The truck rumbled through the quiet streets. Not one person in sight. It reminded Craig of a horror movie where cars stood abandoned, and papers drifted on the breeze channelling down the deserted streets.

"Turn at the next right Craig," Simon said from the passenger seat, "we are almost there."

Craig turned, noting the ghostlike feel of the area.

"I wonder if there is anyone for us to extract," Craig said, slowly driving down the road.

"Pull over at the next block," Simon indicated the section of pavement ahead, "that is our cluster area."

Tania and Jonathan jumped soundlessly to the ground, decked out in more ammunition and guns than Rambo ever knew what to do with. Craig and Simon met them at the front of the truck.

"In there," Simon indicated, "we have heat signatures in there, so be careful."

"Pity Jesse isn't here," Tania sighed, "he would be able to locate them much quicker."

"Jesse is being used but not for the extraction," Jonathan said.

Surprised, Craig looked over his shoulder at Jonathan, "How do you know?"

"I talk to the man," Jonathan said, "you know … conversation."

Nodding, Craig stepped out of the truck, looking over Simon's shoulder at the handheld heat sensor. Taking it, he slowly turned in a circle scanning the area.

"We have a cluster of enhanced bodies here," he pointed toward a mix of apartment buildings and houses, "and another set evenly dispersed over there."

Suddenly Craig turned toward the opposite side of the road, "We have company. Jon, you have lead. Extract as quickly as you can."

"What are you going to do?" Jonathan asked, handing out heat sensors.

"Keep our visitors at bay as long as possible," Craig said, nodding toward the approaching fanatics.

"We'll work as quickly as possible," Jonathan turned to his teammates as he nodded at Craig. "Let's get the people into the truck and away from here as quickly as possible," Jonathan said, "Simon, how are we getting them out?"

"Gather groups around each of you," Simon said, "hit the button on the side of the scanners. Birgit and Jasmine will phase in to extract the group. If we have some who cannot or will not phase, they will go by truck. Brigit and Jasmine will bring in drivers when we have them loaded," Simon said, "the innocents will be taken to the safe house. Until they are out of the area, we engage the enemy. That way, we ensure everyone gets out safely."

"If there isn't anyone who engages," Craig said from where he stood, "we move over to the next cluster and assist where needed."

"Then let's move out," Tania nodded, "Jon, you with me? Simon and Frank, you good to work together?"

The pair nodded, heading in the opposite direction. Jonathan and Tania headed toward the apartments in the alleyway.

Simon and Frank followed the heat sensor's direction toward a warped wooden door. Gasping as long-forgotten memories flickered through his mind Simon knocked on the first door.

"Are you okay?" Frank asked, frowning as Simon leaned against the doorframe.

Simon nodded, straightening as the door opened slowly, and a woman and two small children peeked out.

"We are here to extract you," Simon said, "you have different children?"

The woman nodded. Glancing around fearfully, "Yes, but we will be killed. Those violent men told us they would kill us if we left our homes."

"We are here to protect you," Frank said quietly, "please, come with us."

Nodding, the woman went back inside before returning with four bags and began ushering the children out. Slowly they moved down the alley collecting families.

"Bring Jasmine and Birgit in," Frank said, turning to the frightened people, "we have someone who will extract you from here. They are different as well. You have nothing to fear from them."

Jasmine and Birgit appeared, coming toward the group and smiled.

"We're here to get you out," Jasmine said, "everyone, please hold onto each other or us. Parents hold the babies close or carry the younger children. Everyone, take a deep and close your eyes. Do not let go, no matter what. Does everyone understand?"

General nods came as the group followed Jasmine's instructions, clustering close. Birgit counted to three, and everyone disappeared.

"One group down," Frank nodded, "where to next."

"Tania and Jonathan seem to still be busy," Simon nodded toward the end of the alley. Let's go and help."

Following the alley, they found Tania and Jonathan with a group of women and small children heading toward the truck. Simon and Frank fell into position, guarding them as they moved silently toward the back of the vehicle.

"Simon, make an illusion for those who watch," Craig called from his guard post.

Simon nodded, moving to the street side of the truck. Raising a hand, he began waving it in a slow figure eight as Tania, Jonathan and Frank moved the frightened families to the back and began helping them into the truck.

Watching the gathering fanatics, Craig's senses went on high alert. Frowning at the suddenness of what seemed to be a new ability, he spun on his heel to find another group of fanatics dripping in ammunition and weapons heading in their direction.

"Get them on the truck, quickly," Craig bellowed as he moved to intercept them "get them out."

Expanding his mental ability toward the newcomers, he felt them compliant with his instructions to stand down and turn a blind eye to the extraction happening before them. Never before had he held more than ten minds hostage. The enlarged number strained his ability and concentration; finding a space an even distance from each group, he glanced between them. Some fanatics were slipping from his hold. Readying his gun, he waited. Grunting as the grip fell, Craig watched as the confused enemy took in what was happening. The sound of guns cocking drew Craig's attention, and he engaged while keeping the strenuous hold on the others.

Glancing over her shoulder as Craig engaged, Tania scanned the area.

"We need to hurry up," Tania called, pressing the side of the heat sensor, "Craig is going to need help."

Hurriedly she moved a mother and group of small children toward the truck helping the adult first before handing the children up. Suddenly a teenager broke from his family, scooping up one of the children before climbing into the back of the truck.

"Thank you," Tania said but found the youth's suddenly pale stricken face looking past her. Turning to see fanatics coming from the alleyway, Tania raised her weapon, placing herself between the frightened families and opposition and fired.

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The sound of weapons fire behind him coincided with his senses heightening, and he sensed more fanatics entering the area. Craig could feel their minds, but they were too far from him to hold. Glancing over his shoulder, Craig found Tania engaging with an incoming group. He groaned as the last of the minds slipped from his hold. Turning, he continued firing into the oncoming groups. He had to protect the innocent and his team at all costs.

Bodies dropped where they stood, blossoming red marks in the centre of their foreheads. A sense of their target pushed him to fire quicker, desperate to stop them before they achieved their goal. Glancing between the two groups, Craig realised he wouldn't be able to protect the innocents being evacuated or his team. Desperation pushed him to his feet. Spreading his arms as all weapons turned toward the truck, his need to shield everyone ran over his nerves as something deep inside broke open. Heat ran through his body, quickly igniting his stretched arms and braced legs.

"NO ..." he bellowed as his furious gaze moved to scan the line of fanatics who glanced at each other before opening fire.

Craig felt a sudden explosion of angry, hot energy from every pore in his body rippled out toward the approaching bullets.

Simon turned as Craig's desperation rang out on the single word and witnessed the explosion of heat against the hail of bullets moving toward them.

"Oh dear heaven," he whispered, realising the intent to harm the families had triggered an unknown ability in Craig. Watching the heat rippling in the air, Simon's heart hammered in his chest. Deeply buried memories of another life-changing fire exploded through his mind, reminding him of the devastation and loss. Panting, Simon blinked quickly, bringing himself back to the present. Turning to the truck, he watched as Tania hurried the families climbing into the back. Jonathan was all but tossing children to parents those already aboard.

The sudden appearance of Birgit and Jasmine with Tina seemed to push Craig over the edge; his anguished cry as the heat expanded held Tina fixed in position, staring at Craig. Birgit reached out a hand toward the energy Craig was letting off, pulling as much as she could to recharge Jasmine. Protecting those around her and preparing to phase again if necessary.

Frank stared at Tina before engaging newly arriving fanatics.

Simon shuddered, turning to see Craig's untethered, building energy filling the space between them and soon it would obliterate everyone. Gasping, he closed his eyes and shook his head. Not again. He would not lose another family. White, hot anger exploded through Simon, igniting his hands as he extended from his palms outward. He watched as the heat warped the air, running up his arms and over his back. Incasing his torso in a sudden heat wave.

"What the ..." Frank staggered away from Simon as the heat moved toward him. Gaining his footing, he glanced at Simon's concerned expression before engaging with the approaching fanatics, "use it."

Simon nodded and slowly began raising both hands, following his instinct to hold back the energy force. Closing his eyes, he brought to mind the thing he wished had stopped the first fire in his life … a wall ... a high stone wall. Opening his eyes, he marvelled at the wavering, floating heat in the area between Craig and the truck. It barely kept the energy field from reaching the frightened families, but for now, it would do.

Tina stood next to the back of the truck staring, tears running down her cheeks as she watched Craig's straining form. She could sense his desperation to protect the families evacuating and his teammates. Her arrival had added to the despair of possible loss.

An unfamiliar sensation ran over her arms, dropping to her hands. Glancing down, she stared, bewildered, as a small ball of fire formed.

"I don't understand," she whispered, knowing this came from one of her offspring, "what can I do with that?"

A strained whisper floated through her mind, "Throw it."

Shaking her head, Tina looked around. A noise behind her had her spinning, her hand coming up as a fanatic attempted to grab her, and the ball of fire flew through the air, engulfing him. Screams of agony drew the attention of the others and gave a feeling that she was being watched. Looking up, she met the startled, watching gaze of her brother. Suddenly Jasmine was at her side, tugging at her arm.

"Thanks for the assist, baby warrior," she said, pulling Tina toward the front of the truck, "you need to drive. Get these people out of here."

Glancing at Craig, Tina hesitated, but Jasmine refused to let her stop walking.

"Tina," Jasmine hissed, "we'll get him home. Now, get in the truck before we're all dead, and this was a huge waste of time."

Taking one final look at Craig, she climbed into the truck, turned the key, pumped the accelerator and waited for the engine to engage.

Simon glanced around, seeing no other refugees requiring evacuation. Meeting Birgit's gaze as she continued to draw energy from Craig, he nodded.

"Get out of here," Simon yelled, "I got this. Go."

"You're going to take more strain if I stop," she yelled.

"I'm ready," he panted, "now go."

Bracing himself, he waited as she disengaged and ran toward the front of the truck as it slowly moved forward. Simon heard the door close as they moved away from Craig's energy and the firing fanatics. The fine hairs on his arms rose, alerting him to the danger approaching.

"Contact behind," he called to Tania and Jonathan as they spun to protect him; Jonathan frowned in Craig's direction.

"You need to shut him down," Jonathan yelled over the gunfire and sound of the clashing abilities, "you need to do it quickly before he fries us all."

"I'll try," Simon grunted, straining in the absence of Birgit's draining ability.

The sounds of popping light bulbs overhead drew Simon's attention to a new danger caused by Craig's ability.

"Watch my back," Simon called, moving to stand directly behind Craig while keeping the barrier in place, "this is going to be epic and destructive all in one sitting."

Simon exhaled, falling to one knee and extended his arms, pushing against Craig's expanding energy field. Simon watched as Craig's energy pushed up against his barrier, oozing over the top and hitting the lights above them. Extending his protective wall, Simon felt the energy field bounce against his ability before moving back toward the fanatics still firing. He heard the chatter between Tania, Jonathan and Frank as they cleared the area. Simon gasped as he watched the energy burst hitting weapons and fanatics before heading back in their direction.

"Simon," Jonathan called, "run."

Simon staggered to his feet, trying to move but unable to protect the team and save himself. He could feel the heat coming toward him as it pushed against his defensive wall. Closing his eyes, Simon waited for everything to end. The force of Jonathan taking him to the ground vibrated through him as the tar grated across his skin, and the heat rushed over them both. Lying there panting, he could not comprehend the extent of any injuries. Opening his eyes, Simon looked up at the shimmer of a dome surrounding Jonathan and himself. Not far from them, Tania and Frank stood covered with protective domes.

"Get off me, Jon," Simon grunted, "you're heavier than a wet dog."

Chuckling, Jonathan rolled to his knees, looking toward Craig, breathing out and dropping his head to his chest.

"Is he okay?" Simon croaked, rolling from his back to his side, propping himself on his elbow.

"Ah ... I guess yes," Jonathan nodded, looking down at his friend, "looks like he is unconscious, but he is covered with a dome as well."

"Where is David?" Simon muttered.

Jonathan looked around before scanning the nearby rooftops, spotting David at the top of one a block from them.

"He's up there," Jonathan indicated with his head, "you okay?"

"Been better," Simon coughed, rolling to his knees, "that was a new one for me."

"What happened to Craig?" Jonathan asked, "I've never seen that ability before ... not from him."

"Remember Tania talking about the emotional breakdown?" Simon pushed gingerly to his feet, groaning.

"Sure," Jonathan said, "you think those families being fired at and threatened was Craig's breaking point?"

Simon nodded, "That level in a new ability has to mean it was there all along. He has control over it because of the strict emotional control he has always had. Until today."

"Let's get Craig, then head back to base," Tania said, stopping next to the pair and giving David the signal that everyone was alive. The protective domes lifted. The four moved to Craig's side. Tania crouched, carefully touching the side of his neck but flinched before shaking her hand.

"He needs the infirmary," Tania sighed, "I know he was trying to protect everyone, but if not for you, Simon ... even Tina would've died."

They turned as David ran from the alley, his mobile phone to his ear, barking instructions and requirements.

"Birgit and Jasmine will be here in a few to phase everyone out," David said, glancing at each of them. "Everyone okay? What happened? How did Craig get this way?"

"The fanatics started shooting at the evacuating families," Simon sighed. "I'm guessing he tried to protect them with his ability to command minds and actions before opening fire. When more fanatics arrived and fired at the truck, he exploded into what you saw."

David nodded, "We'll have Rose and Hana look at him."

Birgit and Jasmine appeared, looking around quickly, taking in the carnage.

"Did Craig do this?" Birgit asked, wonder dripping from her words.

"Wow!" Jasmine whispered, "I didn't know he had it in him. This is a total loss of control."

"We need to get him back to the infirmary," David said, "can you carry all of us, Jasmine?"

Jasmine nodded, "I'll hold onto Craig. I can sense the level of energy still in him. Birgit, let everyone else hold onto you."

David indicated for his team to join them.

"Can we not get Craig on his feet," Tania said, moving toward the unconscious of their team leader.

"Don't touch him," Valencia said quickly, "he still holds a charge."

"What level do you detect?" David asked.

"Earlier, he was at least a fifteen," Valencia said, "now he is at a sedate five."

"Maybe we can wrap something around his arm, Tania. That way, Birgit and Jasmine won't be overcharged as neither will we," David said, "let's get everyone home."