Why did he do it?

I don't know...we would not be here without him.

What do you know?

That he was willing to put his life on the table for us.

Starlio's head felt heavy,everything around him felt...dreamy.Every now and then,he wasn't sure how long but people approached him.Their faces...abstract and their voices,faint and he could barely make out their words.Even if he tried,the exhaustion of his mind would take over,pulling him back to sleep.

The next thing Starlio saw,he was in a white room surrounded by bright lights.The smell around him was weird,foreign almost.The prodigy blinked his eyes to quickly realize that he was on a hospital bed and something warm was against his arm.

Upon looking down to his right,Starlio's heart skipped a beat to see Shannon,resting her head right beside him asleep,her blonde hair overflowing to his arm as he smiled to himself,glad to see her looking safe and sound.

There were multiple plasters across her face and arms and his memories...slowly returning to him.It was fuzzy,but he remembered clearly giving into his exhaustion mid air.Did Shannon somehow find a way to bring them to the ground safely?Getting him to a hospital too?

This girl is strong.

"Hey..."Starlio started.

His voice still hurt,not as badly as before but there was still a burning sensation in his throat.His ribs still felt like they were creaking with every breath he took.His broken left arm was in a cast and his shoulder,still plague by a faint pain that was constantly there.

Shannon's eyes slowly opened,quickly realize that he was conscious and awkwardly got up quickly:"You-you're awake!"Shannon sounded startled.

Starlio swallowed back a tired yawn as he turned to her,trying to showcase himself better:"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine,thanks to you.Hold on I gotta get the doctor and call your mom."Shannon got up from her seat.

"My mom?"

"Yea,she told me to call when you're awake."

"Since when do you have her number?"Starlio barely finished his sentence when Shannon left the room already to contact the doctors.Starlio looked around him.This was his first time in a hospital...other than his birth of course.

His eyes followed the decorations of the hospital ward to a calendar,where he spotted the date:18 August.

I was out cold for a week?!Starlio got up,his heart pounding like crazy before a chain of thoughts attacked him.List of worries:

1.How is Kane,Angie and Kate?Did they escape?

2.My Dad...he won't take the news well and he might end up being more pissed off than ever.

3.Where's my jet pack suit?My taser glove?

4.What happened to those human traffickers?

2 Hours Later.

The doctors and nurses had explained most of his physical condition to him.Three broken ribs,a punctured lung,another three broken bones in his left arm,several torn muscles and the most damaging of all,the bullet in his shoulder had caused an infection that placed Starlio within the emergency operating room for almost 16 hours before his condition stabilized.

In the meantime,Shannon had also brought Starlio up to date.

The fire caused by him as a distraction managed to attract the attention of local authorities.Police brought Kane,Angie and Kate to safety and even found fourteen more kidnapped teenagers from the local neighbourhood.

"About a dozen human traffickers were arrested,but many were still on the loose,including the ones called Alan and Vincent."Shannon tells Starlio,who was eating the hospital's porridge while listening to her breaking the news.

"Vincent...the African American man right?"Starlio recalled.

"Yea.That's him."Shannon confirms."He...he isn't normal.He punched through one of my weapons,a stone shooting rifle that was constructed out of reinforced steel in found in just one strike,snapping it like a twig.He also was able to carry me and my suit with just one arm.Whatever strength he has...I doubt it's normal."

The door to his room opened as his mother,Alice and his brother,Mitchell,still in his school uniform entered the room,his mother immediately going over,about to give him a hug when Mitchell stopped her:"Mom!His cast!Be careful."

"Right."Alice Stex leaned in for a hug that Starlio embraced with his unbroken right arm.

"Thank you Shannon,for watching him for me.When you're free please,feel free to drop by our house.I'll make you something nice to eat."Alice tells an embarrassed Shannon,who started blushing:"I will keep that in mind.Thank you Mrs Stex."

"Dad's pissed isn't he?"Starlio looked at him mother,who made a shy nod."You know him...the thing is,the military and police are very curious on the thing,the flying exo skeleton.Your rescue of your classmates is everywhere on the news Starlio,people are really trying to wrap their head around the fact that a 14 year old kid built a working jet pack and a bunch of home made weapons,barge into a human trafficking ring and escaped with his friends,alive."

"That does sound very fake."Starlio agreed.

"But you did it.As much as I disagree with how reckless your actions are boy,I,as your mother am proud of you because when it's all said and done.You did the right thing."

Starlio smiled,looking at Shannon who also returned an equally bright smile:"I cannot thank you enough."

"Don't celebrate yet son...as much as you need time to rest,you have a lot of people to answer to.Not just to us."Alice reveals as Starlio felt a weight on his shoulder increasing:"I...What do you mean?"

Starlio noticed a dull look on Mitchell,Shannon and his mom's face.A face of dread for what's about to come."You've broken the law technically,so..."Mitchell wanted to explain only for Alice to pause him,continuing the explanation herself:"Some people think that you need to go to jail because you built weapons illegally,calling you a terrorist."

"Of course...adults."Starlio was barely surprised.

"But...there are some people who might be able to help you.I've received the call from a small startup known as the Navarro Firm.Javier Navarro,he's a lawyer that reached out,says he can help us.He wants to talk to us about your situation."Alice informs her son who panicked a little:"Wait,the hospital bill will already cost a bomb!Much less the money to-"

"He offered to cover your hospital bills and is willing to help us for free."

"When will we meet him?"

"Depends.He's pretty busy with your paperwork at the moment."Alice tells her son.

Somewhere.

Vincent couldn't help but feel...scared.A feeling he had always tried to compress when meeting his employer,but every time he convinced himself to be brave enough to hold a conversation with the man,it always failed him.

It was dark,in the middle of an empty park with nothing but faint natural lighting from the moon.Several of his own men,his own squad of human traffickers proceeded down the empty cold park in search of the meeting location where they were supposed to report.

"Boss,there he is...The Chairman."one of his men pointed out.

From a distance,Vincent squinted his eyes,finding himself looking at The Chairman ,dressed in black,formal suit,red tie and black hat.His normal outfit.

Slowly,Vincent and his squad of men approached The Chairman,who was sitting in the dark,sitting on a bench right in the middle of their path.The human trafficker looked around,noticing that there were several eyes around them,surrounding them.

"16 teenagers.Gone.How much money do you think that is?"The Chairman in the dark says,his voice,deep and old almost like the roar of a lion mixed in with the growling of a tiger.

"I...I am sorry sir.The-"

"A teenager.A 14 year old teenager broke into your hideout,killed your right hand man,hospitalized ten and burned your all your arsenal down.Excluding those teenagers the cost of damage has already reached the millions."The Chairman's voice was growing increasingly impatient.

"Sir,I can salvage this.I can-"

The Chairman raised his hand,silencing Vincent in an instant."12 million dollars.How do you intend to pay me back?Someone has to pay for this.Will it be you?Vincent?"The Chairman got up,revealing his tall gigantic body,towering at almost 2 meters in height.

"I'm sorry...I will...I will find the boy.I will make him pay."Vincent begs,his voice began quivering.

"No.Someone will pay now.If not my money,at least appease my...anger."The Chairman clenched his fist when Vincent dragged one of his men,throwing him in front of the Chairman."Vincent...boss?"

"You were supposed to guard the gates.If you did your job that kid would have never made it in."Vincent tells the man as the Chairman hurled a punch at the henchman,striking him down to the ground,splattering his blood and teeth all over the park's pavement.

The henchman's jaw was dangling loosely off his face as he looked up at the Chairman,who towered above him.As a desperate last attempt,the henchman pulled out a pistol,firing at the Chairman who stood there,the bullet blasting right into his suit and bouncing harmlessly right off.The henchman looked up at the Chairman,fear emoting all over his expressions as the Chairman grabbed him by the face,lifting the henchman off the ground.

Vincent and his remaining men looked in horror as The Chairman squeezed the head of the henchman.

The man's head exploded into an explosion of pieces of meat and blood,splattering wildly all over the ground,his eyeball soaked in chunks of his flesh,rolling over to Vincent who stepped back nervously.

"Now...the kid.Find him."The Chairman demands.

-

Waves of people visited Starlio over the course of the week.

Mitchell and his mother visited him everyday after she ended her work shift.Shannon herself,visiting him every day,bringing him food that she herself cooked and prepared for him.Conner and Roy visited often too,with Angie,Kate,Joseline and surprisingly Kane,who was still pretty awkward around him.

"Who knew huh?"Roy started.

Him,Conner and Starlio were alone in the ward this time round while the rest of their classmates went to the hospital canteen to get their dinner.

"You guys actually contributed by helping me during those test runs of the jet pack.So in a way you guys helped save them all too."Starlio tells his two friends,sipping the chicken porridge that Shannon had prepared for him.

"Don't man.You deserve the credit."Roy says,about to pass him a soda when Conner stopped him:"Hey hey,doctor said no sugary drinks until his wound stabilizes."

"Aw."Roy and Starlio said in unison.

Before they could continue their conversation,two men,one dressed in a formal suit,a very distinct mustache and a pair of sunglasses entered and beside him,another tall man with a thick jacket,oversized clothing and a thick beard.Both of them looked to be in their 30s to 40s as the man in the suit introduced himself:"Hello Mr Stex,Javier Navarro,nice to meet you."

"Hello..."Starlio replies awkwardly.

"Friends of Starlio,I'm sure you would understand but we need the room with him at the moment."Javier requests as Conner and Roy nod their heads,standing up and leaving the room for the trio.

"Is your mother here?"Javier asks.

"She's not going to be until after her night shift ends."

"I'm afraid we need her consent before you can agree to anything we have to say but i guess in the meantime,we can tell you why we are here.This is Xavier.My brother...he's not a lawyer but...I'm sure you'll be interested in what he can offer you.What we,can offer you."Javier explains,pointing to the other man who waved awkwardly.

"How do you know what I want?"Starlio asks.

"Okay,first things first.I'm currently working with members of the police force and the federal government.As you are a minor you do not have to face any criminal charges however,there is friction between the members of the law community that believe that you have discharged a firearm and killed one of the human traffickers.Am I right about that fact?"Javier began.

"I had to.Shannon was taken hostage at gunpoint.It was him or her."Starlio's heart was beating nervously,the weight of his actions now slowly sinking in when Javier calmly tells him:"Don't worry about it.I have confidence you will be let off."

"Wait-why?"

"You did it out of desperation to save your friends.I've been working on your case for a few days now.You have a high chance of not getting charged and...I may have found a loophole in the system that will give you back your jet pack."Javier offers.

Starlio couldn't help but suspect Javier's kindness.What kind of man would do all this work?For free nevertheless?

"Why are you helping us?"Starlio asks.

"I know you have your concerns,that's why Xavier is here."Javier points to his brother who excitedly approached Starlio,worrying him slightly with the distance he closed in:"I believe that we can have a deal...a contract."

"You know how creepy that sounds?"Starlio blurted out.

"Erm...I'm not good with words.English is my second language."Xavier's voice softened when Starlio quickly answered:"No,no that's not what I mean.I'm...I'm actually really interested with what you wanna say so please,I...I'm not uninterested or anything."

Xavier's eyes re-widened as he smiled:"I have seen the jet pack.A re-engineered mecha exo suit,rewiring all of the circuits into your command with just the flick of a few buttons.Rockets that you also re-purposed to suit the lithium ion batteries,wires that you seemingly built yourself?"

"You've seen it?"

"The police force tasked me to study it.Your work...I have to say is on par with most professionals in NASA...and you're 14?Your...level of intelligence must be off the charts.Where did you learn rocket tech and engineering?"Xavier couldn't contain his own excitement.

"I borrowed some books in the library.Rented some documentaries as well."

"Just by observing?"Xavier couldn't believe it.

"Yea."

The Navarro Brothers stood back a little,impressed by the prodigy when Starlio asks:"So what's this deal that you guys wanted to propose?"

"We recognize your potential Starlio Stex.We want a partnership with you.You see,we actually formed a small startup,Navarro Science and Technology.I'm just the guy whose doing all the legal stuff,Xavier here is the mastermind of it all.We design things like weapons,vehicles,household appliances,you name it."Javier explains.

"But you know,all the big names in the industries,they don't see a good investment in a small startup like us.That's why I need your ingenuity Starlio.I have ability to get you resources and teach you more about engineering.I have 3 PHDs,I'm sure you can learn a lot from me."Xavier offers.

"What's in it for me?"

"You get to explore your interest in inventing.Outside your school time of course.You don't have to commit all your time in inventing products for us.Also as a bonus we understand that your family has a struggling financial background and we are therefore offering an upfront payment of $50,000 for the first 6 months with us."Xavier tells the prodigy,whose eyes lit up.

"So,are you interested?Mr Stex?"Javier asks.

"I have one condition..."Starlio admits.

"Name it."Both Navarro brothers said in unison as Starlio turns to them:"I would like to have the freedom to build whatever I want.Don't worry I won't hide them from you,but I want to explore what I can do.I want to do more."

"You are welcome to do that.You see my products are always working consistently,but I lack...that edge.That little spark that makes my products stand out in the market.That is why I need you Starlio.As long as you can help me,you are free to use our resources,just...don't use everything."Xavier reaches out his hand.

"It's a deal."Starlio smiled,shaking the hand.

This is a miracle.

Three weeks passed.

Mason never visited him,but at this point,Starlio barely gave a shit back to his father.The only thing on his mind now was the endless possibilities that the Navarro partnership could bring him.More inventions?More jet packs?Who knows,he's free to make anything he wants.

Despite still having some minor injuries,Starlio was allowed to discharge from the hospital with his left arm still on a cast and his bullet wound,still giving him some pain with every move he took.

Starlio and Alice had signed a contract successfully with the Navarro Brothers.Javier had helped them avoid most interviews from the media,despite the fact that many within the country had already heard of Starlio's rescue of his classmates and the word:Hero,uttered by people everywhere when mentioning him.

As promised,Starlio was given a lab within the Navarro Science and Technologies,a 3 level warehouse that had two dozen employees,acting as an invention lab for Xavier.He had even gotten his jet pack back in his possession,something that he thought was impossible.

Javier had kept his promise.

Starlio had unknowingly spend most of his days at the lab itself,his ideas finally allowed to be placed into fruition.He had his own computers,his own workshop,tools and everything he could ask for,the Navarro Brothers were willing to provide.

He had never felt so accomplished,so free in his life.In addition,he also found himself hanging out with Shannon at least twice a week...

In addition to getting his exo suit jet pack back and repairing it's damage,Starlio had already begun the basics in A.I design and using the computer he was given,he had found tons of information that had greatly expanded his knowledge in engineering and even rocket science.

Xavier had also personally guided him in most of the basics in machine building and design.

Even though Xavier already had a rough idea on how fast Starlio could absorb information,Starlio still completely surpassed his expectations no matter how stupidly difficult Xavier had tried to set his expectations for.Starlio was not only learning everything he taught in one go,he had done so much research and studying that he had already basically become an engineer almost on a professional level.

This kid...learning years of information in 3 weeks.A true prodigy.

Starlio was in the lab,re purposing his exo suit,trying to see what type of upgrades he can add to it when his new phone rang,a smart phone that he bought with the money he had received with a message from Shannon:

Are you free tomorrow?

Starlio's smiled to himself,taking off his dusty repair gloves,quickly replying:Yea.

Wanna meet?For lunch?Anything really.It'll be on me.Shannon replied him when he texted back:No no I can pay for it.I have a job now.

Hush Starlio.You got shot for me.I'm buying,no more bargaining.

"Damn."Starlio tells himself,agreeing to the meetup which was going to take place the following afternoon.Turning his attention back to his exo suit...he had some difficulties when rescuing Shannon and the others.What if he could fix them now?Fix the design flaws that the original suit has?

"Ello Starlio.I brought some tortillas you want some?"Xavier Navarro knocked on the door of his lab,holding up a takeaway bag of food.

"Yes please."Starlio got up,cautious to not hit his own cast and opened the door for Xavier.

Xavier set the food down on a table,looking at the exo suit and turns to ask his new business partner:"So what are you working on?"

"I'm planning to make this thing...more protected.I want a tool that can help me protect the people I care about.I don't know why but those human traffickers,they are still out there.I hope that when something like this ever happens again,I have the tools to fight back."Starlio explains.

"So you want an armor?"

"Maybe...something like that."Starlio acknowledged.

"You need parts,just let me know.But make sure to do it in your free time only,the flaming auto barbecue pit's design just got approved for mass production.I'll add your name to the credits of the designers,you can expect some income soon."

"That's great,thanks."Starlio says when Xavier paused:"Also...one more thing...the news,they have reported several more sightings of those,human traffickers.I don't know if you are interested in that but,i feel like I should let you know."

"Sightings?"

"Not too sure what the details are,but be careful.After all,the media did not hide your identity when publicizing about your heroic deeds.If the public knows who you are,those traffickers do to.It's not exactly legal for me to say this but...you should build some weapons to protect yourself.I'll turn a blind eye to that."Xavier tells him before leaving the lab.

Weapons?Starlio had an idea pop up in his mind as he began the blueprints for his next project.

-

That evening.

Conner met up with Starlio first at a food court near North star Town where Starlio promised to bring them to his lab to check it out after their dinner.

"So how does it feel to be able to spend more than five dollars a day?"Conner asks,sipping on his soda with Starlio smirking:"Feels great to be able to spend actually.But...still gotta save whatever money I have now.It might be just a stroke of luck."

"I thought you have a steady income from your inventions?"

"I do...but I'm gonna be using most of the money for new furniture and renovations for my house.Mitchell and my mom needs it more than I do."Starlio explains,with Conner raising his eyebrow:"What about your dad though?"

"Screw him."

"Right..."

"Sorry,it's just...he's really an asshole you know.My family could have had a proper financial background,a proper house and car.He has all the tools he needs to provide for us but yet,he chooses gambling and drinking...I really don't wish to acknowledge him as my father."Starlio admits.

"You just have to focus on yourself man...now that you have the opportunity given by the Navarro brothers,there's so much more you can do other than have a steady income.You always wanted to build things and you have the perfect position to do so."Conner encourages him.

"That's true.By the way,I may need some...suggestions."

"I wanna wait for Roy too.Where's that idiot?"Starlio asks as Conner shrugged,finishing his soda and tossing the empty bottle into a nearby bin:"He did say that he had to get some groceries for his mom but he'll be here soon."

"Hm...I guess we can wait for awhile."

Starlio turned to his friend only to notice Conner,giving him a cheeky look:"So what's up with you and Shannon?"

Starlio pretended to not hear the message,generating tons of answers in the head while replying:"Sorry what?"Conner slapped Starlio on the back lightly:"Come on...it's not like you hid it very well.Let's just take aside the fact that you flew across the city,fought an army of human traffickers to rescue her.You and her went on multiple dates before."

"It was study dates."Starlio tried to correct Conner,who shook his head."Really?"

"Come on...you know...I don't have to say it right?"Starlio found his face getting hot red.Conner smiles,nodding to himself:"Alright,my mouth's shut."

"What's for dinner?"

Starlio and Conner turned around to see Roy,his face right between them and jump scaring both teenagers,who startled back a little as Roy laughed:"Come on,what were you guys talking about?"

"Nothing?What to eat actually."Starlio quickly gave an answer.

The trio headed back to Starlio's lab where Conner and Roy stared in awe at the blueprints,pasted messily all over a wall,dozens and dozens of sketches of new technologies,products and more,showing proudly with metal parts and screwdrivers all over the floor.

"Excuse the mess."Starlio completely neglected the fact that he was bringing his friends over.

"What do you wanna show us?"Roy asks.

"Is it these self heating knives for household appliances?"Conner looks at a prototype for a blade when Starlio shook his head:"No no.Those human traffickers are still out there,I want to build something to defend myself and the people around me.The reason the two of you are here...is because it's cool."

"Go ahead."Conner says as Starlio pulled out a massive blueprint sheet he began working on just hours ago.

"Still a huge work in progress but...the Model 1 Armor."

Conner and Roy find themselves looking at the outline of a mech like suit,ready to be designed and built,using the exo suit as it's base skeleton.