Iota is admiring the Sigma Ring in his office.
Iota: (Soon…)
There’s a knock on Iota’s door. He places the Sigma Ring back on its stand.
Iota: Come in.
Zaire enters.
Iota: What’s the report, Zaire?
Zaire: The mission was a success.
Iota: How did Yusuf perform?
Zaire: There were a few bugs, but he did well. Vince says the Cybernetic Quirks will be ready for mass deployment soon.
Iota: Good…
Iota sits down at his desk.
Zaire: Is everything alright, Master?
Iota is quiet for a few moments.
Iota: For the first time in a long time, Zaire. I’m unsure of what to do next.
Zaire: Hm? Why?
Iota: We’re searching for the six towers that supposedly house the rings, but it’s apparent they’re only decoys. This means we have no idea where the rings actually are.
Zaire: We can find that information, Master. We know S.T.O.R.M. must be in charge of protecting them.
Iota: So we should invade S.T.O.R.M.? Kidnap Director Alexander? We’re not dealing with U.A. anymore, Zaire. They operate similarly to us, with no loose ends.
Iota and Zaire are quiet.
Zaire: We’ve theorized that Recovery Girl still possesses a piece of the Gamma Ring. Perhaps we could steal that and locate it the same way we-
Iota: That will never work. That bastard Vanguard was the last straw for U.A. the school has become a small fortress. Surveillance equipment everywhere, highly trained and combat-tested security guards, they even ousted my old teacher for Blast. *under his breath* I didn’t even know he was back in America.
Zaire: I see…
Iota: The Movement will drastically increase in power once Vince’s project is complete, but I’m not sure we’ll be ready to take on an entire hero army. However, it’s looking like that will have to be our next move… unless something changes.
Zaire: We’ll find another solution, Master. And if we can’t, I know our forces will be powerful enough to take down all who oppose us.
Iota: I hope you’re right, Zaire. Because time is running out…
Zaire stares at Iota with fear in his eyes.
Zaire: I understand, Master.
Zaire exits the room.
Zaire: (I’ve never seen Master look like that… the idea he could drop dead any day now must be getting to him. I have to do everything in my power to-)
Jagger: Zaire!
Zaire: Hm? Jagger?
Jagger approaches Zaire.
Jagger: I think I’ve found it.
Zaire: Found what?
Jagger: The key!
Zaire: Wh- what?!
Jagger: Open a gate; we have to head to Nigeria.
All of 3-A have gathered in the center of the facility except for Alden, Demetri, and Isaiah, who are repairing the hole in the stadium. Multi and Boom are supervising the repairs.
Walker: I hope this was a good day of introductions. Enjoy your first few days back on campus, and I’ll see all of you bright and early on Monday.
Everyone: Right.
Walker: Oh, and don’t wait up for those three. They’ll be here all night.
Alexis: You’re really gonna have them do everything?
Walker: No.
Boom whips Alden.
Alden: AHHHHHH!
Boom: No half-assing!
Walker: Not the whipping.
The group heads out of the facility.
Lilith: I say we have a welcome dinner for our new classmates!
Alexis: Great idea, Lilith!
Fang: That sounds awesome, thank you!
Ozzie: I’d sure look forward to that.
Gus: Oh, what, and you expect me to cook it?
Ozzie: Well, if you don’t want to, mate, I can have a go at-
Gus: WELL, YOU’RE RIGHT, LILITH!
Daisuke steps forward.
Daisuke: If you don’t mind, I’ve already made preparations to thank all of you for welcoming us to the class.
Eve: Uh… what does that mean?
The class returns to their dorm to see a massive banquet prepared for them.
Zach: Oh my god…
Wes: Damn…
Lilith: It looks so good!
Gus scoffs.
Gus: *under his breath* I could have done that…
Daisuke: Please enjoy, everyone.
Zach: You don’t have to tell me twice!
Zach and Gus start digging in.
Eve: When did you do this?!
Alexis: And how?
Daisuke: I had some caterers set everything up during the introduction exercises. It was arranged with the school beforehand.
Aaron: It looks nice, but it could be better.
Daisuke: Are you referring to the open bar?
Aaron: Bar?
Daisuke points to an entire bar set up in the common area.
Alexis: H- how?
Aaron: YES! HAHAHA!
Aaron bolts to the bar.
Aaron: Waiter, I’ll have one of everything.
Bartender: Uh… this isn’t a restaurant, sir.
Aaron: Did I stutter?
Alexis: *sighs* This will end poorly, won’t it?
Ozzie: I can keep an eye on the bloke if you like.
Alexis: You sure? Aaron’s not a pushover.
Ozzie: Don’t worry, mate. I can drink the little guy under the table.
Ozzie walks to the bar.
Alexis: He seems nice.
Ash: I like his accent.
Eve: Enough about him; I’m eyeing those ribs.
Lilith: Come on, guys! Let’s enjoy the feast!
Ash, Alexis, Fang, Eve, Lilith, Lara, Blair, Saige, and Wes grab plates and grab food from the buffet.
Daisuke: What are the rest of you waiting for? It’s not poisonous.
Justus: How did you pay for all of this?
Daisuke: Let’s just say I received a large inheritance from my father's passing. I assume you can say the same, Justus Grey?
Justus: Are you saying I’m a bad person for not treating my classmates like this?
Daisuke: No, I just find it amusing that you’re asking me, that’s all.
Justus: Right…
Silver steps forward.
Silver: If you don’t mind me asking, Daisuke, why didn’t you warn Isaiah about his errant shot? Wouldn’t that have been safer than staking those people’s lives on a single throw?
Daisuke: Well, I tried to.
Silver: Huh?
Daisuke: In my Future Flash, those two complained about an incident at the fountain. So, when I encountered them there, I got them arrested to see if I could prevent the event by removing them. However, when they arrived just before the exercise began, I knew I could only change the flash at the very last second.
Silver: I see…
Hayze: When did you get the flash, Daisuke?
Daisuke: Right before I entered the gates of U.A., why?
Hayze: I’m just curious about the rules of your ability. It seems extremely powerful.
Daisuke: *nasal grunt* Already preparing for a fight, I see.
Hayze: No, that’s not-
Daisuke: It’s alright; I’m kidding. I honestly don’t know the rules behind my Future Flash ability and when it occurs. Sometimes, I have multiple flashes in a single day. Other times, I go many days or weeks without seeing one. It’s seemingly random.
Justus: Interesting…
Silver: If it’s random, how did you perfectly predict Isaiah and Demetri’s moves at the start of the match?
Daisuke: Oh, sorry if I wasn’t clear. Future Flash is just an aspect of my quirk. Precognition is what I used against them.
Hayze: Precognition? So, you saw their movements before they began?
Daisuke: In a way, yes. After making contact with someone, I can perceive six seconds into their future every time I make eye contact with them for the next 30 minutes.
Hayze: Fascinating.
Daisuke: If you three don’t mind, I’m joining the others. I’m a little famished after my long day of travel. I recommend you do the same before everything gets cold.
Daisuke walks away.
Justus: Do you two also get a weird vibe from that guy?
Hayze: Yeah…
Silver: He’s being a little too ambiguous for my liking.
Justus: Me too, but we should trust him for now.
Silver: I agree.
Justus and Silver join the dining group. Hayze notices Lara heading upstairs.
Hayze: Going upstairs, Lara?
Lara: I want to see my room and set up some things.
Hayze: And skip dinner?
Lara: I ate while you were talking to Daisuke.
Hayze: That was like… a minute.
Lara: I eat fast.
Lara departs.
Hayze: Okay…
Saige: *from afar* Hayze! Get over here! I’m trying to get Blair to play beer pong!
Hayze: OH GOD, NO!
Lara arrives at her room and enters. She opens up a suitcase; it’s full of surveillance equipment. She takes her laptop and sits on her bed.
Lara: (They’re all about what I expected.)
Lara opens a folder containing 19 folders named after each student in 3-A.
Lara: (Of course, you can learn much about someone through their search history. Ware and Perish are the freaks I expected them to be. Maddox and Weber cover their devious sides well, and Zunino… ugh…)
Lara types away on her computer.
Lara: (Huh? Someone already set up cameras throughout the dorm? I can thank them for their hard work.)
Saige’s phone vibrates.
Saige: (Hm…)
Zaire and Jagger emerge from a warp gate in Nigeria. They find themselves in the center of a destroyed village.
Zaire: Another one?
Jagger: Yes, but this is different.
Skeletons lie against the ground.
Zaire: Nobody buried them…
Jagger: And look at the skulls; they’re crushed.
Zaire: Necks are broken… pelvises destroyed… they were killed by someone…
Jagger: With a lot of rage towards these people.
Zaire: But why?
Jagger: Because this wasn’t an ordinary village. It was the base of operations for one of the most powerful cartels to ever grace Nigeria.
Zaire: Why are we here, Jagger? Cut to the chase.
Jagger: Vanguard said his family was taken from him, so I wanted to find out what or who did it. I did extensive research to find out that Vanguard’s home village was destroyed by a cartel after its Priest went back on a “protection” deal they made.
Zaire: Go on.
Jagger: I started researching organized crime in Nigeria until I discovered this cartel… their reported destruction was not long and not far from Vanguard’s village. I had Signal hack into a surveillance satellite and found something… interesting.
Jagger starts walking through the village, and Zaire follows.
Jagger: Vanguard arrived at this village and murdered every cartel member here. Even their children. He wanted revenge and got it.
They arrive at the debris of a bar. At the center is a wooden cross.
Zaire: Hm?
Jagger: Go inspect it and see if you notice anything… unusual.
Zaire approaches and examines the cross; his eyes widen.
Zaire: Is this?
Jagger: The grave of Ekon Abdullahi… also known as Vanguard.
Zaire: But…
Jagger: Whatever you’re thinking… It's precisely what went through my mind.
Zaire: Shall we?
Jagger: You do the honors.
Zaire kneels down and digs with one hand, eventually pulling out the 0,0 Key.
Zaire: It’s beautiful…
Jagger: I guess he felt reminiscent during his month-long absence and decided to leave it here for safekeeping.
Zaire: We must report this to Master Iota immediately.
Jagger: Of course.
Zaire opens a warp gate.
Zaire: Good work, Jagger.
Jagger: I couldn’t have done it without you, partner.
Zaire smiles.
Zaire: Let’s go.
Zaire enters the warp gate.
Jagger: (One step closer…)
Aaron and Ozzie take shots.
Ozzie: You’re pretty good there, mate. I’m actually starting to feel a little tipsy.
Aaron: Ha! Well, I’m not!
Wes: Guys, this is frightening.
The bartender has six empty bottles of whiskey in front of him.
Bartender: Uh… you’ll have to switch to a different drink.
Ozzie: Pop some vodka, mate; that’ll slow down this race.
Aaron: HELL YEAH!
Wes: SLOW?
Gus is on the ground in immense pain.
Gus: *groans*
Zach: Gus, I told you not to eat that entire stack of ribs.
Eve: Including the bones…
Gus: It was… delicious…
Zach: Eve, mind helping me bring him to Recovery Girl?
Eve: *sighs* Sure, I have a feeling things are about to derail here anyway…
Silver and Saige are playing beer pong; Saige’s pants are off.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Saige: Man, you are a great shot, Silvy!
Silver: Put your clothes back on…
Saige: No way! This is strip beer pong!
Silver: I only agreed to play if it specifically wasn’t that.
Saige: I don’t remember that!
Silver: I don’t believe you.
Hayze: (I’m glad Saige is bothering someone else for once.)
Daisuke sits next to Hayze.
Daisuke: Mind if I sit here?
Hayze: No, what’s up, Daisuke?
Daisuke: You’re the top student at this school, correct?
Hayze: I feel like you already know the answer.
Daisuke: *nasal grunt* Yes, I do.
Hayze: So, what are you after?
Daisuke: Straight to the point, I like it. I was hoping you and I could face off in battle.
Hayze: Well, me too.
Daisuke: I don’t think you understand. I mean, right now.
Hayze: Huh?
Daisuke: I’ve heard you’re the best tactician this country offers. You defeated an invincible man by drowning him, an ingenious move. I’m interested in seeing if you’re capable of outsmarting my quirk. If you can conquer the future itself.
Hayze: That so?
Daisuke: You see, I was on the path to becoming the Top Hero in Japan by next year. It's an enticing prospect for most 20-year-olds, but not for me. I’ve come to America to test my skills against new competition, and you’re at the top of my list.
Hayze’s eyes narrow.
Hayze: So, that’s what this banquet is for. A drunken distraction so you and I could sneak off and battle.
Daisuke: That’s part of it. Everyone’s having a good time, aren’t they? It’s mutually beneficial.
Hayze: I see…
Daisuke: So, how about it?
Hayze stares at Daisuke.
Hayze: No, thanks.
Daisuke: Hm? Why not?
Hayze: Sorry you went through all of this trouble for nothing.
Daisuke: Let me see if I can change your mind.
Daisuke pulls out his checkbook, writes on a check, and hands it to Hayze.
Hayze: Huh?
Daisuke: That’s a blank check. Write any number on it, and I will pay it.
Hayze: You want to buy a fight with me?
Daisuke: Only if you’re willing to accept the payment.
Hayze rips the check in half.
Hayze: If you want to fight me, wait for the Sports Festival or an Exam. That’s when you’ll have a real battle.
Daisuke: You’re saying it wouldn’t be real if we fought now?
Hayze: Why would it be? There are no stakes.
Daisuke and Hayze stare at each other.
Daisuke: Right, well-
Isaiah and Demetri burst through the dorm doors.
Isaiah: Where is that son of a bitch?!
Demetri: I WANT A WORD WITH THAT FUCKER!
Ash: Do you mean Daisuke?
Isaiah: YEAH! HIM- Wait, what the fuck?!
Demetri: Did you guys set up a feast?!
Lilith: No, Daisuke did. He wanted to thank us for-
Isaiah and Demetri: AND YOU DIDN’T INVITE US?!
Alexis: You were busy.
Isaiah and Demetri: Wh- wh- wh-
Daisuke approaches the pair.
Daisuke: Is something wrong, gentlemen?
Isaiah: You could see the future and still fucked us over!
Demetri: Yeah! So we want revenge!
Daisuke: And how will you attempt to get your revenge?
Isaiah: Uh…
Demetri: Well…
Saige: *from afar* BEER PONG DEATHMATCH! WOOOO!
Daisuke: That sounds amusing. What do you two say?
Isaiah and Demetri look at each other.
Demetri: We’re in!
Isaiah: Yeah!
Daisuke: Okay, I’ll wager my spot in the hero course. If I lose, I’ll head back to Japan.
Demetri: Hell yeah!
Isaiah: That sounds good to me!
Daisuke: And what will you wager?
Isaiah: Uh…
Demetri: Well…
Daisuke: Demetri, your room is adjacent to my own, correct?
Demetri: If you’re in Angel’s old room, yeah.
Daisuke: If I win, I get your room, and you must move in with Isaiah.
Isaiah and Demetri: What?! No way!
Alexis: You guys are asking him to leave the school and the country… consider yourselves lucky he’s not asking for the same.
Isaiah and Demetri hesitate.
Isaiah and Demetri: Fine!
Daisuke faces off against Isaiah and Demetri at the beer pong table.
Saige: Alright, I want a clean match of Strip Beer Pong; you know the rules-
Demetri: Wait, “Strip?”
Isaiah: We never agreed to that!
Daisuke: I accept.
Isaiah and Demetri: Huh?
Daisuke: Look at it this way: if you win, you also can humiliate me.
Isaiah: Yeah…
Demetri: But…
Ash, Blair, Alexis, and Lilith are lined up in seats, ready to watch the match.
Alexis: Come on, boys, what are you afraid of being objectified by the audience?
Ash: I couldn’t think of anyone who would do that.
Blair: Yeah, I can’t think of anyone who would spend the last two years trying to see their classmates nude.
Lilith: Me neither.
Isaiah and Demetri gulp.
Isaiah and Demetri: Deal!
Silver and Justus approach Wes, Aaron, and Ozzie.
Wes: What’s going on over there?
Silver: Isaiah and Demetri are about to humiliate themselves.
Justus: What about here?
Aaron and Ozzie have drunk three full bottles of Vodka each. Aaron is woozy.
Ozzie: You’re looking a little wobbly there, mate.
Aaron: I’m no lightweight! *hiccups*
Aaron passes out and smacks against the ground.
Aaron: *snores*
Wes: Jesus, Aaron!
Ozzie: He had a couple too many…
Wes: You drank the same amount as him! How are you not slurring your words, at least!
Ozzie: I was a part of the Animal Rescue Hero Unit back home. I’ve been stung, bit, and injected with plenty of poisons. Doctors say I’ve got a liver of steel.
Wes: So, you were just fucking with him this whole time?
Ozzie: Your friend’s a little too competitive; I thought it would be fun.
Wes: You’re the greatest person I’ve ever met.
Ozzie: Thanks, mate. But we should get him to his room.
Wes: Yeah… I guess.
Ozzie: Wanna draw a penis on his forehead first?
Wes: HELL YEAH!
Wes and Ozzie depart with Aaron.
Justus: I’m glad Ozzie fits in well.
Silver: Yeah… hey, barkeep, I’ll take a glass of whatever you have left.
Bartender: Gin, I think?
Silver: That’s fine. What about you, Justus?
Justus: Sure, I’ll have one too.
The bartender serves Justus and Silver their drinks.
Silver: If almost everyone else is getting wasted, I should, too.
Justus: *nasal grunt* What a great mantra.
Silver: Hey, I’m still getting used to this whole “socializing” thing. This time last year, all I cared about was training and fighting.
Justus: Don’t worry, I’m in the same boat. I’ve only been on it a little longer.
Silver: So, are you and Ash going steady now, or?
Justus: We both like each other, but… we also both know that relationships at our age are fragile. Hell, my father died without ever having a stable one. So I think it’s easier to stay friends with feelings for each other and wait until we’re into our hero careers.
Silver: That’s fair, as long as neither of you finds someone you like better.
Justus: What about you, Silver?
Silver: Hm?
Justus: Out of the girls in our class, which do you favor? Blair and Alexis are taken, so who do you prefer, Lilith, Eve, or Saige.
Silver: I guess by default, Eve. I’m not into the petite type, and Saige annoys the hell out of me.
Justus: That’s-
Saige: Hey, Silvy! We didn’t finish our match!
Silver: I told you I’m not talking to you until you put your pants back on.
Saige: Never!
Silver: *frustrated grunt*
Saige: Okay, fine! Let’s play another game. First to finish a whole bottle of gin! If you win, I'll put my pants back on.
Silver: I’m not wagering anything.
Saige: That’s okay! I’m looking to have fun!
Silver: *sighs* Fine, I guess you can’t talk if you’re chugging alcohol.
Saige: There’s the spirit!
Justus: Have fun, you two. I’m gonna head out.
Hayze is watching Blair from afar.
Fang: You’re keeping a close eye on her.
Hayze: Huh?
Fang: Do you have a crush on that girl?
Hayze: No, she’s uh… My girlfriend.
Fang: Oh, that’s cool. Why are you watching her so closely? If you don’t mind me asking, of course.
Hayze: She’s… an extreme lightweight, and let’s just say she’d do some embarrassing stuff if she drank anything.
Fang: Oh, so you’re protecting her? That’s sweet.
Hayze: Ha, thanks.
Fang: Wh- um… What was your name again?
Hayze is surprised.
Hayze: (Does she not know who I am?) It’s uh… Hayze. Adam Hayze.
Fang: It’s great to meet you, Adam.
Hayze: Uh, just Hayze. I don’t go by Adam anymore.
Fang: Oh, sorry. Can I ask why?
Hayze: Sure… yeah, you can.
Hayze tells Fang his whole backstory.
Fang: Wow… I’m sorry to hear that.
Hayze: Hey, it’s all in the past, and I’m better for it.
Fang: That’s a good attitude to have.
Hayze: Thanks. So… what about you? What’s your story?
Fang: I’m from Hong Kong, so… things are a little different there.
Hayze: Oh… I could only imagine.
Fang: I was born after Hong Kong was returned to China, so I don’t know what life was like beforehand, but even after all these years… There's still tension. Our city spent so many years governed by the United Kingdom. As a result, our economy, administrative systems, and Hero Association differed vastly from China’s. China allowed us to retain our own governance, but… being a hero feels strange. I’m training to become a Chinese Pro Hero, but the rest of the country does not see me as that. It’s… strange, to say the least.
Hayze: Wow… I could only imagine.
Fang: My parents wanted me to come to America to experience what a united country’s hero system looks like. I can already say it seems more… fun.
Alexis, Ash, Blair, and Lilith: Strip, strip, strip!
Isaiah and Demetri are down to their underpants while Daisuke is still wearing his full suit.
Isaiah: This is hopeless…
Demetri: No way! We’re not giving up!
Hayze laughs.
Hayze: It’s not usually this lively.
Fang: Oh, I know. It is a party.
Hayze: Do you have a work-study lined up already, or do you have to find one?
Fang: I will be working with the Number 3 hero, Lust.
Hayze: Oh, that’s awesome! Me too.
Fang: Really! What a coincidence!
Hayze: Ms. Lust is great… just bring an extra pair of underwear.
Fang: Wh- why?
Hayze: Just… trust me.
Alexis, Ash, Blair, and Lilith cheer.
Isaiah: No…
Demetri: How could we lose?!
Daisuke walks to the center of the table and takes Demetri’s ID card.
Daisuke: Pleasure doing business with you.
Demetri: *sighs*
Isaiah: This sucks…
Daisuke: And it’s about to get worse.
The girls have their phones ready.
Alexis: I’ll post it on the student forum!
Lilith: Role reversal is fun!
Isaiah and Demetri: *groan* Karma’s a bitch…
Ash: Don’t talk about Karma like that!
Daisuke: Well, I don’t need to see this.
Daisuke walks away.
Daisuke: Good night, girls.
Daisuke walks past Hayze and Fang and locks eyes with the former.
Hayze: I forgot to mention it earlier, but thanks for saving Kevin’s life.
Daisuke: *nasal grunt* Don’t mention it.
Daisuke walks off as the girls burst out in laughter.
Hayze: (That guy…)
Blair approaches Hayze and Fang, woozy and missing her shirt.
Blair: There’s my Hayzey!
Hayze: Wh- Blair! What happened?!
Alexis: *from afar* Sorry, Hayze, she sipped my Vodka, thinking it was water.
Hayze: THIS WAS FROM A SIP?
Blair: Hayzey, I got you a gift.
Hayze: Huh?
Blair slaps her own butt.
Blair: It’s a pillow! HAHAHAHA!
Hayze: Oh god…
Blair hugs Hayze.
Blair: *hiccups* You want to guess how many vibrators I have?
Hayze: Okay, sorry, Fang, but I’ve gotta get her to bed before she embarrasses herself.
Blair: It’s more the letters in my name.
Hayze: More?!
Fang: Don’t worry, I understand. It was nice meeting you, Hayze.
Hayze: You too.
Blair: Two isn’t more than five!
Hayze: Blair, stop.
Blair: *hiccups* NO!
Hayze and Blair depart upstairs.
Fang: (He seems nice…)
Ozzie and Wes enter the fifth floor.
Wes: So, you’re in Jace’s old place, huh?
Ozzie: I guess so; I hope the bloke didn’t mess it up, right?
Wes: No, as long as you’re not in Demetri or Isaiah’s room, you’re good.
Ozzie: That’s funny, little buddy. It’s great to meet you, mate.
Ozzie offers Wes his hand.
Wes: Wh- are you… treating me with respect?
Ozzie: Yeah, why? Should I not?
Wes immediately shakes Ozzie’s hand.
Wes: NO!
Ozzie laughs and tips his hat to Wes.
Ozzie: Here’s to a great year.
Wes: Yeah, you too.
Ozzie enters his room.
Wes: (At least one of these international students is cool. That’s good because this class was starting to feel a little… smaller.)
Wes’s phone vibrates.
Wes: (Why did the girls send me a photo of cocktail weenies?)
Vince is tinkering away in his workshop.
Vince: (I need to find all of the hardware components for the FABRA system. Otherwise, I won’t be able to install it into my Cybernetic Units.)
The door opens.
Vince: Hm? Who is it?
Jagger enters.
Jagger: Hello, Vince.
Vince: What do you want, Jagger? I’m very busy.
Jagger notices the partially disassembled MKIII on Vince’s desk.
Jagger: I wanted to see if the Saiph Unit would be completed soon.
Vince: It will be once I install FABRAS into it, but don’t ask to be first in line. Khold has called dibs on that spot, and you know how annoying he can be, so don’t-
Jagger: That’s not why I’m here; I need to know something about the Cybernetic Quirks…
Vince: Hm?
Jagger: You’ll install a chip in our brains during the operation, correct?
Vince: Yes, the brain chip allows you to control your cybernetic augmentations using just your thoughts. Without one, you’d just have a bunch of metal attached to your body.
Jagger: I see… but… what’s in those chips?
Vince: Wh- what do you mean?
Jagger’s eyes narrow.
Jagger: There wouldn’t happen to be an… “obedience chip” of some kind, right?
Vince gulps.
Vince: No, there isn’t.
Jagger: Don’t lie to me, Vince.
Vince: I’m not; I-
Jagger slams his fist against Vince’s desk.
Vince: Okay! Fine! There is one!
Jagger: Good, then I’ll need you to remove it from my Unit.
Vince: What?!
Jagger: You heard me.
Vince: I could go to Master Iota right now, and he’ll have you killed!
Jagger: And why would you do that, Vince?
Vince: Huh?
Jagger: Don’t you understand what’s happening here? Remember when we used to be marked? He could stop anyone from betraying him with ease… like he did with Clay and Darian. That’s what he’s trying to recreate. Complete control over all of us.
Vince: “All of us?” Not everyone is going to receive a Cybernetic Quirk.
Jagger: You seriously believe that? What happened to those who didn’t want to be marked?
Vince doesn’t answer.
Jagger: He wants these Cybernetic Quirks installations to seem like our choice, but anyone who refuses will be sent to their deaths because they’re expendable… just like Adonis, Yusuf, and I were.
Vince is silent for a few moments.
Vince: He needs me. I’ll never be expendable.
Jagger: What does he need you for? Creating and installing new Cyber Quirks and repairs. Well, look around, Vince; you’re making yourself expendable.
Vince glances at the cases containing his Cybernetic Quirks and the MKIII.
Vince: Okay… I see your point. But how can you trust that I’ll remove the obedience chip during surgery?
Jagger: You can't do the surgery yourself when it’s time to get yours.
Vince stares at Jagger.
Jagger: You scratch my back.
Vince: And I’ll scratch yours…
Jagger and Vince shake hands.
Vince: We have a deal.
Hayze reaches Blair’s room and tucks her into bed.
Blair: Is this the part where you have your way with me? *hiccups*
Hayze: No, Blair, I would never do that… without your sober permission.
Blair: My daddy is gonna kill you…
Hayze’s eyes widen.
Hayze: Wh- what?
Blair: My daddy said *hiccups* he’d break every bone in the body of the boy who deflowered me. *hiccups*
Hayze is sweating bullets.
Hayze: B- b- b- b- but we haven’t-
Blair: Not in Blaze’s timeline! HAHAHA!
Hayze is pale.
Hayze: I can’t win…
Blair: But you can score!
Hayze: Huh?
Blair handcuffs Hayze’s wrist.
Hayze: Wh- what the hell?!
Blair: Maddox family tradition! NOW COME HERE!
Hayze uses Shadow Sneak to escape the handcuff and appear outside Blair’s room.
Hayze: *under his breath* She’s a monster…
Hayze looks to his side and stares at one of the dorm rooms.
Hayze: (Hm…)
Hayze knocks on the door, and Lara creeps it open slightly.
Lara: What do you want?
Hayze: Are you okay?
Lara: Yes, why do you ask?
Hayze: You didn’t come back to the party.
Lara: I don’t like parties.
Hayze: Well, me neither, but…
Lara: But what?
Hayze: I just want you to know if you need someone to talk to… I’m here. You seem cool, and I’d like for us to be friends.
Lara stares at Hayze.
Hayze: Sorry, if that’s not-
Lara: Thank you for checking on me. I’ll keep that in mind. Good night.
Hayze: Night.
Lara closes the door.
Hayze: (I might as well try to be to her what Saige was to me.)
Lara sits down at her desk and starts typing on her laptop.
Lara: (Mission Report, Day 1: The target definitely has an interest in me.)
Lara removes her colored contacts, revealing her eyes are actually blue.
Lara: (This is far more progress than I expected on my first day here, but our teacher’s impromptu training exercise allowed me to earn his respect and curiosity.)
Lara removes tape wrapped around her chest, allowing her large breasts to breathe.
Lara: (My physical augmentations worked perfectly. He was mesmerized by my appearance at first. I do not know if this means he is intrigued by me romantically, but the physical attraction will cause him to gravitate toward me.)
Lara’s phone starts ringing, and she answers it.
Lara: Sorry, sir. Today was very busy. I’m writing the report now.
Silas: *Phone* Don’t worry, I understand. I just wanted to hear from you personally on your first day. I can’t imagine you got anything good, but how long will it take?
Lara: I’ve discovered someone else in the dorm has set up surveillance cameras. I’ve successfully hacked most of them, but the shower cameras and the ones in his room have a much higher security. However, once I break through those, you’ll have plenty of photographs to blackmail him.
Silas: Perfect, but I still want wiretaps in his room and throughout the dorm. What about your relationship with him? Do you think you can form a friendship quickly?
Lara: Yes, he’s already approached me.
Silas smiles.
Silas: You’re good.
Lara: Thank you, sir. I also believe with enough effort, an avenue could exist for him to cheat on his girlfriend with me. Is that something you’d like me to pursue?
Silas: Yes, of course! I told you, Ms. Glass, I want to destroy Adam Hayze’s reputation. So get ANYTHING you can that will help me do that, understand?
Lara: Of course, sir.
Silas: Alright, good night and good luck.
Lara: Thank you, sir.
Silas hangs up his phone and takes a swig of whiskey. He has a picture of Hayze pinned to a dartboard. He picks up a dart.
Silas: (Sorry, kid, but Silencer is trying to change the world, and we can’t have a goody-two-shoes Colossus wannabe running around.)
Silas throws the dart and hits Hayze’s forehead.
Silas: (So consider yourself collateral damage.)