"Put it down, Max!"

Max paused to regard Zane curiously before running away with the couch cushion in his mouth. Zane had let him out of his cage experimentally and had quickly become privy to the fact that strays didn't tend to be house-trained. 

As it turned out, Rick was a bit of a neat freak so Zane figured he wouldn't be too happy coming back to the aftermath of a Max tornado. Just as Zane seriously considered using his telekinesis to lock Max in place and catch him, a heavy hand knocked on the door twice. 

Zane paused and looked at the door in confusion. Rick had gone to the PR class, which Zane himself was supposed to attend but had decided not to because he had already deduced it was a waste of time that could be better used training his telekinesis. Or chasing around Max. 

Which meant that no one should expect either of them to be home. Zane stayed completely still, wondering if he could trick the person into thinking no one was home but Max chose then to come back running around the corner, causing the floorboards to creak up a storm. 

Great.

Zane reached out with his telekinesis, snaking a tendril around Max's body and placing him gently into the cage before latching it back. At the time, trudging toward the door with annoyance evident - he didn't consider the feat he had just pulled off.

A glance through the provided peephole in the door revealed the bright red dots that served as pupils for the robots. 

Talk about jumpscare worthy. 

Zane wondered if the robot was a part of some disciplinary team that ensured people didn't skip their classes. The thought frustrated him more and he swung the door open with a scowl, ready to argue that he was feeling under the weather, if a Meta could even still get sick. 

"Zane Frost," the robot droned, causing Zane to eat his words in shock. He didn't know that the damn hunks of metal could talk. "Your presence has been requested in Director Han's office." The robot spoke in an eerie monotone that immediately put Zane's nerves on edge.

"Why?" Zane asked defensively. "I was just on my way to class, I don't think messing up my attendance is a good idea."

The robot stared at Zane steadily for a good thirty seconds before it spoke again. "Your presence has been requested in Director Han's office."

Zane sighed. It seemed like there was no getting out of this.

Zane followed the robot as he was once again led to the administration building. Everything was just as he remembered it last week down to the quick elevator. It was a hundred times more discomforting traveling in the car with only a staring robot dressed in a cowboy outfit next to him but he managed.

Finally, he was led to the office door but when it opened, he was greeted with an unexpected sight. Director Han wasn't the only person inside the office this time around. To his surprise, Zane recognized Ms. Corbyn Rick, Jai, and Richmond still sporting his silly mohawk. However, there were three more people he'd never laid eyes on.

Most alarming of all, though, was the fact that two of the new faces who stood off to the side looked positively mortified.

"Here's the last one," Director Han said, gesturing toward me with a nod. He clapped his hands together with a grin between a large cigar, "Now, I'm not particularly elegant at relaying messages, so I'm afraid you boys will have to repeat what you told me."

One of the boys stepped forward, his eyes scanning the motley crew of teenagers gathered before him with open distaste. "We've become aware of a threat to the nation, perhaps even the world. The Villain faction made a bold move two days ago, orchestrating a joint attack away from the United States using some of their most dangerous personnel. We're not allowed to disclose the location at the moment, but as you can imagine, our most capable superheroes have travelled to intercept and stop the enemy." The boy took a breath, his face souring. He couldn't be over eighteen, yet there was a mature depth behind his amber pupils and hard-set features. "As it turns out, this was a part of the Villain faction's plan. With our strongest Metas lured away from home, they've left behind a tactical force aimed at taking a VIP from our grasp."

"One would expect the Superhero Faction to be smarter than that, Rio," Director Han commented in a teasing tone.

The other boy glared daggers, stepping forward to join his companion, whom Director Han had called Rio. "How dare you!"

Rio placed a hand across his partner, taking the jab in stride. "You must understand we were not aware they even knew of this VIP's existence," he offered in an even tone. 

"And now what do you expect to happen?" Director Han asked after pausing to blow a stream of smoke into the air. 

"Your assistance in controlling this threat until our leaders return and regain control of the situation," Rio answered back calmly. "I understand you don't like to be bothered with these matters but should the VIP be captured or murdered, we have reason to believe this could be a national disaster. Hence, our urgency"

Director Han nodded as if he'd anticipated this, or rather, heard it already. "Which is why I've gathered some of my finest gentlemen," he paused, grinning at the girl who was unfamiliar to Zane, "and woman. Assuming they accept the role, I'm sure they can provide the save your ass assistance you seek on this mission."

The boy beside Rio visibly seethed as he once again attempted to advance on Director Han. This time, Rio made no move to hold him back and he continued undisturbed for a few more strides before Ms.Corbyn appeared in front of him.

Her movement defied Zane's description; it was like she had floated in the blink of an eye to the spot she now occupied. She wore a smile and exuded a calm posture but the presence of threat was clear enough for the boy to smartly stop where he was. Still, the anger didn't dissipate from his face. "Stop fucking around, Director. This isn't the time for your unfunny games; the entire country may be at stake. Get up out of your office and help us! Or allow the VIP to stay here, even if the Villains catch wind of his whereabouts here, they aren't many that would risk a direct confrontation with you."

Director Han maintained an amused expression throughout the boy's outburst and even chuckled at the end of it. "I don't think your leaders would agree, boy. I can assure you they wouldn't want me to leave this island or become directly involved. I've offered a compromise to satisfy your needs, but remember I'm not the one who put you in this position, and I'm not obliged to help."

The boy scoffed. "Not obliged? Do you not care if the country outside of this island is destroyed?"

"I don't. My responsibility is this island and nothing more. My offer is an extension of kindness, which I expect to be repaid by your leaders."

The boy opened his mouth to answer but Rio once again stepped in. "Forgive my companion, we've already received casualties after the first attack and so we're trying to ensure we don't go through that experience again." Rio's eyes swept across the gathered 'students' before he turned back to Director Han. "Are you sure this is the best the complex has to offer?"

Director Han's pompous grin turned into a full-blown smile. "I'm the most patriotic man you'll meet, of course I'll offer the best to save the country."  Zane didn't think he sounded very convincing, aided by the fact that Rick and Jai were here. Director Han seemed to focus on all of them simultaneously with his intense, grey-eyed stare. "The question is - do my best want to take on this mission?"

Zane tensed as he tried to wrap his head around the situation. The unfamiliar female was the first to speak up. She had straight brown hair, which reached the midpoint of her back and was decorated with white ribbons. "I'm going to need more information than that," she said with her arms folded. "Like, who is this VIP? Why is he or she a VIP and why is their being kidnapped a threat to the country? You can't expect us to jump to your whim without knowing the stakes."

Director Han looked to Rio, who nodded. "Your concerns are understandable, however, I'm not able to give such details until you have decided. Should you refuse, having classified information makes you a loose end," Rio's neutral mask dropped for a second and he eyed them with disdain, "especially if you're some inexperienced rookie."

The girl snorted in response, her mouth set in a grim line of annoyance but she held her tongue. Rick was next to speak and his words didn't surprise Zane.

"I'll do it," Rick stated with a smile. He was unworried about how his abilities - or lack thereof - may impact him in a dangerous situation, or why he was chosen over better candidates. Zane didn't doubt his only takeaway was that he had a chance to be heroic and wasn't going to pass it up.

Jai was next to agree, evidently spurred on by Rick's acceptance. Richmond looked hesitant and met Director Han's steely gaze after a pause. "Do we receive compensation like on other missions?"

Director Han nodded readily as if he anticipated the question. "I imagine you've never done a mission of this level. You'll be glad to know you'll receive a healthy amount of SP, thanks to this being an S-class mission."

"I'm in then," Richmond said with an air of uncertainty, shooting a slight glare at Rick and Jai. 

Their working together would be interesting, Zane thought to himself.

Finally, it was Zane's turn to be the victim of Director Han's level stare. Not for the first time, Zane wondered if the director was reading his mind. "First off, I want you to cut the crap and admit what you're doing here. We aren't your best options for this mission; we're the safest. I haven't had my powers for even a month yet, Rick is only able to heal fast, Jai's ability is pretty much jet fuel in the sole of his feet and I don't know about Richmond, but he didn't seem that formidable a few days ago." Richmond sneered at him and Zane returned the favor. He briefly wondered if he'd get in trouble for mentally throwing Richmond out of the window but he ultimately decided against it. "There's no way the abilities and conditions I listed are your first choice to save the world.

"I assume you have a theory on why I picked you all, then?" Director Han asked, his smile widening. 

"Because we are the safest option, like I said. More competent Metas who have their abilities developed and primed may decide they don't want to come back when this is all over. You don't want that. And you probably believe we'll be easier to control. Stop leading on everyone and admit it."

Zane noticed Rio and his companion stirring uncomfortably. They'd already suffered a casualty and likely didn't appreciate not being taken seriously.

Still, Director Han was as calm as a summer's breeze under the sudden scrutiny. Ms. Corbyn spoke up before he could. "I was under the impression you don't care about people, Zane - or at least, that was the act you put on."

"I just don't want the mission to be built on a lie," Zane said, trying to convince both her and himself.

"Which means that despite your words, you're willing to take on the mission?" Director Han asked.

"On one condition," Zane announced. "Other than you admitting your motives."

"You're right, this team isn't the best option in terms of raw power; however, I did choose you all based on parameters outside of the malicious ones you named. What is the condition?"

Although Zane's curiosity was only stoked by the man's reply, he dropped the subject to focus on the importance of his next request. 

"Max gets to come to classes with me after."