CHAPTER FOUR 

             

NIKLAUS 

I stood alongside my mother, McKenna, leader of Vortex, in the heart of our underground headquarters. The soft hum of holographic displays and whispers of fellow rebels filled the air as she stood in front of the few hundreds we have been able to rescue and the ones who have been here with us.

"Friends, we gather at a critical juncture," McKenna began, surveying the room. "New Eden's descent into tyranny accelerates under Arlo's rule."

As leader of Phoenix-5, Vortex's governing body, McKenna's words carried weight. Her eyes locked onto mine, and I saw a mix of concern and determination.

"Synod's agents roam unchecked, hunting down NX-5's, our kind" she continued. "Arlo's propaganda machine fuels fear and hatred. Our sources indicate a new, top-secret facility is under construction."

"What's its purpose?" Zara, a skilled hacker, asked.

McKenna's expression darkened. "We suspect it's designed to harness NX-5 energy. Arlo wants to exploit these individuals for his own gain."

I clenched my fists, anger simmering. "We can't let that happen."

McKenna nodded. "Agreed. Phoenix-5 has devised a plan to infiltrate the facility, gather intel, and disrupt Arlo's operations."

"Klaus, you'll lead the infiltration team," McKenna said, her gaze meeting mine.

My heart skipped a beat. "Me, Mom?"

McKenna's expression turned resolute. "You're ready, Klaus. You've trained for this. I trust you."

The room fell silent, determination drawn  on every face.

We knew the risks. We knew the stakes.

But we also knew our duty.

To protect New Eden.

To protect the innocent.

To fight for freedom.

***

MCKENNA 

I stepped into the medical bay, the clean beeps of life-support machines and gentle holographic displays enveloping me. Our medics worked tirelessly to heal the wounded, those we have rescued and those hurt from rescuing others. I usually came to check on our latest rescue and this time was Ian Satur whom my son Klaus had just rescued. 

He laid tired on the bed where other recovering victims equally laid.

"Ian," I said softly, approaching his bedside.

He stirred, opening tired eyes. "Hello, who are you?....."

"Welcome, Ian," I smiled, taking his hand. "You're safe now. I am McKenna O'Connor, leader of Vortex"

Ian's gaze drifted to the medical staff bustling around us. "The resistance group?"

"Yes" I replied. "Klaus and his team rescued you from Synod's agents."

His eyes widened. "Klaus...I remember. He saved me."

I nodded, pride swelling in my chest. My son had grown into a capable and compassionate leader.

"Ian, can you tell me what happened while you were at the Synod headquarters?" I asked gently.

He hesitated, then began to recount his story. "Synod captured me...experimented on me. I didn't think I'd escape. It's a lot worse than it sounds. The place is built in a way that if you get out..... you don't seem to remember much....."

I listened intently, anger simmering beneath my surface. Arlo's regime would stop at nothing.

"How much do you remember?" I further asked 

"Experiments, infusion of various chemical formulas, cryptic brain scans, nothing much after that. I don't even remember how I got out. The radioactivity was.....a lot" He added

"We'll protect you now," I assured him. "You're under our care."

Ian's eyes locked onto mine, gratitude shining through. "Thank you, McKenna."

I smiled. "You're one of us now, Ian. We'll help you rebuild."

As I stood to leave, Ian's voice stopped me.

"McKenna?"

"Yes?"

"Be careful. Synod...they're planning something big. Arlo wants to harness NX-5 energy......I can only remember this much but it's not something good."

My heart sank. This confirmed our worst fears.

"I'll assemble the team," I said, determination etched on my face. "We'll stop Arlo, no matter what it takes. Klaus will show you to your room"

***

NIKLAUS 

Ian's eyes adjusted to the soft glow of the room McKenna and Klaus led him to. The space was cozy, with cream-colored walls and plush carpeting that muffled their footsteps.

"A safe haven,"  Jax said, smiling. "This will be your new home." He added 

The room's simplicity belied its advanced technology. A holographic display hovered near the bed, providing entertainment and information. Soft, warm lighting emanated from the ceiling.

I gestured to a small console. "Secure comms system. You can reach us anytime."

A compact bathroom adjoined the room, stocked with essentials. Fresh clothes and personal items lay neatly arranged on the bed.

"I'll show you around the headquarters later," Pen said. "Rest now."

Ian's gaze lingered on the tranquil space. Vortex's refuge was a haven he never thought he'd find.

"Thank you," he whispered, gratitude overwhelming him.

Pen's gentle smile and Jax's nod made him feel at home.

***

MAXINE 

I downed my fifth shot, laughing as Rachel and Mike cheered me on. The music pulsed through Sigma Chi's dimly lit frat house, and I let go of my inhibitions. For one night, I forgot about being an NX-ZERO, about the weight of my undecided designation.

I grasped the chilled beer bottle, condensation dripping down my fingers. Rachel, Mike, and I clinked our bottles together, laughing.

"To freedom!" Rachel cheered, her blonde hair sparkling under the party lights.

We took long swigs, the cold brew refreshing after a long week.

The music pulsed around us, a hypnotic beat that drew us to the dance floor. We lost ourselves in the rhythm, spinning and twirling like we had nothing to care for.

Rachel's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Tequila shots!"

We cheered, stumbling towards the bar. The bartender, a friendly guy with a charming smile, lined up three shots.

"Salt, lime, and regret," he winked.

We downed the shots, the burn igniting our laughter.

As the night wore on, our antics became more outrageous. We sang at the top of our lungs, butchering our favorite tunes. We even attempted to do the cha-cha-slide, collapsing in giggles.

Rachel grabbed my arm, her voice barely audible over the music. "Max, you're so dead! Your mom's gonna kill you if you come home this way!"

I grinned, feeling carefree for the first time in months. "Hell, yeah! But I could care less!"

The room spun around me, colors blending together in a joyful blur.

Mike pulled us into a group selfie, our smiles radiant. "Best. Night. Ever!"

I felt invincible, surrounded by friends who knew me inside out. But as the alcohol coursed through my veins, something strange began to stir within me.

At first, it was just a tingling sensation in my fingertips. Then, my vision blurred and refocused. The room spun, and I stumbled leaving them and heading to the bathroom.

Suddenly, I felt...different. Drunk? not exactly, it was a new and different feeling from my usual self.

I poured water down my face from the faucet and before I knew it, I crushed the faucet while trying to turn it off. Whoops and cheers erupted from the crowd back outside but I barely registered them.

While trying to understand what was happening time seemed to warp and bend around me. I raised my hand, and the clock on the wall froze. The music paused mid-beat. People hung suspended, mid-dance.

Panic crept into my haze of intoxication. 

What was happening?

I stumbled, and the room shifted around me. One moment, I was in the living room; the next, I was in the kitchen. I blinked, and I was back in the living room with everything and everyone beginning to move again. 

Minds began to blur and merge with mine. I heard thoughts, fears, and desires. Rachel's anxiety about graduation. Mike's secret crush on me.

No, no, no. This can't be happening.

I tried to push the thoughts away, but they overwhelmed me. Faces blurred, becoming indistinguishable, then it happened again.

I warped back and forth through rooms with the shimmering, thinning sound ringing across my ears as I held it down to stop the pain that surged through my brains.

The room dissolved into chaos, the terror that erupted among everyone who had seen me space jump wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. It was worse.

Some screamed. Others fled.

I heard someone calling Synod already. 

I stumbled, crashing into a table. Glasses shattered. Bottles exploded as I touched them. 

Time froze and unfroze, and the music restarted with a jarring screech. The partygoers scrambled to escape.

Rachel grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Max, stop! What's happening to you?"

I stared at my hands, trembling and foreign. Supreme strength coursed through my veins. I could crush the walls with a thought. I raised my hands and she flew across the room, slamming into the walls

This was impossible 

I couldn't have done that, I can't be able to do that, these are the powers of an NX-5, an abomination 

Mind manipulation. Time manipulation. Telekinesis. Strength. 

The powers I'd always feared, erupted like a volcano. I would rather prefer to live as an NX-ZERO than a 5 

I was losing control.

"Get out!" I screamed, flinging people away from me. "Get away! Stay away from me! Please!" I yelled through the hot stream of tears flooding through my eyes, I fled, exhausted and terrified. 

What have I become?