The Quantum Games

Chapter Eleven

“By uplifting those around you, you’ll lay the groundwork for your success.” – Beacon, Former Champion.

“James, unfortunately, I have some bad news.” Will’s announcement drew everyone’s attention as the team gathered around Rose, comfortably perched on James’ shoulder. “I think we need a plan.”

“How is that bad news?” Nadia quipped.

“Oh, come on, we’ve all been part of James’s plans. Do I need to explain this one?” Will grinned as the rest of the group caught on. They were in unknown lands, surrounded by mountains, water, open sky, and lush greenery.

“While I disagree with Will’s first comment, I do agree with his second,” Trish began. “This mission text is cryptic at best. That mountain is giving me murder vibes, and Frank and I are clueless about what’s going on.”

“I’m not sure if it’s the mountain or the rogue energy flowing across the lands. Is anyone else sensing an odd energy fluctuation coming in with the wind?” Emy asked.

“Yeah, I am too,” Tuck replied as a few nods emerged from the group. “Each gust triggers my emotions, like suppressed anger without reason.”

“All right, I may be overstepping here, James… but as you think out this plan, I might suggest we start away from the evil mountain,” Will proposed.

“I think you may be on to something,” James said with a smile. “Nex is showing the mountain as the northern point, so I suggest we start making our way southeast, following the river but moving away from the rogue energy source, also known as the evil mountain.” James smiled at Trish and then looked at his shoulder. “Rose, up for some recon? Can you take a lookout around the area? Don’t stray too far; circle back if you see anything.”

The eagle screeched as if accepting the guidance and fluttered her wings, taking off into the air.

Frank stood in silence as the rest of the group started to head toward the river, then blurted out from behind, “Okay, you all know that I am number one on the Rose hype train, or maybe it’s the hype plane, never mind, but are we just going to accept that James just talked to a bird that was born literally two minutes ago, and she understood?”

Nadia chuckled and circled back towards Frank, grabbing his hand and shuffling along. “Oh, Frank, sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Come on! I’d hate to see you get lost out here in the first minutes of the mission.”

As the group made their way through the grassy plains, they noted how the energies surrounding them seemed to permeate from the ground. Back on Earth, there was a sense of energy everywhere, but it all seemed mixed and inauthentic. The concrete, imported stone, human-made elements, and unnatural formations constantly surrounding them. Here, it looked as if everything was connected—no start and no end, just flowing connections of matter creating something beautiful.

Several minutes later, James spoke up in response to Frank’s earlier comment. “I am not sure how to answer your question, Frank. The best way to describe it is the intent of my request. Each time Rose chirps, I can decipher a reaction—good, bad, or disgust, like when Will mocked her for eating that snake.”

Trish added excitedly, “I’ve read that the longer and stronger the bond, the more precise the communication transfer between the two. This works for all of us, but James will naturally be her strongest connection. Now that she is hatched, we can see that she is a level 3 Spectral, which sounds pretty sweet, but I think we will be learning as we go.”

“Spectral Talent?” James noted as he looked at his Companion’s stats.

Talent

Level

Health

Shield

Fury (Emy):

Generalist

Level 11

100%

110%

Grace (James):

Catalyst

Level 10

100%

60%

Kama (Nadia):

Cellulator

Level 10

99%

50%

Brick (Will):

Condenser

Level 10

100%

100%

Surge (Tuck):

Accelerator

Level 10

100%

100%

Frank

Creator

Level 9

100%

20%

Trish

Manipulator

Level 9

100%

20%

Rose

Spectral

Level 3

100%

20%

James noted the growing levels of each person within the group, realizing the list was getting long. “Team, we may need to use our hero names for this level.”

“I’m in!” Will shouted, then paused. “But why?”

“I could be wrong, but we all understand why superheroes use aliases. Why should we be any different? We don’t know what we’re dealing with here, and the last thing we need is to drag Earth into this mess. The less these primordials know, the better.”

“Deal!” Will agreed, not needing much convincing.

“I have to agree,” Emy said, though more subdued. “James is right. We need to separate our lives from who we are becoming.” A chorus of nods followed as Will’s energy continued to thrive.

“Okay, but that leads us to two more questions. Frank and Trish, we need some new names!” Will beamed.

“I’ll go by Forge,” Frank said without hesitation.

“What? Come on, will we really have to say Forge forged something?” Will exclaimed as Trish spoke up.

“And I’ll go by Glitch.”

“Wait, what?” Will pleaded for everyone to slow down.

“That settles it. Rose’s name can remain until we get to know her better. Her life started moments ago, so there’s not as much risk there.”

Rose squealed and circled the group as if on cue, landing on James’ shoulder once more.

“We have company,” James announced, interpreting the eagle’s energy signals.

***

Earth – Reno, Nevada

Luck

In the back corner of the Grand Exposition Hall, Luck leaned against the wall, watching as Penny took the stage. The audience of twelve stared intently at the visibly nervous girl, her hands trembling slightly as she rubbed them together.

“You got this, Penny,” Luck whispered, trying to infuse his confidence into her through sheer will.

“hmmph,” Tech announced his presence beside Luck, holding a metal transponder.

“What? I’ve seen you watch her. You and I both know you feel the same about Penny… Unbridled hope,” Luck said, his gaze shifting to the young girl on stage.

“Uh huh,” Tech mumbled.

“I know, I know. Unbridled hope, with… well, confidence issues,” Luck concluded, catching Penny’s eye. He flashed her his most confident smile. Penny straightened up on stage and began.

“Welcome, everyone! I will start this first training session by thanking all of you for your support over the past few days. I know it hasn’t been easy. Things have changed. We all have lost loved ones… yet we are here, working towards a better future. I can’t tell you I know what exists out there,” Penny said, pointing towards the doors, “But what I do know is that what you learn here will prepare you to face the unknown.”

“From now on, this room will be known as the Aviary. The Aviary is a space for shared learning and self-improvement. We cannot face this new world alone, so by joining this training; you commit to two rules: Protect those who cannot protect themselves, and teach our craft to anyone eager to learn and willing to follow these same principles.”

“If anyone in this room cannot stand by these simple two rules, I must ask that you leave now,” Penny concluded. The twelve attendees glanced around at each other, but no one moved.

Luck nudged Tech’s shoulder. “See, what did I tell you?” Luck smiled at the shorter man, who continued to fiddle with his equipment, avoiding eye contact.

“You may also be wondering what gives me the right to stand here at this moment,” Penny started, but a gentleman in the back raised his hand, interrupting her.

“Yes? Kepler, right?”

“Oh yes, yes. I am terribly sorry, Penny. But this needed to be said. I may not have the capabilities or potential of those in this room, but Miss, there is not a single person here thinking that right now.”

“What?” Penny was startled by the comment, trying to understand.

The older gentleman continued. “Penny, we are here because of you. Well, you and maybe a few other guys trying to hide in the back.” Kepler gave a half wave in Luck and Tech’s direction. “Know that we wouldn’t be here without you… now, please get back to your wonderful speech.”

“Oh,” Penny’s face turned red, but she took a deep breath. “Thank you, Kepler. I guess I’m trying to say that I have a special talent that works well with teaching and learning through others… I, um… I’m not great at speeches. Could someone come up here to demonstrate with me?”

“I’d like to go, if everyone else would allow it?” A new boy spoke from the front of the room, looking around to gauge the room’s opinion.

“Let’s see it, Nick!” Ger clapped the boy on the shoulder, causing him to jump forward a few feet. He looked back with a half-smile and grimace at the forceful pat from the former moving specialist.

“Oh, Nick! You are the new one here, right? Come on up!” Penny joined Ger in his enthusiasm.

Nick placed his hands on the stage and lifted himself. “Yes, Courtney and I made it in earlier today. We, uh, were on the same team.”

“Team?” Penny questioned.

“Yeah, we both played at Lasson. Actually, we faced Will and Emy in a few matches right before the shift…” Nick glanced at Courtney, who gave a soft nod of approval. “We were also teamed up in the Games but dropped out.” Nick’s expression turned somber. “We struggled. We have talents but barely made it out of the first level. We didn’t think we could survive another round, so we exited and found ourselves back at our empty campus as if nothing had happened. We’ve been searching for a path forward ever since.”

Penny absorbed the new information, locking eyes with the boy. “I have to believe the System gave me an option. My lack of memory on that decision tells me I chose not to compete in the Games. I chose to give up before I even started…” Penny’s voice grew firmer. “We all make choices, but those choices change, and I have to believe there is a reason for it. We are glad to have you. Both of you.” Penny finished, smiling down at a quiet Courtney.

“Now, can you trigger your Talent or at least some form of it?” Penny asked Nick, who looked on with newfound belief, taken aback by her words.

“Yes! I can!” Nick started, then quickly tried to calm himself. “I can trigger it, but it doesn’t activate on my command.”

A surge of mixed energy surged to the edges of Nick’s body as Penny’s energy intertwined with his. Penny remained silent, attuning to her energies, observing and learning, trying to understand the intent of the power as it wove through Nick. Yet, the power continued to shift and move, unable to lock into place.

A minute passed as the crowd watched Penny and Nick, unable to see the energy but feeling the change in their environment.

“There.”

Penny’s energy flowed back into her, replicating the movement she once shared with Nick. As the energy settled into her palm, it suddenly locked into place, causing a shift…

SNAP! A metal object soared across the room and smacked into Penny’s hand. Luck, amused by the change, looked over at his friend. Tech stood next to him, mouth agape, staring intently at the girl on the stage, his hands now empty.

“Polarization,” Penny said. “We just need to find the right balance in your combinations.”