Chapter 4: A New Beginning

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John leaned forward.

"Selene, I understand the idea."

He glanced at his children.

"But they're ten."

Selene nodded.

"I know."

"They're our children."

"I know that too."

John's expression became protective.

"They've already been through enough."

Sarah placed a hand on his arm.

Selene remained calm.

"I'm not asking you to send them into combat."

John paused.

"Then what are you asking?"

"Education and training."

Selene pointed toward the folder.

"Supervised training. Controlled environments. Medical support. Psychological support. VIREX protection."

Finn spoke.

"They're already targets, John."

John looked at him.

Finn continued.

"That's the reality now."

He looked toward Alex and Mia.

"Valeria exposed your family. Everyone knows who they are. Eventually, someone else will come looking."

Sarah frowned.

"You're saying training them makes them safer."

"I'm saying leaving them unprepared isn't safer."

Silence filled the room.

Mia looked at her parents.

"What do you think?"

Sarah looked at her daughter.

"I don't know yet."

Alex raised his hand.

Everyone looked at him.

"Can I say something?"

John smiled.

"Go ahead."

Alex sat up.

"I want to do it."

Mia looked at him.

"Alex."

"What?"

She looked at him.

"You don't even know everything about it yet."

"I know enough."

Alex looked toward Selene.

"Does this mean we get to train at VIREX every day?"

Selene nodded.

"Yes."

"Use the technology?"

"Yes."

"Practice our powers?"

"Yes."

"Fight robots?"

Selene smiled.

"Possibly."

Alex looked at Mia.

"See?"

Mia couldn't help smiling.

"You're such a nerd."

Alex grinned.

"You're just jealous."

Mia looked back at Selene.

"Would Jamie and Ethan be allowed to visit?"

Selene paused.

"If your parents approve, yes."

Mia nodded.

"And would we still be able to see them?"

"Of course."

Selene looked at John and Sarah.

"This isn't about taking their childhood away."

She closed the folder.

"It's about giving them an environment where they can have a childhood while safely learning how to live with abilities most people will never understand."

Sarah looked at John.

John looked back at her.

They didn't need to say much.

They both understood the risks.

But they also understood something else.

Their children were never going to be ordinary again.

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INT. CARTER HOME — LIVING ROOM — MOMENTS LATER

John finally looked toward the twins.

"How do you both feel about it?"

Alex immediately raised his hand.

"I vote yes."

Mia laughed.

"You don't have to raise your hand."

"I wanted to make it official."

John smiled.

Then he looked at Mia.

"What about you?"

Mia thought for several seconds.

She looked at Alex.

Then at her parents.

Then at Finn.

Finally, she nodded.

"I want to try."

Sarah smiled.

"Are you sure?"

Mia nodded.

"Yes."

Alex smiled.

"Super school."

Mia shook her head.

"That's not the official name."

"It should be."

Selene closed the folder.

"Then there's one final matter."

Alex looked at her.

"What?"

"Before you officially begin, there are several things you need to understand."

Alex's smile faded slightly.

"Like what?"

Selene looked at both twins.

"Being a VIREX Junior Agent isn't a game."

Alex glanced at the television.

The paused Hero Clash screen was still visible.

Selene continued.

"You will train to protect people. You will be expected to follow instructions. You will learn when to fight, when to run, and when to ask for help."

Mia nodded.

"And if we're scared?"

Selene answered immediately.

"Being scared doesn't make you weak."

She looked at both twins.

"It means you're human."

Finn smiled faintly.

"She's right."

Alex nodded.

"Okay."

Mia looked determined.

"We'll do our best."

Selene stood.

"That's all I ask."

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EXT. CARTER HOME — FRONT YARD — LATER

Selene and the VIREX agent walked toward their vehicle.

Finn remained behind.

He stood with John and Sarah near the front door.

Alex and Mia were inside, already arguing about who would get the first turn in the new training simulator.

Their voices could be heard through the open window.

John smiled.

"They're excited."

Finn nodded.

"Good."

John looked at him.

"You really think they're ready?"

Finn looked toward the window.

"No."

John raised an eyebrow.

Finn smiled.

"I think they're ready to learn."

Sarah nodded.

"There's a difference."

Finn looked toward the sky.

"Exactly."

John placed a hand on Finn's shoulder.

"You'll train them?"

Finn looked at his younger brother.

"Of course."

John smiled.

"Then I guess they're in good hands."

Finn nodded.

But neither of them noticed the small flicker of light high above Nova City.

A tiny point of light appeared in the afternoon sky.

It remained motionless for several seconds.

Then it disappeared.

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