Mach: The Super Hero

2.2 Registration Line

It turned out there was no one else, it really was just Michael, Max and Tafari at that school who had developed supernatural abilities.

Principal Attwater was a nice old man. There was something about his freckled pale expression that always came off as friendly and interested. He reading off a document that had come out of a very ornate envelope which had been sent by the federal government.

“And so, for these reasons, every disaparallia currently a citizen of the Unites States of America will be required to attend one of these three institutions, if any. And then they have all this information, our school will be sending it to your parents.”

Putting the letter down, he folded his hands and looked up at them without an ounce of concern. “I would like to know if all three of you will be attending one of these institutions,” Attwater said.

Max crossed his arms in protest. “We got a choice?”

“To do it willingly,” Tafari interjected. “Or get homeschooled, I guess. I’ll go, though.”

“Hmpf. Yeah, I’ll go,” Max said begrudgingly. “Homeschooled, that’d be a good joke.”

“I’ll go,” Michael simply stated.

“Good. I think that is definitely your best option. I hope you understand that sometimes, these are things that are necessary,” Attwater said, smiling kindly.

“Why can’t we just stay here?” Max asked.

Principal Attwater looked at Max with patience. “I’ve explained that already, Maxwell. The government feels as though you need a whole new type of education, one more… tailored to your specific individualities.”

“Yeah, I remember you saying that. But what does that mean?” Max asked again.

Before the old man could answer, Tafari looked over to Max as well, only a lot less patiently.

“The current education system is based on all of our human abilities, man. But now we went and turned into a bunch of individuals by developing new abilities that’re obviously outside the standard. So, surprise, we need a new education system that’ll appropriately approach each of us uniquely.” Tafari shrugged, and sighed, and also frowned, any one of which would be a telltale sign that he was about to be rudely frank. “Honestly, that should be true for everyone already, I think this assembly-line approach to education was always damn foolish. But now that there’s a security issue, they’re finally forced to think outside of the box and come up with something that makes some damn sense. Now they’re thinking that treating us like human beings means we’ll be happier, less liable to get into fights, etcetera etcetera.”

Max grunted with interest. “What’d you mean security issue? They’re afraid of us?” It was unsure to Michael whether or not Max liked the idea.

“It’s not about that,” Attwater interjected. “If I was to guess, they’re afraid your powers will go to your head. They’re afraid you will hurt others, or yourselves.”

“What?” Max asked, scoffing in disbelief. “As if.”

“I don’t wanna hear that from any of you two loose cannons,” Tafari put in, judgmentally. “Besides. If they’re freaking out every time one of us carries a blade or something, how do you think people feel about us lifting buses or outrunning trains?”

Max chuckled. “I see your point.”

“I’ll go but I still think this stinks of military school,” Michael said. “And I’m not going to be anybody’s soldier.”

Attwater leaned back in reaction, recoiling from the idea. “No. Nobody wants that, Michael. Presently, all they’re telling you is if you want to go to school, it has to be one of those. I’m advising you to give it a chance. Don’t just run away from it.” He paused to take a regretful breath. “There have been news of a fifteen year old who ran away from home to become some kind of vigilante. It didn’t turn out well, not at all.”

“What happened to him?” “What was his power?” Michael and Max respectively asked. Attwater massaged his eyebrows and sighed, obviously uncomfortable with the matter.

“It happened in Canada,” he said. “He was gunned down during a robbery, his ability was… I believe he could shoot lasers from his eyes.”

Uncomfortable, Attwater cleaned his sweaty forehead with a napkin before looking back at them. “It happened recently, so you’re bound to see it in the news soon.”

Michael frowned, feeling sorry for whoever that was.

Attwater nodded regretfully. “He did an entrance monologue, you see? Stood there and threatened them to stop. He was shot mid-sentence, point blank. It’s… It won’t be the last we hear of something like this, I trust. You boys must always remember that there are laws. They don’t change just because you have these new abilities.”

“I already said I was going,” Tafari repeated, leaning back against the chair.

“I am glad to know you’ll all be attending. You’re good boys and I hope you remember that. Don’t ever let your abilities get to your head, and especially don’t let your spirit for competition…” Attwater glanced over Michael and Max as he said it, “push you into doing something you will regret.”

Good boy? Max?

“With all that said, I’d like to recommend that you attend Northeast High,” Attwater said, “I know the man that’s been put in charge there. He’s truly an innovator, and I know first-hand how dedicated he is to getting young men like you a good and worthwhile education.”

“Sounds good to me,” Tafari simply stated.

“Yeah, thank you for the suggestion,” Michael said, sincerely.

Max just scoffed, too cool for gratitude.

Attwater looked down at a paper with notes, thoughtfully. “And I believe that will be all. Feel free to pack your bags, boys, and tell us by the end of this weekend which school you’d like to transfer to. We will handle the paper work, and by the end of next week, you will be free to go on your way.”

Principal Attwater had spoken casually, as if he hadn’t delivered any news of particular interest, but Michael was very much caught off guard.

“Ne--next week?” Michael asked, shocked. “Already?”

The week ran at the speed of sound. It was like it didn’t happen. Before he knew it, he was waking up to his first day in his brand new school. With his backpack ready, and breakfast fully enjoyed, Michael ran all the way there.

He arrived very tired. He was sure he would grow used to it, and indeed looked forward to it, but none of that was in his mind on that morning.

 “Wow.”

Even though some of the building was under construction, Northeast High was still noticeably large. It was impressive how much had been accomplished in just a couple of months. The building was located in the state of New York, a few miles east of the city of Rochester, just below Lake Ontario.

In fact, the view it had of the lake was pretty striking.

Aesthetically, the building was pretty simple. It was shaped like a u, four floors high, and twice as wide. It was definitely much bigger than Michael had expected.

Unfortunately, what would otherwise be a great view suffered from a few critical blemishes. Namely, armed guards. That was the first thing Michael noticed, really. The gates were made of hard steel, and controlled electronically, looking like the entrance to a military base in a movie. There was a squad of eight soldiers at the entrance alone, two of them screening each of the lines of students.

Michael could also see a helicopter flying some ways away.

“Man, you gotta be kidding me,” Michael commented under his breath. He wasn’t the only one looking around distastefully. There were several others who were visibly uncomfortable, making for a very long line of frowning students.

“Hey guy,” a voice called out from behind.

Michael turned around to see a short boy. The kid had to be one or two years younger than Michael, at the least.

“Hey,” Michael greeted back, and the kid looked up at him with fierce eyes that were almost as brown as his complexion. The kid frowned judgingly, tilting his head to the side while looking Michael up and down, measuring him up.

Michael raised an eyebrow, somehow sensing he might be in danger despite the youth and short stature of the boy. After all, what did size matter when he most certainly had some kind of supernatural ability? Whatever it was, it certainly gave him confidence, and from knowing Max, Michael knew how fast that could go to someone's head.

Squinting his eyes, the boy offered a nod to show he had made some decision. Michael tried not to show any concern.