Agent BlueBird

Chapter 5-Physical powers

"Great! I can't wait to get started," Rebecca says excitedly.

"Oh! Before I forget to tell you, we also have another student in our agency. This student isn't family though. Somehow the student has powers and the parents don't. Sometimes the gene skips a few generations, but a case like this is very rare where a child gets powers and neither the mother or father had any." Her mother looks into the distance as she mulls over this fact that has been alluding her since she first heard of the situation.

"Hmm, interesting," Rebecca says as her wheels start turning as well. Soon excitement about other people like her takes over and diverts her thoughts. "So when do I get to meet this other student?" She asks, all smiles.

"Soon. He will be in your class with you tomorrow," her mother replies as her mind turns back to the present.

"He?" Rebecca's stomach makes a turn.

"Yes, HE. Do you have a problem with a boy in your class?" Her mother asks in a challenging tone.

"No! It's just..." Rebecca trails off as she tries to pinpoint why she is so surprised and nervous. Her brows knit together as she frowns in thought.

"Yes?" Her mother probes.

"Well, will he be joining the self-defense class?" Rebecca asks feeling insecure.

"As a matter of fact, he will. You are the only two students we have and there is only one self-defense teacher." Her mother putts her hands on her hips in a deviant manner.

"Great, now I have to humiliate myself in front of a boy because I don't know the first thing about self-defense. What age is this boy?"

"About your age. A few months older, I think. He started with us about five months ago."

"Even better, a guy my age who will laugh at me because I look like a fool and he is already more experienced," Rebecca thinks to herself rolling her eyes.

"Okay, your dad will now take over the lesson," her mother says reluctantly and slowly turns to leave, eyeing her daughter to check if she is okay.

"Great!" Her father says walking toward Rebecca from the doorway while rubbing his hands together.

"Firstly, you need to change your clothing. You can't do a high kick in jeans. Follow me." He gestures with his hand and starts walking to a huge, tall cupboard. He opens the door and walks inside. When Rebecca enters, she gasps in disbelief. It is a locker room! Complete with showers and benches not to mention a vending machine. Her father walks to where the lockers are located and stops at one with a big "R" sticker on it.

"This is your locker. We hoped you would join our agency and took the liberty of putting your initial on it. There is also a suit in there for you. Hope it fits," he says and winks with a broad smile.

"A suit?" Rebecca asks a little breathless.

"Yeah, for training."

"O-, okay. But it's not like one of those X-men team suits, is it?" Rebecca asks holding back a giggle.

"No, it's not." Her father pauses and then whispers in a low voice, "That one you get when you graduate." and slaps her on her back. Her father walks out the room back to the training area. "Get dressed!" He shouts as he closes the door when he exits.

Rebecca stands in front of the mirror after getting dressed. The suit consists of two pieces, a shirt and pants. The shirt is a tight grey tank top and black leggings. Rebecca makes a ponytail with her hair and proceeds into the training room and onto the mat.

"Okay, first things first," her father announces as he clasps his hands behind his back. "Your mother already told you all about her, and your, ability. So let me tell you a little bit about mine," her father paces in a circle as he talks. "Super speed is not just some fictional superhero story. The biology behind it is much more complicated than getting hit by lightning!" he says and comes to a halt. "The connection between our brain and muscles is much stronger than the average humans'. It causes our body to do the movement as we think it. It is something that we can practice and develop. We can build a stronger connection and exercise our muscles to be stronger and faster."

"But lucky for you, you don't have this ability, so I won't be so hard on you. But that doesn't mean that you won't come across people who do have this ability. You have to be ready to deal with a situation like that and try and be as fast as they are. I emphasize the 'try'."

"Wow! So, you get evil meta watses names? And I might have to battle these guys?" Rebecca asks in amazement, her brown eyes twinkling with an undefined happiness.

"It happens. Rarely but it can happen that some metahuman, by the way, gets up to no good and then it is up to us to deal with them." Rebecca nods in understanding. "Today's lesson will be all about speed. We are going to warm up by playing a game you call chicken. You will hold out your hands, palms facing down, and I will attempt to slap your hands. You must pull away before I can."

"Really?" Rebecca asked is disbelief and disappointment. "But that's a children's game!" She whines, her shoulders slumping.

"It helps to speed up your reaction time. Trust me it is one of the best exercises for this," her father assures her and raises both his eyebrows.

"Dad-", she started but was cut off by her father.

"Come on, just two games?"

"Fine..." she drags out the word inannoyance.