A drunk by any other name
April 7, 2003 - Chico's Sport's Bar & Grill - Meridian, Illinois
It was just like any other sports bar this evening. The TV's were all tuned to the college basketball championship game. The local team of the Iron Spartans had been bounced pretty early in the tournament. Which was par for the course, their basketball program was severely lacking. In fact it was joked upon that them making it to the championships was one of the signs of the apocalypse. So tonight the bar was almost evenly divided between Syracuse fans and Kansas fans. Several of the patrons had gotten rowdy earlier in the evening, but had been swiftly taken care of by the bouncers the owners had wisely brought in for the evening. Just then half the bar erupts into cheers while the other half just sighs and groans.
Down at the end of the bar Sanford takes a drag off his cigarette, and glances up at the screen. Hmmm, he thinks to himself, must have been a good play. Didn't matter much, unlike the rest of the clientele he already knew the outcome. Syracuse was going to win. Knowing beforehand did take the fun out of watching the game, but when your fixing college sports for betting purposes those were the kind of details you kind of needed to be aware of. The project did need a steady revenue stream, so he had gotten pretty good at eliciting ill gotten lucre into the coffers. He did draw the line at drugs though. A fact that would have done well for one of the Promethean Heights gangs to have known before hand. It didn't take long for Sanford to piece together what had happened 52 days ago. They had foolishly believed that the Project was encroaching on their drug trade, and had called the SCF an reported strange happenings. It was that report that had led them to raid the compound, which in turn was the reason their "Avenger" was now loose with no way to control him anymore. Once he had tracked the source of the tip down, he not only tortured and killed them, but their families in front of their eyes.
"Heya handsome, need a refill?" flirted the waitress.
Sanford grinned and looked the waitress up and down. She was in her early 40's he guessed, but still had a hell of a figure on her. Personally he was pushing 58, however his life depended on him being fit so he had the body that a lot of 30 year olds would kill for. "Sure thing, darling, but make it a double this time." And with that she turned to get his drink, but she seemed to put a little extra swagger in her walk that he was sure hadn't been there a few minutes ago. Well know, maybe tonight would be a really good night. The vibrating of his phone brought him out of his daydream. Immediately frowning he pulled out his phone. Only one man had this number. "Sanford here" he answered. He listened as the General went on and on about what Sanford planned to do to bring their prodigal back to the fold. It was basically the same conversation they had been having for the last 52 days. However all their controls and tracking functions had somehow been disabled and the only way to bring them back online was if Stephens was in their possession, a prospect that was becoming more unlikely every day. He was erratic, but gaining experience wielding his powers . Wait a second, what was that the General had just said about hiring someone?
CRASH!!!! A body had just been flung thru the window, and everyone started screaming. It was pandemonium. Everyone was terrified, scared and running for their lives. Sanford looked in the direction the body had flown, and as his eyes finally focused in he recognized the black and gold armor. "General, the Avenger is here!" he yelled into the phone, and then snapped it shut. He started to dart forward, but was impeded by the waitress he had been flirting with who was screaming and would not let go of him. Which turned out to be good, because just then the place he had been standing had the roof collapse. "Well not going that way" he dryly remarked. Turning he scooped up the waitress and dashed behind the bar making his way towards the prone figure of Stephens. He watched as 2 beams of blue energy slammed into the his "Avenger" and turned to see a armor clad figure make his way in. Looking up and seeing him the waitress finally stopped screaming. As the light finally fell onto his face Sanford recognized the attacker, it was Power Boost.
"Didn't expect to see me again, did you freak?!" Power Boost screamed out. "Well I'm out now, and it just so happens the gentleman that got me out also gave me some much needed upgrades!"
Must be who the General was talking about Sanford thought. Glancing toward the still prone figure of Stephens he thought maybe it was over, however he started moving and then a green blast straight toward the ceiling knocked some more debris on top of him.
"You really have no idea what you're doing do you?" Power Boost taunted.
Stephens begins to stand gets about half way up and falls to his knees. "What's wrong with him?" the waitress whisper to Sanford.
"He's drunk" he whispers back. He watches as Power Boost slams his fist together and points them toward his unsuspecting victim. The fist began to glow a bright blue hue, and it progressively got brighter and brighter until it fired with a loud bang. It headed toward Stephens who seemed oblivious to what was going on then suddenly crossed his arms and threw them up to cover his helmet. At that moment a protective green shield appeared and deflected the blast. "oh ****!" Sanford screamed as he realized it was heading for them. Instinctively he grabbed the waitress shielded her with his body as he tried to use the bar for cover. Idiot was the last thing he thought before the blackness enveloped him.
August 7, 2003 - St. Martins Medical Center - Meridian, Illinoise
2 hours later
"Mr. Reynolds, other than a slight concussion you will be fine. We would like to hold you overnight for observation, but it's a routine precaution. No reason to worry over it."
"Thanks doc, whatever you think is best" Sanford replied. Well there goes another ID he thought. Guess it's time to build another one, it was the search for a new watering hole that bothered him more. Ah well a quiet night at the hospital wouldn't be all that bad, but he would be sore in the morning. After he blacked out he had awoken in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Knowing he was in no shape to capture their "wayward son" and his paper work for this identity was top notch he hadn't worried about running. Deciding to see if it had made the local news he grabbed the remote and turned on the set, and was immediately greeted to the face of the waitress from the bar. He couldn't hear what she was saying and it took a minute to figure out how to work the volume. By the time he figured it out the screen had changed to a blurred shot of a black and gold figure stagger out of the rubble that had been his watering hole, and ungracefully fly into the air and away from the scene.
"And there you have cell phone video," came the anchor voice over "of Meridians newest hero The Drunken Avenger"
The End
Drunken Avenger: First Drink
Location - Classified- July 17, 1983
General Grant leaned back into his chair and lit his cigar. Tomorrow would be the culmination of a dream he thought. A dream that had been formed almost 11 years prior. He remembered watching with fascination as the Joint chief of staff had just introduced Atomaton to the world. It was at that precise moment that an idea had formed in his mind. An idea that had brought him to where he was today. He had seen the future and it was a future where beings with powers were the ones in control. He couldn't let that happen. Not if he had any say in the matter. What if he could create another Atomaton. But this time one where he was in control.
For almost 2 years he failed. His team had studied all the known data of the accident that had led to the creation of Atomaton. Unfortunately there wasn't much to use. Trying to recreate the accident had also proved to be impossible. The number of "volunteers" he had lost in his efforts was something he had kept carefully hidden from his superiors. However it was his lack of any tangible results that led to his funding being cut. Now it was only 3 of them left, in what once was a staff of hundreds. It seemed his quest for his personal super powered solider was over.
Then fortune smiled upon him. He was made aware of Dr. Scott Barnes who was making great strides at the University of New York. Lab rats were being made into super rats. Sure the rats only survived 3 maybe 4 days at the max, but the things they could accomplish were outstanding in their shortened lives. He traveled to New York and approached Dr Barnes about coming aboard for a new project with the military. However the good doctor had been less than helpful. In fact due to his fears of what may happen had informed Grant he would be dropping his research into radiation, and that he planned to have his notes destroyed. Grant couldn't allow that. This had been the break he had been searching for. He'd be damn if he would be turned away now that he was close. It looked as though it was time for drastic measures.
Location -unknown- December 19, 1974
The smell of cigar smoke was heavy in the air. It was a wonder he could even smell it all, let alone breathe at all.
Thwak, Thwak!
"I can do this all night long dr." came the cold calculate voice of the man that had abducted him earlier, "we just want to see your research"
"ugh" he breathed out. They had been beating on him for..... he stopped. He had no idea how long he'd been here. He tried looking around the room, but he could barely see anything anymore. He could feel the blood. It was warm as it ran down his chin. One eye was completely swollen shut, the other what little he could see was blurred most likely by the blood. His nose was most likely broken..
Thwak, Thwak!
Two more punches to the face.
"This can all be over if you would just co-operate and give us what we want"
Summoning up his will power an courage Barnes lifts his head in the direction of the voice. "Never, I will NEVER, give my research to the military. You will only find a way to turn it into a weapon!"
"Well of course Doc, but think about how many American lives you will help save" Came the cold calculated reply.
"Sanford! That will be enough!" Came a new voice, "this tactic is clearly not working."
Barnes breathed a sigh of relief, then a new voice made his blood run immediately cold.
"Da-da-daddy" came the whisperings of his little girl.
"YOU BASTARDS!" he screamed. "SHE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!"
"Oh, on the contrary Dr. Barnes, your refusal to give me the information that I have repeatedly asked you for has forced my hand. You have no one to blame but yourself" Came the new voice.
Barton lowered his head. He knew he was beaten. Slowly whispering "The password is Alpha one five nine omega"
"Dr Riley?" the voice asked.
"Ah yes General, that was it. I now have access to all his research right here"
"Are you sure this will be all you need?"
"Absolutely, sir! Now that I'm reading threw this it's quite simple an ingenious really."
"Very well. Sanford, kill them both"
BAMM BAMM
Barnes hears the shots and a thud hit the floor.
"NOOOOOOO........"
BAMM BAMM
Everything fades to black
to be continued....
Automaton is a creation of Core.
Location - Washington D.C. - July 25, 1983
It was a beautiful summer day, it had been a balmy 93 degrees. With a light breeze that just made you love being outside. The national mall was full of families enjoying picnics. The sound of laughing children and the excited yapping of dogs could be heard from one end to the other. The country was experiencing a renewal of spirit, gone were the gas lines, jobs were coming back and for the most part people were joyous.
However the mood in the oval office at this exact moment was anything but. Tension filled the room, not a one of the fine men seated on the couch said a word. The office of the most powerful man in the world was not a place for frivolous matters even on the best of days, and today was not one of those days.
Dr. Grayson Riley sat nervously on the couch. Glancing nervously to his left he caught a glare from General Grant. How could the man be so calm and collected now? He personally felt like his insides were about to explode.
"How many years have we been on this project, General?" Yelled the President.
Riley visibly jumped. They had been in there for almost 15 minutes, and this was the first thing that had been said since they had sat down.
"Mr. President, Project R.U.M. was commissioned in 1975." Grant answered calmly.
Riley was always amazed at how calmly Grant remained in the most stressful situations. He was sure it had everything to do with his Marine training. The man was almost without emotion. He listened intently as the President fired questions and each time Grants answered calmly and coolly.
"And how much have we spent in those 8 years, General?"
"Well, Mr. President, if I recall correctly we're approaching 12 million."
"12 million! 12 MILLION! That number is almost unfathomable isn't it Dr. Riley?"
Dr. Riley? Dr. Riley? Why is he asking me? Grant said I wouldn't have to answer any questions! "Well, um...um... well the thing is.."
"I don't care what the thing is Dr. Riley!" Interrupted the President. "The fact of the matter is you promised us a hero! A Super Hero! A real life, honest to goodness, God Damn Super Hero! One we could drape over with an American flag. I even gave you a candidate that already had the love of the people! And now! Now you tell me that Major Stephens is dead! Dead! How the **** did that happen?"
"Mr. President, with all due respect...."
"General! Shut the **** up! I don't give a rat's *** about due respect at this moment! What I'm most curious about is why when I send in an audit team they come back and tell me you've destroyed the body?"
"Well as I tried to explain to them at the time sir, the body of Major Stephens had become a Hazmat issue. Protocol dictated that we had to destroy it or face serious health or safety issues for my staff."
"That still doesn't make me feel any better General! Yesterday I attended the good Major's funeral service in Arlington. I sat there and watched an empty casket lowered into the ground. Then to make matters worse I had to lie to the American people that their hero, the man who defied all odds of survival. The man who was once before thought dead when his plane was shot down over Siberia. The man who for the next 6 months avoided Soviet capture. The man who used his knowledge of engineering to build a craft to escape, and the force of will to survive the freezing cold waters of the Alaskan coast where he was found. That this man died in a training exercise?"
Riley had never seen anyone this angry. He really didn't know how to react. He tried to avoid eye contact with the President, and kept shrinking lower and lower into the couch. He watched as the president slowly started pacing the room. His skin had taken on the deepest shade of red he'd ever seen. The quiet was becoming deafening. No one wanted to speak now especially after that outburst. Even Grant seemed to have sensed the best course of action at this time was no action. The president continued to pace in front of them, occasionally stopping an look as if he was about to say something else, but then would start pacing again. Finally he walked over to his desk and slowly sat down.
"Gentlemen," he began much more softly than he had been this entire time. It seemed he was weary from the outburst. "As of this moment Project R.U.M. is terminated. General I expect to see your resignation on my desk by tomorrow. The rest of you are fired. I want all your data and research destroyed. From now on this administration will be looking forward to the future. No more human experiments, no more deaths. We will be looking into Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for our super human expectations."
Riley looked across the room and at the three other scientist on his team. The color drained from their faces. It was obvious this had been unexpected for them. After a few minutes Grant stood looked at them and motioned. They all followed him out of the Oval office and out into the courtyard. Grant praised them, told them that regardless of the outcome he was proud of the work they had accomplished and that they could count on him for letters of recommendations. At that moment a black Cadillac Deville with dark tinted windows pulled up.
"Now if you will excuses us gentleman we will meet you back at the lab to begin the dismantling tomorrow. For now go home get some rest, however Dr. Riley and I have things to discuss."
And with that Grant an Riley opened the door and got into the back seat. As soon as they was settled the driver pulled the car away from the curb an proceeded to drive away.
"Well, how did it go?" The driver asked looking at his passengers thru the rearview mirror.
Grant and Riley both broke into a grin.
"Well my dear Mr. Sanford, everything went according to plan. Now take us to the compound where the good Major Stephens is. We still have a lot of work to do."
To be continued...
Location - City Square, City of Meridian, Illinois - August 7, 2000
The city is in mourning. The sense of death hangs heavy in the air. Still reeling from the after effects of what has happened to them just 8 short weeks ago, the people begin to gather where city hall once stood. No jokes, no laughter, no frivolous behavior, the only emotions this day are of sadness, loss and anger. Many come to pay respect to those they have lost, some for actual friends or relatives, some for those who they might not have know, but all with sense of loss. Others are angry, few because they felt let down that the Phalanx hadn't done more, some because they felt the deaths could have been avoided if they hadn't been there to begin with. One such man who felt that way once went by the name of Col. Mark Sanford.
He made his way thru the crowds. Making his way towards the front he wanted to be able to see exactly the events as they unfolded. Hat pulled low, jacket pulled tight. He told himself he was just being paranoid. He had never been to Meridian before. What were the chances that someone would recognize him? Still it had been 16 years since he had been in a public place. It was all a little unsettling for him. Since he had arranged for Grant, Riley, and himself to "die" in the accident he had gone to great lengths to keep to the shadows. It was much easier for the others, they rarely left the compound. However being the field agent he was constantly putting himself into dangerous situations. It was his paranoia that had kept him alive all these years while working for the Project.
The Project was once a government sanctioned entity. They had been tasked to bring a Super Hero to life, one that the government could use as part of their PR campaign. It had been headed up by his mentor General Grant. However unknown at the time, it was all a ruse. Grant had always known the ultimate goal was to create an Avenger for mankind. Someone who would help them stop the encroachment of Supers into the American way of life, someone they could use and then destroy when their task had been completed. Their goal was simple, take back the concept of human achievement. Something they believed could not happen as long as supers were around. Too many people had begun to depend on them, and when things like this happened it made everything worse.
However the Project had been making great strides in their goals. Many of the younger less experienced "heroes" would never be heard from again. Thanks in part to their very own Avenger. The Irony was not lost on Sanford. But when you're faced with impossible odds you needed to level the playing field. It was true there had been some setbacks, they didn't have the annoying fact of big brother looking over their shoulder all the time, but they also didn't have the nearly unlimited resources of Uncle Sam as well. A fact that Dr. Riley continually reminded them while lamenting that with more funds and help his STATIC device would have been operational by now. A device they was counting on. Seems they had made a mistake with Stephens. A mistake they hadn't counted on or was aware of till after going underground. Seems the good major had alcohol still in his system the morning of the operation. When the nanites attached themselves to his bio matrix it absorbed not only the radiation that fueled his powers but also the alcohol as well. Now while he was quite powerful, and the team had him under complete control. However the manipulation came with the fact that no matter how much they tried it was still a drunk man's vessel. For that reason they didn't pull Stephens out of hibernation as much as they had anticipated.
Suddenly he felt the mood of the crowd shift and brought him back to the present. Looking around he found the reason why. The limos were arriving. He watched as they made their way to the designated spot and stop. Silently he watched as the lead car opened its door and the newly appointed Mayor of Meridian stepped out and waves to the crowd that was gathered. Some people around him join in with the soft clapping that came from other parts of the crowd, however almost as many were silently muttering under their breath. He empathized with them completely. Although by many accounts Michael Titan was an upstanding man above reproach he was still a super, and that made him Sanford's enemy. He never thought he would see the day when a super made it to as high an elected position as mayor, especially in one of the largest cities in America.
He watched as the Mayor made his way to each limo, open the door and speak briefly with each passenger as they exited the limos. It was directly out of the playbook of any other politician, however something else was at play here. He just couldn't put his finger on it. It wasn't till he got to the last limo did he really begin to pay attention. The first out of the car is a well built woman with red hair. Something about her seems familiar he thinks to himself. The next one is a young girl, however not like any other young girl he had ever seen. Blue skin? Well well what do we have here? The next man out he recognizes instantly. Of course Mark Piedmont. That means the woman must be Garnett. Unbeknownst to the Piedmonts they had foiled the Projects plans on more than one occasion. He was unaware they were in Meridian know. Finally two other men join them outside the limo. The last one was a sight to behold. I mean it's not every day you see a golden man wearing a suit and Ray ban sunglasses, but it was the man before him that really intrigued Sanford. A regular man, with a regular build and dark curly hair. Nothing out of the ordinary except for the company he was keeping. You my friend he thinks, you bear some investigation.
He continues to observe and listens intently to the eulogy that Michael Titan delivers. It's a typical speech. Given with great dictation and a surprising emotion that Sanford was not used to hearing from Politicians. However the message was not what he would have liked to hear. How could it? What he would like to hear is how the supers were going to be held responsible, would be brought to justice for their part in the disaster. Yet he knew that would never happen. The Mayor was a super for Christ sakes. They tended to stick together. He turned his attention to the Piedmonts, the young blue girl, and the golden man. Supers as guest of honor at the memorial service in which there would be no need for if not for them! Enough! Disgusted he turned to storm away.
Pow, he felt as if he had walked into a brick wall.
"Why don't you look.." he started and then fell quiet as he looked at up into the face of the man with which he collided. Looked up was actually very right. The man, if you could call him one was well over 7 feet tall. His skin was a very dark reddish color, and looked almost as it was leather. However it was his eyes that drew Sanford's attention. They were unlike any eyes he had ever seen, no pupils and a color he could only describe as golden, however he wasn't sure he had actually seen that particular shade before.
"Talofa, my friend, my apologies in our collision. My name is Alphadean in your tongue" Spoke the giant.
"Well thank you Alphadean," Sanford replied. He had the foresight, that now was not the time to launch into a Tirade with someone so much larger than himself. Especially when he didn't have his Avenger with him to help even the odds. "My name is Prescott." Prescott being one of the many Alias's he had established since going underground. "What brings you here today?"
"To observe. Much great sorrow here today. It is such a shame, that so many suffered, but I fear more suffering will come if we don't stand to fight"
Suffering is right, Sanford thought to himself. The supers had brought nothing but suffering since they had started going public. However he sensed that his and "Alphadeans" idea of who was causing it differed greatly. "Well, good day to you, I really must be going." And with that sidestepped the giant and walked away.
Alphadean watched as Prescott walked away. He wondered over the sense that he got while speaking to the man. This was the first time he met someone here that just didn't seem quite right. Yet there was much about this land he didn't know about yet. Pushing the thoughts from his mind he once more focused on the words being spoken from Michael Titan.
Sanford walked till he was sure he would be out of earshot, pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. "Grant, it's Sanford, time for us to move our operation to meridain.
To be continued.
Adino is a creation of Adino
Nuzion is a creation of Nuzion
Mark, Garnett, and Ophelia Piedmont are creations of Source
Michael Titan is a creation of Michael Titan
Alphadean is a creation of Alphadean
Location - An Abandoned looking warehouse, Meridian, Illinois - February 14, 2003
The area of Meridian known as Promethean Heights wasn't the nicest area of the city. In fact some would call it the slums. Captain Paul Epps had started out as a beat cop in this very section of the city, and he had seen the city thru some dark times. Unfortunately unlike a lot of the souls in this area, he had escaped. He had risen thru the ranks and was now head of an Elite S.W.A.T team dubbed the Special Crimes Force or S.C.F for short. It was that responsibility that had brought him here today. They had been tracking a lot of unusual activity here, and unfortunately in Meridian unusual meant super powered criminals. Seems they had been somewhat right. When they stormed the "abandoned" warehouse they had met up with an elite paramilitary group.
The battle had been fierce, but in the end the perpetrators had made their escape. The few people that they had managed to capture had managed to say something about some kind of Project, but had keeled over dead like someone had implanted a failsafe device to keep them from talking. He had heard of this happening once or twice in the last 3 years, but this was the most contact they had with this Project. Before they had only come into contact with 1 or 2 members at most, today there seem to be an entire squad. They must be getting closer to figuring out this mystery.
Just then an alarm blared down the street and Cpt. Epps orders his men out to investigate, as they are rushing out, one of the rookies brushes up against a control panel. Unbeknownst to him a door lights up and a countdown starts. By the time the door begins to open the lab is empty and a man stumbles forward and falls down.
Slowly opening his eyes John Stephens begins to look around. Man how much did I drink he thinks. He groggily turns himself over trying to get his bearings. Looking at his hands he bolts up quickly and promptly falls back down. He begins to laugh. Damn that Morgan he must have been having fun at my expense. Why else would he be dressed up in a black and gold suit of armor. Slowly looking around he wonders how long he's been out and how much longer he has to sober up before he is to report to the lab. Wait a minute, this looks like the lab, only abandoned, and dirty and looks like there was fight of some kind. Stumbling to a standing position he makes his way around, looks down sees a helmet that looks like it matches the rest of his armor. Picking it up he catches a glimpse of his reflection and promptly drops it again. What's going on here, his skin was green!
He wanders out of the lab into the street. He only knows a few things for sure, first his skin is green, well according to his face anyways. The rest of the armor doesn't seem to come off. Secondly he's still drunk. Thirdly well wait a minute that's all he knows. Wandering out into the light he puts on the helmet and immediately almost walks into the path of an oncoming truck. Startled he jumps and like a rocket takes off into the sky. Damn I can fly he thinks.
Suddenly a couple of buildings down from Stephens rocks with an explosion. Stephens looks around trying to focus on what's going on and immediately falls to the ground. Quickly staggering to his feet he looks around to make sure no one saw. Whoa, looks like the bank is being robbed. Shaking his head trying to clear it, he moves closer for a better look.
Damn it Capt Epps thought, they hadn't even had to time to clear the warehouse, before being alerted that something was going on at the bank down the street. Since there seemed to be nothing at the time they had mobilized here very quickly. The warehouse could wait.
"What's the situation, rookie" Asked Captain Epps.
"Looks like the Booster gang is at it again, sir."
"Damn idiots, ok, let's....." his voice trails off as he notices a black and gold armored man staggering up to him. "Rookie looks like we got us a bona-fide hero here to help us."
"I don't know sir, he looks a little unsteady"
At that moment the doors burst open and out steps Power-Boost, followed by 2 members of his gang. "Ah, Capt. Epps, so good to see you and the S.C.F. again. Why must you always try to stop me? You know it's pointless."
Stephens finally makes to the police cars. Probably would have been easier to fly over if he could remember how he had done that, but each time he tried, he just ended up on his face. Finally getting a look at the where all the cops had guns pointing, he sees what looks like 2 armored guys and 4 guys dressed all in black. Hmm this will be cool to watch. Used to love watching police standoffs on the news, and to get to see them up close will be great. The policeman beside him looks at him pats him on the shoulder and says to him glad you're here man. Stephen smiles pats him back on the shoulder and tells him "I'm glad you're here to awficcer."
"Not this time Boost," Cpt. Epps shouts, "this time I've got backup." And with that he pushes Stephens out towards the center of the street.
Stephens stumbles forward, and falls. Why the hell did he push me into the line of fire. He staggers up and hears laughing. Looking up he sees the armored men heading his way.
Power-Boost watches as the armor clad figure is pushed past the police barricades and promptly falls over. Laughing he turns to his men. "Stay here, I'll take care of this clown." He watches Stephens slowly picks himself up and fires off a blast from his gauntlets.
Just as Stephens was getting his bearings again, he feels some kind of energy wave hit him. He staggers a few steps back shakes his head. Looking forward he notices the men keep merging into one then back out to two again. Man that must have been one hell of a binge for me to still be drunk.
Boost isn't smiling anymore, that was a megaton blast and it only knocked this guy back a few feet. "Think your pretty tough do you?" he snarls.
Stephens looks up at the armored clad man, men? "Hey buddy, what you say we just talk about this"
Boost lets off another blast, and watches Stephens get blown into the police car which also gets pushed back about 10 feet. Behind him his men begin to laugh. Turning around he makes his way back, when all of a sudden they stop. Turning around he sees Stephens slowly standing up.
Man that hurt. How did he wind up pushing back a patrol car like that? As he's looking at what's left of the patrol car, he feels a tap on his shoulder. Turning around he walks straight into a fist. His head snaps back, then rights itself. He's looking directly into the face of the armored man.
"That was a my highest punch setting for this armor, Who are you?" Booster asked incredously.
"Man why you punch me? come on lets go grab ourselves some rum, and figure this out." Stephens slurs. As he takes a few unsteady steps back.
"I've had enough of you! Nobody has ever stood up to me in my power mode." And with that he lunges forward.
Stephens jumps out of the way, and again becomes airborne. Ha, so I didn't imagine it he thinks. He turns around quickly to see if anyone else sees him. Best to have a witness, so no one thinks I'm crazy he thinks. Unfortunately he can't stop spinning. Pulling his hands in he grasps his helmet, better get this off he thinks I'm about to hurl. But then just as quickly as he started spinning he stops and falls the ground again. Oh man, what I wouldn't give for the world to stop spinning right now.
Pulling himself up into a hands and knees stance, he reaches up.
Boost looks on incuriously, what is up with this dude, he jumps in the air starts spinning all the while a green glow starts emanating brighter and brighter. He see his hands coming up like he's looking for help standing, heh, I'll help him stand he thinks. Reaching down to grab his hand when a green pulse erupts from the hand. It strikes him scare in the chest and then everything goes black.
Stephens finally puts his hand down, guess no one's going to help. Boom. Huh, he opens his eyes again, and the armored man is lying in front of him flat on his back. A cheer goes up and the cops rush in.
"Fine work, very fine work friend. Very fine work." Cpt. Epps says as he helps Stephens up. "Little unorthodox, but very fine work."
Stephens looks around and sees the cops taking the other men into custody. Man the world won't stop spinning, he hopes he sobers up soon.
Half a block away, a man turns and begins walking away. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a cell phone. "Grant, it's Sanford, we have a problem. The Avenger is loose, I repeat the Avenger is loose"
The End.