Anne put on a pair of blue athletic shorts with white strips going up the thigh and hip with a powder blue tank top that had the Gaea House logo on the front. Anne looked at her unusually tall frame in the polished steel mirror. That is an unusually tall frame for a girl her age. Signs of a young woman that she is becoming started to bud through in the clinging tank top as Anne looked down at her small breast. Anne sighed at the fact that even though she was bigger than all the other girls her age, she still felt like an awkward adolescent despite the fact that her body is more advanced and flawless. Anne knew that when she walked out of this locker room, she is going to be one of the youngest out there on the floor of the rumble room.
Anne smiled when she saw another that was close to her age. Cody Matthews is a really good friend of Anne’s. Anne was about two and a half foot shorter than Cody and two years younger than the giant. Anne was told that she is an early bloomer. Funny, she didn’t feel that way around all the taller and older giants. Lindsey Smith and a few other giants that are older than Anne haven’t manifested their unique talents yet, so as far as that goes, Anne is an early bloomer. She hugged Cody and Cody returned it.
“Your first day here?” Cody asked her with a smile and Anne nodded. We can’t talk here. Molly will mentally explain that to the newcomer. This is a bigger secret than Titan XL5. Rumor has it that the giants want to be prepared for possible war. The adults don’t want war but we need to be ready. Cody telepathically told Anne.
Is everyone here an aggressor? Anne mentally asked Cody and he nodded. Anne was now curious what everyone’s talent was. She knew that Cody was superfast, Brad Hester was a telekinetic and Allison Hayes was a brilliant fighter with superfast reflexes and strength. The other four giants she didn’t know. One was a large African- American man that stood about as tall as Brad with his hair in long cornrows. Then there was a petite blond giantess that stood slightly taller than Anne. She had full lips and sparkling blue eyes set in a pretty face. Anne suspected she looked just as pretty when she was human. One giant was tall with short shaggy brown hair and greenish-brown eyes. He looked like a model with his dimpled chin and all-American smile but there was also something about him that screamed I’m a dad. Then the last giant was unusually bulky for one so evolved. He had black hair and eyes that sort of matched. He was handsome but in a scary sort of pro-wrestler way. He stood the same height as the African American but there was something slightly different about this guy.
A giant and a giantess entered the room. Anne recognized them as Adam and Molly Jones. Adam and Molly were in another rare group of giants titled the in-betweens. Their special talents can be both considered as passive or aggressive depending on the use. Adam can sense the truth while Molly can influence people by just looking them in the eye. Adam and Molly are also ex-cops from their past human lives and is now a happily married giant couple according to giant laws, not the human laws.
Molly came up to Anne and gave her a hug. Your dad told us that you are a pyro! That’s a really cool gift Annie! You are also one of the most powerful of the group. I’m here to introduce you to the gang. Adam and I are actually in charge. If you have any questions, come to us. We speak out loud minimally here and never about what we are doing or what’s going on. Can’t risk spies finding out, that’s why all the telepathy use. Do you want to be a soldier? Molly explained telepathically. Anne thought about it for a moment. The young giantess knew that being an aggressor is rare and that there are some humans that want all the giants dead because they think they are abominations and against all that is holy. Little does the human race know about their ever growing and changing planet. Someday the giants will be the ones in charge and the humans will be in their care because the planet will not be able to support their kind anymore.
“Yes,” Anne simply answered loudly and Molly gave her a smile as did all the other giants in the room.
You are officially our youngest recruit now. Adam thought as he shook Anne’s hand.
Cody playfully pouted and said aloud, “I’m not the baby anymore.” The group got a good laugh out of the young clown.
The gang was hoping you would join us Annie. Some of them might look scary but they’re all really cool. Cody thought with a smile.
Watch it little man! The voice of an African American man flowed through Anne head. I’m Tyler and I’m a pyro too. I just got here the other day from the Brooklyn Gaea House. The foundation sent me here to help you. The giant named Tyler gave Anne a small bow. Anne had never met a city giant before. I used to be a gang member and was busted for arson a few times. Mr. Anderson saved me and a few others from going to prison. Did some time at the Gaea Halfway House before being sent back to Brooklyn. Anne heard about the Gaea House for prison evolutions. Her very kind adopted father had a hand in helping with its creation. Sven was very upfront with Anne about his past; he felt that she should know the truth. Anne never thought any less of him just as she will never feel any less of Tyler. She studied the giant for a moment and visualized his flawless skin being covered up in gang tattoos and burn scares. Tyler let out a small laugh when he realized what she was doing. Anne had a feeling she was going to like her new teacher.
I’m Keith and I’m an earthmover. The voice came to Anne from the tall shaggy haired man. He gave Anne a gentle smile. There are only seven known earthmovers around the world and Anne was beside herself to meet one of the seven. Keith was obviously the North America earthmover because each of the earthmovers was dispatched to each continent. Anne shyly returned the smile.
You’re rare. Anne thought and Keith laughed.
As are you. The gentle voice flowed through Anne’s head. Just like Tyler, Anne knew that she was going to like Keith.
It’s nice to have another female in the mix, even if you are young enough to be my daughter. A sweet yet kind feminine voice flowed through Anne’s head. Anne looked to the blond giantess that was only slightly taller than her. She gave Anne a motherly smile despite her youthful face. My name is Carla. I absorb and control electricity. Our powers are sort of similar expect that I can absorb electrical currents. Carla held her right hand in a claw as small bolts of electricity shot through each digit. Anne gasped at the sight and was truly amazed by Carla. Carla giggled as she stopped the currents.
Show off! A gruff sounding voice entered Anne’s head. Anne turned to the dark broad giant who gave her a kind smile despite his menacing feature and his unusually broad body. Carla raised an eyebrow to the giant and let out a noise as she turned away. My name’s Frank but everybody calls me Lazarus because when I was human I was in a terrible car accident that left me disabled. All the metal implants I had melded into my bones when I evolved leaving me with a titanium skeleton. I was also blind too and now I have better than average vision, even for a giant. I am also super strong for a giant too. Speed is not my strongest ability like the other kid over there. Frank pointed to Cody who gave Anne a sheepish grin. All that metal in my body sort of slows me down, if you know what I mean. Frank gave Anne a wink and a cock-eyed smile. Anne returned Frank’s smile.
Anne wasn’t afraid of Frank’s menacing look because she lived with a handsomely menacing giant who may not have been as broad as Frank but he was still just as big as the strange giant. Sven had a scary quality to him that Anne had grown quite used to so Frank was nothing. Anne then found out that the reason for Frank’s broad build was because of the titanium skeleton. Frank wasn’t all that rare either considering the amount of people around the world with implants. The strange dark eyes were though and that gave Frank his better than average eyesight.
Frank’s eyesight gradually bleed into a chocolate color from the black. He let out a small laugh when he watched wide-eyed Anne’s reaction. They change color when I don’t need my super clear vision. My eyes are really brown but there is nothing I can do about this ugly face though. Frank smiled down at Anne. Frank really wasn’t all the ugly much like all the other giants. He had a strong chin that went well with his broad frame that he kept stubbly. Frank was also of Hispanic origin with his smooth tan complexion. His natural eyes softened his features. Anne liked Frank’s sense of humor.
I need to see what you can do, red. By the way, the hair suits you. I’m taking you to the fire room first. You’ll get to join the others in the rumble room when I think you’re under enough control. Tyler thought towards Anne with a nod of his head. Anne wasn’t used to all this telepathy use but she understood the need. When I think your good enough, I’m going to hand you over to Molly and Allison for fight training. I know we’re much bigger than our potential enemy but there also might be a chance you will have to use it. Anne smiles up and nods at the giant. Tyler gives her a warm smile and pats her shoulder.
The fire room was a room made of fireproof material with a large target on the wall. This is going to be your practice room. You can come here anytime to blow off some steam. In fact, I recommend that you do so. The more practice you get, the better you’ll become. Your talents come from your emotions. The better control you have over your emotions, the better control you have over the fire.
Anne watched as blue flame ignited from Tyler’s fingertips. The fire grew orange and gradually shaped itself into an orange ball. Notice that the fire isn’t burning my skin or clothes. I have complete control over the flame, it obeys my every command. Tyler then tossed the ball of fire into his other hand. Anne watched as he juggled the flame. I am in complete control. The flame will only go where I want it to. Tyler quit juggling the flame and threw it hard at the target with his right hand. The flame disappeared and all that could be seen was smoke. Tyler then proceeded to make another fire ball and offered it to Anne. Anne was unsure until her hand started doing the same thing as the black man’s. Tyler smiled as he watched the small blue flames. You’re ready to take it. Your body and your emotions want you to have the fire. Take it.
Anne held her hand to the fire ball. To Anne it felt solid like a basketball. She held the small mass in her hand, trying to direct her commands to it. The ball of fire danced and moved organically. It felt alive in Anne’s grasp. She held her other hand to it and blue flames started shooting up her fingers. The fire seemed attracted to the organic mass as Anne shifted the fire from one hand to another. Tyler smiled in approval of his new student as her instinct started taking over. Now with all your might, throw it at the wall. Tyler encouraged the young giantess. With the grace of a dancer, Anne threw the ball of fire with all her might. She felt the fire’s rhythm until it went up into smoke. For the first time in her short life, Anne felt alive and powerful.
“Good work red,” Tyler said aloud and patted Anne’s shoulder. Tomorrow we’ll work on making fire balls. It’s best we do this in baby steps. Tyler dismissed Anne who couldn’t wait to tell her adopted parents about her day.
Before she went back to the hangar, Tyler showed her the large underground space known as the rumble room. The strange space seemed as big as a football stadium with dirt and boulders making up the obstacle course. There were also dummy houses and buildings to represent a human town. Anne gasped when she saw Carla grab power cords. Lightening shot though the petite giantess as she absorbed all the electric. Carla sparkled and glowed as a streak came running close up on her. The unseen force knocked Carla off her feet.
“That’s it Flash Jr.,” Carla playfully growled as she stood back up and started shooting lightening at the fast moving target. Carla managed to hit her target in the rear.
“Owww! Son of a ….,” Cody yelled and Anne just laughed.
“Annie Oakley strike again!” Carla said as blew on her fingertip and Cody shot her a dirty look. “Serves you right Matthews! You ruined my favorite potato sack,” Carla said with a smirk as she dusted off her dress. Cody laughed and winked at Anne when he noticed her watching.
Training is pretty serious stuff but we still like to have our fun. Anne heard the voice of the earthmover named Keith say in her head. She turned around and looked up at the handsome giant. Tyler finished with your training today? Anne nodded. I need to get back to my wife, she going to be home any minute now. She doesn’t know yet. Keith looked like a giant who didn’t believe in hiding things, but in the case of being a top secret super soldier, he had to.