the New Minute-Men, Issue #2 (Turn A)

"Doctor," Cardinal says, his voice quick and sharp, "the team is very busy. If you can speed this along, everyone would appreciate it."

The doctor pushes up his glasses, and says, "Certainly. We can start the experiment immediately."

Triage, hands on hips, adds, "Just do us all a favor and don't yell out "it's alive" really loud. It's a little cliched by now."

"Trish!" Cardinal barks. Then, calming his voice, he turns back towards Dr. Kovar, and says, "Doctor, please get on with your demonstration."

The doctor looks over at Triage, then brings his hand up to his face, covering his mouth. He starts to giggle, lightly, then his laughter begins to get louder and louder. It doesn't take long for him to start snorting loudly, like a pig, as he laughs harder and harder.

"Doctor, please...."

Looking at Cardinal's stern expression, Dr. Kovar regains his composure, straightens his lab coat, adjusts his pocket protector, and says, "Yes. Sorry. As you all know, paranormals naturally emit a subtle energy signature, which Dr. Kasamatsu has pin-pointed and designed a scanner to detect. G.H.O.S.T. has been using such scanners for over five years now, when tracking paranormals in the field."

"Doctor, the Minute-Men are well aware of the technology the agency uses," Cardinal says.

"Yes. Sorry. Then, you're all aware of the short range the scanners operate on? We've been trying to improve that range, so that we can design a sensor net, capable of picking up and tracking paranormals on a wide-scale. So far, we've been unsuccessful, but we've stumbled upon an interesting piece of data."

Doctor Kovar turns and walks over to a large screen at the other side of the room. Realizing that no one followed him, he turns and motions everyone over.

"We built an amplified scanner array, but sadly, the range is still far too short to be of any good to us. Our new system can track paranormals within the compound, at best, and even then, it's a real strain on the sensors, to run at such a high power level."

Network asks, "Doctor, building such a device certainly raises a few civil rights questions. Normal humans are not tracked via computer systems and scanners. If paranormals have been truly afforded the same inalienable rights as their fellow Americans, as the withdrawal of the McCarthy Act implies, such a system is a violation of those rights."

Trish starts to clap and whistle, but is silenced by another sharp look from Cardinal.

"Well, like most of the scanners G.H.O.S.T. uses, this system is designed to analyze the specific signal each paranormal generates. It can tell the difference between one paranormal and another. We were planning on linking this system with the G.H.O.S.T. mainframe, specifically the legal records. Paranormals that are in the system, that are not wanted for questioning, would automatically be screened out. That's why none of you show up on the scanner now," the Doctor explains. He points at the large screen, which contains a overhead layout of the Washington, D.C. metro area. Compound One is located on the map, but there are no signatures present.

"But, like I was saying, we haven't been able to build a wide-scale sensor network yet. We have stumbled across a new discovery, however, that we are all very excited about. You see, each paranormal emits a powerful flash at the moment of their Activation Phase."

"Activation Phase?" Dr. Clark asks.

"That's what we're calling it. You see, all paranormals, whether they are natural or manufactured, undergo an Activation Phase, when their abilities kick in, and they go from being a latent paranormal to a active paranormal. We had no idea such a flash existed, but during our test, we picked up a signal that we could only describe as an Activation. At first, we thought it was a malfunction, but after close analysis, we think it was a new paranormal activating for the first time."

"When did this happen?" Cardinal asks.

"Two weeks ago. We would have brought it to your attention, but like I said, we thought it was a malfunction. After the activation, the paranormal disappeared off of the system. There wasn't much more we could do," the Doctor says. He looks a little uncomfortable, under the weight of Cardinal's cold stare, but he adds, "Anyway, I wanted to show all of you this equipment. If anything, it could be a useful tool in finding new paranormals, and helping them adjust to their changed status. I'm sure some of you know how difficult and frightening that can be."

Trish looks down to the ground, her usual smile fading.

"What was that?" Nexus asks.

"Hmmm?"

"Behind you, Doctor," Network interrupts. "Your system?"

The doctor turns around and his eyes grow large with excitement. A blip just appeared on the screen, in central D.C., flashing out in a bright orange color. Various figures surround the blip, their numbers changing quickly, then locking into specific settings.

"Can you zoom in on that spot?" Cardinal asks.

"Yes, of course," the Doctor says. He turns around and motions toward another one of the lab coat wearing scientists in the room. "Frank?"

A box appears over the blip, about three inches by three inches, then the box grows to fill the entire screen.

"Another metahuman!" Meridian says, with quiet incredulousness.

"The activation appears to emanating from Woodcrest Junior High School," the scientist, who you assume is Frank, says.

"This is very exciting," Doctor Kovar bubbles, as he starts to fidget with some controls. "An actual Activation Phase during your inspection. How fortunate!"

He starts to babble to the other scientists in the room, and they murmur quick responses.

"Do you ever think that G.H.O.S.T. buys these guys in bulk, at the local warehouse store?" Trish whispers to Meridian.

Meridian smiles, her eyes still fixed to the screen. "No," she says in a deadpan voice, not looking at her friend, "they grow them in vats, down in the sub-basement."

Trish snorts, holding her hand to her nose and mouth, as she doubles over.

"Warbride?" Cardinal asks. "Could you please take your team and check it out?"

Just then, the door to the laboratory slides open, and Cardinal's usual clerk comes rushing in. Small, but spunky, Paige Romano has been the only assistant that Cardinal has had, who could keep up with him.

"Sir?" she asks, her pageboy haircut coming to a rest around her ears, as she stops beside him. "There is something you need to see."

"We're a little busy, Ms. Romano."

"Sir," she insists, "I think this is really important."

The screen flickers and the static slowly dissipates, leaving only the smiling, oddly handsome face of a man, wearing a domino-style mask. His dark hair and soulful eyes don't seem to match his colossal, yet beautiful grin, but he is still very striking.

"Good day, citizens!" he begins. "I am... Matinee! I'll admit it's a little cliché, but I have taken over this television station, to announce something fantastic!"

"Do we have a file on this guy?" Cardinal asks, turning to Paige. She just shakes her head.

"Do you remember when movies were fun? When movies were entertaining? It seems that with each new film, the only thing that changes these days is a bigger explosion, at the end!" Matinee explains, his face seemingly filled with genuine concern and disappointment. "Well, those days of disappointing ends need to come to an end!"

He smiles again, his puppy-dog eyes getting bright again, and he booms, "It's time for something new! Something fantastic! Something never-before-seen! It's time for my amazing Real-O-Vision!"

"It's time for a hefty shot of Thorzine!" Trish announces.

"I bet Dr. Clark could prescribe something," Meridian says with a grin. Continuing, she adds, "I wonder what "Real-O-Vision" is...."

"What's Real-O-Vision?" he asks. "Well, you might as well be asking yourself, what's real! It's that engaging... that exciting... that amazing! And, fair citizens, it's coming to a neighborhood near you... here in the Washington, D.C. area!"

Paige smiles at Cardinal, her beaming easily interpreted as a sort of "see, I told you so," smirk. It's not a knowing, boastful smirk, but a playful, joyful one.

"This week only... in Washington, D.C. only... Matinee's Mega-Monster-Movie-Mania!" he booms. "Tonight... in only a few hours... I will unveil the first of my special Mega-Monster-Movie-Mania... Twilight of the Shuffling Deceased!"

He grows very serious, his eyes narrowing, and he finishes by saying, "When night falls, the terror begins!"

Trish just drops her head onto the tabletop, thumping it loudly, letting out a low, long, sarcastic moan.

Meridian, catching Trish out of the corner of her eye, giggles lightly.

The transmission stops and the team can see a brief glimpse of reruns, before Paige turns off the television.

"The transmission was repeated four times, approximately eleven minutes ago," she says, hitting rewind on the VCR. "We dispatched a Task Force squad immediately, but couldn't find any trace of this Matinee person."

"How long before sunset?" Cardinal asks.

"Two hours, forty minutes," Paige answers, as she hurries out of the conference room.

"Well," Cardinal begins. "as much as I'd like to believe this guy is just some wacko, my gut tells me otherwise. Minute-Men?"

"Ready," Meridian says, her voice clear and firm. There last few months have seen her mature, growing into a more confident paranormal.

"We'll need to split into two teams," Warbride says. "Anyone want to go out to the school and see what's going on there?"

"I'll take the high school," Mouse announces. "It's more my line of work. Combat isn't. That'll leave the rest of you to take care of whatever this nut-case has come up with. Of course, I'll need Triage."

"What kind of first contact mission are you planning, that you'd need me?" Trish laughs.

Mouse, her voice lightening, becoming softer as she begins to shift, turning into a teenage Chinese girl of exceptional proportions, and she says, "And a fast helicopter... one of those Blackhawk's you keep in the sealed hanger will do just fine."

"Sealed hanger? What are you talking about?" Cardinal asks, a confused look washing over his face.

Mouse just smiles, asking, "Should I tell the team about the rocket plans as well? Or that series of magno-plasma loops you're building? I'm an agent... that's what you pay me for. If I didn't know about them, I wouldn't be worth the money you pay me."

Cardinal smiles, rubs his forehead, and says, laughing lightly, "Okay, Mouse... whatever you say. Look, why don't you guys just take a hovercraft. The paperwork that comes with landing a copter on top of a high school is...."

"Why are kids in school, in the middle of the summer?" Warbride asks.

"Not all of us are doctor material, War-Brain," Trish answers. "Summer school...."

The team's leader sighs, and asks, "As far as this Matinee is concerned... did anyone get a trace on the transmission? It would be nice if we could surprise the guy at home instead of playing his game tonight."

Cardinal looks over at Margritte and says, "Busy with your new designs? He said he took over a television studio, during his transmission. The squad that went out to investigate found nothing. He was long gone before we got there."

Warbride sighs again and says under her breath, "That doesn't necessarily mean he took it over physically. If I was a bad guy, I wouldn't ever take anything over! I do everything from my living room; so, I could have popcorn, watch my favorite videos...."

She comes back to reality and says brightly, "Maybe we should wait and let the "Twilight of the Shuffling Deceased" to come to us. It sounds like a bad movie that my sons like to watch! We could put blankets on the roof and watch the event."

She looks around the table. The astonishment in everyone's eyes gives Warbride a laugh. She clears her throat and says, "No? Maybe we should put watches at several points, throughout D.C., until we figure out where this Matinee plans on staging his event."

"Sir?" Paige interrupts, stepping back into the room.

Cardinal sighs heavily, and says, "What is it this time?"

"Ummm," she says, squirming under Cardinal's steely gaze, "The other Minute-Men are here."

"Oh," he answers. "Ah... send them in."

Paige nods and leaves again.

"I've been meaning to speak to all of you about my recruiting successes," he says, "but our schedule has been less than ideal, as of late, as you all know. We've got two new members ready to join the team. I wasn't expecting them to be ready this quickly, but...."

The door to the conference room opens again, and Paige is followed in by two men. The first is a young, very striking man, who a few members recognize as a former Militia member, Christian Conrad. The second man, although not previously affiliated with G.H.O.S.T., is easily recognizable as well; Thomas Danvers, better known as Apex.

"Minute-Men, I'd like you to meet your newest comrades, Christian Conrad and Thomas Danvers. Thomas has chosen the code-name Apex, and Christian has... ummm... Christian... you pick a code-name yet?"

"No sir," he says, flashing a charming, if somewhat embarrassed smile.

"Very well. Chris, it is," Cardinal laughs, before turning back to the team. "I was hoping to have time for all of you to train together... for all of you to get familiar with each other... but that doesn't seem to case."

"Like always," Trish mumbles.

"Welcome aboard," Warbride says, as she gets up from her chair, and places both hands on the table. "Mouse and Triage, check out the school. The rest of you are with me. We'll be splitting up and maintaining a mobile watch over the D.C. area."

"Warbride, can we get G.H.O.S.T. teams standing by to hit the power and transmitting stations, if we need them to? And what about satellite control? Perhaps we can control the major cable providers. Of course, Matinee's plan might have nothing further to do with broadcasting live, but somehow I doubt that," Meridian suggests. "We'd better have the agency's best tracking his transmission when it begins again. Then we can be vectored to intercept."

Trish, laughing, adds, "And if that doesn't work, maybe we can put on a show in the barn, to raise the money to save the orphanage!"

"Trish, thank you, that was very helpful," Cardinal says, dryly. "We can send out several squads to cover the television studios, if you think Matinee will go back."

Warbride tells Cardinal, "Fine. Patch them into the team frequency, so we'll know immediately if he shows up."

Network stands up, almost abruptly, and walks toward the door, followed closely by Apex, who also seems to be all business at this point.

As the rest of the group moves to leave, Warbride takes Triage aside and says quietly, "Don't let Mouse scare the hell out of whoever just activated. And Trish, if it's Hannah, I want to know immediately!"

"Oh, sure thing, boss!" Trish nods, as she rushes out the door, following behind Mouse. Before she disappears out the door, she turns, and wiggles her fingers in Warbride's direction, laughing, "Oooooh... paranoid mama!"

"Chris... I didn't know you signed up again... uh, hi," Meridian says, stopping Chris at the doorway of the conference room.

"Yep, I'm back," he answers. "College life was beginning to lose its charm, and I've always said that there's no better reason to leave school than to save the world."

He gives a mischievous grin, and adds, "A few of my professors will be disappointed, though. I was doing some fairly thorough and promising research toward my dissertation topic -- the effects of alcohol on the human brain."

"Seriously, it's good to see you again, Else. You look great," Chris says, finishing.

"Let's go," Warbride says, ushering the two heroes out the door with her. "We'll have time to get reacquainted later."

She stops at the door, turns, and adds, "Oh, and Paige, would you please call my nanny and tell him or her... whoever it is this month... that I won't be home for dinner."

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