Footsoldiers: A Super Human Clash Special From Philomel Books Read Free Page A

next, carrying Thalamus, who didn’t have the ability to exit that way himself. Physically, Thalamus was actually
weaker
than the average human. That’s the thing about whatever it is that makes superhumans—you never know what you’re going to get. Most of us looked perfectly normal physically, but there were a few who changed. For some, like Brawn or Metrion or The Hive, the change was so great that there was no way they could ever pass as a human again. Others, like Thalamus and Apex, seemed normal at first glance, until you looked closer and realized that they were just a little too thin or too bulky, or had an unusual stance. But even then you might not be able to tell.
    Apex moved to go next, but I stepped in front of him. “I don’t want the others to hear this, so I’m stopping my voice from carrying that far.”
    â€œWhat do you have to say?”
    â€œYou hit her. I don’t care why. But if it happens again—”
    â€œI am aware of my actions, Thunder. It was an error of judgment.” Then he jabbed his finger at my chest. “But you caused this. You silenced my voice.”
    â€œYou told the others that I agreed with you about keeping the team secret. You know I think that’s the wrong move. I’ve told you often enough. But that’s not the point here, Apex. You hit one of your own teammates.”
    â€œI intend to apologize to Hesperus when the time is right. But not now. Now we have a mission to complete, and you are slowing me down.”
    I stepped back and watched as he leaped for the skylight. Despite what most people thought, Apex couldn’t actually fly, but he didn’t really need to. He could leap huge distances—well over a hundred yards if he had to. And he was fit, easily the most agile superhuman I’d ever seen. It was like he was able to bend his joints at any angle. Even with all that armor he was incredibly flexible, and had a sense of balance that would make a cat cry with envy.
    Once, I saw him run up a vertical ladder without using his hands. Now
that
takes skill.
    I followed him out through the skylight. The others had assembled on the edge of the roof, waiting for us.
    â€œSo what’s the mission?” I asked Thalamus.
    â€œOh, so you weren’t listening in to
that
part, then?”
    I was a little taken aback at that. It wasn’t like Thalamus to make snide comments. “What’s the matter with you?”
    â€œLet’s not pretend to be friends, Thunder.” He turned away slightly, almost as though he was dismissing me. Louder—more for my benefit than anyone else’s—he said, “My sources report that three known members of the Chaingang have been spotted in different parts of southern Wisconsin in the past two days. The other three can’t be far behind. Tonight a shipment of weapons-grade nuclear waste will pass along a route that intersects with what I’ve projected are the paths of the members of the Chaingang.”
    Hesperus shook her head. “We don’t do nuclear. We leave that to people like Impervia and Titan who are immune to radiation.”
    â€œShe’s right,” Octavian added. “I’ve no problem with going up against the Chaingang in most circumstances, but not in a situation like this. The government transports nuclear waste in secret, and that’s the way it should be. The plebeians don’t need to know that sleeping dragons are carried through their towns in the dead of night. I say that if we have to act, then we wait until we know for certain that the Chaingang is after the shipment.”
    I looked at him. “Plebeians?”
    â€œThe common people,” Thalamus said. “The lower classes. As the Roman rulers saw them.”
    I sighed. “Man, that Roman emperor act is getting old real fast.”
    â€œEnough discussion,” Apex said. “But Octavian is right. As is Hesperus. We go after the