March 6th, 2018

Manhattan, New York

Tesla Fortress

02:45 PM

 

Tesla Academy opened its doors twenty years ago and had been, for quite some time, the only establishment that created competent and trained superhumans who joined super teams to police the USA in conjunction with mundane law enforcement agencies and also intervened in case of catastrophes and disasters. Now there were other Academies like the Charles Institute and the Howard Blake College sponsored by the government that was emulating it. The cooperation between those three institutions was tenuous at best and heavily influenced by politics and geography. For the last two years, this simple balance had been disturbed by a string of incidents concerning the new recruits distributed amongst the super teams nationwide: maiming, murder or simply disappearing.

Tesla Academy was losing prestige and trust.

It had raised countless flags in the superhuman community. At first, Tesla had dismissed the notion and thought those incidents the fruit of serendipity, but now his outlook had changed after finding a pattern centered on the students of his schools and the discovery of spies like Hugh Vinson in his staff.

The scientist sat in his office looking at the information scrolling down on his multiple holographic screens. They showed the financial transactions of a bank account and the website of a Swiss bank. The files of the graduates involved, along with the time and location of the incidents were overlaid on a map of the USA, showing a pattern Tesla had noticed.

After some digging Velia, his companion maid who stood behind him found two money trails in the bank account of the late examiner. Of the two electronic trails, the first led to a rival company called Val-tech and the second led to the bank account of a current student of his school-Benjamin Price. Velia informed him that there was a situation concerning the Price boy; he and his friends were sent to the ICU of the Mercer Hospital by…

“Говно (shit), it’s her again...” The man put a hand over his face, sighing.

Elissa Von Braun-Halliwell was one of the names he had put on the flag list and given high priority, but it seems something had glitched. Nikola felt concerned and a sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. He had promised Malicia to take care of her daughter so that nothing untoward would happen to her while she was at his academy. The scientist’s heart stopped momentarily when his smartphone began to ring.

He wasn’t surprised when the Caller-ID showed Malicia's name. Nikola summoned up his courage and hit the accept call button and said, “Hello.”

“You promised that she would be safe. That I wouldn’t have to worry.”

“Malicia, I’ve just been informed of the situation-” Nikola tried to say, but was interrupted.

“I wasn’t finished, Lord Tesla.” The woman’s voice was cold and angry. “You have been one of our staunchest allies and supporters since we arrived in this country and this is the first time my trust in you has been shaken; don't make me lose it entirely lest our cooperation ends here.” Malicia stayed silent for a second and continued. “I hope you know what to do concerning this situation with Elissa and ...Price. I hope you know how to handle this in a satisfactory manner. You know what will happen if I take matters into my own hands.”

The scientist slumped in his seat. Even Velia, normally ever stoic, became alarmed when she saw his distress. She began to massage his shoulder slowly and Tesla showed her a thankful expression. Thus encouraged, the man said, “Malicia, I am sorry. Believe me, it hurts me to think our friendship is being tested so, like you I am shocked by the events that have happened.”

Silence. A span of a few seconds silence made the scientist worry he might have lost a friend and partner in crime just like that. However, when Malicia spoke again he regained hope.

“I see. Nikola,” The man flinched in surprise when he heard Malicia call him by his first name, but he noticed her voice had lost that 'edge' that scared him. It had always been 'Lord Tesla' or 'My Lord' as if she were some sort of medieval actress. This quirk of hers had made him rather curious about her background, but he had never been able to find anything.

“I wish to convene a meeting between you and my family to discuss this entire debacle. It's also possibly time to inform you about some family secrets you should be made aware of.” The Sorceress told him.

Tesla’s eyes widened. Malicia, telling him a secret? Was this a dream? The man pinched his cheek and a painful feeling spread that almost made him laugh. This wasn’t a dream; he would finally be able to know more about these fascinating people he had come to love.

“Malicia, can I bring my daughter Annya? She has information that you may find interesting concerning this entire affair.” Tesla asked.

He hadn't forgotten about this 'Cabal' or that Hugh Vinson had also been dealing with Benjamin Price. Maybe the dots in the pattern he had found could be connected and complete the puzzle he had stumbled upon. It threatened to bring his academy and reputation to ruin.

“Bring her. However, you may have to take some... oaths of secrecy. We will meet in the pocket dimension.”

“Thank you, we will be there in the evening,” Tesla said with a smile.

The call disconnected the second he finished speaking. The scientist's expression froze for a minute.

*She may be quite rude...but she is incredibly efficient.* Nikola chuckled at this thought.

---

Mercer Island

Tesla Academy

Security Compound

05:45 PM

Tony Leach was an up and coming investigator on this island; after dismantling a burglary ring and solving two murders he had gotten an early promotion. He was known for being stubborn and relentless in his work. However, today he was confronted by a girl who didn’t take him seriously at all and it pissed him off. He immediately took charge of the case when he heard that his favorite student in the academy had been sent to the hospital. He wanted to put the fear of god into whoever had harmed Benjamin Price. After all, Price's parents paid him handsomely to look after him. However, he couldn’t threaten or intimidate the girl at all, the wall of muscles at her side didn’t permit it. The man looked at Tony without blinking, focusing his intense gaze on him and only interjecting when the officer went too far.

“As I told you before, they attacked me first,” Elissa said, frustrated by having to answer the same questions yet again. This cop from the Mercer Island PD just wouldn't accept her response.

“I don’t think you understand the kind of position you are in, Miss Von Braun. You and your friends put seven people in the hospital. Some of them won’t be able to use their limbs like before.” Tony felt incensed by what happened to those young men, being torn apart and brutalized that way made him predisposed to pity those he thought were the victims in this entire affair.

“Oh, I understand it perfectly. Do yourself a favor mister…? Sorry, I forgot your name again.” The redhead made an innocent face while speaking, but she didn't fool anyone with the mirth shining in her eyes.

“Leach.” Tony tightly closed his eyes and struggled not to clench his hands into fists as he heard the young lady giggle at his name again.

“Elissa, be serious,” Heracles interjected, shifting his harsh gaze towards her

The young lady wilted under his serious stare and put on a sheepish expression.

“Yes, Dad. Sorry officer Leach.” The redhead apologized, putting special emphasis on his rank.

“Like I was saying, officer, those guys planned to ambush and attack me and their boss, smarmy Ben, has been doing this to all the new girls that caught his eye. I am sure there are a lot of complaints about him from several girls, but they were suppressed because of his parents.” Elissa looked meaningfully at the cop. “Oh yeah, my dad did some research of his own,” Elissa turned her head to her father who gave her a quick smile before resuming his stoic guard. “His parents work on one of the DC super teams. They seem to have a pet cop that solves problems for them, the kind of guy who seems to always show up first when something involving Benjamin Price happens.” Elissa started looking at the cop more sarcastically.

Tony's tie suddenly felt too tight around his neck. He loosened it while sweat poured down his forehead.

“So, as we have established, you have no power here and we are waiting for the BSA. I will now just stay silent and wait for them and my lawyer.” Elissa leaned back in her seat, looking contemptuously at the oathbreaker before her.

He had betrayed the oath of office he made to protect and defend the people because of money; in her mind, that was the most severe transgression he could have possibly committed. In the supernatural world, your words had power and betraying them had extreme consequences. To magic users like Elissa, Tony Leach was even more abhorrent than Benjamin Price. Tony couldn’t help but feel as if the young lady was looking down on him, judging him unworthy. His dumbfounded expression turned into a scowl, but before he could answer her the door of the interrogation room opened and two people entered. One was a tall Asian woman and the other was a cold-eyed athletic blonde woman. They were familiar to Elissa, she smiled when she recognized Ada Fong and her partner Jill Muir.

Just after them Ashton Carter, the Von Braun’s family lawyer, entered the room. He was an elegant man with slicked back black hair, red eyes, and thin lips. He was handsome in a classical way. He smiled at Elissa and Heracles, his fangs showing, and nodded at them.

Ashton Carter was a Vampire. Elissa wasn't exactly sure of how he was contracted by the family. Heracles didn’t acknowledge him even as the lawyer walked behind him to stand and wait for when he was needed.

“BSA. We will take it from here.” Jill Muir showed her badge and ID.

Tony opened his eyes wide in surprise, Elissa suddenly looked more attentive and less confrontational. Heracles raised an eyebrow before nodding in satisfaction that he didn't have to listen to the pitiful whimpering of that mongrel any longer.

“Wait a minute! This is my case, you have no right to-” Tony stood from his seat in a huff.

Jill walked toward the man, slapped a piece of paper on his chest and said, “This is not a request, but an order and you," she continued as she straightened the grey jacket of her pantsuit, "have an interview with Internal Affairs concerning your… finances.”

Ada enjoyed the strangled cry the man let out as he fled the room, then her gaze focused on the man at Elissa's side. He was in a black Armani suit that did little to hide his impressive shoulders and muscles. The man’s eyes were a gorgeous green and the female investigator lost herself in them until he opened his mouth and said, “Just in time, thank you for coming as fast as you could.”

“Hello mister Von Braun; we thank you for your patience,” Ada said, making a flirtatious smile.

She found him extremely attractive and...masculine. She reminded herself she had to focus and stay professional; Jill had already thrown her the evil eye.

Heracles laughed in his rich baritone voice. “Nice to meet the two of you. If I remember correctly, both of you were on the case the last time my daughter was in trouble.”

Elissa turned her head toward her dad, looking wounded.

“It’s not like it’s my fault, dad.” She said aggrievedly. Heracles looked at her, knowing it was a lie. He patted her head in comfort. “Ok, fine. I’ll stop talking.” Elissa crossed her arms and pouted.

Jill smiled at the exchange between father and daughter.“Yes, and she helped us a lot mister Von Braun. The BSA now has some contacts in the magical community and we finally have some protection against magic.” Jill threw a meaningful glance at Elissa while showing off her jewelry. The redhead just smiled and waved in return.

“Please, call me Heracles,” The hero said. He put a hand on Elissa's shoulder. “Give them the recording Elissa.”

To everyone else, Elissa’s phone appeared from the air, but it was actually in Fenirael's hands who was using her aura to block their perception of her. Elissa grabbed her phone and began to navigate it. Ada took her own phone and turned on the Bluetooth to receive the file. Elissa shared the video of the fight and stayed silent.

Jill began to ask Heracles questions and he informed them that Elissa had sent all of her assailants to the hospital and that her friends had helped her in the altercation. The lawyer interjected only to give his opinions about the course of actions he should take and what he should and shouldn’t say.

There was one point Heracles decided to make sure the investigator understood. “As you can see, Elissa has recorded the entire altercation. I won’t mince words, I am going to sue this boy and his parents.”

That was what Elissa wanted to hear! She put a hand on Heracles’s arm, an action that unintentionally spurred jealousy in Ada, and said, “Dad, can I let the other girls Benjamin ‘touched’ do the same? Now we have grounds to expose all of his crimes.”

Elissa looked at the vampire lawyer. He almost chuckled giddily and said, “We can already have him for conspiracy, sexual harassment against a minor, and intimidation. Maybe with the other girls, we can keep him in prison for statutory rape.” The vampire sounded eager to begin.

“It will be enough,” Heracles said before thinking. *If none of that works, Malicia will take over and pass judgment.* This world's legal system was flawed and Heracles didn’t like it. On Phantasia, he would have had words with Price's father and dueled for the honor of his daughter.

“We will do what we can, but his parents have a lot of clout,” Jill said.

Ada wanted to put off the reading of this boy’s memories for as long as possible. From what she has gathered from Elissa’s interaction with her father, it would not be pleasant. She had seen so much death and so many lies it was impossible for her to completely trust humankind anymore. Elissa looked at her with pity and that struck a chord in her, that Elissa knowing about Ada's ability had sympathy for her. The young lady was a selfless one, prone to putting herself in danger for the greater good.

*Why couldn't others be like her?*

---

Security Command Center #1

06:30 PM

 

Jill stared at the screen. Watching the fight between Elissa and Benjamin Price was horrifying and the violence seemed so sudden. Seeing the young lady in action changed the way Jill looked at her. She had thought Elissa was a sweet and adorable young woman, but her movements were fluid and there was no hesitation as she fought to disable the strongman. Normally, it shouldn’t have been possible based on the stats she saw in the files she had received. Price was stronger and tougher than this young lady, but she won anyway. Jill leaned in the seat facing the bank of computers and screens. There were only three seats in this Command Center and a ton of non-lethal gadgets to subdue people with different power sets.

“Fine. It’s blatantly obvious that this is a case of legitimate self-defense. To me, it’s clear cut that Von Braun and her friends are innocent.” Jill scratched her nose and looked at her empty mug of Italian coffee, she wanted more of that delicious nectar.

“You know something bothers me with this video.” Ada squinted her eyes and tilted her head at the screen.

Jill knew exactly what her partner noticed. “The angles? As if someone invisible was recording everything.”

“Yes, like that!” The Asian woman laughed and pointed her finger at Jill. Knowing who took the video the blonde agent wasn’t surprised by this happening, after all, Elissa Von Braun was a mage.

The blonde made a smug smile and continued to watch as Elissa finished the young man by bashing his head repeatedly on the concrete pavement.

“Do you think they will try to wriggle out of this because the girl used excessive force?” Jill asked worriedly.

“Their stats are different, he is a big boy, and he could have killed her. He clearly wanted to do something worse to her than just… rape her.” Ada stopped the video and jumped to the part where Elissa told the boy to submit. “Here look, we see him resisting when she told him to stop. No, he won't be able to get out of this one.”

The two women stopped the video and put the computer in standby mode. Each of them took folders and spread them over the table in front of them.

“Here in Price’s file we see that he was accused of rape or sexual harassment by a lot of girls, but it seems it was only their word against his.” Ada’s neutral expression turned into a scowl.

“This guy, Leach, seems to have been covering Price's ass. His name is on every case.”

Knock. Knock.

Ada looked at Jill, who clearly didn’t plan on moving at all if she could understand the smile that dared her to ask the question. The blonde had been trying to make her become more sociable lately. With a heavy sigh and a mean gaze to Jill, she stood up and went to the door of the Command Center. As she opened it, one of the android maids she had seen taking care of the cleaning and other menial chores stood before her and held a carafe of coffee in her hand.

“That’s for us?” Ada looked at the carafe of coffee and looked eager to relieve the maid of it.

The android nodded and handed it to her before she turned on her heel and left. Ada smiled and closed the door before she went to sit at Jill's side. She put the carafe on the table and said, “We are being monitored.”

“Of course we are, it would be unprofessional if they didn’t,” Jill said taking the carafe and pouring the delicious beverage into her mug.

Ada did the same, pouring the coffee into her own mug and looking at Price’s file. Jill observed her friend still didn’t dare touch the young man's picture. The blonde investigator didn’t begrudge her reluctance, after all, it was possible that seeing the memories of a potential sex offender might taint her mind even more. Jill had seen it happen before; Ada would clam up and stop speaking or interacting with anyone if the memories she saw were too shocking or terrifying.

The Asian woman looked in her partner’s eyes and asked, “Jill, what are we going to do about the other girls that Price assaulted?”

Jill put the mug to her mouth and sipped her coffee, the espresso taste exploding in her mouth. The blond woman sighed in contentment before speaking.

“The Von Braun's lawyer is going to get the other girls to board their bandwagon and make it harder for the boy’s family to get him out of this. We should go and take their statements and reopen all the buried cases. I'm sure that this Leach fellow is going to be prosecuted for all this.” Jill speculated.

"Haha, this case is sure to kill his career." Ada laughed at the corrupt cop's misfortune.

Jill made a mischievous grin, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “You got it.”