The excitement of a successful conversation with Kimberly died down when Summer saw the faces of the rest of the team. The twins looked especially grave, and Ashton was holding a strange metal box. It didn't seem like the best mood to bring up protecting a witness, but she had made a promise to Kimberly. Besides, if they saw how terrifying the terms of the contract really were, they would definitely agree it was necessary.

  "We need to protect the informant," Ashton brought up before Summer could even suggest anything, "If they knew I would be here, they also knew why. We can't leave her here like this."

  "I can arrange it, but only if she agrees," Jared replied, then looked to Summer, "What do you think? Will she accept protection?"

  Summer held out the folder containing the contract. "Actually, she asked for protection. She has been experiencing some strange things lately, and she believes it has everything to do with the terms in the contract. Does the name Checkmate mean anything to anyone?"

  "Checkmate?" Ashton asked, "He was a hero for SI, but he ended up being fired for misusing his power. After that he disappeared. Are you saying the contract mentioned him?"

  "It does, and something about people becoming puppets and losing their will," Summer confirmed, "Kimberly told us about being followed by suspicious people who didn't even remember her when she saw them later. This means the contract must be effective."

  "Not only is Checkmate showing himself, but we have some kind of contract ability as well?" Jared checked, "This isn't something we can delve into as your first case. I would like to say I will handle things from here, but our friend made things very clear that bad things will happen if Ashton isn't involved."

  Summer looked again at the strange metal box Ashton was holding. "What happened out here?"

  "Ned left us a present," Ashton answered, "I still need to get it checked out to see how much danger we were really in. I can't say if there was never really a bomb, or if it was disabled because I was the one there."

  Ned? Summer felt a chill. MysteriousMaskz was involved in this too? "That means at least three dangerous criminals with mental abilities are working together," she realized, "Are they trying to form some kind of team?"

  "A team, a gang, a company. It doesn't matter what you call it," Ashton scoffed, "They are playing at organized crime trying to make their names as villains. Villains only exist in comic books and TV shows. Reality only has criminals."

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  Jared handled the arrangements to get Kimberly into protection, and they headed back to Gale Research. Once they arrived, a team was waiting to examine the metal box and its contents for any further threats. Just like that, their first mission was declared over, and a success. They secured the potential powered individual as well as the information she offered, and even dealt with an unexpected threat.

  Summer didn't really feel like the mission was a success at all. It barely felt like they had accomplished anything. It was like pulling the first thread of a ball of twine and expecting the whole thing to magically come undone. Regardless, their new orders were to sit tight until the investigation into the metal box was finished. Whatever it contained would likely decide their next step.

  "We should celebrate," Kayla suggested, giving Summer a light nudge with her elbow. She had taken to spending a lot of her time in Summer's apartment rather than her own, "Sure things weren't exactly what we expected, but we completed our first mission. You and I did our jobs perfectly."

  "We were blissfully unaware the others were even in danger," Summer muttered, "What good are we if we can't even tell that much?"

  "They could have reported it to us at any time, but our mission was too important to interrupt. Everyone played their part and we all came back safely. Isn't that what matters?" Kayla pressed, "Besides, I am too scared to go out and celebrate on my own. Won't you come with me?"

  Summer debated for a few moments. "I will if you tell me who Checkmate is."

  Once again, everyone else seemed to know but her, and no one had given her much of an answer when she asked. She could just look it up, but she got the feeling that as soon as she used her computer, Ned would be watching her every move.

  “There isn’t much more to tell,” Kayla sighed, “Checkmate used to be a hero, but he misused his powers and was taken away to live in the facilities. He must have escaped somehow if he is able to use his powers like this. The government must be keeping this secret locked tight.”

  “Not that,” Summer complained, “What is his power? The one he misused. Does it allow him to control people?”

  Kayla nodded grimly. “Honestly, it is a power so creepy it is amazing he was ever able to become a hero. He can control people through a medium. Most people would think of puppets, but his medium is chess, or chess pieces. Until now, you would have to meet him face to face for him to assign a piece to you but that contract makes him exponentially more dangerous.”

  No wonder no one had wanted to tell her. Still, even if it wasn’t a pretty topic, she was part of the team and she deserved to know. “Thank you for telling me,” Summer said finally, “Let’s go celebrate.”

  “Should we invite the others?” Kayla asked with a smile, “I bet if you invite Ashton, he will come.”

  “Let’s do that,” Summer agreed, pulling out her phone.

  She couldn’t let Maskz keep getting to her like this. He and this Checkmate person controlled enough as it was. There was no need to let them control her mood as well. Would he probably know that she was texting Ashton? Probably. So what? The idea of shoving it in his face that she was celebrating when he wanted her to tremble in fear felt surprisingly liberating.