[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][color=darkgray][COLOR=silver][sup][b]| Crestwood Hollow - 1991[/b][/sup][/COLOR]
[INDENT][I][color=#ffffff]"Would you like a slice of cheese with that, hun?"[/color]

Yoshi Nakamura looked up from the plate of warm pie, the aroma of cinnamon and apple rising steadily into his nostrils while he looked at the waitress in stunned silence.

[color=#ffffff]"Cheese with pie?"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Oh yeah, folks love it. An apple pie without some cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze. 'Course if that's not your poison, we can always just throw a dollop of ice cream on there if that'd be more to your liking, sweet cheeks."[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Ah, I see."[/color] Yoshi bowed his head and shoulders forward slightly, [color=#ffffff]"I will have the ice cream please, I have a bit of what you Americans call a sweet tooth."[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"'Course you do, Sugah."[/color] The waitress winked, [color=#ffffff]"I'll be right back with this."[/color] She stated before lifting the plate from the table and taking it back behind the counter.

Interlocking his fingers in front of him on the table, Yoshi turned his grey eyes towards the diner's window, watching the rain streak down the large pane of glass. Outside, a black sedan pulled into the parking lot, stopping before two men stepped out of the back seat. The driver stayed put, his crimson-lensed sunglasses looking a bit ridiculous on such an overcast day. Entering the diner, the pair of men dusted the water droplets off their long overcoats, the first of two removing his hat before the second followed suit.

Despite fully knowing that Dr. Jonas Lehrer and Director Yakob Kowalski were not related, Yoshi couldn't help but notice the similarity between the two men as they approached the booth.

[color=#ffffff]“Mr. Nakamura?”[/color] Lehrer asked, approaching first, [color=#ffffff]“Would you mind if we take a seat?”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“You were invited were you not?” [/color]Yoshi gestured towards the bench on the other side of the booth. [color=#ffffff]“Please take a seat, I am told by the waitress that they serve pie with squeezed cheese here.”[/color]

Kowalski raised an eyebrow while Jonas was unphased.

[color=#ffffff]“I understand you want to propose a satellite campus for our school.”[/color] Jonas started while signalling the waitress to bring coffee for himself and Yakob.

[color=#ffffff]“Yes, if we worked together, I believe we could build something great. Another school would extend accessibility for other Hyperhumans.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“And you would be running this school?”[/color] Kowalski interjected while thanking the waitress as she dropped off a pair of still-warm mugs from the dishwasher before filling them with the piping-hot black liquid.

[color=#ffffff]“Ideally, yes. Although I would have some changes I’d like to make.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Such as?”[/color] Jonas peered eagerly over his mug while Yakob massaged his temples before cleaning the steam off his glasses.

[color=#ffffff]“My understanding is that at Pacific Royal, you have the students sorted into various houses based on personality is it?”[/color] Yoshi began.

[color=#ffffff]“Is that not limiting for the students? Your school should encourage individual growth, not limit them to two or three defining traits. At my school, we would be abolishing such a system and encouraging the students to develop and mature during their time to come into a true identity of self.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,”[/color] Kowalski interjected. [color=#ffffff]“We train the students to work together, to see the commonality in one another. In addition to the House system, students are placed in teams to learn to work with people different from themselves.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“I understand it's a military model, but not all of us are trying to train our own private army.” [/color]The cold reply was followed by a prolonged silence as Yoshi continued to enjoy his pie while waiting for a response.

[color=#ffffff]“Clearly,”[/color] Kowalski started, clearly his throat aggressively before he looked at Jonas waiting before the pair exchanged a knowing nod. 

[color=#ffffff]“We are at an impasse. I don't see how we can allow a satellite campus to be run by someone whose ideology is so different from our own.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“I understand. Though I do wish you would reconsider. I have many resources at my disposal. I assure you, my offer is most generous.”[/color]

Jonas stood first, placing a couple of bills down on the table to cover both Yoshi’s meal and the coffee.

[color=#ffffff]“Money has never been a motivator for me. I wish you luck though, you’ll need it in this world.”[/color]

Yoshi watched the pair of men exit the diner, climbing into their car before their driver pulled away.

[color=#ffffff]“They lack your vision.” [/color]The voice of Miguel Ramos said from the booth behind Yoshi. Taking his last bite of pie, Yoshi continued to watch the door while replying.

[color=#ffffff]“They do not know it yet, but one day when their guard has fallen, everything they possess will be mine.”[/color][/i][/INDENT][/color][/INDENT][CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://i.imgur.com/6JvLC8T.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=silver][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Nature Trails[/I] - [I]Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=silver][b]Welcome Home #1.001:[/b][/COLOR] [I]The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=dimgray][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][INDENT][sub][color=silver][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR] [I]None[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=2c2c2c][b]Previously:[/b] [I]None[/I][/COLOR][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT][color=#ffffff]"I suppose y'all wonderin' why I asked you here."[/color]

Jim barely held a straight face as the sentence left his mouth. He shook his head in disbelief before tugging the reins and steering the horse between his legs onto the coastal path. Beside him, Miranda offered a reassuring smile.

[color=#ffffff]"Just because Jonas did that, doesn't mean that you need to. Sometimes the best way to embrace change is to break the expectations."[/color]

Jim nodded appreciatively in response.

[color=#ffffff]"I still don't know what y'all were drinking when you nominated me to the big chair. I'm not exactly the paperwork type."[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Director Caspian loved the idea, she agreed almost immediately. After the last five years, everything with Hyperion, I think this is a great chance for the school. We desperately need one with the Foundation breathing down our neck right now."[/color] Miranda replied.

[color=#ffffff]"It was going to be between you and Aiden. We both know that with Roth's connection to Jonas and Crestwood Hollow, it would have been a PR nightmare to elect him as the new chancellor."[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Oh,"[/color] Jim had a wry smile on his face. [color=#ffffff]"So I'm the-"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"-Safe choice?"[/color] Miranda interrupted with a smile of her own. [color=#ffffff]"Doesn't take a telepath to know what you were about to say, old friend. And no, you're not the safe choice."[/color]

She smiled, pausing before reassuring Jim.

[color=#ffffff]"You're the right one."[/color]

The sound of familiar engines overhead signalled the approach of an Albatross. Steadying his horse, Jim looked skyward, watching the bird. He had expected it to turn towards the Eastern island, heading towards the Alpha Base, but instead, its rotors tilted upwards as the Albatross landed in front of the two riders. 

From the belly of the vessel emerged a familiar figure. The current director of the Bureau of Hyperhuman Enforcement, Logistics and Protection, Winter Caspian exited, flanked by her security personnel and followed by a pair of women, both dressed in business formal.

[color=#ffffff]“Chancellor O’Neil,”[/color] Winter called as Miranda and Jim both dismounted from their horses and guided the pair of animals by their reins.

[color=#ffffff]“I’d like to introduce you to Teresa Torres and Maya Almassian, they’re the representatives from the Alexandria Foundation who have been sent to audit our lovely institution.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Mr. O’Neil,”[/color] Torres added, extending a hand, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet in person. Your Director has spoken highly of you, I shall hope we don’t find her to be hyperbolic.”

[color=#ffffff]“Ms. Torres, I’m sure y’all find everything the Director told y’all to be hyperbolic, but I assure yous I am more than capable of running this here school.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Miranda Rivers, I’m also a teacher here.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“And acting Vice Chancellor by my notes,”[/color] Torres retorted. [color=#ffffff]“Miss Almassian is my personal Hand. I’ll need her granted with the same privileges and security clearance that you supply me with.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“I’ll ensure that’s done,”[/color] Jim replied, before turning to Winter. [color=#ffffff]“I’m sure you didn’t fly all this way solely to introduce our guests here.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Your intuition serves you well, Chancellor,”[/color] Winter replied with a weak smile. [color=#ffffff]“I’m afraid I’m the bearer of bad news, Pacific Royal has lost several of its accreditations. I’m afraid students in the law, engineering and medical degree programs won’t have their degrees recognized upon graduation.”[/color]

“[color=#ffffff]Y’all can’t be serious, so what are they working toward then?”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“We’re doing our best, in the meantime, you’ll have to announce that at the opening ceremony to give them a chance to attempt a transfer. But for the time being, degrees in those departments are essentially just a piece of paper.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Well, Ms. Torres,”[/color] Jim dryly responded, [color=#ffffff]“Welcome to Pacific Royal.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Thank you,” [/color]Torres replied, [color=#ffffff]“I believe I am going to like it here.”[/color][/INDENT][hr][INDENT]The atmosphere was tense.

Salt-laden mist hung in the humid air above the pier as the crowd continued to chant their protests. Hastily scribbled signs painted with messages of hate towards Hyperhumans and calls for Pacific Royal Collegiate and University to be shut down were shoved in the faces of the students assembled for the school ferry. Emotions were high on both sides as new and old students alike had to fight to keep the stress of the situation from accidentally setting off their abilities and creating an escalated event.

[color=#ffffff]"Hypes go home!"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"P.R.C.U. is nothing more than an indoctrination camp!"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Stop funding a private Hype army!"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Bring back registration! No more Hyperions!"[/color]

The Hyperhuman terrorist formerly known as Hyperion had left scars for the Hyperhuman community as a whole that would likely never heal. Public faith in the Bureau of Hyperhuman Equality, Logistics and Protection had all but disappeared following Hyperion's public unmasking as none other than Dr. Jonas Lehrer. It had of course been a ruse, Dr. Lehrer's life and likeness had been stolen by none other than his former colleague and the once head of H.E.L.P., the thought dead, former director Yakob Kowalski.

[color=#ffffff]"No more dead kids!"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"No more Hyperhuman attacks!"[/color]

In the wake of this, the Alexandria Foundation seized a foothold in the public's favour. Despite a dodgy reputation in the Western Hyperhuman community, the Alexandria Foundation, its institute and its agents had a nearly flawless reputation with the rest of the world, so much so that their offer was unanimously accepted when they offered to replace H.E.L.P.

[color=#ffffff]"Take back Dundas Island!"[/color]

[color=#ffffff]"Hypes have taken enough, it’s time to make them give back!"[/color]

The United States was all too happy to unleash the Foundation on the scattered remnants of Hyperion's Children. Despite their leader being gone, the splintered sects of cult-like followers that Kowalski had gathered continued his mission of Hyperhuman Supremacy. With Hyperion and his beliefs intrinsically linked to Pacific Royal, it continued to paint a poor image of the recovering school.

Alyssa Townsend eased her way through the excitable crowd, her brother Oliver watching her back as the pair attempted to move their luggage towards the loading area for the ferry. The redheaded young woman's eyes met a familiar pair belonging to Cassander Charon, his hand tightly wrapped around the arm of his young sister, no doubt the same age Oliver was when he first started at Pacific Royal.  Cassander nodded quietly toward Alyssa, picking his fellow member of Team 78, or Firebird, out of the crowd. The pair left their reunion as a quiet acknowledgement to one another, fear keeping their voices silent lest it incite the protestors further. 

After what felt like an eternity, the ferry's horn sounded, announcing it was boarding time for Pacific Royal Collegiate & University students. Shuffling up the ramp, Alyssa sighed a breath of relief as the students made it onboard without incident. Other boarding times had been less lucky and more than a few students had to be airlifted directly to the island due to their injuries.

Odd that despite the Foundation’s interest in the island school they couldn't spare a Force member or two to protect the students. The rest of the journey went smoothly as the ferry made good time across the open Pacific.

Sun shone brightly over the blue sea through a clear sky only to be disturbed by a sudden bombardment of mist as the ferry approached the artificial sea wall produced by the island’s defenses to shield it. The wall of coursing water parted, the surface of the ocean rippling from the sea wall retracting to allow the ferry to pass through.

Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as she looked at Cassander, Ripley and Oliver.

It was good to finally be home.[/INDENT][hr][INDENT]The Foundation Force waved to the adoring people cheering as the Hyperhuman heroes stood for the crowd. Behind them, a H.I.T. Unit dispatched by the Bureau of Hyperhuman Enforcement, Logistics and Protection cleared up the scene. It took the source of the disturbance into custody under the watchful eye of the Foundation.

Walking the perimeter, the agent suddenly heard a scream. Running to the source of the sound, the agent rounded the corner, spotting a woman crouching on the ground.

[color=#ffffff]“Ma’am?”[/color] The agent called looking down the alley, before approaching. [color=#ffffff]“Are you injured?”[/color]

There was no response as the woman continued wailing.

[color=#ffffff]“Evans to Scott, I’ve got wounded at my location, I need an EMT over at Bloor and Bathurst.”[/color] Harrison radioed to the Senior Agent as he continued to approach the woman.

[color=#ffffff]“Ma’am, I need your consent to help you before I proceed, do I have that?”[/color]

A wave of nausea suddenly washed over Agent Evans as the woman clenched her right fist together, the wailing stopping cold.

[color=#ffffff]“No.”[/color]

Evans didn't even have time to draw his weapon before an object appeared in the woman’s left hand. A click and a whir echoed through the small alley as a blade materialized in her hand before severing Evans’ head from his body.

Smiling, the woman retracted her weapon while retrieving the agent’s badge and weapons before disappearing up the fire escape.[/INDENT][/INDENT][/COLOR]