Spring had come into full bloom, brilliant emeralds and dark crystal blues painting the pleasant picture of paradise. If you were a visitor to the academy of course. Even though it was only the middle of the semester, many young college kids were working hard, memorizing facts, calculating differential equations, and blowing up chemistry labs. Midterms were in full swing and like it or not, they were to be dealt with in a manner in which many were already used to: Study hard, play hard. A little west of the center of campus, a quaint and clear blue pond lay in a mini valley-esque lawn. Trees of various sizes surrounded the perimeter of the small pond. Benches were placed casually among the sides of the pond, places where people could relax or study alike.
            A sigh issued from one of the patrons of a bench as her fingers drummed along the back of the notebook issuing a very delicate sound. Her chestnut brown hair lay on her shoulders, a bright red hair scrunchie holding the very end of the hair together. Her turquoise eyes cast around in mild frustration and some desperation as she read over the notebook again, trying with great patience to memorize what she had down. She brought one of her knees up to her moderately sized chest, her fidgeting seemingly to help her concentration reorganize itself upon the notebook. A whistle came from behind her. Her ears perked up as she heard a very distinguishable vibrato in the whistle. The twenty-three year old nearly cried.
            The whistling came from a guy about her age, his headphones plugged into his ears like they were some sort of an electrical outlet. He had dirty blond hair and brilliant green eyes which seemed to dart every which way, but still held a sense of deep focus. His build was slim, but the girl was no fool. She knew he was definitely more athletic than he let on. He saw the woman sitting on a bench and smiled brilliantly.
            “Iris... What’s up?” he spoke in his baritone voice, pulling the earbuds from his ears. Iris calmed herself at exponential speed and sighed calmly.
            “You’re late,” Iris spoke calmly, sitting cross-legged on the bench. She placed the notebook squarely on her legs. The man sat next to her, taking off his messenger bag.
            “I’m always late,” the man replied. “Does it really surprise you in any way, shape, or form?”
            Iris smiled as she looked at her best friend. “It just means that you’re the same old Maverick,” she responded playfully. Maverick only shook his head as he pulled a binder form his bag. Opening it, he glanced at Iris’s messy notes. He compared them to his neatly typed and much more elaborate notes.
            “So rumor all over campus is that the Silver Thunderbird has come out with another expose article,” Maverick spoke conversationally as Iris took his notes. “Problem is, nobody has any proof of the article. It’s very frustrating.”
            “It doesn’t help that any non-government approved work is allowed on campus,” Iris said, her voice hinting a condescending attitude. Maverick’s right eyebrow shot up in retaliation.
            “It’s more of the fact that what the Silver Thunderbird is doing is an extreme form of muckraking. It’s not about government approved works,” Maverick explained, causing Iris to huff a little offendedly at the Journalism major. “The Supreme Court in the land has some jurisdiction to make the decision regarding public works being published in Hadria thanks to the Stephen L. Himmler Act of 1214. But because of the article exposing the Laissez-Faire society of the super rich and of high government officials, they’re trying to ban it all over the country. Can’t much say that it’s working extremely well.”
            “I know Maverick,” Iris spoke idly, slamming her notebook in frustration. She’d never get this memorized today, not with her History fanatic friend distracting her. “You know that my parents go to some of those parties hosted by the high ranking officials. I’ve only been to one, but nothing happened there. It was pretty boring really.” Iris stood up, stretching her limbs. “Come on. Let’s go to the Marshall Building before I fall asleep.”
            Maverick obliged, packing up his things. They started to walk to the other side of campus, taking in the sights of the beautiful brick and Manor style buildings. Green trees were planted everywhere and already in full bloom, bright green leaves blowing delicately in the wind. Polaris University was the epitome of perfection. And why shouldn’t it be? It was the most prestigious university in the entire nation, located in the Hadrian capital of Chesapeake Springs. Only the elite were usually admitted into the university, those who had legacy within the institution.
            Iris had gained entrance into the university thanks to her father’s legacy in Polaris University. The Pendragon family was well known for being one of the wealthiest families in the country. Iris’ father, William Rufus, had come into billions when his family had introduced a consumer product, the Radio. From this, the Pendragon family made billions on the world market. William Rufus made large contributions to the university and both of his children were allowed to go there. Iris felt a violated sense of justice with the bribery system her father partook in, but she didn’t say anything to stir the delicate system of balance.
            Maverick, however, was a different story. His family came from the middle class, his father being an orthopedic surgeon while his mother was a homemaker. His accomplishment of being granted entrance into the University had come not only from his perfect entrance exams scores but also from the numerous extracurricular activities he had been involved in as a high school student. Maverick was one of three in the nation to receive a full ride scholarship to Polaris University.
            “Oh no… I hate those guys!” Iris groaned in irritation as she saw a young man with a clipboard on the path to the Marshall Building. Maverick smiled down at his shorter friend, knowing her pain with the ‘Clipboard People’. He would innocently be walking to class when they would stop him to ask him to participate in random surveys or to ask random and questions that didn’t apply to Maverick himself or his life. Even when he wore his headphones, Maverick would still be hounded by these fiends wanting to push any sorts of views, policies, or needless complications on the Journalism major. As Iris’s luck would have it, the guy with the clipboard made a beeline for the two after seeing them come walking down his path.
            “Hi there guys!” the student greeted brightly. Iris only nodded as Maverick returned the greeting. Getting a good look at the student, they saw that he was taller than the two that had been walking slowly towards their next class. He had short, spiked black hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to stare into the souls of both students. His frame was muscular and his facial features were prominent and sharp. He was wearing thin, square-rimmed glasses on his face. “I’m doing a research paper for my master’s thesis for my Journalism Concerning Ethics and Morality class and I was wondering if you would be willing to participate in my research paper.”
            Maverick looked down at Iris, who sighed to herself in a defeated manner. “I suppose…” Maverick replied. “It’s not like we have anything better to do with our time right now.” The guy with the clipboard smiled and pumped in elbow.
            “Finally!” he shouted in glee, starling the two participants. “I’ve been waiting for some time to get a few more people to interview so I can finish this damn paper. Most people seem to ignore me when it comes to this. Now… would you like to do this here? We can definitely go somewhere where it’s private if you’d like.” Maverick and Iris both looked at each other before turning to the guy.
            “Private!” they both said at once, causing the guy to widen his eyes after his guard was thrown off. He gave them a troubled look before Iris piped up.
            “We think it’d be better to do it in private just in case anybody has any opinions they shouldn’t share aloud,” the Senior Criminal Justice major responded to the guy doing the interviews. He only nodded in approval and headed towards the nearest building. Following the guy, Maverick and Iris whispered to each other curious about the state of how their comments might be interjected into his paper, and if he would use their real names. Upon arriving in a classroom on the first floor of the building, the three found it to be empty.
            “So… We can do it in here if you’d like. Not only is it empty, but it should definitely be private,” the guy said, adjusting his glasses. He took two sheets of paper off the clipboard and handed one each to both Maverick and Iris. Both of them looked over it, the interview revealing that it would not be a very hard interview, just a tad bit lengthy. “By the way, my name’s Seth. I’m a Journalism graduate student.”
            “Maverick… And this is Iris,” the Journalism major responded, watching Iris work on her interview. Maverick sat down on a table, placing the clipboard in his lap. He read the interview over carefully, then looking back at Seth, who was seemed to be innocently buffing his nails.
            “So… You say this interview is for your Journalism Concerning Ethics and Morality class, correct?” Maverick asked, playing Devil’s Advocate. Seth looked up, a sweep of confusion pushing over his face.
            “That’s… what I said,” Seth pointed out hesitantly, trying to pick up on Maverick’s intentions. The Journalism major kept up an expression of complete cool.
            “I looked over this sheet, and I’m sure Iris could back me up on this,” Maverick said, looking towards his best friend. “You seem to be comparing governmental policies before the overthrow of the government in 1097 and the establishment of the socialistic rule of Hadria and governmental policies nowadays. A very ballsy topic for a Journalism graduate student.”
            Seth turned his head, narrowing his eyes a touch. “It may be considered radical, but this isn’t going to be published in any major news article or anything.” Iris raised her head, the next line of the drama going to be hers.
            “But he never said anything of radicalism…” Iris spoke cautiously, watching Seth falter slightly. The graduate student looked at his peers and only shook his head.
            “I know he didn’t. He was giving the intention of radicalism. There’s a difference,” Seth played coolly, looking at Maverick with some sort of triumphant look.
            “Ah yes…” Maverick said gentlemanly. “The government of the Socialistic rule only ruled until 1245, when the government had become gilded. Your questions are pertaining towards the ethics of Muckrakers.”
            “Yeah, that’s the whole point,” Seth replied, crossing his arm. He seemed to give a condescending look to Maverick, as if he was stupid.
            “Well, this is quite coincidental considering the fact that there is a huge underground society dedicated to Muckraking,” Iris countered fiendishly, watching Seth’s eyes squint.
            “Of course. I read the news….” Seth replied snobbishly, looking at the two. Iris’s eyes met Seth’s, wanting to confirm more details.
            “But you’re a Graduate Student, right? You’re working on a Masters degree for this sort of subject. The muckraking didn’t begin until only a few months ago,” Iris shot back, causing Seth to stumble a bit in his eyes.
            “Well… Yeah, I mean…” Seth mumbled, trying to regain the upper hand of the situation. “Why do you guys care so much anyways!? I just wanted a personal opinion on what you think of these morals.”
            “You want people to give their opinions on muckraking. This is for more than just a class! I’m a Journalism major too!” Maverick bit venomously, causing Seth to pale at an incredible rate. “I know for a fact that you have to get your professor to approve the paper you’re working on.”
            “Why are you really using this Seth? What could you possibly have to gain by wanting to know the opinions of muckraking from other students?” Iris asked suspiciously. Seth took a step back from the two.
            “I just…. I am trying to do some research on my own. Is it any wonder why with the government as it is today!?” Seth whispered furiously. Maverick and Iris looked at each other then back at Seth.
            “You know, it’s OK if you want to tell us why. There’s a barrier around this room…” Iris said casually, smiling knowingly at the Graduate Student.
            “A… barrier?”
            “Oh my yes… It keeps anyone from hearing in on our conversations using any sort of mind power. So if someone was listening at the door, the sound would be coming out quiet and distorted,” Maverick said a bit proudly. “And if anyone was trying to listen with telepathy… They would be blocked out.” Seth looked over at Maverick and Iris a bit frightened, before gazing towards the door, as if he was waiting for someone to bust down the door and attack all three of them in a malicious rage.
            “How can you speak of such things so soundly?” Seth asked, his eye wavering towards the door. “Anything different. Anything that does not conform to any societal ideal. Don’t you guys know it’s all forbidden! I mean, you’re in the capital city of the entire nation. This is where it would be most heavily enforced.”
            Iris shook her head and sighed. It was amazing how the conversation led itself. She couldn’t quite understand Maverick’s true intentions. “Maverick, are you sure you’re just not trying to find yourself in a position where you meet the Silver Thunderbird?” Maverick whirled around to his comrade, looking at her as if she was insane.
            “What do you mean? Of course not!” Maverick defended at near hysterical heights. Iris started to giggle to herself, laughing at the fact that Maverick was getting so upset at a minor inconvenience she was setting in order to interfere with his work. She loved doing this!
            “I mean, you’re torturing this poor pathetic soul because you have some highly deluded dream of finding the Silver Thunderbird. I mean, I know you really like him,” Iris taunted, causing Seth to look up at Maverick in newly found suspicious, “but you’re acting like a stalker! ENOUGH!”
            “Iris! Stop it!” Maverick hissed at his best friend. “It’s not like that! I didn’t want to look for the Silver Thunderbird, I only wanted to see…”
            “The Silver Thunderbird huh?” Seth replied knowingly, Iris smiling and looking at the Graduate Student. Maverick pouted silently to himself knowing that the damage was already done. “I know of him… Past the brilliant exposes that he writes about the super rich and high government officials.” Iris looked at him, raising her eyebrow.
            “Brilliant? Didn’t know you were also a Silver Thunderbird stalker. I should start to keep an eye on both of you…” Iris spoke humorously, causing Maverick to throw her an electric look of indignation.
            “I’m not a stalker per say…” Seth spoke confidently, running his hand through his spiked hair and crossing his arms. “What would I say to you both that I know the Silver Thunderbird personally? And that me and him are very close friends? Would you be interested?”
            “Definitely!” Maverick said as Iris just shrugged her arms. “It’d be amazing to meet the man…”
            “Or woman!” Iris chimed in.
            “That wrote such an amazing and well-deserved article, especially in today’s society!” Maverick finished, ignoring Iris. Seth only smirked as he grabbed his interviews and shredded them into tiny little pieces.
            “Alright then… How would you each like to meet this Silver Thunderbird? We’ll say… This Saturday night? I believe I could arrange something by then…” Seth nodded as he looked at the two in front of him. Both nodded, Iris a little more hesitantly.
            “Sure thing…” she said calmly, giving Seth an air of suspicion. “As long as this isn’t some sort of intricate and well pulled off plan to get us both excommunicated by the University and put into the puppet playing hands of the Conservation of Peace…” Seth gave her a sly look.
            “Oh no… I swear on my deceased mother’s grave… You two definitely deserve it, especially after that little stunt that you showed back there. You were close to pulling out that knowledge by yourself!” he congratulated to the two. “It takes a strong mind in order to do that.” Grabbing his clipboard, Seth wrote down something on a scrap piece of paper. Tearing off a part of the paper, he handed the little sliver to Maverick. Seth made his way towards the door and put his hand on the door knob. He nodded towards the other two. “Give me a call Saturday morning and we’ll see about letting you meet the Silver Thunderbird…”
            Maverick and Iris stared at Seth as he exited the room casually, as if nothing had not just occurred between the trio in the last fifteen minutes. Iris stood up and looked back at the door, her gaze locked eyes with the door knob before she cleared her throat.
            “Maverick… Are you sure we know what we’re getting ourselves into?” Iris asked cautiously. “I mean, what if he really does turn us over to the Conservation of Peace?”
            “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about anything like that happening. He wouldn’t dare do something like when we know part of his secret.”
            “I don’t know. I just have a really bad feeling that we’re getting ourselves into a mess that we’re not going to be able to get ourselves out of,” Iris spoke ominously as both of them looked towards the door.
            “So you feel it too then…”
            “Yes. I can’t see it clearly. I never can. But…”