Initiative 2028

US Agent

The TV host smiled as the camera zoomed in on her, her red hair falling into her eyes as Maya Hawk said, "Joining us today on 'Meet the Neighbors' is america's number one heroine and Initiative spokeswoman, Miss America!"

"Thank you," the brown haired woman strode from the shadows, dressed in a red and blue costume with a us flag shield on her chest, "glad to be here." A red cape swirled around her, giving her a majestic feel under the bright lights of the studio.

"It's a honor, Miss America," Maya said as she lead her over to the couches where she chatted with starlets and news makers. She was what some might call busty but Maya preferred 'well endowed' with nice hips and bust. 'Much like she is,' Maya found herself noticing.

"Call me Barbara," she smiled warmly then winked, "or if you want, Bucky."

Maya chuckled softly, sitting down carefully so her short skirt wouldn't reveal too much. "Most of America knows your heroic story," she said as she casually addressed the heroine and her audience, "but could you summarize?"

"Of course," Barbara smiled. "My mother was a AIDS infected hooker who encountered Jack Munroe, the Nomad," she revealed, "who took care of me as a child until leaving me with Giscard Epurer and apparently dying. In honor of him I took the name Barbara Munroe when I reached adulthood, and enrolled with the Initiative."

"Where you've become one of the country's greatest heros," Maya said as images of the popular heroine in action appeared on the view screen behind them.

"I wouldn't go that far," Barbara smiled back at her as she added cheerfully, "but thanks for saying that."

"You hold down a position with the Patriots, Washington DC's superhuman team, speak for the Initiative and also act as a solo heroine," Maya noted admiringly as she asked, "where do you find the time for all that?"

Barbara winked, "Oh, I manage somehow. It's mostly a matter of prioritizing my commitments, like most successful people."

Maya shifted a bit in her seat, her voice dropping a bit as she added, "And you're not dating anyone? No new men in your life?"

"Who has time?" Barbara laughed, winking.

The interview continued on as they discussed the charity work they shared and other topics, eventually running down as the final questions were asked. After bidding her audience a hearty farewell the director yelled cut and it was over.

Maya ran a hand through her hair, messing up it's carefully made look and seeming much more casual as she smiled, "Good interview, Miss Munroe."

"Thank you," Barbara smiled back, "and I meant it when I said you can call me by name."

"Thanks," Maya smiled as she unclipped her microphone, the two leaving the stage set and heading into the hallways behind it, "many public figures say one thing while on camera and another off-screen."

"I know how that feels," Barbara chuckled softly. She looked over at Maya, "And thank you for not pressing on the dating question."

Maya chuckled, "It's a question I have to ask for the public's sake, but like most insiders I know the score."

"I wish my public relations people would just let me come out," Barbara said wryly, "but they say that America is not ready for a lesbian superheroine."

"Probably the same PR people who keep saying I can't be too out too," Maya agreed with a sly wink.

That got a laugh from Barbara as she said, "Maybe we can... talk about it some time?"

"I'd like that," Maya smiled as she rested a hand on the taller woman's arm. "Are you busy tonight?" she asked.

Barbara looked apologetic, "I'm kind of wrapped up in a case... can I call you?"

"Please," Maya grinned as she handed her a business card and watched as the beautiful woman climbed into her waiting car.

Barbara looked at the card and slipped it into her pocket even as she tapped on the window separating her and the driver. "Take me to the airport," she ordered, "least time trip, please."

Several hours later and half a world away, a very different looking woman prepared to go into action. She wore mostly black, a simple bodysuit that covered her from head to toe. The only splashes of color were her red boots and gloves, along with the red and white triangular flag on her chest.

"US Agent," the pilot said over the speaker in the attack helicopter they rode in, "we're nearing the drop zone."

"Maintain a safe height," US Agent slid the hatch open, "and make sure to be at the pick up point on time."

"Do you want me to descend...?" the pilot asked.

"No need," US Agent replied as she casually threw herself out of the copter over a hundred feet from the target zone.

"You maniac!" she heard the pilot yelp even as she began to fall.

US Agent spread her arms, feeling the invisible web of cloth billowing out from the suit's back, slowing her fall. The latest in commando gear the parachute was virtually invisible and would dissolve into nothing once it released. At twenty feet from the ground she released the chute and finished her fall, hitting the earth in a ball and rolling to a stop.

'Thank goodness I'm tougher than a normal human,' US Agent thought, standing and looking around her warily.

They weren't that far from the United States, on a island just outside their borders. Off in the distance the shadowy shape of a mansion rose up against the stars while fields of poppies grew all around. The drug cartels own the island and had been a thorn in the government's side for a few years now... a thorn that was about to be messily plucked.

Keeping to the shadows US Agent advanced towards the building, watching for the guards patrolling the edges of the poppy fields. Silent as a ghost she crept up behind one, covering his mouth before he could cry out. With superior strength she yanked him backwards out of direct line of sight then with a simple pull of her arm broke his neck.

'One down,' US Agent thought, picking up his semi-automatic rifle. Not that she really needed it, but it was better to have it than risk a enemy using it on her. Weapon at her side she advanced towards the house, killing any sentries she found.

The house itself was better fortified, with spotlights on the roof and men in position around it. The old ranch house looked ready for war, or at least a pitched battle. Hiding in the scrub US Agent took aim carefully with her borrowed rifle, killing the lights with two shots.

"Intruder!" a voice yelled out a alarm as guards scrambled to act, but US Agent was already on the move.

Racing up to the house US Agent leapt at the two guards, taking one down with a blow to the chest that stopped his heart, Then using the dying man as leverage she threw a kick at the other, sending him crashing into the wall with a bloody splat. The heavy oak door broke down like bad plywood as she advanced into the front hall, unslinging the rifle and gunning down the guards racing at her.

"Get to cover," a older man yelled from the upper floor, waving his men into firing positions above her, "quickly."

"Senor Garcia?" US Agent called.

"Yes," he answered, his bushy mustache moving up as he scowled at her.

"If you want to keep casualties down," US Agent said coldly as she used the hall closet for cover, "surrender now."

"You can't seriously expect to defeat us all," Garcia sniffed.

"On your head, then," US Agent sighed as she dug her fingers into the wall and ripped out a piece of it. With a smooth gesture she hurled the chunk of wood and plaster, scattering the surprised guards.

"Look out," Garcia snarled as he shoved another man out of the way, "she's not human!"

"I resent that," US Agent said coldly as she ran forward, firing the rifle once more. This time she got lucky and Garcia went down in a spray of blood, his allies deserting him once they saw him fall.

As US Agent strode up the steps towards Garcia he turned his head, looking at her with eyes cloudy from coming death. "Why...?" he managed.

US Agent looked at him a moment then shrugged. "You're importing too many drugs into the States," she knelt down beside him, "and channeling the money to people not very friendly to our interests. You had to expect someone to take steps."

Garcia coughed as blood welled up around his mouth, "So what now?"

"Now you die," US Agent rose and readied the gun, "and this whole plantation with you." With that she fired once then walked through the house, thankful there were no wives or children there. She could kill a child if she had to, she'd done it before, but it was distasteful.

Not long afterward fuel stores for farm machinery were used to st the poppy fields and the house ablaze, the red glow lighting up the night. US Agent watched it burn from a nearby rise, the location she had arranged to be picked up. Right on time the chopper descended and the Agent climbed aboard, slumping tiredly on the bench in the back.

"Mission accomplished I see," the pilot said as they took off the island and back to the carrier out at sea.

"As always," US Agent sighed as she pulled off her mask. Barbara Monroe looked at the black cloth, wondering how many people would believe wholesome Miss America was also the lethal US Agent. Not many, which was why it made the perfect cover.

To be continued...?