Paragon

Chapter 8:

I sat in the pure white room, which was empty except for the metal table and two uncomfortable chairs. Across from me was a one way mirror, which I could see myself in. I knew that on the other side were several scientists and Prime Order agents, all discussing me in low voices.

"Look up." A voice said, issuing from a speaker to my left. "Please focus on the light."

I looked up at the red laser, which panned across my vision. It turned off abruptly.

"Thank you."

The door to my right opened and a man entered, carrying a briefcase. With him was a woman in a lab coat, carrying a syringe.

"I'm going to need another blood sample." She said apologetically.

I held out my arm, which was already covered with bandages. She took the sample and left. The man remained. He was Asian, with short dark hair and a mustache. He pushed his thick glasses up his nose and regarded me awkwardly.

"I'm Dr. Tashiro." He said.

"You run Daedalus Enterprises." I replied.

"You've heard of me?"

"A bit. You're Master Kontrol's last competition."

"For now." He set his briefcase on the table.

"Are my teammates still alive?" I asked.

"Of course." Tashiro replied. "Why wouldn't they be?"

"I'd assumed that Master Kontrol had killed him. Or you had."

"We wouldn't do that. You're children."

"We could have killed Gamma."

"But you didn't. Why?"

I shrugged. "Didn't have the guts."

"Do you regret not doing it?"

I stared at him. "Should I?"

He appeared unnerved. "You have gold eyes."

"Yes."

"And it looks like you have...a second set of eyelids."

"That's right. Lets me see when I run."

"Extraordinary."

I unsheathed my claws and his jumped

"Oh, you've seen nothing yet." I said.

"You seem a bit upset." Tashiro replied.

"A bit, yeah. I want to know that my team is alright. Where are they?"

"Undergoing tests."

"Why?"

"It's just to check that they aren't hurt."

I stood up. "Listen to me, Tashiro. I was trained as an assassin. That includes learning to read people. I know when you're lying."

"Alright, alright." He adjusted his glasses. "Sit down."

I remained standing for a moment before doing as he said.

"The truth was." He said. "We've never seen anything like you. We need to see the extent of the threat you pose."

"Threat?" I asked.

"This is an age of peace. The Prime Order makes sure of that. During the war many experiments were conducted to try to...modify the human form into something different. Something better. They all failed. Yes, they created people who could predict the future, or control water. But the thing with the human psyche was that it's very, very delicate. Most of these people were unhinged, to say the least."