The Adventures of Star
Eagle
Episode 1 Birth of a
Superheroine
by L'Espion
Chapter
1 A
Star is Born
“Well Ensign,” said Kludso, showing his fangs, “I see that the surgeons at the transmogrification lab have done their usual fine job. You look every bit a human as one born on the planet. If I did not know better I would never have known that you were born a Traxtronian.” He rubbed the knobs on his head thoughtfully.
The young woman before him smiled. She was beautiful in the extreme if Kludso had only had the eyes to see it, but of course he didn’t. Even she did not consider herself attractive, having only had her present shape for a few cycles.
Kludso blinked his transparent inner eyelids. “How are you adjusting to your new body? A human female is it not?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I’m finding it quite interesting. Humans have such a primitive physiology. Imagine having two milk glands attached to your torso and reproducing by exchanging genetic material with another human. It must make things very complicated.”
“Yes,” nodded Kludso, the red wattles under his chin swinging back and forth. “The glands that you have been given seem quite large. But, of course, in the Earth culture you are visiting they will be kept covered most of the time.”
“Yes,” she said, sitting down. Her smaller body did not quite fit the seat of the chair any more and her feet dangled off the floor.
“You seem to have adjusted well to your body so far,” Kludso observed. “How long has it been exactly?”
“I’ve had it just 6 cycles, but I have been practicing hard with it so as not to appear awkward. I think I’ve pretty much mastered it.”
Kludso sat next to her and swung his micro comp in front of two of his eyes, while continuing to look at her with the other two. “I just want to make sure I don’t forget anything. This will be your final briefing. Tell me what you know about yourself, and I will fill in anything you haven’t learned.”
She straightened up and holding up one of her primitive five digit hands, began to count on her fingers.
“Only one opposable thumb,” thought Kludso. “How will she ever be able to manipulate anything?”
“I have the size and shape of an eighteen-year-old Earth female, complete with all of her sexual properties, including the ability to reproduce.” She paused, knitting her brows together in what humans call a ‘frown.’ “Although I’m not quite sure why that was included.”
“It is always best to be anatomically correct, “said Kludso. “I’ve seen a few missions fail due to improper duplication of the dominant life form.”
“Of course,” she said, drawing back her lips in the expression known as a ‘smile.’ “You are so much more knowledgeable than I am. I hope I don’t fail the mission.”
“As do I,” said Kludso. “Our agents are spread very thin. That is why we cannot afford more than one for this planet. It is hard I know, but you will have to be prepared to live many years alone.”
“I know that,” she said. “It doesn’t bother me. Ever since I was a hatchling I’ve wanted to do something that really makes a difference. Guiding one of the lesser races has always been my dream.”
“Very noble of you,” said Kludso. “It is a joy to see such enthusiasm in one so young. When were you hatched?”
“Only fifteen Terran years ago. But I was considered the most promising hatchling in the clutch.”
“Excellent,” said Kludso, the crest on his head turning yellow in approval. “I see you are already thinking in Earth years. It is always best to get into the role as soon as possible.”
“Now,” Kludso continued. “Back to your briefing. “Let me see; where were we? Ah yes, you were going to list your qualities.”
The girl nodded. “Yes. First, I have limited precognition. I can tell what individuals are going to do a split second before they do it, which should help me in my superheroine role. Second, I have accelerated healing. That should help me overcome any injuries I might suffer while saving the world. I also am immune to all Earth microbes, so I need not fear any Earth diseases. Third, I have enhanced energy, which will enable me to work and fight much longer than any Terran. Fourth I am physically stronger than all but the most powerful of Earthlings. Those that few that are stronger than I am I will handle with my superior speed. Fifth, I have enhanced senses of hearing and sight. And finally, my skeletal structure is almost indestructible by Earth standards.”
“Very good,” said Kludso. “Of course, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The reserve for your energy burst, or enhanced energy as you put it, is stored in your liver. Once used it will take awhile to recharge, so use it wisely.”
“You have also been programmed with the rudiments of human emotions. Their psyche is surprisingly complex. Some of them we do not fully understand, so you have been provided with a system that allows you to acquire more complex emotions as you become better acquainted with their culture. In time it is hoped that your emotional range will be identical to that of any Terran.
The girl nodded. “I understand.” Human emotions were extremely confusing. It had taken her a long time to even understand the concept of anger, and she still struggled with the mysterious sentiment known as love. And there were a whole range of other feelings such as jealousy, envy, and sorrow that were completely beyond her. How had such irrational creatures become the dominant species on their planet?
Kludso leaned forward and focused all of his eyes on her. “I have one more bit of news,” he said. His wattles and crest turned an almost luminous shade of blue.
The girl gave him all of her attention realizing that she was about to be told something of great importance. At the same time she wondered what it was. She had never seen Kludso so deadly serious before.
“I am afraid the survey team that investigated Earth prior to your being selected overlooked something it should not have,” Kludso said. He paused for effect and then continued. “It turns out that the planet is admirably suited to the production of zentoc. As a matter of fact Earth culture, particularly the society you are going to be placed in, is almost saturated with it.”
“Zentoc!” the girl exclaimed. “Surely not! That is the most deadly…”
“Drug known to Traxtronians?” Kludso finished for her. “Yes it is. If we had known sooner we would not have chosen you for this mission, nor invested so much time and expenditure into it. But it is too late to change now. We are committed to it. However, it would not be proper to force you into a situation that could lead to your death. The choice is up to you.”
The girl stood up and paced a full circle around her chair. “Zentoc?” she asked. “There is no doubt?”
“None,” Kludso said. “The Earthlings call it theobroma cacao or chocolate in the language of the dominant culture.”
“But how can Earthlings live with such an addictive and deadly substance?” the girl asked.
“Apparently it causes them no great physical harm. Even for those who become hopelessly addicted to it,” Kludso replied.
The girl sat down again, placing her chin in her palm; a very Earthlike gesture, Kludso noted. “What can I do? I have devoted my life to studying the dominant Earth culture. I cannot back out now.”
“You will just have to be careful,” Kludso said. “Avoid contact with the drug. It is just possible that the changes we have made to your physiology may offer you some protection. But it is best not to take any chances.”
The girl thought for a long time. “I’ll do it,” she said finally.
“You are not only noble,” said Kludso, “You are also very brave. I will send for the shuttle. You leave immediately.”
The girl watched the bright blue planet loom larger and larger in the viewport. The mother ship dared not go too close. Earth science was advanced enough to detect an object that was all of five Earth miles long. But the tiny shuttle, intended for only four people, would not be seen. They would approach within 30,000 Earth miles and then she would be sent the rest of the way through the matter transfer machine. Mentally, she went over her mission. She had done this dozens of times before. But it was reassuring to play the events through her mind one more time.
She was to act as a guide after first fully integrating herself into Earth culture. In would take a long time to achieve such a goal, but she was in no hurry. Traxtronians had one of the longest lifespans in the galaxy. She could expect to live hundreds of Earth years. She would first gain the trust of the people she had chosen and then gradually lead them in the proper direction.
The best way to gain their trust, it had been decided, was for her to assume the role of a superheroine. Superheroines were something that Earthlings were already accustomed to. Several of them were operating on Earth at the present time, although little was known about the origins of any of them. Superheroines tended to be a cautious lot, maintaining secret identities and not mingling with the public openly except in their role as crimefighters.
Upon arriving on Earth she would have to select a name. She had already chosen a name for her secret identity. She would call herself Melissa Valour. It was a good strong name, signifying her purpose. All of her ID from her birth certificate to her driver’s license and social insurance number had been expertly forged. They would pass any inspection. Her superheroine name was another matter.
She had puzzled over it a good deal, selecting first one name and then another. Her first choice had been to call herself Supergirl until she discovered that someone else had beaten her to it. Then she had chosen Wonder Girl only to find that it too had been taken. Finally she had discovered one that no one seemed to have thought of. At least she had not yet come across it. She would call herself Star Eagle.
She was proud of the choice. It
symbolized both her origins among the stars and the Earth society she had
chosen to become part of. The
The Americans had chosen the eagle as their national symbol. A powerful bird of prey, it seemed a suitable choice. She went over her new identity in her mind. She was Melissa Valour, newly arrived in the metropolis of Grand Centre. She had just graduated from high school with honours and was looking for a job. She checked herself with her pocket mirror. Apparently all Earth women carried one of these and she had to admit they were useful for checking one’s appearance.
Dark hair, dark eyes, light complexion. That was her superheroine look. She tried changing into her alter ego. She smiled at the transformation. Blond hair and blue eyes. It was amazing what so slight a change could make in her appearance. It was as if she were two different persons, which was exactly what she wanted. And it was so easy. Traxtronians were capable of changing their colour at any time. It was an adaptation that had served them well in the past and had helped them to become the dominant species on their planet. She could have had her hair turn green, red, or blue if she had chosen and could have done the same thing with her eyes and skin. It took no effort at all.
“We’re here, Ensign,” said the shuttle pilot, interrupting her thoughts. “Its time for the matter transfer.”
“Call me Melissa,” she said. “That’s who I am from now on. Melissa Valour, Earth girl.”
Melissa picked herself up from the ground. The matter transfer had been a little less exact than planned. She was supposed to materialize three feet above the ground, but it had been thirty. Fortunately, she had been trained for such an eventuality. In spite of the fact that it was night her enhanced vision enabled her to see the ground clearly and her greater than normal strength absorbed the shock of the fall easily. The ground was, however, a little uneven and she had landed awkwardly, falling on her shapely backside.
She had been dropped at night and away from Grand Centre, the better to disguise her arrival. The field she was standing in was used as some sort of large pen for an animal that provided a popular Terran food. Melissa found the idea a bit strange. It seemed that Earthlings kept these animals until they became pregnant and then after delivering them of their offspring used the milk they would have used to feed their young to feed themselves. The animals were all around her, but she understood that the females were not dangerous so she wasn’t too worried. However, she soon found that the animals did present another “hazard.”
“Oh pooh!” she exclaimed as her foot sank into something soft and smelly.
Suddenly a bright light almost blinded her. “That’s right, honey, poo. Now you mind telling me what you’re doing in my field at four in the morning?”
Melissa adjusted her eyes to the glare, filtering out most of the light. Standing a few feet away was a stocky older man, his face weathered from years of sun. He was dressed simple in worn overalls, a plaid shirt, battered hat, and rubber boots. He was holding a weapon that she recognized as some sort of Earth firearm.
Melissa thought quickly. “I guess I’m lost. My car broke down a few miles back and after walking for awhile I thought I would cut through this field to save time. Guess I chose the wrong field.”
The farmer checked her over carefully. What he saw was a very attractive young blonde, obviously not dressed for a walk in the country.
She wore a simple white blouse and short dark skirt, belted at the waist. Low heeled shoes suitable for city sidewalks covered her nylon-clad legs, and a black handbag was slung over her shoulder. A small pair of gold earrings dangled from each earlobe. Her eyes, even in the wavering light of the flashlight, were a bright blue and wide with innocence.
“Sorry, honey,” he said lowering his shotgun. “I heard the cows spook and thought you wuz some of those city kids come to play tricks. They’ve been doing that a lot lately. Stir my cows up so bad they don’t give no milk.”
“He speaks worse English than I do,” she thought. “I’m sure that was a double negative.”
“Tell you what,” the farmer
continued. “Why don’t
you come up to the house?
It’s almost
“That would be very nice of you,” Melissa answered. “I’ll pay you for your hospitality, of course.”
“Pay me? We don’t accept pay for helping folks. You city people think everything has a price. Well it don’t.”
Melissa realized that she had somehow offended the old farmer. “Sorry,” she said quickly. “That was stupid of me. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“Ferget it,” the farmer replied. “By the way, you got a name?”
“It’s Melissa,” she answered. “Melissa Valour.”
“Nice name. Mine’s Ed Kotch. Been farming here for 43 years. Come on up to the house now. And no more nonsense about paying. Next time you get a chance to help someone just do it. That will be payback enough.”
“Yes I will,” Melissa promised. She followed the farmer through the field, this time avoiding the numerous traps set for her by the cows.
As promised, the farmer gave her breakfast; her first Earth food. It was all quite strange, but she ate everything, determined to get used to the Terran diet as soon as possible. She also used the time to take in everything abut her, watching the farmer carefully as he prepared the unborn embryos of flightless birds that he kept on his farm; and noting how he carved and cooked the slices of cured meat that he kept in his refrigerator.
“How crude,” she thought. “Wouldn’t it be so much easier to synthesize everything rather than kill living creatures?” There were certain aspects of Earth culture she was going to find difficult to get used to. Studying the dietary habits of Earthlings was one thing, but experiencing them was quite another. Still, it was her ability to adapt to a variety of situations that had made her stand out among all the other trainees. Many of her fellow hatchlings had failed when it came to adapting to that which was considered bizarre and sometimes disgusting.
She found the round fried discs the farmer called “hotcakes” the least offensive and she ate quite a few of them topped with another animal product called “butter.” She consoled herself with the fact that at least no living organism had died to produce it.
Finishing the meal, she waited while Ed phoned the towtruck. The fact that she had no car did not bother her. She was certain that the driver would be just as happy to be paid to drive her to the city as he would be to tow her nonexistent automobile.
Her guess proved right. The towtruck driver, although mystified by Melissa’s lack of a car, did not really care what he was paid for. Although he did grumble a little about being used as a taxi. Ed knew nothing of the transaction, as she did not tell the towtruck driver that she had no car until she was well clear of the farm.
She arrived in Grand Centre at midmorning. The city was as she remembered it from her studies. Big, noisy, dirty, and confusing. She had the towtruck driver drop her off at a bus stop. After a little trial and error she eventually made her way to the center of the city. The buses were really not that hard to figure out, once the routing was explained to her. It was the first thing she had encountered that actually made sense.
Her first stop in the city centre was the public library. She wanted information and she knew that this was the place to get it. Locating several city newspapers she looked through them for a place to live. Before she did anything else, she needed a place to stay.
Alas, her search had only limited success. What she wanted was an apartment near the centre of the city, but those she thought suitable turned out to be beyond her limited budget. She had been given quite a bit of American money to see her through the first few months of her stay on Earth, but she quickly figured out that the rents most downtown apartment buildings were asking would run her out of cash very quickly. However, there was an alternative. Circling a number of ads she went in search of a phone.
“You don’t smoke, you don’t drink, and you don’t run around with boys?” asked Karla Pestova in her moderately accented English. “You are ideal room mate. I can’t afford this place on my own, but is perfectly situated for me. The deal is ve share the rent 50-50. Utilities are included and you pay for your own phone calls and food. Any qvestions?”
The attractive blonde shook her head.
Karla thought there was something a bit strange about
her. For such a looker she seemed
unusually shy and even confused.
But Karla needed someone to share expenses with her and this girl
seemed perfect. Karla was an
exchange student from
The first few applicants to her ad had been a waste of time. One had been a hooker who wanted to use the building’s central location as a base for her operations. Two had been smokers, a habit that Karla found disgusting; and three others had been more interested in using the apartment to entertain their boyfriends than anything else. Why this extremely attractive girl seemed to have no interest in any of these things, Karla did not know; she was just glad that she had found someone at last.
“You haf no clothes?” The girl shook her head. Karla’s eyes widened. That was strange. “Vhere you come from?” she asked finally.
“I’m from out of town,” the blonde beauty explained. “I didn’t really have any clothes worth bringing with me so I just left them. But I guess I need some more. Do you know any good places to get clothing?”
“You sound like contry bumpkin,” Karla said bluntly. “Vhat else you need? You got toothbrush? Comb? Perfume? Lipstick?”
Karla looked at the girl in disbelief as the blonde shook her head to each question. Maybe she had made a mistake in accepting her as a room mate. “I tink maybe blondes be as dumb as rumored.” She said. “Come.” She picked up her purse. “Ve go shopping. Bring your money.”
Karla knew that she shouldn’t be doing this. She really needed to get back to her books, but this girl seemed so completely helpless that it was obvious she needed someone to show her around. Going to the bathroom she quickly ran a comb though her long red tresses, touched up her lipstick, and picked up her pocketbook. Taking the awkward blonde by the arm she headed for the door.
“What you do?” Karla asked as the elevator headed for the ground floor.
“Do?” asked the blonde, seemingly confused.
“You know; for a living?”
“Oh,” the girl replied, “I don’t do anything. I’m going to look for a job tomorrow.”
Karla thought this answer strange. If the girl had no job where did she get the money to pay for the apartment? She had paid cash, a thousand dollars in C-notes as the Americans called them. And Karla had noted quite a roll in her handbag, but she did not press the point.
They spent several hours in the stores, especially the clothing stores. The girl had abysmal taste and no sense of style at all, but fortunately Karla was there to guide her in the right direction. When she had finished the girl was presentable.
Karla had her purchase several outfits.
She needed clothes for work and for casual
wear. And she even bought her
a few party outfits. Karla had
done a bit of modeling in
It turned out that in spite of her naiveté and appallingly bad taste, the girl was pretty good company. She was quiet and polite, but she had a quick intelligence that absorbed information rapidly. Karla found she only had to explain things once in order for them to be understood. What surprised her was how many things the girl did not know. It was almost as if she were from another planet.
On the way back up in the elevator Melissa thanked her. “You are so kind,” she said. “I know you need to concentrate on your studies and yet you took the time to help me. I would have been lost without you. Perhaps I can be of service to you.”
“How?” asked Karla, turning to face her new friend. Nothing bonded two women more closely than spending an afternoon in that female feeding frenzy known as shopping.
“I could help you with you English and work on getting rid of your Russian accent,” Melissa replied.
Karla looked at her, raising one exquisitely arched eyebrow. “Vhat accent?” she said. Then she grinned. Perhaps this new room mate was going to work out well after all.
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