Reading over a standard report from the educational assessment department, Nova rode the lift down from Operations to the main levels. When the doors parted, he stepped out to the hustle and bustle of the station’s daily grind. Heroes came and went working with BADGE assignments. Instructors and students milled about, discussing classes or looking for lunch.
What differed from the average day at the BADGE station were the prominent Christmas decorations strung around the large Mess Hall and arboretum. Students and BADGE workers dressed up the place with traditional holly, poinsettias, garland, bows, tinsel, and highly decorated trees. There were also Kinara surrounded by ears of dried corn as centerpieces for the tables, dedicated to Kwanza. A large painting of a menorahs and dreidels hung on a wall. It was an explosion of the festivities that graced much of the planet below.
EB hopped over with two Christmas balls hanging, one on each ear. “I know it’s not Easter, but Christmas is pretty awesome! I’ve brought a spread of the most bestest Christmas candies I have ever made from my companies. There are seven new varieties that I have brought to the station to have the people here taste test them. So far, everyone things they are scrumdidlyumpt... wait, can’t use that one. Dang. Anyway, they are tasty, you need to try some. Hey! You know, you’re kinda a celebrity on the planet below. I could have you do an endorsement for them. What do you say? Think of it! Billboards with your face on them, tv commercials, even pod casts. This could go viral. Nova’s favorite Minter Fudge Delight from... uh... maybe not...” EB saw a growing glare from Nova’s one good eye.
Nova said, “Have you seen Red Fury?”
“Oh, sure. He helped us carry in all these trees. That dude is strong. Lemme say, he grabbed up five pines like they were toothpicks.”
“Where is he?” Nova asked.
EB looked around. “Not in here.”
“I can see that.”
“Oh, right. I think he’s in the arboretum helping set up the last gigantic tree. You’re gonna flip when you see this. It’s YUUUGE!”
Nova left the eager bunny for the paradise in the middle of this station. The arboretum was right next to the mess hall, giving the students the choice between a food court or a park to relax. They decorated the arboretum’s natural gardens with even more Christmas decorations. Colorful lights graced the trees and the artificial sunlight was now the glow of the moon, so the sparkle of the tinsel and lights was like glittery frost on the branches of the trees. Even Nova found this impressive.
In the center of the domed arboretum stood a cut pine that rose five stories into the air. Workers strung stabilizing cords from the dome’s ribs to the tree trunk to keep it upright. Heroes who could naturally fly while others worked on the ground to sort out the decorations carefully placed lights and decorations.
Dr. Henderson and Red Fury worked through boxes of ornaments as they handed them off one by one to the flying heroes.
“Ah, Seasons Greetings Director.” Dr. Henderson met him with a warm smile. “Here to see the tree?”
Nova shook his head, “Not exactly, but I must say it is an impressive sight.”
She handed a crystal snowflake to a flying woman who carried it to an outstretched branch.
Red Fury said, “We told the people at Bronner’s in Michigan that we wanted to decorate the station for Christmas and they went all out to help us design this place. They also gave us a great discount and even donated some items.”
“Why?” Nova asked.
Dr. Henderson untangled a garland of beads to hand off. “The people of Earth don’t soon forget how often we have saved their lives. The owners of Bronner’s are a charitable family. They wanted to show us their gratitude. Tis the season to be giving, you know.”
Nova cracked a smile. “It is nice to have some thanks now and then.” He turned to Red Fury. “I was actually here to talk to you about the student Dragonborn.”
Red’s cheerful face turned into a snarl. “What has he done this time?”
“This isn’t a disciplinary call. I was just looking over your report. You said he was a suitable candidate for morphon control. However, you also noted that he had amazing potential. I have had little time to talk to him, with all that has been going on these past few months. Few people get your approval as having amazing potential, even those seeking to be heroes. Yet, you suggest he have his powers suppressed.”
Red grunted, “He wants them suppressed, and that might be the best option.”
“But he has gone through most of the program. If he wanted them suppressed, he could have chosen that path before taking all the classes.”
Red handed off several ornaments and then left the work to Dr. Henderson. Walking away from the group, he led Nova to a darker area where they could speak privately. “I don’t know why he tried the hero path. From what I could tell, he focused on leaving this program from day one. With his attitude, I expect he would be a bad hero to hand off to any league.”
Nova looked at his reports and frowned. “Dragonborn. That’s Michael Messenger. I remember his assessment process. He demonstrated considerable powers. My comment was,” Nova checked the record for his notes from that day, “he impressed me then. I know he has impressed you as well.”
“His powers are amazing. His attitude is not. I’ve met few as self-absorbed and dismissive as he is. His concerns are more about his appearance than his powers.”
“What do you mean?”
Red said, “Micheal’s powers are both energy and strength. The enhanced strength has made his body muscular and lean. He can eat like a pig and still be fit. He loves to show his body off and is far more interested in people staring at his muscles than he is about using his mind or his powers. His grades have slumped, his attitude has annoyed every instructor, and frankly, I’m ready for him to be done with this program. Get the injections and go the heck home.”
Nova said, “I would like to have a talk with him.”
“Look, if you plan on trying to convince him to stick around, don’t bother. He isn’t worth it.”
“Since we started this hero training program in BADGE, it has been my goal not only to train people how to use their powers, but also how to be better people. I need to know where we failed with him.”
“We didn’t fail.” Red snarled.
Nova shook his head. “I’m not criticizing you or the other instructors’ work. I’m simply curious. Any time we can improve our program is beneficial. Also, I want to see if maybe I can reach him. He has potential, and this world needs heroes every day. I don’t want to give up so quickly with this one.”
Red Fury said, “Good luck. I’ve tried everything I know to help him realize he’s a bone headed idiot. That brat doesn’t even like the holidays. Seriously. Even me, the loudest, angriest member of BADGE becomes a softy for Christmas. If you ask me, turning him out as a hero will only give him the opening to become a super villain.”
“More reason to reach him about being a better person.”
Red pointed out the door. “He’s in the cadet quarters, section three. I gave the students a couple of days off before the next big round of exams. The rest are here having holiday fun. He’s back there reading magazines.”
“I’ll pay him a visit.” Nova left, taking one more look at the amazing tree. EB was right. This was impressive.
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