Another Short Story

I wrote this story and submitted it to an anthology.  Unfortunately, it didn't get picked, but here it is.  I will be reworking it before publishing it officially.  Until then enjoy.

The Track Meet

Ace’s first view of the Pacific Northwest Testing Facility for Exceptional Athletes was impressive. It sat in the middle of nowhere in the eastern Oregon high desert, dominating the landscape for miles around. It looked very much like other arenas she’d seen, just on a massive scale. Huge grandstands, lots of parking and hundreds of billboards for the various sponsors that used the facility.

The lower track, the one on the ground, was an eight-hundred-meter oval. Suspended above it with anti-gravity engines were two more. The middle track was four hundred kilometers. The top most, well above the ground to make it easier to protect spectators from sonic booms, was eight hundred kilometers. Each layer was protected by shielding, energy nets, and wind buffers.

Since the sun was just cresting the horizon, the whole thing looked surreal. The upper tracks, which were semi-transparent, were bathed in golden light, making it look like the grounds had two massive halos.

“It’s prettier than I had expected,” Angela said. They were sitting in the back of their parents’ SUV while their dad drove. Mom was riding shotgun. Their roommate and fellow hero of the Exceptionals Enforcement Division, Emily, was sitting in the middle row with their younger brother Aaron, much to his discomfort. It had nothing to do with his being the only normal in the car either. All Exceptionals had above average looks to go with their superhuman abilities, but Emily was positively stunning. Easily one of the most beautiful women Ace had ever met, Aaron was single, and only a few years younger.

“All of Amy’s races will be on the upper tiers. The lowest track is for all the sub-sonic races,” Ace’s dad explained as they got closer.

“Last year we got here late and almost missed her first race. Traffic really starts to pick up once the sun’s over the horizon,” mom explained.

They’d been on the road for four hours now. Ace, Angela, and Emily had teleported from New Davenport to her parents’ place. In the four hours that they’d been driving Ace still had not gotten used to being in a dress.

Normally she was a jeans and t-shirt kind of person unless she was on duty. As a lieutenant in charge of one, the EED Hero Units Ace tried to be as professional as was required. On her days off, though, she liked to be comfortable.

Unfortunately, in order to come watch her sister’s meet, she’d had to adopt her never before used alter-ego, Alison Smith. Almost no one knew that Ace the Fifth, the most powerful Exceptional ever born, had a family. A very famous family. Her father was the First of the Fourth Generation of Exceptionals. And her great-great-grandfather was the First Exceptional, Abraham Smith the First.

When she and her twin sister Angela had been born, decisions had been made to protect both of them and their family. That’s why Ace lived thirty hours away, and only ever used her hero name. It’s why Angela had been in seclusion until just recently. Now they were going out in public in disguise, all so they could see their little sister possibly break a world record.

“Ace… I mean Alison, are you sure you’re going to be okay?” mom asked, again.

“Don’t worry mom, it will be fine. As long as there isn’t a terrorist attack I think I’ll be able to keep myself in check,” Ace replied. She wasn’t half as confident as she let on. Alison Smith’s personality was very different from Ace’s. Figuring that out had taken weeks. She needed to be different, but not so much that it would get suspicious. It was a headache.

-Hey, it will be fine. You ARE Alison, don’t forget, we’re just having you highlight different aspects of you, Angela said.

-Easy for you to say. People still don’t believe you even exist, Ace replied. Angela’s ability to communicate telepathically was awfully convenient at times. Why Ace could talk back they didn’t quite understand.

Since Angela had been in seclusion most of her life people still thought she was Ace, well at least people outside of New Davenport. That, and her Mental Class powers keeping people from recognizing her was why she wasn’t doing much to disguise herself. It wasn’t fair.

-Life’s not fair, sis.

-Quiet, Ace snapped.

More than a terrorist attack happening, she was worried that someone was going to recognize her. People that found out who she really was tended to vanish. The old man took the protection of his family pretty seriously.

“I’m sure everything will be fine. The EED has sent some of their big hitters from across the northwest. And don’t worry, none of them are people you personally know. I double checked,” Ace’s dad said. Just because her parents were only Regs, Registered Exceptionals, it didn’t mean they’d lost all their contacts with the EED.

“Anyway, because Amy is one of the top contenders, we get one of the private boxes. We’ll be able to watch any of the events we want in real time,” Ace’s dad continued.

“Mr. Smith, how exactly will this work? It’s my understanding that your daughter can run two, maybe even three times the speed of sound.” Emily asked.

Aaron answered her. “That’s the reason for the upper tracks. A single lap around the upper oval is eight hundred kilometers. It’s where runners like Amy who can exceed the sound barrier by multiple times have their races. The middle track is for those who can just hit the speed of sound and the lower is for sub-Mach races. Usually, those races are for Thirds and Fortress Class. I can’t think of a Fourth Generation Speed Class that can’t at least reach the sound barrier.”

“Do you know your sister’s top speed?” Emily asked. She turned her full attention to Ace’s brother. To his credit, Aaron kept his cool. “We don’t. She hasn’t turned twenty-one yet,” that was when all Exceptionals hit the peak potential for their powers. “She didn’t get a chance to get to the testing facility before the meet to log a new top speed. They are making her use last year’s.”

Emily frowned. “But wouldn’t that cause problems with her overall ranking?”

Aaron shook his head. “Amy’s an upper-tier and the organizers know it. She nearly had the records for her races last year. At the worst, she’ll be in the first heat, which is usually the slower heat.”

-She’s going to be the pinnacle of all Speed Class. That’s a hell of a burden to carry, Angela said.

-Really? Something you’ve seen? Ace asked. There was a lot of fame attached to the unofficial title of “Pinnacle”. There weren’t many Exceptionals of the Fourth Generation who came close. Emily was one of them. Her Mental Class powers were shockingly powerful. She’d very deliberately avoided testing their limits. She didn’t want to know if she was the pinnacle or not.

-We’ll talk later. That was Angela speak for yes. She just didn’t want to elaborate. Ace was just glad her sister was the one with the prophecy power. The idea of knowing the future did not appeal to her.

Aaron was still explaining how the track meet worked for Emily as they pulled into the parking lot. The lot was huge. There were trains for people to ride to get to the stadium, and there were trains for people to get to the other trains. It was probably a logistical nightmare.

Thanks to their status as VIPs, and the parents of a top competitor, Ace’s family was able to get a front parking space. As everyone piled out of the SUV, the trepidation finally set in. Ace smoothed her dress and adjusted the wide-brimmed hat that Angela had given her to keep off the sun.

It was hard not to feel a little out of place. She’d spent the last few years figuring out her place in life. And she’d found it in the EED. Of course, she’d missed her family, but not seeing them was something she’d come to terms with. Now, now she was taking a chance, a risk to be a part of their lives again.

-You worry too much sis. Things are going to be fine, Angela said. There was a reassuring calm in her twin’s voice.

“Alison, Angela, we’re heading in,” mom called. Ace took a deep breath and followed her family into the massive stadium.

The box they were assigned was on the upper tier of the stadium. There were overstuffed chairs, tables and a bar with snacks and various drinks waiting for them. The wall that would have faced the track was made up of a single ClearScreen monitor. One of the facility’s staff walked them through how to use the screen so they could watch various events and keep track of when Amy was going to run. Already there was an audible buzz from the gathering crowds, even within the box.

“Is there anything else that I can do for you?” the young man asked once he’d shown them everything.

“I think that’s it,” dad said. “Thanks for your help.”

“It’s my pleasure, Mr. Smith.” He turned to leave, but then stopped and turned back. He looked incredibly nervous.

“Was there something else?” dad asked. Ace was pretty sure she knew what was coming. The young man cleared his throat and held out a notebook. “Could I get you and your wife’s autographs? I don’t know if you remember or not, but you saved my grandfather’s life during the war. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.”

Without missing a beat Ace’s dad nodded. “Sure, what’s your name son?”

That’s what life was like for her parents. There was a reason they lived on a remote farm in the backwoods of southeastern Oregon. They were famous, not only because of who they were but because of their actions during the Exceptionals War. Mom and dad were true Heroes.

Once the young man left, thanking both of Ace’s parents profusely, Angela started setting up the monitors. “Are there any other events we want to watch?”

“I’d like to see the throwing events. Some of the throwers might be able to qualify for the next Exceptionals Games,” Aaron spoke up. He was at the bar pouring himself some orange juice.

The Exceptionals Games were held two years after the Olympics. They had all the same events, they were simply modified for Exceptionals. There were only a few countries in the world that had facilities capable of hosting such an event. The US was one, the Exceptionals Kingdom of Siberia was another.

“Okay, throwing events, anything else?” Angela asked. “Alison, you have anything particular you want to watch?”

Ace shook her head. “Just Amy’s races, please.” She couldn’t believe how she had to talk as her alter-ego. Alison was softer spoken, and much more polite than Ace was. Not that Ace was rude, normally.

-Not rude, just very blunt.

-Shut up.

“Mom, dad, you guys have anything in mind?”

“Why don’t you just put one section on each of the tracks? That way if we see or hear anything interesting it will already be up?” mom suggested. Their mom was a practical kind of person. As Angela finished setting up the screen, the announcers and crowd noise sharpened and increased.

The morning went well, for the most part. As Aaron had predicted, Amy was running in the first heat for her race that day. Because Speed Class like Amy had to consume massive amounts of calories pre and post-race they were limited to one event a day. Amy was running the two-hundred-kilometer sprint that morning.

“Ladies and gentleman we’d like to bring your attention to the races beginning on the top track.” The announcer’s voice was broadcast so everyone could hear. “Today, racing in lane eight is Amy Smith, daughter of Abraham and Alison Smith. Last year Amy nearly broke the Exceptionals World Record for the two hundred. Due to a scheduling foul-up, she was unable to get a good seeding for this meet. We’re just glad she’s here.”

The section of the screen that Angela had tuned to the upper track split, half showing the start where the racers were lining up, the other to the finish line. “What kind of times are we expecting from these runners?” mom asked.

Dad pulled out his device, and after tapping the screen a few times said, “None of them can get much beyond Mach two, so about five seconds.”

“Last time Amy ran she hit four and a half seconds,” Aaron supplied.

“Yeah, but I don’t see her going all out in this race. All she has to do is come in first or second to make it to the semifinals,” dad added.

Ace had a different view on the race. She’d spoken with Amy a few nights ago and her sister had said, “I’m tired of people doubting my commitment as a Speed Class. I’m going to make a statement at nationals. They are going to know that I’m serious.”

There was no doubt in her mind that Amy was about to do something amazing. As Ace watched her sister on the screen, she could feel her heartrate pick up.

“And the runners take their marks.” The crowd was enthusiastic, but most people weren’t as interested in this race. They knew that Amy was so much faster than everyone else in her heat. To them, it was a forgone conclusion that she was going to win, and besides, it was a qualifier, not even the finals.

“There’s the gun!” Ace’s heightened senses picked up the series of muffled sonic booms that were muted from the screen as eight upper-tier Fourth Generation Speed Class started off. Unlike normals, Exceptionals hit their top speed much faster, the laws of physics-bending to their will. Ace counted the booms and her fists clenched in her lap. There was one extra.

“And in an astonishing display of power, Amy Smith hits Mach three and destroys the world record!”

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the screen. Ace looked up in time to see the other racers cross the finish line. “And we can confirm that for this race there were no false starts. Amy Smith records an astonishing time of three point two seconds!”

The cameras panned in on Amy. Unlike Angela and Ace, Amy took more after their dad, with her dark hair and tanned skin. She stood at the finish line barely breathing hard, surrounded by astonished runners. And at that moment Ace knew that her little sister was not done yet.

“She did it! I am so proud of her!” mom said, a little loudly. Ace gave her a pass though. Mom was always a bit more enthusiastic when it came to Amy since they were both Speed Class.

“And that was just the qualifier. Imagine what she’s going to do in the finals!” dad added.

Everyone’s excitement was palpable. Even Emily was caught up in it. Ace could feel her own enthusiasm and knew she had to step out for a moment and calm down.

She slipped away quietly, not wanting to dampen the other’s celebration. Out in the main thoroughfare, it was starting to get pretty crowded. Still smiling with her sister’s triumph, Ace blended into the flow of people.

-You going to be okay? Angela asked.

-Yeah, just need to get my powers back in line, Ace replied. Unlike every other Exceptional Ace had precise control over all her powers, to a point. She could even shut them completely off if necessary. However, the more emotional she got, the harder they were to control. If, in a state of excitement, she let out a shout of joy for her sister she could kill someone. Taking a moment away was necessary. Angela would explain to everyone else.

-Just be careful, her sister warned.

That last sentiment was not so much a concern for Ace’s safety, but for those around her. As Ace the Fifth she could walk down the street, or in a crowded venue, and allow her powers to keep her safe. Enhanced reflexes, expanded proprioception, enhanced senses, a kinetic barrier that allowed people to flow around her harmlessly made her life a breeze. Alison, on the other hand, couldn’t do any of those things. Alison was supposed to be a normal.

Finding a way to make her appear normal had been the most difficult thing for her and Angela to work out. Even though she could turn her powers off, they responded reflexively if there was danger. And apparently, having someone run into her and knock her over was considered a danger. Finally, they’d tried having her invert the kinetic barrier, so instead of reflecting, nullifying, or absorbing the energy of an impact, she had it direct it towards her. That had done the trick. As long as she concentrated on keeping the field inverted, she was fine. Rather, her powers didn’t reflexively defend her. She actually had to pay attention.

The experience was surreal for her. She’d had her powers her whole life. For as long as she could remember Ace was feared, shunned, and even worshipped because she was so much stronger, so much more dangerous than every other Exceptional in the world. Even in a situation as simple as walking in a crowd, she was isolated literally and figuratively by what she was. Now, as Alison, for the first time in her life, she just blended in.

For the first time ever she had to move out of people’s way. She had to excuse herself and say sorry for bumping in to people. It was a profound experience. So profound, in fact, that she lost herself to it.

And suddenly she bumped into something quite a bit more solid than everyone else and she fell backward, hard, on her butt. Because she was who she was it didn’t hurt, but it was most certainly embarrassing, especially when she saw who she’d run in to. He was a towering Fortress Class. Probably eight feet tall and even more ripped than any other she’d laid eyes on. Fortress Class were all easy to spot. They were huge, nearly all of them born with the Massive Quirk. And the bigger they were the more powerful they were, which meant this guy was in the upper-tier of the upper-tier of Fortress Class.

-Wow, he’s hot, her sister supplied.

-Quiet. She was right though, but it wasn’t in the same way as a movie star or a model. No, there was a genuine attractiveness to him that was hard to quantify. And that’s when Ace realized she was staring.

“I am so sorry!” she exclaimed.

He knelt down, offering his hand. “Not at all, it is my fault. Are you okay?” His voice was deep and smooth. Ace felt herself blushing as she took his hand, which was unusual. She rarely blushed, even when she was embarrassed, which at that moment was her primary emotion.

-Remember, your Alison, not Ace right now. Looks like you’ve internalized your alter-ego better than we thought, Angela said.

-What the hell is that supposed to mean? Ace demanded.

-I’ll tell you later. For now, enjoy. And with that, her sister put mental distance between them.

“I’m okay, really,” Ace said, keeping her voice Alison like. She took the offered hand, which dwarfed hers. Unlike Fourth Generation Fortress Class, Ace was not huge. She was in fact of average height, for a woman, and she had an athletic build. It caused her no end of grief because her technical classification was Fortress Class, and no one believed it.

“Are you sure? You look a little pale.” She could see the genuine concern in this man’s face and that made the situation worse. With seemingly no effort he helped her to her feet. She brushed her skirt back into place, cursing Angela for making her wear it.

“No really, I’m fine. I didn’t mean to run into you. I was just trying to get back to my family,” Ace said. She was having to choose her words differently, act differently, respond differently. Under the added strain of conversation with an attractive stranger and her embarrassment, it was driving her insane. The sooner she got back to their room the better.

“Let me help you. I can make it through this crowd much easier,” he continued. “My name is James, James Smith.”

Ace nearly burst out laughing. At his look of confusion, she explained, “My name is Alison, Alison Smith.”

They shook hands, both being very careful, though for similar, but different reasons. “You said you could get through the crowd easier?” she said. The laughter had eased some of her nerves.

“Yeah, I’m flight enabled and as one of the coaches I have permission to use my powers during the event,” he explained. That’s when Ace realized that he was wearing running pants, and a polo shirt with, what she assumed was a team logo embroidered on it.

“Which team?” she asked.

“I coach the New Davenport University team,” James replied.

-Oh crap, Angela said.

“That’s nice. But why are you up here instead of down on the track?” Ace asked, brushing aside her sister’s panic. If this guy hadn’t recognized her by now, he probably wasn’t going to. Besides, he was really good looking.

“I’m actually hoping to convince Amy Smith to transfer to our school. I know it’s a long shot, but we could really use her. I tried hard when she was back in high school, but she wanted to be where her big brother was. I’m hoping by talking with her parents I can convince her, and them.”

It was a little more complicated than that. Amy had actually considered New Davenport University but had decided against it. She didn’t want to run the risk of anyone figuring out her connection to Ace.

“Anyway, where are you headed? You said you were trying to meet up with your family?” James looked down and Ace caught the slightest hint of… something in his eyes.

-Oh, he likes you, Angela supplied.

-Bull. And I thought you were giving us some privacy, Ace snapped and realized that was a dumb thing to say to her sister.

-So you are at the very least attracted to him. That’s just too funny. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything, Angela said.

-You had damn well better not! I don’t have time for a boyfriend, and especially one who likes my alter-ego!

Ace’s last boyfriend had been one of her squad-mates in the military. The relationship had not ended well. She had a handful of first dates that had also ended badly. James seemed like a nice enough guy, but there was always a lingering doubt that eventually any relationship would wither and die under the strain of dating the Fifth.

“My family is in room five ten,” Ace said. She suspected that he knew which room her family was in if he was coming up to speak with them.

He did a double take and the realization dawned on him. “Five ten- wait are you Amy’s sister?”

Ace nodded. “And while I won’t discourage you from speaking with my parents, I can say that Amy probably won’t change her mind. She’s happy where she is.”

James shrugged. “I have to at least try.”

“Well, like I said, I won’t stop you. You mentioned you were flight enabled?” She was starting to get hungry. Unlike her little sister, or her mother, or most other Exceptionals, Ace didn’t have to eat, ever. She still got hungry, and thirsty, but if necessary she could simply ignore it. That did not mean that it was a pleasant experience.

“That’s right, and if you don’t mind, I’ll just carry you back.”

Ace smiled. “That would be just fine.”

Without further invitation James bent and scooped her up, very mindful of her modesty, and took to the air. It was a strange sensation to be carried by someone flying, instead of doing the flying herself. And she had to admit, he was an excellent flier. It was a short distance, all things considered, and when they touched down outside of room five ten she was sad that it was over.

-Holy crap, you’re falling for this guy hard.

-Shut up. You and I both know it would never work.

Ace stuffed her emotions down and put on a pleasant mask. She opened the door and made introductions. As she suspected her parents were polite but firm with James. Surprisingly, he was very polite and not at all pushy. He made his points, and when they turned him down, was gracious in defeat. There was just something about him that was unlike any other man she’d ever met.

“Well, I’ve got to get back to my team. If you would pass on my congratulations to Amy. That was quite the race. It’s so exciting to see her run,” James said once it was clear that Ace’s parents weren’t going to budge.

“I’ll see you out,” Ace offered. Why she did was a mystery to her.

Out on the concourse, James handed her a card with a number written on the back. “If you ever find yourself in New Davenport, give me a call. I’ll show you around the city.”

“Thanks, I will.” She hated lying, but it’s what Alison would have said. And if Alison was ever in New Davenport she would look him up, but that was never going to happen. She watched as James once again took to the air. He turned and waved to her before flying off.

Not for the first time in her life, Ace hated everything about who she was. How it seemed like all her meaningful relationships were doomed from the start, even those that never had a chance to start.

-Hey, you never know sis.

-Yeah, I do, but thanks anyways. At least she would always have her family. And that was enough.