Hidden Potential: Nibiru Rising: Book 1 Read online

  “I see you made it okay… at least for the most part,” he said, nodding at her arm.

  “I don’t suppose you have anything for a headache, do you?”

  He watched as she nodded to someone just outside his field of view. A moment later, someone came up to him and gave him a shot in the neck. Within seconds, his headache was gone.

  “Wish I had had some of that instead of the aspirin I took.”

  Trying to sit up, he suddenly realized he couldn’t feel his legs. He tried mentally scanning his body for injuries, but he didn’t have enough energy to do it.

  “What happened to me!”

  The urgency in his voice caused her to jump slightly, causing her to pause a moment before responding.

  “Tell me!”

  “There’s no easy way to say this…”

  He noticed her hesitating, but the desperate look he gave her finally caused her to respond.

  “When you saved me, something carved a path across your back, severing your spinal cord just below your lumbar region… I’m sorry…”

  He thought she was starting to choke up as she gave him the news, her eyes getting glassy, but he knew he didn’t have any time to waste.

  “Where’s the damage exactly, show me!”

  She looked at him strangely before waving one of the doctors over. Turning the display back on, they brought up the screen. He noticed her watching him intently as he studied the image before he looked at her again.

  “How long was I out!”

  The look of confusion and surprise on her face only made him more desperate.

  “HOW LONG WAS I OUT!”

  “Uh, about two hours,” she blurted.

  Whispering under his breath, he started to focus on his surroundings.

  “There might still be time…”

  His awareness expanded outward, allowing him to search for all available sources of energy. He could feel all the movement on the floors above and below him, along with people moving out in the hallway. Focusing his attention on the machines surrounding him, he felt the electrical energy flowing through all of it as well. Desperately latching onto all of it like a man dying of thirst, he pulled it all in, siphoning all the energy he could reach in the surrounding environment. He watched as HellKat’s eyes went wide as she became frozen in space along with everyone else in the room. The sudden surge of energy crashed into his aura, causing his headache to come back with a vengeance. Gritting his teeth against the rising agony of absorbing so much energy so quickly, he continued pulling in as much as he could tap into but realized it wasn’t enough. Switching focus, he started mentally clawing at the electrical system. All the nearby machinery started sparking while the lights flickered before exploding. Releasing his grip on everyone nearby, he barely noticed everyone collapsing on the floor as he strained to contain all the energy he’d absorbed over the space of a few seconds.

  Please work…

  Bracing himself, his hands crushing the guardrails of his bed, he shunted all the energy into his back. His awareness expanded within his body, seeking out injuries to heal, nerves to regrow. Starting with the damaged spinal cord and working his way outward, he mentally started repairing the damage he’d received. He was dimly aware of someone yelling in the background about him having a seizure, but he couldn’t let his concentration waver or he’d lose all the energy he’d gathered to heal himself. The sudden sensation of acid flowing down his legs gave him hope that he’d started the process in time. Mentally looking himself over internally, he expanded his healing ability to the rest of his back. His vision started dimming as he neared completion. A profound sense of exhaustion quickly grew from his exertions. Just as he jump-started the healing process in the last of his injuries, he felt something shoot up his arm, stealing the last of his awareness and forcing him into unconscious again.

  Chapter 17

  “What the fuck just happened?”

  Kaitlyn grabbed the edge of the counter in an effort to keep herself from pacing again. The event with Newton before they’d been able to sedate him had rattled a lot of nerves. Now the brass were breathing down her neck, demanding answers.

  “We’re not sure. They’re still analyzing the data. Hopefully, we’ll have some answers for you shortly.”

  She spun on the doctor. It took everything in her to keep from bursting into flames as she grabbed his shoulder with her good arm.

  “Why couldn’t I move. It felt like the hand of god had just grabbed me and squeezed. What the hell did he do to us?”

  Reaching up, the doctor placed a comforting hand over hers before gently removing them both before responding.

  “We’re still trying to determine that since it affected quite a few people. All we know at this point is that his powers extended out quite a distance. We’re estimating at least ten yards, but it seemed to still be expanding before we sedated him, so we’re not really sure how far it can reach.”

  “And the equipment?”

  “Whatever he was doing, we’re suspecting he switched to that so he wouldn’t permanently hurt anyone. I know it felt like an eternity, but we were only affected for about two seconds.”

  “It was a long damn two seconds.”

  Kaitlyn took a few deep breaths to settle her nerves down a notch. A question suddenly popped in her mind.

  “Was it the seizure that caused it, or did he do it intentionally?”

  “We’re not entirely sure it was a seizure, honestly.”

  She watched as he nodded to someone behind her. Turning around, she saw several security personnel move past her toward where Newton was still lying unconscious.

  “Wait. What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she asked, barging past the doctor and spinning one of the guards around.

  Another guard stepped over and pushed her back with one hand while placing his other hand on the grip of his sidearm.

  “Stand down Major. Colonel’s orders. We’re moving him to one of the stasis cells in the lower levels.”

  She started to move toward them again, but the doctor laid a hand on her arm. She looked at him, willing him to back her up. When he didn’t respond, she stared at the guards again.

  “You can’t move him yet. He still needs medical attention. It’s not like he’s going anywhere. He’s paralyzed!”

  “Actually Major, he’s not. That’s why we suspect it wasn’t a seizure after all. Whatever it was, it healed him… Almost completely.”

  Her mouth dropped open in surprise, unable to speak for several seconds.

  “What do you mean healed? Ten minutes ago you said he was paralyzed. He had a huge furrow down his back. Now you’re saying he’s fine?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t say fine, but his cells are regenerating at an alarming rate right now. You can actually see the tissue moving as it knits back together. If he wasn’t sedated, if he were conscious, he’d be able to walk out of here under his own power. He truly is an anomaly, Major. We’ve never recorded anyone with a healing factor as impressive as his.”

  The doctor gently guided her out of the way as the guards transferred Newton to a gurney and rapidly wheeled him out of the room. She stepped out into the hallway, watching them disappear around a corner.

  Who or what the hell are you?

  §§§§§§§§§§§§

  Consciousness slowly returned as he woke up with a realization he was laying on a different bed.

  I really have to do something about all this fainting I’m doing or someone’s going to mistake me for a woman from the Victorian era.

  Grinning to himself at the joke, he sat up slowly, taking in his surroundings.

  At least there’s no headache this time. Whatever it is they gave me, I need to get a decent supply of it.

  He started to extend his senses out to get a better idea of his surroundings. He was surprised at how much effort it took. Trying again, he was slowly able to extend it out past the edges of the room.

  What’s going on? It shouldn’t be this
hard. I should be sensing stuff half mile away from this much effort.

  Getting up, he slowly hobbled over to the door, his stiff lower back shooting out little spikes of pain.

  “That beats the alternative,” he said under his breath.

  Reaching the door, he tentatively reached a hand out. As his hand approached, he could just make out a slight buzzing sensation rippling across his palm.

  Not bad. Seems the government has really improved the suppression field technology I helped develop. Wonder what else they’ve done.

  Walking around his room, he allowed his hand to drift beside him, almost but not quite touching the wall, trying to sense how far into the room the field reached. He figured he’d let it be a surprise that the field only slowed him down rather than nullifying his powers. Satisfied with his investigation of his accommodations, he started going through a stretching and calisthenics regiment he’d designed once his powers manifested to help with the healing process. He also started to draw in a trickle charge of energy. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been unconscious, but he suspected someone was already on their way to talk to him now that he was awake. He hoped he could gather enough energy to be prepared, just in case. He was finishing up when he heard a knock at the door.

  “If you’re here to peddle cosmetics, I’m not interested!”

  He thought he heard a stifled chuckle before the door opened. He realized that the entire wall was actually some type of hologram as an almost imperceptible flicker traveled away from the door as his visitor entered. Looking the person over, he decided it was probably a doctor, come to check on him. The fact that he didn’t come in with a guard gave him some hope that they might trust him a little.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “With my hands, usually.”

  This time, there was no mistaking the stifled laugh outside the door.

  “I’m doing fine, doc.”

  Before the man had a chance to respond, Rick raised his voice.

  “You can drop the hologram. I know that wall isn’t real.”

  “What are you referring to,” the doctor began, but the incredulous look on Rick’s face told him it wouldn’t work.

  Turning around, the doctor nodded to someone he couldn’t see. Seconds later, the blinked off, getting replaced with a shimmering energy field. Standing on the other side of the field he could see HellKat and Thunderclap, along with several other people he’d never seen before. Taking a seat on his bed, he waited for someone to respond. After a few minutes of staring at him, he got annoyed.

  “Ya'll went to an awful lot of trouble trying to catch me. The big question is, why?”

  “Try?” Thunderclap blurted, but HellKat laid her good hand on his arm before looking back at him.

  “Who are you, exactly? Up until two days ago, we didn’t even know you existed. From what I’ve seen, you’ve obviously had some type of advanced combat training. I’m suspecting military, but who’s?”

  Hopping up, he slowly walked toward the energy wall, ignoring the doctor who was still in the cell with him. He though he noticed a slight smile on HellKat’s face as he walked toward her. Stopping only a few inches away from them, he glanced down at her arm.

  “So what’s the damage?”

  “Broken it two places. Would have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for you. So I guess I owe you a thank you.”

  He nodded before responded.

  “You realize it wouldn’t have happened at all if freezer chick hadn’t tried to turn me into a Rickcicle…”

  He noticed Thunderclap’s eye twitch as the man struggled not to smirk.

  “So your real name’s Rick?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said taking a half-step back to make a flourishing bow.

  “I’d say pleased to make your acquaintance but,” he said as he gestured to his surroundings.

  This time, a genuine smile crinkled her eyes slightly.

  “You still haven’t answered the question.”

  He faked a surprised look on his face before responding.

  “I haven’t?” he said before turning around to stroll back toward his bed.

  “Ok, fine. We’ll come back to that. What exactly was it that you protected me from? We’ve got a team on site trying to analyze it, but they haven’t gotten back to us yet. Was it something you did when you almost blew up my team?”

  Anger suddenly welled up in him at the accusation. Spinning around, he jabbed a finger at them.

  “That! Was not! ME!”

  He struggled to reign in his temper when he noticed everyone involuntarily take a step back. Glancing to the side, he noticed the doctor looked like he was about to wet himself.

  “Sorry for my outburst,” he said over his shoulder while walking to the far corner of his room, his emotions back under control. Gesturing over his shoulder, he waved at the wall.

  “Let the good doctor out before he has a heart attack,” he said, dropping down to his knees, crossing his feet at the ankles while facing the wall. He did a slow count to ten before looking over his shoulder. Noticing the doctor was gone, he smoothly slid back to his feet before sitting down on the corner of his bed.

  “That was really uncalled for on my part. No, that wasn’t something I caused. I know who did though. I intend to express my displeasure to them once we’re done here.”

  “Would that be this Maelstrom group you’ve mentioned?” one of the group he didn’t recognize asked.

  “Yep. They’re the ones. They did something that really pissed me off, so once I get out of here, I’m going to let them know how big a mistake they made.”

  He thought he caught Thunderclap snickering again, but decided to ignore it.

  “Unfortunately, until we can figure out who you are and what relationship you have to this Maelstrom group, you’re not going anywhere.”

  Rick waved his hand around him while staring at HellKat.

  “You and your group are ill-equipped to deal with Maelstrom. I know how they operate, you don’t,” he said, hopping up and approaching the wall again.

  “I think you’d be surprised at what our capabilities are, Rick.”

  “No, I wouldn’t,” he said as he extended his hand, drawing in the energy of the field and causing it to collapse.

  “I’m the one who wrote up the parameters of your group.”

  Chapter 18

  Rick blurred forward, grabbing HellKat around the throat and waist before pulsing to the farthest wall away from his cell before anyone could respond.

  “Stop. Ya’ll know what I can do, so just chill.”

  He whispered in HellKat’s ear as everyone hesitated, unsure what to do.

  “Tell them to stand down. Please.”

  She glanced at everyone before responding.

  “Do it.”

  As everyone backed away slightly, he slightly shifted his grip on her.

  “Since you know my real name, good manners dictate that you tell me yours.”

  Struggling slightly, she relaxed again. Through gritted teeth, she responded.

  “Kaitlyn. Satisfied. You know you won’t get out of here alive, don’t you?”

  He chuckled slightly before responding.

  “Yes, I could.”

  He slowly shifted his hand over to her broken arm, causing her to flinch slightly.

  “Relax,” he whispered in her ear as he extended his senses into her arm, assessing the damage. When he was satisfied, he spoke again.

  “This might sting a bit.”

  Unleashing a small stream of energy into her arm, he forced her body to start rapidly repairing itself. She let out a stifled cry of pain as he let her go, blurring back into his cell and sitting on the bed again. He watched Kaitlyn cradle her arm as several people, including the doctor, rushed over to her. Thunderclap looked around wildly before spotting him on the bed and let out a silent scream of rage, rushing toward him with his gigantic weapon raised over his head in preparation to land a massive blow.

  “Re
ally?” he asked, catching the mace again before extending his field to freeze Thunderclap in place.

  “You do realize you failed miserably the last dozen times you tried that move on me. What is it with ya’ll being one-trick ponies?”

  Manipulating his field, he slammed the huge man face down on the floor before hopping up on the small of his back. Looking back out at the group, he watched Kaitlyn moved her arm around in wonder. He felt a bit of satisfaction knowing he was able to help her body fully fuse the bones back together in a matter of minutes. If experience had taught him anything, x-rays wouldn’t even be able to see where the original fractures were located.

  Raising his voice, he called out to them.

  “I’m not the enemy here, but since ya’ll seem intent on getting in my way, maybe just working together instead would be a better opinion. How’s that sound?” he asked, smiling at all the weapons now pointing at him.

  §§§§§§§§§§§§

  Kaitlyn felt an intense sense of burning pressure in her arm when Rick touched it, overwhelming her enough that she didn’t notice him release her. It felt like her arm was a fire hose about to explode from holding back too much water. Gradually, the pain started ebbing away. In its place was an odd feeling of wellness, like it was a new arm just attached. She caused everyone to take a step back as her powers flared to life, burning the cast off her arm.

  “WAIT!”

  She glanced at the doctor while the remains of the cast fell to the floor. Tentatively, she moved her arm around without pain.

  He healed my arm… How the hell did he do that? What is his power-set? They’re like none we’ve ever come across before…

  Moving her now healed arm around in wonder, she was started back to reality by a sudden yell.

  “I’m not the enemy here, but since ya’ll seem intent on getting in my way, maybe just working together instead would be a better opinion. How’s that sound?”

  Her head snapped up as everyone in the room aimed their weapons toward the source of the voice. She had to suppress a chuckle when she saw Thunderclap stuck under him again.