Chapter 3: Doc

“Untapped potential. Potential to do great things in life, Jacob.” A man was saying, fiddling with the watch on his wrist. Brown coat and fedora told Jacob all he needed to know- this was his father. But where were they? He looked down but didn’t see any of himself there. His father, who looked much older than he originally thought, popped a thick cigar in his mouth and began puffing spoke out of his mouth.

“Yknow what kid? I’m glad I met your mother. I’m glad I created ya. You can continue my research, find out what truly’s going on in the world.” Smoke emitted from his mouth, as he scratched the lose stubble hanging from his chin. Jacob stood there, confused and uncomfortable. This didn’t feel real. Was it? Was this a dream? Jacob couldn’t remember much of anything at the moment.

“Before I pass.” Said his father, standing up and holding his knee, wincing in pain. “Find me. I got some shit to to tell you.” With a huff, he turned, walking out of the room. Jacob looked around, noting that the two were in some small office, with a couch lying beneath a closed window and a desk right next to him. Neon lights began to coat the room, and just as it blinded him…

Jacob awoke to a faint, cool light filtering through the square window above, the kind of muted gray-blue that hinted at early morning before the city fully stirred. He blinked, disoriented, fragments of his dream still flickering in his mind like static. Neon lights, his father’s weathered face, the acrid scent of cigar smoke—it all clung to him, fading but refusing to fully disappear.

Sitting up, he stretched awkwardly, his body protesting the strange, semi-contorted position he had somehow found comfortable enough to sleep in. A dull ache rolled through his shoulders and back, but he didn’t pay it much mind. His gaze drifted around the room, taking in its sterile yet lived-in appearance. It wasn’t much different from his old apartment—simple furniture, a closet that looked older than it should, and a faint hum of distant machinery.

He shuffled to the bathroom, driven by a pressing biological need. The door slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing a space that straddled the line between familiarity and alien design. Despite the high-tech sheen of the holographic toilet, the layout was surprisingly ordinary. It didn’t scream “cyberpunk megacity,” not like he’d expected. The hologram flickered to life as he approached, and when he finally relieved himself, a nagging thought bubbled up: Where does it even go?

He stared at the toilet for a moment, imagining some poor soul in another district being drenched by the misplaced teleportation of his waste. The mental image made him chuckle under his breath, a small comfort against the lingering weight of his dream.

The shower was refreshingly normal. Hot water poured over him, easing the stiffness in his muscles. The pressure was oddly nostalgic, bringing back memories of his old apartment’s cheap plumbing—comforting in a strange way. He lathered and scrubbed, letting the steam swirl around him. For a moment, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on the now, but his father’s voice kept echoing in his mind. “Untapped potential, Jacob.”

When he finally stepped out, his skin flushed pink from the heat, he opened the closet. Inside, a neatly folded set of clothes awaited him. They were simple—black T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and plain white socks. He dressed quickly, tugging at the cuffs of the sweatpants, which didn’t quite reach his ankles. It wasn’t fashion-forward, but it was functional.

Standing in front of the mirror above the sink, he paused to take himself in. His reflection was slightly warped by the cheap material of the mirror, but he could still make out the details. Brown hair swept over his ears, fluffy in places where it dried unevenly. The back fell to his neck in loose waves. He was taller than the mirror itself, forcing him to stoop slightly as he examined his face.

A shadow of a mustache was creeping in above his lip—he could’ve sworn he’d shaved it off just a few days ago. His skin was pale but not sickly, with tanned arms and chest from years spent under the sun of some forgotten past. His expression was calm but distant, like a man walking through a fog, unsure of the road ahead.

He frowned slightly, turning his head to study himself from another angle. Average. That’s how he looked. That’s what he was. And yet, his father’s words clung to him like smoke. “It’s not about how you look, Jacob. It’s about how you act.”

His stomach twisted at the thought of his father, the dream flashing back in fragmented detail. That office… the neon lights… the cryptic message. He couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just a dream. It was too vivid, too purposeful. And that room—he knew it somehow, like a memory half-forgotten but clawing its way to the surface.

A sudden chill crept up his spine. He pushed the thought away, splashing water on his face to ground himself. The cold shocked him back to the present. Teeth brushed, body refreshed, he braced himself for the day ahead.

When he opened the bathroom door, the sharp pounding on his own door nearly made him jump.

“EVERYONE UP!!” Brodyn’s booming voice thundered through the hallway, followed by a resounding bang on Jacob’s door—right as it swung open.

Jacob blinked in surprise, met by the towering figure of Brodyn. The man’s broad shoulders and commanding presence filled the space like a force of nature. Brodyn paused, his intense stare locking onto Jacob before a grin spread across his face. He turned his head toward Junpei, who stood a few steps behind him.

Dressed impeccably in a sleek suit, Junpei was in the middle of pulling on his signature black gloves, his movements precise and methodical. Without looking up, he nodded approvingly. “Up and early without needing to be yelled at? First one since Carline,” Junpei said in his calm, deliberate tone, finishing with the final tug of his glove.

“I like him already,” Brodyn added with a chuckle before continuing his noisy march down the hallway. His heavy boots thudded against the floor as he pounded on the next door. “WAKE UP! THIRD DAMN TIME!” he bellowed, rattling the doorframe.

From inside, a high-pitched and unmistakably annoyed voice shot back. “I’m not a child! I ain’t comin’!”

“We gotta see the doc—”

The door slammed open mid-sentence, revealing Kaeas. She stood defiantly in the doorway, her pink hair tumbling in wild waves down to her lower back. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement as a sly smile curled on her lips. She wore small shorts that exposed her toned thighs, and her bare feet were planted firmly on the floor.

“Doc?” she interrupted, her voice dripping with eager curiosity. “Count me in—but give me an hour to get ready.”

Brodyn groaned, dragging a hand down his face in exaggerated exasperation. “Do you even know what urgency is?” He jabbed a finger at her, his voice firm but tinged with amusement. “You’ve got ten minutes. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The two of them continued to bicker, their voices fading into the background as Jacob slipped away, heading toward the lounge.

The space looked nearly identical to how it had the night before, yet the early morning light streaming through the open window gave it a fresh and vibrant atmosphere. The sprawling skyline of the district stretched beyond the glass, towering buildings bathed in a golden glow. It was almost peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos of the Jumpers’ morning routine.

In the kitchen, Carline moved with effortless grace, flitting between the cabinets and the stove. Her blue hair shimmered under the sunlight, and the enticing aroma of her cooking filled the room. It smelled rich and hearty—surprisingly homely for a place like this, more like a dish his mom might have made than the sterile, synthetic meals Jacob had expected in a cyberpunk city.

One by one, the other Jumpers filtered into the lounge. Canrad strolled in next, his dark cloak sweeping dramatically behind him and a katana strapped to his back. His spiky black hair was perfectly styled, as if he’d stepped out of an action movie.

The wolf-cut girl followed, wearing a plain black T-shirt and thigh-high socks, exuding a casual but edgy vibe. Then came the robot who had caused yesterday’s bathroom fiasco. Jacob still had no idea what that had been about, but he figured it was better not to ask.

They all dispersed into their routines—Junpei seated himself at the glowing computer in the corner, his fingers flying across the interface. Kaeas claimed a beanbag, now wearing oversized sneakers and somehow sporting tiny action figures embedded in her hair. She lounged with her legs crossed, watching the holographic TV hovering above the couch.

“Diamond messing with the mid-layers again?” she asked, gesturing to the news feed.

Canrad, who had settled on the couch with his arms crossed, nodded grimly. “Yep. Heard they tore down a school to fund President Fuckface’s new amusement park up top. It’s gonkers.”

Kaeas sighed, her attention flicking back to the screen as they continued their grim commentary.

Meanwhile, Jacob lingered awkwardly by the wall until a heavy hand clapped onto his shoulder. Startled, he turned to find Brodyn grinning down at him.

“This here’s Jacob,” Brodyn announced, his booming voice silencing the room. “New member of the Jumpers. As we always do, we treat him with respect and show him the ropes.”

Jacob shifted nervously under their gazes. A few polite waves were exchanged, but most of the group quickly returned to their own tasks, their casual indifference almost reassuring. Brodyn chuckled, giving Jacob’s shoulder a firm pat.

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“They’ll warm up,” he said, his grin unwavering. “This happens every time. Once we complete a mission or start training, you’ll get the hang of it all.”

Jacob nodded mutely, hands slipping into his pockets. He felt like a shadow in the bustling room, acutely aware of how out of place he was. The sleek tech, the confident people, even the food—it all felt a world away from the life he knew.

Junpei’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Jacob.”

Jacob turned to see Junpei gesturing him over. He hesitated, then walked toward the corner, past the hovering TV. Junpei stood by a crystal ball-shaped computer, its web of colorful wires and glowing interfaces radiating complexity.

“Junpei Blue. Nice to meet you,” he said, extending a gloved hand.

Jacob shook it, surprised by how firm yet controlled Junpei’s grip was—a stark contrast to Brodyn’s bone-crushing handshake.

Junpei tilted his head toward the large monitor, its glowing blue screen displaying a detailed 3D model of a tower that exuded a sinister aura. The structure was sleek yet menacing, its angular architecture a stark contrast against the swirling digital sky around it.

“This here’s Diamond Tower,” Junpei announced, his gloved hand gripping the monitor. With a smooth motion, he zoomed in, bringing the intricate exterior of the tower into sharp focus.

Jacob leaned closer, mesmerized by the precision of the model. Every groove and metallic panel seemed alive, so vividly rendered it was hard to believe it wasn’t a live video feed. He could even make out tiny maintenance drones scuttling along the virtual facade.

Junpei smirked and reached into his pocket, producing a small metallic key. It gleamed in the soft glow of the monitor, its surface etched with intricate, unfamiliar patterns.

“And this,” Junpei said, holding the key between two fingers, “is our key to victory.” With another flick of his hand, the monitor zoomed in further to show a large, reinforced door at the tower’s rear.

Jacob furrowed his brow. “I’m assuming that key opens that door?”

“Yep.”

“And... why are you telling me this?” Jacob asked, his tone curious rather than confrontational. He hadn’t shown much interest in anything like this, so it puzzled him why Junpei was giving him the rundown.

“Context, my friend,” Junpei replied, his tone casual but firm. “You’re one of us now. I know you probably feel like a visitor, like you’re out of place—but you’ve gotta know the biz.”

With that, Junpei zoomed out of the model and pocketed the key again. His expression turned more serious as he leaned against the edge of the desk.

“Diamond’s the biggest corporation in the universe. They control everything—except free will. And they’re trying to change that. Their endgame? To seize the power of whatever god might be out there and eliminate free will entirely, starting right here in Mega City.”

Jacob’s face paled as the gravity of the situation sank in. He swallowed hard and looked at Junpei, whose piercing purple eyes seemed to cut straight through him.

“And we’re gonna stop them?” Jacob asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Stop the biggest corporation in the world?”

Junpei nodded, his expression unwavering. “Yep. It’s a long shot, and we’re far from ready. But we all have our reasons for fighting Diamond. You came in at a bad time, to be honest. You’ll get your training, enough doc visits to keep you alive, but we’re storming Diamond Tower sooner rather than later. Now that we have access.”

Jacob nodded slowly, shuffling his feet as unease settled in his chest. This was his life now—this chaotic, impossible fight against a seemingly omnipotent foe. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady himself. “I’ll... I’ll try my best. Uh, thanks, by the way. Doubt anyone else would’ve filled me in.”

Junpei waved a hand dismissively, a small smile tugging at his lips. “No problem. Any other questions, just ask. You know where to find me. I’m kinda hard to miss, what with the whole purple theme and all.”

Jacob chuckled faintly, but just as he opened his mouth to ask something, a cheerful call interrupted him.

“Food’s done!” Carline’s voice rang out as she shuffled into the room, carrying a large pan. She set it down on the table in front of the couch, steam wafting from the dish.

Brodyn followed, grabbing a stack of plates and placing them next to the pan. The aroma hit Jacob immediately—an odd mix of savory and earthy scents.

“Yo, Jacob! You gonna eat this? It’s blazin’!” Kaeas exclaimed, already stuffing something into her mouth with her small hands.

Jacob’s stomach churned as Brodyn shifted, revealing the contents of the pan. A massive, five-legged rat lay roasted in the center, surrounded by a bed of green fungus that looked disturbingly slimy.

“W-what is that?” Jacob stammered, covering his mouth with his hand to keep from gagging.

“Rat and lab-made fungus,” Carline answered casually, scooping a portion onto her plate.

Jacob’s eyes widened as he took a shaky step back. The rat was grotesque, its extra leg splayed awkwardly, while the fungus oozed a strange liquid. If this was what rats looked like in Mega City, he wasn’t sure how long he’d last here.

“That can’t be good for you, right?” he asked weakly, keeping his gaze averted.

“This is prime underbelly food,” Canrad replied, his voice dripping with amusement as he bit into a piece of fungus. Green residue smeared across his lips as he chewed enthusiastically.

“You forget,” Brodyn said with a hearty laugh, “he just woke up. He don’t know shit about Mega City.”

“W-what does waking up have to do with eating dead rats?” Jacob muttered, baffled. “If I stayed up all night, I still wouldn’t touch that.”

Brodyn’s laughter deepened, his shoulders shaking. “Not that kind of waking up. We call people who come to Mega City for the first time ‘waking up.’ You ain’t truly alive until you can think for yourself.”

Junpei chimed in with a nod. “It’s about seeing the world for what it is—no illusions, no lies. Welcome to reality.”

Despite their reassurances, Jacob remained unconvinced. He stole glances at the others, who devoured the meal with unsettling gusto. Minutes later, the pan was empty, save for a few scraps.

Kaeas leaned back, cradling her full stomach with a satisfied sigh. “I’m too full to move,” she mumbled as Canrad helped himself to the last of the fungus.

Brodyn stood abruptly, pointing to the door. “Alright, let’s head out. We’ve wasted enough time.”

Jacob adjusted his shirt and followed the group, sparing one last glance at the empty pan. Kaeas had to be practically dragged out, her protests muffled by her groggy, food-induced stupor.

As the Jumpers left the Wailing Wastes—whatever that place truly was—they strode down the same street Jacob and Kalaf had walked the night before. In the harsh light of day, the street’s grim reality was laid bare. The shadows that cloaked the grime and chaos were gone, revealing cracked pavement, neon graffiti, and an occasional unconscious figure sprawled on the sidewalk. The druggies scattered quickly as the seven walked by, their presence like a moving storm.

Speaking of Kalaf... Jacob frowned. “Where’s Kalaf? Isn’t she one of us?” he asked, stepping up alongside Brodyn.

Brodyn laughed, scratching his beard as if the question amused him. “Nah. She’s a contractor. Pops in, drops people off, and gives us errands. That sort of thing. She’s probably out in some other timeline right now, saving folks from the Time Police.”

“Does everyone she saves join the Jumpers?”

“Only the ones she thinks are worthy,” Brodyn said with a shrug. His expression shifted, curious now. “Speaking of, what did you do? You must’ve done something in your old timeline for her to bring you here.”

Jacob scratched the back of his head, avoiding Brodyn’s gaze. “Nothing much. I was just a teacher.”

Brodyn raised an eyebrow. “Nothing weird happened before the TP nabbed you?”

Jacob shook his head at first, then hesitated. Time had stopped, hadn’t it? Or at least, it felt like it did. He dismissed the memory—it was probably just his mind playing tricks on him. Weird things always seemed to happen before people died, as if the universe was giving them a sign.

“Well, I don’t know then. Ask her when she turns up,” Brodyn said, shrugging again. “Oh, and we’re here.”

They turned into a narrow alley, the kind of space Jacob might’ve avoided in any other circumstance. At the end of the alley loomed a large garage, its metal door fully raised. Inside, the space opened into a haven of futuristic equipment. Weapons of every kind hung on the walls—guns, swords, bats, even bizarre tools that Jacob couldn’t identify. Along the back wall, a series of strange tubes hummed faintly, resembling cryochambers.

In the middle of the garage stood a petite woman with long gray hair streaked with white, her steampunk goggles perched above sharp, bright eyes.

“DOC!” Kaeas bolted toward her, nearly tackling the woman in an enthusiastic hug. They spun together, Kaeas grinning wide. “Told ya I wouldn’t die!”

The doc chuckled, placing a hand over her mouth as she smiled. “Did I ever doubt you, sweetheart? I don’t remember me doubting you.”

Kaeas blushed, twirling a lock of her pink hair as the others stepped into the garage. Jacob lingered at the entrance, taking in the sheer variety of weapons and armor laid out on the countertops. Everything gleamed with care and purpose, and he could tell that each piece was meticulously crafted.

The doc noticed him staring and smirked. “And who’s this?” she asked, her accent thick and lilting—Scottish, Jacob guessed.

Brodyn stepped forward. “This here’s Jacob. Newest member. Jacob, meet the doc. She’s the reason we’re still standing—keeps us stocked with equipment and enhancers.”

Jacob gave a polite bow, unsure why he felt compelled to do so. Something about her presence demanded respect, as if she were the unspoken cornerstone of their group. “Nice to meet you,” he said.

“Pleasure’s mine. So, do you like guns?” she asked abruptly, leaving the question hanging in the air.

Before Jacob could respond, Kaeas chimed in. “Nah, he’s a hammer guy! Or maybe he’s a nerd like Junpei. You a nerd, Jakob?”

“That’s not how you say my name—”

“I prefer geek, Kae,” Junpei said, chuckling from where he leaned against the wall.

The doc raised a hand, silencing the playful banter. “I do see him as a bit of a nerd,” she said, her grin widening.

Jacob sighed, sticking his hands in his pockets as the group erupted in laughter. He turned to the doc, eager to move on. “So, can I just pick any weapon here? For free?”

The doc nodded. “First-time Jumpers get one free pick. After that, you’ll have to pay the pops.”

Jacob wandered toward the weapon racks, his eyes scanning the impressive array. Canrad, the man with spiky black hair, stood beside him, swinging a sword experimentally.

“Yo, Jacob, right?”

“That’s me,” Jacob replied, picking up a small knife. He turned it over in his hands but didn’t like the feel of it and placed it back.

“You look like the kind of guy who’d like swords. Ever used one?”

Jacob shook his head, but Canrad handed him a katana anyway. Jacob took a cautious swing, his eyes widening as the blade cut through the air with unnatural speed. He wasn’t sure if it was the sword’s enhancements or some latent talent, but it felt... right.

Canrad smirked. “Not bad. Could take some practice, though. Swords are tricky to use in Mega City.”

“Thanks,” Jacob said, handing the katana back. He moved on, his gaze falling on something in the corner that made his heart skip.

Two large, silver boxing gloves.

He picked them up and slid them on, throwing a few punches in the air. They fit perfectly, the movements feeling as natural as breathing.

The doc approached, a sly grin on her face. “Like them?”

“Yeah. They fit like a dream—”

Before he could finish, she grabbed one glove and flipped it over, revealing a hidden trigger and button underneath. She pressed the trigger, and a grappling hook shot out, narrowly missing Brodyn’s beard.

“Boxing gloves, sure, but also grappling hooks,” she explained. “Trigger shoots the hook. Button reels you in.”

Jacob grinned, pressing the trigger experimentally. The hook zipped back into place, the mechanism smooth and satisfying. As he went to try the button, Carline hurried over.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” she said, pulling his hand away. “That’ll send you flying if you’re not careful. You need proper training and armor for that.”

“Were you really gonna let him ragdoll out of here?” Carline asked, glaring at the doc.

The doc shrugged. “Everyone has to learn one way or another.”

Jacob laughed, tightening his grip on the gloves. He looked at Carline, then the doc. “Well, speaking of training, I’m ready. The sooner I can use these properly, the better.”

The doc led him to a door at the back of the garage, opening it to reveal a massive training facility. Robots patrolled the area, holograms displayed stats, and targets of various shapes and sizes lined the walls. The space was vast, a stark contrast to the cramped chaos of the city outside.

Brodyn walked in behind him, throwing an arm around Jacob’s shoulder. “This is where the magic happens, kid,” he said, grinning wide.

Jacob couldn’t help but grin back, the weight of the gloves grounding him. “Let’s get to work.”