Sample Chapters

Powerless

#1 in the Hero Agenda series

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March 20, 1950

To: Director of Operations, Neuroscience Task Force

From: Dr. Martin Price

Subject: Early Experimental Success

Neurological capacity experiments have proven more successful than initially anticipated. Out of twenty original subjects, results are as follows:

7 fatalities

4 severe mental damage

3 seemingly unaffected

6 show signs of advanced neurological capabilities, including: telekinesis, electromagnetic charge, superior vision and hearing, psychic ability, and self-healing

Considering the breadth of powers developed within such a small test group, it is my recommendation that testing be expanded to a greater number of subjects, which would be expected to result in an even greater variety of abilities.

Ready to proceed to access phase of testing. Please advise whether experiments should continue at current or accelerated scale.

❤

CHAPTER ONE

If I could have any superpower, right now, I'd choose the ability to reach through glass. One thin, little pane is all that separates me from bliss...of the midnight-snack variety, to be exact. The chocolate bar hangs halfway to freedom but refuses to take the plunge, as if the vending machine is mocking me, taunting me.

As if it knows I'm powerless.

Annoyed, I slam my palms against the glass. Everything inside shudders. My chocolate bar—pure Swiss milk chocolate dotted with toasted hazelnuts—doesn't budge.

"Come on," I beg as if the candy can hear me. "Just a little farther."

No such luck.

Then again, when have I ever been lucky? I'm just glad no heroes are around to see me lose a battle with a vending machine. I would be the punch line to every joke for a year.

Thankfully, the lab is pretty much empty at this time of night. Even Mom went home two hours ago, leaving me to transcribe the notes from today's sessions. I prefer to work when no one is around. My experiments fall into a gray area in the Superhero Code of Conduct, and even though I'm not technically a superhero—yet—I try not to piss off the powers-that-be. The last thing I need is to lose my lab privileges before I've perfected my formula.

Copying down Mom's scribblings is like deciphering some previously unknown ancient language. It isn't exactly the most glamorous summer job ever, but it pays okay and gives me access to the facility.

I'm almost done with tonight's transcription from the digital white board Mom and her team spent all day filling with chemical equations for her newest power-enhancing formula. Maybe twenty more minutes, and then I can get back to my test samples.

My stomach rumbles in protest, reminding me that I skipped dinner. I really want that stupid chocolate bar. But since I just used my last quarters, my only hope is that one of the security guards upstairs has change for a ten.

I turn away from the vending machine alcove and start back around the corner to grab my wallet from the lab.

Right before I make the turn, I hear hurried footsteps. Not wanting a repeat of last week's collision with Dr. Harwood—my favorite jeans still smell like sulfur—I hang back a step.