After a month of courier work, they finally had me on something else. It wasn’t much different, but it was a change. I wore my suit and entered the crowd of people. It was early, and people were still setting up the stage. I saw the area set up for fellow heroes and made my way to my seat. News reporters were set up on the opposite side of us, facing the podium. Some heroes were supposed to speak, but I was not one of them. I was here out of work obligation and little else.
I relaxed a little bit once I sat down. The atmosphere was tense. There had been a few rumors going around about what was to be announced today, and I knew at least a few of them had to be false. The United Nations had met for most of the month on the topic of superhumans. They had done it before when super-powered beings first came into existence as an undeniable part of reality. But not for this long and not after problem after problem.
The superhuman registry would become part of the fix globally, according to rumor. Enough countries had enough problems with new superhumans that they needed to keep better track of us. We, unfortunately, are a liability. Even someone less physically dangerous, like myself, could cause as much damage as anyone else by teleporting and breaking into the wrong place. It would be a lie to say that some of my predecessors didn’t play a role in helping to set up and break through the soon-to-be outdated security measures as the full extent of superhuman capabilities were realized.
The answer was nearly everything people could think of, and some they hadn’t. A true immortal or world-destroying power has yet to be found yet. A few years ago, someone got close to immortality. He didn’t stay stabbed, crushed, mutilated, didn’t drown, but then when he went out for a mission, he didn’t eat for three days. The result wasn’t pretty, and his shriveled husk was brought back on the fourth day. I guess his one weakness was starvation.
This was the underlying reason for having the registry. Not the starvation but the weakness. The people in power needed to know and quickly find out how best to deal with us. Similar powers mean similar weaknesses and limitations on powers. By categorizing us, all those who became villains could be dealt with more effectively.
It would be controversial for superhumans, though effective. It could be everything they needed to keep us in line. For me, I hoped it wouldn’t change much. I didn’t plan on going rogue or making enemies. That wasn’t going to change. Going courier was boring at times, but I was unlikely to be shot in the head. Eventually, I would go back to direct fieldwork. I expected I would receive the call after the announcements again if the rumors were true.
One of the PR Agents approached the podium, and things quieted down. The mood shifted as the event started. Cameras started rolling.
“Greetings, citizens of the world. I am Agent Thaddeus River of the Global Superhuman Oversight Council, also known as GSOC. I come before you today to make an important announcement that will impact the future safety and security of our planet.
“As you know, in recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in the emergence of individuals with superhuman abilities across the globe. While many of these "supers" have used their powers for good, helping to save lives and avert disasters, there have unfortunately also been cases of reckless use of abilities leading to destruction and even supervillains bent on using their powers for evil.
“To address this, one month ago, GSOC launched the Superhuman Registry program in the United States. This voluntary system allowed those with superhuman abilities to register their powers securely and confidentially with GSOC. The goal was to understand the scope and scale of superhuman activity and work together with the super community to promote responsible use of abilities.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that due to the success of the program in the US, the United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to expand the Superhuman Registry to all 193 UN member states worldwide. This historic act of global cooperation will help GSOC better monitor and respond to superhuman activity on an international scale.
“So, what does this mean for you? If you are a citizen of a UN member nation and have a superhuman ability, we are asking that you please visit your local GSOC office or our website to register within one month of your powers emerging. The process is quick, easy, and completely confidential. No one outside of GSOC will ever have access to your information.
“Registering is voluntary but strongly encouraged. Doing so will allow us to better understand the super population and develop programs and policies to support the community. However, failure to register could result in fines or other penalties if your unregistered status and powers cause harm down the line. But we are confident that most supers will see the benefits of participating in this important initiative.
“I'm also thrilled to announce an exciting new development in our mission to protect the world. In the coming months, GSOC will be expanding our current superhero teams and recruiting new members to help us better respond to global threats and disasters.
“You may already be familiar with some of our existing teams, like the Guardians and the Disaster Response Division. These brave heroes have been instrumental in saving countless lives around the world. But as the number of supers and the magnitude of dangers continue to grow, we must grow our ranks to meet those challenges.
“That is why GSOC will be forming new specialized teams to expand our capabilities. Recruitment for these and other new teams will begin shortly. If you are a registered super with relevant abilities, keep an eye out for outreach from our personnel. We need the best and brightest heroes on the front lines to keep our world safe. More information on the topic will be released soon.
“In closing, I want to emphasize that these announcements today are ultimately about one thing - working together for a brighter tomorrow. Supers and non-supers alike, GSOC and civilians, nations of the world united. We all want the same thing - a future without fear, full of promise and potential.
“The road ahead will be long, and there will be challenges and setbacks. But I firmly believe that the Superhuman Registry and our growing league of heroes are important steps to getting there. With your participation and support, we will make the world a safer place where everyone, super or not, can thrive. Thank you, and may we continue marching forward into a bold new era for humanity.
“Now, are there questions for me before we move forward with the next speaker?”
A reporter stepped forward on cue, ready to give the first question.
“Agent River, you mentioned that the new GSOC superhero teams will help limit disasters when they occur. Recently, the Mississippi River experienced severe flooding that destroyed thousands of acres of farmland and contaminated the soil with toxic chemicals. How would GSOC and the new teams have handled a disaster of this magnitude differently?”
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“That's an excellent question and a tragic example of the kinds of disasters we aim to mitigate with our expanded superhero teams. In the case of the Mississippi River flooding and farmland destruction, our Disaster Response Division would have been immediately dispatched to the affected areas.
“This team includes supers with abilities specifically suited for such situations, like Aquakinetics who can control and divert flood waters, Geokinetics who can rapidly erect barriers and levees to protect critical areas, Purification specialists who can detoxify contaminated soil and water, Speedsters and teleporters who can evacuate civilians and distribute supplies at incredible speeds, Healing and regeneration supers who can accelerate the recovery of injured people and damaged ecosystems. With more registered supers, we hope that we can call on more specialized supers and members of our global community to work together when disasters strike.
“Working alongside conventional emergency responders, the Disaster Response Division would have been able to significantly limit the destruction and speed up the recovery process. They could have diverted flood waters back into the river's banks, filtered out toxic contaminants, and even used abilities like plant manipulation to restore damaged crops.
“Furthermore, our Envoy Collective team would be on the ground communicating with local officials and coordinating the superhuman response with the needs of the affected communities. They would ensure that all actions are culturally sensitive and aligned with the wishes of the people we're trying to help.
“In the aftermath, our Science and Technology branch would study the disaster to refine our predictive models and develop new strategies and technologies to reduce the impact of future floods. We might create early warning systems, advanced water purification tools, or even work with geneticists to develop more resilient and flood-resistant crops.
“The goal is always to save lives, minimize damage, and help communities bounce back stronger than ever. With our expanded teams and capabilities, GSOC will be able to respond faster and more effectively to disasters of any type or scale. We can't prevent every tragedy, but we can and will be there to limit the toll and support the recovery. That's our mission and our promise to the world.”
“Agent River, while the Superhuman Registry may have good intentions, many in the superhuman community have expressed concerns about potential backlash and discrimination. They fear that having their identities and abilities known to any government organization, even one as well-meaning as GSOC, could lead to persecution, surveillance, or even attempts to control or weaponize supers against their will. How do you respond to these concerns, and what assurances can you provide that the Registry won't be misused?”
“I understand and empathize with those concerns. Trust is something that must be earned and given the troubled history between supers and certain governments, that trust deficit is understandable.
“But I want to be clear - the Superhuman Registry is not, and never will be, a tool for surveillance, control, or persecution of supers. GSOC is an independent global organization, not beholden to any one government or political agenda. Our sole mission is to support and protect both supers and non-supers alike. In the past decade, we have been able to work well with superhumans in our local and international hero programs to benefit the world at large. The results have been tremendously positive and have brought technology, innovation, and safety around the world. Now, however, as the population of superhumans grows, so do possible bad actors. It is our job at the GSOC to avert those actions as quickly and effectively as possible.
“To that end, we have put in place the strictest security and privacy measures to safeguard registrants' information. The database is fully encrypted, and access is limited to only the highest-level GSOC officials on a need-to-know basis. There are multiple redundant safeguards to prevent hacking or leaks. We have also worked with super advocacy groups to create a robust code of conduct and a system of checks and balances to prevent any misuse of the registry data.
“Furthermore, registration is voluntary, not mandatory. While we strongly encourage all supers to register, as it helps us better serve the community, we respect the choice of those who decide not to. There will be no punishment or targeting of unregistered supers who have not committed any crimes.
“For those who do register, we offer a host of benefits and support services. These include access to specialized training to help supers fully control and master their abilities, mentorship programs to guide new supers, legal support for those facing discrimination, and even relocation assistance for supers and families at risk of persecution. We are here to help the super community, not hinder it.
“Ultimately, the Superhuman Registry is about fostering understanding, cooperation, and trust between supers and the global community we all share. By working together transparently, we believe we can overcome fear and prejudice and create a world where everyone feels safe and valued, regardless of their abilities.
“But we know that trust must be earned through action, not just words. That's why I invite any super with concerns to engage with us directly, learn about the registry safeguards, and even help us continue to improve the system. Your voices and experiences are invaluable in shaping these policies. Together, through open dialogue and good-faith efforts on all sides, I believe we can build a better future for supers and non-supers alike. The Superhuman Registry is an important step on that journey, but it's just the beginning. We have a long way to go, but I'm confident that by working hand in hand, we will get there. Thank you.”
Another reporter stepped up to ask a question. “Some have criticized the Superhuman Registry as a potential first step towards mandatory registration and even a "Super Draft" where powered individuals could be forcibly conscripted into government service. How do you respond to these slippery slope concerns?”
“I want to address those concerns head-on because they strike at the heart of what GSOC is about. The idea that the Superhuman Registry is a gateway to mandatory registration or conscription couldn't be further from the truth. It's precisely the opposite.
“The Registry is and always will be 100% voluntary. Period. It's a tool for understanding and supporting the super community, not controlling it. We recognize that the choice to use one's abilities or not is an intensely personal one that every super must make for themselves. GSOC will never take that choice away.
“The notion of a "Super Draft" is even more outlandish. GSOC is not a military organization, and we have no interest in conscripting anyone, super or not, into service against their will. That kind of coercion goes against everything we stand for. Our new superhero teams are staffed entirely by paid volunteers - brave men and women who have chosen to use their gifts in service of the greater good. They undergo rigorous training and psychological evaluation to ensure they are suited for the immense responsibility they take on. But at any point, they are free to walk away. We are not in the business of creating indentured servants.
“So, to those who fear a slippery slope, I say this: there is no slope. Mandatory registration and conscription are not on the table, not up for debate, not now, not ever. They are red lines that GSOC will never cross. We understand the historical reasons for these concerns. Supers have been exploited and feared by governments in the past. That's why GSOC was created as an independent, transparent organization - to break that cycle of mistrust and build a new paradigm of cooperation.”
Agent River stepped away from the podium and grabbed the water bottle placed there for him. On the speakers, the television broadcasters announced the next speakers. The next two speakers would be heroes. Two who had been at the Agency for longer than me. I looked over at the cameras, which were pointing to the crowd of heroes and audience members who had come to see the event. They cut to an outside view of the venue. There was a crowd of people representing all kinds of views on the subjects, from pure human supremacists to hero worshippers and the concerned. While they showed the crowd outside, I teleported away. I needed a change.