Adam, with a proud smile on his face replies, "Yeah, dads pretty amazing."

Isamu Yakage.

I’ve only ever seen him on TV, and that in of itself is rare. You don’t see him around much if at all.

For someone his age, I can tell just by how he presents himself, he keeps in shape. That shirt he has on isn’t hiding the build of his arms very well. Those thick jet black eyebrows and his slicked back black hair give off a very professional look.

Makes sense given he’s a CEO.

Isamu, looking flustered, adjusts his glasses and responds with a flacid, "I don't think so..."

"You're too modest, dad. You need to just accept what you are. A bonafide genius."

Ed, snaps back, with an evil grin on his face, gesturing to himself. "I mean, you don't see me complaining."

Isamu sighs deeply, and rolls his eyes, "Maybe I should just go to bed."

I’m guessing this is pretty normal in this household. He seems resigned to it.

Poor guy

Laughing to myself, I place my mug on the coaster near to me on the table.

"But seriously. Despite the circumstances, even though I don't work with the Powered Human Enforcers anymore, it is nice seeing you again man."

Ed pauses for a moment, and then replies.

"Yeah, you too Isabelle. You can still give anyone a run for their money I see."

Always the charmer, this one.

"I try to keep in shape. Which brings me to my next point.

Isamu. Do you have any idea what happened?"

Isamu sips his coffee for a moment, then replies, brow slightly furrowed.

"There were traces of a drug in your bloodstream. Specifically it seems it was inhibiting your decision making process..."

I can feel my face flush with heat. I really want to punch something right now, so I verbalise my disdain instead, "I go my whole life not once having taken drugs, and THIS is how it happens?"

"I'm afraid so. That’s not all however."

Oh man, what now? "What do you mean?"

"...I did a brain scan and well... there are traces of mind control."

My anger is probably visible to them now. I have to really try and keep myself under control. I can’t let them see me… “angry”.  "I take it... the drugs were to numb my thoughts so the mind control could do its thing?"

Isamu nods, looking slightly bemused at my having realised this I suppose. I guess that’s understandable. Unfortunately... or fortunately… I have experience in this sort of situation given my line of work, regardless of how rarely people with telepathic abilities tend to show themselves.

I can’t say I’m super thrilled being on the receiving end, however.

"I imagine so, yes. I'm thinking they had to drug you since well, given how Powered you are, mind control alone may not have worked."

I nod to Isamu. 

He’s right.

"Yeah, in the PHE we have special training to prevent things like this. Everyone receives training against various abilities that would inhibit us being able to do our jobs."

Saying those particular words sends a twinge of regret through me… I brush it aside and rub my chin and then continue. "Which begs two questions. Why me? And why make me attack you guys in particular?"

Adam resting his chin on his clasped hands, also questions this.

"That's the kicker. Any ideas?"

Isamu shakes his head and then adjusts his glass, slumping his shoulders.

"No, but I need to call Jason later regarding this anyway. I’ll see what I can dig up."

“Huh? You know the Chief?”  I voice the question out loud. How does he-