Silent Storm

“You nervous?” Silo asks Sasha as they walk down the hallway, making their way toward the Pod Room.

“I would feel a lot calmer if you told me what was going on with Christian yesterday, and what was in that vial around his neck.”

Silo reveals a similar vial pendant tucked under his shirt. “We all have one, it’s meant to be a booster, if we ever need it.”

“Booster?”

“No need to worry, it’s just a less potent does of the treatment we received in the pods.”

“Wait a minute, the same thing that did that to Christian is what you’re taking me to get? I don’t want to end up like him.”

“Sasha, relax. I won’t let anything bad happen to you, trust me,” says Silo, as they enter the Pod Room. “Cordelia already prepared your pod; you just need to get in.”

“I don’t think I want to do this anymore Silo.”

Silo gently nudges her into the pod.

The pod fastens her in and an anesthetic mask pops down, startling her.

“It’s ok, that’s just to apply the anesthetic. Not everyone is comfortable with needles, so it’s best if you’re asleep.”

“Needles? You didn’t say anything about any needles.”

“You won’t feel a thing,” says Silo as he tries to place the mask over Sasha’s face.

“Stop, let me out!” she yells.

“Sasha, you need to calm down, this is going to make you better.”

Sasha begins to struggle, trying to break free of the Pod’s restraints.

Silo forces the mask over her face.

Sasha loses control and begins to spew acid everywhere, burning Silo’s hand and damaging the pod in the process.

An alarmed Cordelia enters the room. “What the hell is going on in here?”

“Please, just let me go, I don’t want to be here anymore,” pleads Sasha.

Cordelia stares at the damaged pod then at Silo groveling in pain on the floor. “You stupid, stupid boy,” she says.

She then begins to twitch as she senses something.

She winces in pain from a ringing in her head.

“No not now,” says Silo, as he stares at Cordelia.

“This one has potential, we must have him,” says Cordelia, holding her head. “You really picked a prime time to be a nuisance didn’t you girl?” says Cordelia.

Silo rises to his feet, fighting through the pain. “Sasha you need to calm down, there’s been a new Awakening. If we don’t hurry the Silent Storm are going to get to them first.”

“Enough of this foolishness,” says Cordelia as she marches toward Sasha.

“Cordelia no!” begs Silo.

He tries to intervene but is tossed aside with a flick of Cordelia’s wrist.

Cordelia calls Sasha with her index finger, pulling her toward her like a magnet. “I offer you kindness, and this is the thanks I get in return? You ungrateful little bit---”

Sasha cries out and spews acid in Cordelia’s face.

Cordelia falls to the ground holding her face. Her agonizing screams unable to block out the sizzling sound of her skin and flesh burning.

Christian and Ronald rush in and subdue Sasha.

Silo rushes to help Cordelia up but she pushes him off.

She approaches Sasha as Christian and Ronald restrain her.

Sasha looks at Cordelia’s disfigured face and screams. “I just want to go home!”

Cordelia pants for breath but slowly regains her composure.

Her face begins to heal.

“Cordelia please,” begs Silo.

Cordelia places a gentle hand on Sasha’s face. “Like I told you before, no one’s a prisoner here.”

Silo looks on in confusion.

“I promise to return you to your mother if that is your wish,” says Cordelia. “I always keep my promises,” she continues.

Cordelia stares at Christian and Ronald. “Kindly take our guest to her room, try to make her as comfortable as possible.”

“What about the new awakening?” asks Silo.

“There’s been a new awakening?” asks Ronald.

“Just do as I say!” Yells Cordelia, her patience at an end.

She then turns to Silo. “And you, clean this mess up,” she says, as she turns around and exits the room, still not fully recovered from Sasha’s attack.

***

“I’m calling it, she’s not coming.” Says Jax, looking around at members of the faculty lined off on the usually busy, but currently deserted Cape Central streets.

“She was never going to show up with all of us here. She’s crazy, but not dumb,” says Gregor.

“Maybe this location is too public,” Barbara speculates.

“No, she’s cocky enough to come here and take us all on regardless of the location, something must have happened,” says Vanessa.

Marie glances at a little boy behind them, desperately clinging on to his parents as Chloe places a relaxing hand on him.

“What’s going on, is our boy safe? Asks the father”

“Everything’s going to be fine Chloe reassures the family.”

“What’s going to happen to Thomas?” asks the mother, holding on tightly to her son.

“If you allow it, we can enroll him in our Academy where we can give him the help he needs to control his powers,” Chloe Responds. “But such a decision can come after a much lengthier discussion,” she continues.

Marie uses her wrist pad to place a call.

“Captain Dean,” she says.

“Lady Stanislaus, I did as you and Lady Terrell instructed and cordoned off the area, blocking both vehicular and foot traffic, above and below,” Captain Dean responds.

“Looks like it was a false alarm Captain, my sincerest apologies.”

“Is the boy safe?”

“Yea he’ll be fine.”

“Then everything went according to plan.”

“As always, the Academy thanks you and the Central Police for their cooperation.”

“No problem my Lady.”

Marie ends the call.

Marie and Vanessa glance at each other.

“Chloe, hang back with us for a while just to be safe, the rest of you can return to the Academy,” orders Vanessa.

“How anticlimactic,” says a disappointed Jax.”

“Hungry for a fight Jackson?” asks Barbara.

“Justice Barbara, that’s all I’m after,” Jax responds, as they all march toward a large hovercraft.

Marie is alerted of an incoming call from Isabella and answers.

“Lady M, everything ok over there?” asks Isabella.

“Things are pretty quiet over here, the boy is safe, but Cordelia never showed up.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is.”

“Did you have any issues pinpointing the exact location?” Brain interrupts.

“No worries Brain, it led us right to the Awakening’s doorstep, good job with the modifications.”

“Thanks Lady M.”

“I know you guys are probably disappointed we left you behind, but it was for your own safety.”

“No, I’m quite fine with being kept away from certain death, I think only Riley would have been upset, but he’s been so busy studying for his comprehensive assessment, I don’t think he even noticed when you guys left,” Brain responds.

“Comprehensive Assessment?” a perplexed Marie says to herself, then quickly smacks herself in the head. “Oh crap, I completely forgot about that,” she continues.

Vanessa shakes her head in disbelief.

“Anyway Lady M, don’t let us keep you any longer, we’ll see you all when you return,” says Isabella.

Marie ends the call.

“Chloe, why didn’t you remind me about Riley’s upcoming assessment?” asks Marie.

“We’ve had several conversations on the matter, and I’ve sent you over a dozen reminders Lady Stanislaus, you haven’t read any of them,” Chloe responds, much to Marie’s shame.

“You mean to tell me you haven’t had a single conversation with Riley about this?” asks Vanessa.

“No need to scold me V, but we have been a bit preoccupied, haven’t we?”

“Riley needs all the attention he can get Lady Stanislaus,” says Chloe.

“I know, I know, I’ll have a word with him.”

“Alright now, shall we all head inside for a nice little chat?” asks Chloe.

“Yes lets,” says Marie.

The family leads them inside their home and closes the door behind them.

***

“I can’t picture a life without her, because I love her,” Jason repeats to himself while seated on the Academy steps.

“If you love her, just tell her you idiot,” he continues.

The Academy gates open, and Lou pulls into the compound, causing Jason to spring to his feet.

“Tell her or lose her Jason, it’s that simple.”

Gale exits the vehicle, yawning and barely able to keep her eyes open.

“I’ll take care of your bags Ms. Radcliffe, don’t trouble yourself with them, you’ve earned some rest,” says Lou.

“Thanks Lou, I appreciate it,” Gale responds. “But I need to check in with Ms. Price first,” she continues.

“No problem Ms. Radcliffe.”

“Ms. Price isn’t here,” says Jason, as he walks toward Gale.

“Where is she?” asks Gale.

“She left earlier with most of the faculty in search of a new Awakening.”

“Wow, Lady M and V really aren’t taking any chances with Cordelia huh.”

Jason stares at Gale.

“What’s the matter with you Jason?” asks Gale.

“Listen, about the little fight we had,” says Jason.

“Little fight? You can’t be serious? It’s amazing how you can try to downplay something that’s fundamentally wrong with our relationship.”

An uncomfortable Lou looks on at the ongoing exchange and discreetly makes his way inside the Academy building. “I’ll deal with the bags later,” he says to himself.

“Gale, you don’t understand, there’s something I need to tell you, I’ve thought a lot about it and---”

“Jason, I’m exhausted, and barely able to stand, my head hurts and I’m hungry, I don’t have time to deal with your emotionally stunted bullshit right now,” an angry Gale interrupts.

“But Gale, listen, I lo—”

Gale pushes Jason aside, “Just give me some space Jason,” she says, and heads inside the Academy building.

Jason places his hands on his hips and looks up at the sky. “You have got to be kidding me!” he yells at the top of his lungs.

His body streaks with electricity and he speeds toward Gaia’s shrine in anger.

He enters the shrine and sees Riley sitting at the base of the tree, eyes glued to a notebook.

“I’m surprised to see you in here brother,” says Jason.

“Yea well, desperate times and all,” Riley responds.

Jason takes a seat next to Riley and peeps inside the notebook. “This isn’t your handwriting, and these notes are much too organized, who’s notebook is this?” he asks.

“It’s Miranda’s, she spent two nights straight putting it together for me so I can pass my assessment,” Riley responds without taking his eyes off the book.

“That little girl really is something, isn’t she? They all are, those three.”

“Yup.”

“You know the bond you have with them is quite special.”

“Uh huh,” responds Riley.

“Despite your flaws brother, people gravitate toward you for some reason, while it’s always been hard for me to maintain any kind of relationship.”

“That’s because you have a giant stick lodged way up your ass buddy,” Riley responds.

Jason stares at him for a few seconds.

Riley finally looks away from the book and looks back at Jason.

They both burst out in laughter.

“So, what’s got you all worked up?” asks Riley.

“It’s Gale, I think I’m losing her.”

“Is that really such a bad thing?” asks Riley.

“That’s not funny Riley.”

Riley laughs out. “Just give her some time, I’m sure she’ll come around.”

“I hope you’re right brother.” Jason responds. “Tell me something though, what happens if you fail your assessment?” he asks.

“I get placed in a special programme, almost like a never-ending boot camp where they drill everything we learned from Nimbus I and up into me over and over and over, until they’re satisfied I’m at the required level.”

“Is that really such a bad thing?” asks Jason.

Riley laughs. “Oh, you got jokes now huh?”

Jason laughs.

“Well yes it would be very bad, I won’t get to go on missions anymore, and I would hardly get to see any of you guys.”

“I hear you brother; I believe in you. I always will, never forget that.”

Riley refocuses on his notebook, while Jason leans back on the tree, taking in its soothing energy.