#dark sci-fi

Olly has plenty of things to do and little time to do them in. Kerubiel and Thressl are going to help by contacting Khopesh, Lullay, and Nanael. Likely Cedric will be looped into this- after all he’d sent Thressl and Kerubiel to check on him when his vitals became erratic for seemingly no reason.

Olly pauses as he thumbs his vox bead before sending a message to Felix. The older Primaris Ultramarine is- unnerving in some ways. Not just because he’s a Chaos Marine- although that is a large part of it.

“Oleandros.” The Chaos Primaris Marine says curtly. “I am curious as to why you of all people are contacting me brother.”

“I have a… favor,” Olly says the words slowly, carefully tasting the words- there is a… bitterness to them that has him wondering if this is the right choice.

“Oh?” Felix says, sounding a little bit more curious and focused on his fellow Primaris Ultramarine.

“Yes- and I’d like to discuss it in person- at the Park on Main Street at Gannet point in an hour if you have time.” Olly replies.

“I’m always up for helping my brothers,” Felix says- and he is- for a price. After all- nothing comes for free. “And I have time available today to speak with you.”

“Thank you, brother,” Olly says, one must mind their P’s and Q’s when asking a favor.

Olly wonders how much debt he’ll rack up with this favor, alas, he will do this for Jophiel- for Lullaby. And- Olly’s eyes slide away, Felix enjoys having others in his debt- and he knows that the other will cash them in. He will do what is necessary to protect those he cherishes. 

The park is overflowing with greenery and stone. There are some plastic and metal play structures for young baseline humans in the middle distance. Olly approaches the bench that Felix is seated at- with Batsy leaning against a tree while Mic is fiddling with some- mechanical thing.

“Oleandros.” Felix greets Olly glancing over the younger Primaris Ultramarine trying to cold read information out of him.

Olly inclines his head slightly, as he approaches Felix- both of them are in armor- while Olly’s taken off his helmet and mag locked it to his hip. Felix is helmeted. Olly has a large rock- he’d snagged one on the way to the meeting place- his hands carefully not-worrying away at it as he carefully not-eats it. He knows that messing with eating stone- to those that know him- is a sign of stress- well can be at least.

“Felix,” he greets back simply. For a moment or two- there is silence, stillness the wintery wind fainting weaving its way through the chinks in their armor.

“You sounded… hesitant.” His gaze flicked across Olly’s face, cataloguing micro-expressions with Astartes precision. “That is unusual for you. You have always struck me as direct.”

Olly exhaled slowly through his nose.

“I am being direct,” he said. “I require assistance. The nature of that assistance… is delicate.”

Felix’s mouth curved faintly — not quite a smile. More the suggestion of one.

“Delicate matters are often the most interesting.” He gestured toward the bench. “Walk with me.”

They moved along the promenade at a measured pace, their strides naturally synchronizing, a relic of decades of drilled formation marching neither had consciously chosen. Batsy and Mic watch them move on. Olly knows that with their Primaris acute hearing that the other two will hear everything else they say.

“For whom is this favor?” Felix asked.

Olly pauses as he thinks over what to say, “... Myself- and Jophiel.” 

He doesn’t add in Lullaby- as he doesn’t want them to get into Felix’s cross hairs. Anrir and Hura would be more than a little annoyed if certain things were learned about by Felix -who’d use that information for his own benefit. Be it keeping secrets or selling it to the highest bidder. He’s watched- well- overheard such mutterings more than once and knew how to put two and two together to paint a picture that was more fuzzy for others to put into focus.

“What’s up with Jophie?” Batsy calls out, while Felix raises an eyebrow.

Batsy is fond of Jophiel- the younger son of Sanguinius is rather sweet and someone that Batsy flies with regularly. Olly isn’t entirely sure if Batsy being fond of Jophiel is entirely a good thing.

“There is a First born blood Angel- Faroh,” Olly starts carefully, “... He was on Mars- during the training of the first wave Primaris.”

“And that’s relevant how?” Felix asks.

“... He was involved in the genealogical management and experiments with fertility and cross breeding programs.” Olly says. “... And wants to begin those experiments again.”

“I see why you want him dealt with.” Felix says after a moment of silence. “You will need to lure him out of wherever hole he is in for us to… eliminate the threat.”

“I have a plan in place for that- and… he’s given an Ultimatum.” Olly says.

“Let me guess- hand over Jophiel by the end of day or else he starts talking about secrets?” Felix deduces.

“Yes.” Olly says with a nod.

Batsy’s wings flare in agitation at that, “That shithead.”

“Of a sort yes- Nanael and I are going to bait and trap Faroh- and bring him to a secondary location for you to… ensure he’s no longer a threat.” Olly says.

“I think we can come to an accord.” Felix says pleasantly. 

“Good.” Olly says with a nod.

“Do you want to know what we do to him?” Felix asks.

Olly shakes his head, “I’d rather not know what… you do to him. Only that he’s no longer a threat.”

“Fair enough.” Felix says with a nod.

“... How much is this going to cost me?” Olly asks carefully.

“Oh you are giving us a new… person to amuse ourself with- so long as you and yours catch and hand him over… only one favor of a similar value to be cashed in later.” Felix responds with a razor sharp smile. “It's a pleasure doing business with you brother.”

Olly… Olly doesn’t know how to respond to that- what to say to that. He knows that in part- Felix is helping with this- because it’s in Felix's best interest to keep certain aspects of Primaris - that are non-Rubicon Primaris- quiet. Self interest is a powerful motivator- especially for Chaos Marine types.

“I will message you once it’s done.” Olly says to Felix.

The other Primaris marine nods. “I will await your call- should you need more aid- that will cost another favor.”

“I will keep that in mind.” Olly says with a nod. “I have several more things to do today in rapid order.”

Felix waves him off and Olly turns away and heads off to where Claude is- having Claude be the one to tell Khopesh will likely be better? Hopefully at least. He sends Claude a message.

[I need to speak with you privately.] Olly sends the message to Claude.

[Where do you wanna talk?] Claude responds quickly. [Are you ok?]

[I am adequate. Will talk more in person away from ears and eyes.] Olly responds.

[Wilco.] Claude responds. 

Olly sends a message to Claude the coordinates of where he wants Claude to show up. He pauses in a decently light and shadowy place and there are a pair of night dark eyes that blink out of his shadow as Claude steps out of Olly’s shadow and looks him over.

“What’s going on?” Claude asks.

Claude’s gaze sweeps the area automatically, habit layered over instinct. His posture is casual in the way of someone who could vanish into the nearest shadow without warning. The night-dark of his armor drinks in the low winter light, making him appear more absent than presence.

Olly studies him for a long moment, jaw working faintly before he speaks.

“There is an individual resurfacing,” Olly says quietly. “Firstborn Blood Angel. Name Faroh.”

Claude stills — not outwardly, not to baseline perception — but Olly knows him well enough to catch the subtle tightening in the line of his shoulders.

“That name sounds unpleasant,” Claude replies evenly. “Should I already hate him?”

“Yes.”

Claude exhales once through his nose. “All right. Continue.”

“He was present on Mars during early Primaris development,” Olly says. “His specialization involved… genealogical oversight. Fertility manipulation. Cross-line experimentation.”

Claude’s expression goes flat in a way that is almost more alarming than anger.

“And he wants to resume this work,” Claude says, not asking.

“Yes.” Olly replies, one of his shoulders twitching as he turns the rock in his hands to dust as his fingers squeeze it tightly.

“And he has leverage,” Claude adds.

Olly inclines his head once.

Claude’s eyes narrow slightly. “Leverage involving who.”

“He’s discussed his demands with me.” Olly hedges a little bit.

“What is Faroh’s ultimatum?” Claude asks, glancing at Olly.

“Produce Jophiel by end of day,” Olly says. “Or he begins disseminating information regarding unauthorized lineage experimentation and certain… anomalies present within Primaris conversion data… And he goes after Lullaby.”

Claude mutters something sharp and Low Gothic under his breath.

“I assume,” Claude says, “that complying was never under consideration.”

“No.” Olly says shaking his head, “He’d only twist the deal to make it more suitable for his tastes.”

“Good.” Claude responds. Claude folds his arms, thinking rapidly. Olly lets him. Claude is very good at this part — assembling threat maps, social vectors, worst case spirals. “What is your current solution?”

“Nanael and I will lure him,” Olly says. “Contain him. Deliver him to Felix.”

Claude’s head snaps up. “You already spoke to Felix.”

“Yes.” Olly replies slowly, it’s not a decision he made lightly.

Claude closes his eyes briefly. Claude doesn’t curse- but that is a very near thing.

“That,” he says carefully, “is a very expensive choice.”

“Yes.” Olly agrees scratching one of his cheeks, and he hopes it’s not a choice that will haunt him too much in the future.

“How expensive?” Claude asks.

“One favor. Equivalent value. To be determined at his discretion.” Olly responds, he makes sure to say it softly, lightly, gently.

Claude stares at him. “Oleandros.”

“It was the most efficient path to guaranteed removal of threat.” Olly says jaw jutting out a little in stubbornness.

“That was not my question.” Claude says with a sigh.

Olly meets his gaze evenly. Claude sighs slowly, dragging a hand down his faceplate ridge. Making deals with Chaos was… never in the favor of the ones who were more desperate.

“All right,” Claude says. “We will survive Felix’s future whims later. What do you need from me now?”

“Khopesh must be informed,” Olly says. “Discreetly. He will notice if Jophiel’s behavior changes or if Nanael and I begin acting unusually. I would prefer he hear it from someone he trusts who can present it… with care.”

Claude tilts his head slightly. “You mean not you.”

“Yes.” Olly says, “It would seem more natural if you spoke to him- I worry that Faroh may be monitoring my movements.”

“That’s fair,” Claude says bluntly.

Olly accepts that without offense.

“Is Jophiel aware?” Claude asks.

“No.” Olly says his gaze looking away from Claude at his quiet admission.

Claude swears again, quieter this time.

“He deserves to know before he becomes bait by accident,” Claude says.

“He will,” Olly says. “But not until containment planning is finalized. Panic could compromise safety.”

Claude studies him for several seconds, weighing that.

“…You’re right,” he admits reluctantly. “He’d try to confront Faroh himself. Or worse, volunteer.”

“Yes.” Olly winces- as flighty as Jophiel could be at times- if there was a threat to someone else he’d stand firm as any Astartes would.

“Stars, he absolutely would.” Claude says with a wince. “Got an idea how to handle him?”

“Lullaby and Jophiel will be together in a safe place- Jophiel as part of a look out to keep them safe.” Olly says. “You or Khopesh or someone else can talk about the two of them about things in a less… unpleasant way.”

They lapse into brief silence, wind stirring fallen leaves across the stone path.

Claude shifts closer, lowering his voice further. “What is the failure scenario?”

“If Faroh escapes,” Olly says, “... Faroh will - at least he implied that he’d go after Lullaby and release certain… Mars made alterations to the Primaris that are non-rubricon to those that may use it against those who have it.”

Claude nods once. He understands exactly how catastrophic that cascade could become.

“All right,” he says. “I will tell Khopesh. Carefully. He will want to help.”

“I expected as much.” olly says with a hum.

“Are you going to let him?” Claude asks.

Olly hesitates — very briefly — but Claude notices.

“…Within controlled parameters,” Olly says.

“That means no,” Claude translates.

“That means minimized exposure." Olly responds. 

Claude considers arguing, then decides against it. Not because he agrees — because he knows Olly has already optimized risk calculations six steps ahead.

“Where do you want Khopesh to meet me?” Claude asks.

Olly sends the coordinates through a short-range burst across their shared channel. Claude’s visor flickers acknowledgement.

“One more question,” Claude says.

“Yes?”

Claude studies him with an intensity that has nothing to do with tactics.

“You’re doing this because it is correct,” he says. “Or because you care about Jophiel personally.”

Olly pauses.

The stone in his hand gives a faint, brittle crack under unconscious pressure.

“…Both,” he admits.

Claude nods once, satisfied.

“Good,” he says. “Those tend to be the choices worth making.”

He steps backward, already dissolving into shadow. The darkness gathers around him like a cloak reclaiming its owner. Only his eyes remain visible for a moment longer.

“Try not to owe Felix two favors in the same week,” Claude adds dryly.

“I will endeavor to maintain fiscal responsibility,” Olly replies.

Claude snorts softly, then vanishes entirely.

Olly stands alone again in the winter park, vox bead warm against his temple, the weight of impending violence settling across his shoulders like a familiar mantle.

He checks the time.

Antagonists

Black Hole - Main Antagonist of Book 1. Alien from Pluto, trying to take over earth as a last ditch extra credit project for his AP Government class. Can absorb any attack and reflect it back

Miss Recluse - Recruited by Black Hole. Has the human sized body of a Brown Recluse spider and the head of a human and poisonous fangs. Can do everything a spider does, and is a bit of a drama queen. Besties with The Magician

The Magician - A sorcerer from the dark ages who accidentally transported himself to the future with no way back. Uses a lot of dark magic that includes illusions- favorite spell to use is blue fire that is immune to water and can burn through metal and stone. Dr. Strange meets Dr. Faciler.

Mr. Cyanide - Recruited by Black Hole, eventually becomes a solo high level threat villain, main antagonist of book 2. Mad scientist with a deadly knack for chemistry. Only cares whether his experiments work, couldn't care less if they hurt or kill people.

Boss Lady - a Mafia boss who is colossally tall and wide, and incredibly strong. Big stronk woman who is working with/for the Snow Queen (her loyalties or questionable). Does have standards but also tortures people for the fun of it so....?

Blood Debt - Loner (mainly) vigilante who rides around on a motorcycle and kills anyone who he sees fit is deserving of dying, or whoever he gets paid to kill. Does jobs for the Snow Queen, and under the mask he is someone one of the heroes is very close with...

Nightmare - a small time, low threat villain that doesn't actually hurt anyone. Her powers put people to sleep and she takes their energy from them. A freshman/sophomore college student with an engineering major. More of an anti-hero vigilante if you squint.

The Snow Queen - The big bad for the last three books. Only an urban legend/rumor until the last two books. Has ice powers that can control tech and people. No one knows her identity and she is holed up in her lair most of the time, sending minions/Boss Lady or Blood Debt to do anything outside the lair. She is someone all of the heroes know very well :)

Plot

A bunch of rookie teenage superheroes and their journey to becoming the heroes and protectors of their city, and eventually the world, and most importantly- a family. With all of the chore rotations, late night grocery runs, fights for the shower, and everything else that happens along with the action. Full of full scale super powered fights, betrayals and confrontations, cool tech and superpowers, and everything we love about the superhero genre.

Book 1 - The Initiation

Book 2 - The Hunter or Hunted

Book 3 - The Shadows

Book 4 - The Snow Queen

Book 5 - The Forsaken

(all the titles are placeholder titles for now)

Extra Stuff

Chase is a caffeine addict and not only can, but has on multiple occasions mixed coffee and energy drinks

Kylee uses sign language or a text to speech app to communicate, or if she has neither goes old school and writes things down

the city is based on a combination of Chicago and Gotham City

Nickelle has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister who are inseparable, 8 and 5 years old

Nickelle also has a huge extended family that's more traditional and she has to tone down her punk look for family gatherings

Asher's boyfriend is Damian. Damian finds out about his partner's double superhero life when Asher saves him in the mask, and like a dumbass, Asher forgets to turn on his voice modifier and Damian recognizes his voice immediately

Damian is also a Chekhov's Civilian and becomes a vital part of the plot

Nightmare and V have a little enemies to lovers romance that's mostly in the background is is really just there for comedy

The Magician gets a redemption arc and becomes the Hero Team's weird morally gray uncle

Kylee has a brother who is in the US Navy. He is one of the few people that she is comfortable being fully unmaksed around at the beginning of the books, and he is deployed during the events of the books.

Bryson has a weird relationship with his dad, who raised him all by himself and is a full time EMT. Bryson really wants to tell his dad about his double superhero life because it's driving a wedge between him and his dad, but it's not safe and Bryson's not sure how his dad will react

And finally, some memes for your viewing pleasure:

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