ASH: Shadow Girls #5 - Rising Stars

[Drew Nilium]

On 1/12/22 11:32 PM, Dave Van Domelen wrote:
>       [The cover shows the four Morning Stars reflected in a black,
>        curved surface, with a gleaming yellow star behind them.]

oooooooh :o

> 			     The Morning Stars
> 
>       Tetra-Red		 Xueli "Julie" Li - The Leader
>       Hexa-Blue		 Tamica "Tammy" Sullivan - The Brains
>       Octa-Green		 Dhriti "Tee" Singh - The Fighter
>       Icosa-Pink		 Olivia "Liv" Stuart - The Heart
>       Hellhound?	    	 Madelyn "Maddie" Chin - The Mentor...under protest

eeeeeeeheeheehee. :D

>       "No WAY are you Hellhound," Octa-Green snorted.  "She had real powers,
> you're too old for that."
>       Maddie, without removing the helmet, slipped on a somewhat bulky
> motorcycling glove, which then crackled with electrical energy.
> "Technology's wonderful, isn't it?"

:3

>       "I'm Liv!" Icosa-Pink bounced up and down before dismissing her
> shadows.  Unsurprisingly, her leotard was bright pink.  "And Dhriti goes by
> 'Tee!'"

D'awwwww

>       "Why do we need fancy uniforms?" Tee asked.  "I mean, I wouldn't say no
> to better shoes, but our powers provide the rest."
>       "Anchors exist," Maddie shrugged.  "And beyond that, do you know for
> sure you won't involuntarily power down if you get stunned in a fight?  If
> the shadows drop at a bad time, you want at least some protection, both
> physically and for your identities."

Excellent point.

> Oh, and take off your shoes first...the
> leotards won't cause problems, but I will need good images of your bare feet
> for the footwear."

Something something fetish reference

>       "Yeah, just being stretchy won't be enough, some of you actually get
> smaller in some measurements.

Innnnnteresting.

> Technically, the "field" of superhero uniform design was only a
> handful of people, but Beth had put Maddie in touch with a couple of the
> armorers for the Marshals program, who had to deal with a wide variety of
> powers while ensuring a common look for the NAC Marshals.

Noice. :o

> We'll get back together
> here on Friday night, I'll pass out the outfits, and you'll present your
> attack plan to me.  Okay?"
>       "Okay," they chorused, with varying levels of enthusiasm.

Heeheehee cute

>       "Time for Hellhound to ride again?" she muttered to her distorted
> reflection in the visor.  "Or do I take the suggestion and become the new
> Professor Shade?"
>       She stood and paced a bit, then headed for a locked room she hadn't
> shown the girls, the one that held a lot of the things she'd moved out of the
> way in order to turn the hideout into her own place.
>       She picked up another helmet, this one of featureless black armor
> glass.  "No, if I'm going to be a TwenCen legacy, it'll be my OWN."

Hell yeah. :D

>       The Academy had still been working on formalized tracks when Beth had
> been there, but they'd already put in place a few "non-optional electives"
> for anyone who had combat-ready powers, including a course almost everyone
> hated: Survey of Legal and Regulatory Processes.  Basically, it was a class
> about how to do paperwork, the kind of paperwork that fills the time between
> fight scenes for a government-backed supernormal.
>       And, frankly, it had been the most useful course Beth had ever taken.
> Which Professor Blake said it would be...not that anyone believed him at the
> time.

Heeheehee. n.n Of course.

>       "Just paperwork, New York Sector's been relatively quiet lately."  Which
> was to say, none of the Manhattan Autonomous Sector fun had spilled over into
> the boroughs that had stayed in America recently.

Yeah fair. o3o

>       "I do keep up with the old hangouts, yes," Beth replied carefully.
> Because they knew they couldn't talk without observers, the three former
> Hellhounds had a few codewords arranged to give each other a heads-up when
> being too open was a bad idea, and Maddie'd just told her that there was
> paranormal trouble at the high schools.  Given how many of the less dedicated
> paragangers had "reformed" and entered the school population, but declined to
> leave the Autonomous Sector and go to the Academy, it was the main reason she
> still kept up with the old hangouts.

Oooooh, nice. Such goodgoodgood worldbuilding, I'm always impressed TBH |>

>       "Well, there's some talk about getting an intramural Paraball team
> going, since not everyone wants to race motorcycles," Maddie explained.  "And
> I might have kinda agreed to help with uniforms.  I'm not bad with a sewing
> machine, but I don't really know how to deal with powered kids who might get
> bigger or smaller or catch fire...okay, I can probably do that one, plenty of
> fireproof fabrics.  But could you put me in touch with your tailor so I can
> get some help?"

Heeheehee very nice very nice. :>

> This was all a dodge.
> Maddie had her own way of getting ahold of the armorer who'd helped out with
> some of the trickier bits of the Hellhound costumes.  This was purely for
> Beth's information...somehow Maddie had gotten stuck with mentoring a
> teenaged superhero team, which was going to be all SORTS of fun.

X3

>       "When can you come visit next?  I got hassled by some Snow Leopards the
> other day, I think Bathory's getting her back up over something or other,"
> Maddie complained, sending a chill down Beth's spine.

oooooooh.

> Beth knew Maddie
> would never leave, but part of their public cover was that Beth was always
> trying to get her to sell Grocery Store and move to at least a safer
> (American) part of New York City.  These arguments were great places to hide
> codewords, too.

:3

> It also meant
> that Beth really needed to decide soon if she wanted to come clean to her
> superiors about her extracurricular activities prior to becoming a Marshal.
> That secret identity was rapidly approaching its expiration date.

Hmmmmm, yes, good point, one way or another.

> "Unfortunately, I have
> forms that aren't going to fill themselves, so I guess I should get back to
> them."  That, sadly, was not code.

X3

> Leon Byun had come to town as a paraganger groupie without any powers, but quickly
> realized it was a bad scene.  He'd burned a few too many bridges with his
> family in New Jersey, though, and needed to take some time to prove he was a
> Responsible Son again before going home.

Awwwwww. *nodnods*

>       Definitely "whatever," Maddie thought as she closed the door and headed
> for the hidden passageway that Leon had either never found, or had kept his
> mouth shut about (and managed to not trigger any of the sensors...in which
> case she might have another job for him).

Heeheehee

>       "Welcome to Plato's Cave," Julie smiled.  "That's what Tammy's been
> calling it, anyway."

Niiiiiice.

> I suppose Plato's Cave is a decent name.  It's where we watch the shadows on
> the wall."

Yesssss :D

> "They're in the changing room...you each have a locker
> there now, so you can stick your street clothes there.  Probably not enough
> room for you to all change at once unless you're really flexible, though."
>       Julie and Tammy blushed, Liv giggled, and Tee rolled her eyes.  "Dibs!"
> Liv shouted.

X3

>       "Just a sec, speedy," Maddie held up her hand.  "So, these uniforms are
> basically armored leotards with some elastic panels, so they should fit you
> in both forms.  None of your hands changed noticeably, so the gloves are made
> of tougher material, with armored panels on the backs of the forearms to help
> with blocking.  Also, they're really important for making sure you don't
> leave fingerprints or obvious DNA samples.  Right now, the shoes are just
> off-the-shelf running shoes, but I added stretch panels in the middle.
> They're the kind with individual toes, so you should have a bit more
> flexibility for things like jumping around on roofs."
>       "Toe-shoes are so WEIRD," Julie shuddered.

X3 I love that that's the takeaway.

> you definitely need to start practicing martial arts when powered down,
> enhancement usually works better if the base 'you' is better, plus the whole
> Anchors Exist problem.  Focus on standard normie self-defense stuff, evade
> and escape...it won't raise suspicions and if you're powered down your first
> goal is going to be escape anyway."

Yes indeed.

>       "There you go.  Make momma happy.  And if your parents," Maddie looked
> to Tammy and then Liv, "aren't interested in it from the safety angle, pitch
> it as social.  I hear parents love it when you make new friends at school."
>       "NOW can I go put on my costume?" Liv asked, then zipped off towards the
> changing room when Maddie made a shooing motion.

X3 <3 <3 <3 Adorable.

> I'm working on
> getting you separate milspec graycells that can survive a few hits, since I
> can't make ones that can reliably stay under your shadow sheaths.

Oooooh, nice.

> I might
> see if storing things in your hair is a valid option, though, since the
> shadows do cover it."

Niiiiiice. :D

>       "I have a very deep junk drawer here, some of it is leftover supertech
> from the 1990s.

Some of it is screws that you don't know what they go with!

> "Okay, now to
> check your homework.  Gimme the five W's...who, where, why, when, and, um,
> how.  It has a W in it."

X3

>       "We decided on Al Mirage," Tetra-Red said, waiting for the laptop to
> boot up.  "He's scum, nobody likes him, and one of Tee's friends ended up
> 'dating' him over the winter break."

Oh gods. D:

>       "Ugh," Maddie frowned.  "I guess fear of Hellhound wasn't going to keep
> him on the straight and narrow forever."
>       "Yeah, after the beating you gave him, I'm surprised he can walk," Tee
> said, clearly hoping to give an equal or greater beating.

X3

> And Mr. Meraz himself is no longer welcome in the Saturday races after an
> incident last month."
>       "What kind of incident?" Maddie asked.
>       "He tried to pick up the kid sister of one of the 'ragers.  At the
> junior high," Tee snarled.  "He hardly ever leaves Central Park right now,
> he's trusting the Truce to keep him safe."

Oh dear. D:

>       "Sounds like if we don't get him, he's gonna be found floating in the
> East River, yah?" Icosa-Pink smirked.

Indeed. X>

>       Tetra-Red shook her head.  "That's the one problem with our plan.  The
> fact that he's not in jail already means Umbrae's willing to turn a blind
> eye.  Let Mirage be a freelance rapist to keep people scared."

Mmmmmm >:/ >:/ >:/

>       "He has outstanding warrants in New Jersey, related to some Rust
> Brothers parties," Maddie pointed out, "which is in your information files.
> If he can be threatened, make him emigrate and face Combine justice.  If he
> can't, punt him through the Lincoln Tunnel."

Yes good.

>       "Why is a pear a bad shape?" Icosa-Pink asked.
>       "They're shaped like butts," Octa-Green replied.
>       "Oooooh," Pink nodded.  "Well, mine isn't shaped like a pear."
>       "Girl, you will never have a proper butt," Tetra-Red snarked.

omfg X3 Wonderful

>       Maddie shook her head.  "I'm still not sure I want to wear that
> pectoral, but even if I do, I have my own legacy to pick up."  She opened up
> a vertical case, revealing a matte black motorcycling suit.  It had been her
> Hellhound costume, but she'd stripped off the flame detailing and added a few
> more panels to make it look different in outline.  Then she pulled a black
> armorglass helmet out from a rack next to it.  "Bathory sent her kitties
> looking for a black opal, might as well give her one."

Awwwww shit. <3 <3 <3 Wonderful.

>       Then he saw the four slim and feminine shadows in his path, each tinged
> with a different color.
>       "Villain, I am Tetra-Red, the exemplar of justice!"
>       "I am Hexa-Blue, the light of reason!"
>       "I am Icosa-Pink, the princess of love!"
>       "And I'm Octa-Green, the fist in your face!"
>       And with that, one of the shadows punched him, shattering his helmet and
> knocking him from his bike.

omggggggg. XD <3 <3 <3 I love this a lot.

> He'd only recently picked
> up the trick of adding sound to his projections, and he'd need every trick he
> had to survive whoever these crazy girls were.
>       Oh shit.  They were all looking at the real him.

Amazing. :D

>       Well, that was the plan, but somehow the world turned to pain before he
> could pull the trigger.

Yep, thank you
> It looked like the missing fifth gem had found them, as
> a dark yellow silhouette had just slammed into Al Mirage from behind, and
> Maddie could hear the bones break from a couple dozen meters away.

Oh, shit. :o Awesome.

>       "Tell ya what, kid...and yeah, I know I'm only a few weeks old and
> shouldn't be calling anyone kid...I'll drop him off in a hospital.  In
> Jersey.  I'm sure they'll recognize him.  Now scram before I decide your
> entertainment value is waning," the bud-clone made a shooing motion.

Yeah, legit

>       "Why?" she shot back.  "I don't know any of you, and I don't trust you
> any more than I trust the poddie."
>       "Well, I know YOU," Icosa-Pink retorted, "and we talk now or I find you
> later, YAH?" she emphasized the verbal litter.
>       The yellow gem-holder's eyes narrowed.  "Fine."

Ooooooh.

>       "Jess Davies?" Octa-Green blinked.  "Okay, yeah, now I recognize your
> voice."

Ooooooh x2. :o

>       "Why don't you tell us how you got your gem?" Tetra-Red suggested.
> 
> 	       *	      *		     *		    *
> 
> [March 19, 2027 - East Village]
> 
>       No.

XD XD XD omg <3

> "It's been almost a year since Hellhound retired, and longer since Warden
> vanished, there's going to be some paragangers and even 'reformed'
> paragangers who will be itching for a fight with us.  And if you're a solo
> act without any of the resources I can offer, you'll go down hard, no matter
> how sneaky you are...kudos for stealth, by the way, I didn't even have a
> feeling that something was out of place before you attacked."
>       There was silence, and the faintest of hints that multiple emotions were
> playing over Jess's shadow-cloaked face.
>       "...Fine.  But I'm not doing the stupid pose and announce thing.  You
> can draw all the fire and I'll do the tactically smart thing," Jess finally
> said.

X3 Yes, fair.

>       Rex Umbrae looked over the report that the Hangmen had just submitted
> regarding the day's disturbance in Central Park.
>       "Excellent...."

DUN DUN DUNNNN...

>       I did originally plan to have Maddie become Professor Shade II, but it
> didn't really feel right.  Even if she didn't want to be a solo Hellhound,
> why take on the identity of someone she never met and has no prior connection
> to?  (Technically, Maddie isn't old enough to really remember her
> grandfather, but he probably did see her a few times before he died.)

Yes, good thinking.

>       Yes, Jess's one-word narration was always the plan, not just a way to
> trim wordcount.

Oh, I could tell. XD <3

>       Next issue: The TRUE ORIGIN of the Morning Stars!

GASP!!!

Drew "the toe shoes let you outrun Death" Nilium