Chapter 4

THE SCIENTIST, THE HERO, AND THE GODDESS

Hector’s eyes went wide at the Guardian A.I’s proclamation, he had made it. He let out an exhalation of relief as he slumped against the wall of the white compound. He was filthy, he was just starting to realize as he looked at his arms still caked in dirt and cuts. There was some significant wear and tear on the uniform he was given, and some dark grass stains from scooting down that hill with Caitlin in tow.

“HECTOR!” he heard Daniela shout, waking him from his reverie. “Come on, we gotta out out of here!”

“What?” Hector said as he glanced around, realizing that there were still a horde of Alphas all fighting to hit the waypoint.

TJ pointed at one Alpha that had lost his footing while fire was streaming from his hands, the burst of flame now arcing in a wave towards the group “Oh SHI-”

The rest of his exclamation was lost in the roar of the flames as they surged closer, Hector summoned a pair of fist constructs that reverberated with a percussion tone against the hungry flames. As quickly as they flames had started the fountain of flame stopped as the Alpha deactivated their powers making a dash for the compound. From behind Hectors impromptu shield Jack shouted over the din. “I really thought we were dead there”

“Who the hell is in charge of this anyway? I thought there were safety measures in place.” Daniela said as she clutched Caitlin close to her chest. “Did anyone see a door or a place to hide?”

“No, but maybe on the other side?” Hector suggested “It’s gotta be better than staying here right?”

“He’s right” TJ as he craned his neck “Come on let's see if we can get around the corner”

With TJ in the lead the group followed behind him, keeping one side of them to the compound with Daniela holding Caitlin in the middle. Above them from the compound several apertures opened along the buildings sides as a voice now spoke over all of their wristcoms.

[Phase 2 is completed, please cease aggressive action at this time]

“Really? That's it?” Jack said looking at his wrist baffled.

TJ reached back and tugged at Jacks sleeve, pointing up at the apertures “I don’t think that's it.”

A low mechanical hum echoed from the opening of the apertures, like the sound of a formula one racer run through a modulated speaker. Flying out like warrior drones from a beehive, several basketball sized chrome spheres flew around the battlefield, repeating the same message to some Alphas that might carried on their contests of violence. To those that carried on the spheres fired beams of white energy that seemed to encapsulate the more rowdy teen Alphas in a state of suspended animation.

“Well, I guess that’s one way to do it” Jack commented rubbing at his chin. TJ gave him a baleful look.

The wristcoms chirped once again and this time the Guardian A.I. made itself manifest it’s opulscent human-like visage.

[Candidate Teams, if you could proceed to the nearest open entryway, we have staff at the ready to tend to you. Consider this a rest period, and congratulations on your advancement]

“A rest period? How much more are we going to go through?” Jack asked

Near the group a doorway had opened in the side of the building, cool refreshing air breathed outwards onto them. They each shared a look with each other, before Hector looked at Caitlin still be cradled now in Danielas arms. He took the first step forwards and into the white complex, the rest following after.

===

Dr.Belic turned swiveled around in her chair “All Candidates are being processed and cared for Ma’am”

“You can still call me Sara when we’re not in the field you know Ruth” Decibel said with a wiry smile as she studied her own set of monitors from a standing command station.

The computer nerve center of Guardian Facility Epsilon was running a light crew today, but nothing that they couldn’t handle. Aside from the various support drones and minor staff, there was also the Guardian A.I. that Doc Spectre had installed in the complex to help keep everything running ship shape.

“Artemis, can you make sure to send out some cleanup for the canvas green please” Dr. Belic said as her fingers typed away at a keyboard. Artemis’ voice echoed inside of the command center.

[Of course Dr. Belic]

Dr. Ruth Belic was a late addition to the Guardian trials, with this being only her third curating. She had come with glowing recommendations from her peers, both superhuman and mundane. Originally she studied Alpha sciences underneath Pavel Laghari during his initial development of the Laghari Scale that measures Alpha’s potential. After a few academic papers she was hired by the Guardians as a scientific consultant, and had even worked in the field for a time when her own Alpha abilities had manifested under the Codename of Oculus. A torn Achilles tendon had put most of those aspirations on hold, but she had found another calling in working with Decibel at Facility Epsilon.

Decibel in many ways could be seen as the opposite of Dr. Belic. Where Dr.Belic was petite and blond Decibel was tall and brunette. She was an easily recognizable face amongst the Guardians North American line-up, sometimes nicknamed the “Scream Queen” by the staff at Epsilon due to her tendency to use her sonic based powers during her dicipline of staff and cadets. Even before he Alpha abilities had manifested in college, Sara had always wanted to be an educator. Using her stipend by serving on the Guardians she finished getting her Masters in Education and had brought to bear a lot of good policy changes in the Guardians recruitment method that garnered a lot of good PR for the organization.

[Decibel something requires your attention] Artemis’ voice toned.

Decibel waved her arm in front of a screen in front of her, light illuminating and bringing up a hard light interface to interact with. A small avatar displayed in front of her in soft shades of blue, depicting a woman in ancient Greek clothing and armor with two deer antlers growing past her brow line. Artemis had taken to her namesake, and Decibel couldn’t help but be amused at the A.I’s interpretation of the Goddess of the Hunt.

“What do you have for me Artemis?" Decibel asked.

[One of the Candidates, Caitlin McGrath did not enter the waypoint under her own volition. Bio-readings from her suit and wristcom indicate the Candidate had lost consciousness and was carried by one of her teammates, Tyson Jolie]

Decibel watched as surveillance footage played of Caitlins feats so far, arching an intrigued eyebrow at her construction of the vegetation bridge. She gave a soft smile and closed the video screen, looking to Artemis. “That’s fine Artemis, she’s still within acceptable parameters.”

The A.I seemed confused as it straightened its holographic posture [If I may speak freely Ma’am?]

“You now you don’t have to ask Artemis, what’s on your mind?”

[I feel that I must protest, the Candidate in question did not reach the waypoint and thus did not meet the conditions laid out for her advancement.]

Decibel shared an amused look with Dr.Belic, before sliding over a high-backed leather office chair and settling into it, the projected interface sinking to her new vantage point.“Well you’re right and wrong in this scenario Artemis”

[I’m sorry but I don’t understand, can you elaborate?]

“Of course, by the conditions that were designed for this trial you’re correct in that Miss McGrath did not reach the waypoint under her own power.” Decibel said, rewinding some new footage in a window to show the A.I. “But look here, her team decided that even with her being incapacitated they would soldier on.” she waited a moment, but Artemis only waited politely for Decibel to continue. “We recruit from a very large pool, with a very diverse melting pot of candidates from all over the globe. Really, you’ll never know what’s going to happen but there is more to recruiting a Guardian than just their ability to pass our tests”

[You are referring to her team aiding her?]

“Correct, that shows some real courage and character from the rest of her team. Qualities that I feel should be rewarded and nurtured. While I value your opinion Artemis, I’m going to pull a little rank here. Miss McGrath is cleared to advance with her team, after some medical attention of course.”

Artemis nodded, perhaps not in understanding but acknowledgement of Decibels words.

[I will have to think on this situation so that I can learn from it, your orders are confirmed Decibel]

“Is there anything else that needs my attention?”

[At the moment, nothing]

“Alright, thank you Artemis” she dismissed her interface and ran her hands through her hair.

“You’re getting softer in your old age” Dr.Belic commented cheekily as she regarded Decibel over her glasses. Decibel stood and walked around to her workstation, giving no indication at Dr.Belics comment.

“How are the final hundred looking?” She asked as she watched some video feed of the Candidates getting attention.

Dr. Belic checked a nearby tablet, tapping it’s surface and scrolling “For the most part great, outside of a few minor injuries that can be treated with Omni-Gel everyone’s in one piece. It’s going to be an interesting class this year.”

“Well, from here on out they pass or fail on their own terms. “ Decibel stood and made her way to the door. “Hold down the fort for me, I’m going to go and speak to the Candidates.” she exited into a small hallway that lead to the main elevator past some smaller clerical offices.

Dr. Belic gave a lazy salute and turned back to her monitors “You can count on me Sara.”

Decibel nodded her thanks as she made her way to the main elevator, a small smile on her face.