Water torture, Justin said. Its what the C.I.A. uses.

No, please.

Justin shook his head. What good is begging going to do? Theres hardly a point to torture if you want it.

The victim can aspirate water during water torture, Dorothy commented, as though she were commenting on paint shades. But I could have been doing it wrong.

Burning, then. Start on the back, chest and stomach, work our way to the extremities. They say a burn hurts worse than any other pain, inch for inch, Justin said. By the time we work our way to the face, the armpits, or the soles of the feet

Oh god.

Scarring, Geoff said, looking up from his newspaper. Chance of infection. Hed be facing as much risk as he would with the water torture. It might even be harder to treat. Harder to explain if we had to go to a doctor.

Razors? Justin suggested.

Razors could work, Dorothy said. Im good with a razor.

Hear that? Justin asked. Shes good with a razor.

Please. There has to be another way.

There are a number of other ways, Dorothy said. Tearing out your teeth, fingernails and toenails is one. Castration, force feeding, breaking bones, rats, flaying

I meant besides torture.

Psychological methods, Justin suggested.

Isolation, Dorothy offered. Sensory deprivation, intoxicants. Would you like cream in your coffee, Geoff?

No thank you, dear.

The bacon is done. Why dont you two come and eat? Dorothy offered.

Justin sighed. Come, Theo.

The boy gave them wary looks as he stood from the armchair and crossed the length of their hotel room. Dorothy had laid out a veritable feast: bacon, eggs, english muffins, toast, french toast, a bowl of strawberries, a bowl of blueberries, and a bowl of fruit salad. There was orange juice and pots of both coffee and tea. She was just setting down a plate of bacon, leaving barely enough room for anyones plates.

It would have been too much for eight people to eat, but she didnt seem to realize that. She smiled as Justin ushered Theo to the table and sat down. Her clothes were more fit for a job interview than for a fugitive, with a knee-length dress, heels, earrings and makeup. Geoff, like his wife, was too well dressed for the occasion, wearing a button-up shirt beneath a tan blazer, his hair oiled and combed back neatly.

They cant act, Justin thought. They follow their routines like bad actors following a script. A housewife preparing a meal for her family, the husband at the table.

Hed known that the pair started every day with the same routine, like clockwork. Wake, don bathrobe, and collect a newspaper. Geoff would step into the shower as Dorothy stepped out, and she would be done grooming by the time he was through. Once they were both dressed, theyd head to the kitchen, and Geoff would read the paper while Dorothy cooked.

But always, the details would be off. Things any ordinary person would take for granted were forgotten or exaggerated. Dorothy inevitably prepared too much, because it was harder for her to consider how hungry everyone was and adjust accordingly. Only two days ago, Justin had noted that Geoff would take a few minutes to read the front page of the paper, turn the page, and stop.

Now he couldnt help but notice. It was the same thing every day. For the twenty or thirty minutes it took Dorothy to put everything together and set it on the table, Geoff would stare at the second and third pages of the newspaper.

Justin had asked about the headlines and the articles. Geoff never remembered, because he wasnt reading. He could read, but he didnt. He spent nearly forty minutes in total, every day, like clockwork, doing little more than staring into space, pretending to read.

Put the paper away, its time to eat, Justin thought. Yes dear. Mmm. Smells delicious.

Put the paper away, its time to eat, Dorothy said. She was holding the coffee pot, stepped behind Geoff, putting a hand on his shoulder, and bent down to kiss him on the top of his head. Automatic, without affection.

Yes, dear. Geoff said, smiling up at his wife. Mmm. Smells delicious.

Jesus fuck, they scare me, Justin thought. But he plastered a fake smile of his own onto his face, grabbed one of the oven-warmed plates and served himself. Theo did much the same at the other side of the table, minus the smile.

Kayden emerged from one of the bedrooms, her hair still tangled from sleep, wearing a bathrobe. Mousy, shorter than average, looking exceedingly human, she was Dorothy Schmidts antithesis.

Aster slept well last night, Justin commented. Didnt hear her crying.

She slept through the night. We just have to maintain a routine as we keep moving, Kayden said.

We were just discussing ways to force Theos trigger event.

Itll come on its own, she said. We have two years.

One year and eleven months, Theo said.

Kayden glanced at him but didnt respond.

It should have happened already, Justin pointed out. Its easier for children with inherited powers, and Theos the son of Kaiser, whos the son of Allfather. Third generation.

Maybe I didnt get powers, Theo said, not looking up from his plate.

Or maybe youve lived a sheltered enough life that you havent had a reason to trigger, Justin retorted.

I dont want to get tortured. Physically or psychologically. There has to be another way.

Torture? Kayden asked.

Its one line of thought, Justin said, trying to mask his annoyance. Hed purposefully brought it up while Kayden was out of the room. We were trying to think of methods that wouldnt leave him unable to fight Jack when the time came.

No torture. Theos right. We can find another way.

Justin frowned, Every day we wait is a day we dont have for training his abilities, and hell need all of the training he can get.

Because I have to fight the Slaughterhouse Nine and Jack Slash. And hell kill a thousand people if I dont, Theo said. Me and Aster too.

Justin glanced at the boy, saw the white-knuckle grip he had on his knife and fork, looked at Kayden, who had french toast speared on her fork but wasnt raising it to her mouth. She stared off into space as the maple syrup slowly dripped down to the plate below.

She doesnt know what to do any more than we do.

You come from a good pedigree, Justin commented. Kaiser was strong enough to rule over the better part of Brockton Bay, as Allfather did before him.

Which doesnt do us any good if I dont get powers, Theo mumbled.

If worst comes to worst, Kayden said, We fight the Slaughterhouse Nine. Night, Fog, Crusader and I. Okay?

Justin frowned, but he didnt speak.

Theo voiced half the doubts that Justin was keeping silent, You didnt fight them last time. Im not saying you were wrong to leave, but-

But we didnt fight them then. Youre right, Kayden said. Id hoped the others would stop them. The heroes, the Undersiders, Hookwolf

And they didnt, Justin said. Which means we have to assume Jacks going to follow through. That gives us a time limit. Theo needs powers, he needs training, we need to find the Nine, and we need to stop them. What if we went to the Gesellschaft?

Kayden glanced at the other two who were sitting at the table. Dorothy and Geoff. Neither of the two had reacted to the name of the organization that had created them. Or, at least, they hadnt reacted outwardly.

Im more concerned that theyd help the Slaughterhouse Nine if it meant killing a thousand Americans, she said. And Im not sure I want Theo to recieve the kind of power they offer.

If we contacted them through Krieg Justin trailed off.

What? Kayden asked. She let her knife and fork drop to her plate with a loud clatter. You think theyd give us assistance with no strings attached? That we could call in a favor with Krieg and theyd give Theo powers, without the follow-up attention?

No. No, I suppose not.

They turn people into weapons, Kayden said. Then they decide where those weapons are best positioned, for the cause. Theres two good reasons why they wouldnt have given fresh orders to Night and Fog since the Empire collapsed. Either they cant get in touch with us-

I somehow doubt that.

Or Night and Fog are forgotten. Presumed dead or ignored, Kayden finished. In which case we dont want to remind them that were still around.

I somehow doubt that, as well, Justin said. They have to know were alive.

Then what? Why leave these two in my care?

Because it serves their agenda, Justin answered. He finished off his plate, spooned some blueberries onto the side, and poured himself some orange juice.

What agenda?

The Empire fell. The Chosen fell. Only Kayden Anders and her Pure remain. If they hope to retain any foothold in the Americas, itll be through you.

I dont want to give them a foothold in the Americas.

By the sole fact that you exist, youre giving it to them. Your reputation, your success, it gives the Gesellschaft the opportunity to say, their cause is being furthered in the West. Even if your goals and theirs are only aligned in abstract. So they leave Night and Fog in your care, because it keeps you dangerous, it helps ensure your success, and maybe because it gives them a way to strike at you if they decide youre a danger to the cause.

Kayden glanced at Dorothy, studying Nights civilian appearance.

More coffee? Dorothy asked, smiling.

God, yes, Kayden muttered. She held out her cup for a refill.

What about you? Theo asked.

Justin turned to look at the boy. Who? Me?

Where do you stand, with the cause? Theo asked. Justin didnt miss the inflection at the end.

Im a simple man, Justin said, smiling. I like steak and potatoes. I like a good fight, a serious game of baseball or football. American football. I like a good womans company-

Kayden cleared her throat. When Justin met her eyes, she was glaring at him. Not jealousy, more of a mother bear protecting her cub.

Justin smiled a little, more with one side of his mouth than the other. -And I believe that they are fucking things up, out there. And the rest of the worlds letting them.

People with different colored skin.

People with differences, Justin said. Faggots, gimps, mongoloids. Kaiser got that. I talked to him one on one, and he had the right ideas. He got that America is ours, that theyre polluting it over time, letting these people in. But he was too focused on the big picture, and he was working with the Gesellschaft, which was way too big picture for my tastes. Still, birds of a feather. I worked under him because I wasnt about to find others elsewhere, and I didnt feel like going it alone. Then he introduced me to Purity.

Theo glanced at his onetime stepmother.

And I think were more in sync, Kayden and I, Justin said. If Kaiser was the visionary, the guy on top, the guy with the dream, working to achieve something over decades, then Puritys the detective working the streets. And thats the kind of simple thinking I can get behind.

So you dont support the Gesellschaft? Theo asked.

I cant support what I dont understand, Justin said. And what I do understand is that we need to give you your trigger event before its too late. Because Jack and his gang of psychopaths are the sort of freaks I cant stand, and Ill be fucked if we let him beat you on this count. They dont get to beat us, and youre one of us.

Theo drew in a deep breath, as if he was going to say something, and then heaved it out as a sigh, slow and heavy.

Whether you like it or not, Justin added, just under his breath.

Theo glanced at him. He hadnt missed the comment.

At a normal volume, Justin said, Youre vetoing the torture, where wed be trying to get him to a trigger state in a safe, controlled environment. We need another game plan.

Kayden sighed. For now? Well let Dorothy clean up. Have you two done your morning sparring?

Justin shook his head.

Give Theo some training while I shower, then you two can wash up. Get dressed to go out. I have one idea regarding Theos trigger event.

Justin stood with a plate in hand, but Dorothy was already walking around the table, her heels clicking on the tile. She took the plate from him, smiling.

Come on, then, Justin urged the boy. Lets see how much of its sinking in.

Not much, Theo said.

Probably not, Justin replied. He reached for his power and stepped out of his body, a spiritual mitosis. A ghostly image of himself, wearing the same clothes, crossed the living room of the space the hotel had given them. He created two more replicas of himself, one walking until its legs were sticking through the couch.

Four against one? Theo asked.

You think the Nine are going to play fair? Now, do you remember priority one?

Self defense.

Protection comes first, always. The core of any martial art or self defense. Perceptions second. Know whats going on, because itll help you protect yourself, and itll help you identify the right moment to strike. Arms up. Lets see your stance.

Theo raised his arms in the ready position, positioned his feet further apart.

Justin looked the boy over. Hed lost a little weight, though he wouldnt look much skinnier if he kept exercising like he was. Hed put on muscle, and look just as bulky, at least for a while.

But that stance

Justin suppressed a sigh. Those one thousand people are fucked.

Harvard, Justin said.

This way, Kayden said. She had Aster in a harness, the babys head resting against her chest.

You know your way around Harvard? Color me impressed.

I looked it up online. This way. Id rather not spend too much time in public.

Justin noted the crowd of older teenagers and twenty-somethings. It was summer, but the school wasnt empty. With the warmth of summer, the students were wearing shorts and short sleeves, as well as short dresses. Justin smiled at a group of girls as they passed by. One of them looked over her shoulder at him, gave him a glance that roved from head to toe and back up again.

Justin, Kayden said, raising her voice.

Coming, he said. Damn.

They made their way across the campus. Dorothy and Geoff had stayed behind, leaving Kayden, Justin and Theo to carry out the errand with Aster in tow.

They reached a tower, built to match the other buildings of the campus. Justin held the door for Kayden and Theo, pausing to note the lettering across the entrance: Dept. Parahuman Studies.

Fitting. Kaydens plan was clear, now.

They entered the elevator, and Kayden checked a slip of paper, hit the button for the ninth floor. She tucked it into a pocket behind Asters back, then kissed her sleeping daughter on the forehead as the doors closed.

We should get in and out fast, Justin commented.

Kayden pursed her lips.

Always have to consider that someone made us, and that theyre calling the authorities.

I know, she said.

Fuck Coil, Justin snarled.

Kayden glared at him, and her eyes and hair both glowed with a trace of light. Some free strands of hair lifted as the light touched them, as if they were buoyant, or as if Kayden was underwater and slowly sinking. Watch your language around Aster.

She doesnt understand.

But she will, one day. Get in the habit now.

Justin sighed. Will do. We going in hard or soft?

You could rephrase that. But this is a soft entry.

Right.

They departed the elevator as it reached the ninth floor. Kayden double checked the slip of paper, and they began the process of figuring out where the room was. It wasnt intuitive, as the rooms didnt seem to be numbered sequentially.

They stopped at one door that was labeled 914, with a nameplate below reading Dr. Wysocki.

What the hell kind of name is Wysocki? Polack?

Hes one of the top researchers on Parahumans, Kayden said. The best in the Massachusetts area.

Youre the boss, and its your call, Justin said, shrugging. Just saying I pointed it out in advance.

What difference is it going to make? Theo asked. Doesnt make any difference to his ability to do his job.

So cute, Justin said. He gave Theo a pat on the cheek, and the boy pushed his hand away in irritation.

Kayden knocked, and the door swung partially open.

A young man, no older than twenty-five, hopped out of his swivel chair, pulling earbuds from his ears. Ah. Hi?

We had a few questions, Kayden said.

Ive never had a student bring their family before.

Were not students, Kayden said. She strode into the room, and Justin gave Theo a push on the shoulder to prod him forward. When everyone was inside, he closed the door and stood with his back to it.

Huh. I thought I recognized you, would have been from class, the man said.

Were not students, Justin echoed Kaydens words. His tone didnt have the intimidating effect hed hoped for. The young mans forehead was wrinkled in concerns of a different sort.

Youre not here for the office hours? Figures. I sit around for three hours twice a week, five straight weeks, someone finally shows and they arent a student.

Youre Wysocki? Justin asked.

No, the young man gave him a funny look. Youre really not students. Im the T.A. Filling in while hes at an event. Peter Gosley.

He extended a hand, but nobody accepted it.

Fuck, Justin said. This is a waste of time.

If you have questions Peter trailed off, letting his hand drop.

Trigger events, Theo said, his voice quiet.

Peters eyes fell on the boy, widening slightly. You have powers? You just got them?

I need them, Theo answered.

Peter gave them a funny look. I Im not sure I understand.

Tell us what you know about trigger events, and perhaps well explain, Kayden said.

I thats a broad field. What do you want to know?

How to have one, Theo said.

Trust me, there isnt a single government out there that isnt trying to pull it off. None have had much success with the various methods theyve tried. Not to the point that anyone else has been able to copy their methodology. If anyone was succeeding, itd be off the radar. Maybe the Protectorate.

What methods have they tried? Justin asked. The governments.

Anything? Everything. Drug induced panic attacks. Kidnappings. Torture. Some with willing participants, some even with participants in the dark. The Queensland Trials-

Stop, Kayden said. Peter stopped. Participants in the dark? And nothing worked?

It sometimes worked, a lot of stuff sometimes worked. The problem is, the act of getting a trigger event tends to throw a controlled situation into disarray. A government or organization pours hundreds of man hours and half a million dollars into identifying people who might be parahumans, by whatever metric theyre using, tracking them, covertly acquiring them, and inducing the parahuman state and itd work one in two hundred times. Half of those times, theyd wind up with a parahuman in an agitated state and things would fall apart. So a lot of the successes end up being failures of a diffferent sort.

But they havent found a consistent way of getting people to trigger? Kayden asked.

No. Fact is, its harder when youre trying to provoke a trigger event. Even if the participant doesnt know youre trying it.

Why? Kayden asked.

Peter shrugged. Theres theories. Theres the specific trigger theory, which suggest that each individual demands a particular kind of trigger event, so any attempts to force it are essentially attempting the wrong form of trigger. Theres the specific circumstance theory, which is different, because it suggests that its not just a particular type of trigger thats demanded, but the specific time or event.

Youre saying its predestined, Justin said.

Some scholars say its predestined. I dont. Um. Other theories theres intelligent intervention.

Phrase it in American fucking English, Justin said.

Theres no need for rudeness, Peter said. He adjusted his glasses and frowned at Justin.

Please phrase it in American fucking English, Justin clarified.

Please explain, Kayden said, shooting Justin a look.

It means theres someone or something thats deciding who gets powers and when. Theres subtheories Aesthetic analogue, where theyre saying the powers tend to relate to the trigger event somehow, so obviously someones doing it on purpose. Uh. Intelligent powers, where they say the powers are sentient and theyre making the call on their own. Ties into other areas of study, and its a favorite of mine. Theres the-

This isnt helping us, Justin cut in.

Quiet. Everything helps, Kayden said.

Were short on time.

Peter gave him a funny look. Look, Im not fully understanding what youre getting at. Its great that people are interested in this stuff, but this notion you have that, because your son wants powers, youre somehow going to give him a trigger event? Thats a little freaky, its not really possible. And, uh, its borderline abuse, if not actual abuse.

Its a complicated situation, Kayden said. What else can you tell us about trigger events? Beyond theories?

The manner of trigger event seems to impact the powers. Thats frosh level stuff. Physical pain, physical danger; physical powers. Mental pain, mental crisis? Mentally-driven powers.

Justin frowned. And being the brother of a dying, half-blind, deaf retard of a girl who got all the attention? All of the gifts, the money? Being made to get surgery for her sake, give up years of my lifespan so she might live? Getting caught pulling the plug, only for it to do little more than set alarms going?

Was his power really a mental power? Hed always considered it more physical.

He looked at Kayden, studied her concerned expression.

Peter was still talking, responding to something Kayden had said. Drugs tend to create conditional powers. Its not hard and fast, but you get situations where the power is directly linked to ones physical, mental or emotional state. We think its because the power works off a template it builds as the powers first manifest. If someone is riding an emotional high as they trigger, their powers will always be looking for a similarly excited state to operate at peak efficiency, often an emotion or drugs. When people were caught trying to fabricate trigger events, sometimes they were intending to use this so the subject would be more easily controlled.

I wonder if lack of food and water could create similarly conditional powers, Kayden commented.

Im are you talking about starving him? Peters eyes were wide now.

Not at all. Im speculating.

Justin could follow her train of thought. Hed heard the story through the Empires grapevine, once. A sixteen year old girl, driving for the first time, down a side road, getting in an accident where her car rolled off the road, out of sight of anyone passing by. Trapped starving, dying of thirst.

Getting powers that fed off and required other resources. Light.

He glanced at her, and she offered him a curt nod. Without speaking, theyd come to a mutual agreement that this Peter knew what he was talking about.

Whats the impact of being the child of a parahuman? she asked.

Um. I love that youre interested, and yeah, I wasnt really doing anything, but maybe if you have this many questions, you should take a class?

Hes the son of a parahuman, Kayden said, pointing at Theo.

Cats out of the bag now.

No kidding? Wow. Who?

Kaiser, Kayden said.

Peters eyes widened as he looked at Theo. Then something seemed to click, and he looked up at Kayden and Justin with a note of alarm in his expression.

Yeah, Justin said. Smart man, and youre only figuring it out now?

I saw the stuff on the news. Thought I recognized you. Purity and

Crusader. So maybe now you understand were serious. And how were not interested in taking a class, Justin said.

If hes Kaisers son, and Kaisers Allfathers son hes third generation.

And he doesnt have powers, Kayden said. Its crucial that we fix that.

I I dont really know. Its supposed to be ten times easier to get powers if youre second generation. But we dont have research on third generations yet. Its only pretty recently that we had the first third-generation cape on record. The baby in Toronto.

Didnt hear about that, Kayden said. She frowned. A baby?

Peters eyes fell on Aster. Oh. Wow. Is she third generation too?

Pay attention, Justin said.

The yeah. Each successive generation seems to produce younger capes, by lowering the barrier to entry, the severity of the requisite trigger event.

So why havent I triggered? Theo asked.

I dont know. Theres a lot we dont know. Maybe maybe you dont have powers.

I have to.

Its a question of luck.

You dont understand. If I dont get powers, a lot of people will die.

Im not sure I follow.

It doesnt matter, Justin said. Give us all the information you have. Every way youve heard about people trying to trigger, and how well they worked.

Thats a six month lecture series unto itself!

Talk fast, Justin said.

Um. Theres meditation. Either to tap into your deeper psyche or to tear down the walls between yourself and your worst fears. Theres theories that the powers themselves are intelligent, and theyre worked into the hosts head, before or after the trigger event. Sometimes the meditations related to that, but its usually people trying to have a second trigger event.

Thats not relevant to the boy, is it? Justin asked.

The research is related! Theres a lot of research into second trigger events because its a lot easier to find willing parahumans than it is to find potential parahumans. The methods that people try tend to be similar, too. Its just a lot of the time, they fail for opposite reasons.

Opposite? Kayden asked.

Its not confirmed, its just an idea, but the idea the powers are sentient? Well, either the second trigger event opens up communication, frees the powers to act on their own more, or if you dont buy that stuff, it breaks down the mental barriers between the altered part of the brain that controls the powers and the part that doesnt. At least, thats going by the patterns weve seen. Except well, we think sometimes the reason people cant have a second trigger event is because theyve already had one. You cant really distinguish a single trigger event from having two in quick succession.

Like a multiple orgasm, Justin commented. Kayden glared at him.

More or less. Theres more parallels than that, but yeah.

Crusader is right, this isnt helping him, Kayden said.

What kind of trigger events did Kaiser and Allfather have?

Kayden and Justin exchanged glances.

No idea, Kayden said, frowning.

Peter frowned. That would have helped. At least we know they both had similar powers. Allfather could conjure iron weapons from the air immediately around himself, send them flying. Kaiser could call metal out of any solid surface. Both are the kind of powers youd see from almost purely mental trauma. If the trend continues

He trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging. Theo would probably require mental trauma to trigger.

Hard to imagine Kaiser having mental trauma. He seemed so confident, Kayden said.

His dad was Allfather. Not so hard to imagine, Justin replied, absently. He thought of the college girls and stepped over to the window, curious if hed be able to make out any from this high up. He froze.

Kayden, he said.

What?

Cops. And containment vans.

Someone made us? Kayden asked.

And saw us enter the building, Justin finished. Theyre surrounding us on the ground.

Shit! Kayden swore.

Aster whimpered, then started crying.

Didnt you tell me to watch my language in front of Aster? Justin thought.

Theo was sitting in a swivel chair, hands clasped in his lap, his eyes watching Kayden, waiting for her cue.

Justin noted the tension of Theos grip, the way he seemed to retreat into himself. The fat little boy who was nothing like Kaiser. Maybe he hadnt inherited powers at all because he wasnt his fathers son. If his mother had cheated on Kaiser, gave birth to this pudgy blob, it would explain why he didnt have powers. It would mean he wasnt a second generation cape, let alone a third.

Hmm. Justin watched more PRT vans arrive. They were spreading out, clearly anticipating Kaydens artillery-level attacks, and they had the damn foam-bead nets they used for dealing with fliers. Theo, whos your mom?

Heith.

Justin sighed. Heith was Fenja and Menjas cousin and guardian, Kaisers first wife, killed in a turf war with the Teeth, back in the old days of Brockton Bay.She has powers after all.

Somehow, all of this would be easier if he could believe that Theo was illegitimate.

Crusader, Kayden said, Can you stall them? We have more questions.

He nodded, shut his eyes, and drew on his power.

It was as simple as stepping forward while staying in the same place. A ghostly phantom appeared, followed by another, and another. One headed for the elevator shaft, while the other headed for the stairwell. He directed the remainder to sink through the floor.

What else can you tell us? Something we can use, Kayden said.

If the authorities are here, I dont know if I should say.

You should, Justin said. Because well hurt you if you dont.

Dont, Theo said.

Justin gave the boy his best dispassionate look.

Hes been helpful, Theo said.

He hasnt solved your problem, Justin said. He was dimly aware of his other selves engaging with the enemy as they moved into the building. One fought them in the stairwell, immune to any strike or bullet, yet fully capable of pushing a man down the stairs, into the people behind him, fully capable of strangling a man.

Peter shifted positions nervously. His voice rose in pitch as he spoke, I dont know what you want. I cant give you an answer because there arent any!

Think, Justin suggested.

You expect me to do in five minutes what the best scholars in the world havent figured out in thirty years?

Well put, Justin said. More clones were still splitting off, breaking away from himself to sink through the floor. Some had moved beyond the building to attack the men who were manning the turrets on top of the van. With luck, he and Kayden would be free to fly to safety with the children.

This this is insane! What am I supposed to tell you? Ive outlined some of the best theories we have!

If it helps, Justin said, leaning towards Peter, Im going to kill you if I dont leave here satisfied. Think about that.

Kayden, Theo said, Youre not going to let him, are you?

Crusader, Kayden said. Is that really necessary?

I cant even think straight under this pressure! Peter cried.

I imagine you feel very similar to someone about to have a trigger event, Justin said. Maybe that will inspire something or fill in the blanks for some half-baked idea you had once.

I dont Theres isolation.

An isolation chamber? Justin asked.

Peter shook his head. No. More basic. Its a common trend. People who have trigger events, they dont usually have a good support system. Their family, their friends, they tend to fail them, or be the cause of the problem. I I wrote a paper a while back about how Masters tend to have loneliness as part of their trigger events, and how maybe that was why Masters tend to be villains. Because you need support and social pressure to be more of a good guy. My professor then, the guy who I work for now, Dr. Wysocki, he tore me to pieces. Too many other parahumans have it as part of their history. Isolation. It wasnt enough to suggest a correlation. He said you could call it a common theme for nearly all of the trigger events out there.

Justin was in the middle of creating another ethereal copy of himself when he stopped. It snapped back into place. He thought back to something earlier in the day.

Kayden, lets go.

What?

Ive got our answer. Lets go.

Are you sure?

Justin nodded.

To the roof? she asked.

As fast as you can move with the baby.

Kayden rose into the air, her hair and eyes lighting up.

Come on, Theo, Justin said, Ill carry you.

He spawned a ghostly replica as Kayden left the office. Theo hesitated as the replica got closer.

Whats wrong? Justin asked.

What he just said Youre going to leave me. Isolate me.

Yeah, Justin said. His ghost-self lunged, and Theo threw himself back with such force that he fell over in the chair. The ghost was on him in a second, pinning him down to the floor with one hand around his throat.

Dont. You heard what he said. If you force it, it wont happen, Theo protested, his voice barely above a wheeze with the hold the ghost had on his neck.

Im willing to take that chance. In the worst case scenario, youre their problem, not ours. The heroes can look after you and figure out what to do with you.

Justin! Crusader! Theo managed a strangled scream, but Justin was already in the doorway, not even pausing or hesitating at his words. It wont work if you try to make it happen!

Justin left Theo behind, stepped into the stairwell, noting a gap between the stairs that was big enough to fly between. He created a clone and left it overlapping his body, using its flight to lift himself into the air.

Kayden hadnt flown for safety yet. She was waiting on the rooftop, Aster writhing in the harness, screaming bitterly.

Fly, he said.

Wheres Theo?

Would you believe me if I said he was coming?

He could see her expression shift in time with the realization. You didnt.

I did. And you wont go back for him.

Like hell I wont. He saved Aster when Jack was going to kill her, he might have saved me in the process. I owe him-

-And were paying him back by leaving him.

No. No, we arent.

Hes one of our own, kind of. I get that. But he was never going to help the cause.

The cause, Kayden spat the word.

Purifying the world, cutting out the rot, becoming a symbol of better things. Its not him.

Hes my stepson.

And isnt that the problem? Remember this morning, at breakfast? He was worried he wouldnt get powers. That he wouldnt be able to stop Jack. And how did you respond? You reassured him. You told him wed fight the Nine if he couldnt.

Kayden only glared, eyes shining with painful brightness.

When you said that, part of me, I thought we didnt fight the Nine then, how could we two years from now? Theo said it outright. Hes sharper than he looks sometimes. Sharper than he acts. But heres the thing, at the same time, a part of me felt like Id realized something, and it took me until now to get it sorted in my head.

What?

Youre reassuring him, when thats the last thing we want. When theres a crisis, he looks to you. The most basic requirement for a trigger event is you get to a point where you cant go anywhere. Pushed to your limit and then pushed further. He cant get there so long as were there as a safety net. As a support system.

So were supposed to abandon him?

We just did, Crusader said. The authorities are just getting to the ninth floor now, my clones are letting em by. By the time we got there, theyd have him secured, and theyd be ready to spray us with that foam.

You could use your power, disable them without any risk.

I could. But I wont.

Kayden flared with light, and for a second, he thought she was going to shoot him.

The blast of solid light didnt come.

Justin sighed, Hell be hurt, hell be pissed, and hell be alone. Theyll quiz him on us, get every detail they can, and if I know him at all, itll tear him up, because he might not like us, but were the closest thing hes got to family

Kayden glanced toward the door.

And thats the best thing we can do for him right now, he finished.

I never was the mom he needed, Kayden said.

Well, its too late now.

She walked over to the roofs edge, peered down. Any net launchers?

Nobody to aim them now. Everyones fighting my doubles.

She glanced back toward the door, absently cooed for Aster to stop crying.

There was a flash of light. By the time it cleared away, she was merely a glinting speck in the distance.

He glanced at the door, then flew after her.

Up to you and you alone now, boy, he thought.