The "Amalgam Universe" RPG IC thread

[TheTurtle]

The warehouse again - I'm either alone in this dump or out there killing people. Doesn't exactly do wonders for the mental health.

I've made up my mind - I've gotta be more careful with The Whale this time - he got me cause I went in without a plan besides "kill the *****er".

I head downstairs, and into the old beat up car I'm using to get around. I drive through the streets of New Gotham, it's still early and most of the slime haven't come out to play yet. Eventually I reach the Whales mansion... interesting place... security everywhere...

I take out my binoculars, three guards at the gate. Not a problem, it's what's after them that worries me - the guy has armed guards scouting the perimiter, watching out for someone like me.

The plan is an obvious one, but a good one.

**

I wait outside, hidden in the shadows when night comes - I've been here for eight hours. Then the first of the guards leaves - he's no use. Black... nowhere near a match. Then another one, blond, built... he'll do.

He gets in his car, I walk over to one of the others and break in, hot wire it - he has to think it's one of the colleagues that's following him. He stops off at a bar, I drive past...

I stop about a quarter of a mile away, pull on a black cap and jumper to cover up the Skull. I find my smallest knife and gun, and get out of the car. I slam it shut and begin walking back to the bar.

**

It only takes five minutes, and I walk in keeping my head low. I walk up to the bar.

"Scotch. Neat"

They give it to me and throw it back, keeping an eye on the guy. Waiting... he moves off to the bathroom... I slide off of my chair and follow.

When I get in he's at the urinal, I don't waste any time. I grab his head and smash it into the tiles in front of him. His nose breaks, gushing blood. I throw him to the ground, and pull out my gun, silencer attatched.

He's unconcious - I drag him over to a cubicle, and strip him down taking his clothes and security hat. His ID too. He's new according to this, only two days on the job. Good, no one will know him that well yet.

I aim my gun at his heart and shoot, I close the cubical and climb over into the next one, and walk out. I pocket my gun again and walk out of there...

 

[blah]

I enter the Lobby to see a young man with a breif case talking to a more elderly gentlemen. They appear to be of a kinder more gentle sort, so I aproach the hesitantly...

See there, sonny? you ain't the only out of character Gothamite in town.

"E-excuse me gentlemen.......I was wondering if you could help me.....You see I'm new in town and.....well i'm tring to find an old friend....."

We're all are, pal. Get in line, why don't ya? Name's James Ulrich, sonny. What c'n an old gargoyle-looking an' a new punk-looking shutterbugs do fer ya?

Man, this guy is nice to everybody. This city would have been a lot better with more people like him. But there's something weird about the other guy, he looks somehow....familiar.

 

[TheTurtle]

I wake up the next day, and walk over to the broken mirror on my wall. I look at myself, then pick up the security card of the man I killed last night. Similar enough, I haven't had time to shave in a few days so i've got the beard. A pair of contact lenses to make my eyes blue and I'm good to go.

I slip into his clothes, bit tight but not to constricting. I put on the cap, trim my beard a bit to look more like him and get the contacts in - I figured out a while ago I would need some of this kind of stuff. I check the police scanner - no mention of his body. Figures in this town no one would care.

I move out, and into his car which I took last night. Nice stuff... the guy was doing well for himself. Then I drive...

**
​

The first test is at the gate, I show my security card and ID, the guy doesn't look at it too much, thank god. He lets me go through, I pick up a sheet with my orders for the day. I'm inside. Goody goody.
​

**
​

The place is a palace. I wonder how many innocent people have died here. I figure my way around pretty quickly - the one thing about millionaire drug lords - they lack imagination. You've seen one mansion, you've seen them all. I know automatically that his office is on the top floor, the security is tight though... but after scouting around for a few hours I figure out where everyone stands - and I know that the night security guy has a weak bladder. Shame.

I spend the day walking around, imprinting the place into my mind. Pretty soon I've got it down pat - where security is, where the beams are, everything...

The Whale dies tomorrow night.​

 

[Noon]

"I don't think that we're gona have to play dress up just yet darlin. But I doubt we'll have to wait to long........No the trouble is that a man who used to work for me.....realy wish I could say otherwise....he has plans to build giant....machines, that will hunt down, and KILL, metamutants.........He left my company yesterday after my board voted the idea down.....but obviously it didn't take him to long to find a new buyer. But the worst part of it is.....the government is backing him.......and I aaint exactly someone they'll listen to on the matter, in EITHER presona. As Logan Wayne, I'm just some rich kid with a company to them.......and as Darkclaw, I'm an outlaw, a vigilanty..............But there is something else that could require my attention, and maybe you could help with.......If ya like.......A man, a cop, he and his entire family were killed not to long ago. Aparently it was a mob hit, gangsters that didn't like his efforts to put a stop to their crimes, they shot and killed them all........But aparently some one got their feathers ruffled, theres some guy out there.......their calling him "The Punisher".....he's been offing these guys like flys! Whether he is actualy retaliating for what was done to the Castle family or not is unclear, but I can't let this wacko go around killing people in my city.............Its strange......I've even heard some poeple are swearing up and down that its Castle himself come back from the grave, and that a skeleton jumps right off of his chest to finish them off........world is full of crazies.....but ya never know in this town........I've got the info in the other room, maybe between the two of us we could figure out this guys pattern?"

"Certainly, I would be glad to help. Man's world is so strange and new to me still, I don't think I'll ever understand how you have continued to survive in such a volatile and self-destructive way. On Themyscira no such malice would be tolerated from an Amazon."

He doesn't seem to appreciate my criticisms of his society so I change the subject, feeling a bit awkward. I straighten up and put on a neutral expression. I'm an Amazon princess, if anyone should feel awkward it should be him.

"I'm sure I can be of some assistance in catching this....Punisher"

 

[Logan Howlett]

[/color]

See there, sonny? you ain't the only out of character Gothamite in town.



We're all are, pal. Get in line, why don't ya? Name's James Ulrich, sonny. What c'n an old gargoyle-looking an' a new punk-looking shutterbugs do fer ya?

Man, this guy is nice to everybody. This city would have been a lot better with more people like him. But there's something weird about the other guy, he looks somehow....familiar.

The friendly old fellow extends a hand to me, I'm rather caught off guard by his sencerity.

"Oh....um....hi, my names Clark K..."
DAMN! Almost used my real name! If I said I was Clark Kent then I would be either laughed off the face of the planet, or slaped on the front page of their newspaper! Everyone knew my name back in the day, I never had to hide it! I was a hero then......now....aparently, I'm a legend. But I can't blow my cover just yet.....

"...Rogers....Clark Rogers....I'm just looking for an old friend of mine, Logan, Logan Wayne, is there anyone who would happen to know where I could find him, maybe a telephone number I could reach him at?"

The twoof them stare at me blankly, as if I just said something incredibly stupid......

"I-its....kind of important, I mean, I haven't seen him in years, or been to New Gotham in years....so itsalomost like I'm new in town...again...but....I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time...."

 

[TheTurtle]

I've had to find a new place to hide out - someone spotted me going into the old warehouse, the cops showed up and raided the place.

Thankfully I set up a few bases in this town, you never know when something like this can happen. This one is a bit more decked out - it was meant to be where I stayed, but The Warehouse was more convenient.

This is another Warehouse, bigger, more places to hide. Most of my gym equiptment is here - weights, treadmill, rowing machines. I stick to press ups for the time being, I do 300 then move over to the paper dumped on my desk.

"Punisher Lair Found - No Clues As To Identity"

Still nothing about that body in the bar, god this town...

I had nothing against the guy, necessary casualty in the war. He might have been serving scum, but he might have been an okay guy. Wife and kids most likely. Still, that doesn't matter - they'll survive it.

Maybe one day one of the kids will come looking for me, and maybe he'll kill me. That's okay. I hope it's a good death.

I get an idea - something to scare the White Whale before I fillet him. I'll need something you can't just buy on the high street though... where would I find one of them?

 

[Victor Creed]

It takes me an hour to reach Breslau (the Polish call it Wroclaw), over four thousand miles from my starting point. The aircraft lowers itself down and lands within the corroded concrete ring that once housed one of our most famous endeavors; the bell device. It was thought to have been a failed attempt at building an aircraft that ran on anti-gravity engines. The fact was that underneath a mountain deep in the Wenceslas Mines lie the original, unfinished prototype of the aircraft; whose blueprints were saved by me and later used to build my own jet.

It’s pitch black here; nearly 2:00 am.

Open hatch.

The cockpit opens and I crawl out of the jet. Looking around for a moment I see these ruins as they once were; a thriving center for research and knowledge. Nothing is left though; nothing except this eroding ring and flooded tunnels of the Wenceslas Mines.

Close hatch. Security Protocol Level 1.

The jet’s hatch closes and upon hearing the lowest security level, the engine turns off completely to allow the fuel cells to recharge.

I continue down the trail leading away from the ring until I reach the tunnel entrance. I look deep into the tunnel, my eyes unaffected by the lack of light. The water is at least 8 feet deep. I close my eyes and concentrate, bringing back memories of the layout of the research labs within the mine. I walk into the tunnel; eyes still closed, and submerge myself under the water. Holding my breath I continue for a mile down into the mountain, using my memory to guide me. It takes fifteen minutes, but I finally reach the caved in part of the tunnel. I rise up to the surface for air and open my eyes. It’s much harder to see here in the cave without any light source, but I can manage.

I take a deep breath and dive down to the bottom, looking for a loose rock for me to gain entrance into the room. No luck, over 60 years of pressure have locked these rocks firmly in place. I rise back to the surface and use leverage from the wall to push against the other wall formed by the cave-in. I push with all my strength and nothing happens. I begin to grow angry; this pile of rocks will not stand in my way. I feel the strength boiling beneath my skin and just as it reaches its peak I slam my body against the wall, forcing it to collapse under me. The water rushes in and slams me into the opposite wall inside the research labs. The rocks from the wall knocked over all the tables and computers that had been used just before this place was abandoned. The Allies didn’t know we reinforced the roof and walls with high-grade titanium that left the main labs unaffected by the detonations and cave-ins. The water evens out to a level of about four feet as it spreads throughout the newly opened main research areas.

The air is stale, but still smells much like it always had before. I wade through the chest-high water and make my way to a staircase. I grab the railing and pull myself out of the water. This staircase leads up a few feet into a raised office that served as a good vantage point for any high ranking officials to oversee the progress of the laboratories. I walk up the stairs and push open the door. The office is littered with books and memos to the former research coordinator: William Magnus.

Next to an unopened filing cabinet I spot the console I am looking for. The console controls the communication system within the mines, as well as power distribution and the backup generator. Sixty years have gone by since the generator has been activated, but the fuel cells that we developed so long ago were a crude version of those that rested within my jet outside the mines; these older fuel cells may have lost their charge.

I flip the main switch on and nothing happens. I flip off and back on again; nothing this time either. I leave the switch in the on position and try to remember the location of the generator. I walk out of the office and begin down the stairs when I hear the sound of light bulbs popping; the generator has started after all. Most of the light bulbs exploded out of their sockets because the filaments had decayed after so long without use. With the small amount of light given off by the bulbs that remained however, I am able to see the laboratories quite easily.

The ceiling here is no more than fifteen feet high, but the corridors are wide enough to allow the flow of a few vehicles at once. I wade through the waters until I reach the end of the corridor, where the floor slopes up into the vaulted area where the advanced and more secretive research developments took place. The massive titanium door had been sealed the day of the detonations to insure that these secrets would never be obtained even if someone had managed to find their way this far. Now only a foot a titanium lies between me and what I traveled thousands of miles to acquire.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Barbara Van Dyne wheels herself into a control room at the Star-Con labs' satellite office in New Gotham. Her colleague Dr. Hank Friez is hunched over a computer screen.

He looks at her sternly and says, "You're five minutes late." He smirks and then says, "I hope you brought breakfast at least."

She opens up a bag next to her wheelchair and hands him a Blueberry Muffin & a coffee from Starbucks.

His smile broadens and he says, "Ahhhh Barbara one day you'll make some guy very happy."

Barbara chuckles and gets out her breakfast. She says, "Oh yeah they're just lining up outside my door. Besides you know that this project has left me with little or no social life as it is. Not that I had much of one to begin with, but on the bright side working on this project I have never felt more alive in my life. For the first time since the lab accident I have felt like a scientist once again. Not some sympathy case in a wheelchair"

Hank says, "Barbara you've always been a scientist you just needed to rethink your perceptions of what could be and what couldn't be."

She smiles and nods. She then takes a bite of her cranberry muffin and says, "Well today is the big-day. Any word if any of the top brass are coming in for this?"

Hank replies, "Well our beloved head of operations Dr. Kirk Connors is up to his neck in conferences trying to get more funds for this place. If we don't get some more funding soon then they'll probably close this place down and we'll be reassigned or let go. That is why today's project is so important. Imagine if we are to make a working Insulin microchip using equipment that's best day was about 25 years ago. Everyone else will be watching on-line through streaming video. I hope that on-line connection you made basically with duct tape and chicken wire holds together."

Barbara says, "It should, in theory hold just fine. If this works the board will have no choice but to keep funding us."

She takes a swig of her coffee and says, "I guess we'll find out in about an hour."

She finishes her breakfast and asks, "Did you remember the party favors?"

Hank pulls out a computer chip about the size of a sheet of paper. He says, "Right here is the Insulin chip which we know can work. The trick now is making it small enough to fit inside of a pancreas. I hope that lens made out of the Dwarf Star compound is stable enough to make the shrinking process work. If it isn't stable enough well I hope this place is well insured, because that is about all the brass at Star-Con will be able to claim as a success."

Barbara says, "Just remember if this place starts to go up in smoke...it's ladies first out the door."

They both chuckle at that statement when a warning alarm goes off.

Hank says, "I knew it! I knew something like this was going to happen. What do you got Barbara?"

She wheels over to a computer terminal and says, "Hold on." She punches in a few lines of code and says, "It's nothing my little internet connection is loose I'll go take care of it."

Hank says, "I got it you wait here."

Barbara replies, "Oh no this is my territory remember. All the computer junk is my sandbox and you're not invited in. Besides this is very delicate stuff it takes a woman's touch. Hold down the fort this will only take a minute."

Barbara wheels into the lab area and removes a plexiglass frame from the floor. She sees a wasp on top of her internet connection. Oh great just what we need; a common wasp screwing up a 200 million dollar project.

She reaches for the connection but can't quite reach it. Oh the things I do for science. Get ready for some serious humiliation She closes her eyes and leans forward until she falls out of her chair.

THUD!She lands on the floor and tries to swat the wasp away.

She mumbles, "Come on. Get off! If you fly away I promise I won't even use a can of Raid ever again."

The wasp flies away and she sees it land on the back of her thigh. She says, "Take your best shot I can't feel anything there anyway."

Barbara grabs her internet connection and begins to tighten it down. Just then a power-surge hits the building and within an instant she hears the lazer activate.

She looks to the control room and sees Hank frantically trying to shut down the lazer as she hears the computer's voice say, "Intiating process in three seconds...3-2-1."

She sees a pained expression on his face and she says, "Uh-Oh. this might hurt a bit." Not realizing she is still hold the internet connection.

KERFRAK!!!!The lazer fires nailing Barbara in the middle of her back.

"AHHHHHHHHHH! "She screams as though someone has hit her with a 2 ton hammer. She then realizes that the world around her is growing much larger.

She finally blacks out.

When she wakes up she finds herself in a hospital bed with Hank sitting next to her.

She very groggly asks, "Where am I?What happened?"

He replies, "You're in the basement. Three days ago you got nailed in the back by a lazer."

Barbara sits up in bed and says, "Three days? What happened to the chip test?"

Hank says, "Easy there easy you 've had it kind of rough for the last few days. I told everyone half-the truth."

She raises an eyebrow, and Hank continues, "Yeah I told them about the power surge and the lazer, but I left out the part about you getting shrunk to 6 inches. I went on a rant about them being so cheap that they couldn't afford good wiring for this place and this is what happens. I told them you were so upset you left for some down time."

Barbara says, "Well at least I'm back to my normal 5'5" height."

Hank replies, "Oh yeah that's true, but over the last three days I have been running some test on you, and the results are to say the least...surprising."

He pulls out a packet and opens it up....(to be continued)

 

[blah]

The friendly old fellow extends a hand to me, I'm rather caught off guard by his sencerity.

"Oh....um....hi, my names Clark K..."
DAMN! Almost used my real name! If I said I was Clark Kent then I would be either laughed off the face of the planet, or slaped on the front page of their newspaper! Everyone knew my name back in the day, I never had to hide it! I was a hero then......now....aparently, I'm a legend. But I can't blow my cover just yet.....

"...Rogers....Clark Rogers....I'm just looking for an old friend of mine, Logan, Logan Wayne, is there anyone who would happen to know where I could find him, maybe a telephone number I could reach him at?"

The twoof them stare at me blankly, as if I just said something incredibly stupid......

"I-its....kind of important, I mean, I haven't seen him in years, or been to New Gotham in years....so itsalomost like I'm new in town...again...but....I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time...."

This guy must be waaaaaaay out of town to not know. Stay calm, Ted. Don't be rude to this nice gu...

"HAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHA!" *KOFF KOFF* *HACK* *SPIT* "And I thought I've heard it all...Look here, sunshine. See that plaque there by the water fountain? Yeah, that one there. It's a commemerative plaque for the outstanding achievements of citizen Wayne to the community as the majority shareholder to the Daily Planet's Bugle. As you might not know, he's one of the fattest targets for all the gossip rags in the country. You think I'd just give that number to ya? Huh? You think I'm some kinda punk like junior here."

"Hello? I'm standing right here, at least say that when I'm not here.

"Not my style, kid. Just like the "Saint" says 'My whole life is on the record'. I can't hide nuthin' even if I tried.
Anyway, like I said all the papparazi are after that guy. But you don't look like a papparazi, you ain't got their eyes. Yer eyes are too sincere and honest to be a journalist, ploitician, or a lawyer, so you must be a damn good friend; one of those rebuilt vintage models.

Her I am talkin' like an old geezer while you're obviously in a hurry. So here." He gave the blond man a piece of paper. "This number is Mr. Wayne's private cell Phone number, promise me you won't lose it or Wayne gonna have my head on his mansion's pike.

 

[Watchman]

"Gentlemen I would like to annouce that stocks have reached a new all time high" Jonathan Kingsley the CEO of Kingsley Pharmaceuticals said in front of the board of directors. Expecting a round of appaluse Kingsley was very dissapointed in the reaction of the board. Nothing, there was faces were completely blank.

"What's the problem with you people our company has reached a new high and your just you're just staring at me blankly what the hell is your problem". One of his outbursts he had problems controlling his temper.

Our problem is the way you're running this company Jonathan. You're father..."

"My father almost drove this company into the ground Mr. Dugan if you remember. We're in a new age new ways of doing business"

"This board has almost had enough of your're underhanded business tatics and these projects, Project:Fear and Project:Goblin. What are these? Also your meeting with the military..."

"Nothing!" he screams picking up the folders of the projects "They're nothing" lowering his voice. "Gentlemen I believe this meeting is over thank you and have nice day" he storms out of the room and heads back to his office. A man is sitting at his desk looking through some pieces of paper.

"General Ross I wasn't expecting you here today"

"No I can tell by the work. It seems the supersolider formula is behind schedule again. What about the weapons"

"General Ross if you please..."

"No more excuses Kingsley if I don't see results in a few days I will pull the contracts and this company will burn do you understand me?"

"Yes general" he says quietly

"Excellent, don't disappoint me Kingsley" He picks up his hat from the desk and walks out. Jonathan walks over to his desk and sits down. He pulls out a vial of liquid. This was a very special liquid that upon reaction with air it instantly turns into a hallucinogenic gas. This was his greatest creation this was Project Fear.

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Barbara starts to take the packet, but then gives it back to Hank and says, "All-right just give it to me in a nut shell.Hank am I a normal person or am I some sort of freak now?"

Hank replies, "In a nut-shell...you have suffered some interesting side-effects based upon the tests I have run over the last three days."

Barbara says, "Side-effects? For cryin' out loud Hank, enough already come out and say it!"

Hank says, "Your pituitary gland the one that controls your height...has been altered. No that's not the word...re-activated in a way hmmm it's been..."

She says, "I believe the word that you are trying so hard to avoid is mutated."

Hank nods and Barbara says, "Now what has really happened to it Hank."

Hank says, "You now have a unique ability, you can now shrink youself down to 6 inches in height."

Barbara's gaps open mouth and Hank continues, "It's right here."

He pulls out a lap-top and shows her a computer image of the test results.

Barbara shakes her head at the image. Hank even shows her the paperwork,and she says, "No way that's like something out of a bad comic book."

Hank says, "It's true. Try it."

Barbara asks, "What???? How??? How do I do it?"

Hank says, "My guess think of the lazer hitting you in the back. All the cirucmstances around it the sights, the sounds...all of it. Close your eyes and really concentrate."

Barbara closes her eyes and takes a couple of deep breathes. She remembers seeing the wasp, falling out of the wheel-chair, grabbing the internet cord. Before she realizes it Barbara is engulfed in a blue electrical aura she opens her eyes and sees the world around her getting larger.

She blinks twice and says, "Oh woah! This is just...just. Does anyeone else know about this?"

Hank replies, "No like I said I kept this under wraps. If Dr. Kirk Connors found out about this he would charge a buck for people to come and look at you. There is somehting else you should know....take a look at your legs."

Barbara looks down at her legs. She is standing upright...she takes a step and then another. She says, "OH WOW!!!! I CAN WALK AGAIN! YES!!!! YES!!!!"
She jumps up and then realizes something else she is floating. She feels a slight brezze around her. She then sees she has wings!

She yells, "AHHHHH!" HANK WHAT THE H*** ARE THESE?"

Hank calmly says, "Another side-effect."

Barbara lands on her hospital tray next to the lap-top and says, "Side-effect???? Hank this is a genetic alteration...Wings are not a side-effect."

Hank says, "Look Barbara when the lazer hit you, you and that wasp got your DNA merged in certain respects. I had you in the neo-genic recombinator for at 24 hours. Trying to get-rid of the Wasps DNA in your system. With the recombinator I was successful, but this was something that I couldn't change. and the wings only show up when you shrink to 6 inches or smalller."

Barbara shakes her head trying to take it all in. She asks, "Why can I walk now?"

Hank says, "Probably because where your spinal column has certain gaps in it and when you shrink those gaps close off."

Barbara sits on top of the lap-top and feels a strange sensation. She stands up and then sits down again. She realizes that she is seeing the entire hard drive on the computer. All the files, all the programs and all the passwords.

She looks at Hank and says, "your password for your e-mail account is big-blue-ice."

Hank is stunned and says, "How did you know that...especially since I got that account when you were out."

She says, "I just touched the computer and I was able to see everything."

Hank says, "It must be a side-effect of the dwarf-star. It's a very unpredictable element."

Barbara flies up to Hank and asks, "So what's next?"

 

[Nightwing 52]

Barbara immediately turns around and the smile on her face, suddenly turned into one mean look....

"It's good to see me again Grayson? What mushroom are you smoking nowadays? Have you forgotten what happend the last time we were with eachother?"

She starts walking toward our plane carrier, as the pilot start signaling us that it's time to take off. I watch her go ahead and quickly catch up, but my reply isn't as smooth as I thought it'd be.

"Umm....Now that you mention it, not really. Although, I recall another woman involved?"

"S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Sharon Carter was her name, and you asked Bruce if she could be your new parter and he replaced you with someone else. After, I caught you in bed with her in your apartment while we were still dating, while I was on patrol. Is any of this coming back to you, or is it just going in and out of your ear sockets?"

We walk into the plane and see all the weapons stashed up against the walls and our seats await us once we enter. I sit down, and to my luck Barbara had to sit behind me. I grabbed the lab top that laid next to the side of my seat which had our mission briefing and schematics to the Baron's lair, aswell as where we would plan our attack once we got to NYC.

"Of course I remember, Barb, and I've apologized about it a dozen times. I wasn't myself that night and I know you don't forgive easily, but just so you know, Sharon broke up with me 3 months ago. After you and I were done we began dating, turns out she never had REAl feelings for me during that whole time."

Barbara comes closer to my ear and whispers roughly.

"Well it's damn good to see the girl had brains not to waste time with a heartbreaker like you."

I admit, she had a point. I've broken many hearts in my time with the whole hero thing, and met alot of amazing women. Each of them would never match up to someone like Barb. She had everything, the smarts, the skills, and even the love for someone like me. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for letting her out of my grasp....

Silence filled the air for a good while, as our flight to New York came near its end.

"This is your pilot speaking, the drop off point is almost in sight and I suggest you two get your equipment prepared."

I walked up to the wall of weapons and viewed what I might need. Barbara stood next to me with her bag stuffing all that she could get her hands on. As for myself, my utility belt stored all my toys. But I'm a guy who usually relys to much on his fists, so I should be ok.

"Pass me a C4, Dick, oh wait better make that two."

"Two of these things? That could destroy an entire building if put inside."

I grab the C4s.

"Jesus, Dick, you've gotten slow since the last time we went on a mission like this. That's exactly my point, Zemo is planning something from inside an undisclosed area. That's also where the virus he plans to unleash could be stashed and waiting for deployment on the whole city if we don't stop it. The lap tops we were given had the information, did you bother to comprehend any of it?"

"Well for one thing I haven't slept decently in days, so yeah I have been slow. Second, I did look into the lap top, but I was to busy at the time listening to you tell me how I was this and that and explaining my love life for about the 50th time. And third, STOP GIVING ME AN ATTITUDE."

I was heated, she got me so worked up. I know we don't see eye to eye that much anymore, but if this keeps going we'll never be able to cooperate correctly on this damn task. I have her back always, I just hope she knows that...

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. You have a point about Zemo's lair, I heard the place is huge. Good thinking, Barb.

I lifted my hand to give her a high five like the old days, but she just zipped up her bag and grabbed her jet pack, then walked away and coldly said...

"Gee, I feel so honored."

That's it, I give up. I grabbed my jet pack and followed her, the hatch of the plane opened and red lights turned on which meant we were on top of our landing zone. Out pilot waved for us to jump, and we did just that.

We free fell into the air as New York's buildings surrounded us both, I pushed back on my arms so I could fall faster. Once I reached the right air time, I turned on my jet pack so I could land swiftly. Barbara did the same and caught up to me. The jets didn't have much fuel in them, so it had to be timed just right. I looked over to Barbara and pointed to the roof we were supposed to land on, and then pulled back on the stick to slow down my speed. We landed well to my surprise and ditched the jet packs, that's when I saw Black Bat standing on the edge of the building with her scope at hand.

"Looks like our hideout is right in front of Zemo's."

"That's a good thing, cause we can determine how many men he has guarding the place before we make our move into the base. I'm guessing alot in the front and back, and about the same number on the rooftops. I'm not even going to hazard a guess of how many there'll be inside the place. I know for a fact that Bruce knew about all this, that how he is, always thinking ahead...


We then made our way into our own hideout, and began planning our attempt to infiltrate the Baron's base and stop him from unleashing chaos among the people of New York.

Ten at night, and it had been two hours since we began planning. Viewing all the schematics we had obtained of the building, corner by corner, room from room. It had the tightest secruity I'd ever seen, maybe even more then that of S.H.I.E.L.D. Still, it's what we were trained to overcome an defeat, to pursue as whatever cost. Even that cost meant the price of our own lives....

I look up at Babs across the table from me, seeing how focused she is. I couldn't help but admit to myself that she was beautiful, damn I'm an idiot.

"Ok. So that makes it 15 guards circling the ground zone, and 30 covering the roof for landing depots and possible interuptions. Meaning us."

I grinned a bit, then looked again to see that she had vanished. Quick on her feet as always. I turn around to see him bringing to cups coffee, ah this brings back memories...

"Same old Grayson, joking around even when are asses are on the line."

She handed me my cup, then I saw her glance over to her right. Thinking she had evaded me, I saw her smile just a bit. Well atleast I knew my charm still worked. I took a sip, and spoke again.

"Way I see it, The Baron is going to have this placed swarmed like a bee hive. We already know he's going to have his high class guards, be he could very well have dogs running around."

"You're right, they'll be able to sniff out a sent a mile away. Which is Zemo is thinking to steps ahead of the game. Interesting enough, I think that's why Bruce packed those fresh steaks."

"Good to hear. Now all we need to do is figure out a way of getting to the bottom up."

I pace around the room back and fourth while Barbara does the same, only with her hand in her chin. Then it hit me.

"I got it. Here's what we'll do, our best option is if we come out from behind rather then the front. Why? Because they'll have nothing to hide back there except a bunch of garbage and dumpsters. All we have to do is sneak from there, and take out the guard in our way."

"You know what? Here's something I never thought I'd say to you. You're actually right. Plus it'll give give us a chance to use these sleeper dart pistols instead of having to use full force. Though when if and when the time comes, we'll need too."

Wow. I didn't see that coming. Looks like we had our plan set, and I got my first compliment by her in a LONG time. This could actually be fun now that I think about it. Now all a needed was a good nights rest, and tomorrow night we strike without hesitation.

We walked to our rooms, and came to a halt. I turned to Babs and saw her looking at me. I looked back, and saw her put on an expression I've never seen before.

"Good night."

She walked into her room and the door shut right in my face. I wouldn't say she was still pissed off at me, atleast she was showing the side of her I always knew. Still though, that look was a bit nasty...

".....Night."

I turn and enter my own room, then crash and burn on the bed. Today was one hell of a day, I can only imagine what tomorrow will be like. I'll admit that I was bit nerve racked, it's not everyday that you're given the task of saving an entire city and stopping a man you've never faced before.....And all I kept thinking about was what if we failed...

 

[Watchman]

It's the big fight night in New Gotham and the arena is sold out. The two boxer are going at it. The one boxer who is heavily favored is crushing the other. In a private booth about ten men standing around watching the fight below. All of them with looked worried. There is one man in the back siting down in the back. He is clad in a black suit and wears a black hat. He has a green cane with a question mark on top. He has a wide grin as he stares on at the fight. One of the men comes over to him and bends over and whispers.

"Why the hell did you put all your money on that loser" the man sitting down stares at the man and gave him a grin.

"The problem with you is that you have no faith" he gets up from his chair and goes to the window. Alive for all these years and people still beat each other up for sport. My how the times have not changed.

"Now tell me what is the letter of death?"

"I dunno what"

"The answer is E the letter E comes at the end of the word life" he takes his cane and make an E in the air over the favored boxer. Suddenly the other boxer punches the favored in the head and their is a loud snap. The boxer falls to the ground dead.

"Come now let's collect our winnings" Conundrum says as he turns his back from the fight and walks off from the booth. Outside the arena he is swarmed with reporters. Conundrum and his men walked through the crowd and into a limo which had a question mark on the hood.

"Now what boss, should we go back to the home?" Conundrum stares out the window and points at a person who trips and falls into a puddle. He tied their shoe laces together.

"No the night is still young. I'm bored let's rob a bank"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Barbara sits next to the lap top and leans on it. She then realizes that she is pushing it. At this height I still have my normal strength...interesting.

Hank looked down on Barbara as she moved the lap-top back where it was. She is starting to get a little uncomfortable with the idea of someone looking at her who's face is about the size of a billboard. I thought I felt so small in the wheelchair....sitting there was one thing right now...right now I just feel so...so...I don't know....and being able to hack into a computer just by touching it while wearing wings....this is like a real bad episode of "The Twilight Zone."

Hank asks, "Would you like to continue this conversation with you being 5'5"?"

Barbara replies, "How do you purpose I do that?"

Hank says, "Well in theory you should be able to will yourself back to you normal height. Just think about things at your normal height like...think about...How do I say this??"

She says, "Being in the wheelchair."

Hank nods and Barbara hops down to the bed and lays down. She concentrates and before she knows it she in enveloped in a red aura and at her normal height.

Barbara groans a bit and says, "Okay memo to self: growing back to normal height is a little painful. Feeling the bones and tendons stretch is a new sensation in my rolodex of pain. Need to try and take it slow."

Hank asks, "So is there anything else you would like to know?"

Barbara replies, "Yeah why do my clothes shrink and grow with me?"

Hank says, "The aura that envelopes you also effects your clothing. Anything else?"

Barbara asks, "Is all of this permenant or a temporary condition?"

Hank says, "From all of the information I have gathered and peiced together...it's permenant. Without that wasp to help us which was pretty well-wiped out from the lazer and being merged in someways with you...there's no way we can fix this. At least right now maybe someday down the road but not right now."

Barbara says, "Hank can I go home now?"

He says, "Yeah I guess so...you need a ride?"

She replies, "No I'll call a cab. I think I just need to be alone for a while."

*****************************************************

Barbara arrives at her apartment. It's a 2 bedroom living space that's modest but she doesn't complain.

She wheels herself into her apartment and cuts on the light. She is greeted by her cat Jarvis who leaps into her lap and begins purring. She locks the door behind her.

She says, "Oh Jarvis, you must be starving after three days."

She starts making Jarvis his dinner and sees three days worth of cat-food in the trash can. Hmmm Hank must've taken care of Jarvis...have to thank him for that.

As she watches Jarvis eat Barbara looks at a counter top in her kitchen. She then looks around as if she is expecting someone to walk in. Why not it's my apartment?

She shrinks herself down and flies to the counter top. She then begins to walk and then run on the counter. Okay running not such a good idea the wings can create a great deal of drag.

She then begins flying around her entire apartment. I'm only six inches tall right now...and I have never felt the freedom that I feel right now.

Okay let's have a little bit of fun. She then flies around Jarvis' head and begins taunting him. He hisses at her and begins to swat at her barely missing her.

Barbara yells, "Jarvis No!"

Jarvis stops and stares for a moment and sniffs her. He then hops up in her wheelchair. She lands in the chair next to him and pushes him over. She then returns to her normal height.

Jarvis hops back up in her lap and she says, "I'm sorry about that. That was a little cruel on my part." A little cruel...nice pun!
"Come on Jarvis let's have some pop-corn and watch some TV," She says.

She fixes a bag of microwave popcorn and cuts on TV. The movie "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" is on the classic channel. Barbara watches a movie that is supposed to be a satire on comsumerism & advertising. On this night though most of the satire is lost on her, and she is suddenly having feelings of anxiety. Okay I guess this is the part where I learn that with every blessing comes a curse.

 

[blah]

We made our way to The Saint's office, what a beehive! I can hear Saint Jameswell's voice from three floors down!

Mr. James Ulrich just waltzed in without giving the cute brunette secertary a passing glance. I can't believe I will be actually meeting the tyrant who controls this newspaper with an iron fist. Gotta stay calm and chillax a little as the kids say. The office looked smaller than it's actually is because of all the paper on and beside the two desks taking about two thirds of the office.

Behined the window-backed desk stood an angry tomato...er...middle-aged man, I think he's Saint J. Jonah Jameswell. The poor guy standing on the other side of the desk is recieving a barrage of insults and shouts. On the other wall-backed desk sat a content black middle-aged man, he reminded me of Bill Cosby. He acknowledged Mr. Ulrich with a nod and was puzzled for a second by me, but he nodded to me as well. He's most likely the affable Editor-in-chief of The Daily Planet's Bugle "Robbie" Roberston White.

"WHAT?!?! YOU WANT A RAISE! How about this...YOU'RE FIRED!!!

"There goes the the freelance photog, it ain't even lunch yet"

"What do ya want, Ulrich? This isn't a good time." Then he took a big cigar from his pocket and lit it with an expensive-looking lighter.

"If you have time to smoke, then you have time to listen to this youngster. I think he has a spark."

"You and your stinkin' sparks. Hey, You! I don't need no stinkin' monkey crap on my desk. You put your briefcase here only if you got the good stuff; either that or hit the road, Jackass!"

*THUMP*

I put my briefcase on hisw desk and said with a smile:
"Oh yes, it is. Mr. Jameswell, I'm not selling any crap, just information. More importantly Superfolk information"

Saint's eyes gleamed for a second, he tries not to be impressed by a punk kid.
I'll prove him wong. I pulled out my laptop from my briefcase.

"Tragedies like the Last Laugh Massacare would have been a lot easier to live through if the public knew what is going on. I have organized an intellegence network throughout the world comprised of carefully screened agents. Their combined data were processed and organized into this convenient database"
I opened the database program that Sbyder and I built, then I asked:
"Wanna give it a test drive?"

He looked unsure and skeptic at first, but then he guided his fingertips on the keyboard to type the name of an old favourite: Super-Soldier. James Ulrich's face lit up when he saw one of his old wartime photos on the Super-Soldier's file. Saint looked somewhat pleasent, before he asked me:
"Your Crack agents left out his real name."
"It's part of my database's programing, The names of heroes are hidden and the names of villains are revealed. "
"And you call yourself a reporter..."
"No, I call myself a business man. There's no need to reveal a law abiding masked hero's name, but there's every reason to reveal a masked menace to society. Wouldn't you agree?"
"No, I don't agree! If someone wears a mask and hides behined an alias that means I there's something to hide"
"Well, think of it this way. If heroes are forced to reveal their identities, wouldn't they ask for compensations?"
The room fell silent. A silence that ended by the deep, hoarse voice of Mr. White: "It sounds like a good idea, saint. why should we put pressure on volunteers? I'm sure that Mr...eh.."

I just noticed I haven't given them my name"Theodore Parker III, pleased to meet you."

"Yes, well I'm sure that Mr. Parker here have a right to screen out whatever information he wants. It's his idea. I'm backing it up."
"So Do I, Chief slash Saint"
"I still don't like it, but this information is definetly gonna put us on top again. Alright, kid. How much is it?

YES!!!

I make my way down to the classified section and put an ad announcing cheap rents for rent. I don't need the money, I just thought it would be a good idea to keep the house alive. Also since my house is a twenty minute walk to EU, I'll be rooming with many college acquantices. I hope some of them would be cute girls!

 

[Speedball]

“This is Harbinger, Metropolis, are we clear for landing.”
“Very clear, go ahead and lower your landing gear.”
As the co-pilot tries to lower the landing gear, the handle refuses to move.
“Metropolis, Our landing gear is stuck!”
As the pilot says this, a giant fire bird appears a few miles away from the space shuttle.
“Hey, do you see that?” ask the pilot, with a look of confusion in his face.
“See what…. Oh my God!”
The fire bird flies impossibly fast next to the shuttle. As the passengers look outside to see the fire that is now below them, the shuttle jerks. Noises of straining metal sound throughout the cabin, and they begin to feel the shuttle slow down.
They begin to gain altitude, but are still slowing down. At last they come to a complete stop, but begin to move again. They slowly begin head toward the landing strip, and are set down onto the pavement.
As the crew exits the Shuttle, a girl in green and gold stands there to welcome them.
Her Golden cape is long and flowing in the wind. She wears a short green shirt, with a Golden diamond sitting below a Golden S in the middle on her chest. Her green miniskirt flows like her cape. A golden sash is wrapped around her waist, and matches her long blonde hair. Her face is like that of a Greek goddess’, and her body looks like a young amazons’.
She asks as the crew exits "Is everyone alright? That was my first time carrying something that big.”
A female crew member responds with jaw dropped “That was amazing. Who are you?”
“I’m a friend. Yeah, I’ll leave it at that”
She takes off, flying toward Metropolis as the Phoenix appears around her. The crew just stands there in awe as firetrucks pull up next the shuttle.

 

[ElectroFlare]

This guy must be waaaaaaay out of town to not know. Stay calm, Ted. Don't be rude to this nice gu...

"HAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHA!" *KOFF KOFF* *HACK* *SPIT* "And I thought I've heard it all...Look here, sunshine. See that plaque there by the water fountain? Yeah, that one there. It's a commemerative plaque for the outstanding achievements of citizen Wayne to the community as the majority shareholder to the Daily Planet's Bugle. As you might not know, he's one of the fattest targets for all the gossip rags in the country. You think I'd just give that number to ya? Huh? You think I'm some kinda punk like junior here."

"Hello? I'm standing right here, at least say that when I'm not here.

"Not my style, kid. Just like the "Saint" says 'My whole life is on the record'. I can't hide nuthin' even if I tried.
Anyway, like I said all the papparazi are after that guy. But you don't look like a papparazi, you ain't got their eyes. Yer eyes are too sincere and honest to be a journalist, ploitician, or a lawyer, so you must be a damn good friend; one of those rebuilt vintage models.

Her I am talkin' like an old geezer while you're obviously in a hurry. So here." He gave the blond man a piece of paper. "This number is Mr. Wayne's private cell Phone number, promise me you won't lose it or Wayne gonna have my head on his mansion's pike.

"Uh...thank you sir." I said and took the piece of paper.

I've got Logan's number. That's a start. Now I've got to contact him and go from there. I began walking away and ducked into an alleyway.

All of sudden, out of nowhere...

"BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG"

A alarm shrieks throughout the fairly calm city.

Almost instanteously I've stripped off my civilian clothes, revealing my other clothes. The clothes of Super Soldier! As I removed my clothes I spun around at super speed, blurring my form so no one could identify me.

I flew over to the bank and landed in front, my hair waving in the cool air's breeze.

"Now I don't think that belongs to you." I said calmly as four criminals ran out of the bank's front door. They ran out the front door. How stupid were they?

"Just get out of the way!" The criminal says and points his gun at me. I laugh as he unloads on my chest.

Time to get serious. I use my super speed and run around them, blurring their vision, and I take their belts off and tie them up with it. Laughing I fly off into the sky, and watch as New Gotham's police arrive to finish them off...

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Barbara wheels into work her customary five minutes late. She notices that Hank is not there to greet her this morning.

What is up with this Dr. Hank Freis not at work. I better call New Gotham's finest for something like this. Just then her phone at her work-station rings she answers it and Hank is on the other end.

"Where are you?", she asks.

He replies, "I'm at the Coroporate offices. They have all kinds of questions now that things have settled down over the last few days. Well sorta speak. I figured it best if you weren't here things could get kind of interesting if you were here. How did you sleep last night?"

Barbara says, "Sporadically. When I feel asleep last night the first time I dreamed I was here at work listening to my I-Pod and I fell asleep. When I woke up I was on-top of my I-Pod and the I-Pod was the size of an airport runway. Let me tell you at that size those speakers are pretty loud. Then when I finally stopped screaming I got back to sleep and dreamed I was in 'Peter Pan' and three guesses who I was playing."

Hank kind of chuckles and says, "Well sorry to hear about that Barbara, anyway my suggestion for today start wiping out some computer lazer records. I didn't touch them because I figured you would know how to make it look like no one was seriously affected by the blast if you know what I mean. Sooner or later they're gonna want to see the records at corperate and I can only stall them for so long. Once you alter them e-mail them to me at my daily planner. It's wireless and the e-mail address is in the company directory"

Barbara says, "Hank that could take me hours."

He replies, "Not if you decide to take a more hands on approach."

Barbara says, "Uh-uh I see what you're saying. I'll have it done in under 2 minutes."

She sets the phone down and shrinks herself to less than 1 inch this time. She flies in through the A-drive and touches the C-Drive. She wills the records to be altered and then flies out.

She grows back to normal and brings up the records and sees they've been altered to her specifications and not a trace of them being altered by her. She e-mails them to Hank and says, "There you go now tell those corporate clowns to shove these records up their..."

Hank interupts, "I got the picture and the files. You do good work maybe I can get you to change my credit score for a Christmas present."

Barbara says, "Dream-on Hank dream-on. Anyway I gotta go I got some files to review and I think I'll call it a day early. Good luck with Kirk & the fun-bunch at corperate."

Hank says Good-bye and they hang up.

Just as Barbara is about ready to continue her work she hears someone clapping very slowly and saying, "Bravo Miss Van Dyne. Bravo!"

Barbara whips around in her chair producing a set of fighting sticks and asks, "Who the h*** are you and how did you get in here?"

The gentlemen dressed in a black suit and in dark-glasses steps out fromt he shadows and produces a badge and says, "Agent Malone I work for department of Homeland Security, and why I am here is simple...I am on a recruiting drive."

Barbara begins to shrink herself as Malone says, "Ahhh I wouldn't notice the little yellow canisters in the ceiling. Those are common insect foggers, I love good irony, Now I have a gas mask but you on the other hand at 6 inches or smaller I bet those chemicals would kill you inside of 2 minutes. "

Son of a b****! I should've seen noticed those right off. She returns to normal height.

She says, "All-right you have my attention now tell what is going on. How did you know about me?"

Malone replies, "Simple we've had you and Dr. Freis under surveilance for over a year and half now. Ever since you all started working on the diabetes project. Imagine the reaction throughout the FDA and how many of our friends in the pharamacutical industry would react if they were suddenly out of jobs because your potential cure."

He opens up a lap-top and it show videos of Barbara & Hank working over the last 18 months. I think I am going to get sick..right after I kill this guy!

She asks, "What gives you all the right to spy on us?"

Malone chuckles and says, "I love it when you scientists are so naive. Have you heard of Cobble-Fisk industries one of your benefactors over the last five years?"

Barbara nods slowly and then it hits her, "You...the U.S. Government is actually..."

Malone says, "It's a front company, and if anything comes up we just say we're checking up on our investment. It's all perfect legal."

Barbara says, "I'll bet it is...go on."

Malone continues, "Right anyway we were very concerned that it might actually work so we arranged for that ever so perfectly timed power-surge and little did we know what was to happen next." the video shows the lazer hitting Barbara and it ends. Malone says, "Once we hacked into Freis' files we knew we were able to read his results of the tests he did on you, and now for the director's cut." He begins showing footage of her flying in her apartment with Jarvis.

Oh I am so going to sue the Government for this! Aww forget it...I'll just settle for immunity for killing this yutz!

Barbara says, "you all had NO, NO RIGHT WHAT SO EVER DO TO VIDEO ME IN MY HOME!"

Malone says, "Oh yes we did it goes under the all inclusive heading of 'in the interest of National Security' kind of a catch all thing but it serves it's purpose. Gee the least you could do is thank us for feeding your cat. Anyway about the job offer..."

Barbara says, "No way I am working for you clowns..."

Malone interrupts, "Barbara my dear we're like the Mafia no one says no to us. Besides your country needs someone like you, and if you agree to help us. We will help you. Cobble-Fisk is willing to up it's annual giving from 25 million a year to 100 million a year for the next 5 years. Half-a-billion dollars for this place think it over."

Barbara says, "First off it is Dr. Van Dyne to you only my friends call me Barbara. Secondly how do I know I can trust you? After all you haven't done much to show me any trust."

Malone says, "Fair enough Dr. Van Dyne. You can trust me because if we really wanted to we could've grabbed you at anytime over the last few days, and made it look like you were so distraught over the diabetes thing you fell off the face of the Earth. Besides this sattelite office is a good place for our investments...for now."

Barbara says, "If I agree to this I still keep my job here, and no one knows about this deal. One word and I will make it my goal in life to destroy you and anyone else invloved in this."

Malone says, "Done not to mention you get a nice pay-raise and great benefits. First off you need to take some more down time. We need to test you ourselves for the next few days to make sure this is going to work. You need to accompany me right now to our base not far from the city-limits. don't worry we will once again make sure your cat is taken care of."

Barbara says, "Fine." She calls the corperate office and files for some more down time. Luckily I hardly ever use my vacation time...so they're probably relieved to get it off of the books finally.

She looks at Malone and says, "All-right let's go."

He puts a blindfold over eyes and wheels her out to van. Where she is taken to the base....

 

[Watchman]

From the Journal of Jonathan Kingsley

Entry 1

Today starts a new beginning for the company. After struggling to become a corporate giant we have obatain military contracts develop new military technology. Although most of the board will be keep in the dark about the project I forsee that this will be a huge step forword for the company.

Entry 2

I have met with General Ross and together with his men and my team of scientist drew up are intial plans. What they are expecting most out of us is devolping a supersolider formula. They set up a date in which they want results. They would also be interested in any other projects we work on.

Entry 3

Project: Goblin and Project: Fear are on the fast track. Project: Goblin plans plans were drew up about two weeks ago and our engineers are working full time on it. Project: Goblin is a glider for soliders. They could use it for scouting or quick attacks. Project: Fear is a more personal project. A gas that makes people see their greatest fear. The subject of fear has always fascinated me. What fear could do to the mind is incredible.

Entry 4

General Ross came by the labs. Not impressed by the glider. Call it too expensive for military use. We have one final copy finish but thats it. I have kept Project: Fear to myself General Ross would not understand. Kept asking about the Supersolider formula.

Entry 5

Most of the board found about the projects. Stormed out of the office found General Ross acting like the idiot he was. My dislike is growing for him and my true work is hurting. The supersolider formula has fallen way behind schedule. Project: Fear is at 100% completion.

Entry 6

Supersolider formula must be completed. I will complete it myself if I have to. This company will not go under.

 

[blah]

Hello. Most of you know me as Sbyder. I need to tell someone about this, but I cn't even tell my host.

You see, Ted told me to track "superfolks" as he calls them at all times. However, my EtherealNet Trackers have been focusing on two normal humans for a long time. For no apparant reason.

The two are businessmen, a nervous mad-scientist-type fellow by the name of Johnathan Kingsly. The other is a mysterious figure, I had to reroute major ethereal channels just to keep track of his movements; I can barely gather enough information to prove his existence.

I hear them talking in the Offices of Kingsley Pharmaceuticals, how did that other fellow get in there?

I hear the mysterious entity speak:

"Kingsley, you old fool. How's your trip to Wonderland? Did you find your super soldier there?"

 

[MST3K 4ever]

Barbara walks back to her bedroom and slides underneath the door crack. It's really nothing more than a barracks room with one bathroom, one bed, a nightstand with a lamp, a dresser and an AC/ Heater along the wall. That's it...to say it is spartan is to be kind.

Apparently my number one foe here, besides Malone, is obviously going to be boredom.

She flies onto her wheelchair and returns to normal height. She wheels over to the bathroom sink and cuts on the water full blast. She then cuts on the bathwater full-blast and the AC full blast.

Okay that should take care of any listening devices.

She pulls out her cell-phone and calls Hank.

She tells him everything about Malone and the surveilence they've been under.

Hank says, "Great and I thought dealing with Kirk was a bad deal. Sounds like I got the better end of this deal. Just the usual finger-pointing and blame game crap that Kirk Connors loves to play. Anything to save his job. How are you holding up?"

She replies, "I'm still here. This morning was like something out of 'The Twilight Zone' and 'The Outer Limits.' First when I began shrinkng down they threw what appeared to be a peice of black cloth in the aura. It wrapped around me and I now have a costume that appears when I shrink and disappears when I grow."

Hank says, "Sounds decent."

Barbara repiles, "Well yeah but it's just a basic black jump-suit. Anyway they had me jump into a waste-paper basket and then they filled it and I had to escape before it was crushed by a hydralic press. This was not something I studied at Centropolis Tech. Then I had to use the self-defense classes that I learned against 4 grown men. Who kept trying to catch me in a butterfly net or spray me with bug spray. Hank it just gets weirder and weirder. I mean I was actually okay with most of it until two things."

Hank asks,"And what are were those things?"

She replies, "One, at my height I saw all of the surveilence equipment, even the stuff I wasn't supposed to be able to see. I mean since I have seen surveilence footage first hand I know what to look for now. I just know that in some dark room some techie is just getting his thrills off of watching me bench-press a lap-top. Watch next week someone is going to get that footage and super-impose Jessica Alba's body over mine and it's going to be on some creepy web-site."

Hank then asks, "What's number two Barbara?"

Barbara replies, "When we were about half-way done my wings were weighted down with some powder and I had to avoid being sucked up by a vaccum. I know to you it is real scary sounding but to me it was like being stuck in the freeway with a fleet of Mack trucks come down on me. I managed to avoid it and when Malone wanted to talk to me...someone picked me up in their hands. I never felt so helpless in all of my life. I lost it with the guy and from then on I was carried around in a petrie-dish if I had to be carried."

She sighs deeply and says, "Hank all my life I have prided myself on being self-reliant. Even before I was paralyzed, and considering who my parents were that wasn't always easy."


Hank says, "Who are your parents?"

She replies, "Ray & Cassandra Van Dyne."

Hank's voice gets a little bit of excitement in it as he says, "Ray Van Dyne the guy who..."

Barbara says, "Yeah yeah former all-pro QB of the Las Vegas Gunners. Won three Super Bowls and 4 league MVPs, and mom was a pulitzer prize writer. Anyway I never wanted anyone to say I rode on my parents coat-tails. Don't get me wrong I love my parents dearly I talk to them at least once sometimes twice a week. In fact my dad was stunned when I didn't ask him for money for my first down payment on a car. I earned it while I was in High-School, but the one thing he did insist on paying for was my self-defense classes and I have a 2nd degree brown belt. One of the reasons I didn't go to New Gotham U was my parents were so well-known there. So I got as far away as I could to be my own person. I loved being anonymous at Centropolis Tech. Today when I was being picked up I felt like my self-reliance which I worked so hard for was gone."

She begins to choke up and Hank says, "Hey...HEY! Listen to me. You are still the same person you are whether you're normal height or inside of a computer. You look in the mirror you are still Barbara Van Dyne. They can only take that away from you if you let them, and you are way WAY too strong for that. I know you well enough to know that. Besides how do you think that poor schmo felt carrying you? He probably thought you were contagious and he might shrink too."

Barbara laughs at that joke and says, "Yeah I think you're right. Thanks Hank...thanks a lot. I had no idea who else to call."

Hank replies, "Not a problem kid. So what wild night activities are you up to?"

She replies, "I'm a bit on the tired side, besides I don't think I can leave here, wherever here is. I think I'm gonna call it a night...talk to you tomorrow Hank."

He says, "Later days Barbara."

She hangs up her cell-phone. Sorry I had lie to you Hank, but I trust Malone and his Tommy Lee Jones & Will Smith rejects about as far as I can throw the Star-Con corperate tower. I think my night-time activities are just beginning at Malone's office...I'll bet he has some stuff that he thinks is safe on his computer. Safe from a normal hacker, but not me!

She cuts off the lights in her room and shrinks down to less than inch. She goes under the door and flies to Malone's office.

 

[Watchman]

Hello. Most of you know me as Sbyder. I need to tell someone about this, but I cn't even tell my host.

You see, Ted told me to track "superfolks" as he calls them at all times. However, my EtherealNet Trackers have been focusing on two normal humans for a long time. For no apparant reason.

The two are businessmen, a nervous mad-scientist-type fellow by the name of Johnathan Kingsly. The other is a mysterious figure, I had to reroute major ethereal channels just to keep track of his movements; I can barely gather enough information to prove his existence.

I hear them talking in the Offices of Kingsley Pharmaceuticals, how did that other fellow get in there?

I hear the mysterious entity speak:

"Kingsley, you old fool. How's your trip to Wonderland? Did you find your super soldier there?"

"YOU! What are you doing here!" he shouts at the man. He gathers up his notes. The results of the super soldier formula had been the same as yesterday negative.

"I want you out of my office now!" he storms pass the man and sees a man that probably is in his early 20's.

"Can I help you?" he says sternly

 

[Speedball]

As Kara flies over Metropolis' skyline, The citizens look up at her in awe.
She flips over and smiles. Her life as a superhero had begun with a bang.
Her happiness is short lived, when an explosion rips out the windows of a skyscraper.
She flies toward it, as a metallic man jumps out of the destroyed window. He's carrying a large box in his hands. He lets go of the box, and grabs it with his feet, which look like robotic talons. As he grabs the box, He spreads out his arms and wings sprout. He flies upward, the weight of the box not affecting his speed. Small engines expand from his waist, and he takes off too fast for the area, windows shatter from the soundwaves caused from his swift acceleration.
"Ok, so if it's a chase you want, it's a chase you'll get."
She speeds up, the fire bird around her begins to leave a long trail that makes it look like she has an endless tail. She quickly flies next to him. He's fast, but she is much faster.
"Pull over!"
He looks at her, and comes to a quick complete stop.
"Hey there beautiful. I'd stop for you anyday."
His body is almost completely made out of metal. He's a some sort of robot, but his head and part of his torso are organic. His wings and bocy are colored a dark green.
"Ok... So Who are you and what's in the box?"
"The names Cyborg Scavenger, and the box shouldn't concern such a pretty face as yourself."
"Why is your box lined with lead?"
"How'd you know that? Anyway, It's so the radiation won't leak or be detected."
"Radiation? Why would you have...Oh No!"
"Oh yes sweetheart, and the reason I stopped wasn't you, it was because we're over D.C."
As he says this, he opens the box with his cybornetic talons and out rolls a dirty bomb.
She lets herself drop, and turns off the fire emanating from her body. She speeds herself up to catch it, not sure what to do afterward. Delicately grabbing it with her hands, She heads toward space.
When she exits the atmosphere, The Phoenix explodes from her body, detonating the bomb. During the explosion, she heads back down to the spot where Cyborg Scavenger sits there hovering.
""Stick that in your pipe and smoke it."
Her fist comes to his face so fast, that he barely sees it. She heads toward the street level, where police and swat teams have gathered. So hve the press. After she hands the villian over to the police, the press hound with questions.
"Superphoenix! How's your love life?"
"Is your hair naturally that color Superphoenix?!"
"How'd you get your powers Superphoenix? Were you born with them, or did you have to drink a potion or something?!
"Wait, Wait, Wait! Who's Superphoenix?"
"Isn't that your name?"
"I don't really have a name yet, but I like Superphoenix, fits me nicely. And my hair is naturally this color."
She takes off toward Metropolis again as the sun sets.

 

[Watchman]

"Ok this is Ed Rielly conducting an interview with Edward Nigma" the reporter spoke into the tape recorder. Ed Rielly at the time was probably the world's greatest reaporters and landed a exculsice interview with the most mysterious man on the planet and he was going to find out everything about him. Nigma's house seemed to be out of some 60's psychedelic paintings. He pressed the button for up on a golden elevator and the doors open. He went inside and there was only one button a green question mark. He pressed it and the lift shot up. The doors opened to what looked like a large throne room. Nigma sitting on a giant golden chair.

"Mr. Rielly come on in make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink"

"No thanks I would like to start this interview"

"Ok fine you're no fun. What would you like to know"

"I want to know everything Mr. Nigma"

"Everything well that is a long story first let's start of with my name you can call me Loki or if you are the more seedier types Conundrum"

"The crimelord?"

"Mr. Rielly please I'm trying to tell a story. It's starts thousands of years ago when my father the great and powerful Thanoseidcreated a son which was me. Now daddy didn't love so I decided to come here and live among the mortals, the lesser beings. You want to know who a funny guy was Nero oh we had fun buring everything to the ground. Next the Crusades I caused a little trouble their and war broke out...for a few hundred years."

"Excuse me"

"Please I'm telling you a story. Now yadda yadda yadda few hundred years Great Depression,World War I and II Cold War, and the Other. Yeah I had a hand in all of that. So what do you think?"

"I'm sorry but your insane. I can't believe I just sat here and listen to that."

"You want the truth and there it is"

"Yeah whatever my editor is going to kill me goodbye Mr. Nigma or Loki whatever"

"Wait Mr. Rielly do you like riddles. I have a thing for them. What's made out of steel, moves at incredible speeds, and when it stops it does not look the same as it begun" Ed looks at him and leaves. Nigma sits with a grin.

Weeks Later

Ed has been fired from his job, his wife left him, and he is drving to to a bar to drown his worries. His cellphone rings and he answers it.

"What!?" he says angerily

"You didn't answer my riddle What's made out of steel, moves at incredible speeds, and when it stops it does not look the same as it begun?"

"Who the..." Suddenly Ed's car smacks into another. Ed is thrown through the glass and lands on the sidewalk. He looks back at his car which is destroyed.

"A car crash Mr. Rielly I hope that spine isn't destroyed" the last thing Ed hears is laughter and the phone hanging up.

 

[Speedball]

As Kara flies over Metropolis' skyline, The citizens look up at her in awe.
She flips over and smiles. Her life as a superhero had begun with a bang.
Her happiness is short lived, when an explosion rips out the windows of a skyscraper.
She flies toward it, as a metallic man jumps out of the destroyed window. He's carrying a large box in his hands. He lets go of the box, and grabs it with his feet, which look like robotic talons. As he grabs the box, He spreads out his arms and wings sprout. He flies upward, the weight of the box not affecting his speed. Small engines expand from his waist, and he takes off too fast for the area, windows shatter from the soundwaves caused from his swift acceleration.
"Ok, so if it's a chase you want, it's a chase you'll get."
She speeds up, the fire bird around her begins to leave a long trail that makes it look like she has an endless tail. She quickly flies next to him. He's fast, but she is much faster.
"Pull over!"
He looks at her, and comes to a quick complete stop.
"Hey there beautiful. I'd stop for you anyday."
His body is almost completely made out of metal. He's a some sort of robot, but his head and part of his torso are organic. His wings and bocy are colored a dark green.
"Ok... So Who are you and what's in the box?"
"The names Cyborg Scavenger, and the box shouldn't concern such a pretty face as yourself."
"Why is your box lined with lead?"
"How'd you know that? Anyway, It's so the radiation won't leak or be detected."
"Radiation? Why would you have...Oh No!"
"Oh yes sweetheart, and the reason I stopped wasn't you, it was because we're over D.C."
As he says this, he opens the box with his cybornetic talons and out rolls a dirty bomb.
She lets herself drop, and turns off the fire emanating from her body. She speeds herself up to catch it, not sure what to do afterward. Delicately grabbing it with her hands, She heads toward space.
When she exits the atmosphere, The Phoenix explodes from her body, detonating the bomb. During the explosion, she heads back down to the spot where Cyborg Scavenger sits there hovering.
""Stick that in your pipe and smoke it."
Her fist comes to his face so fast, that he barely sees it. She heads toward the street level, where police and swat teams have gathered. So hve the press. After she hands the villian over to the police, the press hound with questions.
"Superphoenix! How's your love life?"
"Is your hair naturally that color Superphoenix?!"
"How'd you get your powers Superphoenix? Were you born with them, or did you have to drink a potion or something?!
"Wait, Wait, Wait! Who's Superphoenix?"
"Isn't that your name?"
"I don't really have a name yet, but I like Superphoenix, fits me nicely. And my hair is naturally this color."
She takes off toward Metropolis again as the sun sets.

17 years ago
Kansas
Dr. John and Elaine Grey are driving home from California in the late summer. Little Sara is sitting in the backseat, playing with a big Mickey Mouse doll that she had gotten from her first trip to Disneyland. Elaine looks back and smiles at her daughter, as John is driving the 1986 Ford Taurus.
Elaine notices a small flash of light appear outside of the back window as she is looking at Sara. As she focuses on the the small source of light, she notices it has a long tail of smoke. She turns around and stares outside of the windshield.
"John, Get off of the road."
"What?"
"Look at your side window."
He looks at the mirror and notices the object, now closer and much larger.
"Getting of the road NOW!!!"
He drives off of the road, into a field of high grass. Elaine looks back as the meteor hits the highway. John stops the car and gets out.
"John, where are you going?!"
"Come on. Let's get a look at it."
He opens the backseat door, and pulls out Sara.
"Where are we going daddy?"
"Were gonna go look at something really neat, wanna see something neat?"
"Yeah!"
Sara exits the car, looks at John and asks "Are you sure it's not radioactive or something?"
John just ignores her, and heads to the crashsite. He climbs the hill created by the meteor, Sara in his arms. He stands there stunned.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure."
He puts Sara down as Elaine walks up the hill. He heads down the hill toward the metoer which is now revealed to be a rocket. He turns around and points at Sara. "Stay here with your mother, I don't know how hot it is."
"John, Don't...Ugh, I'm not even gonna try."
He heads towards the rocket. As he gets closer, he doesn't feel himself geting any hotter. He touches the rocket, it's about as warm as the summer air. He turns around and waves for them to come down. As they come down, a door slides open on the rocket. His eyes widen as he slowly turns around. When the three of the look inside, they find a small baby asleep with a golden blanket wrapped around her. A golden emblem resembling an S with a diamond behind it is on the back.
"She's gorgeous."
"We have to get her out of here."
Elaine dips down into the rocket and picks up the baby. She stays asleep as she rises out. "John, what are we going to do?"
"What do you mean, we're going to take care of her."
"You mean adoption right?"
"Yes, what else can we do? Take her to a foster home? We have money, we can afford to take care of another child. Go ahead, take her and Sara to the car, I'll see if there's anything else important in the rocket."
As Elaine, the baby and Sara head toward the Taurus, Sara tugs on her mother hand and asks "Does this mean I'm gonna get a sister?"
"Yes sweetheart, this means you are going to get a little sister."
"Good, 'cause I always wanted one."
"Good." Elaine looks up and smiles. Maybe adpoting the little girl won't be such a bad idea.
As John searches the ship, he finds a console with a blinking button. He touches the button, closing his eyes as he does. An image of a man appears outside of the ship. He looks about the same age as John, but much more distinguished.
"This is my daughter, Kara. Please take of her. She will be different than those of your planet, and some may fear her for that. Please show her the same love that we would have shown her. But you must leave this area now. In order to protect my daughters' and your identity, this ship must be destroyed. You have 10 of your standard minutes to leave here. Please, tell her that her mother and and father love her with all thier heart."
John runs back to the car and backs up to the road as fast as he can.
"What's wrong?"
"That ship is about to explode, we have to get out of here."
He shift the car into drive and takes of toward home down the road. Minutes later, the ship explodes, leaving no evidence but small metallic particles.
"It's a long way back to New York, maybe we should stop somewhere and get her some clothes and a car seat?"
Kara is now awake, and looking at her new mother calmly. Elaine looks down, and smiles at her, Kara smiles back and giggles. John swiftly looks down at her, and says with a smile on his face "Let's do that."