1.29

The next day, Hunter recounted to his teammates what happened the previous night.

“I’ve never heard of The Clandestine,” remarked Silas.

“Neither,” said Jimena.

“I’ve heard the name,” said Gauzelle. The others all looked at her with the same confused expression on their face.

“Seriously?” Hunter asked.

“I’ve only heard the name. I don’t know anything else.”

“Where did you hear the name?” Jimena asked.

“I don’t know. I just know I have.” Gauzelle was sounding frustrated.

“Had a run in with them, huh?” Stick entered the room. Her hair was wildly frazzled, but she looked back to her normal self.

“Yeah.” Hunter then explained to Stick what had happened.

“Best to leave them alone.” Stick made herself some breakfast and sat with the group.

“What do you know about them?” Silas asked.

“Not much. Just whispers around the edges of things. Only ever seen one of their members once before. They came into a massive fight with Zodiac. Stopped her and disappeared. Zodiac has never been the same since.”

“You were there?” Silas asked.

“What do you mean?” Gauzelle asked.

“Zodiac was a legendary hero. Something happened and she turned into a major villain. Levelled most of Manhattan,” Silas informed her.

“Ah yeah. I remember hearing about that from dad. It happened a few years before we were born,” said Hunter.

“Are we going back to regular training?” Jimena asked Stick. She had been wanting to go back to normal ever since Stick had been taken out of action. Jimena always wanted to improve.

“Not today, sorry.” Stick rotated her neck. It reminded Hunter of bubble wrap.

“Has Michael filled you in on everything that’s happened?” Gauzelle asked.

“Yeah. Good job you lot. You’ve made me proud of how much you’ve all achieved in such a short amount of time.” Silas gave high-fives to everyone.

“Any idea on who it could be?” Hunter asked.

“No idea. But if anyone could figure it out, it’s Claw.”

“So I’ve been thinking, what do you all think if Michael helped us recruit a fifth team member?” Hunter asked.

“Why?” Jimena asked.

“Don’t think we’re good enough?” Silas asked.

“No, no. That’s not it at all. But I think it could really help round out our team. Cover weaknesses, bring different expertise. We struggled against that villain team up,” Hunter explained.

“We don’t even have a team name yet,” Silas pointed out.

“Anyone have any ideas?” Hunter asked.

“Allies of Justice?” suggested Gauzelle.

“Already taken,” said Stick.

“Sun Strikers?” said Hunter.

“Already taken,” said Silas.

“Yeah, they’re a team of former villains turned heroes,” said Stick.

“Do we have to have a name?” Jimena asked. “Doesn’t change anything.”

“No, but it’ll help us stand out. Be recognisable,” answered Silas.

“We’re going a little off the tracks here. A fifth team member?” said Gauzelle, trying to steer the conversation back to the point.

“What are we looking for? What have we got?” Silas asked.

“We’ve all got powers. Me with dust particles, you with your kinetic, invulnerable bouncing. Jimena with her slime and Gauzelle is a cool bandage.” Hunter answered.

“Maybe our fifth member doesn’t need to have powers?” said Gauzelle.

“Hey Michael, you there?” Hunter spoke into his communicator.

“Hearing you loud and clear young hero. What are you after?” Michael replied.

“We’re discussing possibly recruiting a fifth member and I wanted to see if you had a list of possibilities,” said Hunter.

“Yes, of course. I’ll be there shortly, hold on.” There was a flash of blue, purple light and the group watched as Michael materialised in the light.

“You can teleport?” Silas asked. Michael smiled and nodded.

Michael walked into the centre of the room and set his communicator wristwatch on the floor, pointing up. He brought out a small remote from his janitor’s jumpsuit and his wristwatch projected a hologram up into the room.

On display was a 3D image of a teen with long hair and a patchy beard. His image rotated. He wore a red shirt with a brown coat over the top that stopped just above his knees.

“Who’s this?” Hunter asked.

“His name is Teddy Colton. Pretty smart kid,” said Michael.

“So what’s his powers?” Silas asked.

“Doesn’t have any. However, he’s a great boxer. He’s also developed some of his own tech.” Michael pressed on his remote and a picture of a sleek looking yoyo spun in the air.

“What’s that?” Gauzelle asked.

“A high-tech yoyo. It uses a thin cable with a breaking weight of half a tonne. He implements it in with his fighting. He also uses it to give electric shocks or to emit a sleeping gas from within the yoyo.”

“Sounds pretty cool,” Jimena admitted.

“He’s being overseen by Vanguard. Not under direct training like you are with Stick, but Vanguard has agreed we can recruit him if we want.”

“Does he have a hero name?” Silas asked.

“Yoyo,” Michael said with a great grin.

“That’s original,” said Silas.

“Says Balloon Boy,” Gauzelle responded.

“Any others?” Jimena asked.

“Yep.” Michael pointed with the remote again and the hologram of the yoyo was replaced with a humanoid cactus. They wore red shorts and had small, white pupilless eyes.

“A cactus?” Gauzelle asked.

“Yeah. This cactus was a normal plant that mutated into this humanoid being when some toxic waste went wrong. Limited regeneration, projectile needles, and a low level of telepathy. Also loves nature. We call it Cactus, and it isn’t currently training under anybody.”

“So it can talk?” asked Gauzelle.

“Communicates telepathically. Has shown it can work well with others during some training exercises. Think it could be a good addition.”

“Any others?” Jimena asked.

“One other for now.” Michael clicked his remote again and the image of the cactus was replaced with that of someone wearing a hoodie. Every now and then a strange looking substance would stretch out from the body and snap back into place.

“Who’s that?” Gauzelle asked.

“Jordana Reyes,” said Michael.

“What’s the story?” Jimena asked.

“She has an unstable polymer lifeform bonded with her being. Her parents were designing a new way to dispose of waste. A small life form that could devour most things. One night, Jordana broke into the research room, wanting to bring freedom to the little life form. It decided she was its mother and needed to be protected, and so bonded with her.” Michael informed them.

“What can she do?” Hunter asked.

“The little life form generally takes on the form of armor, sometimes weapons. She’s a great hand-to-hand combatant. Packs a punch. Bit of a vigilante type. Shows a lot of promise.”

“What does everyone think?” Hunter asked.