It’s something we all crave, deep within. Whether it’s fifteen minutes of fame, or infinite praise. Think of the Bible. If a person could leave a such a legacy today, that would be immortality. As we have discovered, no one lives forever. People die everyday, doesn’t matter who they are or what they’ve done in this life. Some great people pass on, while some terrible ones survive and vice versa. But heroes, heroes live on in legend. People whisper the exploits of Saint George and his fierce battle against the dragon. Beowulf tempted certain death in his fight with Grendel. Even King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, faced many exploits, however these could all be fairy tales and nothing more.

Today our heroes are spread throughout the world, battling atrocities abroad and crime in our streets. But what about those unsung heroes? What about those spies who manage valuable information? What about the super special operatives who aren’t in the books and are only represented by dollar signs and then an eventual replacement? What about the people with enhanced abilities that the government hides from us? Despite their best efforts, that is all about to change.

The term “Super Hero” can only be traced as far back as the early nineteen hundreds, however heroes themselves can be traced back far beyond that. Originally thought to be children of the gods, the Greeks wrote of Heracles and Achilles two of the original super heroes. Heracles has tremendous strength and was tougher than any mortal before him while Achilles had only one weak spot, aside from that the man could not be harmed. After many centuries we arrive to the modern day where the government has employed these types of beings and keep them from the public eye. Some are kept in local public service if their abilities are not government threatening or they have already begun families. These people are called public defenders by the government. They must still register, check in and be examined annually to ensure proper procedure is being followed.

The first year anyone in the super hero community heard about the death of a hero related to the government, was a fire fighter by the name of James “Blaze” Anderson. He got the nickname because he was the fastest guy on the squad and to his team mates, he seemed just to never feel the heat. The government knew the truth. James was actually impervious to flame. They had tested his resistance to the lengths of dousing him in lava, and merrily watched him swim in it. However, he was soon to take a turn for the worst. James was cocky, arrogant and despite his enjoyment for saving people, he loathed the government that employed him. After two years of refusing to check up, the government warned that if he was unable to show up for a third year, there would be dire consequences. Thinking himself above these mere mortals, James promised them he would not show. So he didn’t. Then suddenly an apartment building was on fire and a girl was trapped on the eighth floor. James left his team behind and rushed in warning them not to follow.

The squad members were unaware of the government’s threat of dire consequences, but even they recognized a building imploding when they saw one. James was buried under twelve floors of concrete and steel. When they found him, he was mostly crushed and pin cushioned. They felt terrible for him. The super hero community shuddered. Outrage poured into conference rooms, the super heroes pushed the government to agree no more heroes would die at their hand. They feigned ignorance and soon everything settled down. But this left a bad taste in the mouths of any and all super heroes. It was a definite sign, a slap in the face to anyone who would dare defy them. Power or no power, they had them right where they wanted them. They knew all of the weaknesses. They knew all of the addresses. They knew all of the extended family.

Now as James is laid to rest, the media reports of a fire fighter with a heart of gold. He had saved over four hundred and thirty people. As super heroes file in to pay their respects, a small trio remains outside and far enough from ear shot to discuss the damage. An average man of average build fixes his tie and ensures no one is approaching them as the conversation continues. “Do you think they really did this? Killed him as a response to his blatant lack of respect for authority?” His head turns back to the conversation, and to the raven haired girl asking the question. “Alison, I believe the government is a fan of keeping order. Sadly he was extremely disobedient.” Alison stomps her foot in protest and stares him down. “You don’t think he deserved it did you?” Her voice raises a bit too much for their discussion and a broad shouldered man with salt and pepper hair stands between them. “Alison, he doesn’t mean that. Do you Alex?” Still fixing his tie, Alex looks to Alison and then at his feet. “No, no. I just mean… they ask a lot from us, but the least we can do is go in. It’s as much for our sake as it is theirs.”

Alison storms off and adds herself to the ever growing queue of people paying their respects. Alex looks to the man standing before him. “Jason, what do you think?” Jason turns his gaze from watching Alison to make direct eye contact with Alex. “What do I think? I think he needed to be taught a lesson, but not like this. I think this is a definite warning from our own government. Do as you’re told, or else.” After he watches his words sink into his young protégée, he slides an arm around him and pulls him close to his side. “What do you say we go wish an old friend farewell, shall we?” As the two walk to add themselves to the queue, they don’t notice the figure standing in the shadows, mere feet away from their discussion.