“The aftermath of the Yellowstone disaster continues to unfold, with extensive cleanup efforts underway. Superheroes are playing a crucial role in clearing the pervasive ash that has spread across the region. Although the immediate threat from earthquakes and other damage has subsided, the cleanup process remains a monumental task.

“Large swathes of land around Yellowstone have become uninhabitable due to the thick layers of ash. This environmental catastrophe has led to significant wildlife casualties, with many animals in the area perishing. The ash not only blankets the ground but also contaminates water sources, making it difficult for both humans and animals to survive.

“The restoration of essential services such as water and electricity are progressing, but it is expected to take at least a month, or two before full access is restored to all affected areas. The disruption of these utilities has compounded the difficulties faced by residents, many of whom have been forced to leave their homes.

“The human toll of the disaster is staggering, with the death count now approaching ten million, including those who are currently missing. This has had a profound impact on the communities around Yellowstone. Many residents have chosen to relocate permanently, leading to the abandonment of smaller towns. These towns are expected to become ghost towns, as the population exodus leaves them devoid of life and activity. The economic ramifications are severe. The loss of population and the destruction of infrastructure have crippled local economies. Businesses have shuttered, and the tourism industry, once a significant source of revenue, has grounded to a halt. The long-term economic recovery of the region is uncertain, with many areas facing a bleak future.

“Cities in the vicinity of Yellowstone remain unstable. Authorities strongly advise against visiting or traveling through these areas. Despite the heavy presence of superheroes patrolling the region, their primary focus is on managing the immediate aftermath of the disaster. This means that their ability to assist individuals in distress is limited.

“The long-term outlook for the Yellowstone region is grim. The environmental damage will take years, if not decades, to fully recover. The loss of human life and the displacement of communities will have lasting social and economic impacts. Efforts to rebuild and restore the area will require significant resources and time, and the full extent of the disaster's impact may not be known for years to come.

“In summary, the Yellowstone disaster has left a trail of devastation that will take a considerable amount of time and effort to address. The combined efforts of superheroes and other responders from around the world are crucial in the ongoing cleanup and recovery process, but the road to normalcy is long and fraught with challenges. The region's future remains uncertain as it grapples with the extensive damage and loss inflicted by this catastrophic event.”

0-0-0-0-0

Cord

The bulldozer pushed the cars to the side of the street. Asphalt had been broken up already and all that remained of the cars were scraps. Other parts of the crew worked on clearing out the remains of the building. It used to be a bank. Now it was rubble. The super who tried to rob the place was stupid enough to think that they could get paper money out of the bank. They got some money, but I guess it wasn’t enough and not fast enough. The ensuing fight turned the building into an up-and-coming parking lot.

All over the city are sites like these unfortunately. It makes for a nice, if depressing, job recommended by Christian. Government work seems to be one of the few industries with consistent work. Everywhere else is moving jobs out and away from superheroes as fast as possible. Some businesses have gone toward hiring superheroes. It is a bold and expensive endeavor. They can’t hire for private security or else risk the hero destroying more than the villain they are stopping. More specialized heroes on the other hand know their worth and in turn have made their millions while creating products a hundred times faster for the company than their competitors.

The bulldozer shifted and spun at Christian’s direction. I sat next to him watching and learning the parts. It was overall simple but would take a bit more practice on my end. I sighed, leaning back against the cool metal of the bulldozer. The vibrations from the engine hummed through my body, a constant reminder of the monotonous yet necessary work we were doing. Christian glanced over at me; his eyes hidden behind the reflective lenses of his safety goggles.

"Not too bad for your first day, Cord," he said, his voice barely audible over the roar of the machinery.

"Yeah, thanks," I replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm. "It's just... not what I imagined I'd be doing, you know?"

Christian nodded; his expression sympathetic. "I get it. But hey, it's a job. And in this city, that's saying something."

I couldn't argue with that. After losing my previous job, I had been stuck in a rut, unsure of what to do next. Christian, a new friend I had met at a local bar, had gotten me this job cleaning up after superhero fights. It was reliable but disappointing. Every day, we cleaned up the messes left behind by battles between supers and villains, a never-ending cycle of destruction and repair. There would always be consistent work unfortunately. It also seemed like a job that couldn’t sustain itself.

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As I watched the bulldozer push another pile of debris to the side, I couldn't help but think about what I really wanted to do with my life. This job was a temporary fix, a way to pay the bills, but it wasn't fulfilling. I wanted something more, something that would give me a sense of purpose and direction.

I knew that my future would only be safe in a place without superheroes. The constant threat of destruction and chaos made it impossible to plan for the long term. I needed stability, a place where I could build a life without the fear of it being torn apart by the next super-powered brawl.

"Hey, Christian," I said, breaking the silence. "Do you ever think about leaving the city? Finding somewhere quieter, safer?"

Christian paused, his hands resting on the controls of the bulldozer. "Sometimes," he admitted. "But where would we go? Supers are everywhere these days. It's not like we can just pack up and move to a small town and expect to be safe."

"I know," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. "But there has to be somewhere. Someplace where we can live without constantly looking over our shoulders."

Christian shrugged. "Maybe. But for now, this is what we've got. And it's not all bad. We've got steady work, and we're making a difference, even if it doesn't always feel like it. I know that this isn’t the place we want to be, but it is close to Washington. Close to the center of all traffic for superhumans, heroes and villains alike. There are a few other bases for the Superhuman Agency around the country, but many of them go through the city. That is especially the case with all the changes. We want to be close to our enemies before dealing with them and making our escape."

“I guess I see the logic in that. How goes the planning?” I ask.

“Progress has been made on the problems. Our presence will be known soon. Now, are you ready for tonight?” Christian revved the bulldozer and scooped up one of the cars. It was promptly dumped into a disposal truck.

“I’ve got everything for it.”

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the rubble-strewn street. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of burnt metal. The remnants of the bank loomed like a skeletal giant, its once grand facade now a twisted mass of steel and concrete. The destruction was almost surreal, a stark reminder of the power wielded by those with superhuman abilities.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared, the city took on an eerie glow. Streetlights flickered to life, casting a pale, artificial light over the scene. The crew continued their work, their movements mechanical and precise. The sound of machinery filled the air, a constant drone that seemed to echo the monotony of our task.

Christian and I finished our shift and headed to the makeshift break area set up in a nearby alley. It was a small space, just a few folding chairs and a table, but it was a welcome respite from the chaos outside. We sat down, and Christian handed me a bottle of water.

"Thanks," I said, taking a long drink. "So, what's the plan for tonight?"

Christian leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We're meeting with the others at the old warehouse on 5th. It's time to put our plan into action."

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. The plan had been in the works for months, a carefully orchestrated effort to take down one of the most notorious superhumans in the city. It was risky, but if we succeeded, it could change everything.

We met up again later in the night. Sarah had already tracked down our target. We just had to find a good time to go and hope that nothing went wrong. The man we were going after had left the agency building in a fitful storm. Christian had been tipped off that there were going to be some firing and set up some watchers. It took some time to confirm and watch where he ended up, but we did it.

The man, a speedster had probably killed people in his time and unlike some others wasn’t bulletproof even if he was super-fast. A well-planned bullet would end his life.

“How’s he doing?” asked Christian to Sarah.

“Getting drunker by the minute. He’s been depressive like this for a few days now. It’s sloppy really.”

“What about his powers? That is the only thing that matters before we go in.”

“Our guy came through and got the high dose stuff to him at the liquor store. He won’t even realize how drunk he is soon. There is no high metabolism rate shit that will save him now,” said Sarah.

“Good. Set up the perimeter with the traps just in case. Cord, you are with me,” he said as he handed me a gun. My grip firmed around it and I held it to my side. He looked me in the eyes. “We do this quick and then leave. Things get messy if more than one or two gunshots go off too quickly.” I nodded.

I followed Christian into the dimly lit alley, the smell of stale beer and urine hanging heavy in the air. The old supe, a speedster, sat slumped against the wall, his eyes glassy and unfocused. He mumbled incoherently; his words slurred beyond recognition. Christian and I exchanged a glance, and he nodded for me to proceed.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. This was it. This was the moment we had been planning for. I raised the gun, my hand steady, and Christian did the same. The supe, sensing our presence, looked up, his eyes squinting to focus.

Christian quickly took two shots, the sound echoing off the alley walls. The supe's eyes widened in shock as he realized what was happening. His superspeed kicked in, and he crashed into the side wall, the impact sending debris flying everywhere. Christian and I moved out of the way just in time, avoiding the chaos.

“What happened to being drugged out of his mind!” I said raising my voice.

Christian ignored me pointing to the supe lay half-awake on the ground, his movements slow and labored. Christian turned to me, his voice cold and detached. "Your turn."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I raised the gun again. The supe looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and resignation. I took a deep breath and pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot was loud and final. The supe's body slumped, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare.

"The sun rises upon the just and the unjust stranger," Christian said, his voice low and menacing. "You, however, won't see that next sunrise."

I stood there, frozen, the gun still clutched in my hand. The weight of what we had just done settled in, and for a moment, I felt a pang of guilt. But it was quickly replaced by a sense of determination. This was just the beginning. We had a long way to go before we could create the change we wanted.

Christian turned to me, his eyes serious. "Let's get out of here. We have a lot of work to do."

I nodded, and we quickly left the alley, disappearing into the night, ready to face whatever lay ahead.