by Hayes, Drew
“Yes, Simon?”
“Forgive the interruption, Mr. Adair, but I just received news from Mr. Hill that I felt should be brought to your attention. It seems Alice has completed the HCP’s midyear trial. She won, and not only in point total; she was also the lone student not to be eliminated.”
“Is that so? Interesting. Thank you, Simon. That will be all.”
Simon nodded then let himself out, shutting the door gently behind him. Despite being alone once more, Charles didn’t turn immediately back to his paperwork. Instead, he pulled open a desk drawer and removed a photograph housed in a silver frame. In it was a woman who looked strikingly like Alice, and as his eyes fell upon her, Charles’s countenance softened ever so slightly.
“It seems our daughter is at it again, Shelby. This time, she went and won her semester trial, despite insisting on that Subtlety major. Honestly, if I ever somehow managed to forget that she was your child, moments like this would serve as undeniable reminders. She pays no more heed to the idea of what is reasonable than you did, just plunges on and does the impossible as if it isn’t even noteworthy.”
Carefully, Charles ran his index finger along the edge of the frame, eyes and mind lost in the picture’s depths. “I’m sorry you missed this moment. I’m sorry for all of the missed moments in her life. Just a little longer, Shelby. Bear with me a little longer. I’m going to bring you back, my darling. No matter what it takes.”
139.
There weren’t many things Alice valued about her time before Lander. Looking back, it was a blur of memories centering mostly on an empty mansion, punctuated by the brief outings into high society where she was expected to uphold the image of a proper young woman. But pointless as so much of those years had been, they had instilled in Alice the ability to remain smiling and buoyant even as she was miserable inside. Between the revelation about Mary, the weariness from having her injuries healed, and the overall mental exhaustion of the battle they’d just endured, Alice was deeply thankful for the gift of false cheer as she shook hands with another Hero who congratulated her on her victory.
If not for all the training with Professor Pendleton, the names and faces would have begun bleeding together. Good a front as Alice might be able to put up, she was still worn and weary, which was why she felt a sense of genuine relief at the tall shadow that fell across her. While she’d need to keep smiling for the benefit of anyone glancing over, here, at last, was a person she didn’t have to pretend with.
“Hell of a win,” Titan said, carefully shaking her hand in congratulations. “And it certainly went over well in the viewing room. You probably feel like your father, with so many people kissing your ass.”
A cough of a laugh escaped Alice’s mouth, the first genuine reaction she’d had since entering the gym. “Well, I’m also pretty sure they aren’t secretly plotting to attempt hostile takeovers or screw me in contracts, so it’s not a perfect comparison.”
“Maybe not, but I’d advise you to keep in mind that even Heroes are people, and sometimes they let their own best interests cloud their well-meaning intentions.” Titan stayed near, even as he let her hand go. “Just some advice from an old-timer: always ask yourself why a possible mentor is interested.”
“If this is you making a pitch, I’m flattered, but it’s a little unorthodox. Also, I don’t think we’d be a great fit,” Alice said.
It was Titan’s turn to laugh. “Nothing like that. I’ve just grown fond of you kids. I want to see you all end up in the best possible situations, learning under a Hero with a lot to teach, not someone who wants to scoop up your prestige and connections.”
“Ah yes. The Adair name, always so much fun to lug around.” Titan had a point, although not one she hadn’t already considered. Being connected to one of the most wealthy, influential men on the planet had made people take an interest in her for most of her life. Those truly in the know understood how little Charles Adair cared for any living person, but there were always some inept schemers who thought they’d gain influence with him by winning his daughter’s favor. “All right, Titan. I think you’re about as impartial an opinion as I’ll get today. Who would you recommend focusing on?”
“I can’t say I know nearly enough about the people courting you to answer that. I may be back in the swing of things, but a lot of Heroes sprang up while I was gone. Besides…” Titan paused, looking over his shoulder to a cluster of costumed people on the other side of the gym. “I’m not quite impartial. I’m sure you know Gale is interested in you, and we’re… friends. I think. Amiable colleagues, at the very least.”
Following Titan’s gaze, Alice found herself looking at the leader of Elemental Fury. She was talking to Roy at the moment, one of many people who’d been doing so after he shrugged off an attack from the guy who’d just punched through a wall. Gale hadn’t been especially coy in her interest; however, Alice rather liked that fact. It was nice to meet someone who was upfront with what they wanted.
“Then would you recommend I pick Gale?” Alice was less interested in whether Titan would say yes or no and a lot more curious about whatever reason he’d give for the response.
“I would recommend you think carefully and choose the mentor who is best for you,” Titan replied. “And I will add that Gale is headstrong, stubborn, prone to being overly defensive, and sometimes a little too concerned with how the public views her team.”
“Wow, is that the friend endorsement, or the amiable colleague one?”
“It’s just the truth, as I see it, and I think you deserve to know that truth,” Titan said. “Just like you deserve to know that she is selfless, dedicated, honest, loyal, and has always put the good of the people we serve above her own. I respect her, as a person and a Hero. That doesn’t make her perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but if you’re holding out for someone flawless, you’re in for one hell of a wait.”
“Thanks, Titan. I’ll keep that in mind.” Alice threw one last glance over to Gale’s area. “Are you going to congratulate Roy for his showing, too? From what they told me in the recovery area, it sounds like he gave a good demonstration of what a tough bastard he is.”
Titan looked over for a brief moment then shook his head. “Roy doesn’t want to talk to me during these things. Especially not after a loss, no matter how impressive it was.”
“Do you think so? I’d say that’s exactly the time he’d like to talk to you. Just my opinion, though, feel free to ignore it.”
The large man’s eyes rested on her for several seconds before the side of his mouth turned upward into a smirk. “Truth for truth, huh? I’ll keep that in mind. Now, I’d better clear out so you can keep being wooed.”
Titan stepped away, and moments later, another Hero in a bright yellow costume took his place. Her smile firmly reaffixed, Alice greeted the new potential mentor with a cheerful voice and excited eyes. After all, if she couldn’t fake her way through something like this, what kind of Subtlety Hero could she really hope to be?
It didn’t escape her notice, however, that Titan was edging his way through the room, moving a little closer to Roy with every awkward step. There was no telling if he’d find the courage to keep going or if he would turn away and pretend to be enthralled by the finger foods. Anything was possible, and she dearly hoped Titan found the courage to finish his journey.
It was a thought that made her smile genuine, even if only for a brief moment.
140.
Vince thanked the Hero with lightning bolts on her costume, shook her hand, and then turned to say hello to the next person walking up to him. He’d been so distracted that it wasn’t until Vince was looking the man in the eyes that he realized the face was familiar. It was Dean Blaine, who seemed oddly out of place in his usual suit amidst the sea of costumes.
“If this is about the busted wall, I’m so sorry. Professor Cole made it sound really tough, and I wanted to show that we deserved that win, so I—”
“Vince, you’re not in trouble f
or breaking the wall.” Dean Blaine held up his hand, as though trying to push back the flood of words surging from Vince’s mouth. “You’re not in trouble for anything, actually. I want to make that clear up front. Today, you put on an excellent showing and should be extremely proud of what you accomplished.”
“Oh. Um, thank you, sir.” Somehow, the praise from Dean Blaine seemed far more potent than any of the kind words the other Heroes had offered already.
“You never need to thank me for speaking the truth,” Dean Blaine told him. “However, there is a matter I’d like to discuss with you. Again, let me impress upon you that you are not in trouble. This is just… an opportunity is perhaps the best way to phrase it. When you’re done here, I’d like you to meet me in my office. The meeting shouldn’t take very long; I won’t keep you from your celebration.”
“Yes sir, I’ll be there as soon as the mixer ends.” Vince paused, thinking over the dean’s words. “Wait, how did you know we were celebrating tonight?”
Dean Blaine arched a single eyebrow and looked, only for a moment, deeply amused. “How did I know? Sometimes I feel as though none of you remember that I was once an HCP student as well. Take your time here, Vince. I’ll be waiting in my office when you’re ready.”
* * *
Mary slipped out of the gym with relative ease. Among the many standout performances that had been put on during the trial, her assist in a single professor battle and strange defeat at Alice’s hands had allowed her to fall under the radar. And that was exactly as it should be. If she was leaving the HCP, then at the very least she was glad to give her friends one final push. There wasn’t really any reason to stick around at the mixer anymore, just as there wasn’t really a need for her to be here at all.
They didn’t need her anymore. It had been a strange, scary, and wonderful realization when Mary had finally come upon it, but in the past few months each of her friends had driven the point home more with every passing day. Hershel and Roy were on the best of terms, working in tandem to constantly become more powerful. Alice was unrecognizable compared to the spoiled, lonely woman who’d walked into Melbrook on that first day. And Vince, scared-of-his-own-power Vince, was training to release massive amounts of energy in single bursts. They were long past needing her direct intervention, and even the occasional guiding nudge had become less and less necessary. For possibly the first time since Mary had arrived at the decision to leave, she felt at peace. They would be okay without her; she truly believed that. There was just one last matter of business to attend to.
Making her way down the halls, it was hard not to feel a touch nostalgic. Save perhaps for her meeting with the dean when they returned in January, this could very well be the final time she ever walked down them. These bleak, sturdy concrete walls had been a huge part of her home and life for the last three and a half years. The same walls had housed countless students before her and would no doubt shelter countless more after she was gone.
Mary kept walking through the halls, past the classrooms and the professors’ offices, until she arrived at a small door. This room, she had no particular attachment to, nor to what lay behind it. But her work wasn’t done. Lifting her fist, Mary rapped on the door three times, and then pushed it open. Telepathy meant she knew the person inside was alone, busying himself with paperwork and reports now that the show was over. There was so much more she’d have liked to have gleaned from his mind; however, the DVA clearly took mental training seriously. If she wanted to get more information from him, she’d have to do it the old-fashioned way.
Ralph Chapman looked up from his desk in surprise at Mary’s entrance. She stepped through the door, shut it behind her, and took a seat in one of the room’s open chairs.
“I think it’s time you and I had another chat.”
* * *
“You took a hell of a hit down there.” Roy looked up from his beer, having mercifully gotten a few seconds to relax and drink, only to find Titan standing several feet away. If he didn’t know better, if he had the capacity to imagine his father as genuinely fearful of anything, he’d have guessed that Titan was afraid to fully approach him.
“Tell me about it. Felt like my teeth were buzzing in my head for ten minutes, even after the healing. I swear, the more I train to take damage, the stronger everyone else seems to get.” Roy wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about Titan walking over, but to his own surprise, he wasn’t immediately compelled to send the man away.
“It tends to go that way,” Titan agreed. “That’s if you’re lucky. A lot of strongman types—hell, a good chunk of the ones that I’ve known—wouldn’t have been able to talk after taking a final hit like the one Vince delivered. They’d have been laid out flat on their asses in a heartbeat. You’re a tough, determined young man, and don’t think for a second those who know what to look for couldn’t see the amazing display you put on. I just wanted to let you know that.”
Before Titan could begin to turn away, Roy picked up his beer and stepped closer to the giant Hero. To his surprise, he found looking in his father’s eyes required less of a tilted neck than he recalled. Maybe Roy was still getting taller, still growing, and he hadn’t even noticed.
“Thanks, Titan. From someone with your reputation, that means a lot. I can’t take all the credit, though. The professors here at Lander are top notch. And I did some summer training with a specialist coach as well. We don’t always get along, but the guy is a hardy old bastard. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without him.” Roy stuck out his hand, and after several seconds, Titan accepted and shook it.
“Give yourself proper due. You were always going to be great, Roy. The most anyone could do was make the journey go a little smoother and faster. I’m sure all of your teachers are immeasurably proud of you and glad to have played even a small part in your education.”
In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t much, little more than a few kind words and a handshake. But it was the first time Roy had willingly interacted with Titan without needing saving or training, and that fact wasn’t lost on either man.
141.
The door was open when Vince arrived, and as he slipped through, Dean Blaine motioned for him to close it behind him. He hadn’t noticed at the mixer, but the dean looked far more tired than usual. Evidently, the day had been stressful on his end as well. Given just some of what Vince knew had happened in the trial (either by personal experience or through gossip before the mixer), it wasn’t surprising. Vince didn’t know much about the other schools’ HCPs; however, he imagined they would probably end their trials with fewer broken bones than Lander. There was an edge in battle now, one that hadn’t been there before last May. Everyone still here was training to fight with their lives on the line, and they knew it.
“Vince, take a seat,” Dean Blaine said once the door was closed and he’d fiddled with a few switches on his desk. “Just to reiterate before we get into things, this is not a disciplinary meeting. However, today you utilized some new tactics and levels of force previously absent from your training. I wanted to talk to you about that and about some potential options moving forward.”
“Okay.” Despite the reassurance, which he did appreciate, Vince still wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this meeting. He’d never been called into the dean’s office like this before. Usually, their interactions were limited to class discussions or meetings with DVA agents about the mystery of Globe.
“Good. Now, let’s start with the elephant in the room: that bolt you threw at Mr. Daniels. In terms of raw destructive power, that was a class above what you’ve utilized in the past. Several classes, actually. As far as sheer destructive potential in a single strike, I daresay it surpasses anything else your fellow seniors could conjure. Honestly, if you hadn’t been so careful as to make sure Mr. Daniels could withstand it, we would be having an extremely different conversation right now. But you were smart and safe, as you were with the punch on the wall. So tell me, why am I only now seeing this level of power fr
om you?”
“In the Sim fight, the one where everyone looked human, I had a… realization? I’m not sure what the right word is.” Vince fidgeted in his chair, but Dean Blaine sat patiently, waiting for him to continue. “I just had this moment where it hit me that if I couldn’t stop a Sim, it was going to kill some of the civilians. And even though it was all fake, it felt real. Like… like I was back in that night again. I understood that sometimes, I wasn’t going to be able to be gentle and wear people down. I might only get one shot to save a life, so I couldn’t afford to fall short. Since then I’ve been working hard on gathering and releasing bigger amounts of energy. It’s a work in progress, and some energies still come faster than others, but I’m getting better.”
Dean Blaine nodded—a careful, controlled motion that betrayed nothing more than the fact that he’d heard Vince’s words. “The hole in our wall and semi-fried electrical system can both attest to that. I’m glad to see you’re coming to terms with the dire necessities that sometimes come with Hero work, but I’d caution you not to go too far in the other direction. Discretion and mercy are important pieces of being a Hero as well. Without them, we’d be little more than unchecked tyrants.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’d also like to talk about your absorption.” This time, Dean Blaine did look a touch uncomfortable as he fiddled with some papers on his desk that seemed to have no bearing on the discussion whatsoever. “You used it offensively in the battle, darkening the field and trying to freeze Professor Cole’s equipment. But you stopped short of the technique that could have gained a potential early victory against Mr. Daniels, electing instead to try a riskier gambit with electricity.”
Finally, Vince understood why Dean Blaine had been so polite and reassuring every step of the way. This was the real meat of the conversation. What happened that night in May wasn’t a secret; it couldn’t be, not with dozens of DVA agents going through the crime scene that Lander had become and interviewing every student that had been out on the grounds. Stopping one of the hopped up Supers brought in by the Sons of Progress was a huge element to what had happened, and Vince had been forced to explain the feat in excruciating detail, no matter how much he’d wanted to put the incident out of his mind.
