Edith sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose as she watched the footage of Axion's meeting with the gang lieutenants. It had been a tense versation, but the girl had mao establish some kind of tentative truce. A win, albeit a small one.

  As she reviewed the footage, she hat Axion's gravikinesis appeared to be improving, at least in terms of its range and stability. Her TFSI reading stayed low, but her EEG readings spiked dramatically pared to her previous metrics. Maybe there was an inverse corretioween them?

  If she used her gravikinesis to affect herself or objects within her viity, theFSI reading would increase while her EEG activity stayed retively stable. However, the more she extended her reach to objects beyond her immediate sphere of influehe lower her TFSI reading would be while her EEG activity increased.

  Was the former tied to a scious exertion of gravitons, and the tter associated with a subscious geion of them? She still o dig deeper. Regardless, this was still promising progress. Now, they just o iron out some of the finer details...and expand Fii's arsenal of abilities.

  She stepped back from the monitors, chewing on a thumbnail thoughtfully.

  All that was well and good, but the real problem was the amount of Metahumans that resided within the slums.

  Edith thought that the only Metahuman who resided in the slums had been Virgil.

  There was no news ossip of any roaming around causing trouble since she'd moved here over a year ago. Even experts from the Metropolis had assumed this was the case, thanks to the general ck of information.

  But now...not only did she find out that a guy named Kenzo was one, but apparently, the sub-leaders of the four majangs were all also Metahumans. Add Virgil into the mix, and that made six knowas in the slums. Seven, if you ted Fii.

  Apart from them, were there any others? How many lived hidden in the slums?

  Wait—so... Virgil khat she was clueless wheold him that Fii was the first metahuman born in the slums. Then why the hell didn't he correct her?

  Rrrgh...that infuriatingly stubborn jerkface. He must've ehat little moment of his...

  It's as if he gets off on funting his knowledge while knowing more thas on. I'll strangle him for this, I swear.

  Edith huffed and adjusted the hem of her coat, stomping around her b in annoyahe irony of her situation was not lost on her. Here she was, a researcher who'd dedicated her career to the pursuit of knowledge, a a simple gun-toting viginte knew more than she did. The more she dwelt on this, the angrier she became.

  Well, screw that. At least he still believed that Fii was a natural Metahuman, as opposed to a product of her geic tampering. Right now, that was the only silver lining she could think of.

  Helix's monotone voice drew her from her thoughts.

  [Dr. Weiss, the analysis of the venom and Shiver samples is plete. As suspected, parts of their chemical positions tain pounds that may increase the effectiveness of the metahuman serum by a small margin. However, without further researd testing, it is impossible to determihe actual efficacy of such a bination.]

  "Hmm, is that so..." Edith mused, leaning against her desk and tapping her . "Give me a summary of the details."

  Helix responded immediately.

  [The venom sample tains a bination of alkaloids, peptides, and proteins in its oxin. These pos have the potential to increase the serum's absorption rate and cellur metabolism, potentially enhang the transformation.]

  Edith nodded, intrigued. "And the Shiver sample?"

  [Simirly, the opioid pound found in the Shiver sample improve the serum's delivery meism, increasing the likelihood of the geic modifications taking root.]

  "Iing." Edith narrowed her eyes, pag across the room. "But, bining these samples poses a risk of adverse reas. Unless we isote and synthesize the useful pos individually, iing the ingredients would require signifit adjustments to the serum. Is there any other possibility?"

  [ive. The current data does not indicate the presence of simir pounds withiahuman geself.]

  Helix's sensors whirred quietly as it analyzed additional information.

  [However, if we are able to analyze the Adrenomancer formu, we may gain more insight.]

  "Are you referring to Salvatore's inal formu?" Edith paused iride, crossing her arms as she sidered Helix's proposal.

  Ever since Virgil had brought up the topic of the Mad Chemist, she'd been uo shake off the idea of unc the secret behind the Adrenomancer formu.

  The implications of being able to reverse-engineer and adapt the drug for her experiments would be huge, but also dangerous. From what she'd researched, the formu tained highly unstable substahat required a plex synthesis. An unrefined mixture could potentially kill the user before any beneficial effects maed.

  Moreover, Salvatuarded his secrets closely. Information about the specifigredients, their quantities, and how the drug was delivered was not readily avaible.

  On top of that, Salvatore was still active. He ran his operations from the Metropolis and owned several subsidiaries. He also had a work of bck market dealers and chemists produg various drugs for distribution in the underworld. The ces of him notig aempting to replicate the Adrenomancer formu were fairly high.

  But, if he was stirring up trouble in the slums, then maybe he would send more Adrenomao deal with the nuisanot to mention that Axion might e face-to-face with them. That in itself would provide an invaluable opportunity for her to acquire a sample of the drug.

  "Helix, what do you suppose is the ce of Salvatore implementing a fail-safe on the Adrenomahat get captured? I'm specifically referring to an automatic kill switch of some sort, an in-built toxin, perhaps. Or maybe a dead man's switch...something like that." Edith stopped pag and gazed at the s as she awaited Helix's reply.

  [Probability is high. Based oa I've analyzed from past reports, Salvatore appeared to have incorporated a "dead man's switch" within their genomes.]

  The monitor shifted to dispy footage of Adrenomahat had been captured by Superheroes in the past.

  [These Adrenomancers suffered severe seizures before they expired, likely as a result of a being released within their system. Reasons for their deaths remain unclear; however, a 92% probability exists that they resulted from internal causes.]

  Edith frow the footage, noting how each Adrenomancer experienced intense muscle vulsions before they perished.

  "What about the harhat they wear? Does Salvatore install any fail-safes into the device itself? Has anything of the sort beeioned in the reports?" She kept her eyes on the s as she tinued analyzing the video.

  [Affirmative. There have been s of the Adrenomancer Harness being recovered intact. The meisms of the device, along with the chemicals used, are either destroyed or damaged beynition. Furthermore, the harness ot be removed by the user; failure to do so results in catastrophic repercussions to the subject.]

  Helix's meical voice rang in the b as the image switched to several images of Adrenomancers whose harnesses were detached, resulting in them bleeding profusely.

  The devices were covered with numerous tubes and wires ected to the user. The metallic braces ed snugly around their bodies, tightly seg eapo ihe harness seemed to fun like a pump or tainer, pumping a steady stream of chemicals into the body while monit the user's vital signs.

  If they tried removing the harness or if the device malfuned, their bodies would experience massive cardiovascur failure and acute neurological dysfun. All the drugs and chemicals ied into the harness acted as a failsafe. Either the device stayed intact, or the user died.

  With a sigh, Edith sat in front of the puter and propped her head on her elbows.

  The implication was clear: obtaining an undamaged harness, and therefore the recipe for the Adrenomancer formu, was tantamount to a pipe dream.

  Salvatore wouldn't willingly let his secret fall into enemy hands; the ces of salvaging an intact harness were slim to none. And the Adrenomancers weren't known to surrender. Most chose to self-destruct rather than be apprehehe only way to get the information she desired was to capture Salvatore himself.

  Unless...unless I vince him to share the formu voluntarily...somehow. Hmmm, just o figure out how. Perhaps I barter for a trade, or maybe bribe him in some way. This requires more thought.

  [Is there a directive for my as, Dr. Weiss?] Helix inquired, awaiting instru.

  The AI's question snapped Edith from her musings as she waved her hand dismissively. "No, carry on with monit Fii and helpih research. You should probably update me with any developments with those fang leaders' movements, too. I doubt they're just sitting at home doing nothing."

  [The surveilnce drones have been deployed acc to protocol, and the monit algorithm is fully operational. My work is searg for possible matches on the four targets' descriptions. There are no relevant updates regarding their movements at this time, but I will notify you of any developments. Should I tinue my work oahuman database, Dr. Weiss?]

  "Yes, I'd appreciate that, Helix. Keep up the good work," Edith muttered, rubbiemples as a headache started to creep in. It'd been a long day, and she was exhausted. All she wao do was crawl into bed and sleep.

  With o g the ss, she pushed herself up from her chair, gatheriablet and notes as she shuffled towards her office door.

  [Sleep well, Dr. Weiss] came the AI's reply as the lights in the b dimmed, shutting off one by one.

  The ic's door swung open, revealih in her usual b coat, disheveled and tired. Fii instinctively straightened, waiting for the doctor to address her. However, her gaze lingered on the older woman, studying her as she closed the door.

  Is she okay? She doesn't look well.

  Fii wasn't sure, but Edith looked paler, more haggard, and more stressed than the day before—as though she'd slept less than she usually did, and if that was the case, Fii couldn't bme her. The i in the slums had been stressful for Fii; she couldn't imagine how nerve-rag it'd been for Edith to watd listen from afar.

  "Hey Edith," she said softly, watg the older womaer the examination room.

  "Hey," Edith grumbled, wiping a sleeve across her forehead. She set the tablet down and colpsed into her swivel chair, rubbiemples and closing her eyes.

  Fii hopped off the hospital bed, padding over to her. " I get you some water? Coffee?" She rested a haly oh's shoulder, hesitating for a moment before squeezily. "You look like you could use some."

  Edith leaned into the touch, a ghost of a smile grag her lips as she opened her eyes and gave Fii a weak nod. "Actually, that sounds lovely. Thank you, Fii." She patted her arm gently, chug despite her exhaustion. "And yes, I'm all right, thank you. Just a bit...busy, is all. Had to juggle work and my other projects."

  "Hm. Yeah, I bet," Fii murmured, raising an eyebrow.

  That was an uatement.

  She recalled the st time she'd seeh this frazzled: the day after Virgil had decided t Kenzo on board. Afterward, she'd been moodier, kier, and more short-tempered. Today, she seemed like she could use a nap. An afternoo that.

  Fii shook her head, returnitention to the matter at hand. "I'll go get you some coffee," she offered, turning towards the exit. "Be right back!"

  "Mmm, please, and thank you. Two sugars and creamer, as usual."

  Fii walked through the lobby to the adjat lounge and filled a mug with steaming coffee from the kitette. She stirred in sugar and creamer and carefully carried the drink back to the exam room.

  As she passed by the reception ter, she saw Sheri and a few of the nurses sitting in the main waiting area, talking amongst themselves. The ic wasn't particurly busy today, so most patients had already left. Sheri and the others were probably staying a little loo catch up before finishing their shifts.

  Upoering the exam room, she found the doctor slumped ba her seat, eyes closed and breathing deeply. She'd fallen asleep.

  Fii gnced betweeh and the mug of coffee, not wanting to disturb her rest. So, she gingerly set the cup oable and hovered a hand above the doctor's shoulder.

  Should I wake her? Nah, best let her rest...

  Carefully, Fii lifted Edith's sleeping form and carried her to the nearby hospital bed, l her gently onto the sheets. She arranged her fortably, removing her shoes and slipping a pillow beh her head. As she tucked the b over her, she hesitated, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes and studying her face.

  Despite the tired circles under her eyes, Edith looked almost peaceful as she slept.

  Geez, how much is she pushing herself? Poor Edith...

  It took Fii a moment to realize that she hadn't spent time with her retly; between training with Virgil and Kenzo, hanging out with Quinn, and patrolling as Axion, her schedule had been packed. Plus, Edith was stantly cooped up in the b, buried in work. They haden together or spoken at length for a couple of months now. The only iions they had were during Fii's biweekly checkups and in passing.

  They should talk more; Edith always seemed to enjoy her pany, and Fii was more than happy to help out wherever she could.

  For now, though, she o leave her alone a her get her mueeded rest. Fii picked up the cup of coffee from the desk a down on the nightstand beside the bed. She then picked up a book from her bag and made herself fortable, opening it to her bookmark.

  Fii could read for hours, but it never ceased to amaze her how quickly she could gh books these days. It hadn't taken her long to finish the story about a prirying to escape the curse pced upon him, but she'd enjoyed every minute of it. It'd reminded her a lot about what happened in the slums, as the prince had to overe his dark fate by rising against his circumstances. Sometimes, stories were nice because they mirrored her own. She wasn't a fan of the bitter parts, but she always relished the sweethat followed.

  Speaking of books...she almost fot about askih for pointers on how to properly teach people to read and write. That'd be a good topic to chat about ime.