Chapter 7 : Experiments and TUP

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KoSP : 2 advanced chapters

Squib who became Iron Lad in DC : 3 advanced chapters

Hope you enjoy the chapter !

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Simon, and Crys, through Simon's eyes, were paying careful attention to the important person in his small cell. The Captain had decided to visit them in order to… probably prevent any outburst from the Terran.

He supposed that, given his extreme reaction to being separated from Crys, this was a rather logical assumption to have… Moreover, the Terrans he met until now were rather… Well, most of them were lunatics ! Self-centered, with a superiority complex sometimes boarding on the god complex… They were irrational and all around, jerks.

Another possible reason why the captain graced the two bond-mates with his presence might be his recent experiments with his powers. Since he was limited space-wise, he directed them inwards… Or at least, that was his aim when he started to work on it.

After pondering on the researcher/medic's remark, Simon tried to see if he could manipulate light… And he could ! At some point during his experiences, two security personnel came rushing inside the brig with apparent panic, looking for him when he was just beyond the forcefield, minding his own business and sitting comfortably. Needless to say, when he suddenly reappeared, they were both frightened and relieved. And Simon couldn't help the satisfied smirk that stretched his lips.

In addition to this, he succeeded in generating and exuding chemical substances twice. The first was, much like his first instinctual use, in gaseous form, albeit he did it consciously. It was rather easy too, now that he knew he could do it. It was a simple case of wishing it…

The second time, he produced a green and purple fluid or coating coming from his pores. Experiencing further, he was even able to create it in his mouth in order to spit it out or something… He figured it'd be easier to use as an attack. Though it was more out of curiosity really… To find out whether or not he could do it.

After all, he had other means to defend himself. Chief among those was his natural absorption of kinetic energy. While experimenting with it and hypothesizing, he figured out that, in order for the energy to be absorbed and re-used, if that was his wish, his body generated some kind of… coating on his skin. He wasn't sure about that part, but anyway that's how he thought it worked. Using the kinetic energy stored inside his body, he was even able to expand this coating and turn it into a field around his body. He was even able to fly with it ! Well… More like hover at the moment.

As he was attempting another experiment with light (trying to generate it from his hands), the Captain came. And now, they were staring at each other in silence. Simon wasn't sure what to say, and the captain…

Suddenly, the latter started to speak :

« I'd appreciate if you stopped blatantly breaking the laws of physics in my ship. A number of my crewmates are on edge because of it. Especially those from the security team… »

Simon looked sheepish. He cleared his throat before saying :

« Yeah, ahem… Sorry about that. It's just… Well, in my time, when Earth was still called Earth, I was obsessed with superheroes… Like many children and young adults. I often fantasized about becoming one… Now that I have superpowers… Well, I can't not play with them, ya know ! »

« Earth ? What's that ? »

« Oh, right ! You probably don't have too much information about our History from before we became a xenophobic and conquering race… Earth was Terra, way before we started exploring space. I don't really know how long ago it was though… »

The squid-man seemed to startle at that, or at least, that's how it looked to Simon.

« Are you telling me you're immortal ? »

Simon gazed deeply at the alien, a little confused and also, curious whether or not what he said was true. Was time some kind of energy he could absorb, too ? If so, then perhaps he really was immortal… Then, he understood why the alien asked him this. He shook his head :

« No, no, no. I was frozen on Earth through an experimental procedure. You see, I was suffering from a terminal illness and the doctors didn't have the means, at the time, to cure me. So my parents paid for the procedure to keep me alive, while frozen. I was awoken by Terrans a few years ago… They also cured me, in exchange for drafting me into their military… »

Silence followed his statement. After a while, Simon asked :

« I'm guessing you guys won't tell me what's happening to me… If you even know. Can you tell me something else ? » He looked the alien in his bulging yellow eyes for a second : « What does TUP stand for ? »

« What ? How do you not know that ? »

Simon shrugged and explained :

« I'm kinda new to this time, remember ? And Terrans aren't exactly the sharing type when it comes to information. I mean, except for the things they want you to believe… To them, only the Terran Empire should matter to Terrans and you know how they are with alien species. » He sighed, briefly thinking of his own exactions.

The alien nodded after a moment.

« TUP stands for Theocratic Union of Planets. We're a collective of races, governments and colonies under the watchful eye of the Psionic God. Our territory spans a few star systems and we've been at war with the Terran Empire for almost a century now… »

« Psionic God ? » While Simon wanted to ask something more, Crys pointed out that it might be construed as rude or worse. The alien seemed to understand what he wanted to ask however :

« I'm guessing you're a pagan, too… I never understood you Terrans' peculiar choice of deity. Why'd you consider an animal as your god is beyond me… »

Simon shook his head :

« I'm not religious. I mean… In my time, there were a few monotheistic religions with rather large communities. My family, however, wasn't one of them. As for the Terrans religion… I was never really interested in it even though I worshipped them too… Now that you mention it, it was weird. I was never really that much of a cat person… »

« Can you tell me more about the Psionic God, please ? » He asked after a while.

« Sure ! » The person's eyes seem to lit up with some kind of fervor as he started to explain : « Not many have met Him or been touched by Him, but He has representatives from the churches everywhere. In fact, if you wish, I can ask the Abbot to visit you so he can explain those things better… After all, although I'm a follower, I wouldn't presume to understand Him. »

A little wary at the sudden change of attitude from the captain, Simon hesitated before nodding.

« Alright ! Maybe you're not a lost cause like the rest of the Terrans ! » The Captain exclaimed with excitement.