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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>TDSM tapped thoughtfully at his Alienware laptop. A quick review of
the logs revealed to him the latest intel available for the Moose Illuminati.
Just another day, it seemed. Big crisis in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and efforts of the Aurorans
had managed to stave off an invasion from another reality that (believe it or
not) sucked worse than our current one. Guess it was for the better that we
missed out on that fracas, he mused. Can’t say I would have wanted to be
on either side. Ah well, lesser of two evils and all that…<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'>“Another drink, sir?” The flight attendant managed to stay
calm and professional as he proffered another cup of hot green tea. <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'>TDSM glanced his way with some of his eyes. “Not right now,
thankssss. How ssssoon until dinner?”<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 attendant stammered, “Um, uh, we have a choice of steak or
oriental chicken salad, with mandible oranges-–MANDARIN oranges!”
The young man paled even more . <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'>TDSM sighed and closed his laptop. “Whatssss your name?” He
turned to the attendant and gave him his full attention.<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'>“C-c-charles….”<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'>TDSM extended his hand. “My friendssss call me Trapdoor Spider
Man, or TDSM. Come on, don’t be rude, shake my hand.” His hand,
while not as scary as his other appendages, was still abnormal, far too hairy,
too menacing, with sharp claws.<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 attendant gulped and tentatively paused, then reached out and
firmly shook his hand.<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'>“There. That wassssn’t too hard now, wasss 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'>“No sir.”<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'>“Look Charley, if my teammatesss were here with me (which they
aren’t) they would tell you that I don’t kill everyone I encounter.
Dessspite PR rumorsss to the contrary. Ssso, tell me, how did you get sssstuck
with sssserving me, of all people in firssst classss? A coin tossss?”<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'>“Ss-ss-strawss” The young man replied. <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'>“Are you mocking me?” TDSM grinned and put a hint of menace
in his voice.<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 attendant took a deep breath and stuck out his jaw.
“Hell™ yeah.”<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'>TDSM snickered. “You’ve got ballsss, Missster. Look. I
didn’t alwaysss look like this. I wasss once normal. That isss, what
passssess for normal in this world.” TDSM attempted to smile at his jest
without making a face that looked like he was going to eat someone.<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 trying to ssssay is that I appreciate your
effort to try and ssserve me like any other passsssenger on thissss airline. I
get tired of being a freak sssometimesss.”<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'>“Its ok sir, you should have seen the lady I had to serve last
week.”<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'>“Call me TDSM. I’ll have the sssteak. Rare. You work with
the airlinesss 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'>“Couple years now, just made it to First Class. Went from top of
one ladder to the bottom of another one…. but hey that’s life,
right? New opportunities, more danger.” TDSM cocked his head. “…The
passengers in coach are relieved when I give them an extra bag of snacks; some
people up here think they own the plane. I piss off the wrong person and
I’ll get busted down to baggage handler. But you do meet some
interesting people…”<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’ll bet. Which way to the nearessst menss room?” <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'>“Nearest one is thataway, but the one nearest the flight
attendants station is up forward.”<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'>“Charley, I like the way you think.”<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:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>WEST</span></font></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">COAST</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> DEFENDERS #40
“Knights and Pawns”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>By the Amigoid, who needs a caterer for the wedding.<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'>[32 hours ago] (I swear, if this keeps up Keifer Sutherland is going to
show up.)<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'>Nikon Ninja sighed as he re-entered his darkened hotel room. Unslinging
a large duffle bag of camera equipment, he reached for the light switch.<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'>“Having a good time?” A voice in the shadows muttered.<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'>Light illuminated the room. Sitting at the desk, Randall Ames frowned
disapprovingly.<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'>Across his lap, Parker Peterson’s sword lay unsheathed and
gleaming.<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 Nikon Ninja glared, “That doesn’t belong to you, and I
don’t appreciate people messing with my stuff.” <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 elderly hero looked at the sword. “I understood this was to
be wielded by a worthy warrior. Perhaps the definitions have changed. You were
away for an awful long time in that other realm. Tell me, how does spying on
your team fit?”<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'>“Spying?”<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'>“Don’t be an ass Parker,” he tapped his head.
“Your cellphone calls to your ‘boss’?”<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 Nikon Ninja started, and then stiffened. “I didn’t
report any secrets. I just made sure that Karl got my scoops before the other papers
did. Spectrum announced it in a public place. There were other reporters at
the knighting ceremony too. I just took the opportunity…”<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 fluid motion, British Airwave stood and flung the sword at the
Nikon Ninja, who easily dodged the missile, “Hey! That’s not funny old
man, that sword can really hurt someone.” Parker pulled the sword out of
the wall and spun to where Randall had been standing. <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 can a teammate that puts personal gain over the safety of the
team.” A muffled voice sounded in the closet. “Lets sort you out,
shall we?”<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 Nikon Ninja slowly stalked to the door then flung it open. Empty.<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, boy, I have been in the business for more years than
you can imagine.” The toilet flushed in the bathroom and British Airwave
strode out, ducking a kick from the charging youth. The next swing hit empty air.
“One of the things I learned early on was to make sure that you can trust
your mates, because lives are at stake more often than not..” This time
the voice was back at the table. “So, we need to have an understanding.
A few ground rules, then.”<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 planted his feet and pointed the sword at Randall. “You
aren’t the boss. Spectrum is. I have as much say as you do, and you
can’t tell me what I do, when I do it or who I choose to do it with! You
aren’t even on the team, you are just some old dude that Mr. Tyler wants
to have pushing the papers for us. You’re like some sorta Alfred dude; Spectrum’s
the Bat-guy, and I’m, like-“<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 blindingly fast sequence, British Airwave disappeared, rematerialized
by the bathroom, flung his cane at the Ninja, disappeared again, reappeared
beside the youth, and stabbed his weathered fingers into one of Parker’s
nerve points, causing him to drop the sword as the cane struck his solar
plexus. A foot sweep later, and the young hero found himself flat on his back,
pinned to the ground by a mildly irritated Brit.<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 found that Alfred Pennyworth was one of the most
misunderstood characters in modern comic literature. Time and again he proved
himself to be capable of much more than anyone expected. I believe you will
find, given time, study and reflection, that it was a labor of duty, honor, and
love that put him in the position of service. Perhaps you may even aspire to
his level of greatness someday.”<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'>“Get…off… 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'>“One moment. You will confine your ‘reporting’ to
items that are of common knowledge, such as the public announcement of
marriage, villains captured, etcetera. You will make full disclosure of your
intent to publish items noteworthy to the team prior to doing so, and with the
full consent of any member involved. When in doubt as to the sensitivity of
any information, you will seek pre-approval from either myself or the current
team leader. Deviation from this agreement will result in an outcome so harsh
that you will wonder how many favors can one agent gather in the course of a
lifetime-now-are-we-clear-young-man?” Randall panted.<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'>“yeah….whatever..”<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'>“Excuse 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'>“Yes. Sir.” The Nikon Ninja enunciated in irritation.<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'>“Lovely.” And just that quickly, the man was 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'>The silence was broken a moment later by the hotel phone. “I
will see you at Tyler Industries when we have returned. Spectrum is planning
to spend some time in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">London</st1:City></st1:place>
with his fiancée, and I also have some personal matters to attend to here.
Yours and TDSM’s flights are wheels up in 16 hours, do be on time.”
The line clicked.<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 flipped on the TV in irritation, and broke open the
seal on the minibar.<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'>British Airwave lay in his bed, wincing and bathed in sweat. His
fluttering hand dialed the front desk. “I need you to make a call for me
please…”<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=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>CONTINUED IN PART TWO<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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