Traffic picked up a bit as they went further into downtown, but it was only about fifteen more minutes of driving until the Atlas Foundation could be seen out the window.

  “There it is.” Adam pointed as it came into view.

  The foundation’s main tower wasn’t among the largest giants in downtown Pacific City, but Adam liked to think it cut a striking figure. Almost all the exterior was made of mellow blue-green glass and had three distinct tiers that ended at different heights. It stood alone on the block, as it was surrounded by the foundation’s campus grounds that contained auxiliary buildings.

  The limousine approached and turned out of traffic to wait in front of the exterior gate of the campus grounds. The entire block it rested on was surrounded by a high fence, patrolled by security, and monitored at all times by cameras. Some of the work being done here was too important, dangerous, or unstable to fall into the wrong hands. Special clearance was required to simply be on the premises.

  The exterior gate opened and the limo pulled forward. Douglas rolled down his window and spoke with the security booth attendant as an overhead scanner passed over the length of the vehicle.

  “The security staff would like to speak to you, Mr. Atlas,” Douglas said.

  The guard walked down the limousine and met Adam at the back window that rolled down.

  “Good day, Mr. Atlas,” The man said. “Apologies for stopping you, but are you aware your companion has what appears to be multiple advanced weapon systems and traces of regulated material concealed on their person?”

  Adam glanced back at Abigail, who was smiling sheepishly.

  “I was not aware. But I’m also not concerned. We’re fine.”

  “If you say so sir.” He stood and signaled the gate operator. “Letting you through.”

  The interior gate buzzed and began to retract. Adam settled back into his seat as Douglas pulled forward.

  “Multiple advanced weapon systems?”

  Abigail waved her hand dismissively. “They’re being dramatic. I’m only wearing my reconfigurable synaptocircuit matrix underneath my clothes. It can form just the basics, like energy projectors and a breathing filter. Things one should never leave home without. Really, it’s so lightweight it’s practically just a second layer of skin. I’d be happy to remove my outer layers and show you sometime, if you’re interested.”

  Nothing about her tone was flirtatious, but Adam still felt his cheeks warm.

  “Okay.”

  Douglas passed the staff and visitor parking lots and pulled up directly to the roundabout in front of the main building to drop his passengers off.

  Adam and Abigail stepped out.

  “Let me know when you’re ready to depart, and I’ll meet you here again,” Douglas called.

  Adam waved. “Thank you, Douglas. Go get yourself some lunch. We’ll see you in a while.”

  Abigail stopped in the plaza in front of the entrance and leaned back to take in the entire building up close.

  Adam stopped next to her and folded his arms.

  “It’s quite something isn’t it?”

  Abigail nodded, wonder in her eyes.

  It was nice for Adam to see his world through the eyes of someone new to it. Someone who so clearly had a passion for science and discovery. He had been immersed in the world of international travel and exotic science for so long, given tours to so many bureaucrats and businesspeople, it could be hard to still feel the spark of excitement in it. But he saw it now in Abigail’s eyes as she gazed up at the foundation building, and felt it in the way she described her designs to him the other day in class.

  “You should see the one in Beacon City. The campus is six blocks wide.”

  “I know,” Abigail breathed. “Your experimental reactors kept the power on for critical services and many residences in the wake of the devastation.”

  Adam nodded. He was there in the aftermath, those first few weeks when the city was still crumbling and burning and thousands needed rescuing. Him and Thalia and their families, along with BASTION and other responders, used the campus as a base of operations to help as many as they could as quickly as possible. He barely slept the whole time. He could only lay awake and imagine the people trapped beneath rubble, in the darkness, afraid and waiting for help. But there was only so much he could do to help anyone. Those days still kept him awake sometimes.

  He lightly touched Abigail’s elbow.

  “We should head in.”

  She smiled. “Of course.”

  Adam led the way across the plaza and into the automatic doors.

  They stepped into a spacious, bright lobby. Large rectangular windows covered the walls, sunlight illuminating the space. Above them, the next twenty floors of the building could be seen stacked on top of each other, with only walkways connecting the empty space that they were lined around. The glass interior walls of each floor ranged from being transparent, to opaque, to blacked out, depending on its contents. Elevators moved between floors like arteries carrying blood.

  An antique map of the world covered much of the lobby’s floorspace. Abigail crossed it quickly, heels clicking, to reach a ten-foot-tall bronze statue near the sitting area. Adam followed.

  Three figures were depicted in the statue. The tallest, a man in an aviator’s jacket, thick pants, and boots, with a strong mustache and eyes that seemed to look into a bright horizon. Holding his hand was a ten-year-old boy, who had his other hand resting on an Australian Shepherd dog.

  “Your great-grandfather, Alexander?”

  Adam nodded. “And grandpa Aaron Sr. And Ranger, of course.”

  “It must be so incredible, coming from such a lineage.”

  Adam shrugged. “Yeah, it’s… something, all right.”

  Family legacy was a complex thing to Adam. He was very proud of coming from such a storied and notable family, and being a direct descendant of Alexander the explorer, who made first contact with the Atlanteans, who fought Nazi occultists during the war, who knew many of the country’s first real superheroes. Adam just wished he felt more of Alexander’s spirit inside him. It seemed like each and every one else in his family carried some piece of Alexander within them that made them exceptional in some way. Even though none of them had his ultra-gene since his son, Aaron, they each found a way to stand out.

  “Adam!”

  He turned, surprised to see his older sister Alexis walking up to them. The nineteen-year-old wore a flannel shirt with sleeves rolled up to her elbows, jeans, and hiking boots. Her dark hair was tied back.

  She embraced her brother in a hug, which he happily accepted.

  “What are you doing here? I thought it was just dad,” he asked when she stepped back.

  “I had to come see how your first few days went,” Alexis said. “And, we have some things to discuss.”

  That sounded ominous. But Alexis didn’t seem worried. Before he could press her about it, she had turned to Abigail.

  “And who’s this?”

  “This is a classmate of mine at Rosewell, Abigail,” Adam said, falling into introductory mode. “She’s an inventor.”

  “A technopath, actually,” Abigail said, shaking Alexis’ hand. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

  “Alexis. The pleasure’s mine.”

  “I was thinking we could give her the basement tour. Something a little more substantial than what we wheel out for the laymen? I think Abigail here can handle it.”

  “I’m sure she can,” Alexis said. She raised her wrist communicator to her mouth. “Ren? We have a special visitor who’d like a basement tour. Can you see who’s available?”

  Ren gave confirmation.

  Alexis clapped her hands.

  “Well, Abigail, I hate to be a rude host and ask this of you, but do you mind if we leave you here to wait? I need to take Adam upstairs to have a bit of a family meeting, and we’re on a schedule today. Adam will come find you when we’re done with him.”

  “No worries at all. I appreciate it,” Abigail said.

  Alexis took her brother’s arm in hers and led him toward one of the elevators.

  She swiped her ID and the door opened. She hit the button for the top floor. The clear doors slid closed, and they began to rise.

  “She’s…” Alexis’ tone started teasing, which probably meant she wanted to call Abigail cute to get under her brother’s skin. But she couldn’t quite seem to get there.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Well, she looks sharp.”

  “She is sharp,” Adam agreed as they passed floors of researchers and analysts. “I didn’t understand any of the blueprints she showed me, which must mean she’s doing something right.”

  “A woman of science. We need more of those around here.”

  Adam side-eyed her. She half-grinned.

  “…Wouldn’t even have to change her name to join the family.”

  “I knew you were going there!” Adam groaned. “And no one’s ever changed their name to join the family. That’s a myth.”

  The buttons lit up one after another as they climbed higher.

  “How’s Thalia?”

  “Like a fish to water at school,” Adam said. “I think it’ll really feed her competitive spirit.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m doing fine,” he said dismissively. He didn’t really want to get into how so far he had only really been punched in the gut by a brute. “What are we meeting about?”

  “Dad should tell you,” Alexis said neutrally.

  He looked at her. “Is it bad?”

  “No.”

  But there was a fraction-second of hesitation. There was news Alexis knew Adam wouldn’t respond well to. But what was it, if it wasn’t bad? An uneasy feeling tickled Adam’s gut.

  They finally reached the highest floor, the grand foundation meeting room and its facilities. The elevator opened into a wide hallway with a carpet running down its center.

  They walked together past a few doors, to where the hall let out into an empty waiting area. The doors to the meeting room were already open. Adam followed Alexis inside.

  The meeting room was an impressive place. An arched glass half-capsule covered the room, starting at the entrance and curving down to form a viewing wall behind the head of the table. The glass was currently partially darkened to block some of the day’s sunlight, making it seem later in the day than it was.

  Dr. Aaron Atlas, tall, broad-shouldered, watched the city below as his children entered. He turned, his face lighting up as he saw Adam. Aaron had a strong resemblance to both his father and grandfather; square-jawed, with kind, bright eyes, a straight nose, pensive eyebrows, and dark, thick hair that was now being infiltrated with grey.

  He walked around, meeting Adam halfway down the table and embracing his son.

  “Adam!” he boomed in his rich voice. Pressed against his chest, Adam smelled home on him. He immediately realized how much he missed the family compound, all his siblings and cousins and aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews dropping in and out, info-dumping on him, having him taste or touch or sit in things they made or sometimes hosing them down after they caught on fire. Helping pack for expeditions. Charting routes. Planning events. All the things he was good at.

  Aaron Atlas took a seat at the head of the table, and Adam sat down to his left. Alexis sat across from him and down a few seats.

  Dr. Atlas took a deep, expectant breath.

  “So tell me! How’s Rosewell so far? How are your classmates? How’s the program?”

  “Well, it’s only been a few days, but it seems good so far,” Adam said. “I was a bit nervous at first, but people are nice there. For the most part. BASTION really spared no expense. I’m still a little worried about falling behind in the physical aspects, but I guess there’s a big diversity in what people can do there. Oh- and did you know there’s another ollyrian on Earth?! How crazy is that?”

  He spent some more time telling his father and sister about the school. He mentioned his roommates, the friends he and Thalia had made, and his classes so far. But while he talked, he could feel the undercurrent of tension in the room.

  “That’s great, son,” Dr. Atlas said. “I’m sure you’ll find it in you to do great there.”

  He shared a look with Alexis down the table. Adam noticed.

  “What are you two doing here in town? What did you want to meet about?” Adam asked. Despite the pleasantries, they weren’t here just to check on how Adam was doing at school. He knew his family. They were too practical, too goal-focused to fly across the country for a simple checkup when a multi-way wrist call would do.

  “Just tell him, dad,” Alexis chimed in.

  Dr. Atlas settled into a generous look. “I have good news, Adam. I think it’s time for you to take the next step in your responsibilities.”

  Responsibilities? Adam wasn’t responsible for basically anything in the family. Did they want him to work here at the foundation?

  “I want you to be the acting director of the Atlas Foundation’s West Coast division.”

  Oh.

  It took Adam’s brain a moment to process what was just said.

  “…Director?” He looked around at the spacious room. “Of this? All of this? And all of the stuff below it?”

  “That’s right,” Dr. Atlas said. “This place needs an Atlas at its head. Watching over it.”

  “So... so pick one!” Adam said. He leaned forward. “Dad, I’m in school. And I’m sixteen. And…”

  He knew if he said he was just plain old Adam who didn’t understand anything that happened here, his dad would have some affirmation about being an Atlas that made him right for it.

  “Why would you possibly want me in charge? I know I’m here already, but that can’t be your best reason.” He turned to Alexis. “You can’t possibly think this is a good idea.”

  She did look apprehensive. But she also didn’t argue.

  “Adam,” Dr. Atlas said, focusing him back. His hands were laced in front of him. “The rest of the family… we’re gonna be preoccupied for a while. It’s our work in Beacon City. It’s… well, it’s getting complex. The invasion created complications that we need to contain. It’s an all hands-on deck situation.”

  There it was. The sting.

  “And… I’m not hands?”

  “Dad doesn’t mean it like that,” Alexis said, reproachful. “He means, this is a very important aspect of the plan. There may be times we’re out of contact for a while. We can’t just leave this place to fend for itself. It’s too important. BASTION would nationalize our labs in a heartbeat.”

  “This place basically runs itself,” Dr. Atlas said, as if that would make Adam feel any more useful. “Our budget is doing great. Just be here a few days a week to pat backs, check boxes, cut the birthday cake.”

  He must’ve noticed his daughter giving him a look. “Am I not helping?”

  Adam’s head was down. His cheeks burned. He knew he should’ve seen this as an honor. An opportunity to help. But running the foundation was never the family calling. Adventure was. This was just confirming what Adam already knew: when the time came, when all the cards were on the table, he wasn’t cut out for it. He had to be left behind, so he didn’t slow anyone down. He knew they didn’t want to fill him in on the details of what was really happening. And he wouldn’t press them to.

  Alexis rose and tried reaching across the table to him.

  “Adam, please see this in the way it’s intended…”

  He rose, stiffly, not looking at his father or sister.

  “Thank you, father, for this opportunity.” He tried to sound stoic.

  Dr. Atlas stood as well. Adam held out his hand, and his father shook it. Adam looked him in the eye.

  “I will do everything I can to live up to the Atlas name here, and make you proud.”

  It seemed the right thing to say. He knew that later he'd be glad he said something brave, instead of having a tantrum. He was raised to be better than that.

  Dr. Atlas’ eyes were sad. Adam tried to remind himself that his father was leaving a son behind. For what, Adam didn’t know. But it must’ve not been easy.

  “I know you will, son.”

  Adam hugged his father, then stepped back.

  “I assume you need to leave promptly?”

  “Ah, yes,” Dr. Atlas said. “We’ll be taking off from the helipad. Your new assistant Kieran will walk you through anything you need to know on campus. He should be waiting on the ground floor to introduce himself. We’ll be in touch as much as possible.”

  Dr. Atlas reached forward and squeezed his son’s shoulder. He wasn’t an overly physically affectionate man, so Adam could tell he was putting in extra effort.

  “This is just the beginning, son.”

  “Of what?” Adam asked quietly.

  “Of the future. This is the start of your greatness.”

  Adam found that hard to believe, yet he nodded before he turned to leave the room.

  “I’m going to see Adam down,” Alexis said.

  “Lex, we need to be off…”

  “We always have time for family,” Alexis insisted.

  Adam felt her following at his heels through the hall. He made it to the elevator and hit the button. Alexis followed him in. She rocked on her heels as the doors closed.

  “How long did you know about this?” was the first thing Adam asked.

  “Adam…”

  He turned to meet her eyes.

  “Am I at Rosewell because it was convenient?”

  “No—”

  “Did I really save Alicia’s life that day? Is this blue eye in my skull even fucking anything at all?”

  “Of course you saved her life!” Alexis said, getting heated. “Do you really think the rest of us made some sort of conspiracy, sabotaged that wormhole generator, putting all of us in danger, just to make you feel special?”

  Adam shrunk away from her. “No. If you did, you’d probably actually make me special.”

  Alexis sighed and wrapped her arms around him. She put her head on his shoulder.

  “You are special, baby bro. I promise, we all think you are. But this isn’t the time for you to act as stupid and as reckless as the rest of us. You’re the heart of this family, and we need you to ground the rest of us.”

  She let go and rubbed his back. “Please believe me.”

  He nodded, even though he found it hard to believe.

  They were nearing the ground floor.

  “Will you be in danger?”

  “There’s always danger,” Alexis said. “And we’re always ready.”

  The doors opened back to the lobby.

  “I have to go back up,” Alexis said sadly. “I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  They hugged again.

  “Be safe. And have fun at school!” Alexis waved as the doors closed.

  Something about the doors closing over her made Adam feel uneasy. It felt different than all the others time they had said goodbye and wished each other well.

  “Director Atlas?”

  Sure enough, there was a man waiting nearby to greet Adam. Kieran introduced himself. He was skinny, and tall, light-toned, and had brackish-blue eyes. He wore square black glasses and an earpiece.

  Adam gave him a half-hearted handshake.

  “First of all Kieran, you’re not calling me anything Atlas. It’s Adam.”

  “Noted. Shall we head to find Abigail?”

  “Let’s.”

  Kieran took Adam downstairs, past extra security checkpoints. Downstairs was where all the heavy-duty projects were stored and worked on. Exotic materials, energy production, dimensional studies, potential biohazards, and certainly anything with potential military application. Not that weapons were remotely the focus of the research the foundation did. But when one did research as cutting edge as the foundation was regularly involved in, certain measures had to be taken. And of course, BASTION and the government at large were always breathing down their necks.

  “Kieran, how much about genetics do you know?” Adam asked as they navigated the underground halls, passing reinforced windows with people inside in head-to-toe protective gear.

  “Oh, I dabble sir. I try to understand a bit of every field we study here at the foundation.”

  It felt weird for a late-twenty-something to be calling sixteen-year-old Adam “sir.” Especially because Kieran’s “dabbling” was light-years ahead of anything Adam knew, guaranteed. He’d really have to adjust to this director thing.

  “I’m not a carrier of an ultra-gene, correct? I assume you’re privy to that information.”

  “Ah. No, I don’t believe you are, sir. To my knowledge, the gene was not passed down to your father or any of his siblings. And it failed to spontaneously mutate in any of your family’s genomes since.”

  Talking about it with Alexis had his eye at the forefront of his thoughts. It had to mean something. It had to mark him for something. It had to be some sort of proof he had more inside him than what he felt.

  They caught up to Abigail in the mechanical engineering wing. In the center of a room filled with machinery in various sates of development and completeness, she was leaned over a table, showing something to a group of engineers who looked quite interested. She used a marker to illustrate whatever she was discussing.

  The chief engineer looked up and did a double take when she saw Adam. She walked over.

  “Adam. It’s good to see you. You probably don’t remember me, I’m—"

  “Dr. Amy Madison.” He shook her hand. “Of course I remember.”

  She smiled. “I’m flattered. I heard you’re our new leader for the time being. Congratulations.”

  He nodded his head and did his best to look gracious.

  “Thank you. It’s my pleasure to lead.” He motioned to Abigail. “And thank you for humoring a guest. I hope it wasn’t too much of an intrusion.”

  “Are you kidding? Abigail is amazing. She’s already given some valuable suggestions for streamlining some of our projects and increasing efficiency. I’m quite impressed.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. If you don’t mind, though…”

  He called over to Abigail. “Abigail! Sorry to cut your visit short, but do you mind if we head out? We can always come back later.”

  Many times later, apparently.

  She looked up, just now noticing Adam.

  “Oh. Of course.” She capped her marker and thanked the engineers.

  “Thank you for having us, Dr. Madison. We’re gonna head out now, but I’ll see you at the next department meeting.”

  Abigail said her goodbyes, and they left back the way Adam came.

  “What an amazing place!” Abigail gushed. She started rattling off project specifics that Adam had no way of understanding.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  Her brow furrowed.

  “What’s the matter, Adam? You seem troubled. Is something wrong with your family?”

  “No. I don’t know. I’ll explain on the way back.”

  He took out his phone to get ready to call Thalia and see how the shopping was going.