Heroes Rising Fiction: Tiny Nova 2

The story continues...

Chapter 2: Super Powers

Dr. Henderson ran another batch of tests on a sample of the water. Data flew by on a screen in front of him, numbers and chemical diagrams spelled out what hid inside the clear liquid.
“Interesting. Fascinating. Some of these are raw elements. Some have energy in them I’ve never seen before.” He scribbled on a tablet with a stylus.

“Doctor, the initial sample is ready.” One of his robots announced.

Dr. Henderson finished writing something down and then set his tablet on the table, “What did the simulations show?”

“Simulations were inconclusive. There is a seventy-four point nine percent chance of power installation.” The robot stated.

Dr. Henderson left his main lab for a chemical laboratory where the water samples were being put through a set of different tests. He hadn’t divulged this lab's work to the director just yet. He picked up the sample container which held what looked like clear water. “Is this it?”

“Yes, doctor.” The robot answered.

He ran it under a set of lights, “I don’t see any of the energy signatures.”

“The morphonic compounds are in this sample. Simulation demonstrated it could potentially grant powers to a non-powered individual.”

Dr. Henderson held that vial, mesmerized by it. “Truly?”

“Do you wish to see the analytic data?”

“What are the risks?”

“Risk assessment indicated limited to no risk to life. However, tests must be conducted on a living specimen for complete data.”

Dr. Henderson set the vial back in the holder and stood there, “He’ll never let me.”
“What is that, Doctor?”

“Nova. He won’t let me do this. I want to, I really do. But, he’s concerned about the potential of engineered super-soldiers. He would quote all those international agreements preventing scientists from trying to modify normal humans for the benefit of a military organization. But, I’m not trying to create soldiers, just give ordinary people extraordinary powers.”

“I do not understand, Doctor. What is the relevance of the current dialog?” The robot asked.

“Nothing. Just thinking aloud. Get the next round of tests started on the soil samples we collected.”

“Understood.” The robot left without question.

Dr. Henderson sat down on a stool near the table, still looking at that vial. “I’m the only person working here without superpowers. Well, other than Nova, but we don’t really know if he has them or not. He’s so strange. Me, I’m just your average multi-doctorate scientist. I can’t shoot lasers out of my fingers or control rocks with my mind. I can’t run fast, I get winded going up a flight of stairs. I can’t save the world, only study the aftermath of their battles. It’s not fair.” Talking aloud to himself he wrestled with his two sides. He wanted to follow the rules, but he also wanted to save the planet now and then.

Picking up that water again he looked at it. It was cold in his hand, just like any old water. Then, without another thought, he drank it fast. Gulping to the last drop he quickly set the vial back in the holder and stood up.

“What did I just do?” Guilt and excitement both warred in him. He stood still for a long time, waiting for something to happen. All he could hear was the buzzes and beeps of the equipment in the labs, nothing more. “What a letdown...” He muttered.

“Doctor...” The robot returned with a tray of prepared cultures.

Dr. Henderson inadvertently put his hand on the nearest computer and suddenly streaks of electricity crawled all over him. He couldn’t let go of the computer, his hand stuck. He shook and yelled. More electricity flew out of every working component in the room, even the robot was sapped of its power and hit the ground. A surge of energy threw him free of the computer and he crashed into another wall.

“Oh, my head.” He sat up and looked around the now-dead equipment. “What happened?” Holding his hand out to pick something up, he shot electricity at it and the computer components reassembled themselves. “What the...” With another wave of his hand, the metal table lifted off the ground, small sparks buzzing all over it. He let it down and then lifted it again. “COOL!” He began to realize what he could do. “I HAVE POWERS!”

Getting to his feet he pointed at the deactivated robot, shooting it with a bolt of lightning. He expected to reactivate it, instead, he just blew it apart. “Oh… uh… I guess I’ll need to learn how to use these powers. Which...” His joy faded quickly, “which means I’ll have to tell the Director. I hope he’s in a good mood when I tell him.”

Taking a few steps out of this smaller lab he stopped and found he couldn’t move his legs. He fought to take another step, but his feet wouldn’t lift off the ground. “Oh, crud. Side effects.”

“Not exactly.” A deep, gravelly voice stated.

“Who said that?” He looked around but found no one, not even one of the robot assistants.

A haunting laugh echoed around him, “Oh, foolish human, I think we will have a lot of fun here.”

“Who is this?”

“Oh, and here I thought you were the smart one. Let’s think for a moment. You just drank water filled with the powers from the battlefield. Now, who did those powers come from? Come on, you can work this out?”

Dr. Henderson grew pale, “Krampus.”

To be continued...