Read Online The OK Team by Nick Place - Free Book Online

Heroes: those who have just admitted they have powers or are having trouble admitting to being super people.
    The two guys in black and white checks turn out to be the Crypto Twins – identical brothers where one has the power of only being able to talk in cryptic crossword puzzle clues, while his brother’s power is that he’s the only one who can understand him.
    â€˜Lo! The vulture lands messily, devouring a cross,’ says one.
    The Bird looks at his brother, an eyebrow raised.
    â€˜My brother says we are happy to discover we have powers but we’re unsure how to use them,’ he translates.
    â€˜It’s a common issue for Heroes,’ the Bird nods. ‘It’s one thing to discover you have powers; it is a whole different issue working out how, or even whether, to fight crime with those powers.’
    â€˜The church eats its mice,’ announces the first Crypto Twin, nodding.
    â€˜Dot dot dot dash dash dash,’ suddenly says the teenage girl with the dots on her chest. ‘Dot dash dot. Dot dash dash dash dot dot.’
    The Bird nods in encouragement and the girl, looking nervously at the other Heroes, finishes with, ‘Dash dot dot dash dot dash dash dash dot dot dot dash.’
    Me and Cannonball give each other looks. Cannonball shrugs.
    â€˜Miss Morse is right,’ the Bird says. ‘It can feel lonely being a Hero. What do you think, Berry Boy?’
    The purple guy gulps. ‘I’ve spent so long being considered a freak, I’m having trouble coming to terms with my power, which is that anything I cook ends up tasting like boysenberry.’
    â€˜Yet here we are, embracing our powers and our Hero selves,’ says the Bird, spreading her wings for emphasis.
    â€˜Cannonball, that’s a fine uniform you’re wearing.’
    Cannonball blushes. ‘Thanks. I think it’s even better than a crab. The lady at the superhero supply store made it for me. I chose the colour but she stitched it up.’ He grabs a handful of material near his shoulder and shows how it bunches up in his hand. ‘She made it with room for me to grow into, so it’s a little loose.’
    â€˜That’s fine,’ says the Bird. ‘You have years to become comfortable – with your costume and with who you are.’
    Looking down at the clipboard where we had all written our names, she says, ‘Focus, why are you here?’
    I sit for a moment before I remember that she is talking to me. This dual-name thing is harder than you’d think, at least at first.
    â€˜Oh, um, sorry,’ I say. ‘Well, I’m only just getting started and I guess I wanted to be among some other Heroes and learn stuff.’
    The Bird nods and gazes steadily at me, as I blur and unblur under her gaze. ‘And have you tried any Heroic acts yet, Focus?’
    â€˜Not really. I went to the Car Crash thing in the car park but I was clueless. Unless HeroTV tells me, I don’t know how to find criminals in action and, to be honest, I don’t think I’d know what to do if I did.’
    â€˜Many Heroes team up when they’re new to this life,’ the Bird says. ‘It can be a lot easier to work as a team, rather than go up against bad guys or attempt a rescue all by yourself. At least until you get your confidence.’
    â€˜How do you form a team?’ Berry Boy asks.
    The Bird shrugs. ‘There’s a classified section on herohints. com. You can advertise there. Or you can just network with Heroes you meet along the way. Speaking of which, let’s break for coffee and then we’ll do some training.’
    â€˜Beware the dog! It sings at Christmas!’
    We all stare at the Crypto Twins.
    â€˜My brother says that’s a great idea, he’s thirsty,’ explains the other Crypto.
    â€˜Boy, those two are going to confuse crooks into surrendering,’ Cannonball whispers. ‘They’re as weird as a