The Ability Era

4: Reconnaissance

Paul Miller - "The Locksmith"

"I didn't know Dakota #109 very well but he came into this world confused and innocent only to be shot in the head shortly after birth. May he rest in peace," Dakota said. Squad Y was assembled a few paces from a dirt road on the outskirts of Rezea where it was mostly countryside. Foreman had dug the grave and he now lowered Dakota #109 who was covered in a white blanket, into the grave and began shovelling the dirt inside with Paul.

"Remind me why we are burying a clone?" Foreman asked.

"Shhhhh," Dakota said feigning sadness.

The squad remained quiet as the grave with no grave marker was filled. After a few short minutes they got ready to leave.

"Where are we going now?" Elenora said joyfully in a black skater dress and black high heels, her laser pistol was small and tucked away in a small brown purse. Paul questioned the logic behind her clothing in a gang war but no one ever asked her about it. It was just the way she dressed, and for some reason she managed to function fine in combat.

"I have a place not far from here. I have a surprise for you guys," Gary said hopping into the drivers' seat of his black old world SUV.

"Yay! I love surprises!" Elenora said getting in the passenger seat. Everyone else also got into the car. Somehow they all managed to fit in perfectly. Sitting in the second row of the car were the boys Paul, Foreman, and Pedro. In the back were Sam, Dakota, and Robin.

"You never told us you had place out in the country," Pedro said.

"It never really came up," Gary said driving straight on the road, around them was mostly plains and some trees.

"Hey Robin, why don't you talk that much?" Elenora said looking to the back. Robin didn't respond only shrugging.

"Yeah and why do you always wear that helmet and scarf?" said Sam.

"Face reveal! Face reveal!" Elenora chanted.

Dakota who was sitting in the middle of Sam and Robin agreed, "Come on Robin!" he said

Robin shook his head.

"What's the big deal," Dakota teased as he reached out to touch the scarf.

Robin's body suddenly fragmented into a bunch of floating small grain-like particles and Dakota's hand went straight through them.

"Woah!" Elenora said amazed. Dakota pulled his hand back and Robin rematerialized into his seat.

"Don't touch me," he said in his low pitched monotone voice.

"Sorry!" said Dakota a little freaked out.

"That's cool," Pedro admired. Paul thought so as well and wondered what else Robin could do.

"Can we listen to music?" Sam asked from the back.

"No." Gary said definitively.

Paul wanted to talk to Pedro but Foreman was in between them so he decided against it.

"So Paul how's it going with Sam? What base you on?" Foreman whispered as he leaned towards him creepily. His breath smelled like scotch and his teeth were yellow.

"It's not like that... jerk." Paul said pushing Foreman lightly away.

"Oh so you have a thing for Elenora? Pneumatic, young, a bit unhinged... But probably wild in--"