Gene. Sys. by Aaron Denius (best ereader for comics txt) 📕

out my door. My plan is to be the first one down there to gather my thoughts and greet the Genesys.

When I reach the elevator, I am surprised to see someone there. My heart races as excitement and nerves climb up my throat. I try hard to not let it show.

“Morning, Fe,” I say as nonchalantly as I can. I’m not sure it worked.

“Good morning, Atom.” She smiles at me. Luckily the elevator opens, killing any chance of an awkward moment. I break eye contact and walk in.

“You’re early.” I don’t mean to, but I have an accusatory tone to my voice.

“I’m sorry.” She looks down. “I didn’t want to be late, and I was too excited to sleep any longer, so I came down.”

She was excited? I struggle to hold it in, but my smile wins out. The elevator reaches the bottom, and I step out. I would love to keep talking to her, but seeing the simulation room reminds me of Grant and the responsibility I have. “Good. You can help me get ready. Please clear anything that’s in the middle of the room and move it to the sides.

She smiles and begins to move any mats and blocks from the center. I do my best to pull my focus away from Fe’s presence and back to the task at hand. In the far corner is the table and chair that Grant would call his desk. On top of it, I can see that he’s left me an envelope with the instructions and suggestions.

I don’t intend on using them today, because I have my own lesson planned.

On cue, Fe breaks the silence. “What are we going to do today?”

“We are going to test the limits of your bodies and show you what you can all do. We are also going to go over the various weapons we have and hand-to-hand combat,” I say proudly. I didn’t realize how excited I would be to share what I’ve learned.

The sound of the elevator door opening draws my attention, and a small group walks out. Thankfully Ev is not among them because I am suddenly washed over with the guilt of being alone with Fe.

A couple of minutes later, the rest of the group steps out of the elevator, including Ev. She has already made friends with a few of the Genesys—the dark-skinned boy and the redhead girl, Ox and Mag. They laugh as they join the group that congregating in the middle of the room.

I remember that she had an extra week with all of them while I was locked up. Disappointment floods my thoughts for being so reckless, but I snap out of it when I realize their eyes have fallen upon me. They stand in a semicircle, silent.

I speak, trying my best to channel Grant. “Welcome again to the simulation room. Here we will test your physical and mental limits—”

“Cut the act, Atom. Just be yourself,” Ev interrupts me. A few of the Genesys laugh, including Titan. He’s amused by Ev’s lack of respect.

Not me. I’m hurt and angered by her words. I shoot Ev a look of warning, hoping she understands that I need her to set an example for the rest. If not, I will make her an example. A small part of me is happy for her. She has become more free-spirited with the other Genesys around.

“As I was saying.” This time I relax when I speak, and I do feel more comfortable. I hate to admit it, but Ev was right. “We are going to test the limits of your bodies so that you can understand what you are capable of.”

“Like that flip, twirl thing you did?” Cal shouts out with excitement in his eyes.

“Exactly.” I smile back. “So let’s start by having you all jump and touch the ceiling.”

They all look up. K speaks up. “That’s got to be like twelve feet!”

“Just over fifteen,” I reply.

“You do it,” I hear a voice say. I turn, expecting Titan, but instead, I see the redheaded guy, Sil, step forward. “If you want us to do something, you do it first.”

I realize that I need to seize control of the room, and I can’t let any of them think it’s okay to question my authority. I squat down, pulling as much power into my legs as possible, and with a quick thrust, I extend and jump toward the ceiling. I press my palm flat against the cold surface fifteen feet above and return back to the ground. I look around to see their astonished faces, including Titan and Sil.

“If any of you questions me again, we are going to have a problem.” It seems harsh, but they need to know that I am the authority down here. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a big smile on Ev’s face. Pride in her eyes. “Now start jumping!”

Instantly, the rest of the group does their best to imitate me and reach the ceiling.

“Ev, will you help me work with them?” I ask, putting the little anger I had toward her behind me. I realize now that she was only trying to help.

“Of course.” She walks over to me and squeezes my hand.

Together we walk around, helping all the Genesys learn how to generate enough power in their legs to make the jump. It brings me a lot of joy to see that Titan and Sil are in the last three to achieve it.

Over the next hour, Ev and I help them learn their strength, speed, and stamina. As a whole, they all look like they are enjoying themselves and learning quickly. Cal is definitely the most eager. Titan has moved from being one of the slowest learners to one of the fastest. The same can’t be said of Sil, who remains near the bottom consistently.

I’m happy that Fe has remained near the top in all exercises, and I try hard to hide my pride.

Seeing that most of them are drenched in sweat, I give them