A Scripta

"Sergeant Simon," the man's blue eyes bored into Jack's green ones.

Jack would normally be frightened standing in front of a man that he had only heard stories about. He normally would be looking for an escape route. He was 24 years old, had just picked up a half-track and carried it across a football field. A couple of other heroes didn't think much of that, but Statesman saw fit to call him over.

"Sir," he said, saluting.

"I'm not in the Army," Statesman said with a smile.

He took his arm down and stood at formal at ease. "Yes, sir."

"What do you think about joining the Hero Brigade?"

Someone made a snorting noise. Statesman turned around. "Do you have a problem with that, Bull?"

"I c'n do wha'e done," the man said. He stood easily two feet taller than Jack, was as broad almost as Jack was tall. The man had no neck. He glared threateningly at Jack.

It's time, Jack, to let it all out.

He nodded, more to himself, and took a deep breath. As he did, he felt not just air, but peace and power flow into him. He stood with his hands down, palms aiming at the earth, drawing power from there. The next thing he knew, he was floating two feet off the ground.

We will fly, Lou said calmly. Then Jack focused on Bull.

"Gotta catch me first," he taunted, and floated backwards, out of his reach. Bull roared, as they expected, and he danced out of reach. As he flew, he felt even stronger, more powerful, he flew straight up into the air, feeling absolutely free. The cold air didn't bother him. The lack of oxygen did, however.

Down, he thought, and performed a perfect flip, heading toward ground at an amazing speed. He saw the ground rush up to meet him, hardened his body and plowed into it. He turned in the dirt, facing up and he propelled himself out of the ground in a burst of rock and soil. He turned his body in midair, focused on Bull, and headed right for him.

Bull stood his ground, even while Jack slammed full force into the man. He did not go down, but instead skidded backwards in the dirt, slamming into a tree and breaking it at Bull's shoulder. Jack danced in flight out of the way of the falling tree while Bull ducked. Someone came up behind him and he jerked around.

"Hey, hey, kid." He stepped back, holding up his hands. The big black man smiled at him. "Nice job on Bull there."

"Uh...is he okay?"

"Hurt just his pride, no doubt. Think you can do that burrowing thing often?"

"I don't know, it was the first time I did it."

"C'mon, Kid, let me introduce you around."