Proto-Human

First Test

As Marissa and I leave the gym we run into Lilith and her new boyfriend. She looks down and sees my hand wrapped around Marissa's. "Seems like you moved on pretty quickly," she says in a huff. "Definitely not as fast as you it seems," I respond trying to keep the anger out of my voice. Her new boy steps up to me and pushes me back forcing me to let go of Marissa's hand. "Dude who are you to call her out on moving on?" "Me, I'm the guy she moved on from. While I was in a coma mind you," I say pushing back forcing him back. He looks away at that point then clocks me right in the side of the head, with strength to match my own. I role with the punch and hit the wall. My momentum is so great I leave a me sized dent. Getting up I brush metal fragments off my shoulder and chest. "That was a bit uncalled for, don't you think," I say trying to lighten the mood. "No I don't think so, you need to learn how to speak to your betters," he responds cracking his knuckles. "You think you're better than me?" I ask in shock. "Well there's only way to find out ain't there," he says smiling ruefully. "I guess so," I respond. With the banter out of the way he flies at me like a bullet and I should know how fast they move. Remember I've been shot. As he moves I pull back and connect with his gut as soon as he's in range of my fist. His momentum combined with my enhanced strength he folds like a picnic chair and hits the ground. He gets shakily to his feet and spits out a bit of blood. "Nice punch for a half breed," he says mockingly. "What's that supposed to mean?" I ask. "Exactly how it sounds dumbass," he says looking at me with hate. It hits me like a ton of bricks this guy is a superhuman not a proto human like me. I'm a half breed. This angers me and I lash out connecting with the side of his head and knocking a him sized hole in the wall. I feel a hand on my shoulder and Marissa is standing next to me shaking her head trying to hold me back. I stop and hang my head. She pushes my chin up and kisses me softly. "It's ok dear you, defended yourself and I don't blame you," she says softly holding my hand. "Thank you darling," I say softly squeezing her hand. "You are insane Ray," Lilith yells at me. "Taking on a full superhuman as a half breed, you have a death wish." "I want you and your idiot to stay as far away from as possible," I say containing anger at the insult. "Eli and I are on your team," she says huffing again. "I don't care, I'll go see Andrews and get you taken off," I say cooling down some. I take Marissa's hand and head toward Andrew's office when Eli gets up. "You stupid half breed, you won't last one mission without me," he calls out. I just keep walking. Marissa smiles at my restraint for not going back to pummel him. A few minutes later we reach Andrews office and I knock on the door.

"Enter," he calls from behind the door. Marissa and I slip into his office and close the door. Al and Andrews are sitting across from each other drinking coffee. Al gets up and smiles, "Good to see up and around again Ray, you had us all worried for a bit." "Well I wasn't worried, he was freaking out like a girl," Andrews says with a humorous grin and a twinkle of mischief. Marissa finally sees everyone in the room and lights up on Al. "Uncle Al!" she squeals and runs at him. Al barely has time to set down his coffee and catch her. "Hey there lil girl look at you," he says laughing. I blush trying not to think of all the times Al saved my life and how his niece and I had just gotten together. Marissa solves my dilemma of telling him or not by asking Al "How do you know my boyfriend?" Al looks around confused. "Who's your boyfriend?" he asks looking around. "Ray is silly," she says laughing. Al looks at me questioningly as if trying to figure out weather or not to hit me or congratulate me. "Ray, it seems like you've been busy in the few hours since you've awoken, now how about we have a bit of a talk," Al says walking around Marissa. "Before we deal with that," I say looking at Al, "I want Lilith and Eli off my team.""That's up to Andrews not me," Al says stepping to the side so I can see Andrews."Why do you want them off your team Ray?" he asks tilting his head."Lilith isn't loyal and Eli is to rash and arrogant to make a sound choice," I respond quickly."Sound judgement, Ray," he says smiling almost like he knows my real reasons behind this. "But I'm sorry, I will not remove them for those or any reasons," he states plainly."Fine if that's how it's going to be I guess I have no choice," I state. I turn and walk out the door with Marissa and Al following me.