Jason didn't sleep the night the system awakened. He couldn't.
Not because of pain—he'd grown numb to that. Not because of fear—he'd buried that long ago. But because, for the first time since the desert, he felt something other than survival.
He felt power.
---
The system spoke only in brief, clinical text boxes at first:
[VECTOR MANIPULATION - LEVEL 1]
You may alter direction and force of external physical objects within a 1-meter radius.
[Skill: Vector Push (Unlocked)]
Push any object or target within your effective radius with a force up to 300N.
[Warning: Overuse will cause neural strain. Proceed cautiously.]
Jason had read the text three times. Memorized it. Then, with trembling fingers, he reached out toward the metal spoon they always left with his nutrient paste.
It wobbled.
He focused harder. Pushed—not with muscle, but with intention.
The spoon snapped into the wall like a bullet, embedding itself deep in the steel.
Jason stared.
Then he smiled.
The game had changed.
---
The next week was spent testing—secretly, precisely, and under cover of isolation. Jason learned his range was limited. He could move small items easily—bend their motion, increase their velocity, even redirect thrown tools mid-air. But anything more caused searing pain behind his eyes. Once, he nearly blacked out trying to redirect the security drone's patrol path.
But every failure was just more data.
He counted screws. He studied door locks. He used stolen paper from a broken clipboard to map the hallway rotations based on the faint steps and chatter beyond his cell.
Dr. Ross had unknowingly taught him how to dissociate.
The system had now given him the means to weaponize it.
---
Cadmus Observation Room - Two Floors Above
Calla sat with her legs crossed, chewing on a protein bar as she watched Jason on the security monitor.
"You ever wonder why Ross puts so much effort into this one?" she asked the nearby tech.
"Because the boss thinks he's alien," the man shrugged. "Luthor signed off for unlimited resources."
Calla rolled her eyes. "Still. Creepy kid just stares at the wall now. Barely reacts. Starting to wonder if we already broke him."
If only they knew.
---
Jason's Cell - That Night
He made his first real attempt.
When the nutrient dispenser panel opened, Jason flicked his fingers subtly. A metal tray shot sideways, striking the panel's edge. It sparked—and the seal failed for a moment.
0.7 seconds.
Jason's eyes flared. His heart thudded.
He didn't act. Not yet. He recorded it in his head.
Note: Panel circuits vulnerable. Opening window: 0.7s.
Later that night, he made a small metal hook from debris and stashed it under his mattress.
Escape wasn't just a dream now. It was a sequence.
---
Justice League Watchtower - Containment Threat Briefing
"This kid," Green Lantern said, pointing to the digital recreation of Jason, "is either a dimensional refugee or a time-lost experiment."
"He's in Cadmus," Batman said. "That alone warrants an intervention."
"Do we know what they've done to him?" Wonder Woman asked.
"Nothing good," Flash muttered.
Martian Manhunter spoke next, eyes glowing faintly. "He is not like other humans. There is... a pressure around him. As though reality resists his presence. I sense buried anguish. But also resolve."
Superman stepped forward. "We have to extract him."
Batman nodded. "We're already preparing infiltration plans. If we wait too long... Cadmus may push him beyond the point of return."
---
LexCorp Lab Terminal - Internal Memo
Dr. Ross,
Subject X234.001's brain scans show increased frontal lobe activity. Synaptic restructuring suggests potential psionic interface or neurological adaptation. His regenerative curve is accelerating slightly with each stress exposure.
Continue escalated trials. Begin psychotropic testing.
- L. Luthor
---
Cadmus - Holding Sector 3B
Jason sat in silence as the guards entered for his daily 'evaluation.' This time, Dr. Ross wasn't present. Just Calla and two enforcers.
"Up," one grunted, motioning.
Jason stood.
As the scanner extended from the wall, Jason subtly shifted his fingers.
A bolt from the machine wobbled—then fell.
No one noticed.
Yet.
---
Later that night, he updated his mental checklist.
Escape Route A:
Disrupt panel seals using precise vector strike.
Use hook to unlock vent shaft within 3.4 seconds before backup alarms engage.
Disable hallway drone using redirected trajectory strike.
Avoid 2nd guard post. Option: decoy via food tray toss.
He breathed deep. He felt the vector field around him hum faintly.
Each day, he grew stronger. Sharper.
More dangerous.
And when the time came...
They wouldn't be ready.
Support on patreon at patreon.com/darker knight.