Only Superhuman Read Online Free PDF Page B

what we do, right? The nicknames, the colorful personas, the media attention?”
    She smiled just a bit, the reminder of their old joke bringing an echo of amusement. “Because you read too many comic books as a kid?”
    He smiled back. “No more than you. What’s the real reason?”
    She recalled his old lectures. “Because power breeds mistrust. You wanted us to be inspiring, not intimidating. An army of mods would only create fear, but a league of superheroes is another matter.”
    “That’s right. We first Troubleshooters … we came along at a time when the Striders needed heroes to believe in, so they made us that. Something larger than life, iconic, pure.” He shook his head. “After the war … when the allies retreated into nationalist bickering and power grabs … that symbolism they’d projected onto us was one of the only things they still agreed on. We knew that need for heroes wouldn’t last indefinitely—but we took it and nurtured it, built on the mythology of the Troubleshooters, so that we and, more importantly, you could hold on to the Striders’ trust as long as possible.”
    “Is that why you made me go through with this? Made me look like a hero when I’m not?”
    “No, Emerald. Because you deserved it. I know it doesn’t feel like that to you, but that’s exactly why you do deserve it. If we’re to be worthy of that trust we’ve earned, we need to be able to question ourselves. To face our mistakes and our flaws openly, so we can keep ourselves honest. Your capacity for questioning yourself is part of what gives me so much confidence in you.”
    He clasped her shoulder. “But as with most things, you tend to overdo it. Self-doubt is responsible, but self-flagellation is merely an indulgence. Keep your balance, Green Blaze. Don’t overcorrect.”
    “I understand.” She placed her hand over his, gave a brief reassuring smile. “It’s all about control. I won’t lose that again. I won’t let myself,” she added firmly.
    But Sensei didn’t seem reassured.
    Vanguard habitat
5:3 Kirkwood Gap, Outer Belt
    Eliot Thorne replayed Emerald Blair’s speech on the soligram stage, studying her every expression and movement as he circled the solid projection. Beside him, Psyche did the same, but not so silently. “She shouldn’t be so hard on herself,” she said. “She did really well, considering. She’s even stronger than I expected.”
    “Given who her father was, I expected no less,” Thorne replied. “Though it is gratifying to know our genes remain dominant when crossbred.”
    She pouted at his solemnity. “You don’t sound gratified. Cheer up! She did everything you hoped for, and then some.”
    “Mm. But as a Troubleshooter. Not a Vanguardian.”
    “Isn’t that what you wanted? I mean, after I went to all that trouble to get that tip to Medvyéd anonymously.…”
    Thorne smiled, clasping her shoulder. “You did well, Psyche.” She basked in his praise. “Our prodigal son’s daughter has done the Troubleshooters proud, and Earth will be suitably grateful—and suitably alerted to the dangers of their isolation. They will respond as anticipated—and that will in turn provoke the response we seek.”
    Psyche turned back to the soligram, stroking its simulated hair. “I’m sorry she lost a friend, though. A face that beautiful shouldn’t be so sad.”
    “Don’t let it trouble you, my dear. She has survived worse.” He paused the image and leaned forward, gazing into those immense emerald eyes. “As she will survive the trials that face her in the months ahead. And finally, when she is left with nothing else, she will still have us.”
    TSC Headquarters
Demetria
    As Emry attacked her, Koyama Hikari felt the battle peace descend over her and reminded herself not to kill her best friend.
    Normally, killing Emerald Blair would be far more easily said than done, but she had been running herself ragged since her return from Earth space. She trained relentlessly