"This is Li Mei, reporting live from the devastated coastal city of Haikou," she began, her voice steady despite the turmoil around her. "Earlier today, this city was the target of a catastrophic attack by a superhuman villain known only as 'The Tempest.'"

Behind her, the camera zoomed in on the shattered remains of several large tankers, their hulking forms now twisted and broken. The port, usually teeming with activity, was eerily silent, save for the distant wail of sirens and the occasional crackle of flames.

Silent, save for the distant wail of sirens and the occasional crackle of flames. "The Tempest struck without warning," Li Mei continued, "unleashing a torrent of destruction that has left much of the port in ruins. The attack has not only caused significant structural damage but has also severely disrupted the city's shipping operations. Many goods destined for international markets are now either destroyed or heavily delayed. A full understanding of the damage is underway."

As she spoke, the camera shifted to show teams of workers and emergency responders sifting through the debris, their faces grim and determined. Cranes and heavy machinery worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage, but the scale of the destruction was overwhelming.

"Heroes from across the region responded swiftly to the crisis," Li Mei said, her tone lifting slightly. "Among them were the renowned heroes Steel Fist and Thunderstrike. They engaged The Tempest in a fierce battle that raged throughout the afternoon and into the evening."

The footage cut to scenes of the battle, captured by bystanders and security cameras. Iron Fist, his metallic armor gleaming in the sunlight, exchanged powerful blows with The Tempest, while Thunderstrike summoned bolts of lightning to counter the villain's attacks.

"The battle was intense," Li Mei narrated over the footage, "with both sides unleashing their full powers. Several buildings were destroyed in the process, adding to the already extensive damage. The heroes fought valiantly, but The Tempest's strength and fury seemed almost unstoppable. Late into the night," Li Mei's voice was somber now, "The Tempest was finally defeated. The villain was killed in the confrontation, bringing an end to the immediate threat. However, the cost of this victory is immense. The city of Haikou now faces a long and arduous recovery process."

The camera returned to Li Mei, who stood resolute amidst the destruction. "The people of Haikou are resilient," she said, her voice filled with determination. "They will rebuild, and they will recover. This city stands strong and so do her people. We are lucky that it was largely infrastructure that was targeted and not the people.” She paused, looking directly into the camera. "This is Li Mei, reporting live from Haikou. Back to you in the studio."

0-0-0-0-0

Agent Lyons called me into his office. He led the daily operations at the agency. This meant the people under him made the assignments and passed them out when an emergency came in. I entered dressed in my superhero attire, I tried to project confidence, but a slight apprehension gnawed at me. Agent Lyons looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable.

The office had a large mahogany desk at the center. Shelves lined with files and books on superhero affairs loomed on either side, casting long shadows across the room. A large window with blinds partially drawn allowed slivers of light to filter in, creating a pattern of light and dark on the floor.

"Blink," he greeted, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "Please, have a seat."

I took the offered seat, feeling the weight of the moment settle around us. "Thank you, Agent Lyons," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's been a while since we last spoke."

"Yes, it has," he said, leaning back in his chair. "How have you been holding up after the recent events?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "It's been... challenging. The mission was successful, but the aftermath has been hard on everyone. The courier missions have also kept me busy while also being brief."

He nodded, his eyes briefly flicking to a family photo on his desk. "I understand. These are difficult times."

Agent Lyons shifted in his seat, his demeanor becoming more serious. "Naomi, I need to discuss something important with you. The organization is refocusing its efforts and resources."

I leaned forward, my heart rate quickening. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, folding his hands on the desk. "Due to recent events and the current state of affairs, we have to make some tough decisions. Budget cuts, new priorities, and changes in public perception are forcing us to reallocate our resources."

I felt a surge of frustration. "But I've given everything to this organization! My achievements, my dedication—doesn't that count for anything?"

Agent Lyons remained calm, his gaze steady. "Naomi, this isn't a reflection of your abilities. You've been an invaluable asset. But we must make decisions that are best for the greater good. We are just bringing the focus on our new assets and expanding where it makes the most impact."

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I clenched my fists, trying to keep my emotions in check. I knew the real reason. Or one of them. While we had diverted an extinction-level event it had killed many and started to starve more. They needed to push their resources elsewhere. “That’s not all. Is it?”

He sighed again, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "You're right. The situation is dire, and we must prioritize our efforts. It's not an easy decision, and I wish it were different."

I could see the weight of his responsibilities in his expression. He wasn't just an agent; he was a man burdened by the choices he had to make.

My frustration peaked, and I stood up, pacing the room. "This isn't fair. I've worked so hard, and now you're telling me it's not enough?"

Agent Lyons rose from his chair, his voice gentle but firm. "Naomi, I understand your anger. But this is about survival. We need to adapt to the changing circumstances."

I stopped pacing, my mind racing with thoughts. "So, what now? What am I supposed to do?"

“We at the agency will of course do our best to help you get back on your feet. We will offer you a month’s pay. Resume assistance and we will provide you with the best recommendations for your future employers. If you wish to continue working as a hero, then it will be as a volunteer. Unfortunately, that means you will also have limited access to the current facilities.”

“I would rather not take that option. Is there no compromise that can be made?”

“None currently. No,” said Agent Lyons. “If you can leave behind your suit and weapons as it is government property. You are free to take the other equipment you may have stored here in our facilities. In two hours, you will be blacklisted from this site and all other agency facilities. If you wish to make an appointment, then you can go through our official channels. Your identity as a superhuman and working hero will continue to be kept confidential and secure. Though we are of course not liable for any mistakes that you make in that regard. I wish you luck, Naomi. You have kept a good record overall, but things are out of my control on this matter.”

I stared at Agent Lyons, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, frustration, and a deep sense of betrayal churned within me. I had given everything to this agency, and now they were casting me aside like I was nothing. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

“You are really firing me after all the time I have put in to support this work and this country?”

“Blink. You are not being fired. Few leaving today have been,” he said with an overwhelming sense of calmness. “In fact, you have been a great performer, but what we need and what you can provide us are incongruent.”

I’m done then. “Who else is leaving? Why me? I can still be or use. Just because I am not combat viable doesn’t mean that I’m not useful.”

“I didn’t say that you aren’t useful,” said Agent Lyons trying to be reassuring. “Your occasional combat excursions have been fine. They however aren’t what we are looking for currently. I’m sure that you can find something to succeed in at another institution.”

"Fine," I said, my voice trembling with barely contained rage. "If that's how it is, then there's nothing more to say."

Agent Lyons looked at me with a mixture of sympathy and regret. "Naomi, I truly wish things were different. You've been an incredible asset to us. Maybe you can be a hero elsewhere. A hero to someone else."

I didn't want to hear it. I turned on my heel and stormed out of his office, slamming the door behind me. The sound echoed through the hallway, a final punctuation to our conversation. As I walked away, I could feel the eyes of my colleagues on me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and pity. However, I realized that a portion of them were also headed out the door. They had bags packed and were also marked as not useful enough to keep them around. I ignored them, my mind focused on what I needed to do next.

I made my way to the locker room, my footsteps echoing in the empty corridors. Once inside, I stripped off my suit, the fabric feeling heavy and constricting against my skin. I didn’t bother folding it. The metal mask came off as well. They would be taken care of and cleaned by the housekeeping staff. I gathered a few personal items from my locker.

Sitting down on the bench, I took a moment to reflect on my time with the Superhuman Agency. I had joined with high hopes and dreams of making a difference. I had fought alongside some of the best heroes, faced unimaginable dangers, and saved countless lives. But now, it all felt hollow. I wished I could have done more and made a bigger impact. But the reality was that the world was changing, and I had to change with it.

I pulled out my phone and checked my bank account. To my relief, there was a good amount of money saved up. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to give me some breathing room while I figured out my next steps. I scrolled through my contacts, pausing on a few familiar names. Friends, allies, people I had trusted. Though they were largely heroes. Former colleagues. But now, I felt a sense of isolation. I was on my own.

I left my bags by the door and rolled over onto the bed. I looked up to the ceiling. It was plain and industrial. A good many hours had been spent in this bed and this room. Whether it was waiting for the next mission assignment or resting after the completion of one. This place had been a home away from home. That had been one of the downfalls of teleportation. I was never too far from this place or somewhere to rest. There was no need for a consistent home. I was always traveling to the next destination.

I considered my options. There was one place I had been that I’d never gone back to. It was isolated and alone and with some work I could live there. Though it would take some work. There I could be away from the current chaos of the world, and no one would bother me. Probably. For the time being though I needed a nice place to stay. One that already had everything I needed for comfortable living.

As I stood up and prepared to leave, a thought crossed my mind. Japan. It wasn't cherry blossom season anymore, but I had always wanted to visit again. The idea of getting away, of finding some peace and quiet, was incredibly appealing. I could use the time to clear my head, to prepare for what I wanted to do next.

I took one last look around the room, a place that had been my second home for so long. Then, with a deep breath, I walked out, leaving behind the life I had known. I decided to walk instead of teleport. It was a rare thing that I didn’t need to do. But it felt good, and it reminded me of when I first started at the agency. Back then I didn’t have as strong a grasp of my powers and found myself walking into the agency. As I stepped into the sunlight, I felt a sense of freedom. It was scary, but it was also exhilarating.

Japan would be nice to stay in for a while. When I was alone, I teleported away.