Part 3

                                   Jack

It was good to see that some of them were coming around, even if the whole lot of new people seemed far too unsure, shy, and withdrawn. Couldn't blame them, he supposed, it was only natural to feel that way. Just as it was natural for Ellie to want to lash out. Difference was, she didn't have to, and he let her know that far more clearly than hugs from a worried Emily could cover. As much as he appreciated what Emily was trying to do here, he disentangled himself quickly from her hug and shook his head. Jack sighed at Ellie's response and shook his head, sounding more disappointed in her than anything else, "If you think by taking your anger out on me you're getting back at them somehow, then by all means. Throw a tantrum. Let me know how it works out for you. But the moment your whining puts another member of this team at risk, I promise you that's when it's going to stop." Jack c
ontinued the stare for a long moment; there were eyes that had seen friends die, had his[C]
freedom taken long ago while she was running around living a life, and his eyes made that promise an oath. She'd learn. At least, he hoped so, or if she didn't that Ellie didn't take anyone else out with her. He'd still feel bad when she did; Jack didn't have any more choice on all of this than they had, hadn't asked to be given the tiny amount of authority he had, but still felt responsible for trying to keep everyone alive…even those who attacked him thinking somehow that was going to make things better. "Just a run today, Erran, that's all," Jack continued, putting that behind him for now, and hopefully not having to come back to it. "And to get them familiar with the earpieces. I think channel five wasn't being monitored during maintenance today." The earpieces, it turned out, were available nearby the track they were arriving at, part of kits of equipment in a nearby warehouse that contained all sorts of tools used out in the field. Jack passed them out to everyone after[C]

demonstrating with one he put in his own ear. "This way if anyone has any questions or wants to say anything we don't want our handlers to hear, have at it. No one tends to bug us when we're training, unless the scientists want to run some more tests, so get at it." Jack had spent all morning enduring tests, including a long run, and had no plans on joining them for it, but he'd hear them, be able to answer, and watch them as they went around the track.




                             Glow

Breathe, Elizabeth. Nice and slow, there you go pet, just keep breathing. In her head she could hear her grandmother's voice mixing with the music coming from the single earbud that she was still wearing. Other people were introducing themselves, but her attention was solely on Jack still at this point, a lot more vitriol on the tip of her tongue just dying to find a target because over the last two weeks, she's not had anyone who would snap back at her and not having someone to argue with has been driving her crazy. Push it down Elizabeth, come on my wee angel, push it down, nice and tight and dinna let them win. Her bright blue eyes regarded Jack, but suddenly Emily was there g

iving her a hug and she was stunned for a moment, and then the smaller girl let go and continued down the line. Ellie looked back at Jack, listening to his statements before she exhaled slowly, letting the music take back over in her head again and she took a step out of rank so she was a little closer to him, not too close, but just on the edge of that bubble of personal space so he knew that she was just talking to him. "I wouldnae put anyone else in this 'team' at risk, 'cept for those that deserve it, Captain." And that was that, she moved back to the others and it was like a light switch had been flicked and she had a grin on her face again, humming happily as she was given an earpiece that she

fit over her other ear as she got to the track, alternating stretching her arms across her body before grabbing her ankles behind her back to stretch out her calves. "So, we're runnin' round this bastard thing til ye say stop? Alright." The anger had dissipated, the Scots accent remained for the time being, it would fade over time. Sticking her hand into the pocket of her sweats, she slid a thumb across the screen of the music player to pick a random song to play as she moved onto the running track. The grin she wore got bigger as the angry violins started and her lips started moving in time with the lyrics (youtube.com) as she got ready to start to running around the track.


                                Mine

If she could read thoughts then Erran would have gotten smacked if not avoided for those thoughts. Anyways, regardless of all of that, the idea of lethal training had not occurred before as that was something that wasn't done at the last base. In fact? It was more so just a test of powers and learning how to expand but...there really wasn't any progress. Sure, it could have been an incident when one of the guards decided to get violent but that shouldn't have been the only reason, right? Ah well...the words from Jack are heard, taken in. He's worried. The context of them, that's all that is. There's understanding. Poor guy. To watch his team...no friends die. That's rough, the urge to pull him i

nto a huge cuddle session is there but that might also seem a bit weird and would not allow herself to. Just...one hug was good enough and was even brave in doing so! H-heh. Eyes look over at the others and attempts to offer easy smiles but it turns out looking really weird/awkward. There are no words spoken until they hit the track and the ear piece is given out Em lets out a soft breath."I'm out of spoons right now..." The channel is set to five and placed in the right ear. Alright, set up a perimeter. How about...six feet? That works. Enough room to walk and move but also not taking up too much space for the others. Alright, deep breaths. Just some much needed alone time. Sure, she's going to

run but still...the phone is pulled out and accessing her playlist after turning the volume down to a reasonable level, a soft beat might be heard from those who could hear it. (youtube.com ). The breath is let loose while the ground from the track seems to be under light pressure from the six by six force field surrounding the female. If anyone would try and make contact with Em? They would feel an invisible solid blocking them from doing so. A test step is taken and the successful human hamster ball moves with the tested step only for her to start running. Music and space. This is nice. (1/2 for the field to last.) (Also, sorry had to figure out a few things.)



                           Cat

Returning the brief hug to Emily, Cat was careful not to discharge any of those sparks gathered at her fingertips, a bit of crackling now heard in the air. Reaching the track and listening intently as Jack spoke about some rather heavy subjects, she sighed to herself quietly. For whatever reason the small bits of electricity at her fingertips weren't disappearing, but they seemed stable enough for now. That was at least until she went to put in the earpiece Jack had given her. A quiet puff was heard as the earpiece shorted out. Stretching as well, she remained silent as she ran, the ear piece had already been ruined by her electric powers, so it's not like she could join in the conversation over the tech. Nor could she have music playing for her

self right now, Cathryn seemed to be pretty wrapped up inside her own head though. She hadn't even noticed the electricity crackling at her fingertips, it had become unstable briefly while she was shorting out the earpiece. Running at a casual pace to keep herself from being over exerted, Cat had a blank look on her face as she moved, her natural eye color dulled down as she ran around the track, not really seeing the others for now. Her mind was lingering in the past, specifically when she had killed the girl she had a crush on nearly immediately after her powers awakened. If anyone was observing though, the crackling electricity at her fingertips would be intensifying. Growing brighter and louder as she moved around the surface of the track.


                    Nico

Nico watched Fenrir very carefully as he spoke about them having to work together. Even if they do not get along at all. He just watched the man, as if he was studying him for some reason. He had no response since he does not quite judge people often. However, he already is getting a slight edgy feeling off of that man. Not quite trusting him or expecting him to be much assistance when it comes down to it. He could be wrong but judging how he spoke about the situation. He does not think this is going to go well. His attention diverted to Jack. He listened to Jack and Glow have a moment. He was being rather serious, but that is probably because he has watched people die. In his eyes, there is no room for anything but survival and working as a team to prevent the same incident from before. Or, this is what Nico would guess. He took a deep breath and focused on their confrontation until they were out of easy ear shot. He does not have amazing hearing. (C)

He shook his head some until he found out that they are just going to be running. Oh that is not too bad. Athletics is not a huge weak spot for him considering he worked on a ranch. He remembers the days of cutting wood, helping the horses by cleaning the stalls and barrels of water. Though, running is not his biggest strength, it is also not his biggest weakness. He can keep an average mile at about eight minutes for about a mile in a half before he is completely exhausted. Of which, he could force out, at a slower pace the rest of the second mile. Though, what kind of test is this? He mentioned scientists wanting to run tests? Oh jeez...Feeling like a lab rat already. But hey, this is not so bad. It is just running. He put the earpiece in after Jack handed it to him. He does like this though, this seems really useful and feels cool. He feels like an agent. Like a really neat and awesome agent. Though, he has no capability of being like that. (C)

He grabbed his ankle and lifted it up behind him, stretching his quads while he got prepped for the run. It is time for this exercise. What will be tomorrow? Or the next day? <i>Stop! Focus. One day at a time. Now get ready to run.</i> He told himself. Taking in slow breaths to steady his heart rate and to help against lactic acid build up. If he has breathing under control, this will help him a lot with the run. Though, he may not go at it to do his best. It all depends on what everyone else does. He waits to start running last and see the pace that each one of them goes. (E)


                                    Erran

Erran offered Nico a gentle smile as he realized he was being measured up, good, maybe Green wasn't so much of a lost cause after all. As Jack walked the others through the motions of the task at hand and how to attune the earpieces, he simply switched channels over. Being in the encampment long enough, he had been on a few missions and acquired his own. Once the testing was done, he heard the beats of both songs with his heightened hearing and would note the lyrics to research the songs later. Music often bonded people, even if one party thought it was garbage and the other believed it to be treasure. Once they started, Erran waited for a few to get a start before he began to move. Being faster than the average bear, his powers would begin to show in his speed and natural agility. Once he completed a lap around the circuit and caught back up to the group, he slowed his pace to float between the bodies and match their speed. Despite the grand display of physical exertion -c-
,the male did not seem the least bit tired. "So what did everyone do before this," he asked through the communicator. "I was busy paving my way to fame and fortune, but we see how that progression is going." -e-


                                             Jack
Ellie's follow up, telling them all she was willing to play judge and jury - possibly even executioner - to the whole team brought the severest frown yet from Jack. He hoped this was her blowing off steam, and would easily be able to forgive her for that. Jack remembered - no, he could never forget - exactly he felt the day he'd arrived, uprooted, alone, and more than just a little afraid. As the new members of their happy little family started running with far less complaining than he would have expected, Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Let it go, for now, but keep an eye out, he told himself. It was a relief when Erran provided a distraction into the silence that came to them over the radio channel, and he flashed the other man a quick grin of thanks before he too started running. Breaking the ice, personifying them to each other, it was a good move. Feeling more down on himself than Ellie would know, or any of them unless they became mind readers, Jack figured he[C]

wasn't doing a very good job of this so far. For the moment he'd stay silent, arms folded over his chest, watching as they went around, letting the new people share some about themselves, their pasts. Maybe they'd give him some ideas on how to help them feel more at home here on the team.



                                        Glow



The group started to run, some slower, some faster than the others. Ellie occupied the centre of the pack, the advantage of youth and walking practically everywhere since she lived in New York, owning a car was a pointless endeavour and her gym membership had been a gift from a well meaning friend who had said, and she quoted, 'your face is getting a little pudgy.' Keeping her eyes fixed ahead as she ran almost in time with the song now playing (youtube.com) her little reverie was broken by the voice of Erran, Fenrir? Whatever his name was, the guy currently running laps around the group, he was speaking asking people what they did before all of this and once more, Ellie had to bite back her snark, literally biting down on her tongue with force to remind herself not to come across as the complete bitch on day one or it was going to be high school all over again. A tang of copper blossomed over her taste buds as she kept running, before answering t

he enquiry. "I was a DJ at a back alley club in Manhattan." Swallowing, she was back there for a second, the darkness broken by piercing bright lights that never blinded her, the smell of smoke, weed, sweat and alcohol in the air, people dancing in front of her as she picked the exact song she knew the crowd would appreciate. Then, like a flash, that memory dissolved and she was back running around the track. "But I also taught rich little shitty kids to play piano, because their parents wanted a break from their attitude for an hour a day, two times a week. They didn't want to learn, but their parents had a lot of money and thought it would look good on their future college applications if they could murder their way through a Chopin or a Mozart at a passable level." She kept running, completing her second full lap and was starting to feel it a little in the back of her calves, but she kept going. "Basically, music is my life, that's what you should take away from this."



                       Mine

Damn it, the field came down just as quick as it went up. Still not strong enough yet. Two birds one stone it is! Training and endurance! Just...has to try right? Right. The song switches (youtube.com ) Said The Sky being on the forefront it seems today. Feet still pounding on the ground even as a renewed "bubble" as it were, is reformed. Just needing a break from people. It's nothing personal just...too much interaction right now and even though it would have been fun to get to know Nico, running with Dex, or making space for Cat and Ellie...just alone time is REALLY-really wanted. No, needed. Eyes forward, the goal in sight. Just keep running, despite not really being too good at running there's an effort. She does notice Erran as he's running past them all with ease it seems. Personal space acquired and music on the go. Sure, space won't be gotten all the time but with times like these? This is perfect. Hearing both Ellie

and Erran speak to each other. He wants a backstory? Ellie, Em's heart goes out to her and maybe if Ellie could hear her? "E-e...Ellie, i-if it h-helps. I-I'm y-your f-friend l-like w-with D-dex, C-cat, a-and J-jack...e-even if h-he seems to be a bit...um well rough a-around the e-edges. H-he is a good p-person a-and so are t-the rest of you. Umm, s-sorry." The soft voice is heard speaking up and the urge to speed up is needed and thus she does. Alright, time to speak up. "M-my life wasn't too well...too interesting. U-unless y-you count trying to g-get by. L-lived w-with mu-music, books...d-drawing, a-and well...p-parents died w-when it happened," It, they should know what IT is. "Before they...they well...died, t-they told me to l-live and grow. D-didn't...h-have t-time to mourn b-but, i-it's a...alright." Shuts up now, not going back there. Em speeds up a bit to try and put some distance between her and the rest. (2/2 for the first 1/2 for the second.)


                                            Erran

"So two artists," he commented back into the channel as they ran. "Interesting to say the least. I learned piano through my own desire, though I was one of those rich, snobby kids who was forced to learn violin. While I enjoyed music a fair bit, I found more joy in what martial arts and bushcrafting had to offer. Sorry about your parents, Emily, I'm kinda in the same boat with you. But yeah...happier thoughts. What's everyone's powers so far? I'm a bit more peppery than the average human, but not by much."


                                           Mine (Glow said skip.)


No response from Ellie? That's fine. People need space and time to breathe. Still running though even if the field comes down, another is just popped right back up. Sure it's draining her energy and whatever strength is there but this is endurance. One lap down, if maybe....just maybe! Another lap with the same thing could be made? Then progress can be made! "I-it's a-alright, b-best n....not to d-dwell o-on it." Oh, the subject of powers. Everyone else so far is....well, they are really amazing and hers? "W-well umm i-if you see? T-the ground a-and h-how the wind i-isn't d-doing m-much? F...for-force fields a-and invisibility." Boring, right? Sounds pretty damn bland, no shh Em. Just, just focus. Eyes squint some while focused on running but then? Then well, just shortly into the second lap, Em stops. Forcefield down and the brunette is hunched over. Hands on her knees and is panting some. Shit, damn it all. "S-sorry J...jack!" Is going to take a few seconds before running again.



                                                     Jack

As the recruits made their laps around the track, loosened up just a little and began talking about themselves, Jack relaxed some. Maybe they would work well together, and he was worrying for nothing. "I'd like to tell you all what to expect," Jack spoke into an opening over the headsets, laying out for them the way things worked here. "There's training, every day, but all different kinds. Whatever you want to learn, so long as it is part of jobs somehow, they'll figure it out. Marksmanship, self defense, tactics...of course, but we have people that can teach you first aid, computer science..." Jack went on in his steady voice, explaining that each of them was going to be able to figure out some of their own training, even as the scientists and soldiers in charge tailored things for them as well. Everyone was expected to fill a role, whatever it came out to be, and everyone was going to be subject to the same medical and stress tests as the next. Who knew exactly what the team was[C]
going to go up against out there in a world with super-powered targets, so from learning how to hack, physics to understand strange abilities, mechanics, fighting, and more, the government was providing a lot of resources for them. "So, give it some thought tonight, what you're going to focus on. Anyone got any questions I can answer now?"