| 36hrs Earlier“Tad, I think it’s about time these young’uns got some shut eye. Douse that fire and the rest of you back to your tents.”
O’Neil ordered interrupting the admittedly tame conversation around the fire. There was still some lingering tension, and of course, the displays of affection between Olyphant and de Léon were going to make most of the others uncomfortable, but it looked like the team had made some headway towards working together.
Now to hope they didn’t try to kill each other in their sleep.
Jim wasn’t particularly fond of the look that Charon was giving Banjo, there must have been words spoken that the former had fixated on. Couple that with his still-standing tension with Bordeaux and that powder keg was likely to be the next one to blow.
With any luck, everyone would make it through the night and save whatever piss and vinegar they had for the trials in the morning.
Surveying the hedge, it was near completion. A marvel of Hyperhuman abilities, the hedge was a techno-organic structure capable of imitating the capabilities of the A.R.C. Once inside, the team would be put through a simulation that was capable of responding not only to their actions but also to their thoughts, fears and abilities. Controlled out here by a team of three Hyperhumans of various giftings and abilities, it was an astonishing accomplishment and a glimmer of hope towards a society where Hyperhumans would be allowed to use their abilities to create entire cities filled with similarly designed infrastructure.
Many of the world crises could be solved by the Hyperhumans who were able to convert their HZEs into matter. Entire economies, hunger, and even housing could be solved. They were able to reduce the carbon footprint, stabilize entire animal populations, and could do so if only mankind wasn’t always trying to repress and restrict them and their abilities.
“Alright, c’mon guys. It’s great to see you finally getting along but you have a long day tomorrow.”
Tad’s voice broke Jim out of his thoughts. Probably for the best, the last thing he needed was Miranda catching wind of his thoughts sounding like he was part of Hyperion’s delinquents. Though they weren’t without merit, it was their attitude toward non-Hyperhumans and the methods that Hyperion’s Children employed which meant Jim could never side with them. Their goals, outside of the superiority thing, but a world where Hyperhumans could live freely with their abilities, he understood.
Turning his attention to the sky, Jim could only furrow his brow in frustration as the storm seemed to be picking up. Lightning radiated to the west, striking the ocean and Zayas Island. He had warned Lehrer that this would happen. Still, he followed orders, even the ones he disagreed with. As the students all vanished into the tents for the night, he dismissed Tad with a final nod before standing in the middle of the campsite, palms extended towards the sky.
A pale blue shimmer momentarily illuminated in the darkness before stretching outward from Jim and wrapping around the campsite. As lightning illuminated the sky, the faintest trace of a hexagonal pattern could be seen, revealing the psionic shield wrapped around the campsite.
“Team 78!”
Miranda’s voice though projected was barely audible above the thunder overhead. The team was full and content but it was time for shelter as cold raindrops struck the tents and ground, causing smoke and steam to rise off of the fire and pizza oven.
“Head for your tents everyone!” Jess yelled, “Adie and Aly, you’re together there, Yuri and Jonna, you two take that one.” She shouted, “Tisha and Sierra, you guys are paired up, Lucas and Ariel, back to your tent.” That just left Harlowe, Coop, Efraim and Elodie,
“Coop and Efraim you’re together, Harlowe and Elle the last tent is yours.”
With everyone sorted, Jess returned to Miranda’s side.
“What are the others saying?”
“Jonas insisted we ride out the weather. Jim is going to try and extend his barrier our way, but otherwise, I want you to go into the truck and set up the emitter I borrowed from my old H.E.R.O. squad. Place it in the center of the campsite and be ready to activate it at a moment’s notice.” The telepathic team leader instructed.
The mention of H.E.R.O. caught Jessica off guard. She hadn’t realized that Miranda had previously served on one of the Bureau’s Hyperhuman Emergency Response Operations teams.
“Negotiations,” Miranda interjected, “And no, I didn’t need to read your mind.”
Taken aback, Jessica looked up at her mentor, searching her kind face. H.E.R.O. operatives weren’t exactly what you’d expect to find teaching at Pacific Royal and yet, here Miranda was. Prior to this conversation, Jess had thought Dr. Rivers’ highest achievements had been in her scientific fields; she never once considered that the doctor would lend her talents elsewhere.
“Why are you here?” Jess asked, pulling the hood of her jacket over her dark hair.
“I spent years of my life analyzing the worst parts of the criminal psyche. After chasing down spree killers, injustice collectors, family annihilators and all other serial killers, I thought it would be a better use of my talents to cultivate the best attributes in those who represent our future.”
It was a far more somber answer than Jessica had anticipated. Sobering even given every student she had just sent to bed was on an accelerated track to find work with the Bureau.
“Enough of that, the emitter please, Jess, and then I’d seek cover under something more than a school-issued windbreaker,” Miranda ordered gently.
“We’re in for a bumpy night.”
The voice invaded Tad's head, eroding at his will, pulling him out of his slumber and prompting the semi-conscious young man to sit up on his cot. Outside the thunder continued to boom, shaking the tent despite Jim's shield over the campsite.
“Knock it off, Banjo.” Tad snapped, half asleep. “I swear if this is some sort of prank-”
Thaddeus…
The voice came again, permeating his head. Tad went rigid, and then suddenly relaxed. For the briefest of seconds, Tad’s eyes illuminated a vibrant, violet hue before the glow dissipated.
Stand.
The word hissed into Tad’s left ear, crawling through his skull, through his neural cortex and corridors and out the right ear. He suddenly felt safe and did as he was commanded by the voice. Stepping out of the tent and under cover of Jim’s shield, Tad turned his gaze skyward, beyond the shimmering blue energy barrier. Rain pelted against the outside as the dead of night was illuminated by sheets of lightning.
You’re trapped, you need to cut yourself free.
As the voice whispered inside Tad’s skull, he saw the Southern Plateau disappear, no longer was there a shield above him. Instead, it had been replaced by a leafy canopy. Thick, venous vines surrounded Tad, suffocating him. He could feel them wrapped around his legs, arms and torsos.
Panic seized him slightly and his Hype-Gene reacted, his hands morphing as razor-sharp claws extended allowing him to cut himself free.
“What the hell are you doing, boy?”
The voice sounded familiar, but it was so far away. Tad had to cut himself free. He needed to get out of these vines.
“Tad! Stop! Tad!”
The voice grew more persistent, louder and then quiet again.
Free yourself.
Striking, Tad cleaved clean through the thickest vine in front of him. His body was immediately coated in the warm splatter as the ichor inside sprayed across him. The green canopy above him fell away, the haze of the jungle dissipating to reveal the night sky above.
And then he felt the cold rain.
The Southern Plateau returned as Tad looked around.
Why wasn’t he in his bed? Where was he?
The rain caused the warm ichor to run down his face as Tad slowly raised a horrified hand to his cheek. His eyes came to rest on the severed arm lying several feet away from Jim, who was knelt on the ground, frantically trying to stop the bleeding from the stump where his arm used to be.
“No…” Tad began only to suddenly feel a sharp pain course through his body as a pair of prongs dug into his back between his shoulders.
“On your knees, now!” Miranda commanded from behind him, the former agent held her weapon expertly, ready to HZE Tad the second he moved to resist.
“Thaddeus Finch, I need you to surrender right now. There is someone else in your head.”
Fight.
“No,” Tad pleaded, his eyes beginning to glow again.
Fight.
“No, no, no.”
“Knees now!” Miranda ordered again.
Fight.
Tad let out a primal roar as Miranda pulled the trigger, bombarding the student advisor with irradiated electrons to neutralize the threat. Stumbling, Tad dropped to one knee as Miranda pulled the trigger again.
Adapt.
Panting, Tad knelt there motionless as Miranda stepped forward, finger still hovering over the trigger. Suddenly Tad ripped the prongs from his back as he stood. Ejecting the HZE cartilage, Miranda quickly reloaded, shooting Tad in the chest before pulling the trigger again.
“Aaron!” Miranda roared, as both Aaron Matthews and Ryan Clark appeared followed by several onlookers from Team Eclipse.
“I could use a hand here.”
Pulling the weapon out of his chest, Tad tossed it aside before attacking Miranda and sending the woman stumbling backward. Aaron moved in to defend Miranda while Ryan and Jessica did their best to keep defer the prying eyes belonging to members of Blackjack, Eclipse and Firebird out of harm’s way and back to their tents.
Restraining Tad was no easy feat as the younger Hyperhuman kept adapting to Aaron’s strategies. If Aaron tried to wrap himself around Tad, Tad simply became stronger and hard to contain. If Aaron tried to suffocate Tad, Tad simply adapted to increase his lung capacity, if not breathe out of a different orifice.
The longer the fight went on, the more difficult Tad would become to subdue.
If the circumstances had been different, Matthews would have been impressed with just how much he underestimated the student advisor. He assumed the milquetoast-looking boy was just a pushover that O’Neil had taken on to boss around. Never once did it cross Aaron’s mind that Tad was actually someone worth having on your side.
After all, his name was Tad.
“What’s gotten into him?” Aaron yelled as Miranda rejoined the fight.
“Someone much more powerful,” Miranda replied. Unfortunately, the distraction cost her, she had missed Tad’s attack and braced for the worse. Making her peace, Miranda tried to focus her abilities to redirect Tad’s attack but he was too close, too fast and too strong. A claw-laden hand pushed through her telekinetic attacks, aimed directly at her abdomen.
Except the pain never came.
A shimmer of blue energy appeared in front of Miranda as Jim staggered to his feet, a makeshift tourniquet wrapped around the remainder of his left arm. His outstretched hand quivered before making a fist that staggered Tad backwards, landing the student advisor squarely between the three faculty members.
Above the gathered teams, the storm clouds above began to swirl as three branches of lightning suddenly came together before plummeting downwards. From inside the blast stepped forward two figures.
“Enough.”
The larger of the two figures spoke in a raspy voice. It was calm, cool and authoritative, leaving no room for argument. A mask covered their face, empty eye sockets staring out across the Southern Plateau. With a wave of their hand, Miranda, Jim and Aaron were lifted into the air, their bodies rigid before the masked figure flicked their fingers and tossed the three faculty members aside.
“Thaddeus, come along. We have plans for you.”
Complying in his still trance-like state, Tad walked towards the pair. From behind him, the sound of a gun being cocked echoed through the rainfall, behind the deafening roar of thunder.
“Nobody is taking him,” Miranda stated, taking a step forward towards Tad. Behind her, Aaron helped Jim back to his feet while the commotion had begun to gather an audience, one that Ryan and Jess could no longer keep at bay.
“You dare point that at me?” The hooded figure asked, before wrenching the weapon from Miranda’s grasp and pulling it through the air to themselves.
“A Hyperhuman using this weapon on another Hyperhuman.” The disgust was evident even behind the mask.
“I thought we were too evolved for this.”
“I wonder if the students know what kind of school this is?” The woman piped up. It was only upon hearing her voice that Miranda realized the hooded figure’s companion was none other than Autumn Miracle. Somehow, they had broken her out of the H.E.L.P. Black Site.
“This hypocrisy shall not stand,” The raspy voice rose in volume. “Let’s bring everyone out here, shall we!” With a subtle movement of their fingers, the masked figure tore the top off of each tent, exposing those who hadn’t already stirred and gathered to the cold night rain.
“Come children, gather around. See how your teachers employ the weapons of our enemies against us.” They continued, tossing the gun back towards the gathering group of students.
Surveying the students, Autumn crinkled her nose in disgust.
“Matching uniforms? How garish. In my day, we actually had style.”
“Are you actually bragging about 80’s fashion?” Jim grimaced as he interjected, “You’re sicker than they said.”
“Speaking of appearances, how about a little upgrade?” Autumn asked, “These fanatics took my best years from me, and if we’re going to be doing a big song and dance number for the kids, I ought to look the part.”
“Your vanity was never a desirable trait, Miss Miracle.” The cloaked figure lamented, before extending a hand. A verdant shimmer passed through the air, coating Autumn as her grey hair was replaced with raven locks, and wrinkles tightened as her skin became firm and smooth. The aged woman was completely replaced by one in her youthful prime, now appearing barely older than Tad or Jessica.
“Do you not see, this is how Hyperhumans should be treating one another. Together we are immortal, invincible, we could be gods to this world.” The hooded figure placed a hand on Tad’s shoulder, “I am Hyperion, and you are my children. Come to your sire’s side as your advisor has.”
Moving to pull her weapon back to her, Miranda found her abilities to be blocked or at the very least, severely weakened. Looking up to see Hyperion slowly wagging their index finger towards her, Miranda realized that even though they had numbers, Hyperion had them outgunned.
Suddenly the masked assailant multiplied, spreading out around the students and faculty alike, fencing them in. The original Hyperion made a subtle swipe through the air, pushing Jim, Aaron and Miranda aside again, their copies aiding in parting the crowd until the original was looking directly at Trace.
“You my dear, you represent the best of us, the purest of us. Your gifts have transformed you into a new standard of beauty, these students with their mundane appearance, barely distinguishable from humans, they should worship the very ground you grace.”
They paused to address the rest of the students.
“Did the Hindus not worship Shiva? Why should you settle for less?” Suddenly Hyperion turned their focus on Adam Prince of Team Eclipse.
“Did the Egyptians not worship Anubis and Horus? Why should you let ants belittle you into hiding your true nature?”
With another swipe of their hand and the crowd was tossed about again until it had parted and revealed Haleigh, still in her wheelchair.
“And you!” Hyperion’s rasp rose to a roar, an accusatory finger pointed towards the young girl.
“You let them bind you to a metal chair. Can you not hear the very soil beneath your feet crying for your touch, their mother Gaia, taken from them, forced to into that metal torture chair and that abomination of a device on your temple.”
Raising their hands toward the sky, Hyperion continued.
“Under my tutelage, you will walk, nay you will run atop of mountains and raise entire nations.”
With an open palm, Hyperion pulled Rory into the forefront.
“You have so much untapped potential, if you had the stomach for it, you could stand on my left, I could give you anything you desire, power, wealth, endless comfort?”
Dropping Rory, Hyperion telekinetically plucked Lucas out of the crowd, suspending the boy with one hand, and their plush dinosaur with another.
“Don’t you get tired of living in the past? Seeing echoes of things that already happened?” They hissed before pushing Lucas away again.
“If you come home, I will unfold your future. It doesn’t lie here, in this military academy. This is built to appease those who are beneath you. To restrain and limit you, I give you a world with no limitations, I will unfold your future.”
"Alright, settle down Squid Game. We've got enough bloody fun and games on the itinerary already... Red Light!"
Hyperion’s head seemed to swivel free of its neck as the cold empty eye sockets of their mask landed on Banjo. Something in their demeanour changed as they gleefully pushed students aside until Banjo was centred out by himself.
“Don’t you get tired of feeling alone, having to always wear that armour you lug around? You have so many looking for you,” Hyperion paused and even with the mask, Banjo could practically see the smug grin on their face.
“I’ve met them, your parents that is. Don’t you get tired of running? Have you ever wondered if he truly has your best interests at heart or if you’re just a burden of obligation? Stand with me instead, I assure you I want you by my side and there will be no more running.”
"Yeeeeeeah... the kind of dynamic I suspect you would want you and I to have..? I'm pretty bloody sure I'm gonna clash... sorry, correction, don't want to give you the wrong idea... I Would make it my business to ensure that I clash."
With a twist of his wrist, Hyperion lifted Banjo into the air. Holding Banjo briefly, the masked figure pulled the suspended teen closer, inspecting the boy.
“I’ll give you one more chance to answer.”
"Go fuck yourself." Banjo smirked.
“I’ll be back for you later.” They hissed directly into Banjo’s ear, out of earshot of the others before tossing Banjo into the air. The force of the momentum sent Banjo sailing much to the horrified gasps and screams of the gathered student body.
Watching the events unfold, something inside of Cassander snapped. Lightning illuminated the night sky, and the blinding light caused something in the grass to glisten as Cass’ eyes fell on Miranda’s firearm. Summoning what little of his powers were available, Cassander managed to toss a small flashbang into the air, before rolling forward and snatching up the weapon. Letting off a shot he watched as the prime Hyperion staggered momentarily before the pair of void-like eyes turned to him.
“Foolish child.”
Stepping between Hyperion and the students, Cassander raised the gun with one hand while preparing another blast in his other hand. He looked around frantically towards the numerous copies who, like their original, seemed unamused and bored by his little stand of resistance.
“You idiot, Charon.” Jim roared only for Autumn to fire an energy blast of her own. Managing a shield, it wasn’t enough to stop Jim from being knocked to the ground again.
“You’re of no use to me.” Hyperion hissed, "I thought the other boy’s insolence would have been enough of a lesson, it would appear some of you are slow learners.” The masked figure spat before raising a hand only for it to turn to a single point and impale Cassander through the chest.
Cassander’s mouth opened but no sound came from within. Looking down at his chest, Cass watched the blood drip from his lips onto Hyperion before the hooded figure withdrew his hand, letting Cass’ lifeless corpse slump to the ground.
“We’ve made our point here.” Mirthless laughter rang hollowly from behind the mask before Hyperion motioned to Autumn, “Bring Thaddeus along, we’re leaving.”
“Wait!”
Hyperion paused as Ryan pushed her way through the other students and ran toward them.
“Take me with you.” She pleaded, “I am done playing below my level.”
“Me too,” Came Adam’s voice as the beastly teen pushed their way forward. From Team Eclipse, five other students stepped forward, each following Ryan’s lead as they approached Hyperion.
“Come my children, your ascension begins now.”
| Now"Pacific Royal was supposed to be safe."
Dr. Miranda Rivers uttered only that single sentence. It hung in the room far longer than anyone was comfortable with before Dr. Lehrer replied.
"This is an isol-"
"That’s not good enough. An isolated incident is still an incident, and calling it an incident is an insult to the life that was lost and those that are now changed forever."
"Dr. Morse, in my thirty-seven years, there had never before been an incident on the grounds of this school. Hyperhuman terrorists come and go, but this school will continue to endure."
"And yet, there was one.” Dr. Mercia interjected, “For all of the defenses that this place holds, for having essentially a private army next door, we were attacked and caught with our proverbial pants down."
“The trials have already been postponed, Cassander’s Charon next of kin have been notified and there will need to be a funeral to honour the boy.” Dr. Rivers added, eliciting several nods from both doctors Merica and Morse along with Aaron.
“These students don’t need to go through your hedge, they’ve already endured enough. What’s most important now is that we get their lives to return to some semblance of normalcy. Surely they’ve displayed enough in the face of adversity to be placed in some ceremonial bullshit houses.” Aaron spat, “If Jim was here you know he’d be tearing you a new one for even suggesting they go through the Trials after what happened.”
“You have twenty-nine students who are going to need counselling, more likely as they found out that the alleged safest place for Hyperhumans was just waltzed in by Hyperion like they own the damn place. Those aforementioned twenty-nine also just witnessed the death of a classmate and the near death of another, not to mention abduction and extortion. Jim, Miranda and Aaron are all lucky to be alive."
“I’ll talk all of that under counsel, Dr. Morse, however, normalcy is the Trials.”
“If you put them through that, I’ll walk.” Miranda countered.
“I will too,” Aaron added, standing up. “You can still offer them the team swap and we can place them in houses. I’m sure like myself, Miranda and Jim can speak to their personalities and where they’d best be suited. But no Trials, let them have time to heal.”
“They’re students, not soldiers, Jonas.”
Jonas looked around the room at the gathered faculty members. He was outnumbered and knew it. They were right, sighing he threw his hands up as he nodded his agreement. Taking a deep breath, he turned as they all began to leave his office before staring out the window and speaking to himself.
“But, whether they know it or not, I’m afraid they’re now caught in a war.”
Member
Qia
Melissa
Hillan
PatientBean
Theyra
Lord Wraith
Senhara
Sep
An Outsider
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