Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"Now that the family is complete," Doctor Roberts announced with a smile as he watched the large Nano-LED TV, displaying Collins and Michael join the rest of his invitees.

"Brief me on my guest again, Rita." He added, while his Personal Assistant stood by his side, tapping her Droypad which displayed detailed information.

"Marcus Robbins, twenty five year old and a citizen of New Canada." She paused. "Occupation, Pianist."

He nodded.

"Theodore Wolfhard, twenty five year old and citizen of Rivernea. Occupancy, Lumberman and an interior designer."

"Lola Daramola, twenty three years old. Citizenship, Republic of Africa. Occupation, Doctor."

"Collins Adenuga, nineteen years old. Citizenship, Republic of Africa. Occupation, None." He noticed the hesitation that briefly appeared on her countenance.

"According to confidential information from the military sources of Rivernea, he's a suspected criminal who stole classified weapons from several bases." She muttered in a disturbed tone while he simply nodded.

"Michael Howard, nineteen years old and a citizen of Area X. Occupation, none and according to the continent's sources, he's wanted for illegal emigration."

"And lastly, Ariel McCoy, fifteen year old and a citizen of Utopia. She's a top agent of The Sh---"

"I think that's enough." Doctor Roberts interjected while she nodded courteously. "So what do you think, Trevor?" He turned his head to the right. Smiling at his stern looking agent whose arms were crossed.

"Look at them," Trevor muttered in a disappointed tone. With his gaze on the plasma that revealed Marcus grabbing Collins collar, Michael roaming aimlessly, Theodore being sarcastic, and the ladies who were calmly seated.

"It has only been few minutes and they're already into arguments. This team doesn't look like they can comprehend each other for us to reach endgame." He added.

"Marcus is simply here for the money. Theodore despises you, your industries and I'm very sure he wouldn't be a fanatic of your agenda either. Collins and Michael are the most useless, they neither have aim nor plans for their lives except their love for dubious acts. In one sentence, both of them don't even deserve to be in The Shining." Trevor sighed.

"The only ones capable of the job, Doctor Roberts, is Lola and Ariel. Their compassion, determination and aim can prove useful for us."

Doctor Roberts nodded as he tucked his hands into his lab coat pockets.

"What do you think, Rita?" He asked as he faced her.

She sighed as she glanced at the Plasma.

"Incompetency and their wild personalities can be quite a problem." She stared into his eyes. "What do you think, Doctor Roberts?"

He smiled as he returned his gaze to the scenery he secretly enjoyed. He loved Trevor's realistic approach to the truth and also Rita's optimism but what he thought of them was way beyond a team. He considered them a family.

"I think this is our perfect selection." He muttered in a grand gesture. "They'll certainly make the perfect team than the last."

Trevor sighed while Rita wore a worried expression.

"Service! Give my guests a welcome speech, will you?" He ordered to his Super AI.

"Yes sir." The overly soothing voice sonorously encompassed the room.

"Now let's go meet the team, shall we?" He stated again, deriving another round of pleasure from the shocked faces painted on his guests.

"Doctor Roberts," Trevor held him back before they reached for the elevator. "Are you sure about this?" His agent asked in a deep concerned tone.

"Hundred percent." He avowed as he glimpsed at their faces briefly before picking pace.

###########

"Okay, this is creepy!" Collins blared as the lights returned.

"Welcome to The Shining." Doctor Roberts pronounced with a grin as he stood in their front alongside Rita and Trevor.

"Okay," Collins chattered as he sauntered away from Marcus whose entirety were still consumed in awe. "Let me start with the church or the fact that we're in a room that is perhaps thirty feet underground or the stupid video and how you magically appeared in front of us with your minions!" He gestured. "How about that?"

He chuckled, finding Collins amusing while the others stared like enchanted beings.

"Hold on, what the hell is happening here?" Marcus voice arose with awe that still hinted. "I thought there was supposed to be an opening party, Doctor Roberts." Marcus queried.

"I'm confused too." Lola chirped. "You said the The Shining was a research institute where I was supposed to research on a vaccine cure for Area X's epidemic."

"Me three!" Michael interjected with a frown. "You said The Shining, was a new company in needs of cars Collins and I wanted to scam."

Eyes darted to Collins and Michael while Doctor Roberts arched an eyebrow with his smile deepening.

"You're the most stupid person I've ever met!" Collins growled while Michael giggled. "I'm sorry, Doctor Roberts." He nervously chattered. "My friend here as a rare disorder that makes him talk rubbish or act stupidly sometimes. We're legit! Trust me."

Doctor Roberts once again grew amused with Collins awkwardness.

"What kind of disorder?" Lola queried while Collins stammered.

"St-stoopidatism....yes stoopidatism!"

"Yes I have st-stoopidatism!" Michael affirmed with a nervous laugh.

"I don't think that disorder exists!" Lola answered.

"That's why I said it's rare, you can't possibly know about it." Collins remarked while Michael nodded in agreement.

"I'm a medical Doctor by profession and I can proudly declare that there's no such thing as stoopidatism!" She avowed causing Collins to stutter once again.

"Don't worry, Miss Lola, let me show you." Doctor Roberts muttered and once again all attention fell on him.

"Mr. Collins, do you have my card with you?"

"Yes," Collins answered, slipping it out to the open. Doctor Roberts nodded before heaving a light sigh.

"Why do you ask?"

"Now tap on the circle that shows The Shining."

Collins hesitated for seconds before tapping in reluctance.

*********

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"How we can successfully scam a famous billionaire!"

*********

His mouth opened agape and his eyes exclaimed as the card played. The others started to inspect their cards suspiciously.

"Each of you, your cards contain a Microelectromechanical system which records everything you do, as long as it is within a near proximity." Doctor Roberts calmly explained. "So you don't need to put on an act, Mr. Collins and Michael."

"Well, you still haven't answered our questions." Marcus icily toned.

"Ah yes!" Doctor Roberts chirped. "Be rest assured that all your questions will be answered in due time. But first!" He paused.

"Let's begin with the introductions." He paused again while taking sharp glimpses of their facial expressions.

"My name is Doctor Roberts Shanghai and this is Trevor Cooper who preferably likes to be called The Trainer." He said as he gestured to his right while Theodore rolled his eyes.

"And this is Rita Ma---"

"Quit your yapping, Doctor Roberts and let's get on to what The Shining is all about!" Collins rudely toned. "Cos I know very much I'm not a mutant with Special Abilities."

"Me neither!" Michael quickly denied.

"I'm not either." Lola joined too. Doctor Roberts watched amusingly how they all swore in denial except for Theodore and Ariel. Who retained their silence.

Doctor Roberts heaved another sigh. He had expected this attitude all along but it wasn't their fault either. They were simply denying the truth for their own safety.

"I guess I have to do this the hard way." He mentioned. "Rita, play Michael's recording."

She sharply tapped on her pad, wirelessly connecting the recording to the stereo sound system of the room.

*********

"My powers." Michael's voice blared throughout the room. "Invisibility and Phasing. I knew you would come to this party. To steal."

"Two powers eh, you're gifted."

"And let me guess, your only power is Teleportation?" Michael queried.

"I wouldn't call it Teleportation, I'd prefer Telewarping."

"Telewarping? Does that word even exist?"

"Look it's my powers and I choose to call it whatever cool name."

"Yeah you're right!"

*********

Doctor Roberts smiled at their shocked faces. Precisely Collins and Michael, whose awe was beyond comparative with the others.

"Thank you, Rita." He voiced. "If you permit me, I can show the others. Mr. Marcus, Theodore, Miss Lola and my lovely Ariel." He paused again.

"With my influential position, if I wanted, I could easily report you all to the authorities. And I believe we're versatile with how it's going to play out. Some of you might be sentenced to death or jailed for life."

"What do you want from us?" Theodore asked. Doctor Roberts hesitated for seconds. His smiley face drowned into sternness.

"There's a terrorist attack happening in few months time. It's going to be big and perhaps a replica of the catastrophe that happened in 2020." He paused. "I want to recruit you all into my team, to stop a disaster from happening."

Collins scoffed.

"This is a waste of time. In fact! This is absurd." He declared while he inched closer. "You gather a group of amateurs and tell us to stop a terrorist attack? Do we look like soldiers to you?"

"This is beyond the military and every defence capability." He answered.

Marcus huffed.

"If the military are incompetent what makes you think we are?"

"Because you're like them."

"You're calling us terrorist?!" Lola scorned.

"What I mean is, this terrorists are people like you. Gifted." He answered while silence reigned amongst them. "And believe me, no military system can combat the powers you have or they have."

"So what now, you called us here to sign into something dangerous and risky. A war that could take our lives." Collins referenced. "What makes you think we will succumb to your bidding?"

"Two things." He grinned at them. "We could do this the easy way. That is, I will give you all whatever you desire plus an added bonus of three hundred million Pillings each."

"And what is the other thing?" Michael replied.

Doctor Roberts heaved a sigh.

"The forceful way. If you all refuse to join The Shining, then you leave me no choice but report you mutants to the authorities. Collins, just imagine what fate will befall you and your friend if I send this recording to New Canada authorities." He finished and another wave of silence dawned amidst them.

"Prison or join The Shining. The choice is yours guys."