The heavy, soundproof door to the private room shut out all the noise outside. Inside, the lighting was soft and understatedly luxurious.
Four figures were already seated quietly in the room, their expressions solemn and their nerves taut.
The instant they saw Solomon push open the door and enter, all four rose almost simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized, their eyes filled with awe and excitement.
"Mr. Translucent!"
Solomon looked calm as he walked slowly over to Gecko and lightly patted his shoulder, his tone easy and relaxed.
"Sit down, everyone. No need to be nervous. Something held me up on the way, so I'm late. Gecko, introduce your friends."
Gecko quickly nodded in acknowledgment, his manner growing even more deferential. Turning slightly, he raised a hand and first pointed to a fair-skinned young man with a gentle demeanor beside him, beginning the introductions.
"This is Thermal, Brandon Keating. His ability keeps his skin temperature constant. Supe durability."
Next, he turned and pointed to the burly Black man in the middle of the group.
"This is Scavenger. His ability rapidly breaks down and absorbs all kinds of toxins and poisons. Supe durability."
Finally, he looked at a short, unremarkable-looking young white man.
"This is Hamster. His core ability is a storage space built into his mouth. His physical attributes are closer to an ordinary human's, and his durability is weak."
The three men nodded in greeting as they were introduced, their expressions reserved but unable to hide their excitement, disbelief shining in their eyes.
They were all low-level experimental subjects in Vought's Research Department, tools used for repeated data testing year after year, low in status and valued by no one.
Scavenger's daily work was especially grueling and arduous. Almost every day, he was forced to come into contact with and