John was wary but alert from the moment he entered the large room. Kane had him by the arm while the other three had his back. He had stopped on the threshold, eyes moving quickly, his mind registering everything seemingly at once. There were people sitting on a slightly raised dais; The Founder, Jedikiah, Dr. Annex and another white coated doctor that he recognized from his physical monitoring. Looks like a reviewing stand at a parade.
There were six stations spaced around the room. He was unable to identify their purpose. Six monitors, currently a dull blue, hung on the wall. Two white uniformed orderlies flanked the entrance door.
Two groups stood off to one side, separated from each other by a small space. One group was composed of three people he easily identified as human members of the alpha squad. Killers. The other cluster was composed of TP. They tended to segregate into groups at Ultra, human vs TP. All eyes were focused on him, and none were particularly friendly.
Kane led him over to stand in front of the raised dais. He removed the handcuffs and then faced him. "You've been well trained. Keep your cool and remember what you've been taught." Kane joined the others taking a seat on the raised stage. Maritza gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder as she passed him. Jim, stoic as usual, just muttered, "You'll do fine."
Even Ponzi had a good word to say. "Show em what you can do, kid. Just keep your head."
The three of them followed Kane to the raised platform and lined up behind the chairs in an 'at ease' posture, legs comfortably spaced, arms behind their backs.
John gave a huge sigh and turned to face the two groups. This was just the frosting on the cake of a very trying morning.
He had woken on the wrong side of the bed, irritable and snappy. His surliness was documented by Alice with the result that he was grilled during his morning monitoring. Really! He had been a prisoner for how long now, separated from his people, knowing nothing of their fate! They couldn't figure out why he was pissed? Why did they ask the same stupid questions over and over again?
He then went to spend an hour with the girls. He both loved and dreaded the hour. He still cherished the relief he felt when the suppression cuff was removed, but the girls were getting more demanding. He had overheard some of the people in the lair talking about their kid brothers and sisters. They had complained bitterly about what a pain their little sisters were even though he could tell they missed them.
Being around B was bittersweet. She would not come near him unless he sat and then she stood by his side, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her face against the side of his. She craved his memories of Cara. She would touch his lips with her fingers when he thought about kissing Cara as if she could somehow feel her sister on his skin. She startled everyone this morning when a giggle burst out of her as he showed her Cara kicking his butt in one of their workout sessions. For some reason she thought it was hilarious. Melissa's eyes were shiny and even the more impassive Amy was touched that the forlorn girl could feel such a happy emotion. But focusing on Cara hurt him, as the realization hit him over and over that he might never see her again. And he couldn't help feelings of jealousy, knowing that she and Stephen had that connection.
When those feelings surfaced B would try to console him by patting him on the head like he was a dog and sending a thought. "Good John."
He could deal with B, but Melissa and Amy were little devils that tortured him endlessly on subjects he didn't want to think about. He had always been protective of any younger kids in his foster homes, but he felt no desire to have younger sisters after dealing with these two. No subject was sacred to them. They wanted to know everything, trying to make up for years of isolation from everyday life and treating him like their personal window on the world. He fascinated them, and there was no end to their pestering questions.
He insisted he didn't want to discuss Jedikiah, and they assured him they understood, and then the next moment they were probing his mind and bringing up evidence that he cared for Jedikiah. Melissa would assure him that Jedikiah loved him. They would pick at him until he threatened to call Jedikiah to take him away. Then they just exchanged knowing smiles and started on something else.
This morning they had picked up on the situation with Maritza. Please God No! John thought he had a rough time with some of their questions before. I didn't know when I had it good. I cannot deal with this!
They wanted to know if Maritza hurt him.
"No!"
"Then why are you upset when she sleeps in your bed?"
"It's complicated and not something I want to talk to young girls about."
"It looks like you're fighting with her." "Were you two wrestling?"
"We weren't fighting."
"Then what were you doing? I can't see clearly."
The harder he tried to hide his thoughts the more frazzled he got, and the more agitated he got the more curious he made Melissa and Amy. They wanted him to show them how he felt and what they did. He blocked as hard as he could and got up to walk away from then. Then to make things worse they discussed him like he wasn't there.
"He's embarrassed about something." "Yeah, I can tell. We'll ask him again tomorrow."
John, remembering the morning, mentally shrugged. This was just a day to get beaten up. What difference did it make if it was mental or physical? The worst part was he had a sneaking suspicion that the girls weren't as naive as they pretended, and that they were having fun at his expense. He let it go, forcing his entire focus to the present.
"Let's see what John can do." The Founder who spoke, and his voice was as hard as his eyes. He showed his usual impatience as if he better things to do then watch a lone agent.
John eyed the agents in each group, trying to pick up on any strengths or weaknesses, any telltale signs of nervousness. Jim had taught him how to read a person's posture and other physical signs. He knew he needed to conserve his strength because he couldn't expect any reprieve, any chance to rest. This wasn't about fairness. Every strike would have to count. He would have to call on every ounce of reserve he possessed if he was going to last.
Since he still wore the suppression cuff, that meant the area was not protected by crystals. Therefore, he could expect the TP agents to use teleportation and perhaps telekinesis.
Jedikiah called out a name and a human agent, one that John recognized as part of the alpha squad stepped forward. They sized each other up and John stepped backward, appearing intimidated.
The Founder looked disgusted, but Jedikiah and Kane were both impassive. Knowing John, they knew he was distancing himself from the group so that he couldn't be ambushed. He kept giving ground making the agent chase him, using only defensive moves and not expending much energy. There was some jeering from the two groups of agents. When the agent became over confident and left himself open, John moved in with a kick, a new move he learned from Ponzi, and disabled the agent with one blow.
A stunned silence fell over both groups as the two orderlies came over and dragged the crippled man out of the room.
John used the brief respite to relax his muscles and mind, conserving energy for the next match.
Kane met Jedikiah's eyes and then quickly looked away, both of them hiding a triumphant smile. Maritza openly grinned while Ponzi bragged. "I taught him that move." Jim quickly nudged him with an elbow, silencing him. The Founder appeared impressed.
Jedikiah ordered, "Hold back. I don't want any more serious injuries."
The next human agent called forward was more cautious. He made no mistakes. The two engaged and then broke apart. John caught someone moving behind him out of the corner of his eye. He saw the face of the agent in front of him change slightly. He played dumb deliberately moving closer to the agent behind him, correctly anticipating the move and when the agent attempted to surprise him, flipped the man. He threw him at the other agent bringing both down. He quickly leapt in and delivered two head blows knocking both men temporarily out. That took care of the human group. The orderlies quickly moved in again helping the stunned agents from the room.
Kane turned to the Founder. "Satisfied?" The Founder nodded. Dr. Annex didn't wait to be asked. "Yes, start the next test."
This time they called out a TP. "Teleportation only! No pushes. Do I make myself clear?" Jedikiah's voice was ice cold.
"Yes, Sir!"
John wasn't especially intimidated. He had done this often enough when he was a trainee. He had never been cuffed, but he and his sparring partners had switched off being allowed to teleport. It taught them to not rely one hundred percent on their powers.
John took a lot of blows, but the agent relied too heavily on his teleportation skills assuming John would be a sitting duck. John stayed as defensive as possible until he figured out the agent's strategy, and then he struck, and he struck hard. The TP made an effort to get to his hands and knees and then collapsed. The orderlies were having a busy day today.
The group on the dais was silent staring at John, breathing heavy, but showing no other signs of stress. He had some bruises darkening on his skin, but that was it. Jedikiah looked to the Founder who made a slight facial gesture indication reluctant admiration. He didn't bother to look at Dr. Annex or his partner. They were not important players in this game. Kane looked satisfied. The three standing behind him made no attempt to hide their smiles.
Jedikiah stepped down and headed towards John. The young man cautiously turned to face him, ready to defend himself if necessary.
Jedikiah walked smack up to him and stood while John searched his face, seeking a hint of what was coming next.
"Good job, John." He smiled, clasping his arm. "You've totally changed your fighting style." He shook his head. "I bet you could whip your buddy Russell's butt now."
John had always craved Jedikiah's approval when he was a trainee, but it had been hard to win. John had to exceed by a large margin before he was given praise, and the fact that he compared him to Russell filled him with a warm feeling. He both admired and envied Russell's fighting style and usually lost to him in a sparring match. A pleased little smile lit John's face at the thought that he might be able to beat Russell, and he couldn't stop himself. "Do you think so?"
He quickly caught himself and wiped the smile off his face, but Jedikiah, familiar with his every expression, knew John was secretly proud.
Jedikiah said, "You don't have to hide it. You have every right to be proud of yourself."
John just shrugged a shoulder. "What comes next? You can't be done."
Jedikiah nodded. "You're right. There's another whole world of training opening up for you, John. I'm going to take off your suppression cuff, but first you have to know there's a human with a gun aimed at Subject B. We have a telepath here—" He turned and nodded at the Founder who simply stared uncompromisingly at John,. "—and a telepath in the lab. If you teleport out of the building or contact anyone she dies."
John said, "How do you know that I won't follow my training and bolt?"
Jedikiah pulled out a tablet and released the cuff pocking it. John closed his eyes briefly savoring the pulse of his powers. The hour a day of relief couldn't begin to satisfy his hunger for this sensation. And there was something in their cage that prevented him from teleporting. Teleporting was for him, the ultimate freedom. Nothing could compare to it.
Jedikiah immediately put his hand around John's neck forcing eye to eye contact.
"Read my thoughts."
This is Cara's little sister, John. Cara, the love of your life. You never smiled much when you were a kid. I understand . . nothing much in your life to rate a smile. But I know every smile you got and that smile you used when you talked to Cara. I never saw that before. It's doesn't matter that I can't read your mind. I know you, John. You never had anyone to love. You could never trust enough. You know that blonde TP agent that's got it in for you? She tried her best to get you to notice her for the short time your stays overlapped. You never noticed her and that's why she hates you.
John who was totally focused on Jedikiah's words blinked at that, stunned by the revelation. Jedikiah shook him, reading his expression, knowing he got sidetracked.
You love only that girl, and you would die before you would hurt her that way. Just remember—you let your girlfriend know her sister is here, and she will try to rescue her. The room is booby trapped. She breaks in, and the girl is gassed. She's so well guarded you might as well try to steal the Founder. I got you back, John. Always knew it was just a matter of time. I've missed you.
John's face was a study in conflict. He stared at a spot a few feet away from him, his emotions flowing over his face. When he finally looked up and met Jedikiah's triumphant stare, he shrugged helplessly. "What do I have to do?"
"That's what do I have to do, Sir?" Jedikiah quietly reminded him.
"Sir," John said.
The Founder rubbed his chin, smiling complacently.
Kane's face was expressionless. Maritza and Jim looked away disturbed by the look of misery on John's face. Ponzi watched them and shrugged. They had discussed this before. They thought John was up to being a team member and if what everyone was hoping for was true, he would give them an advantage that would put them on top again. But the only way to get him on to the team was to break him, and this was inevitable. No way could the kid stand against everyone. The odds were stacked against him, but he would adjust.
Jedikiah motioned two of the TP further into the room. "One at either end."
"John teleport from one to the other. Go behind them as close as you can possibly get without knocking them over."
John felt the probe. "John, are you okay?" He kept his face deadpan and squashed the impulse to look for Stephen.
"Where are you?"
"At the back of the TP agents, behind one of those gadgets they have around the room."
"Are you crazy? Get out of here." John wanted to scream. The kid was going to get himself punished or worse outed. He wasn't good at hiding his loyalties.
"Is Irene okay?" Stephen paid no attention to John's warning.
"Yes. She's doing good."
"Tell me where she is. We have people on alert always ready to get her. When we have her you can teleport out. I'll make a distraction." Stephen was confident.
"No. I can't leave. I don't know where Irene is, and there's a complication."
"John!" Jedikiah spoke sharply and looked at him suspiciously. "I said no contact."
John spoke quickly. "Just catching a breather."
The Founder's eyes narrowed, so John quickly teleported behind the first agent wrapping his arms around the man's waist. The guy went to shake him off, and John moved slightly and teleported behind the blonde female agent, the one who appeared to have it in for him. Remembering Jedikiah's words, a mischievous grin appeared, and he quickly pecked her on the cheek. She was furious and whirled around to punch him but, he teleported back to the front of the dais. She quickly followed ready to fight, but the Founder moved his head slightly, and she fell to the ground clutching her head.
"Follow orders." He let her scream for awhile before he relented. It didn't hurt to reinforce his power every now and then. It kept the agents in line. When the pain eased, she slowly got to her feet and rejoined the cluster of TP agents.
The two doctors had their heads together. "His accuracy is startling." "Amazing ability to judge distances." "Do you think it's related to his hand eye coordination?" "Excellent hypothesis!"
The Founder cleared his throat, and they broke off their private conversation.
Jedikiah said, "John , I want you to teleport the two —" Jedikiah looked at the sullen blonde woman and then corrected himself, pointing to the man from the first experiment"—him and another volunteer at the same time."
Stephen pushed his way forward from the back of the group where he had been unobtrusively standing. "I volunteer."
John briefly closed his eyes in frustration while Jedikiah's narrowed in anger and followed him as he strode over to John.
John put his hand on the teen's shoulder. "Are you crazy?"
"Show me where they're keeping you and anything you can about Irene. We've been searching. We think we know where she's being kept. I'm telling you we can rescue her, and then you can bolt."
"No! You don't understand."
"Then explain it to me!" Stephen almost let his anger and frustration show, but John squeezed his shoulder hard.
Stephen took one last shot. "Let us help you!"
John ignored him as the other TP came up on John's other side. John put a hand on his shoulder mimicking his hold on Stephen. He let the power flow, and he teleported the two of them to the other side of the room.
"I didn't know you could do that." Stephen seemed honestly surprised.
"What did you think was going to happen when they called for two people?"
"Why, did they want a demonstration? Is it that unusual to teleport more than one person?"
"Yeah, it is. Most TP can only teleport one person. Guess I'm as special as you when it comes to teleportation! John enjoyed the mild bragging and Stephen took the ribbing in good humor.
The moment of camaraderie was interrupted when Dr. Annex spoke. "John, I understand you can be in multiple places at the same time."
Stephen stepped back slightly. "Oh, man, John. What are they up to?"
"Not sure, Stephen. Just not sure."
Stephen heard a difference in John's mental tone.
John had a deep seated grudge against the doctor. He hated being addressed by him. He turned his head sullenly and wouldn't answer. When the Founder moved impatiently, ready to force a response, Kane gave Jedikiah a look that spoke volumes, and Jedikiah spoke up. "John, can you still be in multiple places at the same time?"
"Yes . . Ah, Yes, Sir."
"There's two stations down there with timers. There's a blue sensor pad on each one that will record the time that you touch them. Do it." Jedikiah pointed to the two stations. Stephen and John now had the answer to what the gadgets were.
John walked over and looked at them both. He stood in the center and turned slowly. When he stopped, he gazed off into the distance eyes unfocused. If one looked closely there was a shimmer for a second, and then he was simply breathing a little heavy.
Dr. Annex said, "Well when are you going to do it?"
Kane nudged him. "Look at the monitors on the wall."
The doctor's mouth dropped open and there was an undercurrent of murmuring in the room. John had touched them both at the exact same moment.
Stephen wasn't impressed. He had seen John do five, but he realized from the look on the Founder's face and the buzz among the Ultra agents this was definitely not the norm if norm could be applied to TP.
"Try for three." The Founder demanded.
John briefly glanced at him before repeating the same pattern; walking to each one and then turning slowly between them. The unfocused gaze and the shimmer came next. He swayed a tiny bit before steadying himself. Again there was an excited buzz as the monitors confirmed that he had touched them all at the exact same instant.
"Four." The Founder demanded. John took several deep breaths before repeating the pattern. This time after the shimmer he sank to his knees, hands resting on his thighs, head thrown back gasping for breath. Several whoops split the air.
Jedikiah made a move to go to John, but the Founder said one word. "No."
Jedikiah didn't look happy, but stayed put. Stephen opened his mouth, but stopped when John sent a silent order. "Don't you dare speak. No matter what happens say nothing." He looked mutinous enough that John put no faith in him keeping quiet. "Please," he begged.
When John recovered enough that he could clamber to his feet the Founder ordered. "Five."
Stephen was outraged and had to bite his lip not to object.
John shook his head. "I don't think I have it in me."
"Do it." The Founder commanded.
"Sir!" Both Kane and Jedikiah spoke up.
"I want him to try." The Founder growled.
John walked very slowly between five stations. He walked the circuit twice and then returned to a center point between them. He took several deep breaths before his eyes unfocused, and this time the shimmer was longer. He ended up face down on the floor.
All eyes were on the monitors which confirmed that he had indeed done it. Jedikiah, Kane and Stephen ran to John. Stephen got there first, turning him over, hoisting him up on his lap. "John! John! Are you okay?"
Jedikiah's face was murderous as he whispered sotto voice to Stephen. "You have no business being here!"
Stephen ignored him. "He needs help!"
The two doctors hurried over, but Stephen scooted away from them. "Let us help him." The doctor insisted.
"He'll be upset if he wakes up and sees you."
Jedikiah frowned, but knew the boy was right.
Kane put an end to the conversation by bending down and getting one arm under John's knees and the other behind his back. He easily stood cradling John in his arms. John's head lolled back like a rag doll. "Where's the closest med station?"
The other doctor volunteered to lead him. "Follow me." Kane left followed by Maritza, Jim, and Ponzi.
Stephen, still on his knees, was left to face an angry Jedikiah and a curious Founder.