By day, Downtown Dallas is filled with businessmen, office workers, and salesmen by the hundreds of thousands. By night, after all the workers have driven back to their suburban homes, the Downtown is more akin to a ghost town. Because of this, a black stealth helicopter can fly overhead and not even be noticed by those few down in the streets below. Under the direction of its expert pilot, the craft is able to weave among the skyscrapers and arrive at its target with hardly any notice.
The helicopter slows down and hovers over the twenty-seven stories high Eye Tech Building, corporate headquarters for Eye Tech Identification Systems. Eye Tech is on the cutting edge when it comes to identification systems such as retina and thermal imaging scanners. Their ID systems are renowned across the globe and their clientele the cream of the business world. Silently, the helicopter waits for the signal to unload its passengers.
Inside the helicopter, a crack squad of mercenaries called the Janissaries stands at the ready. An even dozen of the Janissaries are making their final equipment checks. Each wears dark military style fatigues with personal variations. The unit is made up of men and women of various ethnic backgrounds. The Janissaries are an equal opportunity mercenary unit.
Their commander checks his watch, waiting for the moment to move out. "Get ready, people" he instructs his troops. "We move in thirty!"
Down underneath the streets near the Eye Tech Building, two other Janissary operatives are working to meet their deadline. The explosives are set near the main power feeds, and the agents hastily vacate the service tunnel. The charges are blown and the Eye Tech Building is plunged into darkness.
"Now!" the mission commander shouts.
The doors to the helicopter fly open and the Janissaries begin to rappel down to the rooftop in rapid succession. Defensive positions are taken as two of the agents rush towards the main roof access door. The agents make quick work of the security system, neutralizing it before the emergency power can fully kick in.
The access door is opened and the Janissaries file in with military precision. No words are exchanged as all commands are given by hand signals. They quickly split into two six-man units and rush to complete their separate mission objectives. Should all go according to plan, Eye Tech will be on the brink of bankruptcy within four minutes.
One of the six-man teams enters the 26th floor of the Eye Tech Building. They move swiftly and in virtual silence. With the security system disabled, they have no fear of any alarms being set off. There are several guards to contend with, but they shouldn't be any great hindrance.
Slowly, the team scout inches down a long hallway, the others follow at a discrete distance. According to their intelligence, there's a guard station half away along the corridor. The scout draws his weapon and quietly makes it ready for firing. The security guard won't have any idea what hit him.
The scout spins around the corner and scans for a target to lock in on. He locates a target all right, just not one that he was expecting. Instead of an overweight rent-a-cop, he spies a blonde woman in a dark blue cowgirl outfit complete with cowboy hat and boots pointing a pair of modified six shooters directly at him!
"Maverick!"
"Shucks," Maverick drawled as she fired. Blasts of energy streaked out from Maverick's six shooters. The weapons, while resembling six shooters straight out of the Old West, had been upgraded to high tech pistols by Centurion. They now fired a variety of energy blasts and laser beams instead of bullets.
Each energy blast struck the Janissary scout throwing him across the hallway. The scout was unconscious before hitting the floor but was otherwise unharmed. In their current setting, the six shooters would not cause serious bodily harm. "Ya got it on the first guess, partner!"
This act did not go unnoticed by the rest of the Janissary unit. "Shootout, lay down suppression fire!" the unit commander directed. "We'll deal with the cowgirl, the rest of you continue on with the mission objectives!"
Shootout and the unit commander moved around the corner and fired their automatic weapons, forcing Maverick to dive to cover. Above her electronic equipment and security monitors exploded under the concentrated weapons fire. Sparks and hunks of shattered electronics went flying everywhere as the bullets turned them into something resembling Swiss cheese.
"These rustlers are playin' fer keeps!" Maverick muttered as she tried to protect herself from the onslaught by ducking underneath the security desk. Crawling along the floor, Maverick tried to maneuver herself into a position where she could safely return fire. All she need was glimpse of her target; her incredible accuracy would do the rest.
While this was going on, three of the Janissaries rushed past the guard post, heading deeper into the Eye Tech Building and their mission objective. The Unit Commander moved up the hallway, taking a position closer to the guard post. Shootout continued firing the whole while, keeping Maverick pinned down.
"Cease fire!" the Unit Commander ordered. "Let's take this hero out of the equation for good!" With an evil grin, the Unit Commander pulled the pin on a grenade, held it for a few seconds, and then tossed it towards the hiding Maverick!
To the Janissaries' astonishment, Maverick looked out from behind the security desk, spotted the grenade in flight and opened fired! The energy blasts from her six shooters unerringly struck the grenade, knocking it back down into the hallway!
"Incoming!" Shootout managed to yell as he dove for cover a split-second before the grenade exploded.
The explosion ripped through the hallway, blowing out the outside windows of the building. Glass and debris plummeted to the street below. A goodly portion of the floor and walls were blown away as well. Shrapnel had gone everywhere.
Ignoring the pain in his body and the ringing in his ears, Shootout warily pulled himself back to his feet. The unit commander had taken the brunt of the blast. What could be seen of the man was a bloody mess.
"Hold it right thar, partner," Maverick announced. What remained of the damaged guard desk had protected the heroine from injury. Six shooters at the ready, Maverick had moved down the hallway, hoping to get the drop on the mercenaries. "I've got ya covered six ways to Sunday."
"It's just you and me, Maverick," Shootout called out loud. He glanced back and discovered that the sharpshooter had her weapons at the ready. "Let say we settle this in the tradition of the old west. I hear that you're the fastest gun in these here parts."
"You done heard right, stranger" Maverick answered proudly. Her speed and accuracy with her six shooters were near legendary. "And that there's no tall tale. Are you hankerin' to slap leather with me?"
Shootout turned to face Maverick in a non-threatening manner. There was about twenty feet separating the two. "If you truly are the fastest, then you've got nothing to worry about. Or are you yellow?"
Maverick's eyes narrowed in anger. No one called her yellow or challenged her skills. "Stranger, you're gonna eat those words." With a flourish, she holstered her six shooters and prepared herself. She held her left arm out away from her body and had the right ready to draw.
Shootout grinned in response, not believing his good fortune. He replaced his own pistol and stood at the ready. "On the count of three we draw."
Maverick just nodded in reply, her eyes never leaving her intended target.
"Three!" Shootout shouted, hoping to catch the heroine off guard.
Shootout reached for his weapon, but Maverick was even faster. The sharpshooter drew her piece and fired before Shootout even had his gun out of its holster. Her aim was perfect as always and the energy blast struck Shootout in his hand! Shootout's pistol was knocked away and slid across the hallway floor. A second and third shot struck with equal accuracy and the Janissary was put down without a whimper.
Satisfied with her efforts, Maverick twirled her six-shooter before returning it to the holster. "I done told ya, pilgrim. I am the fastest in these here parts with a shootin' iron, bar none."
The Superior Six sharpshooter retrieved several pairs of handcuffs from the guard post and secured her prisoners. The mercenary who had taken the blunt of the grenade was beyond help. Drawing her weapons once more, Maverick stalked out after the three Janissaries that had slipped past her.
Two floors below, the other six-member Janissary unit had reached their goal unhindered. Their target was the testing lab where the latest Eye Tech innovations were being tested. If these prototypes were to be destroyed, months of research and development would be lost at an incredibly steep price.
The commander of this unit directed his explosive experts into action while the others stood guard, automatic weapons at the ready. The men slipped off their backpacks and pulled out their incendiary charges. By the time they were finished, nothing in this chamber would even be recognizable. The thermite would burn through the projects leaving piles of slag.
Provided that they got that far. Out of nowhere, a field of electricity surrounded the mercenaries, shocking them into submission. Their bodies were held rigid as the current played about them before finally mercifully fading. All six of the Janissaries collapsed to the floor after the effect had faded. None of them moved, and smoke gently rose into the air from their bodies.
Captain Lightning emerged from his hiding place and regarded the downed men. "My apologies, gentlemen, but I can't allow you to continue your reign of terror against Eye Tech. This all ends here tonight."
The Captain relieved the men of their weapons and secured them for the authorities. His electric shock had merely rendered the men unconscious, but could have been fatal had he so desired it. Gingerly Cap disabled the bombs they had been hoping to plant. With Lightning's electronics expertise, this was a simple task.
For the last few weeks, there had been a series of strange accidents occurring at Eye Tech Identification Systems. Seemingly harmless at first, the incidents continued to increase in frequency and damage. It was as if someone was trying to force the company out of business. In fact Grasp Incorporated had even stepped in offering to buy the beleaguered company at a rate far below market value.
The offer was refused and the owner of Eye Tech turned to his stockholders for assistance. Unknown to but a very few, Captain Lightning and the Sorceress of the Superior Six were majority stockholders. They were both eager to protect their investment and managed to secure the assistance of Maverick for their night's endeavor.
In his secret identity of Emmett Ward, Captain Lightning was a renowned electronics troubleshooter. He even owned his own small company, Ward Electronics. With his natural electrical abilities and his electronics expertise, Lightning had amassed himself a small fortune. Money that he had wisely invested in technology companies, such as Eye Tech. As Emmett Ward he had even done work for the security system giant.
It had taking quite a bit of persuasion from the Sorceress to get Maverick to go along with this assignment. The sharpshooter had been severely depressed in the weeks following the unexpected death of the Comet. Unknown to the general public, Comet and Maverick had been very much in love. While the two had not officially been engaged, most considered it to be only a matter of time.
The death of the Comet had seemingly sucked the life out of Maverick. She moped around, unsure what to do next. The cowgirl had only superficially been involved in Superior Six activities in the recent weeks. Most of her time was spent alone, mourning.
Both Captain Lightning and the Sorceress did their best to pull their friend and teammate out of her funk. Maverick had even mentioned retiring in passing, but no one could be sure just how serious she was. Helping to protect Eye Tech might shake Maverick out of her mood. Certainly seeing some action could only be helpful and take the heroine's mind off of her troubles.
Satisfied that he had neutralized the Janissary unit, Captain Lightning transformed into his lightning form and streaked into the nearest electrical outlet. He emerged on the roof a few seconds later. The stealth helicopter that transported the Janissaries had flown off and was now nowhere in sight.
"Pity," Captain Lightning mused as he stared off into the night. "I would have loved to capture the brains behind this attack. I better check up on the ladies."
Transforming himself once more, Lightning moved through the buildings electrical system. He was confident that his teammates could deal with the Janissary operatives, but wished to make certain personally. The explosion he had heard earlier concerned him.
The remaining Janissaries also reached their destination without further trouble. The large black man known as Widowmaker grunted as he kicked open the door to the computer lab. Running in behind him was the woman called Bolo, along with the explosives expert Napalm.
"All clear," Widowmaker announced. Unlike his fellow Janissaries, he carried very few personal weapons. His fists usually did the talking.
Bolo took a defensive position. Several pairs of her trademark weapons hung off her belt at the ready. In addition to those, there were half a dozen throwing blades on her body. Bolo was an expert at what most Janissaries considered to be archaic weapons and shunned the use of firearms. To her they were too noisy, too messy.
With Widowmaker and Bolo on guard, Napalm went to work. He produced a small device from his backpack and began to arm it.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to vacate the premises," a woman's voice called out. "Eye Tech is under my protection. Remain at your own peril."
The speaker's voice was familiar and the Janissaries knew that the Sorceress was somewhere in their presence. They vainly tried to locate the Superior Six's resident mage, but failed. She was too well hidden.
"Show yourself, witch!" Widowmaker called out in exasperation.
The Sorceress responded by pulling back the hood on her Shadow Cloak, causing her to materialize fifteen feet away. Tanya Chamberlain was a breath taking beauty. Her reddish hair was long and full; her eyes were sparkling green. Her Sorceress costume was dark green in color with matching full-length gloves and boots. A dark blue hooded cloak rested on her delicate shoulders; an ornate amulet hung around her neck. The public knew that the wealthy socialite Tanya Chamberlain was in fact the Sorceress.
"As you wish," Tanya simply stated. "But this changes nothing. I offer you the chance to surrender peacefully."
"I'll deal with the rich bitch," Widowmaker stated confidently. "The rest of you carry on with the mission." The large man dwarfed the smaller Sorceress, but she didn't show any sign of fear as he rushed her.
"You will regret your rash actions, my friend," Tanya calmly responded as she took a defensive posture. "As well as your vulgar language." In spite of the seeming mismatch, the Sorceress seemed very confident.
The Sorceress sidestepped Widowmaker's assault, letting him easily pass by. The magical heroine spun, leaped into the air, and nailed Widowmaker with a flying kick to the back of the head as he passed. Tanya's cloak whirled about her as she gracefully landed once more. Widowmaker was propelled forward, falling flat on his face.
Widowmaker shook his head, trying to clear out the cobwebs. The Sorceress was much faster and far stronger than he had anticipated. Scrambling to his feet, Widowmaker let out a battle cry as she rushed the Sorceress once more. Reaching his target, the Janissary took another swing.
This time the Sorceress avoided the clumsy attack and grabbed Widowmaker's arm. The mage pivoted and using his own momentum against him tossed Widowmaker over her hip. The large man unceremoniously hit the floor with a crash.
"I'll kill ya, you dumb broad," Widowmaker panted as he started to rise once more. "Nobody does that Widowmaker!"
"I think not, my good man," the Sorceress responded confidently.
No longer content to wait for her foe to come to her, Tanya went on the offensive. She sent a snap kick to Widowmaker's face, sending the large man flying once more. He crashed headfirst into the side of a computer station. Widowmaker would not be getting up for a long time.
"That's impossible!" Bolo shouted in disbelief. "No one can take out Widowmaker like that!" Shock and confusion played across the woman's face. She reached for her bolos and began to whirl them over her head.
Satisfied that her foe had been deal with, the Sorceress turned back towards Bolo. "All things are possible when dealing with magic," Tanya explained offhandedly with a smile. "As I shall momentarily demonstrate."
While most people knew the Sorceress to be a practitioner of magic, Tanya had also received extensive combat training. She could hold her own in most fights, but also had her magic and collection of enchanted items to fall back on should stronger measures become necessary. What the Janissaries didn't know was that she had used her sorcery to greatly increase her own physical strength to superhuman levels to aid her in combat. That was one secret that they need not know.
"I don't believe in magic!" Bolo threw her namesake weapon and it twisted towards the Sorceress. At seemingly the last moment, her Shadow Cloak whipped around and slapped the weapon away from the Sorceress. Bolo's eyes bulged in disbelief.
"Perhaps now you have changed your opinion?"
Tanya rushed the startled Janissary, not giving her a chance to grab another weapon. Bolo tried to sidestep the Sorceress' attack, but failed miserably. A snap kick to the stomach sent Bolo collapsing to the floor. A follow up chop to the back of the neck put her out.
The Sorceress then regarded Napalm who had just watched his two fellow Janissaries be put down by this meek appearing woman. "How much trouble are you going to cause me?", the Sorceress inquired.
"Just back off from me!" Napalm shouted. He held up the device that he had been working on to show the Sorceress. "I let go of this button and this thing goes off ten seconds later! Understand?"
The Sorceress held her hands out and slowly backed away. "I believe you, my friend. Ten seconds is not a very long time. There's no way you can escape the blast. Is your cause worth dying for?"
Napalm just laughed in response. "This isn't a bomb, but as far as all these computers go it might as well be. This device will generate a powerful magnetic pulse. At this range, all the data in their computers will be toast! It'll take them months to recover from this loss!"
"Why are you doing this?" Tanya inquired. "For mere profit?"
"None of your damn business, lady! Now back off or everything goes poof!"
Tanya took several steps back as directed. As she did so, the Sorceress spotted Maverick in the doorway. The sharpshooter directed Tanya to keep Napalm's attention focused on her while Maverick moved into position.
"As you wish, my friend. There has to be something that I can do to make you change you mind from this radical course of action. Surely, I have something that you would desire? Perhaps we can come to some sort of understanding?"
Napalm let out a snort as the Sorceress made her offer. He hungrily eyed the wealthy socialite. "Oh, yeah, there's something of yours I'd like all right!"
"Then perhaps we can reach an agreement?" The Sorceress smiled sweetly as she answered. This man disgusted her, but maybe her feminine wiles could distract him long enough for Maverick to make her move.
"Turn around and put your hands behind your back," Napalm commanded. "You're going to be my ticket out of here. And then later on we'll have some fun."
"In return you will not set off your device?"
"Sure, babe. You've got my word of honor."
"Very well," the Sorceress consented. Slowly Tanya turned around and crossed her wrists behind her back. The heroine stood still, waiting for Napalm to get closer. "Do be careful. The ten second delay before your device goes off is not a lot of time."
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it. I'm a professional."
Napalm took two steps towards the Sorceress before Maverick acted.
"Grab a cloud, varmint!" Maverick commanded.
As she had expected, Napalm turned to face the sharpshooter. Maverick would never shoot anyone in the back, as it was such a cowardly act. When he did turn, Mav drilled him with her six shooters several times, causing the man to crumble to the floor. The magnetic bomb fell free from his grasp and slid away.
The Sorceress spun back around at the sound of Napalm going down. "Hurry, Maverick! Throw the device inside my Shadow Cloak!" As she spoke, Tanya grasped the edges of her cloak and concentrated. The inside of the cloak turned jet black in response, opening the portal to the Shadow Plane.
Maverick holstered her weapons and ran forward. She grasped the magnetic device with one hand and flung it into the folds of the Shadow Cloak. The device disappeared inside the inky black cloak. It would now safely detonate on the Shadow Plane and be unable to cause any damage. Another act of concentration closed the portal once more.
"Well done, my friend," Tanya sighed in relief. "Your timing was impeccable as always. In spite of your initial misgivings, your presence on this mission has been vital."
"Yer too kind, Tanya," Maverick responded glumly. "But you coulda taken this varmint without my help. I do admit that it did feel good to see action again. Would you believe one of these cowboys tried to have a shootout with me?"
"To their folly, I would imagine," the Sorceress responded with a chuckle. She had seen her friend do many seemingly impossible things with her weapons. "Perhaps I could have dealt with our overeager friend here, but I didn't have to. That's what friends and teammates are for. I am pleased that you are uninjured. I feared the worst when I heard that explosion."
"Shucks, not even a scratch."
Nearby, Captain Lightning emerged from an electrical socket and transformed back into his human form. The Captain was a tall man, standing 6'2" in height. His costume was blue with yellow lightning bolt highlights.
"I am pleased to see you, Captain," Tanya greeted warmly. "I trust you have succeeding in stopping the rest of these miscreants?"
"Mission accomplished, Tanya," Captain Lighting responded with a smile. "Looks like you ladies held up things on your end just fine. What was that explosion all about?"
"One of the varmints pulled a grenade," Maverick explained. "It's the last mistake that tenderfoot will ever make."
Captain Lightning accepted the explanation without further comment. "Looks like we can call this case closed. Still, I wonder who hired these mercenaries and what their agenda was."
"Agreed, Captain. Perhaps it was some competitor wishing to gain an advantage. Unless one of these men talk, we can only speculate to their true purpose."
"Provided these rustlers even knew what was going on," Maverick added. "I reckon this to be one of those 'need to know' missions."
"I can handle things from here on out," Captain Lightning declared a few moments later. "No need for you girls to waste your evening here."
"It is no trouble at all, Captain. I'll be happy to wait for the authorities to arrive with you."
"If'n it's all the same to you, I reckon I'll be moseying on outta here," Maverick drawled. "I'm plumb tuckered out."
"Of course, Maverick," the Sorceress responded. "We'll see you tomorrow. Thank you for everything."
"Have a good evening," Captain Lightning added.
Maverick managed a halfhearted smile and waved goodbye as she walked away. Reaching the stairs, Maverick made her way up to the roof where her transport was waiting. In spite of her own personal problems, Mav's thoughts were elsewhere.
"If'n there was anyone who belonged together, it's those two," she mused. By now it was obvious that there was strong feelings for each other between the Sorceress and Captain Lightning to the rest of the Superior Six, even if they seemed oblivious to them. Or maybe they were just keeping it a secret from everyone else? Regardless, it was their business and Maverick was not one to pry.
Upon on the roof, Maverick removed the tarp that was covering her 'horse'. Horse in this instance being a very misleading term. Between the scientific and mechanical expertise of Captain Lightning, Centurion, and Titan, the Superior Six had some of the most advanced equipment around. In addition to long-range transports like the Lone Star 3 and the Double J, those members who could not fly had short-range transports dubbed horses to get around town.
The Superior Six's horses were designed along the same lines as the PRIMUS Grav-Cycle. They were essentially a flying bike, but were called horses in keeping with the team's western theme. Maverick had named her mount Mustang.
Maverick hopped on Mustang, powered up the bike and streaked off into the night sky. It was only a short flight from Downtown Dallas to the Superior Six's base, situated to the southeast in the Mesquite area. Less than ten minutes later, the Ranch came into view.
Once the Ranch had been a real ranch that raised cattle, but that was a long time ago. Since the Superior Six moved in there had been many changes made, none of which were visibly noticeable to the casual onlooker. The main house served as the team's meeting and living areas. Each member had their own quarters at the Ranch, but several members had private dwellings elsewhere in the Metroplex area.
The largest barn had been converted into a vehicle hanger. The Lone Star jets, the Double J, and the horses were stored and maintained here. Titan spent most of his free time here designing new equipment and upgrading existing transports. Tinkering with vehicles had always been his first true love.
A second barn served as the stable for a small collection of real horses maintained by the Superior Six. Maverick still loved to ride the real thing from time to time. It was a holdover from her wild west show days where she originally earned her sharpshooter reputation.
What was most amazing about the Ranch was what could not be seen. There was a large underground area that connected the main house to the outlying buildings. Some of it served as storage, but there was also a vast weapons development lab for Centurion and an electronics lab for Captain Lightning. The team's Battle Trainer, exercise areas, and shooting range were down there as well. Supposedly there was even a secured vault where items deemed to be dangerous were stored. Rumor had it that Tanya had secreted many dangerous magic items there. Maverick had never even seen the vault, so she couldn't be sure of the validity of the story.
What also was unseen was the impressive security system devised by the team. Centurion had designed numerous weapons to hold off would be invaders to the Ranch. Most of them were set to stun only settings, but could be made more powerful if needed. Because of all of this, the Ranch was probably the most secure installation in the state of Texas.
Maverick brought Mustang in for a landing and maneuvered her bike into the hanger. The security system had identified Maverick long before she had gotten to the hanger. Had she been an intruder, countermeasures would have been employed to capture her. Placing Mustang in its recharging station, Maverick crossed the yard to the main house.
The front door opened right before she reached it, revealing the team's robotic major-domo: Duke. "Howdy, Ma'am," the mechanoid intoned in the voice of John Wayne. Duke had tracked Maverick through his connection to the security system. "Cap'n Lighting informed me that yer mission was a success and that the rustlers are on their way to the last roundup."
"Evenin', Duke," Maverick greeted back. "I reckon everything turned out okay."
"Anything I can rustle up fer ya?"
"No, thank you. I'm gonna hit the bunkhouse."
"Pleasant evenin', Ma'am," Duke responded. The robotic major domo watched as Maverick crossed the entryway and walks up the stairs to her second story quarters. Were it possible, there would have been a very concerned look upon his face.
Next morning most of the Superior Six had gathered in their main conference room. Joining Captain Lightning and the Sorceress, were Titan, Centurion, and Earthquake. Maverick was conspicuously absent.
"So what's the deal with Mav?" Centurion demanded. As usual, Centurion wore his blue and silver armor, but had removed the helmet. A mini-cannon was mounted to his right forearm. It was from this cannon that Centurion could fire plasma blasts for a variety of effects. "She skipping out on us again?"
"Our comrade is going through some very rough times," Tanya calmly explained. "She needs time to deal with her loss."
"The way she's acting it seems like that she doesn't want to hang around with us anymore," Centurion countered. Centurion always had something of a short fuse and was known to say the wrong thing at times.
"It is a possibility," Captain Lightning admitted.
A stunned look came over Titan. While he could cause himself to grow to giant size, Titan was currently at his normal height. He wore a dark green costume with a large red 'T' on his chest. "You thinkin' Mav's gonna cut out on us?"
"She better not," Centurion objected. "At least Superior Six still sounds cool but Superior Five? No way!"
"If that is Maverick's wishes, then we should respect them," Earthquake spoke up. Earthquakes costume was brown with black trunks, boots, and gloves. A full-face mask concealed his features. "The loss of a loved one is never easy to accept."
"It has not come to that point yet," the Sorceress reiterated. "I am merely suggesting that we give her the space and understanding she needs until she arrives at a decision."
"On to other business then," Captain Lightning continued. "I understand that Centurion has a request?"
"Ya got that right, Cap. It's probably better that Mav's not here to hear this anyway. There was another sighting of the Phoenix in El Paso a few days ago."
"One of several appearances as of late," Titan added.
A few weeks back while still the Superior Seven, the group had teamed up with members of the Young Champions to investigate the numerous sightings of superbeings in the El Paso area. Several bizarre creatures, unknown supers, and the fiery villainess Phoenix has been spotted in the area. It was during this search that a VIPER research lab had been discovered. Seemingly, VIPER had been conducting researching to give teens superpowers. It was during this conflict when Comet had been brutally killed. (Editor's Note: As shown in Young Champions #1-3)
"Yeah, except this time Phoenix has unknown supers working with her. Reports indicate at least three of them. Some kid who's super strong and fast, another one that can stretch like taffy, and some cowgirl that commands the winds."
"Sounds like Phoenix found other superpowered teens that we missed," Captain Lightning mused. "You are correct, Centurion. This is worth investigating."
"Seems to me that she's down there forming her own criminal group," Centurion continued. "I say we pay Phoenix a little visit and bronco bust that filly. Who wants to go with me?"
"Have you forgotten what today is, my friend?" Tanya inquired with a smile.
"May the fifth. So what?" Centurion's mood couldn't help but soften when it came to the Sorceress. She was everything in a woman that he had ever dreamed about. She was beautiful and she was rich. Too bad she was so refined. She'd never go for a regular guy like Centurion. Besides, Cap was the only one she seemed to pay any special attention to anyway.
"Today is Cinco de Mayo," Captain Lightning explained. "The celebration commemorating the French defeat by Mexico in 1862. The Sorceress, Titan, and myself are to be the guests of honor at tonight's festivities at Pike's Park. Tell you what, how about you and Earthquake go on ahead in the Double J and scout the situation out? The rest of us will follow later on in the Lone Star 3. Is that agreeable?"
"What do you say, 'Quake?" Centurion inquired, turning towards his teammate. "Want to go for a ride and bust heads?"
"Sure. Why not? It's not like we're going to be hip deep in bad guys tonight or anything." Earthquake and the others laughed at his small joke. Later on this evening they would not find it quite as funny.
Epilogue:
Had he been aware what was transpiring elsewhere, Earthquake would have surely changed his mind. There were forces out there deliberately plotting against the Superior Six for this evening...
The local VIPER nest was unusually active on this day. The Nest Leader watched with great interest. Too often had the so-called Superior Seven foiled VIPER Plots. The last straw was the crushing defeat to the VIPER scheme to blackmail twenty billion dollars from the city of Dallas with a Gravimetric Bomb. (Editor's Note: Covered in Spectrum #16-18)
Tonight, while half the team was out enjoying the Cinco de Mayo festivities, VIPER would strike! They would overrun the Ranch, reclaim their Gravimetric Bomb, and eliminate the heroes in one fell swoop. Then it would be VIPER who was superior!
Or Against certain members of the Superior Six...
In a Dallas Hotel, the man better known as Black Paladin was enjoying sensual pleasures with his consort, the beautiful and infamous Lady Bale.
"Tonight that witch shall pay for her past misdeeds. This, I promise you Master," Lady Bale arrogantly stated. Her dark brown eyes stared lovingly into those of the Black Paladin.
"Agreed," Black Paladin murmured in approval.
In the past the Sorceress and her friends had interfered with the plans of both Black Paladin and Lady Bale. Now that the two had united, it was time to settle old scores. It was Lady Bale's suggestion to travel from Los Angeles to Texas and one that Black Paladin was in agreement with. The Sorceress had possession of many magic items both had coveted in the past. With a small squad of their finest DEMON Warriors, Knights as the Black Paladin had called them the pair had traveled to Dallas in search of their prey.
"Fortune does smile upon us," Black Paladin continued. "Our most hated foe will be at the local festival tonight. I will enjoy defeating these heroes and making the wench suffer before the eyes of her adoring fans. This will be one celebration that the local masses shall never forget!"
And not necessarily in the Metroplex area, as the natives referred to Dallas and the surrounding suburbs...
The woman known as the Phoenix called her charges to order. The fiery villainess wore a white one-piece swimsuit-like top with flame accents in orange and yellow with matching knee high boots and elbow length gloves. Her hair was brown with matching eyes. She was quite attractive with nicely tanned skin.
"Listen up, everyone!" Phoenix called out. "We've got a job tonight."
"Awright, action!" the Atomic Kid called out. He was a powerfully built teenager in a red costume with yellow cape and trim.
"Whatever it is, count me in!" another teenage boy called out. This one wore a blue bodysuit with red and yellow trim and with patterns in orange neon. The world 'Flex' was written about his heart in neon orange. "After all, I am flexible!" Flex cracked himself up with his own pun. Typically his little jokes just annoyed the others.
"There's money involved in this, right?" The query came from the only girl in the group, outside of Phoenix herself. She wore orange and red tights along with brown leather boots, gloves, and vest all fringed. "Lots of cash?"
The remaining boy remained silent while this all transpired. He was the plainest looking of the bunch. He wore a white costume with orange and blue trim. Thick goggles covered his eyes.
"There will be lots of money for each of us," Phoenix promised. "Based on the intelligence gathered by Psi-Lad, a major drug deal is going down tonight. We're going to be there to relieve them of all that extra cash and destroy the drugs in the process. This is going to be a really big score!"
Phoenix's promises went over well with most of her followers. Each of the teenagers was just starting to come to terms with their recently acquired powers. Most of them already had a criminal streak to them, making them easy for Phoenix to control and manipulate. Only Psi-Lad concerned her, but he was rapidly reaching the point of no return. It was now only a matter of time.
The local media had dubbed Phoenix and her charges the Rat Pack. They liked the name and it stuck. Tonight, under the guidance of the Phoenix, the Rat Pack would have their biggest score yet! No one had better get in their way...
