Chapter 97 (1/2)

Dan's ambitions hadn't dimmed, despite his most recent extracurricular adventure. He still wanted to help people, and still believed that disaster relief was his best shot at doing that. The academy class that Professor Tawny taught was focused on search and rescue, the most basic skill required to do his desired job.

”First responders are always on call,” Tawny explained. ”We are reactionary. We don't choose when something goes wrong, we simply respond to it.”

It was the sad truth of emergency situations. If you knew when they would occur, then it wouldn't be an emergency. Whether it was a villain attack or just a child lost in the woods, Dan needed to be ready at all times. Especially him, as his power made transportation a non-issue. Legally speaking, his mutation was listed as having a several mile cap and no penalty for repeated use; he could theoretically attend an international emergency once he received his license. He'd certainly be popping in on any situation damaging enough to appear on television. He would never forget that wave of fire that devastated Atlanta, nor the calm sadness with which it was witnessed by Abby.

”As sad as it is to say,” Tawny continued, ”we're due for something bad to happen. We've had a peaceful year, for the most part, and that's bound to change eventually. You should all be prepared for such an event.”

The reality of it was that the country could barely go six months without some kind of national tragedy. There was stability, yes, but there was only so much the government could do when the entire population had superpowers. There were no regulations on who could receive upgrades. The age limit varied per upgrade, but tended to be in the low teens. Additionally, there was zero screening, mental or otherwise, for accessing the majority of upgrades. Only government exclusive, specially-classed upgrades were restricted in any way.

It was puzzling for Dan, at first. The laws regarding gun control nearly mirrored his own parallel, and just as much controversy surrounded them. In contrast, the laws regarding upgrade regulations had seen only minor adjustments over the past twenty years. After consulting Abby, he'd quickly been enlightened.

It was to prevent Naturals from appearing. Upgrades were essentially vaccines for cosmic energy. Rather than rolling the dice on a power that could just as easily hurt someone as not, it was far more ideal to get a reliable, cheap, safe upgrade. Even after the initial wave of cosmic energy had faded to tolerable levels, the mindset remained. It was seen as a 'better safe than sorry' solution, that was both affordable and socially acceptable. The fact that there were super strength upgrades that let people bench press small cars, or pyrokinesis upgrades that could melt steel, was seen as perfectly normal. It was cheaper to pay for the upgrades and the salary of half a dozen low-skilled workers rather than purchase and maintain a bulldozer. The pyrokinesis upgrade was occasionally advertised for spot-welding of all things. These were normal, every day purchases.

The consequences, of course, were apparent. Occasionally, not often, but often enough, someone mentally disturbed, or traumatized, or just plain evil, would do something stupid or selfish or vicious and hurt a great deal of people. Yet, rather than society collectively taking a look at itself and saying, ”Yeah, we should probably work on that,” the results, time and time again, seemed to be a collective shrug and a muttered, ”That's how things are.”

That was without taking into account the literal terrorist attacks that were broadly placed under the umbrella of Villainy. Rather than cartoon caricatures, these were often people with defined political agendas, who attempted to sway opinions through violence. The People's ideology had not faded with their disappearance from the public eye, and they were only one group among several. These attacks were less common, thankfully, and essentially ineffective but this was cold comfort for their victims.

It was as bewildering for Dan as it was frustrating. Though, he sometimes wondered what Abby would think about his own parallel. It probably had its own share of insanity that he was blinded to by the goggles of cultural acceptance.

Fred's hand was raised.

Tawny called on him, and the younger man asked, ”Sir, are you saying we'll be attending the next major disaster?”

Tawny regarded him gravely. ”Should something happen within the remaining month of our term, yes, we will be attending. With any luck, it will be a distant trip, and we'll arrive in the aftermath. In such a case, you'll assist in recovery and learn from those who were on-site at the time.” He let his gaze roam over the rest of the classroom. ”This will act as your final exam. Your performance will not be graded; these events are tragedies and should be treated as such. Simply by attending and helping where you can, you'll have earned a passing grade in my book.”

”Hear hear,” Gregoir said, pounding his desk with a meaty fist. ”Well said, Officer Tawny.”

”What will we do if there isn't anything to attend before classes end?” Freya asked with a frown. After a moment, the frown faded, and she added, ”Besides be thankful, of course.”

Tawny smiled. ”You're forgetting something, Miss Valentine. Search and rescue is not reserved for national disasters. There is always a need for us. There is always someone, somewhere close, who needs our help.”

Freya's mouth opened to protest, then clicked shut with a note of embarrassment on her face.

”I see,” she said succinctly. ”That makes sense. Thank you.”

Tawny nodded, then clapped his hands together cheerfully. ”Well, now that that bit of unpleasantness is out of the way, let's move onto the next item on the docket. Matilda”—Freya's entire body twitched at the name—”has not updated me on the progress of her students, as that is considered confidential information. That said...” He turned to Dan and Fred expectantly. ”Did either of you have questions or concerns for me? Any specific problems you are facing that you feel I can help with? I am at your disposal.”

Freya was normally the most unflappable of Dan's friends. She rarely reacted with anything other than aloof interest. Even now, discussing the accomplice of the person who had kidnapped her future husband, she was, to someone who was unfamiliar with her, only vaguely attentive. Nonetheless, Dan could practically feel the anxiety radiating off of her in waves. Thankfully, professor Tawny seemed as oblivious to female body language as Dan tended to be.