New Kid

“The concept of a super-hero was pop culture, until it wasn’t. When World War II came around, something like a dozen new sciences were born and some of those created men and women of power right out of Greek myth, or the funny pages.”

“Everyone expected to see them on the front lines, especially since the Germans and Japanese had them in play, but for some reason that never developed. Rumor has it that the Supers themselves had met, in secret, and made agreements to not operate as weapons of mass destruction. I hesitate to think of what Kreigsmarine could have done to London if no one was there to stop him, or what Ronin could do to San Francisco. It was the stuff of existential terror.”

“It seems to be one of the traditions to have lasted, as the three occasions where a patriotic super decided to try, such as Saladin the Slayer’s assault on Tel Aviv and the resulting response by three villains, criminals by any reasonable measure, who showed up and stopped him.”

“Rumor even has it, there are meeting houses for elder heroes in certain very private, very neutral places in the world, managed by someone or something called “The Manager”

The Stalion turned, and took off running, jumping over a section of the crowd he grabbed a cop who had been trying to control the mob and threw the man as high and far away from him as he could before taking off around a corner at reckless speed.

Solaris, who had started to pursue, was forced to shift her flight to intercept the screaming policeman, catching him a few meters above the ground and setting him down, unfortunately giving the criminal time to get away.

"God damnit. coward fucking runs?" Penny gasped, catching her breath, Then glaring at the boy. "And you... Seriously? We've talked about this Ma... Moron.."

Solaris looked at Penny "Should I give chase?"

"Not worth the possible crossfire, especially with the head start he got with the bystander toss." She grabbed the teen’s shoulder, and pulled him after her, tucking the huge revolver in her pants, pulling out her UN ID for another uniform that was approaching with his own gun out. "UNLOC. Sorry. Saw what was happening, stepped in."

"Got it... We're going to make these idiots clear out, but I'd suggest you and your charges get inside and out of the way while we do. Otherwise, they'll just keep being stupid."

Solaris nodded, “Have a good day officer.” She glided back into the hotel, trailing Penny and the young hero wannabe. “Do you want to take the lad upstairs, or are you calling his parents down here?”

"Upstairs. his grandmother doesn’t have a car, and is not really close." She said softly, leading to the elevator, then the room. Once there, she pulled off the stupid knit mask he was wearing, revealing a handsome if young man with indistinct ethnic features. Almond eyes suggested asian ancestry, while darker skin suggested at least near eastern heritage. "Marcus Ruan, what the hell do you think you're doing? We've talked about this; you have nowhere near enough training to be sticking your toe into the super shark-tank. Not yet!"

Solaris listened as she answered a knock at the door, giving a pleased sound to find a tea service being delivered. She looked the young man up and down as she poured a cup.

“I heard he was going to rough some old lady up! I had to do something!”

“Old lady?” Solaris muttered, grimacing.

“Right. Okay. You made several critical mistakes in that encounter, young man, and I’m just starting with this outfit. Knit mask and hoodie? You don’t look like a hero, you look like you’re planning to rob a bodega!" She said, "Two, did it occur to you that you picked the worst place to start a fight?"

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Solaris nodded. “Penny is correct, and if she doesn’t mind the old lady you were trying to protect to steping in you made many fundamental errors.” Marcus gaped at the stunning blonde who looked in her twenties.

“Your intelligence was either incomplete or wrong, as you had no idea who or why he was targeting the “Old Lady” Further you were going to start a fight among a crowd with an opponent who is known for violence and super strength. He could have used a member of the crowd against you easily, leading to unneeded injuries or death. Were you aware of his capabilities?”

"I mean, he's fast, he's tough, and I heard he was coming here to show off. He doesn't have a lot of close ride or dies, so I figured he'd be alone. I didn't know that dumb looking helmet thing was actually that tough, though. was like hitting an anvil."

“Never assume a villain is alone. What if he had another friend taking pictures and did you also account for him being a low end speedster?

"I mean, I knew he was fast, yeah. Didn't know he was quick. That's not always the same thing." he pointed out. "But yeah, I get what you mean. I didn't know enough about him, but heroes don't always get to know everything about the guys they fight."

“No we don’t, but there are assumptions you have to make, which leads to another error. Always assume your opponent does not care about collateral damage. You initiated a conflict with a super strong villain in a crowd, what would you have done if he took a hostage, or threw you into the crowd and hurt or killed multiple people including children.

"Okay, yeah... I..." He sighed. "I'm just sick of waiting, man. I mean, I got these powers..."

"Two months ago. We don't know everything you can do yet, and you didn't exactly get a black belt when you took martial arts classes at the Y."

Solaris held a hand up to stop Penny, the hero’s eyes hard as a drill sergeants “Did you think to bring your own backup? And since you want to be a masked hero what was your exit strategy for getting out of a potentially panicked crowd unmolested?”

"Run? I mean, I don't know any other powered people. Not really. I mean, there's the class d speeder kid who does Uber Eats but he's kinda happy racking up the tips, ya know?" he said. "And Dreadful here. Metal ass name, but she refuses to just build her own suit, never mind I know she's sketched designs."

"I'm not a super brain kid. Not the kind you’re thinking, anyway.”

"No, but you have a Masters in Robotics, I saw the ticket. And I know most coasties only go for a bachelor’s at the academy. You did extra cause you like it, you told me as much."

So you knew someone who could do something,” Solaris said, interrupting him. “someone with more resources, and you didn’t think to contact them? Marcus, I’ve done this job for a long time. I know there are solo heroes, but believe it or not most solos have teams supporting them from the rear, providing intel, preparing extractions, and gathering materials. Being a hero is not about powers, they just make it easier, this job is about taking the right action, whether that is laying your life on the line or calling the cops.”

"Calling the cops? Yeah, you can tell she's been out of circulation." He muttered. "Half of them can't be bothered to do their job most of the time, another half are on the take, and the last few who actually want to do their job and do care get crippled or killed in the line because of the first two."

Penny winced. "His dad was a cop. His parents were, well officially it was a drive by they were just caught in, but no one with sense bought that story."

“That is rough, and you have my condolences. but we cannot let emotions govern our actions. Penny was still an option, and you chose not to call her.” The golden haired woman looked out at the city with eyes full of pain. “It is our duty as heroes to be better. A hero does not look for fame or glory, they do not throw their lives away recklessly because there is always more to do tomorrow, and if you are gone someone still has to do the work. If we fight it is because there is no other course of action, and we do our best to damage as little as possible. It is not easy, you will make mistakes and people will get hurt,killed, maybe even someone you care for. But we soldier on, because we must be better if we are to inspire others to be better with us

"Oh, wow, she's hard core." The young man said softly, to Penny, not really aware that Solaris could hear him.

"She's an Original. World War II. You remember Mr. Jacoby?"

"Oh yeah, that man was like a monument or something till the cancer got him."

"Same place. Same time. Just Mr. Jacoby was a Paratrooper, not a super."

Solaris smiled. “We fought so others wouldn’t have to. I am Elizabeth Summers, known by most as Solaris, former leader of the Guardians.Pleasure to meet you Marcus Ruan.