“We want to talk to Chase,” Silver Paladin said to the BADGE
security officer who stood outside the entrance to the operations center. “This
course of action isn’t acceptable. Not anymore.”
“She isn’t taking meetings right now,” the officer replied
with a stern set to his jaw.
“We’ve retreated and retreated again in response to this
World Corps.” Silver Paladin slammed his armored fist onto the metal railing of
the stairway he stood upon that lead to the command deck on the BADGE Space
Station. A line of other heroes trailed down the steps behind him, many from
the Star Force. “When is BADGE going to stop trying to keep us safe while the
people of the world continue to be under threat.”
Madam Marvelous edged up behind Silver Paladin. “I’ve got
family on Earth right now. Many of us do, and I don’t understand why we keep being
recalled up to the space station. We’re supposed to protect them, not abandon them.”
“Listen,” the officer said while continuing to stand his
ground. “I don’t make policy. Director Nova put Chase in charge, so for the
moment, she’s top banana. Like it or not, you need to make like one yourself
and split before I have you thrown in the brig for trying to incite a riot.”
Silver Paladin took a step closer to the guard. “We’re
leaving the world below us in the hands of murderers and you are going to lock
me up?”
“I didn’t say I wanted to, operative,” the officer said. “But
I have my orders, too. Nobody is to enter the operations center unless summoned
by those in charge.”
Starmaster levitated up from the floor below and hovered
next to the men as they faced off. “Paladin. Stand down. Chase can’t do her job
if people keep distracting her into one-on-one meetings. Let her and the others
figure out what the next course of action will be.”
Turning his helmeted face to his league’s founder, Silver
Paladin pointed with his arm at the mirrored window of the operations center
behind the security officer. “She’s not a military strategist like Director
Nova. She’s an ex-thief. What does she know about leading an attack force? Don’t
get me wrong, she’s good at what she does, but we’re not out to rob a bank, we’re
supposed to be protecting people. That means we should be where the people are,
not hiding up here.”
“Nova put her in charge. We need to trust his judgement. He
wouldn’t have done it if she couldn’t handle the job.” Starmaster said.
The two men stared from beneath their armor’s visors at one another
for several seconds. The dozen-plus other heroes that arrived with Silver Paladin stood
still, waiting for his response. Finally, he spun around and headed back to the
main floor.
“Thanks for the assistance.” The security officer unsquared
his shoulders and relaxed visibly as the crowd began to disperse.
“We’re all frustrated and directionless right now, so I expect
many heroes need something to direct it at.” Starmaster watched the others
depart, sensing the volatile emotions dull, but not disappear. “It’s going to
get worse if we don’t take some kind of action soon.”
With that, Starmaster floated back down to the lower level to
rejoin the others.
The security officer tapped a button on his helmet and spoke
into a hidden microphone. “Inform Acting Director Chase we need something to
occupy these heroes. They’re primed for a fight and I’m afraid if they don’t
get their minds onto some type of action, bad things are going to happen.”
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