<br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1em;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: verdana;">Niagara, Canada</span></span><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: verdana;"><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1em;">Hegemony LTD</span><br/></span><br/>Hegemony LTD, one of the fastest growing and successful companies in the world. Its reach and influence had touched many industries through out Canada, had gained the attention of the Commonwealth, and benefited from the support of more than a few obscenely wealthy backers. To the public, Hegemony lived up to its name as an overseer and supporter of businesses both small and large throughout the country. In the private sector, this image held true as well. It wasn't until you entered the upper echelons of society that the true face of the company was revealed. Hegemony, at the behest of the Canadian government and several key figures throughout the Commonwealth, had been established directly in response to the growing number of gifted people who were being born throughout the world.<br/><br/><br/>Selected for this task was one Brigadier Jericho Marquis. At 30 years of age, he was one of the youngest officers of that rank in Canadian history, right after Robert Moncel who had been promoted at the age of 27 near the end of WW2. Marquis was selected for his superb analytical skills, discipline and business sense. After receiving an early retirement his record was then expunged from all government related servers, thus cutting all official ties from the government. With the help of several backers he began to build his contacts and influence, moving within the upper circles of society. It was at a gathering during this time that he encounters the woman that would eventually become his wife and partner in all things, Liliana.<br/><br/><br/>Born into wealth and status Liliana Laurent was a domineering figure to behold. No matter where she went her grace, poise and demeanor demanded the utmost respect and tolerated no indiscretion. It was obvious to all those gathered that no matter where she went, that was were the heart of the event could be found. Tall, young, blonde and beautiful she could easily carry on any number of conversations all at once without fail and held the attention of everyone around her with the grace and easy of a master socialite twice her age. That is until her gaze fell upon Jericho Marquis standing across the room, talking to an elderly gentleman. Excusing herself from those around her, and shooing away the ones who attempted to follow, she approached the pair without a hint of hesitation.<br/><br/><br/>"Tell me your name." she said as she stepped up to him a few moments later, her face calm and eyes piercing.<br/><br/><br/>Both men looked at her with surprise when she spoke to them suddenly. It was the elderly man who reacted first though, a deep frown crossing his bushy eyebrows. "Young lady, it's quite rude to..." he began but was stopped in his tracks when Liliana raised her manicured hand and held it in front of him.<br/><br/><br/>"Archibald," she began, her eyes never leaving Jericho's face. "I do believe your wife, Aliza, has been looking for you. She seemed quite... perturbed.. at the fact you decided your drink would make for better company than her."<br/><br/>Archibald's frown softened a little at hearing that and he muttered something under his breath. "Excuse me, I'm needed elsewhere..." he said and hurried off, presumably in search of his wife.<br/><br/><br/>"Now then, your name?" she asked again and lowered her hand to her side, her expression still as neutral as when she first arrived.<br/><br/><br/>"Um... Jericho." he replied, even as he wondered what her deal was.<br/><br/><br/>Liliana blinked slowly and gave a soft, polite sigh of exasperation "Your<em>full</em>name?"<br/><br/>"Oh.. uh.. Jericho Marquis." he was starting to feel like a bug under a magnifying glass, and her eyes were the sun.<br/><br/><br/>"Hmmm... you'll do nicely." after a few moments looking him over she turned without a word and headed back to her group, picking right back up on the conversations she had put on hold.<br/><br/><br/>"Jeez... what's up with her..." he muttered to no one in particular since he'd been left to stand by himself.<br/><br/><br/>Six months later, they were married. Liliana's help proved to be invaluable and another half year after they were married Hegemony had officially opened its doors for business. Add on top of that a few years later their son was born and life was like a whirlwind for the former military officer turned corporate CEO.<br/><br/><br/>______________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><br/>Jericho's son had always been.. different. From the moment he was born he had never smiled, never cried. He just watched everything around him in quiet fascination. Liliana had of course taken care of him in the beginning while he had overseen the daily workings of Hegemony, but according to her Callahan's behavior had always remined consistent. Well, at least he never caused anyone any trouble. That is until he was old enough to walk. Then there was no holding back and he was into everything. What was more, no matter who he assigned to look after him once Liliana had returned to attending her side of the business, Callahan always seemed to manage to get whatever it was his little heart desired. At first Jericho had chalked it up to just being cute, at least until he had hired someone who was known to be tough as nails in an attempt to keep his whirlwind of a son in check. That attempt had failed as well. It was because of this that Callahan was with him inside the company building instead of their living quarters.<br/><br/><br/>Jericho watched in mild curiosity as his son and the little blonde girl met. To his knowledge this was the first time Callahan had ever met anyone his own age and he wanted to see how he'd react. What he didn't expect was for a flash of light to go off right in his son's face. "What...?" Totally taken by surprise all he could do was stare as he saw his son's hair stand up on end at the same time as the little girls hair settled back down into place. "Callahan.. are you.." he started to say, but then stopped in his tracks as he saw the look on his son's face as he turned his head up to look at him. He was... smiling.. and.. laughing. This was the first time he'd ever seen his son smile or laugh, and now here he was with his mouth wide open, all his teeth showing as he smiled up at him.<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1em;">Reaching into his pocket he quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Liliana. </span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1em;">When she answered she said, "Jericho, now's not the best time."</span><br/><br/><br/>"You have to see this." He said simply before turning on the video conference option and set it to utilize the camera on the back of his phone. "Lili.. look at Cal..."<br/><br/><br/>Liliana Marquis was at a tea party with several other people whom she had been trying to convince to sign an agreement with Hegemony for the past month. When her phone rang she almost didn't pick it up, but her husband rarely called her when she was at work so she figured it was important. When the image snapped into view on her phone it took her a moment to register what she was looking at, but once she did.. it was like the world slowed down for her.<br/><br/><br/>From an early age she'd always had the ability to judge certain situations with uncanny precision and clarity. It was like an instinct. She had no control over it, but when it happened she knew it was best to give it the utmost attention. It had happened at the party when she had first seen Jericho. It had happened over the years while they had built their company, and when she was was working to ensure smooth relations with this who supported them in the upper levels of society. And now, for the first time, it was happening yet again as she gazed at the image of her son and the little girl who stood with him.<br/><br/><br/>"Leave him there with her, Jericho. He will be fine. I have to go now." she said simply and broke the connection. Taking a deep breath she let it out slowly, careful not to show any emotion on her face, conscious of those around her. She felt.. shaken. It was rare that her instincts screamed at her so intensely. Whatever the future would bring, she had no doubt that it would be profound. Planting a small smile on her lips she turned back to look at her guests. "My apologies. A small family matter. Shall we continue..?"<br/><br/>Jericho blinked when he heard the tone in his wife's voice. Over the years he'd gotten used to hearing it from time to time. Whatever the situation was, he knew that when he heard her talk like that it was best that he listened. Pursing his lips a bit he put his phone back in his pocket and turned his head to look at his head of security. "I will be leaving my son here with you. Make sure he stays safe and out of trouble. If you need me just contact my office. I expect I will be working late tonight anyway."<br/><br/><br/>_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________<br/><br/><br/>Callahan didn't know what to make of the girl in front of him with her wild yellow hair. He'd never seen anyone else his age before. Curiosity, as it usually was in his case, got the better of him and he approached her. He stopped when he saw her put down her toy and get up to meet him. He didn't say anything, but then he didn't have to. Before he knew it she had tapped him on the nose and his eyes went wide as he felt, something, quite literally flash through his mind. Whatever it was it felt... good. Exciting. It was like a rush of energy. He didn't even realize it when he started to smile, and when she giggled at him he laughed.<br/><br/><br/>He heard his dad call his name and he turned his head to look up at him. He'd never seen that look on his face before. Usually his dad looked annoyed when he called his name. For some reason he found the look funny and that just made him smile even more. He turned his head back to look at the girl again and he noticed her hair wasn't standing up anymore. He really didn't know what to do, so he imitated a posture he'd seen dad use before and held out his hand to her. "I'm Callahan. Can you do that again? Show me!"<br/>