[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][INDENT][color=darkgray][I]	“...terror rocked Main Street today as a Hyperhuman..."

			“...three more bodies were found after another Hyperhuman...”

					“...crimes perpetrated by Hyperhumans continuing to rise...”

							“...wondering, at what point is H.E.L.P. actually helpless...”
				
									“...once again proclaiming this act to be the work of Hyperion’s Children.”[/I][/color]
[color=white]“Hello?”[/color][/INDENT]
[COLOR=silver][sup][b]| Zayas Island - H.E.L.P. Black Site[/b][/sup][/COLOR]
[INDENT]The woman’s voice cracked over the monitor as the H.E.L.P. agent sat up in his chair, startled to attention not by the fact that someone was speaking to him, but instead by who was speaking to him.

[color=white]“I’d like to speak to whoever is in charge.”[/color][/INDENT]
[CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][/CENTER]
[COLOR=silver][sup][b]| Federal Airspace - West Virginia, United States of America[/b][/sup][/COLOR]
[INDENT]The negotiations with the Pentagon had hardly gone the way that Director Yakob Kowalski anticipated they would have. Once again, H.E.L.P. and the Hyperhuman Community at large had been stonewalled due to the perceived power imbalance towards those who were still considered ‘normal’ despite population trends showing the ‘Hyper-Gene’ on track to appear in at least fifty-five percent of the world’s population by 2050. Even with the attempted genocide of early 2020, the Hyperhuman population was rapidly growing. 

To Kowalski, this was all the more reason why H.E.L.P. had to get the world’s governments to start treating Hyperhumans as equals in the eyes of the law. It would only spell disaster at large if the Hyperhuman population became the majority but were still treated like a fringe minority. A fringe minority that the rest of the world feared. It was rather disheartening that after nearly seventy years, H.E.L.P. had seemingly done little to change the public perception of Hyperhumans from that of a ‘supervillain’ living next door to an actual humanized person.

Taking one last look back at the building behind him, Kowalski shook his head before climbing aboard the quad-rotor Albatross series aircraft. He passed the Harpies and Manticore in the loading bay before making his way inside to the staff lounge. While each of the six Albatrosses that H.E.L.P. had in service was far more luxurious than any other military vehicle he had been in, this particular one had been specially customized for the Director of H.E.L.P. and was a cut above.

The aircraft shifted from its takeoff mode into flight seamlessly. Pouring himself a drink, Kowalski felt the aircraft gradually adjust its course, heading back west towards Alpha Base. 

The explosion was the last thing the late director of H.E.L.P. heard.[/INDENT]
[CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][/CENTER]
[COLOR=silver][sup][b]| Zayas Island - H.E.L.P. Black Site[/b][/sup][/COLOR]
[INDENT]Amber lights illuminated the corridors as the Black Site raised the alarm. It had been just under four decades since Autumn Miracle had been taken into H.E.L.P. custody following her attack on the Hyperhumans of Crestwood Hollow. Wounded and left comatose, she was relocated to the Black Site on Zayas Island where she could receive proper care and remain both out of harm’s way and incapable of harming anyone else. Despite that, even after coming out of her coma, Autumn remained mute and unwilling to talk to anyone, even her former classmates, during the entirety of her incarceration.

At least until today.

Escorted by security to Autumn’s cell was Deputy Director Winter Caspian, along with her Chief of Staff, and former Special Agent in Charge, Killian O’Bran. O’Bran had been in Crestwood Hollow the day that Autumn was taken into custody, and it had been O’Bran’s intervention that not only saved the then-future Director’s life but also unfortunately had caused the injury that left Autumn comatose. 

[color=white]“She’s watching.”[/color] Killian broke the silence, gesturing with his head towards the hornets hovering near the low ceiling of the underground bunker.

[color=white]“Of course she’s watching. There’s no love lost between her and Miracle.”[/color]

[color=white]“She’s still fully isolated, right? Quarantined on her side of the island?”[/color] O’Bran asked the security escort.

[color=white]“Yes sir, the Hornet is contained. Her hive, on the other hand, there’s little we can do short of extermination and that would only start a war.”[/color]

[color=white]“I understand,”[/color] Killian responded with a nod, [color=white]“The Director, at least prior to his death, along with Dr. Lehrer both agreed that it’s best to allow her to have her hive and it’d be cruel to deprive her of it.”[/color]

[color=white]“Enough distractions,”[/color] The deputy director interjected, [color=white]“We already lost Kowalski today, the school is about to kick off a new semester and one of the most horrendous Hyperhuman serial killers has decided to break a four-decade-long silence. I need everyone focused on the task at hand.”[/color]

[color=white]“What did she do?”[/color]

[color=white]“She murdered five other Hyperhumans, cutting each of them open and taking them apart piece by piece trying to learn what made them tick. Dr. Lehrer classified her as an Esoteric Psionic with an extremely aggressive form of intuitive aptitude. Director Kowalski theorized that given enough time, she might have even been able to replicate the abilities of the Hyperhumans she dissected.”[/color] Caspian replied.

[color=white]“It’s why even after all this time, her cell continues to be subjected to electron beam irradiation.”[/color] O’Bran added, [color=white]“We couldn’t take the risk that she didn’t develop those abilities.”[/color]

[color=white]“But if she had learned those abilities, wouldn’t that be uncharted territory?”[/color]

[color=white]“It’d be a cross-classification, previously there was only one such known case, and even then Lehrer often argues it’s something entirely different.”[/color] Winter responded, her eyes darting again towards the yellow and black striped insects following above their heads.

[color=white]“With all due respect,”[/color] The guard to the right said, [color=white]“This is one hell of a day, Ma’am.”[/color]

Winter simply nodded in response. Within seconds of the guard calling in not only the fact that Autumn had spoken, but that she had made a request, Albatross-1 was reported destroyed along with all crew on board, including Director Yakob Kowalski. If the Deputy Director was stressed, she was doing a good job of not showing it, but O’Bran knew she had to be feeling it. With Kowalski gone, she was teetering on the edge of a field promotion to Director of H.E.L.P.

She was a logical candidate after all, though many would rather see Dr. Lehrer allow another to take over the school and instead position him at the front of H.E.L.P. To the public opinion, Kowalski was a general, a militant, impressions that extended to Caspian as his deputy, but Lehrer was seen as a caretaker and an educator, roles which could sway public opinion not only about H.E.L.P., but also Hyperhumans. 

[color=white]“Miss Miracle,”[/color] The Deputy Director stopped in front of the transparent barrier that separated the inmate from the agents. Standing beside Winter, O’Bran studied the woman on the other side, like most Hyperhumans she had aged rather gracefully, he could still see traces of the teenager he had been forced to take down thirty-nine years ago.

[color=white]“I understand you wished to speak to whoever is in charge and as of thirty minutes ago, that would be me.”[/color]

[color=white]“I am not the Crestwood Killer,”[/color] Autumn didn't waste any time cutting to the chase despite speaking in a sing-song voice. She batted her eyelashes innocently towards the group, [color=white]“I tried to tell you who was really behind it all, but he-”[/color] She paused, pointing towards Killan, [color=white]“[b]Shot me![/b] That hurt you know?”[/color]

[color=white]“Get to the point, Miss Miracle.”[/color]

[color=white]“Special Agent Kowalski coerced me, he groomed me into his assassin. I tried to show you all, I tried to stop him, but again, you [i]shot[/i] me.”[/color]

[color=white]“I don’t know what sick game you’re playing, but this conversation is over.”[/color] The Deputy Director responded, spinning around on her heel. [color=white]“Director Yakob Kowalski died today.”[/color] Motioning for their escort to lead the way out, Winter exited the chamber behind the two guards, followed closely by Killian as Autumn began to frantically plead for them to stay.

Behind the small group, Autumn’s pleads quickly turned to anguish-filled screams echoing through the narrow subterranean hallways of the bunker.[/INDENT][/INDENT][CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://i.imgur.com/fKueBWz.png[/img][/CENTER][indent][sub][COLOR=silver][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]Pacific Royal Collegiate & University[/I] - [I]Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=silver][b]The Homecoming Trials #1.001:[/b][/COLOR] [I]For Whom The Bell Tolls[/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]Bloodshot eyes stared at the ceiling above his head. Seconds felt like hours as his feet impatiently tapped against the edge of the bed, no doubt making it as difficult for his bunk mate to sleep as Cassander Charon found it be for himself. Any second now, the campus wide trumpet was going to sound, the horn signalling not only the start to another day but that each and every student, include those who currently only occupied the Intake House, such as himself, were to get up and participate in their share of the workload. 

Cassander had been at the school since Monday, having spent nearly a full week being introduced to the campus, various staff members and of course his fellow new students, eleven of which he was now apparently grouped with until he either graduated or died.

Whichever came first.

Holding up the Spade emblazoned armband, Cassander looked beyond the foot of his bed towards the neatly pressed uniform hanging on the closet door across from him. Apparently, they had been sorted into Team 21, or ‘Blackjack’. Not exactly creative, but it worked he supposed. 

A vaguely melodious noise echoed across campus, the inevitable trumpet sounding the start of the day. Above his head, Cass heard the groans of his bunkmate as the mattress shook and winced from them stretching and tossing about. Prior to coming to Pacific Royal, most of Team Blackjack had no real military exposure, save for Rory Tyler who as Cass understood it, was something of a H.I.T. military brat. 

Quickly dressing in his standard uniform, Cassander exited the Intake House and made his way to the nearby Mess Hall. The first two hours of every day this week had been spent helping prepare meals for the day in the kitchens. Which unfortunately had meant peeling more potatoes than Cass had previously seen in his entire life. On the plus side, he had very quickly discovered that his abilities significantly expedited the process of making mashed potatoes. 

Thankfully it was busy work ensuring enough prep was done not only for breakfast but also lunch and dinner. The time flew and before Cassander knew it, he was hanging his apron up and picking up his blazer again. It was proper to wear a full uniform on campus, but on such a nice day, and with the sun beaming down now, the last thing Cassander wanted to do was wear the jacket. Leaving the Mess Hall, Cassander was greeted by a warm chinook brushing over him, before the heat of the West Coast sun was soaked up by his blonde hair. 

Raising a hand to shield his eyes, Cassander took a quick look around. Normally once he had finished in the kitchen, he would have the rest of the morning, and often the day, to himself. The young man had hiked the island, spent a day on the beach soaking in both sun and eye candy, and mostly just explored the campus, getting a feel for where each of his classrooms would be located over the past week. While friendly towards the other members of Blackjack, Cass hadn’t felt like he had clicked with anyone just yet, and wouldn’t go so far as to boldly proclaim he had made any friends. 

Today, however, was different, after a week of adjusting to campus it was finally Friday, specifically, it was the kick-off of the Homecoming Trials, a Pacific Royal tradition that placed the students into their houses and ultimately their permanent dormitories which Cassander hoped offered more privacy than the three bunk bed arrangement he had been currently dealing with.

Making his way towards the stadium, Cassander saw some familiar faces among the throng of students heading towards the West side of the campus. It was kind of surprising to see the size of the assembled student body, and more surprising to think there were nearly a thousand Hyperhumans gathered in one spot. He tried to block the cynical thought, but his brain wasn’t having it.

[i][color=#8aaceb]Easy targets.[/color][/i]

Taking a seat beside Lucille Calder, another member of the recently inducted Team 21, Cassander simply nodded in her direction, fully well knowing that Luce wasn’t about to initiate conversation, let alone talk his ear off. Seated high above the stadium below in what would be dubbed the nose bleeds, Cassander expected to have difficulty hearing but that expectation was quickly proven false as the ceremony began.

[color=white]"[b]ATTENTION![/b]"[/color] A loud voice came from the podium centred on the stage in the middle of the field below them. To the right side of the stage, a small orchestra was situated, while in the center of the stage was a large bronze statue of a Chimera. All along the back of the stage were the eight house emblems, emblazoned on large banners while chairs waited for the House Faculty Representatives. No sooner did Cassander notice the empty chairs, than did the school’s faculty emerge from behind the stage. Flanked by two bagpipe players, the orchestra's conductor stood up signalling for the orchestra to join in as the opening notes swelled, filling the stadium.

[color=white]"All stand for the national anthem!"[/color] 

Cassander did as commanded while placing his right hand over his heart, his left arm staying perfectly straight at his side. While 'O'Canada' may not have been the prettiest or most endearing national anthem, hearing it played now, and with so many people around him at attention, sent a tingle down his spine. As the anthem finished, the band continued to play while several students emerged from behind the stage parading flags from all around the world, acknowledging that not everyone gathered here was Canadian. 

As the crowd took their seats again, Winter Caspian, the Deputy Director of H.E.L.P. itself took the stage as she addressed the crowd before her. Thanking each one of the students for their efforts in changing the world's opinion on Hyperhumans and expressing her excitement in working with the most recent graduates. As she ended her piece, she had the students formally welcome Dr. Lehrer to the stage. 

To Cassander’s surprise, the student body jumped to their feet, it seemed Lehrer’s very appearance was enough to energize the crowd. They exploded into a chorus of whistling and hollering approvals as Jonas took to the stage. Immensely popular with the student body, Dr. Lehrer made it a priority to meet with each and every student that came into Pacific Royal, and while Cassander had yet to have a sit down with the Chancellor, he had no doubts that it was coming. The courses taught by Dr. Lehrer were among the hardest to get into especially because he left them open for any grade average. To Cass’ understanding, Lehrer had immense sway, not only over the school but even H.E.L.P. It was no small wonder that his personal protege, Summer Carlyle, went on to become a champion for Hyperhuman equality.

Expecting to find himself counting the minutes, Cassander was pleasantly surprised when Dr. Lehrer gave a warm and exceptionally welcoming opening speech, humorous anecdotes dotted it making time fly by as the man spoke for nearly an hour. 

[color=white]"...And as our returning students know, today signals the start of the Homecoming Trials. For our incoming students, you will get the full Pacific Royal experience as you compete in your assigned teams for the weekend for the honour of being the Homecoming Royals. These trials will also determine your house placement, so be true to yourselves and give them your all."[/color]

The crowd burst into applause as Jonas turned to accept a torch that was handed to him. Standing up from his seat, the House Canis faculty member; who Cass recognized as none other than his guardian's brother, Aiden Roth, suddenly ignited the flame with his heat vision. With the torch lit, Dr. Lehrer turned towards the bronze Chimera, lighting a flame in each mouth of the statue. 

[color=white]"Let the 2023 Homecoming Trials commence!"[/color] Jonas shouted into the din of cheers. [color=white]"All incoming students! You are to return to the Intake House before proceeding to the Southern Plateau. New students should proceed in their assigned teams. You will find a package on each of your beds containing everything you will need for this weekend, including your physical activity uniform. You are to report to the Southern Plateau by 1500 hrs and in this uniform. I wish each of you luck and look forward to seeing which House calls you home!"[/color][/INDENT]
[table=bordered][row][/row][row][cell=warning][COLOR=white][INDENT][SUB][SUP][H3][B]OBJECTIVES[/B][/H3][/SUP][/SUB][/INDENT][b][sup]_______________________________[/sup][/b][/COLOR][INDENT][COLOR=BLACK]
■   Introduce your character.
■   Establish their role in [url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CFEbQrTI9mTCYL5gQrRBQnjPKuryFCSibGjwAFMzcpA/edit#heading=h.9if2xewt4kgm][COLOR=0000CD][B]Community Contribution[/B][/COLOR][/url].
■   Attend the Opening Ceremonies.[/COLOR][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/INDENT][CENTER][COLOR=dimgray][sub]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/COLOR][/center][COLOR=dimgray][SUP][table][row][sup][h1][color=2c2c2c][b]▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅[/b][right][b]▅▅▅▅▅[/b][/right][/color][/h1][/sup][/row][row][cell][color=#2c2c2c]- -|◄[/color] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5427433][COLOR=2c2c2c][b]FIRST[/b][/COLOR][/url][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][center][COLOR=2c2c2c]◄ [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5427433][COLOR=2c2c2c][B]PREV[/B][/COLOR][/url] ||[/color] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5428695][COLOR=silver][B]NEXT[/B][/COLOR][/url] ►[color=#2e2c2c]-[/color][/center][/cell][cell][color=2c2c2c]-[/color][/cell][cell][INDENT][right][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5448831][COLOR=silver][B]LATEST[/B][/COLOR][/url] ►|[/right][/INDENT][/cell][/row][/table][/SUP][/color][/COLOR]