A New Beginning

Maya walked slowly back to her quarters, her thoughts racing with Dr. Elara's words. "Your case might be genetic. "Your DNA appears to have undergone a bizarre change before now," Dr. Elara observed, her tone curious and concerned.

Maya couldn't escape the dread that had crept over her since her encounter with the Diamond Heads. The discovery that her metamorphosis could be related to a genetic abnormality left her with more questions than answers. Maya inhaled deeply as she entered her modest, plain room.

She had always felt that hard effort and determination were essential to succeed. However, with her new abilities, she felt like an outsider even in her own skin. She had to learn to control these powers, not just for her sake, but for the safety of those around her.

Maya put on her training gear, and the usual ritual helped to ground her. She went to the isolated training site that had been designated for her usage. As she went, the words of Asher and Dr. Elara resounded in her head.

They believed in her, but she needed to prove to herself that she could master these skills. The training site was peaceful, in stark contrast to the chaos she had experienced outside the city walls. Maya stood in the center, closed her eyes and concentrating on her breath.

She could sense the dormant power within herself, a strange and unexpected sensation.

"Okay, Maya," she said to herself. "Let's do this."

She started with basic exercises, pushing her physical limits to get a feel for her new strength. Her movements were initially awkward, the enhanced power difficult to control. She punched and kicked at the air, each strike sending shockwaves that she struggled to contain.

As the hours passed, she experienced both improvement and difficulties. There were times when she felt in command, her movements flowing and accurate. However, the power would often surge unpredictably, leaving her dissatisfied and fatigued.

She pushed through the exhaustion, determined to master her skills.

"Come on, Maya," she whispered, wiping sweat from her forehead.

"You can do this." She mentally recreated the events of the Behemoth attack. Fear, desperation, and an unexpected surge of power had saved her crew. She needed to harness and regulate that power so that it did not control her.

She practiced transforming, focusing on the sensation of the change. At first, it was painful and disorienting, but gradually, she began to understand how to trigger and reverse it. Her body responded to her will, the transformations becoming smoother and less jarring.

Despite her progress, doubts lingered. She remembered the fear in the eyes of her squad members, the whispers and the scornful looks. Would they ever accept her? Could she ever be one of them again?

As the sun sank, throwing deep shadows across the training area, Maya collapsed to her knees, fatigued but not defeated.

She had made some progress, but there was still a long way to go. She stared up at the lowering sky, her resolve strengthening.

"I will control this," she declared. "I'll protect Neo-Citadel. "No matter what."

The sound of footsteps interrupted the silence, and Maya turned to see Asher approaching. He'd been observing her from a distance, his face one of gentle encouragement.

"How are you doing?" he inquired, offering her a hand. Maya took it and got to her feet.

"I'm getting there," she said, fatigued but determined.

"It's not easy, but I'm not giving up."

Asher nodded, a faint smile flashing across his lips. "I didn't believe you would. Remember, you are not alone in this.”

"Dr. Elara and I are here to help you."

Maya felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Asher. I won’t let you down."

Asher placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know you won’t. We broke the news of your return to your squad. Everyone except Emma seemed to be happy."

—----

In the briefing room of his and Maya's team, The Beavers, Asher was seated at the head of the table. His gaze sweeping over his squad's features. There was a noticeable tension in the space. After the turbulent events of the previous few days, Liam Connor, Jenna Harris, Ava Martinez, David Lee, Noah Bennett, and Emma Collins all stared at him anxiously, hoping for news.

Asher cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Alright, everyone, I have some important news to share. Maya Renard is coming back to the team. She’s been placed under my direct supervision by the Diamond Heads."

A chorus of surprised murmurs erupted around the table, followed by a loud cheer from David. "Yes! I knew she’d be back!" He quickly sat back down, looking sheepish as his enthusiasm drew glances from his teammates.

Liam grinned, clapping David on the back. "Settle down, mate. We’re all glad she’s coming back."

Jenna leaned forward, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What’s going to happen to her now, Lieutenant? I mean, with those... abilities?"

Asher nodded, understanding their concerns. "Maya is going to be training to control her new abilities. Dr. Elara and I are working closely with her. It's crucial that we support her and help her through this transition."

Ava looked thoughtful. "If anyone can handle it, it’s Maya. She’s one of the strongest people I know."

“You mean weakest and stupid” Emma chipped in.

“The hell you mean by that Emma?” David yelled, slamming his hand on the desk. “Without her you'd be dead!” He continued.

Noah nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she saved our lives out there. She deserves our support."

However, Emma crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "Support? We’re talking about someone who turned into a monster. How can we trust her? I can’t be in the same squad as someone like that."

Everyone in the room stared at Emma as the room fell silent and tension increased. Asher's eyes grew a little narrower. "Maya is not a monster, Emma. She remains the same individual from before. She is making every effort to control these powers, even though she didn't ask for them. We owe her our sympathy and assistance."

Emma shook her head, her voice trembling with anger. "You didn’t see the fear in everyone’s eyes when she transformed. What if she loses control again? What if she turns on us?"

David stood up, his face red with frustration. "Emma, that’s enough. Maya is one of us. She’s risked her life for us more times than I can count. If anyone deserves our trust, it’s her."

Emma shot him a glare. "And what if you’re wrong, David? What if she can't control it and someone gets hurt?"

Liam interjected, his tone calm but firm. "Emma, we’re a team. We’ve faced countless dangers together, and we’ve always had each other’s backs. This is no different. We support Maya, we help her, and we keep moving forward."

Jenna nodded. "We all have fears, Emma. But letting them divide us will only make things worse. Maya needs us now more than ever."

Leaning forward, Ava said in a kind yet determined tone. "Consider what Maya is experiencing. She's doing her best to make sense of it all, but she didn't ask for this. We are no better than those who perceive her as a threat if we ignore her."

Emma glanced around the room, witnessing her comrades' resolve and encouragement. Her shoulders sagged as she let out a sigh. "All right. But I will hold all of you accountable if something goes wrong."

Satisfied with the result, Asher nodded. "That's reasonable, Emma. However, I hope that eventually you will also have faith in Maya like I do. Let's return to our work now. We need to get ready for a lot."

The team nodded, the tension slowly dissipating as they refocused on their duties. Asher couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in his squad. They were strong, resilient, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

—-----

“Not everyone might accept you at first Maya, but you're special and I believe in you” Asher said, looking Maya in the eye.

Maya nodded, finding her motivation restored. Although she still had a long way to go, she was prepared to overcome any obstacles in her path because of Asher and Dr. Elara's support. A flicker of optimism came over Maya as they headed back to the barracks. She would not be fighting this battle alone; together, they would figure out how to harness her abilities and keep Neo-Citadel safe.