As the two flew over the city of Ottawa, Canada’s capital, they weaved pyfully among the buildings, enjoying each other’s company. Aurora’s joy and dancing were so infectious that even the customarily dour and serious Mistral found herself ughing at her silly antics—such as shaping the clouds into funny and irregur shapes. Mistral wasn’t as agile a flier as her companion, so Aurora had a bit of fun cutting through her wind-wake to practice.

  Finally, they arrived at their destination, nding on the roof of the Clubhouse building. Mistral’s expression became serious again as she produced a small driver’s license-sized card from her robes and held it up to the door. A beam of light scanned both the card and her at the same time.

  “MISTRAL PLUS GUEST,” a mechanical genderless voice observed.

  “Yes, plus guest, authorization mbda-seven-echo-omicron,” Mistral supplied, and they waited a moment.

  “CODE RECOGNIZED; BIOMETRICS VERIFIED. WELCOME TO CLUBHOUSE THREE,” the electronic voice decred. The door shimmered and took on a Star Trek-style appearance, the smooth steel sliding panel doors parting in the center with a whoosh, revealing what appeared to be a normal stairwell inside.

  The two walked in together and descended the flights of stairs. Eventually, they reached another sliding door, which opened to reveal a shiny lounge-like area with plush chairs, an entertainment center, a kitchenette, and several more doors. Mistral stretched a hand before them and made a sweeping motion as if to introduce the pce.

  “This is Clubhouse Three. It’s like my second, more public sanctum. It’s connected to the Headquarters of the Society. However, this particur teleportation ne is inefficient and slow, in that you can go up to four at a time, but it takes an hour to recharge. Also, to use it more frequently would reveal its location if they scrutinized the power usage for the area, so we’re careful and restrain ourselves.”

  “This pce is really cool!” Aurora giggled, looking around at how amazing everything was. It was furnished wonderfully—so plush and expensive-looking. She’d never been in such a high-end space before. This was a real penthouse!

  “This looks so fun! Does everyone just rex here together?” She flitted around with a big smile. “Wow, Ottawa sure looks different from San Isidro! My town’s super Gothic and Victorian. And it’s different from Seaside City too! That city’s so technological and bright. Ottawa looks sooo… European! Were those castles I saw on the way in?” Aurora continued to excitedly peruse the area when she moved her wings too much and disturbed a bookshelf. Catching herself, she quickly adjusted, focusing on moving her wings in ways that wouldn’t knock anything over.

  Mistral giggled. “Nice save. Yes, there are castles here. They tend to be governmental buildings nowadays, but if you ever come as a tourist someday, there’s a hotel. You’d be familiar with the Gothic style but I like to think we put our own spin on things up here.”

  “That’s true.” Aurora nodded. “I guess the buildings in San Isidro are kinda like castles if you close one eye and squint real hard.” She ughed.

  The angel-girl then admired the huge ultra-thin television set, which was connected to some kind of curious machine. She squatted down and examined it. It wasn’t like any entertainment or game console she’d ever seen, featuring eighteen USB ports and cartridge slots from every popur gaming system. Some kind of superhero tech genius must have created this Frankenstein’s Monster of a thing.

  “I didn’t know the Sentinels were video game junkies.” She fshed Mistral a sunny grin, pyful schemes already dancing through her mind.

  “Haha… they aren’t really, but sometimes they do fool around in their downtime.”

  Taking on a light-hearted and affected air, Mistral proceeded to list off features of the space like she was a realtor. “There are enough sleeping quarters here to accommodate all the main members at any given time, so there’s usually a few open. They’re all the same and aren’t decorated specially. Of course, the amenities naturally include a reinforced and soundproofed gymnasium, bathrooms, and even a swimming pool, maintained by the robotic butler system.”

  She paused for a beat before continuing a bit more bashfully, “You probably don’t need to know this, but I’ve made a few meals here. The kitchenette has all the test and greatest appliances and then some. If you wanted to hang out here, we can.” Mistral put a hand on Aurora’s shoulder. “It may look te out there, but you’ve still got at least an hour on the West Coast to get back. Whatever you want to do, there’s a secure phone line here if you want to talk to your mother.”

  Aurora smiled and nodded. “That sounds great. If you wanted to show me all those things, I’d love it. I can ask her if I can stay longer—even overnight. I’ve never had a sleepover like ever ever ever!” She ughed, and Mistral chuckled.

  “We normally do have a curfew, but she’d be happy if I expined it. Anyhow, Goonie’s a really good person. The best mom I could ever ask for. And my sis… I never had a real one. She’s a little crazy sometimes—well, maybe more than sometimes. But they always say my presence in the family helped bring out the best in her, and she’s really great too.”

  Aurora thought about how much she was sharing about herself. “Do you have any family too?”

  “Not anymore,” Mistral replied sheepishly. “My father gave his life to prevent an extra-dimensional invasion, and my mother also died when I was younger. It’s nice to see that you have a good family, though.”

  Mistral walked across the room toward a door that was very obvious, marked ‘HQ.’

  “I’m sorry to cut that particurly dreary conversation short, but I figured you’d be more interested in going to the Society HQ than a silly clubhouse. Since you’re such a fan and all.” Mistral smiled. “Don’t think I’m trying to get rid of you, though. I’ve been enjoying spending time with you, Leona. And don’t worry, I’ll call you Aurora while we’re there.” She winked.

  Aurora nodded. “Your father sounds like he was a very admirable man. A true hero. I envy you for that. Mine was mean and abusive… I don’t think he could stand how loud and cute I was.” Aurora smiled wryly. “You’re always welcome to visit my pce too, by the way. I just wanted to get all that out.”

  Aurora looked at the door and nodded. “Calling Goonie can wait until a bit ter. I doubt she’d be upset with me, knowing how serious this business is.” She looked back at Mistral. “Spending time with you is like a dream come true. I could happily sit around and do nothing but talk with you and look at you for hours on end. I hope that doesn’t sound weird.” Aurora blushed.

  “But introductions are important, and I really want to join the Society. I want everyone to know they can count on me.” Aurora smiled and made a fist. “And that communicator you mentioned sounds super handy. I set up a fake email address for talking with the police, but my detective friend, Kirby, knew it’d hurt me eventually if we kept using it.”

  “Fresh on the scene and already buddies with a policeman.” Mistral ughed and tousled Aurora’s hair affectionately. “Let’s not waste any more time then.”

  She slid open the door to reveal what Aurora could only describe as a teleporter room straight out of a science fiction show. It was compact, featuring circur crystalline ptforms like something she’d seen on TV. Aurora’s jaw dropped. “It’s not all just fantasies and fiction. It’s really true that all this stuff comes to life!” She bounced, having an existential epiphany.

  Mistral stepped up and giggled. “C’mon, Aurora.” She moved an arm, and a burst of air filled her wings, pulling Aurora to her. Mistral put an arm around her waist and spoke with a slightly predatory smile. “Teleport. Main. Authorization Mistral Lambda-Seven-Echo-Omicron.”

  Aurora blushed and waited, looking around. Nothing happened yet.

  The computer replied, “COUNTERSIGN: SEVEN-PHI-THREE.”

  Aurora waited more. Nothing happened. Her head tilted.

  “Mistral, Nine-Phi-One!” Mistral finished the sequence, and there was a whirring noise behind the walls followed by a weird field effect surrounding them.

  “COUNTERSIGN ACCEPTED. TELEPORTATION IN THREE SECONDS. PLEASE REMAIN STILL.”

  “Here we go!” Mistral remained stock still, so Aurora obeyed the computer and followed suit instantly.

  There was a rising sense of oppression as the field intensified and the machine began affecting their bodies. A loud thundering boom erupted as their surroundings changed.

  So much for that jingly mechanical sound. The real science was LOUD!

  The pair now found themselves in a rger and more tech-heavy room.

  “Welcome to Society Main, Mistral and Guest,” a soft voice spoke.

  After a moment, Aurora noticed the owner of the voice. A powerfully built man in a dark matte bodysuit with a belt, wristbands, and ankle cuffs stood in the doorway as though he had been expecting them. Aurora’s eyes widened.

  It was Midnight Avenger. She knew him. Her eyes widened even more as he dropped into a fighting stance, pulling throwing spikes from his belt. Aurora squeaked.

  “Mistral, are you compromised? What are you doing with Bck Angel?” he asked gruffly.

  Mistral held her hands up. “Calm down, Avenger,” she said. “This is a new heroine who I’m introducing to the Society. Her name is Aurora.” She stepped in front of Aurora, spreading her arms protectively.

  Midnight Avenger scowled. “Well, she’s lost her dark hue at least,” he said dourly.

  After a moment of meeting eyes with Mistral, he nodded to her, rexing very slightly. “I assume you’re going to the hub. You’ll understand if I accompany you.” That was less a request and much more a command spoken in his quiet voice.

  Mistral shrugged. “If that’s what you want, Avenger. It’s your headquarters, after all.”

  “Not mine. I just happened to be here when you teleported in. Your so-called friend here triggered a yellow alert.” That expined why he was waiting in ambush.

  “I’m sorry for the trouble, sir.” Aurora smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I haven’t followed you as avidly as Mistral, but I’m still awed by your presence.” She fshed a happy smile at him. Even if he was cold and aloof, that was cssic Midnight Avenger to a tee. Aurora was quite pleased with herself for suppressing any squee’ing to that point. A man like him was not one to squee at. First impressions, first impressions.

  But being happy wasn’t against the rules! It was difficult enough not to geek out super hard.

  “Cute,” he commented tersely. Also cssic Midnight Avenger. She just smiled more. “Let’s go then.” Avenger grunted.

  Mistral took her hand again, really took her hand, and pulled her after the Avenger as they walked through the halls of the headquarters. Aurora did her best not to squee more, but a bit did slip out. There were paintings and depictions of the Society of Sentinels’ main hall, and here she was! Kyaaaaaaaa!

  Aurora went into sensory overload when Bombshell, whom she’d shaken hands with back at Justicon, suddenly appeared. Not only that, she BARRELED around the corner and caught sight of the three, coming to an abrupt stop.

  “Hey, who’s that? What’s up, Emm-Ayy? I thought there was a Yellow?” she asked. Apparently, she’d been coming ready for a fight. Whew!

  “You’re looking at the Yellow.” Midnight Avenger pointed directly at Aurora. She blushed and fidgeted. She would have csped her hands in front of her, but Mistral had one already firmly in her grasp.

  Bombshell raised an eyebrow and spoke, “Huh? We’re calling a yellow alert for sexy costumes now? Do I get a red alert for mine? Oh, and hey, Missy!” She grinned at Mistral.

  Bombshell was athletic-looking and voluptuous. She had the body proportions of a fitness model while possessing the strength to bend steel alloy. She tended to be a bit coarse and direct, jumping at the chance to show off how tough she was. Her favorite costume was a gunmetal grey leotard with an old-style WW2 bomb in silver inid on her midriff. She had silver accents at her neck area and on her hips and crotch. She wore stylized gauntlets and sabatons with a visor-style mask that covered her eyes with porized angur lenses.

  “Hiya, Shelly,” Mistral replied. “This is a new heroine, Aurora. From San Isidro, actually.”

  “Ah… just like Agui, eh?” Bombshell smiled. “You joining up then?” she asked Aurora.

  “We’ll see,” Avenger replied for Aurora.

  Well, that was a little mean, but still cssic Midnight Avenger.

  That didn’t stop Aurora from speaking for herself, though. “I’d very much love to!” Her tone oozed with excitement.

  She’d geek out a little for Bombshell, even if she wasn’t her number one favorite heroine—not that she’d say that out loud. Aurora blushed. “I saw you at the convention a ways back with Dragonmage! You were the first supers I ever saw in person!” She smiled. “Mistral has been and continues to be my absolute favorite! My idol.” She beamed at Mistral, who was still holding her hand. “But I followed you too, Bombshell. I always thought your kind of power was really ideal. Upfront, honest always. Up in people’s faces, never holding back her punches.” Aurora grinned.

  “Haha, great!” Bombshell smiled, striking a pose for Aurora. “Gd I could inspire you,” she said. “Well, let me think… that was back during Justicon… I don’t remember seeing you there at all. Wings are pretty memorable things.”

  “Right!” Aurora nodded. “But I don’t always look like this. Now that my secret identity is protected, I don’t want to go into details… but I was very happy to meet you, oh, and I am now too.”

  “‘Protected,’ eh? Nice!” Bombshell nodded. “So why the Yellow, Emm-Ayy? She seems harmless.”

  “She not look like anyone you know?” Midnight Avenger asked.

  “I dunno… a girl?” Bombshell asked.

  Midnight Avenger looked like he wanted to groan slightly, but his expression barely changed. “She’s a direct physical match for Bck Angel.”

  “Isn’t she dead?” Bombshell blinked. “Didn’t she die fighting you, Missy?”

  “Yeah,” Mistral said wistfully. “It was the only way.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Bombshell replied. “That twat was a grade-A bitch. Thought she was God’s gift to everyone.”

  “Enough chatter,” Midnight Avenger growled. “Come on, let’s continue.” He waved them along. “Bring up the rear, Bombshell.”

  As they walked by, Bombshell put her hands on her hips and partook of her favorite pastime—making fun of the Avenger. She flew over them rather than falling in like some kind of faithful soldier. Midnight Avenger didn’t respond to her antics.

  Seeing this sort of behavior, maybe first impressions wouldn’t be too hard to nail.

  After some time, she gave up and nded behind them, walking casually at the rear. “Don’t worry,” Bombshell whispered. “He’s usually only here when he needs to get the oversized key for his clocks.”

  Aurora giggled softly and whispered back, “Hey, exactly where are we now? We were just in the capital city of Canada before beaming here!” She looked back and forth between the two heroines. They were somewhere else in the world, but no one knew the actual position of the Sentinels’ main base except for them.

  Mistral squeezed her hand. “Don’t ask that just yet,” she said softly.

  Bombshell shrugged. “Nah, it’s fine, we’re--”

  “Not yet,” Midnight Avenger barked. “Just a little further.”