Boyd knew he was in for a battle of wits when he saw who the other 2 teachers were that awaited him. So rather than letting his VIP student rest he had instead request that the late teen start instructing his most loyal student, Nathan. It would be is first demonstration to the other two that Daley was firmly taking Boyd's lead.

  Now that hes had a closer look at them the middles aged teacher reflects that such a measure might not have been necessary. Still, after what happens in the principles office he wanted a firm position of strength to negotiate from. So while, perhaps, his approach was a little heavy handed, the desired effect seemed to have been achieved given how they greeted him.

  Though both woman looked worse for ware, clearly still feeling sickly due to the rampant Chi overflow affecting everyone. Still, they carried themselves with dignified poise, even if their posture was one of respectful acceptance between peers.

  It was also Harper who spoke first, a fact that gave Boyd the impression they wanted to try the more amenable approach first. Boyd suspected that if Davis had been the first to speak then they would have stared to conversation with scorn and confrontation. Harper's tone contributed to this theory with how polite it was, as if they were inviting him to share afternoon tea.“If seeing is believing then I would have to believe what dear Miss Manford has told me must be true. You look right as rain Mr. Boyd. How do you feel ?”

  With a glance Boyd took note of the stoic demeanor Davis was exhibiting before summoning up a polite smile at his gaze. The math teacher stepping forward to offer his hand in greeting as he adopted his own cordial tone, as if happily accepting the invitation to afternoon tea. This was despite knowing full well the verbal fencing match about to take place. “If seeing is believing Miss Harper, then do I have such sights to show you.”

  Offering his hand to Davis next with a nod. “Miss Davis.” She returns the shake but remains respectfully silent, Allowing Boyd to move thins along with the same sweet tone. “So, as you may have noticed, it not just me. Multiple students are also doing just fine. You see we've had a lucky break and one of My students has a valuable understanding of how things work in this, uhh, situation. Circumstance ?...

  Boyd shakes himself of the stumble and to reorient himself. He gestures to the group of students making copies of the instruction sheet as he resumes his explanation. "Point is, its helped us get a grasp on, at least, the physical effects of what ever this is. My students knowledge has been so effective that students are willing to help produce copies of the introductory instructions, by hand. So I'm organizing mass production of this information as I believe this is something that people are going to want to know."

  It did not escape Harper's notice how Boyd emphasized his position at the center of this boon and the fact that he was in charge of it. An odd choice of framing given that he had supposedly gone to the principles office with this very information and the intent to share it with the schools higher authority. It was true that the principle was old, due to retire next year actually and pretty set in her ways but would she really have dismissed information that might help in the current crises? Especially if provided by someone who so clearly wasn't suffering like everyone else ?

  Best to verify. Harper's tone was more inquisitive than accusatory. “Impressive. I'm sure the principle was elated with the news that at least someone was showing results in helping deal with our present situation. At least I was given to believe that's why you were absent when I arrived and had left the class in the hands of a student ?”

  Boyd reflected on how he had told Daley that things out in the world were being taken care of but Boyd knew those were just empty words. The best case scenario, The Best Case, was that the constitutional United states of America would remain in tact and survive this event but the world as they knew it was gone. It had already ended hours ago and almost everyone, especially a high school teacher, was going to need to find a new place in the new world.

  Boyd had intentionally looked sickly and weak so that the principle only saw as a couple of haggard people offering a supposed miracle that was easily dismissed. As an added Bonus Boyd extracted extra information out of Daley about the higher tier techniques and had learned valuable secrets about the late teens insights which he could use to his advantage. Whatever the new world order turned out to be, Boyd had no intention of winding up just another casualty lost to time.

  So knowing that this issue was both going to come up and was pivotal to how the rest of the conversation would unfold Boyd laid on, what he believed to be, just the right amount of innocence, frustration and resignation for an outcome he had actually been hoping for. “Well, its like this. I tried, I really did but the principles just so swamped with everything going on... We she barely spared us a cursory glance after reading the title of the instruction sheet Daley prepared for her."

  Boyd looked down at his feet while shaking his head for good measure. "My only hope is that she will actually pass along the instructions I gave her or at least try it out herself when he has a moment to herself. I mean she kinda skimmed over the material but it was clear her heart wasn't in it. I fear she was just going through the motions."

  When he looked back up and into their eyes the fakes shame and embarrassment was not to be seen. "But I doubt it. Especially given the way she threw me out on my ear. I wouldn't be surprised if that report is in the trash can by now."

  It was at this point that Boyd chose to alter his tone to one of determined hope. “I am not disheartened though. I will simply need to work with my students, and perhaps other faculty of open mind, to produce results that can't be so easily dismissed.” The hook was baited and submerged. All that was left now was for Boyd to wait and see if the other two would take a bite.

  Neither Davis or Harper were fools, unlike too many of their colleges. They knew this was a test, of sorts, but their are rule to the great game that must be followed. Boyd clearly had an asset but was that asset worth them hitching their carts to Boyd's. He certainly seemed to think so and seemed to subtly be offering them the chance to join in the benefits but was he overestimating the value of his find ? The two woman glanced at one another and had a conversation with that gaze which encompassed all these facts and more.

  The two could respect such ambition but they would test the math teacher in turn. Davis found this an opportune time to slip into the conversation and smooth over her informants involvement. “Rest assured Mr. Boyd, while some of our colleges may simply be trying to maintain the former status quo you will find that the 2 before you have a much firmer understanding as to just how drastically the status quo has changed."

  She adopts a knowing smile meant to let Boyd know that he doesn't hold all the cards. "Even more then you realize given what information I have been privia too. Perhaps if you would be willing to elaborate on the usefulness of your students understandings then we might better know how to proceed. Who knows. It may very well be that we should work on progressing the advantage you've discovered, or it might be a greater use to combine what we know and try with the principle again ?"

  It was Boyd's turn to be on the back foot, though Harper wasn't much better. The two looked to Davis for elaboration but the woman remained stoic. She waited Boyd out to see how much political capital her information could buy her. The play bore fruit Boyd knew any information that helped him better understand the greater political landscape would pay mighty dividends in the long run. He also knew both woman to be both competent and have a good following among the student body.

  Boyd tried to contain the smugness in his voice when he held his hand back out, but some still slipped in. “Take my hand and I will show you.”

  The apprehension in Davis's eyes didn't go unnoticed but the hesitation was brief before she clasped his hand. There was... a sensation... flowing into her through her hand. There was a twang of fear and wonder in Davis's voice. “What... What are you...”

  Boyd didn't leaver her hanging for long. “A skill I put together after interacting with My student while he was helping me. Just mentally focus on your HUD's display and will it to accept the link for the information I am sending you. You should be able to see the tier 3 skill I now poses if this works the way I think it does.”

  Both woman shared a wide eyed look. Harper nodded and Davis assented to the connection. She was treated to a screen that showed a list of Boyd's higher tiered skills. She could see them all, but the Tier 4 skill called sending was highlighted. When she focused on the highlighted skill she became aware of what the skill meant and did as information flowed into her.

  Skills 3ed Tier

  Calculus – Advanced

  Vehicle mechanic / gas – Experienced

  Vehicle mechanic / diesel – experienced

  mind body connection – beginner

  Stills / 4th Tier

  Chi body infusion – Beginner

  Sending – Beginner

  Davis could not help herself. “What does Chi body infusion mean ?” The connection was quickly severed and the teacher blinked a couple times from how abrupt the shift was.

  Boyd was clearly disappointed at first but what was done was done. “That is another of the skills that are available through my assets understanding. basically, it allows me to improve a given part of myself for a short time. Sending is the important one though. With it I could have convinced the principle without a doubt If only she had so much a shaken my hand." He shakes his head.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Harper presented her hand to see this for her self. After the second demonstration Boyd's tone changed to one of stern business then. “Now that you've had a taste of what my asset can provide, you should understand just what a game changer it is. Not to mention the benefits for those at the forefront. So, what do you know about what's happening ?"

  It turned out that Davis had loose ties to the military in her family, so she had an ear to the ground when the odd rumors and then confirmed reports started spreading around. When certain high ranking people from prominent families simultaneously excuse themselves from their duties in mass over less than a week word gets out. Apparently the higher ups knew something like this was going to happen but it was still pretty short notice. The fact that they left their positions of authority and power for this event seemed unwarranted unless they had expected it to be much worse.

  The thought was unsettling but they had no answer for that. Only the speculation that many people, who were very influential and in the know, had left for parts unknown in a hurry over the past week and right before the world had fundamentally changed. Boyd decided to get things back on track. "Unsettling indeed, but nothing can effect directly for the time being. All we can do is gather out assets and strength to prepare." Davis nodded in understanding before they both looked to Harper.

  Now it was Harper who was the center of attention as the other two seemed to have come to an agreement about the current state of affairs. Harper was reluctant to refer to her students as assets but with the other 2 easily adopting that terminology she quickly followed suit. Harper still voiced her most apprehensive concern. "I acknowledge the need to take hold of our own fates given current circumstance but let us not discard the principles of the founding fathers outright."

  It was Boyd who spoke up first. "Of course. But no organization stands on principle alone. I figured that order would collapse already, if only for a short while. Now ? In not so sure the the collapse will be so short. Some people are gonna Die, and I have no intention of being one of them."

  The combination of events had given all 3 a strong sense sense that they might very well be on their own after all. No government coming to help, at least not for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, the three began to haggle and deliberate on how they would build their own new fallowing with their students as their subordinates and assets.

  The three teachers had been in heated discussion for over 20 minutes and it was after 3 O'clock by the time Elisha and Maik made their way over too them. The 2 students were greeted formally and Boyd seemed thankful for Maik's thoughtfulness. There was a moment of tension when Maik started to imply that he was only helping students that were with Boyd and Harper, Davis taking on a flat lipped expression as she gave Boyd a pointed glance.

  The middle aged man had no need to antagonize his new ally and so quickly set about correcting Maik's preconceptions. “Actually Maik, Davis here has been nothing but helpful is shedding light on affairs outside of our school grounds and despite Tristyn's aggressive behavior, he was just trying to get a grasp on the situation."

  Boyd demonstrated by shaking hands with Davis and smiling, the spitting image of a political figure. "We have come up with a list of 20 people, including Davis and Harper here. If you can manage that with your current reserves ?" Maik frowned and Boyd only resumed speaking after the late teen nodded. "I will need to start seeing about sleeping arrangements for everyone here so I'll be taking some of those who have already been through the training.”

  Both Maik and Elisha didn't look happy about the prospect of setting up sleeping arrangements here at school and Elisha was quick to voice her concern on that fact with wild eyes that started to dance between the teachers present. “Sleeping arrangements ? When are we going home ?”

  Boyd didn't address her concern, instead focusing on Maik and letting Harper address Elisha's concern. “The situation beyond school grounds is presently not safe and many of the roads are blocked. Reports have continued to come in throughout the day and we do not believe that the present situation will be resolved swiftly or without considerable effort from everyone effected.”

  The teacher stepped up to Elisha and placed both hands on the blonds biceps before giving them a gentle squeeze. “You my dear, are fortunate to be fairing as well as you are in present circumstances and I'm counting on your help in the coming days as we assist those less fortunate than we. I too have family whom I worry for. Lets do our best to see that at least this school will be a safe place for them when we find our respective loved ones.”

  Elisha tried to protest that Boyd told Maik there were people higher up working on the problem. That this was just another natural disaster of some kink, like a hurricane. The teacher nodded along and pointed out just how devastating some of those hurricanes in the past had been, only this time it was everywhere and nobody had evacuated the area. The blond student needed a hug after that and Harper heartily provided.

  The demonstration of paternal affection did as much for Elisha as the pep talk Maik received from Boyd. With that the 5 of them made their way over to the gathering Maik and Elisha had just left where the 3 teachers seemed to work as one by reorganizing the students and explaining the new situation.

  Scribe work was transferred to those still suffering from rampant Chi flow which had good hand righting sense it was a less physically demanding task. Besides Maik's friends, Boyd and Tristyn, there were only 14 other students who had directly been instructed by Maik and they were all needed to accompany Boyd to the indoor Stadium where padded floor mats could be procured for bedding. As Boyd put it before they left the class. “This trilogy of your teachers won't settle for their students sleeping on the hard floor.”

  Elisha asked about using the showers along the way and Stacy suggested grabbing peoples gym wear so people weren't sleeping in there day clothes. Boyd conceded that those were both good points before delegating the assembled students into 2 groups meant to escort groups of students back and forth from the gym for that purpose if there were no unforeseen complications. As though prophesied by Boyd's words a complication was, in fact, obstructing their goal.

  There was a procession of Students doing there best to jog laps around the building with the head coach keeping pace and urging them on with a surprisingly motivational speech. “Don't bounce Jones. Use your muscles to control your jog. If a 52 year old like me can do it than by god a spry youngster like you should have no problem. Stop loosing focus and keep your mind on your muscles, steady breathing, strong heart beat and firm coordination.”

  When the coach noticed the approaching group however he called for a halt. “Huff, Seems we have visitors. Huff, huff. Take 5.”

  Rather than the sickly look most people had the group just looked to be in various states of hung over, some pretty badly by how they just seemed to collapse to the sidewalk panting. By contrast Boyd's group seemed to exude vitality and health, looking better and healthier than they probably did yesterday. This fact was not lost on the old coach.

  Nor was it lost on Boyd that the older man stood tall and marched with a self assured gate despite looking like he had been blackout drunk last night and probably only had 2 hours of sleep before being forced to run a marathon with how he was drenched in sweat, how red his eyes were and what looked like a bit of vomit still on his shirt and trousers. Despite all this the old mans voice was firm as he put his fists on his hips. “Huff. Well damn if you lot aren't just the finest flock of spring daisies. So what brings you my way with fine afternoon. Huff.”

  Boyd knew the man used to be in the army but hadn't expected this. Maybe people with military training would fair better with the Chi flow than your average person. Boyd filed it away as something to look into later. For now he stepped up and offered the man a hand in greeting. "Mr. Boyd, applied mathematics teacher. Were here to snag some floor mats to use as bedding. Students have it hard enough with sleeping on the hard floor too."

  Boyd deliberately looked the coach up and down as if to note the state the man was in. "We also want to set up rotations for people to use the showers.” Boyd pointed looks at the jocks who's existence was all but pure suffering and then back at the coach. “How long have you been at... this ? Boyd gestures to the assembled students on the ground.

  The coach's gaze had come to rest on James, sense he was a jock as well and remained there even as he shook Boyd's proffered hand and answered the quarry. “Huff. Coach Leavery. Huff. Private, first class, retired. Nice to meet you. Huff. Yes that does indeed sound like quite the sensible course of action. Huff. As me and the lads here."

  the coach turns only his torso and head around to look back at the sorry state of his troop. "Huff, I have found that an active body doesn't seem to be suffering the symptoms of, Huff, whatever is going around lately. Huff. At least, not as profoundly.” His eyes finally return to Boyd's, giving the man the sternest assessing look that Boyd may ever have been under in his life. “Although you lot don't seem to be having that problem. Curious that.”

  Up to this point Boyd was feeling pretty full of himself with how much progress he had made but that stern gaze took a lot of the wind out of his sails. Not all though, and the middle aged man smoothly went right into negotiations. “Despite what the principle seems to think, I believe that fortune has smiled upon me and 2 other teachers. We have formed a trilogy to guide our students with what we have discovered."

  The math teacher places a hand on James's shoulder for emphasis. "One of my students has some remarkable insights that have greatly helped. I've come to understand a great deal about this HUD's display and its interface as a result. Its been pretty helpful, all things considered.”

  The coach nods and rubs his chin absently. “The principle don't think so huh ?”

  Boyd saw no need to reveal that he could Send information with touch just yet so played along with half truths. “Aside from the fact that Me and a hand full of students aren't suffering like everyone else, I didn't have much to show here. We provided an instruction sheet but without any compelling evidence to present and so many calling for her attention.... Have you been by her office lately ? The line is pretty long."

  Boyd shrugs. “Heck, she all but fired me on the spot when I told her how to managed what you see here. So I figured that I would need to produce more compelling evidence before going back to her again. If ever."

  There was a frown on the old former soldiers face but he nodded. “Yeah. Sometimes all you can do is pass your report up the chain of command and let them sort it out. But I wouldn't worry about it too much son. Its probably in some pile waiting to be more thoroughly reviewed with all the other reports. The higher ups like to get a grasp of the big picture before making a decision. You'll probably be getting a call to come see her and make a demonstration within.....”

  Leavery's gaze goes distant as he recalls old memories, grimaces harder and nods again. “About 2 weeks or so.”

  At first Boyd had been worried that all his plans would be for not but that last statement was so jarring that he actually laughed. “PffHaahh haha Haa.” Both from the relief from his worries and from just how funny that statement was. He quickly composed himself though and adopted a grave tone. “That's too long.”

  The coach shrugs as though there was nothing to be done about it but Boyd reflects that those jocks would make mighty fine soldiers, with the right training and guidance. He makes the choice. “Perhaps we don't have to wait that long. You yourself seem to have realized that we can't just wait around to be taken care of.....”

  The pause prompts the coach to give a slow nod of affirmation. “As you have no doubt heard, things are a right mess out there in the world right now ?” Again the coach nods, his eye closing as he dose so in a mournful way. “I would like to invite you back to my class where the 4 of us can discuss our best path moving forward. Anything that helps to make this place a safe haven for family, students, friends and faculty needs to be considered.”

  The retired soldier chews that over for a full 5 seconds before offering his hand for another firmer shake and nodding. “Alright, but my lads come with.” Boyd nods, though they were going to need to figure out more extensive arrangements given the sheer number of people their group was starting to consist of.

  Back at the class room Maik was diligently helping the 20 people under his care through the Meditation process. First he had them all read the instructions he had produced. This seemed to be helping move things along a fair bit. This also gave the teen time to sit down and rest for a few minutes before the work started. All this allowed Maik to do more than just frantically run about putting out fires and actually focus on just what he was doing for the first time and the gains were plentiful.

  Tier 4 skill acquired - Chi projection – Beginner

  Tier 4 skill acquired – Chi sight – beginner

  Extend your perception to anywhere you Chi is, granting you the ability to sense physical and mystical matter through extra sensory perception.

  Tier 4 skill acquired – Minor healing – Beginner

  Infuse Chi upon an injury to rapidly increase the speed of natural healing. Usable on self and others.

  Chi projection was developed when Maik instinctual reached out for a student who suddenly started having a muscle spasm. Maik was focused and pushing the Chi out towards his suffering class mate and managed to extend the energy beyond his body to form the connection even before reaching them.

  The sight and Minor healing skills came when he found that that same student had managed to hurt them self with those spasms and had tried combining Chi projections and Chi body infusion while trying to magnify their sight of the injury down to the cellular level so that he could focus on boosting repair in that small area rather then boost one of the stats. That combination produced both skills in rapid succession.

  It was as if Maik only needed to meet their HUD's display half way when creating any skill and the interface would fill in the rest of the knowledge needed to form the skill. AT first Maik had thought that it was just a sudden burst of insight but after going though the experience 6 times now. Something was certainly helping him out.

  After getting the notifications Maik applied as much of his purple bar as he dared to practicing each of the new skills while still making sure his charges learned what they needed too. By the end not even his enthusiasm for gaining new seemingly magical power could motivate him to go further. His will to do anything had dropped to an all time low. And it was time for a well deserved nap.