Heroes, Villains and Renegades Fiction: Light and Dark Part 5

 A fishing boat gently rocked in the waves as its crew worked diligently to harvest a catch. The Mediterranean was beautiful, if chilly this time of year. The arms on either side of the boat were cranking hard to pull up the nets filled with the catch. Their target, anchovies.

“Hey! Watch that line!” A brash older man with years of experience etched into his face bellowed.

A young man grabbed part of the line pulling in the net and secured it. The boat lurched to one side as the net came further out of the water. They could already see the bountiful harvest coming their way, which meant bigger paychecks.

“Captain! We have a problem. Lines stopped!” The young man pulled and checked, but the net was now stationary.

The captain stormed over and pulled on it as well. “Keep your hands - “

They all paused when an eerie blue glow bathed them. One by one, they yelped and jumped back as they caught sight of the source of that glow.

A cloaked figure hovered over the filled net, over the water itself. It had the face of a bearded old man

with skin that was ocean blue, and his beard was sea-foam white. His lower body did not have legs, but strange wisps that appeared like tentacles, but they were fading in and out and did not seem attached to him. Hovering around him were scraps of objects, floating as though he were still in water. His hands were sharp and dark, reaching toward the young man.

“Mother Mary, save me!” The captain tapped his body in a cross and backed up.

The young man released the net and backed up so hard he hit a pole and fell down.

The hovering figure drew closer to them, its glowing blue eyes glaring down at the young man. Its hand reached out, pointing at him.

“DIE, DEMON!” A woman launched a tool at the figure, but it merely cast it away with a flick of its hand.

Unfortunately, the attack drew a counter, and the strange creature held up his hand, and a wave of blue energy shot out. The strange creature’s counterattack threw most of the crew overboard, but the captain and the young man remained. The attack did not even touch the young man, though it shoved the captain back.

The figure drew closer to him, its sharp finger pointing at his face.

“What do you want with me!” The boy yelled.

The finger touched his forehead, and the boy screamed in a shrill pitch of agony before falling dead on the deck. A blue flash and the figure was gone.

EB held up a scanner shaped like a large flashlight as he bounced around the enclosure that protected the Arx/Adrianne ice. He hummed a tune to himself in a joyful attitude.

Gargoyle and Dr. Henderson stood outside the enclosure in the seating area where they had set up a station to read the data.

Gargoyle asked through the protected iso-glass. “EB, why are you so happy? That is a sad sight.”

EB stopped, still pointing the sensor at the ice. “Because I’m happy we’re going to free them.”

“That’s only a theory, not a fact.” Dr. Henderson stated.

The sweet Irish voice of Lily came through the comm, “Aye. Dr. Henderson is right. It’s a wonderful theory, and I hope to make it a fact. But still not a fact yet.”

EB kept a cheerful smile, “Don’t care. I always keep my hopes high.”

“Hope is not enough.” Gar said.

EB stopped and looked at Gar with as serious a face as he could muster. “Listen here. Hope is our bestest of best friends. Without hope, we all will just be sourpusses and not do anything good ever.”

Lily said, “I agree. Now, I have enough readings for now. Can you come back and help me with another part of this?”

Dr. Henderson said, “I wish I could, but I have several new students to process for physical exams.”

Lily said, “I’m glad you are up to help if you could, but I was talking to my cutie little wee bunny.”

EB zapped himself out of the enclosure and was now standing next to the sensors. “Oh, I love when you call me that. I’ll be right there.” He clapped his paws together.

Dr. Henderson said, “Wait, don’t-“

He was gone.

She finished, “Take the sensor with you.” She let out a long sigh, “I hope he remembers that. It’s an expensive piece of equipment.”

EB hopped through the laboratory, dodging people as he headed for the area Dr. Fagan had set up for this study. He still held the sensor in one paw.

“Lily, I’m back!” he called out.

She was bent over a computer, looking at data, when she looked up. “Oh, you're a fast one.”

“Any hot girl calls me cutie and I’ll be right there.”

“Aren’t you the sweet talker. This data is really helpful, but I need to process it with the system. It’ll take a moment.”

EB cocked his head, “Then, why did you want me here so fast?”

She got up and walked him around the lab to where they had more of the morphon crystals. “I have another project that is my focus. Studying these crystals ties into what we’re trying to accomplish for your friends. I was hoping, since I am helping, that you might give me some insight.”

EB looked up at the crystals. “What’s this other project? BADGE has already studied those crystal thingies for years.”

“I know, I have most of their data. The crystals are just a part of the project.” She patted the top of the table next to the crystals to invite him up. She sat in a chair and he stood on the table, making them closer to eye level with each other. “See, I know you read my file before coming.”

EB nodded, “Sorta. BADGE tagged you five years ago, detecting your morphonic signature. You didn’t pass the initial exam and were sent back.”

“Do you know why they sent me back?” she asked.

EB fumbled around for an answer, since it might not be good. “Yes... I mean, sure... it’s not bad. Many people have too low a morphon signature to have powers or anything. It’s not like we didn’t like you or anything, or that you did something wrong.”

“Oh, don’t think I’m upset. I know my limitations. I have powers, but they are so incredibly weak, they are of no use or threat. I don’t even have to take any suppressor medication or be checked on.”

EB said, “I wondered about that. The file only said you had a zero-level power, but it didn’t say what it was.”

She waved him to follow her to a row of potted plants. “I keep plants around because they remind me I have powers at all. Here, watch this.” Putting her hand on a small branch of the miniature rose bush, and slowly pulled it away. A bud opened and bloomed.

“Very nice.” EB clapped his paws together.

She shook her head, “Hardly anything. I can’t make it grow much, just a little. I can’t even help farmers or anyone.”

“So, you went into morphonic sciences instead of agriculture. Why?” EB asked.

She said, “I have always had a fascination with science. However, since I was a wee little girl, I had an even greater love of supernatural things. Leprechauns were a passion. The old fables of this land thrilled me. When I learned that my own morphonic signature is supernatural, I was so happy. Then, it turned out to be nothing.”

“Sorry. It doesn’t always work out.”

She walked him back over to the crystals. “Maybe it can. I have been studying the morphons from around here, which congeal into these crystals. The most prominent morphon here resonates with the supernatural signature. I got my degree in this so I could study and maybe enhance my own powers.”

EB hopped up on the table and held up his paws. “Whoa, wait. Be careful. That kinda talk sounds a little mad sciencey.”

“I know it sounds a little mad. But I have no intention of world domination or even hurting a butterfly. I want to help people. I want to connect to something that is already in me. And I want to make sure all of BADGE is aware of my work and knows what I’m doing, so if I tread dangerous waters, your people can keep me in check. Now, does that sound like a mad scientist to you?”

EB stroked his chin, “No. I guess not.”

She said, “There was something else. Something in my past... no... it really isn’t worth mentioning.”

EB frowned, “Oh, don’t leave me hanging? What is it?”

She shook her head, “A silly thing. I shouldn’t have brought it up. Now, I would love to go to the place where the supernatural signature is the strongest in this area, and where we find the morphon crystals to study. I would like to get some scans and even let you help me look them over.”

“Oh, where would that be?”

She said, “There’s a cave that is strange. If I didn’t know better, it looks like a leprechaun lived there. It showed up after that strange incident with all the gold coins.”

EB lost all of his jubilant attitude as he said, “Leprechauns cave.”

“You know it?”

“Yes, I do.”

Continue the Story

Heroes, Villains, and renegades Fiction: Light and Dark Part 4

Justin appeared in the Operations center of the space station. His head spun for a moment, and he felt incredibly queasy. With a lot of effort to overcome the wave of nausea that made him not want to put anything in his mouth, he took a bite of the green egg EB gave him. The mint was strong but pleasant. As soon as he swallowed, the queasiness subsided and the nausea faded.

“Wow, that was good thinking on his part.” Justin said.

Gar asked, “Who?”

Justin realized he had been standing in the middle of the command floor next to Gar throughout this episode. “Sorry. EB’s teleportation made me ill, but this fixed it. Now, what did you need me for?”

Gar pointed at the large screen. Two windows were open with paused video feeds. “The Southern Peaches League sent this to us. I don’t know if it is dangerous or not.”

“Show me.” Justin said, and a robot activated the screens.

A news reporter spoke, “Earlier today, Clem Boyle and Jeremy Rutherford were hunting in Habersham County in North Georgia, and they claimed to have had an encounter with a strange beast. Clem Boyle sustained severe lacerations and is in the county hospital. Jeremy claims he shot the creature, but also claims it turned into a dark mist and left. Authorities are uncertain whether this is a genuine case of a superhuman being or a hoax to cover illegal hunting. Doctors have yet to comment on the injuries. The local superhero league, Southern Peaches, has also investigated in case this is a superhuman event; they have only said they cannot make a conclusion yet. Authorities advise that no one should go into the woods in Habersham until the situation clears.”

The video ended.

Justin turned his attention to another screen that had a stylized peace emblem spinning on it. It beeped, and then the face of a woman appeared.

“Agent Justin, did you see the report?”

“I just watched the news broadcast, I haven’t read any reports. Do you have anything more than what the news relayed?”

The woman shook her head, “Not yet. We have used every sensor we have and we can find a mildly elevated morphonic background signal, but nothing to worry about. Sprinter has run all over the forests in the area and found nothing unusual.”

Justin said, “This feels like a hoax.”

“I would have said that too, and not bothered you with this, but there is one thing that really bothers me.” She said, “I spoke to both of the men involved... they told me what they saw. With a few minor differences, their descriptions are nearly identical. And they describe the encounter with nearly identical stories too.”

“You spoke to them separately?” Justin asked.

She nodded, “Yes. It took some doing to get the hospital to talk to me. But, yes. I did. Look, I took a journalism course at Georgia Tech. This has the hallmark of a true story; both tell almost the same thing, but with enough differences to make it believable. And I know the doc said they weren’t drunk at all. I think they really saw something, and if it is like they described, it is one heck of a strange critter.”

Justin said, “That is worrisome. Are you sure they didn’t just make sure this story was believable?”

She laughed, “Listen, I know these kinda country boys. They ain’t all that clever. If they wanted to get outta being nabbed for illegal hunting, they would’ve just gone home and tried treating their injuries at the house and then said they had an accident on the farm or something. This is too wild and too precise. I think we should keep looking into it.”

Justin nodded, “Okay. Keep looking and send all your scan data to us, everything you get. I won’t raise any alerts yet, but we will monitor this.”

“Of course. Peach out,” the signal ended.

Gar asked, “What do you think this is?”

“I don’t know. We’ve had several months of relative peace since the Drocha incident. Something crazy was bound to happy. Let’s hope if this is some morphonic person, they turn out to be a minor threat.”

“Should we tell Nova?”

Justin shook his head, “Not yet. He has his work to do and said he doesn’t want to be bothered unless it’s a genuine disaster. This isn’t a disaster yet. One reason we have leagues out there is to deal with minor issues on the field without having to involve BADGE too much. We’ll aid them, but let’s leave them to this and hope it doesn’t turn into a disaster. Nova can focus on his own work.”

After leaving the inauguration of a new league in Port Angeles, Washington State, Nova headed for a special meeting with an old friend. A BADGE shuttle landed in the parking lot of the TACC building in Austin, Texas. It was no longer a part of the college, as it had become the residence of the Oracle of Tech, a strange being crafted by the morphons through a man. However, students from the university came and went from the building as usual.

Nova walked in and navigated through the halls. It seemed like any other computer lab until he got closer to the back. Computer tech had grown into the walls like moss creeping up stone walls. By the time he reached the door to the supercomputer room, the hall was entirely tech, and the door had a forcefield that buzzed with words written on it, Domain of the Oracle of Tech.

“I need to see the Oracle.” Nova held up his ID.

The voice of the oracle spoke around him. “I’m aware of your arrival. Come in.”

The forcefield shut down, and he was allowed in. He walked through the nearly alien environment that was like stepping into the heart of a computer. Men and women walked around, looking at monitors and interacting with it. In the back of the room, seated on a throne of tech, was a white-haired professor who was partially metallic and connected to the computer with cords and tubes.

“Director Nova, it is good to see you.”

Nova approached and said, “Dr. Hermes, or do you prefer Oracle of Tech?”

“Either. But for friends, you can call me Dr. Hermes. Since I became bonded with this, the avatar of tech has become something more, a being combined with myself. I have grown as a being beyond that which we call human. I am part of the machines, part of the morphons themselves. However, the avatar inside me has grown to understand emotions and life as an organic being. We are... one.”

Nova said, “I’m glad you seem pleased with your circumstances. I was hoping you could answer some questions for me.”

“You want to know about the Malevolence.”

Nova felt genuine surprise. “Yes. Did Santa come to visit you? He suggested you probably know more about it than the Vexillians.”

“He is correct; I know more than any other living being. However, he did not come to seek my knowledge. I have a connection to all tech. I know what you have researched.”

“You’ve been spying on my search history.” Nova dryly joked.

Dr. Hermes smiled, “I cannot help it. As the Oracle of Tech, I am connected to all tech. But I am an observer only. However, in this matter, I wish to be a little more. An advisor.”

“Go ahead.”

“Morphons permeate this universe, but mostly it is very mild. Humans call it dark matter, not knowing exactly how to describe that which they truly cannot see with all their tech until recently.”

Nova said, “I know this. You’ve told me this before.”

“There is more. Where there is light, there is also shadow. Since the beginning of the morphons, there has been an element in this universe that is the darkness left in the path of the morphons. We cannot truly understand it because it is so contrary to our nature. All we can know is that it is a seeking darkness, a vicious monster that wants to exist in our reality, but cannot without help.”

“Who would help them?” Nova asked.

“Drocha began the process to help them. Dark morphons, a bastardization of the morphon particle. That is what they want: their own existence. Without it, they cannot thrive in this universe.”

“If they can’t live here, where are they?”

Dr. Hermes said, “We... do not know. It is not possible for us to see them, as they are our opposite in all natures.”

“Are they a threat?” Nova asked.

“They are a threat, but we do not know how much of one. Drocha started something that might have died with his failed plan, or he might have ignited something we cannot see yet. What I can tell you is that we feel something has shifted; something dark is out there. It could be entirely unique and not related to them, but it has touched all the avatars and we are all worried it could be the dark morphons.”

“How worried?” Nova asked.

“We call it The Malevolence for a reason. It doesn’t just want to exist, it wants to dominate. It wants to supplant the morphons with its dark and foreboding purpose. This world has experienced a level of morphonic activity like few places and has experienced it the longest ever. If the Malevolence is seeking to find existence, the good fortune of your world might just be the bait they cannot resist.”

“What would they try? What should I watch out for?” Nova asked.

Dr. Hermes said, “The Malevolence has tried before to exist, but it can only thrive in this universe for a short period before having to go back to wherever it lives. Therefore, it needs hosts, dark oracles. It might even try to take over one of the avatars. So, be mindful of strange behavior.”

Nova refrained from commenting on how to define strange behavior, considering the strangeness of daily life for some people. “Can you help?”

Dr. Hermes looked down and then gave a soft shake of his head. “The Avatars of the Morphons have always been observers. We hold no power over each other, and we cannot assert dominance, otherwise we risk turning dark ourselves. Thus, we cannot interfere, only advise. I wish... we could do more.” Nova realized these were the sad words of Dr. Hermes more than the avatar living in his body.

Nova said, “Thank you, I may have more questions.”

Dr. Hermes waved his hand, and Nova’s comm unit buzzed. “You now have a direct connection to me.”

“Thank you.” Nova turned to leave.

Dr. Hermes said, “Something dark is out there; that much we are certain of. Be careful, my old friend.”

Continue the Story

Heroes, Villains, and Renegades Fiction: Light and Dark Part 3

 

A drizzly sky graced the area with a mild, cold mist, bathing the pristine green hills in a dingy gray. This was about average for Carlingford, Ireland, in March.

A flash of light appeared near a vacant hill, and from it stepped EB and Agent Justin.

“Oh, that always makes my head spin.” Justin held his head and stabilized himself after that instant magical transportation.

EB said, “Everyone says that.” He was uncharacteristically quiet as he stood there, looking at the quaint little Irish seaside town.

Justin took a step, but found EB hadn’t moved. “Something wrong? I thought you were all hyped about coming here.”

EB nodded, “I am excited to fix Arx and Adrianne. I... I just haven’t been back here since he died.”

Justin frowned and looked up. “Um... who?”

EB softly said, “Leprechaun, the Vexillian who lived here for years. Before he went all batty and did those bad things, he and I were good friends. This place was his home. I almost didn’t accept the offer of help for Arx because it would mean coming back here.”

Justin said, “I’ve never heard you so solemn.”

EB looked up at Justin, “All the Vexillians that survived the destruction of our world relied on each other. We lived here for centuries with each other as the only people we could talk to. We all became friends, closer than friends; we were a family. You don’t know how hard it was to have to fight those that sided with Jinn in the end.”

“I never thought about that. You are always so... bubbly.”

EB smiled, “I choose to live in happiness. But today, I’m going through a few things. Right now, let’s head for the lab and focus on this project. Hey, I know, a little chocolate never hurts.” He clapped his paws together, and two chocolate eggs appeared. He handed one up to Justin. “Chocolate always makes things better.”

Justin accepted the egg and ate it as he and EB walked into town. The small village seemed unlikely to be home to a top-secret laboratory, but that is part of how it is protected. People saw them, and some waved at EB and snapped pictures with their phones.

“Is it nicer now that you are famous and everyone knows who you are?” Justin asked.

EB said, “It is kinda nice. Ruins some of the mystery of being me, but I get to enjoy life with other people more. Oh, and I get to see people enjoying my chocolate. LOOKY, that store has all the new line of whiskey chocolates, and they look great. My ad department does an amazing job with the packaging stuff. Oh, and look at that, the kids’ store has the newest chocolate fountain.”

“How many of the chocolate factories are yours?” Justin asked.

“Most of them. Why do you think Cadbury’s mascot is a bunny?” EB grinned at him, his face smeared with chocolate.

Justin said, “Because it’s related to Easter?”

“What makes you think the bunny was an Easter icon before I came on the scene?”

Justin laughed as he said, “Oh, you're full of...”

“Here we are.” EB hopped up and down as he pointed at an old police telephone box.

“Where are we?” Justin frowned.

“She said to get in the police box and dial this number.” He produced a small slip of paper.

Making sure no one was looking, Justin joined EB in the tight space of the antiquated phone box. He picked up the old phone and asked, “The number?”

“72074.”

Justin dialed the number, and the floor jolted and then moved downward.

EB was as giddy as a preschooler. “Weeee, this is just like Harry Potter. I hope the Ministry of Magic is as amazing as in the movies. You know, the books were way better, but the movies were awesome too. I watch them all the time. Even though she got magic ALL wrong. I mean, who needs old Latin for spells? I...” The ride stopped with a jolt, and the door opened.

They were not in some mystical fantasy world out of a book, but inside a metal hallway with bright lights. A door at the end was the only other door along the way.

“This way!” EB ran ahead.

Justin said, “Glad you found your happiness again.”

EB said, “Chocolate helps, so does not being alone for this.”

Justin asked, “Is that why you brought me along?”

“Sorta. Plus, Nova said that he wanted you to be the official BADGE rep for this. You take better notes.”

“Great, I’m a glorified secretary,” Justin bemoaned.

EB laughed, “Don’t use shorthand, I can’t read that gibberish.”

Hopping up, he punched a button on the wall. A screen lit up, and an automated voice with a distinct Irish accent said, “Clearance ID, please.”

The ID card, which Justin updated with special clearance for the Section 9 labs, was placed on the screen. A quick beep later, and the doors opened.

Inside was a sprawling high-tech lab that appeared much like Dr. Henderson's lab on the station. A small group of scientists worked at stations, some examining data on computers while others peered at large morphon crystals inside devices.

“Lily!” EB called out.

A beautiful woman with red hair and a cheery face, wearing a white lab coat and protective glasses, leaned over and looked deeply at a morphon crystal. “Over here, EB!” she said as she jotted down notes.

Justin followed EB as he asked, “You know her?”

“We’ve talked a lot over the comms. She's really cute.”

“Don’t say that to her, we’re professionals representing BADGE. No flirting.”

EB stuck his tongue out at Justin. “You’re no fun.”

As they arrived at the station, they quickly curtailed their brief argument. The woman took off the glasses as she said, “The radiation of this specimen is not dangerous. We can dispense with these. Cole, check the data logs and make sure they are all saved. Everyone else, take a lunch break.” She turned to EB and Justin with a bright smile. “It’s nice to meet you in person. And you are just as cute as you said you were. I could just pick you up and pet you all over.”

EB smiled as he said, “Sounds like we have plans for later.”

Justin pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried not to comment on this highly unprofessional behavior. “Dr. Fagan, I’m Agent Justin with BADGE.” He held out his hand.

She shook his hand, “Nice to meet you. I’m surprised I don’t recall meeting you when I was at the BADGE assessment.”

Justin said, “You remained at the Ground Base location before they completed the station. You cleared as a low-level morphonic. I read the report about you. At the time you were being assessed, I wasn’t working in that area. I worked in the office at the United Nations.”

“I see. Well, I’m glad to meet you. I hope I can help with the problem.”

EB said, “I looked at all the stuff you sent me. Really smart stuff. You’re a super genius.”

She blushed and waved a hand at him. “Oh, I’m not all that smart. I got my doctorate in morphon studies, and it really has become a big passion of mine.”

Justin asked, “How do you think you can help with Arx and Adrianne?”

She led them over to a computer where she pulled up a selection of data. “I looked over all the information your Doctor Henderson sent about them. It is the most fascinating situation; I’ve never seen morphonic crystallization like this before.”

“Morphonic crystallization?” Justin asked.

She gestured to the crystals being studied around the room. “You know that since morphons became highly concentrated in our atmosphere, these crystals began showing up. They are not a byproduct of morphons, but rather a gathering of high levels of morphons. Where there are stronger morphons which are going unused by people for powers, they turn into these things. They are a mystery to geological sciences; they really aren’t a rock, but energy. Anyway, as I looked over Doctor Henderson’s data, I saw a correlation between these crystals and the ice that makes up the two frozen heroes.”

Justin asked, “So, they aren’t actually ice... they are morphon crystals?”

“I don’t know. I need to look into this more. But I think there is more to them than just water-based ice. And if that is the case, we might reverse-engineer the entire process that made them turn this way and discover a cure.”

EB said, “See, I told you. This isn’t just a mild hope, but a substantial chance.”

Justin asked, “Okay, what do you need from us?”

“Access,” she said. “If I’m going to figure this out, I need to get closer to the subjects.”

EB hopped up and stood on the computer panel, carefully avoiding punching buttons with his bunny feet. “That’s why I’m here.”

“What can you do?” Justin asked, with a strong hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“I’m not a scientist, though I’m smarter than you guys give me credit for. What I can do is teleport. I’ll help her study, and when she needs to pop up to the station for a scan, I can take her. Or, I can do the scans myself and bring back the data. It’ll be far quicker, and less bother for Doc Henderson.”

Justin let out a heavy sigh. “I’ll have to let Nova know this was your plan. You really should have made this clear before we came all this way.”

“He’ll be fine with it.” EB stated with all confidence.

Justin’s comm beeped at him, and he held it up. “Agent Justin here.”

Gar’s voice came through. “There is a strange issue coming through, and Nova said not to bother him while he is on the planet unless it was a present danger. Can you come take a look?”

“I’ll be right there.” Justin clicked his comm off. “Okay. EB, you work with Dr. Fagan. I trust you won’t cause any mischief. I’ll make sure to get Nova to clear this. And...” he let out a deeper sigh, “Can you send me back up.”

“Sure thing.” EB clapped his paws and created a mint green chocolate egg and handed it to Justin. “Here, in case you feel queasy from the trip.” Justin took the egg, and before he could say thank you, EB zapped him away.

Continue the Story

Heroes, Villains, and Renegades Fiction: Light and Dark part 2

Chase, shocked by the idea that they could restore Arx and Adrianne from this icy prison, said, “Why didn’t you say something before now?”

EB grinned, “I wanted it to be a surprise and then when I was ready to tell, you squished me up against your chest.... can you do it again?”

Chase materialized her throwing star and pointed it right at EB’s nose. “What about Arx and Adrianne?”

EB gulped and said, “I’ll get to the point... hehe.” He bounced up and stood on the bench next to Nova. “Okay, so I was looking all over for an answer. You tasked me with seeing if there was a magical cure and so I looked and looked and looked. I talked to Santa and even tried finding the avatar of magic morphons, who was nowhere to be found. That book is elusive. They all are. Except the Oracle of Tech, now that he has bonded with that professor. It’s really cool, but weird. I wonder how he goes to the bathroom-“

“EB!” Both bellowed.

“Sorry, right. Anyway. I looked at all the data Doc Henderson has from her scans of this icy couple and discovered something. The morphons permeating them are almost all supernatural type. The resonance is a high type 7 with a frequency that matches supernatural vibration of morphon at a 92.6 percent range.”

Both Chase and Nova were stunned.

“Hey, I’m not a dumb bunny, I’m well over seven centuries old. I got smarts. Anyway. I searched for other people studying supernatural morphons and found a lab in Ireland. I talked to the head of the lab and sent her our data, and she thinks there is a way to reverse this.” He stopped and grinned.

Nova asked, “Does she have a plan on revitalizing them?”

“No.”

“Have you seen any of her data yet about this?”

“No.”

“Is there a method she has developed that will lead to a cure?”

“No.”

Chase piped in, “So, you just think there might be a chance.”

EB folded his arms, “Look, I have worked reeealy hard to find some hope on this project and this is as good as it gets. She thinks there’s a chance. After seven centuries and all that I’ve survived, I learned to lean on hope more than worry. So, I’m going to hope this works.”

Nova said, “I applaud your attitude. Being positive is a good way to seek answers. But don’t spread this around. I don’t want too many people getting their hopes up and have this not work out.”

“Good idea. The media have been all over this. His return to grace was all set; the media was liking him again, and then he sacrificed himself to save Africa and the world. They are lapping it all up. If they thought he was going to be revived, it would be a media circus,” EB said. “You know, I should sponsor that. Think of the publicity.”

“Focus,” Nova said. “What do you need to do next?”

“I’m going to visit Ireland, and I need your official approval to be there as the BADGE representative. This lab is high-tech and top secret they won’t just let me in without Director Nova’s seal of approval.”

Nova asked, “What lab is this?”

EB answered, “This is a Section 9 Lab.”

Nova said, “Okay, then you have my approval.”

Chase asked, “What’s Section 9?”

Nova answered, “Section 9 is a special department of BADGE that isn’t directly related to our work. We monitor them and they are staffed by morphonic people who didn’t want to become heroes. Everything they do is to help humankind. However, there are things they study that villains and evil governments would love to get their hands on, so we keep the labs highly protected and secret.”

“Sounds interesting.” Chase said, “However, I have several league launches to set up.”

Nova stood up and looked at his comm unit. “I have a meeting with someone in an hour. Don’t need me until I contact you.”

“Where are you going?” EB asked.

Nova said, “Don’t worry about it. EB, head to Ireland; your clearance will be ready when you get there. And, remember, keep this as quiet as you can.”

EB gave a quick, comical salute. “Will do, sir.”

Nova said, “And thank you. I want this to be the answer as much as anyone. Arx deserves to enjoy his second chance, and Adrianne deserves to live a happy life.”

“I’ll not stop trying.” EB said and then zipped away.

Chase said, “This isn’t just about Arx and Adrianne, is it?”

Nova looked up at the frozen heroes as he said, “We’ve lost a lot of friends in the past few years. I can’t bring most of them back; they are gone forever. These two... they can be saved. I have to believe in that. I have to hold on to hope.”

“EB is right, hope is better than worry or sorrow.”

“We have a job to do.” This was Nova’s authoritative way of closing the conversation and not showing the tear in his eye as his mind lingered on the faces who would never walk these halls again.

A misty morning met the faces of two brothers who dressed in warm clothes, thick coats, and heavy camouflage. They walked through the trees of a forest in Georgia, USA. The light crunch of their feet on dead leaves startled their prey. A deer in the distance looked around in shock, but it failed to see them because their camouflage concealed them well.

“She almost bolted.” One whispered to the other.

“I got her.” The other leveled his rifle and with a quick shot, the deer went down.

“Nice work!” A hearty slap on the back from his brother.

They walked without care, crunching every leaf and twig as they approached the fallen doe.

“Jed said that he was gonna tattle to the game people about our hunting. Seasons over.”

The other brother answered, “Oh, that mama’s boy aint got the balls to tattle. He’s just jealous that we keep bagging bigger deer than him. You see that scrawny buck he was so darned proud of. I seen bigger weeny dogs.”

Both laughed at that as they knelt beside their fallen quarry.

“Looking forward to making deer jerky. I got Papaw’s spice recipe finally. Real good stuff... what is that?”

They looked up to see antlers in the mist walking in their direction. The pace of the creature was steady and straightforward. An abnormal mist had gathered and was blocking most of the view.

“A buck? Why ain’t he running like hell?” The younger brother pulled up his rifle.

The other brother said, “Don’t shoot em! We can’t bring two home; we could get in trouble. Just shoot in the sky, scare em off.”

The brother wasn’t pleased, but he followed along and pointed straight up and fired. The creature

continued walking toward them.

“What sorta buck not scared of that kinda noise.” The older brother stood and clapped his gloved hands. “Get out... go on! Shoo!”

A glowing green light became visible, and the height of the being was abnormal. Soon, the antlered creature’s form was visible in the mist, and it was like that of a human.

“What in God’s name is that?”

The mists parted to reveal a man-like creature with a glowing green light in its chest, wooden clothing wrapping around parts of its body, a face of darkness with speckled green dots floating in empty space, and wooden antlers on its head. The hands were five fingers of wood with sharp points.

“Sweet Jesus! It’s a demon or something.” The younger brother fired his rifle at it, but he missed out of fear.

The creature turned its head down as though it were looking at the doe, and then it looked at them. It launched itself at the older brother, swiping with its sharp wooden claws.

Continue the Story

Heroes, Villains, and Renegades Fiction: Light and Dark Part 1

A crisp blue sky graced the chilled winds on this late winter day in Petoskey, Michigan. Snow on the ground created a beautiful winter wonderland. Outside at Bayfront Park, workers cleared the snow and set up seats and a stage for the gathered crowd.

Nova’s comm unit beeped, and he looked down. It was an urgent contact from Gar. “He is so jumpy about this. I’ll get in touch with him after this is over.” He stopped the beeping and looked up at the waiting area.

Nova moaned inwardly about having to do this in such a chilly place in winter, but it was his job. He walked through the crowd toward the stage. The mayor stopped him briefly to shake his hand again and wish him luck. It’s a speech, not fighting monsters; what did he need luck for? Approaching the stage, he saw four eager fresh graduates of the BADGE hero program. They all had similar style uniforms on and appeared like cadets happy to be starting their careers.

Tapping the mic to get everyone’s attention, Director Nova stood before the crowd. News cameras focused on him, and several reporters were ready with questions for later.

“Thank you for coming. I’m always pleased to conduct such an important job. It is times like these that I’m reminded that this world still has hope. As heroes graduate from the program and find their place in the world, the world finds a hero willing to stand for truth, justice, and hope. Today, the BADGE program, under international law that grants us the right to establish placement of heroes, establishes the newest Super League, the Petoskey Four. Captain Waves, Hard Skull, Wilderbeast, and Lady Icetouch receive full authority from the BADGE program to operate as a league in Petoskey, Michigan.

There was a round of applause, and the heroes beamed with joy and excitement as they waved to the cameras. Once the noise died down, Nova continued.

“I would like to address the subject of the questions that will likely be asked by many. Why establish a league so far from the more densely populated parts of this area? Criminals and villains don’t always look for vast crowds and large cities. Heroes have been needed in the most remote locations many times. Here, the Petoskey Four can watch over the Great Lakes Region along with the Leagues in Detroit, Lansing, and Chicago. And furthermore - “

Everyone jerked and ducked as a loud explosion echoed across the lake. Several people yelled and pointed up while the cameras all changed their focus. Nova turned to see a small dark hole in the sky that quickly sealed itself. Flying from it and speeding in their direction was a strange blue box. It spun around and looked oddly like an antique phone booth.

“Petoskey Four! To action!” Captain Waves yelled as he held up both hands and summoned a wave of water as a shield to protect the people.

The box sped right through the wave and crashed into the rocky shore of the lake. It was now steaming and lying on its side, half-buried by the stones that made up the beach.

“Keep the reporters back!” Nova barked at the new league as he stomped toward the crashed object, a hint of fury in his one revealed eye.

Captain Waves followed along while the other three made certain the crowds kept their distance. The moment they stopped, the door of the phone box opened. EB appeared, coughing and clearing his throat. He quickly smiled at Nova and said, “I can explain.”

A week before:

EB bounded around the hall like a preschooler hyped up on sugar. Walking with him was Chase, as she looked over a tablet. He hopped off the walls, bounced on his ears, ran ahead and came back.

“Why are you so excited?” Chase asked, hardly looking up from the tablet.

EB quickly stopped so he could walk beside her. “I have really awesome, great, wonderful news for Nova. I mean, this is the bestest of the best.”

She paused and looked down. “What, you came up with another idea of how to open one of your luxury chocolate stores in the station’s mess hall?”

“No. I’m still wearing him down about that one.” He bounced around the hall again as he said, “It’ll be a great store. I mean, have you been to one of my Chocolate Experiences? Chocolate EVERYTHING. Fountain with a dozen objects to dunk in it. Mixing station for your own blend of hot cocoa. Flavors and types of chocolate that are exclusive to the store. And the smell.....ooooooh, the smell. It’s heavenly! I should make a cologne... no, a perfume. Girls like chocolate more than dudes. Yes, a perfume that smells like the best chocolate. It’ll sell like hotcakes. Hey, did you know I invented the chocolate pancake syrup and...”

Chase said, “Focus. What are you so happy to tell Nova?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.” EB grinned at her and then kept bouncing.

Arriving at a door, she reached up to punch the button, but EB beat her to it and then took her hand she had been reaching with. He kissed the back of it. “Ah, my sweet. You would smell so luscious in EB’s Parfume De Chocolat.”

She pulled her hand away. “I wouldn’t wear it, I’d smell like a chocolate bar. Besides, I think there’s already a perfume called that.”

“Mine will be better.” EB said and then zipped into the room.

Chase followed him.

They both found a bench in a sitting room that looked directly into a glassed enclosure that held the ice

statue of Arx and Adrianne embracing in a kiss. This wasn’t just a beautiful sculpture, but the actual couple as they sacrificed themselves to save a continent.

Nova sat on the bench, looking at them. He had a tablet next to him, which had gone dark from lack of use.

“Sir? Why do you sit here so often?” Chase asked.

Nova said, “I have lost many people over the years. The most painful are those who sacrifice themselves for others. It is a noble end. When an accident or a villain’s violent action kills someone, a part of you wonders what it would be like if they hadn’t died. But when they give their lives to save others, you can only accept their deaths as pure and to imagine that changing would imagine others suffering. This statue... it is a testament to the purest type of hero, one who sacrifices all for others. And yet, I would give anything to give both of them their lives back. Arx just began to live and grow beyond his past. Adrianne suffered so, and then she was taken. It just doesn’t seem fair.”

Chase sat next to him. She had a hand on EB’s mouth as he was trying to talk, and she just knew it wouldn’t be appropriate for the emotions of the moment, not with how hyper he was right now. “Sir, you can’t dwell on them. There is so much to do. The best way to honor their sacrifice is to keep this world safe.”

Nova smiled and nodded. “I know. And I only come down here to meditate on things. I have kept myself working. Fortunately, since Drocha’s departure, things have been pretty quiet. A pleasant respite for all heroes and this world.”

Chase now had EB held under her arm with his face pushed against her side so he would be quiet. He wasn’t struggling enough with his new proximity to her chest. In fact, he was slightly drooling.

“I have worked with Coach Thrasher and Justin sorting out all the graduates and their requested assignments. I think we have everyone placed. This will create five new Leagues and assign twenty heroes to existing leagues. Rangers HQ has already received those joining the Rangers Initiative. I just need your approval for this list.”

He took the tablet, “I see. Oh, one in Michigan. We already have several leagues there.”

“Look at the location.”

“Petoskey? That’s at the top.”

“I know. But, it seemed logical. Plus, two of the members are from that neck of the woods, and they would do well there with their unique powers.”

“Okay. Might be an enjoyable trip somewhere without mass media around every corner.”

Chase said, “Sign off and I’ll get plans put together for the trips you’ll need to take.”

Nova signed the tablet as he casually said, “It’s dripping down your arm.”

Chase let out a heavy sigh as she said, “I know. If he touches my breast one more time, I’m going to neuter him.”

“Just let him go,” Nova handed her back the tablet.

She released the bunny, and he plopped on the floor. “Ow.” He stood up and smiled, “That was fun. Let’s do it again sometime.”

“Fine. Next time I’ll have you around the neck.” She threatened him.

He cleared his throat, not sure how serious she was. “Hey, buddy. I have some awesome news! Awesome, awesome, awesome...” he bounced around the bench.

Nova grabbed him by the ears and barked, “Stop!”

EB quickly said, “I think I can revive Arx and Adrianne.”

Continue the Story

MARCH onward and forward, Heroes!

OK, February felt like it went by too fast, but then again there were only 28 days... This March, we have lots of exciting events coming up, including Squad Wars for teams of four players.

Reviews role play and commentaries on the events are greatly encouraged; these types of editorials are very useful for the game, and we've had many excellent ones in the past, but as the game evolves, we need more player guides like these especially on all the new features introduced. Players guides, reviews, players PoVs, and role-play tied in to game lore, etc, are most welcome. Feel free to share your thoughts and options by submitting them to the Sentinel Facebook page.

The usual editorial bonus for reviews, commentaries, game guides, gear talk, fan-fiction, and origin stories applies to all submissions that are published.

REWARDS:

PLATINUM: 7 Strange Fiction cards (only reserved for EXCEPTIONAL submissions)

GOLD: 5 Strange Fiction cards

SILVER: 3 to 4 Strange Fiction cards

BRONZE: 1 to 2 Strange Fiction cards

These rewards go out after the end of each month and are IN ADDITION to the usual Sentinel rewards from Daniel Andrade for published entries.

Here are the categories/prompts:

Category One:
REVIEWS/COMMENTARIES of ad hoc and regular events, including fan-fiction role play, etc.

Category Two:
GAME GUIDES, GEAR TALK, and other editorials about game mechanics.

Category OPEN:
What is your origin story? How did you end up in the Heroes Rising universe?
(And any other Fan-Fiction.)

REMINDER:

Post your submissions to the Sentinel page as usual for Categories One and Two. To enter the OPEN CATEGORY post your entries to the with the following in the title: "MARCH CONTEST" and the title of your entry. Please also add a link to your entry in the Sentinel page so that we can monitor all entries.

Yours Quackily,
SQ

Continue the Story

GREAT QUACKS! ITS FEBRUARY ALREADY!

Well January 2026 went by fast! Last month, we had an excellent editorial on the Snowball Throwing Event, with real insights and excellent tips to maximise snowball throws.

These types of editorials are very useful for the game, and we've had many excellent ones in the past, but as the game evolves, we need more player guides like these especially on all the new features introduced. But not just players guides. Reviews, players PoVs, and role-play tied in to game lore, etc, are much encouraged. Feel free to share your thoughts and options by submitting them to the Sentinel Facebook page.

The usual editorial bonus for reviews, commentaries, game guides, gear talk, fan-fiction, and origin stories applies to all submissions that are published.

REWARDS:

PLATINUM: 7 Strange Fiction cards (only reserved for EXCEPTIONAL submissions)

GOLD: 5 Strange Fiction cards

SILVER: 3 to 4 Strange Fiction cards

BRONZE: 1 to 2 Strange Fiction cards

These rewards go out after the end of each month and are IN ADDITION to the usual Sentinel rewards from Daniel Andrade for published entries.

Here are the categories/prompts:

Category One:
REVIEWS/COMMENTARIES of ad hoc and regular events, including fan-fiction role play, etc.

Category Two:
GAME GUIDES, GEAR TALK, and other editorials about game mechanics.

Category OPEN:
What is your origin story? How did you end up in the Heroes Rising universe?
(And any other Fan-Fiction.)

REMINDER:

Post your submissions to the Sentinel page as usual for Categories One and Two. To enter the OPEN CATEGORY post your entries to the with the following in the title: "FEBRUARY CONTEST" and the title of your entry. Please also add a link to your entry in the Sentinel page so that we can monitor all entries.

Yours Quackily,
SQ

Continue the Story