“Tragedy in Ulsan, the Order of Harmony strikes again. Korean officials are reporting thousands of casualties as first responders comb through the area.”

“A super named Vaidehi Dayal was apprehended by the ILS at the scene, and has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Miss Dayal reportedly surrendered without a fight and has indicated full cooperation with the authorities.”

“Director Green put out a call for recruitment, asking all of us to do our part in preventing future tragedies. The ILS initially had heroes patrolling Ulsan, but they were called in to stop the supervillain Lord Elite Merlin in Tokyo. Lord Elite Merlin had a plan to flood the world with global consequences, the analysts are saying Director Green was right to prioritize but point to the lack of local assets. The ILS is now pushing to recruit more eyes and ears to search for villains, in order to free up heroes to respond wherever and whenever they’re needed. Likewise, there is a new discussion among the public to mandate ILS registration for all heroes, and several governments are already considering laws to this effect.”

“Others are forming their own organizations and taking matters into their own hands. The United States has taken the lead here with its announcement of the new Bureau of Special Investigations, a new law enforcement agency specializing in cases involving supers.”

In a small cubicle filled with papers, folders, and a small computer sat a man. He was of average size and build, with short brown hair and a well-groomed mustache on his face. He wore a black suit and a blue tie and was currently hunched over a paper on his desk.

Agent Wilson reached to his side to grab his cup of coffee, elbow knocking into a stack of papers which scattered across the ground. He closed his eyes and heaved a sigh.

Taking the lead in super law enforcement, yeah right.

Oh Congress had been very excited when they announced the new agency and spent long discussions on the name and mandate. They were much less excited when it came time to discuss the budget and office space.

Agent Wilson took a moment to scan the room.

Cubicles and desks jammed into each other. Barely a foot of walking space. Papers stacked high on every desk. Constantly ringing phones, with a single woman with frazzled hair and bags under her eyes answering. A grand total of three agents from other agencies, including himself.

Behold America’s answer to the super problem.

He took a deep breath and then began picking up the papers on the floor.

Maybe he should just join the ILS.

He took a swig of his coffee as he reviewed the paper in his hand, glancing occasionally at the television hung in the corner of the office.

“Wilson, how’s it hanging?”

“Steve.”

Agent Steve walked up behind him, leaning on his cubicle with a coffee in hand. He was a large man with short, blonde hair and a clean-shaven face. The man also wore a suit like Agent Wilson.

“What you looking at, oh Ulsan case? Sorry to say this but ILS has that covered.”

“Yeah, I know, it’s just…”

“What?”

Wilson reviewed the details of the different attacks. Each and every time, the ILS had been occupied and unable to respond in time. Certainly, each time there had been a greater threat that had to be dealt with and the ILS’s response was correct. And with how many heroes and villains were appearing in the world each day, it was likely just a case of tragic coincidence and low manpower.

But what if it wasn’t?

“I can’t help but feel like there’s something more to this.”

“What, is there something in the case? Villain lady already confessed to everything. Even if she’s holding out, higher ups are considering it case closed.”

Wilson shook his head.

“Nothing concrete, it’s just, I have a bad feeling about this.”

Steve shrugged.

“You’re imagining things.”

Wilson turned back to the TV and sipped his coffee. On the screen was a recording of Vaidehi Dayal’s confession.

“I hope you’re right.”