Chapter 9 — Power Dynamic

It was an ordinary Friday afternoon in the delightful Helix City. The Foundry was lively as people roamed with joy and laughter. Trevor and Priya strolled peacefully down the path, walking side by side. “So, what do you think of the Foundry?” Priya asked. “It’s alright,” Trevor said. “Definitely better than where I lived on my Earth, but there are better districts in Helix City.” “I see what you mean,” Priya admitted. “The Meridian is the commercial centre, the Span is the peaceful one, and the Lattice is the cleanest and friendliest, but it certainly gets worse.” “Ashfield,” Trevor said. “I’ve heard of that. What’s the deal with it?” “A story for another time,” Priya said. They continued walking. A group of teenagers stood patiently in an alley nearby as they heard the footsteps of someone approaching. “Priya, you were supposed to be here an hour ago,” Jonathan said. “What happened? You’re never late.” As Priya turned the corner into the alley, the five were surprised to see her arrive with a guest.

The group consisted of three girls and two boys, all varying in form. They all stood leisurely, leaning against the walls of the alley in relaxation—all but one. Jonathan, broad and confident, walked up to Trevor with the intent of intimidation, though it may be difficult due to Trevor being an inch taller. “Who are you?” he asked aggressively. “Trevor,” Trevor stated confidently, “but why does that matter?” “I need to make sure Priya doesn’t bring random people here,” Jonathan said, puffing out his chest. Trevor turned to Priya and asked, “Do you do this often?” “Maybe,” Priya said playfully. Jonathan snapped. The fire in his eyes was expelled in streams of flaming energy. Trevor acted instinctively, dodging the lasers and reaching into his pocket, grabbing a pebble, green and radiant, and hurling it at Jonathan’s leg. The rock pierced Jonathan’s skin and sent him flying back and crashing into the ground.

“Jon!” Cassandra cried with concern before running over to check up on him. “I guess he was Kryptonian,” Trevor uttered to himself. He turned to the rest of the group, whose jaws had dropped like peregrine Falcons. “What?” “They’re surprised you just battled our invincible friend and won,” Priya stated. “Invincible?” Trevor mocked. “He’s a Kryptonian. They have the powers of gods, but with the dumbest weaknesses. One of them is this green mineral called kryptonite. It’s a radioactive metal isotope from their home planet.” The others were in a mix of horror and amazement. “There are other types of kryptonite with different colours and effects, but green is the main one, which nullifies their powers while in proximity.” “Will he be okay?” Liam asked. “Of course,” Trevor said, “as long as that girl over there manages to remove the kryptonite from the wound before the radiation leaks into his bloodstream.” “Anyway,” Priya said, attempting to digress, “this is the gang.” “Never say that again,” Trevor jokingly requested. “That’s what I’ve been telling her,” Liam said. “We need a proper superhero team name.” “We’re a coming-of-age story,” Wadelynn stated, “so I suggest we call ourselves ‘The Coming’.” “No!” Trevor, Priya and Liam said in unison. Trevor suggested, “How about ‘The Age’?” “Boring,” Wadelynn commented. “Better than the Coming,” Trevor joked. “How come he gets to say that, but I get punished for saying fu—” Before she could finish her sentence, a tree branch fell from the sky and landed on Wadelynn’s head, concussing her.

“So, am I right in assuming that you’re all metas too?” Trevor asked. “Yes,” Liam said. “I’m Liam Davis.” “I knew a Liam once,” Trevor commented. “The one that got hit by a tree branch is Wadelynn Wilson.” “She’s insane and kinda unlucky,” Priya added. “I am not insane or unlucky,” Wadelynn replied in defence. “Traivon just has it out for me.” “Who?” Priya questioned. “The writer,” Wadelynn said. “Never mind.” “Deadpool-level insanity,” Trevor said. “Anyway,” Liam continued, “Jonathan Kent is the one you just beat up.” Priya leaned closer to Trevor and whispered, “He has a thing for me.” “That makes sense,” Trevor said while smirking. “Cassandra Williams is the girl with him,” Liam said. Trevor’s eyes briefly widened before he dismissed whatever feeling just rushed over him. Liam then gestured towards the quiet girl, the bystander of the group, silently spectating the conversation. “That’s Lucy Miller. She doesn’t actually have powers.” “None that you know of anyway,” Trevor commented. “And I’m sure you’re aware of Priya Okafor’s powers,” Liam said. “So, what’s your power?” Wadelynn asked. Trevor and Priya looked at each other with knowing grins. With that, Trevor was off, leaving streaks of golden and ebony in his wake, along with a gush of wind. Everyone was exhilarated. “That was cool!” Liam exclaimed. “I know,” Priya said before muttering, “Tam ille venustus est…” Lucy quietly giggled at Priya’s words. Trevor returned a few seconds later, holding a book that Priya was very familiar with. “Did you steal my diary from my house?” Priya questioned with false aggression. “Yeah,” Trevor admitted quickly. “Don’t worry, I only read it three times on the way back. Thanks, by the way.” A soft red blended with the fair skin on Priya’s face as she snatched the book from Trevor’s hands and put it in her backpack.

Cassandra and Jonathan walked up, rejoining the group. Cassandra nudged Jonathan in the shoulder, as if cueing him to begin speaking: “Trevor, I am greatly sorry for my unsolicited aggression, and I was hoping that, in exchange for this wholehearted apology, you could remove the kryptonite in my left shin that is currently infecting my entire body with agonising pain.” “Really, Jonny?” Trevor joked. “That’s all you had to say.” Trevor reached into Jonathan’s wound and brutally ripped out the kryptonite. Jonathan screamed in agony as Trevor placed the kryptonite in its lead case and returned it to his pocket. “Relax, Superboy, you’ll heal.” Trevor then turned to the rest of the group. “I actually need your help. Recently, the Weaver, Kangae, Priya and I have been dealing with a mysterious threat apparently known as ‘the Sovereign’.” “This ‘Sovereign’ has metahumans across the city working for them,” Priya said, “including…” “Doctor Dahlia Frost,” Trevor said, “AKA Stasis.” “Doctor Frost is Stasis?” Cassandra questioned in shock. “I guess that explains why she’s been missing.” “Since she is your teacher and you guys seem to be close,” Trevor said, “I was wondering if you guys had any information.” “Why would we help you?” Jonathan asked bitterly. “You said you wanted to be superheroes,” Trevor stated. “This is your chance.” “There’s also the fact that he’s our friend,” Priya added. “Well, my friend, at least, which makes him your friend.” “That’s great, Silk,” Trevor commented, “but I’m not hearing any ideas.” “Doctor Frost used to talk about her work as an experimental physicist at Hamilton Dynamics,” Lucy gently uttered. “Perfect,” Trevor said. “So, we’re going there.” “First of all,” Liam said, “‘we’?” “Weaver and Kangae are off doing god knows what,” Trevor said, “and I feel like Jon’s gonna relentlessly hunt me down if I take Priya off him. So, it looks like you guys are my team today.” “Good luck with that,” Wadelynn commented. “We’re as coordinated as the 2012 Avengers.” “How do you know that reference?” Trevor questioned. “The other issue,” Liam continued, “is that Hamilton Dynamics is in Ashfield.” “So?” Trevor asked. “Ashfield, or ‘The Hollows’,” Priya stated, “is the most crime-ridden district in Helix City. Those who make the mistake of living there are cursed forever.” “So, what?” Trevor rhetorically asked in a determined manner. “Among the seven of us, we are some of the most powerful people in this city, maybe even the world! What do some petty thieves have against the Age?! Now, let’s go!” Now increasingly inspired and motivated, the group assembled and marched to the Hollows. “You’re really good at that,” Priya commended. “I know,” Trevor said. “I still don’t like that name,” said Wadelynn. “We’ve been focusing a lot on Trevor’s story. Who’s the main character again?” Shut up. Suddenly, a silver sedan flew through the air and into Wadelynn’s head, crushing her. “I did not appreciate that.” Too bad.

“Hey, Richie,” said Grace, almost strangling her brother in a loving embrace. “What are you doing here?” “I need your help with something,” Richard said. “Anything for you,” she said. “What is it?” “I will tell you when you stop choking me,” said Richard, jokingly, hyperbolically choking. “Oh,” Grace said, releasing Richard from her tight embrace, “sorry.” Richard walked further into Grace’s apartment as he continued to talk: “I was… tasked by Lex to investigate a series of robberies within Macrosoft’s corporate network.” “Why did he go to you rather than HCPD or H.A.R.B.O.R.?” asked Grace. “I guess… he didn’t want this information to get out,” Richard said, “and he knew I had the country’s greatest hacker on speed dial.” “Oh, don’t say that,” Grace said playfully. “So, did these robberies have something in common?” “Yeah—” Richard was interrupted by the sudden sound of the bathroom door opening. A familiar face walked out. “Grace, you ran out of toilet paper,” Eliza said. “Oh, hey… you.” “Oh, h-hey, Eliza,” said Richard, awkwardly stammering. “Richard was just asking me to help with some thefts in Macrosoft,” said Grace. “Really?” Eliza said. “I thought Macrosoft had impenetrable security.” “I guess that’s why it’s an issue.” Grace then turned back to Richard. “What were you saying about the common themes in the robberies?” “Yeah, uh,” Richard continued awkwardly, “There was just one named… ‘Sovereign’.” “Interesting,” said Grace. “I could work with that.”

“So,” Richard began, trying to strike up a conversation, “how’ve you been? I haven’t seen you much lately.” “I’ve just been really focused on med school,” said Eliza. “You know how I am about neuroradiology.” “I get it,” said Richard. Then, their attention was caught by Grace’s voice. “I’ve got something,” she said. “That was quick,” Richard said. They walked up to her. Richard stood to the right of the chair she sat in, while Eliza stood on the left, all gazing at the world map on the screen in front of them. “Last week,” said Grace, “I created a program to find the location of Internet search terms across the world.” “Why would you ever need that?” Richard asked. “Shut up,” Grace said playfully while continuing to type. “Anyway, all I have to do is input ‘Sovereign’ and…” The map zoomed in on the Eastern Seaboard, then further into Helix City, before continuing.

The window shattered. Abruptly, a bullet flew into the room and crashed through Grace’s computer. The entire system shut down. BANG! Another bullet flew through the window. Richard and Grace closed their eyes and ducked, bracing for impact. Seconds went by. Nothing. As their eyes slowly reopened, they were met with a wondrous spectacle. Cerebra stood, holding an energy field around everyone as bullets ricocheted off it. “You guys alright?” Cerebra asked. “Yup,” said Eliza, slightly intrigued. Cerebra relaxed her stance as the firing ceased. She looked through the devastated windows, looking to the rooftop she had suspected the gunfire came from. Nothing.

“No!” Grace yelled in horror as she ran towards her computer. “This is the most powerful desktop computer to ever exist! It’s one of a kind!” “It’ll be alright,” Richard reassured, gently patting Grace on the shoulder. He then said, “I’m sure I could get Trevor to build you a new one,” prompting an eye roll from Eliza and Cerebra. “Did you at least get the location?” “I didn’t see a precise location,” said Grace. “All I saw was it zooming into Ashfield before it broke.” “I guess we’re going to The Hollows,” said Eliza. “I’m coming with you guys,” Cerebra said. “I’m not gonna let you guys get shot while wandering alone in the most dangerous place in Helix City.”

The seven steadily approached the border between the Foundry and Ashfield. “I like that name, actually,” Wadelynn said. “How about the Seven?” “No, that’s taken,” Trevor said. “Besides, it doesn’t work because there are actually seven of us.” Eventually, they approached a billboard. “‘Welcome to Ashfield, victims. Good luck. You’ll honestly need it.’” Trevor read. “That’s not at all ominous.” “This could use some improvement,” said Wadelynn. He then stepped towards the sign. She started altering the sign. The rest watched as letters moved around, and some fell off the board. When he stopped, Wadelynn stepped back and read: “‘come deAl vile toilets Well.’” Trevor was confused: “Did you just—” “Reference Captain Underpants?” said Wadelynn. “Yes.” “Yeah, but how do you even— Whatever,” Trevor said. “It’s still missing something.” “Oh, I’ve got it,” Wadelynn said before grabbing some of the remaining letters on the ground and placing them back on the sign in a new order: “‘cosmic fish, You’d Goon.’ Perfect. Don’t ask how I moved painted letters.” “Focus, guys,” Priya said firmly. “Sorry, Silk,” Trevor said. The billboard collapsed on top of Wadelynn as they all took a step across the border.

The change was sudden, noticeable. The sky rapidly darkened with the atmosphere. The city was enveloped in cloud cover as it began to rain. It wasn’t pouring rain; it was sprinkling rain — enough to cause slight discomfort. Thunder occasionally boomed throughout the sky. “How did the weather change so quickly?” Wadelynn asked. “That doesn’t even make any sense.” “It’s like Gotham City on steroids,” said Trevor. “Look alive, people,” Priya said, pointing forward. “Hamilton Dynamics is that way.” As they walked through the street, their attention was captured by the bullet holes that textured the walls. Rats scurried across the ground territorially. The few who dared to drive cars swerved through the piles of litter on the road. They turned the corner only to be pushed into an alley. A group of fifteen thugs in dark balaclavas stood with intimidation, clutching handguns pointed in their direction, powered by virulent-coloured energy, prompting Trevor and company to raise their hands above their heads. “This really is Gotham,” Wadelynn quipped.

“Our pockets are missing something,” one of the thugs said. “Wanna guess what that is?” “The ownership of people with meaning to their lives?” Trevor joked nervously. “Your wallets!” the thug yelled. “REMEDY THAT! NOW!” “I’m sure we can solve this another way,” Cassandra said. “Yeah, we don’t want any problems,” Liam said. “We won’t have problems if you pay up,” the thug said. “You don’t want this,” Jonathan said. “Back off!” “You think we’re playing?” the thug said, priming his gun. “Last chance,” Jonathan said, stepping forward while puffing out his chest. The thug then pulled the trigger, sending Jonathan flying across the alley. In pain, he whispered something to himself: “How many people have this ‘kryptonite’?” “So,” the thug said, “anyone else wanna be a hero?” “Heroic save,” Wadelynn said, “in three, two, one…” An ominous silhouette lurked in the shadows, nothing visible but its glowing white eyes. The thugs began firing into the darkness as judgement knives flew out, impaling each of them through the heart one by one.

The figure stepped out of the crepuscule, permitting the dim light of the afternoon night to fall upon its body. It wore heavy jet armour, the helmet masking anything that resembled humanoid facial features. It had a belt around its waist with small pouches, a sleek cape wafting behind it. Its voice was menacing, deep, and modulated as it asked: “Are you guys alright?” A gentle question, but it struck fear in the seven… “Even he agrees ‘The Seven’ is a good name.” No, I just know how to count. …all except Wadelynn, of course, who remained unserious as the vigilante towered over them.

Within seconds, the alley was filled with soldiers dressed in tactical gear. Each one held identical energy rifles, every single one aimed at the vigilante. The children stepped back as the vigilante stepped forward. “These kids are safe,” it said. “H.A.R.B.O.R.’s services aren’t needed.” A woman stepped through the wall of operatives. She wore a laboratory coat with a name tag attached to her breast pocket. “With a murderer?” said Catherine Hamilton-Napier. “They’ll never be safe. No one will be.” “And they will be with you?” it said. “The Intraspecific Gang rule this place while ‘law enforcement’ and the ‘justice system’ do nothing about it. Ashfield would be nothing without me.” “It will be something… peaceful,” she said. She raised her hand and uttered silently: “Fire.” Energy pulses flew through the air. The vigilante weaved acrobatically around the attacks, kicking soldiers down. He retrieved two judgement daggers, the blades glowing an intense grey, and he slashed through their firearms, slicing them in half. Hamilton-Napier gazed around at all her men on the ground, defeated, but breathing. She looked back up to see the vigilante standing threateningly in her face. “They’re still alive,” he said. “Stay out of my way, and it will stay that way. You do your jobs, I do mine. No one innocent has to die.” A small pellet fell out of a pocket in his belt. Once it hit the ground, the entire alley was engulfed in smoke. Everyone coughed as they tried to see through it. Vision returned as the smoke cleared. It was gone. Both frightened and exhilarated, Trevor turned to Priya and said, “You didn’t tell me Helix City had Batman.”

Richard, Eliza and Cerebra drove across the border into Ashfield. They were met with the same gloom and rainfall that everyone else sees. “Classic Ashfield,” Eliza said dryly as she was caressed by the sensation of water droplets splashing against her skin. “So, where are we going?” Cerebra squinted her eyes attentively, focusing on something. “I can feel something,” she said. “Someone is in danger.” “What is it?” Richard asked. “I don’t know,” Cerebra said. “All I feel is an overwhelming sense of fear. Let’s go investigate.” “I thought we were going to investigate the Sovereign,” Eliza said. “I’m still a superhero,” Cerebra said. “We’re making a pit stop.”

A group of thugs were on a rooftop, surrounding a woman. They each had random assortments of knives and guns. They all walked slowly forward, enclosing the woman, forcing her closer to the edge. Their leader stood in front of the rest. “WHERE IS HE?” he yelled. “Where is who?” the woman asked, panicked and frantic. “The Hollows vigilante,” he said. “We’ve seen him walking out of this building multiple times, the exact same building you just walked out of. So, what do you know?” “I don’t know anything, I swear!” the woman cried. “He walks in, I patch him up, and then he walks out, just like everyone else!” “You’re lying,” the thug said, closing in on the woman as she stood on the very edge of the roof. “LAST CHANCE!” “Let me go!” she pleaded. “That’s all I know!” “Wrong answer,” the thug said. He kicked the woman directly in her diaphragm, sending her tumbling off the roof.

Cerebra caught the woman telekinetically, placing her gently on the ground. As the fear died out, the woman was overcome by thrill as she saw the hero who had just saved her. “Oh my God!” she shrieked. “You’re Cerebra!” “It’s Kang—” Cerebra said. “You know what? Forget it.” “I’m Mary Hamilton. You probably know my mother, Catherine Hamilton-Napier. Oh, Damian’s gonna be so jealous. Can I get an autograph?” “Maybe another time,” Cerebra said. “Who were those guys?” “They’re the Intraspecific Gang,” Mary said. “A gang so large they’re basically the only ones in the business. They get their name from their goal of seizing power by causing conflict within the system itself. Their goal is public, but they’re so erratic that no one can predict their moves, even if we know what they’re trying to do. The only person who stands in their way is the Hollows vigilante. No matter what the law or the news says about him, he’s the only person with the skills and resources to stop them, which is why they were interrogating me to find out where he was.” Cerebra’s attention was caught by the sounds of combat and gunfire as she looked up to see the vigilante fighting with the thugs. “Intriguing…” she said. “I’ll be right back.” Using her telekinesis, she ripped the block of pavement from beneath her feet, lifting herself into the air.

The vigilante dodged the slash of a thug’s knife. He kicked the knife out of the thug’s hand and stabbed the thug with his own. He turned around, using his cape to shield himself from the gunfire. He wrapped the wire from his judgement grapnel around a thug’s throat, choking the thug. He chucked a judgement charge at a thug’s waist, ripping apart the bodies of the thug and all of the thugs near him. The final thug had a judgement knife thrown at his thigh, effectively immobilising him. The vigilante lunged at the thug, kicking him to the ground. The vigilante got down on his knee, leaning over the thug, and began punching the thug repeatedly with pure brute force. Blood splattered everywhere. The sounds of bones cracking were released into the atmosphere as the vigilante didn’t hold back.

Suddenly, he stopped unwillingly. He was unable to move. He was lifted and placed a few metres away. “Leave him alone,” Cerebra said, concerned for the soul he beat half to death. “What are you doing?” the vigilante said. “Stopping you from murdering people,” she said. “What are you doing?” “Serving justice,” he said. “These guys are part of the most powerful criminal organisation in Helix City.” “That doesn’t mean you get to kill these guys in cold blood,” she said. “That’s exactly what it means,” he said. “Their lives don’t mean anything.” “They mean everything,” she said. “They’re lives.” “All they do is cause suffering,” he said. “Life demands their deaths.” “You sound insane,” she said. “This isn’t justice.” “That’s the difference between me and heroes like you,” he said. “You can’t see the difference between justice and mercy. You can’t see that justice is relentless. You can’t see that someone has to make the final verdict.”

Meanwhile, Richard and Eliza sat in the car. “So,” said Richard, “How’s medical school?” “Great,” said Eliza. “I’ve been learning some very interesting things.” “Really?” Richard asked. “I thought you hated it there. You always used to complain about ‘the amount of time it robs from your day’.” “I did at first,” she said, “but then I really focused, and it became engaging.” “Is that so?” Richard asked rhetorically, half-teasing, half-intrigued. “Tell me some facts about the brain.” “Every time you recall a memory, your brain rewrites it,” she said. “You don’t remember the event — you remember the last time you remembered it.” “Interesting,” Richard said. “What else?” “If the corpus callosum is severed, the two hemispheres can act independently,” Eliza said. “One hand buttons a shirt while the other unbuttons it. Two wills, one skull, and the person doesn’t even know which one is ‘them’.” “I see why you’re enjoying it,” Richard said. “This really is fascinating. Can you tell me another?” “Come on, Rich,” Eliza said. “We have to stay alert for when Kangae comes back.” “Please,” said Richard in a humorously juvenile tone. “One more.” “Fine,” said Eliza. “One more.” Richard’s face lit up like a puppy as Eliza turned further towards him and leaned in slightly closer. “The brain doesn’t process reality. It predicts what reality should be, and only pays attention to the errors. Most of what you experience is a hallucination your brain agrees with.” “That’s so cool and kinda philosophical,” Trevor said, amazed. “I have such an intelligent friend.” “Thanks,” said Eliza, giggling. “She also happens to be really c―”

The conversation came to a halt when the windshield shattered. The bonnet was crushed by the force of two superpowered beings falling to the ground in fierce conflict. “Come on,” Richard said, frustrated both by the destruction of his car and the interruption of his conversation. The vigilante evaded a chain of psychic energy hurled in his direction. He threw judgement grenades. Cerebra protected herself from the explosives with a force field. Richard pulled Eliza down, shielding her from the shrapnel flying through the air, along with the glass that it shattered. Cerebra raised the vigilante in the air, but she dropped him at the sharp pain of his judgement knife impaling her thigh.

“Is she with you?” the vigilante said to Richard and Eliza as Cerebra collapsed to her knees. “Yeah,” Richard said. “This part of Helix City is dangerous… especially for someone like you,” the vigilante said. “What are you doing here?” “We’re ju—” “We’re investigating something,” Eliza said. “You heard of ‘the Sovereign’?” “I’ve heard of it,” the vigilante said. “There’s an abandoned Macrosoft warehouse a few blocks from here. That name comes out of there a lot.” “Uh, thanks,” Richard said. He then gestured towards Cerebra and said, “She’ll be okay, right?” “Probably,” the vigilante said, handing Richard a note. “Just make sure to get her to this address.” He turned around. “Oh, and sorry about the car.” With that, he was gone.

“So, you’re Catherine Hamilton?” Trevor asked as they walked through the restless corridors of Hamilton Dynamics. Scientists ran hastily up and down the halls in matching uniforms and personalised name tags. “Catherine Hamilton-Napier,” Hamilton-Napier said. “Napier?” Trevor asked. “Like Jack Napier?” “Yes,” Hamilton-Napier said. “My husband is the founder of the Hollows Asset Response and Border Operations Regiment, or H.A.R.B.O.R. We often combine our resources for the betterment of both of our businesses and the people of Ashfield, but that’s not why you’re here.” “We wanted to ask you about a former employee of yours,” Priya said, “Doctor Dahlia Frost.” “Poor Dahlia,” Hamilton-Napier said. “What did you want to know about her?” “Anything, really,” Priya said. “Motivations, behavioural changes, all of that sort.” “She was very dedicated to her job, the best in her department,” Hamilton-Napier said, “but everything changed about fifteen years ago. Her daughter and husband died in a car accident. She was crushed; so was her sister, and she diverted all her focus into a personal project: temporal anomalies. Eventually, that was the only thing she worked on. Though I didn’t want to, I knew I had to fire her, but she resigned before I could.” “She never mentioned that,” Priya said. “Is that all you need?” Hamilton-Napier asked. “Ye—” “Actually,” Trevor said, “we’d like to see some of your recent projects. It would really help with our investigation.” “Investigation?” Hamilton-Napier asked. “Aren’t you a little young to be doing that?” “Yes,” Wadelynn said, “yes, we are.”

“‘Stay out here,’ said Priya. ‘The chances of us getting attacked by a metahuman are a hundred per cent,’ said Trevor.” said Liam, mockingly as they sat idly in the Hamilton Dynamics reception. Liam began tapping his foot with impatience. Cassandra gazed into the limitless monotony of the wall’s smooth grey paint. Liam and Cassandra’s ears were filled with tinnitus as Lucy sat in the chair opposite them, reading an action fantasy novel titled ‘Hunting the Many MacGuffins’. “Did you always have that?” Liam asked. Lucy nodded, briefly lifting her eyes from the page. Cassandra watched as a ball of accumulated dust rolled across the floor, propelled by the gentle breeze that peeked through the partially opened door. Nothing happened.

And then the door flung open. The room flooded with men of identical psychiques. They wore identical uniforms, enveloped in shadows, with balaclavas of identical colours. They each clutched a mix of katanas and energy rifles, all glowing an odd shade of green. “Is that more kryptonite?” asked Cassandra. “Where do they keep getting that?” They began firing. Energy blasts flew through the air. The casing of the monitors on the receptionists’ desk tore itself apart and formed a shield she used to defend herself as she shredded the attackers’ weapons. Lucy, mimicking blissful unawareness, continued reading ‘Hunting the Many MacGuffins’ as she walked down the hallway. One of the attackers swung his sword at Liam. Liam quickly evaded and heated the sword to liquid metal, scorching the bearer’s hand. “I take back what I said,” he said. “Trevor was right.”

“And this,” Hamilton-Napier said, “is the mirror gun.” She held the compact weapon in her hands, aiming its reflecting panels at a shard of dwarf star alloy. As she pulled the trigger, it fired its energy at the shard, enveloping it and then closing in, destroying it. “It uses Hamilton Dynamics’ machinery and Macrosoft Advancement’s new reflective technology to deconstruct matter and reconstruct it in an alternate dimension.” “Interesting…” said Trevor. “And who knows about this?” “Only the scientists and engineers with the highest security clearance worked on this,” said Hamilton-Napier. “We don’t want this falling into the wrong hands, especially with those shady guys over at Macrosoft being all over this.” “Why are you working with them?” Priya asked. “The board believed signing the contract would increase our revenue a thousandfold,” said Hamilton-Napier, “but between you and me…” She drew closer and whispered: “I don’t trust that Lex Luthor.” Trevor and Priya looked at each other as Trevor chuckled. “Good call,” Wadelynn said.

“Lucy?” Priya exclaimed, confused, as they watched Lucy turn around the corner and walk towards them. Her attention was fully engaged in the book in her hands as Priya asked, “What are you doing here?” “Liam and Cassandra are ‘fighting’ a wave of men with high-tech weapons in the reception,” Lucy said dryly, not even looking up from the page. “Oh, they’re gonna die,” Priya said, wide-eyed and concerned. Hamilton-Napier, panicked, handed Trevor her ID card and said, “Take this! It will let you through all the doors when the lockdown sequence takes place.” “What about you?” Trevor asked. “I have my retinal scan,” she said. “Just get your friends out of here. My husband will be here with O— with H.A.R.B.O.R. very soon. They’ll respond much faster than HCPD.” Trevor grabbed Lucy’s arm and dragged her out, Priya following behind her.

“Just hold still,” Mary said. Agony coursed through Jon’s body as a pair of surgical forceps entered the open wound in his chest, reaching as deep as the alveoli in his left lung. The medical apparatus delved further into the hole before exiting with a small, green, glowing bullet in its clutches. As the bullet was removed, the wound closed up rapidly. Nerves and blood vessels quickly joined together to reform the tissue torn apart by the shard of kryptonite — the body’s impatient effort to repair itself. “Well, that was quick.” She placed the bullet on the table next to the bed he lay on as she took off her gloves and walked to the sink to wash her hands. “I’m guessing you’re a metahuman.” “Not exactly,” Jon said. “Either way,” Mary said, “your body continues to function at the rate of an ordinary human. It will take a while before it returns to full capacity. Rest until then.” Mary walked out of the room.

Immediately disregarding Doctor Hamilton’s orders, Jon stood up from his bed and, for the first time, fully absorbed his surroundings. It was mostly clean. The walls were a smooth, monotone white. The floor had a white and green checker pattern. Different trolleys, shelves and tabletops were scattered across the edges of the room, filled with medical equipment and important documents. He stood in the middle of a regular array of hospital beds. Most were empty. One had a lifeless shell lying on it, blood dripping on the ground. One had a very familiar woman resting on it in her signature violet spandex and eye mask, except with bloody bandages around her thigh. “What are you doing here?” Jon asked. “Got in a fight with a certain vigilante,” Cerebra said. “You?” “I was shot,” he said as he searched through the medical records lying on Mary’s desk. “What is this place?” “You’re supposed to be resting,” Mary said as she came out of the other room, dragging a rather large bag behind her. “Where are we?” Jon asked. “That doesn’t matter,” said Mary. “All that matters is that I saved you.” “How do I know I can trust you?” Jon asked hostily. “You think I needed to save you?” Mary asked, frustrated. “This is an illegal clinic. For the betterment of myself, I could’ve left you outside when your friends dropped you off and let that bullet drag you down to hell. Now, lie down and rest. Doctor’s orders.”

Richard and Eliza stalked on the rooftop next to an abandoned warehouse. The multicoloured ‘M’ that rested on the wall of the building had fallen and lay flat on the ground it crushed below. A digital billboard on the roof still flickers on occasionally, cycling through the Macrosoft slogan: ‘Bringing the future into focus.’ Nearly every window was cracked, the openings covered by wooden boards. It was strange. The boards are perfectly aligned, spaced at mathematically identical intervals. No nail is visible. No chirping. No wind. The air has a muffled quality, like the warehouse is swallowing sound before it can escape. A flock of pigeons sits on the roof in a perfect grid. They blink, but they don’t shift. Rain that falls on the roof doesn’t drip from the gutters. It sheets down in unbroken, even curtains, as if with direction. “I’m getting a weird vibe from this place,” Richard said. Just then, a peculiar figure walked up to the door. In their dark green cloak, they opened the door, looking suspiciously behind them before stepping through and slamming it shut. “Well, that was suspicious,” Eliza said. “How about,” said Richard, pulling out a pair of binoculars, “we just sit here and spy through the window?” “Are those the binoculars I gave you for birdwatching?” Eliza asked. “Maybe,” Richard said playfully. “Anyway,” Eliza said, “I have a better idea.”

“Where are your cloaks?” the man at the door asked when a cloakless Richard and Eliza entered their building. “We’re new here,” Eliza said. “Well, that’s great,” the man said. “What are your names?” “I’m…” Richard said, “Ryan George, and she’s—” “I’m Nadia Cross,” Eliza said. “Ryan… Nadia…” the man said as he scribbled the names onto name tags. He then attached the name tags to the cloaks and handed them to the pair. “Welcome to the Constant.”

In their new cloaks, Ryan and Nadia entered the assembly hall. Rows of identical cloaks stood in front of a podium. They were all still, silent. Not a millimetre of movement could be seen, nor a decibel of sound could be heard. Ryan and Nadia inserted themselves into the crowd, mimicking their statuesque states. Then, an ominous figure in a black cloak approached the podium. He yelled: “Iyaqala!” Suddenly, the entire room exploded in enthusiastic uproar. “Nonke niya kukwazi ukonwabela inkoliseko yomsindisi wethu, ukumkani, ngokuchuma kwezihlobo kunye nosapho.” As if on cue, other black cloaks robotically passed heavy books down each row, each of them with golden carved letters that read ‘His Sovereign Rule’ on the cover. The audience all raised their books in joyous triumph and chanted, “Usindiso lusondele!” When the crowd settled, they all looked down at their books and began reading. In an attempt to blend in, Ryan and Nadia opened the book and looked at the pages. They were all in a weird, cryptic text. Ryan gazed at the opening paragraph: ‘The end began with the age of heroes. Earth’s champions rose from ash and defended all life from impending doom, but their efforts weren’t enough. Their motives were tainted by desire, and it led to their individual downfalls. One drowned in misery. One was consumed by himself. One turned his back on everything. The world fell to the looming threat of humanity’s self-destructive nature. A hero was needed to free humanity from the plight — the Sovereign saviour of us all.’

“Well, that was… an experience,” Richard said. “What was that weird text in the book?” “I don’t know,” Eliza said. “It’s no language I’ve ever heard. Either was what they were speaking. Must be ancient.” “I’ll see if Trevor knows anything about this,” Richard said. “I really appreciate you coming with me, Ziza.” “Don’t mention it,” Eliza said with a gentle smile. “It was fun.” “Infiltrating a cult is a pastime for you?” Richard asked teasingly. “You have your hobbies,” Eliza replied, joking. “By the way,” Richard added, “what happened to that assassin who was hunting us earlier?” Eliza shrugged.

Liam’s skin was skillfully slashed by the blade of one of the attackers. Blood slowly dripped from the cut as he was kicked to the ground. Cassandra’s shield was ripped apart by a concentrated blast of piercing kryptonite, hitting her. She flew across the room. Suddenly, she was caught in a precisely crafted web of organic spider silk. Priya swung into the room and yanked the weapons out of each of the attackers’ hands. Trevor raced in with a streak of lightning and unwove the web hammock Cassandra was in, using the strands of web to bundle the attackers and tie them up. “No one else is here, right?” Trevor asked. “Because we don’t have suits to conceal our identities with.” “Nope,” said Liam. “Great,” Priya said.

Priya pulled the mask off one of the attackers’ faces. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” The attacker, profusely sweating, blurted out, “My name is Leon Marsh. I don’t know why I’m here. I’m just following orders.” The group looked at each other in confusion. “Well, that was weird,” Priya said. “You guys sure do say that a lot,” Wadelynn said. “Wait,” said Trevor, “I’ve seen this kind of fatigue before.” He walked around the bundle to another attacker and ripped off the mask. The same face. “I knew it.” “Clones?” Cassandra asked. “Yes,” said Trevor. “There was a meta on Earth-1 like him, except it looks like this version didn’t know the limitations of his powers. Splitting your consciousness across so many bodies can cause major physical and psychological stress, which explains the sweating and blurting the truth without self-control.” “So, the one showing the most fatigue is the original,” Liam suggested. “It’s definitely this one,” Wadelynn said, disgusted as she lifted a mask drenched in sweat. “How is he not dehydrated?” Priya asked before roundhouse-kicking the attacker in the face, knocking him unconscious. With that, all the replicas began to decompose. Their bodies deconstructed and collapsed in the shells of their clothes.

“Am I the only person who felt that was too easy?” Trevor asked. “No, don’t say that,” Wadelynn said. “You’ll trigger the chapter’s cliffhanger.” “Yeah, that was too easy,” Priya said. “Makes you wonder what they were even here for.” “No, stop!” Wadelynn yelled. “Take the win, guys,” Cassandra said. “Nothing could go wrong now.” “Okay,” said Wadelynn, “now you’re just asking for it.” A gust of black smoke appeared in the middle of the room. Its clearing revealed a figure in a dark, stealthy suit. It was skin-tight and aerodynamic, featuring a full-face mask. She stood there mischievously with an advanced device covered in Hamilton Dynamics branding. She cackled: “Oh, that was too easy.” In unison, the group entered a battle stance, suddenly vigilant, but she wasn’t fazed. “Ten out of ten, would steal again.” With another gust of smoke, she was gone. “What did I tell you?” Wadelynn said. “So a teleporter and a cloner,” Trevor said, turning to Priya. “You got any ideas?” “How about…” said Priya, “‘Flicker’ and ‘Manifold’?” “And that’s why you’re my favourite,” Trevor said.