The placenta pulsed and retreated as quickly as it came, "He did it."
Amanda Dumont was stunned at the kid in front of her. She had spent more than a decade getting smacked by the most powerful monsters humanity has ever faced, a feat which earned her nearly infinite leeway with the government, and this Newbie just healed through most of her recent injuries.
She was staring at Ermis, thinking about cashing in all those favors for "working overtime" at the Front.
Ermis opened his eyes, "I think I am feeling pretty Drained." He wobbled onto his feet and then had to take a knee.
Mrs. Heydari spoke up, "Well. That was certainly something." Then she hit the Nurse's call button to speak with them, "Can we get a wheelchair in Room?" She looked over her shoulder and found it written on the Nurse's whiteboard, "Room #818, please."
A voice returned, "Yes, I am on my way."
She nodded and looked at her testee, "How are you feeling?"
Ermis felt like the room was spinning, "Pretty bad. I want to throw up. Head hurts. Dizzy. Really dizzy."
He nearly blew chunks all over the clean room.
She nodded, "It seems you have done enough, although it would have been more impressive if you healed more than one person."
Amanda frowned at her harshly before adding, "The kid did well. I can't wait to see him on the front lines with me. We might even be able to clear out a Nest."
The people in the know froze before the Director of Medicine spoke, "Yes. Yes. I could see that happening shortly."
Amanda nodded and thought before adding, "I am activating a Level-5 Protection detail for the kid." She pulled out her cell phone and sent a series of text messages to someone.
Mrs. Heydari was confused about the decision. She knew "The French Titan" was rather 'lackadaisical' about most things. But when it came to defending humanity, she was a workaholic. So, if this is important to her, then the government would waste resources to keep her stress down. Morale is invaluable after all.
Ermis noticed their reactions when she said he was getting a Level-5 protection detail, but he didn't know what it entailed. This woman seemed interested in keeping him around, which could be agreeable, as he was interested in fighting the 'good fight.'
Shortly after the silence began, a woman popped up behind them as she spoke, "Here is that wheelchair, ma'am."
Mrs. Heydari quickly thanked the woman, then they were off.
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Amanda walked in the front, protecting Ermis from anything coming at them. It was an instinct ingrained in her soul.
A quick elevator ride and they were once more where Ermis' parents worked. People kept staring in awe at Amanda, cluing Ermis in that she might have been a bit stronger than he estimated.
After passing dozens of desks and cubicles, Ermis laid eyes on his mother and father.
"Hey, Mom! I'm done with my test. I am cycling right now!" He was excited to not be considered a danger to others. She ran forward and jumped off the railing separating the command stage from the regular floor.
Amanda stood firmly in her path, only stepping aside as Sandy refused to slow down, "Baby boy! Are you too Drained? Did Aunt Melisa treat you well? Do I need to punish her?" She fussed over him. Looking for injuries that he should have had, but she realized he must have healed them.
He smiled, "I am doing alright, Mom. Just have a headache and pretty bad dizziness. But who is Aunt Melisa?"
Sandy flinched for a moment before turning to Mrs. Heydari, then she asked in an outraged tone, "You walked down here in silence? What, didn't want to tell him?!"
Melisa sighed, "No. Sandy. I was his Examiner. I had to remain impartial. And the testee needs to be under minimal outside influence. So no. I didn't tell him."
Sandy huffed at her, making her walk away, but not before she waved to Ermis and called out, "Nice to meet you, nephew! I will catch up later, but I have work to do!"
Ermis saw the shit-eating grin on her face and knew that she took the opportunity to piss his mother off. 'Yup, definitely related.'
The Director of Medicine was staring at Jorge Jones, the Deputy Director of the 4th borough of York, watching the man perform miracles from the safety of Headquarters.
"No. You tell Captain Lu that he needs to get his men ready, NOW! This bastard is on the move. I know it." He pressed a button on his holographic display and turned to Ermis. "Hey, buddy, you gonna' be sick?"
Ermis shook his head, "It is pretty bad, but the worst of it has passed."
That freaked Jorge out, "Melisa took you to Stage 3 Drain on your first Cycle? Weird." Then he noticed Amanda standing guard, "I thought you were in Medbay? They brought you in on a 720-Golden Eagle about a week ago, right?"
She nodded and simply glanced at Ermis, that being all Jorge needed, "He healed you, damn."
She smiled and laughed, "Hahaha, why do you sound disappointed Deputy Director? Did you figure it out?"
Jorge looked her in the eye, "Ask him after he recovers. Please."
She nodded and whispered in Jorge's ear, "He is too out of it to consent anyways. I am planning on staying and putting together a team for the Front. This kid will change things. He needs peers to help him grow into a Pillar."
Jorge used his Power, instantly understanding what happened, "He might not want to be just a Healer. My Son is not that simple. He has the heart of a Jones, after all."
Jorge turned away from her, plans flowing through his mind, hers and his own intertwining and colliding.