Date: Monday morning - August 5, 2024

  Brightmark police headquarters was as busy as always. Officers, techs, and other personnel were moving about while discussing cases, reviewing evidence, and interviewing local civilians. Some eyes looked up from their desks as a more standout group of four visitors walked through the main work area. Leading the quartet was Omega Woman, which would be enough to draw attention on its own. Accompanying her were three other local superheroes and members of the Augmented Allies-Blur, Red Diamond, and Red Phoenix.

  Omega Woman entered one of the offices, one that was familiar to her. Sitting behind the desk in the office was an older man in his early fifties with brown eyes, dark hair that grayed around his temples, and gray hair in the goatee he sported on his face. He had an earpiece hooked to his left ear and a gold police badge attached to the left side breast pocket of the blue long-sleeved shirt he was wearing. The man looked up to see Omega Woman and gave her a respectful nod. The desk had his name on a plaque toward the front: Captain Mark Snyder.

  “Look at you walking inside instead of flying up to the roof,” Captain Snyder said with a slight chuckle.

  “I know, you didn’t have a chance to get your steps in,” Omega Woman replied.

  “So what brings you here? This old man figured you’d be too busy going after bigger fish,” Captain Snyder said.

  “I never forgot where I came from, Captain,” Omega Woman remarked with a slight grin.

  “Anyway, I figure you’re not just here for catching up with old friends,” Captain Snyder said, getting right to the point as Omega Woman had always known him to do.

  “You’re exactly right. I wanted to introduce you to a few newer local protectors,” Omega Woman said, gesturing toward the door with her right arm.

  On her cue, Blur, Red Diamond and Red Phoenix walked into the office.

  “These three are part of your Augmented Allies program, aren’t they?” Captain Snyder asked, looking at the freshly entered trio.

  “Yes, but all that means is they’re not full-time members of the Supreme Allies. Unless my team and I call them for backup, they will otherwise go about their business as usual keeping an eye on things here. I thought it would be best for the three of them to become acquainted with you, Captain,” Omega Woman said.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “So you want me to keep them on retainer whenever my officers and I need assistance in more unusual situations. Just like when you started out,” Captain Snyder surmised before Omega Woman could elaborate further, receiving a nod of confirmation.

  “You have a deal. If you trust them, so do I,” Captain Snyder said.

  “Thank you, Captain. We won’t let you down,” Red Phoenix replied, Blur and Red Diamond nodding along with him.

  Before the conversation could continue, Captain Snyder glanced past the four heroes to another officer stepping into the office. The new arrival was a woman clad in a blue-green shirt covered by a brown leather jacket, dark blue police uniform pants, and an equipment belt around her waist and a handgun at her right hip. Omega Woman recognized her-detective Serena Knight. The detective was in her mid-thirties with shoulder length red hair and green eyes.

  “Captain, I just received an important tip related to our current case on the Syndicate,” Serena said. She glanced to her left to see Omega Woman and the other heroes in the office, eyes widening in surprise.

  “It’s okay, detective. Please continue. Perhaps they can help,” Captain Snyder said.

  “An informant of ours reached out to tell me the Syndicate are planning some kind of deal off the coast of Brightmark. Of course, we will be using this as an opportunity to bust one of these heists,” Serena said.

  “Brightmark University’s medical research office recently announced a collaborative effort with New Eden Medical to develop some kind of special new medicine. The details are being kept under wraps,” Serena added. Omega Woman and the other heroes nodded curtly. New Eden Medical was the largest hospital in Brightmark.

  “The reason I wanted you and your friends to hear this is because of Power Thief. Our intel suggests he is acting as the Syndicate’s representative for this deal,” Captain Snyder said to Omega Woman and the other heroes.

  Omega Woman glanced at Blur, Red Diamond and Red Phoenix before nodding to Captain Snyder.

  “The Syndicate are expecting a couple of doctors from New Eden that they’re blackmailing to meet them for this deal. I have a plan,” Serena said.

  BRIGHTMARK NEWS FIELD REPORT:

  August 5, 2024

  10:30 AM

  “Good morning, this is Stacy Kolton reporting live for Brightmark News! As you can see behind me, I am currently a couple blocks away from Brightmark police headquarters,” Stacy said.

  “Omega Woman was seen heading towards police headquarters earlier today in photos captured on social media and forwarded to Brightmark News. She was also accompanied by three younger superheroes-Blur, Red Diamond, and Red Phoenix,” Stacy added.

  “I can confirm the four heroes were set to meet this morning with Brightmark police captain Mark Snyder. However, the police spokesperson I reached out to couldn’t offer any details regarding the meeting. I promise to keep an eye on this story as it develops. Stay tuned for more on Brightmark News,” Stacy concluded.