Origins Part 2: The Burning Truth
It had been three days. Three days since waking up to a room of ash. Everything David had ever owned, gone in fire. It has been two days since he had been admitted to hospital. Two days of being subjected to every test David thought known to man. Two days of isolation from the outside world. Two days of nothing.
On the fourth day, two attendees and a doctor came into the room. David threw himself into firing off questions at the staff.
Whats going on? What happened to me? Can I see my family? Am I going to be her much longer?
No reply came, but the attendees began to move equipment and then David himself out of the room. Surprised at first by this, he was halfway to the door by the time he realised what was going on. Planting his hands in the doorframe, he braced himself against the pushes of the medical staff.
No! Youre not moving me until you answer my questions! What the hell is going on!?
The doctor slowly advanced, nodding gently to the attendees, Its alright David, there is nothing to be worried about. You are simply being transferred.
Transferred? Where, and why?
To Atlas Park Memorial Hospital, in Paragon City, at the request of G.I.F.T.
Devidose loosened his grip on the doorframe in surprise, not noticing the slight charred marks where his hands had been, Paragon? As in the city filled with metahumans? What for, and whats G.I.F.T.?
G.I.F.T. is a branch of the Freedom Corps. It stands for Genetic Investigation and Facilitation Team. They heard about your case and requested that you be transferred to Paragon so they can assist in your diagnosis.
Wait, Genetic Investigation? Are you saying there is something wrong with my DNA?
No, not at all. Its just G.I.F.T. specialises in genetic analysis and so are one of the worlds best sources of genetics studies. I assure you, you are in no danger. And your family will be there also, they are being picked up as we speak and flown to Paragon within the next few hours.
David reluctantly let himself be moved to the main car park where an armoured car was waiting.
Erm, why the armoured car? You said I wasnt in any danger
A tall broadly built man dressed in a full red and white body suit stepped out the driver side and walked over to David and the doctor, Oh, dont worry about that, its just standard issue for all non-metahumans members of Longbow in ground transport.
Alright. So youre going to take me to somewhere that is taking me to Paragon?
The Longbow operative nodded, Yes, theres a Longbow base several miles from here, and there is a flight due to leave for Paragon in the next hour.
Ok, lets go then
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The car pulled up to a fenced gate and the Longbow operative signalled to the guard on duty.
The gate opened and the car continued on up to a small airfield. To the side of the runway was a small jet engine powered aircraft.
Now, just head on up to the plane and take a seat, it should be leaving in the next 15 minutes,
David looked back to the operative, Thanks, and then headed towards the plane. As he entered the craft he noticed 3 other people already sitting in seats, a young boy, a young adult female and an older man. Taking a seat he looked out a window and saw several more Longbow moving several bags to the plane storage compartment.
A voice caught Davids attention and he turned to notice the girl was asking him something,
So, you here as well it seems.
Somewhat hesitantly David nodded with his reply, Erm, yes, why shouldnt I be?
Oh, no reason, Im just trying to break the ice. Im Atrii, you must be new.
New? New to what?
The old man grunted in laughter, causing the young boy to turn to the conversation.
Atrii continued, Dont you know where we are headed?
Yeah, Paragon City. Im off to Atlas Park I think I was told, to be studied by G.I.F.T.
Ah, remarked Atrii, a mutant, how interesting. Me, well Im off to M.A.G.I. As ever since
I found this little trinket here Ive been able to move things with my mind, she held up her left arm, around which was a chain with a small pendant attached.
Wait, what did you call me? Im not a mutant. Im simply going to get diagnosed for these dreams I keep having.
The old man grunted, his voice sounding coarse, Heh, you greenhorns. Always so naive at first. Asking, What am I?, What shall I do? to anybody they find. That all changes
though once you see the real Paragon City. Rikti soldiers still running around, the Tsoo stealing relics from anyone they find in possession of them, the Council! After a few days you will be wanting to go home, after a few weeks you will be wishing you had never come to Paragon or become who you are. Those that make it past that however, now theyre the heroes you hear about. The ones willing to put up with the pain and heartache. Willing to endure the grind against the forces working against civilised life. But here I hear you, not evening knowing why youre here. HA! I doubt anymore could be more green.
David snapped back, Stop calling me green! Who are you to think you are in any place to tell me this?
The old man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small data pad. Security Level 45 Tank, call me Lockdown. The data pad had a small picture of the man, his name: Lockdown, and a bar with the detail SL:45 on it.
You know, I have no idea what the hell you just told me
Dont expect you to kid, not yet anyway. Wait a few weeks and youll probably have it then.
The young boy joined it, They say that there are monsters in Paragon
is that true?
Lockdown turned to the boy, And whats your name son?
Quietly the boy answered, Re-
Reflex, sir
Well Reflex, there are a lot of things in the world that can be called monsters, but most of them are just big bullies, and they can be stopped if you know how.
David looked puzzled at Lockdown, Whats up with your names; Atrii, Lockdown, Reflex
those arent normal names
Lockdown raised an eyebrow, And what would your name be kid?
David, why?
Lockdown roared with laughter, HA! Dont tell me youre going to yourself David are you?
What kind of a name is that?
The one my mother gave me
Well kid, nothing against your mother or yourself, but if youre going to become a hero, youll need to come up with something different.
David looked back stunned, Wait
become a what?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Longbow jet jerked as it began to move, starting its take-off prep. Moments later it was airborne, heading for Paragon: City of Heroes.
