1.9 Mad Beasts Part 1

I look over my back as I enter the base. I can’t help that after the last few days since my fight with Nightblade at the park. I’ve refused any interviews after the fight so the media has been effectively stalking me.

Despite their best efforts, the reporters haven’t been about to get to me at school thanks to the work of Principal Jenson and with the help of the others, I’ve been able to sneak out of school undetected. At home, my parents are keeping them away while I’ve been spending most of my time at Sam’s, James’ or the base.

Narszara is waiting for me at the computer.

“Hello milord,” greets Narszara without looking at me, “Something interesting has just come up.”

“What’s that?” I inquire.

“A troublesome customer at a Sentinel Technologies shop in Christchurch,” answers Narszara, “It would not be wrong to put on your armour and intervene there.”

“It might as well,” I reply, “It is my shop after all.”

“That was my thinking as well,” agrees Narszara, “And I am assuming that you would prefer if I did not deal with it myself.”

“Definitely,” I tell her.

I hate to think what Narszara might do if it was left up to her to deal with the situation.

I toss my bag and blazer aside as I walk towards the lab.

“How are the Rileys?” I ask her.

“Settling well,” says Narszara, “MI9 is currently sorting out a new home for them and education for the children.”

“What about the kids’ education at the moment?”

“Alex is teaching them. She is a great help to both them and I.”

“I’m glad that you two are getting along.”

I step into the lab and walk towards the Sentinel armour. That sorts out my latest worries of how well the base’s new occupants will get along with each other.

The process of suiting up goes smoothing and within three minutes I’m already in flight out in the sky.

The journey only takes somewhere between four and five minutes and I quietly land outside my store.

A quick glance inside quickly tells me what’s going on. A chavish and overweight man is causing a scene inside, sweary tirade included. A beleaguered cashier, two shop workers and a manager are trying to deal with him to no avail.

Only the cashier notices me as I quickly enter the shop.

“Just give the damn &*£$ing thing for free!” screams the troublesome customer, “I deserve it after all the trouble you caused me! I’m going to complain to the CEO and you’ll be fired.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell you that won’t be happening,” I say quietly behind him.

“And just #@£*ing who do you think-” the man starts before freezing as he realises who exactly he is talking to.

“I’m the CEO of the company that owns this store,” I reply coldly, “And you are the idiot who has annoyed me.”

“You can’t call me!” exclaims the man, “I’m the customer and the customer is always right!”

“Yes I can and no, they are not,” I say before turning to the employees, my employees, “What has happened here?”

“This man wanted to attain several products and tried to claim fake discounts to-,” starts the manager before the customer interrupts.

“That is not true!” shouts the customer, “That piece of £%-”

I don’t give the fool a chance to finish insulting the manager any further as I casually swing my fist into his gut. The man staggers backwards, shocked and winded.

“Shut it before I electrocute you,” I warn him before facing the manager, “I take it that he then caused a fuss and started demanding the products for free?”

“Yes, um, sir,” answers the manager.

“When did the rudeness and profanity start?” I ask.

“Since the beginning,” says the manager as a police car arrives outside.

“I will report you to the company,” mutters the customer, his face red, “You’ll all be fired.”

“Incorrect,” I reply without even looking at him, “As the owner of the company, I can safely say no one will be fired over this event.”

“I will never buy from you again!” screams the customer, “Just lost a customer!”

“I don’t care,” I reply dismissively, “Get that into your thick skull.”

“Of course you do!” complains the man, “You just lost my money! That’s what you care about!”

“I care about helping people,” I reply, fixing him with a stare, “The money is just a means to an end. In case you didn’t notice, I am a superhero foremost, not a corporate executive.”

A couple of police officers have entered the shop and are going to arrest the troublesome man.

“I’ll be going now,” I say as I turn.

“Can I have your autograph?” asks one of the employees meekly.

I shrug and say, “Why not?”

By the end of it, I’ve given autographs to all of the shop’s employees, both of the police officers and even the unruly customer. With a crowed forming outside, I swiftly fly into the air.

1950 - Sentinel Technologies

“Glad you could make it,” says Iron Defender as Sentinel sits down next to her.

He’s one of the few people to know that she is actually a she. Still a little too much bias against women for Iron Defender’s taste and since her armour allows her to pass a man in the eyes of the public, she doesn’t correct their assumptions on the matter.

“Glad I could come,” replies Sentinel, “Are you still with the Patriots?”

“Yeah,” answers Iron Defender, “They still have to get around to disbanding us. I doubt they will now. Not with the Russians and Adalbern in Europe. Plus I think the government is worried about the Knights.”

“Also worried about the new batch of supers appearing all over the States?” inquires Sentinel.

“I would bet so,” says Iron Defender, “We’re heroes, famous heroes who served in the war and whom the public love given our actions and the propaganda. With more supers rapidly appearing, the government needs us as examples and doesn’t want to let us go.”

“Ours disbanded Lion Squad after the war,” says Sentinel, “We weren’t like you, our unit was a collection of people with powers drawn from across the military. Don’t get me wrong, we would still die for each other and have decided to live near each other once everything was over, but we weren’t meant to be as close as the Patriots in the eyes of the bureaucracy.”

Sentinel pauses before deciding to get on with the point.

“What’s the situation with ownership of your armour?” inquires Sentinel.

“Government owns it, but I get to use as long as I work for them,” shrugs Iron Defender, “What about you?”

“The government took the one I used in the war,” replies Sentinel, “It was theirs after all, but I had the patent and the prototype. I kept it in my basement until I had to deal with the mob. Since then I built an improved version that I’m wearing now.”

“I assuming that is a reason behind this questioning,” says Iron Defender.

“As you know,” says Sentinel, “We, Lion Squad that is, decided to form the League of Heroes, a group of organised powered vigilantes to fight crime.”

“We all heard about that,” replies Iron Defender, “Our government decided to tighten their hold on us after that so we’re not particularly sure how to feel about it.”

“While we do have some equipment and resources at our disposal,” says Sentinel, “We still need a source of income and I still need a new job so I decided to start my own businesses, one for each of my identities. I will use them to support each other and the League of Heroes. My secret identity one will be the minor one which will have connection with the Sentinel from ties in the war. The other one will be the main one where I use the money gained to support the League of Heroes. For that I plan to use to sell gadgets to other hero groups, governments and whoever else I decide. But that means acquiring patents and those patents will hinder people like you from starting your own businesses. I checked with other folk like us. Steel Warrior doesn’t mind. He’s content to work for Adalbern given he’s the only adult German super left after the war. And you heard about Steel Worker. Everybody else is either dead or I don’t know about.”

“I’m going say go for it,” answers Iron Defender, “I wouldn’t be able to make money off my stuff anyway given the strings that come with it. And since Black Cape left, I don’t think any of us are going to be leaving the Patriots anytime soon.”

“Good,” replies Sentinel, “Because I wasn’t sure what I’d do if you weren’t.”

Iron Defender chuckles and Sentinel smiles beneath his helmet.

“So idea what you’re going to call it?” inquires Iron Defender.

“Probably something simple and to the point,” answers Sentinel, “I’m the first so I don’t have to stand out from the crowd. And while I am trying to make money, that isn’t my first priority either so I doesn’t have to be fancy. Since I’m selling technology invented by the Sentinel persona, I think I’ll call it Sentinel Technologies.”

1.8 Assassins Part 8

I turn to face the person behind me. I blink in surprise when I realise who it is.

“Hey Daniel,” says Alexandra Aquiline as she strolls towards me.

Just from looking at her, who wouldn’t recognise the daughter of the planet’s most dangerous person. In fact, she looks like simple teenage girl with a tomboyish streak to her.

Her body is slender and really lean and only somewhat muscular. Her clothes fit her, a white shirt, brown leather jacket and black cargo trousers. Her hair is sleek black and goes all the way down to her shoulders. Alex shares the same blue eyes as her mother.

She smiles at me and pulls out a torch and turns it one.

“Thank you for letting stay at the base,” says Alex.

“You’re welcome,” I reply with a shrug as we walk down the tunnel as it slopes down, “I’m just concerned how the others will react. Some of them were annoyed when I invited Britannia’s to stay there for the time being.”

“I’m sure they won’t mind,” says Alex, “They know me after all.”

“So what are you planning to do?” I ask her.

“Well, I don’t want to be a fighter,” replies Alex, “So I’ll probably help out around the base. Maybe act as mission control.”

“Narszara and I could use the help,” I agree, “I was fine on my own while the League wasn’t active, but now it is, I have to manage our resources, coordinate our efforts and repair the Sentinel armour when it’s damaged. Plus I’ll helpful knowing that if someone does get into the base, they’ll have to face a master fighter.”

“I’m not going to fight unless I have to you know,” says Alex, “That’s why I’m here with you lot.”

“I know, but if the worse comes to the worse, it’s nice to know we got really good back up to save our butts,” I insist.

“Suit yourself,” shrugs Alex, “You did well against Nightblade. How are you going to explain that?”

“I got a good self-defence teacher and caught Nightblade by surprise twice,” I answer, “As I’m a normal, he underestimated me and I only fought him because I thought he was going to kill me regardless of whether I fought back. Once the League of Heroes showed up, I ran because I had a chance to get away. I hid away afterwards because once the adrenaline went away, I realised exactly what I did.”

“Good cover,” notes Alex, “I approve. It covers how you were able to beat him and why you ran. I noticed that the Britannia’s family has moved into the base.”

“Only until the government can sort out something safe for them,” I reply.

“What are you going when you find out who ratted her identity out?” inquires Alex.

“Depends if we can physically go after them,” I answer.

“What it’s just a foreign civilian?” asks Alex.

“We got Narszara,” I reply, “I might just sic her on them.”

“That might be bad,” points out Alex.

“What happened to Britannia and her family is worse,” I counter.

“I don’t disagree,” says Alex with a wave her hand, “I’m just surprised by your opinion on the matter. Many superheroes would be more wary about starting an international incident.”

***

“They already knew about Britannia, the Albion Defenders and the League of Heroes,” says Narszara to us at the base, “And they most definitely know not to reveal your identities.”

“I have no doubts about that last part,” I say dryly, “Especially after what happened to them.”

“I concur milord,” agrees Narszara, “But we shall discuss Nightblade now.”

“What about him?” I inquire.

“You were foolish to engage him without the Verigar Derl,” says Narszara disapprovingly.

“The Verigar Derl?” I inquire again.

“The Sentinel armour,” answers Narszara, “But you could have been killed or severely injured by Nightblade. And I was not there to defend you.”

“Are you really that concerned about my safety?” I ask her.

“Aye milord,” says Narszara, “You are my Thariloth, of course I am deeply concerned about your safety. I value your life over my own.”

“I guess that’s good,” I mutter.

Narszara is really different from most humans. While she counts as human, she has come from an Earth and her people have taken a very different route, both evolutionary and culturally. And while you can ignore it or forget about most of the time, it really stands out when Narszara speaks and acts all hammy while remaining deadly serious.

“Are you going to hunt him down?” Alex asks her.

“If Verigar permits me to,” replies Narszara.

Both look my way for my answer.

“If you the spare time, you can,” I tell her, “Just try to bring him to justice instead of just killing him.”

“As you will milord,” states Narszara matter-of-factly, “Recommend we begin working on a spare set of armour for you.”

“Since I’m moving in, I ought to help you two,” says Alex.

“I’ll call Charlie,” I say as I pull out my communicator, “He’s an engineer and mechanic like me, he won’t want to be left out. Oh that reminds me, we need to put some heavier firepower into the Sentinel and Bulk armours.”

1.8 Assassins Part 7

Nightblade is crouched over us on the cafe roof. He has gotten one of his swords fixed, but the other isn’t there.

The reporters turn and start speaking as they realise it is Nightblade.

He jumps down and points his sword at Oliver.

“You’ll do nicely kid,” growls Nightblade, “I’m sure with you along, I’ll persuade your father to come along nicely.”

Harry gives out a strangled cry of “Oliver” as my cousin freezes in terror.

This bad, like really bad. I’m in my secret identity without the Sentinel armour. None of the League will be able to show up in time.

I might not count as a Class 4 without the armour, but I still count as Class 1 with my fit body and training from Laura.

And I am not able to let Nightblade go after my family without a fight, even family I dislike and don’t agree with.

I grab Nightblade’s arm and twist the sword out of his hand. He doesn’t react, probably out of shock. He also doesn’t react when I swing the sword into his side, getting the blade stuck inside him.

“Run!” I yell at Oliver as Nightblade staggers back.

“What the £$@&?” mutters Nightblade before he pulls his sword out of his side.

Oliver and I run past the crowd. Both of us are good runners and while Nightblade might be better than us with his enhancements, he’s injured and we got a head start.

Meanwhile I set out a subtle distress signal with my communicator as I run. I doubt Nightblade will underestimate me next time and the best I can hope for without the Sentinel armour is to delay him until another member of the League shows up in costume.

I hear Nightblade cry out in anger as he rushes towards us. I halt as he catches up with us.

I duck as he swings at my head and grabs his arm. I twist it behind me and knee Nightblade in his cut side. He grunts and shakes me off.

I try to get to my feet, but Nightblade is already over me with his blade raised to cut me down.

That’s when Night Beast intervenes. Carrie has turned into a basically a bipedal wolf-cat hybrid that’s two metres all. Her grey and black fur can only be seen on her snout and mane as her black cos-mat suit covers the rest of her minus Carrie’s wolfish yellow eyes.

She grabs Nightblade and tosses him back, swiping at his armoured chest.

I spot Kevin behind her, stretching towards his twin his grey costume that leaves only the eyes visible.

It occurs to me this is the fight time I seen the Walter twins fight a supervillain. When they fought the Machine and Gaia’s Vengeance, I wasn’t there.

Nightblade kicks Night Beast off, but is then engulfed by Multiform. When he uses his powers, Kevin is basically a morphing grey mass that is near impossible to harm. Which Nightblade finds out when he tries to get rid of Multiform.

I decide that since Daniel Griffin is a civilian, he ought to get back and out of the way. I back off into the crowd as Carrie attacks Nightblade again. Oliver is nowhere to be seen.

I watch from the crowd as Kevin latches onto Nightblade’s arms and holds them behind his back while Carrie rips his helmet off.

I see a light in the air and spot Sam coming down from the sky. I better slink away before the fights over. I’m a non-super who just took on a supervillain and held my own and now I’m in a crowd of reporters.

Ever since the League restarted, I developed a dislike for the media and the press to the point of borderline hatred.

Fortunately for me, the reporters are all distracted by the fight as I slip away. Once out of sight of the crowd, I run for it.

I’m sure they’ll come after me later for interviews, but at home, I can refuse more easily than if I’m caught out in the streets.

Home’s not too far away, but do I really want to go home with how I fought Nightblade on the news. I don’t want to hear what Dad or Mum has to say.

I’m better off taking refuge in the base. An entrance isn’t too far away from my current location.

It is an old one behind an old building. The system recognises me as I approach and opens up, showing a hatch that two feet by two feet with a ladder going down. I look inside.

Definitely one of the older entrances. It seems to be the same as an old, worn sewer without actually being part of the sewer system.

I with a glance around, I climb now the ladder. Once I reach the bottom, the hatch closes behind me, leaving me in darkness with no lights.

“Darn it,” I mutter as look for an emergency light that I also carry around.

I eventually find it and pull it out. It’s nothing fancy, merely a three inch long stick with a decently bright light on the end.

I walk down the tunnel when I hear someone access the hatch behind me.

1.8 Assassins Part 6

“So you don’t play any sports?” asks Oliver for what feels like the hundredth time as we walk to the park.

“No,” I say, rather annoyed.

Can’t he get through his head that I don’t like sports and most certainly don’t play them.

“Do any of your friends?” inquires Oliver.

“Sam, Sky, James, Vance, Lucy and Stefan,” I reply

“But you don’t play with them?” says Oliver.

“No.”

“Do any of them play football?”

“Only Stefan.”

“What do the others play then?”

“James does cricket. Lucy plays tennis.  Sky does hockey like Emily does. Vance plays rugby. Sam does boxing and golf. We all do self-defence training with Laura. She’s an old family friend of all our families. You see, our grandfathers all fought in the same unit during the war. One of those special ones they’re not supposed to talk about.”

“You respect your granddad a lot don’t you?”

I halt. That is a much more of a question than the rest of his.

“Yeah, I do,” I answer, “Even through he’s dead.”

“I can tell,” replies Oliver, “You and your mother kept his family name and you got his company. Not to mention that you also keep going on about him. He’s done a lot for you.”

“More than you can ever know,” I say, “The reason I know all my friends is because of our granddads. They stayed together after the war up until their deaths. Even the last few are sticking together. The reason I know all my friends is because of our granddads. It’s funny how all of our families stuck together even a couple of generations later.”

“So what are your friends like?”

“A miss-match of people who would have never come together without our grandparents. Charlie and I are smart guys, both into tech. Sam is sort of loner sportsman. James is one of the popular, smart, cool kids who don’t get in trouble. Stefan is a trouble maker who an ex-druggie. Helen, my cousin, is a part time manger at my company and the oldest of our group. The Walters are respectable. Skyler is a tomboy and military brat. Lucy is head girl and a hard worker. Vance is sort of a nerd. A buff, cultured, rugby playing nerd who has a lot of rugged charm.”

“Blimey,” exclaims Oliver, “I can’t believe a bunch of people like that would come together as friends.”

“We didn’t,” I reply, “Our grandparents brought us together as I said. Even Stefan’s and Charlie’s, who weren’t in the granddad’s army unit.”

“My friends are all like me,” answers Oliver, “Footballers. Jocks even. Nothing like your little band. Mind you, my girlfriend is a contrast to me. Harriet is into politics like my dad, not sports.”

“You know we don’t have jocks in the UK, not like even America,” I muse, “Our school cultures are too different for that.”

“You know what I mean,” says Oliver, “Do you still have a girlfriend?”

“You mean Judy?” I reply, “Yeah, we’ve been together for a few months now. We don’t exactly go on many dates, but we do hang out every now and again.”

“When was the last time you went on a date then?”

I’m silent for a moment as I think. When did Judy and I last go on a date?  Not since I put on the Sentinel armour and probably a while before that. I do the math in my head for replying.

“About two months ago,” I answer, “I been busy since.”

“I’m surprised she hasn’t dumped you,” notes Oliver.

“She’s understanding,” I reply with a shrug, “Besides, when I have tried to ask her out, Judy has turned me down. From what I can tell, she’s been keeping secrets from me from me and I haven’t been prying.”

Especially when I keeping secrets of my own from her. But if we’re going to keep our relationship up, I’m going to have let her in on the fact I’m Sentinel.

“Are sure she’s not cheating on you cuz?” asks Oliver.

“Definitely,” I answer firmly, “Judy is not the cheating type. If she wanted to go out with someone else, she would break up with me face-to-face first and tell me the reasons. We’re just hitting a slight bump on both of our parts. Mainly since granddad died.”

Oliver is silent as we reach the park. A media event is at the park. You can tell by the stands and all of the reporters and cameramen.

“Did dad tell you about what he was doing here?” asks Oliver.

I shake my head.

“He’s giving a speech at this park,” continues Oliver, “I think he’s hoping to provoke one of the League into picking a fight with him. To prove his point.”

Oliver strolls down the tarmac slope and I follow him.

“Personally don’t like his ideas,” says Oliver, “It’s cool having the League of Heroes operate on their own. Imagine what would happen if they had to do as the government said. And secret identities are for the better. I mean maybe it might better for the public if superheroes didn’t have secret identities, but it’s better for the heroes and their families and that’s want counts right?”

“I agree with that completely,” I tell him, “Those are the main reasons I disagree with your dad’s politics.”

We continue small chat as we walk towards the stand what Harry is going to give his speech. We’ve just walked past the cafe when I spot the shadow. I look up and I go pale.

Oh crap.

1.8 Assassins Part 5

I sit in the living room the next day with Lily as we wait for the Moors to arrive. Our uncle, Harry Moors, is Dad’s older brother. He and his wife, Olivia Moors, have three kids, a son and two daughters.

Their oldest, Oliver, is almost two years older than me and is almost the opposite of me. While I’m more technically oriented, Oliver is more of a sportsman. While I’m lean, Oliver has a muscular physique as befitting of his status as a footballer and a bodybuilder.

We don’t exactly dislike each other, but our lack of common interests makes it rather hard to get along with each other.

Their middle child, Emily, is fourteen and is outgoing and social while remaining on top of her studying and greatly enjoys reading. She likes to write fanfic about the League much to my annoyance.

The youngest, Chloe, is twelve like Lily, but half a year older. They both share the same interests, but Chloe is much more girly and silly than my sister. Also to my annoyance.

You probably gotten the impression that I don’t particularly get on with my cousins on my dad’s side. That might be a bit harsh. We get on with each other okay, but I prefer to keep out of their way and for them to keep out of mine.

It doesn’t help that the Riley family decided to move into the base today and I’m busy here. I’m lucky that Narszara, James and Sam are free to help them move in. Alex also might show up later today as well.

Oh well, I guess I just have to put up with this.

By the way, I should mention that Uncle Harry is a politician who doesn’t like the idea of non-governmental superheroes. He has been campaigning to get the League of Heroes to be either disbanded, outlawed or made to work for the government over the last few weeks.

Not that any of League actually cares.

And what makes the situation even worse is that Lily and I have had a falling out last night. She feels that Britannia’s secret identity to busted wide open to be ‘cool’ and, well, you know how I feel about the subject.

“Be nice,” Dad tells me as he enters the room.

“Don’t worry Dad,” I reassure him, “I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t start any fights,” says Dad, “I know how you disagree with Harry’s beliefs and ideas.”

I ignore that last part. I’ve been quite vocal about how I disagree with Harry’s politics around the house.

“Just don’t expect me to play nice with his dumb ideas,” I mutter.

Dad glares at me. Unlike Mum, who is much more understanding due to her knowledge about granddad, the League and the rest of it, Dad just doesn’t get why I’m so strongly opposed to his brother’s beliefs. It bugs him and he has no idea on why I behave like I do.

Today’s visit isn’t looking like it is going to be a good one.

“When are they arriving?” asks Lily as she looks out the window.

“Anytime now,” answers Dad, “And I mean it Daniel, no causing or starting any fights.”

“You don’t need to repeat yourself,” I retort.

Dad glares at me, but doesn’t say anything. I might be in trouble later though, but I don’t really care right now.

We sit in the living room in uncomfortable silence until Lily shouts, “I see them!”

Harry has the look of a politician even as he enters the house. A fit body with a grin on his face, my uncle has handsome features including stubble instead of a beard and slick dark brown hair. He is informal clothing, fancy trousers and a polo shirt.

Olivia looks like a businesswoman even in informal clothing. Emily is wearing a crimson top and snug dark pink trousers and has a slender body shape while Chloe as a girly look to her.

Oliver, on the other hand, is major contrast to his father, wearing sport attire. His football uniform to be precise. His body is buff and his blonde hair is even shorter than mine and much neater. His brown eyes are just like his father’s.

We exchange greetings. Oliver gives Lily a great big bear hug, but simply gives me a friendly slap on the back. I just smile at him.

Dad and Harry start speaking with each other while the girls chat about girl stuff.

“Did you see the game the other night?” Oliver asks me.

“No, I don’t watch sports,” I tell him.

“So what do you do then?” asks Oliver.

“School work, engineering, hang out with friends, self-defence training and running my company,” I reply.

“That sounds boring,” says Oliver dismissively, “Wait, your company?”

“Yup,” I answer, “Griffin Engineering. Granddad left it to me. While I’m not old enough to run it, I’m still learning about it so I can run when I’m old enough.”

“Still sounds boring,” replies Oliver, “Like how dad wants be to follow him into politics. Football is much more fun than all of that.”

“Politics are important even if I disagree with your dad’s,” I reply, “And football only works as a job if you’re really good. Besides as the-”

“I am really good,” cuts in Oliver, “The Portsmouth Football Club has signed me on. In a year, I’ll be playing for them.”

“Good for you,” I reply, “In a few years, I’ll be running one of the biggest companies in the nation.”

“Which one?” demands Oliver.

“I told already. Griffin Engineering,” I answer, somewhat annoyed that he wasn’t paying attention.

Then again, I wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying so I can’t really complain. Not without being a hypocrite.

“I know,” says Harry suddenly, “Why don’t you show Ollie the local park?”

“That sounds like a great idea,” agrees my dad, “The girls can play with each other and Harry and I can catch up.”

I sigh internal in response. It looks like I’m going to have no control over how my day is going to go.

1.8 Assassins Part 4

I look at my communicator. It says Laura the one calling me. I guess I should take it.

“Hello Laura,” I say, “Have you got any news on Nightblade?”

“I managed to track his payer to the same person behind the bounties on you, the warehouse tip off, Hall and Edison’s guns and the revealer of Britannia’s identity. ” replies Laura, “He was paid to kill Britannia’s family and heroes who got in the way. But his employer paid him even after he failed so he’s not going after them anymore. Why someone wanted to kill them in the first place, but then not be bothered when that doesn’t happen worries me frankly. We’re either dealing with an idiot or, more likely given his past known actions, our foe’s goals in this matter were fulfilled. Not that I can figure them out. I just wish it didn’t involve doing what they did to Britannia. But that’s not all I want to talk about.”

“So what else?” I ask.

“First you might want a bit of information your friend Mia Robinson, the captain of the Dust Corsair,” replies Laura.

“Definitely,” I say.

“She’s settled back down into her family and a normal life,” says Laura, “A bit of trouble respecting authority and she is still unusual. Mia is gotten on good terms with the Defenders of the Bush. Basically, she’s weird, but otherwise Mia is fitting in.”

“I’ll relay that to Darrac,” I reply.

“One last thing,” says Laura, “A personal favour.”

“A personal favour,” I repeat surprised.

Laura rarely asks for a personal favour. When she does, they usually consist of asking for information, using one of our contracts or getting some free equipment.

“What is it?” I inquire.

“You know my kids,” says Laura.

“Yeah.”

Laura has four kids. Her oldest daughter is called Bellona and is sixteen. Her second eldest daughter is fourteen and called Alexandra. Her third child is eleven year old boy called Halvard while her youngest is a nine year old girl called Lorica. All have been trained to take over from Laura when they’re old enough.

“It is to do with Alexandra,” explains Laura, “You know how she has never been the most eager for a fight. Well, she doesn’t want to follow in the family footsteps and I’m not going to force her to. But I’m not sure what to do with her now. I’m kind of hoping she could stay with the League. Not, part of it, but just live the base like Narszara does.”

“That’s doable,” I reply, “It would be good for Narszara to have a housemate and it shouldn’t cause any problems. Alex can be trusted like all of your family.”

“Alex will be pleased,” says Laura, “I’ll tell her the good news. Thanks.”

Laura ends the call and Charlie raises an eyebrow at me.

“Just offered to let someone else stay at the base without asking or telling the others?” says Charlie.

“In fairness to me, I do actually own the base when it comes to the paperwork,” I reply in joking tone, “And granddad built by himself and he gave it to me when he died.”

“True, true,” grins Charlie, “So are we putting some weapons into the Bulk armour.”

“Yup and the Sentinel armour too,” I reply.

“Good,” replies Charlie, “I got to go now. See you later.”

***

“Daniel!” calls Mum from downstairs as I sit at the desk in my bedroom, “Dinner!”

“Coming Mum!” I reply as I take off my headphones.

I’ve been doing research for a school project in addition to my one of my other Sentinel projects. I’ve been trying to work on a way for quick and efficiently take a normal person down at range. For non-lethal crowd control.

At the moment I was thinking about a sort of laser-taser hybrid that uses lasers to artificially create ionised paths for the electricity to path. Trying to figure that out is as hard as it sounds.

It is a simply meal that Mum is dishing up, chicken goujons and hash browns. Lily is having chips instead of hash browns. She has never really been keen on them much to my annoyance as I have always preferred hash browns to chips.

I’m digging into my first goujon when Lily starts talking.

“Did you hear about the news this morning?” inquires Lily.

“What part?” asks Mum, but I already know what Lily is referring to.

“About Britannia’s identity,” answers Lily excitedly.

“I don’t why people seem to think that’s a good thing,” I cut in, “Her life has been changed beyond her control and not for the better. She has to live full time with people knowing she’s a superhero and can no longer live a normal life. Plus a superpowered assassin was able to go after her family because of it. And who knows how many more villains will try to after her family to get to Britannia.”

Not expecting my vigorous reply, Lily looks ready to launch an argument for the sake of it when Mum steps in, seeing the potential disaster in the making.

“Talking about families, remember that the Moors are coming to visit tomorrow,” says Mum, “Daniel, I expect you to spend time with your cousins instead of keeping to yourself all day.”

“Usually hang out with friends,” I protest, “I don’t hide away all day.”

“My point still stands Daniel,” says Mum sternly.

I sigh as I know I’m not going to win this one.