Snow danced in the empty streets, swirling like graceful acrobats on a breeze. The remnants of daylight melted away in the wake of the artificial glow of the street lights. Black banners beat against the wind, pulling against their metal grommets like a restrained animal lunging for the attack. A fight was coming and the body count was going to be high.

Seth’s device chimed in his ear. “Notification: Squad VII team meeting. Topic: The Enhanced.” Seth’s heart drummed in his ear.

He swiped his wrist against the scanner’s red eye. The shared squad office doors didn’t give. He swiped again. He glanced at the curfew count down. He’d never make it back to the barracks, but neither would anyone else. Erick would most likely be livid with the team, blaming them for having to stay in the security hold over night. His father would negotiate to wipe the detention from his son’s record.

He cleared the wet snow from the eye’s glass casing and swiped again. The door opened at his touch.

“You let me handle, Seth,” Erick’s voice echoed in the emptiness of the squad office. Seth rolled his eyes at the purr in his second in command’s voice. He really did think of Seth as a pushover, an idiot, or maybe both. Seth wasn’t surprised to find the door to the meeting room open. Erick would have used their competitor’s curiosity as a weapon, leaking vital inner team conflicts to spread gossip across the academy’s feeds. The damage to Astral’s reputation, maximized for personal gain. Seth’s credibility as a competent leader would take a hit too, just by virtue of the team airing out their grievances through the illusion of privacy. He didn’t know how much had been shared before the competing squad pulled themselves away to return to their housing for the night.

Erick sat in Seth’s chair, the chair of power in the brute’s eyes. The sad truth was that it was the same make and model as all of the other chairs in the room. The seat’s importance was something that others gave it. Erick wanted to be important in the same light that Seth was. In a way, the idea was flattering. What Erick feared was having his power taken from him; an easy feat for those who knew they hadn’t earned it. That fear is what drove Erick to acts of personal terrorism.

Erick grin spread as Seth entered the room. “Astral Daamon removed from Squad VII” Seth’s device chimed in his ear. Seth flung the ear piece at Erick. By Seth entering the room, his implant had signalled his presence in the meeting. The voting session had concluded with most players opting to have their social problem removed from the team. Rage gave way to a deep disappointment.

Hope glowered at Gemma, whose wide eyes suggested an innocence in his plea. He had no idea what Erick had planned. Hope had seen the angles and was willing to make the sacrifice.

“It’s unanimous,” Erick said. “See. Not so hard. Problem dealt with, and no one got hurt. This is something you should have had the balls to deal with, without getting us involved. That’s what real leaders do.”

Hope’s glower darkened. “No one got hurt except for the one person who didn’t do anything to deserve this.” Seth doubted that the team was unanimous in their decision.

Erick’s hands thundered onto the table’s surface demanding silence and obedience. Hope jumped back into her seat. Regina reached to comfort her but Hope pulled away to roar at Erick. “You don’t scare me, you bully! I didn’t vote for her to leave!” She turned to Seth who found himself frozen at the entrance, “I want you to know that Seth! I DON’T DO THIS UNDERHANDED B.S. TO MY FRIENDS!” A deep guttural roar that would have rivaled any demon he had crossed escaped from the small explosives expert. She was going to need to blow up something good in the next few days.

“We did what needed to be done to protect our friends.” Erick’s feigned being hurt, the smile never fading.

“No! You’re just protecting yourself!” Hope screamed, her frustration transforming into tears.

“Hope…” Seth wanted to tell her that everything was going to be okay, but he couldn’t imagine how.

Regina reached for Hope again, offering what little comfort she could. Hope pulled away, and her best friend fought back tears. The rift Erick had caused with his stunt had broken the team’s spirit. There was no way they were going to win this year, not when the interpersonal dynamics were so divided. They couldn’t win when they were fighting each other.

“If you don’t like it, then quit! No one is keeping you here!” Smith, Erick’s right hand man chided.

“We don’t need a mascot, squirt,” Roger’s chimed.

Erick nodded. “That goes for any of you losers who don’t have the stomach to do what’s right for the team.”

“You mean what’s right for you,” Elle snarled. Seth glanced to the twins, Esmey and Elle. Elle remained stoic. Esmey’s ears and neck had gone beet red, her hands balled into fists under the table. Elle squeezed her twin’s hand, but dared not look her sister in the eye. Neither looked at Seth, focusing their rage on Erick.

“I see…” Seth nodded to himself and took the remaining empty seat. The team shifted their bodies toward him, focusing their attention to his next action. Erick crossed his arms, flung himself back into his chair and rest the heel of his boot against the edge of the table. Despite the social cues of rebellion, Erick’s torso faced Seth, the line of sight following along the second-in-command’s extended leg. He had Erick’s full attention, and he was expecting repercussions.

He entered his access code onto the console as a sense of clarity washed over him. The door behind him slid shut with a finality that rattled the team. They eyed their only exit. He had no intention on keeping them past curfew. What he had to say was straight forward. He could deal with the remains of the team after the fact. He’d have time enough to think things through.

“We’re not going to make it home tonight. We can all agree on that can’t we?” He couldn’t salvage the damage done to Astral. Her team would have to find another way to the demon’s inner sanctum. These trivial social dramas were wasting time and energy. Maybe the heightened drama was a side effect of the demon’s presence. Maybe his team was reacting to the demon’s subtle influence. All it would have to do is projected Astral’s threat to the demon onto the squad, where they could react as though Astral represented a threat to them. Could the demon focus a psychic attack like that? He’d have to ask someone with more experience. He suspected that the demon could only work with what was readily available; using the environment to its advantage. Enhancing quirks to become weapons.

As the room fell quiet, Seth kept his tone low and controlled, the same tone Astral took with him when his actions were contributing to the problem.

“The discussion is over Seth.” Erick narrowed his eyes at his captain, a silent warning to do as commanded. He’d been getting that a lot today. “You can’t add her to our roster. What’s done is done. She’s out of the game. She can’t come back unless some other loser wants to recruit her.” The smile slipped back onto his lips, having reassured himself that he had won. He was right to feel comfortable in his petty victory. As long as Erick and William kept the rumor going, Astral would never be able to set foot in the games. Astral’s scores were strong enough now to make her a desirable addition. Such heavy improvement over three short months suggested training secrets that other teams might exploit. But as an Enhanced, no one would consider recruiting her.

Seth nodded. “It’s an ideal time to discuss other issues that will have an affect on the whole team. For example…” He sent the highlighted text of the rule book to the player’s tablets.

“What the fuck is this about?” Erick tossed his device onto the table where it slid to a stop near the middle, rejecting the idea. Seth felt his lips curl, knowing he had struck a nerve. “Security will be here in… looks like ten minutes to collect us. I’ve gone ahead and flagged us all for drug testing. If anyone of us registers as positive for drug use, Squad VII is removed from this year’s competition. Unless, of course, you do what’s right for the team and remove yourself from the squad.”

Elle smiled and focused her mirth on her lap while squeezing her sister’s hand.

“What gives you the right?” The vein on the brute’s neck pulsed. “This is just your way of getting revenge.”

‘It is,’ Seth was willing to admit, but Gemma cut in before Seth could verbally acknowledge his own pettiness.

“Seems fair to me. All things being equal and all that,” Gemma shrugged. Others around the table nodded. The flag Seth had requested had been approved. Tablets around the table chimed with the notice that they were flagged for drug testing. A random test would have been performed during their monthly visits with the medical staff. Seth understood that juicers knew how long a particular dose lingered in the blood stream, and could plan their visits accordingly. If administration had reason to believe that drug use was at play, security collected the accused party. At that point, protocol was followed to the letter.

“Shut the fuck up!” Erick pointed a meaty finger at the much larger Gemma, who arched a brow in response.

“You’re not juicing, so what does it matter. It’s not like you have anything to hide.” Rogers said. His hair was dishevelled from running his hands through it. He had unbuttoned the top of his jacket and shirt by three buttons, the uncomfortable discussion heating him from the inside out. Roger was the kind of guy who felt things a little too strongly. He empathized rather than rationalized. He was easy to sway, but couldn’t be trusted to hold his ground. He preferred to be included in important discussions only, finding trivial management and team building discussions exhausting. The rest of the time, he was happiest being told what had been decided.

“He’s got no proof! He can’t do this!” Erick’s right hand man squealed.

“I’ve heard rumours. Honestly, I’m surprised we haven’t been flagged. The discrepancy in our personal scores averages should have been flagged by the Gaming Commission. But by some small grace, it hasn’t. Since we’re very concerned about the state of our team and the repercussions of associating with the wrong sort of person, I want to honour your concerns. Since we’re all here, it’ll make things easier on the system. We can get rid of the sort of people who will ruin our hard work. Of course, if your concerns aren’t for the team’s welfare, then, I suppose we have grounds to appeal the vote.” Seth tried not to smile. “Of course we’d have to make the appeal public. What happens to known juicers? I’m sure it’s not as bad as what they do the Enhanced, but I’m pretty sure short of working for your dad, your options get limited. You’ve heard the rumours that if you juice long enough, you permanently activate an Enhanced mutation. Technically, you’re not Enhanced at that point, but try arguing that.”

Erick jutted his chin at Seth and bared his teeth. He reminded Seth of animal, more bark then bite, but when the bite came, it would sting. Seth would survive any of Erick’s personal attacks. Erick might not survive himself. What sort of animal cannibalized himself? “Five minutes,” Seth cut Erick off, realizing that he hadn’t heard a word the brute said. “This flag is for Squad VII members only. You can walk away and avoid the testing completely; but you’ll be permanently band from the squad.”

“So leaving is as good as admitting we’re guilty?” Smith said. He hadn’t pegged Smith as a juicer, but maybe he was jumping to conclusions. Erick liked to surround himself with bulky people, the sort of people who could cast a threatening shadow. As much trouble as Smith represented, he was dedicated to self-improvement and had always demonstrated a wiliness to push his limits.

“Yes. That said, nothing discussed here will leave this room. I have no evidence, and I’m not the sort of person who will use a rumor to ruin another.”

“So that’s what this is about really,” Erick growled.

“Shut up you meat head,” Hope growled back, “Everyone knows exactly why this happening. Two minutes, Erick, whacha gonna do? Piss yourself yet? Gonna call daddy to fix it for you.”

Erick slammed his fist against the table, cracking the digital surface. “I’m gonna make it my personal mission to make your life hell!” From the short time Seth had known Erick, he knew that his list of personal vendettas was getting long.

Hope presented him with her middle finger.

“I ain’t going no where,” Erick snarled. “I call your bluff.”

“That’s cause you’re an idiot,” Esmey sighed. “I’m out. I’ve been juicing since after the last game, last year. That whole thing scared the shit out of me, and I…”

“No one gives a fuck,” Erick snarled.

“I give a fuck,” Elle screamed and reached for her sister. “I’m scared too, but we could have done something together.”

“It’s okay Elle. I’m not like you, and that’s fine. I’m sorry to disappoint you all. Especially you Seth,” she swallowed her grief. Her voice fell into a whisper. “I wish you wouldn’t look at me like that. You should know that I’ve been buying my supply from-”

“You know you can’t say that shit. Anyone you tell is at risk. Think about that before you go running your mouth off. Think about your sister.”

Esmey’s eyes widened. She shook. Elle gave her sister’s hand a squeeze, begging for reassurance, for bravery. “Don’t worry about me,” her sister whispered.

“Dumb bitch,” Erick muttered.

“Erick is my dealer.” Esmey shouted over Erick, repeating herself over and over until silence returned to the room.

“You bitches are going to find yourself on the killing fields as the army’s personal whores. You mark my word. Double the fun, double the pain.” Seth couldn’t believe the casualness of Erick’s obscenities. The practiced ease of his threats was terrifying. Seth wondered if Erick’s status as an elite made death threats less of a concern. He reminded himself that this meeting, and thousands of others just like it were being monitored. He worried for Elle and Esmey. He had made a huge mistake and there was no way to take it back.

Gemma’s nod was slight, and for a second he held Seth’s worried gaze. Gemma had told the old captain about Erick. Nothing official had been filed. He had assumed that Seth’s stance was to look the other way, at least until Seth had confronted the bigger man on subject. Gemma was insulted at the accusation of being a juicer, hurt by the irony that he had already aired his concerns privately and had been dismissed. But Seth was a new captain, an idealist, and had asked for evidence. Evidence that Gemma was never able to get. Seth wouldn’t move until the rumour had been confirmed.

“I’m out too,” Regina said. “I’m not a juicer. But I can’t be associated with that element. I will do the drug testing because my husband will want that as proof. I don’t think I’ll be coming back next term.” She blinked away tears. “There are good schools in the capitol, and I think it would be for the best.”

Erick refused to submit. He glowered at the squad. “I’m not a juicer. And no matter what that cunt says, there’s no proof. It’s just some dirty rumour. Anyone who repeats it will be put on notice.” On notice, Seth had heard Erick use the term before and had always thought it was a verbal warning, a reminder of how his father could ruin their lives by forcing a draft on them. Seth heard the sinister undertones, the promise of violence.

“Since this is really about getting revenge for your princess. Rumour has it that Omega Corp is going to be parcelled off to the highest bidders. She’s not going to have a pot to piss in. Hell she won’t be good enough to fuck by the time I’m done with her.” Did he really think he had that kind of influence? Did he think his father would act on Erick’s petty grievances? Seth supposed if his father had indulged his sons all of these years, what’s one more show of power. In a way, these outburst were proof of a dying legacy. If Erick’s family was the Krakken, then their tentacles were lashing out at anything that moved, soon great hunters would come to slay the beast that terrorized the ocean. The more violent and destructive the creature, the more hunters would come to claim their prize.

Seth stood to greet the security team, one person for every member of the squad. “Esmey and Regina have resigned.” He doubted that his promised to his team mattered to security. “I request that you review the meeting footage. Death threats were issued.”

“You little bitch!” Erick thundered his fists against the table causing the cracks in its surface to spread. Blood smeared the point of impact. “You’re a dead man!”

“Two death threats.”

Security cuffed Erick, dragging him out as he cursed obscenities as Seth and the remaining members of Squad VII. He promised a world of pain. He couldn’t even be bothered to hold back his rage, to hide the privileged he exploited. Sooner or later, Erick was going to be a liability to his family. But not before he destroyed as many people as he could.

He didn’t know Erick’s bothers and sisters. They were a large family. His father had a harem of wives, each with at least six children, all genetically verified for heritage authenticity. Erick had shared some crude stories about how adulterers within his family unit were ostracized and denied support. At the time, Seth thought it was a fair, after all, she had breached her contract, but now…