Chereads / Donning the Cape / Chapter 13 - The Wayward Trainee: Part 3

Chapter 13 - The Wayward Trainee: Part 3

Ermis came out of the fog of his Power. He instantly noticed the upset speedster that was on him in a heartbeat.

As Adam went to grab Ermis by the collar, Sandy split into over a dozen clones, and before anyone could register, Amanda's hand was on his sternum. The Party was stopped by Sandy's hands pressing them down into their seats by their shoulders so they wouldn't do anything stupid.

Adam nearly snarled at Ermis as he accused him, "He fucked with my leg!"

Sandy began to remove pressure from the kids, hoping they understood who was in charge. Amanda kept her hand on Adam because nobody threatened her protege.

The conference room television turned itself on, a familiar face appearing for all to see, "Hey, Dad." Ermis greeted with a certain level of disappointment in himself.

Jorge read the room, "Everyone, relax." He stood up from his end and began walking around his raised platform.

Then he began, "Ermis. Adam is extremely pissed at you about his leg. Do you mind enlightening me on what happened?"

Amanda took her hand off Adam but remained standing by Ermis' side.

Ermis sounded exasperated as he spoke, "Dad, I thought I was helping him, but I think I went too far." He sighed and plopped down in his rolly chair.

Jorge asked Adam, "Now, Mr. Garcia, why don't you explain yourself like a civilized adult."

Adam was pissed and let them know it, "This freaky Power was encasing me, completely invading my entire body. I was awake and aware. I was locked in my mind while this child played around inside me. Then he started to change things. He healed my hamstring in an instant. That was where I thought he would stop. But no, he kept going. I am not upset that he fixed the wear and tear on my body from pushing myself so hard. What I am upset about is that he offered me no choice!"

The man nearly began to attack Ermis again but stopped himself and added, "I don't know what to do. I won't be able to go out into the field for months. I don't know if I can change my running style before I'm out of the Cape program."

Despair was clouding Adam's mind, and Ermis was to blame. His running style was odd compared to other Speedsters because he had to compensate for his legs being uneven.

Jorge spoke up, "Don't panic, Adam. Everything is going to be just fine. You have my word."

Adam's internal turmoil halted with that promise. Now, he only needed to worry about the strings attached to the Director's word.

The Leader of the Party stood up, "Director Jones, this child is not fit to act as a Cape, and he may not join us on patrol!" Her controlled fury was evident.

The Director smiled, "Of course, my son isn't going out on patrol. None of you are. You are going to be training him within the city. Getting him used to the way you operate, once he gets the all clear from Amanda, then he can head out into the wilderness."

A flash of panic covered the room, so Jorge stomped it out before it could grow, "You want to know how you can hurt your careers? Hmm? It is by ignoring direct orders, breaking your contract, and being stripped of your status as a Cape?" He nodded, "That is what I thought. Just keep him safe. After all, he is now the ONLY S-class Healer in the City of York."

Jorge was overly emotional about this, but it needed to happen, "Mrs. Johnson, get your shit together, please." Then the feed was cut out.

She felt the urgency in his voice. This was important to the Director, and they owed him enough to shut up and follow orders. It wasn't like he asked an impossible thing from them. Teaching a new Cape was something they were qualified to do. But it bugged her that this child was receiving special treatment when she had to claw her way up the chain.

Privilege and class were supposed to be dead, abolished, but here it was, plain as day. A part of her also recognized the boy as being S-class. Because not just anybody can fix genetic issues at their core.

She decided to start, "I am Amara Johnson. I will be one of your teachers for the foreseeable future. I specialize in telepathy, mental defense, and strategy." Then she continued, "You have met Adam Garcia, our Speedster. He holds our left flank, usually waiting for bursts of action."

Ermis paid attention as she spoke, "Then you have Jeremiah Sanderson, our frontline defender. He is the guy the monsters like to focus on, a big chew toy if you would."

Germ smiled at her characterization of his job, and then she continued introductions, "Next is Rachel Cohen, our resident Hybrid. She can produce energy beams but prefers the melee approach."

Rachel waved cheerfully, "Hai!"

Amara looked at the remaining members. "These two are Alejandre Fernandez and Maya Santiago. Alejandre is our second frontline, with less durability focus but packing more of a punch. Maya is our ranged specialist. She prefers using Plasma Beams as her energy attack."

Then she clapped, "Now. Ermis, what questions do you have?"

He sat for a moment before asking, "What Class are you all?"

Amara looked disappointed, "I am C-class, soon to be a Pseudo-B."

Adam spoke up next, "I was C-class. B-class speed and control."

Germ added, "I am just a C-class in rank, but I am A-class in durability."

Ermis nodded, "So you are all C-class, basically?" Which Rachel, Alejandro, and Maya nodded affirmatively.

Rachel Cohen elaborated, "We are all C-class, but we each makeup for our Party members' weaknesses."

Alejandro explained, "I am B-class in physical strength and durability, but I am E-class in speed, which is only a peak-human running ability."

Ermis knew about the sub-classifications. It was what forced separation in the higher ranks.

A-class individuals were rare because It was usually a Party that was required to achieve that level of Power.

Rachel decided to add her details, "I am a Pseudo-C-class individual." She sighed, then added, "I am F-class in most physical aspects, but I am a B-class Enhancer."

Ermis nodded in understanding. Her Power distribution was strange. She could kill powerful monsters, but if she accumulated too much Drain, then she could be killed by almost any monster.

Rachel gave a stiff smile as Ermis passed her over, "And you?" He pointed to Maya who seemed quiet, "Oh, I am just a pure Emitter, I will cover the battle with my beams." She forgot something, then remembered, "OH, I am A-class in Energy but D-class in my physical and mental faculties."

Ermis liked this Party. They seemed younger, but they were experienced and powerful as a Party. C-class was nothing to scoff at, as they could take on B-class monsters regularly if they were experienced fighters.