As the press conference began Alex did his best to pay attention, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. An anxiety began to build in his chest as it got closer to his turn to speak. Glancing out at the audience, his attention focussed on his team who came to support him. Who knows what they will think when I’m done though, he thought, trying not to frown.

  You know what you must do, a voice whispered as a cool breeze blew across the stage. Alex looked around to see if anyone else heard the voice, but no one reacted.

  I am losing it, he thought.

  “Next up we have Alex Moorez who is going to give some insight on some of the projects that we have going on here at the campus,” the host announced making way for Alex at the podium.

  Taking a deep breath Alex walked over and set his prepared speech on the podium, “Hello everyone,” he said, the mic squealing with feedback. “Oh, uh, sorry,” Alex said clumsily trying to adjust the microphone. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes he smiled, “Sorry I am not very good at public speaking. More of an in the lab kind of guy.” The audience chuckled.

  Alex shuffled his papers as he tried to calm his nerves. “I have been asked to speak about the various projects we have going on here. And there are many. I have been fortunate enough to work with some wonderful people on my own team, but also to collaborate with other teams that have used some of my research as a base for their projects.”

  Alex paused and looked down at his prepared speech for a moment. A cool breeze blew across the stage ruffling his pages. Sighing, Alex looked out at the gathered audience. “It isn’t enough,” he said, barely audible. The audience stirred slightly. “We are doing amazing work here. Trying everything we can think of to save this planet that we all share, but it isn't enough.”

  A murmur broke out across the audience. Alex glanced at General Dempsey who was hyper focused on him. Alex gulped as he looked out at the audience, his eyes finding his team.

  “I am sorry I didn't tell you all when I discovered this,” he said apologetically. Confused, they all stared back at him. Closing his eyes he called to the earth around him. Gasps broke out as his hands began to glow.

  Opening his eyes slowly and the glow of his hands died out Alex spoke again, “I have been gifted with an amazing ability, and though I have not met another person with this ability I know there are others like me out there. I ask those of you that have also been gifted with talents like mine to come forward. I know, in the depths of my heart, that together we can stop these disasters and save the planet. Thank you”.

  Alex gathered the papers on the podium and walked off the stage through the side door. Feeling the electricity in the air as the conference room erupted into a frenzy of shouts and speculation. He smiled as the door closed, hoping his announcement would help in his quest to find others like him. Alex’s smile quickly faded as he turned to go out the exit door and found General Dempsey blocking his escape route with ten of his soldiers. His stomach dropped as his heart felt it might burst through his chest. Closing his eyes he centered himself and opened his senses. Alex leaned on the wall and stared at the men before him.

  “What now?” he asked as he called to the earth beneath him.

  “Oh, I'm afraid I can't let you go,” General Dempsey said a snarl playing about his lips

  “And why is that?” Alex prompted.

  “You see that little announcement of yours has caused a bit of a stir. Did you really think making a public announcement would keep you safe? No, dear boy, see I have been waiting for something like this, you belong to the government now,” General Dempsey replied

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  “What would the government want with me? I'm trying to preserve the lives of millions.. billions of people and creatures and the planet itself!” Alex exclaimed.

  Alex felt it before it happened. The tiny shift of one of the soldiers. Alex’s adrenaline began to spike but as he moved his hand to protect himself. Instead of a solid piece of earth erupting from the ground to protect him, however, the tranquilizer dart froze in the air. He stared in as much shock as the men who stood before him.

  Interesting, he thought to himself. I am really going to need to work with that. If I make it out of here alive that is.

  Alex lowered his hand and watched as the dart fell to the floor. A new confidence surged through him as the metal piece responded to his silent command. Looking at the General, Alex felt a half grin splay across his face as a strong sense of calm took hold of him.

  “OPEN FIRE!” General Dempsey cried, his face red and blotchy with an unflattering red color.

  'Please protect me!' Alex called to the earth, his calm dissipating quickly into sheer panic. He raised his hands before him and squeezed his eyes shut as the onslaught of tranquilizer darts began to speed towards him. As the hall quieted, he opened his eyes to see the darts frozen in the air a foot in front of him. I am the one, he thought, his eyes wide in awe. As the glow of his hands faded the darts dropped to the floor.

  “GRAB HIM!” shouted the General, his veins bulging out of his forehead.

  I have to get out of here, Alex thought, panic taking the place of his adrenaline. Summoning his strength Alex’s hands began to glow again.

  “STOP HIM NOW!” the screams of General Dempsey echoed in the corridor.

  Alex called to the ground beneath him to make a barrier between him and the soldiers running at him, but nothing happened. Alarmed, Alex turned to run back the way he came, trying to get distance between him and those after him. As he turned a corner he skidded to a halt as he was confronted by a tall lean figure with sharp emerald green eyes.

  “Alex,” he said in a familiar tone, looking past him to the soldiers on his tail. In one fluid motion he pushed Alex behind him and clasped his hands before him. They burst in a flash of light. The men coming at them stumbled and fell back as a mini earthquake shook the hall splitting the concrete. Opening his hands palms down then raising them skyward, a wall of hardened earth rose between them blocking the men who were trying to capture Alex. They could hear the shocked cries of the men trapped on the other side.

  “Who are you?” Alex asked in awe after the spectacle he had just witnessed.

  “We need to go, now,” said the man as he pushed past Alex and back towards the door he had come through.

  “Yours hands, you have abilities. Like me,” Alex stammered following him.

  “There is a whole lot you don't know, but first we have to get you out of here. After that stunt you pulled more will be coming,” he said briskly.

  “That’s what I want. You, me, others. We can save the planet if we work together,” Alex replied.

  The man snorted, “You have no idea the trouble you just brought to yourself.”

  “I mean, I do. I was just almost tranquilized and carried off to some underground experiment lab!” Alex exclaimed.

  “You think these humans are the problem?” he scoffed. “You have bigger enemies than that, and now they know where you are. So, I need to get you out of here. Now.”

  “What are you talking about? What do you mean by these humans?” Alex asked bewildered.

  “Listen, I will tell you everything you need to know, once I get you safe. Now please, stay quiet and follow my lead,” said the man, his sharp eyes watching for anything that may cause harm.

  A pounding sound echoed down the hallway from behind them. Both men looked back down the corridor. Closing his eyes, the man tilted his head, “They are trying to break the wall. We have a bit of time. Let's go.”

  “Can I at least get your name?” Alex pleaded as they exited the corridor from the other side.

  The man sighed and turned to Alex, “I am Kelile. Kelile Stewart, the Guardian of the Royal Family of the Earthen people.”