by Drew Hayes
Dean Blaine watched with a slight smile as they dutifully headed over to meet with their teachers. Much as they might dislike the extra work, it would be good to get their minds off the final exams. At their stage, they were more likely to make a mental mistake than a physical one, and keeping them occupied helped cut those down.
Besides, Dean Blaine was a devout fan of Skee Ball and cotton candy. He was hardly going to let a year go by in which he didn’t get his usual fix.
225.
“Alice, is everything all right?” Professor Hill’s voice stopped her as she headed for the door, another day’s Control class logged away. It was much the same as her teacher always sounded, empathetic and concerned. He treated all his students that way, but for the last few weeks, she’d been listening more carefully, and she thought perhaps he was a touch more caring when it came to coaching her.
“What do you mean?” Alice turned around, watching the rest of the class file out into the hallway. By this point, everyone had been held back after one class or another to work on an issue, so no one paid any mind to her being stopped. “I hit every target you set for me today.”
“Yes, you continue to demonstrate exceptional skill, but your focus seems to be slipping infrequently. In training, you can overcome such mistakes; however, during real tests, you might not be so lucky. Your final exams are just around the corner; I thought you might have some issue or worry that might be affecting you.”
Alice resisted the urge to tell him that she was distracted because now she had to get through every class knowing this man was secretly her uncle. With Professor Pendleton, it was easier. She could glower at him through the lectures and still focus on the material. For whatever reason, it hadn’t seemed like a good idea to tell Professor Hill that she knew his secret though. There was no singular thing she could point to as to why, and certainly no one had told her she wasn’t allowed to; it was just a feeling from deep in her gut. Two years ago, she’d have dismissed it as nonsense, but Alice had learned a lot from her Subtlety classes. Just because she couldn’t consciously put together the reason for secrecy didn’t mean some other part of her wasn’t ahead of the game. With no one else to depend on, she was at least going to trust herself.
“Well, you said it yourself. The final exams are next week, since we’ve got to prepare the carnival for the younger students after that. Have to make the grade if I want to get into the fourth year. That’s enough to stress anyone out.”
“I had a feeling that might be it.” Professor Hill walked over, and Alice marveled at how she’d never caught the resemblance to her mother before. His hair was dark, while she’d been blonde, and he hadn’t gotten the sparkling green eyes that Alice inherited, but his face was similar enough that, when she really looked for it, she could see many of her mother’s features in his handsome visage.
“Listen, Alice, strictly speaking, nothing is decided until the final exams are taken. It’s true that you still could manage to make some huge mistakes and tank your grade, but I think we both know that isn’t going to happen. Besides, you’ve been getting top marks in Control all year. So long as you keep your head on straight and do your best, there’s no way you won’t qualify to make it your major. Just relax; you’ve got a knack for this stuff. Trust your training, and you’ll be fine.” Professor Hill smiled at her, and Alice forced herself to smile back. He wasn’t lying; she really had been killing it at Control. It was what her powers were clearly meant for, and she’d never actually doubted for a moment that she could make the cut.
“Thanks. I’ll try to calm down. Guess I have to work on that anyway, for when I get in real fights. Can’t very well go into battle with the jitters.”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret: even the most experienced Hero in the world gets nervous before they go into the field. We never know what’s waiting for us, and a little fear is a healthy thing. Reminds us that we’re still mortal. You just have to learn to push through, to not let it drag you down. But you’ll get plenty of practice on that next year. And you’ll be free of a Subtlety course splitting your focus. That will make things much easier.”
“It sure will.” Alice gave her professor one last smile, then hurried out the door. Somehow, she’d let it slip her mind that, while she was taking both finals, she could only keep one of the courses. Control was the obvious choice. It was what she was good at, with the teacher who hadn’t been trying to get her to drop out from day one. Logic had a firm case for where her Hero career was heading.
If only she could quiet the damned pangs of doubt echoing from her gut.
* * *
“You know, up until I saw you standing there, lined up with all the other students, I don’t think I really believed that you’d made it in.”
A grin crested Roy’s mouth, and he spun around, only slightly surprised to see Lenny standing outside Melbrook Hall, puffing away on one of his cigars. The much taller boy clapped a quick hug on the agent, careful to avoid getting any ash on the street clothes he was adorned in.
“Didn’t think you’d be able to stop by, what with you being so ‘busy’ and all,” Roy said.
“Can the sass there, kid. Just ‘cause you got taller than me, doesn’t mean you get to be lippy. Besides, I really am busy. Of course, you’re not supposed to know why, which I assume means you’re well-informed.”
Roy quickly glanced around and confirmed that they were alone. Melbrook’s semi-remote location made it a pain for getting to class on time, but it definitely had some advantages. “Intramurals, right? Let me guess, you’re here to try and sign whoever comes out on top.”
“‘Try’ nothing. I hear there are two top-seeds this year, and I aim to walk away with contracts on both of them, and anyone else who happens to put on an unexpectedly good showing.”
“Two? Well, one is obviously Angela, and the other . . . shit, Brent is a senior, isn’t he?”
“Jesus, what the hell do I pay all these scouts for when a Lander junior already has the inside track?” Lenny knocked some ash from his cigar into a small box he carried around expressly to be ashed into. “Hank’s son versus Lander’s demon. Going to be a hell of a match. If you’re good, I’ll write down some play-by-play and email it to you later.”
“Damn. I was holding out hope we’d get to watch,” Roy admitted.
“Sorry, the Intramurals are pretty tightly closed off. It’s a chance for the top students to strut their stuff, but someone could also sell information on any weaknesses they show during the fights. I’ve got more clearance than some Heroes, and your dean had to pull strings to get me a seat.”
“Ohhh, so that’s how he got someone like you to talk to the class. I was wondering about that.”
“Favors; better than a bribe, and with the benefit of being legal. Speaking of . . .” Lenny put down the box full of ash and pulled out a flash drive from his coat pocket. “I’m paying one off now and giving you this.”
“What’s on it?” Roy accepted the data stick tenderly, rightly afraid that too strong of a grip could crush it.
“An interesting spectacle. I assume you’ve followed the news enough to know that Titan is back on the Hero scene?”
Roy managed not to crush the flash drive on reflex, a feat that even a year ago would have proven impossible. “I’d seen an article or so, but didn’t really pay it any attention.”
“He’s working with a team of corpies as their Hero Liaison. I won’t say the sailing hasn’t been rocky, but the ship hasn’t capsized yet. Anyway, I want you to watch what’s on the flash drive. I think it might be good to see a new side of your old man.”
“Thanks, Lenny, but no thanks.” Roy extended the flash drive; however, Lenny made no move to accept it.
“I know you hate him, and damned if you don’t have a good reason to. But he’s trying really hard to be better, to not run away anymore. Maybe that’s not worth anything in the grand scheme of things. Maybe it matters a little. Hell if I know, I just think you’re better of
f seeing it than not.”
“I’ve got no inclination to see anything my father is doing,” Roy reiterated.
“True, though Hershel still might. Tell you what; watch it as a favor to me.” Lenny picked up his small box and stubbed out the cigar in its center. “I’m not such a bad guy to have owe you one, after all. Especially not to a student planning on graduating next year.”
Roy pulled the flash drive back slowly, still unsure of whether he’d ultimately turn it to scrap in his powerful grip. “I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I can ask.” Lenny closed his box and tucked the rest of his cigar into a plastic tube. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go see a man about some top-tier ass-kickers.”
226.
Charles Adair stomped through his spacious hallways, weary from the day’s meetings, and yet preoccupied with all the work that remained to be done. The click of his fine shoes echoed against the marble floor, and he pushed the door to his office open unceremoniously. Though much of his staff and security was still present, they were instructed to leave him be during the later hours, which allowed him to indulge in the illusion that he was actually alone. It was a helpful fantasy when he had so much work stretched out before him. Anything that cut down on distractions was beneficial.
Unfortunately, Charles had no more sat down in his high-backed chair than that illusion of solitude was shattered. The door to his office slammed closed, though not so much as a whisper of sound came from the shutting. An instant later, there was a shimmer in the corner of the room and suddenly, a man was there. Or rather, the man who had been waiting for Charles was suddenly visible.
“Hey, Chuck. It’s been a while.” He looked much the same as he had when Charles last laid eyes upon him. Same dark hair, same wide jaw, even a bit of the old humor still twinkled in his eyes. That was nice to see; Charles had dreaded the day those eyes finally went dark the way so many others had. The left arm was new, though, from the way it was covered, there seemed a good chance he hadn’t managed to find someone who could regenerate it.
“Phillip . . . I must say, this is a surprise, and I am not an easy man to take by surprise.” Charles reached under the desk and rested his finger on a silent alarm. It stayed there, a twitch away from pressing it, but not yet activated. While Phil might have come to kill him, he surely would have done it sooner if that were his intent. Which meant there was likely another reason for the visit. “Dare I ask what brings you to my home today? I’m hoping it’s not torture and murder.”
“You know I can’t kill you, Chuck. Not even after everything that’s happened. And why would I bother torturing you? We both know you purposely hid the lab’s location from yourself specifically so you couldn’t give it away.” The mighty villain Globe stepped away from the corner of the room and took a seat in one of the chairs reserved for Charles Adair’s guests. “I’m here about our kids.”
“Are you now?” The finger moved just a touch closer to the alarm, though Charles wore a curious mask on his face.
“Someone is gathering the Sons of Progress, the militant group that believes Supers should rule over humans. I don’t know why, but I do know the person doing it is staying only a few miles from Lander Campus and seems to have a grudge against one of the former students. They’re on standby, waiting for a call to jump. Maybe it’s nothing, and I’m being paranoid, but that seems like too many coincidences to ignore.”
“What do you think they’re going to do? Attack Lander? There’s no Super in the world stupid enough to go after an HCP school. Even if the professors weren’t all veteran Heroes, within minutes, they’d have Heroes teleported in from across the nation to fend off the attack. It would be the world’s most fruitless suicide mission.”
“Yet, I can’t stop worrying. And worse, there’s nothing I can do to stop it. I can’t even properly warn the staff, since they’d be forced to try and arrest me on the spot. That’s why I’m coming to you.”
Charles eased his hand slowly away from the alarm. In truth, it wouldn’t have done much anyway, except perhaps spook his unexpected guest away. They were in the sphere of Globe’s control, and that meant he was the uncontested master of this realm. Yet he’d only come because he was worried about Vince, and likely the other innocents on the grounds. Charles would readily admit that he was not the world’s best father, but he was still a father. Not even he could rightly turn away a man bringing evidence that his daughter might be in peril.
“I’ll station some private forces off campus, ready to respond in the event anything unexpected should occur. You’ll understand if I’m hesitant to tell them that Globe traipsed into my office and gave me a warning about domestic terrorist activities though.”
“At least tell Blake,” Phil replied. “I assume your lackey knows the real score. I’ll sleep better knowing even one of the professors will be on guard.”
“Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but between Emerald Hydra being on staff and the DVA having ample telepaths on campus, it’s hardly a place where secrets can be easily kept at the moment, even for someone with his training.”
“Come on now, Charles, we both know Blake is good enough at marshaling his thoughts to keep at least one big secret. Add another onto the pile. For Alice’s sake, if no one else’s.”
“I’ll consider it. For now, trust that I’ll have enough forces on hand to put down a small country’s rebellion, let alone deal with some Super criminals looking to cause trouble.”
“Thank you.” Phil rose from his seat and paused, looking his former teammate over thoroughly. “Not just for this. For not going after Vince once you found out he was my son.”
“Vince Reynolds has nothing to do with what lies between you and I,” Charles said. Of course, it certainly helped that Vince was one of the Powered prototypes, and Charles Adair had a very vested interest in making sure that all five of them lived. “Besides, you never once tried to make a move on Alice as a bargaining chip. The least I could do was return the favor.”
“What would have been the point? You know I could never hurt a child just to get to you. Especially not her.”
“True. All the same, I’m glad you didn’t try to bluff.”
“Have no fear, Chuck.” Phil’s face darkened, and for a moment, that ever-present light in his eyes seemed to vanish. “When I come after you, there won’t be any bluffing needed, and I damned sure won’t be using children as pawns.”
“I believe you, just as you should believe that I’ll be ready and waiting.”
“I wouldn’t have you any other way,” Phil said. The door reopened and he spun around, red cloak fluttering behind him, vanishing in the same shimmer that had concealed him before. It was a simple matter of warping light that Charles had witnessed him use countless times before.
After all, no one knew Globe better than Charles Adair.
227.
“Feeling nervous?” Shane stepped into view from outside the lockers, his own face barely masking the worry he obviously felt.
“Nar-Voose? What is this strange word you use, little brother? I am about to go enact violence against warriors who are supposedly my equals. I am fucking pumped.” Angela punctuated this statement by thrusting her fist straight up into the air, though, since she was in a private room, there was no one to witness the silly display. “Has Paw Paw arrived yet?”
“You know I detest such silly nicknames.” This voice was much older than either of the two students, yet it carried a power that made both of them instinctively stand a bit straighter. From behind Shane came an elderly man, walking with the help of the cane he had finally broken down and begun using after two fractured hips. He was tall, and his body still spoke to some of the strength it had once contained, but time had finally started winning the battle against what he could maintain.
As soon as Angela saw him, she clapped her hands together, and then darted across the room, grabbing the older man in a big hug and squeezing carefully. “I thought I wouldn’t see you until
after my matches.”
“Technically, you probably shouldn’t, but I wanted to come wish my granddaughter good luck.” Graham DeSoto hugged her back, though he couldn’t match her gusto or force. “It’s a big day, after all. Perhaps all the bigger, depending on how you do.”
“I’ve heard that there’s a student from Sizemore who has gone undefeated his entire HCP career, just like you. I think people are eager to see whose streak ends today,” Shane said. He didn’t understand how she could manage to be so affectionate to the man that had sternly trained them all their lives, or, what’s more, how she could pull similar responses out of him. Shane loved his grandfather dearly, but it was not a love that inspired clapping and hugs.
Angela released her grandfather and let out a small whoop of excitement. “That is awesome! He’s got to be some kind of powerful, if he’s managed to pull that off. I wonder what ability he has . . . ah! No one tell me! I want to be surprised.”
“We wouldn’t tell you anyway; that would be cheating,” Shane pointed out.
“Unless I was a Subtlety major. Then it would just be me doing my thing.”
Graham scoffed, a dusty sound filled equally with lung phlegm and ridicule. “A Subtlety major making it to Intramurals . . . that would be the day. Not saying the work they do isn’t necessary, but I still don’t think it belongs under the Hero banner. Did I ever tell you about my war buddy, Grayson Lamont? Best damn spy the country has ever seen, but he never tried to get cleared as a Hero. Of course, Grayson was as human as they come—”
“Relax, Paw Paw. I’m a Weapons major, through and through. In fact, I’m looking forward to smacking around the morons that think Close Combat is the mark of the strongest warriors.” Much as Angela cared for her grandfather, he’d reached the age where his stories tended to ramble and repeat if not kept on task. His mind was still sharp as ever, he demonstrated that with unnerving frequency, but he’d given up caring what others thought about his choice of conversation topic. Angela was annoyed by it, though she couldn’t wait to reach that age herself.