[COLOR=GRAY][INDENT][COLOR=silver][sup][b]| Zayas Island - The Former Black Site[/b][/sup][/COLOR]
[INDENT]A hush fell over the gathered group of black-robed individuals as the last few stragglers entered the abandoned prison on Zayas Island. The H.E.L.P. Black Site had fallen into disuse following the Alexandria Foundation’s acquisition of its former inmates. Very few resources were spent to maintain it and over the past year, security patrols had become essentially non-existent allowing some new inhabitants to move in.

If you stopped a random student on campus and asked them to name off the Pacific Royal houses, they would likely give you an answer consisting of eight distinct names; Alces, Canis, Gulo, Lutra, Lynx, Myotis, Strigidae and Ursus. But there were those on campus who knew of a ninth house, a house founded in secret that had an ideology separate from the school’s equalitarian beliefs. Founded by the Children of Hyperion, House Orcinus continued to operate and flourish undiscovered even after Hyperion’s defeat four years ago.

In Hyperion’s stead, House Orcinus was led by the individual known as Hyperion’s Voice or simply the Harbinger. The Harbinger had led the cult-like sect for the last four years and thus far managed to evade the detection of the school’s faculty leading many among the House to speculate that the Harbinger themselves was a member of Pacific Royal’s staff.

Looming over the assembled House Orcinus, the Harbinger’s eyes narrowed from behind the mask that obscured their face beneath the oversized hood and robes.

[color=#ffffff]“Interlopers have come to P.R.C.U.”[/color] They stated, addressing the equally robed and masked attendees. 

[color=#ffffff]“I cannot stress enough how each of you must exercise extreme caution in attending these meetings and whispering of House Orcinus outside these walls. That said,”[/color] The Harbinger paused, smiling beneath their mask.

[color=#ffffff]“I do believe the Alexandria Foundation's goals align more with our own. Yes, I am not oblivious to the fact they are currently running operations against our brethren across the globe. But, they are simply placating the powers at be, I know the Foundation valued Hyperhuman strength. In your masks-”[/color] The Harbinger stated, referring to the students’ everyday lives. 

[color=#ffffff]“Befriend the Foundation, infiltrate them from within and we shall use our strength for ourselves. We are House Orcinus, we are the punishers of H.E.L.P.’s broken oath to Hyperhuman kind.”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][CENTER][COLOR=dimgray]
[sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][img]https://i.imgur.com/ohHwWdC.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]Welcome Home #1.041:[/b][/COLOR] [I]Unprecedented Whiplash[/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=silver][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [I]The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same[/I][/right][/SUP]
[INDENT]All across campus, the trumpet sounded rousing the students to a new day and a new semester. Done were the casual days of summer as the campus grounds became filled with uniform-clad students carrying out their community contributions before moving to the Mess Hall for breakfast with each task completed. 

The Mess Hall was abuzz with excitement and chatter as the students who opted not to dine privately within their dorms, reunited with classmates from their team and house alike while meeting the new students who had spent the last few nights in the Administrative building’s temporary rooming.

The masses moved across campus, though numbers were notably diminished compared to previous years as more students had graduated in the past few years than new enrollments had come in. Still, several hundred students were attending Pacific Royal and all were moving unanimously towards the same location. 

As they had in previous years, Team Blackjack had been instructed to meet their faculty representative, Thaddeus ‘Tad’ Finch outside the Mess Hall before formally moving to the Chimera’s Lair together.

One by one, each member of the team arrived, with the last member being no surprise to the others due to their history of being perpetually tardy. Steeling his expression as several remarks arose from the team’s peanut gallery, Tad beckoned the team to follow him as they made the short journey from the Mess Hall over to the stadium. 

[color=#ffffff]“Alright Blackjack, looks like everyone is accounted for. Any stragglers can catch up, you all know the drill by now.”[/color]

Formerly the student advisor to the Team, both Tad and Blackjack had outgrown that role. As a senior class, they too were now expected to act as Student Advisors to younger teams while they themselves no longer required a person in said role. Tad instead now operated as their faculty representative, advocating on their behalf in academic disputes. Tad’s mentor and now School Chancellor, Jim O’Neil had built a repertoire with the team over the last couple of years and had both the patience and a method for dealing with some of the Blackjack students that Tad himself was yet to master. 

The Chimera’s Lair was alive with elevated energy as students new and old piled into the stadium seats. Coming from their breakfast, whether from the mess hall or their dorms, the students were eager to kick off the semester and nothing did that quite as effectively as the Opening Ceremonies.

Finding their assigned seats, Tad motioned for Blackjack to file in quickly as the team rearranged themselves for optimum seating. Couples pairing up while the inseparable friends likewise made sure they were seated beside one another. It was almost predictable at this point how Blackjack would arrange themselves, even with new additions like Amma, Gil and Harper among the team.

[b][color=#ffffff]"ATTENTION!"[/color][/b] 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. The empty chairs were quickly filled by the school’s faculty who emerged 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=#ffffff]"All rise for the national anthem!" [/color]

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. 

With the anthems done, the crowd took their seats again while Winter Caspian, the Director of H.E.L.P. itself took the stage. Addressing the crowd before her she thanked each one of the students for their efforts in continuing to challenge the world's opinion on Hyperhumans for the better and expressing her excitement in working with the most recent graduates. Ending her piece, Winter turned toward the faculty behind her.

[color=#ffffff]“It’s my pleasure now to welcome to the stage your newly elected Chancellor, a man instrumental in defeating Hyperion and a dear personal friend, James O’Neil!”[/color] 

Applause could be heard across the stadium, though far less enthusiastic as in previous years. James ‘Jim’ O’Neil had been a teacher and student faculty representative for years prior to his appointment to Chancellor, though arguably the man was most famous for partaking in the defeat of Hyperion and his predecessor. 

[color=#ffffff]“I have to say, I didn’t reckon I’d ever be the one addressing y’all from this podium when I first came to Pacific Royal,”[/color] He paused to flash a wry grin, [color=#ffffff]“Let’s just say a [i]few[/i] years ago.” [/color]Subtle laughter could be heard rippling across the bleachers surrounding the green the podium stood on.

[color=#ffffff]“I was just a boy when I first stepped off that ferry. Soon after, I became a member of both Team 21 and House Lutra.” [/color]Cheers came from the students dotting the stadium bearing the blue coat of arms as Blackjack added a couple hoots of their own.

[color=#ffffff]“It was here on this island that I found not only a family, but also a home. This island, this school and its campus, it is my hope that each of you find it just as welcoming now as I did then. I hope that you look at the people beside you, the people you share a dorm with and you see not only friends, but people who you can rely on and trust indiscriminately. Sure, families aren’t perfect, you might not see eye to eye with each of them; I know some of you probably have a member on your team that’s a bit different from everyone else, or someone who intentionally stir the pot.”[/color]  Jim seemed to pause for a second, his eyes darting towards Blackjack before continuing.

[color=#ffffff]“With that in mind, I’d like to bring y’alls attention to a special visitor.”[/color] He continued motioning to the members of the Alexandria Foundation lingering around the podium.

[color=#ffffff]“As a part of our ongoing efforts to improve the school and do best by each of you, Pacific Royal is looking at collaborating with the Alexandria Foundation. Now, I know we’re used to sending them packing on the Hyperball field.”[/color] Jim chuckle, raising a fist as he did so.

[color=#ffffff]“GO CHIMERAS!”[/color] He yelled which elicited cheers from the stadium.

[color=#ffffff]“But, we’re looking for your cooperation in making Ms. Torres and her fellow Foundation members feel as welcome as you would a new student. The Foundation will be auditing classes and learning how we do things at Pacific Royal. Be sure to sure them why our Chimeras are the best.”[/color] Jim explained, taking a pause while shuffling a couple cards in front of himself. He cleared his throat before continuing.

[color=#ffffff]“Sadly, this isn’t all pomp and circumstance, I do have to rain on this parade.”[/color] He could feel the weight of the announcement in his chest while he continued to speak. Beside Jim, Miranda steeled her expression, but he could hear her telepathically reassuring him. 

In all his years, he had never seen Jonas; or was it Kowalski, make an announcement that could have had such a profound impact on the student body.

[color=#ffffff]“Given the current societal climate, circumstances beyond our control have conspired to invalidate our accreditations. To be straight with y’all, Pacific Royal has recently lost its accreditations for our degree programs in the engineering, law and medical fields. Students currently completing those will graduate with a degree not recognized for career certifications.”[/color] He took a moment to gather his words, already hearing the murmurs moving through the student body like wildfire.

[color=#ffffff]“Rest assured, we are working around the clock to get approval for credit transfer to several distinguished universities in both Canada and the United States. We do not want your hard work to go to waste. The Bureau has agreed to pay tuition for any student who chooses to transfer along with helping relocate students to their new campus. I understand going to another school is not ideal-”[/color]

Watching as Jim delivered the news to the gathered student body, the Alexandria Foundation’s representative suddenly had a shift in body language. Her stoic demeanour turned smug as she gestured for her aid to step closer. Obliging Torres’ request, Miss Almassian stepped forward and extended a finger in front of her boss’ mouth as Torres spoke over Jim.

[color=#ffffff]"Provided Pacific Royal and its Bureau are amenable to our conditional terms, the Alexandria Foundation has authorized me to extend our certifications to the students of the affected programs."[/color]  Torres' voice echoed across the stadium, its volume boosted by Maya’s abilities. A surprised look crossed the Chancellor’s face who was just as caught off guard by the interruption as the rest of the student body. Shock turned to anger as Jim looked to Miranda, who subtly shook her head while Torres continued to speak.

[color=#ffffff]“As many of you are already aware, the Alexandria Foundation is here this year to audit Pacific Royal and to bring it up to our standards. We’re interested in acquiring this school and helping it move past that, what would you call it Mr. O’Neil? Little faux-pas with your previous Chancellor.”[/color] The corners of Torres’ mouth twitched upwards momentarily before she continued.

[color=#ffffff]“The Foundation holds the students of Pacific Royal in very high regard and we want to ensure each of you is allowed to succeed this year. So far, we’ve been met with resistance from your administration, but we’re looking for your support. So please, tell your Team Advisor, your Faculty Representatives, anyone who will lend you an ear that you want a new path forward for P.R.C.U.”[/color]

Out of the corner of his eye, Jim caught Miranda’s gaze.

[i][color=#ffffff]Tact, Jim. Remember we want to remain diplomatic.[/color][/i]

Miranda’s warning echoed inside of O’Neil’s head as he adjusted the microphone in front of himself.

[color=#ffffff]“Continuous improvement, that’s exactly why we have [i]allowed[/i] the Foundation here this year.”[/color] Jim interrupted, taking back his platform while raising his hands to clap. [color=#ffffff]“Students, let's give a good ol’ Pacific Royal Welcome to Ms. Torres and her aid, Miss Almassian.”[/color]

The tension between O’Neil and Torres was plainly visible to everyone in the stadium, but Jim wasn’t one to back down.

[color=#ffffff]"...And as our returning students know, today signals the start of the Homecoming Trials. For our incoming students, y’all 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]

There was little applause as Jim turned to accept a torch that was handed to him to signify the start of the semester. Behind him, the House Canis faculty member; Aiden Roth, suddenly ignited the flame with his heat vision. With the torch lit, the Chancellor turned towards the bronze Chimera, lighting a flame in each mouth of the statue. 

[color=#ffffff]"Let the 2028 Homecoming Trials commence!"[/color] Jim shouted into the eerily quiet stadium [color=#ffffff]"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. Graduating class, you are to report to the Plateau immediately for further instruction. Once there, assemble your campsite and make your way to the construction site for assignment."[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT][/COLOR]