Testing Has Commenced

Though extremely rare in addition to some extent peculiar, the next morning just before dawn graced the land with its warm lights of hope, several souls had arisen before the dawn. While many of this ideal and peaceful borough still slept and dreamed happy thoughts. However a few souls didn't have that luxury at the moment.

Rebecca, Ven, Darien, and Barbara were all up long ahead of the daybreak. Each of them was of course doing something of their own. Nevertheless it was incredibly bizarre for any person to be up at 5:15 in the morning. It was still somewhat dark out and it was just unusual that was all.

Barbara was drinking a coffee brew that Terry's girlfriend named Dana Tan called "Brew 14". Bruce told her it was beyond the most excellent coffee he'd ever tasted. Consequently she'd asked the Asian beauty if she give her a mug to try out. Turned out Bruce hadn't been lying. It was beyond anything she'd ever tasted prior to all the coffee she'd ever tasted before. Barbara was careful to keep the lid of the coffee mug shut tight knowing how sick it made her daughter just to smell coffee. She wondered for a moment where her daughter was. She knew that Rebecca had been really shook up after yesterday's gunfight.

It'd terrified her as well. She knew all too well what it was like to be avoiding ammunition. How when it came to bullets they didn't distinguished from friend or foe, that they could and would kill, all who were unfortunate enough to be caught in their path. So she was wondering if she was alright. She'd had cried a little last night when she'd spoken to her father about how scared she'd been. He'd calmed her down some, but it was still clear to her that Rebecca had been pretty shook up by the whole ordeal.

While Barb was sipping her flavorsome coffee Rebecca was training extraordinarily hard in her exercise room. She if truth be told wished she had a swimming pool, in view of the fact that, swimming was a great stress reliever, seeing how the water was both relaxing and soothing to the nerves. Sadly despite the fact that her gymnasium was well equipped she just didn't have a pool. Subsequently she was doing her best on her balance beam hoping it would calm her down some. With the grace and poise of the best Olympic gymnast she did a spectacular series of backflips and even managed to stick her dismount when she did a 360 flip off the wooden beam.

"Well, at least I've not lost my touch!" she commented with a chuckle as she grabbed her lavender towel and began to wipe off the sweat on her brow. She reached for her water but before she could grab it her stomach gave a load roar. It was so loud that her mom showed up in the room and gave her a smirk.

"Rebecca, darling, have you even eaten anything today? I mean you barely ate anything for dinner last night. You need to eat. C'mon I'll fix us a spot of breakfast. Hope you like blueberry pancakes."

"I'd love some, Mom. Furthermore, maybe we could have them with hash browns, scrambled eggs and sausages! Now that'd be a fantastic breakfast, don't you think so, Mom? It would both be full of flavor along with also being incredibly satisfying. So let's go make some before Warren gets up!" Rebecca suggested happily as she dashed out of the room to join her mom in the kitchen. Her mom however told her she first needed to change her clothes some before they could really get breakfast started. So Rebecca dashed to her bedroom to get out of her workout clothes.

Now while mother and daughter were bonding Ven and Darien was having a discussion in relation to their strategy to get do away with of Sparrow Hawk, in addition to getting Ms. Young to become Darien's lover. It wouldn't be an easy mission to accomplish at all, but for Ven it was a challenge he lived for. The thrill he was getting was enough to get him on a natural high that was even more powerful and potent then all the marijuana in a batch of brownies.

Therefore as the duo sipped their own tasteless coffee, he was effectively nevertheless calmly explaining how he was gonna test Sparrow Hawk so they'd figure out how to defeat her. Ven didn't tell Mr. French that he'd a secret of his own. He just listened patiently as Mr. French told him that he wanted the job done as quickly as possible. He greatly desired Rebecca to be his date to the awards ceremonial dinner that was coming up fast. Consequently the whole thing had to be done and had to be done quick. After they'd finished their disgusting coffee Darien excused himself as he had to get to work.

He was overseeing a custody battle today in his court, and it wouldn't be favorable to him wooing and winning Rebecca over, if he didn't show her he was the superior judge, not that stupid Warren. So he quickly gathered his things and ran a silver comb through his dark locks quickly before grabbing his briefcase. He just reached for the gray doorknob before turning back to face Ven with a most serious expression and was exceptionally careful to emphasis just how important his task was.

"I'll call you later, Ven, to check on your progress. Let's just hope your buddies keep their tongues silenced about the plan. For it to succeed they can't spill the beans, got it? I don't care if you've got to bust them out of jail or whatever, just make sure no-one can trace them back to me! Got it?!"

"Don't fret, Mr. French. My men know the meaning in addition to price of failure. Trust me, my dear friend; they won't be unsuccessful to either me or you. Now hurry off, I've got my own agenda to attend too. Just bear in mind if I deliver to you what you yearn for you better have what I wish for. After all it's only fair to return the favor of one who does a favor for you isn't it, Mr. French?"

"Don't be concerned about that, Ven; you'll get your credits as soon as all this is over and done with. Now if you excuse me I must be off. Stay out of trouble," and without another word the crooked judge left his besmirched dwelling and headed out to work.

By now true dawn had broken over the city and everyone was listening to the morning news by the lovely along with charismatic Lucy and Stanley Kushinda. The Hispanic pair did a phenomenal job at keeping up-to-date with current events. Furthermore they made sure to actually talk about good news and not just blather on about the bad news. The news was depressing enough most of the time because all that was reported was bad news. So actually making sure that good news was heard was a great relief.

Rebecca was just finishing her scrumptious breakfast with her mom and Warren. She paused for a moment to wiping the syrup off her magenta lips and looked at the TV screen. The top morning story was playing and it was actually nice for once.

"Warren? Could you turn up the volume some? Thanks."

"This must be an incredibly excellent story if it taking you away from this fabulous breakfast," he replied, as he clicked the button on her remote, as the charming Stanley was talking with an attractive auburn haired zoo worker, who was holding a beautiful newborn white tiger in her arms. It looked almost like a harmless kitten, although one and all knew it was still a wild animal even if it was only an infant at the time.

"So, Alicia, can you tell me more about our zoo's charming new resident? He looks so sweet and I've never seen whiter fur. It looks even whiter then the freshest winter's snow."

"Well, Stanley, I'd like to introduce you too our new tiger cub, whom the staff and I've named Javan, after an extinct species of tiger. We've named his littermates after other extinct species as well as a way to honor those who are gone. He's got two other siblings which are currently suckling with their mother Selena, we've named his brother Caspian and his sister Bali, both are also extinct species. The father of our trio of new tigers is named Sher after the Indian word for tiger. A fun fact which our viewers might like to know is that a group of tigers is called a streak, and also tiger can live an average between 20 to 30 years. We hope our breeding program here will make sure that tigers and the other many species of animals here at Eco-City Animal Sanctuary won't die out."

"That's a noble and admirable goal, Alicia. Can you tell us more about this little guy? Like why he's white and not orange?" Stanley asked as the animal keeper picked up a bottle of warm milk and began to nourish the little guy. He guzzled it down so fast he was sure to get hiccups. Alicia laughed gaily at the cub's antics and turned to face the camera for a second time.

"Only in zoos and sanctuaries like ours would you see a white tiger, Stanley. If little Javan here had been born in the wild, he'd most likely be dead very quickly. Without the orange to break up his pattern he'd be unable to stalk or do anything to be a master of beauty and magnificent that tigers are in their natural habitat. In the wild tiger cubs usually stay with their mothers till they're two years old, though there have been cases when cubs remain with their moms to the age of five. So we hope that this little guy lives a long time and maybe when he gets older will try breeding him here. So I think right now little Javan wants to go to sleep, so we should let him. Thanks for attention and hopefully this interview will warrant more attention to conservation of the natural world."

"Well, Alicia, we all are on familiar terms with that our fair city's main goal is to bring the natural world and give it an equal balance with the world of man. As a result of that noble and honorable goal we've for our home, yes I hope that this little guy inspire others to fight the evil of poaching and other evils like deforestations. We all live on this planet and we must all learn to share it. So that's all the time we've got for today, thanks for tuning into Eco-City Morning Report, back to you, honey!"

Rebecca turned the TV off at that point. Then she picked up her make-up compact and touched up her lipstick. Her mother chuckled as her daughter carefully examined her reflection in the royal purple heart shaped compact mirror.

"Honey, you don't need to cover up your natural beauty so much. You look better without playing dress up. I've until the end of time told you that. You don't need make-up to enhance your beauty."

"Your mom's got an excellent point, Becky. You look perfect the way you are. I can't stand girls who pack on so much gunk that they look more like Barbie dolls then women. Real beauty as my mom always said comes from within."

"I know and agree with both of you on that subject. On the other hand, I do want to look nice when I go to work today. Thank God I've got Kendra! Without her lending a hand I'd be like a chicken with its head cut off. No joke! I've got a full boat today! I've got a small number of civil cases this morning. Then after lunch I got a big lawsuit case to deal with and before dinner I've got to review a custody hearing. I also still have to go wedding dress shopping with Lena later this week and Kendra promised she get my robin egg blue silk chiffon dress cleaned properly for the awards ceremonial dinner. So I'm afraid you two will be on your own for the whole day. I've got to get going now or I'm gonna be late! Love you, Mom! Love you, Warren!" as she quickly kissed her loved ones on the cheek and dashed to the golden elevator.

"So, Ms. Gordon, what are we gonna do today without Becky?" was all Warren asked as soon as the door was slammed shut. Barb just smiled at her daughter's boyfriend and got a clever look upon her face.

Rebecca arrived at the courthouse in twenty minutes and already waiting for her was Kendra. It took her a few minutes to catch her breath and notice that Kendra was wearing a new perfume. It was a change because both of them didn't wear a lot of makeup or even wear perfume too often. Both of them agreed with Barb and Warren that true beauty came from within. As a result smelling the new delicate scent on Kendra was a change. Taking a deep breath to really inhale the sweet fragrance she turned to face her assistant who was preoccupied with her I-tablet checking everything on her boss's schedule.

"Kendra?"

"Yes, Rebecca?"

"Did that man you met online give you perfume? It's a nice fragrance, I'll admit to that. It also smells a bit expensive. I've also been meaning to ask you how your love life is going now that you met that Ernie guy."

She was blushing a lovely shade of carmine that really stood out on her ivory skin tone. She hid a small smile, but her teal eyes sparkled brightly from the question. After a moment she regained her composure and smiled widely. "Well, I guess you could say I've at the least gotten a small nibble in that giant sea of fish, though I still haven't exactly landed it on the dock yet. At least Ernie is a gentleman and he didn't stand me up like those other douche bags did, so that at least is good. We had a wonderful dinner at that restaurant "Pass the Plate" which as you know has food from all around the world served there. He gave me the perfume last night for having such a good time on our date. I think our next date will be just as good. At least there is a bit of a spark between us. So I may have a date to attend the awards dinner with you and go to Lena's wedding!"

"I'm very happy for you, Kendra, just don't get ahead of yourself. As they use to say don't count your chicks before they hatch. So let's go over my caseload for today. And make sure you at least get me a healthy lunch today. I don't want to have to take that dress out by gaining weight," she replied.

Kendra looked hurt for a moment by her employer words; however realized in next to no time that Rebecca was just being sarcastic about the dress, yet she was being sincere about her potential spark. Rebecca was an extremely lovable individual. Furthermore she was an excellent along with brilliant judge. She had no doubt that that her boss would be the victor and would earn the coveted award.

Plus she might even win one herself for best assistant. It was the Law and Order Awards Dinner after all, and one and all in the organization from legal representatives to their helpers got something for their commitment to the legal system. Thus she hoped she at least get something out of it. With those pleasant thoughts in both of the young ladies minds they were ready to get to work, so they might have their dreams come true for one night at least.

"Alright, let's get to work," handing her a stack of files. "You're first case of the day is in ten minutes, and it's about whether or not a family should pay for dental bills after a schoolyard fight."

"Great, sounds like fun. What else have I got?"

"Well, the case after that is about if a woman should have her deposit returned to her after finding her new home unsatisfactory. I'm well aware these are the minor cases, and I promise you, I'll get you a great lunch to prepare you for the big boys this afternoon. Oh, and just to keep you informed about your unwanted suitor Judge French, I've got good news on that account"

"Yes? I hope that thorn will stay out of my side for at least today. I've got enough on my plate already. And I so do not need to have him and his childish antics today. So what's the news on him?"

Kendra smiled and flicked a stray strand of hair out of her eyes and replied "He will be working the entire morning on the other side of the building. As a result, you shouldn't have to put up with him, or any his gobbledygook at all at present," she informed with a chuckle. She was laughing so hard she had tears glistening face. Taking a moment to recompose herself she continued on "He's got way too many cases on his plate today. I mean he really overloaded on the legal buffet table if you ask me, with all the work he's trying to keep from falling off his china plate. What is even more apparent to the obvious folks around this courthouse, you can believe me he's in desperate need of an assistant. The guy may be wooden as an oak tree and have no sense of humor, but he couldn't find his socks in a pile of boxers without some type of assistance. So he gonna be out of sight and mind today."

"Good! I don't need to be distracted today at all. Oh, and before I forget I had a thought this morning. It would really make my day to see if you can get a request with my landlord to see if I could get a small pool put in my penthouse. I know there's enough space for a small one. With all this tension I've been under lately I could if truth be told use my own pool without having to resort going to the gym to have a swim. So just try and fit it in alright, Kendra?"

"Say no more, Rebecca. Don't worry, sweetie, I've never let you down before, have I? No! So I won't let you down this time either. So don't worry! Just get focus on your cases. And I'll make sure to check on your mom and Warren later today, okay?"

"Great, Kendra. Now hop to it!"

The morning passed at a snail's pace, although Rebecca didn't mind at all. After yesterday gunfight she welcomed a much slower pace for the day. During her first case of the day she listened patiently to how two knuckleheaded teenagers got into a fight and one needed dental help. After hearing from both parties she decided that she sided with the plaintive and said the defendant have to pay for the dental repair. On the case of getting back a two hundred credit deposit she sided with the landlord saying the lady could've fixed her problems before paying for the place.

It was like that all morning yet it was just a normal day's job for the young judge. She was however grateful when it was finally lunch time. Kendra brought in her healthy lunch before leaving to have lunch with Ernie at the bagel shop. Wishing her friend luck and a nice meal, she took the lid off her lunch tray; to see what Kendra got from the nearby bistro "Rosey's" Rosey's had a lot of great food and it was not too expensive. The pink haired owner even gave the extra food to the local food pantry for those who were under hard times. So that little fact only made Rebecca love the food even more. So she was looking forward to her lunch and unveiled her surprise.

It was grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and a baked potato. Healthy food was another part of Eco-City's goal for balance and beauty. Normally Rebecca avoided broccoli in view of the fact that she thought it tasted like eating a dandelion. Still beggars can't be choosers. So she was just finishing her lunch and getting ready to return to work when an explosion rocked the room.

"What the hell?!" she yelled out in surprise and accidentally bit her tongue in the process. She quickly bolted to her window and saw the telltale signs of smoke meaning that someone had just started a fire and that meant Sparrow Hawk was needed. She glanced at the clock on her wall. She had only about twenty-five minutes to get this matter settle before her next case. Still she had to do something. So she pressed a hidden button under one of her favorite figurines and the door and windows locked up and a hidden passage opened up behind her large golden frame painting of a dragon and a phoenix in graceful flight.

In less the five minutes Sparrow Hawk was zooming quickly to the sight of the fire. The location of the inferno was not a good place; it was Eco-City Children's Hospital! It looked like the fire department was doing a reasonable job so far as putting out the flames, yet Sparrow Hawk knew they'd still need her help. Pressing a button on her wind glider she fired two hydro missiles at the flames which put out the flames on the top level of the five story building. Then using her sonar she discovered that a surgical team was trapped on the third floor, and to make matter worse they'd just started an operation just before the fire had started!

Knowing that the sanatorium was endangering of collapsing and thus killing everyone in there she acted quickly and wisely. She fired another round of water missiles and then zoomed in at full speed to the OR. Using some solar energy spheres she blasted the debris out of her way and got to the OR. Everybody was in a total panic and screaming like banshees. Nurses were trying to swiftly untangle all the IVs and other equipment so they could move the patient. Except the flames were moving fast at the same time were also bit by bit taking their ability to act or think clearly away due to smoke inhalation.

Sparrow Hawk pressed a button on her glider and a force field enveloped the entire staff and the she used her glider magnetic energy tow to haul the whole staff out of the building. They just scarcely managed to break away from the amber flames; nevertheless they made it by skin of their teeth. Luck was definitely on her side at that moment. Outside the fire was slowly being contained and the patients were being accounted for. Other ambulances from the other hospitals in the city were coming to get the patients and transfer them to other hospitals as quickly as possible.

Seeing her work was done she quickly made sure that the OR staff and their seven year old patient was okay. The doctors told her that the little girl would be fine and that they finish the operation as soon as they got to the second Children's Hospital on the other side of the city. Eco-City had four hospitals in addition to quite a lot of free clinics all together. They had two Children's Hospitals which was a miracle sometimes like today.

"You should all be alright. You guys can handle the rest of the fire?" Sparrow Hawk inquired to fire department. The leader of the fire brigade was of course a woman; she had short dark red hair and green eyes that sparkled like emeralds. She quickly shouted to the rest of her men and women instructions to take care of the rest of the fire. She then dashed over to Sparrow Hawk and wiped the sweat off her forehead. She looked like she was overwhelmed not by fire itself but the undying gratitude she felt for Sparrow Hawk's help.

"Sparrow Hawk!" she exclaimed happily as she gave the hero a quick hug. It was a shock a bit for the hero but it was over before it became too awkward. The chief looked a bit embarrassed but continued on, "Thank God you showed up! I doubt we could've contained this fire or saved everyone's life if you hadn't been here!"

"Thank you for your kind words, Chief Monica Downey! You're truly an angel yourself, my friend. You're team was quick to act and also quick to save as many lives as possible. Do you have any idea what started the fire though?"

"Not yet, Sparrow Hawk. Though my gut tells me this wasn't an accidental fire caused by faulty wiring or anything like that. I'm sure this was arson in some form. I'll have my men do their best to determine the cause as quick as possible. You better get going, Sparrow Hawk. We've got a handle on this, I'm sure you've got other places you need to be at the moment, but I will find a way to keep you up-to-date on the development of this case, okay?"

"Thanks, Monica. See you later!" Sparrow Hawk replied as she leapt backwards onto her glider and almost immediately vanished into the clouds. She only glanced back for quick second and saw both the fire department and police force was saluting her for a job well done. She waved happily in returned and then turned on her cloaking device so she could get back to the courthouse without revealing who she really was. Firing her boosters she added a little extra speed to get back to the courthouse in time for next case. She only wished she had time to shower to get rid of the smoky smell that clung to her costume and her body. Sadly though she didn't have time for this luxury.

Unknown to her or anyone else at that moment, but the mysterious Ven and a few of his remaining henchmen, had just finished taping Sparrow Hawk. Ven seemed too focused entirely on a few photographs that they'd also manage to take. They'd started the fire yes and they'd many other tests in mind to analyze Sparrow Hawk and find her weakness. So for now they'd gotten a lot of good information. And Ven himself couldn't wait for the next test. But for now they'd enough.

Rebecca barely managed to get to the secret entrance and conceal her costume. She was completely winded by the time she gotten back into both her street clothes and her judge robes. She'd just mange to collapse into her chair as she tried to catch her breath and was still breathing very hard when she heard a knock on her door. For a moment she was panic but quickly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was only Kendra.

Kendra seemed to be very happy about something, and Rebecca had a good idea what it was. Her assistant's lipstick was smudged a bit, strongly indicating she'd been locking lips with someone. Despite being extremely exhausted as well as drained she managed to smile for her friend.

"Hello, Rebecca, did you enjoy your lunch from Rosey's? I thought it was the best choice for today, seeing how you said you can't afford to gain any weight," she was chuckling lightly and then stopped. She took a deep inhale and got a funny look upon her face.

"Is something the matter, Kendra?"

"I thought I smelled smoke. However that can't be possible, for the reason that Eco-City lawmakers passed the law that there is to be no poison in the city. No poison whatsoever within our city."

"I'm on familiar terms with that, Kendra. I was one of the judges who helped passed that law. Eco-City has no cigarettes, alcohol, or any type of illicit drugs. Why people of the past sought to commit slow suicide by deliberate putting poison in their bodies is beyond me. I mean that all that stuff is, its' poison. Furthermore, all that people were doing in the past was slowly killing their bodies, and they willingly done it! That they'd end up with cancer or need new organs, on a list that would be almost impossible to get one in time. I mean you give into temptation just once, one smoke, one drink; it becomes a zillion times harder to resist a second time. So why do it in the first place? Eco-City is more then just a dream for man and nature to achieve that perfect balance, but to live in a healthy and in harmony. I for one will always fight to make that dream a reality."

"You're very passionate about all of the dreams of our city. I guess you don't desire to see Eco-City to become like your land of your birth. You know, dark, decaying and overrun with pollution in addition to criminals. I mean your parents have more then they can handle most of the time with how high the crime rate is in your hometown of Gotham. Still I can't help but think I smelled smoke."

"You probably do smell smoke. Turn on the news; I'm sure Stanley and Lucy are already covering the story. They do their job quite well."

"What story? What in the name of hell are you talking about?"

Rebecca sighed and turned on the TV in the corner of her chambers. Kendra's mouth dropped in shock when she saw that Rebecca was right. On the big flatscreen the two of them saw that the handsome Hispanic man Stanley Kushinda was standing outside the smoldering remains of the Children's Hospital.

"We're here at Eco-City's Children Hospital where less then a half an hour ago the building was a blazing inferno. Thankfully I'm able to report that not a soul perished in this unholy and unthinkable blaze. Thanks in part to Chief of the Fire Department Monica Downey and her gallant squad. But we also have Sparrow Hawk to thank for her brave actions. This mysterious but courageous young woman has if truth be told made a difference today as she did last night fighting those vile miscreants from that nasty gunfight."

At that moment Rebecca clicked the mute button on her TV remote. Turning around she faced Kendra who was incredibly pale and taken aback. "I suspect your just smelling the smoke from that fire. How did you not know about it? Where were you when the explosion happened?"

Pulling herself together Kendra spoke though her voice was still not very steady. "I was locked in a janitor's closet having a make-out session with Ernie Cooper and we did feel something but I didn't realize it was an explosion from a fire. I thought maybe some kids were firing some firecrackers off or something. Why is it all of sudden such evil is within our fair city?"

"I don't know myself, Kendra. I really wish I did. Well, I've got some cases to get too. You better go to the bathroom and get tidied up some. And hopefully no more bad things will happen today."

As both ladies went their separate ways both of them were thinking the same thing. Ever since its conception Eco-City had been as near a utopia as one could get. Sparrow Hawk herself had fought to protect that dream and make it a reality. But could she fight this evil that was turning their world upside-down?

Rebecca didn't want anyone to know, not even her mother which at the moment was the only one she could confide in. She was scared out of her mind, and she just knew in her guts, that the fire was only one of many attacks yet to come, and she would've to be prepared. Still could she handle this on her own? That was a question she didn't have the answer too. And that fact alone made this new enemy of hers so daunting.

Meanwhile in Judge French's apartment Ven was going over the statistics that they'd collected today and had to smile. It was very wise to know as much about your enemy as possible, but it would only make things that much sweeter, when he finally caught this beautiful woman in a trap. Then the real fun could begin. Still he had a job to do. He had to get rid of this Warren Williams, and make sure that Judge Young was all for Judge French's. Still didn't mean he couldn't have a little more fun with his prey before anything was finalized. It was gonna be a lot of fun this week that much was for sure.