The Champion Building

“So that’s my proposal.” Warren Worthington III stood in front of the gathered Champions. Seated at the round table were Justice, the team’s current leader. Next to him was his fiancé, Firestar. Following her were Turbo, Lightspeed, Silhouette and Bernie Dillon, the current man to bear the title of Nova. Standing behind Warren’s winged form was the Olympian known as Hercules.

“Let me get this straight,” said Turbo. “You’re telling us that we either have to play ball with you, or we have to stop calling ourselves the Champions?”

“I own that name. Did you kids think you could just start using it without any problems?” asked Warren.

“And if we don’t stop, what are you going to do? Sue us?” asked Turbo.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” said Warren. “Besides, your group has had some problems of your own. Since Night Thrasher’s disappearance, the Taylor Foundation has cut your funding. If you want to keep running this operation, you’re going to need help—and that’s where I come in.”

“Would you expect to take over leadership?” asked Silhouette.

Warren shook his head. “I’ve got my own problems to deal with back east. Vance and I have spoken about this, and he’s agreed to stay on as team leader.”

“You already decided?” asked Turbo, looking across at Justice. “Without consulting the rest of us?”

“We don’t really have a choice, Mickey,” said Justice. “Worthington’s right—we’re running out of money. With Dwayne gone, the Taylor Foundation sees no reason to continue funding his pet projects.”

“What about Elvin?” asked Silhouette. “He’s Dwayne’s ward, he’s heir to the Taylor Foundation, right?”

Silhouette spoke of Elvin Haliday. He was a hero himself, and worked alongside many of these people as Rage in the New Warriors. But Justice shook his head in response. “I’ve already been in talks with Elvin. He’s tried to do what he can, but the board says he only takes control in the event of Dwayne’s death, and Dwayne hasn’t been declared dead yet. And even then, Elvin wouldn’t be able to claim anything until his eighteenth birthday.”

Warren sighed. “Maybe I haven’t been very clear. I’m not trying to take over this group completely. I think we could be very beneficial to each other.”

“How so?” asked Firestar.

“As you’re all aware, the X-Corporation has had to deal with a lot of complications lately,” said Warren. “The Champions, on the other hand, have gotten a very positive image. I think I could use that if you were to join yourselves with the X-Corporation.”

“So you’d be using us to hide your mistakes,” said Turbo.

“We’d get something out of the arrangement, too,” said Silhouette. “Namely the means to continue running this operation. I think it’s a good idea. I’m in.”

“I’m staying, too. I believe in what we’re doing here and I want us to keep doing it,” said Justice. “What about the rest of you?”

“Actually, I think I’m gonna sit this one out,” said Nova. “It sounds like a great gig and all, so this is nothing against Worthington. But the thing with the Deep, it kinda showed me that I’m not really ready for this.”

“It’s never easy at first,” said Justice. “In time—”

“Right, in time,” said Nova. “That’s why I need more training. I think I’m gonna get in touch with Rich and the Nova Corps, see if they can help prepare me better. I need to find out just what these powers of mine are capable of.”

“I only signed up to help you guys out here and there,” said Lightspeed. “I’ve got my acting career to concentrate on. I’ve been a superhero since I was a kid, I’m ready to try something different.”

Silhouette looked over at Turbo. “Mickey?”

“I’m sorry, but no,” she said. “I agree, it is a good idea and you should take it, Vance. But I can’t be part of this. This was about the former Warriors doing this and now, it’s gotten past that. Besides, I’ve got my own opportunities, the chance to put my journalism degree to good use. I’ve got some job prospects that I want to focus on for the time being.”

“I’m leaving, too,” said Firestar.

Justice looked at his fiancé in surprise. “Angel…? But I thought…”

Angelica Jones gently gripped Vance’s hand in her own. “Vance, I need a break. Between the wedding preparations and school, it’s just too much when I’m also in the spotlight as a superhero. I need some time away from this kind of life.”

“So what about us?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Firestar. “I’ll be around when the team needs me, but I just need to concentrate on school and the wedding.”

“That means we’re looking at a two-member line-up?” asked Warren.

Hercules finally offered his own opinion. “Nay, the Lion of Olympus would be honored to serve amongst the Champions once more.”

Warren grinned at his old friend. “Thanks, Herc. I hoped I could count on you.”

“So who else?” asked Silhouette.

“I think we’ve got some options…” said Warren.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Part I

By Dino Pollard

Dan Ketch threw back his third beer, slamming the glass down on the counter. He signaled to the bartender to refill it as he lit a cigarette. He could fill a slight disturbance in the room, something only he would be able to sense. Ketch’s hand went beneath his trench coat, fingering the hilt of his sawed-off shotgun, ready for anything.

A woman slid onto the stool next to him. A mix of Vietnamese and African descent with short, dark hair. Her eyes were what was strange—black sclera with white pupils. She was what he sensed—something supernatural about her.”S

“Something you want?” asked Ketch. “Thought I was done with you after the Deep.”

“Why, is there somewhere you have to be?” asked Silhouette.

Ketch’s fourth beer came and he picked up the glass and started to drink from it. Silhouette just watched, waiting for his answer. When he lowered his glass, he didn’t even bother to look at her as he puffed on his cigarette.

“Anywhere but here.”

“And how much longer are you going to do this drifter thing?”

“Got something better in mind?”

Silhouette leaned in close and whispered. “I know about you. What you were. A Ghost Rider.”

“That’s all in the past.”

“Really? Back at the Deep, didn’t seem like you’ve left it all behind.”

“Seems like you’ve got something extra, too,” said Ketch. He said the next word under his breath. “Vampire.”

Silhouette looked away. “Not quite. It’s a long story.”

“I don’t care. I helped you out in a pinch, now it’s time for me to move on.”

He drained his glass and stubbed out his cigarette in the ash tray then got up and walked to the exit. When he stepped out to get on his bike, Silhouette was already sitting on it. Ketch sighed.

“You mind?”

“I’ve got a proposition for you, Dan. Something that’ll give you some direction in your life again.”

Ketch drew a fresh cigarette. “Alright lady, you’ve got two minutes. Make ‘em count.”

Warren paced around the large penthouse apartment, marveling at the décor. He shouted to his host, his voice echoing through the place. “Looks like you’ve done well for yourself since leaving the Institute.”

“You can thank my parents for that.” A young Chinese woman entered from the kitchen holding two gin and tonics. She handed one to her guest. “So what brings you out west, Wings?”

“Had some business to attend to out here.” Warren sipped his drink. “How are you holding up, Jubes?”

Jubilation Lee looked away as she sipped her own drink. “I get by.”

“We haven’t had a chance to talk since…”

“You can say it,” said Jubilee. “Since Bobby’s death.”

Warren nodded solemnly. “You like it out here?”

Jubilee shrugged. “It’s decent. My parents left me a multi-million dollar trust fund, so I can easily get by while I figure out what to do next.”

“Any lead on why you never heard about this before?”

She shook her head. “Nothin’ solid, anyway. Tell you the truth, I’m gettin’ sick of looking.”

“How’d you like to get your mind off things for a while?” asked Warren.

“If you’re talkin’ about X-Corporation or going back to Westchester, I appreciate the offer…but I can’t,” she said. “Losin’ Wolvie and the Prof was bad enough, but then Bobby on top of it all? No…I can’t go back.”

“I know, and I’d never ask you to do that,” said Warren.

“So what?”

“I’ve got something set up out here. A new team of sorts. And I’d really like someone I can count on to be part of it,” said Warren.

The Goblin hovered on his glider over the city of Los Angeles. Hovering by his side, surrounded by a telekinetic field, was Justice. The Goblin remained crouched on the glider, staring out at the night lights.

“This is a surprise,” he said. “Didn’t expect you’d come to me.”

“You were a lot of help at the Deep. We might not all have gotten out if it weren’t for you,” said Justice. “You remember when we first met?”

“Sure. I was just starting out, asked you if I could join the Warriors.”

“I said yes and then you changed your mind.”

The Goblin shrugged. “Young an’ stupid, what can I say?”

“Still feeling stupid enough to turn down an offer?” asked Justice.

The Goblin looked up at him. “Come again?”

“The team’s restructuring,” said Justice. “And we’ve got an open slot, one I think you’d fill quite nicely.”

The Goblin stood upright on the glider. “Y’know I’ve never been much of a team player…”

Justice shrugged. “Seemed to do pretty well the other day. Maybe you’re more suited for this than you realize. So what do you say? Give it a shot?”

The Goblin considered for a few moments. “What the hell. Not like I’ve got anything better going on.”

UCLA Smart Grid Energy Research Center

Called SMERC for short, the Smart Grid Energy Research Center, via grants from the United States Department of Energy, attempted to locate new, renewable sources of energy that could reduce the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Professor Grace Allen entered the laboratory, her red hair pulled back into a conservative bun and a thin pair of glasses resting on her nose. Already waiting was a man in a blue suit and red tie with short, white hair. On his lapel, he wore an American flag pin.

“Senator Wright, so glad you could make it,” said Allen, approaching the Senator.

Gordon Wright smiled at her and shook her hand. “Thank you for having me, Professor.”

“It’s the government’s funding that’s made this experiment possible,” said Allen. “I hope we can continue to count on your support?”

“My committee will continue to fund your experiments, provided today proves to be a successful demonstration,” said Wright. He stepped away from Allen, observing the large device in the center of the circular room. The floor was recessed in a circle and in the center was a device sticking out of the center. Atop that device was a crystal orb and above it, a machine extending from the ceiling that ended in a tip about five feet above the orb. “Now, I’ve read your reports, but I have to admit to being a bit mystified by it. Care to break it down for me?”

“Of course.” Allen approached the Senator’s side and gestured towards the machine. “What you’re looking at is an ionic recombination device. I’ve spent a great deal of my career researching the ionic energy experiments of Kenneth Sturdy, which was of course based on the work of Heinrich Zemo.”

“Zemo?” asked Wright, visibly disturbed. “Professor, can you tell me why the United States government is funding research based on the work of a Nazi war criminal?”

“Because it could solve the key to our energy crisis,” said Allen. “Although Zemo was an evil madman, he was also a genius scientist, decades ahead of his time. Sturdy’s work was an evolution of the ionic energy treatments Zemo used to empower superhumans such as Simon Williams.”

“And what’s so special about this ionic energy?” asked Wright.

“It’s all around us, for starters. And as we’ve seen from those empowered by it, it has near-limitless applications,” said Allen. “That’s what the IRD does, gathers the ionic energy lingering in the atmosphere and combines it so it can be directed into a useful source of power.”

Wright rubbed his chin in thought. “And you’re sure it’s safe?”

“Our preliminary tests have been extremely successful, but those were with small doses of ionic recombination. This would be the first time we tried it in any sort of heavy volume.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Basically, we don’t know just yet,” said Allen. “That’s what the purpose of this experiment is. Now, if you’ll step inside the control room, we can begin.”

Allen led Wright into a door attached to the chamber. It led into a room with a large window and a control panel, at which two technicians sat. Wright still seemed skeptical as he stared out the window at the IRD. “Shouldn’t we be wearing some additional protection?”

Allen offered a light smile, trying to hide her annoyance at the Senator’s ignorance. “I promise you, the ionic energy poses no danger to us, Senator. The energy is pulled from atoms, yes, but it has absolutely zero radioactivity. However, it can be a bit bright.”

She picked up two pairs of dark glasses from the control panel and handed one to Wright. They both donned them and Allen nodded to the technicians.

They began the procedure and the device began to gather large amounts of purple energy at its tip, channeling it into the orb. The crystal quickly became murky as the energy swirled around inside.

“Containment is holding at fifty per cent,” said one of the technicians.

The device continued to channel more and more energy into the orb, and it grew to incredible amounts.

“Seventy-five per cent and still holding…eighty-five…ninety…”

Wright watched with amazement as the light from the IRD nearly blinded him, even with the protective eyewear. He raised his hand to his brow, but still couldn’t turn away.

Finally, the light seemed to dim, except the orb now contained the swirling ionic energy inside. “Containment unit is at one hundred per cent, and all readings are stable.”

Allen removed her glasses, smugly looking at Wright. “You see, Senator? Nothing at all to be afraid of.”

Another flash of light came. Allen donned her eyewear immediately and went to the technicians. “What’s going on?”

“Something’s wrong…” said the technician. “Ionic containment is increasing…one hundred and ten per cent…”

“That’s not possible, the safeguards—”

“One twenty…oh Jesus, what’s—”

The orb shattered and the energy spilled out from it, forming into a large blob before the window. The ionic energy continued to spill into that blob and it began to take a shape that seemed vaguely humanoid. The energy tightened around the form, and then a skeleton followed by muscles and tissue and finally skin formed around the energy.

“What the hell is that?” asked Wright.

The energy dissipated and in its place now lay a man with short, blond hair, sprawled naked on the ground. Allen ran from the control room and slowly knelt down by the man’s side.

“Can you hear me?” she asked.

The man looked up at her, and when he opened his eyes, they crackled with ionic energy. He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground, a sinister grin on his face.

“Where’s my father?” asked the man.

Grace Allen struggled to speak, but she could barely get the words out—could barely even breathe. He threw her across the room and she slammed against the wall. Allen struggled to get back to her feet, but was in too much pain to move. The man approached the window and with one punch, it shattered. He jumped onto the control panel and grabbed both technicians by their shirts. He turned his ionic gaze on the Senator.

“Where is he? Where’s Nefaria?”

“Wh-who are you?” asked Wright.

“Nefarius!”