They six of them stood on a sidewalk in bustling district that was East Midtown.

Besides the dull moon, the night sky was devoid of any light. Emily had grown accustomed to seeing the brilliant stars whenever she looked out her window. The city of New York wasn't known for its clear air.

As they approached Shaw's old base of operations, she grimaced. Her ears were still ringing from the overload of sounds she endured on the subway. Screeching trains and obnoxious New Yorkers made her eardrums want to explode. The pressure from their jet ride earlier hadn't completely subsided either. It was safe to say she was in agony.

She wasn't looking forward to getting back on the trains after they finished. Their jet was on the other side of the city in a private airport; it wasn't exactly possible to the land the aircraft in the middle of the street.

''Mr. Shaw used to work in this place?'' Andre asked.

''That's what he said,'' Chase said.

Stella examined the address sent to them on her phone. ''This is the place.''

Emily had been expecting more from Director Shaw's startup building. He'd come from money, he could've afforded a more glamorous office space.

Standing before them was a rather shabby, two-story structure that belonged in the 1950s. The bricks were weathered and ready to fall apart. Rotting boards covered the windows, which were busted and vandalized. Discarded newspapers and unwanted fliers tumbled past the entrance, the sound rustling around them.

''I don't know what you guys are talking about,'' Theo quipped. ''This totally looks like the lair of a supervillain.''

''Yeah, yeah,'' Emily said. ''Let's hurry up and get inside.''

''Agreed,'' Stella added.

The group approached the front door. Andre pulled on the handle. He frowned and faced them. ''Looks like we've got a problem.''

Chase strolled up to the door. '''Did you forget I have super-strength?'' He gripped the handle and prepared to the door from its bolted hinges. Before he could do so, Stella hissed at him to stop. Eyebrows raised, he titled his head at her. ''What?''

''Cops,'' she whispered.

The six of them turned around. A police cruiser moseyed down the street. Upon seeing the teenagers, they blared their siren for a few seconds. Red and blue light bathed the sidewalk. The officers inside examined the teenagers with distrustful glances. The one in the passenger seat activated their megaphone.

''Step away from the building. Now.''

They did as were told, holding their hands up. Of course, they could've handled a few two-bit police officers, but Emily had a feeling Director Shaw wouldn't be happy if they got themselves arrested.

''We catch you 'round here again and you'll find yourselves in a cell. You got that?'' They nodded. The officers eyed them up and down once last time before driving off. Emily flicked them off as they went by.

''Well, that was interesting,'' Andre said, scratching the top of his short afro.

''We can't risk going through the front,'' Stella told them. ''Let's look for another way in.''

A chain-link fence ran around the perimeter of the building, leading into some sort of patio in the back. After checking for anymore cops, the six of them hopped the barrier and searched for an alternate entrance to the abandoned office space. 

The back of the place was filled with overgrown weeds, cardboard boxes, and rusty equipment. Shadows from the towering buildings on all four sides cloaked the entire area. She could barely see anything. As she moved forward, her toe caught something.

Cursing loudly, she held her foot. Everyone glared at her and urged her to keep her voice down. She mocked them silently and rubbed her toe.

''I think I've got something,'' Oscar said from the side of the building. Upon joining him, Emily spotted the horizontal doors that led into a basement. Chains bound the handles together. Chase clamped his hand around them and they fell away like a broken necklace.

He wrenched the doors open, the wood splintering as they were moved for the first time in years. Dust and mildew rose from the opening in the ground. Emily pinched her nose as she peered inside the dark hole. She couldn't tell how far down it went or what it led into.

''Someone shine a light down there.''

Stella stepped up and lit her palm. A bright beam of light shot into the basement, revealing stone walls, a few tables, file cabinets, and a set of stairs leading upstairs. Emily shivered. She wasn't sure if she was cold or if the room beneath them was creeping her out. Both were plausible.

''Alright,'' Chase said. ''Here's the plan.''

He split the group into three pairs of two. He instructed Oscar and Andre to stay outside in order to look out for the police in case they came back around. If the officers were spotted, they were to alert the others immediately.

The blond gave Emily and Theo the task to search through the basement floor for any information that could be useful. She didn't necessarily want to be paired with the speedster, but out of Chase and Stella, she figured he was the best option. Besides, she didn't want to get in between their 'alone time'.

''What if I wanted to partner up with Stella,'' Theo joked. That earned him a punch in the shoulder from Chase. ''Ow. You hit hard, dude.''

The team leader ignored him. ''Everyone know their jobs?''

Emily rolled her eyes. ''Yeah, we know our jobs. We're not children, you know.''

He frowned at her. ''Alright. Let's do this quickly. In and out. Got it?''

''Aye, aye, captain,'' Oscar mumbled, half-heartedly saluting him.

Once Stella and Chase descended into the basement and gained access upstairs, Emily followed Theo inside.

''This dust is making my asthma act up,'' Theo coughed out. He fumbled for his inhaler in the dark. Seconds later, Emily heard him take a few puffs from it. The sickly-sweet smell of the solution inside the device tickled her nose.

''Then stop breathing,'' she advised.

Even in the darkness, she could feel his sharp gaze.

''I can't tell if you're joking or not,'' he said. ''But knowing you, you're probably not.''

She shrugged, grinning evilly at him as he continued searching the place.

The basement was cramped with tables full of boxes, messy cabinets, and a measly little computer set-up. As she roamed around the shadowy room, she spotted a crate of old video tapes. Brows furrowed, she examined her find.

Each tape was decorated with a strip of duct tape and a date.

''Hey, come look at this,'' she called out. Theo arrived at her side before she could even blink. Peering over her shoulder, he plucked a tape out of the box. He blew the cobwebs off it and immediately started coughing. Again.

''Bad idea,'' he said, wheezing. ''Bad idea.''

''Idiot.''

She snatched the cassette from him and examined its date. It read July 21st, 1998.  Something else had been scribbled underneath the label but time disfigured the message.

''You don't think we could find it on Hulu?'' Theo said with an impish grin.

She face-palmed. ''Can you not talk? That will make this so much better if you don't talk.''

''No can do, dude,'' he replied. ''I couldn't even if I tried. And trust me, I've tried.''

''Yeah, yeah.'' She searched the room for somewhere to play the tape. A feeling in the pit of her stomach told her these cassettes were important. She just needed to find a—

She spotted an old VHS-player caked in dust tucked away in the corner.  Its assortment of red, yellow, and white cords dangled beside an archaic television box like coral snakes. She had no idea if the TV even worked; it wouldn't have been a surprise if it shorted out a decade ago. Models like that weren't even in production anymore. 

It wouldn't hurt to try it, though.

She walked up to it, connected the VHS-player's cords into the back, and pressed the on button. Squeezing her eyes shut, she crossed her fingers. Beside her, she felt cool air hit her arm as Theo appeared beside her.

''Oh cool,'' he said. ''It's on.''

She beamed at him. ''Hell yeah.'' She gently slid the tape into the player and hoped for the best.

The screen erupted into noisy static. Eyes bulging, she clamped her hands over her ears. A migraine burrowed into her temples, stabbing at her skull. She let out a strangled cry, tears stinging her eyes. Theo immediately wrapped his arms around her after her knees buckled.

''You alright?'' he asked her.

She nodded, trying her best to block out the sound. Luckily, the static on the television vanished and the video began. Once her ears settled down, she pushed Theo off her and glared at him.

''Don't do that again.''

He raised his hands. ''Was just trying to help.''

She blinked. Those words sounded foreign to her. No one ever tried to help her. It was only recently that she got used to the kindness her friends showed her daily, despite her snappy demeanor. But now they were helping her too?

''Sorry.'' Before the conversation could get more awkward than it already was, she turned her attention to the screen.

The grainy footage showed a younger Kane in lab coat standing in a lab. He smiled at the camera, his face full of life and happiness.

''Today is July 21st in the year 2000,'' he began, his voice warbled due to the poor sound quality. ''I've made an astounding breakthrough with my research on the new element we discovered in the caves of Bolivia. After many tests and examinations, I've found that the element—which I've dubbed Primonium—has the capability of altering genetic makeup. Fascinating isn't it? Our names will be written in the history books for years to come.''

A voice from behind the camera chuckled.

''Don't get ahead of yourself, my friend,'' they said. Emily's eyes widened. It was Pearce Shaw. She glanced at Theo, who looked just as surprised as she did—possibly even more so.

''We're making history, Pearce,'' Kane continued. He turned around, picked up a vial, and held it out like a child did a new toy. It contained fine, red crystals that glowed with a fluorescent, otherworldly light. ''This. This is the future.''

The video ended. Emily's face fell.

''Maybe the others will tell us something,'' Theo said with a shrug. He darted over to the crate, retrieved another tape, and stuck it into the player.

They went through them all, picking them apart for any offhanded comment about a secret base or anything they could use. Each one was recorded by Kane in his lab, chronicling some new breakthrough in his researched. As they went through the videos, making sure to go in order by the dates, they began noticing Kane's descent into madness.

It started with the odd snide comment to Pearce, whose appearances in the videos became sparser as they progressed. Emily started noticing subtle changes in Kane. His silver hair got messier with each recording. His eyes seemed to be permanently bloodshot. His infamous maniacal smile eventually found its way onto his mouth.

They got to a video that reminded her of the one Pearce showed the group of his son. But this time, Kane was the one in the chamber. That was when it hit her; he was testing on himself.

All the videos following those showcased the Kane she knew now. He was paranoid, frantic, short-tempered. His scientific equipment could often be seen floating in the air around him—undoubtedly his own doing. She had no idea he even possessed that ability.

''This is the last one,'' Theo told her.

Emily glued her eyes to the screen. She couldn't take her eyes off it. Something about the man's transformation over the years fascinated her. It also drove fear deep into her heart.

''Put it in.''

Theo grinned at her and she slapped him on the back of the head. Whining, he did as he was the told and the video began. 

''Today is...what day is it? I can't tell anymore.'' Kane chuckled to himself. He stopped himself, his expression darkening instantaneously. ''Pearce is still upset with me for what happened to Victor. His son made a noble sacrifice. Had it not been for him, I would not have been able to safely test on myself. And I think I know how I can save him. But Pearce won't let me near the boy.''

He sneered.

''He won't tell me, but I know he's forcing me out the company. I just know he is. He's always been a spineless tool. But not me. I'm willing to stand for what I believe in. They want to take my research. God knows for what. Probably to claim my fame. My recognition. My glory.

''I'll show them. They can kick me out, but I have the knowledge. I have the power. But I can't do it alone. I'll need more help. I've begun seeking more of those like me. But they won't be enough. I have dreams of having Primes taking over this wretched planet. We deserve to be on top, not them.''

He opened his mouth to continue but a noise beyond the camera rattled him.

''Kane, what're you doing in here?'' an annoyed Pearce asked.

He lunged for the camera and the video ended.

Emily stood there, stunned. It left her with more questions, and it hadn't answered the one she needed answered. Her shoulders slumped and dragged a palm across her face.

''That was a complete waste of time,'' she grumbled. Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she glared at the television screen. The thought of the tapes and their useless information made her want to punch something. She let out a scream, shattering the glass.

Theo jumped. ''Jeez, dude. A heads-up next time would be nice.''

''Shut up.''

Seconds later, Chase stomped down the stairs rubbing his ears. ''What the hell was that?''

Theo pointed at Emily. ''She did it.''

''Snitch.''

Chase shook his head at them. ''Anyways, come upstairs. We found something.''

The upstairs level of the building wasn't any neater than the basement. Even more boxes and crates littered the floor. It looked like they'd been moving out but stopped midway. Chase led the two of them through a hallway and into a brightly lit room.

Stella stood in front of a cluttered wall with a ball of light bobbing behind her. Turning to face them, she smiled. ''I think we've got our first lead.''

A huge map of the world was tacked to the wall. Several major cities were covered by red stars. An island off the coast of Alaska was circled. Emily forehead creased at the sight. She didn't even know Alaska had islands.

''What is this?'' she asked.

''We're not entirely sure,'' Stella said, ''but if I had to guess, it's where Kane is planning on releasing the Primonium. All the cities he's selected are high density areas. Los Angeles, Tokyo, London, Johannesburg....''

Theo pointed at the circled piece of land. ''What is that then? Why would he try to hit some unknown island in Alaska? Do people even live there?''

''Of course, people live there, Theo,'' she replied.

Chase stepped up to the map, his arms folded. He murmured something before nodding to himself. ''That's Adak Island.''

''Are we supposed to know what that means?'' Emily asked.

''I've never been but my dad's told me stories,'' he continued. 'The island is home to a military base. It was used during the World War Two and the Cold War because of how close it was to Russia.'' He scratched his chin. ''It's abandoned now, though.''

She forgot he was an army brat. Of course, he'd know something like this.

''Could that be where Kismet's base is?'' Stella inquired.

Chase shrugged. ''Your guess is as good as mine. But if that's why Adak is circled, it's likely.'' Stella smiled at him, squeezing his hand. He returned the gesture and the two of them stood there staring at each other for a few seconds.

Beside her, Theo wrapped his arms around himself and made loud, kissing noises. Emily giggled.

''Let's take pictures of all this stuff and get the heck out of here, dudes,'' Theo said.

''Agreed.''

As they began compiling images of the maps, files, and other left behind data in the room, Oscar and Andre burst through the doorway. With his hands on his knees, Oscar mumbled something in Spanish.

''What?'' Emily lifted an eyebrow at him.

''Police,'' Andre translated. ''They're coming.''

''Shit.''

''We've got what we needed.'' Chase stuffed his phone into his jeans and moved to the front of the group. ''Let's go.''