Starbright: Hero Extraordinaire

“Who are you?” Captain Star hovered a few feet above the ground. He looked down at the unfamiliar Superhero costume.

Cap, as many called him, crossed his arms in his favorite “Super Stance.” Under his crossed arms was the chest-sized yellow star that denoted his Super Hero Group, the Star Group, which was financially supported by the Star Corporation. Everyone in the Star Group had stars on their costume somewhere. Captain Star’s seemed especially noticeable since the rest of his armor was nothing but silver with blue trim.

Starbright glanced at the two men. She figured she should stay close in case Captain Star stuck his foot in his mouth. They may have stopped dating, but they had been friends and teammates for much longer: that wasn’t going to change anytime soon. She watched as his short blond hair barely moved in the wind caused by the distant fires. His cape fluttered more than his hair. She allowed herself the hint of a smile as she looked at the new guy’s short, loose locks waving wildly in the wind. It was dark brown and full of loose curls and waves.

“I’m Commando.” His voice was deep, confident, and perhaps a touch arrogant. He was no doubt prepared to prove he deserved to be arrogant. He was, after all, entering the realm of being called a Superhero.

Commando, as he called himself, wore a dark metallic brown bodysuit that gently glinted in the descending sunlight. His hair was dark. His face mask was dark, although it clung to his skin, allowing everyone to see his facial expressions. His eye covers were dark and sparkled in the light as he looked toward the two hovering Supers. He was covered entirely from his hairline to the bottom of his feet.

Despite being completely covered so that onlookers would have to assume skin tone and race, the costume was especially revealing: every anatomical feature was outlined by the skin-tight material. Every gorgeous muscle and intimate line was on display. Even though he was dripping with masculine sexuality, she assumed the media would focus more on the color of his suit. Those with less color perception would call it black.

Starbright could already guess the news headlines over the next hour: “New Black Super: Friend or Foe?”

“Why is your name Commando?” Captain Star stepped down to the ground. He uncrossed his arms. Maybe he was preparing to shake hands; maybe he was preparing to do otherwise. Captain Star’s shoulders rarely revealed his intentions: as a Superhero, he had lots of practice hiding his intentions.

Cap had made it obvious (at least in Starbright's presence) that he did not approve of the city’s recent “License for Freelance Supers.” They weren’t bonded (insured), didn’t have to clean their own messes, and if they caused massive amounts of damage, their license was suspended - not revoked. They could basically appeal to the newly formed “Licensing Board for Supers” to have the city pay the fees. The Board would determine if their actions were deemed justifiable enough. To Cap, it was like a slap in the face to all the complaints he’d faced and cleaned up in the past.

Starbright took the opposite stance: she thought of their previous years of work as paving the way for these new Supers to explore their abilities without having to hide out in dangerous or villainous organizations. Although she disagreed with Captain Star, she would never act against him as long as he didn’t actively try to keep them from using the city-approved and legal license.

Commando’s masked face revealed thick lips and a dead-sexy smile. “You know what ‘going Commando’ means, right?” He stretched his hands toward the sky, slowly, before arching back and placing his hands behind his head.

At Captain Star’s appalled face, Commando’s smile grew larger. “That’s right.” He circled his hips as he turned about, posing in all sorts of positions that left nothing to the imagination. Then he looked over his shoulder and winked at Starbright. “Nothing under here but me.”

Starbright covered her mouth to try to hide her involuntary laughter.

“You can’t be serious!” Captain Star stepped back in apprehension and disbelief.

Unlike most Supers, Cap didn’t have a face mask of any sort. He was one of those rare types that were so charismatic, he was basically a spokesperson for the majority of Supers. It also meant that he tried to keep everyone in tow. (Unbeknownst to most everyone else, he only managed the effort with Starbright’s help.)

Commando used a thumb to point at his chest. “That is for me to know,” then he pointed at Starbright, “And for her to find out.” He winked at her again, lifting his chin in an obvious flirt.

Starbright tried to hide her smile but she felt herself beginning to blush - not without delight. She landed on the ground beside Cap, gently waving the tips of her fingers at the flirty stud.

Captain Star knew better than to loudly reprimand her, so he quietly pleaded. “Just stop. Don’t encourage him.” Cap gently touched her elbow and stood between her and Commando. “Let’s just get to work.”

Cap waited for Starbright to go first.

She opened her eye covers to show him her laughing eyes. “You made it sound like we were in the middle of an interview. Don’t let me stop you.”

She loved the mild confusion on his face a little too much. A second later, she felt guilty. “I’m just teasing you.” She tightened her gloves as she made eye contact with Commando. “Are you here to help with the fires themselves or with the firefighters?”

He nodded as he said, “Firefighters. I’m strong. I have super speed, but I’m not so fast that I could help with a fire, Princess.” He stepped forward, putting out a hand like he was offering it. Except he was over ten feet away. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll be right there if you need me.”

“Cheeky.” Cap refrained from adding more to his comment. He turned to see Starbright hiding her laughter again. This time he tapped her elbow. “We have to go, sweetheart. Stop staring.”

As Starbright turned to Cap, she glared, no longer amused or tolerant. “I believe you lost the right to call me Sweetheart a while ago, Captain Star.” She began to float. She took a second to wave goodbye at Commando. Then she turned and started flying toward the fires as Cap responded.

“We’re still close friends. I’m allowed to keep an eye out for you.” He quickly followed.

“Yeah? Is that what that was? Keeping an eye on me? Because it sounded more like you were being possessive.”

“You’ve never appreciated flirts before. You’ve even been grateful to me for keeping them away from you.” They were flying quickly now. Below them, they could see Commando keeping up with them, running across the landscape like a tiny storm leaving a trail of dust.

“But everyone else was creepy.” She let herself smile for a second as she watched his superspeed.

Commando's deeply masculine figure still looked beautiful while he was running: that was not something every Super could manage.

They reached the line where the land-based organizations were setting up their defenses.

Captain gave out a chuckle. “I know what’s different about this one: it’s because he looks like that singer you like, isn’t it?”

Starbright raised an eyebrow at him. The noise from the wind, and now the fire, didn’t hinder their conversation. They had earpieces that allowed them to communicate on a secure line. She didn’t bother to respond to his observation, though. There were beeps as the others in their team came into range.

Unlike most groups that advertised their telepaths, the Star Group did not. That was because Starbright couldn’t handle a large group to link with. She could, however, handle Captain Star. She gently probed his thoughts and asked permission to link with him.

Cap nodded as he took the telepathic link. Not everyone in the group realized she helped him out so much. Starbright was capable of a lot more than flying, super speed, telepathy, and controlling air. According to her contract with the Star Group, as long as she worked for them, they would never advertise her strengths and limitations. Because honestly? Anyone who knew that much about her grew scared of her.

Even Captain Star.

He’d thought he was strong enough. After training together since the age of thirteen, she thought he had been strong enough, too. Unfortunately, Starbright’s sleeping habits had pushed him way out of his comfort zone.

It pushed him right into the arms of dozens of eager fans. Each one of them was more than willing to have a fling with the very attractive demigod. Each one of them was convinced she was easing his pain after Starbright’s rejection. Because for some reason, the secret of their relationship wasn’t a secret after it was over.

Starbright still didn’t understand that piece of logic. She'd given him shit and beaten Cap up about enough, though.