The United Commonwealths superhuman census form is used to provide for the health and safety of the superhuman populace as well as to protect other people from them. It faced many critics, similar to Koreas registration system, but for people like NERO-Beta Leader Jacob Frink he knew how important it was.
The first example that came to Jacobs mind was Rodger McMullan. Rodger has an ability to make tiny sparks in his mouth, additionally he is fireproof. Sounds harmless right? It was, as long as he avoided flammable food and drink. Unfortunately for the city of Christchurch, Rodger is an alcoholic. While the people are sitting in their houses, nice and safe. But when you were a civilian running in a blind panic away from a madman with a flamethrower mouth, you are incredibly happy that the people who have got your back know exactly what is going on.
Fire-breathing alcoholics was all part of a normal Tuesday evening for Jacob. As he sat in the helicopter nervously checking his watch, mentally preparing himself for the situation. Amivi and Lowanna were preparing themselves too, Lowanna softly mumbled the lyrics to some sappy pop song that she was listening to while doing a dance in her seat while Amivi vaguely stared out into space. Different people, different ways of preparing themselves for utter chaos.
One minute to drop site. said the pilot over the communicator. Everyone started doing their last minute checks and put their masks on.
Any intel for us boss? asked Lowanna.
No, replied Jacob, Not yet. The hatch opened and NERO-Beta walked out, ready to fire at their stun darts at the suspect.
thats right, run you cowards! shouted Rodger McMullan. In one hand he was holding a bottle of Vodka and the other arm he had around some poor womans neck, ready to break. Rodger had a swig of Vodka and let out an almighty fireball.
Thats right, Im a bloody Dragon! continued Rodger Im a bloody god! And Im going to get your mothers and then Im going to
Rodger just noticed NERO-Beta running towards him.
Get back you pigs! He screamed. Amivi fired off one of her darts, but it was too late, Rodger tightened the grip around the poor womans neck and Jacob heard a nasty crack, barely a second before the dart hit Rodger straight in the chest.
God dammit! shouted Lowanna, as she pulled of her mask and threw it to the ground. Shes dead! Rodger closed his eyes, cleared his head and then concentrated heavily. He was back in the chopper, looking at his timepiece.
One minute to drop site. said the pilot over the communicator, again. Well, it was the first time for the pilot. Time travel is confusing, even if it was only about a minute earlier.
Any intel for us boss? asked Lowanna.
Yeah, replied Jacob The suspect has a hostage, seems to have a thing about policemen. Lowanna, give him a hallucination after he says hes a God.
Sure thing boss, replied Lowanna Damn, thats a scummy thing to do. Taking a hostage I mean.
We dont get called in to arrest nice people Dreamy. said Amivi as she undid the safety on her weapon.
True, said Lowanna But still. NERO-Beta, for a second time (well, kind of) went out onto the streets of Christchurch.
thats right, run you cowards! shouted Rodger McMullan, in the same exact situation. Thats right, Im a bloody Dragon Im a bloody god! And Im going to
wait, wait stay back you pigs! Rodger, facing the other direction, was obviously responding to one of Lowannas hallucinations.
Jacob was about to signal to move forward when he tasted rotten potatoes in his mouth. For a few seconds his mind recoiled in terror as he knew exactly what that signalled. Jacob collapsed backwards onto the pavement and started failing about, having a seizure during a mission wasnt exactly Jacobs idea of a fun time.
Lowanna signalled for Amivi to take Jacob back to the chopper, Amivi picked Jacob up with one arm and ran back.
Thats right put your guns down! shouted Rodger Take that you pigs! This is my city now
Rodger was about to continue ranting, but he was interrupted by Lowanna placing her hand on his shoulder, sending him into a deep sleep.
Sssh
said Lowanna Only dreams now. At the same time, Jacob finally stopped seizing and he passed out too.
****************
Richard Swift stood over the sleeping agent with his usual intimidating presence. If he were anyone else, he would have been asked to wait. But one does not simply tell the Chief of the Commonwealth Armed Forces that it wasnt visiting hours.
The TV blared in the background, talking about the recent scandal. Weng had finally had enough of Henderson and had left the party, taking the entirety of her faction with her to form her own party. This left Australia with two parties, neither of them having a particularly legitimate claim to being the successor to ONeils administration, which paved the way for a healthy two-party democratic system. Just like blighter would want, thought Richard fondly.
Si
s-sir! said Jacob as he groggily tried to salute his commander.
At ease Major. said Richard forcefully. This is the third time an incident of this scale has occurred. Ive heard the doctors reports, if you continue on like this you will be a danger to yourself and your team. Miss Williams is being promoted to Major and Captain Elton will be taking your place as the teams Recon.
But
said Jacob But Elton is a cripple.
Which is why the Research division has designed an augmentation suit just for him. said Richard, as he approached Jacob His abilities to detect electricity for a distance outweigh his shortcomings, while your abilities no longer outweigh yours. Jacob looked despondent, there was no way to avoid his seizures, they would follow him even if he jumped back in time.
Am I being discharged sir? said Jacob in a hurt tone.
Of course not, said Richard, as he pulled out a box and showed them to Jacob. They contained the insignia of a Colonel. Much the opposite in fact. While you may not be fit for a field position anymore, Colonel, you are the perfect man for another project I had in mind. We are expanding the NERO program, you are going to be undertaking the training of the fine young men and women who will form NERO-Gamma.
How young are we talking sir? asked Jacob.
Teenagers. replied Richard. Jacob laughed.
Well, I always wanted to be a school teacher before the Invasion. said Jacob. Richard smiled.
We all got mixed about after that god-awful time, said Richard as he pulled out a couple of manila folders and dropped it on Jacobs bed. But sometimes life has a way of giving back. Read up, Ill expect you on your feet in a week Colonel.
****************
Nathan Aksakov excitedly got off the bus at the bus stop nearby his house. He had just gotten Hearts of Iron V directly of the shelves and he was highly excited. World War Two was his favourite part of history, it was a time where heroes fought villains and good triumphed over evil. And, unlike the Invasion, it was PC to make a game based around it. Nathan couldnt wait until he got home, he was going to put it in and play as America, or maybe even Canada, and direct Major Howitzer to beat the snot out of those Nazi Fur Monsters. Nathan gleefully skipped around the corner until he came face-to-face with Jessica and her gang.
Hurr hurr hurr, laughed Jessica What you got there little Natalia? Jessica was a horrible bully that made Nathan revise his code to never hit a girl, although most of the girls at his school could beat the living daylights out of him. Jessica was a real nasty piece of work, she seemed more akin to a stereotypical male bully than a female one, she and the two dweebs that followed her around all the time (Nathan referred to them as Fatso and Lanky in private) would harass all the nerdy male students. Also she would refer to them all as female, which was really embarrassing.
Can we not? asked Nathan, but Jessica just did her awful laugh again. Lanky snatched the game out of Nathans hand, as Fatso restrained him.
I know this game, said Lanky Its the one where you play as the Nazis.
NO IT ISNT! shouted Nathan as he feebly tried to escape Fatsos grip.
Hurr hurr, laughed Jessica Looks like our Natalia is a Neo-Nazi. I wonder, do you wet your bed to thoughts of sucking off Von Fertig? The three of them laughed.
Shut up! screamed Nathan Youre the Von Fertig here!
Hurr, laughed Jessica again Looks like Natalia wants to get slapped hella mad. Jessica cracked her knuckles. Nathan would have been scared if he wasnt so angry, this was meant to be HIS day. HoIV was his favourite pastime, it was as close as he was going to get to being a real hero fighting off the bad guys. He didnt even play the hero in the game, he was just playing as the good guys, that was enough. And then Jessica had to come along and make HIM the villain, that made Nathan so mad.
Suddenly, Nathan was behind Jessica. Even stranger, another Nathan right in front of Jessica was being held by Lanky and Fatso. Lanky and Fatso, upon realizing that there were suddenly two Nathans, dropped the Nathan that they were holding, the terrible trio were suddenly quite confused.
Hey! shouted the other Nathan Maybe weve got some sort of cloning power!
Why dont we see if we can do it again? said the second Nathan
Great idea! Both of the Nathans concentrated and then suddenly there were four Nathans.
Awesome, Im a super! said all four Nathans at once.
Its-it is okay boys said Jessica nervously. We can still take these four pipsqueaks. The Nathans concentrated again and then there were eight of them, encircling the bullies.
But can you take eight? asked one of the Nathans.
Dont think so! said another.
Alright, said a third one Youre going to drop that game and then youre going to leave.
And if I, said a fourth Well, we, catch you doing something like this again, well I think you can guess what is going to happen. Lanky dropped the game on the ground and the three bullies sped away.
And remember, its Nathan! shouted one of the Nathans Not Natalia! One of the other Nathans picked up the game.
Its undamaged. He said after inspecting it. This is so bloody awesome.
Although it might be a bit hard for mum to feed the eight of us
said one of the other Nathans.
Why dont we see if we can unsummon ourselves? asked another Nathan. The Nathans murmured in agreement and then the concentrated on unsummoning themselves. Then they all disappeared, leaving one single Nathan holding his copy of HoIV. The memories of all the other Nathans came flooding back into his head, which was a confusing experience to say the least.
This is really weird, said Nathan But really cool. He walked home, with renewed excitement.