CHAPTER 6

Adler and Mariko sat in Adler's room as the night slowly passed.

Adler:

So now that we're here. What's this code thing?

Mariko:

The codes are what we call their "powers" and trademark. Like your specialty as an engineer, building things from scratch. Sargent "bullet proof" Carter has the ability to repel almost all weapons, using his body as a shield, so long as the weapon is a solid. But he is very weak to fire and chemicals. Hit him with a tank, missile, or even send him to the bottom of the ocean at crushing depths, he'll come back unscathed.

Adler:

Jesus. You sent him to the bottom of the ocean?

Mariko:

no. We went on a mission and he had the idea to put a bomb there without knowing what kind. He said he could hold his breath and jumped. Came back without a single broken bone and covered in bioluminescence.

Adler:

So he's the muscle head.

Mariko:

No that would be Javier. "Rage Tanker" was initially given to him by the higher ups because of his collected persona. They didn't want others to know that he is what he seems. But the name "tanker" fits just find. Javier "rage tanker" Nakamura shows immense skill in taking down great masses pulling statues and pillars from beneath the ground. Falling from heights and leaving creatures six feet below the surface. Even leaping at speeds the others can't keep up with.

Adler:

Wait. He just sounds like superboy. What gives?

Mariko:

He had an accident last year and literally "tanked" a hole through a tank during a trial run. The higher up thought he raged out.

Adler:

Big oops.

Mariko:

Very big oops.

Adler:

Okay what about the little Angel. Hers is obviously based on looks.

Mariko:

They are until she pulls a gatling gun from nothing. Misaki Carson ,"the target angel" can call every weapon ever built. From pistols to rocket launchers. The child is a walking weaponry.

Adler:

.... I'm scared to know what "whistle" is, but I'm asking anyway.

Mariko:

The word doesn't mean anything. Whistling is a form of command for her to actually become target angel. The problem though is knowing what command to make her stop. We tried to send her out on a gang riot in America and she did exactly what she was told. In exchange, we couldn't reprimand anyone and the whole gang was extinguished with no survivors.

Adler:

I'll need every note and tune for that. So Imma just guess the rest. The twins "striker- eagle". I take it the term means they can navigate a map like they have eagle vision. So like clairvoyance.

Mariko:

That's exactly right.

Adler:

Keiko is a sniper assassin.

Mariko:

...How could you tell?

Adler:

During the introductions, she gave me this look like I was her next meal. Kind of like Charlie, only not childish.

Mariko:

....

Adler:

Lastly, Ahusaka. ... "Gold". Gold. Refires to his eye color. Unlike me and the other kids, he has one yellow like us but the other is darker like Charlie's. What does that indicate? What's the difference?

Mariko:

We are not completely sure either. Since, Charlie was the first one we successfully obtained, we thought of the color as a simple aging factor since his eyes grew darker over time. Until Liam came. Then we had to change our idea of it. We believe it has something to do with their development rather than their abilities. And unlike Charlie, Liam was born that way. All the aspects he displayed was close to Charlie's. Just as fast. Just as sharp. But not as deadly Since he was just transferred here not too long before you.

Adler:

I got some shit to deal with. Don't I?

Mariko:

I would say so. Since they all know nothing of the outside world.

Adler:

What about Charlie. He said he was called Omega Charlie. But no last name. I figured either name could be a code while his real name is concealed.

Mariko:

Nice deduction, but no. Charlie is his real name Omega is his code.

Adler:

Omega being a notion of being first?

Mariko:

Yes. Charlie's full name is Kitsunomi Charlie. He is Keiko's older brother. He does not recognize her as his sibling because he was given to us before she was born. Well, more like he can't recognize her.

Adler:

Being raised as a pet superhuman weapon. Can kind of understand why he acted like that earlier. No freedom can drive one to simple madness. Though in his case ... Our case... it can be seen as a global scale catastrophe.

Mariko:

Putting it bluntly, yes.

Adler:

So you said Ahusaka had the same abilities or similar ones to Charlie. How bad is Charlie, exactly?

Mariko:

I thought you didn't like him after what happened.

Adler:

Caution so I know how I should handle him later on. You'll never know when he'll get out to find me. Or just in general.

Mariko:

True. Charlie is what you would call the jack of all traits. He can do just about everything he sees from a fantasy story, bringing the unnatural logic to life so long as its within his bodies physical capability. If he wanted he could fly out of here like he was walking on air. Literally.

Adler:

and that's why you don't give him TV.

Mariko:

Once the idea is in his head, he will find ways to make it happen.

Adler:

good to know. Last question.

Mariko:

If its about your code, you don't have one yet.

Adler:

Yet. I'll get one eventually, even if I don't want one?

Mariko:

Yes. Whether you like it or not.

Adler:

Urgh... Okay. Fine. Guess it's like a tab to keep on us since we're not "normal".

Mariko:

I'm sorry Adler, I will keep calling you by name and everyone else will as well. But the codes are for when we need you for emergencies. Beyond that we call the children by their names. You, too.

Adler:

That still doesn't make me feel better about that, but whatever. I'm going to bed now, so I'll talk to you in the morning about my leave.

Mariko:

Sounds good. I'm glad you are willing to take on such a large responsibility.

Adler:

Like I had a choice. Good night.

Mariko:

good night, Adler.