IN VERSION

"The goal of PROJECT INVERSION is the stoppage of the Harvest, and ultimately the salvation of the entire human race. By travelling back in time, certain events can be reversed, thereby leading to a new timeline, and various possibilities."

YEAR:2161

LOCATION: Adele Street, Lagos

The Family of now five, stepped off from the vehicle, as it automatically parked itself in the garage. They remained silent as the mother headed toward the door, and after scanning her, it opened. Everyone followed the mother's lead and entered the house. The atmosphere was eerie and tense. As the father, who was the final one to get in, stepped into the house, the doors closed, and the lashings began.

[A FEW HOURS EARLIER]

Lara had rushed from her department as Frank had called her, stating it was important, but not giving her any detail of the matter. She realized that it was because all calls were monitored in the facility, and that too much information on the phone could be implicative. She took permission from her supervisor, and hurried to Frank, who was waiting earnestly for her.

"What happened, have they caught the individuals who got past my ability?" Lara spoke, already out of breath, as she ran a long distance due to the urgency at which her husband spoke. Even though they shared the same workplace, they hardly ever interacted. And due to the nature of his job, he was hardly ever home. The children also believed he had business overseas, and that was why he was rarely around.

"A-About that Lara... It's our kids..." Frank said, still shaken by the fact.

"What about them? Lara asked still confused. Frank had told her, that even on the few occasions that they would converse at the workplace, they should never bring up the kids.

"For security purposes, and other reasons" Frank had told her, not wanting to go into details but she knew what he meant.

The stigmatization toward Ability Users was evident in society, and while it was not too obvious, it also existed in the Special Ability Division. The Ability users were seen as the load bearers and the expendable workforce, while the others took the positions of supervisors, commanders, captains, and other positions of authority over the Ability Users. The marriage between Frank and Lara, and the fact that they had children was kept secret in the Agency. Only the appropriate authority knew of this, and since it was permitted, they wedded. They however did not tell their colleagues, or any other person related to their line of work.

"The ones who disrupted your ability are our kids! They are Ability Users." Frank whispered, asperated.

"What?!" Lara asked in disbelief, however the look on Frank's face told her he was dead serious. "You're sure it was them? Did they see you, were you recognized?" Lara's questions started.

"I'm sure, I'd know my kids anywhere. Darey recognized me and he even called me 'Dad', then Tenny caught on as well. I managed the situation well, and the others don't know of our ties with them... Yet, but it's only a matter of time." Frank answered Lara.

Lara could not believe what she was hearing. Why and how would this kids do this? She had not given off the slightest hint about the true nature of her job. The Firm, was the perfect cover for the true nature of her job. The building they were in was underground, with the Firm directly above them on the surface. They also never exhibited abilities, and even if they had manifested any, they would have come running to her. Those were the kids Lara knew, but what she was hearing now defied all logic and reason.

"I don't believe it..." Lara managed to mutter out.

"Where are they? I want to see them, talk to them if possible." Lara suddenly said.

"That would be impossible" Frank shook his head. "Tenny as well as someone else who aided them are in the auxiliary chamber..."

"There was someone else?" Lara asked in confusion.

"Yes... I don't recognize him though. It feels like I know nothing about them anymore..." Frank said, devastated.

"What about Darey? Where is he?" Lara said, switching the topic.

"He's in a more precarious position. The Major General is personally interrogating him." Frank croaked.

"What? Oh God. Why?" Lara said, now panicking.

"Darey was the one who asked for it. I don't know why, and I know you won't like what I'm about to say but... That did not feel like our Darey" Frank said in a sad, but suspicious tone.

"I want to see them first, before making any assumptions." Lara protested.

"You can't. For one, your department has no business with interrogation, and you are acting outside your scope of duty, without backing from your superior no doubt. Besides... You're too close to this case." Frank said.

"Don't give me that. You're the commander in charge of the Special squad. Make it happen!" Lara spoke angrily.

"Even I can't just question them, not without due process. That's how sensitive the matter is. You should know that... Since you're the one who closed the Gate."

"But still, Frank. They're our kids..." Lara said, close to tears.

"I know, and that's why we should think of something. We still have a bit of time before connections are made. Since I'm the commander in charge of the capture, and you're the agent who closed the gate, we'll be privy to some information." Frank stated, and his wife affirmed. "We can also try putting the blame on the last boy, or a third party, probably a mind control ability or something else in that direction. Anyways, we don't have time, we should move..." Frank was still speaking when the door to the main interrogation room opened.

Both Lara and Frank grew stiff as they saw the Major General emerge from the room and shortly after, their son, Darey. They were shocked however, to see Darey and the Major, who was known to be quite sadistic and harsh, smiling at each other. The Major looked toward their direction and immediately they saluted. The Major moved toward their direction, Darey being a step behind him.

"At ease agents." He spoke gruffly as the two agents as they put their hands behind them, and eased their legs.

The Major looked to the direction of Darey, who gave him a knowing smile, letting him gulp down the saliva which had been forming in his throat. He smiled back nervously, and turned forward to the agents before him, clearly they were related to Darey, as he had never seen them at the same place before, though he knew they were married, with children.

"Looks like we have a misunderstanding, the kids are innocent. I'll brief you, as well as the other agents in a few moments time, as soon as i cross examine and evaluate what i have discovered. Commander, take the boy to where the others are being held. Let there be no more questioning and harassment, they're clearly innocent. If you'll excuse me, agents, I'll be taking my leave now" Major General Lanre said as he quickly walked away, gritting his teeth with an stifled angry expression on his face, leaving Darey behind, with the confused parents.

Frank and Lara were shocked to say the least. They looked as the Major General faded from their sight and were still staring in disbelief when a voice interrupted their thoughts.

"Um, Commander, I would very much like to see my brothers." Darey said as he smiled at his parents.

They both looked him in disbelief as he kept smiling at them. They maintained silence for a few seconds before he spoke again.

"We'll talk later" Darey said "Commander?"

"Oh, right away. Come with me" Frank said as he guided Darey to his direction and began to move away toward the auxiliary holding chamber. He looked back at the still confused Lara, and mouthed "It'll be alright, trust me. Now go back to work."

It took a few seconds for her to understand what he was saying, but even after she was still worried. Then she saw him smile reassuringly to her, which calmed her as she returned to her department and resumed her work.

It didn't take long before the Major General held a conference and announced what Darey had told him to say. There were lots of speculations and questions but they were all addressed and so the boys were let go, after a supposed brainwashing session to make them forget what happened, which never happened. The Commander was put in charge of returning them home and explaining the situation to their parents or guardians. Lara also went with him, since the appearance of a woman would also calm the parents down, and since only a few were related to the case, and Lara seemed the perfect fit, she was assigned with the Commander for the job, all according to Darey's plan.

The case concerning the entire matter was closed. The Gate was no longer a threat, and any information concerning the boys and their involvement in it was redacted, and was mostly rendered non existent. Since the report had not been made to the higher ups at the National level, it was easier to lie and cover up their involvement. So as suddenly as the case sprang up, it died. The three boys went their merry way with the agents to their house, supposedly rendered oblivious on what had just transpired and on their way back to their normal lives, or so it would seem.

"What the hell happened? Tell me everything!" Lara rang immediately the door was shut, with their father standing in front of it, as though guarding their way of escape.

Tenny glanced nervously at Darey who had already expected all that was happening. Darey took a deep breath and said. "Where do I start..."

[THE PRESENT]

After Darey finished talking, both of his parents were silent, trying to ruminate on the matter. Of course Darey did not tell them the whole truth of him being a returner from the future, neither did he mention the Reapers. He told them how Tenny had recently Awakened his power and sensed a distortion below the house. They decided t check it out and figured out the Dump's connection to the entrance of the underground passage. They adventured there, and accidentally triggered the Gate to open, sucking them within it. As for most of their memories of what happened there, he said they did not recollect. Then for the biggest mystery of all, Kyron's existence.

"He's a friend from around. He speaks in a foreign language, so Darey is the only one who can understand him." was what Tenny and Darey went with. And since the Major General had vouched for him, the parents let him be.

As for the awakening of their abilities and their lack of surprise concerning the occupation of their parents, Darey pinned it on his supposed ability, which he chose to be COMPLETE INVESTIGATION. Since he has supposedly realized their parents were keeping secrets from them, they decided not to tell them of their abilities, due to lack of trust. This made the burden of guilt even fall on their parents and not them. They also made their intentions known to their parents regarding their plans to attend Orion, and the fact that since they had abilities, it was the only reasonable option for them. Darey filled up the holes in his stories and answered the questions and doubts his parents had.

"Fine, we believe you." Lara finally gave in.

"Really?" Tenny said, relieved.

"Not like we have any other choice. It's not like there's any other possible option." Frank said.

"I blame myself more, for not making more time for you, and for lying about our jobs. You realize it was to keep you safe right?" Lara said.

"We understand mom, right Tenny?" Darey said, smiling.

"Yes" Tenny answered.

"You three must be tired, why don't you all rest. We'll talk more after you wake up." Lara finally said, as the boys affirmed.

The three of them went up to Tenny's room, leaving their parents to talk downstairs.

"So what do you think?" Frank asked Lara.

"I still feel strange about this, but for now we have to do this, for their own safety as well." Lara said.

"I also feel guilty, if only I was around more..." Frank said

"Don't worry, the kids understand. We're fortunate to have such understanding children. We can only hope to be better parents from now henceforth." Lara consoled her husband, as they both hugged, and decided to enroll their kids in Orion, and give them their full love and support.

"Everything is going as planned." Darey said as he smiled at Tenny and Kyron who sat opposite to him.

"What now?" Tenny asked, still unsure.

"All the paperwork for Kyron will be sorted out before the end of the week by The Major General, which means that after that we can start the admission process for enrollment. It should take about a month for everything to be sorted, before we can enroll in the school." Darey answered.

"Wow... That long?" Tenny said in amazement.

"It's the only academic institute for Ability Users, and is governed by international powers. It's definitely a short while." Darey spoke calmly.

"What do we do in preparation for what lies ahead." Kyron asked Darey.

"It's simple." Darey began, while smiling. "Tenny, you're still a novice when it comes to your abilities, and Kyron, while you are strong and smart, it'll take some time for you to understand the rudiments of language and various aspects of this world. Putting these two factors together, it's clear the both of you still have room for improvement" Darey said.

"Wow... you're right" Tenny said, just realizing their inadequacies.

Darey smiled, as he stood from where he sat. "You're not the only ones who need to improve. Since coming back, I only have access to about one percent of all my abilities, and my body can not handle a lot of the abilities I possess and the strain that comes with it. I need to improve my body's capacity and adapt it to the abilities I already possess" he said.

"It's still very amazing how powerful you are, even without your full strength." Kyron marveled.

"This is still nothing." Darey started, with a smile on his face. " For the next month, we're going to be focusing on one thing, and one thing alone. TRAINING!"

MEANWHILE...

LOCATION: UNKNOWN

"That Bastard!" The Major General yelled as he slammed the table in front of him.

He recounted the experience he had just received from Darey, who not only disrespected

him, but also blackmailed and threatened him. He was filled with a bottomless rage.

" How dare he?" Major Lanre growled, his eyes raging with fury. "I'll kill him... No, I'll make him wish he were dead..." Major Lanre muttered to himself, as he smiled to himself in anger.

Suddenly, he picked up a phone directly in front of him, and immediately dialed a number.

A shadowy figure picked up his phone to receive the call, as he was enveloped in darkness.

"Reaper... I've got a job for you." The Major's angry voice rang through the phone's speakers.

The Shadowy figure paused as he heard these words... His eyes bulged with excitement, as he hung the phone, moving from his position. He then made for the door, heading out as he smiled maniacally.

"Interesting!" He muttered to himself as he shut the door to the room filled with utter darkness.

TO BE CONTINUED...