Continuing the theme of trying something new, this is a completely different idea and approach to that of 'Vegas', but one that has fascinated me for some time. And in writing this, I have taken on board feedback on my first posting, which suggested a tinge of disappointment with the balance between poker and erotica... there is none of the former and the focus in this storyline is most definitely the latter.
And as always, a number of the situations have been inspired by some of the small band of authors whose work I immensely admire, and to whose high standards I aspire. I have attempted to occasionally incorporate a flavour of their imagination in this story, in tribute to them. Without their inspiration, this story would not have been told.
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PREFACE
A long time ago, fictional Super heroes were recorded in folklore as protecting liberty in America, fighting countless battles against super villains, bringing them all to face justice and thus making America, and the world, a better place. Through their good deeds, the likes of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Catwoman and Batgirl had all found their place in fictional history.
But now, a new breed of Super heroes and heroines had emerged.... they consisted of a number of individuals who resembled mortals in every way but one. It was their superpowers that stood them apart, each with their own, individual, special talent and collectively, a unique band of crime fighters who had proven to be the guardians of peace throughout the twenty first century and beyond.
Together, they formed the League of Liberty and Justice, sanctioned by successive Presidents of the United States and endorsed by world and religious leaders across the planet.
To demonstrate their world-wide impartiality, they operated from a variety of different establishments across the civilised world, welcomed wherever they went as they responded to the many and varied threats endangering world peace. Each establishment was an indestructible complex prepared by themselves and their own teams of trusted allies, and each was in the shape of a dove, as a symbol of peace.
Their activities required them to operate world-wide and each complex served as their living quarters whilst serving Liberty and Justice in that particular country or region. Thus they had no individual homes, although their base in Washington D.C. was perhaps the most frequented, nor could they lead normal lives. And whilst this also prevented the Super heroes and heroines, in the main, from forming relationships, two of their number had met and fallen in love with mortals.
Wonderman was generally accepted by the other Super heroes and heroines, and across the planet, as the leader of the team. He was easily recognizable by his tight, all blue costume that matched his blue eyes and showed off his incredibly muscled body in all its glory. His faster than light speed and invulnerability to any weapon known to man, were both contributory factors in making him the most powerful of all the Super heroes.
And if his muscular body and incredible superpowers were a turn on to millions of mortal women across the world, his curly black hair, the use of a flamboyant cape and the letter W engraved across his chest, had all contributed to earning him into the heart throb he held. But that was all pointless. Since meeting his girlfriend, Louisa Lane, he only had eyes for her.
The young StunMan was the other Superhero with a romantic link, and in his case he had been married for almost one year to the young woman he had rescued and then fallen in love with a few, brief, years ago. He was easily recognisable by his plain brown costume with the letters SM emblazoned across his chest and unlike Wonderman, his face had not yet been seen. His brown mask hid his brown hair and hazel eyes and it was commonly understood that only his wife, Myra Jean, had ever seen him without the mask.
Before marriage, the young StunMan had operated as a vigilante. But with the help of Myra Jean, the other Super heroes and heroines had persuaded him that he could do more good for the world by teaming up with them. His amazing ability to stun an enemy with a single blow had saved him in many battles with earth's enemies and added a different and welcome dimension to the crime fighting team.
Phenomenon was the third of the male Super heroes and his piercing blue eyes and clean cut black hair stood him apart from the others, although only a select few were aware of his appearance as, like StunMan, his mask protected his face. In his case, the impenetrable, black face and black costume served well to protect him when fighting the enemies of peace.
His belief that the mind was a combatant's single greatest weapon had won him many a battle and his ability to protect the team with a state-of-the-art computer network system, as well as the most advanced criminal analysis detection equipment available, had seen him regarded as the second most senior of the Super heroes.
Whilst the number of Super heroes had previously matched the Superheroines, the recent unexpected and untimely demise of The Doc, the fourth of the male crime fighters, had reduced their numbers. The Doc had been a great loss in many ways, although not one of the team of seven understood the potentially fatal consequences that were about to face them.
The four Superheroines were similar to the male crime fighters in that each brought different attributes to the equation.
With blue-black hair and the same colour eyes, Amazonian Woman was easily the most voluptuous of the female Super heroes. Her superhuman strength and speed was similar to that of Wonderman and those attributes, together with incredible reflexes, have led to her being recognised as the strongest of the Superheroines.
She was also the most well known. Her skimpy red, white and blue costume showed off her full, Amazonian figure to perfection and the low top over which her magnificent cleavage was constantly on display made her a hit with millions of mortals worldwide. But one other feature set her apart, and that was a kindness of heart that allowed her a degree of compassion and understanding that often allowed a much needed alternative view when battle plans were being drawn.
Feline Woman was recognised as the second of the Superheroines and her ability to easily and quickly scale any heights, together with her formidable hand-to-hand combat skills, were augmented by her cat-like speed, reflexes, balance, and quite amazing flexibility.
She felt that both her mask and skin-tight, black, leather costume enhanced her mystery, whilst being unaware that they also made her a fantasy figure for many mortals across the planet. Although her mask hid her lustrous black hair, her sparkling green eyes could clearly be seen and she exuded a beauty, sensuality and sophistication that when combined with her lithe, athletic body, set her apart from the other members of the team.
The young Huntergirl was The Doc's sister, which meant she was sister-in-law to his widow, Raven. Unknown to the other Super heroes, she was also the wife of Raven's brother, Lucas. Her sandy coloured hair and light brown eyes perfectly complemented her leopard-skin costume and her vivacious personality that -- until The Doc's demise -- had made her a favourite wherever she went.
