The Southern Knights

8/9/2019 The Southern Knights

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The Southern KnightsScott Ullenberg

The streets of Monument City shone in the moonlight. The all day rain finally ended and the city for nowwas clean. The foreign sports car with the expensive paint job and the blue light under it, rolled downthose streets. The light under it made the car appear to hover above the road. After several blocks, thecar slowed and the driver signaled a right turn. The big metal door rolled up into the roof of the buildingthat the car was in front of and the car entered the building. As it disappeared inside, the door rolled backdown.Inside, the large room was the home of 5 other cars that had the same basic appearance like the one thatwas coming to a stop. A dozen motorcycles also sat scattered about the room. Twenty scruffy dressedmen stood around in groups talking. At a long table sat two men, one had a calculator in front of him. Alarge pile of various electronic items filled a quarter of the room. The car door on the drivers side opened,and the driver got out. Reaching back, he retrieved a small radio. Walking over to the desk, he set theradio in front of the man with the calculator. The man examined it and told the driver."You where out for two hours, and this is all you come back with?""Hey man, with the knights out there, I gots to be careful." He said to the other man at the tableFinally he spoke, and with authority."I don't give a damn about those friggin' kids." He said referring to The Southern Knights.This last statement got everyones' attention. The leader as he was spoke to everyone in the room.

"The Southern Knights got bigger things to deal with than us. Ever since they showed up, all of you havestarted skimmin' on what you steal."He tossed the radio in the direction of the pile, it crashed to the floor well short of it."Sure, the guy at the pawn shop likes this junk." He continued. "But it's not helping us!"One of his men reacted to the mention of the pawn shop and the leader noticed it."What!" He roared, making the question a statement.This got the leaders attention,"OK Hector, you got a problem with something?""He wants to talk to us about some sort of job." The guy said.The leader got up and walked around the table."Let me guess," He started. "And all of you are nervous about this 'job'"He made the quote sign with his fingers."You think The Southern Knights are gonna get in the way?" He asked everyone.

"Well, let me tell you..." Was as far as he got before their came a crashing sound from above.Everyone looked up to see parts of the skylight falling down toward them. Along with that a large figurelanded, he was holding a smaller man dressed in a Texas duster.

Stick leapt out of Truck's grasp as pieces of the skylight rained down on them."Your right Truck," Stick said. "They must have been talking about us.""Yeah, my ears are still ringing." Truck replied.The twenty thieves pulled a variety of knives, clubs, and pistols from their pockets and proceeded tosurround Stick and Truck. The leader stood firmly near the table, while his accountant gathered hispaperwork."Were in luck," The leader shouted. "There's only two of them!"On cue, the metal garage doors exploded inward attracting everyone's attention. Firebird slowly floatedinto the room her arms outstretched as the air shimmered around her.

The thieves gapped at Firebird's entrance, Truck and Stick forgotten for the moment."Now that we're all here," Firebird spoke to everyone, "The party can begin. Here's the fireworks!"She hovered and pointed at one of the cars and fire leapt from her hand and engulfed the car.It exploded sending the gang into a panic. Truck and Stick took this as their cue and moved in.The leader ran to his car and got in. As he started the engine, Firebird noticed him. The car started tomove as Firebird set the back tires on fire."It's too early for anyone to leave" She called out as the burning car slid to a stop.Before the leader could get out of his car, Firebird landed on the hood looking like she was about to havea 'car-b que'.Stick charged a group of four who started to get their act together. He carried his fighting sticks in each


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hand and began to beat a staccato of pain on them.Truck grabbed one of the motorcycles by the front wheel and swung it like a flexible baseball bat. Hewaded into the mitts of the crowd sending as many of them flying as he could.Firebird used a narrow torch like fire beam on the drivers side door, welding the leader into his car. Withthe wheels melted and the doors welded shut, he was trapped. Jane rolled in through the busted maindoor and skidded to a stop near Stick, her owner. Her scanners noticed both the fires and the people lyingaround. She also was monitoring the Police band as well."Tanaka's on his way." Janes female mechinal voice said carried over the speakers mounted under herhood.Sgt. Tanaka's the Police contact of the Southern Knights and friend. Stick and Truck met on the otherside of the building by going thru the gang of thieves. Truck held a very battered motorcycle that Stickcould tell was undriveable."Let's go!" Stick yelled. He was already moving toward Jane.Firebird made sure that the leader was safely trapped in his car before going to join Truck. Truck put hismakeshift bat down after Firebird joined him."Want a ride?" He asked the truly firry red head."No thanks, I'll take the high road." She answered him. With that she rose back into the air."C'mon!" Stick yelled to Truck. "It's getting late."Truck jogged over to the red sports car and leapt over the passenger side door. Landing next to Stick hegave a 'thumbs up' to him. Stick followed Firebird out into the night air.

As Jane roared into the night, the sounds of Police sirens could be heard closing in on the building.

Karen Woods stopped in front of the lowered gate and smiled at the guard. Unknown to him, KarenWoods was also Firebird. She showed her ID card and also placed her left hand on a scanner. Inside theguard shack, a small monitor matched the hand print to a photo of its' owner. They both matched Karen,so the gate was raised and she was allowed to enter. Karen worked at Phoenix Corporation, the home ofthe now shelved C.I.D program. Phoenix Corp. is a multi building campus consisting of a main officebuilding, and half a dozen smaller ones that house various Research and Development departments andtheir offices. Two hanger sized buildings also filled the Phoenix compound. Karen found a parking spotand shut off the engine when she noticed for the first time among the employees where a number ofMilitary Personnel. She got out of her car and was watching the activity when a voice calling her name gother attention. Turning, she saw the familiar faces of Dr.s' Smith and Wesson. They worked in the ArtificialIntelligence department. Karen smiled as they approached.

"Hey guys" she said. "What's with all the soldiers? We getting drafted"Dr. Smith smiled at the questions."No. It's the testing cycle for the R&D departments."He pointed to some of the soldiers and continued."They'll be gone in a few days."Karen looked confused."Testing cycle? I thought they had bases for that?""They do, but that's for their projects." answered Dr. Smith. " Building Four is for experimental projectsthat the Military might be interested in."Dr. Wesson looked at his watch."We better get going."The two men left Karen and continued walking to the building they worked in. Karen reached back intoher car and grabbed her briefcase and locked the car door before closing it.

Karen worked in the Secretarial Pool for Phoenix Corporation. The "Pool" is a large room that's a maze ofcubicles. Karen walked to her cubical and set her briefcase on her desk. Karen's cube was neat anduncluttered. From her briefcase, she gets a computer disk and boots up her desktop. When it's ready,Karen inserts the disk and starts browsing its contents. The information on the disk is a list that Janecompiled showing the items that the gang has stolen over the last month.

Jane stopped in a parking spot across from a pawn shop. Stick and Truck got out of her. Truck looked atStick." I made a few calls and can't find anything in the works. That group is too small to pull off anythingcomplicated." he said.


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" I know," Stick commented. "Word on the street is that they are a bunch of low level thieves. Petty stuff."Together they started across the street. As Stick and Truck entered, a small bell chimed from above thedoor. The pawn shop looked cluttered and filled with mostly junk. Behind the counter, a young greasyhaired kid stood. The only other person in the room was going thru a box of cables. Both men looked upat the sound of the bell.Stick stopped in front of the kid and told him that Hector sent them. The kid turned and walked to a doormarked 'Office' he knocked and said something to the door. He then motioned for Stick that he couldenter.Stick turned to Truck. "Wait here. This won't take long."Truck nodded in approval as Stick walked toward the office. As Stick entered, Truck noticed he was beingwatched.Stick was met at the door by a balding fat man who gave him a not very friendly smile. He then walked tohis chair behind his desk. The room was filled with more junk. Stick stood in front of the desk, ignoring thechair."So, Hector sent you." The man started. "Why couldn't he come?""Last night after we got back to the warehouse, the Southern Knights attacked us. " Stick answered. "Thesmart one's grabbed what they could and ran. So what about this job?""Really." The man who Stick figured was the pawn shop owner said. "So what happened to Hector?""I don't know, didn't stay to find out. " Stick said hoping to draw the owner off his original question. "Nowabout this job you got."

"Fine." The owner said. "You know Dr. Magnus, or The Inhumanoids?"Stick hoped that the surprise didn't show on his face as he answered."Sure, they're on the Knights hit list. What do they want from us anyways?"As Stick answered, the pawn shop owner studied him. Stick noticed this and saw that the fat manreached a decision. He reached for a drawer on his desk, as the drawer opened Stick gave the desk akick. The desk was shoved back and pushed the fat man into his chair. The owner managed to get a gripon his pistol and started to raise it when Stick dove across the desk and tackled him. As the two fell to thefloor, the pawn shop owner fired the gun.Out in the shop, the gunshot, while muffled, could still be heard. The kid to his credit reacted first, reachedunder the counter."It's a trap" he said even though it was quite obviously a trap.Under the counter sat a shotgun and now it was leveled at Truck. The guy going through the box ofcables charged Truck, who ignored the shotgun. Truck's punch set his would be attacker flying back into

the far wall of the pawn shop. The man fell out of view behind a stack of game consoles. Just then, the kidfired the shotgun at Trucks back. The close range attack tears Truck shirt almost off of him. Truck justslowly turned to give the kid a flat look.Back in the office, Stick stood up and looked at the pawn shop owner, the bullet hole in his chest. Stickreached down and felt for a pulse, then the sound of the shotgun distracted him. Leaving the man to hisfate, Stick ran for the door. Out in the shop, Stick saw Truck standing there wearing the rags thatmoments before where his shirt."That's becoming quite a fashion statement for you." Stick said as he walked over to Truck.Truck commented. "I hate this job sometimes."Then he pointed at the kid who was still holding the shotgun."You want him?" Truck asked Stick."Sure." came his reply.The kid dropped the shotgun and grabbed a wooden baseball bat. Stick had to give the kid some credit,

after seeing what the shotgun did, he still wanted to fight. Stick reached into his long coat and pulled outhis metal tipped wooden fighting sticks. As the kid vaulted the counter, Stick stepped back making roomfor him."Ok tough guy, you get one free shot. Right here." Stick said opening his arms.The kid wasted no time and hit Stick right in the stomach. The force of the blow doubled Stick over and heeven took a step back. When Stick stood up, he was smiling."Nice shot kid." He saidThen he lifted up his shirt revealing a large purple burse where he had been hit. As the kid watched, thebruise healed and disappeared right in front of his eyes."I knew it! You're The Southern Knights." he cried out.


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Truck crossed his massive arms across his chest. "Hey kid, still want to play tough guy?"With a war cry the kid swung his bat at Sticks' head. Stick ducked under the wild swing and then delivereda series of quick strikes to the kids stomach. After the drum roll, the kid fell to the floor, unconscious.Truck turned to Stick."Feel better ?" He asked.Stick grinned back, "Yea, I do.""So did you learn anything?" Truck asked Stick."Sure did," Stick answered. "For some reason Magnus and the Inhumanoids need this bunch of losers."Together they left the pawn shop. Out on the sidewalk, Truck turned to Stick. "That's crazy. At least theInhumanoids put up a fight."They crossed the street to Jane and as Stick climbed into the car he said, "I know. Maybe Karen mightknow something."Stick waited till Truck got in before pulling out into traffic. As Stick drove, Truck reached into his pocketand pulled out his cell phone. He began punching buttons on his phone and waited for the connection.Turning to Stick, Truck said "I need to get a new shirt if we're going anywhere."

Karen sat in the cafeteria with three other girls from the pool. She was mildly familiar with them, she didn'thave many friends here. Then Karens phone rang, she answered it. On the other end she reconisiedCurts voice, in the background she could hear the sound of an engine."Hey Karen. How's it going?" He asked

"Hold on." Karen told him. Turning to the girls she excused herself and left the table. Karen walked out ofthe cafeteria and found an empty hallway."Ok I can talk." She said into her phone. " The files I got from Jane and the paper are a good read, butdon't offer anything.""Stick got a name," Truck said to her. "Magnus."Karen let out a short breath of air. Somehow she was not surprised."Great." She said. "Do we have a play?"Truck turned to Stick. "Do we have a plan?"Sticks answer was what Truck expected. "Don't know about you two, but I plan to kick their butts firstchance I get."Truck spoke into his phone. "No plan." He told Karen. "The Inhumanoids can't go out during the day. Let'swait till you get done with work."Karen liked that idea. "I get done at five. I'll be home about five thirty. Try to keep Scott from doing

anything stupid." She said referring to Stick by his first name.Truck laughed and said he'd try and then put his cell phone away. He said to Stick that Karen will behome about five thirty.

Dr. Martin Magnus sat at his desk in his office talking on the phone. The voice on the other relayed theattack by the Southern Knights from the night before. Dr. Magnus was not happy with the news he wasgetting but it was not unexpected. The Southern Knights always got involved somehow. When he hadheard enough, he simply hung up on whoever had called. Dr. Magnus then hollered for the Inhumanoids,soon after the door to his office opened and the four men entered. Jaws was the first to speak."What do you want now?" He asked."I was just told that the people I was planning to use a diversion got busted by the Southern Knights lastnight. They also know about the pawn shop." Dr. Magnus told his four muscle men.Gripper smiled as he spoke. "You want us to bust the Knights?"

"No Gripper," Magnus said waiving his hand." Not yet. They got involved sooner than I would have liked.But that doesn't change our plans.""I don't know why we just don't deal with McNamara and those kids." Gripper grumbled.Enduro spoke up from the back of the room. "We will, just as soon as the boss says so."Magnus nodded at that. "Thats right. The time hasn't come yet. I still need McNamara. I called you hereto go over our plans.""Again!" Roared Jaws. "Jesus, how many times do you gotta tell us this?"Quadro crossed both sets of his arms and glared at Jaws."Because knucklehead. You keep screwing up."Jaws tensed and was about to attack Quadro when Grippers stretchable arms grabbed both him and


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Quadro. Gripper used his arms to separated the would be combatants.Dr. Magnus shouted to be heard. "Enough!"That got everyone's attention."Thanks Gripper." He continued. "Now back to business."Dr. Magnus paused while Jaws and Quadro rejoined the group.Now that order was restored, Dr. Martin Magnus sat back in his leather chair, as he spoke he steepled hishands in front of him."One of the projects the Phoenix Corporations' R&D staff has developed is a DNA bomb. It's designed toalter the DNA of the enemy. Killing him in horrible ways. It can also change them into monsters as well.That is our objective, after we breach security Enduro and I will enter building four. You three will keep theArmy and the Police busy until we get out. After that, drop me off at out new base."Jaws spoke what others thought. "What if the Southern Knights show up?"Magnus smiled as he answered. " Do what your best at. We leave at five thirty."Enduro asked a very unusual question. "Hey Doc, When can we get the DNA machine fixed?"Dr. Magnus shook his head and gave as honest answer as he could."I don't know Enduro. Ever if we stole the one McNamara has, I doubt using it on you will help.Remember the one I have, you four helped to steal. Only I didn't know McNamara was using that one totest his theories on, and the real one was in a shed in back of the house."Enduro thought about that answer and frowned."You said that using the machine a second time might scramble our bodies even worse."

"Exactly." Dr. Magnus said."For now you can't go out in the sunlight. I'm working on a cure for that. But fornow let's get this job done. Just remember we leave at five thirty."With that final comment, the Inhumanoids left the room. After they were gone, Dr. Martin Magnus spunhis chair around and looked out the window.

The clock on Karens' desk read five. As Karen just finished turning her computer off, one of her coworkers called her name. Karen looked up and saw two girls entering her cubicle. They where Cindy andLisa, both of whom tried to be Karens friend."Hi Cindy." Karen said smiling. "What's up?""Well, Lisa and I along with a bunch of the other girls are going to supper. Wanna come?" She asked."I'd like to." Karen said honestly. "But I gotta get home. Theres' some things I need to finish."She made a show of holding up some folders and showing them to the girls.Lisa spoke to Cindy. "That's our Karen. Job one, life nothing."

"That's not it. I'm just busy tonight." Karen said as she finished closing her briefcase with the folders in it.Together the three girls walked out of the room.

As Cindy, Lisa, and Karen walked toward the parking lot, the air was split with machine gun fire. The longburst caused the three to freeze. Cindy and Lisa hugged each other and screamed like little girls. Karenwas looking for the source of the gun fire. There was another burst, followed by an explosion. The fireballrose into the air."There!" Karen said pointing to where the fire came from.In front of building four stood a twenty foot War robot. It was armed with machine guns and rockets andbeing attacked by a dozen soldiers. Behind them is the burning remains of a jeep. The soldiers monedand fired at the robot. Sitting on a platform, two scientists and some men in officer uniforms watched thebattle."Wow!" said Lisa as she saw what was happening.

"Is that on our side?" asked Cindy.Then the exercise ended."I gotta go." Karen suddenly announced and power walked away from Cindy and Lisa, who had to run tocatch her. When all three got to the two cars they came to work in, Cindy asked Karen if she was OK.Karen said she's fine and will see them tomorrow. With that, Karen got in her car and drove off leavingCindy and Lisa.

The sun wasn't quite all the way down as Dr. Martin Magnus left his mansion. He walked to a large black6 wheeled delivery van and entered. All the windows on the van where painted black. After starting it,Dr.Magnus drove up to the front door and backed up so the Inhumanoids could get in easier. Jaws was


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the first to leave the mansion and rolled up the large back door of the van. Then the other threeInhumanoids got in the back of the van. After Jaws climbed in, he rolled the door down. Then the vandrove away.Sitting in his kitchen, Dr. Thomas McNamara was reading a book when the sound of the door that led tothe garage opened and Karen entered."Hi Doc." She greeted her semi adoptive father.Dr. McNamara looked up and smiled."Karen. How was work?"Karen put her briefcase down and sat at the table with him."Not bad. The R&D people are demonstrating their new toys.""Anything interesting?" He asked genuinely interested.Before Karen could answer, Stick poked his head into the kitchen and when he saw Karen there he saidto her "There you are. Come on, let's get going."Before Stick could vanish Karen told him that we all needed to think about this. Stick was not known forthinking and was taken by surprise."Think! We know the Inhumanoids are involved. What more do we need." He said."We need to think." Karen repeated. "That's what we need."Dr. McNamara added his thoughts as well."Scott, maybe you should listen."Scott gave a typical answer.

"I'm leaving in five minutes." and with that he disappeared back into the living room.Karen turned to Dr. McNamara and asked where Curt was."Living room. He's been dealing with Scott all afternoon. Maybe you should get going with them. You andCurt can think things over. Ok?'Karen got up and kissed the old scientist on the forehead and picked up her briefcase, walked out of thekitchen. As she entered the living room, she saw Truck and Stick sitting on the couch playing a game.Truck paused the game as Karen entered. Karen told them she'd be down in a minute and then went upstairs.Karens bedroom was almost like her cubicle, on the desk sat a picture of her family. The spot that herfather would have occupied was torn off. Karen entered and put her briefcase on the desk. She thenmoved to the closet and opened it. Bending down, she removed a small white box and placed it on thebed and opened it. Inside laid one of her Firebird costumes. She laid it on the bed.Truck and Stick where in the middle of a video game when Firebird came down stairs.

"I'm ready." She announced."All right!" Stick said as he jumped to his feet. Truck barely had time to shut off the game system beforeStick ran past him heading out through the kitchen.As he disappeared he shouted back."Come on Truck! Let's kick the Inhumanoids asses."Truck looked up at Firebird."My uncle say's that you want to talk?""Yea." Firebird told him. "Something doesn't feel right."Then Truck got up and together with Firebird they walked out to the garage.

The garage door was open and Stick sat in Jane revving her engine."About time, I thought I'd have to deal with them myself." He said as Truck and Firebird entered thegarage. Truck got in the passenger door that Jane opened for him. Firebird walked to the open door and

rose slightly into the air."I'll take the high road." She said and then flew out the door. Right behind her Jane left the garage as well.The large black delivery van rolled to a stop at the gate to the entrance to Phoenix Corporation. The gatewas manned by two men at night and one of them stood in front of the gate while his partner waited in theshack. When the van stopped, the guard walked around to the drivers side."Can I see some ID?" He asked the driver."Sure." Answered Dr. Martin Magnus. "It's right here."With that Dr. Magnus leaned back in his seat. Sitting next to his was Gripper, and using his extendablearms punched the guard. The guard went down and Grippers fist retracted only to extend again smashinginto and through the guard shack and striking the man in there. Seeing both guards down for the count,


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Gripper for a third time extended his arm and fished around inside the guard shack till he found the buttonfor the gate and pressed it. As the gate went up, the arm retracted. Dr. Magnus smiled. "It feels good toreach out and touch someone." he said.The van drove through the gate and Dr. Magnus drove to building four. When he got there, he saw thatthis building was guarded by two men as well. He stopped the van and got out."Can you help me?" Dr. Magnus called out to the guards."I seem to have lost something."With the guards attention on Dr. Magnus, Gripper slowly exited the van. The back door opened and therest of the Inhumanoids climbed out. Dr. Magnus reached the guards and looked around."Is this building four?" He asked still looking around.One of the guards said it was. Smiling, Dr. Magnus said, "Good. I'm not lost after all."He then shouted "Gripper!"Grippers arms extended past the evil Doctor and banged both guards heads together. They collapsed onopposite sides of the door. Dr. Magnus turned to the Inhumanoids."Enduro, on me. The rest of you, stick to the plan."Jaws grunted."Yea. Right. The plan. Come on guys, let's go play Army."Enduro walked past Dr. Magnus and tore the doors open. An alarm sounded as they both entered thedark building.

The Security Office at Phoenix Corporation was fairly standard. The small room was covered with

monitors that showed parts of the campus. Two men sat at a console, when two blinking lights got theirattention."Hey Chief, look there's another one." The young guard said.The Chief leaned over and studied the board."That's building four." He said rubbing his chin, Do we have anybody on standby?"His underling answered him. "Yes sir. What should I tell them?""Tell them we have a possible intruder in four. Investigate and report. We also have an alarm from themain gate. Have them check that out too."The Underling grabbed a radio microphone and spoke into it."Base to Rover. Base to Rover. Do you copy Rover? Over."On a hill sat four security men in a jeep. Below them the Phoenix campus could be seen. The driverpicked up the mic from the radio and pressed the red talk button."Rover here. Go ahead base."

The voice of the Underling came thru the small speakers."We have an alarm at building four and the main gate. Please investigate and report. Over.""Copy base. Rover out." The driver said and replaced the mic. "Well I guess this won't be a boring nightafter all."He started the jeep and drove down the hill.As the Security jeep reached building four, the men all spotted the Inhumanoids. The jeep came to a tiresmoking stop as the three other men grabbed their M-16's and jumped out firing as they did. The bulletsdidn't penetrate the DNA modified bodies of the Inhumanoids, who charged the guards. The jeeps drivergrabbed his mic and shouted into it."Oh God! It's the Inhumanoids and their attacking building four. Send back up! Lots' of back up!"

Inside building four, Enduro led Dr. Magnus through the building. The shelves were all filled withexperimental equipment. As they searched for the DNA bombs, Dr. Magnus spotted the War robot lying

on a mobile platform. He called out to Enduro and walked over to the robot. And examined a control panelsitting on the floor near the robot. Enduro walked over to him."Arent we in a hurry?"Dr. Magnus looked up at the big man and nodded his head. The two men began their search. A fewshelves later Magnus stops."Enduro. I found what we came for." He said.Dr. Magnus reached in and removed two silver suitcases. Then they began to retrace their steps out ofthe building. When they reached the robot, Dr. Magnus stopped and set down the briefcases and pickedup the control panel. After pushing some buttons, he put the panel down."OK, now I'm ready." He said as he picked up the cases again.


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Jane raced up the driveway that led to Dr. Martin Magnus' mansion. The red sports car came to a slidingstop in front of the house. Stick jumped out over the side of the car not bothering to open the door. Truckcautiously got out as Firebird landed next to him. Stick charged the front door and found it locked. Notwasting any time, Stick kicked the door open and charged into the house. Truck and Firebird still stoodnext to Jane and where looking at the silent house.Truck turned to Firebird. "Is it me, or is this odd?"Firebird looked around the yard. "Odd. Very odd. Do you see the van?""No." said Truck. "Should we say something to Stick?"The sound of Stick moving through the house drifted out to them.Firebird smiled as she replied. "I want to see the look on his face."The noise continued as Stick kept moving thru the house. A short time later, he emerged lookingunhappy. He walked over to join Firebird and Truck."I can't find them." He announced."Firebird and I already figured that out." Truck said.Firebird spoke to the car. "Jane, can you find anything?"Janes electronic voice came through the speakers under her hood."I'm getting reports that their attacking Phoenix Corporation. Something about building four."Firebird and Truck exchanged looks while this reenergized Stick."Come on. Let's hurry." He said as he slid across Janes hood and then jumped into the car.

"Firebird, You don't look happy." Truck said to her."Just be careful. This could get ugly." She responded as she lifted into the air. Below Truck got back inthe car with Stick, who stomped the gas pedal and tore off back down the drive.

Enduro carefully opened the door that led out of building four. He saw that the van was still there and hecould hear the other Inhumnoids fighting nearby. Stepping outside, he motioned to Dr. Magnus to move.The scientist moved past Enduro jogged to the van. Once there, Dr. Magnus placed the two silver casesbehind the drivers seat and then climbed into the van. By now at least a dozen guards and some of thesoldiers arrived to attempt to stop the Inhumanoids. Jaws, as usual, waded into the mist of the men andwas fighting hand to hand with them. The men, who were clearly outmatch, put up a good fight. Gripperused his stretching ability was tossing the vehicles that some of the guards used for cover. Quadro hadthe remains of a light pole in two of his massive hands and swung it like a baseball bat. The bodies ofsome of his targets flying.

Magnus called out to Enduro. "Enduro! Call the others. It's time to leave."Enduro turned and shouted."The bus is leaving!"This got the attention of Jaws and Gripper who looked up and saw Enduro waving at them.Jaws turned to Quadro. "Game over. We're out of here."Quadro flipped the pole in his hands so he held it like a Javelin and threw it into a nearby gas tank. Thetank exploded from the force of the impact causing all the guards to run for cover. This gave theInhumanoids time to get to and in the van. Once all where inside, Dr. Magnus drove for the gate. To hissurprise, the van was passed by several Police cars racing to what he guessed was the site of the battlethat was over. When Dr. Magnus reached the first crossroad, he turned left and disappeared from viewdown a hill.

Just as the Inhumanoids van was out of sight, Jane, being driven by Stick roared through the still opengate. Flying over head Firebird could see the fire coming from what she guessed was building four.

Luckily there stood some men with fire hoses battling the flames. She landed near them, as she toucheddown, one of the firefighters walked over to her."Anything I can do?" She asked him.The man responded. "Well, the injured are being cared for. Any chance you can control fire?"Firebird saw the hopeful look on the mans face and felt sad when she shook her head 'No'. The manlooked at the ground for a moment, then he walked back to the men with the hose. Firebird then went to

join the Police and the other Security people. As Firebird gets closer, she can see a man in a businesssuit giving orders to the others. Jane comes to a stop near a group of squad cars. Stick and Truck get outof the sports car and walk over to the group that Firebird is also heading for. As the three get closer, thesee Sgt. Tanaka is the one in charge. Tanaka sees' the heroes coming.


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"All right. Where are the Inhumanoids?" He asks everyone.One of the Security guards looks up and answers."They just left. Someone had to see them.""I didn't" Tanaka said. "Anyone?"One of the officers who was near the gate commented."I think I saw their van."The Sergeant rounded on him."You think!" He shouted at him. "Get an ABP out for them. They couldn't have gotten far."As some of the men moved to carry out the orders. Someone shouted out Tanaka's name."Hey Tanaka. Lose something?"Turning, he saw Stick and Truck walking over."Well, well. If it isn't the Southern Knights. I had a feeling you'd be involved. Where's the girl?"Firebird was close enough to hear his question, but she was coming from the other direction."Over here."Inside building four, the War Robot laid on its trailer. Next to it sat the control panel. The sound of muffledvoice could be heard inside. Then the panel comes to life with a series of flashing lights. The Robots eyesgo from black to a glowing red.Sgt. tanaka, The Southern Knights, and some of the guards stood and continued talking about the earlierattack,"Anyone know what the Inhumanoids were after?" Tanaka asked.

One of the guards pointed to building four."Something in there."Tanaka looked at the building."Ok. Anything special in there?"the same guard answered him"It's our R&D stuff.""Phoenix is currently demonstrating stuff for the military." Firebird said. "What ever's in there, isn't good.""Ok." Tanaka said. "Let's go take a look."Everyone but Firebird turned to walk into building four. Before they took a step, the wall facing themexploded outward. Stepping through the hole came the War Robot. The makeshift firemen dropped theirwater hose and ran for their lives. After a brief pause, all the armed guards opened fire on the robot. Thebullets bounced off the armored shell of the robot. Tanaka and the Police also drew there firearms and

joined in the gun fire.

The War Robot turns to face the first group that fired upon it. The machine raised its' right arm, a coveropened and out shot a missile. The missile exploded in the middle of the group of armed men, sendingbodies flying. Killing some of them. Firebird flew into the air, heading for the giant robot, flame blasting itwith a steady stream. Truck and Stick ran toward it.Stick said to Truck. "I'm thinking that thing is too heavy for you to lift.""You think!" Truck replied.Firebirds' attack got the robots attention and that right arm swung up her way. As the missile launched forher, Firebird was already burning it. The missile exploded between her and the robot.Truck grabbed the nearest streetlight and tore it from the ground. He and the Inhumanoids have the samebasic strength, but he lacked the extra set of arms as Quadro. The ground gave as the pole was lifted."Firebird!" Truck cried out. "Look out!"Swinging the pole like a bat, Truck struck the robot. The pole shattered upon impact. This got the robotsattention and it turned to Truck, who still held the broken half of the pole. The robot backhanded him and

Truck flew into the air, sailing over that cars and crashing into one of the offices. From the robots chest, adoor slid back and out if it came a three foot metal disk. The disk sailed like a Frisbee and skipped alongthe pavement. When it finally came to a halt, it too opened and a motorized hem came from it. Suddenly,all the Police and armed guards found their guns yanked out of their hands and fly to the metal disk. Sooneverything metal was being pulled toward the disk. Stick saw this and he noticed a metal dumpster thatwas out of the range of the magnet. He ran for the dumpster, reaching it he began to shove it at the robot."Firebird!" He called."The dumpster!"Firebird from her altitude saw the dumpster was full of cardboard and other flammable trash. She set thetrash on fire. Stick ran the flaming dumpster into the robots legs. The War Robot steps back from the fireand fires another missile at Firebird. When Firebird attempts to blast it, the missile rolled in the air dodging


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the fire."Shit" Firebird mumbled and turned in the air and flew off with the missile chasing her.The missile gained on Firebird, who flew around the robot. Skimming the dumpster, Firebird flew throughthe flaming trash pile. The missile followed her but could not match her agility, slammed into the dumpsterand exploded. The robot was closer to this one and was damaged from it.Truck leapt over the squad cars and ran to join the battle. The robot spotted Stick now and along both ofthe machines hips machine gun barrels pop out. Stick not being bullet proof looks for somewhere to takecover and sees Truck running over. Stick makes a mad dash over to his fellow hero when the robot opensfire. Stick just manages to reach Truck as the bullets impact Trucks DNA modified skin. The heavy calibershells knock Truck back into Stick, who is trying to stay as close to Truck as possible. Truck is shovedinto Stick and the two fall to the ground. Firebird sees this and quickly puts up a flame wall between themand the robot, blocking line of sight. Truck rolls off of Stick."Couldn't you have found something else to hide behind?" He asked.Stick smiled and said "No."Truck and Stick get up as Firebird hovers over them. The War Robot was scanning for new targets.Firebird looked around at the place she worked at. It was a mess, and she hoped she still had a job in themorning."Ok. Now what?" She asked her friends."Hey Firebird," Truck asked. "Do you like softball?""Yea. What do you have in mind." She answered.

Truck turned to Stick, "Stick, get that thing to follow you. Firebird, throw me at it."Stick dug out his cell phone. "No prob." He said and pushed a button.Jane's voice answered him."Yes Stick. What do you want?""Can you pick me up?" He said into his phone."That depends," Came the response. "Are we going near that robot?""Yes." he told the car.There was a brief pause before she spoke again."Sorry. I can't do that. You're in too much danger as it is."Stick was taken by surprise by this."Jane. I don't have time to explain, but right now we need you.""On my way." She said with no mechanical emotion.Stick put his cell phone back in his pocket.

As he did this, the firewall that Firebird put up, went out and now the Southern Knights stood out in themiddle of the street. The robot saw them and advanced. From behind the Southern Knights Jane rolledonto the scene, her high beams creating long shadows. She stopped next to Stick, who jumped in anddrove off. This got the robots attention and it turned to face the fleeing sports car. From the War Robotschest, another disk flew out and landed on the ground to the right of the car.when the disk opened, the magnetic pull on Jane was strong, but Stick managed to steer out of its grasp.Firebird flew up into the air over Phoenix Corp. and dove back toward the ground. Her target was Truck,who stood waiting for her to pass. Firebird flew up behind him and grabbed him under the arms. With agrunt from the sudden weight she had to carry, Firebird flew toward the War Robot. Part of her hoped shedidn't drop her friend too soon. The robot saw the magnet's failure and began to follow the car."Aim for the head." Truck called out to Firebird.'Yea, right' She thought.As she gained on the robot, Firebird performed a tight loop for added momentum and let go of Truck.

Truck sailed thru the air heading not quite straight for the robot, but it would be close.Truck hit the robot high on the back near the neck. The force of the impact and the direction the robot wasgoing, caused the big machine to lose its balance and fall forward. The twenty foot War Robot crashed tothe ground and slid along for about ten feet before coming to a stop. Quickly, Truck ripped a hole in theback of the machine exposing some wires. Reaching in, Truck grabbed them and pulled them out. Thered glowing eyes of the machine went out and it fell still. Firebird landed next to it. She was massagingher left arm as Truck stood up. Stick saw the robot fall in his rear view mirror and turned the car around,drove over."I hate giant robots." He said as Jane came to a stop.Truck glared at him.


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"You! Hate giant robots? Why?"Stick sat on the back of the drivers seat said."Yea. They're too big for me to fight."Tanaka and the other security men along with the Police came over careful to where the robot laid."Well, we know what they didn't take." Tanaka said looking the War Robot over.

Some twenty miles from Monument City the land turned to desert. Some hardy souls lived out here. Someby choice, others by design. The black van bounced down one of the desert roads. Its destination was asmall fenced in building. the building was a two story concrete square structure. An attaching building wasonly one story. As the van reached the gate and stopped. Dr. Martin Magnus got out and unlocked it.Climbing back in, he drove through to the building. Stopping in the back Magnus parked the van, turningto the Inhumnoids, he spoke."Jaws, you take the cases and come with me. The rest of you, go home and wait for my call."With that, he got out of the van and walked to a side door. Jaws followed a few seconds later with bothsilver cases in his hands. Before Dr. Magnus could reach the door, one of the truck doors rolled up andthree of Magnus' guards walk out to greet him. One of the guards uniform is pressed and very clean. Hewalks right up to Dr. Magnus."Good to see you Dr. Magnus. I take it things went well?"Dr. Magnus smiled as he answered."Better than expected Chief Baker. I even managed to leave a surprise for the Southern Knights."

Enduro climbed into the vans drivers seat and with a wave, drove the van out into the desert back tohome. Dr. Magnus, Chief Baker, and the other two security men walked in thru the truck door. Jawsfollowed with the cases.The five men walked thru Dr. Magnus' secret base passing various work crews', along with some armedguards. Baker spoke as they walked along."Good news Dr. Magnus. The missile should be ready in a day or so.""I hate to tell you this Mr. Baker." Dr. Magnus said. "But I won't need the missile."Security Chief Baker stopped."Are you kidding? Do you know how many people I had to bribe to get it?"Dr. Magnus put his hand on Bakers' shoulder."Relax Mr. Baker. What I was going to add was 'this time'. Missiles then to get shot down. What I haveplanned is a little more fool proof."Chief Baker relaxed a little and they continued walking.

"That's good." Chief Baker said. "I still have to procure a fuel supply for it. Since I am in charge of securityhere, do you mind telling me the plan?""Oh great!" Jaws said. "Another plan. Can I hear this one only once?"Magnus looked at Jaws as then walked."After my demands."He then turned to Baker."Tell me Mr. Baker. is the studio working?""Yes sir. I checked it out this morning."As they talked, they passed a large missile standing on its pad. Work crews were busy getting it ready,even though it wouldn't be need for a while."Jaws." Dr. Magnus said to his main henchman. "Please wait in my office.""Sure thing." He said and walked off in a different direction. The two minor guards tried to follow, but alook from Jaws told them not to try. Instead, the two guards hurried to catch the main group.

Magnus was talking to Chief Baker."The plane is simple, demand money or I'll ruin the city. After we get dome in the studio, stand by to breakinto the communications network and broadcast my message."Baker looked confused."You want to do this tonight?"Magnus waved a dismissing hand."No, not tonight. Record tonight, broadcast tomorrow. There's a movie I want to see."As he spoke, Baker opened a door marked "Studio" and Dr. Magnus walked in.

:Phoenix Corporation was the center of a hub of activity after the attack by the Inhumanoids. No one


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noticed that another car parked next to the other Police cars. The women in the military uniformedadjusted the beret on her head. See a tall Asian in a brown suit was giving orders, she marched up tohim. She had been briefed on who was here and she knew him as Sgt. Tanaka."Sgt. Tanaka. I'm Dr. Liza Browning. You and the rest of you little party are not cleared for this."Tanaka gave her a flat look that said he had years of dealing with people like her."I see." He said." And the Inhumanoids are?"This caught Dr. Browning off guard. Tanaka was pleased at that."What?" she stammered."They took something from building." Tanaka said pointing to building four. "I need to know what. Judgingfrom the robot. I don't think there's anything nice."Dr. Liza Browning looked at building four."It could take a while to figure out what was taken. The building is pretty much destroyed."Tanaka join her in surveying the ruins."Do you keep an inventory?"The Doctor nodded."I've got a very good inventory listing. but it could be tomorrow afternoon before I can guess what wastaken."

In another part of the battle zone, the Southern Knight where also talking."I'm concerned where the Inhumanoids are." Truck said.

Stick grinned. " I know. They went home, we just missed them."Truck groaned. "We're not doing this again.""Why not?" Stick wanted to know.This time Firebird answered him."Stick, we're not going to run around like chickens with our heads cut off."Stick looked hurt at her comment."Listen, I'll make you a deal. We can stop there on the way home. If theyre not there. we can go home."Firebird looked at Truck to see what he thought. Then she looked back at Stick."You promise."Stick held out his hand for her to shake and Firebird fought the urge to singe it.This was enough for Truck. "Ok. we'll look"Stick and Truck walked over to where Jane sat and got in the car. Firebird watched them drive off thenshe went to look for Sgt. Tanaka.

She found him talking to a woman in a military uniform. Tanaka made the introductions when Firebirdreached him."We're going to check on the Inhumanoids. We'll be back tomorrow to help." She told him."No need to do that firebird." Liza said to her. "This is a military situation now."This comment was enough to set Firebird on edge."Oh, and I suppose you got everything under control?" She asked with lots of sarcasm.Liza turned to face the female superhero."I can handle it" she told her in a commanding tone."Really." Firebird said.Tanaka had seen this play before with Firebird."Break it up ladies. Dr. Browning, I trust Firebird and the rest of the Southern Knights. they are betterequipped to handle the Inhumanoids. Firebird, I'll be back here about ten. I hope to see you then."Firebird nodded and flew off, not being all that careful about it. Dr. Browning watched her go, after Firebird

was out of sight, Liza looked at Sgt. Tanaka."I don't trust them Sergeant."

Jane, once again found herself driving back up the driveway leading to Dr. Martin Magnus' mansion. Shemade a point of parking in the same spot as she did a few hours earlier. Stick and Truck got out slowlythis time. Truck looked at the house, to him nothing looked different."Sorry Scott." Truck said calling Stick by name. "I don't think there here."Stick just walked up the front door, it was still hanging open like he left it. Firebird landed next to Truckand caught a glimpse of Stick entering the house for the second time this evening.Firebird said to Truck. "I think we might have a problem."


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Truck waved a hand at her to be quiet."SHHH. I want to see this.""I thought I saw him go in there. Did he?" she asked looking now at the house.Truck nodded. "Yep. I want to see if he looks like he did when he came out before."Firebird smiled. "Any bets?"Now Truck was enjoying this."What do you think?""Five bucks." Firebird said. "That he looks worse."Truck shook her hand. "Youre on."Both of them now sad in silence watching the house. After five minutes, Stick emerged looking confused.He walked slowly over to them. As he got closer, Jane spoke to Firebird."He looks pretty bad to me.""Ok Curt, pay up." She told Truck."When we get home."Stick now reached his car."I don't get it. They should be here."Truck put an arm around his friends shoulders."Sorry killer. Better luck next time. It's getting late and we better go home."Just then a light swept over the three of them and settled on the driveway. seconds later the black vanbelonging to the Inhumanoids rolled up the drive.

Inside the van Gripper, who was sitting in the front seat next to Enduro noticed who was standing in theyard."Hey look. We got company." he said.Quadro smiled at the sight. "Good. Magnus said we could deal with them."Gripper agreed with the thought."A little cool down before bed."Enduro stopped the van and before anyone could move, Stick charged over to them with a determinedlook on his face. He stopped on the drivers side of the van"Do you know what time it is." He began. "We've been looking for you all night. And now you come rollingup the drive looking all innocent. I don't know if you know it, but youre all in a lot of trouble"As Stick was giving this lecture, the Inhumanoids slowly got out of the van. For some reason they now feltscared of the youth.

Truck and Firebird heard Stick too and where just as shocked."I didn't see that coming" Firebird said slightly shocked.Truck slapped her arm to get her attention."Come on, we better save him."As all three of the Inhumanoids exited the van, Stick looked at them."Hey. Where's Jaws?" He asked.Enduro, not wanting to take any chances, punched Stick in the face. The force of the blow sent Stickflying back toward Truck and Firebird. Truck had to duck under the airborne hero."So much for saving him." Truck muttered.He then changed course and charged Quadro, his second favorite target. Truck preferred to fight Jaws ifgiven the choice. Behind him firebird took to the skies and lets Gripper have a fireball.Quadro and Truck reach each other and Quadro gave Truck a double one-two punch using all four of hisarms.

Enduro followed Stick after the punch and got to him just as Stick was getting up. Stick used everydefense he could think of to keep out of Enduros' reach as the Inhumanoid swung at him.Gripper was slightly affected by the fire and saw firebird flying around for another attack. Using his elasticarms, Gripper reached out for Firebird and grabbed her around the waist. As She felt the hands graspher, Firebird put up her fire shield. Gripper retracted his hands as the close encounter with the fire wasenough for him.Stick managed to finally get a chance to counter attack Enduro. With a series of whirling attacks, Stickdrives Enduro back toward the van.Quadro using his extra set of hands gets a grip on Truck and body slams the big man to the ground. Theforce of the impact is enough to knock the wind out of Truck, who lays there


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sucking air.Gripper reaches for a nearby tree and using it like a catapult, launches himself at Firebird. This suddenmove took Firebird by surprise as Grippers body slams into her. The two of them crash to Earth.Quadro quickly jumps on Truck and pins him down with one set of arms while beating him unconsciouswith his other set.Enduro having had enough, just simply grabs Stick, pick him up and tosses him into the side of the van.The van rocks from the impact and Stick crumples to the ground next to it.Gripper gets up from the unmoving Firebird and walks over to Quadro, who is still beating Truck."Hey Quadro." He said. "I don't think they want to play anymore."Quadro sees that truck is not moving, looks up at Gripper."Yeah. I think your right. Where's you playmate?"Gripper grinned."I wore her out. She's sleeping."Enduro walks over, he's smiling too."So's mine. We better go inside now."Quadro climbs off of Truck with Grippers help. They head to the front door when Gripper suddenlystopped."Oh great. They broke the front door." He told his friends.Quadro laughed at that."Maybe we should call the Cops and report a break in."

All three of them laughed at that and went into the house and closed the door as best as possible.Truck, who was stunned by the force of the attack and only looked knocked out was the first to recover.He looked around and saw Firebird lying in a crumpled heap. Stick was laying next to the van, which hada very "Stick" sized dent in it."Jane." he said in direction of the car. "How is everybody?"Janes voice came from the speakers under her hood and she said."Scott should be up in about a minute. Karen is worse, she'll need bed rest. I'll guess she will be sore forthe next day or two.""Looks like we didn't do so well." Truck said as he got to his feet.Jane tried to do what she could to make Truck feel better."Give it time. You all need more practice. Besides. it's like fighting three of you." She reminded him."Thanks"Motion caught Truck's eyes and he saw Stick try to stand up.

"Where are they?" He asked getting to his feet.Truck pointed at the house."Inside.""Good." Stick commented and took an unsteady step forward."Hey! Your going in there, aren't you?" Truck said in complete amazement."I'm not done yet." Stick said slowly gaining steam.Truck began to walk an intercept course so he could cut Stick off."Look around. We got our assess handed to us.""So."Now Truck was in front of Stick, blocking his path."Youre not going in there." He told Stick in a voice that meant he was serious.Stick glared at Truck."Out of my way, Curt."

"You might think your unbeatable, but look around you.""I waited all day for this, I'm not done." Stick told him."Karen is." Was all Truck said.Stick turned and saw Firebird still lying on the ground. From behind him Truck added."We need to get her home."With a rage filled scream, Stick hit Truck as hard as he could with his fighting sticks. Truck just stoodthere as Stick vented his anger. When Stick stopped hitting him, Truck asked if Stick felt better.Stick looked up. "No. Can I do that again?"Truck smiled and laughed at that."Sorry, one free shot per customer."Stick nodded and turned, walking to where his car was waiting for him. Truck went over and careful lifted


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Firebird, as he did she groaned. Truck gently laid her in the backseat. As he climbed in next to Stick hesaid. "Don't worry. You'll get another chance."As they drove back home, Truck felt like Stick was also doing what he could to help Firebird.

Inside Magnus' mansion, Quadro went over to the phone in the living room. After he dialed a number Dr.Magnus answered."Hey Martin. Guess who we found waiting for us?" Quadro asked, already knowing how it would beanswered. His boss didn't even sound surprised as he answered."The Southern Knights.""Good guess. We sent them home to rethink a few things."Magnus' voice told Quadro that the old man was thinking out loud."Do you think they know anything?""No. They're just looking." Quadro said."Keep in touch. Let me know if anything happens." With that, the phone call ended.

The next day Phoenix Corporation was busy, but just not with the usual employees. An E mail alert hadgone out telling everyone for the next few days they were not to report to work. Employees would get halfof their pay for this time off. Standing in front of building four were Dr's Browning, Smith and Wesson.They were joined by some soldiers standing guard around the fallen robot."You know Liza," Dr. Wesson was saying. "It's a good thing you called us."

Dr. Smith added. "Sure is. It's a good thing I checked my email."Dr. Browning looked at both men."Don't tell me you two have a life outside of here?" she askedDr. Smith looked quizzically at her."You mean there's an outside?"Rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner Dr. Wesson commented."I heard a rumor about that.""Maybe we should investigate this phenomenon." Dr. Smith said looking at his companion."Think we could get a grant for it?" Dr. Wesson said hopefully.Dr. Browning had heard enough."Knock it off. We got work to do."Dr. Wesson started looking around noticing all the damage from last night."Liza." he said. "Where's Sergeant Tanaka? I thought he would be here."

When Liza answered, her voice was cold."He called, said he'd be here later with the Southern Knights."This surprised the two men who in the past worked with the Knights."You don't like them, do you?" asked Dr. Smith."Does it show?" she said to him.He nodded.Liza Browning pointed to the robot as she spoke."Look what they did to this robot. As far as I'm concerned, they're trouble. I don't know why Tanaka putsup with them."Dr. Wesson now was serious."For the same reason we do. they can handle some things we can't.""Well I've seen enough." Liza said. "Let's go inside and see how bad that is."With that, the three start to walk to building four when the sound of approaching cars reach them. Turning,

they see two cars come to a stop. One of the cars is the familiar red convertible Jane. The other is aMonument City squad car. As Stick climbs out, sees Tanaka getting out of his car."Hey Tanaka," He yelled. "I can't believe I beat you."Tanaka looked at him. "Funny, I didn't know we where racing."Firebird who was sitting in the back seat, leaned over to Truck."I'm just glad it's over."Dr. Browning ignored the new comers and walked into the building alone.

The theater opened for the afternoon matinee. The sixteen year old girl working in the booth was involvedin listing to the music from her personal music player when an old man walked up to the window. She also


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failed to notice the silver case he carried with him. Dr. Martin Magnus asked for one ticket and paid theseven dollars for it. When he entered the theater, he saw that he picked a good film. Not that he caredabout the monster movie he paid to see, but the number of people in the house. After sitting down, Dr.Magnus smiled at the irony of what was to come. He opened the case and reached inside. Flipping aswitch that started a timer that began counting down from ten minutes. Dr. Magnus closed the case andplaced it under his seat. From his pocket, he removed a small mini camera that had a suction cup on it.Looking around, Dr. Magnus attached the camera to the wall next to him. After making sure the tinycamera was secured, Dr. Magnus left the theater.On his way out, he stopped at the concession stand and bought some popcorn. As he munched on it, hewalked out onto the street. He crossed to his waiting car, an older luxury model. From where he parked,he had a clear view of the show when it started. Putting the popcorn down on the seat next to him, Dr.Magnus picked up his cell phone and pushed one button. Security Chief Baker answered."Baker. Break into the T.V. signal and play the tape." He said, and then put the phone away.Picking up the popcorn, Dr, Magnus waits.

Inside building four Dr. Liza Browning was checking her clipboard with each item on the shelves beforeher. The Southern Knights each helped the various scientists who were also checking items. Jane'selectronic female voice, amplified so all could hear her called for their attention."Excuse me everyone. I've just got a signal from Dr. Magnus. You better get out here."As everyone was walking out of the building, Jane rolled up to them. Everyone gathered around her as a

small panel opened up revealing a small monitor. On the screen sat Dr. Magnus in an oversized leatherchair."Good afternoon." Came the voice over the small speakers. " Sorry for the inconvience. I'm sure thoughwhen I'm done, you'll understand. I have a device that can project a strong radiation field that can alter theDNA of everyone in its path. Unless I am paid one hundred million dollars in forty eight hours, I will usethat device and kill about sixty percent of the city. For those of you who don't believe me, here is a livedemonstration."The screen filled with static for a second and when it cleared the scene was from inside a theater.The previews just finished and now the feature had begun. When suddenly the theater was lit by a brightflash as if someone had taken a picture. All the people screamed in pain as their bodies DNA wasradically altered. The change transformed them into horribly disfigured humans. Over half of the peoplewere killed by the change. The survivors became horribly mutated monsters and a fight broke out in thetheater.

Everyone standing around Jane and watching this felt the horror of what they saw. Truck was moreaffected by this because he got his powers form having his body's DNA altered."Any idea which theater that is?" He asked numbly."It could be anywhere." Firebird said"We gotta do something." was all he could say.On the screen, the fight was moving out of the theater.This time it was Stick who reacted only as he could."We'll head into town. Tanaka, let us know what theater call 911."Tanaka just nodded. Firebird slowly lifted off the ground and waited for her friends. Truck got into the car,still watching the monitor. Stick had to move Dr. Browning out of his way so he could get into his car."I think we can stop trying to figure out what the Inhumanoids took." He said to her."Be careful of what he has, it's untested." She told him."Lady, everything in that building is untested." Stick said as he put the car in gear.

Tanaka called out. "How did I call you?"Jane answered as she started to move."I will monitor the Police band. Just put a call out and I'll get it."With that the Southern Knights raced out of there.

The fight in the theater moved into the lobby. All the new mutants trashed the building, the people behindthe concession stand ran for their lives when the fight moved their way. The girl in the ticket booth noticedthis and called 911.Sitting across the street, Dr. Magnus could see the fight he had picked a good parking spot, only now hewished he had gotten something to drink with his popcorn. As he watched, the fight spilled out into the


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street as the monsters crashed thru the front doors. People screamed as they ran from the rampagingcreatures.

the red convertible wove through traffic, its driver ignoring the angry horns and waiving one finger handsigns."Do you have to drove so fast?" Truck asked.Stick looked at him as he drove."I thought we were in a hurry?""We are." Truck said. "But we don't know where we're hurrying to."Jane spoke up and said one of the theaters' downtown called 911 about a riot.That was enough for Stick to go on. Firebird also heard the call as she flew above the city."I can see the cops below me. I'll follow them, see you there."

The fight in front of the theater crew to include the parked cars, some passing busses and whatever elsethat could be torn from the ground. Traffic was stopped by first the wrecked cars and then the Police whoarrived on scene. They set up a roadblock back what they hoped was a safe distance. Firebird arrived asthe barricades just got finished being put up. As Firebird flew over head, some of the monsters noticedher and threw heavy things at her. What she could dodge, she did. Others she fire blasted. Below herJane arrived followed by Sgt. Tanaka. As Truck and Stick got out of the car, they saw Sgt. Tanaka doingthe same. For a moment everyone on the ground just watched the action. Tanaka turns to the Heroes.

"I think this is your department."Stick withdrew his fighting sticks from a pouch in his long coat."No problem." Looking at Truck, Stick continued. "Ready big guy?"Truck nodded. "Sure."Together Stick and Truck moved up to and past the barricades. One of the monsters spotted them andpicked up a car. The creature threw it at them. Truck seeing this, leaps into the air heading for the flyingcar."Spike!" Truck yelled striking the car with his fist, smashing it onto the ground.That appeared to be the signal for all hell to break lose. The monsters in front of the theater charged theheroes. Firebird landed on the other side of the conflict, set up a wall of fire to keep the creatures fromescaping. One of the mutants noticed where the fire was coming from and leapt into the air after Firebird.When Stick and Truck reached the mass of mutated humanity, they began to notice how easy it was tostop each of the creatures. Since the bomb was made to kill people, it made these people unstable and

every attack was effective. As Stick and Truck worked their way to the center of the mob, some of themutants became tougher.Stick had his fighting sticks out and he had no problem using them as he faced one creature afteranother. Some of them managed to strike him, but his regenerative ability was keeping him going. Truckon the other hand, was more aware of the fact that these are just unfortunate people, tries to be morecareful. The non super powered mutants quickly fell to his punches. The rest that he met, had no troublehitting him with whatever they could lift. Truck super tough skin kept him from getting too hurt.When Firebird noticed that someone was flying up to meet her, she blasted him. The man dodged the

just of flame and continued to close on her. Firebird then put up a firewall, which he flew through. Seeingthis, Firebird turned and flew off with her opponent chasing her. Firebird wove around the buildingsdowntown as she kept track of her pursuer. Every now and then she rolled on her back and let him haveanother blast of fire. This was to make sure he still followed her. Her path kept her close to the battle.On the ground, the fight was coming down to the toughest and they were also getting organized. For a

moment, Stick and Truck found themselves in a quiet area where they were not under attack. Truck lookaround and commented to Stick."Hey, where's our air support?" he asked.Stick looked up and didn't see Firebird either. Then she flew into view as she came around a building withsomeone close behind her. Everyone ducked as Firebird suddenly dove of the ground and buzzedeveryone. The guy flying after her did the same, only he didn't leave a heat trail."Incoming!" Stick yelled as he and Truck drove to the ground. Firebird blasted her fellow flyer as heskimmed the ground. She quickly climbed, still projecting a steady stream of fire that the man just flewinto. Firebird then stopped her attack as she just missed hitting the roof of a building. The fire streamended just in front of the building, and as the other flyer cleared the fire he saw the building. It was just too


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close for him to do anything about it. He plowed into the building and created a big hole. Everyone on theground slowly got to their feet after watching the end of the chase. Firebird slowly hovered in front of thehole and looked inside.

The apartment was trashed after the guy flew into it making his own door. Firebird saw him laying on thefloor, out cold. Stick and Truck ran up to the base of the building looking up at Firebird as they ran. One ofthe cars they passed Dr. Martin Magnus sat in watching the show and enjoying his popcorn. Stick wasyelling as he ran, calling out to Firebird. She looked down at him and asked what he wanted."You finally get someone to chase you and you lead him into a building." Stick joked."Nice. You two ready to wrap this up?" She asked them both.Truck looked at the two tough mutants standing in front of the theater."Looks like we're down to the toughest." He added.The Police got in their squad cars and rolled closer to the action. In the group was a TV van. The vanstopped right behind the police cars, and all the doors opened. Climbing out of the passenger side door ofthe van was Tom Reilly. Seeing that he was the only one to get this close, snapped his fingers for thecameraman to hurry."Hurry up. We got her just in time." He hissed at the cameraman.The cameraman got the camera on his shoulder and follow Mr. Reilly up to the Police. Once Mr. Reilly gotset, the cameraman gave him a count down from five. When he reached one, the lights on the cameracame on. This was Mr. Reilly's cue

"This is Tom Reilly, live at the downtown theater where Dr. Martin Magnus, leader of the Inhumanoids,has unleashed his latest scheme to threaten the city. On hand to stop him are the Southern Knights. Let'swatch the action."Both cameraman and reporter turn to watch the upcoming fight. The cameraman filming the scene.

Sitting in his car, Dr. Magnus was getting ready for the final act of the show. 'Just think all this for sevendollars.' he said to himself. He then reached for his cell phone and speed dialed his home.Sitting on the couch, Quadro was watching TV when the phone rang. For a moment, he didn't want toanswer it , but thought better about it."Yeah." He said into the phone."Quadro. What are you doing?" Asked Dr. Magnus."Watching the Knights about to get their butts kicked on love TV." Came the response.Dr. Magnus was excited about this and turned around in his seat, trying to see the TV van.

"The bomb worked better than expected. "He said into his phone. "Forget about waiting for the city to turnme down for the money. Tonight, I want you three to go to the roof of City Hall and plant the other bomb.Set it for seven AM and meet me at the base."Finally Dr. Magnus saw the cameraman standing next to the cops.Quadro asked. "Anything else?"Dr. Magnus said no and disconnected. He then put the phone away and started his car. Looking around,he saw that it was safe for him to leave and pulled out of his parking spot. He made a "U" turn and drovetoward the Police barrier, as he did he also drove past the red sports car.

Inside Jane her sensors came to life and for a moment she was actually taken by surprise by this. Hersystems identified the reason for all the activity and she was again surprised.'Wait. That was Dr. Magnus. I should have guessed he'd be here.' Her logic system began to think. 'Ibetter follow. No. I can't do that. Stick might need me. I know.'

Her electronic brain reached a decision.The last two monsters each stood ready for the Southern Knights. In their hands each of the creaturesheld a car. Firebird flame blasts one of them and he drops the car."This is a no car throwing zone." She yells out to them.The other one tosses his car at her and she nimbly dodges it. The car crashes neat the Police, who movefarther back. Stick and Truck charge that one."Get him before he reloads." Hollers Truck.Just before Stick reaches the creature, Janes voice comes over his headset."Stick, I've got something important to tell you." She said."Not now Jane. I'm busy." Stick said as he ran.


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"But it's important." Jane insisted."Later." Came Stick reply as he reached the creature. He attacked it with a flurry of blows all designed todrive it back from anymore cars. From behind him, Truck leapt into the air and sailed over Stick. andpunched the monster in the face twice before landing between it and Stick.Jane had heard the fight and knew that Stick won't listen anymore. She shut down the connection andwent to work.'Fine. I'll do it myself.' She told herself.She was designed to work indecently from the rest of the team and now she had to. Using the softwaredeveloped for her by Dr. Thomas McNamara, she patched into a network that was using a GPS satellite.After negotiating the system Jane used the information on Magnus' car to tell the GPS what to look forand track. After she was satisfied it was working, she for back to monitoring the battle.Firebird kept firing on the one who threw his car at her. The heat from the fire was melting the street at thecreatures feet. The creature leapt high in the air intent on hitting Firebird that it never thought about notbeing attached to the ground for support. Once it was airborne, Firebird hit it with another blast, this timeblowing it out of the sky and crashing back to Earth. The monster collided with its fellow mutant andcollapsed to the ground."Hey Firebird!" Stick yelled at her, "that one was ours to play with."Referring to the one at the bottom of the pile. After it was determined that both creatures where out of thefight, the Police drove up large vehicles designed to hold super powered people and started to load theunconscious monsters into it. Sgt. Tanaka walked up to the Southern Knights.

"If it looks like this out here. I don't want to look inside." He said referring to the theater.Firebird landed now."We got to see what Magnus used to do this." She said already guessing what it was.Truck sighed. "Well, let's get this over with."They all walked into the theater together followed by emergency personnel.

The lobby was a disaster and bodies lied everywhere, so they moved into the showroom where Magnus'broadcast took place. It looked as bad as the lobby with more bodies. On the wall still attached by itssuction cup was the camera. The red light on it told everyone that it was still working. Looking under theseat next to the camera, Tanaka saw a silver briefcase. He carefully removed it and opened the lidshowing everyone the panel. All the readouts where black as the battery was dead. Truck pulled thecamera off the wall."I wonder how many of their he has." Tanaka asked referring to the case.

Truck was examining the camera as he spoke."Hey, this camera is still working. We can use Jane to find out where the signal is going."This got Sticks attention,'"Jane! I almost forget." Stick said.Turning away from the others, Stick spoke into his headset."What did you want to tell me before?"When Jane replied, her voice was different, she sounded disinterested."It was nothing important.""Come on Jane, stop playing games and tell me.""Dr. Martin Magnus was here." The car said like it was giving up states secrets.Stick blew out an exhausted breath."We know that.""No. I mean he was parked outside next to me. I saw him leave." she told him.

This got Stick excited."Which way did he go?" He said starting to make for the exit."I got a GPS lock on him. It's someplace out in the desert outside of town." she said with an air ofsuperiority.""Jane, I'll never doubt you again." Stick said."I heard that before." Jane said as Stick broke off contact.He stopped walking and turned to face his friends. Not everyone heard the conversation but had a feelingbased on Sticks half.Tanaka asked, "Do you need backup?"Truck commented as the Southern Knights started to walk out.


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"We'll call you when we get to where Magnus is."

As Dr. Magnus came around the back of his base out in the desert, far from Monument City, he saw a notto unfamiliar sight, His bodyguard and main henchman, Jaws was standing under an awning. The biggenetically altered thug was smoking, and as Dr, Magnus' car stopped near to him, Jaws didn't put thecigarette out. Jaws watched as Dr. Magnus got out of the car and was surprised to see the old man had atub of popcorn with him."So Martin, good show?" Jaws asked finally tossing his cigarette away."Better than advertised. How are things here?""Baker is driving me crazy." Jaws said as Dr. Magnus reached him. "We might have a problem.""With Chief Baker?" Magnus asked.Jaws shook his head."With the Knights. They found the camera. I don't know if they can track it or not, but that car of theirsmight."Dr. Magnus thought about this as he offered Jaws the popcorn bucket."Popcorn?""Sure." Jaws said taking some of the offered popcorn.""I figured on them finding us. I'll have baker handle security. You stay with me. Did you see the TV?"Asked Dr. Magnus as he ate.Jaws nodded.

"Sure did. Even the interview."This got the Doctors attention."Interview?" he asked."They had the case and the camera. Stick even had a warning for us."Thinking, Dr. Magnus asked. "How much time do we have?"Jaws shrugged and reached for more popcorn."Maybe an hour. Let me guess, you have a plan?" He asked the Doctor."Let's find Chief Baker." Dr. Magnus said and taking the popcorn with him, entered the building.Jaws finished what he had in his hands and the followed.Searching the base, eventually Dr. Martin Magnus and Jaws found Security Chief Baker. He was in themissile room talking with some scientist that worked on the project. Dr. Magnus dropped the emptypopcorn bucket in the trash and motioned for Chief Bakers attention. The security man walked up to hisemployer smiling.

"Dr. Magnus, I have good news. Our scientists can design more of those devices you brought back." Hesaid proudly."That is good news. Now I have some bad news. The Southern Knights are on their way here. Get yourmen ready. Jaws will be with me." Dr. Magnus informed his chief."Yes sir." Chief Baker said saluting. With that, he left to carry out his orders.Dr. Magnus turns to Jaws."We will be in my office." He says, and with that walked to the nearest elevator. Jaws followed. Onceinside the elevator, Dr. Magnus pushes a button to take them to his office. A short ride later, the doorsopen to reveal a long hallway. Walking down the hall they reach a door marked "Office". Jaws opens thedoor for Dr. Magnus to enter and follows him inside.The office has a desk against one wall and a bank of computers on the other side across from the desk.At several stations along this was are rolling chairs for the people use. At the far wall opposite of the dooris a large window that overlooks the main work area where people are getting the next phase of Dr.

Magnus' plan ready. Dr. Magnus walks up to that window and looks down on all the workers."You know Jaws. I have a good feeling about this." He announced.

On a rise about a mile from Dr. Magnus' base three people stood there looking across at it. Truck held apair of binoculars to his eyes as he surveyed the compound."A side from the fence, I don't see anyone on guard duty. " He said. Turning to the car he added. "Jane,any signals?"The car responded without hesitation."Nothing. Sensors tell me the building is full of people, but I don't see any."Truck scowled at that.


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"The GPS let us here." He finally said.Putting away his binoculars he turned to face the rest of the Southern Knights.Firebird spoke first."Now what?" She wanted to know.Stick didn't miss a beat with his answer."Simple. We go in. bust the place up, recover the other case and go home."Firebird looked up at Truck for what she hoped was a better idea."I hate to say it but this time he's right." Truck told her."I was afraid of that. " Muttered Firebird.Truck and Stick get in the car and Stick fires up the engine. Before driveling off, Truck turns to Firebird."Can you make us a door?" He asked her.Firebird smiled at him."For you. No problem."With that the car drove down the hill racing for the fence with Firebird flying low cover for them.

Dr. Magnus sat at his desk reading a file. He had to do something to keep himself looking busy. Jaws however had nothing to do, so he paced back and forth in the office. He stopped when the door opened, onlyto relax a little when Chief Baker entered the office."The men are in position. Everything is ready. When the Southern Knights show up, we'll give them agood beating." He said standing at attention.

"Baker." Said Jaws, "You wouldn't know a good beating if I gave it to you."Chief Baker glared at Jaws and showed no sign of backing down."I'd like to see you get past my men." He told the Inhumanoid.Jaws gave him a very nasty look and leaned closer for effect."I already did."At this Baker did take a step back when Dr. Magnus intervened."Jaws give it a rest. Mr. Baker are you here for a reason?"Baker once again came to attention."I'm your Security Chief. I'm making sure your safe."From the other side of the room Jaws snickered."Yeah, right."Then the walkie talkie on Bakers' belt crackled to life."Chief Baker?" Said the voice.

Baker grabbed it off his belt and spoke into it."Chief Baker here. What is it?""I have intruders in sector seven." The voice added."On visuals?" Asked the chief."Yes sir." Came the reply."Patch it thru Dr. Magnus' office." Baker said.

The monitors in the office sprang to life all showing images of the outside. On one of the monitors was theimage of a red sports car with two people in it and a red haired girl flying over them. The car crashes thruthe perimeter fence. Seeing this, Jaws moves to the window and looks out it.Security Chief Baker shouts into his walkie talkie."Sound the alarms!"On the screen, the red headed girl projects a stream of fire, as the bases alarms start to blare.

The wall opposite of Dr. Magnus' office at ground level explodes inward in a huge fireball. The guards andworkers are scattered by the blast only having to run for their lives as a red car drives thru the hole.Firebird follows flying past the car. From where he is sitting in Jane, Truck can see a large window andstanding in that window is Jaws. He points to the window and calls out."That's my stop!"Taken by surprise, Stick glances at Truck."You want me to stop?" He asks."No thanks." Truck says. "I'll take the stairs."Stick now sees Jaws and maneuvers Jane close to the bottom of the wall where the window is. Truck


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leaps out of the car and using his incredible strength makes hand holds in the wall and starts climbing upafter Jaws. Below, Stick races on.Jaws steps back from the window as a massive fist breaks the glass. Truck pulls himself up and thru theopen hole, ignoring the falling glass. As Truck gets to his feet and before Jaws can attack, Chief Bakercharges past Jaws and attacks Truck. Truck ducked under the wild swing by the security chief and Bakersmomentum carried him over Trucks back and out the window. Truck turned not in time to grab him, but towatch the man fall. He landed on a nearby table that broke under him.

Firebird flies down one hall after another looking for the silver case that holds the last DNA bomb. Instead,she finds a missile standing on a launch pad. Landing next to it, Firebird creates a fire shield around herand the missile to keep the guards in the room from shooting at her or the missile."A girl needs her privacy." She told them as the wall went up.Firebird examines the missile and looks at the controls on a worktable.'That's odd. This thing isn't even finished' She said to herself.She continues to examine everything related to the missile and then goes back to the controls smiling,"There getting ready for something." She said aloud.

Stick raced Jane down one of the many long hallways and laughed as the guards scattered. Only heknew that Jane would keep him from hitting one of them, but the guards didn't. Finally, he spun the carsideways and jumped out. The guards saw this and now came out of hiding. Stick drew his fighting sticks

from inside his long coat and waited for the guards to get in position. When the guards looked ready, Stickcharged the nearest bunch, attacking at will he plowed thru them. As he did this, some of the guardsmanaged to strike him, but Stick ignored what he could, relying on his body to regenerate the really nastyhits. One by one the guards fall to Sticks attacks. Even the reinforcements don't last long.

Truck turns back from the window after seeing that the man who attacked him didn't look too injured.Jaws was waiting for him and as soon as Truck had turned back into the room, Jaws punched him.Truck was sent back against the open window and nearly fell out himself. Jaws not wasting his timemoved in again and delivered a series of hard hits to Truck. Truck finally grabbed Jaws and tossed himacross the room towards the door. Jaws crashed into and through the door, continued across the hall andinto the wall. Truck moved across the room after Jaws. He noticed Dr. Magnus just sitting at his desktaking this all in. When Truck reached Jaws, who just got to his feet, Jaws charges in swing for Truck'shead. Truck ducks the attack and grabs a chair. With a powerful swing, Truck smashes Jaws with the

chair across the head. Jaws ignored the chair and kicks Truck in the chest.

Firebird finishes her examination of the missile and extends her hand at both the missile and the controlpanel. The fire that she projects engulfs both seeing that the fire is taking hold, she flies out of the room.Behind her some things start to explode as the fire spreads. She sees Stick standing in a hallway fightingwith a hand full of guards. his coat is torn in places and so is shirt. She can see that at one time he wasbleeding. As she flies over hem, she shouts."Play times over . The whole place is gonna blow."Jane hears this and drives over to Stick careful not to injure anyone. Stick for his part fights his way to herand when he finally reaches her, he climbs in. Jane starts to drove off.

The kick to Trucks chest hurls him back against the wall with the open window. Stunned by the blow,Truck cannot defend himself. Sensing victory, Jaws moves in for the kill. As Jaws reached Truck, he is

suddenly grabbed by the front of his shirt and rammed head first into the wall. Truck gets to his feet stillholding Jaws by the shirt and spins around the tiny office. Jaws is flung the length of the computer table,knocking chairs over and breaking valuable equipment as he is tossed out of the room. This time as thebig Inhumanoid hits the other wall, he creates a hold and sails out of view. Winded, Truck turns to face Dr.Martin Magnus, who sat and just watched the two titans fight. Dr. Magnus calmly opened his desk drawerand lifted his .45 automatic pistol at Trucks chest."Give it up Doctor," Truck demanded of Dr. Magnus. "We both know that gun won't hurt me."Magnus shrugged and continued to point the gun at Truck."It doesn't matter anyways. You're all too late." he said.This caught Truck off guard.


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"Late? Where's the other bomb?""It's all ready planted on the roof of City Hall. By the time you get there, it will have turned half of the cityinto rampaging creatures." "Why I outta..." Truck said as he started to advance on the seated mad man.Dr. Magnus out of reflex more than anything else fired his hand gun three times. Each bullet striking Truckin the chest, putting nice little holes in his clean shirt. Truck stopped and looked at the holes inamazement.

As Stick drove Jane under to the spot where Truck leapt to get Jaws, he saw Dr. Martin Magnus sail outthe hole where a window used to be. The old man landed on the remains of a table and came to rest nearsomeone else on the floor. Stick guided his car to a stop under near the window and blew the horn. WhenTruck looked out he yelled."We're done here!"Truck jumped out the window and landed next to Jane, taking care to avoid landing on anyone below. Heclimbed into the back seat, as Stick raced out of there. In the distance, explosions could be heard.Firebird waited by the hole for the car to get there and then she followed it out into the night.

Jaws finally pulled himself out of the wall that Truck stuck him in. Walking into the office, he was notsurprised to find it deserted. He had heard the gunshots and the old scientist protest as Truck tossed himout the window. Jaws slowly walked to the window and looked down. He saw the Southern Knights leaveand laying on the ground was Dr. Magnus and his security chief. Just before leaping down to check on

the old man, Jaws thought about landing on Baker "by accident". After a brief pause, he decided not toand went out the window. He landed close to them was surprised by the sounds of explosions gettingcloser. Gather up both unconscious men in his massive arms, Jaws headed to the nearest exit, just notthe one made by Firebird earlier.As he moved thru the base, the other workers evacuating gave him lots of room. Eventually Jaws reachedone of the exits. Once outside Jaws felt both men start to stir and put them down. He was not so carefulwith Chief Baker. Sitting on the ground next to them, the three where suddenly surrounded by heavilyarmed cops all pointing weapons at them. Jaws started to get up, but Dr. Magnus put a hand on hisshoulder and shook his head no. Jaws relunctly sat back down.

The Southern Knights retreated back to the hill they first started the attack from. Everyone turned andlooked back at the base. The two story building was eng

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The Southern Knights