When the wake-up call came Vertigo was already awake, gritty-eyed and dry-mouthed from talking and drinking with Nathan and Bliss into the wee hours of the morning. Neither of them had taken the news well, Bliss rising from her seat to go pummel Commander on the spot, Nathan sitting withdrawn into himself, his eyes troubled. They'd talked in circles for hours about what it meant, what they should do, if anything was changed. “Fuck 'em all,” Bliss had slurred, waving her glass around unsteadily. “They've always hated us anyway, whassit matter?”
As Vertigo strapped his gear on, he tried to work out why it did matter so much to him. The lies from a man who he'd looked up to almost as a father were a gut punch, but it ran deeper than that. Maybe it just felt like confirmation that all the hushed whispers, sidelong glances and avoided eye contact, every bit of behavior once people learned he was a Talent that said monster, mutant, freak, all of it might be true. He wrapped his scarf over his face as though for protection and stepped outside. Bliss and Nathan were waiting, and together as they had always been, they went to face the angel.
Nathan was still moving a little stiffly, an expression of pain occasionally crossing his face. Even with what help the camp healer could give and his natural accelerated healing, it was likely he'd be on the mend for a while longer. Bliss paused with them, keeping their distance from both Kaelan and Commander, toned arms crossed tightly over her chest and one hip cocked in a manner that was both confidence and challenge. Commander looked them over with a hint of weariness that said he knew Vertigo had told them everything. Vertigo didn't care; he wasn't going to be an accomplice in keeping Commander's secrets, not when they had a right to know.
“Good morning everyone,” Commander said, too brightly. “I trust we all slept well. Shall I make introductions?” He turned to Kaelan and gestured at the three of them. “Vertigo you know, Nathan, Bliss. Bliss, Nathan, Kaelan is our newest recruit, and while you might outrank her, you probably already know she can kick your asses into next week and back. I recommend you treat her with respect. I also know you're probably not too thrilled about the idea of teaming up, but as usual, what I say goes, or you go.”
