Dan's ambitions hadn't dimmed, despite his most recent extracurricular adventure. He still wanted to help people, and still believed that disaster relief was his best shot at doing that. The academy class that Professor Tawny taught was focused on search and rescue, the most basic skill required to do his desired job.

"First responders are always on call," Tawny explained. "We are reactionary. We don't choose when something goes wrong, we simply respond to it."

It was the sad truth of emergency situations. If you knew when they would occur, then it wouldn't be an emergency. Whether it was a villain attack or just a child lost in the woods, Dan needed to be ready at all times. Especially him, as his power made transportation a non-issue. Legally speaking, his mutation was listed as having a several mile cap and no penalty for repeated use; he could theoretically attend an international emergency once he received his license. He'd certainly be popping in on any situation damaging enough to appear on television. He would never forget that wave of fire that devastated Atlanta, nor the calm sadness with which it was witnessed by Abby.

"As sad as it is to say," Tawny continued, "we're due for something bad to happen. We've had a peaceful year, for the most part, and that's bound to change eventually. You should all be prepared for such an event."

The reality of it was that the country could barely go six months without some kind of national tragedy. There was stability, yes, but there was only so much the government could do when the entire population had superpowers. There were no regulations on who could receive upgrades. The age limit varied per upgrade, but tended to be in the low teens. Additionally, there was zero screening, mental or otherwise, for accessing the majority of upgrades. Only government exclusive, specially-classed upgrades were restricted in any way.

It was puzzling for Dan, at first. The laws regarding gun control nearly mirrored his own parallel, and just as much controversy surrounded them. In contrast, the laws regarding upgrade regulations had seen only minor adjustments over the past twenty years. After consulting Abby, he'd quickly been enlightened.

It was to prevent Naturals from appearing. Upgrades were essentially vaccines for cosmic energy. Rather than rolling the dice on a power that could just as easily hurt someone as not, it was far more ideal to get a reliable, cheap, safe upgrade. Even after the initial wave of cosmic energy had faded to tolerable levels, the mindset remained. It was seen as a 'better safe than sorry' solution, that was both affordable and socially acceptable. The fact that there were super strength upgrades that let people bench press small cars, or pyrokinesis upgrades that could melt steel, was seen as perfectly normal. It was cheaper to pay for the upgrades and the salary of half a dozen low-skilled workers rather than purchase and maintain a bulldozer. The pyrokinesis upgrade was occasionally advertised for spot-welding of all things. These were normal, every day purchases.

The consequences, of course, were apparent. Occasionally, not often, but often enough, someone mentally disturbed, or traumatized, or just plain evil, would do something stupid or selfish or vicious and hurt a great deal of people. Yet, rather than society collectively taking a look at itself and saying, "Yeah, we should probably work on that," the results, time and time again, seemed to be a collective shrug and a muttered, "That's how things are."

That was without taking into account the literal terrorist attacks that were broadly placed under the umbrella of Villainy. Rather than cartoon caricatures, these were often people with defined political agendas, who attempted to sway opinions through violence. The People's ideology had not faded with their disappearance from the public eye, and they were only one group among several. These attacks were less common, thankfully, and essentially ineffective but this was cold comfort for their victims.

It was as bewildering for Dan as it was frustrating. Though, he sometimes wondered what Abby would think about his own parallel. It probably had its own share of insanity that he was blinded to by the goggles of cultural acceptance.

Fred's hand was raised.

Tawny called on him, and the younger man asked, "Sir, are you saying we'll be attending the next major disaster?"

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Tawny regarded him gravely. "Should something happen within the remaining month of our term, yes, we will be attending. With any luck, it will be a distant trip, and we'll arrive in the aftermath. In such a case, you'll assist in recovery and learn from those who were on-site at the time." He let his gaze roam over the rest of the classroom. "This will act as your final exam. Your performance will not be graded; these events are tragedies and should be treated as such. Simply by attending and helping where you can, you'll have earned a passing grade in my book."

"Hear hear," Gregoir said, pounding his desk with a meaty fist. "Well said, Officer Tawny."

"What will we do if there isn't anything to attend before classes end?" Freya asked with a frown. After a moment, the frown faded, and she added, "Besides be thankful, of course."

Tawny smiled. "You're forgetting something, Miss Valentine. Search and rescue is not reserved for national disasters. There is always a need for us. There is always someone, somewhere close, who needs our help."

Freya's mouth opened to protest, then clicked shut with a note of embarrassment on her face.

"I see," she said succinctly. "That makes sense. Thank you."

Tawny nodded, then clapped his hands together cheerfully. "Well, now that that bit of unpleasantness is out of the way, let's move onto the next item on the docket. Matilda"—Freya's entire body twitched at the name—"has not updated me on the progress of her students, as that is considered confidential information. That said..." He turned to Dan and Fred expectantly. "Did either of you have questions or concerns for me? Any specific problems you are facing that you feel I can help with? I am at your disposal."

Freya was normally the most unflappable of Dan's friends. She rarely reacted with anything other than aloof interest. Even now, discussing the accomplice of the person who had kidnapped her future husband, she was, to someone who was unfamiliar with her, only vaguely attentive. Nonetheless, Dan could practically feel the anxiety radiating off of her in waves. Thankfully, professor Tawny seemed as oblivious to female body language as Dan tended to be.

As much as Dan would love to expose Matilda here, he'd already passed his information on to the feds. He wasn't willing to risk Tawny confronting, or even warning, his old colleague and sending her on the lam. Not to mention what Gregoir might do if he found out.

Dan dreaded even contemplating it.

So with a determined gaze, he shook his head in the negative and lied through his teeth. "No sir. We've been getting along famously. She's been a great help."

"That's a relief to hear, Mister Newman," Tawny replied genially. "And you, Mr. Sawyer? Has she helped expand your horizons at all?"

"I suppose so," Fred mused. "She's mostly been teaching me how to identify the details that my upgrade is showing me. I never realized how good my motion perception is." He blinked, then grinned. "I can see bedbugs!"

The room was silent.

Tawny coughed. "Yes, well— Moving on. Any other issues that need addressing before class begins?"

Freya raised her hand. "Actually, there is one. I've registered a change in my upgrade status. My class file needs updating."

"I see." Tawny's brow wrinkled. "I must admit, I'm surprised at your decision. The overwhelming majority of graduates from Saint George's attend the Choosing ceremony. As the top one percent of your class, you'd have been all but guaranteed an A-class upgrade."

"Yes," Freya acknowledged. "I was able to pull some strings and receive it early. My intention was to support my fiancé in the upgrading chamber, alongside the rest of his family."

The Choosing ceremony, as Dan understood it, was simply a public acknowledgement of who had earned the right to receive a classified upgrade. The actual upgrade was received in private, with only close family members in attendance. With restricted upgrades, there was always a chance of something going wrong, even if it was an infinitesimal one. It was inappropriate to do such a thing in public.

Tawny smiled softly, while Gregoir blubbered something incoherently sappy in the background. "That is very sweet of you, Ms. Valentine. Though, you should know that the surprise might be a bit spoiled now that it is public knowledge."

"There is no surprise," Freya replied evenly. She met Tawny's eyes, and returned a smile so painfully fake that it hurt Dan to look at. "It seems my fiancé had the same idea, so neither of us will be attending the Choosing."

Well at least Dan knew the party line regarding Connor's 'upgrade.' A frisson of guilt jolted through him for a moment as he watched Freya's expression, but he forced it away. He'd apologize to Connor himself; it was what the boy deserved.

And Freya, well she might actually try to kill him. He'd need Connor's forgiveness first, before even attempting to tread over that landmine.

"I see." Tawny seemed to not know what to make of that.

"Such romantic synchrony!" Gregoir cried in jubilation. "How fortunate the two of you are to have each other!"

"Yes." Freya's painful smile flattened into something ugly, smeared across her face. Dan felt like he was the only one who could see the anxiety hidden behind the mask.

"Fortunate."