They’re waiting.
Vincent was on his way back to the dorm, trying to align in his mind everything that would need to go right for the most fundamental elements of his plan to work. He’d already sent messages to Danny and Lucia to meet him there before the evening meal–the KDs could send messages inside the compound, but access to the outside world was restricted.
He thought he knew how Emi had managed to have her device altered, but he had never approached her about it. The unspoken arrangement they seemed to have was too beneficial to risk at this point. Regardless, he had someone else to ask that was relatively reliable, if expensive.
As he approached the dorm, something struck him that his mind had been too busy to consider earlier. Lucia was a Psychic: her powers would be stabilizing and unreliable for a few months, but she could hear thoughts.
He trusted his sister a great deal, but there were certain things they disagreed on, and others that it simply wasn’t safe for her to know. After all, if something went wrong and they didn’t escape, her mind would be an open book when she was taken for processing.
However much they may disparage Psychics publicly, the government still understood that they were highly useful, and could only be trained by other Psychics. If Lucia ever ended up in an NGG facility, she would be surrounded by mind-readers every day for years, and tearing her psyche apart would be standard practice–all her secrets would be laid bare.
Vincent had prepared for this eventuality, but primarily for fear of the occasional visits from the NGG mind readers. However, he needed to accept that it was time to enact Operation Mist. The concept was simple enough, though he’d needed to practice the required mental control on and off for several years to keep himself from slipping.
It was about compartmentalizing a collection of dangerous thoughts under an innocuous umbrella. That way instead of walking around thinking loudly of their escape plan, he’d be thinking of…Operation Daylight. It helped if the name was tangentially associated with the nature of the information he was hiding. When digging an escape tunnel, one was digging until they reached daylight.
Satisfied, Vincent continued his way to the dorm, considering that his multiple ongoing ‘operations’ would have to be reconsidered given what they were attempting. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind as he entered the dorm, knowing that what they were about to discuss would require his full concentration.
Opening the door to his small room, he saw that Danny and Lucia had already arrived, and they stopped talking when he entered. Vincent looked at them curiously as he shut the door behind him, and Danny just threw his hands up in frustration, then gestured to Lucia. She glared at him, then spoke up.
“I was just telling Danny that I’ve had time to think about this,” she paused, appearing to collect herself. “I appreciate what you’re both willing to do, but I can’t let you risk your lives for me,” Danny looked like he’d had this conversation already, and with little success.
“Lucia,” Vincent said, trying to find the words, “you need help.” His sister immediately shared a look with Danny that Vincent didn’t understand. “What?”
“Whenever you say that, man, things get…intense?” Danny explained, and Lucia nodded vigorously. Vincent just shrugged: they were wasting time.
“This situation is already intense. Lucia, there’s simply no version of this where I don’t help you. The only question is whether you’ll let me, or make it harder on all of us. Danny’s going to help too,” Vincent said with absolute confidence, and his friend nodded after a moment.
“Look, every day counts. I have the outline of what we need to do, but I also know the plan will be stronger if both of you work on it with me. Lucia, you understand people in a way I never will. Danny, you look at situations in a way I never can. So should we waste more time talking about danger when we all know that safety doesn’t exist for any Adept?” They both seemed to consider those challenging words, and at last Lucia spoke.
“Okay, I suppose I knew there was no convincing you, but you both deserved an out. I’ll agree that every version of our future is dangerous, but that’s not the same as tempting fate the way we’re planning to.” Danny nodded but seemed impatient.
“Vincent’s right–about most things, because he’s an insufferable know-it-all, but he’s particularly right about this. We’re going to help you, and we’re going to hear his wild plan before dinner.” Lucia raised an eyebrow at that, and Danny smiled. “I’m willing to bet that part of it involves us not drawing attention to ourselves by skipping mandatory activities,” he finished while giving Vincent a let’s get this moving gesture.
When Lucia put up her hands in acceptance, Vincent smiled. “Excellent, then let’s get to work,” he moved to his wall, which was covered in a surface that could be drawn on and erased easily. Students were encouraged to personalize their rooms with their own art, as keepsakes from their old lives weren’t allowed. Of course, Vincent mainly used it for notes.
“First of all, you were both right when you called out that escaping the Farm is a lost cause. Maybe with endless time and the right resources, but certainly not under our current circumstances,” he grabbed a marker and rapidly summarized the challenges of breaking out of the farm on the wall.
He turned and saw the other two looking at him with irritation and confusion, “So…you have more than this, right Vince?” Danny asked, prompting a sigh from Vincent.
“I’m trying to show the whole thought process so you can be involved, but fine, let’s speed up,” he turned back to the wall as he spoke. “Obviously, because we can’t escape from here, we need to escape from somewhere else,” he wrote ‘Harvester Team’ on the wall, then began crossing out the challenges that would remove.
“No more walls, no more snipers, cameras, wilderness, or impenetrable gate,” he turned back, ready to continue but saw that his audience was even less receptive than before. “What now?” It was Danny who answered with characteristic energy.
“Are you serious? You think trying to escape from harvester duty is easier than the Farm? It just means trading a dozen ways of getting caught for a guaranteed death sentence!” Lucia was nodding, and even Vincent could tell that she was losing hope.
“You’re not the first person to think about using harvesting as a way to escape, Vince. They give the guards shoot to kill orders, on top of a button to ignite the charges in our harnesses. And not the nice ones, like if we somehow get out of the Farm. These are the exploding ones, man! There’s more than one reason I never take that duty.”
“Correct,” Vincent said, turning and adding the new challenges that Danny had provided. “We’ll also need to ensure we’re all on the same detail, that it takes place at the right time, and that we have a safe place to go once we’re away from the guards. Did I miss anything?” he asked, and after a pause, Lucia chimed in.
“If we’re even considering this route, we need to be prepared for Beta addicts as well. I don’t know if they’re half as bad as the NGG broadcasts want us to believe, but they’re still Adepts that will want what we have. Plus, even the ones without powers will likely have super-human strength.” Vincent nodded, and added ‘Beta addicts’ to the list of challenges, then stepped back, examining the updated list.
Harvest Duty Escape:
1. Harvest Team: leave together, and at the right time.
2. Armed guards: shoot to kill, expect trouble.
3. Harnesses: explode and track locations.
4. Getaway plan: escape, hide, and survive long term.
5. Unknowns: Beta addicts
“There,” Vincent said with satisfaction. “When you see it all written down it looks–”
“Worse. So much worse,” Danny said while running a hand over his face.
“Don’t forget we have months to get this right, and Veridicus made a broadcast today that I believe will present a perfect opportunity,” the other two groaned in near perfect synchronization at the mention of the so-called conspiracy theorist.
“What did that clown say that could possibly help us?” Lucia asked with obvious reluctance.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“New Technopolis,” Vincent replied at once, wanting to move past the information’s origin as quickly as possible. “K-Tech’s Gamma plant is active now. I don’t have many details, but it’s confirmed that there’s more Rad Storms there than ever before.” They both appeared to be lost in thought at that. The city once called New York had a difficult history, and a worse reputation. For Lucia and Vincent that was especially true.
Danny spoke up after a moment, “I guess in Vermont, we are the closest Power Farm. If you’re right about the storms there’ll be tons of harvester teams.”
“And Lucia and I know a place there we can stay,” Vincent said with confidence, but his eyes were on his sister, wondering if she’d object. She didn’t have a chance before Danny spoke again.
“Great, that kind of solves one problem, only fifty to go.”
“I don’t think it’s as bad you’re imagining,” Vincent replied, pointing at the wall. “The harnesses are a genuine concern. It’s too dangerous to risk waiting for the day; we’ll need to be sure the explosives and trackers are taken care of ahead of time. I have some ideas, but honestly this one requires more investigation.”
He pointed at the line that read ‘guards’, “The only other quantifiable threat is the guards themselves, and I already have two solutions in mind. Let me look into them before you convince yourselves this isn’t possible.” He turned back to the other two, still trying his best to project the confidence of a leader.
“That still leaves the Beta addicts, and getting us on the harvester team. Can the two of you look into those challenges over the next few days?” Lucia and Danny shared a look.
“You’re being remarkably dismissive of some enormous problems,” Lucia said dryly.
“Yeah, you really think Lucia and I are just gonna bumble into a solution for a bunch of ravenous, super-powered, rabid drug addicts?” Danny added.
“Plus you literally mixed it in with a scheduling issue…” Lucia said while rolling her eyes.
“Right! That’s like asking if we could figure out how to solve world hunger, and do the laundry in the same sentence.” Danny was the bane of efficient meetings, Vincent thought, but he considered their words.
“I don’t think that’s entirely accurate,” he replied after some thought.
“I was exaggerating for effect, you robot!” Danny said, looking to Lucia for sympathy.
“No, I understand. You do that…a lot. I meant you’re underestimating the difficulty of getting us all on the harvester team.” Vincent gestured at Lucia, “She’s a registered Super now, do you really think they’re going to let her onto the only work detail that leaves the compound? A detail she’s never shown interest in until the moment her powers Manifest?”
Danny’s mouth fell open in realization. “Well shit,” he said at last. Lucia just looked crestfallen. She wasn’t usually this quiet, Vincent considered. She liked questions–she liked knowing things. He grew slightly uncomfortable. Was she reading them right now?
Vincent’s eyes widened slightly when Lucia glanced in his direction at that exact moment. Coincidence? He realized in that moment he would never know for sure, and all at once he understood how the nature of their relationship had changed. This is how it would always be…this was how it was with all Psychics. You just never knew. Vincent needed to control his errant thoughts.
Operation Mist, Operation Mist, Operation Mist, he repeated the mantra internally, trying to master himself.
Danny filled the awkward silence, still lost down the rabbit hole of his own anxiety. “So really, it’s like you asked us to solve world hunger, and world peace?”
“The NGG already solved world peace,” Lucia said with a smirk.
“Pacification through tyranny isn’t peace,” Vincent said, some anger spilling into his words. Lucia gave him that pitying look she reserved for these moments. She knew where his feelings came from and never hid her disapproval; she didn’t care for the NGG either, but their reasons were not the same.
“Enough of this, we’re going to be late for evening meal,” he pointed back to the list. “Beta addicts might be a problem. Getting on the work detail is definitely a problem, and we have numerous other questions we can’t answer. Unless…”
Vincent looked at Danny. Pointedly. And for longer than he should have needed to. Finally his friend caught on. “What!? No! You know how much I hate harvest duty!”
“It makes sense, Danny,” Lucia said. “I can’t join the harvester team, and Vincent has already volunteered for two impossible problems. You can do this. We need you.” Vincent looked at the other two members of his ‘crew’, doubting. Lucia barely bothered with a logical argument, and Danny was wavering even though there wasn’t really another option.
“You’re doing it, Danny. Sign up tomorrow, get them used to seeing you, and watch everything. We need to know all there is to know about their routes, their security, and whether Beta addicts are really something we need to worry about.” Danny still hesitated, but after looking back and forth between the two Villaris, one sympathetic, one not, he finally agreed.
“Excellent, thank you,” Vincent said, turning back to the list. “So, Danny will take care of the harvester team, and I’ll look after the guards and the harnesses.” he crossed out each one as he spoke. “We still need more information to formulate the specifics of our escape on the day, but this is good progress.”
Finally he turned to Lucia. “Will you be able to handle your part?” She looked confused, and glanced up at the board.
“You didn’t give me anything to do,” she said with irritation. “Did you stop trusting me already?” Vincent’s mind went wild at that question. Mist, mist, mist.
“I thought your part was obvious. You need to conceal your real class, not raise suspicion, and figure out your abilities. Isn’t that enough?” Lucia looked at him with undisguised shock.
“You can’t be serious,” she said, her own anger rising. Not trusting me would be better. Not only are all powers unstable after Manifesting, but I don’t want to be a Psychic! You know that!” Vincent waited patiently, expecting the outburst.
“You are a Psychic. We’re past wants here: this is life or death. You know better than most what Psychics are capable of. Do you really think we can afford to ignore that advantage given what we’re attempting here? Are you comfortable with Danny dying because you refused to use your abilities?”
“Hey, why would it be me dying?” Danny asked, but the brother and sister ignored him, staring at one another for a long moment. Lucia looked away first.
“It probably doesn’t even matter,” she said dejectedly. “There’s a reason that Psychics need to be taught…” She looked back and saw that Vincent hadn’t stopped staring. “Fine! Yes, I’ll…I’ll try, okay?” Vincent kept staring, and she let out a long sigh. “I’ll try. I promise,” Vincent nodded at last, then turned and erased the board.
“Okay, this is a good start. Let’s make sure to meet regularly. Don’t talk about this anywhere someone might overhear. And give me your K-devices, I think I know how to get them scrubbed, and we should do that as quickly as possible.” They both reluctantly handed over their KDs, understanding the complex devices were a security risk.
“Can we get to dinner now?” Danny asked. “If I’m going to be terrified, then I’d like to be terrified and filled with mac and cheese,” He was already moving toward the door, and the others followed him.
***
They ate in awkward silence, hundreds of loud students around the cafeteria only making their quiet table seem all the stranger. Of course, they’d agreed not to talk about Operation Daylight in the open, and any other topic seemed impossibly bland by comparison.
Vincent looked around the large room, thick concrete walls like every other part of the compound, patriotic decor still the only color other than the food. Frankly the food was practically monochrome as well, but he’d long since gotten used to it. As he ate, his eyes landed on a few familiar faces.
Eric was at a nearby table, occasionally sending a glare in their direction, but Vincent’s gaze didn’t linger on him. He saw Elena Carlson, a friend of Lucia’s who often ate with them, but who’d taken one look at their dour faces and moved on. She was sitting with Kristy Woods now, the girl that Lucia had been sparring with when she Manifest.
Vincent didn’t know Kristy well, but he spent a moment considering her, wondering if she might make life harder for his sister. He was just starting to examine the other students, looking for potential assets and hindrances, when a disturbance drew his attention. The Dean was entering, which was very unusual, and quiet was settling over the cafeteria in response.
Dean Allister, flanked by two guards, moved to the opposite side of the room, where he was clearly visible from every table in front of one of the few large windows. He didn’t ask for attention, merely commanded it with his austere presence. It was only a moment before it was clear that every eye in the room was on him.
“Greetings, students. I’ve joined you this evening because I have a special announcement.” Vincent could almost feel the students leaning in–very little happened on the Power Farm that could be considered special which didn’t end in tragedy.
“As you know, we’re occasionally granted the honor of hosting guests. Sometimes this is for lectures, other times it’s for security reasons, however…” he paused for effect, seemingly enjoying the suspense. “...this time, we’ll be granted an exceptionally rare power demonstration.”
The cafeteria erupted at this, and the Dean allowed it, even letting one corner of his lips turn up in what was almost a smile. Power demonstrations always excited the students, as many still believed they were a chance to meet real heroes, and the displays themselves were certainly entertaining. Vincent waited patiently, however, curious as to what made this particular event ‘rare’.
The Dean raised a single hand after less than a minute, and silence returned almost instantly. “I will be expecting your best behavior. You must represent our institution with grace and pride, for tomorrow, we host Legacy himself.”
The roar of the students was deafening, and Danny may have been the loudest of them all. Legacy, the most beloved, active Super in the world, heir to the Great Hero himself, and unquestionably one of the most powerful beings on the planet, was coming here.