U.S. Government Falls Under Superhuman Authority: GSOC Takes Control
In a shocking turn of events, the United States government has been overtaken by the Global Superhuman Oversight Council (GSOC), an international body of superheroes originally tasked with regulating superhuman activities. GSOC, citing inefficiency and corruption in traditional governance, has now assumed direct control of the country, marking the first time superheroes have transitioned from protectors to rulers.
Unlike violent coups seen in history, GSOC’s takeover was swift and largely bloodless. High-ranking officials began resigning or disappearing, and the president, in a televised speech, conceded power, claiming it was in the nation’s best interest to embrace GSOC’s leadership. Congress soon followed, with most politicians either stepping down or going into hiding, leaving the country effectively in the hands of the superhuman council. GSOC’s statement emphasized their intent to lead efficiently and decisively, stating, "The systems built by the powerless have failed. We will establish a new order—one that ensures protection, justice, and progress."
GSOC has dismantled traditional democratic structures, replacing them with a hierarchy led by superheroes. At the top sits the High Council, composed of the most powerful heroes from around the world. Regional Commanders, assigned based on their abilities, now govern former U.S. regions, wielding authority to enforce laws and maintain order.
The international response has been mixed. While some authoritarian governments support GSOC’s decisive approach, many democratic nations are alarmed at the precedent set by superhuman rule. Diplomatic discussions are ongoing, but military intervention remains unlikely, as few countries have the means to challenge GSOC's power. Even if they are interested there is little benefit, and it is a choice that would ultimately be decided by the country’s superhumans citizens.
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It had been a few months since I left hero work. It was a bit strange and first not being regularly called on. I left for Japan and found a small apartment to rent and spent a bit of time resting before searching for a job. The cultural differences and differences of being a long-term resident versus casual tourist were stark. I started to learn the language, but I’ve never had much skill in learning languages. I can keep up in simple conversation and in ordering things in shops but not often more than that.
In my travels around the country, I did find a boxing gym. Hero work had ingrained in me the value of physical fitness and I kept up the hobby because it was fun to punch things to relieve stress. The gym was tucked away in a narrow alley in Shibuya, a bustling district in Tokyo. The neon lights and the constant hum of the city were a far cry from the quiet, almost sterile environment of the hero headquarters I was used to.
The gym itself was a modest place, with worn-out mats and a faint smell of sweat and determination. The owner, a grizzled old man named Sato-san, welcomed me with a nod and a grunt. He didn't speak much English, but we managed to communicate through a mix of broken Japanese, English, and the universal language of boxing. Every morning, I would wake up early, the sun barely peeking over the horizon, and make my way to the gym.
The routine was comforting, a semblance of the structure I had lost when I left hero work. I would spend hours training, the rhythmic thud of my fists against the heavy bag a soothing cadence that drowned out the noise in my head
Outside the gym, I spent my days exploring Tokyo. The city was a labyrinth of narrow streets and towering skyscrapers, a blend of the old and the new. I visited temples and shrines, their serene atmospheres a stark contrast to the bustling city outside. I wandered through markets, the air filled with the scent of street food and the chatter of vendors. I even tried my hand at karaoke, though my singing left much to be desired.
Despite the language barrier, I found the people to be incredibly kind and patient. They appreciated my efforts to speak Japanese, no matter how broken it was. I made friends with the local shopkeepers, who would greet me with warm smiles and sometimes slip me an extra treat with my purchase.
Teleportation let me go all over the country and to other sites all around. Though sometimes it was nice to pretend for a while that my powers weren’t a part of me and I would take the long way by train back home. The countryside would whiz by and the quiet settled in.
Superhero work was also different though like its American counterpart. They had adopted similar standards for superhumans to follow through with their cultural twist. Japanese superheroes, or "sentai," often worked in teams, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation. Their costumes were more elaborate, often inspired by traditional Japanese armor and folklore.
As I got to know these heroes through their local interactions, I realized that their approach to hero work was different from what I was used to. In America, heroes often worked alone or in small teams, but in Japan, there was a strong emphasis on community and collaboration. The heroes would often gather to discuss strategies, share information, and support each other both in and out of battle. On the other hand, I was stuck discussing strategy with the corporate agents or random heroes who were working the same time as me. It started to make me wish that I had had something similar back in the day.
After almost a month break from work and responsibilities, I felt ready to jump back in. I wouldn’t be working as a hero but a more regular job with regular hours and enough pay that I could live comfortably in Japan while funding my future ventures. In the end I started doing courier services again. It worked to my strengths and was easy contract work. The company didn’t know my real name or my current address. They knew I was a super with the ability to move the packages they needed. I didn’t know what was in the packages and that was that. Since the start of my hero career a decade ago the work options for superhumans had not been this nice.
The application process was surprisingly straightforward. I filled out an online form, providing basic information and a brief description of my abilities. Within a few days, I received a response inviting me to an interview. The interview was conducted via video call, and the person on the other end, a woman named Anna, seemed more interested in my teleportation abilities than my past as a hero. With my previous ID as a hero my powers and abilities were verified even if she didn’t see my face or know much else about me. To her I was Blink, former hero, and would be a reliable candidate. She explained that the company specialized in high-priority deliveries, often requiring packages to be transported across the world in a matter of minutes. My ability to teleport made me an ideal candidate.
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I was hired on the spot and given my first assignment the next day. The package was a small, unassuming box, but the destination was clear: a research facility in Kyoto. I took a deep breath, focused on the coordinates provided, and in an instant, I was standing outside the facility, the package in hand. The whole process took less than a minute.
My days as a courier quickly fell into a routine. Each morning, I would wake up early, just as I had for my training sessions, and check my assignments for the day. The packages varied in size and importance, but the process was always the same. I would receive the package, teleport it to the destination, and deliver it. Sometimes, the destinations were familiar places within Japan, but more often than not, I found myself in distant location, places I would never have visited otherwise. I had logged many cities around the world, so the trips mostly involved narrowing down on buildings within teleportation locations I knew well.
Despite the simplicity of the work, there were challenges. The packages were often time-sensitive, and any delay could have serious consequences. I had to be constantly vigilant, ensuring that I didn't teleport into a crowded area or a restricted zone. It was my job to keep my identity secret. There were also the occasional security checks, where I had to prove my identity and the legitimacy of my deliveries. But these were minor inconveniences compared to the freedom and satisfaction the job provided.
I was on my off day when the ground shook and I along with the people around me quickly realized that an earthquake had hit. Some of the people around me were startled but these events were common in Japan. Just something I would have to get used to. Then the ground continued to shake and the ground split down the middle of the street. I shuffled to the side along with many others. Around me people were more worried at that site. I picked up the pace as well. The natural flow of the crowd brought us closer to the ocean. In the distance the water roiled and were almost more violent than the ground.
A few street signs creaked and fell off their perched ledges. I paused to help one woman up while a man nearby helped the second lady. Those in cars pulled off to the side of the road and jumped out while the road started to swallow up all that was on it.
My mind raced as I considered and searched for places to teleport away from. The apartment I was staying at wasn’t too far away from here. It would be easy to pop in and check on my place before teleporting with my stuff if need be. For the time being I followed the crowd. The locals seemed to know what to do in case of an earthquake. Even one as severe as this.
I kept searching for a place to get away through, but no opportunity presented itself. The city was too crowded, and the shops were temporarily locking their doors. There might be a bathroom I could duck into though I couldn’t find one.
A little further down the walk I heard yelling at the intersection of some of the major streets. Car horns blared and other sirens were going off. The place was getting messy very quickly. Cracks that formed in the street had spread to the buildings. Nothing was tumbling over thankfully but it was sure to come.
People flooded out of the apartment buildings and business in a bid to find safety. We as a crowd were headed to an emergency evacuation site I hoped. It would likely be one of the schools or a park nearby. As I passed one of the subways entrances, I started to realize that something was a bit off. Down the stairwell to the trains pools of water had started to collect and it was rather quickly flooding the site. Luckily, everyone seemed to have left the station already. Part of the realization came when the earthquake shocks continued. It didn’t feel like any other earthquake I had been a part of. Granted I had only experienced one before.
I caught conversations between those around me wondering about the sentai and the more likely unnatural cause of the quakes. It was also starting to remind me of Yellowstone and its eruption. No official superhuman cause could be determined from that event. As far as investigators could tell it acted completely, violently, normally.
I sighed and started to reconsider following like a simple lemming. My apartment still needed to be dealt with. It was especially the case when a supervillain was in the area.
That was when I spotted him. I heard him first. My language skills were still lacking so I only vaguely heard something about ‘King of the Sea’. Or something like that before the sound of people drowned him out. The sewer grates rattled and then started spewing water. That brought more chaos, and I reconsidered how quickly I needed and wanted to get out of here. That and my boots were wet. I reached for my hip and was reminded that I didn’t have a gun or any kind of weapon on me. Nor did I have a suit capable of taking a beating.
A few seconds later I saw a superhero streak across the sky speeding toward the so called ‘king’. Two other heroes sprinted through the street. I moved to the side and looked for the nearest shop. The water flooding the street was growing chaotic and tensed while being used by the villain to fight. A building in the distance started to fall and it looked to be followed by two more. That was my notice to leave. I ducked into the shop, moved behind the counter, checked for cameras. There were none in working order or on me, so I blinked.
My apartment was small and a little bit messy. I hadn’t been expecting to flee the city today, so things were all over the place. Luckily the fight hadn’t reached this part of the city, but it would soon. I looked out the window and saw the fallen buildings in the distance along with the rising tide. My favorite place in the world was sinking.
I grabbed my duffel bag from the closet and started throwing in essentials: clothes, my passport, some cash, and a few personal items. The ground continued to tremble beneath my feet, and I could hear the distant sounds of destruction growing louder. I knew I didn't have much time. The villain, this so-called "King of the Sea," was wreaking havoc on the city, and it was only a matter of time before my apartment building would be caught in the chaos.
I moved quickly, my mind racing as I tried to prioritize what to take. My laptop and a few important documents went into the bag next. I glanced around the room, trying to decide if there was anything else I couldn't live without. The building shook violently, and I stumbled, catching myself on the edge of the bed. I had to move faster.
The sounds of the city being torn apart were getting closer. I could hear the roar of water and the crashing of buildings. I zipped up the duffel bag and slung it over my shoulder. There was no time to waste. I took one last look around the apartment, feeling a pang of regret for the things I was leaving behind. But survival was more important.
I focused on a safe location I had memorized, an old workshop back in North America. It was a place I had visited a few times, and I knew it would be relatively safe. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and teleported.
The warehouse was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the destruction I had just escaped. I shook my head in frustration. Some of my projects were still back in Japan. Some would be easier to restart than others. Most of the important stuff was stored away around the world or on my laptop. The job too would have to be on hold for a few days while I set my stuff back up. I had to consider where I wanted to move as well. Safety and security would have to be a priority while I made my suit. The most secure also meant swarming with heroes. I would have to heavily consider moving near D.C.