Chapter 287

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*- John Doe, master of diplomacy*

## Synopsis

*Earlier, Leilah had a video chat with Neil, her Spectre faction leader. He wanted details on her plan to undermine Orrin. She warned him that it's a tall order: a high-end equipment heist. Hearing the surprise in Neil's tone, Leilah asked him to recall her early days in Spectre. Neil was the one who inspired her to commit to the original mission of showing the world that power levels shouldn't dictate everybody's worth. Orrin betrayed that ideal, and had to be stopped before he used Spectre to plunge the world into despair. If there was anything Neil could do to aid John and Seraphina, then they might pull this off. He offered his support, but warned Leilah that his influence in Orrin's territory would be limited.*

Seraphina formally introduces John, highlighting his strength and potential as Spectre's next top agent. Orrin interrupts to say that such decisions were not hers to make. Seraphina argues that it was his idea first, as people who get disabled are destined to become a part of their humble organization. She's only helping the process along. Orrin says that's a considerate gesture on her part, but it hasn't been established whether John could be trusted. Neil interjects and says he's heard Leilah speak highly of the young man before them. Of note, John first got acquainted with his people after they rescued him and Seraphina from a near-fatal encounter. Miranda proposes that a candidate of Leilah's ought to speak for himself.

The first thing John does when given the floor was to voice his contempt for the big cheeses. But for everything he hates about his experiences with Spectre, their stated mission had undeniable appeal. He claims it's pretty much the only reason he bothered coming. Miranda questions John's supposed favor for the cause, since as a high-tier the hierarchy should benefit him tremendously, not to mention the mutual perks of siding with the Authorities. John vehemently denounces the Authorities on account of his bad experiences with them. Orrin prys in order to get a better picture of this dark past, which shakes John's resolve. But he presses on, and admits he's a late-bloomer who was constantly targeted. And when he did discover his power, he got into conflict with the established societal structure upon deciding he didn't mesh well with it. But when he gets to the part about the Authorities' response to his rampage, memories of his instructor took the words away. John wants nothing more to break away from his mental block and press on. Thankfully, Seraphina is there to support him, and she explains that the Authorities aren't kind to high-tiers who don't play by their rules. Miranda then understands that John knows what it's like to suffer on both ends of the oppressive hierarchy. But Orrin chimes that all that is no guarantee of loyalty, at which point John gets fed up with him. He mouths off and mockingly suggests that the antagonistic executive try earning his devotion with his tried and true method of sending his people on suicide missions while ordering attacks on their friends. He finishes his diatribe by saying that Orrin might actually have a loyal following if he wasn't such a traitorous snake. Neil steps in to smooth things over, insisting that the attack in Rowden was not what they intended. He offers the return of his and Seraphina's abilities as a way of making amends, and to rebuild a foundation of trust with valued members of Spectre. Miranda states that the decision to admit John as an agent hasn't been finalized, but agrees with the plan to restore the disabled abilities right away. She leaves the process to Orrin, along with the safe return of the teens to their school. Orrin says he'll take care of them.

But when the cameras and mikes shut down, Orrin decides that the shots are his to call around here. He calls the lab and arranges it so that the recovery machine runs only at half power. He then contacts his top agents, who are on location. He tells them to stick close to John and Seraphina and find an opportunity to put the fruits of their labor to the test.

John paces about the conference room. Seraphina asks him to talk about it, and he admits that the atmosphere is uncomfortable. He just wants their abilities back so they can get out of there. A set of doors beep and open to reveal a red-headed man wearing a labcoat. He asks them to come with him to the lab. On their way through indistinct halls, Seraphina wonders how Kayden is faring.

The group's getaway man is just finishing up getting ready in a supplies closet. He dons a lab coat and leaves a knocked-out lab worker where he lay. Kayden inconspicuously walks about the premises, hoping he doesn't get lost. He is chugging along well enough with Leilah's access card. *She gave it to him, along with a warning not to teleport in unfamiliar areas. She believed that her current level of access would be enough to penetrate the facility as much as he needed to.* He goes to rendezvous with John and Sera at the recovery room, via the one elevator that goes there near the back of the building. He turns a corner and spots the duo and their doc for the evening waiting in front of that very elevator. They board without noticing him, but his attempt to follow them is thwarted. He isn't cleared to go to the destination floor, and neither is Leilah. With no other recourse, he hits the button for the floor right below his stop. When the elevator halts, he goes through the vent in the ceiling. Once in the elevator shaft, he looks up to the door above and prepares to teleport.

Erstwhile, Orrin's team of killers advance towards the recovery room, where the sedated John and Seraphina are about to be treated. The doctor tells them they'll be out for an hour, so they ought to shut their eyes and relax.

## Appearing Characters

* Leilah
* Neil
* Orrin
* Miranda
* John
* Seraphina
* Keon (flashback)
* *Liam*
* *Candice*
* ***Spectre Doctor***
* Kayden
* ***Wite-Out***