“Well, they're all talking about it now. What the Guardians really want and whether they should stay or go. I'm really surprised that it took this long to get them interested.”
Justin shrugged. “I'm not. After all, I think most of us were in shock when we arrived. And since then, this place has been so distracting, it's easy to get side-tracked. But now, since it's decision time, I guess reality had set in.”
What Justin began to find more interesting wasn't the general hum of discussion in the room, but the reaction of the adults to it. They had to know what was going on, he thought. People were not keeping their voices down. In fact, several groups were arguing quite loudly. But none of the Guardians spoke up and in fact the only one that seemed to be watching the teens intently was Mr. Fitzgerald. He had stopped reading his papers and was slowly scanning the room, staring at a table for a short time then looking to the next. Justin had the feeling that he could hear everything that was being said.
Finally, the servers moved to pick up the plates and take away the remains of breakfast and Mr. Fitzgerald stood up. The room instantly became quiet and Justin could feel the tension level rise as the man walked around to the front of his desk.
He stared at them for a long moment. The silence was absolute. Then he tilted his head slightly to one side and smiled gently.
“You want to know the real reason you are here, don't you?” he said.
No one answered but Justin could feel a little shock run through him at the directness of the question.
“All right,” Mr. Fitzgerald continued. “Here it is.” He folded his arms and leaned against his desk. “There are two groups out in the world who want you. One group works for a consortium of governments. They want you alive, for now. They want your DNA, your abilities for themselves. If they catch you, you will be treated as lab rats. Tested, questioned, poked prodded and, I'm sorry to be blunt but I want to be honest with you all, probably dissected.”
There was a long silence and then a general uproar broke out. Some of the girls screamed, some of the younger teens burst into tears and a few, like Benson and his cronies, yelled out that Mr. Fitzgerald was just trying to scare them.
The man on the dais held up his hands and after a moment, the teens settled down somewhat. Mr. Fitzgerald looked directly at Benson.
“Of course I'm trying to scare you,” he said. “But for the right reasons. Do you really think that you can just leave here, waltz back into your old lives and expect nothing to happen? You can't. Those days are in the past. I'm concerned now with your future.” He leaned back again. “Now the second group actually makes the government agents look saintly compared to them. This group also consists of those like you. Titans.”
Again the room became loud, but now it was with exclamations of surprise.
“Yes, like you,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “And not like you. These Titans trace their lineage back to the blood line of Hyperion. I know that all of you presented yourselves to the portraits of the old Titan leaders. None of you is of the blood of Hyperion or Theia. But their line still exists and, somehow, their descendants were born a generation before you all were. How they arranged that, I do not know. But that means that they are twenty years older than you are. With twenty years to learn to use their powers. With twenty years of experience and maturity.”
“So what do they want?” Benson spoke up loudly.
“They want what their ancestors wanted, Mr. Benson. To rule this world, to dominate.” As the room started to become loud again, Mr. Fitzgerald spoke up, cutting through the noise. “And don't think that they can't achieve their goals. As we speak, they are waking up old evils that were sent to sleep five thousand years ago by their ancestors. Monsters the like of which this world has not seen since Atlantis sank beneath the waves. And they are developing weapons like those used in the great battle long ago.”
He paused, looking around the room at each of them in turn. Justin felt his look as if an electric current had made a connection between the two of them.
“And this, my friends, is why we want you. Because these rebel Titans can only be stopped by those who enjoy the same powers, the same strengths. And that is you. And the reason we want you to stay, at least for a time, is because these descendants of Hyperion, these seeds of evil, will kill you as soon as they find you. No questions asked. No mercy given.” He stood up straighter and indicated the other adults lined against the walls. “We here are all descended from humans who were allied with the Titans long ago. We have kept our bloodlines intact for millennium because we knew, one day, that you would be reborn. It was our ancestors task to care for your ancestors long ago. And we intend to continue to do so in the here and now.”
The room had become deadly quiet. When Mr. Fitzgerald was done speaking, the teens began whispering with each other. Justin was stunned. He looked at Aaron and then at Gerry and Norm. Each of them looked at shocked as he felt.
Finally, Aaron spoke up. “This...is unbelievable. They expect us to fight these rebels? We're a bunch of kids!”
Justin shook his head in disbelief, but Gerry began to look excited.
“Well, I don't know how we can do it, but don't you think it's a cool idea, Norm?”
Norm stared at his friend with his mouth open. “A cool idea? Gerry, are you nuts? It's a crazy idea! Aaron's right. And Justin was right too. They did save us for something more than we thought. That's what's in it for them. They want someone to fight a battle that they can't or won't fight.” Norm looked angry. “Well, I'm not going to play their game. I'm, I'm no fighter. I'm a computer freak. A geek. I'm the guy picked last for football. Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't.” He was glaring at Gerry.
Gerry pulled back from Norm. He looked surprised at his friend's attitude. Then he turned to Justin.
“What do you think, Justin? I mean now that we do know what they really want.”
Hesitantly, Justin tried to frame his thoughts out loud. “We already knew about the danger. Now we know who is after us, and why.” He paused to think it through. “Norm, you're wrong.” Norm looked surprised. He started to speak but Justin cut him off. “No, you are wrong. You may be a geek, you may not be a star athlete. But you are something more. You are a Titan.” He looked around at the others. “We all are. And if we are, how can we not fight?”
“But Justin, why should we?” Aaron asked. He sounded skeptical.
“Because it's our world, Aaron. It's our friends and families who will suffer. Our countries. I have a feeling that we've barely scratched the surface when it comes to realizing the kind of destruction that might be unleashed by these rebel Titans. At least I think it's worth staying and learning all we can.” He grinned suddenly. “After all, they can't force us to fight if we decide in the end not to, can they?”
Aaron was still watching him closely but Justin noticed that he looked a little bit relieved. “So you don't know whether you will join this fight or not, Just?” Aaron asked.
“Well, let's just say that I want to know more but that I'm willing to trust these Guardians for the time being.”
“Okay Justin, I'm in then. If you're staying, I'm staying.” Aaron looked at Norm and Gerry. “What about you guys?”
“I'm definitely staying,” Gerry said. “And I'm betting Norm will too. After all,” he gave Norm a sly look, “he knows that I need his freaky geekiness just to tie my shoes in the morning. Right Norm?”
Norm looked at his friend for a long moment. Then he burst out laughing. “Fine, you idiot. I'm in. For now. But like Justin, I'm reserving judgment.”
“Fair enough, bud,” Gerry said and slapped Norm on the back.
A short time later, Mr. Fitzgerald spoke up again.
“Now that I've explained the main reasons why you are here, it is time to choose. Do you stay or do you go? Would you please all come up to the front of the dais?”
Everyone stood up and began walking around the tables to the front of the platform. Justin noticed that several more adult
s had entered the room and were standing against the walls, watching them.
Once everyone had moved up, Mr. Fitzgerald stepped down from the dais, moved through the small crowd and moved to stand in the center of the room. Several of the men came forward and carried the tables to the sides of the room. The area around Mr. Fitzgerald was now empty.
“All right,” he said as he faced them. “Those of you who are staying, please remain where you are. Those who wish to leave, please come and stand here with me.”
There was much shuffling of feet and glances between people but finally one person, a little blonde girl that Justin had not noticed before, pushed forward and walked up to Mr. Fitzgerald.
“I want to go home,” she said in a small voice, not looking at the man. Mr. Fitzgerald just nodded. “Anyone else?” he asked.
There was more foot shuffling then two boys separated themselves from the crowd and went to join the first girl. Another girl stepped forward. Soon, seven teens stood in front of Mr. Fitzgerald. Justin was surprised to see that Benson wasn't one of them.
“Is this everyone?” Mr. Fitzgerald asked. No one else stepped forward. “Very well then. Jonathon?”
The young man walked over to the group. “Yes sir,” he said.
“Please escort these people to the Egress. Walter will meet you there with the traveling stones.” Jonathon nodded and Mr. Fitzgerald looked at those who had decided to leave. “You will be given money and will be sent to the city or large town closest to your homes. I'm sure that you can easily contact your families from there and arrange transportation. We feel it is safest for you to arrive in a public area rather than be sent back close to your homes, which are probably being watched.” Justin saw that several members of the group were now looking very frightened.
“You have made your choice,” Mr Fitzgerald smiled at them rather grimly. “I wish you well.” He stepped back and Jonathon motioned for the group to follow him.
Some of them looked back and a couple waved toward friends they had made over the previous few days. Some of the group that were staying waved back and Justin heard several crying quietly. Then he watched the teens leave the room.
Mr. Fitzgerald turned to look at the remaining teenagers. Before he could say anything, one of the older girls spoke up.
“Sir, what will happen to them?”
The man looked at her gravely. “You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? About the dangers out there?” She nodded silently. “I was not lying. When they return, they will be targeted. If their families are clever, they may escape capture for some time. But eventually they will be taken.” He shook his head and Justin could see the regret on his face.
The girl looked shocked. “But...but aren't you going to protect them?”
Mr. Fitzgerald looked a bit puzzled. “Why would we do that?”
“Because, you said that we are the new Titans. That we have to be protected.” She looked at the others around her as if for support. “You said you'd protect our families.”
“Yes, and so we will. We will protect your families.” He pointed at the girl. “You and the rest here chose to stay. You chose to learn and, we hope, you will eventually choose to fight. But those others chose a different path. And if they are not willing to help us, if they don't believe in what we told them, then obviously they feel that they don't need protection.”
The girl looked totally confused. “I don't understand.”
Mr. Fitzgerald spoke slowly and clearly. “If you believe us, then you are in danger, yes?”
The girl nodded.
“So then, it follows that if you don't believe us, then you are not in danger. It is that simple.”
The girl didn't say anything more. She just stood there looking thoughtful.
“Why, sir? Why did they leave?” It was Gerry who asked.
Mr. Fitzgerald looked at him keenly. “Because, Mr. Smithson, they did not believe us.”
The teens were dismissed and told to spend the day relaxing and settling in for a long stay. Justin and his friends went back to their quarters and the four of them talked for several hours about the kids who had left. In the end, all they could do was hope that those who had left would be okay. Justin could tell by looking at the gloomy faces around him that no one believed that they would be, including him.
The rest of the day was spent playing Arena. None of them were really in the mood for more exploring and once Aaron had challenged Norm to a game, Gerry and Justin dived right in as well, Gerry playing the winner of the first game, who was Aaron and then Justin playing the next winner, Gerry.
As the day passed, interrupted only by lunch served by Mrs. Mallon, they began to realize that Justin and Norm were the ones who had a real knack for Arena. Aaron was good but Gerry seemed to have no real grasp for fighting with the avatars. In fact, several actually gave up when he was playing and sunk back into the game floor. Justin suspected the cyclops that Gerry played with gave him the finger before it disappeared.
“Told you so,” Gerry said with exasperation after he lost yet again. “I'm a jock. What do I know about computer games? Besides, I enjoy watching you guys play way more than I like playing anyway.”
Norm patted his buddy on the shoulder. “Not to worry, Gerry. We all have our own talents.” He glanced at the arena. “Besides, it's just a game. Not much real use anyway, is it?”
Gerry nodded and glanced at the clock. “Almost supper time. Think we'll be eating back in the Court?” They all shrugged and he volunteered to try to find out.
Gerry came back in quickly. “Jonathon was at the intersection,” he said. “And yeah, we're supposed to meet in the Court again.”
“Okay,” Justin said as he took his hands off the runes and watched his minotaur sink back into the arena floor. “Let's go.”
When the group had arrived in the Court and had served themselves, Mr. Fitzgerald entered the room from the direction of his office and walked to the dais. He stepped up and turned to face the room.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, starting tomorrow we will begin classes.” Aaron groaned loudly and Mr. Fitzgerald smiled. He looked over at Aaron. “Don't worry, Mr. Dalton. I think you will find these subjects a bit more interesting than those in your usual school classes. For the first little while, we will be evaluating your strengths and weaknesses and we'll then update your classes appropriately. Classes start at nine in the morning and go on until noon. Then after an hour for lunch, classes will continue until three.”
Mr. Fitzgerald glanced at a sheet of paper in his hand. “Runic studies, titan history and the titan language will be among your areas of theoretical study. You will also receive practical studies in self defense and other disciplines which you will learn about as we go. Self defense classes will be separate for boys and girls until you have all achieved a certain proficiency and then co-ed classes will be allowed. Thank you and good luck.”
He smiled briefly then stepped down from the dais and left. There was an immediate babble of conversation from around the room.
“I like the idea of self defense,” Gerry said with enthusiasm. “We'll definitely need that some day.”
Norm looked depressed. “I told you guys, I suck at physical stuff. This is going to be a disaster.”
Aaron laughed. “I doubt if I'm much better than you, Norm. I was never into sports and I hated gym, so don't think you're alone.”
Norm seemed to perk up. “Really? Cool. I'm sure I'll stink but at least I know someone who will understand what I'm going through.”
Justin also grinned. “More than one, Norm. I'm no more athletic than you or Aaron, so we can all stumble along together.”
Gerry gave a loud, dramatic sigh. “Great,” he said. “The only jock in a group of wimps.”
The others looked at each other then back at Gerry.
“We'll get you for that,” Norm hissed. “Better sleep with one eye open tonight!”
Gerry sat back, looking alarmed. Then the others burst out laughing an
d Gerry finally joined in.
“Don't do that, Norm! You scared the crap out of me!”
Still laughing, Norm slapped Gerry on the back. “One thing I am good at, Ger, is acting. I always got an A in drama class.”
Still laughing, the four left the Court and headed back to their rooms.
Chapter 13
The next day, washed, dressed and fed, Justin and his friends were gathered up by Jonathon along with the rest of the boys and led to their first class, self defense. Justin heard Benson bragging to his friends.
“This should be easy,” he said with a superior tone in his voice. “I've studied karate since I was six. Father always said that you can never quite depend on bodyguards and that my brother and I should be able to handle ourselves.”
He continued to talk about awards he had won. Justin and Aaron looked at each other and Aaron rolled his eyes. Justin nodded, not saying anything.
They were led through the courtyard and down a corridor carved with scenes of battles, both on land and sea. Most of the boys would have stopped to examine the fascinating images if Jonathon hadn't hurried them along.
“Your teacher shouldn't be kept waiting on your first day,” he said seriously and walked quickly down the corridor.
Finally, he stopped at a set of double doors. He touched the button on the wall and the doors slid back silently.
“Well, good luck to all of you. If you need any medical attention after the class, your teacher will direct you to Doctor Smythe's office. Take care.”
He smiled, turned and walked off. Justin looked around at the others. Benson had stopped bragging and looked a little pale after Jonathon's comment.
The boys slowly entered the room and stood near the doors. They stared around a large square room. Justin forgot his nervousness at Jonathon's words as he looked at walls covered with dozens of weapons.
The Return of the Titans Page 13
