A large BADGE shuttle navigated up through the atmosphere, eventually entering the emptiness of space. This was no ordinary BADGE transport, thrusters on the back that beamed a bright blue light as they propelled the ship had replaced the original jet engines.
Inside the craft, Director Nova sat next to a woman in a smart business suit. She held a tablet with a voice recorder activated.
“We will begin now. This is Miranda Briggs of International News Network, I am here with Director Nova, head of BADGE operations for the entire world. As our viewers recall, BADGE has been responsible for protecting the planet since the villainous Legion first arrived four years ago.”
Nova stopped her. “Correction, Mrs. Briggs, BADGE was established before the introduction of Legion to Earth, however, our work transformed when Legion arrived and superpowers manifested among humans.”
She typed something into the tablet and said, “Telll me, if BADGE was not established as a response to Legions appearance, then when and why was it first created?” She held the tablet toward him.
“Some information is classified, however, I can tell you that BADGE was first established as an international cooperative to help protect the world from dangers deemed a greater risk than any singular national organization could handle from any one nation.”
“Wasn’t that part of the purpose of the UN?”
He laughed as he answered, “In a way, yes. However, we deal with problems far greater than something the UN would deal with. To be honest, we didn’t do too much work until the Morphons arrived, and then Legion was a threat to our world.”
“About Legion: Can the people of Earth comfortably relax now that Legion has not made any further appearances for over two years?”
Nova said, “I don’t want people to live in fear. However, we can’t be certain that the last city invasion of Legion was the last time something from their ranks will show up. Legion as an organized threat is gone. The last battle against their mightiest forces was enough to dismantle their organization and destroy the leader. However, members of that group are still out there in the galaxy. Will they turn their sights on Earth again? I don’t know. But, again, I do not want people to live in fear all the time. They should feel comforted knowing that BADGE and the heroes of Earth will always be there to stop these threats.”
She typed something more and then continued. “About those threats. Some have speculated that the recent incidents with the supervillain Jinn may have been connected to Legion. Was this Jinn a member of Legion?”
“I can say for certain that he was not. In fact, at one time, Jinn fought against Legion long before he arrived on Earth. His actions were his alone, his goal had nothing to do with Legion's ideology.”
“Is he truly gone?”
Nova nodded. “Jinn is dead. The Arcane division of BADGE, and outside trustworthy sources knowledgeable about his kind of power, are clear that he has truly been destroyed. He will pose no future threat to Earth.”
“I’m sure our viewers will be pleased to hear that.”
Just then the pilot called back, “Approaching Station, arriving in ten minutes.”
Nova gave a quick nod. “Thank you.”
Miranda smiled as she said, “Good, we have time for a few questions about the upcoming League Wars. I understand that the League Wars were initially arranged as a method of sorting out heroes and helping train heroes to use their meta-human powers. However, over time, these League Wars have become something of a sporting event that draws millions of viewers worldwide.”
“Billions.”
“Excuse me?”
Nova corrected her, “Our last League Wars event had a viewership of two billion. By holding the event in space at the new Orbital Stadium, we can broadcast to a larger audience.”
“Amazing. Are you okay with the entertainment nature this event has taken on?”
Nova took in a thoughtful breath and pondered his answer. “Mrs. Briggs, I have always felt that League Wars should be a method of encouraging heroes to be better at their work. If heroes merely train to fight bad people, then it becomes a negative experience. Having a friendly competition gives them a reason to train for pleasant experiences. That this brings entertainment to the civilians of Earth, so be it. As I said, I want people to not live in fear. Helping them have fun might bring us to that goal. So, I don’t mind allowing League Wars to grow as an entertainment event.”
Just then the windows of the shuttle grew brighter as something new filled them. Large metal panels and small windows could be seen outside.
“Arriving at docking bay 1,” the pilot announced.
Nova held up his hand. “Pilot, take us around the station. I would like a tour for our guest.”
“Aye, sir.”
The shuttle flew out and around the large orbital station. They flew over a glass dome that looked down over the massive city within.
Miranda stood up and gawked at the view. “Good heavens. I didn’t know it was this large.”
Nova stood as well and watched the impressive station. “Thanks to help from new friends, highly skilled heroes, and a large team of engineers, BADGE was able to study Legion technology to construct this, our first space station. We began Project Orbit, and this was the result. It has twenty-seven decks, the top deck is three square miles in diameter. We have large training facilities, power evaluation chambers, an arboretum, food court, three docking bays, two hundred quarters, medical and science labs, a hospital, communications array, command deck, and self-regenerating power cells. It is self-sufficient, armored, and contains a type forty computer core that can hold the collected information of Earth... five times over.”
Miranda stood there, awestruck by the view.
Nova said, “Shouldn’t you be taking video of this for the news?”
“Oh, uh, no, we will take care of that later. I am more interested in the tour.”
“Okay, pilot, take us in.”
“Understood. Please take your seats.”
The shuttle navigated toward the station and slid through a forcefield that protected the large, open shuttle bay. A dozen other identical shuttles were housed in a wall of slots. This shuttle landed in the middle of the bay.
“This way.” Nova directed her out with the pilot behind them.
After they had walked far enough away, a large mechanical arm came down, grabbed the shuttle, and stored it in an empty slot on the wall. The whole time, Miranda remained in that state of awe.
***
A well-dressed man walked through rows of workers. Each man and woman sat before a lighted table with a pile of sparkling stones in front of them. They would pick up a stone and examine it through an eye loupe before placing it in one of two boxes.
“Ah, Ricard!” Another finely dressed gentleman approached.
“Maxwell, I’m glad you could make it.” Ricard greeted him.
Maxwell said, “I wouldn’t miss this for all the diamonds in Africa. A ruby with the tensile strength of a diamond, impossible.”
Ricard held up a small box. “I studied it myself. It isn’t lab-created, and it is a ruby, but we can’t cut it.”
“Come, let us go into my office.” Maxwell led his friend through the room, up a flight of stairs, and into a lavish office.
“I see the gem game is paying well still.”
Maxwell laughed and tossed his sport coat over the back of an office chair. “I run low on Lamborghini’s now and then, HA! Come, let me see that ruby.”
Ricard said, “I know. How this thing broke off of a larger stone seems impossible. I have never seen a ruby with this kind of strength.”
Maxwell answered, his voice growing deeper and more gravelly, “Oh, there was but one stone where this came from, my friend. And now that I have this one, finding the others will be far easier.”
“Max, you sound strange.” Ricard came closer, but then lurched back when he saw horns growing out of the head of this man. Fur sprung up from his arms and his clothes bulged and then tore as he grew in size and hairiness. “WHAT THE?”
The creature stood, pinching that stone in between two clawed fingers. His mouth was filled with fangs, and his face a horrid visage of the monster. In that deep, rough voice, he said, “You have saved me a lot of time. My friend and I have been searching all over this planet for signs of this stone. Now, the search will be easier.”
“Wh...who...who are you?” Ricard backed up, his hand frantically pawing at the now locked door handle.
“My name is Krampus. Fortunately, I don’t actually dine on human flesh, as the legends say. Sadly, I don’t need you to tell anyone you saw me.” With a quick strike, a clawed hand reached over and tore the throat of this unsuspecting gem dealer.
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