Two hours later I was more than a little worried.
The speaker, Roy, had skillfully guided the discussion that followed his initial presentation. Carlos the moderator had called for ideas of actions the local inhumans and their allies could take. Several suggestions for social media campaigns, awareness raising on the realities of Ross' proposed legislations, even picketing his presence at the UN were proposed.
Roy and a few others seemed to support the suggestions, but then offered little additions that always seemed to push the action one or more steps further.
"Instead of just picketing, why not chain yourself to the UN flag poles? Or better to the doors of the building so Ross couldn't get in?" Roy inveigled.
While there was some push back each time the more radical actions were proposed, it seemed to reset the discussion's starting point further towards civil disobedience, even eventually hinting at violence.
People in the meeting did not seem to support the idea of violence, but the suggestions had been made and shared space with the more mainstream ideas. Looking around I suspected that the more direct action held some attraction for several of the more frustrated or frightened people in the room.
Despite how hard it was for me to keep my mouth closed, I did so, mostly to avoid drawing attention to myself or my companions.
My eye was often drawn to the young Chinese woman from whom I had copied the energy powers. She had kept quiet for the beginning of the discussion, even nodding in apparent agreement on occasion. But after people were shouting that we should show that the inhumans were ready to stand up against tyranny and oppression, that we had the power to protect ourselves had gone on for a while she could not hold back.
"Yes, inhumans have power." She stood to speak, her lightly accented voice projecting easily across the space. "What we don't have are numbers. Even if every person in this hall is an inhuman, which I seriously doubt, that is what, two hundred inhumans? Wow. That sounds like a small army. Do you know how many people the real army has? More than a million, with another million they can call up at need. Even after the Snap that's still five thousand of them for every one of us."
"We've got powers!" someone yelled.
"They've got numbers, guns, tanks, planes, and who knows what else," she replied relentlessly.
"You don't think we can protect ourselves?" mocked Roy.
"I know that a few hundred inhumans cannot stand against a fraction of the military might of a modern government. I've seen the dead inhumans with my own eyes when they tried." The woman shook her head, her voice echoing the tragedy of which she spoke.
"I'm not saying we should roll over and let them treat us like criminals," she continued more forcefully. "There are ways to show we're not and gain the trust of the people. I'm just saying we cannot make war on the humans. It's a war we can't win and it's madness to think we can. I've lost too much to that madness. I don't want to see all of you suffer the same way I did."
That seemed to puncture the growing fervor of the crowd and soon after her plea the discussion ground to a halt. While Carlos was calling for people to volunteer for organizing the more peaceful actions proposed, I turned to Alaris.
"Can you ask Rexel and the two ladies at his table to meet with us in about fifteen minutes? I want to try to round up a couple of others as well." He looked at me for a moment then nodded.
"You are welcome to join us," I told Ariel.
"I'm not sure where he's going with this, but it should be interesting." Jackie added.
"Alright," the precog agreed.
I got up and tried to track down three people I thought might make good heroes based on their powers and in one case on her contributions to the discussion. The first was the one-horned man. I spotted him leaning on the stairs leading up to the balcony. I had no obvious reason to approach him, so I decided to just go with the bold approach.
I took out my Tower swipe card. It had an Avengers logo on the picture of the Tower, though it was not an official Avengers ID. I flashed it discreetly as I said, "Excuse me. Can I talk with you for a few minutes?"
"Uh?" he looked between the card and me with a hint of panic. "What for?"
"Nothing bad," I quickly assured him. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions. I'm meeting with a few colleagues outside the door in ten minutes. Can you join us?"
He thought about it for a minute then finally nodded.
"Alright, I'll meet you out there. Might I ask your name?"
"Um … Mark Sim?" His confusion made his answer sound like a question. I imagined he was wondering what I wanted to talk to him about if I did not even know his name.
I nodded and moved on to my next target. Or rather two targets. They were seated together. A young man and a young woman. The woman had white feathers in place of hair and more lining her arm, sort of like wings. I knew they were fully functional and allowed her to fly. She had largely driven the early part of the discussion on using social media to spread the word and influence public opinion. The man with her was large and muscular. His skin, except for his face and hands, was rough and pebbled, with vine-like veins bulging under the skin giving him a stony appearance.
He noticed my approach and stood, placing himself between me and the feathered woman. She noticed his actions and looked to find the cause. When she saw me, I nodded and smiled?
"What do you want?" the large man asked gruffly.
"I really thought your ideas about the use of social media were good. I was wondering if I could speak with the two of you," I replied, mostly addressing the girl. "A few friends are meeting just outside the door in five minutes. I was hoping you both might join us."
"Fuck off," he said.
At the same time, she asked "What about?"
"Fi, he's obviously just some normie creep with a furry kink," the man said.
"How do you know?" she retorted.
"Jesus, are you blind?" he whined. "Just look at him. As normie as they come. You know how they like to come to the freakshow. And this guy wants you to just follow him outside in the dark where he can do who the fuck knows what to you."
I wondered if they were in a relationship or were related. It had more of a sibling vibe than a romantic one. I know if I had talked to any of my girlfriends like that, they would have kicked me in the nads then kicked me to the curb.
Knowing I needed to prove my bone fides in a way more convincing than the ID card, I started to float an inch or two over the floor. This activated my energy nimbus but kept it just under my shoes. No one should notice it unless it was pointed out.
"Yeah," I mimicked, "just look at him."
As both pairs of eyes turned to me, I pointed down. They looked almost instinctively then gasped.
"Not a normie, I guess," she smirked at her companion. She stood and introduced herself to me. "Hi, I'm Fiona Alderman, and this is my idiot twin Flynn. Yeah, I'll talk with you."
"Fine," Flynn muttered and the two followed me.
I noticed Alaris leading his group out.
I suddenly realized I had ten people, it was after eleven at night, and I had no idea where to take them to talk about sensitive topics. A diner or café was out. I wanted to talk about powers and such. We needed privacy.
The only places I could think of were the Tower or my mother's apartment. The Tower was full of SHIELD and other law enforcement agents. Not the best place to make the already nervous inhumans comfortable. Taking them to my mother's place would basically out me to them. But the offer I was going to make would accomplish the same thing.
I really did suck at this secret identity stuff.
"I know this sounds weird," I started as I turned to the group. "But I want to talk with you about Avengers' business and this is not the place to do so." Once again, I flashed the Tower ID card. "What I have to talk with you about is too sensitive for any public venue. We could go to the Tower, but I am assuming you wouldn't be comfortable with that. The other option I can think of is my apartment. It's big enough for the meeting and has the necessary privacy. What do you think?"
"I think you're crazy." Flynn barked. He turned to his sister. "I told you he was trying to get you into his bed. He wants a friggin orgy."
"What?" Mark asked.
"Somehow I doubt he's got Alaris shilling for a sex party," Rexel said with a laugh. "I just can't picture that. I also know that this guy," He pointed at the Attilanian, "has been working with the Avengers. If he," pointing at me, "is who I think he is, he has been too. I'd be willing to listen."
"I don't know you," the energy woman said to me. "But Alaris is both known and respected in the community. With his recommendation, I'm willing to listen. But I have to be up early so traipsing across town to the Tower or anywhere else is probably out. We'll have to do this some other time, unless you lot are willing to meet at my teahouse. It's closed, but I have the key. And it's only about eight blocks from here."
"I think that's a good idea," Ariel offered. Jackie and I looked at her and she shrugged.
"That sounds reasonable," I replied to the energy woman, relieved at the reasonable alternative. This woman was swiftly rising in my estimation, and I still did not know her name. "I'm Cal," I introduced myself to the group. "Cal Rankin."
"Kora Xu," she replied.
"Nice to meet you. Please lead on." I requested. I thought it better to keep the momentum going. "We can make more introductions along the way."
By the time we got to a place called Zenjoy, everyone had offered their names. The South Asian woman who had been with Kora was Mala Salariya, a cyberpath. After Kora let us in, we pushed together a few tables and sat. Our hostess did not volunteer to make tea.
"Thank you all for agreeing to …" I began, only to be interrupted.
"Not the time for speeches Cal," Jackie said. "It's late and we're all tired."
"Fine," I replied, then almost blurted out my half-considered sales pitch. "Part of my power is knowing what other people's powers are. I think all of you have abilities that can let you do good, to make a difference, and apropos of tonight's topic, to show the world that inhumans can be a valuable part of society rather than something to fear." I looked at each person in turn then continued. "I want you to join the Avengers Academy."
"What!" Imagine nine versions of that exclamation, then multiply the shock and confusion by nine and you will get close to their reply.
"The world needs heroes. You, well most of you," I shrugged to Jackie, "have powers that can lend themselves to that role, in one way or another. The fact that you're inhumans makes that role doubly important."
"I know you're not talking to me," Rexel said.
"Why not?" I asked. "You stepped up when the Avengers called. You helped out in the aftermath. It's true that your extra arm and low-level telekinesis are not tank-jugglingly powerful, but they could be useful in the right situations."
"I'll help when I can, but the superhero thing's not for me," the tattoo artist replied. "I do appreciate your offer."
"This isn't the superhero thing, at least not yet." I sighed. "Today I was shown that while I do have big flashy powers, I still have a lot to learn before I can do much more than carry stuff around. I'll be a student too."
"I too have much to learn," agreed Alaris. "A formal training regimen with an experienced instructor would benefit me greatly."
"My power isn't stable or reliable enough to be useful in the sorts of situations you're talking about." Ariel argued.
"Maybe, but who knows how it might develop with the proper training." I was wondering if we could get Wong or someone from Kamar-Taj to help her. "Also keep in mind that all inhumans are physically enhanced. Even without specialized powers like Alaris or Flynn, you are all near or above Olympic levels of strong, fast, and tough. The Kree designed the first inhumans to be super soldiers. None of you are helpless."
"To confirm what you're offering is a place to be trained to use our powers to help people and to show that inhumans can be more of a boon than a danger to society?" Kora asked.
"Just like you talked about at the end of the discussion?" I acknowledged with a smile.
"I don't want any trouble," Mark said, shaking his head. "I just want to be left alone and live my life. This shit," he gestured to his horn and scales, "has already caused me enough trouble."
"Yeah," Fiona said. "I don't know?"
"I do," Mala interjected. "This isn't for me. Too much official attention. I'm out." She stood and started towards the door. "Catch you later, Kora."
As she opened the door, she let out an "Eep!" and ducked back, closing the door quietly. "Are you expecting a visit from the Five Point Boys?"
"What?" Kora demanded, jumping to her feet. "Fuck that man." She quickly looked around and pointed to me. "You want to play hero? This is your chance. There's … How many Mala?"
"I count eight," she replied while looking out the narrow window next to the door. "Half a block and closing."
"Eight gangsters," Kora continued talking to me, "Probably coming to break in and bust this place up. Either that or just burn it all down. Depending on how badly Little Felix got his feelings hurt. This looks like a job for a hero. If I take care of the Boys, they'll be dead, and half this block will be destroyed. Show me what you can do."
"Right," I ordered, "Kora, you lead everyone out the back. Alaris, come with me. We stop them without killing them or letting them hurt anyone. Got it?"
"This way people," Kora started herding the group towards the back of the counter. Flynn hesitated, but Fiona pulled him with her.
Alaris stepped to the place vacated by Mala, looking out the window. "They are gathering at the bottom of the stairs. They have improvised incendiaries. We must act now."
"Go!" I threw open the door and flew out, hoping to catch their attention with my glittering light trail.
I had copied Kora's power to a permanent slot but did not want to risk using it until I had practiced with it. If she thought it was too dangerous, I was going to believe her. Agent Guttierez's metal control was the safer bet I decided.
Passing over their heads, I reached out and felt the guns in their pockets. I caused their hammers or striking pins to melt away, quickly rendering them useless.
"That's not her!" one of the men said as he took several steps back.
All of the gangsters' eyes followed me as I landed in the street across from the teahouse. Several discarded the molotov cocktails they were preparing and drew their guns.
Alaris took the opportunity to leap to the ground behind them and started knocking heads together.
"Shit! There's more," another of the thugs called out.
That was when I waded in.
During my first week after the Snap, before the Avengers left the city, Captain America had pulled me aside and mentioned how difficult it could be for people with enhanced strength to knock out normals without permanently disabling or killing them. He handed me a stun gun and suggested that until I was better trained with my powers, I consider using it when trying to take down unpowered opponents.
So, I did. I had brought it in my jacket pocket, just in case.
I was able to get in two attacks with the electric weapon while the bad guys were trying to shoot me with their disabled guns, taking both thugs to the ground. I batted aside the attacks the other two rained down on me as I carefully tagged them as well.
Once all four were down I turned and saw Alaris looking at me with a hint of a smirk. The rest of the gang was also laid out on the street.
"Good work," I said. "Do you happen to have any zip ties?" I patted where I normally wore my utility belt.
"No," he replied.
I considered using their guns but wanted the police to find them with what were probably illegal weapons. Instead, I found several discarded soda cans in a nearby trash bin and used those to create bindings. The others, save Mala, had gathered on the street.
"I called the cops," Jackie said, almost bouncing with excitement.
"I almost wish you hadn't" Kora replied shaking her head. "None of us are registered."
"How do you know?" my friend inquired, curious.
"I don't see any monitor bands," the Chinese woman replied angrily. "The Accords say that anyone with innate powers has to wear a tracking bracelet at all times. We're all guilty just by our existence and can be detained indefinitely without trial for just this sort of thing."
"You can all head out if you want," I said. "Alaris and I have been working with law enforcement for a while so we should be fine. They aren't really talking about the Accords, much less enforcing them, during the current emergency. That might be another reason to consider the Academy idea."
"Whoever is using you might not be talking about it, but Ross sure is," Flynn growled. "We didn't do anything. We didn't see anything. So, we're out of here." He latched onto Fiona's hand and started dragging her away. The sister didn't say anything, but her free hand was doing something with her phone, and I felt mine buzz. She had sent her number.
Thinking about what Flynn and Kora had said I decided to call Frank.
"Hey, what's up?" he answered.
"Alaris and I just took down a small crew of gangsters that were attacking a shop in Soho. Cops are on the way. We're both in our civilian identities. Not sure if you want to do your liaison thing and let them know this was official business."
"Was it? Official, I mean? I don't remember any assignments," he asked.
"It wasn't an assignment, but it was protecting lives and property, which we were told to do by both the Avengers and SHIELD." I was getting a little upset.
"Yeah, ok. Cops are never really off-duty." His tone was weary. I almost objected to being classed as a cop, but in this case that is basically what we were doing.
"I'll put out the word," he finally agreed. "Soho is mostly under the First Precinct. I'll start there. What's your address?"
"Kora, what's the address?" I asked, holding my hand over where I assumed the mic was.
She gave it to me, and I passed it on.
"Ok," he muttered. "Stick around for the cruiser and give your statements. Up to you what name you give them. Powerhouse is ok, or if you're going to be doing this kind of shit in your civvies, then just give them your real name."
"Thanks."
As I was speaking Mark had vanished, not saying anything. Rexel gave a triple wave as he started down the street, first crossing to the other side. That left Ariel, Jackie, Kora, Alaris and I waiting when the police eventually arrived.
After we had all given our statements, a couple of larger transports had been called, and I had removed my makeshift bonds on the gangsters, the police eventually took them away.
"They were nicer, less combative I guess, than I expected," Kora said as the lights faded into the distance.
"Who? The police?" I asked.
"Yeah. I expected more, I don't know, suspicion from them." She turned to me. "If you can get me some training, at least to the point where I feel confident in defending myself without massive collateral damage, I'll join your classes."
"Yes!" I pumped my arm, prompting Jackie to facepalm.
"There are still some details that need to be worked out," Alaris interjected, giving me a serious look, or more serious than normal.
"If you give me your number, I'll let you know how things come together." I handed her my phone. She quickly called herself then added the contact. "Great!"
"Alaris and Jackie know how to contact me," Ariel said, smiling.
"Now I have to be back here in too few hours, so I'll say goodnight," Kora insisted. "And thanks for your help. It could've really gone badly."
"Sure," I nodded. "No problem. Call me if you need anything or they give you more trouble."
"Sure." With a wave she too left.
"Alaris," Ariel said, wrapping her arms around his. "Walk me home?"
"Certainly," he replied.
"Yeah. Ok," Jackie grinned. "I guess that just leaves us, Cal. You'll protect me on the way home, right?"
I ignored her tease and scooped her up in a princess carry. "I'll do better than that," I said and took off into the night sky, leaving a golden trail in my wake.
Secret identities were too hard. I decided not to worry about it anymore.