Chapter 51 : The formation of an army

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When N.O.W.H.E.R.E.'s strike team returned to base empty-handed… Needless to say, the brass were not happy ! Rose Wilson had only ever met the one creepy shadow dude who thought fear was the only way to lord over people. She knew him to be pretty high rank, but he wasn't the head honcho of their organization, either. And from what she asked around, nobody really knew who their boss was, nor what he looked like.

Well… Creepy-Shadow-Dude probably knew. And of course, she knew his name ! Something something Templar… Didn't really matter. She called him creepy to his face anyhow. Probably one of the reasons they didn't like each other. Him because of her lack of respect and the fact that she probably didn't recognize his authority, or even bothered to remember his name. Her because he was an entitled and pompous jackass who thought he could order her around.

Sure, they paid her, but…

During the flight 'home', Rose freely let her mind wander in order not to dwell on their crushing defeat. It was her first and like most first when they happen, she didn't quite like it ! No, the truth was, she hated that feeling ! So, she decided she'd rather think about what the brass would say to her about it… Not really much better but, ignoring her superiors was something she knew how to do !

Superboy was as silent as she was (not that she cared… or paid attention). Inwardly, however, he was a mess of anxiousness and insecurities, his thoughts fleeting from one side to the next before starting to dig a hole and deciding on taking flight… Meaning, he couldn't focus on any one thought for long. One part of him was (somewhat) at peace with his choice. Even though he knew that the organization that created was not… good, he was still curious. Who was he ? Why was he created ? Was he truly flawed or could he reach a higher potential ? And also, perhaps most importantly, who had decided to create him ? This question in particular was quite important to him. In a sense, this person could be considered his father… If he or she had any direct involvement in it beyond giving the order, that is.

On the other hand, he was afraid. On the outside, he appeared tough. Brooding. On the inside, though… Ever since he awoke a little over a week ago from his simulated childhood, Superboy had been feeling disconcerted. The real world was very different from the virtual one he was raised in… For one, unlike the countryside town and farm he lived in, the militaristic and scientific environment of N.O.W.H.E.R.E. was much more intimidating. And he didn't really have to follow orders in there, while here he had to obey a nutcase with white long hair with a penchant for sadism. Oh ! And there was the poking and prodding… When he was asleep, in the simulated life, at least he didn't really have to go through it.

Thinking of all the little, and big differences between what they tried to teach him and how they treated him outside, it was no wonder the clone was unsure how to behave. He wasn't even sure how they viewed him really. Except for maybe one person, they all seemed to treat him more like a lab rat than a real person ! Thinking about the beautiful middle-aged red-head, Superboy wondered about her. Although she had treated him more humanely than the other researchers, he didn't know much about her. Either she was trying to keep her distance, or she didn't want to show any kind of good feelings to the 'subject' (him).

Anyways, they landed in yet-another of N.O.W.H.E.R.E.'s secret bases, where it came to Something-something Templar's attention that Rose had failed. And then, with a tongue-lashing that was equal part gleeful and furious, the Creepy-Shadow-Dude ranted for half a day about her incompetence, her team's, etc… Curiously, Templar didn't mention Superboy directly, but she saw how his little speech had affected the clone. She almost felt pity for him… Almost.

Instead of trying to reassure the kid, she kept her silence. Besides, Creepy-Shadow-Dude still wasn't finished with his rant. She didn't really care, but the sooner it was over, the easier it'd be on her ears. And if she showed the least bit of disinterest, either in her attitude or her face, no doubt the pompous ass would prolong his already endless speech. She really didn't want that !

So, she tried to look contrite, while internally, she imagined herself cutting up the jackass spraying saliva in her face in little pieces…

* * * * *

Ned was once again surprised to find most of the Meta-human group still in the clearing, either sitting in the grass or lying down. More surprising, he quickly noticed a certain trio playing animators for the entire group. Kid Flash and the girl made of darkness and lightning were doing some comedy act, while Aaron observed everyone, arms crossed and shooting glares at everyone to keep them in line. He also sometimes barked a thing or two at the comedy duo.

Most of the kids had already noticed his arrival… Portals aren't exactly inconspicuous, not the hot blue lady or massive gorilla flanking him. As he approached, more and more attention was diverted from Kid Flash and his acting partner, even Aaron fixed his gaze on the trio.

The Wizard actually asked a question directed at Ned's children :

« What the heck are you ? » He asked with furrowed brows.

« My name is Winston. And this is my big sister Amélie. »

« The big monkey talked ! » The voice of a little girl shouted.

« Sister ?! » A few repeated loudly, incredulous.

Winston frowned a bit, instantly correcting :

« Gorillas are classified as apes. However, I'm technically neither an ape, nor a gorilla. »

More incredulous looks and exclamations. One of the teenager adjusted his glasses, trying to look smart which was offset by the prison rags he was wearing, and he said :

« You look like a gorilla, though… Even if you can talk and wear some high-tech armor or glasses… »

At this moment, Ned retracted the face plate, smiling wryly as he told them :

« Yeah… Trust him. He's not. But enough about that ! Are you guys ready to go home ? »

At this, Ned noticed yet again an array of different expressions, from the elated ones, to the scared and reticent. There were also a few which didn't show much reaction… Ned took it all in before Aaron interjected :

« That would be stupid ! They'd find us in a heartbeat ! »

Ned paused for a second, then nodded easily.

« Perhaps so… Then again, I predict a storm of trouble for the shady N.O.W.H.E.R.E. organization… » The squib acted as if seeing a vision from the future, one hand clutching at his forehead with the fingers pressed on the temples.

Aaron snorted, while Kid Flash nodded :

« Yep ! I'm gonna make their lives hell ! Who's with me ! »

The girl by his side played along, jumping up and down while raising one hand :

« Me ! Me ! Me ! »

While Ned smiled, he was surprised to hear a third voice, much more serious intervene :

« I'm in… I need to make sure N.O.W.H.E.R.E. is gone before going back to my family… I would never feel safe otherwise. »

It was Aaron who spoke those words. Ned, having never been abducted, imprisoned or experimented on (except by himself for the last part), couldn't really understand his feeling. Nevertheless, he didn't say anything. Having more people to deal with this thing might be a good thing, provided they were sufficiently trained.

As a small army of young Metahumans started to form following the wizard, speedster and… still wasn't sure what the girl was… Anyway, many followed suit when the three decided to take the fight to N.O.W.H.E.R.E. That… Made Ned frown. While a handful, three powered people should be manageable. An army of pubescent teenagers, possessing preternatural powers, on the other hand ? That sounded like a nightmare ! Maybe this was why they were locked up in cells ? He thought darkly.

Unwilling to continue this depressing train of thought, he figured that, in order to kickstart things, introductions were in order :

« Alright, that's enough ! » He said to bring back some form of order and drawing the attention to himself. « Most of you guys already know who I am… Still, for those who don't : My name is Ned Stark, AKA Silver Lad. On my left is Winston and on my right, Amélie Lacroix, AKA Widowmaker. What about you guys ? »