▪ Training day
Eleanor's cheeks flushed. Her age showed through for just a moment. She hadn't planned on explaining how she had been watching them, it was slight embarassing. "Cameras," she confessed. Looking at each of them, she felt that she was obligated to explain further. "First, I will ease you mind by stating anything personal I have not seen... only your abilities. I created a software program to sift through traffic cameras, store security cameras, nothing like your phone camera to find abnomalities within the city. Once the computer system caught an abnomality such as lifting a car or shifting into a cat it would flag it red and be reviewed by me. I ran each of you through a facial reginition software and found your names through the city wide citizen database... that is through the police department... based on the actions I saw and background reports I invited you here," Eleanor explained as best she could. She was telling the truth about anything personal or similar was not viewed by her.
Once she saw some people calm down, she moved on to Mia's second question. "Training is next. None of you are prepared to take on those creatures, so I will be working with you and you will be working with pairs. Pre-selected by the way. Andrea and Don will be a pair to start out, Mia and Kai... Then you three will be taking turns, but first I would like to speak with you Damon," she mentioned as she looked at Lester. Inside the man's hand was a file. He had been digging into Damon, as well as checking up on Mr. Anderson. Eleanor hadn't known anyone of the teams, but Mr. Anderson was her father's friend. No one really knew about that, since no one knew that her father had a daughter.
Separating herself from the group, Damon followed. Lester had given Eleanor the file and her lips pressed into a line. "Well, Mr. Anderson has not been heard from and his sister is quite concerned about him... do you know anything about that?" She questioned the man before her. "Also, I do not appreciate being lied to, Damon..." she said handing a photo to him. It was clearly depicted that Damon had a much fuller grasp of his abilities than previously let on. "The testing chambers does not base its data on what you show me, it bases it on how your body reacts to your powers. Someone exhibiting full strength would show their vitals pushing the top of the charts, your vitals barely reached a walking pace." Eleanor said shoving the file in his hands. "I am not some dumb kid, I have the IQ of 190, so please don't try and outsmart my machinery," she hissed before walking back to the other participants.
Looking to the others with a smile on her face, "We can begin today as there is much time remaining in the day, or we can start tomorrow. Majority rules," announced Eleanor. As most hands shot up for tomorrow training, Eleanor agreed and held them back for one more announcement.
Lester handed a box out to each of the participants. Inside was a cellphone design by Eleanor. It was pure glass and completely seethrough, however, the most amazing part of the fact that the mechanics of the phone were in their just invisible to the naked eye. "A diamond phone is only to be used to get in contact with me or others of your team. It has all numbers already programmed into it and it should not be shown to anyone, as it would cause high suspicion and could cause large problems since most of that technology has not been invented. If in dire trouble, smash the phone and it will send out an electronic pulse that I can hear. Note, you only get one phone as I don't have the material to make more, so use your S.O.S wisely," she informed the group before allowing them to leave. "Please be here by seven o'clock tomorrow morning!" She called after them.
Looking to Lester she sighed. "May I have pudding?" She questioned before following Lester into the kitchen.
As she sat on a barstool, Eleanor looked at Lester. "Keep an eye on that Damon," she muttered. She didn't like liars.
Morning light had come and Eleanor found herself in her massive yard. Gear was set up for those who normally did not spare. The sun had shined down on the Earth, it was a pleasant feeling after yesterdays showers. The young girl stood in black capris and a red tank top, more of her bionic limbs were on view. She thought about how Don had been similar to her, at least while she had her chip. They were similar but highly different at the same time. He at least could be in the open without looking like a freak, the young girl envied him.
Hearing footsteps, Eleanor turned to see Lester ushering people towards the field. Eleanor smiled, obviously excited about the day's work. She loved helping others achieve success and grow their strengths, today was full of that. "Pair up," she called out, hoping that the others remembered their pairs. "Do not grow comfortable with your pair, you will be switching half-way through the day... need well-rounded teams!" Handing out the fighter gloves, Eleanor looked at them. "If any of you are not in attire they wish to fight in, please see Lester and he will get you fitted into something more comfortable. Other than that, follow me." Eleanor said as she walked out into the field. "Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is a great part of doing this job, having a team that functions well is even greater, so please note you need to build some sort of positive relationship with your teammates as they will have your back in the field... unless you want to be killed.
For example, Andrea and Don are considered active players were Mia and Kai are considered passive players. Don't take offense because passive players are highly important! Without your eyes and ears, active players will be flying blind and will most likely be killed. Passive players can fight and even win, but up against someone like
Killer Croc, you would be defeated so rely on your active players to take those type of enemies out. Active players must rely on their passive players for recon, but they also must protect the passive players from any sort of unexpected assault and destroy any threat blocking you from your target. Both passive and active players are needed to make a team work," Eleanor explained.
Looking towards the smaller team, Eleanor began to speak again. "In your team, passive and active players are mixed amongst you, that means you will assume both roles when necessary. You all have the skills and abilities to present as active and passive."
Motioning around the field, Eleanor showed the cones, "To warm up, please go ahead and run some laps... no one needs to be strained." After they completed about five laps, Eleanor stopped them and had the pair up once more. "Damon, you will be sparing with Lester to start... Go ahead and spread out, no abilities for the first bit. You need to learn control, even when you are angry and want to hurt someone badly," Eleanor said.
Monitoring each group, Eleanor gave constructive feedback. "Widen your stance, you don't want to be knocked over Kai... Don't be afraid to break a nail, Mia... Andrea, I said no abilities you got to take some damage to let Don know where your weakness is... TRUST ONE ANOTHER, from now on this is like a family if we are to achieve our goal we must work together and blend perfectly!"
An hour had passed before Eleanor stopped them. "It's time for a break, Lester if you could go fetch lunch that would be much appreciated," she called as Lester happily walked away. Looking to the teams she smiled. "From the start of sparing to the end, there was an improvement. You can't be afraid to hit someone where it hurts, you can't give up, and you can't be meek. You have to stay strong and keep fighting even when the odds are against you! That is the only true way you can say that you tried or even that you won. Go ahead and take a break, get something to drink and talk to your team... learn things about them. There are no enemies here or I don't like you because of whatever, get to know your team."
Eleanor had been watching them via cameras. It was a simple answer, but somehow Andrea felt like there had been more. Days prior, Eleanor had given her the same answer, but she still felt the same way she did now. Eleanor was hiding something.