“I did,” she said. “It was… embarrassing for me too.”
Malcolm was suddenly picturing her naked, in the shower. He bit his lip, trying to push the image away before it got him too worked up.
“Was Multi the one who stood and watched?” he asked. “I can’t imagine that was much fun.”
“No,” said Tapestry. “Anna was. She’s been a champion since Day One of the Phenomenon, though I’m technically her superior here, now.”
“How did that happen?” asked Malcolm.
“It’s a long story,” said Tapestry. “Focus on getting washed up.”
Malcolm shrugged, and ran his hands through his wet hair. It felt oddly thrilling to have her watching him, now that the situation was underway. He glanced back at her as he ran his hands across his stomach and crotch. She was still blushing, and it was hard to tell if her interest in watching was purely limited to “standard procedure”, as she’d put it before.
“Finished,” he said, after a couple more minutes.
Tapestry blinked, and then cleared her throat.
“Right.” She walked over to one of the lockers and pulled out a folded set of clothing. “You can have these to wear, for now. Your other clothes will be returned to you when you leave.”
“Fine by me,” said Malcolm.
He pulled the clothes on, a white t-shirt, white sweat pants, and white socks. He felt a little like he was joining some kind of cult, and had just been through the initiation process. Tapestry seemed more relaxed, now that the showering was done, though a bit of weird tension still lingered between them.
They walked further down the metal hallway, and it exited out into what Malcolm assumed was the dome’s main room. It took up a full half of the spherical space, the roof curving several dozen feet overhead.
The center of the room held what looked like a command station, with several computer terminals, currently manned by copies of Multi. The one in the center looked up as Malcolm and Tapestry approached, nodding to them.
“Is he ready for orientation?” asked Multi.
“Yeah,” said Tapestry. “Can I bring him in?”
“Go ahead,” he said. “I’ll activate the projector once you’re inside.”
Orientation? Maybe this is going to be a bit like a cult, after all…
She led him around the edge of the room. There were stairs leading up to a second level, and Tapestry gestured for him to follow her up. They passed of dormitories on the way, with the walls inside each room lined with more bunkbeds than they could ever need, from the headcount Malcolm had taken up to that point.
“Do you guys get a lot of visitors, or something?” he asked.
Tapestry glanced over at him, and smiled and nodded.
“All of the Champion Authority HQs are designed to be able to accommodate a small army,” she said. “That’s what it sometimes takes to handle a spryte or a demon that’s running amuck.”
Malcolm wanted to ask her more about that, but she stopped in front of a new doorway and waved him inside. He walked into a small movie theater, complete with massive speakers, a projector and screen, and the requisite darkness. He took a seat in the middle row. Tapestry remained standing behind him, shutting the door and cutting off the last bit of light.
He didn’t have to wait long for the movie to start. The speakers crackled to life, and the projector turned on. Music played, sounding like something out of the 1950s, and a simple caption appeared across the screen.
“So you’ve discovered that you have a super gift?” muttered Malcolm, reading it out loud. Tapestry hushed him.
The scene cut to an open, grass field, and a handsome older man with a nice haircut and an expensive suit walked into frame, smiling cordially.
“Hi there,” said the man. “I’m Savior, Head Director of the Champion Authority and United States Senator. You may remember me from such historical events as the signing the Champion Peace Accord in Brussels, or the Battle of Port Adelaide.”
The scene shifted again, now to a basketball court. Savior walked back into frame, this time wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts. He smiled to someone off screen and caught a pass.
“You may be confused and a little scared of what’s happening to you. I’m sure you have many questions. The most important thing to keep in mind can be described by a simple acronym – SUPER.”
The acronym appeared for a moment as a caption in front of Savior’s grinning face, and then the scene shifted again. He was in the back of a pizza place, wearing an apron and sliding a massive wooden spatula into an oven to pull out a pizza.
“S stands for scientists,” said Savior. “Unfortunately, scientists are still working to explain what’s happened to you. The energy that allows you and I to use our ‘superpowers’ is not currently understood. However, in each case where scientists have looked closer, the powers have never been shown to technically violate the laws of physics.”
Savior was riding a bicycle into frame, pulling to a stop in front of the camera and wiping sweat from his brow. Malcolm watched, totally bewildered by the video’s overall choice of direction.
“U for using them responsibly,” said Savior. “The Champion Authority’s goal, above all else, is to teach you to use your powers responsibly. It takes time, practice, and resolve, but with a little bit of moxie and an open mind, you can be a force of good for the world.”
Another scene change, this time to the beach.
“P for, uh…” Savior frowned and looked like he was reading a cue card off screen. “Please! P for please. Please keep in mind that while you can affect the world with your powers, your powers will also affect you. All side effects of body load and mental euphoria are to be reported directly to your local branch of the Champion Authority.”
The scene switched. Savior was back in his suit, filling out a form at the bank.
“E, which stands for enhance,” he said, in a half-whispered voice. “You will be issued a special wrist-worn champion stabilizer, which will enhance your powers and allow you to control them more effectively. Take good care of it. These things aren’t cheap to replace!”
A laugh track played in the background. Malcolm almost couldn’t believe it.
“And finally,” said Savior, standing on top of a tall building overlooking a city. “R, for remember. We must always remember that we have a duty, as champions, to fight against the sprytes and the demons. It’s part of the deal we’ve been given in receiving our gifts. The world is counting on both me and you!”
Savior grinned at the camera, setting his hands on his hips and puffing his chest out. The 50s music played again, and a short list of credits rolled by. Malcolm scratched his head as the lights in the theater turned on. He stood up and walked toward Tapestry, who was waiting by the door.
“That was… interesting,” he said.
Tapestry gave him an odd look.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
“It was like was like something out of the Golden Age,” said Malcolm.
“And?” she said, sounding a little annoyed. “It was filmed in a classic style.”
“Right…” Malcolm shook his head. He couldn’t tell if she was being serious with him or not.
“Anyway,” she said. “Multi is going to want to speak with you some more, and you’ll have to get your stabilizer equipped. But that’s probably just about it for today.”
Malcolm furrowed his brow.
“Am I going to be living here now, or…?”
“No, no, don’t be silly,” said Tapestry. “Multi and Anna live here, but only because they aren’t from Vanderbrook originally. I’ll drop you off back at your apartment once we’re finished.
Malcolm nodded. Tapestry led him down the stairs and back into the main, open room.
CHAPTER 7