He took a look over at Vicki, who seemed to be mostly alright from the fight, but there was definitely the sensation that something was off about her. Not now, specifically, but in general. Maybe he'd been too harsh on her before, but it was hard to not feel that sense of indignation. He was of the opinion that those who could help, should help, especially when there was still so many people today who couldn't help themselves.
Next, he looked over to Sasha, who'd held firm against the onslaught of molten metal and fire from the insectoid. He offered a little smirk. "Well I'm certainly glad fate saw fit to add you to the group. Ice doesn't do too well with fire and hot metal. Neither does human flesh." Richard chuckled. "Thanks for helping with the defense Sasha, saved a lot more lives than just ours. And thanks to you two as well, Devon, Vicki. Maybe when we're done saving the world we can all find work as really high paid firefighters." He looked between each of them, a faint smile forming. It was impossible to resist that sensation of satisfaction, of a new found sense of safety, of the ability to achieve anything.
Of a team coming together, in spite of whatever differences they may have had.
Richard snapped back to reality when he realized the rest of the team was gone. "Anyways, I don't wanna rush us, but... Well we should probably get out of here immediately before anyone else shows up, specifically people with badges. Think the others have already left, so..." He cast a quick glance back to Devon again, giving a slight shrug. "You mind giving us a quick lift to that warehouse then? If you can manage three passengers?"
................................................................................................................................................
Venice beach shook for a moment as a thunderous crack could be heard, followed by a wave of energy that shook people, windows, even buildings and cars. On lookers were dazzled as the beach shot up a fountain of sand, as there had landed heroism in the flesh. One might even say America in the Flesh.
Captain Valor.
Crowds began to quickly gather and erupt into cheers. With the mysterious heroes who'd been there only a few moments before gone now, it gave everyone near a sense of safety and relief to have him there. He ran a hand through his well groomed, Prince Charming-esque hair before giving them a million dollar smile and a wave. But it wasn't only him waving to the crowds. To their glee, he was soon joined by others from his All American team.
There was the wavy golden hair of Lady Liberty, and her brand new sidekick Lieutenant Liberty, a young girl from one of the flyover states, and who was essentially in training to one day become the next Lady Liberty herself. Both had been selected specifically for their mastery over fire powers, the 'Torch of Liberty' they would carry. There was also Marshal Freedom, Major Justice, and American Eagle (no relation to the brand).
NAHLA agents soon began to arrive on scene, working to disperse the crowd and get them to vacate the beach so they could begin work.
Valor sighed. This felt pathetic. The only reason he and the others were there was to restore some sense of 'safety and security' among the public, after everything that had happened in Atlas City. It had been a PR nightmare for NAHLA, and now he was showing up to the scene of ANOTHER hero group's victory. The news would find the best way to spin it of course, and Valor had already been coached on the talking points for when the cameras got rolling. They'd turn the narrative to one of congratulations for the most definitely unregistered supers, talk about the ways every day people, in every corner of the country, can swoop in to save the day. The idea being that Americans had nothing to fear, no matter where they were, there were heroes to save the day.
In other words, deny the reality that crises can happen anywhere, anytime, and without any way to predict to prevent them. Sleep comfortably knowing that unregistered heroes can always save the day, because they'll get there way quicker than NAHLA can. Valor knew this wasn't NAHLA's fault either, or anyone's for that matter, save for the Commies in the USSR or PRC. But not everyone thought this stuff through rationally. People want someone to blame, a witch to burn, and they will look ANYWHERE to find one.
A hand landed gently on his bicep, Lady Liberty stepping next to him, eyes narrowed with concern. "You good Cap?" She asked in a tone trying to balance sympathy with neutrality, not wanting to seem like she were babying him.
He flashed a grin and nodded. "Yeah Lady, thanks for asking. Just annoyed coming here to play PR for somebody else's mess." Valor chuckled slightly, but Liberty only gave a half hearted smile and nod, not feeling overly convinced, before she went to join the others.
He missed Lone Star. That had been on his mind since the end of the attack. It broke his heart, tore through him to his core. They'd fought side by side for decades. And now he just... Vanished. Like he'd never even existed. No body, not even a scrap of flesh to try to cremate or bury. That, too, shook Valor to his core. He wanted to believe he could have survived it, that if it had been him there Lone Star would still be alive. It was a mix of wanting to punish himself, but also trying to reassure himself...
Reassure himself that he wouldn't be just disappear.
He had to hold onto that belief.
Valor went over to join the others, cameras now rolling and already asking their questions. Of course, the questions immediately turned to who the heroes were, why NAHLA didn't respond sooner, what they'd do in the future, etc. etc.
The Captain flashed his million dollar grin, and kept it simple. "Listen, before we get into the logistics or legality of anything, I want to thank those heroes. They did a fine job here, a real fine job. This is what the American Spirit - no, actually the Heroic Spirit - is all about. People standing up to do the right thing. In every part of the world, at every moment, everyday people are accepting the call of that spirit to stand up for those in need. It makes me proud of this country, of heroism. No matter what happens to us, there's always brave souls ready to stand up for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now as for the question of the legality..."
He cast his gaze directly into the camera, speaking not to the audiences, or politicians or executives. He was talking to The Brave.
"We're always hiring, and you'd do me and the others a great honor by joining our teams. Whoever you all are, my offer is always open."
................................................................................................................................................
A thick black fog dissipated, revealing directly in front of Richard, Devon, Vicki, and Sasha, the back of the van Henry had acquired. He felt a strange sensation still coursing through his body, had been a VERY strange experience, but at least he was still alive. Well, at least he hoped he still was.
The icy hero gave two thumbs up to his beach buddies, once more congratulating them. "Great job back there again. Now... i Believe some of us already have some experience with warehouse investigations, so lets get to it, shall we?"
He knocked on the doors of the van before opening them up and entering uninvited. Richard gave a two finger salute in acknowledgement to Henry as he started to rummage through the equipment. "How're we looking out there so far Henry? Everyone good out there?" Richard began to quickly slip out of some of his civvie clothes, and into the attire of the Great White Death.
Once he got to the firearms, he quickly pushed Hrunting and Colada to the side. Today was much better suited to Tizona, Excalibur, Durendal, and Joyeuse. While the others got ready as well, he began attaching the necessary suppressors to his pistols and MP5A3. They still wouldn't be ideal for stealth, but it was the best anyone could hope for if a firefight broke out.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Maxwell was quiet for a few moments, face stony and expressionless, even after the General had explained the goals of his Empress and her Empire. The amber in his eyes lingered on the General as he took a deep sip from his glass of Scotch. After placing it down, the stoniness dissipated, and a sincere smile began to form on his face.
"A man like me could always use good friends, and if your Empress is the same, then I think the conclusion here is forgone. An alliance between your Great Empire, and what I hope will soon be my own Great Empire, is essential for the both of us. Foregone as this may be though General, there are many details to be established still, I hope you can understand that. Before we can shake hands, sign a deal, and drink a toast, we'll need to be sure we're both in total agreement to what we expect from this. Before I get to that though, I still am curious about something. Namely, what is your purpose in all of this? Are you a diplomat for your Empress? Or will you be serving in a more direct role for her here on Earth, or in our solar system?"
He ran a finger along along the lip of his glass, giving it a slight hum as it went along. "I suppose there's another question I had as well, and please forgive me if it is at all rude, but I only seek more understanding and clarification. You said your people are... 'Space Demons'? On Earth, we have various interpretations of 'demons', but they tend to share some commonalities and features. Are your people of a supernatural origin? Or something in that vein? And are you at all aware of the connection we Earthlings make with 'underworlds', or 'lands of the dead or damned'?"
Maxwell clasped his hands together, leaning forward and offering another sincere smile. "Again, I hope I have not offended, but interactions like these, between an Earthling and an offworlder are - well, at least I assumed they were - quite rare. This is a very unique opportunity I've been afforded."