AN HOUR LATER

The police and campus security cordoned off the building, and the surrounding area. Presently, they were keeping back onlookers, mainly students coming back from parties, D & D games, or just trying to get some sleep. A news crew set up nearby, covering the incident. Moments later, an official vehicle approached. The driver flashed an ID card, and was escorted to a triage.

"Welcome Major. Detective Floyd, UCPD. I've just been briefed. Whoever they were, they were efficient. They were able to cut off all video surveillance in the area."

"I see. I understand there were casualties?"

"Unfortunately, yes. The chief researcher, his staff, a security guard, and... these two." He indicated towards an area covered with a plastic tarp. As it was removed, it showed two corpses. One looked as if his skin was burned to the flesh. The other... well, all that was left was his lower half.

"On this guy, we found this." Said the detective showing a smart watch. "We had an electronics specialist check it out. It looks like a fitbit, but the circuitry's all wrong"

"I see." He knew who was responsible. For security reasons, he couldn't reveal it, but the watch confirmed it.

Heaven help us all.

It was then that he noticed the news crew. No doubt Jill Hooper reporting on another 'exclusive'.

"Were they given a statement?"

"Yes sir." Said his aide. "For all the public knows, someone raided the labs for equipment to sell on the black market."

"Good hopefully she'll..."

"Detective! He's alive!"

"What?"

"The Guard! They were able to revive him!"

"I need to speak to him NOW" said the Major.

Moments later, they arrived at the ambulance. After a moment of flashing badges and making not so vague threats, they were able to talk to the guard. From a few brief statements, he learned about the glowing package.

This was bad. It seemed that the professor was able to separate one of the orbs. And that, along with the plaque, was missing. At that moment a CAST agent approached him.

"Sir, Eta Rho spotted something."

"Where are they?"

"At the house."

MINUTES LATER AT ETA HOUSE

To all appearances, the house of the Brothers of Eta Rho was a typical Greek house on fraternity row. The reality was far different. It was in truth, a field office, recruitment, and superhuman training center secretly funded by CAST.

The Major arrived to find three of the brothers in the main hall.

"Welcome Major."

"Hello Tom. What do you have for me?"

"These two were on patrol duty. Camboy, show him what you found"

At the mention of his name, the youngest of the three closed his eyes and concentrated. A few moments later, a nearby TV came to life, displaying the area where the bodies of the two henchmen were found. The image focused on a group of bushes that was glowing with an eerie green. Just then two burly men, most likely the deceased corpses from earlier, appeared. Suddenly, whoever was in the bushes came out, revealing a female in a green power armor, firing some sort of weapon at one of the attackers.

"There's something else. Watch what happens next."

Moments later, the second henchman collapsed. The recording then focused on a nearby area where the silhouette of someone was visible. As the individual backed away towards a discernible light source, it revealed a young blond female wearing a green jumpsuit, with a significant PSI symbol.

"Psyche" said the Major. "Just what we need. A rogue hero."

"We don't think he had anything to do with what happened, but..."

"She's unregistered, which is bad enough. Let's continue."

After watching the display, the Major spoke up.

"Interesting. Whoever she is, she somehow managed to obtain and activate the orb." Just then, his datapad came to life. After reading his messages, he continued. "All of Jaquish's staff are accounted for, save one. A lab assistant. Has anyone found her? This is what she looks like." He said, showing a photo from an email attachment. "Her name is Maria Esteban, age 20. She started work about a month ago."

After examining the photo, Tom spoke up. "Camboy, zoom in to that first part, when that girl came out of the bushes."

The young man concentrated again, bringing up the earlier scene before the fight started, closing in on her face.

"It's her." Said the Major. "Get an APB out for her, and get me in touch with the Citadel. Code Blue!"

SOMEWHERE IN UNION CITY

Alrick arrived at his hideout. A temporary headquarters for his purpose. He passed by rows of researchers and technicians while he pondered. Aside from the murder of his mentor and the missing orb, it was a great success.

"Sir, The council is online, and await your results." Said a technician.

He sighed. Now to convince these fools that the entire operation was not a cock up.

"I will see them."

He walked into a darkened conference room. On various screens, flashed icons, representing the high council of TEMPEST, from various parts of the world.

"Explain." Said a vaguely European voice, which vibrated throughout the room.

"We have recovered the artifact, and obtained all of Professor Jaquish's notes."

"Professor Jaquish is dead, an orb is missing, and CAST is involved."

"The professor was... uncooperative. I had offered him a chance to join us, but he refused. I had nothing to do with his untimely demise, but I assure you that those responsible have been... corrected. The missing orb was... unanticipated, although I expect its immediate recovery. The involvement of CAST is... regrettable, but not completely unexpected."

"We understand the orb has been activated. How do you plan to retrieve it if you cannot find it?"

"Simple." He said pulling out Maria's purse. "We know who took it."