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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Nikon Ninja stood in the middle of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Golden Gate</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
focusing on his breathing. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Nearby, a group of elderly Asians practiced their </span></font><span
lang=EN>T'ai Chi Ch'üan</span>. Further on, a pair of teenagers sat
on a bench, giggling and stealing kisses. A few tourists snapped pictures
and then moved on. It was nothing new for the regulars to see Parker
Peterson practicing in the park. A dreadlocked small boy of African
descent strolled up to Parker as he stood, silently, balanced on one leg atop the
lightpost with his eyes closed. Rapping his knuckles against the
lightpost, the boy looked up. “Yo man, you fall asleep up there
again? Dem pidgeons are gonna crap all over you man, if you keep
makin’ like a statue.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Nikon Ninja stood immobile; the only hint of recognition in his face
was a small grin on the side of his mouth straining to break free.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Yo Ninja-man! You promised me you’d show me the big
bunny, man! I did wha you said man, now you better keep up your
end!”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Slowly, Parker exhaled, raising his arms to his sides, fully extended.
He coiled and sprung upward and forward in a fluid anime-style leap. As
he landed in a three point crouch shown in almost every kid’s martial
arts cartoon, he drew his sword, flashing it around in a tight arc. Pointing
the hilt of the sword upward he shouted, “White Granger Ninja
Mode!” Softly at first, the recurring faraway riff of a guitar
began to play as bits of armor mystically formed around the Nikon Ninja.
“White Rabbit Ninja Dord Power!” A rhythmic rumble grew in
intensity until an enormous mechanical white furry rabbit leapt over a grove of
trees and landed next to the White Granger. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Cool!” The boy shouted, and dashed up to the Dord, eagerly
touching the soft fur that belied the hard metal interior. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“So! You have raised your grades?” The helmet made the
Nikon Ninja’s voice sound clipped and asian. He touched the side
and the faceplate disappeared. Parker smiled at the 12 year old.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Yeah yeah…see? Got them to a B average, man.” The
youth proffered his report card.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Sheathing his sword, the White Granger hmm’d thoughtfully with
exaggerated seriousness. “Average? Luther, the deal was all B’s. It
says here your writing scores …C+?”<br>
“Aw cmon man! You know that ol lady in my class hates my guts ever since
I remapped her keyboard with the burp wavs. An I did get it up from a C-,
an I got an A in science.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The bunny head on Parker’s sword hilt moved slightly.
“All for the better, Injor. What is next, using your Dord to
deliver pizza? This child…”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“Quiet, Soba.” Parker whispered. “He DID bring
his grades up.” Speaking gently to the boy, he said, “Okay man, you
*promise* you will get that C to a B first quarter of this next year? You
don’t want me to have to speak to your Gran’ma about this, do
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>“No way!” The boy laughed as Parker scooped him up and the
enormous Dord kneeled.<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 leapt up and set the boy down astride the giant rabbit.
“Okay. Once around the park and then I have to go take care of some
business.”<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 #41 “Castling”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>By the Amigoid<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'>“So, can you undo your ropes?” Spectrum asked. <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'>“Sorry lover no can do. They may be really weird but they do
know their knots.” Foxy struggled and twisted. “In my
pre-hyperspacial-mutation days, I could just deflate my hand or
something. Wait for the laugh track, and voila!”<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, if I have to die, at least I get to watch you
gyrate.”<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'>“Flirt.”<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'>“Hey if I am lyin I’m dyin…”<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'>“Okay eyes on the task at hand, Spectrum. You sure you
can’t whip up some sort of miracle?”<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>
consulted the internal display. Power levels were so low everything other
than basic suit functions was switching to standby. “This is so damn
frustrating. I have plenty of juice just a foot or so away, on that third
rail. Crap!” He banged his head in frustration, idly watching the suit
displays deal with the minimal damage to the helmet he was doing.
“Waaaaaait a minute. Hey Foxy, did you mess with my armor back in
the hotel before the ceremonies?”<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'>“I wouldn’t dream of touching your suit. With my luck
I’d fire your grapple into a housekeeper or something.” Foxy
twisted her head to look at Spectrum. “Why?”<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'>“Dunno, may be something, but…” Spectrum
tongued the voice activated menus. “System status: Summary”<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'>“All systems at critical power level,” the suits system
whispered in Summer’s youthful voice. “Please recharge armor at
nearest power source or risk interruption of basic functions. Standby
mode in 2 minutes.”<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'>“Systems: Repair subroutines: Nanite automation.”<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 felt like he almost heard a note of regret, when the suit
replied. “Nanotech repair systems locked in autonomous mode.”<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 hissed “I don’t mean to distract you or anything, but
in case you didn’t notice, the rails are vibrating a bit. You might
want to hurry.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Before Spectrum could reply, ground shook as a large explosion went off
somewhere close by. “Rush hour…” Foxy chuckled with a
slightly malicious grin.<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>
continued, “Systems: Repair subroutines: Manual Override!”<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'>“Password?”<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'>“Emergency Override!”<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'>“Password denied. Please try again. You have 9 more
attempts.”<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'>“Summer?”<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'>“Password denied. Please try again. 8 more attempts before system
erasure.”<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 racked his brain. What could it be? It had to be
something that team mecha or Odd Science knew since it was his nanotechnology
that has been added to the suit back after the Robomacs adventure, when
he’d melted off his old gloves with the force of his energy blast.
This suit must have some way of recharging itself, because he’d seen the
power cord back at the hotel, and he’s never seen that before.
“Argh! This is nuts, Foxy.”<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'>“Password denied.”<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'>“Hey that doesn’t count!”<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'>“Password denied.”<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 bit his lip.<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'>“Odd”<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'>“Team M.E.C.H.A.!”<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'>“SPAM!”<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'>“EDIT!”<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 the far distance, the sound of a subway train grew in intensity.
Foxy whined anxiously, not wanting to distract Spectrum but intently aware of
the increased vibrations traveling down the rails.<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'>“Password Denied”<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 sighed. “I wish we’d never met those damn
copycat terrorists.”<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'>“Password: Kopykat: approved. Nanite Repair Systems Standing By.
30 seconds to system sleep mode.”<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'>“Systems: Repair Subroutines: Nanite Emergency Override:
Recharge!”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Spectrum stared at the third rail, unblinking. His teeth clenched as he
strained against the ropes. He jerked his hand and pointed at the rail, willing
the suit to do something, anything… <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'>Almost as if he was bleeding, a pool of silvery liquid formed at the
end of his outstretched fingertip. The liquid flowed between the suit and the
energized rail.<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'>“HURRY! The train!” Foxy gasped.<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'>“Shield your eyes Foxy, I hope this suit is insulated!”<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'>ZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKK!!!<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'>Randall Ames, aka British Airwave, sat at his desk in the West Coast
Defenders headquarters, the enormous T-shaped building of Tyler
Industries. There was a lot of work to be done, and despite a lovely view
of the Bay and the fog rolling in, he had little time to enjoy the vista.
Paperwork piled on his desk in his absence was being shuttled to the
appropriate departments as quickly as he could review and sign it. He
paused for a couple minutes to stretch his arms and legs and strode to his
private toilet. It was slightly larger and oddly constructed compared to
a regular executive washroom. Its first hint of abnormalcy was the
thicker than expected door. Extremely quiet, except for a small
decorative fountain’s patter and gurgle of water. Spartan in its
décor, it had a wall mounted VoIP phone with a color display and a wired
headset adjacent to the toilet and the wash area. Stopping to gulp down a new
prescription and a glass of tap water, the elder superhero relaxed and let out
a sigh. Quiet. Very very quiet. Randall’s world had become noisier and
harder to tune out as of late. Because of the bustle of all the types of RF
assaulting his senses, quiet was the greatest luxury the restroom could provide
him. It gave him the time to time things through, without distractions.<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'>Airwave sat and reflected on the paperwork. No, not that
paperwork. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>(If you are going to keep pulling an Ill Dudes on me every time I
narrate a bathroom scene I’m out of 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'>Airwave stood and walked out of the bathroom and sank into the leather
chair at his desk. Expense vouchers for additional materials, construction
and retrofits, and unplanned upgrades were arrayed before him. All the
work and preparation was for naught now that Spectrum had lost his
powers. Perhaps ‘lost touch with his powers’ might be more
appropriate, considering Dr. Awesome’s report. What a puzzle that
was. Randall mused to himself; at least Andy was kind enough to see <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:City></st1:place>. Considering the
circumstances of the Industrial Revolution, he would not have blamed anyone if
they had simply slammed the door in Spectrum’s face. Who to
ask next? Who could relate with the hero and help him? <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 was inwardly relieved to conclude that the Nikon Ninja
truly had no ill intent in his reporting work. It was just some bad judgment on
the part of a young man. He hoped that their relationship would be
improving. Cliché as it was, the confrontation seemed to clear the
air between the two and Parker had been good as his word to clear reporting
tidbits with 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'>There were some letters from the government; paperwork hoops to jump
through, regarding the legal status and citizenship issues of the team
members. Spectrum’s claim of US Citizenship was mysteriously accepted,
despite the fact that both he and Foxy had materialized out of thin air.
Parker Peterson’s status was very boringly normal, and while Randall was
certain the papers provided by TDSM were forgeries, they were of such a high
quality that they too were unchallenged.<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, as soon as Spectrum and Foxy’s plane landed, he could finish
updating <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:City></st1:place>
on the fortune his Rainbow Knights foundation had amassed over the
decades. Even if they could not be a hero team like they’d once
been, Spectrum and British Airwave could make the world a better place with
their charity work. 12 hours to catch up on the rest of the paperwork,
eat, rest, and be ready for their team leader’s 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'>His desk phone rang. Glancing at the caller id, Randall snatched
at the handset like it was the last free lo-carb cookie at a weight watchers
meeting. “Yes Spectrum?”<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’s voice was a bit rough from the distance, and something
in his tone set off alarms in the old hero’s instincts.<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'>“Scramble the team. Foxy and I are getting on a chartered
jet to make the best speed back to HQ. We have a major emergency and I need you
to start shaking the trees for some help.”<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>As British Airwave listened to Spectrum, he turned some of his
attention to rather urgent sounding radio news bulletins about a bombing
outside a subway in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">London</st1:City></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'>“Something to do with the bombing?” Randall asked.<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 could say that. Hey man, this is big.
We’re going to need help. I’ve got to answer another call, if you
have any pull with the Brits still, I need to get some clearances so we can bug
out and get home immediately.”<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 shall make some calls.”<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. I’ll call you for a full update as soon as
we’re wheels up. You know anyone besides Stetson that has a
spaceship?”<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?”<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'>THAT’S RIGHT, ANOTHER SPACE ADVENTURE!<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 HELP OUR HEROES?<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'>WHEN WILL SPECTRUM REGAIN HIS POWERS?<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 MORE SECRETS DOES HIS SUIT HOLD?<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'>THIS IS SUPERGUY. THIS IS REFRESHMENT.<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>
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