Rob Sighed, but Trent just grinned and said: “Again. Concentrate on where you want to go. Don’t sweat the details, but just think about where you really want to go.”

Where he really wanted to go was back to school. Back to the team and the games. Even back to the classes and practices that had been so dull sometimes. To be sure there were moments when being a nova was cool beyond belief and he couldn’t imagine being any other way. But still he missed his old life and his old friends … especially Jamall.

Rob blinked and tried to clear his thoughts. He hated the damn drugs they were having him take. Sure it killed the headaches, but those had been getting better by themselves. The real problem is that they made things fuzzy. It was hard for him to concentrate and his mind kept wandering … like it was now. Damn.

Trent was still patiently waiting Rob saw so he closed his eyes and thought food … He really was hungry after all … and began to let the energy flow. He could almost feel the lump of brain that controlled the quantum energy buzzing.

A solid black circle that was the hallmark of his new powers began to form in front of him. With a internal pop he felt it become solid and then start fade from black as it resolved into a view of the cafeteria.

Trent laughed and spoke again: “OK Rob, I get the message. You did great today! Go get some food, but leave some for the rest of us too!”

Rob grinned back and stepped through the Disk Portal he had created. What everyone here called a ‘warp’ or ‘gateway’ and headed to the main line.

***

Elsewhere two figures turned away from the monitor screen they had been watching.

The first one spoke: “Thoughts?”

The second one turned and said: “He seems to be progressing well enough in learning to control his powers. Trent seems to think that he will be able to learn to do plenty of other things with those disks of his. As a gateway maker he will be useful wherever he ends up, but I am more interested in some of the other new faces that are training here now.”

The first replied: “Yes, the drugs seem to have served their purpose and Rob really doesn’t seem to have the mindset or powers that would make him the best choice for us. Let’s look in on some of the others. The girl from India, that Canadian policeman, the cyberkinetic, and the telepath all seem more intriguing to me as well….”

***

His stomach temporally satisfied Rob dumped both trays, picked up a few energy bars for later, and started to head out of the cafeteria. However he saw Triyama walking in and decided that it wouldn’t hurt to eat a bit more while he talked to her.

“Hi Triyama!” Rob said as he walked up.

She smiled shyly at him and said with that fascinating accent of hers: “Hello Rob. You are well?”

Like nearly everyone else, baseline and new nova alike, he was drawn to Triyama. She was not as beautiful as many nova women Rob had seen, but she wasn’t exactly lacking there either. What drew him though was the combination of her exotic nature and her soothing presence. It seemed like all of his cares vanished the moment they started talking. They had spoken several times before, but this was the first real chance he had had to speak with her alone.

As they sat down Triyama spoke again. “I feel so self indulgent eating like this. I eat more now in one sitting than I would eat in three days before.”

Rob laughed looking at his tray. “I know what you mean. I had a friend before that I thought ate a lot, but he couldn’t come close to the way I put away food now.”

After a silent moment as both ate, Rob reached for his drink and asked: “Where did you learn to speak English so well? I know that you are from India, but I got the impression that you had not been in New York long.”

The artificial light of the cafeteria reflected off the small black gem in her forehead as she regarded him. After a moment she seemed to come to some decision. “I learned it the same time I got this.” she said as she touched her forehead. “My older brother was the one they had sent off to school and he bragged about how he was learning English and would soon be getting a good job. I think I was jealous. Anyway, when I … erupted … I could speak English in addition to everything else.”

Rob smiled, but thinking about his own eruption he decided not to ask her for more details. Not yet at least. So he moved on to another question that I had been wondering about. “So how did you end up here? You didn’t erupt here did you?”

“No.” She said with a smile of her own. “I do not know how they found out, but someone from Utopia came to my parents less than a day after my eruption. My neighbors had declared me a goddess reborn, but the man from Utopia was able to convince my father otherwise. At my parent’s urging I left. I do not know why we came here instead of somewhere else.”

Rob sighed picking up that she was a bit wistful as she was speaking about her parents. “I’m not from here either. I mean, I am from the US, but my home out west. I was just thinking about how much I miss all the people I knew before. I’ve seen my parents since I erupted, but I don’t think that I will ever see some of my friends again.”

She nodded and they lapsed into silence for a bit as they ate.

Brightening a bit Triyama asked, “So what is it that you can do?”

Rob laughed and said, “I’m stronger, faster, tougher, and all that jazz and I make dots.”

In response to her quizzical look he elaborated, “I can make these black disks. I can make them into solid fields or I use them to create portals from one place to another. Trent, my trainer, calls them gateways when I do that.”

“You can go anywhere you want?” she asked wishfully.

“In theory anyway.” he said. “I haven’t tried to make one that goes out of New York city itself yet, but I should be able to. I’m suppose to start trying to open them to places all over the world in a few days.”

“So you have already traveled a lot?” she asked.

“Oh, no. Not yet. My visit here is about as far as I’ve gotten yet. After my field training I’ll have visited more places than I ever really thought that I would be able to get to.” Rob said excitedly.

Triyama studied him inscrutably. “So you don’t have to have actually been somewhere to open a … ‘gateway’ there?”

“Nope.” Rob told her. “But it does make it easier.”

“I wish … “ she trailed off with a sigh.

“You wish what?” he asked.

“Oh, nothing.” she told him.

The silence was a bit more awkward this time.

Finally Rob asked, “So what can you do, Triyama?”

She brightened visibly at the question, gave him a mischievous smile, and intoned: “I am the goddess of the night. The avatar of darkness. The healing mother who gives birth to daylight. The keeper of time and chaos.”

“Well that is certainly impressive. So … what kind of powers exactly does the ‘goddess of the night’ have and how in the heck did she get such a nifty title?” Rob asked her grinning.

Triyama giggled. “That’s what some of my people called me … and I did make a bit of it up now just for fun. What I can do is control darkness. I can do all sorts of things with it. Steal away the light, fly, bring the healing of a warm summer nights sleep, create disorder, or even turn back the passage of time.”

“Wow.” Was all Rob could say.

“Holly, my trainer, tells me that I am one of the most versatile and powerful novas she has ever seen. Few of the newly erupted can do as much as I can according to her.” Triyama told him as her eyes ducking to the floor.

“That sounds pretty impressive. I’ve wished I could fly more that once since I’ve gotten here, never mind all the other stuff it sounds like you can do.” Rob told her truthfully.

“Well for all my supposed ‘power’ I am not really all that tough or fast or strong in the way many of the combat novas are. Holly tells me I have a lot to learn if I ever plan on picking a fight. And for all that ‘versatility’ I can not travel the world like you can, Rob.” Triyama told him with the wistful note back in her voice.

Just then they both noticed the time.

“I’ve got to…”
“Rob, I must…”
They both began. After they stopped laughing they agreed to meet again for lunch the next day.

***

India

Narcosis was sitting calmly as naked bodies writhed throughout the darkened room. She was speaking to a young man whose eyes eagerly roamed her mostly naked form. “So there is no trace of this new member of the one race….”

“No mistress.” the man at he feet babbled. “A man from Utopia got there first and somehow convinced her to go with him.”

“Pity.” she said turning to go. Turning her head back to him as she stepped over several relievers she spoke a final invitation. “Do enjoy yourself for a bit.”

The line between agony and pleasure is a fine one. When his body was found the next morning it was impossible to tell which side he had been on as he had died….

***

That night Rob ran the towel over his head one last time before pulling on the boxers he was going to sleep in. He plopped down in front of the TV and surfed for a bit, looking for a good basketball game. But when he finally found one he couldn’t watch it for long. Too many memories and too much longing to be back on the hardwood himself, so he just turned it off.

He looked at the OpNet terminal and decided to try to wade through some of his mail. The shear volume of mail he was getting now constantly amazed him. Job offers, ‘let’s meet to discuss’ emails, recruitment ads, emails asking for money (as if he was already rich … not), and even ‘nova fan’ mail. The latter especially amazed him. It was not like he had done anything worth getting mail about yet. It would be one thing if he had already joined T2M or something, but so far Rob’s entire nova ‘career’ consisted of running from a fight and coming here to train. Finally after many emails, he ran across the 10th offer to meet for sex, from yet another young woman he didn’t know, he gave up.

He felt restless. Now that he was a nova he didn’t seem to need nearly as much sleep and he had decided earlier that day that he was through with the drugs so they weren’t making him sleepy now like he had been the past few nights. So what to do?

He hard the quit footsteps outside of his door before he heard the knock. “Just a sec!” he called.

Rob thought about tossing on a robe, but since he was on the male wing of the clinic he just opened the door.

His stomach did a little flip when he realized it was Triyama. “Sorry,” he told her glancing down at what little he was wearing. “I didn’t expect a female guest.”

Triyama looked as embarrassed as he felt. “I am so sorry Rob. I will come back another time.”

“No don’t go.” he tried to reassure her. “Now is fine. I was bored out of my mind anyway. I’m glad you showed up when you did. Come on in and I will toss on a few clothes in the bathroom.”

In a few moments he was dressed and the two were sitting in his room.

“Rob…” she trailed off.

“What is it Triyama?”

“I miss my family” she finally burst out after a moment of silence. “I wasn’t sure I should have come here to begin with. I have never been out of my village in my whole life and now I am here.” she said arms moving as though to encompass the entirety of the huge bustling city. “I have never been to a school in my entire life and now there is so much that they just expect me to just know here … and I don’t.” She was almost crying.

“Easy. Easy.” he said walking over an putting an arm over her shoulder. He wondered if it was the right thing to do or not. He really didn’t know her that well and he had no idea what was appropriate for someone from her culture. He realized that her node given gift for English must have created all sorts of unrealistic expectations on her.

“I thought things were better after Pratima visited. I never imagined a woman doing the kinds of things she is and she was so nice. But when you told me about your power I couldn’t help but to think of my parents and my home.” she went on. “Could you try to take me home.” She finally looked up at him as she asked. “I just want to visit … for a little while.”

Rob thought and thought hard. He didn’t know if he could do it or not. He had never tried something that far and with a target he knew so little about. Without the drugs it might be harder too. But really, what did he have to loose. If it worked they could make a quick visit and if not then he would have at least have tried. “OK.” he told her. “Tell me more about your home.”

After about half an hour of stores about her home as well as a quick look at the OpNet for pictures and maps of India Rob felt like he was ready. He stood near his bed and closed his eyes as he started to focus. He felt the humming in his brain as the black disk appeared on the wall, however instead of resolving successfully the disk stayed black. He let it fade.

Damn it! He was angry now. He had felt like it was so close. He screwed his eyes even more tightly shut put his hands to his temples and concentrated with all of his might. He could almost feel the interconnectedness of all space and time for a moment. He felt the pop in his head as the second disk appeared. He didn’t have to open his eyes to know that had done it. Even Triyama’s gasp had not alerted him. He simply knew. He also felt the first stirrings of some nameless unease.

When he did open his eyes it was to a sight like they had never seen before. He could see the inside of Triyama’s parent’s hut and though a window the rest of her village. He had never seen a place so … poverty stricken, no … low tech, not that either … so different he finally decided.

“Come on.” he told her gently. “This thing will not last very long.”

They stepped though together.

***

Addis Ababa

Assistant Director Dieter Elendsohn sighed as he read the transcripts.

“OK, Marty Utopia could really use another gateway teleporter. Make sure that we target Robert Douglass appropriately.”

“Pratima had some very nice things to say about Ms. Triyama and her potential is off the charts. Heavy recruitment for her as well.”

“Michael Smith looks teleginic and has a decent set of combat oriented abilities and aptitudes. His file notes that he already seems predisposed towards joining us. Standard approach.”

“Jennifer Davis seems predisposed towards industry or self employment, pitch her but do not waste too much time or effort.”

“However, I am disturbed by Mr. Jose’s file. There appears to be very little useable information here. I want to know more about this young telepath before proceeding.”

“Now get moving.”

***

Rob blinked a bit at the sudden transition to daylight and he struggled to sort out all the sounds his ears were picking up while simultaneously trying to adjust to all the strange smells. Heightened senses could be a bitch sometimes.

Triyama had found her mother, who was much younger than Rob had expected, and the two were chatting away in a language Rob didn’t understand. It was pleasant to listen to though. He almost felt like he could have understood if he listened hard enough. It was the same feeling he got listening to any language he hadn’t learned yet.

Triyama’s father made his way in next followed by a young man and more commotion ensued. Just when it looked like Triyama was finally getting around to introducing him there was a scream from outside.

Rob looked out the window trying to spot the source of the sound as Triyama’s folks talked at her agitatedly. It didn’t take long. It was kind of hard to miss the evil looking six armed monstrosity with the wicked looking wavy blades in its hands. ‘Mr. Arms I presume’ he thought to himself.

“Triyama,” he interrupted in a lull in her parent’s chatter, “Does another nova live in this town?”

“I did not think so Rob, but my parents were just telling me that another god moved here shortly after I left and that he is part of a larger pantheon.”

“Is he friendly?” Rob asked with some trepidation.

“No he isn’t. Not really, according to my parents.” The replied.

“Well, shit. Is it just me or does it look like he is about to really mess up that other guy over there?”

Triyama peered past him, exclaimed something in her own language, and pushed though the door into the street with Mr. Arms. Rob was keenly aware that danger was imminent. The memory of his last view of two novas fighting and Jamall’s death flashed though his mind.

A dark aura had surrounded Triyama as she and Mr. Arms exchanged words that Rob was increasingly wishing he could understand.

With something that looked like a sneer Mr. Arms cocked one of his knives aiming at the man he had been harassing earlier and started to throw. Rob wasn’t about to let that knife land and with gesture he conjured one of his black shields in front of the man. There would be no death of an innocent ‘Jamall’ today if he could help it. He couldn’t tell who was more shocked, Mr. Arms, Triyama, or himself.

Next Triyama responded by lifting her arms sucking all the light out of the area. It was hard to tell if the light flew into her or the darkness leapt to her bidding.

The darkness didn’t bother Rob though. He could still feel Mr. Arms and enough of his surroundings to get by. Moving quickly through the door himself he took a tremendous leap and landed on the other side of Mr. Arms. Before his opponent could turn Rob let loose one of his best Tae Kwon Do kicks and Mr. Arms went flying into the force disk that had saved the villager earlier.

As Rob shifted position so he could get another surprise attack on Mr. Arms he had an idea for a new way he might be able to use one of his disks. His instinct for creative attack honed by years of on the court basketball competition warred with the advice a Judo instructor had given him … “A match is a poor time to try a new technique for the first time.” He decided to err on the side of caution this time.

He felt Triyama unleash some kind of energy attack at Mr. Arms as he was ready to launch another kick. The fact that is foe was off balance made it even easier.

Finally it happened, the Mr. Arms managed to slash him across the chest. The bastard was fast and did have 6 arms after all. Rob stumbled back in surprise and fear, before he realized that the blow had not done as much damage as he had thought it would. His body must be tougher now he realized. And he could already feel his flesh healing.

It took a while but in the end Mr. Arms went down. He did manage to get a few more slashes to land, but Rob’s flesh had closed itself by the time Triyama let the daylight back into the streets.

“Well, this has been a memorable first trip.” He said looking at the chaos around him.

***

Anna DeVries listened with only part of her attention as an aid gave her the information on the latest groups of new novas in training at various Rashoud Facilities around the world.

“That New York group doesn’t sound all that promising. The cyberkinetic, the gateway teleporter, and the darkness girl would be good additions to DeVries proper let’s see if we can pry them away from Utopia. The policeman sounds like he would make a good addition to DVNTS. See if you can find someone here who is a friend of a friend. That telepath sounds especially interesting. I am intrigued that we have found out so little about Mr. Jose.”

Her assistant nodded and made quick notes internally using his brain implant.

“Now moving on,” she said, “we have received a new contract offer for….”

***

The next morning Rob was still thinking about his quick visit to India. Triyama had insisted that they leave the many-armed nova alone once they had rendered him unconscious. Rob had thought about bringing him back to the Manhattan clinic, but he had decided that Triyama would know best in her home country. After a quick goodbye to her parents the two had warped back to the training facility. It had been a bit easier than the trip out, but by the time they had made it back Rob was feeling as drained as he ever had in his life. He was asleep almost before Triyama was out the door.

As he stepped into his assigned training room Trent greeted him as started talking about the warp exercises they were going to do when Rob interrupted, “Trent, if you don’t mind I would like to try something new today. I had an idea last night about my solid disks that I really want to give a shot.”

Trent raised an eyebrow but didn’t really seemed disturbed by the idea. “Are you sure?” he asked. “After all you seem to have creating solid disks down pretty well after our workouts a few days ago.”

Rob nodded his head and without speaking further stepped to the middle of the room and concentrated on a blank spot in the floor several steps in front of him. Almost instantly a black disk appeared laying on the floor. Rob the stepped on top of it.

Under his feet he could feel his creation responding to his will. It seemed to have enveloped the lower parts of his feet already. Interesting. It gave him another idea that he would have to work on later, but drug free, he was able to keep his mind on the task at hand and he bent his full will on the disk.

Slowly the disk moved upward appearing to leave a dark, semi transparent, coating as it passed. It grew smaller and smaller as it moved upward until it vanished just above his head. He had done it!

Trent finally spoke. “So what is it?”

“A personal full body shield.” Rob replied. “It feels like it should protect me as well as any of the external shields I’ve made in the past.”

Trent nodded. “It looks good. I had wondered if you would be able to create some sort of individual protection like that. Most novas who can create standalone shields can also make individual body fields the way you just did. OK, lets try it again a few times and see if you can’t do it faster.”

Rob let his current protection vanish and bent his powers to the task of creating it again. He could see the value that being able to make this happen quickly would have in a combat situation.

***

Deep within an electronically shielded Washington DC building two men were talking. The older one was sitting behind a desk while the younger one paced back and forth.

The younger one was speaking. “I don’t like this. We haven’t been able to dig up anything on the telepath and damn little on the chick from India.”

“Yes but we still have a few days.” the older one calmly reminded him.

“Maybe.” The younger man was clearly agitated. “I just have a bad feeling about this group.”

“Never ignore a hunch.” the older one agreed. “However I think that it is pretty safe to rule out the basketball player and the Canadian as being potential problems right now. The waitress is iffy. Anyone with cyberkinetic powers and enhanced intelligence can be very dangerous. Before you had mentioned your feelings I had considered suggesting that we look into her as a potential recruit.”

“She wouldn’t have washed anyway.” the younger man said. “Turns out that she has control over quite a bit of electromagnetic phenomenon in addition to the CK.”

“Too bad.” sighed the old man. “Too bad. Do you think we should assign more resources to look into this group?”

***

After his training session Rob met Triyama in the cafeteria again.

Still feeling a bit confused about what had happened the previous night he asked Triyama: “So what were you and Mr. Arms talking about when he decided to toss the knife at that dude?”

“Mr. Arms?” She asked quizzically. “Oh, you mean the one we fought yesterday.” Her eyes were downcast. “He was asserting his right to the village and claiming the people there as his worshipers. I was letting him know that I was not going to fight him, but that if I heard of any mistreatment of my neighbors that I would make sure that he lived to regret it. He threw the knife to show me how worthless my ‘protection’ was. Rob, I am not sure that he was aiming to hurt Bahij. I think that he might have been aiming to just miss and prove a point. I just do not know. But once you created that shield a fight was inevitable.”

“Shit.” Rob said quietly. “I’m sorry Triyama. What is going to happen to the village now? What happens when arm guy wakes up?”

“Nothing I hope.” She said. “Since we left him alive all we did was show him that I was serious when I gave him my warning. The villagers will still think he is a god and treat him well. Since we did not kill him or seriously harm him we gave him and his fellow gods no reason to be too angry.”

“Hmm. Most guys I know who are the type to start something like we did last night would just get pissed. Being embarrassed in front of all those people would just make them angrier.” Rob told her thinking about some of the more aggressive people he had known.

Triyama looked worried. “I was going to wait a day or two and ask you to take me back, so that I could be sure. Maybe we should go sooner.”

Rob sighed. “Triyama, I know exactly why you want to go and I know that Utopia is not on the best of terms with the Indian government and I can understand why you want to keep this to just the two of us … but if we are going back I want to ask Michael if he will go with us. You mentioned that Mr. Arms had friends. If he brings them I want a bit more firepower on our side. Michael used to be a cop and he is damn strong and tough now. He is exactly the kind of person we would want if a fight broke out, though God willing it will not.”

Triyama held her breath for a second and then nodded her head in agreement.

Rob grinned at her. “We may not be combat novas, but we made one heck of a team last night!”

Triyama smiled back in agreement. “Yes we did Rob.”

***
Seattle

Vice President of ViaSoft Nova Recruitment Chad Preston spoke in precise measured tones to his computer, “Manhattan Nova Files 1, 2, and 5 delete. Manhattan Nova File 4 forward to Mary Harris as urgent with message. ‘Mary it looks like we have another cyberkinetic. She is in the Manhattan facility. Recommend immediate recruitment action. Pull out all the stops on this one. I don’t want one of those other tech firms beating us to this one.’ End message. Manhattan Nova File 3 forward to Mary Harris as normal priority with message. ‘Mary this one is in Manhattan too. Assign him low priority, but corporate has expressed interest in having a gateway specialist on staff. Standard executive nova offer with addition of several residences in various cities and minus the company car.’ End Message.

***

Rob considered what he knew of the other novas in training.

Michael was a friendly ex-cop from Canada. He had gained strength, toughness, and an ability to increase his density after erupting during an ambush by several gunmen. Michael was friendly and easy going, but most importantly he had an aura of calm and confidence that Rob was sure came from having faced danger in the past. Rob had spoken to him several times, and now, excepting Triyama, he was only guy here that Rob had gotten to know at all.

Jennifer was super smart and had some sort of control over computers. Rob hadn’t really understood her or what she could do after his one conversation with her. He got the feeling that she thought he was an idiot, but then if she were really that smart then by comparison he probably was. In any event he didn’t think that she or her powers would be of much use in a physical combat situation or in Triyama’s low-tech village.

Rob wasn’t even sure he knew the Hispanic guy’s name. He thought that the guy had some sort of mental powers, but wasn’t sure about that either. The guy was the only one who wasn’t sleeping in the facility at night. Rob had overheard two trainers talking about the exclusive hotel he was staying in. The one time he had tried to talk to the man he had felt like he was grasping at smoke or mist. He had taken nothing away from the conversation.

Given all that Michael was the best to approach with this craziness that Triyama had gotten involved in. So that afternoon he had invited the ex-policeman to his room and explained a bit about the situation. Michael had cursed about countries tolerating lawless backwaters and had asked the very questions Rob had been turning over in his mind. “Why haven’t you reported this to the Utopia people and what are you going to do if this clown and his buddies get seriously violent?”

Rob didn’t have a good answer to the first question, “If things go well this visit, then there really isn’t any reason to bother the Utopia guys. On the other hand if things go bad again then they are the first people I’m planning on calling.

The answer seemed to satisfy the Canadian for the time being and he agreed to meet them that evening.

***

India

Sin Eater nodded. “She has been seen again but she may be traveling with another member of the one race. Waste no time. I want you to find her. It would be best to bring her here, but at the very least give her the message. If she is traveling with another, then speak with him as well. I have been told that they both may be of great value to us in the future.”

The black robed man facing her gestured his assent, bowed, and left.

He moved with inhuman grace and did not stop once to rest on the long walk to Triyama’s remote village. The few who saw him avoided him out of fear. No one crossed his path.

***

This time Rob opened his warp portal just outside the village. Once again his senses fought to adjust. He wondered if it would ever get easier. Just then he realized that half the reason it was so bad was the overwhelming sense of danger.

“Christ!” Michael said. “The smell!”

Triyama’s hand was in her mouth. Something was seriously wrong.

Rob had never smelled anything like it either. It smelled like something was burning. But it was sweet too. Oh, Lord, he thought. Don’t let it be burning flesh.

Concentrating he could hear the sound of sobbing from the center of the village. “Triyama, it sounds like everyone is in the center of the village.” He had not expected that there would be trouble so quickly. He remembered a coach preparing him for a difficult match once telling him ‘expect the unexpected.’ It seemed like those were words to live by now that his world had been turned upside down so thoroughly.

Triyama started moving, but Michael spoke. “Wait. We need a plan. If we just walk in there they will be ready for us and take us out before we have a chance.”

“I can blind them again…” Triyama began, but Rob interrupted “Michael can you function in darkness, that’s how Triyama’s power works.”

“No, that wouldn’t work. I would be blind bat and twice a useless.” Michael said. “What else can you do Triyama?”

“I can fly, fire blasts of cold darkness, protect myself with shadow or chaos, change the flow of time so that I am faster or others are slower, or ….” she began.

“Heh. Maybe I should have asked what you can’t do.” Michael broke in. “Seriously if you can do all that, why can’t you take these guys out yourself?”

“Because doing many of those things make me tire quickly. I can manage several shadow attacks then I have nothing left to give. Also my attacks do not seem to be that strong yet.” Triyama promptly replied.

“Well scratch that then. Well let’s see what the best way to sneak into your home is Triyama.” Michael said.

Peering out from the trees they were under Rob could see a wide expanse of open field between them and the village.

“There is a guy flying overhead.” Michael said after a while.

“Girl.” Rob corrected.

“How can you tell?” Michael started. “Oh, never mind.”

“I could make a Disk Portal to get us in, but they might be able to sense me doing it.” Rob offered.

Just then Rob heard some commotion in the village and the flying nova floated down out of the sky.

“Now!” Rob hissed. “The woman is down.”

They ran to the nearest hut and began to slowly make their way towards the people.

***

Charlotte

“Jocelyn, what have ya got for me babe?” Rick Flair plopped down in the chair behind the large oak desk as Jocelyn did the same, only more slowly, on the other side.

“Well there is one potential in Manhattan. He is an ex-cop with enhanced strength and mass increase. He looks normal and according to his file he has been a fan for a while.” She noted while crossing her legs.

The Nature Boy sighed. “Damn. Ex-cop? No fancy looks? Well, he’ll have to do. We need another nova down this way big time. I’ll have one of our boys drop by … where is he again?”

“Manhattan.” She said with a smile.

“Hmm. Well I’ll find someone. We need to sell this boy. If he’s been a fan then maybe we have an edge….” Flair said building up.

“Don’t you DARE ‘Whoooo!’ me old timer!” Jocelyn jumped in with a friendly grin, mimicking Flair’s trademark yell.

“Damn young whimper snappers.” Flair groused happily. “I’ll teach you to interrupt a man who was pounding folks right out of the ring when you were just a wet dream in your daddy’s sheets.”

***

Rob could see three novas. Mr. Arms was there and with him was an odd cobalt blue man with a wildly colorful robe and a woman who seemed to have scarlet fire leaking from here eyes like tears that left small scorched marks on the ground. He could also see dead people. At least three of the villagers were gone for good and a few more didn’t look very healthy. However, on the bright side Triyama’s family seemed to be OK. For now at least….

“It doesn’t look like he was willing to pass on the insult.” Rob whispered to Triyama. “But I can see your folks and they are fine.”

She looked relieved. “They are arguing about what to do.” She translated for them. “If we wait they may just leave.”

“Or they may just kill everyone.” Michael broke in. “Looks like the woman is about to fry someone else. OK Triyama you protect yourself then go out and see if you can talk to them. Rob you cover her. I’m going to move in a bit closer in that building over there and will come in from the side if they try anything. Got it?”

“Yep.”
“Yes.”
Rob and Triyama both said.

The dark shadowy field enveloped her body as she stepped out into the open. Rob wished again that he could understand what she was saying. The second she had stepped out the three novas had locked their attention on her and she seemed to be saying a lot more than they were. This didn’t look like it was going to end well Rob decided.

Apparently Michael had decided the same thing. Rob felt a burst of quantum energy and then heard him burst through the wall of the next hut. He didn’t waste any time and pulled his own personal shielding into place; faster than he had managed in his training session a part of his brain idly noticed. It was amazing what the proper inspiration could do. Then he was leaping out the door himself.

Michael had apparently caught Mr. Arms flat-footed. Rob watched him toss a punch as Mr. Arms just stood there using none of the speed he had in his first fight with Rob and his friends. Like everyone else, including Michael, Rob was frozen in momentary shock when Mr. Arm’s head exploded like a rotten melon showering blood and less savory things over everyone gathered.

The Blue guy recovered first and spoke something as he gestured at Michael … who howled in pain, shook his head and said “That hurt motherfucker, but not as bad as I bet you thought it would!”

In the mean time the flame eyed girl had launched herself into the air. Unlike the others she still seemed focused on Triyama and deep crimson flame shot from her eyes. Triyama cried out as the blast enveloped her. Quickly Rob acted to create a shield between the two women. He was pleased to see that the villagers were moving out of the way. The healthy were dragging the injured and most people seemed to be finding some sort of cover or just plain running from the scene.

Michael had charged the blue guy who had nimbly stepped aside and created some kind of net around him. He was tearing his way out, but it looked like it was taking too much time. Rob had no idea what blue guy’s first attack had been, but he didn’t want to feel it. Thinking quickly he created a Disk Portal right under the guy’s feet that dropped him right on top of his flying fiery companion ‘god’.

The result was pretty much all he could have wished for. The flying woman appeared to be slightly shaken and narrowly avoided crashing. Blue guy fell and crashed into a cart full of manure. He seemed to be having trouble getting out of the mess.

Triyama was still down, but he could feel quantum energy flowing from her node, and Michael had managed to free himself.

“Eat this!” Michael was shouting as he picked up a decent sized cart to throw at the blue guy … who gestured and made it vanish before it could be thrown!

Rob on the other hand was taking the fight to the flaming woman. With a quantum boosted jump (damn he wished he could have had hops like this on the basketball court) he redefined the meaning of ‘jump kick’ that his instructor had taught him back in high school. The kick had a noticeable effect and Rob was able to grab the woman in a solid hold as the two plummeted towards the ground.

While this was going on the blue guy had managed to free himself. Michael was running to get him but, the blue man frowned in concentration and created a pit right under the Canadian’s feet. Unable to stop Michael pitched in headfirst.

Shaken by the fall, but unhurt Rob pulled back a fist to hit the woman only to take a blast of flame directly to the chest. Basted back several feet Rob shook his head to clear it.

Triyama was finally up and there was a look of resolve and anger that Rob had not seen there before. “You will not hurt my people again!” she screamed in English as she clenched her hands into fists and her dark aura flared. Rob wondered if she had even noticed what language she was speaking in. Her attack did seem to have a major effect though. The fire eyed woman screamed in pain as blood vessels throughout her skin burst. Rob could only imagine the effect if the same thing were happening inside her body too.

Michael was cursing at the bottom of the pit that had appeared under him. But his anger gave way to panic as the Blue guy gestured and the pit suddenly filled with thick blood red mud. He couldn’t breath and he was too heavy to swim.

Leaping, Rob launched another kick at the woman. The blow seemed to be the final straw and she collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Still surrounded by shadows and with rage in her eyes Triyama turned to face the Blue skinned man who apparently led the band. She could feel the twisted patterns of chaos surrounding his quantum signature like a bleeding wound. The man was unlucky she instinctively knew. With a savage mental twist she called the darkness and made that flaw worse.

Seeing his last ally fall the blue man gestured to unleash his potent unmaking attack on Triyama, but as he did so he slipped on some of the manure he was still standing in. Instead hitting Triyama he disintegrated a key beam holding up the hut next to him. He was completely unprepared as the structure fell, crushing him to the ground.

Rob surveyed the scene. He could not see Michael. He ran to the area of red mud where the Canadian had fallen. Rob knew he must still be down there but he had no idea how to help him.

Triyama slowly and deliberately walked to where the blue man was trapped. He was panting with exhaustion after unmaking several of the beams trapping him, but he now appeared to have no energy left. She clenched her fists again, and like had happened with the fiery woman veins burst and he screamed. With grim determination she repeated the attack a final time. She dropped to her knees, exhausted herself after the effort, but he was down and would not be getting back up any time soon.

***

The Pentagon, Washington DC

Major Johnny Franks and Captain Sam Harris were going over the reports.

Captain Harris spoke, “So in summary, sir, Robert Douglass and Jennifer Davis are our most likely candidates. Jennifer could be useful in our Electronic Warfare Department or R&D while Robert could be useful in several areas ranging from special ops, to communication, to intelligence or senior administration. The others are either from foreign countries or, in Mr. Jose’s case, lack proper documentation. It is not even clear what his citizenship status is.”

Major Franks was silent for a moment. “I’m not so sure about Ms. Davis. Go after her but focus on Mr. Douglass. It is too bad about Mr. Smith being a Canadian. We can always use novas who can take out tanks as easily as it sounds like he can.”

***

Rob was near to panic. Michael was still in the pit and buried in mud with no way out. Rob’s Portal Disk wouldn’t help if he didn’t place it right and he had no idea of how deep the pit was or even if he could create a gateway in something as solid as mud.

It was then that he noticed the black robed figure calmly walking towards them. The man stopped beside Triyama and spoke something in her language. Her reply was a terse “English.”

So the figure spoke again, this time in badly accented, but very literate, English, “So you have dealt with these weak ones. It is good.”

“Who are you?” Rob asked.

“My name in unimportant, but suffice to say that I am here on behalf of people who are. I am a member of the Teragen and others greater than myself have sent me to speak with you.” The robed man responded. “But first let us help your friend before he suffocates.”

Before Rob or Triyama could move he reached out a hand to Triyama’s shoulder. Rob could sense quantum energy flowing between them and as the man pulled his hand away Triyama leapt to her feet with much of her energy restored.

The black-cowled man spoke again, “You do know what to do, Goddess of the Night, do you not?”

Triyama looked as confused as Rob felt.

“Ah.” he said seeing that she did not understand. “This mud is a construct of the energy we wield made solid. It will not last forever.”

That didn’t help Rob, but it obviously made sense to Triyama who immediately stretched out her hand and warped the flow of time around the mud. In an instant it was gone and Michael’s unmoving form was reveled at the bottom of the pit.

Rob jumped down, and feeling no breath, blew air into his lungs. Michael gagged and coughed as he started breathing again but he did not regain consciousness. Rob picked him up, bent his knees, and bounded out of the pit.

“Now that this matter is resolved, let us discuss why I am here in earnest.” the stranger began.

***

New York

Back in a secured room in the Manhattan Rashoud facility two men were looking at one another.

The first one spoke, “They have been gone a while. Do you think we should send someone after them?”

The second one shook his head. “Give them more time. I am a bit disturbed by this show of independence however. Rob’s psychological profile indicated that he was strictly a team player. I would have expected him to report their little problem rather than just go again even if he did bring reinforcements.”

The first one nodded. “I’ve seen eruptions that corrupt the mind too. We will need to keep an eye on him to make sure that this has not happened in his case.”

The second one was silent for a moment and then spoke again. “Are you as irritated as I am that we have been unable to find out anything about our Hispanic telepath?”

“Yes,” the first one replied. “And I am concerned that he and Ms. Davis have been spending more and more time together away from our cameras and microphones.”

***

“Yes, let us discuss why you are here.” Triyama said. To Rob she still looked like a protective goddess ensuring that her people were safe.

“Whatever you think the Teragen is you are more than likely wrong.” The robed man said flatly. “The Teragen exists to protect novas like you from exploitation and help guide one another to a better understanding of our powers.”

“Utopia says much the same.” Rob responded.

“Yes, they have an impressive PR machine. It always impresses me how well they can sway the masses let alone our kind. However nothing can change the fact that it is baselines, not novas, who are in change there. Utopia is out to build a better world. A better world for the baselines no matter how many of our people must suffer and die to make it so.”

“Utopia is not killing people, it is the Teragen who resorts to murder.” Triyama shot back.

“Oh, yes some of us have killed to keep ourselves and our people safe.” The robed man went on. “However it is not us who maintains the nova killing fields of Kashmir ensuring that so many of our kind will perish. It is not the Teragen who funds the bush wars of Africa as our kind slaughter each other for the whims of baselines.”

“And I suppose you have proof … no?” Rob retorted angrily.

“Not that you would accept. Not yet.” The robed man said. He sounded happy. “But here is something for you to consider. Look. Look around us. Where are your neighbors Triyama? Did you see how they cowered in fear as you fought? Do you see their adoration now? Do you truly think that they believe you are human? No. They see clearly. In their eyes you are a goddess, not a human like them. And you Rob. How many of your human ‘friends’ were able to accept or even understand your change. Even when you look into your mother’s eyes you will see the fear and envy.”

Rob was speechless with anger. The man’s words hit just a little too close to home. Triyama looked troubled.

The black robed man pushed his advantage. “Come with me. We have much that we can teach you that Utopia and the others have yet to even dream of.”

Rob shook his head, finding a moment of clarity amid the anger he felt. “I can’t argue your point about whether we are human or not. Whether or not someone thinks I am human will depend solely on what they believe and how they define the word. However I do know that whatever truth the Teragen might hold, that I do not believe in their … in your … methods. I cannot and will not be a part of an organization that condones the things that people like Geryon have done.”

Rob’s words seemed to have galvanized Triyama. “No. I cannot either. Both gods and men walk in the night. Both ‘baseline’ (she seemed to stumble over the word) and nova alike have wounds to be tended to. Your enlightenment comes at a price I will not pay.”

The cowled head nodded in response to their words. “You have chosen and I respect your choice. However our doors are still open. Think upon what I have told you and come to us when you see that I have not misled you.” He turned and was gone as silently as he had come.

***

India

Sin Eater became aware of the robed figure deep in the shadows. He had probably been there for some time. “Thank you for hiding yourself until my client was gone. He is at a delicate stage. A few more sessions and he will be one of us.”

The robed man nodded in reply. “They did not come, but I have planted the seeds.”

“Let us hope that your words were not wasted. I believe that several of the other factions will be taking their turns soon. I so hope the Mathematician is right about those two….”

***

Rob returned his friends and their captives to Manhattan. He was tired, but not as tired as he had been that first time. “Triyama, you said that Pratima visited you. Pratima, as in Splash from T2M?”

“Yes, it was her, Rob” Triyama admitted.

“You should call her she, more than any other would know what to do next.” Rob said.

So the call was made and in an amazingly short time Pratima was there with them, Michael was fully revived, and Utopia agents had taken their captives away.

Pratima had each of them tell her the story of what had happened from their own point of view. After they were all done she sighed. “It is good that so few people were harmed. Michael you must learn to control your strength, but I have great faith in you. Rob you should trust your instincts more. Had you told anyone what was going on some of this could have been avoided. And Triyama, I understand you desire to return home, if only for a little while, but perhaps now you can see the danger. We did not bring you hear to cage you, but rather to give you some safety while you learned who you are and what you can do. I do not think a larger international incident will arise out of this, but just in case we will have some of our media people coach you on what to say when N! and the others arrive.”

Michael nodded his head and left, but Rob and Triyama stayed behind.

“You are still troubled by what this man told you?” Pratima asked. “I cannot say that Utopia is as perfect as it’s name would suggest. We are a collection of individuals and individual people make just as many mistakes as members of well meaning organizations as they do when they are not members. But it is the goal that is important. Utopia was created to avoid what was almost certain to happen the moment we novas burst onto the world. War. War between fearful men and women and beings with vast powers that seem incomprehensible to them. No one would benefit from such a conflict and Utopia seeks to avert the misery that such a war would bring to all sides. This disaster in the making can only be prevented by showing everyone that we need not be feared because of our powers and abilities. We stand as examples of all the good that might be if the fearful world will let it.”

“The Teragen would have you believe that they are protecting novas, but all they are doing is spreading fear and bringing us all ever closer to the brink of war. How will war protect us? How will war ultimately teach us to do anything other than kill no matter how cleverly we do it?”

“All I ask is that you think about what I have said. Please, come to me if you ever have questions, and I will answer if I can.” And with that she left the room, but her scent lingered for a time.

***

New York

Carson, get a crew down to the Manhattan Rashoud Facility yesterday. It looks like some trainees popped over to India and got into some sort of fight. Do what you have to do to get an exclusive. I want those novas signed to N! contracts before nightfall!

***

The cameras were finally gone, Splash was back in her Asia headquarters, and Michael had gone out to get a 5 course meal leaving Rob and Triyama alone at last.

Rob was the first to break the comfortable silence. “So, what are you going to do next? I don’t imagine we have much training left.”

Triyama smiled. “I was thinking about joining Utopia Rob. I could help many people that way. After what Pratima told us I believe that it is the right thing to do and the best place for me to try to heal the pain and fear that so many people feel.”

Rob nodded. “I thought about that myself, but for right now I don’t think I will.”

Triyama looked surprised. “But why, Rob?”

“I don’t have the high minded reasons you do. I just want to travel first. There are so many places I want to see. I’ve looked over that Utopia contract. I would get to travel, but wouldn’t really have much say as to where or when. I’m still thinking about joining, but I want a bit of freedom first and some time to think. Some time to make sure I am doing the right thing.” Rob responded looking at the few stars that could be seen overhead though the city lights.

Triyama nodded encouragingly at him. “I can understand that Rob. I will wish you well in your journeys. I hope that you will stay in touch with me.” She reached out and took his hand.

“You can count on it!” Rob grinned back.

***

Addis Ababa

Assistant Director Dieter Elendsohn smiled. “Two out of five is not as good as I would like but Michael Smith and Triyama are both quality additions to the Utopia team.”

His assistant, Marty, returned the smile, but it faded with the Director’s next question.

“So did we ever find out what happened to Mr. Jose and Ms. Davis?” he asked.

Marty swallowed and replied, “No, sir. We now suspect that ‘Mr. Jose’ was in fact not only a false name, but a false body that was possessed by an unknown nova. We found ‘Mr. Jose’ in his hotel room. He was quite confused and remembered nothing of the past few weeks. We suspect that the possessing nova and Ms. Davis have both departed the United States together. They were seen talking several times over the past few days.”

“And Mr. Douglass?” Dieter asked, frowning at the implications.

“He has decided to travel. We are not really sure exactly where he is right now, but he did leave an OpNet mailbox address and mentioned that he would be more than open for a bit of freelance work for us from time to time. It is also likely that he will keep in touch with Triyama, as the two seem to have established a friendship. I don’t doubt that we will hear from him again.”