We have to destroy it.
Vincent didn’t even hear the Pledge. He stared straight ahead, and absently mouthed sounds when the rest of the students started repeating their part. He’d heard no fewer than five groups discussing the pending arrival of the NGG’s domesticated Psychics before the Pledge started, and any hope that it was merely a rumor had faded away.
Vincent was trying to approach the problem from every possible angle, but running into continuous deadends. There wasn’t enough time to teach the other members of his crew how to disguise their thoughts, and if he was being honest, he couldn’t be certain it would work even for himself.
They could try to get off campus, but even if they somehow managed to get all of them on harvester duty–which seemed impossible to do quickly–he had to assume that they’d still be screened by the Psychics before or after. They could hope that the thief was uncovered by the Psychics before anyone on the crew was read, but that was leaving everything to chance, and there was no guarantee they wouldn’t screen everyone regardless. In fact that was almost a certainty.
Completing the entire escape plan before the Psychics arrived was probably not even worth considering. He hadn’t heard when they’d be here, but it had to be soon–losing any amount of Gamma would be an embarrassment for the Dean, and if they lost a significant quantity it could compromise the entire facility. That really left only one option: they had to find the stolen Gamma themselves.
At last the Pledge was over, and Vincent realized that Danny hadn’t been present. He wasn’t surprised that his friend wasn’t in his normal spot beside him, given that he’d just asked for space, but as he watched the students clear out, there was no sign of the taller student at all.
Vincent was surprised, but decided it was a question for another time. He decided to skip lunch to head directly to his next classes: math followed by science. They were some of the only traditional education the students received, even if they were basic level and served a wide age range. Vincent wasn’t going to learn, however, he was going to listen to the next Veridicus broadcast.
He set himself up near the back of the empty classroom, which stood out from the other plain lecture halls by virtue of having even minimal decorations. Letters, math tables, maps, and more covered the walls, and it almost felt like the outside world. Almost.
Vincent quickly identified the stream that Veridicus was using to broadcast his video this week–it kept changing as the Network locked him out, but there were always new accounts, and endless social media channels. The show was about to begin, and Vincent double checked that he was alone before watching.
The video resolved into the familiar desk in front of the graffiti covered backdrop, and only a moment later Veridicus sat down, the red X over his face centered perfectly in the shot. “Greetings, fellow seekers of truth, and deniers of the falsehoods of the hated New Global Government!” he began as always.
“Let us begin with the Pledge of Anarchy!
“Don’t believe their lies!
They’re always watching us!
The NGG is not what they pretend to be!
They deny us true power!
They deny us true freedom!
We will rebel!
We will be balanced!
We will not partake of the forbidden Gamma!
We know they are among us!”
Vincent waited patiently, doubting the man’s methods as always–even if he couldn’t deny the results. Veridicus recapped several points from previous broadcasts, then ranted for a while on the many ways the NGG made day to day life miserable in the outside world.
Vincent had to mute the broadcast when other students began shuffling in, and he angled his device toward a wall so it wouldn’t be seen. He wasn’t as trusting as Emi Sato, and being caught watching pirated broadcasts would draw far too much attention at the worst possible time.
At last Veridicus moved on to new information, and Vincent perked up in his chair. “We have some juicy truths for you today, faithful viewers. More secrets the NGG fascists would rather you never knew!
“First of all, our ongoing storm watch! Radstorms continue to rage across large patches of North America, West Africa, and Europe. East Asia is currently unusually free of storms–given that the Watcher is right overhead–but my contacts report that even the usually quiet NGG are warning citizens to brace for a storm the likes of which have never been seen!”
Vincent considered this. If the man’s reports were accurate, the intensity and frequency of the storms were increasing sharply, which meant the level of Alpha particles in the atmosphere would be increasing as well…right on time.
“But this is nothing compared to the big headline! Today is the day, Truthseekers! As of this very morning, we have confirmed the presence of the Cult of the Mind in Western Europe!” Vincent’s eyes widened in shock. This was a surprise. He’d long hoped that there had been survivors after the Psychic purge, but he didn’t have the means to investigate himself.
“Yes, you heard right! The free Psychics are still out there, working behind the scenes to take down the corrupt NGG. A number of protests against the government–standard these days–received what looked like unexpected support from a group of people proudly displaying the emblem of the Cult of the Mind! Don’t believe me? Watch for yourself!”
The video suddenly shifted to a scene that appeared to take place in Paris. It was a group of protestors with anti-NGG signs, gathered around a stage where a man was speaking in rapid French. Suddenly the camera panned, and the ruins of the Eiffel Tower were visible for a moment as a half dozen people in long coats marched onto the stage.
The camera followed them, and they all lined up before throwing off their coats, revealing a red eye emblazoned on each of their chests. They didn’t say anything, but each raised a hand to their brow, before pointing to the sky. The crowd hushed as they watched, then the camera spun at a new commotion, showing dozens of black-uniformed Elites charging the stage, knocking the crowd back as they did so.
The supposed Psychics didn’t move, allowing themselves to be surrounded. Vincent had doubts. It was an interesting display, but proved little…until he realized the Elites had all stopped moving at the same instant. They each had rifles pointed at the group on stage, but a second later they let them fall to the ground, before they followed suit, collapsing into heaps.
The Cult members then moved off, never having said a word. The video cut out a moment later, and Veridicus was back. “Incredible! A display of Psychic power unseen since the Purge! This feat was duplicated in several other key locations across Europe…but there’s more.”
The theatrical man leaned back, and was silent for a moment. “Truthseekers, you’ll never know the lengths I go to in order to ensure I only speak the sacred truth. This is why I hesitate now–I must caution that this is only a rumor, and unlike the NGG sheep, you must keep a discerning mind!”
Vincent was no longer aware of anything but the tiny broadcast on his KD screen, and he leaned in almost close enough to touch it. “There have been reports…that the Prophet himself appeared at a rally in London. Again, caution my friends! We cannot fall victim to hearsay, but I feel I must report this.”
Impossible, Vincent thought. He hadn’t seen the Prophet killed personally, but he was sure the man was in the New York Compound when it fell. “I have no video to substantiate this claim, but we all know London’s significance as the place where the Great Hero began his liberation of our conquered world.
“Reports claim that the Prophet appeared, dressed in his famous robes, and alone incapacitated nearly fifty NGG soldiers. Is this a falsehood, Truthseekers? As yet, I cannot say. But just like you, I hope it to be true.” He stood, “I’m afraid my time is up; the NGG is always on my trail.
“Farewell, truthseekers, until the truth brings us together once more!” and the broadcast ended. Vincent leaned back in his chair, letting out a long breath. Could it be possible? Maybe that was the wrong question. Was it probable? And he felt the answer was no. Still, Veridicus proved once again to be a source of revelations.
Vincent swapped over to messaging, and quickly wrote out a retraction to Lucia and Danny. They needed to work together. Now.
***
Vincent waited in his dorm a few hours later. Lucia had late classes and Danny hadn’t responded at all. Could he still be angry? But that wouldn’t account for missing the Pledge. He assured himself that his friend would be fine, and turned his mind to something he hadn’t been allowing himself to think about: his new powers.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Throughout the day, he’d felt them there, like a tingling in his chest. He hadn’t noticed any passive effects of his new class yet, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any. Many advanced strength Classes provided considerable physical changes to the body’s structure, for instance, that weren’t considered ‘active’ abilities. You couldn’t lift a car with normal bones, obviously, unless you wanted them crushed into dust.
Vincent absently wondered if ‘Specter’ enjoyed any similar unlisted advantages, but there was nothing immediately apparent. Instead he focused on Phantasm. He imagined that he’d discover a number of interesting uses for the unusual ability over time, but for now he focused merely on controlling it.
Thankfully that part wasn’t normally a challenge in the long term, though it could be frustrating in the few months after Manifestation, given the instability that came along with your body adjusting to its new power. Vincent felt that frustration now, as he lay on his bed, staring at his hand raised toward the ceiling.
The power was right there, but it seemed to quiver and dissipate each time he felt like it was on the cusp of coming through. He spent an hour practicing, then stopped when he heard a soft knock on the door. He quickly crossed the room to open it, and Lucia hurried inside.
“Where’s Danny?” he asked before anything else. Lucia raised an eyebrow, but went to sit down before answering.
“You’d know if you hadn’t frozen us out and disappeared,” she said with obvious disapproval. “Danny got called in for harvest duty. Apparently the storms in New Tecnopolis are worse than we’d heard, and they’re sending more runs than usual. With so much Gamma missing, they’ll likely push even harder.”
Vincent relaxed a little at hearing Danny was okay. The frequent harvest runs would also work in their favor. It was about time something went right without added complications. “So you heard about the Gamma?” Vincent prompted. Lucia was well liked, and wouldn’t have had to rely on overhearing details–even without her powers.
“It’s all anyone seems to be talking about, even after Annissa’s death,” she paused, an angry expression on her face. “Only here could a kid dying–after being used as a punching bag by a super–be old news after twelve hours. Gary and Cole still being in the hospital is barely an afterthought.”
Vincent wasn’t ready to risk the conversation turning toward Gary, so he pressed on. “What have you heard about the Gamma?” he asked, and Lucia glared at him, then sighed.
“Nothing about the actual theft, though they’re not doing anything to keep it hidden. I think they want us scared, and thinking about it loudly. I’m sure you know why,” her voice got quieter. “The Psychics are coming…in two weeks.”
“What?” he said quickly. “I hadn’t heard a timeline…that’s–”
“Soon enough to ruin everything,” she finished. “Some guards were talking and it was overheard; half the campus knew an hour later. I’m not sure…” She turned to him, looking very serious, “If I go to them now and admit I’m Psychic, they’ll understand why I kept it quiet and might not press further. They might not find out about you, Danny, and the escape plan.”
Vincent moved to sit on the bed, leaning back against the wall with exhaustion. “We’d still be relying on an empty hope that we could avoid thinking about it when they screened us about the Gamma,” he said tiredly. Then he pulled out his K-Device and scrolled to the mysterious message outting their plan to escape. “And then there’s this,” he said, holding it out to her.
Lucia’s eyes widened, and she looked to be reading it over and over. “How? And how long?”
“I don’t know how. I got it yesterday before…before I left the dorm.” Lucia swore, then leaned forward and put her head in her hands.
“Do you have any idea how they might know? They sent it to you, so it must have been tied to something you did.” She looked up, “Who scrubbed our KDs? Maybe–”
“No, I’m almost certain it wasn’t my contact. And even if it was, we could ruin him faster than he could us. But…I think you’re right it has something to do with our K-Devices. I hadn’t done anything else suspicious enough to draw that conclusion before I got the text.”
Lucia narrowed her eyes, “Before the text? What have you done since?”
Mist, mist, mist! “I scouted one of the high security buildings last night; I think it has information we need to coordinate our escape. I didn’t break in though, that can wait.”
“Until we solve this other impossible problem?” she asked, and Vincent smirked slightly.
“Well, you were complaining that you didn’t have one. This seems to fit your particular skill set.”
“What?” Lucia said, looking shocked. “If you think I’m somehow going to out-Psychic a bunch of NGG pawns–”
“No, of course not. We can’t let it get that far. The only way we’re surviving this is if the Psychics never arrive. The only way to do that, is to find the Gamma, and the thief, before they do.”
She stared at him, shaking her head slowly, her long, wavy black hair falling in front of her face as she did so. “How exactly do you think I’m going to manage that? Do you think I’m secretly a detective in my off hours?”
Vincent was genuinely surprised by the response. “They’re bringing in Psychics to solve this…how do you think I expect you to do it first?” he asked, and her face paled.
“I…You want me to read people,” she whispered.
“Obviously. I thought you’d been practicing? It’s not just the perfect solution, it’s the only solution,” Vincent responded. Lucia looked ready to object, but the door suddenly opened as Danny quickly let himself in.
He took one look at the two intense Villaris, and let out a long sigh. “Something is worse, isn’t it? Why is something always worse?” His short brown hair was slicked back with sweat, and he looked tired, but he went to his customary spot leaning against the desk without further complaint.
“I’ve been gone since before breakfast, what the hell is going on?” he asked, and Vincent hastily filled him in. Thankfully Danny was already aware of Annissa’s death, but he almost threw up when he heard that the NGG Psychics were on their way.
When Vincent showed him the mysterious message, he groaned out loud. “Worse! Always worse! Why do I even hang out with you two?” he asked, then ran a hand over his face several times.
“Only some of this is our fault,” Vincent replied, then started listing things as helpfully as he could. “Ironfist still would have been a monster, Annissa still would have tried to escape, and the Gamma still would have gone missing.”
“We’re practically innocent,” Lucia added, rolling her eyes for some reason.
“Maybe,” Danny said sarcastically. “But I had to collect Gamma in a hellhole infested with ravenous Beta addicts because of you, and I’m still bitter. You know, since it just happened, and since it will keep happening now, like every other day.”
Vincent perked up, “So you did manage to collect some valuable intel? Excellent work, Danny. How many Beta addicts did you encounter? What was the security like? Any surprises?”
Danny glared for a moment, but did answer. “Okay, we didn’t actually see any Beta addicts, but you could feel them…watching us. I think they’re scared of the guards. I guess that’s the good news–the guards barely looked at us; they spent the whole day on the lookout for addicts trying to steal the Gamma we collected. They didn’t even stop when the students were on a break to eat.”
Vincent nodded, rubbing his chin. “That’s good to know. One more challenge we can knock off the board if the addicts won’t be an issue. Also helpful to know the Guards aren’t focused on the students.”
Danny was shaking his head, “That’s only because they know how insanely terrified we all are. They make a big show of turning on the explosive charges in our harnesses. They beep constantly in our ear, just to keep us terrified. Not to mention there’s twice as many guards as there are students. Definitely not a prayer of sneaking away,” he finished.
“We knew the harnesses were still an issue, but we’ve made good progress overall. We still need the distraction–which I have under control–and to get Lucia on the harvester duty with you. Any insights there?”
Lucia suddenly looked a lot more interested, and Danny bit his lip while he thought. “Maybe? We all had to change into protective gear–like big baggy hazmat suits. I don’t really know why, though, not like the storms can hurt Adepts.”
Vincent considered that; he had theories but no answers. “You put the gear on at the Farm?” Danny nodded.
“Yeah, they took attendance then sent us into change rooms. You see faces through the masks, but I think if we tucked Lucia into the corner of the truck, she should be fine.” Lucia actually looked excited, which was rare even when she wasn’t staring down a life sentence as an NGG Psychic slave.
“Wait,” Vincent asked, “what about the harness explosives? When are they activated?”
“The guards had a device–the same one that blows us up I think. They just tapped it on our backs before we got into the truck, and the beeping started. Then one scary speech about how easy and fun it would be to press the button, and they herded us inside.”
“They’re still a problem then,” Vincent said with disappointment. “I was hoping they’d activate them first, then we’d just need to switch places with three students, and everything would be fine.”
“No such luck,” Danny agreed, shaking his head.
Vincent forced himself to sound confident, “Still, that means we’re down to just harnesses and timing. I should be able to settle the distraction in the next couple of days.”
“Care to tell us how you plan to do that?” Lucia prodded.
“Best that I don’t,” Vincent replied. “Especially now that there might be Psychics coming. You don’t want to have this added to what you might be punished for. Trust me.” Danny just shrugged, but Lucia’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“We have other things to worry about,” Vincent insisted. “Let’s talk about the missing Gamma, and how we can help Lucia figure out who took it, or this whole thing falls apart–” Vincent cut off, wheeling around as the door opened.
Lucia and Danny both jumped up, no one knowing how to react as a girl hurried in, closing the door behind her. When she turned back to them, Vincent couldn’t hide his surprise. It was Emi Sato.
“Well,” she said, looking the group up and down. “I’ll be honest: I’d hoped to mess with you a bit more before we all got into a room together, but I didn’t think you’d be stupid enough to break into the Gamma stores.”
The three exchanged confused glances, “What the hell are you talking about?” Danny asked, sounding genuinely confused either by design or with acting skills Vincent didn’t know he had.
“Save it,” Emi responded, her ponytail whipping back and forth as she shook her head. “Secret time is over now that you’ve brought Psychics down on us. If they find out I’m a tech, I’m dead, and I’m taking you assholes with me.”