Moon Angel

Chapter 16: The Perfect Team

Chapter 16: The Perfect Team

Life at Omega was like it had been. We kept to the same vigorous schedule of long hours and hard training, each of us trying to do our best. We had the academic classes of languages, chemistry and computer skills and the physical classes of weapon handling and self-defence like we had at the school. When questioned why we learnt to fight, the staff at Omega always told us that they believed that we all needed to be prepared for any situation, even if that situation required firing a gun.

From what I could tell, our team was about tenth generation. In the communal spaces, we would often see older children training and sparring with each other. Not all of us had powers, although our team seemed to. Omega was well-established and it seemed like a huge family. It felt exclusive, like we were a special club that other people weren't privy to.

We spent a lot of time together, just the eight of us, like at mealtimes and the few chances we got to have some free time. By the end of the first week, it felt like we were family, like we were all connected. It helped that we had known each other from the three months we had spent at the school. At the school we hadn't needed, or really wanted, to tell each other what our abilities were but here we were so comfortable around each other that it didn't matter what we could do. We fitted in regardless. Even though I had been hesitant to show my wings to the candidates at the school, I didn't think twice about showing them to the seven candidates that had become my team.

Two weeks into the programme we found out exactly what area we would specialise in. We were all called together and told information that we hadn't heard before.

"There are lots of bad people in this world." That's how Mr Carter, who had arrived at Omega by now, started and I'll never forget his words. "These people need to be stopped; they need to have consequences for their actions. Twelve years ago, Black Diamond came to the realisation that the only way to change the world was to do something ourselves. That something was the Omega programme. Through the Omega programme we wanted young people to change the world. But we didn't just want the ordinary, we needed the extraordinary, and we found that in you.

You might ask me; 'But we're only children. What can we do?' And I would tell you that your age doesn't matter. The fact that you are small will aid you more than it will hinder you. Together, all eight of you will make the perfect team. A team that can take on the worst the world throws at you and still come out on top."

Skyla slowly put her hand into the air.

"Yes, Ms Robinson?" Mr Carter paused in his speech to answer her question.

"Are we going to be like super heroes? You know, since we have special abilities and all..."

Mr Carter smiled and nodded. "If you like, you can call yourselves superheroes."

A buzz of energy went up around the room, smiles breaking out on everyone's faces. For children who had never had anything, who had never had any hopes or dreams, being told that they were going to be like superheroes and save the world –something we thought was only possible in our imaginations- was the equivalent of being given the best Christmas present they could have ever asked for.

Mr Carter interrupted the excited chatter, continuing, "You are now a team. You will do everything together, apart from your own expert classes. There should be no secrets between you because secrets will only break you apart. You must view each other's lives as your own.

First every team needs a leader. That leader will be Luke."

We all turned and looked at Luke who was sitting near the back of the room. He looked surprised by the announcement but I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that he was the best for the job and we would all follow him willingly.