Big Mom escorted me into the BEI building with one hand on my neck to a holding cell. “I’ll be right back.” She said, to this I gave two thumbs and a smile. Causing her to shake her head as she left.
All the workers were staring at me. I caught a reflection and noticed that my head was caked in my own blood. No doubt from when those muggers were beating on me. I can hear their gossip.
“New villain?”
“Must be just look at the dude.”
“Alright back to work. Anyways if he was a villain. . .” The voices dropped off as they walked away.
I waved goodbye to show that I was friendly. After they left I observed my cell and noticed it was one of those all in one style cells. Shower, a toilet that was a squat toilet, a bed and spheres the size of beach balls, chrome, with small windows on the bottom. I wondered what those were for. But Wanting to get the blood and grime off me I helped myself to the shower.
The spray was lukewarm, and the stream was directed right into the toilet, using the same drain, which made my footing a bit awkward.
“Oi! When you’re done, put on these clothes.” A mans voice with an accent I couldn't identify sounded behind me. Turning off the shower to take a look. Big Mom was back along with, Oh my god thats Dr. Jorgenson. He wore a doctors uniform, completely bald, piercing blue eyes, and thick black eyebrows. He is the medical director for the BEI. And considered the premier expert on super humans. He slid a bundle of white clothing through the cell tray door.
I walked over and as I reached the door Dr. Jorgenson started firing questions at me.
He began putting on some gloves. “Allergies?” I shook my head n-.
“Latex allergy?” I shook my head once mo- Was he in a hurry?
“Are you on any medications?” To throw him off I gave him a thumbs down. He kept his face neutral.
“So seeing that you came in willingly and are apparently a good samaritan this should be rather quick. But do know,” He said as he pointed to the spheres. “Should you try anything funny, they will electrocute you just enough so that no permanent damage is done. But knock you flat out. Should you somehow be able to still cause problems after that. Containment foam will be released. Are we clear?”
I nodded.
“Good, now finish showering, and change into those fresh clothes.” I did as he asked and they had the decency to turn around when I fully unclothed. Not that I cared really but I appreciated the gesture.
I cleared my throat to indicate I was finished and the doc came into the cell along with Big Mom. Extra security I guess.
“Where are you hurt? He asked. I pointed to my shoulder and back of my head. He twirled his finger and I turned around. I felt his hand comb through my hair and heard him click his tongue.
“No signs of injury whatsoevah.” I frowned, That couldn’t be. I remember falling and cracking my head against the pavement.
“Alright, turn around.” I did so and the doctor proceeded to roll up my shoulder sleeve.
“Again no signs of injury.” He said as he studied my shoulder. Big Mom had her eyebrow raised at me. The doc took a few steps back so that he stood next to Big Mom.
“Well either he is a liar or he also has regenerative abilities as well. Based on what you told me Sa-,” Big Mom glared at him and he cleared his throat. “Big Mom I’m willing to bet it is the latter. Interesting I must say the least. To have super strength, enhanced voice projection and a self-healing factor. Anyways we must start testing.”
I squeezed my hands. This was my chance to impress Big Mom and Dr. Jorgenson. Big Mom took out some handcuffs and a muzzle. I gave her a look.
“Sorry Mikhail, it's the rules. You haven’t been cleared yet and you haven’t fully learned your powers. I promise though that as long as you cooperate. You won’t need to wear these anymore ok?” Big Mom explained as she approached with the restraints.
I took a breath and held out my arms and face.
A minute or two later I was walking down the hall cuffed and gagged. Despite the cuffs rather normal appearance, except for thin green lines etched into them, they were extremely heavy.
These must be the ones they used for heroes with enhanced strength. I thought as I couldn't help but puff my chest out a bit.
They led me into an empty gray room that was sectioned with lines to make it look like one large three dimensional graph paper. The doc pressed his hands against the wall, a dark passageway opened, and he went inside.
A couple of seconds later I could hear someone tapping on a microphone.
“Mhm. Testing. Alrighty. Big Mom can you give m-”
“You’re on, Doctor.” Big Mom cut him off. As she came to me and took off the restraints. “If you really want to be a hero and help people. Don’t hold back. Show us everything so we know where we can place you best. And help you control your powers.”
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I bobbed my head up and down as a big smile appeared on my face.
“Ok, Mikhail let’s first test that voice of yours. Go ahead scream to activate your power, mind you not as loud as you can. Just in case you are able to blast a hole through the building, you will be liable. Aim for the level you did when you shattered the nearby glass in your process of apprehending those men. Hold it and only rise in power if I ask you to do so. Got it?” Doctor Jorgenson’s voice sounded through an unseen intercom.
“This is Doctor Jorgenson starting the testing process for subject XI-1885-180 aka Milkhail Tal. Mikahil you may begin.”
I gave a thumbs up, took a breath and shouted. “What! No I'm not!” There was no boom, it just sounded and felt like a normal shout.
Why? What is going on?
“Subject appears to be unable to produce powers on command. Maybe due to performance anxiety.” The doctor's voice came through again.
“I don’t have whatever that is. I really want to show you guys my powers. Just give me a sec.” I took a deep breath and the doctor's voice rapidly spoke.
“Mikhail, it is ok. Again we do not know the limit of your powers so please do not try for maximum effect. We will move on to strength testing. This should be easily apparent. We will start with five-hundred pounds and climb from there.”
I looked at Big Mom, she gave me a wink and thumbs up.
That’s all I needed.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” I screamed out my lungs. Again no boom nor super power effect. I stood there embarrassed.
“I don’t understand.” I felt a hand on my shoulder and Big Mom gave me a reassuring smile.
“It’s ok. Let’s just move onto the strength testing, ok?” I nodded.
“Yes, let us move on. And again I must emphasize that you are to follow my directions Mikhail. Do know that refusing to follow my directions will look badly upon you. And Big Mom please don’t encourage such behavior.” I smiled as Big Mom stuck a tongue out at the wall.
“Yes sir, sorry won’t happen again.”
“Good.” As the doc replied the floor opened allowing a platform to rise into the room. On the platform was a lone dumbbell.
I walked over, wrapped my hand over the handle and pulled. The stupid thing didn’t budge.
“Interesting,” The docs voice said. “Subject unable to use powers on demand.” I ignored their voice as I focused entirely on trying to lift the weight. But no matter how much I exerted myself it wouldn’t budge.
“Ok. Mikhail please leave the weight alone and take a few steps back.” I gave it one last tug to no avail. I dropped my hands and walked away hanging my head in shame.
“Last but certainly not least is your regenerative capabilities. In a moment a combat bot with a knife will appear,” I began to feel a bit nervous, what if my healing powers didn’t work like my other two? “Now it will aim for everything below the neck and will not stab, only slash, so that any major critical injuries can be avoided as much as possible. However, I must ask, do you consent to this test?”
As the doctor finished his question a humanoid steel bot appeared with a knife. Of course I was going to say yes.
“Bring it.” I replied.
“Wonderful! Also try to show your combat capabilities and not just let it hurt please and thank you. Initiating combat sequence common criminal with knife in 3. . . 2. . . 1. . .” The bot snapped awake and immediately walked towards me with a wide stance.
I copied its stance and kept my hands open. Seeing as how my powers weren’t working for some reason. I didn’t want to bet on my healing powers working as well. Instead I wanted to show that I can at least hold my own one on one.
The bot was near and it swiped at me with its knife hand towards my stomach. I sucked in my belly and made a quick hop backwards. As the robot's hand passed by I went for its arm. It snapped its hand back to its chest.
I wasn’t expecting it to be so fast. I overreached and went a bit off balance. The practice bot flicked its arm towards me. I instinctively covered my face and felt a white burning sensation across my forearm.
I gasped in pain and held my arm close to my chest. I immediately felt a constant flow of blood begin to trickle towards my elbow. Tears began to well up in my eyes. I blinked the tears away and froze as I noticed the robot was not pausing in its assault. It brought its arm back to go for another swipe.
“Combat sequence pause,” The doctor's voice sounded. “Mikhail please-”
“Wait, I can keep going.” I said through a tight throat. I didn’t want him to hear how much pain I was in.
“There is no need to go further at the moment. You are already injured and I must ascertain your regenerative capabilities. Now if your capabilities are potent we may continue. Otherwise we will stop. So please hold still.” The doctor rapidly explained over the sound of him typing fast.
A green wave of light emanated from the wall in which Doctor Jorgenson entered and washed over me.
“Oh dear me,” I heard the doctor say. My heart fell. Did I have no self healing power? “Mikhail do you feel hotter or feel like you have an increased amount of energy?”
I frowned. What was he seeing? “No, I just feel pain in my arm, Doctor Jorgenson.”
“Do me a favor and punch the robot as hard as you can. With your uninjured arm please.” I nodded and went over to the frozen practice dummy. I cocked my left arm and punched the thing as hard as I could on its chest.
A loud bang sounded that made me flinch. The robot was sent down to the ground and slid across a few squares. Coming to a stop I saw that a large dent was where I punched. I looked at my fist in disbelief.
I heard heavy breathing coming across the intercom. And apparently Big Mom was surprised as well.
“Doctor what just happened?” She said as she flew over and studied the training dummy.
The doctor's heavy breathing kept coming through. Then it turned into some medical jargon rambling I couldn’t follow. Something about exponential potential and kinetic conversion.
“Hey earth to Doctor Jorgenson!,” Big Mom clapped her hands. “Snap out of it and do your job.”
Doctor Jorgenson began speaking fast, even adding some words from what I assumed to be his first language. “Big Mom, this boy here is just magnifik. He took what I assumed to be the joule from the övning dummy kniv slashes, förstärkt it and used it in kombination with his own styrka!”
I felt giddy at the doctor's excitement about me. I didn't know what it meant but my power must be awesome if it got him this excited.
“So what is he doc?” Big Mom asked as she eyed.
“He is-”
“Under arrest” Another voice cut off the doc and came over the intercom.
“Aaah! Director, you scared me. At least knock before you come in.”
“What for?” I asked.
“This is Director Susan of the BEI. The three people you apprehended earlier died from their injuries. You are charged with manslaughter.”