AAOOOSC! Rivalry!

The Boston morning is beautiful with its spring breeze passing by as the sun’s rays are pouring on the NWHL power players’ white-coloured headquarters. Despite the glorious weather, the predicament for the ladies is not the greatest.

“ARRRRRUUUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!”

Hilary slams her hands furiously against the table in the meeting room. “We had them locked down,” she growls. “We had the advantage. And we threw it all away!” She sweeps her hands angrily across the table.

Sitting across from her, Emily holds up her index finger. “The mastermind got to us.”

“I can’t believe it!” Hilary straightens herself up, stuffing her hands through her hair. “I’m gonna rip my hair out!”

Nicole peers ahead at her with a slight gawk. “Keep your hair. You look good in it.”

“If you do, you can wear my helmet!” Emily holds up her black-coloured caged helmet.

Hilary throws his hands back to her sides. “I was speaking figuratively!” She then plops herself back into her swivel chair with her arms crossed. “How?”

“Well,” Katie starts off from next to her, “now we realize our flaw. It was a five-on-four fray, the fifth one being a CWHLer and their Master AND their secret weapon with a powerful ability.”

With a weary expression, Hilary turns around to the end of the table, where Dani is sitting. “Do you have any powers to be our fifth member?”

Dani sadly shakes her head. “Sorry, girls. You’re on your own with missions here. I’m as powerless as the neighbour next door.” She shrugs.

Emily excitedly leans over the table, pointing at the founder. “Then that means you’ll have just as much power as Spiderman, your friendly neighbour!”

Hilary eyes her. “He lives in New York. We’re in Boston.”

Emily freezes for a moment. “Right.” She then slips back into her chair.

Nicole gazes at her sidekicks with her hands folded on the table. “Does any of us have telepathic or mental powers?”

Dani shakes her head once again. “No, none of you guys do.”

“Can you give us some?” Emily flashes her a smile.

The founder slightly frowns at the defenceman. “I can’t. Those abilities are not part of your team powers.”

“And yet they are for les Canadiennes de Montréal…,” Hilary grumbles, appearing crossed with her eyes staring out ahead. “...out of all teams…”

“So how can we combat a society with a telepathic member when none of us possess that ability?” Katie asks the group.

Nicole gazes at her. “What if you make like some super cool telepathic gadget? Like how you made these.” She holds up her arm, showing off the watch-like intercom wrapped around her wrist.

Katie makes a fatigued expression at her work of art. “That’d take ages.” She holds her hand out at the intercom. “It took me months to produce just the prototype.”

“And we only have days--if not hours,” Hilary adds in sternly, her fingers interlaced on the table. “The CWHLers have ALL of women’s hockey information and more that they can use against us. They can take away our powers with what they have, they can destroy us without stepping in here. They can claim themselves as the one and only GWHP.”

Emily darts her eyes around the room. “But aren’t we the GWHP?”

“It’s not official who’s the true GWHP,” Dani replies softly. “We think we are, Sami and her group think they are. There’s really no knowing who’s the true GWHP. “ She is referring to Sami Jo Small, the founder of the CWHL.

The small skater throws her hands out from her sides. “We’re the true GWHP.” She then slams them against the table’s surface. “Case closed. Next?” She peers around, satisfied.

“That’d be nice if it was that easy,” Hilary mutters, rolling her eyes. “But the CWHL won’t like that.”

Emily slumps in her chair. “Sheesh. Tough panel.”

Nicole peers at her fellow sidekicks. “So how can we take back our database with there’s a telepathic guarding it?” She drums her fingers on the table’s surface.

Silence answers her question as the other ladies rummage through their minds for the unknown answer.

Then Emily naturally breaks the silence. “I’m hungry.” She peers at the others. “Aren’t you guys?”

Katie darts her eyes around the room, already eating from a bag of chips.

Hilary takes a good look at the munching goalie before turning to the others. “Yeah, we should eat then come back to this. It’s better to have a discussion with a clear mind.”

Dani nods her head. “Very well. I’ll let you guys eat.” She promptly sits up, revealing the skirt she is wearing under her collared, button-up shirt and blazer. “I’m going to be in a meeting with Sami regarding the merging of our two leagues.”

“Oh yeah!” Nicole’s eyebrows shoot up at her. “How’s that going?”

Dani purses her lips. “To be honest, not too well. Hopefully, this meeting will bring more hope. And maybe we can merge and this battle between the two of us can finally stop.”

Hilary lets out a heavy sigh. “I guess.” She then turns to the other three ladies. “Let’s go, girls.”

Notes