The
Eagle. Ten square miles of utopia floating through the sky off the Atlantic
coast of the United States. Created using the most cutting edge technology
known to man and augmented by the futuristic technology created onboard, the
Eagle’s idea was birthed by one man: Alexander Jackson. Floating on six
anti-gravity engines and powered by Alexander Jackson himself, the Eagle was a
completely self-sufficient city which housed a population of fifteen thousand
individuals. Most lived within the city proper, dwelling within buildings ten
to twenty stories tall, but there was also a growing suburban district. Outside
the city to the west was the farmlands, growing the food required to sustain
the life onboard. Opposite the farmlands, on the east side of the Eagle, was
the manufacturing area. Everything that the citizens needed was grown,
produced, and created right onboard, and as such the Eagle and its citizens
have not returned to the surface since its launch seven years ago.
All
except the Electric Eagle, that is.
A
few months ago, Alexander Jackson was approached by Marian Bennett, a member of
the premier superhero team for the city of Hopling. A team that Alexander was
also a member of officially. Marian’s father, Steve, had been Alexander’s team
leader when he was actively participating in Frontier, and the two formed a
friendship. However after Alexander’s departure, he had not heard from Steve.
Whether Steve was giving him space or just unwilling to talk, Alexander did not
know, but Marian was every bit her father. She had come to persuade Alexander
to aid them in the battle against a new super villain who called himself Volt.
Despite Alexander’s stance of non-interference with worldly matters, he decided
to help Frontier, and in the process saved Steve’s life. Since that day,
Alexander’s interactions with Frontier have increased, including the latest
situation concerning the dangerous group of super villains in Hopling. All of
these distractions, however, were taking a toll on Alexander’s main
responsibility: the Eagle.
To
rectify this, Alexander made a promise to his only son, Damien, that he would
no longer help Frontier. Alexander decided to put his whole focus back into the
Eagle, and continue forging his legacy onboard. The Electric Eagle had come
back to roost for the foreseeable future. However, as Alexander looked out over
the city from his balcony, he sensed a shift in the wind, and knew that change
was coming for his kingdom in the sky.
“Sir,
lunch is prepared for you.” The assistant bowed his head as Alexander looked up
from his desk computer.
“Has
anything else come up today that requires my immediate attention John?”
“No,
sir. Nothing that cannot wait until after you eat.” John Murray has been
Alexander’s personal assistant ever since the Eagle was in its construction
stage. John was taller than Alexander by a few inches and in excellent shape
for a man entering his late forties. He wore the same close cropped haircut
that most business people wore on the Eagle, as well as the red robe of a city
official. After eight years of working side by side, John was one of the few
people Alexander trusted wholly with the Eagle’s affairs.
“Very
well. I could use a break from the truckload of administrative work you dumped
on me this morning.” Alexander stretched as he stood. “If you would be so kind
as to join me for lunch, I’d like to hear an account of how things have been
running lately.”
“You
have my report, sir. I’m not sure what else I could elaborate on.”
Alexander
smiled at his friend. “You are correct, there’s not much more my assistant can
report to me. But I’m sure my friend has much to say.”
John
returned Alexander’s smile. “As you wish, sir. I will have the cook set up
plates outside right away so we can enjoy the fresh air during our discussion.”
The
two friends began their lunch lightly chatting about various topics, ranging
from the crop output to Alexander’s most recent adventure with Frontier. As
Alexander recalled the horrific damage done by the super villains Land Slide
and Sewage, John’s normally dark-skinned face grew pale.
“I
thank the lord every day we do not have any super-powered criminals on the
Eagle,” he whispered, crossing himself and lightly touching the cross hung
around his neck. There was no set religion onboard the Eagle, as any were
acceptable, but most citizens practiced some form of Christianity. For a man of
John’s size, most were surprised that he was a devout pacifist.
“That
doesn’t mean there won’t ever be, my friend.” Alexander had a grim look on his
face. “There’s no reason one of our own metahumans could not decide to act with
criminal intentions. That is why the Eagle Men are an important part of the city,
despite having seen little action in these seven years. One day we will need
them, and then we will be glad of their existence.”
John
sighed, “I suppose you are right. An attack of that magnitude on the Eagle
would be devastating.”
“Which
is why we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening. So far
we have lived a peaceful life in the clouds. The people are happy, the quality
of life is better here than anywhere on earth, and crime is virtually
non-existent. But no great kingdom goes unchallenged.”
John
looked at Alexander gravely. “Has something happened, Alex?”
Alexander
shook his head and smiled, trying to change subjects. “Nothing that needs
immediate attention. Just a few loose ends that might need tying up in the
upcoming weeks. But enough grim talk! Please tell me what the citizens are
saying about me and the Eagle. Have they started whispering rumors of my
desertion to rejoin the earthly realm?”
John
laughed, the worry melting off his face. “Oh you have the usual pessimists, of
course. But no, most of them just worry for your safety and the safety of the
Eagle. The only thought running through the masses that should concern you is
that people are starting to worry that the Eagle will be drawn into conflicts
along with you. Most people came here to escape the evils of the world, be that
physical pollution or moral corruption. They are wondering if it is wise for
you to be going back and forth so much.”
“And
what about the council? What does the governing body of our great city think?”
“The
council knows what you do on your free time is your own business. But you are
the face of this city, Alex, so I’m glad to hear you’re going to be focusing on
the Eagle’s affairs more closely.”
Alexander
sighed, smiling as he shook his head. “My son can’t keep anything to himself,
can he?”
“Quite
the opposite, Alex. But he has a weakness for sharing secrets with me.” John
winked, “I believe he got trait that from you.”
They
both laughed, and then Alexander stood up. “Well I believe it is time to return
to work. I would like to finish this tedious paperwork before today is over.”
“Just
in time for tomorrow’s tedious paperwork, sir?” John rose as well, ushering in
the cook to clean up and bowing his head to Alexander. While they were both
good friends, they knew it was important to keep up the distinguished roles
while in public.
“Exactly,
John. I’m glad to be back.” Alexander returned the bow before walking back
inside to his study. As he sat down and resumed his work, he reflected upon
everything John said.
Alexander
truly was glad to be back home and resuming his duties after the few days on
the ground. As he worked through the files, he stopped when he came to a
request he was about to put through to the council. Nothing he did using the
Eagle’s resources could be done without the council’s approval, unless in
absolute emergencies. This was not a dire request, but it was one he strongly
encouraged. After seeing the clash of powers during the battle in Hopling city,
Alexander grew curious about various forms of energy. Most importantly to him,
and detailed to both the council and potential scientists, was the research
into the relatively unknown power of shadow energy.
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