Mod Superhero (Book 6 STUBBING on Oct 27th)

Chapter 6.4 - The Resistance

APPROXIMATELY -4.1.22 PRE-INCIDENT

The entire group gathered in the control hub. Emmett and Clara took seats at the holographic table in the center. Both wore their suits, but didn't wear their masks. Athena and Lock sat off to the side; both of them wanted to be present for the meeting, but neither wanted to be on camera.

They were waiting on McGuire.

Lock muttered, "He's late."

Clara asked, "TINA, can you see them?"

TINA answered from speakers around the room. "Yes. They're nearly at safehouse three. Roughly a minute away."

Emmett focused and tried to follow TINA's signal. The lab around them hung brightly in Emmett's perception. Not only had he grown familiar with the layout and its systems, but there was a comforting warmth there now. Emmett had to focus and strain to see outside of the backup lab. Maybe it was the abandoned block they were in, but it felt like standing on a boat at night and looking out across a black ocean.

But it wasn't completely dark.

There were pinpricks of light on the horizon.

Emmett wasn't sure how he knew, but one of those lights was McGuire. For a split second before TINA connected them, Emmett saw the speck of light flare brightly.

"Hey! Hey, I see you guys!" McGuire appeared on the holographic table and on screens around the room, looking a little bit different than he had before.

McGuire's original superhero outfit was cobbled together from an explorer's vest, long jacket, and homemade mask. He'd never given much thought to how it looked; he just designed it with maximum pockets in mind. Nobody else had minded either—unregistered supers had a long history of using homemade costumes, hoodies, and masks. Emmett had been in the same boat until Dr. Venture and TINA helped him design his super suit.

TINA's disguise nanites had a hard time with McGuire's outfit, though. It was much easier to overlay a disguise over a slim, form-fitting costume than it was to cover up an already bulky costume.

Surprisingly, McGuire had been all for the redesign—only because he trusted TINA.

McGuire's new suit hadn't changed much, but it had slimmed down considerably. His vest, pants, and mask fit snug but retained their color. Even the patches and stains were still there. His jacket was still long, but it was slimmed down too. The entire ensemble leaned closer to film noir instead of homeless explorer.

Emmett smiled at his friend's hologram. "We see you too, buddy. The new suit looks good."

"What—this old thing? Yeah, I guess." McGuire shrugged, but couldn't hide his smile. "TINA, if you ever get caught or you retire, you would make an awesome tailor."

"Thank you, McGuire, but I don't plan on retiring anytime soon."

McGuire turned and gestured off camera. Two new Resistance members stepped into view. McGuire introduced them.

Snapjack didn't look much older than McGuire. He had a fierce gaze and wore ripped jeans and chains. He could create concussive bursts similar to those made by Clara's exosuit. Lurker was wispy thin, almost disappearing beneath her loose, black clothes. Her face was similarly hidden behind long, dark hair. She was an illusionist specializing in concealment. Neither of them looked like experienced masks.

McGuire finished introducing them. "And these two of the founding members of the Resistance—Mod and Arsenal."

Emmett cleared his throat. "Emmett and Clara, but our super names are fine, too. Did McGuire already give you the introductory spiel?"