Hero Wanted 2 - 3. Chapter Three

Entering the large ballroom, Ryan could not believe he was still in the Japanese research facility based on the lively surroundings, like the white-clothed, round tables that were evenly spaced from each other and held varieties of foods from many cultures. This was likely to accommodate for the equal variety of Champions from around the world who were all dressed in diverse attire that made them all very distinguishable, like the Champions from India, China, and Russia. Because of both the cuisines and the people, Ryan felt more like he was in a five-star hotel than a facility that conducted experiments on node technology. Then again, he could only imagine what being in a ritzy hotel would be like, so what did he know?

“Fancy place,” Ryan complimented as he continued to look around the ballroom in astonishment.

“Eh. I’ve seen better. Hopefully the indoor beach proves to be more interesting,” Chris commented as he looked forward with stoic expression on his face.

“An indoor beach?”

“Yeah, apparently this research facility constructed a small-scaled version of the Seagaia Ocean Dome from Miyazaki just for us, Champions,” Chris explained.

“And why would they do that?”

“Oh, come, Ryan. You’ve been around the academy. A majority of Champions come from wealthy backgrounds since the cost of acquiring nodes is so high due to their rarity. They can’t give those expensive forms of technology to just commoners, so they implanted them on rich kids instead. And to compensate for Mommy and Daddy having to let their children become Champions, the governments built military academies and bases more like luxurious hotels to pamper their children, while they go through agonizing training to defend this world from the Colossus threat. This research facility is no exception, which I’m glad since this is the closest we’re getting to an actual vacation any time soon.”

“I see…” Ryan scratched his chin in thought.

“But let’s not think too deeply into that. Instead we should enjoy this all-you-can-eat buffet,” Chris said with a smile.

Ryan smiled back and nodded, following Chris to a table that had Italian cuisines, including spaghetti with pork bolognese, which he wanted to scoop up into a plate. However, it appeared that no one else have decided to eat yet, so he did not want to be the odd one out. So, instead took a piece of cheese from a cheese plate and ate that for now. And there were so many other foods to try on just that table that were organized into tiers, and he wished he could try all of them without the limitations of his average-sized stomach.

As Ryan tried another piece of cheese, he saw someone waving at him. He then noticed the person was Josephine who approached him and Chris with a smile. She was also followed by Kipp with an equally bright smile and Knox who looked down with his hands in his pockets. Both Ryan and Chris waved back at them and soon all the Champions from the United States were together by the Italian cuisines.

“How are you two?” Josephine asked cheerfully.

“We’re doing great! What about you?” Ryan asked.

“I’m doing great as well. I mean, can you believe where we’re at?” Josephine said as she looked around with child-like wonderment. “We’re at a place where the top-ranked Champion cadets from around the world have joined together as a statement that everyone is united to fight against the Colossus.”

“Couldn’t have said it any better myself,” Kipp said.

Josephine giggled. “Anyways, sorry if I sound too excited. It’s just nice to get a break from the academy and being in Japan is one of the best vacation spots in my opinion.”

“Cheers to that,” Chris said as he raised a small wedge of cheese that he then popped into his mouth.

“And maybe I can get a few autographs, while I’m here. Plenty of powerful Champion cadets are in this ballroom as we speak.”

“And to think that we were selected as the most powerful of the USA,” Kipp said before laughing.

Josephine joined Kipp in his laughter, while Knox looked aimlessly around the ballroom which made Ryan wonder whether he was still upset about taking Delilah’s place to come here. Kipp was the complete opposite, most likely attributed to his close proximity to Josephine which always made the man try to throw out the funniest quips.

Looking around again, Ryan then asked, “So, are we here just to eat and talk, or is there another reason why—?”

Before Ryan could finish his question, all the lights in the ballroom dimmed and the many voices speaking quickly ceased as well. Ryan turned his attention to the stage that was the only area being lit that also had a podium. The clicking of heels were then heard, and a woman entered through the left side of the stage and stood behind the podium. Adjusting the podium’s microphone, the woman then cleared her throat to test the volume before a large screen from behind her displayed her face.

“Hello, Champions from around the world,” the woman said with a thick Japanese accent. “Thank you all for coming here, and for bravely being humanity’s one and only defense against the Colossus threat. My name is Dr. Miyamoto Haruhi, and I am the chief scientist of the project being conducted in this research facility. Before the commencement of this project, the material used to create nodes that grant you all with the abilities necessary to defeat the Colossus were always scarce, and only the children from wealthy backgrounds could afford to obtain this new form of technology and be endowed with the extreme burden of protecting the future of humankind with your own lives. I commend you all for your noble sacrifice. Now, though, you will not be the only people capable fighting in the frontlines against the Colossus.

“Known as Project Labour, my research team and I have managed to develop a way to create nodes by cloning the cores that hold the structure of traditional nodes together. We then implanted these newly formed nodes into willing participants, and it is the job of you all to not only test the capability of these new Champions by participating with them in mock battles, but to also allow our research team to acquire samples of the cores of your own nodes so we can duplicate the power that you all possess into these future Champions. If this project proves to be successful, no longer will you fight alone in the war against humanity’s extinction; you will be joined by new Champions in the thousands, then the millions, and then the rest of humanity will be by your side with your participation in this project guaranteeing that dream. In the end, this is all for the continued existence of humanity and for this world we call our home. So, will you join me in fighting the good cause against the Colossus and for the betterment of the human race?”

A few seconds passed with silence, and then an eruption of applause went through the entire ballroom with every Champion, including Ryan and his group, clapping their hands for the chief scientist of Project Labour. He was very moved by the short speech given by the doctor and wanted to do everything that he could to assist with the project.

“Thank you again for your voluntary participation in this project. Please, enjoy the rest of the day by eating and conversing with your fellow Champions from across the globe since we are a united people. See you all in tomorrow’s mock battle!” The doctor waved her hand at the Champions who continued to clap before walking to the side of the stage and disappearing behind the retracted stage curtains.

“Well, wasn’t that fantastic speech!” Josephine said.

“If you actually mean fantastical, then I can understand that,” Chris said with furrowed eyebrows.

“What do you mean?” Ryan asked, still feeling a sensation from that powerful speech.

“This doctor actually thinks that her project will enable the creation of Champions in the millions? I’m sorry but possessing powers that can destroy beings that in return are capable of leveling entire cities is a tremendous responsibility. I don’t think equipping millions of people with nodes is a good idea even if it solves the node shortage issue.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

Ryan turned his attention from Chris to a woman who walked gracefully towards them. She was wearing a simple dress that were puffed at the shoulders and was followed by her comrades who also wore simple attire. Many others in the ballroom noticed her presence as well with looks of awe, and he quickly recognized the woman who spoke to be—

“Oh, my gosh! You’re Angelica Santos, aren’t you?” Josephine spilled. “The most powerful Champion cadet of the Philippines!”

“In the flesh,” Angelica said with a wide smile. “I couldn’t help but overhear your comment about the chief scientist’s speech, which I can best summarize as ‘With great powers, comes great responsibility.’ Am I correct?”

Chris raised his eyebrow and then nodded. “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Extending his hand, he then said, “I’m Chris by the way.”

“Yes, Christopher Shepherd, the most powerful Champion cadet of the United States and the son of Christian Shepherd, chief scientist of HERO. It’s great to meet someone of your status. I’m, of course, Angelica Santos, but you can just call me Baby,” Angelica said, shaking Chris’s hand with enthusiasm. She then looked at Ryan, and with wide eyes said, “And you’re Ryan Johnson, the son of the former US President who began the campaign against the Colossus threat.”

“Uh…yeah,” Ryan said.

“I’m ecstatic to finally meet you! It’s not everyday that you meet someone of your status as well,” Angelica said, extending her hand out and shaking Ryan’s hand.

“Oh…well, thank you. I can say the same thing to you, the most powerful Champion cadet of the world’s most powerful Champion’s division.”

“Oh, stop it!” Angelica laughed. “I’m just like every other Champion at this place who all have quirks that make us all powerful in our own ways.”

“Well, the world ranking system begs to differ,” Chris said with a smile.

Angelica just smiled and shrugged. “Anyways, it’s an honor to be selected to participate in this experimental project. However, like you, Chris, I’m having some difficulty wrapping my head around granting millions of people with the abilities of a Champion. Even thousands is a bit much. I mean, can you imagine a bar filled with people who all have superhuman abilities getting drunk and then fighting? Just replace nodes with a powerful weapon like an automatic rifle, and we might have a different view of this project.”

Ryan had not thought about this project that way before. “Well, hopefully these new nodes aren’t just given to whomever if the project does prove to be successful.”

“I’m sure there will some type of screening to see who are most compatible to become a Champion. So, I wouldn’t worry much,” Josephine inserted.

Angelica nodded. “That better be the case. That also makes me wonder who decided to be the willing participants for this project, a project that has not been commissioned by HERO may I add.”

“I guess we’ll find during tomorrow’s mock battle. I’m sure it’ll be interesting,” Chris said. “And HERO would’ve ended the project if their investigation found anything corrupt. So, I wouldn’t worry about that.”

“That’s reassuring. Well, enough about Champions and this project. Have you all tried the excellent lumpia yet?”

***

“That was a great speech you gave at the ballroom, Doctor.”

Doctor Miyamoto smiled at her assistant. “Thank you, but it’s not difficult to stroke the egos of these Champions, all of them having been fed with silver spoons since they were born.”

“Well, regardless, I’m confident you got all of them to fully support your cause and eliminated any possible defectors who could’ve arisen.”

“That we can agree,” Miyamoto said as she accepted her tablet from the assistant.

“Well, I’ll leave you alone now. I’ll update you on the status of our own Champions as soon as possible.”

“Thank you. We’ll need them at their peak for the mock battle scheduled for tomorrow.”

Miyamoto’s assistant nodded and walked away, allowing her to be by herself. Turning on the screen of her tablet, she then displayed live footage of one of the research facility’s room from one of the main surveillance cameras. Displayed was a figure suspended upside down in a large, cylindrical tank, and she smiled. She was going to make sure this project a success.

By any means necessary.