The bell signifying the close of school for the day brought relief to me and probably every student I'm the school except Aaron and everyone in the nerd club (and yes, that's an actual thing). Aaron said his driver was coming to pick us from school so I didn't have to follow the bus.

"Oh look, Olatunde's here", said Aaron.

I looked up to see the Tesla moving completely silently on the street. Olatunde managed to drive so silently that even I had to strain my ears to hear him. Aaron and I entered the car, the air-conditoned vehicle a relief from the scorching sun outside.

"Good afternoon Mr Olatunde", I greeted receiving the usual grunt and nod in reply.

" We're going to Sophie's house", Aaron informed him and was answered with another grunt.

Yep, he was not a talker.

Sophie's house was in Maitama, one of the fanciest part of Abuja. It was magnificent. Three storeys of grandness built like something out of a Jane Austen book. Rows of neatly trimmed flowers lined the entrance to the compound. Inside the compound were statues depicting various characters from Nigerian culture. There was water flowing in a mini canal somewhere and a fish pond filled with exotic fishes from all over the world. Stepping inside the house revealed a waiting room filled with paintings of different places in the world. The sitting room in contrast had pictures of Sophie, her parents, and her two brothers who were in the university somewhere in the world. Following the familiar route to Sophie's room without seeing anyone meant her parents where probably not around. Knocking on her door twice caused it to open revealing a messy room with clothes scattered on the bed and its smiling occupant at the door.

Sophie was a petite girl, barely 5'2 with black hair sticking out in all directions and light skin. "Oh Sophie daughter of Smith, what hast thou done to the confines of thine space which thou callest bedroom" I say in mock Shakespearean.

"I was just rearranging the room. Hey guys."

"I think you mean arranging. Your room needs to already be arranged before you can rearrange."

"Jerk."

"Ah, I think something along the lines of revealer of truth would be proper." I reply earning me a pillow thrown to my face. Which I dodge, of course.

"Reflexes baby."

"I will get you one day and I will never let you see the end of it."

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"She's right," claimed Aaron from the back. "She will never let you hear the end of it if she gets you. But that's not going to happen soon. Don't worry."

" So, how did your appointment go?" I asked causing her to grimace.

"I hate doctors."

"Don't we we all. And no, your opinion doesn't count Aaron. So Aaron wanted to see the full scope of my gifts. He says it'll help him make me as good a fighter as grandma MMA"

"I didn't say that. Its scientifically impossible for you to reach my grandma's skill level in fighting. She's is a monster."

"I know. I was kidding. So get your hair in place let's get going, Sophie. Aaron's equipment is in his lab."

"Okay, give me a minute."

Thirty minutes of complaints from Aaron and I later, we were on our way. Aaron's lab was far from all signs of human life. It was a giant complex with an electric fence and enough security to rival area 51. Not that I've been to area 51 before. Not really. Okay it was just that once. Anyway, the place was a fortress. I think he had radioactive stuff in the lab which was probably illegal. Anybody who'd make 16 year olds handling uranium legal deserves to be in a mental asylum. After passing through tons of security, we were greeted with the sight of the familiar dome shaped buildings that made up Aaron's lab. I always wondered how much he spent on it. He never answered when I asked.

"Drop us here." Aaron said when we reached the garage. We walked for a while stopping at a building which was twice the size of the others. After typing in some codes, the door opened leading to an interior that wouldn't have been out of place in the bat cave.

"Wow, Aaron you've outdone yourself" Sophie remarked. There where multiple compartments in the building which was just one gigantic space. There where screens everywhere depicting different things, robotic parts, exoskeletons and a section filled with chemicals. Robots where all around doing one thing or the other. Aaron led us to a section labelled 'Samuel'.

"Seriously? You only gave me one section?" I asked incredulously.

"Its a work in progress. Now put these on." Aaron said handing me a black pyjamas and a helmet.

"What do they do?" "They will measure and record your body activity and power levels during the test."

"Are these weapons?" Sophie asked. "Please don't touch those. They're a work in progress."

"Why do you need weapons?"

"I don't think Sam's abilities are natural. I think that whoever he thinks is coming has something to do with him getting his powers. I've thought about a lot of options but the scariest is if he was given His powers to fight another enemy. And I've estimated there are about seven of them with powers we don't know of. It means our present technology isn't capable of dealing with the threat."

"But its just a theory. You can't be sure of it."

"I know. I'm working on several contingencies for different scenarios."

"Then why didn't you tell us since?"

"Yeah dude, not cool?" I added.

"I just thought it would be better if I started alone. More efficient."

Typical Aaron. Blunt as ever.

"Because you're smarter than us doesn't mean you should do everything alone. It also doesn't mean you should look down on us. Smart people aren't perfect."

Yeah, Sophie wasn't happy. Aaron's shoulders drooped and he sighed looking apologetic,

"I'm sorry guys. It was wrong of me to look down on you. It won't happen again."

" I forgive you but I'm not done yet. You still have to make it up to me."

Another sigh.

"What do you want?"

"Save me the best weapons. So, who's ready to go test Samuel."

Ouch.

"Queen Sophie strikes again. Serves you right Aaron. Let ma change into this first."