Superhero Story 2

By Harlowe Pilgrim

Jake and his friends are back for a new, south of the border superhero adventure!

A U.S. Serviceman is being wrongly detained ... and somebody has to do something about it. And thanks to our superheroes, somebody is!

No thanks to our supervillains, by the way.

The temperature’s rising, powers are coming on strong, and ... did we mention the new supercar?

Action awaits!

(Perfect for all ages, appropriate for young readers.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlowe Pilgrim
• Release date: Mar 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9780996709132

Harlowe Pilgrim

Humorist and storyteller.Author of the novels Jesus Vs. Santa, Superhero Story, Superhero Story 2, and the ebooks Harlowe Pilgrim's Oh My Words! 2012, 2013, and 2014.Proprietor of Harlowe Pilgrim's Cock and Bull Blog (mucho adults-only humor and other writing) and Harlowe Pilgrim's Superhero Story Blog (material appropriate for all ages).

Book preview

Chapter 1

What’s this? Jake said.

We call it a power chamber, Machine Ranger said.

"A power chamber? What the heck is that?"

"It’s this, Jake. Captain Olympia waved his hand across the room. Doctor Rhoads built it … He glanced at the machine man. … as a favor to us."

Yeah? So it’s a big concrete box?

"A big concrete box with thick walls, kid. It ain’t that pretty, I know … but it should serve it’s purpose."

"We built it … er … it was built, Captain Olympia said, for you, Jake."

For me? What for—to keep me in? There was a hint of unease in Jake’s smile.

Yes.

WHAT? Jake stammered. "Are you … seriously … ?"

The heroes started to laugh.

No, Captain Olympia said.

Geez, the Machine Ranger said, "are you serious, kid?"

Well … no … I mean, kind of … well …

I don’t blame you, the Captain said. Things must be awfully new and strange to you these days.

To say the least, Jake said. And that was before these weird super powers showed up.

"And that, the Ranger said, brings us to what this special concrete room is for."

Huh?

Your powers.

Huh?

We’re here to find out, Captain Olympia said, "just how super those powers of yours are."

You mean, like a test?

Yes. Like a test.

"Figures. I took tests all day in school, and now I have to take them on my time, too."

Ahem, Machine Ranger said, aren’t you on MacPherson Labs’ time?

Actually, yeah … I guess I am on the clock.

Then stop complaining, huh?

Well … it’s still a test …

Yes, Captain Olympia said, "but this is a fun test."

"Oh, great … a fun test. Jake sighed. So what do you want me to do?"

I want you to go out, Machine Ranger said, in the middle of the big concrete box, and …

Unleash your powers, Captain Olympia said.

Unleash my powers?

That’s right, kid.

We want to see what you’ve got under the hood, the Ranger said.

You guys are making me feel kind of self-conscious.

Don’t. This is all in the name of science.

Said the doctor … just before he started the alien autopsy.

Jake, Machine Ranger said, autopsies are used to determine the cause of death. You’re not dead yet. This really bears little to no resemblance to that.

Feel better? the Captain said.

Lots. So you want me to go out there and unleash my powers. I don’t even know if I know how to unleash my power. You guys told me to do everything I can to stay away from it.

That was in the interest of safety.

So, you’re not interested in safety today?

Hello, Machine Ranger said, that’s what the power chamber’s for. Get it?

Got it.

Good.

Think we can get started, then? Captain Olympia said. I’ve got things to do tonight, you dig?

I dig.

Groovy, the Ranger said. You head out there, Jake … and me and Captain Olympia will go into the control room. We have cameras and sensors set up, so we’ll record and measure everything that happens.

Jake sighed. Okay. He started walking. So you’ll tell me when to … uh … go?

Sure will. We have an intercom system too, so we can talk to you.

Great, Jake said, turning back as he walked away, sounds like you guys have thought of everything.

I hope so, Captain Olympia said. I guess we’re about to find out, aren’t we.

Fire in the hole! The Machine Ranger’s voice blared from the speakers.

Geez! You guys got those things cranked up loud enough?!

We like it loud, Captain Olympia said. It’s the rock ‘n roll in us. Go ahead … do your thing, kid.

Jake stared straight ahead into the gray concrete wall. How do I turn it on? he thought.

"Maybe it’s not loud enough, the Captain said to Machine Ranger, broadcast by the speakers. Think he didn’t hear me?"

Jake tried to tune them out. What happened up in Dad’s apartment? Where did that … whatever it is … come from?

Just give him a minute, the Ranger said to Captain Olympia. He’s getting focused.

Jake closed his eyes.

Sure he’s not taking a nap?

They were going to hurt my … my mom and dad … the baby … Bree … Ben and Halley … Billy …

See that? Machine Ranger said. Either the heat just kicked on …

Or it’s getting warm in there. Captain Olympia tapped a gauge on the control panel. And, see that?

Huh. Radiation’s ticking up too.

That’s right, Jake thought. The tingling all over … that happened last time … it’s toasty in here. He continued to search his being for the place where the power lived.

The ground started to tremble … and Jake started to glow hot yellow.

Holy smokes, the Captain said. You see that?

Yeah, Machine Ranger said, this kid’s the real thing. Keep an eye on those instruments … I want to stop him before he …

Jake’s glow intensified to an orange light than almost obscured him from view.

Holy cow! Captain Olympia said. Everything just jumped off the charts … HEY!

We’re losing sensors, the Ranger said. He’s getting too hot. That’s enough—I’m going to shut him down.

Jake let himself bear down on the … whatever it was inside him, the release was … liberating.

JAKE! Machine Ranger hollered into a microphone, That’s enough, Jake! Turn it off, kid!

Jake heard the words, but they didn’t register … as he relaxed, and let the wave of power wash over him.

I think he cooked the communications, Captain Olympia said.

He’s cooking EVERYTHING! Hit the deck!

A brilliant burst of energy exploded in all directions from Jake.

And then everything went dark.

Chapter 2

You wanted to talk to me?

We sure did, Jake’s dad said.

"We sure do, Jake’s mom agreed. Sit down."

Geez … I must be in for it now. Jake pulled a chair out from the kitchen table, and sat himself down.

His parents exchanged a warm smile.

An oddly warm smile.

Believe me, Jake’s mom said, you have no idea what you’ve done.

That is to say, his dad added, you’ve done more than you could know.

Jake shook his head. "I wish I knew what you guys were talking about. I … think."

They sat down across from him at the table.

"You will know," his dad said.

When? Come on, you guys.

The parents exchanged another smile, a really goofy one this time.

We have some big news, Jake’s mom said. She laid her hand open upon the table.

His dad took hold of her hand.

Wait, Jake said. "What’s with all the lovey-dovey stuff … you guys are supposed to be …"

Divorced? his mom asked. She looked fawningly into her ex-husband’s eyes, grinned a silly grin, and then turned back to their son. Jakey, that’s what our news is.

Jake sat aghast.

Jake, his dad said, smiling ear to ear. Your mother and I are―

You guys, Jake struggled to find the words, are … He choked. You’re getting back together? Really? Seriously?

They nodded the answer was ‘yes’.

This is AWESOME! I can’t believe it, you guys!

Then, before anyone could say another word, a younger woman carrying a baby burst into the room.

Really? the woman said. Seriously? Jake—you need to wake up.

Bree, Jake said to his dad’s new wife, his new stepmother, what brings you to this conversation? We were just―

Living in fantasyland? she said. Your parents getting back together? You’re dreaming.

But mom and dad were just saying it themselves … He looked to his parents for backup—but they were gone. Where did my mom and dad go?

Bree probably scared them off, he thought.

Your dad has a new family, Jake.

His baby stepbrother farted loudly in Bree’s arms.

Yeah, well his new family stinks, Jake said. No offense, he added leaning in closer to the baby, little buddy.

Jake, this is a fantasy. You’re dreaming. You have to wake up.

Give me a break, Bree.

Wake up!

Just get off my case, will you?

Wake up, Jake!

You’re not even my mom.

Wake up! WAKE … UP!

Chapter 3

Jake’s eyes popped open. A blanket covered his body.

Captain Olympia and the Machine Ranger were standing over him.

They looked relieved.

Good morning, Sunshine, Machine Ranger said.

Yeah, welcome back, added Captain Olympia. We were about ready to get you some proper medical attention.

Glad to see that won’t be necessary, the Ranger said. Most health insurance these days doesn’t exactly cover ‘kids with superpowers’ incidents.

Jake took a look around. Man, this place looks like a …

Crater? the Captain said. "It is a crater now."

It actually looks like a crater in a war zone, Machine Ranger said. And trust me—I’ve been in a few.

It was my … Jake began. "Powers … or whatever, that caused all of this?"

"I’d say that we caused it. Machine Ranger turned to Captain Olympia, who nodded in agreement. We caused it by asking you to flex your powers."

I guess I really put on a show.

"I’d say, kid, the Captain said. You really brought the roof down."

Thanks, Jake said.

It wasn’t exactly a compliment.

Oh … sorry.

"But it wasn’t exactly not a compliment, either."

"So … thanks … again?"

Yeah, Machine Ranger said, you’re welcome.

"Thank you, Jake, Captain Olympia said, for exposing the power chamber’s weaknesses."

Really, the Ranger said. "Apparently, the weaknesses were the whole darn power chamber.

I knew we should have used more concrete.

I think that if we did, Jake would have just made a bigger mess of it.

You probably have a point there.

Freddie, the Ranger spoke into his communication link, "how are we doing? We gonna be able to fly under the radar with this … um, event?"

Not a chance, Freddie’s supercomputer voice replied from the link. I’m monitoring all local and world satellite networks, and—well, you made a lot of noise, Doctor.

Jake looked impressed. "Wow, you’re a superhero and a doctor, too?"

The heroes exchanged a glance.

Kid, Captain Olympia said, in this economy, you have to diversify. One skill set is not enough.

"So what’s your other skill set?" Jake asked him.

Magician.

Really?

Yup. I make kids who ask too many questions, disappear.

Jake swallowed hard.

Nobody spoke as the impression sunk in.

Ahem … Machine Ranger? Freddie broke the silence.

Yes Freddie.

As I was saying, the social networks are all atwitter with rumors of a mysterious industrial accident at the MacPherson Labs complex, and the news channels are picking it up as breaking news.

I guess that’s to be expected, the Olympian said. That’s what they do.

Police and fire? Machine Ranger asked.

Emergency vehicles are incoming, Freddie said.

How much time?

A couple minutes, tops.

Can you tie them up?

"I’ve already shut down traffic signals and jammed traffic—and that is the only reason you have a couple minutes."

Great job Freddie, Captain Olympia said. Anything else you can think of …

Do it, the Ranger finished his sentence.

Absolutely, Freddie said. Will do. And there is … just one more thing.

Yeah? Machine Ranger sounded impatient. What’s that, Freddie?

A number of aircraft have breached our airspace outer perimeter.

But you scared them all off before they got too close?

That’s affirmative. We threatened violence, and they turned away.

That’s good news, Captain Olympia said.

All except for one.

That’s bad news.

One’s still incoming? the Ranger said. Did you scramble drones?

Yes sir. Our drones have the bogey surrounded. Would you like to shoot it down?

Any markings on the aircraft, Freddie? Captain Olympia said.

"Yes sir, the craft is a helicopter … with tail numbers and insignia indicating … The Supercity Gazette."

The Olympian groaned.

Spartucus Finch, Machine Ranger said. Okay Freddie … shoot it down.

Sir? Are you sure?

Of course he’s kidding, Captain Olympia said, shaking his head at his compatriot. At least, I hope he is.

The Ranger shrugged.

Don’t shoot it down, either way, continued Captain Olympia. Just hang with the copter.

We’re in their business, Freddie said, like nobody’s business.

"Like the news business," Machine Ranger said.

Okay, Captain Olympia said, we have to get Jake out of here.

Jake jumped up, and his blanket fell to the ground.

Then he looked down, hastily recovered the blanket, and wrapped it around