Marshal Book 4: Rocket Girl

By Harvey O. Minnick Jr.

It's about: greed betrayal sex and alien intrigue with lots of action. It's actually two stories in one. Marshal and the rest of the Hero crew go after a new challenge while dealing with a traitor at home. And they learn about Marshal's past when he worked with Shel, the alien assassin who was honor bound to kill him and the princess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Oct 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490716220

Harvey O. Minnick Jr.

I write to entertain. Sometimes the action may become too graphic or intense for more sensitive readers. It is not meant to be rude, crude, or pornographic, but things can and do get intense at times. I am trying to put you, the reader, in the middle of the action, and it should be intense if it is any good. I do give my readers advance warning so they may skip the more graphic action if they so choose. Also, I cannot spell worth a darn. So please excuse me if anything slipped past the proofreaders.

Book preview

Contents

CHAPTERS

Chapter One

Let’s Go Home

Chapter Two

Not Your Average Operation

Chapter Three

Heather’s Secret Mission

Chapter Four

A Heroes Work Is Never Done

Chapter Five

Betrayed

Chapter Six

Did She? Will She?

Chapter Seven

Shakedown Shenanigans

Chapter Eight

Henry’s Headache Gets Worse

Chapter Nine

The Chase Is On

Chapter Ten

Donnybrook At Hq

Chapter Eleven

The Battle Of Lake Geneva (That Never Happened.)

Chapter Twelve

Getting In Your Head

Chapter Thirteen

Out Of Business

Chapter Fourteen

Marshal Gets To Second Base

Chapter Fifteen

Post Conflict Disorder

Chapter Sixteen

Bozos Flying Circus

About The Author

Dedicated to my cousin Kathie for all of her kind assistance with the editing of this book. And to the loving memory of my supportive and loving family. I know they would be proud.

I write to entertain. I try to put you the reader in the action. You will know what it looks like, and what it feels and smells like to be in the middle of the action.

This is an science fiction adventure story filled with the comedy of life, action adventure violence and sex. The sex and violence are not gratuitous rude crude or pornographic but things do happen. If this is not your cup of tea, you may, when things start to heat up, either skip forward a few pages and pick up on the action or choose another book.

If you are ready for something more advanced than comic books and graphic novels, you are ready for Marshal.

Chapter One

LET’S GO HOME

THE AIR WAS THICK with the smell of sulfur. Glowing orange and yellow globs bubbled and percolated up and hissed through the black sky, exploding in a ball of steam as they crashed into the cold Arctic waters. The Arctic air reverberated with the sound of explosions coming from deep down in the earth. The volcano erupted, sending flaming balls coursing through the jet black sky over Greenland. Some of the fire balls landed in the sea with a great splash and explosion of steam. The water angrily boiled as the lava cooled and solidified, while other fire balls came crashing down on, and around, the small coastal village of Upernavilk.

It was really quite beautiful, even awe inspiring, when viewed at a relatively safe range from the back of a ship. That would not have been Marshal’s opinion if you had asked him several hours earlier as he battled to save the small village from the erupting volcano.

Now he was alone, resting on the railing of the fantail of the USS Land. He used the optical device the crewman had loaned him to see the fate of the village. The trench he had dug was diverting the lava flow, and only a few of the buildings on the edge of town were burning.

The volcano was still erupting. The village was silhouetted by a neon orange river of lava that was going around the outskirts of the town.

There was a C 130 Hercules, stranded on a gravel runway on the edge of town. One of the lava bombs crashed down on the large cargo plane, breaking its back, sending burning skeletal remains summersaulting into the air.

A cloud of smoke and ash completely blocked out the moon and stars. The only source of light, other than the reflected radiance of the volcano, were the lights on the merchant ship Carpathia II, standing about a mile off while the view was being recorded by a TV news crew. There were over eight hundred survivors on the Carpathia, and a couple hundred more on the Land. Marshal paused to reflect on the day. All in all, not a bad day, he thought before his splitting headache, refocused his thoughts to the here and now. The headache being the result of being hit in the head by one of those volcanic projectiles.

He turned away, put the binoculars down, and loosened his high collar. He took a towel and used it to dry his hair. As he does, he noticed a whirring sound and the rush of air. He turned to see a vortex forming in the air just beyond the railings.

Inside the vortex, a figure starts to take shape. A blue woman comes into view. She is dressed like he is, in a federation constabulary uniform. She is reaching out to him, calling out, Marshal, save me!

In disbelief, he reached out to his deputy Dru. She was just out of reach. He stretched out, climbing out on the railings. A half inch separated their fingertips when the railing fails and Marshal went tumbling down.

He found himself hanging on with one hand, dangling forty feet over the churning water. He started to climb up. The alarming sound of metal bending, signaled that the railing was threatening to completely give way.

Dru was unable to reach him and was forced to watch, helpless, unable to give assistance. She called out, SAVE YOURSELF! This isn’t working. Get help and I’ll return. The vortex closed around her and the wind died down.

Dauntless came out at that moment carrying two cups of coffee. Seeing the crumpled railing, she sprang into action. The coffee went flying and she quickly hoisted Marshal up with one hand. I nearly fell.

Yeah. I got that.

Marshal wasn’t sure of what he had seen or if he had seen anything at all. He decided to remain quiet and just wait and see if Dru returned.

At that time, inside the richly appointed Chinese consulate in Chicago, a woman carrying a laptop computer is standing in front of a desk. The receptionist puts the phone down and tells her, General Chang will see you now. You may go in. She motions to the door behind her and the woman with the computer goes in.

General Chang, an elderly man, is seated behind a large desk. He looks up and sees the woman in a business suit and asks, Agent Loo, what is so urgent?

She steps forward and places the laptop on his desk so he may see. I have something that will help us get the alien technology the Americans have been hoarding for themselves.

He looks and sees the images of the volcano and asks, What is this? How will this help us get access to the alien technology?

This is a transmission from a Danish TV crew covering the volcano in Greenland. Apparently, the Americans have sent the alien Marshal and two superhuman females with him to help evacuate the village near the volcano.

He looked at her. Two superhuman females? How and why?

That much is unclear at this time. Perhaps it is meant to give credibility to their newly formed HERO organization. She directs him to watch the screen.

These images are from earlier today, the voiceover explained. A grainy image of a trench being dug with a forty ton rock appear on the screen. The rock is being held up and driven into the ground by a hulking figure of a man with blue skin and muscles on muscles.

He wears a white uniform jacket and dark trousers with a yellow stripe and a red cape. He pauses to rest with the jagged point of the rock embedded in the ground. He is not alone as he holds the other end of the rock over his head. There is a rather well built girl in a similar uniform, minus the cape with him.

Loo points out, That is the one called Dauntless. We know she is actually Brandy Holmes, a newly promoted Lieutenant in the American Army and that she is estranged from her family and has recently taken up residence in the HERO building. So, there is no way we can get to her.

Turning his attention to his companion, he asked, What about bribing her?

We will try that if we can ever make contact with her, she explained.

The general watched the video for another minute and asked, Do you mean to tell me that this Marshal used a forty ton rock to dig a trench all the way around that village to save it from the flowing lava?

That is what he did sir.

Remarkable! We must have him and his technology.

She redirects his attention back to the laptop. This is the interesting part.

A two ton flaming projectile is hurled out of the volcano and flies towards Marshal and Dauntless. It crashes on the rock being held up by Marshal and explodes, sending shrapnel flying.

After the blinding flash and smoke clear, Dauntless can be seen laying face down on the frozen ground with a three foot long piece of jagged stone sticking out of her side. Suddenly, there is a blur and another girl is standing there with her.

This new arrival is a very attractive blond, wearing a similar but different uniform, with the same black belt and white and blue outfit. The general asked, Who is that and how did she get there?

She is the one I wanted you to see. She is the new one called Superstar. She is apparently very fast and is also equipped with alien technology.

Superstar is seen speaking with Dauntless. She braces Dauntless with one hand and pulls the rock shard out of Dauntless’ body with the other. There is a spray of blood and Dauntless is seen writhing in pain on the ground.

Superstar tosses the three foot long rock shard away as if it were nothing and starts looking around. She finds Marshal laying face down, pinned under the massive rock he had been holding. He appears to be dead, with a large rock fragment sticking out of his skull. Superstar pulls it out and holds his wounded head closed for a minute before moving away from him. They are both covered with his blue blood, but he is moving but unable to free himself from underneath the boulder.

She starts pushing on the boulder as if she expected to be able to move it. She cannot. Dauntless starts to stir and move about and eventually gets up to her feet. They both start trying to free Marshal from under the forty ton boulder.

The two Chinese officials watch in silence as Superstar starts to dig at the ground under the boulder with her bare hands. She digs with incredible speed and dirt is flying. Dauntless sits down with her feet against the boulder and starts pulling on Marshal.

Suddenly, Marshal slips part way out from under the boulder and plants his face in Dauntless’ stomach. She gives another tug, and he is completely freed After speaking briefly, Superstar races off, and Marshal and Dauntless resume digging the trench around the village.

The image changes to one of a crowd of people in winter clothing scrambling to get on an overloaded barge. As they mill about, Superstar seems to appear out of nowhere holding a small child. She puts the screaming girl down and dashes off. Seconds later, Superstar is once again standing there; this time holding the little girl’s mother and baby brother.

A few more seconds pass, and Superstar once again shows up, this time with an old lady. She repeats this feat over and over until she returns empty handed. The TV reporter approaches her. I am William Teller for INN. That was amazing! Could we speak for a minute?

She stops and looks around as if looking for some one to advise her. Seeing no one, she adjusts her long wavy golden hair and agrees with a nod of her head.

First, let me say that it was amazing watching you save these people’s lives. Who are you and how did you get to be so fast? He pointed the mic at her.

She took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. You can call me Superstar. I’m the newest member of HERO. I got my super speed from a combination of being bitten by the Harbinger Queen and Marshal’s coat.

So there are three of you now?

Yes, that’s right. She flashed him her broad smile.

The last we heard of Marshal he was barely alive in the Chicago headquarters.

Yes, that’s true. But we all heal very fast and now we are here to help save the town.

Were you there when Marshal saved the world?

Yes I was. But I was so fast and so new that no one knew it. And he didn’t actually save the planet. We all did. It was a team effort.

The Chinese general watching interrupted saying, The Americans tried to blame that on us, but I think it was actually their fault. One of their experiments with the alien technology went wrong and freed the Harbingers.

He turned to her and asked, Agent Loo, how does this help us with our problem?

She was telling the truth. She is new. So new in fact that the Americans haven’t had time to cover her. Using facial recognition programs, we have identified this Superstar as Heather Carter. She is or was an agent with their National Security Agency. But unlike Dauntless, she does not live in the HERO building. She has a home in one of the suburbs and is close to her family.

Then that gives us access to her, he added.

Yes, and I have a plan. All I need is your permission, she said as she leaned over his desk smiling."

Forty miles to the southwest of the volcano, a strange, barely visible wedge shaped ship makes its way silently through the water. The orange glow of the volcano lights up the horizon behind it.

The Emory S. Land is a stealth research ship carrying a load of refugees from Upernavilk to Nuuk Greenland. On it’s fantail stands a six foot, eight inch, mountain of blue skinned muscle called Marshal. Beside him, with her arm hooked in his is Dauntless, who looks like one of those comic book goddess’ brought to life. Both have blankets wrapped around them over their white and blue super hero uniforms.

They both have cups of coffee, but his hands are so large that they completely enclose the cup. Brandy takes a sip and makes a face of disgust and dumps the rest over the railing. How can they drink this stuff?

Marshal looks at her and at his coffee and then back at her. I thought you were meant to hold on to it for the warmth. He takes a taste of the drink and ponders it for a few seconds before commenting, The beverage requires the tomato based condiment.

She shot him a look as if to say, what the heck are you talking about. She looks at the colors of the horizon, Isn’t it lovely

He gazed out over the horizon but did not comment.

A shiver swept over her body. I don’t think I’m ever going to get warmed up. That’s enough of this. Do you want to see if we can get another hot shower? As they head in she hears a TV playing the news about the volcano in one of the common rooms, and she pokes her head in to see what they are saying.

"This is William Teller reporting on board the Carpathia II. The small town of Upernavilk was the scene of an amazing rescue today. Hundreds, if not thousands, of townspeople owe their lives to the newest super hero on the planet, Superstar. This fast-acting dynamo of a doll dashed from house to house carrying the people to safety faster than the eye could see.

The newly formed American superhero group called HERO was dispatched to help save the small village on the coast of Greenland from the erupting volcano. While Superstar carried the people to safety, the other heroes dug a ditch to divert the oncoming lava.

And in true heroic fashion, once the job was done, they were gone. The US Navy is carrying some of the refugees to nearby Nuuk. That makes three disasters averted by these new superheroes. I think we can count on seeing more of these superheroes. But that does raise the question, have we started a new age of man? The age of the superhuman? This is William Teller reporting"

She steps back out the door into the gangway and leans against the doorway with her arms folded. They didn’t even mention us. Only Superstar! It was like we weren’t even there and she did all of the rescuing. She turns to leave and runs into Lieutenant Hunter.

The squarejawed officer bounces off of her and is unfazed by the collision. lieutenant, could you find the colonel and tell him that Doctor Cooly will be staying on the Carpathia for a day. It seems they need her there more than we do. And ask him if he has any further instructions."

Elsewhere on the ship, Superstar has just finished drying her long wavy golden hair with a towel. Her still damp hair hangs limp around her shoulders as she makes her way along the crowded gangways of the USS Land. She is best described as a buxom bombshell and she is the center of attention. Her tight fitting superhero uniform only amplifies her already voluptuous figure. The men can’t keep their eyes off of her. She is accustomed to their admiring looks.

Heather is a girl with a problem that only two men can help her with. One is an alien from another planet and the other is… well, it’s complicated. Sometimes he’s her biggest fan and ally, and other times, he’s her biggest rival. She is accustomed to having things her way, and this is no different.

The nature of her problem is simple; too much sex drive. Ever since the aliens attempted to convert her into one of their own, she has developed superspeed and superstrength and super human endurance. Couple these gifts with an enhanced need for sexual fulfillment, and you see her problem. There is no soldier, no sailor, on this ship that could possibly satisfy her needs, her lust. And with all of the recent excitement, her needs have only grown stronger.

She stopped and paused outside a cabin and tries to adjust her hair. What a mess! A soldier comes out of the cabin and she asks him, Is this Colonel Otis’s cabin?

Yes it is, was his reply.

He wanted to see me, she said as she went in. It wasn’t true, but she saw no reason to raise suspicions.

Inside the small cabin with a bunk bed and a desk pushed up against the wall by the door, was Colonel Otis. He was seated at the desk wearing a pair of navy blue overalls. The overalls had been issued to all of the survivors who had had their clothing burned, or melted away, during the escape. He was dictating his after action report into a Blackberry. The Eskimos attached explosives to the penguins and used them to attack the outpost. He stopped as she eased her way in. Knock next time.

She was momentarily set back by his comment. The door was open, she said in defense.

What is it Superstar?

She shut the door behind her and stepped up closer. Her hip brushed up against his shoulder and he looked up into her eyes. She had that look again. He knew this could be—he wasn’t quite sure what this could be. When it came to Heather, he was conflicted. She was very attractive, but he knew nothing good could come of it. He was a good twenty years older than she was, and had been her superior officer, sort of, again, it’s complicated. But now, she’s a super hero and in charge of Marshal’s security, which meant that he had to take orders from her from time to time.

She was glad to see that he had not been burned badly by the acid rain they had to endure during their escape. He looked as if he had a sunburn. She could read the deer in the headlights look he was giving her and this gave her confidence. She had a funny little smile as she eased her self down on the edge of his desk. Colonel, I have a problem.

What kind of problem?

She started to play with the zipper of her uniform jacket. Its’ not something I like to talk about.

This piqued his interest, but then it came to him, If this is about me speaking to the general for you— he didn’t get to finish.

She held one finger up to stop him. Her eyes were alive and sparkling, and her smile had changed into something more devilish and sly. She started running her hands up and down her body, caressing her bosom. The general has nothing to do with this. She slid her hands down to her waist and unfastened her utility belt and placed it alongside her on his desk.

His mind was racing. Oh, I see, it’s more like an itch you can’t scratch.

She started tugging on her zipper and her breasts strained to escape their confinement. That’s it exactly.

His heart started to race as he tried to speak, but he was at a loss for words. He dropped his Blackberry.

Her sly little smile turned into her customary broad beaming smile. She pulled the zipper down to her navel, and her jacket opened exposing her bra and the double Ds it was compelled to contain. She leaned seductively forward and hefted her breasts with both hands. Her small hands would not cover them. She unfastened her bra and moved it out of the way. Her breasts bounced at their sudden release. She smiled, and almost started to giggle, as she playfully covered herself with her hands.

He started to reply, Heather, I already said I would… Again, he didn’t get a chance to finish. She took hold of his head and buried his face in her cleavage. She knew how to get what she wanted. And she was determined to have her sport.

He started breathing heavily as she rubbed his face in her bust. At first he resisted, but only briefly. Then he reasoned that she was no longer under his command and that she was, indeed, of legal age and knew what she was doing. There was no real reason for him not to indulge in the feast that was Heather. There was no place for logic; lust had taken over. He indulged himself in the pleasures she had to offer.

His skin tingled at her touch but she felt oh so good. He was elated, they both were enjoying it. She drew her head all the way back and dug her fingernails into his crewcut as he kissed her breasts. She leaned back onto the desk bringing him with her. From on top he started to work his way up her neck to her face and lips.

She sat up, and they both started franticly pawing at their clothing while maintaining the liplock they had on each other. They separated briefly to dispose of their clothing. Using her superspeed, she finished before he did, and she helped him remove the last piece of his clothing and they rushed into each other’s arms; their hands exploring each other’s bodies. It seemed that their ravenous mouths could not be satisfied.

They were both breathing heavily when she backed him into the door. She wrapped her leg around him. They stayed on their feet. Using the powerful muscles in her legs, hips and abdomen, she slowly, rhythmically, pressed her sensuous body against his, overwhelming him.

Dauntless was outside in the gangway and was about to knock on the door when she noticed something was bumping against the door from inside the cabin. She knocked and asked, Colonel, are you all right? She heard a shuffling sound coming from behind the door and she started to open it.

The door only opened part way before something stopped it. The colonel peeked out from behind it. He was breathing heavily. He blurted out, What is it Dauntless?

She suspiciously eyed him and the door. Lieutenant Hunter sent me to tell you that Doctor Cooly will be delayed on the Carpathia. It seems they need her more than we do right now. He was also wondering if you had any further orders, sir? The colonel kept squirming about while she was talking. This puzzled her. Brandy gave him a look and asked, Are you ok sir?

Yes, yes, just fine, was his hesitant reply. Behind the door, Heather stopped her rhythmic assault and had to content herself by finding other means of amusement. She was enjoying seeing him in this predicament. The burns made him overly sensitive, as her hands roamed across his thin muscular body. He struggled to gather his thoughts. Tell the captain to see that the men are all fed and bedded down for the night.

Which captain?

Any captain! And I don’t want Marshal left alone, so either you or Doctor Cooly will have to stay with him.

But I just told you that Doctor Cooly is not on the ship.

Then I guess it’s up to you.

She thought about the last time she had spent the night in close proximity with Marshal and how it had turned into a threesome with Heather, when they were both overpowered by his pheromones. It’s not that she didn’t find the thought unappealing, she did, but Brandy is a good girl. But what about Superstar? She’s in charge of security.

He jumped as if he were startled by something, and caught his balance before answering. She is busy doing SOMETHING else. Tell the officers that they can turn in their after action reports tomorrow and that they should all get a good night’s rest. Heather no longer had her leg wrapped around him. She slowly eased her way down his body. She had found another creative way to entertain herself at his expense. This caused him to pause and take a deep breath.

This piqued Brandy’s curiosity. Colonel, are you sure you’re all right? Is there something behind the door that I can help you with?

Heather almost busted out laughing. She stopped tormenting the poor man. He took another deep breath and exhaled. No lieutenant, I’m working on something behind the door that is classified, eyes only, and I don’t want it to fall down that’s all. I’m doing fine. You should go now. He closed the door. Dauntless just stood there.

As the door closed, Heather reversed positions with him, and pinned him against the door with her body and started kissing him on the face and neck. What do you mean you’re only doing fine?

Outside in the gangway, Dauntless is still eyeing the door as it is buffeted in and out. She is pondering the events that had just transpired. Then a devilish smile came to her. She is joined by Captain Reynolds. I don’t think the colonel wants to be disturbed at this time, she said.

That’s very odd, he said as he stopped to listen to a noise coming from behind the door.

On the inside of the door, Henry managed to catch his breath long enough to say, Heather, I already told you that…

This time she stopped him with a big wet kiss. But she realized that he wasn’t kissing her back. She stopped and kept him pinned against the door. She looked surprised. She looked him directly in the eye and asked, What? do you still think I’m trying to influence you?

He looked into her eyes; they were nose to nose. I just figured that there was no way that you would be interested in me. You have your choice of men. Why me?

Her face came to life with a wave of relief. She started to smile broadly again and poked his nose with her finger, like pushing a button. Why Henry, it’s simple. Since I gave you that blood transfusion, you have superhuman endurance. And that makes you the only man for me. Don’t you see? It was fate, it was meant to be. She took hold of him and pulled his mouth to hers and kissed him forcefully. After a few seconds they moved away from the door.

Outside in the gangway Captain Reynolds heard, The floor is cold!

Heather I’m not super.

I’ll be gentle.

Captain Reynolds’ face sprang to life. He stepped away from the door. I think you’re right.

Dauntless, wanted to know, What’s going on in there sir?

The short Captain with thinning hair rubbed his chin for a second before answering. Uh, sounds like therapy to me.

Sounding puzzled she asked, Therapy?

Yes, that’s right, the colonel has to undergo some therapy, and he doesn’t want anyone to know or be worried about it. So, now you know. Do not speak of this to anyone. Is that clear?

Crystal, sir. She agreed but remained suspicious. He wants me to guard Marshal.

He shot her a concerned glance. Take two men with you. And remember, no Parcheesi. They both laughed and the smile left her face as they went down the gangway.

The next morning, an LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushioned) pulls away from the USS Land, with the last load of refugees from Upernavilk. The hovercraft spins around over the choppy seas and speeds away, headed for the town of Nuuk some twenty miles over the horizon.

The wedge shaped ship quickly disappeared from view, behind the crest of the ocean waves, as the LCAC skimmed along the surface of the choppy sea The refugees, in their navy issued overalls, huddled together under the blankets they had been provided with.

The sky to the east was an angry shade of red, tinted by the volcanic smoke and ash. A forty foot cutter comes out of the East trying to over take the LCAC, but it cannot. On board is the reporter William Teller and the boat’s Captain, piloting the sleek craft.

They’re getting away! Can’t you go any faster?

We’re going flat out now!

I thought you said this was the fastest boat in these waters!

It is Mr. Teller, but that aint no boat!

The ship with the heroes on it must be around here somewhere.

I don’t see any other boats on the radar, just the hovercraft and the Carpathia.

But that can’t be. Not unless it’s a submarine.

It can’t be a sub. There were too many refugees for it to be a sub.

How do we find it?

The hovercraft went that way so, it must be in the other direction.

Makes sense to me.

The cutter swung out to sea. Good, because all this running around is going to cost you extra.

Why are they staying so far out to sea?

Didn’t you see what that ship looked like? I’ve never seen anything like it. It must be some sort of stealth ship. They probably don’t want too many people getting a good look at it, the captain said as he worked the wheel.

In the crew’s mess of the USS Land, Colonel Otis and about forty of his soldiers, all dressed in Navy overalls, are gathered around several of the long mess tables. They are in a jovial mood. The colonel is standing before them. He holds his hands up to silence them. That concludes the debriefing. All we have to do is wait for our ride to pick us up. In the meantime, you are free to enjoy the Navy’s cooking and the day rooms.

A sailor comes up to the colonel. He looks at the messenger and turns to his men saying, HOLD IT DOWN MEN, it’s probably the ship’s captain telling us the water polo match has been canceled due to icing. This got a laugh out of them.

The Colonel turned his attention to the messenger. Begging your pardon Colonel Otis, the captain told me to tell you that the Carpathia has docked in Nuuk and that the LCAC will be returning with your doctor.

How long will that be?

Don’t know sir.

Guess.

Oh,. maybe one or two hours sir.

The colonel dismissed the messenger and got the attention of his men, Men! We will assemble back here in ninety minutes.

Forty minutes later, the cutter is racing towards the ship. On the bridge of the Land, Captain Johnson is informed, Sir, the small craft approaching is carrying a TV news crew and they are requesting permission to board and interview the heroes.

The captain started shaking his head. Tell him permission to board denied. He turns to his XO and says, We can’t have a TV crew tramping all over the ship.

The XO pointed out, But sir, it’s a TV crew. We can’t stop them from filming the outside of the ship.

Hmm, you’re right. But they don’t want to film the ship, they want to interview the heroes… Get Colonel Otis up here.

A few minutes later, Captain Johnson is speaking with Colonel Otis. Colonel, there is a TV crew coming to interview your people. I don’t care what you do, but I don’t want them filming my ship.

But Marshal’s translator isn’t working properly, and his amnesia is worse since his head injury, and I don’t think Dauntless is up to it.

Listen, I don’t care what you do to distract them away from my ship. Heck, your girls can put on a floor show as far as I’m concerned, but not on my ship.

Colonel Otis started nodding his head. I think I have someone that can keep them distracted.

A few minutes after that, Colonel Otis and Superstar are standing at an open hatch in the middle of the slanted slab sides of the USS Emory S. Land. Below them is the news cutter bobbing in the chop. From the sea, it seems to be a featureless slab side of a topless pyramid. She turns to him asking, Are you sure about this?

Yes, make sure the camera is on you and that the ship is not in the background. Now go, he said as he tossed a rope ladder over the side. Next, he called out to the men below, No cameras, the captain doesn’t want his ship’s picture taken.

She started down the rope ladder. Before she got two rungs down she stopped and asked, Are you sure we can’t use the gangway?

The captain’s not too happy with this. We’re lucky he stopped. Then he cautioned her, Watch your footing and you’ll be fine and remember, you’re the security officer. Any security leaks you make will be yours to deal with.

She looked down at the men in the boat and back at him saying, This is so undignified. She climbed down to the small boat below where she was met by helping hands. The sight of Superstar in her tight fitting satin looking superhero uniform left the men on the boat speechless, but eager to help her on board.

With the superhero on board, the cutter pulled away and headed off. After going about one hundred yards, they stopped and made preparations to do the interview at sea with Superstar seated on the deck chair with her back to the open sea.

After getting all settled in, the reporter started by asking, Why all the security?

She shrugged her shoulders before answering, It’s a research ship and the ship is the experiment and they don’t want anyone getting too good of a look at it.

We couldn’t find it on the radar.

I really can’t talk about the ship, she said as she brushed her hair out of her face.

The camera man repositioned and the interview continued with the reporter asking, First, tell our viewers who you are and what powers you have.

She paused and smiled before answering, You can call me Superstar. I’m the newest of the superheroes with HERO. I have super speed and strength. I’m not as strong as the others but still I’m no weakling,. and I am really really fast.

Yes, too fast to be seen. That’s what caught our attention while we were watching you rescue all of those people.

She was surprised to hear him say that. You were watching me?

Yes, and you were remarkable. How many people did you save?

All of them I think. She broke out laughing.

Are there any more super heroes in the works?

No. You make it sound as if we are being manufactured.

Well, aren’t you?

No. I can see how it would look like that. Not long ago there weren’t any superhumans, and now, since Marshal, we have two of them. But no, it just happened that way.

The reporter motioned to cut and turned to his cameraman and asked, How is it?

He put the camera down for a second and gave him a thumbs up. She’s gorgeous in that outfit, the camera loves her. He reset and they continued.

Tell us about yourself.

The camera zoomed in for a closeup. I was a student at Truman when this all started. She was sticking with her cover story. When the UFO carrying Marshal crashed in Chicago, I was pressed into service as a lab assistant. That’s when I met Marshal and the others.

So, you really were there at the beginning.

That’s right. I helped bring him into the hospital that night and I was there when he was revived.

That must have been something.

It was terrifying. First he’s dead and then he wasn’t, and then he took me and jumped out of the eleventh story window.

He what?

He thought we were under attack and he grabbed me and jumped out the window to safety. Of course it was all a misunderstanding. Like the Russians shooting him down in the first place.

He leaned in to ask, So, how did you get your amazing powers?

She leaned back and thought about it for a second before answering. When the Harbingers escaped and spread all over Chicago, I was one of the people taken by them. While the Queen was about to convert me over to one of their own, Marshal and Dauntless came in and saved me. Marshal used his jacket to save me and the resulting reaction gave me a super metabolism, making me both super fast and super strong. There’s more to it than that, but that’s the gist of it, she said as she flashed him her broad, toothy smile.

Any regrets?

Regrets? No, it was an accident that gave me these abilities, she said matter-of-factly.

What’s it like being a superhero?

It’s great! You get to help people. And you can do things no one else can do.

Like what?

I can run to work in just a few seconds if I have to, or change my clothes in a few seconds. And I don’t need anybody to help move furniture anymore.

It must be great to be so fast, so strong, so invulnerable.

Who said I was invulnerable? It hurts when you get shot. It hurts a lot.

But I saw you hit by a flying boulder.

That wasn’t me. We all heal fast, but it hurts.

But still, the things you can do.

Yeah, it’s great having these abilities. But it does have its down side.

Such as?

I… uh, she was thinking of her personal problem, but decided not to mention it. Well, actually, Dauntless has more problems. She can’t go out without being recognized and mobbed by fans.

Like what happened in Las Vegas?

Exactly. There she was trying to have a simple night out on the town, and the next thing she knows she’s being pursued by the paparazzi and has to be rescued by an Elvis impersonator.

And you don’t have that problem?

No, I’m too new. Nobody knows me yet, but I guess this interview might change that. She leaned back in her chair after answering.

Now he was the one doing the smiling. Let’s hope so. But not being able to go out isn’t limited to superheroes, rock stars have pretty much the same problem, don’t they? Is having no private life the only drawback to being a superhero?

"No, unlike a rock