Everyone has certain instincts ingrained into them. When we touch something hot, we automatically recoil away. When we're sick, we naturally want to rest and recover.

But we can resist those instincts with enough incentive. When I was little, I would put my hand on the hot surface of the car and see how long I could hold it there. Even now, I power through sickness and injury to finish what needs to be done.

That's how I feel as I sit on the roof of my office, looking out at the city. It feels empty without her next to me. But she is shoving her hands into the fire—staring at the sun and daring it to blink first.

This is her first night as Supernova. That's what we've been calling our plan, though I'm sure the papers will have their own ideas. She will infiltrate the superheroes, steer them away from the right answers, and then use her position as cover to dispose of our enemies.

I have to wonder how long we can keep this up. Surely, one day, someone will look beyond the curtains. Surely we will fall, just like our forefathers before us.

But until then... We've got a good thing going.