"Damn
it's cold," Jono Starsmore muttered. It was early February, and the
coldest time of the year in Utah. The dry cold wind tore at what little
skin Jono left exposed. He checked his watch and stepped closer to the
wall in the open air mall called the Gateway.
He was early, but then his flight had been quite a bit
earlier than he expected. He didn't expect Angelo for at least another
half hour. If he'd contacted Everett, he would be along before too much
longer.
Jono rubbed his hands together and considered slapping
Angelo when he saw him. An outdoors meeting was just plain stupid in a
place like this. He felt his cell phone begin buzzing. He reached into his
pants pocket and extracted the phone. He glanced at the caller ID. It was
Becca, also known as Spectra, the girl he'd been dating since his time
with the group called PathetiX. He considered not answering. He enjoyed
the girl's company, but as of late their paths had diverged. He took a
deep breath and finally opened the phone.
"Hey luv," he whispered. "How are yeh?"
"Good," Becca muttered. "Yourself?"
"The flight was good," he replied, rubbing his
regenerated chin. He glanced around. "Startin' to feel a bit of th' jet
lag, but it ain't too bad. Damn cold out here though."
"I bet," she replied. "Probably not as bad as it is here
though." Jono chuckled.
"That's right," he said. "Humidity. Just like back
home."
"I bet," Becca replied. "So Jono... where are we
really? Are things... over?" Jono sighed. He'd feared the conversation
would go that route.
"I don't know Becs," he said. "I care for yeh a lot, but
our lives are just going off on separate roads. We're just... growing
apart."
"I know," she said. "I've been thinking the same
thing. Did you ever... love me?"
Jono hesitated. His mind ran through a million things he
could say, but it stopped cold as he pictured Paige. She smiled at him and
waved, then resumed running through the tall grass in front of the
academy. He shook his head, casting the memory aside.
"I... I don't know Becs," he whispered. "In a way
yes. I'm just not a hundred percent sure what way."
The other side of the line was silent for a few
moments. Finally Becca sighed.
"Me too Jono. Me too. I've gotta run. We'll talk later,
'kay?"
"M'kay," Jono muttered. "Bye Becs."
"G'bye." Jono flipped his phone shut and leaned his head
against the red rock wall. He looked down at the phone, considering
calling Becca back. But why? What would he say? He finally slipped the
phone in his pocket.
"Jono."
"Shit," he muttered. He jumped away from the wall, and
glanced around. Her voice. Again.
"Paige."
"Jono!" another familiar voice exclaimed. He spun and
was immediately assaulted by Jubilation Lee, who jumped into his arms in a
massive bear hug. She gripped him tightly, nearly choking him.
"'Ey Jubes," he finally gasped. A deep rich laugh filled
the air.
"Let him breathe," Everett Thomas said. "He needs to
just like the rest of us. I think." Jubilee let go and backed away,
grinning sheepishly.
"Sorry," she giggled. She reached out and rubbed his
stubbled chin. "Never realized you were so handsome." Jono smiled at the
younger girl and offered his hand to Everett. The dark-skinned youth took
it and drew Jono into a hug.
"It's been a while man," he said.
"Hell yeah it has been," Jono laughed. He clapped Ev on
the back and drew back. "You look good. You really do."
"Hey thanks," he replied. "So do you. As depressed as
ever, but I've never known you cheery. Odd to see you… whole." Jono
laughed and glanced at the ground.
"Thanks, I guess."
"So what shit has Angelo gotten himself into now?"
Jubilee asked. "Ev said he sounded pretty scared." Jono shrugged.
"He didn't even tell me," he replied. "That kinda scares
me." Everett nodded.
"If he didn't tell you, something big is wrong," he
said. "Like... big." Jubilee laughed and wrapped her arm around Everett.
"Like... big," she said in a mocking deep voice. She
shivered and glanced around. "Is there a Starbucks around here or did the
Mormons outlaw that? I'm frickin' freezing." Both Jono and Everett tried
to hold in laughter at Jubilee's statement.
"It's not," Jono replied. “I had a cup in the
airport.” Everett nodded and rubbed his hands together. Jono grinned.
“Let’s take a look at the jewe-“ He stopped as his phone
started buzzing. He reached into his pocket and flipped the phone open as
he raised it to his ear.
“’Lo?” he asked. Everett mouthed ‘who is it?’ Jono
shrugged.
“Hey amigo,” the caller said. “Pizza place. To your
left.” He spun and saw the pizza restaurant. “I see you. Come in, we’ve
got a pie ordered.”
“Oka-“ Angelo hung up before Jono could respond.
“That was him, wasn’t it?” Everett asked. Jono nodded.
“Pizza’s better than coffee,” Jubilee exclaimed,
bounding towards the restaurant. The boys exchanged amused grins, then
followed her. Jubes yanked the door open and held it for them. Jono
welcomed the heat and the rich smell of pizza. Smell was something that
one took for granted, but Jono had experienced life without it, among
other senses, for so long. The trio stepped into the main seating area. A
smiling red-haired hostess approached them.
“Three?” she asked.
“We’re actually meeting one of our mates,” Jono
said. “He said he’s ordered al-“
“That’s him right there,” Everett said, pointing to a
young man who was completely unfamiliar to Jono sitting with a younger
girl wearing a frog-shaped hat. Jono reached out with his telepathy and
confirmed the boy was Angelo, using his powers to disguise himself.
“Okay, head right on in,” the hostess replied with a
bright smile.
“Thanks!” Jubilee replied. Angelo stood and waved to
them. The younger girl turned and waved. He stepped out from behind the
table, slapped Jono and Everett’s hands warmly and gave Jubilee a hug.
“Good to see you guys,” he said. He motioned to the
girl. “This is Molly.”
“Hi!” she exclaimed. “Angelo was telling me all about
you and I was really excited to meet you, and I think it’s awesome that
you came out here for him!” Jubilee’s expression soured as she listened to
the youth. Ev leaned forward to her ear.
“Looks like you have some competition for the perky
one,” he whispered.
“Shut up,” she growled and elbowed him in the
stomach. The members of Generation X sat down as the waitress approached
them.
“What can I get you three to drink?” she asked.
“Coke with a lime,” Jono said.
“The same,” Everett said.
“Do you have coffee?” Jubilee asked.
“Sorry hun,” she replied. “We don’t.”
“Hot cocoa?”
“Yes, whipped cream?”
“Please.” The waitress headed away to fill their orders
and Jono leaned in.
“So what’s up Ange? What shitstorm did you stir up?” Ev
nodded.
“Yeah man,” he said, “you told us nothing on the
phone.” Angelo sighed, and turned to a messenger’s bag he had sitting on
the floor. He ripped the Velcro open and pulled out a newspaper. He set it
flat on the table, displaying the headline.
“Nothing I did amigos,” he replied. The front page of
the LA Times showed mug shots of Molly, Angelo and Torres, Angelo’s
ex-girlfriend. The headline read “Murder/ Kidnapping on West Side” and in
smaller print “Suspect at Large.”
“What the hell?” Jubilee grumbled, looking at Angelo,
then Molly and back to Angelo.
“I’ve been set-up,” he declared.
A Hispanic youth. Young man wearing a scarf over the
bottom portion of his face with a blonde girl. Two black youths, one male,
one female, with an Asian girl. A pair of adults, one a readheaded male,
the other a blonde female.
Jackson Resnack flipped through the files full of photos
he’d just been handed, then looked up at FBI Agent Hans Maher. He set the
files back on Maher’s oak desk and folded his arms.
“I recognize Espinosa, but the others?” he asked. Maher
steepled his fingers and pressed them to his lips. He had been heading the
Espinosa investigation for the last week, and had been reluctant to call
in Slow Burn. Anytime they needed the Post-Human Task Force, it got messy.
“Espinosa used to be part of Xavier’s brood,” Maher
said. “Went by the name of Skin. Those photographs are the particular team
to which he claimed membership, codenamed Generation X. Smart money is on
Espinosa contacting some or all of them for assistance.”
“And they are…?” Maher began pointing to the individuals
in the photos.
“Sean Cassidy, codename Banshee, Emma Frost, codename
White Queen, Jubilation Lee, Jubilee, Everett Thomas, Synch, Monet Saint
Croix, M, and Jonothon Starsmore, Chamber.”
“And the blonde?” Resnack asked.
“Paige Guthrie, deceased.” Maher leaned back in his
chair. “And Frost was the perpetrator, meaning Espinosa didn’t contact
her.”
“But she did just make a hostile takeover of
Worthington,” Resnack replied.
“Think about it Jack,” Maher said. “You’re in trouble,
eighteen years old. Do you call your buddies or the woman that killed one
of them?”
“You already have a lead, don’t you?” Resnack scowled at
Maher and Hans noticed a slight wave of heat radiate off him. Maher
nodded. He turned and picked up a print-out from a fax machine that sat
behind him.
“Starsmore, just flew into Salt Lake International this
morning. He’s not wearing the scarf any more, but we’ve determined it is
him.”
“You have him followed?”
Maher nodded. “I’ve also got a plane waiting for your
team at LAX. You can be into Salt Lake by late this afternoon.”
“Is the information good?”
“Yes.” Resnack stood.
“Then tell the pilot we’ll be there shortly.” The tall
agent turned and walked out of Maher’s office, pulling a phone from his
pocket as he did so. Maher smiled and picked up his phone. He held down
the three key until it began dialing. The line opened, but no one said
anything.
“He’s left,” Maher said. “He’ll be after them shortly.”
“Good,” a voice said, before the line went dead.
“My car is about three blocks down,” Skin said, pointing
down the street. Angelo pulled a set of keys out of his pocket as the
group left the restaurant nearly two hours later. Much of the time was
spent catching up more than discussing Angelo’s situation, but it lingered
over the group. Jubilee walked to one side, sulking and scowling at Molly,
who was oblivious to the glares. Ev didn’t. He crossed behind the group
and joined her.
“If you stare hard enough, her head will just explode
you know,” he whispered. Jubilee blinked twice then looked at him.
“Obvious?”
“Very,” Ev replied. “You don’t like her.”
“Not at all,” she muttered, looking at the
street. “She’s perky, energetic, annoying-“
“An exact duplicate of you about four years ago,” Ev
added. Jubilee turned and scowled. Everett shrugged.
“What?” he asked. “It’s the truth.” He grinned and
elbowed her. “You’re just feeling threatened. You see so much of yourself
in her and you feel threatened by that.”
“B-but,” she stammered, “the way she talks, a-and the
innocent act, and that hat.” He bit his lip to prevent an outburst
of laughter at the venom in her voice.
“I like the hat,” he said with a shrug. “Look Jubes,
Molly isn’t going to replace you. Don’t worry about that. We still love
you.” He paused and grinned. “Even if she is cuter, in a kid-sister
way.” Jubilee slugged him in the arm.
“OW!” he exclaimed. The others turned and looked at
them.
“Jubes beating up on you again?” Angelo asked. Molly
stepped between them and looked up at Jubilee defiantly.
“I’ll stop her,” she declared, half jokingly. The boys
laughed and Jubilee rolled her eyes.
“You and who else?” she moaned. “The lollipop league?”
“So what’s the plan Ange?” Jono asked. “I mean, I know
yeh were framed, any good psi would confirm that.”
“But psychic testimony isn’t admissible in court,”
Everett declared. “Until some hardcore pro-mutant legislation is passed,
it won’t be either.” He paused. “Damn that sounded nerdy.”
“And all the evidence is still in LA,” Jubilee pointed
out.
“We could call my mom and dad,” Molly offered. “They
have lots of connections there. They could help us.”
“That’s a definitely possibility Mol,” Angelo said. “I’m
still bugged by who you saw in the alley. He really sounds like a man in
black type.”
“Yeh’re sayin’ a conspiracy?” Jono asked.
“Like Lost and Prison Break type stuff?” Jubilee
added. Angelo nodded.
“Yeah, like that sort of th-“ Jono stopped and held his
hand out. He began glancing around.
“What?” Molly asked.
“Oh bugger,” Jono muttered. “Jubes, Molly, get to the
car.”
“What is i-“
“Jubes, go!” Everett growled. “I feel them too.” A
rainbow colored aura surrounded Synch suddenly. Jubilee and Molly broke
into a run and Angelo tossed Jubilee the keys. The three young men turned
around with their backs to each other and assumed defensive positions.
“Just like old times,” Angelo muttered as the skin at
the tips of his fingers lengthened.
“Yeah, no kidding,” Ev growled. The other pedestrians
scattered at the sight of the mutants, afraid of the small group. Jubilee
and Molly ran down the street, while Jubilee clicked the unlock button on
a remote on the keychain, hoping to see Angelo’s car. Molly glanced over
her shoulder at the boys.
“Why did they want us to run?” she asked.
“It’s just alpha male penis wagging,” Jubilee
said. “Protect to weaker females and show off for them to boot. I don’t
mind though.”
“Is that how we guys are?” a voice said from behind
them. A blur appeared in front of them, then stopped suddenly, solidifying
as a blonde man in a leather jumpsuit. Both girls stopped as quickly as
they could.
“Aw, crap,” Jubilee whispered.
“Espinosa, freeze!” an amplified voice called. Four
figures shimmered into existence around them. A halo of flame surrounded
one of them. He stepped towards the boys and extended his arm.
“I’m Slow Burn, head of the FBI Post-Human Task
Force. You’re under arrest for kidnapping and murder in the first
degree.” Each of the boys tensed. Jono extended his arm to Slow Burn.
“Sod off.”
A blast of bio-nuclear energy struck him in the
chest. He flew backwards and slammed into a parked car. The speedster
startled.
“What the hell?” he muttered. He rushed forward and
grabbed the two girls. “Come on, I’m getting you two out of here.” Molly’s
eyes flashed purple.
“No you’re not!” She shoved him and he went flying
across the street. Jubilee looked at Molly, then the speedster.
“Damn girl, you just gained yourself some points in my
book!”
Maher rested his elbows on his knees and looked back and
forth between the Hayes. Doctor Gene Hayes held his wife, Alice, close. He
could see several pictures of Molly nearby, as well as a picture of the
Hayes family with several other notable Los Angeles families.
“You said you had news of Molly, Agent Maher?” Gene
asked. Maher nodded.
“Please, call me Hans,” he said. “And yes, we do. A
group of agents just made contact with Molly’s kidnapper in Salt Lake
City. He’s a mutant, and he’s got a group of other mutants with him, but
our team’s the best. They’ll have your daughter back soon.”
“And if they fail, Hans?” Alice asked. Maher shook his
head.
“The Post-Human Task Force has a ninety-nine percent
success rate,” he said. “They won’t fail.”
“There’s still that one percent,” she declared.
“I know ma’am and it’s unlik-“
“Agent Maher,” Gene interrupted, “don’t worry. In case
of that one percent, we have someone we can contact to help.” Maher raised
an eyebrow at the statement. The last thing he wanted was bounty hunters
or vigilantes involved. The Hayes glanced at each other.
Unnoticed by Agent Maher, the Hayes’ eyes flashed
purple.
In Generation X #19:The kids take on the
Post-Human Task Force while the conspiracy plots against them and the
Pride reveals itself to rescue one of their own!
