Perils of Podcasting

“Heroes and villains have always been big news. Back in the day of print media, they sold out newsstands worth of papers, and mulch piles worth of magazines. That’s still true today.”

“However, with social media as pervasive as it is now, it’s even more dramatic and sometimes the heroes add to that. I know of at least two heroes and one villain who wear internet abled bodycams that they run while they are out doing their cape thing.”

“And no, I have no idea why the Villain doesn’t just get doxed by doing what he does.”

Andrew Fitzgerald, Analysis of Public Service and the Heroic Age.

Nahoa stepped out as the podcaster’s rental van pulled up to the gate. He peeked in and nodded "Hello there. The Boss is expecting you. Sorry about all the delays."

"I am not going to complain, your boss has taken good care of us, and we got to interview Luna Fuega and Qilin, so we aren't behind on our filming schedule.”

Their camera guy nodded. "I also got a lot of shots around the city for a history of heroes in the big apple piece."

"Great, glad you could make use of the time. Go on in, park in front of the second garage, the one not attached to the house, right next to the car already parked there."

“Gotcha.”

Jessie checked her makeup and hair before taking one more long calming breath. As they parked. "James, Bill, you ready for this? This is going to be amazing!" Her dyed scarlet hair was in a high tail, and she was almost vibrating with excitement."

"The original Girl, Solaris. No one's had a long interview with her yet." James replied checking his shirt for stains one more time.

They paused as the gate opened again, and a limo pulled into the driveway. The driver let out the long, muscular form of Kreigsmarine, wearing grey slacks, a collared shirt and sweater. "Ah, you must be these podcasters I have heard so much about."

James's eyes almost popped out, he hadn't believed it was real they were going to interview the Living Dreadnaught, in spite of what they’d been told. "Yes Sir. I'm James Kim, this is Jessie Mills, and our Camera guy over by the van is Bill Carver."

"It’s an honor to meet you. Your last speech at the UN was amazing." Jessie said, Damn he’s even more of a silver fox in person! She thought to herself.

"Thank you, though it wasn't taken as well by the floor. Seems my concerns about humanitarian issues in the middle east are just not hot topics with some nations." he shrugged. "Eventually, it will become messy enough someone will have to act. Again."

James nodded as Solaris dressed in a soft blue sweater dress stepped out. "Hello. Thank you for putting up with the nightmare my schedule has become." she said shaking the podcaster’s hands, smiling at Kriegsmarine. "I think you are going to appreciate the food. My chef has gone all out."

"I am thankful to hear it! Interviews are dry and hungry work. Still, more fun than paperwork." He commented as they followed her into the house.

The media room had been reorganized with a table between the comfortable chairs, now facing each other. A coffee and tea service had been set up in the corner, with both ready to be served next to a small buffet of finger foods.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Solaris said, letting her guests get drinks and snacks before getting her own plate of snacks and a cup of hot tea. "Please let me know if you need any other lights or such. I have a lot of it lying around because of the garage."

"We should have brought everything." Jessie said, while looking at Bill as he carried items in and set them down. Then a second Bill walked into the room, handing the first a case, causing him to stagger back in surprise.

The new Bill shook his head. "Your security is enthusiastic, Elizabeth, but they are in need of some training. No one noticed there were six of the young chef girls running around for the last hour. Concerningly, including her."

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"Kitsune! I was wondering if you'd show up." Solaris laughed, walking over to hug the second Bill. "And we aren't at war anymore, I think I can forgive them.” she looked down at a bing on her phone. “And one person did notice. She just didn't want to disrupt your fun."

"Who caught me?" The man shrunk, and their features became more delicate, feminine. Hair shifting from sandy brown to black with grey streaks in a tight bun, even her clothing changing to an informal, simple Kimono with Tabi hugging her feet. "When I found out that Killian intended to crash your party, how could I pass it up? Especially as I was already in New York."

"My housekeeper Ms. Ruan. She is a wonderful lady. Do you want coffee or tea?” Solaris asked. The three podcasters were just staring, brains blue screened by what they were seeing.

Anzy entered, handing another of herself a carafe of green tea to add to the selection, as well as a bottle of sake and plum wine both.

When the chef offered The three podcasters shots to calm their nerves, they took them without hesitation. Solaris gave them an apologetic smile. “Well assuming Kitsune wants to join in, as I think she does, mind having all three of us?”

"No, no, not at all. I mean,have you all been interviewed at the same time before?" James asked his brain scrambling to think of Solaris’s.

Killian tilted his head. "Not that I recall. Ladies?"

Solaris paused. "It was just you and I during the Berlin Airlift. No, I don't think so. Kitsune is even more camera shy than you are, and between the German and Japanese reconstructions, then the cold war I don't think we've ever been together outside of Elysium. I hadn't even thought of that."

"You were busy chasing crazies with military gear in allied territory post-war, we were all too busy to bother the press too much." Kitsune said with a shrug.

"It was crazy right after the war, every black cape, and warlord want-to-be despot was trying to pull their own Project Paperclip." Solaris said. She shook her head. "James, if you and Jessie need a few minutes to plan your interviews. I can loan you the guest office."

"We're usually fairly free form. We just needed to catch our breath. I mean, this is kind of historic. Let us just set up our gear, and we should be good to go."

Solaris smiled and sat back down with Kitsune and Kriegsmarine with their own plates of snacks. "I heard you are a grandmother now?"

"And great grandmother." She nodded. "Many times, now. I have young ones scattered all over Japan, and even into San Francisco, though my Great Granddaughter there is a bit disaffected with the Clan."

"Penny, my assistant, told me you had a daughter who was a white cape out there." Solaris explained. "I remember sending you a lovely blue and white tea set when you got married, as well as a custom set of traditional sandals."

"Oh yes, I still have the tea set. The sandals are likely somewhere, but you know how shoes are." She chuckled. "It was a shame you couldn't come to the wedding. Killian was invited as well, but with Berlin. bah. The Soviets, just a huge pain in everyone's rear end."

“I planned on it, I had a gorgeous kimono ready, then I had to deal with Alexander, who was pissed I was taking Toth as my plus one instead of him and I didn't want to drag that disaster to your doorstep."

"Kami! I am happy that idiot is busy with another conflict right now." Kitsune sighed.

"All of us are." Killian sighed. "Granted, fighting him likely solved a stunning number of international issues during the cold war, external threats are wonderful that way, but then he leaves a Hydratank or a man portable beam cannon and the fighting over scientific discoveries and technology start over again."

"Lord, at least you didn't also have him also dropping off gifts and terrible poetry.” Solaris said. “I mean I loved the Pegasi, but slaves, handmaidens and anatomically 'correct' statues of him were a bit disturbing. I have no interest in being his 'Queen of conquest' to go along with the rest of his harem.”

Kitsune winced, causing Killian to smirk. “You tell her.” He said.

"I refuse."

"Is this about the masthead of his current assault ship?" Jessie asked. Both elder supers winced.

Solaris's eyes narrowed and she shot the other two national heroes a dark look, “What about his Masthead." Bill the cameraman was near in tears at getting such raw footage of the original heroes bantering

"He named his new ship The Goddess of Conquest. The masthead is a very well-done representation of you."

Killian nodded. "We had suspected he had succeeded in kidnapping you for some time. However, it was never confirmed so we began to doubt that over time."

Solaris let out a soft scream of frustration into her hands, and Kitsune patted her on the back. "Damn it. That twit will not take no for an answer! I'd go on a date with him if I thought it would break this damned obsession of his, but it will only spur him on."

"Well, fortunately he's busy, according to intel. And may he stay that way for a century or six."

"Lord, I hope so, I'd like to actually have a date sometime this century without him sticking his foot in it." She huffed. "Sorry why don't you two start your interview, it’s been so long since we have talked, we could go on tangents forever if you don't rein us in."

“Right. So, everything ready?” Jessie confirmed. Bill gave a thumbs up.