Chapter 152

Thanksgiving

(Two Days Later)

“I am here live at the eighteenth annual Supers Serving Supper, or as it has become known S3. While we are all saddened that Warder, the original founder and supporter of S3 passed away, his memory is alive and well with the next generation of Supers. Here we have his widow, the Judge still active and prominently displayed. Next to her is a rising star in the tri-state area our own home-grown talent, Aru’ka, along with nearly two dozen up and coming Supers, all of whom are ready to give out to the community on this day.” The female reporter, a well-dressed professional said, speaking to a camera and to the crowd of people who were all lining up for a Thanksgiving Day dinner. Then moving one step to her right, the camera followed the reporter to Ms. Peacock.

“I am here with Ms. Peacock, the principle of Dawning Light Academy. This is the person responsible for the last three days of giving by Aru’ka and the other members of the up-and-coming Class of Supers.” The reporter said, moving her hand-held microphone in front of Ms. Peacock, in a gesture that said they were ready for her to comment.

“Good morning. And no, I must correct something. This here, these last few days, that was all Aru’ka and her pack coming together and giving out to the community. From two days ago, when we held our weekly healing at the local hospital, to yesterday’s giving out food to the community, to today’s efforts where the pack have been giving out food at a near nonstop rate, that was all of them. That was their initiative, their way of honoring warder and how much Warder did for this community and the whole tri-state area.” Ms. Peacock said.

“Yes, I see that you also have members of the TSI team here. There is the noted Captain Johnston and the unmistakable Bullford, who are both back from London?” The Reporter said, no doubt, trying to get Ms. Peacock to say something about their recent activities.

“Oh, I am unaware of any actions taken by them these last few days. If you have anything for them, I’d suggest asking them yourself.” Ms. Peacock expertly dodged the question.

“Will do, all right, final question. Is there anything to the rumor that Aru’ka and the other members of The Pack, as to where they will go for college, now fully Awakened and ready to set out to be Supers?”

At that Ms. Peacock gave a glance at the reporter trying to no doubt see if something was off about the reporter.

“My, you are good at this, aren’t you.” Ms. Peacock began, “well all I can say is that we are immensely pleased with Aru’ka’s progress and her dedication to the community. We are also here, and the pack, so we can to support them in any means necessary to achieve that next stage of her career. Whether that is finishing out her high school experience, helping her get her GED so they can go to college. Helping them get a scholarship to one of the prestigious universities that are trained to certify Supers, or if they wish to live a nice quiet life. We are here to support them all, regardless of where their future might take them.” Ms. Peacock said.

“Thank you for your time.” The reporter said, with that Ms. Peacock gave a respectful bow, then left, leaving the reporter standing center screen. “Well, you heard it here. We encourage all to come here now, as this will likely be the last time, we get to see the newest class of Supers. Tomorrow as you all know is the closed viewing, where only family, and apparently Aru’ka and the other members of The Pack will be in attendance. Followed by the nationally televised funeral on Saturday, where I am told the Prime Minister of England will be in attendance to give his respects for the work and effort taken by Warder. This is a sad time, but once again the Super community is rising to the challenge, as they all have pulled together to help fill the hole that has been left by Warder. He is a presence that we will all miss. Once again, I am Rachel Rivers reporting from City Hall, on behalf of Local News 9, wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving.”

***

During this time Alexa was in the back, using her Creation magic to its utmost. Over the past few days she had learned to experiment with the lessons the Old Crone taught her. Meaning that after Absorbing, or rather deconstructing the mixtures of what went into a fresh turkey, or mashed potatoes, Alexa was now able to make reliably whole turkeys that would then be heated up and served to the throngs of guests.

“Do you think we could ever advertise this as Vegan Friendly Turkey?” Luke asked, taking a bite from his own plate.

“Vegan Friendly? This is clearly turkey.” ‘Lecia said, her tone incredulous as she held up and sniffed the proffered meat to make sure. That sniff confirmed to her highly trained animal senses that it was in fact meat, and that it even had the scent of freshly cooked meat.

“I agree but think about it. No turkeys were hurt during the making of this meal, thus making it vegan friendly.” Luke said.

“Shh, you can’t be saying that too loudly.” Kylie said, smacking Luke lightly on the back. For now, everyone in The Pack agreed to help keep as many of Alexa’s secrets hidden as possible.

“Ow, ow, I know. But we could eventually market this as vegan friendly.” Luke said.

“Still trying to get rich off of your sister?” Julie posed, getting in close and settling down next to Luke.

“Look, we shut down the website.” Luke said, then with a sigh he continued, “we clearly have more than enough now for college.”

“Oh, I think you should keep it going. Just jack up the prices to an exorbitant price.” Lily said.

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“Did you want to date her too?” Luke asked, a bit of incredulity in his voice.

“Well, I mean I wouldn’t want to break up what she and Gina have, but if they were to ever part, then I wouldn’t mind an opportunity.” Lily admitted somewhat sheepishly.

“Lupa!” Julie said mock-scoldingly to Lily, making sure to use her Super name, but having no real bite to her words. This was a safe space, where the members of the pack were supposedly allowed to speak candidly with each other, so talking about personal matters was allowed, so long as they were back here. Privacy runes were set up all along the perimeter of the room, but it was only after Alexa enhanced the runes that others felt comfortable enough to talk normally here, despite the need to continue wearing their full masks. While eavesdropping and other forms of electronic surveillance were now blocked in these rooms, the idea that random people might come back and see the supers relaxing was no real surprise.

There was an awkward moment of silence, then finally Kylie broke the tension with a question everyone had apparently been thinking about.

“Skywalker.” Kylie began, using Luke’s preferred Super name, though she cringed slightly just saying it and making the correlation. Then again, they figured such terrible puns ran in the family, as their mother was of the same ilk with her terrible naming convention.

“Yes?” Luke asked.

“Are you sure it is okay for all of us to come tomorrow? To the viewing I mean?”

While Luke couldn’t see the full extent of the nervous tensions everyone had, he could tell by the fact that everyone within earshot had suddenly gone stock still, waiting to hear the response. The sudden change in demeanor was unnerving for most people, which was why Luke not only noticed the sudden change, but also sat up straighter as if to give his words more impact.

“Yeah. I know it might seem like we are putting on airs, but it is what both Judge and Aru’ka want.” Luke said, then with a pause he noted. “Also, it would be good to have you all there, as it will be the last normal day, as we are going to do the reveal during the actual funeral.”

“The reveal? You mean…”

“We are coming out.” Luke explained.

“Coming out, out? Or coming out?” Kylie asked to clarify.

At that Luke shook his head, clearly not understanding the questions. “I think both?” Luke asked, trying to make sure he was on the right page. “We are going to declare that we have Awakened, and we are going to declare our lineage.”

There was a slight pause, before he continued. “All of us.”

“Lineage? You mean…”

“Yeah, we are all going to officially declare ourselves to be the children of a former Super who lost their life in the line of duty. With Judge there, to confirm, it will be fairly easy.” Luke admitted.

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Julie asked, as she asked the same question that everyone was curious about.

“Look, I know I might be considered the weak link, and compared to Aru’ka, I am. I cannot deny that. Though I would pose that anyone compared to her would fall short. But if you are asking if I am okay with declaring Warder my father, publicly, your damn right I am. Anyone that would come at me because of that, well I can defend myself.”

At that Julie just gave him a look.

“Okay, I think I can defend myself long enough for my younger sister to come and save me, there.” Luke said.

Chuckle.

“Fair enough, I will admit that I am afraid to come out as Awakened as well, I keep looking around and see that everyone is so much more powerful than I am.” Lily, or Lupa, admitted.

“But still, are you sure you want us all there at the viewing?” Kylie asked, butting in as apparently, she was not able to take Luke’s word for it.

“Yes, you are all welcome.” A new voice spoke up, as they just entered the privacy room.

Turning around, everyone saw Judge, she was a bit thinner than one would expect. Normally Supers that have retired let themselves go just a bit, with all the recent missions and the stress placed on the allegedly retired Super, she had been missing meals and it showed, slightly. Her skintight uniform that had been close to bursting at the seams a few months ago when she first took it to the hospital, was now loose. Not overly so, not enough to cause concern, but it was noticeable that she had lost all her retirement weight and then some. Once Judge was sure she had everyone’s attention, she continued.

“To Warder, it would make him extremely happy to have more future family at his viewing.” Judge exclaimed.

“Family, but we…” Kylie began, but was cut off by a quick wave of Judy’s hand.

“You are family. Whether you realize it or not, Aru’ka has accepted you. In the few classes that Warder had with you all, he couldn’t help but admit how proud he was that you all would be the next generation of Supers. That was one of the reasons why we came, after seeing you all, he knew that the next generation of Supers would go on to do great things. That is why I told everyone else to invite you. Besides, you are all now Awakened, meaning you all are now officially members of the brotherhood. Regardless of what you do with your talents from here on out, you will now and forever be part of that family.” Judge said.

With that, a slight hush fell over the crowd of students who were about to enter a world that was far more dangerous than they were ready for. This was the real reason why Judge wanted to invite them, to let them know that should they need anyone or anything in the future, that she would be there for them.

Kylie having heard that, jumped up and gave Judge a hug.

“Oh, my.” Judge began at first, a little embarrassed, but quickly returned the gesture.

“Thank you.” Kylie said, moving away, and brushing off a tear that had formed.

As soon as she was gone, Lily was there, next in line to get a hug with the legendary Judge. “Yeah, thank you.”

After ‘Lecia came up to get a hug and express her thanks, a bit of moisture began to form in Judge’s eye. The bead of moisture only grew when Julie came forward, and gave her own hug. “Thank you so much.”

Luke got up, moving over to hug her, but then stopped as an awkward moment of realization struck him. He stood there awkwardly for a moment, wanting to hug his mother, but also realizing that he was about to hug her while she was in her famous suit, and balked. “Uh, yeah, thanks.” Luke said before waving awkwardly and leaving rather quickly.

Seeing his reaction everyone paused for a moment, taking it all in, before first Julie, then everyone began chuckling at the way he made that whole situation so incredibly awkward.

After a moment, Judge too joined in at the way Luke left, “that boy, still as awkward as ever.”

Laughter.

The laughter that only family could have when dealing with the trials of life, while also trying to notice the good that is out there. The good that is worth clinging to and desperately fighting for.

***

Watching from a distance, Yolandara of The Eclipsion Tribe watched the Thanksgiving Day feast, watching and waiting for the chance to strike. She was located at the top of a hill far away. She had a human weapon that had been modified to make it exceptionally deadly. Runes lined the barrel and the bullets of her rifle which she had on hand as a defensive measure only. She knew her orders were to strike at the Funeral, when everyone was there, but out here from her vantage point she was certain she could strike down many who were gathered to get a free meal.

Seeing the display, Yolandara could not understand the tradition, such weakness, the powerful submitting themselves before the weak, such ideas were unbecoming. This was why she was confident that conquering this planet would prove to be easy, the people here were too weak, too entitled, thinking that people with power should cow-tow to the masses.

The more Yolandara thought, the more she was ready to strike here and now, despite having orders to observe only. Rage filled her as she watched from a distance, seeing her target serve people with a smile. Just as she was thinking about striking out early, catching her target unaware, the target, this Aru’ka suddenly tensed as she then turned and seemed to lock gazes with her. Yolandara was staring down the scope of a high-powered rifle, while Aru’ka was just using her eyes. Still even from this distance it was clear that Aru’ka had either sensed the killing intent, or something as she stared directly at Yolandara. At least that was what Yolandara’s instincts were telling her at that exact moment.

“No, that can’t be right. There is no way she can see me from there.” Yolandara said to herself.

That is until Alexa raised up her hand and made a quick grasping motion.

Rustle.

At that exact moment a few fast moving vines suddenly came to life and began wrapping themselves around Yolandara.

“Ah!” Yolandara screamed loudly at the sudden appearance of the grasping vines.

Her scream and subsequent jumping up from her hiding spot was quickly noticed as many who were gathered below the slight hill turned in her direction. There it was quickly noticed how a person with a rifle was observed fleeing from the scene.

All the while Yolandara ran away, wondering how the target had seemingly noticed her from so far away. What she failed to notice, was the way light seemed to bend and shift ever so slightly behind her as she made for her safe house, where she would regroup and try to prepare for her next mission.