The city’s A.I. asked me in an officious tone, “Permission to leave the hangar and proceed to assigned job ….”

The voice read out the code for the job number at the top of my list. I checked with the list that lit up on the back of my hand and then spoke, “Permission granted.”

I sometimes wondered why the A.I. was so formal with me sometimes. This was especially true when it came to working. While at other times, it would be more chatty, like a friendly servant. However, the close-to-all-powerful A.I. that controlled the city was never a bosom pal, even though it had been with me all my life.

Again the voice sounded in the cockpit, “Two minutes to the Superhero Academy.”

All I said in response was, “Oh, it’s the … Academy … why today of all days.”

Then as the craft lifted off into the air and hovered for a second, I asked, “Could you display the job details on the screen, please?”

At the same time, the craft moved through the blue shield as the shield flickered with a hole opening for the vehicle. Then the curved front glass flickered as a rectangular section displayed the job details.

I started to read the job specification as the craft moved with great speed in the void of the city as it swerved around different complexes hanging in the air. Below me, I could see the tops of many floating islands like hornet's nests with dots buzzing all around them. The craft lifted upward as it flew toward the top of the city, where the Superhero Academy was located at the center.

I groaned when I read the job that I was heading toward. Then said, “Why would that relay have to fail now when it's one of the initiation ceremonies?”

The voice of the A.I. interrupted as it answered my question, “It is part of the typical bathtub curve of failures for equipment. I’ve done some investigation already into what happened. The root cause is the procurement process of the new relay. The academy suppliers seem to have a problem with one of the manufacturers not doing the specified run-in tests of all items.”

“Dam, another supplier trying to shortchange the people in the city again.”

“That would seem to be the case, Jane. Once I have confirmed all my initial suppositions of my investigation, I want to act in accordance with the contract.”

“Do we have other manufacturers lined up already?”

“Yes, Jane, we do.”

I nodded my head as the A.I. competence in running the city was legendary in the systems around the federation. The A.I. would have backup plans beyond backup plans. Even with this, sometimes things went wrong. I had seen that people always wanted more whenever significant amounts of money were on the line. Substandard products were always a problem as manufacturers tried to cut corners. Most of the problems were eliminated by strict quality control. However, this piece of equipment must have gotten through. The amount of money involved due to penalties and fixing the problem would be astronomical.

After some consideration, I said, “Make sure that the Superhero Academy gets all the investigation details when it is complete.”

“Of course, I will do that, Jane. I will keep you abreast of the conclusions of the investigation.”

The voice paused for a second as if touching a sensitive topic. Then said, “With Jack gone, we’re going to be short-handed.”

“Tell me something that I don’t know.”

The annoyance in my voice seemed to alter the response the A.I. gave me. In a lower tone of voice, it said, “I may have to start applying more stringent penalties to any perpetrators that require your time to fix the end problem.”

I pursed my lip for a second and then looked up as I replied, “That would seem to be a bit harsh.”

“I’ve run multiple reality-level simulations ….”

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Intupteding the A.I., I said, “Have they given you optimal time management versus … well, I guess increasing the quality control of critical parts.”

“In essence, you are correct.”

“How about if I work more ….”

The A.I. voice interrupted me as it declared, “We have discussed this many times, and overworking you is not the solution. I would even suggest that you cut down the hours as you have other more important matters you need to attend to ….”

“Anyway, back to the job at hand,” I said to deflect the discussion about my work hours and other demands from the pesky A.I.

By now, the shuttle was in its final approach to the vast complex that was the Superhero Academy. The top of the vast web of structures in the void of the city was close to touching the dome shield protecting the city. Around the equator of the complex were hundreds of levels densely packed with accommodation blocks and utility hangers. Surrounding them were the many vertical gardens beautifying the floating island's sides. The buildings stuck out into the air from the bottom of the complex, many with graceful walkways connecting the large reverse spires.

The craft I was in pulled up to fly to the academy's top. I looked at the splendid architecture covering the floating island's top surface. This was where they had gone all out on producing an incredible sight. A wall of buildings surrounded a sizeable well-manicured garden in the center of the island's top surface. In the center was the tallest spire on the vast island that must have been home to tens of thousands of people. The building was like a jagged cliff face on all sides, with the very top of the spire open to the winds of the city void.

On the top of the spire was an amphitheater with a stage in the center with arches like a dome forming a half covering.

I gaped as the craft slowed down and approached the spire's top. Then said out loud, “This is great. I have to go straight into the dragon's den.”

Then I addressed the A.I. “Why couldn’t the relay on some out-of-the-way station fail rather than one right in one of the most public areas.”

The only reply was the advice, “You should get ready.”

With that comment, I realized that I was still holding the uniform rather than wearing it. I unfolded the dark blue cloth and then simply placed the fabric around my shoulders. It was only a moment as the craft descended that I felt the creeping sensation all across my body. The dark, tough blue fabric flowed as it fitted my slender frame. As the craft touched down close to the center of the arena, I saw that I was in a snug-fitting overall rather than the standard jacket.

The A.I. explained, “You're going to need to get into some tight spaces this time.”

I just nodded, as tight spaces wouldn’t be a problem for me. While the massive crowd that was in the vast auditorium was very intimidating and would be a problem as I would have to walk in front of them.

I looked through the transparent front end of the craft and got a good look at all the thousands of people dressed as superheroes of all types and varieties. Their costumes were flashy and expensive, with capes fluttering in the wind. Some even had masks hiding their identities.

I wondered why as hiding your superhero identity didn’t matter in this city.

They were all facing the marble stage, looking very much like an altar of an ancient temple to the gods. Which I guess was the case because, in some ways, this is where the gods of this day were made. The dome structure surrounding a disc in the center was a device for infusing vast amounts of Superiorum into a person standing on the disc.

When I saw the Superiorum infuser, I contemplated how Superiorum is a unique form of energy that exists on a quantum level, capable of interacting with and altering the cellular structure of living beings. It is a force that has the power to infuse humans with extraordinary abilities and to trigger the development of superpowers.

The energy itself appears as a bright, shimmering aura, swirling and pulsating with different hues of blue, white, and any other colors you can imagine. It is said to have a warm, almost comforting sensation to those who are in close proximity to it.

I would not know this as I am impervious to the Superiorum energy.

Its unique properties allow it to bypass traditional biological barriers and interact directly with the molecular structure of cells, triggering profound changes in the recipient's physical makeup. The process of infusion with Superiorum is not instantaneous but rather a gradual and transformative experience. The energy is absorbed into the body, gradually altering and enhancing the body's natural processes. The initial stages of infusion are often accompanied by feelings of warmth and heightened sensory awareness. Over a short time, the recipient's physical abilities begin to improve, allowing them to access extraordinary strength, agility, and speed, amongst other skills they want to develop.

Overall, Superiorum is a powerful and mysterious force capable of transforming ordinary humans into extraordinary beings with incredible abilities. Its quantum intercellular properties make it a unique energy source, one that is highly sought after by those who seek to unlock the secrets of the universe or become a great power.

Before the partial dome were hundreds of candidates ready to take the plunge into the world of supers with a boost from this device. The energy pulsing through the dome gave off a kaleidoscope of colors.

I said with a tone of dread, “Why would the relay have to fail now?”

The voice of the ever-helpful A.I. told me, “The first few candidates' infusion must have stressed the component.”

I informed the voice, “It was more a statement of dread than a question.” Then taking a deep breath, I declared, “Let's get it over with. The quicker we finish and get out of here, the better for all concerned.

“Open up, please.”