1.14 Endgame Part 7

The next room is even worse than the previous one. It appears we stumbled into the factory in which the Machines are created and several of them are already complete and ready for battle.

Narszara leaps into battle as I grab Sky and James and fly for the door on the other side of the room. I don’t even dare waste time looking at what Mia and Darrac are doing.

A Machine drops down in front of us and I fire off all eleven of my remaining missiles at it, exploding the darn thing. I don’t slow down as I fly through the wreckage. My armour can handle it and the cos-mat costume should protect Sky and James.

I smash head first through the door. I let go of Sky and James as I into the floor. From the sounds in the previous room, I think as I get to my feet, it sounds like Narszara is keeping our enemies in there busy. I hope Mia or Darrac don’t get hurt.

“Are you okay Sentinel?” asks James.

                                                                 

“I’m fine, just used up all my missiles, but fine,” I reply with a dismissive wave of my hand, “At least this room is empty.”

“The next room should be the command room where the Machinist is operating out of if memory serves,” says Darrac as he lands behind us, “My captain is providing support for your Norgardian.”

“Okay,” I say, “Let’s take down the Machinist.”

I really wonder how Darrac knows what a Norgardian is, but now is most definitely not the time to bring that up.

I let Darrac open the door again as out of our group, he is the best at operating Sektain technology even if I do feel I’m pretty good at it myself.

“Done,” declares Darrac as the door goes wide open.

We walk into the also empty room. This one is clearly the command room or bridge as we would call it on Earth. There are a multitude of computers and other such devices including a large holo-table in the middle of the room.

“So where is the Machinist?” asks James.

“I don’t know,” admits Darrac as he stops and looks around, “I assumed he would be operating out of the command centre. It is the only logical choice to set up his headquarters, but it would appear otherwise.”

“That’s for sure,” says Sky, “Any ideas on where else he come be?”

“No,” replies Darrac, “We’ll have to scour the entire ship.”

“Let’s call the other teams and see if they found the Machinist?” I suggest and do so, “Sentinel here. Has anyone found the Machinist? My team is currently in the command centre or bridge and nobody has been here.”

But all I get is static. It would seem that our communications are being jammed. Better call in with Janelle and Alex.

And again all I get is static. We are definitely being jammed.

“Hey guys-” I start when several beings flash into existence around us.

Each of these beings is made of a pinkish grey material and consists of sleek armour plates with red energy in the gaps that form a humanoid shape. Where the abdomen would be, these creatures have a glowing orb of red energy.

What are these things? I think as they open fire.

Bolts of pink plasma fly from their sleek guns. James and Sky both go down while Darrac staggers and drops to his knee, panting. I take a couple of hits, one to the back of my right shoulder and the other to my chest.

I grunt in pain as I actually feel the shots through the armour and collapse on the ground. I check my armour status and see that the enemy has actually done some serious damage to the Sentinel armour. In fact, the armour integrity around the shoulder has been damaged.

Without moving my head, I look towards Darrac. The Neriarr topples over as he takes several more bolts of plasma. If a couple of those did major damage to the Sentinel armour, I can only imagine how much pain Darrac is in. Darn it, I’m not even sure if he survived.

How will I explain to Mia if he doesn’t? How will I live with myself if a member of my team dies on my watch?

But first I have to make sure these things do down.

There are nine of these creatures and they head to the rest of us, three for each of us Leaguers now Darrac is down. James is still down while Sky is stirring. One of the creatures takes aim at her with its gun.

Time for action, I decide as I activate my rocket pack, aiming for the enemy taking aim at Sky.

I fly through the air and tackle the creature, sending both of us tumbling with myself being the one landing on top. I punch it in the face twice, but whatever it is made of holds up against even the enhanced strength that Sentinel armour grants me.

Not looking good at all, I think as I spot the other eight creatures aiming at me. Things are made even worse when the one below me punches me in the face. It doesn’t do much against the Sentinel armour however and I grab the creature as I get to my feet.

As the other creatures open fire, I use their compatriot as ‘human’ shield.

1.14 Endgame Part 6

Our four aerial vehicles come to a halt over site of the sunken Sektain warship.

“Okay,” I say to my team as we wait in the cargo bay of the Dusty Corsair, “Let’s drop.”

Of course we have to wait for the ramp to lower, but once that is done, we all leap out of the spaceship.

I take the opportunity to look around. The other teams are doing the same though some of us are falling faster than others such as Britannia and Sam, who have both used their flight to reach the ocean even faster than the others.

Me? I’m willing to just use gravity.

I plunge into the ocean, but Narszara’s magic charm is working perfectly. While I know I’m surrounded by water, I’m more than capable of acting if I wasn’t to the point I can even use my rocket pack and lasers down here.

Excellent. Just another advantage we have over the Machine and the other creations of the Machinist.

“There,” I tell the others over the comms, pointing at the wrecked ship below.

As the other teams go their own routes, I take my own team down to the hole I spotted in the side. As expected the ship is flooded with several remains of the crew floating about as I do my best to try and ignore them.

“There is an intact airlock ahead,” says Darrac as he takes the lead.

“Can you open it up?” I ask him.

“Easily,” replies Darrac, “I grew up around technology like this. I believe the correct expression is that this is a slice of cake.”

Within a couple of seconds, we enter the air lock and the water drains around us.

“Do want to break the airlock so the ship is flooded?” inquires Sky as the water finishes draining around us.

“No,” I reply, “If we flood the whole thing, we could easily kill the Machinist and wreck salvageable technology within. And Sektain technology, even if it is a few decades out of data, is very valuable on Earth. Plus we can communicate verbally if we need to such as if our communicators get jammed.”

I step into the next room and freeze at what awaits us. The Machine. And not just one, but three of the big guy.

We all leap into action. Mia draws her pistols and begins to unleash rapid fire on the one on the right as Darrac flies at it. Sky and I both move around the sides to attack the one on the left while Narszara charges the one in the middle.

I’ll use my telekinesis to pop any missiles they unleash, says James.

I send a mental agreement at him as I activate the rocket pack as the Machine I targeted fire off its missiles at me. It also its lasers, both those are aimed at Sky, not me. I fly through the explosion results from the exploding missiles as they are telekinetically taken out and grab the disc ball head.

I grunt as I yank it out and the Machine drops to its knee. Aiming at the gap in which the head was connected to, I fire a missile of my own at it. I’m caught in the explosion, but the Sentinel armour weathers it with ease. The Machine on the other hand has taken a beating as most of its upper chest is destroyed and the left arm is blown off.

Unfortunately its right arm is still working fine, a fact I find out as the Machine grabs me and slams me into floor. I roll out of the way of a energy blade and fire my lasers at the now exposed shoulder joint of the remaining arm.

I hit and the arm twitches before falling limp at the side. But the Machine is still active and I have to finish it even if it is incapable of fighting anymore. Never turn your back on an enemy after all.

Sky is already on that one so I turn to see how the other members of our team are doing, ready to provide assistance if necessary. But it doesn’t look like the others need it as Narszara has crushed her own foe and is helping Darrac and Mia finish off the Machine on the right.

I hear metal tearing behind me and I look over my shoulder to see the remains of the Machine being ripped apart. It has to be the work of James.

“Three Machines?” inquires Sky.

“I didn’t expect it either,” I reply, “Did it feel a little too easy? The others ones were much tougher and harder to defeat.”

“I believe that experience and use of teamwork allowed us to overcome them Verigar,” says Narszara, “The previous times we were not prepared and were caught off guard. This time the battle was fought on our terms, not theirs.”

“Makes senses,” I agree, “Let’s press onto the next room.”

1.14 Endgame Part 1

“Let’s see how well you can take this!” I yell as I fire a pair of missiles at Sam as we engage each other in aerial battle.

He crushes one with his telekinesis, but the other explodes into a dozen micro-warheads. Unable to respond in time, the warheads hit Sam, engulfing him in explosions which send him flying backwards.

For some context, James, Vance, Stefan, Lucy, Sky and I are currently facing off against Sam in the training room while Alex, Narszara and some others watch on from the control room.

He is coming in low James warns me.

I see him I think back as I spot Sam flying close to the floor.

I’m on it says Stefan as he unleashes several bolts of lightning at Sam.

While the lightning doesn’t actually do anything to hurt or even slow Sam, it does block his line of sight and forces him to pull upwards.

Hit him Vance! yells Stefan and Vance obliges as unleashes two beam of energy from his hands directly at Sam.

Good use of teamwork so far. While Sam may have started with the upper hand and has already taken out Lucy and Sky, I was able to force him back and between me and Stefan, we have been able to control Sam’s path of attack. Now Vance, one of the few of us with an attack actually able to stand a chance of taking Sam down, is hitting Sam dead on.

Sam grunts as the beams of energy blast hit. He raises his arms to block the attack as he is slowly forced backwards and downwards.

My turn I tell the others as I grin beneath my armour.

I unleash the other four missiles at Sam before firing both of my sonics at him. The missiles go directly for Sam, but curve as they fly through the air so when they explode into the micro-warheads, they’ll hit him in the side.

Unlike most with super senses, my sonics won’t do much against Sam as his psionic field protects him, shielding him from most of it. But a little will help quite a bit when used to support other attacks.

The missiles hit Sam, engulfing him in a large explosion. Barely a split-second later, Vance’s energy beams blast Sam out of the explosion and into the ground.

Sam crashes into the floor, leaving a small crater. Vance and I keep our respective energy beam and sonic attacks, but after a moment we cease.

“Lantern is-” starts Alex from up in the control room when Sam suddenly springs to life. He zooms straight at me, catching me off guard.

He punches me in the chest, sending me flying. It takes me a moment to stabilise myself, but when I do, it’s just in time for me to hear Alex declaring Stefan out of the match, just as she had with Sky and Lucy earlier and almost did so with Sam just now.

Stefan is down James informs me.

I heard I reply

Look out! yells Vance.

I feel a mental strike of pain from James a mere moment before the mental connection is broken.

“Vision is out,” declares Alex.

“I’ll hold him, you hit him,” I yell at Vance as I fly at Sam.

This time it is my turn to catch Sam off guard as I tackle him mid-air. He huffs in surprise as we slam into the wall.

But Lantern has always been stronger than the Sentinel and Sam easily breaks free of my grip. He slams his fist into my face and I go flying.

“It’s not going to be that easy Daniel,” says Sam with a grin on face.

“That’s soon going to be mutual,” I reply.

“We’ll see,” says Sam as he swings another fist at me.

I sidestep and roll to his side just as Vance blasts him in the back again.

“Don’t count me out just yet,” says Vance as he blasts Sam with another energy beam.

“Oh, I’m getting to you-” starts Sam as he blocks Vance’s energy beam with a raised up, but I cut him off as I punch him.

“You’re still out numbered,” I point out.

“But you’re out of heavy firepower,” retorts Sam.

“Then bring it on!” I tell him as swing another punch at him.

But Sam dodges easily, his flight being much more manoeuvrable than that of the Sentinel armour. He punches at me and I raise both my arms to block. Not very effective as Sam’s strike still sends me flying.

I hear Sam zooming off and Vance blasting with his energy beams. As I gain control of my flight once again, I hear Alex’s voice.

“Bolt is out!” declares Alex, “Good luck Sentinel, you’re going to need it.”

“Oh, I won’t need luck,” I reply.

Unbeknownst to the others, I still have one last trick up my sleeve.

“Want to call it quits?” asks Sam, “I got you outnumbered and outpowered.”

“You wish,” I reply, “Bring it on! I’m ready for you.”

“As you say,” grins Sam and he zooms at me.

I activate one of the training room’s attack features and a giant beam of purple energy fires from the wall behind me at Sam. Sam barely has a split-second to look shocked before it hits him dead on.

The energy attack slams him into the wall on the far side of the room and Sam drops face first into the floor.

“Lantern is out!” declares Alex, “Sentinel is the winner. By the virtue of cheating.”

“I didn’t cheat,” I protest, “I just used my home field advantage!”

1.10 Ancient Warriors Part 8

Just like Adalbern, Sir Gawain of Camelot is an impressive sight. Unlike the German President in his suit, he looks like what one would expect of him, a knight in shining armour.

He is almost as tall as Adalbern, an impressive feat considering that Adalbern is over eight feet tall, and is encased in a suit of magitek power armour. It is sleek and smooth and looks like a set of plate armour as it doesn’t need mechanisms that are required by power armour.

Normally I would compare suits of armour to my own, but I can’t help, but notice the similarities of Camelot armour compared to the armour used en masse by the Knights Hospitaller.

The Knight Hospitaller use powered armour that has a closer resemblance to modern ballistic armour while the armour used by the Camelotians is magically enchanted plate armour. The Hospitaller helmets are similar to great helms and the Knights have their order’s symbol on their chests, the Knights of Camelot have Barbute helmets and have personalised crests.

The Knights of the Round Table have also come armed. A broadsword is sheathed at Gawain’s side and a large heater shield, made of a strong, lightweight and magical alloy, is on his back. I’m barely able to glimpse Sir Gawain’s coat of arms on the shield.

I have no doubt that both have been magically enchanted just like Sir Gawain’s armour nor that Sir Gawain could wield that blade with ease with only one hand. He does have superstrength after all.

While his power set is very similar to Adalbern’s, Sir Gawain just doesn’t quite reach the same level of power. Unlike his German counterpart, the Knight can’t walk off a bomb despite his nigh-invulnerability. Neither is he as strong and his senses aren’t quite as developed. And unlike Adalbern, Sir Gawain appears to be slowly aging over time, if only by a couple of months each century.  

His entourage is following him whilst Narszara is in her old armour, chatting to Sir Gawain.

I can easily spot the wizard Narszara mentioned. He is wearing purple robes over more simple clothes and his hood conceals his facial features from sight, but I can make out some short black hair and possibly brown eyes.

The wizard is talking to mildly beefy male Knight, who has a simple sword at his waist and a round shield strapped to his back. Through his helmet, I can see a smiling and happy face.

Just off to their side is another Knight of the Round Table, an amazonian woman. She must be the one Narszara mentioned to have the ability to shapeshift into a werewolf.

At a glance, she is the most unusual. Her arms are bare of armour and a giant greatsword is resting against her back. No way would it fit at her side. Her eyes are yellow like a wolf’s and her hair goes down past her shoulders in a silver mane of tangled hair.

At the sight of Adalbern, a feral smirk appears on her face.

“Adalbern, ye beast,” laughs Sir Gawain, “A pleasure to see you again.”

I can see that Sir Gawain is still speaking in Old English as always. Of course that is what he grew up speaking so complaining he speaks like that would like complaining if an American speaks with an American accent or Australian spoke with an Australian accent.

“I see you brought a retinue with you as usual,” notes Adalbern, “And this must be the Narszara who Sentinel has been telling me so much about. We must cross blades someday shieldmaiden.”

“It would be a pleasure Eldar-Thariloth Adalbern,” answers Narszara and she bows before the immortal president.

“So will we be needed?” asks Sam, “Or can we go? I would much rather avoid politics if nothing interesting is going to happen.”

“And by nothing interesting, Lantern means everyone getting along and talking out any differences in a peaceful and reasonable manner,” says James, “He’d be all for staying if there was going to be shouting, conflict and hostility.”

“That’s the only side of politics that interests me,” Sam agrees with a grin and Britannia sighs.

“You could escort Sir Gawain’s retinue about London?” offers Adalbern, “I doubt they wished to be involved with politics as much as the rest of you. Britannia, Warden, my guards and whoever your Prime Minister brings should be enough protection and it would be better if the Camelotians have guides to help them avoid getting into any trouble.”

“Wilt thy proposal be acceptable?” asks Sir Gawain, “I mainly brought mine retinue out of tradition. It would be of the best if they were able to explore this city with ye as escorts.”

“Eh,” shrugs Sam, “Why not? It sounds like fun.”

“Sure,” says Skyler, “I never enjoyed politics.”

“I would much rather hang around,” admits James, “I quite enjoy the intrigue of politics.”

“I’ll go with them,” I say, “With Lantern and Commando, they’ll need a sane head to keep them away from any trouble.”

“If it please you milord, I would rather stay with this group,” asks Narszara, “I would like to speak with both Gawain and Adalbern.”

“Sure,” I tell her with a wave of my hand, “Don’t start any fights.”

“Just be back before the day is over,” says Britannia, “The Prime Minister and the other government officials will wish to speak with you. Make your acquaintance and all.”

1.5 The Machine Part 6

Once inside, I can only see six or seven people inside. I recognise Britannia, Dreadnought and another Defender sitting around a table with their drinks.

Despite never having met each other in costume, I still know her as she is Vance’s older sister and one of the reserve members of the Defenders. In costume, she uses the name Powerbeam, but tonight’s wearing casual jeans and a white shirt. Britannia is wearing black trousers and a red sleeveless shirt while Dreadnought is wearing a deep blue dress. Not the sort of clothing I ever imagine those last two wearing.

As for the rest, I spot a young woman with plaited brown hair and freckles. She’s sitting alone with her coffee. The last two patrons are a couple, a middle aged man and woman, half way through a meal together.

A man stands behind the bar. I remember reading that his name is Randy something and he’s a shapeshifter that changes to whatever suits his clients. Chatting to him is a woman in her late teens. She’s wearing a black skirt and a yellow top and has flowing blonde hair. She must be the waitress. I’m surprised there is only one, but I assume the rest have already gone home for the night.

“Sky and I are going to get a table,” says James.

“Narszara and I are going the bar,” I reply.

“No alcohol I guess?” asks Narszara as we split up.

“No alcohol,” I reply, “We’re too young.”

Narszara sighs.

As we sit down at the bar stools with the exception of myself as I stand due to the armour, the bartender starts speaking to us.

“Hi there,” grins the bartender, “I’m Randy Woodham. What would you like tonight?”

He pauses for a moment as if a thought has struck him.

“I’m guessing you’re not doing to want the usual theatrics some of my customers like,” says Randy, 

“If you don’t mind me asking, how are you going to drink or eat through that helmet.”

I never considered that.

“I never thought about that,” I answer truthfully in a blank voice.

Both Narszara and Randy laugh.

“So have you met my cousin yet?” asks Randy before nodding at the woman he was speaking to, who is currently getting Sky’s and James’ orders, “That’s Beatrice Morse, my mom’s younger brother’s oldest kid. She’s been working here a couple of months now. No powers of her own, but Betsy is good employee and a pleasant lass.”

“Must be interesting for her working here then,” I reply.

“Betsy is enjoying meeting all the people,” notes Randy, “Especially heroes like the Defenders. Not many people get to meet them. And even fewer get to know them personally and see them so often. So what are you having?”

“How much coin do we have?” Narszara asks me.

“More than enough,” I reply, “I’m using the League account and the League is privately funded so we have to be pretty rich to stay in business. So order what you like.”

“Do you have any roasts?” ask Narszara.

“I can get you a roast chicken. We still got one left, but it’ll take a while to cook,” answers Randy, 

“What would you like to drink?”

“I will have coke drink,” replies Narszara, “I would have some mead, but that is illegal in this realm.”

“Indeed it is,” says Randy, “Judging from what I seen of you on the news, you’re from a medieval fantasy land?”

“One that been around for tens of thousands of years and has extremely highly advanced magically technology,” replies Narszara.

“What about you Sentinel?” inquires Randy, “You do realise you don’t have to hide your identity here right? Nobody here at the moment is going to spill it?”

“Force of habit,” I reply, “I’ll have coke and a streak with chips.”

“You’ll be paying with the League’s card?” asks Randy.

“That’s the plan,” I answer.

“Good,” says Randy, “Take your seats at one of the tables and I’ll have Betsy deliver your meals to you once you’re done.”

Narszara picks a table with a window view, away from everyone else.

It takes a while for the meals to arrive and we spend that time discussing what Narszara is going be doing at the base. By the point that our meals arrive, only the freckled woman, us, Sky and James are left. The couple left first and shortly before our meals arrived, the Defenders left.

They all said hi to us as they left though, even Britannia. Perhaps she’s finally warming up to us.

“What are you doing?” I ask Narszara as she starts eating.

She has grabbed one of the chicken’s legs with her hand and is tearing away a chuck with her teeth.

“What?” says Narszara with her mouth full.

“Could you use the cutlery?” I ask her.

“Aye Thariloth,” replies Narszara and does just that.

Meanwhile I need to start working on getting this helmet off. It only takes a few seconds mind you, but it isn’t made to be removed without the proper equipment.

“Have you ever had coke before?” I ask her.

Narszara shakes her head.

“Like it?”

“Aye,” says Narszara, “I still prefer Corlon Mead.”

“You miss home don’t you?” I say solemnly.

“It could be worse,” replies Narszara, “I have a good life here with a new home, a duty, friends and a team. I just need to get used to it.”

“If you say so,” I say.

Narszara eats a couple more bites before looking intently at me.

“What?” I ask her.

“We ought to make me some replacement armour,” says Narszara, “My current armour will not last forever and is already fading despite our best efforts.”

I am about to reply when I hear someone clearing their throat next to us. We turn to see the young woman that was drinking their coffee.

“Sorry to bother you,” says she nervously, “But may I have your autographs?”

1.5 The Machine Part 5

I promised myself that I would give Narszara a good time once everything was over and that is what I’m going to do.

What I didn’t consider was that she hasn’t got a secret identity while I do. So if we do go out I’ll have to be in the Sentinel armour, which puts a number of options straight out of the window, mostly the normal, mundane ones such going out for drink at a coffee shop going to the beach.

So I ask some of the old League members and some of the Defenders for ideas and advice on what to do.

Eventually I decided on going to a superhero pub in London. It is called the Great Lion and is it is where superheroes, other people with powers and their guests can go without worrying about the public or media interrupting them.

It is a good thing since people like us can’t go to normal places in costume and get left alone. Like how celebrities hang out together without getting swamped by their fans.

The trouble is getting Narszara not to wear her armour.

I decided to let Skyler persuade her as it feels wrong to use my authority over to just order to not wear her armour. She and James are coming with us, also in costume. They aren’t exactly dating yet, but they’re close to it.

“People gaze at me,” I hear Narszara complaining.

“That’s because you’re beautiful,” sighs Sky, “I wish I had a body as pretty as yours.”

I understand what Sky is talking about. Of the League, only Narszara looks like a comic book superheroine the same way the Lanterns are the only League members to look like traditional comic book superheroes. The rest of us aren’t what attractive and good looking.

Despite that, Narszara dislikes showing her body off. Not that it surprises me given what I know about her and not to mention that neither of the Lanterns like showing off their physique. Plus Narszara prefers to show off her muscles and strength.

“I lack other clothing,” protests Narszara.

“You can wear your cos-mat costume,” counters Sky.

“It is tight fitting and shows too much of my form,” grumbles Narszara.

“Just wear it!” says Sky loudly, “Stop making such a fuss! Only Sentinel and Warden wear their armour to Great Lion! And that is so the people there know who they are!”

“Fine!” snarls Narszara, “I will change into it now.”

As Sky leaves Narszara’s quarters, I catch her on the arm.

“Let’s go to the main room,” I say to her and she nods.

We talk together in silence. James is at the main table while Sam is on the computer, doing research for his genetics and environment differences report. The same report I finished on Monday.

“Narszara is wearing her green cos-mat costume, but is rather unhappy about it,” I say to James as Sky and I sit down, “I hope the rest of the night at the Great Lion goes well otherwise this is going to be total failure.”

“It’ll go fine,” says Sky, “Granddad always said the Great Lion was a great club before he disappeared.”

“Dad often takes mum there,” agrees James, “It’s an excellent place, especially for people like us.”

“I guess I better get the Sentinel suit on,” I sigh, “You two should get in costume as well.”

By the time I have suited up, the others are already waiting to go.

“How are we getting there?” inquires Sky.

“Sam!” says James sharply.

“What?” demands Sam.

“You were ogling Narszara’s chest!” replies James.

“She’s very pretty,” says Sam sheepishly.

“We’ll be taking the jet,” I say, answering Sky’s question, “We can land on top of Great Lion and it’ll be about ten minutes once in the air.”

“Let’s go,” says Narszara gruffly as she gets to her feet.

I sincerely hope this night goes well.

The League jet is basically a black private that has been built for superheroics rather than comfort.

James and Sky chat during the flight well I fly. Narszara is extremely interested the jet and its capabilities despite being focused on magic over technology.

“Does it have interplanetary travel?” asks Narszara as she sits in the co-pilot’s chair.

“It has limited interplanetary travel,” I reply, “It can go about as far Neptune before needing to turn back. It can’t go fast, taking almost a year to reach Neptune at top speed. But is supersonic and can fly around the world in a couple of hours and can make short trips to the moon.”

“Do you have any interstellar craft?” inquires Narszara.

“We have a small interstellar ship,” I admit.

“Have you ever flown it?” asks Narszara.

“Granddad let me take it for a spin a few times,” I answer, “But most of the time I just rode in it while he flew. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure what the legal age to fly it is or whether you need a licence. Same with the jet and the rest of the League’s vehicles.”

“Are you breaking the law by driving and flying then?” inquires Narszara curiously.

“Technically yes,” I reply, “In practice, no one knows or if they do, they don’t care.”

“Makes sense,” says Narszara, “It would also add up with what I know about the League of Heroes and its quests.”

By the time we land, I would bet decent money that Narszara knows enough to fly the League jet on her own.

We land on top of the Great Lion, which is at the top of a skyscraper in London. Below are apartments for government supers to live, either on their own or with their families. You can also see the towers that MI9 and the Albion Defenders operate from.

“You’re with the League?” inquires the guard, an Irish man called Doyle Braden. He’s got superpowers, simple super toughness and super strength.

“I’m Sentinel,” I say as I introduce us. “This Vision, Commando and Narszara.”

“So that what she looks like under the armour,” says Braden as he stares at Narszara, “Who would have thought it.”

Narszara grunts.

“Well I guess you lot can go in,” says Braden, “It’s a slow night.”

1.2 Partners Part 8

“Okay everyone, the announcement is in thirty,” announces the original Bolt, “Be in costume and ready to go out at that time.”

The first Bolt, Vance’s grandfather Kennet, is a Norwegian immigrant who settled in the south of England once War World II ended. His greying hair is in a mane similar his grandson’s, but not as long as Vance’s. They also share the same costume design, a cos-mat dark blue suit that covers his entire body with white gauntlets and boots. Only their lower face, eyes and hair are shown through their costumes.

Of the surviving three original League members, Kennet is only one who’s still active. Vibration and Psychic are too old for it and have been retired for a while. So Kennet is being our old hand when we get announced as new members of League.

Of the other old League members, only Bulk is still an active part of it. But due to him being commonly known as supervillain rather than as a reformed supervillain turned hero like he is, he’s staying home.

“I’ll be suiting up now,” I say as I walk towards the lab.

All ten of us are here, but I still haven’t got around to telling them about my talk with Agent Lewis last night. It just hasn’t come up yet.

“Same,” says Charlie as he makes his way towards the armoury where the different Bulk armours are kept.

Samuel, Skyler, Stefan and Helen are already in their costumes. Stefan’s is costume a black cos-mat costume with a leather jacket.

I’m going to order a lot of replacement jackets for him later. Or less until he realises what a horrible idea it is and decides to ditch it.

My cousin Helen has brown hair like her mother and green eyes like grandma. Both go well with her white and blue cos-mat costume that covers the entirety of her body, minus her hair, eyes and lower face.

Helen is the oldest of us new members, the only legal adult at the age of eighteen years old.

“Hey Daniel!” calls Vance, “Where are our costumes?”

“In the costume storage room!” I tell him, “Where else would they be?”

I can hear Sam and Sky laughing at Vance; no doubt they’re remembering their own mess up on Tuesday evening.

As usual, the Sentinel armour only takes just over two minutes to put on. I’m probably going to work on that.

Once I’m back in the main room, the others are all in costume as I notice as I look around the room.

Charlie is in the massive Bulk armour while Accelerate in her yellow costume. Vance and Kennet are in identical costumes. Kevin is in a grey special cos-mat costume that covers all of him, but his eyes in addition to being extra flexible so he can uses his powers better.

Carrie is wearing a black cos-mat costume with some dark blue splotches to it. Like with most of the others, her hair, eyes and lower face are the only parts of her body showing.

“Everybody ready to go?” asks Bolt as I stand with the others.

***

The crowd of reporters looks rather intimidating when you’re the one that is the focus of their attention. Especially when you have no idea what they want from you.

Kennet marches out first in a confident. The cameras start flashing and reporters begin to talk and call out questions.

“Hello folks,” says Kennet with a smile as he speaks into a microphone, “I’m not the best at talking with people so I’m going to keep this short and simple.”

The crowd settles down as they wait for him to speak.

“As you might know,” continues Kennet, “Some of the original League’s grandchildren have started taking up our mantles as we have been getting too old over the last decade or so. Especially given the events on Tuesday and yesterday.”

He pauses to let it soak in before grinning as he starts speaking again.

“The reason behind this gathering is so we can officially announce the renewal of the League of Heroes,” says Kennet, “We’ll also introduce the new official members of the League of Heroes. Unlike many new superheroes, they already have experience in this business due having several family members being superheroes themselves and knowing many others as they have grown up. They, like old League members, will use the League’s base and its resources to help people. They also have knowledge and experience of what it takes to be a good hero.”

He pauses again.

While he claims to be a poor speaker, Kennet is doing a pretty good job in my books. It helps that he’s keeping simple without adding too much detail in.

“Now that has been cleared up,” Kennet continues to speak, “I’m going to have them come out and introduce themselves. However I should warn you that two of them are descended from former supervillains, but I and the rest of the League trust them with our lives regardless of that.”

I stand there nervously. As he begins to call us out, he starts with Lantern, then Commando, then Vision, then Accelerate.

Then I’m called in.

I hesitantly walk forward from the backroom that we have been waiting in. The reporters instantly start talking again as I come into view. They did that when Sam came into view. That may be due to him either be the first out or being the most visible when we fought Vistorix.

I think it’s a mixture of both personally. Sky, James and Lucy were also involved in both of the fights, but they weren’t exactly visible. James stayed back during the Vistorix fight while Sky was taken out before the crowd arrived and started filming it. Lucy was seen during the bank, but she was mostly inside and her speed meant it was hard to see her even when the public at the police lines actually could spot her.

On the other hand, I was highly visible in both fights. Sam and I took down Vistorix in front of the crowd. At the bank, I was out in the street where the public bystanders could watch and film me as I battled Hall and his men. Not to mention I took down Hall and the majority of the bank robbers during that last one.

I focus back on the press conference as I hear the reporters begin whisper amongst themselves. I look at the others. They have already come out with the exception of Charlie and Stefan, who are currently coming into view.

Both have supervillain grandparents even if Bulk has reformed and joint the League.

Now the media’s questions begin and I hate pretty much all of them.