For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Parts of the Android were scattered across the parking lot.
Bits of frozen metal glittered in the sunlight.
Students peeked from behind vehicles.
Teachers emerged cautiously from the school building.
Everyone stared at the heroes.
Because what else were you supposed to do when the Wheelers showed up?
◇ ◇ ◇ Kirran, however, wished they would leave.
Immediately.
Preferably before discussing what had just happened.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
◇ ◇ ◇ Blizzard appeared beside Zyla.
Streams of data floated around the AI.
The Vent scanned the destroyed android.
Then scanned Kirran.
Then scanned the ruined taser attachment.
A long pause followed.
Kirran didn’t like that pause.
Not one bit.
Finally, Blizzard spoke.
“Analysis complete.” Kirran winced.
Here it comes.
The shattered remains of the android ◇ ◇ ◇ “The android possessed a rubberized exterior.” “Electrical attacks would have been ineffective.” “Estimated success rate of Mr.
Killian’s strategy: three percent.” A student nearby coughed.
It sounded suspiciously like laughter.
◇ ◇ ◇ Kirran lowered his head.
“Three percent?” Blizzard tilted its holographic head.
“That estimate may be generous.” ◇ ◇ ◇ Somewhere behind him, Raymond snorted.
Traitor.
Jarrick immediately burst out laughing.
“THREE PERCENT?!” The EDFD represented humanity’s best and brightest.
Their heroes protected cities, responded to disasters, and fought threats most civilians would never even hear about.
“Oh, that’s incredible.” “You actually attacked it with a taser.” “What was Plan B?” Kirran folded his arms.
“There wasn’t a Plan B.” “Yeah.” “We noticed.” ◇ ◇ ◇ Zyla closed her eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Then opened them again.
“You should not have done that.” Kirran nodded.
“I know.” “You could have been seriously hurt.” “I know.” “You could have been killed.” “I know.” ◇ ◇ ◇ Zyla paused.
Then smiled slightly.
“But…” Kirran looked up.
◇ ◇ ◇ “I admire your courage.” The words caught him off guard.
“You saw someone in danger.” “You acted.” “Most people would have frozen.” She glanced toward the frightened woman, who was now speaking with police officers.
“You helped save her.” Kirran blinked.
Nobody had said that.
Not yet.
“You really think so?” “I do.” Blizzard nodded.
“Statistically speaking, the woman had a significantly higher chance of escaping because the android redirected its attention toward you.” Kirran smiled.
A little.
Then Jarrick ruined the moment.
“Still dumb though.” Kirran sighed.
“There it is.” Blaze pointed.
“We were waiting for it.” Jarrick tossed the broken taser attachment back to Kirran.
The damaged equipment landed with a sad clunk.
“You need a better weapon.” “I’m a teacher.” “Exactly.” “You have access to books.” Kirran stared.
“What does that mean?” “I don’t know.” “It sounded cool.” Raymond crossed his arms.
“I liked him better when he wasn’t talking.” “Most people do,” Zyla admitted.
For a moment, the tension disappeared.
Everyone laughed.
Even Kirran.
Mach’s icon appeared on his display.
“I am pleased to confirm that Mr.
Killian remains operational.” “Thanks, Mach.” “Although his decision-making processes require further evaluation.” Kirran groaned.
“Not you too.” The heroes looked at Mach.
Mach looked at them.
An awkward silence followed.
Blaze finally spoke.
“Oh wow.” “A Vent that sounds normal.” Mach blinked.
“I am uncertain how to respond to that.” “See?” Blaze said.
“He’s weird.” Suddenly, Blizzard’s expression changed.
Its eyes flickered.
New data appeared.
Emergency alerts.
Location markers.
Threat assessments.
Zyla immediately noticed.
“What is it?” “Bank robbery in progress.” The holographic display expanded.
A map of Citron City appeared.
Red warning symbols flashed across downtown.
“Multiple armed suspects.” “Estimated civilian casualties increasing.” Jarrick grinned.
“There we go.” “Now that’s a real emergency.” Kirran watched as the siblings prepared to leave.
Part of him expected that.
Heroes were always moving.
Always saving someone.
Always needed somewhere else.
Still…
He felt strangely disappointed.
◇ ◇ ◇ Before launching skyward, Zyla looked back.
Directly at him.
“Mr.
Killian.” Kirran blinked.
“Yeah?” “Keep helping people.” The smile she gave him was genuine.
Warm.
Encouraging.
“The city needs more people who care.” For a moment, Kirran couldn’t think of anything to say.
Then Jarrick pointed at him.
“And stop attacking killer robots with tasers.” “Got it.” “Good.” The thrusters ignited.
The Wheelers shot upward.
Blue and red streaks carved through the sky.
Within seconds they were gone.
Only fading trails remained.
The parking lot grew quiet.
Students slowly returned to their conversations.
Police continued their investigation.
Life resumed.
As if nothing had happened.
◇ ◇ ◇ Raymond helped straighten Kirran’s damaged chair.
“What were you thinking?” Kirran smiled faintly.
“I wasn’t.” “Clearly.” Mach’s icon appeared.
“I agree with Raymond.” “Everybody agrees with Raymond.” “Because Raymond is usually correct.” Kirran laughed.
Then looked upward.
Toward the sky.
Toward the fading trails left behind by the Wheelers.
◇ ◇ ◇ Heroes.
Real heroes.
People who could fly.
People who could save lives.
People who made impossible things look easy.
A small voice deep inside him whispered something dangerous.
Something hopeful.
Something impossible.
What if that could be me someday?
Kirran quickly dismissed the thought.
Ridiculous.
Impossible.
Completely unrealistic.
And yet…
As the last traces of frost and fire disappeared beyond the clouds…
The idea refused to leave.