9 The Offer

Miranda's words were the confirmation that everything that had happened... that was happening... was real.

"Four days ago we were able to identify a newly formed breach here in Portland. It was probably only 3 or 4 hours old when we picked up the readings. By the time we identified the exact location and mounted a team to intercept the breach, we discovered that someone had already entered the breach and it was locked.

"We continued to monitor the situation and discovered that it was you who had entered the breach. We know you were infected, we know you became Enabled, and we know that for some reason you decided to enter that breach alone. What I am most interested in is what occurred inside. When the breach reopened we figured you were dead, so Mark entered to clear the breach. Since he found you alive, it meant you were able to fully clear it, which is pretty amazing on its own. Most people couldn't be paid any amount of money to enter, and then even those that would don't have the skills to clear them."

Cody had been sitting trying to process as much information as he could as she began to explain what was amounting to a new world order. He had so many questions, but he held them back. It was better to see what information was going to be freely given. A normally quiet person, Cody had found it easy to get people to divulge more than they intended by just sitting and patiently listening.

Miranda was passionate about her work and blazed ahead enthusiastically. "Breaches have been occurring somewhat infrequently on a global scale for about six months. There have been thirteen breaches domestically in that time, including the one you cleared, and ten of those breaches have been cleared since. Additionally, you have become the twenty-second Power Enabled citizen of the United States." Miranda paused for emphasis, "You've met Mark, he was the second person to become Enabled. His abilities have to do with light refraction; he is able to vanish on command." Mark smiled as he quickly winked in and out of existence.

Cody's curiosity finally got the best of him, "But why did we develop powers?"

Quince answered as he entered the room carrying a laptop under his shoulder. "The virus, man. When the portals started appearing, a virus came along with them. It affects everyone differently." He opened his laptop as he talked and was furiously clicking around searching for something. "Here it is, look at this."

Quince spun the laptop around so it was facing Cody. As he hit the touch pad a short animation started on the screen. It showed an outline of the United States in black, and, as the time stamp in the corner counted forward starting in November, red dots appeared in various places around the country. Some of the red dots disappeared quickly, others stayed permanently. "Most, like this one here in Portland, are cleared and the breach closed. Whereas others, like this one outside of Seattle, have yet to be cleared. Instead, we have had to cordon off the area and keep it contained with armed personnel. Centralized on each one of these breaches, an airborne virus is released into the nearby area. The longer the portal is open, the more people are exposed. "

"So I caught a virus and I have powers? And Mark also caught the virus? Why aren't there a bunch of super heroes running around Seattle by now?"

Miranda took back control of the conversation, "No, Cody. In fact, what happened to you occurs only to a very small handful of people out of the thousands that were exposed. Most people are hospitalized, and a good number are killed by the virus. It breaks down your DNA in order to Enable latent abilities, but a lot of people can't take that kind of stress on their body. It seems like the people that are receptive to the virus, the ones the virus can Enable, are affected first.

"About 2,000 people have been infected in Portland so far, but the gate was closed relatively quickly. So, for now, that will probably be the end of the outbreak. Out of those 2,000, most will remain in critical condition for weeks, some individuals have even been hospitalized for months. Many aren't that lucky."

Cody's eyes caught the corner of the screen where a counter had been rising into the hundreds and then eventually into the thousands. {It just keeps growing.}

"And this is happening everywhere? Not just here?", Cody asked. The number had to be huge globally.

"Some parts of the world aren't exactly forthcoming about sharing information. The Japanese and the Koreans seemed to be on top of it, like decades of Anime and Science Fiction had positioned them to be the early front runners. We've heard they've even already started a government agency to represent their Enabled citizens." Quince spoke super excitedly about what was taking place around the world.

Miranda again stepped in to take the lead. "What we are suggesting, and hoping for, is that you would be willing to signing on with us. We are putting together teams that will travel to breaches around the United States. They would be Heroes…"

Cody glanced over, but Mark was looking down at the table and wouldn't meet his eyes. The warning Mark had given him earlier in the tunnel was ringing in his ears. {Mark said the government couldn't control what was coming…}

"I… uh… need to think about it. I've got family here and a job." Cody did his best to deflect, but the excuses sounded weak even as he spoke them. "I'm sorry, I've been away too long and I need to go home." Cody stood abruptly, and he could see shocked looks on Miranda and Quince's faces.

{They thought I wouldn't turn them down.}

Cody was feeling more confident in his decision, "Where can I go pick up my sword?"

"Mr. Smith, I…" Miranda had finally snapped out of her confusion, but Mark quickly cut her off, "Don't worry, Miranda, I can lead Cody down to the Equipment Locker. It's this way, Cody!"

Mark steered Cody out of the room and back towards the elevators as fast as Cody could limp along, "Keep moving, kid. We are almost home free!"

They reached the elevator without incident and were moving quickly until they reached the Equipment Locker. After signing for his weapon, Cody and Mark had to wait several minutes while the two men that worked that locker worked to get the sword loaded onto a cart.

"Here kid, I got this for you." Mark pulled a new cell phone out of his pocket and handed it to Cody. "Yours got fried passing through the breach and my number is already on it. Feel free to message me if you need something. No names, you got that? I'll know it's you."

"Don't take this one into another breach, okay? Leave it in your car or at home if you're going to enter another one." Cody gave him a flat stare, but Mark just snorted. "Don't give me that! You'll be in another breach as soon as you can find one. It's like a drug; no one understands what it's like to make a Full Clear unless they've pulled one off."

The locker clicked and two uniformed men worked together to wheel the heavy cart out the door. "This thing is ridiculous! It took three guys to get it in here, and we thought one of them was going to drop it and cut their leg off."

Cody reached for the hilt and picked it up easily. "Thanks, guys. Appreciate it." He tossed it back and let it rest on his shoulder as he began walking back towards the garage. He could feel the stares at his back as he retreated down the hallway.

"You see that shit? That guy lifted that thing with one hand! That was some Superman shit!"

"No one is going to believe this!"

Cody could hear the pair talking behind him as he passed the elevator bank. Mark chuckled beside him. "I think the rumor mill is going to start running after that. You couldn't at least make it look heavy?"

As they exited the hallway into the garage, Cody turned to Mark, "Thanks for your help. I guess this is where we split, my car is still at the parking lot next to the Henry building, if it hasn't been towed."

Mark just laughed, "Come on, kid. These are the Feds! They had your car brought here, it's right over there." Mark pointed to Cody's black Honda peeking out from the rows of matching SUVs.

"Look, Cody. I think you made the right move. Don't get tangled up in what the government has going. They are overreaching. I already worked for them before I became Enabled, it was a foregone conclusion.

"Find a group, get stronger. Things are accelerating. They didn't tell you that of those thirteen breaches, nine of them were in the last three weeks. It is just beginning. Maybe if I was younger…" Mark just trailed off for a few minutes, before regaining his composure. "Just remember what I told you, kid. Do the right thing."

With that, Mark swiped his badge and left Cody standing alone in the parking garage.

{Do I just head home now?}

Cody wasn't sure what to do, this wasn't the same world he had been a part of a few days ago.

He walked over to his car and fished his keys out of his pocket. Without further incident, he drove out of the garage and out onto the street.

{Four days. How am I going to explain this to my family?} Cody had entered the dungeon on Monday morning and it was now Friday evening.

Traffic was relatively light as he merged onto I-84 out towards Gresham, but his leg throbbed as he worked the pedals.

He had never been gone this long without talking to someone in his family. {Since my phone was destroyed when I went through that portal, they've probably reported me as a missing person.}

As Cody neared home, he felt the familiar tugging feeling in his stomach. Somewhere off to the South, another dungeon had opened and was calling out to him.

Deep in thought, another two exits went by on the freeway before Cody turned onto an exit.

{I just want to see the breach, I won't enter it.}

Cody headed south.