Chương 38: Barely Superhuman

The armory door clicked shut behind them, sealing them off from the rest of the world.

"We might be overdoing it with the paranoia," Alexander said, dragging a hand through damp hair.

"If someone tried to eavesdrop, I'd probably pick up on it." He and Augustus had just hit the threshold to ascend more of their stats. They'd taken the time to do it and to get cleaned up before the team's show and tell.

"You might be right," Augustus said.

"But what if they're not using tech? What if it's an enhanced sensory type?"

"Or invisible ninjas!" Annie added, throwing herself into a ridiculous sneaking pose. She'd been sulking since realizing she was the only one who hadn't earned new ascension points, but in true Annie fashion, she was already bouncing back.

"Best to be safe," Talia said.

"Mostly fair points," Alexander conceded. He stepped to the holo and cast his updated status. The others followed suit.

[Veritus Praxis Neuroadaptive Noetic Implant: Series 1 - Ascensus] — Administrator Override in Effect — Alexander Rooke | Alias: Unknown | Organization: Grimnir | Designation: Supervillain | Bounty: 150, 000 credits | Evaluation: Tier 2 (1%) — Class B ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API) Physical Attributes | Strength — 68% → 69% | Endurance — 72% → 76% | Constitution — 69% → 73% | Dexterity — 87% → 88% | Agility — 68% → 73% Cognitive Attributes | Intelligence ✧ 101 → 105 | Processing Speed — 97% → ✧ 101 | Perception ✧ 103 → 107 | Hyperawareness | Focus — 85% → 89% | Willpower (Self-Actualizing) — 97% → 98% Power Manifestation Technopathy | Class B, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 88% → 92% | Control — 76% → 85% | Output — 39% → 46% | Adaptation — 80% → 82% Electrokinesis | Class C, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 41% → 46% | Control — 35% → 42% | Output — 38% → 44% | Adaptation — 23% → 29% Metallokinesis | Class B, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 25% → 48% | Control — 0% → 11% | Output — 5% → 17% | Adaptation — 13% → 22% Techniques | Blackout [Veritus Praxis Neuroadaptive Noetic Implant: Series 1 - Ascensus] — Administrator Override in Effect — Annette Sheridan | Alias: Scrappy [Unregistered] | Organization: Grimnir | Designation: Supervillain | Bounty: 150, 000 credits | Evaluation: Tier 2 (1%) — Class B- ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API) Physical Attributes | Strength — 90% → 93% | Endurance — 72% → 77% | Constitution — 83% → 89% | Dexterity — 79% → 81% | Agility ✧ 103 → 106 Cognitive Attributes | Intelligence — 80% → 82% | Processing Speed — 63% → 69% | Perception — 69% → 75% | Focus ✧ 105 → 109 | Combat Lock | Willpower (Self-Actualizing) — 95% → 96% Power Manifestation MetaMetal Adaptation | Class B, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 98% | Control — 85% → 86% | Output — 28% → 36% | Adaptation — 90% → 91% Thermal Flux Control | Class C, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 74% | Control — 21% → 24% | Output — 23% → 26% Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

| Adaptation — 32% → 33% Density Flux Control | Class C, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 65% → 68% | Control — 28% → 32% | Output — 20% → 26% | Adaptation — 26% → 29% Techniques | Nutcracker [AEGIS Investigator Series Cognitive Implant: Model No. 3] — Administrator Override in Effect — Agent Talia Kim [Credentials revoked] | Alias: Unknown | Organization: Grimnir | Designation: Supervillain | Bounty: 200, 000 credits | Evaluation: Tier 1 (99%) — Class C+ ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API) Physical Attributes | Strength — 100% | Endurance — 100% | Constitution — 98% → 100% | Dexterity — 99% → 100% | Agility — 98% → 100% Cognitive Attributes | Intelligence — 100% | Processing Speed — 98% → 100% | Perception — 97% → 100% | Focus — 100% | Willpower (Self-Actualizing) — 94% → 98% Power Manifestation Cognitive Resonance | Class C, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 93% | Control — 95% | Output — 76% → 77% | Adaptation — 82% → 84% Mind Palace | Class C, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 99% → 100% | Control — 79% → 81% | Output — 54% → 60% | Adaptation — 32% → 40% Techniques Realm of the Mind Your Mind Palace extends out into reality, pulling those within reach of your realm inside.

Success depends on your willpower relative to your targets. Willing guests reduce the strain to maintain the field. Warning: You can be physically harmed within your Mind Palace. Targets of Realm of the Mind suffer only mental and soul damage from attacks.

[SFHV Operations - Project Voidwatch Implant] — Administrator Override in Effect — Operator Augustus Greaves, Captain, retired Unit: CLASSIFIED (Level 8 security clearance required) | Alias: Unknown | Organization: Grimnir | Designation: Supervillain | Bounty: 100, 000 credits | Evaluation: Tier 2 (2%) — Class B ASCENSION POTENTIAL INDEX (API) Physical Attributes | Strength — 92% → 94% | Endurance ✧ 133 → 137 | Constitution — 95% → 98% | Dexterity — 82% → 83% | Agility — 71% → 73% Cognitive Attributes | Intelligence — 91% → 93% | Processing Speed — 95% → 97% | Perception — 95% → 99% | Focus — 98% → ✧ 101 | Willpower (Mystery) ✧ 164 → 165 | Warden Power Manifestation Arcane Seeker (Sorcery) | Class B, Tier 1 | Efficiency — 81% → 88% | Control — 96% → 97% | Output — 73% → 82% | Adaptation — 97% → 98% Alexander broke the silence.

"Am I the only one who doesn't feel superhuman outside the actual powers?" he asked.

"Flashpoint got stabbed, blown up by his own attacks, punched in the balls, smashed through a wall, and he just kept going." He paced.

"Mercy's grotesque healing aside, the others died like normal, right? Just people with powers who'd gone full psychopath?"

"Nadya got blown up by Pandora and had a building dropped on her, but she kept going," Talia said.

"And even though Annie can take a hit, that's because of her power—""And 'cause I'm awesome," Annie cut in, striking a pose.

"—not because she's superhuman physically," Talia finished. Augustus raised a hand.

"Your stats are only peaking within natural range right now," he said.

"You'll notice a real difference when your Willpower breaks through. In my case, that combined with Endurance is why I could cast all day before hitting my limit."

"What are you even complaining about, dude?" Annie shot Alexander an exaggerated glare.

"You held up a whole building. And those killer chains."

"Metallokinesis…" Alexander said, staring at his sheet.

"It felt like more than just the ability to move metal. I think I can shape it. Maybe even… create it." He turned to Augustus.

"How'd you guess? I thought it was Magnetokinesis at first."

"One of the original Voidwatch had it," Augustus said, eyes closed in thought.

"A Tier 3 now, stationed with the Second Fleet. Not someone you want to fight inside a tin can drifting through space."

"At least you know all your powers now," Annie said.

"I wonder if you can use it on me in a fight."

"Let's find out," Alexander said with a grin. The answer was yes. But not really. He could blunt her momentum, but each attempt drained him more than it cost her to push through. What interested him was that when she wanted him to use it, he could levitate her easily, even propel her slowly through the air.

"Makes sense," Alexander said an hour later, sitting on the patio steps, bouncing the stolen drone around his head with a thought.

"It's the same problem with people's cybernetics and my Technopathy. We naturally resist hostile powers to some extent. I wonder if it's based on Willpower."

"You should try stabbing things," Annie said seriously.

"Way easier than all the brainy stuff you do."

"And you should practice using your density and temp shifts more," Alexander countered.

"You only use them reactively right now. But there's nothing stopping you from bashing people with hot and cold." Annie chewed her lip.

"It's hard to change three things at once. Like… Sword or shield? Hot or cold? Lighter for speed or heavier for impact?"

"Training Processing Speed will help," Alexander said.

"But you don't need to change everything. Hammers are heavy. Blades are light. Make everything hot unless you're fighting Flashpoint, then make it cold." He stood and ruffled her hair.

"Keep it simple, Scrappy." Talia opened the door.

"You two done?"

"Yeah. Gave her some pointers," he said.

"She'd probably welcome another sparring partner." Talia smiled.

"Perfect. She can help me practice my mind realm." Alexander watched Annie perk up at the idea, then headed inside. It was amazing how quickly this place had come to feel like home. It was Augustus's steady presence that had made it possible. He'd brought them in, let them choose their own spaces, and then kept feeding them every day. He found him in the kitchen, stacking dishes into the dishwasher.

"Auggy, need a favor when you're free," Alexander said, helping.

"Sure. What's the job?" Alexander sent a list to his implant.

"Need you to portal over to Frank's. Grab my tools and a few other things he should have lying around. Tell him I'll settle up later." Augustus scanned the list.

"Not a worry. I'll pop over once I'm done here. Anything else while I'm there?" Alexander watched him rearrange everything he'd just loaded. Somehow his efforts had created more work, not less.

"Yeah," Alexander said, smirking.

"Tell the old man I quit." Augustus chuckled.

"He'll get a laugh out of that. I'll let him know how you're all doing, too," he said, then changed the subject.

"What's the plan from here?" Alexander glanced outside. Annie and Talia stood still on the training ground. He suspected they were testing Talia's new ability. She'd explained the concept to him, and that her intention was for them to use it as a training tool once she could sustain it long enough. He wasn't sure how useful it would be, but he was reserving judgement.

"Three days," Alexander said with a sigh.

"Long enough for me to stop bleeding every time I move. Soon enough not to strain Annie. And it gives Talia time to dig into this Queen of Hearts character." Augustus closed the dishwasher with a thud. Alexander flicked it on with a thought.

"You read the card?" Augustus asked.

"Yeah," Alexander said, recalling the words on the back.

"Still don't get it. Just call the number and a concierge shows up to escort us?"

"The card's probably a tracker of some sort. If so, it's too late to do anything about it. We already brought it here."

"Let's play it safe anyway," Alexander said.

"If it only activates after the call, at least they won't find this place." Augustus nodded, clapped him on the shoulder, and headed to his room.

"I'll swing by Frank's now. Shouldn't be long."

"Thanks, Auggy. Oh! One other thing," Alexander called after him.

"Mind if I set up my workshop in the garage?"

"Yeah, fine," Augustus called back.

"Just don't touch my baby. She's a classic. Early 20s vintage, all original."

"No problem," Alexander said. He might be running this little operation, but it was still Augustus's castle. Besides… I have no idea what he's talking about. Alexander strode into the garage some time later, tools, parts, and the stolen drone floating along behind him. Since unlocking Metallokinesis, he'd made a point of practicing with it every chance he got. Settling the gear on his new workbench, he paused to take in the vehicle that took up half of the double garage.

Slipping off the cover revealed a striking silver car with actual rubber tires. Alexander circled it once, then replaced the cover, interest quickly fading. He turned back to the workstation where the highly advanced drone was waiting for him. He'd noticed that not only did each drone have its own miniaturized power supply, some sort of hydrogen-based unit, but they were also solid enough to knock a hero unconscious without suffering a dent. And fast enough to keep up with a dragon.

Alexander was going to take this one apart and figure out what made it tick. Then build his own. He had plans. Big ones, even if he was going to have to start small. He set up the workstation just how he liked it, then unrolled the tools. Before getting started, he paused and glanced back at the car one last time. What even is a Corvette, anyway?