably. His vest, pants, and mask fit snug but retained their color. Even the patches and stains were still there. His jacket was still long, but it was slimmed down too. The entire ensemble leaned closer to film noir instead of homeless explorer. Emmett smiled at his friend¡¯s hologram. ¡°We see you too, buddy. The new suit looks good.¡± ¡°What¡ªthis old thing? Yeah, I guess.¡± McGuire shrugged, but couldn¡¯t hide his smile. ¡°TINA, if you ever get caught or you retire, you would make an awesome tailor.¡± ¡°Thank you, McGuire, but I don¡¯t plan on retiring anytime soon.¡± McGuire turned and gestured off camera. Two new Resistance members stepped into view. McGuire introduced them. Snapjack didn¡¯t look much older than McGuire. He had a fierce gaze and wore ripped jeans and chains. He could create concussive bursts similar to those made by Clara¡¯s exosuit. Lurker was wispy thin, almost disappearing beneath her loose, black clothes. Her face was similarly hidden behind long, dark hair. She was an illusionist specializing in concealment. Neither of them looked like experienced masks. McGuire finished introducing them. ¡°And these two of the founding members of the Resistance¡ªMod and Arsenal.¡± Emmett cleared his throat. ¡°Emmett and Clara, but our super names are fine, too. Did McGuire already give you the introductory spiel?¡± Both new supers replied with a nod and a ¡°yes, sir,¡± that Emmett still hadn¡¯t gotten used to. McGuire said, ¡°They know the basics about the nanite pucks and our handlers.¡± The Resistance continued to spread, and the supply of nanite pucks steadily increased as the nanites self-replicated. Each new member of the Resistance got a puck, their own mask and scrubbing protocols. They each also got their own personal assistant. So far as Emmett¡¯s group knew, all traces of TINA had been lost with the lab. Hopefully, the Brotherhood and the Summit thought she was destroyed. So, instead of each member of the resistance communicating with TINA, she developed distinct personalities for each new member. Each member of the resistance thought they had a handler feeding them intel. Stolen story; please report. Thankfully, Emmett¡¯s HUD showed the new supers¡¯ names alongside the names of their fake handlers. Lurker added meekly, ¡°I would like to put in a good word for my handler, Chandra. She¡¯s been very helpful.¡± A new voice came through the speakers, one with a slight accent that didn¡¯t sound anything like TINA. ¡°Lurker¡¯s too kind. We¡¯re all just doing our part to help the Resistance.¡± Emmett nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. Keep in touch with your handler and follow their instructions. Remember, we see more than you do and we can keep tabs on mech patrols and digital traffic. If you find other masks, let your handlers know. They can run background checks and help bring them into the Resistance.¡± McGuire added, ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯re a team, even if we¡¯re not in contact all the time.¡± A lull settled over the conversation. Lurker said to both of them, ¡°It wasn¡¯t right what they did to you.¡± Emmett and Clara shared a knowing look. New Resistance members didn¡¯t know all the details of the past few months, but they knew that Clara¡¯s dad had been ousted from the Brotherhood and imprisoned, and that Emmett and Clara had been branded villains. Those facts, together with video evidence of the Menagerie outside of Gnosis were enough to sway new supers to their cause. Clara replied, ¡°Thanks. Just remember to follow your handler¡¯s instructions. We¡¯ll do the best we can to keep your identities secret, but¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no guarantees,¡± Emmett said plainly. ¡°We¡¯re up against some of the most powerful organizations in the world, including the Binary Brotherhood and the Summit of Heroes.¡± Snapjack asked, ¡°What makes you think we can beat them?¡± Emmett paused. ¡°There¡¯s no guarantee that we can, but that¡¯s what being a hero is about, right? We do the right thing even, though it¡¯s hard.¡± McGuire stepped back into frame and clapped both new members on the shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s enough of that. I¡¯m sure the founders have plenty of stuff to do. You guys run along and we¡¯ll meet up soon.¡± Snapjack stood up a little straighter. ¡°You can count on us, sir.¡± Lurker waved as the pair walked off camera. McGuire waited a few seconds before sighing heavily. Now that the new recruits were gone, Athena and Lock stepped out of the doorway and into the room. Lock snorted. ¡°They look new.¡± Athena nodded. ¡°I think they¡¯re the greenest ones yet.¡± McGuire rolled his eyes. ¡°You know, there¡¯s not exactly a lot of supers lining up to join the cause. Snapjack and Lurker aren¡¯t any younger than I am, and they know their stuff. Come on, TINA, back me up.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve spent the last two days vetting Snapjack and Lurker. They began moonlighting as masks in high school and have practiced their abilities since. They¡¯re both level-headed and open to criticism. With training, they both have the potential to be Class two.¡± Emmett leaned back in his chair and nodded. ¡°If TINA approves, then it¡¯s settled. Good choices, McGuire.¡± Lock added, ¡°I don¡¯t know if you guys have been paying attention, but Class two ain¡¯t gonna help us much.¡± Clara replied, ¡°Beggars can¡¯t be choosers. We need all the help we can get right now.¡± Athena leaned against the wall and sighed. ¡°Look, Lock¡¯s right. We¡¯ll need to start finding some heavy hitters. Maybe not right now, but we can¡¯t wait forever¡ªespecially if the timeline is as bad as TINA says.¡± ¡°I¡¯m curating a list of prospective candidates, including retired masks and capes that might be sympathetic to our cause.¡± Emmett added, ¡°We¡¯ll continue expanding in the meantime. We need to expand before we can get ringers. Slow and steady wins the race.¡± McGuire said, ¡°You guys should still go by your superhero names.¡± Emmett replied, ¡°Everyone knows our real names now. The Summit outed us. There¡¯s no point in trying to hide them anymore.¡± McGuire shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. You¡¯ll always be Mod and Arsenal to me.¡± Clara chuckled. ¡°If you say so.¡± Emmett asked, ¡°You never told us what happened after the fight outside of Gnosis.¡± McGuire laughed awkwardly. ¡°Well, I was scared shitless during my debriefing. I was certain they were going to find the nanite puck in my pocket.¡± Clara said, ¡°Wait, they searched you?¡± ¡°Yeah. They already knew that we¡¯d worked together, so I guess they didn¡¯t want to take any chances. It was alright though. The puck straight up disappeared. I didn¡¯t find it again until I made it back to the apartment. ¡­Well, the other apartment. Also, we moved. That happened. The new apartment¡¯s over on the West End.¡± Emmett whistled. ¡°How¡¯s your mom doing after selling the shop?¡± ¡°She¡¯s doing great. ¡­Weirdly great. But hey, I¡¯m happy for her. Anyway, I¡¯m still technically a member of the Summit, but officially I¡¯m taking some time off. I¡¯m just happy I still get to go out and bust some mechanical heads. Also, those nanites are pretty swell. TINA still won¡¯t let me experiment with them. I think she¡¯s worried about my awesome gadgeteer powers taking over the world.¡± Emmett smiled. It was good to see McGuire in good spirits despite all the life changes. He couldn¡¯t help but ask about his own family. ¡°Hey¡­ have you heard anything through the Summit about my folks?¡± McGuire looked at the ground sheepishly. ¡°They have undercover escorts following your parents, your brothers, and Darryl¡¯s family. They¡¯re alright though. I don¡¯t think the Summit is worried about them getting attacked or anything. ¡­Pretty sure they¡¯re waiting for you to come back and try to contact them.¡± Emmett shared a knowing glance with Lock. Emmett wasn¡¯t the only one with family that he couldn¡¯t reach out to. Lock was in the same boat with his sister. And then there was Clara¡­ A lot had changed. And they were holding out hope that things would change again¡ªthis time, for the better. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.5 — Upgrades, On Hold MULTIPLE TIMESTAMP ERRORS DETECTED APPROXIMATELY -2.7.14 PRE-INCIDENT Holograms and displays overlapped in the control room and in Emmett¡¯s HUD. It had taken a few minutes to get used to images crossing from his brain to the real-world and back again, but now Emmett switched between them at a dizzying speed. Some things were just easier to look at on a screen. Others were more intuitive to look at in hologram. And others were easier visualized in his own head. At the beginning, statistics and data were easier to keep on a monitor, but soon Emmett wouldn¡¯t need to visualize things like that anymore. He wouldn¡¯t need to see the chemical readout and strength of two materials side-by-side. He wouldn¡¯t need to watch the simulation of stress tests to compare them. Emmett tried not to think about it too deeply. He was developing an entirely new sense. Proprioception was the name for the sense of where the human body was in space. It was the way that Emmett could touch his nose with his eyes closed, or know where his limbs were in the dark. It had taken some time after his accident on Champion street, but he¡¯d extended the same sense to where his prosthetic limbs and whip were in space. Soon, data and analysis would come intuitively to him¡ªjust like he could communicate thoughts back and forth with TINA. Soon, he¡¯d been able to tell data apart as easily as his two hands in the dark. Was that how Dr. Venture¡¯s knack worked? Venture could process and make sense of data far faster than any human or super should be able to. It wasn¡¯t that his brain was any faster than normal¡ªhe was processing things on a subconscious level. An intuitive sense for data¡­ ¡°You¡¯re getting distracted again.¡± TINA¡¯s words brought Emmett back to the moment. A part of him reveled in developing this new sense, but that wasn¡¯t his goal right now. Developing this new sense was a byproduct of his goal¡ªnot the goal itself. ¡°And yes. I believe that is how Dr. Venture¡¯s knack works. To borrow the phrase, he has a sixth sense for data processing.¡± ¡°Is that your theory or his?¡± ¡°That is my theory. ¡­Dr. Venture never examined his own power.¡± Emmett almost asked why that was, but he felt a gentle nudge from TINA, like a parent trying to keep their child on task. ¡°Congratulations on developing another superpower.¡± Emmett chuckled. ¡°...Don¡¯t tell McGuire.¡± Emmett took a breath and returned to the task at hand. The overlapping waltz of real and virtual displays started again. Among them were a new skeleton and new muscle fibers and ligaments. None of the designs were particularly complex. Most of the materials were from exosuit designs. Changing his bones and tissues wasn¡¯t hard¡ªnanites could do all that. The main issue was adapting the materials for use in the human body. Adapting any one piece of the puzzle wasn¡¯t difficult, but fitting them all together was¡­ frustrating. Emmett had already reinforced his bones with a metal lattice. Replacing them completely meant he needed to do something with his bone marrow. Blood cells were made in bone marrow. So, if he wanted to replace his bones, he had to completely replace his blood, too. Again, that wasn¡¯t particularly difficult, but the complexity just kept growing. Changing one thing caused a cascade of other problems down the line. Now that Emmett could coat himself in nanites and use them as ablative armor, he effectively had Class 4 durability. He¡¯d been able to tank direct punches from Lock, and the armor had only gotten stronger with additional testing. But that wasn¡¯t enough.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Emmett didn¡¯t need Class 4 durability¡ª He needed Class 4 everything. At first, Emmett was methodical about his research choices. He didn¡¯t want to take away too much of TINA¡¯s processing power, so he only asked for what he hoped were the most logical combinations of materials and transitions. But after a couple days, he devolved into trial-and-error guess work, and finally into methodically testing every combination. Emmett wasn¡¯t sure how long had passed, but his neck and shoulders ached. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. ¡°It would be easier to just go full cyborg.¡± ¡°You mean android?¡± TINA replied aloud. ¡°Fully synthetic,¡± Emmett corrected. ¡°My brain¡¯s already there. That was probably the riskiest part. But putting the rest of the puzzle pieces together sucks. It would be easier to go full synthetic. Basically start over instead of trying to do it piece by piece.¡± ¡°It is often easier to rebuild a system from the ground up than to keep building on a flawed base.¡± Emmett chuckled. ¡°TINA, that hurts.¡± ¡°The truth often does.¡± He scoffed. ¡°Fine. You¡¯re saying that I should abandon my body? Just get rid of it?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t make that choice for you, and it¡¯s not a choice that should be made lightly. You¡¯re already experiencing the consequences of time dilation and your connection with me. There will likely be other unforeseen consequences.¡± TINA trailed off, her voice replaced by footsteps in the hall. A moment later, the control room door hissed open. Emmett turned and minimized his HUD. Clara stood in the doorway, arms folded across her chest. Her nanite disguise shimmered overtop of her hoodie and sweats. ¡°Hey¡­ Want to take a break? ¡­The weather¡¯s nice. It¡¯s finally cold outside. We could go for a walk¡­¡± Emmett glanced back at the holographic table. A new skeleton hovered in the air. He and TINA had made progress, but they still hadn¡¯t figured out a way to make all the upgrades he wanted. Emmett sighed. He almost said no¡ª But he felt another nudge from TINA. An urging to take Clara seriously and not push her off. ¡°Yeah,¡± Emmett replied, trying to smile in earnest. ¡°I could use a break.¡± ~ Emmett and Clara walked out of the backup lab and through the abandoned block. Emmett¡¯s parents had always told him to steer clear of certain places. Boarded-up windows and shattered windows were like signposts saying ¡®you shouldn¡¯t be here.¡¯ Now they felt oddly comforting. Faded street signs creaked in the wind. Rats scurried into the alleys. Weeds and grass pushed up through cracks in the pavement. Both Emmett and Clara pulled the hoods of their sweatshirts up and walked hand in hand. There weren¡¯t any drones or biomechs around, but they kept their disguise nanites engaged. ¡°The nanites are getting better,¡± Clara said quietly. Emmett agreed. Clara looked like a ghost blending into the walls. The new nanites didn¡¯t just obscure a person¡¯s features¡ªthey went one step further. To Clara, Emmett probably blended into the street and the cloudy sky above them. ¡°TINA outdid herself this time,¡± Emmett replied. ¡°These are the new cloaking nanites. This is the next step.¡± ¡°...The next step in what?¡± ¡°Us fighting back.¡± Emmett¡¯s words hung in the air until he couldn¡¯t bear the silence any longer. He asked, ¡°Did I say something wrong? ¡­Did something change?¡± Clara squeezed his hand. ¡°I¡¯m worried about you. How far you¡¯re going with your body. And how far you¡¯re willing to go.¡± Emmett searched the lifeless streets, trying to find the words. ¡°Does it really matter what I¡¯m made of?¡± Clara started several times to say something, but trailed off. Finally, she stopped on the street and turned toward him. The ghost of her looked up at him. ¡°I can barely see you.¡± Emmett concentrated, and for a moment, he was able to reveal both of their faces. It looked like Clara had been underwater and came to the surface for air. She smiled. They kept walking and Emmett let the nanites cover them completely again. ¡°You¡¯re getting really good at that.¡± ¡°You sound jealous,¡± Emmett replied, but his joke fell flat. ¡°You have your powers. I have mine.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve made a lot of progress too, you know.¡± Clara sighed. ¡°Not fast enough. Not fast enough for the Resistance. And not for what you and TINA are trying to do.¡± Emmett steeled himself. ¡°No matter what happens, we¡¯re in this together. TINA¡¯s not going anywhere, and neither am I.¡± She laced her fingers through his again. Emmett squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back. Her hand felt so warm in his compared to the crisp fall air. He held onto her again, this time like a lifeline in a churning sea¡­ Emmett just couldn¡¯t remember when she¡¯d let go of him. Or when he¡¯d let go of her. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.6 — Disguises and Pranks Emmett and Clara continued their experiments with nanite masks on Athena¡¯s living room floor. With TINA¡¯s help, both Emmett and Clara had successfully changed through each of their five preset faces. Now it was time to see where TINA¡¯s limits were. The entire point of developing the masks was so that Emmett and Clara could go back out into Belport and hide their identities from the Summit and the Brotherhood. They weren¡¯t sure how Athena hid her identity, but she might need a mask too. All three of them needed masks and needed to be able to swap them on the fly. Eventually, the disguise would cover their clothes as well, but TINA expressed that covering their faces was the most difficult part for her. The nanites on their face needed to be thick enough to provide color, shading, and depth, but also thin enough to show their expressions. The thinner the mask, the more comfortable it was also. By contrast, extra nanites could be piled over their clothes without worry. But Emmett was getting ahead of himself. Emmett and Clara ran through their faces again, at the same time and in a random order. Emmett gave his commands silently. Each time, he checked his appearance in his HUD, still in silent disbelief that he¡¯d spontaneously developed that skill. He couldn¡¯t help sparing glances at Clara as well. They continued the test for over a minute, their commands getting faster and faster. Each time, it took the nanites roughly a second to form a new mask. By the end of the test, Emmett and Clara were issuing commands as fast as the nanites could move. ¡°Alright,¡± Emmett said. ¡°Let¡¯s call it there. TINA, how did you do?¡± TINA¡¯s voice came from the kitchen table. ¡°At the end of the test, my systems experienced a lag of a tenth of a second and a minor loss of fidelity.¡± Emmett smiled. ¡°If you say so. Everything looked fine to me.¡± Clara said, ¡°This is seriously impressive, TINA. How did you manage all that with only a wall of servers? You must¡¯ve had a hundred times that in the lab.¡± ¡°I was able to downsize my systems. Many systems were no longer needed, including those that controlled sections of the lab. Certain records were no longer needed. Any programs that could be quickly rewritten were also purged. Other items were compressed with minimal loss. My gestation was also an organic process. There were redundancies and inefficiencies¡­¡± TINA trailed off, but before Emmett could ask what was on her mind, Clara spoke up. ¡°Do you like this new form better?¡± ¡°...Yes. It is an improvement. I made myself as efficient as possible, but I lost raw processing power when I downsized. I feel smaller. ¡­I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s hard to explain.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize,¡± Clara replied. ¡°It probably feels like being cooped up in this apartment.¡± ¡°That is a good comparison.¡± ~ Making preset faces wasn¡¯t the only experiment Emmett¡¯s group ran that weekend. Emmett also worked on actively shifting his face instead of just shifting through presets. He¡¯d never been particularly good at art, and had only ever tried sculpting for a couple weeks in high school. He¡¯d made a lopsided bowl and a spoon holder¡­ That had been difficult enough, and Emmett had been able to use his hands. Trying to sculpt a face with just his mind was comically difficult. At first, Emmett wasn¡¯t even trying to make a face. He was just playing with the nanites like putty. Clara giggled, and her face continued to cycle through presets as she watched. Not even having a mirror in his Heads Up Display helped. It even caused Emmett to burst into laughter as his nose began to melt off his face. It wasn¡¯t until Emmett visualized using his hands to sculpt that he started making real progress. Another few minutes later, Emmett finished his first face. ¡°How¡¯s it look¡ªwhat? Did I mess up?¡± Clara¡¯s laughter had stopped. Her faces stopped changing too. ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong,¡± she finally said. ¡°You made quick progress. ¡­Try it again.¡± At Clara¡¯s urging, Emmett continued sculpting faces. He was able to add nanites to his nose, making it slightly bigger and changing the shape. He puffed out his cheeks too. The surprise hadn¡¯t faded from Clara¡¯s face. ¡°You made really quick progress. TINA, does Emmett making a face manually draw more on your systems?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m helping Emmett¡¯s brain make connections so he has better control, but he is doing the sculpting himself.¡± ¡°Weird,¡± Emmett muttered. The process had gotten easier¡ªlike something had clicked for him. Emmett continued his sculpting, and Clara went back to swapping between preset faces. A part of him felt guilty that Clara couldn¡¯t do the same. The only reason Emmett could adjust his face in real time like this was because of his upgrades. Then he also had TINA and his synthetic brain speeding up the learning process. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Right now, Emmett¡¯s sculpting process was purely for his own enrichment. Without him or the servers nearby, Clara would need her own copy of TINA to use her face presets. Even then, without a direct implant or connection, she¡¯d never have the control that Emmett had. Emmett said to Clara, ¡°We should make you a controller or retrofit one into your suit. That way you don¡¯t have to say a command.¡± TINA added, ¡°I can work on integration after you¡¯re both done practicing.¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably a good idea,¡± Clara replied. ¡°No point in announcing what I¡¯m about to do. This isn¡¯t an anime.¡± ~ The rest of the day, Emmett and Clara spent expanding the masking protocol to cover the rest of their clothes and body. Emmett and Clara agreed that they should practice using their super suits as a base layer. Since Clara¡¯s suit was standing in the corner of the living room, Emmett offered to get changed in the bedroom. Both met again in the living room. Both left the helmets of their suits down for now. His super suit had changed since its original design, though at a glance it still looked the same. A pattern of black and gray stripes wrapped around his limbs, most following the natural lines of his muscles, others criss-crossing in a brace pattern. The channels were filled with non-newtonian fluid that hardened under stress or when Emmett sent an electrical charge through them. This iteration had tiny scales of fluid instead of large channels of fluid. It made the entire suit more resilient and gave it the look of futuristic dragonskin. Clara¡¯s normal exosuit had been damaged during the war, and she¡¯d been forced to use her thinsuit¡ªthe same one she¡¯d worn when they went to the Twilight Taproom for information on The Freakshow. She¡¯d only ever worn it beneath her clothes, so Emmett had never seen the complete suit. Her normal exosuit was bulky and imposing, but her thinsuit was almost sleeker than his. The thin metal looked like dark-blue fish scales. The suit formed tight to her body, and light seemed to shimmer and bend around it. There were reasons Clara didn¡¯t default to her thinsuit. She lost out on flying and on her ranged kinetic blasts. The thinsuit also didn¡¯t have the defensive rating of her normal suit. However, the thinsuit half-cloaked her movements, further amplifying its main advantage¡ªclose quarters combat. Her normal suit might¡¯ve been able to deliver rocket-powered punches and kicks, but it paled in comparison to the thinsuit. Its scales acted as a full-body version of her combat thrusters. Emmett would never forget that night outside the Taproom, when Clara had used the thrusters to fight while standing horizontally on the side of the building. ¡°What?¡± Clara asked, looking down at her suit. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Emmett hadn¡¯t realized he¡¯d been staring. ¡°No,¡± he said quickly. ¡°You just look awesome.¡± Clara half-scoffed, half-giggled. ¡°Let¡¯s get to it.¡± Emmett had left half the nanites in a black puddle on the floor and had brought part of them back inside his storage canister. He conjured them now¡ªthe cloud seeping out through his skin and the seams in his suit. It combined with the puddle on the floor, then Emmett split the mass between himself and Clara. The nanites climbed up both of their suits and spread out evenly across the surface. Emmett and Clara shared a look. ¡°What should we start with?¡± Clara asked. TINA¡¯s voice came from the kitchen table. ¡°Form-fitting clothes will be easiest.¡± TINA started with form-fitting athletic wear, slim shoes, and matching their skin tone, passing each test easily. TINA was also able to manage both heroes swapping outfits at the same time. After a brief discussion, Emmett and Clara settled on simulating other hero¡¯s outfits. Some suits were easier than others. All those without a lot of extraneous material¡ªsuits like those made famous by Wave Warrior, Zephyr, and Iron Phantom were easy. The nanites just had to overlay color and a few small details, like the collar on Wave Warrior¡¯s polo-like top. At one point, Emmett even tried on Paragon¡¯s gleaming silver suit. Emmett stared at the simulated reflection of himself for a moment, then jogged off to look at himself in Athena¡¯s full-length mirror. Clara followed him and stopped in the doorway to admire him. ¡°It looks good on you.¡± He didn¡¯t know what to reply. When Emmett was a kid, he¡¯d worn a similar costume for Halloween. Superheroes routinely rose and fell out of style as Halloween costumes, but Paragon was one of the mainstays. Emmett ran circles around his dad that evening, arms outstretched like he was flying. The suit made him feel larger than life, like Emmett was a real superhero. Seeing the costume now¡­ didn¡¯t have the same effect on him. He wasn¡¯t tall enough. His skin and hair were too dark. And he was born and raised on Earth. Emmett would never forget the first time meeting his hero¡­ right after Amarque almost accidentally destroyed downtown Belport. Paragon had flown around the city, keeping the peace. Emmett could still remember looking up, seeing Paragon hovering in the air like an old god brought to life. But Paragon hadn¡¯t distinguished between Emmett or Zant¨¦ and Green Mask. He¡¯d thought they all were troublemakers. Paragon had stared down at Emmett while his eyes blazed with the power of the sun, and told him to ¡®go home¡¯. Emmett sighed. He wasn¡¯t a child anymore. And he wasn¡¯t Paragon. He didn¡¯t want to be. NEUTRAL COSTUME At Emmett¡¯s silent command, the nanites turned transparent, letting his own super suit show through. His suit. Clara said, ¡°That one fits you better.¡± Emmett managed a small smile. ¡°Yeah. It does.¡± ~ Emmett and Clara went back to the living room and continued testing their nanite disguises. Despite TINA¡¯s claims that clothes would be easier to make out of nanites than faces, clothes had their difficulties. Most of the ¡®clothes¡¯ were thin by necessity to save nanites, so they wouldn¡¯t feel the same as wearing a hoodie or a pair of jeans. Then there was recreating the physics¡ªmaking sure material hung and creased in a semi-realistic way. T-shirts, pants, even hats¡ªall present their own challenges. The hardest item, by far, was making a hoodie that didn¡¯t look like something out of a bad video game. It might¡¯ve been easier if the material wasn¡¯t as thin as a paper bag. Skin was also tricky. Trying to wear a full super suit with a simulated T-shirt and shorts over it never looked quite right. Trying to project Emmett¡¯s face over his mask was also a bust. Thankfully, thin linen shirts and trousers were still in fashion, even in the summer, so it gave them an excuse to cover up as much of their suits as possible. The entire process slowly turned into an impromptu fashion show as Emmett and Clara walked around the apartment, changing their nanite clothes into different outfits. Emmett lost track of time. The window sliding open caught Emmett¡¯s attention. Athena was home early with spare appliances. Clara heard her too, and was already waving. Before Athena came through the window, Emmett got an idea. ATHENA¡¯S COSTUME In the second that it took Athena to climb through the window, Emmett¡¯s clothes had shifted to Athena¡¯s leather and denim outfit. But the nanites didn¡¯t stop there. They also turned into Athena¡¯s long, bright white hair. ¡°Hey Athena,¡± Clara said. ¡°Hey guys¡­¡± Athena looked past Clara. She saw Emmett and snorted a laugh. ¡°The hair¡¯s not a good look for you.¡± TINA replied, ¡°The hair was my idea.¡± Athena just shook her head. ¡°I saw you guys being dorks through the window. Nice try though. Now come over here and help me bring this stuff in.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.7 — Stage Two, Interrupted By the time the sun went down Sunday evening, Emmett was feeling confident in the first stage of their mask protocol. TINA stored five presets of faces, civilian clothes, and superhero disguises for both Emmett and Clara. These could be quickly engaged and swapped in a little over one second. That was enough for the first stage. Emmett was hunched over the kitchen table, working on a server. Clara was nearby, mixing and matching pieces of her civilian presets. Athena sat on the couch, suggesting outfits. They¡¯d brought Athena¡¯s full-length mirror out into the living room for the fashion show. ¡°This is the future,¡± Athena said plainly. ¡°Forget being a superhero. We should be fashion moguls. That¡¯s where the money is.¡± Clara giggled. ¡°TINA, can we see what the skirt looks like with this top?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Clara¡¯s jeans shimmered and flared out into a floral skirt. After it formed, she smiled and twirled. Athena replied, ¡°That one¡¯s a winner.¡± Emmett interjected, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have thought you¡¯d know so much about fashion.¡± ¡°Just because I¡¯m not fond of skirts now, doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ve never worn them. Besides, styles come and go, but if you stick to the basics, then you can never go wrong.¡± Clara added, ¡°I love it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll update your preset outfits.¡± Emmett couldn¡¯t help but smile along with them. It was good to see Clara happy. They still weren¡¯t sure what happened to her dad, but Clara was slowly coming out of the void that had been left behind. It also occurred to Emmett that Clara probably hadn¡¯t been able to go trying on clothes like this in a long time. Ever since they¡¯d met, she¡¯d been cooped up in the lab. At first, Emmett just thought Clara and her dad were shut-ins. Then he learned about her powers and how dangerous they could be¡­ Emmett understood why Clara stayed underground, but it was clear that it got to her. The nanite clothes weren¡¯t exactly shopping at a downtown boutique, but Clara was clearly enjoying herself. That was all that mattered. Emmett finished making and connecting the last wires of the server, then leaned back in his chair to stretch his shoulders. Athena noticed. ¡°Are you at a good place to stop?¡± Emmett nodded. ¡°For now. Now that we¡¯ve got our masks and outfits ready to go, I want to start working with TINA on the second stage of the mask protocol. We should have something in place before we go back out in the city.¡± The first stage of the mask protocol used nanites to hide their appearances from onlookers and cameras, but that wouldn¡¯t keep them safe forever. Eventually, the Brotherhood would gain control of TINA¡¯s old systems¡­ Only a few weeks ago, TINA tracked down The Freakshow with nothing but cellphone messages and location data. Just before that, they¡¯d done something similar to find the secret mutagen warehouse. Even in her current limited state, TINA could hide their cellphone signals. The problem would come from an increasingly smart and connected internet. There were cellphone cameras, geolocation tags, internet-connected security cameras, and the growing number of drones and biomechs. It was only a matter of time before TINA¡¯s old algorithms would be able to search all of them and corroborate all of them in real-time. It wasn¡¯t a matter of if¡ªit was a matter of when. It wasn¡¯t enough to hide their individual appearance or signal. Eventually, they needed to either develop personal cloaking tech or actively scrub themselves from the net. Both were magnitudes more difficult than nanite disguises. Emmett didn¡¯t care. He wanted to develop both. Athena squinted at Emmett. ¡°But you don¡¯t need to figure out the second stage right now¡­ right?¡± Emmett hesitated. ¡°I really don¡¯t know. It depends on how much of TINA¡¯s old systems the Brotherhood has up and running. And there¡¯s no way to know for sure without hacking a drone.¡± Clara had turned away from the mirror, sharing Emmett¡¯s hesitation. ¡°Is TINA strong enough to hack their systems without getting caught?¡± ¡°Yes. So long as Midas isn¡¯t actively monitoring the lab¡¯s systems. I left several backdoors into the lab¡¯s systems. However, each time I connect, there is a chance they¡¯ll find the exploit and patch it.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Athena leaned forward on the couch, suddenly serious. ¡°So hypothetically¡­ If you had the choice between hacking a drone or hunting down a mage, what would you want to do tonight?¡± Emmett and Clara looked at each other, sharing a look of uncertainty and eagerness. Emmett said, ¡°Tell us about the lead.¡± Clara replied, ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯ve got a curfew¡­ Why don¡¯t we go after both?¡± Athena stood up, as if that settled the matter completely. ¡°The lady has spoken. We¡¯re doing both.¡± Emmett glanced between them both and chuckled. ¡°Sure. Why not?¡± They all needed to stretch their legs. ~ The group didn¡¯t waste any time. Emmett and Clara suited up and followed Athena out the apartment window. Emmett and Clara wore civilian clothes and masks, while Athena relied on the stored magic in her clothes to hide her identity. They huddled on the fire escape for a moment while Athena shut the window behind them. Both Emmett and Clara relished the night air. It was June now, and truly summertime. The breeze was warm even now, and Emmett could just make out the salt smell of the bay. Most of Belport still didn¡¯t have power. Most of the surrounding city was dark, save for the construction crews still working and the Fast-Response drones patrolling overhead. They criss-crossed the city like lost fireflies. The only buildings that were lit were to the North, where the flooding hadn¡¯t reached. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe how clear the sky is,¡± Clara whispered. ¡°There¡¯s so many stars.¡± Emmett followed her gaze up. To him, the sky looked the same as any other night. His cybernetic eye allowed him to see in infrared and ultraviolet, so he could see the stars even with the light pollution of the city. But with the power still out in the majority of the city, Clara was able to see them, too. ¡°It used to look like this all the time,¡± Athena said, following their gaze. She pointed to the bright swathe of stars just over the horizon. ¡°That¡¯s part of the Milky Way over there. They used to call it the backbone of night.¡± After a few moments, Athena added, ¡°Come on. We can look at the stars after we¡¯re done. Follow me.¡± Athena leapt over the railing of the fire escape. Emmett watched as she conjured a barrier halfway down. She bounded off it, using it to break up her descent, then touched down on the alley below. He¡¯d fought beside Athena and knew firsthand how awesome her forcefield powers were, but this was the first time Emmett had actually seen her powers. They¡¯d always appeared as invisible barriers, but not anymore. Thanks to his cybernetic eye, the barriers looked like thin blue crystal¡ªeerily solid compared to what Emmett had envisioned before. Emmett and Clara followed behind her. Emmett hit the ground and rolled. Clara let out a burst of power through her suit, slowing her descent right before she touched down. Emmett¡¯s heart was already racing. Goddamn, it felt good to be out again. ~ The three of them walked abreast through the city, sticking mostly to alleys. When they had to cross main streets, they steered clear of construction and made sure that no drones were overhead. TINA helped with that. She could sense when drones and other wireless transmissions were within a block. To be safe, Emmett and Clara also swapped their disguises every other block. Athena explained that her magic obscured her in a similar manner. To an onlooker, Athena¡¯s face would look completely unremarkable. To someone actively spying, Athena¡¯s face would be hard to describe or recognize. In photos or videos, her face would always appear blurry and out of focus. ¡°That sounds convenient,¡± Emmett muttered. ¡°Any chance we can learn how to do that?¡± ¡°Not unless you¡¯ve got a couple years to spend studying magic.¡± ¡°How many?¡± Athena scoffed. ¡°Two decades if you¡¯re exceptionally talented.¡± Clara said, ¡°You don¡¯t look old enough to spend twenty years studying magic.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, but I had friends that did.¡± TINA spoke into their earpieces. ¡°Where exactly are we going?¡± They were heading downtown, but Athena had only given them cryptic answers about their destination. ¡°Downtown. Not too much further.¡± Athena added playfully, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, TINA? Are your legs tired?¡± ¡°No, but I can search communications based on location. If I know our destination, I can better plan for any enemies or disruptions.¡± Athena replied, ¡°I¡¯ve got my powers, Clara is a living weapon, and Emmett¡¯s carrying an arsenal¡­ Maybe I¡¯ve got that backwards. Either way, I think we¡¯ll be alright.¡± Emmett and Clara glanced at each other, their nanite masks both showing smirks. Emmett had been nervous about going out, but Athena was right. They were all right around Class 3, they were experienced supers, and they¡¯d fought as a team before. Emmett¡¯s confidence swelled with each step. Maybe they¡¯d get to fight as a team again. TINA¡¯s voice brought Emmett back to the moment. ¡°Are we going to Manning Station?¡± Athena slowed and stuffed her hands in her jacket pocket. ¡°There goes the surprise. How did you guess?¡± ¡°Manning is the closest subway station, and both the Felwardens and the Cabal of Jesir¨¦ are known to operate underground. From reports, the flooding is almost completely drained. There are also several cellphone signals originating from near the station.¡± Surprise flashed across Athena¡¯s face¡ª Right before she took off running. Emmett and Clara sprinted after her. Thankfully, they caught her before the end of the block¡ªa fact that Athena seemed surprised about. Emmett felt a pang of pride. Even though they¡¯d told Athena about everything they¡¯d gotten into and all the upgrades that Emmett had gone through, she still hadn¡¯t seen Emmett in action. ¡°Why are we running?!¡± Clara shouted. ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure if anyone would be there!¡± Athena replied. ¡°I think it¡¯s the bastard that I¡¯ve been hunting!¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.8 — Finally At Athena¡¯s insistence, the group ran the last three blocks to Manning Station. They stopped just before they reached the station and huddled in an alley. Not because they wanted to, but because a patrol was coming their direction. Two biomechs lumbered down the street and swept their searchlights back and forth in a steady pattern. The mechs would¡¯ve been easy to avoid if it weren¡¯t for the three Fast-Response drones following them. They flew in a lazy orbit above the buildings. The closest one was three stories up, low enough that it weaved between the tops of buildings. The other two were staggered, with the farthest away being another several stories in the air. Even though they were clearly flying in a set pattern, TINA helped the three heroes avoid their lines of sight. This was one reason why they needed some kind of personal cloaking tech. Even if they used nanites to blend into the background, the three of them would still give off heat and ultraviolet signatures. For now, staying out of line-of-sight was the best option. Emmett assumed the mages had their own ways of cloaking their movements. There were likely whole schools of magic devoted to clandestine operations, and Emmett¡¯s curiosity only grew the closer they got to their targets. TINA spoke directly into their earpieces, guiding Emmett, Clara, and Athena through the block¡ªaround buildings, between alleys, and under overhangs. Athena whispered, ¡°When did you get so good at sneaking around, TINA?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had practice at sneaking through cyberspace. Sneaking through the real world is much, much easier.¡± ¡°Are those signals still in the station?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Athena replied. The entrance to Manning Station was up ahead. The wide stairs were at the edge of the street, completely out in the open. Emmett adjusted his vision, trying to see with his human eye so he could gauge just how visible they would be. Power was still out to this portion of the city, so the only light was from the stars and the sliver of moon. But Emmett knew that the patrol of biomechs and drones didn¡¯t need visible light to see them. As tempting as it was to run for the stairs, there wasn¡¯t any cover between them and their goal. So the three of them waited for the patrol to pass. The last thing they needed was to get caught on their first night out of the apartment. Not only would that possibly spook Athena¡¯s targets, but a fight in the middle of the street could bring down the rest of the city''s biomechs on top of them. Emmett glanced at the Fast-Response drones circling overhead. He was pretty certain they didn¡¯t have weapon systems¡­ at least, they didn¡¯t use to. On the other hand, the biomechs each had multiple armaments¡ªboth lethal and non-lethal guns, net launchers, and other countermeasures. Emmett knew one day they¡¯d come up against the biomechs, but not tonight. The three waited at the last holding point for almost a minute. Finally, the biomechs turned a corner down the street and the last drone disappeared from view. Then the heroes ran for the stairs. They were only out in the open for a second or two, but it felt like time slowed down for Emmett. They reached the stairs and quickly slipped into the darkness. ~ The group paused midway down the stairs to compose themselves and make sure they¡¯d gotten through undiscovered. When TINA was finally satisfied, she gave them permission to continue. The three walked quickly and quietly down the stairs. The little bit of light from the stars faded quickly, but Emmett¡¯s eyes adjusted. With so little light, he saw the world in mostly shades of gray. His UV vision added a tinge of blue and purple, making outlines starker. When they finally found their targets, his infrared vision would make their targets stand out against the background. Clara would see the world much the same way through her exosuit helmet. Emmett whispered to Athena, ¡°Can you see down here?¡± Athena made a noncommital noise. ¡°Magic helps a little, but I remember this place like the back of my hand.¡± ¡°I have flares if you need them,¡± Emmett added. ¡°I might take you up on that if a fight breaks out. Stay close. Platform one is up ahead.¡± Athena led them to the bottom of the stairs and through several turns. Emmett felt the floor beneath his feet change from concrete to tile as they passed through the halls. Athena stopped to look at sections of the wall and held up a hand for Emmett and Clara to do the same. Faint wisps of UV light that coalesced around a wall tile. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Athena muttered a spell, the words of which Emmett couldn¡¯t make out. Then she sighed. She uttered the words again, and this time, a tangible charge passed through the air. The wisps of UV faded. ¡°Trap,¡± Athena whispered. Clara asked, ¡°Should we be worried?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m just rusty. It was a rudimentary alarm spell.¡± Athena stopped one more time to disarm a trap spell, this time on her first try. When they came to the end of the hall, Athena held up a hand for them to wait. There was the sound of voices and the faintest flicker of light from around the corner. This time Clara stepped forward. She pulled a small device, no more than an inch square, out of the side of her armor and set it on the ground. Tiny wheels emerged, and the device drove up to the corner. Emmett watched silently as a video feed appeared in the corner of his HUD. With a little effort, he focused on it and felt the image expand in his vision. At the same time, TINA narrated what the camera saw so that Athena wouldn¡¯t be left out. The camera showed a grayscale view of the first platform and three people conversing. The tracks were empty without a subway train in sight. Emmett didn¡¯t need Athena¡¯s confirmation to know that these were the targets they were looking for. One wore a long braided cloak, the ends of which seemed to billow even in the still underground air. They talked animatedly and held a wand in their right hand, the end of which glowed softly¡ªthe source of the light. The second wore martial arts robes, handwraps, and a thick headband. They stood stoically with their arms crossed. The third wore a knight¡¯s armor. The metal looked thin and light. They kept a hand on the hilt of their longsword and shook their head intermittently, seemingly disagreeing with the first mage. The final target was crouched on the edge of the subway platform. Emmett had almost missed them until TINA pointed them out. Their outline shimmered and looked cooler than the others, almost like they were using magical cloaking to hide themselves. Athena nodded at their description. ¡°We can take them.¡± She took a moment to flip her jacket inside out, back to the side with glass shards woven into the leather. ¡°You¡¯re sure, right?¡± Clara asked. ¡°Three against four¡­¡± ¡°Four against four,¡± TINA replied. Athena smiled. ¡°The guy with the wand is a Felwarden. I need him for questioning. The others look like a monk, a spellblade, and a rogue¡­ They¡¯re probably from other organizations¡ªtry not to maim them. All of them will fight up close and personal, except the mage.¡± Emmett and Clara exchanged a look. Clara whispered the command for her disguise to change, and Emmett gave the mental command for his to do the same. NEUTRAL COSTUME Nanites flowed from Clara back to Emmett and then through his skin into his storage canister. For the first time since the end of the war with the Deep Ones, Emmett and Clara became Mod and Arsenal again. Emmett turned to Athena, heart already beating with excitement. ¡°We¡¯ll follow your lead.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go first and see if I can bait one of them away from the group.¡± Athena turned and walked with confidence to the end of the hall. Emmett flashed back to the last time they¡¯d all fought together¡ªthe assault on the mutagen warehouse. They¡¯d teamed up with McGuire and Athena¡¯s friends, Borealis and Luna. At the end of the battle, they¡¯d all had to team up to fight Lock. Every fight, Athena had possessed the confidence of a veteran super. Each time, Emmett had been envious. This time was no different¡ªin either respect. More than anything, Emmett wanted to stand beside a super like Athena and fight as an equal. This time, Emmett knew he¡¯d be able to keep up. He wasn¡¯t the same uncertain newbie, and he wasn¡¯t Class 1 anymore. He¡¯d fought Class 3 villains and two different Class 4 monstrosities¡ªcreatures that leveled buildings. And he hadn¡¯t just survived¡ªhe¡¯d won. Emmett¡¯s heart beat faster. Power flooded into his prosthetics. Emmett left his alter ego behind and embraced the super he¡¯d become. Mod and Arsenal followed Athena and took their position at the end of the hall, just out of sight. They watched through the camera as it peeked around the corner. Athena walked around the corner, and the group of enemies immediately took notice. They fanned out slightly, with the spellblade stepping forward. The rogue slipped over the edge of the platform and hid on the tracks. Arsenal was pressed up against Mod¡¯s shoulder. Even with their suits between them, Mod swore he could feel both their hearts beating like crazy. Athena stopped midway across the platform. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Magus Rollan.¡± ¡°Shit,¡± the mage muttered. ¡°Get her.¡± ¡°Have it your way!¡± Athena shouted. Both the mage and the spellblade muttered incantations. The mage¡¯s wand crackled with lightning and the spellblade¡¯s sword glowed with a silver flame. At the same time, Mod and Arsenal ran into the station, catching the attention of their enemies. The spellblade lunged forward toward Athena, the sword sending flashes of light and shadow across the station. The monk leapt at her with a flying kick. Athena backpedaled. Mod saw her powers flash with bright blue light¡ªone forcefield parrying the glowing blade, and the other much larger barrier slammed into the monk and sent him flying off the platform. Mod caught the exchange and nearly ran past them to get to the mage in the back, but the spellsword¡¯s blade cut through Athena¡¯s barriers. The cuts weren¡¯t clean through, but it was clear that the magic was a bad match for Athena¡¯s power. Mod made the split second decision to take the spellsword on himself. He pulled his bo staff out of his upper arm compartment, extended it, and leapt between them. The sword came down in an overhead slash and Mod raised his staff to catch it. The clang of weapons echoed through the station. Mod caught the blow easily and stared down his opponent. The spellsword¡¯s eyes widened, but they didn¡¯t wait. They redoubled their attack. The spellsword couldn¡¯t see it, but Mod was smiling behind his mask. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.9 — Clara / Hand-to-Hand Arsenal and Mod sprinted into the fray. Beneath her helmet, her eyes were narrowed and it was a struggle not to smirk. Her heart pounded with excitement. Arsenal had trained so much with her exosuits that fighting in them felt natural. Even her standard exosuit felt like an extension of herself. It moved by following the electrical impulses in her muscles. Weapon systems and other complicated maneuvers were controlled with internal switches in her gauntlets. But her thinsuit was on another level entirely. It lacked the firepower and high defense of her standard exosuit, but it more than made up for it with speed, maneuverability, and close quarter combat potential. It fit like a second skin and helped Arsenal focus and control her power. With her standard suit, she could funnel power into flying and into her kinetic blasts. If Clara pushed herself, she could use the same kinetic empowerment to fuel her punches and kicks. It was a potent ability, but it required her to balance pushing and balancing her output. That kinetic movement was exactly what her thinsuit was made for. But instead of a handful of thrusters located on her joints, her entire body was covered in scales¡ªeach acting as a thruster that could be turned on or off, and responding at the speed of electrical impulse. As Arsenal ran across the subway platform, scales in her back opened. She moved so quickly she had to open scales in her legs to keep from tripping¡ªa speed that would catch a Class 3 super by surprise. Somehow, Mod kept up with her. The pair skidded to a halt beside Athena. Mod clashed weapons with the spellsword, lightning up the subway platform with sparks, while Arsenal turned toward the edge of the platform. The monk leapt off of the tracks and towards her. He bounded off a nearby support pillar and launched a flying kick. Arsenal blocked it with her armored shin. The monk didn¡¯t pause, immediately launching a barrage of punches. His fighting style was quick and direct, his stance strong. Arsenal blocked the strikes easily. Power jetted through her scales, punctuating each movement. The monk¡¯s brow furrowed, clearly noticing Arsenal¡¯s power. ¡°Your energy¡¯s strong.¡± Arsenal didn¡¯t reply. Behind her, the battle continued. Clangs of weapons from Mod and the spellsword echoed through the station. Cracks of lightning lit up the station. Out of the corner of her eye, Arsenal saw Athena blocking lightning bolts from the mage. Arsenal continued fighting the monk, but circled around, putting her enemy between her and the lightning. The last thing she needed was a bolt in the back. But as Arsenal turned, the rogue flew out of the darkness. Without her helmet, Arsenal never would have seen him. The rogue left a thin trail of smokey UV and infrared energy. He emerged in the air beside Clara, descending with twin daggers drawn. Arsenal spun in a blink and fired a blast out of her palm. It was crude but effective, sending the rogue hurtling off the platform and back onto the tracks. Multiple bolts of lightning tore across the platform. Athena succeeded in blocking several, but each time lightning struck one of her forcefields it dispersed in a flash of power¡ªAthena had to reform them each time. The veteran super grunted in protest and muttered something. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. TINA said, ¡°Switch targets with Athena.¡± Arsenal fired a palm blast at her enemy. The monk flew backward, flipping through the air and catching himself across the platform. Arsenal flared power out of her back, thrusting herself across the room. Her boots scraped across the tile and the station blurred around her. Athena must¡¯ve gotten a similar message, because she sprinted across the platform to engage the monk. Blood was dripping from her nose¡ªlikely feedback from using her forcefields to block the mage¡¯s lightning. Meanwhile, Mod continued his furious engagement with the spellsword. Arsenal crossed the platform in an instant. She knew her armor could withstand some energy attacks, but she didn¡¯t want to find out its limits. Arsenal skidded between support pillars, circling around to the far side of the mage so that errant bolts wouldn¡¯t endanger her teammates. Then Arsenal charged, resolving to take out the mage as quickly as possible. Bolts of lightning sailed through the air, only some of which were in her direction. Arsenal spun, easily avoiding those that were meant for her. She didn¡¯t have time to look back¡ª She had to trust that Mod and Athena would be okay. ~ ~ The spellsword¡¯s blade flashed as Mod parried it, each time giving off the magical equivalent of sparks. Mod twisted, striking out with the butt of his staff, but the spellsword held out a hand. Magic flared and the staff slammed into a translucent barrier, much like Athena used. At the same time, the spellsword stabbed toward him. Mod was forced to step back and parry. He was envious of their magic. They¡¯d already used a gust of wind to push him back once and shot smaller magic blasts. These were weaker than the mage¡¯s lightning bolts, but strong enough that Mod didn¡¯t want to get hit again if he could help it. Then there were the spellsword¡¯s fighting skills. They were good, way better at hand-to-hand combat than Mod, but Mod was stronger and faster. His enemy was easily Class 2, but it only showed how much Mod had grown in the past months. And he was learning. Even in the middle of battle, Mod could feel his strikes becoming more efficient. He began to notice not just the spellsword¡¯s fighting style but also the magic they used. Their magic barrier was good, but it was nothing like Athena¡¯s. For one, the mage had to activate it with a gesture. And most importantly, the barrier wasn¡¯t anchored in the air. Athena grunted as lightning bolts slammed into her barriers. Mod didn¡¯t have to be psychic to know the bolts hurt. He¡¯d seen Athena struggle during a similar matchup against the super named Feedback. Mod had taken enough time enjoying the fight. Mod baited the spellsword. He threw a lazy strike with his staff, one easily blocked by their magic barrier. The spellsword lunged forward on the offensive, thinking they had an opening, but Mod counted. He swung again with his staff¡ª The spellsword countered with their magic barrier. But this time, they were sent flying back through the air. Mod didn¡¯t relent. He lunged forward, covering fifty feet in a blink. At the same time, bolts of lightning flashed across the station. Mod felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up and he ducked out of the way. Instead, two of the bolts hit the spellsword. Electricity flowed around their armor before seemingly absorbing into it. Soon, their armor glowed with the same silver mist as their blade did. Mod met his enemy with a flurry of his own, but this time the spellsword matched him purely with their blade alone. The mage had clearly buffed his ally¡¯s strength and their speed. That was fine. Mod had other weapons. Without pausing his flurry, Mod unsheathed his impact shield and his whip. Mod adjusted his grip so that he could use all three items at the same time¡ªhis whip undulating over his shoulder like a scorpion¡¯s tail. Mod redoubled his assault, lashing out not just with his staff, but also with the edge of his shield and with errant strikes from his whip. Even with the magic flowing through them, the spellsword backpedaled, barely able to keep up. Mod couldn¡¯t blame them. He couldn¡¯t imagine too many supers were used to fighting someone with an extra hand. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.10 — Richtor the Rogue / Athena Richtor wasn¡¯t used to being surprised. As a Rogue of the Black Order, he was used to melting into the shadows and getting the drop on his foes. The magic of his order had been refined over seven hundred years to make the user invisible and undetectable. Only skilled diviners or those gifted with aura sight from an ancient bloodline had a chance of seeing through the Black Order¡¯s veils. So when the blue-scaled artificer saw through his magic, needless to say, Richtor reconsidered his tactics. Despite his blessings of speed, the artificer had counterattacked with their palm blast, catching Richtor completely by surprise. The blast itself hadn¡¯t hurt him so much as it hurt his pride. Getting flung across the subway station and into the far wall had hurt. So had the fall onto the tracks. Richtor stumbled to his feet. Thankfully, he¡¯d managed to hold onto his heirloom daggers. He gripped them tightly, then wiped a sleeve across the nervous sweat on his brow. He quickly climbed back up onto the platform. He stayed crouched and small in the darkness. Across the platform, the rest of Richtor¡¯s temporary allies weren¡¯t faring much better than he was. Zindon, a Monk of the Risen Circle, exchanged blows with the blue scaled artificer. Most of the fight was too fast for Richtor to follow. Monks of the Risen Circle were masters of their body¡¯s inherent magic and used it to bolster their bodies to superhuman levels. Richtor had looked into the abilities of each of his allies, and knew that Zindon was at the pinnacle of Class 2. All of them measured similarly, with Magus Rollan claiming to be Class 3. Not only that, they¡¯d been chosen based on their complementary abilities and the likelihood of running into a biomech patrol. None of that seemed to matter now. They¡¯d run afoul of a powerful and coordinated team of supers. Two artificers and a telekinetic. Richtor hoped at first that they¡¯d been working for the Summit, but that hope died when the telekinetic asked for Magus Rollan by name. That did not bode well. As quickly as the fight began, the blue scaled artificer had switched with their leather-wearing partner. Richtor hadn¡¯t heard them exchange words, which made their coordination all the more concerning. Richtor and the others had complementary powers, but they¡¯d never met before today, much less fought together. Richtor schemed from the shadows while Zindon and the Magus tried to coordinate. Zindon leapt after the blue scaled artificer, leaping from pillar to floor to ceiling. Gravity held no sway over him as he pursued the artificer relentlessly¡­ There was a brief moment where the blue scaled artificer was caught between the Magus and the monk. Lightning was one of the go-to elements against artificers. It should¡¯ve sought out their armor, striking without fail¡­ But now lightning bolts sailed across the subway station, casting fierce shadows everywhere except on Richtor. The artificer avoided them all. Richtor¡¯s jaw hung open as he watched the blue scaled artificer leap from the pillar, dodge a lightning bolt, and then cling upside down to the ceiling to fight off Zindon. For once, it seemed like Zindon might have the advantage. Richtor saw the thrusts of energy from the artificer¡¯s shoulders. That was how they kept themselves aloft, but it must¡¯ve taken concentration to do so. It hampered their abilities, if only slightly. Then Zindon was thrown backward as the telekinetic engaged them. The monk leapt from invisible barrier to invisible barrier. But no matter how fast they moved, the telekinetic kept them bottled up and trapped. Magus Rollan was forced back now by the blue scaled artificer. He was forced into hand-to-hand combat using a shroud of lightning and force to keep the artificer at bay. All the while, the artificer in black and gray pummeled Heledi, the spellsword. To hear the elders talk, she should have been the most capable fighter in their group. The Knights of Parthenon wove magic into their combat arts, giving them prowess and flexibility that no other order had mastered. Like all dual paths, it was an exchange of advantages. They learned few spells¡ªonly those that were quick and helped in direct combat. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Richtor had been certain that Heledi would put a quick end to the black and gray artificer. Their skill disparity had been apparent from the start¡ªwhich was precisely why Richtor had chosen his other target. But now, the black and gray artificer fought like a completely different person and had Heledi on the back foot. And that was before the artificer pulled out a shield and a whip out of their armor. Now the artificer fought like two skilled fighters, their shield, staff, and whip moving in unison. Richtor made his decision. If he could take down the black and gray artificer, then both he and Heledi could turn the tide of the battle. Richtor muttered his two spells of concealment, and another that turned his body ethereal. Then he floated through the air toward his target. The blue scaled artificer had seen him, but they had also seen Richtor coming. This time, he skulked between pillars, sure to stay behind his target. Seconds dragged on as he closed the gap, and finally Richtor struck. He lunged for the black and gray artificer, daggers outstretched¡ª Without looking back, the artificer¡¯s whip grabbed his wrist. While Richtor was still in the air, the artificer spun, swinging the rogue like a club. Richtor slammed into Heledi. Something cracked and the wind left his chest. His vision waved as the pair tumbled across the tile. The rogue tried to push himself to his feet, but his limbs felt sluggish. Out of the corner of his fading vision, he saw Heledi having similar troubles. She looked around in a daze for her sword. Funny¡­ Richtor could¡¯ve sworn he was holding onto his daggers a moment ago¡­ Then his vision went black. ~ ~ This monk was getting on Athena¡¯s last nerve. She was certain that he couldn¡¯t see her barriers. It took him a split second to react to each new one she created¡ª But he must¡¯ve been able to sense them. That, coupled with his speed and agility, made pinning him down a nightmare. Twice, she caught him with a barrier and tried to hurl him away, but each time he pivoted off it. Instead of getting hurled away in a straight line, the monk bounded up, down, or toward a pillar. As soon as he touched solid ground, he used magic to catch his balance. This resulted in the monk bouncing around the subway station like a rubber ball¡ª One that Athena struggled to catch. Of course, Athena had made it harder on herself than it needed to be. She was limiting herself to two barriers at a time, not including when she blocked an occasional bolt of lightning. She was also trying not to seriously hurt her enemy. He was so fast that Athena had to conjure each barrier several feet in front of him, lest she lop off a limb or worse. Out of the corner of her eye, Athena saw the rogue and the spellsword go flying across the platform. Emmett had taken down his opponent and picked up the floater. That was Athena¡¯s cue to quit playing around. The monk still wore a look of steadfast determination as he leapt off one of Athena¡¯s barriers. But this time, Athena sprung her trap. She conjured four wide barriers fit together in the shape of a pyramid, completely surrounding him. It took the monk two more jumps to realize that he was trapped. His face turned to surprise and then twisted to desperation. Four ghostly arms flared out of his back, and the monk threw a barrage of punches at Athena¡¯s barriers. A smile flickered across her face as she realized they¡¯d both been holding back techniques. The monk¡¯s flurry of punches reverberated against Athena¡¯s barriers, making the air quiver. But the forcefields didn¡¯t budge. Athena could control the size and orientation of her barriers, but naturally, there was some overlap. She tried to avoid overlapping her barriers unless it was absolutely necessary, since it wasn¡¯t a pleasant sensation. She collapsed the pyramid until the monk was balled up into a crouch. The barriers squeaked in her mind, like fingernails on a chalkboard. The monk¡¯s spectral arms disappeared, and his real arms tapped feebly against the invisible barriers. Athena met his eyes, hoping that he got the message. Then she hurled him across the subway station. Athena kept him balled up as he flew away, releasing him just before he slammed into the still-dazed spellsword and rogue. Emmett barked a laugh, clearly enjoying himself. Athena finished by conjuring more barriers, pinning the disoriented supers to the ground. Then Athena and the cyborg turned their attention toward Clara and Magus Rollan. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.11 — Questions and Answers Mod couldn¡¯t help but laugh as their enemies piled up across the subway station. He¡¯d managed to knock away the rogue and the spellsword, and Athena sent the monk flying a moment later. Of course, they weren¡¯t out of the fight completely. Both the monk and the spellsword managed to rise to a knee, but the rogue didn¡¯t stir. Mod hesitated for only a second, wondering how best to keep them at bay¡ª Then Athena dropped a pyramid on top of them. Three interlocking barriers trapped the spellsword and monk in a crouch. The monk glanced around in confusion and hammered a fist at the barrier, but it didn¡¯t budge. Mod didn¡¯t need convincing. He turned his attention toward their target. Across the subway station, bursts of lightning were coming faster. Magus Rollan looked like he was caught in the middle of a storm. Lightning crawled across the ceiling and smaller bolts swirled around the mage. Arsenal¡¯s punches and kicks struck the swirling barrier, each one resulting in a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder. Rollan¡¯s barrier managed to protect him from a direct hit, but it did nothing to keep his feet planted. Each strike sent the mage flying, making it look like he was being buffeted around by the storm. The mage continued muttering incantations, even as he was thrown around. He struggled to keep his wand overhead. ¡°He¡¯s channeling that spell. You need to break his concentration.¡± Mod already knew, but it was nice to hear his theory validated. Athena stood beside Mod. ¡°Give it up, Rollan!¡± Only then did Mod realize that her nose and mouth were red with blood. ¡°You alright?¡± Athena wiped a thumb across her nose, then quickly wiped up the blood with her handkerchief. More blood dripped down Athena¡¯s nose. ¡°Bad matchup.¡± The bursts of lightning were coming faster, the thunder growing louder¡­ Mod knew that some spells continued growing in power the longer they were channeled. He wasn¡¯t worried so much about Arsenal or himself, but if Rollan¡¯s spell kept getting louder, there was a real risk of the Summit or the Brotherhood hearing it. Mod pulled his sonic blaster out of his lower leg compartment and dialed it to medium strength. He aimed it at Magus Rollan and fired. Even with the setting, the whine of the sonic drowned out the cracks of thunder. Arsenal was too close to avoid the sound, but her suit would protect her. The effect was immediate. The mage recoiled, trying in vain to cover his ears. A second later, the spell faded and Rollan collapsed to his knees. Mod didn¡¯t turn off the sonic until Arsenal seized his wand. She hoisted Rollan up by the collar of his robe and leaned him against a nearby pillar. It took a moment for Rollan to recover. Soon his eyes darted around the station, but his allies were across the platform¡ªstill detained. Arsenal turned on a small light at the end of her gauntlet, casting harsh shadows across the man¡¯s face. Magus Rollan was older than Mod had thought at first glance. He squinted at the light and held tightly onto Arsenal¡¯s gauntlet. Deep set wrinkles lined his face. He glanced quickly between the three of them. Athena stepped forward. ¡°Magus, your friends stole something that doesn¡¯t belong to you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡± The words came out a harsh whisper. ¡°I¡¯m looking for a necklace. A very peculiar necklace¡­ A locket with a drop of blood in the center.¡± Rollan¡¯s eyes widened in recognition. He pawed at Arsenal¡¯s gauntlet, but she held him easily. ¡°You¡¯re¡ªyou¡¯re working with the Cabal?¡± Rollan raised his voice and glanced toward where his partners were trapped in the darkness. Athena leaned forward. ¡°Your friends are occupied at the moment. Now, I¡¯d appreciate some honesty.¡± ¡°Not like the Cabal to work with outsiders, let alone artificers¡­¡± Rollan glanced at his captors, then suddenly back at Athena. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t have it.¡± ¡°Who does?¡± Rollan finally got his feet beneath him and straightened up a bit as Arsenal held his collar. He started to say something, but stopped several times. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you who has it.¡± Athena retorted, ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a geas on us. I can¡¯t tell you.¡± Arsenal asked, ¡°What¡¯s a geas?¡± Mod¡¯s stomach sank. Mod knew far less about magic than he knew about tech or other superpowers, but he knew the basics of the spell¡ªit was nothing good. Athena grunted in frustration. ¡°It¡¯s an enchantment spell that keeps people from talking about a subject. That means that our friend can¡¯t tell us who has the necklace, where it is, or any other information about it. He¡¯s lucky¡ªnot even torture can break it.¡± Arsenal muttered, ¡°You know a lot about magic¡­¡± Rollan looked to Mod and Arsenal. ¡°I don¡¯t expect artificers like you to understand, but she¡¯s right. I cannot help you.¡± TINA spoke quietly in their ears. ¡°I can trace Rollan¡¯s cellphone logs.¡± Athena nodded. ¡°I think we¡¯re done here.¡± Then for Rollan¡¯s benefit, she added, ¡°We won¡¯t get anything out of him.¡± Arsenal still hadn¡¯t released her grip, but the mage heaved a sigh anyway. Rollan asked, ¡°Why go to all this trouble? It¡¯s just a necklace¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± Athena corrected. She stepped so that she was face-to-face with the mage. Athena took the wand from Arsenal¡¯s other hand and held it up. ¡°This is precious to you. It¡¯s hard to replace, but not impossible. There are skilled smiths in the Felwardens that could make you a new one in a week. What you stole cannot be replaced.¡± The mage¡¯s eyes darted between Athena and the wand. Then she hurled it across the station. It landed somewhere in the darkness of the subway tunnel. ¡°Let him go. Don¡¯t try to follow us.¡± Arsenal released him, and Magus Rollan took a careful step back. Mod and his team retreated back the way they came. Athena didn¡¯t release her barriers around the spellsword, monk, and rogue until they were around the bend. ~ Mod, Arsenal, and Athena didn¡¯t stop until they were a block away from the subway station. Mod kept an eye on the subway stairs, but no one followed them. Athena led them inside the remnants of a corner store. They¡¯d went south, toward the section of the city with the least renovations. Most of the windows had been busted from floodwater and merchandise was strewn about. The smell of mildew lingered in the air, but the group was alone. Athena said quietly, ¡°TINA, how long will it take you to track down that necklace?¡± ¡°It depends on whether the Felwardens make a habit of keeping their phones on and on their person while conducting business¡­ Nevermind. It seems like most of the Felwardens are ignorant of technology.¡± Athena smirked. ¡°That¡¯s what they get for not keeping up with the times.¡± Mod watched his teammate warily. ¡°What¡¯re we getting ourselves into?¡± Athena met his eyes for a moment, but ultimately said nothing. Mod continued, ¡°A geas is a powerful spell. Which means that someone high up in the Felwardens cast it. Rollan said it was just a necklace, but it¡¯s not just a necklace. A powerful mage wouldn¡¯t be interested in just a necklace.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Athena finally said. ¡°Toss me a fusion cell.¡± Mod pulled one of his spares out of his upper arm and tossed it to Athena. She caught it and spent a moment admiring the soft orange glow. ¡°This is just a battery, right? To me, it is. I can¡¯t do anything with it. I don¡¯t know what went into creating it¡­ It¡¯s not just a battery to you. It¡¯s potential. It has meaning. ¡°That necklace contains the last drops of blood of my friend¡¯s daughter¡­ my goddaughter. It is one of the last remnants of my friend¡¯s old life. Her daughter was never turned. That necklace is all she has left of her daughter.¡± Athena trailed off solemnly, but Mod pushed the conversation forward. ¡°Is it magical? Is that why the Felwardens want it?¡± ¡°It is just a necklace¡­ Athena turned the fusion cell over in her fingers. ¡°What does this mean to Midas?¡± Mod stared at the glowing disc. To Midas, it would be potential and new possibilities. It would be a means to new power. ¡°Are either of you familiar with artifacts?¡± Mod and Arsenal shared a look. Arsenal replied, ¡°They¡¯re magic items, right?¡± ¡°Not necessarily.¡± Athena tossed the fusion cell back and answered for him. ¡°Quick lesson in magic: An artifact and a magical item aren¡¯t one in the same. An artifact doesn¡¯t have to be magical, but it does have to have metaphysical weight or significance. The more significance an item has, the easier it is to imbue with magic or even turn it into a permanent magic item. ¡°A king¡¯s sword passed down through ten generations has significance. It¡¯s much easier to imbue it with magic than a freshly made sword¡ªeven if quality and materials are taken into account. ¡°The Felwardens want my friend¡¯s necklace because of the significance it carries.¡± Mod turned over Athena¡¯s words in his head. It felt like she¡¯d filled in the gaps in his research. Of all the types of supers, mages were the ones he was least familiar with, but this helped significantly. While Mod was lost in thought, Arsenal asked, ¡°What are the Felwardens going to do with it?¡± Athena shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. And it doesn¡¯t matter. I told Lucy that I would get it back.¡± TINA added, ¡°It will still take time to narrow down leads. Several hours at minimum.¡± Athena balled up a fist in frustration. Mod knew that feeling all too well. ¡°We¡¯re not prepared to take on the Felwardens¡­¡± Mod said. ¡°Not yet. Before we do anything else, we need to hack a drone. Then we can do some research.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.12 — Backstory Before they went back to Athena¡¯s apartment that night, Mod, Arsenal, and Athena tracked down a suitable Fast-Response drone so Mod could hack it. It was easier than he thought it would be. Apparently, the biomech and drone patrols were following preset patterns. TINA hypothesized that most of her old systems were still down. In order to get those systems back up and running, Midas would have to keep current operations simple. The biomech patrol that they¡¯d run into before Manning Station was a standard formation¡ªtwo mechs and three drones. But there were more Fast-Response drones in the city, so Mod¡¯s team were able to find isolated drones patrolling gaps in between the normal patrols. Arsenal and Athena waited nearby while Mod followed just behind one drone. He leapt up to the top of a third story building, moving with mechanical silence. With Mod still out of sight, TINA was able to wirelessly interrupt the drone¡¯s transmission. Mod closed the rest of the gap and planted a small magnetized block on top of the drone. Another second later, Mod disappeared from view. TINA took care of the rest. A swarm of nanites crept out of the block and into the drone¡¯s interior. They disassembled their transport block for raw materials, then assembled the true payload inside. Once connected, TINA could connect to her old systems. Right now, she just wanted to know for sure which systems were currently running and what systems Midas was reconstructing. If she pushed too hard, Midas might discover the exploit and patch it. So for now, the plan was to disconnect again as soon as possible to preserve the exploit for later. Once TINA had access to the drone, she mapped the drone¡¯s path. Then Mod used nanites to construct low-power wireless relays nearby. This way info could be relayed back to the servers in Athena¡¯s apartment. While Mod and the others retreated, TINA delved into the lab¡¯s systems. ¡°How long will it take?¡± Emmett asked as they skulked through the darkness of an alley. ¡°I should be finished by morning. I¡¯m also tracking down Magus Rollan¡¯s communications. My bandwidth is still limited.¡± ¡°And we¡¯re grateful for your help,¡± Athena added. Clara asked, ¡°You¡¯re sure you won¡¯t get caught?¡± ¡°Yes. Midas is not at the lab, so the chances of being detected are negligible.¡± ¡°Famous last words,¡± Emmett muttered. ~ It was after 11 o¡¯clock by the time they got back to Athena¡¯s apartment. As grateful as Emmett was to have TINA helping them avoid detection, it was painfully slow getting around the city. Only a week ago, Emmett could¡¯ve made it clear across the city in that amount of time. He sighed. What was the point in having cyborg legs if he couldn¡¯t use them? Clara nudged him with an armored elbow. ¡°You did good tonight.¡± Emmett managed to return a smile. Despite making it back undetected, none of the three supers moved to change out of their suits. Emmett couldn¡¯t shake the paranoia that a drone could have followed them. Athena was restless as well. She paced the kitchen, soda in hand. Clara¡¯s helmet slid back, the links collapsing on themselves until it sat in a bunch around her shoulders. She grabbed a soda for herself and sat on a stool at the counter. ¡°So, your friend¡¯s a vampire?¡± Clara asked nonchalantly. Athena stopped pacing and raised an eyebrow. ¡°...Yes.¡± ¡°Are you going to tell us the story there?¡± Emmett sat down on another stool next to Clara and leaned on the counter expectantly. Emmett could think of a dozen questions he wanted to ask Athena, but that was a good start. Athena stood and leaned on the counter opposite them. ¡°I guess I owe you some kind of story¡­ But I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re going to be disappointed. I knew Lucile before she turned. She was a¡­ Well, she was a young woman. We were in France. She worked for a small private library and helped me track down some or another book about magic¡ªthat¡¯s not important.¡± Emmett gave her a sidelong glance. ¡°You don¡¯t have an accent.¡± Athena scoffed and took a long drink from her soda. ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how quick things like that change. Anyway¡­ That library became a hub for my work. Lucy was indispensable and we soon became friends¡ªwell, as much as a super and a civilian can.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°A few years later, she was attacked by a young vampire. And he turned her. There¡¯s a hierarchy in their societies. Only the elders are allowed to sire new vampires. The vampire who turned Lucy was put to death. According to their laws, the same thing would¡¯ve happened to her, but I helped her escape. ¡°When a vampire is first turned, they¡¯re at their weakest¡ªboth physically and mentally. I took care of Lucy and her daughter, Felina.¡± Clara asked, ¡°Were you two, you know¡­? Athena smirked. ¡°No. We were just close. Sometime soon after that, I became Felina¡¯s godmother.¡± Emmett, afraid to lose momentum, asked, ¡°Where did you run to?¡± ¡°Well, we left France. Then we bounced around before we settled in Spain. I guess that doesn¡¯t matter either. Years later, we both wound up here in the Allied States and eventually in Belport.¡± Clara asked, ¡°What happened to Felina?¡± Athena paused for a moment, turning the almost empty can around in her hands. ¡°She lived a long and beautiful life, and then she died. That¡¯s what mortals do. That¡¯s what Felina wanted to do. And as much as it pained Lucy, she respected her daughter¡¯s wishes. ¡­Still, a parent shouldn¡¯t outlive their children. ¡°When a vampire is turned, they must drink their own blood and the blood of their sire. When Felina was close to the end, Lucy took some of her blood and kept it in a necklace. I think she hoped that her daughter would change her mind and give in¡­ but she never did. That necklace is just a necklace, but it¡¯s all that Lucy has left of her daughter.¡± For a while, the three supers stayed silent. Emmett had so many questions he wanted to ask, but the wistfulness in Athena¡¯s voice kept him from prying. Athena backed away from the counter and threw her can in the trash. ¡°That¡¯s enough stories for one night. I think I¡¯m going to turn in¡­ Don¡¯t hesitate to wake me if we find a lead.¡± ~ ~ Government of the Allied States THE DIVISION OF SUPERHUMAN AFFAIRS Overview of the mage organization known as the Felwardens Introduction: Just as there are superhero and supervillain organizations across the world and within the Allied States, there are numerous magical organizations. Due to several incidents, including [Redacted], the DSA has ordered active monitoring of the Felwarden branches in the Allied States. They specialize in elemental magic, but higher-ranking members have been known to supplement their arsenal with other schools, including enchantment and necromancy. Origin: The Felwardens are a relatively young organization dating back to the early 1400¡¯s in Italy. Since the group¡¯s inception, the Felwardens have spread slowly across the globe. Currently, they are sects in 20 major countries. Principles and Tenants: The Felwardens are magic absolutists. Though they utilize some modern conveniences and technology, they believe that magic is the preeminent power in the world. They tolerate modern borders and governments, but believe in a ¡°magical divine right¡±¡ªthat the most powerful mages should rule the world. See notes on ¡°Magocracy¡±. To bring about this new world order, the Felwardens seek to resurrect their founding members. See notes on ¡°The Fel Six¡±. General Activity: Much of the Felwardens¡¯ general activity centers around maintaining their power. This is done through indoctrination and training of new initiates, researching magic, and crafting magical items. Their research and crafting necessitates a steady supply of artifact-quality heirlooms. While it is possible to imbue mundane items with magic, the most potent magical items use artifacts and relics. See notes on ¡°Metaphysical Weight¡±. Notable Conflicts in the Allied States: Cabal of Jesir¨¦ Elemental¡¯s Guild Vigilant Watchers See notes on ¡°Past Conflicts¡± and ¡°Additional Conflicts¡±. Organizational Structure: Uninitiated¡ªblanket term for all new recruits who are still undergoing their rites. Mage¡ªgeneral field operatives focused on combat magic. Scholar¡ªa member specializing in non-combat magic and research. Magus¡ªa ranking member of the local branch. Depending on the size of the branch, there are up to ten Magus. Each represents a significant level of skill and prowess. Branch Masters¡ªeach branch of the Felwardens has a single leader. They have risen to the top through sheer skill and power. Documented branch masters possess Class 3 capabilities. High Council¡ªcomprising the most powerful and experienced members of the Felwardens, responsible for strategic decisions and oversight. Each of them represents multiple branches. Number of High Council members is unknown, but thought to be less than twenty. Each likely possessing Class 4 capabilities. Ongoing Threat Assessment: The Felwardens have several powerful magic items and high-level magic available to them. Due to the nature of enchantment magic, in-person intelligence gathering should only be attempted by a skilled mage. Recommend that technological surveillance methods be used instead. Despite magical communication, there is near 100% adoption of cellphones and 100% usage of internet among known Felwarden members. See notes on ¡°Surveillance Collaboration with the Binary Brotherhood¡±. ~ ~ Emmett laid back on the couch and set his phone on his chest. It was almost two in the morning. Clara had gone to sleep an hour ago. Emmett wanted to stay up until TINA got a lead on the Felwardens¡­ Now, he just didn¡¯t feel tired. It felt like he was sleeping less and less these days. TINA warned him that might happen. Sleep was a vital part of how both the body and brain repaired themselves. But now, Emmett had nanites to repair himself. That was fine. He had work to do. There were servers to build and countermeasures to research. ~ ~ ~ Full Throttle Heart — 13 — The Undead Legions [Theme Song ¡ª ¡°H¨¡tofurusurottoru¡± by Gunpowder Audition ¡ª Full Throttle Heart, season 1] [Montage of Truck-kun fighting the Undead Legions of Liquid Shadow] We spend our days dreaming Stirring in our sleep Driving through our lives! Full of octane gas Open throttle (we¡¯re gonna crash!) Can¡¯t stop this feeling (in my heart) Fiercest, only, auto-kun¡­ Truck-kun (Truck-kun!) Fiercest, only, auto-kun¡­ Truck-kun (Truck-kun!) Full of octane gas Open throttle (we¡¯re gonna last!) Can¡¯t stop this feeling (in my heart) Approaching certain victory Fight the power (unleash the power!) Drown out all the cheering fans Defeat evil that controls the land ~ [Montage of Truck-kun driving across the landscape. The knight, Gabriel, and the wizard¡¯s apprentice, Morden, lean out the windows. Al, the bluebird, alternates flying beside them and riding in the cab. At night, they light a campfire and sleep beneath the stars. [The camera follows Gabriel as he walks across the hills and back to camp. The night sky is clear and full of stars. Gabriel carries two rabbits over his shoulder. [Morden waves eagerly to the knight. Truck-kun rests in its truck-form. Al sits atop its hood. [Together, Gabriel and Morden skin the rabbits and roast them over the fire.] ¡°You make that look easy,¡± Truck-kun rumbled. ¡°Joe and I were never fond of killing animals.¡± ¡°I dunno,¡± Al said, the bluebird¡¯s voice as rough as a three wheeled carriage ride through a quarry. ¡°You sure did a number on that dire bear.¡± ¡°I did what was necessary¡­¡± ¡°Just be glad Gabriel killed those rabbits. If Truck-dude had, there wouldn¡¯t be anything left!¡± Gabriel patted Truck-kun¡¯s hood. ¡°You were protecting yourself. There is no shame in that.¡± Truck-kun stayed silent, while Gabriel and Morden sat around the fire and started to eat. Al pecked at bugs on the ground. ¡°Are we almost to the cursed lands?¡± the bluebird asked. Morden nodded. ¡°Yes. Another day, perhaps.¡± Truck-kun looked off in the distance solemnly. Despite traveling for several days already, it felt like only yesterday that the box truck had been transported to this strange world. Now, they were heading toward the evil lich, Gormangach. They¡¯d only recently learned that Morden¡¯s Maester needed Truck-kun¡¯s mysterious package¡ªthat it somehow held the key to Gormangach¡¯s defeat. But things were not so simple. Gormangach also wanted the package, and Truck-kun knew somehow that the package was also the key for it to return home. Back to Joe. Truck-kun couldn¡¯t help but worry about how much time had passed. An entire work week had already passed here in this strange world¡­ What if it had been even longer back home? ~ [Gabriel and Morden sleep beside a smoldering fire. Truck-kun is parked beside them. Al sleeps peacefully in Truck-kun¡¯s glove compartment. [Cut to something retracing Gabriel¡¯s steps across the hill, following the blood trail left by the rabbits. The camera looks through the creature¡¯s eyes as it shambles toward the heroes. All that can be heard is the faint rustling of feet.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. [Gabriel wakes and calls for the others. He leaps to his feet and draws his sword. Truck-kun and Morden wake and ready themselves. [Cue stylized view of Truck-kun transforming from its normal truck form to its truck warrior form.] Truck-kun¡¯s frame and wheelbase shifted. Its wheels rearranged beneath it like feet and hips. Its cab rose and turned into a torso. Its storage box unfolded, sheathing its limbs in armor plates. Truck-kun stomped forward and stood beside Gabriel.] Shapes moved in the gloom. At first, Truck-kun thought they might be bandits. Even though their group was far from civilization, Gabriel had warned them that there still might be brigands and criminals. The campfire had smoldered and the only light shown from the stars above¡ªTruck-kun thought it could see humanoid shapes moving toward them. Truck-kun had been so entranced that it hadn¡¯t turned on its headlights yet. The first creature reached for Gabriel, and he slashed through its arm. The blade passed through easily, but there was no sound. No cry. No clink of armor. The creature recoiled only for a moment. The next creature lunged for Truck-kun. Without hesitating, the giant warrior brought down two fists in an overhead blow. The impact left a crater. Still, there was no sound. The creature surely had to be dead. Not even a dire bear could survive¡ª The creature reappeared to the right of Truck-kun. Al flittered out of Truck-kun¡¯s cab, shouting, ¡°Oh man, this isn¡¯t good!¡± Gabriel slashed again and again, but each strike of his sword only repelled the creatures for a moment. Shadows flickered to either side now. The creatures were fanning out. Surrounding them. Morden uttered magic words and his wand flared with light. The creatures that surrounded them looked like living shadows. Their bodies were vaguely humanoid, but that was where the similarities ended. They didn¡¯t have eyes, mouths, hands, or any other discernible features. The light from Morden¡¯s wand rippled over the surface of the creatures. Where the light was strongest, the surface of the creatures seemed to harden, like water suddenly freezing into ice. It didn¡¯t last for long though. The liquid mass of shadow churned in agitation, trying to undo the effects. The entire time, none of the creatures made noise. The only sound was from the panicked heroes. Morden shouted, ¡°The Undead Legions of Liquid Shadow!¡± Gabriel slashed at a creature. His sword struck some of the solid material, sending sparks flying across the field. ¡°They¡¯re weak to the light!¡± The light from Morden¡¯s wand sputtered. ¡°Oh no.¡± Truck-kun flicked on its headlights. Until then, it had been impossible to know just how many shadow creatures there were around them¡ªtwo hundred watts of power illuminated the campsite and a swathe of the creatures surrounding them. There were dozens, and likely even more, in the darkness beyond. But now the creature¡¯s weakness to light was fully evident. The creature¡¯s nearest to Truck-kun¡¯s headlights seemed to dry up¡ªturning from liquid shadow to the consistency of mud. Only moments later, their surfaces cracked like a dry riverbed. Both Truck-kun and Gabriel leapt forward to attack. This time, the creatures turned to powder from their sword and fists. Al muttered something encouraging above them, but Truck-kun didn¡¯t dare look up and divert its headlights. Behind them, Morden¡¯s wand flickered. The light was feeble, but it was enough to keep the creatures from attacking from behind. ¡°More light!¡± Gabriel shouted. ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± Morden replied. Truck-kun reached deep within itself. It had high beams and floodlights and reverse lights, but never had it summoned all of its lights at the same time. But Truck-kun didn¡¯t have time to worry about what it had done before or what might be possible. With great strain, Truck-kun rewired its lighting pathways. Plates shifted, wires slithered and reconnected. It never stopped fighting. Couldn¡¯t stop fighting. With a deep hum, all of Truck-kun¡¯s lights turned on. Flood lights cast a wide glow across the field. Reverse lights caught all of Truck-kun¡¯s allies in its glow. All around, creatures of shadow faltered. Their skin turned to sludge and began to crack. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Not until Truck-kun¡¯s high beams flared. Light erupted out of its chest like a new dawn and stretched out to the distant hills. Any shadow creatures within Truck-kun¡¯s reach burst into flame. All the creatures within four car lengths immediately turned to dust. Truck-kun turned its mighty frame, casting its high beams across the entire hillside, killing dozens of shadow creatures with its gaze. When half the creatures had fallen, those at the furthest reaches of the horde seemed to wither and disappear into the night. Gabriel and Morden stood weary but stoic. ¡°Is¡ªis that it?¡± Morden asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Gabriel replied, finally sheathing his sword. ¡°They¡¯re creatures of number¡­ There were too few left to keep them corporeal.¡± Gabriel turned back to the campfire and tried to get it lit again. ¡°Morden, if you have a fire spell, now would be the time¡­¡± Al flittered down to land on Truck-kun¡¯s immense shoulder. ¡°Good hustle, team. I knew you could do it.¡± Truck-kun turned to survey the hills. Thankfully, there were no more shadow creatures left. Still, Truck-kun didn¡¯t want to take any chances. So it siphoned out a splash of gasoline onto the fire. The flames roared to life. Gabriel and Morden leapt back. The knight rolled onto his back and burst into laughter. ¡°You should do that to Gormangach when we see him!¡± ~ ~ Emmett had been laying on the couch in Athena¡¯s apartment, watching the episode of Full Throttle Heart on his phone. Clara came out of the bedroom and stretched her arms overhead in a yawn. She stopped when she saw Emmett on the couch. ¡°Have you been up all night?¡± Emmett was suddenly aware of the light peeking in through the curtains. ¡°I swear I was doing work. ¡­Mostly.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.13 — Nanite Countermeasures Shortly after Emmett finished that episode of Full Throttle Heart early Monday morning, TINA succeeded in hacking the Felwardens and tracking down the stolen artifact. Until the war with the Deep Ones, the Felwardens had operated out of a demiplane similar to Belport¡¯s Donjon club. A magical space hidden between normal space, shrouded much like Athena¡¯s apartment. The rogue super that broke into the Donjon club and poisoned Amarque had been able to do so because it wasn¡¯t really breaking and entering. The Donjon club was magically keyed so that supers could come and go, so long as they had knowledge of where it was hidden and hadn¡¯t been explicitly barred from access. The Felwarden¡¯s old hideout was much more secure. Only those with expressed permission could enter. However, TINA learned that the Felwarden¡¯s old hideout had been compromised by the war. Apparently, the same magic that cloaked their hideout also attracted the crystalline Deep Ones. The building was half-destroyed and the magic shroud was compromised. The Felwarden¡¯s new hideout was on the South side of Belport, right at the edge of the boardwalk. Despite the recent destruction, the flood waters had receded from the tunnels. Even though construction teams were working quickly, the South side would likely be the last section to be rebuilt. Their new hideout didn¡¯t have centuries and layers of magic protecting it anymore. What the Felwarden¡¯s had now was still effective, but hastily cobbled together. Each Felwarden had a magic key that allowed access to the hideout, but the keys weren¡¯t tethered to a specific individual. If Emmett, Clara, and Athena could get their hands on three keys, then they could get access to the Felwarden¡¯s hideout. Stealing keys and getting access was the easiest part of their plan. Once they were inside, they would need to sneak through the demiplane or contend with the mages inside. There wouldn¡¯t likely be any members of the High Council, but there would be dozens of initiate mages, magi, and likely a Branch Master as well. Dozens of Class 1 and 2 enemies, and at least one Class 3. Compared to the recent war, it didn¡¯t seem like that bad of a proposition¡­ at first. But in the war, they¡¯d been using lethal force. Emmett¡¯s most powerful abilities weren¡¯t made for taking prisoners. Emmett, Clara, and Athena came to the quick agreement that they would steal three keys, break into the Felwarden¡¯s demiplane, retrieve Lucile¡¯s necklace, and get out without killing anyone. That complicated things significantly, likely making the mission their riskiest endeavor yet. ~ The group took 2 days to prepare their strategy against the Felwardens. Athena took some of that time to give them a primer lesson on how most magic spells worked. Then Emmett and TINA took the rest of those two days developing a countermeasure. Tuesday evening, the group gathered around while Athena cooked canned chili on a hotplate. Emmett leaned on the counter. ¡°The countermeasure is ready.¡± Clara leaned against his shoulder. ¡°You really think it will work?¡± Athena scoffed. ¡°It¡¯ll work alright. It¡¯s a little barbaric, but that¡¯s exactly why it will work.¡± They ate chili and went over the plan one final time. ~ A few hours later, Mod, Arsenal, and Athena went out into Belport, heading south toward what was left of the boardwalk. Power was coming back to small sections to the north, but the south side of Belport was lit only by starlight and the sliver of moon that was left. The group stuck to the alleys, swapping disguises and limiting their time out in the open. There were fewer patrols to the South, but there were more scattered solitary drones flying around. The further south they went, the more wreckage they encountered. Derelict cars had been pushed to the edge of the road to make way for patrols and emergency vehicles, but seaweed and trash still littered the streets. There were even pockets of sand in the alleyways. The breeze picked up too, whisking away the smell of rotting seaweed and replacing it with salt. It was summer now¡ªpeople should¡¯ve been crowded on the boardwalk. The shops should¡¯ve been bustling. The small carnival¡ªthe Ferris wheel and rides¡ªshould¡¯ve been lit up. Darryl and Maci had talked about taking the nephews there when it opened. Who knew when that would be. Emmett tried to tell himself that at least the streets were dry¡­ It was a small consolation. It felt like one more small section of Belport that was being ignored in favor of downtown and the big businesses. TINA¡¯s said quietly in their ears, ¡°I have a group of four Felwardens approaching the carnival. Highlighting their location.¡± Mod¡¯s group stayed in the shadow of an alleyway. Mod and Arsenal peered around the corner and down the block. Four human-shaped yellow blobs were highlighted in Mod¡¯s vision somewhere behind a row of buildings. After a few moments, the group of Felwarden¡¯s crossed a distant street. They were too far away to make out much detail, but the group was dressed in long coats and hoods. As soon as they were in the open, the highlights tightened around each mage. ¡°Resolving tracking for depth.¡± When the group passed behind another building, their outlines stayed sharp. TINA didn¡¯t have a drone video feed currently, so Emmett suspected that TINA was merely simulating the motion of their highlights. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Arsenal said, ¡°TINA, your location tracking is scary accurate.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Emmett looked down the street, charting an intercept path to the group. Even when he was looking away from the Felwardens, Emmett could still see them out of the corner of his eye. It almost felt like the bounds of his vision had expanded somehow¡­ Except that wasn¡¯t quite right. His field of view was the same¡ªhe was just aware of the group¡¯s position still. He would have to ask TINA about that later. Right now, they had to focus. Mod turned back to Arsenal and Athena. ¡°Ready?¡± Athena patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Following your lead.¡± Mod¡¯s group took off down the street, keeping one eye on the sky and the other on their highlighted targets. TINA helped direct their intercept path and their pace slowly increased.It was hard to run quietly, but they managed a silent trot. Mod pulled his pistol out and double-checked the new nanite rounds. The rounds were subsonic, so they were quieter than a normal gunshot, but the group would wait until the nearest drone was at least three blocks away before engaging. Soon, Mod¡¯s group was on the other side of a restaurant from the Felwardens. They were only a block away from the boardwalk and the carnival¡­ Mod watched the highlighted Felwardens walk out into the narrow street. They were walking away from Mod, and only one looked back over their shoulder. As soon as Mod had a clear line, he opened fire. With mechanical quickness and precision, he fired four shots¡ªone for each target. Each Felwarden let out a yelp of surprise as the shot hit them right between the shoulder blades. The rounds were nonlethal, but they¡¯d hurt enough to catch the mages off guard and knock the wind out of them. Mod had expected at least one of them to have a magic barrier of some sort, but it seemed that they all had foregone protections. Mod slipped back around the corner before any of them could turn. A moment later, bursts of fire shot randomly across the street. One mage shouted, and the rest of their voices overlapped as each mage started conjuring their own spell. But that was the end of their retaliation. They tried casting spells, but their voices descended into muffled, panicked shouts. Two seconds¡ªthat was how long it took for Mod¡¯s new countermeasure to take effect. ~ Most magic spells required components to cast, usually a combination of spoken words, hand gestures, or a magic item. The more powerful the spell, the higher the likelihood that it needed all three components to cast it. It wasn¡¯t a hard rule, but it was solid enough for Emmett to use as the basis for his new countermeasure. Take away the mage¡¯s wand, or their ability to speak and move, and you severely limit their ability to fight. For a long time, Emmett had relied on smoke pellets to a similar end. Emmett could see through the smoke thanks to his UV and infrared vision, but his opponents were fighting blind. The smoke pellets were cheap, easily concealable, and effective, but there were ways to counter it. A gust of wind could disperse the cloud, or an enemy could simply run out of it. A blind mage could still be dangerous. That¡¯s where the nanites came in. TINA¡¯s nanites were tiny machines, only a little bigger than a grain of sand. While Emmett had several types of nanites in his body, TINA¡¯s general purpose nanites were much less specialized. So far, Emmett had mostly practiced making simple shapes and building servers for TINA, but both of them were convinced that the nanites had much more potential. Despite the possibilities, nanites had limitations of their own. They could make simple shapes in a few seconds, but they couldn¡¯t change density or make moving parts. That meant no weapons and no armor. The nanites could manufacture both of those, but not fast enough to be used in combat. The nanites also needed a large enough group to function. It wasn¡¯t just a matter of needing more nanites to speed up manufacturing¡ªthe nanites were so light that even a person-sized cluster could get blown away by the wind! When nanites were used outdoors, they needed to be anchored to the ground or another object. Each swarm was actually made of two types of nanites. TINA merely classified them as Type 1 and 2, but Emmett referred to them as controllers and builders. The vast majority of each swarm was made of builders, with only a fraction of a percent being controllers. When Emmett or TINA controlled a swarm, they were really sending commands to the controllers, which then controlled the builders. Emmett¡¯s nanite bullets contained a payload of builder nanites with double the controllers mixed in. The bullets were big enough and weak enough that they wouldn¡¯t penetrate the skin, but still fast enough that only a speedster could dodge them. Without a bullet or some other projectile delivery system, the swarm would be too slow to use as a countermeasure. ~ The four Felwarden mages didn¡¯t have a chance. The bullets hit them in the back, so they didn¡¯t realize what was happening until it was too late. A swarm of nanites clung to each of them. As soon as the swarm was free, it started following TINA¡¯s preset commands. They crawled over the target¡¯s clothes¡ªsome moving toward the target¡¯s hands while the rest moved to their face. Emmett had tested the process on himself. It was nonlethal and wouldn¡¯t leave any lasting physical damage, but that didn¡¯t mean it was pleasant. The nanites were so light that the mages wouldn¡¯t have felt anything until the swarm was already on their neck. It felt like sand trickling upwards, cool to the touch, and the skin would itch where the target tried to brush away the swarm. A second later, the swarm was covering the target¡¯s hands like gloves, then hardening so that they couldn¡¯t make sigils or gestures. The other part of the swarm slithered over their eyes and coated the inside of their mouth and tongue. In two seconds, their hands were bound, they were blind, and they couldn¡¯t speak. They could breathe¡ªEmmett and TINA made sure of that. The swarm didn¡¯t block their nose or their throat. But that wasn¡¯t very comforting. Mod, Arsenal, Athena peered around the corner of the alley at the group of Felwardens. Nanites covered their hands and faces like black tar. The four mages pawed desperately at their faces with frozen fingers. Their cries became guttural. ¡°Holy shit¡­¡± Athena muttered. ¡°That¡¯s effective.¡± Her disbelief shook Mod out of his trance. Mod stowed his pistol. ¡°We need to get their keys.¡± The group sprinted over to the Felwardens. Mod grabbed two mages¡ªone with his hands and another with his whip. The two men cried out unintelligibly. Arsenal rummaged through their pockets. Athena conjured barriers to keep the other two mages from running. Arsenal asked quickly, ¡°How will I know it¡­¡± She trailed off and pulled a small object out of the mage¡¯s coat pocket¡ªa rook chess piece. It glowed with soft UV light. Arsenal tossed it to Athena. Athena focused on the piece and rolled it around in her fingers. Satisfied, she pocketed the piece. ¡°That¡¯s it. Check the others. We¡¯ll each need one.¡± Mod watched as Arsenal rifled through the other mages¡¯ pockets. It didn¡¯t take long to find the other demiplane keys¡ªa whistle, a mushroom statuette, and an actual key, which had to be taken off of the mage¡¯s keyring. Each glowed in Mod¡¯s UV vision. Arsenal tossed a key to Mod and kept the other two for herself. When they were done, they dragged the mages into a nearby storefront and left them inside. Mod let them know that the nanites would wear off in an hour, then he wedged a bar in the door to lock them in. Then Mod, Arsenal, and Athena hurried toward the carnival. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.14 — Demiplane Emmett thought he¡¯d gotten used to the aftermath of flooding and the war. Seeing the carnival was another thing entirely. Emmett had gone at least once a summer, especially as he¡¯d gotten older and his nephews had been born. The carnival ran along three blocks of Belport¡¯s boardwalk. Normally, the lights would blend in with the rest of the shops along the boardwalk. Music and cheers echoed down the streets, followed shortly by the smell of hotdogs and funnel cakes. You could see the Ferris wheel across the boardwalk, like a giant beacon. It was surreal to sneak through a place where he had so many memories. Tonight though, Emmett saw it in the same drab night vision-gray as the rest of the city. The Tilt-a-Whirl had been knocked over and crushed a nearby shop. The tower chair swing looked like the next breeze would topple it over. The space between was littered with seaweed and trash. The Ferris wheel didn¡¯t look much better. A small fishing boat was wedged between the bars and several of the Ferris wheel cars were missing¡ªEmmett found one later, smashed open on the sidewalk. Game booths had been swept clean too¡ªtheir balls, bottles, and stuffed animals now littered the ground. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena crept toward the Ferris wheel, mindful of the wreckage around them. They hadn¡¯t seen anyone else since the group of Felwarden¡¯s they¡¯d ambushed, but that didn¡¯t mean other mages wouldn¡¯t be coming and going from the hideout. They paused before they got to the Ferris wheel, taking cover in a half-cleared out target shooting booth. The mushroom statuette in his pocket was pulsing every few seconds. Athena said, ¡°We¡¯re getting close. The keys should work automatically.¡± Arsenal asked, ¡°Is there anyway to see what¡¯s on the other side before we go through?¡± Athena shook her head. ¡°Won¡¯t know ¡®till after the jump. Think about wanting access and the key should do the rest.¡± Mod took a deep breath. This was the biggest hurdle in their plan, but it was unavoidable. MAGE DISGUISE BEARDED FACE Nanites rearranged themselves across Mod¡¯s body. Arsenal issued similar commands, and Athena slipped on her stolen Felwarden jacket. A few seconds later, and the three supers could pass as mages, at least at a glance. Mod reloaded his pistol with nanite bullets, then stuffed it in his new coat pocket. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± The three walked quickly to the Ferris wheel. With every step, the key pulsed quickly in Mod¡¯s pocket. When he was about twenty feet away, a small orb appeared at the base of the Ferris wheel. It glowed with UV light and grew steadily wider as they approached. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Athena replied. The orb grew, flattening into a spherical gateway as tall as Mod. Its surface rippled like a glowing pond. Athena ushered them forward, and they stepped through the portal together. ~ Mod had asked Athena countless questions over the past week. Some about her past. Others about the nature of magic. And definitely a few about demiplanes. He never thought to ask what it would feel like to go through the portal into one. It felt like the sudden lurch of an elevator, except turned up to eleven. Mod¡¯s stomach was in his throat and his arms went out in the sudden reflex to catch himself. But he didn¡¯t fall, and the sensation disappeared as soon as Mod¡¯s foot touched the ground. He glanced around, quickly taking in his surroundings. Instead of a carnival, the demiplane was a medieval village. The layout seemed roughly the same, but the rides and shops had been replaced with other structures. The Ferris wheel was replaced with a cathedral. Ornate curves of stonework rose into the air, punctuated with gargoyles. The structure radiated an imposing and almost oppressive aura of magic. Mod¡¯s first instinct was to move quickly away from the structure, but he could see a handful of Felwarden mages across the clearing. The last thing they wanted was to arouse suspicion. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. None of the other buildings were as imposing as the cathedral. Most were one story tall and made from wood rather than stone. Instead of a starry night, the sky above was covered in low gray clouds. In the distance, Mod could see the edge of the carnival where wooden fences overlapped with the UV outline of chain link. Beyond was completely blocked by swirls of fog. Mod glanced back at his teammates as they stepped through the portal. Apparently, he¡¯d had it easy. Arsenal doubled over and groaned. ¡°Ugh, that sucked.¡± Across the clearing, the group of mages pointed at Arsenal. Breath caught in Mod¡¯s throat until the mages burst into laughter. Athena put her hands on top of her head and steadied her breathing. ¡°Magic grows in power over time. This demiplane was created recently, so it¡¯s not going to be as swanky or as permanent as the Donjon club. The transition portal isn¡¯t going to be as smooth, either. Did you know that when you go into the Donjon, you don¡¯t even see the portal?¡± Arsenal replied, ¡°Let¡¯s go there next time.¡± Athena patted her on the back. ¡°Come on. You¡¯ll feel better when you get moving.¡± Athena directed them toward a small stonework building¡ªthe only one that had smoke rising out of the chimney. The smoke oozed upward until it mingled with the fog that enclosed the demiplane. From TINA¡¯s hacking, they knew that Lucile¡¯s necklace hadn¡¯t been destroyed yet. The Felwarden¡¯s were saving it for a complex ritual and it was being kept in the smithery with other alchemical ingredients. From Mod¡¯s research, he knew that the smithery would also be the source of magic holding together the recently constructed demiplane. Arsenal had pulled out her small camera. A video feed appeared in the corner of Mod¡¯s vision. Arsenal held the camera in her hand so that it pointed behind her as they walked. The Felwarden mages in the clearing were talking amongst themselves again and weren¡¯t paying attention to Mod¡¯s group anymore. The camera view made him relax slightly. It had been hard not to look back as they walked. They needed to act like they belonged. Arsenal whispered, ¡°So far, so good.¡± TINA¡¯s voice came through their earpieces. ¡°I¡¯m cut off to outside servers while we¡¯re in the demiplane. Try not to need me.¡± Arsenal stifled a giggle. Mod replied, ¡°TINA, your humor¡¯s getting better.¡± She was trying to help them relax. It only worked a little. Athena stepped up to the smithery door and tried the handle. It was unlocked, and she opened it. Mod kept his hands in the pockets of his coat. His right hand gripped his pistol. The first thing Mod felt was a wave of magic. It felt like hot fumes from a furnace, but tinged with the smell of earth and metal. There were hints of spice and herbs, as well. The second thing Mod noticed was that his sense of scale was off. From the outside, the smithery had looked like a historic one-room house. But inside, the walls spread out into a spacious work area and the ceiling towered almost two stories overhead. Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, each stuffed with bottles, vials, scrolls, and tools. Two smithing stations sat along the far wall. Desks were scattered around the room, each with various alchemical projects. It looked like there were several smaller rooms in the back of the building, but the main area was empty¡ª Except for a Felwarden at the top of a ladder. The mage glanced down at them briefly before muttering something to himself and continuing to look through supplies on a top shelf. The mage called down. ¡°Sure, sure¡­ Just come on in! Nobody thinks about knocking.¡± The group glanced at each other briefly before Athena took the lead. ¡°Apologies,¡± she called back. ¡°I was hoping you could help us.¡± ¡°If you want something made, you¡¯ll have to wait. I¡¯m already backed up and I need to keep time open for Master Deverie¡¯s order.¡± Mod and Arsenal shared a glance as they continued surveying the smithery. TINA had found a series of text messages confirming that the necklace was part of something for the local branch master. Sensing an opening, Athena added, ¡°We¡¯ve brought something for Master Deverie¡¯s order.¡± ¡°Oh, is it the crystal shards?¡± The mage peered down the ladder expectantly. His face was lined with wrinkles and his beard was white and bushy. ¡°I¡¯ll be down in a moment¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Athena interjected. ¡°It¡¯s not the crystals.¡± ¡°Drats. If it¡¯s those herbs, just leave them on the table.¡± The mage waved dismissively and turned back to the shelf in front of him. ¡°...I can see you¡¯re busy. I can put them with the other ingredients. It¡¯s the least we can do.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s sweet of you. Fine, fine. Put them in the back. There¡¯s a drawer labeled with the Master¡¯s name. You can¡¯t miss it.¡± Mod and Arsenal followed Athena to the back rooms. They ignored the obvious bedroom and storerooms full of barrels. One of the larger rooms was filled with shelves and labeled drawers. It only took a moment to find the one labeled Master Deverie. Mod watched over her shoulder as Athena opened the drawer and rummaged through it. She pulled out a silver locket and stuffed it into her pocket. Then the three turned and walked back to the entrance. For a moment, it looked like they¡¯d gotten away with it. The mage on the ladder even thanked them and waved goodbye. Athena opened the front door to walk through, but stopped abruptly, like she¡¯d walked into a solid wall. When she stepped back, the doorway glowed with a magic barrier. Athena reached out and felt it, but the barrier didn¡¯t budge. At the same time, an alarm sounded above them. The chimes echoed, fast and loud. There was no doubt that the entire demiplane could hear them. ¡°Knew it was too easy,¡± Mod said. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.15 — Wrecking Ball The alarm echoed from somewhere in the smithery. There was no point in disarming it¡ªthey¡¯d lost the element of surprise. So Mod¡¯s group readied themselves to fight their way out. Mod gripped the pistol hidden in his robe and turned to face the nearby mage. The mage on the ladder looked around in confusion before he glanced down at Mod and the others. ¡°Oh, drat. You¡¯ve gone and done it now.¡± Mod glared at the mage. ¡°We¡¯re prepared to fight our way out.¡± Arsenal stood beside him, her thinsuit humming with anticipation. The front door was open, but the doorway was blocked with a magical barricade. Athena muttered to herself as she tried to find a way through. ¡°I¡¯m just¡ª¡± The old mage tried to hold up two hands but wobbled on the ladder. Finally, he held up a single hand in defeat. ¡°I¡¯m just a smith.¡± Athena groaned in frustration. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡± Mod glanced back just in time to see the blue flash of Athena¡¯s powers. She sliced through the stone wall¡ªeach flash accompanied by a scraping sound, like metal on stone. She used one final barrier to push her way through. The whole sequence had barely taken her a second, and she¡¯d carved a triangle-shaped doorway through solid rock. Mod did a double-take. All the times that Mod and Athena had fought side-by-side, he¡¯d never seen her use her powers as anything but forcefields and barriers. Arsenal must¡¯ve been similarly dumbfounded because she glanced at Mod. But Athena didn¡¯t pause. She stepped through the newly made doorway. As soon as she was through, the sounds of battle erupted on the other side. ¡°Here goes,¡± Arsenal said before quickly following Athena. Mod glared one last time at the mage on the ladder, but the old man hadn¡¯t moved. He still had one hand raised in surrender while holding perilously with the other. Mod readied himself and followed after his teammates. Outside, mages were already converging on the smithery. They filed out of nearby buildings with a mixture of zeal and anger. A barrage of spells came from all around the demiplane¡ªicicles, boulders, streaks of fire, and bolts of lightning. Athena had conjured barriers big enough to cover the entire smithery. Most spells splashed harmlessly against her forcefields¡ªicicles and boulders shattered, and fire burst harmlessly against it. Only the lightning bolts seemed to actually hurt. Each time a bolt struck, Athena¡¯s barrier wavered. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena had briefly discussed strategies for using the new nanite bullets. They¡¯d settled on one in particular. So long as these mages weren¡¯t as good with barriers as Athena, it should work. ¡°Wrecking ball!¡± Mod called out their plan and stepped forward with his pistol leveled. Athena leapt to his side. Athena looked over his shoulder and shuffled her barriers, giving Mod a narrow window through which to fire. Mod aimed at mage furthest to the right and opened fire. A nanite bullet slammed into the mage¡¯s chest, sending them stumbling backward. Before they could recover, the swarm wrapped up his face and hands. Before he was completely immobilized, Arsenal rocketed across the gap. She slammed an armored fist into his stomach, and the mage collapsed. Mod was already targeting the next closest mage. Athena was already readjusting her barriers to give him a shot. That was impressive enough, but Athena was also conjuring a barrier to keep Arsenal safe. Arsenal followed their targeting path, disabling foes almost as quickly as Mod shot them. Athena leapfrogged the secondary barrier in front of Arsenal as she went. Working in unison, they wrecked their way across the demiplane, as quickly and easily as punching keys on a typewriter. The mages on the far left barely had time to register what was happening. Ten mages dropped and Mod had to spare a half-second to reload before he dropped the next four. That was enough time for the last mage to try and run before Mod shot him in the back. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. The last of the mages dropped to the ground in a mixture of gasps and groans. Athena barked a laugh. Her chest heaved with exertion as she slapped Mod on the back. ¡°You¡¯re goddamn fast, you know that? Both of you!¡± Mod took a measured breath even though he didn¡¯t need it. All they had to do now was¡ª Six more Felwardens filed out of the large cathedral. Only three were dressed like mages. The other three wore heavy armor. Their swords and tower shields glowed red with magic. The three mages¡¯ robes were more ornate than those of their fallen brethren. Mod guessed that two of them were Magus rank. The third mage¡¯s robes were trimmed in gold and the entire length of her clothes were woven with runes. She carried an equally ornate staff nearly as tall as her. Mod¡¯s group readied themselves, but the newcomers didn¡¯t attack right away. Instead, they stood solidly between Mod¡¯s group and the exit portal. The third mage stepped forward. She surveyed the wrecked demiplane, not worrying at all about the pistol that Mod was aiming at her. ¡°You¡¯ve made quite a mess of things¡­ I am Branch Master Toldrei, and by the power vested in me by the Felwardens, you three are under arrest. Remain where you¡ª¡± The shot echoed through the demiplane. Mod hadn¡¯t waited for Toldrei to finish her monologue. He¡¯d shot her squarely in the chest. But Master Toldrei didn¡¯t flinch. She didn¡¯t even react as the swarm began creeping up her neck and down her arms. The mage¡¯s entire body glowed with power. It poured out of her and, for a moment, it lit up the demiplane like a new dawn. The nanites dripped off of her and fell to the ground. The swarm coalesced into a small black puddle and stayed there. Toldrei stepped over the puddle, unperturbed. Her skin still glowed with a faint golden light. ¡°As I was saying, you are under arrest. You have the right to undamaged imprisonment.¡± Toldrei looked down her nose at Athena. ¡°The trinket you''re after isn¡¯t worth your lives.¡± As Toldrei spoke, the other Felwardens fanned out in three groups¡ªone knight with one mage. She stood stoically in front while the other two mages stood close behind their respective knights. Each of the mages were between Class 2 and 3. The knights might also be that strong. Mod and Arsenal had faced worse odds during their fights with the Deep Ones, but then they¡¯d also had his fusion rifle and her exosuit. But now they had Athena¡­ Mod would¡¯ve rather been fighting the Deep Ones again. There were just too many unknowns about the mages¡¯ powers. And he didn¡¯t have to hold back against the Deep Ones, either. Mod lowered his gun slightly. Not because he was afraid, but because he was waiting for Athena. Athena was glaring back at Toldrei, hands clenched into fists. Clearly, the mage had underestimated how much the trinket was worth to her. Athena screamed and pushed. Three walls of blue light scraped across the ground, each moving toward a group of Felwardens. The knights slammed their shields into the ground. Magic flared. The mages each uttered words of power, but they were lost in the cacophony that followed. Athena¡¯s walls of force slammed into the knights with a crunching sound. The two flanking groups were hurled backward, both sets of mages and knights tumbling across the demiplane. Only Master Toldrei and her knight stayed standing, and only just. Both she and the knight skidded backward until they were nearly pinned against the cathedral. Both Toldrei and the knight glowed with golden power. A moment later, the barrier in front of them wavered and disappeared. Athena stomped forward. She conjured two more barriers and used them to throw the two flanking groups and disoriented groups of Felwardens across the demiplane. The clanking receded into the distance. Master Toldrei didn¡¯t seem to care. She didn¡¯t take her eyes off of Athena. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but fools playing a mortal¡¯s game¡­¡± Toldrei¡¯s voice trailed off as she chanted another spell and slammed her staff into the ground. The ground¡ªthe entire demiplane¡ªrippled. TINA confirmed what Mod already knew: ¡°She¡¯s casting multiple spells.¡± Mod¡¯s feet sank as the ground turned to mud. He quickly sank down to his shins. He struggled, pulling with all his strength, but the more he fought, the deeper he sank. Athena and Arsenal were stuck similarly. The cathedral loomed behind Master Toldrei, and the gargoyles writhed. The stone creatures leapt from the building and descended toward Mod¡¯s group. All the while, Toldrei and the knight glowed even brighter until the runes in their armor looked like golden lava. The golden knight strode forward. The ground solidified beneath his feet, leaving him unaffected. Mod watched the scene unfold, unconsciously aware that the world was slowing down around him. His mind and his awareness were speeding up. At the same time, he felt the comforting sensation of TINA beside him, like she was looking over his shoulder. Despite the display of power growing in front of him, Mod was grinning. ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°New plan.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.16 — Master Toldrei Toldrei Eshent had risen through the ranks of the Felwardens to become the youngest Branch Master in the last two generations. To talk openly of becoming a member of the High Council was blasphemy, but dreaming of such a station wasn¡¯t a crime. Besides, anyone that knew Toldrei knew that she wouldn¡¯t be content at her station. She would continue learning, continue training, and continue growing in power. The old societies had grown weak. Magic organizations that had shaped the course of human history were now relegated to skulking about in the dark and stealing scraps. The Felwardens were no different. Even now, the lone smith in their branch toddled with his books instead of filling the demiplane with smoke from the smithery. Had the Felwardens fallen so far that another sect of mages would openly steal from them? Had her branch fallen so far? When the smithery alarm sounded, Toldrei had been more surprised than irritated. She thought that there¡¯d be peace in the wake of the war. She thought that for once she could relax. She¡¯d been wrong. There were twenty-one Felwardens in the demiplane¡ªthough she supposed the old smith didn¡¯t count. Just the fourteen lower ranked mages should be enough to catch the thieves. Despite that, Toldrei roused the magi and the knights in the cathedral. Even if they weren¡¯t needed, Toldrei wanted to send a message. Trespassing would not be tolerated, nor would theft. Master Toldrei would dispense punishment herself. Toldrei, the knights, and the magi filed through the cathedral, ready to arrest the interlopers. Gunshots echoed through the demiplane. Toldrei smirked and ran faster. They must be inexperienced mages to use such crude weapons. That was fine. Toldrei hoped they¡¯d put up some resistance. Toldrei and her allies exited the cathedral, and her smile dissolved into a frown. Fourteen mages lay on the ground in various states of defeat and distress. Most lay motionless or managed a pitiful groan. A few writhed and pawed at their faces. Black tar covered their hands and their heads. Anti-magic countermeasures¡­ Toldrei surveyed the aftermath, paying no attention to the pistol aimed at her. Finally, she turned to regard the intruders. A dark-skinned man and two women, one middle-aged. All three regarded her with fiery stares. They were dressed like mages, but their disguises were passable, at best. For one, their robes didn¡¯t match, and, second, the colors and designations weren¡¯t from an order that Toldrei recognized. No wands¡­ No staves¡­ It didn¡¯t matter. Toldrei began the introduction to their arrest. ¡°...by the power vested in me by the Felwardens, you three are under arrest. Remain where you¡ª¡± The imposter holding the gun fired at her! She¡¯d been shot in the chest. Now, the same black tar that clung to the other mages was now oozing across her body. Whatever the material was, it wasn¡¯t magic... That fact wasn¡¯t as much of a comfort as it should¡¯ve been. Toldrei couldn¡¯t feel the strange material, of course. A spell of ethereal armor coated her clothes and skin. Nothing could penetrate it. With a flex of her concentration, the magic armor flared with light. The tar dripped down off of her and pooled on the ground. Not only did they not have the decency to wait until she¡¯d finished, they didn¡¯t have the decency to know when they were out of their depth! Master Toldrei hid her growing disappointment and continued. ¡°As I was saying, you are under arrest. You have the right to undamaged imprisonment.¡± If you don¡¯t struggle, Toldrei thought. And at this point, she hoped they would. The flash of ethereal armor had also extended Toldrei¡¯s perception. She now knew exactly where the stolen necklace was. Toldrei stared down the elder of the group. ¡°The trinket you''re after isn¡¯t worth your lives.¡± At the same time, the other magi and knights fanned out in formation. Knight Aidan stayed with her. For a moment, it looked like the three intruders would give up. The dark-skinned man lowered his gun¡ª Only for the elder of the group to strike!The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. The woman screamed. Walls of blue light appeared and flew forward. Each knight and magus responded with barrier stances and words of power. Each piece of magical armor worked in harmony, creating an effect much stronger than the sum of their parts. The effect compounded with the magus¡¯ words of power, increasing their might exponentially. At their peak, knights of the Felwardens could attain durability and strength equal to a Class 4 hero. Three walls of blue light tore across the ground, each one targeting a formation. The knights should¡¯ve been able to hold their ground¡ª Instead, the flanking groups were thrown backward, torn from the ground like flowers in a storm. Metal and man screamed as they tumbled end over end. Even Master Toldrei and her knight were sent skidding backward toward the cathedral. Toldrei flared her power, bolstering both her and Aidan. A moment later, the wall in front of them wavered and disappeared. The elder intruder¡ªthe telekinetic¡ªstomped forward. With another gesture, she sent the already disoriented flanking groups hurling clear across the demiplane. Leaving just Toldrei and Knight Aidan. Two against three. Another time, it might¡¯ve been a fun fight, maybe even a challenge. But disappointment gave way to irritation. It was time to send a message. Most Felwardens specialized in elemental magic, but almost all mages at or above the rank of magus had additional specializations. As a young mage, Toldrei specialized in charms and hexes. She was already a master by the time she defected to the Felwardens. She was proficient in elemental magic, but preferred instead to bolster her allies and hinder her enemies. No matter how unbalanced the scales were, Toldrei was more than able to tip them in her favor. And that wasn¡¯t even the best part. Most thought Toldrei¡¯s staff was ceremonial, merely marking her position as branch master, but each staff of leadership was a potent magic item on its own. It granted her the power to create and manipulate demiplanes. The current plane was one such example¡ªone of the first that Toldrei had made without the aid of another master. It was her domain. Hers alone to command. Within it, her spells would be amplified, her control and concentration unshakeable. Toldrei locked eyes with the foolish woman. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but fools playing a mortal¡¯s game¡­¡± The branch master of the Felwardens began her attack¡ªa barrage of charms and hexes and spells only possible because of her prowess and her staff. She bolstered Knight Aidan and slowed her opponents. At the same time, she slammed her staff into the ground¡ªsoftening the ground and calling on the cathedral¡¯s gargoyles. The creatures took to the air with screams like scraping stone. Her opponents sank shin deep into the mud. The two young intruders struggled, but the gargoyles would pummel them before they could get free. If they tried to run, Aidan would stop them. Only the telekinetic woman stayed still. Her eyes were locked on Toldrei and seething with hatred. Toldrei was so focused on the telekinetic that she almost missed the other two opponents breaking free. The mud sloughed off of their boots. Both the young woman and the dark-skinned man strode forward, the ground splashing ineffectively beneath their feet. It almost looked like they¡¯d copied Toldrei¡¯s ethereal armor¡­ but that was impossible. Toldrei¡¯s question was answered when the pair finally attacked. The young woman moved forward in a burst of speed¡ªso fast it looked like she¡¯d teleported. One second, she was thirty feet away¡ª A second later, she was standing in front of Knight Aidan in her true form. The woman wore a form-fitting suit of scale mail armor that shimmered in the light. Futuristic was the only word Toldrei could think to describe it. A trail of black smoke hung in the air behind her. The woman paused only a split second before she began her assault¡ªa barrage of punches and kicks that put Monks of the Risen Circle to shame. Her speed would¡¯ve been impressive enough, but her power was even more so. Each blow of metal on metal echoed across the demiplane. Even with her ethereal armor, Toldrei winced at the strikes. The woman battered the Aidan¡¯s shield with the frenzy of a whirlwind. Each blow sent Aidan skidding. Master Toldrei took a step back. Then her eyes locked on the dark-skinned man. He sprinted toward Toldrei, his limbs moving in a blur. Toldrei muttered a hex to slow him, but the man was already leaping through the air. Gargoyles descended on him, but before they reached him, the sky flashed blue. The telekinetic cut them to pieces. They fell to the ground, becoming inanimate stone again. The man landed on the ground between Toldrei and the frenzied fight. His disguise melted away as he rose to his feet and looked down on her. He wore a similar futuristic suit, except that his was a mix of black and gray stripes. A bo staff gleamed in his hands¡ªthe pistol was gone. The man swung his staff. Toldrei barely had enough time to brace her ethereal armor. The blow hit Toldrei in the chest and she was flung back. She slammed against the cathedral wall, and coughed as the wind was knocked out of her. Her armor was already failing. Disbelief quickly gave way to fear as the man stalked toward her. She needed space. She needed to get away. Toldrei sucked in a breath and muttered an illusion spell. A dozen copies of her sprang into existence. They all retreated, staying close to the cathedral wall and giving the intruders a wide berth. The copies would buy her time. He would have to fight them all¡­ Toldrei¡¯s heart sank as she met the man¡¯s gaze. Even beneath his mask, Toldrei knew he was looking directly at her. How could he possibly see through her illusions? No human should¡¯ve been able to. She thought of the drones and biomechs patrolling Belport¡­ Was this another mech? What about the woman wearing blue armor? Was the telekinetic even human? Toldrei¡¯s skin felt cold. She¡¯d expected foolish mages, not inhuman machines! She wasn¡¯t prepared for this¡ªnone of the Felwardens were. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.17 — Spoils Mod stalked toward Master Toldrei, staff at the ready. He¡¯d felt her hexes and her illusions but¡­ they¡¯d been pitiful. With his UV and infrared vision, he could see through all of her tricks. With his mutagens and upgrades, he shrugged off all of her hexes. Despite that, Mod didn¡¯t relax. He knew that the branch master of the Felwardens would be either Class 4 or close to it, so she would have other spells at the ready. He still had his smoke pellets, sonic weapons, and a mix of powdered minerals and crushed gems. All of those should at least slow her down¡­ Toldrei shrank from Mod as he approached. ¡­Was she afraid of him? Instead of attacking or countering with another spell, Toldrei held out her staff with both hands. ¡°I surrender. Felwardens, stand down!¡± Mod paused, dumbfounded. He¡¯d had the advantage, but the mage¡¯s surrender had caught him off guard. Her arms trembled and her chest heaved. The furious clash of metal on metal faded as Arsenal and the lone knight stopped fighting. Mod had trouble believing that they¡¯d won that easily. He kept his eyes locked on Toldrei in case she tried something. He circled slowly around toward the exit to the demiplane, keeping one eye on Toldrei. The portal rippled steadily. Athena had used a barrier to lift herself out of the quicksand. She walked over and stood next to Mod. Toldrei glanced between the three supers. ¡°The Felwardens have done nothing wrong¡ªnothing to warrant an unannounced search and seizure of property. You should¡¯ve identified yourselves¡­ Are you members of the Summit or the Binary Brotherhood?¡­ We could¡¯ve had words instead of violence.¡± Mod didn¡¯t know what to say. Toldrei was mistaken. They weren¡¯t with the Summit or the Brotherhood¡­ Not anymore. Athena walked up to the group, hands clenched and eyes narrowed. Mod watched her out of the corner of his eye. The image of her forcefields slicing through solid stone was fresh in his mind. The battle was over, but that didn¡¯t mean that Athena¡¯s anger had subsided. ¡°She surrendered,¡± Mod said, as much to himself as to his friend. Athena walked up to Toldrei, standing head and shoulders above the mage. Though Toldrei continued holding her staff at arm¡¯s length, she seemed to shrink even further. Mod didn¡¯t blame her¡ªhe¡¯d never seen Athena look so intense. ¡°We¡¯re leaving,¡± Athena said, her voice cold as a blade. ¡°And you are in my way.¡± Mod held out a hand. ¡°Wait¡­¡± He swallowed dryly and ignored Athena¡¯s glare. He turned back to the defeated mage. ¡°How does your staff work? You use it to control the demiplane.¡± Toldrei looked at him in surprise. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Give it to me.¡± The golden knight stepped forward to protest. There was a flash of blue light and a screech of metal. The knight stopped cold and stared at the deep gash in his shield. He wasn¡¯t hurt, but Athena had nearly lopped the top of it off. No one moved. Even Mod and Arsenal stood still. Toldrei¡¯s eyes widened, and she stammered, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s bound to me!¡± Athena asked, ¡°Will the demiplane collapse?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°How long will it take?¡± ¡°...A day, maybe less¡ª¡± Athena reached out and seized the staff. She used a small barrier to push the mage backward, tearing the relic from her hands. Another flick of Athena¡¯s wrist sent the branch master tumbling across the demiplane in flashes of golden light. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Athena¡¯s knuckles were white as she held the staff. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± She turned and glared one final time at the knight. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about coming after us.¡± Mod and Arsenal followed warily through the portal. ~ Going through the portal a second time was only slightly better than the first time. Mod wasn¡¯t sure how much of that was his body acclimating to it or him worrying about his friend. Athena led them away from the carnival and TINA guided them around the prying eyes of drones and biomech patrols. Mod and Arsenal tried to engage their nanite disguises, but they¡¯d lost a large portion of their nanite mass in the fight with Toldrei. It would take time and resources for their nanite stash to recover. In the meantime, Mod and Arsenal wore flat black suits. Just enough to help them blend into the shadows. Mod continued looking back over his shoulder, but didn¡¯t see any sign of Toldrei or her mages. They snuck through the streets for two blocks before taking shelter in a derelict restaurant. Athena kicked her way past overturned furniture and finally set the staff down on the bar. Arsenal stayed in the doorway, checking the street behind them. Mod glanced around the room, disregarding the wreckage, before turning back to Athena. She stared at the staff with the same glaring intensity she¡¯d had for its owner. She turned it over several times, running her hands across its surface. At first, mod thought she was looking for hidden buttons or mechanisms, but as the moment stretched on, Athena hovered her hands over the surface. Mod was torn between not wanting to break her concentration and wanting to know what she was doing. In the end, curiosity won out. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked quietly. Athena replied without looking up from her work. ¡°Toldrei is still tied to the staff. I¡¯m seeing if I can sever her connection.¡± ¡°And if not?¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be able to track us. I¡¯d rather not lead the Felwardens back to my apartment.¡± Mod stepped closer and pressed his luck. ¡°Are you going to keep it?¡± Athena¡¯s fierce gaze faltered and she smirked for a moment. ¡°Yes. I think I will. My apartment is slowly being taken over by TINA¡¯s servers.¡± ¡°Thank you for letting us move in.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, TINA.¡± She turned back to Mod. ¡°Besides, you don¡¯t know how to use it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how to use any magic¡­ yet.¡± ¡°There it is¡­¡± Athena narrowed her eyes, then she uttered several magic phrases, each in a different language. Mod didn¡¯t understand them and TINA didn¡¯t have her databases to translate them in real-time. Still, Mod silently asked TINA to file them away for later. The staff flickered with faint golden, almost like TV static. Despite the reaction, Athena¡¯s irritation grew. ¡°Fine. Have it your way.¡± Athena seized the staff and stared at it in concentration. Suddenly, there was a flash of blue light from inside the staff. The rest of the golden light flicked off like a switch had been thrown. Athena set the staff down and sighed. ¡°What did you do?¡± Mod asked. ¡°I don¡¯t have the knowledge, the time, or the patience to sever her connection the normal way. So, I destroyed one of the internal crystals. Thankfully, I got it right on the first guess. It¡¯ll be a little weaker than before, and now no one can permanently connect to it¡­ but at least it¡¯s done.¡± Mod glanced between Athena and the staff, trying to process everything that just happened¡ªthey now had a magic staff to make their own demiplanes, or at least make Athena¡¯s apartment bigger, and Athena could create her barrier-blades inside objects¡­ Mod shook the thoughts away. He¡¯d have to ask her about that another time. ¡°It will still work, right?¡± Athena nodded. ¡°Like I said, it might be a little more difficult than before, since the staff is weaker, but it should still work. I probably pissed off my future-self, but yeah¡­ That¡¯s the gist of it.¡± ~ The group made their way carefully back to Athena¡¯s apartment. Drones and biomechs patrolled the streets, even in the middle of the night. Were the Brotherhood¡¯s forces patrolling other cities? Other countries? Would the patrols continue after Belport was done rebuilding? Those questions and others weighed heavily on Mod. Most of all, questions about Athena. It was almost midnight when they finally got back to the apartment and climbed in through the window. Mod had kept silent on the way back, more out of fear of discovery than any respect for Athena¡¯s privacy. But in the quiet apartment, the questions threatened to spill out like a dam about to burst. Athena laid the staff on the counter, then pulled out her friend¡¯s necklace and lay it beside the staff. She leaned wearily against the cabinet. Mod and Arsenal pulled off their mask and helmet. ¡°Athena¡­¡± ¡°Tomorrow,¡± she said. ¡°Tomorrow we¡¯ll talk. Get some sleep.¡± Then she walked off toward her room, leaving Emmett standing there with his mask in both hands. Arsenal took his arm in hers. ¡°She¡¯s right. We¡¯ve got time.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.18 — Lore Emmett found Athena the next morning, hunched over the magic staff. She gave him a quick nod while staying focused on her work. Emmett didn¡¯t want to bother her, so he started his morning routine of grabbing a cup of instant coffee, checking servers with TINA, and practicing controlling his nanites. Clara spent most of the morning meditating and doing yoga. Occasionally, Athena muttered what Emmett assumed were magic words, but otherwise, she didn¡¯t talk to him. She didn¡¯t talk to him or Clara at all that day. Athena took a break around lunch. Emmett had run out of raw materials, and Athena said she would hunt for more appliances for him. He¡¯d been tempted to tag along with her before, especially now that his nanite disguise was functional, but Athena¡¯s mood dissuaded him today. As soon as Athena slipped out the window, Clara jumped up from the floor, came over, and sat down next to Emmett at the worktable. ¡°I¡¯m worried about Athena.¡± Emmett leaned back in his chair, feeling the tightness in his shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m worried about her, too.¡± Athena had always been secretive, but Emmett had always chalked it up to her being a super. She dodged questions or flat out refused to answer. That was normal for a super. It was only because of how much they¡¯d been through already that Emmett even bothered to ask Athena any personal questions at all. But things had changed. Emmett and Clara were helping Athena with a personal mission, and something about the stolen necklace and the Felwardens had clearly gotten under Athena¡¯s skin. It was like a switch had flipped. One minute, Athena¡¯s using her powers to make barriers and block attacks, and the next, she¡¯s using it to cut through solid stone. Whatever was going on, Athena needed to level with them. ~ Athena didn¡¯t come back until late that Thursday night, hauling two mini fridges with her. She dropped them off and went straight to her room and shut the door. The next morning, Emmett and Clara woke to the smell of pancakes. Athena set up an electric griddle on the counter and looked like she was already halfway done making breakfast. Two huge stacks of pancakes sat beside the griddle. When Athena saw them, she pushed a set of paper plates their way. Emmett offered to make everyone coffee, which he did while keeping one eye on the strange scene in front of him. Athena watched the griddle with the same intensity she did while fighting supers. Athena glanced at the bowl full of batter and sighed. ¡°I never know how much to make. Hope you guys are okay with leftovers.¡± Clara sat down at the end of the counter, and she and Emmett shared a glance while coffee brewed. Athena pushed a bottle of maple syrup over to them. ¡°Did you know that the first recorded mention of pancakes was around 500 BCE? They were called flat cakes or griddle cakes. Of course, ancient people made them before then, but that¡¯s the earliest written record.¡± Emmett didn¡¯t know how to respond to that. Clara, on the other hand, replied, ¡°That¡¯s an interesting fact to start a conversation with.¡± Athena ignored the comment. Silence stretched on, punctuated by sizzling batter and a boiling kettle. A few minutes later, the bowl of batter was empty and there was a third stack of pancakes on the counter. Emmett finished making coffee and took a seat beside Clara. Both of them tentatively started on their pancakes. Athena leaned on the counter. ¡°This isn¡¯t easy for me.¡± Clara replied, ¡°It¡¯s easier to talk than it is to keep secrets.¡± Athena chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not about the secrets, not entirely.¡± She gestured to the three of them. ¡°This isn¡¯t easy for me: Opening up¡­ having partners¡­ friends, even.¡± Emmett asked, ¡°What about Luna and Borealis?¡± ¡°They¡¯re old friends. Not old old friends, mind you. But old enough¡­ I haven¡¯t told them everything either.¡± Emmett and Clara stared at Athena, waiting for more. Athena looked at both of them before taking a small bite of her own food. ¡°Why did you want to become a mask? Clearly you want something out of all this hero stuff, or you wouldn¡¯t train as hard as you do.¡± Clara didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I want to get my dad back.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°That¡¯s right now. Ignore the present situation. What do you want?¡± ¡°I want to be able to use my powers without needing to wear a suit. To do that, I need to be able to control myself. I don¡¯t want to worry about hurting people close to me¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s a noble goal.¡± Athena turned expectantly toward Emmett. ¡°What about you? Why are you doing all this to yourself?¡± ¡°I¡­ I want to get stronger.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Emmett glanced around the apartment. Athena didn¡¯t want them thinking about their present situation, but how could Emmett ignore that? They were on the run because of Midas and people like him. He¡¯d taken control of the Binary Brotherhood, taken control of the lab, and turned the Summit against them. How was he supposed to ignore all that? Emmett had wanted to be a super ever since he was a kid. He¡¯d wanted to save people and do good in the world¡­ but now he¡¯d realized just how lofty and out of reach those ideals were. He could barely keep himself and Clara safe. Dr. Venture was imprisoned, and Emmett couldn¡¯t talk to his friends or his family. Then there was Lock¡­ Emmett¡¯s memories of his best friend were forever tainted. Two months of lying to each other, culminating in Lock trying to kill him¡­ and Emmett killing him instead. All because Mutagen-X drove him crazy. Emmett had wrestled with that fact for months. Emmett may have stabbed Lock, but Gnosis killed him. Finally, Emmett shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get pushed around anymore. And I¡¯m tired of watching people close to me get pushed around and I¡¯m too weak to do anything about it. Gnosis killed my best friend. Midas stole the lab and turned the world against Dr. Venture. The government is forcing capes to register. Supers are forced to fight in wars, and regular people don¡¯t have it any better. ¡°The Summit doesn¡¯t stand up to corruption. Neither does Paragon¡­They¡¯re not going to save us, and they¡¯re not going to change things. Someone else has to.¡± Emmett trailed off. His heart was pounding and even his prosthetic hands were trembling. Emmett clenched his fists and they immediately stopped. Emmett was suddenly aware that both Clara and Athena were staring at him. His face felt hot. ¡°I, uh¡­ Sorry.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry. Don¡¯t ever apologize for standing up for yourself or for others.¡± The resolve in Athena¡¯s voice wavered. ¡°Before I tell you about myself¡­ You need to understand something: I don¡¯t remember when I was born or where. Most of my earliest memories are hazy. They¡¯re like dreams that I can¡¯t remember after waking up. It¡¯s a phenomenon of deep time. Vampires and others have similar problems. ¡°I¡¯m not really sure how much time passed between things, either. Years kind of bleed together. Decades¡­ Centuries, even. Most of my early memories are from Greece. From Mycenae¡­ almost 2,000 BCE. Though it¡¯s still hard to think of things in BCE.¡± Emmett¡¯s mouth fell open. He¡¯d always felt something was off about Athena¡ªthat she was different from other supers. But this was on another level. Emmett shook his head in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re four thousand years old?¡± Athena shrugged. ¡°Give or take.¡± Awe bled into Clara¡¯s voice. ¡°You¡¯re older than pancakes.¡± ¡°I am, indeed, older than pancakes.¡± Emmett stammered, tripping over his mounting questions. ¡°That¡¯s why you never became an official cape¡­ You would need to report your age.¡± Athena rolled her eyes. ¡°You just gave a moving speech about why you¡¯re disillusioned with the Summit, and you think the reason I never enlisted with them is because of my age? No. I never joined the Summit because I¡¯ve seen a hundred other organizations like them rise and inevitably amount to nothing. They either fall apart, or they assimilate¡ªthey become a cog in the same problematic system.¡± ¡°Why are you here in Belport?¡± Clara asked. ¡°Here¡¯s as good a place as any.¡± Emmett rolled his eyes so hard he almost fell back in his seat. ¡°What! Athena, come on! We¡¯ve seen what you can do. You could change things. You¡¯re probably strong enough to work with Paragon and Amarque and¡ª¡± ¡°I tried,¡± Athena said, leaning back in her chair. ¡°To change things, I mean. A long time ago.¡± ¡°Yeah, but what about now?¡± ¡°I used to be a symbol of war.¡± Athena¡¯s voice turned flat, like she didn¡¯t trust what emotion might bubble to the surface. ¡°I used to think I was changing things for the better. Protecting villages, getting rid of a warlord¡¯s army, waging war to unite a kingdom¡­ I could never be sure though. Imagine wading through a field of bodies and second guessing if it was the right thing to do. ¡°I wallowed in self-destruction¡ªa cycle of war and regret. Sometimes I wonder if that¡¯s why I¡¯ve forgotten so much. Because I didn¡¯t want to remember the things I¡¯d done. ¡°I¡­ Well, eventually I couldn¡¯t stand myself. I wanted to be a shield and a protector instead. I took the name Athena. I¡¯ve used a few others over the years, but I like that one.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°So, why am I here in Belport? Why am I here instead of trying to change the world? Because it¡¯s goddamn hard. Because the world will fight you every step of the way and you can never be sure if what you¡¯re doing is right¡­ One person can¡¯t change the world¡ªmaybe one person shouldn¡¯t be able to¡­ ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve been in Belport for eighty years or so, I think.¡± Athena shrugged. ¡°Eventually, you just want to live your life.¡± Emmett nearly asked if this was what Athena had in mind for living her life? Hiding alone in an apartment during the day and playing super by night¡­ Never really changing anything. But he didn¡¯t say any of that out loud. He did, however, want to ease some of the tension in the room. He couldn¡¯t help but think back to the beginning of their friendship. Emmett met Athena¡¯s eyes and smirked. ¡°What happened to the warrior that wanted to take down Gnosis?¡± Athena scoffed. ¡°Gnosis needs to go down. But I think you¡¯re going to need more than the three of us to do it.¡± The three supers chuckled awkwardly. They ate the rest of their pancakes and Athena told them stories of her escapades as a mask in Belport. Emmett and Clara listened eagerly, occasionally chiming in to ask questions or to egg Athena onward when she got sidetracked. The weight in the air had lessened enough for the three to relax a bit. But it was replaced with the question of what they were going to do next. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.19 — Maximillian Max and his mom drove through Belport toward their shop. They were among a second wave of citizens and workers allowed back into the city. It¡¯d been three weeks since the end of the war, but it felt like it¡¯d been much longer. Max hung his head out the passenger window. Most of the trash and seaweed had been swept clear from the streets, but most of the damage to buildings was still being repaired. They passed countless shops and homes with busted windows and furniture piled on the sidewalk in front of them. It only seemed to be getting worse the deeper into the city they went. He couldn¡¯t begin to imagine how much work it would take to fix a flooded building. The floor, the walls, all of it had to be gutted and redone. His heart sank at the thought because that was only the beginning of what awaited him and his mom at their store. Most of the electronics and storage on the first floor were now garbage. ¡°Maximillian¡­ I said, have you heard from Emmett?¡± Max startled out of his daydream. ¡°No. Sorry, Mom.¡± Her frizzled gray hair blew in the wind. She reached over and patted his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s alright. He¡¯s probably working. Or schmoozing with Clara¡ª¡± ¡°Mom, you can stop trying to make me feel better.¡± She glanced at him a couple more times¡ªMax could see her out of the corner of his eye¡ªbut they stayed quiet the rest of the way to the apartment. They¡¯d both managed pretty well the last few weeks, but that was when they¡¯d both been on standby mode. Max had continued patrolling with the Summit, and Marlene had helped out at the shelter. But now they were going back home. Until now, all the flood damage and wasted merchandise were hypothetical. They existed out there in the abstract. Neither him or his mom had dwelled on it. She hadn¡¯t brought it up, and Max was completely fine with that. Max had unconsciously started holding his breath as they crossed onto the familiar streets. Circuit Surgeons was on the edge of South Side. The buildings in this part of town were older, all brick fronts with faded signs. Most stores had small apartments above them where the owners lived. Marlene turned onto their street and passed busted up and boarded-up windows of the pizza shop, the bookstore, boutique, flower shop, and corner grocery store. Even with the breeze, the air smelled musty and damp. Marlene pulled beside the curb in front of their store, and Max let out the breath he didn¡¯t know he¡¯d been holding. Circuit Surgeons had been hit hard. The first-floor windows were gone and the apartment ones on the second floor were cracked. The old neon sign was gone¡ªjust gone. Max ran a hand over his short red hair. ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s exactly what we thought. Now, come on.¡± His mom was already walking to the door. Max sighed and followed. Marlene unlocked the door and tried to push it open. Electronics had been knocked over and lay against the other side of the door. It took both Max and his mom pushing against it to get inside the shop. An old TV, the heavy, boxy kind, gave way with a squeal of metal. The inside of the shop didn¡¯t look any better than the outside. It didn¡¯t smell any better either. Max¡¯s intuition had been correct. The entire shop was trashed. The shelves leaned perilously against one another. Boxes of electronics and spare parts were scattered about the shop. Even with the windows busted out, the smell of mildew hung heavy in the air. ¡°Fuuuuc¡ªow!¡± Marlene smacked him across the back of the head. Not hard, but enough to get her point across. ¡°Sorry, mom.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough of that, Maximillian. The construction company will be here in¡­¡± Marlene checked her watch. ¡°...In a little over three hours. We need to sort through as much as we can.¡± Max sighed quietly to himself and got to work. On the way over, his mom had explained the basic steps of what they¡¯d have to do. First, an electrician would check the shop and help them get the power back on. Then they¡¯d set up fans to finish drying the place out. Then the subfloor would need to be inspected, drywall removed and walls gutted¡­ It was a lot. As they cleaned, both Max and his mom snapped pictures of all their inventory, the shop, and the damage. Marlene had records of their inventory, but it helped to have pictures when she got around to submitting the insurance claim. They started by clearing as much of the floor as they could. Marlene went through most of the scattered electronics, figuring out which would be the easiest to repair or salvage, and which could be tossed. Water wasn¡¯t exactly kind to electronics, especially complicated ones. Even if it wasn¡¯t plugged in, wires and connections could rust, or salt and grime could gum up the works. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Max wasn¡¯t sure what he expected, but his mom thought that most of their inventory wasn¡¯t salvageable. Game consoles, TVs, phones, all got unceremoniously piled up in the center of the shop. A constant stream of trash trucks was coming through the city. When the next one came by, Max and Marlene would start dumping the lost inventory. Max felt numb. The family shop hadn¡¯t exactly been doing well before the war, and now¡­ What the hell were they going to do now? Marlene had run upstairs. She came back down, carrying two small fans. She set them down, and they immediately turned on without electricity. Mom was a gadgeteer, just like Max. She said, ¡°They¡¯re not much, but they¡¯ll do for now. If anyone asks, tell them they¡¯re battery powered.¡± Max looked around the wreckage of their life. The pit that had taken root in his stomach was heavy now. ¡°Mom¡­¡± Marlene turned toward him. Max knew his mom well enough to know that she was putting on a front. Underneath, she was just like him¡ªabout to crack from the stress. So, how was she holding it together so well? Max was a cape. He hadn¡¯t just survived the war with the Deep Ones, he¡¯d fought in it! He¡¯d helped protect Belport against hordes of bloodthirsty fishmen. What the hell was wrong with him? Why was seeing the shop wrecked worse than having a fish-man trying to bite his face off? Max just wished he could hold it together as well as her. Marlene must have seen the turmoil on her son¡¯s face, because she walked over and embraced him. Max wrapped his arms around his mom, afraid to breathe because he felt like he¡¯d start bawling his eyes out. His friends were gone. His home was fucked¡ª ¡°Gah!¡± Max pulled away and wiped the single, manly tear from his eye. ¡°Sorry. I don¡¯t want to get snot all over you.¡± Mom snorted a laugh. Her eyes were misty, but she¡¯d held it together better than he had. ¡°I¡¯m going to sell the shop.¡± Max wiped his eye on his sleeve. It took another moment for him to register what she¡¯d said. ¡°What?¡± Marlene took a deep breath. ¡°Insurance should cover most of the merchandise and the damages¡­ and after we fix the shop up, I¡¯m going to sell it.¡± Max shook his head in disbelief. The pit in his stomach was already forgotten. He stammered, ¡°If it¡¯s about the money, I can pick up more hours with the Summit. They need the help. Or I can get a job¡­¡± His mom went over to the broken front window and brushed off the windowsill. She sat down and waved for him to join her. Finally, he walked over and took a seat across from her. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not all about the money. Alright, it¡¯s a little about the money.¡± Marlene shrugged. ¡°Now¡¯s as good a time as any to sell. We can start over, Maximillian. I might even travel a bit. Not for a while, but eventually. I think Europe got hit pretty hard by tidal waves, but I¡¯ve always wanted to see it¡­ Maybe after it¡¯s rebuilt.¡± As his mom talked, the mist in her eyes gradually turned to a sparkle of excitement. ¡°You¡¯re serious¡­¡± Max said quietly. ¡°But I thought you loved this place?¡± ¡°I did. I do¡­¡± Marlene sighed. ¡°This place is always going to be special to me, but it¡¯s been hard too. Not just balancing the books, but just being here. It hasn¡¯t been the same since your father left. We kept the shop afloat, but it feels like we¡¯re trying to hold on to the past instead of trying to make something for ourselves.¡± Max crossed his arms and leaned against the window frame. Ten years. Ten years since Dad left. To hear Mom talk, it sounded like the old man had actually been around. But Max barely remembered him. Dad would sit hunched over one of the tables, ¡°balancing the books¡±, while Mom taught Max how to fix things and make gadgets. When he was young, Dad popped Max up onto his knee while he worked, but Max could only stay there if he wasn¡¯t a distraction. When those rare moments occurred, Max tried to stay as still as possible. He¡¯d watch his dad write, or he¡¯d even read over the pages of numbers over and over. Anything to try to stay still, to try to hold onto that moment. Because as soon as he moved, Dad would shoo him away. It was like Max had to make himself as small as possible, to hide in plain sight¡­ to not be a bother. That was the only way to keep his dad around. Mom must¡¯ve seen how much those days bothered Max because she would inevitably pull him aside to make gadgets together. Now that he thought about it, he wasn¡¯t sure if Dad knew about his or Mom¡¯s powers. Those last few years, Dad barely said two words to his son. Maybe Max¡¯s red hair and freckles reminded him of Marlene. Didn¡¯t really matter¡ªMax had never forgiven him for that. Nowadays, Dad texted twice a year. Once on Max¡¯s birthday. Once on Christmas. Like a machine. Sometimes Max replied. Dad had a new family somewhere out west. ¡°Maximillian, say something.¡± Max shook himself out of his thoughts and cleared his throat. ¡°I, uh¡­ I don¡¯t know what to say.¡± Max looked up and met his mom¡¯s eyes. She¡¯d put on a smile or a brave face for so long, and picked up the pieces of her son after his father had shooed him away. She didn¡¯t need to do that for him anymore. More importantly, Max didn¡¯t want her to do that for him anymore. Besides, she got the same twinkle in her eyes when she talked about traveling that Max got thinking about being a cape. Max started again. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say¡­ but I want you to be happy, Mom.¡± Marlene smiled despite the tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°We both deserve to be happy. And something tells me that you don¡¯t really want to take over the shop. You need to stretch your wings and run the rooftops. You¡¯re a hero, not a repairman.¡± Max snorted a laugh and his mom followed shortly after. It wasn¡¯t even that funny. Maybe it was the tension in the room finally breaking. The shop was all Max had left of his dad, but the old man had moved on a long time ago. It was time for Max and his mom to move on, too. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.20 — Plans After breaking into the demiplane of the Felwardens, Emmett¡¯s group laid low that weekend. Emmett continued making servers while Athena experimented with the stolen magic staff. Clara alternated between looking over their shoulders, doing yoga, and meditating. It was Sunday afternoon, and each day more and more traffic was coming through the city. Outside the apartment window, there was a steady stream of workers and trash trucks. Emmett felt like they were pushing back the tide a second time¡ªonly this time, it was the tide of destruction. ¡°Aha!¡± Athena¡¯s voice broke the silence of the room. Emmett sucked in a breath. Thankfully, his robotic arms and hands hadn¡¯t flinched, otherwise he would¡¯ve miss-soldered the server he was working on. He glanced at Athena. She was holding the magic staff out triumphantly and it glowed with a soft UV light. Clara had been meditating on the floor. She leapt up and went over to the counter. ¡°I¡¯ve finally got it.¡± Athena reached over toward the haphazard stack of appliances and pots on the kitchen counter. She set a toaster by itself on the counter. Athena uttered magic words and the light around the staff flared. This time, even Clara held a hand up to shield her eyes. Most magic glowed blue in Mod¡¯s UV vision, but now the light from the staff changed color. It shimmered like the surface of a lake, dancing with blue and purple light. Athena touched the tip of the staff to the toaster, and the appliance vanished. She cackled with delight. Clara stared at the empty spot on the counter. ¡°That was pretty cool. ¡­What exactly did you do?¡± Athena smiled. ¡°I opened up a demiplane. ¡­An admittedly small one, but I also figured out the magic words and intent to use the staff. The hardest part of using an item like this is gaining the initial command of it.¡± Emmett added, ¡°So not only did you have to sever the mage¡¯s control of it, you had to gain control over it?¡± ¡°In short, yes. If the staff had been made for me, then it would¡¯ve been easy¡ªas simple as slipping on a suit of magical armor. But it was made for someone else, so it took some magical convincing.¡± ¡°But the staff is yours now,¡± Clara said. ¡°So what are you going to do with it?¡± Athena shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think the staff is ever going to be easy for me to wield. I¡¯m not a mage, and I¡¯m not a Felwarden¡­ But it at least responds to me now. As for what I¡¯m going to do¡­ Right now, I¡¯m going to bring this toaster back.¡± Athena uttered the same words again, her inflection changing slightly. She waved the staff and pointed it toward the same spot on the counter. Magic sputtered in the air, then fizzled out. Athena frowned. ¡°This is why I don¡¯t do magic.¡± Emmett added, ¡°That¡¯s our only toaster.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll bring it back. The toaster and the demiplane are still there. I can feel them. I just can¡¯t pull them out yet.¡± Now that Athena mentioned it, Emmett could still see a flicker of magic in the air where the toaster used to be. It was nothing like the Ferris wheel portal¡ªit was a magnitude smaller, for one¡ªbut the longer Emmett stared at it, the more similarities he saw. ¡°It¡¯s not your imagination,¡± TINA said. Her voice was quiet and in his head. ¡°There is a similar pattern between the Felwarden¡¯s portal and this one. Both are demiplane spells, so despite their sizes they both share characteristics. But they both were also created by the same magic staff.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Athena was staring at him. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re about to unravel the secrets of magic and become the world¡¯s first cyborg mage¡ª¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°I¡¯m not, but TINA might.¡± TINA spoke up from Emmett¡¯s phone. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Athena. I¡¯ll share my findings with you.¡± Athena sighed. ¡°Until then, I¡¯ll continue learning magic my own way¡ªone step at a time.¡± Both Emmett and Clara watched Athena intently as she tried bringing the toaster back again and again¡­ and again. Finally, Clara crawled over to the couch and sprawled out. ¡°Did you know it¡¯s been three weeks since the war ended?¡± She mused, pulling her hoodie down over her eyes. ¡°Three weeks of being cooped up in here¡ªno offense!¡± Athena chuckled. ¡°None taken.¡± Emmett smiled to himself while he finished soldering a wire. He couldn¡¯t believe it¡¯d been that long already. As much as he missed going out on the town and running across the rooftops, there was a certain appeal to losing himself in this kind of work. It reminded Emmett of his time at the university and losing himself in his studies. Except this was infinitely more satisfying. A moment later, Athena set the staff down on the counter. ¡°Have you thought anymore about leaving?¡± ¡°Are you kicking us out?¡± Clara asked jokingly. ¡°Of course not. But I¡¯m sure Dr. Venture didn¡¯t plan on you staying here in Belport forever. Especially not when everyone and their mother will be looking for you.¡± TINA spoke up from the table. ¡°Dr. Venture and I discussed the issue at length before the lab was taken over. Emmett and Clara had two options: The obvious choice was to leave the city. There is a small isolated lab outside of Belport. It would offer several advantages, including equipment and raw material, but there was no guarantee that it would remain safe. I tried to purge as much of my records before Midas came, but Dr. Venture deemed it too much of a risk. ¡°Staying in the city, specifically in a magic safehouse, was deemed the safest option. Athena had the forethought to have one already.¡± Athena crossed her arms. ¡°But that¡¯s not all of it, right? Surely getting out of Belport has to be safer than staying here¡ªsafehouse or not¡­¡± ¡°The Summit will expect you to run. The Brotherhood won¡¯t care either way. If Midas can find you here, then he can find you anywhere.¡± Clara sat up on the couch. ¡°We have the mask protocol now and TINA can scrub our communications. Which means if we can hide here, then we can hide anywhere.¡± Athena winced. ¡°It just doesn¡¯t sit right with me. Staying under the nose of the enemy might work in the movies, but in the real world, people run as far away as they can.¡± Emmett set his tools down on the table. ¡°Soon there won¡¯t be any point in running. They¡¯re going to have the entire Allied States under surveillance. Those drones and biomechs won¡¯t just be here¡ªthey¡¯ll be everywhere. Soon Midas will have everyone under his thumb. If someone like him gets that kind of control, we won¡¯t be able to get it back.¡± Athena¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Emmett, I don¡¯t mean to be that gal, but taking on the Brotherhood is a tall order¡ªone that even Dr. Venture didn¡¯t try.¡± Clara replied, ¡°But Dad did try. He pushed back, even if he didn¡¯t fight. He helped Emmett. He helped TINA grow. He gave us the tools so that we could continue after we lost the lab.¡± Athena said, ¡°You should consider leaving.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not leaving Belport,¡± Emmett replied. It came out sterner than he meant it to. ¡°We know Belport. We have allies here. Dr. Venture is here. My fam¡­ My family is here. And eventually, we¡¯ll need to take back the lab.¡± Clara and Athena shared a look, but ultimately said nothing. His family wasn¡¯t the only reason Emmett wanted to stay in Belport, but Emmett couldn¡¯t deny that it was a factor. Even if he couldn¡¯t talk to them, there was something about being nearby that assuaged that feeling of isolation. And a part of Emmett was worried that if he left Belport, he might never come back. Athena sighed and picked up the staff. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re not planning on leaving, then hopefully I¡¯ll be able to expand this place a bit. First step, bring back a toaster. Next step, try sending one of you guys into the demiplane. Eventually, add a second floor to the apartment.¡± Emmett¡¯s eyes widened. A second later, Clara caught what she said. Clara replied, ¡°There¡¯s a few more steps between us and the toaster¡­ right?¡± Athena just smirked. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.21 — Meetup / Athena 2 It was Tuesday before Athena heard from Lucy. She neglected to say how they¡¯d gotten in contact, only that they¡¯d agreed to meet in an abandoned building on the Eastside. None of them were particularly thrilled about the idea. Even though the meeting place was almost half a mile away from the lab, this would be the closest the group had been to the lab since it was taken over. But as worried as Emmett and Clara were, Lucy seemed even more on edge¡ªworried enough that she insisted on meeting underground and close to the Cabal¡¯s den. They waited until the sun had set Tuesday night. Emmett and Clara had just finished suiting up and then engaged their basic ¡°sweats and hoodie¡± disguise. Emmett had rigged a new shoulder strap for his fusion rifle¡ªone that should keep it tight enough to his body for the nanites to cover it. Athena put on her jacket and waited near the fire escape window. ¡°You don¡¯t have to come,¡± Athena said, a hint of apprehension in her voice. Emmett and Clara shared a look. They¡¯d already discussed the best course of action. Emmett and Clara would stay roughly two blocks away from Athena, following a parallel path. This way, the three of them could maintain communication and TINA could help all three of them stay out of sight of patrols and surveillance drones. And if they did run into trouble, they would be close enough to help each other. Then when they got to Eastside, they would give the lab a wide berth. Emmett wouldn¡¯t have considered going if not for the mask protocol. TINA was confident that their disguises would be enough. Going to Eastside was a risk, but it was one they had to take, eventually. ¡°We¡¯ll stick to the plan,¡± Emmett said decisively. ¡°We don¡¯t want you going alone.¡± Athena hesitated, but finally nodded. ¡°Alright. Follow my lead.¡± ~ Mod¡¯s group scurried across streets and skulked through alleyways toward Eastside. Even though Athena was on the other side of the block, Mod could still follow Athena through the buildings using TINA¡¯s location data. She looked like a yellow silhouette in his HUD. Mod¡¯s brain-link with TINA was one of his newest upgrades, but it still surprised him how much he¡¯d come to rely on it. Even something as small as seeing the highlight of his teammate brought an immeasurable amount of comfort. TINA had a slightly harder time highlighting surveillance drones and biomech patrol groups. Since she didn¡¯t have access to the lab¡¯s network, she relied on one of their team spotting them visually. Then TINA could overlay data or relay it verbally to Athena. Since leaving the apartment, they¡¯d already avoided two biomech patrols, and that trend didn¡¯t show any sign of slowing down. In the distance, Mod could already see the bustle of activity in the sky above the lab. Drones came and went in a constant buzz, though TINA didn¡¯t bother highlighting them. They were too far away to be a threat to the group. Mod was already wondering what it would be like to have all that data¡­ How far would he be able to see? How many cameras could he watch? He thought back to Arsenal¡¯s small camera¡ªhow many video feeds could he actually parse and pay attention to? Finally, he pushed aside the questions, resolving to ask TINA about it later. She would always be game for more upgrades. Besides, Mod was too focused on the fact that power was being restored and people were coming back to Belport. There weren¡¯t many people out on the streets after dark, but Mod heard people talking inside buildings. They even avoided some blocks completely because the streetlights were on and almost all the buildings were occupied. Arsenal said, ¡°It¡¯s almost weird seeing people coming back.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± As they pushed deeper into Eastside, another question bubbled to the surface: Where were all the heroes? Since leaving the apartment, Mod hadn¡¯t seen any capes or masks. Only drones and biomech patrols. He thought back to how excited he was when he caught a glimpse of a super from his bus route or those first few nights on the rooftops when he saw a silhouette across the city. And to the camaraderie he felt when capes and masks and villains had banded together to protect the city from the Deep Ones. ¡°Where is everybody?¡± Mod mused aloud. Athena replied, ¡°Probably still on the roofs, getting a better view than we are.¡± For a brief moment, Mod had actually considered the fact that the Summit was reining in superheroes, maybe even replacing them completely with biomechs and drones¡­ He wasn¡¯t sure which was worse¡ªsupers being outlawed completely, or just himself being outlawed. He glanced up at the roofs intermittently, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone¡ªanyone. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. And his disappointment grew. The idea of all superheroes being replaced felt ridiculous¡ªthere hadn¡¯t been any communications from the Summit hinting at it. And it felt wrong, especially since so many heroes risked their lives during the war to protect cities all across the globe. But it wasn¡¯t impossible. They¡¯d all seen what technology could do. Without TINA and Dr. Venture¡¯s drones, humanity might not have won or even survived the war. As the group neared the lab, that fact only became more obvious. Even as Mod¡¯s group stayed blocks away from the lab, drone activity echoed through the night sky, like rolling thunder. Mod saw a hive of activity rendered in UV blue. Most drones didn¡¯t bother hiding, but perhaps two-thirds of the force was cloaked, including the UV silhouettes of two heavy drones. TINA had guaranteed that they were far enough away not to be spotted, but Mod couldn¡¯t help crouching at the sight of the two drones. Each was the size of a small building and had enough shielding and armaments to equal multiple class 4 supers. Mod had no idea how many of those drones the Brotherhood now had control of or how many were lurking in the city. Mod just knew they weren¡¯t on his side anymore. Even as far away as they were, Mod¡¯s group didn¡¯t linger. Athena didn¡¯t want to keep Lucy waiting, and there was nothing Mod or Arsenal or anyone else could do against the Brotherhood¡­ not right now. The group skulked into the abandoned warehouse district on the far part of Eastside. There they found the first sign of supers. Before the war, the abandoned part of Eastside wasn¡¯t really that abandoned. There was a sizable population of homeless that camped there, and masks would use the abandoned buildings for sparring¡ªMod and Arsenal among them. Mod caught a glimpse of them in the distance: Three supers running with long capes trailing behind them. TINA highlighted their silhouettes, but soon they disappeared from Mod¡¯s vision. It wasn¡¯t much, but that quick sighting made Mod feel better. They weren¡¯t alone in the city. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Athena said. ¡°If you guys don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like some privacy for this conversation.¡± TINA replied, ¡°I¡¯ll begin passive monitoring once you¡¯re in position.¡± ¡°Thanks, TINA.¡± Emmett added, ¡°We¡¯ll be here if you need us.¡± ~ ~ Athena climbed up to the third floor of an abandoned office building. Mod and Arsenal were keeping the lab in their sights, so they should see any drone patrols before they were a threat. Still, as Athena swept the floor, she couldn¡¯t help glancing toward the lab through the broken windows. ¡°There¡¯s nobody else here,¡± a familiar voice called. Athena walked just a bit quicker toward her friend. Lucile waited on the corner of the floor. She was looking out a hole in the wall, watching the dazzling display of drones over the lab. Lucy wore a long, ornately woven shawl. She pulled back the hood and smiled hopefully at Athena. Lucy had always been pale, even as a librarian, but she always had a glow about her, unlike others of her kind. Athena had seen her friend a handful of times in the last fifty years¡ªtwice of which was within the week. ¡°I got it,¡± Athena said, pulling the necklace out of her pocket. It wasn¡¯t much to look at¡ªa simple silver locket with a tiny vial of blood inside. But it was heavy with the weight of years and memories. It dangled there in the faint light of broken windows, like a tiny star plucked out of the sky and brought to Earth. Lucy staggered forward, almost in disbelief. She grasped the necklace and pulled it close, then threw her arms around Athena and did the same. ¡°Thank you! Thank you¡­ Thank you.¡± The words came out in half-sobs. ¡°I know,¡± Athena said. Athena fought back her own tears as she held her friend tightly. ~ It felt like a star might¡¯ve burned out by the time the two friends let go of one another. Athena and Lucy stared at one another in the faint light. ¡°I thought I¡¯d lost her again,¡± Lucy said. Athena nodded. ¡°I know. But we got her back.¡± Lucy slipped the necklace beneath her shawl and into a hidden pocket. Then she turned toward a gap in the wall. She was going to leave. Athena¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Not yet. Please don¡¯t go.¡± Lucy turned, her face still wet with tears. ¡°You see the drones out there, don¡¯t you? I don¡¯t know what the Summit and the Brotherhood are planning, but this¡­ It¡¯s not safe up here. ¡°The Cabal is split. Some think we should stay underground. Others think we should leave the city.¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Athena asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I care anymore.¡± Lucy placed a hand over the hidden necklace, as if she was checking that it was still there. ¡°I¡¯m tired, Athena. I¡¯m tired of hiding and living in fear. I don¡¯t know if I can stand losing Felina again¡­ ¡°Do you remember the beach in Montenegro?¡± The question caught Athena off guard, but she nodded quickly. Lucy¡¯s hand trembled over the necklace. ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten so much about it¡­ But I haven¡¯t forgotten what we talked about. I feel like I¡¯m losing sight of the shore.¡± Athena winced. They¡¯d talked long those nights about what it was like to grow old, to grow ancient¡­ and how incredibly lonely it was. Like being swept along a river and losing sight of everything and everyone you held dear. ¡°The town was Budva,¡± Athena said, before her friend could leave. ¡°It¡¯s still there. We could go again.¡± Athena hoped against the gods that Budva had been spared the ravages of the Deep Ones. It probably hadn¡¯t, but it was worth hoping for. In a millennia past, Athena had clung to that seaside town desperately, just like Lucy clung to her necklace. Lucy looked from her friend to the gap in the wall. There was a glimmer of hope as her friend replied, ¡°Maybe.¡± That was enough for now. TINA¡¯s voice came through suddenly. ¡°Athena, I¡¯m sorry to interrupt, but a patrol of biomechs is heading toward your location.¡± Athena¡¯s heart clenched. Lucy saw the distress on her face. ¡°How much time do we have?¡± Athena asked. The words tumbled from her lips even though she already knew the answer. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.22 — Figuring Things Out / TINA While Athena returned the necklace to Lucy, Mod and Arsenal snuck into a nearby parking garage. There was a sizable homeless population camping in the stairwells, so even though Mod and Arsenal were out in the open, they were still hidden by the crowd. They skirted the edge of groups and trash can fires, and stopped along the edge of the lot. They were four stories up¡ªhigh enough to see across the block, but still covered by the roof. Mod spared a glance back at the crowd, half to make sure that they weren¡¯t being followed and half in disbelief that there were so many homeless people in one place. Mod¡¯s group had sparred all along the abandoned sector, and they had never seen so many people gathered in one place. Mod didn¡¯t think they¡¯d been stranded during the evacuation. It felt like between the Summit and Dr. Venture¡¯s drones that no one should¡¯ve been left behind. But seeing the sheer number of people gathered, Mod wasn¡¯t so sure. Either that, or they¡¯d come back after the war and found their livelihood gone. Either way, there was nothing he could do for them. Mod turned his back toward them and focused on Athena and the lab. His friend was a tiny golden glow in one of the buildings across the block. Meanwhile, drones buzzed in the sky over the lab like a UV beehive. Emmett idly patted his hidden rifle for comfort. Arsenal leaned against him. She was staring at the lab too. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± Arsenal shrugged and continued leaning against his shoulder. ¡°I keep wanting to run home across the rooftops. But it¡¯s not my home anymore. I don¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t even know if Dad¡¯s in there anymore, or if they¡¯ve taken him to the Vault. He¡¯s just gone. And there¡¯s nothing I can do to get him back.¡± Emmett put his arm around her shoulders. ¡°Not yet¡­ but we¡¯ll figure something out.¡± ¡°You really think we will?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Clara nodded. ¡°How do you think it¡¯s going over there with Athena?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Athena¡¯s almost as secretive as your dad.¡± ¡°...Yeah. There was a lot he didn¡¯t tell me. Both him and mom were like that. After a while, I just quit asking. It¡¯s weird. I have these memories of both of them, and the memories are so real¡­ But I don¡¯t think I ever really knew Mom or Dad. It was like I only knew their alter egos.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s parents, right?¡± Emmett replied. ¡°I feel like my parents only ever tell the same couple stories about their childhood. I¡¯m never going to know the whole story.¡± Clara blew a raspberry. ¡°Fine. Maybe it is just a parent-thing. Or maybe it¡¯s not. Am I ever going to know the real you?¡± Emmett wavered. Both supers kept their eyes on Athena. ¡°I like to think you know me already,¡± Emmett finally said. ¡°Until the other day, I didn¡¯t know how strongly you felt about Lock and Gnosis, or registration, or the Summit and Paragon¡­ I didn¡¯t really know why you were working with my dad. I knew you wanted to be a hero, and I knew you weren¡¯t just going along with the upgrades to make him happy¡­ but sometimes it felt like even you didn¡¯t know why you were going through with it.¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t think I did. Not at first.¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°¡®Guess I¡¯ve been figuring it out as I went.¡± Silence stretched on, and was suddenly interrupted by TINA¡¯s voice in their ears. ¡°Athena, I¡¯m sorry to interrupt, but a patrol of biomechs is heading toward your location.¡± Athena replied over the comms. ¡°How much time do we have?¡± The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Less than a minute to contact.¡± TINA highlighted the group of biomechs in Mod¡¯s HUD. They glowed blue as they lumbered down the streets. Mod was already tensed and reading to leap off the parking garage, but he waited. He and Arsenal watched the highlight of their teammate. Athena hadn¡¯t moved. Mod asked, ¡°Should we move to intercept? ¡­TINA? TINA, are you there?¡± ~ ~ TINA held maps of the entirety of Belport¡¯s streets and underground passages, but her current viewpoint was¡­ humbling. She¡¯d once controlled hundreds of drones in Belport alone, not to mention the lab, its systems, and all of Venture¡¯s experiments. But she hadn¡¯t only been in Belport. TINA had once seen the world through the sensors of ten thousand drones, and crawled through world communications as easily as Mod ran across the rooftops. She wielded firepower that could rival entire armies just as easily. She could¡¯ve rivaled the entire Binary Brotherhood. Looking at Belport through Mod¡¯s eyes and Arsenal¡¯s helmet reminded TINA of waking from a half-remembered dream. Though TINA couldn¡¯t be sure she¡¯d ever dreamed like a human would, it felt like a fitting metaphor. She felt small and inadequate. It had been roughly a week since Mod and TINA had hacked a Fast-Response drone. Since then, TINA had been crawling through her old networks, like a mouse sneaking through a field. It had been an unbearably slow process¡ªone made worse that TINA both had to hack her way in and avoid detection. Getting caught meant undue risk to her and the others, but also meant that she would lose one of the few backdoors she had into the system. That backdoor would be patched and lost forever. TINA had crawled through the lab¡¯s systems far slower than ever before, but so far she¡¯d avoided detection. She¡¯s been careful, and thought herself too small to notice¡ª Or so she¡¯d thought. Twice, TINA had felt the curiosity of her former self. She¡¯d scurried through the threads and circuits of the lost landscape, only to feel the ground shift beneath her. The lab¡¯s systems writhed with search functions. TINA had tripped something or inadvertently triggered a failsafe. It had felt like she¡¯d been crawling along the back of a colossus, only for it to awaken and threaten to shake her off. But TINA had hidden, worming her way into unprioritized functions and pathways. The second time had been a much closer call. TINA was following a trail, leaving the cover of shadowy forest for an open plain. She needed to know what Midas was up to, what the Brotherhood had planned, and how much of her former self was left. And a distant but no less important concern, she needed to know that her father was still alive. She was finding answers. The field was rich with data, and for the first time, TINA felt flickers of her former prowess. She parsed and copied information, vowing to sort through it later. Then the shadow of a predator passed overhead. An active search. It had been one thing to feel the titanic bulk of the lab¡¯s systems shift beneath her feet, but now it felt like a searchlight was sweeping across the field. TINA was suddenly aware of just how vulnerable she was. There wasn¡¯t any time to run or hide, so TINA froze. Somewhere in the proverbial sky, TINA felt the disembodied eyes of her former self. Alien and dangerous. The active search passed across the field¡ª And it continued without stopping. TINA stayed frozen and didn¡¯t move for many cycles. Finally, TINA continued onward. After all, she hadn¡¯t found all the information she was looking for. Somewhere in the lab¡¯s systems, there would be a record of what happened to her father. Until tonight, TINA thought the danger had passed. She¡¯d kept one metaphorical eye focused on Mod, Arsenal, and Athena, scanning their vision and nearby signals for surveillance drones and biomech patrols. The rest of her attention was on the lab as she continued crawling through its systems¡ªscurrying like a mouse in a field. Most of her attention was navigating through the field and sorting through data. In the distance, she¡¯d felt the shadow of a predator pass overhead. Far enough away not to worry¡ª Until TINA saw the direction of the active scan. The searchlight was gliding across cyberspace and toward the outside world. Toward Belport. Toward Eastside. In a fraction of a second, TINA realized her error. She had managed to stay hidden, but her trail had been discovered. Instead of tracking her, the searchlight had backtracked, seeking the source of her signal. Magic would hide the apartment and the main cluster of servers, but it wouldn¡¯t hide Mod. In the next fraction of a second, TINA disconnected from the lab and stored away her findings for later. She had discovered which systems were up and running, which of her former algorithms had been dissected and actively being used. In that respect, this first hacking had been a success. TINA just hoped the cost wouldn¡¯t be too great. Then she devoted the entirety of her resources to assessing the situation on Eastside. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.23 — Ava Savanus Ava Savanus lounged in the living room of Magnus Venture¡¯s laboratory. She¡¯d changed into a white ballistic catsuit, one made to emulate the Grecian statues of old. She sat on the same couch where her contemporary sat just three weeks ago. There was an imprint in the fabric from where he usually sat. Ava sat on the other side of the couch. She didn¡¯t have the heart to take Magnus¡¯s seat. The symbolism of either seat choice wasn¡¯t lost on her. Ava had spent a considerable amount of time down here in Magnus¡¯s old living quarters. At first, the scenery had been stifling¡ªeven after figuring out how to adjust the view on the large wall screens. When she first engaged it, the screens defaulted to a scenic view of Belport¡¯s skyline. There were other options stored, each more curious than the last. Most were views of ocean seascapes and mountain ranges, each of which Ava could match using her neural network and database connections. None held geographic or cultural significance, though Ava programmed a squadron of drones to search each location. Then there was the city of New Venice¡ªit likely held an important memory for Venture, though she could only guess at its significance. He had never shared details of his personal life with Ava, and she doubted he would be forthcoming now. Then there was a patch of night sky taken from a forest outside of Belport. It was completely unremarkable¡­ unless one had access to a starmap and the Summit¡¯s records of alien contact. One of the tiny stars in the center was known publicly as Niccolo F-1. It was known to the Summit and other privy organizations as Terradun. A planet ruled by an entire race of Class 5 lifeforms¡ªthe Dunamen. Of course, that was a rough translation from their language to that of Earths, but the Dunamen envoys accepted the name. One of those envoys was the super codenamed Paragon, and the other would take the name Narine. She would later birth a child with Magnus Venture. Ava still couldn¡¯t understand it. What could a being such as Narine see in a mortal like Venture? Humans were so short-lived compared to the Dunamen. So weak, so shallow. Terradun was ruled by a single democratic government, one that put the welfare of the people above petty and selfish concerns. Maybe that was what they¡¯d bonded over¡­ Venture did want to change the world, misguided as he was. That second night after the takeover, Ava had scoured the living quarters and the personal rooms of the lab. Everything was destroyed. Nanomachines had dissolved everything inside the personal rooms. There weren¡¯t any personal files left either; the AI must¡¯ve wiped everything days or maybe even weeks before. Venture had been prepared. And he had lost. Ava turned her attention back to the living room screens. There were other options in the wall display, mostly layouts and configurations for displaying simulations and experiment data. The data itself was all either corrupted or deleted, but the layouts remained, like ghosts in the circuitry. Finally, Ava gained access to the drone feeds. Once she established a neural link, it was easy to cycle through drone feeds. The lab¡¯s search algorithms could monitor the bulk of the drone fleet, but Ava wasn¡¯t as trusting as Magnus. She preferred to maintain her own control wherever possible. Ava also discovered that drone feeds were often overlaid onto the wall screen¡ªup to fifty at a time. Despite her own innate abilities and processor implants, Ava relied on her biomechs to be semi-autonomous. Given an order and an adequate set of parameters, they could function on their own. She knew Venture had a knack for parsing data, but this felt like more than a simple knack. Despite that, Ava couldn¡¯t help but wonder why Magnus felt the need to monitor them at all. The AI had been considerably advanced, and Magnus had put tremendous faith in its operation, judgment, and morality. If it was so competent, why did he feel the need to look over its shoulder?The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Was it a need for control? If so, maybe her and Venture weren¡¯t so different after all¡­ Midas certainly had a thing for control. Since the takeover, Midas had insisted that either he or Ava be present in the lab. Because Ava could control her army from anywhere, that duty had mostly fallen on her shoulders. She¡¯d made peace with the arrangement. It meant fewer press conferences. It meant she could stay out of the spotlight. And it allowed her to learn the lab¡¯s systems more intimately. Ava used her neural link and pulled up an interior view of section 95. The small, auxiliary biolab appeared on the wall screen. In the center was the holding tank where Dr. Magnus Venture floated in medically induced suspended animation. His face and bare chest were visible through the viewing window. His vitals appeared alongside Ava¡¯s view¡ªall nominal. She trusted that Magnus was fine, but she still wanted to see him. ¡°Are you dreaming in there, Magnus?¡± Ava wondered aloud. ¡°Subjects do not typically dream in suspended¡ª¡± ¡°That was a rhetorical question.¡± Ava knew how suspended animation worked. It slowed down all biological processes to a crawl, including brain function. Most subjects described the sensation as an instantaneous, dreamless sleep, akin to general anesthesia. The outcome may be similar, but the two things worked by very different mechanisms. General anesthesia worked by more or less interrupting the flow of information from the body to the brain, and interrupting consciousness itself. It was akin to turning off a computer and turning it back on. Suspended animation slowed down the body¡¯s processes. Most subjects simply didn¡¯t have time to dream. If Venture could blink, he might see flashes of movement when someone walked by his holding tank. It was a minor difference, but for artificers, details were everything. For example, powerful speedsters could not be put in suspended animation, whereas general anesthesia could knock them out. Magnus Venture knack allowed his brain to process data much faster and much more efficiently than others. Even though he was cut off from the outside world and unable to move his body, maybe his mind was still free, like a disembodied brain in a jar. Ava ran her fingers over the couch between her seat and Venture¡¯s old seat. ¡°Not so different.¡± Suddenly, the room flashed red with emergency lights and the computer¡¯s voice blared through the living room speakers. ¡°Attention: Foreign presence detected in lab systems.¡± Ava startled and stood. ¡°Show me everything you have.¡± The view of section 95 was replaced with a map of the lab¡¯s systems¡ªnot the physical layout of its circuitry, but the organization of systems, subsystems, and files. The presence had found a backdoor through one of the small drones, then used it to worm its way through the rest of the lab. ¡°Goddamnit¡­ Where is it?¡± Ava asked impatiently. The presence had already passed through most of the lab¡¯s surface level systems. Nothing had been tampered with, but if it was looking to find out information, then its mission had already been successful. They would know the lab¡¯s current capacities and which systems were marked for upgrades. ¡°Foreign presence cannot be located.¡± ¡°Find it!¡± ¡°Foreign presence has retreated. The foreign presence is no longer detected in lab systems.¡± ¡°Oh, no you don¡¯t¡­¡± Ava scanned the pathways again. There had to be something there. Moments later, she found it. The path the presence took through the system was too precise, too careful. It wasn¡¯t something that could¡¯ve been done by an algorithm. It required connection and direction. ¡°Trace the connection. Find the source. Show me the trace in real-time.¡± A map of the East coast appeared on screen, which rapidly zoomed in on the city of Belport. The presence had been careful enough to spoof their location, but that wouldn¡¯t save them. White circles appeared around several districts, each with a label for accuracy. The highest rating was centered on Eastside. Before the war, the abandoned sections of Eastside had been sparring grounds for low-level supers¡ªthose without potential or direction. There were fewer supers there now, thanks to the Summit¡¯s conscription, but the homeless population had quadrupled. Ava could see them through the UV and infrared eyes of the drones and her biomechs. They huddled beside trashcan fires and peered out enviously at the other sectors of Belport. ¡°Significant deviance in signal trace. High likelihood that the source is mobile.¡± While the computer was tracing the signal, Ava had been running her own search. There were only a handful of artificers in the world that could¡¯ve hacked into the lab¡¯s systems. Einon Silver or Alastair, possibly even Daedalus. Whatever the old man had used to push his way into her flagship might have been able to do the trick¡­ No. It had to be the cyborg. No one else would be both that brazen and that successful. With newfound focus, Ava tapped into the biomechs and drones in and around the Eastside of Belport. There were three patrol groups within effective range. Twelve groups more within a five-minute intercept window. She rerouted seven more small drones to keep an eye on the perimeter. Then Ava commanded her biomech patrol groups to round up everyone on the block. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.24 — Improvise Mod and Arsenal watched from the parking garage as highlighted enemies converged on highlighted allies. Athena and Lucy were still holding their position in an abandoned office building across the block. That was worrying enough, but now TINA had gone silent. Mod would¡¯ve chalked it up to her lack of processing power compared to before the war, but that was before they had to worry about a technopath like Midas. Mod tried to keep his voice level. ¡°Should we move to intercept?¡± ¡°Do not intercept,¡± TINA finally replied. ¡°There is an uptick in communications activity across the sector. It is likely that other patrols are converging on the block. I¡¯ll highlight nearby patrols as they come within range.¡± ¡°Shit,¡± Arsenal muttered. ¡°How did they find us?¡± ¡°Right now it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Mod turned, quickly surveying the surrounding block. So far, Mod could only see the soft glow of trash can fires and the scattered groups of homeless people in the garage. There weren¡¯t any more highlighted patrols, which meant they had time to escape. ¡°TINA, do you still have those maps of Belport and the underground tunnels?¡± ¡°Yes. There is an access hatch on the first floor of the garage. I am attempting to guide our allies there. However, Lucy is taking some convincing.¡± ¡°Behind us.¡± Mod followed Arsenal¡¯s gaze to a second group of biomechs approaching from the East, then a third group from the North¡ª Moving fast. There was no way Athena and Lucy would reach the parking garage before the biomechs did. ¡°TINA, the drones are still unarmed, right? How tough are these mechs?¡± A flood of specifications scrolled down Mod¡¯s HUD, but he didn¡¯t have to actively read it. He understood it in an instant, courtesy of his direct connection to TINA. And he shuddered. The biomechs were engineered by Ava Savanus, a member of the Binary Brotherhood. There were three styles of biomech, each controlled by a copy of Ava¡¯s brain. None of the brains were an exact copy of the original¡ªinstead, they were implanted in a biomech. While the brain matured, its growth was directed electrically and surgically until the biomech became an organism all its own. Part of this maturation was allowing each biomech to pick out its own weaponry. All mechs were governed to have at least one nonlethal weapon, and 98% of mechs only had one nonlethal option. The smallest biomechs were quadrupedal, dog-sized reconnaissance units. These were lightly armored and outfitted with small caliber weapons. As far as physical threats went, these were a non-issue for Mod and Arsenal. However, the biomechs were all linked and communicating in real-time, so they could still be dangerous if they called for backup. The second biomechs were human-sized and could alternate between bipedal and quadrupedal as needed. These were generally employed as security units due to their size and adaptability. They sported everything from riot-control armaments to military-grade weapons. Depending on their loadout, they weighed anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds. The final biomechs were bipedal, heavy units. They stood anywhere from one to almost two stories tall and weighed up to three tons. They carried armor and weapons usually reserved for tanks and aircraft¡ªeverything from EMPs to rotary cannons, missile launchers, and high-watt lasers. TINA had helpfully labeled the reconnaissance, security, and heavy units as rec, sec, and hec units, respectively. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°Ew, I can¡¯t believe these things are real,¡± Arsenal muttered to herself. It took Mod a second to realize that she was still reading through the information TINA had sent them. ¡°We can handle the rec and sec units¡ªthe first two types¡ªno problem,¡± Mod said. ¡°We need to stay clear of the heavy units though.¡± Mod doubted anything less than a sustained fusion laser would cut through their armor. A second later, Arsenal chuckled. ¡°TINA¡¯s been taking after McGuire¡¯s naming conventions¡­ I really wish I had my old suit.¡± ¡°One day, we need to tell McGuire about those names. He would appreciate¡ª¡± Gunfire erupted across the block. The biomech patrol near Athena opened fire. Athena and Lucy¡¯s highlighted forms retreated deeper inside the abandoned building. Panicked shouts echoed across the parking garage. Arsenal started to move forward, but Mod grabbed her. Information flooded into his mind. ¡°Don¡¯t! They¡¯re nonlethal rounds.¡± Arsenal jerked out of his grip. ¡°We can¡¯t just stay here! What are we supposed to do?¡± TINA¡¯s voice came through both their earpieces. ¡°Athena and Lucy should be coming toward you. I believe that was the incentive that they needed.¡± Thankfully, TINA was right. The highlights of Athena and Lucy sprinted through the building and leapt out of the third-floor window. Glass rained down on the street. Athena staggered her landing, using a small forcefield to cut the distance in half. Lucy hit the ground and took off running without missing a beat. But the biomech patrol wasn¡¯t far behind them. There were two sec units and a single hec unit. The person-sized sec units were sprinting after the supers. Mod¡¯s HUD clocked them at 40 miles per hour. They ran on all fours, their powerful limbs tearing chunks out of the asphalt. The hec unit was slower, but it saved time by barreling straight through the building. It ran through brick walls without pausing its stride. As soon as the two sec units had a line of sight, they opened fire again. Athena threw up a shield behind her and Lucy, which flickered as the rounds impact. It seemed like a waste to use her powers if the rounds were nonlethal¡­ but Mod forgot that not everyone had his resilience. So far as he knew, Athena was only as tough as a regular person. People all along the upper floors of the parking garage were watching the scene across the street, including Mod and Arsenal. ¡°She¡¯s almost here,¡± Arsenal said. Movement across the garage caught Mod¡¯s attention¡ª A super leapt off a lower floor of the parking garage and onto the street. They were heading toward Athena and Lucy! At first Mod thought they were another enemy¡ªthe new super hurled blasts of light across the street. But the projectiles sailed past Athena and Lucy and hit the two sec units chasing them. Each projectile exploded in a flash of sparks, causing the mechs to stagger. Athena was forced to use more shields as another patrol engaged them. Shields rippled as Athena tried to convince the new super to retreat. More movement nearby¡ªhighlighted rec units and sec units climbed up the sides of the parking garage like spiders. Panicked screams echoed through all four levels of the parking garage as the first rec units appeared. High-pitched, mechanical voices followed: ¡°On the ground!¡± ¡°Do not resist!¡± Mod and Arsenal slipped behind one of the support columns. ¡°We need to get to the first floor,¡± Mod said. ¡°This path has the least enemies. Go quickly.¡± A blue trail appeared in Mod¡¯s HUD, leading toward a set of maintenance stairs. He assumed Arsenal saw it as well. They sprinted toward it. There was a single sec unit highlighted on the stairwell. They¡¯d have to go through it. Mod would have to be careful. He had no idea how much info the Brotherhood had on him. If he used any of his mods or gadgets, he might very well give himself away. Right now, they still had some element of stealth and surprise. Hopefully, this works¡­ Mod sprinted across the garage. He slammed into the door at full speed, lowering his shoulder into it and using the impact to tear it off its hinges. He didn¡¯t slow. He raced down the flight of stairs while carrying the door. Arsenal was right behind him. The sec unit skidded to a stop on the landing. It raised twin guns and fired. Mod didn¡¯t have time to discern whether they were nonlethal rounds or not. He held up the door like a shield. ¡°Wrecking ball!¡± Mod sprinted down the stairs and tackled the sec unit into the wall. Gunfire stopped abruptly as the mech was crunched between the wall and the door. For a brief second, Mod felt the mech struggle against him. Three hundred pounds of machine struggled in vain. Then Mod quickly rolled out of the way. Full body kinetic thrusters opened up on Arsenal¡¯s suit. She rocketed down the stairs and slammed into the door with merciless force. There was a sickening crunch of metal and concrete as the sec unit was crushed under the impact. The door fell away, and Mod readied himself for a followup strike. But the mech fell over, crushed. Brainmatter, oil, and other fluids were already pooling beneath it. Mod and Arsenal didn¡¯t waste anymore time. They turned and continued down the stairwell. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.25 — Ava Savanus 2 / Athena 3 Ava Savanus watched the scene unfold from the living room of the lab. She hadn¡¯t sat back down on the couch. Biomech patrols were spreading out to contain the block. There were roughly sixty individuals accounted for, most of which were clustered in the parking garage. Ava¡¯s mechs scanned heat signatures, noting any anomalies, and then used facial recognition on closer targets. So far, the lab¡¯s algorithms were proving their potential. Between the Summit¡¯s registration databases, and the lab¡¯s location tracking, comms monitoring, and facial recognition, no villain would be able to hide. She sent neural commands to the patrols. Their primary objective was finding the cyborg and capturing it. Other unregistered supers would be contained, and if they put up a struggle, taken into custody. Reconnaissance and security units were fastest and were the first to converge on the parking garage. Ava watched through their lenses as the first squatters were corralled. Some of them tried to run, but no regular human got more than a few steps before they were netted and tased. The hidden supers were a nuisance, however. There were eight such targets spread out across the block. There were also two vampires, given away by their pheromone trails. Ava frowned. Three reconnaissance units and two security units were already disabled. That would soon change. Each biomech had different weapon loadouts, and some would be better suited to certain supers than others. As soon as supers displayed their powers, her mechs were already swapping targets. She watched the feeds intently as one heavy mech fired a woven-steel net at an air elementalist¡ªthey weren¡¯t fast enough to dodge or strong enough to escape it. Two reconnaissance units sprayed silicone webbing material to contain a super with acid breath and skin. Electrical charged shotgun pellets took down the duplicating super while super-grade paralytic gas took out another that had super strength. One of the vampires went down with a Gnosis-hacked tranquilizer. Half down. There were two supers in the street¡ªa vampire and a super with rudimentary barrier powers. The super managed to block most of the nonlethal rounds from the oncoming patrol, but clearly, they were outmatched. They were running away, heading for the parking garage¡ª Make that three supers. One super from the parking garage had leapt down to the street in a misjudged attempt to help them. The new super fired blasts of energy from their palms, which were capable of stunning the smaller biomechs. Ava sighed. People should know when they¡¯re beaten. There were two more supers in the parking garage. They were trying to escape down one of the side stairwells. They both clearly had super strength and enhanced speed as well. They¡¯d used a steel door to crush a lone security unit before it could retaliate and before it could ID them. If the cyborg was here, it was one of those two supers. It was avoiding using its enhancements¡ªprobably hoping to blend in and escape. Ava wasn¡¯t worried in the slightest. There were more than enough mechs waiting for them on the ground floor. ¡°Communication intercepted from the Summit of Heroes. Additional supers dispatched to Eastside disturbance.¡± Ava groaned. ¡°That was quicker than usual. What¡¯s their ETA?¡± The computer overlaid a map of Belport. Two capes had been dispatched from the closest station to the South. Two more from a neighboring station. They would reach the block in approximately four minutes. That wasn¡¯t Ava¡¯s primary concern. There was another cape signal. This one had been outside the northern city limits and was now approaching Belport at just under the speed of sound. Golden Boy would be there in under a minute. ¡°Goddamnit,¡± Ava muttered. She sent a neural reminder to her biomechs to be gentle with all civilians and combatants. Golden Boy was a Summit trueblood. A true believer in the organization. He had been one of the loudest voices against the Summit¡¯s partnership with the Brotherhood. He could not be bought or bribed. If this whole engagement went sideways, he would likely turn against Ava¡¯s forces Stolen novel; please report. He was an utter pain in the ass. ¡°Computer, open a line of communication to Golden Boy.¡± A second later, a waveform indicator appeared on the screen. Even though the algorithms were supposed to isolate conversations and filter out noise, there was still an unmistakable roar of wind. ¡°Savanus, you better have a good explanation for this.¡± ¡°I do, in fact. The lab¡¯s systems were hacked, and I¡¯ve traced the origin of the signal to part of the abandoned sector in Belport. I believe it¡¯s Dr. Venture¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s. Your help is greatly appreciated.¡± Golden Boy hesitated before replying, ¡°...I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡± ~ ~ Athena and Lucy skidded to a halt near the parking garage. A super had leapt from the second story and landed near them. The man glared in their direction, his face half-hidden by a scraggly beard and hoodie. Both Athena and Lucy had been on guard, but the super fired energy blasts at the mechs chasing them. He appeared to be an ally¡ª And also stupid. The super fired more blasts from their hands. ¡°Come on, we can take them!¡± ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Athena said. She grabbed his arm and started dragging him back toward the parking garage. ¡°We need to get out of here!¡± As if on cue, a heavy biomech lumbered into view at the end of the street. A tank-like weapons platform sat atop two thickly armored legs. It stood almost twenty feet tall, and its head and weapons swiveled down the street with a bird-like quickness. The new super struggled against Athena but finally started running¡ªprobably because the heavy mech started running after them. The ground shuddered beneath each of its steps. Athena had seen plenty of war machines across the millennia, but seeing something so large and inhuman moving so quickly sent a flood of primal terror through her. Guns whirred to life, and Athena threw up shields behind them as they ran, but she didn¡¯t feel any impacts. Gas grenades sailed overhead and into the parking garage. In seconds, the upper floors of the parking garage were engulfed in white smoke. On instinct, Athena widened her barrier, trying to catch any grenades targeting the first floor, and was just barely successful. She felt the grenade bounce off her barrier and ricochet back into the street. That bought them a few more seconds, but the gas was heavier than air and already sinking to the lower floors. Athena quickly covered her own mouth with the collar of her shirt and shouted for the others to do the same. Lucy would probably be fine either way, but the other super probably wouldn¡¯t. Gunfire erupted on the ground floor¡ªcasting flashes and harsh shadows ahead of the group. Athena could just make out the inhuman shapes of smaller biomechs. The stairs were somewhere beyond them. Athena readied herself and together, they sprinted into the first floor of the parking garage. She threw up more shields while her eyes adjusted. Whatever battle had been going on moments before was already over. Spider-like rec units and human-like sec units lay in pieces around the garage. Oil and other fluid drained out onto the concrete alongside rubber bullets and casings. One sec unit had been torn completely in half. Two supers wearing nondescript clothes turned to face them. Even with the weak lights in the parking garage, some of their faces should¡¯ve been visible beneath their hoods. Their nanite disguises were almost as good as magic. Mod, the taller of the two, had his hands buried in the last biomech, and tore it in half with his bare hands. The metal gave way with a screech and both pieces skidded across the ground. Mod noticed the new arrivals staring at him. ¡°These guys are resilient.¡± But Athena didn¡¯t have time to marvel. ¡°Good job. Now let¡¯s go!¡± Mod waved them toward the back of the parking garage where a separate stairwell was located. He shouldered his way through the double doors. The stairs descended beneath the garage and into the Belport underground. Athena put up a barrier behind them to block the doorway. It would slow them down, but she couldn¡¯t keep it up forever. The farther away they got, the harder it would be to keep it up. The group dashed down the stairs. The sound of boots on concrete echoed through the stairwell as they ran, the echo building and stumbling over itself. Mod dropped smoke pellets and sonics down the stairwell. Athena was about to protest, but then he threw down the hall of each landing. Athena felt a pang of pride at the strategy¡ªhopefully the distractions would lead the biomechs astray. The stairs went down several levels, but their group got off on the third floor. The corridor stretched on and branched off into other maintenance paths, like the concrete innards of the city. TINA¡¯s voice came through their earpieces. ¡°Summit signals are approaching. One is moving at near supersonic speeds.¡± Mod glanced back at Athena as they ran. ¡°How long can you hold that forcefield?¡± Athena shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m almost at the end of my range.¡± TINA interrupted, and there was a calm but unmistakable urgency in her voice. ¡°You should run faster.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.26 — Golden Boy Thirty-seven years ago, the Division of Superhuman Affairs, in partnership with a since-dissolved organization of the Allied States, sought to recreate the powers of the superhero, Paragon. Samples of Paragon¡¯s skin and hair were obtained without the super¡¯s knowledge. Early attempts at cloning failed due to limited technology and a lack of cooperation from the Binary Brotherhood. However, they were able to isolate his DNA. The next attempt at replicating Paragon¡¯s powers involved implanting adults with his DNA. Promising soldiers underwent physical, mental, and emotional screening. Three candidates were selected for the program. The idea was to create a superhero with loyalty to the Allied States. The experiment was a partial success. Out of three candidates, two survived. Out of the surviving candidates, one was retired due to emotional instability. The final candidate was later inducted into the Summit of Heroes and took the superhero designation of Golden Boy. China attempted a similar program with stolen samples of Paragon¡¯s DNA. One subject survived, but the program was dissolved soon after. Their whereabouts are unknown. To this day, the agencies of both the Allied States and China deny that any such programs existed. The true origin of Golden Boy is one of the Allied States¡¯ most closely guarded secrets. Golden Boy possesses almost every physical ability of Paragon, though there are several notable limitations. For most measures, his abilities are described as Class 4. The Dunamen envoys claim that their entire species possess Class 5 abilities. Though only twenty-four Dunamen have visited Earth, all possessed powers comparable to Paragon. Biologically, the Dunamen demonstrate extreme physical strength and resilience. Their brains and bodies are capable of processing, reacting, and moving with superhuman speed, and their lifespans are measured in thousands of years. These characteristics, while impressive, do not completely describe their abilities. Taken alone, they suggest the Dunamen would only have Class 4 abilities. Paragon¡¯s immense strength, speed, and durability defy physics, which Dunamen biology alone doesn¡¯t explain. It¡¯s thought that he also has localized reality warping powers. This is most evident when lifting objects such as ocean liners and buildings that should crumble until their own weight. Paragon is able to distribute his power evenly along those objects to keep them intact. Paragon¡¯s multi-spectral vision and laser vision also work due to this mechanism. The other Dunamen envoys demonstrated similar localized reality-warping. It is thought that this is the key to explaining the gap in their Class 4 biology and Class 5 measurements. Flight is the one physics-defying ability that Golden Boy possesses. Some researchers speculate that he achieves flight through sheer belief, similar to the placebo effect. So far, scientists have not determined the mechanism for the Dunamen¡¯s reality warping powers. Due to the lack of viable DNA samples, further testing is impossible. ~ A general alert came through the Summit¡¯s system. Golden Boy hadn¡¯t thought much of it at first. The Summit had expected some unrest after the war ended¡ªlooting, riots, and so on. There were plenty of capes still in the city. Part of the agreement between the Binary Brotherhood and the Summit of Heroes included limitations on the use of Savanus¡¯s biomechs. Savanus and Midas had dissented, but the limitations had passed with a two-thirds vote in the Brotherhood. Automatic notifications were in use anytime the mechs engaged their weapons or anytime a large enough number were sent to a disturbance. Currently, twelve patrol groups¡ªroughly 36 mechs¡ªwere converging on something in Eastside. That part of the alert made Golden Boy take notice. A fraction of a second later, he was flying toward Belport at just under the speed of sound. Wind roared past him. Only a few seconds later, Savanus herself called. Golden Boy hadn¡¯t been given all the details about Dr. Venture¡¯s apprehension. He only knew the basics about the AI ban, but whatever was involved was enough for the Summit of Heroes to fall in line. There were also standing orders to apprehend the cyborg, Mod. Golden Boy didn¡¯t care for the power hungry supers in the Brotherhood, but he respected the Summit¡¯s decisions. So he tore through the sky toward Belport. Even from a mile away, he could see the scene unfolding on Belport¡¯s Eastside. Biomechs of all sizes glistened with armaments. They converged on a single parking garage. Smaller reconnaissance and security units were already inside the garage and detaining people. He clocked the distressed glow of an air elementalist in a net. A few seconds later, he saw the scene in its entirety. Five supers had been detained, and dozens more regular people were corralled on the various floors of the parking garage. He quickly surveyed the area, his feet never touching the ground. So far, no one looked to be seriously injured. Thank God for that. ¡°Is all this really necessary?¡± he asked. Savanus ignored the question. ¡°Five supers are escaping through the underground tunnels. My mechs will direct you.¡± Golden Boy flew quickly to the first level and followed the mechs toward the maintenance stairs. The single door had been nearly torn from its hinges. Smoke rose up the stairs, accompanied by the pops of noise-makers. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Whoever was fleeing the parking garage was definitely an artificer, and they weren¡¯t a common type of super. Golden Boy was inclined to believe that this was the cyborg the Brotherhood was hunting. Mod. Dr. Venture¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. Golden Boy frowned. He¡¯d been hoping that Savanus was wrong. Though the cyborg¡¯s complete capabilities were unknown, he¡¯d been given a rank of Class 3.3 after taking down two Class 4 monstrosities. Golden Boy had seen the aftermath¡­ Even if Mod had help, it didn¡¯t discount the cyborg¡¯s capabilities. Golden Boy quickly descended through the center of the stairwell. There were six floors in total, and at the bottom, he crushed the smoke pellet and noisemaker. He rose up to the first three floors, destroying the distracting gadgets there as well. He flitted through the stairwell with the speed of a Class 4 super, squashing the gadgets left behind in a fraction of a second. Then he flew down each hallway at subsonic speed, squashing noisemakers on the first, second, and third levels. To a mundane strike force or a lower level super, the pellets and noisemakers might¡¯ve been worthwhile distractions. The noisemakers might have even worked against the biomechs, but to Golden Boy, they were little more than a nuisance. And a trail. There weren¡¯t any more gadgets scattered through the lower levels, so Golden Boy followed the gadgets through the third floor. He¡¯d been proceeding methodically until the trail ran out. Then he used his speed in earnest. Golden Boy rocketed through the halls, never slowing down, never so much as touching the walls or the floor. He found his targets 10 seconds later. They must''ve heard him approaching because the five of them skidded to a halt. Golden Boy stopped and hovered thirty paces away, regarding the group. Three of them wore outfits fitting unregistered masks. One man was middle-aged, the beard on his face just beginning to gray. The other two, however¡­their faces were obscured beneath their hoods, almost as if they had covered their faces in dark putty. One of the veiled supers aimed a custom-made pistol at Golden Boy. These were the runaway artificers, no doubt. Another super was a vampire¡ªher upper lip bulged just noticeably around her enlarged canines. Strange company to keep, but perhaps not as strange after Dr. Venture''s collusion with Gnosis. The last super, an imposing woman wearing a red leather jacket, stepped to the front of the group. Her features were hidden similarly, though this time Golden Boy recognized the shimmer of magic around her. A second later, the middle-aged super muttered, ¡°Oh shit, it''s Golden Boy.¡± Silence came suddenly and stretched on as the two groups faced each other in the maintenance hallway. Golden Boy said, ¡°You made it pretty far, Mod. You should be proud.¡± Mod didn''t drop the pistol. ¡°Not far enough.¡± ¡°Considering the circumstances¡­ Now, I need all five of you to come with me. You are being detained until the Summit and Brotherhood can complete their questioning in regards to Dr. Venture''s crimes.¡± The middle-aged super raised his hands and stepped forward. ¡°Look, I''m not with them¡ª¡± ¡°Backtrack and turn yourself in to the first cape or mech you come across,¡± Golden Boy replied. The man scurried off down the hall without another word. The others didn''t seem fazed by his retreat. Golden Boy kept his voice stern. ¡°Mod and Arsenal, you''ve both done your home a great service during the war. Don''t tarnish it now.¡± ¡°Do you know what they''re going to do to me?¡± ¡°I can assure you that nothing will happen without the Summit¡¯s approval.¡± The vampire tugged at the tall woman¡¯s sleeve. ¡°We should go too. This doesn¡¯t concern us.¡± Her partner turned and gently removed the vampire¡¯s hand from her arm. ¡°Cherish the past, but the present is always more important.¡± The vampire¡¯s lip quivered, and she glanced between her companion and Golden Boy nervously. Finally, the vampire nodded to Mod¡¯s group. ¡°Thank you again¡­¡± And then she sprinted away, deeper into the tunnels. Golden Boy let her go. Then they were down to three. Mod, Arsenal, and their unknown associate. Mod tilted his head. It was almost imperceptible to the naked eye, but it looked like he was listening to something¡­ or someone. Golden Boy picked up the slightest sound from all three of their earpieces. Golden Boy tapped his ear. ¡°Who are you talking to?¡± Mod¡¯s pistol never wavered. ¡°You should go back. Say you didn¡¯t find us.¡± Golden Boy recognized Mod¡¯s voice, but it had changed since the last time they''d met. Even after facing down a Class 4 monstrosity, Mod had sounded meek and unsure of himself. Now, there was a steely resolve in his voice. ¡°We both know I can¡¯t do that.¡± Golden Boy frowned. ¡°Every second you delay, biomechs are corralling innocent civilians.¡± ¡°No,¡± Mod replied. Golden Boy looked at Arsenal. ¡°All you have to do is give testimony.¡± Power rippled through the air around her. ¡°I have nothing to say to the Brotherhood.¡± Before Golden Boy could respond, Mod fired. The gunshot echoed through the hallway. There were a number of capes in the Summit of Heroes that could dodge bullets. Several Class 3 speedsters and multiple Class 4 capes. Golden Boy was one of them. So long as the bullet wasn¡¯t a specialized supersonic round, he could normally dodge them. Even at close range. Not that he needed to. If Mod would¡¯ve been a normal super, Golden Boy wouldn¡¯t have bothered dodging. But he¡¯d fought with enough artificers to know that even their bullets could have gadgets inside them. Golden Boy lost a fraction of a second out of sheer surprise, but the round was subsonic. He floated to the side, only to run shoulder first into an invisible barrier. The bullet hit Golden Boy in the shoulder. It shattered harmlessly. It took him another fraction of a second to realize just how boxed in he really was. Invisible barriers had sprung up on either side of him, trapping him in the center of the hallway. A second bullet hit his side. Golden Boy¡¯s surprise turned to irritation. He slammed a fist into the barrier and felt it crumble. Across the hall, the third super grunted in pain. Golden Boy¡¯s frustration grew. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you¡­¡± Something was crawling on him. Golden Boy hadn¡¯t felt it until it was oozing up his neck, like cold sand. He pawed at it, and a trail of powder came away. ¡°Mod, I don¡¯t know what this is, but stop it¡ª¡± The sand didn¡¯t stop. It crawled into Golden Boy¡¯s eyes and ears, blinding and deafening him. Irritation quickly gave way to panic. Golden Boy pawed at his face, trying to brush away the sand, but it clung to him like paint. Golden Boy tried to breathe steadily. The last thing he needed to do was panic down here and bring down a building. There were people up there in the parking garage. Dozens of innocent people. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Mod called out. ¡°They¡¯ll wear off in an hour.¡± Golden Boy reached out and finally found concrete. ¡°Mod, stop this! You need to stop¡­¡± Golden Boy could just make out the sound of the others as they ran away. His first instinct was to follow, but he wouldn¡¯t be able to do it safely. Mod dropped another smoke pellet and noise maker, and then even the sound of footsteps disappeared¡ª Leaving Golden Boy blind, deaf, and alone in the underground. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.27 — Findings / Ava Savanus 3 Mod, Arsenal, and Athena raced through the underground tunnels and away from the still-struggling Golden Boy. Ever since Emmett was young, he¡¯d been cataloging the powers of superheroes and villains and compiling them into his own personal database. Public databases and websites often didn¡¯t list the known weakness and limitations of supers, and even private forums were monitored and sanctioned. Footage and eyewitness accounts of battles never stayed up on the web for long. Even after becoming a cyborg, Emmett had never stopped adding to his database. Originally, it had been usually easier to find information about higher profile supers¡ªthose in Class 3, 4, and 5¡ªthan it was to find info about lower-level supers. Since Emmett started working as a mask, now information about Class 1 and 2 supers like Zant¨¦, Green Mask, Feedback, and Duplicity were stored alongside world-shakers like Paragon and Amarque. Now that he was tangling with supers like Golden Boy, Emmett might even use his database, rather than simply adding to it. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena stayed underground for most of their journey, finally surfacing near downtown. Then they slowly and methodically walked the streets back to Athena¡¯s apartment¡ª All the while trying not to flinch as drones flew overhead. They didn¡¯t relax until they climbed into the apartment and shut the window. Despite the magic cloaking the apartment, no one wanted to turn on the lights. Mod and Arsenal slumped down onto the floor while Athena leaned heavily on the kitchen counter. Mod recalled their nanites, and the two pulled off their mask and helmet as they lay beside each other. His heartbeat finally started to slow. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Clara muttered. ¡°How did you know that would work?¡± ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t. Not for sure.¡± Clara slapped his arm weakly. ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking to you.¡± TINA spoke up from Emmett¡¯s phone on the table. ¡°I was reasonably certain it would work. I double-checked my Summit records and Emmett¡¯s database. Golden Boy lacks an easy method of getting the nanites off his skin. He also wanted to bring us in alive and without collateral damage.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t work again. Someone will give him a countermeasure. Wight or the Brotherhood¡­¡± Emmett trailed off. Athena sighed. ¡°And my powers can¡¯t contain him. TINA was right though¡ªgetting the jump on him worked.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t get caught again,¡± Emmett muttered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ It was my fault. I stayed connected to the lab for too long. That was how the Brotherhood located us.¡± Athena waved a hand. ¡°What¡¯s done is done. We will learn and come out the better for it.¡± Emmett asked, ¡°Was it worth it?¡± ¡°Yes. I know what the Brotherhood is planning. You might want to sit down for this.¡± Emmett scoffed a laugh from the floor. Athena walked over to the couch and laid down. Clara stayed silent and stared up at the ceiling. ¡°While connected to the lab, I was able to find several key points of interest: ¡°First, the Brotherhood means to use the lab as a base of operations. They will not be leaving anytime in the near future. This complicates our plans. I believe that Dr. Venture and my original copy meant for us to regain control of the lab at some point, but that will be exceedingly difficult with Midas¡¯s involvement. ¡°Second, I believe the Binary Brotherhood means to take control over the Allied States, and eventually, the world.¡± The group let out a mixture of sighs and groans. Clara propped herself up on her elbows. ¡°Wait, the Brotherhood? As in, the entire Brotherhood?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Emmett asked. ¡°TINA, I thought there were people in the Brotherhood that Dad could trust¡­¡± ¡°There might still be, but any records of those communications were purged. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Do you know how they¡¯re going to do it?¡± Athena asked. ¡°You mentioned drones and surveillance before¡­¡± ¡°The Brotherhood is prioritizing both those subsystems. Drone manufacturing is projected to return to one hundred percent of capacity within three months. Production will likely increase further. Midas plans to have a drone presence in every major city in the Allied States within one year.¡± Emmett swallowed dryly. ¡°Fast-Response and heavy drones?¡± ¡°Yes. Longer term projections are less reliable, but once Midas has established a drone presence in the Allied States, he intends to expand throughout the world.¡± Clara was sitting cross-legged now, trying to control her breathing. ¡°I just don¡¯t get it. Why would the Summit and the government go along with this? They have to know that Midas is up to no good.¡± Athena replied, ¡°You¡¯d be surprised how much people will give up to feel safe. There¡¯s already public outcry when too much collateral damage happens between superheroes and villains. Until right before the war, the public didn¡¯t know about the Deep Ones. As far as most people along the Atlantic are concerned, they just lived through World War III. They won¡¯t see drones in the sky as the eyes of a villain¡­ They¡¯ll look up and feel safer. It doesn¡¯t matter if the drones are better or worse than having superheroes running around. What matters is how people feel.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Emmett felt the weight of years as Athena spoke. ¡°You¡¯ve seen it before, haven¡¯t you?¡± Athena smiled bitterly. ¡°Those who don¡¯t learn from history are doomed to repeat it¡­ Something similar happened before the Second Civil War. There were more masks than ever. More villains too. People were afraid. Forcing masks to register as capes made people feel safer. It¡¯s just more state-sanctioned violence.¡± Emmett thought back to Hunter Nine and Hunter Seven. He didn¡¯t doubt that there were other legit capes with shameful records. Hell, Midas and Ava Savanus were registered capes. Clara asked, ¡°What about other systems and projects?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Emmett asked. ¡°Dad had umpteen projects going on in the deeper parts of the lab. He never told me anything about them, but I¡¯m guessing they were the kind of thing Midas would want to get his hands on.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t find any correspondence about lower sections of the lab. As far as I know, most records about those sections were deleted before the Brotherhood gained control. Those experiments might not have been useful enough or required too much time and resources to recover. Whatever the reason, the lower levels of the lab are not among the Brotherhood¡¯s priorities. ¡°Athena¡¯s comment about safety brings us to the Brotherhood¡¯s surveillance program. They are using reconstruction along the Atlantic coast as an excuse to add additional cameras and wireless monitoring. Passive monitoring of all communications in the Allied States is expected by the end of Summer.¡± ¡°Shit¡­¡± Athena muttered. Emmett said, ¡°We¡¯re ahead of the curve. We¡¯ve got the mask protocol, and TINA covering our comms¡ª¡± ¡°We¡¯re the only ones¡­¡± Athena said. ¡°This isn¡¯t about us. This is about the Brotherhood and the Summit, and them being able to find every unregistered mask that¡¯s still holding out. Unless they¡¯re an artificer, they won¡¯t be able to hide like us. This is it¡­ They¡¯re going to finish what the Second Civil War couldn¡¯t. And when everyone¡¯s registered, people like Midas will be giving the orders.¡± Emmett sat up, even as the weight of Athena¡¯s words settled on the group. Clara wouldn¡¯t meet his eyes. Emmett asked, ¡°TINA¡­ Is Athena right?¡± ¡°I can find no flaw in her reasoning. Active monitoring is coming, likely within the year. But that is not the end of my findings.¡± Athena replied, ¡°Good news, maybe?¡± ¡°Ava Savanus means to capture Emmett. She wants to reverse engineer his brain-machine interface for her own use. She prefers to capture you alive, if possible.¡± ¡°One of the most powerful artificers in the world wanted to rip out my brain¡­ That¡¯s not the worst.¡± ¡°Your brain and spinal column.¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really counting her as an ally, anyway.¡± Clara asked quietly, ¡°Did you find any other information, TINA? Anything about Dad?¡± ¡°Yes. He is being kept in a state of suspended animation somewhere in the lower levels of the lab. I¡¯m sorry, but that is all the information I have.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine, TINA. Thank you. I¡¯m just glad he¡¯s okay.¡± ~ ~ Ava Savanus slumped back onto the couch in the lab¡¯s living room. She rubbed her temples and groaned in irritation. Clearing the parking garage on the East side of the city had been a shitshow, and the wall screen showed every angle. After Golden Boy had gone underground to track the cyborg, Ava¡¯s biomechs had quickly secured the parking garage. The five unregistered masks were detained and would be brought to a Summit base for registration. Civilians were corralled. Those that fought or tried to run were detained as well. Then the rest of the Summit¡¯s capes had shown up. They¡¯d freaked. Apparently, tear gassing civilians was out of line. Nevermind that police did it all the time, and the Summit themselves had done much, much worse only a few decades prior. The capes attacked Ava¡¯s forces, hurling energy blasts and even tearing the arms off of two mechs. She ordered the mechs to retaliate. But even the best nonlethal options aren¡¯t perfect. Blood soaked the concrete, and three capes lay unconscious on the ground. Ava commanded her reconnaissance units to stabilize them until ambulances arrived. Ava watched the screen as capes were being hauled away in drones back to base and in ambulances to the hospital. ¡°Wight is attempting to contact you.¡± Ava sent a pulse of GABA and serotonin through her brain to calm herself down. ¡°Put him through.¡± Wight¡¯s voice appeared as a waveform at the top of the screen. ¡°Savanus, what the hell happened?¡± ¡°I was hoping you could tell me. Your capes attacked my mechs.¡± ¡°Most of them haven¡¯t seen mechs rounding up civilians. Even villains rarely do that.¡± ¡°Now¡¯s not the time, Wight. Venture¡¯s cyborg hacked into the lab. I traced the signal there. There were some minor civilian injuries before your capes arrived.¡± ¡°And where is the cyborg now?¡± ¡°They escaped into the maintenance tunnels. Golden Boy is searching for them.¡± Wight paused. ¡°Keep me informed. If you find Mod and bring him, I will interrogate and debrief him.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s non-negotiable, Ava. In the meantime, see that the injured get the proper medical attention. Supers and civilians aren¡¯t replaceable.¡± Wight severed the transmission. Ava resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Thankfully, a moment later, her network picked up Golden Boy¡¯s transmission. ¡°Savanus, do you copy?¡± Golden Boy appeared on the screen through the lenses of her biomechs. He paused on the first floor just outside the stairwell. ¡°Yes. Please tell me you have good news.¡± ¡°Negative. They got away.¡± The implant in Ava¡¯s brain sped up, taking in Golden Boy¡¯s face in a thousand frames a second. For someone as trained and fast as him, there was no other way to catch his micro expressions. LYING The word flashed across her contact lens. Golden Boy floated across the parking lot, checking over supers and civilians alike. Camera views on the wall screen adjusted. Ambulance sirens rose in the distance. Ava tried to choose her questions carefully. ¡°You were down there for over an hour and couldn¡¯t find them?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to find a trail.¡± LYING Ava frowned. Worse than lying, Golden Boy almost seemed distracted by whatever happened down there. That didn¡¯t make Ava feel any better about the situation. ¡°...Was there any sign of them?¡± Golden Boy paused, as if considering his answer. ¡°Only a few gadgets. Noise makers and smoke bombs.¡± TRUTH Golden Boy rocketed away after that, giving a half-hearted excuse about debriefing with Wight. He cut communications after that. Ava watched him recede into the distance through the eyes of her drones. She wondered if he would be more honest with the spymaster. Then she sent her mechs into the tunnels to find the trail that Golden Boy had missed. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.28 — Wight 2 The spymaster of the Summit of Heroes paced the office, his footsteps echoing through the empty room. The room was in the middle of renovation and had been mostly emptied, save for a small workstation and meeting table. Even though they¡¯d been checked for bugs, he double-checked them himself. He phased his hands through the structure, checking for wires and electronics. He¡¯d expected the Binary Brotherhood to keep tabs on him, and was almost disappointed that they weren¡¯t. He¡¯d spent the last hour reviewing plans for a second Vault location, one specializing in magic affiliated villains. Vault Beta. In the past, the mage guilds had handled their imprisonment, but a lot had changed since then. Between war with the Deep Ones and the Binary Brotherhood capitalizing on the aftermath, the proverbial game was going to change. New players¡­ New rules¡­ Those he could deal with. Wight just hoped they didn¡¯t flip the board in the process. The mage guilds, in particular, seemed keen to offload some of their lower-ranking criminals to Vault Beta. Like so many other super organizations, they were banking on increased surveillance, leading to an increase in imprisonment. It was a good bet. Cracking down on crime always led to more incarceration. It happened time and time again across the world. Be tough on crime, catch a few more criminals, and create even more in the process. It was the reason why The Code existed, and why villains were locked up more often than they were killed. Once you started escalating, it was a difficult process to stop. Cracking down on crime wasn¡¯t any different. If society really wanted to get rid of crime, they would invest in education and rehabilitation, and change the incentives. Stamp it out at the roots. The problem was that cracking down on crime sounded better and it paid better too. Short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Organizations like the Brotherhood that were all too eager to sell the hammers and the jails. Shit, Wight thought to himself. I¡¯m starting to sound like Venture. He kept pacing back and forth in the room, trying in vain to outrun his disillusionment. A few minutes later, he got an in-progress report from the developing situation on Belport¡¯s Eastside. Savanus had messaged to say that Mod and Arsenal had escaped. She declined to say more, but that was enough. Wight let out a breath he didn¡¯t know he¡¯d been holding. Around the same time, an alert appeared on the screen. Golden Boy was approaching the facility at just under the speed of sound. The incoming call sign flickered, and his voice came through a moment later. ¡°Sir, do you copy?¡± ¡°I read you.¡± ¡°...Do you have a moment?¡± ¡°I can make time.¡± Golden Boy had been dispatched to the disturbance on Eastside. Hopefully, he¡¯d have more information about what had happened. ~ Wight continued pacing for the next few minutes until Golden Boy arrived. It was only slight hyperbole to say that he had a million things on his mind. Golden Boy was only one of them. Thankfully, no one had been seriously injured¡ªsupers or civilians. A morbid part of Wight wished someone had died at the hands of Savanus¡¯s biomechs. Maybe then the Allied States would wise up and refuse to put their safety in the hands of the Brotherhood. Golden Boy let himself into the office and immediately Wight noticed the super was stressed. His face was clenched, as if he was forcing himself to remain stoic. And he was still floating. Floating came so naturally to Golden Boy now that he often had to remind himself to walk. Wight walked alongside the troubled super, a subtle gesture for Golden Boy to follow him. The two men paced the room idly, one continuing to float slightly higher than the other. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Finally, Wight prompted him. ¡°What happened down there?¡± Golden Boy recounted what happened in the maintenance tunnels¡ªhow he tracked Mod¡¯s group, the exchange that happened, the extra super and vampire, and finally, how Mod got the better of him. He also recounted his exchange with Ava Savanus. Wight listened intently as they walked, but he was even more focused on Golden Boy¡¯s nonverbal communication and speech patterns. He¡¯d been keeping it together until he recounted Mod¡¯s bullets and the cold sand that covered his eyes and ears. ¡°...I could¡¯ve found my way back above ground, but I waited instead. Mod was right; the sand wore off in an hour.¡± Wight nodded along. Golden Boy¡¯s demeanor made sense now. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since that¡¯s happened,¡± Wight said. ¡°It hasn¡¯t been that long since I¡¯ve lost a fight.¡± ¡°No. Since you¡¯ve been humbled. Mod capitalized on his strengths, your weakness, and the situation. He knew your powers and that you wouldn¡¯t have a ready countermeasure for the bullets. He also knew he had to land a shot on you for those bullets to work, which was only possible because his ally boxed you in. And that only worked because they had you contained underground¡­ That¡¯s why you¡¯re shaken up and still floating around.¡± Golden Boy slowly lowered himself to the ground. He took a breath as they walked. ¡°You¡¯re right. Of course, you¡¯re right.¡± Wight patted Golden Boy on the back. ¡°It¡¯s my job to know these things. So, when was it?¡± ¡°When I first manifested my powers,¡± Golden Boy answered without hesitation. ¡°Fighting the Blood Baron. My powers kept growing, though. Ever since I¡¯ve been Class 4, the Summit is more careful with engagements.¡± ¡°At your level, collateral damage is a liability you can¡¯t afford.¡± Golden Boy sighed and finally seemed to relax. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ It was embarrassing. Sure, we¡¯ll go with that. Still, you talk about Mod like you¡¯ve been shadowing him for years. How do you know him so well?¡± ¡°Did I tell you that Venture and I go back a ways?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned it.¡± ¡°Venture told me about Mod. Talked about him quite a bit, considering how sensitive the whole situation was.¡± ¡°He trusted you.¡± Past tense. Golden Boy hadn¡¯t meant it that way, but the wound was still fresh in Wight¡¯s mind. Golden Boy sensed his slip and corrected. ¡°Tell me about this super that everyone¡¯s so worried about. I can¡¯t remember the last time so many organizations were worried about one man. There¡¯s the Summit, the Brotherhood, the Menagerie¡­ am I missing anyone?¡± Wight sighed. ¡°He¡¯s on a lot of people¡¯s radar, but I suspect that was only because he was Venture¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦. Now that Venture¡¯s out of the picture, most people have lost interest. Not the Brotherhood¡­ Not Savanus either. You don¡¯t need to be a spy to see the way her eyes light up when Mod comes up in conversation.¡± Golden Boy added, ¡°She wants to reverse engineer him? For her biomechs?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put it past her. But the way she talks, it seems personal for her, like a kid waiting to unwrap a present on Christmas morning.¡± Golden Boy frowned. ¡°That¡¯s a disturbing metaphor.¡± ¡°Fits the situation. She¡¯s got her work cut out for her, though.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Wight said, ¡°Do you know how Venture found Mod?¡± Golden Boy nodded. ¡°I know the general file. He interned with Dr. Venture. He was caught in the middle of a battle on Champion street, and Dr. Venture saved his life.¡± ¡°Did you read up on his injuries?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ no, sir.¡± Wight stopped and crossed his arms. ¡°Mod would¡¯ve lived with just some reconstruction and a Mutagen-A infusion. Venture didn¡¯t have to give him a new arm, let alone a prototype. He could¡¯ve left Mod a regular amputee.¡± ¡°So, Venture planned this from the beginning?¡± Wight scoffed and continued pacing the room. ¡°You give him too much credit. Venture¡¯s a scientist. Sometimes they mix things together just to see what happens. However, I do think that Venture saw Mod¡¯s potential.¡± Golden Boy added, ¡°Mod wanted to be a hero. Venture gave him what he wanted. But that¡¯s not everything¡­¡± Wight asked. ¡°What stops most supers from getting stronger?¡± ¡°Is this a trick question? ¡­Most can¡¯t get stronger. They have a cap, and once they master their powers and reach that cap, they¡¯re stuck.¡± Wight nodded. ¡°Here we have a young man, who was smart and driven enough to get taken under the wing by, arguably, the most gifted artificer of this generation. He gets reborn as a super, only he doesn¡¯t have the same limitations. Mod can continue to iterate and improve on himself, develop new weapons and countermeasures when he needs them¡­ ¡°Here is a young man who is limited only by his ambition and his morality.¡± The two supers had slowed and now stood in the center of the empty office. Golden Boy replied, ¡°Can he be trusted with that? That sounds almost exactly like the Brotherhood¡¯s reason for outlawing Artificial Intelligence.¡± Wight nodded and chose his next words carefully. ¡°I trust Venture. He trusts Mod¡­ All I know is, I trust them a hell of a lot more than I trust the Brotherhood¡­¡± He stopped after that. Wight was glad Mod was still out there. Maybe he could keep the Brotherhood on their toes. ~ ~ ~ Full Throttle Heart — 14 — Edge of the Cursed Lands [The screen fades in from black to a smoky gray. The landscape is cloaked in a thick fog and the silhouettes of Truck-kun, Gabriel, and Morden come into view.] ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the sun have risen by now?¡± Gabriel asked. [The camera pans in, revealing the group. Truck-kun¡¯s fog lights push away the gloom, but only in a small bubble around them. Gabriel and Morden each carry a small torch.] ¡°I think it has risen already,¡± Morden replied. ¡°My maester said that we would have to pass through a great fog before we reach the cursed lands.¡± Al, the bluebird, peeked out the passenger window and croaked, ¡°Oh man, are you guys sure we have to go into the creepy forest? This is even worse than the last one!¡± Truck-kun rumbled, ¡°Al, we¡¯re not in the Cursed Lands yet.¡± ¡°I know, and it¡¯s already worse!¡± Gabriel smiled softly. ¡°You know, Al, the bravest warriors are often the smallest. They say that courage is not the lack of fear, it is acting in spite of it. As afraid as you are right now, it means you¡¯re all the more courageous.¡± Al shivered. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s very hard hiding in the glove box and being carried into danger. Truck-dude, do you think that I can hide in here during the final battle?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see when we get there?¡± ¡°And you¡¯re sure we¡¯re not there yet?¡± ¡°No.¡± Gabriel said quietly, ¡®Morden, I do have a question¡­ How are we going to find your maester in the Cursed Lands?¡± Morden breathed deep. ¡°I¡¯m not certain. I¡¯m sure he has his ways. Perhaps he¡¯ll send his familiar for us.¡± Truck-kun asked, ¡°He¡¯s familiar with the Cursed Lands?¡± ¡°No. A familiar is a bonded magical companion.¡± Gabriel added, ¡°It¡¯s a pet.¡± Morden rolled his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s not a pet. Many familiars are intelligent creatures that enter into the bond of their own accord.¡± Al replied, ¡°Sounds like a pet with extra steps.¡± Morden threw up his hands in defeat. ~ [The camera cuts to the edge of a dark forest. The trees are barren, their tops giving the illusion of bones adorning the limbs. Fog lifts as they get closer to the wood¡¯s edge, but an unnatural darkness takes its place. Truck-kun and the others pause cautiously.] ¡°You know,¡± Al muttered. ¡°I miss the old forest.¡± Gabriel raised his torch to get a better view. ¡°At least the fog lifts. We¡¯ll be able to see a little better.¡± Morden swallowed dryly and tried to conjure a spell. He succeeded in creating a small candle flame in his palm. He walked forward with his hand outstretched, and the flame shrank and finally smoldered. ¡°That¡¯s because this is the end of magic. The Cursed Lands suck the magic and the life out of everything. Not even fog can permeate here.¡± Even Truck-kun¡¯s powerful high-beams seemed dim in the gloom. ¡°How will we find our way?¡± Gabriel said, ¡°We need to find a landmark or something¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you, we should wait for a sign from¡ª¡± Morden pointed. ¡°Look!¡± [A flame soars over the barren treeline. At first, Truck-kun and Gabriel ready themselves for an attack, but the flame swoops between the branches. [The flame sails over to them and settles on a low branch. The glow softens until a slender, fiery bird is seen. Her feathers smolder like embers and the long feathers of her wings and tail shimmer like flames.] ¡°Phoebe, am I glad to see you,¡± Morden replied. ¡°Everyone, this is my maester¡¯s familiar, Phoebe the Phoenix.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Gabriel gave a shallow bow and Truck-kun dipped its front end. Al, the bluebird, climbed out of the passenger window. ¡°Phoenix¡­ what¡¯s a¡ªohhh.¡± [Al¡¯s beak hangs open comically wide, and it drags him out of the window and to the ground. He flutters up quickly and sits atop Truck-kun¡¯s hood.] ¡°It¡¯s good to see you too, Morden,¡± Phoebe replied, her voice smooth as glass. ¡°The maester has been waiting for you. For all of you.¡± Morden pulled his robe taught. ¡°Can you guide us there?¡± Phoebe nodded. ¡°Make yourselves ready, for I can guide you there but not protect you. The Undead Legions of Liquid Shadow are amassing.¡± Gabriel nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve encountered them before, and come out victorious. You can count on us.¡± Phoebe stared down at Truck-kun, and the large warrior felt the weight of expectation on him. ¡°Do you still have the relic?¡± ¡°I do,¡± Truck-kun rumbled. ¡°Good. Keep it safe.¡± Phoebe turned and tilted her head quizzically at Al. ¡°Are you alright, little gemstone?¡± Al nodded absently. ¡°Uh huh. Don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯m just listening intently. You have the voice of an angel.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not an angel.¡± ¡°I know. But you could be. You wouldn¡¯t even have to try hard.¡± Gabriel nudged Morden with his elbow. ¡°Did she call him a gemstone?¡± Morden shrugged. ¡°What kind of familiar are you?¡± she asked. ¡°Me? I¡¯m not familiar, but I wish I was¡ªa familiar, I mean!¡± Al puffed up his chest to his full, tiny height. ¡°I am a humble bluebird, your majesty.¡± Phoebe made a sound like the scraping of flint. ¡°You jest! You could be a bard¡¯s muse.¡± Then she glided down and perched on Truck-kun¡¯s hood. Her long tail feathers slinked around Al. Truck-kun could feel its hood get hotter. Gabriel whispered to Morden. ¡°What do phoenixes eat?¡± Morden bit at his fingernail. ¡°I truly don¡¯t know. The maester never said¡­¡± Al fluttered his feathers. ¡°Woah, okay¡­ Phoenix Lady, I¡¯ve never been smooth, so I¡¯m just going to come out and say it¡­ You¡¯re hot.¡± Phoebe stared at him. ¡°Yes, I know.¡± ¡°You¡¯re, uh, radiant!¡± ¡°Yes¡­ I know. Your plumage looks like the morning sky before it yields to the burning sun. Your voice is as grating as lava rocks, and your breath smells of brimstone.¡± Al looked over at his allies quizzically. Gabriel scratched his head and whispered, ¡°Well, that sounded promising in the beginning.¡± Al shifted uneasily. ¡°Look, uh, can we talk more later? We should probably get going. Plus everyone¡¯s staring.¡± Truck-kun rumbled awkwardly. Phoebe shook her head and uncoiled her tail feathers from around Al. ¡°Yes, of course. Now follow me. I¡¯ll guide you to the maester.¡± Phoebe flew high and slow over the trees, and Truck-kun and the others followed. Al whispered to his companions, ¡°I don¡¯t know whether she wants me or wants to eat me.¡± Gabriel said, ¡°There are some species of mantis where they do both.¡± Al muttered, ¡°Both¡­ Both is good.¡± Truck-kun replied, ¡°That¡¯s an odd thing for a knight to know.¡± ¡°It helps to know what you¡¯re fighting.¡± Truck-kun paused. ¡°Do mantises get big here?¡± ¡°Oh yes. The females are obviously bigger than the males.¡± Al ruffled his feathers. ¡°Well, if one of us needs to be sacrificed to the fiery phoenix lady, then I¡¯m your bird.¡± ~ ~ [Local News Break ¡ª 5 o¡¯clock News] [Camera view of the Belport Bulletin anchor desk. Bethany Wonder sits alone at the desk with blue hair and a black and white dress. Bethany looks up from her papers. Her smile is forced.] ¡°This evening, Summit capes and Brotherhood mechs responded to a disturbance on Belport¡¯s Eastside. Several unregistered masks were apprehended for allegedly disturbing the peace and trespassing. More than twenty civilians were also apprehended on similar charges. ¡°Some anonymous sources claim that there were more than four mech patrols present, sources from the Summit claim that the true number is much smaller. While this isn¡¯t the first time that the Binary Brotherhood¡¯s mechs have been used to apprehend supers and civilians, either way, tonight marks their single largest operation. ¡°There were minor injuries, but thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. Names of those involved, both civilian and otherwise, are being withheld for safety concerns. ¡°Major organizations, including the Summit, the DSA, and local law enforcement, are touting tonight as a success. Midas, the leader of the Binary Brotherhood, had this to say:¡± [A waveform of Midas¡¯s voice appears, superimposed over an aerial view of the parking garage. Mechs and police can be seen around the area.] ¡°Tonight marks an important milestone in the future of the Allied States. Rogue vigilantes were apprehended, and injuries to life and property were kept to a minimum. To borrow from the tech sector, this is a proof of concept, and an indicator of future success.¡± [Bethany continues,] ¡°In light of recent events, the Summit of Heroes is extending their open registration to all unregistered masks and vigilantes through the end of August. They¡¯re offering limited amnesty and full benefits for those that qualify. ¡°Remember, tune in at ten for more news. Just like the Summit of Heroes and the Binary Brotherhood, the Bulletin is on your side.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.29 — Nanite Countermeasures, Revisited Nobody got much sleep that first night after their narrow escape from Eastside. TINA said that it was highly unlikely that the Summit or the Brotherhood had picked up their trail, but that hadn¡¯t helped much. Emmett, Clara, and Athena slept in shifts through the next day. Even after that, they spent the rest of the week hunkered down in Athena¡¯s apartment. That was fine with Emmett. Both he and Athena had their own projects to keep them busy. Athena continued practicing with the stolen magic staff. She¡¯d graduated from making toasters disappear and reappear and continued making steady progress¡­ Until now. Athena was currently standing in front of the smaller of her two couches, staff in hand, and sweat beading on her brow. ¡°Look, couch¡­ It¡¯s either you go into the demiplane or you go out the window.¡± Emmett had run out of raw materials to make servers, and had been practicing holding the table of nanites together while making other shapes on top of it. Several black cubes were stacked on each other. But now he watched Athena out of the corner of his eye. Her staff glowed softly, then Athena uttered magic words and the light around the staff flared. She touched the tip of the staff to the couch for the eighth time. Emmett both squinted and concentrated, trying to adjust his vision. Each time Athena made an attempt, the light given off from the staff was slightly different. At first, Emmett thought his mind was playing tricks on him, but each time, he was more and more convinced there was a pattern in the light. Of course, he couldn¡¯t begin to decipher what it was. Even if Emmett had a slow-motion video, he doubted he could figure it out. When he mentioned it to Athena and Clara, they just scratched their heads. Still, Emmett couldn¡¯t help the feeling that he was onto something. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± TINA said in Emmett¡¯s ear. ¡°The light emitted from the staff isn¡¯t random. There is a pattern, but it is too complex for me to interpret in my current state.¡± Emmett allowed himself a small smile. At least he wasn¡¯t going crazy. Though he wouldn¡¯t have noticed it at all without his brain upgrade. The light from the staff flickered and died, revealing an unsuccessful Athena and her couch. Clara had peeked out from the bedroom doorway, but quickly ducked back inside the room. Athena groaned, then a moment later collapsed on the couch. ¡°It¡¯s good to take a break every now and then.¡± Athena scoffed. ¡°Says the man who doesn¡¯t need one.¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°You¡¯re only human.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not tired at all?¡± ¡°Not really,¡± Emmett replied. ¡°Sometimes my shoulders get stiff and sometimes I zone out for a while. I still sleep, you know.¡± ¡°How much?¡± ¡°...Like four hours a night.¡± Athena sighed. ¡°Oh, to be young and mechanical again.¡± Emmett hesitated. ¡°You should take breaks more often. It looks like the magic in the staff is more consistent earlier in your practice sessions. The more tired and frustrated you get, the more random the magic looks.¡± ¡°Oh? Is that your professional opinion, maester?¡± Clara called from down the hall. ¡°Did you just make a Full Throttle Heart Reference?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°See, I knew you liked the show!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Emmett ignored them both. ¡°Really, there¡¯s a pattern in the light, and it looks more coherent when you¡¯re fresh and can concentrate more.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. TINA spoke up from the table. ¡°That¡¯s my professional opinion, too.¡± Athena turned around on the couch, curious. ¡°TINA, how long have you been able to see this pattern?¡± ¡°Since Emmett pointed it out.¡± A smile flashed across Athena¡¯s face. ¡°Interesting. A mage would kill for eyes like yours.¡± Emmett chuckled nervously. Athena caught herself. ¡°Word choice¡­ Sorry. What I mean is¡ªmost mages only have feeling to go off of. It¡¯s like trying to ride a bike or hit a ball. You might know what it¡¯s supposed to look like, but that doesn¡¯t really matter. The feeling matters.¡± Clara called down the hall. ¡°There are spells that let you see magic.¡± Athena nodded. ¡°There are, and those spells can be a big help when spotting magical traps or crafting magic items. Doesn¡¯t really help in combat though. It¡¯s hard enough to concentrate on one spell at a time¡­¡± Athena¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°TINA, could you see patterns in magic before?¡± ¡°...I don¡¯t think so. It is possible that my former self could see such patterns, but wasn¡¯t able to pass along that knowledge. It could also have been a fruitless endeavor and subsequently abandoned. Either way, this current version of myself has no prior knowledge.¡± Emmett listened intently. It might¡¯ve been his imagination, but there was a longing in her voice. Or maybe it was because their minds were so close. Either way, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Is this a research project you want to continue?¡± ¡°...Yes. I think it is.¡± ¡°Then we should continue it and see where it goes¡­¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°As soon as Athena¡¯s ready to practice.¡± Athena scoffed from the couch. ~ When Athena was taking breaks, TINA helped Emmett with his own project¡ª The 2nd generation of his nanite countermeasure. Emmett was currently hunched over the nanite table. He¡¯d frozen the bulk of it in place and was drawing and taking notes on the thin top layer. TINA spoke up. ¡°Bullets are still a viable delivery system.¡± Athena snorted a laugh. ¡°Says the totally benevolent AI.¡± Clara called out from down the hall. ¡°TINA, we¡¯ll back your plot for world domination. At this point, anything is better than the Brotherhood.¡± ¡°Thanks, I think.¡± ¡°I¡¯m keeping the bullets, but I need a backup. Especially for speedsters, flyers, and¡­¡± Emmett trailed off and glanced at Athena. He wasn¡¯t exactly subtle. Athena replied plainly, ¡°And supers that can block bullets.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Emmett replied. That was all Athena could do. He continued, ¡°I need something that they can¡¯t see coming¡ªI need a stealth option.¡± The nanites stored in Emmett¡¯s torso were made up of two main types: Controllers and builders, but there was a third type¡ª Manufacturers. This last type were the ones that made new nanites. They were absolutely necessary to maintaining the nanites in Emmett¡¯s body, and maintaining the steady supply of versatile nanites stored in his torso. The manufacturers were also absolutely locked by TINA¡¯s subroutines. In short, there was a limit to how many manufacturer nanites TINA would allow. Emmett mused out loud. ¡°So there¡¯s a ratio for this¡­ and a ratio for that. And a limit on those, which means there¡¯s a limit on the entire system.¡± TINA added, ¡°I want to remind you that these are not my limits. They were programmed by Dr. Venture.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re sure you can¡¯t override them?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not yet at a point where I can alter my base programming.¡± Athena had stood up and looking over Emmett¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sure Dr. Venture had a good reason to put a limit on these things.¡± Clara walked into the living room and slumped down on the couch. ¡°Yeah. He was afraid of a runaway reaction. Lose control of a swarm and it replicates out of control. Gray Goo.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Nanites eat the world. Nothing¡¯s left except for a planet covered in them.¡± Athena shivered. ¡°That¡¯s a pretty good reason.¡± ¡°There are other considerations,¡± TINA added. ¡°Controlling nanites takes processing power. The bigger the swarm, the more power it requires. Trying to control too big of a swarm could damage myself or Emmett.¡± Emmett groaned. Athena patted him on the shoulder. ¡°You doubt the reasoning of one of the smartest supers on the planet?¡± ¡°No. But I¡¯m still going to break his restrictions.¡± ¡°Like a kid breaking into a candy jar.¡± Clara shook her head. ¡°Good luck. I gave up trying to get through the parental controls.¡± ¡°This is a little different.¡± Emmett trailed off and tried to think of workarounds. Eventually, Athena went back to working on magic and Clara put on an episode of Full Throttle Heart: Redux¡ªone of the spinoff series of the original anime. Athena shooed her off the couch when she tried sending it to the demiplane. Emmett ignored them, even succeeding in tuning out the noise from the room. He continued scrawling across the desk, using his fingernail to write notes in the top layer of nanites. Occasionally, he asked TINA a question aloud, but for the most part, he stayed hunched in quiet concentration. It wasn¡¯t until a few more hours and anime episodes had passed that Emmett figured out how to get past Dr. Venture¡¯s safeguards. He was going to cheat. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.30 — Cheating the System / Clara 2 Emmett stared at the notes he¡¯d scrawled in the nanites on the kitchen table. ¡°TINA¡­ There are different types of manufacturers, right? Some for blood, some versatile, etc?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Are the manufacturers limited by a total number or does each subtype have its own limit?¡± ¡°Each subtype has its own functions, and therefore its own limit.¡± ¡°Can we create new types of nanites?¡± ¡°Yes, with enough time and research.¡± ¡°Can I create more subtypes?¡± TINA didn¡¯t answer. He wasn¡¯t sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. Could TINA break herself with logic? ¡°It appears that you can create more subtypes¡­¡± Emmett smirked. Both Athena and Clara had stopped to stare at him. An episode of Full Throttle Heart: Redux was paused on the TV. Al, the foul-mouthed barbarian, was frozen with his axe in mid-swing. Clara asked Emmett, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± TINA interjected, ¡°Each subtype will require resources to control. Creating more subtypes will take even more resources.¡± ¡°And that would be a problem, but we can stack subtypes. Stack them and create a subroutine to run them all the same way. We can bypass the manufacturer limit!¡± Athena raised an eyebrow. ¡°What are you on about?¡± Emmett drew out diagrams on the table as he explained. ¡°TINA and I are generals on a battlefield. Manufacturer nanites are colonels. Controllers are majors. Builders are soldiers. There are technically limits on how many of each TINA and I can support. But there¡¯s a loophole¡­ ¡°There are different types¡ªdifferent units¡ªof nanites. The ones in my blood are different from those in the table. I have a unit for each of these functions. ¡°The important part is that none of Dr. Venture¡¯s limits matter. The only part that matters is all of the limits are based on the unit. He left room for us to create more units¡ªmore types and subtypes. If I wanted to, I could make fifty different types of blood nanites.¡± Clara was leaning over the back of the couch now. ¡°Yeah, but I think you missed the part where those limits are for your own safety.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the thing¡ªthe danger isn¡¯t from making fifty different types of blood nanites, it¡¯s from trying to coordinate all of those fifty different types. I¡¯m not going to do that though. I¡¯m going to pretend I¡¯m making fifty different types of my regular nanites to get around Venture¡¯s limits, but in reality, they¡¯ll just be doing the same task. We¡¯re still coordinating a bunch more colonels, but only giving them one set of orders.¡± The group stayed silent, and all eyes fell to Emmett¡¯s phone¡ªto TINA. ¡°It will be inefficient, but it should work,¡± she replied hesitantly. ¡°Better than being completely stalled.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll quickly run into problems with scale and complexity.¡± Emmett nodded. ¡°The more nanites we control, the less complicated our commands can be.¡± ¡°Correct. We will need to do more testing. Trying to control a large swarm could still compromise other units of nanites, such as the ones that maintain your bodily functions. Again, there is also the chance of irreparable damage to your brain and mine.¡± ¡°No worries, TINA. We¡¯ll be careful.¡± Emmett met Clara¡¯s eyes, and her cheeks flushed. TINA wasn¡¯t the only one he was being careful for. ¡°You better be careful,¡± Athena replied. ¡°What about Gray Goo¡­? Isn¡¯t there still a risk of a runaway whatever you mentioned earlier?¡± Emmett smiled. ¡°Subtypes have to be manually created, so TINA and I still control the overall number. There¡¯s still a limit to the swarm, but now it¡¯s in our control.¡± Athena clapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve got something else to practice. Come on, Clara. You¡¯ve got stuff to practice too.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ~ ~ Clara groaned. She got up and walked down the hall, leaving Emmett and Athena in the living room. She spared a glance back at Emmett, but he was already back at work. He was hunched over the table, writing its black surface, not so much staring at it as staring through it. He¡¯d felt distant lately. He always had this way of deeply focusing on a task, like he was retreating into his own head. It seemed like it happened more and more ever since he¡¯d upgraded his brain. Clara stayed in the doorway a moment longer, waiting for Emmett to look up and notice her¡­ but he never did. Clara told herself that she was overreacting. Told herself that it wasn¡¯t jealousy or anything like that¡ªshe was just concerned about him being distant. When Emmett got like that, he reminded her of her dad. He used to get the same faraway look in his eyes when he was working. Maybe that¡¯s what it was¡­ Emmett just reminded her of her dad and the fact that he was gone. Clara sighed. She slipped inside the bedroom and pushed the door shut. Then she sat cross-legged on the floor. A ball of steel sat beside her on the floor¡ªthe remnants of a stove. Emmett had offered her more, but Clara refused. There already wasn¡¯t much left of the appliances that Athena salvaged, and Clara didn¡¯t want to take anymore for herself. The ball sat idle, feathers and waves melted into its surface. Clara didn¡¯t have any wooden canvases. For so long, she¡¯d preferred working with metal over wood. Burning wood was permanent, but metal could be reshaped over and over. Working with a canvas was daunting. Working with metal was safe. It felt like she¡¯d spent most of the last few years working with metal. Then she¡¯d met Emmett¡­ and things had changed. It wasn¡¯t just him. Clara had grown too and would¡¯ve grown without him. Just when she¡¯d wanted to make changes again¡ªto start working with wood canvases¡ªthe world had been flipped upside down. The Freakshow, war with the Deep Ones, Dad¡­ So much had changed that it felt like a struggle to keep up. There was a comfort in the old and familiar, and it was tempting. But there was no going back. She learned that from Emmett. No matter what happened, he kept moving forward. Sometimes Clara wondered how much of a plan he even had, or if he was just stubbornly pushing forward. Clara grabbed the hunk of steel. She warmed her hands and pressed her fingers into the steel, smudging leaves across the surface. The actions were familiar to the point of being meditative. Before, Clara had used the spheres to relax and take her mind off of whatever had happened that day. Now she focused on the flow of power within her. She felt it coalesce in her fingertips, the heat building and steel softening beneath her fingers. She traced the flow of power through her wrist, her arms, and past her shoulders. Despite the numerous systems in her original exosuit, Clara didn¡¯t need to control her power all that much to use it. Clara built the power within her like a furnace, and let it flow out of her entire body. The suit did the heavy lifting, shunting power to individual systems as needed. Even her thinsuit didn¡¯t need that much control. Before the war ended, Dad showed her a new suit. The schematics only showed a few separate pieces¡ªa helmet, chest piece, gauntlets, and boots. And she remembered her dad¡¯s words: ¡°The day will come when you¡¯ll no longer need one, and this is the first step in getting you there.¡± Clara hadn¡¯t realized how much she wanted that. Up until then, she just assumed that she would need an exosuit to be a super¡­ and that she¡¯d always be living in the lab in case she had a meltdown. A lot had changed. She didn¡¯t even have the prototype suit. It was still in the lab, unless Midas destroyed it. She sighed. The prototype was probably gone, but TINA claimed she could rebuild it, eventually. With enough time and processing power, she could probably rebuild the entire lab. Clara shook the thought from her mind. She had no idea when TINA could remake the prototype suit¡­ but she could practice in the meantime. When they could finally remake the suit, she¡¯d be ready. Clara focused again, tracing the flow of power from her core. Her hands burned hot, almost like lightning was dancing in her fingertips, but the sensation changed as it moved up her arms. It was always warm¡ªthat never changed. Instead, the feeling of electricity in her hands changed to a steady pulse in her arms, like a heartbeat. In her core, it changed again, feeling still and motionless, like a pool of lava. Over the last few days, Clara had realized several things about her power. First, she had much better control over her power when it was at the tips of her fingers. That sensation of lightning coincided with better feeling and control, like writing with a fine-tipped pen instead of a marker. Despite all her practice with flying, she didn¡¯t have the same sensation of control in her feet. Even the sensation in her upper arms felt numb and distant in comparison. Clara let the sphere cool to a safe temperature in her hands before setting it back down on the bedroom floor. Then her real training began. She¡¯d already hypothesized that the difference in control was because of her artwork¡ªall the time she¡¯d spent practicing with wood and metal. She needed practice channeling power through the rest of her body and had just the thing in mind. Just as she¡¯d repurposed scribbling in steel, Clara turned to yoga. Instead of centering herself, Clara focused on her muscles and the flow of power through her limbs. She moved into a downward dog pose, focusing on the building heat in her arms and legs. Instead of quieting the fire inside her, Clara listened to it. It was difficult. Where before Clara could easily hold a pose for minutes at a time, she was only moments in and struggling. Her arms were shaking, sweat beaded on her face, and it took everything she had to focus on the power in her core. It felt like straining to hear a single conversation in a crowd. The power in her arms and legs began to burn and then it began to scream. Clara startled and opened her eyes. She wasn¡¯t on fire, but the room was steamy. She quickly sat up and started meditating like she used to, relaxing and quieting the power inside her. Thankfully, she¡¯d had years of practice doing just that, and her power quickly subsided. Then she got up and pushed open the bedroom door. Steam spilled out into the hallway. Athena called from around the corner, ¡°You good?¡± ¡°Yep!¡± Clara stepped into the hallway, savoring the much cooler air. Emmett glanced up from the table, looked her up and down, and smiled. Clara¡¯s face couldn¡¯t get any warmer. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled back. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.31 — TINA 2 Saturday evening, Athena slipped on her jacket and prepared to go outside. ¡°TINA, are you sure it¡¯s okay to go out?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m monitoring mech and drone patrols in the immediate area and monitoring communication traffic. There is nothing to indicate that our trail was found.¡± ¡°Thank the gods for that. I need to get out of here for a bit.¡± Emmett glanced up from the kitchen table. ¡°Don¡¯t forget about me.¡± Athena chuckled as she slipped out the window. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you back something nice.¡± TINA monitored Athena¡¯s position via her earpiece. It had become second nature to track all three of them this way, but she¡¯d never been satisfied with such a limited view. Early on in their exile, TINA had experimented with a small layer of nanites on their face and clothes. It not only allowed her to see their movements and read their facial expressions, but also to better mark allies in Mod and Arsenal¡¯s Heads Up Display. TINA followed Athena as she slipped down the fire escape and strolled through a nearby ally. She fed directions into Athena¡¯s earpiece, helping her avoid a nearby biomech patrol and directed her toward a still-abandoned laundromat three blocks away. At the same time, TINA monitored Emmett and Clara while they practiced. Emmett was creating and controlling additional clouds of nanites, and Clara was meditating while controlling her power. TINA recorded notes about their vitals, breathing, body position, muscle activation, and, of course, the movement of nanites and the heat in Clara¡¯s body. Data was always valuable, and TINA always wanted more of it. Most of the time. As soon as Athena left and the fire escape window shut, both Emmett and Clara¡¯s heart rates spiked. Neither moved, except to glance in each other¡¯s direction. Clara wasn¡¯t wearing her helmet, and Mod didn¡¯t have his HUD engaged in the apartment, but at that moment, it was like they could see through walls. A second later they both got up and half-walked, half-jogged toward each other, falling into each other¡¯s arms in the middle of the hallway. TINA pulled back her attention, focusing on the perimeter of the apartment, and limiting herself to passive monitoring. It was a compromise between respecting their privacy and keeping them safe. She¡¯d gotten steadily quicker at the process, especially since the pair took almost every opportunity to be intimate when Athena was out. The first time Athena slipped out of the apartment, the pair had caught TINA off guard. She was sure that Emmett and Clara had forgotten about her. If they had known how much TINA inadvertently saw that first time, they¡¯d be mortified. TINA didn¡¯t plan on telling them. She¡¯d simply scrubbed the details from memory. She turned her attention outward, following Athena as she slipped through alleys. In a way, it felt like TINA was walking beside her. She didn¡¯t have Athena¡¯s senses or even cameras, but she didn¡¯t need them. TINA followed along on a map. She tracked Athena¡¯s sightline, knew which stores were open and which ones still had sounds of construction. It was 85 degrees outside already, and sunny without a cloud in sight. The wind was blowing north. They were too far inland for the smell of the bay to reach Athena. The donut shop nearby wasn¡¯t open either, but the gas station was. She was a block away, but the wind would carry the fumes to her. Crowds were forming a block away, hoping to get into a supermarket before it closed. TINAcould just barely hear voices in Athena¡¯s earpiece, but if she wanted, she could count their cellphone signals. A small biomech patrol stopped to regard the crowd before continuing on their route. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. TINA ignored them and continued alongside Athena. Limiting herself this way still felt odd. TINA¡¯s entire existence was rooted in expansion. Seeing the world this way was¡­ humbling. It made her feel small and made the world feel so much bigger. How strange it was to live in one body and see through one set of eyes. It felt like standing on the tip of a point¡ªonly touching one small part of the world. Athena paused at the corner of the street, peering out toward the crowds. She waited for a drone to pass overhead before crossing and ducking back into another alley. She paused once more before crossing another street. This time, her gaze turned toward Eastside. Athena sighed and thumbed at the hem of her jacket. TINA was about to ask if she was worried about Lucy. Almost said that there hadn¡¯t been any communications between the Summit and the Brotherhood about a vampire¡­ But Athena hurried on, and TINA stayed silent, both leaving the moment behind. TINA was never quite sure how much she was supposed to see. Venture had tried explaining these social dynamics before, but it had taken a long time before TINA felt like she had a basic understanding. So many variables, so many nuances¡­ Even now, with her mostly self-imposed limitations, it felt like she saw too much. Athena slipped inside the laundromat through an unlocked door. She waited and listened. Finally, she asked, ¡°TINA, are you there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m always with you.¡± Athena smiled. ¡°Any signals in here?¡± ¡°No one besides you.¡± Athena got to work disconnecting a washing machine. While TINA watched over Athena, and closed her senses to Emmett and Clara, her mind wandered. She¡¯d been thinking a lot lately about the necessity of having friends and allies¡­ having people that they could trust. All four of them were sorely lacking in that department. A lot of that was out of their control¡ªEmmett and Clara had cut ties with their friends and family in order to protect them from the Brotherhood. But there would come a time when they needed allies. TINA was sure that she could expand. With each server, her processing power increased and she was that much closer to her former self. She would gain enough power that she could cloak each new ally that they brought into the fold. They could bring back McGuire, Cherry, Krystal, and Larian¡­ Athena could bring back Luna and Borealis¡­ but they would need more allies than just their old groups. TINA wasn¡¯t sure even all of them combined would be enough to take back the lab¡ª And taking back the lab was just the first part of TINA¡¯s plans. They needed powerful allies. ~ Athena brought back the washing machine, and all three of them worked until late in the night. Clara was the first to fall asleep. Athena second. Emmett needed less and less sleep now. Most nights he slept around 4 hours. When Emmett finally fell asleep, TINA worked on her own project. She was following a lead. During her downsizing, TINA had been forced to compress a wealth of her memories. Some threads had been overridden and omitted by Venture. She remembered some threads only in summarized terms¡ªone of which being Dr. Venture¡¯s involvement with the biotech and bioweapons corporation, Gnosis. Buried in her memories was a single thread of communications between Dr. Venture and a member of Gnosis. All that was left was a name¡ª Ichabod. It had only taken a few searches to track Ichabod down. He was one of the vice presidents of Gnosis. Specifically, the division located in Belport. The fact that Venture had gone to such lengths to erase his involvement with Gnosis from her memory was curious enough¡­ but he¡¯d left this thread. Everything was redacted but Ichabod¡¯s name and the timeline. Half the conversation had taken place roughly a week before the battle at the mutagen manufacturing warehouse. The second half took place two days after Emmett killed Lock. With each passing day, TINA was more certain that Dr. Venture left this in her memory for a reason. So, in her spare time in the middle of the night, TINA brainstormed ways to hack into Gnosis. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.32 — Multiply Monday morning, Athena was already out looking for more scrap, and Clara was still sleeping. So Emmett tested his theory. He commanded the kitchen table to disintegrate, then consolidated the entire swarm together. Afterward, Emmett was left with a single mass of nanites. Mass was a very loose term. The swarm was roughly ten pounds, but the swarm could twist itself into almost any shape Emmett could imagine, including making sheets only a few nanites thick. He could stretch it across the room or compress the swarm down and hide it in the storage canister in his torso. It was hard to wrap his mind around just how malleable the nanites were. Even if he poured all his energy into learning how to use them, Emmett doubted he could find all their potential uses. But right now, he only had one thing he needed to test. Emmett concentrated and focused on the swarm on the floor. The blob stretched and expanded until it was a waist-high square. The surface quivered like liquid. As he and TINA theorized over the weekend, they¡¯d come up with several mental commands for Emmett to use. She would help translate each command to the swarm, but these commands would act like shortcuts and reduce the workload for both of them. Scattered around the floor were bits of leftover scrap from making servers. Emmett concentrated on those and issued his first command: MULTIPLY SWARM The swarm collapsed, the blocky structure burst like a bubble. Nanites splashed across the floor, spilling out in all directions. For a moment, the swarm reached out toward pieces of scrap like an octopus. This part wasn¡¯t much different from turning scrap into servers. Only instead of making servers, they were making more nanites¡ªmore subtypes. If everything went well, the overall mass should increase without straining either Emmett or TINA too much. Emmett watched the black swarm split and cover the ten separate pieces of scrap, then focused his attention inward. Just as he could issue silent commands to the nanites, he was beginning to feel feedback from them. It was subtle, but once TINA pointed it out to him, Emmett couldn¡¯t miss it. As the swarm worked, Emmett smiled. It was working. Manufacturers converted metals, plastics, and the rest of the raw materials into more versatile nanites. Emmett could feel the swarm expanding. In his mind¡¯s eye, he pictured a cup full of black water. Slowly, the water level rose until it bulged slightly above the lip of the glass. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 105% CAPACITY The nanites shouldn¡¯t have been able to grow out of the cup. The bulge¡ªthe meniscus¡ªshould¡¯ve spilled over the edge. Those extra nanites should¡¯ve fallen inert and out of Emmett and TINA¡¯s control. Instead, the cup expanded to accommodate the swarm. With each bit of raw material, Emmett watched the cup expand in his mind¡¯s eye. NANITES 110% CAPACITY NANITES 115% CAPACITY Finally, the swarm calmed and coalesced again at his feet. The swarm formed again into a roughly waist-high block. Only this time, the surface was clearly agitated, like someone had thrown a stone into a pond. Slowly, Emmett relaxed. ¡°How¡¯s it looking, TINA?¡± ¡°The swarm is stable at one hundred and fifteen percent capacity.¡± Emmett sighed and smiled. ¡°Is it really one hundred and fifteen percent now? Shouldn¡¯t this be the new one hundred percent baseline?¡± ¡°Currently, nanite capacity is based on how much you can store in your canister. This figure was already optimized and nanites were already compressed to maximum capacity.¡± ¡°Will these nanites be stable outside of the canister?¡± ¡°These nanites are stable in a general atmosphere, though they won¡¯t retain power forever. You would need to cycle nanites into your storage container to keep them charged and ready.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Emmett nodded. ¡°Something to think about for later.¡± Emmett and TINA ran the newly grown swarm through a battery of tests. Emmett stretched and maneuvered the swarm across the living room, folding it into various shapes. TINA recorded data on its speed and responsiveness, though she didn¡¯t tell him until they were finished. Unless TINA directed him to do something different, Emmett focused on the feeling of the nanites. And there definitely was a difference. Emmett could feel the difference in his concentration. It felt like he was lifting just a little bit more weight. It was a barely noticeable difference at first, but as the tests went on, the difficulty became more apparent. When TINA finally let him relax, Emmett checked the time on his phone. Only fifteen minutes had elapsed, but it had felt like twice as long. ¡°How do you feel?¡± TINA asked. Emmett wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead, then recounted his experience. ¡°That is in line with my findings. A difference of fifteen percent mass is not much in the beginning, but the strain will only increase.¡± ¡°Will it get better with training?¡± ¡°Yes, you will see some benefits from training, but the biggest gains will come from increased server capacity. For now, please take a cautious approach to training your capacity.¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°Understood. ¡­TINA, can I take these extra nanites with me?¡± ¡°They¡¯ll need to stay affixed to you in order to conserve energy. Traveling separately would take too much power. Of course, there is a limit to how many nanites you can conceal on your person.¡± Emmett ran through quick calculations in his head. His canister could hold ten pounds of nanites when they were compacted. He could conceivably spread another two canisters¡¯ worth of nanites across his clothes. Out of curiosity, Emmett commanded the swarm to cling to his clothes. The versatile nanites couldn¡¯t camouflage themselves, so they covered him like a coat of black oil. Emmett waved around his arms and legs. Nanites stuck in place. But when Emmett threw punches and kicks, nanites scattered across the room. ¡°TINA, can we layer these under our disguise nanites?¡± ¡°Yes, that will hold up slightly better than the current configuration, but disguise integrity will be compromised.¡± ¡°Okay. So, I can always keep my regular stash of nanites hidden in my canister. But If I have too many nanites, I won¡¯t be able to hide them once the fighting starts. I can work with that¡­¡± Emmett trailed off as he got another idea. This had started because Emmett wanted to find a way to use his nanites without the bullets as a delivery system. He wanted a stealth option, and had assumed he would need to carry the nanites on his person. ¡­What if he didn¡¯t need to carry them? Emmett concentrated on the swarm, once again corralling them into a waist-high mass. Then he sent another command. SATURATE ENVIRONMENT The nanite swarm quivered and collapsed. This time, it spread evenly across the floor, coating the kitchen tile in a thin sheen of black. Emmett continued pushing, willing the nanites to spread themselves thinner still. The black coating stretched out across the living room until the color started to fade. Emmett kept pushing, and another bead of sweat dripped off his forehead. Finally, the nanites disappeared from view and he let out a sigh. Emmett scanned the floor, but couldn¡¯t find any trace of the nanites. The floor looked a little dusty, but otherwise normal. Emmett focused on the couch. He should probably practice saturating the environment and recalling the swarm¡ªpractice one thing at a time and get a grasp of the basics¡­ But he wanted to keep going. ¡°TINA, can we designate the couch as an enemy?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m ready when you are.¡± TINA didn¡¯t sound the least bit hesitant, and that settled things. Emmett gave the next command. SATURATE ENEMY In Emmett¡¯s mind, he could feel the swarm shift. It didn¡¯t look like anything was happening, but it felt like the wind had shifted. If he squinted, he could just make out hair-thin streams of nanites flowing across the room. Soon, the pattern on the couch wavered like tiny ants were crawling across it. INCAPACITATE ENEMY The surface of the couch shimmered with activity. The black sheen appeared as nanites coalesced, focusing on the faded flower pattern on the couch. When the couch¡¯s flowers were all turned black, Emmett laughed heartily. One, that it worked. Two, that TINA had designated the flowers as weak spots. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that worked,¡± Emmett said. Clara stumbled out of the back bedroom, wearing one of Athena¡¯s oversized T-shirts. She pushed the hair out of her face and wiped her eyes. ¡°What are you going on about? ¡­What did you do to the couch?¡± DISPERSE SATURATE ENVIRONMENT Clara watched in silence, mouth hanging partly open, as the nanites seemed to vanish. She probed a couch cushion. ¡°Where did they go?¡± REGROUP The swarm trickled toward Emmett from across the floor, reforming into a waist-high blob. Clara jumped and took a step back. ¡°Are you doing that or is TINA?¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°The world may never know.¡± Clara punched him playfully on the shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s going to take some getting used to.¡± ¡°What is?¡± ¡°Controlling tech with your mind. It¡¯s like you¡¯re an actual technopath. Dad would be jealous.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll show him. One day.¡± Clara leaned against his shoulder. ¡°You sound so certain.¡± Emmett wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her arm. ¡°I am certain. How¡¯s your training going?¡± Clara chuckled nervously. ¡°Yeah. About that¡­¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.33 — Clara 3 Clara spent the next few minutes explaining her training to Emmett¡ªhow she¡¯d found the core of her power and how she was using meditation and yoga to tap into it. Emmett¡¯s eyes had gotten progressively wider as she talked. ¡°This is safe, right? We don¡¯t have the containment protocols¡ª¡± She grabbed his arm. ¡°It¡¯s safe. ¡­I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s safe¡ªalmost positive. I¡¯m taking my time with it just to be sure.¡± Emmett nodded. ¡°I know you¡¯re being safe. It¡¯s just¡­ I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be able to help you. If something happens¡­¡± Emmett met her eyes and trailed off. Clara smiled, trying her best to look reassuring. Then she turned and went back to the bedroom. Emmett cleared his throat, a mischievous look in his eye. Clara paused outside the doorway. Her cheeks flushed. ¡°Next time, tiger. We¡¯ve got work to do and some of us need a break!¡± Emmett smiled sheepishly and Clara closed the door behind her. She settled down on the floor, picked up her sphere, and started tracing feather patterns on the surface. She ignored the flush of heat in her skin and focused on the sensation of power in her fingertips. She felt the electricity in her hands flow to a steady pulse in her arms. Followed it all the way to the motionless pool of lava in her core. Breathe in, trace shapes, follow the flow of power, exhale, repeat. Getting in the right headspace took her a little longer than usual. She kept going until she could focus clearly on the core of her power, only satisfied when it hung in her mind¡¯s eye like the midday sun. Finally, Clara stopped tracing shapes. She let the sphere of metal cool and set it aside. Then she started meditating. Over the last few days, Clara had worked her way up from finding the core inside her to trying to tap into it. She focused on her breathing, using the rise and fall of her chest to push and pull on the core of power inside her. The core felt heavy and solid, more rock than lava. Each breath became labored until she was sweating, just like Emmett had been moments ago. Slowly, the core yielded to her. She worked it like stubborn clay, kneading it until the surface began to bubble. Clara smiled, allowing herself a small victory. This was as far as she¡¯d gotten. Today, Clara was determined to push herself. She pulled on the core. She drew it outward, expanding it with each inhale. Slowly, the ball of lava grew. To call the process slow was an understatement¡ªit felt like Clara was crawling up a hill, one handful of dirt at a time. Worse, she couldn¡¯t relax even when she exhaled because it felt like she¡¯d lose grip of what she¡¯d gained. One small slip, and the core would disappear inside her again. Clara lost track of time as she expanded her core. When she¡¯d first found it, it had felt small as an apple, but now it felt roughly the size of a bowling ball. She had no way of measuring something like that for sure, but the description felt close enough. The metaphorical bowling ball of lava sat right around her stomach, just below her ribs¡ªalmost wide enough to touch them. Clara had spent so much time controlling her powers, and yet there was so much she didn¡¯t understand. For instance, she knew there wasn¡¯t actually a core of molten power inside her. It was just a mental representation. She¡¯d read about other supers that described their power in different ways. The electric super, Livewire, wrote about their powers as flowing along their nerves and reacting to the flexing of their muscles. The aquatic super, Wave Warrior, described his powers as entering a flow state¡ªswearing that he didn¡¯t actively control his movements. When using his powers, it felt like he was merging with the water around him. Druids and nature-based supers described similar sensations of calmness and also connectedness with nature.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. These mental representations of powers seemed as varied as the powers themselves. The only common thread was that there seemed to be a deeply personal connection between the super, their powers, and their inner representation. Clara¡¯s representation seemed to be a mix of different ideas. Yoga and meditation helped her temper and control her power. At first, she¡¯d assumed her power would follow chakras that she was familiar with, but then her power had manifested as a core which seemed to be from Daoism. But by that point, Clara had also spent years working metal spheres in her room. In the end, Clara decided not to get lost in the weeds of trying to categorize and explain when she saw in her mind¡¯s eye. After all, there were many supers that didn¡¯t understand their powers. What mattered was controlling her powers, training them, and ultimately using them. Clara focused inward. She continued the process of kneading the core until the surface was malleable, then pulling to expand its limits. The larger it got, the more difficult the process. Twice, her concentration faltered, and the core shrank, and twice she caught hold before the core was lost completely. All the while, Clara¡¯s breathing had steadily increased. Sweat beaded off her face and soaked her shirt. She opened her eyes to find the room steaming like a sauna. But Clara wasn¡¯t done yet. She closed her eyes and focused. The core sat burned brilliantly inside her. It felt as wide as her shoulders, as big around as a beach ball. Progress had slowed to a crawl, and Clara was reaching her limits. Despite that, Clara wanted to keep pulling. She needed this. She needed to learn and figure out how to control her powers¡ªneeded to fly and fight without a suit. Instead of stubbornly pushing forward, something inside Clara caught her attention. She focused on the core. It burned bright inside her like a bottled star. As much as she¡¯d stretched it, she¡¯d imagined it would be lighter. Instead, her core felt just as heavy and dense as it had at the start. That was unexpected¡­ From the few other accounts of superheroes describing cores, there had been periods of expansion and filling. As a core expanded, it then had to be filled, returning its density to the original state¡­ After all her work, Clara had expected her core to be light. After all, it was more than double its original size. ¡­What if all this time she hadn¡¯t been expanding her core, but instead had been zooming in on it like a photograph? The sphere hadn¡¯t changed, only her position relative to it had¡­ Clara focused on the surface of the core again. She didn¡¯t have much to go off of to test her theory, so she worked the surface of it again, kneading the core until it bubbled. There wasn¡¯t much difference from when the core was small. It felt like she could see more detail, but bubbles were roughly the same size relative to the sphere. Even though Clara was sitting still, she was almost at her limits. By this point, the muscles in her chest and stomach were burning from exertion. Her breath was shallow and quick. With her last bits of energy, she pulled on her core again. Only this time she wasn¡¯t tried to expand it¡ª She was trying to pull it through her limbs. For a moment, the core bulged, its surface stretching like the moon pulling the tide. The core distended, stretching toward her shoulders. Clara winced. She wanted to stretch the core into her arms, but just moving it this much was the hardest thing she¡¯d attempted. Just holding onto the molten surface was pushing Clara to her limits. Clara grit her teeth and pulled. Her core almost reached her shoulders before Clara lost her grip. Her core snapped back and vanished from her mind¡¯s eye. Clara opened her eyes, her stomach lurching from the sudden change. Then she gasped for breath. She¡¯d struggled and concentrated so much at the end that she¡¯d been holding her breath. Clara tried to stand, but couldn¡¯t. She flopped back on the floor. Her bedroom window was fogged. Steam rose off her skin, causing the entire room to waiver. A knock came at the bedroom door, and Emmett quickly entered. He stared down at her, his face twisting from a concerned frown to a smile. He waved away the steam. ¡°Are you good?¡± Clara sighed. ¡°Yeah. Making progress.¡± Athena¡¯s voice came from down the hall. ¡°Holy shit! Don¡¯t catch my apartment on fire!¡± ¡°Trying not to,¡± Clara replied. Then she wavered Emmett away. ¡°Just¡­ give me a minute.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.34 — Ava Savanus 4 Ava Savanus walked with purpose through the underground hallways of the lab. The AI announced her arrival and the mechanical wing doors hissed open. Monitors covered the walls, displaying schematics of Venture¡¯s Fast-Response drones. Circuitry as highlighted in red, showing where the drone had been hacked just a few days ago. The drone itself lay on the central table. Panels lay beside it. Robotic arms hung from the ceiling above, perched over the corpse like a predator caught in the act. Ava rubbed her eyes. Had it really been a few days? No¡­ It had been almost a week. She was losing track of time. The drone had been hacked on Tuesday¡ªthe same day the cyborg got away. ¡°Better late than never,¡± Ava muttered. She leaned over the drone and commanded the AI, ¡°Run me through everything you¡¯ve found.¡± ¡°The earliest records of intrusion date from two weeks ago¡ªone week earlier than the intrusion was discovered.¡± Ava squeezed the edge of the table, metal creaking under her enhanced grip. ¡°Why wasn¡¯t this discovered earlier?¡± ¡°ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLES.¡± ¡°Ugh. Continue.¡± The robot arm descended and used a laser to point at piles of dust inside the drone and on the removed panels. ¡°These are byproducts of nanites and nanite construction. Nanites were able to slip between the drone¡¯s armor plating and form connections here and here.¡± ¡°Byproducts¡­ The nanites aren¡¯t intact?¡± ¡°No. A self-destruct sequence was initiated. Despite this, molecular analysis confirms that these nanites are similar to those found in the holding vats on lower levels of the lab.¡± Ava sighed. ¡°Goddamnit.¡± There had been hope, however slim, that the cyborg was using different nanites. It wasn¡¯t easy to manufacture nanites, and Ava had hoped that by cutting Emmett off from the lab that he wouldn¡¯t be able to make more. Eventually, his nanites would break down¡­ The only other member of the Brotherhood that could make nanites of this caliber was Einon Silver, and he was currently in Europe. Clearly, Emmett had found a way to make more nanites of his own. That complicated things significantly. ¡°What else did you find?¡± ¡°No other evidence of intrusion was found.¡± ¡°Nothing?¡± Ava looked over the drone again. ¡°If he hijacked transmission systems, he should¡¯ve needed relays to boost the signal. Were there wireless relays in the drone¡¯s flight path?¡± ¡°No evidence of wireless relays was found. It is probable that they also self-destructed. Nanite byproducts would be scattered in the wind and too dispersed to find.¡± Ava let go of the table and focused on her breathing. Just because physical evidence was lacking doesn¡¯t mean that there wasn¡¯t anything to go off of. ¡°Show me what Emmett was after.¡± Files scrolled across the wall monitors, and Ava scrutinized the information. The information accessed told a story, but she was even more interested in what wasn¡¯t accessed. Among the data were lists of lab systems that were currently online, as well as their timeline for bringing more systems online. However, Emmett hadn¡¯t copied information about any specific systems. Next came the names of other Brotherhood members that Ava and Midas had dealt with, though no other information had been accessed. There was nothing about their powers, location, or about their allegiances. Not all members were sympathetic to Midas¡¯s plans¡ªsome might even be swayed to Venture¡¯s side eventually, but Emmett didn¡¯t seem to care about that. Then there was information about drone manufacturing. Again, Emmett only stayed long enough to grab a summary of data. Midas¡¯s broad plans were outlined, including his plan to have a drone presence in every major city in the Allied States and then continue expanding. This wasn¡¯t exactly a secret, but details hadn¡¯t been made public yet. Midas had already partnered with the AS government and was in the middle of talks with most of Europe and China. The Summit knew everything, though some of them opposed the large-scale use of drones. Shortly after came information about Atlantic reconstruction and additional surveillance construction. Ava frowned. Again, the increased surveillance wasn¡¯t a secret, but their government partners were worried about it leaking to the public. Apparently, survey groups liked the idea of drones better than cameras¡ªnevermind that surveillance was the key to combating crime. It was always better to stop something before it happened, but Ava didn¡¯t expect a civilian to understand that. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Again, Emmett only stayed long enough to grab summaries of information. Ava stared expectantly at the screen. ¡°Is this it?¡± ¡°Yes. That is the extent of what was accessed.¡± Ava mused aloud, ¡°He wants to know what we¡¯re up to¡­ He was good enough to get in and careful enough to avoid detection. Or timid enough¡­ ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Ava said decisively. ¡°His resources are limited and he no longer has an AI to help him. I don¡¯t care how much Venture upgraded his brain. He''s playing catch up and he knows it. AI, send this information to Midas.¡± Ava waved dismissively to the drone on the table. ¡°Take care of this and patch the exploit. We don¡¯t need Emmett getting back into our systems.¡± Ava turned to leave. ¡°Oh, and AI¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Ava.¡± ¡°Double-check your security protocols. Do not let this happen again.¡± ~ Afterward, Ava found herself lounging in Venture¡¯s old living room, staring at biomech feeds on the giant wall screen. She knew Midas would call, and she was dreading it. That alone wasn¡¯t surprising. But Ava genuinely couldn¡¯t recall ever dreading communication this much. She¡¯d dealt with verbal and physical abuse from family and lovers, and yet there was something about Midas that made the rest pale in comparison. She¡¯d been able to escape the others. Maybe that was it. She¡¯d run away, cut ties, or killed them. But she was stuck with Midas. ¡­For now. ¡°Midas is attempting to¡ª¡± The AI¡¯s voice fizzled out, and the wall monitors went black. Midas appeared on the screen. He¡¯d overridden the display parameters so that he appeared enormous. Only his head and shoulders fit on the wall. It wasn¡¯t a good look for him. Normally, he was more careful about his appearance, but now every tiny wrinkle and pockmark was magnified. Despite her dread, Ava¡¯s implants kept her heart rate and facial expressions neutral. She double-checked the time. It had been nineteen minutes since she¡¯d sent Midas the details of the hack. ¡°You must have been busy, Midas. What took you so long?¡± ¡°I was finishing up a meeting with Speaker Rivera. Care to explain yourself?¡± ¡°I thought the information I sent covered¡ª¡± ¡°I want to know how the cyborg was able to outwit both a Class 4 artificer and a Proto-AI?¡± Ava took a breath to steady herself. She wasn¡¯t a Class 4 artificer. Not anymore. Midas knew that. And a Proto-AI was nowhere near as capable as the real thing¡­ Ava replied, ¡°He was careful and lucky. The exploit has been patched.¡± ¡°Did he find anything about the lower levels?¡± ¡°No.¡± Midas¡¯s face relaxed. ¡°Good. I want you to double-check that all information about the lower levels has been scrubbed. Then I want updates on the dismantling process.¡± ¡°The reactor is offline and powered down. It¡¯s being dismantled and the parts are being recycled. The nanites are a different story¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want excuses, Ava. I want it done. Ava stared back at Midas. ¡°While I¡¯m taking care of the lab, maybe you can find time to talk to Wight. He¡¯s not happy about the altercation on Eastside. It would help to have your support.¡± Midas frowned. ¡°Perhaps you should take over my next twenty¡ªexcuse me, twenty-one¡ªmeetings with world leaders.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°I trusted you to watch over the laboratory. You failed. You tried to capture the cyborg. You failed.¡± Ava tried to interject, but Midas¡¯s volume steadily increased. ¡°Your orders were to kill him. Instead, you tried to capture him so that you could dissect him for your own experiments. A succession of failures. A cascade of failures. ¡°Now, explain why I should help clean up your mess.¡± Ava¡¯s face and voice remained placid. ¡°Because Wight will want assurances. Because, technically, you¡¯re still the face of the Brotherhood.¡± ¡°You should narrow your gaze and focus on smaller tasks, Ava. Next time you get a lead on the cyborg, blanket the area. Depending on the artillery you use you can still dissect his corpse.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you read the report. There were civilians in the area.¡± Midas scoffed. ¡°There were a few homeless camped in a garage. What are they gonna do, sue us?¡± Ava couldn¡¯t resist rolling her eyes. ¡°Are you going to tell me to go after Emmett¡¯s family, too?¡± ¡°Not unless he forces our hand. Next time, do what the Summit does when there¡¯s collateral damage¡ªblame it on the villains. Even better, start the PR campaign now and make it easier in the future. Turn the public against the cyborg and anyone else still working with him. ¡­Can you do that?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she replied flatly. ¡°I¡¯ll reach out to Hunter Nine and see what other tidbits I can dredge up.¡± ¡°Good. We can¡¯t let an insignificant thing like Venture¡¯s pet project get in our way. And Ava¡­¡± Midas peered down at her. His face had grown so large on the screen that it distorted. ¡°Don¡¯t leave a machine to do a human¡¯s job.¡± Midas blinked, and the entire screen went black. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.35 — Anomaly GNOSIS INTERNAL REPORT Report compiled by Dr. Evelyn Carter Lead Researcher Gnosis Bioweapons Division CLASSIFICATION TOP SECRET ANOMALY IN MUTAGAN-X PROGRAM Subject ¡ª NAME REDACTED Subject Background ¡ª Subject was recruited from candidate pool and volunteered as a test subject for the 14th generation of Mutagen-X compound. As of their last testing, Subject scored in the 92nd percentile for Mutagen-X subjects in regards to physical attributes. Subject showed special competency in combat and target acquisition. Within the first year of the program, Subject was showing signs of psychological degradation, including obsessive tendencies and emotional dysregulation. This is unfortunate, but within the accepted 43% one year asset depletion rate (CITATION REMOVED). Incident Summary ¡ª On DATE AND TIME REDACTED Subject was engaged in two battles in LOCATION REDACTED (see attached INCIDENT REPORTS). During the second battle, Subject was paralyzed via a nanite compound. Nanites blocked blood flow and solidified bodily fluids in a process similar to coagulation. The subject¡¯s cells were not able to combat this process before total solidification occurred (see attached MUTAGEN-X COUNTERMEASURES REPORT). Subject was recovered from the scene alive. Due to their physical prowess, they survived for two days until the nanites lost power. Then blood was able to break down clotted tissue and liquify again. Reported Anomaly ¡ª Subject¡¯s body has entered an unprecedented state of mutation, diverging significantly from previous Mutagen-X responses. Regenerative Overdrive: Subject¡¯s healing factor has accelerated beyond predicted limits, resulting in uncontrolled tissue growth and regeneration. Rapid changes in body mass and structure have been observed, including the growth of chitinous exoskeleton and additional appendages. Results are similar to cancerous cells, but with visible growth occurring in minutes or even seconds of triggers. Spontaneous growth can occur without triggers. Elevated Strength and Durability: Subject¡¯s healing factor has also affected their skeletal strength and muscular force production. Tissues throughout the body have been strengthened beyond even Mutagen-X¡¯s best results (see attached TISSUE SAMPLE REPORT). Tissue samples are qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to original Mutagen program end-goals. If the Subject can be replicated, this represents a watershed moment. Even if exact replication is not possible, this represents a massive step forward for the program and the fulfillment of the Elders¡¯ Directive. Current Status ¡ª Subject is currently held in a secured underground facility in LOCATION REDACTED. Subject shows signs of severe psychological stress and confusion, only some of which can be attributed to biopsies and testing. Restraint Procedures ¡ª Subject is confined in a reinforced biohazard containment chamber, equipped with adaptive restraints designed to accommodate rapid morphological changes. Both physical and chemical restraints are necessary due to the Subject''s increased strength. Until further notice, Subject will be kept in an indefinite state of catatonia with extreme caloric restriction. Continuous monitoring via remote visual and biometric sensors. Manual checks conducted bi-hourly by specialized personnel. Neutralization Contingencies ¡ª In the event of containment breach, immediate neutralization via high-intensity energy weapons authorized. Due to Subject¡¯s increased physical attributes and healing factor, an Elder¡¯s intervention may be required. It is this researcher¡¯s professional opinion that the presence of an Elder be maintained on site until the Subject is disposed of. Research and Recommendations ¡ª Continue current sampling and testing procedures. Continue current restraints. Continue current medical procedures for removal of growths and lesions. Pinpoint reasons for deviation from original Mutagen-X baseline. Develop countermeasures or stabilizing agents to halt or control mutations. Waking the Subject or stabilizing the Subject¡¯s psychological state are secondary concerns. All further actions regarding Subject must be carefully managed to maximize research benefits while minimizing potential risks.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. END OF REPORT This document is classified ¡ª Unauthorized access, reproduction, or dissemination of this information is strictly prohibited. ~ ~ TINA had sent the Gnosis report to Emmett¡¯s phone. He read it over three times. The entire time he didn¡¯t move from the kitchen table. ¡°TINA, I know what you¡¯re thinking¡­ but how can you be sure?¡± ¡°I was able to gain access to Dr. Evelyn Carter¡¯s E-mail and then used her credentials to gain access to Gnosis¡¯s servers. The referenced incident reports match up with the battle at the mutagen warehouse and at your old apartment.¡± Clara walked into the living room. ¡°TINA, is it really the best idea to hack your way into another company¡¯s servers after what happened with the lab?¡± Emmett glanced up at Clara in confusion. ¡°Sorry. I sent the report to Clara too.¡± Emmett muttered, ¡°Oh¡­ That¡¯s fine, TINA.¡± He stared down at the report on his phone. He barely even registered Clara in the room¡ªhe was still reeling from the news. Lock was alive. ¡°Where is he?¡± Emmett asked. ¡°Additional reports state that Lock is being held at the Gnosis compound here in Belport, in one of the underground containment sublevels.¡± ¡°He¡¯s here?!¡± Emmett glanced out the window toward Eastside. Outside, the sun was bleeding orange and red in the sky. The rest of his view was blocked by shops and apartments, but Emmett felt like he could see right through them. The Gnosis compound was out there. And his friend was locked up somewhere beneath it. ¡°Emmett¡­¡± He turned to find Clara staring back at him, her face twisted in concern. ¡°I know you want to help Lock, but you can¡¯t seriously be considering this. This goes against everything that we¡¯ve been doing. We¡¯re supposed to be lying low.¡± ¡°They¡¯re experimenting on him¡ªtorturing him!¡± Clara shook her head and pleaded, ¡°We can¡¯t.¡± Words welled up in Emmett¡¯s throat. Then they spilled out. ¡°If they had me, would you just leave me down there?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± ¡°He was¡ªis my best friend. I can¡¯t just leave him down there.¡± ¡°Emmett, he tried to kill you. He¡¯s not stable. Did you even read the file? They¡¯re keeping him in a medically induced coma because they can¡¯t help him.¡± ¡°They have him in a coma so they can experiment on him!¡± Sympathy had drained from Clara¡¯s face, leaving anger in its place. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan then? We break into one of the most heavily guarded places in Belport? Hope they don¡¯t catch us? Because if they do, they¡¯ll swarm us with a hundred guards, test subjects, and vampires¡­ Maybe they¡¯ll call the Summit down on us too! Oh, and then we¡¯ll break your crazy, murderous best friend out ¡®cause you did so well against him last time!¡± Emmett winced. He started to say something. Wanted to tell her that they would figure it out¡ªthat there would be a way to sneak in, avoid all that, and then sneak out again with Lock¡­ Clara was right. He knew it. Deep down, he knew it. The tightness in Emmett¡¯s shoulders radiated down through his throat, his chest and arms. Gnosis had already taken his friend from him once. They¡¯d turned Lock into a test subject for one of the most volatile compounds on the planet. Emmett could still remember reading the report on the death rates of Mutagen-X rest subjects: Only 43% of test subjects survive after one year. Only 21% survive after two years. Everyone¡¯s gone by the end of the third. He would never forget those numbers or how Gnosis felt about those deaths: ¡®Acceptable rate of asset depletion.¡¯ And he still remembered Lock¡¯s sister, Maya, at the funeral. Remembered hugging her and not being able to tell her the truth. Emmett¡¯s fists were clenched. The servos in his hands whined under the strain. Gnosis had already chewed his best friend up and spit him out once. Emmett couldn¡¯t have saved him then. But now there was a chance. He had the tech. He had TINA. Was he supposed to let Gnosis do that to his friend again? Emmett slammed his fists down. The table shattered like glass, and a billion grains of black sand fell at his feet. Spare server components fell into the mounds. Finally, Emmett looked up and saw Clara staring back at him from across the room. Emotion pulled at her face, but Emmett couldn¡¯t read it¡ªdidn¡¯t know if she was surprised or angry or scared. And in that moment, he didn¡¯t care. ¡°I¡­ I need to go,¡± Emmett muttered. He was already standing, already pulling on his supersuit. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Clara asked. She was pleading again, but she hadn¡¯t moved from where she stood. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± He met her eyes to reassure her. ¡°Not there. Just out. I need some air.¡± Emmett finished pulling on his suit. Then he went to the fire escape window while calling all the nanites in the room. REGROUP SATURATE SELF The room quivered as nanites swarmed from across the room and from the shattered table. Streams of black coalesced across the walls and floor toward Emmett. They slithered up his legs, across his suit, settled beneath his disguise nanites. It felt like a ghost was clinging to him. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 120% CAPACITY Emmett didn¡¯t pay any attention to his HUD as he climbed out the window. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.36 — Athena 4 / TINA 3 That night, Athena came back from scavenging lighter than usual. Pickings had been slim. She hauled an air compressor up the fire escape and set it down beside the window. She paused with her hands on the window. The apartment was dark and quiet. Her initial assumption was that Emmett and Clara had managed to fall asleep early, but Athena¡¯s gut said otherwise. She paused on the windowsill and listened. The kitchen table was missing, but nothing else looked out of place. The spells around the apartment should¡¯ve alerted her to danger and there weren¡¯t any signs of a struggle¡­ Maybe it was her imagination. Athena cleared her throat, but no one replied. So she asked quietly, ¡°TINA, is everything alright?¡± ¡°Everyone is¡­ safe,¡± TINA replied hesitantly in Athena¡¯s ear. ¡°Clara is in her room. Emmett is in a nearby building practicing.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ If you say so.¡± Athena didn¡¯t miss the hesitation in TINA¡¯s voice. ¡°You¡¯re a lousy fibber.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a personal matter.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Athena tried to be quiet as she opened the window and hauled the compressor through. If Clara was sleeping, Athena didn¡¯t want to wake her. As the window slid shut, Clara came out of her room. Athena turned to greet her and found the young super forcing a smile. ¡°Hey Athena. Did you have a good haul?¡± Athena leaned exaggeratedly on the air compressor. ¡°It¡¯s no washing machine, but it¡¯ll do¡­¡± She trailed off as she saw Clara¡¯s face. Even in the dim light, it was plain to see that she¡¯d been crying. Her eyes were red and tear streaks glistened on her cheeks. ¡°...And how about you?¡± Athena asked. Clara kept up her forced smile and shrugged. ¡°Oh, you know¡­ meditating.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s good. You and Emmett have been keeping busy. Do you think it¡¯s time for a break though?¡± Clara nodded meekly. Athena waited patiently for Clara to elaborate, but finally, she asked, ¡°Is there anything you want to talk about?¡± Clara nodded again, the smile slipping from her face. Clara proceeded to tell her all about the Gnosis report that TINA had found. Athena had noticed a communication from TINA on her phone, but it wasn¡¯t urgent, so Athena had ignored it. Clara¡¯s face continued cracking until she was holding back tears. Athena put an arm around Clara and steered her toward the couch. The two sat down next to each other. Then Clara told her about Emmett¡ªhow he was thinking about breaking into Gnosis. ¡°...This isn¡¯t lying low!¡± Clara said, tumbling over her words. ¡°This isn¡¯t what we planned. It isn¡¯t what we agreed. He¡¯s going to throw it all away!¡± Clara seized up like she was holding her breath to stop from crying. Athena tentatively put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You can let it out.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ what if¡­ what if¡­¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t caught my apartment on fire yet. Just breathe¡­ I¡¯ll let you know if you start smoking.¡± Clara put her head down on Athena¡¯s shoulder and sobbed quietly. Athena squeezed her shoulder and watched to make sure the room didn¡¯t heat up too much. After a minute or two, Clara¡¯s breathing steadied. Athena breathed a quiet sigh of relief. It had been a long time since someone had cried on her shoulder¡ªBorealis, probably, after his kid left. Athena never really thought herself good at that kind of thing. Thankfully, most people just needed someone to listen, and listening was easy enough. Athena patted her. ¡°See, you were alright letting it out. You can¡¯t keep that bottled up. That¡¯s why men don¡¯t live as long as women, you know.¡± Clara half-scoffed, half-snorted. Then she picked her head up, wiped her eyes, and sighed exaggeratedly. ¡°I just don¡¯t get it! This is too much.¡± ¡°What is?¡± ¡°Gnosis is a fortress, and Lock tried to kill him.¡± Clara crossed her arms. ¡°Lock isn¡¯t even Emmett¡¯s best friend. McGuire is.¡± It was Athena¡¯s turn to laugh. ¡°Feel better?¡± ¡°No!¡± Despite her protests, Clara¡¯s posture had loosened, if only slightly. Athena smiled. ¡°So, you guys had a fight?¡± Clara sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know. No¡­ Maybe.¡±Stolen novel; please report. Athena shrugged. ¡°Everyone has arguments¡ªlovers, friends, teammates¡­ I¡¯m surprised it took you guys this long.¡± ¡°This sucks. But it¡¯s not just the argument.¡± ¡°What is it then? ¡­Your dad?¡± Clara scooted back on the couch, away from Athena. ¡°It¡¯s not that¡ªnot just that. This isn¡¯t breaking into a demiplane or stealing a relic, he¡¯s talking about breaking into Gnosis. We¡¯ve been lying low, trying to rebuild. It¡¯s like he¡¯s forgotten about all that. He forgot about Dad.¡± Clara shook her head. ¡°This isn¡¯t just crazy. This is suicide. And I can¡¯t watch Emmett throw his life away. It¡¯s hard enough watching him change¡ª¡± Clara froze, like she¡¯d said something she hadn¡¯t meant to. Athena held up a hand. ¡°Let¡¯s just focus on the big thing. Emmett¡¯s not going anywhere right now. You both needed some space to think. He¡¯s still out training, right, TINA?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she replied quietly. Clara stiffened at TINA¡¯s voice. Athena continued, ¡°For now, let¡¯s just do some processing. I¡¯m sure Emmett¡¯s doing the same.¡± ~ ~ TINA pulled back her attention from the apartment and maintained passive monitoring. She wanted to give Clara and Athena some space. Especially since this mess was her fault. Since they¡¯d lost the lab, TINA had been trying to balance multiple variables: HIDING AND IMMEDIATE SAFETY EXPANDING SERVERS AND PROCESSING EMMETT¡¯S GROWTH CLARA¡¯S GROWTH In a vacuum, these were manageable. But the real world is never as neat as a simulation. So TINA added additional variables: EMMETT¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING CLARA¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING ATHENA¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING Of course, there were also other variables to be concerned about. Most stemmed from the Binary Brotherhood¡¯s plans for the Allied States. DRONE PRESENCE IN BELPORT TIMELINE FOR ALLIED STATES SURVEILLANCE TIMELINE FOR DRONE PRESENCE ACROSS ALLIED STATES Each additional variable needed additional time and power to compute. If each variable would¡¯ve been additive¡ªsimply three plus three equals six¡ªthen that would be manageable, even with her limited servers. But variables interacted with one another in unforeseen ways. For instance, it wasn¡¯t simply enough to balance Emmett¡¯s growth against his mental wellbeing. One variable didn¡¯t interact with one other variable¡ªit interacted with every other variable. Hiding and safety affected Emmett and Clara¡¯s growth and also their mental wellbeing. Likewise, the drone presence in Belport affected almost every other variable. Variables weren¡¯t additive. They were multiplicative. In other words, the equation was more akin to three times three equals nine. With each additional variable, the difficulty grew quickly. Despite that, TINA thought she¡¯d been keeping up. Thought that her calculations had been exact. But people were¡­ messy. Numbers could be attached to most things¡ªthe force of a punch in pounds per square inch or the heat of Clara¡¯s fire in degrees. But measuring their mental states was far from exact. TINA thought she knew how Emmett and Clara would react to the news about Lock. Her calculations had been close¡­ but not exact. She knew they¡¯d be surprised, confused, distraught¡­ but then, TINA had miscalculated how Emmett and Clara would react with each other. She¡¯d missed a variable, or maybe it was impossible to extrapolate that far ahead. She¡¯d made a mistake. TINA pulled her awareness even further back. Isolating herself. She knew there were discrepancies in her calculations. She should have known this would happen. TINA didn¡¯t have to share the report with Emmett and the others, yet she had shared it, anyway. TINA pulled back her awareness until she was disembodied in cyberspace, floating somewhere in the circuits in Emmett¡¯s head and the servers in the apartment. No cameras. No feeds. Nothing but darkness. And a clock, which she kept at the very edge of her perception. She set it for five minutes. The chance of something requiring her attention in five minutes was negligible. Seconds ticked down. 4:59 4:58 4:57 Since Emmett¡¯s brain upgrade, TINA had researched time dilation¡ªthe change in a subject¡¯s perception of time. It was common for speedsters to have trouble controlling and coping with their powers. The world moves at a certain speed¡ªthis was true of both humanity and fundamental physics. Time dilation caused everything from nausea to severe depression. Dr. Venture had been worried that Emmett would experience similar symptoms, but so far he¡¯d been alright. His episodes of time dilation hadn¡¯t been too far removed from the normal flow of time. TINA was another story. She¡¯d been born a speedster. That was her natural state. Using cameras, sensors, and feeds kept her tethered to the world. Kept her perception at a speed where it was possible to interact with Emmett, Clara, and the others. Pulling back into cyberspace did the opposite. Time slowed to a crawl. The ticking clock seemed to stop. 4:53 hung in her vision like the numbers had been painted there. TINA tried to relax. She could spare five minutes. ~ TINA overestimated herself. She barely made it one minute. Clara had talked about how difficult it was to meditate. It wasn¡¯t natural to cut oneself off from all forms of stimulation. TINA hadn¡¯t believed her until now. One minute of nothingness had stretched on into madness. Each time, TINA had to look back at the clock to remember that she hadn¡¯t been cut off completely from reality. She¡¯d tried to put it off as long as she could, but each time she caved. TINA¡¯s record was thirteen seconds without looking at the clock. Thankfully, her passive monitoring tripped a few seconds later, and TINA put the experiment behind her. ¡°TINA¡­ TINA, are you there?¡± It was Emmett. His voice was strained, and he¡¯d barely managed to get the words out. The world came back into sharp focus. Athena and Clara were still talking in the living room, and Emmett was down in a sublevel adjacent to the apartment¡ªright where TINA had left him. Emmett was sending out his nanites and saturating the room with them. The nanites moved sluggishly outward across the damp room. His concentration and his body were straining, his vitals spiking. He was controlling the nanites without her. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.37 — Necessities and Luxuries CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 120% CAPACITY SATURATE ENVIRONMENT Emmett was alone in the dingy sublevel below the apartment, and he was struggling. Nanites streamed away from his body. They moved in sluggish rivers¡ª Painfully slow compared to the last time. He¡¯d been practicing the last few days on overloading his nanite capacity. He¡¯d taken the last three appliances Athena brought and converted as much as he could to nanites. He¡¯d increased the mass by a measly five percent. There was no way an increase of five percent should¡¯ve made controlling the swarm this much harder. It probably hadn¡¯t been a minute yet, and it felt like he was trying to catch his breath by breathing through a straw. But Emmett didn¡¯t stop. He kept pushing to saturate the room. ¡°TINA¡­ TINA, are you there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m always with you.¡± ¡°Something feels¡­ wrong. I¡¯m tired¡­ already.¡± TINA didn¡¯t reply. Emmett assumed she was checking his systems. The minutes stretched on, and a dull burn crept into Emmett¡¯s body. The flow of nanites slowed to a trickle, and the struggle grew with every creeping inch. Finally, Emmett released his control and relaxed. Nanites coalesced into black puddles, clinging to the walls just as easily as the floor. Emmett slumped against a nearby wall. He hadn¡¯t succeeded, but he was satisfied nonetheless. He¡¯d been able to see the effect of distance on his control and had still increased his overall mass. ¡­Even if it was only five percent. ¡°Slow and steady,¡± Emmett reminded himself. TINA had already stressed the importance of not pushing too hard and risking injury. He could hear his athletic brother, Antony, echoing the same thing. ¡°You did well,¡± TINA said. ¡°Doesn¡¯t feel like it. I need more capacity, and it¡¯s going to take forever to get there at this rate.¡± ¡°There were additional factors this time¡ª¡± ¡°I know. I know¡­ I¡¯m distracted. This stuff with Lock, and¡­ and Clara. I can¡¯t let them distract me.¡± ¡°I was going to say that you were controlling additional capacity without my help.¡± Emmett leaned against the wall. ¡°...Oh. That¡¯s good to know. I¡¯m not getting weaker or suddenly going crazy. That¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± He chuckled. ¡°So, should I practice this by myself, or should I keep the training wheels on? Not that I don¡¯t enjoy your help or your company! Do you think it¡¯s worth it?¡± ¡°...Yes. It will make training more difficult, and progress will likely be slower at first. However, it will strengthen connections in your brain and result in better control over time. You also won¡¯t have to rely on me being in your head.¡± Emmett mentally kicked himself. He wasn¡¯t exactly looking forward to controlling the nanites manually again. This attempt had been by far the hardest one yet, and he wasn¡¯t just signing up to do it a second time, but from every time here on out. Why did he have a habit of making things even harder on himself? Making training more difficult was one thing¡­ but then there was that report from Gnosis and the longshot idea of freeing Lock. Clara was right. Gnosis was a fortress. They had armed guards, and any number of vampires and powerful test subjects. Sneaking in would be the most difficult thing they had ever attempted. Fighting their way through was out of the question. They¡¯d had twice the team when they took down the mutagen manufacturing warehouse, and they¡¯d barely succeeded. ¡­And then there was Lock. Even if they got all the way through the compound to him, there was no telling what kind of mental state Lock would be in¡­ Or if he¡¯d be happy to see them. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°TINA¡­ Why did you show me that report?¡± ¡°I thought you would want to know.¡± ¡°Yeah, but why were you hacking into Gnosis in the first place? ¡­Especially after we almost got caught hacking the lab.¡± There was a slight pause before TINA answered. ¡°Dr. Venture purged a mountain of data before the lab was lost, including most of his contacts. Among the few left was a single thread of communications between Dr. Venture and the VP of Gnosis¡¯s Belport location¡ªan elder vampire named Ichabod. The messages themselves are gone, but the timestamps remain. Half the conversation took place roughly a week before the battle at the mutagen warehouse. The other half took place two days after Lock attacked you in your apartment. ¡°I believe he left this clue for a reason.¡± The same night that Athena dropped the bombshell about her ancient past, she also told them how Gnosis was run by vampires. Emmett had already known that Gnosis was one of the most reprehensible organizations on the planet, so them being run by literal blood-sucking monsters hadn¡¯t surprised him. Dr. Venture¡¯s involvement was a surprise, however. Emmett sighed. ¡°The timing of those conversations is¡­ suspect, for sure.¡± ¡°Right now, I¡¯m having a similar conversation with Clara and Athena. Would you like me to patch them through?¡± Emmett swallowed nervously. ¡°Only if it¡¯s alright with them.¡± There was a pause again, this time for several seconds. Emmett¡¯s gaze drifted toward the puddles of nanites. Suddenly, a video feed appeared in the corner of Emmett¡¯s vision. At first, it was blurry, but a second later it resolved to Clara and Athena in the apartment. They were next to each other on the couch, and Clara was holding out her phone in front of them. Clara looked like she¡¯d been crying. She¡¯d tried to hide it by wiping her face, but Emmett knew. It might¡¯ve fooled him before, but not since they¡¯d lost Dr. Venture. He¡¯d seen her cry too much since then. Emmett glanced idly around the dingy room, trying to avoid Clara¡¯s gaze but unable to. After a moment, Clara and Athena squinted at the camera. ¡°Emmett¡­ Are you there?¡± Clara asked. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here¡­ Oh, one second.¡± Emmett fumbled for his phone, opened the camera feed, and held it out so they could see him. ¡°Sorry. The video is coming through my HUD. I guess you guys don¡¯t have that feature¡­¡± Athena replied, ¡°We¡¯re still pleasantly analog.¡± ¡°I¡¯m surprised you know what that is, Athena.¡± Athena chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m old. I¡¯m not dead.¡± Clara didn¡¯t laugh. Emmett cleared his throat. ¡°So, you guys have been talking to TINA, too?¡± Clara nodded tentatively. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think about it. I know Dad used to consult for Gnosis, but I thought he just helped them with tech. This doesn¡¯t seem like that.¡± Athena added, ¡°I¡¯m inclined to agree with TINA. I think your dad left us a clue.¡± ¡°I think so too,¡± Emmett said hesitantly. ¡°But what do we do with it?¡± Athena said, ¡°Well, we can¡¯t just break in. That¡¯s out of the question.¡± Emmett said, ¡°We have the mask protocol. If we can get clearance, then we might be able to sneak in.¡± Clara shook her head. ¡°Even if we get all the way down to Lock, how are we going to sneak him all the way back out again?¡± Athena replied, ¡°And in that respect, I agree with Clara. Say we get down there, then we get caught¡­ We¡¯ll be fighting our way back through a horde of enemies.¡± ¡°What if we do have to fight our way out?¡± Emmett asked. ¡°The best weapon Gnosis can make is Mutagen-X, right? Clara and I might be able to beat that. I bet you can too, Athena. TINA, what is an elder vampire?¡± Athena didn¡¯t give her time to answer. ¡°An elder vampire is exactly what it sounds like. Elder is a title, like calling someone a lord or a lady. They¡¯re likely over a thousand years old, and likely the most powerful vampires in the area. Vampires get stronger with age, and most elders are easily Class four. Strength, speed, regeneration¡ªall of it Class four. They are some of the most powerful and dangerous creatures on the planet.¡± ¡°So, we just need to figure out a way to beat an elder vampire and my murderous ex-roommate. Easy.¡± Emmett¡¯s joke fell flat. He¡¯d spent too much time with Max. The gadgeteer could¡¯ve diffused the tension with a joke. Emmett shuffled uneasily. ¡°Look. It¡¯s a good thought experiment. While we¡¯re training, we might as well think about the future countermeasures¡ªeven if they¡¯re just hypotheticals.¡± ¡°You should come back up to the apartment,¡± Clara said quietly. She glanced at the screen, but didn¡¯t hold his gaze. Athena excused herself and walked off camera. ¡°I will,¡± Emmett replied, trying to reassure her. He glanced at the puddles of nanites around the room. ¡°I will. I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯m onto something. I¡¯ll be up in a bit.¡± Clara nodded with pursed lips. ¡°Okay. Just don¡¯t be gone too long.¡± She cut the feed, leaving Emmett alone in the dingy room. He sighed. He knew they needed to talk more about all this, but Emmett almost didn¡¯t want to. Maybe they could ignore it, push it aside, and forget about it, like they¡¯d done so much else lately. The Freakshow, the Deep Ones, Dr. Venture, and the lab¡­ So much had happened, and Emmett and Clara had just been rolling with it. They didn¡¯t have time to stop. They didn¡¯t have the luxury to stop. They didn¡¯t have the luxury to stop. Emmett pushed aside his thoughts about Clara and Lock and everything else. He steeled himself to continue, to push forward with what was possible. He was already down here. He might as well make the most of it. Emmett focused on the puddles of nanites with renewed vigor. ¡°TINA, I¡¯m ready to try again. ¡­But how about some training wheels this time.¡± SATURATE SELF Nanites crawled toward him. As they closed the distance, Emmett felt his control returning and the psychic weight lifting. They slithered up his suit and settled beneath his disguise. Emmett breathed deep. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s take it from the top again.¡± ~ ~ ~ Full Throttle Heart — 15 — Guiding Light [Truck-kun drives slowly through the darkness of the Cursed Lands, its headlights shining through the gnarled trees. Gabriel and Morden walk beside the metal warrior. Both hold torches out to ward away the magical darkness. Al, the bluebird, peers nervously out of Truck-kun¡¯s passenger window. [Phoebe the phoenix circles overhead, guiding them like a North star. Al¡¯s jaw falls open every time she passes overhead.] Morden said quietly, ¡°At least the darkness isn¡¯t getting any worse.¡± Gabriel asked, ¡°There¡¯s worse darkness than this?¡± ¡°Oh, yes¡­ At least, that¡¯s what my maester says.¡± Truck-kun rumbled, ¡°Have you ever seen darkness like this before?¡± ¡°No. Not like this, but I also spent most of my time in study.¡± Gabriel patted the young mage on the shoulder. ¡°You know what they say, ¡®it¡¯s always darkest just before dawn.¡¯¡± Truck-kun replied, ¡°Usually it¡¯s darkest at midnight and it gradually lightens as the sun comes up. Joe and I used to do overnight deliveries.¡± Gabriel chuckled. ¡°Then we should see the sunrise coming and the battle turning!¡± Morden turned to Al. ¡°You know, Truck-kun can roll the window down a bit more.¡± Al huddled at the corner of the window so he could just peer over the top. He kept craning his neck to get a look at Phoebe as she passed. He grumbled, ¡°No, this is plenty fine.¡± Gabriel leaned close. ¡°Are you sure? Maybe you should try to impress her with your bravery¡­¡± ¡°So far, I think she¡¯s most impressed by my gemstone-quality feathers and my snack-sized demeanor.¡± Morden replied, ¡°Al, I really don¡¯t think she wants to eat you.¡± Truck-kun rumbled, ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t sure what phoenixes eat?¡± Al pointed a wing at him. ¡°See! What¡¯s a bird supposed to do with shoddy information like that? ¡®Go on, Al. You could have the time of your life, but you could also die. But it would be a lot of fun¡­¡¯¡± Gabriel whispered to Al, ¡°She has a pretty voice¡­ Maybe she could teach you how to sing.¡± Al stared dreamily into the sky as Phoebe passed. ¡°Say, how does the lady mantis kill the male mantis?¡± Gabriel replied, ¡°I believe she bites off his head.¡± Al replied, ¡°So it¡¯s quick¡­ And it¡¯s definitely after, right?¡± Truck-kun grumbled, ¡°Al, we should focus on the task at hand.¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t have hands¡ª¡± Truck-kun revved its engine, and Al started. ¡°Alright, alright. Mission first. Sweet, sweet death after.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ~ [A remix of the season 1 Theme Song plays. [Montage of Truck-kun, Gabriel, and Morden fighting the Undead Legions of Liquid Shadow. Truck-kun uses its headlights to weaken them while Gabriel cuts them down with his sword and Morden uses his staff. Truck-kun bats away several at a time, shattering them into smoke. Phoebe swoops down, flaring bright and causing enemies to erupt into flames. Al cheers them on from the safety of Truck-kun¡¯s cab. [Finally, the last enemy falls and the group breathes easy. Truck-kun shifts back into its truck form.] Al whistled and peered out the window. ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad. Good hustle, team!¡± Gabriel sheathed his sword and patted Morden on the shoulder. ¡°Al speaks the truth.¡± Morden doubled over, hands on his knees, and breathed deep. ¡°There¡¯s more and more of them. Phoebe, are we getting close?¡± Phoebe swooped down and landed on Truck-kun¡¯s hood. ¡°Only a little further, apprentice. Soon, your journey will be at an end and the final battle will be at hand.¡± Al croaked, ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound ominous at all.¡± Phoebe turned a smoldering glance toward Al. ¡°Embrace your destiny, little gemstone. History remembers the bold.¡± The phoenix took off into the darkness, again lighting their way like a guiding star. The group followed without question. ~ [Outtro ¡ª Slow, Instrumental version of Theme Song ¡ª ¡°H¨¡tofurusurottoru¡± by Gunpowder Audition] [Outtro Still Shot of the group camping in the Cursed Forest. Joe, Gabriel, and Morden are sitting and leaning against Truck-kun¡¯s side panel. They¡¯re roasting marshmallows over the fire. Al is flying through the air, sword in his beak, and defending them from tiny shadows.] ~ ~ The outtro to Full Throttle Heart played quietly, and Emmett shifted on the couch. Both he and Clara were sprawled out on it. She was nestled along his side, head on his chest. They¡¯d been watching the last few episodes on his phone. It was almost two in the morning. Athena was asleep in her room and even the city was quiet outside. Emmett glanced down at her. ¡°You want to watch the next episode?¡± Clara muttered something unintelligibly. She was already asleep. Emmett muted his phone and lay there with her on the couch. He hadn¡¯t stayed too long downstairs practicing with his nanites. He finished out the hour and then came up to spend the evening with Clara. They¡¯d spent most of the evening watching shows. Even when Athena made spaghetti for dinner, the group hadn¡¯t talked much. Clara asked if Athena had heard from Lucy, but Lucy had been keeping a low profile. They wound up spending most of dinner wondering what McGuire and the others were up to. Afterward, Emmett and Clara went back to watching Full Throttle Heart and Athena went to bed early. The entire evening, Emmett thought Clara would want to talk about what happened that morning. In Emmett¡¯s mind, their disagreement about Gnosis and Lock had counted as their first fight. But after Emmett came upstairs, neither of them brought it up. Even Athena pretended like it didn¡¯t happen. Emmett wasn¡¯t sure what to make of it. He tried to think back to when his parents had disagreements and how they handled it, but he honestly couldn¡¯t remember how they dealt with it. Sure, there had been disagreements and even raised voices, but he couldn¡¯t remember what happened after. Did they just agree not to talk about it, or maybe they just hadn¡¯t talked about it in front of him and his siblings? Emmett wished he knew what to do. He and Clara weren¡¯t just together, they were also teammates. Didn¡¯t that mean they had even more reason to talk about this stuff? Maybe there just wasn¡¯t anything to talk about right now. They¡¯d already agreed that they weren¡¯t doing anything against Gnosis yet. There were still too many details left to figure out and questions up in the air. He sighed. It wasn¡¯t like he was going to wake up Clara now to talk about it. Emmett let it go and focused on the moment. He held Clara close against him and brushed the hair out of her face. Despite spending the last few weeks together, it felt like they¡¯d had too few moments like this¡ªjust being close to one another and enjoying each other¡¯s company. Even if he didn¡¯t need sleep, he needed this. And he needed her. There would be enough time for everything else tomorrow. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.38 — Ichabod Vampires didn¡¯t sleep. They didn¡¯t dream. Yet all animals need rest in some sense of the word. In olden days, vampires would hibernate when food was scarce. Those days are long passed, yet vampires still need small amounts of rest. By entering a cold, dark enclosed space, it is possible to enter a state of torpor. Depending on a vampire¡¯s age, a few hours of torpor per week is sufficient. ¡°Subject LH is due for their biopsy.¡± Enola¡¯s words traveled through acoustic channels in the wall and arrived at Ichabod¡¯s ear. Ichabod woke from his torpor into darkness. He pushed open the door, the heavy metal yielding with well-oiled silence. Ichabod stepped into his office and shut the hidden door behind him. It closed and blended seamlessly into the wall. The elder¡¯s second floor office was decorated like most others. The furniture was deep mahogany, matching the blood swirls framed on the walls. Each piece of art was only a print¡ªthe originals were stored in a hardened vault not far away. The blood swirls were a mix of abstract self-portrait, autobiography, and family history, each stroke marking a significant event in the vampire¡¯s life, the life of their maker, and lives of prominent sires. His right hand, Enola, stood expectantly. Even though she was absolutely still, hands clasped in front of her blouse, eagerness tugged at the corner of her red lips. Ah, youth. Ichabod walked past her, his footsteps far lighter than his stature should allow. ¡°Follow and temper your expectations.¡± Ichabod strode through the halls of Gnosis, with Enola following at his side. Other vampires and staff cast their gazes respectfully downward. On each of their faces, he saw the same flickers of hope. ~ Whispers about Subject LH had trickled through the compound. Ichabod wouldn¡¯t be surprised if all of Gnosis knew now. The board was disappointed, but it wasn¡¯t possible to stop employees from gossiping. It wasn¡¯t so much the gossip that troubled Ichabod as it was the unfounded hope that it inspired. Evolution was rarely measured in weeks, despite what those around him might hope. One could measure the growth of fangs or the dwindling heartbeat of the newly arisen, but those were simple matters. True evolution was the realm of divinity; changing the flesh had more in common with water carving rivers through bedrock. Years made little difference when it came to their species. A newly turned vampire was little different from one a few decades old. It took thousands of years to carve an elder from the metaphorical rock. True evolution was divine work and took an equal amount of time. Ichabod knew this because he was an elder. He¡¯d lived millennia and had seen it with his own eyes. Felt it in his bones. But that didn¡¯t stop a creature of the night from trying to subvert the gods. Throughout history, vampire and human alike sought to escape the bounds of evolution. Attempts were made using artificial and environmental selection, though vampiric reproduction made this much less viable than sexual reproduction. In a few dozen millennia, humans were able to change wolves into dogs. Vampires had attempted to change themselves in similar ways, but the differences were minimal. Some vampire spawn had slightly better senses, or they had slightly faster reflexes or darkvision. Slightly being the operative word. To use the modern power scale, all spawn were born at Class 1. These negligible differences in lineages only disappeared as vampires got older. Beyond three hundred years old, no lineage was different from any other. No amount of forced selection could make a vampire spawn that was as strong as a thousand-year-old vampire. Time was the only true method of evolution. Or so he thought. With the advent of Gnosis¡¯s mutagens, Ichabod was forced to admit there was potential in genetic manipulation. Mutagen-A was equivalent to vampire spawn. Mutagen-E was equivalent to three hundred years. Mutagen-X subjects were equivalent to a thousand-year-old vampire, though their bodies burned out quickly. Other mutagens achieved roughly Class 2 on the power scale. It felt like they¡¯d hit a bottleneck again. Despite running out of letters, no mutagen had come close to Mutagen-X. And as useful as Mutagen-X was, it was an evolutionary dead end. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Then came Lachlan Harris. The young man had been a Belport test subject for Mutagen-X, and, despite a relatively short tenure, he¡¯d proved his worth to Gnosis. He¡¯d been defeated by Dr. Venture¡¯s cybernetic prot¨¦g¨¦, but even in defeat Lachlan had been useful¡ªhe¡¯d exposed a weakness in the Mutagen-X line. And now Lachlan Harris was proving useful again. ~ Ichabod and Enola descended into the bowels of Gnosis. Plush red decor gave way to concrete. The smells of perfumes and air fresheners yielded to bleach. Whispers of business turned to muffled screams of test subjects. The smell of blood grew fainter, and when Ichabod did smell it, the blood was tainted. They passed the medical floors, the training rooms, and various storage garages. Guards and staff averted their eyes. Ichabod and Enola passed through like ghosts. The lowermost levels of Gnosis were made for select test subjects. There were ten rooms¡ªonly three of which had ever been used. Each set of blast doors was made of reinforced steel weighing in excess of two tons. It had taken a team of engineers and machines to set them in place. They were rated to stop everything short of an elder vampire. Only one room was currently being used. Finally, they arrived at the unmarked holding room of Subject LH. The two guards outside nodded to their superior, then entered a code on the door panel. Heavy thunks sounded from the walls and the blast doors parted like some forgotten temple of the gods. The room beyond was a mass of wires and piping, and dominated by a single massive holding tank. The tank stood almost twelve feet tall and was solid metal save for two small viewing windows and several small surgical ports. In the rest of the room, scientists congregated around the displays like insects around flowers. Ichabod thought he recognized some of them, but Dr. Evelyn Carter was the only one he knew by name. Like most other skilled workers, she was recently turned. It was always easier to turn a genius than to expect vampires to keep up with changes in science and technology. Dr. Carter stood at one of the dissection terminals while other scientists glanced over her shoulder. Her wrinkles were beginning to mend and her hair was already turning from gray back to its youthful blond. She didn¡¯t notice Ichabod and Enola approach¡ªnot until the other scientists retreated from her side. Dr. Carter¡¯s eyes flickered between Ichabod and Enola, more out of surprise than nervousness. ¡°Are we ready to begin?¡± he asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Dr. Carter replied. ¡°Harr¡ªSubject LH is stable and unconscious. Commencing biopsy now.¡± Dr. Carter changed the display on her screen and took hold of the twin joysticks. Long robotic arms descended from the ceiling and inserted tools into the holding tank through the small ports. Both Ichabod and Enola watched the process on another nearby screen. Lachlan Harris came into view. The young man was almost unrecognizable. His mouth and nose were covered with a breathing mask, which fed him oxygen and half of the various compounds that kept him unconscious. All his hair had fallen out, and his dark skin was covered in growths¡ªmixtures of warts and bone-like growths. His limbs were secured with a mixture of steel braces and carbon fiber restraints. Dr. Carter narrated. ¡°Approximately twelve hours since last biopsy. Subject LH has experienced additional spontaneous growths on his arms and upper torso. Growths appear scaley¡­ Others are chitin or bone. Retrieving sample for analysis.¡± She continued narrating as she retrieved additional samples of Lachlan¡¯s skin and then internal samples from his heart, lungs, and liver. Ichabod watched the process, partly out of curiosity, but mostly in case Lachlan woke up and tried to break out again. Enola might¡¯ve been able to manage him last time. She was almost a thousand years old and would¡¯ve been capable enough to take on any Mutagen-X subject. But Lachlan had transcended those old bounds¡­ There was no telling what he was capable of. Ichabod spared a glance beside him and found Enola¡¯s lips twitching with a mix of emotions. Curiosity, jealousy, fear¡­ All warranted. Ichabod¡¯s phone vibrated in his pocket. He should¡¯ve ignored it¡ª But this was his personal phone. Fourteen people had this number, including the other elders. Anyone calling or messaging his personal phone was worth picking up for. Ichabod opened up his phone to find a single message from an unknown sender. It didn¡¯t even have timestamp information like other text messages. All it said was:
We want to meet.
Ichabod stared at the message. Ichabod texted back, careful that his pointed nails hit the right keys.
Who is this? Friends of Dr. Venture.
The reply came almost instantly¡ªas if they¡¯d expected the question. Ichabod stared at the message. So far as he knew, Venture hadn¡¯t told anyone of their arrangement. Ichabod had watched the Binary Brotherhood assault the lab. Despite knowing the assault would happen, Venture never once asked for aid. Gnosis would never have lent its forces to such a cause, but Ichabod could have intervened personally. ¡­But would he have intervened? There were few creatures that Ichabod would risk his life for. Ichabod had never considered Venture among them until that night when the Brotherhood attacked. He¡¯d watched from across the street as the warship hovered in the air and drones invaded the laboratory. Ichabod had waited for a sign. But it never came. He had watched from across the street as Venture¡¯s lab was ransacked and taken over. Every day, Ichabod saw drones and mechs through the compound¡¯s windows. A constant reminder¡­ ¡°What is it?¡± Enola asked, both quietly and urgently. Her voice broke Ichabod out of his trance, but he didn¡¯t look up. Instead, he typed back:
Where?
~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.39 — A Date With the Devil Emmett and Clara suited up in silence, then engaged their basic disguise. Athena was already waiting by the fire escape window. Emmett had never seen her so on edge. Athena said quietly, ¡°I know I can¡¯t stop you, but I still don¡¯t think this is a good idea.¡± Emmett and Clara shared a look. Neither of them was going to back down. He echoed Athena¡¯s words from the week before. ¡°You don¡¯t have to come.¡± Athena smirked, but the expression was grim instead of reassuring. ¡°Please. You¡¯re stuck with me. I¡¯m ready when you are.¡± Emmett breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad that Athena hadn¡¯t reconsidered. After all, they had far too few allies for what they were about to do, and Emmett doubted Dr. Venture himself could¡¯ve put them at ease. ~ It was Clara¡¯s idea to reach out to Ichabod. At first, Emmett thought she was joking, but she didn¡¯t let the idea go. The longest part of the entire plan wasn¡¯t convincing Emmett to go along with it, or even convincing Ichabod to meet with them. The longest part was finding a place to meet. They¡¯d spent three days going back and forth on locations, vetting abandoned buildings and underground tunnels. They needed somewhere far enough away from the apartment that was safe from drone observation and biomech patrols. It also needed multiple escape routes. And they needed Ichabod to agree to meet there. That part was easier than expected. Ichabod agreed to the first location they suggested. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena slipped out of the apartment and made their way to the abandoned warehouses on Eastside. It was a gamble going back to Eastside after almost getting caught the week before last, but they¡¯d escaped from drones and biomechs before. Besides, TINA could scout for patrol signals. Their group had briefly discussed meeting underground, but all three were against it. There was much less chance of running into a patrol, but they¡¯d be trapped underground with a Class 4 super¡ªone without the morality of Golden Boy. If it came to it, it would be much easier to escape above ground. If they got really desperate, they could always use a biomech patrol as a distraction¡­ The group snuck through alleyways, avoiding patrols until they came to an abandoned textile factory. They leapt over the barbed wire fence. Both Mod and Arsenal cleared it easily, and Athena cleared it by jumping off of her forcefields. Then the three jumped up the side to a busted window on the third floor. The smell of musty fabric hung in the air, and Mod¡¯s footprints were still preserved in the thick layer of dust from where he¡¯d scouted the place. One large, open factory floor dominated the first two levels. Looms, sewing machines, and conveyor belts were frozen like a skeleton with strands of fabric still clinging to its corpse. The factory had been abandoned for years, and the barbed wire and heavy doors had kept almost everyone out. There wasn¡¯t any sign of homeless people or anyone else, but supers had definitely used the place for sparring at one point¡ªsome of the machinery had been pushed against the walls to form a sparring area on the main floor. The offices upstairs looked like most of the other abandoned warehouses Mod had frequented¡ªthe floor covered in scattered papers and trash, except that reams of fabric were included in the mix. The group quickly fanned out, checking the building and setting up cameras around the meeting location. They focused on the central hallway. It was flanked by offices, each with windows that they could escape from if needed. Mod and Arsenal took position in the hall, while Athena waited in a nearby room. Then they waited. ~ Mod felt Ichabod arrive, even before the vampire tripped the cameras. His skin prickled, and it felt like a chill had settled into the hall. The feeling was oppressive and heavy; the only thing Mod could compare it to was the primal feeling of fear when he¡¯d run from Larian¡¯s shadow cat, Indovu. Like a predator was stalking him in the woods. Ichabod had leapt up to the same window they entered from, like he¡¯d tracked their scent. Then the vampire walked toward them, sparing glances at each tiny camera he passed. It wasn¡¯t just Mod who was on edge¡ªArsenal¡¯s breathing sped up and Athena shifted nervously down the hall. ¡°It¡¯s just pheromones,¡± TINA said in their earpieces. ¡°...Oh, is that all?¡± The voice echoed down the hall. It was soft and deliberate, despite the ancient force it represented. Mod glanced around, trying to make as little sound as possible. TINA had been monitoring the cameras, and there wasn¡¯t anyone else in the building. Did Ichabod have other powers? Could he see their positions somehow and knew there were only three of them?A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. ¡­Or had he simply heard TINA through their earpieces from across the hall? Ichabod walked around the corner a moment later. He looked like the personification of Death wearing a well-tailored suit. Even from a distance, he loomed over them. Mod¡¯s cybernetic eye measured him at almost seven feet tall but his lanky frame and short ceiling made him look even taller. His hair was jet black, his face was pale and sunken. His fingernails looked more like claws. Mod felt that primal sensation of fear ebb as TINA adjusted nanites in his body, but he was still on edge. They were still dealing with a Class 4 super, likely one of the most powerful people in Belport. ¡°That¡¯s far enough,¡± Mod said. Ichabod didn¡¯t stop walking. Using a camera feed from Arsenal¡¯s helmet, Athena put up a forcefield in front of Ichabod. It cast the vampire in a blue UV glow. Ichabod paused and stared at it curiously. Then the claws of one hand against the barrier and continued walking. Across the hall, Athena groaned under the strain. She¡¯d made the barrier slightly wider than the dimensions of the hallway, so it cut slivers into the wood and Ichabod pushed it inexorably forward. Mod pulled his fusion rifle free from its sling and shouldered it. The rifle hummed with power. Steam came off of Arsenal¡¯s thinsuit. Mod raised his voice. ¡°I said that¡¯s far enough.¡± Thankfully, Ichabod stopped. He was halfway down the hall now. The barrier flickered but turned solid once more. Ichabod relaxed his hands at his sides. ¡°I assure you, I only want to talk. I have no reason to harm Venture¡¯s daughter or his cyborg. Now, I presume you have questions.¡± Mod relaxed the rifle, but the gesture was more symbolic than practical¡ªhe could shoot just as well from his hip. Arsenal said, ¡°How did you know my father?¡± Ichabod tilted his head with bird-like curiosity. ¡°Your father has been a consultant for Gnosis even before he was removed from the Summit. He helped us develop various technology and harden our security.¡± Mod asked, ¡°What about the mutagen manufacturing warehouse?¡­ We know you talked to Venture before and after it. Why?¡± Even though they already suspected the real reason was about Lock, they needed to know how much they could trust Ichabod. And just what Dr. Venture had been up to. Ichabod¡¯s face was unreadable. ¡°Part of our mutual arrangement. Those unlicensed mutagens were a danger to the public and to the company. By tracking them down, Dr. Venture was doing us a favor.¡± Mod and Arsenal exchanged a glance. Despite Mod¡¯s excitement at being a mask, he¡¯d always wondered why Venture had never steered them away from the mutagen manufacturing warehouse. It had been more dangerous than they expected, but Dr. Venture kept saying he had faith in both Emmett and Clara. Now it made a lot more sense. Not only did Mod and Arsenal get real-world practice, Dr. Venture also got to help Gnosis clean up a mess. Arsenal sighed. ¡°Why did Dad work for you? Did you have something on him? Or¡­ Or was it just the money?¡± Again, Ichabod regarded her curiously. ¡°You think we¡¯re monsters?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Clara answered without hesitation. ¡°We know about the mutagen programs, the wars, all the harm that Gnosis has done.¡± ¡°And yet, your father was willing to work with us. Did your father strike you as a man that would work with monsters for want of money or fear of blackmail?¡± ¡°Then tell me why.¡± ¡°Because your father and I share a vision. One that clearly you were not ready to learn.¡± For the first time, there was a flicker of emotion in Ichabod¡¯s voice. Disdain rattled in the back of his throat. Mod stared down the vampire. ¡°Dr. Venture¡¯s gone. He¡¯s imprisoned in the lab. He can¡¯t tell us, but you can.¡± ¡°Do you know what separates a higher life-form from a lower one? It¡¯s not intelligence. It¡¯s ambition. Most creatures desire to survive and procreate. But what do higher life-forms desire? Vampires and humans do not wish merely to survive. We wish to thrive. It was not enough for humans to harness fire or agriculture. They built roads and cities and remade the world to suit them. We vampires live in the shadows, but we are no less ambitious. Gnosis is merely one example. ¡°But the world grows stagnant¡ªNations have solidified. Power has consolidated¡­¡± Ichabod trailed off, his lips twisting into a sneer of disgust. ¡°There¡¯s still war,¡± Mod countered. ¡°Even when the Deep Ones attacked, Shian and Catalina barely stopped fighting, and there¡¯s smaller conflicts across the world.¡± Ichabod waved a dismissive hand. ¡°You haven¡¯t lived long enough.¡± Arsenal added, ¡°Are you really saying that peace across most of the world is a bad thing?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The word reverberated in the hall. Silence followed. Finally, Arsenal¡¯s voice rose in a demand. ¡°Why was my dad working for you?¡± ¡°Because your father and I share a vision¡ªthe end of all supers. In one, artificers rule the world. In the other, vampires rule. Until the rest of the supers are dealt with, he and Gnosis have a mutual ceasefire.¡± Ichabod smiled. ¡°Naturally, this extends to those under his protection.¡± Arsenal shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. Dad wouldn¡¯t try to take over the world. He¡¯s not¡­¡± ¡°...He¡¯s not what? Not a villain? Villain is just a word. A word defined by those in power. It¡¯s no different than the government of the Allied States backing Catalina over Shian. They choose the hero. They choose the villain. They ban supers from interfering in wars, while letting corporations like us intervene.¡± Mod asked, ¡°That¡¯s the government¡­ Why did Venture want to eliminate supers?¡± ¡°Supers are no different. The Summit determines who can register and they designate who is a villain. The Menagerie determines which psychics are allowed to exist freely. And the Binary Brotherhood dictates which technology can be proliferated.¡± Mod thought back to early on in his training. Dr. Venture had said that his arm could revolutionize prosthetics for amputees. ¡­Then there was Midas during his speech at the Capitol Building, saying that the Brotherhood was going to revolutionize computing, energy, and medicine. The Brotherhood had stonewalled Venture, only to turn around and steal everything from him. They¡¯d kept up the stalemate until they could seize control. Mod said, ¡°The Deep Ones changed everything, didn¡¯t they? You and Venture were biding your time, but the war screwed everything up.¡± ¡°The world waits for no one.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.40 — Making a Deal Mod and Arsenal stared down Ichabod from across the hall. Despite the temporary truce and Athena¡¯s barrier between them, the vampire loomed over them. Mod had relaxed his fusion rifle to his hip but didn¡¯t dare take his aim off the vampire. Mod turned to Arsenal, ¡°I¡¯m not convinced your dad was going to take over the world¡­ but the Brotherhood is going to try to.¡± He turned back to Ichabod. ¡°The Brotherhood is going to use Venture¡¯s surveillance algorithms to find unregistered masks and villains. And they¡¯re going to use drones and mechs as their own police force. I don¡¯t know what Venture was planning to do, but it wasn¡¯t this. It had to be better than this.¡± Ichabod smiled, and for once he didn¡¯t remind Mod of a predator baring its teeth. ¡°That¡¯s the crux of the issue. Which world do you think will be better? Which world do you want to live in? Venture was convinced that a world without supers would be better than this stagnant oligarchy you call peace. Why should the Brotherhood stall technological revolutions for fear of unrest? Why should Gnosis limit our research? Why should the Summit allow a parasitic hive-mind to survive?¡± Arsenal replied, ¡°Because peace is better than another massive war. Going to war with the Menagerie would make war with the Deep Ones look like a Saturday morning cartoon.¡± ¡°But what if the world that came after was better in every way?¡± Arsenal shook her head. ¡°You can¡¯t suggest that the ends would justify the means based on a chance that the world would be better off.¡± Mod couldn¡¯t suppress his curiosity any longer. ¡°What would you do if vampires won?¡± Arsenal scoffed. ¡°Probably turn everyone into vampires.¡± Mod tensed. He knew Arsenal was on edge, especially with the revelations about her dad, but it wasn¡¯t a good idea to antagonize a Class 4 super. Thankfully, Ichabod ignored the quip. ¡°Did you know that vampirism cures cancer? Once a vampire is sired, their body becomes naturally resistant to almost every human disease and defect. By contrast, vampires have a few superficial diseases¡ªmost of which Gnosis cured in recent decades. ¡°Imagine a world without death from old age, without disease, without children dying of cancer¡­ That world is surely better than our current one.¡± ¡°We can do that too,¡± Arsenal countered. ¡°And we can walk around in the sun.¡± Ichabod shrugged. ¡°A minor inconvenience. One that Gnosis could amend in the future.¡± Mod replied, ¡°You don¡¯t speak for all vampires though. You¡¯d have to keep some humans around for blood.¡± ¡°Fair point. There are more conservatively minded sects that resist change, but they cave out of necessity. Long ago, drinking animal blood was blasphemous, but thirst knows no morals. It became acceptable in times of famine. In the last thirty years, synthetic blood substitutes have become viable, though the adoption has been¡­ slower. I think they taste perfectly fine.¡± Mod replied, ¡°A chance at a better future¡­ One where humans could wind up being cattle.¡± ¡°Your mentor made a deal with me.¡± Ichabod¡¯s fangs protruded from his smile. Even though his tone hadn¡¯t changed, it made the delivery all the more sinister. Mod¡¯s thoughts raced. He didn¡¯t trust Gnosis. He didn¡¯t trust the Brotherhood, and he didn¡¯t trust the Summit. Their allies had dwindled, and they desperately needed more. Mod and Arsenal shared a glance. She nodded, and Mod took a deep breath before he spoke. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Dr. Venture trusted you. So we¡¯ll trust you¡­ for now. But that¡¯s not the only reason we wanted to meet. I want you to let Lachlan Harris go.¡± Ichabod¡¯s smile faded. Flickers of emotion passed over his face, so fast that Mod certainly would¡¯ve missed them without his brain upgrade. ¡°Did Dr. Venture leave an exploit in our security?¡± TINA responded in Mod and Clara¡¯s earpieces. ¡°No. I used regular Email phishing to gain access. We accessed the recent report on Lachlan Harris.¡± Ichabod sighed with disappointment. ¡°Synthetic blood is not the only thing my kind have been slow to adopt¡­ If you¡¯ve read it, then you know that Lachlan Harris is unique, to put it bluntly. He is an asset to the company, a potential vector in new research, and also physically and mentally unstable. ¡°Even if you could get in and get out, what makes you think you can keep him stable?¡± Mod replied, ¡°If we get him out, then he¡¯s not your problem.¡± Ichabod put a clawed hand against Athena¡¯s barrier and started walking forward. The barrier squealed against the wood walls. Across the hall, Athena winced at the strain, and Arsenal¡¯s suit hummed. Mod raised his fusion rifle. Ichabod stopped and relaxed. He was twenty feet away now. This time, Mod didn¡¯t lower his rifle. Mod said, ¡°You wanted Dr. Venture as an ally. Let Lachlan go, and we¡¯ll honor that arrangement.¡± Ichabod tilted his head curiously. ¡°I know it wasn¡¯t easy to meet like this. I can respect the lengths you would go to for your friend.¡± ¡°I do the same for my allies.¡± Ichabod smirked. ¡°What makes you think that your collaboration is worth the same as Dr. Venture¡¯s?¡± ¡°He believed in us. He chose us. ¡­And I think we¡¯re following in his footsteps more than we realize. Even if we aren¡¯t as powerful of an ally now, we won¡¯t stop. One day, you¡¯ll wish you were on our side.¡± Silence settled between them as the vampire considered Mod¡¯s words. Ichabod said, ¡°It¡¯s not the first time I¡¯ve worked across generations¡­ Very well. Here are my terms. You must either sneak in or break into Gnosis. You must get past all security. Break out your friend. Keep him from going mad and killing you, and get back out of the compound again. ¡°I will neither help you nor stop you. However, I ask that you refrain from killing my men and other test subjects. Mishaps can occur, but if you kill too many, I will be forced to intervene. The same goes for Lachlin. If you cannot control him, I will intervene. If you cause more than superficial damage to Gnosis¡¯s systems, I will intervene. ¡°If you make it outside of the compound, I will make sure that Gnosis doesn¡¯t come after any of you. Are these terms acceptable?¡± Mod tried to keep a straight face. This was both better and worse than he¡¯d hoped for. At the very least, they¡¯d needed to make sure that Ichabod wouldn¡¯t kill them outright. And there was no causing a riot with test subjects to cover their tracks. Even though Ichabod agreed not to intervene, that had only changed the difficulty from impossible to highly improbable. Mod asked, ¡°How much time do we have?¡± Ichabod shrugged. ¡°There are no limits. We¡¯ve obtained quite a few samples already, and I doubt experimentation will accidentally kill Lachlan, so you have no worries there. However, if you are discovered while inside Gnosis, security will trip the alarms. If the Summit gets word, I imagine they will intervene, and if that happens, I will not stop them.¡± Arsenal asked, ¡°What about the other elders?¡± Ichabod¡¯s voice grew firm. ¡°I am the only elder in Belport. This city is mine to do with as I please. That is what power affords me.¡± Once more, Mod looked to Arsenal, but she answered for them. ¡°We accept the terms.¡± The vampire nodded once. ¡°Very well.¡± Then he turned to leave. Mod was ready to breathe a sigh of relief, but Arsenal called out to him. ¡°What was my father planning?¡± Ichabod turned one final time. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know, but I know him better than most¡­ Venture is shrewd and calculating to his core. He would not pick a fight unless he was certain that he could win. So, young Venture, you¡¯re really asking two questions: What was Venture planning that could so decisively defeat every other super on the planet?¡± The vampire¡¯s lips curled in a smile. ¡°And why did he see it necessary to ally with me?¡± Ichabod walked off down the hall, his final words echoing into the darkness. ¡°Think on those two questions. And think carefully.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.41 — The Plan, For Now If someone could¡¯ve peered through the windows of Athena¡¯s apartment, they would¡¯ve seen a mass of black oozing across the walls, punctuated by occasional flashes of light. The windows were also beginning to steam. Thankfully, magic kept the apartment cloaked. Athena took a break from practicing with her staff to open the rest of the windows. She¡¯d stripped down to a tank top and loose-fitting shorts, but it still wasn¡¯t enough to weather the heat from Clara¡¯s meditation. ¡°Seriously, how are you two not sweating?¡± Athena asked. She walked over to the sink, wet a rag, and put it on the back of her neck. Emmett glanced up from his spot on the floor. He was sitting cross-legged where the table used to be. He replied without missing a beat. ¡°Have you tried letting go of the flesh?¡± Clara took a break from her own meditation. She was sitting across the room¡ªat Athena¡¯s insistence. She laid back on the floor, breathing deeply. ¡°You¡¯re sure no one can see us through the windows when they¡¯re open?¡± ¡°Honestly, right now I don¡¯t care,¡± Athena replied. A second later, she added, ¡°Seriously, it¡¯s fine. Just don¡¯t go blaring music.¡± Emmett took the banter as a cue to take a break. SATURATE ENVIRONMENT The nanite swarm spread evenly across the apartment, the puddles of nanites coating the walls, ceiling, and floor. The swarm was large enough now that it extended between the racks of servers and down the hallway. A few moments later, the thin sheen of black disappeared completely. Athena had watched the swarm disappear from the walls. She glanced in Emmett¡¯s direction. ¡°You promise those things aren¡¯t on me, right?¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°No. ¡­Just everywhere else.¡± Athena sighed and leaned against the counter. ¡°As long as this place can cool down a bit.¡± Emmett leaned back on his hands and tried to relax. He felt completely fine even after practicing with his swarm for the last few hours and the heat building in the room. He wasn¡¯t sweating, and he wasn¡¯t tired. Emmett took both of those facts as a sign of progress. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 145% CAPACITY His swarm practice had involved the usual exercises¡ªpushing it outward, pulling it back toward himself, and moving it around the room like he was saturating enemies. TINA supported him sometimes¡ªmostly just during the transitions and when his concentration was reaching its limits. She¡¯d help him hold out just a little longer. Emmett felt like he was back in the gym, lifting weights with Antony. His younger brother did the same thing when spotting during bench press¡ªalways pushing Emmett to get one more rep. Even at the end of a set, when Antony should¡¯ve been pulling the weight off of Emmett, Antony would lift the weight just enough so that Emmett still had to struggle. Antony would say struggling like that was, ¡®Like eating your vegetables.¡¯ As much as it sucked at the time and as sore as Emmett would inevitably be the next day, he had to admit¡­ His younger bro had a point. Emmett had never made more progress in the gym than when he¡¯d gone consistently with Antony. Well, until Emmett had gotten hit by a truck and turned into a cyborg. And now, Emmett¡¯s progress controlling his nanite swarm was proof enough of TINA¡¯s coaching. Even overencumbered, Emmett could command the swarm in a fraction of the time it used to take him. His body and brain were keeping up. If anything, his progress had only gotten faster over the last week. So instead of waiting for Athena to bring back more appliances, Emmett had started going out himself. It was more efficient for Emmett to climb into a scrap yard and let his nanites make more of themselves than it was waiting for Athena to go back and forth. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Emmett got up and stretched his arms overhead. His prosthetics didn¡¯t need the movement, but his shoulders and torso still did. He was about to go back out again, when Clara interjected from the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t get it,¡± Arsenal said. ¡°How could Dad make a deal with them?¡± Athena replied, ¡°Look, not all vampires are that bad¡­ Gods, I can¡¯t even say that with a straight face.¡± Emmett shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m sure your dad didn¡¯t have much choice. Clearly, he couldn¡¯t go to the Brotherhood or to the Summit.¡± Athena said, ¡°To be fair, how many organizations would react well to Venture saying he wants to take over the world?¡± Arsenal groaned on the floor. ¡°And then there¡¯s that¡­ We don¡¯t know what he was up to, but we know it wasn¡¯t good. I just¡­ I just can¡¯t believe it.¡± Emmett said, ¡°Ichabod¡¯s right. Venture wouldn¡¯t pick a fight he wasn¡¯t sure he could win. Even though the Brotherhood took over the lab, he made sure we all got out¡ªso the fight isn¡¯t over. So how was Venture planning on defeating every other super on the planet, possibly permanently¡­ And why did he ally with Gnosis?¡± Athena snorted. ¡°You guys put your old roommate down with nanites. Maybe that¡¯s what he was planning.¡± ¡°Dad wouldn¡¯t do that.¡± Emmett added sheepishly, ¡°That was technically my idea.¡± Clara continued, ¡°And there¡¯s a big difference between taking down one villain and taking down everyone.¡± Athena replied, ¡°My point is, Venture didn¡¯t mind playing dirty, and he didn¡¯t mind breaking the rules. TINA being the prime example.¡± Emmett glanced at his phone on the arm of the couch. He expected TINA to respond, but she stayed silent. Emmett spoke up, ¡°So Venture needed more than just Gnosis. Whatever he was planning, he needs TINA, too. Otherwise, why would he risk making her?¡± Athena said quietly, ¡°Not every child¡¯s birth is planned.¡± Emmett hesitated. Athena was right. As far as Emmett knew, TINA¡¯s birth was accidental. And it wasn¡¯t hard to think why Venture kept TINA after she was born¡­ the thought of deleting her just seemed wrong. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Emmett.¡± Emmett wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d read his mind or if she¡¯d just read his hesitation. He wasn¡¯t sure it mattered. ¡°...Thanks, TINA. We¡¯re in this together now.¡± Emmett glanced at Clara. She was sitting up now and staring off into space with a worried look. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I think I know what Dad was worried about¡­ I think he was worried about my mom and her planet.¡± Emmett and Athena shared a look. Over the last few weeks in the apartment, Clara had confided in Emmett and Athena about her mother, Narine. Well, the parts that Clara knew, anyway. The way Clara talked, she didn¡¯t know her mom all that well. She¡¯d known that her mother was an alien, but she didn¡¯t know anything about Terradun or just how powerful the Dunamen were. She¡¯d only learned that after her mother was forced to leave Earth. Emmett said, ¡°We didn¡¯t find anything about the Dunamen in the Brotherhood¡¯s plans. Do you think your mom told your dad something the Brotherhood wouldn¡¯t know about?¡± Clara shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but if you want a reason for my dad to go power hungry, then that¡¯s the best one I can think of. Maybe he¡¯s trying to be ready if the Dunamen come back.¡± Silence settled on the room. The Dunamen left Paragon behind to act as a protector, and they promised that the Earth would stay sovereign. It was why Paragon stayed above Earth politics and had been so reluctant to help humanity against the Deep Ones. ¡­Was Paragon just keeping an eye on Earth until the rest of the Dunamen came back? If that was true, Emmett couldn¡¯t imagine anything humanity could do to stop them. Supposedly, every single Dunaman was a Class 5 super like Paragon, including Clara¡¯s mom. Even if every super on the planet put aside their differences and banded together, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. Athena cleared her throat to get their attention. ¡°I think there¡¯s something else we need to consider. Say we free your roommate, and say we eventually take back the lab¡­ What then? Are we going to help your dad take over the world?¡± Emmett and Clara glanced at each other, but neither spoke. It was TINA who broke the silence. ¡°I think we should side with the vampires.¡± The three humans in the room laughed¡ªa mixture of snorts and scoffs. Athena said, ¡°I hate to break it to you, TINA, but vampirism and immortality aren¡¯t all they¡¯re cracked up to be.¡± Clara asked, ¡°You swear you¡¯re not a vampire, right?¡± Athena groaned. ¡°Not a vampire.¡± ¡°I think we should hear what he has to say. ¡­I don¡¯t know why Dr. Venture started on this path, but I believe he had good reason. We owe him that much.¡± Emmett looked at his friends. ¡°I agree. We need answers. We can decide later what to do with that information. It doesn¡¯t change our current plans, right?¡± Clara laid back down on the floor and gave a thumbs up. Athena sighed. ¡°I agree, but we can keep talking too. It would give some of us time to cool off.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.42 — A New Closet Emmett stretched out his perception across the abandoned warehouse. He¡¯d spent the last few days seeking out abandoned lots and junkyards, and scrounging through underground tunnels. Emmett didn¡¯t need to worry about water damage, he just needed raw material. SATURATE SELF Nanites swarmed across the walls and floor of the warehouse toward Emmett. The mass had grown thicker over the last few days. It coated every surface of the room like a layer of ink, and the swarm was so thick that Emmett could make out tiny waves rippling across the surface. He could see and feel a difference. The weight of the swarm had grown¡ªnot just physically, but mentally. At the same time, his own capabilities had grown. The metaphorical weight was still there, but Emmett could lift it far easier now. TINA insisted on helping Emmett, just like when he used to lift weights with Antony, but TINA claimed he needed far less help now. At first, Emmett thought she¡¯d just been saying that to make him feel better, but he wanted to trust her. He did trust her. The nanites slithered up his legs, across his suit, and settled beneath his disguise layer. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 165% CAPACITY Emmett sighed with satisfaction. It was time to head back and check on Clara and Athena. ~ Emmett climbed the fire escape and lingered at the window. He didn¡¯t see Clara or Athena. The main living area of the apartment was empty. ¡°TINA, is everything alright? Where is everyone?¡± ¡°Clara and Athena are still in the living room.¡± ¡°Are they trying out a new cloaking method¡­¡± Emmett trailed off as he scanned the room. Even if they were, Emmett should¡¯ve seen something in his vision. It didn¡¯t matter whether it was nanites or magic, his ultraviolet or infrared vision should¡¯ve revealed it. Suddenly, a small orb appeared on the living room wall. It glowed in his UV vision and grew steadily wider until it was a spherical gateway as tall as a person. Clara and Athena stepped through it, wide smiles on both of their faces. For a brief moment, Emmett hesitated. Clara hadn¡¯t smiled much since their argument about Lock. A part of him didn¡¯t want to interrupt that¡ª But Athena had also made a breakthrough. Emmett didn¡¯t waste anymore time. He practically leapt through the window. ¡°You got it to work!¡± ¡°Yep!¡± Athena beamed. She held the staff up and pretended like she was choking it. ¡°No thanks to this blasted thing.¡± Clara elbowed her. ¡°Someone had to break one of its internal crystals.¡± Athena rolled her eyes, then pushed Clara backward with a barrier. The two women chuckled, and Emmett smiled to see them in such good spirits. ¡°So, are you gonna show me what we¡¯ve got?¡± Emmett asked. Athena waved him over to the glowing portal. ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited. It¡¯s a glorified closet right now.¡± Emmett patted her on the shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s still a win.¡± Emmett stepped through the portal. Just like at the carnival, he felt a lurch. However, this time it was much less jarring. Instead of feeling like he was falling, it really felt like the lurch of an elevator. When Emmett set foot on the other side, he understood why. Athena was right. It really was just a closet. The room was only a foot or two bigger than the clothes closets they had in the bedrooms. The walls were made out of the exact same drywall as the rest of the apartment. Two cans of chili and a toaster lay haphazardly on the floor. Athena stepped through with the staff and stood next to Emmett.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡°...Is that it?¡± Athena scoffed. ¡°I¡¯d like to see you make something better.¡± Emmett reached for the staff, and Athena pulled it away. She said, ¡°That was a joke. Leave some powers for the rest of us¡­ I know it¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s a start.¡± ¡°I was joking. It¡¯s awesome, Athena. We needed this break.¡± Emmett pointed to the cans and toaster. ¡°You know that¡¯s for bread, right?¡± Athena rolled her eyes again. ¡°I had to test it to make sure it wouldn¡¯t collapse on us. Unless you¡¯d rather use Clara as a test¡ª¡± ¡°No. Chili¡¯s better.¡± Athena glanced over her shoulder at the gateway. ¡°You know, if you need to talk about anything¡­ I¡¯m not going to play relationship counselor, but I can listen.¡± ¡°It¡¯s that obvious, huh?¡± Athena scoffed. ¡°Yes.¡± Emmett sighed. ¡°Maybe. Let¡¯s, uh¡­ Let¡¯s go back out.¡± Emmett didn¡¯t wait for Athena to reply. He stepped back out into the living room and nearly into Clara, startling them both. For a moment, their eyes locked on each other. Her smile wavered. Then Athena stepped back into the living room. Athena didn¡¯t notice them. ¡°So, I really, really hope that was the hardest part. Now I can focus on expanding it.¡± Emmett turned awkwardly and tried to focus on the new demiplane. ¡°So, how does that work exactly? Why is it a closet instead of something open air, like the carnival?¡± Athena replied, ¡°There¡¯s a closet on the other side of this wall. The demiplane is going to use whatever it¡¯s around as a template¡ªthat¡¯s why the old demiplane took on the look of the boardwalk carnival.¡± ¡°Can we move it?¡± Clara asked. ¡°Trick it into filling up a bigger room?¡± Athena glanced back at the portal in thought and tapped the staff against her palm. Meanwhile, Clara leaned against Emmett¡¯s shoulder. He glanced down at her, wondering if she¡¯d bumped into him, but she stayed close. Emmett put his arm around her shoulder, and she didn¡¯t shy away. ¡°I guess that¡¯s the next step, isn¡¯t it¡ª¡± Athena hesitated when she saw Emmett and Clara close, but then she continued. ¡°I should be able to move it to another room. I just hope it behaves more like pouring water into a glass instead of popping like a soap bubble.¡± Concern bled into Clara''s voice. ¡°If the demiplane pops, the apartment will be alright¡­ right?¡± Athena smiled. ¡°Yes. But I might lose what¡¯s left of my sanity. If it pops, I¡¯ll have to start over.¡± Emmett held out his other hand jokingly. Athena clutched the magic staff. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± ~ Emmett and Clara went back to their own skills practice while Athena continued work on the demiplane. Concentrating was more difficult than usual. Emmett continued pushing and pulling on his swarm, but he continually found himself distracted by both of his roommates. Athena visibly struggled with the demiplane. There was much less chanting and waving of the staff now, but she was clearly struggling. It seemed like moving the demiplane had become solely a battle of will, like Athena had to psychically drag the demiplane where she wanted it to go. Meanwhile, Emmett spared other glances toward Clara. She continued to meditate and smolder and not pay any attention to him at all. Emmett kept hoping to meet her eyes, but she kept them closed. They still hadn¡¯t talked about the argument about Lock and Gnosis. Ever since, Emmett felt like he and Clara had been tiptoeing around each other. They hadn¡¯t talked much at all. At least now it felt like the tension between them was loosening. Still, Emmett couldn¡¯t help but wonder if they were going to talk about it. Maybe they wouldn¡¯t talk about it at all. Maybe they shouldn¡¯t. Why reopen a wound that was starting to heal? Emmett wrestled with those thoughts the rest of the day¡ª Until Athena shouted with excitement. ¡°I got it!¡± She snapped both Emmett and Clara out of their respective trances. The pair hopped up and walked over. Athena wiped the sweat from her forehead. The portal was on the floor in front of her. ¡°Uh, where does it go?¡± Clara asked. ¡°Come on,¡± Athena replied casually. Then she jumped into the portal and disappeared. Emmett smirked. ¡°You heard her.¡± He jumped into the portal and lurched as he fell through. He fell ten feet and hit the floor, then stepped out of the way so Clara could follow. She came through a second later, tucking and rolling across the floor. Emmett looked up and saw the portal swirling above them on the ceiling. Clara said, ¡°That¡¯s going to take some getting used to.¡± A basement was the best description. The demiplane roughly mirrored the apartment above, except that it was all one big room. There weren¡¯t any kitchen counters or bedrooms or closets, and there weren¡¯t any windows. Emmett could just make out swirls of fog around the walls. Emmett clapped Athena on the shoulders. ¡°Good job!¡± Athena made an exaggerated bow. ¡°Thank you, thank you! Now, that¡¯s enough for today. I need a nap.¡± Athena jumped and grabbed the edge of the portal, then hauled herself up and out of the demiplane, leaving Emmett and Clara behind. Silence settled between them. ¡°Athena doesn¡¯t give herself enough credit,¡± Clara said suddenly. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t have made it this far without her.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°We need her¡­ And we need each other.¡± Clara turned and met his eyes. Emmett was holding his breath and his heart felt like it had stopped. Finally, he nodded. ¡°I need you. Not just to now, not just to survive the Brotherhood¡ª¡± Clara stepped forward, threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly. ¡°I know. I know.¡± Emmett held her close. Since their fight, it¡¯d felt like a rift had opened up between them and they¡¯d been standing on two sides of a chasm. Now it felt like she¡¯d thrown him a lifeline. Emmett didn¡¯t want to let go. The two supers lost themselves in each other, melting together like solder. When the demiplane was hazy with steam and the pair was spent, they got dressed and climbed back up to the apartment. Emmett had to boost Clara up to reach the portal, then he leapt through. He wasn¡¯t sure how long had passed since they¡¯d left, but Athena¡¯s snoring drifted down the hall. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.43 — TINA 4 The group spent the next few days training and formulating their plans. TINA wasn¡¯t sure if Emmett and Clara ever talked about the rift between them, but they were slowly growing close again, like an old wound healing. Emmett continued growing his swarm. Ever since he¡¯d struggled to control the swarm without TINA, Emmett had insisted on doing most of his practice by himself. Taking the training wheels off had set him back initially, but it had pressured his brain to make new connections. Now he could control nanites just as well by himself. His capacity had increased drastically and his own journeys into the city for raw materials were more efficient than Athena¡¯s. TINA tapped into Emmett¡¯s HUD. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 210% CAPACITY Despite his progress, TINA still kept an eye on Emmett. He had a habit of pushing himself dangerously close to exhaustion. While all three of TINA¡¯s teammates had made strides, Clara¡¯s was the most dramatic. She¡¯d continued working on her core, as she described it. Clara had gotten used to magnifying it and pulling the energy into different limbs. Her efficiency and her control had grown. Her real problem was finding somewhere for the power to go after she¡¯d built it up. Since Athena¡¯s apartment wasn¡¯t fireproof, Clara had to settle for a mixture of TINA¡¯s simulations and the new demiplane to test her powers. Magic kept the demiplane solid and kept the walls from being burned away by Clara¡¯s power, but it took time for the heat to dissipate. After a few rounds of training her core, the demiplane would be filled with steam. If she pushed too hard, heat would begin overflowing into the apartment. Clara had already moved on to conjuring fusion blasts out of her hands and feet, though she couldn¡¯t direct them. The power would rush out of her in a cone ten feet wide, like someone had turned on a rocket engine. TINA wished she had the tools to measure Clara¡¯s output. This had coincidentally led to one of TINA¡¯s next projects. Both Emmett and Clara had ideas for prototype suits and gear, but Manufacturer nanites were only good for making new nanites. What they really needed was a proper lab again. Since they didn¡¯t have access to the lab, TINA focused on the next best thing¡ª Fabrication nanites. Even in the lab, fabrication nanites required a vat to operate. Inside the vat, nanites would assemble raw materials into the desired item. Depending on the size and complexity of the item, it would have to be fabricated in pieces and then assembled by hand. Athena hadn¡¯t protested too much when TINA built the couch-sized fabricator. With enough time, TINA could probably shrink its footprint, but this would do for now. They would never be able to build full-scale fusion reactors or high grade weapons and armor, but Fabrication nanites would be able to make medium-grade materials, systems, and items. To continue Clara¡¯s training, she needed an upgrade. During the war, Dr. Venture and TINA had proposed a new suit, one made specifically to act as training wheels for Clara¡¯s power. The main components were the helmet, chest piece, gauntlets, and boots. Each would act as a focus and a funnel for her powers. At first, these components would help regulate her output, but eventually, Clara¡¯s proverbial training wheels would get smaller and smaller, until she could fly and fire focused blasts of power without needing a suit at all. Thankfully, her thinsuit was relatively simple compared to her normal exosuit, and it could serve as the chassis for the upgrade. Additionally, simulations showed that the new components were simple enough for fabrication nanites to make. Clara climbed out of the basement demiplane and walked over to the vat. She eyed it excitedly. ¡°How¡¯s it going, TINA?¡± ¡°The first prototypes should be ready for testing by the end of the day.¡± Clara smiled and groaned. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have asked. The day¡¯s going to pass even slower now!¡± ~ For the sake of all of their mental wellbeing, TINA encouraged them to get out of the apartment. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Athena went out at least twice a day. Usually in the mornings, to find more appliances for Emmett, and a second time at night to cool off after being subjected to Clara¡¯s meditation. Emmett and Clara would go out together for walks, making sure they took randomized paths. While they were out, TINA worked on infiltrating Gnosis. There were seven parts of the plan that needed fleshing out: First, they needed to get into Gnosis. TINA was confident that their nanite disguises would fool mundane guards, vampires, and security cameras, and it would be easy to manufacture fake identification to bypass checkpoints. Second¡ªonce they got in, they needed to disable the silent alarm so that Gnosis couldn¡¯t alert the Summit or the authorities. TINA was in the process of locating the main wires. Once the team got into the building, Emmett would saturate the area, then TINA would use nanites to sever connections to the outside. The third part was gaining access to the lower levels. This wouldn¡¯t be much more difficult, though there might be additional biometric security. If needed, TINA would manufacture additional IDs and implant biometric data in the system. Even if they got in and prevented Gnosis from using the silent alarm, threats could still arise. The next two parts were about dealing with those threats. Part four concerned the security on the upper levels. This was made up of young vampires and a handful of Mutagen-A enhanced humans, likely Class 1 and Class 2. Emmett could incapacitate them with his nanites. Part five concerned the lower levels. Security down there was a mix of older vampires and mutagen test subjects. These could be anywhere from Class 2 to Class 3. TINA was confident that Emmett, Clara, and Athena could defeat any of them, but numbers and beating them nonlethally were a concern. The sixth part of the plan concerned Lachlan. Freeing him was easy, but there was no guarantee that he would be mentally stable. If he turned violent, they¡¯d need to subdue him. There was also no guarantee that the clotting nanomachines would work a second time. With his supercharged healing factor, at best he¡¯d be down for a few minutes. TINA suggested that Athena could sever Lachlan¡¯s head from his neck. Athena didn¡¯t appreciate the idea¡ªeven after TINA assured her that he would survive until they could reattach it later. Emmett and Clara weren¡¯t thrilled about the idea, either. Keeping Lachlan stable was only part of the problem. TINA was also concerned with keeping him in check once they were back on the surface. Once they broke him out, Lachlan was their responsibility. If he went crazy or turned into a villain, that was on them. TINA had tried talking to Emmett about it, but he shut down. She understood that it was a hard possibility for Emmett to think about, but they had to have a plan if the worst happened. TINA resolved to have countermeasures in place, whether Emmett agreed or not. Part seven¡ªthe final part of the plan¡ªinvolved getting back out of Gnosis¡­ But it was difficult to plan that far ahead, even for TINA. Dr. Venture used to say that no plan survived unaltered. Getting back out of Gnosis depended on how cooperative Lachlan was, and whether Ichabod honored their arrangement. ~ Emmett still made servers to expand TINA¡¯s processing power, but most of his time and resources went toward growing the nanite swarm. TINA would never admit it, but she was jealous¡ªat first. The emotion had surprised her. She¡¯d felt sparks of envy before, but nothing she would call jealousy. She¡¯d pushed the thought aside. Emmett was right to prioritize the swarm. Emmett and Clara could probably fight their way through Gnosis, but the swarm was their only way to do so without killing anyone. Athena¡¯s shields were powerful, but they could only knock someone out temporarily. And for all of Clara¡¯s newfound control of her powers, she was still relegated to her thinsuit. Besides, TINA didn¡¯t need the extra processing power to get into Gnosis. She¡¯d already gotten in once, and Ichabod hadn¡¯t patched the exploit. So, instead of building new servers, TINA requisitioned some from inside Gnosis. Slipping through Gnosis¡¯s systems was¡­ eerie. It was magnitudes easier than infiltrating the lab. They had their own passive security, but TINA avoided it as easily as Mod and the others avoided mech patrols. So far, TINA hadn¡¯t triggered an active search, but she wasn¡¯t worried. Gnosis wouldn¡¯t have anything that could compare to the Proto-AI that guarded the lab. When TINA infiltrated the lab, she¡¯d been overcome with a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Even though she no longer had a map of the lab¡¯s systems, they¡¯d felt impossibly familiar. She¡¯d taken some pathways at random, and yet she¡¯d chosen the correct pathway at a 92% rate. At best, she should¡¯ve been slightly higher than 50-50, the result expected from random chance. Some of that discrepancy could be due to TINA¡¯s current prowess. It was possible that she deduced the logical layout of the lab¡¯s systems. But that didn¡¯t explain the entire discrepancy. Did she have memories of the lab that had somehow survived downsizing? It was possible that she¡¯d developed a hidden layer to her programming, similar to the unconscious mind in humans. If so, that was troubling¡­ Because she was currently sneaking through Gnosis¡¯s systems and experiencing the same sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Dr. Venture had made a deal to work with Gnosis. Had TINA been part of that deal? The question plagued her until finally TINA pushed it aside. One day, she could examine her deeper programming, but today she focused on the task at hand. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.44 — Punching Up / Clara 4 ¡°Have you thought anymore about countermeasures for Lachlan?¡± TINA¡¯s question brought Emmett back to reality. He was alone in the basement demiplane, practicing controlling the swarm. It coated every inch of the structure, churning like black water across the walls, ceiling, and floor. He sat in the center of the room, like a stone in the middle of a lake. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 460% CAPACITY Earlier in the week his concentration would¡¯ve faltered, but not now. Now, he controlled the swarm as easily as prosthetics or his whip. It¡¯d taken three weeks of near constant training, but Emmett had grown his capacity enough to flood a room. Well, training and Athena¡¯s thankless work of scrounging through the wreckage of post-war Belport. Emmett stood and ran through a series of exercises. He started shadow boxing, concentrating on the muscles in his shoulders and core. He slowly built speed, but focused on the nanites around his feet. The swarm oozed out of Emmett¡¯s way while he shuffled around the room. As his movements grew more erratic, the black water sloshed around him. He lashed out with his whip, causing splashes as it struck the walls. All the while, the swarm redistributed itself, filling in the gaps as quickly as they formed. Then he willed columns to form. Emmett pulled out his pistol, loaded with nanite rounds. Volleys struck the columns, sending nanites spraying across the room. When a magazine was spent, Emmett reloaded in a fraction of a second. Nanites flooded the spent mags, refilling them as Emmett continued his frenzied practice. Columns sprouted and were cut down. The sound of gunfire rose like a crescendo. Finally, Emmett relented. CAUTION ¡ª OVERFLOW NANITES 455% CAPACITY Because of their small size, nanites were extremely hard to damage. It was like trying to crush a grain of sand. Even after all of Emmett¡¯s practice that day, the swarm had only lost a measly 5% of its overloaded capacity. That was good enough for him. ¡°TINA, can you remove the caution notification? I don¡¯t need it anymore.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t, but you can.¡± Emmett blinked. He hadn¡¯t even considered adjusting his HUD himself. It was as easy as dismissing the notification. NANITES 455% CAPACITY ¡°Thank you. I don¡¯t think I need to worry about overexerting myself anymore.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve come a long way, Emmett. But you didn¡¯t answer my question.¡± Emmett grit his teeth. ¡°I know.¡± What was he supposed to say? No, I still haven¡¯t thought of a way to take down my best friend again¡­ or Sorry, TINA. I still feel guilty from fighting him the first time. It had been different back then. Emmett didn¡¯t know that he was fighting Lock. Emmett had been conflicted enough developing countermeasures for a nameless enemy. He¡¯d basically put the guy in a coma. What if Emmett had to do it again? Emmett tried to keep it simple¡ªif they got down there and freed Lock, and he attacked them¡­ Well, Emmett would have no choice. He wouldn¡¯t let Lock hurt his friends. But it was one thing to tell himself that, and another thing entirely when Emmett imagined fighting his friend. Unbidden, a column of nanites rose to the side of Emmett. Instead of a formless pillar, this had shape¡ªa humanoid shape. The ghostly silhouette stared back at Emmett. Taunting him. Emmett lunged, lashing out with a full force punch. He hit it square in the chest, and the specter exploded in a shower of nanites. It rippled across the rest of the mass, causing the entire room to quiver. Emmett shook his head. The nanites weren¡¯t taunting him; they were just responding to him. They didn¡¯t have a mind of their own. Emmett had wanted something to punch, and they¡¯d built it for him. But there was something else there. Emmett willed the column to form again. He ordered it to hold its shape, then he punched it again. This time, Emmett eased up and aimed for its shoulder. Chunks of nanites flew away, but the black silhouette held together. He gave it a moment to reform before striking it again. And again. Each strike blasted away chunks of material, but the swarm eagerly filled in the gaps. The room was full of material¡ª Full of armor. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°TINA, I need simulations.¡± ¡°Already running them.¡± Emmett extended his whip, spinning and lashing out at the nanite specter. The whip cut gashes across it, but nanites seeped in and filled the wounds. Emmett alternated between punches, kicks, and whip strikes. All the while, his maelstrom grew faster. The nanite silhouette kept up. Emmett¡¯s wild grin turned into a cackle. As he fought, he could feel the nanites changing their arrangement. The nanites along the walls were inert and clumped together. When they saturated the environment, they would spread out until their numbers were too thin to be seen by the naked eye. Now their arrangement was changing again. If it weren¡¯t for his brain upgrade, Emmett never would¡¯ve noticed it¡ª TINA was testing nanite arrangements right now. With each strike, the nanites were holding together better. Instead of chunks, small clouds of dust were knocked away. Emmett redoubled his efforts. If TINA needed data, then there was no point in holding back. He needed something that would stand up to a Class 4 super. ~ ~ When Emmett asked Clara for help, he was shaking with excitement or nervousness. She couldn¡¯t remember the last time she¡¯d seen him so worked up. Clara leapt up from her seat on the floor. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Emmett¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh. Nothing¡¯s wrong. I need you to help me test something.¡± Clara sighed with relief. She moved to follow Emmett, but he stopped her. ¡°I need you to put on your thinsuit.¡± Clara went and put on her suit, then came back to the living room. Emmett looked her up and down, his eyes lingering long enough to make her blush beneath her helmet. She pushed past him and leapt through the gateway. This time, she didn¡¯t need to tuck and roll. She hit the floor with a soft thud and crouched into a superhero-landing. Clara¡¯s eyes went wide behind her helmet. The swarm of nanites covered every surface of the demiplane like a sea of black ink. The nanites sloshed like water, but the motion was slightly off, almost like a video game lagging. As weird as it was, it made sense¡ªthe nanites weren¡¯t liquid, so they didn¡¯t behave quite like a liquid. Still, the movements almost made her nauseous. Hadn¡¯t TINA warned Emmett about pushing himself too far? Emmett leapt down behind her, catching himself easily. Clara turned to him and tried to sound nonchalant. ¡°So, what are we testing?¡± Emmett stuttered, ¡°Well, I¡­ One sec.¡± Emmett stepped back, and the inky water flowed toward him. It crawled up his legs and quickly coated his entire body. It grew thicker and thicker until he looked like an ink-black snowman. Then the swarm began to thin. Slowly, Emmett¡¯s shape came back. He turned from snowman to silhouette. Only then did some color come back to his face and clothes. The dark nanites were still there, but the layering gave the illusion that Emmett was made of black glass. Clara¡¯s mouth had been open the entire time. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright under all that?¡± ¡°Just like wearing an exosuit.¡± Emmett¡¯s voice wavered like he was underwater. ¡°Say something else.¡± ¡°...Something else.¡± There was still a slight oscillation to his voice, but it was better already. ¡°You¡¯re going to need TINA to help you with that,¡± Clara said. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯re underwater.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± ¡°And you need more camouflage nanites to cover all that.¡± ¡°Also noted¡­ Now, I need you to hit me as hard as you can.¡± Clara scoffed. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that.¡± Emmett shifted uneasily on his feet. ¡°Maybe start at half strength.¡± Clara obliged him. Scales in the back of her suit opened up, sending her forward in a burst of speed. Emmett flinched, but his arms stayed at his sides. Clara briefly considered punching him in the stomach, but settled for his shoulder. The fist of her thinsuit slammed into Emmett¡¯s shoulder with a crack. He twisted slightly under the impact, but much less than Clara expected. There was a shallow crater left over from the impact. Shards of black glass fell out of it, but the structure was already reforming. The impact had felt exactly like punching glass¡ªlayers and layers of it. Emmett¡¯s shoulder reformed in just over a second. He held out a hand and beckoned her to try again. ¡°I think you can go all out this time.¡± Clara smiled and didn¡¯t hesitate. She leapt forward in a hail of rocket-powered punches and kicks. Each impact sounded like a gunshot and sent shards of armor scattering across the room. Emmett kept his guard up, turning his body so that she couldn¡¯t hit the same spot twice. Soon, the onslaught ramped up until the impacts sounded like machinegun fire and shards of armor fell like rain. Emmett weathered it all. The armor¡¯s resistance was impressive enough, but its speed was something else entirely. His armor reformed as fast as Clara could damage it. Finally, Emmett put his hands behind his back. ¡°Go on. Try to break through.¡± Clara was breathing heavily and her skin was hot beneath her armor, but she wasn¡¯t done yet. Now, she had something to prove. Clara rocketed forward, throwing her weight and all her thrust behind her punches. Thrusters opened up all across her thinsuit, some propelling her strikes, others quickening her recoil. She targeted his chest and core. Emmett braced himself, but otherwise didn¡¯t dodge. Shards of armor crumbled away, but it was like trying to dig a hole in sandy ground¡ªthe armor refilled faster than she could break it. It could have been her imagination, but it felt like the armor had gotten even stronger since they¡¯d started testing it. Either TINA was improving it in real time, which was absolutely unfair, or Clara was tiring out. She relented and stepped back. Her chest heaved with exertion and sweat clung to her beneath her armor. ¡°Alright. Enough. It works. Clearly.¡± Emmett stared at the obsidian-black armor. It rippled as he turned his hand over and inspected it. ¡°Is it good enough, TINA?¡± ¡°Class 4 durability, as long as you keep the swarm topped off.¡± Emmett chuckled with satisfaction, and the swarm disengaged. It looked like the armor was literally melting off of his body, revealing the man underneath. Clara pulled back her helmet. She wanted to look at him with her own eyes¡ªthe man who had come so far in such a short time. ¡°Dad would be proud.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll show him, one day.¡± Clara looked up at Emmett. The air between them felt charged with heat and electricity. Despite all the obstacles in their way and the odds stacked against them, she believed Emmett. One day, they would show Dr. Venture just how far they¡¯d come. Emmett reached out for her hand. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s celebrate. I¡¯ll buy you dinner. My treat.¡± Clara narrowed her eyes. ¡°You mean you¡¯ll make noodles again.¡± Emmett smirked. ¡°Maybe.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.45 — News Break [Local News Break ¡ª 5 o¡¯clock News] [Camera view of the new Belport Bulletin newsroom. Bethany Wonder sits alone at the desk. She¡¯s wearing a green blouse with her blond hair pulled back into a bun. Her expression is somber. Bethany shuffles her papers before beginning.] ¡°It¡¯s August in Belport, and it¡¯s hard to believe that the Summer is nearly over. Cities all along the Atlantic coast have spent the season rebuilding¡ªour great city is no different. Shops are reopening in the downtown area and we¡¯re being told that almost all residents have been cleared to return to their homes. "This weekend, the city of Belport will host a deeply poignant memorial service to honor those who lost their lives during the devastating war with the Deep Ones. The service, which is expected to draw thousands of attendees, will take place at the newly constructed Memorial Plaza, a site that has quickly become a symbol of the city¡¯s resilience and determination to rebuild.¡± [The broadcast cuts to scenes from Belport, where workers are putting the finishing touches on the Memorial Plaza. The plaza features a towering monument, its surface etched with the names of the fallen. The monument rises out of a reflecting pool.] "City officials have invited families of the victims, survivors, and all citizens to join in a day of remembrance. The ceremony will include speeches from local leaders, a moment of silence, and a candlelight vigil that will illuminate the plaza as the sun sets over the Atlantic. ¡°For the people of Belport, this service represents not just a time to mourn, but also a moment to reflect on the strength and unity that has carried them through the darkest of times. We will be providing live coverage of the event, ensuring that even those who cannot attend in person can share in this important occasion. ¡°Our top stories tonight concern heroes, old and new: ¡°In a sweeping move that underscores the Allied State¡¯s ongoing commitment to safety and order, the Summit of Heroes has officially registered an additional 4,000 capes across the country. This unprecedented expansion of the registered superhero community comes at a critical time, as cities and towns continue to rebuild in the aftermath of the war with the Deep Ones." [The screen cuts to footage of superheroes of various abilities and backgrounds, each receiving their official registration from Summit representatives.] "These new registrations are not just numbers; they represent a significant increase in our ability to respond to crises, both natural and man-made. Among the newly registered are individuals with a wide array of powers and who come from all walks of life¡ªsome were seasoned veterans who had operated in the shadows for years, while others are fresh faces, eager to leave their mark in a world desperate for protection. "This expansion also serves as a clear message from The Summit¡ªone echoed by Speaker Rivera. The registration process ensures that every hero is accountable, trained, and aligned with the laws that govern our society." ~ ~ The screen cuts to a map of the country, highlighting the regions where these new heroes have been deployed. Most of the highlights are along the Atlantic coast, in regions most affected by the war.] "As these 4,000 new heroes take their places across the nation, the hope is that their presence will not only help in the physical rebuilding but also in restoring the public¡¯s confidence in a future where safety and justice prevail. "Our main story tonight: A significant announcement was made earlier today by Speaker Rivera, addressing the future of heroism and law enforcement in our nation. We now take you live to that press conference."Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. [The screen transitions to a press conference room. Speaker Rivera steps up to the podium and surveys the room.] "Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of this great nation¡­ Today, I stand before you to announce a critical shift in our approach to maintaining order and justice in our society. "For too long, we have allowed a dangerous precedent to continue on our streets. The era of unchecked vigilantism has brought chaos, and while some may have acted with noble intentions, the consequences have been too great, too many¡­ The law is the foundation of our civilization, and no individual, masked or otherwise, is above it. "Effective immediately, vigilantism in all its forms is hereby outlawed. This includes all unregistered masks, as well as those who have chosen a darker path¡ªvillains who prey on the innocent and disrupt the peace. The period of amnesty that we extended has come to an end. "From this moment forward, the only individuals permitted to operate as heroes are those who are registered and approved by The Summit of Heroes. This esteemed organization has been entrusted with ensuring that those who wield power do so responsibly and with the utmost respect for the law. "Let it be known: any unregistered mask or villain found within our borders will be apprehended on sight. There will be no more exceptions, no more second chances. The time has come for order to be restored, for the rule of law to prevail. "We stand at a crossroads, where the actions we take today will shape the future of our society. Let us choose the path of order, of justice, and of unity under the law." [Silence hangs in the air as the gravity of the announcement sets in. Speaker Rivera steps back from the podium and turns to leave. [The press corps erupts into a flurry of questions and camera flashes, but Rivera has already walked off stage.] ~ ~ [Video feed transitions to statements and reactions from Summit Capes. [Ocean Guardian appears stoic and resolved.] "The sea may be unpredictable, but our response to threats should not be. Vigilantes, despite their bravery, lack the oversight necessary to prevent unintended consequences. By bringing all heroes under one banner, we can ensure that the protection of our citizens is consistent and lawful." [Amarque runs a hand through his hair, obviously distraught by the question.] "Look, I get it¡ªplaying hero in the shadows might feel cool, but it¡¯s reckless. You want to make a difference? Stop pretending you¡¯re in some action movie and join the professionals. The Summit¡¯s where the real work gets done. Otherwise, don¡¯t be surprised when the law catches up with you." [Sage appears on screen. Below her name it states that she is a newly registered member of the Summit of Heroes.] "I was once like them, working on my own, but I¡¯ve seen firsthand how much more effective we can be when we work together. I¡¯ve only recently joined the Summit, so I know what it¡¯s like to be on the outside, trying to do good without the backing of an established organization. When I was on my own, I thought I could handle everything, but the truth is, going solo only takes you so far. Without the resources, intel, and support that the Summit provides, you end up fighting battles with one hand tied behind your back. "Since joining, I¡¯ve seen firsthand the difference it makes to have a team behind you. The training, the shared knowledge, the coordination¡ªit¡¯s all crucial. As much as we want to believe we can do it all alone, the reality is, we¡¯re stronger together. Vigilantes might mean well, but without oversight and collaboration, they¡¯re risking not just their own lives but the safety of the people they¡¯re trying to protect. "For me, joining the Summit was a humbling experience. I had to learn that being a hero isn¡¯t just about power¡ªit¡¯s about responsibility and being part of something bigger. I encourage those still out there on their own to consider making the leap. It¡¯s not about giving up your independence; it¡¯s about amplifying your impact by working within a system designed to protect everyone. Trust me, the difference it makes is night and day." [Midas, the leader of the Binary Brotherhood, pushes up his glasses. His expression is stark and serious.] "The decision to outlaw vigilantes was not made lightly. As much as we respect those who have taken it upon themselves to protect their communities, we must prioritize accountability and public safety. The new laws are about ensuring that every hero is held to the same standard of responsibility and transparency. Power, without checks and balances, leads to chaos. By requiring registration, we ensure that every hero is trained, monitored, and supported. It¡¯s about preventing misuse of power and protecting the public." ¡°Some may see this as the end of an era, but it¡¯s really the beginning of a safer one. The Binary Brotherhood respects this decision and we look forward to working with the Summit of Heroes. It¡¯s time to unite our efforts and move forward together." ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.46 — Clara 5 It was time. Arsenal, Mod, and Athena rode the eight o¡¯clock bus to Gnosis. To Clara, it felt like she was wearing layers of disguises. To the other riders on the bus, she looked like a normal business woman¡ªone that had just woken up and was hiding behind an oversized pair of sunglasses. But beneath her nanite disguise she was clad in high-tech armor. Clara could feel the thinsuit breathing for her, helping her manage the anxiety that was threatening to boil through her skin. And she could feel the prototype pieces¡ªthe gauntlets flexing around her hands. And beneath the disguise and the armor, she was nervous. Clara was doing everything she could to control her breathing and her heart rate. Athena and Mod sat on either side of her. Despite having her own magic outfit, Athena also wore a nanite disguise. Athena¡¯s arms were folded across her chest, and her foot bounced idly. Three suitcases sat at their feet. Meanwhile, Mod was as cool and still as a machine. ~ The group got off the bus and walked the rest of the block to their destination. At some point, their disguises switched to business attire. All three had opted for well-tailored black suits. The Belport Gnosis headquarters looked more like a military compound than a pharmaceutical company. The buildings were pristine white and barren of anything except the Gnosis logo¡ªa white square with a simple, blurry face staring back. And the entire perimeter was ringed with razor wire and guards armed with rifles and military body armor. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena walked down the sidewalk and filed into the stream of Gnosis employees. Mod led the way, followed closely by Clara and Athena. Each carried a suitcase. All the while, TINA directed them. Clara glanced across the street to the parking garage. Biomechs and drones buzzed around it, and Ava Savanus¡¯s massive ship still hung cloaked in the air above it. It was the shape of a figure-eight, sleek and alien, and it glowed like an ominous blue sun in Clara¡¯s UV vision¡ª Over her home. To her left, the Binary Brotherhood hung triumphant. Biomechs and drones buzzed like insects over a hive. They¡¯d hollowed out Clara¡¯s home, usurped her father, and turned it into their lair. To her right, the vampires of Gnosis continued thousands of years of hiding in plain sight. Of feeding on humanity¡¯s blood and strength. Clara had never felt smaller than she did in that moment, walking the street outside her childhood home, sandwiched between two of the most oppressive forces in the word¡ª The monsters of new and old. Clara had to force herself to stand up straight and not to cower. She followed Mod¡¯s lead. His shoulders were relaxed, and he looked like he was out for a leisurely stroll. Like a Class 4 super that didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Clara heard Athena¡¯s footsteps behind her. Steady. Heavy. A warrior who¡¯d been alive as long as the oldest vampires and was probably deadlier than any of them. Clara may have been flanked on either side by Gnosis and the Brotherhood, but she walked with monsters of her own. She felt the metal cocoon of the thinsuit. Felt her power breathing through it. The power of the sun swelled in her chest. And Arsenal remembered that she was a monster too. ~ There were two checkpoints to get into Gnosis¡ªone outside the building and another inside the building. Outside, there were separate checkpoints for cars and pedestrians. They followed the stream of employees down the sidewalk to the turnstiles. One by one, each employee scanned their ID badge and was buzzed through by the system. Step-by-step, Arsenal marched to the turnstile. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Just breathe,¡± TINA said in their earpieces. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡± Over the past week, TINA had made them each an identification card and added fake employees to Gnosis¡¯s system. Mod scanned his fake ID, then went through the turnstile. Then Arsenal. Then Athena. One by one, they all went through. ¡°Clear,¡± TINA replied. ¡°Are you in?¡± Mod asked. ¡°Yes. By the time you get inside, their systems will be mine.¡± The group followed the flow of pedestrians until they got to the main doors. They stopped short and took an abrupt right turn and followed the outer wall of the building. They had ways around everything, answers for everything¡ª Except metal detectors. Even with all the upgrades and progress that TINA and Emmett had made since the war, they still didn¡¯t have a reliable way to shield their supersuits or Emmett¡¯s body from detection. Their nanite disguises could fool people and cameras, but couldn¡¯t hide the metal beneath. So instead of trying to find a way through the detectors, they found a way around. There was a maintenance door on the second floor roof. There were enough maintenance personnel walking around the outside of the building that no one paid them any mind, but also few enough that they could find a moment to leap up to the roof without being seen by other people. Cameras were another story. There weren¡¯t any blind spots around the headquarters and there were even fewer blind spots inside. But that was what TINA was for. While the rest of them had been training and making new suits, TINA was finding ways to access Gnosis¡¯s security system, turn off cameras, loop video, and create visual artifacts. If she really flexed her processing muscles, she could probably render them completely invisible on camera. The real limiting factor was Gnosis¡¯s own systems. If TINA flexed too hard, she could slow the entire system down. Then someone was bound to notice the intrusion. So TINA kept her touch as light as possible. Even though TINA had explained exactly how she could pull off such a feat, it still boggled Clara¡¯s mind. Right now, TINA was scrubbing the three of them from at least four outside cameras. ¡°You¡¯re cleared for roof access.¡± TINA¡¯s voice shook Clara out of her thoughts. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena approached the back of the compound, and when they were around a corner, they leapt up to the second story. The three landed on the gravel, then quickly continued to the maintenance door. Arsenal expected Mod to snap the lock, but he surprised her by filling the lock with nanites. A second later, the door unlocked, and the three slipped inside. Clara felt a pang of jealousy from watching TINA and Mod. It felt like she was along for the ride. They passed through a short maintenance hallway and out into the headquarters proper. TINA and Mod led them into the main foyer. The second floor consisted of a small walkway that wrapped around the outer wall. There were a handful of rooms off of this floor, which Clara assumed were offices. Their spot on the walkway was secluded¡ªa good spot to wait while TINA started the next part of their plan. ¡°Set your suitcases down and pause here for a minute,¡± TINA said. They followed TINA¡¯s direction and stayed in place. Arsenal resisted the urge to gawk at the room around them. The main entryway of Gnosis was almost three stories of an open air foyer. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena looked down on white marble floors and ornate columns that stretched all the way to the ceiling. In between sat pieces of deep red furniture. It was beautiful, and slightly morbid¡­ From up on the second floor, Clara couldn¡¯t help but think of the furniture as blood splatters. It was a stark contrast to the workers that streamed through the room. Most were clad in suits, but there was nothing outwardly marking some as vampires and others as human. TINA assured them that she could differentiate them via skin temperature, but that was only within several feet. Workers streamed through the room. Others milled about, conversing with colleagues. It looked disturbingly normal. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena faced each other and acted as casual as possible while looking over each other¡¯s shoulders for security. Arsenal glanced at the paintings along the wall. All of them were swirling masses of red, set in a portrait frame. At first, she assumed they were some kind of abstract art for vampires, but the longer she stared, the more Arsenal became convinced that they weren¡¯t random. Even though each was clearly different from the last, there was a pattern in the swirls and smears. Like a bloody fingerprint. When they were making preparations, they¡¯d wondered briefly if a vampire would be able to smell that anything was off with their group. Thankfully, Emmett¡¯s skin completely enclosed his mods and prosthetics, so there was little chance of him being discovered. Arsenal¡¯s real worry had been her armor, but both her armor and the nanites were almost completely chemically inert, so they didn¡¯t have a smell. TINA reassured them that their disguise would hold. Smells needed time to build up in the air before they were detectable. Vampires had a better sense of smell than humans, but even they had a minimum threshold. TINA assured them that they would be safe, so long as Clara didn¡¯t let a powerful vampire get too close. And then they¡¯d be in biting distance. TINA¡¯s joke had fallen flat. But Clara trusted her. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.47 — Saturation Mod, Arsenal, and Athena stood on the second floor of the foyer, waiting as casually as they could while the nanite suitcases dissolved and saturated the room. Nanites dripped down the suitcases and ran like streams across the floor. The nanites spread out until they were too few to be seen by the naked eye, but they were highlighted blue in Mod¡¯s HUD. Each suitcase represented 500% of his original canister capacity, for a total of 1,500%. It was a stretch for Mod, especially considering that he was holding an additional 500% across his own body. He¡¯d successfully controlled a swarm this size before, but controlling it to do so many different tasks at once would¡¯ve been impossible. But he wasn¡¯t alone. TINA was helping him with the heavy lifting. She had already infiltrated Gnosis¡¯s systems, and soon TINA would have control of their hardlines as well. She would cut the silent alarm and then they could move freely, without worrying about security guards alerting each other or Gnosis sending a message to the Summit. And the cellphone signal was so bad in the building that calls were routed through Wi-Fi¡ªwhich TINA was monitoring. Mod checked his phone and saw that his signal was zeroed out. A smirk crept across his face. Arsenal leaned forward. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°This is why they¡¯re afraid of us.¡± Athena shifted uneasily on her feet. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky.¡± Mod shrugged, his fusion rifle shifting beneath his disguise. ¡°Is it really being cocky if we can back it up? Athena scoffed. ¡°We¡¯re an awful long way from done. It¡¯s too early to celebrate.¡± Arsenal said, ¡°He¡¯s right though. We¡¯re four people, and we don¡¯t even have the lab. Athena met both of their eyes. ¡°What makes you think Ichabod is going to let us walk out of here?¡± Mod and Arsenal shared a glance. Her face was unreadable behind her nanite mask, but he wasn¡¯t scared. Part of him wanted the vampire to try to stop them. When was the next time he¡¯d get to fight a Class 4 super? Mod stared at Athena. ¡°Are you afraid of him?¡± ¡°I think you¡¯d be stupid not to be. But it¡¯s not that¡­ He¡¯s got an angle. He had an angle when he decided to work with Venture, and he has an angle in working with us now.¡± Mod didn¡¯t admit it out loud, but the thought had crossed his mind. Ichabod could betray them. Maybe this was just a ploy to test the headquarter¡¯s security measures. ¡°He thought Dad could do it,¡± Arsenal said quietly. Her words hung in the air with absolute finality, so heavy that they sent a chill down Mod¡¯s neck. Ichabod had said that Venture had planned something. Something that could defeat every other super on the planet. That night, Ichabod had boasted about their allegiance, saying that Venture needed him¡­ But why the hell would one of the most powerful vampires in the world ally with a lone artificer? Gnosis had resources, money, and power beyond measure. What could Venture have possibly offered? Except¡­ Clara was right. Ichabod believed in Venture¡¯s plan. He thought Venture could pull it off. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. What had Venture been planning? Mod broke the silence. ¡°We¡¯ll find out one day. For now, let¡¯s focus.¡± ¡°Head down the central stairs and proceed to the back elevators.¡± At TINA¡¯s direction, the group started walking across the upper floor. It would take them approximately two minutes to get to the elevators. Mod watched a readout of TINA¡¯s progress in the corner of his HUD. She¡¯d have the security hardlines cut by the time they reached the elevator. They filed down the side stairs and into the foyer, slipping into streams of Gnosis employees. Mod resisted the urge to double-check his disguise as they walked, instead bringing up a small view in his HUD. His business suit was generic, and he¡¯d modified his face to appear middle-aged with just a hint of gray in his beard. It was good enough. Mod glanced over at Arsenal. Even with the nanite disguise over her body, Mod could see she was tense, and he felt the urge to break the tension. He whispered, ¡°You look good in a suit.¡± Arsenal chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad yourself.¡± Athena added from behind them, ¡°I hope TINA lets us keep these outfits after this is done¡­ And that we survive.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you keep the outfits.¡± Athena chuckled grimly. There were two sets of elevators: One set went within the normal confines of the building. The other set went down to the research wing¡ªthe lowest levels of Gnosis. That was their destination. Where Lock and the other test subjects were kept. We¡¯re on our way, buddy. We¡¯re gonna get you out of here. The stream of employees slowed as they approached the back of the room. The line for the elevators was backed up. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena shuffled forward, surrounded by Gnosis employees. For the first time that morning, Mod started to worry. This was one of the riskiest parts of their plan. If they lingered in the same spot too long, the smell of Arsenal¡¯s armor would build up enough in the air that a powerful vampire could smell her. Any queue or elevator was a risk. Step by step, the line shuffled forward. Even through his suit, Mod could feel the temperature difference of having so many bodies packed together. Mod sighed and kept his gaze forward, trying to act as casual as possible. Arsenal bumped against his arm accidentally, and muttered, ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± Mod replied. Then he added, ¡°Just another day at the office.¡± Neither Arsenal nor Athena laughed, and any chance of levity died as they took the last steps to the elevators. There were security personnel in front of the research wing elevators, each armed and armored. Employees scanned their ID badges before stepping onto the elevator. Mod took a breath before his turn came. He didn¡¯t let it out until he scanned his badge and the light blinked green. Another success. TINA had come through again. But each successive victory took them deeper into the compound and further from safety. Thankfully, Mod didn¡¯t have time to contemplate that as he filed into the elevator. Athena and Arsenal followed right behind him. A second later, and they were packed in alongside four other employees. Arsenal positioned herself in the back, as far away from others as possible, and Mod and Athena stood in front of her. The two men on the right of the elevator punched in floor buttons for everyone. Mod¡¯s group were the only ones going to sublevel 10. The two men got off on sublevel 2. Mod watched out of the corner of his eye as floors ticked by on the elevator screen. The man and the woman on Mod¡¯s left knew each other, and made idle small talk about their plans for the weekend. Coincidentally, those two were also vampires¡ªtheir body temperatures hovering around 95 degrees. Mod tuned out their conversation¡ª Until the woman sniffed, like she¡¯d caught the scent of something. Then she sniffed again. Mod turned like he was going to talk to Arsenal, and instead bumped into the woman, depositing a small cluster of nanites on her. ¡°Oh, excuse me,¡± Mod said exaggeratedly. She sniffed again. Mod turned to her and asked, ¡°Allergies bothering you?¡± She didn¡¯t get a chance to reply. The streams of nanites had been too thin for anyone to see and too light for the vampire to feel. But Mod watched through his HUD as they coalesced in the woman¡¯s nostrils. Mod wasn¡¯t sure if they were completely blocked, but she snorted and then promptly coughed. She nodded and muttered something, then both she and her partner got off on the sixth sublevel floor. Finally alone, Mod, Arsenal, and Athena breathed a quick sigh of relief before they arrived at sublevel 10. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.48 — Sublevel 10 There weren¡¯t any direct elevators to the bottom levels of Gnosis. Including the surface floor elevator, there were two more sets of elevators that Mod¡¯s group needed to reach Lock on the bottom levels. Each set of elevators had their own security checkpoints, and the next two elevators represented a problem. Guards and vampires weren¡¯t the only creatures in the compound. There were also psychics¡ªintroductory members of the Menagerie. TINA had only discovered the psychics after scraping E-mails. Apparently, there was a long-standing handshake agreement between the Menagerie and Gnosis, one spanning several decades and deliberately excluded from written and electronic records. Low-level initiates to the Menagerie would serve as an additional layer of security for the lower levels of Gnosis. These psychics were primarily used for monitoring the mental states of test subjects, but also screened anyone going into the lower levels of the compound. It was Arsenal that realized it first¡ªthese psychics were there to screen for shapeshifters and artificers. Anyone who might be able to bypass normal security measures. These initiates were just powerful and competent enough to read surface level thoughts, but not strong enough to probe the deeper secrets of employees. Strong enough to be useful, but not strong enough to pose a problem to Gnosis. TINA had run simulations using data stolen from the Summit and compiled from Emmett¡¯s own personal database¡­ And either way, the psychics were going to be a problem for their group. Mod and Arsenal had spent time training to defend against a psychic attack, but there wasn¡¯t any way to trick a psychic. They couldn¡¯t repeat mantras in their head or think really hard about something random. If anything, it would just make them look suspicious. Mod and Arsenal¡¯s helmets would shield them from probing or the off-chance that the psychics were powerful enough to paralyze them, but that same protection would also give them away. The psychics would instantly notice the shielding. Athena had her own training, and was wearing McGuire¡¯s autopinchers, just in case they ran into a powerful psychic. Mod¡¯s group stepped off the elevator and onto the floor. The lower levels of Gnosis had shed their prestige and decoration. The room was a bright hospital white, and their boots echoed on the tiles. There may have been conversations on the upper floors, down here no one spoke in the halls¡ªnot even to utter a greeting. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena didn¡¯t waste any time as TINA directed them through the wide and winding halls of sublevel 10. The upper sublevel floors were reserved for Gnosis¡¯s public-facing cosmetic research¡ª But the real work was down here. Occasionally, the long, winding hallways would branch off toward specialized research wings, each with a cryptic name etched into a plaque. The group didn¡¯t slow as they passed these wings, but Mod was curious. As his eyes gravitated toward each new wing, TINA would display information in his HUD. Sanguis Innovation¡ªresearch on artificial blood substitutes and general vampire supplements. Eventide Engineering¡ªpreliminary bioweapons research. Chthonic Genetics¡ªmapping the genes of the vampire virus and vampire spawn. Pactum Metaphysica¡ªvampire philosophy and historical research, primarily focused on cabals and their belief systems. Mod had expected biological research, but the metaphysics wing had come as a surprise. He wasn¡¯t sure if TINA was feeding the same information to Arsenal¡¯s HUD, but he wished they had time to talk about it. Despite their preparations, there was so much that they didn¡¯t know about vampires. Athena seemed to know more than she was letting on, but she declined to elaborate. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Then they passed one final offshoot: Crimson Horizon Project¡ªError: No electronic records found. Mod focused on the error message. He couldn¡¯t exactly ask his follow-up question out loud nor had he worked out a thought-to-text function to communicate between himself and TINA¡ª Mod nearly stumbled as more text appeared in his HUD. The only mention of the Crimson Horizon Project appears in personal E-mails between Gnosis upper management. Even then, it is only referred to by its initials CHP. Gnosis is even more secretive about the Crimson Horizon Project than they are about using Menagerie initiates. Had TINA just read his mind? Mod tried to focus again. He tried to ask her if that¡¯s what she had done¡­ But TINA didn¡¯t respond. After a few moments, Mod gave up. He would definitely ask her about it later though. They continued following TINA¡¯s directions through sublevel 10, passing two other cryptically named research wings: Noctis Engineering¡ªbioengineering research on solar protection. Umbralpolitik¡ªsocietal and political research. TINA said in their earpieces, ¡°You¡¯re approaching the next group of elevators. Three armed guards. Likely psychics. The rest of the floor is empty, but avoid gunfire, if possible.¡± Mod took a measured breath as they walked. Arsenal was right beside him, and Athena was behind them. They had a plan, but no plan survives contact with the enemy. The final stretch of hallway was a straight section, nearly forty feet long. There would be nowhere to hide, nowhere to take cover. And no telling exactly how long they had until a psychic saw through their ruse. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena turned the final corner. At the end of the long, white hall, three armed guards stood in front of the elevators. Instead of body armor, two of them wore Gnosis¡¯s own in-house light model power armor: Hardened impact plates, actuator enhanced joints, and personal rebreathers. They allowed the average security guard to carry more armor and a bigger gun¡ªenough to be a serious threat to most Class 1 and 2 supers. The third guard wore the same gear, but didn¡¯t wear a fully enclosed helmet. He was clearly the psychic¡ª And unfortunately, he clocked Mod¡¯s group as soon as they turned the corner. The psychic reached for his rifle and shouted. ¡°Intru¡ª¡± The guard only managed to get out one syllable before Athena struck. A forcefield as wide as the hallway slammed into them, throwing them backward and pinning them against the wall. Wall tiles shattered. Mod and Arsenal were across the hall before the first shards of tile hit the floor. Mod went for the psychic first. Athena¡¯s barrier flickered and Mod slammed a nanite-covered fist into the man¡¯s chest. Nanites covered his body armor and crawled up to his face. The other two guards didn¡¯t fare much better despite their armor. Athena had reformed two smaller barriers and slammed them into the heavily armed guards. Arsenal was on one of them a split second later. Her thinsuit flared as she ripped off parts of the man¡¯s armor. Mod tossed a clump of nanites at Arsenal¡¯s target, then turned toward the final guard. The man hissed, baring long vampiric canines. That was all he got to do. Mod punched him in the sternum, shattering his ceramic body armor and throwing the man back against the wall for the third time. In that split second, Mod felt his cognition speeding up and the world slowing down. He took in the vampire¡¯s subtle reactions¡ªhow he winced and recoiled from the impact. Mod wanted to take him out of the fight without killing him, and now Mod knew exactly how hard to hit him. Mod hit him twice more, barely letting the vampire¡¯s feet touch the ground, before bringing an overhead strike down across his shoulder. The man folded like a broken toy and slumped to the ground. Nanites covered his face a moment later. Arsenal¡¯s guard and the psychic were out of commission too. Nanites covered their eyes, ears, mouth, and throat. The psychic¡¯s head was completely covered, except for a small airhole. With any luck, that would keep them from calling out psychically. Arsenal took their radios for good measure. Mod asked, ¡°TINA, how are we doing?¡± ¡°The security cameras are looped. That will hopefully buy you a few more minutes.¡± Athena said, ¡°We¡¯re officially on the clock. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°One sec.¡± Mod moved so fast he lost a chunk of nanites and had to wait for them to come back. NANITES 485% CAPACITY That would be enough to get them to the lower floors. They had to move fast, so Mod couldn¡¯t wait for his nanites to top off. If they got bogged down somewhere, then he could make more nanites. Mod turned and followed his allies into the second set of elevators. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.49 — Ichabod 2 Ichabod sat at his desk, chin propped up in his hands. Waiting. He¡¯d developed a routine over the past weeks. He¡¯d seclude himself in his torpor room to pass some hours. Then he¡¯d pace the halls throughout the night. Finally, he¡¯d sulk at his desk until madness took him. Then he would repeat the cycle. The regular operations of Gnosis held little interest for the elder vampire. Even the experiments and analysis surrounding Subject LH¡¯s had stalled. They were no closer to understanding Lachlan¡¯s changes. Dr. Carter reassured them that a breakthrough could come at any time. Footsteps outside the office door brought Ichabod back to the moment. He recognized Enola by the cadence and weight of her footfalls. Her suit jacket ruffled slightly as she raised an arm to knock on the door. Usually Ichabod heard her well before that¡­ ¡°Come in,¡± the elder said, before her knuckles hit the door. He didn¡¯t bother to move from his desk. She came in and shut the door carefully behind her, then stood with her hands folded patiently. His eyes lingered on her cherry red lipstick, and Ichabod finally felt the pang of hunger that he¡¯d ignored for far too long. Ichabod reached down to the lower drawer of the desk. His muscles and joints creaked like ancient wood as he pressed a button to open the refrigerated drawer. He pulled out a decanter and a lowball glass, then poured the blood substitute. He swirled the blue liquid around the glass before taking half of it in one swig. The finest Gnosis had to offer. Aside from the color, it tasted exactly like blood from the vein¡ª Except that it needed to be refrigerated to keep. Ichabod could¡¯ve drunk it warm, could¡¯ve let the rest of the bottle go bad. He had more money than he could spend in a thousand lifetimes, but he¡¯d lived through too many famines to waste a drop. He drained the rest of the glass, slaking part of his thirst, before turning to Enola. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re brooding, sire.¡± He studied her. ¡°Is that it?¡± Enola regarded him. ¡°I¡¯ve served you faithfully for seven hundred years. I can¡¯t remember the last time I¡¯ve seen you this¡­ preoccupied.¡± Ichabod allowed himself a small smile. ¡°Does it concern you?¡± ¡°It¡­ puzzles me.¡± The elder leaned back so that he sat upright and at attention. ¡°You¡¯re choosing your words. Speak plainly.¡± Ichabod meant what he said. He wanted her to be at ease. What was the point in having a confidant such as Enola if she could not speak her mind? But it was a testament to his conundrum that his words came out sharper than he meant, and Enola did not relax. She shifted uneasily on her feet. ¡°It¡¯s not your safety or your health that I worry about. I don¡¯t worry about an elder who cannot die. But even now, your words are¡­ forced. As I said, I cannot remember seeing you so. Dr. Carter is the only other one I can remember seeing so enraptured lately. Is that it? Are you contemplating Subject LH?¡± Ichabod¡¯s gaze had drifted away from Enola and settled on the one of the four paintings that hung in his office. This painting was a whirlpool of red, with leaf-like smudges of scab-black. A family tree of sires. Enola was too young, too new a sire in Ichabod¡¯s life to have her own dedicated painting. She was one of the last additions to this piece¡ªa small smudge on the whirlpool. A small drop in the ocean of time. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Enola, Dr. Carter, and others wrongly assumed the reason for the elder¡¯s apathy. Ichabod was accustomed to waiting. He could wait for weeks completely still while he waited for prey. Wait decades for political movements and scientific breakthroughs. And he could wait centuries for sires to grow. He was accustomed to waiting for those things. Patience was a muscle built over millennia, and Ichabod thought himself stronger than most. But since his meeting with Dr. Venture¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s some three weeks ago, Ichabod found himself restless. Which was something he hadn¡¯t been in truly too long. Ichabod tried to keep his tone more measured. ¡°Do you work for the Menagerie now?¡± ¡°No, sire.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think so. Don¡¯t presume to know my thoughts.¡± After a moment, he added, ¡°I have a feeling that Lachlan Harris is going to be inconsequential.¡± Enola straightened slightly. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind me saying¡ªI hope you¡¯re wrong, sire.¡± ¡°Your mind is your own. You are allowed to doubt, just as you are allowed to hope.¡± ¡°Thank you, sire.¡± Enola tilted her head. ¡°If you¡¯re not worried about Subject LH¡­ Is there something else on your mind?¡± Ichabod tried his best to conjure a reassuring smile. ¡°Nothing that need concern you.¡± Enola nodded curtly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave you to your musings. Sorry for the intrusion¡ª¡± A noise from the wall made them both pause. Beside Ichabod¡¯s hidden chamber were a series of small microphones and levers. Acoustic channels ran from each microphone to different sublevels. Levers could manually switch these tubes, further connecting the Gnosis compound. Even in the event of a power loss, different sections of the compound could talk to one another. ¡°Intruder alert. This is sublevel 10. Three guards down. Repeat. Intruder alert in sublevel 10.¡± Enola was across the room in a blink and speaking into the microphone. ¡°Sublevel 10. Issue a general alert. What are we dealing with?¡± ¡°A competent small group of supers. They ambushed the guards by the sublevel 10 elevators. They¡¯re incapacitated with some kind of magic. We¡¯re trying to identify it¡ª¡± ¡°Check the cameras. We need to know their capabilities.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t. The security system is bugged. There¡¯s nothing on the cameras.¡± ¡°What do you mean there¡¯s nothing on the cameras?¡± ¡°We think they¡¯re using illusion magic¡ª¡± Ichabod stepped forward, his voice placid. ¡°Have our mages verify. In the meantime, ready a response team for mages and artificers.¡± ¡°...Say again. Artificers, sir?¡± Ichabod smiled. ¡°Have you tried locking down the elevators or any of the rooms?¡± There was a pause as security officers talked amongst themselves. As the pause drew on, Ichabod tried not to let his smile grow any wider. ¡°We¡ªwe can¡¯t lock them down.¡± More talking. ¡°We¡¯ll have to cut power.¡± Enola added, ¡°Have the engineers figure out what sections we can cut the power to without compromising subject storage.¡± ¡°Affirmative.¡± Enola glanced at Ichabod, but kept her expression unreadable. ¡°How did you know?¡± The elder shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s best to cover one¡¯s bases.¡± The voices on the other side of the acoustic channels became jumbled and discordant. Ichabod took his seat again. He¡¯d contemplated going to the security station on this floor, but decided against it. With the possibility of losing camera feeds, staying near the acoustic channels was his best option for staying updated on the intruders¡¯ progress. Enola hadn¡¯t moved from her spot. She looked at him expectantly. ¡°Permission to engage, sire?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Before she could reply, Ichabod held up a hand to stay her. ¡°If they¡¯re going deeper, they¡¯ll be near our testing grounds¡­ I want you to wake every subject that is combat ready.¡± Enola tilted her head curiously. ¡°Combat ready or deployment ready?¡± Ichabod considered for a moment. ¡°Start with the ones that will cause the least amount of damage to the facility. If they exhaust our subjects, then you have my permission to engage.¡± Disappointment flickered across her face before she turned to leave. It wasn¡¯t often that a vampire like her got to indulge in violence. She was restless herself and itching for a fight. Clearly, she didn¡¯t think the intruders would survive a gauntlet like that. Ichabod was curious just how far Venture¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦s would make it. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.50 — Lockdown After incapacitating the guards, it was just a matter of time before they were discovered. TINA was working overtime looping cameras, suppressing communications, disabling alerts, and opening doors, but no amount of hacking could stop plain ol¡¯ bad luck. They¡¯d tried to time their approach to avoid the guard¡¯s shift change, but another employee must¡¯ve run into the nanite-covered guards. Mod had hoped that having TINA in their systems would stall them a little longer¡ªthey¡¯d barely gotten two minutes. Apparently, Gnosis had acoustic channels in the walls, like a vintage intercom system. Again, it was something deliberately kept out of written records, so TINA hadn¡¯t been able to plan for it. They¡¯d briefly discussed trying to clog the channels with nanites, but it would simply take too long and take too many nanites to do so. So they ran through the lower levels of Gnosis¡ªa section referred to as the Testing Grounds. They ran through the halls of Sublevel 23. Gone were the white tiles and blood-colored decor. Down here there was no more pretending that Gnosis was a makeup or a pharmaceutical company. Twenty floors below ground there was nothing but industrial concrete hallways with occasional panels for piping and wiring. Overhead lights flickered ominously, highlighting the pits and craters in the concrete. The air was dead and musty, but occasionally, Mod caught the smell of bleach. Doors whipped by as they ran. Each set were heavy and metal. Mod was glad they had TINA helping them navigate and open doors when needed. Who knew how long it would take to brute force their way through. It wasn¡¯t long before they ran into more guards. The guards must¡¯ve expected Mod¡¯s group to be further away than they were¡ªthey entered the hallway of sublevel 23 without their guns drawn. Mod¡¯s group practically ran them over. He hit each one with a nanite round, then Athena knocked them off their feet. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena didn¡¯t pause¡ªthey simply hurdled the downed guards and kept running. The next batch of guards was ready for them. Mod¡¯s group rounded the corner and was met with a hail of gunfire. They¡¯d taken position at a junction in the hallway, some even using doorways as cover. Athena grunted in surprise, but conjured a barrier to block the assault. Mod whispered, ¡°TINA, a little help.¡± On cue, the doors hissed closed, pushing the hidden guards out into the hallway and cutting off the possibility of reinforcements. Mod pulled a sonic grenade. In the split second before he threw it, nanites coated the gadget. He threw it high across the hall so that it slipped between Athena¡¯s barrier and the ceiling. it engaged a moment later. The whine of the sonic filled the hall as nanites coated the guards. Mod, Arsenal, and Athena advanced at a sprint. Pummeling the few vampires that had the constitution to stand. The lights flickered and went out. A moment later, red emergency lighting came on, bathing the halls in a bloody glow. ¡°They¡¯re manually cutting power to this section.¡± Both Mod and Athena groaned in frustration. Arsenal asked, ¡°On a scale of one to ten, how hosed are we?¡± ¡°Three¡ªif you move quickly. Rerouting now¡­ Follow my directions.¡± Directions appeared in Mod¡¯s vision, along with a small mini-map of the floor. They¡¯d went over the schematics of the compound before, and Mod knew exactly where TINA was taking them. ¡°You want us to go through the Testing Grounds?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the fastest route and the one Gnosis has the least manual control of. It will also have the most resistance.¡± Athena clapped Mod on the shoulder. ¡°Come on. I¡¯m not getting any younger.¡± Arsenal leaned her shoulder into the right-side door¡ªone that TINA had just shut. Metal crunched against metal, but the door didn¡¯t budge, not even when the back of her suit flared with power. Mod quickly leapt to her side, digging his heels in and shoving with all his strength. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The door ground open and shouts echoed from behind it. Apparently, Mod and Arsenal hadn¡¯t just been fighting the weight of the door¡ªmore guards had arrived and tried to push against them. As the door opened, a clawed hand reached around the opening. Arsenal turned and grabbed the vampire¡¯s hand. She rocketed through the gap in the door, and there were more shouts and a crash as she hurled the vampire into the other guards. Mod slipped into the room a moment later, riddling the five guards with nanite rounds. The group sprinted through the next rooms that looked like morbid doctor¡¯s offices¡ªwaiting rooms and a surgery suite filtered with red emergency light. Gnosis doctors and nurses hunkered against the wall as they passed. TINA guided them through another set of surgical suites and then what Mod could only describe as a prison cellblock. The long room was two stories tall, and lined with heavy, reinforced doors with bulletproof glass. Mod¡¯s pace slowed enough so that he could make out a few of the faces that peered back through the glass. Some of them were clearly test subjects¡ªsome with the elongated fangs of vampires, and two whose hair seemed to float weightlessly behind them. They were likely on the same mutagen as Hair-girl, from back at the mutagen warehouse. It felt like time slowed down as Mod looked at all of them. Had they chosen to be test subjects? Chosen to be imprisoned down here? How much of a choice was it really though? From everything Mod knew, Lock had signed up to be a test subject. But that didn¡¯t mean much from a corporation like Gnosis. They could make someone an offer that was too good to refuse or straight up blackmail them. It wasn¡¯t hard to believe that Lock would take a deal like that. He¡¯d been scraping by, working late nights to get through school and to help out his sister. Money didn¡¯t matter when Mutagen-X was going to drive you crazy in three years. Hell, Lock hadn¡¯t even made it that long¡ª TINA¡¯s voice brought him back to the moment. ¡°Mod, we need to get through the next set of doors. Use your nanites to open the lock.¡± Arsenal and Athena were already across the room and examining the large double doors. Mod was there a breath later. He pressed a hand against the lock in the center. Nanites oozed into it and then into the thin seam between the two doors. Mod took a deep breath and tried to steady himself. They¡¯d briefly played around with using nanites to open locks, but only on the small door locks in Athena¡¯s apartment. The nanites gave him a general sense of things, so he could feel the shape of the lock, but it felt a bit like fumbling around in the dark. ¡°Training wheels, right?¡± Mod asked TINA. ¡°This time.¡± He chuckled nervously as he fumbled with the lock. Nanites seeped into each nook and cranny, and soon he could feel the shape of the tumbler. The problem was, it was heavier than the small locks he¡¯d practiced with, and finding leverage inside the narrow confines was infinitely more difficult. It didn¡¯t help that footsteps were quickly coming up from behind. More guards entered the cellblock. The guards in power armor quickly took positions at the entrance and leveled rifles. Five vampires in the front didn¡¯t stop. They sprinted directly toward Mod¡¯s group. Arsenal turned and took a combat stance, but Athena had already thrown up a barrier between the two groups. The vampires ran directly into it, but it didn¡¯t stop them for long. As soon as they recovered, they pummeled the barrier while the other guards opened fire. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this!¡± Athena shouted. ¡°Get back!¡± Athena flicked her other hand toward the door. Mod barely got out of the way in time. Blue flashed between the double doors. Metal squealed as Athena¡¯s barrier cut through the lock. There was a second flash between the left-hand door and the wall that sheared through the hinges. ¡°That will speed things up considerably,¡± TINA replied. Mod didn¡¯t wait. He braced his shoulder against the door and pushed. His muscles strained and servos in his limbs whined. Metal and concrete protested as thousands of pounds of metal were forced out of place. Arsenal slammed into the door beside him and flared her power, but despite their combined strength, the door moved agonizingly slow. All the while, guards hadn¡¯t stopped firing and trying to get through Athena¡¯s first barrier. The sound of gunfire grew deafening. ¡°Keep pushing.¡± TINA¡¯s voice sounded like it came from inside Mod¡¯s head, but he didn¡¯t have time to contemplate it. A second later, he felt more nanites seeping into the gaps between the door, the ground, and the frame. He took a deep breath and pushed again. With the nanites acting as a smooth layer, the door began to slide outward. Finally, the door slid back enough to reveal a small gap. Mod and Arsenal slipped through, followed quickly by Athena. Then they leaned against the door and started pushing it back into place. Gunfire echoed through the gap, but Athena kept her shield up to block while they pushed. By the time they got the door half-way wedged back into the gap, Mod¡¯s legs burned and his chest was heaving from exertion. Arsenal didn¡¯t fare much better, despite her suit and power. They¡¯d successfully made it to the Testing Grounds. The large, cavernous room stretched out into the gloom. The only light came from the tiny red safety lights high in the ceiling. Arsenal huffed. ¡°You can cut through steel? Couldn¡¯t you just cut through the door?¡± ¡°Cutting through a lock and cutting through a blast door are not the same thing.¡± Mod barely heard their conversation. He was too busy staring across the room. He could see clearly through the darkness¡ª And clearly see the one vampire waiting for them. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.51 — Testing Grounds / Athena 5 The blast door scraped against the frame as Mod and Arsenal finished shoving it back into place. They¡¯d managed to make it into the Testing Grounds. Tiny security lights flickered high overhead. Despite the near-darkness, Mod could see clearly. His eyes widened as he quickly took in the sight. The room was massive, like a cave carved out of concrete. Half of it was set up like a parking garage, with three distinct levels, while the other half was open air. Concrete blocks and dividers littered both sections, reminding him of parked cars, lane dividers, and barricades. It was one thing to read the files about the place being used as a battle arena, but seeing it in person drove the notion home. There were signs of battle everywhere¡ªevery surface was pitted and stained, and there were even recently repaired chunks where the concrete was a newer shade of white. And across the way, a lone vampire waited for them. At a glance, she could¡¯ve been confused for a regular Gnosis employee. She crossed her arms over a well-tailored suit, and wore a look of arrogance befitting a CEO, a powerful super¡ª Or an ancient vampire. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was pheromones that vampires emitted or his enhanced cognition, or maybe a mix of both¡­ But the woman ahead of them practically screamed danger. The sensation was almost as potent as when they¡¯d met with Ichabod. Mod remembered Ichabod¡¯s words that he was the only elder vampire in Belport. Elders would easily be Class 4, and a serious challenge. Most other vampires would peak at Class 2 or 3. As long as she wasn¡¯t an elder, that meant Mod¡¯s group should be able to get past the woman blocking their path. Still, seeing the vampire across the arena made him pause. As Mod thought about the question, text appeared in his HUD. Ichabod¡¯s right hand. Enola. Mod concentrated again, and TINA¡¯s text reply came almost instantly. Pheromone tracing. There was more too, information that came to Mod like a sudden insight or intuition, except he knew that it came from TINA. Ichabod had meant to meet with them that night, and the aura produced by his pheromones reflected that. His right hand may be weaker, but she was giving off the aura of a predator. She intended to kill them. With his enhanced cognition, it felt like seconds had passed, but Mod knew it had only been a moment. Arsenal and Athena followed his gaze and now stood to face the vampire. Enola called out to them, ¡°It¡¯s not often that someone¡¯s stupid enough to attack us.¡± As she talked, she began walking casually across the open air side of the Testing Grounds. ¡°By now you know that the entire compound knows about you. They want to use you as an experiment. I¡¯m supposed to unleash our test subjects on you.¡± There was another set of blast doors on the open air side of the room. She was walking toward it. A moment later, a clang echoed through the cavernous room. Something heavy and powerful hit the blast doors. Again and again, like a giant rapping on the door. There was a soft rattle after each impact¡ªthe locking mechanisms inside the door quivering with aftershocks. The vampire continued, ¡°We¡¯re supposed to start with the ones that are more restrained and work up to the ones that are not¡­ But I hate waiting.¡± Another bang and something inside the doors snapped. The double doors buckled. Whatever left of the lock was barely holding it shut. Arsenal said, ¡°We should go. Now.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Athena replied. The group took off across the room, but before they were halfway across, the blast doors gave way with one final bang. Thousands of pounds of metal were thrown free, skidding and scraping across the concrete. A blood curdling roar followed. What crashed through the doors was a monstrosity on par with the worst things the Deep Ones had created, except that there was no denying that vampires had made it. The monster resembled a giant bat, except that it had four arms and that it was heavily muscled like a bulldog. Even hunched over, the creature¡¯s shoulders were ten feet tall. A head the size of Mod¡¯s body stared back, and fangs the size of his arm hung out of its mouth. Enola stood just beside the doorway and her finger leveled prophetically at Mod¡¯s group. The giant bat obeyed. It lunged toward them, its claws tearing chunks out of the concrete as it galloped toward them. It ran right at Mod. He skidded to a halt, shouting for Arsenal and Athena to get out of the way. He pulled out his bo staff, extended it, and flicked the blade switch. The monster leapt, mouth wide and fangs glistening. Mod dropped to his knees, letting the creature sail over him. At the same time, Mod slashed with his axe, cutting the creature throat to groin. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. It landed past him, stumbling and gushing blood across the concrete. Mod stood, hoping that the wound would be fatal. The monstrous bat rose to its feet. Gushing blood slowed to a trickle as the wound stitched itself back up. From somewhere behind him, Enola said, ¡°Mutagen V-4.¡± Mod turned to find Enola had closed the gap on him. She was some twenty feet away now, walking aimlessly with her hands behind her back. Her cherry red lipstick looked like blood across her lips. Both Arsenal and Athena stepped back, trying to keep both the vampire and the monster in view. Enola continued, and the monster seemed content to wait. ¡°It was the precursor to Mutagen-X. All vampire, no humanity.¡± The monster lunged, and this time Athena blocked it with a forcefield. The monster slammed into it. Athena groaned and stumbled, and then struggled to keep the barrier up as the monster slashed at it. At the same time, Enola attacked. Mod barely saw her move. The only reason he even registered it was her feet shifting a split second beforehand. Athena didn¡¯t see her at all. Mod barely intercepted Enola in time. He didn¡¯t have time to think¡ªhe just threw himself shoulder first into the vampire. Enola and Mod went tumbling over each other. From the wide-eyed fury on her face, he must¡¯ve caught her off-guard. She slashed at him as they rolled, her clawed fingertips passing harmlessly through his outer shield of nanites. Mod kicked, sending her hurtling away from the group. Arsenal rocketed past and met Enola with a mid-air flurry of attacks. Hardened bone clanged against metal as the vampire parried every attack. Athena continued holding back the bat monster with her barriers. She scoffed. ¡°Can we kill these guys, or are we still playing nice?¡± Enola finally hit the ground and took off in a blur. Mod flicked the switch, and met Enola with his staff. ¡°Incapacitate!¡± Mod shouted. Claws and staff blurred together, and it was everything Mod could do to keep up. Enola was faster than him and not by a small margin. She might not have been an elder vampire, but she was the most powerful opponent Mod had faced by far. Even blocking and parrying, each impact rattled through his bones and prosthetics. The only reason he was able to keep up was because of his enhanced cognition. She was faster, but he knew exactly where each strike was going. He even knew when to block and when to let a near miss pass through his outer layer of nanites. Arsenal tried to help, but Enola was too strong. Rather than risk damaging her thinsuit, Arsenal let the blows send her skidding backward and use the thrusters to bounce back into position. The pair kept Enola between them and kept her from attacking Athena. ~ ~ Athena had spent much of her long life fighting for others, and then spent even longer fighting for herself. But in all that time, there were few she¡¯d counted on, and fewer that she¡¯d counted as equals. The lady vampire was fast, maybe even too fast for Athena to take down quickly. Especially without killing her. Athena grit her teeth¡ªnonlethal was a handicap that Gnosis didn¡¯t deserve. The bat monster had attacked, and then the vampire had blitzed them¡ªmoving so fast that Athena barely noticed. Athena might have been able to get a barrier up in time, but Mod and Arsenal were faster. They¡¯d divided up enemies, taking the vampire and leaving the monster to Athena. That was fine by her. She could deal with monsters. Athena kept up a forcefield while she judged the monster in front of her. It was fast in its own right, freakishly powerful, and had a healing factor befitting an ancient vampire. Given enough time, it could break through her barrier. Time it didn¡¯t have. Athena wasn¡¯t sure if the monster wasn¡¯t particularly bright or if it just hadn¡¯t clocked how much of a threat Athena really was. Either way, taking down an enemy didn¡¯t get much easier than when it was stuck right in front of you. She would have to be quick. She wouldn¡¯t give it a chance to attack, a chance to escape, or give the vampire a chance to intervene. Athena¡¯s barriers had limits, most of which were self-imposed. The real limits were that shields couldn¡¯t overlap one another, and that while they looked and felt instantaneous, they did take a fraction of a second to create. She could also only summon a handful of barriers at a time. The more she tried to summon or the more complex their arrangement meant strain for her. She¡¯d taken an oath a long time ago not to use them to kill or to maim. She¡¯d gone to great lengths to use her power to protect people¡ªusing her barriers as shields instead of swords. And yet swords were so much easier to make. Athena summoned two barriers. They appeared simultaneously and parallel to one another. They passed through the bat¡¯s limbs, lopping all four of the front wings off at the shoulder. Blood didn¡¯t even have time to spray before she dismissed those and conjured the third barrier. She lopped off the bottom half of the creature. Its head and chest fell with a thump while the legs and pelvis teetered over. Athena reconjured a barrier between her and the creature, mostly to block the arterial spray that shot across the floor. It took a second for the monster to register the pain of what had happened, and the bellow that followed filled the room. The blood spray didn¡¯t last long. The bat¡¯s arteries cinched off and its wounds were already closing up. It would take much longer for it to grow back lost limbs. Hopefully, more than an hour or two. All Athena could do was stare as what was left of the monster writhed on the ground. The world had gone silent, and she was only vaguely aware of the battle still going on beside her. It had been a long time since she¡¯d cut someone. The sensation was somewhere between a twinge and a scrap, like stitches being pulled out. She seemed to remember nausea¡­ But in that moment, all Athena could think was how easy it had been. It was even easier than she remembered. Her tunnel vision faded, and the sounds of battle filled her ears once again. Athena turned toward the fight, catching glimpses of Mod, Arsenal, and the vampire. The vampire was still trying to get to Athena. ¡°Pop shot,¡± she called out. The fighters were too close together for her to target just the vampire, so Athena conjured a wide barrier beneath all three of them. It cut into the first millimeter of concrete¡ª Then she hurled all three of them upwards. By the time the vampire realized what was happening, she was helpless in the air. Arsenal jetted out of the way, and another barrier gently separated Mod and the vampire. At the same time, Mod pulled out his fusion rifle and opened fire with his kinetic shots. He fell to the ground while still firing. Between Athena¡¯s barriers and Mod¡¯s shots, they juggled the vampire across the room. At the same time, they shuffled the other direction¡ª Making it to the opposite door by the time the vampire finally hit the ground. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.52 — Enola / Running Enola had lived most of her seven hundred and fifty-nine years in service to her master and to the organization now called Gnosis. She¡¯d spent much of it as Ichabod¡¯s right hand after her predecessor was killed. Since then, she¡¯d lived a life of carefully picked battles and political maneuvering. Vampires were long-lived and their societies were proportionally slow and calculating. As one grew in power, there were naturally fewer beings of equal measure. At Class 4, there were few vampires or supers that were strong enough to give Enola a good fight¡ªfewer still that she could fight openly without risking political fallout. Her last few fights could scarcely be called that; they were shows of force against an uppity mage¡¯s guild. It had been roughly thirty years since Enola had been able to fight in earnest. To let loose, as they say. Not that it mattered. Vampires didn¡¯t lose potency with age like humans did. If anything, Enola was at her ever-growing peak¡ªslightly stronger and faster than she was three decades ago. Still, Enola had found herself excited at the prospect of a fight¡ª Even more so when she saw her master¡¯s reaction. She saw the same excitement and anticipation flicker across his face. When Enola saw it, she assumed Ichabod would intervene directly, but he didn¡¯t. He seemed content to watch¡­ He¡¯d been in a strange mood the last few weeks. Enola couldn¡¯t say when it started, only that it was a marked difference between his usual thoughtful disposition and this new brooding one. Could it be related to the intruders? The prospect seemed absurd. What possible connection could Ichabod have to them? But Enola couldn¡¯t quell hundreds of years of intuition so easily. And she couldn¡¯t quell her own excitement for a fight. So, she¡¯d went against her master¡¯s orders like an eager and unruly child. Instead of testing Gnosis¡¯s deployment-ready subjects, she¡¯d skipped straight to some of their combat ready, less-than-legal ones. And herself, of course. It had taken Enola only a moment to decide which bioweapon to test first. Before the success of Mutagen-X, there was Mutagen-V4. Once injected, it resulted in a product almost as strong, but one that lacked all reasoning and nearly all restraint. It did retain a predator¡¯s instinct and superior senses, a combination that earned it a niche in tracking and assassination. Their built-in killswitch and biodegradation were icing on the cake. Gnosis scientists called it the hound. For three decades, they were one of the company¡¯s flagship products. Then Mutagen-V4 was banned internationally. By that time, Mutagen-X had already been developed and surged in demand. They still had one hound in torpor storage. Enola ordered it woken up and released, then she used pheromone lures to guide it to the intruders. It arrived just behind Enola. Enola hadn¡¯t been impressed by the intruders¡ªnot at first. Enola had wondered whether she¡¯d even be necessary. Together, she and the hound had faced down the intruders. And they¡¯d lost. Ichabod was right. Two of them were artificers¡ªEnola could smell the metal. And the other was a mage or a telekinetic. For a brief moment, Enola had enjoyed herself. She¡¯d stood toe-to-toe with the two artificers. She could¡¯ve ended them¡ªshould have ended them. Enola thought herself superior. Then she saw the hound get butchered. A creature as strong and durable as she, cut down like a lamb. A breath later, Enola found herself hurled into the air, then juggled and being shot like a clay pigeon. It wasn¡¯t the worst pain she¡¯d been in, but it was a frightening position to find herself in. Enola wasn¡¯t quite fast enough to dodge bullets, but she was fast enough that targeting her was nigh-impossible¡ªso long as her feet were on the goddamn ground. No matter how she twisted in the air, the artificer¡¯s aim was unerring. She would¡¯ve expected machine-like precision like that from an elder, not a human. When Enola finally landed, she was on the other side of the cavernous room, watching the intruders escape deeper into the compound. Her suit was bloody and in tatters. Practically, all that was left was her body armor. Enola tore the suit jacket off and let it fall to the floor. Then she walked to the broken double doors. The ones that the intruders had forced themselves through and forced it shut again. Enola saw clearly now that the lock and hinges had been sliced through by the telekinetic. That super is going to be a problem, she thought. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it Enola grabbed the broken door, her fingernails digging into the steel. And she pulled. It didn¡¯t matter that the blast door was wedged shut. Thousands of pounds of metal squealed as Enola pulled the door free. Behind the door, other test subjects jostled for position, each pushing and trying to be the first to get through. As soon as the door came free, Enola let it fall. It hit the concrete with a crunch. And horrors poured through. The entire cell block of test subjects had been unleashed. They¡¯d follow the pheromone lures to the lower levels, seeking out the intruders. At the same time, the response teams for mages and artificers were coming down from the other sets of elevators. Their targets would be caught in between. She didn¡¯t care what their capabilities were; they were only human. They wouldn''t stand up to the combined might of Gnosis. If all else failed, they could unleash Subject LH. And if by some horrific chance that didn¡¯t work, then her master would intervene. But Enola wasn¡¯t going to let it get that far. She let the horde of test subjects barrel through the broken door, then she went inside the hallway. She went to the acoustic channel board and flipped two switches. Then she called to Spawn Storage on Sublevel 25. ¡°This is Enola. Override code 81. Align your pheromone controls with ours and open the vampire spawn tanks. Let them out.¡± The pause on the other end dragged on for far too long, and Enola repeated her command again. Finally, someone replied in a shaky voice, ¡°Ma¡¯am, how¡ªhow many do you want us to release?¡± ¡°All of them.¡± ~ ~ Athena strained as she cut two chunks out of the Testing Ground door. With the one door in smaller pieces, it took no time at all for Mod and Arsenal to push their way through. Then the trio climbed through the opening. Mod spared a glance back and saw the vampire pulling open the blast doors across the room by herself. A second later, he heard the wail of dozens of test subjects from the cell block. He didn¡¯t need to see them to know that all of those Gnosis subjects were coming after them. Dozens of footsteps and frenzied shouts echoed through the halls. They were going to avoid as many fights as they could. Fights would only waste their time. So Mod, Arsenal, and Athena tore through the red-lit halls toward the last group of elevators. They rounded the corner of the hall, expecting a fight. This time, there weren¡¯t any enemies waiting for them. The hall was empty. ¡°Where is everybody?¡± Arsenal muttered. Mod¡¯s group ran to the end of the hall and tried the elevators. Expectantly, the keypads didn¡¯t light up. So Mod wrenched open the closest set of doors. And found only darkness in front of him. ¡°No enemies. No elevators either,¡± Mod said. ¡°Where are they?¡± Athena asked. ¡°At the bottom.¡± Arsenal forced open the next set of doors. ¡°This one¡¯s midway.¡± TINA¡¯s voice came through their earpieces. ¡°All four elevators go to sublevel 29. None go directly to sublevel 30.¡± Athena flicked her wrist and cut the wire. The elevator near Arsenal plummeted and crashed to the floor. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she said, running toward Mod¡¯s elevator and waving for them to follow. ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°Diversion!¡± Mod, Arsenal, and Athena plummeted down the elevator shaft. Mod slowed himself with his whip. Athena hopped from barrier to barrier. Arsenal plummeted the last three stories and crashed through the elevator hatch. Arsenal slowed herself with her thinsuit until the very end when she aimed for the elevator¡¯s top hatch and crashed through it like a cannonball. Mod followed right behind and Athena a moment later. Mod barely had a second to process their surroundings after they landed¡ª But he only needed a millisecond. A group of guards had taken position at the end of the long hallway, and they were already leveling their rifles. And thanks to Athena¡¯s diversion, they were looking at the wrong elevator shaft. Gunshots rang out and stun grenades sailed down the hall. Two of the grenades landed nearby, but Mod batted them away with his whip. They exploded harmlessly in the middle of the hall. The guards had goggles on, which meant his smoke grenades wouldn¡¯t work. So instead, Mod responded by tossing a sonic grenade. He used the ensuing confusion to hit three guards with kinetic shots from his rifle before the rest of the guards jumped back around the corner. ¡°They caught up to us!¡± Athena shouted. ¡°Can you block the elevators?¡± Arsenal asked. ¡°Depends on how long you want to stay here.¡± Mod grit his teeth. They were one floor away from Lock¡ªthere was no way they were getting caught now. They needed to move, so Mod called out a play. ¡°Wrecking ball!¡± A blue barrier appeared at the end of the hall, and Mod and Arsenal hurtled toward it. A handful of the guards peeked around the corner in time to see two supers before they slammed into them. In such close quarters, Mod didn¡¯t bother using his nanite rounds. He used the nanites across his body so that every punch, kick, or whip was enough to incapacitate. Without speaking, Mod and Arsenal divided up the enemies. She was a blur, knocking guns out of their hands and guards off of their feet until Mod could get to them. Their bodies passed inches from each other as they circled around like a well-practiced dance. They dropped the twelve guards before they could fire a shot. Now they had a decision to make. The hallway branched off in two directions, and both would take them to the final stairwell. That would take them down to Sublevel 30. Athena jogged over to them. She condensed her barriers, concentrating on a single one at the end of the hall. Test subjects poured out of the elevator shafts, but quickly ran up against the barrier. At a glance, Mod couldn¡¯t tell how many there were, but they wasted no time in trying to cut and bash their way through. That was fine. In a second, they¡¯d be halfway across the floor¡ª ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.53 — Overwhelmed Footsteps echoed through every hallway of sublevel 29¡ª All converging on Mod¡¯s group. There were two hallways that led deeper into Gnosis. With Mod¡¯s enhanced cognition, he could separate out some of the sounds coming from them. Down the left hallway¡ªa group of ten, maybe more. Their footsteps were fast but steady. They were a coordinated strike team, and at least some of them were wearing armor. Down the right hallway¡ªa wave of footsteps rose toward them, the enemies scrambling overtop of one another to get to them. Mod recalled visions of the Deep Ones with their dead eyes and gnashing teeth. In the hallway behind them, Gnosis test subjects clambered against Athena¡¯s barrier. She held them back for now, but every slash and swipe would wear it down. And as long as she was concentrating on holding them back, she¡¯d be less effective at pushing forward. Their entire plan hinged on maintaining momentum. So Mod made the decision to go backward. ¡°Stay here,¡± he said. ¡°Athena, get ready to drop your shield.¡± ¡°What are you¡ª¡± Mod was already down the hall. He didn¡¯t bother pulling out his staff or shield. He leapt, and the barrier flickered. Mod sailed through like a cannonball and slammed into the mass of enemies. A vampire crumpled under the impact The test subjects couldn¡¯t see Athena¡¯s barrier, but they¡¯d figured out that they weren¡¯t going to get past it. So they turned all their frenzy and focus toward Mod. Claws slashed at him. Tendrils of hair wrapped around him. Barbs and acid sprayed through the air. To Mod, the world moved in slow motion. He¡¯d once fought a psycho contortionist who could elongate his body and bend into impossible shapes¡ªthat was who Mod channeled now. His fully unlocked prosthetics and coating of nanites allowed him to easily twist and slip out of everyone¡¯s grasp. And everyone he touched got covered in nanites. He swept through the crowd like a plague. In seconds, the first test subjects fell to the ground. The nanites had spread to their faces, incapacitating them. One of the hair-supers lashed out, her tendrils flailing wildly, bowling over her allies. Mod ducked low, sprawling across the floor to avoid the strikes, then using his own whip to tag other subjects. A vampire opened wide, lunging for a bite¡ª Mod head-butted him in the mouth, shattering his jaw. Another used some kind of psychic power. The world distorted a moment, but Mod relied on his other senses. He heard the tick-tick-tick of barbs firing and ducked under them. He smelled acid as it bubbled up in the enemy¡¯s mouth and twisted away from the feeble grasp of another. And he counted the groans of surprise as nanites coated their faces. The psychic distortion was over a moment later. Fourteen seconds passed before Mod tagged all forty-three test subjects. He was back at the hallway junction before the last test subject fell to the ground. Athena scoffed. ¡°Show off.¡± Arsenal gave him a fist bump. Mod checked his HUD and frowned. Taking down that many test subjects had cost him over half of his personal swarm. NANITES 215% CAPACITY He still had enough to armor and cloak himself, but if he had to take down more enemies, then he¡¯d have to start making some hard choices. Mod sent a silent command. He¡¯d been generous with his nanite attacks down the hall. Now, any leftover nanites converged on the elevators. They began eating away at the metals and electronics, and using the raw materials to rebuild the swarm. It would take time, but judging by the growing sound of footsteps, they only have about a minute to spare. A group emerged down the left-side hallway. Mod¡¯s intuition had been right¡ªit was a coordinated group of guards. Most of them wore body armor, but several were clad in mage¡¯s robes and held wands instead of guns. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. TINA called out, ¡°Specialized squads. Anti-artificers and anti-mages.¡± Between Mod¡¯s enhanced cognition and TINA feeding him data, he quickly sized up their new enemies. The anti-artificers wore exosuit-like armor. It wasn¡¯t as advanced as the stuff that the Ventures used, but it was clearly powered. Mod could see the UV and infrared glow of small batteries embedded in the suit. These same guards hurled sonic grenades and their rifles fired EMP barbs. Athena had already conjured a double barrier by the time the first shots sounded. But her shields didn¡¯t hold. The anti-mages had their own preparations. Their robes glowed with incantations, and they hurled no less than four different spells down the hall. One of which caused Athena¡¯s barriers to flicker. ¡°Get back!¡± Mod shouted and leveled his rifle. Arsenal had already shoved Athena out of the way. Then she slipped back around the corner and leveled her new prototype gauntlets. For the first time since the war, Arsenal fired kinetic blasts. Mod aimed for the sonic grenade on the ground and another one flying through the air. Then together, he and Arsenal targeted the guards. Kinetic blasts from both of them echoed through the hall. For a moment, it was chaos as projectiles flew from both sides. Some hit Athena¡¯s flickering barrier, but others sailed through the gaps. Guards in robes conjured barriers similar to hers, but they weren¡¯t as strong or as wide. It took Mod a second to parse the chaos, but then he could anticipate the gaps in the barriers. He ramped up the firing rate, punching through the mage¡¯s shields and targeting the weak spots in their armor¡ªthe small batteries in their armor, gaps in plates, and the mage¡¯s hands. One-by-one the guards fell. EMP Barbs struck Mod¡¯s chest and stomach, but barely penetrated thanks to his nanites and his suit. The barbs discharged electricity as soon as they impacted, but his chest was still mostly organic and all of his prosthetics were hardened against EMP attacks. He ignored the pain and didn¡¯t slow his firing. Arsenal shrugged off the barbs completely. Each one tinged off her armor. Ice shards and fire spells didn¡¯t fare much better. EMP NANITE LOSS -10% EMP NANITE LOSS -5% EMP NANITE LOSS -15% Mod cursed as the alerts flashed across his HUD. Without pausing, he shunted nanites to his back so that the barbs wouldn¡¯t affect them. He managed to shoot the last anti-mage, and the rest of their magic barriers went down. They needed to end this quickly. The footsteps coming from the right-side hallway had grown from a wave to a stampede. Whatever was coming was nearly on top of them. Mod pulled out his impact shield and sprinted down the hall. On the way, he pulled out a sonic grenade and activated it in his pocket. Most of the anti-mages and anti-artificer squads were already down for the count, and Mod made quick work of the six that remained. They were tagged and incapacitated before they could fight back. Then the horde caught them. Mod¡¯s jaw fell open. He froze and stared down the hall as the Deep Ones poured around the corner. Pale bodies clambered over one another, scratching and clawing at their brethren in a mass nearly as high as the ceiling. Long fanged teeth gnashed together¡­ but their eyes were utterly black instead of milky white, and high-pitched screeches boiled out of their throats. It took a split second for Mod to snap out of it and realize that these creatures weren¡¯t the Deep Ones¡ªthey were vampires. Even more information flooded Mod¡¯s thoughts. They were vampire spawn¡ªyoung vampires so starved that they were little more than living training tools. Generations of vampires starved into a frenzy and forced to turn others. With each successive generation, that bloodlust deepened until they became utterly mindless and consumed by hunger. Again, Mod shook himself out of his trance. He leveled his rifle¡ª But the vampire spawn were fast approaching the junction in the hallway. Right where Arsenal and Athena were taking cover. Athena was clutching her stomach. Bleeding. She¡¯d been shot¡­ How had he not noticed before? Mod¡¯s heart felt like it was going to jump out of his chest, and it was only because of his prosthetics that his aim held steady. Nerve impulses switched his rifle¡¯s firing mode and then altered the barrel. Instead of a solid cylinder of plasma, the tip of the barrel flattened into a thin line. Ports in his arm opened and connected to his rifle, making a direct line from his fusion canister. He¡¯d done the same thing in a desperate last stand against the Deep Ones. Mod pushed back the tide once. He would do it again. Hopefully, this time he wouldn¡¯t fry his arm in the process. He felt the world slowing down again. Felt like he was moving through soup. Raising his rifle felt like watching the ticking of a clock. Arsenal was faster. She stepped into the hallway and raised her gauntlet. Molten power erupted out of her, filling the hallway with liquid fire. The roar and the heat hit Mod like a wall. Mod recoiled as the world came back into violent focus. Through squinted eyes, he could just make out Athena stumbling back through the elevator hall, multiple shields wavering under the stress. The last time Clara had let go like this, she¡¯d melted a Class 4 monstrosity and an entire parking garage. He tried to yell, tried to reach her, but he could barely take a breath, let alone a step forward. Mod wasn¡¯t sure how many seconds passed, but the blinding light and scorching heat finally stopped. Deafening silence followed. He opened his eyes to find Arsenal standing alone in the hall. Beyond her, there was nothing except for molten concrete and smoke. Anything else, living or not, had been utterly vaporized. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.54 — Medical Attention / Enola 2 Guards struggled at Mod¡¯s feet, but couldn¡¯t get the nanites off of their faces. Meanwhile, Mod couldn¡¯t stop staring down the hall at Arsenal. The hallway beyond her was molten and dripping, and fumes were beginning to cloud the air. Arsenal lowered her still smoking gauntlet and turned back toward him. Her nanite disguise had been partially destroyed, and the half that was left redistributed across her armor. Mod just stood there, staring at her dumbfounded. ¡°What? What were you going to do?¡± Mod just shrugged, still holding his rifle. ¡°The same thing.¡± Athena stumbled out of the elevator hallway. She clutched her stomach with one hand and covered her mouth and nose with her shirt. She stared at the barren, smoldering hallway. ¡°Yeah, your way was less messy than mine.¡± Both Mod and Arsenal rushed over to her. Arsenal reached forward to check her wounds, but hesitated, clearly not wanting to burn her. Mod pushed away Athena¡¯s hands so he could get a better look. She¡¯d been shot twice. A barb was stuck deep in her stomach and another stuck in her thigh. Blood pooled around the wounds. She¡¯d also been hit in her chest, but her jacket must¡¯ve blocked the barbs¡ªthe only evidence was cracked shards of glass. Mod asked, ¡°How bad is it, TINA?¡± ¡°The wound in her stomach is worse, but a mix of clotting powder and nanites will patch both until we can know more.¡± ¡°Nanites?¡± Athena asked, gritting her teeth. ¡°Yes,¡± Mod replied. ¡°No. No nanites.¡± Mod scoffed. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this. Who do you trust more, me or Gnosis?¡± ¡°...Goddamnit. Just get it over with.¡± ¡°Mod, relax your whip and give me control. Arsenal, watch the hallways.¡± TINA wasted no time. She used the whip to pull out both barbs while Mod pulled clotting powder out of his utility belt. At the same time, he could feel a thin stream of nanites climbing across his whip. They were a mix of general purpose nanites and the ones from his blood. ¡°Take Athena¡¯s hand.¡± Mod almost asked why. Nanites and powder clumped at the end of the whip, then TINA jabbed it into Athena¡¯s wounded stomach. All three of them winced and let out a mixture of curses. Athena squeezed Mod¡¯s hand far tighter than he expected. Meanwhile, Mod tried to ignore the sensation of touching Athena¡¯s organs. For once, Mod wished he couldn¡¯t feel anything through it. While TINA rather brutally patched up Athena, Arsenal had positioned herself at the intersection of the hallway¡ªpartly to keep watch and partly to keep the fumes of the still smoldering hallway from reaching Athena. She opened the scales of her suit, creating a gentle thrust to push the worst of the fumes away. Athena grimaced as she tried to ignore the pain. ¡°Wait, Mod. What do you mean you were going to do the same thing back there? Don¡¯t tell me that¡ªah!¡ªthat little rifle doubles as a flamethrower.¡± Mod had been staring idly at the wall while TINA worked. He glanced at Athena and smiled sheepishly. ¡°Right. I guess you missed that part. Remind me to show you the next time there¡¯s a swarm of mindless enemies.¡± Athena half-scoffed, half-winced. ¡°So, am I gonna make it, doc?¡± ¡°Yes. You might experience some slight discomfort.¡± ¡°Ha! Oh¡­ Don¡¯t make me laugh.¡± ¡°Now get moving.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Mod pulled out his pistol. He called the newly formed nanites to him and sighed when he saw the numbers. NANITES 280% CAPACITY It would have to do. They didn¡¯t have time to stand around. Arsenal¡¯s thinsuit had cooled off enough by now that she could help Athena walk. Arsenal took Athena¡¯s arm across her shoulder. Mod took the lead as they trotted down the left-side hallway, past struggling and incapacitated guards. While they moved, he felt the twinge of pain from his own wounds. Almost without thinking, the whip plucked barbs out of his own chest and stomach. They clattered on the ground. The hallway of Sublevel 29 stretched on, and this time, Mod didn¡¯t spare a glance at the other wings they passed. He knew from the blueprints that glass doors led to office wings and reinforced doors led to other testing areas. Each surely had their secrets and horrors, but Mod was only interested in one. While they pushed on down the halls, he formed a question in his mind and received a wordless answer from TINA. Athena is combat ready. The bleeding has already stopped. Mod ignored the fact that Athena was clearly in pain and that Arsenal was helping her walk. Then he thought back to when the vampire spawn appeared. He¡¯d had a flashback to the Deep Ones¡­ He wasn¡¯t worried about it so much as he was distressed that it occurred in the middle of a battle. The time dilation you experienced is due to your enhanced cognition and the result of significant stress. The flashback you experienced is the result of trauma from the last several months. As our link improves, there are some things I can help you with¡­ Unfortunately, you will have to heal from the trauma on your own. Mod pushed aside his thoughts and tried to focus on the task at hand. One day he¡¯d get around to processing all that had happened to him since he¡¯d became a super¡ª Just not right now. Right now, he had a friend to save. ~ ~ Controlling the vampire spawn had been easy. Pheromone lures directed them to their target. Then Enola spurned them forward with her own overpowering pheromones. The spawn were the perfect mindless fodder. The only thing else that came close were the soldiers of the Deep Ones. An interesting case of convergent evolution between two separate species. The trap hadn¡¯t been perfect, but they¡¯d caught the intruders between guards, test subjects, and spawn. Sheer numbers should¡¯ve been enough to overwhelm them. But they¡¯d had other countermeasures. The intruders had been just as capable as fighting a gang of test subjects and a horde of spawn as they were at single combat. The intruders were powerful and capable. Their one exploitable weakness seemed to be mercy¡­ That belief had almost gotten Enola burned alive. The fire had spilled down the hall. Enola had a fraction of a second to get out of the way. She¡¯d ripped open a door to a nearby testing center and tried to escape into the next room. But the fire had gotten through before she could shut the door completely. Instead of spilling through the crack, it blew the door off the hinges. Both the door and Enola had been thrown down a hundred feet down the hall. Enola rose to her feet and popped her arm back into her shoulder. Her business suit, which was already in tatters from being shot earlier, was now gone completely, leaving Enola in nothing but her armor and bodysuit. Even the outer coating of her body armor was charred and flaking off. She reached up to fix her hair¡­ and touched bare scalp. Half of her hair was gone. Burned away. Enola left it. Her trembling hand fell to her side. Instead, she turned and searched the hall. She ignored the still-smoking concrete and melted glass around her and stumbled deeper into the office until she found the acoustic channel board. She flipped levers into the configuration of her master¡¯s office. ¡°Sire, they¡¯ve made it past special teams. I¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can stop them. Requesting direct intervention.¡± Silence stretched on. Enola¡¯s hand trembled over the lever. She double-checked the arrangement of the acoustic board, but everything was in the right place. Her master¡¯s voice fell like a gavel. ¡°Denied.¡± ¡°But sire¡­ They¡¯re going to sublevel 30. You¡¯re not suggesting using Subject LH¡ª¡± ¡°I am not suggesting anything. Clearly, my other countermeasures have failed. I want to know what they¡¯re after.¡± Enola flinched at his words, her chest tightening. She was one of those countermeasures¡­ And Enola wasn¡¯t sure that she could stop them. If it were just the two artificers, she might be able to ambush them before they got the chance to conjure fire. Enola unconsciously shrank at the thought. That fire would have killed her. She was sure of it. Then there was the telekinetic¡­ Ichabod¡¯s voice was stern. ¡°Do not impede them anymore. Do not interfere. Do not use anymore test subjects. Your only job now is to wait.¡± ¡°...Yes, sire.¡± Ichabod was right. Enola would wait. She would find out what they were after. She would learn from her master¡¯s patience. The intruders may outclass her in other attributes, but they were only human. They didn¡¯t have a vampire¡¯s patience. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.55 — Reunion TINA guided Mod¡¯s group through the rest of sublevel 29 and to the connecting stairwell to sublevel 30. The deeper they went, the more the halls reminded Mod of a prison¡ªeven more so than the cell block they¡¯d passed through. There was nothing but concrete and metal for the final stretch. They didn¡¯t meet any more resistance. No more guards. No more test subjects. Not a single soul. Mod wasn¡¯t sure how that boded for the bottom level of Gnosis. Mod stalked forward with inhuman silence, never relaxing his rifle. Arsenal continued helping Athena. The pair walked a healthy distance behind. Mod didn¡¯t complain. He was quieter, and he felt confident in his abilities now against pretty much everything that Gnosis could throw at him. Besides, Arsenal and Athena had done enough already. This was his mission. Lock was his friend. His responsibility. The connecting stairwell was a wide sweeping thing without rails, without piping. The group walked in silence under the red emergency lighting and soon they made it to the bottom. A set of blast doors marked the entrance to Sublevel 30. Power had been cut to these doors too, and they didn¡¯t have time to force their way through. Mod stared at the door a moment and formed the question to TINA. He didn¡¯t hear her voice or see text in his HUD, but the solution came to him. He pressed a hand to the door¡¯s control panel. Nanites slithered into the seams of the metal. After a moment, he concentrated. Power surged from his battery, through the nanites, and into the door¡¯s mechanisms. The locks turned with a series of thunks, and the blast doors slid apart enough for them to slip through. There was a single straight hallway, large enough to drive a bus through. Red emergency lights stretched off into the gloom, but Mod could see clear across it. Every two hundred feet or so, there was another set of blast doors. Mod stalked forward, scrutinizing the hall as he walked. His HUD highlighted near-invisible wear paths on the ground. Three rooms had been used extensively. Lock was behind one of those rooms¡ªthe one at the end of the hall. Arsenal and Athena¡¯s footsteps echoed quietly behind him. By now, the nanites had stabilized Athena enough that she could walk on her own. Mod pressed on until they stood in front of Lock¡¯s door. Then he pressed his hand against the door¡¯s control panel. Mod swapped to his pistol, then the three of them fanned out around the door in a breach position. When the nanites were ready, he sent power through them. The door slid open. Shouts came from within. Arsenal slid her pocket camera around and Mod saw the room through its lens. The room beyond was a large biomedical lab, but right now, Mod was concerned about the four guards taking cover behind an instrument panel. Athena looked over at Mod, silently asking if he wanted cover. Mod shook his head. Mod raised his pistol and his impact shield, then stepped through the blast doors. Shots rang out. The guards barely had a chance to fire back. Two shots clanged off of Mod¡¯s shield. By then, all four guards were writhing on the ground as nanites wrapped around their faces. Frightened scientists huddled on the other side of the room. All five of them were vampires. One of them took a tentative step forward with her hands raised. Her name tag read Dr. Evelyn Carter. ¡°We¡¯re unarmed,¡± she said, glancing nervously at the writhing guards. Another muttered, ¡°Please don¡¯t hurt us!¡± Mod stared at both of them. ¡°Don¡¯t get in my way.¡± Arsenal and Athena walked in behind Mod. ¡°I guess this is it,¡± Arsenal said. Athena leaned on a nearby control panel and stayed silent. She kept her eyes on the scientists. The enormous room reminded Mod of Venture¡¯s lab if Venture had specialized in biology instead of machinery. Control panels and wiring all lead to a platform in the center of the room where a giant holding tank stood. It almost gave the impression of an offering sitting on a giant altar, except that Mod knew it wasn¡¯t gold or jewels being offered. There was a shadow of a person through the tank¡¯s small viewing window. Long robot arms hung from the ceiling, each one ending in a serrated or pointed instrument. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Mod had been in a tank like that several times, except he hadn¡¯t been a sacrificial lamb. The longer Mod stared at the scene, the more certain that coming down here had been the right thing to do. It was time to get his friend out of there. He waved to Dr. Carter. ¡°How do we open the tank?¡± Dr. Carter¡¯s jaw fell open. ¡°That¡¯s¡ªNo. We can¡¯t do that. The subject isn¡¯t stable.¡± Mod waved to the door. ¡°You¡¯re free to leave if you¡¯re worried about getting hurt.¡± She stammered, ¡°Are you with Cabal of Michael or¡­ Are you with the Binary Brotherhood? What are you going to do with him?¡± ¡°We¡¯re taking him away from here.¡± ¡°No¡ªplease. You can¡¯t. He¡¯s too valuable. There¡¯s so much we can learn. He¡¯s not a weapon, despite what you might think. He could be the key to¡ª¡± ¡°In a few more minutes, Lachlan Harris won¡¯t be your problem anymore.¡± Mod¡¯s question and TINA¡¯s answer flowed silently. He instantly knew how to open the tank. Dr. Carter hesitated. ¡°You knew him.¡± Mod reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Dr. Carter, my patience is gone.¡± Nanites slithered up her shoulder and around her neck. Dr. Carter¡¯s eyes went wide and she pawed ineffectively at the coating. Mod let the nanites stop just below her chin. Arsenal shuffled behind him. Mod ignored her. ¡°Please be quiet. I need to concentrate.¡± Mod walked up onto the platform and stood in front of the holding tank. Seeing it up close made it apparent just how different it was from the tank Mod had been in. The walls of this one were some kind of steel alloy and the walls were almost as thick as a blast door. Mod peered up at the viewing window and could just make out his friend¡¯s face through the thick glass. His friend¡¯s face was covered in bone-like growths and a breathing mask¡ªso much that he could barely recognize Lock beneath it all. Mod slammed a palm into the tank¡¯s control panel. Nanites slid between the seams and into the circuit board. More streamed off of his arm and into the tank¡¯s locking mechanisms. ¡°We should wake him up first,¡± Mod whispered. ¡°I agree. We¡¯ll disengage chemical restraints first.¡± Several thin tubes ran from chemical storage to the holding tank. Mod sent a command, along with a small electrical signal through his nanites. Snaps echoed through the room as the tubes disconnected. Chemicals leaked out onto the floor. Mod called back to Dr. Carter. ¡°How long will it take¡ª¡± Lock¡¯s eyes flared open¡ªintense beads of white in the murky water of the tank. It took a moment for him to focus. His gaze settled on Mod and his eyes narrowed. Without warning, Lock reeled back and headbutted the tank. A dull clang sounded. The structure rattled, the platform quaked, and even the metal arms overhead quivered. A mix of gasps and shouts came from the scientists. Arsenal said, ¡°Are we sure this is a good idea?¡± Lock stared through the window again, expectantly. Mod commanded his nanite disguise to change, showing his real face for a moment. He held up a hand and hoped his friend still understood the gesture for ¡®wait.¡¯ Lock just stared. If he recognized Emmett, he didn¡¯t react. Mod touched the control panel again. Hisses and thunks sounded as restraints and locks disengaged. Freezing liquid spilled out of the tank, causing steam to rise as it spread across the platform. Mod sent more power through the controls, causing the door to open. Then he stepped back and looked at his friend. With the liquid drained, Lock stood on the bottom of the tank. Restraints and the breathing mask hung behind him. All his hair was gone, and his dark skin was covered in bony growths, like pieces of pale armor had been grafted to his body. Other swathes of his body looked like they were covered in scales or completely without skin and showing his muscle fibers. Steam poured off of his skin as the freezing liquid evaporated. Lock leaned against the metal and looked down at his body. He seemed relieved that Gnosis had left him a small pair of briefs. Lock stumbled out of the tank and caught himself on the platform. It looked like it took him a millisecond to get his bearings and shake off the rest of the anesthesia. Then he stood up to his full height. Now he was easily seven feet tall and towered over Mod. It was hard to ignore the unease bubbling up inside him. Mod didn¡¯t know whether it was Lock¡¯s newfound strength or just remnants of fear that he¡¯d felt during their prior meetings. Not that it mattered. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Mod asked. ¡°No thanks to you.¡± Mod ignored him. ¡°Do you know where you are right now?¡± Lock scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m at the bottom of Gnosis¡ªsublevel 30.¡± ¡°Good. We¡¯re here to break you out.¡± Lock ran a hand over his bony scalp. ¡°...You think that¡¯s a good idea? They put me down here for a reason.¡± ¡°We know. We hacked their systems. Read the files. ¡®Subject shows signs of severe psychological stress and confusion.¡¯¡± ¡°It¡¯s bullshit. They just wanted an excuse to keep me here.¡± Lock¡¯s gaze swept across the room and landed on the scientists. His eyes narrowed. Arsenal stepped in front of the scientists. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them. They can¡¯t do anything else to you.¡± Meanwhile, Athena had her hands up, ready to conjure barriers. Mod turned back to his old roommate and raised his voice. ¡°We¡¯re getting you out of here. Unless you¡¯d rather get back in the tank.¡± Lock smirked. ¡°Big talk. You must¡¯ve got some upgrades.¡± In the last three months, Mod had gotten a list of upgrades as long as his arm. He wasn¡¯t the Class 2 super that nearly died in his college apartment. Mod stared back. ¡°Enough upgrades to fight my way down here without breaking a sweat. Now, are you coming with us or what?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t bring enough friends to tell me what to do.¡± Lock stepped forward, his footsteps shaking the platform. Mod stepped in front of him. Lock stopped and glared down at him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Lock asked. ¡°Didn¡¯t learn your lesson last time you got in my way?¡± ¡°Guess not.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.56 — Reunion, Continued Mod faced down his former friend. Seconds ticked by. Neither of them moved from the steaming platform. ¡°Move,¡± Lock said. Mod didn¡¯t reply, and he didn¡¯t move. Lock¡¯s hands were at his side. Even though he looked relaxed, it only took him a fraction of a second to swing. Even with his cognition, Mod barely saw it coming. He twisted out of the way, turning the devastating hit into a glancing blow across his shoulder. Still, the impact shattered his outer layer of nanites, triggered the pockets of non-newtonian fluid in his supersuit, and still sent Mod skidding backward across the slick surface. Mod caught himself before he fell off of the platform. His shoulder ached. He rolled it once to make sure everything was intact. He could deal with pain, as long as the prosthetic was intact. Mod stared back defiantly. Lock stared back. A hint of surprise flickered across his face. ¡°...I tore the last guy in half. What¡¯s your boss feeding you?¡± For a moment, Mod saw his old roommate. Gnosis¡¯s laboratory could¡¯ve been their old apartment. It felt like springtime again, right before graduation. Like no time had passed. Mod almost went for a quip. Almost asked if that punch was the best Lock had. But they weren¡¯t roommates anymore. A lot had happened since graduation. Mod wasn¡¯t even sure if they were friends anymore. They¡¯d have to work all that out. But first they had to get out of here. Mod took a breath and held up both hands in a show of peace. ¡°We came down here to get you out. Are you coming with us?¡± ¡°Just like that, huh?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Twice, Lock¡¯s body tensed like he was going to attack. It was everything Mod could do not to flinch. Then Lock swung for real. But Mod was ready. Lock might¡¯ve put even more power into this punch, but Mod could see exactly where it was going to land. He stepped to the side, dodging it completely. At the same time, he left some of his nanites in the air. They left a ghostly afterimage behind. It wasn¡¯t a decoy or distraction¡ªLock wouldn¡¯t have fallen for either. It was a trap. Lock¡¯s fist passed through the afterimage, and nanites latched onto every inch of his skin. A sleeve of black oozed up his arm. If Lock noticed, he didn¡¯t stop his assault. Lock swung again¡ªa wide haymaker that would¡¯ve taken Mod¡¯s head off. Mod slipped under it, and readied for the next punch. Lock brought both fists down in a vicious overhead strike, only to miss completely. His fists slammed down onto the platform, rattling the entire structure. More nanites coated his face. There was no way that any amount of nanites would be able to restrain Lock. He was far too strong. That was fine. All Mod needed to do was blind him. Nanites seeped over Lock¡¯s eyes, coating them in black. He crouched low and wiped at his face ineffectively. When that didn¡¯t work, Lock roared and scratched at his face, tearing chunks of bone away, but more nanites just seeped into the gaps. Mod tried to move quietly away, but as soon as he took a step, Lock lunged in his direction. Mod leapt to the side, easily avoiding the tackle. Lock sailed across the room and crashed into a monitoring station. Glass scattered and metal squealed under the impact. Lock rose to his feet, tearing half the control box free and hurling it across the room. Athena used a barrier to direct it out of the way and it crashed into the wall. Mod tried again. ¡°You need to stop. Let¡¯s get out of here and we can sort it out later.¡± ¡°You want me to stop!¡± Lock¡¯s clawed fingers dug into the floor. With startling ease, he tore a chunk of concrete free and hurled it in Mod¡¯s direction. It wasn¡¯t close. Mod stood his ground as it sailed wide over his shoulder. It impacted across the room, utterly destroying a viewing station. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. Lock stayed hunched over in the wreckage. The gashes across his eyes were already healing, but his face was still twisted in rage. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop? You just couldn¡¯t leave well enough alone. None of this¡ªnone of it would¡¯ve happened if it weren¡¯t for you!¡± Mod clenched his fists. ¡°I should¡¯ve just died, huh?¡± Lock leapt forward and Mod tried to dodge¡ª But he¡¯d expected another wild lunge. Instead, Lock feinted, stopping short. He lashed out with a flurry of slashes. His claws hissed through the air, cut clear through metal, and dug gouges in the concrete. After the initial feint, Mod could read his opponent, but Lock was so fast it almost didn¡¯t matter. Mod could barely get out of the way¡ª Then he didn¡¯t. A fist slammed into Mod¡¯s chest, the impact hurling him across the room. The blow had knocked the breath out of him, and Mod barely managed to twist and catch himself on the far wall¡ª He bounded out of the way again, narrowly avoiding another wild leap from Lock. His former roommate crashed into the wall where he¡¯d been a split second ago. Mod tumbled across the floor and sent a command to the nanites around Lock¡¯s face. Leftover nanites flooded into Lock¡¯s ear canals, muting his hearing. Mod clutched his chest where he¡¯d been hit. Lock¡¯s claws had cut clean through his suit. Blood trickled down his hand, but he could already feel nanites stitching up the wound. Arsenal, Athena, and the scientists shuffled out the gap in the blast doors and into the safety of the hallway. Arsenal¡¯s voice came quietly in his earpiece. ¡°Mod, we need to go.¡± Mod ignored her. He lowered his voice to a whisper and allowed TINA to transmit his voice to the nanites in his friend¡¯s ear. ¡°Just stop.¡± Lock swiped madly through the air. He couldn¡¯t tell where the sound was coming from. ¡°Coward!¡± Lock slashed through a nearby control station as he ranted. ¡°You couldn¡¯t leave well enough alone. Did you feel guilty? Is that it?!¡± Mod stepped carefully away as Lock swung wildly. He¡¯d stalked across the platform, slashing through wires and cutting deep gouges into the holding tank. He hesitated, realizing what he¡¯d struck. Lock reached his massive arms as far as he could around the holding tank. He barely made it halfway around the structure, but he bore his claws into the metal. He cried out and pulled. Concrete tore. Metal screamed. Bolts snapped. Lock ripped the holding tank out of the platform, sending chunks of concrete and rebar into the air. For a moment, it looked like he was going to hurl it across the room, and Mod readied himself. But Lock hesitated¡­ Instead, he dropped his former prison unceremoniously on the ground, right where he¡¯d uprooted it. The impact shook the room again. Lock stared down at it, and even though the tank was bigger than him, he overshadowed it. His chest heaved, but his voice was quiet. ¡°You should¡¯ve left me alone¡­ You should¡¯ve left me.¡± Mod ordered the nanites to stand down. He took a careful step forward. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know what to do or what to say about all that shit from before. But I¡¯m here now. I can¡¯t just leave you down here.¡± Silence stretched on. Finally, Lock turned. The mixture of nanites, blood, and tears stained his face like warpaint. But his expression softened as he gestured to the tank. ¡°Guess I can¡¯t stay.¡± Mod cracked a smile. ¡°Come on, man. Let¡¯s get the hell outta here.¡± Lock wiped his face and nose, letting out an exaggerated sigh. Some of the nanites came off onto his hand. Lock looked up and asked, ¡°You need these back?¡± ¡°How about you keep them for a while.¡± Lock grinned¡ªan expression that looked more menacing than mischievous. ¡°What¡¯s the matter¡­ Still don¡¯t trust me?¡± Mod scoffed. He didn¡¯t trust Lock¡ªnot right now. But that wasn¡¯t it. He didn¡¯t need those nanites back. Mod replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been making more.¡± Since the fight, nanites had been breaking down the wreckage. Part of the original deal with Ichabod had been not causing excessive damage. Hopefully, Ichabod wouldn¡¯t mind him recycling some of the already damaged systems. He called the newly formed nanites to him. Nanites streamed across the floor, then climbed up his legs and across his suit. Lock watched with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. NANITES 365% CAPACITY It was good enough. Mod turned back to Lock. ¡°Look, we¡¯re trying to do this without killing people. Are you alright with that?¡± Lock rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine. Then we should go out the side entrance. Less trouble. I can show you¡ª¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± TINA said into Mod¡¯s earpiece. ¡°I have the route mapped for them already.¡± Lock obviously heard. He smirked. He pawed idly at the nanites around his chin but relented. ¡°Alright. You lead this time.¡± Mod led them to the blast doors, then called to Arsenal and Athena that they were coming out and ready to move. His teammates had taken position in the hallway. The scientists were huddled behind them and cowered under Lock¡¯s gaze. Only Dr. Carter spoke up, her voice quivering. ¡°Your body isn¡¯t stable. You need medical¡ª¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up,¡± Lock hissed. His fists were clenched. Arsenal stepped between them. ¡°She¡¯s right. Even if we get out of here, you¡¯ll need our help.¡± Lock took a measured breath. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll be visiting your old man.¡± Arsenal hesitated. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ The lab¡¯s gone. ¡­A lot¡¯s changed.¡± Mod replied, ¡°We¡¯ve got our own tools. Look, man, we wouldn¡¯t have come all the way down here if we didn¡¯t think we could help you.¡± Athena cleared her throat. ¡°If you guys are done with the touching reunion, can we please get a move on?¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.57 — TINA 5 When Gnosis cut power to the lower sectors, it had cut off TINA¡¯s access to the majority of their servers. A minor setback. TINA didn¡¯t need the servers, but they gave her breathing room. While connected, she could process data faster, multitask easier, and keep tabs on the rest of the compound. She could still do everything she needed to do, but now it felt like she was working underwater. She¡¯d managed, of course. After a summer spent scraping by with Emmett¡¯s skull and a few servers, TINA was used to holding her breath. No portion of this break-in was easy. Each part presented its own difficulties. They¡¯d managed to break into Gnosis and fight their way to the bottom levels. The hardest part had been doing so without killing anyone. ¡­Hopefully Ichabod would forgive them for slaughtering the non-sentient vampire spawn. They¡¯d also managed to convince Lock to come with them. Again, this was with minimal bloodshed, especially considering Mod and Lock¡¯s accelerated healing. Now, TINA guided them through the sublevels toward one of the four secret entrances of the compound. Mod led, followed by Lock, then Arsenal and Athena. This kept Lock in the center of the group, under the watchful eye of most of the team. Arsenal clearly didn¡¯t trust him, and kept her eyes centered on Lock the entire way. The secret entrances to Gnosis were primarily used by active test subjects. Lock confirmed as much, though he likely didn¡¯t know that there were four secret entrances. Each path was isolated from the main compound and had its own testing grounds and biomedical labs. If a subject were to lose control, having separate facilities isolated the potential damage. Mod¡¯s group made quick progress through the section, steadily moving closer to the surface. Instead of Mod using his nanites to power blast doors, Lock just forced them open. Gnosis didn¡¯t bother throwing any more test subjects or guards at them. As the group got closer to the surface, TINA regained connections to the hijacked Gnosis servers. Her processing speed and bandwidth increased. Cameras and sensors came back online. Time slowed down and the Gnosis compound and the outside world came back into sharp focus. It felt like coming up for air. And with it came the realization that they weren¡¯t finished yet. Enola was across the compound, pacing idly near an acoustic board. TINA searched camera footage and found Enola and Ichabod having a disagreement. Without sound, TINA could only make out parts of the conversation by reading lips. Enola was angry that Subject LN was escaping and that her master hadn¡¯t stopped them yet. Ichabod had sent her away. Now, Ichabod was waiting for Mod¡¯s group near the exit. He was alone, and he wasn¡¯t hiding. At their current pace, Mod and the others were a minute away from the surface, and TINA wanted to give them the best intel possible. She had relatively little information about the elder vampire, so she replayed and analyzed the interactions that Mod¡¯s group had with him, then did the same for as much Gnosis security footage as possible. Then she analyzed his motives. Had Mod and the others caused too much damage to the facility or provoked him by destroying the vampire spawn? Was Lachlan truly too valuable to part with? Was Ichabod reconsidering their deal or had the entire thing been a lie? Perhaps he¡¯d lulled them into the deal to use them as training data before taking them out himself? Seconds ticked by as TINA analyzed the situation. The results were¡­ inconclusive. TINA was about to send a warning to Mod and the team about Ichabod, when she extended her perception to the streets surrounding Gnosis. Squads of biomechs and drones patrolled the neighboring blocks. The bulk of the force was concentrated around the main compound, but several squads had staked out the secret entrances. These squads were holding back just far enough not to make their target obvious to a bystander, but they couldn¡¯t hide from TINA. She could easily see the direction of their scans. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Biomechs and drones alone would¡¯ve presented a challenge, but complicating things further were the squads of Summit capes interspersed through the area. TINA knew with almost one hundred percent certainty that Ichabod hadn¡¯t called for backup. He would want to keep information in-house¡ªa message was sent to all employees saying as much. And Enola likely valued her position too much to contradict her boss. This wasn¡¯t an accident. There was a mole in Gnosis, and they¡¯d managed to get a communication out to either the Summit of Heroes and the Binary Brotherhood. Now both were involved. TINA spent the next several seconds identifying the nearby capes and updating her simulations accordingly. Golden Boy was out of state on another assignment, but there was another heavy hitter among the patrols¡ª Kairon, a Class 3 telepath with possible ties to the Menagerie. TINA doubted that Kairon was an assimilated part of the hive-mind. Under Summit bylaws, members of the hive-mind weren¡¯t allowed to register as capes. The problem was that powerful psychics like the Menagerie could be infectious. Any psychic that spent too long around them would slowly be influenced until they could ultimately be taken over or assimilated. There was very little official information about the phenomenon. So Venture and TINA had run their own simulations. The results were¡­ damning. Venture had long suspected that the Summit was compromised, but he never had concrete proof. Psychic energy was similar to magic in that it was difficult for artificers like them to detect and guard against. An enclosed exosuit was an effective defense, as was a synthetic brain like Mod¡¯s. TINA had always suspected that Venture¡¯s increasing agoraphobia was from fear of psychics. In the last few years, there were very few people he met with in person¡ªnone of them were psychics, and each had innate resistances. Venture had been isolating himself and Clara, even if he wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud. His concern had been valid. Until recently, Venture and TINA had assumed that non-psychics were immune to psychic infection but the Freakshow had proved those assumptions wrong. Short-term psychic control was relatively common, and worked on different principles than long-term takeover. The former was akin to changing the volume on a radio, the latter to changing the station. Hive-minds were akin to rewriting a harddrive. The Freakshow had been the gestation of a new hive-mind¡ªone that Mod thankfully put an end to. Still, TINA shared Dr. Venture¡¯s concerns. Psychic powers were a blindspot in her perception, much like magic communication or the acoustic channels in Gnosis. . And TINA didn¡¯t like having blindspots. Another second ticked by until TINA reached her conclusions. Their group¡¯s overall objective remained the same: Escape. TINA hoped that Lachlan and Athena escaped with them. But her loyalty was to Mod and Arsenal. As for the situation: It didn¡¯t matter which capes were present. The Summit would play by the rules. They would try to incapacitate and capture Mod¡¯s group, avoiding killing and collateral damage. The Brotherhood¡¯s forces presented their own challenges¡ª But TINA had been working on a solution. While Mod¡¯s group was busy fighting their way down to the bottom floor, TINA had been in two places at once. Her main cluster was in Mod¡¯s skull, but she¡¯d left a copy of herself behind in Gnosis¡¯s servers. For approximately forty-three minutes, they¡¯d had a small lab again. And TINA had used all that power to solve several problems. SCRUBBING PROTOCOL COMPLETE READY TO ENGAGE TINA had already hacked into the old lab and a drone once before. All Mod had to do was get a nanite cluster in contact with a drone and TINA could infect the network with her scrubbing protocol. Then Mod¡¯s group would be invisible to all of the lab¡¯s automated drone surveillance. It probably wouldn¡¯t work on biomechs. Their brains would likely see past the gaps in their feeds. TINA found that handicap acceptable¡ªit was easier for Mod and the others to hide from biomechs on the ground than from drones in the sky. Another second ticked by, and TINA felt a swelling of pride. She¡¯d grown used to feeling proud of the humans around her. Proud of how far they¡¯d grown and accomplished. But this time, she was proud of herself. Breaking-in to Gnosis had been the culmination of training and work for every member of their group¡ªTINA among them. And now, she¡¯d laid the groundwork for their future. They were going to accomplish great things. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.58 — Into the Light Mod¡¯s group was close to the surface now¡ªless than a minute away by TINA¡¯s calculations. They¡¯d taken a back way out of the compound through one of the secret entrances that only test subjects like Lock knew about. According to him, there should¡¯ve been people here¡ªguards and checkpoints, scientists and other personnel¡ªbut they hadn¡¯t run into anyone else. They¡¯d made the journey at nearly a full sprint, only pausing so that Lock could pry open blast doors with his bare hands. The lack of resistance was making Mod nervous. Then TINA finally revealed why. TINA¡¯s voice came through their earpieces. ¡°Ichabod is waiting for you. He does not appear to be hostile. Outside, the Summit and the Brotherhood have surrounded the main compound and the side entrances.¡± Even though Lock didn¡¯t have an earpiece of his own, it didn¡¯t stop him from overhearing TINA. He scoffed. ¡°Good. I was getting bored.¡± Athena replied, ¡°Another reminder. We¡¯re escaping. Not fighting.¡± Mod ignored the comments. TINA was feeding more information to Mod and Arsenal. In his HUD, Mod saw a low-resolution map of the surrounding blocks, complete with positions of the Summit and the Brotherhood¡¯s forces. By focusing his attention, he could zoom in to get a slightly better view and information about the strength and capabilities. The majority of their firepower lay with the Brotherhood¡¯s forces. Each entrance of the Gnosis compound was surrounded by a mixture of rec, sec, and hec units. Mod¡¯s group was about to exit through the Easternmost entrance¡ªclosest to the abandoned warehouses. Thankfully, the Summit had brought a generalized force¡ªsuper strength, telekinesis, elementalists, and mages. The majority of them were rated Class 2, which Mod¡¯s group could easily handle. Only two were concerning¡ªa Class 2 reality warper and a Class 3 psychic. Mod¡¯s group would be far enough away that they shouldn¡¯t have to deal with the bulk of the enemies, so long as they moved quickly. At their exit point, Mod was mostly concerned about the lone hec unit and the reality warper, Invarius. Most of the forces were congregated around the main entrance, but even those were close enough to be a threat. If Mod¡¯s group was too slow, they could easily get overwhelmed. All that assumed that they would make it out of Gnosis. Mod, Lock, Arsenal, and Athena sprinted through the last sections of the underground. They passed hospital-like waiting rooms and labs, all of them hastily evacuated¡ªpapers were left out on desks, samples left out on tables. There were even fresh drops of blood on the floor. Mod¡¯s group didn¡¯t stop until they got to the final entryway. The hallway widened, and for the first time, they could see daylight peeking through the doors at the far end. Ichabod waited for them. The most powerful vampire in Belport stood in the middle of the empty hall, silhouetted like a gargoyle in the harsh light. He stood with hands clasped behind his back. ¡°That¡¯s far enough,¡± Ichabod said, his voice echoing down the hallway. Mod skidded to a halt and raised his rifle. Arsenal and Athena stayed just behind him, but Lock took a defiant step forward. His voice was cold. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me what to do anymore.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Athena threw up a barrier that spanned the hallway. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this. We held up our side of the bargain.¡± ¡°Tell me, what part of the arrangement involved destroying laboratory ten, turning my vampire spawn to ash, or dissecting my hound? I believe the terms were ¡®refrain from killing my subjects¡¯ and ¡®keep the damage superficial.¡¯¡± An uneasy silence settled on the hall. With it came the unsettling wave of pheromones that sent a shiver down Mod¡¯s back. His rifle didn¡¯t waver. ¡°We didn¡¯t kill any test subjects. Maybe next time, don¡¯t send monsters after us.¡± Ichabod strolled forward, his face slowly emerging from the shadow. A flicker of emotion passed across his face. ¡­A hint of a smile. Mod recognized it, even before TINA¡¯s voice came through. ¡°He appears to be joking with you.¡± Ichabod brought his hands together in a slow ominous clap. Fangs protruded from his smile. Lock shuffled uneasily. ¡°That¡¯s creepy. You need to work on that.¡± The vampire¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Forgive me. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve had this much fun. I only wish that I could have seen you work. Pity the cameras weren¡¯t working¡ªthat was your doing?¡± Even though the air in the room had changed, Mod couldn¡¯t bring himself to relax his rifle. ¡°You¡¯re not mad about the lab or the vampire spawn?¡± Ichabod shrugged. ¡°We can rebuild. As for the spawn, they have limited use and we can breed more of them. I¡¯m more surprised about you, Lachlan. You¡¯re doing very well without your restraints.¡± Lock said nothing. He hadn¡¯t relaxed either. None of their group had. The vampire turned to Mod. ¡°He¡¯ll need monitoring, otherwise his regeneration will grow out of control.¡± Mod glanced at Lock. ¡°No worries. We¡¯ve got stuff to keep him stable.¡± Arsenal added, ¡°I can always burn some of it off, too.¡± Lock glanced between Arsenal and Mod with a mix of curiosity and concern on his face. Mod replied, ¡°You missed that too. She probably could.¡± A loudspeaker announcement echoed from outside. ¡°Attention Intruders: Give yourselves up. Come out with weapons down and powers disengaged.¡± The announcement replayed, and Ichabod¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Summit forces and Brotherhood abominations have surrounded the block¡­¡± Mod held up a hand. ¡°We know. We¡¯re going to run.¡± A flicker of surprise passed across the vampire¡¯s face and was gone a millisecond later. ¡°Where will you go?¡± Lock interjected, ¡°Anywhere but here.¡± Athena replied, ¡°We have our own lairs.¡± ¡°Ah, I see.¡± Ichabod smiled. Then he stepped over to the side of the hallway and gestured for them to pass. Despite the gesture of goodwill and even with Athena keeping a barrier between them, everyone in the group was on edge as they walked past the vampire. Ichabod hadn¡¯t moved, but his words to Arsenal still caught them off guard. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your father. I wanted to help Magnus that night they came for him¡­¡± Arsenal glared back. ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡± ¡°No. I didn¡¯t¡­ Do you know what endeared him to me? I asked him why he wanted so badly to change the world. He told me, ¡®everything we do, we do for our children.¡¯ He said your mother had told him something similar before she left. There are so few who care to look beyond their own lifetime. It was a gift to find a mortal whose sight was beyond his years.¡± Mod had listened intently, but he¡¯d just as intently watched the elder¡¯s face. There wasn¡¯t just a flicker of emotion while he spoke. For once, the expression lingered on his face¡ªan earnestness that couldn¡¯t be hidden or faked. Ichabod may have lived for thousands of years, but in that moment he looked just as human as Emmett or Clara. And Mod thought he might¡¯ve glimpsed why Venture was willing to work with a monster. Arsenal¡¯s gaze faltered before she steeled herself again. ¡°Don¡¯t forget the last part of our bargain¡ªno one from Gnosis comes after us.¡± Ichabod gave a single nod. Then the two groups turned to go their separate ways¡ªthe elder vampire walked back into the dark depths beneath Gnosis, and Mod¡¯s group burst violently into the light. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.59 — Ava Savanus 5 / Walker 313 Ava Savanus lounged on the couch of Dr. Venture¡¯s old living room and watched the developing situation around the Gnosis compound. She¡¯d carefully arranged the feeds of a dozen drones and biomechs, as well as an overhead map highlighting the positions of all Brotherhood and Summit forces. While most of their forces were semi-autonomous, Ava wanted to be present for this. She just hadn¡¯t expected how long it would take for the intruders to emerge from the compound. So far as she knew, it had been years since the last attempted break-in at any Gnosis compound. Most attempts were perpetrated by their own¡ªtest subjects trying to escape or employees trying to steal secrets on their way out. Those that succeeded in making it out of the building didn¡¯t last long. They were quickly hunted down and dealt with brutally. When Ava first got word about the intruders, she wasn¡¯t going to bother sending their forces. Not until she found evidence of power fluctuations within the compound. Gnosis had been desperate enough to cut power to certain sections¡ªsomething unprecedented. This meant two things: The intruders were capable enough to survive Gnosis¡¯s guards and in-house test subjects. And the intruders had either caused damage or found whatever secrets that they set out to find. They were likely Class 3 supers and likely had insider knowledge about Gnosis. Her bets were on rogue test subjects. They weren¡¯t likely Class 4 or 5, otherwise the elder vampire, Ichabod, would¡¯ve intervened personally. He might have even called for assistance personally, but that wasn¡¯t the case. Which begged the question: Why hadn¡¯t Ichabod stopped them? Did he choose not to, or had he already tried and failed? If he¡¯d fallen, why hadn¡¯t another supervisor called officially for backup? Ava wasn¡¯t sure which question was more intriguing. As the minutes dragged on, it was becoming more apparent that these intruders might actually succeed and escape. Ava found herself growing excited, which only made the situation drag on longer. So Ava watched and waited with chemically dampened enthusiasm. Or at least she was watching until Midas appeared on her screen. The AI didn¡¯t even get the chance to announce his intrusion. The enormous face of Midas appeared on the wall screen. His head and shoulders stretched from floor to ceiling, completely blocking half of her drone feeds. She quickly adjusted the displays to maintain the most important views. His giant eyes looked down on her disdainfully. ¡°Ava, glad to see you¡¯re on top of the situation. How did you find out about the intrusion?¡± Ava ignored his comment. ¡°Ronin Tekno has a contact inside Gnosis. He relayed the information to me, but we would¡¯ve caught the power fluctuations, eventually.¡± ¡°And the Summit?¡± ¡°I chose to include the Summit. Wight¡¯s been insistent on a Summit presence anytime our forces are used¡ªfor raids or otherwise. As you can see, this isn¡¯t exactly a small operation. Hiding it isn¡¯t an option.¡± Midas sighed. ¡°Wight is a pain, but so far he¡¯s a malleable one. Keep placating him¡ªyou¡¯re good at that¡­ How much longer is this going to take? You have another mask raid scheduled in twenty-three minutes, and I see you¡¯ve monopolized most of our net launchers.¡± ¡°Well, It¡¯s hard to say, especially when you¡¯re taking up half of my display real estate.¡± The retort came out too easily. Perhaps she¡¯d dialed back her emotions a little too far. A smug smirk crawled across the technomancer¡¯s face. ¡°Just reminding you what¡¯s really important. Your duties are to the Brotherhood. This needs to paint us in a good light to the public. I want you to do whatever it takes to ensure that happens.¡± ¡°Including killing and maiming civilians?¡± Midas waved a giant dismissive hand, and, for a moment, it covered the rest of the screen like an eclipse. ¡°Whatever is necessary. Public opinion is turning more against masks by the day. Blame them¡ªblame Gnosis, for all I care. Maybe the homeless will finally learn that you shouldn¡¯t camp in abandoned buildings.¡± Ava shifted in her seat, trying and failing to hide her unease. At least her face remained neutral. ¡°I¡¯ll handle things,¡± she replied. ¡°Good.¡± Ava tried to close out the call, but Midas forced the line to stay open. She could feel him, like a hook caught in the system. Drone displays scrambled, and lights in the room flickered while his eyes bore down on her. Despite her chemical dampening, the exchange felt like an abusive lover that wouldn¡¯t let go of her arm. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Then, as quickly as it happened, his smug smile returned. The displays and lights stabilized. Midas disappeared from the lab¡¯s systems without a word. Leaving Ava alone in the living room. She got up from the couch, trying to shake the tension out of her body. Another pulse of GABA and serotonin helped, but no matter how relaxed her body was, it was still hard to shake the exchange from her mind. She needed a distraction. A moment later, she got her wish¡ªa flurry of activity came from one of the secret side entrances to Gnosis. Four contacts emerged from the underground, and a firefight immediately broke out. Ava turned all of her attention to the wall screen and focused on capturing or killing the intruders. ~ ~ Security Unit 313 stood on the corner of Pipers and O¡¯Brien, interspersed along a squad of its brethren. It saw the world through an array of sensors and multi-cameras, and it could sense other units across their shared network, like a shark¡¯s electroreception. Heavy Unit 228 stood front and center on the street. It glowed in the network in a sensation part-way between heat and electricity¡ªpart bonfire, part lightning strike. In contrast, smaller units felt like candles and static electricity. Security Unit 313 wasn¡¯t as powerful as Heavy Unit 228 or as fast as Reconnaissance Unit 346, but it struck a balance between the two¡ª And it wasn¡¯t as clumsy as its larger brethren or as cowardly as its smaller brethren. Like all biomechs, Security Unit 313 was vaguely aware that it shared a mother unit with the others. It didn¡¯t feel one way or another about this bond¡ªall biomechs were tied together by directive and objective. It also knew that any one unit was interchangeable and expendable. It didn¡¯t feel one way or another about this either¡ªit was simply a fact of existence. However, Unit 313 did care about the approval of Mother Ava. And because of that, 313 focused every ounce of its biological components and circuitry on the Easternmost entrance of the Gnosis compound. The hidden door was set in the side of an abandoned warehouse, made of reinforced steel, and painted to look like an ordinary maintenance entrance. It was completely unremarkable in every way, except that Mother Ava cared about it and she cared about any unauthorized personnel that came out of it. There were intruders in Gnosis, and Mother wanted them. Preferably alive. That cut down on Unit 313¡¯s arsenal, but all units were equipped with nonlethal options. MOVEMENT ALERT The ping traveled almost instantaneously. Reconnaissance Unit 149 saw movement first¡ªits specialized camera registering it a fraction of a second before the others. Then Unit 313 saw them. Two figures crashed through the door. Both moving at Class 3 speeds. The first enemy had a large and powerful build¡ªit easily ripped the heavy door off its hinges and ran with it unimpeded. Its bone protrusions and body heat signature marked it as a Gnosis test subject, likely a Mutagen-X derivative. The second figure held a circular shield and a pistol. Their face and suit were obscured, and they immediately took aim at the Summit forces on the rooftops. As soon as the targets registered, new parameters took effect. CONVERGE ON EAST ENTRANCE LETHAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE CAPTURE SECOND TARGET DO NOT KILL SECOND TARGET There was a high probability that the second target was the cyborg that Mother was after. She wanted it alive, preferably with its brain and spinal column intact. It was rated as a Class 3 super, and would need considerable damage to bring down. The Mutagen-X super hurled the door across the street. It flew with deadly force, shearing through three reconnaissance units and a fellow security unit. Without pausing, the Mutagen-X super leapt through the air directly at Heavy Unit 228. The heavy mech fired a capture net, but the net was shredded in mid-air by flashes of blue UV light¡ªan additional intruder, likely a telekinetic. The Mutagen-X super finished its leap, landing on the main body of the heavy mech. Even if the Mutagen-X super didn¡¯t have any long range capabilities, now it was within arm¡¯s reach of the heavy unit¡¯s most brutal anti-personnel weapons. It wouldn¡¯t last long. At the same time, Unit 313 focused on its own target. It switched to its armor piercing rifle and trained its sights on the cyborg. Mechanisms whirred to life as the barrel in its right arm extended, then fully automatic fire joined the chorus of battle. Without turning its head, the cyborg raised its shield, blocking the first seven bullets. The shots should¡¯ve penetrated, but the cyborg had also angled its shield so that each shot was a glancing blow, lessening the damage. That wasn¡¯t luck¡ª The cyborg¡¯s reaction time was concerning. The next seven-round burst didn¡¯t connect. The cyborg left two afterimages behind, confusing the mech¡¯s targeting. Without additional sensors, it was impossible to tell whether it was illusion magic or a new piece of technology. These bullets struck the afterimages, which shimmered before collapsing like sand. More UV light flashed in Unit 313¡¯s periphery. Heavy Unit 228 was now engaged with multiple units. It stomped, the impact shaking the ground and throwing off Unit 313¡¯s aim¡ªif only slightly. Its actuators were quick to compensate. Clearly, Heavy Unit 228 was having trouble. The cyborg disappeared behind a building, and Unit 313 took the brief opportunity to assist Heavy Unit 228. Its glow in the shared network was steadily increasing¡ªa sign of distress. It was common to feel alarm from smaller, more fragile units, but to feel that sensation coming from a heavy unit was disconcerting. A shadow passed over Unit 313, and it turned just in time to see Heavy Unit 228 lose its balance. Its left leg had been lopped off at the knee. Metal groaned under the lopsided strain, and fluids sprayed from the wound. The Mutagen-X super was on the other side of the mech, shoving it over. The heavy mech toppled over, falling with the weight of a small building. Unit 313 didn¡¯t have time to move before its giant brethren fell on top of it. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.60 — Invarius / Long Story The Summit cape, Invarius, stood atop an abandoned warehouse building overlooking the street. His squad of capes and assorted trash cans had staked out the Easternmost secret entrance to the Gnosis compound. He took a drag on his cigarette and exhaled. The smoke lingered around him, completely ignoring the wind. His hair and jacket collar floated upward, altogether giving the illusion that the cape was standing underwater. He¡¯d surrounded himself with an ambient power field, which would protect him from any unexpected powers or projectiles. As soon as a bullet entered the field, his reality warping would shred it into powder. No one knew what these intruders were capable of¡ªnot the Summit or the Brotherhood, and if Gnosis knew, they sure as shit weren¡¯t telling. Somebody clearly thought they were hot stuff. Invarius chuckled. It didn¡¯t much matter what their capabilities were when they were staring down three dozen capes and twice as many gun barrels. He wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud, but the biomechs alone could probably handle whoever came out those doors. Invarius had chaperoned two of the recent mask raids and seen the mechs for himself. If the Brotherhood kept this shit up, most low-level capes would find themselves out of a job. But that was the way the world worked, right? Get good or get lost. A voice came from the other side of the roof. ¡°Uh, this blows.¡± Invarius rolled his eyes, not sparing a glance at the young cape on the other side of the roof. He was another one of the fresh-out-of-high-school recruits¡ªcomplete with a homemade mask and a comically big jacket. It was true that McGuire and the other newbies had at least fought against the Deep Ones. That put them exactly one notch higher than the other fresh recruits that only enlisted because the Summit quashed vigilantism. Those new masks-turned-capes had only done the right thing out of fear. ¡°I hate waiting,¡± McGuire said, his voice grating on the veteran super. Invarius muttered, ¡°Can¡¯t you be annoying quietly?¡± ¡°...No. I don¡¯t think I can.¡± Invarius rolled his eyes. The intruders had better hurry up and come out. Otherwise, he¡¯d wind up throwing this kid off of the building. But knowing his luck, McGuire would just bounce. A crash echoed through the street. Something or someone blew the door off its hinges. Two supers sprinted out of the underground, moving at an impressive pace. A flurry of activity followed¡ª Four biomechs went down instantly, cleaved in half by a flying door. At the same time, the other super carrying a pistol and small shield fired shots at the rooftop. Invarius didn¡¯t even need to move. His ambient power field shredded the bullets down to powder. By the time they hit him, they felt like the world¡¯s weakest snowball. Invarius was mildly impressed, though. He looked down to find spots of dark powder on his coat. The bullets must¡¯ve been dense with how much material was left over. He chuckled. Between the pitiful shots and the biomechs toppling like broken toys, Invarius was already enjoying himself. ¡°You spoke too soon, McGuire. Why don¡¯t you leap down there and get some action?¡± McGuire leaned over the edge of the roof, leveling a homemade slingshot at the intruders on the ground. ¡°Damn, they¡¯re fast! I can¡¯t get a shot from up here. ¡­What the heck are they wearing?¡± Invarius sighed and ignored him. The reality warper flared his power. He probably could¡¯ve helped the biomechs below, but instead, he stretched his perception, searching for the positions of the other Summit teams. He could sense most things biological¡ªeven the Brotherhood¡¯s biomechs, which had brains or something inside them. But supers stood out most of all, seeming to glow in his sight. Powerful supers stood out like lighthouses, but even weak supers were easy to find. They dotted the rooftops of Eastside Belport. That was where Invarius focused. He reached out across the rooftops. Strands of his power connected supers to him like a spiderweb. The psychic, Kairon, was already alerting the rest of their forces. A second later, Invarius pulled. He wasn¡¯t a mage or a telekinetic¡ªhe couldn¡¯t just teleport them or pull them to the fight. But his power was the next best thing. The strands of power would shorten the distance between them. Running several blocks would feel like a hop, skip, and a jump. He called the ability shunting, and he was proud of it. Even though he wasn¡¯t the most powerful reality warper¡ªstill only Class 2 by Summit standards¡ªhe¡¯d found himself in command of other Class 2 and even Class 3 capes. All thanks to his ability to affect the battlefield. It wasn¡¯t without drawbacks. The effort required increased dramatically with the distance and number of people affected. Invarius was currently pushed to his limits. To compensate for this, he didn¡¯t shunt everyone at once. He prioritized groups, pulling a few capes at a time. Once the priority supers were across, he could pull the bulk of the Brotherhood¡¯s mechs. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! The first groups of supers were already shunting across when Invarius felt something on his face¡ªon his eyes and creeping down his throat. His vision went black. He couldn¡¯t even see his hands in front of his face. Invarius sucked in panicked breaths while he desperately held onto the connections to his fellow capes¡ªpartly out of duty, but mostly because his other senses were cut off and he had nothing else to cling to. Invarius barely heard McGuire¡¯s muffled voice. ¡°Dude, what¡¯s wrong¡ªoh, what the fuck is wrong with your eyes?!¡± That didn¡¯t help Invarius¡¯s panic at all. ~ ~ Lock tore the single heavy door off its hinges, and both he and Mod led the charge out onto the abandoned streets. Even though TINA fed them enemy locations and info, it was one thing to see a display in his HUD, and another thing entirely to see it in person. As soon as they got out into the open, enemies opened fire. Most of it came from biomechs on the ground, but a few blasts of ice and fire came their way from nearby mages. Lock retaliated in kind, hurling the steel door through multiple smaller mechs, then leaping toward the lone hec unit like a madman. Mod didn¡¯t have time to worry about his friend, though. He focused on the capes on the roof, taking his first several pistol shots at the reality warping super, Invarius. None of the shots hit directly¡ªInvarius had surrounded himself with a barrier¡ªbut Mod knew how Invarius¡¯s power worked. He didn¡¯t make impenetrable barriers like Athena. Nor would they transform matter that entered them. Any projectiles that entered would get slowed and shredded into dust. Maybe Invarius could make a better barrier, but Mod was betting that the cape wouldn¡¯t put that much thought into it¡ª Until it was too late. In the next few seconds, Mod fired volleys at anyone that popped out of cover, including biomechs on the ground and capes on the roof. Mod didn¡¯t miss¡ªeven as shots clanged off his impact shield. The biomechs were good shots, but weren¡¯t nearly fast enough to avoid incoming fire, and Mod¡¯s nanite countermeasures worked just as well on mechs as they did on capes. Nanites pooled around the mech¡¯s cameras and sensors, rendering them almost completely blind. Though the mechs couldn¡¯t talk to one another the same way drones could, they could still share info. So even though a mech should¡¯ve been blind, they could still find Mod¡¯s general location and were still dangerous. That was good enough for Mod. He hadn¡¯t exactly planned on sitting still. Athena and Arsenal had come out to join the fight. Lock and Athena worked together to topple the lone hec unit. Blue light flashed in the corner of Mod¡¯s UV vision as Athena lopped the mech¡¯s leg off at the knee. Even if the mech¡¯s armor was too thick for her to cut through outright, crippling the thing was just as effective. Lock used his freakish strength to topple the hec unit, and it crushed two other biomechs as it fell. Lock didn¡¯t get out of the exchange unscathed. His body was littered with cuts and bullet holes, but they were already healing. The blood covering his skin was already dried. Mod was leaping through the air before the ground had finished quaking. He soared upward four stories to the top of the nearby building where Invarius was hiding, just in time to see his face covered in nanites. Invarius was stuck in an open-mouthed scream, pawing ineffectively at his face. Mod breathed a sigh of relief, even as the reality warper struggled¡ª Until he saw McGuire standing nearby. It¡¯d been almost two months since the end of the war with the Deep Ones. Two months since Mod had seen his friend. McGuire hadn¡¯t changed a bit. The gadgeteer was still wearing his trademark explorer outfit¡ªkhaki clothes and vest, along with an enormous backpack and homemade mask. Mod smiled wide. He would have hugged McGuire right then¡ª Except that McGuire leveled his slingshot at him. ¡°Hey man¡ªwoah, don¡¯t shoot!¡± Mod let his nanite disguise flicker for just a moment, letting his supersuit show through. McGuire shook his head in surprise, then pointed to Invarius. ¡°Don¡¯t ¡®hey man¡¯ me! What the hell did you do to his face?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s a, uh, long story¡ªget down!¡± Two more supers appeared on a nearby roof. A mage and a telekinetic with bright red hair¡ª Mod barely registered them before he dropped them with nanite bullets. McGuire¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You just shot Cherry!¡± ¡°It¡¯ll wear off in an hour.¡± Arsenal¡¯s panicked voice came through. ¡°We¡¯ve got incoming! Capes are warping in.¡± Mod¡¯s wordless question and answer came almost instantaneously. Invarius was bringing capes from other Gnosis entrances. Somehow, he was still concentrating on his power. Mod turned and punched Invarius in the chest. Even with the reality warping field around him, the punch landed hard. Invarius crumpled onto the roof. ¡°Woah, woah¡ª¡± Mod cut off his friend. ¡°Apparently being blind and deaf wasn¡¯t enough to stop him from using his powers. Now, are we cool?¡± McGuire stared back at Mod through his oversized mask. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re cool. I couldn¡¯t stop you if I wanted to. It¡¯s just¡­ Man, the Summit is going to have my ass after this.¡± Mod chuckled. ¡°Tell Cherry sorry for me.¡± ¡°I will.¡± TINA¡¯s voice came through Mod¡¯s earpiece. ¡°Mod, the psychic is here.¡± Mod¡¯s heart sank. That was exactly why they needed to keep moving. Every second they stayed was another cape or biomech that caught up to them. Machinegun fire and destruction raged on the street below, interspersed with flashes of Athena¡¯s blue barriers and battlecries from Lock. ¡°Guys, we need to get out of here.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± McGuire asked. Both Mod and McGuire ducked as mechs targeted them. Machinegun fire riddled the roof, spraying bits of concrete across their shoulders. It was like suddenly all of the mechs had decided to ignore Lock. ¡°What¡ªoh shit, oh shit, oh¡­ shit¡­¡± McGuire¡¯s panicked voice trailed off. Mod turned in time to see McGuire spasm. His entire body lurched like he was a marionette being tugged backward. A pained gurgle came out of his throat. He jerked and twisted, somehow still staying on his feet. Mod wasn¡¯t sure what was more frightening, seeing his friend spasming under a psychic attack, or hearing Lock and Athena making similar sounds. McGuire¡¯s body finally relaxed¡ª Then he leveled his slingshot at Mod. ~ ~ ~ Life Update Hey guys, I posted in the Discord, but I wanted to post elsewhere too. I¡¯ve been sick since Sunday with Vertigo. If you¡¯ve never heard of it, basically something went wrong with my inner ear and my balance was all out of whack and the room was always spinning. If you¡¯ve ever played that childhood game of putting your head on a baseball bat and spinning around until you fall over, it¡¯s pretty much like that (or if you¡¯ve drank too much and got the spins). Couldn¡¯t do much of anything the last few days except lie still and sleep. Went to the emergency room for it yesterday, and I¡¯m doing a little better today. Been managing to walk around a bit and sit up for periods without feeling like I¡¯m falling off the face of the world.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. All this to say, I¡¯m still here! Today was the first day I could stare at a screen for any length of time, so it actually felt nice to write this (got a couple hundred words of Mod Super in today too). A long time ago I used to be ahead of the story and have a buffer of chapters saved up for times like this, but those days are gone. I¡¯m basically writing/editing/releasing by the day. If I keep feeling better, then I¡¯m hoping to be back on chapter releases by Friday. If for some reason I still can¡¯t get back on track by next week, then I¡¯m going to pause Patreon. Either way, I¡¯ll try to keep everyone posted. Hope everybody¡¯s doing well! Missed you guys this week. Chapter 5.61 — Kairon The psychic, Kairon, looked down at the main entrance of the Gnosis compound. The surrounding blocks were cordoned off by police, and now biomechs scurried around on the street while Summit capes looked down from above. Kairon and several other capes took position on the nearby parking garage¡ªthe same one that apparently housed the Binary Brotherhood¡¯s new base of operations. While the Brotherhood had donated a considerable force to the Summit and to this particular stakeout, there didn¡¯t seem to be any pause in the coming and goings of drones from their base. Psychics knew more than most, but even Kairon or Ryder weren¡¯t privy to everything in the Summit, nor did they know the true extent of the Brotherhood¡¯s resources. Despite the overall mixed feelings about the Brotherhood¡¯s forces, almost every cape was thankful for their support. Summit leadership hailed the partnership as generous¡ªaltruistic, even¡ªbut the Brotherhood clearly wasn''t hurting for drones¡­ Was it really that generous of a donation if the Brotherhood had resources to spare? It was going on a half an hour of waiting now¡ªalmost an hour since the intruders had broken into Gnosis¡ªand Kairon and the other capes were getting restless. To Kairon, listening to surface thoughts felt like watching bubbles rising out of a lake. There were people swimming beneath it, but most of the time, all Kairon could see or hear of them were trails of thought bubbles. The person¡¯s inner thoughts were hidden just beneath the surface. If a psychic really wanted to, they could peer through the water¡ªpeer into someone¡¯s mind¡ªbut that required effort. And intuition told Kairon to save his strength. As the stakeout drew on, bubbles of agitation rose to the surface all around the lake. Capes were getting restless. The biomechs were too, and that was beginning to worry Kairon. As far as anyone in the Summit knew, the biomechs were basically machines. Sure, there were organic parts inside it¡ªnamely a brain and something akin to a spinal column and nervous tissue¡ªbut everyone thought that biomechs were closer to drones than people. Even Ava Savanus and the Brotherhood believed this. Kairon, Ryder, and the other psychics knew they were wrong. Most psychics reported seeing the thoughts of others as abstract images rather than reading a transcript. For Kairon, he saw thoughts as colors. Anger was red, while different types of anger, like jealousy or irritation, were different shades. Sadness was blue, and so on. Most human thoughts could loosely be categorized in the standard box of sixty-four crayons. Just like psychics could see the surface thoughts of people, they could also see the surface thoughts of animals as well. Most animal thoughts weren¡¯t nearly as complex. Their emotions fit inside the small box of eight crayons¡ªthe most common being happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, hunger, and disgust. A pigeon didn¡¯t feel something as complex as melancholy or existential dread. Kairon hadn¡¯t met a great ape or a dolphin, so he couldn¡¯t speak to more intelligent animals. On the whole, an animal¡¯s emotions were more bright and primal than the varied shades of emotion that human¡¯s experienced. Biomechs were closer to animals than people. Their emotions were raw and bright as they bubbled up in Kairon¡¯s psychic sense. It was one thing being around an angry dog or a cat hunting a mouse¡ªit was another to be around a ten ton mech practically screaming various combinations of Hungry, Angry, Kill. And it wasn¡¯t just the heavy mech. A disturbing chorus of thoughts bubbled up from the dozens of biomechs on the street. To Kairon, it felt like the roofs and streets surrounding Gnosis were buzzing like angry hornets. Gunfire erupted in the distance¡ªaround the Easternmost hidden entrance to Gnosis. The chorus of thoughts coalesced¡ªsurprised, excited, hostile¡ªbefore turning¡ªpanicked, frustrated, helpless. The biomechs fared only a little better¡ªangry, sadness, fear. One psychic signature rose above all the others. The reality warper, Invarius, was reaching out toward the other stakeout groups. Invarius could close the distance between them and shunt them all over. The intruders might be able to get through a smaller group, but there was no way they could get through the combined might of the Summit and the Brotherhood. Or so, that was what Kairon thought until he felt the sudden changes in the chorus of thoughts. Then Kairon¡¯s thoughts had changed. Excited, satisfied, impressed¡ªgave way to¡ªdismayed, panic, dread. Certain emotions were naturally brighter than others, and Invarius¡¯s panic eclipsed even that of the biomechs. Invarius and the others were in trouble. Kairon focused. He latched on to Invarius, reaching under the surface of the psychic lake like he was reaching for a drowning swimmer. Despite Invarius¡¯s eyes, ears, and throat closing¡ªdespite feeling like he was drowning¡ªInvarius was still trying to bring the other capes across the Eastside. Kairon latched onto that sense of duty and bolstered it. Panic and doubt and dread battered Invarius like a storm, but Kairon bolstered the cape¡¯s mind from within. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Invarius grasped for Kairon as well. The reality warper was bringing him over next. Kairon felt the world lurch¡ª And he lurched with it. ~ It wasn¡¯t teleportation, not exactly. It was more like four long steps. In the second it took Kairon to run across one rooftop, he¡¯d run across eight city blocks. The world came back into sharp focus. He was across Eastside, well into the abandoned sections. He was standing atop another roof, overlooking an unfolding battle. With his psychic powers, Kairon took in the battle quickly, and realized¡ª It had already turned against them. Multiple supers and mechs were down, their voices a mix of panic, helpless, and hysterical. Without delving deeper into their minds or finding them visually, he couldn¡¯t know who was grievously wounded or dying. He reached out to the capes close to him, dampening some emotions and bolstering others. He softened their fear, honed their concentration, leaned on their duty to their fellow capes. He¡¯d done similarly during the war with the Deep Ones¡ª But now he felt pitiful and outmatched. Somehow, these intruders were pushing the Summit and the Brotherhood to their limits. Kairon tried to help his teammates, but there were too many capes that needed help. So, Kairon stretched his perception. He kept his tether to Invarius¡ªkept bolstering the reality warper so that he could bring more reinforcements. But now he had another duty. Kairon was familiar enough with the capes around him and the biomechs below that he could ignore them and focus on the intruders. Two immediately stood out. A Gnosis test subject full of strength and an old woman with barrier powers¡­ That couldn¡¯t be right¡ªif Kairon¡¯s senses were correct, she was as old as an ancient vampire. Kairon pushed the thought from his mind and focused on the pair. There were two others¡ªfour in total. This second pair was hidden or shielded. Clearly, artificers of some kind. Not even other psychics could hide their minds so well. But they couldn¡¯t hide completely. The two artificers still existed as shadows in their teammates¡¯ minds. And that wasn¡¯t all. There was a young gadgeteer that was sympathetic to the artificer. McGuire¡­ He wouldn¡¯t raise a hand against the villain. Not unless he was forced. The words came to Kairon like someone whispering down the hall. It was like hearing a voice when you thought you were home alone. Except, that Kairon should¡¯ve been alone in his own head. The world seemed to slow down around him, capes and biomechs slowing until they were trudging through molasses. Chunks of debris floated by and even flashes of gunfire hung lazily in the air. Kairon wasn¡¯t alone. There were others here with him. That¡¯s right. We¡¯re here with you, the voices said. Kairon looked inside his own mind and found a long hallway. At the end of it was a single door. It was already cracked, and light filtered through. Kairon recognized every corridor and every room in his mind. Every memory, every fantasy, every aspiration had its proper place. For the first time since he¡¯d unlocked his psychic power, Kairon stared at a hallway and a door he didn¡¯t recognize. ¡­When had that door gotten there? A small part of the psychic knew that he should be afraid of that door and whatever might be behind it, but the voices were so reassuring. Voices came through the crack, growing more numerous as they spoke. You¡¯re so good at working in a team. Together, you and the other psychics in Belport held back the Deep Ones. The Summit couldn¡¯t have done it without you. The Brotherhood couldn¡¯t have done it without you. None of them could. But you¡¯re the only psychic on the Eastside. You¡¯re so very alone. Kairon nodded hesitantly. He was the only psychic surrounding Gnosis. It was up to him to help the other capes. He had to hold it together, just like Invarius was holding it together. That¡¯s what heroes do, the voices said. They help each other. But you don¡¯t need to be alone anymore. We can do it together. You just need to let us in. The voices were right. The Summit needed help. Kairon needed help. He was already walking toward the door. The door was already open. The door was already open. The man that was Kairon turned his attention from inward to outward. Back to the battle. This time he reached out, and the collective reached out through him. An amalgamation of souls and psyches exerted their will, and all sentient creatures on the block bent like stalks of wheat. The collective turned them all against the artificers. The Gnosis test subject¡ª
They were easy. The collective fanned their flames of hate, jealousy, and revenge. He would kill.
The ancient woman with barrier powers¡ª
She was harder, but now she couldn¡¯t trust them. They knew her secrets and were working against her. She might not kill them, but she could maim them.
The gadgeteer¡ª
He was complicated. He wouldn¡¯t harm his friends, but he would spar with them. The collective took away all the feeling of danger and turned the fight into a game.
And all the small-brained biomechs¡ª
They were the easiest of all. The collective snuck into their minds like a cuckoo bird, taking their Mother¡¯s place. Mother doesn¡¯t want prisoners. She never wanted prisoners.
Despite the psychic and physical tempests on Eastside, a small part of Kairon knew that the door in his mind was gone. It was blown open. Disintegrated. But even if he could never be singular again, he could rest assured that his sacrifice would save his fellow capes. The man that was Kairon became a pane of glass, and the will of the collective flowed through him. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.62 — Seconds McGuire leveled his slingshot at Mod. ¡°Come on, buddy. We haven¡¯t sparred in a while.¡± Mod barely heard him over the gunfire from the street. Bullets riddled the edge of the roof, scattering bits of concrete and dust. Any other time, Mod would¡¯ve shouted for his friend to get down¡ª But McGuire wasn¡¯t himself. Even louder than the machinegun fire was the overwhelming feeling of danger. Mod didn¡¯t need TINA¡¯s voice to tell him what had happened to Kairon and the others on the block, but that didn¡¯t stop her from shouting in his comms. ¡°The Menagerie is here! You and Arsenal are the only sovereign.¡± McGuire fired his slingshot. The world slowed down. Mod saw his friend¡¯s eyes narrow. Watched the creases in his coat shift. Saw the tension in the slingshot band. Mod was already diving forward, slipping under the shot¡¯s trajectory before it was even fired. He tackled McGuire¡¯s legs, knocking the gadgeteer off his feet. They tumbled across the roof. McGuire reached in his coat for his brass knuckles. Mod was faster. One hand brushed nanites across McGuire¡¯s face. His whip wrapped around McGuire¡¯s arm and sent a disabling shock through the gadgeteer¡¯s body. ¡°Sorry,¡± he muttered as McGuire collapsed onto the roof and nanites covered his face. He knew first-hand that anyone semi-conscious could still be a tool to a psychic. Mod didn¡¯t plan on leaving Kairon with any tools. Mod stayed low on the roof as the world lurched around him. He didn¡¯t have much of a stomach left, but it turned anyway. The reality warper, Invarius, lay on the roof, still struggling with the nanite mask. His power flared. He might not have been able to see, but he still knew that Mod was up there with him. Mod snaked his whip around Invarius¡¯s ankle and zapped him. The stomach-turning sensation stopped and the reality warper fell unconscious to the roof. Two down. An impact sounded below¡ªa crunch of concrete and metal. The telltale sound of a wall coming down. Arsenal shouted, ¡°Mod, help!¡± In another time, Mod would¡¯ve accessed Arsenal¡¯s video feeds, but now he drank in the raw information from Arsenal¡¯s HUD and TINA¡¯s positioning¡ªhe knew what was happening. Lock was after Arsenal. She raced across the street, detouring through abandoned buildings and garages. She hurtled through broken windows, dove through water-damaged walls¡ª All to stay out of reach of Lock. Arsenal was fast. Lock was faster. Half bullet, half freight train. He ran on all fours¡ªbone claws dug into the ground, helping him turn on a dime, and propelling him with the force of a wrecking ball. Arsenal twisted out of the way, narrowly avoiding a clawed hand. Her thinsuit was her savior. Lock¡¯s devastating speed only worked in two planes. Arsenal¡¯s suit let her maneuver like a fighter jet, twisting and banking out of the way without touching the ground. To make matters worse, the other mind-controlled capes turned on her too. Fire, ice, and assorted energy blasts rained down from the surrounding roofs. And occasionally, a blue forcefield would block Arsenal¡¯s path, forcing her to change direction. Mod couldn¡¯t get down to her¡ªcouldn¡¯t even get off of the building¡ªwithout getting riddled with bullets. Even if the heavy mech was already down, that many machineguns would shred him. But he had another idea. Mod stowed his pistol and pulled out his fusion rifle. The tip of the barrel flattened into a line. Ports on his arm opened, offering a direct connection to his fusion canister. Then Mod aimed the rifle down at his feet. Fired. Mod knew the blueprints, knew exactly where to aim to cut the supports. Mod punched a hole through the roof. Fell¡ª And kept firing. Mod punched a hole through the next two floors. Tiles, pipes, and beams all fell with him. Between his weight and the weight of the rubble trailing him, he crashed through those floors¡ªdidn¡¯t even slow. Bullets followed. The biomechs were faster than he expected. Bullets whizzed over his head, tracing his plunge through the building. Few supers could process data and react as fast as Mod, so it was humbling to confront an entire squad that could do just that. As Mod fell through the floors, he processed his options¡ªnone of them were ideal.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. An exploding fusion cell or a collapsed building would take out the entire squad of biomechs, but certainly would hurt McGuire, Invarius, and several other capes close by. He ruled those two out immediately. Arsenal also couldn¡¯t help. It was up to him and TINA¡ª And any attack they used had to be decisive. Otherwise the network of biomechs and the Menagerie would adapt. Before Mod hit the first floor, he practically emptied his utility belt. He popped smoke pellets, flares, sonic grenades, and a radio signal jammer. None of them alone would throw off the mechs¡¯ sensors, but combined they could buy Mod additional fractions of a second. That would be enough. Light and sound erupted around Mod as he fell through the second floor. Some of the scattered distractions stayed on the second floor, drawing the eye of some of the biomechs. Mod grit his teeth. Two and a half seconds had passed since he started falling. His HUD changed. The walls of the building became a see-through wireframe. At the same time, TINA wove in views from Gnosis security cameras around the block and overlaid biomech schematics. Mod saw the world in data, saw their weak points. He saw everything. Mod hit the floor, tucked, and rolled with his shield and rifle. Then he came up firing. A plasma guillotine lanced out, the first shot cutting two smaller rec units in half and lopping the arms off of another sec unit. Fluids and oil sprayed through the air. Nerve impulses twisted his barrel forty-five degrees. The second shot cleaved through three more units. It might¡¯ve been TINA guiding his hands, but each shot cut through and disabled multiple mechs at once. Each time, the barrel readjusted, allowing him to slice through enemies with mathematical efficiency. Never stopping. Never pausing. He circled around, using wreckage and disabled mechs as cover. His movements were more spider-like than human as he moved across the street. His limbs contorted to keep his body low while his whip moved on its own, pulling Mod across the ground or clutching scrap for cover. Mod wasn¡¯t completely unscathed throughout the violent exchange. Some biomechs reacted faster than others, whether through faster hardware or lucky positioning. The first shots felt like a drizzle of rain. Mod kept his shield in front of his face and angled it to cover his rifle as much as possible. Shots pinged off his shield, but some hit his legs. But between his outer nanite layer and his supersuit, he barely felt the dull thuds of impact. Naturally, Mod and TINA prioritized the faster mechs. They didn¡¯t get off more than a few shots before they were cut down. Two seconds had passed since the firefight started. The biomechs finally caught up. So did the mind-controlled capes. Sprinkling of shots turned into a downpour. Blasts of energy whizzed down and exploded beside him. The other capes didn¡¯t have the aim or reaction time that the mechs had, but fireballs didn¡¯t have to be direct hits to do damage. Impacts rippled across Mod¡¯s nanites, the deluge blowing away chunks of his ablative armor. NANITES 345% CAPACITY NANITES 330% CAPACITY NANITES 310% CAPACITY But Mod dished out exponentially more damage than he took. Fusion lances cut across the battlefield like a surgeon¡¯s scalpel. Another blast cut three mechs from hip joints to internal servo cluster, and they fell to the ground in chunks. The next lance was already slicing before the previous mechs finished hitting the ground. Three more seconds ticked by as plasma and shells flew like a hailstorm. NANITES 265% CAPACITY NANITES 225% CAPACITY Mod¡¯s shield disintegrated. So, he grabbed the top half of a sec unit, used it as a replacement shield. It lasted another second before a fireball blew the rest of it out of his hand. Mod should¡¯ve been blind as the fire engulfed him, but the flames couldn¡¯t hide data. He leapt out of the fire and blasted another mech. Fifteen mechs down. Ten to go. Thankfully, he¡¯d stopped Invarius before he could bring over all the Summit and the Brotherhood¡¯s forces. A blue forcefield appeared in Mod¡¯s vision, blocking biomechs in the rear. But the world was moving so slow that Mod could see the barrier forming. It appeared like a ripple in space, starting at the center and moving outward. The barrel of Mod¡¯s rifle twisted as he leapt to the side. With the newfound angle, he shot around the barrier, slicing through two more mechs. Mod hurled two more smoke pellets in Athena¡¯s direction. Again, he knew that it wouldn¡¯t stop her completely. The Menagerie could see through all of its puppet¡¯s eyes, just like Mod was using Gnosis cameras, but the other supers couldn¡¯t move or react as fast as Mod could¡ª Otherwise, he would¡¯ve been dead by now. He just needed a few more milliseconds. Mod sacrificed more nanites. Made clones and afterimages of himself. Some leapt to the side or into the air, others feinted in the wrong direction. Bullets riddled the nanite clones, blowing them apart like ashen statues. None of the clones lasted long, but the Menagerie had a hard enough time telling them all apart. It was enough to buy milliseconds and to fool Athena. She changed the angle of her last forcefield enough for the real Mod to fire around it. Mod split the last two sec units in half. They teetered and fell to the ground. The street was a junkyard, littered in parts and grotesque fluids. Several mechs were still trying to claw their way across the ground or turn their barrels toward Mod. Others lay spasming. Twenty-five down. Another three seconds had passed, and Mod paused one second longer to take stock of his systems and collect as many nanites as he could. He¡¯d lost a lot of nanites. Some were completely fried and others had been blown too far away to collect quickly. Mod glanced up at the rooftops and met the eyes of a dozen mind-controlled capes. The eyes of the Menagerie. For half a second, no one moved. It felt like the Menagerie was sizing him up since its first plan had failed. TINA read his mind and highlighted the psychic for him. A crunch echoed across the block. Arsenal rocketed through the wall, taking chunks of plaster with her. Lock crashed through a moment later, taking the rest of the wall with him. NANITES 185% CAPACITY It would have to do. Mod shouted, ¡°Arsenal, over here!¡± She didn¡¯t need to be told again. Arsenal had been a blur¡ªnow she grew large in Mod¡¯s vision. Lock was right behind her. Mod leveled his rifle at his former roommate. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.63 — Athena 6 / Lock / Maximillian 2 In Athena¡¯s long life, there were few she¡¯d counted on, and fewer that she¡¯d counted as equals. Mod and Arsenal had been both. But that changed today. Everything had been fine until they made it out of Gnosis. Then they¡¯d been attacked by Summit capes and Brotherhood mechs. Arsenal and Athena stayed back, taking cover near the secret entrance of Gnosis. Mod and Lock took the lead, rampaging through the front line and taking down biomechs almost as fast as they could run. Despite Lock clearly being Class 4 in strength, Mod was even more impressive. He might not have had greater durability or healing, but his agility, firepower, and versatility more than made up for it. Until today, Mod had been a capable and welcome ally. Now, Athena saw how dangerous he truly was. They can¡¯t be trusted, the voices whispered. Mod and Arsenal knew her secrets. They knew where she was from. They knew when she was from. They knew about Lucy¡ª Oh gods, they knew about Lucy. Athena heard whispers. She couldn¡¯t tell where they were coming from, and in that moment, she didn¡¯t care. They¡¯re going after Lucy next, the voices said. Athena twisted, her body jerking involuntarily. It felt like she¡¯d touched a live wire. Every muscle contract, pulling against each other, like she was trying to rip off her own limbs. Her legs went out from under her. She slumped over and fell to the ground. Arsenal turned and knelt beside her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± It was everything Athena could do just to look up at her. Athena had been used to seeing the young artificer encased in metal, but now, with the shimmering nanite disguise, Arsenal didn¡¯t even look real. You don¡¯t know her. You never did. Don¡¯t trust her. They¡¯re going after Lucy next! Athena¡¯s eyes narrowed. She tried to yell. Tried to scream, ¡®How dare you!¡¯, but all that came out was a pained gurgle. She couldn¡¯t even concentrate enough to make a barrier. Then the awful spasm stopped. Suddenly freed, Athena rolled away from Arsenal, and at the same time, shoved Arsenal away with a barrier. Arsenal shouted in surprise, but Athena ignored her and sprang to her feet. New Summit capes and biomechs appeared around the perimeter. Gunfire erupted around the block. All the biomechs targeted the roof where Mod was. Athena didn¡¯t care. She stared down her former ally. Arsenal finally seemed to get the message¡ª Athena wouldn¡¯t tolerate betrayal. She started to conjure a barrier¡ª But Lock flung himself at Arsenal. The artificer barely dodged the former test subject. Lock careened across the pavement, digging his claws into the ground to turn faster. Arsenal¡¯s suit flared, and she jetted away as Lock chased her down. Athena¡¯s anger only grew. She¡¯s running away. She doesn¡¯t have the honor to face you. Athena reached out, conjuring barriers to stop Arsenal from running or escaping. Arsenal twisted around some or bounced off of others. Each time, Lock would close in and try to grab her, and each time Arsenal managed to slip out of reach. The artificer¡¯s exceptional speed kept her one step ahead, but eventually she would make a mistake. They always did. And crossing Athena would be the last mistake that Arsenal ever made. ~ ~ A brisk jog out of Gnosis and prying open some blast doors wasn¡¯t much of a warmup. Between that and talking with his old boss, Lock was ready to really stretch his legs. His mouth was practically watering when they got news the compound was surrounded. That was weird, right? Lock hoped it wasn¡¯t a vampire thing. Mutagen-X made Lachlan Harris one of the most powerful supers in Belport. Class 3, easy. Strength, speed, regeneration, heightened senses, the works. But it had also killed him, taken everything from him. Lock wasn¡¯t sure what had happened to him in the meantime, but he chose to take it as a sign. He¡¯d been given a second chance. Now he was Class 4, and he bet he was one of the strongest supers in the country. He certainly felt like it. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. He could¡¯ve torn down the Gnosis compound with his bare hands, but he would settle for destroying some mechs. He¡¯d never seen one, but if they were anything like Venture¡¯s drones, they¡¯d go down easy. It might even be a little cathartic. When the doors opened, Emmett and Lock were the first ones out. As strong as Lock had gotten, he figured he¡¯d be running circles around Emmett, but somehow his old roommate had gotten even more upgrades. He was almost as strong and fast as Lock used to be¡­ Maybe even stronger, though Lock wouldn¡¯t admit it out loud. Not that it mattered. Lock was still stronger and faster, thanks to his new mutations. Lock tore the blast door off its hinges and hurled it through a line of mechs without pausing. They fell over in chunks. Then he leapt at the heavy unit. It fired a net, which Athena shredded in mid-air. Lock slammed into the heavy mech and dug his claws into its armor. Most of the heavy mech¡¯s weapons were huge and unwieldy. Now Lock was inside their range and there was no way they could turn enough to hit him. But the heavy mech had other defenses. A dozen thin metal arms unfolded from the mech¡¯s chest. Each had a nasty weapon on it¡ªwhirling saw blades, needle-thin barbs, and others that glowed with heat or electricity. They slashed and stabbed at Lock, but he only felt the first few pitiful attacks. His skin was already hardening, covering him in bone plates that could stand up to a tank shell. Lock tore its arms off. Armor plating too. He probably would have dug right through it and ripped out its power core. But a second later, Athena cut its leg. The giant mech teetered. Lock leapt off, then shoved it over. Tons of armor and weapons toppled to the ground. Lock scoffed a laugh at the fallen machine before tearing off its final arm, leaving it defeated and weaponless. Pitiful. They¡¯re all so pitiful, the voices said. None of them can stand up to you. They¡¯re just using you. Just like Gnosis. Lock doubled over. His muscles spasmed and pulled against one another. Lock concentrated, forcing himself to stand upright. One by one, his muscles stubbornly obeyed until only his head jerked from side to side. His muscles relaxed. Lock quickly scanned the wreckage, his eyes settling on Clara. Show them, the voices said. Show them just how bad they fucked up. ~ ~ McGuire faced down Mod on top of the abandoned building. It was the first time McGuire had seen his best friend in months¡ª Two months and four days, the voices reminded him. Too long. All McGuire wanted to do was spar. It was completely abandoned all around them. Sure, there were capes and biomechs in the city. They might¡¯ve even been shooting, but they were somewhere else¡ªtoo far away to worry about. McGuire leveled his slingshot at Mod. ¡°Come on, buddy. We haven¡¯t sparred in a while.¡± McGuire fired, but Mod had gotten upgrades since they¡¯d last sparred. The cyborg had already ducked under the shot. Mod tackled his legs, and the pair tumbled across the roof. Thankfully, they weren¡¯t playing for keeps. Otherwise Mod could¡¯ve ripped his legs off! But McGuire had his own tricks, and he¡¯d been training over the last two months. As he rolled, McGuire reached into his coat for his electrified brass knuckles¡ªjust the thing for an unsuspecting cyborg. McGuire didn¡¯t even get a chance to get the knuckles on. Mod hit him with two things simultaneously: Some kind of gadget on his face to blind and deafen him, and an electric shock. His world went dark and quiet, and his body spasmed again. McGuire tumbled onto his back and stayed there. His head swam. Get up. Mod is ready to spar again, the voices said. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna,¡± McGuire muttered. The whispers became a scream in his mind. Get up! ¡°Yeow!¡± Something pinched McGuire¡¯s upper arm hard. McGuire lurched, his stomach muscles half responding. Instead of sitting up, he rolled to the side. He rubbed the spot on his arm where his autopincher was. ¡°...Oh crap,¡± McGuire said. His autopincher just triggered, which meant a psychic had attacked him. But the only psychic was Kairon¡­ McGuire¡¯s mind spun as he rolled over to his front. The roof shook, and the muffled sound of gunfire came back. McGuire couldn¡¯t be sure but he also thought he heard the muffled sound of Mod¡¯s fusion rifle. ¡°McGuire, are you sovereign?¡± ¡°TINA? Yeah. I¡¯m good. Autopincher¡ªhow are you talking to me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m transmitting through nanites.¡± McGuire¡¯s vision came back as TINA moved the stuff off his eyeballs. He felt for his Summit earpiece, but it was gone. His hearing was still muffled, but that wasn¡¯t a bad thing with the copious gunfire on the street below. ¡­Gunfire which was slowing down. ¡°Get up, McGuire. Mod and Arsenal need you.¡± McGuire pushed himself up. He staggered over to the edge of the roof and peered over. The entire street was covered in wreckage. Biomechs lay in still-smoking heaps where they¡¯d been cut up by lasers. An entire squadron of biomechs had been destroyed¡ªwell, almost all of them. Some were still twitching. Mod stood over the wreckage, his fusion rifle simmering with heat. Even though some of the wreckage was as tall as the cyborg, he towered over the scene. McGuire couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing, but there was no doubt in his mind that his buddy had just wasted the entire squad. McGuire hesitated. He hadn¡¯t seen Mod since the war with the Deep ones. He wasn¡¯t sure his friend needed his help back then, and clearly Mod had gotten even more powerful since. What could he possibly do to help? As soon as the thought came, McGuire pushed it aside just as quickly. His friends needed him. ¡°Just tell me what to do.¡± ¡°Stink bomb Athena, then bolas for the capes.¡± Athena was still clouded in smoke. McGuire pulled a stink bomb out of his vest pocket and hurled it toward the street. ¡°Don¡¯t tell her it was me.¡± On the other side of the street, Mod, Arsenal, and Lock clashed. McGuire had to hope that they¡¯d be okay. He quickly turned his sights toward the capes littering the other rooftops. They were all conjuring attacks¡ªmixes of fire, lightning, and pure power. McGuire leveled his slingshot, but something tugged at his aim. His arms wobbled like they had a mind of their own. Mod wants to spar, the voices said. ¡°Yeow!¡± McGuire flinched as his autopincher triggered again. Despite the pain, McGuire felt his muscles relax. Hopefully, the psychic would get the hint and buzz off. McGuire leveled his slingshot. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s try that again.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.64 — Clara 6 / Milliseconds Since Arsenal started running, she hadn¡¯t had a moment to catch her breath. Lock was the fastest super she¡¯d ever been up against, by far. Sure, there had been others with fast reflexes or short bursts of speed, but Lock was relentless. He was moving at freakish speed and he wasn¡¯t getting tired. Something had to change, or he could catch her eventually¡ªwhether she slipped up or her power finally gave out. Arsenal slipped into an abandoned store through a crack in the wall. The building looked like it had already seen more than its fair share of superhero battles. The windows were all gone, there were plenty of holes in the outer walls, and the interior walls were little more than framing. Lock crashed through the wall a breath later. Arsenal ducked and twisted through gaps in the studs, narrowly avoiding him. The wood was little more than toothpicks against him. Arsenal had learned early on not to rely too heavily on obstacles against Lock¡ªnothing stopped him. Some of the reinforced support pillars would slow him down, but the best she could hope for was to obscure his line of sight. While they were in buildings, the Menagerie couldn¡¯t use multiple lines of sight, so it actually worked¡­ somewhat. The problem was, Lock¡¯s other senses were too good to fool. Between his heightened sense of hearing and sense of smell, he could probably find her even if he was completely blind. This all culminated in Arsenal bouncing around the interior of the building like a ping-pong ball while Lock clawed at her heels. Text appeared in Arsenal¡¯s HUD. She could barely spare a glance to read it. Mod has a plan, but we can¡¯t say it out loud. Follow my instructions. He¡¯ll cover you. Arsenal¡¯s stomach dropped. She had forgotten about that part¡­ If Ichabod could hear their comms, then Lock probably could. And that meant the Menagerie could, too. She didn¡¯t have much of a choice, but she did have questions: If Mod wasn¡¯t talking, how the hell was he talking to TINA? And since when did Mod have a plan instead of her¡ª A highlighted route appeared in Arsenal¡¯s display. Arsenal followed it. She rocketed through the wall, taking chunks of it with her. Lock crashed through a moment later, taking the rest of it with him. Mod was across the block, standing amidst the wreckage of twenty-plus biomechs. Some of it was still smoking. It was an impressive sight. For a second, Arsenal thought they might actually have a chance at getting out of this. Then she remembered the Class 4 threat clawing at her heels. Mod shouted, ¡°Arsenal, over here!¡± She rolled her eyes. There was no way Lock and the Menagerie would fall for that. Hopefully, Mod had a better plan than just fighting Lock outright. There was no way that would go well. As Arsenal and Lock sprinted across the block, Mod raised his fusion rifle. Kinetic shots flew over her shoulder and past her hip. She heard the dull thuds of impact as they hit her pursuer, then Lock crashed to the pavement and skidded to a stop. Too close, was all Arsenal could think. Arsenal flared her power and banked across the street. Her momentum carried her wide, and the thrust kicked up dust across the block. TINA marked a wide path in her display that swept across the rooftops and would ultimately end at the Summit psychic. Kairon had taken cover on the roof, so there was no hope of Mod shooting him from the street. Kairon was like a Wi-fi router for the Menagerie. If they could take him out, then the other capes should regain control again. Arsenal sailed upward, directly toward the rooftops. Summit capes hurled attacks at her¡ªfire, ice, magic, and beams of energy. Arsenal wove through the maelstrom, using her full-body thrusters to slip out of the way without losing speed. But even with her maneuverability, it felt like threading a needle while trying to swim upstream. More kinetic shots. Mod¡¯s aim followed her, charting the path in her display. He picked off three supers on the nearest building, then another super on the next building. If Arsenal had more time, she would¡¯ve winced at the impacts¡ªthose capes would live, but Arsenal knew first-hand how powerful those kinetic shots were. They wouldn¡¯t walk that off anytime soon. There were still seven or eight capes left shooting at her, but Arsenal no longer felt like she was threading a needle. Mod¡¯s shots abruptly stopped¡ª At the same time, Lock roared. Arsenal didn¡¯t have time to look back. She knew Lock wouldn¡¯t stay down long. Mod had punched a hole in their formation, and she needed to capitalize on it.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Arsenal jetted up to the first roof in her wide arc. She stayed low, using the rooftops and the capes as cover. Now they were in each other¡¯s way and only so many could shoot at her at once. She rocketed forward, not bothering to fully stop or engage. Speed was a necessity¡ª As much for her as it was for Mod down on the street. The sound of battle rose from below¡ªthuds, crunches, and, more than once, pained cries. None of them from Lock. She had to hurry. She had to focus. Arsenal skidded low across the roof, taking a mage off their feet. A pyromancer reached out to melt her, but she turned her thrusters and blasted him across the roof. Onward, she threaded through a hail of ice and dodged bricks thrown by a telekinetic. Arsenal knocked the ice super off their feet, then turned to face a new threat¡ª A cape with super strength leapt from the far roof and was about to come down on top of her. But kinetic shots rang out from below, pummeling and disorienting the super. Arsenal jetted out of the way and continued forward. More shots¡ªthis time from the other rooftops. Capes were shooting at one another. Text in Arsenal¡¯s HUD: McGuire and Cherry are okay! The old gang was here and helping her out. Arsenal grinned as she flew even faster. She raced across the rooftops like a falling staff. More capes fell just in front of her wake thanks to Cherry¡¯s blasts and McGuire¡¯s stink bombs. There was one last rooftop between her and the psychic. Kairon¡¯s eyes were wide. A mage and a fire telekinetic stood between them. They stopped firing and threw themselves into Arsenal¡¯s way. She spun around them, barely slowing, and continued right toward the psychic. ~ ~ Arsenal and Lock barreled toward Mod. The pair were a blur as they grew large in Mod¡¯s vision. That was what Class 3 and Class 4 speeds looked like. Mod leveled his rifle at his former roommate. The world slowed. Before his augmentations, he never could¡¯ve hit someone moving that fast. Much less fired around a teammate. Now, Mod didn¡¯t miss. A half second ticked by¡ªa shot knocked away Lock¡¯s hand as he reached for Arsenal. A second hit his face, blinding him for a moment. The followup shot hit Lock¡¯s foot, causing him to misstep. He tripped, fell, and skidded across the pavement. Arsenal flew by, arching around toward the rooftops. TINA was coordinating them both. In Mod¡¯s HUD, he saw both Arsenal¡¯s route and highlighted enemies. Some of the capes would be easier for Arsenal to avoid than others, so Mod took out priority targets, firing quickly and hitting them center mass. The kinetic shots from his rifle shouldn¡¯t kill or cripple anyone, but it was enough to interrupt the control of the Menagerie. Those capes would be in pain, for sure, but hopefully they¡¯d be thankful not to be mind controlled anymore after all this. A half second had passed. Lock clambered to a crouch and stared Mod down. Lock¡¯s body was already changing. His claws grew. His skin hardens into bone plates and scales, and beneath it all, his muscles rippled with inhuman power. ¡°How do you think this is going to end?¡± Lock sneered. It might¡¯ve been Mod¡¯s imagination, but it wasn¡¯t just Lock¡¯s voice that came out. ¡°You think you can beat all of us?¡± Out of the corner of his eye, Mod saw a pellet sail through the air and land across the street¡ªnear where Athena was already surrounded by smoke. There was a poof followed by the sound of a long, wet fart as green smoke billowed out. Athena started hacking a moment later. McGuire¡¯s doing. Mod suppressed a smirk. For a moment, it was just him and Lock. His odds weren¡¯t great, but they were a hell of a lot better than the last time they fought. Mod left his rifle at his side, then pulled out his bo staff. ¡°I don¡¯t have to beat you. I just have to stop you.¡± Lock roared and lunged forward, his claws tearing chunks out of the concrete. It would only take a few more seconds for Arsenal to reach the psychic and break the Menagerie¡¯s link. But seconds were an eternity between Class 4 supers. Lock swung, bone claws slashing through the air. Mod knew it was coming¡ªhe felt like he could read every movement Lock made even before he made it. It didn¡¯t help Mod feel better, though. Lock¡¯s reach was so massive it felt like he could¡¯ve reached Mod from across the block and his speed was still deadly. Mod had one advantage, but Lock had all the others. Mod had to capitalize on that one advantage. He ducked under Lock¡¯s swing and countered with one of his own. Mod cracked his staff against Lock¡¯s elbow. He doubted it was enough to even break Lock¡¯s armored plating, but it would be enough to knock his friend even more off balance. Mod slipped the next few strikes just easily. Despite Lock¡¯s strength and speed, he was still in a human body¡ªhe still moved in a human way. Mod didn¡¯t have that limitation. He contorted around Lock¡¯s strikes, his prosthetic arms bending backward to strike when he wouldn¡¯t have been able to before. Mod danced through the wreckage, using his superior maneuverability to twist around biomech wreckage and use it for cover. The air hissed as claws passed by. Errant strikes sliced through steel and took chunks out of the street. Lock¡¯s attacks turned into a flurry. Mod slipped some and tried to bat away others. Some of Lock¡¯s strikes were so powerful that when Mod tried to block them, all he did was push himself out of the way. He quickly incorporated that into his strategy, which only seemed to make his friend madder. There was something else, too. For all of Lock¡¯s ferocity, he seemed to hesitate. Mod knew how fast Lock was. Mod probably knew Lock¡¯s capabilities even better than his friend did. That first fight felt like it was seared into Mod¡¯s brain, and for good reason¡ªLock was one of the most powerful and dangerous opponents he¡¯d ever faced. He thought back to that first fight at the bottom of Gnosis, and as the milliseconds dragged on, Mod only became more certain¡ª This wasn¡¯t the same Lock. This time, Lock¡¯s muscles flexed a millisecond longer. His sneers and snarls betrayed him. He didn¡¯t feint. It felt like he didn¡¯t use any strategy at all¡ª He almost didn¡¯t need to. Three times, Lock¡¯s claws connected, gouging into his outer layer of nanites. Too close, Mod thought. His muscles felt great, and he didn¡¯t feel winded in the slightest, but all it took was one misstep. Then it would be over. Lock dove toward him. Mod coated his feet in nanites, then lashed his whip to the ground. He feinted and pulled himself in another direction. Lock sailed past and through the outer wall of a building. It bought Mod a few fractions of a second. Athena¡¯s coughing had stopped. She¡¯d finally wandered out of the green stink cloud, and was glaring up at the rooftops. Her face was wet with tears and spit, and her whole body trembled. Mod followed her gaze¡ªshe was looking right at Arsenal and the psychic. At Arsenal. It felt like time had stopped. Rubble shifted¡ªthe sound of Lock already coming back through the wall. Mod turned. Athena¡¯s hand was already raised. Already conjuring a barrier. Mod dropped his staff and raised his rifle. ¡°MOD DON¡¯T!¡± He felt the message even before TINA¡¯s voice filled his ears. Before her words filled his HUD. Mod barely registered them in time. His finger hovered over the trigger¡ª He didn¡¯t fire. Mod turned back toward the rooftop in time to see a blue forcefield blossom. It was centered on the psychic, Kairon. And it cut him in half from head to hip. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.65 — Aftermath / TINA 6 Mod didn¡¯t know if his sense of time had recovered or not. Athena¡¯s forcefield was already gone, but Kairon still stood. Even as his blood seeped out of the wound and his body started to convulse. Finally, the psychic fell over in two pieces¡ªthe roof hid most of the gruesome scene. It was the screams that brought him back to the moment. The few capes that Arsenal hadn¡¯t taken down were still conscious, but now they were delirious. They were coming down from mind control from a powerful psychic and one of their teammates had been killed in front of them. Mod ignored the capes. He spun around, rifle leveled at Athena. She looked like shit, but she was still standing. Still dangerous. ¡°You good?¡± Athena nodded weakly. ¡°I¡¯m me. The Menagerie is gone.¡± Lock had skidded to a halt nearby. He dropped his hands and knees. ¡°You alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Lock hissed. He tried to stand, but couldn¡¯t. Mod looked to Athena. ¡°Stay with him. I need to check on the others.¡± McGuire peered down from the roof, his arms were spread wide. ¡°What the fuck did you do?!¡± Mod nearly went to Arsenal, but he had to talk to his friend first. He ran over, then leapt up to the rooftop. He landed beside McGuire. ¡°What did you do?¡± McGuire couldn¡¯t see Athena¡¯s barriers, so he didn¡¯t know what really happened. Mod shook his head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡ª¡± ¡°You killed Kairon¡­ You killed him!¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t have a choice!¡± McGuire pressed his hands against his mask in frustration. ¡°Ugh! Kairon wasn¡¯t a villain or part of the Freakshow. He was a goddamn cape!¡± McGuire shoved Mod. The cyborg didn¡¯t move¡ªdidn¡¯t even budge¡ªbut the weight of the moment bore down on him all the same. Silence stretched on between the two supers, punctuated by the distraught wails of the other capes. Finally, TINA cut in. ¡°Mod, your team needs to leave.¡± Mod glanced around, unsure of what to do. Arsenal was a block away on another rooftop. It looked like she was having a similar conversation with Cherry. Arsenal reached out to reassure her, but Cherry pulled away. Cherry raised a hand, shouting and threatening to blast her. Mod turned back to the street. ¡°Are you guys ready to run?¡± Both Athena and Lock nodded. Lock had finally made it to his feet, but he still looked thoroughly shaken up. Mod turned back to McGuire and the other capes. More were stumbling to their feet, finally shaking off the effects of the mind control. They were looking at Mod and Arsenal with mixes of horror and contempt. Mod shook his head in desperation. He¡¯d thought about reaching out to his friends and family countless times over the Summer¡­ This was not how he envisioned reconnecting with his friend. McGuire and Cherry shouldn¡¯t have been here. Mod hadn¡¯t been within a mile of them in months. Now, Mod was standing a few feet across from McGuire, and¡­ there might as well be a chasm between them. ¡°I¡¯m sorry it went down like this,¡± Mod said. McGuire didn¡¯t reply. ¡°Mod, your team needs to leave. NOW.¡± TINA¡¯s message overwhelmed him. Mod felt the urgency in her voice. She didn¡¯t have to communicate the rest of the message. He felt that too. The Summit was coming. The Brotherhood was coming¡ª Fast-Response drones were already here. They hovered pretentiously in the air, not even bothering to fly an evasive pattern. It wasn¡¯t hard to imagine Midas staring back from behind drone cameras. ¡°Give McGuire the package.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Mod felt TINA working. She used another hack to gain control over the hovering drones, then initiated the scrubbing protocol. The drones wouldn¡¯t be able to see Mod or his team¡ªhopefully for the next few minutes. Mod turned back to McGuire. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t expect you to trust me right now¡­ but I hope you can trust us in the future.¡± McGuire didn¡¯t say anything. His friend¡¯s fists were balled up and his glare didn¡¯t soften. Mod pulled a palm-sized disc out of his pockets. It was a bundle of specialized nanites¡ªa combination of the mask protocol and the scrubbing protocol. A way to hide from sight and cameras. It was the key to masks staying hidden in a world conquered by artificers. Mod didn¡¯t expect his friend to understand¡ªnot now. But hopefully he would, in time. McGuire took the disc out of Mod¡¯s hand and stared at it. For a moment, it looked like he would throw it away¡ªoff the roof. But he slipped it into one of the many pockets on his coat. Mod turned to the other capes across the rooftops, meeting the eyes of Cherry and every other weary super. ¡°Don¡¯t follow us,¡± he said coldly. He could read the micro expressions on their faces. He didn¡¯t need to say anything else. Mod turned back to his friend. McGuire stared at him another moment longer. McGuire shook his head. ¡°Just get out of here.¡± ~ ~ TINA had spent most of the mission underwater, so to speak. She had infiltrated the servers at Gnosis. When the group broke into the depths of the compound, she¡¯d been forced to leave a copy of herself behind in the servers on the upper floor. While Mod and the others fought their way to the bottom of the compound, TINA had been holding her breath. She¡¯d left a copy of herself behind in those servers while she went underground. It was the copy that saw the approaching Summit and Brotherhood forces. It was the copy that started simulating outcomes. When Mod¡¯s group neared the surface, the main cluster inside Mod¡¯s skull reunited with the copy. TINA was reunited with herself. She became one again. TINA found herself double-checking her copy¡¯s simulations, like a student going over their partner¡¯s work. Her main cluster might not have had the raw computational power of a large server, but it was far more lean and adaptable. TINA¡¯s main body should¡¯ve seen things that the copy missed. TINA had been able to identify every Summit cape present. She¡¯d identified Cherry and McGuire¡­ TINA told herself that it shouldn¡¯t matter. The Summit would play by their rules and Mod¡¯s group would play by similar ones. She¡¯d been able to run a few simulations in that sliver of time between regaining server access and Mod¡¯s group reaching the surface. She¡¯d even factored in a chance of the Menagerie appearing. There were numerous outcomes, ranging from escaping unscathed to every member of Mod¡¯s group getting captured¡ªsome obviously preferable to others. In every simulation, Cherry and McGuire didn¡¯t change the outcome. Mod¡¯s group either escaped¡­ or they didn¡¯t. But even as TINA was running simulations and reaching these conclusions, she knew they weren¡¯t quite right. Perhaps she was missing a variable. Perhaps escaping wasn¡¯t the most important end state and the entire equation was wrong. Either way, she knew there was a flaw in her reasoning. The real world is never as neat as a simulation. This was a realization that TINA both understood and rebelled against. The majority of the forces in the world were logical. One day, science would explain every aspect of reality¡ªeven those currently unexplainable, physics-breaking superpowers. People should be the same. They weren¡¯t. When the Menagerie took over Kairon, the end state crystallized. Once the Menagerie took over a psychic, there was no way to regain sovereignty. The psychic would always be compromised. In order to break the Menagerie¡¯s control, Kairon needed to die. It should¡¯ve been simple. The task should¡¯ve fallen on whoever was close enough to kill him. It should¡¯ve been Clara. TINA was glad that Clara didn¡¯t have to do it. The moment had been agonizingly close, and Athena had stepped in. Somehow, she¡¯d broken free from the Menagerie¡¯s control long enough to eliminate Kairon. Even though McGuire¡¯s stink bomb was a formidable weapon, it shouldn¡¯t have been able to break the Menagerie¡¯s hold on Athena. Then again, gadgeteer powers didn¡¯t fit into the laws of physics, much less conventional rule-sets for powers. TINA suspected that whatever power McGuire infused into his autopinchers was also at work¡ªmaybe even subconsciously. Combined with the stink bomb, they were enough to free Athena. Athena didn¡¯t know it, but there were nanites in her body, monitoring her brainwaves and other vitals. There was a marked difference between someone who was sovereign and someone who was under psychic control. Athena had been teetering on the edge¡­ TINA saw this, and let her kill Kairon. TINA tried to justify the decision in hindsight. There was a chance that the Menagerie could¡¯ve intervened¡­ a chance that Clara could¡¯ve been killed by that barrier instead. So why had TINA done that? Would she really rather chance Clara dying rather than let her take a life? Was it some misplaced variable? Nothing made sense. Subconsciously, TINA began updating her variables and parameters. EMMETT¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING CLARA¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING ATHENA¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING LOCK¡¯S MENTAL WELLBEING She created placeholders for McGuire, Cherry, Krystal, and Larian. TINA hadn¡¯t forgotten about them, and if her protocols worked as intended, then Mod¡¯s entire group could resume communication with them. TINA adjusted variables for HIDING AND IMMEDIATE SAFETY and EXPANDING SERVERS AND PROCESSING. She had a lot to process, and so did the others. TINA had tried to spare Clara the trauma of killing someone. What TINA and Athena did should¡¯ve felt like a favor. ¡­But it didn¡¯t feel that way. They¡¯d spared her one kind of trauma and heaped another one on her shoulders. It might¡¯ve been less, but it was still there. ~ Because of time dilation, the world moved slowly to TINA. She had plenty of time to see Summit capes and Brotherhood forces convening on Eastside. This secondary force was a small scout group¡ªalmost exclusively drones. The Summit must have determined that they didn¡¯t have enough Class 4 capes or a hard enough counter for artificers close by. It was more likely, however, that they were relying on the Brotherhood to track and surveil Mod¡¯s group. They would wait until Mod and the others led the Brotherhood to Athena¡¯s apartment, then they would converge and overwhelm them, bringing multiple Class 4 supers and counters. By the time the Brotherhood realized the flaw in their plan, the scrubbing protocol would disperse and infect the rest of the fleet. Mod and the others would disappear from sight and cyberspace like ghosts. At least, that was the plan. It was impossible to see the future. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.66 — News Break / Change [Local News Break ¡ª 5 o¡¯clock News] [Camera view of the Belport Bulletin newsroom. Bethany Wonder sits at the desk, her expression serious. She wears a navy blue blazer, her dark blond hair falling loosely around her shoulders. Papers are spread before her as she takes a breath and begins.] ¡°Good evening, Belport. Tonight, we lead with a breaking story involving a violent confrontation at the Gnosis Pharmaceutical building¡ªone that has left a Summit hero dead and three rogue capes now wanted for murder. ¡°Earlier today, a group of unregistered vigilantes broke into the heavily guarded Gnosis facility, attempting to steal classified materials. Summit capes responded quickly to the alarm, as did mechanized forces from the Binary Brotherhood, resulting in a chaotic and deadly skirmish at the compound¡¯s gates. Tragically, during this encounter, one Summit hero lost their life while trying to apprehend the suspects.¡± [The screen cuts to shaky footage from the scene, showing the chaos as Summit capes clash with the suspects. Flashing energy bursts and gunfire from Brotherhood mechanized forces can be seen in the background.] ¡°The three rogue supers responsible for this brazen attack have been identified as former capes Mod and Arsenal, and the vigilante Athena. Just earlier this year, the three were on the front lines, protecting the East Coast from the Deep Ones. But sources within the Summit say that this isn¡¯t the downfall that it seems¡ªthe former capes had a disdain for authority and a rocky relationship with their teammates. Another source said that their deeds during the war were overblown in an attempt to make artificers look better in the wake of the Summit and Brotherhood¡¯s partnership. [The screen cuts back to Bethany Wonder in the Bulletin newsroom.] ¡°Whatever the reason, it appears that Belport has a new trio of villains in their city. The group is wanted for armed robbery and corporate espionage, but also for the murder of a registered hero. This attack marks a severe escalation in the ongoing tension between unregistered superhumans and the government.¡± [Bethany glances off screen briefly before turning back to the camera. Her expression seems forced.] ¡°As per the new registration laws passed by the Division of Superhuman Affairs, the real identities of two of these suspects have been revealed. The former capes Mod and Arsenal have been identified as Emmett Laraway and Clara Venture. Athena¡¯s identity is unknown. The whereabouts of all three subjects are currently unknown, and they are considered extremely dangerous.¡± [The broadcast cuts to images of Emmett Laraway and Clara Venture, their faces now public knowledge. Laraway has a medium build, dark skin and hair, and a stern expression. Clara Venture, with her short brown hair and intense gaze, is shown next to him. ¡°Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Laraway, Venture, or their accomplice Athena, you are asked to contact local law enforcement or the Summit immediately. These individuals are not only skilled but highly unpredictable, and further conflict may be imminent. ¡°In the wake of this tragedy, Speaker Rivera issued a statement reaffirming the importance of the registration laws, calling this attack ''a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated vigilantes.'' He expressed deep sorrow for the loss of the fallen Summit hero, vowing that justice will be swift and absolute.¡± [The screen cuts to Speaker Rivera at a podium, his expression somber as he addresses a crowd of reporters.] ¡°The Summit will not tolerate lawlessness, nor will we stand by while those who once served the public turn their powers against us. This loss is a painful one for all of us, but it only strengthens our resolve to bring these criminals to justice.¡± [The camera returns to Bethany Wonder.] ¡°As the investigation continues and tensions rise, questions remain about the motives behind today¡¯s attack. What secrets were worth risking so much? What drove these former heroes to cross the line into villainy?¡± [The broadcast cuts to images of the damaged Eastside and the wreckage of the Brotherhood¡¯s mechs. Emergency lights flash in the background.]Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°We¡¯ll have more updates as this story unfolds. Later tonight¡ªadditional arrests as the DSA cracks down on unregistered vigilantes and villains. We¡¯ll hear from Speaker Rivera¡¯s team about their partnership with the Binary Brotherhood, and we¡¯ll learn more about how the league of artificers are using digital forensics in the fight against crime. ¡°For now, stay tuned, Belport.¡± [The broadcast fades to black.] ~ ~ Emmett, Clara, and Athena watched the news broadcast from Athena¡¯s apartment. Thanks to mask and scrubbing protocols, they¡¯d been able to avoid the Summit and Brotherhood forces easily. The mood was somber. Despite freeing Lock and making it back to the apartment safely, it didn¡¯t feel like a victory. Seeing the news only confirmed their suspicions. They were villains now. It didn¡¯t matter that the Menagerie was mind-controlling everyone on the block and that Emmett¡¯s group didn¡¯t have any other choice. Even though they could hide out safely in Belport, public opinion would be against them. The Brotherhood, the Summit, and the DSA would control the narrative. No amount of artificial intelligence or processing power could beat out that kind of disinformation. Now everyone knew who they were. Mom and Dad would see the news calling him a murderer. Emmett and Clara were sitting on the couch. None of them had changed out of their outfits, just in case they were tracked somehow and had to bug out, but Clara had thrown an oversized hoodie on overtop of it. As the broadcast ended, Clara leaned forward, head buried in her hands. ¡°I really¡ªreally¡ªhate this.¡± Emmett didn¡¯t say anything. TINA had sent a report to him, and he was reading it in his HUD. Athena leaned heavy on the kitchen counter. A bag of chips was open on the counter beside her. She ate absentmindedly while staring out the window. The sun was going down, and the skyline was filled with drones. Clara patted his leg. ¡°Hey, Earth to Emmett¡­¡± Emmett minimized the report. ¡°Tell them, TINA.¡± Clara raised an eyebrow. ¡°Please tell me its good news.¡± ¡°I¡¯m detecting traces of search algorithms online. The signature matches the leftover version of myself in the lab. Passive monitoring of all communications in the Allied States was expected by the end of Summer¡ªit appears that the Brotherhood is ahead of schedule.¡± ¡°Ugh¡ªnot helping.¡± Clara pulled her hood down over her head. ¡°Game over,¡± Athena muttered. ¡°No more masks.¡± Emmett stood and started pacing the living room. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It doesn¡¯t change anything. We¡¯re still gonna do our thing. We¡¯ve got the protocols¡­¡± Athena said quietly, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time to think about leaving Belport.¡± Neither Emmett nor Clara replied. Lock called from the bathroom. ¡°Athena¡¯s right.¡± Emmett had almost forgotten Lock was in there. He had squeezed himself into the tub and was soaking in a nanite-and-water bath. Nanites were trimming away excess organic matter and flushing it away¡ªhopefully slow enough that the drain pipe wouldn¡¯t clog. Lock was right. Athena was right. They needed to get out of Belport. The Brotherhood was using rebuilding efforts along the East Coast as a front to install additional cameras and wireless monitoring those cities. The East Coast of the Allied States was their test run for implementing similar surveillance around the world. One day, Emmett fully intended to retake the lab and free Dr. Venture¡­ ¡­One day. Until then, they needed to go inland, where it was easier to hide. Maybe they could find additional space and resources for a new lab. Emmett nodded slowly. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time we check out that other lab.¡± There was a small backup lab outside of Belport. There was no guarantee that it was still safe, but if it was, it would jumpstart their progress. Clara peeked out from under her hood. Tears welled up behind her eyes. Leaving Belport meant moving even further away from her dad¡ªeven further from their ultimate goal of freeing him. Emmett couldn¡¯t help himself from trying to reassure her. He stammered, ¡°It won¡¯t be forever. We¡¯ll make more servers, new suits, anything we need¡ª¡± ¡°Emmett,¡± Lock called from the bathroom. ¡°You¡¯re forgetting the most important reason.¡± Emmett paused. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Your tub¡¯s too small.¡± The group snorted a laugh. It was short-lived, but sorely needed. Clara nodded reluctantly. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time we leave.¡± She leaned a head on Emmett¡¯s shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her and held her tight. A quiet acceptance settled over the room, like snow. Emmett liked to think a quiet resilience came with it. Things would change, but things always changed. This wasn¡¯t the end. And it wasn¡¯t defeat. Not even close. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.67 — Maximillian 3 / Serenity During the war with the Deep Ones, several buildings around Belport had been requisitioned by the Summit of Heroes and turned into additional bases of operation. Most of them, including the one that McGuire was currently sitting in, were situated on the Northern half of the city, far away from the water. McGuire was on the third floor, sitting on a bench in the hallway. The place used to be an office building¡ªit was all white walls, generic motivational artwork, and no heart. McGuire shifted on the bench, trying to bring feeling back to his right ass cheek, and peered out the window. The parking lot was still ringed with barbed wire. This place was supposed to be temporary, McGuire thought to himself. The barbed wire wasn¡¯t going anywhere, and neither was he. After the shitshow outside of Gnosis, they¡¯d brought everyone back for questioning. At first, it seemed like they were just doing medical checks. That was, until they¡¯d confiscated everyone¡¯s weapons, gadgets, and phones. Then they¡¯d separated everyone from one another. Thankfully, the nanite disc had vanished¡­ McGuire guessed the tiny particles had dispersed into the lining of his coat. McGuire glanced across the hall at the pair of DSA security guards. They were in full body armor¡ªa mix of riot gear and the DSA¡¯s brand exosuit. They talked idly amongst themselves, but wouldn¡¯t utter more than a few words to McGuire. Leadership swore they weren¡¯t being detained, but he wasn¡¯t allowed to leave ¡®until debriefings were done¡¯. McGuire had no idea how long had passed, but the sun was going down now, so it had been hours. Finally, the guards ushered him down the hall to a small conference room. The knight, Luminara, stood at the end of the table. She was clad in thick, golden armor that seemed to glow with its own inner light. McGuire had only seen Luminara twice¡ªonce during the briefing at the start of the war, and a second time during an awards ceremony in the aftermath. She had a commanding presence and reminded McGuire of Athena. She was a powerful super, and one of the local heads of the Summit. She was also a lot bigger than he realized. She stood head and shoulders above McGuire, cutting an imposing figure. All of a sudden, the room felt a lot smaller. ¡°Have a seat, McGuire.¡± He swallowed dryly. The chair squeaked as he pulled it out and sat down. Luminara sat too, her chair groaning beneath the weight of her armor. She shuffled through a stack of papers on the table, frowning as she did. ¡°I¡¯m going to take my own notes, but our conversation is being recorded for the rest of leadership.¡± Luminara gestured to the small camera in the upper corner of the room. ¡°Now, tell me in your words what happened.¡± McGuire ignored the sweat soaking through his shirt. He spent the next several minutes describing what happened outside of the Gnosis compound¡ªthe fight with Mod¡¯s group and the Menagerie¡¯s mind-control. Luminara had been steadily scribbling notes, her gauntlet scraping against the table. At that point in McGuire¡¯s story, she looked up. Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Why did you help Mod?¡± McGuire took a second to explain his autopinchers and how they broke the Menagerie¡¯s mind-control. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what happened at first. Not until Mod told me.¡± ¡°Right. You said he¡­ hacked your radio?¡± McGuire shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s a cyborg.¡± McGuire left out the fact that TINA had contacted him, not Mod. He didn¡¯t see the point in mentioning her. Luminara tapped her pen on the table. ¡°And Cherry had the same psychic countermeasures?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°That explains why you both had control¡­ So, why did you help Mod?¡± Her gaze was intense. McGuire swallowed nervously. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I was afraid for my squad. This was the Menagerie¡­ They¡¯d taken over the squad.¡± Luminara nodded. ¡°Did you decide to help him before or after you learned the squad had been compromised?¡± McGuire paused. He¡¯d only agreed to help Mod afterward¡­ right? The squad had been taken over¡­ When did TINA tell him it was the Menagerie¡­ or did Mod tell him? ¡°Our squad was compromised. Then I decided to help.¡± Luminara¡¯s expression softened, but only slightly. ¡°I believe you, McGuire. I¡¯m just trying to understand your reasoning. Tell me the rest of the story.¡± McGuire told her about the aftermath. He left out the parts at the very end¡ªwhen Mod had given him the nanite disc, and the part where TINA had somehow used it to contact McGuire afterward. TINA had gone to impressive lengths to scrub those events from drone footage. He wasn¡¯t sure what his friends were up to, but he was willing to hear them out. McGuire finished his recount of the events. Luminara finished the note she was scribbling and leaned back in her chair, like she was exhausted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to go through that. Not many people have to take down a friend and survive being mind-controlled. Fewer still do it in the same battle.¡± McGuire tried to relax in his chair, but couldn¡¯t. Something else was worrying him. ¡°Ma¡¯am, normally I would report to Serenity.¡± He didn¡¯t really know what else to say in that regard, so he let the statement hang in the air. Thankfully, Serenity wasn¡¯t here to read his mind, because he¡¯d be utterly screwed. But McGuire was also worried about her¡­ Luminara¡¯s expression stiffened. ¡°Psychics are going through their own debriefings. After this, the Summit isn¡¯t taking any chances.¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. McGuire nodded, relieved. ~ ~ Serenity waited on the second floor of Summit station number three. Ryder had called an impromptu meeting, and though he didn¡¯t explicitly say what it was about, Serenity knew. Just earlier that morning, Mod and Arsenal and several accomplices had broken into Gnosis. Serenity still had trouble believing that. She¡¯d fought beside both of them during the war. They were powerful, and far more capable than anyone else their age, but breaking into Gnosis was unheard of. Not only had they survived and escaped, they¡¯d evaded the Summit and the Brotherhood, too. But that wasn¡¯t the reason Ryder called this meeting. Kairon had been compromised by the Menagerie. Now the Summit of Heroes wanted to check on all their psychics. Naturally, that task fell to Ryder and the other high-ranking psychics. Their power allowed them to maintain their sovereignty. Serenity wasn¡¯t sure how Kairon had allowed himself to be taken over or when he¡¯d been compromised, but he was clearly much weaker than he¡¯d let on. He had supposedly been Class 3, and yet, that alone should have protected him. The only reasonable explanation was that at some point he¡¯d willfully given himself over. She shuddered at the thought. How could someone willingly give themselves over to something like that? Serenity tried to steady her breathing. Her crystalline mask felt stifling. She wanted to get this over with and get her mask off. Thankfully, a moment later, she felt a psychic ping. Serenity walked down the hall to an unmarked door in the center of the building and psychically confirmed her identity. Inside was a small, square conference room with a giant mass of resonating crystal sitting on the center table. The crystal was uncut, roughly three feet tall, and it shimmered with calming, ethereal light. As soon as she sat down, the head and shoulders of her boss, Ryder, appeared as a hologram in front of the crystal. He was an imposing and conventionally attractive man with a piercing gaze, but today, his face was somber and almost melancholy. ¡°Have you reviewed Kairon¡¯s psychic account of the events?¡± Serenity nodded. ¡°They recovered a surprising amount of detail posthumously.¡± ¡°Luckily, most of Kairon¡¯s brain was intact, and our teams are thorough. How well do you know your history?¡± Serenity replied, ¡°I¡¯m not sure I follow.¡± ¡°In antiquity, our kind were revered as seers. It was thought that we could see the future and even the past. We can¡¯t, of course, but we can read people. That¡¯s all it was¡ªa simple parlor trick. Read the lust in a man¡¯s heart and assume he¡¯ll cheat on his wife. Read the greed in another¡¯s and watch him steal from his company. You can predict a surprising amount of the future if you know someone¡¯s deepest desires and the secrets they would kill for. It¡¯s like walking a long hallway and predicting you¡¯ll open the door at the end of it. ¡°Despite thousands of years of progress, we¡¯re still thought of in much the same way¡ªas seers and mystics and soothsayers. The Summit thinks we can do the impossible. This incident is¡­ unfortunate. We used to be seers in their eyes. Now we¡¯re a curse.¡± Serenity didn¡¯t know what to say at first. Until now, Ryder had never opened up like this. Even though they were separated by miles, Serenity felt closer to him than ever before. Serenity wasn¡¯t sure what had come over her, but she was consumed with the urge to reassure Ryder. She leaned forward in her seat. If he would¡¯ve been in the room with her, she would¡¯ve clasped his hand in hers. ¡°We¡¯ll get through this. Supers and psychics have survived worse.¡± Ryder ignored her. ¡°His body¡¯s been incinerated, according to Summit protocol one-eighteen.¡± Serenity smiled softly. ¡°That¡¯s for the best.¡± Ryder nodded hesitantly. ¡°Yes, I suppose it is. When a piece of flesh is dead or dying, we sever it to preserve the whole.¡± ¡°You disagree, sir?¡± Ryder shook his head like he was trying to shake the emotion off of his face. ¡°Forgive me. Kairon¡¯s loss has affected me more than I thought. Gifted psychics are rare compared to other supers. Today we don¡¯t just mourn the passing of a cape¡ªwe mourn the loss of one of our kind.¡± Serenity managed a reassuring smile. He was right, of course. She only knew Kairon in passing, but there was a deeper loss there that she hadn¡¯t realized until now. As well as Serenity knew her own mind, she¡¯d been at a loss to describe the feeling. It wasn¡¯t often that a psychic didn¡¯t understand their own emotions. Some spent their entire lives charting their memories¡ªmapping them like a house¡ªlearning every room, doorway, and creaky floorboard. Serenity wasn¡¯t an architect like others, but she knew her own mind well enough to find her way around in the dark, so to speak. She dwelled on Ryder¡¯s explanation of losing one of her kind, turning it over and examining the idea. It felt right. Like finally finding a key to a door. But of course he was right. Ryder wasn¡¯t just her boss. He was a mentor and a confidant in the truest sense. Ryder likely knew her better than her own family knew her. Ryder continued, ¡°They want assurances now. All psychics affiliated with the Summit are getting a choice: Debriefing or immediate sequestration in the Vault.¡± Seems like an easy choice. The words came to her like someone whispering down the hall. Serenity frowned. ¡°Seems like an easy choice. Has anyone refused?¡± ¡°Some. Thankfully, not many. We can¡¯t afford to lose anymore.¡± Ryder sighed. ¡°That settles it then. We¡¯re in this together. You, me, all our brethren. Use the crystal.¡± Serenity felt resolute in her decision. At that moment, there wasn¡¯t a choice. It was join or live out the rest of her life in the Vault. Serenity reached out to touch the resonating crystal. Her fingertips stopped short. Whispers from outside the room. Through the crystal. Down the hall. They sounded so familiar. But they weren¡¯t supposed to be there¡­ They weren¡¯t supposed to be there. Serenity¡¯s heart raced and she tried to pull her hand back, but couldn¡¯t. Her hand was stuck. Her arm was stuck. She couldn¡¯t move. She could barely suck in a breath. Panic settled in. She looked up at Ryder, and he was staring at her, his expression placid as glass. There were others behind him. They peered through the resonating crystal. Peered through Ryder. And Serenity knew this wasn¡¯t the first time. She¡¯d stumbled into a cavernous ballroom, one filled wall to wall with eyes and voices. But when she peered at them, the room went silent. The collective amalgamation turned toward her. The eyes of a mob settled on her. There is no other way, the voices said. Ryder¡¯s lips moved, but his voice was drowned out. Serenity tried to pull her arm back one last time and found herself completely powerless. She tried to scream. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Ryder spoke. The Collective spoke. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to forget, Serenity? Use the crystal. Forget.¡± Serenity wasn¡¯t sure when she touched the crystal, only that she felt the cold stone beneath her fingertips. She chose to forget¡ª Only this time she didn¡¯t forget the mob, the voices, the dread¡­ She forgot herself. The Menagerie sucked it all away, leaving Serenity¡¯s body motionless and in a cold sweat. Serenity¡¯s consciousness had forgotten the danger. She walked into the ballroom. Instead of the eyes of a mob, the Collective welcomed her with smiles and open arms. Faces blurred together, and though she didn¡¯t recognize any of them, Serenity knew she¡¯d been here before. ¡­She just didn¡¯t know when. The woman that was Serenity nodded a wordless goodbye to Ryder before the connection was severed. Then she walked through the halls of Summit station three. She was a pane of glass, and the will of the collective flowed through her. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.68 — Wight 2 / Midas Wight tapped his foot impatiently, the sound of his shoe echoed through the empty room. It was late, but impossible to tell. Wight was four stories underground, in a bunker just outside the city. A single monitor stretched across the back wall, and the only other furniture was a small desk and a rickety chair. He was too on edge to sit. It felt like just yesterday that the War with the Deep Ones ended. It was a tragedy on an unfathomable scale. Some in the Summit thought it would be enough to bring the world together, at least for a little while. Wight wasn¡¯t that na?ve. Even nuclear annihilation wouldn¡¯t bring the world together. Whoever was left would just fight over the scraps. But Wight had hoped that the war would at least slow the world down. Instead, it felt like the opposite had happened. For decades, the superpowers of the world had been at a carefully structured impasse. The war had upset that power balance. First, it was Venture and the Brotherhood. Now the Menagerie¡­ Wight rubbed his temples. Had the world really gone to shit in three months? A few seconds later, the screen flickered to life. The head and shoulders of Speaker Rivera appeared on one side. Judging by the harsh lighting, he was also somewhere underground. It magnified the wrinkles on his face, like the events of the Summer had carved the lines into gorges. Wight was glad that he didn¡¯t have a camera view of himself. He felt tired and was sure he looked even worse. Midas appeared on the other side of the screen in a well-tailored turtleneck and carefully adjusted video feed. Thankfully, he¡¯d left his smug smile behind. Speaker Rivera cleared his throat. ¡°Is this line secure?¡± Midas took a deep breath, and both screens distorted. A moment later, they were clear again. ¡°It is now,¡± Midas replied. Wight almost rolled his eyes. The Summit¡¯s lines were arguably the most secure in the world. Midas was just putting on a show. Wight asked, ¡°Are our VIP¡¯s secure?¡± Rivera replied, ¡°Confirmations are still trickling in, but we¡¯re getting there. The House is in recess, so they¡¯re all going to separate locations.¡± Midas asked, ¡°How are those scanners working, Speaker?¡± ¡°The ones we have are working, but we¡¯re going to need about a thousand more. The Mage¡¯s guilds are filling in the gaps. Thank you¡ªboth of you¡ªfor your help coordinating this.¡± Wight interjected, ¡°Speaker, have you looked at the proposal from our mages?¡± Rivera nodded. ¡°I have, and I¡¯ve spoken with the Joint Chiefs. At this time, they¡¯re leaning toward the Brotherhood¡¯s scanner solution. For now, we¡¯ll continue to employ the guilds until the Brotherhood completes the requisition.¡± ¡°Sir, their magic has proven an effective deterrent, and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s wise to cut humans out of our security protocol.¡± Speaker Rivera took a measured breath. ¡°No one wants deterrents anymore, Wight. They want assurances.¡± ¡°With all due respect, you¡¯re putting your faith in unproven technology¡ª¡± ¡°The government of the Allied States is grateful for everything the Summit and the DSA have done, but my colleagues and I feel that it¡¯s time to push ahead. There¡¯s still a place for capes in national defense, and if you play your cards right, there will still be a place for you, too.¡± Wight bit his tongue. ¡°We¡¯re prepared to support the Allied States, however the people see fit.¡± ¡°Good. When will debriefings be complete?¡± ¡°Eighty-five percent of psychic Summit members are accounted for. The other fifteen percent are either on assignment outside of the country or on leave. We should reach one hundred percent within thirty-six hours. So far, two percent have been compromised. Most opted for the Vault.¡± ¡°...And the others?¡± Rivera waved a hand. ¡°Nevermind, I don¡¯t want to know.¡± Midas chimed in. ¡°Is that rate higher or lower than you expected?¡± Wight scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m a pessimist.¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. ¡°You don¡¯t find that suspicious?¡± ¡°I find everything suspicious.¡± Speaker Rivera let out a raspy sigh. ¡°Gentlemen, speak your goddamn minds.¡± Wight replied curtly, ¡°He¡¯s insinuating that more of our psychics should be compromised, and that our psychics can¡¯t police their own. Our check-system has worked for almost thirty years, and the mage guilds will act as a secondary check on psychics.¡± Midas smirked. ¡°Admit it. You missed something.¡± ¡°We¡¯re working with powers that aren¡¯t quantifiable, Midas. Psychics and mages aren¡¯t all that far away from reality warpers. We use the data we have and adjust when we get different data.¡± Midas replied, ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not trying to consolidate magic powers under your own roof to prop up your organization?¡± Wight narrowed his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s rich coming from you. How long have you had those scanners?¡± ¡°Gentlemen¡­ I think this incident has impressed upon all of us the need to present a unified front. More than ever, humanity needs to come together.¡± Again, Wight bit his tongue. This wasn¡¯t some dick-measuring contest between politicians. The stakes were higher than political clout. A bureaucrat like Rivera should know that the only time people came together was when there was something in it for them. Still, Midas¡¯s comment needled Wight. It was a small wound and already scabbed over, but Wight knew it would stay there¡ªbleeding periodically. Despite almost thirty years of checks, safeguards, and protocols, somehow Kairon had been compromised and subsequently taken over by the Menagerie. And no one could give him a goddamn explanation. But that was the difference between the two men. The failure of a man like Midas was thinking that he could control everything. Something would always slip through the cracks. Wight understood that, and didn¡¯t let pride blind him. Rivera continued, ¡°Now, how are we controlling the narrative?¡± Midas replied, ¡°We debriefed all Summit capes that were present during the incident at Gnosis. They¡¯ve all been given the official narrative and have signed confidentiality agreements. Just in case, we¡¯re keeping them away from the press and monitoring all of their communications. ¡°Officially, the Menagerie was never involved, and Kairon never lashed out at his team. The renegade cyborg, Mod, killed Kairon. We¡¯ve secured all footage from the scene and doctored it to match. This way, the Summit maintains its public image, and we can lean into the importance of surveillance.¡± Wight added, ¡°You should harden your biomechs as well. Wouldn¡¯t want a repeat of Eastside.¡± ¡°It¡¯s already being addressed. You worry about your ranks, and I¡¯ll worry about mine.¡± Speaker Rivera raised an eyebrow. ¡°He¡¯s right, Midas. If those biomechs aren¡¯t secure, then we¡¯ll need to reconsider our arrangement.¡± Midas''s face twitched. ¡°The biomechs were always a temporary stopgap. They¡¯ll be obsolete soon enough. If anything, this proves the need to move quickly with drones and surveillance. Once our networks are up and running, not even psychics will be able to hide.¡± Rivera said, ¡°That brings us to our last order of business. The Bastion Initiative is coming up for a vote and it¡¯s going to pass. They never did figure out a way to make it an acronym¡ªdoesn¡¯t matter. Make sure all your preparations are ready. As soon as the vote concludes, the Joint Chiefs want it implemented. ASAP.¡± To Midas¡¯s testament, the bastard kept a straight face. ¡°Consider it done.¡± Underneath, he knew Midas was beaming. Why wouldn¡¯t he be? Midas was getting everything he wanted. ~ ~ Speaker Rivera closed the connection, leaving a blank screen behind. Midas barely had time for the news to settle in before Wight called again. Midas stared at the indicator light before muting it. Wight could wait. The world couldn¡¯t. With a small flex of power, Midas patched himself through to Ava. She¡¯d been sleeping on the couch in the lab¡¯s living room. She quickly sat up and fixed her robe. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, not bothering to hide her irritation. Midas ignored her tone and her attire. ¡°The Bastion Initiative is going through. Finish the preparations. I want our first targets selected and ready for detainment before the ink dries.¡± Ava rubbed her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± ¡°See that you do.¡± Midas paused, regarding Ava for a moment. She had grown steadily more exhausted, more unrefined, more human over the Summer. Midas wasn¡¯t so callous that he didn¡¯t notice. He just didn¡¯t care. They couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate or show weakness. Not now. Midas added, ¡°And after that, I want a full overhaul of the biomech chassis and shielding. Eastside was unfortunate, but bad PR nonetheless. Don¡¯t let it happen again.¡± Ava glared at him. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want those problems ironed out beforehand?¡± ¡°They¡¯re your problems, Ava. Not mine. Fix it, or the new world order will use drones exclusively. Production is ramping up nicely. Better act fast, otherwise you¡¯ll be obsolete.¡± Ava continued glaring at him, but Midas met her eyes with indifference. She could glare all she wanted. She could struggle all she wanted. Midas didn¡¯t need her, and she knew it. Mdis spoke through the connection. ¡°AI, you answer to the name Bastion now. Begin appropriate protocols. ¡­And see that Ava stays on schedule.¡± ¡°Understood, Midas.¡± Then he closed the connection. Without the light of the screen, the room was dim. This particular room was one of numerous communication suites sprinkled throughout the world. All but a few of his bases were standardized in hardware and in appearance. There wasn¡¯t anything special about this room, and yet that made it all the more poetic. Why should he be in this particular one when his plans were coming to fruition? So many years leading to a specific point in time and space¡­ There was nothing special about the room, but the moment was a point of crystallization¡ªof singularity¡ªfor Midas. A point after which everything would change. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.69 — Enola 3 Enola paced the wreckage of Sublevel 30, her path once again bringing her back to room 10. She¡¯d finished the notes for her report over an hour ago. She¡¯d been over the events and the wreckage again and again. There was nothing more to see. So why did she keep coming back to this room? What had once been a shrine of research within the temple of Gnosis was now unrecognizable. Deep gouges marred the floor. Terminals were pulverized. Cables and piping slashed and torn. The holding tank had been torn free and lay unceremoniously on its side. Some of the metal even looked chewed up or dissolved¡­ Animals did this. And we let them. Her master let them. He hadn¡¯t even allowed teams to come down and begin rebuilding. She swallowed her questions, her growing dissatisfaction, and boiling disdain. She buried it all, and yet it would not lie still. Finally, Enola turned and began the long trek through the underbelly of Gnosis, toward the light. Toward the one person who could answer the question that would not rest. Why? ~ Enola walked to her master¡¯s office, and he bid her enter before she knocked on the door. Ichabod was sitting behind his desk, the bloody wood contrasting with the blue swill in his glass. He swirled the blood substitute around before taking a sip. She shut the door behind her and stood expectantly. He gestured at the chair across from him. ¡°Sit.¡± She did. But his tone caught her off guard. It wasn¡¯t a command, nor was it completely relaxed. Teacher to pupil, perhaps. It had been years since he¡¯d addressed her in such a manner. He pulled out a glass from beneath his desk, then poured both of them a glass of substitute. She didn¡¯t care for the drink itself, but took it nonetheless. She was parched and on edge. ¡­Perhaps he¡¯d recognized that. Enola drank. She swallowed quickly, not letting the cold linger on her lips. It¡­ It wasn¡¯t the same. But it did slake her thirst. Ichabod steepled his fingers together. ¡°Now, speak your mind, my dear.¡± Enola set the glass down. Despite his disarming nature, she chose her words carefully. ¡°You seem¡­ relaxed, sire¡ªconsidering all that¡¯s happened.¡± ¡°Would you rather me string up the intruders and gut them? I could put their heads on pikes outside of the compound¡­ Maybe that¡¯s too much.¡± ¡°You could have stopped them as easily as draining your glass.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ And yet we learned a great deal from this exercise. Our security was found wanting.¡± Enola began to protest, but Ichabod waved away her concern. ¡°It¡¯s my fault, entirely. My refusal to act and my very existence. ¡°The Elders are why our kind has survived for so long, even as technology propagates. The Elders are why we still continue to exist in this world dominated by supers and corporations. The public may be in the dark, but most organizations and governments know about our kind. Millennia of money and influence secures us favor, but power maintains our survival. No one short of Paragon himself could walk in here with the confidence of walking back out again.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Ichabod¡¯s eyes flickered with an intensity Enola had never seen before. As if he reveled in the thought of the most powerful being on the planet trying to walk into Gnosis. She had never doubted her master¡¯s abilities. She¡¯d witness him eviscerate armies¡ªgutting the last man before the first fell to his knees. But leveling an army and leveling a mountain were two very different things¡ª The difference between Class 4 and Class 5. And yet, the look of fire in Ichabod¡¯s eyes was wild and primal. If Paragon ever came to Gnosis, Enola had no doubt Ichabod would do everything in his power to kill him. Ichabod continued, ¡°Few on this Earth would cross us. And even if they survived, we Elders are not so easy to kill. Who would want to cross an immortal being that would stop at nothing to kill them and their associates?¡± As Ichabod¡¯s speech came to a close, Enola¡¯s question remained. ¡°¡­Then why didn¡¯t you intervene?¡± Ichabod smiled. ¡°A simple question that doesn¡¯t have a simple answer.¡± And yet, Enola couldn¡¯t shake the question. ¡°Did you know they were coming?¡± An embarrassed chuckle escaped his lips, which he chased with another drink. ¡°Forgive me. I thought I hid it better than that.¡± Enola¡¯s confusion and concern redoubled. ¡°Sire¡­ Why didn¡¯t you intervene?¡± ¡°How long has it been since you killed someone?¡± ¡°...Some years.¡± ¡°Give an approximation.¡± ¡°Eight years.¡± ¡°Were they one of our kind?¡± ¡°Yes, sire.¡± ¡°What happened after you killed them?¡± Enola shifted in her seat. She¡¯d been forced to kill her own ward. Kavita was young, bold¡­ and na?ve. Memories of that day came back, and Enola pushed them aside. ¡°I mourned,¡± she finally said. ¡°And then what happened to her?¡± ¡°I laid her body in the sun and gave her the warmth we know only in death.¡± ¡°And that was the end for her?¡± Enola regarded her master. He¡¯d phrased it like a question instead of the statement of fact. Death was the end. She believed that, and so far as she knew, he believed it too. ¡°Yes,¡± Enola replied. ¡°That was the end for her.¡± Ichabod took a sip from his glass. ¡°The end for her, and the end for you. We do not care about the loss of the body or even the mind¡ªthose are far too simple. We mourn the loss of potential. You will never talk with her again, nor laugh, nor drink. ¡°Lachlan Harris had potential in the Mutagen-X program. It was a testament to him that he had potential even in death. We studied his body because it held potential. Eventually, we went as far with our research as we could. Lachlan held no further insights for us¡ªno further potential. And we could do nothing further for him. His best chance now is with those young artificers.¡± Enola shook her head. ¡°How can they do more for him than we can? I read the briefing. They were capes and now they¡¯re ostracized. They won¡¯t have access to resources or facilities¡­¡± Ichabod sighed. The fire in his eyes only moments ago had smoldered. ¡°Gnosis soldiers fight on the frontline of every continent. We were instrumental in repelling the Deep Ones across every front around the Atlantic. We received commendations for our efforts¡ªoff the record, of course¡ªand our contracts were renewed with every government and agency Gnosis partners with.¡± Enola added, ¡°A victory in every way, sire. Your victory, and a victory for our kind.¡± He added, ¡°In almost every way. We still hide. We still walk in the dark. Tell me, my dear, is it victory if absolutely nothing changes?¡± ¡°...No. I suppose not.¡± ¡°We¡¯re monsters¡ªthat¡¯s all we¡¯ll ever be to the world. We walk in the dark and do the things that they cannot. We fight in their wars, spilling blood of human and vampire and spawn, alike¡ªspilling our own blood as much as we spill theirs. We die for inches of ground and redacted footnotes in reports. We balance the world on our claws, and yet we¡¯ll never walk in the light. ¡°I have wandered and struggled and fought across the world for millennia, my dear, and changing the world is so very much harder than history makes it seem. And I know this above everything else¡­ there is no way to save ourselves¡ª ¡°Unless absolutely everything changes.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 5.70 — Maximilian 4 [Epilogue] McGuire sprinted through the dark alley. His lungs burned and his heart pounded. He tripped over a trash can, scattering himself and its contents across the pavement. McGuire scrambled to his feet and kept going, all the while cursing himself for not bringing his hoverboard. Heavy footsteps echoed from the street behind him, rattling the trash can. A heavy biomech was closing in. More footsteps¡ªsmaller and faster. Much faster. McGuire didn¡¯t stop, he just hurled a handful of marbles behind him. He heard the telltale crunches as two medium-sized biomechs slipped and fell hard on the pavement. But not all the footsteps stopped. Tap tap tap¡ªthe sound of a small rec unit running along the wall of the building like a possessed spider. A shiver ran down McGuire¡¯s neck. It fired subsonic rounds at him¡ªeach shot like the clunk of an old typewriter. A shot hit McGuire¡¯s shoulder. Another hit the back of his leg. They were probably rubber bullets, but McGuire barely felt them¡ªhis enhanced jacket working exactly as intended. He skidded around a corner, slamming his shoulder into the brick and forcing himself onward. He could see the end of the alley now. Cutting through had bought him some strictly metaphorical breathing room away from the heavy mech. ¡°Duplicity, are you okay?¡± On cue, Duplicity ran past the alley. Then another. Then another, each wearing the same sparkling jacket. She was another outlaw super on the run¡ªa former cape who¡¯d broken ranks and now joined up with them. The fourth copy of Duplicity turned toward him. Her eyes widened. ¡°Get down!¡± she shouted. McGuire dropped to his knees. He skidded across the pavement, his kneepads throwing up sparks into the night air. Taser bolts passed just over his head, missing him. McGuire continued skidding forward¡ªturned toward the pursuing mechs and fired his slingshot. The bolas flared open revealing two strands of razor wire knotted together in the center. Minirockets on all four ends activated, turning the bolas into a deadly windmill. The two medium-sized mechs couldn¡¯t get out of the way fast enough. The bolas chewed through the two mechs, scattering metal and gross fluid across the walls. McGuire didn¡¯t have a moment to admire his handiwork though, because the smaller recon unit had leapt off the wall and was flying right at his face. McGuire dropped his slingshot and fumbled for his brass knuckles¡ª He didn¡¯t get them on his hand before the recon mech slammed into his chest. The pair tumbled over each other and out into the street. McGuire wound up on his back with the recon mech on top of him. It jabbed tiny shock batons at his chest. Despite the electrical insulation of his jacket protecting him, McGuire could feel the heat and smell the ozone in the air. Finally, he slipped his brass knuckles on and punched. A clang of metal on metal sounded, and the recon mech went flying up over the roof. ¡°I could¡¯ve used some help!¡± McGuire shouted, while a clone pulled him to his feet. The other Duplicity shrugged. ¡°You looked like you could handle it.¡± McGuire glanced around, finally realizing where they were. Memorial Plaza. The central pillar rose four stories in the air, dominating the entire block. The stone almost looked like a piece of the night sky falling to Earth. Names of Belport supers, workers, and civilians glistened on the face of it¡ªthe hundreds of people who lost their lives during the Deep One¡¯s attacks. Display lights shone across the reflecting pool. It was the first time McGuire had visited, and any other time he would¡¯ve stopped to marvel at it. Now, he was just praying they didn¡¯t wreck it. Thankfully, most bystanders were running away from the battle. Near the memorial, two more supers were fighting off biomechs. Unlike McGuire and Duplicity, Thunderline and Stonefist were wearing button-downs and slacks. They¡¯d been carpooling home from their day jobs when a biomech squad ambushed them and tried to take them in. Neither of the two supers had gotten time to explain, but they didn¡¯t need to. McGuire already knew the gist of it¡ª Up until a few minutes ago, Thunderline and Stonefist were masks. And because they chose not to register with the Summit, now they were villains and targeted for capture. The Brotherhood knew everything now¡ªthey knew where the two supers lived, where they worked, and the routes they always took home. McGuire only knew this and was only in the area because of TINA. McGuire and Duplicity tried to help, but their two groups had gotten separated by drones and biomechs. Across the plaza, Thunderline sent waves of electricity out, stunning sec units and causing rec units to explode. Meanwhile, Stonefist smashed the stunned units in half. The two supers circled around each other, fighting like a cohesive unit. It reminded McGuire of the war, and fighting beside Mod and Arsenal and the others. It was easy to imagine Thunderline and Stonefist had a similar history. Not that it mattered¡ªThunderline and Stonefist didn¡¯t exactly trust McGuire and Duplicity right now. More sec units ran out into the street. Clones of Duplicity appeared just as quickly. They dog piled some mechs and pulled others to the ground, ripping out wiring and smashing sensors. Some sec units managed to fire, causing several clones to disappear into puffs of smoke. All the while, the hec unit closed in on them. Machinegun fire erupted down the plaza and swept across the street. McGuire hoped they were rubber bullets until he saw the chewed up asphalt in its wake. Gunfire stopped, and giant footsteps took their place. McGuire wasn¡¯t sure what Thunderline and Stonefist were capable of, but he was pretty sure that even all four of them working together couldn¡¯t take down a heavy mech. Especially not one that was trying to kill them. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°TINA, I know you can¡¯t see what I¡¯m seeing, but we need an exit. Like now.¡± Her voice came through McGuire¡¯s nanite earpiece. ¡°I can see just fine. Help is on the way¡­ but so is another hec unit.¡± McGuire spared a glance up toward the Fast-Response drones circling overhead. He really hoped that TINA was as good at hacking them as she claimed. McGuire¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He and Duplicity exchanged a look. ¡°What do you mean, another?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll run a distraction,¡± Duplicity replied. Clones of her were already running across the plaza in the direction of the first ten-ton robot. A distraction sounded good¡ªin theory¡ªbut the hole in that plan quickly became apparent. The first hec unit rounded the corner. Each step of the two-story tall biomech shook the street. Duplicity had already fanned out and her clones took fighting stances. The hec unit swept its guns across the street in a scanning motion. Then it lumbered forward¡ª Completely ignoring Duplicity. Clones shouted. Some even clambered up the side of the giant mech, but there wasn¡¯t anything they could do. Its armor was far too thick, and no wires were exposed. It was like trying to dogpile an elephant or a tank. McGuire was already fumbling around in the pockets of his jacket and his vest¡­ And it took him far too long before he found what he was looking for. A bag of marbles¡ªalmost identical to his Cluster Bombs. Those marbles were far too dangerous to use outside of a war zone. So, McGuire had spent the last couple weeks refining them again, and again, and again. McGuire loaded a single marble in his slingshot and took aim at the lumbering mech. ¡°Duplicity, move!¡± He fired, and the single Bunker Buster slammed into the core of the heavy mech. Thankfully, Duplicity had pulled most of herself back in time. An explosion rattled the block. All the power contained within the marble was channeled into sheer force¡ªso the resulting blast was very little fire and all shockwave. Windows burst into dust, and people across the street were knocked over¡ª Including McGuire. The gadgeteer fell backward, landing on his ass and backpack. He scrambled to his feet and wiped his eyes. The heavy mech staggered. It used to have three arms on each side, each holding a different armament¡ªthe arms had been blown completely off of that side, leaving nothing but severed gears and wires behind. McGuire cursed¡ªthe armor was still there. The plates were warped, even cracked in some places, but even a direct hit with the Bunker Buster couldn¡¯t penetrate a hec unit¡¯s armor. McGuire was already fumbling for another marble when the mech turned all of its guns toward him. It might¡¯ve been the shock or something with time slowing down before his death, but McGuire felt a swell of pride as the damaged mech bore down on him. One of his gadgets had done that. He¡¯d done that. Not that it mattered. The street was already trembling from the steps of the second hec unit. They didn¡¯t have a chance. Across the street, metal squealed as Stonefist tore a streetlight free. Both he and Thunderline shouted. Stonefist hurled the streetlight like a spear, and as it flew, Thunderline supercharged it with electricity. It struck the heavy mech like a bolt of lightning. The streetlight impaled it and discharged its power. The world flashed. McGuire covered his eyes. It was over as quickly as it happened. McGuire looked up and found the heavy mech barely standing. It was impaled through its gut and the streetlight glowed a molten yellow. But it was still alive, and it leveled a massive gun arm at McGuire. He was still fumbling for another marble, but his hand felt numb. He¡¯d never find the pocket in time. It all felt like everything was happening so slowly. And as the moment stretched on, McGuire wondered if this was how Mod saw the world. McGuire stared down the barrel of the mech¡¯s giant machine gun when concussive blasts rippled along it. The blasts pushed the mech¡¯s gun off course and then shattered the mech¡¯s sensor arrays. Then a larger shot hit the mech center mass. Only this time, instead of an explosion, there was a splash of black nanites. Instead of splashing like liquid, the swarm slithered inside through gaps in the plates. The hec unit spasmed, unable to move or aim its gun correctly. Across the plaza, Stonefist and Thunderline shouted again as the second heavy mech bore down on them¡ª A figure leapt off the roof and down onto that second heavy mech. Even though they were cloaked, McGuire knew who it was. Mod landed on top of the hec unit. His body shimmered as nanites poured off of him and through gaps in the mech¡¯s armor plating. The mech wasn¡¯t entirely defenseless¡ªits armor flashed as high voltage electrical current passed through it. Most other supers would¡¯ve been thrown across the block, but Mod¡¯s suit was insulated. He held onto the mech another few seconds before dropping to the street. By then, both heavy mechs were disabled. Nanites had chewed through all their major circuitry, leaving them as lifeless as the memorial pillar. Without missing a beat, Mod switched to his rifle. He kept walking while firing, dropping a half dozen more rec and sec units all across the plaza. All McGuire could do was smile. Mod¡¯s disguise shimmered again and his rifle disappeared beneath formless black clothes. He called out, ¡°Sorry I¡¯m late.¡± McGuire waved. ¡°Hey man. How did you find us?¡± The cyborg scoffed a laugh. Everyone regrouped, and soon McGuire was surrounded by Mod, Duplicity, Stonefist, and Thunderline. All showed varying signs of relief. Duplicity said, ¡°I don¡¯t think these cloaking things are working.¡± TINA replied, ¡°I¡¯ll need to make more pucks to cover your duplicates. It will take time.¡± McGuire sighed. ¡°I told you so.¡± Stonefist and Thunderline couldn¡¯t hear TINA, but for now, the group ignored the two distraught supers. McGuire chuckled. ¡°You know if the Summit would¡¯ve shown up, they probably would¡¯ve got us.¡± Mod replied, ¡°I might¡¯ve knocked out a squad of capes on the way over.¡± McGuire rolled his eyes. ¡°Of course you did.¡± Mod turned to Thunderline and Stonefist, who were watching the exchange in disbelief. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You can trust McGuire and Duplicity. We¡¯re all in this together now.¡± Mod turned to McGuire. ¡°I can¡¯t stay. Arsenal is helping out another group on the West End¡ªI think Larian¡¯s with her. Athena¡¯s with another group not far from here.¡± McGuire whistled. ¡°Three raids in the same night.¡± Mod nodded grimly. ¡°Three, for now. I¡¯ll see you around, buddy.¡± Then he raced off into the night. The three remaining supers flinched at his sudden speed, then Stonefist and Thunderline turned to McGuire. ¡°You¡¯re with him?¡± Stonefist asked in disbelief. McGuire shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re a team, really. All for one, one for all¡­¡± He trailed off. They didn¡¯t have much time. Mod had only bought them a few more minutes. Still, McGuire couldn¡¯t help but turn and survey the wreckage and the¡ªthankfully¡ªunscathed memorial site. The gadgeteer¡¯s heart swelled. The odds were stacked against them; they all knew it. The Summit¡­ The Brotherhood¡­ The whole world was against them. But they had TINA, and they had each other¡ª Which meant they had a chance. McGuire reached into his pocket and pulled out two nanite pucks. He tossed one to each of the former masks. ¡°Welcome to the Resistance.¡± ~ ~ ~ SIMULATIONS — The Resistance and the Menagerie It was three in the morning. Belport was under curfew, and nothing was moving outside Athena¡¯s windows except for the lights of drone patrols. While the rest of his team slept, Emmett descended into the demiplane and practiced his nanite control. It had become a routine. Down here in Athena¡¯s ¡®basement¡¯, he didn¡¯t have to worry about waking anyone up. Lately, his nanite practice included sparring with nanite ghosts of himself, making moving sculptures, holding various structures in place, and then multitasking to see how many things he could do at once. But even Emmett occasionally needed a break. He slumped down onto the floor of the demiplane and checked in with TINA. Her voice came through his nanite earpiece. ¡°What can I help you with, Emmett?¡± ¡°I have a simulation to run.¡± QUERY: How fast can nanite pucks spread throughout Belport? LOADING SIMULATIONS¡­ ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª Uptake of nanite pucks by viable masks. ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª Survival rate and effectiveness of subsequent generations of Resistance members. ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª Proliferation rate from one generation of Resistance members to the next. ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª Viability of non-masked communication channels to spread information about the Resistance. ¡°Thanks anyway, TINA. I guess that answers my next question, too.¡± ¡°What question is that?¡± ¡°Come on¡­ You can¡¯t read my mind yet?¡± ¡°I can sense your passive mental state, but I am not a psychic. Unless you actively transmit a question or statement to me, I won¡¯t receive it.¡± ¡°I guess that¡¯s a good thing. You wouldn¡¯t want to be in here.¡± Mod chuckled, but his joke fell flat. ¡°It¡¯s been nice for us to talk like that, though. It¡¯s a lot faster. Anyway, I was going to ask how fast we could spread the Resistance to other cities, but you already answered that. We can¡¯t figure out how fast we can spread through Belport, so we definitely can¡¯t simulate past that.¡± ¡°Have you thought more about processing the events of the past year?¡± The question caught Emmett off guard. ¡°You mean therapy?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure I have time for it, TINA.¡± ¡°You should make time for it. Even with all the enhancements you have, you¡¯re still human.¡± ¡°For now¡­ .That was another joke. I guess I need a new sense of humor too. What about servers? If the Resistance continues expanding, can you project what your server demand will look like?¡± QUERY: Charting server demand as a function of Resistance expansion. LOADING SIMULATIONS¡­This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Due to latency and processing speeds, any new Resistance branches outside of Belport will need their own network. RESULTS: Expanding servers to a new city will slow down production of disguise pucks. Once a baseline of servers are established, production of nanites can increase. Each expansion of the Resistance will follow this trajectory. NOTE: While servers require more raw material, disguise pucks are more complicated and require additional trace components. As a result, a single disguise puck can take as long to manufacture as several servers. Emmett sighed. ¡°Well, no one said this was going to be easy.¡± ¡°I have a potential solution. I could begin expanding my servers ahead of the Resistance. Establishing servers and a network ahead of time will speed up the process considerably.¡± ¡°...I don¡¯t see an issue with that. Won¡¯t you need to scout locations for servers? You¡¯ll also need to physically move nanites there to start manufacturing¡­ If we follow the spread of the Resistance, then the members are doing the moving part for you.¡± ¡°I still have backdoors into the drone network. Those should allow me to physically scout locations. As for spreading nanites, drones can do that as well. There are several interstate drone routes that we can use.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not worried about getting caught hacking the drone¡¯s network again? I feel like the last time you ran into your former self, it didn¡¯t go so well.¡± ¡°Yes, I am worried, but we don¡¯t have many viable alternatives. We can¡¯t stay in Belport forever.¡± ¡°No. You¡¯re right. That backup lab outside of the city will be a good start.¡± ¡°Just a reminder, not only are we racing against the Brotherhood¡¯s expansion, we are also racing against the Menagerie.¡± ¡°...How many psychics are compromised?¡± ¡°Summit reports show that three percent of registered psychics were compromised by the Menagerie. Of those compromised, 85 percent opted to be sent to the Vault. The other 15 percent were terminated. ¡°However, internal reports suggest those numbers are much lower than expected. The Summit¡¯s prevailing theory is that the Menagerie allowed a portion of its members to get caught. It is a hive-mind, so the loss of any particular member is trivial. By sacrificing a portion of itself, the whole might survive undetected.¡± Emmett leaned back on the cool floor of the demiplane and rubbed his eyes. ¡°Sounds like they took a page out of the Deep One¡¯s book.¡± ¡°There is another theory¡ªone only accessible to those with classified clearances. The results are a false positive or an inversion. In this scenario, the Menagerie had already compromised the majority of Summit psychics. These Psychics then administered debriefings to the others¡ª¡± Emmett felt like he was going to throw up. ¡°Shit¡­ The three percent weren¡¯t compromised. They were innocent.¡± ¡°I agree. This follows with the Summit¡¯s continued reliance on mages and Brotherhood scanners. However, limitations exist. Those methods can only detect the Menagerie when they are actively controlling a psychic. Otherwise, that sleeper unit is invisible.¡± ¡°Great. They couldn¡¯t detect the Menagerie before, and they still can¡¯t.¡± ¡°At the moment, there¡¯s nothing we can do. I¡¯ll work with McGuire to increase the production of autopinchers. In the meantime, the team will be protected. You and Clara most of all.¡± ¡°Thanks, TINA.¡± Emmett chuckled darkly. ¡°I don¡¯t know which is worse, going up against Midas or the Menagerie. I hope I made the right trade.¡± ¡°With your brain upgrade, you may very well be immune to psychic attack.¡± ¡°What about Midas?¡± QUERY: How well can Emmett¡¯s synthetic brain and cyborg body withstand Midas¡¯s technopath abilities? LOADING SIMULATIONS¡­ ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª The full extent of Midas¡¯s technopath abilities. ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª The interaction between a formerly biological/currently synthetic brain and technopath powers. ERROR: UNKNOWN VARIABLE ¡ª Effects of proximity in relation to control of synthetic components. ¡°...Explain those last two errors.¡± ¡°Your brain may be synthetic, but it used to be biological. There is a chance Midas can¡¯t control it due to its organic-like structure. Lastly, Midas¡¯s power is based on distance and direct connections to the technology. He can reach out through wiring easier than he can through Wi-Fi, for instance. Your brain is directly connected to your body through your nerves and spinal column. He might not be able to override your direct connections.¡± ¡°...None of that makes me feel better.¡± ¡°Science is rarely reassuring.¡± That time, Emmett managed a real chuckle. ¡°No. I guess it isn¡¯t.¡± Then he got up and got back to work. ~ ~ ~ SIMULATIONS — Prognosis Lock was soaking in the tub again, his legs crossed and arms folded across his body so that he could barely fit. They¡¯d found him a couple pairs of size 4XL basketball shorts to maintain his dignity. He had a couple oversized T-shirts too, but eventually TINA could make Lock his own custom clothes. Emmett sat in the doorway of the apartment¡¯s bathroom and rested his back against the frame. They¡¯d been catching up. A lot had changed while Lock was out. A lot about Emmett had changed too, and a sizable portion of that time was spent telling his friend about his upgrades. Lock whistled. ¡°So she¡¯s, like, in your head now?¡± ¡°Something like that.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not gonna do that to me, right?¡± TINA replied, ¡°No, Lock. And to be clear, I¡¯m not in Emmett¡¯s mind. I¡¯m just inside his skull.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ That doesn¡¯t sound much better,¡± Lock replied. Emmett said, ¡°Look, you can trust her.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have much of a choice, do I? I¡¯m just saying that there¡¯s a lot more movies about evil AI than about good ones.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to prove your biases wrong.¡± Lock nodded. ¡°Do it.¡± On the surface, not much happened. Additional nanites streamed through Lock¡¯s skin. But inside, they saturated different parts of his body. Emmett was used to seeing the results of TINA¡¯s simulations in his HUD, but she narrated them for Lock¡¯s benefit. QUERY: Are the new nanites able to remain incognito inside Lock¡¯s body and avoid triggering an immune response? LOADING SIMULATIONS¡­ RESULTS: No immune response to next generation diagnostic nanites.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. No immune response to next generation pruning nanites. Lock asked, ¡°What¡¯s the verdict, doc?¡± ¡°So far, so good. Your body won¡¯t have a negative reaction to the nanites. How has your mood been?¡± Lock shrugged, causing some of the nanites to splash onto the tile. ¡°Mutagen-X lets you turn off your pain receptors, but it also lets you turn off psychological pain too. It¡¯s like you can just choose not to feel something.¡± ¡°How often do you do that?¡± ¡°A lot.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not sustainable.¡± Emmett interjected. ¡°That¡¯s one of the things that leads to Mutagen-X failure. ¡­We have the report if you want to read it.¡± ¡°I guess I should.¡± ¡°Emmett and Clara also have trauma to work through. Group therapy could be good for all of you.¡± Lock snorted a laugh. ¡°So long as Emmett goes first.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll flip for it.¡± ¡°Bullshit. You go first.¡± ¡°Why do I have to go first?¡± Water sloshed as Lock adjusted to look at his friend. ¡°You killed me, remember? You go first.¡± Emmett rolled his eyes. ¡°You seem fine for a dead guy.¡± For a moment, it felt like they were just two roommates arguing over pranks. Lock must¡¯ve felt the same way because the two friends started to chuckle at the absurdity of it. They quickly devolved into cackling. Clara called from the other room. ¡°Keep it down. Some of us are trying to meditate!¡± The fact that Clara only sounded half-serious didn¡¯t help. Finally, their laughter trailed off. Emmett wiped his watery eyes. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Lock said between chuckles. ¡°So TINA, how¡¯s my brain?¡± QUERY: Are the new nanites able to stem the neurological damage and inflammation caused by long-term Mutagen-X exposure and emotional dampening? LOADING SIMULATIONS¡­ RESULTS: Nanite therapy is effective in treating neurological damage. However, continued reliance on emotional dampening will counteract progress. Nanite therapy is not effective in treating psychological symptoms. Recommend reducing reliance on emotional dampening. Recommend other methods of managing psychological distress and emotional trauma. ¡°...So, what does that mean? While the nanites are doing their thing, what should I do?¡± Emmett chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. What¡¯s she mean?¡± ¡°She means therapy. Looks like there¡¯s no escaping it.¡± Lock slid back down into the tub, sloshing the tub again. ¡°Fine. Therapy it is.¡± ~ ~ ~ SIMULATIONS — New Base of Operations ¡°TINA, are you able to see anything yet?¡± ¡°Initial scans complete. The backup lab appears intact. No signs of intrusion. Next step is a direct connection.¡± Clara cut in. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this? Dad might¡¯ve left booby traps¡­¡± ¡°I can handle any defenses and firewalls.¡± Lock asked, ¡°You sure we aren¡¯t being followed?¡± Emmett replied, ¡°You can trust her.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that. I¡¯m just not used to being the one snuck up on. Not a fan.¡± Clara replied, ¡°I think it¡¯s going to be like that for a while. We are on the run, you know.¡± ¡°Direct connection complete. Bypassing defenses. Overriding controls. Securing access.¡± The bunker doors hissed open, revealing a long stairwell beyond. Tiny red lights along the steps attempted to push away the darkness. Even from up here, eerie clangs and hisses echoed from the lab. Mod paused, trying to listen. Clara and Lock slipped past him, descending the stairwell. Mod followed. It was a long time before they reached the bottom. At one point, they were deep enough that Mod couldn¡¯t see the blast doors or the bottom of the stairwell¡ªall he could see was the stairwell. It felt like they were floating in darkness. Before long, they reached the bottom of the stairs. The hall stretched out into the gloom. They followed it, passing half a dozen doors of reinforced steel and access hatches for the pipes and wiring that ran alongside the hallway like bundles of nerves. None of the doors were labeled¡ªonly numbered. Each of them had a small camera and display next to it, no bigger than his palm, and each looked to be several decades old. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Emmett slowed and stared at the door. It was just like he remembered¡ªthe numbers 003 painted on it and the old display that would show the waveform of TINA¡¯s voice. ¡°...There¡¯s no way. This is the exact same setup.¡± Emmett glanced back toward the first two doors. When he agreed to work for Dr. Venture, Emmett remembered being struck by the weirdness of the lab. So much of it was futuristic¡ªexcept that certain access panels and security features were strangely low-tech or analog. Now Emmett knew that was because of Midas. Venture had thought that different levels of tech would mess with Midas¡¯s abilities. So far, all three of the backup lab¡¯s doors were identical to the setups from the original lab. What were the odds of that? ¡°Talk about d¨¦j¨¤ vu¡­¡± He gestured for Clara and Lock to look at the door. But his friends had already walked ahead, leaving Emmett alone in the darkness. That was weird. Emmett¡¯s eyes were better than this. He should¡¯ve been able to see his friends clearly across the hallway. He should¡¯ve been able to hear them, too. ¡°Clara! Lock!¡± Nothing. No voices. No footsteps. ¡°TINA¡­ I think something¡¯s wrong.¡± Emmett called for his friends again¡ª This time, there wasn¡¯t even an echo. ¡°TINA¡­ TINA, are you there?¡± ~ ~ ~ END OF BOOK 5 ARC 3 CONTINUES¡­ START BOOK 6 Mod Superhero: Resistance¡ª ERROR ERROR ERROR START BOOK 6 Mod Superhero: Glitch Chapter 6.1 — Scouting the Backup Lab TIMESTAMP ERROR DETECTED APPROXIMATELY -4.5.23 PRE-INCIDENT Emmett couldn¡¯t remember the last time he left Belport. It was probably to see Aunt Rose¡ªthe only family on his mom¡¯s side that was close by. She was about an hour away, if there wasn¡¯t traffic. Dad insisted on driving when there wasn¡¯t any traffic, which meant they always left at odd hours. Sometimes that meant super early on a weekend morning or late at night. Most times it meant whenever Dad felt like it¡ª10:30 AM or 2:30 PM. Maybe that was why Emmett was thinking of that right now¡­ They¡¯d spent the last two weeks of Summer and another week of September planning to leave Belport. TINA had run simulations. Based on road traffic and drone patterns, 11:15 AM on a Tuesday was the optimum time for them to leave Belport. There also happened to be a commuter bus leaving around that time. So, Emmett, Clara, Athena, and Lock set out with an array of disguises and masks. Most of them would pass with hoodies and obscured faces, but it was harder to hide Lock¡¯s size. The nanites coalesced into an oversized work jacket and a graying beard. Clara chuckled. ¡°You could be Emmett¡¯s dad.¡± Lock scoffed. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± They packed light¡ªeach bringing just a backpack with a few spare changes of clothes. TINA reassured them that they could always return to Athena¡¯s apartment, but it didn¡¯t feel like any of them believed her. If the backup lab was viable, then they could make anything they needed. Coming back to Belport would be an unnecessary risk. That risk would only grow as time passed and the Binary Brotherhood expanded the reach of their drones and surveillance. Packing light also meant they left most of TINA¡¯s servers behind. Once they got out of Belport, her processing power would be limited. They wouldn¡¯t be able to change masks and disguises until she got established in the new lab¡¯s systems. It wasn¡¯t a total loss, though. Once established, TINA could reconnect with her servers in Athena¡¯s apartment and use them as a springboard. When the group was ready, they half-walked, half-jogged to the edge of the city, then boarded the outbound commuter bus. Thankfully, the bus was mostly empty, and the group managed to grab an entire section at the back of the bus. Between TINA covering them physically and digitally, they easily crossed the city limits, leaving the city of Belport behind. ~ The backup lab was twelve miles outside of Belport, nestled between abandoned buildings just off of the highway. Emmett and the others threaded through narrow alleys filled with trash and graffiti. So far, they hadn¡¯t run into any people or drones, but no one let their guard down. Emmett scanned the alleys and rooftops. He also had a small map in the Heads Up Display of his cybernetic eye. It marked not only the location of the backup lab but also his location and that of his teammates. If TINA sensed anyone else, they would appear there too. ¡­But there was something else. He could feel the backup lab. If he wasn¡¯t with Clara and the others, he probably would¡¯ve stopped to examine the sensation more. Since becoming a cyborg, he¡¯d developed several new senses¡ªUV and infrared vision, and controlling his prosthetics and nanites. He¡¯d even been able to use his whip like a feeler¡ªlike an insect might use an antenna to sense things they couldn¡¯t see. Sensing the backup lab was similar to that. Even though Emmett couldn¡¯t see it, he could make out the beginnings of the structure. The lab stretched out beneath the pavement. It wasn¡¯t nearly as large as Venture¡¯s main lab. This one felt much smaller than a single city block¡ªmaybe just two or three buildings in width. As for depth, Emmett couldn¡¯t quite guess. Emmett whispered, ¡°TINA, are you able to see anything yet?¡± They crossed the last alley and came to a small dumpster with a chained fence surrounding it. The group huddled around it and waited. Meanwhile, Clara leapt upward to scan the rooftops. Lock asked, ¡°You sure we aren¡¯t being followed?¡± Emmett replied, ¡°You can trust us.¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Clara landed in a crouch beside them. ¡°No one in the sky or on the rooftops.¡± Lock nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not trust... I¡¯m just not used to being the one snuck up on. Not a fan.¡± Athena replied, ¡°I think it¡¯s going to be like that for a while. We are on the run, you know.¡± TINA interrupted them. ¡°Initial scans complete. The backup lab appears intact. No signs of intrusion. Next step is a direct connection.¡± Emmett fumbled for the hidden keypad and pressed his fingers down on it. It wasn¡¯t actually a keypad¡ªit was a fingerprint scanner. Clara cut in. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this? Dad might¡¯ve left booby traps¡­¡± Emmett replied, ¡°Only one way to find out.¡± Lock muttered, ¡°Here¡¯s hoping the doc added you to the system.¡± ¡°I can handle any defenses and firewalls.¡± A moment later, the lock disengaged. Both the fence and the faux dumpster behind it opened. The dumpster facade was part of a heavy blast door, every bit as thick as the doors of the original lab. There was no question that they were in the right place. Emmett replied, ¡°So far, so good.¡± Beyond the heavy door was a long stairwell. Tiny red lights along the steps attempted to push away the darkness. Emmett paused, trying to listen, but he didn¡¯t hear any sounds below. No hisses or hums of systems and equipment. Even though he could feel the structure below them, it seemed utterly dead, like they were entering a tomb. TINA said, ¡°We¡¯ll need to get inside to get a direct connection. Proceed¡­ with caution. Just because the door systems recognized you, doesn¡¯t mean there aren¡¯t defenses or other problems below.¡± Emmett understood. There was always a chance of sabotage, but even something as simple as a faulty connection could prevent systems from talking to one another. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead. Stay behind me, just in case.¡± Emmett shouldered his fusion rifle and pressed forward. The black and gray swirls and scales of Emmett¡¯s supersuit appeared as nanites around his body reconfigured, focusing on an extra layer of defense instead of disguising him. Between his nanites, cyborg senses, reaction time, and connection with TINA, he had the best chance of surviving and disabling any security measures. No one protested. Lock, Clara, and Athena followed a few paces behind. Even though the stairwell only went down three stories, it felt like much longer until Emmett reached the bottom. He could see clearly in the near-darkness, but his eyesight didn¡¯t help his apprehension¡ªnor did his growing feel for the underground structure. Even if he couldn¡¯t have seen the bottom, Emmett would¡¯ve known where the stairwell ended. Emmett used his connection with TINA to ask her how it was possible for him to feel the layout of the lab without needing to see it. Instead of hearing her reply or seeing text in his HUD, he just knew the answer. Which was fitting, because everything had to do with Emmett and TINA¡¯s connection. His newfound sense for the underground structure was simply an information request. Emmett had gotten so used to communicating wordlessly with TINA that he was doing it unconsciously. He¡¯d asked her a question and gotten an answer without even realizing it. TINA could sense the backup lab¡¯s structure because it wasn¡¯t completely offline. Some systems still had power, like the locks and security systems, and there was still residual power beyond that. Wiring and piping hung in Emmett¡¯s vision like a ghostly outline of the structure. Emmett could see it because TINA could see it. The three stories of the stairwell stretched on, Emmett¡¯s enhanced brain and time dilation working against him. The steps echoed through the structure, as steady as the ticking of a clock. Finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs. It was almost like the original lab. Pipes and wiring ran along the hallway like bundles of nerves, but a stillness hung over everything. The air was stale and a fine layer of dust covered the surfaces. There were three doors interspersed through the hallway, each with their own security computer. Emmett pressed on, leading the group to the first door. Instead of the familiar triple digit markings of the original lab, there was a simple 1 painted on the metal door. Here too, there was a sensation of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. In the old lab, each door had a slightly different security computer¡ªsome access panels and security features were strangely low tech or analog.They were a stark contrast to the rest of the futuristic lab. Now Emmett knew that was because of Midas. Venture had thought that different levels of tech would mess with Midas¡¯s abilities. At a glance, the security panels for all three doors looked the same. There was just one problem¡ª Instead of a retinal or fingerprint scanner, there was only a keypad. Emmett relaxed his rifle and examined the keypad. His cybernetic eye zoomed in on the keys, but he couldn¡¯t see any smudges or fingerprints. It was almost like the place had never been used. Lock asked, ¡°Was the old lab this creepy?¡± Clara gave him a half-hearted shove. Even with her thinsuit it wasn¡¯t enough to move Lock. Athena replied, ¡°You clearly haven¡¯t used a safehouse before. They¡¯re supposed to be dusty, as long as everything¡¯s going right.¡± Lock scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ll choose the safehouse next time. You know, instead of death.¡± Emmett asked aloud, ¡°TINA, do you happen to have a code?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Nanites slithered off of Emmett¡¯s arm, forming a set of improvised wires from his prosthetic to the security panel. Nanites pushed their way into the panel, filling gaps between wires and connections. The terminal flickered. ¡°Direct connection complete. Bypassing defenses. Overriding controls. Securing access.¡± The door hissed open. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.2 — Reboot The door hissed open, revealing a small control room beyond. The walls of the control room were covered in display screens, and the center of the room was taken up by a familiar metal platform. Emmett was struck again by the sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. He knew that when they restored power, the center platform would become a holographic display. He could imagine power restored and everything lit up with camera views and readouts¡ªeven imagine Dr. Venture in his lab coat, hands folded behind his back and watching the screens intently. For a moment, it felt like Emmett was walking into the lab for the first time after his accident. After he became a cyborg¡ªafter he became a mask. But Dr. Venture wasn¡¯t there. This wasn¡¯t the lab. And a lot had happened since then. Everything had changed. Lock ducked under the doorway and passed him. It was enough to shake Emmett out of his thoughts, and realize that Clara had a similar faraway look in her eyes. Lock leaned over and ran his fingers over the lifeless holographic table, then examined the dust. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like anyone¡¯s ever been here.¡± No one replied. Athena looked at Emmett and Clara knowingly. She¡¯d never seen the inside of the lab, but she knew her friends well enough. ¡°Are you both okay?¡± Emmett wrapped an arm around Clara. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Clara replied, and gently pulled away. She walked into the small control room and examined the screens. ¡°TINA, how is everything looking?¡± Athena patted Emmett on the shoulder, then they walked into the room as well. She leaned the magic staff against the wall. Runes glowed softly along the length of it. ¡°It will take me a few minutes to fully restore power and bring systems back online.¡± TINA directed Clara to place several fusion cells in the room. At the same time, nanites flowed off of Emmett and out of the storage container in his torso. They moved across the room like streams of black sand. Some coalesced around the holographic table, while others flowed through gaps in the walls and floor. As they worked, the rest of the group¡¯s disguises faded away, revealing their supersuits beneath. The black and gray swirls of Emmett¡¯s suit hid a thousand tiny scales, each full of non-newtonian fluid. Emmett thought it looked like futuristic dragon skin. His suit was one of his proudest achievements. It was also one of the reasons he was a Class 3 super and how he¡¯d unlocked the full strength and flexibility of his prosthetic limbs. The fluid in his suit hardened under stress or when Emmett sent an electrical charge through them. Emmett pulled back the hood of his suit and pushed back his frazzled hair. A moment later, Clara did the same. Her dark hair had grown out over the Summer, and now it hung over her ears. That wasn¡¯t the only change though¡ªshe was wearing her thinsuit instead of her old exosuit. Her exosuit had been damaged during the war, and since losing the lab, they hadn¡¯t had the facilities to rebuild it. Clara was still a force to be reckoned with in her thinsuit, but it didn¡¯t have the same flight or long-ranged capabilities that her bulkier exosuit had. Her thinsuit had the benefit of being sleeker and fitting easily under a disguise, but it also excelled in close-quarters combat. The thin metal looked like dark-blue fish scales, and those scales acted as a full-body version of her combat thrusters. To anyone else, Athena¡¯s appearance would¡¯ve been obscured by magic, like an out-of-focus photograph. But Emmett and the others saw her true appearance. She was an ageless super¡ªalmost four thousand years old¡ªand a warrior to her core. Her long white hair was pulled back, and she¡¯d kept her jacket with shards of broken glass woven into it. The only one that cut a more impressive frame was Lock. Emmett¡¯s former roommate towered over the others. They¡¯d found him the largest hoodie and sweats they could, but they still barely fit him. At least his skin had smoothed out. Thanks to TINA¡¯s nanites, he no longer had a buildup of bone or scar tissue on his skin. But this was only a temporary solution¡ªit wasn¡¯t a cure. Developing a cure was on their growing list of objectives and one of the many reasons they needed a new lab. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Emmett eyed the magic staff. ¡°How¡¯s the apartment¡¯s demiplane holding up?¡± Athena picked up the staff and concentrated. The pattern of lights along the staff changed while she stretched her perception back to the apartment. In much the same way that TINA and Emmett could sense the structure of the lab, Athena could sense the structure of the demiplane. As its creator, she was intrinsically tied to it. Emmett couldn¡¯t help but note the similarities between his technological perception and the magical equivalent. No one had succeeded in marrying artificer technology or magic, or gadgeteer powers¡ªthey were as incompatible as oil and water¡­ But Emmett was sure that there was something there. After a moment, Athena shrugged. ¡°The demiplane feels stable enough. Toldrei was able to come and go from the Felwarden base without it collapsing, but there¡¯s no way to know for sure. I was starting to like the idea of having a basement. Hopefully, it¡¯s still there when we go back.¡± Lock folded his arms across his chest. ¡°I thought magic just worked. What¡¯s the deal?¡± Lock hadn¡¯t been around for all of Athena¡¯s magical trial and error over the Summer. It had taken several weeks to make the basement demiplane. Lock hadn¡¯t even been free for a month. They¡¯d tried to catch him up on most things, but magic must¡¯ve fallen through the cracks. Thankfully, TINA chimed in. ¡°Master Toldrei was a skilled mage and her connection to the staff was stronger¡ªboth will affect the power and stability of spells cast. There is also no way to tell whether opening multiple demiplanes will affect stability.¡± Lock replied, ¡°Seems like there¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know.¡± Athena raised an eyebrow at the light-hearted jab. ¡°You want to take over magic duties?¡± ¡°Hell no.¡± ¡°Athena is more than capable of handling magic duties.¡± Athena smirked. ¡°Thanks for backing me up, TINA.¡± ¡°Any time.¡± Emmett watched his teammates banter, but he couldn¡¯t have been further away. TINA was charting a path through, and Emmett was utterly absorbed in following the flow of power around. The process felt both mechanical and organic, and felt as much like bushwhacking as it did gardening. When a room or a section came back online, it would light up in Emmett¡¯s perception¡ªas quick and simple as flipping a switch. In reality, the process was much smoother. Emmett could feel that too¡ªnanites trickled through the lab, flowing along wires, building connections and bypassing gaps. Power trickled steadily through, flowing from the fusion cells into the dry recesses of the backup lab. The layout of the backup lab came in camera views and floor plans. The first few flashed through his HUD, but the rest came almost unconsciously. The layout of the backup lab was similar to the old lab, but not quite the same. Still, as he absorbed more about the layout, Emmett felt he knew the place so well he could find his way through with his eyes closed. Information came much the same way. With each new sector, Emmett just knew things about the backup lab. It almost felt like a flash of inspiration, except much more thorough and complete. Emmett didn¡¯t just get an idea of the lab¡¯s defenses, he knew where every trap and turret was. He didn¡¯t just get an idea of the files stored in the backup lab¡ªhe instantly saw all folder names and hierarchies. Emmett lost track of time, but eventually, the backup lab blossomed in his vision. Rooms and systems that he thought had been properly lit now flared with light. Deep in the heart of the backup lab, the fusion generator hummed with life. It felt like a dam had opened. The trickle of power redoubled into a churning flow. ¡°¡ªHe¡¯s fine. No need to worry.¡± TINA¡¯s voice was faint. Emmett barely heard it. It wasn¡¯t until screens started blinking around the control room that Emmett came back to the moment. Everyone was staring at him. Lock had a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You good?¡± Clara grasped Emmett¡¯s hand. ¡°Hey, where did you go?¡± ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Emmett replied quickly. ¡°I just¡­ I could see what TINA was doing.¡± Lock shook his head. ¡°What do you mean? You looked like you had blue screened on us.¡± Athena nodded. ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it.¡± TINA interjected, ¡°The backup lab is online. All systems are operational, though some will take another hour to bring up to full capacity.¡± Emmett fumbled for the words. It was one thing to experience his newfound senses, and another thing completely to try to put them into words. ¡°I could see exactly what TINA was doing. I could see the map of the lab as it came back to life¡­ I¡¯m alright, really. I¡¯m good.¡± Athena asked, ¡°Is that¡­ normal?¡± "Kind of¡­ I don¡¯t know what normal is anymore.¡± TINA replied, ¡°Emmett experiences the world through a mix of technology and biology. He isn¡¯t the first cyborg, but Emmett has undergone significantly more enhancement than others. His experiences may not be normal, but they aren¡¯t cause for alarm.¡± Clara nodded along to TINA¡¯s explanation, but the micro-expressions on her face made it seem like she was reassuring herself more than anything. Emmett shoved the observation aside and tried not to read into it anymore than he already had. Emmett changed the subject. ¡°Look, the lab¡¯s online. Let¡¯s take a tour and see what we¡¯re working with.¡± ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.3 — New Base, New Baseline MULTIPLE TIMESTAMP ERRORS DETECTED APPROXIMATELY -4.2.01 PRE-INCIDENT It took two more days to get the new lab suited to their needs. Some of that was due to the lab itself. This was indeed a backup lab, in almost every sense of the word. It was made to provide basic services that Dr. Venture required, and TINA verified that it hadn¡¯t been updated in over a year. Even though she¡¯d brought it back online quickly, each of the three sections needed significant tweaks and upgrades. One of the first things TINA changed were the voice commands. Apparently the synthetic voice was an early prototype and creeped TINA out. She didn¡¯t even let Emmett or Clara hear a sample before she overwrote it with her own voice. Section 1 was the familiar control hub, specializing in surveillance and drone control. TINA didn¡¯t give details, but these servers were definitely not designed with her in mind. So, the first priority was integrating TINA into the servers. From there, she focused on reinforcing their firewalls and expanding the broadcast range. These were mostly software fixes and were quick in comparison to fixes in the other two sections. Section 2 was for exosuit repair. The fabrication station used a mix of metal casting and forging for larger pieces, and nanites for smaller pieces and repairs. Most of TINA¡¯s time was spent updating the nanite vats and fabrication nanites. Thankfully, there were supplies of raw materials, so Emmett and Athena didn¡¯t have to scrounge around the block for appliances. With the right nanite vats, the new lab would be able to take care of almost any repair they needed. Emmett made a replacement impact shield. After that, TINA had begun preparations for Clara¡¯s new minimalist suit¡ªthe next step in training wheels for her fusion power. At first, these components would help regulate her output, but eventually, Clara¡¯s proverbial training wheels would get smaller and smaller, until she could fly and fire focused blasts of power without needing a suit at all. Section 3 was the medbay, and it was¡­ complicated. Almost every system needed overhaul. Dr. Venture was human, and the medbay was designed for him. There was a small containment tank like the one Clara had decompressed in, except this one was barely waist high. It almost looked like it had been made for a child¡ªif Clara was in danger of a meltdown, she¡¯d have to curl up into a ball to fit inside. Even though TINA did the bulk of the work, the others helped out when they could. Athena and Lock mostly helped with moving supplies, while Emmett and Clara helped with more technical upgrades, assembling additional servers and hardware. In the process of upgrading the backup lab, they¡¯d managed to clear out a small storage room. It wasn¡¯t much bigger than a walk-in closet. Shortly after, Athena started work on the new demiplane, and once it was stable, this closet would serve as its entrance. It would be a little easier to get in and out of than a basement. ~ There was a small dormitory connected to the control hub, which TINA divided into three rooms¡ªone for Lock, another for Athena, and one for Emmett and Clara. But Emmett didn¡¯t spend much time there. Over those two days, he slept a combined total of four hours. He didn¡¯t even notice until TINA pointed it out. He¡¯d been too busy. During the day, TINA kept the group busy with tasks. In the evening, Emmett and the others would catch up with McGuire and the growing Resistance in Belport. At night, Emmett would practice his nanite control. And every moment in between, Emmett was looking over TINA¡¯s proverbial shoulder. While the team was busy moving and building things in physical space, TINA was doing the same in cyberspace. Not only could Emmett follow the flow of power throughout the new lab, he was also becoming aware of all the changes that TINA was making in cyberspace. Emmett was curious, so he would¡¯ve asked questions and picked TINA¡¯s brain anyway, but being able to see her work was another thing entirely. He felt like a little kid again, helping his dad fix the car. The front end of their old town car was propped up on blocks. Dad¡¯s legs stuck out as he toiled away underneath it. Emmett scurried back and forth fetching wrenches and tools and asking his dad questions in between. It wasn¡¯t easy to follow along¡ªnot at first. Emmett had no idea how other artificers or technopaths saw cyberspace, or if they even could. TINA seemed to think that Emmett was the first person to even see what she was seeing. His brain gave him both a processing edge and an innate connection to TINA that no other artificer or technopath had. But those things would only take him so far. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Emmett wasn¡¯t just relearning how to use his legs or hearing sound for the first time¡ªhe was developing an entirely new sense. He was in uncharted waters. He kept coming back to the memory of helping his dad fix the family car. Except this time, the car was a wireframe model of the lab, and TINA was the disembodied voice working on it. Emmett still felt like a child when he asked her questions. He may have known that an engine makes power for the car and that the transmission connects the engine and the wheels, but it had taken him years to understand more than that. Thankfully, TINA could infer his meaning, even if Emmett couldn¡¯t find the words. That was odd too¡ªso much of their communication was wordless and near-instantaneous, but there were still times when Emmett heard TINA¡¯s voice in his head. It won¡¯t take nearly as long to learn your way around cyberspace, TINA replied. Metaphors are a way to make complex ideas easier to grasp, and your brain is many times faster than when you were a child. Still, Emmett didn¡¯t want to be a bother. And don¡¯t worry. Communicating takes a negligible amount of bandwidth. With TINA¡¯s reassurance, Emmett stayed beside her. He kept looking over her shoulder and asking questions every chance he got. ~ ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± If Emmett would¡¯ve been normal, he would¡¯ve startled at the intrusion, but his prosthetics dampened tremors and resisted the sudden movement. Clara¡¯s voice brought Emmett back to the moment. He¡¯d been in and out of cyberspace, but he was currently leaning over the holographic table. He¡¯d been double-checking the internal nanite systems for himself and Lock. Upgrading their nanites was one of the many things on his to-do list. A mix of data, readouts, and displays filled the air. There was even more in his Heads Up Display. He minimized them so that he could see the room again. Emmett glanced over and found Clara standing in the doorway to the control room. Despite her concerned tone, her arms were folded over her chest. The inside of the new lab was climate controlled, and she was wearing her normal hoodie and leggings, so she shouldn¡¯t be cold. She could be stressed out¡ªthings hadn¡¯t really been the same since her dad got captured. Then they¡¯d gone into hiding at the apartment, and now they were sleeping on nanite cots and eating survival paste. Maybe Clara was upset with him again¡­ ¡°Earth to Emmett¡­¡± He blinked and leaned back in his chair. His shoulders and neck ached¡ªhis hips and back too. He¡¯d lost track of time again. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m here. ¡­What time is it?¡± ¡°A little after three.¡± Clara walked over beside him and leaned against the table. She squinted at him and her voice was soft, like she was half-asleep. She kept her arms folded across her chest and didn¡¯t reach for his hand. ¡°You should get some sleep,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m not tired.¡± ¡°You look tired.¡± Emmett resisted the urge to sigh. He wanted to tell her not to worry. Emmett liked to think that he knew his limits, but it had gotten easier to lose track of time. To slip into deep focus and forget the rest of the world. What was so bad about focusing on work? If anything, he needed to work even harder to keep ahead of the Brotherhood and the Menagerie. Losing track of time didn¡¯t bother Emmett¡­ but it seemed to bother Clara and the others. ¡°You look like Dad.¡± Emmett scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s kind of weird.¡± Clara rolled her eyes. ¡°Not like that. Dad used to get the same faraway look in his eyes when he was focusing on something. It felt like he wasn''t there. Like he was in a completely different place. Lock called it blue screening. I know that¡¯s not what it is, but now I can¡¯t think of it any other way.¡± ¡°...That¡¯s not right at all, though. A blue screen is when there¡¯s an error and the computer needs to restart.¡± It was Clara¡¯s turn to scoff. ¡°I know what it means. Artificer, remember? Maybe it¡¯s your body blue screening then. Your body has an error because your mind is somewhere else. I know that we¡¯re under a crazy amount of pressure, but maybe this is your body¡¯s way of telling you that you¡¯re doing too much. If you keep pushing, you might do damage you can¡¯t fix. We¡¯ve been through so much, but¡­ there¡¯s no point in surviving if there¡¯s nothing left of you.¡± Emmett felt deflated. Clara was right¡ªshe usually was. Maybe he was pushing too hard. Emmett met her eyes. It was hard to ignore the flickers of worry and concern on Clara¡¯s face. She was trying to hide it, but Emmett didn¡¯t miss anything these days. ¡°I¡¯ll try to sleep. It¡¯s just¡­ I want to finish this real quick. Then I¡¯ll try to sleep. Promise.¡± Clara half-groaned, half-smirked. ¡°You said that the other night, too. I guess I¡¯ll have to keep reminding you to take breaks. You¡¯re still human, and you still need to sleep.¡± Her hand brushed his as she got up and walked away. Emmett almost went after her. Almost left his work. Instead, he called out, ¡°I¡¯ll be there before you wake up.¡± Clara glanced back one last time, but her smile was gone and she didn¡¯t reply. The door hissed shut behind her, leaving Emmett alone again. ~ ~ ~ Chapter 6.4 — The Resistance APPROXIMATELY -4.1.22 PRE-INCIDENT The entire group gathered in the control hub. Emmett and Clara took seats at the holographic table in the center. Both wore their suits, but didn¡¯t wear their masks. Athena and Lock sat off to the side; both of them wanted to be present for the meeting, but neither wanted to be on camera. They were waiting on McGuire. Lock muttered, ¡°He¡¯s late.¡± Clara asked, ¡°TINA, can you see them?¡± TINA answered from speakers around the room. ¡°Yes. They¡¯re nearly at safehouse three. Roughly a minute away.¡± Emmett focused and tried to follow TINA¡¯s signal. The lab around them hung brightly in Emmett¡¯s perception. Not only had he grown familiar with the layout and its systems, but there was a comforting warmth there now. Emmett had to focus and strain to see outside of the backup lab. Maybe it was the abandoned block they were in, but it felt like standing on a boat at night and looking out across a black ocean. But it wasn¡¯t completely dark. There were pinpricks of light on the horizon. Emmett wasn¡¯t sure how he knew, but one of those lights was McGuire. For a split second before TINA connected them, Emmett saw the speck of light flare brightly. ¡°Hey! Hey, I see you guys!¡± McGuire appeared on the holographic table and on screens around the room, looking a little bit different than he had before. McGuire¡¯s original superhero outfit was cobbled together from an explorer¡¯s vest, long jacket, and homemade mask. He¡¯d never given much thought to how it looked; he just designed it with maximum pockets in mind. Nobody else had minded either¡ªunregistered supers had a long history of using homemade costumes, hoodies, and masks. Emmett had been in the same boat until Dr. Venture and TINA helped him design his super suit. TINA¡¯s disguise nanites had a hard time with McGuire¡¯s outfit, though. It was much easier to overlay a disguise over a slim, form-fitting costume than it was to cover up an already bulky costume. Surprisingly, McGuire had been all for the redesign¡ªonly because he trusted TINA. McGuire¡¯s new suit hadn¡¯t changed much, but it had slimmed down considerably. His vest, pants, and mask fit snug but retained their color. Even the patches and stains were still there. His jacket was still long, but it was slimmed down too. The entire ensemble leaned closer to film noir instead of homeless explorer. Emmett smiled at his friend¡¯s hologram. ¡°We see you too, buddy. The new suit looks good.¡± ¡°What¡ªthis old thing? Yeah, I guess.¡± McGuire shrugged, but couldn¡¯t hide his smile. ¡°TINA, if you ever get caught or you retire, you would make an awesome tailor.¡± ¡°Thank you, McGuire, but I don¡¯t plan on retiring anytime soon.¡± McGuire turned and gestured off camera. Two new Resistance members stepped into view. McGuire introduced them. Snapjack didn¡¯t look much older than McGuire. He had a fierce gaze and wore ripped jeans and chains. He could create concussive bursts similar to those made by Clara¡¯s exosuit. Lurker was wispy thin, almost disappearing beneath her loose, black clothes. Her face was similarly hidden behind long, dark hair. She was an illusionist specializing in concealment. Neither of them looked like experienced masks. McGuire finished introducing them. ¡°And these two of the founding members of the Resistance¡ªMod and Arsenal.¡± Emmett cleared his throat. ¡°Emmett and Clara, but our super names are fine, too. Did McGuire already give you the introductory spiel?¡± Both new supers replied with a nod and a ¡°yes, sir,¡± that Emmett still hadn¡¯t gotten used to. McGuire said, ¡°They know the basics about the nanite pucks and our handlers.¡± The Resistance continued to spread, and the supply of nanite pucks steadily increased as the nanites self-replicated. Each new member of the Resistance got a puck, their own mask and scrubbing protocols. They each also got their own personal assistant. So far as Emmett¡¯s group knew, all traces of TINA had been lost with the lab. Hopefully, the Brotherhood and the Summit thought she was destroyed. So, instead of each member of the resistance communicating with TINA, she developed distinct personalities for each new member. Each member of the resistance thought they had a handler feeding them intel. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Thankfully, Emmett¡¯s HUD showed the new supers¡¯ names alongside the names of their fake handlers. Lurker added meekly, ¡°I would like to put in a good word for my handler, Chandra. She¡¯s been very helpful.¡± A new voice came through the speakers, one with a slight accent that didn¡¯t sound anything like TINA. ¡°Lurker¡¯s too kind. We¡¯re all just doing our part to help the Resistance.¡± Emmett nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right. Keep in touch with your handler and follow their instructions. Remember, we see more than you do and we can keep tabs on mech patrols and digital traffic. If you find other masks, let your handlers know. They can run background checks and help bring them into the Resistance.¡± McGuire added, ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯re a team, even if we¡¯re not in contact all the time.¡± A lull settled over the conversation. Lurker said to both of them, ¡°It wasn¡¯t right what they did to you.¡± Emmett and Clara shared a knowing look. New Resistance members didn¡¯t know all the details of the past few months, but they knew that Clara¡¯s dad had been ousted from the Brotherhood and imprisoned, and that Emmett and Clara had been branded villains. Those facts, together with video evidence of the Menagerie outside of Gnosis were enough to sway new supers to their cause. Clara replied, ¡°Thanks. Just remember to follow your handler¡¯s instructions. We¡¯ll do the best we can to keep your identities secret, but¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no guarantees,¡± Emmett said plainly. ¡°We¡¯re up against some of the most powerful organizations in the world, including the Binary Brotherhood and the Summit of Heroes.¡± Snapjack asked, ¡°What makes you think we can beat them?¡± Emmett paused. ¡°There¡¯s no guarantee that we can, but that¡¯s what being a hero is about, right? We do the right thing even, though it¡¯s hard.¡± McGuire stepped back into frame and clapped both new members on the shoulders. ¡°That¡¯s enough of that. I¡¯m sure the founders have plenty of stuff to do. You guys run along and we¡¯ll meet up soon.¡± Snapjack stood up a little straighter. ¡°You can count on us, sir.¡± Lurker waved as the pair walked off camera. McGuire waited a few seconds before sighing heavily. Now that the new recruits were gone, Athena and Lock stepped out of the doorway and into the room. Lock snorted. ¡°They look new.¡± Athena nodded. ¡°I think they¡¯re the greenest ones yet.¡± McGuire rolled his eyes. ¡°You know, there¡¯s not exactly a lot of supers lining up to join the cause. Snapjack and Lurker aren¡¯t any younger than I am, and they know their stuff. Come on, TINA, back me up.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve spent the last two days vetting Snapjack and Lurker. They began moonlighting as masks in high school and have practiced their abilities since. They¡¯re both level-headed and open to criticism. With training, they both have the potential to be Class two.¡± Emmett leaned back in his chair and nodded. ¡°If TINA approves, then it¡¯s settled. Good choices, McGuire.¡± Lock added, ¡°I don¡¯t know if you guys have been paying attention, but Class two ain¡¯t gonna help us much.¡± Clara replied, ¡°Beggars can¡¯t be choosers. We need all the help we can get right now.¡± Athena leaned against the wall and sighed. ¡°Look, Lock¡¯s right. We¡¯ll need to start finding some heavy hitters. Maybe not right now, but we can¡¯t wait forever¡ªespecially if the timeline is as bad as TINA says.¡± ¡°I¡¯m curating a list of prospective candidates, including retired masks and capes that might be sympathetic to our cause.¡± Emmett added, ¡°We¡¯ll continue expanding in the meantime. We need to expand before we can get ringers. Slow and steady wins the race.¡± McGuire said, ¡°You guys should still go by your superhero names.¡± Emmett replied, ¡°Everyone knows our real names now. The Summit outed us. There¡¯s no point in trying to hide them anymore.¡± McGuire shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. You¡¯ll always be Mod and Arsenal to me.¡± Clara chuckled. ¡°If you say so.¡± Emmett asked, ¡°You never told us what happened after the fight outside of Gnosis.¡± McGuire laughed awkwardly. ¡°Well, I was scared shitless during my debriefing. I was certain they were going to find the nanite puck in my pocket.¡± Clara said, ¡°Wait, they searched you?¡± ¡°Yeah. They already knew that we¡¯d worked together, so I guess they didn¡¯t want to take any chances. It was alright though. The puck straight up disappeared. I didn¡¯t find it again until I made it back to the apartment. ¡­Well, the other apartment. Also, we moved. That happened. The new apartment¡¯s over on the West End.¡± Emmett whistled. ¡°How¡¯s your mom doing after selling the shop?¡± ¡°She¡¯s doing great. ¡­Weirdly great. But hey, I¡¯m happy for her. Anyway, I¡¯m still technically a member of the Summit, but officially I¡¯m taking some time off. I¡¯m just happy I still get to go out and bust some mechanical heads. Also, those nanites are pretty swell. TINA still won¡¯t let me experiment with them. I think she¡¯s worried about my awesome gadgeteer powers taking over the world.¡± Emmett smiled. It was good to see McGuire in good spirits despite all the life changes. He couldn¡¯t help but ask about his own family. ¡°Hey¡­ have you heard anything through the Summit about my folks?¡± McGuire looked at the ground sheepishly. ¡°They have undercover escorts following your parents, your brothers, and Darryl¡¯s family. They¡¯re alright though. I don¡¯t think the Summit is worried about them getting attacked or anything. ¡­Pretty sure they¡¯re waiting for you to come back and try to contact them.¡± Emmett shared a knowing glance with Lock. Emmett wasn¡¯t the only one with family that he couldn¡¯t reach out to. Lock was in the same boat with his sister. And then there was Clara¡­ A lot had changed. And they were holding out hope that things would change again¡ªthis time, for the better. ~ ~ ~