Published at 6th of February 2026 11:16 am

Chapter 6 Consequences

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Isaiah and I go our separate ways when we arrive at our base. It's completely transformed from the dilapidated shithole it was before we bought it. Seeing the massive parking garage and renovated factory brings me back to the conversation I had with Isaiah about manpower. Momentus Inc needs employees. We need regular people to work nine to five in our company. Gathering talent now, when we're operating at a smaller scale, will pay dividends down the road. What I really need is someone who knows about Nobody, but isn't related to it in any way. Someone who is savvy enough to navigate the thin line between corporation and Cowl. Momentus needs an HR department.

So, Doctor, what do you have for me? I asked.

It's obvious theres been a development; he's too pleased with himself. The thin smile he's showing is barely containing the unabashed glee hidden beneath. His faded pink and green hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and his black roots are visible. I haven't quite decided on what I think about the new him. He's stopped peacocking; everything about him is just less loud. He's assured me that he's not depressed and that the chemical distribution system he developed works. He's more reserved, more focused on the science rather than the theatrics. Keeping him occupied is good for his well-being.

The Apotheosis Engine is going quite well. It's expected when a peerless intellectual like myself is in charge. But Nobody, what I've accomplished already is so promising. I've successfully restored these people to full health. I've replaced cirrhosis-stricken livers with freshly created ones. I've been able to restore function to failing kidneys. I can replace dead cells with new ones. And this is just the beginning, he exclaimed excitedly.

What about limbs? You theorized that it should be possible, but is it? I asked.

There is no reason it shouldn't be, but I haven't tried yet, he admitted cautiously.

Then let's try today. Don't use Thirteen, Ten, or any of the ones I have powers in.

Of course, I'll use one of the disposable ones. Oh, this is going to be fun, he remarked.

Kai holds his metal arm up, clutching a tablet with his human arm. A drone flies over to him, designed to look like a blimp with a handle attached to the bottom of the gondola. Kai grabs the handle and starts flying off toward our subjects. Before I can ask where mine is, a new drone comes along. This one is nothing like his; it's a floating platform with grip tape on the top so that I won't slip. I trust him. Taking a step off the raised platform I'm on, my boot touches down on the drone, and it dips momentarily before the trustees at the bottom adjust to the added weight. What kind of gyroscopic balance system did he put in this? The moment both of my feet are on the drone, it takes off after the doctor.

Kai is standing in front of one of our cages. The subject inside is unaware that they're being watched right now. My flying platform drops me off next to him. That's quite handy. I can already think of several different uses for it. Subject Four is a young woman who looks surprisingly healthy for someone who was living on the street. Kai does an excellent job of preparing the subjects. She's asleep on her bed, probably dreaming of freedom. A thin green gas starts filling her cube, ensuring that Subject Four won't wake up in the middle of our operation. One of the walls lowers itself into the floor, and Kais table drone runs in, scooping our patient up.

This will be so fun. Which arm should I take? Kai asked.

Kai stumbles as the room starts to shake. Thats weird. The shaking ramps up violently, knocking over equipment all over the lab. I place my hand up against the cage to steady myself. Several of the sleeping subjects wake up, panicking at the unexpected earthquake. Kai looks baffled and stops strapping his patient in. What was that? A flood of smoke pours out of the elevator shaft. The black cloud races toward us, transforming back into Isaiah.

Are you okay, Nobody? Isaiah asked frantically.

Im fine, no worse for wear.

What was that? We don't get that kind of seismic activity here, and certainly not any that penetrates this far down. It must be Neuvohuman-related, Kai said.

Miles.

We need to leave the lab; were not going to get service down here. Im afraid that what we just experienced wasnt an earthquake, but the remnant shockwaves from a bomb. Miles may be dead, I stated.

What? You're telling me that someone toasted the twerp? Isaiah asked sardonically.

I don't want to make any assumptions, so let's head up and see what exactly happened, I responded.

You can't be dead, Miles. You haven't gotten your revenge yet, and I still have so much more to accomplish with your assistance.

For those of you who are just joining us, we have confirmation that a nuclear bomb was detonated in the financial district. Reports say that this was the handiwork of Ares of the Olympians. Both the BNA and the Heroes Union are on the scene doing what they can to mitigate the damage. Authorities have asked citizens to remain indoors as they work on containing the fallout. This is nothing short of a catastrophic tragedy for our city, Tom said, his tone serious.

Agreed, Tom. Stay tuned to NRBC12 for the latest updates as the situation develops, Trish added. Coming up after the break, we have Professor Krick, one of the foremost experts on Neuvohuman Studies, coming on to discuss the ramifications of this attack. And after that, well be ranking the top twenty dogs who look like famous Capes, so keep submitting your own pets using the hashtag MaskedMutts on social media.

Let's give a warm welcome to our guest, Professor Krick, Tom announced.

The studio audience claps and cheers as the cameras pan to show off the hundred-plus-person live audience. Focusing back to the stage where Trish and Tom are sitting, it shifts to the side where a man with graying hair and stubble is walking over to join the two news anchors. The hair color and slight limp in his walk might lead the viewer to think he's in his late fifties or early sixties, but his face is free of wrinkles or liver spots. He carefully takes his seat behind the desk, opposite the two hosts.

Thank you, Trish, Tom. And thank you to the wonderful audience here and at home, Krick said kindly.

You're welcome, now on to the reason we've brought you on today. Five hours ago, the Cowl known as Ares detonated his power armors nuclear reactor, leveling everything within a mile of the explosive. The level of devastation is not one that America is new to, but it is certainly new to the people of Quinstin, Trish said.

You are correct, while the official death toll has not been released, estimations are at over 50,000. Todays tragic event has already become the largest loss of life that New England has ever had, eclipsing the Middletown Massacre. And we are six generations removed from that; the list of people who remember that day can likely be counted on one hand. Gone are the days of Neuvohuman attacks resulting in such excessive loss of life. The Heroes Union and the BNA have worked hard to reduce the possible casualties and injuries caused by Neuvohumans. The last sixty or so years have seen an emergence of many Cowls who do care about collateral damage. Today shows that the Olympians are not a part of that group, Professor Krick said. His eyes seem almost vacant as he recounts the facts. Hes a man haunted by what has occurred.

We can only hope and pray that the Capes and authorities on the scene are able to save as many people as possible. Theyve cordoned off over half a mile past where the radius ends, evacuating everyoe from what theyre calling the danger zone, Tom added.

Pretty much any Neuvohuman that can survive being in the radiation has come forward to help out. The city of Quinstin may be rocked by tragedy, but that wont stop us from helping each other, Trish said.

I do not doubt the city will overcome this eventually, but the potential ramifications of the attack are worrying, Professor Krick remarked somberly.

What do you mean, Professor? Trish asked.

The Middletown Massacre resulted in the formation of the Heroes Union. It was a direct response to the terrible death toll caused by the Cowls. Theyve risen to the heights they have as an organization since then. While the dust will eventually settle, the ripples caused by the Olympians have yet to be felt. Combined with what occurred in the Middle East, I believe we stand upon a precipice of new legislation, of changes to the Accords, and of how the public views Neuvohumans, Professor Krick stated.

Youre talking about the Crown Princes Province founding? Tom asked.

Yes. The blueprint was created for them over thirty years ago when the Ash Warden began her rise to force foreigners out of Ghana. The body count she caused is what has led to Ghanas current-day anti-foreigner policy. The BNA and the United Nations were forced to work around her or continue sending good men and women to their needless deaths. Next, we have a direct challenge to the Accords in the form of Neuvohumans taking control of local governments through the use of their powers and founding their own nation a month ago. We have yet to hear about a response from the BNA. That could mean a few different things. It might mean that we're seeing a new era for the worldwide organization, where they have become much more hands-off in the affairs of countries. But it could also mean that they have already tried to stop the Crown Princes and weren't able to. And today we have a tragedy the likes of which hasnt been seen in nearly two-hundred years. Times are changing, and I'm curious to see what will emerge from these turbulent tides. Will we see another government-led group form, or will it be a team of like-minded people who elect to lead the change?

A competitor to the Heroes Union? That's impossible, Trish exclaimed.

Is it? Overly violent actions are more likely to create overly violent responses. We are a reactionary species, and this might just be the final straw for some people, he responded.

You're talking about vigilante justice. The Union and BNA have been quick to crack down on the practice, making it basically extinct in the modern day. Even then, I can see what you're saying. When I first heard about what had happened, I was so angry at the Cowl responsible. I am lucky enough not to have lost anyone today, but for someone less fortunate, I wouldn't be surprised if this radicalized them. Uh, to be clear, NRBC12 does not condone vigilantism of any kind, Tom added hastily.

There's already been examples of that, right? There was that string of killings a few months ago. Five Neuvohumans were found dead, each of them scribing a phrase in their own blood. What was it again? The Law Stumbles, but Judgement Won't? Trish asked.

The Law Falters, Justice Does Not, Professor Krick corrected. Yes, I remember those cases. Correct me if Im wrong, but authorities were unable to find anything connecting the five of them: a school teacher, a former army general, a loan shark, a priest, and a monk. The only connection was the message, but the killer has disappeared. Whatever their mission was, it seems as if they accomplished it.

Ooooh. Unfortunately, it looks like we're out of time, Professor. Thank you so much for joining us, Tom said.

Yes, you were an enlightening guest, Trish added.

Thank you for having me, Professor Krick said.

Remember to keep tuned to the program, as our hashtag MaskedMutts Cape lookalike challenge comes to an end and we rank the top twenty submissions. I hear there's a golden doodle who looks just like Vibrance. I'm so excited to see the rest, Tom said, addressing the audience.

______________________________________________________________________

What an imbecile, Kai said, shutting the television off.

I take it you aren't a fan of the Professor? I asked.

Hes a hack. Neuvohuman Studies goes hand in hand with Liberal Arts and Communication majors as the three least valuable degrees you can have. I'm pretty sure the only requirements are attendance and half a pulse, Kai sneered.

Degrees aren't demonstrative of intelligence, Doctor Dickhead, Isaiah retorted.

Spoken like someone without one. I'm not saying that having one makes you a genius. I knew plenty of peers in medical school who had me doubting Darwins findings. But Professor Krick is a conspiratorial fearmonger with outdated views who uses baseless rumors to keep himself employed through bookings on less-than-reputable shows. If you need any more proof that Professor Krickpot is a dimwitted, mouth breathing, grifter who has the same object permanence and scientific perspective as a toddler, Kai said venomously. He's a fucking sock puppet beholden to podcast sponsors, regurgitating half-baked points he overheard from people whose only credentials come from online universities and being moderators on message boards.

Holy shit, Kai. You really don't fuck with the guy, Isaiah laughed.

Yes, I really dont fuck with the guy, Kai said, making air quotes.

So whats the plan, Nobody? How are we meant to check on the twerp? Isaiah asked me.

Ive been focusing on the sense I have with people whom Ive given powers to, and after checking on Vivienne, Rorschach, and Tuesdays locations, Im positive that I can still sense Miles borrowed powers. Hes alive at the very least. I trust him to handle himself and get back here when he is done. If Miles is going to become the number one Cape in Quinstin and topple the Heroes Union, then he needs to be self-sufficient. Vivienne is the only piece I have that can survive being near ground zero, and Vesuvius cannot be seen helping Atonement.

We arent going to. Miles will return, of that Im sure. Lets go, Kai, we have amputations to make.

Share