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<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lawrence</span></font></st1:City></st1:place>
distractedly nodded to Carl the bellman, as the young man efficiently unloaded
the suitcase, hanging bag, and large metallic briefcase from the cart to the
appropriate locations. Carl pointed out the room’s amenities, the
view, the bar and setting area, and where the computer connections were.
“Your room also has wireless connectivity, and you can also take
advantage of our spa and business center at your leisure.” <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lawrence</span></font></st1:City></st1:place>
reached into his pocket, pulling out an ample money clip. He glanced at
it, more out of unfamiliarity than vanity, peeled off a $20 bill and handed it
to the patiently waiting staffer. “Ask the front desk to hold my
calls for now, and have them send up any urgent messages in about an
hour. I’m going to take a bath.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Carl smiled at the tip, and nodded. “Will do sir, if you
need any advice on things to see, or any other assistance, please contact me,
or of course the concierge assigned to the executive suites.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>West Coast Defenders #36: “Compounding
Interests”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>After the bellman left, <st1:City w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:City> walked
to the window, pulled open the curtains and took in the vista of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Seattle</st1:City></st1:place>. That was an
enormous tip, he reflected, but considering his current conditions, probably
appropriate. Its better to be generous; a good tip here and there buys a
lot of good will and extra service, and word gets around quickly if you are
quick to hand out a couple bills. He glanced at the placards,
detailing the other services, including the internet access. He noted
that Carl had left the briefcase near the internet jacks, assuming it contained
a computer. He was both right and wildly incorrect at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The bathroom was generously appointed, looking sterile and clean while
inviting and luxurious. Thick towels hung from a warmer bar, while a
large terrycloth robe and slippers waited near a hamper. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:City></st1:place> stripped down,
and reached over the large oval tub and turned the taps on. Unscrewing
one of the shampoo bottles, he dumped its syrupy contents into the gushing hot
water. Ruefully, he examined himself in the mirror. The times, they is a
changin’ he mused. I’m going to have to get a trainer to stay in
shape now that… that… Turning away, he tossed the empty
plastic bottle towards the wastebasket. The bottle caromed off the side,
and landed next the commode which still had its paper ‘sanitized for your
protection’ strip on it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Easing into the tub, he let out a sigh. Water sloshed out the side, and
he absently tapped the water knobs to their off position. He relaxed,
staring at the bubbles, each looking like tiny lenses…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Well Andy?” he asked, as the muscular scientist looked up
from a series of magnifying lenses and scanners, all trained on a tissue
sample. “What’s the diagnosis?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Everything is normal.” He replied. Taking a polishing
cloth from his lab coat, he wiped at his glasses. “Nothing seems to
be different organically, so why you no longer have your powers seems not to be
biological in nature.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Great,” Spectrum muttered, “I hoped Dr. Awesome
would have the answers I needed.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Andy Awesome shrugged, “If you want answers, go ask the Sage, and
bring money. You know, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:City></st1:place>,
this might not be what you think it is.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Spectrum glanced away from the banks of dials and indicators to look at
him. “What, you think I should go see Wonder Grunion? Or someone else on
the team?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“What I am saying is that this may be the result of some sort of
psychic trauma, rather than directly biological in nature. It may just be
some time before your powers return.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Spectrum stepped off the exam table, picking up part of his discarded
armor. “You know, I never go around to thanking you for the awesomantium
grappling hook system you put on this thing. Aside from towing a ship
once, it hadn’t seen much use. But now I may need it to get around
the city more. Gonna have to figure out how to use more gadgets now that
my powers are gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Ironic that the illusion you and Dr Cheef tried to create that
the armor was the source of your powers is now more the reality.”
Andy Awesome picked up the helmet and examined it closely. “Its
fascinating how the nanites have optimized this circuit here….”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Spectrum grumbled as he donned the suit. “Yeah, well, I will have
to take a trip out to see Team M.E.C.H.A. and find out if I can get some kind
of power source for this suit, so that I can use it for more than 15 minutes at
a time. You wouldn’t have anything I could—“<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“I’ve been very busy with a research project for some time
now,” Andy interrupted, “have you been in touch with Spandex Babe
recently?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Taking the hint, Spectrum changed the subject, not wanting to press
Andy on the status of Awesome Force. “Yeah, she’s doing
alright. We talked about her perhaps tagging along to London with me, but with
Foxy back I thought its best I focus on mending that relationship and deal with
how Spandex is doing …well, later.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“So when is the trip to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>?” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“In a day or so, I fly back tomorrow, and then we head out the
next day.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Andy grinned, “Say hello to the Queen for me. We had to
save her from some trouble once.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>--------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lawrence</span></font></st1:City></st1:place>
leaned back into the suds further, noting that the water had cooled off again.
That never would have happened back before …he sighed again, shifted
around, and turned the hot tap to refill and re-warm the water. He
wondered why even in luxury hotels the bathtubs weren’t long enough to
soak your whole body at once. One ended up with cold legs sticking out if
one wanted a good back soak, or vice versa… I guess that’s
why they have the spa facilities downstairs….<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>There was a light knock on the front door. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:City></st1:place> ignored it. It repeated, more
insistently. He clambered out of the tub, wrapping a towel around his
waist. “How am I going to get a good overall prune texture with these
interruptions?” He muttered in mock irritation. “And doesn’t
the staff have a passkey?” That last verbalization brought him to a
more alert footing. He peeked in the spy-eye, and saw a vulpine eye gazing back
in.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lawrence</span></font></st1:City></st1:place>
opened the door. A lithe, slender and noticeably furry woman looked back
at him, smiling. “Hey sailor, new in town?” Dangling from one
hand was a pair of champagne flutes and the other had a small cart in tow. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“That’s funny I don’t recall ordering room
service…” Spectrum began, and then Foxy muffled his next
sentence with a passionate kiss. He cautiously walked backwards,
half-carrying Foxy as she towed the cart behind her. Her tail batted the
door closed behind her, ending the show for the discreet yet curious concierge
down the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Setting her down, Spectrum looked at Foxy and asked,
“Didn’t I say I wanted to take this trip alone?” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Foxy pouted and placed a finger to his lips. “Don’t be mad
at me love; I just didn’t want you to be bored, all alone in a hotel
room, away from your friends.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Spectrum scooped her up fully and dropped her unceremoniously on the
king size bed. Foxy let out a mischievous giggle. He started to
turn away, saying, “Sometimes a man needs time alone, to think about
things, and ponder what’s next.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>As he started to walk back to the bathroom, Foxy rolled, and in a
series of fluid motions grabbed his towel, rolled it, and cracked him lightly
on his retreating backside. “No can do, Mister bun buns… You
and I are going out! We are going to lighten your load, and your money clip,
and have a delicious dinner, then dancing, then a moonlit carriage ride, and if
you are really good, I’ll let you brush my tail when we get back.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>From the bathroom came a muffled, “And if I am bad?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“You get to brush all of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Spectrum made no reply, just grinned and waved his electric razor
menacingly in Foxy’s direction.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>***************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>*Begin Transmission*<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>PGPKEYMAX1024RAW-Coded/Connect: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>H3LL0, Sp1d3rm00s3…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><Gr33t5, HQ. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>R3p0rt…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><R3Q p1aiNSp3ak<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>Oh all right…killjoy….<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><Sorry. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>Just be brief. You know the M00se Illuminati prefers coded messages.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><Our net probes are in place, and the new tools were smuggled into
the latest service pack. Every windoze PC out there should be accessible,
as soon as the new upgrades are propagated and installed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>Excellent work.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><Any confirmation on my other query?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>Our satellites have not detected anything specific.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><You know we are all in the same boat if I am right.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>We can not act on a hunch, or anything as tenuous as your data.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><Any spaceworthy vehicles I can borrow?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>>Very funny. End Transmission…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>***********************************************<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Parker Peterson!” The graying, burr haired man stood up
from his desk. “Last time I saw you, I’d sent you out for
donuts. So, where they and what took you so long!?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Parker grinned and tossed the donuts to the newpaper editor.
“It’s a long story, and might even sell some papers. That is,
if I can get my old job back…”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The editor scowled. “I fired your butt when you
didn’t call in or show up for work. Give me three good reasons why
I should.”<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Okay, one, you have an exclusive insiders look at the makings of
a superhero, namely me. Two, I can give you updated reports on the comings and
goings of the West Coast Defenders, (of which I am now a member), and three, if
you look outside, my giant robotic rabbit is parked right next to your
Volvo. Its such a nice car….”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The editor’s face reddened, “Are you threatening
me!?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Parker laughed and leaned back on the chair. “No, of course
not. Should I?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Now it was the editor’s turn to grin. “You’ve grown
some backbone since I last saw you. So tell me, why even bother with this
job? Its not about the money, I know that the Defenders are all hired
guns for Tyler Industries.”<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Now, I wouldn’t go that far, but yeah we get regular
paychecks from them.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“So what’s your angle?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“You know there are lulls, times when there isn’t much
going on. I always wanted to be a writer, a photographer, and a
reporter. The whole superhero biz is just icing on the cake. I want
to someday retire and have something more than being another old guy in
spandex. Look, I’ll sign on as freelance. You can use what
you like, but if you like it, we talk about a regular byline.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Kid, look, why don’t you just start your own blog or
something? If it doesn’t sell papers, and you don’t get it to
me in a timely fashion, its worthless to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Parker Peterson handled him a folder, with photographs of the team,
along with some nice shots of Pinto Sally, and the rest of the Grangers. “Take
a look then, and get back to me. I’ll leave my number with Agnes
your receptionist.” <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“sTATUS?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“wE aRE cLOAKED, pRIMARY fLEET 123.7 tIME uNITS fROM sECTOR
pOINT.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The hooded figure swiveled to glare at another lackey.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“sTATUS?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“yOUR sCOUTSHIP iS rEADY, aND hERO aCTIVITY iS aT aLL tIME
lOWS.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Good, the figure sat, brooding as she clenched her armored fist.
They will never know what hit them…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>WHO WILL NEVER KNOW?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>THE SAGE?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>WILL SPECTRUM GET HIS POWERS BACK?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>WILL THE AWESOME FORCE COME BACK?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>WILL SPECTRUM HAVE TO ONLY BRUSH FOXY’S TAIL?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>WHY DON’T THE FINER RESTURANTS CARRY DIET MT DEW?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>SUPERGUY! When you least expect it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Lawrence</span></font></st1:place></st1:City>
H. Brown<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>IT / Telecomm Specialist <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>TCF Bank, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Denver</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoAutoSig><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>720-200-2505<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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