Chapter 3: Mirages
Late afternoon sunlight stretched shadows across Metro City's streets, bathing the skyline in muted gold. Alex Mercer navigated through the bustling crowds alongside Mira Lumis, whose expression reflected the uneasy mood permeating the city.
"The city feels different since I came back," Alex murmured, eyes scanning the nervous energy in the crowd.
"People are scared," Mira replied softly, her empathic senses prickling. "The meteor event didn't just cause physical damage; it shook people’s sense of safety."
They reached the Metro Science Institute, a sleek facility humming quietly with intellectual activity. Dr. Elena Ramirez greeted them at the entrance, her expression guarded but curious.
Inside her pristine office, Elena eyed them critically. "Your message was cryptic. What's so urgent?"
Alex glanced at Mira before speaking, carefully measuring his words. "We believe the meteors caused... changes. Not just physical destruction, but changes in people."
Elena raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You don’t believe those absurd rumors about superhuman abilities?"
"Yes," Mira interjected calmly. "And we believe you’re uniquely positioned to help us understand them."
Elena’s skepticism and her expression hardened. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and I really have other things to focus on than fringe conspiracy theories."
Without another word, Alex walked to the heavy imaging machine in the corner, lifting it effortlessly with one hand before setting it gently back down. The quiet thud resonated louder than words.
Elena's skepticism dissolved into shock. "That's impossible."
"It’s real," Alex confirmed firmly. "I'm not alone."
Elena shook her head in disbelief. "No, no! It's not possible. You didn't just lift something heavy, you lifted a complex machine. It's not built for that, it should have snapped in half! You're lift broke about a dozen laws of nature!"
Mira's empathic influence gently radiated calmness toward Elena, softening her resistance into curious openness.
Elena shook her head, reeling slightly. "This defies all scientific reasoning. But the implications... if true..."
She turned suddenly. "What are you doing to me!"
"We need your help," Mira urged gently. "To understand the how and the why. I'm just helping you stay calm"
Elena drew a steadying breath. "Alright. but stop it! My mind is my own! I'll help, but if others found out—"
Before she could finish, Alex’s phone buzzed urgently. His expression darkened as he read the alert. "There’s a disturbance downtown. Authorities report strong windstorms near the financial district."
"Another person affected?" Elena surmised.
"We have to check it out," Alex decided, urgency sharpening his tone. "Elena, can you monitor remotely and feed us data?"
"What? No, of course not. I'm a scientist and sometimes engineer. I don't have cameras around the city. I can put us on a group call and read news reports to you." Elena responded with exasperation.
Alex and Mira raced toward the chaos, the wind intensifying with every step. Streets were strewn with debris, glass crunching beneath their feet. Elena's voice crackled through their comms. "Social Media's placing the centre around 5th and Main."
"Understood," Alex replied, increasing his pace.
Turning the corner, they spotted a lone figure enveloped by a spiraling vortex. Alex halted, stunned recognition crossing his face. "Marcus?" he shouted "Marcus Thompson?"
Marcus looked up, panic-stricken. "Alex? Stay back! I can’t stop this! RUN!"
"He's terrified," Mira murmured, empathy radiating strongly from her. "He’s losing control."
"Marcus, listen to me!" Alex shouted over the deafening wind. "You can understand this. Find the calm at the storm’s center and spread it outwards!"
Mira stepped forward, calm eminating from her in waves like an ocean at peace. "Marcus, we're here with you. Let us help."
Slowly, so slowly, the winds subsided. Marcus fell exhausted to his knees, trembling. "I never wanted this. I don't understand."
"We know," Alex reassured gently. "We'll figure it out together."
Back at Elena’s lab, Marcus held a shaking cup of water. Elena approached cautiously, fascinated. "Marcus Thompson, climate activist. I've read your work. It's good. A bit idealistic, but clever. Your weather connection makes a strange kind of sense, psychologically speaking."
Marcus looked up weakly. "Psychologically?"
"I'm working with a very limited data set, but there seems to be a link between the powers people have and what they care about passionatly." Elena explained. "Alex’s powers mirror a childhood hero he seems to have idolised. Mira's an empath who started as a therapist. You're a leader in climate activism and you think its a coinsidence you control the wind?"
Alex placed a reassuring hand on Marcus's shoulder. "We're building a team. People affected by the meteors, working together to help others."
Marcus hesitated, then nodded slowly. "If I can learn to control this... then yes, count me in."
Days later, Elena shared concerning news. "Robberies involving meteor fragments. Witnesses report impossible scenarios, monsters, doppelgängers, ghostly thieves."
"Illusions or shape-shifting?" Mira speculated thoughtfully.
"Either way," Alex resolved, determination firm, "we intervene."
Marcus stood, newfound steadiness in his posture. "Environmental sensors might track anomalies."
"I'll provide some sensors Alex if you can place them around the area. They're new and they don't have a lot of power. You've all given me quite a backlog of tools to come up with in a very short time." Elena added.
"I'll scan emotional signatures," Mira offered, sensing Elena's frustrations. "We might detect intentions before actions."
Nightfall found The Vanguard positioned strategically around a bank. Alex's enhanced sight tracked movement within. "Someone's inside, a woman, about 5"2', slender. No weapons I can see on her." he whispered through comms.
"Determined, but not malicious," Mira added, sensing emotions keenly.
"Interesting," Elena noted remotely. "Proceed cautiously."
Inside, they silently approached a young woman filling a bag hastily. Her eyes widened in surprise at their sudden presence.
"You don't have to do this," Alex said calmly, holding her gaze steadily.
"You don’t understand," she replied quietly, desperation flickering behind her determination.
"Then help us understand," Mira urged softly. "We're here to listen."
The thief hesitated, hands shaking slightly. "My name is Li Chen. And if I don't do this, people I care about will suffer."
Alex stepped closer, voice steady yet gentle. "Then let us help you. We're stronger together."
Li Chen studied their sincere faces, finally lowering the bag slowly. "Maybe you can."