As if trouble knew that the MARVELOUS Team were exhausted, nothing serious had happened for the past two days after Jean’s return to the compound. The team was able to rest. Jean had not seen them for the past two days either. After her visit at the AEGIS Infirmary, Freeman and Nightingale went to the compound and brought in an emerald sundial and planted it in the middle of the lawn. She didn’t ask what it was for but given it was the AEGIS’ healer who planted it there, she knew it was intended to heal the members.
                When Jean visited the Infirmary, Gary and her mom were already out of bandage and just resting.
                “So when are you going to be discharged here?” Jean asked them both.
                “Probably tomorrow. Thanks to Nightingale, we recovered faster.” Her mom answered.
                “Could you promise me that you will stay with boss for the meantime?” Jean told her mom.
                “I’ve been telling her that for the past 15 years, Jean.” Gary butt in.
                “I can take care of myself, thanks but no thanks.” She replied.
                “Mom…”
                “She’s afraid she can’t control herself around me.” Gary said and laughed.
                “Over my dead body.” Marina said and leered at Gary.
                “Pops…” Winston rolled his eyes.
                “It’s just a joke. But seriously, Marina, you should stay with us until we know it’s already safe for all of us. It’s just a good thing that they still didn’t know who Winston is.”
                “Aside from that, so I could visit you anytime and so you won’t run away again.” Jean sighed.
                “Okay, fine. I will stay with them so you would feel at ease.”
                “Thanks, mom. I will see you again tomorrow. I will also see you during your discharge tomorrow.” She said. She kissed and hugged her mom. Marina hugged and kissed her on the cheeks.
                “Bye, boss.” Jean said and hugged the man. He hugged her back.
                “I’ll just send her back at the compound.” Winston said and they left.
                “Thank you for looking after my mom, Winston.” She said as they were walking towards the parking area.
                “Don’t mention it. Besides, it’s also part of my job to look after the agents so it’s nothing really.” He winked at her.
                “Agent Butler. Ms. Duque.” Someone called out.
                They both looked behind them. It was Cain.
                “Agent Cain.” Jean noticed.
                “Freeman asked for you both.” She said.
                “Why?” Winston asked.
                “He needs to talk to you in his office.” She said.
                Winston looked at Jean and they went back inside. They followed Cain. When they reached the door, Cain knocked and opened the door.
                “Sir, they are here.” Cain said.
                “Come in.” Freeman said from inside.
                They went in and Cain left and closed the door.
                “You’re heading back to the compound?” Freeman asked.
                “Yes sir.” They both answered.
                “Alright. Agent, retrieve the emerald sundial and bring it back here. You know what to do with it. And Ms. Duque, don’t ever mention it to the team.” He ordered.
                “I won’t, sir. But I just need to ask what that was for.” Jean asked.
                “It was for time control. The team needed ample rest after the rescue mission.” Freeman answered.
                Jean nodded.
                “If you don’t have any more questions, you can go now.”
                They did a salute and they went out.
                “I know you have more questions.” Winston said.
                “Well, yeah.”
                “I’ll tell you on the way back.” He said and they went back to the parking area.
                While getting in the car…
                “So, can you tell me now?” Jean asked.
                “Curious aren’t we?” Winston laughed.
                “Well, of course! I can’t ask questions to Freeman and you know I’m dying to ask what’s on my mind.”
                He laughed. He started driving away.
                “Alright. So the emerald sundial is a time controller just like what Freeman said. It was created by Nightingale. There is a certain mechanism in that sundial. It can make time stop, slow down, or faster depending on where it was placed. For instance, it was planted in the compound to slow down the time there because as Freeman mentioned, the team needed ample rest. If no one had told you yet, the team didn’t get any rest until we found you. Freeman ordered them to rest but they refused. So Nightingale needed to recharge them using her healing powers to cure their fatigue. Another example on how to use the sundial is to make the clearing operations faster after a battle. They use the time lapse mechanism of the sundial so they could finish work overnight or a day.”
                Jean nodded in amazement.
                “So, since the time slowed down in the compound, they would lose track of time?”
                “Yes. They would think that they only slept overnight, not knowing they slept for two days straight.”
                “Then they would lose 2 days of their lives?”
                “Technically, no, since they slept. Besides, it wasn’t their first time using it. They usually use it when there are critical missions at hand. So when they feel well-rested, they knew Freeman was behind it. We need to take care of our agents, you know.”
                Jean nodded in agreement. They finally reached their destination. When they got out of the car, Harold and Penelope were both in the lounge area.
                “Ms. Pen!” Jean greeted her. They haven’t had the luxury to be reacquainted since her rescue.
                Penelope turned around and met her halfway. They hugged each other.
                “How are you? Are you okay now?” Penelope asked and checked her.
                “I’m okay. No need to worry.” She reassured her.
                “That’s great to hear. Agent Butler.” Penelope noticed him.
                “Ms. Ashton, I’m here to collect the sundial.” Winston said.
                “Yes. Freeman informed me that’s why we are here. Go on, don’t mind us.” Penelope said.
                Winston then went in the middle of the lawn and used his gravitational power to excavate the sundial. It was as small as a pocket watch, Jean saw it. Winston then restored the area and went back to them.
                “So, are they going to wake up now?” Jean asked.
                “Yes, in a bit. Let’s get inside and wait for them.” Penelope said and held her hand as they walked to the couch.
                “Jean, I should get going. Freeman will reprimand me if I don’t bring the sundial back at the HQ right away.” Winston stated.
                “You’re not going to wait for them to wake up?” she asked.
                “I’ll just visit them some other time. I’ll get going Ms. Ashton.”
                “Yes. Thank you Agent Butler.” Penelope said and he headed out.
                “You know my brother, Ms. Pen?” Jean asked.
                “I do. He was always the one who retrieves the sundial here. We’ve met a few times. How are you related?” Penelope asked back.
                “He was my adoptive brother.”
                Penelope nodded.
                “If you know him, how come the MARVELOUS do not know him?” Jean asked again.
                “Well, just like today, he always leave right after retrieving the sundial and the MARVELOUS never knew he was here in the first place.”
                Jean nodded.
                “Why don’t we prepare something good for them before they wake up?” Penelope suggested.
                “I would love that!” she agreed and they went to the kitchen.
                They had prepared cream of mushroom, steak, cheesy mashed potato and grilled asparagus. As they were cleaning the kitchen, they heard murmurings and footsteps coming towards the kitchen.
                “They are awake. Kindly help me prepare the table, Jean.” Penelope asked.
                “On it Ms. Pen.” She said and prepared the plates, knives, and forks.
                Penelope prepared the soup and the main course on the table. As soon as they were finished, the MARVELOUS entered the kitchen simultaneously.
                “Did you rest well?” Jean asked, smiling.
                Pierre and Vera went straight to her and hugged her. Anthony went to Penelope and kissed her.
                “You prepared a lot.” Anthony noticed.
                “Jean helped me.” Penelope smiled.
                “Everything smells great. Thank you for these, Pen and Jean.” Nash said.
                “You’re most welcome. Come on, let’s all have a full meal so you could really recharge your energies.” Penelope stated and they all went to take their seat.
                While they were eating…
                “So, how’s your mom and your boss, Jean?” Anthony asked.
                “They are okay now, Mr. Stanton. They will be discharged from the Infirmary tomorrow.” She answered.
                “Where will your mom stay?” Aiden asked.
                “I asked her to stay with Boss and Winston until everything’s back to normal.”
                “Since they will be released tomorrow, maybe we could invite them here for a small gathering the day after tomorrow?” Penelope suggested.
                “That’s a great idea, my dear. Also, so we could meet your other family.” Anthony said.
                “I will tell them tomorrow, Mr. Stanton.” She smiled.
                Anthony nodded. They continued eating.
                “Jean, after dinner, meet me in the lab.” Benedict said.
                “Okay, doc.” She said, even though she wasn’t sure what for.
                After dinner, Pierre and Vera helped clean the dishes. Jean went to the lab as instructed by Benedict. She knocked. Benedict raised his face to look at the door. He motioned for her to come in. She went inside the lab.
                “How are you feeling, Jean?” he asked. “Please take your seat so I can check you up.” He added.
                She took her seat. He checked her breathing through his stethoscope.
                “I’m doing okay now, doc. How about you?” she asked back.
                “Good as new. Do you feel any pain somewhere?”
                She shook her head.
                “I will record this conversation, alright? Feel free not to answer if you don’t feel like it.”
                “What is it for, doc?” she asked.
                “For proof, also for patient record.” He said and prepared to record. He took his seat in front of Jean. “What were the things you remembered from your abduction?” he asked.
                “We were sitting in the conference room and then the food came and then there was a beeping sound and an explosion. I felt my neck hurting like it had been hanging for hours and when I opened my eyes, I was tied in a wooden chair. I lifted my head slowly because it hurts and I scanned the room and it was made out of wood as well. And then there were footsteps and I saw him…” she stopped.
                “Who did you see?” Benedict asked.
                “William Pierce Fienes. He was so happy, it creeped me out seeing him like that. He’s a psychopath.”
                “What did he tell you?”
                “He was happy that I gave myself up by coming to his charity ball. He said that I fell to his trap. He also threatened my boss to tell him where my mother was but he said boss Gary is loyal to my mom. And he showed me boss Gary. He was lying on the other side of the room, all bloody and weak…” she stopped as tears slowly clouded her eyes by remembering the gore image of her boss.
                The team who were watching the live feed at the conference room were all trying their best to hold their anger and composed themselves.
                “We can stop here if it’s unbearable to remember.” Benedict suggested.
                Jean took a deep breath and looked up to stop the tears from falling. When she was able to compose herself, she cleared her throat.
                “I’m okay, doc. We should continue. I think I need to release this somehow so that I can control my powers.” She smiled a bit. Benedict nodded.
                “Shall we continue then? What happened after he showed you your boss?” he asked.
                “He tried to provoke me by saying I will meet my adoptive mother. He then left me in that room still tied. I tried to free myself because I can’t stay there thinking what happened to you guys but I can’t untie my hands. It was too tight. Then I heard footsteps again and the door opened. And Fienes was there again, this time, with my mom. That’s where I learned that I am Diane. And I am really a GUILD lab rat. But when I told my mom that I am thankful that she raised me, Fienes wasn’t too happy that I don’t hold grudge towards my mom. She was taken away by his goons and he told me that he will start the regaining process of my memory. He touched my face so I bit him and he slapped me, saying he will see how long I will be able to show him toughness.”
                Benedict sighed because he couldn’t stand hearing those things and he doesn’t want to hear any more of the tortures she endured, but he needed to do his job. At the conference room, Vera stood up and was about to go out when Nash stopped her. Nash shook her head slightly. Vera looked up and sighed deeply and took her seat.
                “How do you feel knowing that you were experimented by the GUILD?” Benedict asked.
                “At that moment? I didn’t feel anything doc. I just wanted to hear it from my mother. Now that it’s finally sinking in, I think I am thankful to them.” She said.
                “Why?”
                “Because if they did not experiment on me back then, I wouldn’t have met you.” She said. “Because honestly, if I am a normal person, I would just admire and support you all from a far.” She stated.
                Hearing her say that, the more they felt sorry for all the things that happened to her. They cannot do anything as of the moment since Jean did not know that the recording was a live feed.
                “Let’s go back after you found out you were Diane. What happened next?”
                “When I woke up, I was in a laboratory. I was tied up, my mouth was muzzled, definitely because I bit Fienes, and there was something in my neck and I felt nervous because I remembered the first nightmare I had here at the compound. Then Fienes said ‘There it is’. I didn’t know why he said that but he was looking at some monitor and he said to the people there that they need to work on my emotions. Then they showed me a live feed of my boss’ torture.” She stopped and combed her hair to stop herself from crying, remembering the vile image in her mind.
                “You need some water?” he asked and handed her a bottled water.
                “Thank you, doc.” She said and finished the whole bottle of water. “I didn’t know I passed out during the emotional torture they did to me. When I woke up, I was in the wooden room again and the thing on my neck was still there. The muzzle was gone and I was so hungry. I found some bread and water on the room and…” she stopped again because she remembered how hungry she was, which she never experienced even though her mother was busy. She shook her head. She stopped herself from crying.
                “If you want to cry, just let it out. Don’t suppress your emotions. I won’t judge.” He said and smiled. She smiled a bit.
                “Thanks, doc, but I’m fine. As soon as I finished the food, he was there again, taunting to see me in full bloom so I told him to remove the thing on my neck. He was not surprised that I know what the thing does but he asked why I know about it and when I told him I saw it in my dreams, he told me that my power enhanced.”
                “With all the things that you told me just now, I can conclude that he wanted to regain your memory because he knew how powerful you were when you were young, is that right?”
                “He told me he wants to see me in full bloom. So I attacked him but he tased me so I was electrocuted. He then injected me with his so-called nxs13.”
                “Nxs13?”
                “According to him, it was the enhanced version of the nxs12.”
                Benedict scratched his head.
                “What a simpleton, right, doc? But after that nxs13 incident, I had a vision. I met Amora.”
                Tin fixed himself in his seat upon hearing the name. They all looked at him.
                “Amora… that was you, right?” Benedict asked. She nodded.
                “That was me in the past. She told me she liked Diane more.”
                “What else did she say?”
                “She made me remember everything.”
                “When you say everything, you mean…?”
                “My powers.”
                “So, you can control it now?” he asked.
                “Can’t say I can but I know what I am capable of, doc. Say for instance, I know they were watching the live feed of our conversation.” She said and looked at the camera lens.
                They were all startled. Jean smiled at them.
                “I can feel all your emotions guys. I can sense all your aura.” She said and looked at Benedict. “Your aura is relaxed, doc. But there was a mild change when I talked about the tortures.”
                Benedict was impressed.
                “What else can you do?”
                She stood up and made herself glow in white and covered herself in lightning.
                “I can finally control it, doc.” She said proudly.
                Benedict was also proud of her achievement. She turned her aura back to normal.
                “How about pulse immobilization?” he asked.
                “I did it when I was in the facility during my escape but I think I can’t control it yet.” She said.
                “How about your psionics ability?”
                “I think I did that as well but I’m not sure…”
                “I’m glad that you are already aware of your powers and how to control them. I think you’re ready with your Final assessment with Freeman. Are you ready?” he asked.
                She nodded.
                “Great. Since you know they have been watching this whole time, maybe we can meet them at the conference room.” Benedict said and turned off the recorder.
                “Sure doc.” She smiled and they both went to the conference room.