Chương 23: Graded

Eliza took the segue that Perry gave her to start talking to us about Blue Cards. In her hands she had multiple manilla folders that she handed out to us.

"These are your major documents for filing as superhumans. They include your SR-490 which is a superhuman registration form needed for a Blue Card, as well as a disclosure clarifying that while you are presently Grade 1, it's a probationary position subject to repeat evaluation until further notice." Glad to know that even with all of this they still need to test us on everything. I had opened my folder and saw a stack of papers, and sitting on top of them was a little blue plastic card.

Picking it up, I examined it closely. It had a set of silvery text on it: Hercules SIN Last 4: 8158 Grade: 1 This card determined whether or not I would go to prison. Wonderful. Eliza resumed speaking from there, pulling up one of the stools to sit on.

"So, I just wanted to go over the facts and nuances about the Blue Card, so you all were equally on the level. The first is your Blue Card is pretty simple and just notes your name and SIN. There's a magnetic strip on the back that can be used in certain card readers found in some government offices and police stations for the purpose of identification. Otherwise, identification is being done with the last four digits of your SIN, or Superhuman Identification Number." Still a very questionable choice of acronym.

"In lieu of your card, such as in an emergency, if you state the last four digits on any sort of verifiably recorded line for authorities, such as when their body cameras are turned on, that will be considered valid identification. They can use either the card swipe or those last four digits to look you up in the SIT database, all it tells them is your heroic name, your powers, and your grade." The psychologist clasped her hands together.

"And of course I would like to clarify on the privileges of a Grade 1 evaluation on your Blue Card. It means you can use your powers in any context where you need to protect civilians or what's deemed 'key infrastructure.' Bridges, large buildings, parts of the power grid, things like that. If your powers are used specifically in those contexts, you don't necessarily need to worry about escalation, it's perfectly legal in a nonlethal context." That made me curious enough to speak up.

"What if we accidentally get a perp killed? I don't think anyone here would want to, but accidents related to our powers can happen." Eliza shook her head.

"We do have some rules and provisions in place but we're not disclosing them at the moment. Just know that Blue Cards are not a license to kill, maim, or otherwise cause serious harm to someone for simply breaking the law. That's what your rules of engagement help you with understanding." It would have seemed like a measured answer of hers if she blinked at all during that. She continued after her eyelids decided to let her blink again.

"Additionally, Grade 1's primary benefit is it's going to protect you from legal matters related to power displays and demonstration. Displays or demonstrations of power mean when it's known that you are using your superhuman abilities to do something, very simple. If it's not a registered ability, it's unlawful. In really simple terms the police will see it the same way they see someone pulling their gun out all willy-nilly." Her eyes snapped over towards Tancred, who was quietly leaning by a wall.

The agent said nothing. Then her attention moved back to us.

"Your Grade 1 cards in particular, not all of them but specifically yours, are also considered legible for card readers at certain government facilities and accessing certain areas within key confidentiality clauses. You're effectively deputized under the Super Commission. Generally, it's a 'you know it when you see it' situation." I turned the card around and saw the black strip on the back. There was the magnetic strip.

"Consider it a nice extra for if you ever need to stay in an American embassy." My head tilted.

"Why would we need to stay in an American embassy?" That question was then answered by Tancred.

"While your agenda is to protect American civilians, there are situations that may prompt international jobs. Those are related to those big situations Perry mentioned to you earlier. Sometimes that means you get to go on a free trip to Europe occasionally, since they have kaiju issues and our superhuman talent are considered NATO assets." Wasn't really sure what Christian's powerset would do for NATO. Wasn't going to bring that up either. I just nodded along. Eliza then followed up.

"You're also expected to be able to go on vacation at least twice a year as well, and full access to an American embassy means in the event you need to use your powers in an emergency, they can help you. Different places have different cape laws. For example, Dr. Way would be considered a superhuman in Europe." That brought confusion to the entire team, netting a question from May.

"She's just a human, though. What marks her down as 'super?'" Eliza clasped her hands together.

"The American definition of a superhuman is based on the concept of 'tessellation.' How much a person's life is impacted by uncommon traits and prevents them from living a normal, human life. The SIT defines it as a 20% margin, if 20% of your life is distinctly different than the average human life because of these abilities, and not in a debilitating fashion, you're considered a superhuman." Her hands bounced about as she indicated things, almost like her gestures were leading the sentences on.

"If you can get out of bed, go to work, buy groceries, and go home every day without your abilities having impact on you or those around you, either incidentally or intentionally, you can pass as non-superhuman. For example..." She trailed off, humming in thought. Tancred spoke up.

"Vampires. Different kinds of vampires. The lowest ranks, the ones who can't make more vampires, legally aren't superhuman. Yeah, they can throw cars over their shoulder, but that's entirely within their control. Sunlight makes them burst into flames, but they can just work night shifts. They don't need to drink human blood, and animal blood you can buy at any butcher shop. They might be emotionally dead, but so is any night shift worker." If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen.

Please report the infringement.

"I don't think I've ever seen a vampire before," I pointed out. The group nodded along with me, with hums of agreement. Tancred nodded.

"That's because vampires are an ultra-rare minority, and the ones that would be considered superhuman are a minority within that number. They have a national origin off in Eastern Europe as well, so marking down every single vampire as superhuman and making them registered is basically a big foreign policy middle finger and we aren't trying to pick fights with a country that is permanently nighttime and has a vampire pope."

"Vampire pope?" asked Christian.

"Yeah, Dracula's the Patriarch of some East Orthodox schism in a micronation within Romania's borders. Basically a vampire pope. Did they not teach you of the World War 2 stuff in school, or...?" He trailed off.

"I never finished high school," I clarified.

"We focused on America's involvement," added Christian. May chimed in.

"I didn't have an international history class due to my electives program going into American law."

"I didn't pay attention!" shouted Jairo, jubilantly. Dr. Way shrugged.

"I knew." The agent shook his head defeatedly.

"Point is, that's a good example of superhuman and not superhuman. We define it based on how much you can or can't live a normal human life. We use that threshold because the stress of not being able to live among humans, in a human dominant world, is a risk factor and it lets us offer means and resources of coping or finding ways to contribute and be part of the culture. Europe's, meanwhile..." He trailed off, nodding towards Eliza, who then followed up.

"The European Union's definition is based on replicability. If the average person can replicate what you can do with no issue, it's not considered superhuman. You can't replicate being Guapo Galera because he's eight feet tall and a shrimp." She then gestures to Sam.

"You can't replicate Dr. Way's technology because she thinks at a level where even most advanced minds in a collective struggle to grasp her notes. You can't replicate Jairo's condition because we don't even know if it was unique to the kaiju who had the parasites, or he may have a unique genetic factor that allowed him to withstand it." Looking around, most of us seemed to understand that. I did, at least. Sam seemed outright smug about it. Eliza kept speaking.

"And that's why embassy presence is useful, so that there aren't any potential legal clashes over superhuman activity due to a difference in definition. Her mad science is considered her right to do and not necessarily superhuman. If any of it could be considered destructive or harmful, that's a matter of her second amendment rights that would be discussed in courts. There's a similar matter with magic." Further nods.

"On top of all those benefits, there are a few other different things that we're waiting on approval for. And once they're all approved, we'll be informing you." The counselor let out a very loud, exaggerated sigh.

"Whew! There's all the important stuff that's all humdrum and serious. Now, let me tell you some fun important stuff!" She declared, clapping her hands together.

"You're going to be having a press conference on Friday announcing yourselves as a new superhero team. You're going to come on stage, show off your powers a little, then you'll able seated and answering questions from the press. Perry is your PR representative and will be public facing. Tancred and I will be in your earpieces, but we're not public facing." The auditor chimed in.

"If I show up in any situation involving The New Sentinels and it's not about an already solved problem, people are probably dying. So thank your lucky stars if I stay sparse." I considered asking if he meant he'd be responsible for the people dying, but I knew better than to waste time on him. The counselor nodded, resting her hands on her knees.

"And after the conference, you'll be getting a nice big private dinner at a fancy restaurant we've already got reservations for. You'll be getting to pick from the menu tomorrow in the morning, and for the next couple of days you'll be doing a dress rehearsal for the conference." Jairo let out some sort of jubilant cry, just an indiscriminate noise. May, far more coherently, echoed out a "Cool!" Chris just pumped his fist. Sam spoke up.

"Is it just us or are my kids coming too?" Eliza nodded.

"The little Sams will be there as will your support staff, including us. And if any of you would like to invite a plus-one who was already aware of your secret identity and signed appropriate non-disclosure forms, you may!" The scientist clapped like a seal. I didn't have anyone to invite, so that was easy enough for me. Wasn't sure who the others would invite. Something to learn in the future, I suppose.

"Okay, and I understand if not, but since I see you all already gussied up in your superhero outfits, could we do a little group photo of our New Sentinels?" My stomach turned. Instinctively, the answer was no. Everyone else disagreed, given the immediately snapped out confirmations to the counselor that they'd like to participate. When Chris noticed my lack of comment, he frowned a little.

"You don't need to put the mask on or anything, dude. It's a private picture; it's not for anyone else to see but us. You sure you don't wanna give it a shot?" Thought about the foster home. The yearly group photos. I was usually kept in the pile, until my powers showed up. Then they kept me off to the side. Had to fight my hardest not to look like it hurt for years. By the time I was fifteen, it didn't hurt anymore. I was just used to it. Made me concede to a rule I myself set: No pictures.

I don't like being seen as it is but leaving that out of my control is even worse. Felt disgusting.

"Look. Just one picture. You don't like it; she can crop you out and we can pretend it never happened at all. She'll even do the cropping right in front of you, okay?" He held a hand out to me.

"Shake on it. C'mon. You've got my word." I stared at the hand. No barbs. But I didn't like it. Everyone's eyes on me made it worse. Wasn't trying to draw attention. Gaze moved up to Christian's eyes. His face sat stony. The least jubilant I'd ever seen him. I was gonna fucking regret this. Reaching out, I gave his hand a light shake to avoid taking his arm off. Christian's other arm shot out towards Eliza, giving her a thumbs up. She made an almost squealing noise in joy.

"Alright, kids, go line up by the wall. Tancred, unless you wanna get these kids implicated in something, move." Tancred complied as we all piled towards the wall, trying to line up against it. Christian took the center as leader. May was off to his right. Jairo to his left. I stood by Jairo, and Sam stood by Dr. Way. As Eliza raised her phone up towards us, I felt this sickly clench in my face. Everything in me was fighting to just relocate. Get away. But I had nowhere to run.

Eliza blurted out with whimsy in her voice: "Say cheese, everyone!" We all complied. She then brought her phone closer to herself, and she let out another jubilant whooping noise.

"Oh, you kids look so adorable! Take a look." Chris, May, and Jairo circled her to take a look. I waited until I felt a finger hook into my suit. Looking over, it was Sam. She nodded towards Eliza.

"C'mon, you have to look if she's going to honor your bargain." Defeatedly, I followed her to Eliza and leaned over to look at the picture. It was shaky, definitely a photo taken by an older woman. The top of my head was cut off. I looked towards my face, wondering what pained expression I'd put on given how it felt to make. Instead, what I saw was... a smile. That's how I looked when I smiled, now?

Uninterested in making it known, I tried to avoid saying anything until Eliza blurted out something that drew everyone's attention to it, hand over her mouth as she spoke with overwhelming elation.

"Oh my God, Leo you have such huge dimples!"