Star League 7 by H.J. Harper

The mood inside the limo is tense. I’ve been to so many film premieres that I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to get nervous. But when it comes to cameras and bright lights, Sam, Asuka, Connor, Leigh and Roger are still on their training wheels.
    â€˜Don’t worry!’ I glance from one anxious face to another. ‘Reporters aren’t that bad. They’ll ask you a few questions, take a few photos – it will be a breeze! You’ve all faced much worse than this!’
    Roger pulls at his collar like it’s strangling him. ‘I can totally deal with evil professors trying to take over the world, but this is just terrifying!’ He looks out of the tinted windows to the crowds gathered outside the movie theatre.
    â€˜But don’t you want to see the result of all our hard work?’ I point to the words Secret Agent Showdown written in giant letters above the cinema. We’ve been making this movie for months, with the director, Ben Beaumont, cutting together filmed scenes with real footage of us fighting bad guys, like our arch-enemy Professor Pestilence.
    The others nod, but they still look nervous.
    Our limo finally pulls up to the red carpet and somebody opens the door. I step out and the crowd goes wild. I’m nearly blinded by all the flashing lights.
    â€˜Jay! Jay! Over here! Just a few questions!’ A reporter shoves a microphone at me. ‘What’s it like to work with so many talented young actors?’
    â€˜It’s great,’ I say with a grin. ‘We really work well as a team. But why don’t you ask them?’ I turn back to the others, who look stunned and say nothing.
    â€˜Come on,’ I say, trying not to laugh. We walkdown the carpet and into the safety of the movie theatre.
    As we make our way into the cinema I catch a glimpse of a very welcome sight.
    â€˜Jefferson!’
    â€˜Jay! I was wondering when you’d show up!’ My Uncle Jefferson is standing with the families of the other members of the Star League, who have all shown up tonight to wish us well. Everyone seems to relax as they head over to talk to their loved ones. The only one who doesn’t have any family here tonight is Sam, though since he was created in Pestilence Labs, I guess it’s probably a good thing his family didn’t show up!
    Sam seems a little bit uncomfortable and quickly excuses himself from the rest of us. I’m about to go after him when I feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I spin around and find myself face to face with Ben Beaumont.
    The first time I met Ben I was really nervous. Imean, it’s not every day that you get to meet your all-time favourite film director, even if you are a movie star! Of course, I had no idea when I met him that he was a member of the General Anti-Lawbreaker Association Committed To Immobilising Criminals, a secret organisation better known as GALACTIC. He was the one responsible for bringing the Star League together, and because of us more than one evil villain has had their plans ruined.
    â€˜Another film premiere, eh, Jay?’ says Ben. ‘Makes a nice change from chasing down Professor Pestilence.’
    â€˜Yeah, everyone looks really happy to see their families.’ I don’t mean to sound sad, but my voice comes out a bit funny. When I was a kid my parents disappeared while hiking in the mountains. My uncle raised me, and even though he’s a great uncle, I can’t help but wonder for a moment what my life would have been like if my parents hadn’t gone missing.
    Ben seems to know what I’m thinking. ‘I’m sorry your parents couldn’t be here tonight, Jay.’ He sighs. ‘I was going to wait until after tonight to tell you this, but I’ve been using GALACTIC resources to look into your parents’ disappearance, all those years ago. Something always seemed fishy about it to me.’
    My heart starts to pound. ‘Did you find