The System Fights Back
The negative press triggered an audit. Inspector Gadsen from Internal Compliance arrived, a man who looked like he'd been weaned on a pickle.
"The HRA does not hand out Gold Badges like candy," he snarled, staring at Orion. He marched them to the Testing Facility. "No gadgets. You," he pointed at Orion, "demonstrate your power. You," he pointed at Quinn, "do nothing."
Holographic "Data-Wolves" materialized and charged. Orion yelped and stumbled.
Holt's mind raced. He couldn't build, but he could calculate. "Orion, step two paces left! Now stand still and raise your sword!"
Orion obeyed. A wolf pounced through empty air. The reflective ceiling light glinted off Orion's prop blade, dazzling the others. To Gadsen, it looked like uncanny, effortless skill.
"Impossible," Gadsen muttered. "Increase to Threat Level: Dragon!"
A colossal, energy-serpent materialized. Quinn, overwhelmed by the pressure, hugged herself. "This is so stressful," she whimpered.
The serpent glitched, thrashing wildly. The simulation console overloaded with a shower of sparks, and the monster vanished.
Inspector Gadsen stood up, pale. He looked from the smoldering console to the terrified trio.
He picked up his scorched clipboard and wrote a single, decisive line.
"My report is complete," he said, his voice hushed. "Subject Castor's power is unquantifiable and actively destabilizes our systems. My recommendation is a promotion and a permanent exemption from further testing. For all our sakes."
He left quickly, without looking back. The misunderstanding was now official HRA policy.