KAPITEL VIER

NICHOLAS

I stood beside my mother, McKenna, the leader of Vortex, in the heart of our underground headquarters. The gentle hum of holographic displays and the whispers of fellow rebels filled the air as she stood before the few hundred we had managed to save and those who were already here with us.

“Friends, we are gathering at a critical turning point,” McKenna began, surveying the room. “New Eden’s descent into tyranny is accelerating under Arlo’s rule.”

As leader of Phoenix-5, the governing body of Vortex, McKenna's words carried weight. Her eyes fixed on me, and I saw a mixture of concern and determination.

“Synod’s agents are roaming unchecked, hunting NX-5s, our kind,” she continued. “Arlo’s propaganda machine is stirring up fear and hatred. Our sources indicate that a new, top-secret facility is under construction.”

"What is its purpose?" asked Zara, a gifted hacker.

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

I clenched my fists, anger seething inside me. "We can't allow this."

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

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

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

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

The room fell silent, determination etched 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 infirmary, enveloped by the clean beep of life support machines and gentle holographic displays. Our medics were working tirelessly to heal the wounded we had rescued and those injured while rescuing others. I usually came to check on our latest rescue, and this time it was Ian Satur, whom my son Klaus had just saved.

He lay tired on the bed, where other recovering victims lay in the same way.

“Ian,” I said gently, approaching his bed.

He stirred and opened his tired eyes. "Hello, who are you?....."

“Welcome, Ian,” I smiled and took his hand. “You’re safe now. I’m 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 saved 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 Synod headquarters?" I asked gently.

He hesitated, then began to tell his story. “Synod captured me…experimented on me. I didn’t think I’d escape. It’s much worse than it sounds. The place is designed so that when you get out…you don’t seem to remember much…”

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

"How much do you remember?" I continued.

"Experiments, infusions of various chemical formulas, cryptic brain scans, and then not much more. I don't even remember how I got out. The radioactivity was... a lot," he added.

"We will protect you now," I assured him. "You are under our care."

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

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

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

“McKenna?”

"Yes?"

"Be careful. Synod...they're planning something big. Arlo wants to use NX-5 power...I can only remember this much, but it's nothing good."

My heart sank. This confirmed our worst fears.

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

---

NICHOLAS

Ian's eyes adjusted to the soft glow of the room into which McKenna and Klaus led him. The room was cozy, with cream-colored walls and a soft carpet 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 light radiated from the ceiling.

I pointed to a small console. "Secure communication system. You can reach us anytime."

A compact bathroom adjoined the room, equipped with the essentials. Fresh clothes and personal belongings were neatly arranged on the bed.

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

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

"Thank you," he whispered, overwhelmed with gratitude.

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

---

MAXINE

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

I grabbed the chilled beer bottle, condensation dripping over my fingers. Rachel, Mike, and I clinked our bottles together and laughed.

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

We took long sips; the cold brew was refreshing after a long week.

The music pulsed around us, a hypnotic beat that drew us onto the dance floor. We lost ourselves in the rhythm, turning and twirling as if we had no worries.

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

We cheered and stumbled over to the bar. The bartender, a friendly guy with a charming smile, set out three shots.

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

We downed the shots, the burning sensation ignited our laughter.

As the night wore on, our escapades became more boisterous. We sang at the top of our lungs and butchered our favorite songs. We even attempted the cha-cha slide and collapsed giggling.

Rachel grabbed my arm, her voice barely audible over the music. "Max, you're so dead! Your mother will kill you if you come home like that!"

I grinned, feeling carefree for the first time in months. "Damn it, yes! But I don't care!"

The room revolved around me, colors merging into a joyful jumble.

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

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

At first it was just a tingling in my fingertips. Then my vision blurred and sharpened again. The room spun, and I stumbled, left her, and went to the bathroom.

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

I let water from the tap run over my face, and before I knew it, I crushed the tap trying to turn it off. Whoops and cheers erupted from the crowd outside, but I barely registered them.

As I tried to understand what was happening, time around me seemed to warp and bend. I raised my hand, and the clock on the wall froze. The music paused mid-beat. People hung in mid-air, in the middle of a dance.

Panic crept into my intoxication.

What happened?

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, while everything and everyone began to move again.

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

No, no, no. That can't happen.

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

I jumped back and forth through rooms, the shimmering, thinning sound ringing in my ears as I held onto it to stop the pain surging through my brain.

The room descended into chaos; the terror that erupted among everyone who had seen me space jump was not exactly what I thought it would be. It was worse.

Some screamed. Others fled.

I heard someone already calling for a synod.

I tripped and crashed into a table. Glasses shattered. Bottles exploded when I touched them.

Time froze and thawed, and the music restarted with a shrill screech. The partygoers hurried 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 alien. Extreme strength coursed through my veins. I could crush the walls with a single thought. I raised my hands, and they flew across the room and crashed into the walls.

That was impossible.

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

Mind manipulation. Time manipulation. Telekinesis. Strength.

The forces I had always feared erupted like a volcano. I would rather live as an NX-ZERO than as a 5.

I lost control.

"Get out!" I screamed, throwing people away from me. "Go away! Stay away from me! Please!" I roared through the hot stream of tears flooding my eyes, fleeing, exhausted and terrified.

What have I become?