Free Web NovelChapter 153: Chapter 152 - Link
Point-of-View: Neo Cronje
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"Anything yet?" I inquired, feeling a bit impatient.
"No, shut up, I’m trying to focus," Frowned Dieter in response.
Today’s the 3rd of September, 2026, and all the Category 0s had assembled at the Outlier campsite in preparation to depart for the Eden hideout as soon as Dieter manages to contact his sister.
In addition to myself, Tara, Richard, Elise and Kechik, the seven other Category 0s were also here, meeting the Outliers for the first time. And in no particular order, they are...
Carmen Reyes, a thirty-three year old Category 0 from Spain, a woman with longish black hair tied up in a messy bun, black eyes, thick eyebrows, a tanned complexion and an average height and build. She’s pretty tough and no-nonsense, but not in a bitchy way like Tara.
Francesca Caputo, a year younger than me, she’s a Category 0 from Italy, with medium-length curly light brown hair, gray eyes, light brown skin, a bit on the shorter side and a strong, muscular build. She’s nice enough, but bit of an impulsive musclehead. She’s only been a Category 0 for about a year, though.
Osiris Tawfik, a twenty-seven year old Egyptian Category 0, mostly bald with black hair around the sides and back of his head, slightly heavy stubble around his beard and mustache areas, and piercing black eyes. He’s pretty prideful and can be harsh, I find him difficult to deal with. He’s also a bit of an extreme clean freak.
Leonardo Fournier, a Canadian twenty-three year old Category 0, with light blonde hair slicked to the left with hair gel, goggles over his turquoise eyes, a pale complexion and a skinny, tall build. He’s a nice guy and easy to get along with, fitting in with the Canadian stereotypes. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Ravi Iyengar, a thirty-nine year old Indian Category 0, with black hair trimmed to a buzz cut, a slightly twirled mustache and a thick, short beard, dark skin, strongly-built arms and chest, a bit over average height and black eyes. He’s kinda an old-fashioned Meta-Human, and have been opposed to the Outliers right from the start. He can be pretty unpleasant at times, I don’t like him.
Maeve Murphy, the youngest and newest Category 0, an Irish 19 year old, with straight red hair that went a bit down past her shoulders and framed her face, dark green eyes, was on the short and slender side, but also had huge boobs.
She’s also an amateur model on Instagram, and is a pretty friendly and open-minded person, one of the only Category 0s who never opposed the presence of the Outliers. She’s been a Category 0 for about five months now.
And finally, the oldest Category 0, a forty-eight year old Russian named Viktor Gusev. He had neatly cropped black hair with graying sides, blue eyes, and a small chin beard, black with flecks of grey. He’s got a real nasty streak, and from the moment he showed up today, has been snipping at the Outliers.
That covers all twelve of Harmony’s Category 0s.Yeah, I’m sure you won’t remember most, if not all, of their names, but you don’t have to...if they turn out to be important, you’ll eventually remember their names, and if they end up not being important, then there’s no point in remembering their names in the first place.
"What is taking so long?" Frowned Viktor impatiently...man, his Russian accent only makes him all the more intimidating.
"Calm down and be patient, it’s only a matter of time," I replied, trying to calm him down.
With the exception of Dieter, Aurora and Inoka, the latter two of whom were going to be a part of this mission, I told the other two to wait in their RVs, to avoid having to deal with any unpleasantness. X was also hiding out in her RV, while Fenris was out exploring the area as he often does.
"This is a waste of time, it has been more than two hours already. These so-called Outliers are nothing but unnatural freaks, we can’t trust them," Complained Ravi, staring disdainfully at Dieter.
Not good, I can tell that both Aurora and Inoka are not far from snapping. I did tell them to keep their mouths shut no matter what the other 0s say, we can’t afford to fight amongst ourselves before this mission begins.
"I have to agree, relying on them like this is stupid," Added Osiris in agreement.
"Why don’t you tell us how you really feel?" Responded Inoka sarcastically.
Uh-oh, not good...
"You would dare talk back to your betters? I’ve a good mind to put you through a world of pain," Growled Viktor, approaching him threateningly.
"Oh, I’m sure you could...but any pain you inflict on me, I’ll inflict right back tenfold, you old piece of shit," Shot back Inoka tauntingly.
"Damn, you-...!" Viktor began to snap furiously.
"That is quite enough, monsieurs. We don’t have time for such petty and trivial arguments," Intervened Elise, stepping in between them.
Yes, exactly, tell ’em!
"Hmph, whatever, I didn’t do anything," Shrugged Inoka with a huff.
"Just hold your tongue for once, would you?" Sighed Tara irritably, pulling him back.
"Wow...I guess if even you’re putting aside your usual bitchy ways and taking the high road, then I can’t exactly complain," Replied Inoka with a wry smile.
"...I’ll let that go for now, but you’re going to pay for that remark later," She grumbled with an icy glare.
Following that, an awkward silence ensued. Some of the other 0s were giving Inoka the stink eye, and he wasn’t backing down, glaring right back with a defiant look on his face.
Yeah, he’s never been one to back down and stay quiet. And, well, that’s an admirable quality and all, but it’s really not helping matters here.
"Y’know, what, this is a nice place to take some pictures," Suddenly spoke up Maeve, standing up and looking around with a nod of approval, before taking out her phone and opening the camera app.
Seriously, right now? Well, at least she’s helping with this awkward tension, regardless of whether it’s on purpose or not. freeweɓnøvel.com
"Need someone to take the pictures for you?" Spoke up Elise.
"That’d be nice, but you’re awful at taking pics, so thanks but no thanks," Grinned Maeve in response.
"Hey, that’s mean," Pouted Elise indignantly.
"Hm...hey, you, are you any good at taking pictures?" Maeve asked Inoka, as she approached him.
"Huh? You mean me?" He responded in bemusement, before adding, "Well, uh, I guess I’m okay at it?"
"Hmm...eh, good enough. Mind helping me out a bit?" She requested, handing him her phone.
"Sure, I guess," He replied, after I caught his eye and gave him a subtle nod.
Elise and I are in support of the Outliers, and they’ve even managed to wear down Tara and win her over to some extent, though she probably won’t ever admit it, at least not anytime soon.
If they can get more of the Category 0s on their side, it’ll bode well for them. And Maeve is definitely one of the more likely ones that they can win over, so this is a good opportunity.
"Get one of me with the waterfall in the background," She requested, as she struck a pose, leaning forward with a seductive smirk on her face.
Wow, she did that so naturally, guess that’s to be expected of a model. She’s got something like three or four million followers, so she is pretty popular online.
"Alright, got it," He replied with a thumbs up.
"Great, let me see," She responded, bounding over as he showed her the screen, "Wow, that’s not bad...hm, but the focus is on my breasts a bit too much, my face isn’t that clear."
"Oh, I figured I should put the focus there because of the way you were leaning forward...my bad," He grinned apologetically.
"No worries, this is still pretty good. Feel like it doesn’t quite capture the beauty of the waterfall though," She frowned, as she narrowed her eyes at the picture, zooming in on it.
Well, yeah, it’s not like he’s a professional photographer, you know.
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I’ve got an idea about that, actually...for starters, I’ll take a few steps back, and in addition, what if I...?" He replied, before giving her his suggestion, which I couldn’t quite catch.
"Oh, that’s good! Yeah, let’s try it!" She responded with a nod of approval.
She then posed in front of the waterfall again, Inoka forming a Light Blast and sending it up into the air as he pointed the phone at her, before swinging his arm down and shooting the blast down at the water at an angle, splashing out several droplets of water at it hit the surface.
"Hey, I think this came out great," He remarked, as she jogged over and peered over his shoulder, her eyes lighting up.
"Woah, that’s perfect! I bet this’ll get a ton of likes," She grinned, as she took the phone and began tapping away.
"Oh, you post online?" He asked her.
"Yup, I model on Instagram. Not professionally or anything, but I think I do pretty well for myself," She replied with a smug smile, as she showed him her screen.
"Damn, that’s a lot of followers," He responded wide-eyed.
Okay, good, they’re getting along great.
"Ugh, gag me," Kechik muttered from beside me.
He’d had a pretty grumpy look on his face this whole time, but fortunately, he’d kept his mouth shut...considering how brutally he was beaten by Aurora last time, I guess he’s decided that it isn’t worth provoking her.
Hm? Dieter’s expression just changed...the crease in his forehead was gone, and there was a slight smile on his face. And I think I see a tear in his eye. He then opened his eyes, a wide, joyful grin on his face...
"I did it...I linked with my sister!" He exclaimed happily, before turning to me with a look of determination, "Let’s do this!"
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