"Sobek? Lolth? So, this Lolth is real?" Sobek did not answer and instead turn and started toward the forest. Sandra Padgett, after thinking about this for a few seconds, followed him. There were no man made structure near, only the trees. "So, this is She'ol."
They walked in silence for a long time. They started seeing spider webs here and there. Soon they came to an opening in the forest where Lolth was. Lolth was a very beautiful looking dark skin woman. Lolth was also very naked, except where her waist was, there was spider webs covering her to the ground like a gown. The rest of Lolth's spider body was behind her. She too had silver eyes. Sandra Padgett also began to smell sulfur, but pushed it out of her mind for now.
"Come, Sandra Padgett. I have a gift for you. I, like you, want to stop that nuclear power plant from being built. I will give you spider-like powers to aide you. Climbing walls, enhance strength, silk webbing from your wrists..."
"And Spider Sense?!" Sandra Padgett smiled.
"No dear. Spiders feel the vibration. They do not have a sixth sense." The smile left Sandra Padgett's face, but Lolth motion her closer. "The Emerald Swamp south of Westgate City is in danger and you will be its protector. You will become my Green Silk!"
With that, Lolth grabbed Sandra Padgett by both shoulders and sank her fangs into twenty-two year old's neck. Sobek, standing a few feet away, laughed softly to himself.
Blue Star #1
(2012/07/15)
Patricia Johansen was taking on her "Little Sister" charge and was going to teach on the concept of sportsmanship today to this middle school girl. Patricia Johansen, a part-time auxiliary police officer for the WCPD, was an archery pro. She had done multiple Olympic games as well as other contests around the world. Patricia Johansen has retired from the professional archery circuit to focus on her volunteer efforts.
"All right, are we ready to hit some targets?" asked Patricia Johansen. The older woman had on an old white t-shirt with a faded blue star on it.
In an ally in Leftover Hill, Patricia Johansen has set up a basic archery target. Since it was early morning, most people would not be in the alley, but Patricia Johansen still cordon it off to make sure someone didn't just wander through while they were shooting arrows.
"Yeah, whatever." answered Natasha. The black girl was not enjoying herself. Patricia Johansen had bought Natasha her own amateur bow and hand guard, so the girl could keep them if she like what she was doing today. However Patricia Johansen was going to keep the arrows, just to be on the safe side.
Natasha stepped up to the line. Patricia Johansen had already shot two arrows to show the young girl how it was done.
"Now I am not going to hold your hand. Load the arrow like I showed you... pull it back, yes... aim and let it go!"
The arrow flew out of the bow and hit the target. It was far from center where Patricia Johansen's arrows were, but a little breathing exercises and control would help correct that.
"Oh wow!" said Natasha. "This is pretty cool."
Before Patricia Johansen could show the girl how to breathe, they both heard a noise disturbance from across the street from their ally.
"You keep this up Natasha, I will be right back." instructed the older woman.
Patricia Johansen took two arrows with her and headed for the commotion in the deli shop. Patricia Johansen stop before she crossed the street to take stock of the situation. This deli shop had been robbed twice before this past week alone and this thief was brazen to robbed it during daylight hours.
No shots were fired, but more movement signal that the criminal was about to come out with his or her stolen money. So Patricia Johansen loaded the first arrow.
The crook came out with a gun in the right hand and the brown paper bag in his left hand. He was wearing a hoodie and ski mask to make sure no one saw his face.
Patricia Johansen quickly let go of the arrow and knocked the gun out of his hand. The second arrow was quickly fired and caught the man's sleeve and pinned his right arm to the wall. Crossing the street, she quickly hit the man and place the bow on his chest.
"Don't!" said Patricia Johansen to the robber when he tried to struggle. While keeping him pinned to the wall, Patricia Johansen removed his hood and ski mask.
...Only to reveal that is was Natasha's father.
"How could you?!" said Natasha. Patricia Johansen looked back to the visually upset teen. Patricia Johansen did not know if Natasha was talking to her or the teen's father. Natasha threw down her bow and ran off. Patricia Johansen wanted to follow the girl, but she knew it was likely too late.
"Blue Star, eh? You must be Patricia Johansen. My girl Natasha has told me all about you-"
"Shut up!" yelled Patricia Johansen as she hit him once more.
Red Spade #1
(2011/08/05)
"Happy Birthday, Jack Spade!" said the construction foreman. "You ready for a good hard day's work? I am hoping to work you hard to get you back home in time for your birthday."
"Yes sir! My wife and six year old son is getting ready my 'surprise' party as we speak."
"Six already?" said another construction worker. He was also another day labor and had work with Jack Spade off and on for the last five years. "Man where does the time fly? At least you have just the one kid. I have three!"
"Yeah, tell me about it." Jack Spade said with a big broad smile on his face.
"Okay, let us get to work so that we can get out of here." interjected the foreman before the conversation could go much further. "I know we are working on a new Emerald Gardens apartment building, but the sun is hot just like anywhere else."
It was a long hot August day as the work Jack Spade was doing dragged on. His long red Irish beard hanging down from his neck impressed most people. If people asked how Jack Spade grew such a beard, and a lot of them kids, Jack Spade would tell them to keep clean shaven until they reached at least thirty years old.
Jack Spade was on "shovel detail" today. However that was not a problem, because Jack Spade was good on the shovel and he could do wonders that most would call a skill. Everyone knew Jack Spade was good at the shovel and took advantage of him. Jack Spade did not mind so much, because it put food on the table.
It was around noon when the motorcycle came through with the cops chasing shortly after. They were all standing around a Gatorade cooler while eating lunch.
"Whoa! I wonder what he did!" said one of the younger workers.
"Hey Nick," asked Jack Spade to the foreman. "Do you not have a police scanner in your truck? Maybe we can find out."
"Yes I do. But after we figured it out, I want you men to get back to work."
From the police scanner, they could piece together that he robbed some place or another.
"I wonder if the Westgate Sentinel will take this guy out before he hurts somebody."
They all looked up for the Westgate City's protector.
"I do not think so, Joseph." said Jack Spade sadly. "The Westgate Sentinel does not get small time crooks these days. Have you not notice that with the last year or so, we rarely hear him in the news?"
"Well, let us all get back to work." said the foreman.
Jack Spade was working near the curb when they all heard the approaching motorcycle coming. In a failed attempt to elude the cops, the crook was doubling around. Jack Spade again looked into the air for the Westgate Sentinel to show up. Jack Spade did see Hawkfox Tango flying in the air, but he was a paramedic and would not stop the criminal. Hawkfox Tango was likely helping the cops keep track of the motorcycle.
Jack Spade knew of the Citizen Arrest laws passed across the nation that would allow him to help apprehend this guy on the bike and resolved the chase before the thug decided to take to the highway.
He stepped up just as the cycle was passing and Jack Spade hit him full in the face with the metal spade. Luckily the crook was wearing a full face helmet and it protected him when he fell onto his back. The backpack full of stolen money also soften the blow.
Jack
Spade stepped on the crook's right arm and used the handle end of the shovel to pin his chest down until the cops could arrived.
When the cops had left, the construction crew lifted Jack Spade up in the air and chanted "Red Spade! Red Spade!" as was a nickname that some of them called Jack Spade.
Mantis Skin #1
(2002/09/02)
Poor thirteen year old "Johnny" Kobayashi was not having a good day. The young teen went to go get his flu shot with his parents, when the needle would not penetrate his skin. It took three needles before they figured out that it was not the needle but the boy himself.
"He should be taken to Lifestream Labs." said the doctor to Mr. and Mrs. Kobayashi. "They can help figure out the boy's super powers."
"But nothing has happen to our boy since the last flu shot." said Mr. Kobayashi.
"Most supers don't normally manifest themselves until puberty and that is perfectly normal." said the doctor. "Lifestream Labs will help you out with most of your questions."
Johnny Kobayashi was the only child to a family that has lived in America since before World War One. After World War Two the family moved to Westgate City for a new start and have been there ever since. Mr. Kobayashi himself was the CEO of Martian Rose Mechanics, a Department of Defense contractor specializing Power Suit Armor. This night during dinner, now more than ever, Mr. Kobayashi did not know what to say to his son. Mrs. Kobayashi, however, did.
"Johnny. It is not the time for sulking."
"Then what is it time for?" Johnny Kobayashi pushed his food out of the way and buried his head in his arms. "I am a freak!"
The doorbell rang at that moment. Mr. Kobayashi knew who it was, for he had sent for the Kung Fu Master.
Mr. Kobayashi lead the middle age Chinese man into the living room where Mrs. and Johnny Kobayashi had gathered.
"Shortly after the incident at the doctor's office, I thought of the hard skin of the Mantis." said Mr. Kobayashi. "Although we are Japanese, I have summon this sensei of the Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing art to come teach you his ways. With his help, you will not fear any bully. And one day, hopefully not any time soon, you will take your skills elsewhere."
"Does this man even know English? He looks like he just came off the boat!" screamed a resentful Johnny Kobayashi. Then Johnny Kobayashi turned and ran to his room.
"Please forgive my son's rudeness. He is going through a tough time. Excuse me." said Mrs. Kobayashi as she turn and followed her young teenager. The Seven Star Praying Mantis Master turn to Mr. Kobayashi after the mother had left.
"Don't worry about it. I have two other private students." The Seven Star Praying Mantis Master smiled. "They were both like him. No superpowers, of course, but they lacked respect and discipline at first. In time he will come around."
Mrs. Kobayashi knocked on her son's door. Without waiting for a response, she let herself in. Johnny Kobayashi was laying face down in his bed sobbing.
"Come, my son. All's not lost."
"I'm a freak!" cried Johnny Kobayashi. He turned his face to his mother. "Now dad wants to turn me into a superhero or something!"
"No, your father wants you to learn discipline. We had hoped you would want to learn martial arts when you were younger. However now that you have a power, you must learn a discipline. You have tough skin of the Mantis, so your father choose a form for you." Mrs. Kobayashi pet her son’s head and had a thought. "Listen son, I think you might not know what you have become and that has you scared right now. I think if you have the goal of learning more about yourself, you will stick to your studies and you will learn more about your... Mantis Skin."
Trident Force #1
(2015/11/02)
"You know," started Red Spade under his breathe. Red Spade was now sporting Mantis Skin's new armor based off his skin. It still had his signature Red Spade that was tilted to the right. A new reinforced red hard hat and matching military combat goggles, tinted just red enough to hid his eyes. "If Westgate Sentinel was doing his job, we wouldn't need to clear these illegal drug dens ourselves."
"We have been over this, Red Spade. Westgate Sentinel seems to be only worrying himself about heroin and cocaine busts. He does not care about these petty gangs selling marijuana for some reason." responded Mantis Skin. He did not need his new armor, since his skin was impenetrable to simple knives or bullets anyway. Mantis Skin wore a standard black ninja gi, except at the head. There he wore a dark green skull cap that came down over his face until the mouth, the eyes cut out so his can see. The Kanji symbols of "Mantis" and "Skin" was printed on his forehead. He looked down at his watch and pressed a button. "Blue Star, are you in position?"
"High in the sky, with arrows waiting to fly!" answered Blue Star into her watch. Blue Star also upgraded her uniform with Mantis Skin's new armor. It was white with a blue star across her chest. With this new armor, Blue Star did not have to worry so much about the blue star being a target anymore. Unlike her new teammates however, Blue Star did not want or need a mask. Her identity was well known to everyone already. Blue Star sat on the roof of the building opposite of the abandon Hot Draconia warehouse of the gang they have been stalking. They had informed the WCPD and was going to arrest these thugs when the police sirens could be heard. "Ready whenever you guys are."
"As we practice, I am the tank. I can take gunshots all day long and not lose a drop of blood. Red Spade is my backup and mop up, while Blue Star disarms them as possible. No one dies tonight."
"Right." said Red Spade and Blue Star together. Just then the sound of police sirens can be heard. Blue Star drew her bow, Red Spade ready his shovel, and Mantis Skin signal to follow him after the count of three.
There were four gang members hanging out in front of the abandon Hot Draconia warehouse, maybe more inside. When they heard the sirens, the four of them drew their own guns. However two of them quickly lost their weapons to Blue Star's arrows. Before they could react, Mantis Skin came out of the shadows and attack the two still armed. They were only able to get one shot each before Mantis Skin disarmed them and took them down. Soon, Red Spade came out and with his shovel and quickly had the other two on the ground. Two more gang members came out with weapons drawn. However as soon as they were in sight, they were disarmed quickly by Blue Star's arrows. Mantis Skin and Red Spade again worked quickly to bring the last two down.
It was at this point the WCPD showed up, with the Westgate Sentinel and Hawkfox Delta following them shortly. The police officers were busy arresting the gang members while Hawkfox Delta did triage on the gang members to see if any of them needed medical attention. Only one gang member had a broken nose.
"Oh no." said Westgate Sentinel as he walked up to the trio of superheroes. Blue Star had gotten down from the roof of the building and had join Red Spade and Mantis Skin. "You three are working together now? Well, do not leave me guessing, what is your team name?"
Mantis Skin looked to his team mates and they both nodded to him. Mantis Skin walked up to the very intimidating Westgate Sentinel.
"We call ourselves, Trident Force."
Chief Hiawatha #2
(2015/11/07)
It was a rough couple of days for James Hiawatha. Shortly after the glow that went from Jacob Hiawatha to James Hiawatha, the elder Hiawatha died. The 'Do Not Resuscitate' order made sure the EMS people could not help. It was a whirlwind next couple of days, as they wanted to quickly buried Jacob Hiawatha. Since the clan were all Catholic and did not have too many Indian friends, it was only natural to bury him in the local Catholic cemetery.
James Hiawatha did not have time to read the journal that his father gave to him until the day after the funeral. When he did read it, it shocked him to the core.
Apparently, the Iroquois Confederacy had been passing around six animal forms from each of the six nations. A Red-Tailed Boa, a Bald Eagle, a Gray Wolf, a Jaguar, a Black Bear, and a Bison. Each of the nations kept their own form for protection. If the nation was threaten, their lead warrior would use this form
. However after World War One, they realized they would need a super warrior with all six forms. James Hiawatha's great-grandfather was groomed from a child to take on these forms. However James Hiawatha's great-grandfather discovered that they were going to use him as a weapon against the white man, not just for protection.
So James Hiawatha's great-grandfather fled from the reservation and became a U. S. citizen. Shortly after that, a superhero in his own right. James Hiawatha's great-grandfather thought the powers should be use to help people, not hurt people. James Hiawatha's great-grandfather was also only given five of the six powers. The Black Bear of the Onondaga Nation was still with its people. A small faction of the Mohawk Nation continue to help the Hiawatha Clan to this very day.
Trident Force Chronicles Page 3