Sandra Padgett got to her father's office building around lunch time. It was a modest ten-story building with Padgett Investments occupying the top three floors. Dennis Padgett was actually only the third richest man in Westgate City, right behind the Hendrickson and Kobayashi family.
"Yes! My daughter has come to join the family business!" said Dennis Padgett as he welcomed his daughter into his office, Dennis Padgett had already order lunch. Afterward, Dennis Padgett showed Sandra Padgett her own corner office just down the way from his office. "Here you are! I had it already furnished when you went to college, just waiting for you to come and fill it."
"Oh dad! It is lovely!" said Sandra Padgett as she sat behind her desk. 'I could get used to this, indeed.' "Wait, what am I going to be doing around here?"
"Well, we do handle a lot of charities and nonprofit accounts." Dennis Padgett said as he sat across the desk from his daughter. "You won't handle them yourself, we have other people for that work. However they will report to you on the progress of the accounts and then you will be the face of our clients. We only charge them 10% of our normal handling fees and only if we make money for them, just so you know we are not ripping them off. You think you can handle that?"
"Yes, that sounds good." said a smiling Sandra Padgett.
"Good. I will leave you to get settled." said Dennis Padgett getting up. "Tomorrow, your brother Dan will hand over the accounts to you and, if you want, show you the ropes."
Dennis Padgett left the office and Sandra Padgett. After a few minutes, Sandra Padgett could not help but take a spin in her big comfy chair. Before she could do it again, a man came with some papers.
"Hello Miss Padgett." said the young man. "I am Gaius Memme and I am your personal-"
"Secretary?" asked Sandra Padgett.
"-Assistant, and I was sent here to get you to sign these forms." said Gaius Memme. "Just some standard employment and corporate stuff."
"Okay!" said Sandra Padgett and started filling out paperwork. As she was doing this, a black woman came in and turn off the lights.
"Oh my God! I did not think anyone was in here!" said the woman frantically, crying. "There are men with guns that stormed into Mr. Padgett's office and I just ducked in here for cover!"
"Father!" said Sandra Padgett as she jumped up and ran out of the office.
Blue Star #8
(2014/01/03)
The order came down three days ago. The 88 Melbourne and Ma Melbourne would finally be taken in. The police officers in the briefing room in the West Melbourne's WCPD precinct were just waiting for the search and arrest warrants. The precinct captain sat at the head of the briefing room getting a head start by filling out some of the day's normal paperwork. Everything had been said. They already knew what each was to do. It was four in the morning and the thick smell of hours-old coffee filled the room.
Blue Star stood in the back corner. She was both very nervous and anxious at the same time. If they didn't get the warrants today, Blue Star thought she was going to scream. In the opposite corner, stood the silent Westgate Sentinel. Blue Star walked up to him.
"Thanks again Westgate Sentinel, I appreciate the back-up."
"Think nothing of it. I support the WCPD." answered the Westgate Sentinel. Then the light in his eyes narrowed. "However I suggest you stay away from vigilantism. After 88 Melbourne is taken down, go back to being a part-time auxiliary police officer. Leave the heroics to me."
Blue Star didn't say anything. She didn't want to make promises she did not know if she wanted to keep.
Then Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Anda Lee open the door to the briefing room and made a bee-line to the precinct captain. The whole room shifted and held it's collective breath. ADA Anda Lee put down her briefcase and opened it. Taking out the papers she looked right at the captain.
"By the books, Captain Lane. I want to nail these thugs to the wall." ADA Anda Lee handed the warrants to the precinct captain.
"Alright, you heard ADA Lee! By the books! You already know what to do!" said Captain Lane. The police officers eagerly filed out of the briefing room to put on their gear.
The sun was just starting to come up when the police hit the pool hall. The police had gather intelligence that Ma Melbourne meets with her 88 Melbourne lieutenants in the early morning. The SWAT teams went first, followed quickly by Blue Star and Westgate Sentinel.
Bringing Westgate Sentinel seemed to be justified, because waiting in the pool hall was Black Hammer with his metal-like hair. Black Hammer had knocked down a few SWAT members by the time Blue Star and Westgate Sentinel enter the pool hall.
"I'll take care of this guy," said Westgate Sentinel. "You go after Ma Melbourne.”
The search of the next four floors turned up more 88 Melbourne lieutenants and a marijuana farm. A brand new meth lab was also discovered as well. Ma Melbourne had not been found.
While every cop was now securing 88 Melbourne members and collecting evidence, Blue Star noticed there was no real way to the roof from inside the building. Blue Star made her way to the fire escape and climbed up to discover Ma Melbourne on the ledge of the building looking down.
"It is over, Ma Melbourne." said Blue Star as she drew her bow. "You are under arrest!"
"You know this will not bring back Natasha, wherever she is." said Ma Melbourne sadly. "I am not going to prison!"
With that, Ma Melbourne jumped off the ledge. Blue Star threw down her bow and arrow to quickly go after the falling Ma Melbourne. However, suddenly, the Westgate Sentinel caught Ma Melbourne in mid-air while holding the unconscious Black Hammer. The Westgate Sentinel then brought both safely to the street where the press lost their minds on how awesome Westgate Sentinel could be at cleaning the streets.
In the end, Blue Star didn't mind. She will let the Westgate Sentinel have the glory and all the heroics. Her mission would be to find Natasha and if Blue Star had to clean the streets to find the girl, she will not falter.
Red Spade #8
(2014/09/15)
Governor candidate Sheriff Glenn Eddings was coming for a rally in Westgate City. Nation wide, there had been a series of protests against police officers. Sheriff Glenn Eddings took umbrage with the protesters and the current governor who voiced support for these thug protesters. While Sheriff Glenn Eddings had already been in the race, he catapulted to the head of Republican Party nomination polling because he was the only one who sided with the police officers. Tomorrow was the primary and he was ahead in every poll for the past month. It was expected that Sheriff Glenn Eddings would win the primary with a majority in every county.
Jack Spade, who had developed a personal relationship with law enforcement, agreed with Sheriff Glenn Eddings and had voted for the man in early voting. Now he was in the Rock Factory in Hot Draconia which Sheriff Glenn Eddings was holding this last rally before the actual vote. Being here was way outside his comfort zone, but Jack Spade wanted to cheer on the sheriff before the general election. Today he wasn't the Red Spade, just some Joe Nobody like everyone else.
"Welcome everybody!" said Sheriff Glenn Eddings to the cheering crowd as he stepped up to the podium. "We're going to make this state great again, right?"
A protester with a "#NeverEddings" sign popped-up and then was quickly lead out of the Rock Factory by security. The crowd went wild as another white protester with a mock KKK hood was escorted out. However Jack Spade, whose hearing had become sensitive after many years in construction work, cupped his ears and moved to the back of the concert hall. Jack Spade got out his earplugs and only put them half way, for he wanted to hear Sheriff Glenn Eddings without blowing out his ears.
After putting in the ear plugs, Jack Spade noticed a strange man standing just feet inside the entrance. He was a thin six-foot six, bald black guy dressed all in black leather. Jack Spade turned back to the speech, but kept the strange man in his peripheral vision.
"Sheriff Glenn Eddings!" yelled the mysterious man. The yell was so loud that it cut over ev
erything. The crowd went silent and parted from him, those the closet had also cupped their ears. "Racist! Bigot! The Black Cry of millions comes for you!"
"Now see here-"
However before Sheriff Glenn Eddings could finish, Black Cry opened his mouth and a sonic scream came pouring out towards Sheriff Glenn Eddings. Everyone in it's wake fell to the ground and cupped their ears while in pain. Those not in the direct path panic and fled as best they could, some being trampled. Jack Spade made a bee-line to the bathrooms after putting the ear plugs in fully. Opening the supply closet, Jack Spade broke the head off the mop.
'It's not a shovel, but it will have to do!' thought Jack Spade.
Jack Spade returned to the main concert hall to find it mostly emptied. Those not hurt by the sonic scream or trampled on were making their way out. Jack Spade wasted no time to hit Black Cry over the head, which sent the would-be assassin down for the count.
Jack Spade dropped his pole and ran toward the stage where Sheriff Glenn Eddings laid bleeding out his ears. The entire stage made a sound like it was going to collapse.
"My ears... I-" Sheriff Glenn Eddings opened his now blood-shot eyes. "I- I can't hear! I can't hear!"
It was at this moment that Westgate Sentinel squeezed his way through the gate. Another homemade "#NeverEddings" poster had fallen during the carnage and Westgate Sentinel reached down to pick it up.
"Westgate Sentinel!" yelled Jack Spade as he waved down the city's guardian. "Can you help the sheriff here and take out the (points to Black Cry) garbage too?"
The Westgate Sentinel dropped the poster to pick-up Sheriff Glenn Eddings and Black Cry just as Hawkfox Tango came in to help out too.
Three people died that day. Many lost their hearing permanently, including Sheriff Glenn Eddings. The "#NeverEddings" campaign died that day as well. Sheriff Glenn Eddings would go onto win the governorship by a whopping 73% of the vote.
Mantis Skin #8
(2015/04/07)
The right hook from the Italian thug slammed into Mantis Skin's left cheek, sending stars before the young engineer's eyes. He may have impenetrable, but that still doesn't mean Mantis Skin could get a beat down.
Mantis Skin had been casing this meat packing plant for some time now and went in for some hard evidence. The Super Citizen Arrest Act of 1990 did not cover break-ins and anything taken wouldn't be admissible, but Mantis Skin could still "look" as long as he wasn't caught. A night raid was the perfect time to check this place out. However Mantis Skin was closing in on the office when he soon discovered and set upon.
The first ten or soon goons were easily dispatched, seeing as they relied too much on guns and knives. His Seven Star Praying Mantis style was quick at disarming the thugs and putting them down for the count. As he was fighting these guys, Mantis Skin tried to make his way out of the meat packing plant slowly but surely. He had finally made his way out to the street when Mantis Skin finished off the last of the Italian mobsters.
When the last guy had fallen, two 300-pound gorillas came out of nowhere. One threw a chain at Mantis Skin to wrap it around the hero's neck and then pulled him in. It was at this point the right hook connected with Mantis Skin's left cheek on his face. Both 300-pound gorillas were quickly on top of our young hero to punch and kick him with everything they had. Mantis Skin did not know if these guys were supers or not, but clearly the 300-pounds of muscles hit hard.
Mantis Skin thought for a second that he was going to die here. Then a strange noise was heard and the punching and kicking stopped. Mantis Skin looked up to see the Westgate Sentinel towering over him and the two thugs backing away. Westgate Sentinel looked around at the unconscious bodies coming out of the meat packing plant (in which some of them were coming around about this time) and then to Mantis Skin.
"Hey, you Tiny. Come here." said Westgate Sentinel motion to one of the now scared 300-pound gorillas. The unnamed man walked up slowly to the Westgate Sentinel. "Hey, did this guy break into your place? You want to press charges?"
"Err... yeah!" answered the huge thug to Westgate Sentinel. A smile slowly spread across his lips realizing he was not in trouble. Westgate Sentinel threw his arm around the thug as if they were buddies.
"Well, you see, if I do take this guy in to the cops, they would have to collect evidence in order to make a case against him and what if the cops found something else you didn't want them to find. Then your boss would be really upset, wouldn't they?"
"Gee, I didn't think of that..." said the 300-pound gorilla with his smile fading.
"And that is why you are the muscles and not the brains, big guy." said Westgate Sentinel. "So I am going to ask you one more time, do you want to press charges on this guy?"
"Err... No, I guess not."
"Good." said Westgate Sentinel as he let go of the mobster. "Now drag your associates inside and let me talk to this asshole."
Within minutes, the ally was clear of the Italian mobsters.
"That fool rookie mistake almost cost you, buddy. You are damn lucky I was just flying around and saw you guys fighting in the alley."
"What about the meat packing planet? Are you protecting me or them?" asked Mantis Skin.
"I won't even dignify that question with a response. I spent the batter part of eight years bringing down the mobs to fairly manageable levels. I will find out what they are doing in there in due time and without your help." Westgate Sentinel walked up to Mantis Skin. "This is MY city. Leave the hero work to me or leave this city. You have been warned."
Westgate Sentinel took off by launching himself into the sky once more, leaving Mantis Skin to ponder his next move. Westgate Sentinel just protected that meat packing place, Mantis Skin knew it. Mantis Skin would need a team to help him uncover answers and he knew just who to ask.
Trident Force #8
(2015/11/08)
Lifestream Labs was a nice clinic indeed. It was clean, it smelled nice, and everyone was friendly. That didn't mean Jack Spade wanted to be there. "I hate hospitals."
"This isn't a hospital, love." said Rebecca Spade sitting next to her husband. "This is a clinic. A FREE clinic."
It was at this time Patricia Johansen and Johnny Kobayashi came into the room. Both still had their gear on and was still dirty from last night's fight. Johnny Kobayashi had removed his mask.
"You must be Rebecca!" said Patricia Johansen. "Jack has told us some much about you! How is your son?"
"Maybe you can talk some sense into him!" said Rebecca Spade annoyingly pointing to her husband. "Jack wants to quit being a hero, but I keep telling him that he shouldn't!"
"Wait," said Johnny Kobayashi wearily. "You want your husband to stay a hero? Aren't you worried about him getting hurt more?"
"That's what I keep-" started Jack Spade, but was cut off.
"Of course I'll worry about him!" said Rebecca Spade cutting Jack Spade off. "But this is nothing new to me and the city needs him more than ever now that Westgate Sentinel is gone."
"Okay. I guess I'm still in guys." said Jack Spade with a shrug.
"I need to go freshen up." said Rebecca Spade getting up and grabbing Patricia Johansen by the wrist. "I'll talk with you and clean you up, you're a mess."
As Rebecca Spade lead Patricia Johansen out of the room, a doctor came in. He was a tall thin young man with tattoos seeming to come out from his wrists and neck. He has the standard necktie, lab coat, and glasses you would see on any other doctor. His Lifestream Labs name tag read as follows: Dr. Jacob "Doctor Bones" Lewandowski.
"Morning gentlemen! Mr. Spade!" said Doctor Bones. Johnny Kobayashi and Jack Spade both responded in kind.
"'Doctor Bones'?" asked Johnny Kobayashi.
"Ah yes, that is why I was called in today." answered Doctor Bones as he put his hand on Jack Spade's shoulder. "During my first residency at Westgate General, I found out that I am a super with the ability to heal bones of both myself and others. I just come here to Lifestream Labs when they need me."
"Oh wow!"
said Jack Spade. "I feel better already!"
"Good. You might still be sore for a while, but you are as good as new." said Doctor Bones as made notes in his paperwork. "I will write you a pain prescription and get you checked out of here!"
***
Later that night, Mantis Skin was patrolling Hot Draconia's roof-tops when he heard a guy yell. "Hey You! I Want To Talk To You!"
"How can I help you?" asked Mantis Skin as he approach the man on the street. The unknown man had a folder in his hands, which he handed to Mantis Skin.
Trident Force Chronicles Page 18