All Vex could think of was the feel of a small hand in hers and all those times it had slipped out purposely to look at a worm, to pet a dog, to reach a leaf shaped like a heart (which was then proudly presented).

As she sat at the bar, one hand held a glass of apple juice tightly. The other was opening and closing reflexively. The news on the TV was muted behind her but she knew what it was showing. The banner said something like 'Villain slain in dramatic showdown in city centre" "Heist foiled" with clips of the 4 "heroes" involved.

They had everything wrong. Her baby had just understood technology. For Vex it was beyond her, it was something she only ever worked with on a physical level. But her baby worked magic on anything with chips and code and she had always been so proud. She was powerful, not that she ever felt the need to use the full extent for her powers, but her child having dominion over a domain she didn't understand was wonderful and just a little charming.

Chip had always been a bit hard on himself despite anything Vex had consoled him with. What good were his powers? Why couldn't he be more like her, or be able to fly or fight. But the older he got, the more familiar he became with fake news, propaganda, and the injustice happening the world over he finally found his niche and she was happy to see him pick up the mantle of causing chaos and change.

Random and very damaging emails coming to light from politicians and their lobbyists, the reports made by companies regarding their sweatshops or environmental damage from their factories, a glitch repricing insulin to just cents for a week before anyone noticed.

Vex realised despite both him, and deep down her, thinking his power was useful but insignificant in comparison to others, it may have been that her son was one of the most effective at really attacking the system. It had got him on the radar of the rich, the powerful and the megalomaniac.

"Showdown"

What showdown? He never needed to physically be anywhere, he never even bothered getting a costume to disguise his identity. He could be working at undermining the 1% in a random coffee shop with free WiFi, or at home in his office. He was only ever in a graphic tee shirt and jeans.

This morning, at 11:16 Vex received a text. It said, "they are here Scared Love you mum".

Her power was huge, but it does not let her traverse distance. By the time she got to the city outskirts it was already over and her only boy was dead, labelled a terrorist tech villain.

Techrot they'd called him. Chip would have hated that.

"Hello Vex" came a soft voice between her and the lying screen behind her.

She didn't turn. Sensor took to the stool next to her and sighed.

There was an unbroken silence. She didn't need to look at him to see him. A tall man, broad shouldered, usually a wonky grin. He'd been her official nemesis since the old days as he was the only one who could ever find her.

Sensor collected her twitching hand and held it, "Vex, I'm so sorry. He wasn't a bad kid. He didn't deserve this.".

She scoffed. Damn right he didn't.

"A few of the old guard have contacted me. They know this isn't right. The world's changed without us noticing and it's sick to the core".

He got something out his pocket, a folded piece of scrap paper, and placed it on the counter.

"When you are ready. Call us."

He let go of her hand, stood, and kissed the top of her head and left.

She reached for the paper and memorised the contents. Vex let it fall from her hand and before it could hit the counter, it had disintegrated into nothing.

Oh, the woomph of the last line. I had a feeling it was coming but still it had a lot of impact.

I really enjoyed this concept and your working of it! Please let me know if you write more, I got a great sense of the world building already so I'd be so keen to read anymore of your creation. Also, this did cover the world and the loss, but I'm still v. thirsty for the revenge (or teaching moment) etc.

Literally "going nuclear"

I liked the fact they were already under trial for the brutality but protagonist was like, too little too late you all gotta go.