February 10th, 1994 Office of Head Director Costa Brown

POV:Alexandria

I could feel the headache forming as I filled out the stack of paperwork on my desk seemingly never ending. I sometimes wished that me and my friends could go back to the days of just being heroes but the world needed the PRT. A year ago it had formed and we had become the leaders of the PRT.

I was interrupted in my melancholy by the buzzing of my office phone.

“Director Costa I’ve been informed by Legend to tell you to turn on the news.” Jess said my lifeline to the outside world during office hours.

“Thank you Jess I will now.” It was odd that Legend called simply to tell me to watch the news. Usually it was only emergencies that he called during my time as Director. I flipped the channel of my TV to the 5 o’clock news as a newscaster spoke.

“-as we said once again the city of St. Louis has had an encounter with the infamous slaughterhouse nine today, with dozens dying due to the newest member Shatterbird. The damage was localized to 6th street with the local PRT present and the Roaming Heroes Stratego and Fulcrum having been traveling through at the time.” Holly and Ben were there? That was not good, the two made for a great team but against the nine they would be hard pressed. I pulled out my phone ready to give Sindri a call to see if They were alright the anchor keep talking

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“Two members of the Nine were killed by Fulcrum, one being the leader of the group Jack Slash and the newest member Shatterbird.” Ben had killed the two? That was impressive even for Ben who had the best telekinesis of anyone I knew. “Unfortunately the hero Stratego was killed by Jack Slash in the fighting.” Holly was dead. Ben would be devastated the two had been inseparable since highschool and had even triggered together in 87’. I’d been the best woman at their wedding and now Holly was gone. I began to suit up to head to St. Louis as the news kept playing.

“We now have an interview with Fulcrum for the events of the day.” It then cut to the view of Fulcrum, covered in blood and dust there was an emptiness in his posture as he still held the body of Holly in his arms. “Fulcrum what happened here today?” The newscaster asked in a sympathetic tone. The tune of “Paint It Black” playing from somewhere.

“They fucking ran.” Ben said in a voice I’d never heard, a subtle tone of rage entering his voice in barely contained anger. “We were fighting Shatterbird when Jack Slash grabbed Sindri and Stratego and asked the PRT to choose who to let live. They didn't even try to fight him, they saved their own skin and told him to kill my wife. THE FUCKERS KILLED HER!” Ben screamed, the rage becoming overwhelming. I could feel my own anger coming through at the actions of my people but couldn't help but feel the headache at what a PR nightmare this was going to become.

The cameraman flinched but kept the shot in action as Fulcrum continued. “ I have never seen a bigger disgrace to heroism than what the PRT demonstrated today. I think today we have seen the true nature or what a government run Heroic agency is. The lack of accountability and training is never more evident than now. They are not what heroism is and have lost sight of that to the government views of their leaders and senators.” Fulcrum spoke, picking up momentum as he went into a fervor, the music growing in intensity. “I am creating an organization, one that will let those who want to be heroes do it their own way. Training and support are necessary for a group of superheroes to work.” A pregnant pause hit the air. “ But the most important thing is accountability and responsibility therefore I will lead by example and await to hear from my fellow true heroes.” As he said this he placed Holly gently on the ground and pulled up his helmet revealing his shaggy brown hair and eyes, minute scars along his face. “MY NAME IS BEN HOLLIONS AND YOU MAY NOW CALL ME MAESTRO!” The camera then cut away to the sputtering reporter before it cut to an ad.

Only one reaction is appropriate now I think.

“FUCK!”