I Steal The System

Superpower Prisons

Every nation hoards its secrets, and the tropical country where Lucius resided was no exception.

A fortified structure, ringed with layers of razor wire and security patrols, stood imposingly in the distance. The intense vigilance suggested that the place was far from an ordinary dwelling—more akin to a maximum-security prison.

"Has our latest subject arrived?" asked a middle-aged man, identifiable as a high-ranking official by the array of stars adorning his shoulders.

"Yes, Mr. Nefion. The new subject was delivered minutes ago," replied a busy woman, juggling documents and persistent phone calls.

"If it wasn't for my military career, I'd find it hard to believe these anomalies," the man mused aloud, "the existence of superhumans, just like in the films." His voice carried across the room, the woman catching his words.

"But this case is particularly intriguing. Such a young boy possessing this...gift," he continued, eyes fixed on the large monitor displaying the live feed from an interrogation room.

The room was initially unoccupied, but soon the frame captured a young man, heavily chained and his face obscured by a thick black hood. His entrance was reminiscent of a high-profile terrorist being escorted into custody.

"Remove his hood," ordered the general through an intercom linked to the interrogation room.

Complying with haste, several officers unveiled the young man's face. "Lucius" was his name, his impassive stare suggesting an indifference to his predicament. The heavily armed guards surrounding him seemed inconsequential to him.

"Lucius Eugan, we need honesty about your abilities. How and from where did you acquire them?" asked the general from the control room, shortly after his favorite cup of coffee was served.

"I heard from the previous session you played dumb. Now you've decided to play mute?" the general taunted. After all, this wasn't a luxury resort but a prison, a place where one couldn't expect gentle treatment.

"Lucius Eugan, the government is well aware of this system, aren't we?" he asked, magnifying the display, trying to scrutinize any shift in the captive's expression.

"Why ask if you already know?" Lucius retorted sarcastically, earning a hearty laugh from the general.

"You have a good sense of humor. Sadly, this isn't a comedy club," he snarked back. A snap of his fingers signaled the guards in the interrogation room who, armed with crowbars, delivered a hard blow to the back of Lucius's head. The hit was strong enough to cause blood to ooze from his nose and mouth.

"I only want your answers, Lucius, or else you'll end up as wildlife feed," he threatened, proving his menace with the violence inflicted on Lucius just moments before.

"Well, let's try again. How and where did you acquire this system?"

"I don't know. It just showed up at my home," Lucius responded, evidently lying. He wasn't about to unveil his biggest secret, which could bring about another catastrophe for their world.

"It would've been easier if you'd said that sooner, sparing this room from your blood. Now, tell me about the system you acquired. Its capabilities, anything you think may be relevant."

"It grants nothing but physical strength, nothing special."

"Sure you have no other secrets to divulge?" the general asked, noting Lucius glance towards the surveillance camera in the corner of the room, a look of submission flashing across his face.

"I understand. One more question. Would you be willing to serve as the government's tool, considering you have no future elsewhere?" the general queried, as if initiating the next phase of recruitment.

They had a practice of exploiting convicts with superpowers, turning them into expendable hunting dogs.

"I am willing."

"You didn't hesitate. You'll have a short lifespan if you continue to be this compliant," the general mocked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Lucius Eugan, do you have any information about others who possess this system?"

"No, but there was an anomaly atop the school building," Lucius replied.

"Anomaly?"

"Yes. The bodies seemed to be sucked into something. I'm not sure what it was," Lucius spun his web of lies, his expression so earnest it convinced even the discerning general.

"Was it not you who disposed of those bodies?"

"No, I can't do that," Lucius answered.

"Describe the entity that absorbed the bodies."

"It was sky-blue, like a spinning whirlpool. It pulled in the corpses," Lucius continued, his words flowing as smoothly as water from a tap, demonstrating his practiced ease with deception.

"He's suggesting a portal?" The general seemed perplexed, contemplating rumors about a portal related to the system's manifestation.

"Tell me everything you know. Remember, one lie and you're done," he warned again, eliciting a small grin from Lucius, who saw this as his quickest way to gain the system.

"A red crack appeared on that strange object."

The general seemed thunderstruck by this information, a highly classified piece that only a handful of individuals were privy to.

"Could he be telling the truth? Could this be related to the red fissures?" he pondered, bewildered by Lucius's prior statement.

On the other hand, Lucius appeared to be an ordinary young man, but his mind was already celebrating a tactical victory. He was inching closer to his objective.

"You're fortunate, too valuable to be killed. Officers, escort him to the detention room."

The order was promptly executed. The guards dragged Lucius, more akin to hauling an object than escorting a person, to the fortified prison cell.