He was getting too old for this. It wasn’t the first time the thought had crept its way into Nudge’s mind. But over the last few years it was happening more often. And it was becoming closer to the truth as time passed. Soon it might just be time for him to quit the whole Hero business, but not yet. He still had a few things that needed his attention. However, what he was doing now wasn’t one of them.

Sitting in the conference room, he stared out at the screens in front of him. Many of the world’s top Hero teams were represented on them. Five teams from South America, seven from Europe, and four from North America. All gathered to share information about the world’s worst Cowls. The DCP pushed for cooperation across the globe. Saying it was a great way to build trust among the world’s best. But Nudge saw it for what it really was, a boring waste of time.

Each meeting had far too much politicking for his liking. Why couldn’t it be like the old days where they chased down Cowls and dispensed justice? Way easier and if he was being honest with himself much more enjoyable. But those days were long gone. Now it was all about meetings. In fact, the last half of this meeting had been planning for the next one. Really, why call a meeting for that. It was so redundant, it surprised him that anything ever got done with this group.

Lost in his thoughts, it took Nudge a moment to realize the meeting was ending. While the rest of the Heroes said their goodbyes, Nudge cut the connection. No need to waste more time with idle chat in an already squandered afternoon.

Free from the call, he hurried out of the room. Looking at a clock he noted there was still three hours until the next conference call. This one with the African, Asian, and Pacific island teams. Almost enough time for him to do something productive.

This had to be a punishment he concluded. The Team Leader was mad at him again and decided this was a suitable punishment. That was the only logical reason he was the representative for their team. He had seniority over the rest of them, yet she didn’t give him a waiver on this. Instead, making him do the menial work. It was a little annoying and Nudge wasn’t sure how he’d earned her wrath.

Could it’ve been the thing about her name again? Really, how could she be upset about that? He’d told her the truth. Platinum Dutchess sounded like a Cowl name. It wasn’t his fault she picked that for her Hero title. She should have thought about how people would view the name before choosing it.

As he was walking down a hallway someone from the staff ran up and gave him a message. Nudge took it before shooing the young man away. Embarrassed to note he didn’t know the kid’s name. But no one who worked here would be able to keep track of everyone’s name. At least that’s what Nudge told himself. There were far too many people and they rotated around too often for Nudge to keep track.

Bringing his mind back to the task at hand, Nudge focused on the report. Looks like there was another incident out in Iowa. Was it the same team as last time, he wondered as he scanned the page for the team’s name. The Hunt he noted a moment later. They found another traitor in their midst. Now this was interesting. In the last ten years only one Hero had turned traitor, Blue Feather. Now another member of the same team was following in her footsteps. The only difference was this one was an apprentice. Someone who wasn’t there during the first incident.

Something didn’t smell right. Was there some outside force at work? He’d need to dig into it. Maybe even travel out to Iowa. He was too old for all the paperwork nowadays but a good mystery like this could be what an old man needed.

However he was getting ahead of himself. First, he had to convince the Platinum Duchess of his plan. The name sent a shiver down his spine. How did she think that name sounded heroic? It was one of the great mysteries of the world.

Nudge walked towards his team leader’s office. Thinking of a plan as he went. Something that wouldn’t get him into more trouble.

As Nudge made his way his reflection was caught in a nearby window. The man staring back was tall and strong. A perfect example of a college football player not the old man he was complaining to be. Just one of a hundred mysteries passing through these walls.