“True, that would suck,” Ellen said while swiping her dyed blue hair out of her eyes.“How far back can you remember?”
“That’s enough, sis,” Apollo said.“The detective has had a long journey.Pepper him with questions after he’s slept.”
“Fine,” Ellen agreed.
“Hello, Rocko.I’m Renee, Griffin’s sister, and I have the ability to heal much the same way Mrs.Greer on Brick’s team does.”
She was small, had dark hair like her brother, and wore a flowy dress despite the cold weather.
“Nice to meet you, Renee.”At least she wasn’t as volatile as her brother.So far.
“I’m Damon, and this is Xavier,” another man said as he motioned to the smaller blond-haired man standing behind him, who never once looked up.“Retired Army, and I can create and control fire.”He was tall, with jet black hair and equally dark eyes.
“Good to meet the two of you,” Rocko said, but Xavier remained silent, almost trying to disappear behind Damon.There was no comment on Xavier’s abilities.
Before his departure, Brick had told Rocko before his that the smaller man had yet to speak after being saved from his abusive father, Solomon, a Noah Project leader in New Orleans who’d experimented on his son.That’d been twelve months ago.
“I’m Hendrix, Special Ops,” said a man in a suede fringed jacket, who looked to be the resident hippie, before shaking Rocko’s hand.“Cool family tree.We’ll talk, man.”
“Okay,” Rocko said, unsure what the hell that meant.
“I’m Jagger.”And with what felt like a practiced flourish, he removed his dark sunglasses to reveal his birdlike eyes of gold.This was obviously how he got a rise out of a newcomer.When Rocko didn’t react, he put his glasses back on, looking a bit disappointed.“I’m the pilot, these freaky fuckers give me enhanced eyesight, and I deal with anything technical or mechanical.”
Rocko nodded.It would take a hell of a lot more than having bird’s eyes to shock him anymore.Hell, he wouldn’t be shocked if a damn centaur galloped over at this point.
“Good to meet you.”
“I’m Ace.”That was all the guy said; he hadn’t moved, didn’t elaborate, or offer his hand.
Okay.Possible military by his stance.Ready to move at a moment’s notice, but no visible tattoos like Rocko had from his time as a Ranger.Merc maybe.
“Hello, Ace.”
“And I’m Blade,” the last member said, extending sharp silver blades from his fists, reminding him of a character he’d seen on the movie screen.
“Seems logical.You’ll have to excuse me, but I think I’ll pass on the handshake.”
Blade laughed with an ease that made Rocko believe he laughed often.
“It’s okay, dude.Some asshole scientists in the Noah Group obviously watched way too many superhero movies, and one day I woke up with these fuckers as a souvenir.Had one bitch of a time figuring them out without filleting myself while wiping my damn ass.I’d sooner carry a knife.”
“I hear you, man,” Jagger said.“If I could have enhanced eyesight only on demand without having these freaky eyes, I’d do it.”
“You have no idea how many small fires I started as a kid and teenager before gaining better control over it,” Damon huffed before chuckling at some memory.“Foster care labeled me a pyro, though they could never find matches or a lighter anywhere near me.”
“Hell, man.I got stuck with the ability to track down anyone’s family tree.Talk about boring and useless histories.Give me something with pizzazz power.I’d settle for anything physical.”Hendrix laughed good-naturedly.
“You never know.Powers crop up at different times,” Griffin said.“Be careful what you wish for; you might start sprouting feathers.”
“Oh, oh, oh, we could call him the Birdman of Chinandroga.”Ellen laughed while waving her hand in the air like a student trying to get the teacher’s attention.
“I wouldn’t give a shit what you called me as long as I can fly.”Hendrix laughed while raising his arms into the air.“That would have come in handy behind enemy lines.”
As the conversation carried on around them, Rocko could feel some of his anxiety draining away.These people were like him, bonding over their shared mishaps and differences.It didn’t escape his notice that neither Apollo nor Griffin shared about themselves, the same as Ace, which was their right.No one should be forced to out their abilities.The Noah Group had already taken far too much from them.They wanted privacy; they should have it.
“I worry that I’m never going to have any abilities,” Ellen admitted.“I’m almost eighteen, and still nothing.”
Apollo stepped up to his sister and hugged her close.“Maybe it’s for the best that you don’t have any powers.It could help keep you off The Noah Group’s radar.”
