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
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.”
Adrianne 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.”
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