The High Point for Captain Power and His Team

Here is the opportunity of a lifetime for two reporters to interview the Power team fresh from its biggest successes against Lord Dread, OverMind, Soaron and Blastarr. Fans will recognize that the events being discussed are derived from “New Order, Parts 1 & 2.”

Reporter 1: “I have been made aware that your team, Captain Power, has just scored decisive victories against Lord Dread and his forces. Would you and any of your soldiers please elaborate for viewers?”

Captain Jonathan Power: “This mission was unlike any we've undertaken. The stakes were higher, the risks greater. Pilot made us all proud with her bullseye trench run. And seeing Icarus collide with Volcania was... amazing. 200 tons of burning metal at Dread’s doorstep. He may have thought he had the upper hand, but I’ll never stop reminding him of the man he used to be. Taggert can try to forget who he was, but as long as I’m standing, I won’t let him. The destruction of Prometheus was a victory—Scout really pulled through for us—but I know Dread will retaliate. There’s no time to rest; the fight goes on."

Major Matthew ‘Hawk’ Masterson:"Volcania was hell, pure and simple. I took a hit, sure, but Tank had my back. That’s what we do—we watch out for each other, no matter what. This mission showed just how much we’ve got to rely on one another to make it out alive. And Tank? Yeah, he keeps me grounded with his wisecracks. ‘Dream on, MacDuff,’ huh? Guess Shakespeare’s rolling in his grave right now. Still, there’s nothing like watching Prometheus go up in flames. One for the good guys."

Lt. Michael ‘Tank’ Ellis: "You know, smashing Blastarr with a power cable was almost as satisfying as that Icarus platform colliding with Volcania. Almost. Hawk and I might trash-talk on osccasion, but when the chips are down, I’ll carry him through hellfire if I have to. No one messes with my team. That Shakespeare stuff? Just keeping things lively. This mission? A step closer to showing Dread his New Order’s nothing but old scrap waiting to rust."

Sgt. Robert ‘Scout’ Baker: "Hacking Volcania’s systems to shut down Prometheus? Piece of cake. Well, maybe not a piece of cake, more like a Herculean task, but hey, I made it look easy, right? Blowing things up isn’t usually my style, but that plasma station deserved every spark. Watching it go down felt like payback for every life Dread has destroyed. And yeah, I might’ve shouted, ‘Blowed that one up real good!’—because it’s not every day you save humanity like this."

Pilot (Corp. Jennifer ‘Pilot’ Chase):

"This mission wasn’t just mine to fly, but my shot in the trench set it all in motion. Hearing the Captain’s log entry at the end? It gave me goose bumps and reminded me why we do this—why every sacrifice, every battle, matters. We fight because we have to, but also because we believe in something greater: a future free of enemies like Dread. I just hope we all live to see it."

Reporter 1: “Thank you all – now I have to call in my story, please excuse me.”

Reporter 2: “Now it’s my turn to interview these heroes. First of all, congratulations on your victories. Taking down the Icarus Platform and halting the Prometheus Program was an extraordinary feat. How’s the team feeling right now?

Captain Power: “Thank you. We’re feeling relieved, but there’s no time to rest on our past successes. These victories were crucial, but we’re fully aware of what’s still out there. Dread’s not finished, and neither are we.”

Hawk: ‘Yeah, we’re all proud of what we’ve accomplished. Blowing that platform off course was no small thing. But let’s be clear—it wasn’t just one of us. It was all of us, working together.’

Tank: ‘Agreed. There’s no room for egos in this war. We each had a role, and we played it. That’s why we’re here, talking to you now instead of, well... becoming digitized dust, like that other reporter friend of yours who tried to interview Dread.”

Reporter: “Yes – yes, tragic. Now, Pilot - you had the responsibility of that trench run—flying straight into the teeth of Dread’s defenses. And your precision shot was nothing short of legendary. It reminded me of a scene straight out of Star Wars—Luke Skywalker's trench run on the Death Star. Did that moment inspire you?"

Pilot: "Well... I hate to admit it, but I’ve never actually seen Star Wars. I grew up in the Dread Youth, remember? We weren’t exactly encouraged to explore pop culture or watch movies about rebellion and hope. But once I joined the Power team, The Captain and Tank clued me in.

Apparently, on Babylon 5, where Tank used to serve before all this, Star Wars was a classic—a famous movie for many, many years. Tank made sure I understood its importance. He described Luke’s trench run in vivid detail, down to the tension, the targeting computer, and the last-second shot. I’ve been trying to picture it in my mind ever since.

I guess, in a way, what I did was kind of like that—focusing everything on a single chance to make a difference. It’s funny, though. Growing up, I thought precision and obedience were tools for survival in Dread’s world. Now, I see they can also be used for freedom in our world. Maybe one day, when this war is over, I’ll finally get to watch the original Star Wars film, if Mentor can help me access it somehow."

Reporter: “Fantastic! Now, walk us through what that trench run of yours was like.”

Pilot: “Honestly? Terrifying. (Laughs) The simulations I ran beforehand didn’t exactly showcase my skills. I crashed and burned more often than not. So, when I strapped in for real, I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. But… I trusted my training, and I trusted my team. Knowing they had my back made all the difference.”

Scout: “She’s being modest. What she did out there? It was incredible. That trench was a nightmare—tight, full of defenses. She stayed cool under pressure and delivered the proton missile right on target.”

Tank: “Yeah, and let’s not forget—while Pilot was busy saving the day up there, we were running interference for her in the trench as well as  elsewhere. Scout and I made sure Dread didn’t get a chance to counterattack. We were like Kirk and Spock out there.”

Reporter: “Ah, the Star Trek references! "Boldly go where no man has gone before,’ ‘Beam me up, Scotty’—what’s the story there?”

Hawk: (Laughs)” It started as a joke, really. Tank dropped the first line, and Scout just ran with it.”

Scout: “What can I say? I’ve always wanted to flip open a communicator and say, ‘Beam me up, Scotty.’ If not now, when?”

Tank: “It was a way to lighten the mood. Let’s face it—every mission we go on could be our last. Humor keeps us sane.”

Reporter: “Speaking of humor, Hawk, you had quite the one-liner after the Icarus Platform went down: “My butt’s sore, but the sky’s clear.” Care to elaborate?”

Hawk: (grinning) “Let’s just say those aerial maneuvers took a toll. But seeing that sky free of Icarus? Worth every bruise.”

Reporter: “Captain, what’s your perspective on the team’s performance during these missions?”

Captain Power: “They were exemplary. Everyone rose to the occasion. Pilot’s trench run was a masterclass in courage and precision. Tank, Scout and I provided support on sky bikes as well as keeping the ground forces in check. Hawk’s aerial combat with Soaron and overall support was invaluable. We don’t win this without every single member playing their part.”

Pilot: “Thanks, Captain. But let’s not forget—it was your leadership and planning that got us through this.”

Reporter: ”Looking ahead, what’s next for the team?”

Captain Power: “We stay vigilant. Dread’s operations took a massive hit, but he’s still out there. OverMind is still active, and Soaron and Blastarr aren’t going anywhere. This fight is far from over.”

Hawk: “Yeah, we’ve won battles before. The war’s another story.”

Tank: “But if we’ve proven anything, it’s that Dread can be beaten. He underestimated us—and humanity.”

Scout: “And we’re just getting started.”

Reporter: “One last question for all of you: If you could say one thing to the Resistance fighters and civilians out there, what would it be?”

Pilot: “Don’t give up. No matter how bad it looks, there’s always hope. In fact, Tank told me about another Star Wars film called Rogue One. In it, the word hope is spoken by two incredible women who should be everyone’s model of courage: Jyn Erso and Princess Leia!”

Hawk: “Stay strong. We’re fighting for you, and we’re not stopping until Dread’s reign is over.”

Tank: “Humanity’s spirit can’t be digitized. Remember that.”

Scout: “Find your courage. Together, we’re stronger than anything Dread can throw at us.”

Captain Power: “Trust in each other. That’s how we win. And before we go, I think it’s important to acknowledge someone who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for our success—Mentor. For those who might not know, Mentor is our AI, but calling him just an 'AI' doesn’t do him justice. He isn’t merely a tool or a program; he is a constant presence, a guide, and in many ways, a member of the team.

Mentor gives us the tactical edge we need to outsmart Dread’s forces. Whether by analyzing enemy movements, guiding us through Volcania’s labyrinthine defenses, or even helping Scout hack into critical systems like the Prometheus station, Mentor is always there. His ability to process and adapt in real-time has meant the difference between victory and failure more times than I can count.

But more than that, Mentor is a reminder of what we are fighting for. He is based on my father’s personality and knowledge—a legacy of humanity’s potential for good, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Every time we hear his voice, we are reminded of our mission, of the sacrifices we are making, and of the hope we still carry.

So yes, we breached Volcania, and yes, we took down Icarus and Prometheus—but we didn’t do it alone. Mentor was there, just like he’s always been, ensuring humanity’s spark doesn’t go out. He’s proof that technology can still serve humanity, even as it’s being twisted into a weapon against us by Dread."

Reporter: “Inspiring words from an extraordinary team. Thank you all, and stay safe out there.”

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This fictitious interview © Peter S. Murano

All characters, logos, and associated elements are the exclusive property of their original copyright owners and are used here as part of a fan tribute with no intention of infringing on rights or trademarks.