"What are the four powers you need me to shunt off? And what potential side effects should I be aware of?" Kai asked me.

"An Alter ability to decide where your sense of gravity is. The second is the former Cape Tramp's ability to see trajectories as well as make themselves and other nonliving things bouncy in a way that defies physics. The third is an ability that won't even be usable here, but it's a Caster ability to copy and store other Caster attacks. There shouldn't be any side effects that show up during our testing for those three powers. The final is Punch's ability, which comes along with aggression, a lot of it," I answered.

"I'm very curious what the other three powers' side effects are for you to want them gone so badly. Don't worry, I know you'd tell me if it was necessary, and I won't ask about it. But damn, you really love your secrets," Kai said.

"It's purely coincidental. What kind of tests are you looking to run in pursuit of the Apotheosis Engine project?"

"The first is to test the limits of what the stem cell differentiation nanite distribution system can repair. I've picked up five 3d bioprinters; Rorschach wasn't happy about it, but she understood the need for the machines. A major constraint of bioprinting is time; it takes a lot of precision, and with limited materials available, it can take months just to print part of an organ. My nanites allow for perfect, mathematical accuracy in the creation of tissues and cellular placement. I'm hoping to get the time shortened from months to days or even hours. I've taken DNA samples of fifteen Subjects, and I've got a significant supply of stem cells that we can begin soon," Kai answered.

"Are there any concerns I should be made aware of regarding all of this?"

Kai looks down and to the left, a clear sign that he's not telling me the truth about something. Don't lie, Doctor.

"Some of what I have planned may result in Trigger Events, and while I'm very confident in the capability of the cells to hold Neuvohumans, there is a chance that someone awakens an ability that lets them escape. I understand how important it is that what we're doing here doesn't get out, but before you pull the plug on the project, please consider that the pros vastly outweigh the cons," Kai begged.

"That's all? If you manage to cause a Trigger Event, I'll owe you a favor. If someone escapes from here, we will deal with it then. Isaiah and Vivienne can always go get anyone who might've escaped. Pick four people that aren't Ten or Thirteen and let me put the powers inside them. Then you can start chopping them up however you like," I ordered.

Kai nods his head and then presses a button on his computer terminal. I hear a noise that sounds like a pin being struck against a metal surface behind me as four table drones rush past us like a herd of gazelles. Rectangular openings appear in front of four of the cells, and one of the drones jumps down each one. An identical opening appears in the center of the inside of the cells, from which the drones pop out. Using the tail syringes, they each grab a prisoner, strapping them to the table before dropping back into the hole. They emerge from the tunnels, moving back to appear in front of us.

Four sleeping Subjects, all completely different. Subject One is an older Middle Eastern woman who still has her hijab on, which seems like such an odd exception to Kai's callous disregard. He doesn't see any of the Subjects as people, but he's willing to respect their religious beliefs? I give her Froggy's original power to control his center of gravity, and I can't help but grin as the power leaves me. Good riddance, addiction. My days of drinking myself stupid are over. Subject Seven is next; a middle-aged Asian man with a thin goatee. He's getting Echochamber's power and the corresponding narcissism. Once I'm finished with him, I move on to the next one. Subject Sixteen is an androgenous person of unknown gender with prominent bone structure. They have messy blonde hair and a scar on their lip that goes all the way to their chin. You get Tramp's powers and pride. The fourth and final power battery is Subject Two, a young black teenager with box braids. He's receiving Punch's aggression, and I almost feel bad for him, knowing what it will do to him. Almost.

Kai's typing away at his terminal when I give him the thumbs up, the drones rush away to return their riders to their cells. The doctor spins around to face me, now holding his signature tablet. His metal limb turns to dust, swirling around like a metallic tornado until it reforms as a multi-limbed appendage like he originally had. It has more joints than the original for a greater range of motion, and I'd even say it's an upgrade over the original. The downside is that it's chrome colored and cannot pass for a real limb.

"Why did you ask me not to use Subjects Thirteen and Ten? Is there something special about them that I don't know?" He asked me sincerely.

"Possibly. There is a quality to the two of them that the others lack. I'm not quite sure how to quantify it or explain what it is, but they have it. The two of them are ones to watch out for. I'm not telling you to spare them or treat them any differently, just to keep an eye on the two Subjects. I hate to refer to things as a gut feeling or hunch, but that is what it is," I answered.

He makes a face like he's got an upset stomach and doesn't even try to hide it. I figured someone like him with such a scientific mind wouldn't like relying on a feeling without any substance. He's grown so much more comfortable with me since seeing my real face. That night, after the Technologica debacle, made me more human than monster in his eyes. He never would've made that face before that.

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"Okay. I'll keep that in mind as I begin," he joked sarcastically. "I guess there's a non-zero possibility that you're right and they prove remarkable or special in some way. Did you want to stay while I get started, or leave since you got rid of the powers?" He asked me, clearly wanting to be left alone.

With my primary task done, I guess I don't have much reason to stay. I don't share his love of exploring the unknown and the scientific process. Since he wants privacy and solitude, I can give the man his space. My coursework from the last two weeks still needs to be done anyway. Technologica got me an extended deadline, but that doesn't mean I won't do them as soon as possible.

"No, I'll be leaving. Keep me updated."

"All done," I said to myself, looking over at my phone's clock.

It's already three am? I've been doing all the homework that built up while I was off galavanting in the Canadian boonies. At least it's finally done. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a yawn. I'm exhausted, and I need to get to sleep if we're going to leave Quinstin tonight like Aubrey wanted. Going back to sleepy New Farford is going to be such a drastic change of pace after everything that's happened so far. Going back to where it all began six months ago.

Daniel and I will have dinner together as we always have, not a traditional Thanksgiving one, because there's not really a way to cook Thanksgiving dinner for only two people. Instead, every year I make us two sirloin steaks, whipped potatoes, and a vegetable of some kind. Depending on how the garden's been going, there might even be something I can use from there. I wonder whether I will feel any different now that I've collected more emotions since the last time I saw him. Will being able to feel sad change anything between us? If I see the familiar glaze over his eyes as he looks at me and thinks of Mother, will it hurt me? It's an interesting possible development that I'm a little excited for.

With a bit of distance since that moment with Vivienne, I can start to appreciate what it means to be sad. Coming to terms with the fact that our bond will never be what it was again was gut-wrenching. But allowing myself to mourn the loss of our friendship has been cathartic in a way; my chest doesn't feel like it's being crushed when I look at her anymore. It was an eye-opening experience for me. At the same time, being brought so low is what has allowed me to truly savor the highs. Joy, Love, Compassion, and Sadness are all part of the puzzle I aim to complete. Being able to feel not just positive emotions, but negative ones too, is what being human is all about. My phone vibrates, freeing me from my spiral of thoughts. It's Emma.

"Hello, I hope all is well," I said.

"You're awake?" Emma asked, taken aback.

"Yes, I was just finishing up some work and preparing to go to bed when you called. Wait, why did you call if you thought I'd be sleeping?"

"I figured I'd wake you up as punishment for ghosting me for a week. You know, after you fucked me, threatened me, choked me, poisoned me with household chemicals, and then trapped me in a burning house," she replied instantly.

"More than half of those you suggested or initiated. I've already explained why I couldn't respond to your messages, and I even apologized for the lack of communication. What you left off your list is that I successfully hid you from a secret, shadowy organization that was going to kill you, and I made you essentially immortal. Now, did you really call just to complain about things you don't actually care about, or?" I let the obvious question linger.

"You're no fun, you know that," Emma said playfully, and I can picture the exact face she'd make saying it. Eyes closed as she gives a silly smirk. "But you're right, I did call for a different reason. I know you said to text, but I made it; I'm officially in the United States of America," she exclaimed.

"Congratulations on making it over safely. Did you run into any complications when it came to sneaking across the border?"

"No, the gifts you gave me made it effortless to sneak past customs. The only problem I ran into was unburying myself from the house after it collapsed. It sucked and took me a while," Emma complained jokingly.

"My condolences that my scheme didn't take into account how tough it would be for you," I mocked. "Next time I'm dropped into a foreign location and forced to improvise a last-minute plan with limited resources against a superior force, I'll make sure that I consider your comfort first and foremost. Honestly, what an oversight on my part. I'll find a way to make it up to you."

"I'm going to hold you to it. So when can I expect my chauffeur to arrive?" Emma asked.

"Where are you, exactly?"

"I'm in Waconia, Minnesota, staying at the town's inn," she answered.

"Alright. Stay put, and I'll send someone over immediately. But there are a couple of ground rules you need to follow. I'm sending two people to come pick you up; Do not speak to them. Do not tell them how we met, where you came from, or anything that happened in Nestor Falls. Do not tell them about your powers, what you did, or how many people you've killed. Do not tell them about our agreement, our plans, or anything about the nature of our relationship. And most importantly, do not tell them my name," I warned.

"And what happens if I do say your name?" Emma asked flirtatiously.

"Then our deal becomes null and void, and I will be forced to rectify the mistake of you being kept alive. Don't test me."

"Okay, I understand. I won't mention anything about you, I promise," she replied sheepishly.

I dislike having to threaten her again, and so soon into her working for me. But I have no use for unwieldy weapons. If she mentions my name, then I'll have them kill her.

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