Sunday, June 19, 1988
Trademark Investigations
1267 Pimlico Avenue
Camden, NJ
It is 12:04 am when Master Warrior has made an unexpected call at Steve Roberts’ job to use the phone. Believing the office would be empty this time of night, he finds he was wrong. Walking into the office he discovers his boss and girlfriend making love on the sofa.
Lost in their passion Julie opens her eyes to look over her lover’s shoulder to say, “Oh my god Master Warrior!”
“Yeah baby, I’ll be your Master Warrior all night long!” David growls.
“NO! NO!” Julie shouts slapping David’s back, “It’s Master Warrior, he is here in this room!”
“What?” David says as he stops what he is doing to turn around.
“No, don’t!” Julie shouts pulling David back to her. “I don’t want him to see me like this!”
Turning a bright shade of red under his disguise Master Warrior excuses himself, “I am so sorry, I didn’t think anyone would be here.” “I just need to use the phone, I will do it in the other room.” He stumbles back to the kitchenette where he takes the phone from the wall to call Paddy. Master Warrior has no idea how he is going to cover for this embarrassing moment.
In the other room Julie and David quickly dress as she interrogates him. “Why is Master Warrior stopping by your office to use your phone at midnight?” she inquires, putting on her bra and panties. “Oh my god, how do you even know Master Warrior?” “I can’t believe the first time I meet Master Warrior we were screwing on the sofa!” “Do you think he saw the stretch marks on my thighs?”
“Babe, just calm down,” David says, pulling on his pants. “I’m sure all he saw was my hairy ass.” “Just relax, he was as embarrassed as we were.” “He is just a guy in a bright blue suit.” “He helped Steve and I with a few cases.”
“Just grab one of your cameras,” Julie says, picking up a notepad and pen from David’s desk. “I want a photo with him and his autograph.”
The couple walks into the kitchenette where Master Warrior finishes his phone call. Paddy has informed him how Gary escaped during the transfer to Fort Dix. He appears to have regained his powers and State Police and Military are on the hunt for him. “Well that was embarrassing to say the least,” David says entering the kitchenette shirtless wearing only a pair of jeans. “I mean, the whole Master Warrior thing,” he mumbles.
“That is no big deal, I’m sure by now a lot of people role play like that.” “I really shouldn’t have just showed up here unannounced, Sorry,” Master Warrior apologizes again. “I just thought calling Paddy from here would be easier than going all the way back to the city.”
“Bad news?” David asks, trying to not think about what just happened in the other room.
“You might say so,” Master Warrior replies knowing he can not tell David about his cousin in front of Julie who stands with a big smile nearby. “We can talk later.” He can see how nervous she is like so many other young women that meet Master Warrior for the first time. Not being able to make out his face usually sends them to stare at some other part of his body and Julie is no exception.
“My friends are never going to believe that my fiance knows Master Warrior,” Julie gushes. “Can I get your autograph and take some pictures with you?” she asks, holding the pad and pen up in front of her, sounding like a fan-girl at a music concert.
“Fiance?” Master Warrior announces to David. “So you really did it!” The two men shake hands and bump shoulders like long time friends. “That is so great I knew you guys were made for each other.” When they turn back to Julie her demeanor is quite different. She stands with her arms at her side and shoulders relaxed. “I would love to take some photos with you two,” Master Warrior responds to Julie.
“On second thought, forget it,” Julie says. “You really aren’t that good at this are you?” “Neither one of you are.”
“What do you mean?” David asks not sure what has come over his new fiancee.
“This is not some Super-hero you have worked a few cases with, this is Steve!” Julie tells them with disappointment in her voice. “I don’t know why he is dressed like that or how he is doing that with his face, but what I just saw the two of you do can’t be mistaken.” “There is no way Master Warrior would be acting like just one of your bros.”
The two men look at each other in shock. Then David says, “Oh my god Steve!” “Why are you dressed up like Master Warrior?”
“Nice joke, but,” Master Warrior starts to cover, trying to hide the truth again.
“Steve, I know it is you, just give it up,” Julie says. “I know how to prove it, just turn around.”
Master Warrior turns around to look over his shoulder back at the couple. “What does this prove?” he asks.
“That is Steve Roberts’ ass I would know it anywhere,” Julie insists. “Remember that time we went to the gym and you went swimming in that speedo, I will never forget your bubble butt for the rest of my life.” “Now what is going on here tonight.”
Now Master Warrior feels even more embarrassed than before. “It is fine, that is what first attracted her to me, she is a real ass woman,” David says, relieving some of Master Warrior’s anxiety.
“Paddy paged me, I had to call him back, I figured this would be the best place to call the Elite Squad. caller ID and all,” Master Warrior explains. “Gary has escaped during the prison transfer.” “Maybe if we put our heads together we can get an idea of where he might go.” “Unfortunately it’s late tonight and I need to get back to camp.” The couple follow Master Warrior out the back door to the alley.
Julie looks around the alley seeing no mode of transportation. “How are you getting back to Camp Tandy?” she asks.
“Fly of course,” Master Warrior states as he takes a few steps down the alley to take off into the sky.
“Holy shit!” Julie exclaims. “He was Master Warrior!”
She turns to David who just shrugs his shoulders at her, “That is what we have been trying to tell you.”
“He is Steve, too?” Julie says in confusion. “Right?”
Camp Tandy – the Boy’s Campsite 5
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Steve arrived back at Camp around 1:30 am changing back to his underwear that he was left wearing after giving Ted Mathews his clothes he seeks into his tent. Believing his tent mate Paul Denmark is asleep he slides into his sleeping bag as quietly as possible. Once he has found a comfortable position on the old cot he settles in for the night.
“You know there is a curfew for all the campers, not just the underage one,” Paul says in the darkness of the tent. “I’ll let it slide this time but don’t let it happen again.” “Good night.”
Steve lays on the cot feeling like a fourteen year old idiot who got caught sneaking out. He hopes he has not jeopardized his position here. Then he is fast asleep. It seems like he has only been asleep for several minutes when he hears the bugle call recording coming from the lodge. He just needs another 10 minutes.
“Come on Night Owl, we need to get these boys up and together for breakfast and morning classes,” Paul says kicking Steve’s cot.
Steve swings his feet over the side of the cot to the floor. What he wouldn’t give for a hot shower right now. But there is no time, Paul is right. It is the first full day and they need to get these boys on track.
After breakfast, that is as much better than he remembered it to be, Steve heads over to the archery range to check up on Avery. Coach Booth is as hard and demanding as ever with the younger kids just learning how to handle a bow and arrow. Avery appears to be doing a good job at assisting the Coach Booth, he knows how difficult that can be, the man has not mellowed with time.
Steve stands off to the side of the range far from anyone’s line of fire when his danger sense tingles. He has no idea where it came from but he spots the renegade arrow heading for him instantly. Stepping aside to avoid the arrow’s path he snatches it out of the air to prevent it from causing anymore danger. Steve scan’s the range looking for any possible origin of the arrow. Every camper appears to be completely without fault and unaware of what has just happened. It is then that he notices that Avery is looking right at him as he stands holding the arrow at his side.
Steve walks over behind the students to where Avery stands. The boy never takes his eyes off of Steve as he approaches him. He holds up the arrow to Avery saying, “You need to keep better track of these.” “Other than that you’re doing a good job.” Steve hands Avery the arrow and heads off to his next stop.
Camp Tandy – the lodge
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Diana helps in the kitchen with cleaning up after breakfast as her girls go to their first classes. Everyone working in the kitchen seems friendly which is something she doesn’t remember from being a camper here years ago. A lot of the staff has changed since back then but there are familiar faces too, not that they would recognize her now. All of the girls in her charge really have different issues. It is her job to make those issues less important, making sure all of them have a good experience here. It is funny the summer she came here all of the home issues seemed to disappear the moment she saw Steve. Clearly that is not going to work with these twelve year olds. More importantly what she learned from the files last night might change everything.
“Do you need help with anything else?” Sylvia calls the kitchen manager.
“No, that should be enough, you’ve done plenty already,” the manager replies. “We don’t need you to be too tired for your first day of coaching Soccer.” “Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome, see you all at lunch,” Sylvia says heading out of the kitchen. Neither of the active sports of Soccer and Field Hockey have classes after meal times, to avoid any of the kids getting sick. Sylvia figured she could help out in the kitchen to fill the time. Now she still has an hour left before her first class. She considers going back to her tent to take a nap, she has been feeling unusually tired this morning. But reconsiders that idea to head over to the lake.
Springfield Farm Market
1638 South Springdale Rd
Cherry Hill, NJ
His body crashes down through the glass roof of the farmer’s market. Shoppers scream and flee as the scaffold from above tumbles down all around where the body of the man dressed in a hospital gown comes to rest in the center of a vegetable stand. The destruction dominoes back away from the scene of the crash as the vendors and customers begin to calm. Only the bravest of the men working in the vegetable stand dares approach the man on the floor. The Jefferson Hospital tag on his wrist reads Gary Rogers, ZCW. The man cautiously moves closer to bend down, reaching out his hand to check Gary’s throat for a pulse. “Mr. Rogers are you all right?” the vendor asks. “You have blood on the front of your gown.”
“Get away from ME!” Supreme Warrior’s voice shouts shoving the man sending him airborne over the toppled vegetable tables. The vendor’s wife screams and scrambles after her husband as the man who fell from the sky crawls up out of the debris. “I am the Supreme Warrior and I need food!” he shouts, his voice echoing in the high roof of the market. Grabbing up some of the fruit and vegetables from the floor, he needs to eat! Taking bites of a peach from one hand and a cucumber from the other he eats them ravenously.
Burying his face is a case of grapes he shovels in the fruit stems and all by the handfuls as security guards arrive. “Stop, stop right there!” one of the uniformed men shouts at the gobbling man.
“Fuck You!” Supreme Warrior shouts lifting what is left of a heavy wooden table to throw it at the men. The market’s security guards are quickly pinned under the heavy table as Supreme Warrior spots a display case of baked goods. Punching his fists through the plexi-glass he grabs up two chocolate eclair in one hand and a fist full of cookies in the other. He forces the rich and creamy, high in sugar treats into his mouth sending crumbs down his chest onto the hospital gown. “What is this?” he shouts looking down at what he is wearing. “What have you assholes done with my suit?” He moves to over turn the bakery case causing the small Amish woman hiding behind it to scream. “Move Bitch!” he shouts as he flips the large case into the air, sending it through what remains of the glass roof. “Where is my suit?” he shouts again, tearing off the thin hospital gown. “I want my own clothes back!” he shouts, standing nude while grabbing a roast chicken from a nearby rotisserie.
“I have your suit right here Supreme,” a familiar voice he has not heard in a while says. The nude man, his bare chest covered in food that has spilled from his mouth turns. Dr. Crow stands leaning on his crystal topped walking stick several feet from him. Over his arm, Dr. Crow holds out the familiar blue shirt and gray pants.
Dr. Crow?” “What are you doing here?” Supreme Warrior demands.
“I’ve come to your aid as I did before,” Dr. Crow explains. “Come now let’s clean you up, it is time you found your woman, she is looking for you.” Dr. Crow points his walking stick at a fire hose wound up on a support pole. The hose uncoils to spray Supreme Warrior down to wash the dropped food from him.
Supreme Warrior stands strong and proud as the high pressure water washes over his body. Then of its own accord the hose turns to the nearby door to blast the arriving Police back. “What woman?” Supreme asks as he walks to take his clothing from Dr. Crow’s arm. Pulling on his shirt from the shoulders to the waist a cape hangs. Then his mysterious benefactor hands him a silver belt that he produces out of thin air. Supreme buckles the belt at the back around his waist.
“The one I have chosen to be your mate of course,” Dr. Crow answers as Supreme Warrior steps into his pants to finish dressing in front of the frightened people who still remain huddled around the market. “She has a gift for you that will make you even more Supreme over the Master.” It is the first time Dr. Crow has said out loud what has been his goal all along. “Now leave this place, she will be searching for you where you last left you.” “Then you must take her back to where it all began.” A bare footed Supreme Warrior leaps straight up through the hole in the roof.
When the fire hose falls to the floor to wiggle and spin to spray everyone within range, more police arrive from the other side of the market to shut off the water. The Police and Firemen arrive in full force to sweep through the Farm Market, finding no sign of Supreme Warrior or Dr. Crow.
Camp Tandy – the lake
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
After checking up on the other boys Steve arrives at the swimming area at the edge of the lake he is still tired. Using his flight belt to cover so many miles at once put quite a strain on him. He positions himself at the upper part of the grassy area to keep an eye on the last of the four assistant boys he has been charged to watch over, Barry Ramirez. He spreads out a full sized blanket hoping that he will be joined by someone. Scanning the area he sees no sign of Denise so he pulls off his shirt figuring he might as well get some sun. Laying down to prop himself up on his elbows he focuses on the crowd of kids at the edge of the water.
When he finds Jeremy Aspen and his friends he watches them for a few minutes. Their interaction with each other seems completely normal for boys that age. He really can’t see what the Commissioner’s wife is concerned about. Hopefully he will have time to bond with Jeremy a little, perhaps uncover the problem that concerns his mother so much.
“Good Morning, may I join you?” Sylvia asks standing over him, giving him the once over. This is the second time in seven years that she has gotten a chance to see him with his shirt off and she intends to get a good look this time. Just looking at him brings back all of these excited feelings she felt for him so long ago.
Steve looks up at Sylvia standing over him. She is wearing a one piece bathing suit with jeans shorts over them. “What no bikini?” Steve questions.
“Are you kidding?” She replies, moving to sit down next to him on the blanket. “Do you remember how you and Gary used to look at me the last time we were here?” “I have no intentions of being the cause of the wet dreams of every hormonal teen boy at this camp.” Unlike Steve who just might be giving her some erotic dreams tonight.
“I was kind of looking forward to it,” Steve grins at her. “I saw the way you are looking at me.” “I feel like a side of beef in your eyes.” Steve lays back putting his hands behind his head to flex. “Unlike last time I am just fine with it.” “Gawk away.”
“Would you stop!” Diana insists blushing. At least he wants to see her body, she thinks to herself, that is a good sign. She grabs his shirt from the blanket next him and throws it on his chest. “Put this on before you have another fifteen year old crushing on you!” Smiling he takes his T-shirt to pull it back on as he laughs at her reaction. “Tell you what, you find a secluded beach on a tropical island and I will give you a bikini show.”
“I’m going to hold you to that!” Steve says definitely. He turns his gaze back to the kids at the lake. The moment he spots Avery Lewis over by the bath rooms, the boy looks away. It is almost like he has been watching them the whole time. What he said to Steve back at the lodge, about him being different, makes Steve wonder if he needs to be concerned about the boy. After what happened last night with David and Julie he really doesn’t need anyone else learning his secret. He looks over at Diana sitting next to him thinking, especially not with her around. “Hey, first impressions on Camp Tandy, is it the same as you remember?”
Diana lays back on the blanket to look up at the blue sky. “I feel like it used to be bigger or maybe we were just smaller,” she answers, turning her head to look over at the trees on the mountain on the other side of the river. “To be honest the first day or so I didn’t really take notice of anything but this stupid boy running around shirtless.”
Steve looks down at Diana laying on the blanket watching her chest heave up and down as she breathes. “I wasn’t that bad, in fact every time I caught you staring at me I found a shirt to put on.”
Diana giggles, “Even if it wasn’t yours.” “Remember the time you made Pete give you his shirt.” “It must have been two sizes too small.” “Frankly that was even hotter to me then.”
“Was there anything I did back then that didn’t turn you on?” Steve laughs. “Maybe I need to find a medium T-shirt to give you a show on that island.”
“I thought that was what you are wearing now,” Diana jokes sitting up. “For a guy that talks so modestly you sure do like to show off.” She can tell his attention is distracted. “Who are you watching?”
“I am supposed to keep an eye on the kid over there with the brown hair and thick eyebrows,” Steve tells her without gesturing. “But I feel like one of the boys I am in charge of keeps watching me, almost like he is waiting for something to happen.”
“Which one has the crush,” Diana asks.
“First of all, gross, and it is Avery Lewis over there talking with that bigger kid, Barry Ramirez,” Steve says. “He isn’t even supposed to be here now.” “I should go tell him to get back to Archery.” “It’s kind of odd, Avery is watching me, I’m watching Jeremy and he is clearly watching Barry.” Then Steve lets out a big yawn.
“Knock it off,” Sylvia tells him as she yawns too. “So how did things go with your phone call last night?” Diana finally asks curiously. “Did you use the phone at the lodge okay?”
“No, some a-hole cut the line,” Steve replies. “Apparently it won’t be fixed until next week.” He obviously can’t tell her the truth. “I had to walk to the gas station down the road.” “It was a nice moonlit jog.” “Maybe we could do it together one night?”
“Oh, I guess that is why I didn’t see you when I followed you up to the lodge,” Sylvia answers.
“Are you checking up on me?” Steve inquires.
“I was just concerned, it sounded like something important was wrong,” Sylvia answers. “The only people I know with a beeper are expectant fathers.”
“Believe me I am not expecting to become a father anytime soon.” Steve knows he can’t tell the truth and it is killing him. “Paddy wanted to let me know a friend of mine had gotten out of the hospital.” “It was something I was concerned about coming here.”
“You sure aren’t the typical guy are you?” she comments. “Moonlit jog, huh?” “I might consider that.”
“On that note, I think I need to have a talk with Avery,” Steve says, getting up from the blanket. “Could you do me a favor and take the blanket to the laundry when you’re done.”
“Sure, I guess I should head over to the Soccer field soon anyway,” Sylvia replies.
Steve walks over to Avery and Barry saying, “Okay guys break it up.” “Avery you need to be over at the Archery range not here.”
“I was just going to the bathroom,” Avery insists.
“Looks to me like you’ve been talking to Barry for the last ten minutes, now get going!” Steve hates to be so tough on the kid but it comes with the job. Last night’s late trip has already put his job here at risk, so he can not add insult to injury. As Avery walks back to the Archery range Steve turns his attention to Barry. “You are basically doing the job of a lifeguard here.” “If you want to hang out with your friends to talk I can take you off the coach assistant detail.”
“Nuttsack is not my friend,” Barry replies with disgust. “He’s a weirdo, he was asking me about you.” “I told him to get lost but he kept asking more questions.”
“What kind of questions?” Steve inquires.
“Nutty stuff like he always talks about,” Barry replies. “He wanted me to ask Jeremy what he knew about you from when you were a kid.”
“Why would he just ask Jeremy himself?” Steve questions.
Barry falls silent, appearing almost guilty of something. “Me and Jeremy are buddies, he thought Jeremy would tell me more than he would tell him.” “I told him to get lost but he wouldn’t give it a rest.”
This whole situation seems odd to Steve but he doesn’t pressure Barry for any more answers because he feels like the kid won’t be honest with him. It looked like Barry was threatening Avery, not telling him to go away. With all the commotion he couldn’t hear what was being said between the two older boys. It strikes Steve as odd that Barry would even know a young kid like Jeremy.
Camp Tandy – the Field Hockey area
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Another new coach at the camp is Coach Ava Barnes. She is in charge of the Field Hockey course. It has been many years since she has worked at Camp Tandy. Each time she has come back here in the past she has held a different job. She does not like repeating herself in life. She has never coached Field Hockey before but is well aware of the game and its rules. Her mother was very big on rules, that is one of the reasons she has chosen the life she has today.
Preparing the field with equipment from the shed for her first training session, Ava notices another confident woman walking to the other sports shed across the field. She watches the woman in silence for a few minutes. The way she holds herself is different from most women of this era. In appearance she does not appear to be anything special but her movements as she opens the shed and begins to pull out the heavier equipment betray her true nature.
Across the two sports fields from Ava, Sylvia Banks unlocks the Soccer equipment shed to step inside. Clicking on the pull chain light, she finds it piled full of things it should not. Aside from the balls and colored pinnies that should be in the shed there are several large concrete pylons that block her path to the shelving in the back. She has no idea why anyone moves such things into this shed. In frustration, without thinking about it she moves the two hundred pound pylons out of the shed onto the edge of the Soccer field.
Going back into the shed Sylvia finds a notebook and pencil, a stopwatch, and a whistle. “Excuse me, are you okay in there,” a voice calls into the shed from outside.
“I’m fine, this place is kind of a mess is all,” Sylvia calls back as she steps out of the shed to meet Ava. “Sylvia Banks, new Soccer coach.” She looks over at the pylons realizing how heavy they must actually be.
“Ava Barnes, new Field hockey coach,” the woman replies, putting out her hand. Sylvia takes Ava’s hand. It is a firm handshake, very firm in fact. “Booth said the fields were ready to go, but nothing about the state of the storage sheds,” Ava comments. “You’re lucky those things weren’t shoved inside.”
“Yeah,” Sylvia agrees nervously. “I could have never gotten them out. The two women laugh uncomfortably for a moment.
“It would be a pretty bad joke if these men put them in the shed to laugh at us weak, helpless women,” Ava comments pointing over to the Field Hockey shed where two more of the pylons sit. Sylvia wonders if this woman did the same thing she did? She has been around long enough to know she is not the only person around with powers. But she certainly is not going to come jumping out of the shed, so to speak, right now. “Certainly would be ashamed if someone was the vindictive type.”
Springfield Farm Market
1638 South Springdale Rd
Cherry Hill, NJ
Detective Berger and Officer Maguire arrive at the Farm Market. Let inside by the local Police they are the guests of the New Jersey State Police who have taken over the investigation. “Trooper Greg Martino,” the older of the two New Jersey State troopers that greets them says. “This is Trooper Thomas Grant, we have been assigned this case.”
“Detective Berger and this is Officer Maguire, we are with the Philadelphia ES,” Paddy says as the men exchange handshakes.
“I have been informed that you have information on the possible perps,” Trooper Martino tells them. “They made a big mess of this place, over a dozen people taken to the trauma unit.”
Paddy presents a photo of Gary Rogers taken at the hospital from his pocket. “This is the man we were accompanying to Fort Dix to a secure holding cell when he escaped.” “I have to ask, you said perps as in plural, made a mess of this place.”
Trooper Grant takes out his notebook to read from it, “Witnesses confirm that there were two men.” “One in a hospital gown that he tore off and we now have in evidence.” “The second man carried a cane and was dressed in black with dark glasses.” “When officers arrived on scene some were pushed back by a high pressure fire hose.” “By the time a local officer gained access to the building both men were gone.”
“There was a man matching the second suspect’s description at the escape scene,” Officer Maguire comments to his partner. “I saw him but after Supreme Warrior flew off he was gone.”
“Flew off is just as the witnesses described the nude man after he dressed in clothing given to him by someone he referred to as Dr. Crow,” Trooper Martino tells them.
Paddy remembers the story Steve told him about a Dr. Crow in Ohio who kidnapped him and David. That is a story he can not share with these other men. Paddy looks up to the broken glass roof asking, “The man who flew off was also the one who crashed through the roof?”
“Yes,” Trooper Grant says reading from his notepad.
“What did the clothing Dr. Crow gave him look like?” Detective Berger asks.
“The woman at the bakery stand said it was a blue shirt, gray pants, and a silver belt,” Trooper Grant responds.
“That is enough, Trooper,” lead Trooper Martino instructs. “It is time these men tell us what we are up against.”
“Supreme Warrior,” Detective Berger says point blank. “He is a super-human being, known as a Zeni-human.”
“Zeni-human?” Trooper Grant says.
“It is a term used to describe people with superhuman abilities,” Detective Berger explains. “That is what our unit specializes in.” “What say you, Maguire?”
“Grant is still confused, but Martino has clearly heard the term before, perhaps even encountered one,” Officer Maguire responds. His words bring even more confusion to the younger Trooper.
“How great of a threat is this man?” Trooper Martino questions without missing a beat.
“He is to be treated as lethally armed at all times,” Detective Berger tells the Troopers. “He will kill you as soon as looks at you if you stand in the way of his goal.”
“What is his goal?” Martino asks.
“Revenge on Master Warrior,” Berger tells him. “He can fly, he is very strong, fast, and can take a lot of abuse.” “Whatever you do, don’t kill him. Killing him only makes him stronger!”
“So you are telling us he will be heading back to Philadelphia,” Trooper Martino suggests.
“I can not say that for certain,” Detective Berger says regrettably. “I have information that Master Warrior will be spending the next month on this side of the river.”
Camp Tandy – Campfire
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Sylvia is the first to find a seat at the fire with her girls. She has had a long first full day at camp. She is thankful that whatever she felt this morning has passed. She has only had that feeling once before, after Wayne Double’s wedding. She thought it was just the excitement of spending time with Steve again.
Steve, where is Steve, she thinks. His job isn’t even half as hard as hers! She stands up to have a look around as the kids and counselors make their way to sit in the bleachers. Then she spots Steve. He is over by the firewood storage shed. He is shirtless and swinging an ax to split the wood for the bonfire. For several minutes she is fixated on him as he swings the ax over his head and down on the wood block. She watches his muscles flex over and over again feeling her heart beat faster. Her eyes move over his chest, his nipples are hard from the breeze of the cool evening air. She is not surprised to see that his neck and chest are dry of sweat. He has never been much of a sweater, she laughs to herself at the thought.
“Miss Banks, what are you looking at?” Lori asks, ending her chaperon’s fantasy.
“Nothing,” Sylvia says, sitting down next to the girls. “It looks like they are getting ready to start the fire.” She spies the shirtless Steve carrying a load of wood to the fire-pit. He turns to the bleachers to give her a wink as he flexes subtly pulling on his shirt. She blushes at his flirt.
Steve makes his way up to the bleaches to take a seat next to Sylvia. He smells of Irish Spring and Old Spice as always, not a touch of body odor or sweat. How does he do it? she wonders. “You are so bad!” she says pushing her shoulder into his.
“No, I’m one of the good guys,” Steve replies, taking her hand in his between them on the bench. “I know how to push your buttons, so why not.” “Tell me you are sick of this game and I will stop.”
“Never,” Sylvia whispers. “Just be careful.” She squeezes his hand just enough to make her point. She wants nothing more than to kiss him, but blowing her cover is not something she wants to do. She pulls back her hand from him letting go of it. “Remember I am not who you think.”
“It was the two of you in my dream,” Lori says from where she sits next to Sylvia on the bench. “Here at Camp Tandy years ago.”
“Don’t be silly, why would you dream about us,” Sylvia says. “We only met yesterday.” What a strange thing for this girl to say, she thinks.
Monday, June 20, 1988
Camp Tandy – Boy’s Campsite 5
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
After yesterday morning’s trouble, Steve has gotten up early this morning to get a shower before the other campers. Shaving his jaw under the hot water in the shower he hears the door open. He glances over to see Avery Lewis closing the door. The young man wears only a pair of running shorts as he turns to put his back against the door. “You’re up early,” Steve comments.
Avery does not respond; he only looks to the deadbolt as it slides closed on its own. Great, the kid is a telekinetic, Steve thinks. That explains the weird shit that has been going on. “What are you doing,” Steve asks, not at all alarmed about what he has witnessed. “You know the bathhouse is not to be locked while anyone is showering. The sixteen year old young man stands staring at the man as he showers behind the wooden partition. “Is there a problem young man?” Steve says continue to wash.
The boy never takes his eyes off of Steve’s nude chest and shoulders that show above the wood frame. “I know there is something different about you!” Avery finally replies looking Steve in the eyes. “We are not leaving here until I know what it is!”
“Those are strong words coming from you,” Steve says, turning off the water to open the stall door. “I see you have a talent.” Steve steps out into the bathhouse nude after the hot shower.
“Holy shit, look at those balls!” Avery exclaims at the sight of Steve. Steve grabs for his towel on the hook to wrap it around his waist.
“Clearly discretion is not one of your talents young man,” Steve says.
“No, no, look!” Avery shouts as he pulls his pants down. “I’ve never seen anyone with nuts as big as mine!”
Steve looks at the young man with his running shorts around his knees. He has to agree the kid’s testicles are impressive. “Here I thought I was the only one with a set of these.” Steve opens his towel to give Avery another look. “Looks like we do have something in common,” Steve jokes. “I guess I was wrong about why they call you Nuttsack.” “It must suck, I’m glad no one ever called me that.” “I just had a friend who took every opportunity he got to say I had a big set of balls on me.”
“I finally understand, you are meant to be my Mentor,” Avery exclaims. “I was sent here six years ago to find my Mentor!” “Someone who would teach me how to fit into the world!” “Up until now I have found no one that comes close!”
Steve pulls on his underwear thinking about what the boy has said. “It is funny, that it is right around when I stopped coming to camp,” Steve comments. “I was actually going to come for another year, but things got weird.”
“Hey, what’s going on in there!” a voice from outside shouts as someone begins banging on the door.
“I think we need to finish this talk later,” Steve says quickly after getting dressed. “If you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” Avery says, pulling up his pants and then looking to the deadbolt that sides back open.
Barry and James push into the bath house to shower. Barry takes in every inch of Steve who stands in only his underwear. “What were you guys doing in here?” Barry asks. “I thought the door would never be locked if someone was in here.”
“That is correct, Mr. Ramirez and the door was not locked, only stuck because of the steam,” Steve replies. “It has been a problem for years, old wood that has not been painted to seal it in years.” Steve finishes dressing to tell the boys, “Get a move on, don’t be late!”
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
V.I.P. Ward
111 S 11th St
Philadelphia, Pa
Officer Mark Zadlo & Detective Ed Bower patrol the corridors of the V.I.P. Ward. Taking a lap of the floor high security ward every half an hour. At 25 a single guy, Mark Zadlo is the younger of the two. Mark has an athletic build and a thick head of brown hair that looks like he has used his hands to comb it. He is dressed in baggy pleated pants, shirt and tie like Bower but not as well manicured. His shirt is loose fitting and he wears a belt to hold up his pants that could be a smaller size. His shoes are scuffed and well worn.
Detective Bower is 35 and a family man. His clothing is perfectly fitted to his build. A former Marine who still keeps his hair in a crew cut with a stockier build than Zadlo. He hates being in the field, even his recent promotion to Detective does not change his feelings about field work. He wears a bulletproof vest to put both his wife and himself at ease. Their assignment is to be on guard for the return of the woman who broke into the hospital days ago.
“Aren’t you hot in that thing?” Zadlo asks as they check an empty room at the end of hall for the third time in three hours. “If this Zeni-bitch shows up she is not going to be using a gun.”
“This vest protects against more than bullets, you should be wearing one too,” Detective Bower tells his partner. Although he has been promoted to detective, he and his partner are still very much equal on most other levels.
“What part of I can’t die can’t you remember?” Zadlo recalls as they continue down the corridor.
“Or so you believe up until now, you take way too many risks,” Bower tells the young man. “I have a family to take care of, I don’t need you to be taking unnecessary risks.” Coming to a stop at the end of the hall by the entrance to the ward are the Rest Rooms. “I got to take a piss, don’t not get killed while I’m gone.” Detective Bower pushes open the door to the Men’s room leaving Zadlo alone in the hall.
Officer Zadlo stands in front of a wall of windows. Looking out over the city he doesn’t even spot it as it speeds toward him between the valley of the buildings. He barely hears the glass of the windows shatter as the force of the impact throws him back against the wall.
In the Men’s room Bower hurriedly pulls up his fly as he moves to the door. Drawing his gun from his shoulder holster he can see the door has been impaled by a metal girder. He takes hold of the handle trying to open it. “Zadlo, what is going on?” he shouts when he discovers the door will not open. “Zadlo!”
Outside in the hallway Mark Zadlo pulls himself from the debris. His body is impaled with hundreds of glass shards. His ears ringing he can hear no other than sound. He makes no attempt to remove any of the glass as he struggles to reach for his gun. Mark Zadlo is on a mission and he will not be deterred as he staggers down the corridor to the nurse’s station. Zadlo turns the corner to see him, a bare-footed man dressed in gray pants with a waist length red cape hanging from his shoulders. The young cop looks to the floor where two nurses and a doctor lay bleeding. “Hold it right there!” Officer Zadlo shouts pointing his gun at Supreme Warrior.
Supreme Warrior turns holding up Dr. Michaelson by the throat. “Well little policeman aren’t you brave,” the villain sneers, dropping Dr. Michaelson to the floor. “I once had a friend that was one of you.”
“I said hold it right there!” Officer Zadlo shouts again. Supreme Warrior takes another step and Zadlo fires on him. The bullets roll off his chest.
“Bullets may hurt the Master, but not the Supreme Warrior!” he smirks. Then in an instant he has his hands on the cop’s wrist aiming the gun to the ceiling. The cop’s gun fires two more times before it falls to the floor. Supreme Warrior lifts Zadlo from the floor by his arms holding them at length. “I’ve never really thought about ripping a man in half before.” “Let’s see if you are anything like a phone book.”
Supreme Warrior begins to pull on Officer Zadlo’s arms causing him to cry out in pain. Zadlo has never felt such pain as his arm joints begin to separate from his shoulders. Anyone else would have lost consciousness at this point, one of the drawbacks of his ability is that he does not, he must endure the pain. It is a horrible sound of tendons snap and muscles tear as Mark Zadlo’s arms are separated from his body.
Supreme Warrior is left holding the man’s arms as his body drops to the floor. “That didn’t work right,” he comments, dropping the severed arms on top of the man’s bleeding body.
From down the hall comes the shout from Detective Bower who had freed himself from the Men’s room. “You Bastard!” Supreme Warrior looks up at the distraught Detective stepping through the rubble left by his arrival. The villain has no time to react as the Detective shouts again a green glow in his eyes. “FUCK YOU!”
A beam of green light then erupts from Bower’s forehead striking Supreme Warrior square in the chest. The murderous villain staggers back away from Zadlo on the floor as the beam reemerges from his back to strike the dismembered man moaning on the floor.
Detective Bower is as shocked by what has just happened. He stands motionless looking at the scene where Supreme Warrior falls back to the floor. The villain returns to his feet to step over the fallen cop who has gone quiet. “What was that little man, playing at being a hero?” Supreme Warrior asks. “You are just another asshole keeping secrets?”
“This is not a standard gun,” Detective Bower shouts. “It’s a Zeni-taiser, like the one from the docks.”
“I’m stronger now!” Supreme threatens.
“I think you are mistaken,” Officer Zadlo says, getting up from the floor behind the large man. Both of his arms reattached, he tears off his sleeveless shirt. “I think you have lost something!” Zadlo’s bloody shirt falls to the floor as he grabs hold of the short red cape on Supreme Warrior’s back to swing the man around by it. Letting go sending Supreme Warrior back out the broken open wall of windows. A helpless Supreme Warrior sails off into the distance.
“Wha…what just happened?” Detective Bower stammers his hands shaking holding the Zeni-taiser.
“You just saved my arms,” Officer Zadlo says proudly, holding up his arms to flex his biceps. There are still visible scars all the way around his shoulders from where they were torn from his body. “I could feel that you gave me some of his power.” Mark walks past Bower to look out the window over the city. “I don’t know how long it will last so we need to keep watch for him.” “Call it in.”
“Amazing,” Dr. Michaelson says in a gruff tone holding his throat. He then walks over to Officer Zadlo to examine his shoulders.
Camp Tandy – the Lodge
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
After lunch when Steve is leaving the lodge, Avery Lewis runs out after him. “Something weird happened today,” Avery tells Steve.
“Other than you ogling me in the shower?” Steve snickers.
“My power stopped working,” Avery tells Steve, grabbing his arm. They stop to stand in the middle of the field between Soccer and Field Hockey. “That is only meant to happen when I find my mentor.” “It is because I found you and now you must teach me how to harness my power correctly.”
“I really don’t understand any of this, Avery,” Steve tells the young man. “If your power is gone, perhaps it is for the best.” “As far as I can see you do nothing but miss using it.”
“That is why I need you!” Avery insists. “Legend tells how 2000 years ago my family’s line began when an Amazon warrior fell in love with a god.” “They conceived a daughter and not long before the child was born the god left this realm.” “The Amazon warrior raised her daughter alone for 500 years.” The girl Asuma inherited strength and skills from both her parents. “When the Mother and Daughter were separated by a shipwreck, Asuma found love too with a Kabbalah student Judah.” “Asuma and Judah married and had a son.” “Asuma told Judah of the danger of her people learning of their son’s birth.” “You see Amazons slaughtered male children at birth so they would have to keep their son secret.”
“This is an incredible story, Avery,” Steve comments in disbelief of the accuracy of the tale he tells. “Where did you hear it?” He has never heard of an Amazon having a child with a god but the legends of amazons killing male children at birth was true. It was the law of one of the Queens that not all of the amazons agreed with.
“It is a family legend, it was told to me by my father and his before him,” Avery explains. “They named their son Adam for the first man in the bible.” “When Adam was around five, Asuma’s mother returned.” “Asuma fled with her mother not wanting her to learn of her son and inflict amazon law on him.” “As Adam grew it became clear that he had incredible power. When his powers came to light to others, Judah formed a secret sect, using the Kabbalah to explain that his son’s gifts were from God.” “Over the centuries there have been many descendants of Adam who have had powers.” “I am the most recent in the line and like all of them before me I need a mentor to find my destiny.”
“Come with me,” Steve says, taking Avery by the arm to walk him across the field toward the woods by the lake. This discussion must be done in a much private location.
A pair of sharp eyes watch from Lodge as Steve Roberts leads the young man into the woods. She wonders what is going on and if she needs to report what she has seen.
Steve brings Avery to a stop below the lifeguard stand. “If I am to believe you I have several questions.” “Where are all of these male descendants of Asuma now?”
Avery giggles at the question, “Dead, of course.” “Well, except for my Dad.”
“Killed because they were male Amazons?” Steve asks.
“No, of old age, all of them were over one hundred years old when they died!” Avery explains. “They all aged slower than other people. “My Dad was in his sixties when I was born, but he still looks like he is in his forties.”
Steve has never given it much thought but his mother did tell him that third generation Amazons are not immortal. To learn that there has been a line of male amazons all this time is amazing to him. Maybe he is meant to be this boy’s mentor. “These powers you have are clearly not amazon in origin.” “Who was the god?”
“I knew you were different!” Avery shouts, beginning to jump up and down. “I knew it!” “I knew it!” “I knew it!” “Who else would know that?”
“Calm down,” Steve says. “I believe your story. I just need to know what your powers are meant to be, if I am to consider helping you.” “These powers that you have displayed seem unpredictable.”
“So you figured out most of the powers that have made it down through the generations are from the god Eajamail,” Avery reveals, still clearly excited. “Everyone of us has had slightly different skills.”
Steve has heard of the god of prosperity, Eajamail when he and Spirit were in Zeeza. He did not meet Eajamail, but while traveling together he and Spirit discussed the Mistix they had met on their own. “I would guess your powers are influenced by your emotions and what is happening around you.” Steve stands glaring at the young man for a moment. “If we are to do this, no one can know, I mean no one!”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Avery says, bouncing on his heels. “Anything you say!”
“Then meet me at the old Saw Mill up the mountain after dinner before the Campfire and we will get started in some place where no one will catch us,” Steve says. “Do you know where that is?”
“Of course, most of the kids over fifteen know that place, it’s up the forbidden red trail,” Avery responds. “Do you really think that is a good place?”
“It is a good place to get started,” Steve tells him. “Now get over to Field Hockey and calm yourself down!”
Gillman’s Saw Mill
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Skipping dinner Steve heads up the red trail toward the old Saw Mill at the top of the mountain. It has always been off limits to campers. That being said he and Gary had taken several trips up there while at camp. After what Avery said about so many kids knew about the Saw Mill Steve decided to check it out first.
When he first arrives at the Mill he doesn’t feel any impending danger. The old Mill appears abandoned on all accounts. Steve has a strange feeling of deja-vu. He knows he has been here before but this is something else. It is like when he is in a place he has had a premonition of in a dream. But he has never had a dream of this place or of being Avery’s mentor.
Exploring the Saw Mill he is drawn to a front-end loader with dents in the metal roof that are the shape of footprints. The sight of the footprint shaped dents triggers his danger scene again. Steve turns to scan the edge of the trees, but he can see no danger anywhere.
Pain subsides as he walks to the main building. A new lock and chains on the door are not wise to break. Clearly someone has been here recently, this place may not be as abandoned as he believed. Jumping up twelve feet up onto the roof he lands on another set of footprints like on the front-end loader, slightly smaller than his own.
There is a strange static electricity in the evening air. Steve feels as though every hair on his body is standing in end, even under his clothes. Then the pain returns, this time it is unbearable as he grabs for the back of his head. He staggers to the edge of the building, he can barely see to make the jump back to the ground. As soon as his feet touch the ground the pain subsides again.
Steve squats there for a moment to get his bearings before standing up. What is going on? Looking around the area again he spots something moving in the trees this time. It is the new Field Hockey Coach, Hillary Barnes. She walks toward with a determined look on her face. “Coach Barnes, what brings you up here?” Steve calls to her, not sure if she saw him jump down.
She comes to a stop a few yards away from him. “I might ask you the same thing,” Coach Barnes responds with a slight accent in her voice that he can’t place. “More importantly, why are you meeting a camper up here?”
Steve is shocked by her implication that he is up to something deviant. “I do not think I like what you are implying,” Steve replies. “I am just out for a hike to clear my mind.”
“I have just the thing to clear your mind,” Coach Barnes says, pulling a baton from behind her back. “Whatever your plans are for Avery Lewis, they end now!” Coach Barnes charges at him, the baton in her hand extending from either end to a length of six feet. She swings the staff at his head with enough force to bash in his skull.
“I do not think so,” Steve says coolly as he reaches out his left hand to catch the end of the staff, stopping her attack cold. He swings the woman at the end of the staff around releasing it, sending Barnes several yards to the ground.
The new Field Hockey Coach is impressive as she flips around to land on her feet. Coach Barnes charges back at Steve again, spinning the staff over her head making it impossible to predict where it will land its blow.
Steve leaps up seven feet in the air to kick the lance from the fierce charging woman’s hand. He spins in mid-air to grab the lance as he descends to the grass. Standing behind the woman as she turns around Steve realizes something, “This is a Celaerian weapon!”
“And you fight like an amazon!” Coach Barnes exclaims.
“Does everyone here know about the amazons?” Steve shouts.
“And how is it that you know about Celaerian weapons?” Coach Barnes demands.
They are at a stalemate for several minutes, then Steve tosses the lance back to Ava. He reaches to his ear to trigger the change to Master Warrior. Holding up his hands he says, “My mother took me there when I was a teen, I found these Celaerian Gauntlets.” “My mother is one of the final three amazons, Dona.”
Ava collapses the lance and stows it down the leg of her pants. “As was my mother, Artemis,” she replies. “So I know that there is no way you should be alive.”
“I assume you are speaking of the unjust tradition of killing male newborns.” “It was a law that died with the last Queen.” “I met your mother once years ago,” Master Warrior tells her. “From what Avery has told me about his heritage I would guess that you are Asuma, mother of Adam.” “Before learning of your son I had never heard of any other male amazon.”
Coach Barnes is sadly silent for a moment thinking about all she has sacrificed, all she could have had if not for her belief in a law that has been gone for so long. But she knows all too well, what is done is done. Now there is only moving forward. “I may have abandoned my son out of fear, but I have mentored everyone of his male descendants since,” she reveals. “Now you have interfered in that.”
“It was not my intention to come between you and Avery,” Master Warrior reveals. “It was him who insisted.” “I only agreed when he told me the story of his heritage, I felt a bond with him.” “Why was he not told his mentor would be you?”
“Because none of them has ever known who I was,” Coach Barnes reveals. “I did that for their safety, I thought it was for the best for me to keep myself secret from them.”
“When was the last time you saw your mother?” Master Warrior asks.
“It has been nearly 800 years now,” Ava answers, setting him back a little.
“What does she believe became of you?” Master Warrior inquires.
“I would rather not discuss my mother, when was the last time you saw your mother?” she retorts.
“A month or so,” he replies.
“How old are you?” She says, confused by the closeness of mother and son.
“22,” Master Warrior tells the coach. As he touches his ear to change back to his street clothes.
“You are just a baby, that explains your optimism to become a public hero,” she chuckles.
“Be that as it may, I will step down to Avery, tell him that you are his true mentor,” Steve grins. “In truth I felt like I was not ready to be anyone’s mentor quite yet.”
Camp Tandy – The campfire
Glassboro Township
New Jersey
Steve watches the fire as it burns, he remembers stories his mother used to tell around the campfire when he was a child, even before he knew his heritage. She spoke of how fire was a cleansing power of renewal. He watches the flames flicker and consume the logs on the pyre. His mother also spoke of the fire of passion that consumed the hearts of the children. He no longer considers himself a child. But looking across the fire to the Field Hockey Coach, having discovered who Ava Barnes truly is, it has changed his perspective. In her eyes like his mother’s eyes he is still an infant to the world.
Then he looks up to see Diana making her way along the row to the empty seat next to him. This has become the best time of his days here at camp talking with her as they sit at the fire. If only he could really tell her how his day has been. But that is not something he can honestly do.
Sylvia also wishes she could talk to Steve about her strange day. She is still in amazement at the accurate retelling of true events that Lori Striker dreamt about over the past two nights. The girl has been dreaming of the things that Steve and Diana did at camp when they were fifteen. At first she didn’t believe what the girl was telling her. That was until Lori even knew about the kiss they had in the woods and so many other things that no one else knows about what happened that summer. Then she became scared of what else the girl might learn about her while dreaming. So Sylvia suggested that Lori focus on someone else before going to bed tonight. Perhaps one of her tent mates, like Susan Mathess. If Lori could really see true events in her dreams perhaps she could learn what Miracle Maiden needs to know about Susan’s father.
“So how was your day, Sylvia?” Steve asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Hardest workout I’ve had in years playing soccer with these kids,” Sylvia replies, smirking. “I got to meet the new Field Hockey coach, she seems nice.
Steve doesn’t comment on Coach Barnes or how it is he came to meet her today as well. “Playing Soccer with them?” he says instead. “You are supposed to be coaching them not beating the tar out of them on the field.”
“Please, aren’t I allowed to have a little fun?” Sylvia comments. “I went easy on them.”
“That is hard for me to believe,” Steve chuckles.
Sylvia had not realized that Lori was sitting in the row in front of them until she turned to say, “She still has all her moves, but she went much easier on us than she did on you.”
“What do you mean by that?” Steve asks, confused by the remark as he looks at Sylvia.
“Lori is just being silly,” Sylvia says, trying to cover for what this young girl has just said, that she should not know about.”
Lori turns around smiling at Sylvia as she says, “It’s just a silly phase I’m going through.” “And just because, I call you up, Don’t get me wrong, don’t think you’ve got it made.”
Now Sylvia really feels uncomfortable as Lori says something she hopes Steve does not recognize. “Ha, she likes to quote songs too.”
Steve thinks for a minute, “‘I’m Not In Love’ by 10cc, funny seems I remember someone else quoted that song to me once.” “The next line is, ‘I’m not in love’. Steve looks at Sylvia with an eyebrow raised. “What an absurd song to quote for someone so young.”
“I agree, Lori, what did I say about you making friends with girls your own age,” Sylvia tells Lori. “You should go sit with your tent mate, talk with Susan.” Lori gives her chaperon an angry look. “Go ahead, get going.” Lori gets up begrudgingly to go sit with her tent mates. “She is something of a music buff, we were playing a game of guessing lyrics today,” Sylvia says trying to cover. “I think I might have befriended her too much.”
“I think you befriended her just enough to make her your inside girl with Susan,” Steve suggests. “Don’t think I didn’t notice where you sent her to make friends.”
“You think you are pretty clever, don’t you?” Sylvia says, bumping shoulders with him.
“Yep!” Steve replies, reaching out to touch Sylvia’s arm. “You know when you first said that to me I didn’t know the phrase.” “It was a couple of years later when I heard the whole song on the radio, I realized what you were saying to me.” “I almost cried in front of Gary.”
“You remember an offal lot for a Dopey guy,” Sylvia comments now that they are alone.
“I also remember that you said that the day before you kissed me,” Steve reveals. “You were coming out of the bathroom, looking like you had been crying.” “I asked if you were okay?” “You replied, It’s just a silly phase I’m going through. And just because, I call you up, Don’t get me wrong, don’t think you’ve got it made.” “I thought it was girl stuff, so I didn’t ask anything else.”
“Girl stuff?” Sylvia queries.
“I thought you had your period or something,” Steve says in a low voice.
“Well as a matter of fact I did, but I was really feeling that song about you that day,” she reveals for the first time.
“Gross, what would have happened if things had gone differently?” Steve asks. “What if I was like Gary and wanted to do it right there on that rock?”
“I guess we will never know, either you would have gotten a big surprise or I would have kicked your ass,” Sylvia giggles.
“Then for the first time in years I am glad I ran away,” he says, making them both laugh. “You know I would really like to kiss you right now, if it wouldn’t completely blow your cover.”
“Me too, let’s just say you owe me one,” she says smiling.
Gary Rogers’ Apartment
Apt 222
2363 W 14th St
Cleveland, OH
A weak and tired Supreme Warrior arrives home by way of his balcony. Once inside he can see that his apartment has been searched. Probably by the local FBI or something. He knew there was nothing here for them to find, no handwritten manifesto, no secret weapons or anything to give them a clue that he was Supreme Warrior at all. He staggers into the bedroom, it is dark as he flops down on the bed. He quickly finds he is not alone.
“My lover you have returned to me,” Malice Maid says cuddling up on his chest.
“What the hell!” Supreme Warrior shouts jumping up from the bed to turn on the light. What are you doing here?” he shouts at her. In the light he can now see that there are two men lying dead on the floor of his bedroom, probably the agents that were searching his place.
“I knew if you were not at the hospital you would come here,” Malice Maid tells him. “I have a gift for you.” She steps closer to him holding out her hands toward him as they begin to glow.
Supreme Warrior reaches out grabbing her wrists. “Hold it right there!” he warns. “I know what you did to me in the hospital!” “I did not consent to it!” “I am no one’s whore!” He shoves Malice Maid back onto the floor.
She crawls back to his bare feet to grovel. “You are my Supreme, never have I known love like what I feel for you.” He lifts his foot to push her back by the shoulder to the floor again. “Please my love I have brought you more of that bitch’s power that will return you to your former glory.”
Supreme Warrior glares down at the woman on the floor as she grovels. She is beautiful and a fantastic in bed, perhaps the best he has ever had. Reaching down he grabs a handful of her red hair to lift her up. Throwing her to the bed he says, “I know it causes you pain to contain it.” He moves to pull off his pants. She is eager to please him. Sitting up she moves to the edge of the bed to reach for him. “Not yet!” he shouts at her, slapping her across the face knocking her back to the bed. “You will do only what I say now!” “Until you pay for what you did without my consent.” Supreme stands there in front of her as he prepares himself. “You will contain that power until I tell you otherwise!” “Do you hear me?”
“Yes, lover, I will do whatever you say,” Malice Maid replies looking up at him.
“Roll over then, I want to use you like the bitch you are!” he demands. Malice Maid rolls over to get up on her knees, poised for domination. The man who was once Gary Rogers steps forward to forcibly takes her from behind. She does not cry out as the pain spreads through her body. He sodomizes her hard and fast like a toy for his pleasure.
“Fuck yes,” Malice Maid moans as the pain begins to turn to pleasure.
Supreme grabs a handful of her tousled hair to pull her head back as he leans forward to growl, “Not a peep bitch!”
Malice builds inside her as she fights to contain the power she stole from Diana that burns inside her chest. Grabbing for a pillow she bites down on it. The pillow muffles the small sounds she can not contain. Just when she can not contain herself for much longer she, he completes this deed. But he is not finished with her yet. Supreme flips Malice Maid over onto her back. “Never forget who is the Supreme of this team!” he growls at her as he lunges back down on top of her. He gets in face to demand, “Now give me that power bitch!”
Pinned to the bed his hands squeezing her throat she responds. Reaching around to his back to dig her sharp nails into his flesh screaming out in pain and pleasure. Her body surges with the stolen Soul Essence that she now drains into her lover. Supreme Warrior bellows out as the stolen power is funneled into his body.
Tuesday, June 21, 1988
Philadelphia Elite Squad office
1st precinct
Philadelphia, Pa
It has been an unusual morning with the arrival of two new members to the Squad. Detective Brenda Stillwell and Officer Tomas Lopez. As usual Commander Olpere has not revealed if they are Zeni-human or not. With the recent realization that Bower has a power too, Paddy assumes that they are Zenis, like the rest of them. For the most part all of them have lower level powers, nothing like Steve. Paddy does wonder about Commander Olpere; she has shown no Zeni-human abilities at all, then again neither does he on the surface.
The Elite squad team of four is now a team of six and all are focused on finding Gary Rogers a.k.a. Supreme Warrior. With the discovery of Bower’s power Olpere has assigned him and Zadlo to head for Cleveland, Ohio to see if Supreme Warrior has returned there. She believes it is the best use of her two most powerful assets. Bower is still not handling the new discovery of his powers well that could prove dangerous to everyone around him.
Paddy would usually bring this to the Commander’s attention but he doesn’t believe Gary would go back to Ohio. He has a different opinion. He and David Rogers spoke last night and they agree that whatever Gary’s next move is it will be to continue down his course of revenge. Most likely staying in the city to search for Steve. Paddy has some concern for Steve’s step-sister who is staying at their apartment, but she assures him she knows what to do if Gary shows up. Moreover she does not intend on being home alone during the day.
The morning is set in a new direction with the surprise visit of Dr. Charles Michaelson. “Good Morning Doctor, how can I help you?” Detective Berger asks as the man steps out of the elevator. Paddy can still see the marks on the doctor’s throat where Supreme Warrior choked him at the Hospital. He carries an aluminum briefcase in his hand. “Is there some kind of emergency?”
“I must see Commander Olpere at once!” the rather disturbed looking doctor says.
“Right this way,” Paddy says, leading the man to his superior’s office. “Commander, Dr. Michaelson is here to see you,” Detective Berger says at the open door to Olpere’s office.
“Please come in Doctor, what is on your mind?” Commander Olpere says from her desk. Paddy follows in after the doctor to close the door behind himself. Olpere gives the Detective a look but does not ask him to leave.
Dr. Michaelson sits the case on the Commander’s desk to open it. “The most recent DNA profile of Gary Rogers has come back from the lab,” Michaelson says, pulling a folder from the case. “His genes have changed drastically and continue to do so.”
“What do you mean?” Commander Olpere asks, looking at the file.
“It is now standard procedure for EMTs to take oral DNA swabs on any patients who appear out of the ordinary,” Dr. Michaelson explains. “I managed to get access to a DNA profile created in Fairfield Co, Ohio when Gary Rogers was in the Hospital there.” “They took the swab because of the events described.” “But no one there knew what they were looking at, I do.” “At that time he did not have a Zeni-gene marker.” “Gary Rogers had something different, something very rare.” “I first discovered it after the battle of Master Warriors on Market Street.”
Paddy does not like where this story is going. He knows full well that Dr. Michaelson was at Jefferson when the real Master Warrior was brought in. Making it more uncomfortable for him when the doctor looks at him to begin his story.
“The first Master Warrior to be brought into the Hospital was in bad shape,” Dr. Michaelson explains. “A swab of DNA was taken, by the time it came back that person who was clearly male had been admitted to the hospital.” “The DNA was confusing to say the least.” “The Zeni Gene was present and strangely the chromosomes came back as female.” “I believe you have since named that person Double Dee.” “But after the battle of Market Street there was a second Master Warrior brought to the Hospital, a man who you demanded we release,” the doctor says to Paddy, “On your authority, Commander.”
“That is correct,” Commander Olpere agrees knowing that she gave no such order to Detective Berger that day.
“Up until now I have not told either of you that we swabbed him as well before he was released,” Dr. Michaelson reveals. “He was unconscious at the time so I do not know if he is even aware of it.” “His DNA panel came back the same day as DD’s did.”
Paddy remains silent, he knows that Steve had been tested for the Zeni-marker before and it came back negative. There is no reason this time should be any different.
“There was no trace of the Zeni-gene, but it had been replaced with another, one different than any other I had seen before,” Michaelson reveals. “I have since named it the Master-gene.”
“We are happy for your discovery doctor, but what does this have to do with Supreme Warrior?” Commander Olpere questions.
“That first DNA panel of Gary Rogers showed that he had the Master-gene, not that anyone at that Hospital knew what they were looking for at the time,” Dr. Michaelson reveals. “When he arrived at Jefferson after what happened at the pier, his new panel showed only a Zeni-gene.” “There was no Master-gene present.”
“Could it have something to do with the woman who broke into his room?” Detective Berger inquires.
“The woman, she has been identified from the trace DNA she left on Rogers,” Dr. Michaelson tells them, retrieving another file from his case. “She is a Trudy Collins aka Trudy Patterson aka Trudy Garrison.” “She has made at least two trips to the morgue that I know of at this point.” “I’ve put a call in with a Special Task force in New York to find out what I can about her from them.” “Her DNA panel also shows the Zeni-gene, which would explain her ability to return from the dead.” “But there was another intriguing panel run from her attack on Rogers.” “It was on his semen that was ejaculated.”
“Lovely,” Commander Olpere says, placing the papers the doctor handed her back into his case.
“It shows that it has the Master-gene, but there was no sperm in the fluid,” Dr. Michaelson concludes. “It would appear that his body is discarding the Master-gene for some reason.” “As if it is no longer of use to him.”
“Are you suggesting that Rogers has transferred this Master-gene to the woman?” Commander asks.
“Possibly,” Michaelson replies. “There is only one way to find out and that is to test her DNA.”
“It is good to know that there is no chance that Supreme Warrior is going around breeding at least,” Detective Berger suggests. “As far as this Master-gene goes you have no idea what it does?”
“I took the liberty of going over all the DNA profiles that have been collected to find Zeni-humans,” Dr. Michaelson reveals, making Paddy feel ill at ease again. “I found only one other with the Master-Gene.” “A man in your unit, Officer Zadlo also has the Master-Gene, which leads me to believe it has something to do with his strange inability to die.” “If that is true then it would appear that Master Warrior has a similar trait.”
“Are you talking about immortality?” Commander Olpere asks.
“Clearly what Zadlo and Master Warrior have is different but they are linked somehow,” Dr. Michaelson hypothesizes. “If Rogers was not born with the Master-Gene then he got it from somewhere else.” “Which suggests to me that he has the ability to change is genetic make up, evolve in a way that can not be predicted.”