text: The song Shoot To Thrill plays, we’re in some sort of venue as on a main stage scantily clad women dance along to the music as pyrotechnics fly into the sky. As suddenly the man of the hour arrives just in time to the beat of the song. The Iron Warden flies in from the sky as the crowd seems to come alive to this as they cheer him on. Coming out of his suit he puts on his shades as the suit dances behind him. “How’s everyone doing today! I just wanted to thank you all for coming to the convention! Now let’s get this party on the road!” The Iron Warden laughs as he begins to walk around on stage to the cries of the people. Staring from a table with a glass in my hand, I watch him walk away as I prop up my collar as I walk away. I hear the murmurs of the old businessmen and military officials around me. “Jesus Christ, did he really bring his groupies to an arms convention?”, “Eh, it could have been better. Craftsmen, brought supermodels to theirs. That was a night to remember.”, “He’s going to need a lot more ‘convincing’ for me to offer him a new contract.”. Walking towards the exit I try to keep a straight face, as the Iron Warden starts to walk off stage. Suddenly, the Iron Warden’s head explodes. **No More Heroes.** Driving on the way, we’re greeted to the crew. At the driver seat we have Steven who’s busy looking at the road beside him is Marcos who’s looking at a map guiding him as behind them are Deon and Nova. They’re driving an early 00s model SUV, using the basics, road maps and their personal notebooks, no personal electronics. Turning his attention from the window, Deon looks over at the front. “So, who’s next?” Steven looks at him through the rear view mirror, Deon gives him a serious look. “It’s better if you don’t know.” Steven replies. “So it’s him, America’s sweetheart.” Staring out the opposite window, Nova scoffs. Marcos looks over at the radio as he turns it on. Tuning it to the news. “The Iron Warden was shot dead last night during the annual Iron Convention marking the 10th year since the resistance against the Alien Invasion. At this time, the terrorist organization known as Red Cell has taken credit for the action. With us right now is a statement from their supreme commander, Rhi’ Lago. Humans! Your time on this earth has come to an unfortunate end! While you may be safe under the command of the interplanetary alliance, know that at any moment we may strike you and your heroes!” Deon begins to laugh. “Turn that bullshit off.” Marcos glances over at Deon with a smile. “Why? Afraid of Red Cell? That the Chupacabra is going to get you?” He laughs. “Man, shut up before I slap you.” Deon mutters. “Relax, it was just a joke.” Steven looks over at the radio turning it off. He starts to slow down the car. “Hey, I was still listening to that.” Marcos looks over at Steven. “We’re here.” Steven says as he stops on the side of the highway. Steven looks around at them. Walking in the forest, the group looks around at the situation. It’s just the three of them, Steven, Marcos and Deon. They walk around on the forest floor, as leaves litter the ground, scanning around methodically as they approach. The sun is setting as the birds can be heard chirping along with the cries of other woodland creatures. “Alright, I’ve reached the top of the mountain. I’m on overwatch. Send the signal.” Nova’s voice can be heard over a radio. Deon turns around as he begins to shine a laser on and off repeatedly in the sky. He walks backwards as he does, while Marcos and Steven continue to scan their surroundings. “I have eyesight on you, proceed as planned over.” Deon turns around, putting away the laser, he continues to follow in step with Marcos and Steven. Who have stopped just ahead. A log cabin is in the distance as smoke can be seen plumbing from the top of its chimney. Marcos clicks his radio. “Nova, see anything inside?” “Nothing, near the windows. Switching to thermal, looks clear from here.” Marcos looks over at Steven who nods at him. They silently approach the cabin as Steven signals to Deon to cover the back entrance way. Approaching the windows, Marcos peaks inside, it’s almost pitch black inside. They wait as if trying to hear for anything at all. But it’s dead silent. Steven thinks to himself as Marcos looks over, shaking his head. “I don’t like this.” Marcos mutters. Clicking on the radio, Steven says. “Deon, anything on your end?” “No, it’s empty.”. Steven heads towards the doorway, turning the knob it opens. The door creaks as he slowly opens it up. Walking inside he looks around. There’s dust on the shelves next to him. He lowers his gun as Marcos enters behind him. Steven signals all clear. “Fuck! It’s a dead end.” Marcos says as he walks out. Undeterred, Steven looks around inside stopping at a small kitchen, he notices a series of letters inside. He picks one up looking at it, it’s fan mail, setting it down he inspects the others. One of them is a few days old. Marcos walks towards the door. “Hey! If you’re done, let’s head out.” “Wait.” Steven clicks on his radio. “Nova, check the parameter.” “What am I looking for?” “Anything out of the ordinary.” Steven walks back towards Marcos with the letter, he hands it to him. “What’s this? Fan mail? Dying cancer patient? Don’t show me this.” Marcos drops the letter. Steven raises his eyebrows as he looks at the recently burnt out fire. “He was here recently.” “And we just missed him-” “I got something, looks like there’s some smoke in the distance but I can’t see anything else from my position, I’m going to have to move.” Nova replies. “Roger, get to a more suitable position. Over.” Steven walks out the door with Marcos. Deon is waiting for them near a tree as he looks over at them, he walks in line with them. Deon looks over at Steven. “Think it’s the captain?” “You think that it could be anyone else?” Steven replies. Deon doesn’t reply, as he cocks his gun. “Puta madre, I trusted him. We all trusted him.” Marcos spits on the ground. The walk is silent as from time to time they look around in the forest, but it’s empty. Deon breaks the silence. “Think the other groups have made any progress?” “It’s hard to tell. We can only hope the other regions were as prepared for this as we were. Only time will tell. We can always lend a helping hand.” Steven replies. “If we’re still alive by then.” Marcos mutters. On the radio, static plays. “I have eyes on the target, should I engage?” Nova says. “No, I want to talk to him first.” Steven replies. In the distance, we see the campsite, sitting in front of a fire, The Captain waits with a kite shield laying beside the fire. He’s suited up in red white and blue as he slowly turns a handle which roasts a rabbit attached to a line. “I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.” The Captain says not even turning to look at them. The boys come to a stop in front of the camp. “To be honest, I wasn’t surprised when I heard the news. There aren’t that many people in this would with your particular set of skills. The Captain sighs. Taking the roasted rabbit with one of hands, he takes a bite out of it. “Betrayed by my own countrymen.” “You’re the one to talk.” Marcos replies. The Captain looks over at Marcos and scoffs. “Well, I wasn’t talking about you, or the other one.” The Captain and Steven’s eyes meet, Marcos reaches for a grenade as Steven stops him. The Captain laughs as he continues to eat his rabbit. “Looks like you have a good leash on your dogs.” Steven raises his eyebrows. “Why’d you do it?” Steven asks. “Do I really have to tell you? Everyone else was doing it. Is there really anything else you really need to know?” Steven clenches his fist. “Ah, there’s the Steven I know. Maybe if you stood up for yourself more, you could have saved her. But you’re just like me, like the rest of you dogs. Always failing when it counts.” The Captain throws the bone away in their direction. He stands up, grabbing his shield. A sniper bullet grazes him on the check as the wound begins to regenerate on itself. He touches his cheek as he puts the blood onto his shield. “Looks like the team’s all here. Good, that’ll make cleaning this up easier.” The Captain smiles. Almost instantaneously, The Captain cuts the distance between them in half. They spring into action, Deon provides suppressing fire as Marcos reaches for a hand grenade. Steven runs in front to try to grapple The Captain. “You’re out of your league!”. The Captain shouts. The Captain shield bashes Steven as he flies backwards. A flashbang lands directly beneath The Captain’s feet, seeing it he tries to cover it with his foot, it’s too late. The grenade goes off as the sound rings in his ears. Deon is able to take a volley of rounds into his chest as The Captain moves to cover it. The Captain screams out. Steven gets on his feet, as Marcos looks over at him with a grenade launcher now in his hands. Seeing The Captain look up from his shield, Marcos shoots the first grenade out. It’s high explosive as it connects with the shield forcing him to his knees. Taking the opportunity, Steven takes out a unique sledgehammer with a rocket attached to the end, he runs towards The Captain who remains staggered as he tries to force himself up. Steven swings the hammer onto the shield as the sheer force causes a shockwave. Quickly, The Captain latches onto Steven as a body bag and throws him with a single hand to the side. Steven screams as his body connects with a tree this time. The Captain checks his body to see it full of bullet wounds and holes. Blood drips out as the bits and shards of the bullets are forced out of his body. “Hollow point, huh? So this was your plan!?” The Captain shouts. He presses a button on his suit as a red liquid lines into his body at a rapid rate. As the gunfire stops, The Captain attempts to approach, the second grenade escapes from the launcher, this time The Captain catches it mid air. He laughs as he does. Inspecting it, the grenade begins to twirl. It explodes. We see parts of The Captain’s exposed skull as napalm continuously burns and regenerates parts of it. He immediately moves to cover his face with his shield as a sniper bullet connects with the upper part of the shield. “Not bad, but not good enough. Nova!” The Captain shouts out. Deon continues his suppressive fire. “You’re too predictable. Have none of you learned anything!?” The Captain shouts frustrated. The Captain tries to run forward as Nova shoots him in the leg immobilizing him, lowering his stance, he slowly methodically makes his way over as Deon and Marcos move in tandem at a constant distance away. Again, Deon is forced to reload as The Captain baits another round from Marcos. This time, Marcos shoots off an entire barrage. The Captain isn’t phased as he crouches down. “I’ve brought enough blood and marrow to last me for weeks, at this rate you’ll be out of ammo before the sunsets! I’ll make it quick if you drop them now!” The gunfire continues. This time, The Captain rushes straight at Deon, grabbing ahold of him with his spare arm, he holds up his shield with the other. As he does another sniper bullet flies towards him as the shield stands strong. “When I took you in, you had something to prove. Now look at you, is this really all that you are!?” The Captain learns in, staring directly into Deon’s eyes, Deon looks away. Deon laughs. “Look at me!” Suddenly from behind him, Steven slams his hammer into his life systems as the rocket causes the support system to burst, marrow and all flooding out. The Captain looks back at Steven in shock as he takes out a pistol and shoots both of his legs causing him to fall to his knees. The Captain stares at Steven. Who’s pointed the handgun at his skull. He closes his eyes. “Do it.” *Bang.* The Captain opens his eyes as he looks around in surprise. Steven takes out a blood pack handing it to him. “Why?” The others seem apprehensive about it but look towards The Captain. “In a world with no heroes, all we can do is make our own.” A tear falls from The Captain's eyes as he looks at Steven, thinking for a moment, he takes the bag. “How many others are there?” “Enough.